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Tag: Anambra State

  • Educationist urges Nigeria students to reduce TV, phone time, focus on reading, creative writing

    Educationist urges Nigeria students to reduce TV, phone time, focus on reading, creative writing

    By Ovat Abeng

    An Educationist, Mrs Ify Anatune, has urged Nigeria students to reduce the time spent watching TV and using phones, and focus on reading and writing to develop their creativity, innovation, and problem-solving abilities.

    Anatune, Board Member, Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board, made the call at the Prize Presentation ceremony of the maiden Joe Anatune Memorial Essay Competition held on Friday in Awka.

    The competition which had the theme – “Inspiring Young Minds, Shaping the Future”, was in honour of late Joe Anatunne, Managing Director, Anambra State Signage and Advertising Agency, who died on April 30, 2022 at 62.

    She said that excessive screen time had become an epidemic among children, with profound impacts on their productivity and development.

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    “Reduce the time spent watching TV or using phones, this is crucial at this your formative years. There is need to make room for creative hobbies like reading and writing.

    “This will encourages thought activity which in turn promotes creativity, innovation and problem-solving abilities.

    “Reading can help children understand and express themselves better, develop their logical thinking, and help them to focus on learning new things,”she said.

    Anatune said the competition was to promote her late husband’s legacy as he was passionate about critical thinking, creative writing and intellectual curiosity.

    “The competition was publicized online and over 1,000 entries were received from students in public, private and public-mission primary and secondary schools in the state.

    “Primary school students wrote on ‘How Technology is Shaping Our Every Lives’, while participants from JSS 3, SSS 1 to SSS 3 wrote on ‘The Impact of Technology on the Future of Education: Opportunities and Challenges’.

    “We appreciate Anambra Alliance, Rinadac Foundation, b3 Heritage and the Anambra Ministry of Education for supporting the programme,”she said.

    The essay competition was in two categories – the primary and secondary schools.

    Nnabugwu Mmesomachukwu of Umuhu Migrant Farmers School, Ukpor, Nnewi emerged first; Chigbata Sharon of Goldseal International College, Awka, emerged second while Onyema Chisimdi of Eden Life Vocademics, Odekpe, Ogbaru, emerged third in the primary school category.

    In the secondary school category, Eze Johnbosco of St. Michael’s Model Comprehensive Secondary school, Nimo, emerged first position; Edochie Chiagozie of Queen of the Rosary College, Onitsha, emerged second while Mmaduabuchi Uba of Goldseal International College, Awka, emerged third position.

    Nnabugwu Mmesomachukwu of Umuhu Migrant Farmers School, Ukpor, Nnewi emerged overall best in the competition.

  • Awka community defends Ozo Jeff Nweke of kidnapping allegation

    Awka community defends Ozo Jeff Nweke of kidnapping allegation

    By Ovat Abeng

    The recent allegations of kidnapping leveled against Ozo Jeff Nweke, CEO of Mango and Lion Properties Ltd, have sparked widespread concern and debate.

    As a prominent businessman and philanthropist, Ozo Jeff Nweke has been involved in various community development initiatives and has provided scholarships to numerous students.

    Community leaders from Awka and Ezinano have come out in defence of Ozo Jeff Nweke, dismissing the allegations as baseless.

    Chief Arinze Ekelem, a community leader from Awka, described Ozo Jeff Nweke as a man of impeccable character, while Chief Richard Onuorah, another community leader from Ezinano, noted that Ozo Jeff Nweke has never been involved in any criminal engagement.

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    Ozo Jeff Nweke’s commitment to securing his community is evident in his initiatives to support security programmes in Awka and environs.

    However, despite his good deeds, some individuals have accused him of kidnapping, a claim that seems doubtful given his background.

    The fact that Ozo Jeff Nweke has assigned special unit policemen and civil defense personnel to his office and personal security details raises serious doubts about the validity of these allegations.

    Furthermore, the timing of these allegations is suspicious, coming when Ozo Jeff Nweke is engaged in a dispute over land ownership with some individuals from Enugwu-Agidi and other neighboring towns.

    It is  possible that these allegations are a desperate attempt to discredit Ozo Jeff Nweke and gain an advantage in the land dispute.

    We urge the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into these allegations and clear innocent people’s names.

    The authorities should approach this investigation with an open mind, uninfluenced by malicious rumours and accusations.

    We must not allow envy, deceit, and false accusations to destroy the reputation of good and innocent persons.

    In the meantime, we commend Ozo Jeff Nweke for his tireless efforts to make a positive impact on his community.

    In the circumstances, it is crucial that we separate perception from reality. Let us not rush to judgment, but instead allow the truth to prevail and justice to take its course.

  • Anambra Police arrest four suspects for allegedly burning 74-year-old woman to death

    Anambra Police arrest four suspects for allegedly burning 74-year-old woman to death

    By Ovat Abeng

    The Anambra Police operatives serving at Abagana Divisional Police Headquarters has arrested four suspects including a 21-year old lady Chinenye Ekwenugo from Ifitedunu over the burning of a 74 (seventy-four) years old woman in a wheelchair at Abagana in Njikoka Local Government Area of the State.

    The three other suspects include Uzochukwu Okeke ‘M’ aged 47, Fidel Anayo ‘M’ aged 60 and Ikenna Anene ‘M’ aged 54 years respectively, all from Abagana. The Operatives also recovered the burnt remains of the deceased, the wheelchair, and a casket.

    SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the State Police Public Relations Officer, who disclosed this in a statement in Awka on Monday, said the arrest took place on 26/1/2024  at about 9 am.

    According to him, during interrogation by the Police Operatives, the suspect, Chinenye confessed that her boyfriend Ifeanyi Igwe who is currently at large and three others set the victim ablaze and got a casket to bury her before the intervention of the security operatives.

    Read Also: Police recover lifeless body of man dumped along Onitsha-Owerri expressway

    Meanwhile, the operatives have also initiated moves to arrest the main suspect Ifeanyi Igwe who is currently on the run. The body of the deceased has been deposited in the morgue for autopsy and further probe of the cause of the death.

    The Commissioner of Police CP Nnaghe Obono Itam while reacting to the report of the incident sued for calm and ordered the immediate transfer of the case to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department of the Command for a comprehensive investigation. Further developments shall be communicated.

    In another development, the operatives of the Anti Cult unit of the Anambra State Police Command stationed at Enugwu Ukwu acting on credible information yesterday 25th January 2025 by 1.30 pm arrested one Maduka Okoye aged 25 years of Abagana.

    “The team also recovered three expended cartridges of a pump action gun at a shooting scene in Ezichike Community of Abagana.

    The suspect Maduka Okoye, confessed to being a member of Baggars Confraternity and said that he was in a beer parlour drinking with his friend in the area when they came under attack by members of the rival cult group identified as Axe Men Confraternity.

    Meanwhile, the Police responded swiftly and restored calm in the area. The suspect is currently assisting the Police Operatives in an ongoing operation for the possible arrest of the fleeing gang members and already identified members of the rival cult members, especially those actively involved in the shooting.

    Also, the joint security team comprising of Police Operatives from Oko Divisional Headquarters and AVG Operatives, Amaokpala acting on intelligent-driven information on 25th January 2025 by 10.30 pm raided an identified criminal hideout at Umudike, Amaokpala in Orumba North Local Government Area. Items recovered during the crackdown include large quantity of substance suspected to be hard drugs, two mobile phones and a cash sum of seventy-three thousand, one hundred and fifty Naira (#73,150) suspected to be proceeds from the sales of the substance.

    The fierce-looking criminals took to their heels on sighting the joint security team and ran into the nearby bushes.

    Meanwhile, the Operatives have taken over the scene, destroyed the camp and are on the offensive against the criminals for possible arrest and to make sure they don’t regroup anywhere in the State.

    Again, operatives of the Special Anti-Cult Squad Enugwu Ukwu, at a security checkpoint on Umudioka-Awkuzu road by Igbariam on 25th January 2025 by 5.38 pm arrested two out of the four occupants of a white Toyota Corolla vehicle with registration number YAB 26 CB. The team also recovered one barreta pistol, two live ammunition and the Toyota Corolla vehicle.

    The two suspects are Raphael Peverga and Saakura Teryima both aged 22 years old and from Benue State. Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to arrest the other two suspects that are currently on the run.

    It was reported that the suspects alighted from the vehicle while still in motion when the Operatives ordered them to park the vehicle for a security search.

  • Police recover lifeless body of man dumped along Onitsha-Owerri expressway

    Police recover lifeless body of man dumped along Onitsha-Owerri expressway

    By Ovat Abeng

    The Anambra Police Command has recovered a lifeless body of a man alleged to have been shot dead by suspected armed robbers along the Onitsha/Owerri express road.

    The State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga disclosed this in a statement in Awka on Tuesday.

    According to Ikenga, “In the early hours of 23rd January 2025, Police Operatives attached to Ozubulu Divisional Headquarters responded to a distress call along the Onitsha/Owerri Express Road and recovered the body of a yet to be identified young man. The Command hereby seeks assistance from members of the public for possible identification of the victim and other  information that will facilitate the ongoing investigative proceedings.

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    “A spot observation by the Police responding team and report from eyewitnesses at the scene reveals that the victim was shot in the stomach by suspected armed men who abandoned his lifeless body and fled the scene.

    “Meanwhile, the body has been deposited at the morgue and further developments shall be communicated, please.

  • NICE warns Anambra residents against patronizing quack engineers

    NICE warns Anambra residents against patronizing quack engineers

    By Ovat Abeng

    Professional Civil Engineers under the aegis of Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (NICE), has warned Anambra residents against patronizing quack engineers in the execution of engineering projects in the state.

    The body lay down the warning during it one day awareness campaign tagged: walk against building and Infrastructure collapse, held in Awka on Saturday.

    It was gathered that the road walk was accompanied with placards with various inscription such as “Say no to quackery, avoid weak structure, choose quality, prevent collapse, choose engineers, patronized engineers, stop building collapse now, among others.

    Speaking further in an interview with journalists shortly after the campaign, the Awka branch Chairman of Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (NICE), Engr. Alex Ifeagwazi, said the Walk was to educate the public on the importance of hiring the services of professional engineers to avoid building and other infrastructural collapsed in the state.

    Read Also: Peter Obi Commemorates International Day of Education With Anambra School Children

    According to him, “we are campaigning for a decent society and good governance. We want the government, civil society organisations, individuals and other private firms to always patronized certified professional engineers to help eliminate quackery in Anambra State.

    “We are appealing to the state own radio station, Anambra Broadcasting Service ABS and other media organisations to help publicize against the activities of quackery in the state.

    “We are also advocating for a division of labor among professionals in the engineering sector.

    Ifeagwazi call for zero tolerance for quackery,, noting that their activities had always been embarrassing. He called for training and retraining of site engineers and other enlightenment programme as a short term solution to the problem, just as he also called for a major training intervention for artisans and other labourers to ensure that the right engineering materials are used on site.

  • Peter Obi Commemorates International Day of Education With Anambra School Children

    Peter Obi Commemorates International Day of Education With Anambra School Children

    By Ovat Abeng

    As the world celebrated the International Day of Education, Mr. Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State, marked the occasion by reaffirming his unwavering belief in the transformative power of education to drive development and innovation.

    The event coincided with the centenary anniversary of Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS), Onitsha, taking place today, Friday January 24th, 2025.

    To honour these intertwined milestones, Obi visited schools across Anambra State, from urban centres to rural communities, highlighting the critical role of education.

    At DMGS, he joined in the centenary celebration and reflected on the achievements of the school’s distinguished alumni, including Prof. Kenneth Dike, the first Black Vice-Chancellor in Africa; Emmanuel Ifeajuna, the first African to win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games; Bishop Jonathan Onyemelukwe; Prof. James Ezeilo, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Prof. Ilochi Okafor, former Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; Dr. Tim Menakaya, former Nigerian Minister of Health; and Chief Simon Okeke, former Chairman of the Police Service Commission. Obi noted that these notable figures exemplify the power of education to transform lives and societies.

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    In his address to the students, Obi urged them to take their education seriously, emphasizing that with dedication and hard work, they too could achieve greatness like the school’s illustrious alumni.

    Obi also visited Nmiata-Anam community in Anambra West Local Government Area of the State, a place he described as being close to his heart. He recalled how, during his gubernatorial campaign, he had travelled to the town by boat due to a lack of accessible roads. He had promised the community a bridge and road network, and today, he proudly noted that this promise had been fulfilled, connecting the area to the rest of Anambra State.

    As part of the World Education Day celebrations, Obi visited Community Primary School and Our Lady of Lourdes Secondary School in Nmiata-Anam. During his visit, he interacted with students, emphasising the critical role of education in shaping their futures. He also pledged his continued support for the schools.

    He highlighted the transformative power of education in building a skilled workforce, fostering innovation, and driving sustainable development. He cited examples of countries like India, China, Morocco, and Egypt, which have significantly advanced their global standing through strategic investments in education.

    However, Obi also acknowledged the challenges facing Nigeria’s education sector, including inadequate funding, a shortage of qualified teachers, outdated curricula, and insecurity. He called on the government to prioritise education and ensure that every Nigerian child receives at least basic education, stating that doing so would create a more productive and progressive population.

    In conclusion, Obi urged Nigerians to commit to building a future where every child has access to quality education, reaffirming his vision of a New Nigeria driven by investment in education and the unlocking of the country’s full potential.

    While at DMGS, the Principal, Ven. Chigozie Anieto, commended Obi for his unwavering concern for humanity and prayed for God’s continued blessings upon him.

  • LP Reps Caucus laments continuous captivity of Anambra lawmaker kidnapped since December

    LP Reps Caucus laments continuous captivity of Anambra lawmaker kidnapped since December

    By Ovat Abeng

    The Labour Party Caucus of the House of Representatives has expressed deep concern over the prolonged captivity of Hon. Justice Azuka, a Labour Party member of the Anambra State House of Assembly, who was abducted in the state over a month ago.

    The Caucus said that it is alarmed and disheartened by the Anambra State Government’s seeming inaction and silence on the matter, which they believe has hindered efforts to secure Azuka’s release.

    The Labour Party Reps called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to take urgent and decisive action to secure the release of the abducted state lawmaker and also address the growing insecurity in Anambra State, which has become notorious for kidnappings and killings.

    According to LP Caucus Leader, Hon. Afam Ogene, “It’s time to bring sanity back to Anambra State, which has disturbingly become an open and ungoverned crime enclave.

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    “Even more repugnant is the criminal silence of Hon. Azuka’s colleagues in not taking the state government to task, in the search for the rescue of one of their own.”

    This call to action was made in a statement issued in Awka, the Anambra State capital on Thursday, January 23, 2025.

    Gunmen had on December 24th 2024, abducted Hon. Azuka, representing Onitsha 1 North Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly.

    The lawmaker was abducted while returning home at Ugwunaobankpa road, Inland Town Onitsha.

    The abducted lawmaker is a chieftain of the Labour Party in the state, who regained his mandate after the Elections Petitions Tribunal sacked the People’s Democratic Party(PDP’s) Hon. Douglas Egbuna, who was previously announced winner of the 2023 state assembly poll.

    Hon. Ogene said: “The level of carnage going on in Anambra on a daily basis is heart-rending. People live in fear as a result of the growing insecurity. The rate of bloodletting, kidnappings and other violent crimes in the state is fast turning the state into a killing field. And this is not an exaggeration. The crime that is reported in the state is just a tiny fraction of the horrendous insecurity reality in Anambra. That’s the brutal truth.

    “The horrific experiences of kidnapping survivors in Anambra underscore the dire need for improved security in the state. The government’s primary responsibility is to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens, as well as protect their property. It is imperative that the government takes decisive action to reclaim control from criminal gangs and restore confidence among the people.

    “Although I am aware of recent efforts to tackle the menace, through the launch of Operation Udo ga chi and Agunachemba security outfit, one wonders why it took the state government more than two years to get serious about tackling the insecurity choking the state.

    “The government must prioritize the security of lives and property, as this is fundamental to its role and save the people from the daily horror of the current situation in Anambra,” Hon. Ogene said.

  • Traditionalist blames Anambra insecurity on fake native doctors

    Traditionalist blames Anambra insecurity on fake native doctors

    By Ovat Abeng

    A renowned traditional medicine practitioner, Dr Ramas Asuzu has called on Anambra State governor to hasten up and clamp down on fake native doctors in Anambra State, saying they are mostly the cause of insecurity in the state.

    Soludo recently signed into law the new Anambra Homeland Security Law, which among other things plans to check the activities of native doctors, including subjecting them to proof that they have the powers to make one rich, and other claims of being powerful.

    But Asuzu who was reacting to the law in a press conference in his palace in Nri, Anaocha Local Government Area, on Tuesday said what people do not understand was that money ritual is not part of Igbo traditional medicine practice, and that such charms involve human parts, and usually attract human lives.

    He said it would surprise the governor that far too many families in Anambra have such charms, and that there was need to sanitize the system.

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    He said: “The governor may not know that almost every house in Awka has oke ite (money ritual charms). All the people doing cyber crime and the rest all have oke ite, which is not supposed to be.

    “Oke ite is not traditional Igbo medicine, it is a condemnable act, both heaven and earth condemn it. What people do not know is that every Oke ite has human parts in it, and any medicine that requires human parts, or made to attract much money always takes lives. I condemned it even before the governor created this new law.

    “I thank God for giving us a governor like Soludo. I have been warning native doctors to stop all these money ritual. I have been warning native doctors throwing money about, it is an eyesore, and it is leading people into criminality. As if I knew, I have been condemning this and saying that one day government will look into the matter. They should be careful because what these people are doing is abuse.”

    He however warned against clamping down on genuine native doctors, and advised that the best way to do it is to inaugurate traditional medicine practice board to sanitize the system.

    “What I’m saying is that government is against using traditional medicine practice to aid evil, criminality, money ritual, killing people for money ritual a d others.

    “So I believe the first thing the governor will do is to inaugurate traditional medicine practice board to checkmate who is who in these practice. Most of these people doing this things are fake. They did not swear with ofo. I’m the Akaji Ofo Igbo and I know what I’m saying, I know everything about ofo, and if they took oath with ofo, they will not go about doing these things.

    “Since 2001 when I came back to Anambra, I organized a seminars on traditional medicine, I called various traditional herbal practitioners and held a seminar for them. In Lagos, I was a member of board of traditional medicine but when I came here, I saw that they are disunited. I called them together, but to my surprise, the recognized herbal practitioners are ignored and riffraffs are called by government and without informing the real practitioners.

    “Native doctors have a law guiding them. Before you become a native doctor, you have to be sworn in with ofo, and you swear that you will not aid a thief, you will not do evil medicine. This is something that I have been preaching against.

    “I have a social media handle where I have been preaching against the one they call oke ite, I have been saying these for governor to take action, so now I’m happy that it seems like the governor heard what I’m talking about.”

    He commended the governor for his giant strides in infrastructural development in the state and also his current move to curtail insecurity. He urged all to support him.

  • Anambra 2025: Paul Chukwuma Primary Campaign Council Inaugurates Coordinators for Anambra South

    Anambra 2025: Paul Chukwuma Primary Campaign Council Inaugurates Coordinators for Anambra South

    By Ovat Abeng

    Ahead of the November 8th, 2025 governorship election in Anambra State, the Deputy Director General of Sir Paul Chukwuma Primary Election Campaign Council for Anambra South Senatorial zone, Chief Jude Osude, has inaugurated local government coordinators across the seven LGAs of Anambra South zone.

    The inauguration which was held at Igbo-Ukwu in Aguata LGA of Anambra South Senatorial zone, was attended by local government chairpersons of the All Progressives Congress, APC. It was also attended by the Sir Paul Youth Coalition across the zone, Ikemba Front Coordinators in the zone, Women groups and other APC groups in support of Sir Paul’s aspiration.

    Speaking shortly before the inauguration, Chief Osude emphasized the need to make concerted efforts towards a robust grassroots presence of the APC. He therefore charged the seven LGA Coordinators of Sir Paul Chukwuma Primary Campaign Council for Anambra South, to go and take the message of the New APC under the guidance of Mr. Chukwuma, to the grassroots. “Go back to the grassroots. We are serious and committed. The grassroots is where it matters,” Chief Osude affirmed.

    Read Also: Apex Specialist Hospital commences construction of Artificial Intelligence diagnostic centre in Anambra

    Commenting on the relevance of the support groups, Chief Jude Osude said that support groups are crucial, however, the supremacy of the APC is not in question. This, accordingly is because, political aspirations can only be realized on the platform of a political party. “Our support groups are essentially and that is why they are all part of this meeting. But the party, our party, the APC, is the one leading this process. So we must all join hands to work for the party.” He also encouraged all members of the support group who had not joined APC to do so without further delay.

  • Apex Specialist Hospital commences construction of Artificial Intelligence diagnostic centre in Anambra

    Apex Specialist Hospital commences construction of Artificial Intelligence diagnostic centre in Anambra

    By Ovat Abeng

    The Apex Specialists Hospital Nigeria Limited in partnership with SEGOFS Energy Group, has commenced construction of Artificial Intelligence backed diagnostic centre in Awka, Anambra State.

    Founder of the hospital, Prof Uchenna Nwosu said the tertiary healthcare unit which costs over N3 billion will take care of all cardiological issues and Intensive care unit delivery in the state and beyond.

    Prof Nwosu who briefed Journalists shortly after performing the foundation laying ceremony of the cente, held at the hospital premises in Awka, on Saturday, said the centre, if fully completed and equipped will end indiscriminate medical tourism in Anambra and Nigeria at large.

    He said he was moved to build the Ai assisted diagnostic centre to provide speedy healthcare for patients who suffer cardiovascular problems including stroke and other cardiological problems.

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    “Investment yield has never been my objective. If I had considered investment yields, I would not have started my private hospital in Igbo Ukwu many years ago. There are diagnostic centres that have no hospitals and there are hospitals that don’t have diagnostic centres, now we are going to have a hospital that will not only have an intensive care unit but a diagnostic centre so that when you have issues, you can go from the intensive care unit to the diagnostic centre.

    “We are now providing facilities so that people will access healthcare especially those who have cardiac related issues including strokes within two hours.”

    On his part , the founder of SEGOFS Energy Group, Engr. Chief Barth Nwibe, said the foundation decided to partner with Apex hospital system to bring home healthcare delivery to the people of the state and provide rapid response to the people.

    “We invest in diagnostic services for the benefit of Anambra people and Nigerians in general and as part of think home philosophy of Anambra government. Those who have businesses outside try to bring them home to boost economy and provide employment.

    “We are investing over N3 billion in it to ensure its completion.The benefit of the diagnostic centre will be that it will help the specialists to save patients’ lives as all the needed examinations will show exactly what the problems are for proper treatment and the things that made you travel to India or South Africa will be here. CT scan and other testing machines and strokes and cardiac arrest will be attended to within hours.

    “The parties are investing over 3 billion to established the centre as part of effort to position Apex hospital as the premium healthcare centre to the people of Anambra State and beyond.

    “The centre aimed at bringing treatment to other terminal diseases to the doorstep of Anambra citizens and other surrounding states.”

    Chief Nwibe, who is also contesting for the forthcoming November 8th, 2025 Anambra Governorship election under the Labour Party, described the centre as a comprehensive Medical Laboratory, saying it will be a reference point among other hospitals in the Nigeria.

    The ceremony also witnessed the presence of the member representing Aguata Federal Constituency, Hon Dominic Okafor (APGA) and other board members of Apex Specialist Hospital Nigeria Limited.