* The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Anambra State Command, is set to undergo a capacity-building training with the HALO Trust Global, focusing on enhancing personnel skills in safe weapons handling and building operational readiness to tackle explosive threats in the state.
This was disclosed by Richard Goss, HALO Trust Operations Manager (Nigeria), when he led a team on a courtesy visit to Commandant Maku Olatunde, NSCDC Anambra State Commandant, at the state command headquarters in Awka on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
In his remarks, Mr. Goss said the HALO Trust Global has significantly contributed to global disarmament efforts by conducting assessments of weapons and Explosives storage facilities, building and refurbishing storage facilities, managing weapon registrations, and enhancing the capacity of law enforcement agencies in the safe and secure storage and management of arms, ammunition and explosive ordnance.
Responding, Commandant Maku Olatunde, the Anambra State Commandant of NSCDC, emphasized that regular training and re-training of personnel would significantly enhance the Corps’ operational effectiveness. He highlighted the need for stakeholder collaboration to prevent diversion, misuse and unauthorized handling of explosives and hazardous materials in the state.
* Senator Uche Ekwunife will be announced as the APC Deputy Governorship candidate in the November 8th, 2025, Anambra State gubernatorial elections.
Political watchers believe including her in the ticket as Deputy Governorship candidate to Hon. Nicholas Ukachukwu will boost the party’s chances in the elections.
An experienced campaigner, Iyom Senator Ekwunife has friends across the divide built up from years of bestriding national politics in both the federal house of representatives and the senate.
With her joining the fray, the election is beginning to look like a four-horse race between the incumbent, Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, his Deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim (APGA), Hon. Nicholas Ukachukwu, and Iyom Senator Uche Ekwunife (APC), Sir Paul Chukwuma and Chief Uzu Okagbue (YPP), and Chief George Moghalu (Labour Party).
* Anambra State House of Assembly has appreciate President Bola Tinubu for his visit and commitment to building critical infrastructure in the state.
The appreciation was made on Thursday at plenary through a motion sponsored the member representing Idemili South constituency, Hon. Chukwuemeka Igwe.
According to Hon. Igwe, ” President Bola Ahmed Tinubu graced Anambra State with his presence on Thursday, 8” May, 2025 to Commission landmark projects such as the Solution Funcity and the New Government House;
“We are greatful to Mr. President for his commitment to national development as well as his unwavering support for our state and his conviction to build critical infrastructure like roads, rail and power in Anambra.
” Worthy of commendation was his willingness to integrate Anambra State into National Gas Infrastructure Network, ensure effective erosion control and a possible functional deep seaport in Anambra State;
“Mr. President’s presence in the State has inspired a sense of hope and unity among the people of Anambra State;
“His visit is a testament of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s transformational and developmental strides, which has brought significant attention to the State and its development agenda”. Igwe submitted.
* Founder United Nigeria Airlines, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo and Nigeria football legend, Kanu Nwankwo popularly known as Papilo have called for collective support to Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Hospital, Oraifite, a cardiology centre offering heart surgeries for both children and adults at a subsidize fee.
The duo who made the call after a tour of the hospital which they described as topnotch, stated that the aim of their visit was to appreciate incredible records in Nigeria health sector and to partner with the Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation to reach out to those with heart problem.
Prof.Okonkwo who noted that selfless service and great sacrifice drive the collaboration, stressed that the heart center is one of the great things happening in Nigeria.
The former Super Eagles Captain, Kanu Nwankwo who shared his experience when he had heart problem , gave strong message of hope to those with heart problem, disclosed that the cardiology centre in Oraifite will bridge the gap of medical tourism.
Chairman Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation, Engineer Emeka Okwuosa who is also the founder of Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Hospital, stressed the importance of partnership for the sustenance of the hospital which operates in partnership with a team of experts from the VOOM Foundation,USA.
* The 11th presenter of the Faculty of Agriculture, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka’s lecture series, Dr Ogechukwu Umeh, says improving underutilized indigenous crops will help the Southeastern region achieve food security.
Dr. Umeh, a lecturer in the Department of Crop Science and Horticulture, who disclosed this during her presentation, appealed to southeasterners to go back to those crops which helped the people of old live long and health lives.
In the lecture themed “Improving Under-utilized crops in South-eastern Nigeria: A Panacea for food security, Umeh, a distinguished Nigerian academic and researcher specializing in Agriculture, regretted that the indigenous crops with their nutritional, medicinal and economic values, have been neglected for far too long.
Umeh who is also the third Genuises Lecturer of the Faculty, regrettably noted, “We have allowed imported foods like rice, etc, Genetically modified foods (GM Foods), processed spices in diverse forms to displace our indigenous delicacies.
* “𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥,” sponsored by the member representing Nnewi South one, Hon. Nonso Atuchukwu has been red for the first time at the Anambra State House of Assembly.
The proposed law seeks to establish a regulatory agency that will standardize and sanitize real estate practices in the state.
Additionally, four new petitions and two motions were presented as the House commenced robust deliberations for the weeks ahead.
* The Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA) has held a one-day sensitization workshop for enrollment officers to strengthen the implementation of its free health insurance program for people living with HIV and tuberculosis, supported by the Global Fund.
The workshop, which took place in Awka, aimed to equip officers with a clear understanding of the scheme, reinforce the importance of maintaining beneficiary confidentiality, and ensure accurate data collection during the enrollment process. It also clarified the roles of enrollment officers and stakeholders, while addressing potential challenges that may arise in the field.
Speaking at the event, the ASHIA Managing Director and CEO, Dr. Simeon Onyemaechi, emphasized the need for professionalism, empathy, and strict adherence to ethical standards, reminding officers that a valid National Identification Number (NIN) is mandatory for all enrollees.
The training underscores ASHIA’s commitment to delivering accessible, stigma-free healthcare services to vulnerable populations across Anambra State.
* Anambra Market Stakeholders, led by Mr. Oliver Nwachukwu, have condemned in strong terms the extortion and harassment of traders in Agboedo United Market, F Line Nnewi.
According to a petition to governor Charles Soludo, dated 9th May 2025, Mr. Nwachukwu, the state chairman of Anambra Market Stakeholders said the Chairman Nnewi North LGA. Hon. Echezona Anazodo has been collecting illegal levies from traders, to the tune of ₦20,000, which is not only unlawful but also detrimental to the livelihood of the traders in the market.
Mr. Nwachukwu however expressed concern that the actions of the local government chairman and his cohorts are undermining Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s efforts to develop Anambra state and generate revenue.
* The Chairman of Idemili South local government area, Hon. Mrs Amaka Obi
has inspected ongoing construction of 700km of St. Gerald Estate road, Oba.
Speaking during the inspection, Hon. Obi reaffirmed her commitment to delivering more development projects in Idemili South local government area.
The Mayor said that the construction is not just about laying asphalt, it’s about building pathways to prosperity, stating that roads connect our farmers to markets, our communities to opportunities and they lay the foundation for a thriving local economy.
She maintained that the development project is just the beginning, adding that many more infrastructure developments are on the way for the people of Idemili South.
Obi also inspected construction of solar powered borehole water in Iruowelle village, Awka-Etiti and implored the people of the two communities to protect government properties.
* Work is in top gear on Azigbo – Awka-Etiti – Amichi – Onuselogu- Nnewi Road With Spur To Diocesan Hospital Amichi awarded by Governor Chukwuma Soludo in January 2025 which is being handled by Akaeze Multi Services Nig LTD.
The road which is four point six kilometers in length connected three Local Government Areas.
Earth work and drainage construction is on going on the road from Azigbo end of the road towards Awka-Etiti- Amichi end of the road.
Speaking to newsmen, the Site Manager, Engineer Austin Ezeadi said that the stone base is fifteen millimeters while the drainage is one meter by one meter on Azigbo portion and eight hundred by eight hundred on Amichi portion of the road.
According to Engineer Ezeadi, they are rushing to complete stone base on the two point three kilometers where earth work is already completed , and then commence asphalt before the rains fully set in, appreciating Governor Soludo for finding his company worthy to serve the state at that capacity, even as he promised to deliver quality job.
