ANAMBRA STATE GOVERNMENT PROCURES FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENTS FOR STATE FIRE SERVICE

By Ejike Abana

Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo-led government has procured fire fighting equipments for the Anambra State fire service department.

The items include lengths of two and half inches by seventy-five feet delivery hose, inline inductor, hand control branch, foam making branch, insulated fireman axe, fire retardant coverall, safety boot, crash helmet, complete set of standard fire suits and chemical foam compound.

Presenting the equipments onbehalf of Governor Soludo at the State Fire Headquarter, Awka, the Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, Engr. Julius Chukwuemeka stressed that the presentation is a fulfilment of the promise of commitment to safety and security, made by the Governor to ndị Anambra.

Engr. Chukwuemeka expressed optimism that the equipments will enhance the capacity of the fire service department to promptly respond to fire outbreaks and other emergencies and expressed optimsm that the acquisition of the modern equipments will help the trained firefighters to become more effective and productive.

"Let me reiterate Mr. Governor's commitment to the safety and security of ndị Anambra. We will continue to invest in modern equipment and training for our firefighters to ensure that they can effectively carry out their duties. We will also continue to work with other stakeholders to prevent fire outbreaks, and ensure that our people are safe from other disasters", concluded the Commissioner.

The Managing Director, Anambra Strategy, Execution and Evaluation Office, Mr. Emma Onyilofor, said that their role was to confirm and ensure that all equipments procured are in consonance with what was requested for and approved by Anambra State Executive Council, especially as it relates to quality.

Mr. Onyilofor revealed that the Governor is trying to end the era of fire stations without fire equipments, just like he has put an end to the era of schools and hospitals without teachers and doctors, respectively.

He urged the fire service to ensure that the equipments are used with utmost care.

Speaking earlier, the State Fire Chief, Engr. Martin Agbili appreciated the state government for granting their request for the equipments and called on ndị Anambra to always deploy fire safety measures in their homes, work places, cars and other public places to avoid unpleasant fire emergencies.

The Supplier of the equipments, Chief Charles Nchezo and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power and Water Resources, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Uzoka appreciated the state government for procuring the best quality products that will stand the test of time.

The Commissioner and team later toured round the facility to inspect some of the old equipments that are currently undergoing repairs.

SOLUDO'S PRESS SECRETARY, ABURIME INTERACTS WITH JOURNALISTS, CANVASSES MORE SUPPORT

By Ejike Abana 

Press Secretary to Governor Soludo, Mr. Christian Aburime has reminded journalists in Anambra state of the need to deploy the five principles of journalism including truth and accuracy, independence, fairness and impartiality, humanity, and accountability.

Mr. Aburime gave the reminder during a friendly interaction with members of Correspondents' Chapel of the State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.

The Press Secretary emphasized that the principles are compliance professionals can live by, saying that eventhough journalists are not expected to completely dance to the tune of government, especially when they are not doing well, but practice development journalism at all times.

He explained that development journalism is a platform for a cordial relationship between independent news media and the government in which journalists offer critical evaluation and interpretation of development plans and their implementation instead of engaging sensationalism or casting misleading headlines, which he explained are inimical to growth.

The Press Secretary added that development is central to every facet of the society, pointing out that development journalism is used to propel developments in the society, implying that it is used to unravel the areas in the society that requires more attention and work by the government.

He however noted that when this is achieved, the society experiences growth in every ramification.

Mr. Aburime who pointed out that Governor Chukwuma Soludo and team hold the journalism profession and practitioners in high esteem, revealed that the current administration is already embarking on several development projects, calling on them to continue to rally support for them.

Earlier, Chairman of the Chapel, Mr. Chuks Ilozue hinted that they are in support of government of Professor Soludo, irrespective of the fact that they look forward to having a one-on-one parley with him, to make the outcomes of their evaluation and findings about his government known to him.

Mr. Ilozue requested the Press Secretary to convey the Chapel's goodwill to the Governor and assured that their members will continue to discharge their duties in compliance to the tenets of the journalism profession.

Others who spoke during the dialogue such as Mr. Tony Okafor, Mr. Emma Ndukuba, Mr. Kevin Ikediegwu, among others, called on the government to speed up development across the state and solicited for more government presence.

APGA Chieftain In Umudiọka, Maduekwe Preaches Consolidation Through APGA

By Ejike Abana

Umudiọka is a town envied by others for being huge beneficiaries of dividends and developmental projects under successive APGA-led administrations in Anambra State.

This was the crux of discussions as an APGA Chieftain in the Community, Barrister Chike Maduekwe convoked a meeting of his ward members, to drive home the point.

Addressing the people in his country home Umuajana Umudioka, Ward Two, Barr. Maduekwe pointed out that their community has received so much dividends of democracy manifested as developmental projects, appointments, among others, from APGA administrations in the past.

He described Umudiọka which is one of the towns in Dunukofia council area as a town envied by neighboring communities due to many developmental projects also being received from the present APGA administration.

According to him, "it is only natural that ndị Umudiọka reciprocate the wonderful gesture of the present administration of APGA by voting massively for APGA candidates in the state house of Assembly election coming up on Saturday 18th March 2023".

The Counsellor, Ward Two who is also the APGA state youth leader, Hon. Chike Odoji reminded the people that all the road projects, the community civic center, the traditional ruler's ofala pavilion, a hall in the community market, street lights, renovation of community secondary in the community were made possible by the APGA government.

"I therefore implore us to work for and vote for Mr. Azotani so as to continue to benefit from the good governance of APGA".

Others who spoke in the gathering; Chairman ward Two, Chief Peter Uzor Nwosu, and APGA Youth leader in Umudioka, Mbanugo Nelson pledged support for APGA because according to them, the party has been benevolent to the people of Umudiọka.

Soludo: My Achievements in Office Enough to Give APGA Candidates Victory

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo has said that his achievements in office in less than one year as governor of the state was enough to give victory to House of Assembly candidates running on the platform of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Soludo who spoke through his Press Secretary, Mr Christian Aburime said leaders of the opposition in the state are feeling uncomfortable because they know that Anambra remains APGA land, and that they have slim chances of winning any seat in Saturday's election.

Aburime in a chat with journalists said: "Apart from the fact that Anambra remains an APGA state, it will be unfair for any Anambra indigene to see all the good works of the governor and still not vote for APGA in Saturday's election.

"The governor will be one year in office on Friday, but you will think he has been here for four years already. Within this one year, he has employed 5,000 teachers for our schools, that is something that has never happened anywhere before.

"When he came to office, there were no doctors in most of the hospitals across the state, but the governor has employed many doctors, nurses and other caregivers, in addition to road projects being flagged off everywhere in the state.

"We are confident that on Saturday, we will win majority seats in the state assembly. No Anambra indigene who wishes the state well will allow another party to dominate the house of assembly. That will create distractions in the developmental strides the gooveror has embarked upon," Aburime said.

Speaking on allegation of Soludo threatening traditional rulers and presidents general of communities of blacklisting them if they failed to work for APGA victory, Aburime said such allegation was untrue.

"That is propaganda from the pit of hell, which opposition are using to blackmail the governor because they do not stand a chance on Saturday.

"The governor held an open meeting with members of his party and charged all to ensure APGA victory on Saturday. What is the secret about that? There is nothing like threat, what the governor said was in the open. So there is no way they can twist the words of the governor by saying what he never said. It is therefore purely propaganda."

Governor Soludo Describes Human Capital As South East Region's Only Dependable Resource

By Ejike Abana

As a way of deepening human capital development in the South East region and the country, Governor Chukwuma Soludo has pushed for increased labour force participation and mobility in the country. 

Governor Soludo made the call at the International Convention Center, Awka during South East Human Capital Development Conference which drew participants from the region and beyond.

The Governor who stressed that boundaries that make the labour force function in "silos", will always limit progress, advocated an easier means for sharing of skills to increase productivity in the country. 

While recalling that the South East has the smallest land mass of all the regions in the country, the least natural resources and with a huge of its productive resources domiciled outside the region, the Governor hoped that the conference will identify ways through which the human capital assets of the region can be fully tapped. 

He also emphasized that ninety-nine percent of the resources needed to develop the region is in private hands, suggesting that to achieve effective results, models such as Public, Private, Community Partnership and other benchmarks and case studies beyond the shores of Nigeria could be handy. 

The event which featured policy recommendation session was attended by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, representatives of the Governors of the region, members of Anambra State Executive Council, including the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Ms. Chiamaka Nnake, former Commissioner for Basic Education, Professor Kate Omenugha, among others.

March 11 Election: IPAC Renders Advisory In Favour Of Anambra State Government

By Ejike Abana

The Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC Anambra State Chapter has thrown its weight behind the state government regarding the forthcoming House of Assembly election on Saturday 11, March, 2023.

Rising from it's Awka meeting in a communiqué, the State Chairman, Chief Uche Ugwoji said that the advisory became imperative in view of the security situation in the state and the need to support the present administration to succeed.

The body recalled the scary situation of the state prior the February 25 Presidential election which was hitherto nipped in the bud through the security architecture largely put in place by Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

They expressed happiness that the election eventually held with zero record of security breaches, stressing that IPAC is non-partisan but arrived at the advisory based on the need to support Governor Soludo to succeed.

While imploring ndị Anambra to support the present government and its stability, IPAC expressed optimism that the present administration is poised to deliver a greater Anambra.

They called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to step up it's acts as the conduct of the February 25 Presidential election is being criticized and is now a subject of litigation in the law court, advising that INEC should diligently prosecute the coming election of March 11 so that it's credibility will will be accepted without iota any of doubt.

IPAC is the umbrella body of all registered political parties in Nigeria.

AWGBU INDEGENE, NNAMA SUPPORT GOVERNOR SOLUDO'S STRIDES IN EDUCATION, DONATE BOOKS TO SCHOOLS IN ORUMBA NORTH AND SOUTH

By Ejike Abana

In support of Governor Chukwuma Soludo's commitment to Education in the past one year in office, Prince John Ezeayom Nnama of Awgbụ Ward 1, APGA has kick started his back to school initiative.

The initiative which involves distribution of customized exercise books, free of cost is targeted at schools in Orumba North and South Constituency.

Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi received some of the books onbehalf of Governor Soludo at the Government House, Awka.

According to Prince Nnama, the initiative is to complement the Governor's efforts to rehabilitate the education sector.

He explained that the burning desire was in keeping with the APGA mantra of "onye aghana nwanne ya" and the Governor's principle of leave no child behind.

Prince Nnama expressed optimsm that the books will be deployed rightly and not abused and asked the Governor to continue his pursuit of an excellent society where everyone can live, work and enjoy.

"I am focusing on child rights and development, protection and safeguarding children to eradicate all inhibiting factors militating against their growth".

He, therefore, appealed to stakeholders and non-governmental organisations to join government in tackling out -of-school children menace in their community using educational programmes.

Recieving the books, Mr. Ezeajughi said that the present administration is desirous of having Ndị Anambra involve themselves in philanthropic gesture, especially in the education and health sectors.

The Chief of Staff recalled the Governor's efforts in education especially the recent recruitment of five thousand teachers and canvassed more support for the present government.

He said; "Governor Soludo is not ready to draw back in his support for the education sector. More people should emulate Prince Nnama, even if it means purchasing a pencil for a pupil. It will go a long way to help.

"You can even decide to adopt a school or as little as adopt and support a pupil. Such effort will go a long way to meeting the education need of the society", the Chief of Staff concluded.