* Awka, the capital city of Anambra State, will be agog on Saturday, as top public figures, writers, intellectuals, literary activists, book lovers, and others, as young writers in the State set to host the 2024 edition of the Chinua Achebe Literary Festival and Memorial Lecture.
The State Coordinator of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (Anambra State Chapter), Izunna Okafor, disclosed this on Wednesday in Awka while giving update on the association’s preparedness for the 2024 edition of the Achebe Literary Festival and Memorial Lecture.
According to Okafor, Chinua Achebe Literary Festival and Memorial Lecture, initiated in 2016 and currently in its 9th edition, is a literary event the association annually organizes in honour and memory of Nigerian literary icon, Late Prof. Chinua Achebe, in celebration of his life, works and legacies. He added that this year’s event will (as usual) hold on Achebe’s birthday, November 16, 2024, at the Anambra State Central E-Library (also known as the Prof. Kenneth Dike State Central E-Library Library) in Awka, starting at 9AM prompt; with many dignitaries and participants in attendance.
* Members of Umuogem Community in Ufuma, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, have disowned some indigenes of the community for fighting against the establishment of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) annex in the area.
Some individuals in the community, who have been described as land racketeers have been said to be working against the Teaching Hospital Annex Project. Recently, they insisted that the project was a plot to corner their community land.
In a press statement made available to the media by Prof B.C. Nwankwo, Chairman of BOT of the community, after the protest, he urged all to disregard those fighting against the project.
Nwankwo said: ‘The Board of Trustees watched with admiration today, as our people mobilized themselves and rose in unison against the retrogressive elements and cabals in the town and administered curses on all of them who are bent on keeping the village in the dark.
* Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka is set to hold the 13th edition of the annual Zik Lecture Series.
The Zik Lecture Series which is an academic ritual geared towards celebrating and honouring a pan-african humanist, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe will hold of Saturday, 16th November 2024 at the ASUU Secretariat UNIZIK with the theme, “Zik’s Legacies and the Rising Social Movements in Africa: Rethinking Regional Integration in Africa.”
The upcoming 13th Zik Lecture Series which will be chaired by the Executive Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency Dr. Peter Mbah has its Guest Lecturer as His Excellency, Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas (African Union High Commission Representative; Former Special Representative of UN Secretary-General & President of ECOWAS).
* The Speaker of the 8th Anambra State Children’s Parliament, Rt. Hon. Victory Iruoma Ekwunife has called on government to establish Juvenile Correctional Centre in the State so as to have an ideal place where young minds who are in conflict with the law would be kept for their proper rehabilitation, correction and reintegration into the society as better citizens.
Rt. Hon. Ekwunife while speaking at when the Parliament had a joint plenary with the 8th Anambra State House of Assembly at the Legislative Chambers, Awka, also advocated for the establishment of Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law Commission, to ensure proper justice for victims of gender based violence and punishment,for offenders.
Ekwunife, who cited the case of a 15-year old boy, who was kept in police custody for eight months, and was brought to court from the police station, observed that such unlawful detention was able to take place in Anambra State because of non-existence of a Juvenile Correctional Centre in the State.
* An old woman has been paraded half naked in Igboukwu Community in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State on allegations of killing a 15 year old boy.
A video of the parade had gone viral on social media, showing indigenes leading her around the community and raining curses on her.
In the video, the woman was seen with fresh palm fronds weaved round her neck, a sign in Igbo Land that depicts someone who has committed a sacrilegious act.
* The Mayor of Njikoka LGA Barr. Chinedu Dominic Ononiba has congratulate the Governor of Anambra State Prof. Chukwuma Soludo on his well-deserved recognition.
Soludo was honoured as the 2024 Most Impactful Personality of the Year by the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN).
In his congratulatory message, Ononiba described the award as well deserved stating that it recognizes Governor Soludo’s outstanding leadership and transformative impact on the state.
Barr. Ononiba praised Governor Soludo’s selfless service to the people and humanity, urging him to continue his exemplary leadership. This award is a testament to Governor Soludo’s commitment to the welfare and progress of Anambra State.
* Ogbaru Main Market leaders and stakeholders have commend the Governor of Anambra State Prof. Chukwuma Soludo as reconstruction begins on collaped Sakamori drainage.
The reconstruction overseen by the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure in Awka, marks a crucial step in addressing the erosion issues that have plagued the market area, leading to the loss of over 50 shops and threatening market activities.
President-General of Ogbaru Main Market,
Chief Ndubuisi Ochiogu while speaking
expressed his gratitude on behalf of the market’s Board of Trustees (BOT), patrons, executives, sectional heads, and line chairmen.
* The Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Anambra State, Prof. Ifeanyi Odoh, has urged the members of the institution to join hands with him in taking the university to greater height.
The Personal Assistant for Media and Publicity to the Vice Chancellor, Mr. Charles Otu, stated this at a press briefing held in Awka, Anambra State, on Friday. According to Otu, the issue regarding the Vice Chancellor has been concluded, and Prof. Charles Otu is now the substantive Vice Chancellor of the university.
He further stated that those sponsoring negative media publicity against the seventh Vice Chancellor of the university should rather work with him to move the university forward.
* The President-General of the Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA), Chief Humphrey Anerah Onwa, has sparked controversy after allegedly threatening fellow market leaders in a voice note.
This comes amidst ongoing allegations of corruption and mismanagement within the association, including claims involving assault and the distribution of union percentages.
In the audio message, Chief Anerah reportedly warned his colleagues to support him in addressing these issues or face consequences. He also alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is investigating him and a woman accused of threatening him.
* Residents of the Golden Estate Landlord Association in Oba, Idemmili South Local Government Area, have petitioned the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 13, Ukpo, Anambra State, and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, National Headquarters Abuja, regarding the nefarious activities of the Anti-Cult Police Unit in Obosi, Anambra State.
The letters were written on their behalf by their solicitors, the Law Firm of I.C. Ejiofor & Co., and duly signed by the Chief Counsel and principal partner of the firm, Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Esq.
The Association is seeking the immediate intervention of the Police High Command to address the excesses of the Anti-Cult Unit, which has been accused of tormenting residents by breaking into their homes at ungodly hours, abducting individuals, and extorting money.
