State News

News from all over Anambra State

SOLUDO’S ADMINISTRATION PRIORITISES OLDER PERSONS’ WELFARE WITH COMPREHENSIVE POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES – MEFOR

By Rose Oranye :

Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, today, October 5, 2024, joined other partners to celebrate this year’s National Day of Older Persons at the Awka City Stadium.

The event, with the theme, ‘Celebrating the Value of Older Persons and the Integral Role They Play in Community and Recognition of People and Places Who Remove the Barriers,’ was organized by Anambra State Ministry of Special Duties, in collaboration with the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC), National Stakeholders Consultative Forum on Ageing (NNSCFOA) and Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation (ADF).

Speaking in an interview shortly after the walk to mark the event, Dr Mefor stated that Anambra is working on policies to carry older persons along and take care of them to elongate their life expectancy and that of Ndị Anambra in general.

“The civilization of any society is best measured in the way and manner they treat their aged, the vulnerable ones and persons living with disabilities and Soludo is aware of this. His government is committed and paying special attention to these segments, including the senior citizens, those living with disabilities and the poorest of the poor.

“Soludu’s Government attaches so much importance to inclusive government and that is why the government has policies and programmes aimed at making life easier for the aged and many of these plans are already yielding fruits.

” We have old people in Anambra State. We try to carry them along. They need to be taken care of and the government believes that there’s need to put in place a kind of structure that will look at this policy of carrying along the old people, persons living with disabilities and the vulnerable generally.

“I’m aware that a committee has been put in place by the Soludo Government to work out a holistic plan to do this. They are contemplating the possibility of Old People’s Home(s) as the case may be. Several other interventions have been put in place and are also being implemented by the Soludo Government in this regard,” he said.

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

ENCOMIUMS AS IDEMILI SOUTH EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN, OTHERS, TAKE OATH OF OFFICE

By Uzo Ugwunze :

APGA stalwarts have been pouring in goodwill messages to congratulate Mrs. Amaka Obi, the Amazon of Idemili South, and her Deputy, Mr Ifeanyi Anakuba, as they took their oath of office alongside counterparts from Anambra’s 20 LGAs. This milestone marks the beginning of a new era in local government administration under Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s visionary leadership

Mrs Amaka Obi, fondly known as Iyom Ife-Abata, has pledged to prioritize the welfare of the people, upholding their confidence and trust, saying that her victory is a testament to her acceptability to the people, capacity, and capability to excel in her new role.

According to Commissioner for Entertainment, Culture and Tourism, Mr Don Onyenji; “Your dedication to serving our people and community is truly inspiring. As Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, I’ve witnessed your passion for progress and development”. Your leadership will undoubtedly bring positive change to Idemili South.

“Your tireless efforts have earned you this moment. As Commissioner, I’ve seen your dedication to our Local government.

“May this new chapter be filled with wisdom, innovation, and success. I look forward to collaborating with you to promote our rich cultural heritage and advance tourism in Idemili South and Anambra State. Together, we’ll showcase the beauty and potential of Idemili South.

“As you embark on this noble journey, remember that the people are counting on your visionary leadership. Stay committed, stay focused, and always put the interests of Idemili South first. Once again, accept my warmest congratulations!

Also, the Idemili South APGA Chairman, Chief Kizito Anoliefo extended his warm congratulations to Mrs Obi and Mr Anakuba on their successful transition of leadership. He praised resilience and commitment of the good people of Idemili South Local Government Area.

He stated that their hard works, determination, and commitment to serve umu Idemili have truly paid off, and it’s inspiring to see both Mrs Obi and her Deputy, Ifeanyi Anakuba step into such significant leadership roles, stating that he has no doubt that they will bring positive change and progress to the council area.

Contributing, Amb Clinton Bonaventure Obi Ngige also rejoiced with the newly sworn in chairman and her deputy wishing them successful tenure in office.

He equally commended Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo for given the state electoral commission all that is needed to conduct free, fair and credible election.

Obi Ngige also applauded the APGA Chairman of Idemili South, Mr Kizito Anoliefo, for his leadership qualities and political sagacity deployed in ensuring it was a landslide victory for the party at the polls on Saturday in Idemili South.

He expressed confidence that the newly sworn in chairman and deputy chairman would drive the vision for a prosperous, livable and beautiful Idemili South L.G.A.

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

DEPUTY GOVERNOR IBEZIM CALLS FOR ACTION AGAINST IMPENDING FLOOD DISASTERS IN THE STATE

By Chisom Okpala :

The Anambra State Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, met with 9 newly elected chairmen from flood-prone areas to discuss preparedness and rapid response to flood emergencies.

Ibezim gave the charge during the meeting which took place at the ANSIEC Chamber Government House Awka.

He urged them to educate their communities on flood prevention and response measures.

According to him, the state has established work plans to mitigate flooding impacts, including clearing drainage systems, relocating high-risk residents, and providing emergency shelters and relief materials.

Some of the key points discussed at the meeting include; implementing effective measures to prevent flooding such as clearing drainage systems and relocating of residents from high-risk areas, establishing evacuation procedures by providing emergency shelters and relief materials to affected communities, also community education by creating awareness about flood risks, prevention and response among residents.

*Chisom is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State

ANAMBRA, CHINA SEEK STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP TO ACCELERATE DEVELOPMENT

By Chukwuka Ugokwe :

The Anambra State Government is to partner the Peoples Republic of China to establish new projects and expand existing ones across the state.

This was the outcome of a collaborative meeting held in Awka between some officials of the state government and delegation from Peoples Republic of China.

We gathered that the meeting agreed to articulate necessary framework to support the implementation of areas of partnership including, Agriculture, Hospitality Industry,Waste Recycling, and Recreational facilities.

Representatives of the state government including Dr Forster Ihejiofor, Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Christian Udechukwu as well as Mrs Chiamaka Nnake , Commissioners for Commerce and Economic Planning respectively, commended the delegation for the visit and noted that the state was looking forward to cooperating more with the country.

They expressed hope that China would not only invest in the state, but support the state government in ensuring completion of existing projects.

One of the facilitators of the visit , Mr Destiny Osili, expressed optimism that the partnership would translate to a fruitful strategic development of the state in various fields.

According to him, the delegation are ready to invest in the state, foster a collaborative relationship and work closely with government to address infrastructural needs in key sectors of the economy.

Other government officials that attended the meeting were Mr Mark Okoye, Managing Director, Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA), Mrs Ifeyinwa Uzoka, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Mike Okonkwo, others.

*Chukwuka is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State

ANAMBRA ASSEMBLY CONFIRMS CIVIL SERVICE BOARD

By Chizoba Okeke/Gloria Abugu :

The Anambra State House of Assembly has confirmed names of those nominated by Gov. Chukwuma Soludo as Board members of the State Civil Service Commission.

This followed the presentation of a report presented by the Chairman House Committee on Screening and Election Matters, Chief Chukwuma Okoye (Awka South II) during the plenary session.

Chief Okoye who is also the Deputy Speaker of the House, while presenting the report noted that the nominees had appeared before the Committee and answered questions posed to them satisfactorily.

He said that the Committee therefore recommended that the members be confirmed based on the conviction that they are capable to do the job for which they were nominated

The House resolved into the Committee of the whole where the nominees introduced themselves after which the recommendations of the Screening committee was adopted by all following a motion moved by Mr Noble Igwe representing Ogbaru Constituency 1 and seconded by Mr Patrick Udoba of Anambra West Constituency.

The Speaker of the House , Mr Somtochukwu Udeze who presided over the plenary, thereafter put it to voice vote where the lawmakers unanimously confirmed them as members of the Anambra State Civil Service Commission.

Udeze enjoined the five man board members to be dedicated and work in partnership with other relevant agencies to promote peace and development.

In a vote of thanks, the Chairman of the Board, Chief Anthony Ezenwaka thanked the lawmakers for the confirmation and promised not to be an ally but to work in the interest of the Civil service of the state and in collaboration with government for peace and progress.

The House also confirmed and approved the nomination of Mr Charles Okocha as Substantive Auditor General of Anambra State and Mrs Josephine Anyaegbunam as Auditor General for Local Government after adopting the reports presented by the House Committee on screening and election matters.

The House also went further to confirm and approve Mr Anthony Ughanu as new Acting clerk of the State Assembly.

*Chizoba and Gloria are of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State

SOLUDO, BREAKING GENERATIONAL POVERTY TRANSFER WITH FREE EDUCATION AND ONE YOUTH, TWO SKILLS—MEFOR

By Rose Oranye :

Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, has described Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s free education policy as a way of breaking generational poverty transfer among families where poverty has become a dynasty in the state.

Addressing journalists on Thursday, October 3, 2024, when he led a delegation of Governor Soludo’s media team to the October monthly meeting of members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) at the Godwin Ezeemo International Press Centre, Awka, the commissioner further observed that both the ‘One Youth, Two Skills’ Programme and the free education from primary to senior secondary schools are ways of dealing with poverty transfer, just like the ‘Igba Boi’ system adopted by Ndigbo after the civil war.

According to Mefor, “Governor Soludo wants to reset the entire state, and he’s doing that through the road networks he’s building. I keep talking about roads because it’s one major physical infrastructure connecting every part of the state; the 21 local government areas are being connected with stone-based roads constructed to last at least twenty years.

“The latest he has done is to proclaim free education from primary to junior secondary. Now he has added senior secondary. That free education is breaking generational poverty transfer. There are widows and poor families where poverty has become a dynasty. There’s now the possibility of riches coming into such families through free education. That’s the kind of future Soludo is building.”

Dr. Mefor urged journalists in the state to do more in fairly reporting the governor’s achievements, even as he assured that he would work out a physical interactive meeting between the governor and journalists in the state.

“I want us to work together. Let’s strike a chord—a synergy that will make Anambra better. Soludo is on a mission of rebranding; resetting the entire state, and he’s doing that already,” he said.

In their separate remarks, the Anambra State Chairman of NUJ, Dr. Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, and the first female professor of mass communication in Nigeria and former commissioner for information in Anambra State, Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna, assured of the union’s support and willingness to partner with the government for a better and greater Anambra.

ANSEC AWARD CONTRACTS FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE ODUIGBO MARKET, ONITSHA, REHABILITATION OF NNEWI TO OBA ROAD

After considering the memo presented by the Chairman of Anambra Urban Regeneration Council (AURC), Arc. Michael Okonkwo, the 31st Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC) meeting approved the award of a contract for the reconstruction of the Oduigbo Market Onitsha as part of the Urban Renewal initiative of the Governor Chukwuma Soludo administration. The project will be done for N475,776,756.20 (four hundred and seventy-five million, seven hundred and seventy-six thousand, seven hundred and fifty-six naira, and twenty kobo) and will be delivered in three months.

The rehabilitation of Nnewi to Oba road to ensure pleasurable movement of people and goods that have remained impassable for many years, especially during the rainy season, was also awarded. The memo was presented by the MD/CEO of Anambra Road Maintenance Agency (ARMA), Engr. Obinna Nduka, through a direct procurement at the cost of One Hundred and Thirty-One Million, Three Hundred and Four-Three Thousand, Six Hundred and Twelve Naira, and Twenty-Eight Kobo (N131, 343, 612. 28).

The ANSEC Meeting also approved the rehabilitation of Nkpor to Obosi Road. The rehabilitation will be directly carried out by the Anambra Road Maintenance Agency (ARMA) at the sum of Sixty-Three Million, One Hundred and Ninety-Three Thousand, Six Hundred and Thirty-Three Naira, Thirteen Kobo (N63, 193, 633. 14).

The rehabilitation of the Nteje to Otuocha road, aimed at ensuring the smooth movement of people and goods, was also awarded. The Anambra Road Maintenance Agency (ARMA) will directly oversee this project, which is estimated to cost Fifty Million, Four Hundred and Fifty Thousand, Eight Hundred and Forty-Nine Naira, and Seventy-Three Kobo (N50, 440, 849.73).

Signed

Law Mefor, PhD

Commissioner for Information

October 2, 2024.

HAPPY 64TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY!

COMMISSIONER MEFOR MEETS ANAMBRA STATE HEAD OF SERVICE, PERM SECS—IMPLORES THEM TO PREPARE FOR WEEKLY RADIO PROGRAM, ‘ASK THE COMMISSIONER

By Rose Oranye :

Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, on Monday, September 30, 2024, met with the Head of Service (HOS) and Permanent Secretaries in Anambra State Civil Service.

Addressing the meeting at the Jerome Udoji Secretariat Complex, Awka, Dr Mefor commended them for their excellent performances and implored them to prepare for a weekly radio programme, ‘Ask the Commissioner’, where Commissioners of various Ministries and Heads of Agencies will take turns to tell Ndi Anambra about their achievements, ongoing projects, completed projects, policies and programmes and their benefits, as well as field questions and receive feedbacks.

According to him: “In politics, perception is more important than reality and for this reason, waiting for one’s achievements to speak for him or her is not just enough. We in Government have to blow our trumpets and set the media agenda and that way, shape public perception.

“That’s why the focus should be strategic communication which is moving information to strategic communication through praxis. Otherwise, the opposition will take the initiative and force the government to be playing catch-up.”

The Head of Service and the Permanent Secretaries welcomed the new commissioner and wished him success in his new assignment.

NIGERIA @ 64: WE SHOULD BE COMMITTED TO SALVAGING NIGERIA — MEFOR

By Rose Oranye :

Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor has urged Nigerians not to lose hope of achieving a better and stronger Nigeria despite the current economic hardships.

Dr Mefor, who spoke to journalists at the special interdenominational church service, held on Sunday, at the Cathedral Church of St Faith, Awka, to mark Nigeria’s 64th Independence anniversary, stressed the need for all Nigerians to be committed to salvaging the country.

“There is still something to celebrate. If not anything, Nigeria is still one country, and the nation’s democracy is still kicking.

“There are challenges, no doubt. The economy is not smiling and security challenges unabating despite the efforts of the federal government. Despite all these challenges, I remain an incurable optimist – the situation is not unsalvageable if we remain steadfast in resolving all the challenges of nationhood,” he said

The Commissioner further opined that protection of lives and property and prioritizing the welfare and happiness of Nigerians are very essential to make Nigeria a better country.

He observed that the present Nigerian Government has been trying to reset the country economically and otherwise, although many of its policies are not sitting well with Nigerians and called on the Federal Government to review some of the policies or make some interventions that will make the policies more tolerable.