Paradise News

Tag: Anambra State

  • Alleged kidnap Of Big Ben: AYM Cautions Against Creating Public Discontent

    Alleged kidnap Of Big Ben: AYM Cautions Against Creating Public Discontent

    By Ovat Abeng

    Anambra Youth Movement, AYM, a group of youth professionals in the state has said that it is disturbed by the rising penchant by faceless social media writers to deliberately create public discount in the case of the State Vs Ozo Jeff Nweke and two others now before Awka High Court 1, in the state.

    The group said in a statement signed by its Chairman, Johnson Maduka that since the matter with charge No; Awk/6c/2025 in which Ozo Nweke and two others were charged with the alleged kidnap of one Benjamin Ezenma otherwise known as Big Ben, was mentioned on Thursday, February 20, 2025, these writers have gone to town with all manner of insinuations aimed at propagating public odium against the person of Ozo Jeff Nweke and whip up public hatred against him.

    ”We dare say that this show of abysmal ignorance by these writers who obviously are not trained judicial officers are aimed at either influencing or manipulating the Court process before the case now adjourned to March 7, is heard.

    ”We are reliably informed in the course of our investigations that some of these faceless social media writers are domiciled in a town called Enugwu-Agidi in Njikoka local government area of the state and had been contracted to play the role of ‘Fifth Columnist’ on the case for whatever reasons.

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    ”Imagine that after the February 20, 2025 mention of the case, these Enugwu-Agidi based faceless writers who are naive not to pend their names to their writings went to town in an ignoble show of shame with the story that a sick Ozo Nweke who was brought to court in an ambulance from his sick bed in hospital was faking and ridiculing himself.

    ”But they forgot that the medical staff of the hospital where he was examined by qualified medical consultants also brought the result of their examination to substantiate his claim.

    ”Their action of a public jest of Ozo Jeff Nweke after the court proceeding of that day to us amounts to extrapolating the issue with an intent of causing public discontent and cast him in bad light before the court and discerning members of the watching public,” the statement said.

    The statement further said that these social media writers failed to realize that courts are apolitical, temple of justice which dispense justice based on the fact before them without sentiments.

    ”That’s why the call for total restraints on this matter before the court because we believe that the court has the capacity and competence to look at issues before it dispassionately based on facts laid before it and arguments taken from both the prosecution and defense counsels.

    ”We also urge these faceless writers to realize that since the matter is before the court they should avoid doing things that may appear prejudicial.”

  • Philanthropist donates CCTV, Solar lights to Isiagu community to combat insecurity

    Philanthropist donates CCTV, Solar lights to Isiagu community to combat insecurity

    By Ovat Abeng

    Anambra- based philanthropist, Nze Chukwujekwu Ahabueze (Nze Abado Nwoke Aja), has donated three CCTV cameras, five Solar electricity street lights to Isiagu community in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, to combat the trending insecurity in the area.

    Ahabueze, made the donation during the community’s 2025 security summit held at the community town hall on Monday.

    According to him, the donation was part of his strategy to ensure the safety of lives and properties and surveillance of critical Isiagu community assets and infrastructure in the area.

    “This is part of my strategy to ensure the safety of lives and properties of the citizenry and also for proper surveillance of critical Isiagu people’s assets and infrastructure in Awka South Local Government Area of the State.

    Read Also: Isiagu community launches fundraising to support gov Soludo’s fight against insecurity in Anambra

    “I am doing this as part of my little contribution towards a better Anambra of our collective dream. The CCTV and the Solar lights will be manned in the three entry points to Isiagu community, to enable us monitor the nefarious activities of criminal elements disturbing the peace and unity of our town. I would also installed solar lights in all the primary and secondary schools in Isiagu community.

    “The token is a prove that security is a collective responsibility and not for government alone. Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has done marvelously well in the fight against the menace and is still dedicated despite criticsm. I commend him.

    “I urged the people of the State to continue to support and pray for him to enable him actualized his vision of making Anambra a clean,  green, smart, digital, peaceful, secure, livable and prosperous state in Nigeria.”

  • Isiagu community launches fundraising to support gov Soludo’s fight against insecurity in Anambra

    Isiagu community launches fundraising to support gov Soludo’s fight against insecurity in Anambra

    By Ovat Abeng

    Isiagu community in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, has launched it security trust fund to raise fund to support governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s effort in the ongoing fight against insecurity in the area.

    The fundraising ceremony took place during the community’s 2025 Security Summit, held at the community’s town hall on Monday.

    In his address during the event, the Interim President General of Isiagu Community Union (ICU), Elder Nwabueze Kingsley Nwokoye, said the fund will take care of the security challenges not only in Isiagu community but the entire Awka South Council Area, adding that the fund would be raised in annual tranches to ensure continuous investment in security initiatives.

    According to him, this fund will take care of the Recruitment, Training, Logistics and Emoluments of all members of Agunechemba Isiagu Community. From calculations, we will need at least two shuttle buses and one sienna, ten firearms and rounds of ammunition and about two million naira (#2,000,000) monthly for salaries and logistics of our Agunechemba members.

    Read Also: World Stroke Organisation trains Anambra healthcare givers on stroke prevention mechanism

    “The fund raising initiative is a measure set up by the Interim leadership of ICU to curtailed crime in Isiagu and it environ.

    “Previous years, we had cases of kidnapping, armed robbery attacks, burglaries, land racketeering and other fraudulent, criminal and violence activities.

    “These has really put Isiagu in a bad light. Isiagu is now considered a crime zone and criminal hideouts. Most of our illustrious sons and daughters hardly return home because of fear of kidnapping and other criminal vices.

    “I commend governor Soludo for his social reengineering and transformation of the security sectors of the state. He is not alone in this struggle.

    “Our appreciation also goes to the Anambra State House of Assembly for giving us the new Anambra State Homeland Security Law which was signed into law on the 18th January, 2025 by the governor.

    “This law proffers community approach to security issues in the state. Every crime happens in the community and such community should take ownership and responsibilities of their security.

    “Today we are also inaugurating the Agunechemba Isiagu Management and Finance Committee that will have the responsibilities of managing and funding security in Isiagu community in line with the State Homeland Security Law of the State and it is made up of not more than fifty illustrious sons and daughters of Isiagu Community, the PG noted.

    Nwokoye, while also commending the Traditional ruler of the town, Igwe Austin Ozoemena Nwankwo, the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Martns Nwajagu, the Anambra State Deputy Speaker, Hon Chukwuma Okoye, Engr Isaac Nwokoye, Hon Chigbo Nweke and other fund raisers of the project, appeal for more donations from members of the public to enable the project attained it huge success.

    The summit has the Theme: Making Isiagu a Secured, Peaceful and Prosperous Community.

  • World Stroke Organisation trains Anambra healthcare givers on stroke prevention mechanism

    World Stroke Organisation trains Anambra healthcare givers on stroke prevention mechanism

    By Ovat Abeng

    The World Stroke Organisation (WSO) in partnership with Stroke Action Nigeria, on Tuesday, February 24, 2025 commence a four-days training on stroke action prevention mechanism for Anambra Healthcare givers.

    It was gathered that the training which is currently ongoing at the Nigerian Medical Association NMA’s conference hall, beside the Federal Medical Centre Onitsha, the commercial city of Anambra State, has in attendence, Nurses, Medical Doctors, and other health partners in the state.

    Speaking to Journalists shortly after the official commencement of the training, the WSO board member and the Chief Executive of Stroke Action Nigeria, Dr. Rita Melifonwu, said the training was necessary to enable healthcare givers in Anambra State to know how, where and when to detect stroke symptoms in a patient.

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    According to her, the World Stroke Organisation WSO, was established as part of health information hub to educate and to create a continue awareness campaign on the danger of stroke disease.

    “WSO’s mission is to deliver lives free from stroke by informing and educating the public about the disease, how to spot it, how to prevent it, and how to live the best possible life after stroke.

    “Today stroke is the leading cause of deaths disability worldwide, but evidence suggests that almost all strokes could be prevented with action on a few key risk factors.

    “Despite the evidence and potential for stroke prevention over the past decade the lifetime risk of stroke in adults over 25 has increased from 1 in 6 to 1 in 4.

    “The ongoing training of healthcare workers/awareness campaign focused on bringing global attention to this new statistic as evidence of the urgent need for action at the individual and policy levels in relation to stroke prevention.

    The public communication element of the campaign highlighted that one in four of us is at risk of stroke calling on everyone to take simple steps to prevent the deadly disease.

    The goal of the four-days programme is to increase the WSO reach and to proved that the world can come together to show the difference it can make when we face stroke as one.

    “World Stroke Organisation WSO, is currently seeking to partner with the Nigeria Government to established what we named, “Life After Stroke Centre across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, this, Melifonwu, noted, will help assist the less privilege Nigerians suffering from the disease with poor financial capacity.

    She urged every Nigerian to try as much as possible to have a basic health care insurance.

    In her brief speech, the consultant of the Programme, Dr. Chiamaka Okereke, also noted that the major aim of the four-days event is to brainstorm and profer a solution to the rising cases of stroke burden in Nigeria.

  • Ojukwu Varsity matriculates 8000 students for 2024/2025 session

    Ojukwu Varsity matriculates 8000 students for 2024/2025 session

    By Ovat Abeng

    About eight thousand students have been matriculated at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University COOU Igbariam, Anambra State.

    It was gathered the 2024/2025 matriculation ceremony for the fresh 8,000 undergraduate students marked the formal closure of admission of the students into the Institution.

    The matriculation ceremony for all the faculties of the School was held Simultaneously at Igbariam and Uli campuses respective, on Saturday.

    At the Igbariam campus, the permanent site of the University, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kate Azuka Omenugha, during her opening speech announced that the university has performed exceedingly well in academics within one and half year of her administration.

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    She admonished the fresh students to allowed the University run through them, to be good behaviour, shun cultism, shun bad company, drug intakes, examination misconduct, certificate forgery, as well as take their studies seriously for them to successfully end with the acquisition of a university degree.

    She also urged parents to always pay their children school fees as and when due to enable the university maintain existing facilities and provide new ones, even as he advised them to always visit their children in school unannounced, as it will help to curtail their excesses.

    Some of the newly admitted students, including Ms Lilian Ejiofor, of Pyschology Department, and Ms Okoro Chinsom Jennifer, of Mass Communication Department, expressed excitement at finally being admitted into Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, assuring that they will make their parents and the university proud.

    On her part, a parent who witnessed the Varsity’s 26th Special Central Silver Jubilee Matriculation ceremony, Mrs Ifeoma Nkirukaba, commended the academic standard of the school, and disclosed that she would encouraged her child to study in the school because Ojukwu University churns out graduates who are excelling in the labour market.

    The ceremony climaxed with the administration of oath of allegiance on the new students by the University’s Registrar, Prof Chris Obi.

  • Onitsha businessman threatens suicide as Anambra govt demolished N700m property

    Onitsha businessman threatens suicide as Anambra govt demolished N700m property

    By Ovat Abeng

    A businessman, Mr. Uzoeto Sabest, has threatened to commit suicide over the demolition of his property worth seven hundred million naira by Onitsha South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

    Mr Sabest who made his intention known while speaking to Journalists at the site of the demolition in Onitsha on Saturday, accused the council chairman, Chief Emeka Orji of spearheading the unfortunate exercise.

    He described the demolition as an act of “insensitivity, callousness, and high-handedness.” He called on Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, to intervene and ensure justice is served.

    Sabest, who claimed to possess a valid Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), an approved building plan, and all other necessary documents for the land, alleged that Orji ignored due process and disregarded an ongoing court case concerning the property.

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    “Where is the justice? Where can citizens seek refuge if they cannot turn to the court for protection? What they are creating is anarchy, and it will not be good for any of us,” he lamented.

    The businessman further disclosed that his demolished buildings housed numerous traders, many of whom were petty vendors relying on the premises for their daily income.

    He accused the LGA chairman of not only destroying his property but also crippling the livelihoods of other traders in Onitsha and it environ.

    Sabest recounted how, shortly after Orji assumed office as Caretaker Chairman in 2023, he invited him for a meeting regarding the property.

    Following a review by a five-member committee set up by Orji himself, Sabest said he was cleared, and his documents were confirmed as legitimate. However, despite this clearance, the council allegedly continued issuing removal notices on his property.

    He further claimed that in January 2025, his lawyer wrote to Orji and relevant security agencies, informing them that the matter was still in court, but his warnings were ignored.

    Threats and Forced Eviction described that Sabest noted that Orji boasted about having the governor’s backing and even claimed control over the judiciary and security agencies in the state.

    He also recounted receiving a warning from a local government official that there were plans to eliminate him and label him as an “Unknown Gunman (UGM).”

    “I have never seen anything like this in my life. Local government has no power under our laws to demolish any property. If my land was not legitimate, the governor would have revoked my C of O under overriding public interest,” he argued.

    Reacting to the development, the Secretary of Onitsha South Local Government, Mr. Paul Onuachalla, who spoke on behalf of the council boss, claimed that the demolished land originally belonged to the council and was earmarked for a primary healthcare project.

    According to Onuachalla, Sabest knew the transaction was illegal before acquiring the land and should stop discrediting the local government.

  • Group slams Akpabio over alleged disrespect to female lawmakers

    Group slams Akpabio over alleged disrespect to female lawmakers

    By Ovat Abeng

    A group, Women of Substance for Development and Skill Empowerment Initiative, has condemned the Nigeria Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio for allegedly disrespecting female lawmakers, particularly Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, during a recent Senate plenary session.

    They also accused Akpabio of making female politicians feel inferior within the legislative space, describing his alleged actions as a direct affront to gender equality and democracy.

    The group condemned the alledged act via statement signed and made available to Journalists in Awka on Sunday by it spokesperson, Amb. Karen Chinyere James.

    They issued a stern warning to Akpabio, urging him to change his attitude toward Nigeria women in politics.

    Read Also: Activist Cautions Against Unjust Victimisation Of Native Doctors By Soludo’s Gov’t

    According to Karen James, “If you don’t respect your wife, at least respect Senator Natasha and other women in politics,”

    She emphasizing the need for dignity and fairness in governance.

    “Women demand respect in leadership.

    “We, the Women of Substance for Development and Skill Empowerment Initiative, want to pass this as a warning to the Senate President, Senator Akpabio: Stop making women in politics feel lesser. We are the mothers of Nigeria and the world. If we didn’t give birth to you, you wouldn’t be on that chair today,” therefore, respect women in politics,” the statement concludes.

  • Activist Cautions Against Unjust Victimisation Of Native Doctors By Soludo’s Gov’t

    Activist Cautions Against Unjust Victimisation Of Native Doctors By Soludo’s Gov’t

    By Ovat Abeng

    Mr Martins Nwabueze founder and CEO of Tilova For Africa a Charity and Equal Rights Group in America has called on Gov. Chukwuma Soludo not to make Native Doctors “Dibia” scapegoats  in his determined effort to fight criminality and restore sanity in Anambra.

    Nwabueze said on Thursday  it was wrong to challenge Native Doctors to show the ailments they cured as a means to separate genuine dibia from fake ones.

    He argued that not all Native Doctors were traditional medicine practitioners better known as herbalists.

    He said Dibia like medicine was an umbrella profession with different variants of areas of specialties adding that the government should profile them and judge them according to the specific job they claim to do.

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    He said herbalists were practitioners of traditional medicine known as “ndi nkpa-akwukwo na ngbologu” while other dibia are into divination, ” Igba afa” “Ilu agwu” ” ima ita” and others which do not involve medicine but utilization of supernatural powers.

    According to him, in traditional Igbo society Dibia involves divination, “Igba afa” and a dibia or native doctor may necessarily not be a herbalist or traditional medicine practitioner.

    “It is this confusion in understanding the differences between the duties of a dibia and a traditional medicine practitioner that always makes Soludo to demand that a dibia must say what disease he cures or treats to be considered genuine.

    “Not all dibia cure ailments, not all dibia are herbalist, some are strictly into divination, ” Igba afa” “Ilu agwu” ” ima ita” and others that do not involve medicine,” he said.

    Nwabueze wondered what criteria were  put in place to determine who the genuine or fake native doctors were.

    He said anybody linked to crimes should be arrested and prosecuted irrespective of their statuses  on the weight of evidence against them  and not on account of his or religion or social inclination.

    “What made them suspects, is ut because Soludo believes they are?I am worried that native doctors are being targeted by the Soludp administration unjustly.

    “Who.are the judges that will separate quacks from experts, what qualifications make one dibia quack and another expert?

    “Is Soludo going to gather his own Dibia so that their snakes and Akwa okuku’s snakes will fight each other to know which has more powers like the biblical Pharaoh and Moses incident?

    “And why are some pastors not in custody pending the outcome of investigations to determine which are quacks?,” he asked.

    Mr Nwabueze advocated a better and more practical way to positively influence and reorientate youths  through leadership by example, education, job creation, public enlightenment campaigns and fight against corruption, illicit drug circulation and abuse. would sanitse the state.

    He said the drug abuse epidemic which affected thousands of  youths in Anambra state should be a priority rather than arrest and detention of a few online native doctors creating content.

    “We must stop persecuting traditional religion practitioners because they are in the minority, it is unfair and it is unjust.

    “Societies work better when all are treated equally irrespective of their religious beliefs, sex, disease state, color or sexual orientations.

  • Anambra insecurity: Scrutinize your cabinet members also, activist urges Gov Soludo

    Anambra insecurity: Scrutinize your cabinet members also, activist urges Gov Soludo

    By  Ovat Abeng

    A human right activist and National Convener of Recover Nigeria Project (RNP), Comrade Osita Obi, has urged the Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo to also scrutinize his cabinet members as part of the government effort in the ongoing fight against kidnapping, wanton killings, cultism, armed robbery and other social vices in the state.

    Obi disclosed this while briefing journalists in Awka on Friday, in reaction to the Police report that the two arrested suspects involved in the kidnapping and killing of the Labour Party lawmaker representing Onitsha North two Constituency in the state House of Assembly, late Hon Justice Azuka had escaped from police custody.

    It was gathered that the release issue by the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, announcing the escape of the two suspects has since generated a huge negative reactions from different quarters, describing the development as negligent on the part of Police.

    Reacting further on the development and other forces working against the current administration in the state, the activist urged the governor to also grilled his cabinet members, alleging that most of his appointees are living fat under the security challenges ravaging the state at the moment.

    Read Also: Youths protest bad leadership in Anambra community

    According to him, the security situation in Anambra State has reached the point where every resident irrespective of tribe, ethnic and religious affiliations  should also be treated as suspect including top government officials in the state.

    “Governor Soludo should begin without further delay to scrutinize his cabinet members as soon as possible. The investigation into the gruesome murder of the lawmaker has left a dark stain on the Anambra State Police Command.

    “The probe, conducted under the watch of immediate past Commissioner of Police, CP Obono Nnaghe Itam, has raised more questions than answers.

    “It is imperative that the Inspector General of Police intervenes and compels Obono Nnaghe Itam to provide clarity on the botched investigation.

    “This case is not one where matters can be dismissed on the grounds that public administration is a continuum, and therefore the succeeding administration should simply continue from where the previous stopped.

    “Obono Nnaghe Itam’s leadership during this period is under scrutiny, and he must be vicariously held accountable for the lapses in the investigation.

    “As the chief law enforcement officer in Anambra State at the time, he bears responsibility for ensuring a thorough investigation was conducted.

    “The people of Anambra State demand answers, and it is the duty of the Inspector General of Police to ensure those answers are provided.

    “We call on the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Olukayode Egbetogun to take immediate action and summon Obono Nnaghe Itam to provide a full account of the investigation into Justice Azuka’s murder. Anything less would be a betrayal of the trust placed in the police institution.

    “We also urged the Inspector General of Police to take immediate action to ensure that justice is served.”

  • Youths protest bad leadership in Anambra community

    Youths protest bad leadership in Anambra community

    By Ovat Abeng

    Youths of Umuatulu Village in Enugu Ukwu Community, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State have protested the illegal takeover of leadership, constant harassment of the people and unrest.

    The youths who thronged the Palace of Igwe Ralph Ekpeh, the traditional ruler of the community, on Thursday, called for immediate intervention and the arrest of one Ebele Ngini, whom they accuse of creating unrest in the community.

    The protesters displayed placards with varying inscriptions including ‘Ebele Ngini is a terror to our community’, He dismantled surveillance cameras to avoid being captured’ and Ebele Ngini, Stop harassing youths’.

    Others read, ‘We beg Gov. Soludo to intervene and restore peace’, ‘Anambra State Government, Save Us’ and ‘We want peace in Umuatulu community’.

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    Speaking on behalf of the group, Mr Ralph Okonkwo said the illegal overthrow of the leadership had resulted in growing insecurity in the village.

    Okonko alleged that Ngini and his cohorts used their illegal leadership to disarm the village vigilance team of their guns and disconnected the CCTV surveillance cameras thereby exposing them to danger.

    He appealed to the traditional ruler, his cabinet, and Gov. Chukwuma Soludo to intervene urgently to restore peace, security, and lawful leadership in the community.

    “Your Royal Highness, we have come to ask for your assistance, Ebele Ngini has been terrorising our village, he brought in unknown gunmen who shoot sporadically at night and deny us sleep.

    “In June last year, Ebele Ngini illegally took over the village leadership, disarmed the village vigilance team by seizing seven pump-action rifles and distributing them to untrained individuals.

    “He disconnected CCTV surveillance cameras, exposing the village to insecurity and unrest among residents.

    “We wrote your palace about this and the Igwe in council rule that the illegally removed executive should return to office.

    “But Ebele in his group ignored the ruling. Cabinet members visited Umuatulu and ordered that all the property should be returned in three weeks but these things are still in the hands of people unknown to us,” he said.

    Responding, Igwe Ralph Ekpe
    commended the youths for their peaceful conduct and for properly addressing their grievances.

    Ekpe  acknowledged the Palace’s awareness of Ebele Ngini’s disruptive activities and assured the community that appropriate actions would be taken to restore peace in Umuatulu.

    “We have been trying to dialogue with Ebele Ngini to no avail. He has continued to terrorize the people and disrupt order in our community.

    “We cannot take it anymore. Now, we will report to the police so that he will be prosecuted according to the law.

    “We will ensure the police act to recover the guns and dismantled surveillance cameras,” he added.