News

Abia projects tour: Governor Otti lauds OMPAN, assures of continuous synergy

Published

2 years ago

May 27, 2024

csunews

The Editor, Umuahia

Governor of Abia State Dr Alex Chioma Otti has commended Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (OMPAN) Abia for touring and inspecting projects in the state in their quest to identifying the level of progress the government has made in one year in office.

He assured that government will continue to partner the body and must at all times pay attention to their observations so as to know areas that need improvement.

Governor Otti who was represented by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, at an interactive session with Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria held at Umuahia North LGA multi purpose Hall, commended OMPAN for thinking outside the box, saying what they have done is geared towards bringing Abia State to limelight.

Dr Otti who described media as critical stakeholders in governance especially in democracy, said government is excited that OMPAN stepped out to go and inspect projects independently to confirm as well as authenticate what government claims to have done.”I want to commend you for thinking outside the box and embarking on such independent projects inspection geared towards identifying the progress the government has recorded and bringing Abia State to limelight.

“For us we are excited that you stepped out to go and do what you did. You know it is easy for a government to say we are doing well,but then it is another thing for the people to confirm,to authenticate, to say yes what government claims to have actually done or has not done it.”The media is a critical stakeholder in governance especially in a democracy. We will continue to partner with you and must at all times pay attention to what you are saying and observations to identify the areas that need improvement”He pointed out that even though the tour was limited to only road infrastructure, noted that government has done much more in different areas trying to take the State to the place it should be.According to him. “On assumption of office the Governor declared state of emergency in 5 key areas; road infrastructure, education, health,waste management and security,”he said .

He disclosed that government appointed experts and professionals as key officers in charge of the health sector,actions taken to completely overhaul the sector as well as to turn the health sector around.

Governor Otti revealed that government plans to renovate all the General hospitals in the State,added that the health sector received the second highest allocation in 2024 budget which he said was an intentional action by government to ensure that the health sector is given a facelift.

He informed that there is massive improvement in the area of waste management considering where the government started because on assumption of office, someone in charge of task force was appointed and charged to clear the huge of refuse on the streets of Aba and Umuahia.He pointed out that private operators were selected which was not a politicize arrangement or something done to settle people and Aba was divided into 4, Umuahia was divided into 2 because government wants to ensure absolute cleaning of the city .He said government has not issued any demand notice for refuse waste since assumption of office rather,” What we have done now is to enumerate all the households in the State, especially in Aba and Umuahia,reviewed what we did , backed it by law because what we want to do is house to house collection of refuse” He further explained that,”what we are doing in the area of infrastructure, government is being very intentional. We are doing it as a way of taking our State where it should be and we are doing a whole lot to ensure that we rebuild our State.”

He said security is another area that his government has recorded enough achievements to ensure security of lives and properties.He explained that government set up the joint security force, Operation Crush, mobilized them and provided the required security equipments and they swung into action, noted that a place like Lokpanta criminals no longer have control of there because government has sanitized the place. “Government is putting on measures to ensure that all those criminal activities are nipped in the bud.

Government is very intentional about making life liveable for the people of Abia State and we are committed to rewriting our history” Explaining the efforts of government in the education sector, he revealed that an approval was given for the construction of 10 primary and 3 secondary schools per a local government, added government was intentional to ensure that education sector was allocated 20 percent of 2024 budget.He said most of the public schools in the State are in a state of decay which led to the upsurge in private school, said government wants to invest massively to the public schools to rebuild them and make sure Public schools are more patronize in Abia.

Continuing,he said government wants to employ capable and competent hands, retrain and equip them on the use of modern tools,added that the extension of retiring age of teachers from 60 to 65 years as well as reviewing their salaries and incentives was to ensure that the education sector is turned around.

Earlier in his speech,the Chairman of OMPAN Chief Promise Uzoma Okoro said the association toured most of the road projects both on going and completed in Abia South, Central and North to verify the claims by government and give objective reportage on their findings.He stressed that OMPAN is not a stooge of government in power nor tools of the oppositions,rather as watchdog to investigate,report and educate people, while clarifying that the movement was not sponsored by government as being rumoured in some quarters.Chief Okoro expressed appreciation to all members of OMPAN who despite their tight schedules took part in the projects tour.

He made it categorically clear that OMPAN as a media body will support every good policies and programmes of the government and criticize them when necessary.

Human angle

Igbokwe’s Family Commences Burial Preparations for Late Matriarch, Dame Peace Igbokwe

Published

6 hours ago

December 5, 2025

csunews

By Editor, Umuahia

The family of Nze Samuel Nmaralam Igbokwe of Wowo Umueke-Umuyota, Umuawa Alaocha, Umuahia North LGA, Abia State, has formally commenced the burial preparations for their late matriarch, Dame Peace Onyekwulechi Igbokwe (née Ogu), fondly known as Peace Kwulechi, who passed away in 2025 at the age of 60.

The burial rites begin Friday, December 5, 2025 with a service of songs at her Lagos residence at 34 Road, A’Close, House 13, Gowon Estate.

According to the programme released by the family, the funeral activities will continue with a Service of Songs/Tribute Night on Friday, 9th January 2026 at the Igbokwe country home in Umueke-Umuyota, Umuawa Alaocha.

The rites will progress on Saturday, 10th January 2026 with the departure of the body from the mortuary, followed by lying-in-state at her residence and thereafter procession to Wesley Cathedral, for funeral service.

Interment follows after the service at the family compound, and a reception at Umuawa Central School.

A Thanksgiving Service will be held on Sunday, 11th January 2026 at Methodist Church, Umuawa Alaocha.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Mayor Lucky Igbokwe (Don Lulu) appreciated friends, relatives, and well-wishers for their support as the family begins the solemn journey of laying their matriarch to rest.

Human angle

Punishment and Prejudice: Navigating Strict Laws, Taboos against same-sex union in Nigeria

Published

19 hours ago

December 4, 2025

csunews

Stephanie Clems, Umuahia.

Homosexuality is an old practice which was initially considered a taboo in the past before some countries like the United States of America and parts of Europe legalised it.

Within 2025, various issues bothering on same sex relationships were reported across Nigeria.

In Abia State, people speculated about individuals sexuality at various times because of their dress sense or their body structure.

Sometimes, these speculations turned out to be true, yet also false alarm at other times.

As the year winds down, CSUNews examines how in 2025, personal choices worked at cross purposes with the nation’s law and communities’ traditions with regards to homosexuality.

We asked a cross section of residents of Abia State of their impressions about lesbianism, gay and same sex marriage.

Nearly every one interviewed exhibited knowledge of the law that prohibits same sex union and recommends penalty for offenders.

They’re equally aware that it is a “taboo” in many cultures across the country.

Mr. Kelechi Thompson, a native of Ezea in Ebonyi State but resident in Aba narrates how his community punished a same sex couple found in their “love nest” which happened to be an uncompleted building.

“It is an abomination. How can two men be together ? This is unheard of,“ he lamented.

According to Mr. Thompson, those who first saw them leave the uncompleted building holding hands as lovers would while kissing on the road, stripped both naked and dragged them to the village head.

The village head according to him ordered that they both be flogged while still naked.

“It did not end there, because after the beating, they were handed over to the police, you know the law is against it.

“However, after they were granted bail on their first appearance in court, one of them jumped bail and is still at large while his partner is still being tried in court,” he said.

Like Mr. Thompson, Mr. Onwuka Ijebuonwu believes people should live by their customs as he gives an insight into what his community in Afara would do to such persons if caught in the act.These are typical mind-sets of many citizens concerning LGBTQ which have caused those with such sexual orientation to hide perpetually while living in the country or flee the country as the last resort.

The human rights advocates and activists appear handicapped with the law and so cannot protect those who have become or perceived victims of the law and culture .

Mrs. Lizzy Ugwum during an interview shared how someone she knew but never understood her sexual orientation was allegedly forced to run away after she was caught with her partner by her husband.

The people mete out corporal punishments in most cases before handing the perceived culprits over to the law enforcers.

The law prescribed a 14 year jail term for anyone found guilty of the offence, but fears are that those involved in the act may suffer being lynched even before the matter goes to court.

Some enlightened citizens of Nigeria may argue that the people have their lives to live, but the reality is that the Nigerian law with its culture and religions may never take lightly issues of homosexuality, hence the safety of gay people and lesbians is not guaranteed in the country.

.It does not also look like the nation is interested in reviewing the anti gay law any time soon.

News

OMPAN AGM: Bloggers roll out programmes for 2025 summit

Published

1 week ago

November 27, 2025

csunews

Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

All is now set for the Abia Online Media Publishers 3rd annual general meeting.

The group has planned the 2025 event on the theme: “The Impact of AI on Media and Journalism: the advent of artificial intelligence,” to explore the new technology.

This topic has been greeted with diverse reactions owing to its positive and negative effect on all facets of human endeavor and this will be addressed at the AGM.

A renowned IT expert and practitioner, Dr. Pastra Arinze Etie has been selected to speak on this year’s annual general meeting of the Abia Online Media Publishers (OMPAN), while member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia federal constituency, Hon. Obi Aguocha will chair the occasion.

Governor Alex Otti is the special guest of honour for the event.

The chairman of the planning committee and former Chairman of the Organization, Comrade Ugochukwu Nwankwo told journalists in Umuahia that the theme was carefully chosen to align with the realities of media practitioners at the moment, where most are neck deep in the use of AI.

Also Speaking, the Chairman of the organization Chief Promise Uzoma Okoro said that this year’s training will be unique because it would come with a training session for both members, intending members and the public.

The event is slated to hold on Friday 12th December 2026 at the Umuahia North Local Government Area Multipurpose Hall.

This is a call for all to attend.