* The Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC), has announced that it will not use the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for the local government council elections scheduled for September 28th, 2024.
ANSIEC noted that BVAS is not reliable or credible, citing its disappointing performance in previous elections in the country.
The Commissioner in charge of Information and Logistics at ANSIEC, Mr. Tony Nnalue, disclosed this during a sensitization program organized by the International Peace and Civil Responsibility Centre (IPCRC), in Awka.
* Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor have received some members of National Stakeholders Consultative Forum on Ageing (NNSCFOA), led by the Facilitator, NNSCFOA, Anambra State, Iyom Josephine Anenih, at his office in Awka.
According to Anenih, the aim of the visit was to inform the commissioner of the 2024 International Day for Elder Persons with theme, “Our Age Friendly Place and Our True Value; Recognizing People and Places that are Important to Us,” which will commence by 9am at Dr Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, on Saturday, October 5, 2024.
Anenih explained that the NNSCFOA was instituted by the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC), headed by Dr. Emem Omokaro to build synergies through stakeholders partnership and networks across the 36 states and the FCT to enhance programs for the improvement of the quality of life and well-being of older persons in the states and called on the government and people of Anambra to be part of the ceremony.
Welcoming the group, Commissioner Mefor assured of the willingness of the ministry to partner with them and promised to ensure adequate coverage of the event.
* The Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) programme has taken step to operationalize the Anambra State Disability Rights Law (2018) with the activation of the Legal Service Department of the State Disability Rights Commission.
To this end, RoLAC, Phase II, funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IIDEA), has held a one-day capacity building workshop for cluster heads of the disability community to sensitize them on the provisions of the law and how they can leverage them in seeking redress for violations of their rights as persons with disabilities.
In her opening speech, the State Project Coordinator, Josephine Onah, disclosed that 12 lawyers had been mobilized from the Ministry of Justice to offer probono legal services to members of the disability community who seek redress for various violations of their rights as provided for in the law.
* Governor Chukwuma Soludo has announce that Anambra State government will begin payment of the 70,000 naira minimum wage from October, 2024, saying that inspite of the binding resource constraint, his administration will continue to work round the clock, to deliver on their mandate.
Governor Soludo gave the disclosure at Professor Dora Akunyili Women’s Development, Awka, while exchanging views with principals and head teachers in all public schools in the state.
The Governor enumerated the strides of his administration in all sectors of the state economy, including recruitment of 8115 teachers, recruitment of over 1000 doctors and health personnel, empowerment of 5000 youths with additional 8000 youths, for the “one youth, two skills” entrepreneurship scheme, rebranding of three general hospitals, building of five brand new general hospitals, renovation of primary healthcare centers, free antenatal care and delivery services for pregnant mothers, leading to near zero mortality, ongoing construction of the Solution Innovation District, palm and coconut seedlings’ revolution, updating of the STEM education, payment for funding of UBEC, among others.
* Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor has urged Ndị Anambra to appreciate Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s good works by ensuring victory for candidates of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Saturday’s local government elections all over the state.
Addressing APGA Party faithful at Abatete Town Hall, during a special rally to mark the end of APGA’s campaign in Idemili North Local Government Area, Mefor noted that Governor Soludo has done enough to be given 21/21 in the local government election, which he said is a referendum to show how good the governor is working.
According to him, it’s not enough that APGA will win the election but it should win with a wide margin.
The commissioner further assured the chairmanship candidate for Idemili North, Hon Stanley Nkwoka, his deputy, Mrs Phina Uche Onwuachu and all the councillors of victory.
* The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC )and the Department of State, Services (DSS) have restated their commitment to maintain the ongoing partnership to ensure enhanced security coverage and operational success in Anambra State.
This indication was established when Steve O. Ojelade, the newly deployed State Director of Security (SDS) Department of State Services Anambra State paid a familiarization visit to Commandant Maku Olatunde, at the NSCDC State Command Headquarters Awka.
A statement from SC Okadigbo Edwin, Head of Media and Tactical Ops NSCDC Anambra State Command, said Maku Olatunde, the State Commandant assured the DSS State Director of the maximum support and cooperation of the Corps under his watch, especially during joint operations and also in the area of intelligence sharing.
* The Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam has received the Head of Department Forensic Science Nnamdi Azikiwe University and advocate for officers to engage in self-development courses to build capacity and enhance their policing efficiency.
The CP while speaking, noted the need for retraining of Officers for a better Policing system and to expose Officers and men of the Force to modern-day policing strategies and acquire more skills in crime prevention and the protection of lives and properties.
The Commissioner of Police has overtime schedule Capacity development exercise in batches that is mandatorily for all personnel of the Command to relearn Police Duties, Police acts and regulations, Musketry, Riot Drills, Foot Drills, Use of Firearms, Human Rights, building courage and confidence in confronting armed hoodlums, responding to a distress call for better Police service delivery in the State.
* The Anambra state government has extolled the unwavering commitment of the Sahelian Institute for Bamboo Research and Entrepreneurship Development, SIBRED towards revolutionizing bamboo value chain in Nigeria and West Africa sub-region.
The State Commissioner for Environment, Dr Felix Odimegwu, who made the commendation in Awka during the celebration of the 2024 World Bamboo Day and First Anniversary of SIBRED, noted that SIBRED has emerged as a trailblazer in spearheading ground breaking research, providing transformative education and fostering vibrant entrepreneurship spirit all in a bid to holistically harness the full potential of bamboo and rattan in Africa.
The Commissioner who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Tochukwu Obodogha, remarked, “Through its tireless efforts, SIBRED is paving the way for a greener, more sustainable future for our region,” Odimegwu noted.
* The Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze says Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s extension of his free education policy to senior secondary students in all public schools in the state is a practical demonstration of his efforts towards improving the standard of education as well as bequeathing a sound education system to the State.
Rt. Hon. Udeze who commended Governor Soludo for the bold steps he has made to take education to the next level in the State, through a statement from the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Mr.
Emma Madu, called on the ministry of education and other stakeholders in education sector in the State to ensure proper implementation of Governor Soludo’s education policies.
The Speaker noted that the employment of about eight thousand teachers by the Governor has really filled the gap created over time by scarcity of teachers in the state’s education system.
Udeze enjoined teachers and other civil servants in the State to remain dedicated to their duties and shun acts capable of smearing the image of the State workforce especially now that Governor Soludo has promised to commence payment of the seventy thousand naira minimum wage to workers from next month, October.
* The Deputy Vice Chancellor, St Paul University, Awka, Professor Chinyere Stella Okunna, has disclosed that about
2.2 billion Children lack access to internet globally, especially the third world countries.
Prof. Okunna who is Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) ICON while speaking
at the ‘Maiden National Summit on Child Rights’, organized by the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, (NAU), Awka, Anambra state, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), equally canvassed for the full domestication of the Child Rights Act by all state governments in Nigeria to save children from gross abuses and denial of access to digital space.
While presenting the paper titled, “The Role of the Nigerian Media in bridging the urban-rural divide for Children in Digital Age”, Prof. Okunna urged the media to join in sensitising parents to give children access to the internet.
