1500 indigenes of Okija Community in Anambra State have been enrolled in the Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme. The enrollment was sponsored single-handedly by a philanthropic organization, Dozzy foundation. At the flag-off for the Health Insurance initiative held at Okija General Hospital, officials of the State Health Insurance Agency, ASHIA, undertook the registration of all the enrollees which comprised both the young and the aged. The premium will see the enrollees access a wide range of quality medical services provided under the scheme free of charge for a period of one year. The sponsors of the initiative, Chief Dan Chukwudozie…
Author: Kenechukwu Ofomah
The President-General, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo says recent happenings in Nigeria, portray her as a failed state democratically. Nnia Nwodo gave the view at Umuagba Imezi-Owa, Ezeagu Council Area of Enugu State, during the final rites of passage for the late Justice Ezebuilo Ozobu. The Ohaneze President General who identified some perceived marginalization stance of the ruling Northern leaders of the country stated that Nigeria no longer guarantees equal treatment for all her citizens. “This is a country where you can carry firearms without a licence if you are Fulani herdsman, Hizbah Police or a member of the…
The World Bank-Assisted Community and Social Development Initiative looks to have recorded a significant milestone in Anambra State, with about 1,025,000 persons said to be benefitting from the project despite having been operational in the state for barely one year. This is according to statistics made available to newsmen by the General Manager of the Anambra Community and Social Development Agency (ANCSDA), Mr. Chudi Mojekwu. The Law establishing the ANCSDA was enacted in 2009 but the Agency became operational on 1st August 2018 during the Additional Financing Phase, with the mandate to implement World Bank- Assisted Community and Social Development…
In protest over the kidnap of one of its members, Engr. Emeka Chiaghana, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Nnamdi Azikiwe University chapter today protested in front of Anambra State Government House, Awka. The protesters, who are members of SSANU UNIZIK, marched from the UNIZIK Multi-Purpose hall to the State Government House, Agu-Awka, bearing placards with various inscriptions and chanted songs and calling for action towards discovering the whereabouts of the missing person. Engineer Chiaghana, a staff of the Management Information and Communication Technology Unit of Nnamdi Azikiwe University were said to have been kidnapped at his Nibo…
Anambra State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has expressed readiness to work with the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to ensure adequate security during and after the 2020 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in the State. The Anambra State NSCDC Commandant David Bille stated this today when he paid a familiarisation visit to the management of JAMB in Anambra State. According to Commandant Bille, the collaboration is to help curtail examination malpractice during the examination and to clamp down on all illegal registration centres and syndicates exploiting candidates for the exams. “We appreciate the…
The Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Uche Ekwunife has bemoaned the huge economic loss suffered by the State as a result of the incessant fire incidents across the state. Ekwunife was speaking today when she visited the scene of a fire disaster at Old motor spare parts, Mgbuka Obosi. The fire which happened earlier this month had led to one death and destruction of 310 shops. The Federal Lawmaker explained that the visit was to access the level of damage caused by the fire outbreak in the market and as well to commiserate with…
As agitations soar over the alleged killing of a mechanic Chima Ikwunado and the continued detention of four other traders at Spare parts Market, Ikoku in Port Harcourt, Ohaneze Ndigbo Rivers Chapter has met with the market leaders to advance their cause for justice. The Ohaneze delegation led by the State President Chief Bartholomew Ositadimma Okere were on the visit to discuss the way forward towards the release of the four persons remanded in custodial centre by E-CRACK team and also how to get back the remains of Mr. Chima Ikwunado who allegedly died from injuries sustained while in custody…
Anambra Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA) says it has evolved and is implementing pragmatic initiatives aimed at changing the health-seeking attitude of Nigerians which usually results in catastrophic health expenditure. The Executive Secretary of the agency, Dr. Simeon Onyemaechi who disclosed this in a chat with our correspondent in Awka, regretted that despite the huge benefits that health insurance offers, Nigerians still remain averse to the initiative. According to him, statistics show that in the over 14 years which the National Health Insurance Scheme has been in existence, only about 5 percent of Nigerians have subscribed to the initiative. “We have…
An international non-governmental organization, Ipas has called for the review of existing Women’s Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (WSRHR) Law to meet present-day realities. The call came at the opening ceremony for a 3-day capacity building workshop for journalists held at Owerri, Imo state capital. The participants drawn from Anambra and Abia states are being trained to drive the agenda of Ipas to eliminate unsafe abortion and the resulting deaths and injuries by increasing women’s and girls’ ability to exercise their sexual and reproductive rights and access to information, services, and support. With the over 2.8 million cases of abortion…
An illegal revenue collector, Sunday Ogbonna has told a mobile court in Onitsha how he engaged in diverting government revenue to be able to meet his fatherly responsibilities to his newborn baby and wife. Ogbonna was discharged and acquitted by the mobile court for being truthful and showing genuine remorse when he was charged. The Court also granted bail to eleven others alleged to tout engaging in the issuance of fake and illegal tickets, illegal loading and offloading at unapproved points among others. The individuals were arraigned before the mobile court at Terminal “A” park, Upper Iweka, Onitsha by the…
Governor Willie Obiano says the Court of Appeal Division in Anambra State will commence sitting on 5th February 2020. The Governor disclosed this when he inspected work on the proposed court premises in Awka. A delegation from the Court of Appeal, led by Justice Doban Mensah, had on the 6th of December, last year, visited Anambra State to inspect the facilities provided by the State government and had afterward, given approval for the establishment of the court. During the visit, it was observed that the proposed main court building has been reroofed, while tiling was ongoing. According to Governor Obiano,…
A Pan-Igbo socio-political group, Igbo Leadership Development Foundation (ILDF) has faulted moves by some power brokers in Anambra State to truncate the rotation arrangement of the governorship position in Anambra State. In 2014, by the completion of the eight-year tenure of the then governor, Mr. Peter Obi, stakeholders in the state agreed and evolved a system of rotating the governorship position of the state among the three Senatorial Districts. This eventually led to the emergence of Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra North extraction as both Anambra South and Anambra Central Senatorial Zones have had their times in that order. However, as…
A scheduled election for new executives of New Auto spare parts market, Nkpor has ended in the chaos following a disagreement between State Amalgamated Traders Association, ASMATA, and the market’s union over election procedure. The traders had arrived the market very in the morning for the said election, with a heavy presence of security agents from the Nigerian Army, the Police, the Department of State Security (DSS) and the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to ensure smooth conduct of the election. All appeared to be going as planned until some persons numbering over 500 thugs arrived in a…
The Rule of Law and Accountability Centre (RULAAC) has called for comprehensive investigation and overhaul of Eagle Crack, a police Unit at Mile 1 Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The call is coming against the backdrop of a recent case of the alleged arrest, unlawful detention, torture and framing of false charges against an innocent mechanic identified as Chima Ikwunado by the said E-Crack team. Last week, a Facebook post was made by one Comrade Phills narrating the alleged murder of an innocent mechanic, by policemen attached to the Unit in Port Harcourt. According to him, the mechanic, as well as…
One person has died and two others injured in an accident along Awka-Onitsha Expressway early today involving a tanker, a 911 lorry and a Honda CRV. The accident which happened along the Ukpo junction axis of the expressway occurred when the 911 with registration number AWK 922 XJ, hit the Honda CRV with registration number GGW 309 EK while wrongfully overtaking. The oncoming petrol tanker with registration number NKJ 789 XA in a bid to dodge the 911, then collided with the Honda CRV, killing the car driver instantly. When our correspondent arrived at the scene this morning, men of…
The Anambra State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has called for urgent steps to save the nation’s jurisprudence from what it called “anti-democratic elements.” The call is coming as the Anambra PDP joined its counterparts nationwide in protest against the recent Supreme Court Judgement that ousted Emeka Ihedioha as Governor of Imo State. The Supreme Court had on Tuesday last week, delivered a judgement that brought in Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as Governor of the State. The protest saw the PDP members all dressed in black, bearing placards and chanting protest songs, walkthrough major…
Three persons were today killed and one injured when a Mack truck crashed into a commercial tricycle at Nkpor, Idemili North local government Area of Anambra State. The accident happened along Mercedes Avenue by Omor street by Mgbuka Nkpor. According to an eye witness, the Mack trailer carrying a 14-feet container with registration number XS 254 ENU, driven by one Amuche Chinedu had lost control and crashed into the two tricycles. The trailer had afterwards, fallen into a deep gully by the road. The two tricyclists, Sunday Agbafor of Ebonyi State and Adindu Uchenna from Abia State alongside the conductor…
Over 15,000 pupils and students in Anambra West Council Area of Anambra State have benefitted from the 2020 Anambra West Back to School Program. The initiative which is sponsored by the member of Anambra State House of Assembly representing Anambra West Constituency, is targeted at assisting poor parents, foot the educational requirements of their children. With its over 17 communities, Anambra West represents one of the topmost educationally-disadvantaged Local Government Areas in Anambra state, with very high poverty index. At a ceremony to mark the 2020 edition of the program held at Umueze Anam, the school children were presented with…
Despite being ousted from office by the Supreme Court last week, Emeka Ihedioha has said he still believes in Nigeria and its developing democracy and institutions. Ihedioha of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), was removed as Governor of Imo State, Tuesday, last week by a Supreme Court Judgement that also declared Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of last year’s governorship election in the State. The headquarters of the PDP has called for a nationwide protest in response to what it tagged miscarriage of justice by the Supreme Court. But in his comments at his Abuja residence…
Anambra State Government says it is committed to extending its ongoing construction of water facilities to all markets in the state. The State Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Uchenna Okafor made this known when he inspected some ongoing water projects in market at Onitsha. The inspection visit is part of efforts by the state government at ensuring that the contractors handling the projects are up and doing. Among the projects visited were Marine market, Bright Street, Ochanja project sites among others. Okafor who noted that it is the duty of any proactive government to provide facilities that will promote favourable…
The Anti-Piracy Society of Nigeria (APSON) says it is committed through its Consumer Community Participation initiative, to address the economic sabotage posed by counterfeiters in Nigeria. The Director-General of the Society, Mr. Frank Uduonu dropped the hint while speaking with our Correspondent in Awka on the challenge of piracy and counterfeiting in Nigeria. The challenge of piracy and counterfeiting has become a major issue in the country, resulting in the closedown of known household brands and a significant drop in standards by manufacturers, in a bid to meet market competition. There have also been reported cases of deaths and illnesses…
Anambra State government has commenced demolition of buildings affected during the October 16th, 2019 Ochanja fire disaster whose structural integrity has been compromised. The exercise was carried out today by officials of the State Physical Planning board, led by its Chairman, Barrister Chike Mmaduekwe with support from security agencies in the state. The demolition is part of the promises made by Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, to assist the landlords to demolish the badly affected structures to enable them erect model ones. It will be recalled that one of the compromised buildings had collapsed on December 26th, last year, although…
A Mack truck loaded with Chemicals, Gas cylinders, and Cosmetics products worth millions of naira was today gutted by fire with its contents in Awka. The incident which took place around Nnamdi Azikiwe University Permanent site, Awka was said to have started at about 01:35 pm. The driver of the truck was said to be moving unaware that his truck was on fire before passers-by alerted him of the danger. Although no life was lost in the inferno, by the time the State Fire Service and other security agents arrived at the scene, the vehicle was already razed down. The…
The Human Rights, Liberty Access and Peace Defenders’ Foundation (HURIDE), has asked the Imo people in particular and Nigerians, in general, to prepare for a massive protest against Supreme Court’s judgment on Saturday, January 18, 2020, in Owerri, Imo State. The Supreme Court had earlier this week, declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Hope Uzodinma, who came fourth, as the winner of the last governorship election in Imo State, ousting the incumbent Governor, Emeka Ihedioha who had won the elections as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) last year. Ihedioha had also gone ahead to win…
A UK -based Charity Organization, New Bethel Christian Centre has donated cash, gifts, educational and operational support items worth millions of naira to inmates at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Onitsha. The prison visit which is part of the organization’s annual outreach programme saw the donation of drums of diesel, a cow, cash gifts and books/writing materials for the school inside the facility. As part of its interventions, the organization is also facilitating the payment of fines to enable the release of inmates who have options of fine but were unable to regain their freedom due to non-payment of those fines.…
Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano has called for better welfare package and increased support for members of the Nigerian Armed Forces. The governor made the call at a ceremony held at Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka to mark the 2020 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Anambra State. The event which is celebrated nationwide is used to remember the contributions of members of the Armed Forces living and dead, towards the protection of the territorial integrity of the country. The event had commenced with a joint parade by the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Legion. Governor Obiano…
Collaboration among security agencies has been described as the way forward in the nation’s efforts at battling insecurity to a standstill. The Chairman, Anambra State Vigilante Services, Retired Commissioner of Police Ikechukwu Aduba gave the view in an exclusive interview with News Chronicle Correspondent in Anambra. According to the former CP, the country is presently facing numerous security challenges ranging from insurgency and terrorism to banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery among others and independently, no agency can realize its mandate. “There is no way any single agency can deliver on its mandate. There must be a handshake among the security agencies…
Leaders of various Igbo youth groups in Anambra have commended the Amotekun security initiative of the Southwest region as a self-help security effort and not a threat to national peace and security. The commendation is coming on the heels of comments by some youths under the aegis of Northern Youths Council of Nigeria which described the Amotekun Group as the Military wing of Oodua Peoples Congress, (OPC) in disguise. The Northern Youths have also urged southwest Governors desist from backing the group which they noted, is no different from the Boko Haram and IPOB movements. But in a reaction, the…
People of Achina Community have cried out to the World Bank, Federal and Anambra State Government to urgently intervene on the erosion challenges faced by the community before the next rains. Achina is one of the communities in Aguata Local Government Area, ravaged by gully, with more than five active erosion sites. They include Okpala Osimiri erosion site (Umueleke Village), St Joseph’s Site (Umuezeiyi Village), Ezekoro/Ihe Obiji Site (Umuezeiyi Village), Iyi Nwitita site (Umuezeiyi Village) and the Okpalanwa site (Umueleke Village). A visit to some of the sites shows that work has since been abandoned on them as some buildings…
One person has been confirmed dead and three others injured as a Petrol Tanker exploded inside a welding workshop around Amawbia bypass axis of Enugu Onitsha Expressway. Visit the site by our correspondent reveals that efforts are ongoing by a combined team of the State Fire Service, the Police, the Federal Road Safety Corps and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, to put out the fire. The Area has also been cordoned off to safeguard the lives of motorists and residents. An eye witness who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the petrol tanker had gone to the…
