News
IMO STATE GOVERNMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Ohakim: Elect Uzodimma For Second Term To Guarantee Imo Charter Of Equity In Nov. 11 Guber Poll
By: Michael Mike
The former governor Imo State, Dr. Ikedi Ohakim has called on the electorate in the State to elect the incumbent governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma for second term in the November 11 governorship election in order to guarantee the implementation of Imo charter of equity.
Ohakim stated this on Monday in his Owerri Residence during an interaction with journalists, adding that the Imo charter of equity which started in 1998 was only truncated by 2011 by Senator Rochas Okorocha.
He maintained that it is only the incumbent governor, Uzodimma that can implement the charter to the fullest, having only one more term to complete his Constitutionally guaranteed eight years in office.
Ohakim who traced the historical background of the charter however, blamed the collapse on the lies sold to the Imo people by Okorocha that he would serve only one term as well as promoting false allegation against him of flogging a reverend father, hence the Catholics without proper investigation bought the lies which eventually truncated the charter of equity in the State.
According to the former governor, I totally agree with the elders who drafted the current charter with the proviso that its implementation will begin after the incumbent governor, Senator Uzodimma, would have completed his second term in 2028.
“Given our experience in 2003 and 2015 – forget the aberration of 2011 – we have to take into consideration the factor of a sitting governor. It is heartwarming that Governor Uzodimma is favourably disposed to the idea of returning to the charter because it will take a sitting governor to make it work; as we witnessed under Governor Achike Udenwa and as it the case in all the States around us where power sharing is working.
But if Uzodimma gets his second term through another round of scrambling for power among the three zones, it will again be ‘to your tents oh Isreal’. In other words, contrary to the thinking in some quarters that Governor Uzodimma might have engineered the new interest on the Charter,the truth is that it will be impossible to implement it without taking his interest – as an incumbent – into account,” he stressed.
On insecurity, Ohakim admitted that the situation is worrisome in the State and across the South East, but he exonerated Governor Uzodimma from the insinuations that he deliberately hoisted it in the State.
He described such notion as nonsensical even when the governor and himself had been victims of insecurity, noting that Governor Uzodimma is on top of the situation.
Ohakim maintained that verifiable statistics with the Nigeria Police does not show that Imo State has the highest number of crime in the South East.
“As a private citizen, I move around the South East and I can say without any fear of contradiction that on the matter of insecurity, our dear State, Imo, is not worse off. That does not mean that we should give any room for complacency but we should not blackmail ourselves and act in a manner that would rubbish the collective integrity of our dear State and it’s people.
“I have been personally involved in several meetings on the matter of insecurity in the South East and I know that the governors are doing quite a lot. Whether we like it or not, the matter rests squarely on the shoulders of the Federal Government; which is why I would once again restate my position that in this highly tempestuous time, we need a governor who enjoys a good rapour with the federal authorities as Governor Uzodimma does,” he stated.
Ohakim also called the youths to try as much as possible to protest the elders instead of being used as tools to destroy their future and render the society ungovernable.
IMO STATE GOVERNMENT
NESREA Seals Oyo-Based Chemical Company Over Untreated Waste Discharge
By: Michael Mike
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has shut down Bond Chemicals Industries Limited in Oyo State for violating environmental regulations by allegedly discharging untreated industrial waste into the environment.
A statement on Thursday by the spokesperson of NESREA, Nwamaka Ejiofor said, the enforcement action followed a public complaint that raised concerns about pollution from the facility.
She noted that the complaint was subjected to independent verification before officials moved in to investigate the allegations.
Ejiofor revealed that a compliance inspection conducted by officials of NESREA’s South West Zonal Office on February 18, 2026, uncovered serious environmental breaches at the facility. Inspectors discovered that the company was operating without a functional Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP), a critical requirement for industries that generate wastewater.
The inspection team also found that untreated wastewater with a strong offensive odour was being released directly into the surrounding environment, an action that violates national environmental standards and poses potential risks to public health and nearby ecosystems.
She said following the discovery, NESREA issued immediate directives to the company to halt the pollution by installing and operating an effective effluent treatment system in accordance with regulatory requirements. The company was also instructed to obtain the necessary environmental permits to regularise its operations.
Ejiofor however said a subsequent inspection revealed that the company had failed to comply with the directives issued.
As a result, NESREA sealed the facility in exercise of its statutory powers to halt further environmental damage and safeguard the health of residents in the affected area.
The Director-General of NESREA, Prof. Innocent Barikor, reaffirmed the agency’s resolve to enforce environmental compliance across the country, warning that industries must adhere strictly to environmental regulations designed to protect communities and natural resources.
Barikor stressed that companies operating in Nigeria are required to install and properly operate pollution control equipment, noting that failure to do so would attract strict enforcement measures.
He added that the agency would continue to intensify monitoring and compliance checks nationwide and would not hesitate to impose sanctions on any facility found violating environmental laws.
NESREA stated that the chemical company will remain sealed until it fully complies with the agency’s directives and meets all regulatory requirements.
Ejiofor in the statement, said further investigations and compliance monitoring by the agency are ongoing.
NESREA Seals Oyo-Based Chemical Company Over Untreated Waste Discharge
Troops, NDLEA arrest suspected drug peddler in Yobe raid
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army in collaboration with operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and local vigilante groups have arrested a suspected drug peddler during a raid operation in Bade Local Government Area of Yobe.
Security sources said the operation was carried out at about 9:00 p.m. on March 16 in the Takari general area, based on credible intelligence on illicit drug activities.
According to the sources, troops of the 159 Battalion, alongside NDLEA operatives and vigilante members deployed in Gashua, conducted the coordinated raid which led to the arrest of the suspect.
Items recovered during the operation include seven wraps of suspected cannabis sativa and other illicit substances.
“The suspect was apprehended during the raid, while the recovered exhibits have been secured for further investigation,” the source said.
He added that the suspect and the seized drugs had been handed over to the NDLEA for further action in line with existing laws.
Troops, NDLEA arrest suspected drug peddler in Yobe raid
Troops arrest eight illegal miners, dismantle site in Abuja
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested eight suspected illegal miners and dismantled an unauthorised mining site in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Security sources said the operation was carried out at about 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday following credible intelligence on illegal mining activities around the Chaza–Izom axis in Bamburu village, Suleja area.
According to the sources, troops of the 31 Artillery Brigade conducted a patrol to the location, leading to the arrest of the suspects at the site.
Items recovered during the operation include one motorcycle, one 25-litre jerrycan of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), one 25-litre jerrycan of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), four water pump machines and one gas cylinder.
“The illegal mining site was subsequently destroyed to prevent further exploitation, while the suspects and recovered items are in troops’ custody for further necessary action,” the source said.
Troops arrest eight illegal miners, dismantle site in Abuja
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NESREA Seals Oyo-Based Chemical Company Over Untreated Waste Discharge
Troops, NDLEA arrest suspected drug peddler in Yobe raid
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