The Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHCDA) in collaboration with State Ministry of Health (SMOH) and Partners hold one-day Education Stakeholders engagement meeting for upcoming Integrated Measles Vaccination Campaign in Anambra State.
The meeting had in attendance Education Secretaries/Officers-In-Charge from the 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the State, Partners: NPHCDA, UNICEF, CHAI, and AFENET together with ASPHCDA team.
The Executive Secretary, ASPHCDA, Pharm Chisom Uchem represented by the Director Disease Control and Immunization, ASPHCDA, Dr Nnamdi Placid Uliagbafusi noted that the Education Stakeholders play a crucial role in ensuring success of the campaign in the State.
She urged the Stakeholders to be Ambassadors and help spread the gospel of the vaccination campaign aimed at protecting children as the meeting would aid in equipping them on the necessary information they may need.
The NPHCDA Anambra State Coordinator, Mr Obioha Agbakwuru expressed gratitude to Education Stakeholders and the Media for support given to previous Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIAs) conducted in the past.
He noted that they occupy strategic positions in providing mobilisation and ensuring that target population of SIAs were achieved.
“Presently we are about conducting the Intergrated Measles campaign and we solicit for your continuous support in ensuring that Anambra achieves its 95 percent coverage target for the exercise whilst ensuring that no eligible child of nine to 59 months is missed.
“Most of the target population to be vaccinated for the Measles campaign would be reached in schools, which is why the Media and Education Secretaries/Officers-In-Charge play a crucial role in this exercise.”
He, then, on behalf of NPHCDA solicited for the Stakeholders continued support in ensuring that all eligible children in respective schools in the 21 LGAs of the State are vaccinated during the Intergrated Measles campaign.
The UNICEF SBC Consultant, Dr Uju Eze emphasized the importance and role of the Stakeholders, as most of the target groups for the vaccination are in schools. She gave an overview of the 2024 Intergrated SIAs, noting that the meeting would create an avenue for discussions on success of the campaign.
Mrs Chinenye Udeani, CHAI Technical Assistant explained that the Measles campaign was Intergrated as it could be leveraging on the activity to create awareness/sensitize girls and parents/caregivers on the benefits of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccine.
The Anambra State Health Educator (SHE), Mrs Uju Onwuegbuzina anchoring the meeting, urged all hands to be on deck in ensuring that no eligible child for the vaccination is left unimmunized in Anambra State.
*Nnedinma is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
The Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, has pledged his support to the newly established Anambra Civic and Social Reformation Office (ANCISOR) in tackling drug abuse, anti-cultism, and moral rearmament campaigns, emphasizing the need for behavior modification to create a better Anambra.
During a courtesy visit from ANCISOR’s Managing Director, Sir Chuka Nnabuife, Dr. Mefor expressed concern over the rising moral decadence among youths, citing drug abuse, anti-cultism, and Yahoo Plus as major crises.
He stressed Anambra’s influential role in Igboland, saying, “If Igboland were a train of coaches, Anambra is the head coach dragging others”.
The Information Commissioner assured ANCISOR that, together, they will make the agency a household name within months.
Earlier, Sir Nnabuife explained that ANCISOR’s mission is to promote Anambra State’s core agenda, emphasizing the importance of a clean Anambra, obedience to the law, and support for education, health, and community development.
*Rose is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
Anambra State is focused on creating a prosperous homeland where every Anambarian can return with pride, reinvest their resources, and continue building legacy for future generations while staying connected to their roots.
The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs. Chiamaka Nnake, stated this at an event held at the ASATU Hall, Government House, Awka, in collaboration with Presidents-General and community leaders on the Public-Private Community Partnership (PPCP) initiative of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration set to accelerate community development.
Mrs. Nnake explained that the PPCP, also known as the ‘Solu Dozie’ Anambra Initiative, serves as a major platform created by the state government to unite Ndi Anambra across the globe allowing them to witness the development of social infrastructure, recognize their contributions, and participate in the growth of their communities.
She emphasized that while the state government is doing a great job with limited resources, they cannot achieve everything alone. This is why the PPCP initiative requires the partnership of Presidents-General and community leaders to spearhead it.
“We are here to educate them, present the project, and get their input to further develop this initiative. The PGs will lead the community implementation teams, and we believe that their input at this early stage is crucial in addressing concerns we may not have considered at the grassroots level.
“This meeting also is to inform them that we are doing this together. The government cannot do everything. We need everyone on board to ensure the initiative comes to life.
“When we focus on healthcare, we ask how we can mobilize our people wherever they are in the world, to ensure that their healthcare facilities are functional and serving their intended purpose. The state government is committed to ensuring that every community-led project is completed and functional, she explained.
Mrs. Nnake clarified that the PPCP is not a continuation of the Community Choose Your Project Initiative, which was funded solely by the government. “This is a new initiative aimed at mobilizing Ndi Anambra across the globe.
“Many want to know what’s happening in their communities but don’t have the information or know how to help out. For example, we aim to raise awareness about the condition of healthcare facilities in their communities and how they can help make them more functional. Some people may not be able to build a school but can contribute to upgrading an existing one—that’s what this initiative is all about.
“This PPCP allows more people to do something meaningful. It encourages participation in various community projects toward creating a better society and a more developed Anambra State. This initiative has no set time frame due to its nature and will continue indefinitely. For now, we are focusing on healthcare and social infrastructure because of the immediate impact they can have,” she declared.
Mrs Nnake informed that the programme will be rolled out before the year end.
National President of the Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU),Titus Nnabuike Akpaudo (Esq), described the new initiative as commendable. He explained that the communities are expected to use their own resources for development, but this will be under the government’s strict 100% supervision to ensure that any project embarked upon by a community is seen through to completion.
“I commend Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s visionary leadership and applaud Mrs. Nnake, who is truly dedicated to her duties and always ready to serve the state’s growth and development. The PGs and town unions are pleased with this initiative, and we are fully committed to ensuring its success. I assure the state governor that he can count on us to make the plan work as intended,” he said.
In his remarks, Zonal Leader of the Anambra South Senatorial Zone, ASATU and former President-General of Orsumoghu, Ichie Chika Dennis Muomife, stated that the state government is institutionalizing an already existing system by formalizing community efforts for greater productivity.
“In the past, communities, especially in Anambra State, achieved projects through community effort. Now that the government wants to formalize this process, it is a positive development because it will increase the trust and confidence people have in their leaders. Knowing that the government is involved will encourage people to contribute even more,” said Ichie Muomife.
* Agbala is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *
The annual leadership retreat for headteachers, officers-in-charge, and Directors in the State Basic Education sector has ended with a call on the participants not to relent in rendering quality service to humanity.
The retreat organised in batches for the entire Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs), in the state held at Archbishop Obiefuna Retreat and Pastoral Centre, Awka with the theme: “Education as a Panacea for Human Capital Development: Effective and Efficient School Management as Sustaining Factors” could be simply described as a forum to retrain the school administrators to address salient issues that militate against the implementation of educational policies and programmes of the state government.
Addressing the participants, the state Head of Service, Mrs Theodora Igwegbe(Esq), stressed the importance of imbibing the values of hardwork and honesty which can help to reduce examination malpractice in schools, and boost learning outcomes, urging the participants to teach the societal values to the school children in order to reduce social vices ravaging our contemporary society.
Also speaking, the Executive Chairman, Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Awka, Dr. Vera Nkiru Nwadinobi stated that the retreat was aimed at reviving the essential leadership skills for the headteachers to ensure maximum efficiency in achieving the set goals of basic education in the state.
According to Dr. Nwadinobi, the leadership retreat would allow the headteachers to share experiences, collect critical schools data, proffer feasible solutions to their problems and motivate them for greater productivity.
“I urge you to embrace the future task with enough positivity and deliberate efforts to add value to our basic education as you get back to your schools”, she said.
Resource persons drawn from various fields of education presented well researched papers to the participants, such as Prof. Patience Egboka, whose lecture focused on “School Administration and Management in Primary Schools”, described the headteacher as a manager, a community relations person, a supervisor, an instructor, a curriculum innovator, and a catalyst towards planned educational revolution whose role is to direct and monitor the academic and non-academic activities within the school.
She called for a continuous in-service teacher programme, improved welfare and sufficient funding as strategies for improvement of school administration.
Also in a paper titled: “Evaluation of Schools, Using Quality Assurance Indices or Aspects”, Dr. Bibiana Okoli described quality assurance as a process of monitoring, assessing, evaluating and reporting all aspects of the school life based on agreed standard, adding that human capital development is the most valuable asset within any organisation.
On her part, Dr. Ndidi Okeke who spoke on “Ethics and Values in Teaching and Learning”, stated that ethics are the principles guiding human conduct, while values shape the learning environment through the inculcation of ethical behaviours and attitudes for both the teachers and learners.
On her part, Mrs Kate Ndulue who delivered a paper on “Curriculum Prepares the Learners to Meet the Needs of the Society” emphasized that curriculum comprised the learning content, methods, and sequence for teaching and learning which guarantees uniformity and consistency that can drive learners’ progress.
The retreat also featured a paper on “Value Re-orientation and Stakeholders’ Role” presented by the Executive Chairman of ASUBEB, Awka, Dr. Vera Nkiru Nwadinobi who stated that values are standards or principles used to judge the worth of an idea or action, while value re-orientation is the act of changing, adjusting, re-aligning attitudes and beliefs to a new and acceptable behaviour.
She concluded her paper by highlighting some values in Nigeria and Anambra State, such as sacredness of human life, communal living, family, hardwork, and respect for old age among others, calling on all stakeholders in the education system to embrace the shared values of Anambra State so as to make a positive impact on everyone everywhere.
“Data Collection and Analysis Management in Schools” by Engr. Mike Neboh also featured, while question and answer session, experience sharing and suggestions for the way forward were the high points of the retreat.
In attendance were the Board Secretary, Loveline Mgbemena, the permanent Board Members, Officers-in-charge, and the Directors.
* Ugwunze is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *
The Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, has tasked information officers under the ministry to hit the ground running by reporting all developmental activities and projects of Gov. Chukwuma Soludo, saying that they do not necessarily need to be All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) members to promote the good work of the present State Government administration.
The Commissioner gave the directive during an interactive session with all the staff cum information officers (IOs) employed in the Ministry at the Head of Service, Auditorium, Jerome Udoji, Secretariat, Awka.
Dr. Mefor expressed worry that the governor’s activities were underreported, insisting that there must be a paradigm shift.
“We cannot have over 180 information officers and yet the reports sent in by the IO’s do not make up to 10 percent on the Anambra State website.
“We need feed back, every information officer should report at least once a week. A report evaluation module will be compiled regularly. In fact, after every three weeks any information officer who did not file in any report will be withdrawn from the person’s duty station and he or she becomes a floating officer.
“If the Principal officer at your duty station is not cooperating report back to me and I will pay that person a visit.
“Infact, we shall commence LGA tours to check and assert the responsibilities of the state information officers. Sometimes, they do not even know why you are there because if they knew they have no reason not to carry you along.
I have three months to deliver so I seek your cooperation as a matter of responsibility to join my vision and passion to promote the good works of this present administration which have been unprecedented.”
The commissioner promised to look into the challenges facing the information officers and promised to do his best to protect their interest so long as it will enhance performance and productivity toward a liveable, desirable Anambra State.
In her remark, the Permanent Secretary, Barr Mrs Ndirika Onyekwelu said, ‘Our commissioner is an ‘A’ person so we are very lucky to have him at the helm of the affairs. He was appointed today and the next day he was already hosting press briefing with every Sector needed to make things work in the state.
“I met some air of despondency when I resumed in this ministry but since Law Mefor came on board the atmosphere has changed. Do you know that for the first time, during the last ANSEC meeting, it started with a commendation by Mr Governor who acknowledged our Commissioner’s impact in less than three weeks of appointment, what a good note to start with,” she said
Also, HOD Information, Emma Ikegwuani after commending the Commissioner said that a strategic roaster will be drawn to ensure that week in week out the ministry’s presence was felt in the social media to ensure that the activities of the government were reported and reacted upon.
He further pledged on behalf of the information officers that the ministry will run at the pace of the Commissioner to actualize his vision.
The HOD Film department, Mr Peter Onyejegbu observed that most LGAs and MDAs principal officers do not like working with our state information officers. He suggested that a correspondent be written to the heads of Agencies and LGAs to assert the presence of our State information officers.
Several information officers suggested ways to improve performance, efficiency and productivity in the Ministry of Information.
The Observations include overhauling and equiping of the Situation room and ICT room with modern gadgets and the need for all IO’s to register or obtain the official government email Anambra.gov.ng since the Anambra State ICT department is ready to collaborate with the Ministry of Information as well as provide identity cards and jackets for field workers, iPads and data so as to equip and motivate the information officers.
*Ugwunze is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, this Tuesday, received his co-psychologists from the Department of Psychology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, in his office at the Jerome Udoji Secretariat, Awka.
Addressing the commissioner during the visit, the Director of, the International Consortium of Universities for Drug Reduction (ICUDOR), Nigeria, and immediate past President of, the Nigerian Psychological Association, Prof. Michael Ezenwa, leader of the group, said the essence of the visit was to identify with the commissioner and see how they can collaborate with him and the government to improve governance in Anambra State.
Prof. Ezenwa described Mefor, who is also a journalist, as a practising psychologist with depth who never ceased to demonstrate love for the profession. He thanked Governor Chukwuma Soludo for spotting him.
“If there are responsibilities you want us to do for the government or your office, we’ll be willing to do that to ensure that both you and your principal succeed.
“This is our state, and the governor, Prof. Soludo, has demonstrated leadership. He has invested a lot in security architecture and infrastructure. I just wanted to tell you this without mincing words. Today, Uga, my own community, is having a road under construction. Soludo has brought a road into my community…We are not politicians; we are academics. We speak what we see,” Ezenwa said.
Also speaking, the Head of Psychology Department (HOD), UNIZIK, Prof. Chidozie Nwafor, explained that they have erudite professors who are experienced in research, psychoeducation, and everything that will make a state work in addressing behavioural change.
“We will be available 24/7 to participate, share ideas, and support the government of Anambra State, your ministry, and others to ensure that Anambra State progresses.”
Responding, Commissioner Mefor thanked them for identifying him as one of their own, adding that he has three degrees in psychology and that he started publishing the first psychologist magazine as a young psychologist and cannot afford to take psychology for granted.
“I’m always worried about the place of psychology in Nigeria and national development. It has been a cause of concern for me because I believe that psychology is grossly underutilised and possibly because psychologists haven’t been able to stake their position or prove what they can do. I believe that you don’t have to wait for opportunities; you create them. I wouldn’t want to say that psychology is shut out of our national life. We haven’t done enough to break into the mainstream.
“So every little opportunity we have such as this, we should try and demonstrate what psychology can do. I sincerely believe that we can do a lot together. Even before you called, I was already reaching out. There is work to be done, and luckily for psychology and psychologists in Nigeria, Prof. Soludo just created a purely psychological agency—the Anambra State Agency for Civic and Value Orientation. It’s a pure socio-psychological intervention agency. I have been thinking all along before the agency was created about 4-5 weeks ago. So you can break into the agency and help the man who is in charge there in fulfilling the mandate given to the agency by Governor Soludo. We should be able to pull collaboration around there. I am not sure if the agency is under my ministry, but it won’t matter.
“Many of our youths have lost their way in Anambra State, the South East, and Nigeria. So there is a need to launch full social rearmament campaigns, value reorientation, and moral rearmament campaigns with the information ministry and the new agency…,” Mefor said.
The United Children Education Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU) Awka has called on everyone to join the advocacy on promotion of Children’s Rights, protection and welfare especially in the present information age.
The call was made during the Maiden National Summit on Child Rights cum inauguration of Child Right Clubs in Anambra Primary and Secondary Schools held at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka.
Presenting a paper Mrs. Juliet Chiluwe, Chief of UNICEF Field Office, Enugu, who was represented by Dr Ijeoma Onuoha-Ogwe during the Summit themed “Taking Sustainable Positive Actions for the Nigerian Child in the Information Age”, said that when adults make decisions, they should think about how their decisions will affect children.
“All adults should do what is best for children. Governments should make sure children are protected and looked after by their parents, or by other people when this is needed. Governments should make sure that people and places responsible for looking after children are doing a good job.
“The Convention on the Rights of the child is very intentional on who child is, that is children below 18 years of age. Article 23 unequivocally maintained that Every child has the right to an education. Primary education should be free. Secondary and higher education should be available to every child. Children should be encouraged to go to school to the highest level possible. Discipline in schools should respect children’s rights and never use violence”.
The Keynote Speaker, Dean, Faculty of Law, NAU, Prof V Ogugua Ikpeze posited that both male and female children should be given equal opportunities to enjoy their fundamental human rights cum child rights, saying that negative cultural practices like female genital mutilation should be abolished.
“Let us be vigilant to protect our children because child molestation may be ongoing behind your curtain perpetrated by a family member, friend, neighbor or stranger. Watch when that child changes behavior and know the next step to take before the damage becomes irrecoverable,” Ikpeze added.
Moreso, the Chairman, Planning committee, Dr Obiora Edogor in his Speech stressed the need to sustain more efforts to ensure better protection of children.
“We implore development partners such as UNICEF and others to assist NAU more in its great efforts toward promoting child rights. The reason is that the present information age with its concomitant new media technologies adds to the hurdles confronting the rights of the Nigerian child.
“The abysmal situation of the Nigerian child even after over 20 years of the enactment of the Child Right’s Act 2003 is worrisome and should be redressed without further ado. This is to provide a conducive environment for the Nigerian child to thrive academically, technologically, scientifically, socially, politically, economically, and culturally.
“I would want to arguably state that, the Nnamdi Azikiwe University’s soil is manured with staff that exude enthusiasm for child rights as I got immersed into it from the university. I could vividly recall how Prof. Chinyere Okunna, first female professor of Mass Communication in sub-Saharan Africa FNGE, FNIPR, FACCE, NUJ Matriarch, implanted in me the mustard seed and zeal for studies on child rights.
“Today, this summit is one of the fruits of that Okunna’s mustard seed. Also, the child rights club to be inaugurated in this event in all public secondary schools within Anambra State emanated from the same Okunna’s seed,” Edogor said.
Declaring the workshop open a day earlier, the Acting Vice Chancellor, NAU, Prof Carol Arinze-Umeobi ably represented by the Director, Academic Planning, Prof Angela Ufele-Obiesie commended the efforts of UNICEF toward hosting the summit which is the first of such in Nigeria, adding that today’s global concern on Child rights sprouted from the aversion of the vulnerabilities to which children were exposed in Europe during the second World war.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Paul’s University and NUJ Matriarch, Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna, in her paper titled ‘The Role Of The Nigerian Media In Bridging The Urban And Rural Divide For Children In The Digital Age’, tasked journalists to be internet savvy and use their power to help children enjoy their rights as enshrined in the Child rights law, including access to the digital space.
Prof Okunna charged them as gatekeepers to open doors of access to quality information in the digital space and discourage anybody that does not want children both in the rural and urban areas to access the information opportunities provided by digital ICT.
Contributing, Executive Chairman ASUBEB, Dr Vera Nkiru Nwadinobi said,”We are interested in children and we fight for children, Children must be treated with respect, equality, they have the fundamental rights to life, protection, education.
“I thank UNICEF, in Anambra State, Gov. Chukwuma Soludo has done a lot to ensure that out of school children are back. He employed over 8000 teachers including those posted to hard to reach areas. Declared free education for all public primary and secondary schools. Governor commanded Principals to refund all tuition paid by Senior Secondary School students in the public Schools this term.”
Dignitaries and Resource persons who added their views toward promoting Child Rights in the present information age during the 2 Day summit include, National Summit Chairman, President Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe represented by Former NBA Awka Branch Chairman, Barr. Amaka Ezeno, President; Associations of childhood Educators of Nigeria, Prof. Ngozi Anyikwa; Head, Department of Mass Communication,NAU, Prof Allen Adum,Registrar, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Mr Sam Ufoh represented by the Deputy Registrar, Dr Blessing Ezeafulukwe, The Nigerian Union of Journalists State Chairman, Dr Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Managing Director of Anambra Broadcasting Service, (ABS), Mr. Christopher Molokwu, ably represented by Ms Sandra Akpan.
Highlights of the summit include Inauguration of the Child rights club in Anambra public Primary and Secondary Schools by UNICEF and the setting up of a six man committee to draft a template for Child Rights Reporting for journalists.
*Ugwunze is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State.
The Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHCDA) in collaboration with Partners has held a one-day Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilization (ACSM) planning meeting for Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIAs) which entail the upcoming Integrated Measles campaign in the State.
The meeting which was held in Awka, was with the State Social Mobilisation Committee (SSMC) Stakeholders and Health Education Officers from across the 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the State.
The meeting objectives were to update participants on lessons learned on the implementation of ACSM activities from the 2023 SIAs, and to sensitize participants on ACSM activities that are to be implemented at State, LGA and Ward levels for 2024 Integrated SIAs.
Also, to update participants on the state of preparedness for 2024 Integrated SIAs.
The Director, Disease Control and Immunization, ASPHCDA, Dr Nnamdi Placid Uliagbafusi while thanking the participants for their attendance to the program noted that the essence of the exercise was to immunise children and protect them from vaccine preventable diseases.
He urged the Stakeholders to use their various platforms to spread the gospel of the upcoming campaign to ensure that all eligible children of nine to 59 months received the measles vaccine in the State.
The UNICEF SBC Consultant for the Measles vaccination campaign in the State, Dr Uju Eze emphasized that the Integrated SIAs aims toward addressing immunity gaps in the population not reached by Routine Immunization (RI).
“This is with the objective of achieving 95% vaccination coverage for Measles using opportunities provided by the campaign to strengthen health systems,” she said.
The participants while pledging their support to the program, assured that they would play their role in ensuring success of the Measles vaccination campaign in Anambra State.
The meeting had in attendance; State Health Educator- Mrs Uju Onwuegbuzina, Anambra Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Chairman- Ven. Joseph Nweke, Chairman Anambra CSO Network- Prince Chris Azor.
Also, NOA Representative- Mrs Ngozi Ezenwaka, Representatives from the Ministry of Education, Information, Women Affairs and ASUBEB, others.
*Nnedinma and Grace are of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
The Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor has commended the peaceful conduct of the Local Government polls, saying that Gov. Chukwuma Soludo has archived yet another milestone by keeping his campaign promise of conducting LG Elections during his administration.
Dr. Mefor also praised Ndi Anambra for the peaceful conduct of the local government elections after monitoring polling units across the state, expressing satisfaction with the impressive voter turnout and the fair conduct of polls across the 21 LGAs of the state.
He eulogized the governor for breaking the jinx of conducting the election after almost 11 years, emphasising that with the elections, people at the grassroots level will start enjoying more dividends of democracy.
The commissioner also commended APGA for remaining a strong political party which is very rooted in Anambra. He said, ” I see no reason why APGA should not sweep the polls, the party did, because of its strong roots in Anambra.
“I’m glad to be part of this history. The reports from our teams confirm a fair turnout. Governor Soludo’s commitment to grassroots development is commendable”.
At Abatete, Idemili North LGA, the Chairmanship candidate of APGA, Stanley Nkwoka, also commended peaceful conduct of the election.
Nkwoka made the commendation shortly after he cast his vote at his polling unit 005, in Ilo-Omalacha.
According to him, I came in at about 11: 00 am, every body was in line and we voted peacefully.
“I received call that there were shortage of materials in one or two places, the Supervising Polling Officer came in and took care of it.
“I didn’t go out that much, but from the reports I got from our agents in the field, I think it is peaceful”, he said.
Mr Chukwuemeka Akunna, the APGA Councillorship candidate, also lauded the peaceful process shortly after he cast his vote at his polling unit 012 in Ilo Udu, at Ogbu Primary School, Abatete.
Akunna thanked electorates that came out en masse to cast their votes peaceful, pledging that he will represent his Ward dutifully as a councillor.
Ojinnaka Law Okechukwu (Ichie Lichi) advised those elected into political offices to turn a new leaf , keep their campaign promises to avoid ‘End Bad governance protest’ from rising among the citizens, urging government to promote peace, provide basic amenities and security in the country.
Speaking at Ojoto, Idemili South the Chairmanship candidate of APGA, Mrs Amaka Obi while addressing newsmen, lauded the peaceful nature of the election, saying that there was no incident of violence anywhere in the LGA.
Mrs Obi further expressed optimism of wining the election, saying that even before the LGA Elections, she had earlier received an award as the most performing Transition Committee Chairman among the 21 LGA TC Chairmen of the state.
*Ugwunze is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
Anambra State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs Chiamaka Nnake has revealed that the essence of the partnership coordination and review meeting is the need to have an understanding of all partnerships’ operations in the state. This is to ensure that they pass through the necessary processes so as to allow for proper coordination of partnership activities in the state.
The Commissioner stated this during a two-day Partnership Coordination and Review meeting organized by the ministry.
She maintained that if the state understands what the partners are doing, it will help to reduce duplication of projects in the state since the government has a limited budget constraint that will feed all the government counterpart funds.
She re-emphasized the government’s willingness to meet and fulfill her obligations in the counterpart funded projects with its partners.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Chinyere Nwabachili, stressed that the review meeting will help to assess their collaborative effects, thereby identifying the challenges they are having in their various areas of intervention and give them the space to identify opportunity for improvement.
The Head of Department, Partnership Coordination, Mrs Obianama Orji said that the objective of the programme is to know each partner’s area of intervention to prevent duplication of efforts and also wasting of the scarce resources.
She maintained that it will also enable them to know the activities implemented so far by partners and the other outstanding activities and be able to know and review the achievement made so far by the partners.
“Also the after programme implementation challenges, that are constraints or bottlenecks encountered during programme implementation and proffer proper recommendations for solution to these challenges,” she explained.
The partners took turns to illustrate their impacts and efforts to contribute to the development of the state and the challenges they encountered.
The focal person on nutrition, Dr Rose Amasiana, emphasized the need for mothers to do exclusive breastfeeding from 0 to 6 months old, saying that it is crucial for infants health and development.
* Agbala is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *
