* The Chairman, Post Primary Schools Service Commission (PPSSC), Awka, Prof. Nkechi Ikediugwu has charged Principals of Secondary Schools in Anambra State
not to sabotage the free education policy of Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
Ikediugwu gave the charge during the second term management meeting of 2024/2025 academic session held at Community Secondary School, Awgbu.
In her paper presentation, Ikediugwu enumerated some of the benefits of free education as increased access to education, economic growth, higher productivity, and reduction of student debt, among others.
She stated ways one can sabotage the free education policy to include collection of illegal levies from students, not admitting students who want to go to school, lack of transparency, lack of integrity, wasting the money set aside for free education by organizing unnecessary programmes or projects.
* The Chairman of Njikoka Local Government Area, Hon. Chinedu Ononiba have flagged off the construction of 700 meters road to Abagana Industrial Park, built by Chief Dr. Chris Anyakora.
Barr. Ononiba while speaking, commended Anyakora for giving back to the society. He expressed his delight at the investment, emphasizing its potential to stimulate economic growth and development in Njikoka.
The Mayor also seized the opportunity to appeal to Njikoka stakeholders globally to bring their investment and philanthropic gestures back home, highlighting the importance of community involvement in driving development.
* The immediate past member that represented Anambra East Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Pharmacist Obinna Emeneka says that Governor Chukwuma Soludo is diligently fulfilling all his campaign promises to Ndi Anambra without much funfair.
Reacting to the recent signing into law of the State Homeland Security bill and the launching of Operation Udo Ga Achi in the State, Emeneka noted that the double events were a step in the right direction, and that it would further boost the confidence of Ndi Anambra and other investors to start rushing to the State for investments.
According to the former House of Assembly Committee Chairman on Finance and Appropriation, Ndi Anambra and other residents of the State should support the government in ensuring that the State is rid of all forms of crimes and criminality by saying something, anytime they see something as security of lives and property is everybody’s business.
* Governor Chukwuma Soludo has extended his warmest felicitations to the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Aguleri, Most Rev. Dr. Dennis Chidi Isizoh on the occasion of his 69th birthday anniversary.
Soludo, in a congratulatory message,
signed by Mr. Christian Aburime, Press Secretary to the Governor, described the cleric as an outstanding man of God and a selfless Nigerian with a passion for the growth and development of the gospel.
The Governor acknowledged the robust contributions of the Bishop to state-building, his community, and the church. While urging Bishop Isizoh to sustain his good deeds, Soludo similarly described the bishop as a strong advocate of peace and unity.
* Dr. Odogwu Emeka Odogwu has been returned re-elected as the Chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalist, NUJ, Anambra State Council in an election held on Friday at the Godwin Ezemo International Press Center, Awka.
Dr. Odogwu polled 173 votes to defeat his opponent, Comrade Ngozi Obileri who got 40 votes cast. Also, Mr. Chibuzo Obidike of Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) Chapel of the Union who was elected Treasurer, polled 168 votes to defeat the incumbent, Comrade Ogemdi Ozoemena, who got 45 votes cast.
Other elected NUJ executives include, Dr Okey Onuegbu (Secretary), Mrs Chinyere Ogbuagu (Assistant Secretary) and Financial Secretary, Comrade Grace Onwukwe were returned unopposed.
According to the Chairman, Credentials Commitee, Dr. Stanley Onunkwo, over 250 voters out of over 300 expected voters voted in the election.
* A business Executive Chief Jonathan Nzekwe has described Professor Chukwuma Soludo as a Governor who has the interest and welfare of Ndi Anambra at heart.
Speaking on the launch of Operation udo ga achi security initiative by Governor Chukwuma Soludo at the international convention center in Awka, Chief Nzekwe described the initiative which saw the emergence of Agunaechemba security outfit, expressed the hope that the move will bring about improved security of lives and property in addition to restoring the confidence of investors and by so doing, boost businesses.
Chief Nzekwe while commending the Soludo administration for all its developmental exploits in Anambra state, especially Awka the State capital called on Ndi Anambra to continue with their support to Governor Chukwuma Soludo to ensure his re-election in the November 8 Gubernatorial election in Anambra State.
* A clash between police, anti-touting operatives, and alleged touts at Head Bridge, Onitsha, resulted in chaos, leaving one person dead.
The incident unfolded during a special enforcement operation by the anti-touting unit to enforce Anambra State’s ban on motorcycles and vehicles loitering around Head Bridge, Upper Iweka, and Ochanja.
The operation, aimed at curbing criminal activities and ensuring public safety, uncovered a group of touts allegedly extorting money from motorcycle riders attempting to pass through the Head Bridge.
According to reports, the touts, who were reportedly sanctioned by certain police officers to collect illegal levies from motorcycle operators, resisted the anti-touting team’s intervention. An altercation escalated into a violent clash, resulting in the death of one person.
* The chances of Hon Pascal Agbodike to replace the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah in Anambra south senatorial bye election has been ruled out by INEC.
This was contained in an advice issued today, by the Chairman of INEC during a consultative meeting with the chairmen of the 18 political parties.
The INEC pleaded with political parties to start fielding fresh candidates for bye-elections into State and federal legislative positions.
According to Mahmood Yakubu, there were situations where the bye-elections in one senatorial district was won by a member of the House of Representatives from the same district, thereby creating another vacancy.
* Anambra State Government says the State Education system is in line with National Education Policy as domesticated by the State Ministry of Education, but payment of fees is determined by proprietors of various schools.
Anambra State Commissioner for Education, Professor Ngozi Chuma-Udeh who stated this in her office in Awka, also said that the ministry has quality assurance oversight over primary and secondary schools run by private individuals as well as missions.
She likened private schools to private enterprises where the ministry cannot wade into their school fees, uniforms, and other appurtenances, saying that Governor Chukwuma Soludo has made it possible for every child in Anambra to be educated by making public schools free.
Professor Chuma-Udeh explained that if a parent decides to take his child to private school, it is left for such parent to abide by the fees as prescribed by the school but government can only caution against excesses in the high sale of textbooks.
* A spiritualist and promoter of African culture and tradition, Chief Dr Ramas Okoye-Asuzu has called on Anambra State governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo to stop security in his convoy from wearing facemasks.
Okoye-Asuzu, who stated this in a press conference at his country-home, Nri, Anaocha Local Government Area (LGA), Anambra State, argued that it would assist in reducing cases where security apparatus wearing facemasks could easily be identified if they involve in illegalities.
According to the philanthropist, not wearing facemasks would equally enable them to be transparent in their dealings, as well as promote peace and safety of lives and properties.
The Traditional healer while praising governor Chukwuma Soludo for the various infrastructural development projects ongoing under his tenure and recently launched operation udo gá achị (peace shall prevail).
