* The Head Anambra State Cash Transfer Unit, Mr. Ralph Enukora says over one hundred thousand vulnerable households are to benefit from the ongoing “Renewed Hope Cash Transfer programme” of the Federal Government. Enukora disclosed this in Awka during an orientation training for desk officers from the twenty-one Local Government Areas of the state.
He explained that the Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer Programme is a Scale-up of the National Social Safety Nets Project that began more than five years ago which was meant for the poorest of the poor who were selected from the hard-to-reach areas of each state of Nigeria, before President Bola Tinubu led administration now upgraded the scheme to accommodate vulnerable households in both rural and urban areas in the country, with the aim of lifting the poor households out of poverty through payment of monthly stipend.
* Anambra State government has informed the public, especially the physical fitness lovers, that Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka will be closed to the public until the ongoing reconstruction by Governor Chukwuma Soludo is completed. According to the Commissioner for Information, Sir Paul Nwosu, the state government regrets any inconveniences this could cause Ndi Anambra who flock there every morning and evening to engage in recreational sports or body exercises to be healthy.
* The Ministry of Transportation Anambra State has organized a one-day training and sensitization program for motor vehicle-related trade and service operators in the state. In her opening remark, Anambra Commissioner for Transport, Mrs. Patricia Igwebuike, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Chief Michael Obiekwe, said the program is intended to empower participants in their various endeavors.
Igwebuike urged the participants to take the messages of the day down to their members, saying that the government has taken steps and is determined to regulate their operations for their benefit and that of the members of the society.
* In a proactive move to address the current security challenges in Anambra, the State Service Commanders has held a strategic meeting at the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) State Command Headquarters in Awka. The meeting, attended by heads of security agencies in the state, including the NSCDC, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Army, and Nigerian Navy, discussed various security issues and pledged to work together to roll -back the unacceptable security tide occasioned by the increasing threat to internal security by terror elements, economic saboteurs and vandals. The commanders brainstormed on strategies to ensure maximum security in Anambra State, including the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure, intelligence gathering and sharing, strategic deployment of both human and operational resources, and prompt response to emergencies.
* A social commentator, popularly known as Lord Zeus, has raised an alarm and called for urgent action over the illegal activities of scrap dealers and vandals on the Second Niger Bridge in Anambra State. In a viral video currently trending on social media, Zeus while raising the alarm, revealed the risky and unsafe conditions of the bridge for use, especially at night, when the already vandalized portion may not be seen or noticed early enough by drivers. Zeus standing on the bridge in the video, urged drivers to be extremely cautious of the vandalized portion, especially at night. He also showed a metal that was just removed from the Bridge, about to be moved away by the vandals.
* The Zonal Commanding Officer, RS5 Headquarters, Benin, Assistant Corps Marshal Nkechi Orakwue has paid a familiarization visit to Anambra Command led by Adeoye Irelewuyi. ACM Orakwue in her speech urged officers to recommit themselves to their duty, shun “patrol misconducts”, as well as safeguard their lives and jobs jealously by sticking to laid down rules guiding their operations.
The Zonal Commander called for all hands to be on deck in ensuring safety of all forms of road users, stating that the Corps Marshal has zero tolerance for road crashes.
* Governor Chukwuma Soludo has approved the appointment of three individuals to fill the vacant positions in the Anambra State Judicial Service Commission.The new appointees are: Dr. (Mrs) Ifeyinwa Obegolu, Dr. Ben Nwankwo and Hon. Adol Victor Ezeoke. According to a press release signed by Mr. Christian Aburime, Press Secretary to the Governor, the appointments are in line with Soludo’s commitment to strengthening the judiciary in Anambra State and ensuring a fair, efficient, and independent judicial system.
* The Anambra State Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Sir Ifeatu Obiokoye has called its members to show greater commitment towards strengthening the collective unity, discipline and work ethics of the party.
Chief Obi-Okoye in his address to APGA faithful, on the occasion of the one year in office anniversary noted that party faithful in the state, must remain at the vanguard of the Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s transformative initiatives, so as to stimulate public confidence in the state governance process.
* Commissioner for Information Anambra State Sir. Paul Nwosu says extortion is a crime and will not be allowed. Sir Nwosu in a release wrote; “Only Unified Hybrid Enforcement Team (UHBET) or approved Agents of Anambra Internal Revenue Service (AIRS) are authorized to collect taxes, levies and tolls on behalf of Anambra State Government. “They must be in their official uniforms and/or present valid identification cards as they demand payments. “Anything short of this, is extortion and the potential victim should take photograph of the operative(s) and call the following nos immediately: 07066727750, 09053234816, 08083066051, 08178070000. Anybody caught impersonating AIRS Officers/Agents or extorting money from the public under any guise will be promptly arrested and prosecuted.
* The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO), Anambra State Small Business Agency (ASBA), Mr. Clement Chukwuka has given a step by step guidelines on how to access loans from the Agency. The MD/ CEO pointed out that easy access to loan starts with proper documentation of interests.
Speaking to newsmen in his office at Awka, the ASBA boss disclosed that over N2billion fund is available for on-lending to suitable beneficiaries. Chukwuka commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo on his unwavering commitment in building the economic affairs of the state.
