Author: Candid Reporters

For too long, “youth empowerment” in Abia State meant one thing: share keke tricycles, hand out a few political appointments, pay peanuts, and call it a day. The result was predictable. Young people became mobile, but not productive. They were visible during elections, and redundant after. Society got traffic, not transformation. That era is over. Under Governor Alex Otti, Abia has made a decisive shift — from handouts to human capital. At the center of this shift is the Abia State Leadership Academy, ASLA, a program that treats young people not as political errand boys, but as the engine room…

As Part 3 of the Series preceding Captain August Okpe’s birthday in August 2026, we deem it proper and befitting to bring you face to face with the aviation maestro. Calm and composed, the Great Eagle of Nigerian Skies takes us through four decades of his illustrious and hectic flying career as both military and civil pilot, 1963-1999. Read on, please: Question: In 2009 you published a 602-page air war military history book titled “The Last Flight.” In this book you stated you and your colleagues joined Nigerian Air Force in 1962 when it was established. Since your retirement have…

BY MOUAU PR Team The emergence of Professor Akanwa as the first female Vice-Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), is more than a historic achievement—it is a defining moment in the institution’s journey toward excellence, inclusivity, and transformational leadership. Her appointment symbolizes the breaking of long-standing barriers and affirms that merit, competence, and unwavering dedication remain the hallmarks of effective leadership. As the university’s first woman to occupy this esteemed office, Professor Akanwa has become a beacon of hope and inspiration for students, academics, and aspiring leaders across Nigeria. Beyond the significance of her pioneering role, Professor…

Yesterday, Umuahia, the Abia State capital, played host to a historic gathering —the First South-East Regional Security Summit. Convened by the Honourable Minister of Defence on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and hosted by Abia State government under the leadership of Governor Alex Otti,, the summit brought together all Five South East States and their Governors, federal lawmakers, security experts, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and other critical stakeholders. The message from Umuahia was clear: the South East is taking responsibility for its own security, and we will do it together. WHY THIS SUMMIT IS IMPORTANT For too long, insecurity…

A Certified Cybercrime and Forensic Expert, Hon. Dr. Uzuegbu Uchechi Paul (CCFE), has condemned what he described as the reckless use of social media to spread false and defamatory allegations against former Abia State Governor, Theodore Ahamefule Orji. In a statement titled “When Hatred and Recklessness Override Common Sense,” Dr. Uzuegbu said the deliberate circulation of unverified claims against public figures undermines responsible journalism, damages reputations and erodes public trust. He referred to the case involving Nnachi Divine Mark Idume, who is currently remanded at the Afara Correctional Centre over allegations of publishing false claims on social media that the…

The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed fresh terrorism charges against two convicted Ansaru commanders and three other convicted members of the group over the attack on schools in Oriire LGA of Oyo state. The five defendants were arraigned on Wednesday before Salim Ibrahim, judge of the federal high court in Abuja, where they pleaded not guilty to the six-count charge. The defendants are Mahmud Muhammad, also known as Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar, whom the DSS described as the leader of Ansaru; Abubakar Abbas, also known as Isah Adam, Mahmud al-Nigeri or Malam Mamuda, identified as the group’s…

Tension heightened ahead of the Osun State governorship election on Wednesday as the state police command arrested Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaiye, and five others. The Ademola Adeleke campaign and the Osun State Government, however, accused the security agency of targeting opposition figures in a political crackdown. The police said the suspects were arrested during a raid on Igbalaiye’s residence in Osogbo, where they claimed to have recovered a sum of N4,810,500, two voter cards, a voter register and other items suspected to be linked to electoral offences, an allegation the Osun State Government and the governor’s campaign…

The people of Umunneochi Local Government Area on Tuesday rolled out the drums to host the Governor of Abia State, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, to a grand civic reception in appreciation of his developmental strides and love for the people of the area. The event, which drew a massive turnout of sons, daughters, traditional rulers, and stakeholders, was a clear demonstration of the people’s gratitude to a government that has restored hope, peace, and development to Umunneochi. Speaking during the reception, community leaders noted that beyond appointing several illustrious sons and daughters of Umunneochi into key positions in his…

BY KENNETH KALU Since the inauguration of the administration of His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, the Executive Governor of Abia State, the State has returned decisively and irreversibly to the national limelight. In a remarkably short span of time, Governor Otti has demonstrated with unmistakable clarity what transformational leadership truly means in practice. From modern road infrastructure to smart schools, from newly commissioned hospitals to a rejuvenated civil service, from restored public confidence to renewed investor interest, the Governor has repositioned Abia State far beyond even the expectations of his most ardent supporters. What was once dismissed as a state…

A latest report has it that the Police authorities in Abuja have taken over the investigation into the controversial death of Mary Habila, the young woman who died at the residence of Nigeria’s Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, amid growing public scrutiny over the case. CANDID REPORTERS gathered that a police signal had been sent to the Ebonyi State Police Command directing officers in Abakaliki to hand over the investigation to authorities in Abuja. The sources further disclosed that Habila’s body is expected to be moved to the Federal Capital Territory as part of the takeover, where a forensic…