MAGIC FM ABA (2025)

16/07/2025

Traditional Ruler, Community Leaders Decry Plan to Demolish New Classroom Block in Abia

King Larry Ogbonnaya Agwu, the traditional ruler of Ajata-na-Igu Autonomous Community in Ikwuano Local Government Area (LGA), has strongly opposed plans to demolish a newly built four-classroom block at Umuigu Central School to make way for a proposed model classroom block by the Abia State Government. The announcement has sparked outrage among community leaders and residents, who view the move as unnecessary and potentially malicious.

The controversy arose following reports of ongoing demolitions of dilapidated classrooms at the school, prompting King Larry to intervene. “If you demolish the whole classrooms in the school, including the newly built one, will our children learn under the rains?” he questioned, urging the contractor on site to spare the modern classroom block, which was constructed in 2021. The traditional ruler confirmed he had personally engaged with the contractor to ensure the new structure remains untouched.

The four-classroom block was singlehandedly funded and built by Hon. Obinna Agaodi, a former councillor in the Ikwuano LGA Legislative Council, using personal resources. Commissioned in November 2021, the modern facility replaced a dilapidated structure, providing a conducive learning environment for students. Agaodi expressed dismay over what he described as a politically motivated plan by the Abia State Government, through the Commissioner for Works, to demolish the structure. “This action is not driven by public interest but by malicious intentions to erase the legacies of someone who served selflessly,” Agaodi stated, alleging that certain individuals within the community are complicit in the scheme.

Community leaders echoed these concerns. Retired Army Officer and community leader Amb. Col. D.E. Ugwuzor called the proposed demolition “an act of wickedness and sabotage” aimed at undermining the development of Umuigu Central School. He emphasized that the school premises have ample undeveloped land for new projects, making the demolition of a functional, recently built structure unnecessary. “Whatever motivated them to contemplate pulling down the classrooms—whether political, jealousy, pull-down syndrome, malice, or any other force—must not stand,” Ugwuzor declared.

The Education Secretary for Ikwuano LGA, Dr. Paul Udensi, clarified that while the government is demolishing dilapidated classrooms across the LGA to build new ones, he was unaware of any directive to demolish the new classroom block at Umuigu Central School. “I know the classrooms you are talking about; they are beautiful and in good condition. I don’t think anyone would demolish them,” Udensi said, noting that he had only seen unverified reports on social media.

A member of the School-based Management Committee, speaking anonymously, expressed confusion over the situation, stating that contractors had been shown empty plots for new constructions but insisted on demolishing existing classrooms. The member could not confirm whether the new block was targeted.

Agaodi has taken steps to escalate the issue, notifying the community’s two traditional rulers, the Chairman of Umuezeukwu, and submitting a formal letter to the Nigerian Senate to draw attention to the matter. He stressed that targeting a functional classroom block, built at no cost to the state, is “irrational, unjust, and unacceptable,” given the availability of undeveloped land for new projects.

The controversy highlights tensions over development priorities in Ikwuano, with community leaders and residents calling for the preservation of the new classroom block and urging the government to reconsider its plans to ensure continued access to quality education for local students.

16/07/2025

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16/07/2025

Abia State University Lecturers Protest 12 Months of Unpaid Salaries

Approximately 200 lecturers employed by Abia State University (ABSU) in Uturu in 2023 have voiced their frustration over 12 months of unpaid salary arrears, urging Governor Alex Otti to intervene and address their plight.

Chukwemeka Thompson, the spokesperson for the affected lecturers, spoke to newsmen on Saturday, appealing to the governor to settle the outstanding payments and regularize their appointments on the university’s payroll system. Thompson revealed that efforts to reach the governor have been unsuccessful, and the university management has provided little assistance. “We were employed in 2023 as staff of Abia State University. We have been receiving salaries, but around June last year, our salary stopped coming,” he explained.

Thompson recounted that when the lecturers approached the university’s Bursary unit, they were directed to the Accountant General’s office, only to be informed that the government had instructed a halt to their salary payments. “They told us that the government gave instruction that they should stop the salary,” he said, adding that the university management confirmed the state government’s control over the institution’s autonomy. Despite assurances in December 2024 that the issue had been resolved, the lecturers have yet to receive their salaries or any formal communication, including disengagement letters. “We have our employment letters duly signed and given to us individually. We keep pleading for them to please try and reach out to the governor that we are really suffering,” Thompson stated.

Two other lecturers, Dr. Nwosu Nkemakolam Bright and Okpechi Chinemerem, echoed the call for Governor Otti to reconsider their situation, particularly since he has authorized the university to recruit new lecturers. They pleaded for the same consideration given to workers at other institutions, such as Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic in Aba, saying, “We are pleading with Governor Alex Otti to pay us our arrears as he did to other ministries… He can still consider us and have mercy.”

The chairman of the ABSU chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Chidi Mba, confirmed awareness of the lecturers’ predicament. He stressed the need for their full integration and payment, noting that they hold valid employment letters, have not been sacked, and have been actively teaching, grading, and graduating students. “Since the State Government approved new staff intake and most of them are qualified… they should be considered because they are suffering,” Mba said.

The lecturers’ ongoing ordeal highlights broader concerns about the management of state institutions and the welfare of academic staff, with calls for urgent action to resolve the unpaid salaries and secure their employment status.

16/07/2025

Buhari’s Death a Wake-Up Call to Fix Nigeria’s Healthcare System, Says Archbishop Martins

The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, has described the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari in a London hospital as a stark reminder for Nigerian leaders to urgently address the nation’s failing healthcare system. In a condolence message issued on Tuesday, the Archbishop expressed grief over Buhari’s passing while highlighting the persistent issue of medical tourism among Nigeria’s political elite, which he labeled a “national shame.”

“His death in a London hospital brings into focus again the need to develop healthcare delivery and facilities in our country to stem the tide of medical tourism,” Martins stated. He noted that this practice not only burdens those who can afford treatment abroad but exacerbates the suffering of ordinary Nigerians who lack access to adequate healthcare, leaving them feeling “abandoned to die from illnesses that are otherwise treatable.”

The Archbishop pointed out that Buhari’s death marks the second instance in recent history of a sitting or former Nigerian president passing away abroad due to medical complications. He referenced a past public complaint by former First Lady Aisha Buhari about the poor condition of the State House Clinic, questioning the implications for regular public hospitals. “If the First Lady could lament the state of the State House Clinic during their time in office, one can only imagine the condition of clinics and hospitals meant for the ordinary Nigerian,” he remarked.

Martins also decried the ongoing brain drain in Nigeria’s health sector, noting the irony that many Nigerians seeking treatment abroad are attended by Nigerian doctors who left the country due to poor working conditions. “The death of President Buhari should ginger our governments to act strategically and urgently to improve healthcare delivery in the country. It should also prompt a serious national dialogue on how to reverse the brain drain that continues to impoverish our health system,” he urged.

The cleric concluded by offering prayers for the repose of Buhari’s soul and comfort for his family and mourners, expressing hope that his death would spur meaningful reforms in Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure to benefit all citizens.

16/07/2025

92-Year-Old Cameroon’s President Biya Announces Bid for Eighth Term in 2025 Election

Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, aged 92, has declared his candidacy for an eighth term in the upcoming October 12, 2025, presidential election, seeking to extend his nearly 43-year tenure as the country’s leader. The announcement was made on Sunday via a bilingual post on X in French and English, where Biya stated, “I am a candidate for the 12 October 2025 presidential election. Rest assured that my determination to serve you is commensurate with the serious challenges facing us. Together, there are no challenges we cannot meet. The best is still to come.”

As the leader of the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM), which has held power since Cameroon’s independence in 1960, Biya was already the party’s de facto candidate. However, his advanced age has sparked debates about his health and capacity to govern, with public discontent growing over issues such as rampant youth unemployment, rising prices, and inadequate public services.

Biya’s announcement comes amid signs of fracturing support within his political base. In recent months, two high-profile defections have shaken his camp. Employment Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary resigned in June to run for president under his Front for the National Salvation of Cameroon (FSNC), while former Prime Minister Bello Bouba Maigari, a nearly 30-year ally of Biya, declared his candidacy for the National Union for Democracy and Progress (NUDP). Both parties had been long-standing allies of the CPDM.

The opposition remains deeply divided, struggling to unite behind a single candidate despite widespread criticism of the government. Notable contenders include Maurice Kamto, who placed second in the 2018 presidential election and is Biya’s fiercest critic, and Cabral Libii of the Cameroonian Party for National Reconciliation (CPNR). Candidates have until July 21 to formally declare their intent to run.

Cameroon continues to face significant challenges, including sporadic violence from separatists in the English-speaking regions of the predominantly francophone nation, compounding public frustration with economic and social issues. As the election approaches, the political landscape remains fraught with tension and uncertainty.

16/07/2025

US Reduces Visa Validity for Nigerians Over Overstay Rates, Record Access Issues – Presidency

The Presidency has disclosed that the United States’ decision to reduce visa validity for Nigerians from five-year multiple-entry visas to three-month single-entry visas stems from two key factors: the high rate of visa overstays by Nigerians and the US government’s need for reliable access to their records.

In a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, the Presidency clarified the reasons behind the US policy shift, which was initially attributed to reciprocity and later described as part of a global review of visa processes. “The United States Government has officially communicated that its decision was based on two principal factors: the current rate of visa overstays by Nigerian nationals and the need for reliable access to their records,” Onanuga stated.

The statement further explained that the US considers the visa policy adjustment part of its routine global visa reciprocity process, which may involve changes to the number of permitted entries and validity durations. The high incidence of Nigerians overstaying their visas and the US government’s challenges in accessing records held by Nigerian authorities were cited as the primary drivers of the decision.

In response, President Tinubu has directed all federal agencies to ensure full compliance with Nigeria’s international obligations and to enhance inter-governmental cooperation in verifying the identities of individuals seeking consular services abroad. “The President calls on all Nigerians to respect the immigration regulations of their host countries and to uphold the integrity of the permits and privileges granted to them under the laws of those jurisdictions,” the statement read.

Despite the US policy change, the Nigerian government will continue to issue five-year multiple-entry visas to American applicants, Onanuga noted. He also addressed speculation regarding visa policies with the United Arab Emirates, stating, “The Federal Government notes that it has not received any formal communication from the UAE authorities regarding a revised visa policy.”

The development highlights ongoing efforts to address visa policy challenges while reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to maintaining strong international relations and cooperation.

16/07/2025

Nigeria’s Political Elite Destroying Democracy, Senator Dickson Warns

Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, former two-term governor of Bayelsa State, has issued a scathing critique of Nigeria’s political class, accusing them of systematically undermining the nation’s democracy and institutions, pushing the country toward crisis.

Speaking at a one-day workshop organized by the Nigeria Civil Society’s Alliance for Democratic Change (NCSADC) in Abuja, Dickson warned that the actions of the political elite are tantamount to “class suicide.” He lambasted politicians for weakening democratic institutions, including the judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), through manipulation and electoral malpractices.

“The Nigerian political class has killed this country,” Dickson declared, urging civil society groups to resist the erosion of democratic values. “They are making this country look small.” He criticized the widespread practice of politicians defecting between parties and manipulating institutions like INEC to rig elections and suppress opposition voices.

Dickson expressed dismay at the state of the judiciary, describing it as “helpless” and reduced to interpreting the “body language” of those in power, with court rulings becoming predictable tools for the ruling elite. He further accused politicians of abusing federal institutions, including the Department of State Services (DSS), police, and military, to intimidate, harass, or even kill civilians during elections. “They use DSS, police, and the army, not to protect the people but to kill and suppress them during elections. That is the hallmark of a failed country,” he stated.

Highlighting a growing disconnect between elected officials and the public, Dickson noted that many politicians no longer engage with their constituents or feel accountable to them. “Their homes are too big, too beautiful. Their people can’t even access them,” he said, adding that the system allows politicians to “impose themselves” without needing public support to win elections.

The senator called on civil society to hold the political class accountable and defend Nigeria’s democracy from collapse. “If a political class does not believe in free and fair elections, in the rule of law, in an impartial judiciary, then they are not just destroying the country, they are destroying themselves,” he warned.

Dickson’s remarks underscore growing concerns about the state of Nigeria’s democracy, with the lawmaker urging collective action to restore integrity to the nation’s institutions.

16/07/2025

Wike Challenges Senator Kingibe to Campaign Against His Role in Tinubu’s Cabinet

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has thrown down the gauntlet to Senator Ireti Kingibe, daring her to campaign in neighboring FCT communities against his appointment in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet if she is confident in her political influence.

The challenge comes in response to Senator Kingibe’s remarks on a television program on Monday, where she labeled President Tinubu’s appointment of Wike as FCT Minister as his “biggest mistake.” In a statement issued on Tuesday by Lere Olayinka, Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, the minister’s aide accused Kingibe of being “blinded by the looming prospect of her electoral defeat” in 2027, claiming her attacks on Wike are a desperate bid to revive her “dead political career.”

Olayinka highlighted Wike’s achievements in the FCT, urging Kingibe to visit communities such as Saburi, Dei Dei, Kabusa, Ketti, Yangoji, Pai, Gomani, Gishiri, Kwaita, Yebu, Sukuku, Ebo, and Ushafa, which have benefited from new road infrastructure under Wike’s tenure. He also pointed to progress on long-stalled projects, including the relocation of traders from Apo Mechanic Village to a permanent site after over 15 years and ongoing construction along the Apo-Wasa road. Additionally, he noted significant infrastructural development at the Federal Capital Territory University (FCTU) in Abaji, a project abandoned for nearly 15 years, as well as the renovation of 22 schools in the past year, with over 40 others currently underway.

Dismissing Kingibe’s criticisms, Olayinka alleged that the senator, whom he accused of “impersonating” by using the name of her former husband, Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe, is aware she cannot retain her Senate seat in 2027. He claimed her 2023 election was an “accident” and that the political factors that secured her victory are no longer in play. Olayinka further criticized Kingibe, alleging she mistreats her aides by withholding their wages and entitlements, contrasting her conduct with Wike’s leadership.

Olayinka concluded by advising the 71-year-old senator to “get real,” use her legitimate name, and cease what he described as impersonation. The feud underscores rising tensions between the FCT Minister and the senator as both stake their claims on the region’s political landscape.

16/07/2025

Abia State Government Lifts Ban on NURTW Operations

The Abia State government has officially lifted the embargo on the activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state, signaling a new chapter for transportation in the region. The announcement was made on Tuesday by the state’s Commissioner for Transport, Chimezie Isaac Ukaegbu, following a productive meeting with NURTW representatives from both state and national levels.

Commissioner Ukaegbu emphasized that the decision reflects the state government’s dedication to fostering fairness and improving the transportation sector. He reiterated Governor Alex Otti’s commitment to establishing a seamless and efficient transport system for Abia residents.

In response, the National President of NURTW, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, expressed gratitude to the Abia State government for lifting the ban. Represented by Deputy National Chairman Aliyu Isaa Ore, Akinsanya assured that the union would align its operations with the policies and objectives of Governor Otti’s administration.

Chukwuma Azode, newly elected chairman of the NURTW in Abia, also spoke at the event, pledging to lead the union in accordance with the state government’s vision. Azode vowed to eliminate the lawlessness that previously plagued the union’s activities, emphasizing that the recent election marks a fresh opportunity to enhance transportation standards in Abia.

The lifting of the ban is expected to pave the way for improved collaboration between the state government and the NURTW, fostering a more organized and efficient transport system for the benefit of Abia residents.

15/07/2025

The grave of late ex-president Muhammadu Buhari at his Daura residence

15/07/2025

Former President Buhari to Be Buried at Favorite Spot in Daura Compound

Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away on Sunday in a private hospital in London, will be laid to rest at his favorite sitting spot within his family compound in Daura, Katsina State. Preparations for the interment are underway, with dignitaries including President Bola Tinubu, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, Vice President Kashim Shettima, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, governors, former governors, and other notable figures gathered at the graveside.

Buhari, a Katsina-born politician, served as Nigeria’s military head of state and later as a democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023. During his presidency, he spent at least 225 days on medical trips abroad, including a notable 104-day stay in London in May 2017. His final medical visit to a London clinic lasted 10 days to two weeks, though the specific ailment he was treated for remains undisclosed.

Images from Daura show that Buhari’s family has chosen his cherished sitting spot in the compound for his burial, a poignant tribute to the late leader. The interment is expected to proceed shortly as the nation mourns the loss of one of its prominent figures.

15/07/2025

APGA Urges Gov. Alex Otti to Return, Labels Other Parties Unstable

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has called on Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, to return to the party, describing it as his true political home and the only stable platform for sustainable governance in Nigeria. The appeal was made by Augustine Ehiemere, APGA’s National Vice Chairman, South East, during the party’s Abia South Senatorial District stakeholders’ meeting last week.

Ehiemere urged Otti to resist joining other political parties, which he described as crisis-ridden or diminished. “APGA remains the healthiest and most stable political party in Nigeria today,” he said, adding, “Labour Party is a breeding ground for crisis, ADC is in disarray, APC is unsafe, and PDP is finished. APGA offers stability and ideological consistency for Governor Otti to continue his good works.”

The APGA leader praised Otti’s achievements in security, welfare, and timely payment of salaries and pensions. He also commended the governor’s collaboration with Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah and the establishment of the Abia State Security Trust Fund. However, Ehiemere urged Otti to address outstanding gratuities for retired workers.

Otti, who contested the 2015 and 2019 Abia governorship elections under APGA before switching to the Labour Party, was encouraged to return to his political roots. Ehiemere also rallied APGA members in Abia South and across the state to remain steadfast in upholding the party’s ideals.

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