# The Anambra State Government has pledged to partner with the Nigerian Association for Engineering Geology and Environment (NAEGE) and to enforce stricter professional standards in construction and mining across the state.
The Commissioner for Petroleum and Natural Resources, Prof. Charles Ofoegbu, and the Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr Law Mefor, gave the assurance while addressing NAEGE officials
Dr Mefor while addressing the group led by the National President, Prof. Salome Waziri, during their courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Petroleum and Solid Mineral at his office in Awka, said the Soludo administration would no longer tolerate negligence by professionals and stressed that professionalism must be institutionalised.
The Commissioner added that Anambra State government is prioritising durable infrastructure, deploying cement stabilisation and stone base technology to guarantee roads with a minimum lifespan of 20 years, stating that “over 800 km of roads have been awarded and more than 625 km have already been delivered in three years by Soludo’s administration.”
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Prof. Ofoegbu, announced that all mining activities in the state have been suspended pending revalidation.
Prof. Ofoegbu explained that baseline geological and hydrogeological studies were conducted before every mega project in Anambra, including the new aerotropolis, and pledged to work with NAEGE on its Code of Practice and Guidelines, promising to forward it to the Governor and the Attorney General.
In his address, Prof. Waziri said the visit was to congratulate Ofoegbu on his reappointment and to seek stronger collaboration with the state government.
# The Anambra State Ministry of Women and Social Welfare, with the assistance of the Special Anti-Touting Squad Agency (SASA), has uncovered a child trafficking case involving one Mrs. Uchenna Precious, a self-acclaimed woman of God, and her accomplice, both non-indigenes residing in the state.
The Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Mrs. Chinyere Esther Onyekesi, disclosed that the case involved a young mother from Ukpor whose baby was allegedly sold for the sum of ₦2.5 million to a woman seeking to adopt a child through illegal means.
According to the Commissioner, the mother received ₦300,000 directly, while the remaining balance was retained by Mrs. Uchenna Precious.
Narrating the circumstances surrounding the incident, Mrs. Onyekesi explained that Mrs. Uchenna Precious had earlier accommodated the young mother after she was rejected by her family. However, rather than reporting the matter to the appropriate authorities, she allegedly took it upon herself to negotiate and facilitate the transfer of the infant to her sister without the involvement of the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare or the Nigeria Police Force.
The Commissioner condemned the action, stressing that no amount of parental consent, private agreement, or informal documentation could legalise the sale or transfer of a child outside the provisions of the law. She emphasized that issues relating to child welfare, adoption, and custody must always follow due legal process.
Mrs. Onyekesi used the opportunity to issue a strong warning against child trafficking and all forms of child exploitation, reiterating that the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards such crimes. She warned both residents and non-indigenes against engaging in activities capable of tarnishing the image of Anambra State, assuring that anyone found culpable would face the full weight of the law.
The Commissioner confirmed that Mrs. Uchenna Precious, the woman who received the child, and the child’s mother have all been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for thorough investigation and possible prosecution.
She commended the Special Anti-Touting Squad Agency (SASA) for its vigilance and timely intervention, which led to the discovery of the case.
Mrs. Onyekesi further reassured residents of the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to protecting children across the state and urged members of the public to promptly report any suspected cases of child trafficking, illegal adoption, or child exploitation to the Ministry, SASA, or the nearest Police station instead of attempting to resolve such matters privately.
# The Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC) in its 8th meeting of the year, had a Special Valedictory Session, for the outgoing Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, Assistant Inspector General, AIG Ikioye Livingston Orutugu.
AIG Orutugu, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector General, has bowed out of the Nigeria Police Force upon attaining the mandatory retirement age of 60 years.
The Council commended AIG Orutugu for his exemplary leadership, professionalism, and significant contributions to the improvement of security in Anambra State during his tenure.
Government acknowledged his partnership with security agencies and the Solution administration in sustaining peace and protecting lives and property.
ANSEC prayed for God’s guidance and greater exploits for him in his future endeavours.
# The Anambra State Police Command has intensified advocacy against cultism, substance abuse, cybercrime, and other social vices through the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV).
This follows the commencement of a strategic working visit to the Anambra State by a delegation of the Inspector-General of Police, led by the National Coordinator of POCACOV, SP Orvenonne Ikwen, PhD.
The visit is aimed at strengthening collaboration with the Anambra State Government, traditional rulers, educational institutions, religious bodies, youth groups, civil society organisations, and other critical stakeholders in promoting peace, security, and responsible citizenship across the State.
As part of the engagement, the delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Secretary to the Anambra State Government, Mrs Chiamaka Nnake, and the Chairman of the Traditional Rulers Council Anambra State, His Royal Majesty Igwe Iweka III of Obosi. Discussions during the visit centred on building stronger institutional partnerships to address the root causes of crime, particularly among young people. The team highlighted the importance of preventive policing through sustained public enlightenment, value reorientation, mentorship, and community participation.
Both commended the Inspector-General of Police for sustaining the POCACOV initiative, describing it as a proactive and people-centred strategy for preventing crime. They also assured the delegation of the unwavering support of the Government and Stakeholders in ensuring that the campaign reaches every part of the State.
The National Coordinator reaffirmed the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police to supporting initiatives that discourage cultism, drug abuse, violent extremism, cybercrime, and other criminal activities through strategic partnerships and continuous stakeholder engagement. She noted that policing is more effective when communities, government institutions, parents, schools, and faith-based organisations work together to guide and empower young people.
The advocacy visit also featured interactive sessions by the Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 13 AIG Miller Gajere Dantawaye, psc and the Commissioner of Police Anambra State who were recently promoted to Assistant Inspector General of Police AIG Ikioye Orutugu, fwc, mnips, PhD in their respective Offices.
# The Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Anambra State Command, Corps Commander Bridget Asekhauno has been honoured with the Special WINSEC 2026 Award by the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), African Independent Television (AIT), and Crime Reporters Global, Nigeria.
The honour was conveyed in a nomination letter dated 24 July 2026, in which the WINSEC Screening Committee informed the Sector Commander that she had been selected for the prestigious recognition in acknowledgement of her distinguished contributions to road safety administration, leadership, and security-related public service.
The award ceremony which was held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, attracted eminent personalities from across the country, including senior government officials, security leaders, and distinguished women in public service.
According to the organisers, the Women in Security Summit and Awards (WINSEC) 2026 was designed to bring together outstanding women serving in the military, police, parliamentary institutions, and other security agencies to celebrate excellence, highlight challenges, and promote solutions that strengthen national security and public safety.
In her reaction, Corps Commander Bridget
Asekhauno expressed profound appreciation to the organisers of WINSEC 2026 for the recognition, describing the award as a call to greater service and renewed commitment to road safety management and public enlightenment.
She dedicated the honour to the officers and men of the Anambra State Command, noting that the achievement reflects their collective dedication, discipline, and professionalism.
# Leaders, clergy and members of All Saints Anglican Church, Amaenyi, Awka, have been left in shock following an alleged scam that has left the church building without a roof.
According to accounts from members of the church, a young man who claimed to be a member of the congregation approached the church leadership and offered to sponsor the complete reroofing of the church as a thanksgiving to God.
He reportedly said he wanted to appreciate the church for its prayers and support during a difficult period in his life.
The man allegedly advised the church leadership to obtain the cost of the project and engage carpenters to remove the old roof in preparation for the installation of new roofing materials.
Sources within the church claimed that after the old roofing sheets and wooden materials were removed, the suspect allegedly sold the dismantled materials to a scrap dealer for ₦67,000.
The carpenter handling the project was then reportedly instructed to purchase new roofing materials. The materials, according to the sources, cost about ₦987,000. When the carpenter attempted to contact the supposed sponsor to make payment, his phone number was no longer reachable.
Church leaders were immediately informed, but the man could not be found.
The incident has reportedly left the church building without a roof, while members are still trying to come to terms with what happened. Reports also indicate that church leaders have restricted access to the premises to prevent people from taking photographs of the roofless building.
# The people of Nnewi have firmly pledged their support for Governor Chukwuma Soludo, and thanked him for the great work the Government of Anambra State has so far done in Nnewi.
This commendation was made by the 51 Nnewi village wards during the August Nzuko-Ora Nnewi General Meeting held on Sunday.
Various speakers who commended Soludo pointed out the unprecedented infrastructure that the Governor has brought to Nnewi.
The stakeholders commended Soludo for the various new projects which he kick-started, as part of his bold vision on urban renewal in Nnewi.
According to them, about two months ago, the Governor spent about two hours touring Nnewi and thereafter declared his administration’s readiness to commence massive urban regeneration in Nnewi, which has now taken off.
Addressing the meeting, the President General of Nzuko-Ora Nnewi, Prince Jude Osumuoh, commended the Governor as well as the Local Government Chairman of Nnewi North, Hon. Echezona Anazodo, for moving Nnewi forward through various developmental projects and programmes.
In his speech, the Mayor, Hon. Echezona Anazodo reiterated the government’s focus on meeting the needs of the governed, assuring that he is not distracted.
Also Speaking, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Chijioke Ojukwu, made a passionate appeal on the need for the people to help and make governance lighter by complying with town planning regulations.
According to the Commissioner, the attention given to Nnewi by the Governor requires support in terms of compliance with regulations.
In his remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Ebuka Onyekwelu, Ph.D, also addressed the meeting, calling on ndi Nnewi to support Governor Soludo’s Public-Private Community Partnership (PPCP) development model, noting that development is a collective responsibility.
In their separate remarks, the President General of Otolo, Uruagu and Umudim, while affirming Nnewi’s support for the Governor and the local government chairman, took time to caution “social media” political activists, insisting that there is no issue in Nnewi. They also expressed their appreciation to the Governor, asking for acceleration on all ongoing projects in Nnewi.
During the meeting, a new Board of Trustees of Nzuko-Ora was inaugurated, as well as a Committee to review the constitution of Nzukora-Ora, whose membership includes Lotanna Okoli, Esq., SAN, and Hon. Chief Amala Anazodo, among others.
# The Management of Nwafor Orizu College of Education (NOCEN), Nsugbe, has approved appointments into key academic and administrative positions for the 2026/2027 Academic Session.
The appointments, approved by the Provost, Prof. Victor I. O. Ndirika, took effect from August 5, 2026, with the aim of strengthening institutional governance and enhancing academic excellence. The approvals followed the expiration of the tenures of the affected office holders, thereby ensuring continuity in effective administration and the smooth operation of the College.
The appointments cut across Quality Assurance, Part-Time Programme, Research and Publications, Centre for Continuing Education, Sports, Advancement and Linkages, and Entrepreneurial Studies.
Others include Examination Monitoring, Heads of Academic Departments, Centre Coordinators, Chairpersons, and members of statutory committees responsible for admissions, examinations, and other institutional functions.
Addressing the appointees, Prof. Ndirika described their appointments as a call to selfless service, urging them to demonstrate dedication, integrity, innovation, teamwork, transparency, accountability, and mutual respect.
The provost further emphasized the need for collective commitment to advancing the College’s vision and mission through efficient service delivery, quality teacher education, and sustained institutional development.
# The Archbishop of Onitsha, His Grace, Most Rev Valerian Okeke has administered sacrament of confirmation to 1335 candidates during his 11th Pastoral visit to Sacred Heart Parish Odoakpu Onitsha.
The prelate in his homily urged catholics and Christians not to only profess love but practice charity which is the greatest commandments. ‘ Love is caring for one another. It is demonstrated by practically helping people in need. Don’t just say I love or God loves you, show that love’.
The Parish donated 200 bags of cement for the construction ongoing at the Shanahan University Onitsha which the Archbishop stated that it was designed to be a ‘Skill Oriented University’ and a meeting arena of faith and Science.
The Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Hyginus Zikora eulogized the Archbishop for making out time to visit Sacred Heart Parish Odoakpu saying that the Pastoral visit would build the faith of the young catholic candidates who were administered sacrament of confirmation.
# For decades, the preservation of the Igbo language and cultural heritage has remained a concern for scholars, cultural advocates and community leaders, particularly as migration and globalisation continue to reshape identities across generations. Yet, amid these challenges, individuals like Dr. (Mrs.) Uzoamaka Josephine Aguoji have continued to champion the cause of preserving the rich traditions of the Igbo people both at home and abroad.
It was in recognition of this unwavering commitment that the Centre for Igbo Language and Culture at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam, honoured Dr. Aguoji during its maiden Cultural Day Festival. The award celebrated her remarkable contributions to humanity, education and the promotion of Igbo language and cultural heritage across Nigeria and the diaspora.
Speaking during the event, the Director of the Centre, Prof. Christiana Ngozi Ikegwuonu, described the institution as a strategic intervention established barely six months ago to preserve, promote and project the language, customs and identity of the Igbo nation. She applauded the university management, particularly the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kate Omenugha, for providing the platform that would inspire future generations to embrace their heritage.
