# Governor Chukwuma Soludo has lauded the people of Igboukwu Ancient Kingdom for their commitment to state development following the donation of two brand-new pickup vans to the Anambra State Government.
The vehicles, intended to bolster security and administrative logistics, were officially received by the Governor at the Light House, Awka.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Governor Soludo described the gesture as a prime example of the Public-Private-Community Partnership (PPCP) model.
He emphasized that for the state to develop at a “breakneck speed,” the government cannot do it alone, saying that it requires the active participation of organised communities and the private sector.
The Governor thanked the monarch and the President-General for their leadership, urging other communities in the state to emulate the Igboukwu example to ensure a more secure and efficient Anambra.
# The Assistant Director on Informal Sector, Dr. Achebe Ndubuisi, held a crucial stakeholders’ meeting with the Nigeria LPG Marketers and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) at the Revenue House, Awka.
The meeting was convened to discuss the recent restructuring within the Service and to review, as well as evaluate, the current rates applicable to the associations, Dr. Achebe Ndubuisi emphasized the importance of the associations to the State’s economy and requested to know the modalities they had been operating with prior to the restructuring.
Speaking during the meeting, the Chairman of IPMAN, Mr. Chinedu, expressed appreciation to the Service for inviting the association to the engagement. He highlighted the challenges marketers face with multiple levies imposed by local government authorities and appealed for the adoption of a single payment structure that would cover all required levies, thereby reducing harassment by enforcement teams.
# The Anambra State Government has expressed its readiness to forge a strategic alliance with telecommunications giant Globacom Limited to accelerate the state’s transition into a premier digital hub in Nigeria.
Speaking during a courtesy call by the Globacom leadership team at the Government House, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs. Chiamaka Nnake, emphasized that the state is currently undergoing a massive urban renewal and digital transformation.
Welcoming the delegation, Mrs. Nnake highlighted the Governor’s vision for expansion and modernization, stating that state government is trying to build new cities and extending boundaries of Awka and Onitsha, which she muted is the kind of partnership needed by the present administration.
The Leader of the delegation, Mr. Adeniyi Odejoni, Director of Enterprise Business Corporation at Globacom, commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for his “massive infrastructure projects,” particularly in the areas of security and road networks and other infrastructure.
He noted that Globacom, which famously made SIM cards affordable for all Nigerians at its inception, among others things, is now evolving to meet modern demands, calling attention to the massive infrastructure they have across Anambra and have made significant investments nationwide.
# The Mayor of Idemili South LGA, Hon. Mrs Amaka Obi has officially flagged-off the construction of Ogba efi, Iruowelle Road, in Awka-Etiti.
Speaking during the ceremony, Hon. Obi said that the initiative was designed to enhance vehicular movement and overall accessibility, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure in the council area.
She expressed heartfelt appreciation to all the stakeholders in Idemili South for massive support, saying that their contributions to the progress of the area cannot go unnoticed.
Council Mayor appealed residents of the community to cooperate with the contractor to ensure the project’s smooth execution and assured all that the road project would be completed in two months, adhere to government standard, and street lighting to enhance safety and longevity.
# The Chief Medical Director of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) Amaku-Awka, Dr Maureen Umeakuewulu has commissioned Ajam Community Hospital Ezinifite in Aguata council area of Anambra state to serve the people of the area.
Equipped with modern 24-bed spaces for male and female wards, the facility was reconstructed and equipped by Aguata Local Government Council under the leadership of Dr Chibueze Oforbuike.
Commissioning the edifice, the CMD COOUTH Amaku-Awka, Dr Umeakuewulu appreciated Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo for giving her the opportunity to serve her people while also thanking Dr Chibueze Oforbuike, Mayor of Aguata for executing the project.
She promised to supply the hospital with doctors and nurses to enhance 24hrs medical coverage, urging indigenes of the area to take ownership of the facility by constructing perimeter fencing round the hospital as well as solar light for the security of medical officials and patients.
# Twenty-one out of the twenty-four students enrolled as pioneer participants in the Technology Project organized and fully sponsored by the Ojoto Union North America have graduated, with the graduation ceremony held at the palace of Igwe Gerald Mbamalu in Enugwu Ojoto, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Addressing the graduands, Igwe Gerald Mbamalu thanked representatives of the Ojoto Union North America for investing in human capital development, stressing that such investments cannot be quantified in monetary terms. He urged the privileged youths to make good use of the opportunity and give back to society in the future by training and empowering others. He also advised incoming students to be mindful of their character in order to justify the huge investment made in them.
Delivering motivational speeches, representatives of the Ojoto Union North America, including May Anyabolu, Okechukwu Asiama, Stephen Ezeude, Sylvester Anyabolu, Grace Uzochukwu, and Igwe Gerald Mbamalu, shared their life experiences as students and advised the graduands to uphold truth and remain focused in life.
# The Anambra State Road Traffic Management Agency, ARTMA, has commenced strict enforcement against route violation, popularly known as one-way driving, across the state, warning that offenders will face stiff sanctions.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ARTMA, Engineer Emeka Okonkwo, who disclosed this in Awka, described driving against traffic as dangerous and unacceptable, noting that many lives and properties have been lost as a result of the reckless act.
He regretted that some motorists deliberately ignore designated routes and U-turns in a bid to take shortcuts, thereby endangering other road users.
Engineer Okonkwo explained that any motorist caught driving against traffic will have the offending vehicle impounded for three months without the option of a fine, adding that such offenders will also be required to obtain a mental evaluation certificate from the Anambra State Ministry of Health before the release of the vehicle, as, according to him, no responsible driver will knowingly put lives at risk through route violation.
The ARTMA boss therefore advised motorists to strictly obey traffic regulations and make use of designated routes, stressing that the agency will not tolerate any form of traffic violation capable of causing accidents and loss of lives, while emphasizing that obedience to traffic rules remains necessary for the safety of all road users.
# Anambra State Head of Service, Barrister Ngozi Iwuno, has reiterated government’s determination to transform the civil service workforce into a disciplined, efficient, and effective workforce.
Barrister Iwuno stated this at the Ihiala Local Government Secretariat when she paid an unscheduled visit to the council in the company of some permanent secretaries to assess the performance of staff, especially in terms of clocking in and out.
She observed that as at past ten o’clock in the morning, few staff were on seat, whereas the administrative staff were absent, and cautioned them that her administration stands for promptness, hard work, and dedication to duty, stressing that it is no longer business as usual.
Also at the Ekwusigo Local Government Secretariat, the story was the same, as not up to ten or twelve staff were on seat, while the Head of Local Government Administration, all the directors, and heads of units absented themselves from work, leaving their offices under lock and key.
The Head of Service, Barrister Iwuno, lamented that a lot has gone wrong in the system, stating that the government will investigate and flush out those who falsify their age, those who travelled abroad while still receiving salaries at home, those working with forged certificates, and many other unacceptable practices in the workforce, and promised to make the visits regular in order to achieve the vision and transformational goals of Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
