MRS SOLUDO VISITS HOSPITAL, ORPHANAGE TO MARK HER BIRTHDAY

By Christian ABURIME 

As part of activities to mark her birthday, wife of the Governor of Anambra State, Mrs. Nonye Soludo visited hospital and an orphanage home in Awka to donate foodstuff and relief materials to them.

The Governor's wife was accompanied by Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Paschal Agbodike, Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Mrs. Ify Obinabo and others.

They paid a visit to the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku-Awka and later, Model Community Children's Home, Ifite-Awka, which are run by the state government.

The gesture from the first family will help in supporting the feeding of the children at the orphanage and patients in the hospital.

Mrs. Soludo said the donation was to show love to the recipients.

Her words; “This year has been a very eventful one for myself and the family. Our visit is in celebration of my birthday and to show my profound love to you as a family. We are well aware that donations to orphanage homes and many other institutions that rely largely on support from the public may have dwindled drastically because of the economic crunch, hence, the need to continously show this love we are witnessing today”.

During the visit, Governor Soludo renewed his government's commitment in strengthening the laws against child abuse and maltreatment, adding that the funds meant for servicing the orphanage will be sustained.

At the Orphanage home Governor Soludo was shown a boy maltreated and battered with sharp instruments. Reacting, the Governor said "it is inhuman for a human being to treat a child this way. Every child deserves to be treated fairly with love and affection." We will make sure that the law will continue to run its full course."

He further said, "Government will continue to champion demonstration of compassion and thoughtfulness to make a positive difference in the well-being of our children". Governor Soludo concluded 

Those visited prayed for the wellbeing of the first family and the state.

A private thanksgiving mass was earlier celebrated at the Governor's Lodge, Amawbia, to commemorate the day.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MRS NONYE SOLUDO, WIFE OF ANAMBRA STATE GOVERNOR

Christian ABURIME

On this auspicious day, it is Happy Birthday to the Wife of the Governor of Anambra State, Mrs. Nonye Soludo, a towering figure, philanthropist, advocate for women, amiable friend to children, leader of many organisations, dietician and Aerobics guru, role model extraordinary for women, quintessential family woman, a lady in the true sense of the word and above all, a fine and humble human being. That is Mrs. Nonye Soludo, first lady of Anambra State.

Wishing you all the very best on your special day, for there is 

nobody more worthy of it than you, ma!

Governor Soludo Flags off Renewed Monthly Sanitation Exercise In Anambra

By Ejike Abana

Governor Chukwuma Soludo says the state government is starting the monthly exercise held every last Saturday of the month with again with renewed vigour in its journey towards a cleaner, greener, planned and sustainable environment.

Governor Soludo who stated this, flagged off the renewed last Saturday of the month sanitisation exercise in Anambra at Eke Awka market.

On arrival, Governor Soludo first performed drainage desilting.

Governor Soludo also flagged off the door to door dirt collection exercise. 

Speaking shortly after the flag-off, he asked Ndi Anambra to imbibe the habit of clearing up their environment including the drainage system in front of their residents to make for a cleaner, greener and healthier state.

In a vote of thanks, Chairman of Eke Awka market, Chief Jude Agummadu appreciated the Governor for commencing the exercise from the market, pledging to support him.

Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyeka Ibezim, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi,  Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Felix Odimegwu, the market populace, among others, attended the event.

FLOODING, GULLY EROSION AND NEWMAP – Ten Years After

Engr. Emeka Ezeajughi

The Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) was born in 2010 following the request for assistance made by the then President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan to World Bank.

NEWMAP is a World Bank assisted project which was aimed at addressing severe mass wasting of soil cover that resulted in numerous gullies and land degradation in the southern and northern parts of Nigeria respectively. It is estimated that there are over 3000 gully erosion sites in the 10 most affected states in the southeast, south south and 

southwestern parts of Nigeria, but particularly in the southeast. The most affected areas in southern part of Nigeria are Anambra, Imo, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi and Cross River States.

In Anambra, it is a lesser task to count which communities are not affected by the erosion crisis, 

rather than the ones that have been impacted by the menace. Recently, the Anambra State commissioner for Environment, Engr. Felix Odumegwu indicated that over 70% of the state’s 

landmass is under severe threat of gully erosion. Well, that is how catastrophic the problem is. A disaster of humongous proportion by any standard of measurement.

With financial commitment in the order of US$900.0 million and a target closing date of June 

2022, having commenced on the ground about 2012, the ten years is already up, and it is time to look back and evaluate the impact of the program. It is understood that over 1,558.62 hectares of degraded land were reclaimed in its first seven years of the program. Leveraging on the successes of the program, additional states have been listed to partake in the program. It is also understood that Dr. Sanje Srivastava of the World Bank having given a thumbs up for the NEWMAP has indicated that another program with pseudonym ACRESAL which stands for agro-climatic resilience in semi-arid landscape may continue from where NEWMAP stopped.

This is a welcome development and the assistance from the World Bank under whatever pseudonym must be appreciated and should be complimented by the Federal and State governments.

Though the success of NEWMAP has been sung repeatedly, it is a responsibility on the program coordinators to critically assess the outcomes and the way forward with the anticipated ACRESAL or other similar intervention schemes.

Whatever the gains of NEWMAP may have been, one would think that the greatest legacy the program would leave behind is capacity building. That is, the ability of home-grown engineers, surveyors, geologists, biogeography, and other allied disciplines that have participated in the program to have acquired requisite knowledge to tackle such challenges going forward. It is also a responsibility of the program coordinators to monitor the long-term performance of the 

finished projects.

This will enable them to document what works and what does not, as such is a critical part of any project life cycle. Such learning helps in the design and delivery of future projects.

Unfortunately, such learning or performance behaviour has never reflected in the ad-hoc solutions implemented at the Nanka landslide. Peripheral drains that never worked has always come back as a primary remedial solution, hence the monumental loss of materials on the bare walls of the slide.

Based on a 2014 Google image which shows the site with approximate dimensions of 600mm wide at the top and about 105m deep at one of the accessible x-sections and site observations, between Amako Nanka and Oko communities, it was estimated that up to 300,000m3 of materials may have been lost on the Oko face of the gorge after few cycles of rainy season. At the time of the estimate, a failed peripheral drain was discharging runoff directly unto the bare batters of the near vertical faced gorge. The non-cohesive (friable) nature of the native soils and the high rainfall intensities in the area played into a cocktail of potent variables driving the active landslide status of the site.

Shown in the photo below is a half-symmetry view of the exposed near vertical soil columns on the Oko side of the gorge.

Despite the disastrous consequences of the failed Ronasco drains built in the eighties, a contract worth over 1billion naira that was centred on the construction of peripheral drain on the Nanka side was ongoing during my last visit to the site in 2012. Due to these significant failures, the Nanka landslide has been a subject of intense discussion and debate and have been a recurring decimal in the ‘to do list’ of various government agencies dating back to the

seventies.

With NEWMAP on its way out and ACRESAL a likely replacement intervention agency that may come on board, the Anambra State government should make this a priority site. This time around, NO PERIPHERAL drains as a focal point of remedial solutions should be embarked upon. It is obvious that the Nanka erosion is a classic case of government policy

gone wrong coupled with failure of engineering and science.

These answers were echoed during a stakeholder’s workshop in 2012, when the then minister asked me if the problem could be attributed to juju. The problem at the site has been largely misunderstood. There is no way the exposed vertical columns of soil at the site which flagrantly disobeys the laws of statics and limit equilibrium concepts could have been remediated using peripheral drains.

The failures at the site typify what is technically regarded as progressive type of failure. No matter how strengthened peripheral drains may have been, it is only a matter of time before

they are eaten up. Such drains should only be secondary or complementary, supporting a

robust solution that is rooted in sound engineering. Without doubt, with good engineering that understands the concept of suction (negative stress), effective stress principles, pore water pressure and soil reinforcement, the mass wasting at Nanka could be turned around for the best. Among numerous opportunities, the space could be turned into a parkland with or without restricted use. Restricted use as parkland, if the State could take advantage of the deep gorge which has truncated the water table for harvesting potable water. A small weir or dam following the reinforcement of the sides of the gorge should be given serious thought. What of a borehole field, as the groundwater table is shallow as evidenced by the perennial base flow in the gorge? By and large, the site could be recovered and put to good use. It has been left for too long, thereby resulting into what has been hitherto referred to as the ‘mother’ of all erosions.

Engr. Emeka Ezeajughi is a Civil Engineer and Geologist. He holds a PhD in Particulate (Soil) Mechanics. He is a chartered Engineer of the Institution of Engineers, Australia, a member of COREN and a Geotechnical Engineering Consultant. He contributed this piece from his head office in Brisbane Australia (www.groundenviro.com.au)

SOLUDO VISITS AWKA CORRECTIONAL CENTER TO MARK HIS 62ND BIRTHDAY, CALLS FOR SPEEDY TRIAL OF INMATES

By Christian ABURIME

Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has called for speedy trial of inmates in the nation's Correctional Facilities.

Governor Soludo made this call when he visited the Awka Correctional Centre to mark his 62nd birthday with the inmates.

The Governor also used the occasion to announce plans to grant prerogative of mercy to three inmates in the Nigerian Correctional Service within the jurisdiction of the Awka Custodial Center, next week.

According to the Governor, who disclosed that the review is still ongoing, the pardon, he said is an offshoot of the review which ended in May. He stressed that another review will be concluded to pardon those who truly deserve it after spending a reasonable period of time in the Correctional Centre.

Governor Soludo also said that the Executive and Judiciary arms of Government are already synergizing to make for speedy trial by exploiting the option of virtual sessions, so that those awaiting trial could easily be served justice. 

While pointing out that it is heartbreaking for people to await trial for many years in custody, without conviction, the Governor reiterated that justice delayed is justice denied. 

He promised to fix the roof of the Center's health clinic, provide a central solar power and cable television subscription, while the review of conditions of inmates continues.

The Governor disclosed to the inmates of his administration's plan to build a liveable and prosperous smart mega city, asking them to join hands with him in whatever way they can, to make the state and society at large, a better place to live, work and enjoy.

The Controller of Correctional Centre, Anambra State Command, Mr. Pat Chukwuemeka eulogized Governor Soludo as a man who honours his words whenever he makes promises.

The Controller reiterated that notwithstanding the fact that Governor Soludo came at a difficult time when the polity was troubled, he has made outstanding successes within the very short period 

He pledged to keep supporting his administration's policies for the overall development of the state.

Food items were distributed to the inmates during the visit which also witnessed the presence of the Governor's wife, Mrs Nonye Soludo, among other dignitaries.

I remember Those Kidnapped and Killed In Needless Criminality -Soludo Says On His Birthday

By Ejike Abana

Governor Chukwuma Soludo says his birthday is commemorated in rememberance of all those who have been kidnapped and killed needlessly in the criminality that pervaded the state.

Governor Soludo who was speaking during a private morning mass held at the Governor's Lodge, Amawbia, expressed gratitude to God who has been benevolent to him.

While pointing out and celebrating his life, Governor Soludo asked Ndi Anambra to use the opportunity offered by God to get committed to the work of building a liveable and prosperous smart megacity and prayed that the God-given potential for the state would begin to manifest ceaselessly.

In a homily, Rev. Fr. Dominic Anyalogbuna said that everything happens according to God's saving plan, stating that the Governor's sixty-two years represents his spiritual and earthly journey on earth and experiences.

Rev. Fr. Anyalogbuna who centered his admonition on God's creative ability, illustrated that the Governor, being one of God's creatures is trying to recreate and create the best in all sectors of the state economy, describing his zeal to work as participation in God's work of creation.

The Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uche Okafor, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi and a real estate developer, Chief Austine Oguejiofor eulogised the Governor on attaining a new age, asking God to avail him the strength to serve God, Anambra State and the society, devotedly.

Wife of the Governor, Mrs Nonye Soludo, Deputy Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Dr. Paschal Agbodike, Secretary to the State Government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu, President General of ASATU, Bar. Titus Akpudo, among others, were among notable people that attended the mass celebration which was officiated by the Vicar  General of Ekwulobia Catholic Diocese,

Rev. Fr. Anthony Chiegboka.

SOLUDO: A HARVEST OF MODEST ACHIEVEMENTS

By Christian ABURIME 

As the 6th democratically elected governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo,  CFR, has literally brought governance from its high horse to the down-trodden. Within a short period of four months the people of Anambra State are feeling the positive impacts of Soludo's people's oriented government 

1. In Security, Law and Order. He Created a new Ministry of Homeland Affairs (for homeland security) to signal the emergency and utmost priority placed on homeland security.

2. Massive consultation, mobilization and sensitization of the citizens and critical stakeholders--- including security agencies, the clergy, traditional rulers, town unions, youths, civil society organizations, businessmen and women, agitation groups, etc.

3. Worked with South East Bishops to organize prayers; offered amnesty/carrot to repentant outlaws; etc. The people are united in fighting against the lucrative criminal enterprise and its idolatrous energizer which had held the entire South senatorial zone plus Ogbaru local government hostage.

4. The criminals masquerading as agitators have been exposed, and the nexus between crime, idolatry and hard drugs has become evident. The narrative is changing and the people are seizing the conversation and initiative.

5. Declared zero tolerance for criminality and drug abuse. Took the war to the criminals in Anambra State. 

6. Put in a place a cohesive operational team with the State Security Council to enhance operational capabilities.

7. Created Anambra State Vigilante Central Strike Force to complement the security forces to keep our forests and homeland free of the criminals.

8. Successful deployment of Direct Labour Intervention to rebuild the washout section of Onitsha - Enugu Federal Highway opposite Chisco Park at Onitsha as well as the Amansea section of the Enugu – Onitsha Federal High way (entry section of Anambra), at a very cost effective rate.

9. Engineering design and procurement process completed and contractors has completed the dangerous portions of two federal high ways which experience massive flooding each year, drowning unsuspecting commuters. The Ekwulobia- Nnobi federal road (Igboukwu/Isuofia boundary) and the Ogbunike - Ogidi section of the Enugu – Onitsha Road (old road) will follow soon

10. De-silting of 1km of the Obodoukwu road, Okpoko to Idemili River end of the Sakamori storm water discharge. Same to the Fegge/Nwangene end of the discharge drain.

11. Hydrological studies and hydraulic designs of storm water discharge channels as well as engineering designs almost completed for over 220 Kilometres of roads scattered all over Anambra state and these roads will all be flagged off for construction before the dry season commences.  

12. In Power and Water Resources: Thrre has been Reinvigoration of the Anambra State Power Committee, which also has the EEDC as a member. The Committee recently finished a Retreat and is finalizing details of the plans and programmes (including the legal/regulatory framework) to align all the stakeholders in the electricity market in Anambra and ensure optimal performance and delivery of government’s target.

12. Rehabilitation of the water facilities at the Jerome Udorji Secretariat for civil servants. The Secretariat has not had water running in the offices for over eight years. Today water runs freely at the secretariat

13. Completion of the Urban Water generation at Amuko-Uruagu, Nnewi.

Achievement of Open Defecation Free (ODF) status for Aguata LGA. This is the second local government, after Anambra East LGA to achieve such a status.

13. In Agriculture: Successfull launch of new Agro-economic transformation along the Oil-palm and coconut value chains, with the target of planting one million seedlings per annum. Over 30 Communities, institutions and investors have been profiled to plant over 2.5 Million seedlings, in partnership with the State government. This is designed to re-start from where Dr. M.I. Okpara stopped and to maximize our potentials in these highly profitable agro value chains – to create jobs, wealth and revenue to government.

14. Creation of 14 task teams to aggressively drive the agro-transformation agenda of this new government at all levels

15. Reactivation of the Ministry of Agriculture E-platform for data gathering, hosting and dissemination, to enable R&D, tech-driven monitoring and evaluation

16. Restoration of the image of Anambra State as a responsible, trustworthy recipient of development programmes by World Bank, African Development Bank, UN, JAPAN, FGN etc by paying Counterpart funding

17. Adoption and Declaration of Regenerative Agricultural Systems as a state policy.

  

18. Embarking on the decongestion/removal of obstructions along major roads (Amansea to Head Bridge, Upper Iweka to Amorka & Awka to Ekwulobia, etc), market encroachments/trading activities on the roads & sustenance of free flow of traffic. To achieve this, state government has completed the cycle of Public Service Announcement and Town Hall meetings with Transport Unions/Associations

19. Identification/Assessment of public parks in the State

20. Central Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Teams at Zonal levels have been constituted.

21. In Culture, Entertainment & Tourism:

Hosted a high-profile research team from the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture for the possible enlistment of the Ogbunike Cave at the UNICEF World Heritage Site. 

22. Three designs from notable Architectural firms have been shortlisted for further consideration for the building of a world class Entertainment and Leisure Park, at Agulu Lake. 

23. Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC) has given approval for the deployment of Anambra Tourism System Statistics, a globally approved strategy which will provide automated/digital monitoring and regulation of the Tourism and Hotel Industry among other sectors. This will boost and standardize Hospitality, Hotel and other related businesses.

24. Lands: The Evaluation and Service Delivery Committee is a new innovation introduced under the present administration. The Committee is charged with the responsibility to, among other things; ensure expeditious action and quick service delivery in every documentation process within the time frame stated in the Ministry’s Timeline for Execution of tasks. The Committee also ensures strict compliance with the time limit assigned to every department/unit in the Timeline for efficiency and quick service delivery.

25. Land Disputes Resolution Committee has been set up to review land disputes 

26. Issued public notice directing holders of Certificate of Occupancy issued on or before the 31st day of December, 2018 to pay up their outstanding ground rents. The Ministry also intends to announce the proposed revocation of the Right of Occupancy of those who fail to pay within a particular time.

27. The implementation of Geographic Information Service (GIS) to enhance effective land administration and increase revenue has been approved by Anambra State Executive Council. 

28. The launching of Land Transparency Initiative and Setting up Partnership Forum with Private Sector Investors and Operators in Land and Property Sectors is ongoing.

29. Begun to engage with host communities on acquisition of 1000 – 2000 acres of land for the building of the World Class Entertainment Resort akin to Disney World. 

30. A trial run on Implementing Fast Track Mortgage Transaction Acceleration Programme, in the Ministry of land has commenced.

31. The Anambra State Land Reform Committee has been constituted. The Committee is to review the procedures, parameters and purposes for land acquisition, allocation and revocation. 

32. Technology—ICT: Anambra Digital Tribe; Initiative ready for launch and activities will commence within the next 90 days.

33. Standardization of Internet Assets; the process of hosting all MDAs under the same domain has begun. All Government assets will gradually be migrated to the Internet domain name anambrastate.gov.ng as we finalize our Cloud Strategy. 

34. The Anambra Cloud; a public cloud service just finalized. It will consolidate the numerous cloud providers being used by MDAs today.   

35. State Digital Assets SOPs; Released the Digital asset SOP based on the naming convention approved by Mr Governor, which is currently being adopted by all MDAs. 

36:  Last-Mile High-speed fiber optic internet provision; In line with the Manifesto of providing high speed broadband, the State is in final negotiations with a PPP partner which would ensure a dig-once policy and the laying of fiber-optic cable in ducts. This project will attract thousands of direct and indirect jobs, as well as help launch Anambra fully into the global economy. 

37: Public WiFi Proof of Concept; the concept and proposal for a public Wi-Fi for the state is being finalized and upon deployment would ensure that select Public areas would be powered with Wifi. 

40:  NITDA’s Planned Innovation Centre; the National Information Technology Development Agency ( NITDA) has expressed interest in launching an Innovation Centre in Awka - the First of its kind in the South Eastern Part of the Country.  Land will be allocated for the project shortly.

41. Baseline Study of e-government in Anambra State; the ICT Agency undertook the study, which showed the state of e-government infrastructure in the state.  This will serve as a basis for the development of our Civil42 service into a Digital workforce. 

GovTech preliminary strategy; The state participated in a World Bank subnational Government GovTech Maturity Index survey and based on the preliminary results of this survey and the baseline study, the state  has designed a first draft gov-tech strategy which advises the government on the relevant infrastructure to put in place, for a transition to e-government. 

43. Education: Completed Phase 2 of screening of over 40,000 candidates who applied for teaching job in the primary and secondary schools. The next phase of interviews for the last 6,000 candidates will soon commence.

44. Reviewing the state of Anambra tertiary institutions with a view to aligning them to global best practices and responsive to needs of the State and Nigeria..

45. Launched “operation bring back our school/Adopt a School Programme” to support Government effort in improving our Educational system.

46. Students successfully completed their WAEC exams despite the insecurity challenges

47. Health: Ground breaking ceremony of Coordinated Wholesale Center, Oba has been achieved. The project was jinxed for six years. When completed, it will be the largest drug distribution hub in West Africa.

48. Introduced andlactivated drug revolving fund in the State hospitals.

49. Achieved a rapid response to measles outbreak in 13 LGAs. Currently the outbreak has been contained in 12 LGAs out of the initial 13

50. Fixing of the State ambulances to aid emergency responses with a toll free number boldly displayed

51: Ongoing Massive recruitment of health workers in our General hospitals

52 Activation of Endoscopy unit at General Hospital, Onitsha.

53. Activation of dental units in General hospitals, Enugwu-Ukwu, Umueri and  Ekwulobia.

54. Optimization of laboratory department of general hospital Agulu and general hospital Nnobi with haematology analyzers.

55. Introduction of Anambra State hospital Inspection team. 

56. Zero Malaria Initiative: In collaboration with the Malaria Consortium flagged off the distribution of 3.8 million Insecticide Treated Nets (ITN). 

57. In collaboration with the State government, the Global Fund is building a new Oxygen plant at Onitsha.

58. Women and Social Welfare; Rescued a total of 13 Children from agents of human trafficking.

59. Establishment of a situation room for Sexual Gender Based Violence and Data collection in the State.

60. Budget & Economic Planning: Submitted the 2022 revised budget to the State House of Assembly tailored to meet the state governemt's ambitious infrastructural and other capital development, especially roads.

61. Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AIRS)

a. Completely digitalized our revenue collection to remove leakages and widen the bracket to meet our set targets (ANSIDD has been replaced with ASIN which ensures a dynamic Biometric Data collation structure).

63.New Digital structure would ensure long term and user friendly channels and we have commenced pilot schemes on the use of POS , USSD, Web and App channels and the payments into Banks and Bank ordered agents which ensures that those within the informal sector especially, can make payments seamlessly.

64. Commenced wide scale engagements with the various markets and Transport Unions to ensure that the leakages are plugged. 

67. Local Government, Chieftaincy and community Affairs

a. PwC reviewed the operations of the local government and submitted report for 

government action

68. Resolved 15 community disputes which include re-instating 4 Presidents General through the rule of law;  resolved 11 community crises and successfully conducted 15 Town Union Elections

69. Egagement with key stakeholders in the communities with a view to resolving the crises

70. Environment.; Embarked upon the clearing/cleaning of mountainous waste dumps in Onitsha, Okpoko, Awka, Nkpor, etc which had impeded flow of traffic, undermined commercial activities and constituted health hazard. 

b. De-silted over one kilometre of drainage preventing the impending flood that faced the residents of Okpoko and environs.

c. Revised and launched a framework for the collection and evacuation of solid waste within our state, and selected waste management contractors for the 31 zones specified in the State.

71. Launched the tree planting campaign designed to make Anambra the greenest State in the country.

72. Others

Updating the social register which is a social protection net for the poor and elderly in 

Anambra state.  It was last updated in 2017.

UNDP/UN System is back to Anambra and an office space has been given to them with other logistics support to enhance their functionality.

Ongoing engagement to implement the Ease of Doing Business programme in Anambra with support from the Office of the Vice President

Ongoing Development of Economic and Social Database with the Statistical Office

Establishment and inauguration of the Truth, Justice and Peace Committee to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the agitation and violence in Anambra/South East; seek a restorative justice approach for truth-telling or real facts; for the healing of the victims of the violence, accounting for responsibility and accountability of the actors, conditional mercy for the repentant perpetrators, restitution for certain losses and rehabilitation of the perpetrators, for the overall aim of restoration of peace and justice as well as the promotion of development in the State/region. 

Declared zero tolerance for touting (Agbero) which has endeared the government to transport owners, operators and stake holders. More programmes and projects will be unveiled in due course particularly to retrain and empower the former touts.

Citizen participation has been emboldened. We have created an avenue for connecting with the people by the provision of seven phone lines for citizens to reach the security managers of the state. There is a flood of actionable intelligence and the security forces are prompt with response.

Declaration of 6 p.m. to 6 a.m curfew on motorcycles (okada), tricycles (keke), and shuttle buses in 8 Local Government areas is a short term security measure that will be lifted in no distant time.

Work is ongoing to restructure and strengthen the community security architecture and deployment of technology in security.

Declaration of emergency on traffic management and the Anambra Road Traffic Management Agency (ARTMA) is being strengthened to deliver.

SOLUDO @ 62: REDEFINING GOVERNANCE IN ANAMBRA STATE

By Christian ABURIME

The month of July remains a significant month in the Gregorian calendar. It is the month of birth of most outstanding world greats. It is also the month of birth of Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, Governor of Anambra State. 

Soludo set forth at dawn on March 17, 2022 as the 6th democratically elected governor of Anambra State. One of his outstanding qualities as he pilots the affairs of Anambra State is his honesty and genuineness. 

He has told the story as it is without deceiving anyone. He has also remained "single-minded", irrevocably committed to his words and promises he made to Ndi Anambra. His word is his bond, his promise a debt. He walks the talk and the results are manifesting. 

Soludo is a bold and courageous leader with a heart of compassion for the down-trodden. A man who will never spend a kobo of Anambra State money without asking how it will benefit the common man on the street. How it will impact positively on the lives of Ndi Anambra or what the people stand to gain. These are the hallmarks of a people's leader which Soludo eminently represents.

As Governor of Anambra State and in just 100 days, Soludo has turned around the tables. Aside his modest and humble life style, Soludo has radically redefined governance in Anambra State in every sense of the word. He has demystified governance, making it simple, trendy, nimble and interesting.

He came on board and has gradually restored security, law and order in the State. He declared zero tolerance for criminality and drug abuse, boldly took the war to criminals masquerading as agitators in Anambra State. A breath of fresh air has been injected into the state. Ndi Anambra are beginning to feel a sense of security and sanity in the state. 

He has successfully deployed direct Labour Intervention to rebuild the washout section of Onitsha-Enugu Federal Highway opposite Chisco Park at Onitsha as well as the Amansea section of the Enugu Onitsha Federal High way ( entry section of Anambra).

He embarked on the de-silting of 1km of the Obodoukwu road, Okpoko to Idemili River end of the Sakamori storm water discharge. These are areas that were long abandoned.

He rehabilitated the water facilities at the State Secretariat for civil servants. Interestingly, the Secretariat has not had water running in the offices for over eight years.

He has also successfully launched the Agro-economic transformation hinged on Regenerative Agricultural Systems along the oil-palm and coconut value chains with the target of planting one million seedlings per annum.

Within a short period of assuming office as the 6th democratically elected governor of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo has totally redefined governance in Anambra State.

Ndi Anambra are feeling the positive vibes from Soludo's people's oriented government. As he clocks 62 years, we join the people of Anambra, family members and well-wishers to wish him many more years of glorious and excellent services to his fatherland and humanity.

Anambra Is Ready For Investments- Soludo's Chief Of Staff, Ezeajughi

By Ejike Abana

Nigerians in the diaspora have been called upon to come and help develop the country especially in this critical time.

The Chief of Staff to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi was speaking at the National Diaspora Day, a Hybrid event held in Abuja and online.

The event which was organized by the Nigeria in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM had the theme, "Diaspora Engagement in globally challenging time".

In attendance were Nigeria Diasporans and foreigners.

Mr. Ezeajughi was part of a panel called "Celebrity Interview with Diaspora Role Models" co-participating with Prof. Hauwa Ibrahim from Havard University, Aliyu Al-Makura, Vice President of Bank of America and Francis Obiorah Obikwelu, a sportsman from Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Anambra state.

 According to the Chief of Staff, "developing human capital today is at the fulcrum of what the future holds and Anambra State is open for diasporans to come home invest."

Mr. Ezeajughi, a former Mayor of London Borough of Brent spoke about his background, tracing back to his days in student union activism while in Nigeria and his movement into United Kingdom politics.

While responding to the question of whether diaspora-voting is possible in Nigeria, Mr. Ezeajughi said that if millions of Nigerians in the diaspora contribute as much as twenty billion dollars annually to the country's economy, diaspora-voting is easy to adopt in the Country and called on the legislators to make it happen now and quit mere talks; "the Nigerian lawmakers ought to need to do it like yesterday", said Mr. Ezeajughi.

He recalled that he eventually contested and won an election in the UK because of the transparent and open way of his life, pointing out that he partnered alot of charity organizations and attracted a number of investments into the country.

Earlier, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office, Mr. Seun Ibrahim said that government had partnered the diaspora in healthcare, agriculture, transportation, real estate, among others. 

"Nigerians in the diaspora have played a role, quite alright, we commend the efforts by NiDCOM which is yielding results".

"We call on Nigerians living in the diaspora to key into the present administration's development agenda."

Other speakers at the event include, United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, Deputy Secretary General of United Nations, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President, African Development Bank, ADB, Abidjan, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, among others.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa was also on hand to set the tone of the event.

No End To Investigations Until All Suspects In The Murder of Former Lawmaker, Okoye Are Arrested - Soludo

By Ejike Abana

The Governor of Anambra state, Professor Chukwuma Soludo has stated that investigations into the murder of former member of the Anambra State House of Assembly, the Dr Okechukwu Okoye are still ongoing and will not end until everyone who is suspected to be connected to the heinous crime is brought to book.

Governor Soludo stated this   when he paid his last respects to the former Lawmaker who represented Aguata II Constituency during a funeral mass held in his honour at St Patrick's Catholic Church, Isuofia, Aguata Council Area.

According to the emotionally-laden Governor who expressed sympathy with the family, the church, Isuofia community and the entire state, the murder of the lawmaker is a personal matter to him as he was his adopted political son and stated that eight suspects have been arrested and are already in custody, asking communities to start looking inwards to identify the gun men in their territories.

He advocated for operation know your tenants, starting from Isuofia, as a sort of land cleansing, revealing that the state Assembly had already written to INEC on the need to conduct a bye-election in the constituency that will complete the tenure of the former lawmaker. 

The mass celebration which was presided over by Cardinal Nominee and Catholic Bishop of Ekwulobia Diocese, Most Rev. Peter Okpalaeke also had a number of Catholic clergy in attendance. 

Earlier in a homily, Most Rev Okpalaeke explained that though the righteous die untimely, they will have rest in the Lord and said that reward awaits every good work, reminding Christians that they will give account to God who is the righteous judge.

Bishop Okpalaeke who highlighted the lessons in the demise of Dr Okoye, called on the congregation to be eternally vigilant and prepared at all times, pointing out that God is always interested in giving every sinner another chance to right every wrong.

The Lawmaker was gruesomely murdered alongside his aide in May.

SOLUDO PAYS GLOWING TRIBUTE TO LATE HON OKEY OKOYE, SAYS EIGHT SUSPECTS IN CONNECTION TO HIS MURDER ARE IN CUSTODY

By Christian ABURIME

Eight persons suspected to be in connection with the murder of the late Anambra Lawmaker who represented Aguata Constituency Two, Hon. Okechukwu Okoye, have been arrested.

Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo dropped the hint during a holy mass celebrated in honour of the lawmaker at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Isuofia.

Governor Soludo pledged that his government will not rest on its oars until all the criminals involved in the gruesome murder of the lawmaker are brought to face justice. He also expressed his solidarity to all the victims of criminality in the state, and reassured that every criminal will surely face justice 

While consoling the immediate family and the members of the legislative arm, Governor Soludo re-emphasized again that justice must take its full course on the murder case, calling on communities in the state to intensify support for government in its fight against criminality across the state by flushing out the bad eggs among them.

"These people are not unknown gunmen. They live among our people, some of them have families and operate from various communities. We need you to help us identify them so that they can face justice", Governor Soludo said.

"The gunmen came with their strange religion, but there is no relationship between light and darkness. Their gods drink blood, but ours doesn't, that's why we need to fight them together" He further said 

The Governor also made a case for 'operation know your tenants,' commencing with Isuofia as a way of identifying the criminal elements within the communities. He stated that the state House of Assembly had already written to INEC about the vacuum that exists in the constituency, with Hon Okoye's exit, pointing out that soon a by-election will be conducted to complete his tenure. He also promised that every entitlement due to the late lawmaker will be paid to the family he left behind 

Cardinal Nominee and Catholic Bishop of Ekwulobia Diocese, Most Rev. Peter Okpalaeke presided over the mass celebration.

In attendance were the Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyeka Ibezim, members of the State House of Assembly, led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Uche Okafor and the Deputy Speaker Hon Paschal Agbodike; Traditional Ruler of Isuofia, Col. Aloysius Muoghalu and others.

Recall that the late lawmaker and his aide, Cyril Chiegboka were kidnapped on the road by the heartless and barbaric murderers on 15th, May, 2022.

Governor Soludo Assents To The 2022 Revised Budget

BY EJIKE ABANA

Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo has signed the 2022 Revised Appropriation bill of 170 billion naira into law.

Governor Soludo performed the signing ceremony of the budget tagged "Building Off From The Blocks" at the Government House, Awka.

Performing the function, Governor Soludo explained that the purpose of the 2022 revised budget was to reflect current realities, challenges, priorities of the new administration and the dire needs of residents in Anambra.

The Governor commended members of the House of Assembly for being diligent, responsible and responsive to their job.

While advocating for very strong partnership with the tiers of government and the people towards the march to the dream homeland, the Governor explained that his assentment to the budget portends the birth of a new partnership for a greater Anambra.

The Governor basked that the budget process was undergone with integrity, without any form of inducement, explaining that in his manifesto, annual expenditure of 250 billion naira on infrastructure, was earmarked  to build the dream Anambra.

Speaking to the ABS, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uche Okafor explained that the budget size was retained but thorough scrutiny was done to tweak the figures for greater impact on the masses.

Earlier while presenting the budget, Commissioner for Budget, Ms. Chiamaka Nnake and Special Adviser to the Governor on House of Assembly Matters, Chief Anayo Nnebe thanked the members for performing a thorough and quick job on the budget.

Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyeka Ibezim, members of the Anambra State Executive Council including Secretary to the State Government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, Head of Service, Barrister Theodora Igwegbe, President General of Anambra State Association of Town Union, Barrister Titus Akpudo, among others were present at the ceremony.

Recall that on May 19, 2022, Governor Soludo presented a revised draft budget of N170 billion for 2022 to the state House of Assembly for approval.

That was an improvement on 

Appropriation Bill of N141.9 billion, presented by the immediate past administration for 2022.

The budget was passed into law by the State House of Assembly on 15th July.

LEVERAGING ON PARTNERSHIPS FOR A PROSPEROUS HOMELAND

By Ejike Abana

The recent visit of high profile members of the international community and foreign development partners in Nigeria to Anambra State continues to attract positive comments, commendations and hope for a better future. This is because of the huge benefits the state could get from their development efforts. 

The nineteen-person high-powered delegation, led by Ambassador Samuela Isopi of the European Union, had the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, the Chargé d'affaires of the German Embassy in Nigeria, Mr Martin Huth, Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, James Christopher, Resident Representative, International Monetary Fund, Mr Ari Aisen, US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard and the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, United Nations, Mr Matthias Schmale. 

Their visit, on Governor Chukwuma Soludo's invitation, was laid in the fact that the governor's broad vision of building a liveable and prosperous homeland in line with his solution contract with Ndi Anambra, is in tandem with the areas of focus of these foreign development partners in Nigeria. Captured under the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, the international community is committed to the global call to action to terminate poverty, safeguard the earth's environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals that the United Nations is working on in Nigeria: No poverty, zero hunger, good health, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, industry, innovation and infrastructure, reduced inequalities, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, climate action, life below water, life on land, peace, justice and strong institutions.

The challenges facing the world and Nigeria in particular therefore makes this partnership inevitable. The country’s oil-dependent economy is going through a turbulent period. The sharp drop in global oil prices has had a negative impact on the country’s entire economy and clouded the outlook for the year.

Declining oil revenues have put additional stress on governments including at federal and sub-national levels. The Federal Government has reduced its spending and placed new foreign currency restrictions on companies. With Nigeria importing over eighty percent of what it consumes, inflation and cost of living are rising. These challenges and more informed the Governor's search for alternatives in his quest to fulfill his promises.

According to him, leveraging on strategic partnerships with the federal government, the international community and foundations is at the fulcrum of his administration's intentions for the state. While expressing knowledge that the international community had contributed immensely to make Nigeria work, the Governor said that part of Anambra's future lies in its past, and pointed out that the major strength of the state is in its human resource capital. He also identified the state's weaknesses and threats as environmental, infrastructural, insecurity, unplanned cities, communities and markets, among others.

The visit provided the opportunity for these major players in the foreign development field to have a first-hand knowledge of the state's challenges, identify areas of need and feel the real impact of members of the community. During the visit, the Governor took the visitors to the Sakamori drainage in Okpoko and other locations in Onitsha which are yearning for intervention.

As these development partners emphasize that for such development to be sustainable, there must be core involvement of the local people, there is therefore need for Ndi Anambra to give the government the necessary support needed to practically engage these partners in building the state of their dreams.

ANSEC Meets, Approves Removal Of Illegal Structures Beyond Onitsha, To Criminalise Land Grabbing In Anambra

By Ejike Abana

Government of Anambra State has announced plans to remove illegal structures defacing the environment beyond Onitsha in the coming weeks.

This was part of resolutions at the Anambra State Executive Council Meeting, held at Government House, Awka.

According to a Post-ANSEC release by the Commissioner for Information, Sir Paul Nwosu, "It has come to the attention of ANSEC that the lands of many community secondary and primary schools have been massively encroached on by some communities and developers". 

He pointed out that it is unacceptable and government is seriously looking to recover the portions of land, adding that as part of measures, to achieve this within the ambit of the law, government is seeking to quickly amend land laws so that land grabbing will be criminalized.

Commissioner Nwosu further noted that as a responsive government, ANSEC has set up a committee to review payment claims by contractors of the previous administration to ascertain if the contracts were awarded in line with due process, if they were completed or not, among others.

Members of the committee include Finance Commissioner as Chairman of the Committee, Accountant General, Department of Public procurement, General Manager, Commissioners for Works, Housing and Power. 

They have till September to complete their work. 

Sir Nwosu further explained that haven discovered that some native doctors provide charm with which gunmen operate, it has become necessary to enumerate and register them as practitioners, categorised into two such as herbalists and spiritualists.

 "While government appreciates the fact that some of them add value to health care, it is also not unaware that they have helped to imbue these criminals with the dare-devil confidence that has driven them into committing despicable crimes as kidnapping, extortion of ransom, beheading, etc. Where they are found culpable in such crimes, it will be easy to fish them out from the register".

Also at ANSEC, a Revenue Committee was constituted, comprising the Chairman of Anambra Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Richard Madiebo, Commissioner for Market and Industry, Dr. Obinna Ngonadi, Special Adviser, Medicals and Pharmaceuticals, Dr. Godwin Nnadozie as well as Managing Director, Information Communication Technology Agency, Mr Chukwuemeka Agbata. 

The Commissioner said that their responsibility is to disaggregate the various revenue waste management through the demand notices issued in order to determine where greater effort would be channeled.

He revealed that following the last teachers' Computer Based Test, a total of 6,250 candidates have been shortlisted. 

They include: 2,250 for Primary School are 2,250 and 3,000 for Secondary School, stressing that the oral interview have been scheduled to commence on the 27th of July, 2022 and will last for two weeks.

"The interviews which will come in batches will hold at Igwebuike Grammar School Awka; St John of God Secondary School and Awka and ASUBEB, Awka".

Highpoint of the ANSEC meeting was presentation of a souvenir from the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, through the Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, Chief Don Onyenyi. 

The souvenir serves as a token of friendship in preparation for the envoy's  visit to Anambra state later in October where it is planned that he will set up a Cultural Centre in the state.

Government Task Force To Remove Major Blockage Obstructing Free Flow Of Water Into River Niger

By Ejike Abana

An illegal drainage along Nwangene Stream, River Niger Way, Onitsha which has become a major blockage of flood water has been marked for demolition by Anambra State Government Taskforce.

The government taskforce which was led by the Commissioner for Works, Engineer Ifeanyi Okonma stormed Onitsha to stop the action of Federal Inland Waterways workers who blocked the original waterways and drainages and created their own makeshift drainage thereby causing huge gullies in the area.

According to the Commissioner, Governor Soludo is determined and committed to making Anambra state a liveable and prosperous mega City which can only beachieved by disrupting many things in the state.

He explained that opening the original waterways which is blocked by illegal activities of people in the area is one of government's efforts to help the citizenry, pointing out that flood has done a lot of damage to people. 

Engineer Okoma also added that Nwangene Stream which discharges natural warm water into the River Niger has been blocked by the negligent activities of people.

For his part, one of the members of the Task Force, Barrister Chike Maduekwe, said that the main purpose of the visit to the area is to ascertain the damage already done in the drainage system and proffer a solution.

According to him the drainage should be built in such a way that water will pass freely to River Niger and warned the staff of the Federal Inland Waterways to stop selling government land to people.

In an interview, Chairman of Biafra Market, Mr. Success Chiokwe and a trader in the market, Mr. Kelue Nnanyelugo, expressed delight over government's decision to clear the waterways and channel water to it's appropriately which will mark the end of their flood water trouble in the market.

Other places visited include Akunnia Ojote waterways and Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church Housing Estate, Fegge, Onitsha.