* The Accountant General of Anambra State Dr Chukwudi Okoli says making too much cash available in the society causes hyperinflation.
Speaking in an interview on the ongoing naira scarcity in the country, Dr Okoli described the introduction of the cashless economy as part of efforts by the government to ascertain the total amount of money in Banks in order to control inflation.
According to the Accountant General of Anambra State Dr Okoli, with the introduction of the electronic money transfer, the federal government wants to encourage everyone to open bank accounts, have ATM cards to reduce people in carrying bulk money around to reduce risks associated with such.
* A bill for a law to further amend the Traditional Rulers’ Law, 2007, has scaled second and third reading and passed into law by the Anambra state House of Assembly.
This followed a motion moved by the Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Dr. Jude Akpua during plenary on Tuesday.
In his submissions, the Deputy Majority Leader and member representing Njikoka Constituency Two, Dr Akpua, said the bill will strengthen the traditional rulers’ Council of the state thereby working effectively and efficiently with the state government.
Supporting the bill, the member Idemili South constituency, Hon. Ebuka Igwe and Ejike Okechukwu (Anaocha two) said the bill centres on re-establishing, widening, and broadening Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council.
Anambra Assembly Speaker, Rt Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze read the bill for the second and third times and passed it which will come into force from December 20, 2024, after it is accented to by the Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
* The Rule of Law and Anti-corruption, RoLAC Programme has decried the soaring incidents of Gender Based Violence in Anambra State, restating commitment towards elimination.
RoLAC Project Coordinator in the state, Mrs. Josephine Onah, while speaking during a press conference organized to mark the 2024 International Human Rights Day, explained that having realized the link between GBV and human rights, the organization in collaboration with National Human Rights Commission, Anambra State Ministry of Women Affairs and other NGOs has intensified campaign since the 25th of November, marking the beginning of 16 days of activism against GBV.
The Coordinator, National Human Rights Commission, (NHRC), Mr. Obinna Maduforo while speaking, described the day as significant because it commemorates the fight against human rights violations.
* The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa, has commended President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for appointing Hon. Mark Okoye as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the South East Development Commission (SEDC).
In a release signed by Dr. Tony Ogbonna,
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to
Ezeokenwa, the APGA Chairman stated that the appointment underscores the President’s commitment to inclusive governance, following the recent appointment of Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, a member of APGA’s Board of Trustees, as the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
Barr. Ezeokenwa, who has consistently championed the need for the SEDC to accelerate development across the South East in the wake of the devastating civil war, praised President Tinubu for his recognition of competence and merit.
* Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State recently directed all principals of public secondary schools in the state to refund school fees collected from students in senior secondary school class one to three, now making education from nursery to senior secondary free.
A cross section of the principals who spoke to the ABS, Mrs Stella -Maris Okoye from Community Secondary School, Aguluezechukwu; Lady Stella Onwuyalu, from Community Secondary School, Amichi and Mr Benson Okeke from Government Technical College, Ihiala, all said that they have obeyed the directive and have refunded the school fees to the students.
They, however, appealed to the government to increase the funds it gives them for running their schools and the Club of Patrons to do more for them.
* The Mayor of Onitsha North LGA, Hon. Nweze Tony Nwora, has lauded Governor Chukwuma Soludo for awarding the construction of key infrastructural projects in Onitsha North, including the Trans-Nkisi Boulevard 1 road in GRA, seven strategic roads in Omagba Community, and the reconstruction of New Market Road.
In his remarks, Mayor Nwora described Governor Soludo’s administration as a boon to Ndi Anambra, emphasizing its transformative impact on the state.
He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the governor’s vision of making Anambra a livable, clean, and prosperous homeland.
Highlighting the significance of these roads, City Mayor stated that they are vital for residents and will play a crucial role in driving the economic growth of the state once completed.
* Members of Ide village in Ifite quarters of Alor, Idemili South Council Area have sent a save-our-soul message to Anambra state government over the expanding gully erosion in the village and illegal felling of trees by hoodlums along the erosion site posing danger to residents.
The erosion channel built in 1983 had collapsed while a large percentage of the economic trees planted by the villagers along the erosion site to control it from expansion has been felled by hoodlums.
Speaking, the Chairman, Ide Aka na-ano village, Alor, Mr. Chukwudi Johnson named one Ifenna Okafor as the leader of the hoodlums felling the economic trees and called on the Anambra State Ministry of Environment to intervene and prosecute those engaging in what he described as an “ecological crime” while coming to their aid to save them from the erosion.
Contributing, the Legal Counsel for Umuru-Ide Village Assembly, Barrister Kennedy Uche explained that felling trees in the erosion prone area equates to an ecological crime and expressed hope that the law will take its due course on the suspects.
* Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, has lauded Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s initiative in setting up the 1Youth 2Skills TV and the Youth TV Studio for the Ministry of Youth Development.
The 1Youth 2Skills TV, which was approved as part of the 2024 Action Plan, was designed as a platform for information dissemination, youth engagement, and skills training.
Dr. Mefor, who was visiting the TV Studio located at the Ministry of Youth Development Complex behind Government House, Awka, also commended the Ministry, led by Mr Patrick Agha Mba, for ensuring the effective implementation of Mr Governor’s initiative to enhance the youth development agenda of the Solution Administration.
* Paul Orajiaka, a Senatorial aspirant for Anambra South District on the platform of the Labour Party (LP), has expressed his determination to address the insecurity situation in his constituency if elected into the National Assembly.
Orajiaka, who spoke to journalists in Awka stated that the greater bulk of insecurity in Anambra State is domiciled in his constituency.
He emphasized that his decision to aspire for the senate seat is driven by his desire to use the platform to make policy laws that would positively impact the security situation in his constituency.
* Anambra State Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, Engineer Julius Chukwuemeka says the State Government will soon unveil electricity market to solve the energy needs of Ndi Anambra.
Speaking in his office Chukwuemeka who described Governor Chukwuma Soludo as a jinx breaker said that the market will guarantee energy sustainability, adding that the electricity market where everything electricity will be handled will give the State the opportunity to be fully in charge of its power generation, transmission and distribution.
According to Engineer Chukwuemeka, the State will also establish the Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission, which will be in charge of energy regulation as well as Anambra State Electricity Management Agency that will be saddled with the responsibility of managing the state’s electricity market.
