# Public Relations practitioners have been advised to use their public relations skills to manage crisis and mental health issues in a troubled society.
Rev. Chika Okpalike of the Department of Religion and Human Relations, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, stated this in Awka while delivering the June Business Lecture of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Anambra State Chapter.
Speaking on the topic “Crisis and Mental Health Management in a Troubled Society: The Public Relations Perspective,” Prof Okpalike described crisis management as a core function of Public Relations (PR), which involves anticipating, preparing for, and navigating unexpected emergencies to protect an organisation’s reputation.
According to him, PR experts control the narrative, maintain transparency, and foster trust when challenges threaten public perception.
He contended that PR crisis management strategy relies on preparation & proactive planning, rapid & transparent response, stakeholder communication, reputation recovery & long-term strategy to achieve desired success.
# The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Anambra State Sector Command, has intensified its road safety advocacy with a church outreach at Jesus is Alive Church, Eziowelle, aimed at promoting safe road use and reducing traffic crashes.
Speaking during the outreach on the theme, “Getting to Your Destination Safely is in Your Hands,” the Anambra State Sector Commander, Corps Commander Bridget Asekhauno, stressed that road traffic crashes are caused by human actions rather than spiritual forces.
Corps Commander Asekhauno, who was accompanied by the State Coordinator of the Special Marshals, Michael Ogbusa, urged motorists and road users to adopt responsible driving habits. She advised parents to always secure babies in the back seat of vehicles, avoid using mobile phones while driving, refrain from overloading vehicles, and obey all traffic laws and regulations.
She also emphasized the importance of road signs and markings, noting that they are designed to guide and warn road users in order to prevent accidents. The Sector Commander encouraged members of the congregation to take the road safety message back to their families and communities.
In his remarks, the General Overseer of Jesus is Alive Church, Archbishop Onyekachukwu Nzekwesi, commended the FRSC for the educational outreach and urged the congregation to comply with traffic rules and regulations.
Archbishop Nzekwesi also prayed for God’s protection over the Sector Commander and FRSC personnel as they continue to carry out their responsibilities, expressing appreciation for the valuable road safety enlightenment.
# The Secretary to the Anambra State Government, Mrs. Chiamaka Nnake, has commended the Chaplain Corps Policing Explorers (CHAPOL) for their commitment to combating social vices among students in secondary schools across the state.
Mrs. Nnake gave the commendation during a courtesy visit by members of the CHAPOL Corps to her office. She encouraged the organization to remain steadfast in its mission of reforming young people and promoting positive values among students.
Speaking during the visit, the Secretary to the State Government described the corps’ mandate as noble and timely, noting that it aligns with the vision of the Anambra State Governor to build a crime-free society by sanitizing the state of negative social influences and nurturing individuals who embody the values of a true Onye Anambra.
In his remarks, the Anambra State Commandant, Chaplain Corps Policing Explorers (CHAPOL) Dr. Joseph Ekwunife ACG, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to achieving its mandate of reforming students for a better Anambra State. He highlighted the corps’ ongoing efforts in mentoring young people and instilling discipline, moral values, and civic responsibility among students.
Dr. Ekwunife also appealed for greater collaboration and support from the Anambra State Government to enable the organization to expand its activities, function more effectively, and achieve greater results in its campaign against social vices in schools.
# Anambra State First Lady, Dr. Nonye Soludo, has congratulated entrepreneurs on the International Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day, describing them as key drivers of economic growth and job creation.
In a message posted on her official Facebook page, she praised entrepreneurs for their resilience, innovation, and determination in building stronger communities.
Mrs. Soludo said the ideas and dedication of entrepreneurs continue to create jobs, strengthen families, and promote sustainable economic development across society.
The First Lady then called for sustained support for Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, stressing that thriving small businesses are essential to prosperous and inclusive communities.
# The Mayor of Idemili South Local Government Area, Hon. Mrs Amaka Obi alongside her team inspected Ogunzelle primary school, Awka-Etiti.
Hon. Obi frowned at the dilapidated structures and poor sanitary, security and learning condition at the school.
The Mayor said that the condition of the school was not inline with Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s vision of making access to basic infrastructure available to our children, stating that the overall well-being of their learning matters to government.
While urging Councillors to be active in attracting projects to their wards, Council boss maintained that access to quality education is not a privilege for a few but a fundamental right to every child in Idemili South, adding that our children deserved the best learning environment.
# The Anambra State Government has announced plans to establish a standard poultry incubation centre through a strategic partnership with the private sector as part of efforts to boost agricultural development and create jobs.
The Commissioner for Agriculture in Anambra State, Dr. Ben Odoemenam, disclosed this while receiving a delegation from the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Anambra State Chapter, in his office.
Dr. Odoemenam called on investors and development partners to take advantage of opportunities in the state’s poultry sector, assuring them of the government’s readiness to provide the necessary technical support.
He explained that the Ministry of Agriculture is encouraging greater private sector participation to reposition agriculture as a key driver of economic growth and sustainable development in Anambra State.
In his address, the Chairman of NVMA, Anambra State Chapter, Dr. Victor Ughaerumba, sought the ministry’s support for a public health workshop scheduled to hold on July 27 in Nnewi.
Dr. Ughaerumba further appealed to the state government to facilitate the establishment of standard abattoirs and a veterinary hospital for the diagnosis and treatment of animal diseases, noting that such facilities would help curb the spread of zoonotic diseases and enhance public health across the state.
# Osnon Academy, Uga Community Secondary School, Aguluezechukwu, and Aguata High School, Aguata, have emerged first, second, and third respectively at the inaugural Changemakers for Culture and Education (CACE) Pitch-a-thon in Anambra, which brought together students from across Aguata Local Government Area to pitch ideas for positive change in their communities.
The event, hosted at the Aguata Local Government Headquarters, attracted the Anambra State Commissioner for Culture, Barrister Udorji Amedu; his Ministry of Youth counterpart, Patrick Agha-Mba, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Ifeatu Emordi; Aguata Mayor, Dr. Chibueze Oforbuike; as well as teachers from the participating schools.
While declaring the event open, Dr. Oforbuike, who appreciated the organisers and partners for the impact they are making in society, said change making should be part of everyday conversations for a better society.
In his keynote address, Barrister Amedu, described the programme as innovative and urged the participating students to allow their cultural values, especially the Igbo culture of hard work, to positively influence their lives, while assuring them that his ministry would work with all interested parties in hosting similar programmes.
# The Anambra State Police Command has secured the remand of Mr. Chukwudi Chukwuyere, 40, and Mrs. Chisom Chukwuyere, 30, at a correctional centre over their alleged involvement in the abuse of a 10-year-old boy in Isiowulu, Anambra State.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the suspects were arraigned in court after the conclusion of preliminary investigations into the case, which drew widespread public attention following the circulation of reports and video footage of the victim on social media.
SP. Ikenga commended residents of the community for their vigilance, cooperation, and timely provision of information, which led to the successful rescue of the child, ensured he received the necessary medical attention, and facilitated the arrest of the suspects.
The PPRO reaffirmed the command’s commitment to promoting justice and protecting the rights of vulnerable persons, particularly children, in line with the vision of the Inspector-General of Police.
# Concerned by the prevailing security challenges in the area, the Mayor of Anambra West Local Government Area, Hon. Edith Ndive, held a meeting with the executive members of the Anambra West Okada Riders Association.
The strategic engagement, which took place at the Council Secretariat, Nzam, focused on strengthening collaboration between commercial motorcycle operators and the local government administration to enhance security awareness and promote peaceful coexistence across communities in the council area.
Addressing the riders, Hon. Ndive described commercial motorcycle operators as critical stakeholders whose services contribute significantly to transportation and economic activities in Anambra West.
She stressed that tackling insecurity requires collective responsibility and urged the riders to remain vigilant, law-abiding, and cooperative with security agencies in efforts to safeguard lives and property.
The Mayor further emphasized the need for proper identification of riders, strict adherence to operational guidelines, and prompt reporting of suspicious movements and criminal activities to relevant authorities.
# Governor Chukwuma Soludo has declared that the state government is working to designate communities as the fourth tier of government in Anambra State.
This initiative that ideally stems from a recent Supreme Court judgment regarding community administration, which the Governor noted has brought long-standing disputes regarding the existence of autonomous communities in the state, to a close.
According to the Governor, the state government will introduce a community administration law containing a specific schedule of the communities that constitute each local government area; a legislative step that aims to resolve ongoing tensions, particularly those surrounding the operations of town unions.
While town unions currently govern many communities, the Governor emphasized that they are ideally voluntary associations, leading to instances where multiple unions exist within a single community.
