LGA News

News from Anambra State Local Government Areas

VENERABLE EMENDU LAUDS SOLUDO, IBEZIM’S IMPACTFUL POLICY THRUSTS

Michael Ezenwata. :

The Principal, Comprehensive Science and Technical College, Nawfia Venerable Dr. Nnamdi Emendu has commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for augumenting the salaries of civil servants in the state to cushion the effects of the harsh economic realities in Nigeria.

Venerable Emendu in a press statement in Nawfia, acknowledged the gesture as a relative relief strategy that needs to be reviewed upwards to properly take home civil servants who have multifarious challenges facing them in the challenging nation’s economy.

Expressing delight that the Soludo administration appreciates the contributions of the state work force in the administration of the state, he urged that such efforts be motivated by a further push in their take home pay.

Venerable Emendu further spoke of the College’s zero tolerance to examination malpractices and cultism, and its compliance with the state government’s approved use of Igbo language for communications and the wearing of Igbo cultural attire during school hours on Wednesdays in all approved government schools in the state.

He confirmed that Comprehensive Science Students do come to school on Wednesdays in their traditional Igbo attire except for some new intakes in the school who have taken delivery of their traditional attire waiting for it to be sewed after which they will join their colleagues in wearing it to school on the approved days.

Venerable Emendu used the forum to appreciate the Proprietor of the College and the Archbishop of the Niger Province and the Anglican bishop of Awka diocese Most Reverend Dr. Alexander Ibezim for his zero tolerance to cultism, examination malpractices, gay practices and other vices in the college and in all the Anglican mission schools in the Province.

He lauded his Grace’s fatherly overseeing of the activities of the college and wished him well in his endeavors.

NNEWI SHOOTING: NOT TARGETED AT IFEANYI UBAH’S BURIAL – POLICE

By Uche Kalu :

Anambra State Police Command has confirmed that the shooting incident which happened at Izuchukwu junction, Nnobi/Nnewi Road by 7 pm on Wednesday November 20 was not carried out by non-state actors and also not about Senator Ifeanyi Uba’s burial.

A statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga explained that security operatives mistook police personnel for unfriendly forces, leading to the exchange of gunfire.

According to him, “preliminary investigations reveal that the security operatives were trailing a suspect when the gun duel ensued at a security checkpoint.

“Unfortunately, bullets hit the fuel tank of the Toyota Venza Sedan carrying the men, and it was razed down. Two innocent passers-by were injured and taken to hospital.”

Ikenga further emphasized that the incident was not carried out by non-state actors, assuring the public that the situation is under control and that the attack was not an attempt to disrupt the burial ceremonies of late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.

To ensure peace and security during the burial ceremonies, joint security forces have been deployed to Nnewi and the public is urged
to remain calm and allow investigations into the incident to proceed.

Kalu is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *

JDPC HOSTS CAPACITY TRAINING FOR WARD DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEES, PHC OFFICERS IN ONITSHA NORTH LGA

By Claribel Udah/Chika Obi/Chioma Nwankwo :

The Justice, Development, and Peace Commission (JDPC) Nnewi, hosted a capacity-building session for Ward Development Committees (WDCs) and Officers-in-Charge (OICs) of Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) in Onitsha North LGA.

The event, held under the Strengthening Public Accountability for Results and Knowledge (SPARK II) Project, aimed to empower stakeholders in healthcare delivery and strengthen the state’s primary healthcare system.

In his welcome address, Rev. Fr. Benedict Chima Okolo, Director of JDPC Nnewi, emphasized the importance of the workshop in enhancing public accountability and health outcomes, particularly in maternal and child healthcare.

The initiative, supported by the International Budget Partnership (IBP) and implemented in collaboration with the Community Empowerment Network (COMEN) and Civil Rights Concerns (CRC), seeks to address critical challenges in healthcare delivery.

Rev. Fr. Okolo acknowledged the support of the Ministry of Health and the Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHCDA), highlighting their contributions to improving health service delivery.

He stressed the pivotal role of WDC members and PHC officers in managing and ensuring transparency in the utilization of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF), a cornerstone of Nigeria’s health financing reform aimed at achieving universal health coverage.

The Executive Secretary, ASPHCDA, Pharm Chisom Uchem delivered her goodwill message, highlighting their commitment to collaborate in strengthening maternal and child healthcare.

The training, which was conducted by the resource person Dr Ngozi, addressed public finance management, budget tracking, and immunization advocacy.

Interactive activities, including Question & Answer sessions, group discussions, and action plan development, encouraged participants to collaborate on practical solutions for system inefficiencies.

The training concluded with the distribution of post-test evaluations and a call to action for participants to leverage their roles in fostering accountability, trust, and improved healthcare delivery in their communities.

With this initiative, JDPC and its partners reaffirmed their commitment to making Anambra State a model for primary healthcare excellence through collaboration, capacity building, and community ownership.

*The officers are of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State

TRADERS HAIL ANAMBRA STATE GOVERNMENT AS SOLUTION GETS TO EKWULOBIA TRAFFIC PROBLEMS

By David Okpala/Stella Okpala :

Traders/transporters have extolled Governor Chukwuma Soludo for bringing solution to traffic problems within Ekwulobia Roundabout as flyover construction hits 95 percent completion.

They made their position public while exchanging views with information officers, who visited the site, on November 21.

The interviewed, Mrs Oluebube Ezenwankwo of New Spring Plaza said, “The pains of demolition of business structures to accommodate construction of this flyover has turned into gain.

“I personally lost my shop during the buildup of the demolition. I packed into an inner shop which was demolished again.It was indeed painful, economic setback, yet joyous, hence without demolition there will be no expansion.

“I must commend Soludo. He did not stop at demolition but went on to construct. The project is about being delivered, which is indeed solution to traffic congestion within Ekwulobia environs. We will no longer waste economic time at the traffic.

“Driving from here to Awka maybe achieved in 30 minutes but if 5 hours are spent on a traffic holdup, the economic wastages becomes enormous.”

Mrs Ezenwankwo added that Soludo has worked himself into 2nd tenure victory, unnecessary critics to blur this obvious fact will only tantamount to noise making, as light cannot be hidden.

The story of Mrs Ezenwankwo is not different from Mr Uchechukwu Chimelum, neither did it differ from that of a cyclist, Mr Timothy Emegharibe and his counterpart Mr Frank Ogbu.

They enjoined individuals who are suffering pains of demolition, as road dualization continues in Anambra State, to bear with Soludo, as it is in the interest of all.

*David and Stella are of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State.

4 INDIGENT TRADERS EMPOWERED WITH #400,000 BY MARKET CHAIRMAN

By Juliana Nwachukwu :

Four indigent traders of Sokoto Road Market Traders Association, Onitsha, Anambra State, were empowered by the market Chairman, Hon. Emeka Mbachu, with a sum of #100,000 each.

The kind gesture of the chairman according to market sources has become a routine aimed at taking the down trodden to the next level, especially at this era of economic quagmire.

During the occasion, Pastor Godspower Chibuzor, who presided over the market prayer session that preceded the empowerment exercise enjoined the traders to embrace God and assist the needy for them to be blessed.

Despite the money presented to the beneficiaries, the benefactor, Hon. Mbachu and his amiable wife also donated some mother care items to nursing mothers as part of their social responsibility.

According to Mr Mbachu, I do it at least quarterly but as for this December last prayer, it is a must that I will help the needy. This one is the third time I am doing it. That is what I decided to be doing.

“After handing over to the needy, my friends and good spirited individuals around supported me and raised up to #300,000 for them.

“We rise by lifting others, when you see the needy, try to sponsor the person, don’t look at what people are saying about your philanthropy.

“The one I did last year, the beneficiaries came out today and sow seeds. A day after the prayer day, I was passing through the shop of one of the beneficiaries that was selling fruits and realized that she is now selling toys.

“I am pleading on all the market leaders to emulate my kind gesture as I emulate from our Governor.”

He also said that the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo is a workaholic and as such whoever that works with him must behave like him.

“My special greeting goes to both the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Markets, Hon. Evarist Ubah, and our ASMATA President General, Hon Humphery Anuna, including the Onitsha South Local Government Chairman, Hon. Emeka Orji. They are people working under Onitsha South and they are doing good.

Reacting, Mrs Joy Azubuike, one of the beneficiaries said, “When I came to Sokoto road market, I didn’t know where to start from, everyday I will be crying till one day our commander advised me to stand firm. He told me to go and meet our chairman and explain things to him, I told him our chairman is not my class that he hardly responds or gives me a listening ear any time I am complaining my problems to him.”

“It pains me a lot but because every time our chairman will be advising us about being hot tempered, we should avoid it. So I let go, not knowing that he was planning for me,” she said.

Another beneficiary also prayed for God’s guidance on Mr. Mbachu as he remembered them, asking God also to remember him, make him a king and the land of Onitsha to bless him.

*Juliana is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State

ONITSHA SOUTH CHAIRMAN VOWS TO ESTABLISH WATER TRANSPORTATION, IMPROVE ON INFRASTRUCTURE

By Juliana Nwachukwu :

The Chairman of Onitsha South Local Government Area, Anambra State, Chief Emeka Orji, has said that he would establish water transportation to ease especially the transportation problem of rural people in evacuation of their farm produce even as he vowed to uplift the infrastructural development.

“I am coming up with a program for water transportation, I am planning to build jetties for water transportation to convey people from Onitsha to Asaba, Anambra East and West areas as well as to other hinterlands.”

He made the vow while speaking to newsmen in his office, noting that for him to achieve this that he has already Kickstarted the construction of a modern general hospital for the people in the area at the former location of Urban Boys Secondary School Fegge.

Chief Orji pledged that in no distant time the project will be completed, explaining that he is designing his developmental plans in line with the state government development agenda even as he said that he will establish four major fire stations which will be scattered in four major areas of the council area.

He named the areas to include, Bridgehead, Fegge, Ochanja and Odoakpu, adding that as days roll by, he will be unfolding a lot of developmental programs that are going to impact positively on the people in the council area.

*Juliana is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State

IDEMILI NORTH NYCN LAUNCHES ANTI-DRUG ABUSE CAMPAIGN

By Chiedu Uche Okoye and Amaka Iloanya ;

National Youth Council of Nigeria(NYCN), Idemili North Chapter, under the leadership of Comr. Nwobosi Gideon Chukwuebuka, has kicked off awareness campaign for its upcoming programme tagged “Idemili North Youth Redemption Crusade”.

The president of the youth organisation in Idemili North LGA, Comrade Chukwuebuka Nwobosi, made the disclosure in his office at Ogidi about the forthcoming week-long event scheduled to take place this month.

He said the programme is designed to educate impressionable school children in Idemili North LGA on the consequences of their involvement in such anti-social acts as drug abuse, teenage prostitution, truancy in school, cultism, stealing, abortion, early marriage, and other social vices.

According to Comrade Nwobosi, the organisation would visit two secondary schools in each town, which is in Idemili North LGA, for the reformative, educative, and counselling programme.

More so, Comr. Nwobosi expressed his readiness to partner with NDLEA, NPF, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Information, ASATU, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and other relevant agencies to ensure a smooth and successful program in Idemili North LGA .

He regretted that many young people, who failed to realise their potential owing to bad parenting, peer pressure/influence, and misguidance, are now lunatics, single mothers, drug addicts, criminals, and layabouts.

He, however, expressed optimism that the NYCN Idemili North Chapter would use the programme to re-mould the personalities of the young people and steer them to the right path of moral rectitude in order for them to become useful and responsible citizens of Nigeria.

Other members of the NYCN Idemili North Chapter, who accompanied Comrade Nwobosi on the awareness campaign for its programme were Comrades Chinedu Okenwa, Kelly; Emmanuel Muoghalu, Ajee; Adaora Obiesie, Adadioranma; Emeka Ezeanya; and others

Okoye and Iloanya are of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *

NNEWI DUAL ROAD PROJECT TAKES OFF WITH DEMOLITION OF MARKED STRUCTURES

By Enoch Uzuegbunam/Anthony Okpanku/Chioma Akaogu :

In a significant step towards transforming Nnewi’s infrastructure, the demolition of marked structures commenced has commenced to pave way for the dual road reconstruction project. The project aimed at enhancing connectivity and boost economic growth in the region.

President Nzuko-Ora Nnewi, Dr. Maduka Atuenyi, expressed support for the project, praising Governor Soludo for initiating the work. He ensured a smooth demolition process with security personnel. The clearing of structures was initially scheduled to start early in the morning but was delayed to allow residents to remove their belongings.

The supervising councilor on works in Nnewi North LGA, Mr Amobi Adigwulu who represented the chairman, Mr Echezona Anazodo, confirmed the project’s 12-months timeline. He emphasized the collaborative efforts of the governor and chairman to make nnewi a wonderful city and urged residents to comply with the reconstruction process.

Nnewi Youth Forum President, Ejim Ucheagwu appealed to affected individuals to endure the temporary inconvenience, citing the success of Okpunoeze Road as an example of the project’s potential benefits.

Some residents expressed joy on the project. Chioma Okeke, Mr Ben, a commercial motorcyclist praised the governor, acknowledging the long-term economic benefits.

Also Mr. Mike, a Keke driver, praised the community’s cooperation, saying, “God bless Soludo for this; more is coming.”

The demolition began at Owerri road (roundabout junction area)proceeding down to Ozubulu -Okija Road axis.

Uzuegbunam, Okpanku and Akaogu are of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *

NNEWI NORTH INFORMATION OFFICERS PAY COURTESY VISIT TO CHAIRMAN ANAZODO

By Chidubem Okoye, Enoch Uzuegbunam, Anthony Okpanku and Chioma Akaogu :

In a show of solidarity and cooperation, information officers from the Ministry of Information, Awka posted to Nnewi North LGA have paid a visit to the Chairman of the LGA, Mr Echezona Anazodo to familiarize themselves with him and also congratulate him on his emergence as the newly elected chairman.

Mr Anazodo who warmly welcomed the officers, promised to collaborate with them and expressed his joy at having them on board. He emphasized his commitment to working closely with Governor Charles Soludo to transform Nnewi into a great city.

As the newly elected chairman, Anazodo has already begun making strides in Nnewi North. He has inspected damaged roads, reaffirming his commitment to partnering with the community for development. With his focus on security, infrastructure, and youth empowerment, Anazodo aims to make Nnewi North a prosperous homeland for all.

Okoye, Uzuegbunam, Okpanku and Akaogu are of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *

ANAMBRA GOVT TO COMMISSION KAOLIN PLANT BY JANUARY 2025, SAYS PROF OFOEGBU

By Adaobi Nsofor ;

Umunuko, Ukpor Community in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State is about to get a face-lift following the discovery of Kaolin deposits and installation of Kaolin Processing Plant in their community.

The Managing Director/CEO of Anambra State Solid Minerals Development Company, Prof.Charles Ofoegbu during his tour to the site to ascertain the progress of the work assured that the project would be delivered and commissioned by Governor Chukwuma Soludo by end of January, 2025.

He noted that the old mill has been fully refurbished, assembled and put in place while they await the arrival of the R3 which has been ordered and will occupy the fourth end of the factory house.

Prof Ofoegbu enumerated that part of the project in course is the installation of the kiln plant also known as kaolin calciner which is now refurbished and reassembled.

“We have mapped out the foundation for the warehouse that will host the kiln and that will commence on Tuesday, and hopefully by weekend, the foundation must have been strong enough to carry the weight and once it is completed, we will start installing the kiln, which would be partly vertical and partly horizontal followed by roofing to have effective cooling”

Prof Ofoegbu added that the next major assignment is to bring in a high tension 300kva transformer and a big generator that can power the equipments in the absence of electricity, saying that environmental issues and health of the workers should be considered while installing the kiln dryer.

He noted that the existing offices would be furnished to house the administrative and engineering staff and the facility is equipped with digital weighing balances for precise measurements and machines for industrial bag zipping.

According to him, 3,000 bags have been produced for kaolin storage. The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) will verify the weight and standards to ensure compliance with international requirements, paving the way for exportation.

On Community Social Responsibility, Prof Ofoegbu promised that they will streetlight and grade the road that leads to the factory, while the health center in the community would be refurbished, which by extension, can serve as referral point for the factory workers in case of emergencies. He also said that some basic drugs would be supplied to the health center and all these is to ensure that the Community benefitted from the project.

While stating that Environmental Impact Assessment is ongoing following best practices, Prof Ofoegbu
emphasised that the huge project would bring about industrialization, development and employment opportunities for the community and neighbouring communities.