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By Madu Obi The leadership of Akwaihedi Community in Nnewi South local government area of Anambra State has distanced the community from a trending video claiming that a young man was killed in the bush by men wearing military uniforms. A voice in the video claimed that those who killed the young man also stripped him (the narrator) naked and threatened to also kill him if he messed up. According to the narrator, the soldiers also threatened other people namely, Sunday Ojiego, Obinwanne Okafor- and Sunday Albert who, according to him, were going to work. But the community described the video as misleading and malicious, expressing deep concern over the attempt by certain individuals to distort facts and create a negative impression about Akwaihedi, which it stated, is a peaceful and law-abiding community known for its cooperation with security agencies. President General (PG) of Akwaihedi Community, Hon. Oliver Mbagwu, said in a statement that "the individual seen in the viral video was not a resident, representative, or a member of the Akwahedi Community, but rather one of the criminal elements earlier apprehended by soldiers operating around Orsumuoghu area who, after being apprehended, deceitfully led the soldiers into Akwaihedi with false promise to lead them to the den of his cohorts". The PG explained that the suspect was earlier arrested during a security operation targeting criminal hideouts and was being processed when he attempted to escape from custody. His attempt to flee, the PG added, occurred before he was fully demobilized, which led to the situation captured in the circulating video. The PG stressed that any attempt to twist the situation and link the suspect’s actions to the community were malicious and unacceptable, emphasizing that Akwahedi Community has always supported legitimate security operations aimed at safeguarding lives and property and has consistently worked with law-enforcement agencies to ensure peace and order in the area. "The community therefore urges the general public, media practitioners, and social media users to disregard the false narrative being propagated. "Akwahedi remains committed to promoting truth, transparency, and peaceful coexistence, and will not tolerate attempts to tarnish its reputation through misinformation. Akwaihedi is not occupied by insurgents and there is relative peace in the community. "The leadership also calls on those spreading false narratives to desist from such acts and warns that, if necessary, the community will take appropriate legal and civic steps to protect its good name", the PGs statement read.

By Madu Obi Anambra State governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has earmarked N2 billion to empower small scale entrepreneurs in the state. The Micro Enterprise Support Sceme, MESS, is one of the innovations in the 2026 budget already before the State House of Assembly. The Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mrs Chiamaka Nnake made this known while defending budget estimate for her ministry before the Committee on Finance and Appropriation of the Assembly. Nnake explained that the Ministry of Economic Planning, with a total budget of N6.2 billion, has two major components, adding that N3 billion is for counterpart fundings, while N2 billion is for the Micro Enterprise Support Sceme. She explained that the micro credit scheme is expected to give most of the major enterprises components in the state support for their businesses. She said that with the 1 - youth 2 skills programme fully in place and functioning effectively, there are men and women in the market who are running their businesses with minimal capital and, therefore, needed government support in form of grant. According to the Commissioner, Anambra State has the most conservative and efficient budget performance in Nigeria and have tried to make the 2026 budget realistic.

By Madu Obi The Catholic Church, at the weekend, marked 140th anniversary of Catholicism in Eastern Nigeria at Onitsha, with thousands of faithful gathering to mark the historic milestone in the life of the Church. The celebration took place at the Field of the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, where worshippers honoured the legacy of the early missionaries and reflected on the enduring impact of the Catholic Church in Nigeria over the past 140 years. Nearly all the bishops from dioceses within Onitsha Province, attended the ceremony. The Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Michael Crooty, who represented the Holy Father, Pope Leo, presided over the Mass, during which some candidates were ordained deacons. Francis Cardinal Arinze was present, as well as his younger colleague in the College of Cardinals, Ebele Cardinal Okpaleke, who is the Bishop of Ekwulobia Diocese, was also present. Speaking after the Mass, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Mr Peter Obi, described the anniversary as a moment to “look back with gratitude and look forward with hope.” Obi praised the early missionaries, including Rev. Fr. Joseph Lutz, Bishop Joseph Ignatius Shanahan, and Archbishop Charles Heerey, for laying the spiritual and educational foundations of the Church. He noted that their sacrifices remain the seed of a faith that has continued to flourish across generations. He also commended successive leaders of the Onitsha Archdiocese - Cardinal Francis Arinze, Archbishops Stephen Ezeanya and Albert Obiefuna, and the current Archbishop Valerian Okeke - for sustaining the Church’s significant contributions to education, healthcare, and social development. Highlighting the Catholic Church as the largest provider of social services in Nigeria after the government, Obi said its schools and hospitals have shaped countless lives. A proud product of Catholic education himself, Obi added that the values of discipline, integrity, and service continue to guide him. He congratulated the Archbishop, clergy, and faithful of the Archdiocese and prayed for God’s continued blessings on their work. Special Adviser to Peter Obi on Media, Mr Valentine Obienyem, described the event as a truly successful testimony to the leadership of Archbishop of Onitsha, His Grace, Valerian Okeke, adding that anything he leads never fails. Obienyem said: "His organisational strength and his ability to identify and deploy the right people for any task are remarkable. To his purpose, he gives his thinking with a mind that is clear, inventive, and restless - counting nothing done if anything remains to be done. "He brings men to identify with his vision by persuasion. When he preaches, one is always stirred by his flowing eloquence. His knowledge runs deep - in history, as when he speaks on topics like jubilees; in liturgy, when he explains the significance of church dedications; in philosophy, as a seasoned lecturer in ethics; and in theology, where his understanding is thick and profound." According to Obienyem, Archbishop Okeke is evidently a goal-getter, noting that he does not delay once he sets his mind on achieving something. "The speed and excellence with which he executes projects arise from the fact that he thoroughly conceives them long before they appear to the public. He is, in every sense, a Renaissance man. "If you have visited the Holy Family Village at Amansea, Awka, you would understand this. The first time I saw it, I thought the scale of investment there could have launched a university. Yet Archbishop Okeke gave no sign that such an institution was in the works—until suddenly Shanahan University emerged, and in a short time, it secured approval for Medicine and Law. The celebration of 140 years gives us yet another opportunity to appreciate such men who labour tirelessly in the Lord’s vineyard with vision, discipline, eloquence, and ecclesiastical commitment. It reminds us that the growth of the Church, education, and society is the product of such steadfast leadership, thoughtful planning, and enduring faith. In reflecting on this milestone, one cannot help but be inspired to emulate such dedication in our own vocations, whether in service, scholarship, or leadership. Truly, the legacy of Archbishop Okeke and the missionary pioneers continues to shape generations, proving that faith in action transforms both people and communities", Obienyem added.