By Madu Obi The Governor of Anambra Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has expressed optimism that the new year would present the state with fresh opportunities to build on his administration's achievements. In his new year message, the governor said government would learn from existing challenges, and work collectively towards the goals and vision of the state defined by prosperity, adequate security, and sustainable development. Extending his best wishes to all citizens and residents of Anambra State, he urged everyone to "celebrate this new beginning by reflecting with gratitude on the resilience, industry, and patriotic spirit of Ndị Anambra, which continue to distinguish our people across Nigeria and the global community." He reassured the people of his untiring commitment to impacting lives positively and transforming the state further in the new year, Governor Soludo stated that the focus of his administration remains steadfast on the critical Solution pillars of infrastructure development, quality education, accessible healthcare, economic empowerment, environmental sustainability, and security of lives and property. Accordingly, he said the administration will intensify efforts to deliver more projects and programmes that directly improve the living conditions of the people, create opportunities for the youths, and position Anambra State as a leading destination for investment and innovation in Nigeria. "As we embark on this new journey, sustainable development requires partnership between the government and the governed. I call on all Ndị Anambra and Nigerians at large to continue supporting and cooperating with governments at both state and federal levels", Governor Soludo said.

By Madu Obi The Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon.Somtochukwu Udeze has urged Nigerians to see 2026 as a year of new opportunities that would redefine their collective bond as a nation. In his new year message, Udeze urged the people to view the challenges of the past years as great lessons to attain greatness by approaching the new year with positive mindset and hope. He observed that Nigeria has witnessed heightened activities in social, economic and political lives of the people, which were evident in severe economic hardship and insecurity which confronted the masses in many ways. He encouraged Nigerians to be steadfast, prayerful and law-abiding and believe that the year, 2026 will be a turning point and eventful for them in all ramifications. Udeze gave an assurance that the state legislature will embrace its legislative activities in the new year with renewed vigour to ensure that meaningful development and overall good governance will continue to thrive in the state. He expressed satisfaction that the 8th State Assembly has continued to take a lead in legislative business among other law making bodies in the country in terms of enactment of quality laws and resolutions and extolled Governor Chukwuma Soludo's exploits in all sectors. According to him, Governor Soludo has been exemplary in many areas, such as provision of free education, healthcare delivery, security, massive road infrastructure, youth empowerment, among other landmark achievements. Udeze called on Anambra people to intensify their support to the present administration to enable the governor to continue his transformation agenda in the state.

By Madu Obi The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, has reiterated the command’s ban on the burning of tyres and use of any form of social explosives across the state, especially during the crossover night celebrations to usher in the new year. In a statement through the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the CP said the ban is aimed at ensuring the safety of lives and property, maintaining public order, preventing damage and defacing government roads, environmental pollution/hazards, and security breaches that may arise from such activities. According to him, the burning of tyres, fireworks, knockouts, firecrackers, or any other explosive devices poses serious risks to public safety and will not be tolerated under any guise. He advised parents and guardians to caution their wards against engaging in such acts, threatening that offenders will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law. The CP further assured that the command, in synergy with other security agencies, has intensified patrols, surveillance, and intelligence-led operations across the state to guarantee a peaceful and crime-free Yuletide celebration. He also encouraged residents to celebrate responsibly, as the command remains committed to protecting lives and property.

By Madu Obi As the year 2025 ends today, we stand on the threshold of a new year, which we hope will mark the beginning of Nigeria’s long-awaited socio economic transformation. For every nation, and people, moments of profound national challenge demand clarity of purpose, courage, and decisive action, for Nigeria, that moment is now! Many have said that Nigeria is an independent country in name, yet today we must begin a new struggle: the struggle for true independence based on self-determination, human equality, and national reunification. We must reclaim our country from a small group of opportunists who have captured the corridors of power and return it to its rightful owners - the Nigerian people! What is most painful is that many of those who once benefited from democratic governance have now become accessories to a stolen mandate, shamelessly celebrating electoral injustice in public, and working hard to destroy democracy through coercion, manipulation and outright gangsterism particularly on opposition parties. Let me assure Nigerians that we will defend our fragile democracy and make it resilient. We will decisively defeat any attempt by the ruling party and its agents to manipulate or rig future elections. The will of the Nigerian people is sacrosanct, non-negotiable and those plotting to subvert it in 2027 should rethink their actions. Nigerians have endured enough and will resist any assault on their mandate through all lawful and legitimate means. Because weak national institutions, particularly the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), contributed significantly to our present crisis, we most strongly demand urgent reforms of the entire electoral process. We demand credible and transparent elections that are free and fair and based on strict adherence to electoral laws, starting with prescribed educational qualification for eligibility for election and transmission of results as voted. At the heart of our coming national transformation is electoral integrity which will promote responsive governance. We can no longer toy with electoral integrity especially as we see the tragedies of truncated democracies across West Africa. Nigeria is too big and important to the black race and the global economy to remain a failure. We must protect democracy in Nigeria by ensuring credible elections in 2027. Rethinking Nigeria: The Need for Unity: It is public knowledge that Nigeria is in grave distress. Our democracy is under threat. Our nation is adrift. Our people are in persistent agony. Today, Nigeria is widely described as a failing and disgraced nation. This is not the destiny that Almighty God bequeathed to over 220 million Nigerians. It was not always so and should not remain so. Across all recognized indicators of good governance - accountability, political stability, rule of law, control of corruption, government effectiveness, regulatory quality, and separation of powers - Nigeria records negative marks. With over 130 million Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty, more than 80 million youths unemployed, worsening insecurity, fiscal recklessness, disunity and the absence of inclusive governance, like many patriotic Nigerians, I am deeply disturbed by the state of our nation. The question on everyone’s lips is whether there is still hope for Nigeria. Despite the gravity of our situation, I remain firmly optimistic! Given our immense human and natural resources, I am convinced that a new Nigeria is possible—a functional, productive and inclusive nation. Motivated by my desperation for a New Nigeria That Is Possible, I am in constant search for possible solutions to make Nigeria work for all Nigerians, to make Nigeria an inclusive and progressively sustainable nation. While we are faced with litany of socio-economic problems, the absence of unity caused by dishonest, corrupt and ineffective leadership is at the heart of our problems. In addition to my various leadership training in many renowned institutions including Lagos Business School; Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Harvard, Oxford, and Cambridge universities; INSEAD; IMD and LSE, my desire to see a better and functional Nigeria has sustained my search for knowledge on leadership and nation building. All my readings and travels over many years have been primarily focused on understanding what promotes national unity and national transformation, and how to embed deep rooted unity and effective leadership in our dear nation, Nigeria. Let me mention few insights that are still very fresh in my mind. Having observed and read extensively on conflict, disunity, reconciliation, unity, and development, I travelled and met with one of the best authors, Professor Nicole Fox of California State University, who wrote on conflict, reconciliation, and the transformation of Rwanda. Her writings inspired in me a confidence that Nigeria can move from conflict and instability to consensus and rapid socio-economic transformation. To have a first-hand experience of how Rwanda was transformed, I travelled to Rwanda and had the opportunity of having a valuable time with President Paul Kigame to further learn from his experiences in the leadership of Rwanda. It has remained one of my most treasured learning experiences. In discussing and learning from President Kigame, I saw a leader deeply committed to the unity and socio-economic transformation of his country, evident in the growth of GDP per capita from about $200 in 1995 to over $1,000 in 2025—a phenomenal 500% increase. In comparison, Nigeria’s GDP per capita in 1995 was $1,225 and has lamentably declined to below $1,000 in 2025, a decline after 30 years of supposed nation-building in a country proudly called the “Giant of Africa.” Shocked by the gap in GDP per capita and other development indices between Nigeria and other emerging economies, I got curious to find out the reason for this divergence. This led me to read the book Growing Apart: Politics and Economic Change in Indonesia and Nigeria by Professor Peter Lewis of Johns Hopkins University. In this fascinating and deeply revealing book, Professor Lewis most convincingly showed how policy choices, state institutions, national unity, and leadership shape sustainable economic development or under development. While Nigeria and Indonesia had similar characteristics of high population, cultural heterogeneity, and agrarian economies, the current gap observable in almost all key socio-economic indicators can be attributed to the power of leadership and unity, and their utilisation for effective nation-building and socio-economic transformation. Disturbed by the insights from the book, I travelled to Johns Hopkins University and met Professor Peter Lewis. The meeting and learning were even more shocking than the revelations from the book. Following that, I travelled to Indonesia and had meetings with Ministers of Education, Planning, Health, Small Villages, Small Businesses, the Vice President, and one of their most popular leaders, President Joko Widodo, to learn more about how they achieved such significant success. While Indonesia has significantly transformed into a commendable success, with a GDP of above $1.4 trillion, the first in South-East Asia to cross the 1 trillion mark, and a per capita of about $5300, it is the largest economy in South-East Asia. On the contrary, with the GDP of $240 Billion and Per Capita of below $1000 our dear country Nigeria is experiencing socio-economic confusion, de-industrialisation, pervasive corruption, conflict, and increased poverty. In conclusion, Professor Lewis maintains that Indonesia achieved commendable progress largely due to how its leaders and government managed their resources, while Nigeria became more underdeveloped, fragmented, and poorer due to how we consumed and squandered our resources. It is the same state of sadness, shock and hope that you get when you read other books like From Third World to the First by Lee Kuan Yew; How Asia Works: Success and Failures in the World’s Most Dynamic Region by Joe Studwell and Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity and Poverty by Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson. Fascinated by the insights from these readings and disturbed by the comments of one of the winners of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Economics, Prof. James Robinson, that nations like Nigeria know what to do to prosper but refuse to do so, I travelled to the University of Chicago to meet and further learn from him. A key outcome is that our problem in Nigeria is one of leadership and lack of unity. Our dear nation cannot grow and develop without unity and competent leadership as against the current political leadership adept at exploiting our differences. Their expertise lies in creating more divisions to sustain themselves in power, with little or no interest in unity and the inclusive development of Nigeria. It is the same desire to learn that informs my intensive engagements in Nigeria, with regular visits and robust relationships across our states, local governments, villages, and communities. What we urgently need is leadership and a government that can deeply appreciate our potential and resiliently unify our diversity for rapid socio-economic transformation and inclusive development. Nigeria’s problem is not a lack of potential. We are endowed with enormous human and natural resources. Our prevailing tragedy is the result of deliberate sabotage of our potential by a political class that cultivates disunity and feeds fat on our dysfunctional system. As a nation, we are not poor; we are looted into poverty. As a nation, we are not broken; we are severely betrayed. The average Nigerian is not lazy, not corrupt, and not incompetent. But the system is rigged against him or her. The system is rigged to reward mediocrity, punish merit, and recycle failure. Nigeria is not collapsing under the weight of its people. Nigeria is suffocating under the weight of impunity and greed of her leadership. This government excels at rewarding illegalities and corrupt practices, and until we confront this truth, no amount of reform will save us. We want a genuine and patriotic political change, not a cosmetic makeover. To my fellow Nigerians at home and abroad, this is not the time for despair, detachment, diplomatic silence, or ethnic chauvinism. It is a time for us to unite as Nigerians to salvage our dear country. The choice is between despair that leads to the continuity of the decay of power or the courage to disrupt the prevailing decadence, state capture, and formalized criminality in the name of governance. I have visited every nook and cranny of this country. I have gone to IDP camps, which those in government fear to visit or even refuse to publicly acknowledge their existence. From North to South and West to East, Nigerians have never felt so insecure and so divided; this should not be our fate or our common heritage. For the sake of God and country, for the sake of the hungry, the poor, and out-of-school children, and for the sake of those yet unborn, we must unite and collectively dismantle the criminal enterprise that is destroying Nigeria. A New Nigeria is Indeed Possible! With unity and effective leadership, we will strategically support agriculture and manufacturing to become the highest contributors to our GDP. To achieve this, special attention must be paid to developing the agricultural potential of Northern Nigeria. With unity, we will move Nigeria from consumption to production. With unity and effective leadership, we will defeat insecurity, corruption, unemployment, inflation, illiteracy, and many other socio-economic problems confronting us. With unity and effective leadership, a new Nigeria—a productive and inclusive Nigeria is Possible! Let me say something more about national unity. As I travel across the world and listen to leaders who have transformed their nations, I observe that one of the critical ingredients for economic and socio-economic transformation is national consensus. Leaders who build transformative consensus have one common characteristic. They are honest and truthful. They love their people and tell them the truth all the time. This is the reason George Orwell described government as the art of telling the people the truth. Government should be transparent and honest because the people deserve the truth from their leaders. Transformative leaders tell their people the truth; they do not exploit the people to enrich themselves and few cronies. In the context of the foregoing, it is good to reflect on the current tax fraud saga. I have always said that the goal of a good fiscal policy is to make the people and the country rich. There is no value in boasting of increase in public revenue while the people starve. Tax is a form of social contract. When the people are richer because government supports them with good policies, the people pay more taxes to government. It is bad fiscal policy for the government to make the people poorer and still tax them more. Taxing poverty will not create wealth. It will lead to more poverty. Our new, planned tax regime fails the fundamental principle of good fiscal policy. It does not create wealth for the people; it makes the people poorer. Today, for the first time in our history, a tax law is reported to be forged. The National Assembly now admits that the tax law on the gazette is not what it passed as law. Government wants Nigerian citizens to pay more taxes based on forged tax laws, with no benefits. Forgery and manipulation are increasingly penetrating government policies and most regrettably defining the foundation of our fiscal policy. We must change this dishonest social order. A forged tax regime cannot create wealth and sustain national unity. Leaders who delight in hurting the people with exploitative taxes are not nation builders. Leaders who delight in telling lies and hiding the ball from the people cannot mobilize the people for transformative work. To build lasting unity and inclusive prosperity, we need honest, transparent, and responsive leadership. As the great revolutionary, Franz Fanon, once noted, “Every generation, must out of relative obscurity, discover its mission, fulfil it or betray it.” This generation of leaders gathered here today must achieve our mission to courageously lead Nigeria away from its entrapment in poverty and disunity. We are a generation charged with disrupting the structure of criminal governance and recreating a new structure of unity and prosperity for all Nigerians. We can do it and we must do it!Many countries have done it under great leaders. I have studied and conversed with these leaders. If we do what they did, we will achieve even greater success. In the past months, I have consulted broadly. The message has been consistent. Those who grab power by any means have mismanaged it. They have not led. They have not served. They wished they turned our plural society and democracy into a convenient one-party state. No way. That will not happen. They want to create a false narrative that the Nigerian people are weak and tired. It is not true! Nigerian voters are ready to vote them out. They want to create a false sense of invincibility. That is false. They have built a house of cards with lies and errors. It will collapse as we unite to fight. Democracy offers us the opportunity to reject them at the polls. Our job next time, in 2027, is to vote them out and keep vigil until they are out. The Declaration Fellow Nigerians, this is the time for unity and prosperity. The signs are clear, and the mission is settled. Having been part of the coalition from inception, I now respectfully call on my political leaders, associates, supporters, the Obidient Movement, political leaders and members of the opposition parties across the country to join this broad national coalition under the African Democratic Congress led by Sen. David Mark. This decision is guided solely by patriotism and national interest. We are working with leaders across political divides who share a common commitment to rescuing Nigeria. The task ahead is enormous, but it is not insurmountable. History may forgive wrong decisions, but it will not forgive silence in moments of national peril. Do we deserve a government that thrives on division, propaganda and indifference to the suffering of its people? I do not believe so. Nigeria deserves patriotic leadership that unites and governs with empathy. Let history record that Nigeria’s turning point began here and now. Together, let us move forward with courage, unity and resolve. A new, united, productive and inclusive Nigeria is possible. God bless you all, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

By Madu Obi There is heightened tension at Ngene Okwuazu area of Umueri, Anambra East local government area of Anambra State, following a serious land dispute between two prominent indigenes of the community. The dispute, between Chief Okwuji George Ndive and Chief Sam Emeka, the brother of the traditional ruler of Umueri, Igwe Bennett Emeka, is already before the police as efforts by the elders of the community to resolve the matter have not yielded any fruit. In the petition addressed to the Divisional Police Officer, Otuocha Police Station, Ndive accused Emeka of embarking in acts of intimidation and destroying materials he kept on his land for a building project, all in an attempt to forcefully acquire his land. He said that despite the resolution passed by the Elders Council and signed by the chairman, Engr Mike Jideani and secretary, Chief Patrick Ndevi, directing Emeka to stop the claim, he has continued to use all kinds of tactics to cause confusion. Ndive's petition to the Police reads: "I was the first person to build a residential house in the Ngene Okwuazu area of Umueri. When I moved into my house in 1985, there was no one living there. Because I was the first settler in that area, the water front there was named after me as Okwuji’s Beach. Samuel Emeka attempted to build shops beyond his premises and Umueri Council of Elders destroyed those shops. In spite of the unanimous verdict given by Chaa, Akababa and Tana Age Grades in my favour, on the 9th of November, 2025 he (Emeka) along with some thugs, brought a caterpillar and scattered the 10 big trips of sand which I had dumped in front of my premises. He took that action in order to gain access to my fence. Earlier in the year, Chief Emeka had conspired with some people in the Physical Planning Unit of Anambra State to mark my fence for demolition as he had already taken a substantial part of the road earmarked by Umueri Community leaders. However, concerned bystanders, neighbours and relatives threatened a show-down on that faithful day and he quickly left. He is doing all these because he felt that I am incapable of reclaiming my land. Due to his action, all the materials I kept at the building site have been stolen. I pray the Nigeria Police to investigate the veracity of this matter and if it is established that Sam was wrong in blocking the space created by Umueri, in illegally conniving with officials of Anambra East Local Government Area and Physical Unit of Anambra East Local Government Area, then the Police should handle the matter according to the laws of Nigeria." Ndevi said he spent N200,000 with the assistance of the traditional ruler of Umueri to rebuild his fence, which was destroyed by Chief Emeka. But Emeka denied the allegations, saying that it was Ndive that is creating tension in the area. He said: "The road in question passes through the entire Umueri to the river so that people can access their land along the road. "When it was the turn of my age grade to assume leadership in the community, I was made the vice chairman and Ike Mokwugwo was the chairman. Later they conspired against me and I was not allowed to make contributions during meetings. They later imposed N200,000 fine on me because I insisted that the leadership should be for only those residing at Otu Umueri. My gate and seven shops I built in the area were destroyed and the culvert was covered. They told me that the traditional ruler, who happens to be my younger brother, was aware of their action. They also imposed another fine of N250,000 on me on the allegation that I blocked the road. When they said that it was the Igwe that directed them to take the action, the royal father told me that he only asked them to close the culvert when they complained that it was affecting the free flow of traffic. He told me that he never knew they would destroy my property. I threatened to sue them but Igwe advised me not to go to court as he was sure the matter would be settled amicably, reminding me that those people might actually be after him. Igwe later set up a panel which decided that there should be access road but urged me to forget about my property that was destroyed. He also urged me to withdraw the matter from court. The chairman later died and as the vice, I assumed the position of the chairman. For the two years I was chairman, I surveyed the area and those whose property blocked the access road were identified. Land and survey officials also came there and marked all the property blocking the area. I was surprised when he claimed that he brought ten trips of sand when it was only one trip. I contributed N500,000 to make that road motorable. I did not touch his house. I did not pull down his fence. What happened was that after the caterpillar finished working on the road, part of his fence collapsed the following day. I agreed to repair the fence for him when he went to Igwe and asked him for money and the Igwe did. He is insisting that I must not build my house there, as if I am not from Umueri."

By Madu Obi Former Secretary to the Anambra State government, Mr. Oseloka Obaze, has returned to active politics and has picked the membership card of the African Democratic Congress, ADC. He registered in his ward in Ogbaru local government area and was issued with card number 406. Obaze served as the SSG under Peter Obi and later contested for the governorship of the state on the platform of the People's Democratic Party, PDP, After the 2018 governorship election, the former diplomat went into full-time consultancy and later withdrew from active politics. For the November 8, 2025 Anambra gubernatorial election, Obaze supported the candidate of the ADC, Mr. John Nwosu In a statement, Obaze wrote: "Eight months ago, I disengaged from partisan politics and from my erstwhile political party on grounds of principles. "Today, I wish to announce that I'm now a proud card-carrying member of ADC. We walk the talk. We must rethink and reunite Nigeria. Much work lies ahead.". His principal, Peter Obi, has already stated that he is part of the ADC alliance for the 2027 presidential election.

By Madu Obi Two people reportedly died and several others injured following fireworks explosion during Christmas carnival in Umuchu, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State at the weekend. The explosion was said to have occurred near the main stage of the event during the celebrations, forcing the guests to scamper for safety. The fireworks were allegedly packed in cartons and were meant to be disposed of at the event. According to an eye witness, one of the victims, identified only as Ugochi, reportedly died on the spot, while another was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she also died. There were fears that the death toll might rise, as many of the injured persons who sustained serious burns and deep cuts are in serious danger. “The knockout exploded like a bomb. Those closest to the stage collapsed immediately. The sound was deafening, and chaos erupted everywhere as people screamed for help", the eye witness said. A trending video showed thick smoke in the hall and many people fleeing the venue, while the injured ones were rushed to hospital for medical attention. Before the Christmas, the Anambra State Police command had issued a statement prohibiting the use of knockout and other explosives during the yuletide celebrations. Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, while announcing the ban, said the command would deploy robust security measures to ensure that residents and visitors enjoy a peaceful celebration.

By Madu Obi The people of Ezi Umunya village in Oyi local government area of Anambra State have staged a peaceful protest at the council headquarters, Nteje, to express their rejection of the caretaker committee allegedly nominated by the Anambra State Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Town Union Matters, Hon. Tonycollins Nwabunwanne. The protesters said the unilateral nomination without consulting the people of Ezi Umunya or other relevant stakeholders was unacceptable. Speaking on behalf of the community, Mr. Uchenna Nwankwo said the villagers were aware of an existing court ruling and were not opposed to the government’s decision to set up a caretaker committee, adding, however, that their objection was strictly oi the composition of the committee. According to him, the individuals allegedly nominated by the Commissioner are parties to an ongoing legal dispute in the community, a development, he added, should disqualify them from serving in such a sensitive position. “Ezi Umunya has remained peaceful in the last few years under the leadership of Chief Emmanuel Okwundu. The names on the list are the same people who previously caused unrest in the village, fled for about three years, and have now returned to take over leadership and continue from where they stopped,” Nwankwo alleged. He further stated that Ezi Umunya operates a zoning formula in the selection of its leadership and warned that the Commissioner’s alleged sole decision could undermine the arrangement and trigger fresh crisis in the community. Nwankwo appealed to the Anambra State government and the Oyi local government council to intervene and rescue the community from what he described as the Commissioner’s high-handedness, warning that insisting on the disputed caretaker committee list could plunge Ezi Umunya into avoidable conflict.

By Madu Obi Chinua Soludo, the son of the Anambra State governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, paid unscheduled visit to three hospitals in Anambra State on Christmas Day, during which he cleared the hospital bills of many patients, in the spirit of the season. The visit took him to St Joseph's Hospital, Adazi Nnukwu, Anaocha local government area, General Hospital, Nnobi in Idemili South local government area and General Hospital, Ekwulobia in Aguata local government area. Mr. Soludo’s outreach at St. Joseph Hospital impacted more than five patients whose bills were cleared, including a patient who had been detained after her discharge and who had her bill of N933, 500 paid. At Nnobi General Hospital, a patient who had been treated for acute malaria was billed over N120,000 and the bill was promptly cleared, and the patient went home to share the joy of Christmas with the family. Chinua Soludo also extended his Christmas hospital outreach to Ekwulobia General Hospital, where 10 women were assisted with their bills and transportation fares. This gesture of kindness by Soludo's son was warmly received by beneficiaries and their relatives, who offered prayers for divine blessings and God’s protection upon him. During the visit, he not only cleared outstanding hospital bills, but also gave transport fares to facilitate their smooth return to their homes to join their families to celebrate Christmas. Some of the beneficiaries described the gesture as a huge demonstration of humanity by Chinua Soludo, adding that it was a rare act of love, which is the hallmark of the Christmas season. Recall that around this time last year, Chinua Soludo was at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital, Awka, on a similar outreach and cleared the hospital bills of tens of patients.

Iheanyi Chukwudi As the world celebrates this year's Christmas, the Anglican Bishop of Enugu, Rt. Rev. Samuel Ike has called on Nigerians both leaders and the led, to allow the Prince of Peace to reign, in their lives and the country. Prof. Ike noted in his Christmas message that Christmas brings an unquantifiable amount of good tidings of great joy to all mankind that should be replicated in every home. Consequently, he has urged President Bola Tinubu, to, in the spirit of Christmas, help ease tensions in the South-East by pursuing a political settlement for the imprisoned leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu. Noting that the level of injustice being promoted in the country was dividing Nigerians along religious and ethnic lines, Bishop Ike said, "Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done. The recent sentencing of Nnamdi Kanu has further divided the nation along ethnic lines, with many believing that justice was neither done nor seen to have been done. The debate has shifted from guilt to perceptions of political and tribal bias. "Questions abound as to how a man narrowly escaped the death sentence for words spoken, while known murderers who brandish weapons and post their crimes online are being negotiated with and photographed alongside top government officials. Although mercy was cited as the reason for commuting the sentence to life imprisonment, this does not reflect the mercy Christ exemplified in John 8, nor does it align with government standards of pardon evident in recent amnesty lists. The President is therefore encouraged to pursue a political settlement for Nnamdi Kanu, as this would help ease tensions in the South-East." Further decrying the disunity in the country, the cleric lamented that the body language and actions of government officials were fueling disunity in Nigeria. According to him, comatose healthcare, poor economy and increasing insecurity had worsened the situation of Nigeria and heightened disunity. Noting that Jesus Christ came to preach the gospel to the poor, heal the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind and to set at liberty those who are oppressed, he said, "The coming of Jesus Christ is therefore especially relevant in seasons such as this, as Nigeria grapples with multifaceted challenges. Many of our people did not live to see this Christmas. Our healthcare system is comatose, the economy remains unstable, oppression and injustice pervade the land, and insecurity looms large. Many Nigerians are not only spiritually poor but physically hungry. Those who escaped death by hunger have remained captives in the dens of kidnappers, while their families are heartbroken and losing hope in the nation. The activities of Islamic jihadists and their enablers have become tools in the hands of the devil, aimed at eliminating the Christian population in our land." On the issue of Christian genocide, the Bishop affirmed it's reality and said, "We beseech Nigerians to cease debating the existence of this genocide, because no definitive solution can begin when we remain in denial of the diagnosis. No Nigerian deserves to die at the hands of terrorists. Now that the international community is paying closer attention to Nigeria, our leaders must realize that the music has changed—and the dance must also change. The President, in the spirit of Christmas, should make every effort to unite Nigerians, especially as social media has become a platform for fanning embers of disunity. The body language and actions of government officials have often fueled this division."

Some of the orphans during the party at Government house, Awka By Madu Obi The wife of the governor of Anambra State, Mrs Nonye Soludo has hosted children from 33 orphanage homes in Anambra State for a Christmas party. The event, which took place at the banquet hall of the Government House, Awka, was part of her resolve to put smiles on the faces of the children. In the past, Mrs Soludo used to visit them in their various orphanages, but decided to host them this year at the seat of government to make a difference. Mrs. Soludo, while thanking those in charge of the various homes, called on them to always give the adolescent ones among them listening ears whenever they approach them, especially on issues concerning their bodies and development. According to her, it has become very pertinent for children, especially female adolescents, to be open and express themselves to their parents, caregivers, and guardians on issues relating to changes in their bodies and interactions with the opposite sex. The governor's wife took out time to have one-on-one interactions with the teenagers among the orphans, apparently to encourage them to feel free and open up whenever the need arose. She also called on members of the public to regularly visit children in orphanage homes to show them love and care, adding that the inmates of the homes would surely appreciate such visits, especially as most of them do not have families to cater for them. "These children depend on the kindness of others and I encourage everybody to visit them from time to time. "I have been visiting them, and I always want to put smiles on their faces. For this Christmas, I needed to give them a sense of belonging, which was why I invited all of them to the Government House to celebrate with them", she said. Mrs Soludo said that she derives joy from making the children happy and ensuring they have fun, reminding Nigerians that part of the Christmas celebration is to extend the spirit of the season of love to everyone, irrespective of their background in society. The governor's wife stated that the state government is paying special attention to the welfare of the children, adding that all of them are currently in school under the state government’s free education programme. “The state government is doing well in ensuring that they are raised in a responsible manner. Honestly, the government is always helping. We should all remember them, visit them, and offer one form of help or another,” she stated. To the children, Mrs Soludo urged them to always open up and discuss any issue they may have with their caregivers. “Please, open up and discuss with those managing you about anything you want. Even if it means calling me to discuss with you", she told the children. Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Ify Obinabo, thanked the wife of the governor for caring for the children. According to Obinabo, Governor Soludo and his wife have remained at the forefront of promoting the Child’s Rights Law, which seeks to ensure that children are protected at all times, regardless of their background. The excited children presented Christmas carols/renditions and entertained guests.

By Madu Obi The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the 2023 election and former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, has presented a cheque of N4.741 million to cover the National Examination Council, NECO, fees for 148 inmates taking school certicate examination in the four Correctional Centers in Anambra State. Obi, who visited the NECO office in Awka unannounced, presented the cheque to the Anambra State coordinator of NECO, Mrs Emilia Njoku as examination fees and other logistics for those taking the exams this year. The 148 inmates that benefited from the intervention include 50 from Awka Centxer, 36 from Onitsha, 25 from Nnewi, and 37 from Aguata. Obi explained to the staff of NECO that the intervention became necessary after representatives of inmates from the four Correctional Centers visited him in Onitsha to share their plight. According to Obi, although NECO had approved their participation in the examinations, a letter of undertaking from a guarantor was required to enable payment of the fees, adding that he immediately provided the letter guaranteeing payment. He added that he later shared the intervention in the social media, which made the Nigerian Friendship Association, USA, through their non-profit foundation, the Friendship Association Education Assistance, Inc., to reach out to him and expressed their desire to assist. He said he was deeply inspired by their generosity, noting that collective goodwill can restore dignity and open doors to opportunities, not only for this year, but also for future candidates. "The payment of the NECO fees will be continuous", Obi stated. Obi stressed that education remains a critical tool for rehabilitation and reintegration. Drawing from his recent visit to California State University, Sacramento, USA, where he observed rehabilitation-focused programmes for disadvantaged and formerly incarcerated persons, he reiterated that correctional centres should function as true centres of reform, with education at the core of their mission. The Anambra State Coordinator of NECO, Mrs. Emilia Njoku, expressed surprise at the unannounced visit of Mr. Peter Obi, adding that the staff were surprised when a convoy of vehicles arrived the office, only to discover that Obi, uninvited and without prior notice, had come to present a cheque covering NECO examination fees for 148 inmates in correctional centres across Anambra State. Mrs. Njoku recalled that previous appeals to several individuals and organizations to assist in paying the NECO feed were unsuccessful, adding that she was pleasantly surprised that Obi voluntarily wrote the undertaking and paid the full amount.