By Ambrose Nwaogwugwu | December 23, 2025

The Imo State Government has formally flagged off the resumption of production at the Imo Aluminum Extrusion Industries Limited, ALEX, Inyishi, Ikeduru Local Government Area, marking the full revival of one of the state’s most historic industrial assets.

Speaking at the event on Tuesday, the Honourable Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Investment, Chief Barrister Rex C. Anunobi, described the occasion as a defining moment in the state’s industrial rebirth.

He recalled that ALEX was established in 1983 under the administration of the late Chief Samuel Onunaka Mbakwe and once stood as a leading producer of aluminum longspan, profiles, and accessories across Nigeria, operating profitably at full capacity for many years.

Chief Anunobi said the industry later fell into decline due to poor and fraudulent management by its former technical partners, Tower Aluminium Plc and its foreign collaborators, who abandoned the company in a moribund state. The development, he noted, placed over 200 workers, largely Imo indigenes, at the risk of job loss and economic hardship.

He stated that the intervention of Governor Hope Uzodimma, CON, followed a detailed briefing on the near collapse of the company. According to him, the Governor moved swiftly to prevent total extinction, leading to the state takeover and eventual resuscitation of the facility. He praised the Governor for succeeding where previous administrations failed to act.

The Commissioner further commended the indigenous management staff, workers, and the host Inyishi community for protecting the company’s equipment during the years of inactivity, noting that their discipline and loyalty played a key role in the successful revival. He urged staff to cooperate fully with the new management, assuring them that the state government would continue to prioritize their welfare.

Chief Anunobi also disclosed that the Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Investment has begun engaging other government ministries and agencies to patronize ALEX for their construction needs, as part of efforts to guarantee steady demand and sustained production.

In a related development, the Acting Managing Director of ALEX, Sir Amaihe Levi, announced that the company will commence full commercial production from tomorrow, following today’s official flag-off by the Imo State Government.

He expressed confidence that the revived plant would once again deliver high-quality aluminum products to the market and contribute meaningfully to employment and industrial growth in the state.

The revival of ALEX adds to the growing list of state-owned assets restored under the Uzodimma administration, reinforcing the government’s focus on industrialization, job creation, and economic self-reliance in Imo State.

Former Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, has traced the origin of the popular West African dish, jollof rice, to Senegal.

Speaking on the matter, Mohammed said, “When you look at the origin of jollof, it’s actually from the word Wollof and it’s Senegalese and the people don’t understand the origin of jollof.”

He added some historical context, explaining, “Jollof rice was actually that food that was prepared for prisoners, ‘cos it was that food that was put in one plate, oil, salt, you know, and everything. So really everything of jollof is Wollof.”

Mohammed also referenced the role of tourism authorities in clarifying the dish’s history, stating, “I think later the UN Tourism somebody came out on Wikipedia that the origin of jollof is Wollof.”

His remarks aim to set the record straight on the often-debated origins of jollof rice across West Africa.

Amid Nigeria’s security challenges, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, George Akume, has married a new wife.

The SGF’s new bride is Queen Zaynab Ngohemba-George Akume Dajoh, ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

Abraham Double-d Dajoh shared the announcement in a Facebook post on Friday.

The post read: “We, the entire Dajoh family, happily join our daddy, uncle, and brother, His Excellency, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume Jugu Dajoh, in welcoming his new and uncommon wife, Queen Zaynab Ngohemba-George Akume Dajoh, into the Dajoh family.

“We appreciate and thank the fans and supporters of Sen. Akume for always standing by him. We enjoin every one of you to continue to support his Excellency even in this beautiful union with Queen Zaynab. We wish you all a happy Christmas celebration and a prosperous New Year.”

In the post, the family welcomed the new bride to “Benue State, the Food Basket of the Nation,” to “Mbakor, the seat of leadership of the Tiv nation,” and to “the Dajoh family, the home of your darling husband”.

Previously, Queen Zaynab Otiti Obanor was married to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

She tied the knot with the Ooni in a traditional ceremony held on March 12, 2016, in Benin City, Edo State, followed by a thanksgiving and reception on March 13, 2016, at the Royal Court of Ife in Osun State.

But the marriage crashed in August 2017.

The SGF’s marriage is coming at a time Nigeria is grappling with the security challenges, with terrorists and bandits unleashing violence on innocent citizens.

In a bid to address the situation, especially perceived Christian genocide in the country, United States President Donald Trump ordered airstrikes against terrorist enclaves in North-West Nigeria.

Hours later, residents of Kwara State were thrown into panic after an explosion in the Offa area of the state.