Civil servants in Enugu State have expressed widespread excitement following the approval of promotion and conversion for 2,114 public workers by Governor Peter Mbah.

The affected workers participated in the November/December 2025 promotion and conversion exercises conducted across the state civil service.

The approval, which takes immediate effect, also covers the financial implications of the new ranks, ensuring that beneficiaries begin to enjoy their upgraded status without delay.

Chairman of the Enugu State Civil Service Commission, Mr. Robison Odo, who disclosed the development on Tuesday in Enugu, described the gesture as timely and morale-boosting, likening it to an Easter gift for workers.

According to him, the exercise cut across officers on Grade Levels 01 to 17 who successfully passed the promotion interviews.

“The Executive Governor recently approved the release of the promotion and conversion of 2,114 officers who participated in the 2025 exercise. The approval also takes immediate effect with the financial benefits attached,” Odo said.

He assured that the commission would expedite implementation of the governor’s directive.

Odo commended the administration for its sustained commitment to workers’ welfare, noting that prompt payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities had become a hallmark of the government.

He further highlighted the state’s N80,000 minimum wage as exceeding the national benchmark, describing it as a clear demonstration of the governor’s worker-friendly policies.

“Workers are genuinely excited. This is a strong motivation for improved productivity and commitment to service. We deeply appreciate the governor for prioritising our welfare despite ongoing infrastructural development across the state,” he added.

The commission chairman pledged continued discipline, innovation and productivity within the civil service to align with the administration’s development agenda.

Also speaking, the Head of Service, Dr. Godwin Anigbo, said the governor’s policies had created an enabling environment for workers to embrace reforms and deliver optimally.

He noted that the administration’s focus on innovation had transformed the public service, equipping workers with modern skills required for efficient service delivery.

“We are working closely with the Civil Service Commission to ensure that workers are adequately prepared to align with the government’s reform-driven agenda. The administration has introduced forward-looking initiatives that are repositioning the service for greater efficiency,” Anigbo said.

He added that the government’s investment in capacity building, including the training of civil servants in digital competencies, was facilitating the transition from analogue to technology-driven operations.

Anigbo also lauded the approval for the establishment of a public service training institute, describing it as a critical step towards strengthening institutional capacity and improving service delivery.

Despite the state’s heavy investment in infrastructure and other capital-intensive projects, he said the administration had maintained a strong commitment to workers’ welfare.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed mobile network operators (MNOs) to compensate subscribers for poor quality of service (QoS) in areas where performance falls below regulatory standards.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Nnenna Ukoha, head of
public affairs at the NCC, said the directive is aimed at ensuring that
consumers do not bear the full burden of service disruptions caused by
operators’ failure to meet prescribed benchmarks.

“The commission’s position is that subscribers should not be
made to bear the full burden of service disruptions where operators fail to
meet prescribed standards of service delivery,” she said.

The spokesperson said affected subscribers will receive
compensation in the form of airtime credits, calculated based on their average
spending patterns and their presence in locations where service failures occur.

“Erring operators will compensate affected users directly
for breaches of quality of service key performance indicators within specified
time frames,” Ukoha said.

According to the regulator, the move reflects a shift
towards a more consumer-focused regulatory approach.

“While regulatory fines have traditionally served as a
deterrent against poor service delivery, the commission is adopting a more
consumer-focused approach that strengthens accountability within the industry,”
Ukoha added.

The spokesperson said tower companies would be required to
reinvest fines and other financial penalties into infrastructure upgrades to
improve network quality.

The NCC said it will continue to reinforce the obligation of
operators to invest consistently in network resilience, capacity expansion, and
infrastructure upgrades.

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Following a deadly attack in Jos, Plateau state

capital, a wave of grief and anger has swept across social media, with
celebrities voicing their sorrow and demanding accountability.

The violence occurred around 8 p.m. on Sunday at a
popular bar in the Angwan Rukuba community within Jos North LGA.

The assault resulted in the deaths of at least 22 residents,
while several others sustained injuries and were transported to nearby medical
facilities for treatment.

In the immediate aftermath, the Plateau state government
imposed a 48-hour curfew across Jos North.

Among the prominent voices responding to the tragedy was
Jos-born rapper Ice Prince, who reflected on the community’s enduring pain.

“Since 2001, Jos, Jos, Jos. My people have suffered too much
tbh… Thoughts and prayers,” he wrote.

Actor and activist Mr. Macaroni directed his
frustration at the federal government, criticising what he called a lack of
accountability from the presidency.

In a series of posts on X, he expressed disbelief over the
absence of a presidential address.

“Zero accountability, zero responsibility!!! I cannot for
the life of me understand how 40 Nigerians have been confirmed dead in Jos and
the President does not deem it necessary to address the people!! We are talking
about 40 human beings!!! Hello???” he wrote.

In another post on X, he escalated his criticism at
President Bola Tinubu, calling the administration’s response “incompetent”.

“President @officialABAT is running the Most Useless
Government in the history of Useless Governments!!! How many more Nigerians
have to die due to this abysmal level of incompetence? Nigerians wake up
everyday to lament one tragedy of the other. Unbearably heart-wrenching!!!”
he wrote.

Singer Peter Okoye also expressed grief over the incident.

“My heart is heavy… My prayers are with my people in Jos,”
he wrote.

In contrast, gospel singer Nathaniel Bassey offered prayers
for hope and divine protection.

“Jos! You shall not be broken. The forces of evil in our
nation shall never prevail. We shall see their end. It is well with you, Jos.
Let there be light!” he wrote.

Jerry Eze, lead pastor of Streams of Joy International, also
reacted, praying against violence.

“JOS — JESUS OUR SAVIOUR! The mercy of El-Roi has prevailed!
May the wickedness of the wicked perish with them!!!” he wrote.

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A middle-aged man has been accused of killing his girlfriend over alleged infidelity in a community in Cross River State, sparking outrage among residents calling for justice 

According to local sources, the incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, at about 0600hrs, where the accused Malime Ejor, aged 35 years, allegedly attacked his girlfriend, Moshie Igu, aged 26 years, at a farm in Nwang Village, Ekajuk community of Ogoja local government area of Cross River State.

One of the residents who pleaded anonymity said, “We heard the commotion and noise and we rushed to the scene, but we were unable to prevent the situation because he was already using a machete on her.”

He reported that a heated argument broke out between the man and his lover over accusations of extramarital affairs, which escalated into violence, during which the suspect allegedly attacked her, leading to her death.

“We could not do anything. We were able to hold him. Our youths caught him and later handed him over to security operatives,” he added.

Confirming the incident, Spokesperson for the Nigeria Police Force in the state, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, on Sunday, said an investigation has commenced and assured that justice would be served.

He said, “The suspect is currently in custody, and a full investigation is ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident,” the police spokesperson stated.

“Upon receipt of the report, police operatives promptly visited the scene. The suspect was apprehended and rescued from an attempted mob action by angry youths. He is currently in police custody for his safety and ongoing investigation.”

“The victim’s remains are yet to be deposited at the General Hospital Mortuary, Ogoja, as necessary arrangements are being concluded. Meanwhile, the case is being prepared for transfer to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet and thorough investigation”, Eitokpah explained.

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The MainPower Electricity Distribution Limited (MEDL) has restored power supply to parts of Nsukka inEnugu State, following successful installation of 11kV indoor breakers at its UNN Injection Substation.

The Head of Communications, MEDL, Mr. Emeka Ezeh, in a statement issued on Monday in Enugu, disclosed that the exercise was successfully completed on Sunday.

Ezeh said that the company had implemented a planned outage which commenced on March 27, instead of March 26, as earlier scheduled, to enable its team of engineers carry out the replacement of faulty breakers at the facility.

The spokesman said that consequently, normal electricity supply had been restored to the four affected 11kV feeders at the UNN Injection Substation – Willson, UNN, Township, and Onuiyi feeders.

Ezeh expressed appreciation to customers affected by the outage for their patience and understanding, noting that the maintenance work was necessary to enhance service reliability and improve power supply.

He explained that prior to the replacement, the substation had been experiencing equipment limitations which adversely affected supply to several areas.

“These areas included: Ogige Market and its environs, the UNN community extending to Obukpa, Isiuwa through Ofulonu, Agu Eke Edem, the Barracks area as well as St. Cyprian and environs,

“Others are Uwani Ugwu community, Building Materials Market, Solive Industries, Umuakashi community, parts of Aku Road, as well as Catholic and Anglican Cathedral communities.

“As a result, these areas were temporarily back-fed through the Onuiyi and Bass 11kV feeders,” he said.

Ezeh also appealed to residents for continued understanding regarding the current nationwide power supply challenges, which had led to reduced electricity availability.

He noted that ongoing gas supply constraints had limited the generation capacity of power plants, thereby reducing the volume of energy available for distribution companies and, ultimately, the hours of supply to customers.

He reassured residents of MainPower’s commitment to efficiently distributing the available energy across its network in Enugu State.

It would be recalled that early this month, MainPower carried out major maintenance work at its Trans-Ekulu Injection Substation in Enugu, which involved the installation of a newly-procured 11kV indoor switchgear panel at a cost of over ₦200 million.

The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mamman Giwa, has called on residents and the state government to sustain the culture of environmental cleanliness across the state.

Giwa made the appeal on Monday during a sanitation exercise carried out at the densely populated Old Park commercial axis in Enugu. The exercise, led by officers and personnel of the State Police Command, signals the commencement of activities marking the 2026 National Police Day celebration.

According to the police chief, the command has also launched a free, comprehensive medical outreach at the Police Hospital within the state headquarters. The outreach includes free medical consultations, health screenings, laboratory tests, distribution of medications, and eye examinations.

He further disclosed that a town hall meeting with security stakeholders would be held later in the day under the theme, “Community Partnership: Building Trust.” He encouraged residents to participate actively, emphasising that security remains a collective responsibility.

“For this morning, we are out here to keep Enugu clean and to encourage residents to maintain a hygienic environment that promotes public health,” Giwa said. “We have covered most parts of Old Park, including market and transport areas, and observed minimal refuse compared to what is obtainable in similar locations elsewhere.”

He urged residents to take advantage of the ongoing medical outreach, noting its importance in promoting community well-being.

Outlining the week-long programme, Giwa stated that a walkathon would be held across the Enugu metropolis on March 31, while Area Commanders in other parts of the state would conduct similar exercises.

On April 1, the command will embark on public sensitisation campaigns targeting electoral violence, ballot snatching, and related offences. This will be followed on April 2 by the presentation of cheques to families of deceased police personnel within the command.

The activities will culminate in a grand finale on April 7 at Eagle Square, featuring a ceremonial parade and procession.

The National Police Day celebration is designed to strengthen police-community relations and reinforce public trust in law enforcement institutions.

More than three-quarters of Premier League fans would like to see VAR scrapped and even more believe it has a detrimental impact on the matchday experience, according to a survey by the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA).

Many candidates scheduled to sit for the 2026 mock unified tertiary matriculation examination (UTME) were left stranded on Saturday after a technical failure disrupted the exercise nationwide.

The exam, organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), failed to commence several hours after candidates arrived at designated computer-based test (CBT) centres.

Many candidates reportedly arrived by 6am at various locations, but the examination did not begin until 1:30pm, which triggered frustration among parents and students.

The development happened days after JAMB warned that candidates who fail to show up after indicating interest would be sanctioned, noting that this would deprive other candidates of the chance to participate in the exercise.

The incident has sparked widespread concern, outbursts, and backlash among Nigerians, particularly on social media.

Folosele Leye, an X user, said the CBT centre used during the mock exam of his daughter had poor network connectivity.

“Living Stone CBT Centre, Akobo, Ibadan, where my daughter was posted for her UTME mock exam. The network and computer systems were very
poor, making it difficult for students to take their exams in both batches,” Leye wrote.

Chiboi, another social media user, said the situation isfrustrating, said the technical failures and poor coordination heighten stress levels for candidates.

See tweets below.

This is frustrating but, sadly, not surprising. UTME is supposed to test readiness, not patience.
Technical glitches and poor coordination don’t just waste time, they increase stress for students who are already under pressure. It also raises the bigger question: if a mock exam… https://t.co/gT7htRqjry

— kie 🇺🇸🇳🇬 (@mr_chiboi) March 29, 2026

Technical glitches have officially become part of national life. UTME included.

— Dozie (@DozieOfficial1) March 29, 2026

JAMB keeps repeating the same server glitches year after year like it’s a tradition. If they can’t even handle a simple mock exam without stranding thousands of kids for hours, how are we trusting them with the real UTME that determines futures? Maybe it’s time to scrap this CBT…

— Affiliate_stanley (@Stanleyade01) March 29, 2026

@JAMBHQ , please endeavour to address the issues raised by candidates before the main UTME exams . I mean, we all paid for this .
😭😭

— Gelatinium (@Dannycruz0011) March 29, 2026

am expressing dissatisfaction with Living Stone CBT Centre, Akobo, Ibadan, where my daughter was posted for her UTME mock exam. The network and computer systems were very poor, making it difficult for students to take their exams in both batches.

— Folowosele Leye (@FolowoseleLeye) March 28, 2026

Aprokorepublic

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has updated its official website to recognize the faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) backed by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as the party’s legitimate leadership.

According to the commission’s political parties page, Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed now serves as the National Chairman, while Senator Samuel Anyanwu holds the position of National Secretary. Other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) have also received official acknowledgment.

This development follows a series of legal rulings, including a Federal High Court judgment that directed INEC to recognize the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led National Caretaker Committee. INEC had previously signaled this stance by inviting representatives from the Wike-backed group to its quarterly consultative meetings with political parties in early 2026, while the rival faction was absent.

On Sunday, March 29, 2026, the faction held a national convention at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja. Over 2,500 delegates attended and re-elected Mohammed and Anyanwu through consensus, along with other NWC members. INEC officials were present to monitor the proceedings.

The recognition comes amid the PDP’s prolonged leadership crisis. The Wike-aligned group has described INEC’s move as a step toward restoring stability and preparing the party for future elections, including the 2027 general polls. Rival factions, however, have contested the decision and indicated plans to pursue further legal action.

Political observers view this as a significant boost for the Wike camp, solidifying control over the party’s structure ahead of key electoral activities. INEC’s update provides the faction with formal validation to conduct party affairs, such as candidate nominations and congresses.

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