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By Madu Obi Tension is mounting in the commercial city of Onitsha following reports that operatives of Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra, OCHA, Brigade allegedly opened fire at the ever busy Emeka Offor Plaza at Bright Street, close to Onitsha Main Market, leaving four people, including a pregnant woman, dead. Eyewitnesses said the incident sparked panic and outrage among traders and residents in the area, who immediately fled the scene for safety. The victims, it was gathered, were carrying out their businesses when they were shot by armed men reportedly working for OCHA Brigade, a state government sanitation enforcement outfit. “This is heartbreaking. Four innocent people who left their homes this morning have been cut down in cold blood. Among them is a pregnant woman. Anambra people are living in fear because criminals have been handed guns and uniforms in the name of government enforcement,” the eye witness said. The reason for the shooting could not be immediately ascertained, but the incident has fueled widespread anger, with critics accusing the state government of empowering groups who terrorize the people. Reacting on the incident, the state Police command said the Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, has sent an Assistant Commissioner of Police to the scene to calm the situation. The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO SP Tochukwu Ikenga, however, said that only one person was dead, while four others were injured. According to him, the incident followed an altercation between some traders and operatives of OCHA Brigade.

By Iheanyi Chukwudi Relief has finally come for nursing students in the country as the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), abolishes the policy of terminating admission of students who had three unsuccessful attempts at the Council's professional examinations. The landmark decision has been hailed by Nigerians especially nursing students and parents whose wards are undertaking the course in various institutions in Nigeria. Before now, if any nursing student fails to pass the Nursing Council examination after three attempts, his or her admission would be terminated, causing a huge financial loss to families and a huge psychological trauma to the students. The decision is said to be part of the Council’s efforts to regularly review nursing and midwifery education and practice standards to meet the evolving health care needs that align with global best practice, the decision is to be implemented immediately. The circular communicating the decision reads in part, "Our mission to promote and maintain excellence in nursing and midwifery education and practice calls for a more inclusive and supportive academic environment that is student-centered, flexible, and devoted to building resilience and interest in lifelong learning. "The existing policy on eliminating candidates from training after three failed attempts at the Council's professional examinations has become a concern. It is imperative to move from a policy of mere elimination to a more student-centered approach that promotes student achievement and success while controlling quackery. Based on the foregoing, this policy of eliminating a candidate from training after three unsuccessful attempts at the Council's professional examinations is hereby abolished effective from September 2025. Candidates who do not pass a part of the professional examination will be required to retake that specific part until a pass mark is achieved. The Proprietors and Heads of Nursing training institutions should kindly take note of the following: "The policy of eliminating unsuccessful candidates from training after three attempts at the Council's professional examination is now completely abolished. "A candidate who is unsuccessful in any part of the Council's professional examination shall be permitted to retake that specific part until he/she is successful in all parts of the professional examination. "The candidate(s) concerned must remain in school and maintain at least 80% lecture and/or clinical posting attendance to be eligible for the re-sit. "Each unsuccessful attempt at the professional examination re-sit will be counted against the institution." Already, the Council’s circular has been sent to, Commissioners/ Secretary of Health Services of all States Ministry of Health and Federal Capital Territory, Abuja; Vice Chancellor of All Nigerian Universities Offering Bachelor of Nursing Science Degree Programme; Others are Chief Medical Directors/Medical Directors of University Teaching Hospitals/ Specialist and Medical Centres; National President of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives; Directors of Nursing Services, Ministries of Health, and Hospitals Management Boards. The circular titled: "Nursing Education Reforms: Elimination Of Students After Three Professional Examination Attempts,” was also communicated to: All States and Federal Capital Territory; Heads of Department of Nursing Science, All Nigerian Universities Offering Nursing Programmes. Other institutions covered are Proprietors of All Colleges of Nursing Sciences; Provosts and Principals of Colleges of Nursing Sciences, Schools of Nursing and Midwifery; Coordinators of All Post Basic Nursing Programmes; Zonal Officers of All Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria Zonal Offices. Heads of institutions have been appealed to implement strategies that will help all students succeed, especially those who may need more support and time to study and improve their knowledge.

By Madu Obi Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has said that after the November 8 governorship election, he will move against those suspected to have forged certificates. Speaking in Awka, Soludo noted that the forgers are bringing bad image to society and deceiving the young ones. Although he did not name anybody, the governor said that a running mate to one of the governorship candidates in the November 8 governorship election is parading a fake PhD degree, adding that it amounted to deceiving the young ones who may be made to believe that every university degree is purchasable. According to him, there is a lot of work to be done in Anambra State, adding that he will not shy away from them, including restoring morality as could be seen in the war against fake native doctors who promise wealth without work. He said: "After the election, he will face certificate forgers. INEC has a column where, if you are filing your governorship form, you fill your qualifications, but the running mate to this candidate filled school certificate and a PhD. What it means is that the deputy governorship candidate does not have a diploma, a degree or a masters degree, but jumped to present a PhD. That is wrong. Some people have taken it upon themselves to find out where the PhD was obtained from and it turned out to be fake. It is from a fake institution; those kind of institutions where, if you pay, you get it. Some charge even 60 dollars and they give it to you. That university has no accreditation in the US and not recognized by the National Universities Commission. The running mate concerned should have written just a school certificate and back it up with a court affidavit and it would have been okay. How can someone have a school certificate and from there present a PhD from nowhere? After November 8 election, we will declare war on fake certificate holders. After our war on fake native doctors, our next move is to go after fake certificate holders because it confuses the children. If PhD is what you want, sit down and work for it, not going to get fake certificates. They are deceiving our children. We cannot let that to continue to happen. The work we have to do in Anambra to sanitize the state is much and we will not shy away from it.”

By Madu Obi Awka- An indigene of Anambra State based in the United States of America, USA, Mr. Bonaventure Ezekwenna, has petitioned Governor Chukwuma Soludo over alleged extortion by some staff in the office of the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, while handling a case of property acquisition he has in the state. However, the Attorney General, Professor Sylvia Ifemeje, said that when the man complained, she assigned another prosecutor to him, following allegation that the ones handling the case were demanding gratifications. In the petition, Ezekwenna appealed to the governor to order an urgent and independent review of the handling of the case by a prosecutor in the office of the Attorney General, who he alleged, demanded N1 million to diligently prosecute the case. He also called for the immediate prosecution of two officers of the Ministry of Justice in line with the investigation reports of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, FCID, dated 12 th October, 2022 and 5th February, 2024. Going down memory lane, Ezekwenna recalled how he bought an uncompleted property at Nnobi, Idemili South local government area on September 2,2021 for N10 million and paid with a bank draft and performed other traditional rites according to the Igbo tradition. He said: "As I began to develop the property, a land grabber stormed and attacked the place, threatened violence and claimed that he bought the property a year before me for N20 million cash. He demanded the N20 million from me to continue development. In fact, he demolished my property and stole by building materials. He also stated that he is a native doctor and owns several deadly shrines in Nnobi and other places and boldly told me that the police are under his pocket. I made inquiry and found out that I had fallen into the hands of hardcore heinous criminal syndicate terrorizing and destabilizing communities in Anambra State. These criminals pretend they are native doctors and traditionalists, but they are actually what is known within law enforcement in Nigeria as Yahoo+ crimes, which includes violent land grabbing." According to him, when a prosecutor demanded N1 million from him, he complained to the state Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, who told him 'to settle him so that he would do the case well' He added: "The prosecutor eventually extorted over N400,000 from me and still extorting, until I vehemently, fiercely resisted and rebuked him. The prosecutor threatened me and stated that he will make sure I will not get justice. He sent threats by phone calls, texts and voicemails, saying that for complaining about him, I will meet my Waterloo and that his gods will fight me. My lawyer and I complained to the Attorney General and she transferred my case to another prosecutor and gave instructions which the prosecutor did not obey. In fact, the new prosecutor demanded and insisted she will not do my case unless I give her N150,000 and N20,000 for every appearance. I have lived in the United States for about 40 years and decided to come home to invest in my home town and this is what I have been made to pass through". His lawyer, Jude Obiora, who signed the petition on his behalf, along with C.I Udeh, Managing Partner and S.A Usman, Head of Practice of Orators Legal Practitioners, Abuja, said Ezekwenna has suffered unimaginable threats, intimidation, extortion and harassment because of the inaction of those entrusted with prosecuting crime in the state. But in a telephone reaction, the Attorney General, Professor Ifemeje, said she had advised Ezekwenna to complain to the state governor, if he was not satisfied with the way the prosecutor was handling his case. She said that when he complained about the way the first prosecutor assigned to the case was handling it, she withdrew that one and assigned another one to handle the matter, adding that it is surprising that he is still complaining.

By Madu Obi The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, has raised the alarm over the escalating insecurity across Nigeria, urging the federal government to declare a national war on violence. Reflecting on what he described as a “bloody weekend,” Obi highlighted the deaths of over 100 Nigerians across Borno, Sokoto, Katsina, and Edo states. Among the victims were eight NSCDC officers, five soldiers, and dozens of civilians, alongside the abduction of a Chinese national in Edo and the kidnapping of passengers on the Benin–Iyere–Oluku road. “These are not isolated tragedies. They are stark evidence that Nigeria is in the grip of a full-blown security emergency," Obi said. According to Obi, the casualty figures rival those of countries officially at war, arguing that the situation requires immediate and decisive action. “It is time to declare a national war on insecurity — to mobilize every resource, every agency, every state, and to suspend all distractions while we begin the process of reclaiming our nation from lawlessness,” he stated. He extended his deepest condolences to the families of the fallen, praising the courage of security personnel who risk their lives daily for the nation. He also criticized government officials for prioritizing foreign trips over domestic security, saying: “True leadership must be seen at home, personally coordinating the war against insecurity. Investors will not come into a war zone.” Citing the experiences of Somalia and Libya, Obi stressed that no nation can prosper while its citizens live under siege. “We must act now, with urgency and courage, to prevent a total descent into anarchy and rebuild Nigeria into a safe, secure, and a productive nation", he urged government.

By Madu Obi The people of Orsumenyi Community, the hometown of the governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, for the November 8 election, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, have assured him of their total support during the election. The international President of Orsumenyi Elites, Chief Frank Umeh, who spoke when members of the group visited the APC candidate, expressed happiness that their illustrious son emerged the flag bearer of APC for the governorship poll. "Our members are motivated by the honour done to our community by your party," he said, promising to mobilize the entire community, including their in-laws, friends and neighbours to deploy their resources to ensure that Ukachukwu wins the election. Umeh, who presented two branded Sienna vehicles and cash for their maintenance, to support their brother's, governorship campaign, added that the gifts would continue till the election. According to him, the group's aim for the visit was to strengthen the campaign machinery of the APC ahead of the election with a view to ensuring a resounding victory. The gesture, he stated, was both strategic and symbolic, noting that it signaled Orsumeyi's determination to play a decisive role in Ukachukwu's political journey. "The Ukachukwu project is a collective responsibility and we urge every supporter not only to cast their votes, but to mobilizes others to do so. It is the beginning of unity and the togetherness that will carry us to victory in November", he added. Meanwhile, two other support groups, the Ikemba Front and Ikukuoma Youth Movement, both based in Lagos, whose leaders also visited Ukachukwu, said their members have resolved to return home en masse to exercise their franchise during the election. The leader of Ikemba Front, Tochukwu Michael, expressed confidence that with Ukachukwu’s leadership, insecurity would be consigned to history in Anambra State. Similarly, Chigbo Mbalie of Ikukuoma Youth Movement, reaffirmed his group's unalloyed support for Ukachukwu’s candidacy. “We are fully committed and will stand by him all the way,” he pledged. Receiving the visitors, Ukachukwu described the November election as a collective project and expressed deep appreciation that the support came from his own people.

By Madu Obi Governor Chukwuma Soludo has inaugurated a 489 member Governorship Campaign Council for the November, 8, 2025 election. Governor Soludo who performed the inauguration ceremony at the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, regional office in Awka, described the membership as people carefully chosen out of the 8.5 million Anambra people to help midwife the message of hope to the grassroot ahead of the election. While appreciating the founding fathers of the party for paying the sacrifice since 2002 when APGA was established, the governor thanked members of the Council for accepting to serve, describing the party as an idea. He tasked them on the major role, which is at the polling units, wards, local government level. He went down memory lane concerning the checkered history of the party, assuring that under the APGA banner, his administration will continue to work and commission projects for the good of the people. The Director General of the Council, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu, who stressed that the people have been chosen to carry the banner of victory for the reelection of Governor Soludo, reminded them that they have been enlisted on a mission to campaign as the underdogs to unknown opponents. He asked them to bring their best to the forefront with their ideas, energy and relentless commitment, expressing optimism that the victory is assured in all the polling units across the state. The National Chairman of APGA, Barr. Sly Ezeokenwa, the Anambra State APGA Chairman, Barr. Ifeatu Obiokoye, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, Chief Ifeyinwa Obegolu, Dr. Paschal Agbodike, Senator Emmanuel Nwachukwu, among others described Governor Soludo as Anambra's consensus candidate because of his track record of development in the state and pledged their total support.

Peter Obi during his visit to the site of the hospital By Madu Obi To boost healthcare development in Anambra State, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023, Mr. Peter Obi, has donated ₦10 million to the Aguata Anglican Diocese to support the acquisition and revitalisation of the Good Hope Specialist Hospital in Isulo. The hospital is strategically located along the popular Basden Road. Presenting the first tranche of his support of- a cheque of ₦10 million, Mr. Obi expressed profound joy at contributing to a project that will enhance access to quality healthcare for the people. He noted that his decision to support the Diocese was motivated by his personal conviction that investing in healthcare is one of the most meaningful ways to uplift society. “Over the years, I have seen first-hand the transformative impact of projects executed by the faith-based organisations when given the right support. The Diocese of Amichi’s hospital facility, which I was privileged to support as Governor, has been turned around so remarkably that it now runs one of the best Schools of Nursing in Nigeria. I am confident that this facility at Isulo will follow the same path and become a beacon of hope for our people,” Obi stated. Leading Mr. Obi on a tour of the facilities, Ven. Dr. M. C. Obi, Chairman of the Aguata Diocesan Hospital Board and Archdeacon of Ezira Archdeaconry, expressed deep gratitude for his continued commitment to projects that uplift humanity. He assured Mr. Obi that the Diocese would not only put the facility to optimal use but also ensure that it becomes a centre of excellence for healthcare delivery “for the benefit of humanity and to the greater glory of God.” Dr. Obi further revealed that the access road to the facility was originally constructed during Mr. Obi’s tenure as Governor, underscoring his long-standing commitment to infrastructural and social development in the region. Looking ahead, Dr. Obi announced that the Diocese plans to transform the Good Hope Specialist Hospital into a comprehensive health complex. “Our vision is to establish within this facility a School of Nursing, a School of Midwifery, and a School of Health Technology, thereby creating a hub for training future healthcare professionals and meeting the growing medical needs of our communities,” he said. Accompanying Mr. Obi was Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna, who described the initiative as a bold and visionary step towards addressing the nation’s healthcare challenges. She commended both Mr. Obi and the Diocese for their dedication to projects that directly impact the lives of ordinary Nigerians, stressing that healthcare is one of the most critical investments any society can make.

By Madu Obi In a historic moment for Nigeria’s tech landscape, Mr. John Nwosu, the governorship candidate of African Democratic Congress, ADC, for the November 8 Anambra election, has showcased his vision for digital economy if elected. Nwosu, who made a strong presence at the Global Information Technology Expo (GITEX), the first of its kind ever hosted on Nigerian soil, outlined his roadmap to transform the state into a Smart Tech Hub of Africa, promising massive investments in STEM education, tech-driven entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, and cyber-security infrastructure The event, which brought together innovators, tech giants, policymakers, and investors from across the world, provided a vibrant platform for Nwosu to reference and underscore his vision of a digitally-driven Anambra State, anchored on innovation, skills, enterprise and tech-service delivery. Addressing participants at the Expo, the ADC candidate described GITEX Nigeria as a “defining turning point” in positioning the nation and particularly Anambra State as a future hub for technology and knowledge-based economy. He emphasized that while oil defined Nigeria’s past, technology and AI will define its future, and Anambra must not be left behind. He further stressed the importance of preparing young people for 21st-century jobs by creating innovation clusters, incubation centres, and digital academies across the state. “My mission is clear: to make Anambra the Silicon Valley of Nigeria. We will empower our youths with the tools of tomorrow, attract domestic and global investors, and build a digital economy that guarantees seamless service delivery and prosperity for every household in our state", Nwosu said. Nwosu's bold vision and passion for technology drew commendation from several participants, with industry stakeholders noting that his presence at GITEX sent a strong signal of his readiness to lead Anambra into a future of innovation and global competitiveness. As the gubernatorial campaigns heats up, political observers believe that his appearance at GITEX has further strengthened his profile as a transformative and forward-thinking leader, with the right mix of vision, competence, and global connections needed to replace Soludo and drive Anambra into a new era of digital transformation.

By Madu Obi Hon. Henry Mbachu, the member representing Awka South constituency 1, in the state House of Assembly, has left the Labour Party, LP, and joined the Young Progressive Party. In a video broadcast announcing his move to the YPP, Mbachu said that his decision to join the YPP was reached after careful consideration arising from his assessment of the YPP candidate and his manifesto, which he said, best expresses his desire for a new Anambra State. He pledged to work assiduously for the YPP and the candidate of the party, Sir Paul Chukwuma, for the November 8, Anambra State Governorship Election. Speaking on the quality of YPP’s candidate and his confidence in the party and the candidate’s manifesto, Mbachu said that not only does Paul Chukwuma’s manifesto fit into his own set legislative agenda for his constituents, but also that his candidacy appeals to the youths and has a compelling vision and plan for Anambra State which is comparable to none else. Mbachu also assured his constituents that the YPP is their best option in realizing their collective interest. He added: “I am here to declare to you my defection from Labour Party to the YPP. This decision is made on the foundation of a carefully thought-out way for the good people of Awka and Okpuno, with the best interest at heart,” Hon. Henry Mbachu said. Mbachu further stated that "For the November 8 Anambra State governorship election, I am going to work with the candidate who has presented the best manifesto that suits the people of Awka and Okpuno. A candidate who represents the young minds. A candidate who presented an understandable blueprint on how to develop Anambra from consumption to production. A candidate who has shown me that industries can be built across the state, His Excellency, Barrister Paul Chukwuma. " "He has also assured me that in every facility built in Awka by the government, Awka and Okpuno people will have the option of first refusal from level 1 to level 7. This decision is in the best interest of Awka South,” Hon. Mbachu concluded.

By Madu Obi The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), a human rights group, has petitioned the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police over the killing of Late Inspector Shedrack Amechi, while carrying out his lawful duty at Amaeze, Ishiagu, Ivo local government area of the state. Executive Director of RULAAC, Okechukwu Nwanguma, in the petition, called for prompt, impartial and effective investigation into the incident. According to Nwanguma, information available to the family indicates that Inspector Amechi, attached to the Divisional Headquarters, Abakaliki, was part of a police team on an official assignment to arrest a suspect. The team, he said, was confronted by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who were acting as escorts to the suspect the police went to arrest. He said: "We understand that following alleged instructions from a superior NSCDC officer that the police should not be allowed to arrest the suspect, a confrontation ensued. In the process, one of the NSCDC operatives discharged a rifle, fatally shooting Inspector Amechi. This incident represents not only a devastating personal loss to the Amechi family, who have been denied their breadwinner, but also a serious institutional concern. The avoidable inter-agency hostility and misuse of firearms undermine public confidence in law enforcement agencies and endanger national security. On behalf of the family, we therefore respectfully request that your office ensures a prompt, impartial, and thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Inspector Amechi’s death, including the actions of the NSCDC operatives and their superiors." Nwanguma urged the Police to also ensure accountability, by bringing to book, all those responsible, whether directly or through command responsibility to deter future inter-agency conflicts and impunity. "RULAAC also urges the Police to guarantee adequate redress and compensation for the Amechi family, recognizing that the deceased was their breadwinner and his death has left his dependents in a vulnerable state. It should go further to provide institutional assurance to serving police officers that if they lose their lives in the line of duty, their families will not be abandoned by the institution they served. This is critical to sustaining morale and commitment within the Force. We note that the Command has scheduled a meeting with the NSCDC and the family, and that an autopsy has been proposed. While these are steps in the right direction, we urge that they be followed with concrete actions to establish the truth, ensure accountability, and provide justice. RULAAC, acting in its mandate of promoting accountability and the rule of law in Nigeria, will continue to follow up on this matter and expects regular updates on the progress of the investigation. We trust in your leadership to ensure that justice is done and seen to be done in this case", Nwanguma said.

By Madu Obi The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, has urged electricity consumers in Anambra State to report any official of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, asking them to buy or pay for transformers, cables or poles, to the commission for prompt action. Addressing electricity consumers from all parts of Anambra State during a town hall meeting in Awka, the NERC Commissioner in charge of Stakeholders Management, Hajiya Aisha Mohammed, informed the consumers that the report must be documented so that it could be traced. Mohammed, who was represented by the Head, Consumer Protection in NERC, Dr. Zubairu Babatunde, said that there should be no coercion on any consumer to purchase such materials because they are investments of the Distribution Company. He said: "NERC oversees the entire electricity supply in the country and regulates the operations of DISCOS. We also ensure that customers are not short- changed and that customers, on the other hand, do what they are legally permitted to do in terms of electricity consumption. If they are not satisfied with the services provided by DISCOS, they should use the appropriate channel to complain. We also ensure that all issues concerning supply of electricity are resolved in line with the provisions of the law. The Commission has been moving from one state to the other to talk to the consumers in the presence of the DISCOS, to see how their services are received by the people, and resolve operational deficiencies. Essentially, we are here to listen to your complaints and for officials of EEDC to respond to those issues." During the meeting, such issues as metering, billing, corruption in the system, regularity of supply, among others, were exhaustively discussed, while NERC officials who would be in the state for three days, were supervising the process of meter acquisition on the spot. During the period, consumers who needed prepaid meters were assured that they would get them within the three days NERC officials would be in Anambra State. The Chief Information Officer of EEDC, Dr Idika Okechukwu, who represented the company's Managing Director, said that meter laboratory has been established in Onitsha, assuring that henceforth, any consumer who pays for meter would have it installed within 72hours. He, however, observed that most buildings in Anambra State are not properly earthed due to the use of unqualified people in wiring houses. He said that of the 1,365,400 electricity consumers in Anambra State, 750,000 have been metered, adding that EEDC has no choice than to comply with NERC regulation on metering. He also explained that by the end of this month, EEDC will have offline bill payment system, noting that it would no longer be necessary for customers to be going to EEDC offices for payments.