Author: Rommy Imah

A new thought-leadership podcast, “Policy Without Politics,” has launched to deepen public understanding of the policies shaping economies, businesses, markets and everyday life. Hosted by Mustafa Chike-Obi and Dr. Ken Ikpe, the weekly podcast is available on YouTube and invites viewers to subscribe for rigorous, non-partisan conversations on governance, public policy, development and the business environment. Positioned as a platform for clear thinking without partisan noise, Policy Without Politics connects decisions made in capitals to their impact on companies, markets, citizens and communities, with global relevance grounded in an African context. Each episode explores the forces shaping trade, fiscal and…

Governor Alex Otti on Friday led dignitaries in celebrating the 83rd birthday of elder statesman and former Minister of Education and Health, Ihechukwu Chiedozie Madubuike, with a public tribute that also featured the launch of three books authored and edited in his honour. The event, held at the Michael Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia, brought together political leaders, academics, public intellectuals, and other prominent Nigerians who reflected on Prof. Madubuike’s contributions to education, public service, and national development. Governor Otti described the celebrant as an exceptional scholar, accomplished administrator, family man, and one of Abia’s finest intellectuals. “For us in Abia,…

News Highlights: Real-time infrastructure solved cash and transfer delays, enabling instant funds and credit access for food businesses. Cloud kitchens and delivery super-apps are reshaping Nigeria’s food service market, projected to hit $19.31 billion by 2030. Nigeria’s food service industry is undergoing a major digital transformation, with real-time payment infrastructure helping to unlock a market projected to be worth $11.09 billion in 2025, according to a new case study by Moniepoint Inc. The report, released by Moniepoint Inc., Africa’s all-in-one financial ecosystem platform for individuals, businesses and their customers, examines four decades of growth in the sector and highlights how…

By Rommy IMAH “The greatest use of a life is to spend it on something that will outlast it.” — William James There are men whose greatness is measured not merely by the offices they occupied but by the countless lives they transformed. Professor Chief Ihechukwu Chiedozie Madubuike, OON, KJW (Enyi Abia), belongs to that rare class of distinguished Nigerians whose enduring legacy is written in the success stories of those they inspired, mentored and empowered. As Professor Madubuike marks his 83rd birthday on July 9, 2026, I join family members, friends, associates, admirers and the entire people of Abia…

Abia State has taken centre stage in Nigeria’s industrial future with the unveiling of the country’s first Manufacturing Technology University Innovation Pod (Manu-Tech UniPod) at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU). The groundbreaking initiative is a joint effort of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), and the Abia State Government, designed to drive innovation, entrepreneurship, and industrial competitiveness. Representing Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf OlaTunji Alausa, described the UniPod as a reaffirmation of the government’s resolve to reposition higher education as…

Education took centre stage in Abia State on Tuesday, July 7, as the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, commissioned the Ogbo Central Smart School in Ubakala. The project, built under the leadership of Governor Alex Otti, represents a bold step toward transforming learning and preparing Abia children to compete on a global scale. Dr. Alausa, visibly impressed by the facility, lauded Governor Otti’s foresight and commitment to human capital development, and stressed that sustainable progress is not defined merely by roads and bridges but by deliberate investment in education and the intellectual empowerment of citizens. “The Governor’s education…

News Highlights: Tony Elumelu will retire as UBA Group Chairman on August 21, 2026, after completing the maximum 12-year tenure for non-executive directors stipulated by the CBN. Emmanuel Nnorom has been appointed incoming Group Chairman, succeeding Elumelu as UBA continues its pan-African growth strategy with a network serving over 50 million customers. United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) has announced that its Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, will retire from the Board of Directors on August 21, 2026, with current non-executive director Emmanuel Nnorom appointed to succeed him effective the same day. The transition was approved at the bank’s board meeting…

News Highlights: FCCPC launches investigation into Big Tech and AI platforms Probe to examine compensation and copyright concerns Global tech giants, including Meta, Alphabet and X (formerly Twitter), as well as Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms operating in Nigeria, are set to face a major regulatory investigation by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) over allegations of anti-competitive practices, unlawful exploitation of news content, and other potentially unfair market conduct. The investigation follows a directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, instructing the FCCPC to examine a joint petition submitted to the Presidency by the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO),…

News Highlights: Zinox’s digital platform powered NABTEB’s record-high FTC admission applications in NCEE history. The NIN-enabled platform streamlined registrations, enhanced transparency, and advanced digital transformation in education. Zinox Technologies, Africa’s leading ICT solutions provider, has delivered the digital platform behind the National Business and Technical Examinations Board’s (NABTEB) record-breaking registration exercise for admission into Federal Technical Colleges (FTCs), enabling the Board to achieve the highest number of applications in the history of the National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE). The milestone marks a significant increase over previous admission cycles and reflects the growing national interest in technical and vocational education. According…

News Highlights: Polaris Bank trained over 650 journalists in AI and ethical reporting, bringing the total number of beneficiaries of its annual media seminar to more than 6,200. The Bank reaffirmed its commitment to ethical journalism, urging the responsible adoption of AI to strengthen public trust and media credibility. More than 650 media professionals gathered on Thursday as Polaris Bank Limited intensified efforts to prepare Nigerian journalists for the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence, while reaffirming its commitment to promoting ethical journalism and rebuilding public trust in the media. The occasion was the 12th edition of the Bank’s Annual…