* Anambra born and popular Nigerian businessman and socialite, Obinna Oyiegbu, aka Obi Cubana, has disclosed that nobody in his family attains the age of 80. Obi Cubana said his late mother tried to break the generational jinx but could not because she died at the age of 79. Speaking with media personality, Chude Jideonwu, Obi Cubana said his family decided to throw a lavish funeral ceremony for their mother because she could not break the generational jinx.
* The Children, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Court sitting in Awka has dismissed a rape and other charge brought against a 17-year old Makuochukwu Nwankwo, and accordingly discharged and acquitted the defendant.
Before he was availed the services of the Office of Public Defenders, Anambra State Ministry of Justice, Makuochukwu, an indigent defendant, has been in detention since January 2023 for allegedly having unlawful carnal knowledge of, and inflicting physical injuries on a 12-year old child, Gift, on or about the 21st day of January, 2023, at Odonwankita, 3-3 Nsugbe, Anambra East Local Goverment Area. The offences are contrary to sections 3(2) and 4 (1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition and Protection) Laws of Anambra State 2017.
* Despite the ban on touting in Anambra State by Governor Chukwuma Soludo, the activities of touting and extortion are ongoing in Onitsha and other parts of the state. The tricycle drivers are the major targets of the touts, who claim they are working in partnership with the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AiRS).
According to driver Mr. Ikechukwu Okoro, who was performing vehicle maintenance along Obosi Road, Onitsha, said he witnessed that touting activities are still prevalent.
* A high-stakes political drama is unfolding in Anambra State, as a significant faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) considers a mass defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP). This shocking move is aimed at enabling the group to contest the upcoming September 28 local government elections and other polls in the state.
* Anambra State House of Assembly has asked the administration and management of Sterling Oil Exploration and Gas Production Company Limited, operating in Ogbaru LGA, Sahara Energy Resources Ltd in Ihiala LGA, Orient Petroleum Resources Ltd in Anambra East LGA, Cotton Wooden Gas Limited in Ayamelum LGA; as well as the The Commissioner, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to appear at plenary session on Tuesday 3rd September 2024. The lawmakers requested the appearance of key executives of the companies including Group Chairman/CEO, Chief Operation Officer, Vice President of the Company, Group Managing Director, Base Manager, Head of Environmental and Production Department and Head HSE to come and explain their mode of operations.
* The Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze has said that the State Assembly is constitutionally empowered to make good laws for conduct of local government elections and general administration of the councils. Speaking on the recent announcement of the local government election in the State by the State Independent Electoral Commission and subsequent amendment of relevant sections of the ANSIEC law by the State Assembly, Rt. Hon. Udeze maintained that sequel to the fact that Local Government Election was last held in the state over ten years ago, certain sections of the law needed to be amended to suit current realities.
* The Anambra State Commissioner for Education, Professor Ngozi Udeh has commended the Transition Committee Chairman of Idemili South local government area, Hon. Mrs Amaka Obi for the giant strides in the council area especially in education. She made this statement during the commissioning of infrastructures for basic education, stating that Governor Charles Soludo’s administration is committed to the development of the state’s education sector.
* The Children, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Court sitting in Awka has found a 59-year old Mr. Ofoma Ojeh guilty as charged on a two-count charge bordering on rape and offensive conduct against a 14 year old child on or about 30th August 2020 at Awgu, Orumba North Local Goverment Area of the state. Mr. Ojeh therefore bagged 10 years imprisonment for having unconsented sexual intercourse with, and 2 years imprisonment for commission of act detrimental to the physical and psychological well-being of his victim, both jail terms to run consecutively. Ojeh’s offences are contrary to sections 34(2) of Child Right Law of Anambra State 2004, and section 7(1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition and Protection) Laws of Anambra State 2017.
* Rome has officially intervened in the long-standing crisis at St. Martins Catholic Church in Ihiala, Anambra State, by sacking the Holy Ghost Priests and assigning a new congregation to take over the church. According to a letter from the Ihiala Indigenous Priests and Religious Association, signed by Rev. Fr. Desmond Ebulue, the President, the Dicastery of Evangelization in Rome has provisionally assigned the Redemptorist Congregation to take over the ordinary and extra-ordinary pastoral care of St. Martins of Tours parish, Ihiala. The letter, addressed to the President General of Ihiala Progressive Union, Okey Leo Chagba, ESQ, stated that the ceremony of installation would take place on August 15, 2024.
* The Transition Committee Chairman of Dunukofia Local Government Area Barr.Chijioke C. Ozumba has awarded cash prizes to fifty deserving female staff of the Local Government for their August meeting. The award was done in different categories in fulfillment of the promises he made to workers on assumption of duty as the Transition Committee Chairman. Speaking during the occasion, the Chief of Staff to the Chairman, Hon. Chinedu Omeleke, who represented the Chairman said the award is to encourage workers and to promote productivity at work.
