# The Anambra State House of Assembly has held a valedictory session in honour of its late former Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Afam Obi.
Obi represented Ekwusigo Constituency in the 4th Assembly from 2007 to 2011.
In his tribute, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, described the late Obi as a pillar of stability, a voice of wisdom and a peacemaker.
Before presenting the condolence register, Udeze noted that Obi was not only an officer of Parliament but also a champion of grassroots development and a defender of equity.
He said, “He was a politician who believed that leadership was about service and not status. He possessed a rare principled character and gentle diplomacy.
Also paying tribute, the Majority Leader of the Assembly and member representing Ekwusigo Constituency, Sir Ikenna Ofodeme, described Obi’s death as disheartening.
Hon. Ejike Okechukwu, the lawmaker representing Anaocha two Constituency, also commended the late former Deputy Speaker for the services he rendered to the people of Anambra State.
The member representing Nnewi North Constituency, Hon. Augustine Ike, while commiserating with the family of the late Deputy Speaker, described his death as heartbreaking.
Former Chief Whip, Rt. Hon. Gabriel Onyeweife, who represented Ayamelum Constituency in the 4th and 5th Assemblies, recalled Obi’s role during the budget controversy involving the House.
The member who represented Orumba North Constituency and served as Deputy Majority Leader of the 4th Assembly, Sir Uche Ogbonnaya, described Obi as a very quiet and unassuming person who demonstrated strength, forthrightness and commitment to service of humanity during his time in the House.
# The Anambra State Government says it will soon commence the mandatory registration and data capture of all sports instructors, sports officers and sports administrators operating across the state.
The Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Mr. Patrick Agha Mba, announced this on Thursday at the Ministry’s Conference Room in Awka.
Agha Mba said the initiative was part of the state government’s efforts to strengthen grassroots sports development and ensure that qualified and competent personnel are responsible for training and managing young athletes.
He said that under the leadership of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, sports had been repositioned beyond recreation to serve as a tool for youth empowerment, job creation, talent discovery, grassroots sports development and social cohesion, in line with the administration’s manifesto.
The commissioner disclosed that the ministry had constituted a committee to “sanitise, structure and strengthen sports development at the base.”
According to him, the ministry’s checks revealed that some individuals operating as sports instructors, officers and administrators in schools, academies, clubs and communities were not formally registered with the ministry and lacked standardised knowledge of modern sports fundamentals, safety, first aid, talent management and sports ethics.
He explained that the registration database would enable the government to properly plan, support and engage sports personnel for state and national programmes.
Agha Mba said registration forms would be available from Monday, September 28, 2026, at the Ministry of Education, Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Post-Primary Schools Service Commission (PPSSC), sports associations, managers of state-owned stadia and desk officers of the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports in all the 21 local government areas.
The commissioner explained that the training would be conducted at zonal levels to ensure accessibility.
The Anambra Central Senatorial Zone will hold its training in Awka, Anambra North in Onitsha, while Anambra South will host its session in Aguata.
# The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anambra State Command, has cordoned off fallen high-tension electricity poles affected by flooding in Awka to avert potential disaster and protect lives and property.
Following heavy rainfall, several high-tension electricity poles along the Awka-Onitsha Expressway, particularly within the Aroma–Old Government House section, were affected.
Residents of Awka had raised concerns over the collapsed poles belonging to the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) around Aroma Junction, leaving electrical wires scattered across the roadway.
The residents feared that the situation could expose pedestrians, motorists and nearby households to serious danger, particularly if the fallen lines remained energised, prompting the NSCDC to take proactive measures.
In a statement, NSCDC spokesperson, SC Okadigbo Edwin, said that upon receiving the distress report, operatives of the Command were swiftly deployed to the affected location to barricade the area, restrict public access and prevent electrocution and other hazards.
Reacting, the Anambra State Commandant of the NSCDC, Maku Olatunde, said the intervention was in line with the Corps’ mandate to protect critical national assets and infrastructure and ensure public safety.
Olatunde said the Command had alerted the EEDC for prompt action, repair and restoration of the affected facility to eliminate the danger posed to the public.
He warned residents to avoid the cordoned-off area and steer clear of fallen power lines, noting that they remained highly dangerous even when there appeared to be no power supply.
The Commandant assured that NSCDC operatives would maintain surveillance around the area to prevent vandalism of the fallen infrastructure while awaiting technical intervention by the EEDC.
# The Secretary to the Anambra State Government, Mrs. Chiamaka Nnake, has called for sustained strategic engagement between Anambra State and the Federal Government, arguing that continued collaboration with the Centre is critical to attracting investment, infrastructure and other development opportunities to the state.
Nnake made the call while delivering the keynote address at the Anambra State Chapter of the City Boy Movement (CBM) town hall meeting and membership drive in Awka, themed, “Get Up, Sign Up, Show Up , A Thumb Up for Democracy.”
Speaking on the topic, “Can Anambra Afford to be Disconnected from the Centre?”, the SSG said the question was not merely political but one that directly affected the lives of Ndi Anambra, including their businesses, markets, jobs and the future of their children.
She said Anambra had “far more to gain” from strengthening its strategic partnership with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, arguing that continuity in government would enable the state to consolidate ongoing initiatives rather than face possible disruptions associated with a change in administration.
According to her, “2027 is not the moment to abandon the building halfway; it is the moment to move into the house we have laboured to construct.”
Nnake said the argument for continued engagement with the Centre was particularly relevant to Anambra because of its dependence on federal intervention in areas such as major road infrastructure, security coordination, ecological intervention, industrial development and youth empowerment.
She cited the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway and Onitsha-Owerri road as examples of critical trade corridors requiring federal involvement, while noting that industrial development in Nnewi, Onitsha and Awka would benefit from stronger connections to national infrastructure and export frameworks.
The SSG also referenced the state’s industrial and investment initiatives, including the Awka Millennium Industrial City (AMIC), saying the state’s free trade zone licence had been secured with federal support.
# There was excitement in Iruowelle Village, Awka-Etiti, as the Ogbo-Efi Ring Road, delivered by the administration of Hon. Mrs. Amaka Obi (Iyom Ife-Abata), was officially commissioned.
The project, featuring solar-powered water facilities and streetlights, was commissioned by the Commissioner for Works, Architect Okey Ezeobi, in company with the Special Adviser to the Governor on Project Evaluation and Monitoring, Professor Ebuka Nwankwo.
The ceremony was attended by APGA House of Representatives candidate, Hon. Ikenna Iyiegbu; Hon. Ebuka Igwe and other members of the State House of Assembly; Mayor-elect, Hon. Oluchukwu Ilogbenu; stakeholders, councillors, party leaders and community members.
The road adds to the Amaka Obi administration’s development projects across Idemili South, particularly in roads, healthcare, education, water supply and empowerment.
# In a bold move to address the rising cases of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Anambra State, the Gender Perspective and Social Development Centre (GPSDC) with support from the Women Aid Collective (WACOL) has convened a two day residential training in Awka for Umuada (daughters of the land) from Nkpor and Nibo communities.
The training seeks to leverage the unique cultural influence of Umuada to speak against harmful practices, tackle gender based violence and promote positive behavioural change within their communities.
By equipping these influential grassroots women leaders with knowledge and practical tools for advocacy, community engagement and institutional reform, the initiative aims to strengthen their capacity to prevent and respond to GBV while driving sustainable change at the community level.
The training is being held under the project titled : “Empowering Christian Women and Women Leaders of Culture for Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria Through the Strengthening of Grassroots Organizations.”
# The Secretary to the Anambra State Government, Mrs. Chiamaka Nnake says
the scale of the challenge required sustained intervention and funding beyond what the state government could provide alone, while in the area of youth development, she pointed to opportunities arising from federal programmes in technical skills, youth investment and support for micro, small and medium enterprises.
Nnake made the comment while delivering the keynote address at the Anambra State Chapter of the City Boy Movement (CBM) town hall meeting and membership drive in Awka
Nnake commended the administration of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo for its efforts toward building what she described as a “liveable and prosperous smart megacity,” citing investments in infrastructure, healthcare, education, youth development and entrepreneurship.
She, however, maintained that state-level efforts would achieve more when complemented by effective engagement with the Federal Government.
# The Anambra State chapter of the Small-Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON) has called for improved budgetary allocations and effective delivery of agricultural resources and services to smallholder women farmers across the state.
The organisation made the call during the launch of its policy brief titled “Women Farmers’ Voice to Action.” The event was held at Senator Uche Ekwunife Crescent, Iyiagu Estate, Awka, as part of SWOFON’s national campaign on accelerating women farmers’ impact towards food security.
Speaking at the event, the SWOFON Coordinator in Anambra State, Mrs. Georgina Akunyiba, said the policy brief highlighted key findings and recommendations aimed at amplifying the voices and priorities of smallholder women farmers in agricultural policymaking, budgeting and implementation.
Akunyiba explained that the organisation sought to engage the government and other stakeholders to secure commitments towards the adoption and implementation of gender-responsive agricultural policies, adequate budgetary allocations, and improved access to resources and services for women farmers.
In a goodwill message, the Country Director of the International Budget Partnership (IBP) Nigeria, Dr Yinka Babalola represented by Mrs. Lilian Ibeh, commended SWOFON for its efforts in advancing the interests of women farmers despite challenges such as inadequate tools and farm inputs.
Representing the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Ben Chuks Odoemena, the Head of Department in the Ministry, Mrs. Ifeoma Nwafor, reassured SWOFON of the ministry’s continued support and commended the organisation’s contributions to food production.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Chinyere Esther Onyekesi, represented by the ministry’s Head of Department, Mrs. Ifeoma Ezoka, commended the group, stating that the ministry had continued to support women, including those engaged in farming.
The Head of Agriculture and Natural Resources in Nnewi North Local Government Area, Mr. Anajaobi Cajetan, also praised SWOFON and assured the organisation that women farmers would be included in the local government’s budget for the coming year.
Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Budgeting and Economic Planning, the Head of the Partnership Coordination Department, Mrs. Obianamma Orji, pledged the ministry’s necessary support to SWOFON ahead of the 2027 bilateral budget discussions, subject to approval by the Ministry of Agriculture.
Speaking about their experiences, some of the women farmers, including Gloria Nwafor, Rosemary Onwuebuka and Ngozi Obiajulu, said their participation in agricultural initiatives had helped them overcome post-harvest losses.
