₦airaland Forum

Kenechukwu Ofomah

Umuchu



The 2025 edition of the C-Unit Charity Football tournament for select secondary schools in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State on Thursday, kicked off at the Umuchu Mini Stadium.

Sponsored by the C-Unit record label based in Lagos and owned by a twins, Chief Onyedikachukwu Ike and Chief Onyebuchi Ike, the tournament has a total of 12 teams participating, drawn from schools across Aguata Local Government Area.

The school that emerges winner of the tournament will go home with the prize money of one million naira, the first runner-up gets six hundred thousand naira, while the third place team will get three hundred thousand naira.

Also, there are other prizes of N20,000 each for the best player of the tournament, the highest goal scorer, the best goalkeeper, and the best coach.

Speaking after he officially kicked off the tournament, the Executive Chairman of Aguata Local Area, Dr Chibueze Oforbuike said it is heartwarming to have individuals who are quite interested in sports development and are willing to put in their resources to see that the platform is provided for young talents to express themselves.

According to him, his administration is very intentional about grassroots sports development, and is open to partner individuals, public and private organisations to see that the sports sector is developed.

“The game of football is a very interesting one and we are expectant that this tournament will throw up young football talents, who if groomed very well, can become the next JayJay Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo and Stephen Keshi of our time.

“So, we are grateful to the owners of C-Unit record label for sponsoring this tournament. Even though they are not from Aguata, they decided to do this in our LGA. We are very happy.

“I may not have met them, but I am very eager to meet them and express our gratitude as Ndi Aguata. I want to say that we are more than willing to explore other areas of partnership with them and their group,” Oforbuike said.

A representative of the sponsors of the tournament, Mr Alex Okechukwu said the sponsors, C-Unit is a record label based in Lagos.

According to him, the sponsors do not have anything to benefit from sponsoring the tournament.

According to him, they are just philanthropists who God has blessed so much, and they feel the best way to express appreciation to God is to give back to society by sponsoring these young football talents to showcase what they can do,” he said.

Okechukwu revealed that the tournament will not be a one-off thing, adding that ten LGAs in the state have been chosen for the pilot phase, before it goes round to all the LGAs of the state.

He also revealed that the sponsors have plans to escalate the tournament to tertiary institutions in the state.

In the first match of the tournament, Community Secondary School, Nkpologwu defeated Government Technical School Umuchu, 9-8 on penalties, after both teams played out a goalless draw after regular time.

In the second game, Community Secondary School Isuofia defeated Christ Redeemer College Amesi 2-1 in regular time.

In their separate remarks, the victorious CSS Nkpologwu team captain, Chiadikobi Mbakwe and the GTC Umuchu team captain, Okeke Chijindu said they were elated at the opportunity provided for them.

According to them, “Although tough, the tournament has provided the opportunity for us to showcase our talents.

“We cannot thank C-Unit enough for this exposure. We are very grateful,” they said.

Uchenna Johnson
Awka

The Anambra State Chapter of the Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse, and Labour (NACTAL) on Wednesday, took its advocacy for stakeholders' collaboration towards the elimination of child trafficking, abuse and labour in Anambra State, to the State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC.

The visit which happened at the State NSCDC Headquarters in Awka, saw the visiting NACTAL team led by the State Coordinator, Miss Eucharia Onyemaobi meet and discuss with the State NSCDC Commandant, Olatunde Maku and his management team, on strategies to achieve the elimination of child abuse, trafficking and labour.

Addressing the NSCDC team, Miss Onyemaobi, explained that the essence of their visit was to strengthen collaborative efforts with the NSCDC in curbing the menace of child trafficking, abuse and labour and other related offences.

Bemoaning the unfortunate fate that awaits the society if decisive steps are not taken to curb the anomaly, Onyemaobi stressed the need for collaborative efforts by all stakeholders towards addressing child trafficking.

"'This courtesy visit is a strategic move to leverage on the gains that the partnership between the NSCDC and the NACTAL have recorded over the years.

"In recent times, we have seen a spike in these cases and that is why we believe as NACTAL, that we should lead this charge, to get our stakeholders to be alive to their responsibilities.

"We can no longer continue to sit on the fence. That was what informed our decision to come on this advocacy visit today," she said.

The Anambra NACTAL coordinator expressed the hope that the NSCDC being a critical partner in the fight against child labour, trafficking and labour, will lend its support towards making the work of NACTAL seamless in the state.

Responding, the NSCDC State Commandant, Commandant Maku Olatunde threw his weight and that of the command behind the efforts of the group towards the elimination of child trafficking, abuse and labour in the state.

Maku reiterated the commitment of the NSCDC to protecting vulnerable groups, particularly children, from exploitation and abuse, in line with the Child’s Right Act 2003.

"The NSCDC will remain at the forefront of efforts to combat child trafficking and other related crimes, ensuring the protection of children's rights and preventing their violation.

"The safety and dignity of Nigerian children are non-negotiable. Therefore, the sale and trafficking of children are crimes against humanity," he added.

Elochukwu Benjamin
Onitsha


Easter came in a joyous way for the Red Cross motherless babies home and child welfare clinic, Onitsha, as an Anambra based radio station, Udala Radio 104.7FM Onitsha on Sunday celebrated the christian festivity with them .

The station’s team engaged with the kids through prayers and heartfelt conversations and donated essential supplies and other items worth thousands of naira.

Speaking at the event, the Head of Operations, Udala Radio, Mr Korede Brown described the gesture as a mirror of God’s compassion and extension of His love to those mostly in need.

He said the visit was an opportunity for the station to extend its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), as well as give back to the society, share love, and make meaningful impact in the community.

He said: “The visit is more than just a gesture, but an expression of the station’s commitment to broadcasting and entertainment, as well as compassion and humanity.

“The Easter outreach, which brought smiles and renewed hope to the children and staff at the home, was an opportunity for the station to extend its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

“It was a time to give back to the society, share love, and make a meaningful impact in the community during this season of hope.

” We are here today to share fellowship with you and the inmates of this home of the less privileged in our society.

“This is an expression of our commitment not just to broadcasting and entertainment, but to community, compassion, and connection.

“We believe that real impact happens not only behind the microphone or the camera, but in moments like this —when we reach out to support those who work tirelessly for the well-being of others.”

While commending the team at the Red Cross, Brown noted that their dedication, sacrifice and service to the inmates and the society at large do not go unnoticed.

“You stand on the frontlines of humanity, and we are proud to stand with you, even if only in a small way today.

“Our visit is not just to bring supplies, but genuine encouragement and a sense of unity.

“As we celebrate Easter together, we also remember the importance of kindness, generosity, and shared responsibility. Our hope is that this visit brings not just gifts or supplies, but genuine encouragement and a sense of unity.

“Because at the heart of everything we do—whether in the media or in the field—it’s about people.

“We look forward to more collaborations and meaningful engagements with the centre in the future,” he added.

On their part, the Red Cross Society appreciated the initiative and commended Udala Radio for taking active steps to impact lives beyond the airwaves.

Kenechukwu Ofomah
Awka

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Anambra State Chapter, on Thursday, organized a one-day enlightenment retreat and seminar, as part of measures to galvanize its various organs for greater efficiency.

The retreat held in Awka, attracted Ohanaeze Ndigbo elected executives from the local government to the state level, as well as the leadership of the women and youth wings.

The event has as its theme, ‘Ohanaeze Ndigbo as a mechanism to galvanize and uphold the core values of the Igbo race/ nation with special reference to Anambra State.’

In his address, the state President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu explained that the idea behind the enlightenment programme was to enlighten the new excos to understand the expectations and the mandate of the organization.

According to him, the organization under his leadership is committed to ensuring that its functionaries are alive to their responsibilities, to be able to fulfill their mandate.

Okpalaezeukwu insisted that the apex Igbo organization in the state has activated its organs for greater performance, especially at the community level, and expressed optimism that the retreat will make a positive impact in the workings of the organization in the state.

Speaking on the upcoming governorship election in the state, Okpalaezeukwu noted that the organization by its formation, was designed to champion the political welfare, development and promotion of Ndigbo as a nation in Nigeria, but on a non-partisan basis.

He said the Ohaneze will evaluate the candidates according to their manifestoes and personalities, to ensure that the best candidate that will secure the best deal for the people emerges.

“This is an election year and we are urging our excos not to tilt to any political party. Rather, we should champion Igbo interests. We should look at manifestoes of the candidates, the individuals and personalities that will serve the Igbo interest, not along political or religious lines.

“We also have a duty to ensure that there is no voter apathy and that the people come out in their numbers to participate in their civic responsibility.

“We will also work to ensure a stable environment that will enable the people to participate in the elections,” the Anambra Ohaneze boss said.

In a keynote presentation, a former National Vice President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene said Ohanaeze must begin to carry itself as the leader of the Igbo nation, urging the Ohaneze leadership in the state to lead by example.

He urged the officials of Ohaneze to avoid controversial statements that can destabilize the organization but to follow its hierarchy to ensure unity of purpose
“Ohaneze operates as a family and any internal crisis must be settled amicably.
“The success of the present Ohaneze Anambra leadership is solely dependent on your support,” Okeke-Ogene urged.

On his part, the immediate past State President of the Organization, Chief Chukwuemekalum Udodeme suggested that the organization focus on strengthening of Ohaneze Ndigbo at the Local Government level.

He urged them to respect the government of the day, as is the policy of the organization, and shun programmes that will undermine the image of the group.

The immediate past Chairman of the State Association of Town Union, ASATU, Barr Titus Akpudo maintained that the new Ohaneze leadership in Anambra State has emerged and the organization’s officials have a duty to rally support for it.

He urged unity among the organization’s ranks, advising against divisive tendencies that can destroy the growth and progress of the association.

The retreat provided the opportunity for the leaders of the group to ask questions and get clarifications on some grey areas of their offices.

As a part of efforts to promote transparency, inclusivity, and collaboration in the governance of Anambra State, the government, the civil society, and the private sector have launched the State Open Government, OGP Action Plan 2.0.

The OGP Action Plan 2.0, is an improvement on the first phase implemented from 2017, when the state first signed up for the OGP, as the first state in Southern Nigeria to do so.

The partnership entails the government and the people co-creating governance in a way that elicits commitments from the state government to promote open government, combat corruption, and improve governance.

At the official launch of the OGP 2.0 in Awka, the state government through the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, also unveiled the ‘SolutionLens’, a citizens engagement platform.

Speaking at the event, the State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs Chiamaka Nnake said the Chukwuma Soludo administration is committed to running a people-centric government, evident in its speedy adoption of the OGP governance model.

According to her, through its fiscal transparency, provision of access to information, anti-corruption strides, with the support of the CSOs, the government has made the state governance a model for other states.

She affirmed the government’s commitment to openness, reforms and good governance, commending the UNICEF for its support to the initiative.

“The SolutionLens is open governance made easy and is designed to empower the people.

“It provides a centralized space for citizens to track government projects, voice their concerns, and engage directly with policymakers.

“The goal is to make a real, tangible impact on the lives of citizens,” she emphasized.

In his remarks, the MD/CEO of the Anambra State ICT Agency, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, CFA, highlighted that SolutionLens platform reflects the Governor’s vision of building a smart, livable, and prosperous megacity, describing it as a user-generated content platform that grows more dynamic and impactful through active citizen participation.

“This platform is the result of many months of dedicated research, strategy sessions, and high-level approvals.

“Anambra is among the first states to consolidate all its digital resources into a single unified platform — anambrastate.gov.ng,” Agbata added. “Solution Lens, with its dedicated URL lens.anambrastate.gov.ng, serves as an extension of this central domain. Its true strength lies in the interaction it fosters — the more Ndi Anambra engage, the more powerful and impactful it becomes.”

CFA reaffirmed the Anambra State ICT Agency’s commitment to the state’s ongoing digital transformation. “Our push for OGP 2.0 is powered by technology,” he said. “We understand that without technology, bridging any governance gap in today’s world would be challenging.”

The UNICEF Chief of Enugu Field Office, Atthawoot Op Sangkgarat said the launch is a testament of the positive mindset of the Anambra governance stakeholders and resonates with what the UNICEF believes leadership should be all about.

He encouraged the stakeholders to work together to ensure that the action plan is developed into a working plan that is implementable, reiterating UNICEF’s commitment to supporting the initiative.

Nigeria’s OGP National Coordinator, Dr Gloria Ahmed commended the state for being able to resolve issues that bedeviled the effective take-off of the second phase of the OGP, urging the state to key into the global OGP and ensure that citizens' engagement platform is adequately explored.

“One of the things I inherited when I assumed office was some kind of internal crisis in OGP Anambra State.
”I am happy that the internal issues have been resolved and we are here to launch the state action plan and this SolutionLens platform for citizen engagement.

“We are going to project the Anambra model in our peer review mechanism, to encourage other states to begin to do things differently in terms of transparency and accountability.

“The truth is that Anambra State can also key into the global OGP and I encourage the state government to be ambitious,” she said.

In their separate goodwill remarks, Mr Frank Nwegwu from the State Association of Town Unions, Ugochi Ehiahurike from the Civil Society, and Mr Chido Egemba of the Awka Chamber of Commerce, all welcomed the initiative, but called for its effective implementation, so that the benefits can be achieved.

The Anambra State OGP Focal Person, Ogochukwu Orji explained that the OGP action plan is a commitment and call on non-state actors to come to the same table with the state actors, to make decisions that will take the state forward.

She said provisions have been made to ensure effective implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the action plan.

Kenechukwu Ofomah
Awka


There is need for the Anambra State Government to evolve pragmatic initiatives for the enforcement of its free education policy in the state, to ensure that no child is denied access to quality education.

An Anambra-based educationist, Lady Chinwendu Uba, gave the suggestion in a chat with our correspondent, while reacting to the increasing number of out-of-school children in the state.

At various spots in major cities of the state, including Onitsha, Awka and Ekwulobia, children of school age are still being seen loitering during school hours.

While some were seen selling all kinds of wares, others were just playing and begging for arms, constituting an eyesore.

This development is happening despite the free education policy announced for all children in the state, by the Chukwuma Soludo administration, from primary to secondary school.

Reacting to the development, Lady Uba, who is the Proprietress of Access International Schools, Onitsha, said the growing number of out-of-school children in the state was a serious issue that needs urgent attention.
She noted that education is not just a personal benefit, but the bedrock of any society’s development, adding that as a leveller, it is only through education that the children of the lowly in the society can grow and attain the same height with their peers from wealthy families.
Uba, who acknowledged the free education policy of the state government, said the government must go beyond paperwork, to take decisive steps to ensure strict implementation of the policy.
According to her, any policy without plans for enforcement is as good as non-functional.
“First, the government must take a firm stand.
“Free and compulsory basic education should not just be a policy on paper but a reality in practice.
“More funding should go into building and maintaining schools, training teachers, and providing learning materials.
“Also, enforcement is key and there should be strict policies to ensure every child of school age is in class, not on the streets,” she posited.
Acknowledging that the enforcement of the policy should not be a government responsibility alone, Uba said parents also have a crucial role to play, by making their wards available to benefit from the government policy.
In her view, “No matter the economic hardship, education should not be seen as an option but a necessity.
“Parents must prioritize sending their children to school and take advantage of any available government support.”
She also harped on the need for charitable organizations, non-governmental organizations, and public-spirited individuals to take urgent steps to address the menace of homeless children loitering along the streets.
These steps she noted, can be in form of Scholarship programs, endowment funds, mentorship, and awareness campaigns.
“This will also ensure that children who wish to pursue quality education in private schools are supported too to achieve that ambition.
“If we fail to act now, we will be raising a generation unprepared for the future, one that will struggle with poverty, crime, and instability,” Uba emphasized.

Uchenna Johnson

The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has advised all tiers of government in Nigeria to declare a state of emergency in the health sector, to revive the nation’s ailing healthcare system and fulfill the constitutional mandate of protecting the well-being and human rights for all citizens.
Ibrahim Zikirullahi, the Executive Director of CHRICED, gave the advice in a chat with newsmen on Monday, as the 2025 World Health Day is celebrated today.
The CHRICED boss expressed deep concerns over the slow and insufficient progress towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Nigeria.
According to him, less than 5% of Nigerians are presently enrolled under the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), while over 70% continue to pay out-of-pocket for healthcare, an unsustainable and unjust burden for the average Nigerian.
This he noted, is particularly troubling given that in 2022, former President Muhammadu Buhari signed the National Health Insurance Authority Act into law, with Section 14 making health insurance mandatory for all residents.
The group said it had anticipated that the law would trigger a renewed push to expand health coverage nationwide, but regretted that the lack of enforcement and implementation had led to tragic consequences, such as the recent death of a pregnant woman whose family could not afford the ₦500,000 needed for her delivery.
“These painful stories are not isolated. Countless Nigerians continue to lose their lives or the lives of loved ones due to the prohibitive cost of healthcare and a health system that is increasingly unaffordable, especially for vulnerable groups.
“Despite the provision for a Vulnerable Group Fund under Section 25 of the NHIA Act, groups such as the elderly, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women still lack access to free or subsidized healthcare. The prevailing economic hardship in the country underscores the urgency for government to subsidize healthcare for vulnerable citizens.
“The failure to implement critical health laws and policies continues to worsen maternal and child health indicators in Nigeria. At the national level, maternal mortality stands at 576 deaths per 100,000 live births, making Nigeria one of the countries with the highest maternal mortality rates globally, according to United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF).
“This poor health outcome is exacerbated by the ongoing brain drain of medical professionals, leaving the country with an ever-declining number of skilled birth attendants and trained personnel.
“In Kano State, the statistics are even more alarming. With its high population and fertility rate, maternal mortality ranges from 576 to 1,025 deaths per 100,000 live births, and neonatal mortality is the highest in the country at 59 deaths per 1,000 live births. Only 21.5% of deliveries are attended by skilled birth attendants, highlighting a massive gap in access to quality maternal care,” the CHRICED boss noted.
The group advocated the prioritization of domestic resource mobilization for health, saying that governments at all levels must drive initiatives to enforce mandatory health insurance and use pooled funds to tackle systemic issues in the health sector.
It also suggested increase in Health budget to at Least 15%, to strengthen infrastructure and human resources, and encouragement of private sector investment in thesector, as government alone cannot do the work.
“In accordance with the NHIA Act (2022), federal and state governments must begin transparent and accountable subsidization of healthcare for the most at-risk populations.
“CHRICED believes that access to quality maternal and child healthcare is not a privilege, it is a fundamental human right. Upholding this right is essential to securing a future where every child survives and every mother thrives,” Zikirullahi posited.