Blessing Bliss In 2013, I was a Senior Secondary (S.S.) 2 student preparing for my promotional exams. Like many students, I was eager to advance to the next class, looking forward to new challenges and opportunities. That same year, the people of Abba community in Nwangele Local Government Area, Imo State, shared a similar sense of anticipation. The community, along with Nkwerre, Njaba, and Isu, had just received news of an ICT Centre project, one that promised to bridge the digital divide, create job opportunities, and equip youths with vital technological skills. For the first time in years, mothers praised Chukwu Okike Abiama for remembering their community. Parents envisioned employment opportunities for their children, while young people dreamt of acquiring digital skills in the promised hub. However, 12 years later, the ICT Centre remains nothing more than an abandoned structure, an unfulfilled promise lost in the shadows of corruption, mismanagement, and neglect. I...

Imo State, a tropical region in southeastern Nigeria, is known for its abundant water bodies. From the famous Imo River to Otammiri, Onu Ukwu in Owerri North, Njaba River, Orashi River, and Oguta Lake, these natural blessings have long set the state apart from neighboring Enugu and Anambra, where access to water can be as difficult as climbing onto a camel’s back without help. For years, these rivers and streams have been the lifeline of farmers in Imo State. Many cultivate their farmlands near these water sources, ensuring they can grow crops in and out of season. Unlike their counterparts who rely solely on rainfall, these riverside farmers enjoy year-round farming. Corn, a crop typically associated with the rainy season, thrives even in the dry season, thanks to the consistent water supply. The farmers, a mix of full-time agriculturalists, retirees, and pensioners, depend entirely on their harvests for survival. Some specialize in growing lush, green curry leaves, which th...

  The journey to gender equality is long and challenging, yet every step forward brings society closer to balance.  In commemoration of International Women’s Day 2025, the Ike Odoeme Foundation took bold strides in addressing critical issues affecting women through a well-attended event themed Accelerate Action, with a focus on Empowering Women in Education and Technology. Held in Imo State today, the event brought together notable dignitaries, policymakers, and advocates for women's empowerment.  Among the distinguished speakers were the Honorable Commissioner for Tertiary and Technical Education in Imo State, Prof. Victor Nwachukwu, Dr. Fatima Ijeoma Emetuma (FOWAN), Mrs. Blessing Okorie, Prof. K.O. Nworgu, Dr. Dorathy Nnaji, CP Aboki Danjuma (ably represented), and Rt. Hon. Uju Onwudiwe.  Representatives from the offices of the Imo State Deputy Governor and the Commissioner of Police were also in attendance. The Ike Odoeme Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organizati...

  The journey to gender equality is long and arduous, yet every step counts. As the world marked International Women’s Day 2025 today, the Ike Odoeme Foundation took bold steps toward addressing key issues affecting women through a well-attended event with the theme Accelerate Action. The focus was on empowering women through education and technology, two critical tools for bridging the gender gap. Women, who make up nearly half of the world’s population, continue to face obstacles ranging from gender-based violence to underrepresentation in leadership. The Ike Odoeme Foundation, is a Non-Governmental Organization that is committed to empowering women across all walks of life, young, old, educated, uneducated, able bodied and different bodied. It's vision is to create a society where every woman has the opportunity, resources, and support to reach her full potential. The Honorable Commissioner for Tertiary and Technical Education in Imo State, Prof. Victor Nwachukwu, who is...

 ADEMOLA KIZITO  NAFDAC’s response to my critique is nothing but a desperate, poorly executed attempt at intimidation.  Instead of addressing the core issues, the agency resorted to name-calling, baseless accusations, and cheap emotional manipulation.  This is the typical playbook of a failed institution when confronted with truth, they cower behind propaganda and hired writers who spew personal attacks rather than facts. Let it be clear: this attempt to silence me will not work.  If NAFDAC wants a media war, I am more than ready. It's already making rounds that ₦2 million was demanded to reopen sealed shops, but I’ll set that aside for now. It will be an issue for another day  NAFDAC’s attempt at reverse psychology is laughable. They call me a “sponsored writer” while hiring two media consultants to spin their narrative.  If anyone is playing the propaganda game, it is them. Their desperation is evident. They cannot counter my facts, so they resort to...

  From March 1 st to 7 th, 2025, the world celebrates Open Data Day, a week dedicated to recognizing the power of accessible information in solving global challenges. T oday in Owerri, journalists and media practitioners gathered for a transformative one-day workshop on leveraging open data for climate and agricultural reporting, giving this global occasion a special local significance.   Behind this initiative is Harriet Ijeomah, a passionate journalist in her 20s, driven by a love for development and social change storytelling. This passion led her to establish Harsco Medicomm, a media platform dedicated to development and solution-based journalism. With support from the Open Knowledge Foundation (OKFN) and DATAOPIAN, she brought together data experts and media professionals for an eye-opening session on how open data can revolutionize climate and agricultural reporting. The training kicked off with Mr. Udochukwu Chukwu, a research and data expert, who shed light on j...

 ADEMOLA KIZITO  For weeks, Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry has faced an unrelenting assault orchestrated by NAFDAC and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN). Under the guise of sanitization, key drug markets, including Idumota, Onitsha, and Aba have been raided, shops locked, medicines confiscated, and an entire sector broadly labeled as criminal. The prevailing narrative suggests that all pharmaceutical traders are frauds, charlatans, and merchants of death. The distribution system is described as a disaster, accused of poisoning the nation, with regulatory authorities advocating for its complete overhaul. Lost in this aggressive enforcement, however, is the devastating impact on thousands of law-abiding business owners who have spent years ensuring Nigerians have access to life-saving medications. The crackdown has disregarded distinctions between legitimate traders and offenders, resulting in widespread economic casualties. Instead of targeting criminals, an entire in...