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Tag: Anambra

Anambra Govt Orders Church To Reduce Noise Disrupting School

Wale busari03 mins

The Anambra State government has directed churches near schools to avoid generating excessive noise that disrupts academic activities. The warning came from the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, on Wednesday, following complaints about a private school in Onitsha. The proprietress of the school, Lady Ngozi Udeh, petitioned the ministry against Divine Dominion Prophetic Ministry, located directly opposite the school. The petition stated that the church, which built its auditorium in 2024, has recently increased its activities, producing loud noise, particularly on Tuesdays when services reportedly run from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. “The noise has consistently distracted students and teachers, severely disrupting teaching and learning during official school hours. Despite several verbal appeals to the church leadership, the situation has not improved,” the petition said. Speaking to both parties, Chuma-Udeh emphasized that Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo would not tolerate actions that infringe on students’ right to learn in a peaceful environment. “Noise pollution is an offence under Nigerian law and is punishable once established. Religious institutions must ensure that noise from their premises is properly contained, especially when schools are within hearing distance,” she stated. She noted that the school had been in the area long before the church and urged the religious body to find ways to coexist peacefully, describing mutual respect as a core principle of Christianity. She instructed the church to reschedule weekday activities to start from 4:00 pm, after school hours, warning that failure to comply could lead to involvement from the Ministry of Environment and possible legal action. “While churches may hold activities throughout the day on weekends, external examinations such as WAEC, NECO, and JAMB must take priority, even on Saturdays,” she added. The Assistant Pastor of Divine Dominion Prophetic Ministry, Emmanuel Ukpabi, assured the ministry that the church would take steps to ensure harmony and peaceful coexistence with the school.

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Anambra State Rejects Bianca Ojukwu’s Chieftaincy Title, Labels It “Fake”

Wale busari03 mins

Anambra State Government has rejected the chieftaincy title “Anyanwu N’Awalu Ora” reportedly given to Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, by Obi Austin Ndigwe, describing him as an impostor and insisting he has no recognition as a traditional ruler in Awka or Anambra State. In a letter dated December 31, 2025, and signed by the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, TonyCollins Nwabunwanne, the state said the conferment violated the Traditional Rulers’ Code of Conduct. The letter stressed that “the conferment of chieftaincy titles in Anambra State is the exclusive prerogative of recognized/certified traditional rulers in their respective communities, and they do so only to residents/indigenes of their communities.” It added, “In the case of a person not from the community, the approval of the Traditional Ruler of the conferee’s community and the Commissioner for Local Government, Communities and Chieftaincy must be sought and obtained. None of these conditions was met in this case.” The letter accused Ndigwe of attempting to undermine the authority of the legitimate traditional ruler, HRH Gibson Nwosu, Eze Uzu II of Awka. It described the act as an insult to Awka people and the state’s cultural institutions, adding, “Amb. Bianca Ojukwu knows that Mr. Ndigwe has neither legal nor customary rights to confer a Chieftaincy title on anyone… She should desist from addressing herself by any such fake title conferred by Mr. Austin Ndigwe.” The government warned that it would take necessary steps to protect Anambra’s cultural heritage and traditional institutions, assuring the people of Awka that it supports lawful custodians of their traditions.

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Willie Obiano Alive, Rumours Of Ex-Anambra Governor’s Death Debunked

Wale busari02 mins

Former Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Mr. C-Don Adinuba, has debunked recent rumours claiming that former governor Willie Obiano is dead, confirming that Obiano is alive and well in Houston, United States, where he currently resides with his family. The unverified reports, which circulated widely on social media, falsely suggested that Obiano, who led Anambra State from 2014 to 2022, had passed away in London. In a phone interview with our correspondent on Friday, Adinuba described the claims as “provocative” and “unfounded,” stressing that the ex-governor is in good health. He said, “I just spoke with former Governor Willie Obiano and members of his family a few minutes ago. He is hale and hearty in Houston, United States. He is not in London, nor has he been hospitalised. Please ignore the rumour—it is not from a credible source.” Obiano’s personal publicist, Tony Nezianya, also confirmed he had not received any information to suggest the rumours were true, stating, “I can’t confirm this; I am not aware of such news.” Obiano served as governor from 2014 to 2022, succeeding Peter Obi and handing over to the incumbent, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo. He hails from Aguleri in Anambra East Local Government Area and was born on August 8, 1955. The former governor is currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged N4 billion fraud.

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Ex-Anambra Governor Willie Obiano Reportedly Dies in London After Health Struggles

Wale busari03 mins

Former Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has reportedly died in London, United Kingdom. According to SaharaReporters, Obiano passed away after suffering severe heart failure and complications linked to urinary cancer. A senior family source confirmed the news on Sunday night, describing his death as sudden despite months of declining health. “His health had been deteriorating over the past months, but the final collapse came suddenly. We are devastated,” the source said. Medical staff at the London hospital where he was admitted confirmed that Obiano had been in intensive care before his condition worsened. “He fought till the very last moment,” a hospital official disclosed. Obiano was facing trial over an alleged N4 billion money laundering case brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). In July, the Federal High Court in Abuja had scheduled the continuation of his trial for November 25, after the case was reassigned to Justice Mohammed Umar. The EFCC accused Obiano of misappropriating state funds during his tenure as governor from March 2014 to March 2022. At the last hearing, EFCC counsel Sylvanus Tahir (SAN) presented witnesses, including former commercial bank official Ugochukwu Otubelu. Otubelu testified about his management of the security vote account linked to Obiano, noting that the account’s signatories were the former governor’s Principal Secretary, Willy Nwokoye, and the government’s Accountant, Theophilus Nweze. He explained that he interfaced with them “daily and weekly” while processing related transactions. Obiano served as governor of Anambra State from 2014 to 2022, after which he handed over to the current governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo.

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Anambra Government Declares Friday Public Holiday To Enable Workers Vote In Governorship Election

Wale busari02 mins

The Anambra State Government has declared Friday a work-free day for civil servants to allow them to prepare and travel for Saturday’s governorship election. In a statement released on Thursday in Awka, the Head of Service, Mrs. Theodora Igwegbe, said Governor Chukwuma Soludo approved the decision to ensure that state workers have the opportunity to return to their hometowns and take part in the electoral process. Igwegbe described the gesture as part of the government’s commitment to encouraging civic participation and strengthening democracy through active involvement of citizens in elections. She noted that voting is not just a right but a civic duty, urging all public servants to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of good governance by casting their votes. The Head of Service also directed all political appointees, permanent secretaries, and heads of ministries, departments, and agencies to notify their staff and ensure full compliance with the work-free directive.

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INEC Launches AI-Powered Virtual Assistant Ahead of Anambra Election

Kamal Yalwa02 mins

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has unveiled an artificial intelligence-powered virtual assistant designed to enhance staff training and operational readiness ahead of the November 8 Anambra governorship election. The innovative digital tool, known as the INEC Training Virtual Assistant or “INECTrainingBot,” was launched on Friday and is accessible via Telegram. According to the commission, the AI assistant provides 24-hour access to essential election materials, interactive lessons, and on-demand learning modules. This allows electoral officers to train flexibly from any location and at their own convenience. INEC stated that the initiative aligns with its broader goal of leveraging technology to strengthen institutional capacity, improve operational efficiency, and promote credible elections. The platform is expected to significantly streamline the training process, particularly for ad-hoc staff, by providing instant access to updated guidelines, procedures, and simulations related to election management. INEC officials noted that the tool’s interactive design enables users to test their knowledge, receive real-time feedback, and engage with instructional resources in an intuitive and user-friendly environment. The commission further explained that the INECTrainingBot supports multimedia learning — including text, audio, and video — to ensure comprehensive understanding of electoral procedures. With the upcoming Anambra governorship election approaching, INEC expressed confidence that this innovation will contribute to better-prepared staff, smoother operations, and more transparent electoral outcomes.

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Tears As Arise TV Anchor Somtochukwu Maduagwu Is Laid To Rest In Agulu

Tears As Arise TV Anchor Somtochukwu Maduagwu Is Laid To Rest In Agulu

Wale busari04 mins

It was a heartbreaking scene on Saturday as family, friends, and colleagues gathered in Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, to bid farewell to late Arise Television news anchor, Somtochukwu Maduagwu, fondly called “Sommie.” The funeral Mass took place at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Agulu, and drew mourners from different parts of Nigeria who came to honour the journalist whose life was tragically cut short. Her body was later laid to rest around 1:30 p.m. amid tears and tributes. Among the mourners was former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who joined others to pay his respects. In his sermon, Reverend Father Peter Ezewuzie of St. Theresa’s Parish urged the grieving family to take comfort in the belief that Sommie lived a meaningful life and fulfilled her purpose. “The Lord who created us knows the beginning and the end,” he said. “You may feel her life was cut short, but God’s wisdom surpasses human understanding. He loves her more than you do. The best gift you can offer her now is your prayers. She lived a quality life, and that’s what truly matters.” Peter Obi described her death as a painful loss, emphasizing that no one could question God’s will. “We cannot question God,” he said. “When I first heard about her passing, I didn’t even know she was from Agulu. This is a huge loss, but it is the will of God. Before I left Birmingham yesterday, I told people I was rushing home for the burial of one of my daughters. Please keep her and her family in your prayers.” Speaking on behalf of the bereaved family, Sommie’s uncle, Mr. Obi Maduagwu, expressed deep appreciation to Arise News for their unwavering support since her death. “We sincerely thank the management of Arise News. They have stood by us from the very beginning,” he said. “We are also grateful to everyone who travelled from different places to mourn with us.” Somtochukwu Maduagwu tragically lost her life in September 2025 during an armed robbery attack at her home in Abuja, a tragedy that left colleagues and viewers across the country in shock.

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Soludo Insists Detained Native Doctors Must Face Trial Before Any Consideration For Pardon

Wale busari03 mins

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has clarified that he cannot intervene in the release of detained native doctors in the state until their trial is completed. The individuals — Chigozie Nwangu, widely known as Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki from Oba, Eke Hit from Okija, and Onyeze Jesus from Nkpor — were arrested in February on allegations of preparing charms for suspected criminals, promoting get-rich-quick schemes, and deceiving youths with promises of wealth without work. During a visit to Oba, the hometown of Nwangu, some youths pleaded with the governor to secure his freedom, describing him as a respected figure in the community. Responding, Soludo stressed that the matter is already in court and outside his direct control. “You are asking for the release of Akwa Okuko, but I want to say that there is a process. There is a process for me to follow, and there is a process for the court to follow too. Where we are now is the process of the court,” he said. While acknowledging their concerns, he warned that the activities of the accused had negatively shaped the mindset of many young people. “What we should be praying for is a speedy trial. If he is found guilty and convicted, after that, your leaders can meet with me, and we can discuss the possibility of a pardon. But until the judicial process is concluded, my hands are tied,” he added. The governor also called on youths to support government efforts in tackling drug abuse, kidnapping, and the obsession with “fast money,” stressing that his administration is committed to reviving the values of hard work and integrity across Anambra communities.  

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