NIGERIAN NOTCH

BY IZUCHUKWU Adichie The Labor Party (LP) finally finds itself at an extinction juncture as the remaining foundational members and major support group in Anambra have abandoned the party to join the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to bolster the Soludo-led administration's transformative government. This mass exodus signals a permanent end for the LP, which has long been declared nonexistent in the state. The departure of these key members proves a troubling end, highlighting the party's continued struggles in the politics of Anambra. The abandonment of the party by the Oga Ndi Oga warriors—who were the original LP members and grassroots support group in Anambra—on Saturday, December 14, at the Dora Akunyili Women Development Center, led by their national coordinator, Chief Rochas Orji, along with state and local government coordinators, serves as a testament that Anambra is APGA land. There is no opposition party. Soludo has done well and APGA will continue ...

In a grand ceremony held in Awka, the Anambra State chapter of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) conferred a prestigious award on Governor Chukwuma Soludo as the Icon of Societal Transformation. This award is a testament to Governor Soludo's people-oriented policies and his commitment to transforming Anambra State. Receiving the award, Governor Soludo expressed his gratitude and acknowledged the honour as a call to do more. He assured the gathering that his administration will continue to be deliberate about delivering on his mandate, with a focus on declaring a state of emergency on security. The Governor also emphasized the need for collective action to build the state and nation, particularly in tackling idolatry, which he described as a common enemy on the rise in the southeast region. Bishop Moses Ezedebego, the State Chairman of PFN, praised Governor Soludo's people-oriented policies and assured him of their continued support. The event was attended ...

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) yesterday 13th December 2024, at its Awka party secretariat in Anambra state, celebrated the homecoming of it's National Chairman, Barr Sly Ezeokenwa, over the Supreme Court's decision to uphold him as the National Chairman of the party, a situation that marked the end to the party's leadership dispute. The ruling is viewed from several quarters as a significant win for democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria, bringing to an end, an age long dispute that would have wrecked the party.  In his keynote address, the APGA State Chairman, Chief Barrister Ifeatu Obi-Okoye, described the homecoming of Barr Sly Ezeokenwa as a celebration of justice, resilience, and the unflinching support of APGA members throughout the country. He lauded Barrister Ezeokenwa's tenacity during the legal battles and also commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for standing firmly behind the party and its ideals. Obi-Okoye expressed optimism that th...

The Federal Government has launched a groundbreaking initiative to enhance Nigeria's wheat production, aligning with its efforts to strengthen food security and reduce dependence on imported wheat. The Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, who stated this in his office in Abuja, disclosed that the Ministry  is thus advancing Nigeria’s wheat production through the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro Pocket (NAGS-AP).  The initiative, he said, spans 16 wheat-producing States, aiming to enhance agricultural productivity and boost economic growth.  National Project Coordinator, Ishaku Buba, while briefing the Minister, informed that the scheme is targeting 280,000 smallholder farmers and a select group of medium-scale farmers in selected clusters. Participants, he said, are required to contribute resources to cover inputs for one hectare of irrigated land, noting that fertilizer packages vary, with farmers ...

Chief Dr. Ebuka Onunkwo remains a force to be reckoned with, not just in politics, but he has shown that his attachment to humanity is organic. Born on December 3, 1970, in Ihembosi, Anambra State, Chief Onunkwo rose from humble beginnings to become a renowned industrialist and philanthropist of repute in Nigeria. His journey is a testament to resilience, hard work, and ingenuity. As the Founder and CEO of Seahorse Lubricants Industries Limited, Onunkwo has built a world-class manufacturing empire that produces high-quality petroleum products. His company has received numerous accolades, including the "Best Oil of the Year" award in 2021. But Onunkwo's impact goes beyond the business world. He is a dedicated philanthropist who has made significant contributions to education, healthcare, and community development across board.  He has sponsored scholarships, donated to schools, and even provided financial support to students from his hometown. Onunkwo's lea...

President Bola Tinubu is set to present the proposed 2025 annual national budget to a joint session of the National Assembly on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. This was disclosed by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, during the Senate’s plenary session on Thursday. “The President has informed the National Assembly of his intention to present the 2025 budget to the joint session on December 17, 2024,” Akpabio stated. The proposed budget, totalling N47.9 trillion, was earlier unveiled by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu. Reports have it that ahead of the President’s budget presentation, both chambers of the National Assembly had earlier approved the 2025–2027 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP), which provide the parameters for the 2025 budget. Key parameters of the fiscal documents provide oil price benchmark: $75 per barrel; crude oil production target: 2.06 million barrels per day, and e...

By Rose Oranye   Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, has been awarded Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Educational Practitioners, United Kingdom (CIEPUK).  According to the Global President of CIEPUK, Dr Marcel Ezenwoye, the fellowship award was in recognition of his outstanding professional achievements and contributions to the fields of mass communication and entrepreneurial technology. It also reflected his distinguished career spanning over three decades, during which he successfully handled notable media and communication projects domestically and internationally.  "Also, your fellowship with other Nigerian institutions is a testament to your exceptional expertise and commitment to excellence," Ezenwoye stated.  Speaking during the Investiture and Induction Awards Ceremony, held at Paul University, Awka, Anambra State, where he was appointed a visiting professor, Dr. Mefor appreciated the institutions, respectively, as...

...as Akpabio, Govs. Soludo, Peter Mbah, Sonwo-Olu, and others bag awards. By. Anyanwu Glory Amarachi  In a society where selflessness and genuine compassion for others are often overlooked, it is refreshing to come across individuals who have dedicated their lives to serving others. Dr. Chima Amadi is one such individual, whose intentional commitment towards human and community development initiatives have continued to earn him numerous accolades and recognitions, across the length and breadth of this nation. The nation's capacity city Abuja, was in a carnival of a sort on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, as the renowned Shehu Musa Yar'Adua Conference Center play host to unusual dignatries  and exceptional Nigerians who attended the unveiling of the median edition of Nigeria Today Magazine and award ceremony - a platform created to honour outstanding and distinguished public and private Nigerians that have carved a niche for themselves in corporate  governance, ...

 Mazi Ejimofor Opara  Governor Chukwuma Soludo's administration has been a game-changer for Anambra State. His commitment to strengthening the weakest links of the state has led to profound transformations that will undoubtedly etch his name in history. His groundbreaking infrastructural revolution in the North and remote parts of the Central zones of Anambra, against popular permutations that he should focus on Anambra South his own zone, is still a wonder to political watchers. Governor Soludo has initiated numerous projects that have improved the lives of the people. For instance, in Okpoko, he has tarred over 15km of inner city roads, provided pipe-borne water, and built the first General Hospital for a community of over 1.5 million people. In Awka North LGA, Governor Soludo has constructed over 40km of roads, connecting hard-to-reach areas and reducing travel time significantly. The Amansea-Ebenebe-Ugbene-Ugbenu-Awbaofemili road, which was once impassable for ...

Mazi Ejimofor Opara  In a heartwarming display of empathy and kindness, Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has ordered the payment of the hospital bills of Mr. Okechukwu Akaneme, the former Chairman of the Onitsha Chamber of Commerce. This selfless act is a testament to Governor Soludo's commitment to putting the welfare of his people above all else. As Governor Soludo once said, "Life is nothing without empathy." This quote encapsulates the fundamental principle of his leadership, which is centered around compassion, kindness, and a deep understanding of the needs of his people. His transformational leadership is geared towards breaking the cycles of poverty, providing the poor and vulnerable with tangible evidence that the government is committed to improving their lives, and ensuring that their children have a brighter future. Governor Soludo's administration has been marked by several impactful policies and programs that have brought significant prosperi...

From Uchenna Ezeadigwe  Awka The Obosi Development Union has urged the one hundred and seventy-nine communities in Anambra to emulate the 1 House 2 Skills Acquisition initiatives as practised in Obosi Community. This is coming as three hundred trained youths on Saturday, 7th, December 2024 graduated from the first batch of the Obosi Skills Acquisition, Empowerment and Palliatives (OBISEP) Pilot Phase One project initiated by the Obosi Development Union. The event which had in attendance trainers on various skills and trainees showcasing their products took place at the Obosi Town hall and Tagged; the "Obosi 1 Household 2 Skills" programme with a total of seven hundred participants initially commissioned to undergo training in thirty-one different skills. Speaking in his welcome address, Chairman, ODU Skills Acquisition Empowerment and Palliatives Committee, Worldwide, His Youthfulness Chisom T. Onugha said "What we are doing in Obosi t...

Owerri, Imo State – In a determined effort to combat hunger and spread festive cheer, Arise Africa magazine kicked off its Street  feeding initiative on Friday, December 6. The program began with a community feeding event in Owerri Municipal, Imo State, Nigeria During the event, the founder of Arise Africa, who also marked his birthday and anniversary on the same day, personally handed out food packs and water to the less privileged along Control post junction,  Douglas, Orji, and Okwurata streets. The initiative was made possible through the generosity of members of the Arise Africa community, who donated their resources to actualize the project. Speaking at the event, the founder emphasized the urgent need to address food insecurity by mobilizing compassionate Nigerians and engaging local communities. He described the program as a continuous effort  bringing relief to vulnerable groups. "Food insecurity remains a pressing issue in our society,” he stated. “T...