“Year 2023: A year of accelerated development”…Chimamanda, worldwide, yet home girl…Anticipate 2023 Okanga Lecture…celebrating from Awka to Aguleri…”A Mother in a million!” …Biggest carnival on the Omambala…plus South East Digest…

Southeast Governors to commence recruitment of Forest Guards

The Assistant Commander General of the Nigerian Hunters and Forestry Security Service (NHFSS) in charge of technical services, Ambassador Johnny Chukwudi Metchie, has revealed that plans are underway to commence recruitment of forest guards in the southeast in 2023. He said the governors in southern Nigeria will begin the recruitment of able bodied young men and women into the Forest Guard Service in the New Year.

Metchie who is the Prime Minister of the Association of the Anambra State Town Unions (ASATU) as well as the President General of Umueri community, disclosed this on Thursday, December 29, when NHFSS officers and men from Anambra state paid him a courtesy visit in his country home. Metchie said the programme when it commences, would lead to the recruitment of hundreds of thousands of youths from across the five states that make up the geopolitical zone.

He added that it would be a huge employment opportunity that would eventually help to wipe out insecurity, stressing that the Forest Guards are to work hand in hand with regular security operatives. Metchie noted that in due time, the Hunters and Forestry Security Service would take over the protection and safeguard of forests across the country as is done in the United States, Canada, South Africa and many other countries.   He further said the programme would help to protect farmers and their produce across the country. 

Metchie was recently decorated as an Assistant Commander General in the NHFSS.

Chimamanda, worldwide, yet home girl

Anambra-born award-winning novelist, Ms Chimamanda Adichie, has been honoured by her own community, Abba, Njikoka local government area of Anambra State.  Chimamanda  Adichie was conferred with the chieftaincy title of "Odeluwa," translated as "she who writes for the world," by the traditional ruler of Abba, His Royal Highness, Igwe Leonard Nwankwo Ezeh on Friday, December 30.

The ceremony attracted people from all walks of life, including Governor Charles Soludo, traditional rulers from different communities, politicians, and people from academia.  Principal Secretary to former Governor Willie Obiano, Chief Sir Willie Nwokoye, Governor Obiano’s Chief Press Secretary, Odenigbo James Eze were also there.

Anticipate 2023 Okanga Lecture

The 4^th edition of Okanga Lecture series comes up on Wednesday, January 4, 2023.  The keynote presentation, “Oil and Gas exploration in Omabala region:  The prospects and challenges to the socio-economic activities of ndi Omabala” would be delivered by Engr. Iyke Akuezumba (Ozomma), Deputy Managing Director of Orient Petroleum Resources.   Chief Dr Cletus Madubugwu Ibeto, is expected to serve as Chairman of the occasion.

The lecture series was set up in 2019 by His Royal Majesty, Eze Dr Michael C. Idigo V, Ezeudo, Eze Aguleri, as a way of charting the course of socio-economic development in Aguleri, Omambala, and the entire Anambra North Senatorial zone.

Biggest carnival on the Omambala

The 2023 Ada Aguleri carnival, the biggest carnival on the Omambala River holds on Friday, January 6, 2023.  All roads lead to Aguleri

(A digest of latest reports on the Economy, Industry, Politics, Sports, and developments around the South East of Nigeria)

ANAMBRA STATE

Year 2023: A year of accelerated development and progress as Anambra will continue to win

Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR has assured that the year 2023 will usher in accelerated development and progress in Anambra State.  The Governor therefore wished ndị Anambra a bountiful 2023.  He further assured that Anambra will continue to win from all fronts in spite of the daunting challenges

"There is every reason to celebrate another promising new year and give God Almighty the glory, not only for preserving us to witness the new year, but more importantly, for his mercy and grace for the modest achievements we have recorded within our first nine months in office…As we reflect on 2022 and project a prosperous 2023, we have reasons to celebrate the modest achievements we have recorded individually and collectively as a state, despite the daunting challenges, facing the Nation…The year 2023 will most certainly be a redefining year for us as a people…And it is our earnest desire that Anambra will continue to record more feats” Governor Soludo stated, adding "on behalf of my family and members of my executive council, I wish you all a happy and prosperous new year".

Celebrating from Awka to Aguleri

If you were in Anambra State or anywhere near Anambra last week, and you did not attend STAN2022 (the union of Angela and Stanley), we can take it that you did not have any of the colours of the day:  Magenta Pink, Champagne Gold, and Lavender!  You had an opportunity to attend the Church Service in Awka or the lavish Reception at the Iwoba country home in the new Aguleri GRA!! 

Well, not to worry, we serve you some of the key highlights below:

”A Mother in a million!”

“You Deserve This Joy Mum. We Thank God For Your Love, Life, Care, Kindness And More Virtues You Lavish On Us And Humanity.  We Love And Are Proud Of You, Nnediugwu!”  That was Emeka Ozumba, Governor Willie Obiano’s former Deputy Chief Press Secretary, writing on his Facebook page, last Thursday.

The OZUMBA Family of Urunnebo, Enugwu Ukwu, last Thursday, held a “Pontifical Mass and Thanksgiving" in Honour of their Mother, Mrs Philomena Azuka Ozumba (Nediugwu).  The mass was celebrated by Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor, Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese.  Reception followed immediately after at the Ozumba residence.  Mr. Deputy Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim,  legislators including Onyendozi, Hon Dozie Nwankwo, MD ABS, Chido Obidiegwu, Mike Obiajulu Meze of Winning Concepts, government functionaries, political candidates and numerous friends and well-wishers attended the event.

ENUGU STATE

Enugu residents complain of rationing of new Naira notes in banks

Cross section of Enugu residents have complained of the rationing of new Naira notes despite Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) assurance that the new Naira notes would flood the banks.  It would be recalled that the apex bank had assured while announcing the policy of the Naira note redesigned that the new redesigned Naira notes would be in large quantities in commercial banks from Dec. 15.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who visited some commercial banks on Thursday in Enugu, observed that most customers were only given two pieces of the new Naira note in their withdrawal money.  NAN observed that instead of the banks issuing the new Naira notes, they are still issuing bundles of old notes that are “so worn out” and “some even selotaped”. 

IMO STATE

Gov. Uzodimma signs Imo Appropriation bill of N474b into Law

Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has signed into law, the State appropriation bill for 2023.  The State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon Declan Emelumba disclosed this in a statement he released in Owerri.

According to the commissioner, the budget of N474b has been christened the Budget of Wealth Creation Expansion.  He said it has a capital expenditure of N373b representing about 78% of the budget while the rest is for recurrent expenditure.

Emelumba said the leadership of the State House of Assembly and some members of the Executive Council were present during the ceremony.