# Anambra State government has advised traders and citizens to stay clear of the Onitsha main market till next Monday.
In a public announcement signed by Anambra Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, noted that the market will reopen for business on Monday, February 2, 2026.
“The closure is due to non-compliance with the government’s directive to end the Monday Sit-at-Home, which costs the state up to N8 billion as part of N19.6 billion in the South East every week, while disrupting work and economic activities, leaving the state haemorrhaging.
“Traders are further warned that if they are not ready to resume trading on Monday, February 2, 2026, and indeed every other Monday, the market will face a one-month closure next Monday.
“The general public is also advised to stay away from the Main Market during this period to avoid any unpleasant encounters with security personnel already deployed to the area.
“Furthermore, all other markets in Anambra State remain open and are expected to operate on Mondays. Any market found closed on Mondays will face a similar closure.
“The government assures traders and citizens alike of maximum security and encourages them to report security breaches to 5111.
# The people of Ndiowu Community in Orumba North Local Government Area have appealed to Governor Chukwuma Soludo to come to their aid by calling for a fresh election into the traditional stool of the community.
They made the appeal during a peaceful protest they staged at the Light House, Awka, where they lamented that an election was conducted without the community’s consent and without carrying them along.
Speaking during the protest, the Chairman of Umudiabo Village, Ndiowu, Mr. Uchenna Iloh, went down memory lane on how they had worked with the Office of the Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in planning the election, but said that at a point, the issue took another turn when the ministry decided to hold the election on the 12th of this month instead of in April when members of the community would come for their annual general meeting.
Mr. Iloh noted that the said election did not hold water because it was marred by many irregularities, beginning from conducting the election outside the community hall and disenfranchising women, as they were restricted from taking part in the election, among others.
Also speaking, another indigene of Ndiowu, Mr. Amechi Okeke, explained that the position of the traditional ruler is rotational, adding that candidates from the village whose turn it was to produce the next traditional ruler were not allowed to take part in the election, and that the person announced as the Igwe-elect is not from the village whose turn it is.
Lending his voice, Vice Chairlady of Ndiowu Women, Mrs. Virginia Orji, said categorically that no election was conducted as far as the women of the community were concerned, recalling that Option A4 has been the only means of election in the community and that women are always part of the process, while calling for an election that would be accepted by all.
# A Group under the auspices of Onitsha South Stakeholders Forum (OSSF) has endorsed the Chairman of Onitsha South Local Government Area (OSLGA), Hon Emeka Orji for a second term.
The Group maintained that the Mayors
achievements within the last two years remain unprecedented compared to his predecessors.
The endorsement was made at the hall of the Onitsha South LGA Secretariat during a get together organized by the Forum to kick start the year.
According to a communique jointly signed by the OSSF Chairman, Chief Linus Nkwubuego, Vice Chairman, Chief Okwudiri Obinwanne, Secretary, Chinedu Ekwealor Esq. and other executives cum subgroup stakeholders on January 26, 2026 at the LG Secretariat, noted that there is no agreed zoning arrangements.
# Anambra State government has called on residents to take advantage of the free emergency medical services available across the state.
The Commissioner for Health in Anambra State, Dr Afam Obidike made the call while speaking to journalists in Awka,
Dr Obidike said the state had recorded significant progress in emergency medical services and overall health system strengthening under the current administration of Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo.
He said since the official commissioning of the Anambra State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (ASEMSAS) in May 2023, the state has experienced measurable improvements in emergency response, access to care, and patient outcomes.
# Anambra State House of Assembly Deputy Majority Leader Dr. Jude Akpua has visited the erosion site in Umugama, Abba community of Njikoka local government area.
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that Hon. Akpua who the lawmaker representing Njikoka two Constituency visited the erosion site to assess the remedial situation following the ongoing re-channelisation, reclamation, and remediation works.
At the site, Dr. Akpua was briefed on how the gully expanded with each rainy season, swallowing homes and farmlands, and forcing many families to flee.
“life became unbearable, as the erosion destroyed road, isolated us from neighbouring communities, and exposed us to constant danger”. the residents lamented.
In his address, Akpua maintained that the erosion, which had reportedly claimed the lives of four persons, destroyed several houses, turned the area into a desolate environment, and washed away a major road linking Njikoka and Dunukofia constituencies, cutting off movement and economic activities between the two areas.
# In a decisive move to uphold the principles of fiscal transparency and grassroots accountability, the Anambra State House of Assembly Committee on Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Community Affairs, led by Hon. Ebuka’ Igwe has officially commenced her constitutionally mandated oversight functions today.
The exercise serves as a vital bridge between legislative planning and executive execution, ensuring that the 2025 budget allocations translate into tangible development for Ndi Anambra at the local level.
The Committee’s review is comprehensive, focusing on the verification of project lifecycles and revenue management. During the session, Local Government Chairmen are required to present exhaustive documentation, including:
# No fewer than 200 residents of Idemili South local government area, have benefitted from Hon. Mrs Amaka Obi’s free medical outreach.
The initiative which was organised by the council secretariat under the leadership of the Mayor, Hon. Mrs Obi is committed in providing accessible and affordable healthcare for her people.
Hon. Obi’s decision to give priority to health is in view of its importance to the lives of the people and it enabled her to reach the largest number of the people at the same time.
She promised to always consolidate the efforts Governor Chukwuma Soludo, at grassroot level especially on infrastructure, health, empowerment, education and environment.
She added that her administration will continue to put smiles on the faces of the patriotic people of idemili South local government area.
# The Chairman of Onitsha South LGA, Hon. Emeka Orji said that he was surprised by the visit of the Onitsha South Stakeholders Forum led by Chief Linus Nkwubuego.
Orji maintained that although holding the office of OSLGA Mayor was not an easy task, but thanked the stakeholders for their support.
The Mayor while speaking after Onitsha South Stakeholders Forum (OSSF) endorsed him for second tenure, said…
“for the fact that the stakeholders have spoken that they will support me to come back for a second term in office, I accept it.
“I grew up in Onitsha South and knew how the system worked but when I traveled to London and came back, I discovered that the system has been messed up. All the government property, open spaces and gardens were gone.
” Few years in office I tried much. I have regained Lands worth over 100 billion naira for Anambra State Government. Most of the recoverd land were used for community development.
“I intend to do more. We the Mayors traveled to Kigali, Ruwanda and came back with ideas which some of us intend to implement.
