# The 20th Convocation Ceremony of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka will hold from Wednesday, June 17th to Saturday, June 20th, 2026.
The disclosure was made by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, during the 242nd Senate meeting of the institution held recently at the Zephaniah Madubuko Auditorium, Faculty of Social Sciences, UNIZIK.
Prof. Anyaehie disclosed that the annual convocation ceremony would offer an opportunity for the graduands of the 2024/2025 Academic Session, to get their certificates during the four-day University programme which will also feature award of honorary degrees and bestowment of Emeritus Professorial titles.
# The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), Dr. Ossy Onuko, has expressed high praise for Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s recent policy decisions aimed at addressing long-standing social and developmental challenges within the Anambra state capital.
Speaking to the press shortly after a high-level meeting with members of the Ozo Awka Society at the Light House, Awka, on Friday, Dr. Onuko described the Governor’s approach to peace in Awka as a “masterstroke.”
Dr. Onuko also commended the Governor for handling the Awka issues with utmost care, emphasizing that the Governor’s advice regarding the community would, in the long run, specifically target the modernization of infrastructure and the enforcement of the capital city’s master plan.
He further assured the public that the ACTDA is fully committed to implementing the Governor’s directives without fear or favour, and urged residents and stakeholders within the capital territory to cooperate with the government’s efforts, noting that the temporary inconveniences of urban renewal would yield long-term benefits for all.
# A chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr Azubuike Ekweozor, has declared that the achievements of Governor of Chukwuma Soludo, are visible to all, including the blind, and that no previous governor has done better.
Ekweozor, an aspirant of the party for Awka North and South Federal Constituency for the House of Representatives, said the achievements of the Governor in Anambra State in the last four years were overwhelming, and that every right thinking citizen of the state could not afford not to support him.
He stated this in Awka during an event to declare his intention to contest for a seat in the House of Representatives, saying that the Governor needed people who could support him with policies from the National Assembly.
# The immediate past Anambra State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Ify Obinabo has described her time in office as more than a political appointment, saying it became a personal mission to defend the weak and give hope to those whose voices were often ignored.
Speaking to journalists in Awka, Obinabo maintained that serving as Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare remained one of the greatest honours of her life.
According to the former commissioner,
the opportunity to stand for women, protect children and support struggling families gave her a deeper understanding of leadership and public service.
# The future of the church depends greatly on how faithfully youths are nurtured, guided, and empowered today.
In his charge at the Cathedral Church of St Faith, Awka, during the 14th Synod of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Province of the Niger, Diocese of Awka, with the theme, “Repositioning the Church for the Future: A Focus on Youth Ministry,” the Archbishop, Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger and Bishop, Diocese of Awka, His Grace, the Most Rev. Alexander Ibezim, said that without the youths, there is no future for the church.
Ibezim noted that it is not easy to manage youths who possess enormous energy, and charged educational institutions to ensure rich moral content, while urging parents to guide their children on moral issues, noting that spiritual formation starts at home. UPSOT
Also noting that Nigerian citizens, including the youths, face economic challenges that deepen poverty levels, Archbishop Ibezim called for economic reforms focused on agricultural revolution.
# Open defecation has become a menace to public health and the environment in Anambra State. Lady Helen Nwobu, a civil servant, described it as “a call of nature that becomes unavoidable” when public facilities are unavailable.
“When it comes, you must look for any available place or be ready to mess yourself up,” she said, calling for the provision of public toilets with adequate security to monitor and supervise their use.
An educationist, Mr. Daniel Osereme Okonewa maintained that educated and enlightened individuals would not engage in the act, advising those involved to desist to avoid the risk of contracting diseases.
Mr. Okonewa urged the government to clamp down on defaulters, noting that “the average Nigerian often requires firm enforcement before adhering to simple rules.”
He further recommended intensified public sensitization on the dangers of open defecation.
Also Speaking, Mr. Paul Nwankwo, also a public servant, insisted there was no justification for any sane person to engage in open defecation. He called on the government to provide designated sanitation facilities and recommended that offenders be arrested and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent.
# The Mayor of Awka South LGA, 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱𝘂 𝗢𝗸𝗮𝗳𝗼𝗿 has supervised the inspection of refuse dump sites at Yahoo Junction, Ifite Awka, the permanent site of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (Unizik).
The inspection formed part of the Mayor’s ongoing environmental sanitation drive aimed at promoting cleanliness and restoring order across communities in Awka South LGA.
During the exercise, the Mayor expressed displeasure over the indiscriminate dumping of refuse and the unhealthy condition created by the overflowing waste heaps in the area. He immediately directed the relevant environmental authorities and waste management personnel to commence urgent evacuation of the accumulated refuse in order to prevent environmental hazards and protect residents, students, and road users from possible health risks.
He reiterated that his administration remains fully committed to sustaining a healthier, safer, and cleaner environment across Awka South. He cautioned individuals and traders against indiscriminate dumping of refuse, stressing that anyone found violating environmental sanitation regulations would face appropriate sanctions.
The Mayor further warned that any illegal structure erected on the drainage at Yahoo Junction, including shops, fences, and other unauthorized developments will be demolished.
# The Mayor of Idemili South Local Government Area, Hon. Mrs Amaka Obi has commended the appointment of APGA State Women Leader, Mrs Esther Onyekesi as Commissioner for Women Affairs by Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
In a statement, Obi described the appointment as well-deserved recognition of dedication, competence, and visionary leadership.
The local government boss lauded Soludo for entrusting the Ministry of Women Affairs into the hands of a woman who has consistently demonstrated deep passion for the welfare and empowerment of women and children in the state.
She stated that Mrs Onyekesi’s elevation is not only timely but reflective of her remarkable contributions as APGA State Women leader, noting that she championed several impactful programs and interventions that brought visibility to women’s issues.
# In a significant move toward deepening Nigeria’s HIV response, the Executive Director and Project Manager of the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA), Dr. Nkem Okeke, paid a strategic advocacy visit to the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) Secretariat in Abuja.
The visit underscored Anambra State’s firm commitment to advancing national efforts to curb HIV transmission and improve prevention outcomes.
Dr. Okeke was received by Dr. James Anenih, Director of Community Prevention and Care Services at NACA, alongside Dr. Sam Anya of UNAIDS.
Beyond a formal introduction of Dr. Okeke as the new head of ANSACA, the engagement served as a critical platform to strengthen collaboration between state and national actors, reinforce technical partnerships, and align Anambra’s HIV response with Nigeria’s broader strategic priorities.
During discussions, Dr. Okeke presented a forward-thinking vision centered on expanding HIV awareness, prevention, and testing services to grassroots communities across all local government areas in the state.
