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Tag: Anambra

  • Anambra ex-Speaker, Anayo Nnebe is dead

    Anambra ex-Speaker, Anayo Nnebe is dead

    A former Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Mr Anayo Nnebe, has died at age of 61 years, after a brief illness in a federal government hospital in Anambra.

    The death of Nnebe, also a former federal legislator, was disclosed by an anonymous family member in Awka on Wednesday.

    Nnebe served as Speaker of Anambra State Assembly between 2011 and 2015,

    In 2015, he was elected under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to represent Awka North and South Federal Constituency.

    Born in 1963, the late Nnebe hailed from Umuokpu – Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra.

    Nnebe grew up in Awka, where he also attended basic school. He obtained his West African Senior Certificate (WASC) in 1981 from Igwebuike Grammar School, Awka.

    He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1987.

    He is survived by his wife, Ngozi, and five children.

    In 2018, Nnebe defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

    Eulogizing his predecessor, the current Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr Somtochukwu Udeze, described the death of the former Speaker as a great loss to the State.

    Udeze described him as an accomplished parliamentarian and a refined political guru.

    He said that Nnebe distinguished himself as a renowned Public Servant and Selfless Politician in view of his numerous accomplishments.

    Udeze recounted some of the achievements of the late Nnebe to include the construction of numerous constituency projects, securing employment opportunities and the provision of empowerment schemes for his constituents.

    He said Nnebe did lots of humanitarian work among others during his time as Speaker of the State House of Assembly and Member of the House of Representatives.

    Udeze lauded Nnebe’s legislative prowess and urged present legislators to emulate his foot print as a way to immortalise him.

    He described the late Speaker as a grassroot politician, philanthropist, devout Christian and community leader who started out as Secretary to the Government of Awka South Local Government Area.

    He was also Special Adviser to Gov. Chukwuma Soludo on State Assembly and National Assembly Matters.

    “I have a huge satisfaction that Nnebe made giant contributions to the development of his home town, Awka, and Anambra State at large,” he said

    The Speaker prayed God to give Nnebe’s immediate family the fortitude to bear the loss and grant his soul eternal rest.

    Udeze made his feelings known through his chief press Secretary, Mr Emma Madu.

    The traditional ruler of Umueri community, Anambra East Local Government Area, Igwe Emeka Chinedu, poured encomium on the departed, saying he was a man of many good parts.

    “His death is a big blow to the people of Anambra and he will be greatly missed,” Chinedu lamented.

    Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene, the National Vice President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, said the news of Nnebe’s death is shocking and a big loss to Anambra.

    He described him as a very humane and experienced politician who despite his political affiliation puts the welfare of the people first.

  • See why Gov Soludo removes Obi of Onitsha as Chairman Anambra Traditional Council

    See why Gov Soludo removes Obi of Onitsha as Chairman Anambra Traditional Council

    Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo has removed the traditional ruler of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe as the Chairman of the Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers

    The decision was taken at a meeting of the council held at the Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia, Awka, on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. The meeting was attended by 120 out of the 172 recognised traditional rulers in the state.

    The governor accused Igwe Achebe of disrespecting his authority and undermining the peace and stability of the state. Igwe Achebe had earlier written an open letter to the governor, criticising him for suspending some traditional rulers who conferred chieftaincy titles on Senator Ifeanyi Ubah without due process.

    Igwe Achebe claimed that the governor did not consult him or the council before taking such actions. He also alleged that the governor was interfering in the affairs of the traditional institution and violating the code of conduct for traditional rulers. The governor denied these allegations and said that he was acting within the law and in the best interest of the state. He said that Igwe Achebe had failed to perform his duties as the chairman of the council and had lost the confidence and respect of his colleagues. He announced that a new chairman would be elected by the council within 30 days.

  • Ex-Anambra gov, Obiano back in EFCC custody

    Ex-Anambra gov, Obiano back in EFCC custody

    Former governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano is currently in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, at its headquarters in Abuja, according to reports.

    The action of the anti-graft agency on Obiano is said to be preparatory for the arraignment of the former governor before a Federal High Court on January 24 in Abuja.

    Obiano was first arrested at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos, on March 17, 2022, as he was preparing to board a flight to Houston, the United States of America.

    Obiano is to face trial in an alleged over N4bn corruption charges brought against him by the Federal Government through EFCC.

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, Slyvanus Tahir, has been assigned to lead the prosecution of the former governor on Wednesday morning in Abuja.

    EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale confirmed the development but declined detailed information.

    One of the Registrars of the court where Obiano is to be arraigned confirmed to our correspondent that he had sighted the charge but would not know the date of the arraignment.

    Some of the charges against Obiano are, “That you, Chief Willie Maduabuchi Obiano, whilst being the executive governor of Anambra State of Nigeria between March 2014 – March 2022, sometime between 7th February, 2018 to 18th February, 2019 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, indirectly transferred through Mr Willie Nwokoye, your then principal private secretary, the sum of N156,800.00 only from the Anambra State Government Security Vote Account No: 5030050875 domiciled in Fidelity Bank Pic into the Fidelity Bank Ple Account No: 6060018819 belonging to C.I. Patty Ventures Nigeria Limited (an entity that had no business relationship with the Anambra State Government), which funds were dissipated for purposes unrelated / unconnected with the security affairs of Anambra State, which you reasonably ought to have known that such funds formed part of the proceeds of your unlawful act, to wit: (Stealing and Corruption) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) in 2012 and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.

    “That you, Chief Willie Maduabuchi Obiano, whilst being the executive governor of Anambra State of Nigeria between March 2014 — March 2022, sometime between 9th August, 2017 to 4th March, 2020 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, indirectly transferred through Mr Willie Nwokoye, your then principal private secretary, the sum of N261,268,585.00 only from the Anambra State Government Security Vote Account No: 5030050875 domiciled in Fidelity Bank Plc into the Fidelity Bank Plc Account No: 5600062873 belonging to Easy Diamond Integrated Link (an entity that had no business relationship with the Anambra State Government), which funds were dissipated for purposes unrelated / unconnected with the security affairs of Anambra State, which you reasonably ought to have known that such funds formed part of the proceeds of your unlawful act, to wit: (Stealing and Corruption) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) in 2012 and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.”

    Obiano was first arrested at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos, on March 17, 2022, as he was preparing to board a flight to Houston, the United States of America.

  • Suspension of Igwe Neni: Soludo deserves commendation, not condemnation

    Suspension of Igwe Neni: Soludo deserves commendation, not condemnation

    By Paul Nwosu

    A number of unreasonable reactions have trailed the suspension of the traditional ruler of Neni, Anaocha LGA of Anambra State, by the Government of Anambra State, through a notice of suspension letter, signed by the Commissioner for Local Government, Hon, Tony Collins Nwabunwanne, on Monday, January 8.

    The letter clearly cited the Code of Conduct for Traditional Rulers in Anambra State (issued by the traditional rulers) which provides that no traditional ruler can confer chieftaincy title on anyone outside his domain (his community) without obtaining the permission of the traditional ruler of the recipient’s community and the directive issued by the state government through the Ministry that no such chieftaincy title should be conferred by a traditional ruler on a recipient outside his town/community without obtaining clearance from the Ministry, which the Neni Traditional Ruler flouted.

    Even in the face of this glaringly established case of infringement of the law, some blind communicators in social media are still politicking with it, yet accusing Governor Solud of playing dirty politics.

    What is dirty politics in sanctioning a traditional ruler who wilfully and brazenly flouted not only the government’s guidelines but the Code of Conduct issued by traditional rulers themselves? Again, what is the essence of making laws or guidelines if it cannot be enforced?

    It is very clear that the traditional ruler in question was careless and tactless in his action by conferring the controversial chieftaincy title few days after government warned those who had earlier done that. It has nothing to do with politics but the rule of law and due process. He simply dared the government and government has demonstrated that it’s a serious minded government.

    It’s high time we left emotions and call a spade a spade in this state.

    No serious government will abnegate his responsibilities because of one’s selfish interest no matter how highly placed. This, of course, should serve as a warning to all traditional rulers and others who think that they are untouchable and above the law.

    Those asking why Governor Soludo is the one to excavate this law since others before him didn’t do it should be reminded that the immediate past administration suspended 12 traditional rulers because they traveled to Abuja without official permission. Moreso, the fact that other governors didn’t do it does not make it right. This is part of the disruptive change that the Soludo administration promised Ndi Anambra and he should be commended for taking such a bold step and not condemned.

    SIR PAUL NWOSU
    Commissioner for Information,
    Anambra State

  • Gov Soludo’s unique formula to sharing rice palliative – Paul Nwosu

    Gov Soludo’s unique formula to sharing rice palliative – Paul Nwosu

    Finally, all the 21 Local Governments Areas of Anambra State have taken deliveries of their Rice Palliatives according to the timetable prepared by the Anambra State Palliatives Supervisory Committee and approved by
    Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo CFR.
    Subsequently, the Local Governments have, since three weeks, commenced the orderly and peaceful distribution of the rice to the 326 Wards who would in turn strictly diffuse them down to the “Umunna” or kindreds, in line with the well thought out script by the Solution Governor. And that is the clincher which has separated the boys from men, the masters from apprentices and the mentors from mentees.
    This methodology seeks to leverage on our native social structure to ensure that the rice palliative reaches the dregs of our society.
    This is the first time a formula of this nature has been introduced in dispensing social welfare, targeted at the most vulnerable class in this country.
    To better appreciate what is happening in Anambra State, one must juxtapose the well choreographed distribution of rice palliatives in the State with the disturbing videos from around the country – the chaos that accompied the exercise tended to defeat the purpose of the well intentioned policy. You find a situation where a consignment of rice is being mobbed by the supposed beneficiaries. Naturally, the strong subdued the weak and make away with greater part of the produce while the actual vulnerable and weak ones contended with rice, spilled on the sandy floor as a result of the melee.
    For the distribution process to be devoid of rancour, Governor Soludo insisted that the exercise must be non-discriminatory. So, the Local Government and Ward Committees included the Transition Committee Chairmen, all the political Party Chairmen, the Clergy (Catholic, Anglican and Pentecostal), Traditional Rulers, President Generals, political appointees from the area and Councillors.
    Unlike before when such largesse are distributed only to those in Awka or those who are able to travel to Awka, Ndi Anambra are so grateful to Governor Soludo for standing his ground that the poor and truly vulnerable must be the core beneficiaries of this rice palliative.
    In the days ahead, we’ll bring  you reports, photos and short videos of Ndi Anambra smiling home with their bags of rice to celebrate the Christmas.
  • Police intercept couple trafficking one-month old baby from Lagos to Anambra

    Police intercept couple trafficking one-month old baby from Lagos to Anambra

    The Police Command in Anambra has arrested a couple suspected to be trafficking a one-month-old baby from Lagos to Onitsha.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, and made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Onitsha.

    Ikenga said that the interception was made at Bridgehead in Onitsha on Sunday.

    According to him, the couple was travelling in a luxury bus belonging to a popular transport company with the baby when a co-passenger observed that the mother could not breastfeed the baby despite its cry for food in the course of the journey.

    “The good samaritan put a call through to Anambra Police on its Control Room hotline in Awka which then relayed the information to the Police at Bridgehead in Onitsha.

    “The Police laid in wait for the luxury bus described and intercepted it in the evening hours. The couple and the baby were identified and brought down for questioning,” he said.

    He noted that she confessed buying the child from its mother in Ajah, Lagos for the sum of N30,000.

    He further said that the Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye, thanked the public-spirited citizen for his humane concern in giving the information that led to the rescue of the child.

    He stressed that Adeoye commended the police operatives for their vigilance and dedication to duty.

    He said that the commissioner directed that the couple be handed to National Agency for Prohibition in Trafficking of Persons (NAPTIP) for further investigation and prosecution.

    Ikenga said that the baby had been handed over to the state Ministry of Women Affairs for care pending investigation.

  • 5 die in Anambra club shooting

    5 die in Anambra club shooting

    The police command in Anambra, has confirmed the killing of five persons after Sunday’s shooting at a nightclub in Oba in Idemili South Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

    The state Commissioner of Police Aderemi Adeoye, said this when he spoke with NAN on Tuesday in Awka.

    Adeoye said that the victims included two members of a local vigilance, a bouncer, and two fun seekers.

    He said that the owner of the club was also abducted by the attackers.

    Adeoye described the incident as unfortunate and vowed to hunt down the perpetrators.

    “We got a distress call at about 2a.m., Monday, the DPO Oba Division led police officers and members of local vigilance group to the scene, but the attackers had already fled the scene.

    “The police Rapid Response Squad from Awkuzu was on patrol in the area from 6 p.m., to midnight before moving to other parts of the state and the incident happened after the team left the area.

    “Five persons were killed, they include, two vigilance group members, one bouncer and two clubbers.

    ”The owner of the hotel was abducted in the process,” he said.

    Adeoye said that the police had yet to make arrest on the incident, adding that investigations had commenced to unravel the attackers.

    “We have seen a pattern; the gang was responsible for a similar incident where the victim’s body was dismembered about two weeks ago in Ihiala.

    “We have an idea of the axis they are operating from, we are going to crack them down, no arrest has been made and investigation is ongoing

    “Oba has always been a flashpoint because of the thriving nightlife, lots of hotels, and strategically located, so we intend to deploy additional assets and personnel to that axis, especially this yuletide, to make sure criminals do not make life miserable for people,” he said.

    ‘’The decay in values is not strange to the people but unfortunately, we have to live with the consequences, this is one of the reasons why the public enlightenment agencies were created.

    “Community leaders, religious leaders should step up the campaign against immorality, unnecessary show of affluence, and criminality.

    “Investigation has shown that most of the money you see on display in night clubs are not legitimately earned, most are proceeds of crime, so we all have work to do, a law enforcement agency, we will continue to do our part.’’

    Mr Chidozie Nwangu, a native doctor known as ‘Akwa okuko tiwara aki’ was kidnapped in his hotel room in Oba in July in a similar attack which resulted in the killing of two security guards.

  • Soludo presents N410bn 2024 budget for Anambra

    Soludo presents N410bn 2024 budget for Anambra

    Gov. Charles Soludo of Anambra on Tuesday presented N410 billion 2024 budget to the state House of Assembly for approval.

    Speaking at the ceremony, Soludo said the budget tagged- ‘Changing Gears: the transformation agenda begins’, was aimed at beginning the transformation agenda and implementing a new master to build a liveable and prosperous homeland.

    He said that the budget was made up of N313.9 billion capital expenditure, representing 77 per cent and N 96.2 billion recurrent expenditure, representing 23.46 per cent.

    The governor said that the budget had a deficit of N120 billion expected to be funded through a facility from financial institutions.

    “We recorded an estimated 66 per cent budget performance in 2023 and today Anambra is ranked number one among the 17 southern state on ease of doing business and number two with lowest impact mortality rate.

    “Internally Generated Revenue remains a fundamental challenge. In the 2023 budget, we expected a monthly revenue of about N4 billion, so far, we are averaging N2billion.

    “We are projecting N4.2 billion as monthly IGR in the 2024 budget and this is a wake-up call to all residents that we cannot build a liveable and prosperous homeland if we do not pay tax.

    “With the 2024 proposed budget, we hope to consolidate on ongoing projects. Our teachers, students, poor and vulnerable will smile because we are determined to maximise value for the people of Anambra,” he said.

    Receiving the budget, the Speaker of the House, Mr Somtochukwu Udeze, appreciated the governor for the massive transformation projects in the state.

    Udeze assured that the budget would receive expeditious consideration.

    The difference between the 2023 budget (N260 billion) and that of 2024 (N410 billion) is N150 billion, reflecting a 57.8 per cent increase.

  • Sir Paul Nwosu pays tribute to late Anambra governor, Chinwoke Mbadinuju

    Sir Paul Nwosu pays tribute to late Anambra governor, Chinwoke Mbadinuju

    Dr Chinwoke Mbadinuju served as the Governor of Anambra State from May 29, 1999 to May 29, 2003. He sadly passed away on April 11, 2023 and will be given a State Burial.
    Born on June 14, 1945, he was elected on the platform of Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and was sworn in as Anambra State Governor at the return of civil rule on May 29, 1999. As the first elected Governor of Anambra State upon the return of civil rule in 1999, Mbadinuju had to confront many teething challenges such as setting up the bureaucracy, developing necessary infrastructure, guaranteeing security and so on.
    He was fondly called Odera, and was quite charismatic and jovial in his lifetime. A native of Uli in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, he started his education at Mgbidi Central School, Oru, in Imo State in 1955. He did not have a formal secondary education. He was self-taught to pass the General Certificate of Education (GCE) in flying colours at both the Ordinary and Advanced levels. He attended Bishop Lasbery Teachers’ College, Irete, Imo State from 1959 to 1962.
    Mbadinuju earned a scholarship to study for a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science at the State University of New York. A determined pursuer of knowledge, he obtained a degree in Law from the University of Southampton in England and was called to Nigerian Bar in 1979 when returned to Nigeria. He equally took a doctorate degree in Government from Cornell University in New York. He was then appointed an Associate Professor of Politics and African Studies at the State University of New York.
    After his return to Nigeria, he was from 1977 to 1978 a lecturer at Times Training School, Lagos, owned by the largest media company in Nigeria, the Daily Times Group. He was appointed the Editor of Times International magazine. Transferring his services to the old Anambra State, he was appointed the General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of Star Printing and Publishing Company Limited, Enugu, publishers of Daily Star in 1979. A devout Christian, Dr Mbadinuju has reputedly written 10 books on Christian spirituality.
    Mbadinuju served as a Personal Assistant to the then Governor Jim Nwobodo of old Anambra State from 1979 to 1980. He later returned to Lagos and served the Federal Government from 1980 to 1983 as a Personal Assistant to former President Shehu Shagari.
    Dr Chinwoke Mbadinuju was the Governor of Anambra State from 1999 to 2003 on the platform of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP). He established the Anambra State University at Uli. He also tackled the issue of insecurity by signing into law the bill that created Anambra Vigilante Services. The challenge of security which he addressed with the unorthodox Bakassi Boys eventually became controversial, even as he initially won a handful of national awards for his stemming of insecurity in Anambra State.
    In his youthful days, Mbadinuju was a keen sportsman. He was a remarkable athlete in track and field events at Bishop Lasbery Teachers’ College, Irete in Imo State. He was also a redoubtable footballer who excelled in his undergraduate days in the United States where represented his college in various competitions. He was a talented organist.
    Mbadinuju was married to Mrs. Nnebuogo Mbadinuju, and the marriage is blessed with five children.
    The arrangement for the State burial of ex-Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju are as follows:
    November 22: The Anambra State Government (ANSG) will receive the body at the Government House Courtyard by 3pm for Lying-in-State.
    November 23: ANSG will hold a Commendation and Thanksgiving Service at the International Convention Centre, Awka by 11am. Tributes will commence immediately after the Service.
    Praise/Worship and Tribute Sessions in his honour will follow later in the day (by 5pm) at his Country home, Uli, Ihiala LGA.
    November 24: At 10am there will be Interdenominational Burial Service at his country home, Uli, and Interment will follow immediately.
    November 26: There will be an Outing Service as planned by the Family.
    Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju served Anambra State to the best of his ability. While bidding him a befitting farewell, it is only fitting to re-echo his famous slogan: “It Shall Be Well With Anambra State!”
  • Police arrest 3 suspected gun runners, recover 23 pump action rifles

    Police arrest 3 suspected gun runners, recover 23 pump action rifles

    Police in Anambra have smashed a suspected gun-running syndicate and recovered arms and ammunitions.

    DSP Toochukwu Ikenga, police spokesman in the state stated on Saturday that 23 automatic pump action guns and 625 live cartridges were recovered in the process.

    “Three suspected members of the syndicate were arrested in Onitsha while investigation is being expanded,’’ Ikenga stated.

    He added that the breakthrough followed weeks of intensive police surveillance of the syndicate.