Blog

Aug
30
2026
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By Abia ThinkTank
How To Apply For FG’s N10 Billion TETFund Research Grant

How To Apply For FG’s N10 Billion TETFund Research Grant

FGN, Education
How To Apply For FG’s N10 Billion TETFund Research Grant The Federal Government has approved N10 billion for the 2026 National Research Fund Grant Cycle of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund. TETFund, in a call for concept notes, said the grant would support research projects across 30 priority thematic areas under Humanities and Social Sciences; Science, Engineering, Technology and Innovation; and Cross-Cutting. The fund said the 2026 grant cycle followed the successful completion of the 2025 cycle, which resulted in the award of a little over N6.09bn to support 174 research projects. According to TETFund, accessing the 2026 NRF grant…
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Aug
30
2026
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By Abia ThinkTank
WHEN THE WIG IS FOR SALE – What VDM Should Have Told The NBA About Our Lords, Our Silks, And Our Silence- By Charles Ude, Esq

WHEN THE WIG IS FOR SALE – What VDM Should Have Told The NBA About Our Lords, Our Silks, And Our Silence- By Charles Ude, Esq

Judiciary, Columns/Opinions/Letters
WHEN THE WIG IS FOR SALEWhat VDM Should Have Told the NBA About Our Lords, Our Silks, and Our Silence By Charles Ude, Esq.Legal Practitioner and AttorneyPort Harcourt, 28 August 2026 The 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association will be remembered for one panel, “Known Gunmen or Unknown Gunmen,” and one man who was never supposed to be there: Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM). He told a hall of 15,000 lawyers, “I am not here to teach you law.” Then he cited the judge abducted on 26 July in Kebbi after travelling from Sokoto,…
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Aug
30
2026
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By Abia ThinkTank
The Storms That Confront Otti – For Abia’s Sake – By Pastor Prof Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

The Storms That Confront Otti – For Abia’s Sake – By Pastor Prof Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Abia North, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Good Governance
THE STORMS THAT CONFRONT OTTI — FOR ABIA’S SAKE The easiest way to defend Governor Alex Otti is not to claim that he has made no mistakes. That would be neither credible nor intellectually useful. The stronger defence is to ask a more serious question: when the totality of the evidence is examined, do the present controversies overturn the broader record of reform in Abia State? The answer requires logic, proportion and evidence. A government can have shortcomings in particular projects and still be substantially improving the state. This is the first point that must not be lost in the…
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Aug
30
2026
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By Abia ThinkTank
Ihechiowa Women Rally Behind Uko Nkole, Chinedu Ijoma, Peter Obi Ahead Of 2027

Ihechiowa Women Rally Behind Uko Nkole, Chinedu Ijoma, Peter Obi Ahead Of 2027

Abia North, Arochukwu, National Assembly, News Flash
Ihechiowa Women Rally Behind Uko Nkole, Chinedu Ijoma, Peter Obi Ahead Of 2027 Women from Amamiri Ihechiowa and Obichie Ihechiowa communities in Arochukwu Local Government Area have expressed strong support for the NDC candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections, while commending the contributions of Rt. Hon. Uko Ndukwe Nkole to the development and empowerment of women in the communities. The women made their positions known during their respective meetings attended by Hon. Chinedu Ijoma Ogbonnaya, the NDC candidate for Arochukwu State Constituency, alongside Rt. Hon. Uko Nkole, the NDC candidate for Abia North Senatorial Zone. At the Amamiri Ihechiowa…
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Aug
29
2026
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By Abia ThinkTank
Endorsement For Ikenna Ukwa Gathers Momentum As More Youths Declare Support

Endorsement For Ikenna Ukwa Gathers Momentum As More Youths Declare Support

Abia North, National Assembly, News Flash, Ohafia LGA
ENDORSEMENT FOR IKENNA UKWA GATHERS MOMENTUM AS MORE YOUTHS DECLARE SUPPORT Support for the All Progressives Congress, APC House of Representatives Candidate for Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency, Hon Ikenna Nicolas Ukwa is gathering momentum as some youths from Elu Community in Ohafia LGA converged for an interactive session with him and unanimously endorsed his candidacy for 2027. During the meeting, the youths cited Chief Ikenna Nicolas Ukwa’s track record of service as the reason for their support. They specifically mentioned the installation of solar-powered street lights in Elu Community, distribution of academic materials to schools in Elu, among others, and his…
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Aug
29
2026
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By Abia ThinkTank
Abia North Youth Movement, Aba Branch Pledges Support For Uko Nkole, Peter Obi

Abia North Youth Movement, Aba Branch Pledges Support For Uko Nkole, Peter Obi

Abia North, News Flash, Politics
Abia North Youth Movement, Aba Branch Pledges Support For Uko Nkole, Peter Obi/Kwankwaso 2027 Project The leadership of the Abia North Youth Movement, Aba Branch, led by its Chairman, Hon. Chukwu Eni, has pledged its support for the 2027 senatorial ambition of Hon. Uko Ndukwe Nkole. The commitment was made when Hon. Uko Nkole honoured the invitation extended to him by the leadership of the movement during their meeting at Grandlotto World Hotel, Ehi Road, Aba, where discussions centred on the 2027 elections and the need for credible leadership in Abia North. The group also expressed its readiness to mobilise…
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Aug
29
2026
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By Abia ThinkTank
Governor Otti’s Government Spends Wisely, Not Recklessly – By Pastor Prof Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Governor Otti’s Government Spends Wisely, Not Recklessly – By Pastor Prof Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Abia State, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Good Governance
GOVERNOR OTTI’S GOVERNMENT SPENDS WISELY, NOT RECKLESSLY The latest attempt to manufacture a scandal around Governor Alex Otti from the ₦1.003 billion entry in the 2025 Accountant-General’s Report deserves a response grounded in common sense, accounting discipline and the government’s actual spending record. The allegation is sensational: “Otti spent ₦1.003 billion on just two Hilux vehicles.” Divide the figure by two, scream ₦501 million per vehicle, design a frightening poster, tag everybody from Sowore to the World Bank and Basketmouth, and suddenly an accounting entry has become proof of corruption. Not so fast. The most compelling evidence in Governor Otti’s…
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Aug
28
2026
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By Abia ThinkTank
Otti Listens: Why Whistleblowers, Critical Voices And Surgical Analysis Matter In Governance – By Pastor Prof Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Otti Listens: Why Whistleblowers, Critical Voices And Surgical Analysis Matter In Governance – By Pastor Prof Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Abia State, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Good Governance
OTTI LISTENS: WHY WHISTLEBLOWERS, CRITICAL VOICES AND SURGICAL ANALYSIS MATTER IN GOVERNANCE There is an important democratic lesson emerging from the recent developments surrounding Abia State University, Uturu. It goes beyond the strike. It goes beyond salaries, allowances, promotions and administrative bottlenecks. It is about the usefulness of dissent, the value of whistleblowers and, ultimately, the character of a government that is prepared to listen when uncomfortable issues are placed before it. Governor Alex Otti’s public apology to the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Abia State University branch, deserves attention for precisely this reason. At the Abia@35 celebration, the Governor…
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Aug
28
2026
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By Abia ThinkTank
“Abia Is A State Blessed With Resilient, Industrious and Creative People Who Have Made Their Marks Across Nigeria And Beyond” – Ikenna Ukwa Felicitating Abia@35

“Abia Is A State Blessed With Resilient, Industrious and Creative People Who Have Made Their Marks Across Nigeria And Beyond” – Ikenna Ukwa Felicitating Abia@35

Abia North, National Assembly, News Flash
ABIA @ 35: IKENNA UKWA FELICITATES ABIANS As Abia State marks its 35th Anniversary today, Thursday 27th August 2027, the All Progressives Congress, APC House of Representatives Candidate for Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency, Hon Ikenna Nicolas Ukwa has felicitated with the people of Abia State. In his goodwill message, Chief Ikenna Nicolas Ukwa described Abia as a state blessed with resilient, industrious, and creative people who have continued to make their mark across Nigeria and beyond. “35 years is a milestone that calls for reflection, gratitude, and renewed commitment. I congratulate every Abian at home and in the diaspora on this…
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Aug
28
2026
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By Abia ThinkTank
Bende South Friends Of Uko Nkole Hold Inaugural Meeting In Imenyi

Bende South Friends Of Uko Nkole Hold Inaugural Meeting In Imenyi

Abia North, News Flash, Politics
Bende South Friends Of Uko Nkole Hold Inaugural Meeting In Imenyi The Bende South State Constituency chapter of Friends of Uko Nkole has held its inaugural meeting at the residence of Mr. Emeka Philips Lohum in Imenyi, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State. The meeting brought together friends, supporters and stakeholders united by their commitment to the political project of H.E. Mr. Peter Obi and Hon. Uko Ndukwe Nkole, the NDC candidate for President and Abia North Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections. Discussions at the meeting centred on strengthening grassroots mobilisation, expanding the Friends of Uko Nkole…
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