NIGERIAN NOTCH

On the evening of December 3, 2025, the grand hall of Merit House, Maitama, Abuja, glowed with excitement and celebration. It was the African 3G Grassroots Good Governance Awards,an annual gathering that recognises excellence, innovation, and credible leadership at the grassroots level across the continent. But this year, one name dominated conversations long before the first award was announced, Hon. Barr. Casmir Chukwunonso Nwafor, the Mayor of Orumba North Local Government Area in Anambra State. By the end of the ceremony, he was not just a winner, he was the undisputed star of the night, sweeping the most coveted honours: Best Local Government Chairman in Rural Infrastructure. Overall Best Local Government Chairman in Nigeria (African Mayor of the Year 2025) For a leader who has spent barely a year in office, the achievement was nothing short of extraordinary. And for the people of Orumba North, it was the ultimate validation of a rising political and developmental rena...

The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, fwc, mnips, PhD, has strongly condemned the attack carried out by armed criminals at a church in Lilu, Ihiala Local Government Area, on the morning of December 7, 2025. The incident led to the death of one person, left several others with serious injuries, and resulted in partial burning of the church building and destruction of other property. Describing the attack as heinous and abominable, CP Orutugu said the assault on innocent worshippers represents not only a crime against the Lilu community but also a direct affront to the shared values of peace, sanctity of life, and freedom of worship. The Police Command extended its condolences to the families of the victims and the entire Lilu community, assuring residents that security operatives will relentlessly pursue the perpetrators until they are apprehended and brought to justice. According to the Commissioner, no community in Anambra State should be subjected t...

The Mayor of Orumba North Local Government Area, Hon. Barr. Casmir Nwafor (Rtd.), has continued to draw widespread recognition and admiration following his recent double honours from the African Stride International Media Group, as well as an additional commendation for his outstanding achievements in rural infrastructure. Hon. Nwafor was conferred with the “Mayor of the Year” award and named Best Mayor in Infrastructure Development and Inclusive Governance on December 3, 2025, acknowledgements many describe as a clear endorsement of his visionary leadership, administrative excellence, and commitment to transformative governance. In addition to the honours, he also received the Best Mayor Award in Rural Infrastructure, a recognition that further affirms the bold strides made in his first year in office. According to community leaders and observers, the recognition “captures only a fraction” of the impact Hon. Nwafor has made in Orumba North, where he has laid a strong found...

Hon. Barr. Casmir Nwafor, the mayor of Orumba North LGA in Anambra state has been honoured with the Best Mayor Award in Rural Infrastructure, a recognition widely regarded as a testament to his visionary leadership and commitment to grassroots development. The award celebrates his outstanding contributions to improving rural communities through innovative projects, strategic governance, and an inclusive approach to development. Observers say his dedication to expanding infrastructure and enhancing the quality of life in underserved areas has set a benchmark for effective rural administration. The recognition has continued to generate commendations, with many describing it as well-deserved given his consistent efforts to drive sustainable growth across local communities. The award is expected to further inspire Hon. Nwafor as he continues championing development initiatives aimed at transforming rural areas and improving the wellbeing of residents. Hon. Barr. Casmir Nwafor’s...

The Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha has celebrated a double historic event: the ordination of 44 deacons and the commemoration of 140 years of Catholicism in Igboland (1885–2025). The ceremony, a profound expression of faith across the nine dioceses of the Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, was held at the Basilica Square of the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha, Anambra State. The event drew an enormous crowd of Catholic priests, religious, lay faithful, and all the bishops from the dioceses within the province. The dioceses represented were: Ekwulobia, Awka, Enugu, Nsukka, Aguleri, Abakaliki, Awgu, Onitsha, and Nnewi. The ordination of the 44 new deacons formed the climax of the celebration and was presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty. In his homily before the ordination rites, Archbishop Crotty recalled the arrival of the Irish missionaries who first brought the Catholic faith to Onitsha. He noted that many of these m...

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has asked Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, to make a definite decision on whether he intends to join the party’s coalition ahead of the 2027 presidential race. The party said Obi would not be pressured into joining despite the influence he commands within the emerging political alliance. Obi had on Wednesday expressed concern that the ADC-led coalition was “faltering” due to unresolved issues surrounding zoning and the rotation of key political offices. However, he also expressed confidence in the coalition’s leadership, including former Senate President David Mark and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. Responding in an interview, ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi said the coalition had not reached a stage where zoning should form part of its discussions. According to him, the current focus is on building credibility and offering Nigerians a viable political alternative. “We’re not talkin...

The Arewa Consultative Forum Youth Movement (ACFYM) has declared that Nigeria needs transparent public institutions and leaders whose conduct reinforces, rather than erodes, citizens’ trust. ACFYM President, Kabiru Yusuf, made the call in Abuja on Wednesday while reacting to intensifying public demands for a forensic probe into the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). Yusuf said the youth wing of the northern socio-political group firmly aligns itself with the cause of accountability and the protection of national interest. He expressed concern over allegations raised against the FIRS Chairman, Mr Zacch Adedeji, bordering on lifestyle-related issues and the management of taxpayers’ funds under his watch. Although the allegations remain unproven, Yusuf said their gravity and the potential damage to public confidence necessitate an immediate, comprehensive forensic investigation by relevant anti-corruption and oversight bodies. “As responsible stakeholders committed to tran...

By Ukpa Ewa  Journalists in Anambra State have been urged to improve the quality, sensitivity and ethical standard of reporting Gender-Based Violence (GBV) as the menace continues to grow due to deep rooted cultural norms and weak enforcement structures. The charge was made during a one day capacity building workshop in Awka for media personnel on GBV reportage, content development and amplifying survivor voices. The training, titled “Empowering Christian Women and Women Leaders of Culture for Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria, Through the Strengthening of Grassroots Organizations " was implemented by Gender Perspective and Social Development Center (GPSDC) with support from WomenAid Collective (WACOL). Speaking at the workshop, Executive Director of GPSDC, Mrs. Eucharia Anakwe said many GBV cases collapse at the police level because the media often publicise details prematurely, enabling perpetrators to flee. She noted that improved reportage...

FirstPower Electricity Distribution Limited (FPEDL) has announced that several parts of Anambra State will experience a planned power outage on Sunday, December 7, 2025, to allow for critical maintenance and upgrade work by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). According to a statement signed by the management of FPEDL, the interruption—scheduled to last from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.—is necessary to enable TCN engineers to install a TR13 60MVA transformer and reconfigure outgoing feeders at the Onitsha Transmission Station. To create a safe operational environment for the technical crew, the MOBITRA 40MVA and 45MVA transformers, along with the 1T1 100MVA 132/33KV transformer, will be temporarily shut down during the exercise. As a result, the following 33KV feeders will be affected: Army Barracks, Awada, Obosi, Umunya, Juddy Bolema, Nnewi Oba, Nnewi Industrial, Ossomala, 3-3, Niccus and Ogidi. Also affected are the Nwaziki 11KV and Woliwo 11KV feeders. Customers served ...

The Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, has presented certificates to staff who successfully completed the Advanced Digital Empowerment Programme for Tertiary Institutions (ADEPTI)—a comprehensive digital skills training sponsored by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The capacity-building programme, conducted by the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), equipped staff with critical 21st-century competencies, including digital literacy and cybersecurity, ICT office productivity tools, e-teaching and e-learning technologies, data analysis and visualization using SPSS and Power BI, as well as collaboration and emerging technology skills. Speaking at the certificate-presentation ceremony, Dr. Awuzie said the initiative aligns with her administration’s commitment to strengthening staff capacity and advancing the digital transformation of the institution’s academic and administrative systems. According to her, empowering staff with modern ICT skills...