Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has banned ministries, departments and agencies from giving awards of any kind to internal government officials.

The Governor said such awards and recognitions given by ministries and agencies to internal officials have the tendency to promote mediocrity, adding that henceforth, only awards and recognitions from outside the government can be accepted.

According to a statement by Christian Aburime, Press Secretary to the Governor, which was sent to Nationwide Reports Sunday, Soludo said the directive is with immediate effect.

The statement said- “Following a due directive by Mr Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, please be advised that the Anambra State Government has issued a strong warning against the idea and practice of government organs, departments and agencies or its affiliates presenting merit, honour, or recognition awards to officers within this same government.

“As an ethical leader who abhors undue self-promotion, Mr. Governor particularly frowns on any attempt at self-recognition awards in this administration.

“While recognising and appreciating the hard work, excellence, and dedication of government employees is crucial, such accolades should ideally originate from external, independent organisations.

“Also, while internal appreciation is commendable, it is important to emphasise that awarding of merit awards by government agencies or its affiliates to their own officers can create a perception of impropriety and abuse of privilege. True excellence should be recognised objectively and impartially, and external validation from independent bodies carries greater weight and credibility.

“The government encourages all relevant bodies to prioritise, if necessary, external recognition opportunities for deserving officers. These could include awards from professional bodies, civil society organisations, and other reputable institutions that conduct independent evaluations and adhere to rigorous selection criteria.

“Therefore, as this directive aims to uphold the highest standards of transparency, merit, objectivity, and integrity within the Anambra State Government as always advocated by Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, all organs of the state government and its affiliates are enjoined to comply accordingly.”

Anambra people magazine

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo said his administration would begin to document all the native doctors practicing in the state, as part of the strategies to combating the alarming rate of insecurity in the state.

Soludo declared this on Friday at the 2024 Public Service Day celebration in the state, which held at the Jerome Udorji Secretariat Complex, Awka, Anambra State capital.

Themed “Ensuring Safety and Health at Work in a Changing Climate”, the event, which is an annual ceremony to celebrate the public servants in the state, also attracted top government functionaries and public servants from different MDAs in the state.

He highlighted the various giant strides and achievements recorded by his administration in different sectors and different parts of the state and lauded the state’s workforce and its leadership for giving their best, and for their exceptional support, efforts, and inputs which, he said, had contributed significantly to progress of the state.

Soludo reiterated the administration’s commitment to its vision of making Anambra a livable and prosperous homeland, emphasizing that his administration’s projects, policies and programs are usually targeted in such a way that they can benefit everyone, irrespective of class or social status —all in the spirit of Onye Aghana Nwanne Ya (Leaving No One Behind). These projects, policies and programs, the Governor noted, have contributed in massive influx of people into the state, as a destination hub it’s envisioned to be.

While acknowledging that Anambra used to be a home for all, Soludo, however, emphasized that the state should be home for all law-abiding citizens, and not for anyone who would come to distort the peace and progress of the state.

The Governor, who said that over 70% of the hoodlums and criminal elements so far arrested in Anambra are non-indigenes, also recalled that his administration recently briefed the citizens on the security situation in the state, where he also rolled out some kinetic and non-kinetic mechanisms and strategies towards combating the situation, one of which is the launching of a new security force, known as “Udo Ga-Achị.”

Information officers in Anambra State have been charged to commence massive enlightenment campaigns on ‘Operation Udo Ga Achi,’ a Joint Security outfit recently launched by Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

The State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor gave the charge while speaking during the End of Year Get Together/Award Winning Day organized by staff of the Ministry at Jerome Udoji Secretariat, Awka.

He tasked the Information Officers to  sensitize the people as the network was initiated to address security challenges in the state and to ensure a crime free yuletide.

“There is no hiding place for criminals in Anambra State. Let everyone know that time has passed when people can live in the bush, stealing, kidnapping, killing people, extorting money under the guise that they are agitators or ESN fighting for the release of Nnamdi Kanu or protecting South East.

“If you see something,say something because the person free today may be a victim tomorrow. Disseminate the information. In the case of danger call 5111, it is a toll free phone number and the persons managing the line have a good reputation for protecting people’s identity with utmost confidentiality,” said Mefor.

The commissioner further stated that he was present to accomplish the promise he made to the information officers four months ago when he assumed office as the commissioner, saying that he was brought in to re-jig the ministry and those who were willing to give their best would be highly motivated.

“It is not ‘Ike Otuonye’ rather it has been collective efforts. Solidarity made you available here, from September 17, 2024 till now 4 months and 2 days since I came onboard. If you have not been writing, the bulletin which the ministry publishes every week wouldn’t have been coming out up to the current 9th edition.

“Two committees have been established to ensure that Anambra people and the world are abreast of the good works, developments, programs and projects accomplished by the present Soludo led administration at different sectors of the state. One committee is at Ministry of Information headquarters and another one is at ABS for our weekly live Radio/TV interactive programs tagged ‘ Ask the Commissioner.”

Mefor also reviewed the performance sheet of the information officers with reference to the number of reports they send in from their various stations and commended those who endeavored to send in their news stories for the bulletin, Facebook, Instagram, X handle and website publication platforms but frowned at those information officers who did not bother to file in stories.

“The primary role of the information officers are to collect information not just a management role of the Public Relations Officer (image makers).Let’s reorganize our thoughts and approach the work with new zeal because even the governor is interested in seeing your individual performances,” he said.

Highlights of the event was announcement of the Commissioner’s Prize winners/Best News reporters with highest number of stories with Juliana Nwachukwu meeting winning 1st position, Chizoba Okeke as 2nd while Ugwunze Uzochukwu took the 3rd position.

Other awardees included Obiageli Nwankwo, Ifeyinwa Ogwo, Michael Ezenwata, Chukwuka Ugokwe, Chukwudi Nwauba, Uche Kalu and Nnedimma Okeke

Earlier, the Director’s Prize Award recipients were Regina Igwebuike (Best Editor), Uche Kalu(Most Hardworking Headquarter staff), Uchechi Emmanuella Okani(Most punctual Headquarter staff).