By Madu Obi The wife of the governor of Anambra State, Mrs Nonye Soludo, has charged Christians to live out the image of Jesus Christ during the Lenten period. In a message to mark the Ash Wednesday, Mrs Soludo said there is need for people to draw themselves closer to God during the period and prepare adequately for the resurrection of Christ during Easter. Her message reads: "The holy season of Lent begins with the liturgical feast of Ash Wednesday. For every Christian, this is a solemn period of supplication and atonement. Ash Wednesday reminds us of the ephemeral nature of mortality, the temporariness of our thoughts, and God's unmistakable promise of life. Today, God, the sole creator of life, draws humanity's focus to the brevity of life and the essence of living for love and worthwhile purpose. In the next 39 days of Lent, it's expected that we'll live out the true image of Christ and lay down the swords of enmity and bitterness for the overall good of mankind." She prayed that the upcoming holy days would become a great moment for families and communities to unite and grow better in love, harmony, and peace.

By Madu Obi The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in the last Anambra election, Mr. John Nwosu, has commended the security partnership between Nigeria and the United States of America, describing it as a timely step towards strengthening the country’s counter-terrorism capacity. Speaking with reporters against the backdrop of the recent announcement by the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) confirming the arrival of about 100 United States military personnel and associated equipment, Nwosu said the partnership underscores the growing importance of technology-driven security architecture in modern warfare. He noted that in the contemporary security environment, technological superiority plays a decisive role in intelligence gathering, surveillance, and operational efficiency, warning that any nation that neglects this reality places its citizens at risk. While applauding the international collaboration, he expressed dissatisfaction with what he described as the broader approach of both the federal and state governments in addressing insecurity. According to him, beyond foreign partnerships, Nigeria requires comprehensive structural reforms, improved intelligence coordination, enhanced accountability, and sustained investment in modern equipment and personnel training. “The protection of lives and property is the primary constitutional responsibility of government,” he said, urging authorities at all levels to adopt more decisive and measurable strategies to restore public confidence in the nation’s security framework. Recall that the Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, had explained that the U.S. personnel are technical specialists serving strictly in advisory and training capacities, and not as combat forces. The engagement, the DHQ stated, will involve joint training exercises and intelligence-focused cooperation initiatives aimed at enhancing the operational capacity of Nigerian troops to identify and neutralize extremist and terrorist groups.

By Madu Obi The Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Somtochukwu Udeze, has directed the House Committee on Rules, Ethics and Privileges to review the suspension of Hon. Bernard Udemezue, the member representing Ayamelum Constituency. Udemezue was suspended on August 28, 2025, after the consideration of a report by the Committee on Ethics and Privileges, which indicted him over alleged unparliamentary conduct. The lawmaker was later handed an additional three-month suspension for failing to comply with the initial directives of the House. The extended suspension, which commenced on November 26, 2025, is expected to lapse on February 26, 2026. Speaking during plenary, the Speaker tasked the Committee, chaired by the Majority Leader, Ikenna Ofodeme, to urgently re-examine the matter in line with the House resolution and report back to the Assembly on the next adjourned date. According to the Speaker, the suspension of the lawmaker remains subject to review by the committee, which is expected to assess the level of compliance by Hon. Udemezue with the resolutions of the House before making its recommendations. There were indications that the suspension of the lawmaker might be lifted during the next plenary as he is believed to have shown some remorse.

By Madu Obi Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi has stressed that votes must count in the 2027 presidential election. In a statement shared on social media, Obi warned election officials to be transparent regarding the election, “Unlike in the past, in 2027 our votes must count, and all those who are there not to count the votes will be counted among those destroying Nigeria. I encourage everyone to remain at the polling units after voting to count and witness the counting and transmission of results. Those who refuse to allow the votes count will be made to count the full weight of the law against rigging. Let me reiterate: if you do not count our votes, we will count you among those who destroy our democracy, thereby destroying our future, and you must answer to the law", he said. Obi stated the importance of vigilance at the emphasized the need for the integrity of the electoral process to be upheld. He also called on Nigerians to observe the counting of votes and warned that anyone attempting to subvert the people’s mandate will face legal consequences.

By Madu Obi The Anambra State Government has suspended head teachers of nine state-owned schools for two weeks following low attendance of their pupils to school on Monday. Their suspension was announced by the Chairman of the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board, ASUBEB, Dr Vera Nwadinobi, during an assessment visit to the affected schools to monitor attendance. Expressing dissatisfaction over low turnout of pupils and students despite the presence of teachers, she said the assessment exercise was part of monitoring activities in schools across the state to ascertain compliance with the state’s Executive Order abolishing the closure of schools on Mondays over sit-at-home. Many schools did not open on Monday, despite an earlier directive by the state government that teachers stood the risk of suspension of the fail to work on Mondays. Some of the schools where school activities failed to take place on Monday included Walter Eze Secondary School, Ukpo, Aguoji Primary School, Ifitedunu, Hilltop Primary School, Ifitedunu, all in Dunukofia local government area, as well as Chukwurah Primary School, Abatete, in Idemili North local government area. Other schools where school activities did not take place were Uzubi Primary School, Eziowelle, Union Primary School, Eziowelle, Umunebo Primary School, Nteje and Central School, Atani, in Ogbaru local government area. Speaking further, Nwadinobi said, “Following the findings, Mr Governor has approved the suspension of the headteachers of the affected schools for two weeks. “The head teachers have been directed to immediately hand over to the next most senior officers to ensure uninterrupted administration. The action underscores the state government’s zero tolerance for negligence and its firm commitment to restoring discipline, accountability, and full academic engagement in public schools.” The Anambra State Government Executive Order issued on January 24, 2026, had abolished the closure of schools on Mondays over sit-at-home. The Order warned that any teacher or non-tutorial staff who fails to comply would either receive 20 per cent of his or her salary or forfeit it entirely.

By Madu Obi Aggrieved stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Anambra State have sent an open letter to the national chairman of the party, demanding change in leadership to rescue the party in the state. They argued that as the congresses of the party draw near, there is need to conduct free and fair exercise that will reposition APC for future elections. Their spokesman and former deputy speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon Mike Ugwa, lamented that those who had held APC down for years, are already positioning themselves to continue to drag APC down in Anambra State. According to him APC in Anambra State is moribund and requires urgent re-organization and reinvigoration. He said: "We the representatives of the overwhelming majority members of All Progressive Congress in the 21 Local Government Areas in Anambra State wish to appeal to the national Chairman to ensure that the upcoming congresses in Anambra State is all inclusive, open, free and fair and that every member of the party in the state is at liberty to contest for any position for his or her choice. The present party executives from ward to state, are not only inactive, but have totally lost steam. Their inactivity culminated in Mr. President garnering an embarrassing 5,111 votes in Anambra state in 2023 presidential election. For Mr. President to make an appreciable inroad in Anambra State in the forthcoming presidential election in 2027 and for APC to be alive again in Anambra State, it is very necessary that an entirely new executives at all levels of our great party in Anambra State are elected. It is on record that since the 2023 presidential election, there has been a tremendous inflow of new entrants from other parties into our great party who are higher in number than the substantive members of the party, hence there is every need to accommodate them in the new executives in order to give them a sense of belonging, less they feel unaccepted and be constrained to leave our great party which will further undermine our party's capabilities, knowing fully well that Mr. Peter Obi of ADC is from our state." He accused the party's deputy governorship in last year's election Senator Dr. Uche Ekwunife and a former member of House of Representatives, Hon. Nze Chidi Duru of perfecting plans to derail the forthcoming congresses, thereby further destroying the party in Anambra state. "Mr. Chairman, our appeal became necessary because against the decision of Anambra State caucus, the above named persons have issued a statement to the all levels of the party executive in the state that they were endorsed to remain in office for another four years and that there will be no all inclusive, free and fair congresses in Anambra State, where any member aspiring to any party office is at liberty to vie. We are not surprised of their resolve to undermine the decision of the state caucus because the duo are not interested in the growth of the party, but to further their self-seeking interest", Ugwa said.

By Madu Obi Sand miners in Onitsha, Anambra State, have protested alleged extortion by Anambra State government revenue agents, insisting that they are only answerable to the federal government through the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA). No fewer than 200 members of Onitsha Sand Miners Association, who marched within the premises of NIWA, on the banks of River Niger, displayed placards with various inscriptions, stressing that they have fulfilled the obligations of the federal government, which they believe to be their landlord. The miners, majority of whom are tipper drivers, said that despite obtaining relevant documents from NIWA, which is a federal government agency in charge of mining within River Niger, a state government agency, Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra, OCHA Brigade, has been harassing and extorting them. President of Onitsha Sand Miners Association, Mr Christopher Mbaegbu who, addressed journalists after the protest, said the state government agency has become a thorn in their flesh. "We are here today to complain about the incessant harassment we get from members of OCHA Brigade, who come to the mining site at will and disrupt our operations, and also arrest and impound our tippers. We decided to protest so that the Area Manager of NIWA, Mr Victor Nwokeocha will hear our cry. We have relevant documents from NIWA which support and empower our operations, but we have been constantly harassed and arrested by this state government agency, OCHA Brigade. Everyday, we are being hounded. Last week, they came and took about 20 tippers, pay loaders, trucks and other equipment. They arrested our workers and kept them for two days. So we decided to hold this protest to ask NIWA if the documents they gave us are fake so that we will know if we will withdraw from applying to NIWA and follow OCHA Brigade. We met all the requirements before NIWA and federal government gave us right of way to mine here, but everyday we are in trouble with OCHA Brigade. We are not happy over this. Our members who were arrested were bailed with over N1million and our equipment are still there." The Managing Director of OCHA Brigade, Mr Celestine Anere, in his reaction, said the matter was between the miners and the Anambra State Solid Minerals Development Company Limited (ASSMDCL), which insisted the miners must be registered. We have asked them to get registered, and the issue is between them and Prof Ofoegbu. They have held meeting with him and all that is needed is for them to register with the state government", Anere said.

By Madu Obi The Anambra State Police command has arrested a housewife, Mrs Edeh Osinachi, for using a hot iron on her house help for allegedly using her telephone to call someone. The victim, 17, who is a student, was brought to the police station by an official of the Ministry of Education, who narrated the incident to the police. Officials of her school had during a teaching session, noticed severe injuries on her body and during investigation, she disclosed that the injuries were inflicted on her by her guardian because she used her phone to make calls without her permission. According to the victim, Mrs. Osinachi, angered by the act, allegedly used a hot pressing iron on her as a form of punishment. Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Tochukwu Ikenga said that during interrogation, the suspect confessed to the act. "The suspect allegedly abused and inflicted serious injuries on a 17-year old girl said to be her house help in Awka. Anambra State Police Command while commending the vigilance of the school authorities, assures the public that a thorough investigation will be conducted and that justice will be served in accordance with the law", Ikenga said. Lamenting on the incident, the PPRO urged parents to give birth to the number of children that they can train, to avoid making them vulnerable to abuse whilst in the care of others. He added that the command's action was part of its continuous commitment to the welfare and safety of students and pupils in the state,

By Madu Obi Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, has condemned the Senate’s rejection of mandatory electronic transmission of election results, describing it as a deliberate attempt to undermine Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections. In a statement issued on Thursday, Obi described the Senate’s action as “outrageous and shameful,” arguing that the refusal to make electronic transmission compulsory removes a critical safeguard for credible elections. According to him, the controversies and disputes that characterized previous elections, particularly the 2023 general election, were largely due to the failure to fully implement electronic transmission of results. He dismissed claims of technical “glitches” during the last elections as fabricated excuses, noting that several African countries have successfully adopted electronic transmission to strengthen their democracies. He warned that resistance to electoral reform by political leaders and the elite is dragging Nigeria backwards, arguing that the rejection of transparency measures entrenches disorder and creates room for manipulation by a small group acting in its own interests, rather than for the good of the country. Obi also recalled past remarks by foreign leaders who described Nigeria as corrupt or disgraced, noting that continued opposition to reform only reinforces such perceptions. He cautioned that electoral malpractice like that witnessed in 2023, must not be repeated in 2027, stressing that Nigerians must be prepared to legitimately resist any attempt to undermine their democratic rights. He further urged the international community to pay attention to what he described as early signs of planned future electoral manipulation, warning that such actions pose serious risks to Nigeria’s democracy and development. Reaffirming his long-held message, Obi said that a new Nigeria remains possible, but only if citizens collectively stand up to defend transparency, justice, and credible governance. He said that his decision to comment on the electoral issue was delayed by the tragic killing of over 150 people in communities in Kwara State and called for prayers for the victims . Obi described the Kwara incident as another painful reminder of Nigeria’s deep governance crisis.

By Madu Obi The wife of the Anambra State governor ,Dr.Nonye Soludo, has flagged off the two - week measles-rubbela vaccination in the state. The flag-off ceremony, which took place at Iruzu Primary Health Centre, Ukpo, Dunukofia local government area, officially marked the state-wide administration of the vaccines to children between the ages of mine months and 14 years across the state. The measles-rubbela vaccine introduction campaign in Anambra State is being carried out in partnership with national and global partners, including the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF, and other key counterparts. Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, Mrs Soludo, who was represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Lady Oluchi Ibezim, stated that vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to protect Anambra children, quietly, safely, and, most importantly, early in their lives . She noted that some children may have mild reactions after vaccination; a little fever, slight swelling, assuring, however, that while those signs would pass quickly, what should concern parents more is allowing the preventable disease to take hold. She also reassured parents and caregivers that health workers who would be taking part in the exercise were properly trained and prepared for the task, adding that support systems and referral sites have been effectively put in place to deal with any concern. The governor's wife also appealed to stakeholders, including parents, local government mayors, schools, and religious leaders, to assist in making the programme a success by ensuring that over 98% of children in Anambra State are vaccinated. In his remarks, the Zonal Director of National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Samuel Obasi, noted that measles and rubbela remain one of the major threats to child health in Nigeria, but with the state's government strong commitment to health, there is assurance that the vaccination programme will achieve massive success. On his part, the Zonal Coordinator of the World Health Organization, Dr. Chimuanya Igboekwu explained that measles and rubella share almost the same symptoms, making individual vaccinations for the sicknesses incomplete without covering both. He assured that the WHO and other partners are solidly behind the state government to ensure full coverage in all the 326 wards in Anambra State, targeting about 2.7 million children across markets, churches, schools, worship places and even hard-to-reach communities in the state. In their remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Anambra State, Dr Afam Obidike and the Executive Secretary of Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Pharmacist Chisom Uchem, explained that adequate monitoring and supervision have already been put in place to ensure that all stakeholders are effectively mobilized to achieve maximum coverage of the programme.

By Madu Obi There are fears that the high profile Hill View Housing Estate, Nkwele Ezunaka in Oyi local government area of Anambra State, might be flooded during the coming rainy season if the host community continues with the ongoing channelization of Ezu and Oja rivers in the area. The estate, which was acquired in 2005, was developed by a private property developer, Master Holdings, and it is 95%completed. The host community was paid compensation and parcels of land allocated to it, but surprisingly, the people are currently re- channeling the rivers to create more plots of land around people's houses. In the process, some fences have been pulled down, such that the residents can no longer access their homes. Although the community had earlier applied for boundary adjustment through its lawyer, the state government, through the Anambra State Housing Development Corporation, urged it to wait for the private developer to complete its work, but the people went ahead to continue the exercise. Managing Director of the state Housing Development Corporation, Chief Chike Anyaonu, wondered why the community should embark on such illegal exercise after government directive. Conducting reporters round the estate, Anyaonu ordered that no further work should take place there. "We've asked for development partner to sign off so that the management of the estate will be taken over by the state government through the Anambra State Housing Development Corporation. But so many ugly things have been happening here and we have been trying to manage them as much as we could. Some people from the host community have embarked on activities capable of damaging the ecosystem of the estate by re -channeling the drainage system along the Ezu and Okay river. We have ordered them stop until we resolve all issues relating to this estate. We intend to establish a play ground , build hospitals and schools and what the host community is doing may disrupt these projects. Governor Soludo is providing free education up to senior secondary and the children of those living in this estate have to send them to school." A member of the Eziubulu fanily , who are the original owners of the said what the community is doing is outside the area acquired by government. He, however, assured that further action will be suspended until issues were sorted out with the Housing Corporation.

By Madu Obi Anambra State governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has called on the South East Development Commission, SEDC to produce a simple, measurable, impactful plan for the region, which could be known and referred to as Nigeria's Marshall Plan for the South East Speaking at the South East Vision 2050 Stakeholder Forum, Governor Soludo—a renowned economist and former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, delivered a hopeful assessment of the region’s trajectory. He emphasized that with South East gradually coming out of an insecurity situation with the best Christmas ever for the first time in recent memory, the political will of the region's leadership is aligned. He tasked the commission to focus on three deliverables, including regional security and funding, super interstate infrastructure; with highways and runways connecting major cities, gas pipelines, seaports, as well as institutional framework for coordination. According to the governor, the South East Vision 2050 strategy should be rightly regarded as a "post-war reconstruction" effort, calling for unprecedented regional unity to improve the zone's economic significance. He noted that the gathering represented a departure from the fragmented efforts of the past, adding that the era of "going it alone" is over. "Today is history in the making. What we have yearned for decades is finally taking shape. I can say with confidence that the governors in the region are now more united than ever." Addressing the skepticism surrounding long-term developmental blueprints, Governor Soludo challenged technocrats to bridge the gap between academic theory and political reality. While every state has its internal roadmap—including Anambra’s Vision 2070 which he chaired—Soludo argued that execution has often been the Achilles' heel. "There have been many plans; is this going to be another plan? Technocrats must understand that politics and policy work hand in hand. If you don't navigate the political landscape, the best policies will sit on a shelf." Governor Soludo did not mince words regarding the current economic standing of the South East. Despite the entrepreneurial spirit of its people, he noted that the region’s domestic economy remains punchless because its primary capital resides elsewhere. "Economically speaking, the South East is insignificant. Our wealth is largely outside the South East," Soludo remarked. He urged the commission to "Keep it simple" and focus 70 percent of its energy on what can actually be delivered, describing the current initiative as being in a "post-war reconstruction mode," aimed at building a sustainable homeland for over 35 million Ndigbo. On funding, the Governor made it clear that while the states will drive the vision, the financial heavy lifting must come from the center and the business community. "The plan will largely be funded by the Federal Government and the private sector, pleading with President Bola Tinubu to give the full funding required for this transformation." Soludo reminded stakeholders that time is a luxury which the region does not have and called on the Commission to act as a cohesive unit to ensure measurable and achievable goals. "As governors, we are beneficiaries of this collective effort. We need to come together. This is an agenda with a deadline, and speed is of the essence." Declaring the summit open earlier, the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima said the South East region is known for ingenuity and enterprise and it remains central to Nigeria's economic growth. He commended the SEDC, adding that the forum should be the foundation for collaboration. Governors of Enugu, Imo, Abia and Ebonyi, all spoke at the event. They expressed optimism that as a result of this initiative, opportunities would be created for the States to integrate and build the South East economy collectively The Chairman of SEDC, Chief Emeka Nwogu and it's Managing Director, Mark Okoye, described the event as a visionary moment for the region and appreciated President Bola Tinubu for establishing the Commission which, he says, is poised to transform ideas into bankable projects.