Dr ‘Niyi Sunmonu is the national president of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA). He shares, in this interview with Tunbosun Ogundare, insights into the position of CONUA on some pressing national issues touching the union and broader university education in the country. Excerpts: We observe that your renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement with the […]
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The Abia State Senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District, Augustine Akobundu, has commenced the second phase of his solar-powered streetlight installation project across the six local government areas of the district, as part of efforts to improve security, boost economic activities, and enhance residents welfare.
Akobundu made this known on Wednesday during a press conference marking the official flag-off of the second phase of the “Light Up the Communities” initiative in Umuahia, Abia State.
He said the expansion of the project was informed by the success recorded in the first phase and the positive feedback received from beneficiaries across the district.
“The success of the first phase and the testimonies from our people encouraged us to do more.
“This is why we are expanding the project to cover more communities and markets,” he said.
Akobundu noted that despite initial scepticism from political opponents at the inception of the project, the first phase was successfully delivered within schedule, adding that it had improved security, extended business hours, and enhanced the general outlook of benefiting communities.
“We proved the doubters wrong with the first phase, and we are even more determined to do better in this second phase,” he stated.
According to him, the first phase covered several markets and communities across the district, including Ariam Market and Ndoro Market in Ikwuano; Ahiaukwu Market, Olokoro, and Apumiri Market in Ubakala, Umuahia South; Obikabia Market and Nkwo Nsulu Market in Isiala Ngwa North; Nkwoebe Market and Mbutu Market in Isiala Ngwa South; Ahiaeke Market and Afor Umuda Ofeme Market in Umuahia North; and Umungasi Market and Eke Nwobasi Market in Osisioma Ngwa.
Other beneficiary locations include St. Peter’s Church, Amizi; Ekeobadi-Amadeus Road-Ahaba Village; Oloko Village; and Awomukwu Village.
For the second phase, he disclosed that 11 additional markets have been selected, including Ahia Orie Umuode and Eke Onu Amaedo in Osisioma Ngwa; Mbawsi Main Market and Umuosu Market in Isiala Ngwa North; Ahia Ugba Daily Market and Nkwoudara Market in Isiala Ngwa South; Timber Market in Umuahia North; Afor-Ibeji Market and Eke Udi Market in Umuahia South; as well as Ahia Orie Ibere and Nnono Market in Ikwuano.
He added that 13 more communities would also benefit, including Umuokwa Community in Isiala Amapu Ntigha, Eziama Ntigha, Trademore Estate in Umuahia, Seat of Wisdom Seminary School in Ariam, and Azuiyi Oloko Community, among others.
Akobundu further highlighted other ongoing constituency projects across Abia Central, including the construction and furnishing of skills acquisition centres, renovation of schools, provision of transformers, construction of lock-up stores, erosion control works, establishment of primary healthcare centres, and waste recycling initiatives.
He also outlined empowerment and human capital development programmes such as scholarships for 113 constituents at the National Teachers’ Institute, ICT and digital skills training for youths, entrepreneurship support schemes, and sponsorship of students in robotics, embedded systems engineering, and artificial intelligence training.
“We are not relenting. More projects and interventions will be delivered in the coming months,” he said.
He added that his recent medical outreach covered Ikwuano, Osisioma Ngwa, and Umuahia North Local Government Areas, with plans to extend it to Isiala Ngwa North, Isiala Ngwa South, and Umuahia South.
Akobundu further disclosed that additional road projects and other constituency interventions across Abia Central would be commissioned within the next four months.
“This is just the beginning, expect more,” the senator stated.
Akobundu Begins Second Phase Of Solar Streetlight Project In Abia is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
Three people were injured on Wednesday after a section of the Zaria Central Mosque, currently under reconstruction, collapsed during casting work in Zaria.
The incident occurred when part of the second-floor decking near the southern minaret gave way while construction workers were carrying out casting on the structure.
Eyewitnesses said the victims, believed to be workers at the site, were promptly evacuated and taken to a hospital in Zaria for treatment. No fatalities were recorded.
Following the collapse, the construction area was cordoned off as labourers began clearing debris from the affected section.
Attempts to get an official response from the site engineer were unsuccessful, as he was said to have accompanied the injured workers to the hospital.
Meanwhile, the spokesman of the Zazzau Emirate Council, Abdullahi Kwarbai, declined to comment on the incident.
He noted that the reconstruction project had earlier been handed over to a technical committee, which subsequently transferred it to the construction firm handling the work.
Three Injured In Zaria Mosque Mishap is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
THE management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA and the National Hydrographic Agency are exploring avenues to enhance the use and patronage of locally developed nautical charts and other hydrographic communication tools as part of efforts to advance maritime safety in the country. This formed the thrust of deliberations, when the Hydrographer […]
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PRESIDENT of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has declared that the proposed Olokola Port in Ogun State will become the largest and deepest seaport in Africa, even as the conglomerate intensifies its push into port infrastructure development across the continent. Dangote, who spoke during an interview with journalists on the sidelines of the meeting […]
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Ekiti State governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji appears to have staked a big claim for the retention of the seat he currently occupies with a strong start of his re- election campaign round the state ahead of the June 20 governorship election in the Land of Honour. With the successful staging of the flag-off mega rally […]
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Nigerian singer Tiwatope Savage Balogun, popularly known as Tiwa savage, has spoken about the emotional support she received during her time at Mavin Records, saying the label gave artistes…
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Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA), has unveiled a new diaspora-focused healthcare investment initiative aimed at mobilising Nigerian professionals abroad to fund critical healthcare infrastructure projects across the country. The initiative was presented at the 2026 ANPA Carolinas Symposium in Charlotte, North Carolina, where the bank sought to deepen diaspora participation in […]
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Google has announced a new set of features for Google Workspace, introducing more artificial intelligence tools across Gmail, Docs and…
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The Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN) on Wednesday raised the alarm over the continued invasion of educational institutions by bandits across the country, with callous abductions of innocent pupils and teachers for ransom. It cautioned that the systemic criminal assault on the academic system, if left unchecked, would threaten to completely undermine the fabric of […]
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