# The Executive Secretary of the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency, Dr. Augustine Ezeka, has announced plans to establish ASHIA offices in major markets across Anambra State to make health insurance enrollment more accessible to traders.
Dr. Ezeka made this known during a visit by ASHIA officials to the headquarters of the Anambra State Amalgamated Traders Association in Onitsha on Thursday.
According to Ezeka, the initiative is aimed at bringing ASHIA services closer to traders who may find it difficult to travel to Awka for registration. He explained that the agency sought the cooperation and approval of ASMATA before commencing the project.
Also speaking, Mrs. Nneoma Anoliefo, Head of Business Development and Marketing at ASHIA, highlighted the agency’s achievements and expressed confidence that the partnership with ASMATA would enhance enrollment among traders across the state.
In his remarks, ASMATA President-General, Chief Humphrey Anuna, welcomed the initiative and pledged the association’s support. He stated that the administration of Chukwuma Soludo has continued to implement impactful programmes, including ASHIA and the One Youth, Two Skills initiative.
A market leader, Chief Stephen Onungene, Chairman of the Old and New Motorcycle Spare Parts Market, Nkpor, also commended ASHIA, citing positive experiences of beneficiaries who have accessed healthcare services through the scheme.
# Awka witnessed a landmark day at the Solution Innovation District, SID, as Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s digital agenda delivered tangible results.
At the Anambra Startup Investment & Technology Skills Graduation Ceremony, SID celebrated the graduation of 400 tech specialists: 300 Robotics Engineers trained in partnership with Circum Technologies, and the first cohort of 100 ISP Network Engineers trained with Connekt Broadband. Members of the Champions of Anambra Digital Tribe also received laptops to support their work.
The event marked a major boost for entrepreneurship in the state. 80 startups received ₦1 million seed funding each, totaling ₦80 million in direct investment to scale Anambra’s innovation ecosystem.
In a further show of commitment to digital infrastructure, Connekt Broadband announced a ₦1 billion Connectivity Fund. The fund will support broadband deployment across Anambra’s 21 Local Government Areas, creating opportunities for SID-trained engineers to work as deployment partners, service providers, and digital entrepreneurs.
# The Anambra State Police Command has provided financial assistance to support the urgent medical treatment of a 10-year-old boy who was allegedly subjected to severe abuse by his guardian in Isiowulu, Anambra State.
The Command, through operatives attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Awka, offered the support after witnessing the severity of the child’s condition and the pain he had endured. The intervention is aimed at facilitating his medical care and recovery.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Command said the gesture reflects its commitment to protecting vulnerable members of society, particularly children, and ensuring that victims of abuse receive the care and support they need.
The Police further disclosed that investigations into the incident have been intensified, with assurances that all individuals found culpable will be brought to justice in accordance with the law.
The Command reiterated its resolve to enforce laws that protect children from abuse, neglect, exploitation, and all forms of violence.
The Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, reassured residents of the Command’s commitment to working closely with relevant government agencies, child protection organisations, and community stakeholders to promote and safeguard the rights, safety, and welfare of children across the state.
# It was a celebration galore as St John of God Secondary School, Awka, held the grand finale of its 2026 Inter-house Fiesta and Sports Competitions, making history, discovering talents and celebrating excellence.
The grand finale of the event featured fashion competition, 100 and 400 meters relay races by Arinze House, Obiefuna House, Okafor House, Umerah House, Ndigwe House and Camillus House.
Other houses that participated in the competitions, included Ezeokafor House and Old Girls-Regina Caeli House, which were newly created by the School Management in honour of the Proprietor of the School and Bishop, Awka Catholic Diocese, Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor, and the alumnae of the School in recognition of their tremendous contributions to the growth of the School.
In the event, described as not just a celebration but also compendium of music/art, culture and sports/games competitions by the School Manager, Rev Fr Malachy Maduewesi, Camillus House emerged overall winner with six gold, three silver and three bronze medals.
# A middle-aged man, Mr. Emmanuel Chidi Osakwe, has instituted a legal action against the Registered Trustees of the Catholic Diocese of Awka over the ownership of a property located on Seaman Avenue, along Secretariat Road, Awka.
The suit, currently before the Anambra State High Court presided over by Justice Ike Ogu, stems from Mr. Osakwe’s claim that the property was gifted to him during his lifetime by his late uncle, Monsignor Martin Ezeokoli. The dispute reportedly arose following his eviction from the premises.
When the matter came up for the first time on record, there was no appearance for the defendant. The court also expressed dissatisfaction with the documentation relating to the service of the originating summons on the defendant.
Consequently, Justice Ogu adjourned the case to October 27 and directed the court bailiff to file all necessary documents concerning the service of court processes.
Speaking after the proceedings, counsel to the claimant, Barrister Martin Obi, stated that the Catholic Diocese had been served with the suit since October 2025 when the action was commenced and had also received hearing notices for the day’s proceedings. He noted that despite this, the defendant neither appeared in court nor filed any defence.
The lawyer expressed optimism that the procedural issues identified by the court would be addressed before the next hearing date, enabling the matter to proceed with all parties properly before the court.
# The Wife of the Governor of Anambra State, Mrs. Nonye Soludo, has stated that the Primary Healthcare (PHC) Leadership Challenge is playing a crucial role in promoting excellence, accountability, and innovation in healthcare delivery across the state, while strengthening efforts to build a people-centred health system.
Mrs. Soludo made the remark during the award ceremony of the PHC Leadership Challenge Fund for Local Government Areas in Anambra State, where outstanding local government chairmen, healthcare managers, health facilities, and frontline healthcare workers were recognized for exceptional performance.
Describing the initiative as a reflection of the state’s commitment to quality healthcare, she noted that the challenge has become an important platform for encouraging healthy competition, rewarding excellence, and fostering innovation at the grassroots level.
According to the First Lady, the awards demonstrate the determination of the administration of Chukwuma Soludo and its partners to build a healthcare system that is responsive, accountable, and accessible to all residents.
# The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP. Ikioye Orutugu, has directed investigators to fast-track efforts to unravel the circumstances surrounding the suspected murder of a 23-year-old female student whose lifeless body was found in her residence at Alor, in Idemili South Local Government Area.
The directive followed the transfer of the case from the Nnobi Divisional Police Headquarters to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Awka, for a comprehensive investigation.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the incident was reported on June 14, 2026, after the victim’s body was discovered within the compound where she lived as a tenant.
Police officers who visited the scene reportedly observed a deep cut on the deceased’s thigh, other visible signs of violence on her body, and blood stains around the premises, raising strong suspicions of murder.
Preliminary investigations further revealed that the deceased was a student of the College of Nursing Sciences, Alor.
As part of ongoing investigations, the landlord of the property has been taken into custody and is currently being interrogated. The victim’s body has been deposited in a mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
CP Orutugu has instructed the investigating team to conduct a thorough and professional inquiry, stressing that every lead must be pursued to ensure those responsible are identified and brought to justice.
The police commissioner also reassured residents of the command’s commitment to securing justice for the deceased and appealed to members of the public with relevant information to assist investigators by coming forward.
# Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam, Anambra State, Professor of Law, Professor Chudi Charles Nwabachili whose dismissal report from the University was recently announced on various social media platforms alongside other lecturers by the Governing Council of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), has decided to speak on his purported sack, even as he absolved self of the act of gross misconduct allegation.
This was contained in a release signed by Prof. Nwabachili, the immediate past Dean of the Faculty of Law and made available to newsmen in Awka.
According to him, the allegation was not, and could not have been substantiated, stating that he genuinely appeared surprised at the announcement of the decision of the University Council regarding his dismissal as published on or about Friday, 12th June, 2026, adding that he is yet to be served with any letter of dismissal by the Registrar of the University, who is the Secretary to Council.
‘I do not even know the actual offence I committed, for which I was found guilty. The publication simply alleged “gross misconduct” which is generic, without specifying the particular act of gross misconduct in question,’ he said
Professor Nwabachili recalled what he described as a spurious petition dated 20th December, 2023, was written against him, alleging that he manipulated some students’ examination results in his capacity as the Dean, Faculty of Law, saying that the allegation was extensively investigated at the end of which nothing untoward was found against him.
According to Prof. Nwabachili, the petition against him, was actuated by malice, and no act of misconduct was established against him.
# Youths of Nnewi North, Nnewi South and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency of Anambra State have rejected results of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) primary elections held in the federal constituency, which declared the incumbent Rep member, Hon. Peter Uzokwe, winner.
In a communique issued after an emergency extraordinary meeting held in Ozubulu, Ekwusigo local government area of Anambra State, on Wednesday, the youths under the umbrella body of “Concerned NDC Youths,” insisted that the results, as seen, do not reflect what transpired in the field.
Part of the communique reads, “Youths of Nnewi Federal Constituency learnt with suprise that after patiently waiting for two weeks for the release of NDC’s primary election results, the results appear to reflect what was predetermined before the election itself.
They said that the last time they checked, registered members of NDC in Nnewi North, as at the day of the primary election, was 1,040 members out of which Nnewi South alone were 1,002, while Ekwusigo had 988 members.
Spokesperson of the youths, Comrade Edwin Ikegwuonu, who read out the communique, equally noted that Nnewi federal constituency must not give Uzokwe another opportunity because of his abysmal performance at the national assembly.
# Traders at the Fruit and Vegetable Market, Onitsha, have appealed to the Anambra State Government to fulfil its promise of relocating all sellers of perishable food items in Onitsha and its environs to the new market site.
The traders made the appeal when newsmen visited the market to assess business activities in the area.
During the visit, the crew observed a large number of traders operating in the market, with several shops open for business.
There was also noticeable vehicular activity, as goods were being loaded and offloaded while customers moved around making purchases.
Speaking on the state of the market, the Chairman of the Fruit and Vegetable Market, Onitsha, Deacon Charles Egeonu, alongside members of the executive drawn from the Igbo, Hausa, and Yoruba communities, Messrs Bala Chindu, Falade Adesoji, and Emeka Ikokwu, said business activities were gradually improving at the new location.
However, they expressed dissatisfaction that more than one year after the government’s relocation directive, some traders were still being allowed to operate from the old market site.
According to them, the new market is more spacious, organised, and conducive to business.
