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Tag: Anambra

  • Overloading: Truck driver bags six-month jail sentence in Anambra

    Overloading: Truck driver bags six-month jail sentence in Anambra

    A middle-aged driver has been sentenced to six months in prison by a mobile court in Awka, Anambra state for allegedly overloading.

    The Chief Magistrate presiding over the court, however, provided the suspect with the option of paying a fine.

    The driver was arrested on Tuesday near the Awmabia flyover along the Awka-Onitsha expressway by officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

    The state sector commander, Adeoye Irelewuyi, speaking with reporters in his office on Thursday, February 15, stated that the driver was promptly arraigned before the court upon apprehension.

    He said: “The overloaded vehicle was impounded at our head office here in Awka and incidentally, the mobile court was sitting the same day.

    “So, he was arraigned immediately in court and the Chief Magistrate presiding over the court handed him a six-month jail term with an option of fine.”

    While maintaining that overloading remained a very dangerous road practice that had led to a severe fatality on the roads, the FRSC boss advised motorists to desist from such an anomaly.

    He added: “Overloading is a practice that can increase the probability of fatality in a crash because when an overloaded vehicle crashes, the driver and the passengers may not have the chance of escaping from the crash, as the goods may fall on them and even cause more death than the crash itself. So, we appeal to road users to desist from overloading their vehicles either with goods or passengers.”

    Irelewuyi reiterated the command’s preparedness to continue its operations, including the arrest of road users and drivers who violated road rules in this regard.

    Read Also: Anambra adopts Start-up Act for digital economy

    He also assured that mobile court operations will be intensified to ensure prompt prosecution of offenders and to serve as a deterrent to others.

    He stressed: “All these we are doing to drive down to the barest minimum, the rate of road traffic crashes in the state.

    “All we are soliciting for is the support and cooperation of the general public to make our roads safer and more peaceful.”

  • Anambra adopts Start-up Act for digital economy

    Anambra adopts Start-up Act for digital economy

    Anambra State Government has enacted the Nigeria Start-up Act to promote digital economy.

    Its Deputy Governor, Onyekachukwu Ibezim, announced the move, emphasising the importance of embracing technology to become champions of good disruption and leaders of the global technological revolution.

    Ibezim also highlighted the  human capital development programme, which aims to leapfrog students and youths to become Africa’s digital tribe, solving challenges through technology.

    The Special Adviser on Innovation and Business Incubation, Chinwe Okoli, stated in her introductory address that the governor is committed to championing the ‘everything technology and technology everywhere’ goal to convert Anambra into Africa’s Silicon Valley.

    Read Also: Anambra community excited as peace, unity return after many years

    Okoli said: “adopting the Nigeria Startup Act in the state would create the required enabling environment for startups to thrive in the state.

    “The new Act in Anambra is projected to provide tax breaks, lessen regulatory burdens, and create funding opportunities. She advocated for cooperation among university, government, business sectors, angel investors, venture capitalists, hub founders, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders to move the state to the forefront of the global innovation ecosystem.”

    State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Chiamaka Nnake, added that implementing the Act in the state would protect investors and capital while assuring the long-term viability of enterprises.

    The Managing Director, Anambra State ICT Agency, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, said the law reflected the state’s realities as well as its competitive advantage.

    He said given that the state is recognised for commerce, adopting e-commerce is critical. Agbata urged the ecosystem to take joint action, emphasising the need of collaboration between the commercial and public sectors in driving innovation.

  • Anambra community excited as peace, unity return after many years

    Indigenes of Ogwuari, Nsugbe, Anambra East local government area of Anambra  State are in frenzy after peace and unity returned to the ancient kingdom after many years of acrimony. 

    The followed the inauguration of new executive members in the area led by the national Chairman, Pastor Lawrence Ifejika, a lawyer, in the presence of government officials and security personnel at the Ogwuari square in Nsugbe. 

    The event was chaired by Chike Maduekwe, a renowned lawyer and the  Chairman of thé Anambra physical and Town  Planning.

    Addressing the crowd of Ogwuari, Nsugbe and dignitaries from across Anambra State, he said with the new development, peace, unity and dévelopment which had eluded the area for years, have been restored. 

    Ifejika described it as  a spécial day in their  land, adding, “the joy of our people today as a result of years of crisis and agony, knows no bound 

    “What you are witnessing today did not côme so easy until the stakeholders in this area and beyond  came together to say ‘enough is enough’.

    Read Also: Anambra declares female lawyer wanted for allegedly brutalitising maid

    “Seven of our youths will travel abroad for studies in the next six months. Seven others, their WAEC  fees had been already paid by our body. 

    “By God’s grace, we will deliver and Ogwuari will rise again.”

    Anambra Commissioner for youth dévelopment Mr Patrick Aghamba congratulated thé new excos and land management committee, adding that it was a new dawn in thé community. 

    “Ogwuari Nsugbe will never witness crisis again and plans have been marshalled to take the community to a greater height,” he said. 

    For Chibuzor Obalum, the Chairman, Land committee in the community, “We are going to support the national chairman to achieve all his plans. All hand must be on deck to move this area forward”. 

    Lady Chito Etuke Osili, a Director in the Ministry of Youth Development, who was the Chairman of the organising Committee,  commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s government for supporting and bringing peace in the community. 

    She said: “We will fight any one that tries to bring shame, disunity and acrimony  to the community again”. 

    Mrs Etuke Osili said the major focus in the area was to make insecurity a thing of the past in the area.

  • Anambra declares female lawyer wanted for allegedly brutalitising maid

    Anambra declares female lawyer wanted for allegedly brutalitising maid

    Anambra Ministry of Women and Social Welfare has declared legal practitioner, Adachukwu Okafor, who allegedly brutalised her 11-year-old house-help in Onitsha, Anambra State wanted. 

    The Commissioner, Ify Obinabo in a statement joined the Federal Government in promising handsome reward to anyone with useful information leading to the suspect’s arrest.

    On Monday, the Minister of Women Affairs Uju Ohanenye, promised N2m reward to anyone with useful information for the lawyer’s arrest 

    The female lawyer, who The Nation gathered was résident in Onitsha, had been on the run since the incident. 

    Obinabo said: “Anyone who can provide information leading to the arrest of Adachukwu Okafor will be handsomely rewarded,” she said.

    Okafor was accused of using knives and other sharp objects to inflict injuries on the little girl.

    While narrating her experience, the victim said the lawyer brutalised her for touching her daughter’s body. 

    Read Also: 112 crashes claim 40 lives in Anambra – FRSC

    The victim, who was rescued by Obinabo, said her mistress used broken bottle, iron, knife and pistol on within two weeks of staying with her.

    “She also burnt my clothes before dropping me off stark naked with my relative Ifeoma Muoghalu,” she said.

    The Commissioner, who was notified of the incident by Defend Your Rights Foundation,  vowed to do everything in her power to apprehend the suspect.

  • Police arrest two serial cult killers in Anambra

    Police arrest two serial cult killers in Anambra

    The Police in Anambra said they arrested two suspected serial killer cultists in Ihiala Local Government Area of the state.

    The suspects were arrested during a special operation by the Police Crack Squad deployed by the Commissioner of Police, Mr Aderemi Adeoye.

    DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, made the disclosure in a statement on Monday in Onitsha.

    According to him, officers of the command arrested the ringleader, Chitana Oha, 25, alias “Kill and Bury” and Emmanuel Okonkwo, 24, alias “Good and Bad”.

    Read Also: FG declares woman who allegedly maltreated 10-year-old maid in Anambra wanted

    The spokesperson said both suspects were arrested in their hideout at Okija within the same local government area.

    Ikenga said that the commissioner had vowed to end cult related killings in Ihiala, same way he stamped out the menace in Awka, the state capital.

    He disclosed that the command had directed the squad to smoke out all cultists in the state and clip their wings.

    Ikenga assured members of the public that their security would continue to be top most priority of the command.

    (NAN) 

  • FG declares woman who allegedly maltreated 10-year-old maid in Anambra wanted

    FG declares woman who allegedly maltreated 10-year-old maid in Anambra wanted

    The federal government has declared wanted and placed a two million Naira bounty on Mrs Adachukwu Kukelu Okafor who burnt the private parts and body of her 10-years-old maid.

    The incident which occurred in Anambra state went viral on social media with a video of the naked little girl with burns all over her body including her buttocks, private area, body, and face.

    Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye made the declaration at a press conference on Monday, February 12, in Abuja.

    Kennedy-Ohanenye stated that the suspect, believed to be a lawyer, has been evading authorities since the incident.

    According to her, she has changed her contact information but continues to post on social media, asserting that no action will be taken against her.

    Read Also: 112 crashes claim 40 lives in Anambra – FRSC

    The Minister said: “I decided the keep quiet on the issue of Mrs Adachukwu Kukelu Okafor who burnt the private parts and body of her 10years old househelp with a hot knife and hot iron in Anambra state. I kept quiet because I thought it would have been solved by now but since it hasn’t, I have decided to wage into the issue.

    “Some people wonder why the Women’s Affairs ministry always wages into issues but it is within my purview to get involved in anything that concerns women and children across the nation. So I will not listen anymore but would wage into any issue that concerns women and children across the country.

    “With the President, we have right now, it’s time for Nigerians to fight for their rights and it can only happen with a President that listens and I don’t want Nigerians to miss out. So I am declaring Adachukwu Kukelu Okafor wanted.

    “Please Nigerians, go out there, search for this woman, bring her out and hand her over to any police station. The Women’s Affairs Ministry is offering Two Million naira (N2 million) to anyone who finds her, hands her over to the police, helps the police in her capture or provides the information to the Women’s Affairs Ministry.

    “We need the woman urgently because the girl is in pain and in the hospital, it could be your child or relative tomorrow so let’s not fold our hands.

    “In a couple of days, this ministry would make a pronouncement on taking househelp that are less than 18 years, we are going to put a stop to it and need whistleblowers to give us information. Nigeria already has a law against taking underage maids, so we intend to implement it.

    “Nigerians can also come to us and report such cases or cases of people who withhold other people’s wages or money and you would see immediate action.”

  • AFCON: Anambra community in shock, pains over death of billionaire son Nwoye

    AFCON: Anambra community in shock, pains over death of billionaire son Nwoye

    The death of Chief Osondu Nwoye, one of the wealthiest individuals in Amanuke in Awka North local government area of Anambra state, has left many devastated.

    Regarded as a billionaire, he resided in Côte d’Ivoire, where the Africa Cup of Nations AFCON 2023 was being held.

    The 53-year-old philanthropist from Umueze, Amanuke, was reportedly watching the Nigeria vs. South Africa match with his wife, Ngozi, and friends in Buake when the tragedy occurred.

    Chief Chikodi Anarah, a close friend and influential figure in the Amanuke community, expressed the difficulty of overcoming the shock.

    Anarah, also the Anambra state commissioner for Home Affairs, likened the tragedy to a thunderbolt striking Amanuke and the entire state.

    He added that he was not aware of any underlying health issues Nwoye may have had before his death.

    Anarah said: “Sincerely, we don’t really know what to do again. The entire community is in pain and confused.

    “This is a young man who has made so many youths in this community and beyond. He has given scholarships to uncountable persons in the area.

    “He has not been in politics and he was not interested in it. He does not belong to any camp. A young man who minds his business as a typical business person.

    “Nwoye’s philanthropy is unparalleled in this area. The way he does to the youths is the same way he does to the aged, widows and the less privileged. This is a big blow to us in the Amanuke community and the entire Igbo race.”

    Another person who was all tears when the news broke was Chibuzor Nwafor, (aka-Onyeoma), a popular local musician in the area.

    His tears could not be subdued as he continued saying on the phone that “a heavy rain has fallen in Amanuke.”

    The Nation further gathered that his incontrollable pain was as a result of being one of the beneficiaries of late Nwoye’s philanthropy.

    Read Also: Anambra billionaire’s death throws community into confusion

    It was further gathered that Onyeoma had equally travelled to Côté d’Ivoire some time ago with his band on the invitation to perform for the billionaire businessman and his friends.

    Onyema said: “I really don’t have the strength to talk about him. This heavy rain is a bad one for our people. Please, give me some time to recover myself but he never did.”

    Ikechukwu Obdiegwu, from the same community as the late billionaire, simply, described him as a good man who helped people.

    A former deputy chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) and ward chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Amanuke, told The Nation that, he would have been alive if he had not watched the football match.

  • Govt accused of destroying newspapers, sacking vendors in Anambra

    Govt accused of destroying newspapers, sacking vendors in Anambra

    There is tension in Anambra State, following the alleged destruction of newspapers and sacking of vendors on the streets by Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA).

    The agency has been packing and destroying goods of widows and the less privileged since last December.

    The development has forced the vendors to down tools, planning for protest any moment from now.

    One of their leaders, who preferred anonymity, told The Nation yesterday in Awka that they were planning to send a petition to Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

    The situation has increased

    tension in the state, as newspapers are not being sold in Anambra State.

    The tables of the vendors were destroyed, while their umbrellas were burnt by the agents of the government.

    The development has attracted the attention of the House of Assembly, who has urged Governor Soludo to direct the Special Adviser on Trade and Market and the Managing Director, ACTDA, to begin the construction of affordable local mini markets in Awka metropolis.

    This, according to the lawmakers, was to control street trading and its effects on Awka.

    The sponsor of the motion was Henry Mbachu, the member representing Awka South 1 Constituency.

    Making his submission, Mbachu said poverty rate was on the increase, adding that creating avenues for people to earn a living had become mandatory.

    Read Also: Anambra billionaire’s death throws community into confusion

    “There are many quarters within Awka metropolis, which create the need to establish local mini-markets to serve the people living within those areas.

    “It is nearly impossible to secure a shop within the already established markets and the rent of the limited shops is high.

    “The creation of mini-markets within Awka metropolis will solve the menace of shanties, street trading and serve as a means of encouraging micro businesses, thereby achieving the goals of making Anambra a livable and prosperous homeland,” the lawmaker said.

    Soludo’s Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Aburime, told The Nation that he was not aware of the situation, but promised to reach out to the MD of the agency.

    He said there should be designated places for vendors, adding that everywhere in the world, vendors, especially those at designated centres, were not affected by such policies.

    Aburime said keeping Anambra clean was for everyone, adding that even in Lagos, they were allowed to stay at designated areas.

    The destruction by the agency has affected many people, including widows, the poor and needy, whose goods, food and other items were packed and burnt or poured away.

  • Anambra billionaire’s death throws community into confusion

    Anambra billionaire’s death throws community into confusion

    The death of Chief Osondu Nwoye, the Umueze, Amanuke billionaire, in Awka North local government of Anambra state, has thrown the area in confusion 

    While some believe he is still alive, others have started counting the losses from his demise. 

    Nwoye, according to his kinsmen, was à philanthropist of high repute not only in the sleepy Amanuke community but in the entire Awka North council area. 

    Read Also: Soludo’s agency destroys newspapers, sack vendors in Anambra

    The 53-year-old business man, who resides in Ivory Coast, was said to have died during the Nigeria /South Africa match. 

    His friend and kinsman, Chief Chikodi Anarah, who is Anambra Commissioner for Home Affairs, told The Nation that it was difficult to believe his death. 

    À musician from Amanuke, Chibuzor Okafor (aka ‘onyeoma)  told The Nation that the entire community was in pains, adding “à heavy rain has fallen in Amanuke.”

  • Anambra: Six pregnant teenagers rescued from ‘baby making factory’

    Anambra: Six pregnant teenagers rescued from ‘baby making factory’

    The Anambra state government in collaboration with security operatives on Wednesday, February 7, rescued six pregnant teenagers from ‘a baby-making factory’ at Umunya in the Oyi local government area of the state.

    Commissioner for Health, Afam Obidike who disclosed this to reporters on Wednesday said the factory was busted after a raid by the state’s health facility, accreditation, and monitoring unit during its routine inspection.

    He said the facility located at No 1, School Road, Tansian University in Umunya where babies were being sold had the name ‘Mother and Child Hospital and Maternity.’

    Obidike said the nurses they saw locked up the facility and ran away after they requested to see the doctor on duty and find out why the facility was not registered with the state government.

    According to him, it was security operatives including OCHA-Brigade, Civil Defence Corps, and the Police that later assisted the monitoring team in gaining access to the facility.

    He said: “When we gained access to the facility, what we saw was shocking. We discovered six underage pregnant girls, within ages 14, 15,16, 17 and 21, allegedly camped against their wishes.

    “We interviewed these girls and they told us they are being camped by one self-acclaimed doctor who they identified as Mr Odili Ossai from Delta State, now at large.

    “According to them, when they deliver the babies, Mr Ossai, who owns the facility will sell the babies.

    “Five persons have been arrested in connection with the `factory’ and the police will carry out further investigation.”

    Obidike reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Charles Soludo’s administration in stamping out fake and quack hospitals across the state.

    He said: “Under the state’s Health Facility Accreditation and Monitoring Unit, we have equally established the state Illegal and Anti-Quackery Taskforce Team.

    “The primary objective of the task force team is to eliminate illegal and unethical sharp practices within health facilities and enhance the quality of healthcare services in the state.

    Read Also: Anambra woman faces prosecution for using grandson in child labour

    “The state government is determined to eliminate all illegal health facilities and quackery. It is also worthy to note that the state ministry of health has successfully built a database website where people can easily have access to approved and registered health facilities in the state.”

    The commissioner urged residents to report any illegal activities, malpractices, or concerns related to healthcare services in the state.

    Also speaking, the director of medical services, Ugochukwu Chukwulobelu cautioned other fake and quack doctors operating in the state to shut down immediately.

    He said: “If caught, they will face the full wrath of the law.”