
News
Enugu gov’t, Indonesia to deepen trade and investment relations – Amb Usra
The Indonesian ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Usra Harahap, has expressed the Asian country’s interest in deepening relations with the Government of Enugu State in the areas of trade, investment, and other socio-economic spaces that would be of mutual benefits to both entities.
Dr. Usra stated this when he led a team of senior delegates from the Republic of Indonesia to the state on a business and working visit to Governor Peter Mbah at the Government House, Enugu, on Monday.
While exploring the areas of interest that could lead to a productive partnership between Enugu State and Indonesia, the ambassador noted that investments in the state and frequent exchange of contacts would not only cement the bilateral ties, but equally create more opportunities for mutual growth and prospects of further investments in the future.
“The potential for collaboration between Indonesia and Enugu State is immensely spanning across Enugu State in many sectors. Firstly, in the area of trade and investment, we see great opportunities for future growth. Our country can benefit from increased trade, the exchange of knowledge, and collaborative investment venture.
“We look at how our trade will further improve. In this regard, I will extend my invitation to Governor Peter Mbah and the Enugu business community to participate in the Trade Expo, which will be held from 18th to 22nd October 2023 in the city of Indonesia.


“This Expo will provide the unique platform for you to meet the Indonesia businessmen, and also be exposed to our services and business opportunities that can be mutually beneficial,” he said.
Ambassador Usra, who expressed Indonesia’s desire to invest in the energy and mining sectors in the state, said that Enugu was rich in mineral resources, agriculture as well as tourism, which would serve as additional sources of revenue, adding that the “trade value between Indonesia and Nigeria is about $4.5 billion of which the total import amount to $4.3 billion with export at only $5 million”.
“Indonesia has many interests in broadening the collaboration in energy, agriculture, health sector, as well as creative economy. In line with this, the Government of Indonesia has sought investment opportunities in Africa. Currently the Indonesia government has established 35 companies in Africa with values worth of $5 billion. The areas of investment are mining industry, food and beverages, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, construction, textile, agriculture.
“We recognise the potential of the agro-sector in your region and we envisage collaboration between Enugu State and Indonesia business within areas such as food processing, agriculture machinery and irrigation. Indonesia expertise can help significantly to increase agricultural productivity and ensure food security in your state,” he added.
He also revealed that the Indonesian government was making plans to collaborate with the state in area of education through scholarship programme to enable bright students from the state to do their doctoral, master and undergraduate degrees in the Asian country.
Responding to the visit, the state governor, Dr. Mbah, commended the ambassador and his team for picking special economic interest in the state, saying his administration was not only ready to partner with Indonesian investors, but had equally provided the enabling environment to welcome them to the state.
The governor maintained that the state had an array of investment opportunities such as the sector-based productivity belt, minerals and energy sector, including coal and oil and gas with large deposits in different locations in the state.
Mbah enjoined the ambassador to see Enugu as the best state to invest as his government had already activated the mechanisms that would derisk investment flow and enable ease of doing business,.
He added that “Enugu State is blessed with minerals such as limestone, gypsum, clay mineral, glass sand, and one of the cleanest coal deposit in the world”.
He reiterated the government’s resolve to make the state an investment destination, grow the gross domestic product from its present $4.4 billion to $30 billion, eradicate poverty and make it a tourism hub through deliberate policies already being executed.
The governor, while disclosing that Enugu State, under his leadership, had been adjudged one of the safest states to do business in terms of security, called on investors to seize the opportunity provided by the government to invest in agriculture and agro-allied industrialisation.
He maintained that over 300,000 hectares of land had been designated as a special economic zone for agro-allied processing industry and other investment prospects.
News
BREAKING: Tension as Video Shows Islamic Group Members Allegedly Calling for AK-47 to Kill Christians in Enugu, Jos
Tension has heightened following the emergence of a viral video purportedly showing members of an Islamic volunteer group chanting lyrics calling for an AK-47 rifle to attack Christians in Enugu and Jos, the Plateau State capital.
The footage, which has sparked outrage and concern on social media, reportedly features members of the Agaji volunteer wing of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS), popularly known as Izala.
The video, shared by counterterrorism expert Zagazola Makama, gained traction on social media, particularly X, on Sunday.
It shows a group of young men dressed in brown uniforms and blue berets, with one of them leading a chant containing violent references to obtaining an AK-47 rifle to attack people described as “infidels” in the two cities.
In one section of the chant, the singer calls for a rifle to enable an individual to travel to Enugu and attack Christians while they are worshipping in church.

“He should be given AK-47. He would then go to Enugu, the land of the infidels. On Sunday, when they are worshipping and clapping, he would then open fire, so that he can kill the infidels,” the lyrics state.
The chant subsequently references Jos, with another call for an AK-47 to attack people described as infidels.
“He asked to be given an AK-47 again, so that he can go to Jos and kill more infidels. That is the training,” the singer says.
The video has triggered widespread concern among Nigerians, with many calling on security agencies to investigate the footage, identify those involved and take appropriate action to prevent any potential threat to public safety.
The references to Enugu and Jos, alongside the explicit calls for armed attacks during Christian worship, have raised concerns about the safety of residents and worshippers in the affected cities.
However, as of the time of filing this report, the governments of Enugu and Plateau states, as well as the relevant security agencies, had yet to issue official statements on the video.
It remains unclear when and where the footage was recorded and whether the individuals featured in it have been identified by security authorities.
News
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala loses mother
Prof. Kamene Okonjo, matriarch of Umu Obi Obahai Royal Family, mother of Obi Ifechukwude Okonjo ll, traditional ruler of Ogwashi Uku community in Delta has passed on.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the matriarch, and mother of the Director- General, World Trade Organisation, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, died on Friday at the age of 96.
The late Kamene Okonjo was the beloved wife of late Obi (Prof.) Chukwuka Okonjo, the immediate past traditional ruler of Ogwashi-Uku community, with whom she shared 66 years of marriage.
This is contained in a statement by Chief Ifeakanachukwu Emordi, Palace Secretary of the community on behalf of the royal family on Sunday.
According to the statement, the late Okonjo was an extraordinary woman, whose remarkable life was defined by intellectual brilliance, humility, compassion, dignity and an unwavering commitment to the advancement of humanity.

“An internationally recognised and foremost sociologist, Prof. Kamene Okonjo distinguished herself through her outstanding academic accomplishments, intellectual contributions and lifelong advocacy for women’s rights and empowerment.
“She was a woman of exceptional intellect, yet possessed a rare gentleness of spirit, humility and grace that endeared her to everyone privileged to know her.
“Her achievements transcended the boundaries of Ogwashi-Uku and Nigeria, earning her admiration and respect within academic and intellectual circles internationally.”
The statement added that the late Okonjo represented the very finest qualities of scholarship, womanhood, motherhood and service to society.
“Beyond her considerable professional accomplishments, she was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and a cherished pillar of the royal family.
“Her wisdom, kindness, quiet strength and exemplary character will remain an enduring inspiration to generations yet unborn.
“While we mourn her passing, we celebrate a life exceptionally well lived.
“At 96 years, Okonjo left behind an extraordinary legacy of scholarship, service, family values and advocacy for the dignity and advancement of women.
“We take comfort in our Christian faith and the assurance that she is resting peacefully with the Lord, haven completed her earthly journey with grace and distinction,” it said.
The statement said the entire Umu Obi Obahai family extended its deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, her beloved children; Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Dr Njideka Okonjo-Udochi, Onyema Okonjo and Chichi Okonjo.
The family also extended their condolences to their spouses, sons and daughters in law, her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and the entire extended Okonjo royal family.
It also enjoined the people of Ogwashi-Uku to join the family in celebrating the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of their remarkable daughter, mother, scholar and matriarch, whose contributions to humanity would never be forgotten. (NAN)
News
NCDC Reports Two Suspected Ebola Cases as Contacts Rise to 53
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported two suspected Ebola cases as the number of people being monitored following the country’s confirmed infection rises to 53.
The development has heightened the urgency of efforts to contain the virus and prevent further transmission.
The Director-General of the NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, disclosed this on Sunday, October 25, 2026, during a press briefing in Abuja, where he provided an update on the country’s surveillance and response measures.
“We have established two additional suspected cases and 53 primary contact links. They are primary contacts. We have an isolation centre and a quarantine centre,” Idris said.
However, details surrounding the two suspected cases remained unclear, as other accounts of the briefing indicated that authorities had investigated two cases, including the confirmed infection in Abuja and a suspected case in Rivers State that subsequently tested negative.

The reported suspected cases should therefore not be interpreted as additional confirmed infections without laboratory confirmation.
Providing details of the contact-tracing exercise, Idris said the 53 contacts comprised 44 people linked to the healthcare facility where the confirmed patient received treatment and nine others identified through further investigations.
The additional contacts included three members of the patient’s household, three healthcare workers who attended to her at an earlier medical facility and three personnel involved in collecting samples.
According to the NCDC, the identified contacts had been classified according to their exposure risks and placed under monitoring. None had tested positive for Ebola or developed symptoms as of the briefing.
Idris explained that public health teams would monitor the exposed individuals for 21 days after their last possible exposure, in line with established protocols for detecting and responding promptly to potential infections.
He also disclosed that approximately 12 public and private laboratories were available to conduct Ebola testing in Nigeria as authorities continued to strengthen the country’s diagnostic capacity.
The NCDC director-general urged healthcare facilities nationwide to reinforce screening, patient assessment and infection prevention measures.
He stressed the need to provide healthcare workers with adequate personal protective equipment and ensure the prompt reporting of suspected infections.
Idris further appealed to individuals contacted by public health officials to cooperate with investigators and provide accurate information about their movements, possible exposure and symptoms.
Nigeria confirmed its first Ebola case in the current regional outbreak on October 20, 2026, after a woman with a recent travel history to Uganda tested positive for the Bundibugyo strain of the virus in Abuja.
According to the World Health Organisation, the woman developed symptoms on October 7 and sought treatment at a private health facility on October 11 before laboratory tests confirmed the infection.
The initial contact-tracing exercise identified 44 people, but the figure subsequently increased to 53 as investigations expanded.
The Federal Government has maintained heightened surveillance while strengthening laboratory testing, isolation arrangements and infection prevention protocols.
Health authorities have urged Nigerians to remain vigilant, cooperate with public health officials and avoid spreading unverified information as investigations and monitoring continue.
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