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Tag: Anambra

  • Just In: Fire guts Anambra timber market

    Just In: Fire guts Anambra timber market

    Some shops at the Ogbo Osisi Timber Market Bridgehead, Onitsha in Anambra State have been engulfed by fire.

    No one has been able to ascertain the cause of the fire but it was gathered that it started late in the evening on Saturday.

    Confirming the incident in a statement, the Anambra State fire chief, Martin Agbili, said the men of the state fire service have been deployed in the fire scene.

    “I have deployed our firefighters to the fire scene. They are there fighting the fire,” Agbili said.

    More details shortly…

  • Anambra poll: I was given a car, N50,000 to thumbprint for Soludo – Man reveals

    Anambra poll: I was given a car, N50,000 to thumbprint for Soludo – Man reveals

    Ebonyi State police command arrested one Anthony Onuoha over alleged car theft on Thursday, confessing to having worked for Prof. Charles Soludo to rig last year’s Anambra governorship election

    Onuoha, who was paraded alongside other suspects, alleged that they were hired by one Uche General, to rig the governorship election for the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA.

    The suspect alleged that they were given a car and fifty thousand naira after the election.

    According to him: “Last year November, a car was given to me after governor Soludo’s election, because I was involved as one of the 30 persons that were kept in one place to work for APGA. We were promised to be given a car and fifty thousand naira after the election.

    “What attracted me to work for APGA was the car and not the fifty thousand naira. I went to Anambra State that November; I was picked by one Mr. Uche General, I don’t know his surname. Uche General was the one in charge of the section.”

    “The role I played there was that we were kept at Awka North to thumbprint ballot papers on that day of the election. We thumb-printed for APGA governorship candidate, Charles Soludo, and we agreed that at the end of the day, we will be given a car and fifty thousand naira, which they did.

    “We are nine persons that were given a car out of over thirty persons that were hired for the job. This car was given to me by them and the fifty thousand naira to fuel it,” he alleged.

  • Sad! Anambra Transport Chief dies one week after freedom from abductors den

    Sad! Anambra Transport Chief dies one week after freedom from abductors den

     

    One week after regaining freedom from abductors den, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Ekwulobia Urban Mass Transport Limited, an Ekwulobia Aguata council of Anambra State-based transport company, Chief Innocent Ezeokafor reportedly died at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Nnewi.

    The sad incident occurred about one week after he was set free by hoodlums who kidnapped him few weeks ago on October 19,2022.

    According to details from the company headquarters at Ekwulobia, Ezeokafor died at the intensive care unit of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi where he was rushed to on Saturday when his health condition which worsened and got complicated while in the kidnappers’ den.

    Since his abduction on October 19, 2022, he was held captive until last week after spending 18 days in captivity.

    His health, according to family sources worsened while in captivity and developed into severe complications and eventually died.

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  • Soludo showed a dark side of himself for condemning Obi – Gbadamosi

    Soludo showed a dark side of himself for condemning Obi – Gbadamosi

    A former governorship candidate of the African Democratic Party (ADP), Babatunde Gbadamosi has criticised Anambra state governor, Charles Soludo, for condemning Peter Obi’s investments in Anambra.

    Soludo while speaking on Channels TV’s Politics Today, said the investments by Peter Obi for the State are now worth next to nothing.

    “I don’t know about those investments. There was something I read about somebody speculating about the value of whatever investments; what I have seen today, the value of those investments is worth next to nothing.

    “When you talk about investments, that is an area that I think I know one or two things and I have been able to do that. Investment is not about going to invest in a bakery. That is not what the government is about. Because if the bakery goes down, then your investment goes down,” Soludo said.

    Reacting to Soludo’s statement via his Twitter handle, Gbadamosi wrote; ”I am beyond disgusted with Soludo ignoring Obiano & blaming Obi for the failure of investments he handed over to Obiano. He showed a dark side of himself today that I think is driven by his own Presidential ambition. He wants to stop any Igbo man from getting it before himself.”

  • BREAKING: First aviation minister, Amaechi is dead

    BREAKING: First aviation minister, Amaechi is dead

    First Republic aviation minister, Chief Mbazulike Amechi is dead, aged 93 years.

    Chief Amechi who hailed from Amihe village in Ukpor, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra died on Tuesday in a brief illness, his family has stated.

    The elder statesman was the only surviving member of the Zikist Movement of the pre-independence era.

    The family’s statement signed by Ezeana Tagbo Amechi, his son read in parts that “Amechi, nationalist and First Republic Minister of Aviation transited peacefully in the early hours of Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022.

    “We thank God for the fulfilled life that he lived, the lives that he touched and his service to God and to country.

    “We respectfully ask that you keep us in your thoughts and prayers at this time.’’

  • Gov. Soludo flags off 16.4km road reconstruction

    Gov. Soludo flags off 16.4km road reconstruction

    Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra has flagged off the construction of a 16.4 kilometres road from Nawfija to Ogbunka running through Akpu, Ufuma, Ajali in Orumba North Local Government Area of the state.

    Soludo, while performing the ceremony, said when the road was completed, it would take 15 minutes for motorists to drive from Awka to Ufuma.

    The governor said that the road would be ready by the time he would clock one year in office.

    The contractor was awarded to Datum Construction Nigeria Limited with completion time of 10 months.

    He noted that Anambra people were in dire need of roads and promised to build roads from Nanka, Igboukwu to Ikenga, Obosi, Abagana, Nimo and Awka, in order of priority.

    “Roads at Okpoko, Mmiata, Amansea through Ebenebe, Awba-Ofemili shall be constructed and a bridge from Awba-Ofemili to Anyamelum shall be built.

    “Also, roads from Ufuma to Awa, through Ndiukwuenu to Amansea will be fixed; I will inspect every road that shall be constructed before embarking on the construction”.

    According to Soludo, the quality of roads we are building has never been done in the state, they are guaranteed to last for 20 years.

    “But we have all our personal responsibility and it should never be taken for granted,” he said.

    Soludo said Nnewi, the largest industrial town in Anambra would also get the necessary attention on roads and other infrastructure.

    He called on the people of the state to continue to support the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and vote for the party’s National Assembly candidates in the next election.

    He said his administration was adopting the philosophy of ‘being your brothers’/ sisters’ keeper’ which is the motto of APGA.

    According to him, for these roads to continue, Orumba North and South should understand that this is an APGA project.

    “Our victory will aid his government to continue developing Orumba by attracting resources from Abuja to state level,” he said.

  • Fanfare, Onitsha culture on display at Globacom-sponsored Ofala Festival

    Fanfare, Onitsha culture on display at Globacom-sponsored Ofala Festival

    One of the top line cultural celebrations in eastern Nigeria, Globacom-sponsored Ofala Festival, took off with great fanfare on Friday in Onitsha, Anambra State, with several activities including the Oreze Arts Series and a spectacular Youth Carnival organised by the Onitsha Ado Youth Council (OYC).

    The Oreze Arts Series, which is a group art exhibition promoted by His Majesty’s Chimedie Museum Trust Foundation, opened with over 120 artists exhibiting their works. Some of which include Alex Nwokolo, Kainebi Osahenye, Edison Ekwueme, Dr Bolaji Ogunwo, Tola Wewe, and Ayeva Nourridine. The special guest Professor John Ogene, is a Professor of Art History and Graphics, Department of Fine and Applied Arts, University of Benin.

    On the other hand, the Youth carnival featured different cultural groups, including the Otu Odu Onitsha, Egwu Odu, and Agbalanze, dressed in full traditional regalia dancing through the streets of Inland Town, Onitsha, in celebration of his Majesty, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, Agbogidi. The carnival was also used to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Onitsha indigenes.

    A Royal Banquet organised by Globacom in honour of the Obi of Onitsha comes up Wednesday, October 26. The banquet will be held at the Dolly Hills Hotel, Onitsha. The activities will be rounded off with an Ofala Thanksgiving service scheduled to hold on Sunday, October 30 at St. Stephens Anglican Chur

    Globacom said the highlight of its sponsorship of the 2022 festival include a special promotion to give subscribers an opportunity to win amazing prizes including tricycles, popularly called Keke, industrial sewing machines and grinding machines. “All a subscriber needs to do to win any of the prizes is to recharge with a minimum of N1, 500 or to buy a minimum data bundle of N1, 000 before the end of the promo,” the company explained.

    Ofala celebrations will continue with the Iru Ofala on Saturday, October 22, and the Azu Ofala on Sunday, October 23. It is an occasion for the monarch to fulfil certain obligations, and primarily a celebration by the monarch and his subjects of the monarch’s annual emergence from seclusion, during which period he successfully negotiated the fortunes of the kingdom. It is also a re-enactment of the joy which the monarch shared with his subjects at the discovery that yam is non-toxic, and is a valuable source of food. Igwe Achebe is also using the occasion of the Ofala to commemorate his 20th anniversary as monarch.

  • Anambra: Land grabbers in trouble as govt swing into action to demolish illegal structures

    Anambra: Land grabbers in trouble as govt swing into action to demolish illegal structures

     

    All ill-assorted land-grabbers are in trouble as Anambra Government has vowed to demolish such illegal structures.

    It is in keeping with this commitment that the Chairman of the Anambra State Physical Planning Board, Barrister Chike Maduekwe has led the joint task force to remove illegal structures in Oba, Onitsha and Nkwelle-Ezunaka.

    It must be restated for the avoidance of doubt that any building erected without approval will be brought down. The same treatment goes to buildings on government lands which were hijacked by gangs of youths and resold to innocent people.

    People should equally be careful who they buy land from to avoid embarrassment and loss of their hard earned money. Government will no longer condone the kind of impunity that goes on in land transactions.

    It is incumbent on the public at large to take due notice and obey all the necessary laws before erecting structures in the new Anambra State that insists on integrity in all operations.

    In attending to land matters, it is crucial to get all the necessary clearances from the Ministry of Lands before going to the Physical Planning Board to get the authorisation to construct. Anybody trying to cut corners will have his building removed and then risks being taken to court to face the law.

    There is no compromise whatsoever in putting in place a liveable and prosperous megacity state.

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  • Betting sites not banned in Anambra – Commissioner

    Betting sites not banned in Anambra – Commissioner

    Mr. Don Onyenji, Anambra Commissioner For Culture, Entertainment, and Tourism, has called on operators of Lottery and Betting activities to carry on their businesses as allowed by the extant law.

    Onyenji urged the operators to disregard the information in circulation that the Anambra government has placed a ban on their activities in the state.

    The latest directives are contained in a press release signed by the Commissioner in Awka on Saturday.

    “The attention of the Anambra state Government has been drawn to the various misinterpretations of its directives to operators of Casino Games domiciled in hotels and restaurants in the state to suspend their operations.

    “This was as a result of written and video petitions on suspected fraudulent practices, lack of transparency and non-payment of Game winnings to players.

    “Part of the directives reads ‘The Anambra State Ministry of Culture, Entertainment, And Tourism in collaboration with the Anambra state Internal Revenue Service AIRS and the Ministry of Homeland Affairs hereby directs all operators of Casino Games within Hotels, Restaurants and Bars to suspend all operations with immediate effect.

    “The suspension will last until the conclusion of investigations,” he said.

    The commissioner said that all Hotel Owners and Bars in the State have been invited to a meeting to discuss security and other services and policy issues.

    However, he said, “it is grossly unfortunate that some mischief makers added lottery and Betting activities and organisations to the ban.”

    He said that the Government at this moment states categorically that the suspension was only directed at Casino Games operators in the hotels and hospitality outfits, excluding all other betting centers in the state.

    Onyenji said that the government has identified the owners of the particular casino machine and has advanced investigations on the complaint.

    He said that the sites involved in the complaint have temporarily shut down their machines.

    Onyenji assured that Government would conclude investigations in a record time when the reported case is fairly handled and discharged.

    He said the organisation will be allowed to return to its business quickly when all assurances to protect the players’ interest are made.

    The commissioner assured that the government is on ground to protect all such operators, guarantee the safety of their business in the State.

    He appealed to all business operators in the state to go about their operations undisturbed and discountenance the false reports of ‘fifth columnists’.

  • Flood devastates one-third of land mass in Anambra – Deputy governor

    Flood devastates one-third of land mass in Anambra – Deputy governor

    More than one-third of the land mass in Anambra has been devastated by flood which has also taken 17 lives as at Tuesday.

    The floods have also caused the collapse of infrastructure, public and private buildings and means of livelihoods of residents, the deputy governor, Dr Onyekachi Ibezim, said on Wednesday.

    He was addressing officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) who brought relief materials to the state in Awka.

    Ibezim said the “devastating flood’ hit seven of the 21 Local Government Areas of the state.

    “The situation is too strenuous for us to handle all alone; we provide three metals daily for victims in displaced peoples’ camps.

    “Officials of relevant ministries and agencies are deployed to ensure the welfare of the victims in those camps,’’ he said.

    Ibezim thanked President Muhammadu Buhari and NEMA for the relief materials provided, but appealed for more assistance.

    “We need more help from both government and good-spirited individuals to handle the challenge,’’ he stressed.

    In his remarks, NEMA’s Director-General, Alhaji Mustapha Ahmed, said the 2022 floods hit 450 of the 774 local government areas of the country and the FCT.

    “The 2022 Annual Flood Outlook forecasted that 233 local government areas in 32 states and the FCT would be at sizeable risk.

    “It stated also that 212 council areas in 35 states and the FCT were within moderately probable flood risks.

    “Already, NEMA is inundated with reports of flood in more than 450 council areas in 36 states and the FCT and it is still counting, causing loss of lives, livelihoods, properties and infrastructures,’’ he noted.

    Ahmed said the development should spur the country to concrete and deliberate action to check future disasters.

    He added that there was the need for the people to take full advantage of early warning alerts from hydro-meteorological services agencies to reduce the impact, especially the loss of lives.

    He said the Federal Government could not compensate the traumatic experiences of the victims, but must help to alleviate their sufferings with the relief materials.

    “To ameliorate the sufferings of affected persons, the Federal Government approved the delivery of 105 tonnes of maize and 88.7 tonnes of sorghum.

    “It also approved the delivery of 98.7 tonnes of garri and 1,000 bags of 10 kg rice, among others,’’ he said.

    Ahmed was represented at the presentation of the relief materials by Mr Thickman Tanimu, Coordinator, NEMA South-East Zonal Office, Enugu

    Also making a submission, Chief Paul Odenigbo, Executive Secretary Anambra Emergency Management Agency listed seven areas already hit by flood in the state.

    They are Ogbaru, Anambra West, Anambra East, Ayamelum, Ihiala, Awka North and Ekwusigo Local Government Areas.

    “As at Wednesday, 28 holding centres have been activated to receive displaced victims. Already, there are 28,280 persons in those centres.

    “The flood has also affected 60 per cent of the state’s land mass, and has been worse than experienced in 2012,’’ Odenigbo said.