Columns/Opinions/Letters

“The People Speak: Abia State’s ‘Voice Of The People’ Poll” (Vox Populi) – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

“The People Speak: Abia State’s ‘Voice Of The People’ Poll” (Vox Populi) – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

"The People Speak: Abia State's 'Voice of the People' Poll" The "Voice of the People" poll, conducted in Abia State between June 15th and August 20th, 2024, has revealed interesting insights into the sentiments of the people. The poll was carried out in eight cities across the state, including Umuahia (June 15th-17th, 12 voice notes), Aba (June 20th-22nd, 11 voice notes), Ohafia (June 25th-27th, 10 voice notes), Arochukwu (July 1st-3rd, 12 voice notes), Umunneochi (July 8th-10th, 10 voice notes), Isuikwuato (July 15th-17th, 11 voice notes), Ukwa East (July 22nd-24th, 10 voice notes), and Bende (August 1st-3rd, 10 voice notes). A…
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Assessing Governor Otti’s Commitment To ABIA Workers’ Welfare – By Ebere Uzoukwa Ph.D (SSA To Gov. Otti On Public Affairs)

Assessing Governor Otti’s Commitment To ABIA Workers’ Welfare – By Ebere Uzoukwa Ph.D (SSA To Gov. Otti On Public Affairs)

Assessing Governor Otti's Commitment to Abia Workers' Welfare Ebere Uzoukwa, Ph.D Governor Alex Otti's administration has demonstrated a strong commitment to the welfare of Abia workers and pensioners. This commitment is evident in several key areas. Since assuming office, Governor Otti has kept his promise of ensuring that workers receive their salaries and pensions on or before the 28th of every month. This regular payment has brought stability and relief to Abia workers and pensioners, enabling them to plan and manage their finances effectively. The timely payment of salaries and pensions has also boosted the morale and job satisfaction of…
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Right-Of-Reply: Re: The Planned Acquisition Of 60% EEDC Shares By ABIA State Government – Dr. Chief Odo Ijere(Okpotemba) Replies Ctn Ukoha Njoku Ukoha (CPS To Gov. Otti)

Right-Of-Reply: Re: The Planned Acquisition Of 60% EEDC Shares By ABIA State Government – Dr. Chief Odo Ijere(Okpotemba) Replies Ctn Ukoha Njoku Ukoha (CPS To Gov. Otti)

Re: THE PLANNED ACQUISITION OF 60% EEDC SHARES BY ABIA STATE GOVERNMENT. My Right of Reply to Citizen Ukoha Njoku, the Chief Press Secretary. My dear brother Ukoha, you started your rejoinder to my article rather badly by referring to my remarks as "skepticism". As the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, you are expected to discern the boundary between an advisory remark and a skeptical engagement. Knowing me and where I'm coming from should have told you that mine was just a remark to keep our government properly guided before we commit unintended mistake. You should also be mindful…
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Governor Otti’s Commitment To Progress: How The 12.6km Ohanze-Ntighauzo-Obete-Umuoha-Oberete-Akirikaobu Road Project Demonstrates Leadership Beyond Politics – Ebere Uzoukwa, Ph.D (SSA To Gov. Otti On Public Affairs)

Governor Otti’s Commitment To Progress: How The 12.6km Ohanze-Ntighauzo-Obete-Umuoha-Oberete-Akirikaobu Road Project Demonstrates Leadership Beyond Politics – Ebere Uzoukwa, Ph.D (SSA To Gov. Otti On Public Affairs)

Governor Otti's Commitment to Progress: How the 12.6km Ohanze-Ntighauzo-Obete-Umuoha-Oberete-Akirikaobu Road Project Demonstrates Leadership Beyond Politics Ebere Uzoukwa, Ph.D In a remarkable display of leadership and commitment to progress, Governor Alex Otti OFR, on Wednesday, 12th February, flagged off the construction of the 12.6km Ohanze-Ntighauzor-Umuoha-Obete-Oberete-Akirikaobu road in Obingwa Local Government Area (LGA) of Abia State. This project further underscores Governor Otti's vision for a better Abia, driven by his passion to transform the state and leave a lasting impact on its people and landscape. It is worth noting that Obingwa LGA was instrumental in truncating Governor Otti's electoral victory in 2015…
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Abia Cares: Supporting Our Elderly, Strengthening Our Community By Investing In Our Aging Population – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Abia Cares: Supporting Our Elderly, Strengthening Our Community By Investing In Our Aging Population – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Abia Cares: Supporting Our Elderly, Strengthening Our Community by Investing in Our Aging Population Elderly residents in Abia State face significant health-related challenges, exacerbated by systemic gaps in healthcare access and infrastructure. A 2022 National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report revealed that 65% of elderly individuals lack access to functional healthcare facilities, compounded by a dire shortage of geriatric specialists—only three serve the state’s estimated 500,000 elderly population. Chronic diseases like hypertension affect 48% of seniors, yet only 30% receive consistent care due to cost barriers and clinic distances. Mental health struggles are equally pressing: while 20% of Nigerian elders…
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Right-Of-Reply: Increased Productivity In ABIA As The Major Driver Of The Planned Acquisition Of EEDC: A Clarification To Dr. Odo Ijere’s Scepticism – Ctn Ukoha Njoku Ukoha (CPS To Gov. Otti)

Right-Of-Reply: Increased Productivity In ABIA As The Major Driver Of The Planned Acquisition Of EEDC: A Clarification To Dr. Odo Ijere’s Scepticism – Ctn Ukoha Njoku Ukoha (CPS To Gov. Otti)

INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY IN ABIA AS THE MAJOR DRIVER OF THE PLANNED ACQUISITION OF EEDC: A CLARIFICATION TO DR. ODO IJERE'S SCEPTICISM. The planned acquisition of 60% equity in EEDC by Abia State Government is deliberate and intentional. The decision to have the majority share is to give the State Government the latitude to lead the efforts in reversing the 'poorly managed' EEDC by Interstate Electrics Limited, improve power supply to Abians living around the Umuahia ring-fence and increase productivity/output in Abia State. Dr. Odo in his article admitted that EEDC is among the worst managed DISCO in Nigeria but failed…
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The Planned Acquisition Of 60% EEDC, Let’s THINK Before We Shoot Ourselves On The Legs – Dr. Chief Odo Ijere (Okpotemba)

The Planned Acquisition Of 60% EEDC, Let’s THINK Before We Shoot Ourselves On The Legs – Dr. Chief Odo Ijere (Okpotemba)

THE PLANNED ACQUISITION OF 60 % EEDC,let's think before we shoot ourselves on the legs. It will do this state a lot of good if we distance ourselves from any joint venture or partnership with EEDC, very poorly managed by Interstate Electrics limited. EEDC is among the worst managed Disco in Nigeria of all the Discos created by privatization for close to 20yrs. We expected the Abia state government to take advantage of unbundling of the electricity sector or removal of power from the exclusive legislative list to roll out plans for investors to start up businesses in the generation,…
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Abia’s Future Shines Bright – Powered By Sun, Water, & Innovation! – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Abia’s Future Shines Bright – Powered By Sun, Water, & Innovation! – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Abia's Future Shines Bright - Powered by Sun, Water, & Innovation! Introduction In Aba, the bustling commercial heart of Abia State, was once the hum of diesel generators was a grim anthem to energy failure. Businesses and households in this vibrant industrial hub groan under the weight of exorbitant energy costs, once spending up to 70% of their profits on fuel to power generators— it was a lifeline in the absence of reliable grid electricity. It's on record that for cottage factories producing leather goods, textiles, and machinery, this reality stifled growth, eroded competitiveness, and forced many to shut down…
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Food Chains, Poverty, And Development In ABIA State: A Critical Analysis – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Food Chains, Poverty, And Development In ABIA State: A Critical Analysis – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Food Chains, Poverty, and Development in Abia State: A Critical Analysis Abia State is predominantly agrarian, with a significant portion of its population engaged in farming and related activities. Despite its agricultural potential, the state grapples with persistent poverty, food insecurity, and underdevelopment, which are exacerbated by inefficiencies in its food chains. A critical analysis of these issues reveals that the food chain—encompassing production, processing, distribution, and consumption—plays a pivotal role in either perpetuating or alleviating poverty and underdevelopment. By examining the structural weaknesses within the food chain, the socio-economic conditions of the population, and the broader developmental challenges, this…
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Valentine’s Day Celebration Should Be Banned In Nigeria – Lagos Bishop

Valentine’s Day Celebration Should Be Banned In Nigeria – Lagos Bishop

Valentine’s Day Celebration Should Be Banned In Nigeria – Lagos Bishop General Superintendent of the Holy Spirit Mission, Ikeja in Lagos, Bishop Charles Ighele, has called for a Valentine’s Day celebration ban in Nigeria. Mr Ighele made the call in an interview in Lagos against the backdrop of immorality associated with Valentine’s Day. He said the day had been misconstrued as promoting romantic relationships rather than its original promotion of aid to the needy and humanitarian works. The bishop described Valentine’s Day as a deception from the devil to impose a universal day of immorality on earth. According to him,…
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