From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu

The Enugu Air, CNG Mass Transit Programme and the ultramodern transport terminals all built from scratch by the Governor Peter Administration are to be launched for operation before the second anniversary of the government.The government has also approved the development of the state’s tourism industry, while total transformation of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium and Awgu Games Village will start in June to get them ready for the National Sports Festival to be hosted by the state in 2026.

These were made known by the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Obi Ozor; Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dame Ugochi Madueke; Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Gerald Otiji; and Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Lloyd Ekweremadu after the State Executive Council meeting at the Government House, Enugu, at the weekend.Briefing Government House Correspondents, Ozor said, “We are starting off with the initial three aircraft and two of the aircraft are already on ground. The third one will be on ground by the end of this month. “We are hoping to start the commercial operations before the second year anniversary of this administration.“You have also seen buses for the mass transit programme across the state. 50 of them are already parked at Okpara Square, and an additional 50 will be joining that fleet in the next few weeks. The 100 of them will be going into commercial operations before the end of this month, which is the second year anniversary.“Also, the bus terminals, two at Holy Ghost, one each at Gariki, Abakpa and Nsukka, will also be commissioned and go into commercial operations before the 29th of May, this year.”He added that the government planned to bring in the electric and CNG automotive manufacturing plant into Enugu as well as launch in the next 150 days the Enugu Smart Transport Programme, which would see the injection of over 2,000 electric vehicles.Also briefing newsmen, Dame Madueke said funds would be invested in the tourism industry in phases.“We are going to have it in phases. For the first phase, we are having Awhum Waterfall, Nsude Pyramid where we are going to have the first canopy walkway in the South East. It measures about 600 metres, which will actually be the longest in Nigeria.“We also have Ngwo Pine Forest where we are having the first zipline in Nigeria. The zipline will measure about 300 metres. In the same Ngwo, we will have a big rotunda and a smaller rotunda. We have the Cross of Hope to be located at Okpatu. The Cross of Hope will be sitting 580 metres above sea level and the cross itself will measure about 50 metres, making it a total of about 630 metres above sea level. The cross will have about 15 floors with a lift.

“At Awhum Waterfalls, we are going to have another canopy walkway and a boardwalk to preserve the ecosystem.“We equally have the Akwuke/Atakkwu Waterpark and Ovu Lake Golf and Resort at Akpawfu,” she stated.She explained that all the tourist sites would have experience centres, food courts and renewable energy, adding that tour buses would soon arrive to ensure ease of movement of tourists.Ahead of the 23rd edition of the National Sports Festival tagged the Coal City Games, Enugu 2026, Barr. Ekweremadu said the State Executive Council had equally directed the commencement of work both at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium and Awgu Games Village not later than June.“We also briefed the council on the progress made in establishing a Lab for Animation for young people in Enugu State, which His Excellency will be commissioning soon. The lab is ready.“We are similarly working towards empowering over 2,100 young people across the state, who were trained around December last year. This empowerment will be coming up on the 12th of August, being the International Youth Day,” Ekweremadu concluded.

From Ayinde Akintade, Osogbo

The Osun State Commander of the Amotekun Corps, CSP Adekunle Omoyele (rtd) has said his vision is to align Amotekun with United Nations (UN) standards, leveraging technology and logistics to enhance policing in the state.Omoyele, who disclosed this while fielding questions from journalists in his office, Osun Amotekun headquarters in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, stated that Amotekun will leverage technology to meet international best practices.

Omoyele who has just bagged the traditional title of “Onijegun of Ijegun” by the revered traditional ruler, Aseyin of Iseyin Kingdom, Oba Sefiu Olawale Oyebola Adeyeri III, noted that the commandants of Amotekun across the South West states share a common vision of promoting the organization effectively and prioritizing the welfare of the personnel.According to him, “My vision for Amotekun is to align with UN standards, similar to UN police. If I have my way, Amotekun will be technologically advanced and logistically fortified, meeting international best practices.”In the UN, the safety and security of their police personnel are paramount. They ensure that everyone is protected, and anyone accused of wrongdoing is held accountable. All necessary resources and preparations are in place to support their operations. I want to replicate this standard in Amotekun, not just in Osun State but across all Amotekun operations. As a matter of fact, we have zonal meetings every month to discuss pertinent issues, and all Commanders share the same vision to promote Amotekun effectively and prioritize the welfare of our personnel.”We should be able to sit here and effectively police the entire Osun State without necessarily running around. We should be able to track down criminals, pinpoint their hideouts, and apprehend them seamlessly.”Those are the kind of systems and standards we aim to establish in Amotekun, and I’m confident we’ll achieve this, given that we’ve already started laying the foundation.”One of the South West Governors has made promises to support us, which I believe will contribute to a very bright future for Amotekun.”Similarly, I want to call on the residents of the state to always furnish us with necessary information as this security job is a collective effort. We cannot do it alone without the complete support of the people, although we are collaborating with other security personnel but residents’ support to the success of the Corps cannot be over emphasized,” Omoyele concluded.

rom Godwin Okeh, Abakaliki

The Bishop of Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Ngbo, Rt. Rev. Ken Egbochue has applauded the governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru for his interventions and efforts in the restoration of peace and order in the war-torn communities of the state.

Egbochue, equally appraised the governor’s numerous people oriented projects that is going on in Ngbo, especially for the flag off of the construction of the road between Umuogudu Oshia Ngbo and Nigercem, two kilometer roads in about four communities in Ngboejeogu among others. He added that those roads will bring greater development and boost economic activities in those areas.The Bishop, Egbochue made this known in a twelve point communiqué signed by him and the Lay president of the Diocese, Peter E. Onwe and issued to newsmen in Abakaliki shortly after the 14th annual synod of the diocese, held at cathedral of Christ Ndiulo Ngbo in Ohaukwu LGA of Ebonyi State.The communiqué reads in part: “The Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Ngbo expressed satisfaction with the level of developments, peace, calmness in warring communities and huge achievements of the present government of Ebonyi state under governor Francis Ogbonnaya Nwifuru in uplifting the church and caring for her members.”The Synod commended his numerous people oriented projects going on in the area, especially for the flag off of the construction of the Road between Umuogudu Oshia Ngbo and Nigercem, as well as other two kilometer roads in about four communities in Ngboejeogu” which according to them, will bring greater development and boost economic activities in those areas.”Responding to the governor’s “Call To Purpose” after his keynote address to the Synod, on the theme ” Ebonyi Society: Challenges and Part to Renewal”, the church pledged to join hands in achieving the People’s Charter Of Needs Agenda of Ebonyi State Governor and contribute physically and spiritually in ensuring that youths and women empowerments, conflict resolution and community development in all parts of Ngbo community.The Bishop, Egbochue, however drew the attention of the state government to the need for good education and healthcare around the area, hence the call for assistance in the ongoing projects of Methodist Hospital Ngbo and Methodist College Ngbo (Smart Boarding School) to help the less privileged in the society and better the lots of the citizens.”The Synod also pleaded with Ebonyi State Government to kindly return all their mission schools earlier claimed by the State Government and requested for more political positions and establishment of other economic oriented projects in Ngbo Ejeogu Community.”In respect to the high cost of living and the unstable economic climate in Nigeria as well as insecurity and other social vices facing the country, the Prelate also enjoined the church to continue to pray for God’s provisions and intervention to ensure total change in the country.”The Synod further reaffirmed their commitment in ensuring spiritual cleansing of Ngbo Land and evacuation of every evil forest in and around the area” the communiqué noted.The synod, however commended the Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Oliver Ali Aba for dedicating every gift that would be gotten in his 65th birthday for the construction of Methodist Church Headquarters in Abuja.