News

ENUGWU-UMUONYIA COMMUNITY HANDS OVER HEALTH FACILITY, SEEKS SUPPORT

By Nnedinma Okeke :

The Enugwu-Umuonyia community, Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State has handed over the community Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) to the Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHCDA) whilst soliciting support from government to ensure full functionality of the facility.

The health facility which was built in 2006 had been abandoned and left in a non-functional state. It is now been revived by the Enugwu-Umuonyia Development Union, Lagos Branch who adopted the healthcare centre as her project.

The Executive Secretary, ASPHCDA, Pharm Chisom Uchem thanked the Enugwu-Umuonyia Development Union, Lagos Branch for their initiative in reviving the PHC which was geared towards the prosperity of its people.

She urged the community members to ensure proper use of the PHC as it would aid in attracting more development to it.

The ASPHCDA Boss emphasized the need for proper record and data keeping whilst urging for a cordial working relationship between the community members and staff of the health facility.

The Mayor, Orumba South LGA, Mr Shedrack Azubuike represented by Deputy Mayor, Mrs Ngozi Obidike noted that the PHC handover was a beacon of hope for the Enugwu-Umuonyia community and Orumba South LGA at large as adequate healthcare was one of the priorities of the Prof. Chukwuma Soludo’s administration.

According to him, the present administration has shown in the recruitment of healthcare workers, revitalisation of PHCs across the state, building of General Hospitals and many other initiatives and packages to ensure improvement in the state’s healthcare sector.

He prayed the Enugwu-Umuonyia PHC to be a place of healing for those who visit to seek medical care, whilst also thanking all who worked to ensure its handover with special gratitude to the Igwe, President General and Enugwu-Umuonyia Lagos Branch.

The Traditional Ruler, Enugwu-Umuonyia community, His Royal Highness, Igwe P. N Ezeamama urged the community members to make use of the PHC and other government facilities to include schools where they were trained personnel.

This he said would enable the people enjoy government interventions such as the free antenatal care and delivery service packages enjoyed in PHCs and general hospitals across the state and also the free education enjoyed in government schools.

He thanked the state government for its initiatives and dividends to Ndi Anambra and people living in the state while appealing for its support in refurbishing and revitalising the Enugwu-Umuonyia PHC for its betterment.

The President General, Enugwu-Umuonyia community, Mr Izundu Azubuike pleaded for the state government’s support in the PHC while also appealing for the involvement of other development union branches of Enugwu-Umuonyia community in diaspora to support in ensuring full and optimal functionality of the facility.

He thanked specially Mr Reginald Ezeh for his support, Dr Ukamaka Ifeyinwa Ezeh for attracting drugs and medical facilities from Aguata-Orumba Women’s Organisation of Southern Califonia and Mr Ebenezer Onwuchekwe for sponsoring the ceremony.

The PHC Director, Orumba South LGA, Mrs Philomena Aniokwu assured that the health facility under their care would be functional 24 hours of the day with the Nurse and other staff to be posted there.

She noted that with the health facility, Ndi Enugwu-Umuonyia and people living in the community would now enjoy the free antenatal care and delivery services palliative of the state government.

She urged the aged, children, women and men of the community and those living around to access the facility in order to receive care and to always check their Blood Pressure (BP) to know their numbers.

The PHC Director, further, informed the people to visit the facility which would be a fixed post for the upcoming Measles vaccination campaign for children aged nine to 59 months in the state.

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

ANAMBRA ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON WORKS INSPECTS ROAD PROJECTS IN OKPOKO

By Chizoba Okeke :

Anambra State House of Assembly Committee on Works and Infrastructure has conducted an inspection of the ongoing road construction projects on Nwokedi and Edmund Streets, including extensions 1, 2, 3, and 4 in Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area.

The visit aimed to assess the progress of work and ensure the contractors are adhering to the project’s specifications.

The committee led by its chairman and member representing Orumba South Constituency, Mr Emma Nwafor expressed satisfaction with the quality of materials being used, particularly in the construction of the drainage system, which is critical for managing floodwaters in the area.

According to the committee, the project is currently at the stage of desilting and casting drainage structures, while noting that the drainage work will mitigate flooding issue.

From findings, the committee also highlighted several challenges the contractors are facing, including adverse effects of heavy rainfall and domestic wastewater from surrounding buildings, which compounds the problem by causing blockages.

The contractor handling the job, Engineer Ezeadi Austin, stated that the 3.5 kilometer road will be completed in less than five months, assuring not to compromise standards.

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

ANAMBRA SPEAKER, UDEZE CONGRATULATES AMB BIANCA OJUKWU ON MINISTERIAL APPOINTMENT

By Chizoba Okeke :

The Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Mr Somtochukwu Udeze has described the appointment of Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs by President Bola Tinubu as meritorious, deserving and expected.

Congratulating Ambassador Ojukwu on her appointment on behalf of the state Legislature, Udeze noted that Ambassador Ojukwu is eminently qualified to serve as Minister, having worked as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain in addition to other exalted offices she has held.

The speaker who commended President Tinubu for engaging best brains from Anambra State to work with him irrespective of their party affiliations, revealed that the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has continued to make meaningful contributions to President Tinubu’s administration with the appointments of Governor Chukwuma Soludo as a member of the Federal Government Economic Team and Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, an APGA Board of Trustees member as Minister.

While praying God to equip Ambassador Ojukwu accordingly to enable her discharge her duties optimally, Mr Udeze enjoined her to bring her wealth of experience to bear in carrying out her functions and strive to make Anambra State proud in her new appointment.

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

GOVERNMENT PROVIDES FREE WIFI, SOLVES POWER ISSUES IN OFFICES AS IT INSTALLS SOLAR SYSTEM

By MaryAnn Chukwuma :

The Government of Anambra State has recently installed free WiFi in its offices to further enhance it’s technologically driven smart city agenda in the state.

The free WiFi provided, ensures that every person within the state secretariat enjoys unlimited internet access round the clock.

The operation of the internet enabler device has no limitation or hindrance in usage as anyone can connect to the internet seamlessly and browse unhindered.

With this, workers are no longer challenged with performing their task daily since the system do not depend on the epileptic EEDC power source but generate it’s power from the installed solar energy system.

Interacting with an Information Office, the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Service, Mr Adebayo Ojeyinka expressing his joy about the recent development said the installation of the systems has returned speed and efficiency in task performance among workers in the Secretariat.

“This has improved our response time to any official matter that we have to deal with”, Ojeyinka added.

He noted that since the installation of the WiFi, workers feel more enthusiastic about their jobs and constantly looking forward to achieving new milestones in their various offices and ministries.

Mr. Ojeyinka, thanked the government for it’s thoughtfulness in putting in place systems necessary for efficiency and speed seen in developed economies.

He said this was a pointer to the fact that the governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo is truly committed to making Anambra a contemporary smart city when compared to events obtainable in other more developed society.

“Indeed, this is a welcomed development and proves the point that the governor is keeping to his manifesto that is to make technology to be available everywhere in the state”, he added.

The Permanent Secretary thanked the government and the Head of Service, Lady Okwy Igwegbe for painstakingly ensuring that the workers got all they needed for performing their tasks effectively and timely.

Equally thanking the government, James Nsionu, a Civil Servant could not believe that a government in Nigeria could provide free WiFi and constant power and make it available for all and sundry for unrestricted use.

He said he now looks forward to reporting to the office every morning bearing in mind that all his jobs and tasks would be performed effectively and timely without having to worry about internet access and power.

Mr. Nsionu also thanked the Head of Service for her passion in seeing that the Civil Servants deliver productively.

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

ASWAMA BOSS VOWS TOTAL COMMITMENT TO ANAMBRA’S CLEANLINESS

By: Benjamin Ogbuagu :

The Managing Director of Anambra State Waste Management Authority (ASWAMA), Mr Mike Ozoemena has warned Road Sweepers employed by the Agency to sit up and take their duties seriously or risk facing serious disciplinary action.

Mr Ozoemena issued this warning at the Eke Awka Market area of the Awka capital city on Thursday while on a routine inspection tour of the capital city, to ascertain the level of compliance to duty by the agency workers.

The ASWAMA Boss frowned at the attitude of some road sweepers who report to work late and others who abandon their duty posts without any authorization, warning that the agency will no longer tolerate such. “It is either you key into the vision of the agency or you are shown the way out.

“It is crystal clear that the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo is commiting enermous resources to the infrastructural upgrade of the state especially the capital city with the aim of achieving the clean, green and livable homeland as encapsulated in his administration’s agenda.

“As you can see, new road infrastructure with modern facilities are springing up in every nook and cranny of the capital city, you can see the new government house and lodge, the Solution Fun City and many other projects aimed at elevating the status of the capital to the megacity of our dreams. All these will amount to nothing if the capital city is not kept clean always”, he noted.

The MD called on contractors saddled with the responsibility of waste management to live up to the confidence reposed on them by the Solution Government and discharge their duties to perfection. According to him, the commitment to the cleanliness of Anambra State especially the capital city is non negotiable and all hands must be on deck to achieve this.

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

ANAMBRA PRIORITIZES ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, SAYS EDUCATION COMMISSIONER

By Obiageli Nwankwo :

The Anambra State Commissioner for Education, Prof Ngozi Chuma- Udeh has emphasised that the state government is working relentlessly to ensure the state’s academic excellence remains unrivaled.

Speaking at the 2024/2025 WAEC and Education Stakeholders Committee meeting held at the Ministry of Education’s Conference Hall in Awka, the commissioner highlighted the state’s continuous efforts to sustain and surpass its academic achievements.

Professor Chuma-Udeh assured the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) team, led by Branch Controller Mr. Uduak-Akpan, that the ministry remains committed to excellence, stating, “We are not resting on our oars.” She outlined strategic initiatives aimed at further enhancing Anambra’s academic reputation, demonstrating the ministry’s proactive approach to education.

According to her, “one of such initiatives involves the recruitment and deployment of qualified teachers, particularly from remote areas like Anambra East, to address the shortage of educators and ensure students in these regions have uninterrupted access to education throughout the academic year.

“With the recent addition of 8,115 teachers, the state has now exceeded both the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation( UNESCO) and national teacher-student ratio guidelines, a significant milestone,” she noted.

Professor Chuma-Udeh also pointed to several key programs, including the annual teacher’s boot camp, periodic teacher examinations, competency-based capacity development programs, and incentives such as the payment of three years’ counterpart funding for the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

These initiatives, she said, are part of the current administration’s commitment to maintaining top-tier performance in the education sector.

The commissioner underscored the importance of continuous professional development, stating that these programs are designed to equip teachers with the latest advancements in pedagogy and help them refine their skills.

Earlier, the WEAC facilitator, Mrs. Genevieve Chukwudi Nwoko, guided the committee through an in-depth analysis of the various factors contributing to declining student performance, while also offering recommendations to enhance student achievement

The meeting was attended by several education stakeholders, including the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Dr. Ifeoma Agbaizu, and the Director of Schools, Mrs. Ifeoma Onyeneke, amongst others.

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

INFORMATION COMMISSIONER, MEFOR VISITS DR NONYE SOLUDO, PLEDGES MINISTRY’S COLLABORATION IN PROMOTION OF FIRST LADY’S HEALTHY LIVING PET PROJECT

By Rose Oranye :

Information Commissioner, Dr. Law Mefor has paid a courtesy visit to Anambra State’s First Lady, Dr. Nonye Soludo, at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, where he pledged the ministry’s readiness to promote the First Lady’s Healthy Living pet project.

Dr. Mefor used the visit to apprise the First Lady of the reforms he had embarked on to reposition the ministry for better information dissemination and management to achieve strategic communication for the government of Anambra State.

“Our main aim is the attainment of strategic communication, which will lead to better perception management for Governor Soludo and his government. The ministry is repositioning for this, and several programmes are also being introduced for the purpose. For example, the ministry just introduced The Solution Weekly Bulletin to fully report the activities and achievements of the Soludo government. We are targeting Ndi Anambra outside the state with the bulletin.

“To also ensure that Ndi Anambra at home are fully aware of the achievements and intentions of Governor Soludo’s government, the ministry has introduced a multi-radio station programme, “Ask the Commissioner”. Every week, the programme will feature at least one commissioner who will discuss the achievements and activities of his ministry, departments and agencies under the commissioner.

“The Ministry of Information and the Ministry of Local Government Affairs and Chieftaincy Matters have also planned a Town Hall meeting in the 21 local governments in the state, where Ndi Igwe, the presidents-general, market, women, youth leaders, and other critical stakeholders will interact and share views on the efforts of the government towards a prosperous and livable Anambra by the Soludo administration.

On “Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo”, the pet project of the First Lady, Dr. Mefor described it as apt and noble: “Sound mind in a sound body is not possible unless one pays attention to lifestyle, which is a duty. I will join the Saturday workouts and get the Ministry of Information to begin sensitising Ndi Anambra on the benefits of healthy living, exercise, sports, and so on,” Dr Mefor said.

The First Lady, Mrs Nonye Soludo, thanked the Information Commissioner for visiting and for his promised collaboration. She expressed her happiness with the ministry’s achievements within the short period Dr Mefor had spent as commissioner and for his determination and commitment to a new information order in the state and better perception management for the Soludo administration. The First Lady gifted the Commissioner some literatures on the Healthy Living project.

VP COMMUNITY SECONDARY SCHOOL OKO EXTOLS SOLUDO ON FREE EDUCATION

By Chioma Ezeiru/ Charity Okechukwu :

The Vice Principal(Administration) Community Secondary School, Oko in Orumba North Local Government Area, Mrs. Joy Okafor, has lauded Anambra Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo on the recent inclusion of Senior Secondary classes in his Free Education initiative in the state.

The Vice Principal made the commendation during an interactive session with information officers in her office at CSS Oko.

According to her, Gov. Soludo is doing wonders in the education sector. He is really the Solution to what parents need now considering the harsh economic situation of the country.

“I no longer see children who should be in school learning hawking or loitering about the streets anymore due to the Solution government’s free education program from kindergarten to the Senior Secondary Schools in the state.

“It is a great encouragement to us and parents. His Free Education Policy has tremendously helped many parents who are not only indigenes of Anambra State. Every Nigerian and even Non-Nigerian resident in the state is benefiting from his magnanimity.

“Parents are now happily bringing their wards and children to school. It has helped students to return back to school. Those that ran away because of school fees and burden of fees are now coming back to school and going off the streets,” she noted.

She said that the state government’s free education initiative has caused an upsurge of students coming into the school.

“Prior to the introduction of Free Education, we had only three classes(A to C) in our JSS3 and SS1 classes. But now, we are heading to five classes (A to E) due to the increase of students and high response of parents to the Free Education by Gov. Soludo.”

Mrs. Okafor further noted that the state government has done well in terms of equipping and revitalizing public schools in the state.

“The Solution governor through his efforts, is building and repositioning public schools in the state to global standard. About two weeks ago, all the heads of public schools in the state were invited to Awka by the state government and given Physics, Chemistry, Biology and other science equipment for their schools.

“Another great achievement of Gov. Soludo in the educational sector is the employment and deployment of qualified teachers to all the public schools in the state.

“By so doing, he has effectively solved the problem of lack of qualified teachers in our school. Before, we had less than 20 teachers but now, we have about 41 qualified and capable teachers. No more PTA and Auxillary teachers,” she emphasized.

However, the Vice Principal called on the state government and well meaning individuals of Oko community to help them in constructing a proper perimeter fencing round the school as this has posed a huge challenge and insecurity to the school.

“We need perimeter fencing in the school. This is our major challenge. It has affected us so much in the area of controlling our students and security of school properties.

“Many school properties have been stolen and vandalized by intruders who come into the school anyhow because every corner of the school is open and accessible. We, therefore, call on the state government and well to do individuals in the community to help us in combating the insecurity in our school.”

Also, the Senior Prefect of the school, Akpan Chidiebere Israel, expressed gratitude to Gov. Soludo for the Free Education implementation in the state, describing it as a great opportunity provided mostly for intelligent students who hitherto could not afford their school fees.

“Gov. Soludo is really the Solution. He brought solution to the problem of students and even to those children in the village who have not seen the four walls of a school, but can now access Free Education even to their syenior Secondary School classes. All thanks to Prof. Soludo who made their dreams come through,” he said.

*Chioma and Charity are of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State

FLOOD: ANAMBRA WEST RESIDENTS APPEAL FOR IMMEDIATE GOVT ASSISTANCE

By Felix Igboanugo :

Residents of Anambra West Local Government Area, Anambra State are currently facing a dire situation as the area has been severely submerged by the ravaging flood.

The rising waters have caused widespread damage to homes, farmlands, and infrastructure, leaving many residents displaced and in need of urgent assistance.

In light of this crisis, the residents have made a passionate appeal to federal government, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and Anambra State Government for immediate assistance.

Speaking to information officer, one of the resident, Mr. Okonkwo Odili stressed the urgent need for relief supplies such as food, shelter, and medical assistance.

“Our people are facing extreme hardships, with no shelter, food, or clean water, and the health risks are escalating as waterborne diseases spread unchecked. This situation demands swift and decisive intervention to save lives and provide relief to those affected,” he said.

Mr. Odili explained that the flood was as a result of heavy rainfall and overflowing rivers, resulting in the displacement of hundreds of families, adding that some were forced to seek shelter in makeshift camps or with relatives, as their homes have been inundated with water.

He said that the situation is critical and required prompt action from the state government to provide relief to those affected, appealing to the government to swiftly respond to their appeal and provide the necessary assistance to alleviate the suffering of the flood victims.

As the residents of Anambra West LGA struggle to cope with the aftermath of the flooding, it is crucial that the state government steps in to provide support and assistance to those in need. The plight of the flood victims must not be overlooked, and immediate action is required to address this humanitarian crisis.

*Felix is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State

INDUSTRY COMMISSIONER RATES ANAMBRA INDIGENES HIGH IN BUSINESS PROWESS

By Amaka Isikala :

Anambra State Commissioner for Industry, Mr. Christian Udechukwu has rated the people of the state as the most resilient individuals in the Southern states of Nigeria.

He said that the people’s indefatigable prowess and ease in doing business at home and in The Diaspora ranks highest and unbeatable.

Mr. Udechukwu made these assertion while commending the infrastructural and developmental abilities of the people of the state in while giving his open remarks in a sensitization programme in Awka themed, ”Accelerating Made-in Anambra By Developing and Promoting Non-Oil Export In the State“.

The commissioner expressed happiness over the state’s consistence and championship abilities in infrastructural acquisitions and development in the Nigeria business space.

“We recently won an award at SMEDAN event with international partners at the Presidential Villa where we emerged the best and the most friendly SME state in the Southeast.”

Mr. Udechukwu noted that staging the programme remained a significant step in the right direction as it is geared towards enhancing and fine-tunning the living standards of the people and moving their businesses to greater heights.

“We are working very hard to invest for today and investing for tomorrow and all the investments the state has been making as regards non-export products and development are to ensure that our people are healthy.

“The state is offering free ante-natal medical care to pregnant women and we have also introduced free education from primary to secondary school which is an investment in knowledge to ensure that whatever we are doing today continues through the unforeseeable future.

“We are working towards ensuring that by the end of this year, we would have completed at least a minimum of 400 kilometer roads in and around the state.”

He assured that the state government is focused on building a smart mega city implying that any business cited in the state would be able to be easily moved from one point to another point within the shortest possible time considering the road networks of the state.

“We are also working on power because government has recognized the challenges power is possing on SMEs.”

Mr Udechukwu noted that the government is doing all it could to support families and sustain a healthy living standard for ndi Anambra and making the state livable too.

The Regional Coordinator Nigeria Export Promotion Council(NEPC) SouthEast Enugu office, Mr. Macpherson Ileogben in his presentation tagged, “Developing and Promoting Non-oil Exports in Anambra state”, highlighted the agro resources in Anambra state which include availability of fertile land, cassava, vegetables, palm oil, yam and rice.

Others are mineral resources ranging from natural gas, crude oil, ceramics, lead and zinc while investment opportunities consists of trading, manufacturing, healthcare, tourism and Informstion Communication Technology.

Mr. Ileogben pointed out that the reason for export is to earn foreign exchange, increase sales and profit volumes, enhance domestic competitiveness, gain global market share and reduce dependence on existing markets.

He noted that growing non-oil export is a way to address the foreign exchange liquidity challenge and adding value to what we are exporting.

He, then, emphasized that there was need to comply with government’s export regulations, carry out all necessary analysis on products, package and label products approximately as these formed the keys to developing products and also ensuring a viable export strategy.

The Publicity officer Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), Engr. Wariboko Fidelis also a resource person in his presentation, ”Developing the capacity of Exporters to double export in Anambra state through accelerated sensitization of non-oil sector to satisfy standard requirements for International Trade”, expressed that Anambra state has a total land area of 4,865km that is rich in both natural and Human Resources.

“Anambra is the second most densely populated state in Nigeria and their main traditional agro products are vegetables,Palm oil, rice , cassava, maize , citrus fruits while the main solid minerals include kaolin, limestone lead, iron and lignite.”

According to him export promotion offers numerous benefits for developing from accessing global markets to diversifying revenue streams, creating employment opportunities, foastering technological advancements and enhancing productivity.

The President Awka Chamber of commerce Pharm. Uchenna Apakama solicited for adequate sensitization and awareness to enable people have better value for their products and services.

He noted that there was need to organize people in groups, clusters and cooperatives in order to champion export deal and also link industries with them to boost and facilitate trade.

The Desk Officer Export, Ministry of Industry, Dr.Tonia Anyamele in her vote of thanks commended the commissioner for his efforts in keeping the ministry in forefront and in helping to accelerate snd enhance the productivity of ndi Anambra.

She also thanked the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Barr. Samuel Ike for moving the ministry forward and enjoined the participants to make utmost use of the knowledge acquired to enrich their horizon.

Some processed food items by some Anambra producers ranging from palm oil, dry pap, tumeric, beans flour, yam flour, dried oyster, kuli kuli and other spices were on display at the event.