The push for the creation of Anioma State has gathered unprecedented momentum, with 97 senators reportedly endorsing the proposal as it advances through legislative and consultative stages, according to Senator Ned Nwoko.

Speaking on Saturday at the Izu Anioma Towns Union event in Abuja, where the maiden Anioma Cultural Festival (Anioma Day) was unveiled, Nwoko described the growing support as “a defining moment in Nigeria’s constitutional history.”

Nwoko, who represents Delta North Senatorial District, revealed that the statehood bill he introduced two years ago has now secured signatures from 97 members of the upper chamber.

He said the proposed Anioma State would comprise nine local government areas of Delta North: four from Aniocha and Oshimili, two from Ika, and three from Ndokwa, while some adjoining communities like Igbanke have expressed willingness to join.

“Only one new state will be created in Nigeria, and that one state will be Anioma,” he declared, noting that the proposal reflects the need to balance the geopolitical structure of the country.

According to the lawmaker, both the Senate and House Committees on Constitutional Amendment have agreed that the South-East deserves an additional state to achieve parity with other zones.

Nwoko disclosed that the initiative enjoys the support of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who, he said, has promised to give his assent once all constitutional processes are completed.

“We have done our homework. Consultations and lobbying have been extensive. Nothing is being left undone,” he assured.

He announced that a high-level meeting will hold next weekend in Awka, Anambra State, bringing together South-East governors, National Assembly members, traditional rulers, and Anioma representatives to adopt Anioma as the region’s unified demand.

Nwoko outlined the next procedural steps as including documentation for the Presidency, concurrence by state assemblies, governors’ approval, and a national referendum to allow residents to affirm their choice.

If successful, Anioma would become the sixth state in the South-East and one of two states in the new Delta region, with Asaba as its capital.

“I did not start this struggle, but I will finish it. Anioma State will mark the beginning of a new era,” Nwoko said to applause.

Earlier, Chief (Barr.) Luke Enelichi, President of the Izu Anioma Towns Union, described the movement as a quest for equity and recognition, not mere politics.

He argued that despite Anioma’s immense contributions to Delta State and Nigeria’s development, the people have long been denied a state that embodies their cultural and historical identity.

“The creation of Anioma will bring governance closer to the people, guarantee fair representation, equitable resource allocation, and balanced development,” Enelichi said.

He urged Anioma citizens across Aniocha, Ndokwa, Ika, and Oshimili to remain united and focused.

“We are one Anioma,” he declared.

The event also featured awards of honour to distinguished Anioma indigenes, including Senator Nwoko, who was recognised for his leadership and advocacy for the region’s development.

By Dr. Malachy Chuma Ochie,

In an era where digital technology defines global competitiveness, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State is demonstrating that visionary leadership is not about rhetoric but about strategic action.

His administration’s decision to extend the Digital Literacy Training Programme to civil servants across all 17 local government areas is yet another proof that Enugu is on an irreversible path to modernization and smart governance.

The programme, executed through the Enugu SME Center and Office of Digital Economy (Enugu SME & Startup Agency), in partnership with Barr. Nana Ogbodo, Chairman of the Enugu Local Government Service Commission, marks a bold and transformative step in taking digital governance to the grassroots.

According to Arinze Chilo-Offiah, Special Adviser to the Governor on MSMEs and Digital Economy and Director-General of the Enugu SME Center, the ongoing onboarding of local government staff signifies a decisive phase in building a “future-ready civil service.”

This vision aligns squarely with Governor Mbah’s broader commitment to transforming Enugu State into a digital powerhouse, one that is efficient, transparent, and inclusive.

Governor Mbah is not one to shy away from the challenges of governance.

He is a focused leader, a pathfinder, a man sold completely to his vision of transforming Enugu State into a model of innovation-driven development.

He embodies the courage and foresight required to lead a sub-national government into the future.

Enugu State is, without doubt, blessed to have such a trailblazer at the helm; a governor who understands that the world has gone digital and that the greatest asset of any modern government is an informed and technologically literate workforce.

Those who dismiss digital literacy as a luxury in governance are, quite frankly, living in a bygone age. In today’s interconnected world; a world driven by artificial intelligence, data analytics, e-governance, and online service delivery; digital illiteracy is equivalent to administrative paralysis.

It hampers efficiency, frustrates innovation, and locks communities out of global opportunities.

Governor Mbah understands this reality and is determined to ensure that no local government, however remote, is left behind in Enugu’s digital transformation journey.

By empowering local government civil servants with digital skills, the Mbah administration is laying the groundwork for smart governance, where administrative processes are faster, service delivery is improved, and public accountability is enhanced.

This, in turn, will have ripple effects on productivity, investment attraction, and citizen engagement.

The economic implications are profound. A digitally literate civil service is better positioned to support entrepreneurs, process business permits seamlessly, and interface efficiently with investors.

As more public services move online, Enugu State’s business environment will become more transparent, responsive, and attractive to both local and foreign investors.

The result is a stronger economy driven by innovation, efficiency, and human capital development.

Governor Mbah’s strategy is not just about technology; it is about people. It is about building confidence among workers, creating opportunities for self-improvement, and fostering a culture of excellence across the public sector.

The emphasis on digital literacy underscores a new philosophy of governance in Enugu State: that progress begins with knowledge, and that knowledge must be shared widely, from the Lion Building to the remotest village.

As the digital literacy programme spreads across the 17 LGAs, Enugu is quietly reinventing itself from a civil service once defined by paperwork to one powered by data and innovation.

Governor Mbah’s bold steps affirm that he is not only a reformer but a visioner, one determined to leave an indelible mark on the sands of time.

Enugu’s future is digital, and under Peter Mbah’s leadership, that future is already unfolding.

Dr. Ochie, Public Affairs Analyst and Research Consultant, wrote from Maduka University, Ekwegbe-Nsukka

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Sunday told former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi to abandon any aspirations for the 2027 presidency, following his party’s poor performance in his own polling unit during the Anambra governorship election.

The APC argued that Obi’s inability to command support in his immediate community raises serious doubts about his ability to govern the country.

Seye Oladejo, spokesman for the Lagos APC, questioned how Obi could lead Nigeria when he “cannot even win his own polling unit.”

In a statement, Oladejo said:

“A man who cannot win at home has no business dreaming of leading a nation. A candidate rejected in his own street cannot claim nationwide acceptance.”

“This defeat highlights the crumbling of the Peter Obi myth. We hope he will not seek foreign intervention to salvage his political fortunes, as he has attempted in the past. Nigeria’s democracy is not a toy for politicians seeking sympathy abroad after being rejected at home.”

Oladejo contrasted Obi’s approach with that of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying:

“While President Tinubu is focused on rebuilding institutions, fixing the economy, expanding infrastructure, attracting investments, and restoring global confidence, Peter Obi is preoccupied with contradictory interviews, international validation, and hashtags that collapse at the ballot box. If Obi cannot command trust at home, he should forget 2027. Nigerians will not entrust their future to someone whose own people have withdrawn their confidence.”

He described the APC’s win in Obi’s polling unit as “symbolic, conclusive, and prophetic,” reflecting a national preference for performance over propaganda, structure over chaos, and delivery over deception.

“Peter Obi should spare the nation further melodrama. He must first repair the political damage at home before pretending he can fix Nigeria,” Oladejo concluded.

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has pledged that the state will lead Nigeria in achieving crash-free highways, leveraging technology, community engagement, and strengthened partnerships with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

Mbah made the declaration on Sunday at the FRSC 2025 Enugu Sectoral Workshop for Special Marshals and Investiture of Honourary Special Marshals, held in Enugu.

The event had the theme: “Enhancing Security and Safety Strategies for Special Marshals Operations.”

Represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Chief Sunday Ajogwu, the governor said his administration had embarked on extensive road rehabilitation projects, with over 1,000 kilometres of roads reconstructed across the state, a development that has already reduced road crashes by 25 per cent on key corridors, including the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway.

“Transportation safety is not merely a technical issue but a moral imperative,” Mbah stated.

“We will continue to support FRSC initiatives through legislative backing, provision of modern patrol vehicles, and deployment of AI-powered surveillance under the Enugu Security Trust Fund.”

He assured the FRSC of his government’s full cooperation in ensuring safer highways, commending the agency’s Enugu Command for its proactive role in promoting road safety and discipline.

Earlier in his remarks, the FRSC Enugu Sector Commander, Mr Franklin Agbakoba, described the Special Marshals Scheme as the foundation of community partnership in promoting safety, noting that the volunteer corps remains a vital pillar of the FRSC’s outreach and impact.

“Special Marshals are ambassadors of the Corps across communities and professions, serving voluntarily and exemplifying true citizenship,” Agbakoba said.

The National Coordinator of Special Marshals, Mr Usman Adaji, represented by Mr Friday Ekhator, observed a minute’s silence in honour of fallen marshals and applauded their commitment to saving lives.

He noted that the workshop aimed to enhance operational effectiveness through improved training on risk mitigation, personal safety, and emergency response.

In their goodwill messages, newly invested Honourary Special Marshals, including Chief Kingsley Ede and Dr Oscar Bernards, pledged continued support for road safety initiatives, stressing the need for collective responsibility to keep Nigeria’s highways safe.

Governor Mbah’s administration has continued to prioritise infrastructure renewal and security, with road safety identified as a key pillar of his “Tomorrow Is Here” agenda.

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Governor Chukwuma Soludo on his re-election as the Governor of Anambra State, describing his victory as a reflection of “visionary leadership and purposeful governance.”

Governor Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) won a second term after securing a landslide victory in Saturday’s governorship election, clinching all 21 local government areas, according to results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday.

The APGA candidate polled 422,664 votes to defeat his closest rival, Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 99,445 votes.

Paul Chukwuma (YPP) followed with 37,753 votes, while George Moghalu (Labour Party) and Jude Ezenwafor (PDP) secured 10,576 and 1,401 votes, respectively.

In a statement personally signed by him, President Tinubu said Soludo’s re-election was a testament to his exemplary leadership, dedication to public service, and the progress recorded under his administration.

“Governor Soludo, the Solution, has shown that knowledge is indeed power, that academic principles can guide governance to deliver transparency, accountability, and prudent resource management,” the President stated.

Tinubu recalled his visit to Anambra earlier in the year, where he inaugurated several projects executed by the Soludo administration, commending the governor’s creativity and discipline in public service.

“I commend Governor Soludo for bringing brilliance, grace, and a fresh perspective to governance. Under his leadership, Anambra truly lives up to its name as the Light of the Nation,” he said.

The President urged Soludo to be magnanimous in victory and to work with his political opponents for the overall development of the state.

“I assure Governor Soludo of my unwavering support and look forward to continued collaboration between the Anambra State Government and the Federal Government,” Tinubu added.

He also praised the new INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, and his team for conducting what he described as a credible and transparent election, urging the commission to maintain the standard in future polls.

“The victory of the opposition APGA shows the vibrancy of our democracy and that the will of the people, when expressed freely, can never be denied,” Tinubu said.

The State Returning Officer, Prof. Omoregie Edoba, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, officially declared Soludo the winner at the INEC headquarters in Awka, the Anambra capital.

“Chukwuma Charles Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and returned elected,” Edoba announced.

Soludo now becomes the third governor in Anambra’s history to secure a second term in office.