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...As Enugu Traders Back Mbah for Second Term, Declare Markets Opposition-Free  Hails End of Monday Sit-at-Home, Improved Market Facilities and Business Growth; Governor Promises Bigger Opportunities Through China Cargo Link, Idodo International Market ENUGU, October 23, 2026 — Market leaders across Enugu State have thrown their weight behind Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah’s second-term ambition, declaring that his administration’s development projects and interventions in the trading sector have strengthened their confidence in his leadership. The traders, led by the President of the Enugu State Market Amalgamated Traders Association (ESMATA), Chief Chinwuba Igwesi, made the declaration during a stakeholders’ meeting with the governor attended by chairmen and secretaries of more than 50 markets across the state. Speaking for the traders, Igwesi applauded the restoration of regular Monday trading following the end of the illegal sit-at-home disruption, saying traders could now open t...

_...Hon Sunday Asefon hails warm reception, highlights ₦372.62bn NELFUND disbursement, academic stability, TVET and digital opportunities_ By Ogene Romanus Chizoba The nationwide state-to-state student engagement initiative championed by the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Student Engagement, Comr. Sunday Asefon Dayo, is gaining momentum, following the successful Katsina State engagement, where students and youth leaders were urged to embrace the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and support the President’s re-election bid in 2027. The engagement, held under the Renewed Hope Student Leaders Engagement and Digital Acceleration Programme, provided a platform for the presidential aide to showcase the achievements, policies and development initiatives of the Tinubu administration, particularly in education, student financing, skills acquisition, digital innovation and youth empowerment. Asefon expressed appreciation to students and youth communities in Katsina...

  Anambra State has recorded another milestone in the Federal Government’s drive to expand access to higher education, as the management of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze, and beneficiaries of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) student-loan scheme have hailed the intervention for providing financial relief to students and their families. The commendation follows the disbursement of ₦3,179,000 to 22 students of the institution for the 2025/2026 academic session, reinforcing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to reducing financial barriers to tertiary education through the student-loan initiative. The college formally acknowledged receipt of the funds in a letter dated July 31, 2026, confirming that the payment was released on July 23, 2026, under the sixth batch of NELFUND student-loan disbursements. In its acknowledgement, the institution expressed appreciation to NELFUND for extending the programme to its students, describing the intervention as...

…Fund Reaffirms Interest-Free Loans, Warns Beneficiaries Against Ignoring Repayment Obligations The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has reiterated that its student loan scheme is strictly voluntary, assuring Nigerian students that those who can finance their education independently are not required to take out loans. The Fund said the initiative was introduced to ease the financial burden of higher education on eligible students who genuinely need assistance, rather than compel every student in Nigeria's tertiary institutions to become a borrower. NELFUND stated this in Abuja on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, in a statement signed by its Director of Strategic Communications, Mrs. Oseyemi Oluwatuyi. The clarification comes as the Fund emphasised the importance of understanding the purpose of the scheme and making application decisions based on individual financial circumstances. According to NELFUND, the programme is designed to remove financial obstacles that prevent stu...

  Shell Petroleum B.V. has signed an agreement to sell its entire interest in the Shell Nigeria Gas Group to Vaaris Energy Limited, a Nigerian company, marking its exit from Nigeria’s domestic gas distribution business. The agreement will see Vaaris Energy acquire Shell’s full interest in the group. Shell disclosed the transaction in a statement on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. Further details of the transaction are expected to be announced.

…Thanks Enugu East Chairman for Opportunity to Serve as Iyiukwu Development Centre Administrator, Says Appointment Brings Joy to Family and Ogbeke Nike Community Comrade Ugwu Michael Okwudili, popularly known as Alhaji Jango, has expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Executive Chairman of Enugu East Local Government Area, Engr. Pastor Dr. Beloved-Dan Obi-Anike, for recommending him for appointment as Administrator of Iyiukwu Development Centre. Alhaji Jango, a prominent grassroots mobiliser and President-General of Ogbeke Nike Autonomous Community, described the recommendation as a remarkable gesture of trust and confidence, saying it had brought immense joy to his family and the people of Ogbeke Nike. He said the appointment carries special significance for his community, noting that, to the best of his knowledge, he is the first son of Ogbeke Nike to occupy the position of Administrator of Iyiukwu Development Centre. The community leader described Pastor Engr. Beloved-Dan Obi-...

…Says decision follows public concerns, seeks wider consultations and enlightenment The member representing Ezeagu Constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Barr. Chima Obieze , has withdrawn his proposed Crowd Control and Public Safety Bill , following widespread reactions and concerns over the legislation. Obieze announced the withdrawal on Thursday, October 8, 2026, saying the decision would provide an opportunity for broader stakeholder consultations and public enlightenment on the objectives of the proposed law. The lawmaker maintained that the Bill was conceived in good faith and primarily out of concern for the protection of lives and prevention of avoidable tragedies at public gatherings across Enugu State. “My proposed Crowd Control and Public Safety Bill is hereby withdrawn. Let me once again state that the intention behind the Bill is born purely out of concern for human life and safety.” Obieze said the proposed legislation was intended to establi...

…Mbah appoints Enugu Air Chairman Richard Agu as Commissioner-Designate ENUGU — Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has appointed Barr. Richard Agu , Chairman of the Board of Enugu Air, as Commissioner-Designate for the Enugu State Ministry of Transport . The appointment was announced in a Public Service Announcement issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Enugu State Government and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia , on October 7, 2026. According to the statement, Governor Mbah approved Agu’s appointment and has forwarded his name to the Enugu State House of Assembly for the mandatory screening and confirmation in accordance with the law. The statement reads: “The Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has approved the appointment of Barr. Richard Agu, Chairman of the Board of Enugu Air, as Commissioner-Designate for the Enugu State Ministry of Transport.” It added: “In accorda...

…Says Sustainable Development Begins at the Grassroots The President General of Ihenyi Agarama Autonomous Community, Eha-Amufu, and Senior Special Assistant to the Chairman of Isi-Uzo Local Government Area on WASH, Hon. Charles Ilodi, has congratulated Hon. Brendan Emeka Ani on his election as the Executive Chairman of Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State. Ilodi described Ani’s victory as a fresh opportunity to strengthen grassroots governance and pursue development that directly reflects the needs and aspirations of communities across Isi-Uzo. In a congratulatory message, the community development advocate urged the newly elected chairman to make the people and their communities the driving force behind his administration, stressing that sustainable development is best achieved when residents are actively involved in determining and implementing projects that affect their lives. According to him, Ani’s emergence comes with a significant responsibility to translate the confiden...

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has disbursed ₦7,786,400 to 26 students of the State University of Medical and Applied Sciences (SUMAS), Enugu, for the 2025/2026 academic session. The latest disbursement provides financial support to the beneficiaries while further strengthening access to tertiary education for students of the medical and applied sciences institution. Following the release of the funds, SUMAS has also commenced the process of refunding students who had already paid their school fees before receiving the NELFUND support . The development means eligible students who made payments ahead of the NELFUND disbursement can now benefit from the refund process, subject to the university’s verification and applicable procedures. The latest intervention highlights NELFUND’s continuing role in easing the financial burden of higher education and supporting students to remain focused on their studies.