Amid scorching temperatures soaring to 45°C, the Borno State Fire Service took proactive measures by spraying cooling water in and around Monday Market.
This effort aimed to mitigate the impact of the intense heatwave on residents and visitors in the area.
Authorities in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, have announced the arrest of the leader of a notorious armed robbery gang responsible for a string of violent crimes in the FCT and surrounding areas.
The apprehended suspect, identified as Chukwuemeka Oputa, alias “Pounds and Dollar,” was captured on April 4, 2024, around 2 pm.
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Alongside Oputa, three other suspects were also detained: Praise Etta, Rafael Dav, also known as “Raffy,” and Thomas Akange.
The Police Public Relations Officer for the FCT command, Josephine Adeh, confirmed the arrests in a statement issued on Monday. Adeh revealed that the apprehension of Moses Hassan, a cultist and member of the armed robbery gang from Idda, Kogi State, on February 14, 2024, led to the subsequent capture of Oputa and his associates.
She said; “Investigation subsequently led police operatives to the arrest of three other gang members, namely: Praise Etta, 30 years ‘old, of Etung, Cross River State; Rafael Dav A.K.A. Raffy, 28 years old, of Guma, Benue State; and Thomas Akange, 38 years ‘old, of Markudi, Benue State. All the suspects have since confessed to being involved in a series of armed robberies and other heinous crimes in FCT and are also members of a confraternity cult group called Vikings.
“Several exhibits, such as four (4) locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, three (3) locally made rifles using cartridges, an English pistol, one locally made pistol, a Dane gun, and three (3) AK47 ammunitions, a 5.56mm assault ammunition, and an empty cartridge, were recovered from the suspects.
“While effort is on top gear to recover other exhibits in possession of the suspects, the Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh, wishes to reiterate his unflinching commitment to making FCT inhabitable for criminals.”
In his inaugural address as the newly appointed Deputy Governor of Edo State, Marvellous Omobayo has pledged to bolster Godwin Obaseki’s second term in office.
Omobayo made this commitment during his swearing-in ceremony on Monday, administered by Chief Judge Daniel Okungbowa.
He said, “The oath of office l have just taken is my legal acceptance speech. It defines the legal limits that l can or cannot exceed while in office.
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“Beyond this legal ceremony, it is imperative that l publicly express my profound gratitude to our respected Executive Governor, His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki, and the leadership of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party.
“After all the very painful and thought-provoking distractions of the past few months, our governor is determined to finish his second term very strong.
“From his dialogue with me, it is clear that he is very determined to bequeath a legacy of peace, unity, progress and visible development to Edo State.
“A legacy that the next PDP regime will find exciting to proudly build upon and maintain the leadership position Edo has achieved over time in the comity of states in Nigeria,” he said.
Omobayo thanked his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, and the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, for finding him worthy of the appointment.
Born July 19, 1986, Omobayo hails from Akoko Edo Local Government Area of the State.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Prof. Florence Banku Obi, has terminated the appointment of Prof. Victor Ecoma, Head of Department (HoD) of Fine and Applied Arts for failure to present students from his department for the 36th Convocation Ceremony.
This unexpected decision has stirred shockwaves within the university community.
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The dismissal of Prof. Ecoma as Head of Department was communicated through a statement issued by the university’s Registrar, Mr. Gabriel Egbe, on Monday in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State.
“Prof. Ecoma’s failure to fulfill his duty and ensure the participation of his students in the important academic event has been deemed a glaring act of negligence and incompetence.
“As a result, the university administration has found it necessary to terminate his appointment with immediate effect.
“In light of this development, the Vice Chancellor has promptly directed Prof. Ecoma to hand over all university properties in his possession to his successor, Prof. Echeta Christian Chemezie, who has been appointed to assume the position,” the release stated
By Sebastine Chukwuebuka Okafor (Bookastro)
The original and actual name of the community was Ogwuwgu. Ogugu as it is currently called was a dialectical difference between the native dialect and that of the white men whose own dialect dominated ours and hence, Ogugu.
The name was derived by the founder based on the physical feature of the area. The community is situated in a fertile valley (ogwugwulu) surrounded by hills which gave it a natural protection. The valley (Ogwugwulu) where the community is situated gave rise to the name, Ogwugwu, now Ogugu.
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By geographical location, Ogugu is bounded on the north by owelli town, on the south by the rolling low land of Nenwe, on the east by Ọgbaku hills and on the west by Ugbo/Mmaku hills all in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The legendary story of the community’s ancestral lineage of Ntu-egbenese clan as recorded by Rev FR SN Onuigbo and acknowledged by members of the clan had it that, Ajakuba, an adventurous hunter from Akeze in the present Ivo local Government Area of Ebonyi state arrive at the valley (ogwugwu) and located a convenient cave known as Isiogba cave, located at the present day Ezioha village in Ogugu and settled at “Nkolo Isiogba”.
Having settled and established at the cave, with his wife, Ajakuba got a son he named “Ajakonwe” who in turn, married and got his own son named Ubo-Ogeneguegwu. Ubo ogeneguegwu also got married and begot Anumkpume, who thereafter, married and begot Shikeoke-Ntegbe.
Shikeoke-Ntegbe was the father of Ntegbenese. He was said to have married to Uzuma, a woman from Mgbowo and the couple had six children, five sons and a daughter-Mgbọkwọ, who was said to have got married to Ubatoke, a man from Ituku. The five sons of Shikeoke-Ntegbe in order of seniority were – Shikeoke – Anyichi, Ebe, Shikeaguma, Oshianeke, and osagwede. They all lived at Isiogba cave and it’s environs. Just like their father and other descendants of Ejakuba, they were all wise, adventurous, and highly skilled in hunting, tapping of palm wine, farming, and trading.
However, the 2nd son (Ebe) proficient in wine tapping migrated birthed the current day owelli, the third son (Shikeaguma) proficient in hunting, migrated and birthed Ihe, the fourth son – Oshianeke, proficient in farming, migrated and birthed Agbogugu, the fifth son – Osagwede, proficient in trading, migrated to present-day Akegbe ugwu, settled and became the ancestral father of the present-day, Okunano (Akagbe Ogwugwueze). The first son, Shikeanu – Anyichi, proficient in tapping wine, stayed back in their father’s land at Isiogba cave and birthed the present day Ogugu which however, became the ancestral home as well as the cultural head of Ntegbe Clan.
There are some significant present-day events that were told by oral history that proved Ogugu the head of Ntegbenese clan such as the Nkolo Isiogba cave Mkpumenese Ntegbe, Anụ-Ntegbenese, Ọhọ Ntegbenese all situated in Ogugu and handled by various communities.
Shikeanu – Anyichi who birthed Ogugu, had three sons namely, Ezioha, Amanokee, and Ibite Oli.
According to verifiable oral Ogugu was attacked by Eda warriors which made some of its descendants to run for safety and found the present day: Nara Unateze, Nomeh – Unateze, Amagunze and so on.
The Economic Crop Ogugu includes: Yama, cocoyam, cassava, okro, palm oil amongst others.
The community is made up of farm settlements such as: Ebo, Ululo, And Upata.
The traditional market is Nkwo, which happens every 4 days and offers people across the world the opportunity of coming to buy natural farm products from the village.
Religiously, Ogugu has Ancient deities that bind them such as; Anụ ogwugwu deity, Hojoku, Eja Ọmụmụ, Etubanaile, etc.
The community also has its unique cultural music such as Ụbọ, ikpirikpo, igede, ịkpa, Nkwa (Okenkwe), Opueke, Ikiti Okom,.
According to intelligent reports by Beaumound (1933) the British colonial masters visited Awgu area first in 1909 and toured round communities with Ogugu inclusive before they established Awgu division in 1919.
Some of the notable sons and daughters of Ogugu community includes: Late Chief John chukwura, the first standard six certificate holder and first civil servant, Late ìgwè GU Ochi, teacher grade 2 holder and first higher elementary teacher in Ogugu, Mrs Gladys udechoke (Nee Onovo) first female Teacher, Chief Dr Hycient Chike – Ochi, the first university graduate, Rtd Police constable Late Chief Paul Nwokolo first Public servant In Ogugu, Dr Nweze Celestine, first medical doctor, Dr Godwin Udibe, first academic doctor, Barr Nwonye James, first Lawyer, Barr Mrs Agnes Nweze, first female lawyer, Rev FR Ikenna Mathew Onovo, first indigenous Catholic Priest, Rev Sis Jacinta Emenike, first indigenous Rev Sister.
The Leadership started with the era of warrant chief between 1919 to 1932 (Beaumound 1933) Egbochionu Anekeolie became the warrant chief in 1920 and supervised the construction of Enugu – Okigwe road (Nenwe – Ogugu – Axis). Between 1933-1957, Chukwu Okolie took over from chief Egbochionu as the leader of Ogugu. When the colonial masters established native authorities in 1934, Chief Nwogbo Aniude became the paramount chief under whose leadership, birthed the present day, St Mary’s primary school Ogugu. Other native councillors include: Mr Igboekwe Madu, Paul Chime, Chukwu Onuoha, Udechoke Alo, Chukwunta Anụ, Anuchukwu Ude and so on. The men served the community with utmost sincerity and commitment to development.
In about 1959, Chief GU Ochi offered leadership service to the community and was generally accepted by the people and in about 1971, he was proclaimed, the Chief of Ogugu community until in 1979, he was crowned, the ìgwè of Ogugu community, a position he held until his demise in the year 2000.
Between 1960 and 2015, the community has had series of post-independent leadership such as: Ogugu Improvement Union, Ogugu Yagazie Union, The Ogugu United Front, and the present Ogugu Progressive Union General Assembly (Opuga) which started in 1988.
Some of the past president Generals of the community include: Chief Emma Ogbonna, (1988-1996) Mr Cammy Chukwueze (1996-1997), Late Ogbuefi C Chinenyeze (1998-2000), Engr Innocent Ude (2000-2003), Chief Cosmas Ude (2003-2007), Ogbuefi Jonas Uchenwa, (2007-2015).
Ogugu community also had some great ancient men that originated from it such as: Obasi Chukwu Aniorj (Famous rainmaker) Ajanu – Anụ from Ibite (Great magician), Ngene Anike from Uhuokpo (Warrior), Ntaa ANEKE from umuanekegwu-Ugwuoma (Powerful seer), Anuchukwu Ude from Ibite (Wise like biblical Solomon), Udechukwu Ofido from Ezioha (Great Philosopher), Chief Ogbuefi C Chinenyeze (Great political leader), Chief Aloysius Ogbonna from umumbaike (Great philosopher), HRH Gu Ochi (First ìgwè), Dr Chike Ochi (Academic and Former Rector of IMT).
Religiously, there are some other ancient minor deities in Ogugu such as: Anụ ihumbala Egwú, Ebose, Ngwu, Nwangene, Iyiogwe, Ngene – Eguy, Ọgba, Ojukwu Umuanekegwu-Ugwuoma, Ụzụ.
The community also has its taboos such as: murder/manslaughter, adultery, incest, desecrating of shrines, and so on.
References:
Ogugu Progressive Union, Enugu branch. (2015). Ogwugwu Ntu-egbe: History, culture and tradition.
Meek. (1934). Intelligent report on Awgu (National archive No. ONP 8/1/4753).
Beaumont. (1933). Intelligent report on Ntegbenese clan.
Onuigbo, F. R. S. N. (2000). The history of Ntu-egbenese.
Following the political shift in Enugu State after the 2023 general election, new senators were elected to represent the three senatorial zones.
Notably, the Labour Party secured two senatorial seats, while the PDP claimed one.
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As the first-time senators clock their ten-month in office, it’s imperative to evaluate their performance across various criteria:
1. Legislative Initiatives: Assess the number and significance of bills sponsored or co-sponsored by each senator.
2. Parliamentary Engagement: Evaluate the motions introduced by the senators and their participation in committee activities.
3. Accessibility: Consider the accessibility of each senator to their constituents, including responsiveness to inquiries and concerns.
4. Constituency Relations: Examine the senators’ relationship with their constituents and their efforts in addressing local needs and concerns.
5. Projects and Development: Review the projects attracted or facilitated by each senator for the development of their respective constituencies.
6. Interventions and Programs: Evaluate the implementation of interventions or programs initiated by the senators to address specific issues within their constituencies.
The senators to be assessed are:
1. Senator Kelvin Chukwu – Enugu East (Labour Party)
2. Senator Okey Ezea – Enugu North (Labour Party)
3. Senator Osita Ngwu – Enugu West (PDP)
This assessment aims to promote transparency and accountability, encouraging constituents to critically evaluate their representatives’ performance and engage in constructive dialogue to drive positive change.
The Anambra State Government has announced the adoption of United Nations guidelines, mandating schools to conclude daily academic activities by 2:30 p.m.
According to the State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, this decision aims to provide schoolchildren with sufficient time for rest and interaction with their parents on a daily basis.
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The statement, released on Monday in Awka, underscores the government’s commitment to prioritizing the well-being and holistic development of students within the state.
“All school heads in the state are to adhere to this directive and ensure closure of all daily academic activities at 2.30 p.m.,” she said.
According to the official, the new closing time will enable schoolschildren to be at home by 3.00 p.m.
In anticipation of the upcoming National Executive Committee meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a coalition of PDP federal lawmakers, known as the Opposition Lawmakers Coalition, has called for the resignation of the PDP acting national chairman, Umar Iliya Damagun, citing alleged anti-party activities.
The group is also urging the party’s NEC to remove Damagun and impose sanctions on him if he refuses to resign, accusing him of working to transfer PDP structures to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
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The lawmakers contend that Damagun should step down to allow for a North Central candidate to assume the role of acting chairman until the party’s convention is held, in accordance with the party’s constitution.
They have threatened to leave the party if the purportedly doctored list of Local Government Caretaker Committees in Rivers State and 10 other states, allegedly filled with APC members and loyalists, is not invalidated.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, spokesperson for the group, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, along with members of the G-60 lawmakers in the coalition, expressed their dissatisfaction with the alleged interference of APC members in PDP affairs, particularly in Rivers State.
The lawmakers further accused Damagun of approving plans to impeach the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and criticized him for failing to uphold the responsibilities of the chairman of the largest opposition party in the country.
Ugochinyere emphasized the need to adhere to the PDP’s zoning formula, asserting that it is the turn of the North Central region to produce the party’s chairman.
They called on prominent PDP figures such as former Senate President David Mark, Muazu Babangida Aliyu, Senator Abba Moro, and Bukola Saraki to intervene and safeguard the opposition party from being influenced by the ruling APC.
The lawmakers urged the PDP NEC to investigate allegations of financial support from pro-APC groups and to establish a committee to address instances of anti-party activities, dating back to 2023, within the party.
This move, they believe, will not only serve as a deterrent but also promote the cleansing and revitalization of the PDP.
Renowned Human Rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has vowed to take legal action against the Federal Government regarding the recent spike in electricity tariffs for Band A customers in Nigeria.
Speaking on Channels TV’s Sunday Politics program, Falana criticized the government, particularly Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, for what he deemed an unlawful increase in electricity tariffs.
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Falana argued that the Federal Government’s decision to hike electricity tariffs was conducted outside the bounds of the law. He asserted that electricity subsidy had been abolished since 2022, and accused the government of attempting to alleviate the financial burdens of cash-strapped Discos by burdening Nigerian consumers.
Highlighting his legal analysis, Falana pointed out discrepancies in the Electricity Act of 2023, emphasizing that the Minister of Power lacks jurisdiction to unilaterally approve tariff hikes. According to him, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission is the sole authority empowered to make such decisions.
He emphasized the legal requirement for public notice and stakeholder engagement before implementing tariff adjustments.
Falana stressed that the current increase lacked proper consultation and violated the provisions of the Electricity Act.
Expressing concern over the potential adverse effects on the masses, Falana urged the government to reconsider its stance and revert to the previous tariff structure to prevent further impoverishment of Nigerians.
Warning of impending legal action, Falana asserted that if the government fails to address the issue, he will pursue litigation to challenge the legality of the tariff hike.
Falana emphasized the need for accountability and adherence to legal procedures in policymaking, particularly concerning matters affecting the welfare of citizens.
Governor Godwin Obaseki has selected Omobayo Marvellous Godwins, a 38-year-old engineer, as the new deputy governor of Edo State.
This appointment comes after the impeachment of Comrade Philip Shaibu by the Edo state House of Assembly.
Stay tuned for further details…
