# The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 26-year-old male suspect, Kosisochukwu Edward Ibekwe, in connection with the murder of Miss Vivian Chilaka, a 23-year-old nursing student, whose tragic death in Alor, Idemili South Local Government Area, on 14th June 2026, attracted widespread public concern.
The suspect was arrested on 4th September 2026 following credible and actionable information received by the Command.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly gained access to the building by climbing the fence with the aid of a ladder, with the initial intention of sexually assaulting the victim. According to his statement to the police, a struggle subsequently ensued between him and the deceased, during which he allegedly used a knife to stab her, leading to her death.
According to a press statement by SP. Ikenga Tochukwu, Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra State Command, the suspect has also allegedly made revelations linking him to other similar incidents within the community.
# The Anambra State Government has intensified discussions with commercial banks on financing arrangements for major housing and educational infrastructure projects aimed at improving access to affordable accommodation for civil servants and students across the state.
The discussions formed part of efforts to finalise a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with interested financial institutions for the implementation of the proposed Social Housing Scheme for Civil Servants and student hostel projects across campuses of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) and the Nwafor Orizu College of Education, now STEM University, Nsugbe.
The Ministry of Housing received financing proposals from Fidelity Bank, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) and United Bank for Africa (UBA) on September 3 at the Jerome Udoji Secretariat Complex, Awka.
Presenting Fidelity Bank’s proposal to the ministry’s management, the bank’s Branch Head, Mr. Tochukwu Nnachi, said the bank had reviewed the designs submitted for the proposed projects and developed financing terms for consideration.
According to him, the proposed student hostel project has an estimated total financing requirement of about ₦10 billion, with a single-obligation financing arrangement of ₦1.5 billion.
He said the proposed interest rate was 28 per cent, with a five-year (60-month) tenure and a one-year moratorium.
Nnachi further explained that repayment would be domiciled through the school’s account, with the obligation expected to be repaid within 48 months.
He stressed that funds generated for repayment would not be diverted to recurrent expenditure.
Responding to the proposal, the Commissioner for Housing, Arc. Arize Henry, appreciated the bank representatives for their presentations and called for a clearer repayment schedule.
He specifically requested that the financial terms be presented in a simple chart indicating the monthly repayment obligations, to enable stakeholders to easily understand the cost implications.
The Commissioner disclosed that Governor Chukwuma Soludo was committed to providing improved accommodation for civil servants and students across the state.
He said the Governor was interested in constructing about 21 blocks of six flats for civil servants at Ebenebe, with additional housing units planned in other parts of the state.
# The Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, Awka, has intensified preparations for the forthcoming accreditation of its Department of Paediatrics by the Faculty of Paediatrics, National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.
As part of efforts to ensure the hospital’s readiness for the exercise, the management conducted a comprehensive mock accreditation inspection to assess existing facilities and processes, identify areas requiring improvement and ensure compliance with the expected accreditation standards.
The exercise, led by the Chief Medical Director of COOUTH, Dr. Maureen Umeakuewulu, on Sept. 3, covered key clinical, diagnostic, administrative and support units across the hospital. The inspection commenced at the Maternal and Child Unit, where the team evaluated available facilities, service delivery processes and operational procedures.
The team subsequently inspected the Haematology, Chemical Pathology and PCR Departments, identifying areas requiring further attention and improvement.
Other units visited included the General Outpatient Department, Children Outpatient Department, Health Records Department, Children’s Ward, Children Emergency Unit and Pharmacy Department, among other critical service areas.
Dr. Umeakuewulu said the mock inspection provided an opportunity for the hospital management and heads of relevant departments to conduct a comprehensive assessment of their preparedness, documentation, facilities and operational procedures ahead of the formal accreditation exercise.
She explained that the exercise also enabled the management to identify and address potential gaps while improving coordination among departments whose services are essential to the effective functioning of the Paediatrics Department.
Dr. Umeakuewulu reaffirmed the hospital management’s commitment to ensuring that all necessary requirements are met ahead of the accreditation exercise.
# The Secretary to the Anambra State Government (SSG), Mrs. Chiamaka Nnake, has received members of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Women Wing, Anambra State.
Nnake received the group led by ESV Dr. Nkiruka Evangeline Aso, who visited her office with a proposal for a zero-cost women empowerment partnership.
The proposed partnership, titled “She Builds Anambra,” is a 12-month initiative designed to equip more than 1,000 women in the State with skills, mentorship and linkages to opportunities in real estate, property management and entrepreneurship.
The NIESV Women Wing explained that the initiative would require no budgetary allocation from the State Government, as the professionals would provide the expertise, training and execution, while government would provide the necessary platform, endorsement and access.
Key components of the proposal include mentorship and market linkages for young women, public awareness and advocacy on property rights, as well as pro-bono technical support to government in property documentation and facility management.
Responding to the proposal, the SSG expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, particularly the willingness of the women professionals to support the State in identifying and documenting government assets.
She noted the importance of developing a comprehensive Government Asset Book containing information on government-owned properties, their locations and estimated values, stressing that proper documentation would provide a clearer picture of the State’s assets and support better management.
She also welcomed the women’s interest in supporting the government while advancing the participation of women in a sector traditionally dominated by men.
Mrs. Nnake emphasised the importance of mentoring the girl-child in Anambra, noting that young girls should be encouraged to aspire beyond the limitations of their present circumstances and to recognise the possibilities available to them.
# The global community commemorates World Sexual Health Day, an annual observance aimed at promoting sexual health as an essential part of overall health and wellbeing.
The day provides an opportunity to raise awareness about sexual health and encourage informed, respectful and responsible discussions on sexuality, reproductive health and healthy relationships.
Health professionals emphasise that sexual health goes beyond the prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
It encompasses access to accurate and reliable information, reproductive health services, healthy relationships, consent, prevention and treatment of infections, as well as the right of individuals to make informed decisions about their bodies and wellbeing.
Experts have also stressed the need to provide young people with age-appropriate and scientifically accurate sexual health information, warning that misinformation, stigma and fear may prevent individuals from seeking timely professional medical advice and appropriate care.
They called on governments, healthcare providers, schools, families and communities to create safe and supportive environments where people can access reliable information and essential health services without discrimination or judgment.
Public health advocates on the other hand dentified stigma, inadequate healthcare services, misinformation and limited access to comprehensive sexual health education as some of the challenges that continue to hinder people from making informed decisions and seeking timely medical attention.
The observance further draws attention to the importance of consent, communication and mutual respect in relationships. Experts maintain that healthy sexual relationships should be founded on voluntary agreement, respect for personal boundaries, dignity and open communication.
As the world marks the day, stakeholders are encouraging members of the public to obtain sexual health information from qualified health professionals, undergo appropriate health screenings and seek medical advice when necessary.
They also stressed the need for sustained investment in sexual health education, preventive programmes and accessible healthcare services to improve individual wellbeing and contribute to better public health outcomes.
World Sexual Health Day therefore serves as an annual reminder that sexual health is an important component of physical, mental and social wellbeing and requires informed, respectful and evidence-based attention.
# The Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Professor Ugochukwu Bond Anyaehie, has assured the Sahelian Institute for Bamboo Research and Entrepreneurship Development (SIBRED) of the university’s readiness to invest ₦10 million in viable bamboo enterprises to support its research and commercial activities.
Professor Anyaehie gave the assurance while responding to a presentation by the Director of SIBRED, Dr John Ogbodo who led members of management and some partners of the institute on a familiarization visit during which he briefed the VC on the institute’s research activities, innovations and challenges.
The Vice-Chancellor said the proposed investment would be made once the institute’s operations were properly integrated into the university’s system, with revenue generated from its commercial activities channelled into the institution.
He explained that profits from the investment could be paid into the university’s Endowment Fund, while part of the proceeds could subsequently be used to support further research and innovation.
Professor Anyaehie stressed the need for transparency and accountability in the running of institutes within the university noting that UNIZIK must benefit from commercial activities carried out under its name.
He directed that the institute’s financial account be regularised and brought under the control of the university while the governing board of SIBRED would be formally inaugurated to ensure proper oversight of its activities.
The Vice-Chancellor disclosed that he has approved that SIBRED should conserve all bamboo stands within the UNIZIK, Awka Campus.
He has also approved the allocation of additional office space to SIBRED at the new University Entrepreneurship Workshop located around the University Solar Farms, while SIBRED retains its currently occupied office spaces.
The VC equally directed the Bursar to deploy a Financial Officer to SIBRED.
# A stakeholder and legal practitioner, Barrister Iyke Ezeibenne, has commended the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, for his administration’s renewed commitment to strengthening the state’s HIV response and expanding prevention, testing and awareness interventions.
Ezeibenne gave the commendation when he hosted the Executive Director/Project Manager of the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA), Dr. Nkem Okeke, and members of his team at his residence in Ngozika Estate, Awka.
He expressed satisfaction with the renewed activities of ANSACA, particularly the Agency’s efforts to take HIV awareness, testing and other preventive services closer to communities and vulnerable populations across the state.
Barrister Ezeibenne also praised Governor Soludo for providing young professionals with opportunities to serve and contribute meaningfully to the development of Anambra, noting that the progress being recorded at ANSACA underscores the importance of entrusting responsibilities to capable young people.
He pledged his continued support for the Agency and expressed readiness to collaborate with ANSACA to extend HIV awareness and testing interventions to his community, Amesi in Aguata Local Government Area.
According to him, the proposed interventions would focus particularly on young people, women, schools, markets, motor parks and other grassroots populations.
Responding, Dr. Okeke thanked Ezeibenne for his hospitality, encouragement and commitment to supporting the state’s HIV response, stressing that sustained partnerships with communities, individuals and other stakeholders are critical to achieving Anambra’s HIV targets.
During the interaction, Dr. Okeke briefed his host on the Agency’s State Strategic Transformation and Sustainability Plan (SSTSP 2026–2028), as well as ongoing interventions aimed at advancing Governor Soludo’s vision of reducing new HIV infections and ultimately achieving an HIV-free Anambra.
# The pioneer set of Nursing Science students of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) has completed its final examination, paving the way for the students to become the first graduates of the programme.
The students sat for their final paper after years of classroom lectures, clinical postings and other academic activities.
The completion of the examination marks an important stage in the students’ academic journey since the commencement of the Nursing Science programme at the university.
As the pioneer cohort, the students are set to become the first graduates produced by the university’s Nursing Science programme, subject to completion of all graduation requirements.
Their emergence as the first graduating set is expected to provide a foundation for subsequent cohorts of nursing students at the university.
The Vice-Chancellor of COOU, Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha, has reiterated the university’s commitment to strengthening its academic programmes and advancing its core values of Values, Viability and Visibility.
The students will now proceed with their final defence and other prescribed academic processes before graduation.
# The Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA) has commenced moves to strengthen and revive the HIV response at the grassroots through the repositioning of Local Action Committee on AIDS (LACA) structures and closer integration with the HIV/AIDS Awareness Brigade (HAB) across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state.
The Executive Director/Project Manager of ANSACA, Dr. Nkem Okeke, disclosed this during a strategic engagement with LACA Managers and HAB Coordinators held in Awka.
Okeke said the initiative would help take the HIV response beyond the state and local government structures directly into communities, while ensuring better coordination between LACA and HAB.
According to him, LACA remains an important structure for coordinating the HIV response at the local government level and must be revitalised to effectively deliver on its mandate.
# The Anambra State Government has expressed readiness to support initiatives aimed at strengthening pig farming, processing and market access in the state, as the Pig Farmers Association of Anambra State paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Commerce, Hon. Nomso Chukwuma Ebonwu, on September 1, in his office in Awka.
The commissioner, while welcoming the delegation, conveyed the greetings of the Solution 2.0 administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo and assured the farmers that their requests and concerns would receive due attention. He, however, urged the association to provide a comprehensive database of pig farmers across the state to enable government to better understand the sector and plan appropriate interventions.
Ebonwu also directed the association to develop a well-structured proposal for a proposed Pig Festival, which he said should be organised soon to create awareness, showcase the economic potential of pig farming and attract greater investment into the sector.
The association, in its presentation, said Anambra currently has about 1,000 pig farmers, with some farms having investments worth hundreds of millions of naira. They stressed the need to strengthen the sector through improved infrastructure, investment, quality control and access to markets.
Among their major requests was the establishment of a modern abattoir and a structured pig farming cluster, described as a “Pig Village”, which they said would support organised production, processing and other activities along the pig value chain.
The farmers also called for stronger regulation and quality control of pigs brought into the South-East from other parts of the country, particularly the North, to safeguard the quality of livestock entering the market and protect local farmers and consumers.
They further appealed for funding and investors to support the expansion of pig farming, while seeking improved processing and packaging facilities. According to them, farmers currently depend largely on butchers who purchase pigs at low prices and make higher returns through processing and resale.
The association also highlighted the need to improve demand and market access, promote cluster farming and create greater public awareness about pig farming and its economic opportunities in Anambra. They expressed confidence that stronger collaboration with government could unlock the sector’s full potential.
The Pig Farmers Association thanked the Anambra State Government, through the Commissioner for Commerce, for granting them an audience and listening to their concerns, while reaffirming their commitment to working with the government towards building a stronger and more sustainable pig farming industry in the state.
