# The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) held its first-ever South-East Zonal Stakeholders’ Meeting at the International Convention Center (ICC) in Awka.
The meeting, themed “re-engineering” of the party, was presided over by the National Leader of APGA, Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
The event focused on repositioning APGA as a formidable national force while maintaining its “brother’s keeper” ideological core in the South-East.
In his address, Governor Chukwuma
Soludo emphasized that APGA depends on a fundamental shift away from viewing the party as a mere transactional vehicle, stressing that for too long, the party has been treated as a “trade by barter” system or a mercenary platform where tickets are sold to the highest bidder rather than earned.
Prof. Soludo stated the era of gift tickets must end, replaced by a transparent process that prioritizes ideological commitment over commercial convenience.
# The Director Catholic Women Organisation, (CWO), Awka Diocese, lady Ngozi Muo, visited St Thomas Aquinas Catholic church, Awka to be part of activities marking 2026 Mother’s Sunday.
Well received by the members of the organisation from the seven zones in the parish, Lady Ngozi expressed appreciation to God for another year of Thanksgiving for the gift of motherhood.
Delivering her 2026 Goodwill message to them, lady Ngozi said that they are not just honouring biological motherhood but are also celebrating a sacred vocation, a divine assignment and a ministry that God entrusted to women.
She noted that the theme of this year’s celebration ” love in action”was apt identifying love as the foundation of Christianity, the identity of the church and the heart beat of motherhood, even as she advised mothers to always emulate Mother Mary who is their role model.
Earlier in an address, the President CWO, St Thomas Aquinas Catholic church Awka, Dr Christy Odimegwu, said that showing love to the needy, motherless children, visits to prison to give the inmates sense of belonging as was carried out by the leadership of CWO, Awka Diocese is part of act of love in action, calling for sustenance of such gesture.
# The Physiotherapy Department of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital, (COOUTH), Amaku Awka, has described the appointment of Dr. Mrs Maureen Uche Umeakuewulu, the Chief Medical Director of the teaching hospital as well deserved.
The Physiotherapy Department led by Mr Chiemerie Okafor, stated this during their courtesy visit to the new CMD in her office at COOUTH.
The team congratulated her, on what they described as well-deserved appointment and expressed strong confidence in her capacity to transform the Teaching Hospital through purposeful leadership and strategic reforms.
This was contained in a press release signed by the Public Relations Officer of COOUTH Amaku, Ms Henrietta Agbai.
# The Catholic Women Organization (CWO) of Annunciation Catholic Parish, commenced its annual Mothering Sunday activities with courtesy visits to the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Raph Agbanu, and the Pioneer Chaplain and former Parish Priest, Monsignor JohnPaul Nzomiwu.
The CWO undertook visits characterized by joy and reverence, during which gifts were presented to both clergymen in appreciation and spiritual fellowship.
The President of CWO, Dr. Geraldine Nzeribe, thanked the priests for their spiritual leadership and consistent support. She encouraged them to continue leading the faithful with dedication, humility, and faith, and prayed for God’s strength and grace in their ministry.
In their respective responses, Rev. Fr. Raph Agbanu and Monsignor JohnPaul Nzomiwu expressed their sincere gratitude to the CWO for the visit and the gifts. They commended the organization for its steadfast commitment to the Church and its pivotal role in fostering faith, family values, and community development.
# The All Progressives Grand Alliance, (APGA), has rolled out a major structural shake-up to deepen accountability and curb transactional politics, following its Southeast Zonal Stakeholders’ Summit at the International Convention Center, Awka.
Party officials said the assembly, the first of its scale in more than 20 years, provided a venue for the national executive and Governor Chukwuma Soludo, APGA’s National Leader, to present a reform blueprint tied to the Electoral Act 2026.
APGA National Chairman, Barr. Sly Ezeokenwa in his address, explained that the party is synchronizing its processes with the 2026 Electoral Act recently enacted by the National Assembly. The adjustments are designed to stop the commercialization of candidate nomination and block officials from taking advantage of aspirants during campaign seasons.
Central to the overhaul are electronic membership records, direct primaries, Option A-4 balloting for clarity and equity, and the scrapping of combined forms. Under the revised system, hopefuls will first obtain an Expression of Interest form and undergo vetting before qualifying for a Nomination Form.
Ezeokenwa highlighted that APGA pioneered digital membership documentation in 2024, meeting the law’s mandatory 21-day filing period. “Every duly registered member now has the franchise to vote and to stand for election,” he said. He credited Governor Soludo with proposing several of the provisions now codified in the electoral legislation.
# The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited, Engr. Okechukwu Okafor, has visited the Ekwulọbịa District of the company in Ekwulọbịa, Aguata LGA, where he held a strategic engagement session with staff of the company under the District.
The morning visit, which was also witnessed by the FirstPower Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Ndubuisi Okpara; and the Head Taskforce, Engr. Sam Okorie, saw the MD undertake a comprehensive and motivational engagement with the workforce, aimed at strengthening operational efficiency and ethics, addressing pressing concerns, and reinforcing the company’s service delivery mandate.
Addressing the staff, the MD delivered an inspiring and thought-provoking message, urging them to remain committed, resilient, and forward-thinking in the discharge of their duties, despite the prevailing challenges in the power sector. He emphasized the importance of discipline, teamwork, and innovation as key drivers of success in the evolving electricity distribution landscape.
The FirstPower Boss, who spoke on the topic “The Audacity of Hope,” charged the workers to embrace a mindset of possibility and determination, stressing that transformation within the district and the industry at large begins with individual and collective resolve to rise above limitations.
# The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Awka branch, has conferred an Award of Excellence on Barrister Chukwudi Oli, a frontline House of Representative aspirant for Dunukofia, Njikoka and Anaocha Federal Constituency of Anambra State.
Bar. Oli, who is contesting for the seat under the political platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance APGA ahead of the 2027 general elections, received the recognition at the 5th edition of Ozo Amanke Okafor’s Memorial Lecture, held in Awka.
The award recognized Oli’s exemplary punctuality, dedication to duty, and outstanding commitment to the timely and effective practice of the profession in accordance with the Law practice of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In his acceptance speech, the House of Representative hopeful, expressed happiness for being honour. He said “I feel so happy receiving this award from my primary constituency. Law is what I do for a living. It is what I have been doing all my life, then, getting this great recognition from this primary constituency, I feel the World has come to an end.
# It was a carnival of a sort at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Awka, as Block Rosary Crusaders, Awka Deanery I, Diocese of Awka, held a congress aimed at making Block Rosaries across the churches in the Deanery move forward.
The dignitaries that graced the congress, themed, ”Do Whatever He Tells You”, included the Bishop of the Diocese, Most Rev Paulinus Chukwuemeka Ezeokafor; the Parish Priest of St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Awka, Rev Fr Rev Louis Nwobi, represented by his Vicar, Rev Fr Lawrence Akwubah; Rev Sr Rose Marilyn Onwurah; among others.
Speaking, Bishop Ezeokafor, represented by the Dean of the Deanery, Rev Fr Simon Peter Obiakor, advised the Block Rosary crusaders to emulate the Blessed Virgin Mary and also obey the Word of God and good instructions from their parents to attain greatness in life and make heaven after life on earth.
He thanked the organizers of the event, especially the Deanery Chaplain of the Group, Rev Fr Cosmas Emengini, for his passion and commitment to service
# Residents of Anambra State have expressed concern over persistent open defecation, calling it a major threat to public health and environmental safety.
Most respondents who spoke to pressmen attributed the problem to insufficient public toilets and limited awareness.
Mr Paul observed that compliance improves in areas where facilities exist and penalties are enforced, and urged the government to make toilets more accessible.
Mrs Chukwukwuelum Grace noted that homeless persons and those with mental health challenges often lack alternatives, while some others act out of habit. She called for free public toilets to ensure universal access to sanitation.
Mr. Uchedum Nkem stressed that designated facilities would reduce environmental pollution while Mr.Daniel Osereme Okonewa emphasized public education, stating many residents are unaware of the health risks. He recommended sensitization campaigns alongside strict enforcement.
Mrs Helen Nwagbo urged the construction of public conveniences in strategic locations, noting that their absence forces people into open spaces.
# Electricity consumers in Anambra State have been alerted to the availability of prepaid meters from the stables of FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company, a subsidiary of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company responsible for Anambra State. It says prepaid meters are on sale to consumers in Anambra as part of its commitment to improved service delivery.
The Managing Director of the company, Mr. Okechukwu Okafor, made the announcement while responding to questions at a two-day public consultation meeting on draft electricity regulations that will shape the Anambra State electricity market.
The meeting was organized by the Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ASERC) and held at Umuenem Hall, Nnewi, on Wednesday. He said the meters were currently available across its offices in the state.
According to him, a single-phase meter sells for N124, 000, while a two-phase meter is pegged at N207, 000.
