The Anambra State Government and the traditional ruler of the Ukwulu Community in Dunukofia Council Area of the State, Igwe Peter Uyanwa have come out to debunk the viral open letter by a yet-to-be-identified woman, alleging that herdsmen raped her and her maid as well as sodomized her husband at the Ukwulu forest. In the open letter addressed to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, the narrator, who claimed to be from the Ukwulu community but is married to a Nawgu man, narrated the horrible ordeal that she, alongside her husband and maid allegedly suffered in the hands of herdsmen in the community.…
Author: Kenechukwu Ofomah
Staff of the Anambra State House of Assembly on Tuesday said they have embarked on an indefinite strike over non-payment of sundry entitlements. The staff under the platform of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) carried placards and banners during a peaceful protest at the assembly complex. They also moved to the state secretariat chanting protest songs and demanding their entitlements. The workers accused lawmakers of recruiting corps members to perform their duties instead of paying them. The Deputy National President of PASAN, Comrade Promise Chijioke Onwukwe who led the protest said: “We had embarked on this strike before but the Conference Of Speakers…
Remember the house help, Happiness Nwafor, who was battered with a hot knife and other sharp objects by a self-acclaimed pastor, Mrs Adachukwu Okafor? She has now been awarded a scholarship from Primary School to university level. The scholarship was announced by the Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah. Recall that the suspect, Mrs Adachukwu, who is an Anambra-based lawyer had inserted a hot knife into the private part of her 10-year-old maid who had been living with her for just two weeks. She also burnt the girl’s cheeks and bottom with a hot iron after claiming the little girl sexually molested her…
Following a shocking revelation made by an Anambra woman on social media, of her ugly experience in the hands of herdsmen who kidnapped her, her husband, and their maid, netizens have called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to swing into action and address the unabated kidnapping and armed robbery cases along the route. The woman, who foreclosed her identity, narrated how the herdsmen raped her and her maid countless times, as well as sodomized her husband recklessly. In an open letter she addressed to Governor Soludo, the woman said the herders operating around bushes in the Ukwulu Community in the Dunukofia…
The $3.2 billion Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON) in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, has missed yet another deadline for its much-anticipated rebirth, making Nigeria’s dream of a local aluminum industry even more improbable. ALSCON was founded to make the most of Nigeria’s enormous gas reserves and discourage gas flaring, which could be diverted into a gas-to-power model that would produce electricity for the smelting plant. The smelter was supposed to restart operations in 2020, but that date was pushed back to 2023, and it currently looks unlikely to fulfill even that new objective. The smelter was put into…
The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor says the society will be better when persons elected into positions of authority, honor their pact with those who elected them. Bishop Ezeokafor was speaking when he paid a pastoral visit to St Lawrence Chapel Mass Centre, Awka. The chapel, built by the former member who represented Anambra Central Senatorial zone in the National Assembly, Senator Uche Ekwunife, was consecrated in 2018. The bishop condemned the development in Nigeria’s political sphere, where politicians reneged on the promises they made to the people when they were elected into power, focusing only…
The Anambra State Government says it is not happy with the slow pace of work at the Dr Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, whose upgrade contract it had awarded four contractors. The Anambra State Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Pauly Onyeka, who stated the government’s position, warned all the four contractors handling the project to expedite work or have their contracts terminated. The contract approved and awarded by the state government early this year, was to transform the old event center into a decent, world-class facility, in line with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s desire to make the state a livable and progressive state. It was designed to accommodate…
Some victims of the unfortunate collapse of buildings at Ochanja market in Onitsha Anambra State have cried out to the state government for help, to enable them to continue their treatment at the hospitals. According to the victims, they could no longer continue their treatments due to their inability to pay their medical bills. Recall that in February this year, the collapse of the ongoing structures at the market had led to the death of about 10 persons, while over twenty persons were rescued with varying degrees of injuries. The controversy around what led to the collapse of the buildings appeared to have roped the state government in.…
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, Anambra State Command says its operatives while acting on credible intelligence, have trailed and arrested two suspects for engaging in illegal mining activities in the State. The Suspects, Madueke Akpuchukwu male, aged 53 from Awomama town in Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State, and Chimezie Ezenduka male, aged 54 of No 4 All Mekus Drive Federal Housing Onitsha, were apprehended at Igbariam conveying suspected solid mineral (Kaolin ) without relevant permit. The State Commandant of NSCDC, Anambra State Command, Comdt. Maku Olatunde while parading the suspects at the State Headquarters in Awka, commended…
Wikimedia Anambra Network, a subsidiary of the Wikimedia User Group, Nigeria on Wednesday said it was committed to providing Anambra state with global visibility, attracting investment opportunities, and driving developmental advancements across sectors of the state. President of the group, Dr. Ngozi Osuchukwu gave the assurance in Awka at the opening of a 2weeks training titled, “Building the Repositories of Sectors in Anambra State for Knowledge and Sustained Data: Mapping out all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Streets and Markets in Anambra state on Wikidata.” She said the decision followed findings indicating the state’s ‘conspicuous lagging’ in Wikidata, assuring of the group’s…
A 40-year-old rape suspect has been finally apprehended and is now in the custody of Anambra State Police Command, two years after committing the crime. The suspect, Anietie Tim was alleged to have raped a 14-year-old girl in October 2022 in Onitsha, and ever since, attempts to apprehend him have proved abortive. Since the incident happened in 2022, the suspect who has been evading arrest through the help of some military personnel at the Army Barracks Onitsha, where he lives, had on different occasions threatened the mother of his victim, claiming to be untouchable. It was gathered that a radio presenter resident in Onitsha, Francis Pember, had volunteered to help the victim after he…
Over a thousand students of Federal Polytechnic, Oko in Orumba North Council Area of Anambra state on Wednesday took to the streets to protest against the imposition of compulsory N5000 examination fees on them by the management. The students are also bemoaning the insistence of the school management to prevent those who fail to pay the fees from writing their exams. They bore placards with various inscriptions such as “reduce the cost of texts books”; “allow us to do our medical and data capture”; “say no to corrupt stakeholders”; “say no to exam fees”; “break down our tuition fees” and others.…
The Federal Government has warned Nigerians that 148 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 31 states of the federation, fall within the high flood-risk areas. The warning was given by the Minister of Water Resources, Prof Joseph Utsev while presenting the general highlights of the 2024 Annual Flood Outlook prepared by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in Abuja. Local Governments usually affected by flood annually in Anambra include Onitsha South, Ayamelum, Ogbaru, Anambra East, Anambra West, Awka North and Onitsha North, Ihiala, and Idemili South. Utsev explained that the annual flood outlook serves as a comprehensive…
In Nigeria, the escalating food shortages, marked by rising prices and decreased availability of agricultural products, are palpable. Yet, many Nigerians remain unaware of how their everyday actions contribute to this growing crisis. The impact of climate change in Nigeria is unmistakable, yet there is a lack of awareness about the necessary measures to mitigate these effects. For residents aged between 30 and 60 in northern Nigeria, climate change is most noticeable through the dramatic shrinkage of Lake Chad—over 90% in the past six decades. For others, it manifests as erratic weather patterns—absent harmattan winds in December, delayed rains, and…
The Methodist bishop of Awka Diocese, Right Rev Moses Nwakanma has lamented what he described as the unimaginable and insensitive disposition of the ruling class to the sufferings and plights of Nigerians. He regretted that the more the masses cry, complain, and agitate about the nation’s prevailing economic strangulation, the more the rulers develop thick skin. Speaking in Awka during the plenary session of the 2024 synod of the Diocese, Nwakanma said the situation was more worrisome given the abundant human and material resources the country is blessed with. He said, “I’m aware that many people will quickly remind me that…
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Anambra State has urged Governor Chukwuma Soludo to immediately commence the process of capturing students in the state into its expenditure budget. The Chairman Joint Campus Council (JCC), Anambra State Axis, Comr. Mathew Okpala appealed on Monday, in a press conference in Awka, following his emergence at the NANS election held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Okpala, a Political Science student of Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu University, defeated Ifeanyi Chukwuemeka of UNIZIK in an election described as credible by pioneer Chairman of JCC, Comrade Patrick Afubera. In his speech, Okpala warned against increments of school fees or any unnecessary fees in the…
Contrary to fears held globally that the recent attack on Israel by Iran might lead to a Third World War, International Affairs analyst Prof Jideofor Adibe expressed the belief that the attack will only heighten tensions in the Middle East and not lead to another global war. Recall that on April 1st, 2024, Israel attacked an Iranian consulate in Damascus, killing 13 persons, including some Revolutionary Guard corps members. In retaliation, Iran unleashed a barrage of missiles and drones on Israel on Saturday and Sunday, sparking fears that the crisis in the Middle East might lead to a Third World…
The Founder, Leader, and Arch-Bishop of Living Christ Mission Inc., Most Rev. Professor Daddy Hezekiah says the Federal Government’s unfavorable stance towards the practice of Lesbianism, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer, LGBTQ in Nigeria, deserves commendation by all lovers of God. The prelate is insistent that LGBTQ practices are immoral, abominable, and highly destructive. Archbishop Hezekiah who was speaking at the Church’s administrative headquarters in Onitsha, Anambra State over the weekend, said the practices run in contrast with the teachings of Christ and the Church. He also posited that the African culture also prohibits such practices, as it has never been heard that any…
As part of efforts aimed at raising funds to upgrade the face of infrastructure in the University, the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, over the weekend, organized its inaugural Alumni Convergence, held at the ASUU-NAU Secretariat. At the event, various awards of recognition were conferred on deserving Nigerians, including the House of Representatives Member for Awka North and South Federal Constituency, Prof. Lilian Orogbu; the Senator representing Anambra South, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah; Iyom Uche Ekwunife; and Prof. Charles Esimone, for their outstanding contributions to the University and humanity at large. Other notable award recipients include Chief Hyacinth Johnpaul Chidiebere, Chief Jerry…
The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) on Friday, condemned the duly and lawfully constituted Governing Councils in the Federal Universities, Polytechnics, Monotechnics, Colleges of Education, and other Degree Awarding Institutions. Presently, there are at least 203 Federal Government controlled Degree Awarding Institutions in Nigeria including 92 Monotechnics, 43 Universities, 41 Polytechnics, and 27 Colleges of Education. Since June 2023, at least 203 of those Degree Awarding Institutions have been without ‘duly constituted Governing Councils, following the Federal Government’s unilateral dissolution of Boards and Councils of Federal Agencies, Parastatals, and Institutions including the Governing Councils/Boards of…
Gunmen on Thursday morning shot dead, a former President-General of Amansea Development Union in Anambra State, Chief Cajetan Nwokike. Nwokike’s death comes less than two months after the President-General of Umuoji, Chief Silas Onyima, was shot dead in his bedroom by assassins. The death of the former President-General was disclosed by the National President of the Association of Past Presidents-General of Anambra State, APPAS, Chief Omife I Omeife, in a statement forwarded to journalists on Friday. The motives for the killing remain unknown, although the Amansea community has of late, become a haven for cultists, who have fled the state capital city of Awka, following the cult wars in…
The Marine Police of Anambra State Command says it has recovered the bodies of the three remaining victims of the unfortunate boat accident involving a movie cast on Wednesday. Recall that the unfortunate boat, which was one of the two that conveyed the crew to a film location in Anambra West LGA of Anambra State, was returning to Asaba, where it took off, from when the accident happened. Six actors and an actress were successfully rescued from the water immediately. Two others who were unconscious were also pulled out with the aid of fishermen and conveyed to the Delta State Command Marine Police Jetty…
Residents of Anambra State may soon heave a sigh of relief if the recent promise of the State Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye is anything to go by. CP Adeoye is warning cultists, insurgents, and other hoodlums attempting to destabilize the state that their days are numbered, as there is no hiding place for them anywhere in Anambra. Recently, the state capital has witnessed renewed cult-related killings, with over 12 persons counted to have been killed in the past week. But while reacting to another massive feat recorded by the Police-led Joint Security Force in the State, which invaded and destroyed…
Educational materials worth millions of naira were on Wednesday, distributed to pupils of various schools in Enugwu-Otu community in Anambra East Council Area of Anambra State. The items were sourced from the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, and some well-meaning illustrious people of Enugwu Otu community, in keeping with the Public Private Community Partnership program of the State Government. The distribution happened at the launching of Enugwu Otu Education Development Program. (E.D.P.) Presenting the items, the State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh said it was in line with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s decision to make quality education accessible to the rural populace of the hard-to-reach areas in Anambra…
As Eid-El Fitr celebrations take shape across the country, members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), in the Southeast have been urged to be upbeat in their quest for more appreciable terms of engagement with the governments of the geopolitical zone. A chieftain of the MACBAN and immediate past MACBAN Chairman, South East Zone, Alhaji Gidado Siddiki made the call in a goodwill message to Muslim and Christian Brethren across South East Nigeria and beyond on the occasion of the 2024 Eid-el Fitr celebration. Siddiki said the Southeast MACBAN is appreciative of known expressions of warm fellowship towards them, but solicits for expansion and sustenance of…
As part of its statutory mandates and obligations to protect lives and property, the Anambra State Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Comdt. Maku Olatunde on Wednesday visited the Eid prayer ground at Amawbia, in Awka South Council Area of the state. The visit, according to the Anambra NSCDC Commandant, was to supervise and coordinate the already emplaced security to keep all worshippers safe and avoid any eventuality. Recall that as part of measures to achieve a smooth Eid-El Fitr celebrations in Anambra, the NSCDC had announced the deployment of 951 of its personnel across the 21 Local…
The Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof Charles Esimone, has made it clear that only the Federal Ministry of Education will appoint the next acting Vice Chancellor of the university in accordance with the necessary university laws. Dr Emmanuel Ojukwu, the Special Adviser on Public Relations and Special Duties to the Vice Chancellor, made the clarification in reaction to a media report alleging that there were plans to impose somebody on the university early in June as its new Vice Chancellor of the institution, described the allegation as unfounded and false. The tenure of the present Vice-Chancellor is expected to end in the coming months and…
Achina Community in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State may not be blessed with a vast land mass like its neighbors, but that is the least of the worries of members of the community. A major challenge also contributing to the shrinking of the inadequate land space, is the menace of erosion, which has eaten deep into the people’s lands, vacated homesteads, and separated families from their kits and kins. TNC correspondent who visited the community recently, reports that the inhabitants are living in fear, as the clouds gather for another season of rain. With over ten active erosion…
In what appears to be a major political upset in Anambra State, critical stakeholders from Anambra Central Senatorial District have rooted for Valentine Ozigbo, a prominent Nigerian business leader and philanthropist, to emerge as the next governor of the state, come 2025. The stakeholders’ position came to the fore during an interactive meeting they had with Ozigbo in Awka, over the weekend. The stakeholders drawn from the various wards in Anambra Central said they are only interested in securing a better Anambra. Addressing the stakeholders, Ozigbo promised to lead the State to a more enviable height and for only one term of four years if voted to power, after which he…
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Barr. Sly Ezeokenwa, has strongly condemned the violence and senseless killings targeting innocent residents of communities in Kogi State, notably in areas such as Bagana, Otutubatu, Iyade, Agbenema, Agojeju-Odo, and other affected regions within Omala Local Government Area. Unknown gunmen had invaded Agojeju Odo in Omala local government area of Kogi state, leaving 19 people dead and several houses set ablaze. Just recently, gunmen attacked remote villages in North-Central Nigeria’s Plateau state, killing at least 140 people. In Benue, no fewer than 50 persons, including a family of seven, were…
