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Ogurugu monarch, stakeholders pledge support, donation of land for naval operations

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The traditional ruler, Igwe Emmanuel Egwuaba, and stakeholders of Ogurugu community in Uzo Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State have promised to support as well as donate their land for the proposed naval base and its operations in the area.

The development was disclosed by the traditional ruler, alongside his people, when a joint committee set up by both the federal and the state governments paid a working visit to the community on Sunday.

The committee, led by the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, on the side of the Enugu State Government, and Rear Admiral Chijioke Onyemaobi, who represented the federal government, was welcomed by the jubilant members of the community who hosted them with fanfare.

Igwe Egwuaba while conveying his people’s happiness to the government for its intervention in the community, said if and when sited, the naval base would boost the economy of the area through the attraction of investors and other social amenities such as hospital, school and market.

He further added that the community had earlier resolved to cooperate and support the government by ceding their land and ensuring that the project was successfully executed.

According to the royal father: “As you can see yourself, the entire community members came out to welcome these government officials because of the news of the naval base they are coming to site here. It is a thing to celebrate because the government has remembered us.

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“All of us in Ogurugu Community have resolved to support this project, and we want to assure the government that whatever is required from us, we will make it available. We have equally told them that we have large hectares of land and we are ready to give out our land for this project.

“This project will have many positive impacts on the lives of our people and the general economy of this place. You know we are dominantly into agriculture and we produce food staples such as rice, cassava, maize, among other agricultural produce. So, this proposed base by the Nigerian Navy will open up our area and expand the economy. We can easily move our farm produce to the market through the waterways.

“Ogurugu community is made up of 9 villages and we all share the same communal land. We have agreed that whatever the government is planning here in Ogurugu we’re ready to support it. We have pledged to give our land for the project because it’s all about the development of our community.

“Let me emphasize this for the umpteenth time; we, the people of Ogurugu community in Uzo Uwani Local Local Area of Enugu State are happy with the way Governor Peter Mbah is leading us by example. He is spreading his good governance across every community.

“We are also appealing to Governor Mbah to come and invest in agriculture in Ogurugu. We have fertile land for whatever agricultural purpose the governor is planning.”

On his part, a former chairman of the local government area and stakeholder from the community, Chief James Ademu, noted that the news about the proposed project had already brought together the different villages in the community in order to ensure maximum cooperation with the government officials, saying it was a much anticipated project by the people.

He further disclosed that they had held several meetings among themselves in anticipation of the committee and arrived at a conclusion that they were ready to donate any part of the community the Nigerian Navy chooses for the project.

“This project is going to help our people, empower us economically, and we will not take it for granted,” Chief Ademu said.

Speaking earlier, Rear Admiral Onyemaobi said the committee had visited the Igwe’s palace to pay homage and also seek the support and cooperation of the people in making sure the naval base operations were actualized.

He appealed to the people to work in synergy with the military personnel who would be visiting the area from time to time by assisting them with required support and information.

Addressing newsmen shortly after conducting a survey on the river, the senior military officer stated that the water has all the requirements for the establishment of the naval base and other naval facilities, stressing that it’s navigable, wide and strategic.

He assured that work would soon commence in the area even as he underscored that the project would assist in keeping the area safe for the citizens.

While assuring that the security and economic benefits of the naval base would serve the country as a whole, the Deputy Governor said Ogurugu was strategic to the country’s economic growth during colonial era.

He revealed that their visit was necessitated by the desire of the Nigerian Navy to commence the project immediately, adding that the success of the project would depend on how Ogurugu, Iga, Asagba, and the entire Uzo Uwani council area give their support to the Navy.

Barr. Ossai, who said the naval establishment would include designated area for building offices, training ground and residence, maintained that the state government under Governor Peter Mbah would soon commence the process of acquiring land for the project.

According to him, Ogurugu community, Uzo Uwani council area and the state at large would be the greatest beneficiaries of the project once established in terms of security and robust economic drive.

“This project is going to secure your inland waterway. It’s going to trigger economic benefits for Ogurugu. It’s going to provide the much desperately needed security so that we can go back to our farms, our commercial agriculture and begin to witness the same export Ogurugu had done in the 1930s and 1940s. What we expect is the maximum cooperation of everybody in the community and the local government to ensure speedy and immediate completion of the project,” the Deputy Governor added.

Appreciating the gesture of the government for the project, the council chairman, Hon. Chukwudi Nnadozie, said the people of the local government were glad that the project would give priority to the security of his people through an effective policing system.

He expressed gratitude to the state governor and the federal government for the choice of the local government, promising that they would give the navy whatever support it needed to facilitate the project and ensure its speedy completion.

Those at the visit included the Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Hon. Patrick Nwabueze Ubro, Commissioner for Human Development and Poverty Eradication, Dr. Malachy Agbo, Chairmen of Igboeze North and Udenu local government areas, Hon. Ejike Itodo and Hon. Solomon Onah, respectively.

Others were, Commodore D C Ekwom, Commodore S Ibrahim, Navy Captain U I Abubakar, Navy Captain A A Ibrahim, Commander O. M. Williams, among others.

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Billionaire trader Habby Forex hospitalized in Canada, undergoes surgery

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Award-winning Nigerian forex trader, Damilare Ogundare, has been hospitalized in Canada after a sudden medical emergency.

The trader, widely regarded as one of the highest-earning figures in Africa’s forex space, had reportedly left Nigeria just days earlier in good health before the unexpected incident occurred.

Sharing an update via his Instagram page on April 16, 2026, 25-year-old Habby Forex disclosed that he was feeling fine and active upon arriving in Canada when he suddenly developed complications that led to his admission into the emergency unit.

According to him, the situation escalated quickly, requiring urgent surgical intervention to save his life.

He revealed that he was taken into the surgical ward shortly after arriving at the hospital, where doctors carried out the necessary procedure.

Despite the scare, the forex trader expressed gratitude to God for his survival and also appreciated the Canadian healthcare team for their swift response and professionalism in handling the emergency.

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HabbyForex informed his fans that he will be trading in Canada for a while now till he fully recovers.

He wrote; “I was fine and active as usual… suddenly in the ER needing emergency surgery to save my life ,Still unbelievable. I survived this , Thank you GOD & Thank you to the Canadian healthcare team 🇨🇦. Everything in life is a risk , trading from here for now stay active on telegram 📈🔐. Thanks to everyone checking up on me , ❤️❤️🙏.”

See the post below;

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A post shared by Damilare Ogundare (@habbyforex_)

His post has since drawn reactions from fans and celebrities, many of whom have taken to social media to wish him a speedy recovery.

Reacting, Don Jazzy wrote, “Ahh get well soon bro.”

goldtradernoelreys commented, “Thank you God, get well soon Ogo ❤️💪 You’re healed 🙏🏽.”

smart_money_rich shared, “God is GOOD. Your recovery is swift 💜💜.”

pickpipsfx shared, “The Lord Almighty is the strength of your life, @habbyfx_academy … Quick recovery Boss 💪💪.”

ganajoshua_danlami uttered, “By his stripes you are healed Brody 🙏🏽❤️ Thank God for life 🙏🏽.”

blaqmayor_ shared, “Quickest recovery biggest na star you be dem Dey shine forever 🙏🏽🙏🏽 God is the greatest.”

thetdo reacted, “God of mercy. Get well soon Fx prof.”

In similar news, A debate has erupted online after award-winning Nigerian forex trader, Habby Forex boasted about having more expensive wristwatches in Nigeria.

Don Jazzy challenged the claim and urged the trader to rank Afrobeats superstars Burna Boy and Davido ahead of him in terms of expensive wrist watches.

Don Jazzy’s reaction has since sparked widespread reactions, with many netizens echoing his stance and questioning the trader’s comparison, particularly highlighting Burna Boy’s global success and financial strength.

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JAMB: Gunmen abduct UTME candidates, others

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Gunmen have abducted passengers, including candidates of the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination being conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board examination, along the Makurdi-Otukpo road in Benue State.

The victims were said to be travelling in a Benue Links bus from Makurdi to Otukpo when the vehicle was attacked on Wednesday night.

A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the incident, said the bus, which was conveying about 18 passengers, was intercepted near Otukpo around 8 pm by suspected bandits who took most of the occupants into the bush.

According to the source, the passengers were mainly young persons heading to Otukpo to sit for the JAMB examination scheduled for Thursday.

“Two people, the driver and one passenger, managed to escape. Incidentally, the passengers were mainly young men and women who travelled to sit for the JAMB examination scheduled for today (Thursday),” he said.

However, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ifeanyi Emenari, said 14 passengers were abducted, adding that one victim escaped.

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Emenari, who spoke on Thursday, said he was in Otukpo coordinating the rescue operation.

“I am in Otukpo now with all my team and DPOs who are here in the bush and am heading the operation.

“What happened was that one Benue Links bus carrying passengers coming to Otukpo was stopped and attacked by hoodlums and 14 passengers were kidnapped but one was able to escape,” he said.

He added that the command had commenced an investigation into the incident, particularly the circumstances surrounding the journey.

According to him, the Benue Links management has a policy against night travel, but the driver allegedly picked up passengers after official hours.

“But as we are investigating, we are on the ground to make sure that the victims are rescued,” the CP said.

The Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, also confirmed the incident, saying security operatives had been deployed to the area.

Ogiri said, “It is true, I’m just coming out from a security meeting, and security operatives have been moved into the forest to help rescue the kidnapped victims.

“The victims are mainly young boys and girls coming to Otukpo to write JAMB.”

Passengers travelling along the Makurdi-Otukpo road have faced repeated attacks by gunmen in recent months.

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Gov Mbah, French Ambassador Flag off 14.5km High-Capacity Water Pipeline

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…Reinforce partnerships in aviation, education, agriculture, others

… You are a transformer and an entrepreneur – Ambassador hails Mbah

The Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, and the Ambassador of France to Nigeria, Marc Fonbaustier, on Wednesday, flagged off the construction of 14.5 kilometres of high-capacity transmission pipelines from Nsude to the Terminal Reservoir at Miliken Hill to significantly strengthen water supply to Enugu city.

This was even as the two leaders reinforced the commitment of the governments of France and Enugu State to stronger partnerships in the areas of education, aviation, agriculture, agro-industrialisation, and culture, among others.

The water project is in line with Governor Mbah’s determined efforts to get water to the last mile across the state capital.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Governor Mbah, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, said the project, supported by the French Development Agency (AFD) under the Third National Urban Water Sector Reform Programme, represented a bold step in his administration’s determination to deliver on his administration’s promise to provide reliable and sustainable water supply to the people of the state.

“For too long, access to clean water has been a challenge. But we are currently changing that story permanently.

“The construction of this critical transmission pipeline will significantly strengthen our water distribution backbone, ensuring that potable water reaches homes, businesses, and institutions across Enugu metropolis efficiently and consistently.

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“But beyond the infrastructure, this project is about people. It is about improving public health by reducing waterborne diseases. It is about supporting businesses and driving economic growth. It is about restoring dignity by ensuring that every resident of Enugu has access to safe and reliable water,” he stated.

Also, while personally receiving the Ambassador in his office earlier, Governor Mbah said that while his administration had significantly addressed the upstream challenges by successfully increasing water generation from 2 million litres daily to 120 million litres in 180 days, it was still aggressively dealing with the downstream by laying ductile iron pipes in place of old, asbestos pipes, which had gravely failed to withstand increased water pressure.

He also said his administration had compassionately braved the cost of laying new pipes instead of pulling down so many buildings constructed on major water pipelines.

“However, we are never interested in inundating the people with excuses. We are rather determined to get water to the last mile.

“If you tell them you are generating 80m litres or 120m litres, but they turn their taps and nothing flows, it will not work. When they turn their tap and get water, that is the only time you will make sense to them.

“So, for the upstream, we will continue to generate the water. But we need private sector participation in the downstream. We are happy to work with any of the companies you can recommend to us. This is an area we truly want action,” Mbah said.

On his part, the French Ambassador said the Government of France, through the French Development Agency, had supported the urban water sector across Nigeria to the tune of $340 million over the past decade.

“So, this particular project reflects the strength of Franco-Nigerian cooperation. It brings together expertise from both countries, with Nigerian and French companies working hand in hand— from design to implementation. This partnership ensures not only high-quality infrastructure, but also knowledge transfer and local capacity building,” Mr. Fonbaustier stated.

He lauded Mbah’s sterling leadership qualities, expressing the readiness of the French Government to partner with Enugu State in many areas the Mbah Administration had blazed the trail.

“I commend you for who you are and what you have achieved to date. I am impressed by your profile, but also your result-oriented action.

“You are a man obsessed with time, timelines, roadmaps, and measures of impact. You want to transform Enugu State. You are a transformer and an entrepreneur. And this has been detected in various areas: railways, roads, airlines. I mean, how did you do that?

“To shape and build up an airline, which is already certified, with a concession for the Enugu airport in a short spell of time, is completely amazing and out of the usual standards in Nigeria.

“Let us be honest, you are obsessed with supplying basic services to your people,” he stated.

Meanwhile, in their remarks, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Enugu State, Engr. Ben Collins Ndu Jr.; Managing Director, Enugu Water Corporation, Dr. Michael Nwachukwu; and the Chairman of Udi Local Government Area, Hon. Hyginus Agu, thanked the French Government for its goodwill and support towards the development efforts in Enugu State.

On his part, the Managing Director of the construction firm, TLD Global Services Ltd., Engr. Hilary Abaratu, assured of excellence, timely delivery, and adherence to the highest standards.

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