Author: Kenechukwu Ofomah

Awka – Anambra Civil Society Network (ACSONET), a platform for Citizen stakeholders and Non-State Actors has eulogized Chief Willie Obiano, Governor, Anambra State on the occasion of his seven years in office. Obiano marked seven years in office as governor of Anambra State, on the 17th March, having done a four-year term and was re-elected as governor. Speaking to newsmen in Awka, through its Chairman Prince Chris Azor, who doubles as the Citizens Co-Chair, Open Government Partnership (OGP), the group listed numerous citizen-friendly reform and infrastructure projects strategically initiated and delivered by the Governor, leading to unprecedented accelerated development of the…

Awka – Unknown Gunmen on Thursday reportedly attacked and killed Naval Officers at a naval post at Awkuzu junction axis of the Awka-Onitsha Expressway. According to a source at the Awkuzu junction motor park close to the scene, the gunmen had stormed the junction at about 3PM and opened fire on the naval officers. The source revealed that about three naval officers died from the attack while their sophisticated weapons were taken away by the hoodlums. It was also gathered that some passersby sustained varying degrees of bullet wounds. When TNC correspondent got to the scene of the incident at about…

Awka – A two-day capacity building workshop on Migration Issues Reportage, for select journalists from media agencies in the Southeast, on Wednesday kicked off in Enugu. The programme, is organized under the European Union- International Organization for Migration, EU-IOM initiative being implemented by the Civil Society Network on Migration and Development (CSOnetMADE). The training is an activity for Migrant Protection and Reintegration in Nigeria, aimed at broadening the knowledge of Nigerian media on migration issues and in framing migration reports, to positively influence migration policies and implementation. This is in recognition of the traditional role of the media in setting the…

Awka – Anambra State Government has announced that COVID-19 vaccination will take off in Anambra state on a public scale, from March 18 to March 27. Commissioner for Health, Dr Vincent Okpala announced this at a news briefing on COVID-19 Vaccine Introduction in his office at the Jerome Udoji Secretariat Complex, Awka on Wednesday. On March 2, Nigeria took delivery of an estimated number of 4 million doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine, out of which Anambra State received 78,810 doses on March 11. Speaking on the exercise, Dr Okpala noted that the vaccine received was a product of rigorous scientific…

Enugu – An aide to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, Mr Chidi Ilogebe, on Wednesday inaugurated a monthly youths’ entrepreneurship grant of N50,000 each to five young entrepreneurs in the state. The monthly grant would be given to five young and striving entrepreneurs, resident and doing their business enterprise within the state and between the ages of 20 and 30 years old. Presenting N50,000 cheques to five beneficiaries for the month of March in Enugu, Ilogebe, who is the Special Adviser on Students Affairs to Governor Ugwuanyi, said the grant was meant to complement empowerment programmes running in  the state. He…

Awka – The Rivers State Commissioner of Police and the disbanded Eagle Crack unit have been asked to pay the sum of twenty million naira as Damages for parading the owner of an orphanage home after they wrongfully accused her of running a baby factory. Last year February, Rivers State Police Command paraded the owner of Tender Life Initiative Foundation Chinelo Odiakosa-Mmakwe and her staff for allegedly running an orphanage home. But after Mrs. Odioakosa-Mmakwe was released from police custody, she dragged the Police authorities to court for violating her fundamental rights and demanded the sum of two hundred million naira…

Awka – The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) has decried an unwarranted gruesome attack on its staffer in Umuahia, the capital of Abia State. The Head, Communications of EEDC, Mr Emeka Ezeh, revealed in a statement on Wednesday, in Enugu that the company’s staffer was attacked yesterday, March 16, while carrying out his official duty. “A staffer of EEDC identified as Obiajulu Atta, an Operations Technician attached to Umudike Service Center under Umuahia District, Abia State was attacked yesterday afternoon by a customer,’’ Ezeh said. He explained that the customer, whose full details are yet to be known, was to be…

Awka – Following the recent incidents of kidnapping recorded along the Omor-Anaku axis of the Ayamelum road, heads of various security agencies and their tactical teams on Tuesday visited the area. There have been reports of kidnappings for three consecutive days along the route, with high-profile indigenes mainly targeted. Last week, a President-General in one of the Ayamelum Communities was kidnapped and a ransom of N50 million said to have been demanded by the criminals. The criminal activities have been attributed to Fulani herdsmen inhabiting the vast forest area in the agrarian local government area. Speaking yesterday after a visit to…

Awka -The Federal Government says it has not authorized private importation of COVID-19 vaccines by any group or individual in Nigeria. The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire disclosed this during Tuesday’s Presidential Task Force briefing on COVID-19 in Abuja. According to him, the Federal Government took the position not to give such approvals due to reports of substandard falsified vaccines in circulation. ”Private importation of COVID-19 vaccines has not been authorised due to reports of substandard falsified vaccines in circulation. ”The deployment of vaccines will be handled by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) or any of…

Awka – The Anambra State Police Command has uncovered a baby factory flaunting as a bar and brothel in Nnewi, in Nnewi North Council Area of the State. The Police said they also found four pregnant girls awaiting delivery in the raid on the building named Cool Joint Bar. The purported owner, one Gladys Nworie Ikegwuonu is presently at large. Police Public Relations Officer in Anambra, Haruna Mohammed said on Tuesday that the bar business was a cover for the baby factory run within. He named the four pregnant girls rescued from the site to include, Chisom Okoye, 20 years, of…

Awka – The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in Anambra State says it will continue the struggle for the full implementation of the new minimum wage and the consequential adjustments as agreed by government and labour, immediately the coronavirus pandemic abates. The State NLC Chairman, Comrade Jerry Nnubia disclosed this in a chat with TNC correspondent on Monday on the state of workers’ welfare in the state. Anambra Governor, Willie Obiano prides himself as one of the governors in the country who have paid the new minimum wage of #30, 000 naira. But according to the State NLC Chairman, Comrade Nnubia, what…

Awka – The Sand Miners Association of Anambra State has denied involvement in the alleged murder of revenue collectors or any act of violence and indiscipline in the state. It also pledged continued willingness to remain law-abiding and supportive to the Federal and State governments in achieving their developmental goals. The Association had been at loggerheads with Anambra State Government, over the imposition of revenue collectors on the members, who the association claimed, have exploited them severely for long. Two persons said to be revenue collectors recruited by government- one Nwa mazi and Sunday Anaekwe, were murdered at different spots following…

Awka – The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has described as fallacious, amusing and shameful claims by the Imo State governor, Hope Uzodinma that it hijacked Eastern Security Network (ESN) from the Southeast governors. The group said the governor resorted to what it termed as cheap blackmail following his attempt to infiltrate and possibly hijack its security network. In a statement issued by the Media and Publicity, Secretary Emma Powerful on Monday, IPOB maintained that the ESN was established by its leader, Nnamdi Kanu following South East and South-South Governors’ refusal to float a security outfit in the region. The group…

Enugu – The Zonal Director of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) South-East, Mr Ike Okere, has urged youths to first acquire a skill or professional competence before going into politics. Okere gave the advice on Sunday in Enugu, during an Enugu Business and Politics Summit with the theme, “Mainstreaming Young Credible Individuals in Business and Politics as Panacea for Innovation and Progress’’. The summit was organised for youths to mark the 37th birthday of Mr Chukwuma Okenwa, the Executive Director of Leadership and Entrepreneurship Advocacy (LEAD) Network. Over 200 youths from all works of life within and outside Enugu metropolis…

Awka – Two men alleged to have brutally gang raped a 16 year old girl at Orsumoghu street, Awada-Obosi in Idemili Local Government Area of Anambra State, were on Friday, arraigned before an Idemili Magistrate Court. The suspects, Chidiebere Uzoma, 45, of Ukaegbu Street, Awada and Uchenna Nwaegbu, 23, of Orsumoghu street Awada-Obosi, were said to have committed the dastardly act on the 19th of February. The victim was left unconscious by the suspects, due to excessive loss of blood. Confirming the arraignment, the Police spokesperson in Anambra, Haruna Mohammed, said the victim was taken to the hospital for medical examination,…

Enugu –  Maj.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, on Friday in Enugu, assumed office as the new General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army. Taoreed took over from Maj.-Gen. Lasisi Adegboye, who had been redeployed to Defence Headquarters Department of Training and Operations as the Chief Defence Training and Operations. Giving his farewell speech, Adegboye thanked officers and soldiers for their support during his stay as the GOC of the Division. He called on them to give the new GOC maximum cooperation. “I implore you to extend the same cooperation to the new GOC and always be ready for…

Enugu – The Enugu State Government has concluded the training of 300 COVID-19 vaccinators following the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccines to the state. The trainees for the workshop, which is a two-day train-the-trainer arrangement, were drawn from the 17 Local Government Area of the state. Addressing the trainees in Enugu on Friday, Dr George Ugwu, Executive Secretary of Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ENS-PHCDA), explained that the trainees would further step down the training in their various council areas and wards. Ugwu said the training was being carried out with the help of the state’s health partners –…

Awka – A forty-year old woman, Rejoice Raymond, who was accused of locking up and torturing 3 children at Federal housing estate, 3-3 Onitsha, Anambra State, has denied that she illegally acquired the children. At the State Police Headquarters, Amawbia, where she was paraded on Thursday, the suspect also denied allegations she uses children for rituals. The Anambra State Police Command had paraded the suspect, and her 80 year old mother, Chidi Felicia Nwafor, allegedly involved in acts of assault and attempted murder of three children at the federal housing estate 3-3 Onitsha Anambra State. Parading the suspects, the Police Public…

Awka – Anambra State Police Command has described as absolutely false and unfounded, allegations that it is shielding a suspect in a murder case from being prosecuted. A social crusader, Gwamnishu  Emefiena Harrison, had raised alarm on various social media platforms over what he called Anambra Police complicity in the cover up of a murder case involving on Madam Nmesoma Okafor. The suspect, aged 25, who is from Nkpor in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, was said to have tortured her 10-year old house help, Kosisochukwu, resulting in her death in a hospital on the 16th of February, 2021.…

Awka – Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano on Thursday performed the official flag-off of AstraZeneca COVID 19 vaccination in the state. The ceremony took place at the State Cold Store, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital in Awka. The speaker of the State House of Assembly, Uche Okafor, some commissioners and traditional rulers in the state, at the ceremony, received the vaccine, under the supervision of the state governor. The governor who first inspected the vaccines at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) confirmed that the vaccines are safe, adding that they can help keep the people…

Awka – The government of Anambra State has commiserated with the Nwankwo family of Ifite-Dunu, Njikoka local government area, over the demise of their son, Dr. Basil Nwankwo. The late Dr. Nwankwo was until his death, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, Awka. Dr Nwankwo was said to have died last night in Enugu, after he allegedly had a heart attack although some quarters have it that the CMD died as a result of COVID-19. In a statement on Wednesday, the Secretary to Anambra state government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu said the State Governor,…

Awka – The Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Uche Okafor, today, handed over two Sienna Buses to the Anambra State Police Command for effective patrol activities in Ayamelum Local Government Area of the State. Ayamelum, where the legislator hails from, is a major food basket in the state, with comparative advantage in cultivation of rice, maize, yam, vegetables and other staple crops. However, farming activities in the area have been marred by the constant invasion of arms-wielding Fulani Herdsmen, whose cattle ravage the farms. Handing over the vehicles branded in Police colour to the Command, Rt Hon. Okafor…

Awka – Workers in Anambra State will Wednesday join their counterparts in a nationwide protest, against the move to transfer the National Minimum Wage from the Exclusive list to the Concurrent list. The implication of the Bill which is at the floor of the National Assembly, is that states will be determining what to pay their workers instead of a unified National wage. Letters from the National Secretariat of the labour unions- the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), had directed workers to mobilize against what they called an obnoxious policy by government. In a circular made…

Awka – The southeast Governors have been urged to wake up from slumber and offer the people of the zone good governance and credible leadership. The Ndigbo Unity Forum (NUF), which made the call after their emergency national executive meeting in Enugu, Enugu State, accused the governors of having taken the people for granted in providing basic infrastructures and offering of good leadership. President of the group, Dede Uzor A Uzor, who addressed newsmen after the meeting, decried how helpless the Governors appeared to be in the face of the security situation in the zone especially the issue of herdsmen attacks.…

Awka – The Movement for the Conduct of Local Government Election in Anambra State, has threatened to deploy every machinery within its capacity to disrupt the November 6 Governorship election in the state, if local government election is not conducted in the state. The group is also accusing political parties of not pressuring Governor Willie Obiano enough to conduct the council polls, which it said will entrench democracy at the grassroots. Local government elections were conducted last in Anambra in 2014, at the end of former Governor Peter Obi’s 8-year tenure. The Obiano administration had said it has not been able…

Awka – The Nigerian Army has denied claims by an Islamic Scholar, Sheikh Ahmed Gumi, alleging that non-Muslim soldiers were responsible for the attacks against bandits. Gumi was in a video which went viral recently, seen telling the bandits that the soldiers involved in most attacks against them were non-Muslims. He had further told the bandits to be aware that soldiers are divided into Muslims and non- Muslims. But in a statement on Monday, the Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima maintained that the Nigerian Army does not deploy its troops along ethnic or religious lines. “While the Nigerian…

Awka – Government and the society need to support women to overcome the limitations that have kept them suppressed and unable to achieve their destinies in life. This is the view of a cross-section of women who spoke with TNC correspondent in Anambra on the International Women’s Day celebration. International Women’s Day, is a day set aside by the United Nations to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. The theme for the year’s celebration, is “Let’s all choose to challenge”. Speaking on the essence of the…

Awka – Legal practitioners and individuals interested in civil and criminal matters were, on Monday, disappointed as their matters could not come up at an Anambra Magistrate Court in the state capital city of Awka. The development, TNC gathered, was as a result of compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures, especially the physical distancing, for which the Nigeria Correctional Services and Courts have reduced the number of people to be brought to the Court. The issue of overcrowded courtrooms has been a major concern following the outbreak of the pandemic, and the matter was complicated by the long period in which the…

Awka – The Member representing Onitsha South Two Constituency at the Anambra State Assembly, Hon Beverly Ikpeazu-Nkemdiche has expressed sadness over the destruction of citizens’ means of livelihood during a recent fire incident that occurred at Amobi street axis of Ochanja market. Last week, a midnight fire destroyed goods, cash and property worth hundreds of millions at the market at a plaza at the Amobi Market. Speaking after her visit to the scene to get an on-the-spot assessment of the situation, Hon Ikpeazu- Nkemdiche sympathized with her constituents, building owners and traders that have shops at the plaza, as well as…

Awka – Following reports of suspected gay activities at “SWISSER SWISS CLASSIC HOME HOTEL AND SUITE” Ifitedunu, in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State, Police operatives, on Sunday, arrested an undisclosed number of people, mostly men of different age brackets. It was gathered that persons suspected to be homosexuals had held a birthday party at the hotel, with some of them eventually lodging at the facility after the party. An indigene of the community, who pleaded anonymity, revealed to TNC correspondent that trouble had started when one of the invited male guests was allegedly sexually molested against his will. It…