He said the allegations were unfounded and misleading, as citizens focused more on harmony and shared prosperity.

The president noted that Nigerians, after 65 years of Independence, had grown to appreciate religious and cultural differences and explored the advantages of diversity in terms of educational, economic, and other productive gains.

President Tinubu allayed fears of religious intolerance in the country at the unveiling of a book on the 10 years of the APC government in Nigeria. It was authored by the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma.

President Tinubu commissioned the Owerri-Mbaise-Umahia road, the Assumpta Twin flyover, and the Emmanuel Iwuayanwu Convention Centre.

The APC national chairman, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, two former APC chairmen – Adams Oshiomhole and Umar Ganduje -, governors of APC states, and the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, attended the inauguration of the projects and the book launch.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Deputy Speaker, Deputy Senate President, former Senate Presidents, Sen. Pius Anyim Pius, and Sen. Ahmad Lawan, were also at the event.

Others include the founding chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande, and former Governor of Ogun State, Segun Osoba, as well as traditional and religious leaders, members of the diplomatic corps, student unions, and market associations.

President Tinubu told the crowd at the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu Convention Centre: “Let me also say this clearly, Nigeria is a proud, sovereign nation built on the faith and resilience of its people. Here, no faith is under siege, no community is excluded. Our churches, mosques, and traditional shrines stand side by side – not as rivals, but as symbols of the unity that binds us.

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“We must never allow outsiders to tell us who we are or sow division among us. We are Nigerians, and we will stand together. Nigeria will not accept lectures from those who seek to profit from our divisions. No one loves this country more than Nigerians themselves, and no one will define us except us.

“Our duty is to stand guard over our unity, protect every citizen, and continue to prove to the world that our diversity is not our weakness, but our strength and when Nigeria stands united, no falsehood can prosper against her. So help us God,” he added.

On the impact of the All Progressives Congress in running Nigeria since 2015, President Tinubu said: “Nigeria is no longer where it was ten years ago. We promised a change, and I can confidently tell you the worst is over.

“Ten years ago, our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), came into power on the wings of change. Nigeria was at a crossroads. A break from the old order was not only desirable; it had become inevitable to steer our nation away from collapse.

“Under President Muhammadu Buhari, our party began stabilising Nigeria. We invested heavily in infrastructure, pushed back terrorists, and instilled accountability in public finance. Were there challenges? Yes. Were mistakes made? Yes. But no one can deny that the direction of Nigeria changed for good,” he added.

“APC may not be perfect, but we are purposeful. And we will not allow Nigeria to return to the wasted years of drift,” the President said.

“We are not yet where we want to be, but we are no longer where we were. We are building a Nigeria that values productivity above handouts and is a nation prepared for a sustainable future.”

The president has a message for the critics of the APC administration: “And to those who today parade themselves as prophets of solutions, let me say this: those who wasted sixteen years had their chance. Nigerians remember the broken promises, the broken power plants, the broken roads and the attempts to usurp democratic institutions using corrupt practices and subterfuge.”

President Tinubu commended Governor Uzodimma for his scholarship documenting this decade of progressive governance.

“Hope has given Nigeria a gift: a reminder that nations must write their own stories, and leaders must account for their stewardship,” he said.

The president stated that the outlook for the economy had improved across various indicators.

“I am honoured to stand here in Owerri, in the heart of the South-East, a land of industry, intellect, and resilience. I know there were times when this region felt left out. But under Renewed Hope, no part of Nigeria will be abandoned. The South-East is not on the margins; you are at the centre of our national rebirth.

“Believing in true federalism and decentralisation, I have created regional development commissions to bring progress closer to the people. Nigerians have the right to hold leaders at every level (federal, state, and local) accountable. And as leaders, we have the duty to deliver,” he added.

The president of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, thanked the President for the initiative of NELFUND, which had encouraged more underprivileged children to pursue their education in higher institutions.

“Mr President, you have given hope to many young people through the Education funds you provide. You have invested in agriculture to provide food for millions of Nigerians.

“On behalf of the entire National Assembly, we want to congratulate the performing governor,” the Senate President said.

The governor of Imo State, who is also the chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, stated that the sub-national governments had consistently received increased allocations, enabling infrastructure construction and improving sectors such as education and health.

“Mr President, we are grateful for your support. It is through your courage and bold policies that our economy is stabilised today. Most of the projects we undertake in Imo are made possible by the continuous funding we receive from time to time.

“Your consistency in the political trajectory of Nigeria made it possible for the formation of APC, which became a force in the build-up to the 2015 elections. This inspired me to document all these remarkable efforts into a book titled “A Decade of Leadership in Nigeria”.

Prof. Benett Chima Nwanguma reviewed the book.

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Ubaechu was abducted in Ejemekwuru on Sunday evening while on his way to attend the annual retreat of priests of Owerri Catholic Archdiocese.

His abduction was confirmed in a statement issued by the Owerri Catholic Archdiocesan Chancellor and Secretary, Rev. Fr. Patrick Mbarah, on Monday.

Mbarah, in the statement addressed to Owerri Archdiocese Catholic faithful, said that the priest was heading to the priests’ annual retreat in Owerri when he was abducted at Ejemekwuru on Izombe-Ogbakor road.

He called for prayers for the safe release of the kidnapped priest.

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“I am directed to inform you that one of our priests, Rev. Fr. John Ubaechu, was kidnapped on the evening of Sunday, March 23.

“Rev. Fr. John Ubaechu is the parish priest of Holy Family Catholic Church, Izombe. The sad incident occurred along Ejemekwuru road in Oguta LGA. He was kidnapped on his way to the Priests’ Annual Retreat.

“We invite all Christ’s faithful and all men and women of goodwill to earnestly pray for the quick and safe release of our priest.

“We commend our brother, Rev. Fr. John Ubaechu, to the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Priests, for his speedy release from the hands of his abductors,” the statement, entitled: ‘Notification of kidnap and call for prayers’, reads in part.

Source: NAN

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The suspects, including Favour Dike, 22, Ifeanyi Kingsley, 30, and Wisdom Chikodi, 31, were arrested on March 18 after detailed investigations and operations.

Police spokesman, DSP Henry Okoye, confirmed the development in a statement on Sunday.

Ibe was abducted on February 22 at about 8:00 p.m. in Egbu, Owerri.

“He was forcibly taken to an unknown location by the kidnappers,” Okoye said.

A ransom was then demanded and paid via a POS transaction.

The payment was traced to a Moniepoint account (8213707568) operated by Dike at Timber and Allied Market, Owerri North local government area.

Okoye stated that Dike admitted receiving ₦2 million on Kingsley’s instructions, a trader in Timber and Allied Market, Naze, Owerri.

Kingsley confessed to providing Dike’s POS account at the request of Chikodi, a known member of the kidnapping syndicate.

Chikodi, from Umuezuo Ekwereazu in Ahiazu local government area, allegedly played a key role in planning the kidnapping.

Further investigations led to Chikodi’s arrest in his hotel room at New Owerri, according to Okoye.

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Chikodi then guided operatives to Old Township Stadium, Tetlow Road, where gang members fled, abandoning an ash-coloured Toyota Camry 2.4 model.

Okoye confirmed that a search of the vehicle revealed two pump-action rifles, a locally made gun, and 18 live cartridges.

Additional arrests were made as police continued to pursue fleeing suspects involved in the kidnapping.

Okoye reiterated Commissioner of Police, Mr. Aboki Danjuma’s commitment to tackling crime and ensuring public safety across Imo.

He assured that the suspects would be arraigned after investigations, with efforts ongoing to apprehend remaining gang members.

Okoye urged the public to report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or call 08034773600.

Source: NAN

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The Imo Coordinator of NAFDAC, Mrs Mercy Ndukwe, said this while supervising the seizure in Owerri, on Wednesday.

Ndukwe said the seizure was part of efforts by the agency to enforce the federal government’s ban on alcoholic beverages in sachets and less than 200ml containers.

“The enforcement, carried out across the federation, was necessary to make consumers, sellers and manufacturers of the products aware of government’s commitment to the ban.

“The ban has become necessary in view of the damage caused by such products on the lives, academic and other performances of young ones who consume them, especially students.

“We have stopped issuing licences to manufacturers for the production of these banned products.

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“So, anyone found with them is dealing on contraband and will be made to face the full weight of the law,” she said.

Ndukwe said that adequate publicity and public awareness were created to help dealers and manufacturers understand government’s position.

She said that a lot of time was also allowed to enable manufacturers exhaust the raw materials they already acquired for use in production before the enforcement.

The coordinator advised motorists to avoid consuming alcoholic beverages before embarking on trips to reduce the likelihood of road crashes, especially during the Yuletide.

She promised that the agency was leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that the production, sale and consumption of banned substances became a thing of the past.

NAFDAC visited hotspots in Owerri and its environs during the exercise.

The visited areas include the popular Douglas and Amakohia markets, Akwakuma, MCC and Tetlow roads, and Orji.

The agency seized over 40 cartons of the banned products, with a warning that sellers would be arrested if they continued to flout the law.

Source: NAN

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Maduakolam announced his release through phone calls to some of his colleagues at about 11:51 p.m. on Saturday.

He explained that he was released after his family had paid an undisclosed amount as ransom to the kidnappers.

He said that he was manhandled by the hoodlums while in their custody.

Maduakolam, who was recently transferred from NAN Abuja to Owerri, said that he was ambushed by the hoodlums.

He said that he was kidnapped at Irete, near Owerri,  where he had gone with a friend and a house agent to inspect an accommodation.

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“After inspecting the house, I agreed with the agent on the part payment and other fees I will pay.

“As I was about to board a commercial motorcycle to go back to Owerri, five young men came out from the neighbourhood and took me away,” he said.

Maduakolam further narrated that the hoodlums seized his cellphone and used it to collect all the money in his bank account.

He, however, expressed gratitude to God and all those that showed concern over the incident, including the management and members of staff of NAN.

Source: NAN

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Maduakolam, according to NAN, in a statement issued, was kidnapped in Owerri Thursday night.

The specific location of the incident in the Imo capital, however, could not be ascertained.

The full statement of the agency on the incident reads:

“The unfortunate kidnap of one of our Editors, Gregory Maduakolam, has been brought to the attention of the Management of the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN.

“Maduakolam reported his kidnap himself in a telephone call with his line to a staff of the agency at about 7.33 pm on Thursday.

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“He said that he was taken away by his assailants around 9 a.m. on Thursday.

“Maduakolam could, however, not disclose the place the incident happened as his cellphone was immediately snatched from him during the conversation by his assailants who demanded payment of ransom.

“We are deeply concerned and saddened by the kidnap of our staff.

“Our thoughts are with him and his family during this difficult time while we are working closely with the authorities and taking all necessary steps to ensure his safe release.

“We urge anyone with information to come forward and assist in the investigation.

“The safety and well-being of our staff remain our top priority, and we will do everything possible to ensure his safe release.”

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The lecture titled “Impact of Leadership Selection on Governance in Public Universities in Nigeria” will hold at Prof. C.O.E. Onwuliri Conference Hall, FUTO main campus, Owerri.

The university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. (Mrs). Nnenna Oti, will be the chief host at the lecture, which is expected to attract participants from within and outside the university community, especially the academia.

FUTO is the oldest university of technology in Nigeria, established in 1980 by Nigeria’s first Executive President, Shehu Shagari.

It became the first of three such universities set up by the Federal Government of Nigeria, which sought to establish a university of technology in each geo-political region, particularly in a state which did not have a conventional university.

Echono is a Nigerian diplomat, and architect who serves as the ninth Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund from 2022 till-date.

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Previously, Echono served as the Secretary of the Admissions Committee of the Nigerian Institute of Architects and the 28th President of the Nigerian Institute of Architects from 2019 to 2021.

Echono was nominated by the board of TETFUND in early 2022 and was subsequently appointed as the substantive 9th Executive Secretary (ES) of TETFUND on March 18, 2022, by former President Muhammad Buhari.

A former permanent secretary in federal ministries, Echono had been honoured by governmental and non-governmental bodies locally and internationally.

He is a recipient of Officer of Order of Niger, OON.

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The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, ASP Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident in a statement issued in Owerri.

Okoye further disclosed that several other people sustained injuries from the explosion while escaping the scene.

He explained that the command had launched investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident.

According to him, preliminary investigation revealed that two hoodlums died from an IED.

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“The two persons, who were incidentally the hoodlums, were killed in the process of setting up the IED.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, has deployed Anti-Bomb operatives to the scene,” the Police spokesman added.

He urged residents of the area and the traders in the market not to panic.

He also urged the people to assist the police and other security agencies with relevant information on any suspicious activities by suspected hoodlums.

Source: NAN

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Residents, who were panicked by sporadic gunshots in different parts of the town, scampered to different directions for safety.

The shooting took place around the popular Ikenegbu area, Wethedral Road, leading to the Government House, and Okigwe Road, stretching from the Government House Junction to the back of the Imo State University campus.

Other areas that were overrun by the gunmen were the Amawusa area on Douglas Road, and the Toronto Street, which stretches to MCC Road Junction.

A fish seller at Relief Market, near Fire Service Junction, Mrs Roseline Okeke, said that there was stampede at the market when the shooting occurred.

“Everybody ran for dear lives when the shooting was going on,” Okeke said.

Also, a POS operator at the Fire Service Junction, Miss Ukamaka Nwole, said that the assailants shot severally, when they came close to the Fire Service Police Station, Owerri before fleeing the area.

A detachment of police operatives responded to the attacks by shooting tear gas to scare the hoodlums.

In a reaction, the spokesman for the Imo Police Command, ASP Henry Okoye, said the hoodlums had adopted a “guerilla style, where they come out from their enclaves, unleash surprise attacks and go into hiding.”

Okoye said that the Police Commissioner, Aboki Danjuma, “has launched a head-on attack on the gunmen”.

He said, “The Commissioner of Police has personally led men to the scenes.

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“The command is on top of the situation.

“We will get the miscreants responsible for the senseless attacks either dead or alive.

“We will so deal with the miscreants responsible for the attacks and killing of security operatives and unsuspecting members of the public.

“Let us encourage Imo people to report any suspicious persons or activities to the police.

“This is indeed a trying time but together we will come out victorious. Imo must be peaceful.”

Okoye described the hoodlums as “pure cowards”, saying that concerted efforts by security agencies were underway to apprehend them.

“Intensive operation is ongoing to restore normalcy,” he said.

He also said that the command had not received any report of casualty arising from the incident.

Gunmen, on Monday, attacked policemen on duty at Orji Road, Owerri, killing four and carting away their rifles.

Source: NAN

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The command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Henry Okoye, who confirmed this on Sunday, said the crash occurred in Owerri.

Okoye said that a citizen reported to the police that the accident, involving a Mack truck and four mini buses, occurred at IMSU Junction, along Okigwe Road at about 7:00 p.m.

“On arrival at the scene, police operatives, in synergy with public-spirited individuals, evacuated the victims to Federal Medical Center, FMC, Owerri for medical attention, where the medical practitioner on duty confirmed six dead on arrival,” Okoye said.

According to him, preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of the articulated vehicle with registration number KWL857YE lost control of his vehicle and diverted to the other side of the road, where he ran over four mini busses and some pedestrians along the road which left many seriously injured.

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“Photographs and sketches of the accident scene have been taken and the accidental vehicles have been cleared off the road for easy flow of traffic, while the corpses of the deceased victims have been deposited at FMC mortuary for preservation.

“Efforts are in progress to contact the families of the deceased and injured victims and apprehend the driver of the truck, who is on the run,” he added.

He disclosed that the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Aboki Danjuma, had ordered full investigation into the accident and arrest of the fleeing driver of the truck.

Source: NAN

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