The Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP), Abia State Cluster 3, has donated chairs, tables, whiteboards, markers and duster to pupils of Migrant Farmers Nursery and Primary School, Aroayama Ndioru, in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, as part of its community development initiative.

The donation, carried out in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is aimed at improving the learning environment for pupils of the rural school. Abia State Cluster 3 of the programme comprises Ikwuano, Umuahia North, Umuahia South, Arochukwu and Isuikwuato Local Government Areas.

Speaking during the presentation, the Abia State Coordinator of NJFP, Mr. Matthew Ayantola, said community development remains the core mandate of the programme, which is funded by the European Union and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

According to him, the fellows identify the needs of communities and contribute their quota toward addressing them.

“We look at our communities, identify their needs, and in our own little way contribute to solving those needs,” he said.

Ayantola disclosed that after assessing several schools, the fellows selected Migrant Farmers Nursery and Primary School because of its poor state and urgent need for intervention.

He further explained that the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme was established to equip young graduates with employable skills and practical experience in their chosen fields while encouraging community service.

In his remarks, the Education Secretary of Ikwuano Local Government Area, Dr. Paul Udensi, commended NJFP for its thoughtful gesture, describing the donation as timely and impactful.

Dr Paul Udensi Education Secretary Ikwuano Local Government

He noted that Ikwuano has over 135 public schools and said the administration of Governor Alex Otti has continued to provide furniture and renovate schools across the state. He described the governor as education-friendly and praised his efforts in improving the education sector.

Pupils enjoying their classroom with new chairs,desk and white board

Dr. Udensi recalled that many schools in the local government were in a deplorable condition when he assumed office and appealed to philanthropists, corporate organizations and non-governmental organizations to support the government in improving educational infrastructure.

He further revealed that the state government has been informed about the condition of Migrant Farmers Nursery and Primary School and assured the community that renovation of the school would commence soon. He also announced that Ndioru Community would have a Junior Secondary School by September, following government approval.

The President-General of Aroayama Ndioru Community, Evangelist Ekperewechi Okoro, expressed appreciation to NJFP for its generosity toward the school and the community.

He explained that although the school was established by the local government, the community has largely sustained it over the years despite numerous challenges. He appealed to other non-governmental organizations and well-meaning individuals to emulate NJFP by supporting the school, while also urging the Abia State Government to undertake comprehensive renovation of the facility.

Also speaking, the Headmistress of the school, Mrs. Nwamaka Jonathan, expressed profound gratitude to NJFP for the donation, describing it as a timely intervention.

According to her, before the donation many pupils sat on mats during lessons due to the lack of desks and chairs.

“This generous gesture came at a time when we were in dire need. Our pupils used mats for learning, but your donation of chairs and tables has made the learning environment more conducive. This is a huge investment in the future of these children, and we assure you that the items will be properly maintained,” she said.

Mrs. Jonathan also appealed to the Abia State Government and other well-meaning individuals to assist the school in addressing its numerous challenges, including leaking roofs, unplastered classroom walls, inadequate textbooks and syllabuses, and dilapidated classroom structures.

The event was attended by the Chairman of the Community, Mazi Godwin Uchechukwu Okorie; the Community Secretary-General, Mazi Nwankwo Inyama; the representative of the Village Head, Mazi Chibuike Chikatara; as well as other community leaders and youths.

The ceremony ended on a cheerful note as excited pupils entertained guests with a colourful welcome address drawing applause from everyone in attendance.

Gov. Alex Otti of Abia State has awarded the contract for the reconstruction of the Okpara Road in Umuahia, the Abia State capital. The road which was named after the first premier of the Eastern region had remained in disrepair for the past sixty (60) years.

Contract for the reconstruction of the road was made possible by the partnership between the Abia State government and Rt Hon Obi Aguocha, the member representing Umuahia North, Umuahia South and Ikwuano in the House of Representatives.

The partnership which has attracted several empowerment projects to the youths in the constituency, as well as the soon-to-be awarded reconstruction of the 2nd phase of the Ohuhu ring road to ease movement in and out of the Ohuhu clan is the initiative of Rt Hon Obi Aguocha who has deployed a two-pronged approach in serving his constituency at the federal and the state levels in order to attract developmental projects to the Umuahia North, Umuahia South and Ikwuano Federal Constituency.

Such efforts have already yielded a long list of impactful achievements which are of great benefits to his constituents.

The trial Chief Bernard Kama Inyama over the alleged murder of
Mr Igwe Akuma, a youth leader in Okun- Ohafia community in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State on January 2, 2026, has been adjourned to October 22, 2026, due to the absence of the principal defendant and a request by defense counsel.

The matter with charge number Hu/20c/2026 Inspector General of Police vs Bernard Kama Inyama
was brought before Hon. Justice Chido Nwakanma, of the Abia State High Court in Umuahia the state capital for hearing on Tuesday.

Bernard Kama is number one in the charge sheet filed by the Police among those suspected to be linked to murder case.

Speaking to journalists after the court sitting, the police prosecutor in the case, the Police prosecutor ACP Rimamsomte Ezekiel,
said Benkama has refused to appear in court for the second consecutive time without any reason.

“This is the second adjournment. We don’t know his whereabouts and he has refused to come to court,” he said.

The case came up for hearing of a motion challenging the police’s jurisdiction to prosecute the matter.

According to the prosecutor, the defense team, led by a Senior Advocate, Chief Uche Ihediwa, (SAN) applied for an adjournment to late October or November, citing travel to Denmark for a program.

The prosecution opposed the long adjournment and urged the court to strike out an amended charge filed by the defense, saying it was not ripe for hearing.

The court subsequently adjourned the matter to October 22, 2026, for hearing of the motion on notice, which the prosecution said it had already responded to.

ACP Ezekiel alleged that Benkama’s refusal to appear was an attempt to frustrate the case, claiming the suspect enjoys the backing of “some top senior politicians and retired and serving police officers.”

“No one is above the law. Justice must be done in this case. Whether he likes it or not, he must appear in court,” the prosecutor stated.

However, one of the defense counsel Barr. Ukpai Ukairo, said his client was never served with any court summons and accused the police of attempting to persecute him.

He added that the court adjourned the matter to October 22, 2026 to enable the defense respond to a counter-affidavit served by the prosecuting counsel a few days ago.

He dismissed claims that Benkama was avoiding court.

“Regrettably, an Assistant Commissioner of Police does not know what proper service of a summons is, because Ezie Ogo Benkama has never been served with any court summons. If Ezie Ogo Benkama was served with a summons, he would be the first person to be in court, because he is a law-abiding citizen,” he said.

Ukairo also faulted media reports suggesting that Benkama was at large after being served.

“Journalists in Abia State have been cajoled to make reports purporting that he was served with a summons and decided to be at large. Go to the court file. If you see any evidence or proof of service that Ezie Ogo Benkama was served, declare me a liar and I will stop practicing as a lawyer” he stated.

On the preliminary objection, the defense counsel said the charge was incompetent because a murder case ought to be referred to the Attorney General of the State or Federation for legal advice in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and Law.

“That procedural lapse is fundamentally wrong, and we are taking objection,” he said.

He further argued that none of the prosecution witnesses mentioned Benkama in their statements, adding that the police investigation report did not link him to the murder.

“You can apply for the certified true copy of the processes and underline any portion where any of the witnesses mentioned him. We are saying that charge should be quashed because he has no case to answer,” Ukairo added.

He noted that the police earlier filed an amended charge removing Benkama’s name, but were now reverting to the old charge.

“It shows the police were induced to bring him in,” he said.