NIGERIAN NOTCH

From Mary Obi  Governor Chukwuma Soludo has approved the reappointment of key agency heads in Anambra State, retaining Mr. Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata as Managing Director of the Anambra State Information and Communication Technology Agency. The decision was announced in a statement issued on Monday in Awka by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Christian Aburime. It confirmed that Mr. Emeka Okonkwo (Konti) will continue as Managing Director of the Anambra Road Traffic Management Agency, while Mr. Osita Onuko remains at the helm of the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority.  According to the statement, the reappointments are aimed at sustaining momentum and strengthening performance across the agencies following the governor’s first term. Agbata, a technology entrepreneur and ecosystem builder, has overseen efforts to expand digital infrastructure and promote innovation-led growth in the state. His tenure at ASICTA has focused on advancing the digital economy ...

  In a move that political analysts are already calling “The Nsukka Declaration,” Enugu North Senatorial District indigenes in the diaspora on Saturday fused their voice with the home front to declare the entire zone for Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah ahead of 2027. The landmark endorsement mega rally, convened by stakeholders from Enugu North senatorial district had in attendance those in Diaspora led by Apostle Mike Ugwu who is the leader of the Diaspora from the zone. The message was unanimous and unmistakable: Enugu North is off the table for negotiation in 2027.   Doctrine of Performance Over Politics   “We are not party men. We are performance men,” Apostle Ugwu declared to a roaring crowd. “And the performance metrics in Enugu North are undeniable.” He cited some achievements of the Peter Mbah led administration in the zone and concluded by saying it is “irrefutable evidence” compelling the diaspora’s alignment. The political symbolism was heightened by...

From Mary Obi  The Deputy Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Pius Chukwuma Okoye, has intensified his push for a seat in Nigeria’s House of Representatives, courting the support of Anambra Patriots (APS), a prominent civic group known for its emphasis on accountability and good governance. Okoye made his case on Sunday during an interactive session with members of APS at the group’s national secretariat in Awka, where he presented his record in office and outlined his plans for Awka North and South Federal Constituency under the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). The lawmaker, who represents Awka South II Constituency and is serving his second term, said his ambition was driven by a desire to scale up development initiatives beyond his current constituency to cover Awka North and Awka South federal areas. Highlighting his legislative and constituency achievements, Okoye cited his sponsorship of key bills, including the Anambra Youth Dev...

By Echezona Okafor An Anambra widow, Mrs. Hope Ulasi, who was recently evicted from her matrimonial home, has sent a distress call to the Anambra State Government over threats to her safety and well-being. Mrs. Ulasi, wife of the late Pa Joseph Ulasi, who died on December 18, 2000, and was buried on May 15, 2005, accused one of her husband’s sons, Mr. Azuka Ulasi, of relying on what she described as a “fraudulent and non-existent will” to secure a court judgment and evict her from the family home. Speaking to our correspondent on Sunday, April 19, in Nnewi, Anambra State, she maintained that her husband never made a will during his lifetime. “My husband did not write any will. We all know this as a family. Even his children can confirm it. So where did this will suddenly come from?” she queried. She explained that her late husband had consistently maintained that he would not formally partition his property among his children, but instead allow each child to build on any av...

Nigeria’s opposition landscape appears to be entering a new phase of strategic realignment following indications that former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, and former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, may be reconsidering their continued participation in the African Democratic Congress (ADC)-led coalition. Despite the uncertainty surrounding their positions, insiders within the alliance insist that the coalition remains structurally solid and politically viable. The emerging formation is said to be anchored by prominent figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark, former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, and former Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke. Also central to the coalition’s recalibrated structure is the political bloc historically aligned with the late former President Muhammadu Buhari. The bloc, known for its grassroots appeal across northern Nigeria, is reportedly being coordinated by former Osun ...

From Mary Obi   The wife of Anambra State governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, has called for stronger protections, improved welfare and sustained recognition for Nigerian workers, urging authorities to prioritise policies that safeguard labour rights and dignity. In a statement issued on Friday to mark International Workers’ Day, Soludo said workers across all sectors remain central to Nigeria’s economic growth and national development, stressing that the 2026 May Day celebration should prompt renewed commitment from government, employers and citizens. “Labour is the foundation of every great society,” she said. “Behind every road, every school, every harvest and every institution stands the tireless dignity of the Nigerian worker.” She described workers as the backbone of national progress and called for concrete steps to ensure they are protected, respected and fairly rewarded for their contributions. “To every hand that has ever held a tool, carried a load, typed through...

The Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, has extended warm greetings to members of labour unions within the institution, commending their dedication and contributions to the growth and stability of the polytechnic. In a solidarity message to mark Workers’ Day, the Rector lauded staff for their professionalism, resilience, and commitment to duty, noting that their efforts remain central to sustaining the institution’s vision and mission. She emphasized that Workers’ Day serves as a reminder of the dignity of labour and the critical role every staff member plays in driving institutional development, especially in the face of ongoing challenges within the academic environment. Dr. Awuzie also called for continued cooperation between management and labour unions, stressing the importance of unity, mutual respect, and constructive engagement in maintaining industrial harmony on campus. According to her, prioritizing dialogue over conflict and collaboratio...

From Mary Obi  The Anambra State government has begun full operations from a newly completed administrative complex in the capital, Awka, marking a significant upgrade in public infrastructure after more than three decades of reliance on temporary government facilities. The complex, known as Light House Awka, was developed under Governor Chukwuma Soludo and commissioned by President Bola Tinubu.  It replaces a prefabricated structure that has served as the state’s seat of government since Anambra’s creation in 1991. For 34 years, successive administrations, including those of Governors Chinwoke Mbadinuju, Chris Ngige, Peter Obi and Willie Obiano, operated from the same provisional structure originally erected for construction workers, a situation widely criticised as unsuitable for a modern state capital. The new complex spans about 23 hectares and comprises more than 50 buildings. These include the main government house, offices for the deputy governor...

From Mary Obi   Authorities in Anambra State say a newly completed leisure complex in the state capital marks a notable step in efforts to expand tourism and drive economic growth in southeastern Nigeria. The facility, Solution Fun City, spans about 12.7 hectares and is described by officials as the largest combined amusement and water park in the region. It was developed under Governor Chukwuma Soludo and commissioned on May 8, 2025 by President Bola Tinubu. State officials say the project is designed to stimulate activity across multiple sectors, including hospitality, transportation, retail and entertainment, as part of a broader push to diversify the local economy beyond federal allocations. In a statement released on Thursday, the governor’s media aide, Daniel Ezeigwe, said the park had already begun attracting visitors and generating demand within the tourism value chain. He added that tourism offers potential for job creation, poverty reduction and more incl...

Atiku, Kwankwaso, Amaechi, others converge on Ibadan summit The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has unveiled a proposed power-sharing framework aimed at preserving unity within Nigeria’s opposition ranks ahead of the 2027 presidential election, amid concerns that competing ambitions could trigger divisions after party primaries. The proposal, described as a “collegiate system,” seeks to move away from winner-takes-all politics by promoting a shared governance structure in which key actors retain influence even after the emergence of a single presidential candidate. Speaking on The Morning Show on Arise TV, ADC chieftain Lukman Salihu said the initiative is designed to entrench collective decision-making and prevent the concentration of power in one office. “The framework we are putting together is collegiate in nature. It is not one where a single individual takes everything,” he said. “Our leaders are committed to ensuring that if we form the next government, it will not...