* A bad omen is staring a large number of building owners in Anambra State in the face, as the state’s Physical Planning Board has concluded arrangements to embark on massive demolition of illegal structures across the state. The Managing Director of the Board, Barr Chike Maduekwe, who disclosed this in a media programme in Awka recently, said the exercise would begin by the end of July this year. Maduekwe therefore, appealed to building owners across the state who were building without the board’s approval, to approach the board’s office with their building plans for the approval before a given grace period elapsed.
* A former Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Anambra State Chapter, Comrade Patrick Obianyor, has appealed to the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, to clear the arrears of gratuities he inherited from his predecessor, Chief Willie Obiano, for equity and justice.
Obianyor, who made the appeal recently in Awka while having a chat with newsmen, argued that Governor Soludo’s leaving behind the state workers who retired at the end of Obiano’s regime in the payment of gratuity was undue punishment.
* Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, COOU, Anambra State is in discussion with universities abroad including Kentucky University, USA, towards the inclusion of its nursing department in their mobility programmes.
Acting Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Kate Omenugha made the disclosure at the Igbariam campus of the university during the 2024 Nurses Week organised by the university in conjunction with the Department of Nursing Science. Omenugha noted that when the linkage and collaboration deal is sealed, some of their students can travel to those countries as part of their programme. She described nursing as not just a profession but a calling to serve others, make a difference and to bring comfort and healing to those in need.
* Drivers on the Nnewi, Ihiala route has called on the Anambra state government to come to their aid, over the double taxation, intimidation and extortion by Mr. Okwudili Okafor and one Elochukwu otherwise known as bishop, whom they said has made doing business on that route unbearable for them, because of the taxes they are collecting from them which is beyond what the government of the state stipulates. The concerned driver’s led by Mr. Maxwell Onyeka said that Mr. Okwudili Okafor and Mr. Elochukwu has really made life unbearable for the drivers on that route, as it’s always a fighting galore on a daily basis.
* A professor of Political Theory and Methodology of Political Inquiry from the Department of Political Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof Makodi Nnia Biereenu-Nnabugwu, has frowned at the attitude of Nigerian politicians towards public service. Biereenu-Nnabugwu stated this while delivering the 102nd Inaugural lecture as the guest lecturer at the university, under the theme: ”Reflections on the state, classical political thoughts and the cradle: from a perspective reflection”. Speaking to prominent individuals at the event, Biereenu-Nnabugwu who is the Vice President of Nigeria Political Science Association, said two factors prompted Nigerian politicians to aspire to public offices.
* The Chairperson of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian universities (SSANU) Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Dr Njideka Nwangwu has said that the association will not succumb to cheap blackmail. Nwangwu stated this in a statement made available to the media in reaction to a recent publication where the University Postgraduate College was alleged to be involved in extortion and other things. According to the SSANU Chairperson, who is also the Secretary of the College, the publication is completely false and unfounded as there are no cases of extortion of any kind in the college of Postgraduate Studies, Nnamdi Azikiwe University.
* The National Coordinator of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Media Warriors Forum, Chinedu Obigwe, has taken a swipe at the National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for calling out Anambra state governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo in a viral video. Recall that in a letter on Wednesday, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union of Nigeria (TUC) issued a seven-day strike notice to Soludo over his refusal to fully implement the 2019 minimum wage policy. The organized labour also faulted the Soludo-led administration for the “inefficient running of the state’s contributory pension scheme and the non-constitution of civil and judiciary service commissions”, among others
Reacting to development in a statement, Obigwe said unfolding events had clearly shown that Ajaero was being used to play a politically motivated script in Anambra State. Obigwe asked Ajaero to take what he called his (Ajaero’s) madness elsewhere, stating that Anambra workers were happy and comfortable with Soludo.
* The Ministry Of Transport, has commenced the implementation of Special Trade License Regulation under the Anambra State Road Traffic Law and is organizing consistent training programmes for affected persons or organizations involved in motor vehicle dealing, auto mechanics, and other items of motor vehicle related trades and services in Anambra State. The maiden enlightenment cum sensitization programme on Special Trade License Regulation for motor vehicle dealers, auto mechanics and technicians, panel beaters, artisans, battery dealers, and others in Anambra State was held at the VIO Vehicle Inspection Centre by Roban Stores, Awka Anambra State. The participants were urged to take seriously the initiative geared towards sanitizing and ridding Anambra State roads of incessant crashes occasioned by poor vehicle maintenance, as well as unworthy vehicles plying the roads and to prevent road crashes before they occurred.
* It was a historic moment in Amichi, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State as the community witnessed the unveiling of the first ever Housing Estate in the town, and indeed, in the entire local government area. The brand new mega Estate, known as the Diamond City was unveiled by an illustrious son of the community and Chairman of the Chisco Group of Companies, Chief Chidi Anyaegbu, who is also the facilitator of the project.
Speaking during the unveiling, which was also witnessed by top government functionaries and indigenes of the community, among other stakeholders, Chief Anyaegbu described the estate as a very significant and historic landmark in Amichi land, expressing joy that he’s alive to witness and see it happen.
* A philanthropist and an illustrious son of Umuoji, in Idemili North Local Government Area, Engineer Linus Ilozue, recently built and handed over a seven-room health care facility equipped with solar energy, drugs and other basic amenities to Achalagu Community, Umuoji. Commissioning the project, the Commissioner for Health, Anambra State, Mr Afam Obidike, represented by the Director of Disease Control and Immunization, Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Uliagbafusi Nnamdi, commended Umuoji community, especially Engr. Ilozue, for mooting the idea of bringing down health care services to his hometown and also for equipping it to standard, stating that the Government of Anambra State was deeply impressed with the gesture, describing it as typical exemplification of the think home philosophy mantra and call of the Governor Chukwuma Soludo led Administration. He announced that some newly recruited health personnel would be posted to the centre for the day-to-day running of the health centre, as well as the efficient and effective administration of quality health care services to the people.
