News
Gov Otti delivers project valued at N2bn with N900m, saves N1.1bn for Abia
It has been a pleasant era of steady progress for Abia State under the purposeful administration of Governor Alex Otti which began barely one and a half years ago. The prudent and result-oriented disposition of the new administration has made it to record outstanding achievements in diverse sectors, including infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture, and rural development among others.
In line with its cost-saving approach, the Otti administration, recently rebuilt and brought to life the previously abandoned Nnamdi Azikiwe State Secretariat after months of retrofitting, remodelling and external works. . The landmark project was executed with N900 million only instead of its earlier N2 billion contract value thereby saving a whopping N1.1 billion for the state. Here is the speech delivered by the high flying achiever-governor during the reopening ceremony of the secretariat:
Protocols
Let me joyfully welcome you, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, to the reopening of the previously abandoned Nnamdi Azikiwe State Secretariat after months of retrofitting, remodelling and external works. This reopening ceremony is in furtherance of our commitment to building a State that serves the needs of the general public in the most efficient way. I want to specially appreciate the Honourable Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr Chaka Ikenna Chukwumerije, and his team from the Ministry who executed this project by direct labour, giving us a peek into the capacity that hitherto lay dormant in our civil service. What we are witnessing today could not have been possible if not for the trust this Administration reposed in the technical cadre of the State civil service from where we have deployed teams of engineers, architects, surveyors and other professionals to execute various important public-sector projects.
The majesty and ambience of this structure validate the decision to trust our civil servants with projects that would have otherwise gone to independent contractors at humongous sums. Working directly with our people has led to drastic reduction in costs, improved the technical capacities of the teams and opened new vistas of opportunities for local businesses that supply materials or lease the machines that are used for these projects in all parts of the State. The direct labour initiative has helped in minimising capital flight, brought job satisfaction to the technical corps in the civil service and created job openings as local businesses are empowered through supply contracts. Had we executed this project by contract it would have cost over N2 billion but the total cost by direct labour was about N900 million.
Beyond the revelations that are coming to the fore on the depth of competences that are domiciled in the civil service, we are also seeing opportunities for further professional development because there is so much more to be done. We shall continue to trust the technical teams we have in the various ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) with new assignments. The reward for a good job, as I always say, is more jobs.
The renovation of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Secretariat is another pointer to our determination to change the face of the State’s civil service by creating suitable working environment that not only supports optimal productivity but also add to the dignity of close to 1000 personnel. In the next few days, the management and staff of four different MDAs will have their permanent addresses here; another four will also move in, but only for the meantime while we work to find permanent office spaces for them.
Recall that suitable and supportive office accommodation have already been provided for the management and staff of several establishments in the Ministry of Budget and Planning, Civil Service Commission, and other parastatals. The relevant personnel have since moved in. In late May this year, I commissioned the new Joint Accounts Allocation Committee (JAAC) Building here in the State capital after years of abandonment. I am glad that today, the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Eye Health Management Bureau and other agencies have moved into the new edifice. You may also have noticed that the New State Secretariat Complex now looks better following weeks of structural improvement works. Plans are in place to commence the external works and give the entire surrounding a new look that befits such a magnificent structure.
We are not just building and retrofitting structures that excite onlookers; the functionality of the buildings is as important as the aesthetics. This explains why we are restoring water and electricity supply to all the public offices here in Umuahia. We are also going to create green areas around the complex to make it more environmentally appealing. Already, new air cooling systems, furniture, conveniences and similar structures that add extra layers of comfort to those working or visiting have been set up. Security has also been prioritised in all public offices in the State capital to make the spaces safe and enabling for peak productivity, and to also protect public infrastructure from vandals. The overarching vision is to create a working environment where workers are motivated to come to each morning to do their jobs.
The extensive investments in the restoration, acquisition and building of office complexes speak to the determination of the State Government to create a robust civil service architecture. An effective and responsive civil service system is pivotal to the successful delivery of our core governance objectives. The reforms we intend to push will be stifled without a motivated civil service to drive the policies and programmes. In the light of the immense role an organised and result-oriented civil service plays in actualising the policy direction of governments, one can say without fear of contradiction that our capacity to pursue certain development objectives is extensively dependent on the quality of the civil service.
Ours is a development-focused Administration, committed to the holistic transformation of all aspects of our socio-economic realities. The attainment of our broad governance priorities requires effective planning, public sector data management and an efficient template for policy coordination. All of these functions are within the purview of the civil service and its long tradition of bureaucracy, firmed on the principles of consistency with laid down rules, accountability and sound judgement in decision-making.
A thorough understanding of the place of an efficient bureaucracy in the execution of the Government’s policy outlook informed our decision to take a well-rounded approach in restoring the dignity of the civil service in the State, beginning with a drastic change in the process of appointing Permanent Secretaries. In the new template, competence and experience have since replaced all other considerations.
It is already taken for granted that we pay salaries, allowances and other perks promptly and regularly. This Administration in the last 18 months has remained consistent in prioritising the welfare of our workers. Just as we promised, the implementation of the new national minimum wage has since commenced. One thing you can take to the bank is that never again will the welfare of our workers be taken for granted. Nobody shall withhold what is due you, not under my watch!
In the light of our commitment to the welfare, safety and career progression of the civil servants and other categories of employees working for the State Government, it is expected that we shall begin to see higher output levels in all the public sector establishments in the State. Truancy, lateness, leakage of government documents and other forms of indiscipline and abuses shall not be tolerated. You are required to take your job more seriously going forward; be at your duty post when you should and be conscious of your professional development. I encourage you to guard against being stagnant because the world is a dynamic place. My office is working closely with the Ministry of Labour and Productivity, the Offices of the Head of Service and the Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission, to work out suitable training programmes for different cadres of personnel in the civil service beginning in the New Year.
The Secretariat we have gathered to commission, and other office complexes, must be put to effective use. I have directed the Honourable Commissioner for Lands and Housing to work out a sustainable plan for the effective maintenance of these structures. The plumbing, electrical and other components of the buildings are expected to be in good shape at all times. The heads of the various establishments working from the office complexes will have the responsibility of ensuring that repair works are carried out as quickly as possible. We have to consciously jettison the old lackadaisical disposition that led to the deterioration of the facilities before now. It is the duty of whoever works from any of the offices here to take ownership and manage them like we would take care of our private property.
The New Abia philosophy is not just about new roads and public buildings. It is especially about our attitude to work, the disposition we bring to what we do and how we treat the responsibilities that have been entrusted to us. All the funds we have sunk into the restoration and expansion of public infrastructure projects will amount to nothing if they are poorly managed because eventually, we shall find ourselves in the very ugly position we are just coming out of. We all have an obligation to prevent that from ever happening.
Thank you for listening, and may God bless you all.
Dr Alex C. Otti,
Governor, Abia State
Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued 31 abductees and neutralized two terrorists, including a suspected kingpin, during separate operations in Katsina and Kebbi states.
The military also arrested two suspected terrorists and recovered ammunition, a motorcycle, camouflage clothing and other items during the operations conducted on September 14 and 15, 2026.
The Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North West, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, September 16.
According to the statement, troops in Katsina rescued 10 kidnap victims, comprising three males and seven females, after responding to distress reports from Unguwan Daudu and Unguwan Chibauna communities in Funtua Local Government Area.
The troops reportedly launched a hot pursuit of the fleeing terrorists and engaged them in a gun battle, forcing them to abandon the victims.
Among those rescued was an infant.
The victims were subsequently taken into military custody for necessary assistance and further action.
21 Victims Rescued in Kebbi
Also on September 14, troops operating in Kebbi State responded to a distress call following the abduction of civilians from Fafala Village in Kangiwa Local Government Area.
Acting on intelligence, the troops launched a fighting patrol towards Fafala and Dandikwa, where they reportedly engaged the terrorists in a heavy exchange of gunfire.
The terrorists were forced to withdraw from the area, allowing the troops to continue their operation and rescue 21 kidnapped victims.
The rescued civilians were later reunited with their families.
Terrorist Kingpin Killed in Katsina
The following day, September 15, troops in Katsina reportedly foiled an attempted terrorist attack on communities in Matazu and Kankara local government areas.
Acting on intelligence, the troops moved towards a suspected terrorist hideout and engaged the group with superior firepower.
The military said two terrorists were killed during the encounter, including Abbah Alhassan, whom it identified as a known terrorist kingpin.
Other terrorists reportedly escaped into the surrounding bush.
Troops recovered 10 rounds of ammunition, a motorcycle, a cutlass, camouflage clothing and suspected Indian hemp from the area.
Two Suspects Arrested
In another operation on September 15, troops arrested two suspected terrorists around the Yantumaki general area of Dan Musa Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Preliminary interrogation reportedly indicated that the suspects were associated with a suspected terrorist kingpin identified as Mannori.
The suspects remain in military custody while investigations continue.
The Joint Task Force said the operations demonstrate its continued efforts to rescue kidnapped civilians, disrupt terrorist networks and restrict the movement and operational freedom of armed groups across its area of responsibility.
The task force also commended residents for providing security-related information and urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements and activities to the nearest security agency.
By Gloria Ikibah
The National Assembly has transmitted the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026 to the Houses of Assembly of the 36 states for consideration and approval.
The transmission, carried out on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, marks the next stage in the ongoing constitutional alteration process and was undertaken pursuant to a directive from the leadership of the National Assembly.
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, Esq., said the Bill was transmitted to the state legislatures in compliance with the provisions of Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
Under Section 9, a bill seeking to alter the Constitution cannot be passed by either chamber of the National Assembly unless it is approved by resolutions of not less than two-thirds of the Houses of Assembly of the 36 states.
The state legislatures are therefore required to consider the proposed constitutional amendments in accordance with their respective legislative procedures and communicate their resolutions to the National Assembly after completing their deliberations.
Although the Constitution does not stipulate a specific timeframe within which state Houses of Assembly must respond to a constitutional alteration bill, the National Assembly said the state legislatures are expected to communicate their decisions within 30 days of receiving the Bill.
The National Assembly, however, stressed that the 30-day period is an administrative timeframe and not a constitutional deadline.
According to the Clerk, the timeframe is intended to promote an orderly, coordinated and timely conclusion of the constitutional amendment process while respecting the constitutional independence of the state legislatures.
What the Constitution Requires
Nigeria’s Constitution sets a deliberately high threshold for constitutional amendments because changes to the country’s supreme law require approval beyond the National Assembly alone.
In addition to the required approval by at least two-thirds of the state Houses of Assembly, Section 9 prescribes other legislative requirements depending on the particular constitutional provisions being altered.
The process generally involves the introduction and passage of the alteration Bill by the National Assembly before it is transmitted to the state legislatures for consideration. The resolutions of the state assemblies are subsequently communicated to the National Assembly for the next stage of the process.
The requirement for state-level approval gives the 36 Houses of Assembly a constitutionally recognised role in determining whether proposed amendments can proceed.
The National Assembly said it recognises this responsibility and respects the independence of the state legislatures in considering the Bill.
National Assembly Seeks Coordinated Process
In the statement, the Clerk said the transmission was intended to facilitate the orderly discharge of the state assemblies’ constitutional responsibilities rather than interfere with their legislative processes.
“The National Assembly remains committed to ensuring that the constitutional alteration process is conducted in strict compliance with the Constitution,” the statement said.
It added that the process would be guided by due process, institutional cooperation and respect for the legislative responsibilities of all tiers of the legislature.
The National Assembly will await the resolutions of the 36 state Houses of Assembly before taking the subsequent steps required under the Constitution.
The transmission of the Sixth Alteration Bill comes amid continued efforts to amend aspects of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, a process that requires cooperation between the federal and state legislatures because of the constitutional threshold for altering the nation’s supreme law.
The statement was signed by Kamoru Ogunlana, Esq., Clerk to the National Assembly.
News
REVEALED: 11 Nigerian-Born Lawyers Hit by U.S. Disciplinary Actions Over Professional Violations
At least 11 Nigerian-born lawyers practising or based in the United States have faced suspension or other disciplinary measures over alleged or established professional violations, according to disciplinary records cited in a report by The Peoples Gazette.
The cases span several years and involve different jurisdictions and regulatory bodies, including state bar authorities, U.S. immigration authorities and the Board of Immigration Appeals.
The disciplinary matters range from unauthorised practice of law and failure to meet professional obligations to alleged misrepresentation, neglect of clients’ cases and mishandling of client funds.
The sanctions are not identical, and the grounds for disciplinary action vary from one case to another. Some of the lawyers have also reportedly been reinstated, while others remain suspended or have not been reinstated.
Below is a summary of the lawyers and the disciplinary actions reported against them.
1. Aloysius O. Ejimakor
Aloysius O. Ejimakor was suspended from practising law in New York for nine months in 2004 following disciplinary proceedings over alleged false claims concerning his professional qualifications.
According to a U.S. Department of Justice document, the Office of General Counsel for the Executive Office for Immigration Review commenced proceedings against him in July 2003.
The proceedings alleged that Ejimakor violated federal regulations by making false statements concerning his qualifications.
The report states that he had not been reinstated following the suspension.
2. Abiola O. Adesioye
Abiola O. Adesioye, based in the District of Columbia, was suspended in July 2025 by the Board of Immigration Appeals from practising before the board, U.S. immigration courts and the Department of Homeland Security.
The suspension followed an order issued by the District of Columbia Court of Appeals on March 25, 2025.
According to the report, disciplinary counsel for the Executive Office for Immigration Review and the Department of Homeland Security jointly petitioned for her immediate suspension under applicable federal regulations.
The Board of Immigration Appeals granted the petition pending the final resolution of the disciplinary proceedings.
3. Emelike Nwosuocha
Emelike Nwosuocha, who died on July 21, 2024, aged 64, faced disciplinary proceedings before his death.
According to the report, he was posthumously suspended for three years in 2024 over professional misconduct.
The disciplinary matter included an alleged failure to provide an affidavit required under an earlier suspension and failure to pay attorney fees owed to a defendant in a medical negligence lawsuit.
In 2023, Nwosuocha had reportedly received a six-month suspension after failing to respond to a disciplinary grievance.
The relevant disciplinary authorities subsequently affirmed the suspension.
4. Michael Ozulumba
Michael Ozulumba, who is based in Massachusetts, was reportedly suspended from practising before the Internal Revenue Service and the Executive Office for Immigration Review for two years.
The reported disciplinary findings involved professional misconduct, neglect of client cases and misrepresentations.
However, the supplied material contains a reference to a 2027 board decision. Since that date is still in the future as of September 16, 2026, that portion requires independent verification and has therefore not been treated here as an established past event.
5. Michael Imevbore Ojo
Michael Imevbore Ojo, based in Houston, Texas, was suspended from practising law for 12 months by the Evidentiary Panel of the District 4C05 Grievance Committee of the State Bar of Texas.
The disciplinary action reportedly involved alleged violations of Texas professional conduct rules, including neglect, failure to communicate with clients and failure to cooperate with a State Bar investigation.
Troops rescue 31 abductees, neutralize terrorist kingpin in Katsina, Kebbi
NASS Transmits 2026 Constitution Amendment Bill to 36 State Assemblies
REVEALED: 11 Nigerian-Born Lawyers Hit by U.S. Disciplinary Actions Over Professional Violations
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