Author: Kenechukwu Ofomah

Awka – Government at all levels has been urged to evolve pragmatic measures to address the harsh socio-economic implications of the present recession and the COVID-19 pandemic the nation is facing at the same time. A Professor of Economics with Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Professor Uche Nwogwugwu made the call in a chat on Monday, with TNC correspondent in Awka, on the state of the nation. Late last year, the Nigerian government announced that the country had gone into recession; its second in less than four years. The economic downturn is coming as the world battles the deadly coronavirus pandemic that…

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Onitsha – No fewer than six persons escaped death in a multiple crash which occurred around Federal housing gate, 3-3 road, Onitsha North local government area of Anambra State on Sunday. Four of the victims was said to have sustained a serious injury in the accident which involved a Toyota Camry with registration number MMA 839 AC, a Toyota Mark II with registration number AR 376 AWK and a Lexus jeep with registration number ENU 956 KW. TNC gathered that the accident was caused by over speeding and loss of control by the Camry driver, which caused the vehicle to…

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Awka – Anambra state commissioner for Works, Engr. Marcel Ifejiofor on Sunday at Uke Town, Idemili North council area, inaugurated a one-kilometer road with drainages and street lights built by an indigene of the community, Chief Tochukwu Kpajie and named after his late father, Igwe GNC. Kpajie. Anambra Governor, Willie Obiano since assuming office in 2014, has sustained appeal to well-meaning Anambra people to key into the Aku Lue Uno – Think Home Philosophy of the state government for holistic development of the state. Inaugurating the project, the Anambra Commissioner for Works, Engr. Marcel Ifejiofor represented by the permanent secretary of…

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Awka – The sub-dean of the All Saints Cathedral Church, Onitsha, Venerable Obiorah Uzochukwu has been appointed the new Bishop of the Mbamili Diocese. Venerable Uzochukwu, was promoted to the bishopric at last week’s annual retreat of the House of Bishops at the Ibru International Ecumenical Centre at Agbarha Attor in Delta State and was subsequently appointed the Bishop of Mbamili Diocese. Mbamili Diocese comprises Anglican parishes in Anambra West Local Government Area of Anambra State. The newly elected bishop who hails from Isulo in Orumba South Council Area of Anambra State, began his priestly career at St John’s Anglican Church…

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Owerri – A former Nigerian ambassador to the United States, Israel, and Cyprus, Prof. George Obiozor, has emerged President of the Apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo. Obiozor polled a total of 304 votes to beat two other contestants in an election held at Dan Anyim stadium in Owerri, the Imo state capital, on Sunday. In line with the group’s commitment to equity and fairness in its leadership, it was the turn of Imo state to produce the Ohaneze president, as some other Igbo states haves taken their turn. Before the election yesterday, Professor Obiozor had emerged as a consensus candidate…

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Awka – It was a ceremony that reflected the people’s general acceptance and approval as a non-governmental organization, Prince Onyendozi Foundation was inaugurated in Anambra State. The foundation is an initiative of a son of Orumba South, Prince Engr Nnanyerugo Ike, aimed at touching lives across various areas. The inauguration ceremony which held at Ezira Central School Field, was also used to mark the grand finale of the 2020 Prince Onyendozi Football Tournament which had the 15 communities of Orumba South Local Government Area, as participants. At the end of the tournament, Umunze community clinched the prize money of #500,000…

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Awka – In response to the second wave of the coronavirus in Nigeria which has resulted in a considerable spike in infections in Anambra State in the last two weeks, Governor Willie Obiano has appealed to people of the state to shield themselves from the pandemic. 80 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the state since the second wave began over two weeks ago, meaning an average of 40 cases per week. In contrast, the state used to record nine cases per week on average in the first wave. The increase has been attributed to the Christmas and New…

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Enugu – Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has reiterated his administration’s resolve to ensure that the state continuous to remain the safest and most secured in the country. Ugwuanyi, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Simon Ortuanya, was speaking at the public presentation of the book titled, “Effective Policing and Security in South-East Nigeria’’. The book, which has three major parts, was written by Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Dr Celestine Okoye (retired). Ugwuanyi said security of lives and property has remained the primary concern of his administration and the enormous investment in that direction had led…

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Awka – The Nigeria Police Force says it will be partnering a renowned mathematician, Dr.Dikeoha Okwu, to develop modules to engage children and youths against cultism. CSP Ebere Amaraizu, National Coordinator of Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), said this on Thursday when Okwu paid a courtesy call to IGP Mohammed Adamu POCACOV Resource Centre in Enugu. According to Amaraizu, Okwu’s Dikeohamatics, as an invented sport, will help children and youths of Nigeria to rediscover themselves. He said that it would serve as a veritable means of curbing cultism and other vices amongst our young persons in the…

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Awka – Anambra State Police Command has reacted to a trending online video showing two dead victims of a reported shooting incident by unknown gunmen. In the video, the recorder who claimed the incident took place in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State, showed a white Toyota Hilux, with Kogi registration number, BJK-527-AA, with two dead male occupants. He however did not specify the date or time of the alleged shooting. In a reaction to the incident on Wednesday, the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP John Abang described the report as absolutely misleading with the tendency of creating tension and panic…

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Awka – A Magistrate Court in Delta State has granted approval for the burial of former youth leader of Isuaniocha in Awka North Council Area of Anambra State, Angus Okoye, who was murdered by assassins in 2018. The letter of approval made available to TNC correspondent in Awka was obtained by the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) from the Delta State Magistrate, while he was away on a special assignment. The late Angus was kidnapped and assassinated on the 16th of December, 2018, following a crisis in the community over sale of lands, that also saw the maiming of many. TNC gathered…

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The Akwa Ibom State Police Command says it has commenced an investigation into claims by an 11-year-old student of Deeper Life High School, Idoro Road, Uyo, of alleged sexual assault and starvation in the school. Late last year, a video surfaced online showing the 11-year-old boy, Don-Davis Iniobong Archibong, narrating his ugly experience in the hands of some students and lack of concern by the school authorities. Following the incident, Don Davis’ parents had filed a suit in court alleging that one Shalom Omoniyi and another student Ola engaged in sexual molestation of their son and also oppressed him because…

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Awka – A suspected armed robber has been shot dead which an unidentified number of fleeing suspects have been injured following Police response to an armed robbery attack at Gidan Gambo along lafia-shandam road, Nassarawa State. The incident occurred at about 10:45pm last night, when the suspects allegedly blocked the road with the intent to rob motorists. A distress call was made to the Nassarawa Police Command who responded to the emergency. Confirming the incident, the Nassarawa Police Public Relations Officer, Rahman Nansel, said the state Commissioner of Police, CP Bola Longe, upon the receipt of the information, mobilized Police…

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Awka – A meeting of Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra South Senatorial Zone have resolved to work for the unity and progress of the party ahead of November 2021 governorship elections in Anambra state. At the meeting convened by the Anambra South Zonal Caretaker Committee Chairman, Hon Izuchukwu Okeke at Ekwulobia on Monday, the stakeholders resolved to sheathe their swords to ensure zonal cohesion towards achieving an APC governorship candidate from the zone. Addressing newsmen shortly after the meeting, Okeke said the stakeholders agreed to form a formidable front across interest groups in the party towards…

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Awka – Ahead of this year’s governorship election in Anambra State, the Civil Society Group in the state has urged all political actors to imbibe the culture of credible and violence-free elections and to eschew all forms of bitterness. Anambra’s governorship election is due for later this year and the Christmas and Newyear period had witnessed heightened political activities across parts of the state as the aspirants scout for support. In a chat with TNC correspondent in Awka on Monday, the Chairman, Anambra Civil Society Network (ACSONET), Prince Chris Azor said stakeholders must understand that election in a democracy, is…

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Awka – Judicial Panels of Inquiry set up across the states to look into cases of Police brutality and extrajudicial killings have been urged to focus more on facts before them than instead of dwelling on legal technicalities The call came on Thursday, from a Civil Society Organisation, CSO-Police Reforms Observatory coordinated by the CLEEN foundation and the Network on Police Reforms in Nigeria (NOPRIN). The CSO Police Reform Observatory is made up of state coordinators and legal volunteers across the states and FCT monitoring the activities of the judicial panels charged with observing, documenting and reporting daily proceedings at…

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Umudioka – It was a rich cultural event that reflected an atmosphere of peace, unity and brotherliness as the traditional ruler of Umudioka Community in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State, Igwe Raphael Chukwurah, Ezedioka II, recently celebrated his first ofala festival. The colourful ceremony held at the Umudioka Civic Centre, attracted sons and daughters of the town, friends and well wishers, who gathered to merry and thank God for the return of peace in the community. Ofala festival is an annual kings festival in igbo land, and in Umudioka it is usually a two day event, the first being…

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Awka – The Anambra President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene has maintained that the apex Igbo socio-cultural group was not handed the mandate to ensure the realization of an independent country for Ndigbo from Nigeria. Secessionist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has consistently accused Ohaneze of not doing enough to support its cause especially when the Federal Government announced its proscription. The IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu has also called out the Ohaneze leadership over alleged silence in the face of marginalization of people of the race. But Okeke-Ogene while speaking with TNC correspondent at Nanka in Orumba North…

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The family of former Anambra Governor, Barr Chinwoke Mbadinuju, has debunked rumours making the rounds that he died in the early hours of Wednesday. The social media was yesterday awash with the information as many condoled with the family over the purported loss. Mbadinuju was sworn in as governor of Anambra State in 1999 following the return to Democracy and served out a 4-year tenure before losing reelection to Chris Ngige. A statement on Thursday, on behalf of the family by Barr. Cheta Mbadinuju described the rumours as false, saying the ex governor is well and alive. “For the past…

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An unidentified commercial tricycle operator was on Monday, burned to death by an angry mob in Ughelli, headquarters of Ughelli North local government area of Delta State, after a failed attempt to kidnap 3 children. TNC gathered that the keke operator tried fleeing the scene, when angry mob caught up with him, and rescued the children at the Iwhrenene axis of Ughelli, after which they beat him and then burned him to death. An eyewitness who spoke on condition of anonymity said the Keke rider had conveyed the children from Emekpa axis of Ughelli to Afiesere community but somehow carried…

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The premises of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka was agog with celebrations, on Monday, as an ultramodern isolation and medical center was handed over to the University.  The project was built by Anambra Progressives Union, a group of citizens convened by the Senator representing Anambra South in the National Assembly, Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah. The facility is adequately equipped with necessary medical equipments and top class ambulances with dedicated numbers. Speaking at the event which took place at the University’s Medical Center Complex, the group’s convener, Senator Ubah thanked members for their support and commitment that made the project which is…

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Awka – The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Anambra State Command says it successfully completed the rehabilitation of ninety-four persons who are drug dependent in the state in the year 2020. The Agency made the revelation in a release detailing the report of their activities in the year 2020. The statement personally signed by the State Commander of the Agency, Mr Mohammed Idris and made available to TNC on Tuesday, said out of the ninety-four persons, four were female. It also said twenty others are still undergoing the counseling and rehabilitation programme of the agency. The command also revealed that…

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The Edo State Police Command has urged hospital operators in the state, to watch out for persons with fresh gunshot wounds and report to the nearest police station as they commence treatment. The announcement came from the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, Chidi Nwabuzor, following a gun duel between the Police and suspected armed robbers that resulted in the death of one of the criminals on Christmas Day. The suspect was shot dead around Technical College road in Benin, capital city of Edo State. It was gathered that the deceased and other gang members, now at large, allegedly stormed…

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Awka – The Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), has warned South East Governors against attacks on its newly inaugurated security outfit christened Eastern Security Network, (ESN). The group in a statement on Sunday, issued by the Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, also warned local vigilantes in the zone not to allow themselves to be used to carry out what it called evil agenda or have themselves to blame. It said both the governors and the community leaders would be held responsible for any form of attack on any of its personnel. IPOB advised the Nigerian Army and other security…

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Awka – Nigeria needs to retire all its expired leaders to inject new blood that can engender a turnaround from the negative socio-economic fortunes it is faced with presently. The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor made this known in a message yesterday at St Patricks Cathedral, Awka to mark today’s Christmas Celebration. Bishop Ezeokafor is of the opinion that the present regime at the Federal level is full of politicians who are no longer in tune with the present day socio-economic and political demands and their continued stay in office, spells doom for the nation. According…

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Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano has called on Christians all over Nigeria to let the light of their kindness shine on their neighbours this Christmas and in the New Year. In a special Christmas Message signed by James Eze, his Chief Press Secretary, Governor Obiano observed that mankind has been so heavily traumatized in 2020 that only a genuine act of kindness can heal the deep wounds inflicted on every one by COVID-19 and other afflictions of the year. According to him; “throughout history, the walls that separate humanity from one another have always fallen down in times of…

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Awka – Over a hundred youth volunteers have been trained by the Anambra State Ministry of Transport to assist officers of the State Traffic Management Agency (ATMA) and other agencies in traffic control and management this yuletide. The one day training held on Thursday, at Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, was conducted by officials of the Federal oad Safety Corps (FRSC) and ATMA, on basic traffic rules and control. The volunteers were youths under the auspices of Ohaneze Ndigbo, drawn from various Communities in Anambra state and are expected to help the state consolidate on the achievements recorded in traffic…

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Awka – A Retired Commissioner of Police in Delta State, Chief Ikechukwu Aduba believes the disposition of the Nigerian Government towards the Southeastern region, shows that they still bear animosity against the people over the Nigeria Civil War that occurred from 1967 to 1970. Aduba, who is the Chairman, Anambra State Vigilante Supervisory Committee, was speaking on Friday, when he received the Anambra State Director of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Barr Charles Nworji and his management team who called on him in his office in Awka. The Former Police Commissioner said the neglect of the Southeast region is so massive…

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A stray bullet from the newly inaugurated Delta State Security outfit, Operation Delta Hawk, on Thursday, hit and killed an unidentified woman in Asaba, the state capital.  TNC gathered that one of the operatives in pursuit of a suspected criminal trying to jump arrest, fired shots at him. The bullet however strayed and penetrated a nearby shop, hit and killed the owner on the spot. According to an eyewitness who spoke on anonymity, “the officers were chasing a young boy who was escaping. They opened fire on him around the Government House, Asaba but the bullet strayed and killed a woman instead.”…

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Awka – Anambra State Government says it is committed to supporting efforts at achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the state. The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Vincent Okpala disclosed this on Tuesday during the celebration of the Universal Health Coverage Day in Awka, the state capital. The celebration marked globally every 12th of December, marks the anniversary of the United Nations’ historic and unanimous endorsement of Universal health coverage in 2012, aimed at raising the consciousness of countries and societies on the need to provide people access to quality healthcare without suffering financial hardship. The global resolve of the UHC…

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