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Anambra speaker Udeze hails bishop Kukah's appointment as COOU chancellor, calls it a statement of institutional seriousness  By Chizoba Okeke  The Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Nkem Udeze, has lauded Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo for appointing Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, as Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU). In a statement issued today, Udeze described the appointment as one that “speaks for itself” and reaffirms Soludo’s prioritization of education in the state. “Bishop Kukah is a scholar of international standing, a moral voice this nation turns to in its most difficult moments, and a builder of institutions that outlast administrations. Governor Soludo has set a standard with this appointment and COOU will rise to meet it,” Udeze said. The Speaker, an alumnus of COOU with a Postgraduate Diploma and Master’s Degree from the institution, said his commendation is both ins...

 New Ochanja Market Completed, But Traders Shun Stalls, Sell Outside By Ndidi-Chibueze Chinaemelum Gloria The newly completed Ochanja market building project in Onitsha remains deserted as traders refuse to occupy stalls, opting instead to sell their goods outside the complex. The multi-building market, part of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s urban renewal push, was finished after the governor issued a two-week ultimatum to contractors over delays last year. Soludo had promised a third building to accommodate more traders following complaints that two were insufficient. Despite completion, the market stalls sit empty. Traders have continued hawking on streets and walkways around the complex. Sources cite lingering disputes over allocation, safety fears from past building collapses at Ochanja, and protests by Oduigbo section traders who claimed 60% are widows being asked to vacate for “modern shops”. The state government had earlier announced plans to compile names of traders for relocat...

 PRESS STATEMENT  GOVERNOR SOLUDO APPOINTS DR. JUSTINA ANYADIEGWU AS CHAIRMAN, ANAMBRA STATE UNIVERSAL BASIC EDUCATION BOARD (ASUBEB)    The Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, has appointed Dr. Justina Chinyere Anyadiegwu as the Chairman, Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB).  Currently the Provost, Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe, Dr. Anyadiegwu is a foremost English Language lecturer with over 30 years experience, having taught at the primary, secondary and tertiary education levels in Nigeria. Holding requisite qualifications such as B.Ed. LANGUAGES Arts/English from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, M.A. English Language and Ph.D. English Language and Literature from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. She is an Applied Linguist with emphasis on active learning strategies and inclusive language education. She was a consultant trainer for the British Council between 2012 and 2014 on Content and Language I...

 ICPC Secures 12‑Year Jail Term for Former NECO Staff Over Certificate Forgery ‎ ‎By Chizoba Njaka  ‎ ‎The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured the conviction of a dismissed staff member of the National Examinations Council (NECO), Mr. Abdulwahab Sule, for certificate forgery and related corrupt practices. ‎ ‎In a press release signed by the Head, Media and Public Communications, ICPC, Okor Odey, the Commission disclosed that the conviction was delivered by the High Court of Niger State sitting in Minna, presided over by Honourable Justice Abdullahi Mikailu, in Charge No: NSHC/ICPC/1C/2023. ‎ ‎Mr. Sule, who was dismissed from NECO in 2020 following the discovery of irregularities in his credentials, was found guilty on a three‑count charge of dishonestly using a forged document as genuine, possession of a forged document, and making false statements to a public officer. ‎ ‎Investigations by the ICPC revealed that the convict fr...

 SASA Cracks Down on Illegal Levies, Arrests Six Extortionists in Onitsha ‎ ‎By Nkiru Anakor ‎ ‎The Special Anti‑Touting Squad Agency (SASA) in Anambra State has ramped up its campaign against illegal revenue collectors, moving aggressively into the streets to clamp down on extortion and protect traders. ‎ ‎In a recent enforcement operation carried out in Onitsha and surrounding neighbourhoods, SASA operatives arrested six individuals accused of harassing traders and commercial operators for money. Those apprehended were identified as Monday Chukwuka, Sunday Chinweze, Uche Nweke, Ekene Onyedimma, Anakwe Uchenna, and Ugochukwu Ukadike. Officials said the suspects were identified and tracked through intelligence work and surveillance activities. ‎ ‎Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects allegedly collected levies without any legal authorization, demanding payments from unsuspecting traders and drivers for personal gain. Authorities warned that such activities undermine...

 MINISTER OF POWER RESIGNS TO JOIN OYO GOVERNOSHIP RACE Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has tendered his resignation and proposed the establishment of a coordinating Minister of Energy to drive integrated reforms across Nigeria's power, gas and related sectors  In a statement by his special Adviser on strategic communications and media relations, Bolaji Tunji, the resignation is to enable the Minister join the Oyo state Governorship race. Adebalu submitted his resignation letter to Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume and expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for giving him the opportunity to serve. One more photo below.