Citizens of Anambra State have been urged to desist from illegal mining that would endanger their lives and slow down the economic activities of the state.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Anambra State Solid Mineral Development Company Limited, Prof. Charles Ofoegbu stated this during an interview in his office at the Government House, Awka.
Prof. Ofoegbu noted that mining which is one of the oldest economic activities in the state is being tampered with on a daily basis, which is a serious issue that shouldn’t be neglected.
He maintained that illegal mining can lead to environmental degradation including deforestation, soil erosion and water pollution which will in turn affect the eco system and increase poverty level especially among peasant farmers who depend solely on environmental resources for a living.
Prof Ofoegbu further emphasised that Anambra State is strongly positioned to build a thriving, socially responsible mineral industry that drives broad-based economic growth.
He believes that Anambra’s Mineral sector if fully optimised, can contribute massively to the state’s GDP, enable widespread industrialization and provide employment opportunities for the youths in the state.
According to him, the Soludo-led administration is determined to establish workable synergies between miners and the host communities in order to curtail the activities of the illegal miners in the state.
Prof. Ofoegbu who recalled that Governor Soludo had earlier in the year banned sand excavation in Anambra State following the discovery that it is fuelling the gully erosion menace in most communities in the state, called on Ndi Anambra to participate actively and benefit from the state’s mining sector by developing relevant skills that will enable socio economic upliftment.
* Nsofor is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *
African Weaving Festival (AWeF), has conferred an award of the “Pillar of Cultural Excellence in Promoting Akwete Heritage” to Governor Charles Soludo for his unwavering dedication to promoting the Akwete indigenous fabrics. The event took place at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Exhibition Pavilion, Abuja.
Receiving the award on behalf of the Governor, the Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment, and Tourism, Mr. Don Onyenji expressed that Governor Soludo always demonstrates his avowed commitment to promoting the Nigerian economy through the patronage of made-in-Nigeria products and other local production which can ultimately salvage the economy and make Nigerians richer and happier.
He added that the Solution Governor approved the distribution of over N 2 billion to over five thousand youths across the state, who were trained under the “One-Youth-Two Skills” programme and another approval has been made to train and empower another batch of thousands of youths which will commence soon.
“Mr. Governor has always shown immense capacity for effective delivery in every office he handled both within and outside the country.”
The commissioner, who also wore his akwete outfits to the occasion, flipped online pictures of Mr. Governor’s various akwete outfits to the admiration of the excited audience.
The Coordinator of AWeF, Mrs. Lizi Ben-Iheanacho expressed gratitude to Governor Soludo for his inspiring vision and leadership in reviving the akwete cultural treasure and also fostering the indigenous fashion values.
“Sir, your singular act of championing the akwete fabrics at every high-profile event has significantly elevated its contemporary value and as well instilled an immense pride in our indigenous akwete master-weavers, hence, leading to unprecedented prominence, patronage and a renewed sense of cultural patriotism.
“Also, your commitment to sustaining our African cultural identity while weaving a prosperous future for Anambra resonates deeply with our vision,” she said.
She further reiterated that Anambra is a truly shining beacon of hope in this cultural renaissance, earning its rightful place as the “Light of the Nation” in heritage revival.
* Ogwo is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *
The Anambra State House of Assembly has on Thursday held a valedictory session at the legislative complex in Awka to honor the late Anthony Chukwuemeka Ezechinwoye, who passed away at the age of 64.
Late Ezechinwoye who was a former President-General of Oraukwu community, represented Idemili North Constituency at the 4th Assembly between 2007-2011 and was the House Committee Chairman on Health.
Anambra Assembly Speaker Mr Somtochukwu Udeze in his tribute on behalf of the 8th Assembly, commiserated with the Ezechinwoye family, stating that the late former lawmaker was an accomplished parliamentarian who made significant impact in the lives of his constituents both within and outside the chambers.
Mr Udeze maintained that the late Ezechinwoye during his time as a lawmaker attracted dividends of democracy to ndi Idemili North constituency with massive empowerment programs.
“He was among the few members of the 4th assembly I have always look-out for because of his quiet disposition to life.
” He was a good family man, a philanthropist, community leader, a devoted Christian whose life and times were impressive.
“I urge the family members especially the wife and children to uphold the legacies of late Ezechinwoye.
The Speaker prayed God to give the immediate family the fortitude to bear the greatest lost.
The member representing Idemili North Mr Kingsley Udemezue, Mr Chukwuebuka Igwe (Idemili South), Mr Ejike Okechukwu (Anaocha two) and the Majority Leader, Mr Ikenna Ofodeme (Ekwusigo) in their separate tributes hailed the impact of the late former lawmaker in his constituency.
” Today calls for sober reflection because we all will pass through this journey and we will be remembered by our deeds while on earth.
“His representation cannot be forgotten. While living, lets make good impact. We encourage the family to be hopeful and courageous’. The lawmakers submitted.
Also the Deputy Speaker of the 4th Assembly, Mr Afam Obi, Mr Joseph Dimobi (Anaocha two 2003-2011), Mr Uche Ogbonna and Mr Emma Udegbunam who represented Njikoka one constituency, described the late former lawmaker as a good man, peace maker, an epitome of humility and tolerance who was cheerful, contented, passionate about his constituency, committed in serving humanity and bared their burden.
” His death is a big loss to humanity. He believed in team work and played his part as a legislature. We pray that the angels welcome him in paradise.”
The house adjourned to reconvene on Tuesday 28 May 2024.
* Okeke, Agunwa and Abugu are of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State*
The former Anambra State Head of Service (HOS), Barr. Harry Udu has buried their mother, Mrs Theresa Oguguo Udu, aged 88 amid eulogies.
The burial Mass, which took place at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, Amawbia, Awka South LGA on May 10 was well attended by priests and religious, top government officials, different Church groups, friends and well-wishers.
Commiserating with the family over the loss of their Matriarch, the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo noted that his administration has a great good working relationship with Barr. Udu as the former Head of Service, who worked hard in building Anambra State.
He commended the deceased family and the parishes in Amawbia for adhering to the Anambra Burial Law, noting that the Law was passed far behind before he came on board, which Barr. Udu was instrumental.
“It is very good and I commend that, this effort the government is making to make Anambra a liveable and prosperous homeland is now sinking to the community and that is the journey of Mama Theresa.
“She shared her salary to the people. We must emulate her life, legacy and other virtues.”
The governor said that his administration has given free antenatal and free delivery even with caeserean section. Some of our dreams are being fulfilled by this present administration.
“Mama was a bookworm and produced her likes of Barr. Udu. She would be happy to hear that basic education from Nursery to JSS 3 is absolutely free in public schools in Anambra State because we are preparing our children to be like Mama. We have our libraries equipped with good books, digitalized too.
“The little you can do like Mama will change a lot of things in your family, community, parish and the society.”
The Governor, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Ernest Ezeajughi, then, urged Ndi Anambra to uphold the Burial Law as it saves cost and the money can be diverted to paying school fees for someone in tertiary institution.
Earlier in a homily, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ifesinachi Udu said that the deceased was a compendium and he cannot exhaust saying good things about her; an inspirer, urging the family not to forget her.
“Her father’s efforts were rewarded by naming St. Matthew’s Parish after him.”
Fr. Udu explained that the story of the Beatitudes summarized the life of this great woman.
“She was a unifier. At 88 years, she knew her time was up. She was a bookworm, patron saint of readers, reading for pleasure and being at peace with herself.
“Looking at the story of Beatitudes, she had her fair share of sorrow but she did not allow it to show on her face, always yearning for knowledge, desired to know God, translated it to a piece of her life, always a jolly fellow, smiling and going for visitation anytime she came home from Enugu.”
The cleric expressed concern that the generation of givers are fast leaving this world.
“Mama was a great disciplinarian. A mother indeed who enjoyed every bit of her life and do not joke with her health. Her children are always available for her and I urge the family to immortalize her.
He further said, “the dead are dead when their virtues die in their children, that is when they truly die but when their virtues are copied whole and entire, he or she lives on.
“She touched everyone of us. You can never encounter her without loving her. She enjoyed and still enjoys the love of her children and her grandchildren because she was a unifier when she was alive.
“She remained a woman with sense of God and strong bond with our Mother Mary, which she handed over to her children”.
Fr. Udu emphasized that loneliness, aloneness awaits everyone, urging all to prepare for old age, learn to be alone and at peace with yourself, clinging to God and Mother Mary, even as he advised catholic men and women not to joke with their Bible and Rosary.
He enjoined mothers not to joke with their relationship with God, saying, “the strength of motherhood draws from God. A woman’s womb is a ciborium that helped God bring creatures into the world that is why it is said that the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world”.
The deceased son, Barr. Udu thanked God for the successful burial, commending the priests and religious who came to pray for the repose of his mother’s soul even as he thanked the Parish Priest of St. Matthew, Rev. Fr. Michael Onwukike, for making the arrangement seamless.
He in a special way thanked the governor of Anambra State and government protocols that came to commiserate with them, wishing all journey mercies back to their respective destinations.
*Regina is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
The Anambra State Government has commenced a two-day capacity building program for newly appointed permanent secretaries in the state’s civil service, aimed at enhancing their leadership skills and equipping them for effective service delivery.
The work shop with the theme ‘Strategic Leadership: Thriving Through Challenges and Opportunities in Governance’ started at Peackastel Hotel, Awka.
Declaring the event open, the Anambra State Head of Service, Lady Theodora Okwy Igwegbe thanked Gov. Charles Chukwuma Soludo for the appointment of the new permanent secretaries, noting that the decision was apt at this time for the implementation of the robust government plans.
Lady Igwegbe, congratulated the appointees again while highlighting how lucky they were to be selected out of the over thirty thousand staff of the service. She urged them to align their efforts with the plans and purposes of the leadership of the state government.
The civil service boss while presenting her lecture titled “The Leaders Road Map spoke on the ”Anambra State Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan” 2022-2025, hinging the discussion on its five pillars which includes capacity building, performance management, service delivery, anti corruption and staff welfare as the focal points for achieving efficiency in service.
Lady Igwegbe gave monitoring and evaluation as the accepted way to measure growth. She emphasized the need for reward for positive behaviour and punishment for negative conduct as the more effective ways of achieving results.
She advised the newly appointed leaders to foster a collaborative work environment by engaging with their staff, recognizing that no individual has a monopoly on knowledge. Additionally, they were tasked with ensuring their respective ministries excel in alignment with the five pillars of the Anambra State Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan, which has been endorsed and adopted by the State Executive Council.
The foremost Civil Servant equally thanked them for their arduous efforts at making the service great again.
In an interview, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Entertainment, Mr. Jerome Chukwuma Ilokwu promised that the permanent secretaries would work for the good of ndi Anambra in line with the efforts of Gov. Chukwuma Soludo.
Mr. Ilokwu noted that the induction seminar would better prepare them for the task ahead while thanking the Head of Service for being a strong mentor and great team player.
On her part, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs. Agbaizu Ifeoma, thanked the organizers of the event while promising to discharge her duties diligently and ensuring that the set goals of the governor were met in her ministry.
She also expressed her delight with the Head of Service and the entire team of the executive council for steering the Anambra wheel of development in the right direction.
* Chukwuma is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *
The Governor of Anambra State,Prof Chukwuma Soludo has enjoined the 2024 NYSC Batch ‘A’ (Stream II) Corp members to integrate themselves into their host communities where they would be deployed for primary assignment.
Addressing the Corp members during the closing ceremony of the 2024 orientation course held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe NYSC Unity Permanent Orientation Camp in Umuawulu/Mbaukwu, Awka South LGA on 7th May 2024, Governor Soludo praised them for good conduct and humility during the course.
Gov Soludo who was represented by the Commissioner for Youth Development and Chairman of the NYSC Governing Board, Mr. Patrick Agha Mba encouraged the Corps Members to utilize the skills and knowledge acquired to serve their host communities with diligence and respect for the traditions of the state.
He listed some of the transformational initiatives and youth empowerment programs of his administration to include, Solution Innovation District where 20,000 youths were empowered with digital skills, Solution Sports Initiative and 1 Youth 2 Skills Solution where 5,000 youths were empowered through vocational and entrepreneurship skills as well as N2 billion grant for start up business and expansion.
Prof Soludo appreciated the team spirit, dedication and hard work of the camp officials which culminated in the huge success recorded and promised the Corps Members of their safety throughout their assignment and thereby declared the 2024 Batch ‘A’ Stream II orientation course closed.
In his address, Commissioner for Youth Development and Chairman NYSC Governing Board Mr. Patrick Agha Mba stated that the state government policy is geared towards developing the youth in all ramifications especially sports waxes, adding that his ministry is hunting for talented youths in sports for encouragement and support.
He further stated that the visionary and youth friendly Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo has created a conducive environment for the corp members to serve and enjoy Anambra State – The Light of the Nation, adding that they would lack nothing in the state.
He enjoined the Corps members to deploy the acquired skills during their orientation to the place of primary assignment as the lessons learnt would be of immense benefit both during their service year and beyond.
In her vote of thanks,the State Coordinator of the NYSC, Mrs Blessing Ekene Iruma,expressed gratitude to Governor Soludo and Mr. Patrick Agha Mba for their unwavering support, which has greatly contributed to the success of the NYSC program in the state.
* Aniagbado is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *
The Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo has promised to continue working toward the development of the state.
Gov. Soludo made the promise during the May Day Celebration in honour of the workers in the state.
The Governor represented by his Deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim emphasized that he has turned the state into a construction site and informed them of the state Government House he is building which according to him is a legacy project.
He said that he has worked with the security agencies of the state to secure the state from criminal elements in addition to the Amansea Awba Ofemili road project he has completed among other projects.
The governor promised to inaugurate Anambra State Civil Service Commission to help address promotion issues of the state workforce.
He, then, appealed to workers in the state to support his administration to enable him to do more for the state.
On his part, the state Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, Mr. Don Onyenji congratulated the workers in the state as they marked their day.
He commended Gov. Soludo for his developmental projects in the state and his employment of more workers into the state’s workforce.
Commissioner Onyenji, then, appealed to workers to continue supporting the state government and to improve themselves to guarantee improved service delivery.
In a joint address by Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress read by the state Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr Humphrey Nwafor with it’s theme “People First”, he appealed to Gov. Soludo to exemplify the Solution mantra to the workers to help reduce economic and environmental challenges they face.
The organized labour also urged Gov. Soludo to reintroduce the removed wage award till the new minimum wage is signed.
They commended the governor for the numerous developmental projects going on in the state in areas of Road infrastructure, Security, Education and Health delivery, urging him to continue.
The event attracted top Government functionaries, Federal and Anambra State workers while the high point at the event was the march past and salute to Gov. Soludo by workers.
*Gab is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
Anambra State Government, through the ministry of Environment has commenced state wide campaign against clogged water channels and other environmental practices that are inimical to good health.
Speaking to newsmen in his office, the Anambra State Commissioner for Environment Engr. Dr Felix Odimegwu stated that the ministry had released a statement to the general public on the 20th of February 2024 which mandated all Traditional rulers, PG’s, markets, motor parks, schools, estates, churches, abattoirs, shopping complexes and plazas to desilt and evacuate all silts and debris with immediate effect.
It is no longer news that Anambra state is a flood prone area according to Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA). The 2024 seasonal rainfall prediction and annual flood outlook stated that Anambra will witness a massive flooding as this year’s rainy season sets in.
The Soludo led administration since it’s inception flagged off drainage desilting campaign tagged “operation keep your gutters clean” which is geared towards achieving a clean, green and sustainable Anambra”. It is being carried out in two phases (phases 1 and 2) every year as part of flood mitigation strategy. This year’s drainage desilting which started in major areas in Awka on the 24th of April, 2024 will move to other parts of the state.
Odimegwu said, “The year 2023 recorded reduced flooding and zero fatalities as a result of proactive deliberate intervention by the state government to desilt all major drainages, water ways, canals and gutters”
Moving forward, he stressed that it is enforcement time and the team will be acting in accordance with the public health law 2006 which mandates all public premises, occupants to keep their drainages free of encumbrances of silt and sand. He stated that those who do not comply will be arrested, stating that many establishments given abatement notice as a result of non-compliance were sealed and will be prosecuted accordingly.
The commissioner urged Ndi Anambra to do the needful by clearing all drainages, water ways, canals as the enforcement team are ever ready to prosecute all defaulters with severe penalty. The Environment is one of the five pillar agenda of the Soludo’s led administration and we are hell-bent on achieving the clean, green and sustainable environment where we can all live, work and enjoy life.
Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Sir Paul Nwosu has advised journalists to see themselves as partners with government and play their roles responsibly, even as he stated that Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo CFR does not hate journalists but is constrained by available resources.
Reacting to the social media reports where the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council, Dr Odogwu Emeka Odogwu claimed that Governor Soludo is an enemy of journalists, Nwosu said he was taken aback by the report given that there was no provocation for the outburst.
“I have been a member of NUJ for over 35 years and more importantly, Dr Emeka Odogwu is my friend. So, if there were issues, I expect we would have discussed it but to the best of my knowledge, there was none. I am surprised he talked about subvention; that they applied for subvention to the government and it was rejected. Who does not know that we are living in austere times? The national economy is heavily reliant on the federal allocation that gets it’s own revenue through oil sales. Look at what has been happening to the oil market. The revenue has dropped and we are struggling here to see if we can ramp up our internally generated revenue. And for this reason, Mr Governor has decided to rationalize on everything we are doing so that he will be able to deliver on his mandate to ndị Anambra. I expect that an erudite colleague of mine like Emeka Odogwu would have understood this because this is something that the governor has continued to harp on; that for him to be able to deliver quality roads, provide employment and other social amenities, there has to be prudent financial managemement. Most leakages have to be blocked. Some people have to do with less of what they used to get. And I expect that members of the fourth estate of the realm who are partners of government should understand this. So, how come all of a sudden, subvention or no subvention has become an issue. Is it only their subvention that has been affected? There are other areas where government has to rationalize,” he said.
While expressing happiness that the NUJ Chairman acknowledged the fact that the Ministry of Health provided free medical care to journalists during their last press week, the Commissioner wondered why they didn’t see the Ministry of Health as part of Soludo’s Government. The Ministry of Health couldn’t have provided the free medical care without Governor Soludo’s approval.
According to Nwosu, the issue of invitation to the Governor’s two years in office is simply looking for an excuse to vent in this manner because everybody was invited. “The invitation was given to everybody including journalists. Otherwise, how was the event covered such that people all over the world got to know about it and the good works that Mr Governor has done? How come people knew about the second anniversary and the beautiful roads and other amenities, clean water supply and the rest of them that the governor has done if journalists didn’t cover it?” he asked.
On the issue of National Light, the Commissioner said that in view of the prevalent scarce resources government had to prioritize in order to be better cost efficient. That National Light was shut down does not mean that the staff were sent home empty handed. Yes, National Light was shut down for reasons that were given then. But the entire staff were absorbed into the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), including my own Ministry of Information.
“Sometimes when people talk, I wonder whether they live with us in this Anambra State or they’re in the diaspora. What I’m trying to do is to correct the wrong impression. If he’s saying that the governor is not as forthcoming as those before him, he should also be able to see why it is not happening the way it used to happen before because the bread and butter or the manna does not fall the way it used to fall before. Resources are actually scarce and for any reasonable government, the right thing to do is to begin to rationalize and curb wastages in order to channel available resources to key areas that will benefit greater number of Ndi Anambra. Does this now mean that Soludo hates journalists? Mbanu! I think my Chairman over reacted.
“I can also tell you that between myself and the Press Secretary, Chris Aburime, we have attended a number of NUJ events since the inception of this administration two years ago. In fact, at one of the events, I delivered a paper. Those I couldn’t attend, the Press Secretary attended. Does Dr Odogwu think that we attended those events without the tacit approval of the Governor? “As a matter fact, it’s actually the Governor that delegates us to represent him at those events because they write to him directly and he minutes the letters to either myself, the Commissioner for Information, or the Press Secretary to go and represent him. So, where have we gone wrong? Where has Mr Governor, Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, gone wrong? Does that show a man who hates journalists?”
The Commissioner said that Soludo is not just a friend of the profession, he’s also been an active participant as newpapers’ guest columnist in the recent past and a social media commentator when the pressure of state assignments permit him.
