By Editor, Umuahia

Members of the Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (OMPAN), Abia State Chapter, on Friday handed over an award plaque to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu as a patron of the association.

The award according to the state chairman, Chief Promise Uzoma Okoro is in recognition of his unmatched support for the association over the years.

Presenting the plaque to him at his country home in Bende, the Abia State Chairman of OMPAN, said the Deputy Speaker was selected alongside ten other eminent Abia indigenes for their assistance to unveiled as patrons of the association due to their consistent contributions to the growth and progress of the union.

Chief Okoro recalled that the Deputy Speaker was formally unveiled as a Patron during the association’s 3rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on December 12, 2025, but was unavoidably absent at the event.

“You will recall that during our 3rd Annual General Meeting on December 12, 2025, we unveiled our Patrons, and the Deputy Speaker was among them, unfortunately, he was not available to attend the event, and that is why we are here today to formally present the plaque,” he said.

He further appreciated the Deputy Speaker for his instrumental role in ensuring that OMPAN Abia State now has a physical office, describing the gesture as a landmark achievement for the association.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of OMPAN, Mazi Ugochukwu Nwankwo, said that if there was a higher honour than the Patron award, the association would have gladly bestowed it on the Deputy Speaker, whom he described as the strongest supporter of OMPAN.

Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu expressed gratitude to the association for finding him worthy of the honour.

He advised members to expand their blogging focus beyond politics to include economic development, humanity, and other sectors that positively impact society.

The Deputy Speaker commended OMPAN for recognizing the future of media by coming together under a unified online platform and assured the association of his continued support.

He also urged members to remain professional and non-partisan, cautioning them against allowing themselves to be used as tools to attack or undermine individuals or institutions.

Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

Tributes poured in on Saturday 10th January, 2026 as the family of Mayor Lucky Igbokwe, popularly known as Don Lulu, laid his beloved mother, Late Dame Peace Igbokwe, to rest.

The burial of the matriarch who kicked the bucket on October 24, 2025, at the age of 60 attracted the high and mighty of Abia politics, captains of industry, entertainers and friends and well wishers.

The funeral service was held at Wesley Cathedral Church, Umuwaya Road, Umuahia, where the Conference Secretary of the Methodist Church, Umuahia Archdiocese, His Grace, Dr. Babatunde Taiwo, delivered an uplifting homily.

In his sermon titled “Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled,” bishop Taiwo extolled the exceptional virtues of the late Dame Peace Igbokwe, describing her as a woman of substance, courage, and valor.

He consoled the bereaved family, urging them not to be overwhelmed by grief but to find peace in the assurance that their mother was in a better place.

The cleric emphasized the fragility of the human heart, warning against excessive worries and stress, which he said could lead to heart-related illnesses.

He encouraged individuals to make their health a priority, saying that proper care of the body could lead to long life.

“This body can take us to 95 years and beyond if we do not burden it with unnecessary cares, worries, and problems,” Bishop Taiwo cautioned.

He also encouraged Mayor Lucky Igbokwe, the first son of the deceased, to remain strong and ready to assume leadership responsibilities following the vacuum created by his mother’s passing.

In his remarks, Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, sympathized with Mayor Igbokwe over the sudden loss of his mother at a time when she should have been enjoying the fruits of her labour.

The Governor noted that despite her relatively short stay on earth, Dame Peace lived a fulfilled life and raised children who have become outstanding men and women.“It is not the years in our life but the life in our years.

If you read her biography carefully, you will understand that she lived ahead of her time and left behind enduring legacies,” the Governor stated.

Governor Otti commended the Methodist Church for the orderly conduct of the funeral service and appreciated the people of Ohuhu for their massive turnout to bid the deceased farewell.

He concluded by praying that such a tragedy would not befall the Igbokwe family again.

In his tribute, Mayor Lucky Igbokwe described his late mother as a strong-willed and resilient woman who, despite losing her husband early in life, worked tirelessly to raise her children and instill strong moral values in them. He prayed for the peaceful repose of her soul.

The funeral ceremony attracted a distinguished gathering, including top government officials like the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu, the Member Representing Ikwuano Umuahia Federal Constituency Hon. Obi Aguocha, Former Minister Dr Uche Ogah, Senator Darlington Nwokocha among others.

Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

The Abia born Catholic Archbishop, former Chief Protocol Officer for the Vatican Secretariat of State, and the current Secretary of the Dicastery for Evangelization, Section for the First Evangelization and New Particular Churches, Most Rev. Dr Fortunatus Nwachukwu, says that Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, OFR, has ‘cured’ the stomach upset that tormented Aba for many years, through the reconstruction of the strategic Port Harcourt Road, Aba.

He disclosed that he had pleaded with former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to fix the road, but he failed to do that, hence the road, which he described as “Aba’s stomach upset,” got deteriorated, bringing so much hardship to the people.

He appreciated Governor Alex Otti for fixing the Port Harcourt road, thereby opening the Aba corridors for businesses to thrive.

Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu was speaking during his thanksgiving mass to mark the 13th anniversary of his episcopal ordination as Archbishop at the Vatican City by Pope Benedict XVI and the Profession of Perpetual and Temporary Vows of 3 Sisters into the Marrian Missionary Sisters Ad Regnum Dei, held at the Archbishop’s home Church, Sanctuary of Mary Immaculate Egbelu-Etiti Ntigha, Isialangwa North LGA.

The Archbishop, who is also the Father, Founder of Marrian Missionary Sisters Ad Regnum Dei, saluted the Governor for fixing the Abia Tower Road through Umuahia town and other infrastructure scattered across the State.

The priest used the opportunity to request the Governor to fix their road as well as prevail on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to construct the Umuoso-Imo River Road linking to Mbaise in Imo State, to ease the hardship faced by residents, and improve access to the area.

The Most Rev. Nwachukwu had in his homily, which centred on seeking to encounter Christ, emphasised that Christian life, particularly religious vocation, is a call to seek Christ and serve him leaving everything behind and accepting to serve with obedience, poverty, and chastity.

He recalled that he was ordained an Archbishop by Pope Benedict XVI and made Apostolic Nuncio 13 years ago, stressing that Rev. Fathers and Sisters are not going into the service for riches but for dedication to the service of God.

Speaking, the Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, OFR, reiterated that he is in government to affect lives positively and informed the gathering that the road the Archbishop requested him to fix and others he did not request are all captured in the 2026 budget of the State Government.

Governor Otti further assured that he would prevail on the NDDC to do the needful in the road linking Umuoso to Imo River, informing the revered priest that he would soon meet with the NDDC boss, adding that he is going to construct the road leading to the place the Archbishop is building the Skills Acquisition Centre in Umuocheala, around Owerrinta.”I want to acknowledge the request that the Archbishop has made and even the one that he didn’t make, we’ve already provided for it in the budget.

“It already made it to the budget of 2026. So, we’ll do the rest. The one that NDDC is on, I’m going to put them under pressure. In fact, I’ll invite the MD of NDDC very soon, and that will be one of the requests I’ll be making”, Gov. Otti assured.The Governor equally thanked Ndị Ntigha, the Church, and all Abia people for their support for his government and congratulated both Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu and the 3 Sisters inducted into the Rev. Sisters order on their sacrifices to God and assured them of God’s blessings.”I want to thank all of you for all the support you’ve been giving this government.

” I thank the men and women of God for their consistent prayers and there’s nothing we can do without God and the whole essence, as I was ruminating over the induction of the sisters, I told myself that this is one of the greatest sacrifices that anybody can make,” Gov. Otti stated.

The event attracted many dignitaries including the Acting National Secretary of the Labour Party (LP), Senator Darlington Nwokocha, Member representing Isiala Ngwa North & South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Ginger Onwusibe, Hon. Ugochukwu Iheonunekwu, representing Isiala Ngwa North State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, Ph.D, Chief Reagan Ufomba among others. The event also featured the cutting of the anniversary cake and choir renditions.