Author: Candid Reporters

Burkina Faso’s unelected transitional parliament has passed a bill banning homosexual acts, a little over a year after a draft of an amended family code that criminalised homosexuality was adopted by the country’s cabinet. The new measure unanimously voted through on Monday imposes punishments of up to five years in jail, and has become part of a broader crackdown on same-sex relationships across the continent. Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala announced on state-run media that, “the law provides for a prison sentence of between two and five years as well as fines”. He added that foreign nationals caught breaking the law would…

Thousands of international students schooling in the United Kingdom have been directly contacted by the government with warnings to leave once their visas expire or risk removal. According to the report, around 10,000 students whose visas are nearing expiry have already received messages. The messages read: “If you have no legal right to remain in the UK, you must leave. If you don’t, we will remove you.” CANDID REPORTERS learnt that over 130,000 students and their families are expected to be contacted over the coming months, coinciding with the busy autumn intake period. According to Home Office data, in 2024, 15 per cent…

Shehu Sani, former senator representing Kaduna central, says Nasir el-Rufai, ex-governor of the state, never fought for democracy and ruled with arrogance. Sani gave his position on Monday during a live TV program as he added that el-Rufai has been “angry and frustrated” since leaving office in 2023. In his words, “For people like Nasir, when they found themselves in the position of office, they don’t know what democracy is all about because they didn’t fight for it,” Sani said. “He was an unknown figure before 1999 and became DG of BPE. He has never been in a cell for…

Our attention has been drawn to a statement credited to a Former APGA Governorship Aspirant in the state, Chief Chikwendu Udensi concerning governance in the state. After his pretentious display of objectivity in a few lines, he resorted to his real but usual mission of throwing tantrums laced with falsehood and misrepresentation. In his usual mischief, Chief Udensi raised baseless objection on the cost of the Port Harcourt road project. He also joined the mischief of his PDP allies about the so-called 54 billion naira spent on school renovation, and concluded with an infantile allegation of Governor Otti running a…

The attention of the Media Office of Distinguished Senator Mao Ohuabunwa has been drawn to a communiqué issued at the end of the Abia North PDP Stakeholders’ Meeting held on 30th August 2025 at his country home. While the communiqué generally reflected the spirit of camaraderie, unity, and forward-looking deliberations that characterized the meeting, we wish to categorically, firmly, and unequivocally distance Senator Mao Ohuabunwa from the content of item Five (5) which purportedly cast aspersions on the achievements of the present administration in Abia State. The insinuation contained in item Five is not only misleading but also mischievous, and…

My dear Ndi Abia, As we step into September, I extend my heartfelt greetings and best wishes to every Abian at home and in the diaspora. Each new month is an opportunity to reflect, to renew our commitment to hard work, unity, and collective progress. September is particularly symbolic—it marks a season of harvest, and I pray it shall bring forth abundant blessings, peace, and prosperity into every household. Under the visionary leadership of our Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, we are building an Abia that works for all—an Abia where opportunities abound, where innovation thrives, and where every…

Our attention has been drawn to a publication titled “Chronology of Representatives of Bende Federal Constituency: The Need to Respect Equity and Zoning Principle in 2027”, authored by Hon. Chief Emenike Okorie, FCA (Omenma). While the writer attempted to present a history of representation in Bende Federal Constituency, it is imperative to correct the glaring distortions and misrepresentations embedded in the narrative. The representation of Bende Federal Constituency at the National Assembly did not commence in 1999, as the author would want the public to believe. It actually began in 1992 during the short-lived Third Republic, when Dr. Orji Uzor…

Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo state, has approved a new minimum wage of N104,000 for civil servants. Speaking during a meeting with labour union leaders on Tuesday night at the Government House in Owerri, Uzodimma announced that the minimum wage has been increased from N76,000 to N104,000. He said the minimum wage of doctors was also raised from N215,000 to N503,000, while that of tertiary institution teachers increased from N119,000 to N222,000. The governor said Imo citizens had faced numerous challenges since his government took office, including insecurity, the COVID-19 pandemic, economic hardship from reform policies, and disputes over minimum…

On behalf of the government and the good people of Bende Local Government Area, I warmly congratulate my brother and friend, an illustrious son of Bende LGA, Hon. Iheanyi Frank Chinasa, M.B.A, on his well-deserved promotion and re-appointment as Chief Liaison Officer, Abia State Liaison Office, Abuja and National Assembly Liaison Officer. This honour is a true recognition of your commitment, hard work, and excellence in service to our dear State. Your diligence and capacity have continued to make us proud, and we are confident that you will discharge this new responsibility with even greater passion and dedication. We are…

ABIA AT 34: A CONTINUING JOURNEY IN FAITH AND DISCOVERY. Being the Text of an Address by Governor Alex C. Otti OFR, on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, to Mark the 34th Anniversary of the Creation of Abia State Dr. Alex C. Otti, OFRAugust 27, 2025