* The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Anambra State Secretariat has taken an important step towards promoting transparency and accountability in public service.
In collaboration with the Code of Conduct Bureau, the NYSC Anambra Management Staff underwent a training session on Seamless Asset Declaration.
The training programme, themed “Assets Declaration Made More Seamless,” equipped participants with vital knowledge on asset declaration compliance and introduced them to the latest online methods for asset declaration.
The NYSC State Coordinator, Mrs. Blessing Ekene Dili-chukwu Iruma emphasized the importance of asset declaration in promoting transparency and accountability in public service. She urged participants to prioritize compliance with the online registration system introduced by the Code of Conduct Bureau.
* Women from Nimo community in Njikoka Local Government Area stormed the Anambra State Government House in Awka in protest.
The women accused their traditional ruler, Owelle Max Ike Oliobi, of illegally selling communal lands and engaging in various other illegalities that have plunged the community into crisis.
The protest was sparked by long-standing grievances over the alleged unauthorized sale of ancestral farmlands by the Owelle and other community leaders.
The women held placards with inscriptions such as “Soludo, Nimo needs your help, please save us,” “All manner of impunities must stop in Nimo,” and “Igwe Maxi Ike Iliobi is bastardizing Nimo culture and traditions.”
* The Chairman, Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Dr. Abdullahi Usman, has restated its commitment to strict enforcement of the provisions of the Assets Declaration Law among public office holders in Anambra State and beyond.
Dr. Usman, stated this in Awka, at the commencement of a 2-day Rule of Law and Anti-corruption (RoLAC 2) capacity building workshop on the On-line Assets Declaration System, themed, “Improving the Effectiveness of Anti-corruption Processes and Reforms” organized by Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) in collaboration with the Bureau.
Represented by Head, Education Department, Koyonda Edward, Usman restated CCB’s resolve to ensure transparency and accountability in governance, through sustained innovation and collaboration with relevant stakeholders aimed at increased compliance with asset declaration requirements among public officials.
According to Usman, corruption has remained a significant hurdle to Nigeria’s development, eroding public trust, stifling economic growth, and perpetuating inequality. “Combating the monster of corruption is a collective responsibility while government takes the lead with policies, laws and strict enforcement of such laws.
* No fewer than 8,157 graduates of the 2023/2024 academic session, took part in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, 19th Convocation Ceremony.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ifeanyichukwu Ikechebelu while speaking said the graduates include 6,126 first-degree recipients, 163 postgraduate diploma holders, 706 postgraduate diploma in education recipients, and 680 master’s degree awardees.
463 individuals were conferred with doctorate degrees, while 16 doctoral students graduate from the UNIZIK Business School.
Speaking on the progress made by the institution, the Acting Vice-Chancellor noted that the university has witnessed significant growth, stability, and peace following its recent leadership crisis.
* Electricity Consumers Right Network (ECRN) and concerned stakeholders has demand immediate attention to the perennial power supply challenges plaguing Anambra State.
The group called for the immediate unbundling of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), citing inefficiencies and exploitation.
National Coordinator ECRN, Comrade Osita Obi while speaking in a press conference on Thursday, emphasized the need for urgent action to address the power supply challenges in the state and region.
In a communique, signed by Osita Obi, National Coordinator of the Electricity Consumers Right Network (ECRN), and Emeka Ral, Secretary of ECRN, urged Anambra State Government, National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), and the Federal Government to take immediate action and intervene.
* The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Anambra State Command has advised motorists and other road users to avoid excessive speeding and any conditions that could compromise their safety on the road.
Corps Commander Joyce Nnennaya Alexander issued this advice following a serious crash involving three vehicles that occurred on Wednesday along the Oraifite-Onitsha road near Nwazota Oraifite Junction.
The Sector Commander urged all road users to adhere to traffic regulations to prevent crashes and ensure safe travel to their destinations.
A green daf commercial truck with the registration number 9BGT18LG, driven by Mr. Sunday, collided with two other vehicles, including a Toyota Camry and a Sino truck. As a result of this incident, three individuals were injured.
According to a press release by RC. Margaret Onabe, Spokesperson, FRSC Anambra State Command, eight adult males were involved in the crash: three were injured, while five were rescued unhurt, and fortunately, there were no fatalities.
* Stakeholders in Anambra State have extolled Governor Chukwuma Soludo for the judicious utilization of revenues generated locally in form of taxes, levies and fees across the state.
The people made the commendation during a public policy dialogue on Tax for Service Campaign organized in Awka by Social and Integral Development Centre, (SIDEC), in collaboration with the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, (CISLAC) under the Tax for Service Project, which is funded by Oxfam Nigeria.
They noted that the uncommon commitment to infrastructural development demonstrated by the government which the noted is encouraging more eligible citizens to pay their taxes.
One of them and chairman, Anambra Internal Revenue Service, (AiRS), Dr Greg Ezeilo, represented by Executive Director, Assessment, Ben Okafor, noted that SIDEC, host of Tax Justice and Governance Platform, has boosted government efforts through its intervention which primarily focused on advocacy, sensitization and awareness creation.
* The Anambra Wrestling Association (AWA) has resolved to make the event the major gold winner at the forthcoming National Sports Festival (NSF) in May.
The wrestling association said this at the end of their first meeting with their Chairman, Uche Animoke popularly known as “Mighty Uche Fancy” in Awka.
Emeka Obidimma, Technical Director of away said the association was engaging an experienced coach to boost technical manpower and put athletes in the right shape for the festival.
Obidimma noted that wrestling was the leading sports in Anambra as wrestlers from the state had not only done well locally but Internationally winning gold at the Commonwealth wealth game, All Africa Games and others competition.
* The General Overseer of Chapel of Faith Bible Assembly International, 3-3, Onitsha, Anambra State, Bishop Emeka Michael Nwankpa (PhD), has asked the members of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State to pick Prince Dr. Nicholas Ukachukwu as their flag-bearer for the Anambra State Governorship election which comes up in November 8, this year.
Throwing his weight behind the governorship aspiration of Prince Ukachukwu, Bishop Nwankpa, a former Governorship candidate of Accord Party in Abia State in 2023 election affirmed that the best thing that would happen to Anambra State was to vote Dr. Ukachukwu as the next governor.
The Pentecostal Bishop who stated this while playing host to the leadership of Ikemba Front led by its National Coordinator, Sir Arinzechukwu Awogu, in Onitsha, Anambra State attested to the integrity of Ukachukwu, saying: ” I will definitely vote for Ikukuoma”.
* A deep-seated rift has emerged between President General of Ihiala,Okey Ohagba,
and the community’s traditional ruler, Igwe Thomas Obidiegwu (Oluoha) due to differing political allegiances.
The PG backs the Labour Party, while Igwe Obidiegwu and many community leaders support the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the state’s ruling party.
At a press conference in Awka, Igwe Obidiegwu and community leaders accused the PG of high-handedness and usurping the monarch’s powers.
The community has petitioned Governor Chukwuma Soludo over the N100 million matter and other alleged infractions by the PG.
