A rare moment of reconciliation between Senator Chris Ngige and his former mentor, Chief Chris Uba, occurred during the tripartite celebrations of former House of Representatives member, Hon. Okwudili Ezenwankwo, in Nanka, Anambra State.

The two political figures were seen exchanging pleasantries and sitting together at the event, which took place at the Holy Trinity Cathedral Church in Nkwoagu, Nanka.

The occasion marked the silver jubilee and golden age birthday of Ezenwankwo’s wife, drawing several dignitaries and well-wishers.

The highlight of the event was a special church service officiated by His Eminence, Peter Ebere Cardinal Okpalaeke, who emphasized the value of family unity and societal peace.

He remarked, “The health of families determines the health of the nation.”

Ngige and Uba’s friendly interaction was a surprise to many attendees, especially as they were seen leaving together in separate convoys after the event, signaling a possible end to their past differences.

In his sermon, Cardinal Okpalaeke also urged a return to agriculture as a means of addressing hunger in the country, sharing his own personal experience in farming: “We must do our part, and the government theirs; I even farm myself.”

Other notable figures at the celebration included APGA National President Hon. Sly Ezeokenwa, Vice President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene, and Hon. Vincent Ekenedilichukwu Ofumere.

They congratulated the Ezenwankwo couple on their 25 years of marriage and prayed for their continued happiness and prosperity.

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has issued an apology to the Nigerian Senate after failing to attend previous invitations to provide explanations regarding the abandonment of projects in the country.

Last month, the Senate, while adopting a motion by Minority Whip, Senator Osita Ngwu, issued an arrest warrant for the company’s Managing Director, Dr. Peer Lubasch, following his repeated failure to appear before the Senate Committee on Works.

Senator Ngwu had informed the Senate that Julius Berger had consistently ignored requests to explain its involvement in the Odukpani-Itu Highway project, despite receiving over N18 billion in public funds.

The company was also criticized for the alarming increase in contract costs from N54 billion to N195 billion.

In a letter dated January 10, 2025, addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senate Committee on Works Chairman Senator Barinada Mpigi, Julius Berger apologized for its absence at the hearings and acknowledged receipt of the Senate’s previous invitations.

The company explained that the failure to attend the meetings was due to miscommunication during a leadership transition, as Dr. Peer Lubasch had only recently assumed office as Managing Director and was still being briefed on ongoing projects.

The construction giant commended the leadership of the Senate President and the Senate Committee Chairman for their dedication to the welfare of Nigerians.

It assured the Senate that it would attend the next investigative hearing.

The letter, titled “Letter of Apology Re: Invitation to Investigative Hearing,” was signed by Dr. Peer Lubasch and Dr. Abdulaziz Isa Kaita, Director of Administration. It read, “We extend our respect and commend the Senate President’s leadership and the Chairman’s contributions to advancing the welfare of Nigerians. We sincerely apologize for missing the previous meeting due to miscommunication during our leadership transition. Our new Managing Director, Dr. Peer Lubasch, had just assumed office and was being briefed on ongoing projects.”

Julius Berger further expressed its commitment to supporting the National Assembly and the Federal Government in addressing infrastructure challenges and creating jobs for Nigerians.

The company assured its attendance at future meetings and expressed gratitude for the understanding of the Senate.

The wave of defections from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Kano continued on Friday as Hon. Abbas Sani Abbas officially joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Hon. Abbas, who had served as Kano State’s Commissioner for Rural and Community Development until last month, announced his defection during a visit to the Kano residence of the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin.

This latest defection is part of a larger trend in which hundreds of NNPP leaders from across Kano State’s 44 local government areas, along with thousands of their supporters, have abandoned the party and the Kwankwasiyya movement in favor of the APC.

The exodus, referred to as the ‘Barau Tsunami’, saw numerous former NNPP members discard their red caps—symbols of the Kwankwasiyya movement—and align themselves with the APC.

Hon. Abbas’s defection follows the recent sacking of several key NNPP leaders, including Secretary to the State Government Dr. Abdullahi Bichi and five commissioners, after calls for greater governance control by Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

Abbas, who was among those dismissed last month, pledged his support to the APC during his visit.

Senator Barau, alongside APC Kano State Chairman Prince Abdullahi Abbas and other party leaders, received Hon. Abbas warmly.

The Deputy President of the Senate assured Abbas, a well-known grassroots mobilizer, that the APC remained dedicated to improving the future of Kano State and the entire nation.

Barau also emphasized the party’s openness to all those committed to good governance, inclusivity, and public service.

Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, the Member representing Ideato North/South in the House of Representatives, has congratulated Senator John Azuta-Mbata on his election as the new President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

Azuta-Mbata, a former Senator who represented Rivers East, emerged as the new leader of the prominent Igbo socio-cultural organization during the selection of new executives held on Friday at the Old Government Lodge in Enugu.

In his congratulatory message, Ugochinyere expressed that Mbata’s emergence, despite hailing from the South-South region, underscores the unity of the Igbo people, both within the South-East and across the country.

The lawmaker emphasized that the decision highlights that Igbos are united as one, regardless of regional affiliations.

As Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Ugochinyere praised Azuta-Mbata’s leadership capabilities, noting that his experience as a former lawmaker in the National Assembly gives him the credentials needed to lead Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

“I congratulate Senator John Azuta-Mbata on his well-deserved election as the new President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. His selection, though from the South-South, reaffirms the unity and indivisibility of the Igbo people, irrespective of where they reside,” Ugochinyere stated.

He further urged Azuta-Mbata to leverage his political and leadership expertise to drive economic growth, foster unity, and promote peace within the Igbo community.

Ugochinyere also assured the new president of the full support of the people of Ideato North/South, as they look forward to his successful tenure.

“On behalf of the good people of Ideato North/South, I assure you of our support as you take on this important role for the progress and unity of the Igbo nation,” he concluded.