# Former candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2025 Anambra State Governorship Election, Chioma Ifemeludike, has called for tougher punishment for perpetrators of child abuse, sexual molestation and child trafficking in the state.
Ifemeludike made the call when she led a peaceful protest to the Anambra State House of Assembly under the auspices of the Comrade Chioma Grace Ifemeludike Ministry (CGIM).
The protest, which focused on reported cases of child abuse and sexual molestation, was aimed at drawing the attention of government to the need for stronger child protection measures and effective enforcement of existing laws.
The protesters carried placards with various inscriptions demanding greater protection for children, accountability for perpetrators and improved enforcement of child-rights laws.
According to Ifemeludike, the protest was an evangelical approach to seeking social justice and strengthening child protection and accountability in the state.
She urged relevant authorities to promptly investigate and prosecute reported cases of child abuse while ensuring due process and adequate protection for child victims and witnesses throughout legal proceedings.
Ifemeludike also called for stricter enforcement of child protection laws in Anambra State and effective implementation of existing child-rights provisions recognised under Nigeria’s legal framework.
She appealed to the House of Assembly to strengthen the protection of children by working with the executive and judiciary to ensure that perpetrators face the consequences of their actions.
She specifically advocated life imprisonment for serious cases of child abuse, arguing that tougher sanctions would serve as a deterrent to potential offenders.
Responding, the Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs, Hon. Mimi Azikiwe, acknowledged the concerns raised by the protesters but said the major challenge was not necessarily the absence of laws.
She noted that existing provisions under the Child Rights Law and VAP Law already address many forms of child abuse, stressing that effective implementation and enforcement remained critical.
Also addressing the protesters, the Majority Leader of the State House of Assembly, Sir Ikenna Ofodeme, said the Assembly was already reviewing existing laws and considering issues relating to penalties and enforcement.
Ofodeme, however, appealed to the protesters and other advocates to observe established legislative procedures when seeking the attention of lawmakers.
He assured the child-protection advocates of the Assembly’s commitment to strengthening efforts to combat child abuse and improve the protection of children in the state.
# The Anambra State Government has renewed its efforts to reduce preventable maternal, perinatal and neonatal deaths through increased awareness, strengthened surveillance and improved healthcare responses.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, stated this during the inauguration of the State Maternal, Perinatal and Child Death Surveillance and Response (MPCDSR) Steering Committee in Awka.
Obidike said the state was committed to improving life expectancy and ensuring that women do not lose their lives during pregnancy or childbirth, stressing that the MPCDSR initiative was designed to identify preventable causes of death and facilitate appropriate interventions.
He called for increased awareness among women, families and communities on maternal and neonatal health, noting that early access to appropriate healthcare services could prevent complications and save lives.
According to him, the MPCDSR system would enable the state to identify the causes and circumstances surrounding maternal, perinatal and child deaths and use the findings to strengthen healthcare services and prevent similar occurrences.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Anambra State Ministry of Health, Dr Obiageli Uchebo, described the initiative as critical to improving maternal and child health outcomes in the state.
Uchebo called for greater use of evidence generated from health facilities and communities to identify gaps in service delivery and develop appropriate interventions.
She said the state would continue to strengthen maternal health services, including antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, referral services, blood banking and emergency response, while ensuring that lessons from maternal and child deaths were properly documented and translated into action.
Also speaking, the UNICEF representative in Anambra State, Mr Stan Osun, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting the state in improving maternal, newborn and child health.
Osun said UNICEF would document key issues and recommendations from the meeting and communicate them to its field office for appropriate follow-up.
# The Anambra State Government has issued a flood alert to residents following a forecast by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), which listed the state among those likely to experience above-normal flooding this year due to its location within the Niger Delta belt.
The government, while assuring residents that proactive measures are being taken to mitigate the impact of the anticipated flooding, urged Ndi Anambra to prioritise personal and collective safety throughout the rainy season.
In a joint statement, the Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Dr. Law Mefor, and the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Clem Aguiyi, advised residents to remain vigilant and take the NiMet prediction seriously.
They urged residents to avoid unnecessary movement during heavy downpours, whether on foot or by vehicle, and to take all necessary precautions to safeguard their lives and property.
The commissioners also advised residents living in flood-prone areas to consider relocating to safer locations where necessary and to seek assistance promptly in the event of emergencies.
The Anambra State Government reiterated its commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state and called for maximum cooperation from residents and other stakeholders in preventing and responding to flood-related emergencies.
# Frontline NDC senatorial candidate for Anambra South, Chief Ebuka Onunkwo, has commiserated with the people of Awgbu and the entire Orumba North Local Government Area over the death of Chief Okey Ezeibe (Oranyelu Awgbu).
In a condolence message, Chief Onunkwo described the late Chief Ezeibe as a respected community leader, a custodian of culture and a man whose commitment to the progress of Awgbu and Orumba North will remain indelible.
He noted that the news of his passing is a painful loss not only to his immediate family but to the entire Orumba North and Anambra South at large.
Chief Onunkwo said, “I received with deep sadness the news of the death of Chief Okey Ezeibe (Oranyelu Awgbu). He was a man of wisdom, honour and community spirit who gave his best for the growth and unity of his people.”
He prayed for the peaceful repose of his soul and asked God to grant his family, the people of Awgbu and Ndi Orumba North the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
# Senator Uche Ekwunife, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Anambra Central Senatorial District, has paid a courtesy visit to Ozonkpu Chinedu Okoye, popularly known as Ubi Enugwu-Ukwu, as part of her ongoing consultations ahead of the 2027 Anambra Central Senatorial election.
During the visit, Senator Ekwunife formally conveyed her intention to contest the Anambra Central Senatorial seat in 2027 and used the occasion to highlight a number of projects and interventions she said were facilitated and delivered in Enugwu-Ukwu during her tenure in the Senate.
Among the projects she highlighted were four road projects across Enugwu-Ukwu, employment opportunities for 18 indigenes of the community, two solar-powered water schemes, the distribution of more than 10 tricycles to indigenes, and the construction of market stores at Nkwo Enugwu-Ukwu.
She also recalled the erosion-control project at St. Francis Church, Enugwu-Ukwu, which she said addressed a serious erosion threat affecting the church and its surrounding environment.
Senator Ekwunife further stated that 59 indigenes of Enugwu-Ukwu benefited from grants facilitated during her time in the Senate.
She stressed that the projects and interventions recorded during her tenure in the 8th Senate are verifiable and should form part of the basis upon which her representation is assessed.
According to her, elections should be determined by documented achievements, demonstrated capacity and the records of candidates, rather than fallacies or unsubstantiated claims. She therefore encouraged voters to examine what aspirants and candidates have achieved in the past, as well as the programmes and commitments they currently offer, before making their electoral decisions.
Responding, Ozonkpu Chinedu Okoye, Ubi Enugwu-Ukwu, expressed appreciation to Senator Ekwunife for the visit and acknowledged the benefits Enugwu-Ukwu received during her tenure in the Senate.
He pledged his support for Senator Ekwunife and expressed his commitment to mobilising those around him in support of her candidature, noting that the community had benefited from her representation during her previous tenure.
Ozonkpu Okoye further stated that the forthcoming election should be based on individual achievements and track records rather than political party affiliation.
He also noted that Senator Ekwunife’s return to the Senate would provide an opportunity for her to serve as a ranking Senator, which, in his view, would strengthen her voice and experience in the Senate and potentially enhance her capacity to attract further federal interventions to the constituency.
# The Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA) has unveiled a telehealth service and a newsletter as part of efforts to strengthen HIV prevention, awareness, treatment access and coordination across the state.
The initiatives were unveiled at Chyben Leisure Hotel, Awka, during an event themed, “Harnessing Digital Innovation to Strengthen the HIV Response: Bridging Communities and Advancing Health in Anambra State.”
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of ANSACA, Dr. Nkem Okeke, said Anambra State and Nigeria had reached a critical stage in the fight against HIV/AIDS, requiring innovative approaches such as telehealth to expand access to accurate information and essential services.
Okeke explained that the telehealth service would provide dedicated hotlines through which residents could access counselling, referrals and reliable information on HIV without necessarily visiting a health facility.
He said the service was designed to remove physical barriers to healthcare access while ensuring confidentiality, allowing residents to seek answers to sensitive sexual and reproductive health questions without fear of stigma.
Unveiling the initiatives, the Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr. Law Mefor, commended ANSACA for the progress recorded in less than five months under Okeke’s leadership.
Mefor, who conveyed the goodwill of the Soludo administration, said the state’s commitment to vulnerable groups was reflected in the renewed attention being given to HIV prevention and control.
The keynote speaker, Prof. Ifeoma Njelita, emphasised the need to place people at the centre of digital healthcare while safeguarding privacy, confidentiality, informed consent and data security.
She also stressed the importance of local ownership of the HIV response under the Anambra State 2026–2028 HIV Strategic Plan.
The Mayor of Idemili North, Sir Stanley Nkwoka, commended Okeke’s leadership of ANSACA, recalling his previous experience working with him when Okeke served as Supervisor for Health in the local government area. He expressed confidence in the Executive Director’s capacity to further strengthen the state’s HIV response.
# The First Lady of Anambra State, Nonye Soludo, has urged residents across the state to take greater precautionary measures as flooding continues to affect some communities.
In a statement released in Awka, Mrs Soludo expressed concern over the rising flood situation and its potential impact on families, particularly residents living in flood-prone areas.
She advised everyone to remain vigilant, pay attention to weather and flood warnings, avoid crossing flooded roads and waterways, and relocate to safer areas whenever their homes or immediate surroundings become unsafe.
The First Lady also called on Ndi Anambra to maintain clean surroundings and desist from dumping refuse into drainage channels, stressing that blocked waterways can worsen flooding and pose serious risks to lives and property.
She particularly urged parents and guardians to keep children away from floodwaters, drainage channels, streams and other potentially dangerous areas during periods of heavy rainfall.
The governor’s wife further stressed the need for increased community awareness and collective responsibility, noting that early action and responsible environmental practices can help reduce the risks associated with flooding.
She also encouraged residents to promptly report emergencies and other situations requiring urgent intervention to the appropriate authorities, while urging communities to look out for one another and respond quickly whenever floodwaters begin to rise.
The First Lady reiterated that preparedness, vigilance and responsible environmental practices remain essential to protecting lives and reducing the impact of flooding across the state, while assuring that the state government will continue to whatever is necessary to cushion the toll of the natural disaster on affected families and communities.
# Medal-winning athletes of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, have paid a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, following their impressive performance at the 12th All African University Games (FASU Games) in Cairo, Egypt.
The delegation, led by the Chairman of the University Sports Committee (USC), Prof. Derek Orji, visited the Vice-Chancellor at the Council Chamber, where the athletes and officials expressed appreciation to the University Management for its support and encouragement throughout their participation in the continental competition.
Speaking during the visit, Prof. Orji thanked the Vice-Chancellor for approving and supporting the University’s participation in the Games, saying the student-athletes had made both UNIZIK and Nigeria proud.
He disclosed that the University competed in three sporting events—football, taekwondo and athletics—and returned with three medals.
The Acting Director of Sports, Comrade Anthonia Chukwudi, also commended the athletes for serving as worthy ambassadors of the University.
She expressed appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor for his sustained support for the Sports Directorate and commitment to the welfare and success of UNIZIK athletes at national and international competitions.
According to her, some of the athletes who won medals in Cairo had also distinguished themselves at the last Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) Games, where they won medals.
Responding, Prof. Anyaehie congratulated the athletes and officials on their performance and urged them to remain focused, disciplined and committed to achieving greater success.
He commended the team for competing fairly and representing UNIZIK with discipline, dignity and sportsmanship despite the challenges encountered during the journey.
The Vice-Chancellor, however, advised the athletes to exercise caution when approached by sports scouts with attractive offers, particularly those involving contracts.
He urged them to always consult the Sports Directorate before signing any agreement, stressing that doing so would enable them to receive appropriate guidance and understand the implications of such contracts.
Prof. Anyaehie further pledged the University’s continued support for the athletes, including scholarship opportunities for the remaining period of their studies, particularly for medal-winning athletes.
He also disclosed plans to establish formal partnerships that would enable student-athletes to pursue sporting and academic careers simultaneously.
