Philanthropist Odumegwu passes APC screening for Igboeze North/Udenu Federal Constituency in Enugu
An Enugu-based Philanthropist and Statesman, Dr Ejikeme Odumegwu, has scaled through the All Progressive Congress (APC) screening for Igboeze North/Udenu Federal Constituency in Enugu State.
The screening was conducted by the House of Representative Screening Committee at the Treasure House, Abuja on Thursday morning.
Arriving at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, while being received by a crowd of party faithful and his supporters, Odumegwu commended the screening committee for doing a thorough job.
He noted that the screening officials demonstrated democratic principles, which APC as a people-oriented party, is known for.
Odumegwu, who is also known as the Owelle of Nsukka, noted that he was out to give the people of his Constituency quality and effective representation at the green chamber.
According to him, I have paid my dues in uplifting the society.
“I am still in the business of uplifting humanity everywhere in the country and most especially within my people of Igboeze North/Udenu Federal Constituency,” he said.
The philanthropist said that one does not offer to serve when his capacity and large heart to attend to the people’s need had not been tested and trusted.
Odumegwu, who is the Founder of Owelle Ejikeme Odumegwu Foundation, said that he considered it a privilege carrying out the assignment to represent the good people of Igboeze North/Udenu Federal Constituency.
“You must be sure of your acceptance and social standing, touch and reach. And I am an acceptable and respected personality among my people.
“I have to be in the green chamber to uphold the interest of the people of my Constituency and deliver tangible and practical constituency dividends to them,” he said.
He noted that the constituency’s incumbent representative member was going for his third term without any practical thing done in the constituency.
Odumegwu noted that the incumbent was yet to touch lives or ameliorate the suffering of the people.
“For nearly eight good years, he never sponsored any bill or attracted developmental projects/programmes to the area. He should come back home,” he added.
No fewer than 600 indigent persons in Bida and surrounding communities in Niger on Thursday, benefited from a free medical outreach organised by the Etsu Yahaya Abubakar Foundation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the outreach featured free cataract surgeries and medical consultations for patients suffering from various eye-related ailments.
The exercise was organised by the foundation established by the Etsu Nupe, Alh. Yahaya Abubakar, Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers in collaboration with the Near Foundation Abuja and the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Bida.
Speaking during the inauguration of the outreach in Bida, Abubakar, who is also the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the foundation, said the initiative was informed by the increasing number of people suffering from sight-related challenges in the community.
He described healthcare as a critical component of human development and reiterated the foundation’s commitment to improving the wellbeing of vulnerable persons, particularly those unable to afford medical treatment.
The royal father said the foundation would continue to strengthen partnerships with relevant organisations and stakeholders to expand access to quality healthcare services and alleviate the sufferings of the people.
According to him, the gesture reflects his commitment to humanitarian service, community development and the promotion of healthy living among the populace.
He added that restoring the sight of affected persons would not only improve their health conditions, but also restore hope, dignity and economic productivity among beneficiaries and their families.
Also speaking, Alh. Abubakar Sadiq-Yelwa, the Managing Director of the National Hydro Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) pledged the organisation’s commitment to community development and improved healthcare delivery.
Sadiq-Yelwa stressed the need for strategic collaboration between the commission and the Etsu Yahaya Abubakar Foundation to enhance the provision of quality healthcare services to rural communities.
He commended the Etsu Nupe for his foresight, compassion and sustained efforts toward improving the living conditions of the people, describing the royal father as a symbol of peace, unity and humanitarian service.
The N-HYPPADEC boss assured that the commission would continue to support programmes capable of positively impacting the lives of the people, especially in the areas of health, education and youth empowerment.
In his remarks, Dr Murtala Bagana, the Niger State Commissioner for Health, commended the foundation for complementing the efforts of the state government toward improving access to quality healthcare services.
Bagana described the initiative as timely and impactful, particularly at a period when many vulnerable persons were facing challenges accessing specialised medical care.
He noted that the outreach aligned with the state government’s commitment to ensuring affordable and accessible healthcare delivery for all citizens.
The commissioner urged well-meaning individuals, organisations and development partners to emulate the gesture by supporting programmes aimed at improving the health and welfare of the people.
In their separate remarks, the Vice Chairperson of Bida Local Government Council, Hajiya Hawawu Adamu, the Secretary of the Etsu Yahaya Abubakar Foundation, Alhaji Musa Ladan, and health officials involved in the exercise, acknowledged the increasing prevalence of eye-related problems within the community.
They called for collective efforts among government institutions, traditional authorities, development partners and philanthropists to address the growing healthcare challenges confronting rural dwellers.
Some beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the Etsu Yahaya Abubakar Foundation and its partners for the intervention, noting that the free medical outreach had restored hope to many families.
The Democratic Front (TDF) has blamed the sudden resort to spurious claims against President Bola Tinubu by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on the shock of the collapse of their so-called opposition coalition.
In a statement signed by its Chairman Mallam Danjuma Muhammad and Secretary Chief Wale Adedayo, the group wondered why ADC leadership are now accusing the President of creating the National Democratic Congress (NDC)
“It is disgraceful and embarrassing for the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, to accuse President Bola Tinubu of creating the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to surreptitiously destroy the opposition.
“This is coming after weeks of accusing the same President of working towards a one-party state.
“We see it as an immature accusation that implicates ADC’s depth of moral bankruptcy, and complete inability to play politics with decorum and decency.
“The ADC and its leadership should understand that Nigerians have had enough of their antics of pushing false narratives to the public space, with a deceptive intent to curry unqualified public sympathy and support.
“We believe that Abdullahi should bury his head in shame, in view of the vindication of President Tinubu, against ADC’s endless tantrums and accusations of a one-party state conspiracy, with the collapse of the opposition coalition of greedy politicians who had converged under the leadership of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
“It is now very clear to the public that the ADC and its discredited leadership dissipates more of its energy and material time on making spurious and unfounded accusations against President Tinubu and the ruling APC, than on strengthening its internal organs in preparation for party primaries.
“However, we do understand that ADC and Bolaji Abdullahi’s frustrations were not only triggered by the collapse of the coalition, but also worsened by the desecration of the ill-fated Ibadan Accord of opposition parties to field one consensus candidate against the President in 2027.
“We believe that the excessive lust for power and dictatorial tendencies of both former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi actually suffocated due process and internal democracy in the ADC, leading to the inevitable collapse of the coalition, desecration of the Ibadan gathering of opposition parties, and the total fragmentation of the opposition camp.
“President Tinubu clearly has nothing to do with the ADC political odium so Nigerians should disregard the allegations by the ADC and its National Publicity Secretary as the antics of disingenuous political clowns, whose activities and true intent in the political space are to distract the public, and destabilise the polity, it added.
TDF urged Nigerians to view the opposition as a gathering of selfish politicians who are more interested in the spoils of office.
By Tony Nnezianya
Kano: The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and the Nigeria Schools Sports Federation (NSSF) marked a milestone in grassroots sports development on May 11, 2026.
Both organisations collaborated under the auspices of Olympic Solidarity to officially launch a national capacity-building seminar in Kano State.
This high-impact programme is designed to empower school sports officers and teachers using the Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP) toolkits—a specialised framework developed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to integrate the values of excellence, friendship, and respect into the classroom and the playing field.
No fewer than 100 teachers and categories of Sports officers across Kano attended the seminar. The Kano event was successfully concluded on Wednesday.
One of the highly respected IOC-certified experts, Prof. Abiodun Moronfolu was the leader of the resource persons for the programme.
The Kano seminar is the first in a three-part series designed to transform the landscape of school sports across Nigeria.
According to Mrs Olabisi Joseph next in the series will hold in Yenagoa, BayelsaState will take from May 18 to May 20, while the Lagos event will take place from June 2 to June 4, 2026.
She noted the schools were important as the foundation in grassroots sports development and the gateway to elite sports attainment.
Mrs Kemi Obidahunsi, an assistant Secretary from NOC in charge of NSSF coordinated the event.
Engr. Habu Ahmed Gumel joined the president of the NSSF, Mrs Olabisi Joseph and invited officials during the official opening of the ceremony.
)Contact:
Tony Nezianya is
NOC PRO
08033034910
tonynezianya@gmail.com)
Hearing about your departure today flooded my memory and I’m overwhelmed. I’m one of your proteges, one of those you mentored.
It all started in 1993 when I was searching for where to do my one year Industrial Training (IT) which is a prerequisite for Higher National Diploma (HND). Mr Adebayo of National Orientation Agency (NOA) Oyo State made contact with a friend at NAN Iyaganku, Ibadan and I was accepted.
I was attached to “Oga mi Oguntula” as I fondly call him. We went to different assignments and I became fond of him. One day, I told him I’m a good driver and that I can drive him around and he did not hesitate as he just gave me the key and said, “Abey, o ya wa drive.” My diving him around town earned me so much freebies (lunch) like countless trips to amala joints like “Ahlaja Inastrate” Cutural Center, on Mokola hill and another one inside Oyo state Sectariat.
By the time I was done with a year IT, my relationship with oga oguntula had gone beyond official, it was like he adopted me as his junior brother. I followed him to family functions and started knowing his acquaintances. Members of his nuclear family accepted me to the point that his name became so popular in my household without them knowing him physically. I was with him when he bought Damilola her first bicycle at Ekotedo.
Our bond became so strong that when I was jobless after my National Youth Service, “oga Oguntula” wouldn’t mind me following him around. I became his driver, secretary, companion and friend. When he was transferred to Lagos, I was with him in his official residence in Festac. We traveled to Lagos together every weekand. He got my driver’s licenses for me with his connection in Road Safety. He was instrumental to getting my International passport. Oga Oguntula always get things done. When he was transferred to Abeokuta, I was with him. At a time, inside Ogun State Police Commissioner’s office, he asked me if I wanted to join Nigeria Police Force during one of it recruitment excercise. He was shocked of my quick and blunt response not to join. He became my employer because apart from being responsible for my feeding when I’m with him, he always give me money after each trip. Oh, God used Oga Oguntula to touch my life at strategic moments.
2001, one weekend, Oga Oguntula called me and said, “Abey, wa ri mi ni’le.” Without hesitation, even though that particular day, I said I will not go anywhere because I just came back from U.S Embassy in Lagos where I just got denied visa. But because it was Oga Oguntula that called, his calling me is too important to me to ignore despite not knowing what for. I got to his house and he told me that Lagos State Water Corporation want to employ graduates for its PSP program and that he had already submitted my name. He told me I will have to go to Lagos on Monday for the recruitment interview and he gave me N250 for transport. With the help of God through the connection of Oga Oguntula, I got my first ever job after which I got another job in Federal Poly, Offa Kwara State. I got married and became physically detached from my Oga Oguntula. He was happy for me because now he too see himself being fulfilled seeing me become a man. My family finally relocated out of Nigeria which limited our relationship to phone calls.
God used him so much to touched my life in so many ways that time will not permit me to pour out here on this platform. I pray that the Lord will grant you eternal rest Oga mi Oguntula. Rest on.
Good night. Thank you for allowing God to use you to touch my life in an unforgettable way. May the good Lord be with auntie Sola your wife, Damilola, Ayokunmi and your entire family.
Adieu!
(Latilo writes from the US)
About Flowerbudnews
Established by Hon. Biola Lawal, a former Acting Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), FLOWERBUDNEWS is a consortium of active veteran journalists, experienced Multimedia broadcast experts and image makers.
We are drawn from both public and private sectors of Nigeria’s media Industry with a common determination to enhance the practice of responsible journalism..
Lawal, on his part, is also a former Honourable Commissioner for Information,Youth, Sports and Culture of Osun state, his home state.
Biola Lawal had also successfully served two tenures as Press Secretary to the ECOMOG Force Commander in Liberia during the Liberian and Sierra Leone Civil wars. He was an outstanding NAN Defence and War Correspondent for many years.
The retired NAN Acting Boss holds the honour of being the only journalist that served two terms on the ECOMOG international assignment due to his high professionalism and decency.
He is a Co-Author of the book; ECOMOG, A BOLD ATTEMPT AT REGIONAL PEACEKEEPING! Edited Mrs Magaret Voght. The book remains the most. factual, detailed and authentic book on the ECOWAS sponsored ECOMOG Military operation.
MainPower appeals to residents in parts of Enugu over delayed power restoration
The Management of MainPower Electricity Distribution Limited (MEDL) has appealed to residents in Emene and its environs in Enugu metropolis for patience and understanding over the prolonged power outage.
The prolonged power outage was caused by the wire cut on the Emene Industrial Lines 1 and 2 towers as well as other associated faults.
The Managing Director of MEDL, Dr Ernest Mupwaya, made the appeal on Wednesday during an inspection of ongoing repair works on the electrical towers located around Naira Triangle axis in Emene, Enugu.
Mupwaya expressed regret over the inconveniences experienced by residents, particularly those in Emenite, Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Alo Aluminium, Akpuoga, Nkwubor, Ugwuomu, Sunrise Estate, Conraws Estate, Rehab Road and Adoration areas.
He assured them that the ongoing reconductoring of the affected lines and reinforcement of the towers are receiving attention and would soon be completed.
The MainPower boss attributed the delay in completing the work to additional technical challenges discovered during the restringing of the wires, which pose safety risks to residents living around the affected tower locations.
The managing director explained that the situation necessitated reinforcing the towers to prevent any possible collapse and ensure the safety of lives and property.
He clarified that the major fault remains on the Emene Industrial Lines 1 and 2, while the outages affecting the Trans-Ekulu, Thinkers Corner, Ituku-Ozalla, and Ugwogo 33KV lines were deliberately initiated to provide a safe working environment for engineers handling the repairs.
The managing director was accompanied on the inspection by the Chief Technical Officer, Engr. Chimezie Chukwu; the Head of Operations, Engr. Ikenna Mbamablu, and the Team Lead, Quick Response Team, Abakpa District, Engr. Bethrand Amu.
It would be recalled that the heavy windstorm and rainfall experienced on Sunday, May 3, 2026, caused a wire cut on the Emene Industrial Lines 1 and 2.
The incident damaged the towers and disrupting power supply to the Trans-Ekulu, Thinkers Corner, Ituku-Ozalla, and Ugwogo 33KV lines within the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) Switch Yard at the New Haven Station, Enugu.
The Police Command in Enugu State has detained two suspected Automated Teller Machine (ATM) debit card swappers and fraudsters, recovering exhibits from them.
This is contained in a statement by the Command’s Spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, on Wednesday in Enugu.
Ndukwe said that operatives of the command attached to the Central Police Station, Enugu on May 11 at about 10:50a.m., rescued and detained two male suspects from an angry mob.
He noted that they were allegedly caught engaging in ATM debit card swapping and fraud at a commercial bank at Okpara Avenue, Enugu.
The spokesman said that the suspects included: Timothy Onyeka, 34 and Philip Nwankwo, 32.
“Preliminary investigations reveal that the suspects allegedly swapped the ATM debit card of a female victim while pretending to assist her in carrying out a transaction at the ATM point.
“The victim reportedly raised the alarm, leading to the immediate arrest and lynching of the suspects by an angry mob before police operatives swiftly intervened, rescued and rearrested them.
“A TVS tricycle allegedly used in carrying out the criminal activity and the victim’s swapped ATM debit card were recovered from the suspects, who confessed to the crime.
“They will be arraigned in court once investigations are concluded,” he said.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, reiterated the command’s commitment to sustaining efforts against all forms of financial and cyber-related crimes in the state.
He urged residents to desist from taking the law into their hands by assaulting suspects, but instead promptly hand them over to the police for lawful investigation and prosecution.
By Danladi Ahmed
The Tinubu Media Volunteers have applauded the deepening of cooperation between Nigeria and the United States in the areas of security and counter-terrorism cooperation.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Chukwudi Enekwechi, and Secretary, Segun Ogedengbe, the group argued that it would go a long way toward addressing security challenges in Nigeria and the Sahel region.
“It is noted that the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu had embarked on a three-day visit to the United States of America to interface with high-ranking United States government officials including the Vice President, J.D Vance, Secretary of State Marc Rubio and others.
“We are gratified that with the serious security challenges afflicting the Sahel region, Lake Chad region and other parts of West Africa, the renewed cooperation between Nigeria and the United States will help eradicate the scourge of terrorism, banditry and other security challenges.
“We believe that this strategic partnership will go a long way to strengthen Nigeria’s defence capabilities in confronting the activities of ISWAP, Boko Haram and other bandits terrorising some parts of the North East, North Central and North West parts of the country.
“There is no doubt that Nigeria stands to benefit from the expertise and intelligence-gathering capacity of the United States.
We also commend the National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu for using the opportunity of the visit to pledge Nigeria’s commitment to working with international partners in promoting peace, stability, democratic governance and economic development across Africa.
“The meeting also re-emphasised the commitment of all partners to the agreed roadmap under the Nigeria- US Joint Working Group (JWG) which was established to advance structured bilateral cooperation on strategic and security- related matters.
“Both sides also agreed on practical measures for the realisation of their strategic plans including intelligence-sharing, military cooperation, border security, counter terrorism support, capacity development and strategic communications.
“We therefore applaud the concerted efforts of the President Tinubu administration to frontally confront Nigeria’s security challenges by engaging with the United States and other partners, it added.
The group is convinced that it will restore confidence in the populace and provide enduring peace and tranquillity in the areas most impacted by insecurity.
From second left, the Director, Seaport Operation, NDLEA, Ibinabo Archieabia, receiving the intercepted cannabis worth N16.6 billion from Customs Area Controller, Tin-Can Island Port Command, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, at the port on Wednesday in Lagos
Customs, NDLEA frustrate attempt to smuggle N16.6bn worth of Cannabis into Nigeria
By Ejide Onibiyo
Lagos, May 13, 2026, A joint operation of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Tin Can Island Port Command, and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 8,347 packages of Cannabis Indica, weighing 4,173.5 kg, with an estimated street value of N16.6 billion.
The seizure is coming barely two weeks after operatives of both agencies intercepted another 9,450 packages of cannabis weighing 4,729kg valued at N18.96 billion on April 30.
The Customs Area Controller, Tin-Can Island Customs Command, Comptroller Frank Onyeka during handing over of intercepted cannabis worth N16.6 billion in Lagos on Wednesday
Speaking while handing over the seized cannabis to the NDLEA on Wednesday, the Customs Area Controller of the Tin Can Island Port Command, Comptroller Frank Onyeka said the successful interception followed credible intelligence.
He said that the seizure of the drugs was possible by the Customs and NDLEA through intelligence sharing.
According to him, officers of the command’s enforcement unit intercepted a 40-foot container marked HAMU 247034/8 and conducted thorough physical examination, which led to the discovery of the illicit drugs.
Onyeka said that the container, which originated from Canada like the previous seizure, had the packages of cannabis concealed inside a used Ford bus and a Mercedes Benz C300 vehicle stashed in it.
The customs comptroller, who handed over the seized drugs to NDLEA Director of Seaport Operation, ACG Ibinabo Archieabia, said that the latest seizure highlights the desperation of criminal networks seeking to use Nigerian ports as channels for trafficking dangerous substances.
“Exactly two weeks ago, on April 30, 2026, we gathered here to brief the public on a major interception made through intelligence and collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service and the NDLEA.
“Today, we are back again for another significant seizure.
Picture of some of the intercepted cannabis indica weighing 4,173.5 kg at Tin-Can Island Customs Command
“This tells us two things. First, criminal networks are still desperate to use our ports to push dangerous substances into the country.
” Second, it shows that our officers and sister security agencies are alert, focused and fully committed to stopping them.” Onyeka said.
The Tin-can customs boss described the act as a deliberate attempt by criminal elements to undermine national security and endanger the lives of Nigerians, especially the youth.
“This is not just another seizure. This represents a deliberate attempt by criminal elements to jeopardise national security, endanger lives and profit from the destruction of our hardworking young men and women.
” Thankfully, due to the vigilance and professionalism of our officers and partner agencies, who ensured that the consignment did not get to the streets,” Onyeka said.
He assured Nigerians that the command would continue to intensify surveillance, strengthen intelligence gathering and sustain collaboration with NDLEA and other security agencies to ensure, not just seizures, but arrest and prosecution of those behind the shipments.
Onyeka warned Nigerians collaborating with foreign criminal syndicates that the command would not spare anyone found compromising national security for personal gain.
He commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi and the Chairman of NDLEA, General Buba Marwa, for fostering the partnership and intelligence-sharing framework between both agencies in the fight against illicit trade and drug trafficking.
In her response, Archieabia said that the handing over was an epoch-making event as she formally took possession of the prohibited weed from the Customs.
She said that the operation followed months of intelligence gathering, surveillance and tracking of the container shipment from Canada.
The NDLEA director said that the exhibits shall undergo the necessary legal processes for final forfeiture in accordance with the law, describing the seizure as humongous with over N10.4 billion in street value.
According to her, the interception of this large cache of illicit substances by the Nigerian security architecture at the seaports is highly commendable.
The director also said that the gallant officers had served as effective and patriotic gatekeepers in ensuring the safety and security of the country’s maritime corridors.
She said the seizure was not merely about yesterday’s examination and discovery rather, it was the positive outcome of painstaking intelligence, sustained surveillance, information gathering, and strategic trailing of the container from March up until yesterday.
Archieabia said that the criminals intended to distort and frustrate the law from monitoring their deadly container by having multiple layers of movement.
She said: “They did this by subjecting the container through several routes, the container originated from Toronto by truck on March 28, was further conveyed through the rails to Montreal.
” This is before it was loaded on board vessel Jakarta Express Voyage, from Montreal. It arrived Tanger Med Port on 15/4/2026, where it was discharged and reloaded on vessel Osaka Voyage and arrived Tincan seaports on the May 9.”
A group picture of customs senior management at Tin-Can Island Customs Command headed by Comptroller Frank Onyeka and the official of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) led by the Director, Seaport Operation, NDLEA, Ibinabo Archieabia
The director said the agency under the leadership of retired Brig.- Gen. Buba Marwa was uncompromising in its mandate to rid the society of narcotic substances and protect the future of our nation.
She further buttress the importance of the renewed MOU signed between the NCS and NDLEA recently, saying that the results were obvious.
