By Madu Obi The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a masquerade which unleashed violence on innocent citizens during a burial ceremony in Awgbu, Orumba North local government area of Anambra State. In a viral video, the masquerade was seen in a berserk manner rushing towards people who were seated on the high table, an action that forced people to take to their heels. Some able-bodied men were also seen trying to stop the masquerade from attacking people, until they eventually succeeded in taking the masquerade away from the arena. The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Tochukwu Ikenga said in a statement that the command would not accept such unprovoked attacks, noting that it had to intervene in the interest of the safety of the people. The statement by the PPRO read: "The Command has taken into custody the masquerade involved in the unprovoked and violent attacks on innocent citizens, which led to a breach of public peace in Awgbu, Orumba North local government area. The Command notes that the behaviour of the masquerade, as seen in the viral video currently in circulation, is totally unacceptable, unlawful, and will not be tolerated under any guise. The suspect is currently in Police custody, and investigations are ongoing to ensure that all those involved are brought to justice. Further development shall be communicated."

By Madu Obi The Anambra State government has released the sum of N15.96 billion for the dualization of the dilapidated Onitsha 33 - Aguleri road in Anambra North senatorial zone of the state. The approval was announced during the state executive council meeting held at the Government House, Awka. The state Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, while announcing details of the council's meeting, said the new dual carriage way is aimed at decongesting traffic in the Onitsha and Nkwelle axis and drive development in that direction. According to the Commissioner, the award of the contract is in line with the Governor Chukwuma Soludo's deliberate policy to dualize all trunk 'A’ roads, whether state or federal, so as to further open up the state and ease up Onitsha and its environs. Mefor said that the council also released the sum of N56.39 million for the supply and installation of 500 kVA, 33/0.415 kV transformer at Irueyim Community, Nteje in Oyi local government area. Similarly, the council released the sum of N159.59 million for the supply and installation of solar street lights along the Oye Market Road, Isuofia in Aguata local government area, while N497 million was approved for the reclamation, re-channelisation and remediation of the gully erosion site at Umugama-Ire Village, Abba, Njikoka local government area. Other decisions of the council include the establishment of a committee to determine the best way to give Nnewi a further facelift, in line with the ongoing urban regeneration policy of the Soludo administration, as well as the firming up the plan to give Nnobi in Idemili South local government area a further facelift. It mandated the Ministry of Environment and the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra, also known as the OCHA Brigade, to commence enforcement of standards for road setbacks in the newly constructed dual carriage ways across the state. "These standards have been set at 1.5 metres for built-up areas and three metres for other areas. The setbacks were re-established as a minimum from drainage on all the new dual carriage ways for motorized and non motorized users. These setbacks from the dual carriageway align with global best practices, which include provisions for pedestrian walkways and other road provisions for pedestrians", the Commissioner said. Mefor added that the state executive council relished the Christmas and New Year celebrations and reiterated that the festive programme has come to stay as an annual event, adding that it will be made into something that Anambra people and the world will look forward to every yuletide. "The council also reviewed the state of security in the state and the restoration of Anambra as the most secure state in Nigeria, and resolved to continue to promote inter-security agency collaboration and the strengthening of security agencies, such as the 30 Hilux vehicles recently given to the Anambra State Police Command by the state government", Mefor concluded.

By Madu Obi The wife of the Anambra State governor, Mrs Nonye Soludo has lamented the rising figures of cardiovascular-based deaths and called for a conscious and more intentional medical and habitual discipline. Mrs Soludo, who is the founder of the non-governmental crusade, Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo Initiative, who spoke in Awka, noted that the seeming neglect by many people to go for routine heart checks, has helped the increase in most cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure, cardiac arrest and stroke, which, she added, are the commonest among them. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the number one leading cause of deaths, accounting for over 17.9 million mortalities across the globe annually. In Nigeria, death counts from cardiovascular diseases are doubling annually, basically because of poor medical checks, negligence, ignorance, and other serious factors. Stressing on the dangers of cardiovascular diseases, Mrs Soludo explained that it is important for everyone to understand that deaths from cardiovascular diseases are usually quick and undefendable, especially when they are in their acute stages. She said that most cardiovascular diseases can be prevented by addressing habitual risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diets and obesity, physical inactivity, and harmful use of alcohol. The governor's wife re-emphasized the important role healthy living plays in finding solutions to cardiovascular deaths, stating that engaging in regular exercises and eating healthy and organic foods are just as important as checking the condition of the heart more often. She also urged people who are at risk of cardiovascular diseases due to hereditary reasons, to be cautious of their overall health habits, and avoid lifestyles that can exacerbate the underlying problem. Mrs Soludo further stated that one of the primary pursuits of her NGO, Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo, is to establish a philosophy of well-being that will live in the consciousness of people and help them stay away from disease threats, including those arising from cardiovascular setbacks and wrong dietary choices.

By Madu Obi The wife of the Anambra State governor, Mrs Nonye Soludo has lamented the rising figures of cardiovascular-based deaths and called for a conscious and more intentional medical and habitual discipline. Mrs Soludo, who is the founder of the non-governmental crusade, Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo Initiative, who spoke in Awka, noted that the seeming neglect by many people to go for routine heart checks, has helped the increase in most cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure, cardiac arrest and stroke, which, she added, are the commonest among them. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the number one leading cause of deaths, accounting for over 17.9 million mortalities across the globe annually. In Nigeria, death counts from cardiovascular diseases are doubling annually, basically because of poor medical checks, negligence, ignorance, and other serious factors. Stressing on the dangers of cardiovascular diseases, Mrs Soludo explained that it is important for everyone to understand that deaths from cardiovascular diseases are usually quick and undefendable, especially when they are in their acute stages. She said that most cardiovascular diseases can be prevented by addressing habitual risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diets and obesity, physical inactivity, and harmful use of alcohol. The governor's wife re-emphasized the important role healthy living plays in finding solutions to cardiovascular deaths, stating that engaging in regular exercises and eating healthy and organic foods are just as important as checking the condition of the heart more often. She also urged people who are at risk of cardiovascular diseases due to hereditary reasons, to be cautious of their overall health habits, and avoid lifestyles that can exacerbate the underlying problem. Mrs Soludo further stated that one of the primary pursuits of her NGO, Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo, is to establish a philosophy of well-being that will live in the consciousness of people and help them stay away from disease threats, including those arising from cardiovascular setbacks and wrong dietary choices.

By Madu Obi Former Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Nkem Okeke has lauded Governor Chukwuma Soludo administration's urban renewal efforts, noting that he had aggressively transformed the state. Speaking during a tour of some high-impact projects executed by Governor Soludo, including the Country Club, the Solution Funcity, and the Light House, Okeke described the developments as a testament to strategic governance. According to him, the tour highlighted a shift towards world-class social infrastructure, saying that the emerging facilities at Solution Funcity and the Country Club are more than just leisure spots, but critical drivers for social cohesion, economic growth, and youth engagement as they provide constructive outlets and modern amenities for the younger generation. He gave the Governor Soludo administration high marks for its commitment to the prosperous homeland vision, citing the massive investments in road networks, public utilities, and recreational hubs as the foundation for a modern Anambra.

By Madu Obi The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 26 - year old Anikpe Valentine Chibuike, for allegedly murdering his girlfriend, Ogechukwu Mmadubugwu, 35, who is a single mother. The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga said in a statement that the incident happened in Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area of the state. It was gathered that the suspect, after carrying out the act, dropped a note at the scene of the murder, claiming that some people killed the lady because her boyfriend was owing them money. According to the Police, the note suggested that the people who carried out the act also kidnapped him and that they would only release him if he paid. Police, however, said the note was a decoy meant to derail investigation and remove suspicion from him as the perpetuator of the crime. Ikenga said: "The arrest was carried out by operatives attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Awka. The Command has debunked claims circulating that the crime was committed by persons the suspect owed money, as such reports are false and misleading." "During interrogation, the suspect confessed to stabbing the victim in the neck with a knife, an act that led to her death at about 12.00 midnight on 9th December 2025. The suspect also alleged that the act was committed over suspicion of infidelity. He claimed that he had gone bankrupt, yet was working hard to establish a business, including borrowing from people, while his lover cheated on him. He confessed to dropping a fake letter that claimed that he had been kidnapped by people he owed money, in a bid to mislead investigators and aid his escape from the crime scene. The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigations. The Command also urges members of the public to seek lawful and peaceful means of resolving disputes and to report early signs of domestic violence to security agencies to prevent avoidable tragedies." Ikenga said that as part of ongoing investigative procedures, detectives have visited the mortuary where the deceased’s body was deposited.

By Madu Obi Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr. Peter Obi, has expressed serious concern over the increasing traffic congestion caused by what he described as poorly positioned security checkpoints across major roads in the country, noting that they are posing a threat to public safety rather than offering protection. In a statement shared following his travels during the festive season, Obi described the traffic situation on several highways as “distressing,” noting that in many instances, travellers heading to distant destinations were forced to abandon their journeys after spending hours trapped in gridlock. According to him, the major cause of the congestion is the indiscriminate placement of security checkpoints, particularly at narrow road sections and near construction zones, adding that such positioning is counterproductive and irresponsible, as it brings traffic to a complete standstill and imposes unnecessary hardship on road users. “Security checkpoints are meant to protect lives, not endanger them. When their location and operation create prolonged delays, exhaustion, and increased accident risks, then we must re-evaluate how they are being implemented", Obi said. While acknowledging and appreciating the sacrifices and dedication of security agencies, he called for greater discretion and flexibility, especially during peak travel periods. He explained that many travellers are already burdened by long distances and poor road conditions, arguing that additional delays leave drivers fatigued and vulnerable to accidents. He further warned that extended gridlock forces people to remain on the road well into the night, thereby exposing them to heightened security risks at a time when insecurity remains a national concern. “Security must never become a source of insecurity,” he emphasized, and advocated a more strategic and humane approach to security operations on highways. He suggested that checkpoints be relocated away from narrow roads and construction areas, even as he urged security agencies to improve coordination to eliminate unnecessary bottlenecks. Such measures, he stated , would improve traffic flow without compromising security, protect lives, and make Nigerian roads safer and more efficient for all users.

By Madu Obi As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen law enforcement capacity and deepen security across Anambra State, Governor Chukwuma Soludo has donated 30 operational vehicles to the state command of the Nigeria Police. Recall that last year, the state government also donated 170 operational vehicles to security agencies in the state to boost crime fighting and provide security in all parts of the state. Speaking during the handover ceremony, Governor Soludo reflected on the imperative of security, recalling that in January last year, his administration launched the Agunechemba law alongside Operation Udo Ga Achị, a joint task force designed to combat the wave of criminality that once ravaged many parts of Anambra. He observed that twelve months after donation, there has been a remarkable difference as there has been marked improvement in peace and order in the state and commended the security agencies for their unwavering vigilance, “Thanks to the security agencies for keeping awake to make sure we sleep. These efforts encouraged a mass return of Anambra indigenes to their communities this Christmas because they were confident of their safety in their homeland", the governor said. He emphasized that security remains a top priority of his administration, adding that because it is too important, It is a continuous work in progress. Receiving the vehicles on behalf of the Police Command, the state Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, expressed gratitude to the governor for the augmentation in resources. He noted that the vehicles are critical tools for effective policing and rapid response to threats, assuring that the donation is expected to improve patrol, curb criminal activities, and reinforce the state’s positive security trajectory.

By Madu Obi Operatives of the Anambra State Police command attached to the Rapid Response Squad Awkuzu has rescued 33 underaged girls from suspected trafficking syndicate in the state. In what the Police described as a breakthrough in an ongoing investigation involving a case of kidnapping, abduction, missing children and child trafficking, a female suspect,, one Ifeoma Success Anthony aged 37 years, was arrested. According to the Police, the feat followed a distress report received through the command's control room from the victim's relatives on how their three children namely, : Divine Mbam (14) Nwagu Favour (15 ) and Oke Blessing (18), who were abducted since 26th September 2025, in Ebonyi State, and taken to an unknown location, were sighted at Emma Pigin Road, Aguleri, Anambra East local government area of Anambra State. The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Tochukwu Ikenga said in a statement that preliminary investigations revealed that the building where the girls were kept, is allegedly used for child trafficking and prostitution. The building, Ikenga stated, was owned by one Mrs. Ngozi Nnanyelugo (45), who is currently at large. He said that efforts are currently ongoing to arrest the principal suspect, while investigations continue to determine the full extent of the crime and identify other accomplices. Ikenga added that the command remains committed to protecting lives, especially vulnerable children, and urged members of the public to continue providing useful information to aid ongoing investigations.

By Madu Obi The former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has reacted to the recent report that India has overtaken Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by nominal Gross Domestic Product, GDP, using the milestone to raise alarm over Nigeria’s worsening economic fortunes. According to estimates by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for 2025, India’s nominal GDP is projected at about $4.187 trillion, narrowly surpassing Japan’s $4.186 trillion. Obi said India is now setting its sights on overtaking Germany, whose economy stands at approximately $4.74 trillion, to become the world’s third-largest economy. Describing India’s progress as remarkable, Obi said the development underscores Nigeria’s failure to translate its resources into sustainable economic growth, especially when viewed against the two countries’ comparable trajectories in the past. Citing World Bank data, Obi noted: "At the end of 2007, during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria’s nominal GDP per capita stood at about $1,816, significantly higher than India’s $1,022. By 2015, at the end of the Yar’Adua/Jonathan era, Nigeria still maintained an advantage, with GDP per capita of around $2,586, compared to India’s $1,584. However, IMF World Economic Outlook projections show a dramatic reversal by 2025. India’s nominal GDP per capita is expected to rise to about $2,878, while Nigeria’s is projected to fall sharply to around $807." Obi described the figures as troubling, particularly in the light of what, he said, were significant subsidy savings, substantial revenue growth, and unprecedented levels of borrowing. He disclosed that Nigeria’s combined revenue between 2023 and 2025 is estimated at about ₦200 trillion (approximately $135 billion), yet critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and poverty reduction have seen no meaningful improvement. According to him, poverty, insecurity, and the collapse of public services have worsened, while businesses—especially small and medium enterprises—are shutting down daily due to lack of support and high operating costs. He also lamented erratic and expensive electricity, alongside the rising cost of rent, transportation, and food, which he said are increasingly beyond the reach of ordinary Nigerians. Obi renewed his call for national unity and a new leadership consensus built on competence, compassion, and character. He stressed the need for a government that prioritizes citizens’ welfare, invests in healthcare, education, infrastructure, agriculture, and technology, and cuts waste while reducing the cost of governance. He further emphasized transparency and accountability, saying Nigerians must be able to track national progress and hold public officials responsible. Such an approach, he argued, would empower citizens economically, create jobs, support businesses, strengthen security, ensure reliable energy and food security, and restore trust in public institutions. "Only through collective action, transparent governance, and visionary leadership can Nigeria close the widening gap with countries like India and reclaim its economic potential", Obi stated. He also warned that other nations are already moving ahead, stressing that the time for Nigeria to act is now.

By Madu Obi The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has cautioned the Federal Government against what he described as an approach to taxation that deepens poverty rather than promote prosperity. In a statement, Obi insisted that sustainable development cannot be achieved by overburdening already struggling citizens. According to him, genuine economic and social transformation is rooted in national consensus, transparent governance, and honest leadership. Drawing from his interactions with leaders across the world, the former governor of Anambra State said nations that have successfully transformed their economies did so by building trust with their citizens and uniting them around a shared vision of progress. He insisted that, honesty remains the defining quality of transformative leadership, noting that governments owe citizens clarity, transparency, and sincerity in policy formulation and implementation. He argued that leaders who exploit the people to enrich themselves and a few cronies ultimately undermine national unity and sustainable development. Obi said Nigeria’s current taxation approach must be assessed against these principles, warning that taxation can only function as a legitimate social contract when it is fair, transparent, and demonstrably concerned with the welfare of the people. He maintained that tax policies should be clearly explained to citizens, including their impact on incomes and their expected contribution to national development. “Without transparency, taxation becomes a tool of confusion and burden rather than a mechanism for growth,” he said, adding that Nigerians are increasingly being asked to pay taxes without clarity, justification, or visible public benefit. Obi also called for a fundamental rethink of Nigeria’s fiscal strategy, emphasizing that the goal of taxation should not merely be to raise government revenue but to make citizens wealthier so that the nation itself grows stronger. He argued that a productive economy naturally expands the tax base, whereas excessive taxation in a weak economy only compounds hardship. He identified the empowerment of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as the starting point for sustainable growth, noting that thriving small businesses create jobs, raise incomes, and broaden the tax base organically. “You cannot tax your way out of poverty; you must produce your way out of it,” he said. He also expressed concern over what he described as an ongoing tax fraud controversy, alleging that, for the first time in Nigeria’s history, a tax law had been forged. He recalled that the National Assembly had admitted that the version of the tax law gazetted was not the same as what lawmakers passed, yet citizens were being compelled to pay higher taxes under what he called a manipulated framework. Describing the situation as alarming, Obi said it was wrong to celebrate rising government revenue while the living conditions of citizens continued to deteriorate and warned that any tax system that makes people poorer violates the core principles of good governance and sound fiscal management. Calling for a fair, lawful, and people-centred tax system that supports production, rewards enterprise, protects the vulnerable, and restores trust between the government and the people, Obi stressed that only such an approach can make taxation a true instrument for unity, growth, and shared prosperity.

By Madu Obi The wife of the Anambra State governor, Mrs Nonye Soludo has celebrated babies born on New Year day in her usual tradition. During her visit to the hospitals, Mrs Soludo expressed happiness that the free antenatal service initiated by the state government has been yielding fruits. In a statement, the governor's wife said: "Earlier today, we continued our yearly tradition of visiting and celebrating babies born on New Year Day in Anambra State. We call them New Year Babies. We consider this spiritual journey an important task for each year. For us, it’s a time to pay homage to God’s great gifts and also take part in the fruits of his divine blessings, through these children, in whose hands we wish to bequeath the future of our state into. I was equally pleased to hear exciting testimonies from mothers who did antenatal care and had their delivery ((including C-Section births) all at zero costs, courtesy of our three-year-old free antenatal and delivery services in public hospitals in Anambra State. We thank God for the gift of our children. May they grow up to be the pride of our great state."