* The Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev Valerian Maduka Okeke, has celebrated 2025 Easter with inmates of Onitsha Correctional Center.
In his homily, the Archbishop urged the inmates to have absolute faith in God and to maintain love with each other.
Okeke admonished the Inmates to unveil themselves with the opportunities such as the skill acquisition center, education and other opportunities provided in the Onitsha Correctional center for their own good as according to him would go a long way in making them useful to themselves and the society at large after serving their terms.
The Prelate also advised Christians and non-Christians to always show love to everyone around them including their enemies if they have, noting that the love of God has no boundaries.
* The Centre for Counselling and Career Development (CCCD) of the university has launched a two-day capacity-building workshop aimed at equipping career officers and trainers for the 2024/2025 academic session.
Declaring the workshop with the theme “Essentials of Effective Career Coaching and Counselling,” open, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu, commended the CCCD for its proactive initiative.
Prof. Ikechebelu emphasised the critical role of career coaching and counselling in shaping the future of students and young professionals.
* Governor Chukwuma Soludo has expressed deep sadness at the passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis, who departed peacefully on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88.
In his condolence message, Soludo extends his solemn condolences to the Catholic Church in Anambra State, Nigeria, the Vatican, and the global Christian community.
The Governor said the loss of Pope Francis, a globally respected icon of faith, humility, and compassion, has indeed grieved the hearts of Catholics and all humanity as his lifelong dedication to championing the cause of the poor, fostering interfaith unity, and advocating for peace and justice has left the world a better place.
Soludo further remarked that Pope Francis was a shepherd whose legacy transcended borders. His teachings on love, mercy, and solidarity touched base with the people of Anambra, inspiring the government to build a society rooted in dignity and hope.
* Christians in the country, particularly in Anambra State, have been urged to stand firm in their faith and boldly defend it in the face of all forms of challenges.
The Archdeacon of Nnobi Archdeaconry and Vicar of St. Simon’s Anglican Church, Nnobi, Diocese on the Niger, Ven. Angus Umeh, made the call recently, during a special Sunday service held at the St. Simon’s Anglican Church.
In a sermon he said during the service, Ven. Umeh emphasized that faith was a divine gift that should be cherished, upheld, and fearlessly proclaimed.
He called on believers to resolutely reject fear, doubt, and societal pressures which he said were seeking to undermine christian values.
* The Mayor of Njikoka LGA, Hon. Chinedu Ononiba, has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis.
In an official statement, the Mayor described the late Pontiff as “a global symbol of peace, humility, and spiritual wisdom whose legacy will live on for generations.”
Ononiba extended heartfelt condolences to the Catholic community in Njikoka, Anambra State, Nigeria, and the world at large. He acknowledged the immense contributions of Pope Francis to global peace, interfaith dialogue, and social justice, stating that his leadership brought hope and healing in troubled times.
* In a troubling exposé from Anambra State, 22 iron rod traders have publicly decried what they describe as relentless intimidation and exploitation at the hands of a government-sanctioned anti-touting group.
These businessmen, whose trade fuels the construction sector, have presented compelling video evidence to support their claims, urging Governor Charles Soludo’s administration to intervene swiftly.
Their plight casts a shadow over the state’s business climate, demanding immediate action to safeguard their livelihoods.
Speaking anonymously to protect their safety, a representative of the traders shared their harrowing experience with journalists. They revealed how the group was forced to abandon their established market line along Atani Road, prompting them to collectively purchase land for a warehouse.
* A political pressure group within the Anambra All Progressives Congress (APC) Booth 2 Booth with Bola Tinubu, has commended the National Chairman of the APC, His Excellency Dr Abdulahi Ganduje for the conduct of a free and fair Governorship Primary election in Anambra State.
The commendation came during the group’s distribution of palliatives to party members in Nnewi South LGA of Anambra State.
The coordinator of the group, Mr Pascal Candle thanked the National Chairman of APC for creating an enabling environment for the conduct of a free, fair and credible Governorship primary election that saw the emergence of Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu as the party’s flag bearer in the Anambra State Governorship election slated for Nov 8 2025.
* As part of measures aimed at complementing the tireless efforts of the industrious Oyi Local Government Mayor, Dr. Emma Nweke, his appointees have expressed unwavering dedication to the development and progress of the local government area.
The team reaffirmed their resolve to align with the mayor’s visionary leadership, promising to deliver on their responsibilities with integrity, innovation, and community-centered service.
Speaking in a strategic meeting held at the council headquarters in Nteje, the Chief of Staff to the Mayor, Apostle Chijioke Ozoemena, stated that the current administration is deeply committed to transforming Oyi into a model local government area, driven by transparency, accountability, and people-oriented governance.
* 2025 Diocese on the Niger House of Laity Congress Central Planning Committee, CPC, Chairman, Sir Raymond Arinze has assured a robust and full packaged Laity Congress in the diocese.
Sir Raymond assures that, “the 2025 DoN Laity Congress is being packaged to throw explosive activities into the House in the Diocese as positive measures to ignite flames of commitment and dedication in the minds and heart of the laity who invariably cut across the entire population of the Church with the exception of the ordained and consecrated”.
He further revealed the activities forming part of the Congress to include awards, sports, seminar, lectures and launching of Laity almanac.
* There is a crisis currently in Ihite Community in Orumba South LGA of Anambra State over plans to crown a monarch for the community.
It was gathered that a section of the community loyal to the President General, Mr George Madu, planned to crown Chief Timothy Ifurunwa as king on Easter Saturday, a move that members of the Traditional Council of the community had vowed to vehemently reject, describing Ifurunwa as an illegal monarch.
The Traditional Council of the community, who are the kingmakers, had raised the alarm over attempts by the President General of the community to crown an alleged illegal monarch for the community.
The Council, in a petition addressed to the Governor of the state, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, and the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, said the event, if allowed to continue, would cause a breakdown of law and order in the area.
