The Anambra Chapters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have handed a 7-day ultimatum to the Anambra State Government to address issues of the welfare of workers in the state. The ultimatum was contained in a communique jointly signed by the leaders of the two Labour Unions, Comrades Humphrey Nwafor (NLC) and Chris Ogbonna( TUC) in Awka. The organized Labour said failure to address their demands may jeopardize the existing industrial peace and harmony in the state. The communique described the contributory pension scheme in the state as a scam, noting that workers’ salaries are being deducted without counterpart remittances from the…
Author: Kenechukwu Ofomah
The Anambra Truth, Peace and Justice Commission has expressed worry as to why neither a coroner’s inquest nor investigation was conducted into the 2017 Ozubulu massacre, raising suspicion over some form of political connection to the incident. On August 6, 2017, while Governor Willie Obiano was at the state’s helm of affairs, no fewer than 35 persons were killed and about 22 injured, when gunmen stormed St Philip’s Catholic Church, Ozubulu, during a morning mass. Four months later, the incumbent governor then, Obiano, was to run for re-election, in a heated political season, with some persons fingered in the incident,…
A non-governmental Organization, the Civil Rights Concern (CRC) has identified a correlation between the increasing mass unemployment, high debt profile, and widespread poverty in Anambra State with Planning officers, bank policies, and Civil society organizations. The CRC is also accusing key stakeholders and citizens of not living up to their duties in monitoring actively, what governments at various levels do with funds, especially the series of huge loans they have been taking. CRC, at an engagement seminar with Stakeholders including media practitioners in Awka, Anambra State, through her Executive Director, Mr. Okey Onyeka, harped on the need to find a lasting solution to the hydra-headed…
A health official in Anambra State, Mrs Adaku Ego has identified negligence and lack of regular health checks as major contributors to the high cases of sudden deaths in the country. Ego, who works at the Non-Communicable Diseases Unit, Public Health Department, Anambra State Ministry of Health, asserted on Tuesday in Awka during a free blood pressure screening tagged – ‘Know Your Numbers’ Campaign. The campaign is in collaboration with the Nigerian Cardiac Society and the Population Services International. She told newsmen that the causes of sudden deaths could include complications of hypertension, heart attack, stroke, and heart failure among others. According…
As part of efforts to improve agricultural productivity to guarantee food sufficiency and security, the Nigerian government has mapped out strategies to deploy Genome Editing Technology in agricultural practice in the country. This was disclosed during a 2-day Training Workshop for Communicators on Genome Editing organized by the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) in collaboration with the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) in Abuja. The training workshop drew strategic communicators from across the country and aimed to educate them on the technology. Genome Editing is a form of genetic engineering that addresses specific research areas in agriculture to produce better-yielding seedlings for farmers to grow, which may reduce the…
The Enugu State Government through its Internal Revenue Service (ESiRS), in the early hours of Tuesday, sealed Enugu ShopRite, Spar over failure to remit purchase tax in their malls to the government after being served several warning notices. According to the ESiRS officials who embarked on the enforcement drive, other malls including Roban, and Mama Onyinye restaurant among others have also been warned and they included the purchase tax on the goods that the buyers pay whenever they patronize their outlets. The Enugu State Internal Revenue Service(ESIRS) HOD eateries, bars, hotels, and shopping malls, Egwuonwu Perpetual said the agency had visited the sealed malls on several…
The Anambra State House of Assembly has stressed the need to urgently tackle the negative effect of crude oil exploration and theft in Ogwuikpele community, Ogbaru Council Area by Sterling Oil Exploration and Production Company, SEEPCO. The Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Hon Chidiebele Ibemeka, raised the concerns during an oversight of the community. The visit provided an opportunity for the legislators to witness firsthand, the challenges faced by the community in the region and the operations of the company. During the visit, the lawmakers were confronted with the stark reality of environmental degradation, pollution, and socio-economic hardships caused by…
Civil rights advocacy group, the Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS) has expressed deep concern over what it tagged ‘the systemic injustices plaguing the retirement benefits of officers within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).’ According to the group, the huge difference in the treatment meted out to these dedicated officers, some sister agencies, and political elites, is a glaring testament to the inequity entrenched within the system. Recently, a police personnel with 35 years of service in the Force, received a mere 1.5 million naira. Meanwhile, the military receives far better packages at retirement, while political figures serving shorter terms enjoy extravagant perks, including multiple properties, luxury cars, and…
As part of efforts to catch children young to imbibe the habit of healthy living, the wife of Anambra State Governor, Dr. Nonye Soludo has inaugurated the Healthy Living Ambassadors and Champions for public Primary Schools under the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board, ASUBEB. The champions were headteachers while the ambassadors were teachers who majored in Physical Health Education or related courses, who will lead the Healthy living clubs in select schools across the state. Inaugurating the Teachers at the Utility Hall, ASUBEB Headquarters, Awka, Dr. Nonye Soludo said that the day is very significant as it marks the…
The youth wing of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide has expressed its sadness over the rejection by the Nigerian Senate, of a bill seeking to include Anambra State as one of the member states of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. The Senate had on Tuesday, thrown out the bill, saying that Anambra was not part of the Niger Delta region, which is the reason for the establishment of the interventionist agency. President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, thrashed the bill after the lead debate on the bill for an Act to amend the Niger Delta Development (Establishment Etc.) Act N 86…
Amidst renewed deliberations by the Federal and State Governments on the suitability of State Police in tackling the growing insecurity in the land, some human rights and Pro-democracy groups have rejected the idea, saying that it would only amount to creating a “private militia for governors” The Campaign for Democracy (CD) in South East and Human Rights, Liberty Access and Peace Defenders Foundation (HURIDE) rising from their combined strategic meeting held in Enugu, noted that State Governors would use State Police against their perceived Political enemies. In the communique signed by High Chief Dede Uzor A Uzor, Executive Director, HURIDE…
Labour Party lawmakers in the Anambra State House of Assembly on Thursday, announced their decision to relinquish their six months basic salaries to tackling food and medical challenges of their constituents. The legislatures, under the Anambra State Labour Party House of Assembly Caucus, said the gesture was informed by the prevailing harsh economic realities across the country which he said their leader, and Presidential Candidate of the party, Mr Peter Obi, had earlier raised alarm over. Speaking on behalf of the lawmakers, the member representing Onitsha South Constituency Two, Hon Jude Umennajiego also called on President Bola Tinubu and State…
The Civil Liberties Organization, CLO in Anambra State has appealed to Governor Chukwuma Soludo and the Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide to accord a befitting burial to a former governor of Anambra State and Presidential Adviser, Chief Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife. This the group said, will be in appreciation of his selfless services and sacrifices towards the socioeconomic and political development of Anambra State, Southeast, and Nigeria. The appeal was contained in a press statement issued to newsmen on Thursday, signed by Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme, the CLO Chairman. The group described Dr.Ezeife as a patriotic, prudent, selfless, and transparent servant leader with impeccable character and integrity. “He was at the forefront in agitation for socioeconomic justice for the southeast, election of Nigerian President of Igbo extraction, creation of…
Dissatisfied with the non-compliance of some traders to open their shops on Mondays over fear of uncertainty, the President General, Anambra State Amalgamated Traders’ Association, ASMATA, Chief Humphrey Anuna, during his meeting with market Chairmen/ Secretaries, read the riot act to them, vowing to sanction defaulters. Till Monday this week, shops at the various markets in the state were still locked, over fears of being attacked by enforcers of the order issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, over the continued incarceration of their leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Many have been killed and properties destroyed for defying the order…
The General Manager of Heartland FC, Owerri, Promise Nwachukwu has revealed that the club management has ratified the placing of all players of the club on half salaries until further notice. The decision, he revealed, was due to the club’s poor performance in the Nigeria Premier Football League this season, which culminated in their disgraceful home loss to Plateau United on Wednesday. The Owerri side were beaten 5-1 at home for the first time in their history by a more ambitious Plateau United. Nwachukwu, who watched the game dejectedly at the Awka City Stadium Wednesday evening, said the players should take responsibility for the loss which has tarnished the image and the impressive…
Aba Power Ltd, a subsidiary of Geometric Power, will start to supply power from one of its three turbines to consumers in the Aba Ring-fenced Area this weekend rather than in two weeks as originally scheduled. The project was initially billed to commence supplies to commercial customers 13 days after commissioning in line with technical protocols, sources say its chairman, Professor Bart Nnaji who is a former Minister of Power, has directed the utility’s engineers to provide power to the people without fail this weekend. The Geometric Power 188 Megawatt thermal plant and the Aba Power company to distribute electricity…
A rights group, the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has faulted the formation of the newly established Tripartite Economic Advisory Committee inaugurated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The committee which was inaugurated on Sunday comprised notable names drawn from the federal government, sub-nationals, and the private sector, including Aliko Dangote, chairperson of Dangote Group of Companies; Abdulsamad Rabiu, the chairman of BUA Group; Tony Elumelu, chairperson of United Bank of Africa (UBA), Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, among others. The committee was set up to help the Tinubu administration develop a policy framework that will…
The death toll from three collapsed buildings out of five under construction at the Oduigbo section of the Ochanja Central Market in Onitsha South Council Area of Anambra State has risen to nine, authorities say. The incident which occurred Monday night at about 7 pm, was said to have trapped many while one dead body was recovered and three injured persons rescued as of early Tuesday morning. However, 8 more dead bodies have been recovered from the debris, as rescue operations continued Tuesday by men of the relevant State Government agencies, in collaboration with the State chapter of the Council…
Anambra workers have bemoaned the withdrawal of the wage award announced by the state governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, to cushion the effect of the withdrawal of fuel subsidy on them. Earlier last year, the governor had announced the introduction of the wage award of N12,000 per worker in September, for four months, to end in December 2024. But during the nationwide protest of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, held by the State Chapter on Tuesday in Awka, Anambra State capital, the workers regretted why the governor would remove the wage awards when the hardship that occasioned its introduction has not…
Anambra State Police Command says its detectives, working with Umuoji Vigilante, have apprehended suspected killers of the President-General of Umuoji in Idemili North Council Area of the state, Chief Silas Onyima. The late PG was allegedly murdered in his home at Umuoji by gunmen over the weekend. According to the Police Public Relations Officer in Anambra State, Tochukwu Ikenga, four suspects have been arrested so far. He revealed that the handset and ATM card of the deceased were recovered from the suspects. According to him, the suspects in their confessions, named four other accomplices, who he noted are now being…
The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU has called out the National Assembly over the recent invitation of Vice Chancellors and other Heads of tertiary contrary to come before it to defend the implementation of intervention Funds allocated to them under the Tertiary Education Trust, TET-Fund. It was gathered that recently, the National Assembly has been breathing down the necks of the VCs and heads of other tertiary institutions on the pretext of oversight resources allocated to the universities by TETFund. At the end of their meeting held at ASUU Headquarters, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka on Monday, the ASUU Owerri…
The streets of Awka, Anambra State Capital, were on Monday filled with over 300 tricycle operators, who held a road show in solidarity with the State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo over his massive road infrastructure development projects across the state. The keke riders, under the aegis of Anambra Keke Drivers Forum (AKDF), said they were satisfied with the ongoing road construction across the state, describing it as proof of accountability of their tax payment. Recall that Governor Soludo had promised to turn Anambra into one big construction site immediately during the dry season and all over the state, massive road…
Unknown persons over the weekend allegedly broke into the house of the President-General of Umuoji community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Chief Silas Onyima, and killed him. It was gathered that the hoodlums shot him right in the bathroom while he was taking his bath. The incident, according to a source, threw the community into panic, forcing residents to desert major roads, and the Eke market in the community, which used to bubble with activities, was also scanty. The murder has once again raised concerns over the way Presidents-General of communities in the state were being…
The apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has asked people of the Southeast to re-ignite the Igbo spirit of brotherliness, hard work, ingenuity, wisdom, resilience, and capacity to turn adversities into diverse opportunities, especially in this trying times the nation is facing. The group also urged governors in the zone, council chairmen, traditional rulers and town union presidents in Igbo land to take advantage of upcoming farming season to catalyze massive agricultural production for sustainable food security in our region. In a communique issued after a meeting of Southeast leaders and Stake-holders held in Enugu and chaired by President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief…
An Anambra-based rights activist, Comrade Osita Obi has frowned at the recent directive by the leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, for Nigerians of Southeast extraction not to partake in a planned nationwide protest over the high cost of living. In some parts of the country, protests have begun over the high cost of living and some policies of the government hitting the people hard. However, in the Southeast, it appears the people are standing aloof. Instead, comic videos have surfaced online where Igbos were captured drinking and enjoying themselves, claiming that that was their way of protesting. Recall that the…
Anambra State Government has taken a major step towards achieving a technologically advanced future for the state, through the launch of the pilot phase of the Public Wi-Fi initiative, Solution Wi-Fi. Driven by the Anambra State ICT Agency in collaboration with Pineheight Systems Limited (PHSWEB), this pilot phase initiative, which signposts a resounding fulfillment of promises outlined in Governor Soludo’s People’s Manifesto, marks a significant stride towards launching the state into the digital age. According to a statement signed by the MD/CEO of the Anambra State ICT Agency, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, CFA, the agency is dedicated to realizing Governor Soludo’s…
As part of efforts towards advancing Information and Technology (IT) development in Nigeria, Anambra and Lagos States have agreed to a collaborative partnership that will see to the strengthening of their respective IT ecosystems. This collaborative effort which stemmed from bilateral meetings with the IT Ecosystem members during the Reverse Trade Mission in the United States of America, is geared towards addressing emerging challenges, fostering innovation, and enhancing the overall cybersecurity infrastructure. This no doubt resonates with the Federal Government’s call, through the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, at the recently concluded meeting of the…
Anambra-based female lawyer, Adachukwu Okafor has been remanded in the custody of the State Criminal and Investigative Department custody by the Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court, sitting at the Chief Magistrate’s Court, Awka, Anambra State. The suspect was remanded for allegedly inflicting physical injuries on the body of her 11-year-old housekeeper in Onitsha. The suspect, a resident of Chris Igwilo street Akapka GRA, 3-3 Onitsha, was arraigned on a-two count charge of willfully infliction of physical injuries on the body of one Happiness Nwafor an offence punishable under Section 4(1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition and Protection) Laws of Anambra State…
The need for a working collaboration among the academia, the government and the industries, to begin to provide solutions to Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges, formed the crux of the keynote lecture at the maiden memorial lecture series of late Prof Innocent Osita Onyeyili, a former Deputy Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The lecture instituted by the Faculty of Engineering of the University, witnessed the unveiling of a book authored by the deceased. Also at the event held at the Chike Okoli Centre for Entrepreneurship Studies, the University management commissioned the Prof Innocent Onyeyili Avenue at the Faculty of Engineering. In…
Governor Chukwuma Soludo has terminated the contract awarded to NBHH for nine roads in Okpoko, Ogbaru Council area of Anambra State, over the contracting firm’s failure to deliver the project within the stipulated time. The governor announced the termination of the contract on Tuesday when he went on an unscheduled visit to Okpoko, a densely populated community, during which he discovered unfinished infrastructure projects and sanitation concerns. The nine roads include Obodoukwu/Owerri Road, Ogbuagu-Ik Onuorah-Anumudu-Mgbuka Amazu-Owerri Road, Edeh road-school road-Awalite-Ojoto-Owerri Road, School road-Umuobom street-Ojoto Street junction, Umuobom street/Ojoto street junction-Adaziani street-Owerri road. Others were Umenweke Street (Obodoukwu junction)/Umeojiofo street, Awalite…
