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By Madu Obi The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, orientation camp at Umuawulu/Mbaukwu in Anambra State is under serious erosion threat, with the State Coordinator of NYSC, Mrs Blessing Ekene Iruma, appealing to Governor Chukwuma Soludo to intervene immediately to save the magnificent edifice. Speaking during the swearing - in ceremony of 2023 Batch B' stream one at the Orientation Camp, Iruma complained that the erosion menace was seriously hindering the smooth operations in the camp and depleting the resources of NYSC. Authorities of NYSC have already hired contractors to fill some of the gully erosion sites in the area."The erosion had eaten up most of the landscape and now pulling down walls and other structures in the camp." "We appeal to the Anambra State government to speedily intervene in combating the menace and stop further damage. If nothing is urgently done ,the erosion will destroy the beautiful structures put in place by state government," she stated. Chief of staff to the governor, Mr Ernest Ezeajughi, who was at the camp said the state government would liaise with the Coordinator to find a lasting solution to the erosion menace in the camp. "With over 1000 erosion sites in the state, we have our hands full in erosion, but we will do something. We will discuss with the NYSC Coordinator and meet with the state Commissioner in charge of Environment to do something," the Chief of Staff said

Iheanyi Chukwudi President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday took a decisive action on the alarming increase in food inflation nationwide by declaring a state of emergency on food security. The decision and pronouncement was made at a meeting President Tinubu had with stakeholders on agriculture and food production value-chain. Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, Dele Alake, who made this known to newsmen after the said meeting said that measures in the action plan will include an immediate release of fertilizers and grains to farmers and households to mitigate the effects of the subsidy removal.⁣ Alake said, “As a hands-on-leader who follows developments across the country every day, Mr. President is not unmindful of the rising cost of food and how it affects the citizens. “While availability is not a problem, affordability has been a major issue to many Nigerians in all parts of the country. This has led a significant drop in demand thereby undermining the viability of the entire agriculture and food value chain." “Accordingly, in line with this administration’s position on ensuring that the most vulnerable are supported, Mr. President has declared, with immediate effect the following actions: That a state of emergency on food security be announced immediately," Giving details of the Presidential Intervention on Food Security, Food Pricing and Sustainability to newsmen, Alake also disclosed that the President has approved that all matters pertaining to food and water availability and affordability, as essential livelihood items, be included within the purview of the National Security Council. “That all matters pertaining to food and water availability and affordability, as essential livelihood items, be included within the purview of the National Security Council," the Presidential Spokesman said. ⁣ Alake briefed newsmen alongside Special Adviser to the President on Revenue, Zacch Adedeji; Special Adviser on Industry, Trade and Investment, John Uwajumogu; Acting Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Wale Adeniyi and others.

By Madu Obi THE Pensions Transitional Administration Directorate, PTAD, said yesterday that it paid N754 billion to 226,000 pensioners in the country between January, 2015 and December 31, 2022. At a stakeholders engagement forum in Awka, the Executive Secretary of PTAD, Dr Chioma Ejikeme said the welfare of Nigerian pensioners remained sacrosanct, adding that measures have been put in place for seamless payment of pension. She described as irrevocable, the organization's determination to change the narrative as far as pension administration under the Defined Benefits Scheme (DBS) in Nigeria is concerned.According to her, PTAD is also confident that President Bola Tinubu will continue to make pension payment a first-line charge given his well-known and commendable antecedents in pension matters, Ejikeme said: "We have already started witnessing continued prompt payment of monthly pensions to our esteemed pensioners. We cannot afford to go back to the time when the DBS pensioners were owed months of pension arrears and their needs pushed to the back-burner. "At the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate, we are aware of the importance of carrying our pensioners and stakeholders along in what we do; and this is why we organize this kind of forum to interact with you, keep you updated on our activities, as well as our future plans, and most importantly, get your feedback. "It is pertinent to note that PTAD has intentionally and consistently been working on achieving positive and sustainable change in the DBS Pension management for the almost 10 years of its operation. "You may recall that the Defined Benefit Scheme in the past was fraught with allegations of fraud, corruption and inefficiencies prior to the establishment of the Directorate. However, the processes and controls that have been put in place since the establishment of PTAD, have contributed immensely to the change being witnessed today in the management of the defined benefit pension scheme." She warned pensioners against patronizing fraudsters, noting that they seem to have kicked off their activities again as there were reports of pensioners being called by people pretending to be PTAD staff and soliciting funds from pensioners to enable their entitlements to be paid. "No staff of PTAD will call or send any message to you requesting for payment or ask you to call a certain phone number before your arrears or gratuity will be paid. Once you get such messages, you should know that PTAD did not send them and will never do so", she added.

Madu Obi Youths of All Progressives Congress, APC, have urged the party's leaders to render account of how the funds made available for the 2021 governorship and the 2023 presidential elections were spent in Anambra State. At a media briefing in Awka on Thursday, the youths said doing so is the only way forward for peace to reign in the party in Anambra State. The South East APC Young Progressives Forum argued that while it welcomes the planne APC stakeholders meeting expected to take place in Awka on July 15, those who handled the campaign funds for the two elections should tell the people how the monies were spent. National convener of the Forum, Mr. Pascal Candle, who addressed reporters on the issue said also to be accounted for were the disputed funds from the 2022 National Convention/Presidential Primary of APC, which has been a subject of controversy. In the press statement which was copied to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Chief of Staff to the President, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, who is the chairman APC Governors’ Forum, the APC national chairman, among others, the youths believed that rendering the accounts is a crucial step towards bringing about true reconciliation and healing for the APC in Anambra State. The statement said: "We carried out a deep soul searching and sampling of opinions of party members from across different strata in Anambra State and we discovered that the unresolved controversies from the 2021 governorship election campaign handling, 2022 APC Presidential primary funds and the just concluded 2023 presidential campaign fund controversies were basically the major issues on the lips of party members and which is bringing so much division in the party. "We, therefore, arrived at the conclusion that the party needs to resolve these unresolved issues, otherwise the rebuilding efforts of the party may turn out to be a house built on quicksand, which will collapse at the smallest sign of tremor. "We state that this call for accountability is in good faith and not targeted at any individual or a section of the party, but in the overall interest of our party, considering the fact that the Anambra 2025 governorship election season has started and the APC cannot afford to go into it with a shaky foundation. "The party needs to be as united as possible in order to better strategize on how best to bring Anambra State to the progressives fold, come 2025. We must be a seen as a very viable and better alternative to the governing All Progressives Grand Alliance by Anambra people come 2025 and the journey to that destination starts when we sort out our internal differences and move as one big, united and focused party." The statement further said that the South East APC Young Progressives Forum has taken it upon itself to be the new conscience of the party in Anambra State and South East and advocated for the setting up of truth and reconciliation Committee by the State Working Committee of the party with inputs from relevant stakeholders.

Iheanyi Chukwudi The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Enugu State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Chukwu, has again prevented the Labour Party and its governorship candidate in the 2023 elections in Enugu State, Chijioke Edeoga, from inspecting the Bimodal Voter Accreditation Systems (BVAS) used for the March 18 elections in the state. The REC by his action defied an order of the Enugu State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal which mandated him to allow the Labour Party to inspect the BVAS machines used in voter accreditation in some parts of the state. His first refusal prompted a petition by the Labour Party governorship candidate, Edeoga, to the Chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmud Yakubu, accusing the Enugu REC of refusal to comply with the order of the tribunal. INEC denied the allegation, prompting the scheduling of the inspection for Wednesday, July 12, 2023. But contrary to the order of the court, INEC through the Head of Department, Voter Education at INEC office Enugu, Mr. Chuka Rex Achumie, invited members of the ruling party in there state, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and insisted that Labour Party will not conduct the inspection without the agreement of the PDP. His stand led to a shouting match at the INEC premises, which eventually led to the disruption of the exercise by thugs allegedly brought by the PDP. The Labour Party inspection team led by the Deputy Governorship candidate of the party, Dr. John Nwaokeabia, had arrived at the INEC office at Independence Layout as early as 9.00am on Wednesday, to carry out the Court order, but was prevented by the HOD, Voter Education, who told them that the Commission deliberately invited PDP members and other party members to come and be part of the exercise. The thugs who invaded the INEC office also allegedly, threatened the forensic expert, who was invited for the analyses of the BVAS machines. All entreaties by the LP team and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Independence Layout Police Station, to allow LP to carry out the order granted them by the Court proved abortive as Mr. Achumie insisted that no inspection would take place without the agreement of the PDP. Speaking to newsmen at the INEC premises, the Spokesman of the Edeoga Campaign Organisation, Engr. George Ugwu decried the situation where INEC would become partisan in an exercise it was supposed to be the umpire and called on well-meaning Nigerians to advise the electoral body to toe the path of honour by respecting a court order. He said, "We do not understand what these people are doing. As you can see, we arrived here expecting to inspect the BVAS machines, How the INEC invited the PDP and insisted they will have to agree before we carry out the inspection is what we do not understand. "This is the height of impunity and we want Nigerians to bear witness that Enugu REC and INEC are not only showing unhindered partisanship but also disobeying an order of the tribunal in an attempt to frustrate our search for justice." Engr. Ugwu said as law abiding party, the Labour Party will continue to explore lawful means to reclaim "the mandate that was given to it by the people of Enugu State."

Iheanyi Chukwudi Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has warned people following the self acclaimed Nnamdi Kanu’s disciple, Simon Ekpa to immediately retrace their steps before they fall into a ditch with him. IPOB said the warning has become necessary as Ekpa last week confirmed the groups pronouncements that he was not working for IPOB or the good of Biafra, as he went hiding when a Biafran rally held in Finland on July 7 near his (Ekpa’s) building. The pro-Biafra group in a statement issued by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, insisted that the agitation for Biafra was not for criminals and scammers who were paid by the Nigerian government to create insecurity and criminality to blackmail IPOB and Kanu. Powerful who commended IPOB hardcore members who attended the July 7, 2023 Finland rally held at Lahti, explained that it was part of IPOB’s global sensitisation agenda on the plight of Biafrans and illegal incarceration of their Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, assuring that the rally would continue around Europe. His statement reads in parts, “IPOB leadership commends all and sundry who participated in the just concluded rally to educate the people of Finland and the rest of the world that IPOB is a peaceful and one organisation without any factions. It is unfortunate that during the epic event at Lahti, Finland, the self-acclaimed Biafra Crime Minister was nowhere to be found. “Finnish people wondered why the so-called Biafra Prime/crime minister didn’t show up to address his people but chose to hide even when the rally took place in front of his apartment building. We thought he dared IPOB to come and protest in Finland, but at last, he was nowhere to be found. How can a true IPOB member hide from fellow Comrades? “We are using this medium to warn the ignorant followers of this scammer and one room Crime Minister to retrace their steps before it becomes too late. It is obvious that there is nothing in the fish brain. The message has been passed to Finnish people so that they will not be deceived.” IPOB stated unequivocally that Biafra agitation was not for criminals and scammers, while insisting that those contracted and backed by the compromised Nigeria Security and government to enforce a non-existing sit-at-home will be held accountable someday. “Many days are for a thief, but one day will be for the owner of the house. Let the public be notified that IPOB led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu never ordered and enforced any sit-at-home in Biafra territory. “We want to pose this question to some media houses especially local media and a few foreign media houses who present the infiltrator as factional leader of IPOB or Biafra Prime Minister (PM), why did he not come out and address his fellow comrades who came to visit him, if he claims to be an IPOB leader?,” the group said. Powerful however, appealed to the media to stop conferring on Simon Ekpa credibility by making him appear as if IPOB has a factional leader, saying, “There is nothing like that. “If the leader of the auto pilot criminal group, the master scammer and agent provocateur called Simon Ekpa is an IPOB member, why was he not present or refused to attend the IPOB protest and rally held in Lahti, Finland at the front of his apartment building close to his residence in the city of Lahti, Finland on the 7th day of July 2023? This was the protest and rally ground in that city and was only a few poles from his living quarters? “We also want the public to be aware and recall that our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, categorically said in his numerous and landmark broadcasts on Radio Biafra that IPOB does not belong to the Kanu family. IPOB is a well structured and organised movement by Biafran volunteers in all parts of the world seeking the exit of Biafra from Nigeria through a referendum.”

Iheanyi Chukwudi Traditional rulers in Enugu State under the auspices of Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council have call for more ruthless actions against kidnappers and the enforcers of sit-at-home order in the state. The Monarchs commended the State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, over the security measures he has taken since assumption of office and assured his administration of their unswerving cooperation in strengthening community policing in their respective communities. Speaking when they had an interactive session with the Governor on Wednesday, at the Traditional Rulers Council Chambers at the Enugu State House of Assembly Complex, the monarchs charged Gov. Mbah to be more ruthless in flushing out kidnappers and enforcers of sit-at-home order, pointing out that such aberrations were not known to the Igbo people. They also urged him to deploy joint security operatives across different communities in the state in order to reinforce the confidence of their subjects so that they could go about their normal businesses. The custodians of culture and traditions lamented that the illegal Monday sit-at-home order being enforced by some criminal elements to intimidate innocent residents did not represent the true identity of what the Igbo people were. Furthermore, they informed the Governor of their resolve to support possible stringent measures that his government deemed proper to secure the state and make it the choice destination for investment and hub of industrialisation in the South East zone. In support of the resolution, the traditional rulers assured Mbah of their readiness to take charge of their communities as chief security officers. Some of the traditional rulers who spoke on behalf of their Senatorial Dcccistricts included Igwe Simon Osisi Itodo, Igwe RSN Eze, Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, Igwe Godwin Madu, Igwe Julius Nnaji and Igwe Greg Ugwu. They noted that kidnapping incidents and other security breaches in the state, particularly along the Nike-Ugwogo-Nsukka road had been flushed out as a result of the timely security response by the Governor, enjoining him to keep up with the pace. “Enugu State and all the traditional rulers in the state are behind any decision you are taking to secure the state against enforcers of illegal sit-at-home order and other hoodlums. We are glad you are walking the talk, and security in the state has significantly improved. “At Ugwogo Nike, we now feel safe with your security measures unlike what we used to have in the past. Your security architecture is clearing all the hurdles. We want you to reinforce community policing like the Neighbourhood Watch. “We are equally appealing to the Governor to ensure that there is presence of security personnel in every street and community especially on their purported sit-at-home days. This will build the confidence of our people to come out and go about their normal transactions,” they royal fathers said. The royal fathers also called on the Governor to sanction erring public servants and other business owners who refuse to go to work or open their businesses for transactions. They said, “Let there be consequences for those who refuse to work on Mondays and other days. “You should also consider making us the chief security officers of our various communities and see us act. Hold us responsible for security breaches in our domains." Earlier, Governor Mbah informed the royal fathers that the meeting was convened to appreciate them for their support during the election and to also brief them on the security measures taken so far to rid the state of criminal elements and attract the promised investments to the state. He stressed that the only way to make the state the premier destination for investment, eradicate poverty, build theme parks, attract over three million tourists every year, provide employments for the youths, and move the state's gross domestic product from its current $4.4 to $30 billion was by ending insecurity posed by hoodlums hiding under the guise of sit-at-home to hurt the economy and inflict pain on the citizens. Mbah said the war against the criminals could only be won with the support of the traditional rulers by talking to their subjects to avoid being used by criminals from other states who operate from somewhere in Finland and other countries, and by taking charge of the security of their communities. Noting that sustainable development, peace and security are mutually reinforcing, the Governor expressed readiness to partner with the traditional rulers to combat insecurity through strengthening community policing, deployment of technology and intelligence gathering and sharing. He said the only way private investors would be interested in the state was by making sure that the state is safe for investment, saying that it’s time to eradicate any impression or perception of insecurity in the state through adequate collaboration. He said, “We cannot concede to those we didn’t give our mandate to direct our affairs. If you have not given anyone your mandate to lead you, they should not direct you. We must tell them they have no right to direct our affairs. “You know our plan to make Enugu the premier destination for investment. We cannot do it alone. It begins with forging a common front to address the big elephant in the room – sit-at-home – escort it out of Enugu and tell it there is no room for it in Enugu State. You should talk to your children and subjects to also go about their routine businesses. “We must challenge the temerity of anyone telling us to sit at home even when their own state is not observing sit-at-home. “As you know, we are in a hurry to fulfil our promises to develop Enugu and drive it to take back its pride of place in the commity of states. We promised to provide water in 180 days, and we know it’s remaining about 134 days. Some places have already started having water in their homes. We will extend our water scheme to all the parts of the state through boreholes, solar-powered water schemes, among other technologies." Mbah urged the people to ignore the false impression being created on social media by the few hoodlums and their accomplices, saying their weapon was to create panic and instil fear through fake news. The Governor reiterated that the government had already identified the hoodlums, going after them in all fronts and is defeating them through its modern security architecture.

Iheanyi Chukwudi Six pupils have broken the 2023 National Common Entrance Examinations record by having the lowest score of 01. In the breakdown of the result released by the National Examinations Council (NECO), which conducted the examination, 76 pupils had the highest score of 203. Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Andrew Adejo, who gave the breakdown of the examination result said 69,829 pupils sat for the examination. He said, “A total of 72,865 pupils registered compared to 71,738 for 2022 with Lagos State having the highest number of 18,644 and Taraba with the lowest of 102. With 38,801 female registrants against 34,064 males, we are making progress with bridging the gender parity; Sixty nine thousand, eight hundred and twenty nine (69,829) pupils sat for the examination. “3,036 pupils were absent; 76 pupils had the highest score of 203; The lowest score was 01 mark and this was scored by six pupils." The Permanent Secretary noted that Federal Unity Colleges have become the first port of call for most parents in the country and assured that government is working hard to ensure better conditions for effective teaching and learning. Adejo said, “I would like to thank everybody that have contributed to making this day possible, starting from the examination council the examination monitors, markers, pressmen who were with us. The conduct of the exam was hitch-free and it indicates that NECO is improving in the delivery of its examinations “As you are all aware, our Federal Unity Colleges have become the first port of call for most parents in the country. Although we are currently facing challenges of infrastructural development, feeding, and teacher quality, I want to assure you that the Federal government is doing its best to ensure better conditions for effective teaching and learning in our schools.”

By Madu Obi SECURITY operatives in Anambra State Wednesday gunned down two persons during gun battle along the Uga -Ezinifite road in the state. The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Aderemi Adeoye said the hoodlums refused to stop when police operatives asked them to and rather opened fire on the security men. He said the joint security operatives attached to Forwarding Operating Base, FOB, on patrol observed that the hoodlums came in two vehicles and were driving suspiciously in an ash highlander jeep and a white Lexus 305 and refused to stop when they were asked to. He said the occupants started shooting sporadically to escape from the police, adding that the joint forces engaged the armed hoodlums, neutralized two of the gang members and recovered one of the operational vehicles, two automatic pump action guns, eleven live cartridges, and a bag containing one walkie-talkie, one cell phone and incriminating items, while others escaped the scene with other vehicles. "In an intense chase by the joint forces, the deadly gang abandoned the white Lexus 350 jeep and took to their heels. "Further scrutiny showed evidence of blood stains on all the vehicles as they escaped with bullet wounds", the CP said. Adeoye also said that yesterday, the police, in collaboration with Anambra State Vigilante at Ichida bus stop along the Ichida -Igboukwu road, rescued a woman from kidnappers and arrested two members of the gang. Items recovered from them include one Ak47 rifle, two pump action guns, two Ak47 magazines, 32 live ammunition and one Highlander jeep belonging to the victim. According to him, preliminary information revealed that the gang of eight hoodlums were operating with two vehicles namely, a grey Highlander jeep and a white Lexus 350 and abducted the victim in her ash coloured Highlander jeep. He said investigation is on to track the remaining gang members.The Commissioner urged operators of public and private hospitals in the state to admit, but report anyone with bullet wound or related injuries to the nearest Police Station.

Iheanyi Chukwudi Ex-international footballer and philanthropist, Kanu Nwankwo and 29 other personalities have been named by the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti in his appointment list. In the list of the Governor's appointees released in a press statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Otti, Mr Kasie Uko, on Wednesday included also, music star, Martins Okechukwu Justice, popularly known as J. Martins. While KANU Nwankwo is appointed Chairman, Enyimba Football Club of Aba, J. Martins, who hails from Ohafia Local Governments Area, was appointed as Special Assistant on Entertainment and Tourism. The appointees whose appointments are with immediate effect includes Mr John Sam Obuh, the former coach of Nigeria’s Under -17 national team, who has been appointed as the new Chairman of Abia Warriors Football Club and Boniface Alozie Uche, Chairman, Abia Comets Football Club. Also appointed are Mr Ugochukwu Okoroafor, Special Adviser, Monitoring and Evaluation; Mr Iheanacho Obioma, Special Adviser on Political Matters; Professor Ijeoma Iheukwumere, Senior Special Assistant on Environment; Mr Odinakachib Eric Eme, Senior Special Assistant on Multilateral and Donor Agencies; Nwaka Inem, Special Adviser, Trade, Commerce and Industry; Magdalene Ugoanusi, In the list are other appointments: Senior Special Assistant, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; George Chidozie, Special Assistant, Special Duties; Okorougo Aji, Special Assistant on Lands and Housing and Obioma Mgbe, Special Assistant on Transport. Chukwunenye Alajemba, Special Assistant on Homeland Security; Ven. Joshua Onyeike, General Manager. Others are Abia State Oil Producing Communities Commission and Development (ASOPADEC); Dike Nwankwo, Director General, Abia State Orientation Agency; Dr Uloaku Ukaegbu, Director General, Abia State Agency for Control of AIDS; Eric Egwuibe, Senior Special Assistant on Budget Planning; Anthony Nwaubani, Senior Special Assistant on Finance; Mr Ogbonna Okereke, General Manager of Abia State Environmental Protection Agency and Donald Chinagozi, Special Assistant on Digital Economy. The list also includes Chinedu Ekeke, Deputy Chief of Staff/Senior Special Assistant on Sports and Youth Development; Oluebube Olunna Chukwu, Senior Special Assistant, Due Process; Kennedy Wiper, Special Assistant on Religious Activities; Col. Ezichi Kalu, General Manager, Abia State Traffic and Safety Management Agency; Mrs Mathilda Anyamele, Special Assistant, Due Process; Mrs Chinwe Kanu Ibe, Special Assistant on Women Mobilization; Mrs Chinwe Onyeukwu, Special Assistant on Women Affairs and Benson Nwaigburu, General Manager, Abia State Debt Management Office.

By Madu Obi An official of the Nigerian Correctional Centre in Anambra State, Mr. Phrank Kez, has cleared the air on the purported disappearance of an Anambra industrialist and proprietor of Best Aluminium, Chief Pius Nweke from prison custody in Awka, saying the man is not missing. Nweke was recently convicted at the Federal High Awka, presided over by Justice Nnamdi Dimgba on a two - count charge of possession of firearms and ammunition without a licence. Nweke's Abba community in Njikoka local government area of the state had alleged that there was a reasonable suspicion that their kinsman was missing from custody. But Kez, who is the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Nigerian Correctional Centre in Anambra State described the community's allegation as untrue. He said: "We don't have record of any missing inmate. Who said that he is missing? Most times, people insinuate when they don't understand something. "The worrisome aspect of it is that most times they know the right thing, but just want to buy sympathy by insinuating." "Nweke is in our custody; he is not missing. Nobody has declared him missing. If he is missing, the media would have been notified." "If he is missing, his people would have gone to the streets with placards. Don't they know that it was the court that convicted him and sent him to prison?" "He is the property of the court and they can go back to tell the court that the person is missing."

By Madu Obi Awka- AS part of preparations for the impending flood, the Anambra State government is training 120 health workers drawn from the 21 local government areas of the state.The trainees are undergoing a one -month training on life saving skills on how to reduce maternal and infant mortality in the flood - prone areas. The training is being sponsored by the United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF in collaboration with the state Ministry of Health. The state reproductive health coordinator in the Ministry, Dr. Uju Okoye explained that the flood- prone areas contributed more trainees because of the problems usually encountered in those areas during flood seasons. Okeke said: "Basically we want to empower the health care workers on the skills that are necessary in health facilities. We believe that as their skills are upgraded, maternal and infant mortality will reduce drastically in line with the three- year plan of the wife of the state governor, Mrs. Nonye Soludo in the health sector." According to her, the state is doing well in the national survey on maternal and child mortality, adding that the state's 281 per 100,000 deaths is far above the national rate of 512 per 100,000 deaths. One of the trainers, Professor Brian Adimma, who is a professor of Reproductive Health in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, said the people being trained would mainly look after pregnant women in their areas. "They are taught the basics of antenatal care and problems that might arise during childbirth. They are also taught how to handle child delivery and record keeping in the maternity." Adimma commended the Anambra State government and UNICEF for being proactive, adding that "a state can build beautiful hospitals, but if there are no competent workers, such hospitals are as good as useless." The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike urged the trainees to take the training serious to be able to impart the right knowledge on other health workers down the line.