# The Anambra State Ministry of Women and Social Welfare has announced the revival of its flagship Free Skills Acquisition Programme aimed at equipping young women and men with practical, income-generating skills to promote self-reliance, entrepreneurship, and economic empowerment.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Esther Chinyere Onyekesi, disclosed that registration for the first phase of the programme is now open to interested residents of Awka and its environs, adding that subsequent phases will be extended to other parts of the state.
Mrs. Onyekesi explained that the six-month intensive training programme aligns with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s commitment to youth empowerment, poverty reduction, and sustainable economic development. She noted that participants will be trained by experienced facilitators and will acquire practical skills that can be immediately translated into viable sources of income.
The training will cover catering and confectionery, computer education, hairdressing, cosmetology, tailoring and fashion design, as well as textile crafts.
According to the Commissioner, registration forms are available for a token fee, while interested applicants are advised to visit the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare in Awka within the registration period to obtain and complete the forms. She noted that available slots are limited.
The Ministry stated that the programme is open to young people aged 18 years and above, with applications running from 13th July to 27th July, 2026.
# The Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, has been honoured with the “Transformational Impact Leadership Award” by the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Awka Diocese, for her exemplary leadership and contributions to education and youth development.
The award was presented during a special thanksgiving service at the Methodist Church, Awka Diocese.
Presenting the award alongside the Diocesan Lay President, Elder Oti Gaius Oti, Bishop Nwakamma said the honour was in recognition of Dr. Awuzie’s transformational leadership in the education sector and her commitment to partnering with the Church in nurturing young people.
Commending her achievements within a short time in office, the Bishop attributed the institution’s progress to the harmonious relationship between Management, staff, students, and unions.
# Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Anambra State, is set to make yet another remarkable academic statement as it hosts its 33rd Inaugural Lecture on Thursday, July 23, 2026, featuring Nigeria’s first Reverend Sister Professor of Law, Prof. Anne Amuche Obiora, as the inaugural lecturer.
The lecture, titled “Constitution and Customary Arbitration in Nigeria: Peace, A Point of Convergence,” promises to offer scholarly insights into the intersection of constitutional law and customary dispute resolution in Nigeria.
As the nation’s first Reverend Sister to attain the rank of Professor of Law, Prof. Obiora has distinguished herself through years of outstanding scholarship, research, and commitment to legal education, making her selection for the University’s 33rd Inaugural Lecture both historic and symbolic.
The inaugural lecture forms part of COOU’s enduring tradition of promoting academic excellence, intellectual discourse, and impactful research. Under the leadership of Prof. Kate Omenugha, the University has continued to strengthen its academic visibility by providing platforms for scholars to showcase groundbreaking research that contributes to national development and global knowledge.
# A self-styled online publisher and blogger, Ejike Ofoegbu, associated with Igbo Times Magazine and INews, has been arraigned before a Magistrate’s Court sitting in Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, over alleged defamatory publications targeting Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo, and members of his family.
The defendant was arraigned on allegations bordering on the creation and publication of fabricated stories, defamatory content, and fictitious narratives allegedly presented as news reports to generate online traffic and financial gain.
Presiding Magistrate C.O. Ezekwere declined jurisdiction over the matter and refused the defendant’s bail application.
The court ordered that the original case file and records of proceedings be transmitted to the Anambra State Attorney General and Ministry of Justice for legal advice, while directing the defendant to approach the High Court in Awka for bail, as the Magistrate’s Court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain the substantive case.
The remand order followed an ex parte motion moved by counsel to the complainant, A.A. Nwanri, alongside the Chief Security Officer to the Governor, O.K. Nkuma, and Inspector Tochukwu Echemagu of the D-4 Section, State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Awka.
According to the prosecution, the Governor and his family, particularly his son, Ozonna Soludo, were the principal subjects of the alleged false publications. Among the claims attributed to the defendant were reports alleging that Governor Soludo had disowned his son, that the son described his father as “a drunkard who beat my mom,” and that the Governor participated in a “drinking competition” with a minister.
The prosecution is relying on provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, including Section 24(1)(b) on cyberstalking and Section 38 on identity theft, as well as Sections 373 and 375 of the Criminal Code Act relating to criminal defamation. Reference was also made to the 2024 Amendment to the Cybercrimes Act.
The matter was adjourned to July 27, 2026, for compliance.
# Hon. Obichukwu Anyafulu (Zik), Councillor for Obosi ward, has donated a bus to students, who attend schools located in Obosi.
The councillor made the disclosure in an interview with the journalist at his Obosi country home.
Hon. Anyafulu said that the humanitarian deed he performed for the students was borne out of his belief that education is the cornerstone of national development.
He further clarified that the bus would serve the additional purpose of conveying people to churches on Sundays, stating that religion is a tool for moulding the personalities of young people.
# The Anambra State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Chinyere Esther Onyekesi, has resolved a domestic conflict between Mr. Chukwudi Okolo and his wife, Mrs. Sochima Okolo, restoring peace to their home.
The matter, reported to the Ministry was amicably settled after the Commissioner invited both parties for a dialogue session. The couple expressed satisfaction with the outcome and gratitude for her intervention.
Mrs. Onyekesi urged them to live in peace and harmony, and to desist from actions that could result in further conflict, while reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to protecting family wellbeing across the state.
# Residents of Ekwusigo and Awka South Local Government Areas have appealed to the Federal and Anambra State Governments for urgent intervention as severe gully erosion continues to destroy homes, roads, schools and other critical infrastructure, posing serious threats to lives and livelihoods.
In Obiofia Ibolo, Oraifite, Ekwusigo Local Government Area, community members raised the alarm over a rapidly expanding erosion site during an inspection by officials of the Anambra State Erosion, Watershed and Climate Change Agency (ANSEWCCA), who visited the area on the directive of Governor Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo to assess the extent of the damage.
The President General of Oraifite, Mr. Vin Dike, attributed the erosion to poor drainage infrastructure associated with the construction of the Onitsha Owerri Expressway.
He disclosed that at least seven houses have already been destroyed, while several other residential buildings, access roads and a World Bank assisted hanging bridge remain under imminent threat if urgent remedial measures are not taken.
# In line with its vision of expanding international collaborations and promoting academic excellence, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kigali Independent University (ULK), Rwanda, to deepen cooperation in teaching, research, innovation and staff/student development.
The agreement, drafted in April 2026 and signed virtually on Wednesday, 15th July 2026, establishes a strategic framework for collaboration between the two institutions across key disciplines, including STEM, Education, Humanities, Management and the Social Sciences.
The partnership is designed to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and expertise, promote academic, scientific and cultural cooperation, and encourage collaborative research that addresses contemporary societal challenges.
Under the terms of the MoU, both universities will jointly organise conferences, seminars, workshops, exhibitions, symposia and short professional courses in areas of mutual interest. The agreement also provides for the exchange of scholarly publications and scientific information, joint authorship of research publications, curriculum development, and collaborative research projects.
Other major areas of collaboration include joint teaching activities, cultural exchange programmes, staff development initiatives, exchange of academic and administrative personnel, as well as undergraduate and postgraduate student exchange programmes. The institutions also agreed to collaborate in the joint supervision of Master’s and PhD research while holding periodic meetings to review progress and identify new opportunities for cooperation.
