Author: Candid Reporters

Dr Cosmos Ndukwe, a presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023 presidential election has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, over his choice of members of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), Board of Directors. The former Deputy Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, described the nominees as “competent hands with track record of efficiency”. He expressed optimism that the infrastructural deficit in the South East geo-political zone would soon be addressed. Recall that Tinubu had last week, forwarded the list of the nominees to the Senate for confirmation. The list which was updated within 24 hours comprises…

United States President-elect Donald Trump has announced plans to deport all immigrants in the United States illegally over his upcoming four-year term. In an interview aired Sunday on NBC’s Meet the Press, Trump detailed his vision for a broad crackdown on illegal immigration, which he intends to classify as a national emergency upon taking office on January 20. According to Reuters, the Department of Homeland Security estimates that as of January 2022, over 11 million people are in the US without legal status, a figure likely higher today. Trump affirmed his intention to remove all unauthorized immigrants, stating, “I think…

Bandits have unleashed an attack on Kakin Dawa village, a district in Gidan Goga, Maradun Local Government Area, Zamfara State. CANDID REPORTERS gathered learnt that the hoodlums abducted over 50 women and children. According to a community member, the gunmen stormed the village at about 1:30 am on Sunday with sophisticated weapons, moving house to house. “Everyone started running because the armed bandits have been targeting our village; later we discovered that more than 50 of our women were abducted,” Speaking further, he pointed out that the kidnapped victims included young girls and married women. He appealed to the federal…

In recognition of his tireless efforts in community development and humanitarian work, Chief Iheanyi Frank Chinasa has been honored as the Outstanding Philanthropist of the Year by Sun 91.3 FM Igbere. The award, presented on December 7, 2024, acknowledges Chief Chinasa’s profound impact on the lives of youth, families, and communities in Bende, Abia State, and across Nigeria. His philanthropic endeavors have been instrumental in driving growth and development in key areas such as education, healthcare, youth empowerment, and poverty alleviation. Chief Chinasa’s initiatives have provided immediate relief to those in need while laying the foundation for sustainable progress in…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has rejigged his list of nominees for the South East Development Commission (SEDC) board, replacing the initial chairman, Hon. Emeka Atuma, with Former Commissioner For Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu. The President replaced all the three executive directors initially nominated and named two additional executive directors. The President also removed one of the board members, Donatus Eyinnah Nwankpa. However, Hon. Mark C. Okoye retains his position as the Commission’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer on the 16-member board, one more member than the initial board. The new executive director for finance is Stanley Ohajuruka, who replaced Anthony…

Most Rev. Prof. Godwin Okpala (Retired Archbishop of the Niger Province and Bishop of Nnewi). has been declared missing in Anambra state. CANDID REPORTERS gathered that the Archbishop was last seen on Friday when he embarked on a journey to Umuchu, a community in Anambra State. As of the time of filing this report, it is unclear if the Archbishop and his driver were abducted. A prayer alert issued by the Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Rt. Rev. Ndubuisi Obi on Saturday, urged intercessory prayers for the Archbishop. It reads, “PRAYER ALERT from BISHOP Ndubuisi Obi of Nnewi Diocese. Dearly Beloved…

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Former Minority Leader of Abia State House of Assembly, Hon Chijioke Chukwu as member Representing South East in the newly created North West Development Commission, NWDC. The Former Bende North State Constituency lawmaker is among the updated list of nominees for the Governing Boards of the North West Development Commission (NWDC) and the South East Development Commission (SEDC) to the Senate for confirmation. This announcement was made in a statement from the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday. In the revised nominations, Alhaji Lawal Samai’la Abdullahi was appointed as Chairman…

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti has vowed to transform educational institutions in Abia State with a view to ensuring that students are capable of being employment creators on graduation. Governor Otti was speaking during the 19th – 21st combined convocation ceremony of the Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, formerly Abia State Polytechnic, revealing that he would allocate the 20 percent of the 2025 budget outlay to education just like that of 2024, noting that his commitment to education has led to great support given to the public education institutions in the State “Our general outlay for the education sector…

President Bola Tinubu has directed the allocation of funds to address pension arrears, salary increments, and other benefits owed to retired military personnel. The directive is coming from the President two days after peaceful demonstrations by military veterans at the Federal Ministry of Finance. The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, confirmed President Tinubu’s directives in a statement issued on Friday, commending the Nigerian leader for his prompt action. Matawalle praised Tinubu for facilitating the timely disbursement of the three-month salary increase and for ensuring the release of funds to settle pension arrears and other entitlements owed to retired military personnel. The statement…

Nigeria has procured 12 pre-owned alpha jets from the French Air Force. Olusegun Dada, special assistant to President Bola Tinubu on social media, said the jets were acquired through SOFEMA, a French military and aeronautics company. “All the 12 aircraft are ready for shipping,” Dada posted on X on Thursday. “As of 2023, the Nigerian Air Force has 11 Alpha Jets in service.” Developed through a collaboration between France and Germany, the alpha jet is a versatile military aircraft designed primarily as a light attack jet and advanced trainer. The aircraft is capable of carrying a variety of weapons, including…