# The Development Centre for Orientation, Discovery and Empowerment (DeCODE) has intensified advocacy for the adoption of a menstrual health and hygiene management policy in Anambra State.
The advocacy, undertaken through DeCODE’s Menstrual Ease for Girls (ME4Girls) Project with funding support from Rise Up Together, seeks to support the adoption and phased implementation of the National Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management Policy in Anambra, ensuring that no girl is denied education because of challenges associated with menstruation.
During an advocacy visit to the Permanent Secretary, Anambra State Ministry of Education, Dr. Ifeoma Agbaizu, the organisation outlined the need for a coordinated state response to menstrual health, stressing that evidence from years of engagement with adolescent girls shows that inadequate menstrual health information, poor water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities, limited access to menstrual products and menstrual stigma continue to affect girls’ school attendance, participation and academic performance.
Receiving the advocacy team on behalf of the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ekene Ogugua, Agbaizu commended DeCODE for championing an initiative that directly addresses the welfare and educational needs of girls in public secondary schools.
# The Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Anambra State Mrs. Chinyere Esther Onyekesi has expressed her full support for the campaign and pledged to collaborate with the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV) in whatever way possible to tackle cultism.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by POCACOV to her office in Awka, the Commissioner emphasised the importance of creating a safe and secure environment for women and vulnerable members of society, and stressed the need for a united front in the fight against cultism and other criminal activities.
The Spokesperson of Anambra Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga said the visit was aimed at exploring ways POCACOV and the government could collaborate to combat cultism and other social vices prevalent in society.
SP Ikenga outlined POCACOV’s strategies and initiatives for addressing these challenges, including community outreach programmes, education and awareness campaigns, and enforcement actions.
He emphasised the importance of working with government agencies and community stakeholders to build a united front against these harmful practices.
# The Anambra State Government has received a consignment of Comprehensive Emergency Maternal and Newborn Care (CEmONC) equipment from the Federal Government under the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) initiative to strengthen maternal and newborn healthcare services across the state.
The equipment was officially received on behalf of the state government by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, during a distribution exercise held at the Central Medical Store, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, Awka.
Dr. Obidike while speaking at the event,
commended the Federal Government and the SWAp initiative for the intervention, describing it as a major boost to healthcare delivery in Anambra State. He said the CEmONC equipment would improve maternal and newborn healthcare services in the beneficiary hospitals and complement Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s sustained investments in the health sector.
The commissioner assured that the equipment would be properly installed, maintained and effectively utilized to improve the quality of care for mothers and newborns.
In his remarks, Anambra State SWAp Desk Officer, Dr. Obi Chioma, explained that the CEmONC equipment, provided through the SWAp initiative, was aimed at reducing maternal and newborn deaths by improving the capacity of health facilities to provide quality emergency obstetric and newborn care.
She said the equipment, which includes delivery beds, delivery couches, laryngoscopes, refrigerators, blood storage systems, phototherapy machines, radiant warmers, incubators and other essential medical devices, would enhance safe deliveries, improve the management of newborn complications and strengthen healthcare services, particularly in underserved communities.
Dr. Obi disclosed that the equipment would be distributed to five secondary healthcare facilities General Hospital Nnobi, General Hospital Enugwu-Ukwu, General Hospital Umueri, General Hospital Ekwulobia and General Hospital Umunze across the state’s three senatorial zones.
She added that representatives of the beneficiary hospitals received the equipment for immediate deployment and use, expressing confidence that the intervention would significantly reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths while improving healthcare outcomes across Anambra State.
# Ideani Community, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State is currently in shock over the horror, pertaining the discovery of three lifeless bodies in the home of an Ezenwanyi.
The corpses of the three children were discovered at the ‘Ezenwayi’s’ place at Umuoduba village, Ideani. A fourth person discovered at her place is battling to stay alive.
The age of the children were between 6-15 years and it hasn’t been ascertained yet if they were her children or workers as she rears animals (pigs and birds) in her house.
The woman is currently in custody at Ogidi Police Division for investigation. The deceased children were taken to the mortuary, while the fourth person was taken to the hospital for medical attention.
# The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate for the Idemili North/Idemili South Federal Constituency, Chief Ikenna Iyiegbu has officially inaugurated his campaign structure, marking a significant milestone in his bid to secure quality representation for the people of the constituency.
Speaking during the inauguration, Chief Iyiegbu described the campaign structure as the engine that will drive the movement toward delivering responsive, effective, and people-centred representation. He urged members to take the message of APGA and his vision for the federal constituency to every ward, community, village, and polling unit.
He emphasized that the campaign is fundamentally about connecting with the people at the grassroots, listening to their concerns, and presenting practical solutions that will improve their lives. According to him, “every member of the campaign team has a crucial role to play in ensuring that no community is left behind”.
Chief Iyiegbu also charged the team to remain united, disciplined, and committed throughout the campaign, stressing that respect, integrity, and issue-based engagement should guide their interactions with the electorate.
Reaffirming his commitment to quality representation, he pledged that, when elected, he would champion policies and initiatives aimed at promoting youth empowerment, expanding economic opportunities, improving infrastructure, and enhancing the overall welfare of the people.
Speaking on behalf of the newly inaugurated campaign structure, the Director-General, Chief A.A. Anagu expressed appreciation for the confidence reposed in the team. He assured Chief Iyiegbu of their unwavering commitment to mobilising support across Idemili North and South Federal Constituency, expressing confidence that their collective efforts would secure victory for APGA at the polls.
# The Resident Priest of St. Mary’s Catholic Parish, Inland Town, Onitsha, Rev. Fr. Jude Nworah, has urged mothers to uphold Christian values and serve as worthy role models for their children and society.
Nworah made the call during the First Saturday devotion, a monthly Catholic observance in which mothers offer thanksgiving to God and honour the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God.
In his homily, the priest expressed concern over what he described as the declining commitment of some mothers to their responsibilities in the home.
He urged them to return to their families and faithfully discharge their duties, stressing that Christian virtues should be evident in their daily lives.
Nworah also noted that the Church commemorated the feast of St. Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, who was renowned for his devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Quoting the saint, he said: “Whoever desires the fruit must go to the tree; whoever desires Jesus must go to Mary; and whoever finds Mary will most certainly find Jesus.”
According to him, the First Saturday devotion offers the faithful, particularly mothers and members of Marian societies, an opportunity to reflect on the virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary and renew their commitment to Christian living.
# The Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA) has intensified its drive to achieve Zero New HIV Infections by 2030, with plans to introduce telehealth services, expand community-based HIV prevention programmes and strengthen grassroots engagement across the state.
Speaking during the agency’s monthly review meeting in Awka, the Executive Director and Project Manager of ANSACA, Dr. Nkem Okeke, outlined key initiatives aimed at improving access to HIV prevention, testing, counselling and treatment support.
Dr. Okeke announced that ANSACA will soon launch telehealth services through dedicated hotlines, enabling residents to receive confidential HIV-related information, counselling and referrals from the comfort of their homes or workplaces, noting that the initiative is expected to improve access to services, reduce stigma and encourage more people to seek timely support.
He disclosed that the agency is preparing for a statewide market outreach campaign designed to take HIV prevention, testing and awareness services directly to traders and other members of the public, further expanding community access to essential healthcare.
The Executive Director revealed that the draft Anambra State Workplace HIV Policy has been completed and is awaiting stakeholder review before it is presented to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, for approval, explaining that the policy will promote non-discrimination, support workplace HIV prevention and encourage healthier work environments across the state.
Highlighting recent achievements, Dr. Okeke said ANSACA has strengthened its community-based HIV response through motor park awareness campaigns, moonlight HIV testing in key population hotspots and the digitisation of its data collection and management system to improve planning, service delivery and programme monitoring.
He disclosed that the agency has established an HIV Awareness Brigade comprising more than 1,600 volunteers across Anambra’s 326 wards to deepen grassroots awareness and community participation. According to him, arrangements are underway for Governor Soludo to officially inaugurate the brigade.
Dr. Okeke commended the Soludo administration for its sustained political commitment to the state’s HIV response, describing the government’s support as critical to ANSACA’s progress in expanding prevention and treatment services.
He appealed to corporate organisations, development partners and philanthropists to invest in HIV prevention programmes, stressing that HIV is not only a public health concern but also a social and economic challenge that requires broad-based collaboration.
# The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Anambra State Sector Command, has recorded a breakthrough in vehicle identification and recovery with the discovery of a suspected stolen Toyota Camry through the National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS) in Nnewi, Anambra State.
The vehicle was discovered by the NVIS Desk Officer at the Driver’s Licence Centre, Nnewi, during the processing of vehicle registration documents.
According to SRC. Margaret Onabe, the spokesperson of FRSC, Anambra State Command, the investigation began on 31st July 2026, when a processed vehicle licence was presented for upload to the NVIS portal.
Onabe stated that during the verification process, it was discovered that the vehicle had already been profiled on the FRSC NVIS database with an existing registered owner.
Reacting, the FRSC Anambra State Sector Commander Corps Commander Bridget Asekhauno, commends the vigilance and professionalism of its NVIS personnel, whose diligence in verifying vehicle records led to the recovery of a vehicle that had remained missing for over three years.
The Command reiterates the importance of the National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS) as a critical tool in combating vehicle theft, identity cloning, and related crimes.
Members of the public are encouraged to ensure that all vehicle registration and ownership documentation is properly verified through the FRSC NVIS platform.
In case of any road emergency, call the FRSC toll-free number on 122.
# Engr. Eric Nnamdi Anyamene, through the Eric Nnamdi Anyamene Foundation (ENAF), is celebrating women across Idemili North and South with a special August Meeting outreach aimed at appreciating their invaluable contributions to their families and communities.
As part of the ongoing initiative, women at every August Meeting visited received financial support from Engr. Eric Anyamene through ENAF as a token of appreciation for their dedication, resilience, and vital role in building strong families and prosperous communities.
In his message to the women, Engr. Eric Anyamene encouraged mothers to remain steadfast in nurturing children with sound moral values, discipline, and quality education, emphasizing that the future of every community depends on the values instilled in the home.
Speaking during the outreach at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Afor-Adike, Obosi, the Parish Priest, Archdeacon Emeka Ikeokwu, expressed appreciation to Engr. Eric Anyamene and the Eric Nnamdi Anyamene Foundation for their consistent support for communities and humanitarian service. He prayed for God’s continued blessings upon Engr. Anyamene and the foundation.
The August Meeting outreach is still ongoing, with more communities expected to benefit in the coming days.
Through ENAF, Engr. Eric Anyamene continues to demonstrate that true leadership is about identifying with the people, supporting worthy causes, and investing in the women whose sacrifices and dedication remain the foundation of every thriving family and community.
# Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) in Anambra State may soon become part of a formal maternal healthcare referral network as government officials, civil society organisations and healthcare managers seek to end the long-standing practice of isolated childbirth services that has been blamed for delayed emergency care and preventable maternal deaths.
The move emerged at a multi-stakeholder dialogue convened under the Strengthening Public Accountability for Results and Knowledge (SPARK 2) project, where participants agreed that while TBAs remain indispensable in many communities, they should no longer operate without a structured relationship with Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs).
Supported by the International Budget Partnership (IBP), the meeting brought together representatives of the Anambra State Ministry of Health, local government authorities, primary healthcare managers, traditional birth attendants and civil society organisations to begin developing a referral framework that will ensure women experiencing pregnancy complications receive timely skilled medical attention.
Stakeholders observed that TBAs continue to enjoy widespread patronage because they are deeply rooted in communities, charge affordable fees, are easily accessible and often provide more personalised care than many public health facilities.
However, they warned that these advantages should not encourage TBAs to manage high-risk pregnancies beyond their competence.
