* The member representing Anambra East Constituency in the 8th Assembly Hon. Obi Nweke has called on the federal government to device a means of ensuring food security in Nigeria, as food inflation bites harder nationwide. Nweke who is the Anambra State House of Assembly Chairman Committee on petition while speaking to newsmen at his country home, Igbariam, said that the measure has become imperative due to the food inflation in the country at the moment, which has made basic food items unaffordable by most of the citizens. Hon. Nweke equally urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to synergize with the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to make sure that the potential 2024 flood will not adversely affect any resident of Anambra, especially those in the flood prone local governments, including Anambra East.
* The Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Victor Umeh, has received widespread acclaim from stakeholders following his impressive performance in his first year as a member of the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. According to stakeholders who spoke in separate interviews, Senator Umeh’s achievements in the past twelve months have been outstanding by all standards. They praised his effective representation of Anambra Central Senatorial District, robust defence of Anambra State and Igbo interests in the National Assembly.
* The Deputy Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Pius Chuma Okoye, has been exonerated from the skirmishes ravaging Eke Market, Amawbia, Awka South LGA of Anambra State. Chairman of Eke Amawbia Market, Mr. Dan Nwokoye while speaking, described his relationship with the Deputy Speaker as cordial and blamed those he described as disgruntled elements at the market for fanning the embers of discord over an issue that had since been controlled. The market leader said the idea of establishing the Eke Amawbia Market was mooted by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon Okoye, after which, he, Nwokoye, introduced it to the Awka South Local Government, the Town Union and Market Union, which all bought the idea, leading to the present status of the market.
* The Joint Campus Council (JCC) of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) recently paid a courtesy visit to the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu. Speaking during the visit, the Chairman of the JCC NANS, Matthew Okpala Okoye felicitated with the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ikechebelu on his recent appointment as the University’s Chief Executive Officer. Comrade Okoye appreciated the number one citizen of the nation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing a capable and prominent academic figure to man the affairs of the institution while praying that his appointment will be made substantive in due course. Okoye thanked Prof. Ikechebelu for his approval for the upcoming SUG elections to hold in no distant time while promising that in his capacity he will ensure that there will be no form of protest whatsoever by the students during his term as the VC but instead to employ dialogue as the appropriate way should there be a matter between the students and the University management.
* Anambra State Government through its Ministry of Special Duties has began her flood intervention pre-planning activity with interactive meetings with people living in riverine communities. Speaking at Ifite-Anam in Anambra West Local Government Area, the Commissioner for Special Duties, Hon. Beverly Ikpeazu-Nkemdiche told the gathering that the interactive meeting was imperative as it will help government feel the pulse of the real people affected by floods so that their real needs will be reflected in the flood intervention plan.
Commissioner Ikpeazu-Nkemdiche represented by the Head of Planning, Research and Statistics in the Ministry, Mr Emeka Ezeoke explained that regrettably flood intervention plans implemented by the government are usually found wanting in meeting the needs of the affected persons and as such this interactive meetings will help close the gaps.
* As parts of its continuous advocacy for a better welfare for elderly persons, Alzheimer Disease Foundation has restated its commitment to end all forms of abuse against elderly persons in Anambra State. The non-governmental organization gave the assurance during an event it organized to mark this year’s World Elder Abuse Awareness Day in Amawbia, Awka South LGA. Speaking during the event, the Deputy Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Right Honourable Chukwuma Okoye, commended Alzheimer Disease Foundation for their contribution to the welfare of the senior citizens, and assured that the state House of Assembly will partner her foundation for laws that will improve the living conditions of the aged in the state.
* The lawmaker representing Ihiala Constituency One at Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Jude Ngobili has rendered account of his stewardship for the past one year in office to his constituents. Hon. Ngobili who is the Chief Whip of the 8th Anambra Assembly while presenting his score card to his constituents on Sunday June 23, 2024, said his constituency has developed better following his developmental strides in many sectors. Addressing his constituents, Ngobili disclosed that he has attracted road projects, sponsored many motions and supported life changing bills, currently facilitating the state’s development, highlighting several key areas of focus over the past year, including infrastructure development, education, healthcare, employment, empowerment and security. The Chief Whip noted that these initiatives were driven by the needs and aspirations of Ihiala Constituency One, aiming to improve the quality of life for all residents, while assuring he would continue to represent them even better in order to bring greater developments the constituency.
* Labour Party stalwart and frontline Governorship hopeful in Anambra State, Valentine Ozigbo, has lamented that citizens and residents of the state have lost hope in the ability of Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo deliver on their safety and welfare. Ozigbo regretted that the state has not done well under Governor Soludo such that citizens with investible funds are scared of coming home to invest because of the climate of insecurity enveloping the State.
According to Ozigbo, a former President/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Transcorp Plc, “We haven’t done well under Governor Soludo and there isn’t much to hope for. People have actually given up. The conclusion is that he doesn’t know what to do particularly in the most part of insecurity, which is the primary purpose of government – safety and welfare of the citizens. And if you get it wrong, you can’t succeed in every other thing.
* The Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court of Anambra State, sitting in Awka has slammed multiple jail terms on two young men, Mr. Kingsley Chinedu Okeke (aged 22 years old), and Mr. Chukwuemeka Nweke, (aged 27 years old) over crime bordering on illegal dealings on children. The Spokesperson of the Anambra State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Chidinma Ikeanyionwu, disclosed this in a statement to newsmen over the week. According to her, the convicts were arraigned before the Court, sometime in 2023, on a-4 count charge bordering on child stealing, illegal dealing in children; fraudulently enticing away and habouring one year and two months old baby boy; forcefully isolating the child from the lawful possession of his parents; and infliction of physical injuries, punishable under the Criminal Code, Laws of Anambra State of Nigeria, 1991, the Child’s Rights Law of Anambra State, 2004, and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition and Protection) Laws of Anambra State, 2017 respectively.
* The Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State on Youth Empowerment Programmes, Dr Nelson Omenugha, has sympathized with his people, those that lost their means of livelihood as a result of the fire outbreak that affected some shops at Afor Nnobi market in Idemili south local government area of the State. He appreciated the efforts of Nnobi youths and high-spirited individuals who moved swiftly to put out the fire.
