# The President of the Anambra State Town Union Council (ASTUC) Youth, Hon. Ken Okoli, has charged journalists and youth leaders across the state to play active roles in promoting accountability, good governance and the preservation of the people’s value system.
Okoli gave the charge while speaking at the September Congress of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council, and the opening ceremony of the 2026 Press Week at the Godwin Ezeemo International Press Centre, Awka.
He described the media as a powerful institution capable of shaping society, educating citizens and influencing public opinion, stressing that journalists must ensure that individuals entrusted with public responsibilities are held accountable.
According to him, effective journalism goes beyond reporting events, as journalists have a responsibility to interrogate governance, enlighten the public and ensure that public office holders remain responsive to the needs of the people.
Okoli also highlighted the five pillars of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s administration, describing them as the foundation of the state government’s Solution Agenda.
He listed the pillars as security and law and order; infrastructure and economic transformation; human capital and social agenda; governance and value system; and environment.
# The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Anambra State Chapter, heartily congratulate Isaiah Benjamin and Ikenna Okonkwo on their re-election as the National President and Secretary General of SWAN at the just concluded Triennial Delegates Congress held in Kaduna State.
SWAN Anambra Chapter also congratulated Ikemefuna Asika on his re-election as the South-East Zone Vice President as well as other members of the National Executive Committee.
In a congratulatory message signed by the Chairman Chimezie Anaso and its Secretary Uche Ndeke, the Chapter described their re-election as well deserved, a testimony of their purposeful leadership style and reaffirmation of trust in them.
# The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council, has unveiled a week-long programme of activities to mark its 2026 Press Week and Coral Anniversary, with the grand finale scheduled for Thursday, September 10, 2026, in Awka.
The celebration, which marks 35 years of the NUJ in Anambra State, will spotlight the contributions of journalists to democracy, public accountability, credible information and community development, while honouring individuals who have distinguished themselves in public service and other fields.
The Chairman of the NUJ Press Week and 35th Anniversary Planning Committee, Comrade Ekpone Francks Emeka, announced the programme on Thursday during a press briefing in Awka.
According to Ekpone, the 35th anniversary provides an opportunity for the Council to reflect on its journey, celebrate its achievements and recommit itself to the core values of journalism.
The theme of the 2026 anniversary is “NUJ Anambra, 35 Years On: Reporting with Truth, Responsibility and Service.”
Ekpone described the theme as particularly relevant at a time when the media faces growing challenges around credibility, misinformation, professional ethics and public trust.
# The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), Dr. Ossy Onuko, has paid an international working visit to the headquarters of ACCIONA Group in Madrid, Spain, as part of efforts to deepen the ongoing implementation of the African Development Bank (AfDB)-backed African Cities Programme in Awka, Anambra State.
The visit forms part of the ongoing City Profiling and Workplan Development for Awka under the African Development Bank’s Urban and Municipal Development Fund Programme and represents another significant phase in the international technical engagement supporting the city’s long-term development framework.
Onuko was received by the Managing Director of ACCIONA Engineering, David Madrigal, alongside other members of the company’s urban development team.
The engagement further exposed the ACTDA CEO to deeper practical models, innovations and international best practices in the planning, management and development of modern cities, with particular attention to solutions that could be adapted to Awka’s emerging urban needs.
# The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Anambra State Command has urged Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Station Owners, Dealers and Operators in Awka to adhere to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) set by regulatory agencies to ensure the safety of lives and property.
Commandant Maku Olatunde, the NSCDC Anambra State Commandant gave the charge on Thursday, September 3rd, 2026 at the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Retailers (LPGAR NUPENG) Anambra State Chapter Fire Safety Training/Seminar held at Old Post Office Complex, Amawbia, Awka.
Delivering a lecture titled “Safety and security measures for LPG gas stations in line with NSCDC core mandates” on behalf of the State Commandant, the Head of Media and Tactical Operations, SC. Okadigbo Edwin stated that LPG facilities are classified as Critical National Infrastructure due to the volatile nature of the product. He noted that a single incident can lead to loss of lives, destruction of property, and damage to national assets.
He outlined the Corps’ three key roles as they relate to LPG operations which include: Protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure, Disaster Management and Mitigation, and Maintenance of Peace and Public Safety.
Okadigbo encouraged them to ensure that high safety standards are maintained in their operations in the interest of all stakeholders including operators and consumers.
He enjoined members of the association to adopt safety measures which include: strong perimeter fencing, 24/7 security coverage, functional CCTV, strict access control, regular asset tagging, and proper inventory.
He charged them to provide adequate and serviced firefighting equipment, develop emergency evacuation plans, conduct quarterly drills, enforce “No Smoking, No Phone Use” zones, install gas leak detectors, and train staff in first aid.
The NSCDC State Spokesperson urged operators to adhere to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) setback requirements, train staff on safe handling, store cylinders upright in well-ventilated cages, provide personal protective equipment, and display clear safety signages.
He tasked them to acquire cylinders of different capacities, fill them at major plants, and re-sell by exchange to discourage illegal decanting.
Okadigbo further stressed the need for collaboration, urging operators to ensure their facilities are profiled with the nearest NSCDC Divisional Office, share intelligence on suspicious activities, and allow periodic inspections. He warned against prohibited acts such as illegal decanting, operating under high tension wires and operating without adequate legal permit and documentation.
# A total of 1,078 Corps Members have successfully completed their mandatory one-year national service in Anambra State at the low-keyed 2025 Batch ‘B’ Stream II Passing-Out Ceremony.
The outgoing Corps Members comprised 395 males and 687 females.
The major highlight of the ceremony was the issuance of Certificates of National Service (CNS) to deserving Corps Members. The State Coordinator, NYSC Anambra State, Mrs Pauline Ojisua, presented the certificates to some of the outgoing Corps Members at Awka South Local Government Area.
The passing-out activities took place simultaneously at the various Local Government Areas across the State.
Meanwhile, four Corps Members were sanctioned with extension of service for 106, 104, 66 and 100 days, respectively, while eight Corps Members who absconded from service were sanctioned to repeat the service year in accordance with NYSC rules and regulations.
The Corps Members successfully completed the mandatory one-year national service, during which they contributed to the development of their places of primary assignment and host communities.
The State Coordinator congratulated the outgoing Corps Members and urged them to remain worthy ambassadors of the NYSC Scheme and continue to contribute meaningfully to national development.
# Operatives of the Anambra State Police Command attached to B Division, during a security patrol, arrested Udochukwu Nwankwo, a 16-year old male suspect, in connection with an alleged armed robbery incident in Amansea, Awka North Local Government Area of the State.
The operatives also recovered a shiny metallic lighter designed in the semblance of a pistol, which the suspect allegedly used to threaten and dispossess the victim of her valuables.
SP Ikenga Tochukwu, Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra State Command, in a press statement noted that preliminary information revealed that the suspect, alongside two other accomplices who are currently at large, allegedly attacked a guest at a hotel in the area and snatched her mobile phone and other personal belongings.
During interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to using the recovered object to threaten victims during the robbery.
Following the development, the Command has intensified investigation and ongoing efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspects, recover the stolen phone and other valuables, and bring all those found culpable to justice.
# The Onitsha Advance Foundation (ONAF) has intensified efforts to promote food security and healthy living by training residents of Onitsha on home farming, popularly known as Ụgbọ Azuno, to encourage household food production and self-reliance.
The workshop, held at Ime Obi, Onitsha, brought together indigenes and non indigenes for practical sessions on vegetable cultivation, home gardening and small scale livestock production.
Speaking at the event, the organiser, Rita Melifeonwu, urged participants to embrace home farming as a sustainable means of producing nutritious food, reducing household expenses and improving family health.
Melifeonwu said the initiative was designed to equip participants with practical skills that would enable them to cultivate crops and vegetables at home, enhance household nutrition and reduce dependence on commercially produced food.
A representative of the Home Economics Teachers Association of Nigeria (HETAN), Mrs Nkiru Odikesieme, described Home Economics as the foundation of agriculture and stressed that every household could engage in farming regardless of the size of available land.
Odikesieme expressed concern over the indiscriminate use of artificial fertilisers in vegetable production, warning that excessive application could pose health risks. She advised families to cultivate their own vegetables using sacks, empty bags, plastic containers and other improvised planting materials where land was limited.
# Residents of Ukpo in Dunukofia Local Government Area (LGA) have embraced HIV awareness and testing as the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA), in partnership with the Walter & Chioma Obi Foundation, took essential health services closer to the community.
The outreach was held at the palace of Igwe R.C. Eze, Dunukofia VI, where residents received HIV awareness, testing and counselling, alongside other basic healthcare services.
The initiative encouraged community members to know their HIV status, understand available prevention options and seek appropriate care when necessary.
The exercise forms part of ANSACA’s ongoing grassroots outreach strategy to make HIV prevention, testing and related services more accessible, particularly to people who may face barriers to accessing conventional health facilities.
ANSACA commended Mr. Walter Chinedu Obi and his wife, Mrs. Chioma Obi, for their commitment to improving the wellbeing of their community through healthcare, education and other grassroots interventions.
The agency appreciated the Anambra State Government, led by Governor Chukwuma Soludo, for its people centred healthcare agenda and the enabling environment it continues to provide for partnerships that support better health outcomes for Ndi Anambra.
ANSACA reaffirmed its commitment to working with community leaders, development partners and other stakeholders to expand HIV awareness, testing and prevention services across the state.
The agency urged residents to take responsibility for their health by getting tested, seeking reliable information and supporting efforts to eliminate HIV related stigma.
# It was jubilation and funfair at 3- 3 Junction Park Nsugbe, Anambra East Local Government Area, Anambra State as over 400 persons benefited from Uduakommiri Uchebuaku Concepts Raffle Draw.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Anambra West in the 2027 House of Assembly elections, Engr Fidelis Igwebuike Ekwenze commended Chief Sunday Nwokike for empowering young people through his Raffle Draw Concept.
The 400 beneficiaries were elated to be prize winners, eulogizing Uduakommiri Uchebuaku Concepts Raffle Draw for giving them the opportunity to acquire property worth thousands of naira with just 1,500 naira.
