NIGERIAN NOTCH

By Chigozie Igbo Jr  The International Press Centre (IPC) and the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO) have commenced a two-day forum in Awka, Anambra State, aimed at strengthening media reportage, inclusivity, and accountability among stakeholders ahead of the forthcoming Anambra governorship election. The forum, supported by the European Union under the Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN II) programme, brings together journalists, editors, and civil society actors to discuss ways of improving electoral coverage and ensuring fair and ethical reporting. In his welcome remarks, the Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, emphasized that free and independent media is vital to deepening democracy and ensuring credible elections. He called on authorities and political actors to allow journalists perform their constitutional role as watchdogs of society without intimidation or censorship. According to him, “The courage of journalists who tell the ...

The Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, has appointed Dr. Chikwelu Mbonu of the Department of Accountancy as the new Director of the Open, Distance and Flexible e-Learning (ODFEL) Directorate. Open, Distance and Flexible Learning is an innovative educational approach that combines online instruction with periodic face-to-face interactions, offering students the flexibility to learn at their own pace, anytime and anywhere. Dr. Mbonu, who previously served as Dean of the School of Financial Studies, expressed his appreciation to the Rector for the confidence reposed in him. He pledged to reposition the directorate in line with the Rector’s transformative vision and progressive educational policies aimed at elevating the Polytechnic’s academic standards and expanding access to quality education. The appointment underscores Dr. Awuzie’s commitment to enhancing academic delivery through modern learning platforms and promoting inclusivity in higher educat...

RAYMOND OZOJI reports  The Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS) says it aided arrest of some of the suspects linked to the murder of Arise TV newscaster Miss Somtochukwu Maduagwu and the security man on duty, Barnabas Danlami.  Deputy Commander-General (Intelligence Department) of the Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS) Dr. John Metchie who hailed the courage and intrepid disposition of the operatives of NFSS, said the role of the NFSS in the arrest of the suspects showed that the NFSS was the missing link in the nation's security architecture.  Metchie who spoke with this journalist exclusively on why governments at all levels should see the Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS) as a dependable complimentary security formation in the fight against crime and criminality, said that the NFSS provided critical support to the Nigeria Police in apprehending the armed robbery suspects who killed the Arise TV newscaster and security man on duty.  He noted that the NFS...

By Law Mefor  A brand new Anambra State is rising before the eyes of the world. Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, came into office well-prepared with his ambitious desire to turn Anambra State from a departure lounge to a destination of choice. It has been a praiseworthy work-in-progress turning Anambra into a liveable and prosperous smart mega-city where people can long to visit, live, learn, work, relax, and enjoy.  The concrete steps taken by Governor Soludo to put the requisite infrastructures in place have earned him the lofty title of “Oluatuegwu” from all the zones of Anambra State, even as he retains the humble mien of his natal sobriquet: Charlie Nwamgbafor! A lot of people may have forgotten that before Charlie Nwamgbafor came into office, eight local government areas, namely Aguata, Ekwusigo, Nnewi North, Nnewi South, Ogbaru, Orumba North, Orumba South, and Ihiala, were under siege by the vicious “Unknown Gunmen”. Soludo created a functional securit...

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Anambra State Sector Command, has taken swift action to address the growing threat posed by a gully erosion site in Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government Area. Responding to a distress call, operatives of the RS5.36 Oraifite Unit Command, acting on the directive of the Sector Commander, Corps Commander Bridget Asekhaauno, promptly mobilized to the scene to safeguard motorists and pedestrians. The team, working in collaboration with Tamaic Construction Company, the Ekwusigo Mayor and his team, and officials from the Federal Ministry of Works, immediately put safety measures in place to manage traffic and avert accidents. The construction company also assisted in adjusting barricades and realigning diversions to improve movement around the affected area. The Federal Comptroller of Works, Engr. Okpara, alongside his field team, carried out an on-the-spot assessment of the erosion site to evaluate the extent of the damage and deter...

The Anambra State Police Command has commemorated the 2025 Customer Service Week on Tuesday, October 8, 2025, as part of efforts to strengthen public trust and improve police-community relations across the state. In a statement issued by the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, officers across all Area Commands, Tactical Units, and Divisional Headquarters demonstrated empathy, care, and humanitarian values while carrying out their duties throughout the celebration period. The event however encouraged the Area Commanders, Heads of Tactical Units, and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to produce customized T-shirts bearing the bold inscription “2025 Customer Service Week” alongside the Police logo. The Command also urged officers to engage in acts of public goodwill, including assisting school children to cross the road safely, showing compassion to complainants, and—where legally permissible—considering the release of suspects involved in minor offences. Officers a...

From Uchenna Ezeadigwe  Abuja The Cashew Processors and Packagers Association of Nigeria (CAPPAN) has endorsed the appointment of Ademola Adesokan as interim national president of the National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN), describing the change as a long-awaited opportunity to restore transparency and accountability in the industry Adesokan will be taking over from Ojo Ajanaku, who, until now, spearheaded the affairs of NCAN as president. CAPPAN said the restructuring of the cashew association, which produced Adesokan’s leadership, followed years of agitation by stakeholders who accused the association’s former executives of exclusion and mismanagement. Tunde Awoyoola, managing director of Nutslink Limited, said the development represents a turning point that reflects what “we have consistently advocated, that NCAN must evolve into a body that truly represents farmers, processors, traders, and exporters, rather than serving the interests of a few ind...

From Uchenna Ezeadigwe  Awka The bustling commercial city of Onitsha witnessed a remarkable milestone in retail growth and development as Zara Stores Limited  officially opened its newest branch in the heart of the city.  The grand opening ceremony, held on 9th Oct, at the ultra-modern store located No 76 Limca Rd Old Road Nkpor, drew a large crowd of dignitaries, business leaders, customers, Religious leaders and members of the media. The event marked a significant step in Zara Stores’ expansion drive aimed at bringing quality products, affordable pricing, and an exceptional shopping experience to the people of Anambra State and the South-East region at large. In his opening address, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Zara Stores Limited, Chief Akai Egwuonwu expressed deep gratitude to God, the government of Anambra State, and the people of Onitsha for their warm support and hospitality. “Today marks another important chapter in our journey ...

Interim National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has said that Nigerians can begin to receive verified election results within three hours of voting if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fully adopts and deploys modern technological tools in the electoral process. Aregbesola made the assertion during a panel discussion titled “Innovation in Electoral Technology 2015–2025,” where he emphasized that advanced digital systems could significantly enhance transparency, efficiency, and public trust in Nigeria’s elections. He cited examples from Brazil, Venezuela, Israel, and Ghana, where the use of technology in voting and result collation has drastically reduced election malpractice and enabled citizens to access official results within hours of polls closing. “With the level of technological advancement in today’s world, there is no reason Nigerians should wait for days to know who won an elec...

By Chigozie Igbo The member representing Nnewi North Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Augustine Onyekachukwu Ike, has denied allegations that he collected money from Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, to defect from the Young Progressive Party (YPP) to the APC. Addressing journalists in Nnewi on Monday, Hon. Ike described the allegation as “baseless and politically motivated,” urging the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)-led government to present credible evidence if such ever happened. “I challenge anyone, including the APGA government, to show proof that I collected money from Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu or anyone else to join APC. My decision was based purely on conviction and the need to attract greater democratic dividends to my constituency,” he stated. The lawmaker emphasized that his political moves were guided by his commitment to credible governance and his desire to ensure Anambra Sta...