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Soludo celebrates new yam, calls for unified festival among ndi Igbo
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, has advocated joint celebration of new yam for ndị Igbo of Eastern region extraction.
The Governor made the call at Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, during the Maiden edition of Anambra Iri Ji Festival.
The Governor said that celebrating the Iri Ji Festival in unison will show the world that the Igbo has a wonderful culture, pointing out that it was the first time every local government in the state came together to celebrate.
A statement Saturday by his Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, quoted Soludo to have assured that the festival would be mainstreamed to be celebrated in coming the years, expressing optimism that next year would be greater.
“Our culture is not just dance display but a totality of who we are, how we dress, how we talk, in terms of our core values. Our culture is an embodiment of who we are. It is a celebration of our hardwork”; the Governor said.
Governor Soludo used the occasion to highlight his administration’s commitment to promoting Igbo culture and values, pointing out that his administration will also continue to mainstream compassion and carrying each other along, leaving nobody behind.
“This is evident in our education, health, youth development and palliatives given to cushion the effects of fuel Subsidy,” he said.
The Governor also thanked all the state and local government cultural troupes for their colorful display of cultural procession, and assured that next year there would be prizes for the best local government with the best cultural procession performance.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Entertainment, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Donatus Onyenji, recalled that Governor Soludo charged Ndigbo in his manifesto to rediscover their core values and culture, pointing out that the 2023 Anambra Iri Ji Festival is part of the programme to continue to promote and sustain the rich Igbo culture and tradition.
On his part, the Chairman of Anambra State Traditional Rulers’ Council, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, while applauding Governor Soludo and his wife, explained that the Anambra Traditional Rulers Council is in partnership with the South East Traditional Rulers Council and some groups of Archbishops to continue to promote the core principles and values of Igbo culture and tradition.
There was a display of cultural procession from representatives of all twenty-one local government areas in Anambra State.
Anaocha Council area which harvested the biggest yam among all the others local government areas, won the prize money.
Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Nonye Soludo, the Speaker Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Somtochukwu Udeze, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, Principal Secretary to the Governor, Mr. J.P.C. Anetoh, Chief Protocol officer, Hon. Chinedu Nwoye ( Glamour) and Members of Anambra State Executive Council, Members of Anambra State House of Assembly, Transition Committee Chairmen, Traditional Rulers, President-Generals, among others, attended the event.
15 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, have left the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Amaewhule disclosed the lawmakers’ decision during Friday’s plenary, attributing their defection to what he called a “clear division” within the PDP.
“Distinguished colleagues, very happily, let me announce that your Speaker has decided, and has indeed written to my ward chairman of my decision, to leave the PDP. APC is my new party,” Amaewhule said.
Amaewhule’s Deputy, Dumle Maol, is one of the 16 lawmakers that joined APC as well.
All the lawmakers, who have jumped ship, are core loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Chief Nyesom Wike.
The Central Bank of Nigeria,has rolled out a new framework ito expedite handling of fraud accusations and refund victims.
Customers must report suspected fraudulent transactions within 72 hours under this draft guideline, and financial institutions have 16 working days to look into the matter and repay money.
The action comes in the wake of a dramatic increase in banking sector fraud.
According to data from the Financial Institutions Training Center, losses in the first quarter of 2025 increased to ₦3.29 billion, a startling 603 percent increase over the previous year. In the same time frame, reported cases also increased to 12,347.
The November 26, 2025, proposed regulations seek to improve bank accountability, expedite reimbursements, and boost prevention.
Director of the Financial Policy and Regulation Department Rita Sike signed the circular, which describes stricter regulations intended to prevent fraud before it occurs.
The apex bank’s ongoing fight against financial fraud has advanced with the adoption of this guidance. To enhance cooperation between operators, it established the Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum in 2011.
It directed banks to establish specialized fraud bureaus four years later. By requiring BVN or NIN for account opening, it reinforced Know Your Customer checks in 2023.
Operatives of the Department of State Service have arrested a medical doctor treating wounded kidnappers inside the forest in different parts of Kwara State.
The suspect, whose name could not be ascertained at press time, was also involved in supplying drugs to kidnapping gangs operating in Kwara.
The DSS intercepted the medical doctor in the Jebba area after intelligence reports revealed that some couriers had been moving medical supplies from Sokoto to treat wounded bandits hiding in forests across the state.
A security official said many of the criminal groups have sustained gunshot injuries in recent encounters with forces.
The source said, “So, we are advising improved security measures in health facilities in thickly forested areas which the kidnappers may target.”
Confirming the development, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Kwara State, Rafiu Ajakaye, said the arrest was another significant breakthrough in ongoing efforts to combat banditry.
Ajakaye noted that the state government will continue to strengthen collaboration with security agencies to shut down all channels aiding kidnapping activities.
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