NIGERIAN NOTCH

By Chigozie Igbo Jr  As the November 8 governorship election approaches, Anambra State stands at a defining crossroads. The political atmosphere is charged with anticipation as three formidable contenders—Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Hon. Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Paul Chukwuma of the Young Progressive Party (YPP), square off in what many analysts describe as a historic test of vision, governance, and grassroots power. By all standards this election is not just about party supremacy, it is about the direction Anambra will take in the next four years. Soludo and APGA: Continuity and Consolidation For incumbent Governor Professor Charles Soludo, the election represents both a validation and a verdict. His campaign message, “Consolidating the Transformation Agenda,” seeks to build on his achievements in infrastructure, education, and economic revitalization. Speaking recently in...

The Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, has officially flagged off the institution’s Staff Sports Festival, organized by the Polytechnic Staff Sports Club. The event, which took place on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, marked a significant step toward promoting health, fitness, and camaraderie among staff members. Represented by the Deputy Rector (Administration), Dr. Kenneth Ezekwe, the Rector reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to holistic institutional development, emphasizing that the sports club project was part of her broader vision to enhance staff welfare and improve the image of the Polytechnic through infrastructural advancement. In his address, Dr. Ezekwe commended the initiative, noting that the staff sports club was conceived to promote physical well-being and relaxation among staff members. “A healthy staff will be a productive staff and will invariably contribute enormously to the development of the institution,” he stated. He...

 A Canada based medical doctor, Dr Chinedu Anthony Umeadi (Agunaechemba Abagana) was the NUJ Man Of The Year 2024. He is a consultant Physician, Academic, Politician, Community leader and Philanthropist.  His choice as the 2024 NUJ Anambra Man of The Year was largely determined by the people through a transparent process. In this interview with the NUJ Anambra Watchdog Magazine crew led by the Chairman, NUJ Anambra State Council,Comrade,  Odogwu Emeka Odogwu PhD, Umeadi revealed the significant of the NUJ award to some individuals and personalities, especially how the award made him gain more visibility in the society. *Excerpt* : *Since 2024 you have been in the news for winning the 2024 NUJ Anambra Man Of The Year Award* what does the NUJ *award mean to you, and why is it significant?*  It is a significant honour to be honoured by the Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ Anambra state Council as a man of the year in Anambra state. So, the recognition and h...

...call for Government support on sustainability From Uchenna Ezeadigwe  Awka The Obosi Innovative Skill and Empowerment Programme (OBISEP) have graduated no fewer than three hundred and fifty vocational Skilled Entrepreneurs.  The training which was tagged Obosi 1 Household 2 Skills Project a brain child of the Obosi Development Union(ODU) Skills Acquisition, Empowerment and Palliative(SAEP) Committee worldwide. This OBISEP Entrepreneurship Training is put together in partnership with Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria(SMEDAN) Anambra State office, News Echo reports. The grand finale which took place at the Obosi Town Hall on Tuesday, 21th.Oct, 2025 had initially offered Thirty one(31) Vocational Skills to the Graduands such as: Confectionery/Decorations, Solar energy/CCTV Installation, Basic ICT/ Digital Marketing,Cosmetology, Fashion/Cloth Making, Beauty Care/Gele, Poultry/Fishery, Cassava/Yam Production Value chain, Block/Bri...

The Mainpower Electricity Distribution Limited (MEDL) has announced the cancellation of the planned power outage earlier scheduled to affect parts of Enugu between Wednesday, October 22, and Friday, October 31, 2025. According to a statement issued on Thursday, October 23, 2025, by the company’s Head of Communications, Mr. Emeka Ezeh, the outage — which was expected to last daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — was called off due to unforeseen technical constraints communicated by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). The affected 33KV feeders included Kingsway Lines 1 & 2, Emene Industrial Lines 1 & 2, Thinkers Corner, Trans-Ekulu, Ugwuogo, and Ituku Ozalla. Mr. Ezeh noted that a new schedule for the planned maintenance would be announced once arrangements are finalized. He expressed regret over any inconvenience the sudden change may have caused customers and thanked them for their understanding and continued cooperation.

There is growing public anger over the conduct of “Nothing Pass God” Transport Company after one of its vehicles, identified as 1257 AWK ZC, embarked on the overloading of its vehicle on a night journey in defiance of a directive by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) restricting such.  The vehicle, reportedly meant to operate within the bounds of proper passenger carrage, departed its terminal late   tonight heavily overloaded with passengers and goods, in what many described as a blatant violation of safety regulations. Passengers who spoke to out against such violation expressed disappointment and fear over what they called the company’s “irresponsible and reckless” attitude toward their safety. They said that despite earlier assurances from management that no vehicle would be overloaded, company staff insisted on proceeding with the trip “to avoid losing money.” One passenger, identified as Ngozi, narrated her experience: “We were told the vehicle that we...

The Head of the Department of Management Information and Communication Technology (MICT) at the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Prince Johnpaul Udoaku, has been elected as the Non-Teaching Staff Representative in the institution’s Governing Council. In the keenly contested by-election, Prince Udoaku secured a total of 146 votes, defeating Mr. Norbert Okoli, who garnered 29 votes, and Ms. Amara Nwosu, who polled 9 votes. The election results were announced by the Deputy Rector (Academic), Dr. Nkiru Akabuike, during an emergency congregation meeting held at the Polytechnic Auditorium, Extension Site. In her remarks, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, commended the conduct of the election, describing it as peaceful, transparent, and devoid of rancour. She expressed satisfaction that the by-election was free from the blackmail, campaign of calumny, and financial inducement that had sometimes marred previous contests in the institution. Dr. Awuzie lauded the elect...

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has launched its 2025 Ember Months public enlightenment and sensitization campaign in Anambra State, urging motorists to take personal responsibility for their safety and strictly obey traffic rules throughout the festive season. Speaking at the official flag-off ceremony in Awka, the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, said the initiative is part of a nationwide effort to curb the surge in road crashes, injuries, and deaths that often occur during the busy end-of-year period. Represented by the Anambra State Sector Commander, Corps Commander Bridget Asekhauno, the Corps Marshal explained that the theme for this year’s campaign, “Take Responsibility for Your Safety: Stop Distracted Driving,” was chosen to emphasize the critical role of drivers in preventing accidents. She noted that the campaign seeks to address common driver-related offences such as speeding, drunk driving, overloading, the use of mobile phones while driving, and failure to ...

The quiet community of Omalima Layout in Oze Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, has been thrown into turmoil following allegations of a coordinated land grab allegedly carried out by individuals linked to state government officials. Eyewitnesses and property owners in the area claimed that a group of men, purportedly representing the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security under the AVM Department, invaded several plots of land last week, forcefully displacing owners and tenants. The men, identified by residents as Hon. Chiejina Obieze, Sunday Ogaazi, Izuu (popularly called One Man 30), Chukwuma Okpolaezeukwu, and Ben Chiobi, allegedly claimed to be executing “government orders.” Their actions reportedly included the demolition of structures, including properties belonging to All Saints Anglican Church. One of the affected landowners, who pleaded anonymity, described the incident as “a brazen abuse of power.” “They cam...

The Rector of Federal Polytechnic Oko, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, has been conferred with the Distinguished Platinum Leadership Award in recognition of her outstanding leadership qualities, visionary direction, and unwavering commitment to academic excellence and institutional transformation. The honour was bestowed on her on Thursday, October 16, during the 3rd Hybrid International Conference of the School of Financial Studies, held at the Polytechnic Auditorium, Extension Site, Oko. Other notable awardees included the former Acting Chairman of the Polytechnic’s Governing Council, Hon. Omonibeke Kemelayefa; former Acting Rector, Dr. Ubaka Chukwugekwu; former Council Member, Dr. Joseph Chike Aroh; Dr. Mukail Aremu Akinde, Barr. JBC Obikwelu, Dr. Adaobi Ifejiofor, and Dr. Uche Chukwudire. Declaring the conference open, Dr. Awuzie commended the Dean of the School of Financial Studies, Dr. Nkechi Aroh, and the entire faculty for their consistency in promoting scholarship and for...