# The founder and President, Umunna Business School, Dr. Uche Nworah say the seven years duration appears too long, considering how the society has evolved and the enablements of technology.
Chief. Nworah who has been taken giant strides towards instituting the practice, criticized the 7-year maximum set as duration for apprentices under the new Igbo Apprenticeship (Igba Boi) Bill passed into law on Tuesday by the Anambra State House of Assembly
The law, which takes effect from September 10, 2025, set the apprenticeship duration to a maximum of 7 years and stipulates basic education for apprentices, while defining the rights and responsibilities of both mentors and apprentices to ensure balance, fairness, and accountability.
Providing a framework to guide apprenticeship, ensuring fair treatment of apprentices and setting minimum standards for training, the law establishes the Anambra State Igbo Apprenticeship Commission to keep a register of apprentices and handle disputes when they arise.
Nworah suggested that the duration for the apprenticeship training should be between four to five years.
# Students from various tertiary institutions in Anambra State have staged a peaceful demonstration in Awka, demanding the continuation of the Agunaechemba and Udo Ga-Achi security outfits despite allegations of human rights violations against some of their operatives.
The protesters, drawn from the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) and the National Association of Colleges of Education Students (NANCES), were mobilized under the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Joint Campus Council (JCC), Anambra axis.
Addressing the protesters, NANS JCC chairman, Comrade Ifeanyichukwu Chukwuemerie, urged Governor Chukwuma Soludo to ignore calls for the disbandment of the security outfits. He maintained that their presence has reduced crime, restored peace, and made the State safer for students and residents.
# The call for collaboration among the major healthcare stakeholders towards strengthening Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, SRHR 2020-2025 for women and adolescent girls in Anambra State, formed the crux of discussions at a one day high level roundtable meeting.
The program was organized by the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, (WARDC) under the project ‘Changing the Law, Changing Lives,’ supported by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and the Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR), in partnership with the State Ministry of Health.
It is focused on promoting awareness and accountability in the implementation of SRHR policies and programs, across seven states namely, Gombe, Jigawa, Akwa Ibom, Ogun, Osun, Lagos, and Anambra.
In his remark, the WARDC Founding Director, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, represented by Jennifer Nwokedike, said the program aims to enhance accountability at both state and federal levels for access to SRHR services and to ensure effective implementation of the STOP Guideline through stronger legal frameworks, including the passage of a law.
# The Anambra State Police Command, in a swift operation, arrested five suspected members of a notorious armed robbery and kidnapping syndicate following a report that a victim was abducted on his farmland at Isiagu, Awka, and later released after ransom was paid.
Acting on credible intelligence, Police Operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad Awkuzu stormed the hideout of the suspects at Notoko, Awka, which led to the arrest of the following persons: Michael Nwobodo ‘M’ 30 yrs, Eze Friday ‘M’ 29 yrs, Uche Okolo ‘M’ 23 yrs, Chinedu Gilbert ‘M’ 29 yrs and Dominic Oraz ‘M’ 38 yrs (a confessed deserter of the Nigerian Army).
Exhibits recovered from the suspects include: 6 (six) automatic pump-action guns, 63 (sixty-three) rounds of live cartridges, one microscope, 5 (five) machetes, one military cap, 2 (two) police teargas canisters, Handcuffs, A robber’s rocket launcher, criminal charms, 3 (three) Motorola walkie-talkies, One jack knife, One
power bank and Cash sum of ₦26,000.00 (Twenty-Six Thousand Naira) only.
Anambra Police Spokesperson, SP. Tochukwu Ikenga in a press release,
during interrogation, one of the suspects, Dominic Oraz, confessed to having deserted the Nigerian Army in November 2024. Meanwhile, necessary enquiries have commenced with the authority to guide Police action and prosecution of other suspects.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu while commending the operatives for their gallantry, urged residents to remain law-abiding and vigilant and to continue to report suspicious activities to the Police for prompt action. He also assured Ndi Anambra of the Command’s unwavering commitment to combating violent crimes.
# Anambra State House of Assembly on Thursday August 28th 2025, at plenary,
Inaugurates the member representing
Onitsha North One Constituency, Bar. Mimi Azikiwe
Azikiwe emerged winner of the bye-election, held on August 16th 2025 and takes over the seat formerly occupied by the late Hon. Justice Azuka.
Performing the inauguration, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, congratulated Azikiwe on her victory at the polls and urged her to bring her wealth of knowledge and experience to bear in the discharge of her legislative duties.
The Speaker encouraged her to work harmoniously with colleagues for the overall progress of her constituency and the state, assuring her of the Assembly’s support in carrying out her responsibilities.
Barrister Azikiwe, becomes the second female lawmaker in the 8th Assembly.
# Anambra Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike has applauded the initiative to seek a multi-stakeholder approach towards reinforcing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, (SRHR) in the state, noting government alone cannot do the job, and requires the partnership of the Civil Society Organizations to give live to the numerous legislations the state had passed to protect SRHR of women and girls.
Obidike while speaking in Awka, noted that the Chukwuma Soludo administration has taken giant strides to reduce maternal mortality in the state, some of which included the launch of the Patients’ Bill of Rights, PBoR, the introduction of free antenatal and delivery services in all public health facilities, introduction of free Cervical Cancer vaccines among others.
“We, as a government acknowledge that there are challenges still, and going back from this meeting, the government will begin to look at the issues raised, with a view to finding the solutions to them.
“We agree that every sexually-active woman should be allowed access to the sexual and reproductive health rights, the options available, so that she can make the right choice about her health and body,” he said.
# The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has successfully concluded its two-day Council Meeting in Awka, marking the association’s return to Anambra State after 16 years.
The meeting, which ended on Thursday, August 28, was described by delegates as a resounding success, with stakeholders commending Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo for implementing economic reforms that continue to attract investment and inspire private sector confidence in the state.
Declaring the meeting open, Governor Soludo, ably represented by his deputy, Dr. Onyeka Ibezim, welcomed delegates and reaffirmed the state’s readiness to strengthen partnerships with NACCIMA in advancing trade, commerce, and industrial growth. He emphasized that Anambra remains “open for business with a heart of partnership.”
# The Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, has expressed deep disappointment over what he described as the poor handling of the brutal killing of 11 Ebonyi indigenes in Ogboji community, Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Speaking during the state-organized burial ceremony held on Thursday at Unity Square, Abakaliki, for the 11 victims, Governor Nwifuru condemned the Anambra State Government, led by Professor Chukwuma Soludo, for failing to bring the perpetrators to justice over four months after the massacre occurred.
The victims, all from Ebonyi State, were reportedly attending a meeting on May 30, 2025, when unknown assailants attacked and killed 11 of them.
The twelfth victim survived but remains in critical condition.
# Governor Chukwuma Soludo says ‘Stomach Infrastructure’ is about fulfilling government’s duty of providing essential services that will improve the citizens’ means of livelihood, not handouts.
Soludo made the assertion at a news conference in Awka to mark the creation of Anambra 34 years ago.
He emphasised that sustainable development should prioritise agriculture, access to healthcare, quality education and reliable infrastructure over short-term palliatives.
