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Crises are rocking the Federal College of Agriculture Isiagu, Abonyi State over alleged arbitrary transfers and suspension of some senior staff of the institution by the ExecutiveSecretary.

Both the registrar and the procurement officer were sent on indefinite suspension without cause while several other staff were randomly transferred out of their departments.

The Joint Action Union (JAC) claims the suspensions were unjust and demands intervention from the Honourable Minister for Agriculture to avoid further escalation of the crisis which has already grounded activities at the college.

“The Governing Board, The Minister of Agriculture, and the Presidency should call the Executive Secretary to order. The transferred staff have no disciplinary actions against them – no sexual harassment to people’s wives and students, misconduct, or any wrongdoing,” the protesters emphasized.

The protesters also alleged that acting Provost Dr. Jonah Nwawuisi has abdicated responsibilities to cronies, leading to embezzlement and inefficiency. They carried placards with messages like “Stooges have hijacked the provost’s duties” and “Enough of corruption in FECAI”.

The staff petitioned the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and ARCN to withdraw the letters and threatened to mobilize other agencies to protest if demands aren’t met. They alleged contractor Nicholas Agha masterminded the transfer of the Registrar and Procurement Officer, who had issues with him over job allocations.

A staff member told Ikoro Global TV that Agha, a contractor and consultant, was allegedly frustrating the institution’s domiciled jobs attracted by National Assembly members if the jobs aren’t grabbed by him.

The protesters accuse Agha of conniving with ARCN’s Executive Secretary to issue illegal transfer letters. They’re demanding Nicholas Agha come to Ishiagu to explain his job designation in FCAI – whether he’s a consultant, contractor, and Procurement Officer all at the same time.

The Union questions the Executive Secretary’s actions, citing the Bureau of Public Procurement mandate that restricts CEOs from indiscriminate posting of Procurement Officers. They allege the Secretary acted ultra vires in signing the transfer letters.

The Union alleges the Executive Secretary denied the Procurement Officer and the Registrar access and ignored pleas from other Directors to listen to them. They demand answers on the “order from above” that led to the transfer without due process.

The Union has locked the Provost’s office, demanding answers to all the alleged illegalities and corruption in FCAI. They call on the Executive Secretary to respect the Council’s integrity and the Minister of Agriculture and the Presidency to intervene.

Onyiba Shepherdman Iyioku reporting for Ikoro Global TV

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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of the Republic of Türkiye, on Tuesday in Ankara, said his country targets a $5 billion trade volume with Nigeria, adding that discussions to actualise this have already commenced.

President Erdogan stated this during a joint press briefing with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the Nigerian President’s State Visit.

This was contained in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

At present, the trade volume between the two nations is about $2 billion. Turkey exports planes, helicopters, machinery, iron and steel, and chemical products to Nigeria. Nigeria exports crude oil and agricultural products to Türkiye.

President Erdogan said the establishment of the Joint Economy and Trade Committee between the two countries will create opportunities to expand Turkish investments in Nigeria to realise the target.

President Erdogan praised the commitment of President Tinubu to develop Nigeria and highlighted the presence of several ministers and high-ranking officials as the most unambiguous indication of this political determination:

“Today, we conducted a comprehensive review of our relations with the esteemed President and his delegation in the fields of trade, investments, energy, education and defence industry.

“Firstly, we see that we have significant potential in the fields of trade and investment. In today’s meetings, our commitment is to the $5 billion trade volume target, and we discussed the steps needed.

“We also discussed opportunities to support our investments in Nigeria. We believe that the joint Economy and Trade Committee, which we agreed to establish today, will be instrumental in this regard.”

President Erdogan hailed the Nigerian President’s strides in the energy sector, which has resulted in the restructuring of the country’s economy.

He hoped that the cooperation between the Turkish Petroleum Corporation, their Nigerian counterparts, and organisations would yield the expected outcomes.

President Erdogan promised to assist Nigeria in tackling insurgency, given its history with a similar problem.

“Terrorist organisations emerging, particularly in Africa’s Sahel region, unfortunately, pose a threat to the peace of the entire continent. We stand by the friendly people of Nigeria in their fight against terrorism under the leadership of President Tinubu.

“In fact, today, we addressed opportunities for closer cooperation in the fields of military training and intelligence. We stated that we are ready to share our country’s significant experience in combating terrorism.

“Also, I believe that we will soon see positive outcomes from the meetings that Nigerian officials will hold with our leading defence industry companies during this visit,” he said.

In his remarks, President Tinubu expressed gratitude to the Republic of Türkiye for its openness and willingness to collaborate in promoting global freedom, stability, and prosperity.

He emphasised the importance of creating an inclusive economy, particularly focusing on vulnerable people.

President Tinubu commended the Turkish leader for being “willing to collaborate, willing to help, willing to work together to promote freedom, stability and prosperity, shared prosperity across the world.

“What is very important to the countries being discussed, trade, business, no restrictions, giving opportunity to those who are ready to learn to work and prosper. How do we build an inclusive economy together? How do we reform the economy and involve vulnerable people? How do we ensure peace in the world?” he asked.

President Tinubu stressed that Nigeria would continue to play a significant role in promoting peace and stability in Africa despite security challenges in some parts of the country.

“We discussed efforts against terrorism. We discussed how to defeat agents of destabilisation.”

President Tinubu also praised President Erdogan for his commitment towards promoting global peace, particularly his efforts in Somalia.

At the end of the bilateral meeting, officials from the two countries signed 9 agreements.

They were: Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Diaspora Policy; Agreement on Defence Cooperation; Joint Declaration Establishing the Economy and Trade Joint Committee; and Agreement in the Field of Halal Quality Infrastructure.

Others include Cooperation in the Field of Higher Education; Cooperation in the Field of Media and Communication; Cooperation in the Field of Education; Cooperation Between the Republic of Türkiye, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Diplomacy Academy, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Affairs Academy; and Cooperation Between the Republic of Türkiye, Ministry of Social services and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ministry of women Affairs and Social Development.

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In a crackdown that has sent shockwaves through the area, security operatives have detained over twenty-two persons linked to the brutal assassination of Prince Idjesa Oharisi of Ughelli Kingdom royal family.

The revelation came from the Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Council, Hon. Chief Jaro Egbo, Esq., during a high-profile condolence visit to the bereaved Ovie of Ughelli Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Evang. Wilson Ojakovo, Oharisi III.

Speaking with formidable authority within the sacred walls of the royal palace on Monday, January 26, 2026, Egbo described the killing as a “heinous and calculated atrocity” that has pierced the heart of the entire kingdom. “This is not merely a crime; it is an act of war against our traditions, our peace, and our future,” he thundered. “The blood of a prince cries out for justice, and we shall deliver nothing less.”

The chairman dispelled any notions of inter-communal strife, instead pointing an accusatory finger at the metastasizing scourge of cultism masquerading as rebellion.

He issued an unequivocal decree to all criminal factions operating within Ughelli: “Your time is up. Vacate our streets, our communities, and our kingdom immediately, or be prepared to face the relentless and unforgiving wrath of the law.”

Egbo confirmed that the arrests are part of a broader, aggressive operation targeting recent waves of violence, with the investigation into the prince’s murder being treated as an absolute priority.

He assured the people of Ughelli that security agencies are deploying every resource at their disposal to dismantle the networks responsible.

In a firm rebuke of spreading misinformation, both Egbo and the Ovie categorically denied the existence of any government-declared curfew. “Let these words echo through every quarter: there is no curfew in Ughelli,” Egbo stated, his tone leaving no room for ambiguity.

He issued a stern warning to overzealous security personnel, stating that any intimidation of innocent citizens under this false pretext would be met with severe disciplinary action.

Emphasizing Ughelli’s critical role as a commercial and cultural linchpin connecting three major geopolitical zones, Egbo warned that any attempt to destabilize the throne or undermine the kingdom’s sovereignty would be crushed.

He appealed directly to families, elders, and community leaders to reclaim their youth from the clutches of violence and cultism, pledging the local government’s total commitment to eradicating this menace.

His Royal Majesty, the Ovie of Ughelli Kingdom, received the chairman’s pledges with solemn gratitude, describing the visit as “a powerful testament to unity in our moment of profound sorrow.”

The monarch also vehemently dispelled the curfew rumours, labeling them “malicious fabrications” intended to breed fear and disorder. “I have issued no such order.

These lies must cease,” he commanded, urging all citizens and media houses to obtain information solely through authorized official channels.