Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has sacked all transition committee chairmen across the 21 local government areas of the state.
This is contained in a letter titled ‘Expiration of tenure and handover to Heads of Local Government Administrations (HLGAs),’ dated May 17, 2024, and signed by the state Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Collins Nwabunwanne.
The order takes effect from Monday, May 20, 2024.
The letter read, “Following the expiration of your tenure as Transition Committee Chairman, you are hereby directed to handover the affairs of your Local Government Council to the Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA), in your respective Local Government Councils.
“This directive takes effect from Monday, 20th day of May, 2024. Thank you for your service to the state.
“All replies to be addressed to the Honourable Commissioner.”
The last time LG elections were held in Anambra State was towards the end of former Governor Peter Obi-led administration in 2014.
Since then, the local governments have been run by caretaker committee chairmen.
It was 10 years in January 2024 since the elections were last held, after the administrations of another former governor, Willie Obiano, and incumbent, Soludo.
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During a forum organised by the International Peace and Civic Responsibility Centre in collaboration with the African Centre for Leadership and Development in December 2023, stakeholders including monarchs, clerics and residents, urged Soludo to conduct elections in the 21 LGs in the state, adding that governance is suffering at the grassroots due to the non-elected officials.
Meanwhile, Soludo had, during the 2021 governorship campaign and even at his swearing-in as the state governor on March 17, 2022, assured all that he would conduct LG elections within six months in office.
Air Peace Ltd. has announced the suspension of all flight operations nationwide due to the ongoing strike embarked upon by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET).
This is contained in a statement signed by the Head of Corporate Communications, Air Peace, Dr Ejike Ndiulo, on Wednesday in Lagos.
According to Ndiulo, the decision is necessary because NiMet is the agency responsible for issuing CNH (Current Nowcast of Hazardous Weather) reports, critical for safe landings, especially during this season of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.
He said without these reports from the control tower, flight safety could not be guaranteed.
“As a safety-first airline, we have chosen to act responsibly by suspending operations until NiMet resumes full service.
“We understand this may cause inconvenience, and we sincerely apologise. Passengers will be contacted with updates and options for rescheduling,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the staff of NiMET on Tuesday commenced an indefinite strike over the condition of service and other demands. (NAN)
Peter Obi joins global leaders to honour Pope Francis in Rome. Credit: X | PeterObi
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Former Governor of Anambra State and 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, joined thousands of mourners, global dignitaries, and clergy today at St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, to pay his final respects to the late Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21.
The solemn lying-in-state ceremony marked the beginning of a series of events leading to the funeral of the revered Pontiff, scheduled for Saturday, April 26.
This was made known in a statement shared on his X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday.
Describing the moment as one of deep reflection, Obi paid tribute to the Pope’s life of humility, service, and unwavering commitment to the poor and marginalised.
He recalled his encounters with the late Pope, highlighting the profound impact they had on his understanding of leadership and moral responsibility. Obi also shared his experience as a member of Scholars Occultantes, an international think-tank founded by the Pope during his tenure as Archbishop, focused on ethical leadership and truth-driven social transformation.
He further called on leaders across Africa, political, religious, and community, to emulate the values Pope Francis championed which he said were justice, peace, and human dignity.
Peter Obi joins global leaders to honour Pope Francis in Rome. Credit: X | PeterObi
Sharing photos Obi wrote, “Today, I joined Francis Cardinal Arinze, global dignitaries, and thousands of mourners at St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome, to pay my final respects to His Holiness, Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21. The solemn lying-in-state ceremony was a moment of deep reflection, as the world bids farewell to a man who embodied humility, simplicity, and selfless service.
“Pope Francis was more than a Pontiff; he was a moral light in a world darkened by inequality and indifference. His life was a testament to leadership as a sacred duty, one rooted in compassion, truth, and service to the poor and marginalised. He lived for others, spoke for the voiceless, and reminded us all that leadership must be about lifting others, not self-exaltation.
“I came to truly appreciate what he stood for after my appointment as a member of Scholars Occultantes – an international circle of thinkers he founded during his time as Archbishop. The organisation, dedicated to truth, ethical leadership, and social transformation, gave me a deeper insight into the intellectual and moral force behind his teachings.
“I was blessed to meet Pope Francis on three occasions. Each encounter left a lasting impression. He radiated peace and inspired faith, and his presence was a quiet yet powerful reminder of the divine responsibility that leadership entails. His humility was infectious, his vision deeply human.
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Peter Obi joins global leaders to honour Pope Francis in Rome. Credit: X | PeterObi
“As we mourn this great soul, I urge political, religious, and community leaders, especially across Africa, to reflect on his life and commit to the values he upheld: justice, peace, and human dignity. Let this moment not just be one of mourning, but a call to lead with conscience, walk with the people, and govern with love.
Cardinal Francis Arinze and Peter Obi in Rome to honour Pope Francis Credit: X | PeterObi
“May Pope Francis’ soul rest in perfect peace, and may his legacy live on in all who seek to serve humanity selflessly.”
Pope Francis died on Monday at the age of 88, marking the end of a papacy defined by humility, reform, and a deep commitment to the marginalised.
The Holy See Press Office had announced that the funeral of Pope Francis will take place on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 10am in St. Peter’s Square
Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue has appointed music legend, Innocent Idibia popularly known as 2Baba as his Technical Adviser on Entertainment and Community Outreach.
Alia announced the appointment at Government House, Makurdi, on Wednesday, when he received the music icon who paid him a sympathy visit.
The governor described 2Baba as a worthy ambassador of the state while also acknowledging his exploits in the global music industry.
Alia also appreciated 2Baba’s contributions to the vulnerable community through his humanitarian activities.
He expressed optimism that 2Baba would bring his wealth of experience and global influence to bear on his new appointment.
“Thank you for following up on the protocol. In our camps we have the support of the international community and there is an international standard. People abuse everything nowadays, and people politicise everything including insecurity for some reasons.
“So when you want to come and visit the IDPs, it is a very welcome idea, but we need to know who goes in and out of the camps.
“They have been traumatised enough so we need to protect them. Some members in the open space out there do not understand this. They feel it is an open house you just walk in and out, ” Alia said.
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The governor, who lamented the spate of killings in the state occasioned by the renewed gunmen attacks, called on the federal government and public spirited individual to collaborate with the state in addressing the insecurity.
“What pains most is that these are unprovoked attacks and the aim of the killers, the bandits, terrorists, murderers is very simple, come kill, conquer and occupy.
“That is extremely unacceptable by any standard. We are farmers and best at what we do. If you remove farming from us you have already rendered us helpless,” he said.
Earlier, 2Baba said the visit was to condole with the state government over the killings in the state.
He expressed readiness to lend his support where necessary and urged well-meaning Nigerians to collaborate with the governor to overcome the situation.
Also speaking, Head of Communications, 2Baba Foundation, Enoch Ocheni, said as a Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees, 2Baba, through his foundation would continue to fight for the rights of the displaced.
Ocheni said the foundation would also support refugees, provide relief materials and healthcare services for orphanages as well as water and sanitation.(NAN)
