* It was a solemn moment at Archbishop A.K. Obiefuna Retreat, Pastoral and Conference Centre, Okpuno-Awka, Anambra State, recently, when the members of the Catholic Men’s Organization of Nigeria, CMON, Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, converged at the Centre for her Maiden Provincial Conference, Award/Installation of Patrons, Mayors and Ambassadors which was aimed at charting a way to stem the tide of neo-paganism currently threatening the life of Christendom across the South East of Nigeria.
The historic conference, themed, ”Weaving the Web of Life: Neo-paganism, Community and Social Justice”, was a 3-day activity-packed event.
According to the Local Organizing Committee Secretary, Dr Paul Unegbu, the conference delegates who were selected across the nine dioceses of Onitsha Province, on arrival, paid a courtesy visit to the Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor.
* Officers in Charge of legal departments of various security agencies in Anambra State as well as Investigating Police Officers (IPOs) have been urged to partner the state government in ensuring effective implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL 2022).
The Executive Director, Justice Development and Peace/Caritas, (JDPC), Onitsha, Fr. Edwin Udoye, made the appeal during a meeting organized for the officers as part of its RAPID project supported by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) programme, implemented by International IDEA and funded by European Union, to raise awareness on the provisions of ACJL 2022.
Addressing participants drawn from the Police, Nigeria Immigration Service, Ministry of Justice, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Udoye appreciated their pivotal roles to upholding the rule of law, safeguarding human rights, and fostering public confidence in our justice system.
* It was a glowing moment at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral, Awka as the Young Catholic Students of Nigeria, YCSN, Awka diocese, in conjunction with Angelic Voices Foundation, AVF presented a Carol of Nine Lessons to mark her annual day celebration with the Bishop and the Bishop’s Carol.
The ceremony which had the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Awka, Most. Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, as the chief host, began with a Holy Mass.
Speaking during the homily, the outspoken Prelate, encouraged the students to be obedient to their parents and teachers even as he charged them to learn how to do some things by themselves without the aid of their parents and teachers.
* The acting Rector of Anambra State Polytechnic (ANSPOLY), Mgbakwu, in Awka North Local Government Area of the State, Dr Njideka Rita Chiekezie, has given lack of Higher National Diploma (HND) status, lack of Medical complex, lack of Legal unit and lack of self-managemrnt as factors behind low patronage of students in the Institution.
Dr. Chiekezie disclosed this to Journalists as part of her opening address at the 3rd edition of the Polytechnic’s International Multi-Disciplinary Conference, held at the School auditorium, recently.
She said the Institution that was upgraded in 2017 from School of Agriculture by then, the administration of governor Willie Obiano is currently running only National Diploma (ND) with interim accreditation of twelve 2-year (ND) courses in four schools or faculties.
According to her, we have not started HND programme and which is why we are painfully witnessing low student intake in our State-owned Polytechnic.
* The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has been called upon to intervene in the continued detention of Frederick Nwajagu.
Okechukwu Nwanguma, a human rights activist, said it was unjust to continue to detain Nwajagu for close to two years, whereas those who provoked Nwajagu’s response were still free.
The detainee had while reacting to threats by some Lagos Youths against Igbo people living in Lagos, said that he might be forced to bring the separatist group, Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, to Lagos, to protect Ndigbo. This had led to his arrest and detention for close to two years now.
* Frontline governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Sir Paul Chukwuma, has expressed dismay with the effect of what he termed the High Regime of Taxation imposed on the people of Anambra State by the State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo.
Speaking to newsmen in his country home in Umuleri, Chukwuma said the people of the state did not feel any positive impact from what he described as the Choking Regime of Taxes by the state government.
Chukwuma also said that safety should first be guaranteed for people to come and live and do business in the state, noting that personal income taxes were paid on basis of where people live. He regretted that revenue was being lost because of insecurity in Anambra State.
* To keep alive the legacies laid down by the former Bishop of Awka Diocese, the late Archbishop Albert Kanenechukwu Obiefuna, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor, in collaboration with Awka Diocesan Priest Lecturers organized the maiden Archbishop A.K. Obiefuna memorial lecture.
The lecture themed: “Archbishop A.K. Obiefuna in the Dynamics of Church and Culture”, which recorded in attendance the timber and caliber in and around Nigeria, was held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Awka, Anambra State.
The lecture kicked off with the grand opening of the event by Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor. In his keynote address, the prelate who also doubled as the chief host, highlighted the objectives of organizing the lecture. He said the gathering was to explore the dynamics of the Church and culture in the pastoral engagement of the late Archbishop A.K. Obiefuna.
* A Chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the Umuawulu community, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, High Chief Dr. Azubuike Austin Ekweozor, has launched a mobilization campaign for Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s bid for a second term.
Chief Ekweozor, who spoke to journalists after a meeting with Umuawulu ward party executives and stakeholders, expressed his unwavering support for the governor, highlighting his impressive performance in just two years and eight months in office.
According to Ide Umuawulu, the governor’s accomplishments have far outpaced those of his predecessors, adding that “there is no vacancy” in the Anambra State Government House in 2025.
* The Bishop, Diocese of Aguata, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Rt. Revd Samuel Ezeofor has enjoined fathers to work with wives to bringing up children they can proudly call their own.
Ezeofor said this while admonishing men who stood behind their wives to be ushered into Women Guild of the Church, at St Peter’s Anglican Church, Akpo.
The Prelate said, “By sacrament of baptism, man is admitted into the household of God and saddled with responsibility of preaching and living life of love to humanity and God.
* Police Operatives attached to the 3-3 Divisional Headquarters on Friday arrested Mr. Alfred Bassey, native of Cross River State over a reported case of the sudden death of a 7-year old child at a Construction site along Trans- Nkisi Layout, Onitsha.
Investigation reveals that the 40 years old
father of the victim forcibly took the minor from the mother and has been living with him in an uncompleted building at Trans-Nkisi Layout Onitsha.
According to a press release by SP Tochukwu Ikenga, Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra State Command, on 11th December 2024, the lifeless body of the child was found in a soakaway pit dug in the abandoned uncompleted building after the suspect left the child for an unknown destination.
The body of the child was later recovered and taken to the hospital before he was confirmed dead by a doctor.
Welcome Home of Chief Barr. Ezeokenwa Sly Jr, National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).was held at the APGA secretariat, Anambra State on 13th December, 2024.
