* Members of Community of Practice of ProjectTrust, a project executed by Connected Development, a Non-governmental Organization, have stressed the need to ensure that the Community Charter of Demands (CCD) from each community is always a product of wider consultation with every segment including women, girls and youths.
ProjectTrust State Support Officer in Anambra State, Uju Ananwude, gave the charge when members of CoP visited the Director, Planning, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Mr Arthur Iweanya in his office.
According to Ananwude, the visit was to relay their findings from interactions with some community people, who still complain of exclusion from government activities.
* The last phase of Awka Diocesan Pastoral Council Meeting was held at the Arch Bishop A.K. Obiefunna Retreat, Pastoral and Conference Centre, Okpuno in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The meeting which was attended by parish priests, heads of Catholic institutions, Laity Council members and Vice Chairmen of respective parishes within the diocese, was chaired by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Awka, His lordship, Most. Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor. The Bishop, in his opening remarks, appreciated and welcomed all participants for being present.
As the meeting was held to receive reports from parishes and institutions under the diocese, it also had the Anambra Burial Law, Nazareth Formation Centre, Isiagu and the 2024 Cathedraticum reports and awards as top of its agenda.
* The Head of Department of Psychology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Professor Chidozie Nwafor has urged the
Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to leverage on modern technologies for effective safeguarding of students, teachers and school environment in Anambra State.
Prof. Nwafor commended Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun for setting up the special security team for the protection of schools across the country, adding that the impact would extend to communities and society at large.
Nwafor in a lecture entitled “Security Agencies and Community Partnership in Safeguarding Nigerian Schools” held at Nibo, Awka South Council Area of the State during the training of School Protection Squad (SPS), stated that access control system such as biometric authomatication, smart card or RFID will assist in making the in achieving the objectives of the initiative.
* The Forum of Anambra Village Chairmen, consisting of the leaders of Villages in Anambra Communities, has held its inaugural meeting, lauding the Governor Chukwuma Soludo, for what it described as his uncommon passion in making Anambra State work.
The group aims to collaborate among themselves and seek stronger ties with the government towards domesticating government policies in the grassroots, as the custodians of the people in their respective domains.
He further said that having taken cognizance of the happenings in the state, the challenges, and their attendant demands, a collective decision was taken to unite and be counted as stakeholders who were committed and determined in making Anambra a livable and sustainable homeland for all.
* The Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze says Anambra State has produced a preeminent priest in Africa, Francis Cardinal Arinze.
Felicitating Cardinal Arinze, the Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments on his 92nd birthday in a release signed by Mr. Emma Madu, the
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Rt Hon. Udeze described him as an outstanding religious leader.
The Speaker who called on other religious leaders to emulate Francis Cardinal Arinze’s humility, uprightness, good nature and devotion, noted that he has done the State, Ndi Igbo, Nigeria and Africa proud in his religious career.
* The First Lady of Anambra State Mrs. Nonye Soludo has launched organic vegetable garden programme in Idemili North Local Government Area.
The Anambra governor’s wife and founder of the non-governmental movement, Healthy Living Initiative also lunched weeekly physical exercise across the twenty-one local government areas of the state.
Mrs Soludo flagged off both programmes at Idemili North LGA Headquarters, Ogidi, where the pilot projects are expected to kick off immediately.
The Healthy Living Garden Programme is a community-based initiative where each local government will be supported by the governor’s wife, NGO, to start up their own gardens within the vicinities of the councils’ secretariat.
* Bishop Crowther Seminary, Awka is poised to serve students better with the appointment of Rev. Jonathan Ikpoyi as the Principal of the revered best all boys school by the Archbishop Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger and Bishop Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim, PhD.
This is coming as the ParentTeachers Management Committee ( PTMC) also known as Parent Teacher Association, (PTA) of the school has elected a seasoned administrator, Ambassador John Ifejika as the PTA Chairman for Bishop Crowther Seminary Awka.
Ifejika emerged alongside Mrs Ngozi Okeke as Vice-Chairman; Dr Uwaezuoke,I.C as Secretary and Okonkwo Amara as Assistant Secretary, while Pastor Chuka Onyeama is the Provost.
He defeated Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, PhD in the election, as Comrade Odogwu even voted Ifejika and congratulated him for emerging victorious, pledging his unflinching support to the executive.
In his acceptance speech, Ambassador John Ifejika assured to partner teachers and parents to ensure proper upbringing for the youngsters in solidarity to the mission and vision of the forefathers of the Bishop Crowther Seminary, Awka.
* A combined delegation from Ogwuikpele and Ogwuaniocha Communities, in Ogbaru LGA has paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman/ CEO, Anambra State Solid Minerals Development Company and Anambra Petroleum and Energy Resources, Prof.Charles Ofoegbu, to seek an end to their unending crisis and untold hardships ravaging the two communties.
One of the delegates, Mr Olisa Onwuma, stated that they work for SEEPCO, the company that produces oil in Ogbaru, but promises made to them in the past have not been fulfilled, as they are not being paid as and when due by SEEPCO and have not been benefiting from the oil wells since time immemorial.
He mentioned that there’s no good and functional schools and hospitals in their communities, even as their children usually get drowned in the river while going to school on boats.
* The Idemili North Local Government Deputy Mayor, Lady Phina Onwuachu has appreciated Anambra First Lady, Dr. Mrs Nonye Soludo as she launches vegetable garden and weekly workout in Idemili North secretariat, Ogidi.
The Deputy Mayor said, the launching of vegetable garden and weekly workout are very necessary for healthy living, stating that if we have little garden in every household in the council area, it will provide enough food for the family and as well, provide income.
Mrs Deputy Mayor stated that the solution to any problem lies in everyone contributing their own quota to getting that solution, saying that, as the First Lady, Dr. Mrs Soludo is showing example and planting her own garden.
While applauding Dr. Mrs Soludo for carrying women along in every programmes, she encouraged Idemili North women to be part of the solution by having their own gardens.
* The Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, has said that governor Chukwuma Soludo, has not declared intention to contest for a second term.
This is contrary to insinuations that Soludo is seeking a second term as governor.
Mefor who spoke with journalists in his office said even though the governor was yet to declare to contest for a second term, he would be persuaded to contest because of what he described as Soludo’s sterling performance.
