Turning Point Newspaper (2026)

17/09/2025

Ebonyi gets first female Acting Governor as Nwifuru transmits power to Deputy

By Nwogha Ndubuisi,Abakaliki.

Ebonyi State Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru, has formally transmitted executive powers to his deputy, Princess Patricia Onyemaechi Obila, making her the first female Acting Governor in the history of the state.

The move, according to the Governor’s office, reflects transparency, accountability, and adherence to constitutional provisions in the state’s governance.

Obila, who was decorated with the Grand Commander of Ebonyi Hall of Fame (GCEHF), has been described as a leader with exceptional qualities, trustworthiness, and the capability to steer the affairs of the state effectively.

In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Acting Governor, Comrade Joseph Ugochukwu Onwe, residents were urged to continue supporting Obila as she implements the People’s Charter of Needs agenda of the administration.

The statement also cautioned Ebonyians to disregard “fake stories and information emanating from social media attention seekers,” stressing that the Acting Governor remains committed to advancing the developmental objectives of the government.

17/09/2025

5 arraigned in Ebonyi court for alleged murder, armed robbery

By Nwogha Ndubuisi, Abakaliki

The Ebonyi State Police Command on Wednesday arraigned five men before an Magistrate’s Court in Abakaliki over allege murder, conspiracy, and armed robbery.

The suspects include Amarachi Ude Irem, also known as Deri (27), Oledi Philip Nsi (26), Ogbu Udu Nkama (22), Chibueze Nnachi (36), and Okoro Stanley Onuu (39).

The suspects are facing four count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit murder, unlawful possession of gun, and armed robbery.

The prosecutor, Eze Ndubuaku, told the court that the defendants committed the offences on July 9, 2025, at Ndiewuru village, Ekoli Edda Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

"The accused persons, alongside others still at large, allegedly conspired to kill one Udu Nnachi Orji, who was reportedly shot dead during the attack.

The prosecutor said that the defendants were armed with guns and stole a truck valued at ₦39 million, said to be the property of Eni Uduma Chima.

The charges, as read in court, contravene Sections 324, 319, 516A (a), and 402 of the Criminal Code, Cap 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.

Defence counsel, Sunday Ajah, applied for bail for the defendants, but the court rejected the application on grounds of lack of jurisdiction.

The matter was adjourned to October 2, 2025, for report of compliance.

17/09/2025

Foundation Honors Ebonyi Police Inspector, Okpalugo with Award of Excellence

The Grace Foundation has honored a serving officer of the Nigeria Police Force in Ebonyi State, Inspector Okpalugo Austine, with an Award of Excellence in recognition of his outstanding service and dedication to the nation.

The award ceremony, held yesterday in Abakaliki, also featured the presentation of a cheque of ₦50,000 to Inspector Okpalugo.

Speaking at the event, representatives of the foundation said the recognition highlights the importance of commitment, diligence, and professionalism in public service, noting that such gestures encourage officers who distinguish themselves through integrity and hard work.

In his response, Inspector Okpalugo expressed gratitude to the foundation for finding him worthy of the honor. He pledged to remain an ambassador of diligence, discipline, and sincere service to the country.

The ceremony drew the presence of dignitaries, community leaders, and well-wishers, who gathered to celebrate the officer’s achievements and commend his contribution to effective policing in Ebonyi State.

12/09/2025

Abia Warrior qualify for NLO division 2, defeats Inter FC Enugu with 2 goals

The Abia warrior has thrashed Inter FC Enugu football team 2-0 in the NLO under-19 youth league at the Pa. Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, Abakaliki.

The team defeated Inter FC Enugu thereby, qualifying to play in the NLO division 2.

Addressing newsmen shortly after the game, the Coordinator Abakaliki zone, NLO, division 11, Ijeoma Ikeh stated that the Abia warrior has qualified for the division 2 which would start next year.

She commended the Chairman of NLo, Mr. Silas Agara for his commitment towards the league and ensuring that all their matches and tournament are successful and the Chief Operating Officer, Mr Olusola Ogunowo especially the staff for their cooperation and Ebonyi state government for their support.

The vice chairman, Abia Warriors Umuahia, Hon. Dennis Anokwuru, and the Coach Uko Chidozie thanked the team for their impressive performances despite the opponent stive contest.

Chuks Edward, the captain expressed satisfaction with the team players and hinted that they are going back to their drawing board ahead of next game.

12/09/2025

Ebonyi Govt Introduces Free 24-Hour Ambulance Services

By Nwogha Ndubuisi, Abakaliki

The Ebonyi State Government has launched a free 24-hour ambulance service for medical emergencies within Abakaliki Capital City and other parts of the state.

Announcing the initiative, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Documentation, Dr. Boniface Nwankwo, said the service was introduced by Governor Francis Nwifuru through the Ministry of Health to provide quick response to emergencies and save lives.

He explained that while the service covers the Abakaliki Capital City, residents of Ohaukwu and Ivo Local Government Areas will also enjoy comprehensive coverage.

He stated that the initiative aimed to ensure efficiency and effective service, five standby drivers were been deployed to each political ward and would operate round the clock.

According to the statement, residents can access the service by dialing the toll-free hotline 112 or 08127989346 for immediate response.

According to the statement,"Emergencies covered under the programme include:Pregnancy-related complications,health emergencies in children under five, snake bites, gunshot injuries, and road traffic accidents.

Dr. Nwankwo further disclosed that patients conveyed by the ambulances would also benefit from 48 hours of free medical care, fully funded by the state government.

He stressed that the initiative is aimed at eliminating maternal and infant mortality and reducing health-related deaths across Ebonyi.

Residents were, however, cautioned to use the hotline strictly for genuine emergencies to prevent abuse of the service.

Governor Nwifuru reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to providing unhindered access to healthcare and improving the wellbeing of all Ebonyians.

01/09/2025

Come to my aid, aged widow cries for help as herders destroyed farmland

Lord Zeus 101
Sir One On One
Okwuluora

23/08/2025

Scores fear dead as ghastly motor accident occured in Ebonyi

More details shortly.

23/08/2025

THE GAINS OF THE RECENTLY CONCLUDED 55TH NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF BUILDING IN EBONYI STATE.

Themed: “Advancing Builders’ Knowledge and Skills for Effective Enforcement of Building Regulatory Laws for Sustainable Development”, attendees to the 55th Conference/AGM of the Nigerian Institute of Building held in Abakaliki from 19 to 23rd August, 2025 in the city of Francis, comprised industry leaders, academics, regulators, policymakers, contractors, real estate developers, and building professionals from across Nigeria.

This marked Ebonyi State as the epicenter of a national dialogue on construction standards, professionalism, and sustainable building practices, courtesy of the visionary leadership of FON.

The event was not merely a routine AGM but a national professional convergence where issues of quality, regulation, and innovation in Nigeria’s building sector were discussed, with Ebonyi hosting as both convener and showcase.

The focus on enforcement of building laws underscored Nigeria’s urgent need to tackle building collapses and substandard construction, a timely move indeed.

Ebonyi’s hosting of the event enabled Governor Nwifuru to position the state as a regulatory vanguard, committed to safety, accountability, and sustainable development.

Conference attendees and participants toured and experienced firsthand the road networks, urban renewal projects, and civic infrastructure, VANCO, and ICT varsity that Ebonyi has invested in, as well as the practical demonstration of the People's Charter of Needs Agenda.

This direct exposure reinforced the state’s reputation as a worksite of modern infrastructure, not just a developing state on paper as witnessed in other climes.

The conference gathered contractors, financiers, insurers, and regulators in Abakaliki, creating opportunities for business conversations—a soft but crucial form of investment promotion, which were undoubtedly maximized.

Hosting such a professional body signals to inv

30/07/2025

AE-FUTHA joins 7-days nationwide strike,as Nurses lament negligence

Following the ongoing industrial action by nurses across the country, under the umbrella of National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives,(NANNM), patients at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, AE-FETHA has lamented bitterly over the development, calling on federal government to take urgent steps to address the situation in order to avoid mass lose of lives.

Our correspondent who visited Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, AE-FETHA observed that many patients were seeing sitting helplessly since no nurse was around to attend to them except few doctors were seen trying to help some patients to look at their previous medical records.

Speaking with one of the doctors who's the Head of Department Family Medicine, Dr Aghor Udochukwu stated that the warning strike which is slated to last for seven days is really impacting negatively on patients as nurses were nowhere to be found as a result of the strike action, saying that he is trying to assist the patients with few other doctors to get medication.

Dr Aghor who described the situation as pathetic and called on federal government to take urgent action to address the demands of the nurses as they have key role to play at the hospital in saving lives.

In an interview with some of the patients including , Mr Nelson Nwanga, and Alieze Jane, Lamented bitterly over the situation and urged the federal government to settle their agreement with nurses as many patients are stranded.

The patients who said that little or no attention has been given to them since morning that they arrived in the hospital explained that patients who had earlier registered with the hospital were attended to using the information available in their system, but directed serious cases(few) to the emergence unit while others are left unattended to due to the absence of Nurses

30/07/2025

Governor Nwifuru flags off another batch of CCT empowerment scheme in Ebonyi

Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru has commenced a large-scale disbursement of the Conditional Cash Transfer, (CCT) programme, benefiting over 17,000 residents across thirteen Local Government Areas of the state.

Performing the flag-off ceremony on Wednesday at the Women Development Centre, Abakaliki, governor Nwifuru said that beneficiaries were to receive three payment cycles totaling N72,000 through preloaded debit cards under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Initiative and added that the renewed drive is targeted to cushion the economic hardship on vulnerable households in the State.

Speaking during the flag-off, the Ebonyi state governor, Francis Nwifuru represented at the event by the state Commissioner for Human Capital Development and Monitoring, Mrs Ann Aligwe emphasized that the CCT is a direct response to the governor’s “People’s Charter of Needs” blueprint that places the welfare of Ebonyians, especially the poor and vulnerable, at the core of his administration.

“We started with 5,000 and 10,000 Naira stipends in the past, but the economic situation made us realize it wasn’t enough. Today, each beneficiary is receiving N72,000 to make a real impact on their livelihood. This is more than a gesture — it's a strategy for sustainable empowerment,” Aligwe said.

According to the commissioner, 12,000 beneficiaries received payment in May, while another 5,000-plus are currently being paid, with more awaiting the next batch in the coming month.

She said, the total number of those captured on Ebonyi’s CCT register stands at over 223,000 residents, with selection having begun since the COVID-19 pandemic era through community-based enumeration.

The Commissioner clarified that beneficiaries are drawn from rural and underserved communities, carefully documented between 2020 and 2021, despite early skepticism by locals during the data-gathering stage.

30/07/2025

Press Statement

Governor Alia Dissolves Exco, Appoints Barr. Atagher as New Chief of Staff.

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

The Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has dissolved the Benue State Executive Council.

The Governor appoints former two term Attorney General of the state and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Moses Atagher as new Chief of Staff.

Barr. Atagher, a seasoned administrator is also former acting Managing Director, Federal Mortgage Bank. His appointment takes immediate effect.

The decision was announced by the Governor at the close of the 12th (2025) meeting of the Benue State Executive Council.

He appreciates all the former Commissioners who worked with him for two years, calling on those who may not be called back or reappointed to stay in the party and continue to liaise with the system as they are only paving way for other citizens who may be chosen to replace them to also contribute their quota.

Apart from the Chief of Staff, the Governor announced that the dissolution affects only Commissioners.

Speaking on behalf of the dissolved Commissioners, Barr. Bemsen Mnyim appreciates the Governor for giving them the opportunity to serve the state.

According to him, "...at every stage in life, everywhere you are called to serve is a school. We have learnt a lot while working with you".

The former Commissioners are directed to handover to the Permanent Secretaries of their Ministries as soon as possible.

Sir Tersoo Kula, mnipr
Chief Press Secretary
to the Governor.

30/07/2025

‎THE FIRST CAPACITY MEETING: AS THE NEW COMMISSIONER FOR INFORMATION MEET WITH ALL THE IPROs
‎
‎By Lawrence Akaa
‎
‎The New Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Barr. Chief Ikeuwa Omebeh called for an extraordinary capacity meeting with all Information/Public Relations Officers of the Ministries, agencies and parastatals of Ebonyi state which was held at the Akanu Ibiam International Conference Center, Abakaliki. The meeting was well attended as the entire management staff of the Ministries and agencies concerned were present. Those present were: Mrs. Patricia Nwobasi (Permanent Secretary); Elder Anya K**a Egwu (Director); Mrs. Chinenye Azu Udu (UNICEF Desk Officer); Mr. Ifeanyi Chukwu Anoke (HoD Admin); Mr. Eugene Ebenyi (HoD Film & Public Enlightenment); Mrs. Susan Chikamnele (HoD Accounts).
‎
‎The Permanent Secretary in her welcome remark said that the reason for the meeting was to familiarize with the new Commissioner, as she welcomed all the IPROs to hear from the Commissioner the next line of actions to take in moving the Ministry forward.
‎
‎The Commissioner in his open address welcomed everyone. He stated that the reason he called for the meeting was to get to know his team players, as well as the challenges faced by the IPROs in their places of primary assignment and also their positive contributions within their PPAs. The Honourable Commissioner expressed dissatisfaction with the attitude of some of the IPROs not reporting to their places primary assignment (PPAs).
‎
‎The Honourable Commissioner called for the fullest cooperation of all IPROs in the discharge of their duties as it would not be business as usual, as no stone would be left unturned to see that we delivered the mandate of His Excellency, the Governor in making available timely and accurate information in communicating the state image positively. He further called for suggestions and ideas that could drive the Ministry to greater heights. Of note by the Honourable Commissioner

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