Paradise News

Tag: Anambra State

  • Nollywood Actor, Junior Pope, 3 others die in Anambra boat mishap

    Nollywood Actor, Junior Pope, 3 others die in Anambra boat mishap

    By Ovat Abeng

    Nollywood has been thrown into mourning following the sad demise of Nollywood Actor, Junior Pope. The actor and three of his colleagues were coming back from a movie location in a boat when they fell into Anam River in Anambra state.

    Their bodies have since been recovered.

    Hours before his death, the actor shared a video of himself taken yesterday in a boat and praying frantically to arrive at his destination safely.

    Read Also: Eid-el-Fitr: Miyetti Allah solicits prayer to sustain peace in Nigeria

    The accident unfortunately happened on his way back from the location today April 10th.

    The actor is survived by his wife and three children.

  • Eid-el-Fitr: Miyetti Allah solicits prayer to sustain peace in Nigeria

    Eid-el-Fitr: Miyetti Allah solicits prayer to sustain peace in Nigeria

    By Ovat Abeng

    As Muslims all over the World celebrate the 2024 Eid-el-Fitr, the leadership of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN), South East region, has called on Muslims Ummah to intensify prayers for sustained peace in Nigeria.

    Alhaji Gidado Siddiki, leader of MACBAN in the region, who disclosed this in his Sallah goodwill message, in Awka, on Wednesday said the Association will continue to advocate for peaceful coexistence among Nigerians as the only panacea for sustainable progress in the country.

    Siddikki message read, “As I joyfully join the Muslim Ummah across the globe in thanking Almighty Allah for seeing us through the Ramadan and for his mercies and guidance, I humbly enjoin my Muslim and Christian brethren in South East Nigeria and everywhere to embrace the cardinal lessons of the Ramadan and Eid-el-Fitr by submitting to the will and dictates of Allah for peace amongst the peoples of the world.

    “Evidently, the mounting challenges caused by the prevailing harsh socioeconomic realities and the anxiety upon our fledgling political experiences are capable of stretching our elasticity for survival to its limit; but in all of these, Allah’s wish is supreme and should be jealously upheld by everyone.

    Read Also: Security Forces comb Anambra forest for gunmen, recover 9 home made bombs, 4 walkie talkie

    “The singular hope that we will outlive the trials of the moment and successfully march into prosperity should inform our sturdy endurance.

    “This year’s Ramadan gave us another opportunity to intimately appraise the totality of our being – the material and the spiritual.

    “These past months, I enjoin us, particularly South East members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), to be upbeat in our quest for more appreciable terms of engagement with the governments of the geopolitical of our residence. We are manifestly appreciative of known expressions of warm fellowship as we solicit for expansion and sustenance of such expressions for a more flourishing business environment for our people in the South East.

    “I thank Allah for sustaining us and for giving us the aptitude and resilience to forge ahead unbroken by the many tugs that threatened to undermine our legitimate business interests in the past. I pray that the newness that Eid-el-Fitr brings enthrones deeper understanding and greater sense of communality amongst Nigerians of different trades and tribes.

    “I most sincerely thank the patrons, board of trustee members and the entire hierarchy of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association of Nigeria for their consistent advocacy for peaceful coexistence as the only panacea for sustainable progress in Nigeria.

    “I thank the entire leadership of the South East states for insisting on the efficacy of the Igbo’s “Nwanne di na mba” dictum which encourages unconditional hospitality amongst Nigerians wherever the search for livelihood takes them.

    May Allah perfect his plan for our country, to his glory and to the joy of every Nigerian,” the message ends.

  • Security Forces comb Anambra forest for gunmen, recover 9 home made bombs, 4 walkie talkie

    Security Forces comb Anambra forest for gunmen, recover 9 home made bombs, 4 walkie talkie

    By Ovat Abeng

    Police in Anambra State, working with operatives of other security forces have combed a forest in Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state, in attempt to dislodge criminals locally referred to as gunmen.

    A press release by the State Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga which revealed this said The incident happened on Friday, 5th April 2024.

    He said The operation was a continuation of the search for criminals attacking security formations in the State. He said The operation was in Amiyi and Ochuche communities.

    Ikenga in the release said: “Troops of the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Navy lent considerable firepower to the operation which completely routed the hoodlums from their hideouts in the forest.

    Read Also: Eid-el-Fitr: Anambra Muslims Pray For Tinubu, Soludo, others

    “Several camps were found and destroyed during the operation which lasted several hours. 9 locally made Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) which were recovered from the camps were safely defused by Police Bomb Squad.”

    Ikenga quoted the Anambra State Police commissioner, CP Aderemi Adeoye as commending the Military for its steadfastness in supporting the fight against criminality.

    “He also thanked the DSS, NSCDC, NDLEA, NIS and various Vigilante Groups across the State for the wonderful synergy that is yielding fantastic results in keeping Anambra State Safe.”

  • Eid-el-Fitr: Anambra Muslims Pray For Tinubu, Soludo, others

    Eid-el-Fitr: Anambra Muslims Pray For Tinubu, Soludo, others

    By Ovat Abeng

    Muslim community in Anambra State, has offer prayers for a successful administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo and other political officeholders in the country.

    They also ask God to strengthen their faith while discharging their responsibilities.

    Leader of the Muslim Ummah in the State, Allahaji Garba Haruna (Sariki Hausawa Awka), called for the prayers during the 2024 eldi-el-fitr prayers, held at Amawbia Sport Club field on Wednesday.

    According to Haruna, who is also the Chairman, Northern Traditional Council, Anambra State, it is important for every Nigerian irrespective of tribe, ethnic and religious affiliation to continue to pray for the leaders and the progress of the country at large.

    Read Also: Truck-to-truck accident claims two lives in Anambra

    “Today marks a significant day in Islam as Muslims worldwide commemorate the conclusion of Ramadan and the Eid-el-Fitr festivities.

    The major part of Ramadan in Islam is to solicit God’s blessings.

    “We the entire muslim ummah in Anambra are so happy living peacefully in the State.

    “We are also happy witnessing today’s event once again in our lives in a conducive environment.

    While urging Nigerians to be patients with the government in it effort to tackle the current economy hardship in the country, Allahaji Haruna commended Soludo’s effort in curtailing crime in the State.

  • Truck-to-truck accident claims two lives in Anambra

    Truck-to-truck accident claims two lives in Anambra

    By Ovat Abeng

    Two persons lost their lives in a head-on collision auto crash along Idemili-Orafite road in Ekwusigo local government area of Anambra State.

    The crash which occurred around 7.30am around Oba junction involved two white and blue trucks without registration numbers.

    It was gathered that one of the victims was trapped in the vehicle while the other was taken to a mortuary in Orafite.

    Confirming the crash, the State Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Adeoye Irelewuyi said two male adults were killed, one was taken to mortuary in Orafite while the other was trapped.

    Read Also: TCTI Biase Felicitates Cross River First Lady, Eyoanwan Otu @60

    He sympathized with the deceased family, urging them to accept the bitter taste of the inevitability.

    He also advised the motoring public to inculcate the habit of obeying the traffic rules especially in the areas of divided attention to avoid totality of lost of control behind the wheel.

    “Efforts were being made towards removal of the trapped victim with extricating machine. The name of the driver of the white FORD truck is Mr AZAN ALIRE, while the Blue truck belongs to NUPENG,” he added.

  • Anambra govt to demolish two 4 storey buildings in Onitsha

    Anambra govt to demolish two 4 storey buildings in Onitsha

    By Ovat Abeng

    Anambra State government has marked two four storey buildings for demolition at Amobi street in Onitsha South local government area.

    This is to avert imminent similar  casualties last month caused by two storey collapse that killed over eight people and injured 26 persons.

    One of the buildings had its decked portion collapsed following the use  poor and sub standard materials for the project.

    The two buildings which are located about one foot close to each other are currently witnessing cracked pillars and weak decking, a development that led to the order for demolition.

    Read Also: UNIZIK Student Kidnapped In Anambra

    About a month ago, the two buildings had been marked for demolition but the owners allegedly removed the demolition marks, commenced heavy business activities at the ground floor of the buildings.

    It was equally observed that the contractors had already constructed another set of slabs preparatory for the decking of the fifth floor despite the demolition order.

    The two contractors handling projects on getting the information that the local government council would be visiting the area fled to an unknown destinations.

    Speaking during the inspection of the site the Chairman of Onitsha South local government area Chief Emeka Joseph Orji expressed worries over the continued building of project, despite the order by government about a month ago.

    He wondered why people will chose to risk their lives doing business under a death trap.

    “The two buildings must go down in the next two days and that is the order and remember that Gov Charles Soludo had directed that all building plans must personally get his approval before construction but these two buildings do not have the approval of the governor”

    “We must do this to save the lives of our people and also avert possible deaths and casualties that has always been the results of collapsed buildings.”

    “Look at the materials that they are using and you all saw that the back of the building where the two storey have already collapsed and we used the tape to block the entrance of the two buildings but they removed it and cleaned up the marks for demolition,” he said.

    According to him,the two buildings with  over 800 shops have been paid for by traders before the completion of the project.

    He disclosed that the shops have been sold to would be landlords before they were marked for demolition.

    Recall that in the past three months three buildings had collapsed in Onitsha killing a total of eight persons at the site and the state government had to clear the debris and take over the lands in question.

  • UNIZIK Student Kidnapped In Anambra

    UNIZIK Student Kidnapped In Anambra

    By Ovat Abeng

    A student in the Department of Science Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (Unizik) Awka, Anambra State, Ms Francisca Chioma, has been reportedly kidnapped in the State.

    It was gathered that the student was kidnapped while en route to a burial ceremony in a village outside Awka, on Friday.

    According to a close friend and schoolmate who preferred anonymity, Chioma’s whereabouts have remained a mystery since Friday.

    There are growing fears that she may have been abducted, particularly along the Omasiuno area of the State.

    Read Also: Soludo hold Ramadan breakfast with Muslim community leaders in Anambra

    Attempts to reach her via phone have proven futile, with her line continually unresponsive.

    Emma Ojukwu, the Special Assistant on Public Relations Matters and Special Duty to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone, redirected inquiries to the university’s security department.

    Subsequently, the Chief Security Officer of the University, Ken Chukwurah, confirmed the distressing development.

    Chukwurah stated, “Yes it is true. DSS has been fully in the picture since yesterday. We are working with them. We got information that one of our students was on her way to attend a funeral ceremony in a village outside Awka when the incident happened and since then she has not been found.”

    He emphasized that the incident did not transpire within the school premises but during Chioma’s journey to the funeral.

    Chukwurah revealed that relevant security agencies have been alerted, and the kidnappers have made contact with the family.

    However, it remains unclear if any ransom demands have been made.

    The State Police Public Relations Officer SP Tochukw Ikenga, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

    He said “yes the command is aware of the the unconfirmed information out there on the  abduction and we want to use this medium to invite the victim’s family, friends, or witnesses to come forward with information that can help us embark on information, please.”

  • Soludo hold Ramadan breakfast with Muslim community leaders in Anambra

    Soludo hold Ramadan breakfast with Muslim community leaders in Anambra

    By Ovat Abeng

    Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo, on Monday evening hosted Anambra Muslim community leaders and joined in breaking the 2024 Ramadan fast with them.

    The Muslim leaders led by Alhaji Sani Ejoh who is the Vice President-General of Jama’atu Nasril Islam Anambra branch were hosted by the Governor at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia

    After jointly breaking fast with the Governor, the leader of the goup, Alhaji Sani Ejoh thanked the Governor for hosting them at the Lodge and for joining them in breaking the fast

    Alhaji Ejoh informed Governor Soludo that the primary aim of the Jama’atu Nastril Islam of Nigeria as body is to safeguard and protect the interest of all Muslims in Nigeria.

    Read Also: Accreditation: UNICAL refutes alleged claims by COREN over status of engineering courses

    He congratulated the Governor on behalf of the Muslim Ulma in Anambra for  his second term anniversary in office, specifically commending him for his sterling performances as could be seen from the visible projects and infrastructural development he has put in place across the State

    Responding, Governor Soludo commended the group for their exemplary conduct as well as congratulated the Muslim community for the successful fasting period

    The Governor reminded his visitors that the period of the holy month of fasting calls for purification of minds and also serve as a moment of re-awaking to all Muslim faithfuls. This period, he added, should usher in peace and joy in the land.

    The Governor ended his speech by reminding his visitors that Anambra remains a home irrespective of one’s religious beliefs or inclinations

    Interestingly, as a Governor and leader, Prof Soludo has consistently shown an unwavering disposition of non-discrimination based on religion or tribe of anyone  resident in Anambra State

    And quite remarkably, this disposition has earned him an award as the “Father of Ecumenism” in Anambra State owing strictly to his stern beliefs in Ecumenism which he has consistently practiced and demonstrated to all Christian denominations in the State

    His other non-discriminatory attitude in leadership was also recently seen when he appointed a non-indigene from Osun State as a Permanent Secretary in Anambra civil service aside other several previous appointments given to non-indigenes in the State.

    The Deputy National Director of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN), Allahaji Gidado Siddikki also participated in the breakfast ceremony.

  • Unizik VC will be appointed in accordance with FG’s law, no imposition – Esimone

    Unizik VC will be appointed in accordance with FG’s law, no imposition – Esimone

    By Ovat Abeng

    The Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof Charles Esimone, has said the Federal Ministry of Education will appoint an acting Vice Chancellor of the university in accordance with the necessary university laws and not by imposition.

    Esimone disclosed this through his Special Adviser on Public Relations and Special Duties, Dr Emmanuel Ojukwu.

    Dr. Ojukwu while reacting to a media report alleging that there were plans to impose somebody on the university early in June as its new Vice Chancellor of the institution, described the allegation as unfounded and false.

    He said the outgoing VC of the University, Prof Charles Esimone, had no power to install an acting Vice Chancellor as being alleged.

    Read Also: Nigerian lady uses her teeth to cut loose an alleged charm she claimed was used to tie destinies of three men

    He said, “The Vice Chancellor does not have the power to install an acting Vice Chancellor. This is the duty of the Governing Council of the university. But in this case the Governing Council is yet to be reconstituted.

    “The Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Education will appoint an acting Vice Chancellor in accordance with the necessary university laws.

    Continuing, Ojukwu said, “The Vice Chancellor, Prof Charles Okechukwu Esimone, FAS is more interested in his continuing efforts to find solutions to various challenges facing the university.

    “As he prepares to vacate office in early June, it is his wish to leave office with a united university. He pledges to cooperate with whoever emerges as Acting Vice Chancellor in the interest of peace and unity of the university.

    It was gathered that an online outfit, NewsOrient, had reported that there was tension in the University following alleged plans by the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone, to impose someone as his replacement.

  • Anambra APC Publicity Secretary distributes wrappers to 170 women

    Anambra APC Publicity Secretary distributes wrappers to 170 women

      

    By Ovat Abeng

    The Publicity Secretary, All Progressives Congress (APC) Anambra State Chapter, Dr. Valentine Iyke Oliobi, has distributed wrappers to one hundred and seventy less privileged women in his Nimo community, Njikoka Local Government Area of the State.

    The distribution took place at his Ikemba 1 of Nimo Villa residence during the celebration of life/78th birthday anniversary of his mother,  Ezinne Cecilia Nwanyibuife Oliobi on Sunday.

    Addressing the women, the APC scribe said the gesture was a way of putting smiles on faces of the needy around him.

    He said he learnt the giving moral from his late father, Chief Anthony Oliobi who died 29-years ago.

    Read Also: ‘No One Is Innocent’—AY Confirms Crash Of Marriage To Mabel

    He noted that the wrappers distributed to the vulnerable women would go a long way in giving them a sense of belonging always.

    Dr. Oliobi while assuring the women of his continuous support, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”s ongoing transformation policies, describing him as a leader with the interest of Nigerians at heart.

    “I am inspired to extend the hand of generosity to the less privileged in the society so they too would be happy.

    ”We all know how times are hard and prices of essential commodities have kept skyrocketing which has make it difficult for most people to meet their daily needs. It is in this spirit of trying to put smiles on faces of the needy, that I have decided once more to remember the less privileged people around me, particularly, the widows, so they too would be happy.

    The Publicity Secretary call on the rich and financially privileged members of the society to be generous to the poor people around them so the world would be a sweet place to abode.

    One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Stain Umu-Agbara who spoke on behalf of others, expressed appreciation to the benefactor for his gestures and support, noting that it came at the right time when Nigerians are currently pasing through hardship at the moment.

    The event was also grace by the State Chairman of APC, Chief Basil Ejidike, the serving member representing Anaocha/Dunukofia/Njikoka Federal Constituency under Labour Party, Hon. George Ozodinobi, APC supporters, family members, friends among others.