* Igbo politicians have been advised to employ tact and silent diplomacy in seeking the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu. Businessman and elder statesman, Dr Chike Obidigbo, noted this in a press release he signed and made available to journalists in Awka, Anambra State Capital recently. Obidigbo who had previously called for the release of Kanu, said he had seen actions from politicians which looked like politicization of the call for his release, saying such could only worsen the case.
* Nri Community in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State has donated four plots of land to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anambra State Command for the construction of a training facility and an office complex for its Area D Command Headquarters. The donation was made during a ceremony held at the Nri recently, where the community leaders handed over the plots of land and the office complex to the NSCDC. The President General of Nri Progress Union Chief Anayo Okafor, while speaking, expressed his gratitude to the NSCDC for their tireless efforts in ensuring the safety and security of the Ndi Anambra. Okafor described the NSCDC as a valuable partner to the Nri community and has witnessed firsthand the positive impact of the Corps’ resilience in delivering on its mandate.
* A 36-year-old man, Mr. Ejekwu Joseph Odira, (popularly known as World Best) has been declared missing in Ukpor, Nnewi South Local Government Area of
Anambra State, shortly after he answered a call from a certain number and left the house. The victim was last seen on Tuesday, July 9, 2024. Confirming the incident in an interview, the elder brother to the missing person, Mr. Chijioke Ejekwu said he (the victim) who is a land agent and drinks dealer, finished answering a call and informed his family that he was going to Nnewi, but never returned till date. According to him, people who know the victim later confirmed that they saw and exchanged greetings with him at Nnewi that same day shortly after he left house; but thàt he had not started missing by then.
* The 21st Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC) meeting has approved the award of a contract for the construction of the Six-Hall High Court Building Complex in Awka to Hemebs Construction Nig. Ltd at the cost of One Billion, One Hundred and Forty-One Million, Nine Hundred and Thirty-five Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty-One Naira, Eighty-Eight Kobo ( N1, 141, 935, 331. 88). The contract will be completed in four months from the date of mobilization.
* The Director of Special Anambra Anti-Touting Squad (SASA), Hon. Solomon Chukwuebuka Onwuemene says reports of illegal extortion, one-chance robbery, handbag snatching, and other criminal incidents have decreased by fifteen percent in markets across the state. Onwuemene, while addressing journalists in Awka recently, highlighted the positive impact of the anti-touting squad since its inception by the Anambra State government. The SASA boss assured continuous collaboration with other security agencies to maintain a peaceful environment in the state.
* The Vicar, Church of The Holy Spirit Awka, Venerable Dr Onyeka Egwuonwu has insisted that any Christian without Godly love is not a Christian, as, according to him, only love stands out a Christian from the crowd of other religions and not prayer or fasting”. In his sermon, Ven Egwuonwu encouraged Christians to shun jealousy, pride, unforgiving spirit, lustfulness and anger, for only love helps a Christian in his or her faith. He pointed out that jealousy destroys and can lead to witchcraft, adding that God is love and hence, his followers must be exemplary when it comes to Godly love.
* The founder, Nwoke-Udi Palmwine Bar in Awka, Anambra State, Mazi Ndubuisi Ezeh has revealed how his passion for entertainment and promotion of Igbo culture inspired him into setting up the bubbling palm-wine bar joint at the popular Abakaliki street.
Ezeh, who hails from Ụdị in Enugu State, stated this in an interview shortly after receiving award Entrepreneur/Entertainment boss from the Icons award. Speaking on his recent award, Mazi Ndubuisi Ezeh described it as a testament to the dedication of his workers and customers, noting that they would continue to providing top-notch service, delicious local foods and a lively atmosphere for valued customers.
* Policy Alert in collaboration with four other organizations have commenced the implementation of a project geared towards enhanced and sustainable service delivery through increased domestic investment for Tuberculosis (TB) interventions in five states across South East and South-South regions. The Fund TB Project, which is designed to influence a number of policy improvements in domestic investment for TB in the focal states, will be implemented in Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, and Imo. The project will see to the creation of TB budget lines, improved releases of allocated TB funds in the approved budgets, extension of coverage of state health insurance to TB patients, as well as private sector engagement to enhance TB services through collaborative initiatives, resource support, and knowledge-sharing.
* Anambra State Fisheries and Aquaculture Business Development Agency, in collaboration with the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, has begun preparations to train no fewer than 150 youths in the state again on table fish production for economic empowerment. The Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the Agency, Mr Emeka Iloghalu, disclosed this in Awka while featuring as a guest in a media programme recently.
Mr Iloghalu stated that 150 youths trained from September 2023 to March 2024 were selected from across the states of Nigeria with the majority of them being the citizens of Anambra State and one, a foreigner.
* No fewer than 500 members of Ikemba Front, a political group, from Atani Ward 2 in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra have joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra. The group were received by Mr. Odinaka Duru and Arinzechukwu Achike, Chairman of APC in Atani Ward 1 and Atani Ward 2 respectively. Ikemba Front also bestowed honour to Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah, an APC governorship hopeful for Anambra 2025 governorship election for his contributions to the party and development of the state.
* Eight persons suspected to be gunmen were arrested on early hours of Tuesday by the men of the Anambra Vigilante Services (AVS) in Awka and neighbouring Communities in Central District of the State. The AVS also recoverd some arm and armunations from the suspects.
Three of the suspected gunmen were intercepted at Amansea boundary of Anambra and Enugu States, while four other young men in their late twenties allegedly involved in snatching of phones from unsuspecting commuters in Keke Tricycles were arrested in Awka, the state capital. The arrest followed response to the spate of killings and kidnapping that are being experienced in the area for almost a week now.
