* Anambra State government through the Operation Clean And Healthy Anambra, OCHA Brigade’s Yuletide 24/7 taskforce led by the Managing Director of the agency, Comrade Celestine Anere has raided a brothel which is located on the popular Club Road in Awka.
The state government rescued 24 girls being trafficked for prostitution whose ages range from 13 to 27 at the brothel
The victims narrated to the press how they were forced into the work by the manager of the brothel and were locked inside different rooms. They appreciated the state government for setting them free.
* The rich cultural heritage of the ancient kingdom of Ozubulu in Ekwusigo Council Area was brought to display when the traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Fidelis Oruche celebrated his 25th anniversary on the throne and Ofala festival.
During the festival, he inducted new members into Agbalanze Ozubulu, new members into the royal cabinet, and gave other distinguished titles to well-deserving members of the community.
The event held at the Igwe’s palace attracted the creme de la creme of the community and the society at large
Speaking during the event, Governor Chukwuma Soludo represented by the Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Pauly Onyeka, described the event as a means of showcasing the unique cultural heritage of the community and Ndigbo in general and pledged to complete the ongoing Atani-Ozubulu road while announcing that the Eziora water scheme is ready for use.
* The frontline aspirant for Anambra State Governorship, on the platform of the All Progressives Congress- APC, Sir Paul Chukwuma has interfaced with his Primary Election Campaign Council, Youth Coalition and women groups, as he intensifies plans for this year’s governorship election.
Addressing the Council, Sir. Chukwuma thanked members for how far they have come.
Reiterating that there is still more to be done ahead, Chukwuma tasked members to remain focused on the goal which is to rescue Anambra State from the crutches of mediocre leadership.
* The member representing Awka South two constituency and Deputy Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Chukwuma Okoye has advocated regular exercise to maintain healthy body and mind.
Hon. Okoye made the advocacy during the fifth edition of “Amawbia Walk”, geared towards fostering unity, relaxation, and sensitization of people on government programmes and policies.
Speaking at the event, Rt Hon. Okoye explained that parts of the reason for embarking on the yearly exercise is not only for sports but to promote unity and progress of the town, as healthy bodies and minds are the greatest gifts any community and constituency can ever have.
The Deputy Speaker maintained that beyond the physical benefits, the ultimate goal is to foster a sense of community and unity, promote personal discipline, and cultivate a culture of wellness that enriches the lives of all residents of Amawbia and Anambra state.
* Nnobi Community through its town union government, the Nnobi Welfare Organization, N.W.O., has disassociated itself from the seventh Ofala festival of their traditional ruler, Igwe Nick Obi, scheduled to hold Friday, 3rd January 2025, for being in violation of Nnobi town constitution, revised 2011.
Nnobi Welfare Organization made this known through its President General, Barrister Dominic Okpala during a press briefing at the Secretariat of the organization in Nnobi, Idemili South Local Government Area.
According to the town union, on 10th October 2024, she received a letter from the traditional ruler, Igwe Obi informing her that he was going to celebrate his 7th Ofala festival under the 2019 Nnobi Town Constitution which is unknown to her and Nnobi people in general, instead of the 2011 constitution of the town which according to her, is the only operating constitution generally acceptable to Ndi Nnobi, and recognized by the Anambra State Government through a letter it wrote to the community on 13th February, and 4th September 2024.
* OCHA brigade taskforce has raided underground shanties in Awka where suspected hoodlums use as command centre to traffick illicit drugs and for robberies.
The brigade during the raid also uncovered different locally made weapons.
Speaking, Comrade Anere expressed the determination of the command to sanitize the state of all sorts of criminally minded individuals that are bent on making the state ungovernable.
He assured OCHA brigade being an official task force of the state government is always ready to maintain law and order in the state and pointed out that the sealed brothel will remain sealed until all investigations are completed.
* The leading APC aspirant for the 2025 gubernatorial election in Anambra State, Sir Paul Chukwuma has declared year 2025 as Anambra’s year of hope and rebirth.
Delivering a New Year Message under the title, “Hope Rising in Anambra State” signed by Mr. James Eze, Spokesman, Sir Paul Chukwuma Campaign Council, Sir Chukwuma declared that Anambra would recover her lost glory and retake her position as one of the most peaceful, prosperous and prestigious states in Nigeria.
According to him, “2025 is the year of new beginning for Anambra State. It is the year our dear state will rise again to reposses the fulness of its glory and respect among Nigerian states. Anambra shall shrug away its present nightmare of clueless leadership and cast aside the dark clouds of insecurity. Yes, Anambra shall rise again this year,” he declared.
* The Locust Army International Church has held its maiden free medical outreach in Umuchu, Aguata Local Government Area.
Speaking during the exercise, Elder Martin Nwogoh said that the church was established in 1996 in Kano State by an indigene of Umuchu, Reverend Chris Christian, and that since the year 2000, they have been having their national conventions in Umuchu, and in 2014, they introduced a welfare outreach where they give out food items and household equipment to assist the needy, widows and widowers in the society.
According to Elder Nwogoh, they included free medical outreach into their welfare scheme last year to fill the health gaps of indigent people in the society, and they have over 15 medical doctors, about 30 nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists among others, and promised that the church will sustain the free medical outreach for the sake of humanity.
* Governor Chukwuma Soludo has placed a N10 Million bounty on the gunmen who attacked a burial venue in Ihiala on Monday.
Soludo was speaking during a condolence visit to the family of late Bridget Akanma Onuchukwu at Umuike, Ubahuekwem Ihiala, extended his condolences to the families and friends of the deceased over the unfortunate incident, with assurances that the perpetrators of the heinous crime would be brought to book.
Recall that, according to police statement,
signed by SP Tochukwu Ikenga, Police Public Relations Officer Anambra State Command, seven persons, including security operatives lost their lives in the attack.
The gunmen had shot sporadically at a venue where preparations were ongoing for a burial ceremony in the area, shooting at two security operatives at a security observation post close to the Local Government Headquarters while escaping the scene.
* The entire Igwe in-Council, Ndi Nze na Ozo, Azia General Assembly, and Ojuro family of Umudansu village Azia, Ihiala Local government area, have performed the last Ofala Outing of their traditional ruler, Igwe Pius Chikwado Ojuro.
The first son of the deceased and Obi of Umudansu, Dr Ifeanyi Ojuro noted that his father was a great man, full of intelligence yet humble and contented with what he had even as he appreciated all that graced the occasion.
One of the daughters who is also the Executive Chairman of the Post Primary Schools Service Commission, PPSSC, Awka, Professor Nkechi Ikediugwu said that what she treasures most about her father was his peaceful nature and love for education which he employed to push and encourage her to get to the level she is now in the society.
She thanked God for the success of the event, all the members of Azia community for their efforts and officials of PPSSC, and numerous others for gracing the occasion.
