# Renowned fashion designer, Hon. Okoye Okpala has announced plans to produce customised outfits bearing the images and inscriptions of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to the fashion designer, the customised outfits will be available exclusively to members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and individuals who demonstrate loyalty to Governor Soludo and President Tinubu.
Reaffirming his commitment to Soludo, Okpala declared that his loyalty was absolute, adding that he would continue producing the customised designs for supporters of both leaders ahead of the 2027 political season.
# The Anambra State Government has launched a redesigned official website, creating a more accessible digital gateway to government services, information, opportunities and citizen engagement.
The new platform now live at https://anambrastate.gov.ng/, brings together key government services and digital platforms while providing residents, businesses, investors, visitors and development partners with a more structured way to navigate government.
Rather than serving only as a repository of government news, the website is organised around what users need to do, including finding government services, accessing identification services, registering businesses and reporting issues.
The platform also connects users to digital government tools, including SmartGov services and NORA, the state’s digital assistant, while providing direct access to citizen feedback, grievance redress and Freedom of Information channels.
A major component of the new digital gateway is its Open Government section, providing access to budgets, citizens’ budgets, budget implementation reports, audit reports, procurement plans, contract awards, open data, government documents and FOI requests.
The website also provides dedicated pathways to investment opportunities, with information covering ease of doing business, public-private partnerships, manufacturing, technology, real estate, agriculture and tourism, alongside information about Anambra’s people, culture and heritage.
# As Nigeria marks her 66th Independence Anniversary, the Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, has called on Nigerians to draw strength from the nation’s history and confront present realities with courage, unity of purpose and a commitment to national development.
Udeze made the call in his goodwill message to Nigerians on the occasion of the country’s 66th Independence Anniversary, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Emma Madu.
The Speaker congratulated Nigerians for sustaining the country as a socio-political entity despite the challenges confronting the nation. He also expressed satisfaction with the people’s commitment to democracy, noting Nigeria’s role in promoting and defending democratic ideals across Africa.
While appreciating the gallant efforts of the nation’s founding fathers, Udeze said the Independence anniversary provides an opportunity for Nigerians to come together, irrespective of religious, political and ethnic differences, to reflect on the country’s journey and remember the sacrifices of those who fought for the nation’s freedom and rights.
He urged leaders at all levels to initiate progressive, innovative and problem-solving policies, programmes and projects, particularly those capable of improving the lives of the poor and creating a more egalitarian society.
The Speaker also called on Nigerians to give patriotic support to initiatives aimed at advancing the country while demanding accountability, transparency and sincerity from those entrusted with leadership.
Rt. Hon. Udeze commended the various legislative institutions in Nigeria for their contributions to strengthening democracy and the rule of law through quality legislation, noting that effective laws remain essential to the country’s growth and development.
He prayed God to continue to intervene in the affairs of Nigeria and guide both the nation’s leaders and citizens, while allowing enduring peace, unity and progress to thrive across the country.
# The Anambra State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Chinyere Esther Onyekesi, has urged students to prioritise character over academic certificates, own their future and choose their friends wisely.
Onyekesi gave the advice during the maiden Independence Day celebration of Laphils International Academy in Awka, where she said, “Grades may open doors, but character keeps one there.”
The commissioner, who said she was delighted to honour the school’s invitation because children were central to her mandate, encouraged the students to acquire at least one skill outside their course of study.
She said acquiring practical skills would help students avoid negative influences such as cultism, drug abuse and get-rich-quick lifestyles, while urging them to stay close to God, remain focused and make responsible choices.
Onyekesi commended the school’s proprietress and management for complementing government efforts in the education sector.
She noted that the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo appreciated private initiatives that contribute to the development of education in the state, urging individuals and organisations not to wait for government to do everything.
“Do not wait for government to do everything,” she said.
In her address, the proprietress of Laphils International Academy, Mrs Phina Mefor, described the celebration as historic, being the school’s first Independence Day celebration.
Mefor said the theme of the event, “The Nigeria We Dream Of,” was chosen to remind the students that a better tomorrow begins with a dream nurtured through education, good character, creativity, responsibility and service.
She said the school was established with a clear purpose of providing an environment where children could learn with confidence, discover their abilities and understand that leadership was about responsibility and service rather than position.
# The State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anambra State Command, Maku Olatunde has felicitated with the good people of Anambra State and Nigerians across the country as the nation commemorates its 66 years of Independence Anniversary .
The State Commandant, while congratulating Nigerians on the occasion, called on citizens to embrace patriotism, peaceful coexistence, tolerance and responsible citizenship, stressing that “we have no other country but Nigeria.
He urged Nigerians to continue to uphold independent values, respect the rule of law and contribute positively to the peace, security and sustainable development of the nation.
The NSCDC Anambra State Command helmsman further assured the people of Anambra State of the Command’s unwavering commitment to strengthening security across the State through effective deployment of personnel, intelligence gathering, community engagement and enhanced protection of lives and property, as well as Critical National , State and Local Government Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI).
He called for sustained cooperation and timely sharing of credible information between members of the public and security agencies, noting that security is a collective responsibility and requires the active participation of all stakeholders.
# The Federal Government has expressed readiness to intervene in the worsening erosion crisis in Anambra State, with the Ecological Fund Office (EFO) set to deploy a technical team to assess critical erosion sites and determine immediate intervention measures.
The development followed a high-level strategic meeting between the Anambra State Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Clem Aguiyi, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ecological Fund Office, under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, alongside directors of the office in Abuja.
Briefing officials of the Ecological Fund Office, Aguiyi highlighted the severity of the erosion challenge confronting the state and called for urgent action to address the rapidly expanding ecological threat.
Describing the situation as an ecological emergency, the Commissioner said, “The nation and the world remain silent while Anambra land space is vanishing.”
Responding to the concerns raised by the Commissioner, the Ecological Fund Office announced plans to deploy a joint technical team of experts to Anambra State in the first week of October 2026.
The team is expected to assess critical erosion sites across the state, engage with affected communities and identify areas requiring urgent intervention.
It is also expected to facilitate the commencement of intervention measures, including social support for vulnerable individuals and communities whose livelihoods and living conditions have been adversely affected by erosion.
# The All Progressives Congress (APC) Senatorial Candidate for Anambra Central and South-East Director of Election Planning, Coordination and Monitoring (EPCM), APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Uche Ekwunife, has called on Nigerians to remain hopeful, resilient and committed to the future of the country, saying ongoing economic reforms and sustained investments in education, infrastructure and public services are laying important foundations for a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria.
Ekwunife made the call in her Independence Day message to Nigerians on Thursday, October 1, 2026, urging citizens to maintain a positive outlook about the country while also embracing the responsibility that comes with nation-building.
She encouraged Nigerians to think positively, relate responsibly with one another and speak constructively about the country, stressing that a renewed belief in Nigeria’s potential can inspire citizens to pursue their ambitions with greater confidence, contribute meaningfully to national development and excel across diverse fields of endeavour.
According to her, constructive citizenship also requires Nigerians to engage government responsibly by identifying gaps, drawing attention to administrative challenges and demanding improvements where necessary. She noted that effective governance is strengthened when citizens participate actively in the development process and combine legitimate demands for accountability with a willingness to contribute to the progress of their communities.
# The Anambra State Urban Water Assets Holdings Corporation (ASUWAHC), Onitsha Zone, has commenced an enforcement exercise to improve compliance with water bill payments among consumers across the Onitsha metropolis.
The exercise involved visits to various areas and streets, where officials distributed current water bills to consumers and served disconnection notices on customers with accumulated arrears.
The initiative is part of ASUWAHC’s broader efforts to strengthen revenue mobilisation, promote customer compliance and ensure the sustainable management and delivery of water services within the Onitsha Zone.
The exercise was carried out under the leadership of the Officer-in-Charge of ASUWAHC, Onitsha Zone, Mrs. Emmanuella Okafor, while the field operation was led by the Onitsha Zonal Head, Engineer Francis Udoh.
Speaking during the exercise, Udoh said the enforcement was aimed at encouraging consumers to fulfil their responsibility of paying for water services regularly.
He said the initiative was in line with the reform agenda of the Solution Government, particularly its emphasis on sustainability, accountability and improved service delivery in the water sector.
According to him, regular payment of water bills is essential to sustaining water production and distribution, as well as maintaining and upgrading the infrastructure required for effective service delivery.
Udoh explained that revenue generated from water services would enable the corporation to maintain its facilities and strengthen its capacity to provide reliable water supply to consumers.
He therefore appealed to customers with outstanding bills to settle their indebtedness promptly to avoid disconnection and support efforts to improve water services across the metropolis.
# The Anambra State Ministry of Environment has clarified the circumstances surrounding a viral video showing a confrontation between personnel of the Ministry’s Anti-Vandalism Taskforce, led by Osisi Ka Nkwu, and individuals involved in plastic recycling activities in the state.
The clarification followed an urgent meeting convened by the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Clem Aguiyi, after the video attracted public attention over an allegation that Taskforce personnel demanded N50,000 before allowing a vehicle conveying plastic materials to proceed.
The meeting brought together the Taskforce Chairman, personnel involved, representatives of the Anambra State Waste Recyclers Cooperative (ASWARCOOP), Anambra State Waste Recyclers Association (ASWRA), and other parties involved in the incident.
During the meeting, the Taskforce personnel identified as Obinna said he stopped the vehicle for inspection to ascertain that it was not being used to conceal vandalised metal or other stolen materials. He said the driver resisted the inspection, while Chigozie later arrived and intervened, resulting in a physical confrontation. Obinna denied demanding or collecting N50,000 from anyone.
Chigozie, however, gave a different account, alleging that Obinna demanded N50,000 before the vehicle could proceed. Obinna denied the allegation. Chigozie acknowledged that the disagreement escalated into a physical confrontation and admitted that the matter should have been reported through the appropriate channels instead of becoming physical.
Following the deliberations, the ministry said no evidence was established that N50,000 was collected from the driver or Chigozie by the Taskforce personnel. It also stated that there was no directive from the ministry authorising the collection of such payment.
Dr. Aguiyi therefore described the claim in the voice-over accompanying the video, suggesting that the alleged payment was demanded on behalf of the ministry, as false and misleading.
# Peter University, Achina/Onneh, Anambra, has concluded its two week Mandatory Skills Acquisition Programme for the 2026/2027 academic session, with students trained in various entrepreneurial and technical skills.
The programme covered shoemaking, barbing, hair styling, fish farming, solar installation, Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) camera installation, computer repairs, Artificial Intelligence (AI) automation and graphics design, among others.
The students selected areas of interest and participated in practical sessions throughout the programme.
At the closing ceremony held on Sept. 25, the students displayed some of the products and skills acquired during the training.
Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor of Peter University, Rev. Fr. Chukwuemenam Emmanuel Umezinwa, said the programme was aimed at complementing academic education with practical skills.
Umezinwa said the university’s vision was for every student to acquire proficiency in at least four practical skills before graduation.
He said skills acquisition had been integrated into the university’s curriculum, urging the students to continue practising and developing the skills acquired.
The vice-chancellor also encouraged the students to apply the skills productively beyond the training programme.
