Blog - Abia ThinkTank News

Aug

2025

Colombian Vice President Arrives Nigeria On Official Visit

Colombian Vice President Arrives Nigeria On Official Visit The Vice President of the Republic of Colombia, Her Excellency, Francia Márquez, has arrived in Abuja on a 3-day official visit. She is accompanied by her spouse, Mr Rafael Yerney Pinillo Ocoró. The Colombian Vice president was recieved on arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji; Minister of Women Affairs, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; Minister of State, FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmud Bunkure, Director General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar and other senior government officials. Mrs. Márquez’s official…

Aug

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

Wike Reclaims Control Of Rivers LGs As Fubara, Loyalists Shun Polls

News Flash, LGA, Politics

Wike Reclaims Control of Rivers LGs as Fubara, Loyalists Shun Polls Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has regained his grip on Rivers politics following Saturday’s local government elections organized by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC). The polls came after months of crisis and the Supreme Court’s nullification of the controversial October 2024 elections earlier won by Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s loyalists. The exercise, conducted across all 23 LGAs, saw Wike’s allies dominate, with most contesting under the APC platform, while a few ran under the PDP in key areas such as Obio-Akpor and Port Harcourt. Political observers say…

Aug

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

Between Otti’s Performance And The Ukwa Tsunami – By Ebere Uzoukwa, Ph.D (SSA To Governor Otti On Public Affairs)

Abia State, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Politics

Between Otti’s Performance and the Ukwa Tsunami By Ebere Uzoukwa, PhD The recent defection of several political heavyweights and their supporters in Ukwa West to the Labour Party has been described as a political tsunami. It represents more than a mere movement of politicians across party lines. It is a statement of trust, a verdict on performance, and a clear endorsement of Governor Alex Chioma Otti, who is steadily rewriting the story of Abia and transforming the fortunes of Ukwa, the oil rich but long neglected axis of the state. For decades, Ukwa was abandoned by successive administrations that only…

Aug

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

Muslims Working On Fridays Is Unfair While Sunday Is Work-Free – Reno Omokri

Columns/Opinions/Letters, News Flash, Religion

Muslims Working On Fridays Is Unfair While Sunday Is Work-free – Reno Omokri Former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has called for a review of Nigeria’s work schedule to accommodate Muslim worship on Fridays, describing the current arrangement as unfair to the Muslim community. In a video shared on his verified Facebook page on Friday, Omokri argued that before colonial rule, Fridays were traditionally recognised as a day of rest for Muslims. He noted that while Sunday remains a non-working day for Christians, Muslims are required to work on Fridays, despite its significance for their religious obligations. He suggested that a…

Aug

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

Hon. Chief Ikenna Ukwa Celebrates Father At 80

Birthday, News Flash

Happy 80th Birthday Celebration to My Dearest Father! As I sit down to write this, I find myself overwhelmed not just by the occasion, but by the sheer weight of a lifetime of love you have given me. It’s a love that has been my constant, my shelter, and my guiding star. On this monumental birthday, I want to try to give some of that love back to you in words, though I know they could never be enough. There are memories that are not just remembered; they are felt in your bones. They become a part of who you…

Aug

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

Education Minister Makes U-Turn, Admits 2009 FG-ASUU Agreement

Education, News Flash

Education Minister Makes U-turn, Admits 2009 FG-ASUU Agreement The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has made a U-turn regarding his earlier remarks on Federal Government agreements with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), admitting that it formally signed a pact with the union in 2009. Speaking with reporters in Abuja on Thursday, the minister had insisted that no agreement existed between the government and ASUU, adding that the union was merely parading a draft, a claim rejected by ASUU. But in a statement released on Friday by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the…

Aug

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

Access Holdings Appoints New Managing Director/CEO

CBN/Commercial Banking, News Flash

Access Holdings Appoints New CEO Access Holdings Plc has confirmed the appointment of Innocent Ike as its new Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, effective August 29, 2025, following the approval of financial regulators. The decision brings an end to the 18-month acting tenure of Bolaji Agbede, who assumed leadership of the financial services giant after the sudden death of former CEO Herbert Wigwe in February 2024. Agbede led the group through the transition marked by regulatory pressures and investor concerns. However, the Central Bank of Nigeria’s stipulation on minimum experience for financial holding company CEOs prevented her confirmation.…

Aug

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

Ambassador Dr. Osita Offor Celebrates Birthday In Grand Style, Thanks Gov. Alex Otti, Others

Abia State, Birthday, Entertainment, News Flash, Personality

‎‎Ambassador Dr. Osita Offor Celebrates Birthday in Style, thanks Gov. Alex Otti, Others‎‎Ambassador Dr. Osita Offor, (Ikenga Gburugburu), affectionately known as "De Ultimate Commander," recently celebrated his birthday with grandeur in Umuahia, Abia State. The celebration was attended by notable figures in Abia State, including Prof. Kenneth Kalu, Secretary to the Abia State Government.‎‎The event featured an array of food, music, and dancing, with guests enjoying themselves far into the night. During his goodwill speech, the SSG praised Ambassador Dr. Offor for his good heart and selfless dedication to the welfare of others, commending his philanthropic efforts and commitment to…

Aug

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

Happy Birthday To CHAMA Co-Founders – Celebrating With 57 Successful Free Surgeries In Aba

Abia State, Birthday, Health, Humanitarian, Philanthropy

Golden Jubilee birthday appreciation: Excess LOVE. Thank you friends and well wishers for your warmth birthday Felicitations. I'm so grateful to have you in my life. My Golden Jubilee birthday celebration was a remarkable milestone in our humanitarian ministry and life's journey. Remarkable milestone because alongside my team, 57 live saving surgeries were successfully carried out. Of the 57 surgeries carried out, one surgery carried out symbolizes and represents one year of my life and a mark of gratitude to God. The extra 7 surgeries on top of the 50 represents extra gratitude for God's Goodness and Mercy, his loving…

Aug

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

Sahara Reporters’ Questionable Neutrality: Contrasting Media Agenda Against Abia State’s Transparency Triumphs – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Abia State, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Good Governance

Sahara Reporters' Questionable Neutrality: Contrasting Media Agenda Against Abia State's Transparency Triumphs 1 Introduction: The Paradox of Investigative Journalism in Nigeria In Nigeria's tumultuous media landscape, where investigative journalism often walks a tightrope between accountability activism and political weaponization, few organizations have generated as much controversy as Sahara Reporters. While positioning itself as an anti-corruption watchdog, this outlet has increasingly faced accusations of selective targeting and political bias. Meanwhile, in southeastern Nigeria, Abia State under Governor Alex Otti has been quietly engineering one of Nigeria's most remarkable transformation stories, implementing unprecedented transparency measures that have earned international recognition but curiously…