# Igwe Engr. Augustine Emelobe, has disclosed that he will rule Oba community in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State without fear or favour.
The Traditional Ruler of Oba made this disclosure during his Ofala thanksgiving Mass at St. Thomas Anglican Church, Okuzu Oba, where he stated that he would be firm and decisive, while constantly asking God for strength and wisdom to enable him discharge his responsibilities effectively.
Igwe Emelobe while narrating his journey to the throne and how he eventually emerged as the king said:
“I will not look back in enforcing the mandate God has given me. I say it before God: if you are holding anybody’s land, if you have taken any property, if you have illegally acquired any village land, go and return it.
Emelobe stated that when he won the primary election in his village, and eventually emerged victorious. youths from his village opposed his emergence because they knew he would fight land grabbing.
According to the Monarch, he arrested some of them for land grabbing and intended to jail them, but God instructed him not to.
# Police-led joint security operatives attached to the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Aguata has successfully rescued a kidnap victim along Isulo axis of Orumba South Local Government Area, Anambra State.
The victim disclosed that he is a Nigerian citizen and native of Obinagu–Isikweachi, Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State, but is currently based in South Africa.
He was abducted on 1st January 2026, in the evening hours, from his hometown by a gang of six armed men who reportedly covered their faces with masks.
The victim whose name was withheld, further revealed that the kidnappers had demanded a ransom of Forty Million Naira (₦40,000,000) from his wife and relatives, but he managed to escape from the kidnappers’ den, leading to his eventual rescue by the joint security operatives.
Confirming the incident, Police Spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga said following his rescue, the victim was properly debriefed and has since been reunited with his family.
While maintaining that the Command will continue its commitment to sustaining proactive policing, SP Ikenga assured that the operatives are actively working with actionable intelligence provided by the victim to identify and dislodge the criminal hideout within the area and arrest those responsible.
# The “Solution Mayor” of Ogbaru LGA, Hon. Sir Kenneth Akwuobi, recently hosted Chief Nnamdi Orji, Chairman of Ndi Igbo North East England (UK), in his office at the Council Secretariat, Atani, Ogbaru LGA.
The visit was not just an inspection of progress, it was a high-level engagement centered on the shared vision of structural transformation, moral re-orientation, and the collective responsibility of Ndi Ogbaru toward the development of Anambra State.
The Mayor led a tour of the administrative blocks and housing units—once destroyed by hoodlums—now fully restored and functional.
# The remains of the late Air Vice Marshal, Osita Obierika, have been laid to rest in his hometown of Enugwu-Ukwu, Njikoka LGA, amid a high security presence, including personnel of the Army, Air Force, and Police.
The burial ceremony, which attracted influential people from Nigeria and beyond, featured a gun salute in honour of the late Air Vice Marshal.
At Immanuel Anglican Church, Enugwu-Ukwu, the Bishop of Ozoro Diocese, Rt. Rev. Ben Idume, emphasized the importance of accountability for one’s actions and urged people to make good use of their opportunities.
He charged the attendees to dedicate their lives to serving God and humanity, make peace with God, and abstain from sin in order to inherit the kingdom.
# Over one hundred indigenes of Awka in Awka South LGA have been enrolled into academic scholarships and skills acquisition programmes sponsored by their kinsmen based in the United States of America and Canada under the auspices of Awka Union USA/Canada.
Speaking during the programme held at Ndichie Hall, Awka, the President General of Awka Union USA/Canada, Dr Anthony Nwobum, explained that thirty Awka indigenes studying various courses in public tertiary institutions across the country were awarded scholarships by the union, while over sixty others will be trained in tailoring, fashion and design, computer technology, aluminium works, bakery, among others, and will be equipped to start their own businesses at the end of their training.
He further stated that the gesture is the second edition of the programme aimed at getting youths off the streets and meaningfully engaged, adding that those selected for the skills empowerment programme will receive monthly stipends from the union to sustain them throughout the training period.
In his remarks, the Mayor of Awka South LGA, Prince Chinedu Okafor, represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Youths, Sports, and Special Duties, Hon. Kingsley Ikebudu, commended the union for complementing the efforts of the Anambra State Government in poverty alleviation and urged beneficiaries of the scholarship programme to live up to expectations in order to qualify for future editions.
Some beneficiaries of the skills acquisition and scholarship programmes, including Chidimma Okechukwu and Favour Agbata, assured that they would make their community and the union proud.
# The Executive Secretary of the Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Pharmacist Chisom Uchem, who stated this during a stakeholder and media engagement meeting in Awka, stressed that the media and relevant stakeholders were invited to ensure that accurate information and all necessary knowledge about the incoming vaccination reach all nooks and crannies of the state, and made it clear that the target people are children from nine months to fourteen years.
Pharmacist Uchem explained that the agency, in partnership with its partners, deemed the media important stakeholders in accelerating the message, and noted that Anambra is in second stream, phase two of the exercise, appealing to participants to be their eyes and ambassadors in various communities across the state before and after the vaccination.
In their separate speeches, Pharmacist Okonkwo Obunike, from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, noted that they would continue to advocate access to healthcare and always support the state in its efforts to achieve an adequate and accessible healthcare system, while his United Nations Children’s Fund counterpart, Mr Victor James, added that the wellbeing of children in all parts of Anambra is important to the agency because children are the future of the state, stressing that the health of everyone must remain a priority to Ndi Anambra.
# The Anambra State Police Command has revealed a male suspect, Ifesinachi Ezeolu aged 28 years as the person inside the violent conduct displayed during the outing of a masquerade in Awgbu community. This follows widespread public concern and reports of assaults and intimidation of residents in the occasion.
The Command through SP. Tochukwu Ikenga, Police Public Relations Officer
Anambra State Command, wishes to clearly state that the Nigeria Police Force respects and recognises the cultural and traditional practices of the people. However, no cultural activity or belief system should be used as a cover to harass, assault, intimidate, or violate the fundamental human rights of citizens.
The Command also emphasizes that masquerade activities, like all public gatherings, must be conducted peacefully and within the confines of the law. Therefore, any act capable of causing fear, injury, or public disorder will be promptly addressed. Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing to identify and bring to justice other suspects who are linked to the incident.
The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu, reassures residents that the Command will continue to work with traditional rulers, community leaders, and stakeholders to promote peaceful cultural expressions, while ensuring the safety and rights of all individuals.
# Four new members have joined the ranks of Anambra State Football Association (ANSFA) executive board after their bye-election in Awka.
In his remarks, Anambra Football Association Chairman, General Chikelue Iloenyosi, congratulated the new board members and local football executives, urging them to bring their wealth of experience into play.
The new board members are: Chief Ifechukwu Johnson representing Anambra North zone, Pastor Ijeoma Nwosu, Prince Michael Mbaezue and Coach Donatus Ezeokafor for Anambra South zone.
The outcome of their election was announced by Chairman of the ANSFA Electoral Committee, Barr. Prince Uche Darlington Okeke, PhD.
Also, new executive memebrs for 18 Local Football Councils (LFC) of the state, comprising of Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen and Members emerged.
