# Women from various communities in Anambra State have benefited from an agricultural empowerment programme sponsored by High Chief Dr. Christopher Ndubuisi, Ikenga Umuawulu, in collaboration with the Anambra State Ministry of Women and Social Welfare and the Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu, Ebonyi State.
The programme, at the Women Development Centre, Awka, was organised as part of the August Meeting Empowerment Programme and featured training for women farmers on post-harvest storage processes, as well as the distribution of seedlings and other agricultural inputs.
The training was designed to equip women with practical skills in the proper handling, preservation and storage of agricultural produce after harvest, with the aim of reducing post-harvest losses, improving food security and increasing household income.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Anambra State, Mrs. Chinyere Esther Onyekesi, said the initiative was in line with the Ministry’s mandate of empowering women to become economically productive and active contributors to their families and communities.
Mrs. Onyekesi urged the beneficiaries to make effective use of the knowledge, seedlings and other resources provided, describing the programme as another important step towards achieving the Ministry’s vision of “Our Women Be Empowered.”
The Commissioner expressed profound appreciation to the sponsor of the programme, High Chief Dr. Christopher Ndubuisi (Ikenga Umuawulu), for his initiative, generosity and commitment to empowering women through agriculture.
In his remarks, the host, High Chief Dr. Christopher Ndubuisi (Ikenga Umuawulu), thanked the participating women and representatives of the communities for attending the programme.
He said the initiative was aimed at supporting women in agriculture by providing them with seedlings, agricultural products and equipment to facilitate cultivation, harvesting and improved farm productivity.
He expressed his commitment to keying into the programme and supporting further initiatives that would promote agricultural development, food production and economic empowerment among women.
The programme ended with the distribution of seedlings and other agricultural materials to the participating women, who were encouraged to put the training into practice and use the resources provided to improve their agricultural activities and livelihoods.
# The Idemili South Council Election Campaign Team has officially commenced its ward-to-ward tour, beginning with Awka-Etiti, as part of its grassroots mobilisation efforts and commitment to taking the message of development, effective leadership, and people-oriented governance directly to the people.
Speaking during the tour, the local government chairman of Idemili South, Hon. Mrs. Amaka Obi, declared that the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) remains the hope of the common man, and urged residents to come out in their numbers and vote massively for APGA on 29th August.
In his address, the Mayoral Candidate, Hon. Oluchukwu Ilogbenu, assured the people of Idemili South that, if elected, he would work diligently to exceed expectations and deliver purposeful leadership that would positively impact the lives of the people.
In their separate remarks, the lawmaker representing Idemili South at the Anambra State House of Assembly, Barrister Ebuka Igwe, Chief Emeka Ezeoke, Chief Joe-Martins Uzodike and Chief Kizito Anoliefo reaffirmed their support for the party, stressing that APGA is our identity and calling on the people to remain united in support of the party.
They highlighted the political journey and accomplishments of Hon. Oluchukwu Ilogbenu while offering prayers for his victory at the polls.
The campaign team engaged extensively with residents, party faithful, community leaders, women, youths, and other stakeholders, presenting its vision for a stronger, more united, developed, and prosperous Idemili South.
# The Anambra State Police Command Operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad Awkuzu arrested a 49-year old armed robbery suspect, Chima Ogumba.
The team also recovered one pump-action gun and 50 live cartridges from him in Nkpor Road, Idemili North Local Government Area of the State.
The Operatives, upon storming the identified area, conducted a search on the suspect that led to the recovery of one pump-action gun and 50 live cartridges.
The suspect was unable to give a satisfactory and reasonable account of his possession of the firearm and ammunition.
The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, directed that the suspect be thoroughly investigated to establish his possible involvement in armed robbery and other criminal activities, as well as determine the source and intended use of the recovered firearm and ammunition.
The CP further reiterates the Command’s commitment to intelligence-led operations, proactive policing, targeted patrols and sustained tactical interventions aimed at identifying, disrupting and dismantling criminal networks across Anambra State.
# Onitsha is set for a major transportation facelift as construction advances on the Omambala Line Inter-State Bus Terminal at Bridge Head, a project stakeholders say will redefine the commercial gateway to Anambra State.
The terminal, being championed by the Managing Director of Omambala Line Limited, Chief Chukwuemeka Ofozoba, is sited on 15 plots of land near Hero Junction, Bridge Head. Officials describe it as more than just another motor park, but a bold intervention aimed at tackling traffic congestion, indiscriminate roadside loading, and environmental disorder that have long plagued the area.
According to Ofozoba, the facility is designed to accommodate about 300 vehicles at a time entering Onitsha from the Asaba axis. It will feature dedicated sections for different vehicle categories, a large cargo bay, spacious parking area, and comfortable passenger waiting lounges.
To ensure smooth traffic flow, the terminal will have three gates – one entrance and two exit points. Solar-powered lighting, security posts, modern toilet facilities, a drainage system, and a grand entrance gate are also part of the design to give travelers comfort and safety.
Bridge Head serves as the first point of entry into Anambra for thousands of commuters and traders daily. City planners and transport operators say the new terminal could take a significant number of buses and tricycles off the roadsides, thereby improving orderliness and the overall outlook of the gateway city.
Beyond transport, the project is expected to boost the state’s economy. A structured terminal will provide government with a more organized platform for revenue collection and regulation, reducing street-level clashes between officials, motorists and traders.
# Residents of Awba Ofemili Community in Awka North Local Government Area have commended the Mayor, Hon. Chibuike Anago, for refurbishing the community’s dilapidated secondary school, describing the intervention as a significant boost to education.
Community leaders, parents, teachers and students expressed appreciation during an inspection of the renovated school, noting that the project has provided a safer, more conducive and inspiring learning environment for students.
The renovation included replacement of damaged roofing sheets, repainting of classroom blocks, rehabilitation of learning spaces and other essential repairs aimed at improving the overall standard of educational infrastructure within the community.
President-General of Awba Ofemili Development Union, Mr. Chinedu Mebene, described the intervention as a clear demonstration of the Mayor’s commitment to education, youth development and the overall welfare of future generations.
Mr. Mebene urged students to utilise the renovated facilities responsibly and appealed to residents to protect the school from vandalism, stressing that safeguarding public infrastructure remains a collective community responsibility.
The Parent-Teacher Association Chairman, Mr. George Agunwa, thanked Hon. Anago for his unwavering support, while retired Headteacher and community leader, Mr. Bernard Nwanelo, described the project as a welcome development restoring hope.
Speaking on behalf of residents, Mr. Chigozie Norbert Nweke applauded the Mayor’s remarkable achievement and appealed for further intervention through the rehabilitation of the community’s dilapidated hospital to improve healthcare services.
Responding, Hon. Chibuike Anago reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving educational infrastructure across Awka North, emphasizing that investment in education remains the foundation for sustainable development and a brighter future.
# The Anambra State Association, USA (ASA USA), through its 2026 Health and Education Mission, has provided free medical and educational services to residents of Enugwu Agidi in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The mission, themed “Caring for Our People, Building Our Future,” was held at the Enugwu Agidi Brotherly Union Secretariat Hall, with residents benefiting from various healthcare services and educational programmes.
The free medical services included general medical checkups, pharmacy services and free medications, eye care and vision screening, physical therapy and preventive health screenings.
The programme also featured mentorship workshops, community wellness training and professional development sessions aimed at improving the knowledge and wellbeing of members of the community.
Speaking at the venue of the mission, the Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, urged residents to make their health a top priority, stressing that good health was essential to a productive and meaningful life.
Obidike said the state government had continued to take steps to reduce the financial burden of healthcare on residents by subsidising hospital bills for citizens.
He encouraged residents to take advantage of the Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme, noting that enrolment costs only ₦12,000 for one year, making healthcare more accessible and affordable to residents.
The Commissioner also highlighted the state government’s intervention in maternal healthcare, informing residents that childbirth has been made free in government health facilities, covering both normal vaginal delivery and Caesarean section.
# The Federal Government/International Fund For Agricultural Development, FGN/IFAD, has appealed to Anambra State Government to formally adopt the recommended Operations and Maintenance, O&M, Frameworks for all the Value Chain Development Programme, VCDP, Market Infrastructures, feeder roads and other projects through the passage of supporting regulatory guidelines to serve generations to come.
It also implored local government Mayors as link to grassroots to support in the passage of Council bye-laws that formalize Facility Management Committees and protect market infrastructure from encroachment or neglect as IFAD VCDP remains dedicated to helping smallholder farmers build prosperous and resilient agribusiness.
The above appeals were passionately made by the National Programme Coordinator, FGN/IFAD VCDP, Dr. Fatima Aliyu, during a-one-day Policy Dialogue on Institutionalizing O&M Frameworks for Market Infrastructures in Awka.
Dr. Aliyu, who spoke through Knowledge Management and Communications Advisor, FGN/IFAD VCDP, Mrs. Vera, Onyeaka-Onyilo, listed the recommended O&M to include budgetary integration, scheduled preventive maintenance, restructure and train O&M teams, public-private co-funding and community Early-warning.
Speaking, the commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Ben Odoemena, while describing FGN/IFAD VCDP as a gate way to agribusiness and the first programme he designed for the nation when he headed IFAD in Nigeria, announced that Anambra State Agricultural Strategy Plan will be out in few weeks time after extensive discussion with critical Stakeholders.
Dr. Odoemena opined that Anambra State is driving towards agro-industrialization that will focus on food security for citizens and beyond with extensive engagement of ensuring its availability affordability and accessibility in the right form to enhance nutrition.
On her part, the state Programme Coordinator, FGN/IFAD VCDP, Dr. Deborah Onyefulu, who anchored her speech on Gender Action Learning System, GALS, and Operations and Maintenance, said that the engagement was aimed at strengthening ownership, accountability, and institutional commitment towards the sustainability of VCDP-supported investments and interventions in benefiting local governments/communities.
Dr Onyefulu expressed her profound gratitude to Anambra State Government, their development partners and critical Stakeholders for their continued support and collaboration and called for action to move from dialogue to action, from action to ownership and from ownership to sustainability.
# Dr. Okechukwu Okakpu, candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for the August 29 Anambra State Local Government Elections in Njikoka Local Government Area, says he has contested elections for 20 years in the state without any tangible success.
Okakpu who stated this at the 3 years anniversary ceremony of the APGA Apostles held in Awka, recalled that it has been an excruciating experience in the last 20 years participating in every election season; spending his money and time yet he has been denied victory on several occasions.
Okakpu who admonished politicians and elective office seekers during his speech on the occasion, stressed the need for people to be patient and resolute in the pursuit of political power, adding that it is not a do or die affair.
# The Digitized Initiative For Up-Skilling, Career Development And Initiative, DIUSCADI, has organized ‘Life After School Career Development Seminar Series 7.0’ for students and graduates of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and various tertiary institutions in Anambra State, aimed at preparing them for life beyond the classroom in a rapidly evolving society.
Addressing participants during the programme held at the ASUU Secretariat, the Convener of DIUSCADI, Professor Ikechukwu Umeh, explained that the programme is designed to ensure that students, after graduation, are ready to transit from academia to professionalism with the skills they have combined with the certificate they acquire from the University.
Professor Umeh, who disclosed that the initiative has produced many job creators rather than job seekers, pointed out that DIUSCADI is committed to curbing the mentality that education is a scam and that a certificate is an employment letter.
On his part, the Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development in Anambra State, Mr. Patrick Aghamba, who described the seminar as apt, disclosed that through the Solution Innovation District and One Youth Two Skills programme of the Soludo-led administration, thousands of youths have benefited in digital skills, technology training, artificial intelligence, software development, vocational, and entrepreneurial skills.
In his speech, the Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Professor Bond Anyaehie, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics, Professor Alex Asigbo, said that the programme is a call on students to develop an entrepreneurial spirit around their course and empower themselves with extra knowledge so that they will be self-employed after school rather than depending on government for employment.
The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Finance, Mr. Brian Okwuogu, who represented the Commissioner for Finance, assured that the state government will continually provide funds, leadership, and mentorship for all participating in the seminar because it places a high premium on youth development.
The programme featured a panel discussion where the discussants harped on the need for young people to acquire practical skills and knowledge online that will make them problem solvers and self-reliant, as well as the presentation of awards of excellence to some personalities who have contributed immensely to the success of LASCADSS.
# No fewer than 10,000 guests attended the grand coronation of the Traditional Ruler of Adazi-Ani Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Dr. Benson Chinedu Mmadubuko, (Eze Chinechendo I of Adazi)
Traditional rulers from the South-East, North, and South-South regions of Nigeria, oil magnates, captains of industry, friends of Igwe Mmadubuko, sons and daughters of Adazi-Ani, government officials, and other distinguished guests grace the occasion.
The people of the 10 villages and four clans that make up Adazi-Ani, came out en masse to welcome the thousands of guests expected to throng the community for the historic coronation.
The guest in their separate speeches,
described the new monarch as a blessing to the community.
“Eze Chinechendo is a special gift from God to Adazi. If there is any honour greater than the traditional stool of the town, the government should give it to him. He is a very good man. I know many people who have benefited from his empowerment initiatives. Although I did not benefit directly, I am happy for those who did. Igwe Mmadubuko has built roads across all the villages in this community. He is simply a good man,”
