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Tag: Anambra State

  • Police arrest two suspected kidnappers, cultists in Anambra

    Police arrest two suspected kidnappers, cultists in Anambra

    By Ovat Abeng

    Police operatives attached to Otolo – Nnewi, Anambra State on Thursday, 1st May 2025 arrested two suspected kidnappers, cultists in the area, recovered one foreign made pistol, three live munitions and a lady’s motorcycle suspected to have been stolen.

    The State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga who disclosed this in a statement in Awka, said the arrest took place at about 1.45 pm

    He said the suspects: Ani Obinna aged 21 years and Okwudili Ezike aged 43 years, all males were arrested during a hot chase by the Police Operatives acting on credible information which led to the busting of a criminal hideout in Nnewi.

    During interrogation, the suspects confessed to being members of a secret cult and a kidnapping gang.

    They also gave useful information which the Operatives are currently working on aimed at dislodging their criminal network and arresting of other gang members.

    “To this end, the Command has sustained security patrol in the area and is more committed to fostering a secure environment for meaningful work and businesses to thrive in the State.”

    He also noted that the situation is being closely monitored and further developments would be communicated accordingly.

  • May Day: Anambra Workers Deserve Better – Paul Chukwuma

    May Day: Anambra Workers Deserve Better – Paul Chukwuma

    By Ovat Abeng

    The candidate of the Young Progressives Party, YPP, in the November 8, 2025, Anambra State Governorship election, Sir Paul Chukwuma has said that Anambra State workers deserve better than they currently have with governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s administration.

    Congratulating Anambra Workers’ on this year’s Workers’ Day, Sir Paul Chukwuma regretted that Anambra State workers are poorly remunerated to the extent that they are one of the lowest paid in Nigeria. Mr. Chukwuma who also lamented that industrial dispute had become a major defining feature of the relationship between the current Anambra Government and workers in the legislative and executive arms of the State Government said he would prioritize workers’ welfare and put an end to all labour disputes which the current administration has refused to address.

    Also, the YPP candidate lamented that Anambra State workers do not have any housing scheme that will help them have a house of their own. This situation, he said, was a shame. “Most civil servants in Anambra can’t afford any house for themselves. They are poorly paid and there is no clear mortgage to see to that. You will agree with me that our civil servants deserve better. The government in Anambra has no plan whatsoever to make this housing scheme an issue and bring it to fruition. Yet, the same government is focused on constructing a new Government House and New Governor’s Lodge. Therefore, in effect, our workers do not deserve a home,” Chukwuma wondered.

    Buttressing his point, Mr. Paul Chukwuma observed that, “The fact is that from all possible standpoints, the current Anambra State government has grossly let down our workers and it is regrettable. It is a shame that our workers are not a priority for this government. But we will address that. We shall provide a sustainable housing scheme for our workers and also strengthen the health insurance policy of the last administration to cover all our workers. We want a healthy workforce,” Chukwuma concluded.

  • Workers Day: Anambra Labour Unions commend Soludo’s implementation of N82,000 new minimum wage

    Workers Day: Anambra Labour Unions commend Soludo’s implementation of N82,000 new minimum wage

    By Ovat Abeng

    The Anambra State Council of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), has commended the State Governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo for implementing N82,000 new minimum wage for workers.

    They also appreciate the governor for approving N10,000 non-taxable award to pensioners.

    The Unions commendation was contained in an address read by the State Chairman of NLC, Comrade Humphrey Chukwuemeka Nwafor during this year 2025 Worker’s Day celebration held at Dr Alex Ekwueme Square Awka on Thursday.

    “Organised Labour sincerely appreciates the remarkable strides of the administration of Prof Soludo. From inception, his visionary leadership towards transforming Anambra into a hub of economic and infrastructural excellence has been evident.

    “This vision is clearly reflected in, “the extensive road construction projects across the state, prudent economic management and the achievement of major development milestones without resorting to borrow, notable infrastructure projects such as the Ekwulobia Flyover, Awka Fun City and the completion of the Anambra Government House and Lodge.

    “Of special note for today’s celebration is the prompt and comprehensive implementation of the 2024 minimum wage. While the national benchmark was set at N70,000, Mr governor graciously approved N82,000, the highest in the South East and implemented it seamlessly across all sectors without industrial unrest. This a true testament to exemplary leadership, and we deeply commend it.

    While calling on all leaders both in government and in the private sector to prioritise the welfare of workers, especially in the areas of entitlements, empowerment and fair remuneration, Nwafor however, appeal to the governor to urgently address other pressing issues that require urgent attention, which includes, “issue of Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), outstanding allowances for non-teaching staff in ASUBEB, building of Labour House, appointment of a special adviser on labour matters, low-cost housing for workers, mass recruitment, retirement age policy, water board, promotion, training and re-training of workers, utility vehicles for labour centres, payment of outstanding gratuities and entitlements to retirees of the Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS), which has been pending since 2017, among others.

    Governor Soludo on his speech, further assure that his administration will continue to work cooperatively with the Labour Unions to ensure that the welfare of Anambra workers are taking care of always.

    It was gathered that the celebration with the Theme, “Reclaiming Civic Space Amidst Economic Hardship” also featured presentation of award of Worker’s Beacon of Hope to the governor.

  • Campaign against polio virus intensifies in Anambra

    Campaign against polio virus intensifies in Anambra

    By Ovat Abeng

    The Chairman of Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Mr Shedrack Azubuike, has appealed to residents to present their children for Immunisation against Polio virus.

    Azubuike made the call at the flag-off of the National Immunisation Plus Days (NIPDs) in the Council Secretariat on Wednesday.

    He appealed to residents to actively participate in the upcoming Polio vaccination campaign scheduled to start from Saturday, May 3, 2025.

    “According to health experts, immunisation is a vital step in boosting the health and immunity of our children in the community.

    “I appeal to parents, especially mothers to allow their children to be vaccinated during this period and protect them from Polio virus.

    “We need to come together as a community and embrace this opportunity.

    “Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s administration is doing everything possible to protect our children, and it is our responsibility as parents and caregivers to support this cause,” he said.

    Also speaking, Mrs Chisom Uchem, Executive Secretary, Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency, said the vaccination is for children between zero to 59 months.

    Uchem said the vaccine is free, safe and effective and would  immune children against poliomyelitis, a deadly childhood disease that could cripple a child or even kill the victim.

    In his remarks, Igwe Bernard Emejuo of Eziagu community commended governor Soludo for his proactive health initiatives and measures to prevent deadly diseases in children.

    The Traditional ruler also promised to support and ensure a successful immunisation exercise in the state.

  • Foundation Organizes season two spelling bee competition for primary school pupils in Anambra

    Foundation Organizes season two spelling bee competition for primary school pupils in Anambra

    By Ovat Abeng

    A humanitarian organization , Joseph Onuorah Foundation (JOF), is organising the second edition of its spelling bee quiz competition for primary school pupils between the ages of 7-11 years in Orumba North and South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

    The competition notice was contained in a statement signed and made available to Journalists in Awka on Wednesday by the founder, High Chief Joseph Onuorah.

    He said the maiden edition of the competition was held in April 2024 with the vision of developing the vocabulary prowess of the pupils, harnessing the literacy interests and horning their spelling skills from a very young age.

    At the 2024 edition, the overall winner was 10 years old Master Agina Graham; a basic 5 student of St. Anthony Nur/Pry School Nanka.

    He went home with an aggregated cash prize of two hundred thousand naira.

    According to the statement, the much awaited second season of the spelling bee competition shall feature pupils in the age range of 7-11 years old within private and public schools in Orumba North and Orumba south Local Government Area of Anambra state.

    The qualifier phases shall be held on Thursday 22nd May, 2025 at Ndiowu Town hall, Enumgbom Ndiowu, for students of Orumba North Local Government Area and  that of Orumba south LGA shall be held on 23rd May 2025 at Centenary hall, St. Luke Anglican church Isulo while the grand finale will take place by 10am on Friday, 30th May, 2025 at Ndiowu Town Hall, Enumgbom Ndiowu. Orumba North LGA.

    According to him, the essence of the competition is to rebrand education and restore the passion whereby the primary school pupils would begin to have full grip of spellings, current affairs and know their vocabularies. Our desire is to catch them young. We want to inculcate the habit of spelling knowledge and searching of words in dictionaries to the younger generation of Orumba North and South Council Areas and the  Anambra State at large.

    “This will help bring knowledge in the classroom, keep our kids away from societal vices, with passion for learning not just on the surface, but also sharpen their general knowledge, improve their fluency, and help them to embrace their national values by understanding current affairs.

    “Today, so many Nigeria students don’t know their ministers and state slogan. Students no longer have passion for spellings and have limited knowledge of current affairs because of advent and penetration of electronic devices and social media which may drive intellectual docility.

    ”That intellectual stimulation at a be try tender age is part of what Joseph Onuorah Foundation spelling bee competition is trying to instill.

    “The grand prize at the 2025 season for winners will get N150,000 for the first position while 2nd position and 3rd position will N100,000 and N50,000 respectively.

    “I enjoin all heads of schools of primary school pupils across the Orumba North and South to take advantage of such engagements to gain more knowledge for their future endeavors,” Onuorah concluded.

  • 8 dead, 6 injured in Anambra road accident

    8 dead, 6 injured in Anambra road accident

    By Ovat Abeng

    Eight persons, including four women lost their lives while six others got injured in a ghastly motor accident along Nteje-Awka route, near New Terminal, close to Ukpo Junction, Anambra state.

    The crash which occured around 9pm on Sunday, involved a Mack tanker without registration number and a Toyota Hiace bus, registered as EKP375XM.

    According to an eyewitness, the bus, heading to Onitsha, collided with the tanker while overtaking another vehicle on a single carriageway, leaving many passengers dead and others injured.

    “The bus, traveling from Abakaliki to Onitsha, was speeding and overtook dangerously before colliding with the tanker, which was heading towards Awka on a single carriageway,” the witness said.

    Read Also: IPOB member arrested for killing police woman in Anambra

    Confirming the incident, Anambra Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Corps Commander Joyce Alexander, said the crash resulted in eight fatalities.

    She said the deceased included four males and four females, while the injured were six, comprising two males and 4 females.

    She sympathized with deceased families and prayed for speedy recovery of the injured.

    She urged drivers to prioritize their safety and that of others by maintaining safe speed and ensuring that the road was clear before overtaking to prevent such tragic incidents.

    “Drivers must ensure they drive at a minimum safe speed and only overtake when the road is clear,” she added.

    According to Sector Commander, rescue team from RS5.33 Nteje attended to the injured victims, transporting them to the hospital for treatment, while the deceased were taken to Jerusalem Mortuary Nteje after confirmation by a doctor.

    She demonstrated her commitment to road safety by visiting the crash scene, inspecting the crashed vehicles at Nteje Police Station, and meeting with the NUPENG Chief of Taskforce.

    She also visited the surviving victims at Regina Caeli Hospital and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital to assess their condition and offer support.

    The Sector Commander’s proactive approach underscores the FRSC Anambra Sector Command’s dedication to preventing road crashes and ensuring the safety of all road users.

  • IPOB member arrested for killing police woman in Anambra

    IPOB member arrested for killing police woman in Anambra

    By Ovat Abeng

    Police Operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad/Anti-Kidnapping unit acting on credible information on 25th April 2025 busted a criminal Camp at Ukpor in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

    During the operation, the operatives arrested one Ewulu Chikwo ‘m’ aged 35 years from Osumoghu Isieke Village, Ihiala Local Government Area of the State.

    The State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga who disclosed the arrest in a statement in Awka on Tuesday, said the suspect and his gang members were allegedly planning to enforce illegal Sit-At-Home in the area the following Monday.

    Read Also: APGA Chairman banned for 10-years over leadership crisis in Anambra

    According to Ikenga, during the interrogation of the suspect, he confessed to being a member of the Proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and also among the armed criminals that attacked the Ukpor Divisional Police Headquarters in the year 2022 where a Policewoman, Inspector Stella Maris was gruesomely murdered.

    Given the above, the Joint Security Force has intensified patrols in the area, even as the State Police Command has equally assured of swift action on any security information, especially as it affects the arrest of other gang members in the area.

  • APGA Chairman banned for 10-years over leadership crisis in Anambra

    APGA Chairman banned for 10-years over leadership crisis in Anambra

    By Ovat Abeng

    The Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, Abba Ward Two; in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, Mr Ikechukwu Egbe has been allegedly banned from holding positions in the community for ten years over leadership crisis.

    Mr Egbe, who addressed a press conference in the community on Sunday over the development, said he was banned for agitating against bad leadership in Abba community.

    He said he was also suspended as the Chairman of APGA, Abba Ward Two on a similar ground.

    He alleged that the Deputy Majority Leader of the Anambra State House of Assembly and member representing Njikoka Two Constituency, Hon Jude Akpua, and the President General of Abba Town Union, Mr Alexander Ekwuagana, connived to orchestrate the ban and suspension respectively.

    Read Also: “Days of the Jackals: A Clarion Call to the Electorates of Cross River North”

    He said the development is to force him to withdraw from his fight against illegality in the town.

    According to him, speaking to you Journalists is to let the Solution Governor of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo, the leadership of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, led by Barr Sly Ezeokenwa, and the public at large to know what is happening in Abba community under the poor leadership of Mr. Ekwuagana, who he said has stubbornly refused to step down and constitute a committee to conduct a fresh PG election in accordance with the community’s constitution.

    “Abba is known for peace. What I and other concerned stakeholders in the community are agitating for is a new leadership. We want a new Abba Town Union leadership that would work in line with Governor Soludo’s vision of making Anambra a clean, green, smart, peaceful, secure, livable and prosperous homeland in Nigeria. We are tired of Alexander Ekwuagana’s five years interim leadership.

    “We are appealing to the Governor to compel the lawmaker, Hon Akpua and the PG, Mr Ekwuagana to urgently conduct a fresh President General election to save the community from distress. Mr Ekwuagana should respectfully resign. I am only agitating for him to step aside for the community to have a new leadership.

    On his suspension as APGA Abba Ward Two Chairman, Mr Egbe, while disclosing that he has been on the illegal suspension since January 7, 2025, also appealed to the Governor to direct the State Chairman of the party, Barr Ifeatu Obi-Okoye, and the Lawmaker, Hon Akpua to restate him, noting that he was duly elected as the chairman of Abba through the party’s Congress.

    Responding to the allegations, the President General of Abba Town Union, Mr Ekwuagana, said Mr Egbe has taken the matter to the High Court 3, Neni sitting at Ogidi, in Idemili North Local Government Area of the State in December 2024. “Let us allow the court to determine the matter, please.”

    Also, attempts to speak with Hon. Akpua proved abortive as the Lawmaker didn’t pick his calls or reply to the text messages sent to him via SMS and Whatsapp after several hours.

  • NYSC deploys 1,600 corps members in Anambra

    NYSC deploys 1,600 corps members in Anambra

    By Ovat Abeng

    The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has deployed a total of 1,600 corps members for 2025 Batch A stream one orientation programme in Anambra State.

    The State Coordinator of NYSC, Mrs Pauline Ojisua, who disclosed this on Friday, during the official swearing-in ceremony, held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe NYSC permanent orientation camp at Mbaukwu/Umuawulu, Awka South Local Government Area, explained that 949 of them were females while 651 were males.

    According to her, the orientation course is designed to equip corps members with skills, values and adaptability require to excel in their service year.

    Ojisua while commending the State Governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo for championing youth empowerment and supporting NYSC’,s mission in Anambra State, urged the corps members to embrace unity, foster bonds of brotherhood, and allow the orientation experience to shape their character and future.

    Read Also: Anambra 2025: YPP candidate, Chukwuma unveils Obiano’s aide as running mate

    While declaring the event event open, governor Soludo urged the newly posted corps members to key into his vision of making Anambra a livable, prosperous and sustainable smart city in Nigeria by involving in the ongoing One Youth Two Skills empowerment programme in the state

    Soludo who was represented by the State Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr. Patrick Agha Mba, admonished the corps members to let integrity, diligence and compassion guide their actions in the state.

    The oath taking ceremony was performed by the State Chief Judge, Justice C.G Nwankwo.

  • Anambra 2025: YPP candidate, Chukwuma unveils Obiano’s aide as running mate

    Anambra 2025: YPP candidate, Chukwuma unveils Obiano’s aide as running mate

    By Ovat Abeng

    The candidate of the Young Progressive Party YPP, ahead of the November 8, 2025 governorship election in Anambra State, Sir Paul Chukwuma has unveiled Hon Uzo Okagbue as his running mate for the election.

    It was gathered that Okagbue, a native of Umonachi community, Dunukofia Local Government Area of the State was a Chief Protocol Officer to former governor of the state, Chief Willie Obiano.

    The unveiling ceremony took place at the State party Secretariat Udoka Housing Estate Awka, on Friday.

    Speaking to journalists shortly after the unveiling, Sir Chukwuma said Okagbue was chosen to deputize him after a wide consultation with God Almighty, his family members, clergies, party executive and other relevant stakeholders across the 21 local government area of the State.

    Read Also: C’River Illegal Mining: A Call To Protect Cross River’s Land and Future – Ekamoti Agbor

    He expressed confident that with Okagbue and his long time grassroot mobilization strategies, the party is fully position to take over power from the ruling All Progressive Grand Alliance APGA led by governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo.

    In his acceptance speech, Hon Okagbue, promised to display his political strategy to ensure that the party wins the November 8 gubernatorial election and governed the State from March 17th, 2026.

    He appreciated the party for finding him worthy of the position.

    The event witnessed by other supporters of the party was officiated by the State Chairman, Hon Moses Obi.