Residents of Anambra communities along the coastal lines of the River Niger have been warned to relocate to high grounds and Internally Displaced Persons camps located at strategic places in the state, now that the flood is coming gradually. The call came from the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Anambra State Directorate, at the end of a three-week Community Sensitization programme it put together for key stakeholders in the affected communities at Okpoko in Ogbaru LGA of Anambra State. A recent visit to some of the coastal communities including Umueze Anam, Akiliozizor, Otuocha, Odekpe among others, showed that the tide had…
Author: Kenechukwu Ofomah
Enumeration and marking of all buildings abandoned for a long time is to commence across Anambra State very soon. The initiative which will be driven by the state chapter of Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), is to identify structurally-deficient buildings which are mostly occupied by squatters, thereby eliminating indiscriminate collapse of such buildings. The Anambra Chapter Chairman of the Institute, Alex Chukwunwike disclosed this when they embarked on an on-the-spot assessment of the site of an uncompleted building in Umuota village Obosi, whose partial collapse resulted in two deaths over the weekend. According to him, an assessment carried out on…
A ten-year-old girl has been raped in Okpoko in Ogbaru Council Area of Anambra State, by a 26-year-old man who she supplies nylon bags to. The suspect, identified as Stanley Okpara, resides at No 14 Edeh Road, Okpoko but hails from Umueze village, Isuofia in Aguata LGA of Anambra State. He was said to have lured the ten-year-old into his shop when she went to supply him waterproof bag and had unlawful carnal knowledge of her, according to a statement on Thursday, by the Police Public Relations Officer in Anambra, Haruna Mohammed. Mohammed said Police operatives attached to Okpoko Division…
The contract for the construction of Section two of the Ohafia to Arochukwu road in Abia, was Wednesday approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). This was disclosed by the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, at the end of the Council meeting, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, at the State House, Abuja. According to the Minister, the memorandum presented by the Ministry of Works and Housing and which was approved, was for the construction of Section two of the Ohafia to Arochukwu road, which comprises Umuahia/Bende/Ohafia road in Abia State at the cost of N12.088 billion. This…
Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr Vincent Okpala says the introduction of Mobile Health Insurance in the State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA), is a new dawn that will guarantee effective healthcare financing in the state. Okpala said this while declaring open, a Pre-testing programme and Training on the Use of Mobile Technology for Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA) staff members and Healthcare providers at the Prof Kenneth Dike State Library Auditorium, Awka on Wednesday. The mobile health insurance, which was developed with the full support of the European Union (UN) and World Health Organisation (WHO), enables people to enrol…
Two brothers of the same parents were yesterday nabbed by the Anambra State Police Command for allegedly robbing a jewellery shop in Awka. The suspects, Chigozie Simon, aged 21 and Onyeka Simon aged 22, are undergraduates of Paul University Awka and University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). Parading the suspects, the Police Public Relations Officer, Haruna Mohammed, said the brothers had at about 9 am on Tuesday, forcefully entered a jewellery shop at Tempsite, Awka, tied up the salesgirl and covered her mouth with cello tape. “The suspects also threatened to stab the sales girl on her neck if she screamed…
The Jigawa State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps has arrested two suspects for allegedly raping a 17-year-old girl. The suspects are on Abubakar Usman aged 18years and Ya’u Sa’idu 20years of age, both of Gidan Ruwa Quarters, Kazaure Council Area of Jigawa State. The suspects, who were friends it was gathered, connived and gained unlawful entry into the family house of the victim on Wednesday, 9th September, 2020. While the victim was asleep in her room with her two sisters, the suspects tied her hands up, covered her mouth and forcefully had canal knowledge of her.…
Complications from coronavirus can lead to fatality in all age groups. This was revealed by Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, at the daily briefing of the Presidential TaskForce (PTF) on COVID-19 on Monday in Abuja. There has growing complacency towards observing the COVID-19 protocols especially among the young people on the assumption that COVID-19 in young people cannot result in fatality. But Ehanire made it clear that even though adults, especially those from 60 years and above are more vulnerable, complications do occur in all age groups with fatalities. “Records show that 10 percent of all positive cases…
The Federal Government of Nigeria on Monday released the portal for the registration of prospective beneficiaries for the Survival Fund. Also, the timetable for categories of businesses to register for the funds, is now available on the released portal. A statement issued in Abuja by the Project Delivery Office, stated that the portal which opened yesterday, will have educational institutions as the first category of beneficiaries to register. “Nigerians interested in the Payroll Support scheme are to note that the site for registration had been opened at 10pm on Monday, September 21, 2020. In order to ensure a seamless registration…
An uncompleted one storey building at Umuota village, Obosi in Idemili North Council Area of Anambra State, whose partial collapse over the weekend resulted in the death of a couple and injuries to their baby, has been sealed off by Anambra State government. The investigation has revealed that the couple used to squat in the building, having taken advantage of the fact that the building was abandoned for many years and converted the uncompleted building for habitation. It was however on Sunday evening, when the building reportedly caved in, killing the couple and injuring the child. Speaking with TNC correspondent…
A non-partisan platform, the National Consultative Front, NCFront, has raised alarm over the massive incidents of votes buying and voter inducement by politicians, during the just concluded governorship election in Edo State over the weekend. An emergent pan Nigerian leadership platform being co-chaired by Former Speaker, Ghali Umar Na’aba and Former Presidential candidate, Prof Pat Utomi, the NCFront had deployed 600 Cadres of Observers/Monitors, in conjunction with its Partners accredited by INEC in the 18 Local Government Areas of Edo State for monitoring of the Governorship elections in Edo State. The Independent National Electoral Commission had on Sunday, declared candidate…
An unidentified couple has been killed when a one-storey building collapsed on Sunday in Umuota village, Obosi in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State. The couple’s baby was also injured in the incident, while many are believed to have been trapped in the collapsed building. According to an eye witness, the incident happened at about 4pm on Sunday, although the cause of the collapse is yet unknown. When TNC correspondent visited the scene of the collapse at about 6pm, the area was cordoned off by the police and other security agencies while effort was ongoing to rescue other…
Three suspects have been arrested by Anambra State Police Command for allegedly abducting a 24-year-old lady and raping her severally, on the pretext that they will secure a job for her. The suspects who are all males from Awkuzu, include Ekwugha Innocent Chinazo aged 25years, Chidiebere Ogoegbunam aged 24years and David Nnaemeka aged 19. The victim (names withheld), who resides at St Michael Hostel, Tempsite, Awka, was picked up on the 13th of September by the suspects, at Ukpo junction, along Enugu- Onitsha Expressway and taken away under the promise that they will get her a make-up job. The suspects…
Anambra State Government House Awka was on Friday besieged by the aged, women and youths of Ifitedunu in Dunukofia Council Area who staged a protest, calling on the State Governor, Willie Obiano, to disregard claims by some quarters, that there is crisis in the community. The exercise was in reaction to a similar protest by a certain group in the town on the 10th of this month, during which they accused the newly-elected Town Union executive of the town of several offences. They also alleged that they were being harassed, calling on the State government to replace them with a…
All may not be well after all in Nanka Community in Orumba North Council Area of Anambra State, as a part of the town, Amakor village has dissociated itself from a Press conference organized by the leadership of the town, claiming that all the crises within the community have been resolved and the town is now in peace. On the 29th of August, 2020, the traditional ruler of the town, Igwe Godwin Ezeilo and the President General, Paul Chinedu on behalf of the town Union, addressed a press conference where they said that all matters causing strife and friction in…
A 47-year old man from Okpunoeze Uruagu- Nnewi in Nnewi North LGA has been arrested by the Anambra State Police Command for allegedly killing two of his biological children and 85-year-old mother while they were asleep. The suspect, Emeka Ezimadu, was also said to have wounded three other children who are presently in very critical conditions at the hospital. It was gathered that the suspect ran amok in circumstances yet to be ascertained and committed the dastardly act with a cutlass. According to a statement on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer in Anambra State, Haruna Mohammed, the deceased…
Anambra State Director of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Barrister Charles Nwoji, has called for positive attitudinal change among the populace as a sure way to reduce the incidence of rape and the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria. Barr Nwoji was speaking at a Community Sensitization programme on “Building A People of Peace” with the theme, Working Together To fight COVID-19, held at Eze Market Square, Owerre –Ezukala in Orumba South Council Area of the State. The incidence of rape in Anambra State has since the outbreak of the coronavirus and the subsequent lockdown, increased sporadically, with over…
The Nigerian Government has been advised to evolve innovative means of addressing the issues that have led to the hike in electricity tariff, instead of leaving the bulk of the burden for Nigerians to carry. The President of Nigeria Consumer Protection Network, Kunle Olubiyo gave the advice in an exclusive interview with TNC correspondent in Portharcourt, Rivers State. The recent increase in electricity tariff has been criticized by many Nigerians, as anti-people. On Wednesday, Labour leaders gave the federal government till September 23 to reverse the increase and that of the new petrol price or face industrial action, after a…
Anambra State Government has warned that it will not hesitate to shut down any school that violates the COVID-19 protocols which were evolved to help keep the school children safe from contracting the deadly coronavirus. The Special Adviser to Anambra State Governor on Public Orientation and Special Duties, Mrs Ify Obinabo gave the warning on Wednesday, during a sensitization meeting with key stakeholders in Awka North Council Area of the State, on the need to be conscious of government’s directives aimed at flattening the curve of the pandemic. Among persons present at the meeting held at Central School, Isuaniocha, were…
Mr Valentine Obienyem, the Special Adviser to former Vice Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Peter Obi on Media, has debunked as fabrication, the news circulating on social media platforms, that the former PDP Vice Presidential candidate, Peter Obi had fallen out with the PDP and its leaders due to mismanagement of campaign funds. Earlier this week, two versions of the publications signed by two different people surfaced online, claiming that Obi is presently at loggerheads with the PDP hierarchy over funds budgeted for PDP campaigns. But in a release made available to TNC on Wednesday, Obienyem said…
President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration has done no wrong by borrowing to finance infrastructure, saying that the loans taken by his government was in the interest of the country- to solve the dire shortfall in infrastructure. The president has come under heavy attack from various quarters for its borrowings of late especially from the Peoples Republic of China, with many expressing the fear that the development may jeopardize the nation’s sovereignty in future. At a virtual meeting with members of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC) at the State House, in Abuja on Tuesday, President Buhari said the country…
Massive gridlock was on Wednesday witnessed in Awka, the Capital City of Anambra State as a Rights group, Recover Nigeria Project (RCP) and others marched through major streets and roads to protest non-conduct of local government elections in the state. The protest, which was joined by the Tippers Drivers Association of Nigeria in the State and Association of Councilors of Anambra State, moved through the Enugu/Onitsha expressway, the Awka-Onitsha old road, Eke Awka market, to the state secretariat, State House of Assembly complex and others. The protesters bore placards with inscriptions such as; Caretaker Committee are Undertakers, Obiano pays us…
For democracy to thrive in Nigeria, the government and the governed must be alive to their responsibilities towards ensuring that voice is not only given to the people at the lowest ebb, but also that other attributes around equity and justice are upheld. This was the view of Nigerians who spoke to TNC Correspondent as International Day of Democracy is marked globally today. The celebration was established through a UN General Assembly Resolution in 2007, to encourage governments to strengthen and consolidate democracy, which is the government of the people, by the people and for the people. It was first…
Anambra State Police Command on Monday paraded five suspected members of child stealing syndicate and rescued eight children after they were allegedly sold to human traffickers. The suspects, who were arrested following an intelligence report, by operatives attached to area command in Onitsha, allegedly operate in various locations states including Imo, Rivers, Abia and Anambra states. According to the Police, the key suspect was 40-year old Joy Lazarous from Ehime Mbano, Imo State who works in Aba South Local Government, Abia State. Other suspects are Janet Emeka Onoha (23) from Abia State, Gideon Godspower(26), Miracle Sanko (18) whose is Pregnant…
A fatal crash opposite Joedon Shopping Mall Nkpor, along Onitsha- Awka Old road, involving a 911 Benz and a Tricycle Monday evening, has resulted in one death and injuries to about 3 persons. The accident occurred as a result of excessive speeding and wrongful overtaking, according to eyewitnesses. In a situation report, the Acting Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Anambra State, Kamal Musa the three injured persons are presently receiving treatment at a hospital while the dead person has been deposited at the morgue. “At about 1500 hours on Monday 14 September, 2020, a…
A Human Rights Group, the CLEEN Foundation has identified the use of hate speech and thugs by major political gladiators in Edo State as key security risks that may cause electoral violence during the September 19 guber election in the state. On 19th September 2020, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will conduct an off-cycle governorship election in Edo State. Findings from a security threat assessment on the upcoming election conducted by the group, revealed key risk factors to include hate speech, Dynamics of Local Conflicts, Illegal Migrants, Citizens’ Disaffection with Government Policies, Drug Abuse, Exclusion from Participation in Electoral…
Anambra State Government says it has distributed over 500 pieces of 500KVA/11KV and 300KVA/11KV to over 160 communities, 20 estates and companies in the state. The Commissioner for Public Utilities and Water Resources, Engr. Emeka Ezenwanne disclosed this on Monday, when he spoke with TNC correspondent in his office at the Government House, Awka. According to the Commissioner, availability of power for home and industrial uses is key to achieving the Anambra of everyone’s dreams. He revealed that the Willie Obiano administration, in its quest to improve the availability of power in the state, entered into a partnership with Transmission…
The Internally generated revenue, IGR, of Anambra state has tripled under the Willie Obiano administration, rising from N8.7bn at the end 2013 to N26bn in 2019, according to the Chairman of Anambra state Internal Revenue Service AIRS, Dr David Nzekwu. The state government had in recent times bemoaned the low level of tax compliance by people of the state. Official figures from the State Revenue House had said only about 750 traders out of the total estimated 1.2 million traders and business owners in the state, pay tax as at end of 2019. But at an interactive session with the…
The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu has barred security aides attached to VIPs and Political appointees in Edo State, from accompanying their principals on the election day. This part of efforts at ensuring apt coordination of security arrangements towards a hitch-free election in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Edo State slated to hold on September 19th, 2020, according to a statement from the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba. The statement issued on Friday, warned that anyone who flouts this order will be severely reprimanded. The IGP also charged officers and men on election duties in the state to ensure…
A serious road traffic crash involving a yellow Hijet shuttle with registration number ATN 57 XB and a Toyota Hiace bus with registration number NKK 483 ZN along the Nteje axis of the Awka-Onitsha expressway, has resulted in critical injuries to 13 persons. The accident which occurred near Slaughter by Odumodu Junction, along Onitsha-Awka expressway, was as a result of excessive speeding and wrongful overtaking. A total of fourteen persons including five male adults, six female adults and three male children, were involved in the accident. Among the injured persons were six female adults, four male adults and three male…
