# FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited has warned traders operating beneath or dangerously close to high-tension electricity lines in Onitsha, Anambra State, to relocate to safer locations to prevent potentially fatal electrical accidents.
The warning was issued during a safety sensitisation exercise at Ọgbọ Rod, around Port Harcourt Road and Uga Street in Fegge, Onitsha, where traders were found displaying goods and operating shops directly beneath or dangerously close to overhead power lines.
The FirstPower team comprised the Safety Officer for Ogidi/Aguleri Districts, Engr. Raphael Otakpor, representing the Head of Health, Safety and Environment, Engr. Tosin Fadairo; the Safety Officer for Ogbaru District, Engr. David Isu; the Head of Security, Mr. Sam Uduak; and the Head of Communications, Izunna Okafor.
The team expressed concern over the presence of traders dealing in iron rods, metals and other building materials beneath the high-tension lines, noting that conductive materials and makeshift structures erected close to the lines posed serious risks to traders, customers and passers-by.
It also observed several iron-container shops and shanties attached to or dangerously close to the metal barricade protecting the distribution substation serving the area.
# The Anambra State Government has distributed 4,480 bags of fertiliser to Presidents-General of communities across the state to support farmers, improve agricultural productivity and boost food security.
The allocation represents the state’s 40 per cent share of the 11,200 bags of fertiliser supplied through the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Farm Input Support Programme.
The distribution ceremony, themed “Innovate Today. Nourish Tomorrow,” brought together government officials and community leaders to discuss strategies for improving agricultural production and ensuring sustainable food security.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Ben Odoemena, represented by the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Clem Aguiyi, stressed the importance of proper waste management, environmental protection and peaceful coexistence in achieving sustainable food production.
# The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 19-year-old suspect, Mustapha Sani, and recovered an Infinix Android phone allegedly stolen in Adamawa State.
The arrest was made by operatives of the State Intelligence Department (SID), Awka, following intelligence-led operations aimed at tracking down the suspect.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a press release, stating that preliminary information indicated that the suspect allegedly dispossessed unsuspecting victims of their mobile phones in Adamawa State before fleeing to Anambra, where the stolen devices were reportedly intended for sale or personal use.
Ikenga said the recovered phone was undergoing investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged offence.
# The Mayor of Nnewi North Local Government Area, Hon. Echezona Anazodo, has congratulated members of the 3rd Legislative Council following their inauguration.
In a congratulatory message after the swearing-in ceremony held at the Nnewi North Legislative Complex, Mayor Anazodo hailed the ten Councillors and described their emergence as a call to service.
He specifically congratulated Rt. Hon. Chijioke Nwizuigbe who emerged Leader of the House and Hon. Somadina Okonkwo who emerged Deputy Leader.
Mayor Anazodo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building strong synergy between the Executive and Legislative arms, noting that meaningful development can only be achieved through unity and shared vision for Ndi Nnewi.
He charged the Councillors to discharge their legislative duties with dedication and assured them of his support and collaboration.
# The Mayor of Idemili South, Hon. Oluchukwu John Ilogbenu, has begun assessing primary healthcare facilities to improve healthcare delivery.
The assessment started in Zone Two, covering Akwu-Ukwu, Oba and Ojoto communities within Idemili South Local Government Area.
Six health facilities were visited to evaluate infrastructure, staffing, sanitation, water supply, security and essential medical equipment.
The Mayor was accompanied by his deputy, Hon. Ifeyinwa Ejiofor, ANSACA Executive Director, Dr. Nkem Okeke, and other stakeholders.
The team identified facilities requiring renovation, improved sanitation, solar power, water supply, medical equipment and additional healthcare personnel.
The assessment aims to identify critical gaps and prioritise interventions for improved primary healthcare services across the local government area.
The team commended Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s free maternal healthcare and antenatal policy supporting expectant mothers accessing healthcare services.
# The Anambra State Government says it has strengthened disease surveillance across the state’s 21 local government areas as part of efforts to prevent the spread of Ebola following concerns over a reported case in Abuja.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, disclosed this during a press briefing in Awka, assuring residents that no case of Ebola had been confirmed in Anambra.
Obidike said the government had deployed 10 trained health informants per ward, with support from the World Health Organisation (WHO), to enhance the early detection and reporting of suspected cases.
He added that health screening and travel declaration procedures had been reinforced at relevant entry points as part of the state’s preparedness measures.
According to him, Anambra began strengthening its epidemic response about three months ago following federal directives and had continued collaborating with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), WHO, UNICEF and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
The commissioner urged residents to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information, assuring them that health authorities were closely monitoring the situation.
He also warned against the use of unproven remedies, particularly drinking or bathing with saltwater, to prevent Ebola.
Obidike explained that Ebola is primarily transmitted through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person who is symptomatic, rather than through casual contact.
He advised residents who develop persistent fever, severe headaches, joint pain or unusual weakness to seek prompt medical attention, particularly if they may have been exposed to the virus.
# The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, has blessed a renovated chapel at Rosa Mystica High School, Agulu, in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The chapel, equipped with facilities for liturgical worship, is part of the school’s efforts to promote holistic education.
The blessing took place during the Bishop’s episcopal visit to the school. During the event, Bishop Ezeokafor also blessed the renovated school gate and the school’s 285-metre-long, 6.8-metre-wide asphalted main avenue.
The event formed part of activities marking the school’s 60th anniversary, with the celebration’s grand finale scheduled for Saturday, [date to be confirmed.
# The Executive Director of the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA), Dr. Nkem Okeke, and the Executive Mayor of Idemili South LGA Hon. Oluchukwu Ilogbenu, have inspected selected Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in Oba, Akwukwu and Ojoto to assess healthcare delivery, HIV services and infrastructure needs.
The inspection aimed to identify gaps in primary healthcare delivery and strengthen access to essential maternal health services and HIV prevention, testing, treatment and support at the grassroots.
During the visit, the team encountered about five mothers who had recently delivered their babies under the free antenatal care and delivery programme of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration.
Dr. Okeke commended the Governor for prioritising maternal healthcare, noting that the initiative helps reduce the financial burden on families and improves access to essential services for pregnant women and nursing mothers.
He emphasised the need to address infrastructure deficiencies and other service delivery challenges identified during the inspection to ensure that primary healthcare facilities can provide quality care and reach more people with essential health services, including HIV related interventions.
# The Rotary Club of Onitsha Metropolis has called for stronger collaboration among government, business owners, community leaders and professional organisations to strengthen small businesses, create jobs and promote sustainable economic development in Anambra State.
The call was made during a fellowship organised by the Club to commemorate Community and Economic Development Month, with the theme, “Building Stronger Small Businesses: A Collaborative Approach to Job Creation and Sustainable Economic Development in Onitsha.”
The fellowship brought together Rotarians to examine the contributions of small businesses to the local economy, identify challenges confronting entrepreneurs and explore practical ways stakeholders could collaborate to support business growth and improve livelihoods.
The Club noted that small businesses provide livelihoods for families, create employment and sustain local commerce, stressing that stronger partnerships and targeted interventions were essential to helping enterprises survive, expand and contribute more effectively to economic development.
Speaking at the event, President of the Rotary Club of Onitsha Metropolis, Rtn. Ezuma Smart Chinedu, urged business owners, community leaders and government authorities at all levels to strengthen collaboration towards creating a more supportive environment for small businesses.
He commended public institutions and private enterprises for their contributions to economic development and called for deeper engagement with entrepreneurs to understand and address their practical needs.
# The Anambra State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development has announced plans to introduce a specialised security seal to reduce the possibility of forging building permit stamps and numbers.
The development was disclosed by the Honourable Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Barr. Chijioke Ojukwu, on October 20, during an oversight visit by members of the Anambra State House of Assembly Committee on Housing.
According to the commissioner, the new seal has been approved by Governor Chukwuma Soludo and will be produced by the Nigeria Security Printing and Minting Company Plc (NSPM), the company responsible for printing Nigerian currency.
He explained that, unlike the conventional stamps that could easily be accessed and reproduced by roadside engravers, the new security seal would be difficult to manipulate or forge.
Barr. Ojukwu noted that the seal would incorporate special security features designed to prevent forgery, describing the initiative as one of the areas the ministry intends to improve upon.
The commissioner also disclosed plans to digitise the assessment fee application process by November 1, noting that the initiative would enhance transparency and efficiency..
