# The Provost of Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe, Professor Victor Ndirika, has cautioned new students of the institution to shun cultism and other related vices in order to achieve their academic aspirations.
In his address during the 2025/2026 matriculation ceremony for NCE and Degree programmes, Professor Ndirika urged the students to be law-abiding and made it clear that law enforcement agents will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute anyone who forms or joins any outlawed organization or society, or breaks the law, stressing the need for them to imbibe the culture of discipline for which students of the institution are known, take their lectures seriously, and aspire for excellence in order to become good ambassadors of their families.
He explained that the college has a lot of facilities and programmes for extracurricular activities and skill acquisition which are in line with the Anambra State Government’s “One Youth, Two Skills” initiative, urging the new students to endeavour to imbibe these values and skills to thrive in these areas, while thanking the host community for sustaining collaboration with the college to uplift it to a higher pedestal.
The Provost thanked Governor Chukwuma Soludo for appointing him to the office and pledged to work with the management team, staff, students, and other stakeholders towards the realization of the set goals.
Presenting his address, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Professor Simon Ortuanya, represented by the Dean, Faculty of Education of the university, Professor G.C. Nji, while congratulating the new students, urged them to make discipline their watchword and work hard to use the academic opportunity to actualize their aspirations.
# The attention of the Anambra State House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze has been drawn to a misleading publication making the rounds, particularly a sensational headline by Punch Newspapers claiming that Anambra State has introduced a “new burial law” banning the presentation of cows, goats and other condolence gifts.
Reacting on the news, Franklin Osankwa,
SA/Office of the Speaker in a press statement, debunked the headline, describing it as misleading.
“For the records, this publication is false, misleading and a gross misrepresentation of facts.
“The 8th Anambra State House of Assembly did not pass any new burial law. No such bill was introduced, debated or passed by the current Assembly.
“The existing burial regulatory framework being mischievously referenced by some media platforms was enacted into law in 2019, long before the inauguration of the present 8th Assembly. Since the inauguration of the current House, no amendment whatsoever has been made concerning the areas sensationally reported in the media.
“It is therefore irresponsible and professionally unethical to attribute a non-existent “new law” to the present Assembly simply to generate traffic, controversy and public outrage.
“At a time when fake news and distorted headlines are becoming a serious threat to public trust and social stability, media organizations must understand that journalism is a sacred responsibility, not a tool for clickbait sensationalism.
“The Anambra State House of Assembly remains committed to transparent, people-oriented legislation and will continue to engage citizens openly on every law legitimately before the House.
“We urge Ndi Anambra and the general public to disregard the false narrative and rely only on verified legislative information from official government channels.
# The Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), has held a one-day staff training and orientation.
In his welcome remarks, at the event held in Awka, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Dr.
Ossy Onuko noted that the exercise was to ensure that everybody is in the right frame of minds to kick off the second phase of the current administration in the State, adding that they come to learn, charge their minds to understand that they are changing gears in line with the Soludo’s administration’s agenda, as they gathered to listen to experts that know better than them for optimal performance.
Dr. Onuko who tagged the event “ACTDA two point zero” said that all participants must leave the event better groomed and prepared for the task ahead, as they are passing through a phase in the history of the agency, and that they are trying to bring a new life into ACTDA, as well as vigour and rigour into the workforce, which is why they organized the training to equip themselves with the requisite knowledge they need to to perform brilliantly.
The Keynote speaker at the event and former Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development in Lagos State, Mr. Toyin Ayinde, who spoke on Planning, Development and Regulatory Compliance, maintained that for you to have a serene and well organized cities, there is a need to balance between man and environment, as any conflict between the two breeds chaos, and that planning helps in managing growth and allocating resources.
According to Mr. Ayinde, to have an orderly city, their must be a leadership will, investment in planning infrastructure, human capacity development, public awareness to understand development regulations, stakeholders engagement as well as inter agency collaborations.
# Over one thousand persons have benefited from a free medical outreach organized by Awka Union USA and Canada, an intervention aimed at alleviating the sufferings of people and ensuring free access to healthcare for the downtrodden.
The event which was the fifth international medical outreach of the group, and took place at Ndichie Hall Umudioka, Awka, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, saw massive turnout of the people who were at no cost diagnosed and treated for several ailments including diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, malaria and typhoid, eye problems, and other nonsurgical ailments.
In various interviews, the President General of Awka USA and Canada, Dr Anthony Nwaobum, Secretary General of the union, Dr Dilim Iloanya, and the Chairperson for the medical mission, Mrs Gloria Adigwe explained that the intervention, which is one of the union’s poverty alleviation programs and a way they give back to the society, was designed to ensure good health for Ndi Awka and residents of the community, and assured that the union will continue to put smiles on the faces of the people, especially this time that Nigeria is battling with harsh economy.
Speaking, the Lead Physician at the event, Dr Tochukwu Agbata-Uyanwune, the representative of Canada branch of the union, Mr Onyebuchi Mbaonu, and Mr Kenechukwu Agummadu of Brazil, South America, regretted that people in this part of the world do not take their health seriously, and encouraged the people to go for medical checks regularly for early detection and treatment to avoid complications.
Some of the beneficiaries, including Mrs Alice Nwude and Mr Nnanedum Adum appreciated the group for the kind gesture, saying that the free medical intervention has not only given them the opportunity to enjoy better health again, but also saved them the cost of seeking treatment at hospitals.
# It was a new dawn in Nnobi Community, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, as the leadership of the Nnobi Welfare Organization, led by the President General, Aloysius Olubialu, distributed over eight hundred bags of rice to Nnobi indigenes in the spirit of Easter and to cushion the effects of the harsh economy.
The event attracted indigent people from the three quarters of Nnobi, comprising Ebenesi, Ngo, and Awuda villages.
Addressing the beneficiaries, the President General of the Nnobi Welfare Organization, Aloysius Olubialu, said the palliative was the first of its kind under his leadership, explaining that he initiated it by mobilizing people to assist the vulnerable members of the community to partake in the joy of the celebration, while appreciating all the donors for putting smiles on the faces of the people.
Olubialu, who said that the palliative exercise would be continuous, pointed out that beyond the palliatives, there are other impactful developmental programmes for the community, and also commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for his infrastructural development across the state.
Speaking, the Mayor of Idemili South Local Government Area, Mrs Amaka Obi, who commended the initiative, described Olubialu as a servant leader, while appreciating all the donors and praying for God’s blessings upon them, noting that the gesture aligns with the developmental initiatives of Governor Soludo across the state.
# Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) Academic, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Alex Chinwuba Asigbo has been honoured by the Eastern Nigeria Merit Awards for his contributions to educational advancement in Nigeria.
Asigbo, a Professor of Theatre and Performance Studies was honoured alongside other awardees across different categories during the 6th edition of the Eastern Nigeria Merit Awards held on Sunday at Best Western Meloch, Awka. with the theme “Inspiring Growth”
National Coordinator of the organisation, Prince Ikechi Okereke in a remark explained that the Eastern Nigeria Merit Awards is designed to celebrate individuals, groups, and organisations that have distinguished themselves in their respective field of specialization and contributed immensely to the standardisation of activities within the Eastern Region.
Okereke disclosed that Prof. Asigbo was shortlisted as a Star Awardee of the event because of his personal pedigree and the heights he has attained in his professional career trajectory.
Speaking after receiving the award, Prof. Asigbo thanked the organisers for the recognition. He said that as an educationist, he remains committed to the advancement of the ideals of learning, knowledge sharing and contributions to the society in general.
# The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) South-East Zone has rejected the registration of a parallel retirees’ association and reaffirmed its loyalty to the national body under the leadership of Comrade Godwin Ikechukwu Abumisi.
The position was contained in a resolution signed by the Zonal Chairman, Comr. Anthony Ugozor, and the Zonal Secretary, Comr. Elder Uma Kalu.
NUP made the adoption during a zonal meeting of South-East member states held in Awka, Anambra State.
The zone stated in the resolution that the union’s attention had been drawn to what it described as the illegal registration of the new body refered to as ‘National Association of Retirees of State Governments of Nigeria’.
It added that after extensive deliberation, the delegates had resolved to uphold the structure established under Nigerian law and to resist any attempt to divide their membership.
# An Aspirant for Awka South and North Federal Constituency, Chief Azubuike Ekweozor, has described his resolve to serve a single tenure if voted into office as sacrosanct.
He emphasized that four years was enough for him to fully translate his promises into action in the constituency, thereafter opt for a higher political aspiration.
Ekweozor made the vow in Awka during an engagement meeting with a political advocacy group, Anambra Patriots (AP) ahead of May 23rd primary elections of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
The Aspirant assured the gathering that he would remain focused on delivering on his four point agenda in the areas of agriculture, security, low cost housing and infrastructural development.
He said he was the best among those jostling for the party’s ticket positioned to use his contacts across the nation to attract more dividends of democracy to the grassroots.
While acknowledging Gov Soludo’s achievements in critical sectors, he solicited the support of the party members in achieving the set agenda.
