
News
A society without culture is gone, says Gov Otti at 2025 Ekponibro Cultural Festival
…urges Abians to take agriculture seriously
Abia State Governor, His Excellency Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, says that when a society loses its tradition and culture, such society is dead and gone.
Governor Otti stated this on Saturday, 19th April, during the 2025 Ekponibro Cultural Festival (Ugbo Nmiri Nma) held at Etiti Abam Primary School, Atani Abam, in Arochukwu Local Government Area of the State, sponsored by the UNUBIKO Foundation, a nongovernmental and nonprofit organization in partnership and with the endorsement of the Abia State Government.
Speaking during the event, Governor Otti said, “This speaks to our tradition and culture. And, any society that loses its tradition and culture is gone. In those days, societies begin to die when they lose their tradition. They begin to go into bondage and slavery.

Participants at the cultural festival
“I am happy that Abam people did not forget where they came from. And, I want to thank the UNUBIKO Foundation for remembering and also bankrolling all these, and my prayer is that God will continue to replenish your source a millionfold.”

Speaking further, the Governor encouraged the people to take Agriculture seriously, noting that in it lies stomach infrastructure; “I need not preach to you about Agriculture. If you do not have the vision, this is the time. The planting season is about starting. This is one thing that God has given to us without much toiling.
“You plant something in the ground and then by the time you reap, you reap bountifully. You can plant in tears, but when you are reaping, you reap in joy.

Governor Alex Otti and Chief James Ume, Founder UNUBIKO Foundation
“So, I want to encourage all of us, if we were not taking farming seriously, this the time to do so because what you call stomach infrastructure is in your farm. And, it is what is in your hands that God uses to bless you,” Governor Otti stated.
The State Chief Executive used the opportunity to thank Abam people for the support they are giving to the contractors working on the projects being done for them by his administration, stating that “the whole idea is to connect our communities and give them wings to fly.” He told them that the road which is already in use would soon be commissioned.
Also speaking at the event, the Abia State Commissioner for Culture and Creative Economy, Dr. Matthew Ekwuruibe, thanked the Governor for being physically present at the event, saying that under Governor Otti’s administration in Abia State, every sector is being given the needed attention, including remembering and preserving our cultural heritage. He thanked the Founder of the UNUBIKO Foundation, Chief James Ume, for sponsoring the cultural festival. He noted that he was looking forward to partnering and attending similar events in other parts of the State.
In his speech at the event, the Founder of UNUBIKO Foundation, Chief James Ume thanked Governor Alex Otti, OFR, for honouring them with his presence at the event and for the endorsement of the event by the State Government. He said that the Ekponibro cultural festival is a heritage bequeathed to them by their fathers, which symbolizes their struggles, strengths, triumphs, and exploits. He thanked Governor Otti for his good works in Abam and across the State.
The Rector of Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Engr. Dr. Christopher Okoro Kalu said that the 2025 Ekponibro festival, which has its theme as “Long May They Reign,” is a celebration of the difficulties and the triumphs of their forbearers in their sea trading business of Agricultural products like cocoa, kernel, palm oil, etc. Some of the challenges faced by the merchants included bad weather, the trunk of trees that fell into the sea that must be cleared for their canoe to sail through, hostile communities and criminals, wild animals, and so on. Upon return, the merchants troupe en mass to celebrate with families and friends in gratitude to the Supreme Being for a successful Journey through the sea.
The event, which was chaired by Mazi Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji (Ugwu Aro), attracted captains of industries and political heavyweights across the State and beyond.
It was attended by the former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu (represented), the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, the Member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Ibe Okwara Osonwa, his Isiala Ngwa North/South colleague, Hon. Okenze Ginger Onwusibe, the Deputy Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Austin Okezie Nmeregini, the Mayor of Arochikwu LGA, Engr. Dr. Chibuike Eze Aru, Special Adviser to the Governor on Monitoring and Evaluation, Mazi Okoroafor Ugochukwu, and Dr. Desmond Chima Anyaso, among others.
News
2027 Election: Yilwatda apologises to aggrieved Oyo APC members, seeks unity
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has apologised to aggrieved members over perceived wrongs during the party’s internal primaries, saying the National Working Committee (NWC) takes responsibility for such actions.
Yilwatda, who made the disclosure on Thursday in Ibadan during the launch of the APC governorship candidate campaign office in Ibadan, appealed to members who felt hurt, injured, prevented or excluded in any form to forgive the party and remain united ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He said the responsibility extended beyond Oyo State, stressing that the committee that conducted the party’s primaries was constituted by the national leadership and therefore, any mistake committed by it amounted to a mistake by the party.
“This is not for Oyo State alone. Anywhere anybody made a mistake in a state, it is our mistake because the committee was set up by us and they are representing us.
“If anybody is hurt, if anybody is injured, if anybody is prevented or excluded in any form or the other, we take responsibility. On TV, before Nigerians, we take responsibility of all that has happened. I appeal to everybody that we are sorry,” he said.

The APC national chairman urged members at polling units, wards and local government areas across the country to regard the matter as an internal family affair.
Yilwatda assured that the party was taking Oyo State seriously because of its strategic importance and large voting population, second only to Lagos.
Speaking, the APC governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, commended the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, for fulfilling his promises to the state within two days.
Alli expressed appreciation to Yilwatda for honouring the invitation to meet with governorship aspirants and stakeholders, saying the achievements recorded within the period surpassed what the stakeholders had been able to accomplish.
He said the promises made when the national chairman invited the aspirants had now been fulfilled.
“We cannot thank you enough for what you have come to do. What you have achieved successfully in two days, we have not been able to accomplish,” Alli said.
He assured the national chairman that the party in Oyo would continue to do the needful.
Earlier, mammoth crowd of members and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) gathered in Ibadan on Thursday as the party’s national chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, officially inaugurated the party’s governorship campaign office in Dandaru, along the Total Garden-Mokola Road, Ibadan.
The inauguration formed part of activities marking the APC National Chairman’s two-day official visit to Oyo State, which commenced on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
Party members from across the 33 local government areas of the state converged on the venue to witness the official inauguration of the campaign office and welcome the national chairman.
The campaign office will serve as the secretariat of the APC governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli.
Business
AFRAA welcomes Enugu Air, strengthens Nigeria’s Domestic Aviation growth
The African Airlines Association (AFRAA) has admitted Enugu Air as Member, extending the Association’s membership base in Nigeria’s fast-growing domestic aviation market and reaffirming AFRAA’s commitment to supporting the continued development of African carriers across the continent.
This was announced by AFRAA in Nairobi on Wednesday, making Enugu Air the 50th Member of the association, joining the AFRAA airline fraternity, collectively representing more than 85 per cent of total international traffic carried by African airlines.
Speaking on the occasion, AFRAA Secretary General, Mr. Abdérahmane Berthé, said, “We are delighted to welcome Enugu Air into the AFRAA fraternity.

“As a state-backed carrier serving Nigeria’s rapidly expanding domestic market, Enugu Air represents the kind of homegrown investment that is vital to building resilient air connectivity across our continent.

“We look forward to supporting the airline through the IOSA certification process and to its continued growth within the AFRAA membership, as we work together to advance the cause of unified African skies.”
Reacting to the development, the CEO of Enugu, Capt Tolu Ita, described the admission into AFRAA as a major milestone in the airline’s short history.
“We are honoured to join the AFRAA fraternity. This membership underscores Enugu Air’s commitment to safe, reliable, and affordable air travel for Nigerians while contributing to the vision of a unified African aviation market.
“We look forward to collaborating with fellow AFRAA members and leveraging the association’s support as we grow our network and pursue IOSA certification,” Tolu stated.
Founded on July 7, 2025, Enugu Air commenced commercial operations with a fleet of Embraer E170/E190/E195 aircraft.
The airline, which has its headquarters in Enugu and operates from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, currently serves nine domestic destinations including Enugu, Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano and Benin City.
As part of the airline’s growth strategy, Enugu Air plans to expand further across Nigeria and, in subsequent phases, to launch regional and international routes across Africa, Europe, and beyond.
As part of its growth strategy, Enugu Air plans to expand further across Nigeria and, in subsequent phases, to launch regional and international routes across Africa, Europe, and beyond.
The admission of Enugu Air aligns with AFRAA’s strategic priorities and strengthens the voice of the association. Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous nation and one of its fastest-growing economies, remains central to the realization of a truly integrated African aviation market.
Meanwhile, founded in Accra, Ghana, in April 1968, and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, AFRAA’s mission is to promote, serve African Airlines and champion Africa’s aviation industry.
The association envisions a sustainable, interconnected and affordable air transport industry in Africa, where African airlines become key players and drivers of African economic development.
AFRAA membership cuts across the entire continent and includes all the major intercontinental African operators.
The association’s members represent over 85% of total international traffic carried by African airlines.
News
Aiyedatiwa appoints 1,004 aides, picks commissioner, three advisers
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has approved a fresh round of appointments involving a commissioner, three Special Advisers and 1,000 other aides.
The appointments comprise 90 Senior Special Assistants and 910 Special Assistants, with the governor saying the move is intended to reinforce his administration and improve its reach across the state.
Erelu Taibat Yemi Oloruntoba, from Akoko North-West Local Government Area, has been nominated as Commissioner for Special Duties. Her nomination has been transmitted to the state House of Assembly for consideration and confirmation.
The governor also appointed Hon. Abimbola Fajolu as Special Adviser on Environment, Chief Ade Adeniyi as Special Adviser on Rural and Community Development, and Mr Muyiwa Ogunyemi as Special Adviser on Transport.
Among those named as Senior Special Assistants are Erelu Toyin Ogungbure, Women Mobilisation (South); Bidemi Obayangbon, Forestry; Gboluge Olufunmi Alex, Community Engagement (South); Hon. Akin Adeniyi, Community Engagement (Central); and Obayan Theophilus Ayodeji, Community Engagement (North).

Others include Kelvin Solomon, Students Affairs; Adeolu Iwakun, Volunteer Services; Samson Job Bazuaye, Oil and Gas; Fade Ojamomi, Youth Empowerment and Job Creation; Sam Adepoju, Public Engagement; and Alhaji Samad Orijeminiyi, Scholarship.
Also appointed are Victor Omodara, Grassroots Mobilisation; Abayomi Adefolalu, Photography; and Alhaji Abdukadiri Adenoyi, Prince Nzuoma Egbulefu and Alhaji Garba Goni, all for Non-Indigenes.
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