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Bandits Abduct Pregnant Woman, 10 Children, Others In Fresh Attack In Kwara State

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Bandits in the North

By Akinwale Kasali

Grief, panic, fear and wailing have gripped Isapa community in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.  Bandits invaded the community late Monday night and abducted a pregnant woman, 10 children, two nursing mothers and several others.

It was gathered from eyewitness who gave a vivid account of the incident that between 20 and 30 armed bandits stormed Isapa, advancing with a large herd of cattle while firing sporadically.

It was gathered that an

elderly woman was reportedly hit by a stray bullet during the assault.

Bullet-ridden walls and doors were seen hours after the attack, while spent AK-47 shells littered several parts of the town.

Community leaders confirmed that 11 residents were abducted in the attack, including seven members of one family.

Among the kidnapped victims are a pregnant woman, two nursing mothers, and several young children.

The abductees were identified as: Talatu Kabiru, Magaji, Kande, Hadiza, Mariam, Saima, Habibat (a housewife), Fatima Yusufu (a housewife), Sarah Sunday (pregnant woman), Lami Fidelis (a nursing mother), and Haja Na Allah.

This is coming less than a week after Bandits invaded a Christ Gospel Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State, abducting over 30 congregants.

They were released by their captors last Sunday following the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led Federal Government and the Governor Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman of Kwara State.

“Kidnap My Church Member, Die Within Seven Days” –  Pastor Ibiyeomi Warns

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0
Pastor David Ibiyeomie

By Adesina Soyooye

Any kidnapper who dares touch any member of Salvation Ministry Church, Port Harcourt, is headed to the casket and six-foot below.

This declaration was made by the General Overseer of the Church, Pastor David Ibiyeomi while placing curses on kidnappers and others of their ilk.

The Televangelist, said in a video he posted on his official Facebook page that the time has come for all men and women of God in Nigeria to pray and bring down the wrath of God on the evil men and women who abduct innocent people.

He then dared them: ”Kidnap my Church member, die within seven days.

His words: Enough is enough. May the judgement of God swiftly come upon every force of wickedness, kidnappers, assassins, hoodlums, ritualists and all who perpetrate evil. Their evil shall not stand. God’s judgment will prevail.”

To his Church members, he assured: “Any kidnapper who dares you will die within seven days. Any kidnapper that dares your life, before, between now till Sunday, I declare them dead.

“Anyone that dares any member of Salvation Ministry or any of our loved ones, by Sunday this week, I pronounce them dead. Anyone planning our downfall, falls in the name of Jesus.”

The charismatic gospel preacher did not, however, say if the curse remains effective after Sunday.

Insecurity:  “Don’t Panic, Lagos Is Safe”, CP Jimoh Assures Lagosians

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Moshood Jimoh - CP Lagos State

By Akinwale Kasali

Following the spate of Banditry, Insecurity and abduction of School Students and attacks of Worship Centres, the Lagos State Police Commissioner, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has said the Command has intensified deployments to schools, worship centres and other public places to prevent security breaches.

Jimoh gave this assurance at the State Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja, while fielding questions from Journalists about the state of security in the State.

He assured residents of in the State to avoid panic, but should remain safe, adding that the new development would be carried out throughout the Ember months into the New Year.

“We want the general public to know that Lagos is safe and secure. We have made additional deployments to all schools, places of worship, religious centres and other locations frequently visited by people to ensure all worshippers are safe.

“This will continue into the New Year and beyond to ensure the safety of all Lagosians and other Nigerians coming into the state. We don’t have any concern to be worried about; we are beefing up security throughout the state.”

The Lagos CP further added that efforts were ongoing to increase the police tactical squad across the local councils in the state.

The need to keep Lagosians abreast of the State’s current security situation was necessary following the present security breaches in some parts of the country, leading to a series of abductions recorded recently in Kwara, Kebbi and Niger states.

The Police boss also disclosed that newly employed drivers and car wash attendants were behind the new wave of stolen vehicles in the State.

He said, “I want to emphasise that the onslaughts on the men of the underworld have been yielding results. And that is why behind me there are 10 exotic cars that I’m parading before you today. These vehicles are mostly those that were taken by the drivers who were in charge of such vehicles. Because the complaints we have about stolen vehicles in Lagos were that drivers who were just employed took the vehicles away. And we equally have instances where vehicles that were taken to a car wash were being driven away by the attendants.”

He, however, urged residents to adopt stricter security measures and avoid leaving their car keys carelessly with strangers or newly engaged workers.

“So, we should be more security conscious by ensuring that when we take our vehicle to a car wash, we don’t leave the key of the car with the car wash attendant. We should ensure this security measure so that we don’t get our vehicle stolen,” he added.

Among the recovered vehicles were a white Toyota Hilux, a white Range Rover SUV, a black Land Cruiser, a silver Lexus GX460 SUV, a silver Honda CR-V, a grey Toyota Corolla SM3, and another Toyota Corolla with registration number JJJ 887.

A Boxer Bajaj motorcycle used during a robbery attempt was also recovered.

APC North Central Forum, Nat. Chair, Fight Dirty Over Gov Mutfwang’s Planned Defection

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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0
Professor Nentawe Yilwatda and Governor Caleb Mutfwang

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The North Central All Progressive Congress APC Forum on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, expressed serious concern over what it described as a dangerous gang-up by some major party stakeholders in the state, led by the National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, to frustrate  Governor Caleb Mutfwang from joining the party.

The Source reports that there have been exchange of political manoeuvring and brickbats  among Plateau State political gladiators over the speculated plan by the Governor to dump his beleaguered Peoples Democratic party PDP for the APC.

Some forces loyal to the APC National Chairman are believed to be strongly aversed to Governor Mutfwang crossing over to the APC for fear of losing the party’s structure.

Only on Monday, November, 24, 2025, the Plateau State Chapter of the Forum of Former Elected Councilors registered its opposition to any move to railroad the Governor into the APC.

At a media briefing in Jos , Chairman of the group, John Dashe, condemned and dismissed the Coalition of Concerned Former APC Councilors and Grassroots Mobilizers, CFACGZM, over its alleged attempt to smuggle Governor Mutfwang into the APC through the back door.

The CFCGM had, in a statement issued on Tuesday November 18, urged the Governor to consider a move to the ruling party at the centre,  noting that he will be an invaluable asset.

However, the Dashe-led former Councilors while describing the CFCGM as a non-existent body and faceless, noted that its move smacks of desperation on the part of the Governor and his paid agents.

“In the first place ,we urge the general public to note that the group-CFCAGM does not represent the interest of either the former or the present Councilors in Plateau state.

“This group, CFACGZM, has called on Governor Caleb Mutfwang to join the APC. We view this as a desperate attempt  by the Governor and his agents to smuggle him into the party through the back door.

“The Governor has consistently stated that there is no APC in Plateau state, and has no intention of joining a party on the verge of collapse. His recent desperation to join the APC is, therefore, puzzling

“We still want to remind the Governor that our party is still the Muslim-Muslim ticket he demonized in 2023. His desperation to join the APC raises suspicion about his motives. We believe that accepting him would be a self-infliction on our party”,  Dashe stated .

Dashe and his group of former Councilors are said to be loyal to the APC National Chairman Professor Yilwatda, who is believed to be uncomfortable with the plan move of the Governor to the party.

But in a statement on Tuesday November 25, from its Chairman Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, the North Central APC Forum which has been at the forefront of the campaign for Governor Mutfwang to join the APC, insisted that the party’s National Chairman has no right and powers to prevent him or any other persons from pitching tent with the party.

The Forum accused the APC National Chairman of sponsoring some people to protest against the planned defection of the Governor.

It, however, expressed the optimism that no amount of sponsored agitations will stop Governor Mutfwang from joining the APC whenever he makes up his mind to do so.

The APC North Central Forum also alleged  that Prof Nentawe has been threatening to revoke its certificate of registration as an affiliate body of the party due to its resoluteness in having the Governor in APC .

The group reminded Prof Nentawe  that it was its agitations that resulted in the position of National Chairman  being returned from the North West to the North Central, with him now as the beneficiary.

“The National Chairman of the APC has no role to play in bringing Governor Caleb Mutfwang to the APC. It is only Governor Mutfwang’s ward in Mangu that has the right to admit him as a member of the party.

“The National Chairman should stop sponsoring groups to go to the media and be staging protests just to stop the Governor from joining the APC..

“He is disgracing himself and the party because this shows that he does not know the role of a party’s National Chairman. He should be made to understand that he has no role to play in bringing the Governor to the party. If Governor Mutfwang joins APC today, automatically he becomes the leader of the party in Plateau state

“The fact of the matter is that the National Chairman has no right to stop Governor Mutfwang from joining the APC .

“He is just sponsoring people to protest and do or say things that will discourage the Governor from joining APC which is even against the Constitution of the party that made him who he is today

“But the actions of those he is sponsoring cannot stop Governor Mutfwang if he makes up his mind today

“We are, therefore, calling on the leadership and members of the APC in the Governor’s ward to come out and urge him to join the party.

“The leaders of Plateau state are with Governor Mutfwang. What the people of Plateau state need is what we want. Prof Nentawe is trying to revoke our certificate of registration, but it was that same certificate that gave us the right to agitate for the position of National Chairman to return to North Central which led to his appointment .He is using his position to try to silence us ,but we are not going to be intimidated” the APC Forum stated .

The Source further reports that  the APC National Chairman was the gubernatorial candidate of the party in the 2023 general elections, but was defeated by Governor Mutfwang.

It is widely believed that Prof Nentawe is strongly still nursing the ambition to govern Plateau State, and, therefore, perceiving the planned defection of Governor Mutfwang to the APC  as a potential stumbling block.

Oshiomhole Chides Amaechi: “As Minister, He Constructed Rail To Niger Republic, Not To PH Where He Comes From”

By
Adesina Soyooye
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1
Adams Oshiomhole and Rotimi Amaechi

By Adesina Soyooye

Senator Adams Oshiomhole, on Monday, took a hard look at the eight-year tenure of Rotimi Amaechi  as Minister for Transportation, and dismissed it as uneventful.

Oshiomhole, who spoke on Channels Television’s Politics Today, described Amaechi as “terrible”. He also accused him of misplaced priorities and poor  judgment during his tenure.

Oshiomhole, also, had no good word to say about Amaechi’s eight-year tenure as the Governor of Rivers State.

Criticizing Amaechi’s language each time the former Minister spoke, Oshiomhole said: “Rotimi Amaechi is the most terrible. Look at the choice of language. A guy who shut down Rivers Judiciary because he wanted to appoint his own personal favorite as Chief Judge of Rivers State. Once he couldn’t have his way, the Rivers State Judiciary was shut down for almost two years.”

He also tackled Amaechi for the State of Railway system in Nigeria and mocked his much criticized construction of rail to Niger Republic.

Oshiomhole: “Look at the railway system that he superintendent over for eight unbroken years. He was unable to get priorities right, playing to the gallery. Now, he rather constructed a rail, not to Kano, not to Port Harcourt where he came from, but to Niger Republic.

“Which goods are we sending to Niger Republic? He was a Minister, and if you were a Minister under Buhari, you will be fair to him, life or death, that Buhari gave anyone he appointed free hand to do the job the job he assigned to you. That is what Buhari was.”

Sch. Abduction: Presidency Explains Why Security Forces Can’t Bombed Bandits

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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0
Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School - Kebbi State

The Nigerian Presidency says security forces are very careful in bombing bandits hideout in other to avoid any collateral damage against peaceful Nigerians.

Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy made the remark on Monday on Arise Television  programme, Prime Time, saying security agencies are aware of the hideouts of the bandits who kidnapped students from Government Comprehensive Secondary School,  Kebbi and St Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Niger State.

Some students have already escaped from their abductors and reunited with their parents,  while security agenesis are still searching for others who are still mission. No fewer than 300 students were reportedly abducted after the bandits attacked the two schools in the northern part of the country last week.

According to Onanuga,  security operatives are very careful in attacking the criminals enclaves despite having the necessary intelligence, to avoid the risk of killing innocent civilians, adding that the government wants to avoid at all cost the mistakes of the past when civilians were killed while security agencies were trying to neutralize terrorists. .

He said: “The security people, they know all the bandits that are operating in that axis. They know them. They know where they operate.

“Our people are living around where they operate. So you can’t just go there. They need to be very careful that in the course of chasing these bandits, they don’t go and bomb innocent Nigerians.

“Some years ago in Borno State, when the military thought they had the right satellite connection, they bombed the wrong people. They must avoid that kind of mistake.”

Meanwhile, Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi state says the military should be held responsible for the abduction of the 25 female students of the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, wondering why soldiers who were stationed to protect the area, inexplicably abandoned their beat 30 minutes before the terrorists stormed the school, killed the Vice Principal, a school guard, and abducted 25 students. One miraculously escaped.

Speaking when the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass paid him a courtesy visit on Monday, the governor questioned the rationale behind the withdrawal of troops shortly before the attack on the school and asked who gave the order.

Idris, also, wondered how such a large number of bandits on motorcycles could move freely on the highway without being detected.

He asked: “How can over 500 bandits be riding on motorcycles on our highways without being stopped? We have done our part for the Security Agencies. We provide logistics. We bought over 100 vehicles. Yet, the security architecture is not working.

“If we knew they would leave our girls exposed, we would never have agreed to rely on deployed personnel. We would have closed the school.

“I believe there are enemies working to destabilize this government and the Federal Government. The House must act, especially regarding the worsening security challenges.

“Yesterday, it was Kebbi, today it is Niger and Kwara — who knows where next? We must urgently tackle this situation.”

Betty Akeredolu To Social Media Influencer: “Tell Me, What’s My Offence? What Sin Did I Commit Against People My Husband Loved,  Served, Honoured?”

By
The Source
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0
Betty Akeredolu-Anyanwu

By Charles Igbo

“Let Ogun ‘kpai’ you there for mentioning my husband’s name”

Dr Betty Anyanwu- Akeredolu, widow of the late Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has cursed out a Social media influencer, Dipo Awojide, aka Ogbeni Dipo, for daring to mention her late husband’s name. “Let Ogun kpai (kill) you”, the angry former First Lady of Ondo State lashed out at him.

Dr Anyanwu-Akeredolu spoke in  reaction to Awojide’s advice to  South-West Governors to be serious and fearless about insecurity in the Zone just as the late Governor Akeredolu was.

In a post on X.

Ogbeni Dipo had advised the Governors over the increasing insecurity:

“Dear Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Seyi Makinde, Dapo Abiodun, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Biodun Oyebanji and Ademola Adeleke, difficult times call for difficult measures. We are at war. And we are being encircled by terrorists.

“Sirs, Yorubaland needs you to stand up and be as firm and fierce like late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu was on insecurity.

“We need you to call a meeting urgently and release a statement like you did on 10th June 2024 when you openly advocated for certain policies which the majority of us Yorubas supported.”

Ordinarily, that should have made Akeredolu’s wife happy; that should have made her proud. But it had the opposite effect. According to her, Ogbeni Dipo was in the forefront of those who turned against,  pounced on her family, especially, herself, Akeredolu’s wife, as soon as  he passed on.

So, in reaction, she lashed out:  “Ogun will kpai you @OgbeniDipo if you mention Governor Akeredolu again. You bloody ronubandit! Let Aketi be. Face your wahala and your bigotry. What’s the difference between you and Fulani bandits and Boko haram? E don cast!”

Perhaps taken aback

Ogbeni Dipo responded:  “You are a mother and the wife of one of our leaders, as such, I find it difficult talking back at you. Enjoy the rest of the evening, ma.”

That response infuriated Akeredolu’s widow more:

“Who? @OgbeniDipo. When did you get tired of your vilification of somebody you knew nothing of? So, you didn’t realise that you were bullying a wife of your so-called leader based on hearsay. As the chickens have come home to roost, you remembered Aketi as your leader? For where? FAKE adoration. You and co-travellers unleashed on me your jobless data boys and filthy ronubandits during the most trying period of my life. Heartless bigot. It’s my turn now. Emilokan! Oloshi! Oloriburuku! Deal with your trauma!!!”

And Ogbeni Dipo, instead of leaving it at that, responded:

“Again, I cannot curse or abuse you out of respect for late Governor Akeredolu. We were not raised to exchange words with the spouses of our elders and leaders, except it becomes unavoidable, which will be unfortunate. Please stop with the curses and name (calling) ma.”

And Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu fired back: “You make me laugh. How can you and your fellow ronubandits pretend not to be part of the storm of hostility that descended on me from Ondo State, and indeed, from across the Yoruba nation after my husband’s passing. You h@ted me so much that you wished me kpaid but I’m still standing chimchim! The venom was unprovoked and vicious. Owo people, Aketi’s very own kinsmen, went as far as staging a ritualistic invocation in the marketplace, publicly calling for the de@th of the mother of their grandchildren. That grotesque spectacle went viral across the world. What a shame!. I’m sending the kpai kpai to any of you that wishes me to kpai. It’s return to sender.

“Tell me, what was my offence? What sin did I commit against a people my husband loved, served, and honoured all his life? Anytime, you engage in your bigotry against Ndigbo, you must inject me into your war of h@tred. A good example was during your Bokku wahala @OgbeniDipo. The hypocrisy and cruelty were staggering. Igbophobia is real!

“So, before anyone rushes to spit rubbish, I suggest they acquaint themselves with the facts. Passing judgment without context is not only lazy, it is preposterous and morally indefensible.”

Again, Ogbeni Dipo:  “Madam you have repeatedly used ethnic slurs against your husband’s people via your suspended handle. Here you are trashing your husband’s kingsmen, Owo and Ondo people. You have called me Ronu Bandit repeatedly.

“You were quick to mention Fulani bandits and Boko Haram, but not IPOB. Why?

“Madam Betty, I respect you because you are a mother, and a wife of one of our leaders. Even in death, we don’t disrespect our respectable elders in Yorubaland. Family issues are not to be discussed on social media for the entertainment of strangers. There should be elders in your family who can engage with the Aketi family if you have any concerns. Please look after yourself and your mental health. And stop embarrassing yourself and the entire family and Ondo State. Shared with love and respect.”

And, Mrs Anyanwu-Akeredolu:  “Oh! Quite interesting. You remember my old handle. You and co-travellers were responsible for the suspended handle. Mob action at work!”

The former First Lady, is fiercely protective of her late husband’s name and legacies. She was taken aback when, on her husband’s death, some friends turned to enemies, and even insinuated that she killed her husband. That allegation hurt her deeply.

For the records, the former Governor died of prostrate cancer, an illness his wife, who suffered from breast cancer, survived since over three decades, and is in the forefront of the fight against  all types of cancer.

CBN To Ban Dud Cheque Issuers From Banking System

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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0
Yemi Cardoso - CBN Governor

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN has proposed a five-year ban for serial dud cheque issuers, saying violators will be barred from accessing credit and opening accounts in commercial banks and other financial institutions, OFIs in the country.

According to the Yemi Cardoso-led CBN, a customer is designated ‘serial dud cheque issuer’ when he/ she issues cheques three times and they are not honoured due to insufficient funds in his/her accounts.

The apex bank announced this yesterday in a circular addressed to banks and OFIs titled ‘Guidelines on the Treatment of Dud Cheques’,  and signed by CBN Director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department, Central Dr. Rita Sike, a move it said was necessary to check fraudulent practices and  fraud in the nation’s financial system.

The government reserve bank said the guidelines is in line with its powers under the CBN Act, 2007 (CBN Act), the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA), 2020, and other laws applicable.

“In exercise of the powers vested on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under the  Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007 (CBN Act), the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA), 2020, and other applicable laws, the CBN hereby issues for stakeholder comments and feedback the attached draft Guidelines on Treatment of Dud Cheques by Banks and Other Financial Institutions in Nigeria,” the bank said.

According to the CBN, the guideline is aimed at deterring customers from issuing dud cheques by establishing procedures for the treatment of dud cheques with defined sanctions and penalties; Promote integrity and confidence in the use of cheques as a reliable means of payment; Streamline the process for identifying dud cheque issuers, reporting them to CBN and Private Credit Bureaux, and blacklisting serial dud cheque issuers; and Identify the stakeholders and specify their roles and responsibilities in managing and resolving dud cheque issues.

Also, the CBN said the guideline will Strengthen dispute resolution mechanisms for issues involving dud cheques between customers and financial institutions; as well as promote compliance and accountability in reporting and managing dud cheques issues

Roles of Banks In Enforcing The Guidelines

The CBN stressed that banks must ensure that the customer qualifies as dud cheque issuer before reporting as defined in clause; render returns on the CBN Credit Risk Management System (CRMS), (or any other platform as may be determined by the CBN from time to time), and at least two (2) PCBs; pass the necessary debit and credit entries in the customers’ account in respect of dud cheques presented over the counter, in a similar manner as is done for dud cheques presented through the clearing system; keep a copy of the dud cheque for a minimum period of 5 years, while the original cheque shall be returned to the payee; and perform status checks on the dud cheque database before opening a current account for a customer.

Kebbi Kidnapping: “How Can Over 500 Bandits Be Riding On Our Highways Without Detection?” – Gov Idris Wants Probe

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0
Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State

By Adesina Soyooye

A distraught Governor of Kebbi State, Nasir Idris, is holding the Military responsible for the abduction of 25 female students of the Government  Comprehensive Girls Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State. He said the soldiers who were stationed to protect the area, inexplicably abandoned their beat 30 minutes before the terrorists stormed the school, killed the Vice Principal, a school guard, and abducted 25 students. One miraculously escaped.

Governor Idris has been lamenting since the attack on the school, and has not stopped to blame the Military for the ugly incident.

On Monday when he received the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Tajudeen Abbas in audience, Governor Idris called for a probe, and lamented: “If we knew they would leave our girls exposed, we would never have agreed to rely on deployed personnel.”

He questioned the rationale behind the withdrawal of troops shortly before the attack on the school and asked who gave the order.

He, also, wondered how such a large number of bandits on motorcycles could move freely on the highway without being detected.

He asked: “How can over 500 bandits be riding on motorcycles on our highways without being stopped? We have done our part for the Security Agencies. We provide logistics. We bought over 100 vehicles. Yet, the security architecture is not working.

“If we knew they would leave our girls exposed, we would never have agreed to rely on deployed personnel. We would have closed the school.

“I believe there are enemies working to destabilize this government and the Federal Government. The House must act, especially regarding the worsening security challenges.

“Yesterday, it was Kebbi, today it is Niger and Kwara — who knows where next? We must urgently tackle this situation.”

Speaker Abbas said he was in the school with his delegation to condole with the Government and people of Kebbi State over the sad abduction of the students and the killing of the Vice Principal and Watchman.

He donated the sum of ₦30 million to the families of the two slain officials. He, also, urged Governor Idris to immortalise the murdered Vice Principal for his courage.

Abass assured that everything will be done to secure the release of the students.

Imo Economic Summit Targets $1trillion Economy, Says Uzodimma

By
The Source
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0
Hope Uzodimma
Governor Hope Uzodimma

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has hinted at the benefits expected from the forthcoming Imo Economic Summit, suggesting that humongous gain of one trillion dollars ($1trillion) is being targeted.

Uzodimma spoke about his administration’s plan to launch this ambitious economic agenda with the hosting of Global Economic Summit and Tourism Revival Projects in Owerri and consequently, the target to build one trillion dollar economy in the State, weekend.

Speaking Sunday, November 23, 2025 at the Government House Banquet Hall Owerri, after the Feast of Christ the King, the Governor announced an ambitious slate of economic and cultural initiatives aimed at repositioning Imo State as a major national and international hub, including a World Investment and Economic Summit set to host prominent global leaders.

It was on a day the Governor also sent warning signals to those constituting themselves as obstacles to the ongoing Light Up Imo Project, noting that such obstacles will not deter his government from linking the State electricity infrastructure to the national grid.

“We cannot spend billions on power infrastructure and fail to distribute electricity to our people. By next week, we will take decisive steps,” the Governor said.

Governor Uzodimma expressed gratitude for public support and emphasised the importance of unity and collective progress.

“When we eat and work together, our blessings come faster,” he said.

He disclosed that the Investment and Economic Summit to be held December 4-5, 2025 in Owerri is intended to build one trillion dollar economy in Imo State; and that the event will be hosting former Secretary General of United Nations, a former British Prime Minister, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a couple of African Heads of State and leaders.

“It is a thing of joy, we want to announce Imo State to the world,” Uzodimma stressed.

He further revealed that Imo State will host the Ahiajoku Lecture Series on November 27 and 28, 2025.

The Ahiajoku Lecture Series, he said, has remained a cultural legacy established by former Governor Sam Mbakwe.

Describing the festival as one of the tourist indicators of Imo State economy, the Governor said that his administration is doing everything to rehabilitate and promote the festival as a long-term tourism asset.

“This monument will be one of the key tourist indicators of our State economy,”

he noted, urging citizens to participate.

“Ideas rule the world, and we are ready to rebuild the circle of excellence our state once represented.”

The Governor explained that insecurity and political interference had previously delayed these lofty initiatives.

He criticised individuals who vandalised public property—including a recent incident involving an unauthorised alteration of a government-built roundabout.

“Government property is not nobody’s property. Conduct is part of success. We must begin to behave ourselves as responsible citizens.”

The Governor outlined ongoing efforts to rebuild Imo’s public sector, emphasising that prosperity depends on functional public schools, hospitals, transportation systems, and infrastructure.

He noted that even substantial wage increases cannot compensate for the high cost of private healthcare and schooling, making government services essential for affordability.

“If our schools and hospitals work, a civil servant can run a household comfortably,” he said.

On the ongoing Light Up Imo Project, he vowed to confront any federal-level political obstacles preventing the State from connecting its completed power infrastructure to the grid.

The Governor urged citizens to prioritise the State’s collective interest over personal or political differences, calling on residents to stand together for the future of Imo State.

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