# Anambra State Government has shutdown New Auto Spare Parts Asocciation (NASPA) Market, Nkwo Nnewi.
The market, whose date of closure is effective from Monday midnight, 23rd February, 2026, will reopen next Monday, 2nd March, 2026.
In a public announcement by Dr. Law Mefor, Commissioner for Information,
Anambra State, the closure of the market followed low compliance with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s order to end Monday sit-at-home in Anambra State.
The order to close the market was handed down on behalf of Soludo by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Markets, Chief Evarist Uba, in company of the Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, and Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, AVM Ben Chiobi(Rtd) and Nnewi Mayor, Hon. Echezona Anazodo.
Traders and customers are advised to avoid the market until next Monday to avoid issues with law enforcement agents.
# Stakeholders in leadership positions across Igbo States of Nigeria have been urged to enact and enforce laws that will strengthen the use of Igbo language in homes, schools , churches,markets and public life to preserve the language and identity of Igbo people.
This concern formed the crux of the discussions at the 2026 United Nations Celebration of Mother Tongue as organised by Igbo Women Assembly In Conjunction With Council Of Igbo States In America, and Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide held at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, with the theme,”Igbo language and culture:tools for social economic development”.
Anambra State Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment and Tourism,Mr.Don Onyenji pointed out that Governor Chukwuma Soludo even before he became the Governor of Anambra State has always been in showcasing that he is a core Igbo man by excelling in different areas of his life and now as he is in the helm of affairs of the state has restored Igbo core values by separating fake practitioners of Igbo culture and tradition from the genuine ones, which he said is the reason there is calmness in the state and assured that the government will work with the communique realized from the gathering.
The Chairman of the occasion who is also the traditional ruler of Ifitedunu, Dunukofia council area,Igwe Emeka Ilouno while explaining the reason behind the United Nations Celebration of Mother Tongue Day bemoaned the way Igbo people negate their language in preference for English language saying that the essence of the gathering is to brainstorm on how to preserve Igbo language as a people’s language is their culture.
The President of Igbo Women Assembly,Lolo Nneka Chimezie explained that the group is passionate about ensuring that the 2006 United Nations prediction that Igbo language will go into extinction in 50 years does not come to fulfilment, saying that as they celebrate the United Nations Mother Tongue Day and reflect on their beloved Igbo language and the individual efforts of late Chief F.C Ogbalu and Professor Peter Ejiofor,noted that individual and group efforts are not enough to save Igbo language but the use of collective and enforceable approach.
# The Anambra State Town Unions Council, Youth Wing (ASTUC YOUTH) has inaugrated the twenty one local government youth-mayors, three Zonal liaison officers as well as sworn in twelve youth leaders.
The elected youth leaders, will oversee the activities of the youths in their various communities.
Speaking at the inauguration, held at
secretariat hall, Government House, Awka, President General ASTUC youth wing, Comrade Ken Okoli said the swearing-in of the zonal liaison officers is another strategic effort to consolidate the success of the Council in driving its programmes at the grassroots level.
# The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) RS5.3 Anambra Sector Command on Sunday continued its commitment to reducing road traffic crashes, injuries, and fatalities by 10% through a robust public enlightenment and community engagement strategy.
The Command successfully hosted a Church Advocacy Programme at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Igbo Ukwu, engaging worshippers on crucial road safety practices.
Corps Commander Bridget Asekauno, the Sector Commander, addressed the congregation, emphasizing several critical safety topics.
These included pedestrian safety, the importance of wearing safety crash helmets, the dangers associated with overloading and mixed loading, proper road crossing habits, and the severe consequences of dangerous driving.
The FRSC boss maintained that the advocacy initiative was specifically designed to enhance road safety consciousness, promote responsible road usage, and ensure strict compliance with traffic regulations, all vital measures to mitigate road traffic crashes across Anambra State.
# The Bank of Industry has built a multi-million-naira medical hostel for medical students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi.
The facility, sited at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, was handed over to the management of the institution by the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Dr. Olasupo Olusi.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Dr. Olusi, who was represented by the Executive Director, Large Enterprises, Mr. Shekarau Omar, explained that the project forms part of the bank’s legacy corporate social responsibility and will serve the students and medical trainees for whom it was intended, noting that the project also reflects the broader national priority of improving access to healthcare, education, and decent living conditions, as when students can learn well and hospitals can function effectively, communities ultimately receive better care.
Receiving the facility, the Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Professor Ugochukwu Bond Anyaehie, who commended the Bank of Industry for putting up such a gigantic project in the university, assured that the thirty-room hostel block will be fully utilised to support learning, strengthen healthcare services, and improve the welfare of the students who will live there, while one of the contractors who handled the project, Mr. Chidi Anuligo, disclosed that each of the thirty rooms can accommodate three students, and that each room has conveniences and an in-built kitchen to meet the needs of the occupants.
On his part, the Chief Medical Director of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Professor Joe Ugboaja, who was represented by Professor Ogochukwu Ezejiofor, expressed joy that the university is witnessing unprecedented development with such a gigantic project, saying that the synergy that exists between the CMD and the Vice Chancellor of the university will take the teaching hospital to greater heights and make Nnamdi Azikiwe University a remarkable institution in West Africa.
# In a move to further support beneficiaries of the Anambra State Youth Empowerment Scheme, the One-Youth-Two Skills initiative, the Anambra State Ministry of Youth Development has commenced a mentorship programme to ensure that the challenges encountered by beneficiaries are addressed, helping them grow their businesses.
Speaking during the programme held at the Chike Okoli Entrepreneurship Centre, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, the Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr. Patrick Agha Mba, explained that the mentorship programme is designed to help beneficiaries grow their businesses and navigate challenges while exploring available opportunities, and is expected to last for one year.
The Chairman of the One-Youth-Two Skills Entrepreneurship Scheme, Professor Chinedu Onyezigbe, noted that the skills programme is in phases, with the mentorship scheme being the final phase, aimed at enabling beneficiaries to understand the nitty-gritty of owning and managing businesses, appreciating the challenges, and leveraging opportunities to raise millionaires and billionaires through an intentional approach.
The Chairman of the Mentorship Scheme, Mr. Emeka Omatah, emphasized that 3.5 billion naira was distributed to skills beneficiaries last year, adding that the mentors are business development experts carefully selected to ensure that the one-year mentorship programme has a meaningful impact on the mentees.
Some of the One-Youth-Two Skills beneficiaries who spoke to the ABS, including Mr. Ugonna Nwobi and Mrs. Prisca Anya, agreed that the mentorship programme is helping them adapt to the ever-changing business environment while maximizing their potential to excel, and they expressed appreciation to the government for the initiative.
# In a high-stakes operation, the Nigeria Police Force, teaming up with the Beer Sectoral Group, raided illegal factories in Anambra State that were crushing returnable glass bottles and shredding plastic crates belonging to major beverage companies.
Abiola Laseinde, Executive Secretary of the Beer Sectoral Group, revealed that the factories were diverting vast amounts of company property into unauthorized recycling operations, costing manufacturers millions of naira. “These bottles and crates are meant to be reused, not destroyed,” she said. “This is outright economic sabotage.”
The crackdown came after months of careful investigation, leading to multiple arrests. Laseinde warned that such illicit operations could disrupt supply chains, raise business costs, and create serious environmental hazards due to unsafe recycling methods.
# Umunnachi community in Dunukofia LGA marked Elimede festival with magnificent cultural displays.
The 2026 Elimede, was well-attended by sons and daughters of Umunnachi from far and near, as well as by friends and associates of Umunnachi sons and daughters.
The annual Elimede festivity is Umunnachi’s traditional celebration of a cultural new year, marked with various displays of the community’s rich cultural heritage. Elimede, which translates to “Eating Cocoyam,” is a symbolic festival in parts of Dunukofia LGA, where productivity and newness are celebrated with all cultural epitaphs one can imagine.
As is with the people’s customs, the Elimede festival commences with some traditional rituals the night before the main day. Powerful masquerades go round with different groups in the night to perform atonements, initiate young boys of age into manhood and give thank offerings to the gods of the land. This part of the festival can last from midnight Friday to early in the morning of the Saturday of the festival.
