# The ‘Anambra State Indigenous Medicine and Herbal Practictioners’ has held its 2025 workshop titled “Enhancing Standards and Professionalism in Indigenous Medicine and Herbal Practice.”
The event, which was held in Awka, was a one-day capacity workshop for practitioners in Anambra and attracted members of the association from the twenty-one local government areas of the state.
Speaking during the event, the progenitor of “Ozioma Odinani” in Anambra Broadcasting Service, Mr. Dike Ugboaja, said that most Igbo communities are desecrating Igbo deities, especially the Church, and appealed to the state government to understand that insecurity in the state is largely caused by the desecration of Igbo deities, even as he made it clear that some native doctors have turned deities into commercial business centres.
Chief Solomon Emencheta, in his lecture, warned native doctors and traditional medicine practitioners to stop what he termed the “know-it-all syndrome” born out of greed, which he said is killing the profession, noting that traditional medicine practitioners are different from those who are entrusted with deities in Igbo communities.
# The Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Hon. Afam Obidike, has commended the ongoing Free Surgical Outreach at Umueri General Hospital, describing it as a significant boost to community healthcare in Anambra East Local Government Area.
The commissioner made the remarks during a visit to the facility, where he was received by the Mayor of Anambra East, Hon. Sir Ifeanyi Chinweze.
Dr. Obidike said the programme has brought timely relief to residents battling medical conditions such as hernias and hydroceles, noting that many patients had lived with their ailments for 6 to 10 years but could not afford surgery due to costs ranging between ₦150,000 and ₦500,000. He praised the mayor and his wife for sponsoring the outreach, stressing that the initiative aligns with the state government’s plan to deliver accessible and life-saving healthcare across communities.
# The annual ‘Okpa Fiesta’ has held for the fourth year in a row, with much fun-fare observed among participants who came from within Awka and other towns in Anambra State to enjoy the ‘Okpa’ delicacy alongside garri with coconut, groundnut and sugar.
The event, which held at the Anambra Broadcasting Service, ABS corporate headquarters, Aroma Awka, had multinational companies and brands such as MTN, Indomie Noodles, Malta Guinness Drink and a host of others as part of the event, with many side attractions.
‘Okpa Fiesta’ host, Lucia Enahoro, expressed happiness for the fourth edition of the event, explaining that the satisfaction of participants keeps her motivated to be consistent, while promoting and celebrating the Igbo delicacy, ‘Okpa,’ and using the medium to appreciate all, including the event sponsors, promising that next year would be greater.
# Operatives of the Anambra State Police Command have successfully foiled a planned cult clash in Enugwu Ukwu, Njikoka LGA of the state, during which they also arrested two suspected cultists and the recovered a firearm and live ammunition.
The development was disclosed in a press statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Ikenga Tochukwu at the weekend.
According to the police spokesperson, the operatives, who are attached to the Special Anti-Cult Squad (SPACS) Enugwu Ukwu, acted on actionable intelligence received regarding the gathering of a dangerous cult group for a planned rivalry fight in the early hours of Wednesday, December 4, 2025.
SP Ikenga explained that following the intelligence report, the operatives swiftly mobilized to the scene and arrested two suspects identified as Oluebube Ifediorah, male, aged 21 years, and Offorbuike Emmanuel, male, aged 25 years.
# The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Bar. Sly Ezeokenwa chaired the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the Congregation of the Brothers of St. Stephen (1975-2025), held at the Brothers of St. Stephen’s Independent Station, Nkwelle Ezunaka, Oyi LGA, Anambra State.
The historic event, which marked the Congregation’s 50th anniversary as well as the Silver Jubilee and Final Profession of some Rev. Brothers, began with a Pontifical Holy Mass presided over by His Eminence Francis Cardinal Arinze and attended by the Papal Nuncio to Nigeria, His Grace, Most Rev Michael Francis Crotty.
During the Mass, several Rev. Brothers made their perpetual vows and final profession in a deeply moving ceremony that drew applause and prayers from the congregation.
In his remarks, Ezeokenwa congratulated the Congregation on attaining this remarkable milestone, describing the Brothers of St. Stephen as a shining example of selfless service, education, and moral formation in Anambra State and beyond. He commended their decades-long commitment to the spiritual and human development of the people, particularly the youth, noting that their mission aligns perfectly with APGA’s guiding philosophy.
# Thirty-one young Anambra innovators have been identified, trained and financially supported by the Mastercard Foundation in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), through its Young Africa Innovates Programme platform.
Speaking at the event, which featured a series of presentations on innovative projects developed by the thirty-one young innovators, the Project Manager, Young Africa Innovates Programme of UNDP, Lady Ifeyinwa Egwaoje, said that the thirty-one were selected to be trained in the state out of the initial one thousand three hundred applicants, and explained that the Young Africa Innovates Programme is a partnership between the Mastercard Foundation and the United Nations Development Programme aimed at discovering, building and providing opportunities for young marginalized innovators who are eager to solve societal problems with the aid of technology.
She reemphasized UNDP’s commitment to helping nations achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, eradicate poverty and reduce inequalities, pointing out that achieving the future everyone dreams of cannot be done through traditional methods alone, as it requires disruption, innovation and the fearless, boundless energy of young people.
On her part, the South East Focal Person for the United Nations Development Programme, Lady Wetalu Okosi, noted that the Young Africa Innovates Programme, which is meant to support youth innovation and build the ecosystem, provides the platform, resources and needed support to enable the young innovators to create change within their communities.
Lady Okosi called for more support from the government in providing an enabling environment where young people will be able to develop solutions, innovate and contribute to the socioeconomic development of their society.
# Barely one week after a fire outbreak destroyed Ngobros and Company factory in Nnewi, the Nnewi North LGA Chairman, Hon. Echezona Anazodo, has procured a fully fitted fire truck for the LGA to aid with fire fighting in the commercial city.
Hon. Anazodo, who has taken delivery of the fire truck, according to a press statement by his media office, revealed that he was the first local government chairman in Anambra State to have procured a fire truck for his LGA.
Meanwhile, the cause of the fire outbreak at the Ngobros Industry in Nnewi, which left the multi-million dollar company destroyed, is still unclear. However, as the dry season intensifies, it is advised that people generally take precautions with inflammables.
Ngobros and Company industry in Nnewi is the maker of Babymate diapers, with several hundred people in direct and indirect employment.
# Anambra Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu has commended his men who successfully foiled a planned cult clash in Enugwu Ukwu, Njikoka LGA of the state, during which they also arrested two suspected cultists and the recovered a firearm and live ammunition.
The Police boss hailed the operatives for their swift response and professionalism in preventing what could have led to loss of lives and destruction of property.
The CP once again urged residents of the state to continue providing timely and credible information to the police to aid in the fight against cultism and all forms of criminality across the state.
The suspects, according to police authorities, are currently in custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
