# The Acting Managing Director of the Anambra State Small Business Agency (ASBA), Barr. Nonso Emeka, has urged students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, to embrace resilience, financial literacy and entrepreneurship as essential tools for personal and professional success.
Barr. Emeka delivered the keynote address at the CATALYST 2026 Students’ Empowerment Summit held at the university’s School Auditorium.
The summit, themed “The Impact of Financial Literacy, Self-Esteem and Psychological Well being on Undergraduate Students,” was organised by the Students’ Union Government (SUG), Directorate of Student Initiatives and Empowerment, to equip undergraduates with the knowledge, mindset and opportunities needed to excel academically, personally and economically.
Addressing the students, the ASBA Acting Managing Director encouraged them to remain focused despite life’s challenges, reminding them that gaining admission into the university was itself evidence of determination and resilience.
He urged them to adopt the mindset that they had “come too far to fail,” stressing that academic setbacks, financial difficulties or business failures should never define their future.
Drawing inspiration from the lives of renowned innovators such as Thomas Edison and the founder of KFC, Barr. Emeka said success is often achieved through perseverance, noting that failure should be seen as a stepping stone rather than an endpoint.
Reaffirming ASBA’s commitment to youth entrepreneurship, he encouraged the students to take bold steps toward achieving their aspirations, reminding them of the agency’s guiding philosophy: “No matter how big your dream is, you can start small.”
He assured the students of ASBA’s continued support through entrepreneurship development programmes, capacity-building initiatives and access to opportunities that will empower them to become self-reliant, innovative and active contributors to Anambra State’s economic growth.
# The bodies of Vivian Chinedum and her boyfriend, Ifeanyi Stanley were recovered from the rubbles of the collapsed Elite 5-Star Hostel in Amaokpala, near the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The building, which had about 60 rooms, caved in on Sunday night.
Vivian, a baker, and Ifeanyi, a Moniepoint PoS machine distributor, popularly known as Don Cash, were both alumni of the Federal Polytechnic Oko.
It was gathered that the young couple were working hard to build a better future together.
According to friends, Ifeanyi had gone to visit Vivian at the hostel at about 10:45 p.m on that fateful day. Tragically, what was meant to be another beautiful moment together became their last.
# The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), RS5.3 Anambra Sector Command, has recovered a suspected stolen Toyota Corolla found during routine vehicle documentation and verification at the Anambra National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS) Desk Office in Awka.
The vehicle was discovered after a Road Safety officer of the Anambra Internal Revenue Service (AIRS) in Awka attempted to document the vehicle and upload it to the NVIS portal as proof of ownership. During the process, discrepancies were noticed in the chassis number provided.
In a statement released by Anambra FRSC spokesperson, SRC. Margaret Onabe,
preliminary investigation showed that the chassis number had been altered, with the digit “1” changed to the letter “I.”
Reacting, FRSC Sector Commander, CC. Bridget Asekhauno, urges the public to exercise caution when buying used vehicles and to verify all ownership documents and ID details through proper channels before completing any transactions.
The Command also advises reporting suspicious vehicle transactions or suspected day vehicle thefts to the appropriate security agencies.
# Governor Chukwuma Soludo has approved the appointment of four professionals to key positions in Anambra State parastatals, with immediate effect.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Allied Building Materials International Market, Mr. Everistus Ejezie, thanked the state government, particularly the Ministry of Commerce, for its continued support and commitment to the successful completion and operationalisation of the market.
# The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has sealed two properties in Anambra State over their alleged use for the sexual exploitation of underage girls.
The Anambra State Command of the agency said the action followed an interim attachment order issued by the Federal High Court, Awka Judicial Division, which authorised the temporary seizure of the properties pending the determination of an ongoing criminal case.
According to NAPTIP, the properties were sealed on July 20, 2026, after the court granted the order on June 26, 2026, in response to a Motion Ex-Parte filed by the agency in March.
The development followed the arrest of a suspect on March 2, 2026, during an operation that led to the rescue of several female victims aged between 15 and 20 years.
NAPTIP said the suspect was subsequently arraigned before the Federal High Court, Awka, on May 21, 2026, on multiple charges, including the alleged procurement and recruitment of persons under the age of 18 for sexual exploitation.
The agency alleged that investigations revealed the affected properties were being used as brothels where underage girls were sexually exploited, prompting the application for their temporary forfeiture while prosecution continues.
Officials of the Anambra State Command, supported by relevant stakeholders and members of the host community, carried out the enforcement of the court order by sealing the buildings.
Reaffirming its resolve to curb human trafficking and protect vulnerable persons, NAPTIP said it would continue collaborating with the Anambra State Task Force on Human Trafficking and other partners to strengthen efforts against trafficking and related offences.
The agency added that it remains committed to ensuring that anyone found culpable through due process is brought to justice, while sustaining measures aimed at eliminating human trafficking and the exploitation of vulnerable persons across Anambra State.
# The Anambra State Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Clem Aguiyi, has called on community stakeholders to play active roles in promoting environmental sustainability and grassroots advocacy to support the state’s drive for a cleaner and greener environment.
Dr. Aguiyi made the call while receiving a courtesy visit from a prominent stakeholder from Enugwu-Agidi, Amb. Onyeka Mgbajiaka, who visited to congratulate him on his appointment by Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
Speaking during the visit, Amb. Mgbajiaka commended Governor Soludo for what he described as a well deserved appointment, noting that Dr. Aguiyi’s performance as the former Transition Committee Chairman of Njikoka Local Government Area(LGA) had demonstrated his capacity for effective leadership and service.
He expressed confidence in the commissioner’s ability to deliver on his mandate, pledging his support for the Ministry’s programmes and initiatives.
Responding, Dr. Aguiyi appreciated the visit and the goodwill expressed by his guest, reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to environmental protection, sustainable development and effective environmental governance.
He stressed that achieving lasting environmental sanitation and sustainability requires the active participation of individuals, communities and other critical stakeholders.
The commissioner urged Amb. Mgbajiaka to champion environmental awareness and responsible environmental practices within Enugwu-Agidi and neighbouring communities, noting that collective action remains essential to achieving Governor Soludo’s fifth pillar of development environment and urban regeneration which is aimed at building a clean, green, livable and environmentally sustainable Anambra State.
# The local government chairman of Awka North, Honourable ThankGod Anago has won the “2026 Best Local Goverment Chairman In Nigeria, National Leadership Award”.
Presenting the award to Anago in Abuja, the Chairman of the National Leadership Award, Chief Perry Opara, said that they have watched the Mayor and how he has provided purposeful leadership in Awka North in all ramifications, thereby assisting Governor Chukwuma Soludo in building a liveable, safe and prosperous homeland, hence his nomination and eventual winning of the respected and nationally recognized award.
Chief Opara noted that Hon. Anago has shown character, competence and compassion in executing policies and programmes towards the betterment of the people of Awka North, and has build everlasting legacies that is will serve both today’s generation and generations to come.
According to the Chairman, what the Awka North Mayor has done in the areas of human capital and infrastructural developments, especially in the health sector, education, security and overall development of the local goverment is unprecedented in the history of local government administration in Nigeria.
Responding, Chief Anago thanked the National Leadership Award for finding him worthy for the recognition, saying that the award is dedicated to Governor Chukwuma Soludo who gave him the platform to serve.
The Mayor equally appreciated ndi Awka North for their unwavering support so far, assuring that his administration will continue to deliver dividends of democracy to them in line with Governor Soludo’s administration’s agenda, urging Ndi Anambra to vote all the All Progressives Grand Alliance Candidates in the forthcoming Anambra Local Goverment Chairmanship elections, as well as the 2027 House of Assembly and National Assemblies elections.
# The Anambra State Commissioner for Power, Engr. Casmir Agummadu, has met with the management of First Power in Awka to strengthen collaboration on improving electricity distribution statewide.
Agummadu said the meeting provided a practical platform to assess the electricity distribution network, identify priority intervention areas, and advance solutions that will improve service delivery across Anambra State.
The Commissioner commended First Power’s efforts despite infrastructure challenges and urged residents to report energy theft and vandalism, assuring offenders would face the full weight of the law.
Managing Director of First Power, Engr. Okechukwu Okafor, outlined five strategic projects, including new injection substations and network upgrades, aimed at strengthening electricity infrastructure across communities.
Okafor expressed confidence that the projects would deliver more reliable electricity, stimulate economic growth, attract investment, and improve the quality of life for residents across the state.
The appointments were announced in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Christian Aburime, who said the move is aimed at strengthening governance and enhancing service delivery across critical sectors of the state.
The newly appointed officials are Dr. Nelson Omenugha, who will serve as Special Adviser on Youth Reformation; Dr. Chizoba Prisca Ezeasor, appointed Executive Secretary of the Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ASPHCDA); Hon. Chike Anyaonu, who assumes office as Managing Director of the Anambra State Housing Development Corporation; and Mr. Chris Osemedua Molokwu, appointed Managing Director of the Anambra Broadcasting Corporation (ABS).
Governor Soludo urged the appointees to bring their wealth of experience and expertise to bear in advancing his administration’s development agenda. He also charged them to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and dedication in the discharge of their duties.
The appointments take effect immediately, according to the statement issued by the Governor’s office.
# The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Anambra State Command, in continuation of its operations in tandem with the Commandant General’s vision to eradicate the menace of vandalism of oil pipelines and illegal dealings in petroleum products across the nation, has impounded a truck suspected to be conveying 45,000 litres of adulterated Automotive Gas Oil (AGO/Diesel) mixed with gas condensates, after the driver fled the scene.
This was disclosed by the State Commandant, Commandant Maku Olatunde at the NSCDC State Command Headquarters, Awka, while inspecting the seized truck.
According to the State Commandant, credible intelligence led the Head of the Anti-Vandalism Squad, CSC Chris Nwosu, and his team to track and intercept the truck along Awka Road, Onitsha.
He explained that upon sighting the NSCDC team, the driver abandoned the truck with the products and fled the scene.
He further reiterated that the Corps will not relent in the fight against oil theft and illegal dealings in petroleum products until the state is rid of all forms of economic sabotage.
The Commandant assured that samples of the product would be taken for laboratory analysis, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing driver and his accomplices. He warned perpetrators of such acts to desist or face the full wrath of the law.
He assured the public that the Command remains committed to tightening intelligence, surveillance, and joint operations with sister agencies to fish out and bring perpetrators of economic sabotage to justice.
# The Anambra State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to developing modern, well organised markets as part of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s Solution 2.0 agenda.
The Commissioner for Commerce, Hon. Nomso Chukwuma Ebonwu, gave the assurance during a supervision and inspection visit to the permanent site of the Allied Building Materials International Market at Kilometre 8, Onitsha–Enugu Expressway, Nteje.
The visit enabled the commissioner to assess the level of development at the market and evaluate its readiness for full commercial operations.
Speaking during the inspection, Hon. Ebonwu commended the pace of work at the site, describing the market as a strategic commercial hub with the potential to transform the building materials trade in Anambra State.
He assured traders and stakeholders of the Ministry’s continued collaboration to ensure a seamless transition to the permanent market.
The commissioner explained that the relocation initiative is aimed at improving market organisation, easing traffic congestion, enhancing business operations and strengthening economic activities in line with the Soludo administration’s vision of a livable and prosperous Anambra State.
