* The Anambra Road Transport Management Agency (ARTMA), has completed the installation of the ”No Parking, Tow Zone” signs, aimed at completely decongesting the service lanes in Onitsha for commercial bus and tricycle riders as promised. Engr. Emeka-Konti Okonkwo, MD/CEO of ARTMA, who expressed happiness at the level of compliance just a few hours after the installation, said he observed car owners moving out their cars to nearby parks for fear of being impounded by ARTMA, explaining that it was wrong to park on the service lane as it would make it difficult for other road users to access the area. According to him, the blue and white Asaba bus drivers and keke riders have been relocated to better places away from major junctions.
* The former Chairman of National Human Rights Commission, Prof Chidi Odinkalu, has said that insecurity in the state is caused by cultists and other criminal gangs. Odinkalu, the chairman of Anambra State Truth, Peace and Justice Commission, stated this shortly after submitting the report of the commission to the state governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, at the Anambra State Government House. Soludo had in 2022 constituted the commission, naming Odinkalu as its chairman, and other notable personalities as members, including Amb Bianca Ojukwu.
* The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Anambra Chapter has condemned the abduction of Dr Ofodile Ekweogwu, a Consultant Neurosurgeon from his office by men suspected to from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) on March 16 and subsequent threat to his life. NMA in a Statement signed by Dr Jane Ezeonu and Dr Frank Ifeanaeme, Chairman and Secretary of the chapter respectively said it would not guarantee industrial harmony if the issues were not addressed within 72 hours. The association, said Ekweogwu, treated a patient identified as Corporal Okona Stephen Ifeanyi of Nigerian Police Area Command Nnewi who sustained head injury from a road traffic accident in January successfully and discharged him.
* The Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District, Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah has visited the Anambra State Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Addressing the party leaders at the Secretariat located in Awka, Senator Ubah disclosed that he was there to appreciate them for their continuous support and to discuss his intention to contest the next Gubernatorial Primary in the state as well as the upcoming Colloquium scheduled for the 22nd day of March and the Mega Empowerment Rally planned for the following day, March 23, 2024. Senator Ubah who was accompanied to the event by a strong delegation led by the Director-General of Ifeanyi Ubah Foundation, Chief Vin Onyeka further appreciated the executive members of the party in the state for their tireless efforts to make the party stronger and reassured them that he would continue to make the party proud.
* Governor Chukwuma Soludo has commissioned the completed twelve kilometres of roads out of the fifteen kilometers representing nine roads he awarded in Okpoko. The Governor equally embarked on inspection of the General Hospital, Okpoko, a first in the history of the community. Soludo noted that the Okpoko intervention is in fulfilment of the promises he made to the people of Okpoko who were largely forgotten and abandoned by successive administrations.
* The Anambra State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed four clandestine laboratories that produce the deadly Methamphetamine (Mkpurummili) drugs in the area. The Public Relations Officer of the agency Mr Christopher Adebo who spoke at the Anti Drug Abuse campaign rally organized by the Anambra North Senatorial District chapter of the Soludo Ambassadors at the weekend noted that the agency has a five year work on plan prevention program to stop the use and supply of drugs in the state urging the Town Union leaders and Traditional Rulers to be part of the fight against drug abuse.
Adebo while speaking on drug abuse and its threat urged all especially the youths to shun the use of substance. He revealed that awearness has been taking down to schools, religion gathering and markets.
* Against public confirmation that Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo did not ask him, the Commisioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affiars, Hon TonyCollins Nwabunnwanne to cancel the 30th December 2023 election of Urum Community, in Awka North Local Government Area, stakeholders of the community have asked the Governor, Prof Soludo to set up an independent election review committee on Urum elections. The Stakeholders rising from an emergency meeting after Commissioner Nwabunnwanne announced 30th of March, 2024 to conduct fresh elections for the community requested the Governor to stop the Commissioner from intimidating the community as such is capable of igniting unimaginable crisis in the community.
* The Pro-Chancellor of Olivia University, Burundi Sir Paul Chukwuma has endowed his Alma Mater, the Holy Ghost Juniorate, Ihiala with the sum of N100m to build modern classrooms for the students. Sir Paul Chukwuma who is a member of the 1989 set of the seminary made this donation during the 70th Anniversary of the school and Inter House sports competition which was held on Friday, March 8, 2024, at the school facility in Ihiala. He urged the school to utilise the funds to build befitting classrooms embedded with various learning aids to prepare the students to compete in a rapidly changing technological world.
Recalling his time at the Seminary, Sir Paul Chukwuma stated that the institution played a significant part in his success story as the discipline and education he got from the school helped shape his worldview.
* The Transition Committee Chairman of Idemili South Local Government Area, Hon. Mrs Amaka has said that, there cannot be true democracy unless women’s voices are heard and there cannot be true democracy unless women are given the opportunity to take responsibility for their own lives. She made this statement during ‘A Day With Mrs Nonye Soludo’ which the theme was Women Inevitable Instruments For Developments At All Levels.
* A bill for a law to establish the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission and for connected purposes has been presented and passed through first reading at the Anambra State House of Assembly. Majority leader Hon. Ikenna Ofodeme, member representing Ekwusigo constituency moved the motion for first reading. Also at plenary, A bill for a law to provide for the establishment of Commuters Manifest Scheme in Anambra State and for related scaled through first reading. The bill was sponsored by the Chief Whip Hon. Jude Ngobili, the member representing Ihiala one constituency.
