# Governor Chukwuma Soludo has been honoured with the Altar Servers Pillar Award by the Catholic Altar Servers Association of Nigeria (CASAN), Awka Diocese, for his contributions and selfless service to the Catholic Church during his years as an altar server.
The award was presented on Saturday, August 8, 2026, during the Awka Diocesan Old Boys Reunion and Special Convention held at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, Adazi-Nnukwu.
Governor Soludo was represented at the event by the Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, who received the award on his behalf.
In his homily, Bishop Ezeokafor emphasised the importance of faith in the life of every Christian, describing faith as the ability to believe in something even when it has not yet happened.
He said faith is fundamental to daily life, stressing that it goes beyond what can be physically seen or empirically proven.
According to him, a person who has faith in God will be saved, adding that faith gives believers the strength and confidence to remain steadfast in the face of life’s challenges.
The Bishop also encouraged the young altar servers to strengthen their faith and allow it to guide their service in the vineyard of God.
# The Anambra State Chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has tasked Governor Chukwuma Soludo to recruit more nurses to fill the gaps in hospitals across the state.
The association has also appealed to the governor to pay rural posting allowances to nurses posted to hard-to-reach rural areas to ameliorate their sufferings and equally motivate them to accept postings to such remote areas.
Anambra NANNM chairperson, Mrs. Edith Onwuka, who spoke to this journalist about the urgent need to recruit more nurses in hospitals, observed that nurses are in short supply at the moment and that the nurse-patient ratio of the World Health Organization (WHO) standard has not been met in the state.
# The Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze has acknowledged the immense contributions of two former Governors of the State, Dr.Chris Ngige and Chief Willie Obiano to the growth and development of the State, describing them as great citizens and visionary leaders.
Felicitating the two former Governors, as they mark their 74th and 71st Birthdays, Rt Hon. Udeze noted that the duo have distinguished themselves in governance and leadership, adding that they occupied a memorable political space in the history and development of the State.
In a press statement the Speaker noted that Ngige excelled in road infrastructure, while Chief Obiano thrived in human capital development.
The Speaker who traced how the two former Governors recorded near similar milestones in security and health care system during their respective administrations, appreciated Governor Chukwuma Soludo for taking the two sectors among other development areas in the State to greater heights.
Rt. Hon. Udeze prayed God to continue to reward and bless the two former Governors accordingly, and give them sound health and longevity to enable them live to see the rapid development of the State they once governed, and also to reap the fruits of their labour.
# The Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA) has announced plans to launch the Anambra Integrated HIV and Addiction Care Programme(AIHAC) as part of efforts to strengthen HIV prevention, treatment, adherence and rehabilitation services across the state.
The Executive Director of ANSACA, Dr. Hillary Nkem Okeke, disclosed this during a working visit to the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Centre at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, Awka, on Aug 5, saying the programme would be anchored on Eight pillars including integration of HIV prevention and treatment, mental health services, MAT Services, Telehealth, viral hepatitis care, tuberculosis (TB) care, rehabilitation, skills acquisition and economic empowerment.
Dr. Okeke described the MAT Centre as a critical component of Anambra State’s response to substance use disorders and the prevention of HIV and viral hepatitis, noting that the facility is one of the few MAT centres in Nigeria, established with support from the Global Fund.
According to him, the centre provides evidence based treatment for people living with opioid dependence through medication and structured psychosocial support while serving as an important entry point for reaching people who inject drugs(PWIDs) as well as increased risk of HIV and viral hepatitis because of unsafe injecting practices.
He said clients who visit the facility are routinely screened for HIV and viral hepatitis. Those who test positive are linked to treatment and care, while those who test negative receive counselling and prevention services to reduce their risk of infection.
# The Anambra State Deputy Governor, Dr. OnyekaChukwu Ibezim has inaugurated the Solution Continues Team, charging its members to align their activities with the vision of the state Governor Prof. Charles Chukuma Soludo for a greater Anambra.
The Deputy Governor who spoke during the inauguration at the Government House, Awka, described the group’s assignment as onerous and government-driven, urging members to demonstrate ownership, responsibility and commitment in supporting the administration’s development agenda.
Dr. Ibezim stressed that the group was not a pressure, breakaway or splinter group, but a team of “comrades in progress” expected to take the government’s message and development initiatives to the grassroots.
He urged the members to emulate Governor Soludo’s solution-oriented approach to governance, noting that the Governor is constantly concerned about what remains to be done rather than only celebrating achievements.
Speaking, the Coordinator of the group and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Political Matters, Hon. Chinedu Ofojebe, disclosed that the group had already commenced activities but needed formal inauguration to fully commence its grassroots operations.
Ofojebe said the group would support the administration in communicating its programmes and development projects to the people, noting particularly the economic significance of projects aimed at opening up the Nnewi axis for trade, investment and industrial development.
# The Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Mrs. Chinyere Esther Onyekesi has been conferred as a Very Senior Ambassador and strategic partner by the Anambra State Chapter of the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), in recognition of the Ministry’s contributions to safeguarding young people across the state.
The conferment, was part of the Command’s continued drive to build stronger alliances with key stakeholders in the fight against cultism, substance abuse, bullying, cybercrime and other vices threatening the wellbeing of teenagers and youths.
Speaking during the visit, the POCACOV delegation, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP. Francisca Egbunike, commended the Ministry’s sustained efforts in family and community development, particularly in advocacy, counselling, youth empowerment, the protection of vulnerable persons and early intervention initiatives designed to shield young people from criminal influences and harmful behaviour.
Responding, the Commissioner expressed appreciation for the honour and reaffirmed the Ministry’s readiness to deepen its collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force through POCACOV.
Mrs. Onyekesi restated the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to programmes that curb cultism, substance abuse, bullying, cybercrime and other vices affecting young persons in the state, noting that the safety and moral development of Anambra’s youths remain central to the Ministry’s mandate.
# Anambra State House of Assembly Committee Chairman on Nutrition and Food Security, Hon. Barr. Jude Ifeanyi Umennajiego, has said that his major priority at the moment is to alleviate the hardships and sufferings of flood victims in his constituency.
Umennajiego who represents Onitsha-South 2 state constituency, said in an interview that places like Bida, Nnewi, Emodi and some other streets in his constituency have been completely ravaged by this year’s flood disaster.
The lawmaker maintained that the
properties worth millions of naira have been destroyed by the menacing flood and victims have fled from their homes to save their families from drowning in the deluge.
# The youth reformation agenda Governor Chukwuma Soludo has continued to generate interest across the state.
Driving the youth reform mandate, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth Reformation, Dr. Nelson Omenugha took the campaign to Orumba South LGA, where he was warmly received with the youth reformation team by the Executive Chairman of Orumba South, Hon. Shedrack Azubuike, at the secretariat complex in Umunze.
Speaking, Dr. Nelson Omenugha said that the visit was a part of the ongoing stakeholders’ engagement for consensus-building towards realizing the Solution Agenda on youth reformation.
According to Dr. Omenugha, youth reformation is something that is very close to the governor’s heart and a focal point of Soludo’s administration to build Anambra youths into dignified citizens.
In his reaction, the Mayor thanked Omenugha for his steadfast commitment to something he said is a key pillar of his administration in Orumba South.
According to the Chairman, no fewer than one hundred and fifty-five indigent students of Orumba South are on full scholarship. The Chairman also disclosed that he had engaged Orumba youths in a town hall that has resulted in massive youth-focused programmes for the LGA, including the Digital Academy, among others.
# In continuation of efforts to restore Onitsha Main Market to its original plan by reclaiming designated walkways and parking spaces, the Anambra State Government, through the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, has commenced the demolition of illegal structures along Sokoto Road, Johnson Street and Bright Street in the market.
Speaking during the demolition exercise, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Barrister Chijioke Ojukwu, explained that the exercise is aimed at restoring order and ensuring the free flow of traffic within the market.
Commissioner Ojukwu expressed disappointment with some traders who waited until the commencement of the demolition to evacuate their goods despite being given three separate notices by the Ministry.
He warned that residents must learn to obey the law and comply with government directives, while urging them to support the government’s efforts to rebuild the state.
In an interview, the President-General of the Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA), Chief Humphrey Anuna, confirmed that the state government had widely publicised the demolition exercise before its commencement, commending Governor Chukwuma Soludo for his commitment to repositioning all sectors of the state’s economy through proactive leadership.
# The Solution Innovation District (SID) has advised startup founders and entrepreneurs to prioritize effective go-to-market strategies, stressing business success depends on products customers understand, trust, and can easily access.
The advice was contained in a business development message shared on the official Facebook page of the Solution Innovation District on July 20, urging innovators to strengthen market entry strategies.
According to SID, the market does not necessarily reward the best product, but instead rewards products clearly understood, trusted by customers, and readily accessible to their intended target audience.
The innovation hub noted that founders experiencing slow sales should look beyond improving their products alone and instead refine their market-entry strategies to increase visibility, customer engagement, adoption, and sustainable business growth.
SID emphasized the importance of understanding target audiences by studying customer demographics, pain points, behaviour, and desires to develop solutions that effectively address real needs and expectations.
It also encouraged entrepreneurs to begin with early adopters who genuinely need their products, explaining such users provide valuable feedback that helps businesses improve, adapt, and scale effectively.
The district further advised founders to communicate the value and outcomes of their products instead of focusing solely on technical features, noting customers prioritize solutions improving their daily lives.
SID equally urged innovators to embrace continuous learning by testing ideas, adapting to market realities, and refining strategies, maintaining sustainable business growth comes through consistent improvement rather than perfection.
It further encouraged startup founders to remain focused on connecting solutions with the right customers, emphasizing effective go-to-market strategies solve real problems, meet market needs, and ensure accessibility.
# The Bishop on the Niger, the Rt. Rev. Owen Chiedozie Nwokolo, paid an episcopal visit to St. James’ Anglican Church, Awada, in Awada Archdeaconry, where he dedicated several completed parish projects and administered the rites of Confirmation and Admission to candidates from across the archdeaconry.
The Bishop, accompanied by his wife, Dr. (Mrs.) Elsie Nonyelum Nwokolo, received a warm welcome from the clergy and congregation, who turned out in large numbers despite the rainy weather to participate in the memorable event.
During the visit, Bishop Nwokolo commissioned a number of projects designed to enhance the church’s ministry and promote educational development. The facilities include a security post, a borehole with an overhead water tank, a computer room for primary school pupils, a 50-seat computer laboratory for secondary school students, and a prayer garden.
Delivering a sermon titled “What to Do as a Christian to Make Heaven,” the bishop called on believers to embrace sincere repentance and seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit in order to remain steadfast in their Christian faith. He cautioned against sinful lifestyles and every form of evil, emphasizing that such practices are contrary to God’s will, and encouraged christians to remain rooted in Christ through holy and obedient living.
The bishop also prayed for those who received the rites of Confirmation and Admission, asking God to strengthen their faith, guide their spiritual journey, and grant them the grace to remain faithful throughout their lives.
The service featured joyful worship, thanksgiving, and renewed commitment to christian service, reflecting the Diocese on the Niger’s continued dedication to spiritual growth, evangelism, youth development, and the provision of facilities that support both christian formation and quality education.
