Tag: Anambra State

By Ovat Abeng

Anambra State has emerged as a force to be reckoned with, securing an incredible four prestigious awards during the ICT peer review session at the 11th National Council on Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy (NCCIDE) meeting held in Kano State.

The meeting was chaired by the Honorable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani and hosted by the Kano State Governor, Engr Abba Kabir Yusuf.

The vision of the administration of Mr Governor, Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo, is to build a liveable and prosperous Smart Mega City and Mr. Governor is massively leveraging technology and digital innovation towards achieving this vision.

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The awards, a testament to Anambra’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and progress in the digital realm, are as follows:

The Overall Winner Best State in Digital Technology Development: Here, Anambra State stood tall as the undisputed overall winner, scoring the highest number of points in all categories, showcasing its comprehensive dedication to advancing the state in the digital landscape. This award was presented to the MD/CEO, Anambra State ICT Agency, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata (CFA) by the Kano State Governor, His Excellency, Engr Abba Kabir Yusuf.

First Position Best State in Digital Infrastructure Technology Development: Under this category, Anambra State was recognized as the leading state in ICT infrastructure development, following the full implementation of the Zero Right Of Way (RoW) policy,  implementation of an Internet Exchange Point; all emphasizing the state’s commitment to building a robust foundation for the prosperity of its people, using Technology. This award was presented by the Minister of CIDE, Dr. Bosun Tijani.

First Runner-up in e-Government Implementation: Anambra’s innovative e-government initiatives earned it the second position, highlighting the state’s effective use of technology in governance. The award was presented by the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi.

First Runner-up in Digital Technology Human Capital Development: This award reinforces the state’s commitment to building a digitally-skilled and knowledgeable workforce and society in general. The final award was presented by the Kano State, Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Alhaji Mohammed Othman.

It is noteworthy that Anambra’s impressive outing at the annual event that brings together the federal government and state underscores its strategic vision and exemplary but detailed execution in the realms of infrastructure, e-government, and human capital development under the visionary leadership of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo.

The awards during the official opening ceremony, followed the earlier recognition received during the ICT Peer Review session, where Anambra’s presentation made by Dr. Florence Idigo, a Director in the State ICT Agency, garnered enthusiastic applause and commendation from industry experts.

Receiving the awards on behalf of Mr. Governor, the MD/CEO of the Anambra State ICT Agency, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, CFA, expressed profound appreciation to Mr. Governor for creating the enabling environment and a vision which guides the Agency in line with the ‘Everything Technology, Technology Everywhere’ mantra.

CFA also dedicated the awards not only to the team at ICT Agency but to the co-operation and collaboration of the entire solution team for their hard work and dedication to Mr. Governor’s vision.

“This achievement no doubt reflects our unwavering commitment to technological advancement and the transformative journey we are championing in Anambra State,” he stated.

By Ovat Abeng

Determined to achieve zero maternal mortality in the state, the Anambra state government has commenced training on the use of Anti shock garments in cases of postpartum Haemorrhage in women.

The training was organized by the state Ministry of Health in Awka, on Thursday.

Postpartum Hemorrhage otherwise known as bleeding after delivery has been identified as one of the the major causes of maternal mortality in women across the state, and the training was attended by doctors and nurses from mission and General Hospitals in the state.

In an opening speech, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike said that in order to put to an end cases of death during delivery which he said was noticed to be on the high side, especially in the hard to reach areas, Governor Chukwuma Soludo approved the first procurement of one hundred and twenty anti-shock garments for mission and General hospitals across the state in addition to free antenatal and delivery in public hospitals in the state.

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Obidike added that more of the kits are being procured presently for Primary Health Care centers in all the three hundred and twenty-six wards in the state to ensure that no woman die during delivery and expressed happiness that the trainees were able to garner knowledge on the administration of the garment to save life.

He urged the participants to ensure that they stepped down the training to other members of their facilities and added that the training will be continuous even as he appreciated Governor Soludo for leaving no stone unturned in ensuring quality health care services to Ndi Anambra.

Earlier while training the participants on the causes, and how to control Postpartum Hemorrhage and use of anti-shock garment in saving the life of women during childbirth, especially any emergency where loss of blood is involved, the State Coordinator of Reproductive Health, Anambra State Ministry of Health, Dr Uju Okoye demonstrated how to put on the anti-shock garment on patients.

Dr Okoye emphasized that the anti-shock garment is not for pregnant women without loss of blood, and said that the kit must not be removed until the patient is taken to a bigger hospital and be stabilized, which they will know by constant checking of the vitals.

In their separate reactions, some of the participants, Dr. Ifeanyi Adihuba from General hospital Okija and Gabriel Odoeze, from Aguata Diocesan Hospital, Igboukwu and a nurse, Miss Favour Udeaja said that though they were aware of anti-shock garment, they have been able to know how to wear a patient the garment and other aspects of child delivery as well as how to save life during emergencies, promising to step down all they learnt during the training.

The highlight of the event was the demonstration on how to use anti shock garments.

By Ovat Abeng

The National Vice President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene has lamented increasing roadblocks across Southeast States.

He said the proceeds from the roadblocks which were mostly extortionate, were enough to construct third Niger bridge in the region.

Okeke-Ogene spoke on Thursday, in Awka, Anambra State Capital, at the 2024 General Assembly of Association of Past Presidents General of Anambra State (APPAS) of the Association of Anambra state Town Union (ASATU).

He regretted that ASATU was founded when people in the state suffered maltreatment during the military administration in the state, harassments, intimidation and extortion.

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He said, “When we started this organisation, that was during military regime, the Igbos had no voice to speak for themselves.

“From Onitsha to Ekwulobia, you’ll encounter not less than 10 road blocks.We confronted the then military governor and he assisted to dismantle the roadblocks.

“Today the roadblocks have increased, even to your houses and nobody is talking. The level of extortion at these roadblocks is enough to build a third Niger bridge.

“You can’t imagine how much they make from those roadblocks. And these are done by intimidation, not voluntary. We must continue to fight against it.

“Yes, they always claim they are after criminals, but they’ve never arrested any one on those roadblocks.”

Referring the body as his main constituency, Okene-Ogene recalled the sacrifice he made as founding father of the union, including settlement of issues.

He expressed satisfaction that the body which had little beginning is now made of responsible, respected and mature individuals.

“It’s too demanding to be a PG. During my time, we beg people with money to attend meetings because of lack of interest. Yet challenges were enormous, with little or no resources.

“We had those who don’t contribute anything, but at the same time are professional editors, accusing leadership of embezzlement, efforts targeted at tarnishing their images.

“No government gave us one naira. You’re here to be the voice of Ndigbo better because you’re independent of any body. I can see the essence of Igbo union among you. I’m proud of you.

“Part of your responsibility should be to organising seminars for the current PG’s through your wealth of experience. They must appreciate the foundation you laid.

“You must carry yourselves with some level of carriage. Don’t allow yourselves to be humiliated. Your independence is important. You should be envy of all

“Any government that wants to progress must work with the PGs. You need to engage the government with constructive criticisms. We’ll work hard to support you.

The Ohaneze boss who was among those conffered with awards of excellence, described the award as worth-deserved.

“I commend the leadership for the recognition. The award is not based on money but self recognition. Due process was followed because I’m the most senior both past and present, outside ikeazor,” he added.

Earlier, National President of Association of Past President General of Anambra state (APPS), Mazi Omife. I, Omife, has announced that the body lost 13 members between August and December last year

He said 64 members out of 782 strong members are incapacitated due to old age and other associated health problems.

He noted that APPS is not a political association, but works and cooperates with the Governor Charles Chukukwuma Soludo administration and any government in power in Anambra state.

Other awardees were the Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye, Presidential candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Peter Umeadi, Senator Representing Anambra Central, Sen. Victor Umeh, Engr. Emeka Okwuosa, among others.

By Ovat Abeng

Philanthropist and the Chief Executive Officer of Blue Shield Security Company Limited (a private security outfit), Chief Jeff Nweke has dragged the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, Mr. Aderemi Adeoye, and two other officers to court for allegedly trespassing into a piece of land situated at The Four Ways Court Estate, in Awka which belonged to him.

Nweke, the plaintiff, also said that the Commissioner, together with his two other officers, DCP Akin Fakorede and Inspector Monday Umana who are defendants, equally violated his rights to acquire and own property in Nigeria as guaranteed in the Nigerian constitution by allegedly forcing him out of his parcel of land.

As contained in the SUIT NO.A/401/2023, filed at Awka High Court on December 19, 2023, Nweke said the parcel of land, Four Ways Court Estate, Awka, which was originally known as Agunogu land belonged to Ezinano community in Awka South local government area of Anambra state,  before some indigenes of Enugwu-Agidi started laying claims on the land.

Nweke noted that there was no subsisting court order dispossessing the Ezinano community of their use and stay on the land, adding that Blue Shield Security subsequently deployed some of her men to the said land.

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“Trouble started on 27th day of September 2023, when the police officers, through their agents who were allegedly led by Inspector Umana forced themselves into the duty post of the men of the Blue Shield at the Four Ways Court Estate and without provocation arrested some of their men and took charge of the area.

Nweke maintained that when these were happening, he was in faraway Egypt where he went for a major surgery.

He further stated that since the  28th day of September,2023, the men of the 3rd defendant(Commissioner of Police) had been entering the land with bulldozer while the Enugwu-Agidi people who are at the other side to the land dispute are being protected and given cover by the said men of the police officers, thus, they bulldoze the land and destroyed whatever the men of Blue Shield were protecting.

According to the context of the SUIT in part, “The plaintiff avers that the defendants had through their agents broken into the personal property of the plaintiff where he is developing his personal residence within the Four Ways Court Estate, Awka.
“The plaintiff avers that some parts of his building have been tampered with and or damaged.

“That the land dispute is currently pending at the Supreme Court in Abuja, despite having been informed that the dispute is subjudice, the Commissioner of Police and DCP Fakorede insisted that the land belongs to the Enugwu-Agidi people.”

However, Nweke claimed that the Commissioner of Police and his men should  jointly compensate him with the sum of #10million being general damages for wrongfully trespassing into the said land without any legal ground while #18.7million being special damages of his trailer load of 1,800 bags of cement, 3 welding machines, 3 Bulldozer batteries among others, during the course of their trespass.

He also sought for a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants either by themselves or acting in concert with other persons and or through their agents from further trespass on his parcel of land at Four Ways Court Estate Awka.

Similarly, in SUIT NO. FHC/AWK/280/2023, which Nweke filed on 28th day of September 2023, at Federal High Court, Awka, titled: IN THE MATTER OF APPLICATION BY OZO JEFF NWEKE FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF HIS FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS TO ACQUIRE AND OWN IMMOVABLE PROPERTY IN NIGERIA, declared that the continued inhibition against his entering into his parcel of land at Four Ways Court Estate Awka by the police officers through their agents completely violated his fundamental rights and further sought for #20million compensation for general damages.

By Ovat Abeng

Nawfia community in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, has dismissed a statement credited to Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, CFR, mni in which he described their Traditional Ruler Igwe Amb Sir (Dr) Oguchukwu Daniel Obelle, mni, as “self-acclaimed” Traditional Ruler of the community.

The community says Igwe Obelle remains the authentic, certified and recognised Monarch of the community.

Our community find the statement “demeaning derogatory, grossly offensive and a deliberate attempt to run Nawfia and her Igwe under the bus for reasons that are not in the interest of Nawfia people”.

It could be recall that Igwe Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, in a letter addressed to the State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo over the current misunderstanding between the State Government and the suspended Traditional Ruler of Neni over conferement of Chieftaincy titles to Senator Ifeanyi Ubah. and others without clearance from the government.

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Achebe, who is apparently angered by the way the monarch of Neni, in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, Igwe Damian Ezeani, was suspended by the state government recently for conferring chieftaincy title on Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, in a letter authored by himself, said the government should respect the traditional rulers and the institutions.

Reacting further on the development, the people of Nawfia appealed to Obi of Onitsha to accord Igwe Obelle his due respect as one of his colleagues in the State.

The appealed was contained in a statement signed and made available to Journalists in Awka on Saturday, by Chief Nicolas Ikechukwu Okonkwo Esq. Ochiagha Chinyelugo na Nawfia
(Member Igwe Ezeudo Cabinet).

The statement read in part,

“Our attention has been drawn to your viral letter to the Anambra State Hon. Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs on the above captioned subject matter, which incidentally touched on our community, Nawfia.

“As the Chairman of Traditional Rulers in Anambra State, your word carries weight and far reaching implications. We therefore commend the forceful manner with which you promptly rose in defence of traditional rulers and traditional institutions in
Anambra State.

“However, in the case of Nawfia, it was grievously demeaning and befuddling as you offensively employed disparaging phrases such as ‘self-acclaimed’ and unrecognised traditional ruler’ in your reference to the Traditional Ruler of Nawfia, HRH Igwe Amb. Sir Ogochukwu Daniel Obelle, mni, PhD, Igwe Ezeudo Nawfia.

“Ndi Nawfia find the above description of their Igwe as derogatory, grossly offensive and a deliberate attempt to run Nawfia and her Igwe under the bus for reasons that are not in the interest of Ndi Nawfia. The said references have heightened tension and are fast threatening the peace and security of Nawfia.

“With due respect, Your Royal Highness, the Traditional Ruler of Nawfia, HRH Igwe Amb. Sir (Dr) Ogochukwu Daniel Obelle, mni, is not and cannot be a ‘self-acclaimed and unrecognised traditional ruler’.

“He serves at the behest of his people, duly elected in accordance with the Constitution of Nawfia and recognized with a Certificate of Recognition by the Anambra State Government, which certificate was physically presented to Your Royal Highness in Imeobi Palace at Onitsha on 13th day of March, 2022 and in several official correspondences, subsequently. Your Highness even sent a powerful delegation to Igwe Obelle’s coronation at Nawfia on 19th March 2022.

“The position of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo on who the Government accords Recognition as the Igwe of any Community in Anambra State is explicit and in the public domain.

“It is therefore not within the purview of Your Royal Highness or any Government appointee for that matter to refuse to accord due recognition to an Igwe bearing same Certificate of Recognition as yours.

“We would have thought that the massive success of Igwe Ezeudo’s first Ofala/Igu Aro Festival despite desperate attempts by sinister elements to frustrate same, should have served not just as a pointer to his wide acceptability by his people but also as a testament to the huge impact he has made in the lives of Ndi Nawfia since assuming the Traditional stool of Nawfia.

“Admittedly, as it is in the case of most towns in Anambra State, Onitsha not excluded, Nawfia matter is subject of litigation by a former Regent who claimed and paraded himself as the Igwe of Nawfia but was never issued any Certificate of Recognition by the Government of Anambra State, until he was suspended and subsequently removed by the Anambra State Government.

“He is challenging his removal by the Government in Court, which we
wholeheartedly welcome as the most civil approach to conflict resolution.

“Without joining Igwe Obelle as a party to his suit he obtained an interim order from a High Court in Awka that affected the interest of a party that was not party or joined in his suit.

“HRH Igwe Obelle promptly responded by filing an Appeal at the Court of Appeal, Awka Division, on the grounds that you cannot shave the hair of a man in his absence.You will agree with us, though, elementary, that the mere existence of a pending law suit does not suffice as grounds for withdrawal of certificate of recognition, particularly because the final determination can go either way.

“It is only the final determination of the substantive suit and possible appeal at the Apex Court that can make a full and final pronouncement on the status of the Igwe of Nawfia. Until then, the Government has continued to maintain the status quo ante, according full and due recognition to HRH Igwe Amb. Sir Ogochukwu Daniel Obelle as the Igwe and Traditional Ruler of Nawfia. Anyone with a contrary claim should furnish evidence to that effect.

“It is our submission that Your Royal Highness acted hastily in your presumptions, which is why we have again attached to this reaction copy of the Certificate of Recognition of HRH Igwe Obelle as the Traditional Ruler of Nawfia , copy of his Appeal and Order of the Court of Appeal therefrom.

“We therefore call on Your Royal Highness, in the interest of fairness and balance, to redress the wrong done to Ndi Nawfia  and their traditional ruler by issuing a similar viral letter correcting the wrong impression created about Ndi Nawfia and their Traditional Ruler. Thank you Sir,” the statement concluded.

By Ovat Abeng

The Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt.Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze has described former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth,Chief Emeka Anyaoku as the pride of the African nations at the International Community in view of his quality service.

Felicitating Chief Anyaoku on his ninety- first birthday, Rt. Hon. Udeze noted that Anyaoku discharged his duties at the Commonwealth of Nations creditably and was recognized by various organs of the International Community.

The Speaker extolled the advisory roles being played by Chief Anyaoku in Nigeria and Anambra State in particular where he has continued to use his wealth of experience to advance good governance.

He maintained that despite Chief Anyaoku’s foreign engagements and education,he remained a true Igbo man, adding that the nineteen communities in Idemili had honoured him with the chieftaincy title “Ugwumba Idemili” as their illustrious son.

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The Speaker while praying God to continue to strengthen Chief Anyaoku and give him longevity, enjoined the citizenry to emulate his outstanding personality by striving to make a good name in their various endeavours.

The felicitation message was contained in a statement signed and made available to Journalists in Awka on Friday by the Speaker’s Press Secretary, Emma Madu.