
News
Gov. Mbah flags off palliatives distribution in Enugu

…Orders immediate distribution of 52,000 bags of rice, 52,000 bags of maize to the poor
… beneficiaries, persons with disabilities commend exercise

Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, Wednesday, flagged off the distribution of palliatives in Enugu State, ordering the immediate delivery of 52,000 bags of rice and 52,000 bags of maize to the urban and rural poor in the state.
The palliatives include 200 bags of rice and 200 bags of maize to each of the 260 wards in the state.
Mbah, however, said the palliatives were part of the short-term strategies to fighting poverty, saying the medium and long-term plans of his administration remained to eradicate poverty in the state in line with his manifesto.
“Part of our vision is to eradicate poverty in Enugu State. And we knew that at the time we were saying that, there was a high rate of poverty in the state. But, a few days into our administration, we have had to contend with a number of policies initiated by the Federal Government such as the removal of the petrol subsidy, and also the unification of the foreign exchange rates.
“What that meant was that the people we have in our poverty bracket suddenly expanded because their purchasing power declined drastically.
“As a government that is pro-people, we have the quick fix or short-term strategy to reduce the pressure on our people, while still bearing in mind the long-term goal of eradicating poverty, making sure that we introduce strategic programmes that would in the long run get our people constructively engaged, and make a living from such engagements.
“So, what we have simply come to do here today is to present palliatives to the people of Enugu State, particularly our rural poor, urban poor and our downtrodden.
“We have also put a structure in place to make that happen by decentralising the distribution, involving local council leaderships, the town unions, the religious institutions, among others such that once we leave here, these items will begin to get distributed across the 17 local governments from today”.

Bags of rice ready for distribution to beneficiaries in Enugu
The governor also announced the procurement of busses to subsidise transportation and enable the people to go about their socio-economic activities with ease, recalling that his administration had earlier set up committees to verify and clear all arrears of pensions and gratuities owed public servants in the state. This he said would ensure that the elderly and most vulnerable were able to live a meaningful life in the midst of the economic hardship.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Enugu State Chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Hon. Okechukwu Edeh, who is also a member of the state palliatives committee, assured that the items would trickle down to the poor immediately.
“As the ALGON Chairman, I promise you that I will work with my colleagues to make sure that these get to the downtrodden. It is not for everybody; it is for the poor, and it must get to them based on the expanded social register that has been compiled”, he said.
Meanwhile, different sections of the beneficiaries have commended the Enugu State Government for transparency and inclusiveness in the management of the palliatives.
Speaking, the Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Enugu State chapter, Onyebuchi Mbah, said: “I wish to say kudos to the current administration in Enugu State because they deemed it fit to practice inclusiveness, involving the most vulnerable groups, persons with disabilities in this exercise. I want them to continue in that direction.
“Let me also say that in the exercise so far, the state governor has played his own role and we hope that the directives he has given will be followed so that these items will get to the most vulnerable population”
Also speaking, Mrs Chika Nwankwo, Councillor representing Awgu Ward I in Awgu LGA described the palliatives as “sweet news to the poor in the rural areas where I come from”.
“The poor, the sick, and many who cannot afford one square meal in a day are eargerly waiting for us to return with the goodies”, she stated.
News
Enugu Labour Party Chairman Agbo suspended over attack on Peter Obi, other offences


A major crisis is rocking the Enugu State chapter of Labour Party, LP, as the State Working Committee of the party and local government chairmen on Tuesday announced the suspension the state chairman, Barr. Casmir Agbo.
They passed a vote of no confidence on his leadership saying he had engaged in acts that were against the interest of the party in the state.
The leaders of the party in a communique made available to newsmen at the end of their meeting in Enugu among other things, accused their chairman of insubordination, attack of the party’s national leader, Peter Obi, alleged collection of bribe and replacement of elected party leaders without due process.
The communique which was signed by 14 out of the 17 LG chairmen, zonal chairmen and other elected executives of the party also announced the appointment of Chief Kingsley Chideraa Ugwu to pilot the affairs of the party pending when the party will hold its congress.
“The Enugu State Labour Party has taken a significant step in holding its leadership accountable by passing a vote of no confidence in the State Labour Party Chairman, Barr. Casmir Uchenna Agbo.
This unanimous decision taken by the State Working Committee and Local Government Party Chairmen reflects the party’s commitment to upholding its values and principles.
“The vote of no confidence was taken due to litanies of anti party activities perpetuated and perpetrated by Barr. Casmir Uchenna Agbo and his cohorts.The following under listed reasons are the reasons for this vote of no confidence and/suspension:
1. serious concerns regarding Barr. Casmir’s handling of recent activities or failure to uphold the pary’s mission and values.
2. The organization’s members have lost confidence in Casmir’s ability to effectively guide the party forward.
3. insurbodination, acerbic, vitriolic attacks and abuse of the personality of our national leader, Mr. Gregory Peter Obi.
4. Non recognition and sidelining of the party’s elected members and other stakeholders.
5. It’s established that Barr. Casmir Uchenna Agbo runs the party like his private enterprise by taking unilateral decisions.
6. It’s on record that Barr. Casmir Uchenna Agbo demanded and took bribes from our party candidates during the recently concluded local government elections.
7. It’s also on record that Barr. Casmir Uchenna Agbo remove and replace party excos both at ward, local government and state levels without recourse to the party’s constitution and with scanty regard to the opinions of the party stakeholders.”
The party leaders said the decision was taken “with a heavy heart, but we believe it is necessary to ensure the pary’s’ continued success and integrity.
We will now begin the process of selecting a new Chairman who shares our vision and values in acting capacity.
“The party remains committed to its mission and values and is confident that this decision will ultimately strengthen, regig and recalibrate the party. We appreciate the support of our members and stakeholders during this transition period.
“It’s on the strength of the foregoing developments that we recommend that Barr. Casmir Uchenna Agbo be suspended forthwith.
“Drawing strength from the above recommendation by the strength State and Local Government Excos, the motion for his suspension was moved by Hon. Chinweuba Ngwu of Enugu South and dutifully seconded by Mazi Augustine Umezuluike(Mason) of Ezeagu Local Government Area.
“Consequent upon this, Chief Kingsley Chideraa Ugwu was appointed in acting capacity to replace Barr. Casmir Uchenna Agbo pending when the party congress would be conducted. The motion for the nomination of the acting Chairman was moved by Hon Chinweuba Ngwu and seconded Mazi Augustine Umezuluike.”
Barr. Agbo could not be reached for his reaction to the suspension.
News
Arrest threat: I’m being forced to go on exile, El-Rufai cries out


Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has alleged that some political forces are attempting to force him into self-imposed exile through intimidation and threats of arrest.
El-Rufai said this in reaction to claims by a Twitter user that there were plans to arrest El-Rufai upon his return to Nigeria on “concocted allegations.”
El-Rufai, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), accused unnamed political figures of attempting to use the judicial system against him.
He said such threats were part of a larger plan to force him into self-imposed exile but noted that he has no intention of leaving the country.
“They freaked out when we challenged the legality of the premeditated defamation, and went to every length to compromise the judicial process, and this is continuing at the Court of Appeal,” El-Rufai disclosed on X on Tuesday.
“They have sent such similar messages of intimidation and threats through many of my friends, family and political associates because they want me to go on self-imposed exile. I will not.“
However, El-Rufai noted that he had put his “previous academic” and “language-learning plans” on hold to spend more time in Nigeria than ever before.
He noted that “Silence is no longer golden. Inaction has never been an option.
“The arrest, detention and torture of perceived political enemies are nothing new in human affairs. I have been arrested and detained thrice in the past for expressing my views of previous governments.”
El-Rufai also noted that he has been “arrested and detained thrice in the past for expressing my views of previous governments.”
The arrest, detention and torture of perceived political enemies are nothing new in human affairs, El-Rufai added.
He, however, disclosed that he plans to return to Nigeria for the upcoming launch of former President Ibrahim Babangida’s memoirs on February 20, 2025.
“There is always a morning after the arrest or detention or torture, and political life continues. As for death, it when Allah destines it, and it is ultimate the date of every human,” El-Rufai said.
“For the attention of the pathetic characters that don’t sleep well whenever I am in Nigeria, take notice that I intend to return in time for the launch of Pres IBB’s memoirs, in sha Allah, scheduled for 20th February.”
News
Public outcry as MTN raises weekly 15GB Data price from N2,000 to N6,000


Many MTN Nigeria subscribers have taken to X to express their frustrations. “Nigeria is a very difficult place to live in, honestly. MTN waking up one day to increase their weekly 15 GB data from 2k to 6k without prior warning is textbook insanity. That’s 24k in a month, almost the minimum wage of the country on data, bruh, this is hell,” tweeted @TheSilvapr.
“MTN increasing the cost of its 15 GB data subscription from 2k to 6k is a significant price hike, and it reflects the true economic and business realities rather than just a random decision. Complaining Won’t Change Anything because Telecom operators have to operate within a profit-driven system,” wrote @official_GZU.
Aside from the 15GB tariff plan increase, the telco has also raised the cost of other plans. The revised price increase now includes a 1.8GB monthly plan for N1,500, replacing the previous 1.5GB plan priced at N1,000.
Its 20GB plan has been adjusted to N7,500, up from N5,500, while the 15GB plan now costs N6,500, up from N4,500. Its 90-day 1.5TB plan has jumped from N150,000 to N240,000, and the 600GB 90-day plan increased from N75,000 to N120,000. Its two/three-month data plan of 100GN for N20,000 is now 90GB for N25,000; 160GB for N30,000 is now 150GB for N40,000.
For now, Airtel and Globacom are yet to review their prices. However, all telcos are expected to follow MTN’s lead after the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) approved a 50 percent increase in the cost of calls, data, and SMS on January 20 for the first time in a decade.
The hike is meant to support “the ability of operators to continue investing in infrastructure and innovation, ultimately benefiting consumers through improved services and connectivity, including better network quality, enhanced customer service, and greater coverage.”
However, telcos could not immediately increase prices as they were waiting for regulatory approval from the NCC. “We don’t have the price increase in our hands because, even though it has been announced and based on Section 108, every single product that you want to increase its price has to go to the NCC, be iterated, and approved,” one expert explained.
At an industry gathering on January 25, Gbenga Adebayo, the chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), noted that phased increment would begin soon.
“We are now following what is called the regulatory requirement, regulatory steps of filing, reviewing, and obtaining approvals. As soon as those approvals come through, different players will introduce new rates as the time comes. I’ll say over next week, we start seeing some improvement in the prices,” he stated. (
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