TIMES SQUARE GAZETTE

THE Chairman of Awgu LGA/Secretary General ALGON Enugu State, Hon. Pedro Okwudili Nwankwo "Ezeomeogo" attended the wedding/reception ceremony of one of his Personal Aide, Comr. Kingsley Nwafor and his beautiful wife, Mrs Queen Chioma Nwafor. An event which took place at St. Michael's Catholic church Asata/Superior Police Officer's Mess Premises, Enugu. Other dignitaries who attended the ceremony were the House of Assembly member representing Awgu South State Constituency, Hon. Anthony Nwankwo "Ọkwadike" who performed the role of the Chairman of the occasion; Hon. Lotachukwu Ogbonnia (Esq.); Hon. Nelson I. Uduji "Ochudo"; SLG Awgu LGA, Hon. Linus Madụka; Leader Awgu Legislative Assembly, Hon. Udeh Francis Chukwuemeka &  other Legislative members; Administrator Awgu North & Anike; Supervisors/ SPAs and other notable men and women in the society. The event was well attended and to the glory of Go...

*(MY FIRST DAY ON CAMPUS (UNN) CONT...)-EPISODE 3📖✍🏾👳🏻* Hall Warden : Haba! I was not expecting someone like you to complain of such penny now. My Dad : But that amount is quite scary now, imagine me paying........... Just one more word from my Dad and the die is cast. I felt my heart almost bursting out of my chest, I saw my spirit outside my body, drinking yoghurt and laughing hysterically, saying “ I no warn u wen u dey do am? No be me go dey inside u wen dey go catch you, i no fit allow u disgrace me “. I felt my left leg shaking like it will withdraw its support anytime soon… Then out of luck on my part and restlessness on the warden’s part, he cut in before my dad could land… Hall Warden : Felly de Felly, Forget that matter jhawe. Did you hear about Ikeji's death? My Dad : I heard ooo. Like 2years ago. It was very painful. Hall Warden : So painful really, they said the same sickness that worried him in during school days killed him… Happy and feeling a sense of relief, th...

The National Coordinator, Initiative for Leadership Development and Change (ILDC), Chief Ugochukwu Nnam Commended the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Federal House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas for directing Works Ministry, FERMA to begin  immediate rehabilitation of the collapsed 9th mile -Otukpo highway, connecting northern and Southern Nigeria through Enugu and Benue states.  Four House of Representatives Members, of the Labour Party extraction, from Enugu state have commenced action to ensure for immediate rehabilitation of the collapsed 9th mile -Otukpo highway, connecting northern and Southern Nigeria through Enugu and Benue states. Adopting a motion co-sponsored by Reps Dennis Nnamdi Agbo (Igboeze North/Udenu), Stainless Nwodo (Igboetiti/Uzo-Uwani), Mark Chidi Obetta (Nsukka/Igboeze south) and Sunday Umeha (Udi/Ezeagu) federal constituencies, the House of Representatives mandated its Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency, (FERMA) to ur...

  Enugu State governor, Dr Peter Mbah has expressed displeasure with the high rate of maternal and newborn mortality in the country, saying his administration will take a radical approach to eradicate the ugly trend in the state. The governor, who frowned at the national statistics of 522 maternal mortality per 100,000 births, and over 216  newborn mortality per 1,000 infant births, said the figures were unacceptable, stressing that strategic programmes must be put in place for the eradication through collective efforts. He spoke while declaring  open a five-day training of  trainers (TOT) Master Training for Doctors/Nurses on Maternal and Newborn Care organized by the Enugu State Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, LDS, held in Enugu on Tuesday. Represented by the deputy governor, Barr Ifeanyi Ossai, Governor Mbah  commended the immediate past deputy governor of the state, Mrs Cecilia Ezeilo for her efforts ...

  Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah Esq. Executive Governor of Enugu state By Ben Destiny Okenwa In recent times, Igboland has witnessed a worrying trend of civil unrest and a near economic paralysis, largely fuelled by the activities of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). One of their most contentious methods is the illegal imposition of sit-at-home orders, coercively compelling businesses, schools, and essential services to shut down. As the collective voice of responsible journalism, it is essential to critically analyse the impacts of these orders and call for their cessation in the interest of national unity and socio-economic progress of the Igbo nation. First and foremost, it is crucial to acknowledge the right of individuals and groups to express their grievances in a peaceful and lawful manner. However, the indiscriminate enforcement of sit-at-home orders by an IPOB-splinter faction which has resulted in loss of lives and property has not only impinged on the rights o...

  Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah Esq. Executive Governor, Enugu state.  ...slams APC, Nnaji with heavy cost for wasting the time of the court  The Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu has dismissed the appeal brought by the APC governorship candidate in Enugu State, Mr. Uche Nnaji, against the decision of the Enugu Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, saying the appeal lacked merit.  The court which delivered its ruling on Tuesday via zoom stressed that APC governorship candidate was out to waste the precious time of the court with their frivolous suit.  The Appeal Court justice subsequently, while throwing out the appeal, slammed the APC and Uche Nnaji with a huge cost of N250,000 each for wasting the time of the court on a frolic of adventure that could not hold any water. While noting that the tribunal was right in dismissing the suit brought before it by Mr. Nnaji challenging the victory of the PDP and Enugu State Governor, Barr. Peter Mbah, in the March 18 governo...

  Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah Esq. Executive Governor, Enugu state.  ...slams APC, Nnaji with heavy cost for wasting the time of the court  The Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu has dismissed the appeal brought by the APC governorship candidate in Enugu State, Mr. Uche Nnaji, against the decision of the Enugu Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, saying the appeal lacked merit.  The court which delivered its ruling on Tuesday via zoom stressed that APC governorship candidate was out to waste the precious time of the court with their frivolous suit.  The Appeal Court justice subsequently, while throwing out the appeal, slammed the APC and Uche Nnaji with a huge cost of N250,000 each for wasting the time of the court on a frolic of adventure that could not hold any water. While noting that the tribunal was right in dismissing the suit brought before it by Mr. Nnaji challenging the victory of the PDP and Enugu State Governor, Barr. Peter Mbah, in the March 18 governo...

  …We’re tired of sitting at home, traders, residents tell Mbah Ogbete to fully reopen next Monday   It was relatively a beehive of activities as the governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, toured various parts of the state capital on Monday to monitor compliance with the ban on the illegal sit-at-home declared by some non-state actors. This was even as Enugu traders and residents told the governor that they were tired of sitting at home, describing it as a plague killing their businesses and household economies. While commending the level of compliance in most places visited, Mbah, who was at the Spar Mall, Roban Stores at Bisalla Road, Market Square, Shoprite, Zenith Bank at Ogui Road, Celebrities, Ogbete Market, Garki Awkunanaw Market, Mayor Market, Abakpa Market, and the State Secretariat, among others, however warned that traders, who continue to sit at home from Monday, 24th July stood to lose their shops to serious-minded businessmen. He said adequate security had been...

  An Enugu State lawmaker, Nelson Sylvester has been shot dead by suspected assassins. Mr. Sylvester who’s popularly known as Ofunwa, represented Eha-Ulo ward, in Nsukka Local Government Area Legislative Council, until his death. He was killed  by gunmen on Sunday night at his residence in Eha-Alumonah. A close friend of the deceased said his death might not be unconnected to the security situation in the village which the late lawmaker was deeply involved in seeking for solution. The friend who wants to remain anonymous said he traveled to the village on Saturday after attending a weeding in Enugu capital. He travelled to the village on the said day to attend a security meeting because of the deteriorating security situation. He revealed that the assailants pursued him to a neighboring village where they followed him into a fence compound and shot him dead. “For more than 12 years, Ofunwa has been involved in maintaining peace in his community. He has been instrumental in dis...

  Austin Jay Jay Okocha Ex-super eagles captain Super Eagles legend Austin Okocha has responded to recent reports suggesting he is in line to be appointed as Nigeria’s Minister of Youth and Sports by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, Soccernet.ng reports.  Okocha, one of Africa’s greatest-ever players, expressed surprise at the news, stating that he learned about the potential appointment through news reports since no government official had contacted him directly. Via a post on his Twitter account, acclaimed Beninese journalist Hugues Zinsou Zounon, a recipient of Benin’s national order of merit award, revealed that the Super Eagles legend admitted that he would be thrilled to assume the role of Minister of Youth and Sports. While there is no official confirmation of the appointment at present, Okocha expressed hope that the information would be verified soon. Zounon shared, alongside a photo of the two, that he met with Okocha at the Sofitel Ivoire. Although Okoc...

  ...to open defence July 18 The Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Enugu, Chijioke Edoga, on Sunday, closed his case against the victory of Governor Peter Mbah in the March 18 election before the election tribunal sitting in the state. Mr Edeoga closed his case after calling 30 witnesses and one witness subpoena from Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Victor Okafor, to prove their allegations. The governorship election petition tribunal is hearing the petition filed by Mr Edeoga against the election of Mr Mbah of the PDP as the governor. Mr Edeoga is praying the tribunal disqualifies Mr Mbah over an alleged NYSC certificate forgery and manipulation of election results. When the matter came up for hearing, the INEC subpoena witness, Mr Okafor, told the tribunal that his commission provided five Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) machines that were provided in the subpoena list. The LP counsel, Eyitayo Fatogun (SAN), tendered the five BVAS mach...

  …nobody will harrass citizens for coming out under our watch – police Security agencies in Enugu State have assured residents in the state to go about their normal businesses as they were on ground to protect them from any form of attacks and harassment.  Operatives in the State gave this assurance on Sunday in Enugu while reacting to earlier reports by some newspapers quoting residents in the state as saying they were tired of the continuous illegal sit-at-home declared by some faceless criminals popularly called unknown gunmen.  This was even as our correspondent noticed the presence of joint security agencies, particularly the army, at various locations as a reassurance of the safety of the citizens.  While reacting to the distress call by citizens in the state urging security operatives to end the illegal sit-at-home by bringing those responsible for the enforcement to book, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Enugu State Command, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, sai...

  By Agu Nnamdi The All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, and its Enugu State governorship candidate, Mr. Frank Nweke Jr. today, Sunday, withdrew the petition filed against the Enugu State governor, Peter Mbah challenging the outcome of the March 18 governorship election in the state. The petitioners’ counsel, Prof. Race Achara while addressing the tribunal said his client wished to make an oral application to withdraw the petition which had its suit number as EPTEN/GOV/07/2023 from the court. “My lords, as has been instructed by my client, I wish to make an oral application before the honourable tribunal to withdraw the petition filed against the first, second and third respondents in this matter so that we will no longer be wasting the time of the court, as we were not able to gather the evidence that will help in prosecuting the matter, ” counsel to the petitioners said. Replying to the petitioners’s application, the first, second and 3rd respondents told the court that they ha...

  ..  as Edeoga's witness confirms he participated in PDP primary  By Udegbunam Amaka A witness, Casmir Agbo, the Labour Party chairman in  Enugu State called by the governorship candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Chijioke Edeoga, on Saturday, July 15, told the Enugu State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Enugu that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, by the Enugu State governor, Dr Peter Mbah, has NYSC stamp confirming it as genuine. Recall that on Friday, a subpoenaed witness from INEC, Dr Dimas Friday Emmanuel, called by Edeoga had testified that Mbah's discharge bore the NYSC stamp confirming it was issued by the institution.  The prosecution witness 26, Agbo, while under cross examination by Mbah’s lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN),  was presented with some documents earlier  admitted in evidence by the tribunal, and asked to identify if there...

REMEMBERING OGBETE (COAL CAMP) Reminiscing on a peaceful settlement of an area popularly known as, and referred to as COAL CAMP (Gazette Name is OGBETE), let us begin with the early settlers and the structures that made Coal Camp great. Then from there to the recent 1970s, 1980s & 1990s. It is important to remember here that, in those days, akara 1 penny and agidi 1 penny were more than enough breakfast for any school pupil. Bread tolo (3 pence) and akara tolo could serve the breakfast of a family of four. Akara nai (9 pence) will round a class of 20 pupils. We came to know the long luxurious buses as either Babangiri or Udoye. We joined the very sparinglyn to Uwani, Asata, Stadium, and Polo Park. Coal Camp can be said to have developed as a Center when the labour force of the then Nigerian Coal Corporation started growing. The Colliery Quarters were built immediately for the workers with the Clerks Quarters for the Middle Level Cadre. Others who could not get accommodated there ha...

  It's laughable how Ndigbo are trying to exonerate the people who initiated the current unrest in the South East and lord it entirely over to Barr Simon Ekpa and making it look as if Ebonyi State is fighting the Igboland. This is one of the areas I don't like the character of Ndigbo. Always using a part to judge the whole. Such a bad synecdochal judgement!  Barr Simon Ekpa didn't originate what's happening today in the South East. Odumegwu Ojukwu, Uwazuruike and Nnamdi Kanu did. It's unfair how these three are addressed as heroes, others villains. I'm not on the side of Simon, I'm just trying to be frank with what's happening in the South East. I am a rational thinker about the Biafran philosophy. Simon hasn't done half of what the other three have done. He hasn't said what the other three have said. He's just a rising Biafran struggle celebrity. We must have to view him from this focal point.  The weakness of Ndigbo lies in the Biafran smok...

  Residents across Enugu State have cried out to the governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, for help over the continuous declaration and enforcement of the illegal sit-at-home order by a faction of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) led by Simon Ekpa. The residents, who spoke to newsmen at different locations in the state when a civil society group, Coalition for the Advancement of Good Governance (CAGG) led by Comrade Nduka Festus, went round the state to sensitize and also sound out the people on the negative impacts of sit-at-home on them, said they were tired of the protracted sit-at-home order. The people, who rued their losses, lamented  that the sit-at-home was inflicting unimaginable pains, hardships and hunger on them. At Abakpa market, Mrs., Beatrice Onyinye, a trader, recounted the ordeal she was facing in her business as a result of the sit-at-home. She said that school fees had oiled up while she was also unable to pay the rent for her shop since the illegal sit-at-home o...

  By Andrew Ochei  The Enugu State Governorship Election Tribunal today, Friday,  refused to grant the application of Chijioke Edeoga, the Labour Party governorship candidate in the March 18 election seekihg to obtain another order subpoenaeing the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC,  to bring the BVAS machines to the tribunal for inspection by the party.  The lead counsel to the petitioner, V. O Azinge, SAN had reminded the court yesterday, that the INEC, which is the first respondent, had refused to effect the order of the court by allowing the petitioner to inspect the BVAS machines. In response, the INEC lawyer, Humphrey Okoli told the court that the INEC had obeyed the order by granting access to the Labour Party,  adding that the attendance register to that effect was with him in the court. Azinge however denied the position of the first respondent, praying the court to mandate the first respondent (INEC) to comply with the said order of ...