# The State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anambra State Command, Commandant Maku Olatunde, has reiterated that continuous collaboration and a cordial working relationship between the NSCDC and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Anambra State remain non-negotiable.
Commandant Maku stated this on Thursday, September 16, 2026 when he paid a familiarization visit to the FRSC Sector Commander in Anambra State, Corps Commander Bridget Asekhauno, at the Sector Command Headquarters in Awka.
The State Commandant stressed the complementary roles played by the NSCDC and FRSC, especially in road traffic management and the protection of lives and property.
He noted that both agencies have crucial roles in ensuring public safety and security, and assured of a strengthened and more effective synergy in the protection of Critical National, State and Local Government Assets and Infrastructure.
In her response, the FRSC Sector Commander, Corps Commander Bridget Asekhauno, expressed delight over the visit and assured that under her leadership, the FRSC has intensified efforts to reduce road crashes and improve traffic discipline across the State.
She noted that the visit would further strengthen the existing relationship between both agencies, emphasizing the shared responsibility of the NSCDC and FRSC in safeguarding lives and property.
# The First Lady of Anambra State, Dr. Mrs. Nonye Soludo, has been selected as a recipient of the National Leadership Conference (NLC) 2026 Award in recognition of her contributions to social impact and community development.
The award, which comes under the category of Excellence in Social Impact Leadership, recognizes individuals whose leadership and initiatives have made significant contributions to improving the lives of people and communities.
In an official letter notifying Dr. Soludo of her selection, the organizers expressed their delight in informing her of the honour and confirmed her as a recipient of the NLC 2026 Award.
Dr. Soludo’s recognition comes against the backdrop of her sustained advocacy and interventions in health, nutrition, menstrual hygiene, healthy living, child welfare and community wellbeing across Anambra State.
Through the Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo initiative, she has championed programmes focused on preventive healthcare, nutrition, menstrual hygiene, maternal and child wellbeing, environmental hygiene and healthy lifestyle practices.
Her initiatives have also included the distribution of menstrual hygiene products to schoolgirls, nutrition interventions for children, health screenings and awareness campaigns, as well as community-based healthy living activities across the state’s 21 local government areas.
# The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Anambra State Chapter, has inaugurated a three-man Electoral Committee to oversee the forthcoming election of a new executive committee as the tenure of the current administration draws to a close.
The inauguration took place during the association’s monthly Congress held in Awka on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
The State Chairman of SWAN Anambra, Comrade Chimezie Anaso, inaugurated Mr Emmanuel Ndukwuba as Chairman of the Electoral Committee, with Chukwuka Ugokwe serving as Secretary and Daniel Ukpai as member.
The inauguration received the backing and approval of members of the Congress, reflecting the association’s commitment to an orderly and transparent transition.
The newly inaugurated Electoral Committee is expected to commence work immediately and take the necessary steps towards conducting the association’s election in line with its established procedures.
The development marks another stage in the transition process as the current administration prepares to hand over to a new leadership of SWAN Anambra.
# The Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA), in collaboration with the Achieving Health Nigeria Initiative (AHNI), has inaugurated the State Key Population (KP) Advisory Committee to strengthen coordination and improve access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and harm-reduction services across the state.
The inauguration, held at Vertex View Hotel, Nibo, brought together representatives of security agencies, health institutions, government ministries and agencies, community-based organisations and key population networks.
The committee is expected to provide a structured platform for collaboration among the health sector, security agencies and key population communities, while addressing barriers to HIV services, strengthening referral systems and improving coordination among stakeholders.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director/Project Manager of ANSACA, Dr. Nkem Okeke, highlighted the efforts of the Anambra State Government under Governor Chukwuma Soludo, to strengthen the state’s HIV response through what he described as a progressive, evidence-driven and solution-oriented approach.
Dr. Okeke said the initiative was focused on public health and the protection of lives rather than promoting any particular lifestyle.
He also called on key population communities to understand and uphold their responsibilities in the state’s HIV response.
# The Management of FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited has taken its public safety awareness campaign to markets, roadside trading points, transport loading areas and other locations where members of the public are regularly exposed to electrical hazards.
The latest phase of the campaign covered Oyi and Anambra East Local Government Areas, as well as adjoining communities in Dunukofia Local Government Area, with particular attention to places where residential, commercial and transport activities are taking place within or dangerously close to electricity power line corridors.
Led by the Head of Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), FirstPower, Tosin Caleb Fadairo, the sensitization exercise took the safety message to Ezinkeje, Nteje, Otuocha, Aguleri, Umunya, Awkuzu, Ezinkwo, Ukwulu Ore and Nawgu, as well as major routes and busy activity points along the Ukpo–Ukwulu Road, Ifite–Ukpo Road, Ifitedunu–Otuocha Road, Otoko Road and parts of Nteje.
The campaign was prompted by growing concern over people carrying out trading, transportation, construction and other daily activities directly beneath or dangerously close to electricity lines.
During the exercise, the FirstPower safety team interacted with traders, customers, motorcycle riders, tricycle operators, roadside vendors, pedestrians and other members of the public, drawing attention to the serious danger posed by activities carried out too close to power lines and electricity poles.
The Management particularly warned against erecting stalls, canopies, kiosks, shops or other temporary structures under or too close to overhead power lines. Traders and residents were also advised not to extend umbrellas, poles, banners, metal rods or other long objects towards power lines, as these can come into contact with conductors (electric wires) or create a dangerous electrical path even without direct physical contact.
Tricycle operators and other transport workers were equally cautioned against loading or offloading passengers and goods directly under power lines, especially where passenges, goods, metallic vehicle components or long objects could come dangerously close to the conductors or power lines.
The use of metal ladders around electrical installations was also strongly discouraged. FirstPower warned that metal is a dangerous conductor of electricity and that a metal ladder, iron or other conductive material coming close to an energised power line can result in electric shock, severe burns, electrocution or death.
Beyond verbal engagement, the exercise also featured the distribution of safety awareness materials, especially flyers, to enlighten the public on the dangers of violating or carrying out trading and other activities under the power line right-of-way.
# Stakeholders in Anambra State have commenced further consultations on the review of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, with particular attention to technology-facilitated gender-based violence and other emerging forms of abuse.
The town hall meeting, facilitated by Barrister Mimi Ifeoma Azikiwe, the lawmaker representing Onitsha North One Constituency and Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Law Reviews, was held at the Onitsha North Local Government Secretariat.
The engagement was organised with support from the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare and the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme, Anambra, as part of efforts to strengthen the legal and institutional response to Technology-Facilitated Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (TF-SGBV).
Speaking at the event, Azikiwe described the VAPP Law as an important instrument for protecting vulnerable persons, particularly women, girls and children, and ensuring access to justice.
She highlighted the proposed inclusion of Section 29, which addresses the non-consensual recording or capturing of sexual intimacy, as well as the preservation or circulation of images of persons while unclad.
Honourable Azikiwe said technology-facilitated offences could have far-reaching consequences for victims and stressed the need for firm legal responses to emerging forms of digital abuse. She also emphasised the need to protect the privacy of minors and maintained that cases covered by the law should not be subjected to informal settlement.
The lawmaker reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to addressing issues affecting women and children.
# The Anambra State Government says it is not relenting in driving policies that promote sustainable environment.
Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Clem Aguiyi who spoke to newsmen in his office, said the state is one of places in the world that have taken the hit of the impact of climate change and, therefore, is not backing down in developing and implementing policies and laws that protect the environment.
Speaking on the efforts of the state government, Dr Aguiyi said the administration will step up its enforcement of the environmental laws and regulations on pollution, carbon and gaseous emissions, bush burning and other discharges into the atmosphere, insisting that the state government’s stance remain on low emissions.
He said that as a state government, the Governor Chukwuma Soludo administration has led a just transition from diesel to hybrid solar powered systems in powering public power and utility supplies.
# 40 candidates have been invested and admitted into the Knighthood of Saint Christopher and St Mary of the Anglican Diocese of Ihiala.
The admission and investiture ceremony which was presided over by the Bishop of Ihiala, Right Reverend Professor Israel Okoye was held at St Stephen’s Diocesan Church Centre Ihiala.
In his sermon during the ceremony, Bishop Okoye charged Christians to stand against the oppression of the vulnerable, allow the voice of the voiceless to be heard and remain faithful to Christ.
The Bishop who described Knighthood as a life commitment, challenged the new Knights to be exemplary and prayerful as soldiers of Christ, saying they have received empowerment from above to serve God and humanity with their time, talents and resources.
In their separate interviews, the Chairman, Council of Knights, Ihiala Diocese, Sir Zimuzo Adibe, his wife, Lady Onyeka and Sir Christine Mbagwu charged the new Knights and Ladies to remain more committed, focused and strong in the work of God, saying that to whom much is given, much is expected.
# Igbo culture and tradition came alive in grand style at Yam House Etiti Village Igboukwu, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, as the community hosted the 2026 National New Yam Festival, also known as “Iri Ji Ndi Igbo,” which attracted Traditional Rulers, cultural enthusiasts and visitors from the five South-East states.
The colourful event featured spectacular performances by various cultural dance groups, traditional music and impressive masquerade displays, showcasing the rich heritage of the Igbo people.
Speaking shortly after the ceremonial cutting of the new yam, the Traditional Ruler of Igboukwu, Igwe Alexander Ejikemeuwa, described the new yam festival as one of the cherished cultural traditions of the Igbo people, which provides an opportunity to appreciate God for a bountiful harvest and to celebrate with family, friends and the wider community.
In their various interviews, the Traditional Ruler of Ubulu community in Ohozara LGA, Ebonyi State, Eze Godwin Akpandu-Okolo, and that of Onitsha-Igboeze of Ebonyi State, Eze Ferdinand Okolonkwo, said the National New Yam Festival organised by the five South-East states was a good platform for promoting unity among the Igbo people, and called on Ndi Igbo to love one another, strengthen their bonds and work together to overcome the challenges confronting the people within the Nigerian nation.
The President General of Igboukwu, Sir Michael Ubah, and the Vice President General of the community, Engineer Ebere Obodoekwe, who also served as Chairman of the occasion, said the festival was designed not only to celebrate the new yam, but also to restore pride in Igbo identity, culture and traditions, and appealed to Igbo parents to teach their children the Igbo language, customs and traditions, warning that the increasing influence of modernisation could gradually erode aspects of the people’s cultural heritage if deliberate efforts were not made to preserve them.
# The Parish Priest of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Umuoba Anam, Anambra East Local Government Area (LGA), Rev. Fr. Paul Nwankwo, has called on Catholic mothers to emulate the unwavering faith, perseverance and prayerful life of St. Monica, whose steadfast prayers led to the conversion of her son, St. Augustine.
Fr. Nwankwo made the call during the Holy Mass marking the opening of the 2026 August Meeting of the Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) in the parish on August 4.
Reflecting on the life of St. Monica, the priest noted that she remained steadfast in prayer for 17 years despite the challenges she faced before witnessing the transformation of her son into one of the church’s greatest saints.
He encouraged mothers not to lose faith over difficult family situations, expressing confidence that God would restore peace, unity and joy to homes that remain committed to prayer.
