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• November 1, 2025
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Media, CSOs urge Abia govt to strengthen Bureau of Public Procurement for public trust

Abia State government has been urged to strengthen its Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP to stand independently for good governance, transparency and public trust. The call was made by participants from media and Civil Society Organizations, CSOs during a sensitisation training organized in Umuahia by the Rule of Law and anti-corruption program, ROLAC. The participants,
Media, CSOs urge Abia govt to strengthen Bureau of Public Procurement for public trust

Abia State government has been urged to strengthen its Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP to stand independently for good governance, transparency and public trust.

The call was made by participants from media and Civil Society Organizations, CSOs during a sensitisation training organized in Umuahia by the Rule of Law and anti-corruption program, ROLAC.

The participants, who noted that procurement processes must align with the needs of the people, said that there was a need for contracts to be published to strengthen transparency.

They argued that contracts should not be awarded without being made open for competitive bidding, even as they posited that contracts should not be awarded until a ‘Certificate of No Objection’ is presented.

The participants in the workshop who advised that contracts not be above financial threshold, also cautioned that a company without financial capacity should not be given a job to execute in Abia.

They added that projects should contain warrantees and durability assurances even as they urged all stakeholders to play their advisory and supervisory roles for good governance in Abia State.

In his speech, Project Coordinator of ROLAC in Abia State, Mr Peter Omenka said the program was organized to support good governance in Abia State and to advise the state where necessary, noting that the European Union and the International IDEA supported the workshop.

The lead consultant of ROLAC, Chukwuma Chinaka said the program was designed to positively engage the Abia State government about transparency in procurement practices.

Media, CSOs urge Abia govt to strengthen Bureau of Public Procurement for public trust

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• November 1, 2025
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Taskforce launches ‘Operation No Mercy’ as armed illegal miners unleash violence in Cross River

The Chairman of the Cross River State Anti-Illegal Mining Taskforce Committee, Prince Paul Effiong, has issued a final warning to illegal miners and their backers, announcing the launch of Operation No Mercy to tackle escalating violence linked to mining activities in parts of the state. Effiong, who had earlier warned about the rise of armed
Taskforce launches ‘Operation No Mercy’ as armed illegal miners unleash violence in Cross River

The Chairman of the Cross River State Anti-Illegal Mining Taskforce Committee, Prince Paul Effiong, has issued a final warning to illegal miners and their backers, announcing the launch of Operation No Mercy to tackle escalating violence linked to mining activities in parts of the state.

Effiong, who had earlier warned about the rise of armed illegal miners in the central and southern zones, said the situation has now degenerated into a full-blown security crisis.

“We are appalled by the escalating violence and lawlessness perpetrated by illegal miners,” he said.

He cited the recent killing of a woman on her farm in Obubra and the burning of a milling factory in Ikom as grim evidence of the dangers his committee had long warned against.

“These tragic incidents are reminders of what happens when such threats are ignored,” he lamented.

According to him, the taskforce had earlier raised the alarm over the security implications of illegal mining, particularly in Ikom and Obubra Local Government Areas, but the warnings went unheeded.

“We alerted the public and authorities about the dangers, but our calls fell on deaf ears,” Effiong stated.

Determined to restore order, Effiong declared that the taskforce would no longer watch helplessly while lives and property are destroyed.

“We are committed to protecting our people. Those responsible for these crimes will face justice,” he vowed.

He said the newly launched Operation No Mercy will be carried out in collaboration with security agencies to flush out illegal miners, their sponsors, and collaborators from the affected communities. “We will pursue them relentlessly until peace returns,” he warned.

The chairman also sent a strong message to community leaders who aid or shield the illegal miners.

“Anyone found sponsoring or harbouring them will be held accountable. No one is above the law,” he cautioned.

Effiong urged traditional rulers, youth leaders, and residents to cooperate with the taskforce to restore peace and protect the state’s natural resources from criminal exploitation.

“Our goal is to ensure that these resources benefit everyone, not a few violent profiteers,” he emphasized.

Issuing what he termed a “final warning,” Prince Effiong declared: “All illegal miners and their enablers must desist forthwith. Failure to comply will attract severe consequences. The era of impunity is over.”

Taskforce launches ‘Operation No Mercy’ as armed illegal miners unleash violence in Cross River

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• November 1, 2025
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‘We need our own state’ — Godwin Obla cries out over Idoma marginalization in Benue

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Godwin Obla, has decried what he described as the needless, mindless, and wicked marginalization of the Idoma people in Benue State, stressing that the time has come for the Idoma nation to have a state of its own. Daily Post reports that Obla made the remarks during an interview
‘We need our own state’ — Godwin Obla cries out over Idoma marginalization in Benue

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Godwin Obla, has decried what he described as the needless, mindless, and wicked marginalization of the Idoma people in Benue State, stressing that the time has come for the Idoma nation to have a state of its own.

Daily Post reports that Obla made the remarks during an interview with journalists at the Idoma Hall of Fame Advisory Board Inaugural Dinner held in Abuja on Thursday.

He lamented what he called the “unfortunate history” of the Idoma people within the Nigerian federation.

Obla noted that despite the Idoma being one of Nigeria’s few ethnic groups with a rich cultural and historical heritage, they have continued to suffer deliberate exclusion from the politics and governance of Benue State since its creation in 1976.

“We are more than ripe to have a state, and I think the history of the Idoma people is an unfortunate one,” he said.

“We are one of the few ethnic groups with a rich history that has been needlessly, mindlessly, and wickedly marginalized.

It doesn’t make sense that in a state created in 1976, out of three senatorial districts, the Idoma who constitute a nation in one of them are denied a fair say in the governance of the state.”

Obla argued that such exclusion shows the Idoma are not wanted in Benue State, emphasizing that if that is the case, then “we need a state of our own.”

He further clarified that the call for an Idoma State is not based on emotion but on the principles of fairness, inclusion, and justice.

“We are nationalists, and we have been patient long enough. It is deeply unfair that what is happening in Benue State today mirrors exactly what the Tiv leadership once opposed in their quest for self-determination,” Obla added.

‘We need our own state’ — Godwin Obla cries out over Idoma marginalization in Benue

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• November 1, 2025
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• 4 minutes Read

Aisha Yesufu, Ini Edo, others demand justice for late Benue teen Ochanya, 7 years after her demise

Seven years after the tragic death of 13-year-old Elizabeth Ochanya Ogbanje, fresh outrage has erupted across social media platforms, demanding that justice be served. The hashtag #JusticeForOchanya is currently trending on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and WhatsApp, as Nigerians call for the case to be reopened. Ochanya, a native of Benue State, reportedly lived
Aisha Yesufu, Ini Edo, others demand justice for late Benue teen Ochanya, 7 years after her demise

Seven years after the tragic death of 13-year-old Elizabeth Ochanya Ogbanje, fresh outrage has erupted across social media platforms, demanding that justice be served.

The hashtag #JusticeForOchanya is currently trending on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and WhatsApp, as Nigerians call for the case to be reopened.

Ochanya, a native of Benue State, reportedly lived with her uncle, Andrew Ogbuja, in Ugbokolo to enable her attend school. She was allegedly sexually assaulted for years by Ogbuja and his son, Victor Ogbuja.

The teenager died in 2018 from complications resulting from Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF).

On April 22, 2022, the Benue State High Court sitting in Makurdi acquitted Dr. Ogbuja of rape and culpability in Ochanya’s death. However, Victor Ogbuja has since remained at large and is yet to face trial.

Following the commemoration of Ochanya’s seventh death anniversary in Abuja, renewed calls for justice have intensified across the country.

As at press time, over 167,000 posts had been made on X, with celebrities, activists, and influencers lending their voices to the campaign.

Prominent activist and co-founder of the #BringBackOurGirls movement, Aisha Yesufu, urged Nigerians to sustain the advocacy, saying:

“Nothing beats a united voice speaking at the same time! The volume cannot be lowered or unheard!

Can we at 10 am every day tweet 10 tweets each using #JusticeForOchanya until Ochanya and her family get the justice they deserve?

You don’t have to say too much in each tweet. Ensure you shout it out through your tweets 10 times daily at 10 am! There shall never be rest for the wicked.”

Similarly, medical doctor and influencer Chinonso Egemba (Aproko Doctor), in a video post, condemned the handling of the case, stating:

“What happened to Ochanya was wicked, absolutely wicked. Everybody involved in that case and ensured that it wasn’t tried properly is part of the wickedness that we are talking about because the Nigerian system failed Ochanya. Something that was very obvious to all of us was thrown out of the court because of legal whatever.”

Reality TV star Kola Omotoso, a finalist in Big Brother Naija Season 10, also expressed concern, saying:

“We cannot claim to protect our future while our children live in fear. Child abuse must end justice for Ochanya, and for every child whose voice was silenced.”

Popular comedian Emmanuel Ejekwu (Sabinus) joined the call, questioning the nation’s silence over child abuse:

“For how long would we continue to tolerate rapists and abusers? Children are the bedrock of the society for God sake and we can’t even guarantee their safety? Can we then at least demand for justice?”

The campaign has also gained traction on Facebook, where several Nigerians have vowed to continue pushing until justice is achieved.

Nollywood actress Ini Edo wrote: “My heart is heavy this morning, remembering the sad story of innocent Ochanya Ogbanje, who died because of the wickedness of this world. I join the multitude of people who stand in solidarity for the innocent girl.

The thought of the culprit being alive and walking free is sickening, to say the least. Government must introduce stricter laws to curb this kind of inhumane behavior in Nigeria.

It’s happening way too frequently. Justice must be meted out on these two cruel humans who did this wicked act on Ochanya. This devilish behaviour must stop. I am pausing everything on my movie reveal for now, in honour of Ochanya.”

Another user, Agnes Ejeh, added: “We can’t keep sweeping the truth under the rug. Childhood abuse is real, and it’s destroying lives. It’s time we speak, protect, and demand justice.”

Aisha Yesufu, Ini Edo, others demand justice for late Benue teen Ochanya, 7 years after her demise