Sunshine Magazine

  SUCCESSFUL INAUGURATION OF THE NEW EXECUTIVES OF OHANAEZE NDI IGBO BENDE LGA CHAPTER: A CELEBRATION OF UNITY, CULTURE, AND LEADERSHIP It was a day of honour, unity, and renewed commitment to Igbo values as the newly constituted Executives of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, Bende LGA Chapter were successfully inaugurated on Thursday, 30th October 2025, at the Bende Local Government Headquarters. The colourful ceremony drew distinguished personalities, traditional leaders, political figures, and cultural enthusiasts from across Abia State, marking a new dawn for Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo in Bende. The atmosphere was charged with enthusiasm and cultural pride as guests converged to witness the formal swearing-in of the new team of leaders who will pilot the affairs of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo in Bende LGA. The event, described by many as historic and unifying, reflected the collective desire of the people to uphold Igbo identity and strengthen socio-cultural development at the grassroots. GOODWILL MESSAGES AND...

   2025 BudgIT REPORT  RANKS ABIA 4TH ON FISCAL PERFORMANCE. The 2025 BudgIT Report ranks  Abia  4th on fiscal performance. This is a significant achievement for  Abia State , marking the first time it has featured in the top 10 since the report's inception 10 years ago. Under  Dr. Alex Otti 's leadership, Abia State has demonstrated focused and intentional leadership, as also recognized by the Debt Management Office (DMO) report earlier in the year. BudgIT relies strictly on factual economic and financial data to objectively evaluate and analyze the financial management and sustainability of States in Nigeria. The BudgIT Report is an Independent assessment from the most authoritative fiscal transparency and accountability Civic-Tech Organization in Nigeria. The BudgIT ranking is based on five key metrics, including State's ability to meet operating expenses using Internally Generated Resources (IGR), year-on-year IGR growth, capacity to cover expenses...

   THE SPIRIT OF UNITY AND HERITAGE SHINES IN IBINAUKWU IGBERE The people of Ibinaukwu Igbere once again demonstrated the true essence of communal spirit and cultural pride as they gathered for the traditional Oru Oha (Ikwa Uzo Iyi Nta Oba) ceremony — a symbolic event rooted in unity, progress, and ancestral reverence. The event, which was successfully held to the glory of God, became a rallying point for togetherness and cultural rebirth among the sons and daughters of Ibinaukwu Igbere. It was a vivid reminder that when a people stand united, guided by shared values and respect for tradition, they can achieve lasting peace and progress. The presence and active support of His Royal Highness, Eze Joseph Anya (ENYI EZEJI), added a royal touch of wisdom, inspiration, and continuity. His Royal Highness, known for his deep love for unity and culture, encouraged the community to remain steadfast in remembering their ancestral heritage — a heritage that binds every Ibinaukwu indigene...

 COURT ADJOURNS NNAMDI KANU’S TRIAL AS DEFENCE FAILS TO COMMENCE AGAIN The ongoing terrorism trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has once again been adjourned by the Federal High Court in Abuja after the defendant failed to open his defence for the second consecutive time. At the resumed hearing on Friday, Kanu—who has opted to personally conduct his own defence—told the presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, that he was unable to proceed because his former legal team had not yet handed over his case file. “My Lord, my counsel left the case yesterday, and I have not received the file from them. The few people who would have brought it were prevented from seeing me,” Kanu explained, requesting an adjournment to allow him time to prepare adequately for his defence. In response, the lead counsel representing the Federal Government, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), did not object to the adjournment but urged the court to maintain its existing direct...

 THE LEGISLATURE: A MECHANISM FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND GOOD GOVERNANCE-OZIOMACHI Before the conceptualisation of modern legislation, the Igbo pre-colonial administration exhibited legislative resemblances in its operations. For instance, the council of elders and village assembly, which made laws for proper administration, embodied all the functions outlined within the legislative pattern. Comprised of representatives from all clans and village heads, this body deliberated, legislated on matters of importance, authorized expenditure, and exercised periodic oversight through the age-grade system, which held statutory oversight functions. This demonstrates that the historical origin of legislation can not be solely traced through Western examples like the Athenian Ecclesia, the Roman Senatus, and the English Parliament without acknowledging the Igbo example. The institutionalization of a modern and separate legislative arm, distinct from the executive and judiciary, is a hallmark of mo...

  Otedola to PENGASSAN: “Go Build Your Own $20 Billion Refinery and Sabotage It as You Please!” — By FMNewsplus Reporter In a sharp yet witty response that has set the Nigerian energy space abuzz, billionaire businessman Femi Otedola has delivered what many are calling a reality check to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN). His message was clear, direct, and dripping with satire: “If you’re so concerned, go build your own $20 billion refinery and sabotage it as you please." Otedola’s remark comes amid growing noise from PENGASSAN over alleged irregularities and “concerns” about operations at the Dangote Refinery, Africa’s largest single-train petroleum refinery and one of the most ambitious industrial projects on the continent. A Reality Check from the Boardroom According to Otedola, the outcry from PENGASSAN is nothing more than an overreach — an attempt by a union with no tangible investment in the oil downstream sector to meddle in a pr...

  JUBILATION AS IMO STATE GOVERNMENT COMMENCES PAYMENT OF ₦104,000 MINIMUM WAGE. The Imo State Government has officially commenced payment of the new ₦104,000 minimum wage to civil servants, fulfilling Governor Hope Uzodimma’s earlier commitment to enhance workers’ welfare through an upward review of salaries. According to Nigeria News Channel, state employees have begun receiving credit alerts reflecting the new wage structure, sparking widespread jubilation and appreciation across the state’s workforce. Governor Hope Uzodimma had earlier approved a comprehensive salary structure that includes ₦104,000 as the minimum wage for new government workers, ₦513,000 for medical doctors, and ₦220,000 as the entry-level salary for lecturers in state-owned tertiary institutions. With this implementation, Imo State now leads the nation in public sector remuneration, surpassing the new national minimum wage benchmark of ₦70,000. Lagos State follows with ₦88,000, Rivers State with ₦85,000, whil...

  Protecting Igbo Economic Interests and Advancing Regional Infrastructure - OziomaChi ‎ ‎The Honourable lawmaker representing Bende North Constituency, Abia State, Hon. Ibekwe Nnamdi Chimdi, at the plenary session yesterday, delivered a powerful appeal that resonated deeply across the House. He drew attention to the distressing attacks on property owned by Igbo indigenes in Lagos State, urging the House to call on the President and National Assembly to act swiftly in restoring peace and preventing further destruction. Hon. Ibekwe emphasised the urgency of safeguarding the investments and homes of citizens, especially Igbo indigenes in the commercial city. ‎Beyond this urgent call, he exhorted the South Eastern Governor to emulate the inspiring example set by Governor Dr. Alex Chioma Otti. He applauded Governor Otti’s unwavering commitment to creating a nurturing environment for Igbo investors—an environment that encourages them to channel prosperity back to their homeland. This, h...

THE POLITICS OF ABIA STATE AND THE GAINS OF GOOD GOVERNANCE AS EXHIBITED BY DR. ALEX CHIOMA OTTI. By Amb. Dr. Onwuka K. O. In the ever-evolving political landscape of Abia State, one name continues to resonate with the voice of purposeful leadership, accountability, and genuine service to the people — Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, the Executive Governor of Abia State. His emergence on the political scene marked a defining moment for the state — a paradigm shift from transactional politics to transformational governance. A NEW POLITICAL CONSCIOUSNESS IN ABIA STATE Abia State, once synonymous with political stagnation, patronage, and systemic decay, is now witnessing a renaissance. The 2023 political revolution that brought Dr. Alex Otti to power under the Labour Party signaled a people’s rebellion against complacency. It was a collective cry for change — for transparency, meritocracy, and the restoration of hope. Dr. Otti’s ascension represented not just a change in leadership, but a compl...

  OHANAEZE NDI IGBO, BENDE LGA CHAPTER AND THE MOVE TOWARDS A SUCCESSFUL INAUGURATION In what appears to be a new dawn for the unity and progress of Nde Igbo in Bende Local Government Area, the Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, Bende LGA Chapter has intensified preparations for its official inauguration. The recent meeting of the chapter, held on the 6th of October 2025, brought together prominent stakeholders and committed members determined to give Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo in Bende a formidable and lasting structure. The meeting, chaired by Mazi Peter Agwu Okorie, was marked by a spirit of purpose, cooperation, and renewed zeal. In his remarks, the Chairman described the forthcoming inauguration as “a defining moment for the Bende Chapter of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo.” He emphasized that the chapter is not just an organization but “a rallying point for the cultural identity, socio-political participation, and unity of the Igbo people in Bende.” Mazi Okorie further called on all members to demonstrate commitme...

  FG RESOLVES PENGASSAN –DANGOTE DISPUTE, WORKERS TO BE REDEPLOYED. By Blessing Eze  The Federal Government has settled the industrial dispute between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Dangote Group, ending a nationwide strike that had disrupted operations in the oil and gas sector. The breakthrough was announced on Wednesday by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, after hours of closed-door talks with representatives of both parties. According to the resolutions reached, the Dangote Group will redeploy more than 800 workers who were recently disengaged, ensuring no loss of pay. The government also reaffirmed that unionisation remains a right guaranteed under Nigerian law, while stressing that no employee will face victimisation for participating in the standoff. In return, PENGASSAN has agreed to begin the process of calling off its nationwide strike. The meeting, which produced the agreement...