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By Iheanyi Chukwudi Enugu State House of Assembly has received the list of the second batch of Governor Peter Mbah's Commissioner nominees. The second batch has five nominees, Dr. Martin Chinweike, Obi Ozor, Ajogwu Sunday Emeka, Chris Robert Ozongwu and Dr. Felix Nnamani, bringing the total number of Mbah's Commissioner nominees to 20. Mbah had earlier sent a list of 15 Commissioner nominees to the House including former Deputy President of Senate, Ike Ekweremadu's son, Lloyd Ekweremadu; former Governor Sullivan Chime's daughter, Ada Chukwu; veteran broadcaster, Aka Eze Aka and former Commissioner in the state, Okey Ogbodo. Others are Prof. Ndubueze Mbah, Mrs. Ngozi Eni, Prince Lawrence Eze (Prince of Mburumbu), Prof. Sam Ugwu, Chika Ugwoke, Dr. Kingsley Ude, Prof. Emmanuel I. Obi, Ben Ugochi Madueke, Gerrald Otiji, Nathaniel Urama and Dr. Malachy Agbo. The State Assembly Speaker, Hon. Uche Ugwu, read the letter the Governor sent to the House in which he listed the five new nominees, to the lawmakers at plenary. Governor Mbah in the letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, appealed to the House for speedy consideration of the nominees. He said, “I’m optimistic that this request will receive your usual expeditious consideration.” The Speaker, Hon. Ugwu therefore directed the nominees to make available, 25 copies of their CV and appear on Thursday, August 10, at 10am for screening.

By Madu Obi RELIEF has come the way of traders at the popular building materials international market, Ogidi in Anambra State as men of the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA) Brigade stormed the market and demolished shanties and illegal structures housing miscreants in the area. The traders have been complaining that the criminal elements have been terrorizing the residents and traders who come to do transaction in the market and in some instances, kidnap and maim innocent citizens. Managing Director of OCHA Brigade, Comrade Celestine Anere, who spoke on the demolition on Wednesday, said the operation was carried out by a special enforcement team of the Brigade. He lamented that the area has continued to be a nightmare for business owners who occasionally fall victims of arm robbery, kidnapping and theft. He explained that his men have vowed to chase away all the criminals operating within Ogidi and Ogbunike axis, adding that the special enforcement team commenced the operation on Tuesday. Anere stated that several incidences of crimes, like kidnapping and carjacking, had taken in the place and described the spot as tipoff points for informants of organized crimes in the area. "We raid all illegal structures and criminal elements' hideout in order to restore sanity in the state." "The dismantling of these shanties and illegal structures will aid the free flow of water through the canals as these structures were constructed on waterways which had obstructed the drainage system." Aside the above, it will help reduce traffic gridlock and decongest the area for smooth vehicular movement. "Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra; Ocha Brigade will continue to ensure that the state is safe and conducive for Governor Chukwuma Soludo's agenda on green, clean, healthy, livable and prosperous homeland", he said. According to him, the criminals terrorizing the area have been maiming and committing all kinds of heinous crimes on innocent citizens and business owners plying the road.

By Madu Obi The Anambra State Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Agency has extended its ongoing digitization of the state to Civil Society Organizations, CSOs, with a training programme for the members. The exercise, which is aimed at bolstering the digital landscape in Anambra State, is to be conducted in collaboration with Wikimedia Foundation. A similar programme was recently held for media practitioners and top government officials. The agency had also distributed over 200 laptops to civil servants and is planning the provision of internet facilities in all the 21 local government areas of the state. The Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Mr. Fred Agbata said on Tuesday that the training is in line with the visionary mission of Governor Chukwuma Soludo to lead the state towards a digitally transformed future. According to him, digital literacy is an essential skill needed in today's technology-driven world, as it enables individuals and organizations to fully utilize modern technologies to promote creativity and effectiveness in their respective fields. Agbata described the training as crucial in view of the critical role Civil Society Organizations play in promoting positive change and community development. He said: “The training programme will provide CSOs with requisite digital abilities and expertise to thrive in the digital era, catalyze positive developments across various sectors and ultimately contribute to the overall socio-economic advancement of the state. "The training will equally give participants an overview of Wikimedia's guiding principles and editing procedures, which will enable them to contribute their expertise to the platform in an effective manner." "The agency's unwavering commitment to fostering digital literacy and inclusive technological development aligns seamlessly with the Governor's vision of positioning Anambra State at the forefront of digital transformation in Nigeria." "We should, therefore, unite in our collective efforts to embrace the digital revolution and usher in a brighter, digitally empowered future for Anambra State."

By Madu Obi The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has said that noodles imported into the country are fake, warning that those consuming them are risking their lives. NAFDAC director in charge of chemical evaluation and research, Dr. Leopard Omokpariola gave the warning in Awka on Tuesday at the South East media sensitization workshop on dangers of drug hawking and ripening of fruits with calcium carbide. He said that Nigerian noodles are safe and fit for consumption because they have NAFDAC number. According to him, one could distinguish the imported ones with the foreign languages on the packs and they do not have NAFDAC number. Omokpariola, who represented the director general of NAFDAC, Professor Moji Adeyeye at the workshop, described many drug hawkers in the country as merchants of death, adding that they knowingly or unknowingly expose lifesaving medicines to the vagaries of inclement weather, thereby degrading their active ingredients to the things that endanger human life. He described most of the perpetrators as semi literate, who go as far as parading themselves as Doctors and sometimes prescribe drugs to unsuspecting members of the public. He said that despite the concern and alarm raised by many organizations on the looming dangers and health implications, the activities have continued across the country. He said: "They sell their products cheap because they are not the genuine ones. Drugs are sensitive lifesaving commodities and should never, under any circumstance, be sold in the open market because there are standard storage conditions for them." "These products they sell are poisons and should never be taken as they do not contain active ingredients and therefore cannot cure any ailment." "Any drug hawker arrested by NAFDAC will be prosecuted and will be made to face jail terms." He also spoke on the riping of fruits with dangerous carbide, noting that the action is rampant in many parts of the country, especially in the urban areas. "They apply the dangerous gas which is used for welding to ripen fruits. It reduces oxygen supply system to the body and contains a lot of impurities." "It causes dizziness and mood alteration and can cause sleeping disorder, mouth cancer, skin rashes, kidney problem and sometimes, cancer." "What is used in riping fruits is ethylene gas," he said. NAFDAC director of public affairs, Dr. Abubakar Jimoh solicited the cooperation of the media in the battle against drug hawking. He observed that the agency, since its inception, has continued to sanitize the drug and food industry, lamenting, however, that in spite of the efforts, many people have continued to undermine its activities.

By Madu Obi TWO houses of the member representing Ihiala federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Dr. Paschal Agbodike has reportedly been set ablaze in his home town, Mbosi in Ihiala local government area by unknown arsonists. Recall that hoodlums had also previously burnt down the houses of the President General and the traditional ruler of the community last year. Mbosi is one of the communities in the local government where gathering of people no longer takes place because of the activities of unknown gunmen, such that burial and marriage ceremonies no longer take place in Mbosi. Agbodike, who was the deputy speaker of the state House of Assembly said no life was lost. According to an eye witness, Agbodike's houses consisting a fully furnished duplex, with a bungalow in the same compound, were completely razed down and properties looted. It was gathered that the incident, which happened at about 1am on Tuesday, caused pandemonium in the community as people ran out of their houses. The federal lawmaker was in Abuja carrying out his legislative function when the attack happened. Anambra State police command is yet to react on the incident.

By Iheanyi Chukwudi From Monday, September 4, 2023, no unauthorized tinted glasses vehicle will be allowed to use any road on Enugu State. This is because the State Government has ban the unauthorized use of vehicle tinted glasses in the state and has specified punishment for would be offenders. The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Chidiebere Onyia, in a public service announcement said the ban is primarily aimed at curtailing the activities of criminals and to generally enhance the security and safety of the people and residents of Enugu State. Onyia stated that defaulting vehicles will be impounded by the enforcement taskforce and will only be released to their owners after the tinted glasses are removed or replaced and the specified fines paid. His statement reads in parts, "In line with its determination to combat the nefarious activities of kidnappers and other criminal elements, the Enugu State Government hereby bans the unauthorized use of vehicle tinted glasses in the state. "The ban shall take effect after four (4) weeks of this notice, with consequent enforcement starting on Monday, September 4, 2023. This is to give owners of vehicles with tinted glasses, who did not obtain Police Tinted Permits before the suspension of its issuance by the Nigeria Police Force on 7th June 2021, sufficient time to have them removed or replaced (if they are factory fitted), in accordance with the provisions of the law. "...It is important to reiterate that the ban is primarily aimed at curtailing the activities of criminals and to generally enhance the security and safety of the good people and residents of Enugu State. We therefore solicit the understanding and cooperation of the general public in this regard."

By Iheanyi Chukwudi Enugu State Government has ban all forms of paper tickets across the state, making collection of levies, tolls on highways and roads in the state an offence. Consequently, the State has introduced an e-Ticket system called, Enugu State Unified e-Ticket Scheme. Government said the introduction of the e-Ticket Scheme is in line with the mandate of the Gov. Peter Mbah's Administration "to promote a digital economy, eliminate multiple taxation and grow the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR)." Announcing the introduction of the new scheme, the Executive Chairman, Enugu State Internal Revenue Service, Angela Chilotam Nnamani, said the new e-ticket scheme will commence on Friday, August 11, 2023. Explaining the scheme the Executive Chairman said, "The unified e-ticket is an electronic ticket for collection of taxes from the informal sector, such as road taxes, including tickets from tricycles, buses, tippers, emblems, and passengers’ manifest. Others are revenues from markets and artisans. "This scheme has been introduced to make tax payment easy and convenient for all citizens while eliminating harassments and loss of government revenue. All payments and enforcement shall be done using online and agency banking tools. "By this announcement, government hereby bans all forms of paper tickets across the state. Citizens are enjoined to purchase their daily tickets through our approved e-ticket agents across the state. "Your ticket will be vended to your vehicle plate number/shop number, and enforcers will also confirm your purchase using online means only. Anybody found selling paper tickets will be severely sanctioned. "To confirm the status of your payments at any time, please dial 8011042#." She also asked those that have further enquires to call 08038743801, 07062634378 and 08038950202.

By Madu Obi The Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof Charles Esimone has appointed Dr Emmanuel Ojukwu, the former Director of Public Relations and Protocol in the university, as his Special Adviser on Public Relations and Special Duties. Ojukwu held the image making portfolio of the university from 2007 to 2019 before moving into the academic cadre as a lecturer. Until his recent appointment, Ojukwu was a senior lecturer in the Department of Political Science. The new Special Adviser is expected to advise the Vice Chancellor in critical areas of stakeholder engagement and other duties as may be assigned to him by the Vice Chancellor. Dr. Emma Ojukwu, who studied English Language at the University of Benin, also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Mass Communication and a PhD in Political Science. His wife, Dr Ebele Ojukwu is an Associate Professor of Music at Nnamdi Azikiwe University.

By Madu Obi The Anambra State Police command has begun investigation into the circumstances surrounding the abandonment of an SUV car with blood stains and guns along Uga-Ezinifite road in Aguata local government area of the state. The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr Tochukwu Ikenga said in a statement that the SUV became a suspect after it was driven past a detachment of Police-led Forward Operating Base on patrol in the area in a terrifying speed. Ikenga said: "Suspecting that those in the car might be kidnappers with an abducted victim, the police team went in pursuit. "Several kilometres later, the team found the vehicle in a ditch, but without any occupant. "Police found clothing with blood stains in the vehicle, as well as two pump action guns and a machete. "The vehicle, a wine-colored Mercedes GLK 350 4matic with Registration No. Enugu ENU 484 JV, was recovered and deposited for safekeeping at Area Command Headquarters in Uga." The PPRO said the Commissioner of Police, ¹Aderemi Adeoye, while commending the Joint Security Team for its vigilance, has ordered a full-scale investigation to locate the owner of the vehicle and ascertain circumstances leading to the recovery of arms and offensive weapons in the car. He warned residents in the neighborhood not to harbor criminals, but to turn them over to law enforcement agents in the interest of the safety of the people.

By Madu Obi THE wife of the Anambra State governor, Mrs Nonye Soludo has spoken of the importance of extended breastfeeding for babies, arguing that it reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. She also stated that breastfed children would perform better on intelligence tests, not likely to be obese, and would be less prone to diabetes later in life. The governor's wife, who spoke through the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, at the flag off of this year's World Exclusive Breastfeeding Week and launch of Zero Water at Ojoto, Idemili South local government area, observed that breastfeeding is the best way to ensure child health and survival. The programme is being executed by the Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and the State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF, and partners. According to Mrs. Soludo, breast milk remains the ideal food for infants as it is safe, clean and contains antibodies which help to protect against many common childhood illnesses. The Executive Secretary of Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Mrs. Chisom Uchem also said breastfeeding has many health benefits for nursing mothers and their babies. Uchem, a pharmacist, said it has been proved that well-breastfed infants have lower hospitalization rate and would tend to be in better health as they grow up. Also speaking, the Transition Committee Chairman of Idemili South local government area, Amaka Obi described the theme of this year's World Breastfeeding Week celebration, "Enable breastfeeding-Making A Difference For Working Parents" as apt. She said the theme would enhance support for mothers to sustain exclusive breastfeeding, as well as guide policy makers on issues about exclusive breastfeeding.

By Madu Obi Anambra State, through two students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University HIgh School, Awka, has won gold and silver medals in the just concluded Inspector General of Police Taekwondo Championship held in Yenegoa, Bayelsa State. UNIZIK High School represented the state in the competition. The winners, Moneme Benedict Ozioma and Moneme Hillary, who incidentally are brothers, won the gold medal in the junior category and silver medal respectively. Similarly, Odinaka Oranye and Chibuike Oranye won the gold medal for junior team event. The Principal of UNIZIK High School, Mrs. Isreal Atinuke, who described the feat as dream come true, attributed the victory to the unwavering enthusiasm of the school's Health and Physical Education teacher, Mrs Ogbujiagba Juliet who encouraged the students in sports and involved the school management in every sporting event to ensure there is no hitch of any kind. According to her, engaging young people in sporting activities was one sure way of shifting their focus from multiplicity of social vices of their time. While congratulating the winners, the Principal urged them to keep the fire burning by working harder to sustain the victory and challenged other students to discover their own talents and potentials and harness them. She added: " Our children have made us proud and done noble to the state. We got the only two gold medals, though one of the gold medal was in a team play. "We also got two out of four silver medals and one bronze out of the only two bronze medals. We were the major contributing factor to Anambra success in the championship tournament. "I feel so excited and fulfilled by the feat of our students. I see their success as a dream fulfilled." "It has always been my dream since I assumed office as the Principal of UHS to device a means of gearshift mechanism which will be a socioeconomic model for achieving national social security through youth participation in mental and diverse sports tournament." "My advice to the contestants is to keep the fire burning and not to live in past glory. They have won for this year; they should work harder to sustain the victory and continue to win." "To other students, I encourage them to discover their own talent/potential in sports and other areas of career or vocation. No single individual on earth is without a talent. It takes only the diligent to discover and harness it." "Besides, our children needs to be delivered from the multiplicity of social vices of their time and one of the ways of achieving this is to actively engage them in areas like sports."

By Madu Obi It is hope rising for the economy of the South East geopolitical zone as the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu finally abolishes the sit at home in the area. IPOB media and publicity secretary, Emma Powerful said in place to the sit at home, its leader has declared that every Monday should be observed as Economic Empowerment Day( EED). Powerful said EED is henceforth a day set aside for mass mobilization of Biafrans to devote their resources and means towards reversing the sharp and unprecedented decline in the economic, educational, and social needs of the people as a result of the prolonged sit-at-home for the past two years. According to him, the people are encouraged to use the day set aside for EED to embark on massive deployment of their resources for the empowerment of the educationally disadvantaged and poverty- ridden population. His statement read: "Following the total cancellation of all forms of sit-at-home in the entire South-East, as clearly and unequivocally encapsulated in Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s handwritten letter which was recently published by special counsel Barrister Alloy Ejimakor, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has as a follow up to the recorded acceptability and massive compliance with the directive, further directed to henceforth, set aside every Monday as an “Economic Empowerment Day (EED)” in the entire South-East. "During this exercise, Biafrans are encouraged to embark on massive deployment of their resources for the empowerment of the educationally disadvantaged and poverty ridden population of our people. "Through education, employment, health services, sense of identity and community, our people and indeed, the Eastern region, can begin to thrive and grow. "There is an urgent need to reclaim our lost glory by embarking on empowering Biafrans with the resources they need to live beyond mere subsistence as our people are known globally for hard work, resilience and great achievements. "Also, the implication of this is that Biafrans are expected to devote significant time to adhere to their routine calendar schedule template strictly and uninterruptedly with a view to making up for the humongous time lost to the activities of misguided enforcers of unsanctioned Monday sit at home order."