The Imo East Senatorial hopeful of the Action People’s Party, APP, Mazi Chima Matthew Amadi, has expressed deep concern over the disturbing resurgence of insecurity, killings, and violent attacks across several parts of Imo State, particularly Umuguma, Ihiagwa, and Eziobodo communities in Owerri West, as well as parts of Ngor Okpala.

He described the worsening situation as a tragic indictment on a government that has repeatedly failed in its constitutional responsibility to protect the lives and property of its citizens.

Amadi made this known during an unscheduled condolence visit to the family of the late Mr. David Onyegbula, a community vigilante officer who was brutally killed by rampaging assailants in Umuojukwu, Umuagu, Umuguma, Owerri West LGA.

The visit took place while he was on a private engagement with Rt. Commodore Ogechi Osuagwu, a distinguished Nigerian Navy veteran and prominent community leader.

During the visit, Mazi Amadi expressed heartfelt sympathy to the widow of the deceased, Mrs. Joy David Onyegbula, their children, and other relatives, lamenting the painful and avoidable loss of innocent lives to acts of violence and criminality that have now become frighteningly recurrent across many communities in Imo State.

He urged the widow to remain courageous and look up to God for strength and consolation, noting that although no words can truly heal the pain of losing a loved one under such tragic circumstances, faith in God and the support of family and well-wishers would help sustain her through this difficult period.

Amadi further condemned in very strong terms the recurring incidents of insecurity in the state, insisting that the continued bloodshed, violent attacks, and atmosphere of fear are clear evidence of the failure of the APC-led government in Imo State to discharge its most fundamental responsibility of governance, which is the protection of lives and property.

According to him, it is unacceptable that citizens now live in fear, communities remain unsafe, and families are constantly subjected to grief and uncertainty, while those entrusted with the responsibility of governance continue to preoccupy themselves with political permutations instead of providing practical and effective solutions to the deteriorating security situation in the state.

He further lamented that the alarming rise in violent attacks has not only led to the loss of innocent lives but has also crippled economic activities, disrupted livelihoods, displaced families, and deepened the level of fear and hopelessness among ordinary citizens across the state.

This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by his Chief press Secretary, Cajetan Duke and made available to journalists in Owerri.

The Aspirant therefore called on security agencies to urgently intensify intelligence gathering, strengthen community-based security operations, and ensure that those responsible for these heinous acts are identified, arrested, and brought to justice without delay.

He maintained that the people of Imo State deserve to live in peace, safety, and dignity, rather than under constant fear

and tension.

While praying for the peaceful repose of the souls of the deceased, Mazi Amadi reassured affected families and residents of the state that their pains and cries are not ignored.

He urged the government at all levels to abandon propaganda, show sincerity of purpose, and demonstrate genuine commitment towards restoring security, protecting citizens, and rebuilding public confidence across Imo State.

A group of unpaid civil servants in Taraba State has expressed disappointment over the alleged non-payment of salaries for nearly 12 months, accusing the state government of neglect and silence amid growing hardship.

In a letter on Thursday addressed to the Commissioner of Finance, Dr. Sarah Enoch, the affected workers lamented what they described as lack of action and communication from the ministry regarding their unpaid wages.

Signed by the Chairman of Unpaid Civil Servants, Abdurrauf Sani, the aggrieved persons stated that many workers and their families have been pushed into severe economic hardship due to the prolonged delay in salary payments.

According to the group, several affected civil servants have struggled to feed their families, pay house rents, and sponsor their children’s education as a result of the unpaid salaries.

The workers argued that the Ministry of Finance, being responsible for the release of government funds, should have taken decisive measures to address the situation or at least communicate with those affected.

They further expressed disappointment that the Commissioner had allegedly remained silent throughout the period despite the growing suffering among workers.

“We remind you that we are your children, brothers, and sisters,” the letter read in part, adding that the level of hardship being experienced by workers was unacceptable.

The group called on the Commissioner to urgently intervene, break her silence, and ensure immediate resolution of the lingering salary crisis.

The civil servants also urged the Taraba state government to prioritise workers’ welfare, insisting that the people of the state deserve better treatment and prompt payment of earned salaries.

Nigeria’s telecommunications  stakeholders, regulators, and policymakers have called for a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s telecommunications policy framework to align it with emerging technologies, digital economy ambitions and broader national development objectives.

This call came on Tuesday at the National Telecommunications Policy Review Workshop organised by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, in Lagos to review the implementation of the National Telecommunications Policy 2000 and develop a forward-looking policy framework for the sector.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, said Nigeria’s telecommunications sector had evolved far beyond the assumptions that shaped the National Telecommunications Policy 2000.

According to him, the sector has moved from a liberalisation phase dominated by limited telephone access and market reforms to an advanced digital ecosystem driven by broadband, artificial intelligence, 5G, satellite broadband, cloud infrastructure and digital services.

“When the National Telecommunications Policy 2000 was introduced, Nigeria’s telecommunications sector was at a very different stage of development,” Maida said.

He noted that prior to reforms, the sector was managed by the defunct NITEL, with fewer than 500,000 active telephone lines serving over 120 million Nigerians.

According to Maida, the policy played a critical role in opening the market to private investment, promoting competition and strengthening regulation through the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, leading to rapid expansion in connectivity across the country.

He, however, said the sector now faces more complex challenges, including fibre cuts, infrastructure vandalism, high energy costs, multiple taxation, permitting delays and persistent rural connectivity gaps.

“These are not just operational issues for operators; they are national development issues because they affect the quality, resilience and reach of digital services across the economy,” he said.

The NCC boss stressed that telecommunications is linked to all aspects of society, describing it as “productivity infrastructure for the entire economy,” supporting commerce, agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, education, financial services and public administration.

He said the review of the telecommunications policy must preserve core principles such as competition, universal access, independent regulation and consumer protection while developing a modern framework capable of supporting innovation, investment, resilience and broadband expansion.

Delivering the keynote address, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy and Coordination and Head of the Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit, Hadiza Bala Usman, said the policy review was not merely a technical exercise but a governance and national development imperative.

According to her, policies must move beyond written documents to become practical instruments that deliver measurable outcomes.

“A policy is not merely a document. It is the expression of a country’s priorities, the framework through which public institutions organise action, and the basis on which government choices are translated into measurable outcomes,” she said.

Usman stressed that clear policy direction gives regulators, investors and institutions certainty, while weak or fragmented policy frameworks often lead to duplication of effort, blurred mandates and poor implementation.

She described telecommunications as an enabling platform that underpins virtually every sector of national life, including digital trade, fintech, education, healthcare, agriculture, security and public service delivery.

According to her, a revised telecommunications policy must address broader issues beyond networks and operators, including national productivity, inclusion, digital governance, infrastructure resilience, investment, cybersecurity and consumer protection.

She also urged stronger collaboration among federal and sub-national governments, regulators, operators, investors and other stakeholders to address bottlenecks such as rights of way, taxation, digital inclusion, infrastructure deployment and cybersecurity.

“The NCC may regulate the industry, but the success of telecommunications policy also depends on the actions of many other public and private actors,” she said.

Usman said the revised policy should be accompanied by a clear implementation roadmap outlining timelines, responsibilities, funding requirements, performance indicators and reporting mechanisms.

She added that policies should be treated as “living instruments of governance” subject to periodic review, monitoring and adjustment rather than static documents.

Both speakers aligned the policy review with the Federal Government’s digital economy agenda and broader economic reform objectives.

Maida cited estimates by the GSMA showing that deeper digitalisation across sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, transport and government could significantly boost economic growth, create jobs and expand government revenue.

Usman, on her part, said the policy review should support the administration’s Eight Presidential Priorities by demonstrating how improved telecommunications infrastructure and digital connectivity can drive productivity, innovation, jobs, competitiveness and better public service delivery.

The workshop, which brought together regulators, operators, development partners, policymakers, academics and industry experts, is expected to produce recommendations toward the development of a new National Telecommunications Policy 2026.

Participants are expected to examine the implementation record of the National Telecommunications Policy 2000, identify policy gaps and propose reforms aimed at strengthening broadband access, digital inclusion, regulatory coordination, infrastructure protection and Nigeria’s broader digital transformation agenda.

Former Education Secretary, Mayowa Alakija, popularly known as “Bibire,” has emerged the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate for Oshodi/Isolo State Constituency I after defeating incumbent lawmaker, Stephen Ogundipe in the party’s primary election ahead of the 2027 Lagos State House of Assembly poll.

The primary election results were collated at the Legislative Hall of the Oshodi Local Government Secretariat, where party members and stakeholders gathered in large numbers for the exercise.

Ward-by-ward results showed Alakija maintaining a commanding lead across most of the constituency.

In Bolade D1 Ward, he polled 3,121 votes against Ogundipe’s 1,110 votes. He also recorded a landslide victory in Orile Oshodi D2 Ward with 4,352 votes, while Ogundipe secured only 12 votes.

At Mafoluku D3 Ward, Alakija garnered 2,102 votes compared to Ogundipe’s 166 votes.

The contest was relatively closer in Shogunle E1 Ward, where Alakija scored 484 votes against 371 votes recorded by the incumbent lawmaker.

In Alasia Shogunle E2 Ward, Alakija secured 455 votes, while Ogundipe polled 78 votes.

At the conclusion of the collation process, Alakija emerged winner with a total of 12,251 votes, while Ogundipe finished with 1,737 votes.

Another aspirant, Abiodun Orija, had withdrawn from the race before voting commenced and subsequently directed his supporters to back Alakija.

The APC Returning Officer, Prince Adesanya Omoloja, later declared Alakija as the duly elected candidate of the party for the constituency.

The announcement triggered celebrations among supporters and party members, many of whom described the outcome as a reflection of Alakija’s grassroots support and political acceptance within Oshodi/Isolo.

Party leaders also commended the peaceful conduct of the exercise and urged members to remain united ahead of the general election.

In his acceptance remarks, Alakija expressed appreciation to party leaders, delegates, women, youths, and supporters across the constituency for the confidence reposed in him.

He also acknowledged supporters of other aspirants, noting that their participation reflected democratic values and commitment to the progress of the party.

“Now that the primary election is over, this is the time for unity, reconciliation, and consolidation as we prepare for the general election ahead,” he said.

Alakija stressed that the collective interest of the party and the constituency should take precedence over personal ambition, urging APC members to work together for victory in the next election.

He also appreciated Abiodun Orija for stepping down from the race in the interest of unity, while commending Ogundipe for what he described as a healthy and democratic contest.

According to him, the primary election demonstrated political maturity and loyalty to the APC.

Alakija reaffirmed his commitment to inclusive leadership and pledged to serve the constituency with dedication, humility, and fairness if elected.