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Tension in Ebonyi as popular market burns

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Reports reaching The Advocate from Abakaliki the Ebonyi state capital indicate there is tension among the residents following the threats by unknown gunmen to attack those disobeying the 5-days sit-at-home ordered by Simeon Ekpa faction of the Independent People of Biafra, IPOB in South East states.

The tension was heightened by an early morning inferno that gutted the popular Ishieke Market, near Abakaliki.

Sources said the market was completely burnt to ashes in the early hours of Monday morning.

It was gathered that the fire incident started around 2:am and destroyed goods worth billions of Naira.

As at 7am when our correspondent visited the market, many traders were seen crying profusely.

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They called for help from both the State and the federal government.

The state government and security agencies are yet to react officially to the incident but security operatives were reportedly deployed to forestall breakdown of law and order in the area.

It was learnt that workers who went to work Monday morning vacated their offices while traders in markets and street shops shut down their businesses for fear of being attacked by the hoodlums.

This followed rumors that that the Ishieke market was set ablaze by the gunmen enforcing the sit-at-home and they may likely launch more attacks on the residents, traders and workers that violate the order.

By press time many of the workers and traders were seen returning to their homes while some motorists parked by the roadside to ascertain  what is actually happening amidst confusion.

Ebonyi has not been observing the Monday sit-at-home since the state government stood its ground to  stop it by threatening to sanction any worker or trader that stayed away from their usual activities in compliance to he IPOB directive.

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Butcher Stabs Colleague To Death Over Disagreement On Market Sanitation In Ogun

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A 21-year-old butcher, identified as Selim Ayodele, has allegedly stabbed his 26-year-old colleague, Ibrahim Wasiu, to death following a disagreement over sweeping their workplace in Ogun State.

The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday, October 18, at a cow meat-selling outlet in the Alagbole area of the Akute/Ajuwon satellite towns in Ifo Local Government Area of the state.

According to reports, trouble started after the day’s business activities when the two colleagues disagreed over the cleaning of their sales outlet, with the argument allegedly escalating into a fatal confrontation.

The Ogun State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed the incident to journalists in Abeokuta on Friday, disclosing that the suspect had been arrested.

Babaseyi said the incident was reported at the Ajuwon Police Divisional Headquarters on Sunday night, prompting police operatives to commence an investigation.

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He explained that preliminary findings indicated that the disagreement began after the two men had concluded their day’s work at the meat-selling outlet.

During the altercation, Ayodele allegedly picked up a knife and stabbed Wasiu in the left side of his chest before twisting the weapon.

The victim was reportedly rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention but was pronounced dead on arrival.

The police spokesperson added that the suspect remained in custody as investigations continued ahead of his prosecution.

He further disclosed that the deceased’s body had been deposited in the morgue of a private hospital for an autopsy.

The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Bode Ojajuni, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to prompt response to criminal incidents, thorough investigations and the prosecution of offenders in accordance with the law.

The police commissioner also urged residents to exercise restraint, resolve disagreements peacefully and promptly report criminal incidents to the appropriate authorities.

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Why Pete Edochie wept in Ghana

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Golfers converge in Enugu for maiden Pete Edochie Golf Tournament
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FRED IWENJORA reports that very brave Okonkwo of “Things Fall Apart”, Ebubedike, the Ononenyi of Nteje, Anambra State, and Ibobo Oyi na Omambala shed tears uncontrollably during this tour especially when students and pupils of Knutsford University used his name for different forms of recitations and poetry.

One may ask why Pete Edochie traveled to Ghana?

This visit was for the launching of the Pete Edochie Legacy project, themed “Celebrating the Africa legend; The lion that needs not to roar”.

It is “a cultural initiative created to honor and celebrate one of Africa’s most revered figures” according to the Ghanaian project organisers.

The Legacy project includes a biographical book, a documentary series and international tour with Ghana serving as the launch pad.

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The publishers, KPL publishers had noted that the contributions of the 79-year-old screen star to Africa cinema are very noteworthy.

At the end of it all, the star actor had, aside unveiling his autobiography in a gala event, paid courtesy calls to industry and policy makers in Ghana including the visit to Ghana’s Goldbod, the body regulating everything gold in Ghana. Organisers saw the visit as an important segment of the tour because a visit to Ghana may have been incomplete without seeing first hand the reason the country was called Gold Coast.

He had also met and greeted select fans and featured in a public lecture and colloquium in his honor before returning to Nigeria.

From when he landed at Kotoka International Airport Tuesday 29th September, 2026 till his departure from Ghana on Wednesday 7, October 2026, there was no dull moment.

Reception was top notch and indeed out of this world.

Ghanaians as well as Nigerians left businesses and trouped out to see “the president of African screen” according to Elizabeth Ama Tetteh, one of his numerous Ghanaian fans who noted that she had been resident in Enugu, Nigeria. It was indeed heartwarming to see Ghanaian as well as Igbo cultural groups on hand to welcome him to the old Gold Coast. Dispatch riders led his motorcade out of the airport.

On arrival, he first paid a courtesy visit to Eze Dr. Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu, Onyendu Ndi igbo, Ghana and sued for peace between Nigeria and Ghana. The respected Eze Ihenetu had organised a congregation of Igbo and Ghanaian leaders for a traditional cocktail reception.

According to the major propeller of the project Kelvin King Dawie of King Dawie Publishing Ltd (KPL) “When people ask why Pete Edochie, I tell them that no honor for Pete Edochie is too big. He has very much distinguished himself on the continent of Africa and beyond as a custodian of the cultural heritage of Africa and has been consistent in it for decades since mounting the stage at the tender age of 15. He is well known and received a lot of honors and awards globally including Nigeria’s national honor of merit; MON.

“We also looked at the way he has distinguished himself on stage and in communication which has warranted him receiving Honorary Doctorate in Literature and creative arts.

On this continent, Pete Edochie is one of a kind and he needs to be projected and celebrated as that icon of Africa who has held high the heritage of Africa for over six decades of his acting life.

King Dawie, an accountant, business strategist and social impact leader also hinted that “the project is in four phases, the autobiography, a 16-episode documentary to properly chronicle his life’s journey and then also the African youth mentorship initiative to help him pass on information to the next generation and an international tour. It took a lot of several efforts from several people too numerous to mention to set this ball rolling and hopefully achieving. We also remain very grateful to our star guest for accepting our proposal. ” However, there are major take-aways from these nine days Pete Edochie “Presidential visit” to Ghana.

Cultural diplomacy at its highest African peak

Years back, Africa viewers had voted Pete Edochie as their main choice in (AMVCA).

However, this Ghana visit is International cultural diplomacy at its highest African peak.

It seems first in history that a film star would make so much impression in another country that a book would be written and unveiled on him in that country.

It also reveals that Nigeria and Ghana have co-existed as West Africa’s beloved Anglophone countries despite hiccups occasioned by various ‘Ghana must go’ or ‘Nigeria must go’ agitations.

And to see both Nigerians and Ghanaians under one roof because of Pete Edochie, animosities may have been doused even if for a moment.

The unveiling of the autobiographical book; Titan of Africa, the story of Pete Edochie, published by KPL Publishers was a big attraction on its own and first of its kind for a Nigerian actor. The event which held at Kempiski Accra drew together distinguished Ghanaians with highlights including his meeting with Ghanaian legendary actress, broadcaster and musician Grace Omaboe, known to many as Maame Dokono. He also met with 102 years old Warrant Officer 1 and WW2 veteran, Pa Joseph Ashitey Hammond. Their tight hug meant that this meeting for the WW2 veteran was highly anticipated like the story of the nunc dimitis contained in the synoptics.

There are pointers to the huge respect that he commands in the so called Gold Coast and that Africa is so culturally connected in many ways.

Another take away from the tour was that the man Pete Edochie is very well blessed and his star never seems to dim as years roll by.

Despite that he is bound to the wheelchair and could barely walk or sits on the chair in his current films, fans continue to adore him from far and near. (Saturday Vanguard)

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Four Shot as NDC Convoy Attacked in Ebonyi, Campaign Vehicle Burnt

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Four people were reportedly shot when a convoy of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) came under attack in Ebonyi State, with one of the campaign vehicles set ablaze.

The incident occurred during a campaign movement in the state, according to sources familiar with the development.

The identities and conditions of those injured were not immediately available at the time of filing this report.

The motive for the attack remained unclear, while the attackers had yet to be identified.

Security agencies were expected to investigate the incident and determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting and burning of the campaign vehicle.

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Further details were awaited from the NDC, the Ebonyi State Government and the relevant security authorities.

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