News
Josephine Anichukwu: And My Mother Departs in a Blaze of Glory
By Uche Anichukwu
O proud daughter of the Irokos,
Woman of no mean linage,
Cub of the tigers and tigresses,
The intoxicating beauty of her time,
Beauty that dizzied the heads of men,
Though thou art robbed by time and toil
And though no longer art thou
That tall, fresh, provocative frame,
Which we knew and heard of,
Your today reflects your yesterday,
For beyond that seemingly tired figure
Lies a tigress and man-woman
Strong of will, defiant and resilient,
That rather cows than be cowed by odds;
That stood against the windstorms of life,
But remained afloat on life’s ocean;
That sailed roughshod against tempests
On life’s ocean, and never sank;
That wrestled malevolent spirits and flesh
And always the victor became.
Lowly river that receives
Homage of a million mountain streams.
Thou art the pride of womanhood,
The mountain among the hills,
A rare, loving, sweet mother thou art.
What hath thou found too great to sacrifice?
Pleasure, time, sleep or cowries?
Thou art never wearied of finding and giving
And your knees always bruised in prayers
Thou art the sweetest of mothers born.
I did the above poem to celebrate my mother after my national youth service, for the greatest blessing God bestowed on me and my siblings is to be birthed and raised by our dear father, the late Rabbi (Chief) Gabriel Nworie Anichukwu (Nnabuenyi) and our mother, who both had illustrious careers as teachers, with our father retiring as a headmaster. Both brought their unique endowments to bear on our upbringing.
Mama was not just any mother, but a special one in all ramifications. I will remember her as that no-nonsense woman and a disciplinarian of the strictest order. The name and tone she called readily told you whether all was well or not. When you wailed that you were dying from her cane therapies, she would retort that it was better than turning out a reprobate adult. In fact, her disciplinary actions extended to whether you finished or did not finish your food.
Our mother loathed any appearance of weakness. To her, it was a taboo to be a weakling. Thus, she, together with her husband, tried to imbue in their children humility without timidity, planting a calm storm in each of us. It was an anathema to disrespect an elder or anyone for that matter. And you must not fight. But if you must, then you better ensure you emerged the victor. You dared not sob to the house. Even if a much older child tried to bully you, Mama believed that you should be able to defend yourself creditably in one way or the other. Otherwise, she would normally ask you if she had been feeding you with sand since she birthed you and you can be sure of getting the beating of your life.
While we were little children, our mother created a roaster for manning her shop located in front of her father’s compound at Amagu Ishienu, across the river. You closed between 9:30pm and 10pm and still toddled home. Holding a lantern, you would walk alone through the pathway with bushes on both sides, and past Ukwu Ofo (debarium elastica tree) where we were made to understand that the spirits (umu mmuo) lived and milled around. Then, you would cross the railway bridge over Nvuna River. At the peak of the rainy season, Nvuna usually overflowed its banks and roared against the pillars of the bridge. Flickers of lightening made it appear as if you were walking on an ocean as they landed on the vexed river. This, we later learnt, she did to drive away every iota of fear from our bodies.
Again, while we were children, when Nvuna River rose in volume, she would first swim past to drop our farm basket, then swim back again and again to cross each of us on her back. She would tell us that Nvuna would not drown an Amagu son or daughter (Amagu produces the chief priest of Nvuna) and that we were sons and daughters of Amagu by extension because, as the Igbo goes, ebe amulu nne mmadu ka a kara imu onye ahu (transliterated as: the birthplace of someone’s mother is also where the person could have as well been born). It is not unusual to shudder at such high risks now as an adult, but those were experiences that helped in grooming our mentality to never respect obstacles.
Senior Mother Anichukwu was hard work personified. She hated laziness. She was very enterprising and hardworking even till her last days. All our pleading that she should stop farming fell on deaf ears. Back in the days, she would normally wake us up between 4:30am and 5am, saying it was already midday. We normally set forth to farm quite early in the morning. Yet, we were among the last to leave the farm. Besides the fact that the proceeds from agriculture saw us through school, we gained a sense of industry and tenacity.
Again, we could not have prayed for a more sacrificial mother. My mother gave it all. Yes, everything, just to make sure her children succeeded in life. For instance, when I passed my WAEC and JAMB examinations in 1993, ESUT had just increased the school fees to about N4,000 (Four thousand naira only). It was very tough raising such money at the time. Worse, our dad had just retired as a headmaster. A relation suggested that I could actually retake JAMB since I made it in my first attempt, a proposal my mother outrightly rejected. She said she would rather sell her entire wrappers than buy that suggestion. Both father and mother went to work, and ultimately, I was able to pay before the matriculation.
The most challenging period was after the death of our father in October 1995. I had just finished writing my second semester, first year examination in the university. There was just no hope. But my mother assured us that none of us would drop out of school. She literally overworked herself, ignoring her personal welfare. Till date, I am still unable to dislodge from my mind the image of my emaciated Mama wearing a small piece of white gown for the one whole year that she mourned our father – not because she could not afford full white wrappers from her salaries as planned, but because she prioritised our education and welfare above everything else.
Growing up partially in Calabar and Enugu under the tutelage of her late elder brother, Quantity Surveyor (Chief) Sonde’ Nwanvu Anyianuka, an illustrious son of Nkanuland and politician, my mother was a bit exposed to politics early in her life. Importantly, she was fearless. When I made known my intention to run for the Councillorship seat of Nomeh Ward in 2002, many relations besieged our home, expressing concerns over my safety. Her two elder sisters, Uzoamaka and Christiana (both late now), came crying and begging her to stop me. But she insisted that I was already a man, a graduate, and would not return to her womb.
I was in that race until our elders appealed to me to step down for people from another division of Nomeh. But that venture proved fortuitous both for me and Nomeh Unateze community, leading to a chain of events that lifted me and my community. Chief among them is the ongoing Nenwe-Nomeh-Mburumbu-Nara Road (with a spur to Oduma), a federal project facilitated by my former principal, His Excellency, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, CFR (Ikeoha Ndigbo) and which my current principal, the Disruptive Innovator, and Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Dr. Peter Mbah, has already flagged-off for completion in line with his infrastructural transformation crusade across the state. The construction of road to Nomeh, with its far-reaching economic and social impact, is an eternal legacy to the memories of my parents, for without God’s grace and their sacrifices to see me through in life, perhaps I would not have had the opportunity to function at the level that made this happen. Till her death, Mama would usually dance and hype over the road.
I will forever cherish her fearlessness, even in the face of gravest danger. In fact, she did not even fear death. Before departing Nomeh for her medical care, she had the premonition that the hour had come, and she prepared herself for it.
It is, therefore, so heartwarming that friends and relations across the world, the Church, and His Excellency and my boss, Governor Peter Mbah, who was also in Nomeh in person, all rallied round us to ensure that she exited triumphantly and in a blaze of glory. My mother that I know could not have wished for more. Nature too was not left out in testing to the great woman that she was, as Nomeh Unateze experienced the first rain of the year 2025 that same evening, soon after she was sown back to mother earth.
Madam Energy, work was food to you;
Enterprise was in your bloodstream,
Teacher, disciplinarian par excellence.
My fearless Lion, woman of valour,
Braver than 10 lions.
My prayer warrior, the indefatigable fighter.
Cat with 10 lives
Death did not conquer you.
Even Death and evil spirits dreaded you.
You’ve only gone the way of all mortals.
Your time simply came and you went to be with the Lord.
Your legacies have immortalised you.
My sweet mother, you vanquished Death.
Surely, life will never be the same without you,
But you vowed to watch over us in life and in death.
Chibuzo, Chidera (you called her Ogbom) bid you farewell;
Mmaduabuchi (Chimuanya) and Osy Power bid you goodnight.
Mama, I wept uncontrollably since your demise,
But at your funerals, I chose to dance, not mourn you
As you overcame, and triumphantly you returned.
Rest in peace, Nnem
Ogwene, Ada Nwankwo Anuka Orji
Ada Anuka Enyi,
Ada Njoku Ekwe,
Atu egwu,
Agu Nwanyi,
Nkenke enyi na-achu igwe enyi oso,
Nwanyi na ibe ya ra bu n’onu.
Mama, I’ll love you till eternity.
Obodo gbara onwe, ochighi echi
Ya diba.
• Anichukwu is media aide to the Governor of Enugu State
News
2027 Elections: IPC Trains Online Publishers on Fact-Checking, Accountability, Inclusive Reporting
The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos, has urged journalists and online publishers to strengthen fact-checking, professional ethics, accountability and inclusive reporting ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The centre also called on media organisations to move beyond partisan political coverage and prioritise issues affecting citizens, including insecurity, unemployment, education, healthcare, electricity, transportation and access to public services.
The call was made during a two-day media interface with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and editors and publishers on the Democratic Scorecard (Enugu State Edition), held from November 4 to 5, 2026, at BON Hotel Platinum, Independence Layout, Enugu.
The initiative was organised under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) programme, aimed at strengthening the capacity of journalists in credible electoral reporting, combating corruption and promoting informed citizen participation in democratic processes.
Speaking at the workshop, the Executive Director of IPC, Dr Lanre Arogundade, represented by the programme manager, Stella Nwofia, stressed the need for journalists to prioritise accuracy over speed, uphold professional standards and hold political office holders accountable through credible and independent reporting.
He urged online publishers and editors to ensure inclusive electoral coverage by giving adequate attention to women, young people, persons living with disabilities, internally displaced persons and other underrepresented groups.
Arogundade observed that while digital platforms had expanded opportunities for information sharing and public participation, they had also accelerated the spread of misinformation, manipulated content, hate speech and divisive narratives.
He, therefore, urged online publishers to strengthen their fact-checking and verification skills, particularly when reporting politically sensitive issues, warning against the pressure to break stories at the expense of accuracy.
He maintained that fact-checking and verification must remain integral to responsible electoral journalism rather than optional additions to the profession.
The IPC executive director also emphasised the need to protect the safety and professional independence of journalists, insisting that media practitioners must be allowed to discharge their legitimate responsibilities without intimidation, harassment or unlawful interference.
In a presentation titled, “2027 General Elections in the Context of Democratic and Accountability Reporting: Scanning the Electoral Environment and Reporting Citizens’ Priority Concerns,” Professor Ifeoma Dunu, Director of UNIZIK Radio, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, challenged journalists to place citizens’ interests at the centre of electoral reporting rather than focusing predominantly on politicians and their activities.
Dunu observed that media coverage often gives prominence to political rallies, campaign promises and party differences, while critical issues affecting ordinary citizens receive insufficient attention.
She urged journalists to interrogate campaign promises, scrutinise government budgets, track the implementation of public projects and evaluate the performance of elected officials.
She identified insecurity, unemployment, education, healthcare, electricity, transportation and access to public services as key issues that should dominate the media agenda ahead of the 2027 elections.
The university don also highlighted the importance of monitoring the electoral, legal, political, institutional, economic, social inclusion, public service, security and information environments to ensure comprehensive electoral coverage.
Another presentation, delivered by Mr Olusola Oludiran, focused on fact-checking and the utilisation of digital tools in journalism.
Oludiran examined the growing challenge of misinformation, manipulated information and artificial intelligence-generated content, stressing the importance of verification and responsible dissemination of information in protecting public trust and the credibility of the media.
The workshop also examined the Democratic Scorecard as a tool for measuring democratic performance and strengthening accountability.
Participants were encouraged to scrutinise the obligations of public institutions, examine the management of public resources and budgets, monitor government promises against actual delivery and assess government interventions through measurable outcomes.
The engagement further emphasised the importance of community participation and sustained investigations into citizens’ concerns, urging journalists to translate public priorities into editorial decisions and consistent accountability reporting.
In her opening remarks, Nwofia acknowledged the importance of the capacity-building initiative, noting that the growing demand for speed and visibility in online publishing sometimes undermined accuracy.
She observed that many online publishers in Enugu were experienced journalists who had moved from established media organisations to establish their own platforms, making continuous professional development necessary.
She expressed optimism that the training would improve participants’ professional capacity, create better opportunities for online publishers in the state and strengthen their visibility in the national media space.
Nwofia urged participants to take the lessons seriously, share the knowledge acquired with their staff and incorporate the best practices into their daily newsroom operations.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Corporate Online Chapel of the NUJ, Enugu State Council, Clinton Umeh, pledged that online publishers in the state would translate the lessons from the workshop into improved newsroom practices.
Umeh described the initiative as an important intervention for independent online media practitioners, many of whom had acquired years of experience in established media organisations before establishing their own platforms.
He acknowledged the intense competition for speed and visibility in digital publishing, noting that the pressure to break stories first could sometimes compromise accuracy.
He said the training would help participants consolidate their existing knowledge, improve their professional output and strengthen the visibility of Enugu-based online publishers.
Umeh particularly welcomed the opportunity for practitioners in the state to benefit from professional exposure and networking opportunities available to online publishers in major media centres such as Lagos and Abuja.
He assured the organisers that participants would put the knowledge acquired into practice and extend its benefits to their employees and other members of their respective organisations.
The NUJ chapel chairman also noted that independent online publishers largely depend on their capacity and productivity to earn a living, making professional competence and commitment essential to the sustainability of their media businesses.
He called for the continuation of similar interventions, stressing that opportunities to interact with media practitioners across the country would promote networking, collaboration and professional growth.
Arogundade, in his remarks, urged participants to make the engagement practical by sharing experiences from their respective media organisations, asking critical questions and developing ideas that would improve electoral reporting across print, broadcast and online platforms.
He said the success of the engagement should not be measured merely by the quality of discussions or the number of participants, but by the stories published, claims verified, citizens’ concerns amplified, accountability questions raised and professional standards upheld in the months leading to the 2027 elections.
He appreciated the NUJ Enugu State Council for supporting the engagement, as well as the resource persons who accepted the invitation to lead the deliberations. He also acknowledged the European Union for providing funding support for the project.
The Advocate reports that the initiative is expected to translate into stronger verification practices, more inclusive electoral coverage and sustained public-interest journalism as media organisations prepare for the 2027 general elections.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by Senator David Mark, declaring its actions and decisions on behalf of the party invalid.
The ruling also affects the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the ADC’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, as the party’s primary was conducted under the leadership declared unlawful by the court.
Atiku, whose name had earlier appeared on the list of presidential candidates published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), had reportedly picked former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as his running mate.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Peter Lifu declared unlawful the caretaker committee led by Mark, which organised the party’s presidential primary that produced Atiku as its candidate.
The judgment followed a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC National Deputy Chairman (North-East), who challenged the process through which the Mark-led group assumed control of the party.
Gombe argued that following the resignation of the former National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally entitled to assume leadership of the party.
He consequently approached the court, seeking to invalidate the activities and decisions taken by the Mark-led leadership on behalf of the ADC.
The defendants in the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, included the ADC, INEC, Senator David Mark, former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, and Chief Ralph Nwosu.
The plaintiff also sought an order restraining Mark and Aregbesola from parading themselves as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively, insisting that their appointments violated the ADC constitution and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.
Justice Lifu upheld the plaintiff’s arguments and granted the reliefs sought.
The decision is expected to trigger fresh political uncertainty within the ADC, particularly as political activities intensify ahead of the January 16, 2027 presidential election.
However, the party has indicated its intention to challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal.
The ADC National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, who was subsequently joined in the proceedings as an interested party, confirmed that the party would appeal the ruling.
The Ebonyi State Government has issued a 30-day ultimatum to occupants of a structurally defective building at No. 10 Aguluezechukwu Street, Abakaliki, directing them to vacate the premises over serious safety concerns.
The directive was issued by the Ministry of Capital City and Urban Planning following an on-site assessment led by the Commissioner, Richard Ugo Idike, alongside the Head of the Town Planning Department, Esther Nwite, other town planners and the ministry’s enforcement task force.
During the inspection, Idike expressed concern over visible structural defects and substandard construction, describing the building as an imminent threat to lives and property.
“The state government will not compromise on the safety of residents. Our ministry remains committed to ensuring that all structures across Ebonyi State strictly adhere to approved building codes and regulatory standards,” Idike said.
He explained that the 30-day notice would give the property owner time to undertake the necessary structural remedial works to prevent a possible collapse, while allowing occupants sufficient time to secure alternative accommodation.
“This notice is necessary to avert building failure and protect human lives. Occupants must make alternative arrangements before the expiration of the deadline to avoid tragic outcomes,” the commissioner added.
Idike said the ministry would intensify monitoring and enforcement activities across the state capital to identify unsafe structures, warning that properties found to be in violation of building regulations would face prompt regulatory action.
He said the exercise was in line with the urban renewal and public safety agenda of the Ebonyi State Government under Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru to ensure an orderly and secure capital city.
The ministry’s task force also urged property owners, developers and builders across the state to adhere strictly to approved building plans, engage certified professionals and use quality construction materials to prevent structural failures.
Occupants of the affected building are expected to comply with the evacuation directive within the stipulated 30-day period.
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