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I Need a platform to make laws for business-friendly Anambra. — Ebuka Onunkwo

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…As philanthropy reaches 4,000 students with free WAEC/NECO, 500 scholarsIhips, 600 jobs

By Uzo Ugwunze

The Chairman/CEO Seahorse Lubricant Industries Ltd and Nigerian Democratic Congress NDC Party Senatorial Candidate for Anambra South Senatorial District, Chief Ebuka Onunkwo has declared his commitment to sponsoring legislative bills that will support and make Anambra State more attractive for business growth and investment.

Speaking at his factory in Ozubulu, Ekwusigo LGA during a facility tour conducted by the Nigerian Union of Journalists Anambra State Council as part of the activities to mark the Council’s 35th anniversary, Chief Onunkwo said Anambra has all it takes to become the SME capital of Nigeria, but it needs deliberate laws and policies to reduce the cost of doing business.

“I joined the Senatorial race to be in the red chamber because as an employer of labor here in Anambra State predominantly known for businesses and entrepreneurs, I need a platform to make laws that will create enabling environment to make business thrive for Ndi Anambra.

” I need a platform to make laws for a business-friendly Anambra. Our traders, artisans, and young entrepreneurs are hardworking, but they are burdened by no electricity ,multiple taxes, poor infrastructure, and lack of access to capital. The laws we make must protect them and encourage them to invest at home,” he stated.

“Firstly, We must create laws to improve power supply. 99.9 percent of power here is generated from diesel which is not good for business competition. A state like Anambra needs independent power station for electricity. There should be Budgets for industrial clusters or layouts with electricity substations to provide adequate power supply. It will reduce running and production costs which will in turn stabilize or lower price of products.

“Also, we need good road infrastructure for easy access to goods and raw materials. While performing my oversight function I must make sure that the roads built across the state meet the durability standard,” said Onunkwo.

Onunkwo also said that laws should be made to enable young entrepreneurs access funds and loans at a 1 digit interest rate. The Commercial banks are no go areas for beginners but the bottlenecks involved in obtaining funds from the Bank of Industry need to be reviewed.

“When I get to the Senate , I will sponsor bills institutionalizing Igba Boi/ apprenticeship scheme for businesses saying that an assurance of settlement after apprenticeship will give youths confidence to still believe in Igba Boi other than get rich quick syndrome,” he said.

The Ihembosi born Philanthropist advised that more of the funds allocated to Governors as security votes should be used to fight insecurity because no business or industry thrives in a state prone to security challenges.

Moreso,Mr. Onunkwo noted that his intervention programs have already reached thousands of Ndi Anambra.

According to Onunkwo, I started very small after my business apprenticeship (Igba Boi) at Cotonou, Benin Republic and I prayed to God in my small shop that if he blesses me with wealth, I will help humanity.

“God answered my prayers and because of my love for education, I started given out scholarships starting from my community Ihembosi to Ekwusigo my LGA, across the seven LGAs in the Anambra South Senatorial District and Anambra State.

“From 2007 over 4,000 students of Ihembosi Community Secondary School have benefited from free WAEC/NECO registration sponsored by me. Over 500 indigent students are on scholarship, and over 500 persons have been employed as staff of Seahorse Lubricants Industries Ltd.

“I did not just decide to go into politics because I am a not politician but the people saw how I built my wealth and industry from the scratch with little or nothing and decided that I must go because they saw in me as the person who has capacity and compassion needed to represent them in the Senate.

“Till date, noone has been able to fill the gap left by Late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah. The masses who have benefitted from the interventions through my foundation over two decades have been pleading with me to represent them. My popularity and that of Mr Peter Obi, the NDC Presidential flag bearer is a combination that can realize our vision after the victory in the 2027 general elections.

He said that these achievements and the positive working relationship between him and the entire staff of Seahorse Lubricants Industries were proofs that he would maintain a healthy open door relationship with people from Anambra South Senatorial District when elected a senator.

Ebuka Onunkwo called on stakeholders to support leaders who understand enterprise and will prioritize enabling laws for security, infrastructure, ease of doing business, and youth empowerment.

Also, the Philanthropic Industrialist after advising media practitioners to be objective and balanced in their reporting called on people with integrity, the clergy, industrialists, Business owners, Career persons, teachers, others to be bold to take up political positions saying that if decent people shy away from politics, touts will occupy seats to make laws for the people.

However, the NUJ Anambra State Council Chairman, Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu PhD who led the facility tour commended Chief Ebuka Onunkwo for his Philanthropy and for putting food in the table of many families who are employed in his multi billion naira industry urging other illustrious sons and daughters of Anambra to emulate Ebuka Onunkwo by thinking home and investing in lives of Ndi- Anambra and the entire South East as panacea to hunger, insecurity and hardship.

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NNPC announces nationwide N66 fuel discount for fuel bought through app

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By Our Reporter

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has commenced a nationwide promotional campaign offering customers a ₦66 discount on fuel purchases made through its NNPC Fuel App.

The promotion, which began on October 1, will run until October 7 at NNPC filling stations across the country.

NNPC announced the initiative in a post on its X handle on Friday, saying customers had already started taking advantage of the offer at various stations.

“The ₦66 Discount Promo is ongoing & the excitement is already happening across our stations nationwide!

“All over Nigeria, our customers are getting in on the action & there’s still time for you to benefit!

The promo runs from 1–7 October on the NNPC Fuel App,” the post read.

The company said activities had commenced at several of its stations nationwide, with highlights from the first day of the promotion shared with the public.

NNPC urged motorists and other customers to continue using the Fuel App for their transactions throughout the seven-day campaign in order to benefit from the discount.

“Keep fueling, keep transacting and keep your eyes on our pages,” the post read.

The national oil company also said it would continue to release pictures and updates from participating stations as the promotion progresses.

Customers have been advised to take advantage of the offer before the promotional period ends on October 7.

The ₦66 discount applies to eligible transactions made through the NNPC Fuel App during the promotion.

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Hardship: Public servants begin three-day warning strike

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By Our Reporter

Public servants across Nigeria have commenced a three-day warning strike following a directive by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council over what the workers described as worsening economic and mental hardship.

The industrial action, which began at midnight on Friday, October 2, 2026, is expected to run through Sunday, October 4.

The council directed its national and state leadership to mobilise workers for the action, with the directive contained in a circular dated October 1 and signed by the National Secretary of the JNPSNC, Olowoyo Gbenga.

The circular urged the council’s leadership to ensure that the strike notice reached workers across the country.

The decision, according to the council, followed the Federal Government’s alleged failure to respond to demands earlier presented to President Bola Tinubu in a letter dated September 21, 2026.

READ ALSO:Unions reject TUC suspension of strike, demand reversal of King’s College concession

Explaining the commencement of the industrial action, the council stated, “Consequent upon the above, the strike shall start with effect from midnight on Friday, 2nd October, 2026 to Sunday October 4th, 2026.”

The council called on public servants at the federal, state and local government levels to participate in the warning strike, saying the action was aimed at drawing attention to the economic difficulties confronting workers and their dependants.

It stated, “In the same vein, all public servants in the services of federal, state and local governments are to join the warning strike because an injury to one is an injury to all, most especially, all workers, their dependants, vulnerable and hapless Nigerians are groaning terribly under the present economic hardship.”

The JNPSNC further expressed concern over the impact of the economic situation on workers, saying, “The economic and mental hardships are becoming unbearable and frustrating.”

It also directed its leaders to commence immediate mobilisation for the industrial action, declaring, “The time to act and mobilise workers for the three-day warning strike is now!!!”

The warning strike comes against the backdrop of demands earlier submitted by the council to the Federal Government for measures to ease the pressure of rising living costs on workers.

Among the demands were a reduction in the price of petrol, an immediate wage award for workers and the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage ahead of 2027.

The council had reportedly asked the Federal Government to bring down the pump price of petrol to N500 per litre, approve an immediate wage award and constitute a tripartite committee to negotiate a new national minimum wage.

The demands followed continued concerns over the declining purchasing power of workers amid increases in the prices of essential commodities, transportation and other household needs.

In its latest circular, the council urged its members to circulate the strike notice and expressed optimism about the outcome of the industrial action.

“Please, disseminate the information!!! Surely, there is victory for us!!!” the circular added.

The council maintained that the warning strike would proceed as scheduled, with public servants across the federal, state and local government services expected to take part.

Efforts to obtain a response from the Ministry of Labour were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

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Olokoro Community Eulogises NDPHC MD/CEO Adighije for School Renovation, Development Projects

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Johnchuks Onuanyim, Abuja

The people of Olokoro Clan in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State have showered encomiums on the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), Engr. Jennifer Adighije, for executing key development projects in the community, including the comprehensive renovation of a block of classrooms at Boys Secondary School, Umuoparazara.

The community described the projects as landmark interventions that have not only improved learning conditions for students but also reinforced Adighije’s commitment to grassroots development and community service.

Speaking during the commissioning of the projects on Nigeria’s Independence Day celebration, community leaders, traditional rulers, women groups and youth organisations hailed Adighije as a worthy ambassador of Olokoro whose contributions have brought honour and development to the clan.

The projects commissioned include the renovation of a classroom block at Boys Secondary School, Umuoparazara Olokoro, and the landscaping and installation of modern 3D flooring at the Olokoro Clan Headquarters Complex in Ahiaukwu.

The event attracted a large gathering of traditional rulers, government representatives, community stakeholders and indigenes who turned out to celebrate what many described as a historic day for the clan.

In his remarks, the Federated President-General of the Olokoro Clan Development Union (OCDU), Dr. Odinakachi Umekwe, commended Adighije for her dedication to the welfare of her people and for consistently identifying with the aspirations of the community.

He noted that the renovation of the school facility would significantly improve the learning environment for students and contribute to educational development in the area.

Umekwe urged community members to safeguard and maintain the facilities, while offering prayers for greater accomplishments in Adighije’s public service career.

Speaking shortly before commissioning the renovated classroom block, Adighije attributed the successful execution of the projects to God’s grace and the productive partnership between the community and government institutions.

She assured the people that her intervention in the school would not end with the renovation, announcing plans to undertake solar electrification of the classroom block as the next phase of support.

According to her, quality education remains critical to community development and nation-building, stressing that investments in educational infrastructure are investments in the future of young people.

She also pledged to continue collaborating with the leadership of the OCDU to identify and execute additional projects that would improve the living conditions of residents.

The community further applauded the NDPHC boss for her contributions to youth empowerment, employment opportunities and other initiatives aimed at improving the socio-economic wellbeing of Olokoro people.

Traditional rulers, women leaders, youth representatives and elders who spoke at the event described Adighije as a role model and a source of inspiration to younger generations, noting that her achievements in engineering, public service and community development have made the clan proud.

In an emotional response during a grand reception held in her honour at the Olokoro Clan Headquarters, Adighije thanked the people for their overwhelming support and goodwill.

She reaffirmed her commitment to serving humanity and promoting the development of Olokoro, assuring residents that she would continue to contribute her quota to the progress of the community whenever the opportunity arises.

Her father, Senator Chris Adighije, also expressed gratitude to the people of Olokoro for the honour accorded his family and pledged continued support for initiatives that would advance the development of the clan.

The event featured cultural performances by students of Boys Secondary School, Umuoparazara, and was attended by prominent traditional rulers, community leaders, women groups, youth organisations and other stakeholders from across Olokoro Clan.

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