Connect with us

News

Ohanaeze Battles Extinction Of Igbo Language, Endorses Ahiajoku Festival

Published

on

 

The president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Azuta-Mbata, has announced the support of the socio-cultural group for the Ahiajoku Festival, saying that it would elevate Igbo cultural visibility.

He stated this during the visit by the planning committee of the Ahiajoku Festival at the Ohanaeze Secretariat in Enugu.

The 2025 Ahiajoku Festival, which includes a lecture, is a gathering of intellectuals, especially of Igbo descent, where they take stock of their efforts and chart new frontiers.

The Ahiajoku lecture, scheduled for Friday, September 26, in Owerri, will be delivered by Most Rev (Prof) Godfrey Onah, the Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, themed, “The Future of Igbo Economy Amidst the Challenges of Insecurity: A Call for Paradigm Shift.”

Senator Mbata said that the festival remains an avenue for deep conversations among Ndigbo on issues of culture, language and survival but lamented over UNESCO’s report which said that the Igbo language is endangered and appealed for urgent measures to avert such cultural erosion.

He revealed that his administration had instituted professorial endowment chairs in tertiary institutions to drive research in Igbo history, tradition, and language.

The Ohanaeze president-general tasked the organizers to deliver an excellent festival that would elevate Igbo cultural visibility, adding that they would play their role gladly for Ndigbo to be heard.

“We are encouraging studies and research on Igbo language and culture. We have set up a committee for that. Any role we are expected to play, we shall gladly play it at the Ahiajoku lecture.
Our people must be heard,” he said.

Earlier, the director-general of Ahiajoku Centre and Secretary of the Planning Committee, Nze Ray Emeana, traced the origin and evolution of the Ahiajoku lecture festival. He recalled that the festival was inaugurated in 1979 by the late governor of Imo State, Chief Sam Mbakwe, as a platform for Igbo introspection and projection of the Igbo worldview.

Emeana highlighted the stature of intellectuals who had delivered the Ahiajoku lecture to include Professors MJC Echeruo, Chinua Achebe, Ben Nwabueze, Donatus Nwoga, Adiele Afigbo, Laz Ekwueme and the 2025 edition would mark the 45th anniversary of the festival and the 25th lecture in the series.

Business

Fuel price hike: Gov Makinde announces N10,000 transport support for workers

Published

on

 

The governor of Oyo state, Seyi Makinde, has approved a N10,000 transportation allowance as a palliative for the state workforce to cushion the effects of the increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, otherwise known as petrol.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Oyo State chapter, Kayode Martins, in a statement released on Monday, March 23, disclosed that the governor has granted the request of the union on the issue of transportation allowance.

The statement read

“Following the intervention and formal request made by the State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) earlier this morning, the state government has approved a N10,000 transportation allowance for all workers in the state.

The newly approved allowance is set to take effect from April 2026, providing much-needed relief to workers grappling with rising transportation costs amid current economic challenges.

This development comes as a direct response to sustained advocacy by the state NLC, aimed at cushioning the impact of increased living expenses on the workforce.

Further details on implementation are expected to be communicated by the relevant government authorities in due course.”

Continue Reading

News

Former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation bags 72years imprisonment for diverting N868.46 million security funds

Published

on

 

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, March 23, convicted and sentenced Chukwunyere Nwabuoku, former acting Accountant-General of the Federation (AGoF), to a 72-year jail term without an option of fine.

DailyTrust reports that in the judgment delivered, Justice Omotosho held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had been able to prove the nine-count money laundering charge beyond reasonable doubt.

According to the judge, the defendant is hereby convicted as charged.

Justice Omotosho convicted Nwabuoku in all the nine counts and sentenced him to eight years imprisonment in each of the counts, making 72 years.

The judge, however, ordered that the counts shall run concurrently.

Justice Omotosho, who described Nwabuoku’s act of diverting funds meant for security and defence while he served as Director of Finance and Account in the Ministry of Defence as “appalling,” commended the EFCC for being detailed in its prosecution.

The judge observed that the evidence of the 9th prosecution witness that Nwabuoku voluntarily refunded part of the siphoned money of over N200 million during investigation was not controverted by the defence.

Nwabuoku served as the Director of Finance and Accounts in the Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021. He became acting Accountant General of the Federation in May 2022.

Continue Reading

News

11 more arrested over Ozoro “r@ping festival”

Published

on

The police in Delta state have arrested eleven more suspects over the sexu@l ass@ults recorded during what was described as a “r@ping festival” in Oramudu Quarters in Ozoro last Thursday, March 19.

In a statement released on Saturday, March 21, the spokesperson of the command, SP Bright Edafe, said the CP Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) was tasked with conducting a detailed investigation into the incident.

Edafe said operatives of CP-SAT conducted a thorough analysis of available video evidence and intelligence, leading to the arrest of eleven additional suspects identified as Samson Atukpodo, Steven ovie, Ugbevo Samson, Afoke Akporobaro, Evidence Oguname, and six others. Edafe mentioned that these latest arrests bring the total number of suspects currently in police custody in connection with the incident to fifteen (15)

“The Command reiterates that preliminary findings indicate that the unfortunate incident was perpetrated by criminal elements who exploited the situation to engage in acts of sexu@l v!olence, which are in no way representative of any legitimate cultural practice.

The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Aina Adesola, condemns these acts in totality and reassures the public that the Command remains resolute in its determination to ensure that all those involved are identified, arrested, and prosecuted in accordance with the law. Members of the public, particularly victims and witnesses, are once again encouraged to come forward with credible information that will aid ongoing investigations. The Command assures that all information provided will be treated with strict confidentiality.”the statement in part reads

Continue Reading

Trending