NEWS
Enugu Upgrading Stadium to World-class for 2026 National Sports Festival – Mbah
From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu
Enugu State Governor, Dr.
Peter Mbah said the state is ready to welcome Nigerians and athletes from across the nation to the 2026 National Sports Festival to be hosted by the state.Mbah said his administration was already working to upgrade sporting facilities in the state such as the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Games Village in Agwu, among others, to make them not only befitting for the purpose but also for sports development in the state. He disclosed this at his investiture ceremony as President of Enugu Sports Club as well as the commissioning of the remodeled clubhouse and installation of new club patrons at the weekend.He said the sporting facilities were part of the government’s strategic efforts to grow the state’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion, attract over three million tourists, and create thousands of jobs for the youths.He added that the transformation being witnessed by the transportation in the state was designed to complement this vision.“We are going to give our stadium a brand new look, which will include facilities for aquatic sports. In addition, Awgu Sports and Games Village will be revamped to ensure it is ready for the festival”.The governor, who commended the Sports Club for the strategic partnership it had fostered with the administration, stressed that the policies, programmes and projects of the government had been consistent with the pledge he made to them during the 2023 electioneering year. “The last time I visited this facility was during the campaign for the governorship election. During that visit, I outlined a bold vision to transform Enugu State into a viable economy, and reposition it as a premier destination for business and leisure.“Since ascension to the office, our policies and projects have been consistent with that pledge. The massive road infrastructure revamp in the Enugu metropolis and across our local governments and wards reflects the policy of zero tolerance for unpaved roads,” he added.Underscoring the significant milestones the administration had made over the past 21 months, Mbah observed that the state’s domestic revenue had been revived through the use of technology to plug leakages and the deliberate efforts to mobilise revitalise dormant assets.He further expressed optimism that the administration would surpass the projected internally generated revenue (IGR) of N600 billion for 2025 to fund capital development projects that would transform the state, lift people out of poverty and raise their standards of living.While insisting that the administration has not increased taxes but only widened tax nets, plugged revenue leaked and revamped dormant assets, Mbah said, “Our stated goal to eradicate poverty is further reinforced as we steadily revive once moribund industries through an inflow of investments.“The revenue growth is what enables us to make significant interventions across all sectors. Our investments in the social services sector, from education to healthcare and water supply, stand as testaments to our fidelity to the pledge to make the people the cornerstone of every government policy and project.”He further observed that the sports club had contributed immensely to the development of the state through its long history which coincided with the designation of the state as the capital of Southern Nigeria in 1929.“Enugu Sports Club has a status that is institutional. This point is evident in the fact that its membership is coveted by the cream of the society. The fact it was founded in 1929, means Enugu Sports Club clearly has a rich history that is almost inseparable from Enugu’s history. For context, 1929 was the year thatEnugu became the capital of Nigeria’s Southern Province. So, you can see why this investiture is such a remarkable honour,” Mbah stated.Commending the outgoing chairman, Victor Atuonwu and members of his executive for the efforts they put in remodeling the clubhouse, Mbah promised to continue to support the club in its dedication to fostering recreation, social cohesion and community wellbeing.Earlier, Atuonwu lauded the governor for the support he had accorded the club to ensure that the clubhouse and other facilities were successfully remodeled to its current benefitting status.Among the dignitaries in attendance were former governor of Enugu State, Sullivan Chime; former Minister of Information, Chief Nnia Nwodo and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Prof Bartho Okolo, among others.NEWS
NAFDAC Clarifies Reopening of Onitsha Medicine Market

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced that the medicine market at Bridgehead, Onitsha, was reopened on March 7, following a shutdown for comprehensive sanitisation.
Dr Martins Iluyomade, the NAFDAC Director for the Southeast, confirmed this in an interview on Monday.
NAN reports that he agency had closed the Ogbo Ogwu and three adjoining markets from February 10 to March 7 to sanitise the medicine distribution system.
Iluyomade explained that there were administrative conditions every shop owner had to fulfil before their shops, previously sealed during the operation, could be unsealed.
He said that the process was put in place to prevent the recurrence of the issues that led to the market’s closure.
He highlighted that pharmaceuticals were highly regulated due to their impact on public health and national security, adding that NAFDAC’s mandate, under the NAFDAC Act, was to regulate and control the sales and distribution of drugs.
Iluyomade also clarified that the market had not been closed, contrary to reports from some media outlets.
He said that the process underway was focused on documenting and regularising the shops, ensuring that no shop would be unsealed without completing the necessary clearance procedures.
He said NAFDAC had set up a special desk to facilitate this process efficiently.
Iluyomade thanked the market leadership and the Anambra state government for their cooperation and understanding.
He further stated that the agency was not aware of any internal conflicts within the market.(NAN)
NEWS
N1bn Loan for MSMEs in Delta Ready Soon – Oborevwori’s Aide

The Delta Government has assured that the one billion Naira soft loan it approved for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the state would be ready soon.
Mr Olisa Ifeajika, Executive Assistant to Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori on Public Enlightenment (Projects and Policies), disclosed this while clarifying certain issues to newsmen on Monday in Asaba.
Ifeajika recalled that the Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr Sonny Ekedayen, had on Feb.
14 announced the state government’s approval to set aside the sum of N1 billion soft loan at a single digit interest to grow MSMEs in the state.He said that the perceived delay to the plan’s takeoff was due to proper documentation by way of signing the Memorandum of Understanding between the state government and the Bank of Industry (BoI), the funds manager.
The governor’s aide said the choice of the BoI as fund manager was deliberate due to its expertise and years of experience in handling such funds.
Ifeajika added that the loan would accommodate both existing and new entrants into the MSMEs scheme in the state.
According to him, the loan scheme covers all residents operating their businesses in the state, and is at a single digit interest rate.
He stressed that the state government’s intention was to build and grow the MSMEs and the state’s economy, adding that there are no political colorations to ensure an operator accessed the loan.
The governor’s aide added that the qualification to access the loan was to be a resident business operator, proffer proper documentation and apply through the BoI.
He said: “the qualification is just do your business in Delta and present your qualification to the BoI for assessment.
“The fund is ready but the people cannot access it now. It will be ready in few weeks after the proper documentations are done by way of signing a memorandum of understanding between the state government and the bank.
“The economy of any nation revolves around the MSMEs. This informs the state government’s decision to earmark the N1 billion loan for MSMEs to grow the state economy.”
On the speculations about Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori decamping from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ifeajika debunked the insinuation, saying that it was mere speculation and wishful thinking.
“A cordial relationship exists between the governor and President Bola Tinubu, focused on ensuring good governance and this is expected of all well-meaning Nigerians to promote the country’s overall development.
According to Ifeajika, Gov. Oborevwori has cordial relationship with President Bola Tinubu to promote good governance but not with the APC.
“Oborevwori is the pathfinder of the PDP and a general does not leave his troup. Delta is PDP and all its members have the DNA of PDP.
“He (Oborevwori) is for PDP and whatever he has, will be utilised to support PDP at the national level,” the governor’s aide stressed. (NAN)
NEWS
Police Foil Kidnapping Attempt in Ebonyi

The Police Force Ebonyi Command has foiled a kidnapping attempt at Mile 50 Layout, Abakaliki, the state capital.
Spokesperson of the command, SP Joshua Ukandu, told reporters on Monday that officers also recovered the vehicle of the victim, Nneka Onyibe.
According to Ukandu, on March 30 at about 8:30 pm, the command received a report of a kidnapping incident near Mile 50 Layout in Abakaliki.
“Operatives were immediately dispatched to track the kidnappers.
“They pursued an ash-colored Toyota Corolla with registration number SKA 828 AA, which was used by the suspects, to Tina Nweze Street in the area.
“Under pressure from the operatives, the kidnappers abandoned the victim, the Toyota Corolla, and a Toyota Sienna belonging to the victim.
“The police successfully recovered both vehicles, which are now at the command headquarters for identification by their rightful owners,” Ukandu said.
He added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Adaku Uche-Anya, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property.
“The Commissioner also urged residents of Ebonyi to contact the command’s control room at 07064515001 in case of any distress situation,” Ukandu advised.(NAN)