# The Local Government Chairman of Njikoka, Barrister. Dominic Chinedu Ononiba, has expressed profound appreciation to the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Njikoka Chapter, for their unwavering support, cooperation and commitment throughout his administration.
Ononiba expressed his appreciation while addressing members of NULGE during a farewell ceremony organised in his honour as his tenure as Mayor of Njikoka LGA comes to an end on October 3, 2026.
The outgoing Mayor acknowledged the contributions of the local government workforce to the achievements recorded by his administration, noting that their cooperation, dedication and commitment played a significant role in the progress made during his tenure.
Expressing his gratitude, Ononiba said he wished there were better words beyond “thank you” to adequately convey his appreciation for the support, cooperation and affection he received from the workers throughout his administration.
He assured the workers that although his tenure was coming to an end, he remained optimistic about their future and encouraged them to look forward to better days ahead.
# The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Pilgrims Affairs, Barrister Odira Ezeh, has called for stronger collaboration between the Anambra State Christian Pilgrims Office and the State House of Assembly to reposition pilgrimage administration and unlock its spiritual, cultural and socio-economic potentials.
Ezeh made the call when he led officials of the Anambra State Christian Pilgrims Office on a courtesy visit to the Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, as part of efforts to strengthen engagement with key stakeholders and seek legislative support for the development of pilgrimage affairs in the state.
Speaking during the visit, Ezeh said Anambra State is recognised by the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), stressing the need to build a functional and accessible pilgrimage system that would provide opportunities for more deserving sons and daughters of the state.
He commended the commitment of Governor Chukwuma Soludo to advancing pilgrimage affairs, noting that the administration views pilgrimage not only as a spiritual journey but also as an avenue for moral renewal, human development, religious tourism, cultural exchange and socio-economic development.
He also disclosed plans to introduce a Pilgrimage Lottery Programme, which he said would expand access to pilgrimage opportunities while promoting transparency, fairness and public confidence in the selection process.
Responding, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, urged the Pilgrims Office to intensify efforts towards reviving and strengthening the office by recruiting competent personnel and establishing a more functional institutional structure.
Udeze stressed the need for the office to have a dedicated budget for its programmes while exploring partnerships with private individuals and organisations that could contribute to the success of pilgrimage activities in the state.
He said the major challenge was not necessarily the availability of funds but the presence of committed leadership capable of identifying opportunities, mobilising resources and effectively driving programmes.
The Speaker further called on the House committee overseeing pilgrimage affairs to work closely with the Pilgrims Office to ensure that the programme receives the necessary legislative attention and support.
He also urged the office to work towards establishing a Pilgrimage Affairs Board for the state, suggesting that the Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, should play a leading role in the board to ensure effective coordination and administration of pilgrimage affairs.
# The Anambra State Ministry of Agriculture has expressed commitment to strengthening digital work practices following the completion of a training on official government email by the State ICT Agency.
The two-day training, organized in collaboration with the Ministry, equipped staff with practical knowledge on using the @anambrastate.gov.ng email platform for official communication and assignments.
Speaking at the conclusion of the training, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Ben Odoemena, said the digital transition was necessary to reduce dependence on paper-based processes.
He urged the participants to take ownership of the knowledge shared and apply it not only in their official duties but also in their everyday lives.
The Commissioner also assured the ICT Agency of the Ministry’s continued engagement, saying, “We will be calling on you to continue to support us.”
He stressed the need for the Ministry to keep pace with changing workplace practices, adding, “The world has moved on, and we cannot be left behind.”
# The Mayor-Elect of Njikoka LGA, Hon. Dr. Ikechukwu Okakpu has appealed to members of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Njikoka Chapter, to extend the same love, cooperation, and support they demonstrated towards the outgoing Mayor, Hon Barr Chinedu Ononiba, to his incoming administration.
Hon. Ikechukwu Okakpu made the appeal while attending the farewell ceremony organised by NULGE, Njikoka, in honour of Barr. Dominic Chinedu Ononiba, whose tenure as Mayor of Njikoka LGA comes to an end on 3rd October 2026.
The Mayor-Elect expressed his appreciation for the warm reception and the genuine affection displayed by the workers towards the outgoing Mayor, noting that the gesture demonstrated the cordial relationship that existed between the Ononiba administration and the local government workforce.
He said he was overwhelmed by what he witnessed at the ceremony and urged the workers to replicate the same spirit of cooperation and mutual respect when his administration assumes office.
Hon. Ikechukwu Okakpu assured the workers that his administration would continue from where the Ononiba administration stops, while consolidating and improving on the achievements already recorded.
He further promised to maintain and strengthen the cordial relationship between the local government leadership and the civil servants, stressing that the workforce remains an important partner in the administration and development of Njikoka LGA.
# There was jubilation in Awka-Etiti as the Mayor of Idemili South Local Government Area, Hon. Amaka Obi, commissioned the 1.5-kilometre Ogba-Efi Ring Road, equipped with solar streetlights.
The road, located in Iluowelle Village, was constructed as an alternative route to ease traffic congestion around the Eke-Awka-Etiti Market, facilitate movement and promote commercial activities within the area.
Obi also commissioned St. Gerald Road in Aborji Oba and a solar-powered borehole at Ogba-Efi, aimed at providing potable water for operators at the cattle market and residents of neighbouring communities.
Speaking at the event, the mayor said the projects were distributed across the seven communities in the local government area based on identified needs, stressing her administration’s commitment to executing projects that have direct impact on residents. She appreciated the support of the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, and members of the State House of Assembly towards the development of Idemili South.
# The Anambra State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Arc. Okey Ezeobi, has inspected the Ezekiel Ike (Lomu)–Ulo Ogbagu (Ubaha)–Nwabugo Street–Umunze/Umuchu bypass road following concerns raised by residents over a damaged section of the road.
The inspection, conducted followed videos circulating online showing the affected portion of the road.
Ezeobi inspected the road corridor to assess the situation firsthand and determine the extent of the reported damage. The inspection established that the damage was localized to a particular section of the road and was caused by a road accident.
According to the commissioner, a truck reportedly lost control and damaged part of the drainage infrastructure as well as a portion of the road. He explained that, from the over two-kilometre stretch inspected, the reported damage was confined to the section affected by the accident.
Ezeobi disclosed that the contractor was already on site to commence repairs on the damaged drainage and road section.
He commended Ndi Anambra for drawing the attention of the government to infrastructure concerns through feedback and observations, stressing that such reports would enable the government to respond promptly to emerging challenges.
The commissioner reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to responsive governance, infrastructure maintenance and the continued delivery of quality roads and other projects that serve the people of Anambra State.
# The Anambra State Government has commenced a statewide data-capturing exercise for practitioners in the sports sector, including coaches, instructors and sports officers.
The exercise commenced simultaneously across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state and will run for two days before moving to Awka for continuation at the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development.
The Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Patrick Agha Mba, who monitored the exercise at some registration centres across the three senatorial districts, expressed satisfaction with the level of turnout.
Mba said the exercise was part of efforts to establish a comprehensive database of sports administrators, coaches and instructors across the state.
According to him, the Soludo administration is committed to creating an enabling sports ecosystem at the grassroots, with the aim of transforming sports from mere recreation into a tool for youth empowerment, job creation, talent discovery and social cohesion.
The commissioner urged sports practitioners to take advantage of the registration window, noting that it would provide opportunities for them to participate in training and certification programmes to be organised by the government.
# The Chief Medical Director of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, Dr. Maureen Uche Umeakuewulu, has appointed Dr Chinenye MaryQueen Uju as the Acting Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (Ag. D-CMAC) of the Hospital.
Dr. Uju formally received her appointment letter from the CMD on September 21, during a brief ceremony at the CMD’s office.
Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Umeakuewulu said that the appointment was based on Management’s assessment of the needs of the Hospital and the capabilities of the appointee.
She particularly acknowledged Dr Uju’s contributions to the recent accreditation exercise of the Paediatrics Department, as well as her other contributions to the progress and development of the Department, where she served as Head.
According to the CMD, the ongoing transformation at COOUTH requires individuals who are prepared to take responsibility, provide leadership and contribute meaningfully to the Hospital’s clinical objectives.
She therefore tasked the new Ag. D-CMAC with giving priority attention to the coordination of clinical services, strengthening teamwork among healthcare professionals and promoting a more patient-centred approach to care.
Dr. Umeakuewulu further emphasised the importance of ensuring that patients receive attentive and responsive care throughout their stay in the Hospital.
Responding, Dr. Uju expressed appreciation to the CMD and Management for finding her worthy of the responsibility.
She described the appointment as one that aligned with her personal vision for the Hospital, recalling that upon joining COOUTH from NAUTH, she had hoped to contribute meaningfully to positive change in the institution.
