* The Parish Priest of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Odoakpu, Onitsha, Rev. Fr. Hyginus Zikora, along with Bro. Emmanuel Onyenwife of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement of Nigeria, has commemorated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the religious group.
The event took place at the Church and drew notable guests from all over Anambra state, featuring fundraising activities and accolades for several deserving individuals.
During the event, Bro. Emmanuel Onyenwife, the regional leader of the Catholic Renewal Movement of Nigeria, expressed that the purpose of the 50th anniversary celebration was to offer gratitude to God for His guidance regarding the movement and to acknowledge the members who have been managing its operations.
He further noted that nearly all members of the statutory bodies within the Catholic faith are part of the movement and praised the efforts of the CCRN members in disseminating the gospel.
* Anambra will be presenting a 150 man team at the National Sports Festival due to commence in Abeokuta, Ogun State on May 15.
The Director of Sports, Mr. Emeka Obidimma, who disclosed this in Awka on Thursday said the team included 100 athletes and 50 officials.
Obidimma said Anambra would feature 20 events including Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Boxing, Chess, Darts, Deaf Table Tennis, Karate, Kickboxing and Wushu Kungfu.
Others are Para Athletics, Scrabble, Swimming, Taekwondo, Ncho, Volleyball, Weightlifting and Wrestling.
He said the team was currently concluding its series of preparations with 5-day intensive closed camping in Awka before their departure on Friday.
* The Chairman of Idemili South local government area, Hon. Mrs Amaka Obi has commended her counterpart, who is the Mayor of Anaocha local government area, Hon. Rome Ibekwe over the empowerment of Anaocha youths through skills acquisition programme.
Hon. Obi made this commendation during the graduation and empowerment of youths in the council secretariat, Neni, stating that Hon. Ibekwe is promoting collective efforts to drive youth empowerment in the council area and congratulated the beneficiaries.
* The Anambra State Commissioner for Lands, Prof. Offornze Amucheazi has urged developers in the State to key into the sustainable vision of a smart city homeland as championed by the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo CFR.
Amucheazi made the call during a one – day training workshop facilitated by MP-INFRASTRUCTURE Limited on best practices for city planning with personnel of Anambra State Ministry of Lands among other participants from sister agencies in attendance.
Speaking on the soon-to-be-developed Awka 2.0 and Onitsha 2.0 – new Awka and Onitsha cities respectively, Prof Amucheazi warned illegal developers encroaching on these government mapped out areas, that there would be dire consequences.
The Commissioner who expressed delight at the theme of the training “Best Practices for City Planning”, noted that it aligns with the vision of Governor Soludo in delivering a clean, green, liveable and prosperous homeland in Anambra State.
* The national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Barr. Sly Ezeokenwa has described the party as the only one that extends partnership with Progressives for the common good of all.
Reacting to the state visit of President Bola Tinubu to Anambra State recently, Barrister Ezeokenwa noted that the party has always advocated for progressive and strategic governance saying that the president Tinubu is the president of Nigeria and not of a particular political party, which makes him the father of all.
According to Barrister Ezeokenwa, every political party has quality personalities that can join hands with the government at the centre to achieve the desired nation, saying that the president is cognisant of that fact siting the appointment of Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu as minister of Foreign Affairs and Mr Mark Okoye as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of South
During the ceremony, the bishops including Peter Cardinal Okpalaeke, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, Most Rev. Dennis Isizo, Most Rev. Jonas Benson Okoye invoked divine guidance for the governor and other officials who will govern from the new site.
Speaking to the media, Governor Chukwuma Soludo, stated that the facility is ready, expressed gratitude for the support of the Church and emphasized the government’s commitment to serving the citizens effectively.
* A group of traders at Agboedo United Market F-Line Nnewi have taken to the streets to protest alleged extortion and intimidation by officials of the Nnewi North Local Government Area.
The traders, who have been operating in the market for over 30 years, claim they are being subjected to unlawful levies and possible eviction.
According to eyewitnesses, the traders gathered at the market entrance, carrying placards with inscriptions such as “We are under peaceful protest, we are no longer happy”. “Explain the meaning of revalidation”. “Stop Extortion Now”. “We Want Justice.”
They alleged that the local government chairman, Hon. Echezona Anazodo, and his cohorts have been collecting illegal levies from them to the tune of 20,000 aside from the government approved levies, with some traders demanded to pay as much as ₦4.5 million, and ₦5 Million for penalty for late payment.
East Development Commission, both members of APGA as the president’s step towards progressive leadership.
Ezeokenwa noted that both APGA and APC believe in the ideals of progressivism and will continue to work together for the good of the country.
* Anambra Tricycle Riders Association, ANTRA, the umbrella body for all Keke operators in Anambra State, has been officially inaugurated to champion the welfare and well-being of its members across the state.
The Chairman Anambra State Internal Revenue Services, Dr Greg Ezeilo represented by the State Taskforce Commander on Revenue, Mr. Nathan Obukwelu, while inaugurating the association on behalf of the state government, assured the group of the government’s zero tolerance for touting and illegal tax collection, and advised ANTRA taskforce team to operate within the limits of their mandate and to report any activities of illegal tax collectors to the government for immediate action.
In vote of thanks, the Chairman of ANTRA, Comrade Chidozie Okafor, who expressed gratitude to the Anambra State House of Assembly and Governor Chukwuma Soludo for their support in establishing the association, outlined the group’s objectives, which include protecting the interests of tricycle riders from exploitation by hoodlums, ensuring the welfare of members in cases of accidents, theft, or health challenges, among others.
In their separate remarks, the Traditional Ruler of Ukwala Community, Igwe Joseph Ajodo, ANTRA Consultant, Professor Ikechukwu Jude, Chairman of Awka North and South ANTRA, Mr. Amanke Okafor, and his Anambra North counterpart, Mr. Ifeanyi Chigbo, emphasized the importance of unity and cooperation among members, and pledged that ANTRA would continue to support the state government through the prompt payment of taxes for a better Anambra State.
* Anambra State government through the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA) has banned all forms of begging, loitering, trading, and unregulated charity under the Aroma Flyover.
ACTDA through a public notice signed by
the MD/CEO ACTDA Mr. Ossy Onuko say the open distribution of food, drinks, and cash by well-meaning individuals, content creators, and charity groups is endangering children, encouraging street loitering, and defacing the capital city.
ACTDA warns that going forward, anyone caught giving alms or gifts to destitutes in public spaces will be treated as an enabler of civil disorder and prosecuted.
“All charitable efforts should be directed to orphanages, care homes, NGOs, or conducted privately in non-public spaces”. the authority warned.
* 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐚 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 has held another strategic meeting at Best Western Hotel, Awka, as momentum builds toward the forthcoming gubernatorial elections.
During the meeting, there was a strong, unified resolve to reaffirm support for the candidacy of Governor Chukwuma Soludo for the massive development amd growth he has brought to the zone, with plans underway for a formal adoption by the zone.
Presiding over the session was the Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze. The meeting attracted Commissioners, lawmakers, political appointees in the present administration, and other key stakeholders committed to advancing the region’s collective interest.
* The newly constructed Government House and Governor’s Lodge in Awka is set to commence operations after a solemn blessing ceremony conducted by a gathering of Catholic Bishops in the state.
The brief but solemn event marked the official readiness of the state’s governmental facilities to serve the people of the state.
The ceremonial blessing was presided over by the Archbishop of Onitsha and the Metropolitan of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke who underscored the importance of the new facilities as not only a physical infrastructure upgrade but also a symbol of hope and progress for the state.
