# The Anambra State Government has challenged religious leaders and the Christian faithful to partner with the state in combating the menace of fake pastors and other forms of criminality.
The government also urged Christians to join hands with it in intensifying the fight against individuals who desecrate places of worship and abuse spiritual callings, stressing the need to restore moral values and address societal ills.
The call was made during the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the Zone 13 Police Chaplaincy Building held at the Zone 13 Police Headquarters, Ukpo, in Dunukofia Local Government Area of the state.
The Bishop on the Niger, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Dr. Owen Chiedozie Nwokolo, performed the official foundation stone-laying and turning-of-the-sod ceremony.
In his remarks, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Zone 13 Ukpo, Godwin Iguh Eze, thanked the Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, stakeholders, community leaders, and other guests for honouring the event and making it memorable.
He pledged to ensure the completion of the chaplaincy project within the shortest possible time, expressing optimism that the church building would be completed before the end of his tenure in the zone.
# Residents of Obosi in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State have appealed for urgent intervention following the destruction of critical electricity infrastructure by a recent rainstorm.
The heavy rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms, reportedly brought down electric poles, snapped high-tension wires, and damaged the Eke Obosi transformer, leaving the community without electricity for several weeks.
The prolonged blackout has adversely affected economic activities in the area, with artisans and small business owners forced to either suspend operations or rely heavily on generators to stay afloat.
Speaking on the situation, a hairdresser, Mrs. Amaka Ude, lamented the financial burden imposed by the outage.
Community leaders have also expressed concern over the security implications of the persistent blackout.
The President of Ire Village, Obosi, Mr. De Gaulle Offor, described electricity as a necessity for both economic development and public safety.
# In line with his administration’s commitment to women’s economic empowerment and inclusive development, Governor Chukwuma Soludo, has sponsored members of the State Project Coordinating Unit (SPCU) of the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up Project (NFWP-SU) to participate in a week-long training on the Community Operations Manual (COM) at Watercress Hotels, Lagos.
The intensive training, designed to strengthen grassroots implementation of the programme, focused on institutionalizing Women Affinity Groups (WAGs) and expanding economic opportunities for under-served and unbanked women across the state.
The programme implementation is facilitated by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, through NFWP-SU Federal Project Coordinating Unit (FPCU) and monitored by the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF)
Speaking during the training, the Head of the Federal Project Coordinating Unit, Dr. Hadiza Maina urged participants to maximize the opportunity provided by the programme. She encouraged them to pay close attention to the sessions and fully assimilate the knowledge being shared, noting that they would be responsible for cascading the training down to the Local Government and ward-level facilitators upon their return.
# Business activities at Nkpor Main Market and Nkpor New Parts Market are gradually improving on Mondays following the directive Governor Chukwuma Soludo, for the resumption of economic and social activities across the state.
Despite the noticeable improvement, traders say some challenges remain due to the reluctance of certain individuals to fully comply with the directive.
Speaking at Nkpor Main Market, Mrs. Ada Emmanuel described Monday trading as initially difficult for many traders. According to her, there were days when sales were so poor that traders struggled to recover their transportation costs.
She, however, expressed gratitude over the increasing turnout of traders and customers, noting that the situation has improved considerably.
# Governor Chukwuma Soludo has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Lieutenant General Chikadibia Isaac Obiakor, describing him as an outstanding military officer whose distinguished service brought honour to Anambra State and Nigeria.
In a condolence message signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Christian Aburime, Soludo said the late general, who hailed from Awka South Local Government Area, exemplified professionalism, discipline, and patriotic service throughout his military career.
Born on February 18, 1951, in Zaria, Obiakor joined the Nigerian military after enrolling in the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of the 10th Regular Course in 1971 and was commissioned into the Nigerian Army Artillery Corps in 1973.
During his military career, he held several key command positions, including General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division and Chief of Administration at Army Headquarters. His leadership extended beyond Nigeria, notably serving as Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL).
Governor Soludo highlighted Obiakor’s international accomplishments, particularly his historic appointment in 2008 as the first African to serve as Military Adviser for Peacekeeping Operations at the United Nations headquarters in New York. He retired from the Nigerian Army in 2011.
# Federal Polytechnic Oko has recorded a major academic milestone following the approval of its affiliation request by (UNIZIK), culminating in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two institutions.
The affiliation proposal was submitted in February 2026 by the Rector, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, alongside her management team.
Following a comprehensive review and the completion of all required procedures, the Senate of Nnamdi Azikiwe University approved the request, paving the way for the formal signing of the MoU.
Under the affiliation arrangement, Federal Polytechnic Oko has been authorized to run Bachelor’s Degree programmes in the following disciplines: Business Administration, Public Administration, Accountancy, Banking and Finance, Mass Communication, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Microbiology.
Speaking on the development, Dr. Awuzie expressed appreciation to the management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University for the confidence reposed in the Polytechnic. She described the approval as a significant step forward in the institution’s drive to provide accessible, high-quality, and industry-relevant higher education.
According to Dr. Awuzie, the affiliation will expand opportunities for prospective students, promote academic excellence, and further strengthen the Polytechnic’s standing as a leading institution for technological and professional education in Nigeria.
Members of the Polytechnic community have also welcomed the development, describing it as historic and noting that it will broaden access to university degree qualifications while allowing students to study within the institution’s conducive learning environment.
# A frontline aspirant of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the Nnewi North, Nnewi South and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency House of Representatives seat, Ambassador Lotanna Ikebunwa, has called on the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to declare him winner of the party’s primary election.
Ikebunwa, who spoke in an interview, claimed that he secured the highest number of votes during the primary election held on May 29 and urged the party leadership to uphold what he described as the mandate freely given to him by party members.
He expressed concern over the delay in announcing the outcome of the exercise, alleging that officials deployed to conduct the primary election compromised the process after it became evident that he enjoyed widespread support across the federal constituency.
According to him, available video evidence shows that the electoral process was manipulated after it became clear that his popularity had surpassed that of other aspirants in the three local government areas that make up the constituency.
Ikebunwa said he was prepared to present the evidence before the appropriate party authorities to ensure justice is served. He added that the party’s commitment to service should not be undermined by actions capable of nullifying the wishes of members who participated in the primary election.
# Anambra FA Chairman Commends NFF for approving Federation Cup Quarter-Final to be played in Awka.
The Chairman of the Anambra State Football Association (FA), Chikelue Iloenyosi, popularly known as De General, has expressed gratitude to the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for selecting Awka Township Stadium to host the Quarter-Final match of the President Federation Cup between Barau FC and Ikorodu City.
Iloenyosi gave the commendation while calling on sports lovers and football enthusiasts across the state to come out in their numbers to witness the exciting derby on Thursday, 11th June, by 4pm at the Awka Township Stadium.
He noted that the recent hosting of a match between Nasarawa United and Rivers United in Awka on Saturday, 6th June, further demonstrates the growing confidence in Anambra as a viable venue for national football competitions.
General Chikelue said the matches will no doubt help the Governor Chukwuma Soludo-led administration to curb insecurity and other social vices as teeming youths will be engaged while watching the matches at the stadium.
