# Anambra State Government and stakeholders have commended the Federal Government on the National Social Safety Nets Programme – Scale Up (NASSP-SU) Cash Transfer Programme, which has continued to lift many indigent households in the state and Nigeria at large out of poverty.
The commendation was given in Awka during a one-day stakeholders’ engagement and sensitization meeting organized by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, in collaboration with the National Social Investment Programme Agency, National Cash Transfer Office, and the Anambra State Cash Transfer Unit.
In his remark, Governor Chukwuma Soludo, through the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, represented by Mr. Chinedu Okpala, pledged the state’s support to the scheme, and appealed to the Federal Government to increase the number of beneficiaries in Anambra.
In a remark, the Anambra State Programme Manager, Cash Transfer Unit, Mr. Christian Obiajulu, thanked the state government for its support in ensuring that Ndi Anambra continue to benefit from the programme, revealing that more than thirty-three thousand households in Anambra had benefited in the past, while over eleven thousand households are currently benefitting from the NASSP-SU, with each beneficiary receiving twenty-five thousand naira in three tranches.
# Anambra State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC) Maku Olatunde has pledged to collaborate with electoral stakeholders to provide security and create a peaceful voting environment, enabling the electorate to exercise their franchise freely during the gubernatorial election.
Commandant Maku stated this on Wednesday, August 20, 2025 when he received an advocacy visit from the Yiaga Africa Board and Management team at the State Command Headquarters Awka.
The NSCDC helmsman, represented by Deputy Commandant Prominence Ukaobi, commended Yiaga Africa’s efforts in supporting security agencies and pledged to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure a free, fair, and credible election in the state.
He emphasized the importance of collaborating with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) like Yiaga Africa to establish early warning systems and gather information to prevent the escalation of election-related violence.
# Stakeholders from various strata of the society converged on the ETF building of the Chukwumeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam campus for the 25th Inaugural lecture series of the institution.
In an opening remark, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Kate Omenugha, said that the school had held the seventh Inaugural Lecture when she joined the institution as the Acting Vice Chancellor in December 2023, but has risen to the 25th edition of the lecture series, a feat she said is among the numerous other achievements of the institution since she assumed office, noting that more achievements would be recorded; both in character, learning and infrastructure.
Delivering the lecture, the 25th Inaugural Lecturer and Prof. of English, Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, who is also the Anambra State Commissioner for Education, dwelt extensively on the topic, “The Algorithms of the Be -side Construct: Transcending the Quandaries of Equity to Dynamic Equipoise, calling for gender harmonization devoid of struggles by the female gender to assume equal patriarchy with the male gender and the male gender struggle to fern for their families as the head single handedly, and the need to focus on the general well being of people instead of gender for a better socio economic benefits of all.
# The Caretaker President General (PG) of Abba Town Union, (ATU), Mr. Alexander Ekwnecessarhas been directed to prepare necessary ground for the conduct of town union election in December 2025.
Anambra State Government gave the directives in a letter addressed to the President General of Abba Town Union and signed by the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Mr. Tonycollins Nwabunwanne,
The state government explained that the ministry is in receipt of series of petitions and agitations against the election of the Executive Committee of Abba Town Union held on 28 December 2023 which brought in Mr. Alexander Ekwuagana as the President General.
Anambra state government maintained
that the agitation is based on disagreement on the affirmation/extension granted the Ekwuagana-led executive against the constitution, noting that the petitioners stated that the ATU Constitution only provides for one tenure and rotates to the next village.
# The Anambra State Police Command has arraigned four suspects involved in separate cases of defilement before the Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court sitting in Awka.
The suspects were subsequently remanded at the Correctional Centre pending further court proceedings.
Reacting, Anambra Commissioner of Police CP. Ikioye Orutugu reassured the public of its unwavering commitment to the protection of children and other vulnerable persons in the State, while also warning all offenders that such acts will not go unpunished.
# The Traditional Ruler of Omor community in Ayamelum LGA, Igwe Dr. Chris Oranu Chidume, has called on the Federal Government to support farmers in the country to enable them produce enough food that can serve the entire nation, noting that Nigeria has fertile land that can be put to use for the good of the masses.
Igwe Chidume, who made the call during a press conference held in his palace in Omor, advocated for government interest-free loan for the youths to help harness their energy positively, just as he appealed for the provision of mechanized instruments to help boost food production.
At the press conference, the Traditional Ruler announced the 2025 Omor new yam festival scheduled for Saturday 23rd August 2025 in his palace, and assured of adequate security during the celebration.
To expand Omor cultural activities and make them tourist attraction, the Traditional Ruler also said that they are developing a twenty thousand capacity auditorium which would be launched on his 10th anniversary on the throne.
# Yiaga Africa’s Director of Programs, Mrs. Cynthia Mbamalu, says their mission to the state was to observe the entire electoral process, covering the pre-election, election proper, and post-election environments.
Mbamalu disclosed that Yiaga Africa would undertake various activities in the state before, during, and after the election, including deploying long-term observers to all 21 local government areas to monitor the pre-election environment and gather information on potential indicators of electoral violence, such as hate speech and gender-based violence.
She commended NSCDC, stating that it
is a strategic partner in the electoral process given the significant role they play in protecting critical assets for the election”
# Governor Chukwuma Soludo, has reiterated that Anambra state is a one large construction site.
Speaking during a visit to the construction site of the Awka Shopping Mall, Governor Soludo, while expressing excitement over progress being made in the state’s infrastructure and commercial landscape, emphasized the significance of the shopping mall, stating that upon completion, it will be the largest one in Nigeria.
He added that most spaces in the shopping mall are already taken, stating that it highlights the tremendous interest in the development and its potential to transform the region’s retail environment.
The Governor, who projected that the mall would be ready for opening by the end of October; positioning it as a key destination for both residents and visitors, elaborated that it is total ecosystem, referencing the broader development plans surrounding the site, which include the Millennium Estate, Funcity, City Park, and the new Ekwueme Square.
# In the wake of recent complaints against some Agunechemba operatives, the Anambra State Government has assured its citizens that their voices will not go unheard, re-emphasizing commitment to justice, accountability and reforms that will make community policing safer and more humane.
Addressing the press, the Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Community Security, and leader of the Agunechemba Security Command, Mr. Ken Emeakayi, acknowledged that while the outfit was created to support the police in securing local communities, some operatives have, at times, acted outside the law, admitting to the lapses and appealed to residents to continue speaking up whenever such incidents occur.
In a rare show of empathy, Mr. Emeakayi offered a public apology to anyone who has suffered abuse or harassment in the hands of Agunechemba personnel, and stressed that the Soludo administration believes deeply in the rule of law, and will never shield any operative who acts unlawfully.
He used the occasion to also call for regular feedback from communities, not only complaints, but suggestions that can help improve the performance of Agunechemba.
Mr. Emeakayi noted that such partnership will enable the government to shape the outfit into a people-centered force where discipline, respect for human rights and professionalism come first.
