BLAST NAIJA MEDIA

Two suspected vandals identified as Nura Isa, 35 years and Ibrahim Aliyu, 23 years were yesterday, Monday, 3rd August, 2020, apprehended by members of Osisioma Electricity Committee along Enugu/Port Harcourt Expressway while vandalizing electricity cables belonging to the Enugu Electricity Distribution PLC (EEDC). The Head of Corporate Communications, EEDC, Mr. Emeka Ezeh who made this known to newsmen in Enugu today confirmed that the duo were immediately handed over to the Osisioma Police Station, Abia State, for interrogation and further investigation. According to Ezeh, last month, one Obinna Eze, an indigene of Amaeto Village in Aguata, Anambra State, was arrested by youths of Amichi community for vandalizing Ebenasa 300KVA 33/0.415KV distribution substation, located at Amichi. Part of the items recovered from the suspect include: 4 feeder pillar bars, 4 feeder pillar units and 3 feeder pillar fuses. It was also gathered that Obinna’s accomplice, who was identified as Izu, fled an...

A US based philanthropist, Mr Afamefuna Atu on Sunday launched an empowerment foundation to cater for the needs of the indigent in Enugu State. Atu, who is the president of the organisation called Kings Care Empowerment Foundation, said that he was motivated to launch the foundation due to unpleasant personal experiences he had while growing up. The president while speaking during the formal inauguration of the Nigeria office, said that the foundation was aimed at addressing the health, education and material needs of the people. He said that three events in the history of his family shaped his passion for humanitarian works leading to the present intervention. “Three events in my family history shaped my passion for humanitarian works. First is the death of my grandmother, who died during childbirth because of malnutrition and lack of food. “The baby boy she was delivered of also died too. She left my mother aged two and her four years old sister behind. “Shortly after my grandmother’...

As the prevalence of Covid 19 pandemic continues to increase in the South East, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmad AbdurRahman on Tuesday visited Enugu/Ebonyi States border security post to inspect and ascertain the level of compliance and enforcement of the COVID-19 pandemic border closure and inter-states transportation and travel restriction orders by security operatives. Following his observation that a good number of vehicles and persons were queued up and desiring to cross the border, the Commissioner took time to assess and grant access to exempted vehicles conveying essential goods and service providers, while turning back those not exempted.  He charged Operatives posted at the border to stick with the rules of engagement and resist intolerable acts of complicity and complacency capable of jeopardizing the enforcement duty, warning that anyone found wanting will be appropriately sanctioned. The CP, while also warning that anyone found violating the orders will be brought...

The CBN has advised all successful applicants under the Bank’s COVID-19 Targeted Credit Facility (TCF), whose accounts have not been credited, to visit the website of NIRSAL Micro Finance Bank (www.nmfb.com.ng) and input their account details.  The CBN Director, Corporate Communications Department, Isaac Okoroafor, who assured that all successful household and SME applicants that have submitted their account details for the facility, should expect to be credited within 48 hours. He, however, urged any successful applicant that does not receive a credit alert within 48 hours to call mobile number: 09010026900 for resolution.  Mr. Okoroafor also revealed that the CBN had waived the requirement for the provision of guarantors by households and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) applying for its N50 billion COVID-19 Targeted Credit Facility.  According to him, the Bank’s move was to assuage the concerns of those who had fulfilled all requirements for the loan but were yet to...

The Chairman, House of representatives Committee on Aviation, Honourable Nnolim Nnaji has prevailed on the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 to consider partial opening of the airports to unlock the economy.  As the Ministry of Aviation and its relevant agencies are planning a gradual return to full flight operations in the country, Honourable Nnaji enjoined the Federal government to ensure that at least one airport is reopened immediately in each of the six geopolitical zones of the country for that purpose. The committee chairman who stressed that the nation's economy need to be immediately unlocked further added that in order to curtail the post economic impacts of the corona virus, a guided and gradual opening of the air transport sector was desirable to refloat the economy. He suggested that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, (FAAN) and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA) come up with a well designed procedure and standard operational procedure, (SOP) in line...

Time they say in life is a sequence. How it applies to you greatly differs from the next.  Most times it requires hardwork, perseverance, dedication and then Grace. Meet City King, the Rising Star from the stables of Erokam Empire, a top notch South Eastern based record label with two Artistes on its platform.  Like the tale of most successful Eastern Acts today such as Flavour, Phyno, Run town, Slow Dogg and the rest, City King  emerged straight out of the hood.  Abakpa to be precise in Coal City. Not perturbed by his founding background, City as he is fondly called by his Crooners never gave up his dream of becoming a celebrated Music Star.  Hawking within the streets of Abakpa in the day time, and striving to hit 16 bars in the night time, fate found him in 2018 after he was introduced to the CEO of Erokam Empire, Prince Ekene Okam.  City King is a young multi talented artiste who continually springs up surprises as he works with...

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, on Thursday, amid jubilation, inaugurated the 13-kilometre Nike Lake Junction-Harmony Estate-Amorji Nike- Adoration Pilgrimage Centre –Orie Emene road, newly constructed by his administration across the thick forest of Umuchigbo community in Enugu East Local Government Area of the state. The virgin road constructed with lined drains and five river crossings, including culverts and bridges, now links the ever-busy and thickly populated Abakpa Nike with Emene satellite town. Expressing joy during the inauguration of the project, the Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria (AMEN), Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, described the road as unprecedented and a miracle. Fr. Mbaka disclosed that “this ultra-modern road built by the Governor of Enugu State, our beloved Gburugburu, before now was a thick forest”, stressing: “There was no road of any kind here before now. The governor started it from the bush clearing to this asphalting level. In fact, t...

On the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, has enjoined Muslims and indeed all Nigerians, to remain resolute in their abiding faith in God, through prayers and sacrifice, as the nation battles to contain the spread of the novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). In a statement, Governor Ugwuanyi, who congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari and other Muslim faithful on the successful completion of Ramadan, added that the religious exercise will go a long way in the nation’s collective efforts to winning the war against COVID-19 as well as sustain the peace, unity and progress of the country.  While wishing all Muslims a pleasant celebration, the governor urged Nigerians to stay safe, remain steadfast in prayers and continue to love and cherish one another.  “This is an unusual time, not only for us as a people but for the entire humanity and the world. I therefore urge that we remain com...

The Enugu State Command has congratulated Muslims in the State, wishing them well as they join the Muslim Ummah in the celebrations.  This follows the successful completion of this year 2020 Ramadan, culminating in the Eid el-Fitr Festival. The state Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmad AbdurRahman, while entreating Muslims to go about the Celebration in the most responsible manner, also called on them to adhere strictly to the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) COVID-19 pandemic preventive protocols and the containment/restriction orders of Governments. In a release signed by the commands PPRO, ASP Daniel Ndukwe, the Commissioner further reminded residents of the State that, apart from the recent guidelines for the guided and partial reopening of Ogbete Main Market and the stipulated operational time for designated foods, pharmaceuticals and other daily essential needs in the markets, all other containment/restriction orders of the Federal and Enugu State Go...

This feature story discusses the simplicity and confidentiality of the new test kit for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The numbers The Human Immunodeficiency Virus is one of the widespread diseases that have resulted in high mortality rate in the world. Since discovery in 1983, about 75m people have been infected globally, with about 32m deaths, according to the World Health Organisation reports. As at the end of 2018, 21 per cent of the world’s population did not know their status and about 37.9m people were recorded to be living with HIV globally. Of these, 36.2m were adults, while 1.7m were children.  A global epidemic HIV has become one of the most challenging public health issues in the world. The burden and scope of the ‘global epidemic’ varies considerably according to regions and countries, but WHO reports that a larger percentage of infected people are found in Africa, with nearly one in every 25 adults (3.9 per cent) living with HIV and accou...

CP Ahmad AbdurRahman In continuation of his weekly inspection tour of borders to assess the level of  and enforcement of Governments' border closure and restriction of inter-states’ travels/transportation orders, CP Ahmad AbdurRahman alongside Air Commodore Chidiebere Obiabaka, Commander, 558 Services Base Group of the Nigerian Airforce and some Senior Police Officers, visited Ette/Ogugu boundary point between Enugu and Kogi States. Addressing Police Operatives and some personnel of the Neighborhood Watch manning the border, the Commissioner, while charging them to be firm and dutiful in the enforcement duty, warned them to abide strictly by the rules of engagement, especially as regards checking and granting passage to vehicles conveying stipulated essential goods and service providers. According to him, "don't even waste your time on them if you are sure they are conveying these permitted items or persons. But not during the overnight curfew period of 2000...

ARREST OF CONSPIRACY, MURDER, ARMED ROBBERY, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF FIREARMS, FRAUD AND CULTISM SUSPECTS AND RECOVERY OF ARMS AND AMMUNITION;  The Enugu State Command says it has successfully arrested a total of sixteen (16) male suspects for the offences of conspiracy, murder, armed robbery, unlawful possession of firearms, fraud and cultism. Six (6) locally-made firearms with four (4) live cartridges, sixteen (16) .9mm live ammunition, two (2) cutlasses and one (1) axe were recovered. Breakdown and brief history of these breakthroughs achieved in the month of April are as follows:  *Conspiracy, Armed Robbery and Unlawful Possession of Firearms Suspects:*  *** On 21/04/2020 one Ezeugwu Osita (aged 16 years), Abonyi Chigozie (aged 16 years), Ugwuanyi Stanley (aged 16 years), and Isiani Ogechukwu (aged 17 years) were arrested by Operatives of the Command following a report alleging that the suspects, armed with cutlasses and axe, gained entry into a house...

Enugu State Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmad AbdurRahman has today inaugurated the  Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Joint Technical Task Team (JTTT) on Emergency Response to COVID-19 Challenges of Movement of Food and Agricultural Inputs in Enugu State. Speaking during the inauguration, the Commissioner, who doubles as Chairman, tasked the Team to be diligent, determined and dedicated in working towards the achievement of the its Terms of Reference.  In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Daniel Ndukwe Ekea , the Police Commissioner enjoined them to see the duty as a call to National Service, considering the urgent need for the swift distribution of food and agro-allied products across the Nation these trying times of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. The Team, saddled with the responsibility of ensuring the unhindered movement of food and agricultural inputs in and out of the State in this era of Governments' res...

The Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmad AbdurRahman, on Tuesday led a team of Heads of Security Agencies in the State to inspect the level of compliance and enforcement of the  border closure order at Enugu/Benue and Enugu/Ebonyi States borders.  He charged Security Personnel manning the borders to take the enforcement duty very serious and shun corruption and other unprofessional acts, which have disciplinary consequences and capable of jeopardizing the aim of the border closure. Addressing the Personnel at Amalla/Orokam border point between Enugu and Benue States, the Commissioner frowned at the allegations of compromise and complicity for pecuniary reasons leveled against them and made it categorically clear that anyone found wanting will face severe disciplinary sanctions.  AbdurRahman charged them to be guided by the stipulated rules of engagement and perform the enforcement duty with the fear of God Almighty, professionally and resist all forms of corr...

By JANEFRANCES NWEZE Mikel Agu may not have kicked a ball in over a month, but it has not stopped him from providing assist. Agu who has been affected by the outbreak of the Coronavirus, also known  as Covid-19 pandemic, through his foundation, reached out to the less privileged in Delta State, Nigeria.  The midfield maestro who plays for Vitoria Guimareas, in Portugal while describing Covid-19 on his Instagram page, shared the lessons he has learned from the pandemic.  "As we all know, the World is fighting against an invisible enemy (Covid-19) and it came to steal, kill and destroy. We all are suffering from this hard time...but one thing I have really learned from this is...the word (Love). "Everything we have at this moment are all  un-useful, the cars, the clothes, all our luxuries, both expensive and less expensive...I believe this is the time for us to show love". He further announced a partnership between his Foundation, Mikel Ag...

Late Abba Kyari The Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Abba Kyari, is dead. His age is unclear at this time. Kyari died of coronavirus. He received treatment at a private hospital in Lagos. His death was announced by presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina, early Saturday. “Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari, passes on. May God rest his soul. Amen. Funeral arrangements to be announced soon,” Adesina wrote. Adesina later sent a short statement to another media platform, saying, “The Presidency regrets to announce the passage of the Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari.  The deceased had tested positive to the ravaging COVID-19, and had been receiving treatment. But he died on Friday, April 17, 2020. May God accept his soul. Funeral arrangements will be announced shortly.” Kyari had on March 23 tested positive to the novel coronavirus. On March 29, Kyari issued a statement on his decision to move to Lagos for “furt...

The Enugu State Ministry of Health says it has discharged one patient from Treatment and Isolation for COVID 19. Recall that the NCDC had announced two cases of COVID 19 in Enugu that have been in Isolation and receiving care. The state of these two had continued raise questions by the public since the 14 day period had elapsed. But the new State Commissioner for Health, Emmanuel Obi in a press statement on Wednesday has cleared the air noting that one of the two that tested positive for Corona Virus is now Negative and has been discharged.  Obi however said that the other person is stable and responding very well to treatment. He encouraged all persons to continue to stay home, maintain hand and respiratory hygiene, wear a facemask in line with the NCDC's advisory and maintain physical distancing. Meanwhile, as at the time of filing this report, NCDC is yet to update its database to reflect this positive development which is coming to the people of Enugu...

The Management of Enugu Electricity Distribution PLC (EEDC) has urged its customers to go ahead and pay their energy bills to enable the company serve them better. According to the company, electricity bill for the month of April, which is for energy consumed in March, has been dispatched to customers. Also, as part of the organisation’s effort in contending the COVID-19 Pandemic, by promoting physical distancing in its operations, some customers had their bills delivered to them electronically through SMS. This was made known by the Head of Corporate Communications, EEDC, Mr. Emeka Ezeh, during a chat with newsmen in Enugu on Tuesday. Reacting to the claim in some quarters that the Federal Government has asked the Distribution Companies to provide two months free electricity to consumers, Ezeh said that while EEDC is in full support of the proposal, it is important for customers to note that it has not been approved by government nor the relevant legislation passed by the H...

*ADDRESS BY H.E. MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE EXTENSION OF COVID- 19 PANDEMIC LOCKDOWN AT THE STATE HOUSE, ABUJA MONDAY, 13TH APRIL, 2020* 1.   Fellow Nigerians 2.   In my address on Sunday, 29th March, 2020, I asked the residents of Lagos and Ogun States as well as the Federal Capital Territory to stay at home for an initial period of fourteen days starting from Monday, 30th March 2020. 3.   Many State Governments also introduced similar restrictions. 4.   As your democratically elected leaders, we made this very difficult decision knowing fully well it will severely disrupt your livelihoods and bring undue hardship to you, your loved ones and your communities. 5.   However, such sacrifices are needed to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our country. They were necessary to save lives. 6.   Our objective was, and still remains, to contain the spread of the Corona...