# The Justice, Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC), Onitsha Region, has intensified efforts to combat child sexual abuse and molestation by organizing a comprehensive “Train-the-Trainer” campaign aimed at equipping community advocates with the knowledge and skills needed to protect vulnerable children.
The awareness programme, held at the premises of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Inland Town, Onitsha, trained participants who will, in turn, educate people at the grassroots on child protection, abuse prevention, and appropriate reporting mechanisms.
Speaking during the programme, the Campaign Awareness Coordinator, Mrs. Sandra Udu, said the training became necessary in response to the increasing cases of child abuse and molestation in society.
She explained that the initiative is designed to raise trainers who will create awareness in communities, identify perpetrators, and ensure justice for survivors.
Mrs. Udu dismissed the misconception that JDPC is solely involved in food distribution within the church, stressing that the organisation’s mandate extends to promoting democracy and good governance, community development, environmental protection, and social and economic justice.
According to her, JDPC monitors public projects, advocates against environmental hazards such as indiscriminate burning of tyres and blocked drainage systems, promotes tree planting, and champions the rights of vulnerable groups, particularly women and children.
She noted that the Child Abuse and Safeguarding Awareness and Management Campaign (CASAMC) provides a comprehensive guide on child protection, abuse reporting, survivor support, and safeguarding responsibilities for families, schools, parishes, and communities.
# The Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA) has warned developers against violating planning laws, declaring that it will no longer tolerate illegal developments within the capital territory.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ACTDA, Dr. Ossy Onuko, said the agency remains committed to enforcing planning regulations to ensure orderly development and protect public infrastructure.
“ACTDA will not condone anyhowness in Awka Capital Territory. Any structure that violates planning laws, obstructs road expansion, or endangers human lives will be removed. Our duty is to protect lives and safeguard public infrastructure,” Dr. Onuko stated.
He advised developers and landowners to obtain the necessary approvals and technical guidance from the agency before commencing any construction, stressing that compliance with the Awka Capital Territory Master Plan is essential to prevent avoidable losses and promote sustainable urban development.
Dr. Onuko also reaffirmed ACTDA’s commitment to creating a safe, orderly, and aesthetically pleasing capital city, while urging residents to cooperate with enforcement officers and report illegal developments in their communities.
The agency demolished illegal structures along Immigration Road, off the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway beside Lube Afri Petrol Station, as well as in Nibo, off HRH Ezike Road.
ACTDA officials said the enforcement exercise uncovered several planning violations, including construction beneath high-tension power lines, destruction of government infrastructure, building within approved road setbacks, and the illegal erection of blocks of shops on access roads without approval.
The agency disclosed that one of the affected developers had earlier been served a stop-work notice for encroaching on an access road and constructing shops without authorization. However, the developer allegedly ignored the directive and continued the work, prompting the demolition.
# The Acting Woman Leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State, Mrs. Chinwe Umerie, has pledged to run an all-inclusive administration, promote unity, and empower women in politics as she assumes office.
Speaking during her inaugural meeting with the twenty-one Local Government APGA women leaders in Anambra State, Mrs. Umerie commended her predecessor, Mrs. Esther Onyekesi, for her contributions to the welfare of women and the growth of the All Progressives Grand Alliance in the state, and assured of her readiness to serve with integrity, transparency, and accountability.
She charged the APGA women leaders to embark on strengthening ward structures, grassroots mobilization, reconnecting with women, registering new members, identifying polling-unit coordinators, supporting party candidates, among others.
Mrs. Umerie disclosed that the decision of APGA to support the re-election of President Bola Tinubu is based on the fact that the progressives are working together in the overall interest of national development, and she pointed out that their responsibility as women leaders is to ensure that every woman understands the importance of supporting the political direction agreed upon by the APGA leadership, while remaining steadfast in their commitment to APGA’s growth and electoral success.
The APGA State Woman Leader urged all Local Government women leaders to hold strategic monthly meetings and submit monthly activity reports, visit wards regularly with documented evidence, recruit women members, resolve conflicts quickly, and mentor young women, while assuring that her office will be open to consultative leadership where every Local Government Area matters equally, performance will be recognized, and rewarded.
# The Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr Law Mefor, has called on local government mayors to partner with the state to drive Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s value reformation agenda and build a new “Onye Anambra”.
Dr. Mefor made the call during a courtesy visit to Awka South Local Government Area Chairman, Prince Chinedu Okafor, at his office in Awka
The Commissioner said the success of the Soludo administration’s infrastructure drive depended on a corresponding change in the character and behaviour of Ndi Anambra.
According to him, the Anambra Homeland Security Law 2025 addresses behavioural patterns that are no longer acceptable and seeks to restore values of hard work, respect, morality and ethics which have been eroded.
He disclosed that the Information Ministry is developing a manual through stakeholder engagements and will soon move to implementation once the Anambra Value Reformation Law is ready and the governor approves, adding that the master plan cannot succeed without the mayors, whom he described as “gatekeepers” at the grassroots.
The commissioner also pointed out that signage, sanitation, and taxation are areas where the state and local government need to work together, and he called for better coordination between the local government team and the Anambra Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA), the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AIRS), and other relevant agencies to prevent conflicts and double taxation while also emphasising a compassionate approach to enforcement.
# The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Anambra State, Mrs. Chinyere Esther Onyekesi has reached out personally to assist Sochima, a toddler under the Home’s care who has been battling complications of Sickle Cell Disorder at COOUTH Amaku Teaching Hospital.
The gesture followed a meeting between the Commissioner and the Director, Sickle Cell Orphanage and Underprivileged Home, Agulu, Mrs Aisha Edwards Maduagwu, who had long appealed for support on behalf of the children in her care.
Moved by the account she gave, the Commissioner assured her of the government’s commitment to the welfare of every child in the state, noting that the Soludo administration places great value on the health of mothers and children alike.
Mrs. Onyekesi immediately arranged for essential supplies, including diapers, beverages, and other caregiving items, to be delivered to the Home for Sochima and the other children there.
Since the intervention, Sochima has been transferred from the Child Emergency Ward to the general Children’s Ward at COOUTH Amaku, where the toddler is reported to be responding well to treatment and now playing happily with other children.
Mrs. Maduagwu, speaking on behalf of the Home, described the support as long overdue and thanked the Commissioner and the Anambra State Government for standing by the state’s most vulnerable children, expressing prayers for continued grace and strength for the Commissioner in her assignment.
# About 56 serving councillors in Anambra State on Tuesday filed a suit challenging the constitutional validity of the state government’s decision to limit the tenure of elected Local Government officials to two years.
In suit no. A/261/2026, pending before the State High Court in Awka, the plaintiffs joined the state Attorney General, the Anambra State House of Assembly, and the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission as the first, second, and third defendants, respectively.
The lawmakers are challenging Section 110(A) of the Anambra State Electoral (Amendment No. 3) Law, 2024, arguing that it violates Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees a democratically elected local government system.
According to them, the Constitution pronounced a secure and stable tenure for elected local government officials and does not permit state authorities to arbitrarily cut short their mandate.
# The Anambra State Ministry of Information and Value Reformation is seeking a joint framework with the Ministry of Education to drive Governor Chukwuemeka Soludo’s value reformation agenda and to reform school punishment policy across the state.
The Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr Law Mefor, proposed this during a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Education, Dr Ekene Ogugua, in Awka.
Dr Mefor congratulated Dr Ogugua on his appointment and said that education remained central to the Soludo administration’s five-pillar development plan.
He called for a review of school punishment, emphasising that it should be civil and focused on behaviour modification rather than relying solely on flogging or bullying by teachers.
He suggested holding a workshop with school leaders, education experts, and parents to create a discipline policy based on research that follows the Child’s Rights Act, noting that laws, moral guidance, and enforcement are crucial for fostering a moral and ethical revival to create the new ‘Onye Anambra’ who will benefit from the infrastructure being developed by the Soludo Government.
# The Anambra State Police Command has announced and celebrate the decoration of its substantive Commissioner of Police, AIG Ikioye Orutugu, to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG).
Also decorated is the immediate past Commissioner of Police, AIG Nnaghe Obono Itam, psc (+), PhD, who was decorated alongside other senior officers at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, today, 21st July, 2026.
The simultaneous elevation of both the serving and immediate past Commissioners of Police of the Anambra State Command is a remarkable development that reflects the Nigeria Police Force’s recognition of exceptional leadership, professional excellence, dedication to duty, and unwavering commitment to public service.
During their respective tenures in Anambra State, both senior officers demonstrated exemplary leadership and strategic direction in advancing operational policing, strengthening collaboration with stakeholders, improving public confidence and enhancing security across the State. Their promotion stands as a fitting recognition of their invaluable contributions to the Force and the nation at large.
# The Anambra State Government, under the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, is expanding the deployment of solar energy across public infrastructure as part of its Smart Anambra initiative.
Primary Health Centres (PHCs), schools, streetlights, and water schemes are being equipped with solar panels and mini-grids to provide reliable, clean, and sustainable electricity.
The initiative is expected to significantly reduce the state’s dependence on diesel-powered generators, ensure uninterrupted 24-hour electricity supply in health facilities, and enhance the delivery of essential public services.
As part of the programme, the government has installed solar-powered streetlights across Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi, and major highways. The project is designed to lessen reliance on the national grid while improving public safety through better road illumination, supporting nighttime commercial activities, and reducing energy costs.
To encourage private-sector participation, the state has created an enabling environment for renewable energy investments through the Anambra State Investment Promotion Agency (ANSIPA). The agency provides support to solar companies deploying renewable energy solutions for homes, markets, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), helping to lower energy costs, stimulate competition, and create employment opportunities.
In addition, the government has introduced energy-efficiency measures across state ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) by installing LED lighting and energy-efficient appliances powered by solar energy. The initiative is aimed at reducing electricity consumption and lowering the cost of powering government facilities.
# Former Councillors of Njikoka Local Government Area from 2022–2024 have endorsed the environmental vision of the Anambra State Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Clem Aguiyi, while pledging their commitment to support the Ministry’s programs at the grassroots.
The endorsement was made during a courtesy and congratulatory visit to the commissioner at his office. The group praised his exemplary leadership during his tenure as Transition Committee Chairman of Njikoka Local Government Area, describing his appointment as well deserved and a reflection of his competence, commitment, and distinguished service to Anambra State.
They also expressed their readiness to partner with the ministry in promoting environmental awareness and mobilising residents across their various communities to embrace responsible environmental practices in line with the State Government’s vision.
Responding, Dr. Aguiyi appreciated the delegation and reaffirmed that the ministry’s core mandate revolves around environmental policy formulation, regulation, and enforcement. He stressed that lasting environmental protection can only be achieved through collective responsibility and sustained collaboration with community leaders and other stakeholders.
He identified flooding, erosion, indiscriminate waste disposal, and poor waste management as some of the major environmental challenges facing Anambra State, urging the former councillors to become environmental ambassadors by championing public sensitisation and encouraging residents to adopt environmentally responsible behaviours.
