# The Anambra Road Traffic Management Agency (ARTMA) has scaled up operations across Onitsha as part of its readiness plan for the heavy vehicular and human movement expected during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
ARTMA led by its Managing Director, Mr. Emeka Okonkwo, carried out early December assessments and enforcement activities across major roads to ensure traffic flows smoothly throughout the festive season.
According to Mr. Okonkwo, a central part of the agency’s preparation is the sensitization of commercial drivers—particularly bus operators and Keke riders—on proper parking habits, designated loading and offloading points, and the need to keep all road lanes free from obstruction as ARTMA has redirected these operators into approved parks, clearing the roadsides of indiscriminate parking that triggers gridlock in the Onitsha metropolitan area.
The ARTMA boss noted that the initiative is strengthened by a close partnership with the Onitsha North Local Government and other councils, ensuring that both agencies maintain continuous monitoring of busy corridors to prevent the road lockdowns that usually accompany festive shopping and travel.
# Details have emerged explaining why the suspended member representing Ayamelum Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Bernard Udemezue, was removed from the chamber during the 2026 budget presentation and why he has not been recalled months after his suspension.
Speaking on the floor of the House, the Majority Leader, Sir Ikenna Ofodeme, said Hon. Udemezue was suspended on 28th August 2025 following a resolution of the House after he allegedly took to social media to disparage the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, members of the 8th Assembly, and the institution. He was directed to tender apologies through his social media handles and submit a written letter to the Speaker and Members within five days — a timeframe that expired on 2nd September 2025.
However, records from the House indicate that the lawmaker failed to comply with both directives. Although he eventually submitted a written apology dated 21st October 2025, it came 37 working days after the deadline, and no apology was posted on any of his social media platforms as required.
The Assembly also ordered Hon. Udemezue to desist from using unapproved channels such as social media to criticise the legislature, but he allegedly continued posting inciting and insulting content, including using derogatory terms against Members while vowing not to abide by the House resolution.
Another condition of his suspension was that he must stay away from the Assembly complex throughout the suspension period, yet on Tuesday, 25th November 2025, the suspended lawmaker appeared in the chamber — a move described by legislative sources as a violation of the suspension order and an attempt to disrupt proceedings.
It was this unresolved suspension and the violation of House resolutions that led to his removal from the chamber when Governor Chukwuma Soludo arrived to present the 2026 budget.
# The Anambra State Government has inaugurated the contracted companies that will mentor beneficiaries of the 1Youth2Skills Plus scheme for one year.
Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr. Patrick Agha-Mba, during the inauguration, said the mentorship phase is the final stage for the second batch of beneficiaries who were recently empowered by the state government.
The mentorship phase is aimed at ensuring that the beneficiaries receive proper guidance to grow their chosen businesses.
Mr. Agha-Mba said the structure of the mentorship system will include quality assurance through the mentors and corporate heads across the local government areas, as well as workshops and capacity-building sessions.
# The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Anambra State Chapter, join the global community to mark the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) with a lineup of activities aimed at ending all forms of abuse, especially digital violence against women and girls.
This year’s theme, “Unite to End Digital Violence Against Women and Girls,” highlights the urgent need to address the rising wave of technology-facilitated violence, including cyberbullying, online harassment, hate speech, stalking, and non-consensual exposure of private content.
The programme commenced with a Campaign Awareness Walk starting from the Police Command Headquarters, Amawbia, and moving through Eke-Awka Market Roundabout on to Aroma Junction.
# Naval Outpost Onitsha has teamed up with Chris Care Medicals (ACCU–ANSWER) to deliver a large-scale free medical outreach to its host community at Odekpe Primary Health Care Centre, with a view to offering lifesaving services and as part of activities marking the close of its 2025 operational year.
In his opening speech, the Commanding Officer of Naval Outpost Onitsha, Commander Kabir Yusuf, urged beneficiaries to take their health seriously, stressing that the outreach underscores the Navy’s resolve to support communities through humanitarian interventions and is deliberately designed to improve public health and strengthen trust between the military and the people.
In their separate remarks, the Local Government Chairman of Ogbaru, Hon. Kenneth Akwuobi, and the Ward Councillor representing Odekpe Ward, Hon. Nnamdi Esimai, applauded the gesture, noting that the outreach came at a time many citizens struggle to access quality healthcare.
A representative of ACCU–ANSWER, Dr. Agatha Enyadike, while lecturing participants, stressed the need for routine medical checks, early diagnosis, and consistent health monitoring to prevent avoidable diseases, while beneficiaries including Mrs. Jacinta Odogwu and Chief Osita Osai described the outreach as timely and impactful, especially for families who rarely have access to free medical services.
# The Mayor of Njikoka Local Government, ably represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Anthony Otuwe, joined health stakeholders and the National Orientation Agency for a sensitization session aimed at educating health workers on the upcoming Measles and Rubella vaccination campaign.
The event, which took place within the local government headquarters, emphasized the importance of community engagement and the critical role health workers play in ensuring a successful immunization drive.
Mrs. Uju Onwuegbusina from the Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency delivered an insightful presentation on the dangers of measles and rubella. She noted that measles is a highly contagious and deadly disease caused by the measles virus.
# The Anambra State Police Command has arrested one Oluchukwu Anyaoku, following the emergence of a viral online video in which the suspect was allegedly issuing threats of violence and vowing to destroy all police formations in Obosi, Idemili North LGA.
The Police Operatives attached to the Obosi Division, acted immediately after intercepting the video. The suspect was traced, arrested and taken into custody for questioning. The operatives also recovered a firearm and a cutlass in his possession.
Police spokesman, SP. Ikenga Tochukwu, in a release stated that preliminary observations indicate that the suspect may require professional medical evaluation, and appropriate procedures are being followed in this regard.
“To this end, the Case is being transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Awka for a comprehensive investigation and review of available information already obtained about the incident”. Ikenga stated.
# The Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze has called on government at different levels to make policies that will bring persons with disabilities at par with other citizens by creating an enabling environment for them to showcase their potentials.
In his goodwill message to the Disability Community, Rt. Hon. Udeze maintained that the cardinal aim of marking the International Day of persons with disabilities is to promote their rights and well-being in all spheres, and to integrate them into the society without any form of discrimination or rejection.
The Speaker commended the 6th Anambra State House of Assembly for enacting a law for the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities in the State, which he said, gave rise to the establishment of the Anambra State Disability Rights Commission on December 3, 2021, expressing satisfaction with the level of support and assistance Governor Chukwuma Soludo has continued to give to the commission for its sustenance.
Rt. Hon. Udeze enjoined well meaning individuals in the country to commit part of their resources to enhance the plights of the disables, and to also
map out measures to improve their living standard in line with the International best practices towards building a sustainable, inclusive and just future for them.
He urged persons with disabilities to strive to live above all kinds of discrimination and stigmatization by being focused and determined to make a mark even in their challenges.
