Author: Okechukwu Onwuka

BRIDGING DIGITAL DIVIDE: GOVERNOR SOLUDO EMPOWERS DISABILITY RIGHTS COMMISSION

By Nwanodu Angela :

In line with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s pioneering vision of “Everything Technology, Technology Everywhere,” the Disability Rights Commission has been equipped with cutting-edge digital tools to revolutionize its advocacy and support for persons with disabilities.

These innovative tools will significantly enhance communication channels, streamline access to vital services, and promote inclusivity in decision-making processes,

With innovative software to boost accessibility, the Commission is now better equipped to fulfill its mandate and ensure that no one is left behind in the state’s digital transformation drive.

This integration of technology is a game-changer, empowering ‘those who need it most’.

This significant advancement was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Anambra State ICT Agency, which played a crucial role in facilitating the digital transformation.

As part of its mission to drive e-government initiatives and support technology integration across state institutions, the agency provided the technical expertise and resources necessary to implement these tools effectively.

Receiving the digital tools, the Chairman of the Commission, Chuks Ezeawuzie (Esq), described it as a welcome development, highlighting the rapid pace of technological adoption and its potential to enhance productivity.

“Anyone without technology is still living in the stone age, the analog stage. But with these tools, our office is now digitalized,” he stated.

He noted that the pre-digital era involved strenuous work, particularly for those physically challenged.

However, with the provision of these tools by the Solution Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, these challenges are now being successfully addressed.

Reflecting on his past, Ezeawuzie reminisced, ‘My experiences at the school for the blind, where every task required manual effort and perseverance, come flooding back. However, during my postgraduate studies in the United States, I discovered the transformative power of technology in enhancing the lives of the visually impaired.

“Unfortunately, upon my return years before the Solution Government took office, I found a stark contrast – a lack of technological tools to implement the knowledge I had acquired, leaving a significant gap between vision and reality.

“With these tools, not only will our productivity be enhanced, but they will also enable even more persons living with disabilities to receive training at our Access to Technology Training Center within the Commission.”

In addition to the digital tools, the Commission has also been provided with Cable TV, Air conditioners, water dispensers, stabilizers, refrigerators, cameras, tripod stands, and others too numerous to mention, creating a more inclusive and functional work environment.

As the Disability Rights Commission steps into this new era of digital empowerment, it not only strengthens its capability to serve but also exemplifies Governor Soludo’s commitment to integrating technology into every facet of governance.

This initiative, supported by the Anambra State ICT Agency, underscores a broader vision where technology bridges gaps and fosters a more inclusive society, reflecting a promising future for all stakeholders involved.

* Nwanodu is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *

APGA CHAIRMANSHIP CANDIDATE AZUBUIKE PROMISES TO ENSURE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

By Akaogu Chioma :

The APGA Chairmanship candidate of Orumba South Local Government Area, Mr Shedrack Azubuike has promised to ensure youth development in the council area.

Speaking during the 1 Youth 2 Skills reorientation exercise organized by the Ministry of Youth Development at the council headquarters, Umunze, Azubuike said that his major priority is to see that youths in the local government area thrives in their various areas of specialization.

He noted that the 1 Youth 2 Skills programme is one of the governor’s numerous ways of appreciating the values placed in the youths in his administration, urging the youths to take the programme seriously and promised to ensure they have swift training sessions with the various trainers.

* Akaogu is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *

ANAMBRA STATE GOVERNMENT CLARIFIES CHIDO OBIDIEGWU, EX-MD OF ANAMBRA BROADCASTING SERVICE (ABS) IS REDEPLOYED, NOT SACKED

Press Release :

The Anambra State Government has made a clarification that the exit of Mr. Chido Obidiegwu as the Managing Director of Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) is just a routine redeployment and not a sack as being insinuated by some sections of the media.

It would be recalled that the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, recently approved the appointment of a new Managing Director for ABS as part of ongoing reshuffling and rejigging of government operations.

Therefore, this clarification becomes necessary to correct wrong impressions being created in the minds of the public that Mr. Obidiegwu was sacked. He has only been redeployed and not sacked as being erroneously reported.

Signed,

*Christian Aburime*

Press Secretary to the Governor

September 6, 2024

ANAMBRA PARTNERS NATESA CONSULTING LTD TO HOST A MAIDEN PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION IN AWKA

By Ifeyinwa Ogwo :

The Anambra State Ministry of Culture, Entertainment, and Tourism, in partnership with NATESA Consulting Ltd, hosted a stunning maiden Photography exhibition with the theme “The Forgotten Country” at the International Convention Center (ICC) in Awka.

The groundbreaking event showcased various photographs captured by talented photographers from the Southeastern region and a short documentary about the economic impact of the Nigeria-Biafra civil war on the southeastern region before and after the conflict.

While declaring the event open, the Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, Mr. Don Onyenji highlighted that photography serves as a creative economic platform that offers connectivity and revenue. He emphasized that a single photo can tell numerous stories about an event.

Mr. Onyenji stated that the state governor, Prof Charles Soludo, has created a supportive environment for people to showcase their talents, conduct business, and relax and the ministry is open to partnerships that will enhance the state’s reputation.

He said; “This government is youth-friendly and has initiated a program for the youth to learn skills under the ‘One Youth, Two Skills’ program. Additionally, He has approved free training for Anambra youths in film production under the Ministry of Culture, Entertainment, and Tourism which will offer a lot of opportunities for our youths in the film industry.

“The governor is constructing a state-of-the-art Solution Fun City, which will be a mega entertainment hub in the state and the Solution Neighbourhood Leisure Park is being built at the defunct National Light Complex for relaxation and recreational purposes.

“Furthermore, the Igboukwu Museum, currently undergoing refurbishment, is expected to be ready before Christmas. It will be available for historians and archaeologists to utilize for research purposes,” he stated.

The commissioner appealed to the state comedians and content creators to positively market the state to attract investors.

In his lecture on “Exploring Diverse Revenue Streams Beyond Print Sales: Licensing and Stock Photography,” the keynote speaker, Mr. Kelechi Amadi-Obi, emphasized the challenges of excelling as an artist, particularly in the field of photography. He highlighted the need for patience and hard work to succeed.

Mr. Amadi-Obi also emphasized the significant role of photographers in capturing and sharing events and places. He noted that photographers provide the first impression of a location which helps to influence its patronage.

“For instance, when I googled Lagos on the internet, I saw a picture of a man carrying a child on his neck in a flood. This kind of impression doesn’t give Lagos a good image out there. However, when I searched for Dubai, I saw beautiful pictures that would prompt you to visit the place.

“So, the images you create of your state matter a lot. Make sure to present your state in a positive light to attract attention and make progress for you,”

He advised the photographers to improve their work by studying other notable photographers’ works, staying focused, comparing their work with the best in the world, and believing in themselves.

In her welcoming address, Augusta Nnadi, the co-founder of NATESA Consulting Ltd, expressed gratitude to everyone for attending the event. She emphasized that their firm is a Public Relations and Strategic Communication firm aimed at rebranding the entire Southeast as the powerhouse of Nigeria in photography. She highlighted that the Southeast possesses all the potential it needs to succeed.

“We chose the theme “The Forgotten Country” not to depict the strife, pain, tears, and hunger that affected the southeastern region during the Nigeria-Biafra Civil War of 1967-1970, but to showcase a country that thrived and endured despite the painful war.

“This is our first open photography exhibition, featuring photographs by talented young individuals from the Southeast region. We encourage more people to get involved in this trade and showcase the beauty of the Southeast, which we believe can be the economic powerhouse of Nigeria,” she stated.

The Executive Director of the Center for Memories, Mazi Iheanyi Igboko, who was represented by the Program Officer, Nnamani Ifeoma, commended the organizers for initiating such valuable projects. He mentioned that their organization is located in Enugu State and focuses on recording, preserving, and presenting the significant memories, narratives, and history of the Igbo people.

“We are open to collaborating with individuals or organizations interested in portraying Igbo stories through photography. Photography is an art that holds the ability to capture moments and document the stories of each generation.”

* Ogwo is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *

TRADITIONAL PRIME MINISTER UNDERSCORES IMPORTANCE OF NEW YAM FESTIVAL

By Chukwuka Ugokwe :

Traditional Prime Minister of Abagana Community, Dr Nwachukwu Anakwenze,has described New Yam Festival as one of the cardinal means of safeguarding the rich cultural heritage of Ndigbo

Speaking with newsmen at his country home while celebrating the new yam festival, he described it as capable of uniting the Igbos.

While calling for its preservation, he urged Ndigbo to always engage in acts capable of projecting their rich cultural heritage before the international community.

He, then, reminded Ndigbo that culture as people’s way of life, should always be used in bringing peace and unity for enhanced development .

Dr Anakwenze, emphasized the need for Ndigbo to reinvent the true Igbo spirit by embracing agriculture to enable them survive the prevailing era of crisis food crisis and Food insecurity in the nation.

While affirming that yam is the king of all crops, he pointed out the importance of agriculture to the growth of the society and encouraged youths to take agriculture seriously.

The event attracted Community Leaders including the Traditional Ruler of the community,Igwe Mbamalu Okeke,friends and well wishers.

ASHIA HOLDS ONE-DAY SENSITIZATION MEETING WITH DESK OFFICERS

By Chisom Okafor :

The Anambra State Health Insurance Agency(ASHIA), has sensitized the Desk Officers of its various accredited health facilities.

The ASHIA Managing Director, Dr Simeon Onyemaechi in a meeting with the desk officers at ASHIA headquarters in Awka, discussed the overview, dynamics and operations of the Scheme.

He advised the officers to familiarize themselves with the operations of the Scheme by studying the ASHIA operational guidelines given to them.

Dr Onyemaechi cautioned them on the administration of branded drugs to enrollees in the bid to extort money from them, educating them that unbranded drugs are the approved medicine by the health insurance policy and any branded drugs given to enrollees should be with proper explanation and their consent.

The MD expressed dissatisfaction at hospitals that render services that are not included in their accreditation by ASHIA, advising such hospitals to desist from such or face the consequences.

He pleaded with the desk officers to be open minded and attentive to the enrollees to ensure that they do not pay out-of-pocket for services that are covered by the scheme.

Speaking on pre authorization code, the MD advised the desk officers to always send the proper diagnosis when requesting for the pre authorization code to avoid denial.

*Chisom is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State.

STATE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON INFORMATION VISITS ANAMBRA ICT AGENCY, ASSURES SUPPORT FOR E-GOVERNANCE INITIATIVES

By Nwanodu Angela :

The Chairman and Members of the State House Committee on Information visited the Anambra State ICT Agency on Tuesday for a familiarization meeting with the Managing Director, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata (CFA).

This visit underscores the critical collaboration between the legislative and executive arms in driving technological progress and ensuring effective governance in the state.

Led by the Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Fred Ezenwa (Onitsha South 1), including Mr Jude Akpua (Njikoka II), Justice Azuka (Onitsha North 1), and Patrick Udoba (Anambra West), the delegation met with the ICT Agency’s leadership to gain a comprehensive understanding of the agency’s operations, discuss its challenges and explore ways to address these challenges within the framework of the law.

Explaining the Committee’s role, Ezenwa said, “We are acting according to the Constitution of the Federal Republic, Sections 128 and 129, which mandate us to oversee the activities of agencies like this. If you have challenges, we can address them in the House to ensure you are more productive. If there is a need for an amendment of the law or for a motion to be moved, we will do it to make your work easier”.

During the meeting, CFA emphasized the agency’s efforts in driving e-governance across Anambra State.

“Our vision is to build a digitally transformed Anambra State. At the core of our mandate is e-government capacity for the state—to build it and deepen it.”

CFA elaborated on the state’s progress in digital infrastructure, noting, “One of the first things Mr. Governor did was to remove the Right of Way (RoW) charges, which has encouraged infrastructure companies to work with the state. As a result, people now have fiber in their homes, a significant improvement compared to what we had before, all thanks to these reform changes”.

He discussed the agency’s role in pioneering digital transformation through collaborations with various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

“In terms of e-government, a number of things have happened in the state, Because our role is more of an incubatory role, we work with these MDAs to fulfill their goals. For instance, we partnered with the Ministry of Health to develop the ‘Ashefamu’ e-platform that gathers all the accredited health systems in Anambra State, and with the Ministry of Budget to automate their budget systems. Ours is a supervisory and advisory role to ensure these projects succeed.”

Agbata also highlighted ongoing efforts to expand broadband access, saying, “We are currently in partnership with a provider deploying internet in the Secretariat, and we have also extended this service to public places like Aroma, Eke Awka, Ifite, and Book Foundation. Expanding broadband access is crucial because the more Ndi Anambra have access to the Internet, the more possibilities open up for them”.

He mentioned the agency’s initiatives in training civil servants and distributing laptops to civil servants, teachers, and heads of local government officials, noting that Anambra is currently one of the leading states in tech adoption.

The visit reinforced the importance of aligning the agency’s objectives with legislative support to effectively fulfill its mandate. It also served as a testament to the collaborative spirit necessary for achieving good governance and technological advancement in Anambra State.

CFA expressed gratitude for the Committee’s engagement, emphasizing that continued collaboration is essential as the agency strives to overcome challenges and achieve its objectives.

Angela is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State

WISHING NDI ANAMBRA A HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

SECURITY: ANAMBRA MARKET CHAIRMAN TO MOUNT N1.3M SOLAR LIGHTS AS ASMATA PG DEDICATES SOLAR LIGHTS

By Juliana Nwachukwu :

The Market Chairman of the Old Motor, Car Parts Dealers Association, Mgbuka Obosi, Idemili North Local Government, Anambra State, Chief Samuel Ifurunwa has expressed his readiness to mount Solar Lights in and around the market.

This was done following the outcome of the recent meeting of the State House of Assembly with the market leaders in the state pertaining the installment of solar lights and CCTV cameras in all the markets in the state.

Speaking immediately after the Friday market weekly prayers in the market, the President General, Anambra State Market Amalgamated Traders Association, PG ASMATA, Chief Humphrey Anuna thanked Chief Ifurunwa and his executives whom he said are doing very well.

He reiterated that the market Chairman Chief Ifurunwa is a blessing to the market and one among the market leaders that are doing well, urged the traders to give him and his executives a maximum support.

Anuna revealed that their agenda includes extending the market’s operating hours from 7am to 12 midnight. To ensure safety and security, they are planning to install CCTV cameras, which will enable them to monitor and review footage from the previous night’s activities during the morning hours.

He used the opportunity to inform the traders of another agenda which is the ASMATA New yam festival which he said would be done next week and would be an annual event, with the yams harvested from the ASMATA farmland.

He also said that all the market leaders would have their own portion of the farmland for their yearly new yam festival where they can also plant any cash crop of their choice.

Chief Ifurunwa attributed his decision to install solar lights to a meeting with State House members. He recalled that upon assuming office, he had mounted satellites, but they were rendered useless due to inadequate power supply from Enugu Electrical Distribution Company (EEDC).

He maintained that following the satellite’s failure, he met with his caucus and key market stakeholders to purchase 27 solar lights, costing over ₦1.3 million, with more to come. This initiative was prompted by a recent fire outbreak in the market, which led to the decision to disconnect lights from the transformer during closing hours.

Chief Ifurunwa commended Governor Charles Soludo’s innovative idea, Special Assistant to the Governor on Markets, Chief Evarist Uba, ASMATA PG, and thanked traders for their support in providing the solar lights.

The market Public Relation Officer, Pastor Chinedu Igwoegbu in his speech, thanked Chief Anuna, noting that his visit to their market showed that their chairman is doing very well

There was also presentation of the first cash crop(yam) from the ASMATA farmland by Chief Anuna to the market chairman,Chief Ifurunwa, accompanied with 10% cash of the money donated by a trader in support of the upcoming ASMATA new yam festival.

* Nwachukwu is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *

GOVERNOR NWIFURU CALLS FOR LEGISLATIVE PROTECTION OF BUILDING PROFESSION AT NIOB CONFERENCE IN AWKA

By Ukpa Ewa :

The Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has expressed concerns over the challenges facing the building profession in Nigeria, emphasizing the need for legislative action to protect the integrity of the field.

Speaking at the 54th Annual Conference and General Meeting of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) in Awka, Anambra State via a telephone call, Governor Ogbonaya noted that the encroachment of other professions into building practices has contributed to frequent building collapses.

He urged the leadership of the institute to lobby the National Assembly to criminalize non-builders undertaking building projects.

Builder Nwifuru highlighted the importance of builders in ensuring safe and sustainable construction, arguing that the profession should not be overshadowed by others.

He also called for better urban planning and the establishment of building codes in all states, urging builders to engage with state governments to ensure their expertise is fully recognized and utilized.

In his remarks, Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, represented by the Commissioner for Ministry of Housing, Mr. Pauly Onyeka, praised the NIOB for its efforts to professionalize the building industry.

He recounted steps taken by his administration to elevate the role of builders within the state, including the creation of a dedicated department for building construction and maintenance within the Ministry of Housing.

In his address, the NIOB National President, Builder Alderton Ewa Ewa, emphasized the conference’s theme: “Building Profession Practices and Sustainable National Development,” underscoring the institute’s commitment to addressing the critical challenges in Nigeria’s building environment.

He called on the government and citizens to prioritize the engagement of certified professional builders to ensure the delivery of safe and sustainable housing.

The conference, which included the investiture of new fellows and members, attracted over 5,000 delegates and notable dignitaries. It provided a platform for knowledge sharing, networking, and discussions on the future of the building profession in Nigeria.

In attendance were, Past Presidents of the Institute, Board of Directors including the representative of Ebonyi State Governor, Prof Grace Umezurike Secretary to the State Government (SSG), His Royal Majesty Igwe Ralph Obumnemeh Ekpe, Obu Enugwu- Ukwu na Umunri, Builder Samson Opaluwah, Chairman Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) and other dignitaries.