# The free cancer screening for cervical, breast, and Prostate Specific Antigen, PSA, floated as part of activities marking the commemoration of the birthdays of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, being 28th of July, 2026, and that of his wife, Dr. Nonye, coming up on the 31st of July, 2026, by the management of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka, has kicked off.
The one week long screening will end on Friday, 31st July, 2026.
Speaking to newsmen, the Chief Medical Director, COOUTH, Dr. Maureen Umeakuewulu, said that she and the management of the hospital decided to embark on the exercise in appreciation of what Governor Soludo is doing in the health sector, including the multi-million naira trauma centre, employment of health personnel, free antenatal and free delivery, and the upgrading of all the general hospitals, apart from the five general hospitals he built in Anambra North Senatorial District.
The CMD also stated that the Governor’s wife has continued to provide preventive medicine to Ndi Anambra State in the area of healthy living, nutrition, mother and child care, among others.
According to the CMD, the number of people to be screened, especially men, is on the high side, noting that it shows that they are willing to go for screening at intervals but for the financial burden, they pretend as if they are not interested, adding that the exercise has provided and is still providing them with data for future use.
Dr. Umeakuewulu said that those who tested negative would be advised on when next to go for screening, while they would fight the disease with those who tested positive.
She regretted that most people do not go for screening so as to detect issues early enough to guarantee total cure, as in the case of cervical cancer, warning that visiting the hospital when they are in stage three or four of breast cancer is almost mission impossible.
# The Anambra State Coordinating Unit of the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up Project (NFWP-SU), has continued its community entry and sensitization activities with a visit to Oraeri Community in Aguata Local Government Area.
The programme, held at Oraeri Community Hall, attracted women, men and youths who pledged to support the successful implementation of the programme.
Receiving members of the State Coordinating Unit, the Traditional Ruler of Oraeri, HRH Ogbuefi Ejike Ugoagbala, described the project as timely and beneficial. He assured the team that the message would be spread through churches and other community platforms to encourage more women to participate, while urging them to take advantage of the opportunity.
# The Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC) held its 7th meeting of the second term of the Soludo administration and approved key decisions ahead of the state’s 35th anniversary.
Presided over by Governor Chukwuma Soludo, the Council noted that Anambra State will be 35 years on August 27, 2026, having been created on August 27, 1991.
As part of activities to mark the milestone, ANSEC announced the commissioning of the Ekwulobia Flyover and the Amawbia-Ekwulobia-Uga Dual Carriageway.
A committee has been tasked to work out other activities for the anniversary celebration.
Also at the meeting, in a move to safeguard lives and property, ANSEC resolved that engineers and approving officials found culpable in building collapse incidents will be held accountable. This will include prosecution where negligence or other unlawful actions are established.
According to a statement by Dr. Law Mefor, Commissioner for Information
and Value Reformation, Anambra State, the Council further directed the intensification of integrity tests on mass housing facilities, including students’ hostels across the state, to avert disasters associated with structural failures.
ANSEC also confirmed that more smart schools have been completed and will open for admission in the September/October 2026 academic session to join the other smart schools already running in the state. One of the new smart schools is the Uga Boys Boarding Smart School.
The State Ministry of Education will, in due course, release full details to enable interested Ndi Anambra to enroll their wards in the Smart Schools.
# The Anambra State Government through the Ministry of Commerce has urged traders and occupants of structures marked for demolition at the Main Market, Onitsha, to cooperate fully by removing their goods and personal belongings promptly.
The Ministry announced that the demolition exercise has commenced and advised all affected traders to comply with the directive to avoid unnecessary losses and ensure the smooth execution of the redevelopment project.
The Commissioner for Commerce, Honourable Nomso Chukwuma Ebonwu, described the exercise as a strategic step towards transforming Main Market into a cleaner, safer, and more business-friendly commercial environment for all.
Hon. Ebonwu stressed that the success of the redevelopment project depends on the cooperation of traders and other stakeholders, urging everyone to support market authorities by complying with all directives.
He appealed to traders to embrace the exercise, noting that collective support will help create a modern, safer, and more conducive market that benefits both traders and customers.
The Ministry reaffirmed the Anambra State Government’s commitment to developing modern markets that promote commerce, improve public safety, and enhance the ease of doing business across the state.
# The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has sealed the premises of the collapsed Elite Five Star Hostel in Amaokpala, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The three-storey hostel collapsed leaving an unspecified number of persons trapped beneath the rubble.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with emergency responders working to search for and evacuate victims.
Personnel from relevant emergency and security agencies remain at the scene as efforts continue to ensure that all those trapped are rescued.
Reacting, the Anambra State Police Command in a release by its spokesperson, SP. Tochukwu Ikenga, noted that rescue operations are ongoing
The Command notes that rescue operations are ongoing to reach other persons who may still be trapped as the number of casualties or affected persons cannot yet be confirmed. Also, some injured victims have been rescued from the debris and evacuated to a hospital in Oko, where they are currently receiving medical attention.
To this end, members of the public especially residents in the area are urged to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information, and stay away from the scene to allow emergency responders unrestricted access.
Also reacting, Public Relations Officer, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Dr. Oguegbu Celestine Udoka in a state clarified misinformation, urges members of the public to disregard unverified reports, sensational claims, and misleading narratives concerning the incident.
# Concerns have emerged over the alleged continued violation of the Anambra State Government’s ban on graduation ceremonies for primary and junior secondary school pupils, despite repeated directives aimed at easing the financial burden on parents and guardians.
The state government introduced the policy in October 2025 after receiving complaints from parents about compulsory levies and the rising costs associated with graduation ceremonies in schools.
Authorities said the ban was intended to eliminate unnecessary expenses such as graduation gowns, special uniforms, decorations and other charges imposed on families for pupils simply progressing from one class to another.
Government officials clarified that the directive was not intended to abolish modest graduation activities for pupils completing recognized educational stages, such as Primary Six and Senior Secondary School Three, but rather to discourage extravagant celebrations and compulsory financial contributions.
To reinforce the policy, the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB) issued another circular on July 10, 2026, signed by its Executive Chairman, Dr. Justina Anyadiegwu.
The circular reaffirmed the prohibition of graduation ceremonies for primary and junior secondary schools, graduation levies, Christmas parties and related activities across all schools in the state’s 21 local government areas.
# Anambra State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Hon.Mrs. Chinyere Esther Onyekesi has gave a red card warning to all those involved in Human Trafficking in the State.
Onyekesi gave the warming when the Anambra State Commander of National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, Mrs Ibadin Judith Onyinye Chukwu paid her a courtesy visit in her office in Awka.
The Commissioner warned that trafficking had no place in Anambra pointing out that the Governor’s wife, Dr. Mrs. Nonye Soloudo had zero tolerance for anything trafficking in persons and issues against children in the society.
She encouraged all Non- Governmental Organizations, NGO’s in Anambra state to desist from actions that will jeopardize the functions of NAPTIP but to collaborate with NAPTIP to achieve results.
Speaking, the Anambra State Commander of NAPTIP, Mrs Chukwu thanked the Commissioner for granting her and her team audience while appreciating the partnership of the agency with Anambra State since 2019 the agency started operations in Anambra.
Mrs. Chukwu said that the agency was happy with the Women Affairs ministry, and pleaded for special support for the agency to shelter victims of trafficking and support their litigation to stop traffickers in their track. She said that the ministry was vital to what NAPTIP was doing hene the need for strong collaborations with different agencies in abating child trafficking and all forms of danger to the children.
She warned against impersonation of the agency by some members of the Non Governmental Organizations -NGO , advising that they limit themselves to their mandate since only NAPTIP has the mandate to investigate and carry out the operational duties of prosecution both locally, nationally and international trafficking cases.
# Anambra State Government has sanctioned seven private schools for violating its directive prohibiting graduation parties and the collection of related levies from parents.
The Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ekene Ogugua, announced the sanctions during a meeting with the proprietors of the affected schools, reaffirming the government’s resolve to enforce compliance with its education policies across the state.
Dr. Ogugua directed the schools to refund all money collected from parents for graduation ceremonies within one month and submit verifiable evidence of the refunds to the Ministry of Education. He warned that any school that fails to comply with the directive within the stipulated period would be sealed and shut down.
According to the commissioner, the enforcement is aimed at ending the imposition of unauthorized charges on parents under the guise of graduation celebrations and ensuring that schools operate in line with approved government regulations.
The affected schools are Kings School, Amawbia; Paraiso Montessori School, Awka; Bluepoint School, Awka; Favour Dot Queen Academy, Awka; Little Angel British School, Aguleri; Handmaid Infant Jesus Nursery and Primary School, Awka; and Frobel Height Academy, Awka.
# The Commissioner for Environment, Honourable Clem Aguiyi, has called on President-Generals across Anambra North Senatorial District to take proactive steps to safeguard lives and property ahead of the flood season.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ engagement on flood preparedness held at the Anambra East Local Government Headquarters, Otuocha, Aguiyi urged communities, particularly those located along the River Niger and other flood-prone areas, to embrace early planning and responsible environmental practices to reduce the impact of seasonal flooding.
Drawing inspiration from the biblical story of Noah, Dr. Aguiyi encouraged community leaders to prepare ahead of potential disasters rather than waiting until floods occur.
“Noah did not wait for the flood before building the ark. Every President-General must become the Noah of his community by preparing ahead to save lives and property,” the Commissioner said.
He urged communities to identify vulnerable residents, create awareness on designated evacuation routes and government approved relief camps, keep drains and waterways free of refuse, sustain regular sanitation exercises, discouraging the construction of buildings on natural waterways, drainage channels and flood plains.
Dr. Aguiyi stressed that stronger collaboration between local government mayors and town unions is essential to improving flood preparedness, environmental sanitation, and orderly physical development, assuring participants that environmental laws would be strictly enforced.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barr. Vincent Chukwuemeka Ezeaka, urged President-Generals to uphold accountability, discipline, and effective grassroots leadership, reminding them that town unions operate under the statutory oversight of local government mayors.
The Commissioner described the President-Generals as key partners in grassroots governance and the first line of defence against environmental emergencies.
The engagement was attended by the Chairman of Anambra East LGA, Sir Ifeanyichukwu Chinweze; the Chairman of Ogbaru LGA, Sir Kenneth Akwuobi; the Chairman of Anambra West LGA, Hon. Edith Ndive; and the Chairman of Oyi LGA, Dr. Emmanuel Nweke, alongside other stakeholders.
# ‎The Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) Chapter of the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) has expressed concern over the increasing rate of drug and substance abuse
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WADA during the university’s commemoration of the 2026 World Drug Day held in Awka, under the theme, “World Drug Problems: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses”, called for stronger collaboration among governments, institutions, healthcare professionals and communities to address the growing menace.
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‌‎Declaring the event open, the Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Hilda Osisioma, urged all stakeholders to unite in tackling drug abuse, describing it as a serious challenge that threatens individuals, families and society.
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In his remarks, ‎Chairman of the occasion, Pharmacist Uchenna Uzoma Apakama, lamented the increasing cases of drug and substance abuse in Nigeria and globally.
Apakama who is also the National Chairman, Board of Fellows of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN),
called for greater government intervention, stressed that prevention remains the best solution.
He cautioned against stigmatizing drug users, noting that pharmacists remain committed partners in the campaign against drug abuse.
