# The people of Omogho community in Orumba North LGA have protested against destruction of their agricultural produce and other properties at the ongoing construction of aerotropolis comprising second airport and industrial park.
The protesters who hail from Iwolo, Umunaba and Ugwuoji villages in Omogho lamented that they were neither notified nor allowed to harvest their produce before over twenty two tractors invaded their four thousand hectares of lands, destroying over two thousand palm trees, one thousand rice value chain, cassava farms, yams, cocoyams and others.
The Chairman of Iwolo village, Mr Somadina Umeh, who led the protesters around the villages and construction site, alleged that since January eight, twenty twenty-six when the contractors gained undue access to their lands they had not been allowed to draw closer to the place or harvest any of their farm produce.
According to Umeh, the most painful aspect of it was that the contractors could not produce the boundary for the proposed airport but kept on marking even some of their family houses for demolition.
# Anambra Civil Society Network (ACSoNeT), a foremost Citizen advocacy group has expressed concern over the growing tension in Onitsha following the protest by sand miners and tipper drivers over the confiscation of equipment, impoundment of vehicles, and arrests allegedly carried out by the OCHA Brigade without the involvement of the police and other relevant regulatory bodies.
Chairman, Prince Chris Azor in a statement said the group is particularly worried over breakdown of coordination among government institutions, stressing that regulation necessary to protect public infrastructure and environment must be carried out with transparency, due process, and respect for lawful operators.
He however called for urgent intervention of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, including convening a dialogue for the concerned parties as well as relevant State and Federal Agencies.
He said such convening will help to resolve the issues, clarify mandates and agree on fair and lawful operational processes.
# Umumbo Kingdom in Ayamelum LGA, conferred a chieftaincy title on Former Anambra Commissioner Sir Uchenna Okafor during the 2nd Ofala Festival of His Royal Highness, Igwe Ikechukwu Simeon Chidubem (JP).
Hon. Okafor was honoured with the title Obataobie of Umumbo Kingdom in recognition of his contributions to community development, public service, and his longstanding relationship with the people of Umumbo.
Speaking during the conferment, Igwe Chidubem said the honour was bestowed on Hon. Okafor in view of his notable developmental contributions to the community and his service to the state. He highlighted Okafor’s tenure as Commissioner for Transport and Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Industry in Anambra State, as well as his support for Rt. Hon. Gabriel Onyenweife during his representation of Oyi/Ayamelum Federal Constituency at the National Assembly.
In his response, Hon. Okafor expressed gratitude to the traditional ruler and the people of Umumbo for the honour, describing it as a call to greater responsibility and service.
He pledged continued support for initiatives aimed at promoting development, unity, and progress in Umumbo, Oyi/Ayamelum Federal Constituency, and Anambra State at large.
# Anambra State House of Assembly Committee on Works and Infrastructure has called on the contractor handling Ekwuloba–Uga dual carriage road project to urgently provide a lasting solution to the gully erosion menace at the premises of Aguata High School, Ekwuloba.
The Committee made the call during an oversight visit to the erosion site located between Ekwuloba and Oko communities in Aguata Local Government Area.
The Chairman House Committee on Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Emma Nwafor, said the Committee was on site to assess the major discharge points along the Ekwuloba–Uga section of the dual carriage road and described the terminal point of the discharge as devastating, noting that the volume of water had already caused cracks and environmental damage in the area.
Also Speaking, the lawmaker representing Aguata One Constituency, Dr. Tony Muobike, explained that the gully erosion, which had remained inactive for several years, was reactivated by heavy water discharge from the ongoing road construction.
In response, the Project Manager, Engr. Ken Omomufo, explained that the company has written to the Ministry of Works and that consultations are ongoing on how to resolve the problem, noting that the situation is technically challenging due to the absence of a nearby river to channel the discharge.
# It was a tragic scene at the Idemili Bridge, Oba, as a speeding truck reportedly lost control and crashed, resulting to the death of one task force personnel and leaving two others injured.
The fatal crash, it was gathered, occurred as a task force officer, whose identity has yet to be officially disclosed, was attempting to stop the truck along the busy axis. The truck, according to reports, veered off and crashed, while its container fell off and plunged into the Idemili River.
This was corroborated by videos from the scene currently trending on social media showing the crashed truck on the bridge, with the container partly submerged in the Idemili River, as eyewitnesses, sympathizers and spectators bemoaned the incident.
According to eyewitness account and a voiceover accompanying the video, the driver of the truck and his conductor fled the scene immediately the crash occurred.
# Civil society organisations and media stakeholders under the aegis of the CSOs/Media Accountability and Anti-corruption Initiative (CMAAI) have commended the Anambra State House of Assembly for passing the Public Complaints, Financial Crimes and Anti-Corruption Commission Bill.
The stakeholders described it as a landmark step toward strengthening accountability in the state.
In a statement signed by the Co-ordinator of CMAAI, Ugochi Freeman, and the Deputy Co-ordinator, Alfred Ajayi, the group said the passage of the bill marked the culmination of sustained advocacy efforts aimed at establishing a credible institutional framework to combat corruption and address public grievances in Anambra State.
The proposed legislation, when signed into law by Governor Chukwuma Soludo, will establish a state agency empowered to prosecute financial crimes, investigate corrupt practices, and address complaints of administrative injustice.
# The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor through the Justice, Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC), Awka Diocese in collaboration with the Help For All (HIFA) Initiative, Austria, a Non-Governmental Organization paid the tuition fees of 84 poor and Indigent students across all denominations in Anambra State, totalling twelve million six Hundred thousand Naira.
Declaring the cheques presentation open, during the weekend, at St Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral, Awka, Bishop Ezeokafor exhorted the beneficiaries to work harder in their academic pursuit, saying that the only meaningful and fastest way they can achieve greatness and attained their full potentials was through access to quality education,
Ezeokafor urged them to be focused and resolute in their quest for a better and a greater future, emphasizing that without education they may not get to that height they so desired, adding that only the hardworking students would continue to enjoy the tuition fees payment package while the unserious ones would no longer take part in it.
The Prelate who was represented by the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Charles Ndubuisi accompanied by the Education Secretary of Catholic Diocese of Awka, Rev. Fr. Maximus Okonkwo charged the students to take their studies seriously and guard against distractions and anything that would deny them the opportunity of enjoying the largesse as well as losing track and focus.
# Ahead of the upcoming Anambra local government election, Ifitedunu community in Dunukofia LGA, unanimously endorsed the Mayor, Bar.Chijioke Ozumba, for a second term in office,
The community describing the
administration of the local government Chairman, as purposeful, inclusive, and development-driven.
The endorsement took place during a well-attended stakeholders’ meeting of the community, where community leaders, party executives, and village representatives openly declared their support for continuity.
Ndi Ifitedunu also donated the sum of Five Million Naira (₦5,000,000) in support of Ozumba’s re-election bid.
