* Governor Chukwuma Soludo has continued calls for innovative funding solutions for infrastructure projects across the state.
Soludo who was speaking at the commissioning ceremony of the 2.89km road built by Chief Bryan Ofoegbu in Ozubulu, noted that his administration’s Public-Private-Community-Partnership, PPCP model is the way to go in the short term.
The Governor hinted that 99% of funds that can be used to develop the state are in private hands, saying that the road is not just a path but a symbol of what can be achieved with unity of efforts, leveraging the strengths of the private sector alongside the commitment of communities and government. He called on the people to key into the PPCP model of development.
In his remark, Chief Ofoegbu expressed optimism that the road will be beneficial to members of his community.
* Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has said government would begin to sanction some real estate companies who are engaging in the sale of land without development.
The Governor stated this in an event organized by Reapfold Properties, a real estate company in the state. Represented by the Commissioner for Housing, Mr Pauly Onyeka, Soludo said many of such companies would be delisted.
He said: ‘Soludo is working hard to limit housing deficit in Anambra State, and we are hoping that real estate companies will complement his efforts and not sabotage it.
* Amawbia Town Union (ATU) in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State has elected new executives.
Comrade Chukwuka Odomudu emerged as the newly elected President General of Amawbia. He was declared the winner after defeating his two rivals in a keenly contested election with 371 votes, Mr. Patrick Anayo came second with 302 votes while Mr. Udoka Ifimenuba came third with 47 votes respectively.
Other members of the newly elected executive include, Mr. Emeka Nworah, Deputy President General, Mr. Anayo Aniekwe, Treasurer General and three Auditors; Mr. Chukwuma Onyawuna, Mr. Orji Ginika Chukwu and Mr. Nzube Menuba.
* The Traditional Ruler of Ufuma in Orumba North local government area, Igwe Chika Uchime has installed Dr Obinna Onyekwena as the “Enebu of Ezegu/Umuenebu” in recognition of his selfless services to humanity.
Dr Onyekwena was given the title during the celebration of “Oriri ngwucha aho uvume” which held at the Ufuma campus of Federal Polytechnic, Oko.
Speaking while installing Dr. Onyekwena as the Enebu of Umuenebu, the monarch described him as the pride of Ufuma community and his village as he has contributed to the development of the community and performed exceedingly well in the medical profession.
Igwe Uchime also thanked God for ushering the people of Ufuma into 2025 and prayed for his continuous blessings upon the community.
* The Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA) has attributed the non-enrollment of some Anambra citizens into the state’s health insurance scheme to the religious beliefs they hold.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency, Dr Simeon Onyemaechi, stated this on during the launch of ASHIA strategic health development plan for 2025 to 2029.
Onyemaechi said currently the scheme was doing well and had over 223,900 enrollees under its insurance scheme; while over 80 percent of its enrollees regularly renewed their subscriptions with them.
He said while the agency was working to ensure that every household in the state was enrolled in the scheme, it was hard to get people to subscribe because many would simply say it was not their portion to fall sick, and as such, could not pay for hospital bills as if they prayed to get ill.
* Former Super Falcons Midfielder, Maureen Mmadu has called on parents to support their daughters endowed with football talent to actualise their ambitions for the benefit of the country.
The Ex-Internationale made the call during Umuawulu All Stars Football Club’s annual reunion game at St. Mark’s Anglican church field, Umuawulu in Awka South local government area.
The ex-Super Falcons star regretted that many youths gifted in sports, especially girls could not make it in football due to lack of support from their parents and commended Umuawulu All Stars for uniting all quarters in the community through the event, which she said will serve as a source of inspiration to upcoming stars in the area.
* An Anglican cleric, the Ven Prince Chuma Oranye, has commended the Governor of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, for his ongoing infrastructural projects in Awka, the state capital.
The Anglican cleric made the commendation while delivering a sermon during an annual thanksgiving and investiture of patrons and patronesses of the APGA Fan Club, at Marble Arch Hotels, Awka.
The cleric said various Soludo’s projects, such as Awka Fun City, new Government House and Governor’s Lodge, renovation of Alex Ekwueme Square, road reconstructions across Awka metropolis, among others, were true manifestation of good governance, saying that Soludo’s second term bid was assured. He urged the members of the APGA Fan Club to continue to support the governor.
* As part of efforts to lay solid foundations for a fruitful 2025, Nnobi Special Title Holders have empowered 81 market women and youths with grants to the tune of ₦20,100,000 to support their individual small and medium scale enterprises.
The disbursement of the grants took place in Nnobi, Idemili South council area of Anambra State.
The presentations were made to the beneficiaries who were selected from the three quarters in the community by the traditional ruler of the town, Igwe Nick Obi and members of the Nnobi Special Title Holders.
Before the presentation of the cheques, Igwe Obi while breaking the kolanuts, prayed for good health and successful 2025 and explained that the essence of the empowerment is to strengthen the SMEs in the community who are already in business but are struggling with funds to inject into their business.
* Bishop on the Niger, Anglican Communion, Anambra State, Rt. Rev. Dr Owen Nwokolo has appealed to the Federal and South East State Governments to make haste to save Easterners from insecurity in the region.
The bishop while making the appeal on New Year message in Onitsha to Nigerians, regretted that insecurity was becoming an intractable phenomenon in the South East.
The Prelate however, declared 2025 as a year of great expectations for Nigeria. He hailed Nigerians for their resilience in overcoming various challenges of 2024 and advised them to prepare themselves to be awash with Great Expectations in 2025.
Nwokolo while declaring 2025 a year of Great Expectations, explained that the manifestation of any expected good change in 2025 depended on positive actions of Nigerians.
* Government has been urged to support the growth of the tech industry in Nigeria as a way to encourage young people going into the sector.
Mr Linus Ifejika, the Managing Director of B-Lord Group, a fin tech company based in Awka, and owners of Billpoint App, used for payment of utility bills, made the call recently during the end of year event of the company organized for its agents.
Ifejika, a social media personality who has also been named among the richest under 30 youths, said he had been under pressure to relocate his company to Lagos and Abuja, but had rejected all the offers because he wanted to support the growth of his state.
