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By Madu Obi No fewer than 150 people from Awka North local government area of Anambra State have received items worth over N150 million from their lawmaker in the state House of Assembly, Hon. Chimezie Ikwunne. Items distributed to the beneficiaries include 15 shuttle buses, 35 motorcycles, 30 grinding machines, 31 hair dryers and 35 sewing machines, in addition to cash support for their businesses. The lawmaker, who is the chairman, House Committee on Agriculture, said the initiative was designed to provide relief and enable his constituents improve their living standards and promote development in the area. According to Ikwunne, the beneficiaries were selected from the various communities in the constituency, comprising youths, women, men, community leaders, artisans and traders. “This empowerment is about restoring dignity to rural life, engaging the youths, easing the burden on women and creating a foundation for inclusive development,” he said. He commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for responding to the needs of Awka North residents through the construction of the Amansea-Awba Ofemili road that links five communities in the area, noting that the road project has improved agricultural production and eased transportation of persons and farm produce to markets. “Before now, the road was in a very bad condition and even motorcycles found it difficult to ply it. As an agrarian community, Gov. Soludo has changed the narrative and brought development to our area,” he said. He assured the people of his constituency that he would continue to address their needs and aspirations in line with his campaign promises. “I applied for this job and I rededicate myself to listen more, serve better and work harder,” he said. In his remarks, the state chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Ifeatu Obi-Okoye commended the lawmaker for what he described as quality representation. “With this level of empowerment, APGA members are proud of you because this is a true representation and it aligns with the Solution government,” he said. Also speaking, the Deputy Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon Chukwuma Okoye, praised Ikwunne for initiating programmes that directly impact the lives of his people. A community leader, Chief Lawrence Onwuzuka thanked the lawmaker for prioritizing the welfare of the people and pledged the constituents’ continued support to him. He urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the items to improve their livelihoods. Some of the beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the lawmaker for the gesture and pledged to use the support to boost their businesses and improve their living conditions. Mr Ifesinachi Onwunili from Achalla community, who received a shuttle bus, said he would use it to generate income with the aim of purchasing another bus within the next one year. Another beneficiary, Mrs Theresa Okonkwo, a trader from Ebenebe Community, who received a grinding machine, said the equipment would boost her business and enable her to support her family.

By Ifeanyi Chukwudi Ahead of the 2027 general election, the Igbo Agenda Dialogue (IAD), has urged President Bola Tinubu, to quickly halt what it called the brewing anarchy in Nigeria. Convener/National Chairman of the pan Igbo, non-partisan socio-political and pro-democracy organization, Chief Chekwas Okorie, in an open letter to the Nigerian President, Tinubu, on behalf of IAD, drew his attention to the brewing anarchy in Nigeria, which according to him, needs the President's urgent intervention as the Chief Security Officer of the country. This is as the IAD again, urged President of dent Tinubu to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and his fellow prisoners of conscience without further delay, assuring it would calm frayed nerves and reduce tension not only in the South East geopolitical zone but among Igbo people who are widely spread in Nigeria and abroad. Noting that Nigeria is in an election year leading to the presidential election of January 2027 and other elections thereafter, the IAD leader expressed worry that, "The desperate actions and inflammatory rhetoric of political actors in the build-up to the forthcoming general elections have the dangerous tendency to trigger widespread anarchy that may overwhelm the fragile capacity of Nigeria's security agencies that have been stretched to its limits already." He stressed that "The recent attack on Mr. Peter Obi and his associates in Edo State and the subsequent attack on Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi in Rivers State are a few of the provocative and unprovoked attacks that could snowball to spiral reprisal actions. "Discerning Nigerians are waiting to hear quality proposals by politicians and their political parties especially the ruling party about what they intend to do differently to alleviate the plight of the citizens if given the opportunity to serve in the offices of their aspiration after 2027 elections. Unfortunately what we hear are threats, acerbic tantrum and arrogant claims about how the forthcoming elections have been won and lost. Your Excellency, you have a responsibility to assure Nigerians that the 2027 elections will be fair, credible and transparent. You have a responsibility to rein in some of your overzealous aides and appointees to moderate their rhetoric and provocations. The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, enjoys obvious incumbency advantages from the Party's control of the National Assembly to the overwhelming majority of the State and local government structures in the country. The ruling party ought to concentrate its efforts on the strategy and issue based campaigns to translate the advantages it currently enjoys into electoral victory in a free and fair election. The antics of some prominent leaders of the ruling party smacks of panic and lack of confidence." Okorie however, made some recommendations for President Tinubu to consider to ensure that Nigeria go through the processes of the 2027 general election and come out of it in one piece. He said, "You have the power under the Nigerian Constitution to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and his fellow prisoners of conscience without further delay. This will calm frayed nerves and reduce tension not only in the South East geopolitical zone but among Igbo people who are widely spread in Nigeria and abroad. Exercise this special presidential prerogative. It is auspicious and expedient at this time. Direct the APC, the Presidency and its numerous state and local governments to set the tone for issue based campaigns. Incessant arrest and detention of high profile political leaders especially leaders of the opposition political parties which may suggest deliberate clampdown to put them out of circulation at this time should be avoided. The federal government and the relevant agencies in collaboration with civil society and pro-democracy organizations must make deliberate efforts to ensure large citizen participation in the 2027 elections. The appalling twenty percent turn out in our general elections speaks to the illegitimacy of the outcomes. Nobody who is a product of such outcome should beat his chest and say that the people have spoken through the ballot box. I urge you to be mindful of the verdict of history."

By Madu Obi Anambra State governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo has said that his administration is built on the principles of inclusivity and collective progress, irrespective of religious or ethnic differences. Soludo made the remark at the Government House, Awka when he joined members of the Muslim community in the state to break their Ramadan fast. The event brought together Muslim leaders and faithful, as well as top government officials who converged in a warm atmosphere of fellowship. Addressing the gathering, the governor described Anambra as one family, emphasizing on his administration’s commitment to building a livable and prosperous homeland for all. According to him, the values of Ramadan, including compassion, charity, and self-discipline, are universal values that should guide everyone in governance and in their daily lives. He commended the Muslim community in the state for their peaceful coexistence and significant contributions to the state’s social and economic fabric, reiterating his government’s dedication to ensuring the security and well-being of every resident. In his remarks, the Secretary-General of the Anambra State Muslim Council, Alhaji Danni Onyeabo Ejoh, congratulated the governor on his recent electoral victory, describing Soludo's administration as eventful, memorable, challenging, and result-laden. He also stressed that the get together has deepened the cordial relationship between the state and the Muslim community. The Chairman of the Fulani Community in the state, Alhaji Gidado Saddiki, who also spoke, expressed profound appreciation for the governor’s gesture, describing it as historic and heartwarming. He noted that the act of fellowship by the governor is a clear demonstration of true leadership and fatherhood to all, noting that it has strengthened their bond and reassured them of their place and dignity in the Anambra project. The event featured prayers for the peace and development of Anambra State and Nigeria, after which the governor shared the Iftar meal, broke the day’s fast with water, followed by dinner.