The Coal City Network

Minister Resigns:.... The international development minister Anneliese Dodds said on Friday she was resigning from the Labour government over cuts to overseas aid ordered by Prime Minister Keir Starmer to boost defence spending. “Ultimately these cuts will remove food and healthcare from desperate people,” Dodds said in a letter to Starmer posted on X. On Tuesday, Starmer pledged to raise UK defence spending to 2.5 percent of GDP by 2027 but ordered the overseas development budget to be cut from 0.5 percent to 0.3 percent of gross national income to pay for it. Dodds said while she believed defence spending needed to be increased as “the post-war global order has come crashing down,” she had hoped for a collective discussion on finding the funding. “Instead, the tactical decision was taken for ODA to absorb the entire burden,” she said, referring to overseas development assistance. Starmer admitted in a reply to her letter that cutting aid funding was “a difficult and painful decision....

Nollywood actress Regina Daniels returned to Instagram on Friday, making a bold move by removing her husband, Ned Nwoko’s name from her bio and deleting all pictures featuring him from her page. This change comes just days after the actress deactivated her account last Monday amid rumours that Nwoko was responsible for actress Chika Ike’s pregnancy and planned to take her as his seventh wife. Both Nwoko and Ike swiftly denied the rumours, calling them false. Upon returning to Instagram, Regina updated her bio to reflect her full name, “Regina Daniels Nneamaka Favour,” and shared a video of herself with the caption, “Even for the convoy, I dey with my Google map. Young and accomplished.” Fans quickly noticed the absence of Nwoko’s name and images from her profile, with many speculating about the current status of their relationship. Instagram user #angel_eluna commented, “She has deleted everything about Ned on her page o. So soon?” Another user, #pisces_queen_exquisite , wrote,...

..As Family Lauds Enugu Govt, Security Operatives for Prompt Action Family of a kidnapped victim, the Azodo family from Anambra State, has commended the Nigeria Police Anti-Kidnap Squad for the prompt rescue of their kidnapped relation, 16-year-old Chidera Azodo. The happy family also commended the Enugu State Government, whose security gadgets helped in tracking the kidnappers and making the rescue operation easier. Addressing newsmen on behalf of the Azodo family on Friday, Mr. Ifeanyi Azodo, a Nollywood actor, producer, and director, narrated how Chidera was abducted around 10:30 am on Thursday when he went to Asata to buy something and was forced with a knife to enter a tricycle, aka Keke, and whisked away to a guest house in Abakpa Nike, identified as Ava Villie Guest House by College Road. He said that around 11 am, his brother, Tagbo Azodo, called him to report that his son had been kidnapped and the kidnappers were demanding a ₦5 million ransom. He said Mr. Tagbo told him...

  The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced the temporary closure of the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan, Oyo State, for six months to facilitate essential maintenance and upgrade works. The closure is scheduled to commence in early March 2025. This development follows President Bola Tinubu's approval in June 2024 to elevate the Ibadan Domestic Airport to international status. Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde outlined that the upgrade would encompass runway expansion, facility enhancements, and the construction of a new international terminal. The first phase of the project began in September 2024, focusing on extending the runway from 2,400 meters to 3,000 meters. In January 2025, the state government initiated the construction of the new terminal building, aiming to accommodate up to one million passengers annually. Upon completion, the upgraded airport is expected to handle international flights directly into Ibadan, significantly boosting the region...

   Today, Fuel Tanker Explosion Claims Many Lives Today A fuel tanker explosion in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, has tragically claimed the lives of multiple passengers. The incident took place early Friday morning, sending shockwaves through the city. A live video posted by a Facebook user, Orioye Chanter Ijobaibile, captured the devastating scene at the Iyemanja community along the Okolowo expressway. In the footage, Orioye narrates the horrifying sight of people trapped inside burning vehicles, as the fire rages uncontrollably. He also expressed concerns about other fuel-laden trucks passing near the flames, warning that they could catch fire as well. Despite the escalating danger, emergency responders had not arrived at the scene by the time of reporting, leaving the fire to spread and threaten nearby vehicles and properties. This explosion is the latest in a series of fuel tanker tragedies in Nigeria, coming just weeks after a similar incident in Niger State, which ...

Rice dealers have reported a considerable drop in the commodity’s price since the beginning of February 2025. According to them, a 50kg bag of rice, which sold for N88,000 to N90,000 in January, now sells for N65,000. Similarly, the price of 25 litres of vegetable oil, sold for N85,000 in January, now sells for N66,700. Legit.ng exclusively gathered that the price of rice has crashed by N20,000 as dealers reported a glut in the market after Christmas. The commodity, which sold for N85,000 in January, has now decreased to N65,000 per 50kg bag. A market survey conducted by Legit.ng shows that dealers also reduced the prices of other essential commodities. The price of 25 litres of vegetable oil, which sold for N85,000 in January, also dropped to N66,700. Rice dealers revealed a glut in the market, forcing the staple's prices to decrease considerably after the Yuletide. Emmanuel Odialo, a rice wholesale dealer in Lagos, said the drop took them by surprise and attributed it to massi...

  A fuel tanker explosion in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, has tragically claimed the lives of multiple passengers. The incident took place early Friday morning, sending shockwaves through the city. A live video posted by a Facebook user, Orioye Chanter Ijobaibile, captured the devastating scene at the Iyemanja community along the Okolowo expressway. In the footage, Orioye narrates the horrifying sight of people trapped inside burning vehicles, as the fire rages uncontrollably. He also expressed concerns about other fuel-laden trucks passing near the flames, warning that they could catch fire as well. Despite the escalating danger, emergency responders had not arrived at the scene by the time of reporting, leaving the fire to spread and threaten nearby vehicles and properties. This explosion is the latest in a series of fuel tanker tragedies in Nigeria, coming just weeks after a similar incident in Niger State, which resulted in several fatalities. In January, another dev...

Male and female native doctors, under the aegis of the Association of Herbal Medicine Practitioners of Anambra State, have barricaded part of the Anambra State Government House, Agu-Awka, to protest alleged extortion by members of the Anambra State Homeland Security Squad, also known as Agunaechemba. Addressing representatives of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, the leader of the association, Dr. Zulike Chinwuba, emphasised that native medicine practice is not a secretive endeavor. He stated that the protesters are genuine practitioners and not ritualists. Condemning ritual practices by unscrupulous individuals, he stressed the need to distinguish between authentic practitioners and fraudsters. Chinwuba criticised certain practices by native doctors, such as performing sacrifices on roads and water bodies, which he described as offensive and polluting. He disclosed that a task force had been set up to monitor and prosecute those engaging in such acts. Chinwuba also accused some presidents...

Operatives from the Enugu Police Command have successfully repelled an armed robbery attempt, neutralising one suspect and arresting another linked to car theft, while also recovering a firearm, ammunition, and stolen vehicles in series of operations across the state. Providing details of the operations, the command’s public relations officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, stated: “On February 24, 2025, operatives from the 9th Mile Police Division thwarted an armed robbery along Owa Road, 9th Mile, neutralising one of the assailants while the others managed to escape. A cut-to-size double-barrelled gun, along with three live cartridges, suspected Indian hemp, and other evidence were recovered from the suspect. A manhunt is currently underway for the other assailants, who fled with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.” “In a separate operation, police from the Igbo-Etiti Division, acting on credible intelligence, apprehended one Sunday Ejiofor, a 23-year-old male, on February 14, 2025, recovering...

Residents of Barikallahu, a community near the Air Force Institute of Technology in Kaduna State, are now living in palpable fear after a soldier from the Nigerian Air Force invaded the area, killing one person and injuring two others Thursday night. The incident, which occurred around 10 p.m., was captured in multiple videos that have now gone viral. The footage showed a vehicle painted in military camouflage colors, bearing the NAF logo, arriving in the community. Five armed personnel, apart from the driver, were seen stepping out of the vehicle. In one of the videos, residents were seen fleeing as the soldiers advanced. One clip showed the personnel apprehending a man and beating him while others inside the vehicle shouted in pidgin English, “Put am inside, put am inside” (Put him inside). Another video captured the soldiers firing sporadically into the air before the recording was abruptly cut. A separate video showed a large crowd mourning the deceased victim. Speaking anony...

In an open letter addressed to Nigeria’s President, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the American Military Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID) have called for the immediate release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The letter, dated February 26, 2025, was jointly signed by AVID President, Chief Dr. Sylvester Onyia, and Secretary, Dr. Godson Obiagwu. The letter argued that the ongoing trial of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has transformed from a judicial matter to a political one, which falls within the executive prerogative of President Tinubu. AVID emphasized that the buck stops at the President’s table, urging him to take decisive action. AVID’s request was based on several key points as they recalled that on October 26, 2022, the Federal High Court of Nigeria ruled against the illegality of Mr. Kanu’s extraordinary rendition. The court held that the manner of his arrest and detention in Kenya, his continued detention in Abuja, and the inhuman and degrading treatmen...

The Enugu State government has given approval for the election of a new traditional ruler for the Mburubu community, scheduled for tomorrow, February 28, 2025, at the Community Primary School in Mburubu. The announcement was made in a letter dated February 25, addressed to the President General of the Mburubu Town Union, High Chief (Hon) Emmanuel Sopuruchukwu Edeh, by the Honorable Commissioner for Local Government, Rural Development, and Chieftaincy Affairs. The Ministry confirmed that the election would be conducted in accordance with the provisions outlined in the 2003 Mburubu Town Union Constitution and in compliance with relevant laws and constitutional requirements. This is in line with the court ruling, issued on February 12, 2025, which invalidated the claim of Mr. Jerry Patrick Onuokaibe to impose himself as the Igwe following his controversial election by a faceless group called the Mburubu General Assembly.

The prestigious Rootswatch Distinguished Local Government Chairmen Merit Award nomination for Engr. Pst. Beloved-Dan Obi Anike comes as no surprise to the people of Enugu East LGA. Within just four months in office, his exceptional leadership and transformative achievements have set a new benchmark for grassroots development. His visionary approach has not only impacted Enugu East but has also gained national recognition. Key Achievements in Areas of Nomination Education Development: 1. Awarded full scholarships to 50 SS1 students, enrolling them in top-tier schools within and outside Enugu State under the Greater Tomorrow Scholarship Scheme (GTSS). 2. Sponsored WAEC fees for 1,700 SS3 students in all 13 public secondary schools in Enugu East LGA. 3. Verified over 500 undergraduates out of the targeted 1,000 for bursary awards. 4. Verified middle-level professionals (Nursing and Education students) for full scholarships. You can verify our claim using the link https://www.facebook.com/...

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje , has appealed to President Bola Tinubu for financial assistance to settle the party’s N8.9 billion election debts . Speaking at the APC National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Wednesday, Ganduje revealed that the party’s accounts had been garnisheed due to outstanding legal fees from pre-election and post-election cases involving President Tinubu, APC governors, and legislators . According to Ganduje, the National Legal Adviser, Prof. Abdul Kareem Kana (SAN) , has been working on alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to reduce the financial strain . However, he stressed that the situation demands urgent intervention . “Your Excellencies, the current NWC inherited debts and legal liabilities amounting to N8,987,874,663 . These debts stem from legal engagements during pre-election matters, election cases, and appeals for legislative, governorship, and presidential elections . Some of o...

  The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has approved an increase in the daily feeding allowance for Nigerian Army personnel. The allowance will rise from N1,500 to N3,000 , starting at the end of March. Oluyede made this announcement during his visit to the 81 Division in Lagos, where he addressed officers and soldiers at the 9th Brigade Parade Ground. He expressed dissatisfaction with the previous allowance and assured the troops that their welfare remains a top priority. Beyond feeding, the Army Chief also addressed housing concerns among personnel, especially warrant officers who do not own homes ahead of retirement. To solve this, the Nigerian Army has introduced a housing scheme to provide affordable housing for soldiers. The first set of houses under this initiative was unveiled in Abuja in December. Additional housing projects are ongoing in Ibadan, Jos, Port Harcourt, Owerri, and Akwa Ibom . The housing scheme offers two- and three-b...

  By Hon. Charles Ilodi: The passing of Surv. Dr. Ifeanyi Nwaru, the Deputy Chairman of Aninri LGA, has left a deep void in the hearts of those who knew him. A man of remarkable compassion, kindness, and generosity, his legacy of selfless service and unwavering dedication to humanity will forever be remembered. In this heartfelt tribute, Hon. Charles Ilodi, President General of Ihenyi Autonomous Community, reflects on the profound impact of his life and mourns the sudden departure of a man he described as his destiny helper. Hon Charles Ilodi penned down a heartfelt tribute; "If it takes goodness to enjoy longevity on earth, you would have lived forever, but angels don’t live on earth." "The news of your unfortunate and sudden demise struck me like a thunderbolt. Even now, it still feels like a dream. Realizing that you are no more has left me devastated because of the positive and invaluable impact you had on my life" "Life is only what we make of it, and I am...

By Hon. Charles Ilodi: The passing of Surv. Dr. Ifeanyi Nwaru, the Deputy Chairman of Aninri LGA, has left a deep void in the hearts of those who knew him. A man of remarkable compassion, kindness, and generosity, his legacy of selfless service and unwavering dedication to humanity will forever be remembered. In this heartfelt tribute, Hon. Charles Ilodi, President General of Ihenyi Autonomous Community, reflects on the profound impact of his life and mourns the sudden departure of a man he described as his destiny helper. Hon Charles Ilodi penned down a heartfelt tribute; "If it takes goodness to enjoy longevity on earth, you would have lived forever, but angels don’t live on earth." "The news of your unfortunate and sudden demise struck me like a thunderbolt. Even now, it still feels like a dream. Realizing that you are no more has left me devastated because of the positive and invaluable impact you had on my life" "Life is only what we make of it, and I am c...

As part of ongoing legislative efforts to address the challenges faced by tenants in Enugu State, Hon. Okey Mbah, member representing Nkanu East Constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly, will appear on Afia The AM Show to discuss rental fee regulation and relief for tenants. The programme, scheduled for Thursday, 27th February 2025, at 9:00 AM , will air live on Afia TV , DSTV Channel 254, GOTV Channel 17, and Free TV Channel 748. Hon. Mbah, who is spearheading the Bill for a Law to Amend the Landlord and Tenant Law, CAP. 101, Laws of Enugu State, 2024 , will shed light on key provisions of the proposed legislation. The bill, which has passed its first reading, seeks to regulate agency and legal fees, capping them at 10% of rent, and abolish the controversial caution fee often demanded by landlords without refund. It also proposes strict penalties for violations, including a fine of ₦500,000 or a six-month jail term. With growing concerns over exploitative rental practice...

 The Local Government Council chairman of Orumba South, Anambra State, Hon. Shedrack Azubuike , convened a critical meeting at the Council Secretariat in Umunze , bringing together Native Doctors, Ndi Eze Nwanyi, and Traditionalists from across the 15 communities in the Local Government Area. The discussions focused on the implementation of the new Anambra State Homeland Security Law and the role of traditional practitioners in maintaining order within the community. The well-attended gathering provided an avenue for the Mayor to identify and profile key figures within the traditionalist circle, reinforcing the government's commitment to security and accountability. Addressing the attendees, Hon. Azubuike urged them to embrace hard work and distance themselves from any form of harmful practices that could undermine the peace and stability of Orumba South. A strong message was delivered to non-indigenous traditional practitioners operating within Orumba South , as the Mayor g...

  In an inspiring show of support and commitment to youth empowerment, Chief Gaius Chibueze, fondly known as Bitcoin Chief, has officially endorsed Nzuko Umu Ntorobia N’Enugu State and is set to grace the epoch-making event as the keynote speaker. Renowned for his exceptional contributions to entrepreneurship and his dedication to equipping youths with essential skills for self-reliance, Chief Gaius's involvement is expected to significantly elevate the event's profile and impact. Chief Gaius Chibueze is celebrated not only for his pioneering role in cryptocurrency and digital entrepreneurship but also for his commitment to youth development. With a track record of empowering young people with the necessary tools to navigate the complexities of the modern economy, his endorsement of Nzuko Umu Ntorobia N’Enugu State is seen as a powerful statement of his belief in the potential of the next generation. Speaking on his decision to participate as the keynote speaker, Chief Gaius ex...

  The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, South East has elected a new zonal executive to man the affairs of the party in the region, with Chief Ali Odefa remerging as the Zonal Chairman. The election, which took place during the zonal congress of the party at the Michael Okpara Square in Enugu on Wednesday also saw the emergence of Hon. James Ugwu as the Zonal Secretary, Mrs. Regina Uchebo as Zonal Treasurer, Hon. Cornelius Okey Ugwu as Zonal Zonal Organising Secretary, while Madubuike Okoro, Engr. Chigozie Igwe, Barr. Dominic Nwankwo, and Mrs. Ifeyinwa Arodiogbo were elected to the positions of Financial Secretary, Publicity Secretary, Legal Adviser, and Woman Leader, respectively, for the zone. Likewise, Godswill Nwanoruo and Ezeanya Augustine were elected to the positions Zonal Youth Leader and Auditor. Also elected were six National Ex-officio members and five Zonal Ex-Officio members. Speaking earlier, the Governor of Enugu State and Leader of the party in the South East zone, Dr....

_… As Enugu State Taskforce on Traffic Management, Security is inaugurated_ The telecommunication giant, MTN, says that construction work on the 2nd section of Ugwu-Onyema axis of Enugu-Onitsha Highway recommences in March as contractor handling the project is mobilised to site. It would be recalled that MTN is funding the Enugu-Onitsha Highway construction through the Federal Government novel Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme (RITCS). Chief Chris Okoye, the Chairman/Principal Consultant, Crown Crest Global Engineers (CCGE) representing MTN Community Liaison Initiative, gave  the assurance on Wednesday in Enugu. Okoye said this after an inaugural meeting of the Taskforce on the Management of Traffic within the 9th Mile-Ugwu Onyeama to 82 Division Junction Corridor. He said that the telecommunication giant was desirous to push and complete substantial part of the construction of the Enugu-Onitsha Highway this 2025. The principal consultant noted that “God's willing between Febru...

Tragedy struck as a groom, and the elder sister of his bride, Abba Musa and Maryam Suleiman, lost their lives in a tragic motor accident about 30 minutes before the wedding ceremony. The accident occurred in Boto, Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State, while the victims were en route to the wedding ceremony from Murno, a neighboring community. A brother of the groom, Saminu Boto, who confirmed the incident to Leadership on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, described the atmosphere in the community as one of profound grief. “It’s an unimaginable loss. The entire community is mourning,” he said. “The families of the victims are in deep shock, with relatives and friends struggling to come to terms with the sudden loss.” He said the bride’s family home, once filled with preparations, has turned into a center of tears and wailing. Boto described the deceased as a kind-hearted and ambitious young man who had looked forward to building a life with his bride, Raihanatu Suleiman...

A Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State , has upheld the expulsion of Chief Ali Odefa , the former National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Southeast Zone . The ruling was delivered by Hon. Justice Hilary I. O Oshomah in suit No: FHC/CS/AI/227/2024 , where the court affirmed the decision of the party to expel Odefa and granted all the reliefs sought in the originating summons. Chief Ali Odefa, a former high-ranking official in the PDP, was expelled by the party’s leadership over allegations of anti-party activities and misconduct. His expulsion sparked controversy within the party, with some of his supporters challenging the decision. Following his removal, Odefa approached the court to contest the legality of the expulsion, arguing that due process was not followed and that his fundamental rights were violated. In delivering his judgment, Justice Oshomah ruled that the PDP had the legal authority to discipline its members, including expulsi...

A video obtained shows heavily armed security operatives taking Austin Okai away from his residence in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja , on Wednesday morning. The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested Kogi-born political activist and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain , Austin Okai, allegedly on the directive of Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo . The reason for his arrest has not yet been officially disclosed, but sources suggest it may be linked to his vocal criticism of the Kogi State government. Okai, a known opposition figure, has frequently spoken out against the administration’s policies and governance. As of the time of filing this report, the DSS has not issued any official statement regarding Okai’s detention. Austin’s wife told SaharaReporters on Wednesday that the DSS did not present an arrest warrant during their operation. “They came to arrest him at our home in Abuja without a warrant. In fact, they ransacked our house and forced th...

Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja has dismissed a request for his recusal from the ongoing trial of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele . Delivering his ruling on Wednesday, Justice Oshodi held that the allegations of bias raised by the defence were unsubstantiated, stating that there was no evidence to justify his withdrawal from the case. The defence, led by Olalekan Ojo , had on Monday orally applied for the judge to recuse himself, arguing that his previous rulings suggested a likelihood of bias. However, Rotimi Oyedepo , counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) , opposed the application, insisting that the proceedings had been conducted fairly and equitably. After reviewing the arguments and legal authorities cited, Justice Oshodi ruled that the application lacked merit and subsequently dismissed it .