# It was a colourful and exciting finale as the Idemili South Healthy Living Sports Competition, sponsored by the Mayor of Idemili South, Hon. Mrs Amaka Obi came to a successful close.
The competition brought together young athletes from communities across Idemili South, creating a vibrant platform for sports, healthy living, teamwork and community unity.
The games produced exciting moments on the football pitch and volleyball court, with participants displaying skill, determination and sportsmanship.
In his remark, Commissioner for Youth, Hon. Patrick Agha-Mba, commended Hon. Mrs Amaka Obi for her impactful contributions to youth development, particularly her commitment to creating opportunities that engage and empower young people through sports.
# Former Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano said his administration inherited a ₦185 billion debt burden from the government of his predecessor, Peter Obi, disputing claims that ₦75 billion was left in the state treasury.
Obiano, through the then Secretary to the State Government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu, said the administration had paid ₦35.1 billion on inherited projects and spent ₦11.7 billion on projects it initiated.
He also said Anambra attracted ₦400 billion in investments through the Anambra State Investment Protection and Promotion Agency, while internally generated revenue rose from ₦500 million to ₦1.3 billion.
# Deafness does not limit intelligence or potential, but communication barriers can limit access to education.
This was the focus of discussions at the 2026 Sign Language Awareness Conference organized by Value Hands Inclusive Organization in Onitsha with the theme “Sign Language: The key to inclusive excellence in education.”
In her welcome address, the convener, Miss Veronica Nwankwo, said education cannot be considered truly excellent when some learners still struggle to access it and that sign language helps teachers better understand their students and enables parents to communicate more effectively with their children.
Speaking on the abilities and potential of deaf people, a special educator and deaf ministry advocate, Rev. Albert Green who explained that deafness is not a barrier to intelligence or potential, called for greater opportunities and inclusion for deaf people.
Another speaker, Mr. Emmanuel Osita, speaking on “Leveraging technology and innovation to advance deaf education,” highlighted the potential of combining Artificial Intelligence with sign language to support deaf education.
The conference also featured the unveiling of a magazine to promote awareness and inclusion, and a panel session where participants shared experiences and highlighted the challenges faced by deaf people and the need for greater inclusion of deaf learners in education.
# Anambra State Governor’s wife, Mrs Nonye Soludo has been officially invested as the matron of pregnant women and children at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Awka in recognition of her support to the health facility.
After her investiture ceremony held at COOUTH, Mrs Soludo also commissioned the new Implant Shop and Healthy Living Shop of the hospital as well as took a tour of the facility.
Addressing the gathering, Mrs Soludo commended the Chief Medical Director of the health facility, Dr Maureen Umeakuewulu for transforming the hospital within six months in office and said that she is committed to standing with the management and staff of the teaching hospital in ensuring that no woman or child in Anambra State is left behind in the pursuit of quality healthcare.
In her remarks, the Chief Medical Director of COOUTH, Dr Umeakuewulu explained that the hospital is shifting from a purely therapeutic model to a holistic and preventive one and that is why a healthy living shop has been opened in the facility to provide dietary guideline and a first-of-its kind Implant Shop in the Southeast.
Dr Umeakuewulu disclosed that with the commissioning of the Implant Shop at COOUTH, a comprehensive, sterilised set of various implants are brought directly to the operating theatre, which give surgeons the luxury to choose the best-fitting Implant during procedures, significantly improving surgical precision and patient outcomes, adding that the hospital plans to make this service available to other hospitals in the Southeast region.
She appreciated Governor Chukwuma Soludo for the wonderful Interventions he made in the health facility that has transformed the hospital and increased patients inflow.
On his part,the Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike acknowledged the good works of Governor Soludo in the facility for the past four years, including construction of roads within the hospital, payment of highest medical residency training fund (MRTF) in Nigeria for resident doctors, construction of Trauma Centre at COOUTH, even as he commended the Chief Medical Director of COOUTH, Dr. Umeakuewulu for doing exceedingly well within six months in office.
# The Anambra State Government has called on traditional rulers across the state to strengthen grassroots governance by effectively communicating government policies, promoting compliance and championing peace and development in their communities.
The Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Barr. Vin Ezeaka, made the call while addressing members of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council (ASTRC) during its 3rd Quarterly Meeting in Awka.
Ezeaka described the traditional rulers’ council as a strategic platform for interaction, collaboration and exchange of ideas on issues affecting communities across the state.
He reminded the royal fathers that kingship goes beyond the privilege of wearing a crown, urging them to attend council meetings regularly to enhance partnership between the government and the traditional institution.
The Commissioner also urged the traditional rulers to serve as worthy representatives of the state government in their respective communities, while also holding the government accountable in areas where development needs have not been adequately addressed, to enable appropriate interventions.
To strengthen communication between communities and the government, Ezeaka announced that the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs would soon launch a “Complaint App” to enable traditional rulers report challenges affecting their communities and receive prompt feedback and government intervention.
He further disclosed that the ministry would constitute various committees to promote peace and conflict resolution, as well as facilitate sustainable development initiatives across communities in the state.
Ezeaka reaffirmed the commitment of the Governor Chukwuma Soludo administration to deepening collaboration with traditional rulers in advancing peace, security, good governance and sustainable community development across Anambra.
# A murder suspect standing trial over the 2020 killing of a University of Benin undergraduate, Chinenye Promise Nwoye, has been transferred from the Awka Correctional Centre to the Ekwulobia Correctional Facility.
The suspect, Kingsley Ogbonnaya, was reportedly transferred after he was allegedly found initiating fellow inmates into his cult group and engaging in other unruly behaviours at the Awka facility.
Although the courts are currently on vacation, a reliable source said the transfer had affected the progress of the case, particularly because the suspect would now have to be transported from Ekwulobia to Awka whenever he is required in court.
“The last time I went to Ekwulobia, I saw him there. He is still there. And this movement has stalled the trial in court,” the source said.
The source further said that if Ogbonnaya continues to exhibit unruly behaviour at the Ekwulobia facility, he could be transferred to a correctional facility in another state.
However, confirming the transfer, the Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Francis Ekezie, said the suspect was moved as part of “administrative proceedings.”
Ekezie assured that the suspect would be produced in court whenever his presence is required for the continuation of his trial.
# The Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District and candidate of the New Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Dr. Victor Umeh has visited Umudioka, Awka, which has been severely affected by flooding and erosion, to assess the damage and extend sympathy to residents.
During the visit, Senator Umeh inspected the properties of Chief Diamond Nweke, Mr. Okwuchukwu Nweke, and Retired DIG Chief Celestine Okoye among others, where erosion has destroyed buildings, roads, and farmlands, displacing families and disrupting livelihoods.
Expressing grave concern over the worsening situation, Senator Umeh pledged to raise the matter at the National Assembly through motions and engagements with the Federal Government and relevant agencies once legislative activities resume after the annual recess. He emphasized the urgent need for intervention to address flooding and erosion challenges in Awka, Idemili North—including Obosi and Ogidi—and other communities across Anambra Central.
# The Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr. Law Mefor, has commended the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA) for the progress recorded less than five months after the assumption of office of its Executive Director, Dr. Nkem Okeke.
Mefor gave the commendation in Awka during the unveiling of ANSACA’s maiden newsletter and telehealth service, describing the agency’s renewed activities as evidence that it was moving in the right direction.
He said Governor Chukwuma Soludo was a leader of exceptional capacity whose administration had continued to pay attention to every segment of society, including vulnerable populations.
According to him, the revival of ANSACA and the appointment of Dr. Okeke reflected the governor’s commitment to addressing the needs of people who are often overlooked.
Speaking on the challenge of HIV-related stigma, Mefor, a psychologist, said fear, stigma and loss of hope could be as damaging as the virus itself.
He stressed that HIV was no longer a death sentence, urging residents to embrace early testing and treatment, while continuing to avoid risky behaviours.
Mefor also linked ANSACA’s new telecare platform to the state government’s broader telemedicine initiative, saying the innovation would expand access to specialist healthcare across the state.
He said Anambra’s health reforms had continued to attract national recognition, adding that the telemedicine system would enable residents to access specialist medical attention from primary healthcare facilities.
# Members of the Anambra State House of Assembly Committee on Information has visited the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation as part of their oversight functions.
The delegation was received by the Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr. Law Mefor, alongside the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Obiageli Uchebo, and other members of the management team.
Mefor said the ministry was carrying out its mandate to the best of its ability while introducing innovations to reflect its expanded responsibilities as the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation.
The commissioner disclosed that the ministry had assembled a coalition of willing individuals and organisations to develop a manual aimed at examining what went right or wrong with the value system of Ndi Anambra and identifying ways to reverse negative trends.
According to him, the core objective of the initiative is to recover traditional values and re-inculcate in young people the principle that there is no wealth without work.
Mefor further disclosed that a dedicated unit and physical office for the value reformation project were being established within the ministry, with support from individuals and organisations.
# An Ogidi High Court presided over by Hon. Justice Etomike Ndigwe has nullified the Enugwu-Agidi Brotherly Union (EBU) election that removed Hon. Ebuka Onuorah as President-General.
Delivering judgment, Justice Ndigwe described the election which held December 29, 2026, as unconstitutional, null and void.
The court held that the Returning Officers who conducted the disputed election were illegitimate, having been imposed by the former Anambra State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, contrary to the provisions of the EBU constitution.
Justice Ndigwe consequently barred the said Returning Officers from participating in any committee to be constituted for the conduct of a fresh election.
The court ordered that a new election be conducted in Enugwu-Agidi to determine the executive of the town union within 90 days.
The court also ordered the President-General produced by the nullified election to stop parading himself as PG of the community.
Drama ensued in court when counsel to the defendants declared that his clients would appeal the judgment. Justice Ndigwe reprimanded the lawyer, describing his declaration in open court as rude and unprofessional.
Speaking to journalists after the judgment, counsel to Hon. Onuorah, Barrister Onwuemena, said the outcome was clear from the beginning.
According to him, Chapter 8, Articles 1, 2 and others of the Enugwu-Agidi Brotherly Union constitution clearly stipulate that it is the duty of the executive of the town union to appoint Returning Officers to conduct its elections.
He argued that since the Returning Officers in the disputed election were imposed by the Commissioner, the entire process was unconstitutional and therefore null and void.
