By Madu Obi Idemili South local government area has won the 2nd edition of Nonye Soludo Volleyball competition with a cash prize of N750,000. It defeated Njikoka local government team, which came 2nd and received N500,000, while Anaocha local government area defeated Aguata local government team to clinch the third position with the prize money of N250000.. Sixteen teams participated in the competition initiated by the wife of the governor, Mrs Nonye Soludo with the aim of discovering budding talents and promoting Volleyball across the 21 local government areas of the state. Stephine Nwadinobi from team Idemili South was named the best attacker at the competition, while Cynthia Uzuegbunam of Njikoka got best setter. Also, Chinecherem Nwazupu of Anaocha was rated the Most Valuable Player, while Njikoka local government was rated the best behaved team. Aguata went home with best coach in the competition. Presenting the awards, Mrs Soludo commended the organizers for doing excellent job and promised to increase the prize money so as to encourage volleyball players in the state. The chairman of Anambra State Sports Development Commission, Patrick Onyedum appreciated Mrs Soludo for instituting the tournament, noting that many players discovered during the competition can make the national volleyball team. "With constant training and improvement of facilities, many of these players can go places", he said.

By Madu the Police operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu , Anambra State, have arrested five suspects claiming to be members of a vigilante group. Items recovered from them include two pump-action guns, five live cartridges, one ash coloured shuttle bus, face masks, plate number and other incriminating items at Ring Road, Nibo, Awka South local government area. The suspects, all males, include Solomon Saddah, Okolocha George Kaosisochukwu, John Obi Ogwaju, Chukwuemeka Chisom Ikenwa and Eze Obinna Joshua. The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said in a statement that during interrogation, the suspects admitted their involvement in criminal activities, and revealed how they operate in a shuttle bus under the guise of vigilante personnel to commit the havoc. According to Ikenga, the suspects are currently cooperating with the Police and providing information that will assist in uncovering other criminal collaborators and networks. He assured the commitment of the State Police command towards ensuring the safety and security of lives and property, urging residents to continue supporting the Police with timely and credible information during the festive period.

By Madu Obi The West African Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA), a nongovernmental organization, is to partner Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, to ensure security and peace on campus. Speaking when officials of WAANSA visited him in Awka, the Vice Chancellor of UNIZIK, Professor Ugochukwu Anyaehie, described security as fundamental for any organization that seeks to achieve set goals and objectives. Noting that the greatest form of security is preventive, Anyaehie affirmed that his administration would always support measures that guarantee peace and security in the institution. "UNIZIK, as an institution, aligns with the objective of WAANSA Nigeria in promoting peace and orderliness in tertiary institutions in the West African subregion", the VC said. Anyaehie thanked the group for the visit and their role in tackling security challenges across educational institutions in West Africa. The Regional First Vice-President of WAANSA, Mr Martin Igwe, who led the team, explained that the visit was to discuss with UNIZIK management, ways of promoting peace in the institution, and nipping in the bud any form of violence, to enhance security in the university. According to him, WAANSA Nigeria is a network of non-governmental organizations in West Africa working towards sustaining peace, eliminating pockets of violence and halting the menace of illegal proliferation of small arms within the West African subregion. He said that the organization is already liaising with the National Universities Commission (NUC) and Committee of Vice-Chancellors on ways of identifying threats of insecurity capable of distracting and disrupting academic activities in Nigerian tertiary institutions. Igwe congratulated Prof. Anyaehie on his appointment as the Vice-Chancellor of UNIZIK, expressing hope that his track record and achievements elsewhere would bring to bear in the running of the university. Present during the courtesy visit were the Director of Programme of WAANSA Nigeria, Chidi George-Okoli and Administrative Secretary of WAANSA Nigeria, Diane Lawrence.

By Madu Obi A public commentator and political writer, Dr. Valentine Obienyem, has vowed to formally petition any country to which Mr Reno Omokri is posted as Nigeria’s ambassador, urging the host government not to accept his letter of credence. Omokri, a former presidential aide, was among those nominated by President Bola Tinubu for ambassadorial positions and had since been screened by the Nigerian Senate. In a letter addressed to the President of prospective host country and copied to its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Internal Affairs, Obienyem raised what he described as “grave concerns” about Omokri’s suitability to represent Nigeria diplomatically. According to Obienyem, the objection is based on Omokri’s “publicly documented conduct and long-standing behaviour,” which he argued, demonstrate instability, shifting loyalties, and an excessive tendency towards personal advancement, rather than national interest. He warned that accepting Omokri as ambassador could, in his view, pose risks to bilateral relations. The letter focused on Omokri’s past public commentary on Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with Obienyem recounting that in the period preceding and during the 2023 presidential election, Omokri was an outspoken critic of Tinubu, participating in protests and using strong language on social media to question the President’s fitness for office. He further recalled instances in which Omokri mocked Tinubu’s health, referring to him as a “London patient”. The letter also referenced Omokri’s past claims regarding Tinubu’s academic records and allegations of corruption, noting that these statements were made publicly and without caveat at the time and provided links to videos and social media posts which, he said, demonstrate these positions, emphasizing that his account is based on Omokri’s own published words. Obienyem noted what he described as a dramatic reversal after the election, recalling that Omokri had publicly declared that he would never work with Tinubu. He characterized such an arrangement as contrary to his “principles and DNA”. According to the letter, Omokri later became an open supporter of the President, endorsing his policies, defending key decisions, and aligning himself with the administration’s “Renewed Hope Agenda”, noting that this shift has attracted widespread public attention and controversy in Nigeria. The letter further stated that Omokri’s ambassadorial appointment has been protested by citizens, civil society groups, and commentators across the country, all questioning his suitability for diplomatic office, adding that the decision to proceed with the nomination despite these objections has deepened public unease. Obienyem noted that another major concern is Omokri’s alleged pattern of sycophantic behaviour, arguing that this tendency could lead to exaggerated or misleading representations to host governments in an effort to gain favour, thereby undermining trust and accurate diplomatic communication. He advised host governments to exercise caution and to decline acceptance of Omokri’s letter of credence. He described his intervention as an act of patriotism, warning that accepting Omokri could expose both Nigeria and the host country to reputational risk. “This is not a personal matter, but a question of public responsibility and the integrity of diplomatic representation", the letter stated. Obienyem said he is prepared to supply further documentation of Omokri’s public statements upon request, adding that his objections will be raised whenever and wherever Omokri is posted.

By Madu Obi The wife of the governor of Anambra State, Dr Nonye Soludo, has described sports as a powerful tool for character formation and social inclusion among youths. Flagging off the 2nd edition of Nonye Soludo Volleyball championship in Awka, the governor's wife said she instituted the tournament as part of her efforts to positively engage young people, discover their talents and encourage discipline and unity among them. She said: “The competition will serve as a platform for nurturing future volleyball stars. I encourage our youths to take the tournament seriously because sports remains a powerful tool for character building and social inclusion. The first edition was not as big as this one and the fact that more local government areas are participating this year shows that volleyball tournament is gaining more acceptance in our state. For this reason, we will increase the prize money so as to encourage our girls to take more interest in the sport." She commended the organisers, coaches and participating teams for their commitment to the success of the championship and urged the athletes to exhibit sportsmanship and fair play throughout the competition. Chairman of the Anambra State Sports Development Commission, Mr Patrick Onyedum, described the championship as a laudable initiative that aligned with the state government’s drive to empower youths through sports. He expressed optimism that the competition would further strengthen the development of volleyball in the state and beyond. The championship is featuring teams from the 21 local government areas of the state.

By Madu Obi Worried by the increasing menace of gully erosion in Anambra State, government has threatened to force residents to build proper channels for water coming out of their homes. The state Executive Council, ANSEC, which announced the proposed enforcement, lamented that erosion has continued to be an existential issue in Anambra State, citing the careless actions of communities and regulatory bodies that have disregarded environmental regulations. The state Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor said after the weekly executive council meeting that it has been observed that some residents direct storm water from their homes onto the roads, where it accumulates in different ways and contributes to the erosion crisis currently affecting Anambra State. "ANSEC decided to step up enforcement to force people to build and manage storm waters from their houses and for communities to follow specific guidelines, like building erosion barriers and excavating sand only in locations that have been allowed", Mefor said. The Commissioner stated that government is also to set up a committee to recover government lands across the state, adding that the committee became necessary after hearing a report about people blatantly intruding on government lands and building on them without permission. Meanwhile, ANSEC has approved the release of funds for the execution of several projects in various parts of the state. Details showed that N95,2 million was released for the provision of water to the newly constructed Ekwulobia flyover bridge fountain and the ornamental garden, while N172 million was approved for landscaping the car park for the new Trauma Centre at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, Awka. Other contracts awarded include N93,4 million for the installation of a 3-way traffic light, including pedestrian lights, at the Ifite-Amenyi intersection within Awka metropolis, N50,4 million for the supply and installation of two 10 kVA inverters with 15 kW lithium batteries at the Anambra State Civil Service Commission building in Awka and N119,1 million for the supply and installation of transformer substations in Nnewi and Umueze-Anam communities.

By Madu Obi The wife of the Anambra State governor, Mrs Nonye Soludo, has cautioned elderly people against eating processed canned foods which, according to her, are unhealthy. Mrs Soludo, who spoke during the third edition of Mrs Oluremi Tinubu Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme at the Government House, Awka, also urged the elderly to endeavour to exercise their bodies everyday to maintain good health. At the event, 250 elderly people, both men and women, who are 65 years and above, received N200,000 from Nigeria's first lady, while Mrs Soludo supported them with a bag of rice and wrapper each, in addition to transport fares for all of them. The scheme, according to the first lady, is to support vulnerable elderly citizens in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, as well as veterans from the Defence and Police Officers' Wives Association (DEPOWA). The sum of N1,9 billion for the scheme was approved by the governing board of the Renewed Hope Initiative and each state of the federation received the sum of N50 million. The first lady's address delivered by Mrs Soludo read: "As we approach the festive season, it is crucial to emphasize the importance of prioritizing our elderly citizens in our initiatives. They have walked difficult paths so that the younger generations may have smoother roads to travel. It is therefore our moral duty, and indeed our joy, to ensure that they live their twilight years in comfort, good health, and dignity. "My advice to our senior citizens is to do all that is possible to find joy in old age. Let us also find purpose in community, compassion, and care. Let us remember that aging gracefully is not just about longevity but about being surrounded by love, support, and respect. "I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active. Nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement. Those of us who are active should continue to engage in charitable work and, in so doing, find joy in helping others. "Through this scheme, we have continued to express our gratitude and care for the men and women who have laboured to build the Nigeria we are all proud to be part of today. Mrs Soludo thanked the first lady' for the wonderful initiative, noting that with the support, the elderly people have started this year's Christmas on a good note. Emphasizing healthy living for the aged, Mrs Soludo added: "Many of these elderly people are on their own in their various communities and they need our assistance to live a normal life. Let us continue showing love to them in our various ways. "I encourage them to do light exercises everyday so as to keep healthy. Producing and eating healthy foods can prolong their lives. "The problem in some places is that once their children start doing well, they stop doing all the things they were used to, as their children will start bringing all kinds of junk foods for them, which often times result in health issues, including cancer." "I knew a woman who was healthy, only to become very sick when her rich child started bringing all sorts of canned food for her and she eventually died. "All these canned foods are just for the economic benefits of the manufacturers as most of them are poisonous." She encouraged them to always make it a point of duty to exercise at least 30 minutes everyday, adding that going to gardens and weeding the crops is a form of exercise for them.

By Madu the The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in the November 8 Anambra election, Mr. John Nwosu has said that the 2027 general election will be a defining moment for Nigeria's democracy. Speaking in an interview in Awka, Nwosu also said that he had accepted the outcome of the Anambra election, even though he was not totally satisfied with the conduct. Nwosu said: "The 2027 elections are shaping up to be a defining moment for our democracy. With the defections and political realignments we are witnessing, it is clear that many actors are prioritizing personal or party interests over strong and resilient institutions. While we remain hopeful that Nigeria can conduct free, fair and credible elections, there is growing concern that the playing field is being tilted in favour of those in power. As opposition, our focus will be on holding the government accountable, mobilizing citizens, and ensuring that every Nigerian vote counts. The integrity of our democratic process must not be compromised, and we will continue to advocate for transparency, fairness, and an electoral system that truly reflects the voice of the people. Anything less would be a betrayal of the sacrifices of Nigerians over the years." According to Nwosu, Nigeria urgently needs strict enforcement of campaign finance laws, with real sanctions for violations. "INEC must be made more independent and technologically stronger, while security agencies should be neutral , professional and willing to prosecute electoral offenders", he said . On whether he would return to the Labour Party where he originally belonged, Nwosu stated that his focus is on strengthening and building ADC, in consultation with his supporters, stakeholders, and associates who stood with him throughout the Anambra electioneering process. "What remains constant is my commitment to good governance, accountability, and people-centered leadership. Politics must always serve the people first, and that principle will guide my decisions My political decisions will be guided by principle and the best interest of Anambra people. For Mr Peter Obi, I remain respectful of his contributions to our politics and will support any ambition of his that aligns with good governance, fairness, and the welfare of the people", Nwosu added.

By Madu Obi The Mayor of Nnewi North local government area of Anambra State, Hon Echezona Anazodo, has lauded the cooperation between the state and the local government areas, noting that it has led to massive grassroot development. Addressing journalists in Nnewi, Anazodo argued that the synergy between the two tiers of government was the reason for the growth in infrastructure noticed in the local government area in the past few years. He said: "Before I became the chairman of Nnewi North, we had roughly 16 to 18 years without recording any tangible project here; either done by local government, state government or even federal government. This is apart from the one Dame Virgy Etiaba did during that period she was Anambra State governor for three months. Subsequent governments did nothing here and we started looking at it to know what the problem was. That is why we are happy with the synergy we have built with the state government. In Nnewi North, the state government has projects, either already done or ongoing. We too, as a local government, have a lot of projects and if you move around, you will see that work is going on in every part of the local government. So we are better off with our relationship with the state government. We are working together because if Nnewi North is good, it is good for all of us." On whether his local government is receiving all the allocations due to it, Anazodo said: "We have local government law 2024 and the way we are supposed to run our local governments is clearly stated there. What we have is what is available for us to spend according to law and that is what we are spending. There is no state or local government that has enough to throw around. You have to strive to break even; you have to be more progressive in thinking to navigate and achieve certain things and to know how to get and use what is available to run your government. In Nnewi North, we are operating far above what is available to us because we are exploring other means for us to be able to survive and have enough to take care of the needs of our people. Why should I even be talking about allocation as my only means of funding when in Nnewi here, we have high concentration of billionaires and they have been supportive. We also have big markets that we can harness and I will be here talking about allocation. Even if they give you all the allocation, and those of others, you will still need more." Anazodo also spoke on the forthcoming local government election in the state, saying that his philosophy when he entered office was to let everyday that he stayed in the office count. " I’m not too obsessed with power. I’m still young and have held other positions before now. The tenure of a Local Government Chairman is minimum of two years and maximum of four years, according to the Anambra local government law. My concern is, let my people see that I am doing well and then ask for me to return. Even if I decide to go for second term and the people say I have not earned it, I won’t go. I am available to serve my people at this early stage of my life and the issue of second term is not what I want to think about now. We are just one year and two months in office and we have work to do for our people", he said.

By Madu Obi The Anambra State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, has honoured some individuals for their positive contributions towards sports development in the state. Among those honoured were Mr Christian Aburime, Press Secretary to Gov Chukwuma Soludo, Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, Chief Tony Oli, pioneer chairman, Anambra State Sports Development Commission, Dr Chukwudi Njelita, Chief Medical Director of Rock Foundation Hospital and Chief Obinna Ezema, Managing Director CEO of Cosmila Suites and Hotel, Awka. The awards of recognition were conferred on the recipients during the SWAN end of year lectures and recognition ceremony. The event marked the end of the two-day 2025 edition of SWAN Week by the Anambra chapter of the association, which started with medical outreach during which no fewer than 50 journalists benefited. According to SWAN, Aburime was honoured for his contributions to the media and support for sports journalism in Anambra State, while CP Ikioye was recognized for his community policing strategy which has stabilized Anambra security environment. Also, Chief Tony Oli was honoured for his vision and impact in sports, while Dr Chukwudi Njelita, received award for public health advocacy crusade. Chief Obinna Ezema of Cosmila Suites and Hotel was honoured for promoting sports in the hospitality sector, while Barr Chukwudi Oli got an award for his intervention in sports infrastructure in his community in Nri, Anaocha local government area. In a lecture entitled “Sudden Death Phenomenon: Why Fitness Alone is not Enough" Njelita called on members of the public to go for regular checks of their vitals such as blood pressure, sugar levels, pulse and oxygen level. He said blood pressure could only be managed and not cured, encouraging patients with high or low blood pressure to be religious in taking their management medicines, while urging people above 40 years to take vasoprin daily to prevent stroke. He said that while it is important for people to engage in physical exercise in a bid to keep fit, they should avoid strenuous workouts that could drain them and trigger unhealthy changes in their blood pressure or heartbeat. On his part, Dr Henry Duru, a lecturer in the Mass Communications Department, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka called on Gov. Chukwuma Soludo to prioritize sports as a key economic sector, noting that sports had become both a major industry and external image strategy for advanced countries. He observed that Anambra State has not shown readiness to harness the opportunities in the sports economy, adding that the transformative success in sports hinges on two foundational pillars namely, strategic Public Private Partnerships (PPP) and purpose driven infrastructure development. He, however , noted that the scale of investment required for a modern sports ecosystem far exceeded the capacity of government budgets alone, adding that the role of government must evolve from being the sole funder and operator to becoming a strategic facilitator and regulator. “There is the need for modern, multi-purpose sports infrastructure which is the physical foundation necessary for talent discovery, athlete conditioning, and hosting commercially viable competitions. “Infrastructure is the most visible sign of commitment to a sports economy, it ranges from community playgrounds and local sports halls, to international standard stadiums. “The challenge lies not just in policy formulation, but in the consistent and transparent implementation of these plans. “For Anambra to fully tap into the lucrative sports economy, the convergence of political will, private investment, and professional management will be essential,” he said. Chairman of the occasion, Chief Paul Nwosu, described the event as one of the most educating he had attended in recent history and appreciated SWAN for providing the platform for such a robust conversation. Nwosu who is the immediate past Commissioner for Information in Anambra State, urged the government to take the issues as constructive feedback from the public while urging participants to take their health seriously by adhering to the advice of the doctor. Chairman of SWAN in the state, Chimezie Anaso, congratulated the honorees and urged them to continue to contribute to the security and economy of the state by empowering youths through sports. He appreciated friends and partners of SWAN including Rock Foundation Hospital, Awka, Anambra Police Command, Department of State Services, Anambra Command and Anambra Beach Soccer Association, for contributions to the success of the event.

By Madu Obi Some students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) , Awka, have called on the Federal Government to fully implement the judgment of the National Industrial Court and reinstate Professor Bernard Odoh as the Vice-Chancellor of the institution. The students, under the aegis of Nigerian Students and Youth Association, Unizik chapter, urged the Minister of Education to act without further delay in reinstating Professor Odoh, in strict compliance with the court’s ruling. President of the group, Mr Chisom Nwangwu, recalled that Professor Odoh was removed from office by the Federal Ministry of Education following allegations that he was not a professor and was therefore unqualified to occupy the position. However, the court has affirmed that Professor Odoh was duly promoted to the rank of Professor in 2015 and consequently ordered that all his rights, entitlements, and privileges be fully restored. Nwangwu stressed that respect for court judgments is fundamental to nation-building and must not be treated as optional. He urged Nigerians to learn to obey court orders if the country is to build a society firmly rooted in the rule of law. He further expressed concern that the continued failure to implement the court’s ruling, particularly in a situation where the office of the Vice-Chancellor was never vacant in any legal or practical sense, set a dangerous precedent. “This persistent disregard for a valid court order undermines democratic values and sends the wrong signal to citizens. Such actions should not be allowed to define us as a people or as a democratic society", Nwangwu said. He noted that Professor Odoh is the first alumnus of Nnamdi Azikiwe University to be appointed Vice-Chancellor, describing his removal as regrettable and driven by malicious claims intended to frustrate a young academic with a clear and progressive vision for the overall development of the University. He appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the matter, pointing out that his administration is founded on the principles of justice, fairness, and respect for the rule of law. Such an intervention, he added, would reaffirm public confidence in democratic institutions and reassure young Nigerians that justice, fairness, and equality before the law, remain attainable in Nigeria.

By Madu Obi The UNIZIK High School, Awka and Loretto Science School, Adazi, have emerged winners of the 5th edition of the Best Brain contest organized by Agboaza Foundation, a non governmental organization, NGO, for secondary schools in Anambra State. The contest, sponsored by Dr. Frank Igbojindu, an advocate for quality education, featured contests in Mathematics and Igbo language. The competition featured secondary schools from different parts of Anambra State. In the Mathematics segment, Obieze Chikaima of UNIZIK High School emerged the overall winner and was awarded ₦100,000, a trophy, a medal, and a certificate of distinction, while Onuzulike Daniel of St. Patrick’s College, Awka came second and received ₦60,000, a medal, and a certificate of distinction. Ogbuagu Paul of All Hallows Seminary, Onitsha placed third with ₦40,000, a medal, and a certificate of distinction. In the Igbo Language segment, Ndubilo Rosemary of Loretto Special Science School, Adazi-Nnukwu won the first position of N100,000, Ukwueze Chidera of St. Patrick’s College, Awka finished second and received ₦60,000 and a medal, while Ugochukwu Desmond of Christ the King College, Onitsha came third and won ₦40,000 and a trophy. Teachers whose schools performed excellently received ₦100,000 each and a trophy under the Teachers’ Champion Award category. Speaking during the event, Dr. Igbojindu said the quiz competition was initiated out of his passion for education and youth development. He explained that the programme, which began in 2021, was designed to encourage academic excellence and preserve indigenous language among young people. According to him, the initiative is supported by the Akpoazaa Group in collaboration with IG Aguowo Health and Academic Foundations, noting that investment in education remains a sustainable way of securing the future. The winners expressed gratitude to the organisers and attributed their success to intensive academic preparation and mental discipline.