# The Anambra State Police Command has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting women and children from all forms of abuse and ensuring justice for victims.
This follows the arraignment of twelve (12) suspects before the Gender Magistrate Court sitting in Awka on Wednesday, 8th July 2026, for various offences bordering on rape, defilement, child abuse, abduction, and assault.
Among those arraigned are Chima Onyeanuna, Emeka Muo and Okafor Chibundu, over the alleged abduction and defilement of a 14-year old girl in Nanka.
In a separate Case, the Operatives also arraigned Chukwudi Ugwu Jeremiah for the alleged defilement of an 11-year old girl, along Slaughter Lane, Awka.
Also arraigned before the Court were Ndubuisi Ikechebelu, Udogu Kennedy, Nnamah Christopher, and Chinecherem Emmanuel, who are facing allegations of raping a 19-year old girl on different occasions, resulting in her pregnancy.
Similarly, Charity Anakwe and Chidiere Anakwe were arraigned over the alleged assault of their 12-year old house help.
The Court also heard the Case against Chukwudi Joseph, who was arraigned for allegedly assaulting a 12-year old girl in Ozubulu, while Chibuike Agu was arraigned for the alleged defilement of a 13-year old girl in Fegge.
Following their arraignment, the Court ordered that all the suspects be remanded at the Awka Correctional Centre pending the hearing of their respective cases.
# The Anambra State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Chinyere Esther Onyekesi received courtesy visits from the Nigeria Women in Agriculture Business (NiWAB), Anambra State Chapter, led by its Chapter Leader, Mrs. Emeagwali Uzoamaka, and the Nigeria Red Cross Society, Aguata Division, led by its Coordinator, Mr. Okoli Jeremiah.
Both delegations congratulated the Commissioner on her appointment and pledged their readiness to partner with the Ministry in advancing the welfare of women, children, and vulnerable persons across the State.
Responding, Mrs. Onyekesi thanked the delegations for the visit and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to collaborations that promote the empowerment and protection of women and families in Anambra State.
# The Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, has dedicated his recognition as the South-East Most Outstanding Speaker at the HallowMace Africa National Legislative Awards, to the Government and people of Anambra State.
Receiving the award at the NAF Event Conference Centre, Abuja, Rt. Hon. Udeze described the honour as a motivation to deepen his commitment to legislative excellence, strengthen collaboration between the Legislature and Executive, and contribute to the growth of democratic governance in Nigeria.
Udeze said the 8th Anambra State House of Assembly has introduced reforms, innovations and improved legislative agenda-setting that have enhanced the institution’s performance and inspired other legislatures across the country.
The Speaker reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to enacting impactful laws and passing resolutions that will promote the development of Anambra State and improve the welfare of its people.
He thanked the organisers, HallowMace Africa and the Conference of Speakers in Nigeria, for the recognition, while expressing gratitude to the people of Anambra State for their support, prayers and encouragement throughout his leadership.
# The Anambra State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ekene Ogugua, has been honoured with the Mathalon Patronship Award.
The award, presented by the Mr. Ebubedike Friday ,the CEO of Mathalon on behalf of the Mathalon Mathematics Competition team, recognises Dr. Ogugua’s outstanding support and contributions to the success of the 2026 Mathalon Quiz Competition.
Receiving the award, Dr. Ogugua reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting programmes that align with Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s education transformation agenda, equipping Anambra learners with the knowledge and skills to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
# The Meritorious Award Ceremony for deserving staff of INEC Anambra State has been held.
The awards were presented by the Hon. Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Queen Elizabeth Agwu, with the support of the Administrative Secretary, Mr. Kenneth Obianyi, and the Management Team, on behalf of the Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN.
The award presentation fulfilled the Chairman’s promise made during his visit and interactive session with staff before the 8 November 2025 Anambra State Governorship Off-Cycle Election, to recognize and reward outstanding performance.
The Management and Staff of INEC Anambra State expressed profound appreciation to the Chairman of the Commission and his team for this commendable gesture. They reaffirmed their commitment to serving with greater diligence, integrity, dedication, and professionalism in the discharge of all electoral responsibilities.
# The Anambra State Government has introduced the Voluntary Assets, Income Declaration and Tax Regularisation Scheme (VAIDS), a tax amnesty programme designed to encourage individuals, businesses and organisations to voluntarily regularise their tax obligations without incurring the full penalties associated with previous non-compliance.
According to a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr. Law Mefor, the scheme commenced on July 6 and will run until September 5, 2026. It offers a one-time opportunity for taxpayers with outstanding tax liabilities to declare their income and assets and settle their obligations under favourable terms.
The statement explained that the scheme is open to unregistered taxpayers, individuals and organisations with undeclared income, assets or liabilities, taxpayers who failed to fully disclose taxable income or assets, those who underpaid or under-remitted taxes and levies, as well as persons and organisations currently undergoing tax audits or investigations.
Also eligible are parties involved in tax disputes with the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AIRS) and recipients of Best of Judgment (BOJ) assessments who failed to respond within the statutory period.
Under the scheme, eligible participants who make full and truthful disclosures will receive a 100 per cent waiver of penalties and accrued interest, immunity from prosecution on disclosed tax liabilities, exemption from tax audits for the periods covered by their declarations, and flexible payment arrangements subject to the approval of the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service.
The state government urged business owners, companies, partnerships, sole proprietors, taxpayers with outstanding liabilities, unregistered taxpayers and individuals seeking to correct previous tax declarations to take advantage of the limited-time initiative.
Interested taxpayers are advised to visit any office of the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service or access the VAIDS portal using their Anambra State Identification Number (ASIN) to register, obtain guidance and submit their declarations.
The Executive Chairman of the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Ikeazor Okonkwo, warned that full enforcement against defaulting taxpayers will begin immediately after the scheme expires on September 5, 2026. He urged all eligible taxpayers to utilise the opportunity to regularise their tax status before the deadline.
# Anambra First Lady, Dr. Mrs Nonye Soludo just harvested fresh maize from her healthy living farm and has encouraged families to embrace home gardening and healthy eating.
Sharing the experience, Dr. Nonye Soludo said the harvest was more than just gathering crops. According to her, it is a reminder that healthy living starts with the choices people make every day, especially the food they eat.
She explained that the maize was grown using organic, non-GMO farming methods, which are in line with the Healthy Living campaign she has continued to promote across Anambra State. She said eating fresh and naturally grown food helps people stay healthy while also protecting the environment.
Dr. Nonye Soludo noted that Healthy Living is not just a message people should talk about but a way of life that should be practiced every day. She said growing food at home and choosing natural, wholesome meals can help build healthier families, stronger communities and a better future for children.
She added that every successful harvest is a reward for patience, hard work and consistency. According to her, it also shows the benefits of making the right choices in food production and healthy living.
# The Anambra State Government has debunked claims that it failed to qualify for funding under the World Bank-supported HOPE-GOV programme, describing the reports as “false, misleading and mischievous.”
In a clarification issued by the government, officials maintained that Anambra’s exclusion from the programme was not due to failure to meet eligibility requirements but rather a conscious policy decision rooted in fiscal discipline and the state’s long-term development strategy.
According to the government, the HOPE-GOV programme is not a grant but a concessional loan extended by the World Bank through the International Development Association (IDA) to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“The claim that Anambra failed to qualify for HOPE funding is false, mischievous and ignores both facts and policy,” the statement said.
It explained that the Subsidiary Loan Agreement, reviewed by the Federal Ministry of Justice and signed by the Federal Ministry of Finance, clearly stipulates that the facility is repayable in the same currency in which it is disbursed. The government added that repayment would ultimately be deducted from states’ allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) when the loan matures.
Officials argued that accepting the loan would have tied the state to expenditure priorities that do not align with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s development agenda.
“We said no on principle,” the government stated. “The HOPE-GOV terms would have compelled disbursements into consumption-heavy line items rather than the capital projects, industrialisation agenda and human capital investments that our administration is implementing.”
The government noted that the decision is consistent with Governor Soludo’s long-standing opposition to borrowing for recurrent expenditure.
# Rt. Rev. Dr. Owen Chiedozie Nwokolo has commended the management and staff of Gozie Anyachebelu Polytechnic, Onitsha, for their commitment to academic excellence and institutional development, while reaffirming his support for the institution’s continued growth.
Bishop Nwokolo gave the commendation when the management and staff of the Polytechnic, led by the Rector, Engr. (Mrs.) Chioma Helen Osuigwe-Abone, paid him a courtesy visit.
During the visit, the rector briefed the bishop on recent achievements of the institution, particularly the successful completion of its Exhibition and Hybrid Virtual Conference, noting that the programme had contributed to academic excellence, innovation and increased institutional visibility.
In his response, Bishop Nwokolo praised the management and staff for their dedication, creativity and commitment to promoting quality education through impactful academic programmes and development initiatives.
He expressed satisfaction with the progress recorded by the Polytechnic, encouraging the institution to remain focused on excellence, innovation and the production of graduates capable of contributing meaningfully to national development.
The delegation said the visit was also an opportunity to appreciate the bishop’s unwavering support, visionary leadership, sustaining commitment to the advancement of the institution over the years.
They conveyed belated birthday wishes to the bishop, praying for God’s continued blessings, sound health, wisdom, strength and many more fruitful years of service.
# The President-General of Nri Kingdom, Oba Romanus Okafor has reaffirmed his commitment to community development through the ongoing renovation and facelift of the historic Nri Town Hall.
The renovation project reflects the administration’s determination to improve public infrastructure, preserve community heritage, and provide a more conducive environment for meetings, cultural activities, and social engagements within Nri Kingdom.
Since assuming office, Oba Okafor has consistently demonstrated purposeful leadership by initiating projects that address pressing community needs, placing sustainable development and residents’ welfare at the centre of his administration’s priorities.
Rather than waiting for community funds before responding to urgent challenges, the
President-General has continued implementing critical development initiatives promptly, ensuring essential projects receive timely attention for maximum community benefit.
Reports indicate that Oba Okafor has personally financed several important interventions from his private resources, demonstrating uncommon dedication, selflessness, and determination to accelerate development across various sectors of the community.
The ongoing facelift of the town hall is expected to provide a befitting facility that will enhance communal gatherings, strengthen cultural identity, and encourage greater participation in community development initiatives by residents.
Residents have commended the President-General’s leadership style, describing him as visionary, responsive, and development-oriented, while expressing optimism that the project will further promote unity, cooperation, and collective progress throughout Nri Kingdom.
Stakeholders believe the renovated town hall will serve as a symbol of shared responsibility, inspire greater community participation, and create opportunities for stronger collaboration in advancing sustainable development across the kingdom.
