State News

News from all over Anambra State

ANAMBRA STATE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION BUILDING GETS FACELIFT

By Ernestina Udeh :

Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo has embarked on total renovation of Anambra State Civil Service Commission building.
This effort aims to strengthen the structure and provide a conducive working environment that fosters efficiency and effectiveness among commission members and civil servants.

The Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Tony Ezenwaka, commended the governor for renovating the Commission’s building, making it a conducive workspace. Despite the temporary inconveniences caused by the ongoing renovation, Ezenwaka expressed joy at witnessing this significant transformation during his tenure .

Speaking on behalf of the Commission’s staff, the officer in charge of management Mr Obalimu Madubueze described the renovation as “a dream come true.”

Udeh is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State

ANAMBRA CIVIL SERVANTS REJOICE AS COMMISSION RELEASES BACKLOGGED PROMOTIONS

By Ernestina Udeh :

Anambra State Civil Service Commission has started releasing the 2021/2022 civil servants promotions. The delay in the release of the promotion was due to the absence of Commission Members.

The Chairman of Civil Service Commission, Mr. Tony Ezenwaka and his Commission Members worked tirelessly to see the release of the promotions within one month of their assumption of duty.

The release of the backlogged promotions was met with jubilation from civil servants across all ministries. They expressed gratitude to Governor Chukwuma Soludo and the Commission Members. The civil servants are also optimistic that the governor will soon approve the 2023/2024 promotions.

Udeh is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *

THE SOLUTION WEEKLY BULLETIN….Vol.1 No. 7

ANAMBRA SPEAKER, CONGRATULATES APGA NATIONAL CHAIRMAN, BARR. EZEOKENWA ON HIS SUPREME COURT VICTORY

By Chizoba Okeke :

The Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze congratulates All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) party National Chairman, Barr. Sly Ezeokenwa on his supreme court victory while commending the Governor for protecting the soul of the party.

The speaker described the Supreme Court judgement which returned Barr. Ezeokenwa as the authentic National Chairman of the APGA party as a true confirmation that APGA is a peaceful family with progressive identity and ideology, commending the supreme court for upholding justice.

Congratulating Barr. Ezeokenwa on his landmark victory on behalf of the State Legislature, Udeze commended the APGA National Leader, Gov. Chukwuma Soludo and other notable Stakeholders in the party for their dogged efforts in ensuring that truth prevailed in the Court at last.

The Speaker noted that APGA under the leadership of Barr.Ezeokenwa has recorded meaningful development so far, adding that the National Chairman has introduced a lot of reforms which have continued to reposition the party, evident in the successful conduct of the September, 28, 2024 Local Government Election in the State.

He called on APGA Chieftains and faithful to intensify support to the party especially now that the diversionary leadership tussle within the party has been permanently resolved by the Apex Court of Nigeria.

Udeze urged the APGA National Chairman, Barr.Ezeokenwa to continue his purposeful leadership of the party, calling on Ndi Anambra South Senatorial Zone to ensure that APGA wins the forthcoming Senatorial By-election in the area.

*Chizoba is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State

THE LAUNCH OF ANAMBRA INNOVATION WEEK 2024; OPERATION “EVERYTHING TECHNOLOGY, TECHNOLOGY EVERYWHERE”

By Chisom Okpala :

The Maiden edition of the Anambra Innovation Week has been launched in the state, an initiative that will help position Anambra as a hub for technology and entrepreneurship.

Speaking to young technocrats and innovators at the International Conference Center in Awka, the State Deputy Governor, Dr. OnyekaChukwu Ibezim who spoke on behalf of the Governor, Prof. Soludo advised youths to tap into the vast technology driven opportunities inorder to develop themselves.

Dr. Ibezim expressed optimism that Gov. Soludo’s clear vision to make Anambra the Silicone Valley of Africa will benefit Ndi Anambra both home and diaspora.

He also explained that the recent flag off of the ‘UNDP Solution Innovation District Area’ in the state is an indication that government is committed and concerned in enhancing innovations, exploring all aspects of technology driven by the clear mantra of “everything technology and technology everywhere”.

The Deputy Governor also noted that over 25,000 youths in the state has been trained on various skills by the Soludo administration, as well as follow up mentorship in their chosen paths and provision of grants to enable them start up their businesses.

In a welcome note, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Innovation and Business Incubation, Ms Chinwe Okoli stated that the Innovation Week is a historical gathering designed to celebrate innovation in the state, to foster collaborations in Nigeria and charge the course for the digital future of Anambra and Africa at large.

She pointed out that the theme, “Creating the Future of Africa, Now” is a clarion call to leverage an informative part of technology and innovation in building an Africa that thrive in digital economy.

Ms Okoli also commended Gov. Soludo’s commitment to digitally empowered Anambra, a state where technology drives everything done in the state.

According to Mrs Okoli, the concept of Solution Innovation District was birthed in the year 2022 and established to become a cornerstone for brewing new innovators especially in Anambra State, a beacon for innovation, nurturing start-ups, empowering young talents, building the Anambra digital tribe and driving the state transition into a technology based economy.

Also present at the launch, the State Commissioner for Youth, Mr .Patrick Agha Mba, Commissioner for Environment, Engr. Felix Odumegwu, Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth Empowerment Programmes, Dr Nelson Omenugha, UNDP Representatives.

Others include; Innovators, Top Tech CEOs, Entrepreneurs, Digital Experts an others all spoke on emerging trends and opportunities in technology, as well as innovation tips.

The Programme will feature as part of its highlights, the ‘Battle4Solution’, an innovative competition with the prize pool of over 100,000,000 naira.

*Juliana is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State

ANSEC APPROVES TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR THE POOR, DEVOLUTION OF MORE POWERS TO LGS AND AWARDS CONTRACT FOR THE REHABILITATION OF VANDALISED INJECTION SUB-STATION AT CHUKWUEMEKA ODUMEGWU OJUKWU UNIVERSITY, IGBARIAM CAMPUS

The 35th Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC) meeting observed a prayer for the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who represented Anambra South at the 10th National Assembly, to rest in peace. Governor Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, recalled how he led the Government delegation to the burial at Nnewi, and how the senator’s passing was a major loss that served as a reminder of our mortality.

The Council encouraged investors to take over the management of public enterprises (PEs) in the state by restating that leasing and concessioning PEs are better alternatives to the Government managing them directly.

The Council restated that the Anti-touting Law of Anambra State remains in force and strongly advised touts to join the Soludo administration’s empowerment schemes for legitimate livelihoods. The Council also approved tax exemptions in Anambra State for groups whose business capitals are less than N100,000 and devolution of more powers to the local governments in the state in area of sanitation.

The Council has approved a memo presented by the Commissioner for Water Resources and Power, Engr. Julius Chukwuemeka, for the rehabilitation of the vandalised injection substation at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam Campus. The contract was awarded to Kolc Ventures at the sum of N228,147,634.33.

The contract for the provision of free internet access to the Anambra State House of Assembly Complex, Awka, at the sum of N81,872,000.00 was awarded to PINE HEIGHT GLOBAL RESOURCES LTD to be installed within 2 weeks from the date of the contract award.

The one for the construction of 151 open stalls at Afuzo Market, Isuofia, to boost local commerce and support economic growth was awarded to Crystal Dove Construction Company at the sum of N279,072,710.75.

Allpee International Ltd won the contract for the road-marking of the Amawbia flyover motorway with a spur through Ezeuzu Junction to ICC, along Amansea Old Road at the sum of N118,716,874.41. It will be delivered in 6 weeks.

The health sector got a boost as the ANSEC approved a memo for the supply and installation of new medical and non-medical hospital equipment at both the specialist hospital, Fegge, and the General Hospital, Anaku, Onitsha South, and Ayamelum LGAs. The contract was awarded to CHRISLAUG LTD.

LOT 1: SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF NEW HOSPITAL MEDICAL AND NON-MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AT THE SPECIALIST HOSPITAL, FEGGE, at the sum of N367,560,500.00. It will be supplied 3 months after the mobilisation fee.

LOT 2: SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF NEW HOSPITAL MEDICAL AND NON-MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AT THE GENERAL HOSPITAL ANAKU at the sum of N285,473,000.00. It will be supplied 3 months after the mobilisation fee.

The ANSEC also approved the memo for the supply and installation of Solar Street Lights within the Awka Metropolos Lot 1, Lot 2, and Lot 3.

LOT 1: SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF 544 NR SOLAR STREET LIGHTS

VIGEO-DOME LTD

N460,732,148.31

3 months delivery post mobilization fee.

II: SUPPLY and INSTALLATIONS OF 346 Nr SOLAR STREET LIGHTS.

FRANKTORCH NIG LTD

N385,605,574.49

2 months delivery post mobilization fee.

111: SUPPLY and INSTALLATIONS OF 240 Nr SOLAR STREET LIGHTS.

HONEYDOVE INTEGRATED

N163,800,279.72

2 months delivery post mobilization fee

The contract for the production and installation of 500 pieces of fluorescent “Solution Is Here” concrete signage for the branding of all landmark infrastructures across the state was awarded to Conifer Konstruction Nig Ltd at the sum of N200,000,013.51

Signed

Law Mefor, PhD

Commissioner for Information

November 25, 2024.

ANAMBRA COMMENCES NEW MINIMUM WAGE PAYMENT IN OCTOBER – MEFOR

By Uzo Ugwunze :

Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor has described Governor Chukwuma Soludo as labour friendly for being among the first set of governors to implement payment of the New Minimum wage since October 2024.

According to a press release made available to newsmen Wednesday by the State Spokesperson, “the attention of the Anambra State Government has been drawn to some media reports that have excluded Anambra State from the states in Nigeria that have paid the new minimum wage of N70,000. Some media outlets merely managed to capture Anambra State only among the states whose governors have indicated interest in paying the new minimum wage.

“To put the record straight, the promise by the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo to pay the new minimum wage was made good since the month of October, when the new minimum wage payment commenced in Anambra State with the payment of October salaries.

“To add to it, the state has also adjusted pensions upward to give pensioners in Anambra State higher take-home. Professor Chukwuma Soludo remains a labour-friendly governor as the workers in Anambra State have not only received the new minimum wage but also continue to receive salary alerts on or before the 25th of every month.”

Ugwunze is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *

ANAMBRA GOVERNMENT MOVES TO BOOST FOOD PRODUCTION THROUGH 60,000 ORGANIC FERTILIZERS

By Chukwuka Ugokwe :

Anambra State Government is set to commence the distribution of 60,000 organic fertilizers to over 20,000 farmers across the state

This was the outcome of a One-day stakeholders meeting organised by the Ministry of Agriculture at its Conference Hall.

The meeting brought together group of stakeholders including Heads of Department of Agriculture, Supervisors of Agriculture and Leaders of Congress of councillors drawn from the 21 Local Government Areas.

At the event, the State Commissioner For Agriculture, Dr Forster Ihejiofor, told the meeting that the federal government in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria had donated 9,000 bags of inorganic fertilizers to the state.

He, however, added that since the state government had adopted Regenerative Agriculture as a policy in tandem with its commitment to ensuring the heathy well being of the citizens,the inorganic fertilizers were sold to rice farmers.

“We agreed that the inorganic fertilizers should be given to rice farmers at a nominal price and the money realised from that nominal sale to those farmers will be channelled toward procurement of organic fertilizers or biological enhancers that will be in sync with the agricultural policy of the state”

The Commissioner said it was reassuring and pleasing that the state government recognised the huge benefits of the policy, urging Councillors to ensure successful implementation of the exercise targeted to provide support to farming households in the state.

He noted that when one knew what to consume and the right agricultural practices, it would help in knowing the nutrition value of what is eaten.

“We are here to discuss how to produce food and make it truly abundant, how to produce food that is indeed food not the one that will appear as food but be poison to our system.”

He, then ,used the opportunity to call for the establishment of a Bio- Technical Laboratory in the state to test and analyse health condition of plants and animals in line with global best practices.

In a remark, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs Ifeyinwa Uzoka, underscored the importance of proper documentation and profiling of beneficiaries using approved template for accountability and transparency purposes.

She urged that the items be distributed fairly to youths, men and women farmers in all the wards, adding that details about application of the fertilizers on crops would be transmitted to them by extension workers.

Some of the stakeholders including Mr Uzoma Aligwekwe, Ugochi Ehiahuruike, Hon Chimaobi Okereke and Joseph Okonkwo contributed and expressed their concerns which the Commissioner addressed accordingly.

In a vote of thanks, Hon Nwabueze McHenry Chukwuebuka, Leader Ihiala Local Government Congress of Councillors, lauded government for extending the gesture to the farmers, assuring that the items would be distributed judiciously.

Present at the event were Mr Jude Nwankwo, Programme Manager, Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), Mr Chukwuma Abana, SSA to the Governor on Strategy.

*Chukwuka is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State

ANAMBRA SHOWCASES INNOVATIVE POTENTIALS

Michael Ezenwata :

Anambra State has flagged off its innovative technological and entrepreneurial initiative tagged, ‘Anambra Innovative Week 2024’ to showcase to the world, the vast potentials of its technological endowment and prospects for the future.

The four- day event the first of its kind in the state, and under the inspiration of governor Chukwuma Soludo; was flagged at the International Convention Centre Awka.

The governor represented by his deputy Dr.Onyekachukwu Ibezim, spoke of the vision of the governor which anchors on the technological transformation of the state.

According to him, the state has already keyed into the global trend of industrialization and is poised to move to the next level of harnessing its rich technological potentials for export.

The deputy governor highlighted the prospects of the 1 youth 2 skills programme initiative of the governor which have propelled the beneficiaries to higher levels of skills acquisition.

He urged the participants including other interested partners to key into the innovative programme that the 4- day event will bring to enhance their proficiency in their respective careers and the technological growth of the state.

In a welcome address, the Special Adviser to the governor on Innovation and Business Incubation Mrs. Chinwe Okoli stressed that the aim of the 4- day innovation week is to celebrate innovation in the state and to leverage on the gains of technology to move the state to the next level.

According to Mrs.Okoli, the governor is committed towards building a technological based economy with digitalized full operations in all sectors of the state economy.

She further noted that the state through the programme is laying a solid foundation for its technological advancement.

During the opening ceremony, a resource person residing in California United States of America, Mr. Emeka Afigbo spoke of the global trend anchored on the advancement inherent in the use of artificial intelligence in achieving some technological goals.

Mr. Afigbo showed a video clip of an automated self driven talking car which took his family to their destination.

The ICT sector in the state was also represented as its head Mr. Fred Agbata spoke of the gains inherent in the use of artificial intelligence.

ANAMBRA POLICE ARREST NATIVE DOCTOR, ONE OTHER OVER ALLEGED ROBBERY, KIDNAPPING, RECOVER GUN, OTHERS

By Uche Kalu :

Operatives of the Anambra State Police Command have arrested a native doctor and his accomplice over suspected armed robbery and kidnapping in Uru, Abagana, Njikoka Local Government Area of the state.

A statement made available to newsmen by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), of the command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga revealed the names of the arrested suspects as Mr. Maduabuchukwu Ikechukwu Okafor (age 30 years), and Mr. Nweze Chijindu (aged 38 years) all from Abagana.

The PPRO noted that the arrest of the suspects followed the testimony of a rescued kidnap victim on 22/11/2024 by 6 pm near Abagana Girls Secondary School, which prompted the joint security forces, comprising of Police and Anambra Vigilante Operatives to bust a shrine of a native doctor in the area, where the two suspects were arrested while two other accomplices in the crime identified as Supuluchukwu Nweze and Sunday Nwakanze aged 30yrs are presently at large.

He also disclosed that the operatives recovered one Pump Action gun, one vehicle belonging to the rescued kidnap victim, rope, horsewhip, among other incriminating items.

According to him, “Preliminary investigations revealed that the victim was lured to the location by a phone call allegedly initiated by Sunday Nwakanze. The victim was abducted at gunpoint, dispossessed of his valuables, and transported to a shrine where he was restrained using ropes and had his mouth sealed.

“The two suspects confessed to the crime and are currently assisting the Police with information for possible arrest of other gang members.