Big Gist Africa

*Says Gov must tender public apology  A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, Prince Paul Ikonne, has strongly criticised Governor Alex Otti for what he described as his “dictatorial outburst” against a journalist during a recent monthly media briefing in the state. The APC chieftain asked Governor Otti to tender an unreserved apology to the Journalist and quickly provide answers to the question bothering on accountability asked by the Journalist.  The Abia governor, during a media chat on Friday had described a question directed to him as “irresponsible” and “stupid.” The governor lashed out at a journalist who identified himself as Chika Nwabueze at the event for asking that, “Your excellency, your administration has received briefs on infrastructure project and reforms, but critics say transparency and inclusive governance need improvement. Can you provide verifiable data showing how your policies have directly improved the standard of ...

*Food items, Iftar packages  distributed to residents The Youth President, Ambassador Aliyu Bin Abbas, alongside the Director General of the Aliyu Care Foundation, Mrs. Hawa Salawu, visited Masaka for a special Ramadan Iftar outreach aimed at supporting the community during the holy month. A statement signed by the SA Media to the Youth President, Okpani Jacob Onjewu Dickson,  said that the visit forms part of a broader humanitarian initiative designed to extend compassion, unity, and relief to fasting Muslims and vulnerable families.  During the outreach, food items and Iftar packages were distributed to residents, ensuring that many households were able to break their fast with dignity and comfort. Speaking at the gathering, the Youth President emphasized the importance of kindness, community service, and collective responsibility, particularly during Ramadan — a season that calls for generosity, reflection, and solidarity.  He reiterated his commitment...

The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, on Wednesday, 25 February 2026, paid a courtesy visit to the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha, to deepen operational collaboration in line with the Three (3) policy thrusts of Consolidation, Collaboration and Innovation of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD. This was contained in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer Apapa Area Command, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Isah Sulaiman, dated February 26, 2027. Speaking during the visit, the CAC stated: “The CGC has Three (3) key policy thrusts. The first is consolidation. On assuming duty, I resolved to consolidate on the gains already achieved and improve the existing relationship between Apapa Command and the Nigerian Navy within this axis.” On collaboration, he noted that modern border management requires agencies to work in tandem, ...

*Foundation takes up education sponsorship  of 2  children  The Aliyu Care Foundation (ACF) has commenced the distribution of cooked meals to the less privileged across Kano State under the leadership of its founder, Ambassador Aliyu Bin Abbas.  This was contained in a statement signed by the SA Media to Ambassador Aliyu Bin Abbas, Okpani Jacob Onjewu Dickson, dated Tuesday February 24, 2025. It said that in addition, the foundation has undertaken the sponsorship of the education of two children from less privileged families. The official launch of the initiative was held in Tudun Wada Local Government Area, where the program was inaugurated.  The event attracted thousands of Islamic scholars, community leaders, stakeholders, and members of the public. More than 1,000 people benefited from the distribution of food items.  This effort forms part of the foundation’s humanitarian activities during the holy month of Ramadan, carried out under the gu...

*Says 2027 elections  about masses vs people in power  Ahead of the nationwide congresses of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Hon, Yekini Nabena, has cautioned Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda-led National Working Committee (NWC) against ceding all the structures to the incumbent governors across the county. The APC chieftain said ceding all the structures from the Wards, local governments and the state to the governors would only breed resentment, deprive real party men and women, and eventually chasing away the few remaining  masses in the APC. In a statement he released Wednesday in Abuja, the Bayelsa State APC chieftain warned that,  "the 2027 general elections is about masses against the few people in the corridor of power, hence the masses must be carried along." According to him, the ongoing preparations by the current NWC only shows preparation to handover the structures to the Governors ...

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State and immediate-past Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), Prince Paul Ikonne, has called on Abians to remain vigilant and continuously hold the government of Governor Alex Otti accountable, particularly over what he described as persistent financial inconsistencies and lack of transparency in the administration. Prince Ikonne made this call while speaking on a monitored radio programme on Monday in Abuja, where he expressed deep shock over the inclusion of ₦210 million in the Abia State budget allegedly earmarked for the purchase of a photocopier, an action the state government has since attempted to dismiss as a “typographical error.” While debunking the allegation that the government budgeted N250 million for the purchase of a photocopier at its Lagos Liaison Office, through a statement by the State Ministry of Budget and Planning, Abia st...