Author: Kenechukwu Ofomah

Mixed reactions have trailed a video that went viral online, showing a man alleged to be a tout, being tortured with a pestle by operatives of the State Special Anti-Touting Squad, SASA. In the viral video, one of the SASA operatives dressed in mufti carelessly hit the victim with a short pestle. The SASA operative repeatedly hit him with the pestle on the suspect’s ankle and other bony parts of his body, including his chest, while his colleague videoed the victim as he was rolling on the ground, helplessly crying and begging them to allow him to explain. There were also stains of fresh blood on different parts…

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The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Anambra State Command in its quest to protect critical national assets has reiterated its commitment to deploy  all proactive measures to holistically address and mitigate vandalization Maku Olatunde, the State NSCDC Commandant stated this on Monday when he paid an on-the-spot assessment visit to all the financial institutions in Awka. The visit was to assess the performance of personnel deployed to protect and build the confidence of the public in all financial institutions, markets, and public avenues in and around Awka. The State NSCDC Command helmsman stated that his visit was part of…

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As part of efforts aimed at advancing the cause of healthy living among the elderly across parts of Anambra State, the wife of the Governor, Mrs Nonye Soludo has distributed 27,000 cartons of Vitamin Supplements to the elderly in the state. The distribution took place at the Utility Hall of ASUBEB Awka over the weekend and saw the governor’s wife distribute the vitamin supplements to Councilors of 326 wards in the state. The initiative will see 80 elderly persons per ward benefit. The supplements include multivitamins suitable for addressing deficiencies due to reduced body metabolism, and vitamins A, B, and…

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Less than three weeks after a two-storey building collapsed at the Oduigbo Section of Ochanja Market, Onitsha, killing at least ten persons, a five-storey building Sunday afternoon, collapsed at Fegge in Onitsha South local government area of Anambra state. Sources said the five-storey building was under construction when it suddenly collapsed. Residents of the area say they heard the sound of a crack and then a loud noise and the two-storey building collapsed. It is not clear if there were workers on site, but an eyewitness had it that there were human activities under the building two hours before it…

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The Anambra State Police Command on Monday said it has recovered an AK-47 rifle with two magazines loaded with 50 rounds of ammunition while trailing kidnappers at Awgbu in Orumba North Council Area of the state. On Friday, the Command said its operatives, while on patrol and snap checks with the local vigilante, intercepted some kidnappers along Amagu-Awgbu Road, as they were heading towards an exit route from the State. According to the police spokesperson in Anambra, Tochukwu Ikenga, the gang, had opened fire sporadically on sighting the patrol team, but bowed to Police-Vigilante superior firepower, while two of the…

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As the International Women’s Day was marked the world over yesterday, the wife of Anambra State Governor, Mrs Nonye Soludo has called on women to rise above socio-cultural, religious, and economic obstacles, to excel in their chosen careers and businesses. The governor’s wife is also advocating for an end to the hostilities, societal pressure, molestation, battery, abuses, stigma, and short-changing rules that have held women down from achieving their manifest destinies. This year’s International Women’s Day celebration has as its theme, ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.’ Speaking at a ceremony she celebrated at the governor’s lodge, Amawbia, with young student…

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As part of efforts to address the recurring issues of students’ exploitation and extortion by lecturers, the Acting Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, Dr. Uche Onyegbu launched a dedicated phone line that will be used to report all cases. The Rector is therefore warning all staff of the institution against all forms of extortion and exploitation of students, calling on the students to resist extortion by lecturers under any guise. Speaking on Friday at the 40th matriculation ceremony of the institution, Onyegbu also warned against any form of indecent dressing and behavior, insisting that decency and good conduct were…

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Any structural development commenced henceforth in Anambra State without a permit will be brought down as an illegal structure. The Chairman, of Anambra State Physical Planning Board, ANSPPB, Barr Chike Maduekwe disclosed in a press briefing on Thursday to mark the commencement of the operation across parts of the State. Recently, two out of three buildings under construction at the Oduigbo section of the Ochanja Market, Onitsha had collapsed, resulting in the death of about 10 persons, while many were injured. The State Government through the ANSPPB, had embarked on the demolition of the remaining three buildings, claiming the developer…

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It was an enriching workshop that exposed Anambra journalists to the numerous capabilities of Artificial Intelligence, AI, in the Journalism practice, as Anambra State ICT Agency and Activ8 Hub put together a workshop on AI in Journalism for media professionals. The workshop which took place in Awka, saw practitioners undertake classes on emerging AI models, such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Bing AI, and Microsoft Copilot, among others, with the aim to enhance their journalistic practices, ensure more efficient, accurate, and compelling reportage. The workshop facilitated by experts including Mr. Chukwuma Mezie-Okoye, co-founder of Activ8 Hub, and Nehemiah Onyekachukwu Emmanuel, an AI Engineer with Microsoft, offered deep…

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The Anambra Chapters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have handed a 7-day ultimatum to the Anambra State Government to address issues of the welfare of workers in the state. The ultimatum was contained in a communique jointly signed by the leaders of the two Labour Unions, Comrades Humphrey Nwafor (NLC) and Chris Ogbonna( TUC) in Awka. The organized Labour said failure to address their demands may jeopardize the existing industrial peace and harmony in the state. The communique described the contributory pension scheme in the state as a scam, noting that workers’ salaries are being deducted without counterpart remittances from the…

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The Anambra Truth, Peace and Justice Commission has expressed worry as to why neither a coroner’s inquest nor investigation was conducted into the 2017 Ozubulu massacre, raising suspicion over some form of political connection to the incident. On August 6, 2017, while Governor Willie Obiano was at the state’s helm of affairs, no fewer than 35 persons were killed and about 22 injured, when gunmen stormed St Philip’s Catholic Church, Ozubulu, during a morning mass. Four months later, the incumbent governor then, Obiano, was to run for re-election, in a heated political season, with some persons fingered in the incident,…

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A non-governmental Organization, the Civil Rights Concern (CRC) has identified a correlation between the increasing mass unemployment, high debt profile, and widespread poverty in Anambra State with Planning officers, bank policies, and Civil society organizations. The CRC is also accusing key stakeholders and citizens of not living up to their duties in monitoring actively, what governments at various levels do with funds, especially the series of huge loans they have been taking. CRC, at an engagement seminar with Stakeholders including media practitioners in Awka,  Anambra State, through her Executive Director, Mr. Okey Onyeka, harped on the need to find a lasting solution to the hydra-headed…

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A health official in Anambra State, Mrs Adaku Ego has identified negligence and lack of regular health checks as major contributors to the high cases of sudden deaths in the country. Ego, who works at the Non-Communicable Diseases Unit, Public Health Department, Anambra State Ministry of Health, asserted on Tuesday in Awka during a free blood pressure screening tagged – ‘Know Your Numbers’ Campaign. The campaign is in collaboration with the Nigerian Cardiac Society and the Population Services International. She told newsmen that the causes of sudden deaths could include complications of hypertension, heart attack, stroke, and heart failure among others. According…

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As part of efforts to improve agricultural productivity to guarantee food sufficiency and security, the Nigerian government has mapped out strategies to deploy Genome Editing Technology in agricultural practice in the country. This was disclosed during a 2-day Training Workshop for Communicators on Genome Editing organized by the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) in collaboration with the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) in Abuja. The training workshop drew strategic communicators from across the country and aimed to educate them on the technology. Genome Editing is a form of genetic engineering that addresses specific research areas in agriculture to produce better-yielding seedlings for farmers to grow, which may reduce the…

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The Enugu State Government through its Internal Revenue Service (ESiRS), in the early hours of Tuesday, sealed Enugu ShopRite, Spar over failure to remit purchase tax in their malls to the government after being served several warning notices. According to the ESiRS officials who embarked on the enforcement drive, other malls including Roban, and Mama Onyinye restaurant among others have also been warned and they included the purchase tax on the goods that the buyers pay whenever they patronize their outlets. The Enugu State Internal Revenue Service(ESIRS) HOD eateries, bars, hotels, and shopping malls, Egwuonwu Perpetual said the agency had visited the sealed malls on several…

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The Anambra State House of Assembly has stressed the need to urgently tackle the negative effect of crude oil exploration and theft in Ogwuikpele community, Ogbaru Council Area by Sterling Oil Exploration and Production Company, SEEPCO. The Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Hon Chidiebele Ibemeka, raised the concerns during an oversight of the community. The visit provided an opportunity for the legislators to witness firsthand, the challenges faced by the community in the region and the operations of the company. During the visit,  the lawmakers were confronted with the stark reality of environmental degradation, pollution, and socio-economic hardships caused by…

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Civil rights advocacy group, the Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS) has expressed deep concern over what it tagged ‘the systemic injustices plaguing the retirement benefits of officers within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).’ According to the group, the huge difference in the treatment meted out to these dedicated officers, some sister agencies, and political elites, is a glaring testament to the inequity entrenched within the system. Recently, a police personnel with 35 years of service in the Force, received a mere 1.5 million naira. Meanwhile, the military receives far better packages at retirement, while political figures serving shorter terms enjoy extravagant perks, including multiple properties, luxury cars, and…

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As part of efforts to catch children young to imbibe the habit of healthy living, the wife of Anambra State Governor, Dr. Nonye Soludo has inaugurated the Healthy Living Ambassadors and Champions for public Primary Schools under the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board, ASUBEB. The champions were headteachers while the ambassadors were teachers who majored in Physical Health Education or related courses, who will lead the Healthy living clubs in select schools across the state. Inaugurating the Teachers at the Utility Hall, ASUBEB Headquarters, Awka, Dr. Nonye  Soludo said that the day is very significant as it marks the…

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The youth wing of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide has expressed its sadness over the rejection by the Nigerian Senate, of a bill seeking to include Anambra State as one of the member states of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. The Senate had on Tuesday, thrown out the bill, saying that Anambra was not part of the Niger Delta region, which is the reason for the establishment of the interventionist agency. President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, thrashed the bill after the lead debate on the bill for an Act to amend the Niger Delta Development (Establishment Etc.) Act N 86…

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Amidst renewed deliberations by the Federal and State Governments on the suitability of State Police in tackling the growing insecurity in the land, some human rights and Pro-democracy groups have rejected the idea, saying that it would only amount to creating a “private militia for governors” The Campaign for Democracy (CD) in South East and Human Rights, Liberty Access and Peace Defenders Foundation (HURIDE) rising from their combined strategic meeting held in Enugu, noted that State Governors would use State Police against their perceived Political enemies. In the communique signed by High Chief Dede Uzor A Uzor, Executive Director, HURIDE…

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Labour Party lawmakers in the Anambra State House of Assembly on Thursday, announced their decision to relinquish their six months basic salaries to tackling food and medical challenges of their constituents. The legislatures, under the Anambra State Labour Party House of Assembly Caucus, said the gesture was informed by the prevailing harsh economic realities across the country which he said their leader, and Presidential Candidate of the party, Mr Peter Obi, had earlier raised alarm over. Speaking on behalf of the lawmakers, the member representing Onitsha South Constituency Two, Hon Jude Umennajiego also called on President Bola Tinubu and State…

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The Civil Liberties Organization, CLO in Anambra State has appealed to Governor Chukwuma Soludo and the Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide to accord a befitting burial to a former governor of Anambra State and Presidential Adviser, Chief Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife. This the group said, will be in appreciation of his selfless services and sacrifices towards the socioeconomic and political development of Anambra State, Southeast, and Nigeria. The appeal was contained in a press statement issued to newsmen on Thursday, signed by Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme, the CLO Chairman. The group described Dr.Ezeife as a patriotic, prudent, selfless, and transparent servant leader with impeccable character and integrity. “He was at the forefront in agitation for socioeconomic justice for the southeast, election of Nigerian President of Igbo extraction, creation of…

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Dissatisfied with the non-compliance of some traders to open their shops on Mondays over fear of uncertainty, the President General, Anambra State Amalgamated Traders’ Association, ASMATA, Chief Humphrey Anuna, during his meeting with market Chairmen/ Secretaries, read the riot act to them, vowing to sanction defaulters. Till Monday this week, shops at the various markets in the state were still locked, over fears of being attacked by enforcers of the order issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, over the continued incarceration of their leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Many have been killed and properties destroyed for defying the order…

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The General Manager of Heartland FC, Owerri, Promise Nwachukwu has revealed that the club management has ratified the placing of all players of the club on half salaries until further notice. The decision, he revealed, was due to the club’s poor performance in the Nigeria Premier Football League this season, which culminated in their disgraceful home loss to Plateau United on Wednesday. The Owerri side were beaten 5-1 at home for the first time in their history by a more ambitious Plateau United. Nwachukwu, who watched the game dejectedly at the Awka City Stadium Wednesday evening, said the players should take responsibility for the loss which has tarnished the image and the impressive…

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Aba Power Ltd, a subsidiary of Geometric Power, will start to supply power from one of its three turbines to consumers in the Aba Ring-fenced Area this weekend rather than in two weeks as originally scheduled. The project was initially billed to commence supplies to commercial customers 13 days after commissioning in line with technical protocols, sources say its chairman, Professor Bart Nnaji who is a former Minister of Power, has directed the utility’s engineers to provide power to the people without fail this weekend. The Geometric Power 188 Megawatt thermal plant and the Aba Power company to distribute electricity…

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A rights group, the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has faulted the formation of the newly established Tripartite Economic Advisory Committee inaugurated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The committee which was inaugurated on Sunday comprised notable names drawn from the federal government, sub-nationals, and the private sector, including Aliko Dangote, chairperson of Dangote Group of Companies; Abdulsamad Rabiu, the chairman of BUA Group; Tony Elumelu, chairperson of United Bank of Africa (UBA), Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, among others. The committee was set up to help the Tinubu administration develop a policy framework that will…

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The death toll from three collapsed buildings out of five under construction at the Oduigbo section of the Ochanja Central Market in Onitsha South Council Area of Anambra State has risen to nine, authorities say. The incident which occurred Monday night at about 7 pm, was said to have trapped many while one dead body was recovered and three injured persons rescued as of early Tuesday morning. However, 8 more dead bodies have been recovered from the debris, as rescue operations continued Tuesday by men of the relevant State Government agencies, in collaboration with the State chapter of the Council…

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Anambra workers have bemoaned the withdrawal of the wage award announced by the state governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, to cushion the effect of the withdrawal of fuel subsidy on them. Earlier last year, the governor had announced the introduction of the wage award of N12,000 per worker in September, for four months, to end in December 2024. But during the nationwide protest of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, held by the State Chapter on Tuesday in Awka, Anambra State capital, the workers regretted why the governor would remove the wage awards when the hardship that occasioned its introduction has not…

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Anambra State Police Command says its detectives, working with Umuoji Vigilante, have apprehended suspected killers of the President-General of Umuoji in Idemili North Council Area of the state, Chief Silas Onyima. The late PG was allegedly murdered in his home at Umuoji by gunmen over the weekend. According to the Police Public Relations Officer in Anambra State, Tochukwu Ikenga, four suspects have been arrested so far. He revealed that the handset and ATM card of the deceased were recovered from the suspects. According to him, the suspects in their confessions, named four other accomplices, who he noted are now being…

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The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU has called out the National Assembly over the recent invitation of Vice Chancellors and other Heads of tertiary contrary to come before it to defend the implementation of intervention Funds allocated to them under the Tertiary Education Trust, TET-Fund. It was gathered that recently, the National Assembly has been breathing down the necks of the VCs and heads of other tertiary institutions on the pretext of oversight resources allocated to the universities by TETFund. At the end of their meeting held at ASUU Headquarters, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka on Monday, the ASUU Owerri…

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