Flooding sweeps Awka road, one child missing, nine rescued

A schoolchild remains missing after a commercial minibus carrying pupils and accompanying adults was swept into floodwater on the Nibo-Isiagu Road in Awka South Local Government Area early Tuesday, following roughly ten hours of heavy overnight rain. Video and photos of the stranded vehicle circulated on social media before police confirmed the incident, with residents pressing authorities to respond.

The Anambra Police Command said its Safe School Operatives unit, alerted to the scene, worked with community members to pull nine people to safety — seven schoolchildren and two adults. Police spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga said the identity of the missing child had not yet been established as the search continued into Wednesday. Commissioner of Police Nnanna Oji Ama has ordered the search and rescue operation sustained and expanded, and the command has appealed to residents along the route for any information that could help locate the child. Police also renewed an appeal to parents, school authorities and motorists to keep children away from flooded roads, bridges and waterways during heavy rain.

Enugu-Douala flight service set to launch today

An aide to Governor Peter Mbah said a planned Enugu-Douala air route was scheduled to begin service on September 23, part of a wider push for regional air connectivity out of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, with further West and Central African destinations to follow.

Anambra government challenges Peter Obi to withdraw from 2027 race

The Anambra State Government used its official social media account to press former governor Peter Obi to quit the 2027 presidential race, accusing him of walking back promises made while in office over the state's debt profile and the timely payment of workers' salaries.

Heavy rain floods homes and businesses in Nnewi

Residents of Nnewi reported significant losses after a heavy downpour exposed poor drainage in parts of the commercial city, damaging homes and businesses.

Otti says Abia Airport runway nearing completion

Governor Alex Otti said construction on the proposed Abia Airport at Nsulu is advancing well, with the runway in particular close to completion.

Otti reaffirms he will not contest further office after leaving Abia

In a widely discussed column this week, Governor Otti's recent public remarks were revisited: he has repeated that at the end of his tenure he intends, in his own words, to "hand over and disappear from politics," ruling out a Senate run and insisting he will not act as a political godfather.

Mbah appoints 101 aides across state government

Governor Peter Mbah approved the appointment of 101 Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants to cover various sectors, effective immediately, according to a statement from the Secretary to the State Government.

Enugu cited as top improver in 2026 state performance index

A gubernatorial aide pointed to the 2026 Phillips Consulting States Performance Index, which assessed 33 states across security, education, health, infrastructure and fiscal performance, as placing Enugu at the top for improvement relative to the national average. The aide also cited a jump from 35th to sixth in national ease-of-doing-business rankings and an internally generated revenue rise from roughly N26.8 billion in 2022 to N406.7 billion in 2025.

Uzodimma appoints 20 permanent secretaries

Governor Hope Uzodimma approved the immediate appointment of 20 permanent secretaries in Imo State.

State government dismisses Abuja protest against Nwifuru as politically motivated

Ebonyi's Commissioner for Information, Ikeuwa Omebeh, described a reported protest in Abuja against Governor Francis Nwifuru as poorly coordinated and politically driven, while defending the administration's record on infrastructure, education, healthcare and workers' welfare.

Ebonyi Executive Council approves cap on house agency fees

The state Executive Council, led by Governor Nwifuru, approved bills capping house agency fees at 2 percent as part of a package addressing housing costs and infrastructure-related theft.

Delta moves to lock in 13-month salary as permanent law

The Delta State House of Assembly has passed an executive bill making the recently approved 13-month salary for civil servants a permanent statutory entitlement, removing it from the discretion of any sitting governor. The bill awaits Governor Sheriff Oborevwori's assent as he returns from leave.

Indigenous Igbo group in Rivers pushes back on restructuring proposals

The Indigenous Igbo Congress of Rivers State, representing Ikwerre, Etche, Ogba, Ekpeye, Ndoni and related communities, has objected to what it calls a selective application of ethno-linguistic regionalism in current restructuring proposals, and is demanding recognition as part of a single, undivided Igbo region rather than being folded into other administrative categories.

Ohanaeze disowns unauthorised "Igbo Day" event planned for Abuja

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has distanced itself from a "Igbo Day" gathering billed for September 29 at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, warning the public against associating with it and accusing unnamed individuals of trying to exploit its name for personal or political ends. Separately, the group has fixed October 24 for its FCT chapter election, to be run by a seven-member committee chaired by Chief Ejiofor Onyia.

South-East states split on industrial strategy

Enugu and Ebonyi are pursuing revival of dormant state-era factories alongside new manufacturing investment — Enugu has restarted the long-idle Niger Gas Ltd. plant, while Ebonyi has budgeted N150 billion toward a new cement facility at Nkalagu. Anambra is taking a different route, leaning on private-sector-led industrialisation through projects like the Anambra Mixed Industrial City, which has already secured Free Trade Zone status, and the planned Anambra Aerotropolis.

Otti pitches seven priority investment sectors for Abia

Speaking at a Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce event in Lagos, Governor Otti listed agribusiness, trade and markets, the creative and digital economy, and manufacturing among Abia's priority investment sectors, noting the state's 2026 budget directs 80 percent of spending to capital projects.

Abia Airport runway construction advancing

See Abia Desk above — Governor Otti says the runway is nearing completion.

1,022 urban roads approved for construction or reconstruction

The Enugu State Government has approved the construction and reconstruction of 1,022 urban roads as part of Governor Mbah's infrastructure programme.

High riverine flood risk active across 15 states, South-East included

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency has forecast severe riverine flooding across 15 states for the seven-day window running September 19–25, warning that schools, hospitals, markets and farmland face exposure. Imo, Anambra and Ebonyi are among the states named, alongside Cross River. NiMet has separately flagged Enugu, Ebonyi and Abia for possible flash flooding, with thunderstorms and moderate-to-heavy rain continuing to move across the southern region.