* Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike says the state has recorded about 15,000 deliveries without any maternal mortality since the introduction of free antenatal and delivery services by Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration. Dr. Obidike made this known during a Maternal Mortality Review meeting organized by the Ministry of Health in Awka. In his address, Dr. Obidike explained that the meeting was to review maternal mortality, identify potential causes and combating factors, develop strategies to reduce maternal mortality, review case presentations of all maternal deaths, discuss findings and discuss ways to enhance healthcare system and maternal health in Anambra.
* A former governor of Anambra State, Chief. Willie Obiano is currently on trial, facing a nine count charge of embezzlement and money laundering totaling N4 billion, brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Two prosecution witnesses, Tochukwu Aloysius Nnadi and Mrs. Chinwe Patricia Ebunam, have testified in the trial of former Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja, stating that N4billion security votes were diverted to private companies. At the resumed trail recently, Nnadi, a bank manager in Awka, Anambra State, revealed that documents from his bank showed that funds from the state’s security votes account were transferred to various private entities, including Easy Diamond Integrated Links, C.I Patty Ventures Nigeria Limited, and Xpressive Consult Nig. Limited, among others, during Obiano’s tenure as governor.
* The Transition Committee Chairman of Orumba North Local Government Area, Hon. Casmir Nwafor has described the emergence of Governor Chukwuma Soludo as the Vice-Chairman of Southern Governors’ Forum as a confirmation of his outstanding leadership qualities, numerous achievements and prudent management of the State’s resources.
Speaking to newsmen at Oko, Orumba North Council Area on Soludo’s recent feats, Nwafor noted that the milestones achieved by the Governor in his national and international assignments formed the basis of his success story in governance. The Orumba North Council Boss who expressed satisfaction that Anambra State emerged number one in States’ Fiscal Transparency Ranking out of the 36 States of the federation according to the State Fiscal Transparency League Table Quarter One of 2024, attributed the accomplishment to Governor Soludo’s deep knowledge of financial management and right application of resources to various development goals of the State.
* A septuagenarian man has been apprehended in Anambra State for plotting to poison a local widow in the state for allegedly refusing to grant his request to engage in sexual affairs with her. The incident happened at Afọr Nnobi Market in Nnobi Community, Idemili South Local Government Area of the State, where the suspect was apprehended by some denizens who saw him obsessedly loitering about in the market in a suspicious way (with N1000 in his hand), searching for and making inquiries about where to buy some chunks of the the poison for inflicting elephantiasic disease (elephantiasis) popularly known as leg poison. This was corroborated by a video that has gone viral on the social media showing some denizens of Nnobi as the surround and interrogate the suspect, with the N1000 in his hand.
* The Public Complaints Commission has asked companies to show responsibility to the social, environmental and economic impacts of their operations on their host communities. The Chief Commissioner of the Commission, Mr. Abimbola Ayo-Yusuf stated this during a one day awareness workshop in Awka, themed “Systemic and proactive investigation into compliance to corporate social responsibility by private companies in Anambra”. Declaring the event open, Mr. Ayo-Yusuf said that the awareness workshop is important as the benefits of corporate social responsibilities are enormous and seals the bond between the company and their host communities.
* A philanthropist and business mogul, Chief. Joseph Onuorah has commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s developmenta strides in the past two years in office. Onuorah who stated this while answering questions from newsmen in the affairs of the state, said that the Governor has brought visible developments in almost all sectors of the Anambra economy since he assumed office barely two years ago. Onuorah who extolled the Governor’s unwavering commitment to infrastructural development, especially road constructions, appealed to Governor Soludo to construct the Oko-Ndiowu-Ufuma link road as it will open up the agrarian communities along the axis, create jobs and employment opportunities mostly for the youths thereby arresting youths restiveness.
* The 160th celebration of the consecration of Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther, the first Bishop on the Niger by the Anglican faithful in Onitsha was a carnival that residents will not forget in a hurry as the ever busy commercial city of Onitsha recorded more influx of vehicular and human movements to the cathedral where various activities were showcased to mark the event. Various associations in the Diocese including the Boys Brigade neatly and colourfully dressed received the Primate, Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, the ArchBishop, Province of the Niger, Most Rev. Alexandar Ibezim, the host Bishop, Rt. Rev. Owen Nwokolo and other Bishops who came from far and near to be part of the historic celebration.
* The legal battle between the Tansian University in Anambra State and Anambra Industrialist, Chief Romanus Ezeonwuka, has seen the latter emerging victorious again (now in the Appeal Court), further upholding his earlier victories and his claims over disputed property amidst accusations and counterclaims of its ownership. With the latest ruling dismissing and striking out an appeal (with the appeal number: CA/AWK/67/2019) filed by the Tansian University, the Appeal Court has also marked another significant milestone on the long-standing dispute, reinforcing Ezeonwuka’s co-ownership rights over the land on which Tansian University’s campus in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, is located. The latest victory was spelled out in a judgment delivered in a court proceeding signed by three Appeal Court Justices, Justice Obietonbara O. Daniel-Kalio, Justice Isa Bature Gafai, and Justice Asma’u Musa Mainoma, upholding the earlier victories of Chief Romanus Ezeonwuka (also known as Rommy Ezeonwuka) and his company, the Ranent Industries Company Ltd. in the lower court.
* Aguata Diocesan Women’s Ministry has commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for the free education policy of his administration. The President of the Ministry, Mrs Chinyere Ezeofor, gave the commendation while presenting her address at the 19th Aguata Diocesan Women’s conference holding at Saint Mary’s Church Ogbunka in Orumba South Local Government Area. She described the free education policy of Anambra State government as a step in a positive direction, which she said will give indigent parents the opportunity to send their children to school to acquire sound and quality education.
* The Agulu community in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State has unveiled plans to upgrade Nkwo Agulu market to international market in the area.
This decision was reached at an emergency national executive meeting of the Agulu People’s Union (APU) held on June 22, 2024. Presided over by the union’s President General, Chief Oliver Afamefuna, the meeting focused primarily on the market project. A committee established to oversee the project presented its report, which was chaired by Sir Emma Ibeneme.
