* The International Federation of Women Lawyers, (FIDA), has restated its commitment towards defending the defenseless in the society at no cost.
The Anambra Chapter of the association made this known when they visited the Managing Director of Anambra Broadcasting Service, (ABS), Mr. Christopher Molokwu at the Corporate Headquarters of the station in Awka.
The Anambra State FIDA Chairperson, Barrister Amara Muojeke while stating that the Federation is a non-governmental organization of female lawyers that work to promote the rights of women and children, said people especially women and children that are being oppressed in the society can reach out to them and enjoy their pro bono services and get deserved justice.
Barrister Muojeke appealed for the collaboration between the association and ABS to enable them reach out to the masses to educate them on their rights as human beings, acknowledging that ABS is now reformed and can now measure up with counterparts across the globe.
Responding, Mr Molokwu commended the group for their charity work to the society, even as he assured them of a partnership with ABS.
* Piqued by the tanker explosion which claimed many lives at the Ugwu Onyeama axis of Enugu/Onitsha Expressway, the Federal Ministry of Works is to demand that MTN to pay contractors on the project a minimum of N15 billion every month for the next 10 months towards fast tracking the completion of the road.
Failing to abide with the arrangement, the Ministry might consider initiating termination process of the project.
This was part of resolutions reached during a courtesy call on Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, by a delegation from the Anambra and Enugu caucus of the 10th National Assembly who came to seek the Federal Government’s intervention on the completion of the construction of Enugu/ Onitsha Expressway, being handled by RCC Ltd and funded by MTN under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme.
According to a statement issued on Saturday Uchenna Orji, media aide to the minister, it was further resolved that MTN would need three contractors to do the 79 kilometers within the original contract sum of N202 billion.
* Chaos erupted at a tipper garage in Oba, Anambra State, when a violent encounter between tipper drivers and members of the Special Anti-Touting Squad (SASA) resulted in the tragic death of its officers.
The incident, described by witnesses as a deliberate and coordinated attack by the drivers, has left the community in shock.
According to Karen James, SASA’s spokesperson, the squad had entered the notorious garage in Oba for an enforcement operation.
The area is reportedly a hub for criminal activities, including armed robbery, drug dealings, and other illicit operations.
* A delegation from “APGA Solidarity” has paid a courtesy visit to the Managing Director of the Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS), Mr. Chris Molokwu, at the headquarters in Awka.
Led by its National Convener, Hon. Ebele Okafor, the group reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and strengthening collaboration with ABS in promoting good governance and accurate information dissemination.
Hon. Okafor commended ABS for its professionalism and dedication to balanced reporting, stressing the importance of a strong media partnership in advancing Anambra State’s development agenda.
He also praised Mr. Molokwu for his exceptional leadership and contributions to the media sector, highlighting his efforts in ensuring quality broadcasting and promoting transparency across all sectors in the state.
* APGA Senatorial Aspirant for Anambra South Senatorial Zone. Chief Dr. Ebuka Onunkwo has charged the National Union of Anambra State Students (NUASS) to shun the “get rich quick” syndrome.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the new executive at Nnamdi Azikiwe Auditorium, Onunkwo, represented by Hon. Kamen Chuks, emphasized the importance of hard work, integrity, and resourcefulness.
He encouraged the students to stay positive, prayerful, and focused on their goals, warning them against the dangers of quick fixes and shortcuts.
* Johnbosco Eze from St Michaels Model Comprehensive Secondary School, Nimo in Njikoka Local Government Area has emerged the winner in the secondary schools category of the 2024 edition of Joe Anatune Memorial Essay Competition.
Master Eze went home with a cash prize of N200,000.
The annual essay competition organized by Mrs Ify Anatune, widow of the advertising doyen, Joe Anatune, was aimed at encouraging young people to read and write in order to be better future leaders.
Esther Edochie and Mmaduabuchi Uba came second and third positions respectively, receiving N150,000 and N100, 000.
* Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo has declared his intention to contest for the governorship position of Anambra State.
Okonkwo in his country home in Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area, revealed that he will be contesting under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking after inaugurated his campaign council, comprising of people from all the 21 local government areas, Okonkwo said the gospel of Jesus Christ started with just a few people, but the people who stood with him believed in his teaching and his teaching started spreading.
The businessman from Anambra Central Senatorial Zone told his supporters that some people are already jittery because of his entry into the contest, and very soon, those who are afraid will begin an orchestrated campaign for zoning, and the target will be to discredit him with the intention of favouring aspirants from Anambra South Senatorial Zone.
* The Anambra State Traffic Agency (ACTA) has stormed Aroma Junction, chasing away beggars and hawkers who had converted the area into a makeshift market.
Eyewitnesses reported that the ACTA team, accompanied by security personnel, arrived at the junction around 10:45 am and began clearing the area of all unauthorized activities.
One eyewitness described the scene as “like a war zone,” with ACTA officials shouting and chasing people away, smashing goods and destroying makeshift sheds.
The operation, which lasted only a few minutes, resulted in the destruction of goods worth thousands of naira.
* Stakeholders of Aguleri town in Anambra East Local Government Area has pleaded with youths of the community to embrace cordial relationship with Anam and assuring the Anambra State Government that they will maintain peace and harmony.
The Presidents General, Traditional Rulers, Heads of villages and kindreds of the area, and other opinion leaders in the community, stated this during a press briefing held in the community.
In their separate speeches, the Presidents General of Aguleri and Eziaguluotu Aguleri, Barr. Ifeanyi Iloakasia and Mr. Ignatius Nwabude stated that Aguleri community values the sanctity of human lives and as such will never encourage or indulge in any war that will deprive them of the development initiatives of the Governor Chukwuma Soludo administration.
They urged youths of the town to accommodate one another and go about their businesses without while extolling the security agencies for their tireless effort to arrest the ugly incident of Saturday January 25, 2025.
They assured that going forward such incidents will never repeat itself as the community is keen on attracting investors to the area.
* A deadly clash erupted in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area, as armed youths from the community launched an attack on Anambra State Special Anti-Touting Squad (SASA)
members, leading to multiple fatalities and injuries.
The incident reportedly followed a confrontation involving tipper drivers and Sasa operatives.
The spokesperson for SASA, Karen James, confirmed that investigations into the incident are ongoing. “All those involved in this matter will be brought to book,” she assured.
