* Professor Chinyere Okunna and the late Beko Ransom-Kuti will be honoured at the 19th Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting (WSAIR) ceremony, scheduled for Monday, December 9, 2024.
The event which will be held at the AGIP Recital Hall, MUSON Centre, Lagos, is
organised by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), serves as the grand finale of the two-day virtual Amplify In-depth Media (AIM) Conference and Awards.
The conference, themed “Media Credibility, Investigative Reporting, and Artificial Intelligence,” will hold on December 8 and 9 from 1:00 p.m. daily on Zoom.
Prof. Okunna, Nigeria’s first female professor of Mass Communication and current Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at Paul University, Awka, will receive the Lifetime Award for Journalistic Excellence.
* In preparation for the upcoming Christmas and New Year festivities, the Anambra State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anambra State Command has launched Tactical Response Hybrid Squad, a specialized unit designed to prevent and respond to potential security threats in the state.
Commandant Maku Olatunde, stated this at the State Command Headquarters Awka on Thursday during his tactical digest with heads of Departments and Units, Area Commanders, Divisional Officers , Heads of formation and Composite Commanders.
According to the Commandant, the newly launched Squad will focus on protecting Critical National, State, and Local Government Assets and Infrastructure, eliminate quacks in private security outfits, stop the activities of illegal miners and prevent illegal dealings in petroleum products.
* Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, ANAN, Anambra State Branch in observance of her annual Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, has donated several wheelchairs to Chinua Achebe International Cargo and Passenger, Airport Umueri and Saint Faith Hospital and Maternity, Awka.
The association led by her National President Dr. James Neminebor, immediate past national president, Reverend Canon Professor Ben Osisioma, Chairman, of Anambra State Branch, Mrs Nkechi Ofoedu among other senior members of the association, made the presentation of the gifts in service to humanity.
The National President, Dr. Neminebor explained that the gesture is what the association does annually to impact the lives of people in their environment as accountants are not only known for debit and credit accounting but as well as environmental accounting saying it is for people, society, and the environment to ensure sustainability.
He expressed belief that the recipients will properly utilize the equipment to promote ANAN and in service to humanity.
* The Anambra Patriots for Soludo (APS) reiterated their support for Governor Chukwuma Soludo and commended his notable achievements during visits to two key government officials on Wednesday, December 4th, 2024.
The APS delegation, led by Chief Damian Enekwechi, visited Dr. Alex Obiogbolu, Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, and Hon. Everest Ubah, Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Market.
Chief Ejiamatu Damian Enekwechi, Chairman of APS, declared the group’s unwavering support for Soludo’s second term.
* Anambra State Multi-Stakeholders Action Committee on Prevention of Gender Based Violence, MAP-GBV, and the state Ministry of Women and Social Welfare have held a street rally as part of activities to mark the sixteen days of activism against gender based violence in the state.
While educating the people, the Commissioner for Women and Social Media, Mrs. Ify Obinabo maintained that all forms of gender based violence such as wife battery, child abuse, rape, depriving widows of their rights, among others, remain criminal offences that are punishable by imprisonment and cautioned against engaging in such acts.
Contributing, the State Coordinator, National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, Mr. Obinna Mmaduforo and the Chairman of the Muslim arm of MAP-GBV, Al Imam Sheriff Olanrewaju said that the 16 days of activism began on 25th November and ends on 10th December on the commemoration of Human Rights Day.
* Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, has expressed Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s commitment towards ensuring that Anambra regains its grip in the entertainment industry, particularly filmmaking and making both an integral part of making Anambra a tourism destination rather than a departure lounge.
Speaking at the ongoing film training session in Anawood Film Village, Awka, when he visited the participants along with the Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr Patrick Agha Mba, and the Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment, and Tourism, Comrade Don Onyenji, Mefor, who maintained that entertainment and filmmaking are integral parts of Soludo’s agenda, observed that the participants are on a mission with both cultural and historical significance as Anambra is losing its grip in the nation’s film industry, which started in the state.
According to the Commissioner: “Your mission is a mission for self-discovery. You need to reposition Anambra in Nollywood. Again, Governor Soludo has a big vision for Anambra State. He is into the real deal, which is what Anambra should be. It’s not what Anambra is, and trying to make it look better. That is palliative governance. He is worried about what Anambra ought to be, and entertainment and filmmaking are integral to it. He is talking about reversing the trend.
* The Anambra State Joint Security Team
on has intercepted armed men sighted on Umuchu- Amesi-Uga Road and recovered one branded blue Hilux vehicle with Plate Number: GDD 440 TJ, a car suspected to have been snatched from an unsuspecting member of the public.
During search conducted in the vehicle, coolers for food preservation were found.
According to a press release by SP Tochukwu Ikenga, PPRO, Anambra State Command, the armed men were trailed after Police operatives resisted an attack on a Police Checkpoint at Ajali, Orumba North Local Government Area.
During the gun duel, one police personnel and one AVG Operative sustained gunshot injuries and are currently responding to treatment in a hospital. Unfortunately, the two operational vehicles belonging to the AVG were caught up in fire and razed down completely.
* The Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment and Tourism Anambra State, Hon. Don Onyenji says more
momentum are been gathered and that the ministry will record more giant strides in terms of project delivery in 2025.
Onyenji while speaking during the budget defense in Awka assured members of Anambra State House of Assembly that the Ministry would fulfil the mandates outlined in the budget, which focuses on developing heritage sites to enhance tourism, noting that it is a major attraction for this government, as leisure promotes longevity.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Culture and Tourism, Hon. Nigeria Mbachu who approved the capital estimates proposed by Onyenji to ensure optimal service delivery, stated that the 8th Assembly is ready to assist all MDA’s through over sight in tackling all challenges.
* Former Super Falcons striker, Maureen Madu went on a protest march to the Anambra State Police Command, demanding compensation for injuries and other damages sustained from alleged police brutality.
But the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the ex-footballer had been told what to do but had chosen to do otherwise.
According to Ikenga, there was no way the Anambra State Police Command would entertain a matter already before the Assistant Inspector General of Police.
* The Managing Director/CEO of Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA), Mr. Tony Odili Ujubuonu, says under his watch, the Agency has witnessed remarkable and monumental development and progress.
The ANSAA boss who stated this during the Launch of the 2025 Branded Vehicle Permit, December 3, stated that it was the first time they were having a formal launch and presentation of an improved version of an asset.
For his part, the Special Asset Manager (Mobile), Mr. Chike Obi, said their target was to key in to the governor’s ambition of making technology a huge part of government business.
Obi said the Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency, ANSAA, adopted its mission statement which was to be a world class technology driven agency delivering effective, innovative and sustainable value to all stakeholders.
