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Kalu Expresses Concern over Rising Economic Hardship, Urges Quick Intervene

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By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Privatization, Senator Orji Kalu has expressed concerns over the rising economic hardship in the country, saying it has reached a critical stage which requires the urgent intervention of President Bola Tinubu.Kalu who represents Abia North stated this yesterday at the National Assembly lobby while fielding questions from Journalists covering the Senate.

According to the former Governor of Abia State, the economic suffering in the country has hit all Nigerians regardless of social status including himself, forcing them to take painful austerity measures in order to cope with the challenges.
Kalu who just returned from a long vacation to join his colleagues in resuming duties from their annual recess noted that urgent measures were needed to ease the pains of Nigerians.
According to him, “Hardship is true, people are suffering. We have hundreds of thousands of workers; we have about 10,000 workers in our group that we run.”We need to pay those salaries. If I fly at any time, buying fuel and maintaining the private plane takes almost $10,000, $20,000.“Even in my village, everywhere I go, companies, everybody, there is hardship, but I appeal to the federal government, the President to know how he can bring succor quickly to the people of Nigeria.”He has to do something not yesterday, but today. He must do something like yesterday because the condition of the Nigerian people is not too good. I believe that no president in the world elected by people would want his people to suffer.“I called our senior members in the group and said when I have to make my sacrifices it is not for the federal government, it is for the good of the company.”So I said fly no more, fly commercial and save the money for restructuring our workers both in Nigeria and West Africa so that everybody must feed in this time of hardship”.Kalu who however commended some of the Policy measures undertaken by Tinubu to tackle the challenges pointed out that if he were the President, he wouldn’t be bold and courageous enough to embark on those policies.He said; “We feel that the reformation going on now has not happened in the last 60 years, no president dared to do what President Tinubu is doing now. It is about courage. The man is very courageous. Possibly if I’m president what he is doing now to reform the economy, I won’t do it, I might come slowly.”I’m not in the economic team, I have not seen the President or anyone to ask but this is what (return of subsidy) the president has to sit with his economic team to discuss, but the decisions he has taken is what no president in the 60 years of the republic, no president has been able to take that decision”.On last Saturday’s Edo State Gubernatorial election which the candidate of his Party, All Progressives Congress emerged victorious the former Chief Whip said, “The National Chairman, the National Secretary and members of the NWC, and including the senators, have worked so hard for Edo and I believe that whoever works hard for the election deserves to win.“The election is about numbers, when you have the numbers on the ground, you win. When you don’t have the numbers you don’t win. INEC has declared the winner and they (Okpebholo) deserve the win, because it is the most organised party, in terms of togetherness, there is no political party.”Providing answers to the wild news which suggested that he died during his long vacation outside the country, Kalu debunked the rumours.“Listen; there was nothing wrong with me. I took permission from the senate president about seven days before the senate closed. I went for a little study in one of the universities that I paid for myself, not that anyone paid for me. I went to do some courses for two months so I used the holiday period to do courses on democracy and the economy.“I did not die. I didn’t go for any medical check-up, but if people say I have died, we give thanks to God”, he said.

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Mbah Reshuffles Cabinet, Swears-in Head of Service, Six Commissioners

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From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu

Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah has recently rejigged his cabinet, swearing in a new Head of Service, six new Commissioners, and reassigning three others.

Mbah also assigned portfolios to the new appointees following the administration of Oath of Office on them by a representative of the Ministry of Justice, Chizoba Ogbodo, at the State Executive Council Chamber, Government House, Enugu.

The newly sworn-in appointees are: Dr.

Godwin Anigbo, Head of Service; Engr. Benjamin Osita Okoh, Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure; Prof. Benedett Ekwutosi Okoli, Commissioner for Human Development and Poverty Eradication; Enyinna Franklin Ogbonna, Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources; and Dr.
Samuel Ogbu-Nwobodo, Commissioner for Trade, Investment, and Industry.

Others are Prof. George Ugwu, Commissioner for Health and Engr. Ben Collins Ndu Jr., who was designated as the Commissioner for Water Resources.

Dr. Felix Nnamani was reassigned from the Ministry of Water Resources to the Ministry of Labour and Employment as Commissioner, Dr. Malachy Agbo was reassigned from the Ministry of Human Development and Poverty Eradication to the Ministry of Information, while the former Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Gerald Otiji, is now the Commissioner for Housing.

Speaking on the occasion, Mbah charged the appointees to hit the ground running, stressing that there would be no honeymoon period for them.

He said the administration had in two years steered high expectations among the people of the state as well as Nigerians in general and could not lower its performance across sectors.

“You would soon notice that here in Enugu, we have steered such a high expectation among our people. And every day it feels as though we are presenting a scorecard.

“Therefore, you have to hit the ground running, as there will be no honeymoon period for you, unfortunately.

mongous goals that we have outlined. And your various Ministries will play critical roles in accomplishing those goals.

“We set targets, we set goals, and we have key performance indicators, we have measurable indicators, hence, we have to measure and we have to constantly take analysis of where you are in respect to the set goals and what your results are. Those key performance indicators are key to us and we will measure you based on these outcomes and results,” the governor stated.

He further charged the appointees to work as a team, in line with the established cultures of the administration.

“We also recognise teamwork champions. We do not encourage working in silos. You have to work as a team, we believe that by working as a team, we are able to accomplish our collective goals. You should not see your colleagues as rivals. They should actually complement your efforts instead.

“Our modest accomplishment in the state so far is not done by a single champion. We like to recognise our successes as team efforts,” he added.

Speaking on behalf of other appointees, Dr. Ogbu-Nwobodo thanked the governor for finding them worthy out of the many other highly qualified Enugu citizens and beyond, assuring that they would not let him down.

“Since you chose to entrust us with this sacred duty as you make history on a daily basis. We will keep faith with our Oath of Office. We will be loyal and dedicated in the discharge of our duties. We will strive to contribute to the nationally acknowledged success that your government has become,” he said.

The swearing-in ceremony was witnessed by the Deputy Governor, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Victor Udeh, several commissioners and senior appointees of government as well as the spouses of the appointees.

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NCS Strengths Tie with China Customs

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By Tony Obiechina Abuja

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has deepened its strategic engagement with the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) through a high-level meeting held in Beijing on July 25, 2025.

According to NCS Spokesman, Abdullahi Maiwada in a statement on Sunday, Assistant Comptroller of Customs, the meeting aimed to explore bilateral knowledge exchange and capacity development in customs administration.

The NCS delegation, led by Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Oluyomi Adebakin, discussed customs training methodologies, modernization models, and technology-driven solutions with GACC officials.

The Chinese Customs authorities shared their structured training system, which incorporates virtual reality, 5G-enabled systems, and blended e-learning approaches.

The meeting highlighted Nigeria’s active participation in China-led customs development initiatives, with over 200 African customs officers trained since 2023. The Chinese Customs officials commended Nigeria’s growing leadership in international customs platforms and appreciated the election of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council.

Both parties expressed mutual interest in exploring technical exchange programs, joint research initiatives, and officer exchange schemes. The NCS aims to strengthen its human capital, advance intergovernmental partnerships, and modernize customs operations in accordance with global standards.

The engagement aligns with promoting knowledge sharing, harmonizing customs procedures, and building an integrated trade infrastructure for sustainable development, particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

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Ex-NALDA Executive Secretary, Prince Ikonne Congratulates Super Falcons on Remarkable Victory

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…Urges Revitalization of Enyimba FC, Sports Development in Abia State

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja’s

The immediate past Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Lands Development Authority (NALDA), Prince Paul Ikonne, has extended his heartfelt congratulations to the Super Falcons of Nigeria for their outstanding performance and triumph at the just concluded Africa Women’s Nations Cup.

Prince Ikonne described the victory as not only a celebration of athletic excellence but also a powerful reminder of the potential within Nigeria’s sports sector, especially women’s football.

In a statement by Dr Ujo justice, Chief press secretary, he lauded the determination, discipline, and patriotic spirit displayed by the Super Falcons, which, according to him, serves as a source of pride and unity for all Nigerians.

“This remarkable victory has once again placed Nigeria at the pinnacle of African women’s football. It is a testament to the resilience and world-class talent our nation continues to produce. The Super Falcons have proven that with the right support, Nigerian sports can dominate the global stage,” he said.

While rejoicing with Nigerians over the historic win, Prince Ikonne also used the occasion to draw attention to the declining state of sports development in Abia State, particularly the deplorable condition of Enyimba Football Club of Aba — once the pride of Nigerian club football and two-time back-to-back champions of the CAF Confederation Cup.

He expressed deep concern that Enyimba Football Club, a club that once inspired millions and put Aba and Abia State on the global sports map, has become a shadow of its glorious past due to poor management, political interference, and a lack of visionary investment.

“Enyimba FC is not just a football club; it is a cultural and economic asset to the people of Aba and Abia State. Sadly, what we now see is a politicized and struggling club that no longer commands the respect it once did across Africa. We must return Enyimba to the days of continental glory,” he stated.

Prince Ikonne called on the Abia State Government to take urgent, apolitical steps to reposition Enyimba FC by investing in modern infrastructure, hiring competent football administrators, and creating a professional ecosystem that allows the club to thrive independently of partisan politics.

He emphasized that sports development, if properly harnessed, can serve as a tool for youth engagement, crime reduction, job creation, and international recognition.

He further urged stakeholders in Abia to treat sports as serious business, worthy of the same strategic planning and investment given to other sectors.

“As we celebrate the Super Falcons, let us also look inwards and address the rot that has stifled our local sports institutions. Enyimba FC deserves better.

“The young talents in Abia deserve a platform to dream and achieve. Sports should unite and develop, not divide and frustrate,” he added.

Prince Ikonne reaffirmed his commitment to championing youth and sports development in Abia State, expressing hope that the government will rise to the occasion and restore Enyimba Football Club to its rightful place among Africa’s elite.
End

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