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By Madu Obi Awka - The governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has set up a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the protracted dispute surrounding the traditional stool of Awka. known as the “Eze Uzu” throne. The Commission is chaired by Hon. Justice Paul Obidigwe (Rtd), former Chief Judge of Anambra State, while the Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu University, Professor Kate Omenugha will serve as Secretary. Other members include HRH Igwe Ben Emeka of Umueri, Barr. Nnaemeka Francis Patrick Egonu and Rev. Fr. Maurice Izunwa, The Commission is to conduct a thorough, impartial, and comprehensive inquiry into the issues that have led to tensions over the revered Awka traditional stool. Specifically, the Commission is mandated to determine the remote and immediate causes of the dispute over the traditional stool “Eze Uzu” of Awka and ascertain whether Chief Gibson Nwosu was properly dethroned. It is also expected to determine whether Chief Austin Ndigwe was duly selected and installed as the legitimate traditional ruler of Awka and whether he is legitimately functioning in that capacity, as well as make recommendations to the state government on necessary steps to bring the dispute to a definitive end. Governor Soludo, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, charged the Commission to conduct a thorough, impartial, and comprehensive inquiry into the issues that have led to tensions over the revered traditional stool of Awka. Soludo said that in carrying out its assignment, the Commission is expected to be guided by the provisions of the Traditional Rulers Amended Constitution for Awka Town, 1986, the Constitution of Awka Development Union and the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Law, He emphasized the importance of upholding due process, respect for tradition, and the rule of law in resolving the matter, noting that the peace and unity of Awka remain paramount to his administration. The Commission is required to conclude its inquiry and submit its report on or before March 17, 2026.

By Madu Obi A founding member and former National Publicity Secretary of African Democratic Congress, ADC, Chief Anayo Arinze, has described Tuesday's attack on the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in Edo State as a serious sign that the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, wants to derail the country's democracy. Arinze said the attack by yet to be identified persons came to him as a rude shock, warning that enough is enough. According to him, leaders in a democratic dispensation must derive their mandates from the votes of the electorate, not on gun points. He said: "The news of the attack on Mr. Peter Obi, an ADC presidential hopeful and other ADC coalition chieftains in Benin City, Edo State, by yet to be identified hoodlums, came to me as a rude shock. It is a shocker because Nigerians thought that the era of political hooliganism and thuggery is over in our nation. It is very unfortunate that the APC governments at both Edo State and at the national level are returning our democratic experiment to the dark days of political hooliganism, thuggery and assassinations, just because they want to hold on to power in 2027." He called on the new Inspector General of Police, the Director General of DSS and other security operatives to unravel the mystery of what he described as an assassination attempt on Peter Obi and bring the culprits to book. Arinze said it would be dangerous to sweep the act under the carpet, warning APC governments at all levels to desist from actions that could truncate democracy in Nigeria. "The APC-led governments must know that nobody has monopoly of violence. They should not pull our country into undue political crises that will consume all of us. Enough of this unwarranted provocation by APC leaders who know that their time is up in Nigeria. "Nigerians are experiencing enough insecurity in their land through insurgency, banditry and youth restiveness. They do not wish to experience any eruption of political hooliganism and violence in any part of Nigeria. APC leaders must embrace the reality that the ADC coalition is simply a movement by Nigerians to recover their land from the punitive regime of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and any attack on any of the ADC coalition leaders is an attack on the entire nation", he added. He recalled that when the governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, last year, warned Peter Obi never to come to Edo State without his express approval, otherwise his safety would not be guaranteed by him, Nigerians thought that it was an empty threat. "One would not be wrong to assume that the recent assassination attempt on Peter Obi at an ADC function, and up to the house of Chief Odigie Oyegun, the former governor of the state, was a fulfilment of the threats of the governor," he stated.

By Madu Obi The Anambra State government has planned to establish Rural Access Roads Agency that would ensure an all year round motorable roads across all the communities in the state. When operational, the Agency will handle the overall management, development, rehabilitation, reconstruction and maintenance of Class C and Class D roads in Anambra State. Already, an executive bill for the establishment of the Agency has passed through second reading at the Anambra State House of Assembly. The bill also seeks to improve rural access, strengthen transport infrastructure and enhance agricultural marketing across communities in the state. At the plenary, the Majority Leader of the House, Ikenna Ofodeme, explained that the establishment of the Agency would ensure a coordinated and sustainable approach to the maintenance of rural roads, which he described as critical to economic growth, especially in agrarian communities. Ofodeme, who represents Ekwusigo constituency, noted that poor rural road networks have continued to hinder agricultural productivity, increase transportation costs and limit access to markets, stressing that the proposed Agency would bridge the infrastructural gap between urban and rural areas. In their contributions to the debate on the bill, the member representing Aguata Constituency 1, Mr Anayo Okpalaeke, his Dunukofia Constituency counterpart, Chuks Azotani and the member representing Anaocha Constituency 2, Chief Ejike Okechukwu, described the bill as timely and development-driven, emphasizing that improved rural roads would boost commerce, reduce post-harvest losses and enhance security in remote areas. However the member representing Anyamelum Constituency, Bernard Udemezue, who just resumed sitting after six months suspension , argued that the proposed agency would undermine the constitutional responsibilities of the local government system. According to him, the functions outlined in the bill fall within the statutory duties of local governments if properly empowered. The Speaker of the House, Somtochukwu Udeze, who presided at the plenary, noted that a similar agency exists at the federal level as Federal Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), which is also operational in Anambra State.

By Madu Obi The Anambra State government has released details of the March 17 swearing-in ceremony of Professor Chukwuma Soludo's, second tenure with his deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim. The programme shows that the event, which will take place at the Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, will be preceded by an interdenominational service at the International Convention Center, Awka. There will also be a thanksgiving Mass on March 22 at 10:00 AM at St. Patrick's Cathedral, Awka. Soludo won overwhelmingly during the November 8, 2025 governorship election, defeating his opponents in all the 21 local government areas of the state with wide margin, such that none of his opponents challenged the outcome of the election in court. The governor has dubbed his second tenure as "Anambra On The Rise: The Foundation Towards The African Dubai-Taiwan". Even as he is yet to begin his second four-year term, new and ongoing projects are being executed in various parts of the state with great speed.

By Madu Obi A Nigerian cleric, Dr Iwuchukwu Ezenwafo, has reopened the unresolved issue of the 15th century transatlantic slave trade that spanned between 1480 and 1870AD, urging the United States president and chairman of the Board of Peace, Donald Trump, to order for reparations in favour of the affected countries and tribes. In the letter addressed to President Trump, Ezenwafo lamented that history is criminally silent over the devastating consequences and the indelible scars that trailed the transatlantic slave trade in which over twelve and half million souls were shipped from Africa. "By your body language, principles and actions so far, one can obviously observe your predestined mission in The White House. For us who should know, the details of your assignment are not only prosecuted with finesse, but are accomplished with a rare grace, commitment and undaunted courage. We do hereby affirm that we've got your back standing in the gap continuously", he said. According to him, the heinous slave transactions, first by the Portuguese and the Spaniards, followed by the British, the French, the Dutch, the Irish and other European merchants, critically depleted the workforce/human capital necessary for sundry development, entrenching pain, sorrow, loss of self worth and abject poverty. He observed that till date, the various communities, ethnic societies, tribes and kingdoms across the entire catchment areas of the West Coast and the Central Africa, are yet to recover from the ripple effects of what he described as the carefree rampage. He said that even after the declaration of the end of the trade by the United Kingdom in 1807 and the United States in 1808, it took over sixty years for the Royal Navy of the British empire to battle the illicit transaction to a final end. "There's no better way to portray properly the true picture of the era, but one thing is certain, which is that sub-saharan Africa, is till today eclipsed in the shadow of a morbid inhuman transaction known as slave trade. Today, we are looking at the beckoning necessity of healing the enormous wound by adequate restitution. We cannot continue any longer to downplay such a scary assault and capital crime as it were. The Western Powers should clearly understand that a matter of this magnitude can never, by any means, be swept under the carpet. This kind of malfeasance, no matter how it's considered and evaluated, can only be addressed by a well thought out reparations. Going by the principles and values of the Western/modern civilization, it behoves the leadership of all the countries involved to do the needful and the ideal time is absolutely now. With the contemporary global leadership placed on the lap of the US, a clarion call for an international conference for Reparation Fund Raising should be conscientiously made sooner than later under Your Excellency's able close watch", he said. He added that it is on record that about 1,500 slave merchant ships were accosted and prosecuted with over 150,000 live slaves freed in the process, noting that it was not untill the year 1870 that the most vicious and heinous crime against humanity in history was finally brought to an absolute halt. He said further: "The costly effects of this stupendous crime against mankind is unimaginable with unquantifiable implications taking into consideration the spread and duration. In Igbo land, a major victim for instance, the communal economic structure and attendant social cohesion were battered to the extent that the enviable egalitarian societal norms and traditions were jeopardized. The peculiar Igbo communal lifestyle and cultural values were threatened to becoming extinct. And the homegrown art and cultural heritage of the era in question were violated while treasured artefacts were serially vandalized without caution. What naturally followed was a nasty situation where the highly cherished and revered customs/heritage jealously preserved down the centuries were trampled upon and summarily desecrated. With such affront, the European encounter resulted in a gruesome humiliation and loss of self worth amongst the otherwise enthusiastic and proud people. Empirically the earliest contact the Igbo had with the civilized Europeans was nothing but a bitter experience of tragedy. They simply brought death and went away with hope and life", he said. "In a bid to deliberately uphold justice, equity and fairness, all the parties/nations involved should be subject to due self assessment and willing individual responses in terms of the measure of resource contributions. The fund raising exercise will have to be deliberately spaced over a fairly long time to enable a maximum pooling of adequate resources that could assuage the massive losses and damages that accumulated over such a long period of about four hundred years".

By Madu Obi Policymakers, development partners, industry leaders and ecosystem builders have taken a bold initiative designed to accelerate digital transformation and strengthen the competitiveness of enterprises in the South-East geopolitical zone, with the official launch of the Bridge4Scale Digital Innovation Hub (DIH) in Awka, Anambra State. At the well - attended ceremony, the stakeholders said the exercise signalled a significant step in positioning the region as a digitally enabled manufacturing and enterprise corridor, capable of competing effectively within Nigeria and in the global markets. The Bridge4Scale DIH is part of a broader framework supported through international cooperation efforts, including strong institutional alignment with the Digital Transformation Centre (DTC) Nigeria, and backed by the European Union’s commitment to advancing digital ecosystems in partner countries. In her remarks at the event, the head of the Digital Transformation Centre Nigeria, Dr. Thuweba Diwani underscored the strategic importance of Digital Innovation Hubs in strengthening Small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs, and industrial clusters. She highlighted DTC Nigeria’s ongoing work in building digital capacity, fostering innovation networks, supporting ecosystem enablers, and connecting local enterprises to continental and global opportunities. According to her, Digital Innovation Hubs serve as critical bridges between policy, technology providers, and businesses, as well as ensuring that enterprises are not left behind in an increasingly digital global economy. Diwani further emphasized that the European Union–supported framework behind the DIH model was designed to promote sustainable digital growth, knowledge exchange, and scalable innovation systems. She noted that supporting DIHs across Nigeria is central to enabling inclusive digital transformation, particularly for SMEs that form the backbone of the economy. In his remarks, one of the consortium partners, Ifedy Eze, described the DIH as a catalyst for structural transformation of the economy of the South-East. He described Bridge4Scale as not merely a training platform, but a comprehensive innovation support system focused on helping light manufacturers, trade-driven enterprises, and SMEs to integrate digital tools into their core operations. The goal, he said, is to improve productivity, enhance operational efficiency, expand market access, and increase revenue growth for businesses across the region. Eze outlined key focus areas of the DIH, including digital maturity assessments for enterprises, capacity-building and workforce up-skilling, advisory services for technology adoption, market access support and ecosystem linkages, and policy engagement to strengthen the enabling environment. He noted that the expected outcomes include improved digital readiness among SMEs, stronger value chains, enhanced export competitiveness, and the creation of sustainable jobs. “Our ambition is to see South-East businesses move from analogue constraints to digital advantage. This hub is about enabling real enterprises to bridge the gap from where they are to where the global market expects them to be", Eze said. A major highlight of the event was the unveiling of the South-East Digital Maturity Report, a comprehensive needs assessment conducted by the Bridge4Scale DIH. The report maps the digital readiness of SMEs across the region, identifying critical gaps in technology adoption, skills, infrastructure, cyber security awareness, and digital strategy implementation. It also outlines opportunities for targeted interventions, partnerships, and policy reforms. Among the dignitaries in attendance at the launch included Christian Udechukwu, Anambra State Commissioner for Industry; Chiamaka Nnake, Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning; Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, Managing Director, Anambra State ICT Agency; Dr Lawrence Ezeh, Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Enugu State; Patrick Chukwuka, Managing Director, Anambra Small Business Agency; Engr. Chito Onwuzuluike, State Director, SMEDAN; Charles Emembolu, Chairman of the Board, Innovation Support Network; Prof Segun Sogbesan, Founder Onitsha Business School; and Chika Nwogu, Head of Strategy, Remita.

By Madu Obi The Igbo Women Assembly (IWA), a socio-political group, and other prominent Igbo stakeholders have called for the strengthening of laws that would promote the use of Igbo language to stop it from dying. At an event to mark the United Nations Mother Tongue Day 2026 in Awka, the group argued that doing so would revitalize the language The IWA event was organized in collaboration with the Council of Igbo States in America (CISA) and Ohaneze Ndigbo. National President of IWA, Mrs Nneka Chimezie, who lamented that the Igbo language is gradually dying because a huge percentage of the younger generation is unable to speak it, suggested that something must be done to change the situation. She said: "Death of a language occurs in stages. Our language, which is Igbo, is at the second to the last stage of extinction. This is because 80 percent of the generation that will take over from us today does not know how to speak or write Igbo language. Our language is now like a dying child in our hands. Worst is that we have discovered that those based in Igbo land also do not know how to speak Igbo, but prefer to use English in their day-to-day activities. This is pure evidence that the language is phasing out. "It is clear that individual and group efforts alone cannot save our language; we need a collective and enforceable approach. Since 2020, IWA has been at the forefront of promoting Igbo language through various programmes, but our impact remains limited. We need to enforce the use of our language. We call on stakeholders in leadership positions- town unions, church leaders, traditional rulers, women groups, schools, and government agencies- to rise to the occasion. These institutions must make and enforce laws that strengthen the use of our language. "We must all understand that Igbo language is our identity. If we allow it to die, we lose more than words. We will lose our heritage, our unity, our geographic identity, and the one thing that binds us as a people". According to her, no region thrives without its language, adding that for a tribe to lose its language is to lose who they are. The traditional ruler of Ifitedunu Community, Igwe Chukwuemeka Ilouno, in his remarks, called for a collective effort to promote the Igbo language. "Many tribes are currently losing their languages and ours was predicted to phase out in 50 years from now. We must strive to save our language from dying and encourage its use in our homes and learning centers," he said. Chairman, Anambra State Town Union Council, ASTUC, Sir Vincent Dike, maintained that promotion of Igbo language and culture is a duty that is binding on all Igbo sons and daughters and promised to partner IWA and other interested associations to champion the promotion of Igbo language and ensure it is sustained all over the world. The Anambra State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Anambra State, Comrade Donatus Onyenji, expressed the state government's commitment to promoting Igbo language and culture, citing Governor Soludo's assurance to rebuild Igbo core values, which include speaking Igbo. He encouraged citizens to speak Igbo to their children and assured that the state government will work with the group to advance Igbo culture and language.

By Madu Obi The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr. Peter Obi, has called on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to urgently address the difficulties faced by candidates registering for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, warning that students must not be made to suffer because of administrative shortcomings. Obi raised the concern after observing large crowds and confusion at JAMB’s office in Amawbia, Anambra State, noting that similar reports have emerged from other parts of the country. The situation, he observed, appears linked to the proscription of several computer-based test centres over alleged infractions. While acknowledging that authorities may have legitimate reasons to sanction erring centres, Obi urged the examination body to adopt a more balanced and humane approach. He suggested that centres under investigation could be permitted to offer limited services under strict monitoring to prevent further violations. He further recommended that, where the approval of new centres may take time, JAMB could temporarily utilize previously approved centres under close supervision to reduce the pressure on state offices. "With the registration deadline approaching, many candidates - some travelling long distances and even spending nights away from home - risk missing the examination through no fault of their own. Students cannot be made to suffer the failings of a system to which we have all, in one way or another, contributed. Swift and compassionate intervention should be made to ensure that no young person’s academic future is jeopardized by avoidable administrative bottlenecks", Obi said.

By Madu Obi The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in 2023, Mr. Peter Obi, has drawn attention to a rare spiritual convergence as the Christian season of Lent and the Muslim holy month of Ramadan begin on the same day in Nigeria. In a message shared on social media, Obi described the coincidence as more than a simple alignment of calendars, calling it “a powerful symbol of shared sacrifice, reflection, and the possibility of national renewal.” He noted that both seasons are traditionally marked by fasting, prayer, and thanksgiving, and referred to the overlap as a “double fast,” encouraging Nigerians to transcend religious differences and recognize their shared humanity. Obi urged citizens to use the period of fasting and prayer to reflect on national challenges, including insecurity and economic hardship. “Prayer alone is not enough; it must be paired with action,” he said, emphasizing the need for charity toward the vulnerable, forgiveness, and self-discipline as vital elements for national healing.

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

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

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