# The President-General of the Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA), Chief Humphrey Anuna, has commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery, particularly the recruitment of qualified healthcare professionals across the state.
Chief Anuna gave the commendation while participating in the five-day free medical outreach at Ogbo-Ogwu Bridge Head Market, Onitsha, where he received medical attention from healthcare professionals.
He described the market clinic as a vital healthcare facility capable of saving lives by providing prompt medical care and reducing casualties during emergencies.
The ASMATA President-General praised the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of Ogbo-Ogwu Bridge Head Market, Mr. Ndubuisi Chukwuleta, and his team for organising the free medical outreach, describing the initiative as timely, innovative and impactful.
Chief Anuna encouraged traders to take advantage of the free medical services, stressing that regular health checks are essential for the early detection and treatment of illnesses.
According to him, good health remains the foundation of productivity and economic prosperity, adding that “health is wealth.”
During the visit, he monitored the outreach and underwent a comprehensive medical examination, including blood pressure checks, malaria screening, medical consultation, laboratory investigations and eye examination.
He expressed satisfaction with the quality of healthcare services provided by the medical team, appreciating the organisers for offering consultations, laboratory tests, eye care services and medications free of charge.
# The Abagana community in Njikoka Local Government Area (LGA) has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable development by intensifying projects aimed at improving infrastructure, sanitation, education, healthcare and the overall welfare of residents.
The renewed commitment was highlighted during a community meeting where leaders and stakeholders reviewed ongoing development initiatives, calling for greater community participation.
Speaking at the meeting, community leader, Engr. Ben Okongwu, said efforts are being intensified to encourage indigenes at home and in the diaspora to support projects that will enhance the town’s development.
According to him, priority areas include road maintenance, drainage improvement, environmental sanitation, and support for schools and healthcare facilities to improve the quality of life for residents.
Also speaking, the President-General of the town union urged residents to remain united and actively contribute to the progress of the community.
Residents commended the contributions of the town union, women’s groups, youth organisations and philanthropists for supporting community development through voluntary services, environmental sanitation exercises and assistance to vulnerable members of the community.
# The Anambra State Operations Coordinating Unit (ANSOCU) has been urged to collaborate with its counterparts across the South-East to harmonise the State Social Register (SSR) and strengthen the tracking of poor and vulnerable populations displaced across state boundaries by economic and security challenges.
The recommendation was made during a workshop on the application of the Regional Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) for ministries and agencies in the South-East.
The workshop, themed “Sub-National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) Customised for Social Safety Nets in the South-East Zonal Bloc,” was organised by Kemlude Options Nigeria Limited in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.
Participants were encouraged to leverage regional data to help states identify and respond to location-specific vulnerabilities, particularly those arising from insecurity and economic shocks, while enhancing the effectiveness of the SSR for poor and vulnerable households.
ANSOCU was also advised to establish a quarterly data-sharing forum with other State Operations Coordinating Units (SOCUs) in the South-East to benchmark data collection practices, improve cross-border coordination and monitor regional migration trends.
# Women in Isuofia Community, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, have been encouraged to embrace the opportunities provided by the Anambra Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up (AN-NFWP-SU) Project to improve their livelihoods and promote sustainable community development.
The appeal was made during the project’s community mobilisation and sensitisation exercise held at the Isuofia Civic Centre. The event attracted women, men and youths from the community as part of ongoing efforts to deepen awareness and encourage grassroots participation in the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up (NFWP-SU).
Welcoming the project team, the President-General of Isuofia Community, Engr. Fidelis Okafor, represented by the Vice President-General, Hon. Ogochukwu Ibeneme, commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for initiating programmes aimed at improving the economic well-being of women.
He described the initiative as a timely intervention that would create meaningful economic opportunities for women, assuring the team of the community’s full support for its successful implementation. He noted that Isuofia is renowned for oil exploration, commerce and piggery, expressing optimism that the training and empowerment opportunities under the programme would help women expand their businesses and improve their standard of living.
Speaking on behalf of the women, the Community Woman Leader, Mrs. Ukamaka Ugokwe, expressed appreciation to the Anambra State Government for extending the initiative to the grassroots. She expressed confidence that the programme would improve the socio-economic conditions of women in the community, reduce poverty and promote self-reliance, assuring the project team that the women of Isuofia would actively participate in all aspects of the programme.
# The Anambra State Government has inaugurated a Technical Working Group on Eye, Ear and Sensory Functions Health to strengthen the prevention, early detection and management of sensory health conditions across the state.
Inaugurating the group in Awka, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, described the initiative as an important step towards improving access to quality eye, ear and other sensory health services for Ndi Anambra.
Dr Obidike stressed the need for accurate data, proper planning and coordinated action, urging the group to develop a clear, data-driven strategic development plan to complement its Annual Operational Plan.
He noted that statistics showing that about 84 per cent of blindness cases are avoidable through prevention, early detection or treatment must translate into practical interventions.
The commissioner also called for equal attention to hearing impairment and other sensory health conditions, noting that reliable data would enable the state to understand the burden and develop appropriate interventions.
He assured the group of the Ministry’s support and urged members to work with civil society organisations, development partners and other relevant stakeholders.
# The Director of the Catholic Women Organisation (CWO), Onitsha Archdiocese, Dame Ngozi Nwanosike, has urged mothers to remain steadfast in building Christ-centred families despite the moral and social challenges of a rapidly changing world.
Nwanosike made the call while addressing members of St. Mary’s Parish, Inland Town, Onitsha, during the 2026 Annual July General Meeting as part of her routine pastoral visits to parishes across the archdiocese.
She urged mothers not to neglect their God given responsibility of nurturing their children because of the pressures and distractions of modern society, but to build their homes on prayer, love, forgiveness, obedience to God’s word and service to God and humanity.
She also encouraged mothers to intentionally instil biblical values in their children, stressing that God had entrusted them with the sacred responsibility of raising families according to His will.
# The Anambra State Ministry of Environment has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS) to strengthen forest conservation, combat environmental crimes and promote sustainable management of the state’s forest resources.
The agreement was signed at the office of the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Clem Aguiyi, in Awka, in the presence of the Commandant of the Nigeria Forest Security Service, Mazi Destiny E. Jonas; the Head of the Forestry Department, Mrs. Achugamonye Onyinye; and other government officials.
The partnership provides a framework for collaboration in protecting Anambra’s forests through joint patrols, intelligence gathering, enforcement of forestry laws, prevention of illegal logging and encroachment, wildfire prevention, community engagement and capacity building.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Dr. Aguiyi described the agreement as a strategic step toward advancing Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s vision of building a clean, green, secure and environmentally sustainable Anambra.
He noted that protecting the state’s forest resources is essential for biodiversity conservation, climate resilience and sustainable development, adding that stronger collaboration among relevant agencies would enhance environmental protection efforts.
The commissioner reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to enforcing environmental laws and safeguarding the state’s natural resources for the benefit of present and future generations.
In his remarks, the Commandant of the Nigeria Forest Security Service, Mazi Destiny E. Jonas, pledged the agency’s commitment to working closely with the ministry to secure forest reserves, prevent illegal activities and strengthen environmental security across the state.
He expressed confidence that the partnership would improve intelligence sharing, enhance surveillance and support more effective enforcement against environmental offences.
# The Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA) has intensified efforts to expand health insurance coverage across the state with a sensitisation and enrolment campaign at Mgbuka (Fairly Used) Market, Nnewi, encouraging traders to enrol in the state’s health insurance scheme.
The outreach formed part of the agency’s drive to promote universal health coverage by increasing awareness of the benefits of affordable and accessible healthcare.
Speaking during the exercise, the Executive Secretary of ASHIA, Dr. Augustine Ezeka, assured traders of the agency’s commitment to ensuring that every resident has access to quality healthcare without the burden of high out of pocket medical expenses.
He explained that enrollees receive medical services at accredited healthcare facilities across the state, enabling individuals and families to access timely and quality treatment when needed.
Responding on behalf of the market, the Chairman of Mgbuka (Fairly Used) Market, Hon. Anthony Okafor, commended ASHIA for bringing the enrolment campaign to the market, describing the initiative as timely and beneficial to traders.
He urged market members to take advantage of the opportunity by enrolling in the scheme and encouraging their colleagues to do the same.
One of the traders, Mr. Dozie Orji, shared his experience with the programme, saying his family’s medical expenses had reduced significantly since enrolling in the health insurance scheme.
He encouraged fellow traders to register, noting that the programme offers financial protection while guaranteeing access to quality healthcare.
The exercise attracted a large number of traders, many of whom sought additional information about the scheme and completed their enrolment, reflecting growing public confidence in ASHIA’s efforts to achieve universal health coverage in Anambra State.
# The Anambra State Government says it is developing a framework to facilitate compensation for property owners whose buildings and lands will be affected by the establishment of the right-of-way for a proposed 132KV electricity transmission line project.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Barr. Chijioke Ojukwu, disclosed this while briefing journalists in his office, assuring affected property owners that the government would ensure a transparent and fair compensation process.
The proposed transmission line, an initiative of the Federal Government through the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), will pass through Nnobi, Awka-Etiti and Nnewi communities, expecting to strengthen electricity supply in Nnewi and neighbouring communities while supporting economic growth across the state.
According to Ojukwu, the government has completed the identification and marking of the right-of-way and will soon invite affected property owners for documentation and verification of their claims.
He explained that the process would include the collation of relevant documents, determination of compensation where applicable, and the publication of an official gazette revoking affected properties in line with legal requirements.
The commissioner noted that the completion of the transmission project would significantly improve power supply, stimulate industrial activities and reinforce Anambra’s position as a major commercial and manufacturing hub.
He appealed to affected residents and other stakeholders to cooperate with the government, expressing confidence that the Soludo administration would handle the process with fairness and due consideration for those affected.
Ojukwu reiterated the state’s commitment to delivering critical infrastructure projects that will enhance economic development and improve the quality of life of residents across Anambra State.
# The Young Catholic Professionals (YCP), St. Joseph Parish, UNIZIK Temporary Site, Awka, has congratulated the Anambra State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Chinyere Esther Onyekesi, on her appointment.
The President of the association, Engr. Martins Ibenta, conveyed the congratulatory message during a courtesy visit by members of the group to the Commissioner’s office in Awka.
Ibenta described Onyekesi as a motherly figure who had consistently supported the association even before her appointment as Commissioner.
He said the visit was also to reaffirm the association’s commitment to partnering with the Ministry in initiatives aimed at promoting the development of Anambra State.
In her response, Onyekesi appreciated the association for the visit and goodwill, urging young people to remain committed to positive and impactful engagements.
She emphasised that the youth have a critical role to play in the development of the state and encouraged them to continue contributing meaningfully to nation building.
The Commissioner welcomed the association’s willingness to collaborate with the Ministry, describing proactive youth organisations such as YCP as strategic partners in advancing government programmes and promoting social development.
