# Anambra State Chief Judge, Justice Onochie Anyachebelu, has assured a defence counsel, Chris Nweke, that the motion for the bail of his client, 31-year-old Chidera Ateli, who is standing trial over alleged kidnapping, will be heard on the next adjourned date, 28 January 2026, and ordered that the matter continue at the regular court.
When the matter was called up during the Chief Judge’s annual jail delivery exercise at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Nnewi, the defence lawyer informed Justice Anyachebelu that the matter has been in court since 2022, and that the motion for the bail of the defendant was not heard at the regular court since June 2023 because the trial Judge said he had fallen victim to kidnappers, and that kidnapping is a serious case.
Since the matters are progressing in court, Justice Anyachebelu also ordered continuation at the regular court in the case of 45-year-old Ejike Anyika, who has spent nearly ten years in custody over alleged murder, and that of 22-year-old Miracle Obimalu, who is standing trial for allegedly assaulting his grandparents unlawfully and stealing their articles of merchandise valued at over seven million naira.
He expressed willingness to embark on the “prison visit” twice a year, and wished the inmates and officials at the facility a happy Christmas celebration.
# Stakeholders in Anambra’s health sector have called for increased sensitization and collaboration with Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) to strengthen primary healthcare service delivery and help reduce maternal and infant deaths across the state.
The call was made during a town hall meeting in Awka, organized by implementing partners of the Strengthening Public Accountability for Result and Knowledge (SPARK 2) project.
In her speech, Executive Director of the Social and Integral Development Centre (SIDEC), and IBP COMEN Consultant, Mrs. Ugochi Ehiahuruike, said the engagement aims to deepen TBAs’ understanding of when to refer patients to trained medical personnel and higher-level facilities such as teaching hospitals.
According to Ehiahuruike, building a structured link between TBAs and PHCs will promote coordinated meetings, training, and stronger maternal healthcare outcomes.
# Anambra Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ifeanyi Okoma, says the state government has achieved 70 percent completion of the over 850 kilometres of roads awarded under Governor Chukwuma Soludo administration.
Engr. Okoma disclosed this shortly after the bilateral discussions and 2026 budget defense of the Ministry of Works.
According to the commissioner, a total allocation of ₦352.512 billion has been approved for the ministry under capital expenditure, while ₦37,823,579.04 has been earmarked for recurrent expenditure.
Engr. Okeoma noted that the 2026 fiscal year will place greater emphasis on the Anambra Mixed Industrial City, five-star hotels, and other strategic infrastructural projects aimed at boosting economic growth.
He affirmed that the ministry is “on all nozzles” to ensure rapid infrastructure development across the state, adding that the Lighthouse and Fun City projects have already been completed and have attracted over 200,000 visitors.
The commissioner further stated that the ongoing beltway (dual carriageway) will significantly reshape Anambra’s physical landscape and open more corridors for development.
# COMEN Chairman, Ide Godwin Eze, has emphasized the value TBAs bring to maternal healthcare at the community level, describing them as skilled and often naturally gifted.
Eze made the call during a town hall meeting in Awka, organized by implementing partners of the Strengthening Public Accountability for Result and Knowledge (SPARK 2) project.
Eze however noted that lack of trust and fear of perceived harassment has pushed many of them into operating informally. He agreed that integrating TBAs will require re-orientation, confidence-building, and ongoing engagement.
# It was a historic gathering in Awka as the Coordinators Forum of the National Youth Council of Nigeria Anambra State Chapter (NYCN) 2018 set held a special get-together, during which they empowered two of their members with the sum of two million naira and reaffirmed their total support to the leadership of Amb Surv Emeka Obi as the current Chairman, NYCN Anambra State Chapter.
The event, which attracted key youth leaders and stakeholders, reflected the forum’s continuous commitment to unity, empowerment, and the collective progress of its members, even years after their official service.
The programme witnessed the presence of the State Chairman of NYCN, Surv Emeka Obi; Dr. Nwabufo Nwankwo (Dike Ora), Hon Echezona Anazodo, Mayor of Nnewi North who is also a member of the forum; alongside other coordinators and distinguished guests.
In his remarks, Surv. Emeka Obi formally appreciated the forum for exemplifying the true values of the National Youth Council of Nigeria through unity, empowerment, and active engagement.
He described their initiative as a shining example of purposeful leadership and prayed for the continuous growth and success of the union in all its endeavours.
# A Celebrated Retired Professor Of Banking, Finance And Economic Development Studies, Steve Ibenta has advocated youth Investment in education, skills, technology and entrepreneurship to enhance the nation’s socio- economic development.
The call was made at the valedictory ceremony/Ex-Augural Lecture and Festschrift presentation by Professor Ibenta at the ASUU Secretariat Awka.
According to the academic, the politics of neglect manifested in underfunded universities,brain drain and weak job creation policies undermines this demographic advantage.
He proposed that government’s and monetary authorities should strategically drive wealth creation and improve the quality of life for its people.
# The Director, Justice Development and Peace Caritas, JDPC Nnewi, Rev. Fr. Ben Okolo, has described TBAs as essential partners in the fight against maternal mortality.
Fr. Okolo while speaking during a town hall meeting in Awka, organized by implementing partners of the Strengthening Public Accountability for Result and Knowledge (SPARK 2) project,
urged government to formally recognize their services and include them in health planning.
“We are here to listen, to understand your challenges, so we can find solutions together,” he said.
# The 2025 Batch C Stream one Cultural Carnival of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Anambra State reached its peak on Saturday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe NYSC Unity Permanent Orientation Camp Umuawulu/ Mbaukwu with a strong message from Governor Chukwuma Soludo, urging corps members to remain proud custodians of Nigeria’s cultural heritage.
Represented by the Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, Hon. Don Onyenji, the Governor praised the corps members for their colourful displays, noting that their performances reaffirmed the State’s belief that the nation’s cultural identity is in capable hands.
Governor Soludo, through his representative, assured the corps members of the State’s goodwill and recognition, saying that Anambra is fully aware of their presence and contributions to community development. He described Anambra as “a light of the nation and a home of hospitality,” reaffirming the government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for youth engagement, unity, and cultural advancement.
