David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka 

Leaders of communities in Anambra State have praised Governor Chukwuma Soludo for his development strides in the state.

Presidents General of all the 179 communities in the state during a recent meeting endorsed the governor for a second term in office, saying that his works in the state have earned him their respects and endorsement.

Chairman of Anambra State Town Union Council (ASTUC), Mr. Vin Dike who was recently appointed by the governor to head the organisation, told journalists that leaders of the communities conveyed their endorsement to the governor during the meeting.

He said the group will also collaborate with the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council to help the governor in ensuring security in communities, especially as the new Anambra Homeland Security Law has given Presidents General of communities the power to become chief security officers of their areas.

Dike, who spoke from his home in Oraifite said: “Soludo has done what no other governor has done in Anambra State and you know that ASTUC on 29 March endorsed him for a second term. His road infrastructure is second to none. In terms of education, health, you need to see what the man has done in these areas, including employment of teachers and doctors.

“To speak to his achievements in Oraifite, my community, I can tell you that in the last 18 years, we have never seen the presence of government in Oraifite, but through him, we now have several projects here, including the recently flagged off smart school at Oraifite and the Nkwo to Nkwo road among others. 

“Come November 8, I will be among those shouting from the rooftop campaigning for him because the man has shown that he knows what he is doing, and does not only speak, but shows what he has done.”

On how ASTUC will help the governor in addressing insecurity in communities, the chairman said: “ASTUC will work with government. Already, through the Homeland Security Law, the PGs have been empowered as chief security officers of communities, and are responsible for security in the communities. What we will do is to work with the governor to tackle insecurity, and you may know that the governor is also backing us with intelligence, foot soldiers on ground and many more. 

“If you watch, you will see that the partnership we have with government is already yielding results, what my leadership will do is to take it a notch higher. We will arrange trainings and seminars for new presidents general, so as to acquaint them with our workings and how they can synergise with government to improve the security of their communities.”

.Soludo picks nomination form, cleared to contest APGA’s primary election

• APC aspirant, Chukwuma resigns from party

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

The political atmosphere in Anambra State is charged, following the scheduling of governorship primary elections of three political parties for today.

This was as the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in a demonstration of its commitment to deepening democratic principles, conducted a seamless screening process for Governor Chukwuma Soludo, paving the way for his candidacy in today’s primary election.

Both the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have just one aspirant each, the All Progressives Congress (APC) parades aspirants, consisting of strong grassroots politicians.

 While the APGA parades just the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo as its lone aspirant, PDP parades little-known Hon. Jude Nwafor as their aspirant. Both parties will most likely affirm their aspirants and return them as candidates.

However, it was gathered that following the Supreme Court ruling on the position of its National Chairman, the Labour Party’s primary has been postponed.

Labour Party was to feature two aspirants; Mr. John Nwosu and Dr. George Moghalu.

 In APGA, National Publicity Secretary of APGA, Mr. Ejimofor Opara said: “The APGA primary election promises to be a historic event, with over 3,260 delegates set to choose their preferred candidate. The party’s leadership has been praised for its commitment to peaceful and stable politics, with the screening process conducted without any rancour or controversy.

 “As the party prepares for the primary election, APGA members and supporters are optimistic about the future of the party and the state. With its emphasis on progressive leadership and solutions-driven governance, APGA is poised to continue making a positive impact in Anambra State.”

According to a statement from Opara, Governor Soludo, who has been endorsed by various groups and individuals for a second term in office, quietly picked up his expression of interest and nomination forms at the APGA National Secretariat in Abuja. The Party’s National Working Committee, led by Ezeokenwa Sly Jr, has certified him fit for the primary election scheduled for April 5, 2025.

“This development marks a significant milestone in the history of Anambra State elections, as Governor Soludo becomes the first aspirant to seek re-election based on his proven track record of performance.

 â€œThe APGA primary election promises to be a historic event, with over 3,260 delegates set to choose their preferred candidate. The party’s leadership has been praised for its commitment to peaceful and stable politics, with the screening process conducted without any rancor or controversy.

 â€œAs the party prepares for the primary election, APGA members and supporters are optimistic about the future of the Party and the state. With its emphasis on progressive leadership and solutions-driven governance, APGA is poised to continue making a positive impact in Anambra State,” Opara said.

 In APC the aspirants earlier yesterday were Paul Chukwuma, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, Hon. Chukwuma Umeoji, Engr. Johnbosco Onunkwo, Hon. Edozie Madu, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo and Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu.

 However, Umeoji, a frontline governorship aspirant in the APC yesterday resigned from the party.

 Chukwuma who addressed his supporters in his home in Umueri, Anambra East Local Government Area of the state, said he left because he could not work with some unprogressive persons in the state leadership of the party

 He said: “We formed APC and have been doing all to take care of it. Ward chairmen are the owners of the party, I have handed my official resignation to the chairman of the party in my ward.

“My support and loyalty are 100 per cent for the President of the federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Our agenda is to connect Anambra to the centre.

“We want to have some time to prepare and ensure that we raise the five per cent we always give the president. The problem has always been with the leaders in Anambra, the president is interested in fixing Nigeria and we will support him but we will not work with some unprogressive elements in Anambra,” he said.

Earlier, there was rancour in APC as a result of protests about names on the delegates’ list for the election, with some state functionaries threatening to resign.

Mr. Iyke Orji said the APC state Publicity Secretary, Val Oliobi, was among those who have threatened to resign from the party.

“He wants to resign because he was not included in the delegate list for tomorrow’s election. Even ward chairmen, youth leaders and zonal leaders didn’t make the list. The Anambra State APC Legal Adviser didn’t make the list, same as the state Youth Leader. In short, every single person supporting Paul Chukwuma didn’t make the list.

“We have been informed that Nicholas Ukachukwu connived with the state chairman to produce a list where he inserted the name of all his boys,” he added.

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

The Director General of National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has said the agency is committed to using technology to fight substandard and falsified products in Nigeria.

The Director General stated this in Awka, Anambra State, during a two-day sensitization and awareness workshop on Greenbook, Traceability Project, and Paediatric Policy, yesterday.

Adeyeye, represented by her Special Assistant, Mr. Gbenga Fajemirokun, said the workshop aims to provide information, sensitize stakeholders, and provide hands-on training to participants.

The workshop featured training on three major technologies launched by the agency, which can help consumers detect fake products.

They include the NAFDAC Greenbook, Traceability Regulation 2024 and Paediatric Regulation 2024.

She said: “The Agency is poised to use technologies and modern means to mitigate the activities of these counterfeiters. Therefore, the need for sensitization of stakeholders on these technologies is apt.  

“We will use this to ensure that the regulator and the regulated are on the same page in combating substandard and falsified medical products.”

During the workshop, participants were taken through the rigours of downloading the applications on their phones and its use to detect substandard and falsified products.

The DG further explained the applicability of the technologies. She said: “The NAFDAC Greenbook is an online resource for identifying a product’s source, while NAFDAC traceability regulations 2024 provides a legal framework for drugs and related product trade items manufactured, imported, exported, advertised, sold, distributed or used in Nigeria to be identified with a unique identifier created by the brand owner to enable visibility and tracking of the product along the supply chain.

“On the other hand, the NAFDAC Paediatric Regulation 2024 is a special Regulation to address the special needs of our children.”

The event was attended by leaders and members of various professional bodies in the health sector, including the Nigeria Medical Association, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Medical Laboratory Scientists, among others.

David-Chyddy Eleke takes a look at the three years of Prof. Chukwuma Soludo as Governor of Anambra State and concludes that despite all odds, he has offered transformational leadership.

Last Sunday, Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, held a large audience spell bound at the St Patrick’s Cathedral in Awka, the state capital where he celebrated his third anniversary as governor of the state.

For close to two hours, Soludo regaled the audience, which included dignitaries from within and outside the state with some of the challenges he has encountered as governor, and the many achievements he has registered since his ascension to office on March 17, 2022, and what lays ahead for the state as he wraps up his first four-year term.

Soludo’s three years in office has been laced with challenges, and the biggest of them has been threats of insecurity in the state. The governor ascended to the governorship seat at a time when the state was at its peak in insecurity. This was occasioned by separatist elements who formed a parallel government in the state, seizing many towns in about eight local government areas of the state. The threats were so high that during the 2021 governorship election, not even the party in power, using the paraphernalia of office could campaign in some of the seized local government areas. In some places where some political parties dared to campaign, they had to pay, to buy peace as far as the political rallies lasted.

The governor had quickly gone to work, and tackled this, but not long after he had reclaimed the seized local council areas than a new wave of crime hit the state. In the renewed wave, cultism, killing, kidnapping, car snatching became so rampant that it was difficult to truly report all such cases in the state in one day. Even though the governor prided himself as performing wonders in the area of infrastructure, the level of violence in the state almost permanently cast a slur on all his achievements, until recently when he woke up again. Seeking to tackle the insecurity in the state through its root cause, Soludo signed the Anambra Homeland Security Law into operation, which created a new security outfit, Agunechemba, and also a security operation, Operation Udo Ga Achi, which encompasses all the known security agencies operating in the state, all working with operatives of Agunechemba.

Beyond that, the homeland security law touched salient points that have direct nexus with the criminality in the state. For example, the law criminalized native doctors who prepare protective charms for criminals, and those who prepare get-rich-quick charms. Also, it sought for communities to know aliens who reside within them, and also be sure of their occupation and identity, among others. So far, insecurity in the state today has become past news as normalcy has again returned. With insecurity solved, Soludo can pride himself as doing wonderfully well in other areas, and of course many political watchers have commended him for plugging a hole that would have been the only campaign topic of opposition parties seeking to remove him from gaining re-election.

Soludo tells whoever cares to listen that his administration seeks to turn Anambra from a departure to an arrival lounge. During his third anniversary thanksgiving mass, he proudly stated that what his administration was doing was to build an Anambra that only an Anambra man who wishes to live outside as a matter of choice will do so, but not because there are no opportunities for them in the state.

True to his words, in three years, the governor prides himself as having performed so much. Like an inventor who is proud of his invention, Soludo has been sponsoring groups and individuals who visit the state to his projects in the last three years. These projects include about 700 kilometers of roads all scattered around the 179 communities in the state. The governor has also built bridges, flyovers, the new Government Gouse and Governor’s Lodge, the solution fun city, five general hospitals, employed thousand of teachers and medical doctors, just to mention a few.

There have been pockets of disagreements over the performance of the governor in the last three years. These are mainly coming from opposition politicians who taunt Soludo as talking more than he is capable of delivering. For example, almost all the seven governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and four in the Labour Party have at one point or the other picked holes in the governor’s performance.

While security used to be the major topic in discrediting Soludo, but with the new efforts in the area, the topic has shifted to the governor’s verbose nature, his high sounding grammar, his inability to give the Dubai-Taiwan which he promised the state, or running a government that claims knowledge of everything and arrogates know it all to themselves. Infact, opposition politicians believe that as the governorship election draws near, Anambra people will vote out Soludo for underperformance.

But on the other hand, several private individuals and groups who have visited the state and had the opportunity of touring the governor’s projects insisted that he has performed more than expected. Former Secretary General of Commonwealth, and an elder statesman in the state, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, after inspecting the new Anambra Government House proclaimed it to be the very best in the country and favourably competes with the Aso Rock Presidential villa. Anyaoku who was taken on a tour of the project could not hide his amazement as he stated that: “This is a mini-city”.

Also, the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Alhaji Yusuf Dantalle, who was also in the state and inspected Governor Soludo’s projects described  him as a “wizard”. Dantalle said: “I’m impressed by the level of development in the state. Governor Soludo is a wizard!”

On his part, Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Bishop Hassan Matthew Kukah, a known critic who does not shy away from speaking his mind, was also in Anambra during the third year anniversary celebration of the governor and had the opportunity of touring few of the governor’s projects. Speaking at a thanksgiving mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Awka, Kukah admonished Soludo not to strive to compete with anyone as he has already broken records. He rather urged him to compete with his own self, and work at his own pace, not to outdo anyone, but to satisfy his conscience about what he intends to achieve in the state.

Kukah said: “I am happy that you are consolidating on the achievements of the greatness of your people and the past leaders of the state. Please I wish to urge you to complete with yourself and don’t try to compete with anyone and don’t try to break other people’s record but break your own record. Anambra State is special because this is a state that has been growing and improving from stage to stage and this is a state where former Governor Chris Ngige said his opponents are campaigning on the roads that he constructed.

“Former Governor Peter Obi came and brought Anambra state from the 22nd position to the first position in terms of education and Former Governor Wille Obiano gave Anambra state a wonderful Airport and today you Governor Charles Soludo has given Anambra State a beautiful and befitting Government House and a Fun City. All those achievements you have made so far in the past three years without taking loans is commendable and you did not take the loan because you know the consequences of taking loans. There are some governors that kept taking loans and would continue to take loans and in my state Kaduna, I don’t know how many years it would take us to pay back those loans,” he said.

Even though 2025 is an election year for Anambra state, Soludo does not seem to be ruffled as he believed he has done well enough to merit the nod of Anambra people for a re-election. Speaking with a team of journalists on national television in a programme to mark his third anniversary, answering a question about why he has not declared his intention to seek re-election, despite the frenzy coming from other political parties, Soludo said: “I am still in my first term, and I have one year ahead of me. For me, it is work, work and work. I told Anambra people that every penny they put in our hands, we will show them what we used it for. We will continue to work until the very last day.

“To answer your question, I will say yes, if my party nominates me for a second term, I will now seek the consent of my employers, who are the people. If they employ me for another tenure, I will continue to work for them. God has a reason for making me an Anambra indigene, and I believe this is the time for me to use this position to give back to the people. I have consulted for more than 25 foreign agencies. Which foreign financial organisation can you name, I have consulted for all of them. We want to now work for our people, that is why we are building Anambra into a mega smart city, and I must say that we are doing all these without borrowing a dime. We are the only state that pulled out of a World Bank loan. We came in and looked at the terms and it wasn’t favourable for us and we left it. We have also declined several others. Get me right, borrowing is not a bad thing on it’s own, but if we are borrowing, we must invest it in a project that can pay back on its own. For example, we have drawn the Anambra rail master plan. When we are ready for that, we can consider a loan if we think it can repay it.”

On the argument that he has not been giving out money as politicians are wont to do, Soludo said: “It is counterproductive to be giving out money to people, it is not sustainable. We have roads that we have constructed and shuttle bus drivers have come to thank us because unlike before when they were always spending money at mechanics, the money is now in their pockets. Parents now have money back in their pocket with the truly free education policy we have in the state. Our free antenatal and post natal policy has also put money back in the pockets of those who would have spent money for such services. That is what we call empowerment and not just throwing money about.”

As the governor begins his fourth year journey and possible re-election, he promised not to relent in ensuring that he meets his promise to the people. According to him, “Anambra ain’t seen nothing yet”.

•Says, security has broken irretrievably in Anambra

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Spiritual Director of Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry, Uke, Anambra State, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obimma has presented a priest simply identified as Rev Fr Nonso to his congregation after his release from kidnappers’ den.

It was gathered Fr. Nonso was kidnapped on December 17 in Anambra State, shortly after his return for the Christmas holiday from overseas where he was studying.

Obimma who presented Nonso to the congregation said: “For a week, Father was in the hands of kidnappers. Government could not do anything; it got to a point where I had to use my arsenal to rescue him.

“I approached a state outside Anambra and begged them to use their tracker to find my brother priest. They tracked him and sent the full location to me.

“I sent it to security people and they asked me what I want them to do with the information. I told them to go after the kidnappers and rescue our priest, but they told me they usually don’t go into forest.

“I opted to lead the operation. I called the Chief Security of Adoration and told him to assemble his men, let those who have cutlass bring their cutlass and those who have guns should bring it.

“I will lead the operation. When they saw that I was serious, that was when police told me I should not worry that they can rescue him, but they lack logistics.

“I had to send N1million to them. This is a state where we have a governor who receives security vote, but it is individuals that are now funding security.

“I called former governor, Chief Willie Obiano and asked him where the trackers he bought during his tenure were, and he said there were all there. What it means is that we do not have security in this state. May God continue to protect his people.”

The priest said what was shocking was that for the one week the kidnapped priest was in custody, his phone line remained open and the kidnappers never bothered to put is off or even dispose it, knowing that they could be tracked through it.

“They knew that there is no security in this state. That is why I said they is no security in Anambra State. Imagine using a tracker from another location to trace kidnappers, yet security refused to act until I opted to use my own security to rescue the victim, and later they accepted and I still paid them N1million for mobilisation. Only God will lead us,” the priest popularly called Ebube Muonso told his followers.

The rescued priest who was presented before the congregation all along leaned on Fr. Obimma, shedding tears.

Meanwhile, it was gathered that he was rescued alongside a businessman who was abducted on the same date by the same gang, but in a different location.

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Medical and Dental Consultants Associations of Nigeria (MDCAN), has accused the management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, of being discriminatory in its search for a vice chancellor of the institution.
MDCAN Chairman, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) Chapter, Dr. Amaechi Nwachukwu, stated this yesterday during a press conference.
Nwachukwu said it was wrong for UNIZIK management to exclude medical and dental consultants who go through a very serious academic progression, even more than professors.
There had been protests by MDCAN, Unizik Chapter over an advert for the position of vice chancellor, which specifically stated that a candidate must have a PhD, and must have attained the position of a professor, a position which MDCAN members argue is equivalent to their medical fellowship.
Amaechi while addressing journalists said: “The federal government needs to standardize process of application for the post of university vice chancellors.
“This will put an end to the anarchy bedeviling the post of vice chancellor as we can see in Nnamdi Azikiwe University today.
“UNIZIK was discriminatory in its advert for the post of vice chancellor. We wonder why medical doctors and consultants who went through a very serious academic progression, even more than professors should not be allowed to be vice chancellor, moreso when we are the people training all the doctors in Nigeria.”
The chapter chairman backed the recent warning strike by its national body, insisting that the federal government should look into the association’s demands.
“We called on federal government to also ensure that all employed doctors are paid consolidated medical salary structure as was the practice.
“Our years of service should be harmonised to allow consultants to retire at 70.”
He said many of Nigerian doctors are traveling abroad for greener pastures, a situation which has depleted number of doctors available in the country today.

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Former Governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, has called on wealthy Nigerians to donate to their alma mater.

Obi said Nigeria can build great educational institutions if wealthy people who have passed through institutions in Nigeria can support them.

The former governor stated this yesterday in Awka, Anambra State, during a visit to St John of God Secondary School, to make financial donations to them.

Obi, who presented a cheque of N15 million to the school, said it was a donation from a former student of the school who he met in the United States, during one of his visits.

He said: “I was in the country for an engagement, but a good friend of mine who is a renowned surgeon in that country told me he cannot pick me up at the airport because he had several surgeries to perform. He said he will send his wife to pick me.

“When she came, we were discussing while driving home, and I asked her where she schooled and she mentioned St John of God Secondary School. I asked her what she has done for the school since she left and she said nothing. She graduated from here in 1979, and that since she came to US, she has not visited the school.

“I told her of the need to give back, and she said she can start small. She gave me the sum of N15 million to give to you. He name is Mrs Bridget Egodi Akigwe. I suggest that the school writes her a letter thanking her, and I’m sure she is ready to do more.

“If we all support the institutions where we studied, we can help them become great. As for you students, I want to admonish you to be studious in your education because if you do, you will be greater than us, and you will stand before people you only dreamt of.”

Obi also donated N10million of his personal resources to proposed College of Nursing Sciences, Awka, an institution being built by the Catholic Diocese of Awka.

While making the donation  Obi said: “Health is the foundation from where nations are built.  When the people are healthy, they can be productive. That is why we are supporting you to establish the institution.”

Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Awka, Rt Rev Dr Paulinus Ezeokafor, who was on hand to receive the cheque, commended  Obi for committing his personal resources to development of health institutions.

He said: “You have continued to show regular and constant support to hospitals and health colleges. When we started talking about establishing School of Nursing Sciences, you showed interest and you have done it again and we assure you that by the time you come next time you will see us in full speed.

“We know that what you are giving us is from your personal pocket because you are no longer in government. This is your personal money and you have kept giving. God will bless you.”

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said that many Nigerians lack basic hand washing facilities in their homes.

A WASH specialist from Enugu Field Officer of UNICEF, Mrs. Rebecca Gabriel stated this during a zonal press conference held in Enugu to commemorate this year’s Global Handwashing Day.

She identified lack of hand washing at critical times as some of the reason why people fall sick frequently.

Speaking on this year’s theme: Why clean hands are still important; Gabriel frowned at the level of awareness among the people and the unavailability of facilities for hand washing.

She said: “Data shows that only 35 percent of schools in Nigeria have hand washing facilities, and that is not good enough. Imagine a child in nursery or primary school coming to eat lunch after playing during break, without washing their hands, because the facilities are not there.

“Also, only eight percent of markets have hand washing facilities available, and you can imagine that. Up to 163million of Nigeria’s population, and that is about 83 percent do not have access to basic hand washing services.

“Government can begin to take action on these. They can provide for this in their budgets, especially now that states are preparing their budgets.
“Beyond the good roads that we seek, beyond the fancy things government plan to do for the people, they can budget for provision of hand washing facilities.”

She mentioned five critical times to wash the hands to include; before cooking, before eating, before feeding children, after changing children’s diapers and after using the convenience.

She added that washing the hands with soap can curtail respiratory diseases by 20 percent, and 30 percent in diarrhea. She encouraged all to always ensure they wash their hands.

Earlier, Mr. Francis Nwaubani, the Managing Director of Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State (BCA), sponsors of the event said it has partnered with UNICEF to educate Nigerians on health and hygiene for five years, and will continue to do.

•Donates N70m to Shanahan Varsity, College of Nursing, Midwifery

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Former governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Mr Peter Obi, has advised that nurses and other professionals travelling overseas for greener pastures should not be stopped.

Obi stated this while making a donation of N20million to St Charles Borromeo College of Nursing and midwifery in Onitsha on Monday. He also donated N50million to Shanahan University, an institution owned by Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha.

Obi, who donated N10million each to both the midwifery and nursing departments, said education and health were the currencies with which people would transact in the future.

While noting that he didn’t believe in brain drain, he added that Nigeria has over 200 million people, and that there was no need to restrict people from travelling out of the country for greener pastures.

Rather, he said Nigeria should concentrate on training more people, adding that foreign remittances could be a form of revenue for the country.

Obi told students of the college that, “What we are doing (donation) is not charity, we are rather investing in you. We need to invest in knowledge and health because it is the future.

“Investing in you will ensure your greatness. Your profession is lucrative, you’re being looked for all over the world. I told Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria that they should stop denying anybody from leaving Nigeria for greener pastures.

“We have 200 million people, let us educate them. Let those who want go out to go and those who want to stay should stay. Diaspora remittance is also a form of revenue generation.

“If you see me going round trying to donate, it is not anything but because we want to make life better for you all. I came here so I can donate to you.

“My children will not attend that university (Shanahan University), and I can sit down and use the money to add more chieftaincy to my name, but that is not be how to develop the future.

“I will be in college of nursing Anyingba tomorrow, they need my assistance to get accreditation and I will be there to support them, so that they can get.”

Earlier, Obi attended a holy mass conducted in honour of the opening ceremony of Shanahan University, at the Basilica of the Holy Trinity, Onitsha, where he eulogised Archbishop of Onitsha Catholic Diocese, Valerian Okeke for the establishment of the university.

He said, “What shows greatness is those who think about tomorrow. The Bishop is thinking of tomorrow. By establishing this university, you have shown yourself as someone who is desirous of building a better tomorrow.”

David-Chyddy Eleke writes that amid complaints of shabby conduct of the poll, it is heartwarming that wards and local government councils in Anambra State now have elected representatives.

Close to one decade after the last elected local council representatives in Anambra State served out their tenure, it sounds like reprieve again to know that once the newly elected councillors and chairmen are sworn in, democracy will once again return to the grassroots in full force.

The last local government election in the state was held in January, 2014 by the then governor, Mr Peter Obi. He swore them into office just two months before he handed over to his successor, Chief Willie Obiano on March 17, 2014. The elected council officials served for just two years before their tenure expired. But it can be predicted that because of the frosty relationship that existed between Obi and Obiano shortly after handover, the council officials may not have fully lived up, as they struggled between pleasing the one who engineered their election, and the new sheriff (Obiano) who just hit town then.

Since then, both Obiano who inherited elected council representatives from Obi and even Prof Charles Soludo, the incumbent governor have taken turns to handpick their cronies and have them sworn in for a three-month term, under the nomenclature of Transition Committee Chairmen for all the 21 local government areas. After every three months, a letter is forwarded to the Anambra State House of Assembly which renews their tenure for another three months.

And for every chairman or council member who is deemed not to be loyal, their names are replaced with more loyal individuals, and in that way, nine years have been wasted. The wastage is because the handpicked council representatives live and work under the dictates of the governor, who primarily takes their statutory allocation and gives them what is called running or overhead cost.

The story will change by this week, when Soludo swears in the newly elected local govenment chairmen and councillors. Anambra had last week Saturday held its local government elections amid complaints by opposition political parties.

After close to 11 years of the last election, and several clamours, Soludo in July, 2024 constituted a new board for Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC), and within a week, the membership of the board was cleared by the House of Assembly, sworn in by the governor, and it immediately announced the conduct of the election which was held last weekend.

Reacting to the announcement which was followed by swift amendment of the state electoral laws to aid them, various political parties boycotted the election. They included All Progressives Congress (APC) and Labour Party (LP), which also went to court to challenge the process.

In last weekend’s election, APGA won all the 21 Local Government chairmanship and 326 councillorship positions. This elicited reactions, including people who insisted that the election was below average, and least expected from Soludo, an erudite scholar.

A governorship aspirant of Labour Party (LP)  for next year’s governorship contest in Anambra State, Mr John Nwosu in his verified X handle said: “The LG elections was a sham, statutorily manipulated and failed every test of credibility, transparency and inclusivity. The elections deserves close scrutiny for what it represents for Anambra State. It calls into question, if the incumbent governor, Prof. Charles Soludo is a true democrat and one who keeps his promises to our people.”

Meanwhile, the clean sweep of all the local government seats and wards by APGA has been attributed to the shabby nature of the conduct of the election. In Anaocha Local Government Area where the duo of Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Mr Peter Obi and Senator representing Anambra Central and Labour Party stalwart, Senator Victor Umeh hail from, Labour Party was assigned zero vote.

An indigene of the area, Mr Tony Ibe said: “We are aware that LP did not participate in the election, but that is not to say that one of two persons would not have mistakenly voted for them, especially as they are on the ballot. It truly looks like a sham election to believe that Senator Victor Umeh and Mr Peter Obi could not get even one vote in Anaocha.”

APGA and Soludo hold different views. The publicity secretary of APGA, Mr Ejimofor Opara while hailing the party for the clean sweep in the election said: “We congratulate the winners of the September 28th Local Government Elections in Anambra State! This resounding victory is a testament to the trust and confidence that Ndi Anambra have in APGA. Our party’s sweep of all 21 chairmanship positions and 326 councilorship seats is a clear indication that we are the party of choice for the good people of Anambra State. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our National Leader, Prof. Soludo  and National Chairman,  Ezeokenwa, for their exceptional leadership and commitment to APGA’s success.

“Our party’s victory reflects the strong connection we have with the people of Anambra State. The elections were conducted peacefully and transparently, with APGA emerging as the clear winner. We pledge to continue delivering on our campaign promises and working tirelessly for the progress and development of Anambra State.”

Corroborating APGA’s stand, Soludo in an interview with mewsmen on election day said: “Today is a promise made and promise kept. We are holding the local government election to elect the  chairmen of the 21 Local government areas and councillors for the 326 wards. This election is a foretaste of what to expect next year. From all the calls and feelers that I have gotten from all over the state, everything is going well. We have said it everywhere and to all Anambra people that this will be one good example that is conducted very transparently and creditably.”

Not minding the criticisms that have trailed the local government election, many believe that Soludo still deserves accolades for installing democracy back in the grassroots.

Also, an observer group, International Peace and Civic Responsibility Centre (IPCRC), amid the criticisms has pointed out areas that need to be improved upon. The group in a press conference addressed by the coordinator, Prince Chris Azor while giving details of its observation during the election commended Governor Soludo for his resilience in ensuring the conduct of the election.

He said: “We deployed over 100 observers in the state to monitor the election, and also co-opted several citizen observers across the state. Our observation is that the governor has done well in ensuring democracy at the grassroots, but the biggest room is the room for improvement. ANSIEC did well by also pulling it off, despite the shortness of time, but we think there are things that can be improved upon.

“We didn’t quite see the voters’ cubicle in most cases, and also the braille ballot  for visually impaired persons. The idea is that this is an open secret ballot, open secret ballot in the sense that you get to see the person, but you don’t see where they voted, when they step into the voting cubicle, which is well away from the people. We do not want a case where a landlord will start quarreling with a tenant because the he felt that the tenant voted where he should not have voted.

“Also, there should be the braille ballot for people who are visually impaired, we have to accommodate them, but we didn’t quite see that. These are the things we want the ANSIEC  to improve on. We recommend better strategic logistics management to forestall delays in commencement of polls. In future elections, there’s need to commence early voter education and citizen sensitization for improved voter turnout.”

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

A governorship aspirant of Labour Party (LP) in Anambra State, for next year’s governorship contest, Mr. John Nwosu, has declared that the governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has failed in governance.

Nwosu in a message he posted on his verified X handle said a lot of indices, including failure in governance, insecurity and the recently conducted local government election have shown that Soludo is not worth a second term.

He called on Anambra people to vote him out as he has failed to meet any of his promises.

Nwosu said: “We recall Soludo said in 2017 that Anambra was not broken and did not need fixing (in support of his predecessor, Willie Obiano).

“Recently, he had claimed that he was bequeathed billions of Naira in pension debts. Did it take him four years to find that out, or is he now confirming that Anambra he inherited from Gov. Willie Obiano was badly broken?

“So far, his political campaign and leadership promises and commitments have fallen short of expectation. The LG elections was a sham, statutorily manipulated and failed every test of credibility, transparency and inclusivity.

“The elections deserves close scrutiny for what it represents for Anambra State. It calls into question, if the incumbent governor, Prof. Charles Soludo is a true democrat and one who keeps his promises to our people.

“He then promised in 2021 that on his watch, Anambra will become Dubai. Soludo has had four years to acquit himself as a transformative leader; but he has failed woefully. It behoves Anambra people to deny him a second term.”

Speaking on security, Nwosu further added that Soludo has failed in his responsibility to protect Anambra citizens.

He said Anambra people cannot in good conscience give him another four years as he may end up destroying the state.

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Police operatives  in Anambra State have gunned down a suspected secessionist element operating in Aguata area of the state.

The spokesperson of the state police command, Mr Tochukwu Ikenga, a Superintendent of Police,  said arms and ammunition were recovered from the slain suspect.

He said operatives of the police command engaged a gang of men operating in a black Prado Jeep along Igbo Ukwu/ Ezinifite/Uga road,   explaining that while one of them was killed, the other suspects operating alongside the slain gunman escaped.

In a press release made available to journalists yesterday, Ikenga said the incident happened on Sunday at midday .

He said: “On 29/9/2024 by 11:30 pm, the Police-led Security Force while on patrol within Aguata LGA, got information of suspected armed men sighted in a black-coloured Pardo Jeep along Igbo Ukwu/ Ezinifite Uga axis. 

“The operatives on an offensive approach to the scene engaged the armed men in a gun battle and demobilised one of the miscreants while others escaped.  â€œAlso, the security forces recovered two AK 47 rifles, one pump action gun, two magazines loaded with live ammunition, 15 live cartridges, One black Prado Jeep with two different plate numbers.”

He added that two police body armoured vests, three fez caps, one black handbag and different types of charms, were also recovered during the operation.

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Anambra State Government has said it will start paying the new minimum wage of N70,000 from October.

The state Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, made the revelation yesterday at Prof. Dora Akunyili Women’s Development Centre, Awka, while meeting with principals and head teachers in public primary and secondary schools.

Governor Soludo also said: “From next week, the free education policy will be available to senior students in all public schools in Anambra State.

“I assure you that even with the binding resource constraint, this administration will continue to work very hard to deliver on the mandate.

“From next month, we also hope to start paying the new minimum wage of N70,000.”

The state under Soludo had previously announced the free education policy for primary schools and junior secondary school.

With the new announcement by the governor, the state will maintain full free education for all primary pupils, junior and senior secondary school students in the state.

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

The new Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, has assumed duty after his swearing-in two days ago by the state Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo.

Mefor, an academic, public intellectual and media trainer, was last Tuesday screened by the Anambra State House of Assembly and later sworn in at the state Government House as a replacement for Mr. Paul Nwosu who was sacked the same day.

In a meeting with members of Correspondents’ Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Anambra State Council, Mefor said it was worrisome that despite the numerous achievements of the governor, only few are seen in the media.

He promised to work with journalists to ensure that the works of the governor and the policies of his government are reported adequately.

The commissioner said: “The governor has a solid blueprint for Anambra State growth, but I believe that his achievements have not been fully reported in the media. 

These achievements need more publicity and feedbacks.

“This is government within two years has awarded over 400 roads and completed more than 250 of them, yet without borrowing. He’s competing with other governors that are in second tenure

“I believe in Soludo, and my reasons are obvious. His political journey started in 2009 and I’ve been with him since then. He has made name and money so he’s not here to chase clout.

“He told me he wants to rebuild Anambra State and his blueprint is strategic. When we were presenting him to Nigeria for president, he said he needed to start with his state.

“The governor’s reputation resonates globally, and we must leverage this to attract investment and development. Anambra State is truly the Light of the Nation. We have a rich heritage, and it’s time to showcase our successes.

“We must publicize the governor’s efforts to showcase the state potential, including embarking on project tour.

“The media is my primary constituency. If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go with a group. I desire to work with you so please come along on this journey with me. I’ll be the bridge between you and the government.”

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

The Campaign Council of Sir Paul Chukwuma, a governorship aspirant of All Progressives Congress (APC) for next year’s governorship election in Anambra, has raised the alarm over the level of insecurity in the state.

The council blamed the state governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo for the insecurity in the state, saying its principal, Paul Chukwuma would tackle it when he wins the election.

The Director General of the council, Hon Ifeanyi Ibezi, at a press conference yesterday in Awka told journalists that the insecurity in the state has become alarming, and that it forms part of why Anambra should elect Chukwuma as a replacement for the incumbent.

Ibezi said: “Paul Chukwuma will be contesting for the governorship of Anambra in next year’s election. Security is part of his manifesto and you know what is happening in Anambra today.

“Insecurity in Anambra has become so high, killings, kidnapping everyday. You also know there is a dearth of infrastructure in Anambra State, and these are the things Chukwuma will be addressing as governor.

“He has made a manifesto already, which has the acronym HIS, which means – Human capital development, Infrastructural development and Security.

“Under these major pillars, there are some enablers which will help achieve these dream. You can now see that he has already prioritised security in Anambra to forestall this things that are happening here today.”

Ibezi said in the coming days, the campaign council intends to carry out an aggressive sensitisation in grassroots in Anambra to drive members.

He said many chieftains of other political parties in the state have been joining APC because it is the only political party in the country today that is stable and not shrouded in litigations.

Speaking on dearth of infrastructure in Anambra, Ibezi said: “Manifesto committee of this campaign council has taken time to investigate the level of infrastructure in Anambra and adjudged it deficient.

“That committee has produced a document on that, which will be unveiled soon. Sir Paul Chukwuma himself will unveil that document soon, and you will be surprised the level of infrastructure deficiency in the state.”

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Gunmen suspected to be secessionist elements yesterday attacked Umunze police station, killing two personnel on duty.

The gunmen, who invaded the station shooting sporadically also burnt a building within the premises of the station.

Umunze, which is in Anambra South Senatorial district is a border town with communities in Imo State.

There have been series of attacks on police facilities in Anambra in recent times, under the headship of Mr. Obono Itam as Commissioner of Police, with no news of arrest or resistance. Many police personnel have in this way lost their lives.

Meanwhile, police authorities in the state have confirmed the attack. Spokesperson of the police command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, in a press release, said operatives of the command recovered some improvised explosive devices, and have gone after the attackers.

He said: “Arsonist and armed secessionist group members in the early hours of today 16/9/2024 attacked the Umunze Police Station. 

“Joint Security Forces comprising  the Police, Army, Navy, Civil defence and other security agencies have recovered five unexploded improvised explosives and are on their trail. “The suspected armed proscribed group invaded the facility with improvised explosives, shooting sporadically and fire caught part of the station. 

“Two of police operatives on duty during the gun battle in a bid to resist the assailants from causing more havoc, paid the supreme price. Their bodies have been recovered and taken to the morgue.”

He said CP Itam has visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment to reinforce and reassess security deployment. 

He pleaded for information from anyone who has any information that will aid the investigation to come forward. He also assures the people of  utmost confidentiality to any such information. 

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka 

Gunmen suspected to be secessionist elements Monday attacked Umunze police station, killing two personnel on duty.

The gunmen, who shot sporadically while attacking the police station, also burnt a building within the premises of the station.

Umunze, which is in Anambra South Senatorial district, is a boarder town with communities in Imo State.

There have been series of attacks on police facilities in Anambra in recent times, under the headship of Mr Obono Itam as Commissioner of Police, with no news of arrest or resistance. Many police personnel have in this way lost their lives.

Meanwhile, police authorities in the state have confirmed the attack. 

The spokesperson of the police command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, in a press release, said operatives of the command recovered some improvised explosive devices, and have gone after the attackers.

He said: “Arsonist and armed secessionist group members in the early hours of today 16/9/2024 attacked the Umunze Police Station. 

“Joint Security Forces comprising the police, army, navy, civil defence and other security agencies have recovered five unexploded improvised explosives and are on their trail.

“The suspected armed proscribed group invaded the facility with improvised explosives, shooting sporadically and fire caught part of the station. 

“Two of police operatives on duty during the gun battle in a bid to resist the assailants from causing more havoc, paid the supreme price. Their bodies have been recovered and taken to the morgue.”

He said CP Itam has visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment to reinforce and reassess security deployment. 

He urged anyone with information that will aid the investigation to come forward, adding that such information would be treated with utmost confidentiality.

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka 

The Labour Party (LP) in Anambra State has raised the alarm over the publication of the names of members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) as its candidates for the forthcoming local government elections.

The party at a press conference it addressed yesterday, said they neither sold nomination forms for the local government elections nor conducted any primary elections to nominate candidates.

The state Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Theo Egbe, who addressed journalists at the state party secretariat, said the elections, which are scheduled for September 28 is a mere sham.

He said: “They have conducted the elections in their rooms and are waiting to announce the results.”

A statement released by the party said: “Kindly take note of the previously confirmed position of Labour Party, Anambra State chapter that the illegally packaged and lawlessly commenced obnoxious LGA council elections being midwifed by the hastily conceived and ill-prepared ANSIEC by Anambra State Government is not worthy of our participation and this LP position remains irrevocably unchanged. 

“It is really very worrisome, criminally egregious and outlandishly absurd that Labour Party that sued the commission, never sold nomination forms nor conducted any primary elections, and never submitted its register not to mention submission of any list of candidates to ANSIEC, was dubiously published and held out to have ‘sponsored’ candidates for the farcical local government elections. 

“The Labour Party, Anambra State Chapter views this conduct of ANSIEC and Anambra State Government as a criminal assault on due process and a rape of the electoral laws of the land, as well as unwarranted provocation of the law-abiding members of Labour Party at large.”

The party said the names published as candidates of LP belonged to well-known APGA stalwarts, some of which are presently transition committee chairmen of local governments.

“A careful perusal of the commission’s list of these fangled Labour Party ‘candidates’ reveals that the names belong to known members of the defeated, Soludo faction of APGA, including the name of a current APGA Transition Chairman, (Orumba North LGA), Mr. Nwafor Chinonso Charlesmary Casmir and that of both past and current transition councillors of APGA extraction. 

“Labour Party family of Anambra State pledges to remain law-abiding, even in the face of these glaring absurdities, illegalities and crass provocations and diligently commit to the legal pursuit of dismantling the sham branded Anambra LGA council election via the law courts. 

“Labour Party still appeals to ANSIEC and the Anambra State Government to save Anambra State the enormous resources clearly billed for wastage by jettisoning this ignoble proposed LGA Council election of September 28, 2024, and rather opt for a properly organised Anambra State Local Government Council election.

“Anambra State has absolutely nothing to lose by rescheduling this unacceptable and inglorious proposed sham called LGA Council election for a lawful and legal one to be conducted in the nearest future. Rather the state has so much to gain for it,” the party said.

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

An unspecified number of persons are feared dead as a speeding vehicle Wednesday lost control and rammed into Oye Agu Market in Abagana, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Details of the crash are still not available, but sources said wares were damaged and many people may have also lost their lives.

A video of the incident which is currently on the social media, showed the crashed Sienna vehicle and some of the traders who were crushed to death as a result of the crash.

The market which is majorly a village market usually has traders selling food items by the roadside.

The trending video also shows damaged tomatoes and other food items.

President-General of Abagana community, Engr. Ben Okongwu confirmed the incident, saying at least three people lost their lives.

He said the crash was as a result of loss of control by the driver.

Spokesperson of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Anambra State Command, RC Margaret Onabe said she was not aware of the incident.

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

At least three indigenes of Enugwu-Ukwu community were on Monday killed by persons suspected to me members of Nawfia community in the same Njikoka Local Government Area, over what was suspected to be a land dispute.

Both communities have been said to be having dispute over a parcel of land. Some unidentified person said to be indigenes of Nawfia lured some members of Enugwu-Ukwu community through phone call to the disputed land and attacked them, leading to the death of three persons, while many others were wounded and already hospitalised.

Leaders of Enugwu-Ukwu community have called on the state government to urgently investigate the killing.

Ambassador Elijah Onyeagba, Nigeria’s immediate past Ambassador to Burundi and a cabinet member in the community said that the whole town is in shock and mourning over the brutal violence meted out to some of their kinsmen.

“Enugwu-Ukwu is currently deliberating on this. Our President-General has already informed the state government. The police authorities at Zone 13, Ukpo, Dunukofia Local Government  Area have also been informed. Urgent action is required to avert escalation of the crises.” 

Meanwhile, the President-General of Nawfia, Chief Daniel Okoye, and HRH Igwe (Amb) Sir Daniel Obelle, Ezeudo Nawfia, have issued a joint statement condemning the killing.

The leaders strongly denounced the use of violence to settle disputes and described the incident as an “abomination of the highest order.” 

 The leaders described claims of the involvement of their indigenes on the act as “inciteful, prejudicial, provocative, specious, and insensitive” to the sensibilities of Ndi Nawfia, aimed at raising tension for unknown purposes.

The leaders claimed that their investigation did not suggest any involvement of Nawfia individuals in the violent episode. 

They stated that the unwholesome activities of land grabbers and speculators in Agu Anaocha axis have been documented and brought to the attention of the Anambra State government for necessary action.

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, said the state has beaten the United Nations (UN) student-to-teacher ratio, with the recent employment of teachers in the state.
Governor Soludo said this during the third anniversary of the scholarship programme of IG Aguowo Health and Academic Foundation, which was held at the International Convention Centre in Awka.
Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh who represented Soludo at the event said: “With the recent employment of teachers in the state, Soludo has beaten the UN recommended teacher-to-student ratio.
“The ratio currently in Anambra is 24 students to one teacher for secondary schools, and 21 pupils to one teacher in primary schools.
“Our governor is a lover of education and has through the recent employment ended the era of schools without teachers in Anambra State. He is happy with what is going on here today and would have been here, but he is unavoidably out of town.”
ĚÇĐÄĘÓĆľ learnt that the number of teachers already employed by the Soludo-led government stands at about 8,000 already.
At the event, the IG Aguowo Health and Academic Foundation gave out scholarships to 670 students from 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The scholarship programme which was described as one of the biggest in the country to the tune of N1 billion was instituted by the founder of the foundation, Mr. Ignatius Aguowo.
Executive Director of the Foundation, Mrs. Gloria Abanihe in her address during the event said: “The IG Aguowo Health and Academic Foundation was established with clear vision, which is to bridge the educational gap and provide opportunities for talented and deserving students to achieve their dreams.
“We firmly believe that education is the cornerstone of a prosperous and equitable society. It is the key that unlocks the door to a brighter future, not just for individuals, but for the entire communities and our nation at large.
“The scholarship programme is more than just financial award; it is an investment for the future. By providing these scholarships, we are not only alleviating the financial burden on deserving students and their families, but we are also encouraging a culture of academic rigor, perseverance and community service.

“Our scholars are chosen not just for their academic achievements, but for their character, resolutionness and their potential to become change makers in society.

“As we look ahead, we are filled with optimism and determination. We are committed to scaling up our efforts, reaching more students and creating more opportunities for educational advancement in Nigeria.”

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has said that his government is prioritising youth development with the aim of making the state the largest skill hub in Africa.

The governor spoke yesterday at the International Convention Centre in Awka, the state capital, during a master trainer value reorientation workshop for business owners.

The workshop was organised to train 620 business men and women who will receive funds to expand their business and also train 8,000 youths in the state in a programme tagged: ‘One youth two skills’.

Anambra State Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon Patrick Aghamba, who represented Soludo at the training, said the programme was in its second phase, and that the aim was to make Anambra State the largest skill hub in Africa.

Aghamba said: “This event is organised to enable the master trainers to know what the vision of the governor is for this programme, and to drive it, in line with his manifesto.

“The trainers need to acquire the positive mindset needed to drive the vision and other requirements that will help them deliver results. Governor Soludo believes that the youths are not the leaders of tomorrow, but should be the leaders of today. He is giving youths opportunities to thrive.

“This programme is targeted at turning Anambra State into the biggest skill hub in sub-Saharan Africa with all youths having employable skills. We trained 5,000 youths in the first phase of this programme. In this phase we are training 8,000 youths, and by the time we continue to its fourth phase, every youth in the state would have acquired two skills that will make them independent.”

ĚÇĐÄĘÓĆľ gathered that the 620 master trainers are established business people in various skills, who will receive trainees and train them on their various skills, while the state government has mapped out N3.5billion to empower them as seed capital.

It was also gathered that some of the skills that youths will be trained on include: metal fabrication, clothes making, hair dressing, aluminum fabrication, cake making and several other skills.

The workshop featured paper presentation by several experts on how to run their businesses professionally and taking attendance from their trainees to ensure maximum impact.

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Anambra State Government has sealed the state party secretariat of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) faction loyal to Edozie Njoku.

This is coming as the state Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, described the crisis in the party as a minor family misunderstanding, which would be settled soon.

Soludo, while briefing journalists, said: “Anambra people seem to have come to the conclusion that APGA is the party for the state. It’s no longer those years of burning down buildings and turmoil in the state. Anambra State is now stable because of APGA.

“That has been the reason for the progress we have witnessed here, and Anambra State seems to have come to a consensus that APGA is the party to develop the state.

“Under our leadership, APGA has never been stronger than what it is today. You asked this question about crisis because of the things you see in the media, about our party, but I know that things like these are normal during run up to election.

“I know someone else is claiming that he is the national chairman and that is through court order, and I haven’t seen that court order myself.

“This is just a family problem that will be sorted out soon, and everyone will come into the same big tent. I don’t see any division in APGA. I understand the disputants are in court and hopefully, they will resolve soon it, and I hope that after that, two of them will come into this tent.

“APGA is a movement that has been used for transformations, and I can tell you that APGA has never been stronger than now.”

Meanwhile, the Deputy National Chairman, of the party (Southeast), Hon Tony Ezekwelu, who represents the Njoku faction of the party, spoke to journalists raising the alarm about the sealing of their office, describing the APGA-led government of the state as intimidating them.

He said: “We came here this morning and people were going about their normal duties, buying their Expression of Interest forms for the forthcoming local government election when at around 10 a.m., a team from Anambra Housing Development Corporation came and sealed our office. Luckily, I was in the state because I have been around on official duties to monitor how the sale of expression of interest form.

“When we asked them why, they said it’s an order from above, and that the reason was that this place is originally meant to be residential area and we converted it to party secretariat.

“This place has always been used for party business and we are just the recent people using this. Too many politicians have used this place and we are not the owners of this property, so we have reached out to the owner of the property.

“We know that this is political and the intention was just to intimidate us, so we told them not to obstruct them, but to allow them to do their duties. We are law-abiding people.

“We were not served any eviction notice. We came in here just two months ago, and no one wrote to us. We view this as an act of intimidation and suppression. This is impunity.”

He insisted that Njoku faction of the party remained the most authentic, and that the faction was ready to accommodate others he described as “sore losers.”

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Anambra State governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has described a report by Daily Trust Newspapers that his government plans to borrow N245 billion to finance the 2024 budget as fake news.

Soludo made the revelation while responding to questions by journalists after a state broadcast to mark the 33rd anniversary of the creation of Anambra State.

He said for close to three years of his being governor, he had not borrowed a dime.

Soludo stated, “The news that I want to borrow N245 billion to fund the 2024 budget is fake news. I have tried to find out from the rest of my team where that was coming from and to know if there is any such plans that I’m not aware of. So, it is certainly fake news.

“Let’s be clear, and I want to make some points about borrowing. I have a view about borrowing. Every enterprise, be it private, government or whatever that wants to scale up their activities will look at the cost of funds, the opportunity and the time value of those money and it can make sense.

“You can borrow today to provide goods and services and tomorrow the economy will generate enough resources to pay back. So, borrowing in itself is not a bad idea. Every prosperous country that ever developed and grown big lived on some form of debt or another.

“So borrowing is not a negative word, but this administration under my watch, we have a particular view about borrowing and we have very narrow stringent criteria for borrowing. We are not just going to borrow just to finance this or finance that.

“In 2022, the House of Assembly, when we had our supplementary budget, actually approved for us to borrow N100 billion. To this moment, we haven’t borrowed a kobo out of that. Last year 2023, we had deficit in our budget, about ninety something billion.

“This year, we have a budget deficit of about N121 billion and until this moment we have not borrowed one kobo of that. The reason is that we have been working on projects, on programmes that will be bankable. We are insisting that we borrow for bankable projects, for projects that will create and add value.

“So far we are working on some major infrastructural projects that will generate resource payback. The moment we are ready for that, that is when we will gladly and proudly approach the market to be able to scale up our transformational trajectory.”

Soludo added, “If you also realise recently, there was a publication of states receiving N438 billion from the World Bank, it was a World Bank loan, but Anambra’s name is not on that list. We deliberately opted out of that loan, and someday I will explain why we took the decision to opt out of that loan.

“All I’m trying to say is that we take the issue of borrowing very seriously, and we are not going to borrow, unless we show you where that money is going to go and what value it will add.”

The governor also said, “That report by Daily Trust that Anambra was planning to borrow N245 billion to finance the 2024 budget is nothing short of blatant falsehood and everybody must regard it as such.

“Even in our budget, the deficit we have is 121, so how can you be planning to borrow N245 billion when you have a budget deficit of N121 billion. That makes it ridiculous in the first place. I don’t know where they got their source from, but wherever they got it, it is pure fake news.”

Speaking on the 33rd anniversary of the state, Soludo said:, “Anambra was created from the old Anambra State on 27 August 1991. I want to felicitate with Anambra people all over the world.

“Thirty-three years after, we are on the right path and we are the top five or six most viable economy, and in poverty index, we rank the lowest, and have the largest urban cities with four major cities in the state.

“We rank lowest in out of school children in the country and this is indicative of the laurels we win. In health we are second only to Lagos in low infant mortality rate.”

Soludo said his government would strive to maintain the dreams of the founding fathers of the state.

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

A 38-year-old woman, Amarachukwu Happiness Nzekwe, has been arrested for allegedly using hot pressing iron on the back of her house help.

The woman, who identified herself as a nurse from Ezinifitte, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, said the house help stole her money, and that she did it (using the hot iron) to discipline him.

She explained that she placed a pressing iron on a stove and used it to scald the child’s back after he refused to confess to stealing.

Nzekwe made the confession after officials of the Anambra State Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Social Welfare, led by the Commissioner, Hon. Ify Obinabo, arrested her.

She told the commissioner that: “I have suffered because of this boy. I just had surgery, and I came back home and found out that my money was missing. I didn’t plug the iron to electric, I just placed it on stove to discipline him.”

The victim was identified as her nephew, a 13-year-old boy. It was gathered that she also locked the boy up at home without food most times.

Obinabo vowed that she must be prosecuted, explaining that such ungodly attitude would not be allowed in Anambra State, especially under Prof Chukwuma Soludo as governor

The suspect was later handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution.