Tag: Anambra State

By Ovat Abeng

A Catholic Priest, Reverend Father Emmanuel Obimma popularly known as Ebube Muonso has called on President Bola Tinubu to as a matter of urgency make meaningful efforts towards revamping the economy of Nigeria to reduce the sufferings of the masses and save the country from impending danger.

Reverend Father Obimma made the call while speaking to journalists at his Parish, Blessed Iwene Tansi Catholic Church, Umudioka in Dunukofia Council Area, shortly after a Sunday mass.

Reverend Father Obimma who observed that Nigerians have been in extreme hardship since the past seven Months of Tinubu led administration in the country which according to him has led to death of many and massive emigration of Nigerian citizens to other countries of the world recently, reminded politicians that revolution is possible in Nigeria, noting that revolution erupts when leaders rough handle the economy to the detriment of the subjects, as seen in Nigeria today.

The Catholic Priest regretted that Nigeria which is supposed to be the envy of other countries of the world has become an object of mockery before its counterparts because of corruption, nepotism, tribalism and selfishness amongst the inhabitants, emphasizing on the need for all to rise and combine efforts to rebuild the country.

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He called on political leaders in the country to learn to make sacrifices in the interest of their subjects and betterment of the society, pointing out that no one can be an effective leader without life of sacrifice.

Asking Nigerian judiciary to seat up and wake to its responsibility as the hope of the common man, in order to regain the confidence of the people, Reverend Father Obimma, also made a case for the release of Nnamdi Kanu by the federal government and judiciary, condemning the decision of the Supreme Court to try him for terrorism, and pointed out that Nnamdi Kanu is just a mere freedom fighter who was never in anyway doing the fighting with weapon or the likes.

The Reverend father used the medium to announce the burial ceremony of his late  mother, Mrs Ezinne Grace Udefi Obimma, slated for January 10th, 2024.

By Ovat Abeng

In the spirit of 2023 Christmas and new year celebrations, the Anambra Deputy Speaker and a member representing Awka South Constituency Two in the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Chukwuma Pius Okoye (APGA), has distributed bags of rice and cash to over five hundred widows and other vulnerable women in the constituency.

The distribution took place at Amawbia Community townhall, in Awka South Local Government Area of the State, on Wednesday.

Addressing the women, Hon. Okoye, appealed to them to continue to support governor Chukwuma Soludo led-administration, in order to actualized his vision of making Anambra a livable and prosperous homeland in Nigeria.

According to him, the distribution was designed to curb hunger, give the people a sense of belonging before, during and after the festive seasons and to show appreciation for their massive support during the March 11th 2023 House of Assembly election in the State.

Read Also: Yuletide: Be patient, drive within prescribed limits, Anambra FRSC warns motorists

The lawmaker assured that he will continue to discharge his legislative duties to the satisfaction of his constituents and solicited their continuous support for prosperous legislation.

In an interview, some of the women, who benefited from his kind gesture, Nkiruka Mbamalu, Ngozi Okeke and Grace Ugochukwu, disclosed that they are enjoying quality representation from him as he has touched their lives in so many ways and called on others to emulate his life of selflessness and giving.

They asked God to continue to keep him and his family for the service to humanity.

By Ovat Abeng

The Anambra State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), has warned motorists to be patient and drive within prescribed limits, saying it’s incorrect for them to use the yuletide period to maximise profit through overloading, thereby putting the lives of road users at risk.

The State Sector Commander, Mr. Adeoye Irelewuyi, gave the warning during a press conference to mark the temporarily opening of the Amawbia, Anambra State sections of the partially completed Enugu-Onitsha Dual Carriage Way, on Wednesday.

It was gathered that the temporarily opening of the dual carriage way was done in collaboration between the MTN Nigeria and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

Recall that MTN is the financier of the dual carriage way that connects Anambra and other South-East states of Nigeria.

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Speaking further, Irelewuyi said, “At festive periods like this, this section of the road always experienced very serious traffic jam at the slightest obstruction to traffic flow usually causes a pile-up in both directions.

“It is therefore with great joy and relief that the Anambra state Command of the FRSC is marking this occasion of the temporary opening of this section.

“We surely believe that it will ease the traffic jam usually experienced at the Amawbia flyover and underpass as well as reduce Road Traffic Crash on the stretch.

“Speed thrills but it is dangerous, motorists must avoid overspeeding during the period.

“This is a wake-up call to remind everybody in society that we have to be careful because, during this period, there is usually an upsurge in the number of people and vehicles on the road.

“It is on this note that motorists should drive within the prescribed speed limit and they must be conscious enough to avoid reckless driving and also carry out maintenance on their vehicles before putting them on the road,” he added.

The Sector Commander also appealed to the people of the state and indeed all road users travelling during and after this Yuletide period to always exercise patience.

The Coordinator, MTN Community Liaison Initiative, Dr Reginald Facah, in his address said the road was opened to ease traffic flow for South-East commuters travelling during the Yuletide.

Facah noted that there has been high influx of traffic along the Onitsha carriage way resulting to gridlock because of the Yuletide season, adding that the essence of opening the road is to decongest the traffic with a view to make travelling seamless for road users.

He said, “Today, we are gathered to temporarily open the partially completed sections of the Enugu-Onitsha Dual Carriage Way, not because the entire project is ready, but because December and Christmas has seen unimaginable suffering on the parts of commuters and drivers on this same road.

“However, with today’s opening of the Amawbia section and the opening of Amawbia flyover, an untrammeled driving experience is once again here for human and vehicular traffic which are usually heat during this period.”

On his part, the Senior Manager Sales, MTN, Emmanuel Okereke, said the organisation is excited to partner with Federal Government on road infrastructure tax credit scheme to complete the rehabilitation of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.

“This road does not only connect Enugu and Anambra states, it is a gateway to the rest of the country and Africa. Our commitment is to deliver an expressway that will be the pride of the South-East people and Nigerians in general, Okereke added.

Earlier, the Anambra State Commissioner for Transport, Patricia Igwebuike lauded MTN for their timely intervention and encouraged road users to use the road with caution especially during the festive season.

By Ovat Abeng

Thousands of indigent widows, aged men and youths from Anambra Central Senatorial District have expressed happiness amidst gratitude as a philanthropist, Prince Obinna Ndigwe gave out wrappers, tubers of yam, bags of rice and other palliatives in Umuokpu, Awka South Local Government Area of state recently.

Ndigwe said the gesture was meant to mark the celebration of Christmas, and also put smiles on the faces of those who were facing the harsh economic reality of Nigeria.

According to him, “The beneficiaries were selected from communities in Anambra Central. My mother too was a widow and I had experienced what they go through.

“This ceremony is carried out twice a year. Today, we’re distributing 400 bags of rice, 500 tubers of yams and other items in the spirit of Christmas.

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“I lost my dad in 1998. Because I have a widow as mother, I developed that passion of assisting other widows to cushion their suffering.

“I’ve also contributed so much in the educational development of my people from the much God has blessed me with.

“Aside the band sets I donated in all schools in my community, I also pay school fees and hospital bills of the less privileged, and several other acts of kindness.”

The philanthropist while commending the Governor Chukwuma Soludo administration for his giant strides in empowerment, road rehabilitation, job recruitment, free health services among others maintained that the benevolence being extended to the downtrodden in the district was part of his (Ndigwe) support to the government.

“Whoever that refuses to support the return of Prof Chukwuma Soludo for second term hates progress and development; his achievements are so visible for everyone to see, including to the blind” he added.

Also speaking, National Coordinator, Soludo Ambassadors, Obiora Nwachukwu thanked Prince Ndigwe for his benevolence and urged the people of the area to keep praying for God’s blessings and long life for him.

He noted that his scholarship scheme and payment of WAEC fees for interested candidates had continued to reduce number of out of school children in the state.

Some of the widows, Chidozie Ekwunife, Gloria Ndife, and Loius Ilodigwe who spoke to Our Correspondent expressed happiness over the palliatives as they noted that their Christmas will be well celebrated while calling on God to continue to bless Prince Ndigwe with long life and more prosperity.

By Ovat Abeng

Anambra State Security Trust Fund has donated 10 Innoson patrol vehicles equipped with modern security gadgets to the State Vigilante Group (AVG).

The vehicles, it was gathered, will help strengthen internal security in the state, especially, during this festive season.

The event took place at the State Government House Awka, on Tuesday.

While handing over the 10 vehicles, a refurbished security vehicle/Amoured Personnel Carrier (APC) and a 10 bedroom bungalow mechanic residence to Mr. Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, the Chairman of the State Trust Fund, Chief Chidi Anyeagbu, said the donation is to support the State Government in it effort in tackling insecurity across the state.

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He said the vehicles were bought through donations made by Anambra indigenes living in home and in diaspora to support the security effort of the present administration in the State led by Prof Chukwuma Soludo.

Chief Anyeagbu said since Soludo came on board, Anambra had maintained an enviable record as Nigeria’s safest state and is determined to make it more secured than ever.

“We believe that the key to a happy and prosperous state is tight security architecture, which is why the current administration made security number one priority.

“Crime detection, arrest and punishment will be easy because these patrol vehicles and the gadgets in it are some of the most sophisticated and highly effective surveillance equipment in Nigeria.

Anyeagbu who is also the Chairman of Chisco Group, urged the State Vigilante Group to collaborate with other security agencies to effectively utilise the donated vehicles toward a more secured state.

He also appealed to residents to always report crime and suspicious movement of person or group to any nearby security outfit within their various areas.

Receiving the items on behalf of the Government, the State Commissioner for Homeland Security, Chief Chikaodi Anara, said the security gadgets would motivate and enhance the operational capacity of the State Vigilante Group in the State.

According to him, we have declared a total war on criminals such as kidnappers, human traffickers, bandits, cultists and car snatchers in the state.

He noted that Soludo’s administration is in a hurry to wield criminal elements and return the state to a state of peace and security where law-abiding citizens would feel free to go about their normal legal businesses without fear of harassment.

Anara assured residents that with the support given to the government by the State Security Trust Fund, crime will so be a thing of the past in the State.

He used the handover ceremony to called on the indigenes living outside the State to come back home for the 2023 Christmas and New year celebrations as their safety was guaranteed.

The event was also attended by the Special Adviser to Governor Soludo on Security Matters, Air Vice Marshal Ben Chiobi (retd.), the State Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Felix Odimegwu and security agencies.

By Ovat Abeng

Leadership of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Anambra State branch, has commended the state governor, Chukwuma Soludo for clearing off the four-years-old arrears of worker’s gratuities, owed by the past administrations, in the State, in less than two years in office.

The NULGE State President, Comrade Chikwelu Adigwe, gave the commendation on behalf of the union while briefing Journalists shortly after his inauguration as the newly elected President of NULGE, Anambra State branch.

Comrade Adigwe was inaugurated alongside other elected executive members at the NULGE’s house Awka, over the weekend.

The Paradise News gathered that the newly elected Executive Officers are expected to pilot the affairs of the union for the next four years.

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Speaking further, Comrade Adigwe, said the union under his watch, will continue to support Soludo administration to ensure that his vision of making Anambra State a livable and prosperous homeland in Nigeria is achieved.

“I also commended the governor for the #20,000 Christmas package for all the civil servants in the State.”

Adigwe however, appealed to the governor to as a matter of urgency look into the negative attitudes of the State Local Government Service Commission officials towards his members in the State.

He lamented that his members are currently facing harassment and intimidation from the Commission’s officials in their various local government areas.

He threatened that if the government failed to addressed the harassment and intimidation his members are passing through, then, the union have no other options than to embark on industrial action.

According to him, “the Union is the mouthpiece of the workers. Our duties as union leaders is to breach any gab that will bring crisis among workers and to make sure that the welfare of our members are not taking for granted in the State.

“We will work to strengthen the relationship between the union and the state government, which is still in place, but if the government on it part failed to sustain the relationship and addressed the hatred, we have no other option than to shut down the State in protest, the President threaten.”

The inauguration was peacefully witnessed and supervised by the National President of NULGE, Comrade Ambali Olatunji, represented by the Union’s National Trustee, Comrade Lambert Onuigbo, members of the union in the State, security agencies and the media.