HURRICANE NEWS.

  At Last, Obiano Commissions Anambra Airport, as  NCAA fails to approve maiden commercial flight. By NKIRU NWAGBO. Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano yesterday commissioned the Anambra International Passenger and Cargo Airport, Umueri for commercial use, amidst fanfare by indigenes of the state. This came as the aviation regulatory authority, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), failed to approve the take off of two commercial flights that were billed to land at the airport from Lagos and Abuja respectively. Obiano who commissioned the airport said: “I thanks Buhari for approving this Airport, also Sidika for the oversight activities he did here and also Nuhu of NCAA. “This airport has been certified and has met all needs for commercial purposes. Unfortunately, the flights that were fully booked for today, both from Abuja and Lagos could not come because the regulatory authorities said the commercial airlines that will operate here will need to have counters here before o

  Anambra Police Arrests Top IPOB Commander, Recovers Six Riffles. By our Correspondent. Anambra State Police Command has arrested a top member of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who also commands its militant wing Eastern Security Network (ESN). A source told HURRICANE NEWS that the commander was arrested in Ekwukobia in Aguata Local Government Area of the State on Saturday afternoon. It was gathered that the ESN operative was arrested with bullet wound in his house after a tip off to the police by a concerned individuals. Recall that there was a gun battle between security agents in Ekwulobia on Friday, in which there were casualties both on the side of the gunmen and the security agents, with many of the gunmen said to have escaped with bullet wounds. Though the Public Relations Officer of the state police command, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga could not confirm the arrest of the ESN operative, as his phone could not be reached, but a senior police officer who spoke with our corresp

  Group Lauds Security Formations For Anambra Polls. By NKIRU NWAGBO. AWKA The Society Committee for Anti-Fraud Election Security (CISCAES), a non-Governmental Organisation in Nigeria says the deployment of one hundred additional police personnel by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Usman Alkali Baba, to secure Anambra electorates ahead of the November 6, governorship election, will further check mate  the threat of the Indigineous People of Biafra (IPOB), in the state. Recall that  Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, on Tuesday ordered the immediate redeployment of 100 senior police officers to Anambra State for the peaceful conduct of the governorship election slated for November 6, 2021. The deployment was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), CP Frank Mba. He explained that the team comprising of selected seasoned strategic commanders from the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police and

  It is Evil to owe Pensioners – Ozigbo By NKIRU NWAGBO. The Governorship candidate of the PDP in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Anambra State, Mr. Val Ozigbo has condemned what he called “mindless non-payment of gratuities to civil servants that retired in Anambra State since 2017.”   In a release made available to the press, Mr. Ozigbo said it was unbelievable that after the efforts by the Peter Obi administration to clear over 35 billion Naira arrears of pension and gratuities owed retirees in Anambra State since 1991, that the present Government in Anambra State has allowed the debt to start accumulating to over 5 billion Naira again by its refusal to pay retirees their pension since 2017.   He described the action as heartless and wicked, wondering how those responsible feel whenever they read the stories of retirees dying due to lack of basic needs they often use the gratuities to solve through the returns they get after investing it wisely. In Ozigbo’s words: ‘I am th

OBIANO SIGNS ANAMBRA ANTI- GRAZING BILL INTO LAW. By Nkiru Nwagbo. AState  Governor, Chief Willie Obiano has assented to and signed the bill to prohibit and abolish open and nomadic Cattle and other livestock grazing and rearing in Anambra State, establish Cattle and other livestock Ranches in the state and to provide for related matters. The signing ceremony was performed today, Friday, 22nd October, 2021 at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia. Performing the function, Governor Obiano who appreciated the state house of Assembly for expeditious passage, said that the establishment of the law will hopefully enable entrenchment of peace, though they have been managing crisis for a very long time which were only short term measures, stressing that the law enforcement agents have been directed to implement it.   Present at the brief ceremony were the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Uju Nworgu, Secretary to the State Government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu, Commissioner f

   Abaribe, Ozigbo and Obi Supreme Court Declares Ozigbo Authentic  Candidate of PDP. By Nkiru Nwagbo. Superme Court of Nigeria has declared Mr Valentine Ozigbo the authentic candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Nov. 6 governorship election in Anambra. The judgment of the apex court delivered in Abuja on Thursday being 21st of October had put to final rest the issues surrounding who the real candidate of the party was following the purportedly   emergency of Sen. Ugochukwu Uba as a parallel candidate of the party  on June 26. The panel of Justices, led by Justice Inyang Okoro which affirmed the decision of the Court of Appeal Awka Division delivered on Sept 3, awarded a N5 million penalty against Uba. The Supreme Court struck out all challenges to Ozigbo’s candidacy and awarded and described Uba as a meddlesome interloper while awarding a N5m penalty against Senator Uba for damages. The panel of justices, led by His Lordship, Justice Inyang Okoro affirmed the decision

Inferno: Ihiala LGA Lauds Obiano for Solidarity, urges him to Tackle road, other challenges  By Nkiru Nwagbo The leaders of Ihiala Local Government Area have lauded Governor Willie Obiano for demonstrating solidarity with their people following the fire which engulfed Nkwogbe Market on Sunday. In a statement signed by the Deputy Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Dr Pascal Agbodike; the member representing Ihiala 1 in the state House of Assembly, Barrister Chidi Udemadu; the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C. Don Adinuba; the chairman of the Ihiala LGA Transition Committee, Engineer Jeff Obi; the chairman of the Ihiala LGA Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Emmanuel Nnabuife who is also the traditional ruler of Isseke Town; the traditional ruler of Ihiala Town, Igwe Thomas Obidiegwu; and the President General of the Ihiala Progress Union, Chief Okey Chukwu, noted“We are impressed that Chief Obiano visited the market to not only comfort the people an

  Nkwo Ogbe Market  inferno: Obiano Pledges to Build a Standard Market for Ihiala People. By NKIRU NWAGBO, AWKA. Anambra State Governor Chief Willie Obiano has promised to built a standard market  for Ihiala people while consoling them  over the fire which destroyed their major market on Sunday afternoon . Obiano said he will  lead the mobilization of the people in planning, designing and building a modern market in the town. In a message to the people sent through the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C. Don Adinuba, who is an indigene of the town; the chairman of the Ihiala Local Government Transition Committee, Engineer Jeff Obi; and the Traditional Ruler of Ihiala, Igwe Thomas Obidiegwu, as well as the President General of the Ihiala progress Union, Chief Okey Chukwu, Governor Willie Obiano regretted that a good number of both the indigenes of the town and people from elsewhere, including outside the state, have lost their means of livelihood. The governor w

    Anambra Set for 10 Million Man Protest Against Election Fraud. By Okey Maduforo In the next twenty days ahead of the November governoship election there strong indications that there is going to be a ten million man protest against the plot to manipulate the exercise and against what has been describled as the politically motivated killings in the area and South East in general. Similarly the statement credited to the Chief Of Defence Staff Gen Lucky Irabor against sectional handling of Insecurity in the South East has been described as a mark of statemanship and one that represents the opinion of the people of the geopolitical zone. Rising from a summit organized by the Civil Society Committee For Anti- Fraud Election Security in conjunction with the Nigerian Union of Journalists NUJ ahead of the election the participants warned that the protest that would erupt in the state would be unemerginable. They further accused the Abdusalami Abubakar Peace Committee of being silent over t

  Anambra 2021:Dep Gov. Okeke, describes  Andy Uba As Best Candidate. By NKIRU NWAGBO. The Anambra state Deputy Governor , Dr Nkem Okeke has met with the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Andy Uba in  Abuja where he described him as the choice of Anambra people. Okeke made this declaration at a dinner hosted on his behalf at the Asokoro, Abuja residence of Senator Uba following his switch from the  APGA to the APC. Recall that Dr. Okeke had recently left the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), where he holds a joint ticket with the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano to join APC. According to a press release made available to   HURRICANE NEWS   in Awka by the Director of media and publicity of the Andy Uba campaign organisation, Hon Afam Ogene, Okeke was quoted as describing the emergence of Senator Andy Uba as the APC’s gubernatorial candidate as the best thing that ever happened to the state in the last few years. He said: “All over Anambra, a

  The coast is clear for APC to take over Anambra  says Ejidike, APC Chairman. NKIRU NWAGBO, AWKA Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Anambra State, Chief Basil Ejidike, has said that with the defection of key stakeholders of the ruling All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) into the APC, it has become obvious that APC would take over Anambra State come November 6, 2021 governorship election. Ejidike made this declaration yesterday when the state and local government executives of the party hosted the senator representing Anambra North district, Princess Stella Oduah, at the state party secretariat in Awka, the state capital. He said, “Yesterday, we received the number two citizen of Anambra State, Dr. Nkem Okeke, into our party, APC. This confirms the dimension the Anambra guber is heading to. Before now, many national assembly members, including Senator Stella Oduah, joined us. “Also, a good number of state assembly members from th

  Anambra Guber; INEC To Check Mate Over Voting Through BVAS. By NKIRU NWAGBO. Ahead of the conduct of the November governorship election in Anambra state, the Independent National Electoral Commission IÑEC has announced that there will be no over voting during the exercise. Similarly it has announced that the attendant problems of network for the online transmission of Form EC8A( Result Sheets) online has been resolved by the body noting that it can be sent and received both on and off line. Also the commission said the the power issue  that affected the card readers in the last election has been addressed as the Biometal Voter Accreditation System BVAS has an in-built battery system to last for over six hours with a power bank for every Returning Officer at the polling units. Disclosing this at the workshop organized by the Commission  for Journalists on the election processes and procedures for 2021 Anambra governoship election in Awka, the Head of ICT to the commission Engr Chukwue

  Mr. Peter Obi  Presenting  2million naira cheque to Joseph's Hospital and St Joseph's School  Obi Reaffirms Commitment to Better Health Sector, donates N2m to Mission Hospital. BY NKIRU NWAGBO. In line with his constant support for the critical areas of national development, Mr Peter Obi, the Former Vice Presidential Candidate of the People's Democratic Party, PDP,  has again donated  N2 million to St Joseph's Hospital and St Joseph's School of Midwifery, Adazi-Nnukwu, for the upgrade of their health services. Obi made the cheque presentation to the Proprietor of the Hospital and Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor, at the hospital premises over the weekend, while reiterating the critical contribution of the health sector to the development of any nation. Addressing the student nurses who gathered to receive him, Obi reminded them that their job was a call to greater service to humanity. He encouraged them to remain open to their education

  UBWA Empowers over 500 Women In Anambra, Accuses Govt of Neglecting Widows. By Okey Maduforo. As part of efforts towards alleviating  poverty amongst widows and vulnerable women  in the South-East region, a philanthropist and President of the United business women Association of Nigeria and Diaspora, Mrs Nkiru Duru has distributed machines for the assistance of small scale industries to over 500 women in the area. Speaking at the Sharon house in Onitsha  during the distribution of the items which include sowing machines, Blending Machines, bags of rice and wrappers, Mrs Duru said she is encouraging the beneficiaries to live an active lifestyle noting that women are the heart of many homes.  She said that  it is important to appreciate and empower them to enhance family and community development. While advising the women she urged them to avoid jealousy saying" when you take your eyes off your goals and begin to look at the progress or success of others, it gives birth to jealous

  Andy UBA welcomes Anambra Deputy Gov. Dr. Okeke to APC. NKIRU NWAGBO, AWKA The Senator Andy Uba Governorship Campaign Organisation, SAUGCO has welcomed the Deputy Governor of Anambra state, Dr. Nkem Okeke into it’s fold. Dr. Okeke joined the All Progressives Congress, APC this evening after being presented to President Muhammadu Buhari by Governor Mai Mala Buni, chairman of the APC’s Caretaker and Extra Ordinary Convention Planning Committee, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He was joined by Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo state and chairman of the National Campaign Council for the Senator Andy Uba Governorship Campaign. In a press release by Andy Uba, which was signed for him by the media and publicity chairman of his campaign council, Hon Afam Ogene, Uba said: “We heartily welcome our deputy governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke, an intellectual of no mean standing who has over the years striven to steer the ship of Anambra state from the parochialism and maladministration which his Principal, G

  Unizik appoints Stanel group CEO into  Board of Directors Business School. BY NKIRU NWAGBO. Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka has appointed Dr Stanley Uzochukwu, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Stanel Group as a member of the UNIZIK Business School Board of Directors. The Anambra born admirable entrepreneur cum philanthropist, Dr Uzochukwu was today inaugurated to serve in the board alongside 8 other members including his mentor, Dr Cosmas Maduka, CEO of Coscharis.  Also on the board are: Dr ABC Orjiakor, Chairman, Seplat Petroleum Development Company; Dr Chidi Anyaegbu MFR, CEO Chisco Group; Dr Ifeanyi C. Odii, President/CEO Ultimus Holdings; Dr Poly Emenike MON,  Chairman/CEO Nero’s Pharmaceutical; Dr Clement Nwogbo, CEO M-P Infrastructures LTD; Prof Pat Utomi,  Founder, Centre for Value in Leadership; and Dr Okey Anueyiagu, Founder, Dr Okey Anueyiagu Foundation  Dr Uzochukwu's appointment is in recognition of his sterling qualities and outstanding contributions to hu

  UNIZIK VC Laments The Dying state of Igbo language. Nkiru Nwagbo. The Vice Chancellor of Nnamd Azikiwe University Awka Prof Charles Esimone yesterday lamented the dying state of Igbo language expressing fears that in no distant time the language may go into extinction. He further urged parents teachers and guardians to communicate with their Children in Igbo language adding that this is the only way to sustain Igbo language and culture for the sake of posterity. Esimone who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics Prof  Fredrick Odibo said that the trend in the Igbo society where speaking of only English language and non speaking of Igbo language has become a status symbol that is dangerous development that would be harmful to the culture and tradition of the Igbo race. Disclosing this during the launching of book called "AFAMUEFUNA",a collection of 6,000 Igbo names written and published by Prof Ngozi Ezenwa-Ohaeto,  at the ASSU Auditorium Unizik,  Esimone sa