Ogbonnaya Akoma, Author at Aro News Online

Ogbonnaya Akoma

IPU NEC meeting ends in Umuahia

Ogbonnaya AkomaOctober 4, 2015

The one-day National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of Isimkpu Progressive Union has ended in Umuahia with all the branches of the union in attendance – Aba, Abuja, Arochukwu, Enugu, Lagos, P.H and Umuahia. The NEC consists of the national officers of the union, branch chairmen and secretaries. In his address at the occasion, the chairman...

Tributes pour in as Uche Mark transits

Ogbonnaya AkomaOctober 4, 2015

There were tributes galore on July 7, the day the remains of late Mazi Uche Mark Okoronkwo were laid to rest at his home in Ndi Kanu, Isimkpu village, Arochukwu. The deceased was described as a quintessential man and an open-hearted philanthropist ‘who lived for others, even as a paralytic for 25 years.’ The late...

Drama as policeman shoots, kills ceremonial cow (An eyewitness account)

Ogbonnaya AkomaOctober 4, 2015

The day was a Friday. Bereaved family members from Amannagwu village had gone to buy a cow from the slaughter house located beside Arochukwu Central Market in Obinkita for the burial of a deceased member of their family. After buying the cow, some of the family members were returning home with the beast they purchased....

I’ll reclaim my stolen mandate – Alex Otti

Ogbonnaya AkomaJuly 5, 2015

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), in the April 11, 2015 election in Abia State, Dr Alex Otti, has vowed to ‘reclaim my mandate stolen by the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and its standard bearer, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu,’ who was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on...

Why Aro candidates lost

Ogbonnaya AkomaJuly 5, 2015

When the 2015 general elections commenced and a few sons and daughters of Arochukwu origin showed interest at various levels, many Aros had welcomed the development and hoped that such candidates would win. Under the arrangement, two candidates emerged from Atani (Arochukwu). Hon. MAO Ohuabunwa (of the PDP) was contesting to become the senator for...

INEC returns Ohuabunwa, Nkole, others

Ogbonnaya AkomaJuly 5, 2015

The Independent National Electoral Commission has issued Certificates of Return to all the successful candidates in the March 28, 2015 Presidential and National Assembly elections held in Abia State. The ceremony took place at the state headquarters of the commission in Umuahia; the date was Thursday, 16 April 16, by 11am. Ambassador Lawrence Nworukwu, a...

New IPU exco promises committed services

Ogbonnaya AkomaJuly 5, 2015

By the time the delegates to Isimkpu Progressive Union, Arochukwu ended their colourful meeting at Isimkpu Hall by 06:05pm on Saturday, April 4, 2015, the participants were all beaming with smiles as the candidates they had in mind had been elected into offices to pilot the affairs of the union in the next three years....

Completion of abandoned Abam-Arochukwu road, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu to the rescue?

Ogbonnaya AkomaJuly 5, 2015

There are strong indications that the abandoned Ozu Abam-Ndi Okereke-Amuvi (Arochukwu), thirty-four-kilometre state road may be completed by 31 December, 2015, as the governor of Abia state, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has promised in this regard. According to reports monitored in Umuahia, the newly sworn in governor needed less than four days to make a working...

Expanding hotel industry in Arochukwu – good or bad development?

Ogbonnaya AkomaApril 3, 2015

By the last count, there are not less than ten hotels in Arochukwu. They are located from Ugwuakuma to Amuvi, spanning the whole of Arochukwu, with nearly all the villages getting their chunk of the ‘new industry!’ Amangwu Guest Home is situated at the border between Isimkpu and Amangwuvillages. Ponneco De Comfort Inn is located...

Politicians and empty promises

Ogbonnaya AkomaApril 2, 2015

In Nigeria (as in Arochukwu), one of the characteristic features of politicking and political activities is the making of promises during campaigns. The politicians who want to be elected into offices at the local, state and national levels of elections usually give the electorate one promise or the other should such politicians be elected into...