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Anambra enforces road setbacks, approves ₦16.7bn for infrastructure projects

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The Anambra State Government has awarded various contracts worth a sum of about ₦16.7bn for road, electricity, and other key infrastructural projects aimed at driving social cohesion, economic growth and improving the lives of its citizens across the state.

This is just as the state government, through the Ministry of Environment and the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra, also known as the ‘OCHA Brigade’, has commenced the enforcement of standards for road setbacks in the newly constructed dual carriageways.

According to a press statement released on Tuesday, the state Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, said the projects were approved and other significant decisions made during the first Anambra State Executive Council meeting in 2026, held at the ‘Light House’, Awka, on Monday.

Mefor said several other key decisions were taken during the meeting, among which include that the Christmas and New Year celebrations called ‘Onwa Dezemba’ programme, has come to stay as an annual event and will be made into something that Ndi Anambra and the world will look forward to every yuletide.

The statement read in part, “At the first Anambra State Executive Council meeting of the year 2026, held at the ‘Light House, Awka, on Monday, the council relished the Christmas and New Year celebrations and reiterated that the ‘Onwa Dezemba’ programme has come to stay as an annual event and will be made into something that Ndi Anambra and the world will look forward to every yuletide.

“The council also reviewed the state of security in the state and the restoration of Anambra as the most secure state in Nigeria, and resolved to continue to promote inter-security agency collaboration and the strengthening of security agencies, such as the 30 Hilux vehicles recently given to the Anambra State Police Command by the state government.

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“The council established a committee to determine the best way to give Nnewi a further facelift, in line with the ongoing urban regeneration policy of the Soludo administration. The council also firmed up the plan to give Nnobi a further facelift. The main objective is to revitalise and realign the two strategic urban centres in the state.

“The council mandated the Ministry of Environment and the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra, also known as the ‘OCHA Brigade’, to commence enforcement of standards for road setbacks in the newly-constructed dual carriageways.

“These standards have been set at 1.5 metres for built-up areas and three metres for other areas. The setbacks were re-established as a minimum from drainage on all the new dual carriageways for motorised and non-motorised (NMT) users.

“These setbacks from the dual carriageway align with global best practices, which include provisions for pedestrian walkways and other road provisions for pedestrians.”

According to him, the contract sum worth ₦16.7billion approved by the council would be for the dualisation of 33-Nsugbe-Aguleri Road, supply and installation of 500 kVA, 33/0.415 kV transformer at Irueyim Community, Nteje, Nteje Oyi LGA, among others.

“To achieve massive traffic decongestion in the Onitsha and Nkwelle axis and drive development in that direction, the 33-Nsugbe dual carriageway was awarded by the council.

“This will bring the Anambra Beltway and the Solution Government’s policy to dualise all ‘Trunk A’ roads, state and federal, to a fuller completion and further open up the state and ease up Onitsha and its environments.

“Release of the sum of N15,956,407,246.25 only for the construction and dualisation of the 33-Nsugbe to Aguleri road with a 1-span bridge, awarded to Ferotex Construction Company Ltd.

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“Release of the sum of N56,386,718.69 only for the supply and installation of 500 kVA, 33/0.415 kV transformer at Irueyim Community, Nteje, Nteje Oyi LGA, awarded to Kennolly Enterprises.

“The release of the sum of N159,599,775.14 only for the supply and installation of solar street lights along the Oye Market Road, Isuofia, awarded to Vigeo-Dome Ltd.

“Release of the sum of N497,033,367.38 only for the reclamation/rechannelisation/& remediation of the gully erosion site at Umugama-Ire Village, Abba, Njikoka LGA, awarded to P & K Int’l Ltd.”

Punch Online on November 2025, reported that the Anambra State Government awarded various contracts worth a sum of about ₦4.7bn for road, electricity, and other key infrastructural projects aimed at improving the lives of its citizens across the state.

According to a press statement released on Tuesday, the state Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, said the projects were approved, and other significant decisions were made during the 23rd Anambra State Executive Council meeting held at the “Light House,” Awka.

Mefor said several other key decisions were taken during the meeting, and one of them includes plans to give Ndi Anambra the most memorable December festivities experience ever, branded “Onwa Dezemba”.

He said the “magnificent festivities” to be held at the Solution Fun City, Awka and the reconstructed and remodelled Ekwueme Square, in Awka, are planned as a “Christmas unlike any other”.

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FG defends Tinubu’s UK visit, highlights strategic Nigeria‑UK ties

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The Federal Government has addressed criticisms surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s upcoming state visit to the United Kingdom, describing some of the commentary as either misinformed or deliberately mischievous.

According to Channels TV on Sunday, the Minister of Information and Orientation, Mohammed Idris, speaking to international media in the UK, said the visit reflects the longstanding partnership between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

“We know that Nigeria has had its own fair share of criticism about some of those policies that were instituted back home, some of them arising from a lack of adequate knowledge and some out of sheer mischief,” Idris said.

He added that the visit is strategically important, highlighting the “historic and strategic relationship Nigeria and the United Kingdom… a relationship that is built on deep diplomatic, economic, cultural, and democratic ties.”

According to the minister, “For decades, our two countries have maintained a partnership that spans trade, education, security cooperation, cultural exchange, and shared democratic values.

“President Tinubu’s visit provides an important opportunity to strengthen collaboration across critical areas, including trade and investment, security cooperation, climate action, education, and technological innovation.

“It also reflects Nigeria’s growing importance as a key democratic and economic partner in Africa, and a responsible participant in global affairs.”

Idris explained that the engagement with the media was intended to provide clarity on Nigeria’s policies over the past three years.

“So, as communicators, we thought that it is important, regardless of whatever position anyone may have taken, to go through some of these programmes and policies…and then interact with you.

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“Where you have questions, we take them; where you seek clarifications, we provide. Where we need to take some advice from you, we’ll also take and get back home,” he said.

President Tinubu is expected to arrive in the UK on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, for the state visit, which formally begins on Thursday, March 19. He and his wife, Oluremi Tinubu, will be hosted by King Charles III at Windsor Castle, marking the first time a Nigerian leader will receive such a state honour at Windsor rather than Buckingham Palace.

Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, said the visit will “showcase the enduring relationship between Nigeria and the UK and further deepen cooperation between both countries.”

Tinubu will become the fifth Nigerian leader to be honoured with a UK state visit, following Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Yakubu Gowon, Shehu Shagari, and Ibrahim Babangida.

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Netanyahu’s Office Reacts To Rumours Of His Death

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The office of Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has rejected online claims that he was killed.

It was reports that the office described the reports as false.

The controversy began after Netanyahu posted a video on his X account showing him at a press conference discussing the ongoing tensions involving Israel, the United States, and Iran.

Viewers quickly noticed what appeared to be an unusual detail on his hand, prompting claims that the footage had been manipulated with artificial intelligence.

The video showed Netanyahu briefly raising his right hand, and some social media users said they saw what looked like a sixth finger.

This led to a surge of online discussions questioning the authenticity of the footage, with some linking the anomaly to AI errors.

The rumours escalated further when public figures and online commentators questioned the Prime Minister’s whereabouts and suggested his office was involved in posting or removing doctored videos.

Others pointed to minor inconsistencies in the background, such as still Israeli flags and moving curtains, as signs of possible video editing.

Responding to the claims, Netanyahu’s office told Anadolu Agency that the Prime Minister is unharmed and the reports are baseless.

Officials stressed that the video is genuine and that Netanyahu continues his work amid the rising tensions in the region.

“These are fake news; the Prime Minister is fine”, the office said.

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US court slams $300,000 fine on Ashekun for defaming Mountain of Fire Ministries

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The Baltimore County Court, Maryland, United States of America, has slammed $300,000 damages on Olufunke Ashekun for defaming the Mountain of Fire and Miracles, MFM, ministries USA Incorporated and its founder, Dr Daniel Olukoya.

Recall that Ashekun and MFM have been in a legal battle following her posts and campaigns on social media, which the church considered defamatory and offensive.

A statement by the church on Sunday said the jury having found Ashekun guilty of “defamation and false light”, it was ruled that she pays the church compensatory damages in the sum of $250,000 and punitive damages in the sum of $50,000 to serve as a deterrent for unfounded allegations.

The court noted that the plaintiff proved its case beyond every reasonable doubt even as it regretted what it described as “weak, inadmissible evidence and witnesses” of the defendant.

It further noted that Ashekun’s campaign negatively affected the professional integrity of Mountain of Fire and the church’s reputation.

Parts of the statement read, “In a judgment handed down by the Circuit Court of Baltimore County Maryland on the 13” of March 2026 in the matter of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries USA, INC v Olufunke Ashekun, the plaintiff successfully prosecuted its claims of Defamation and False Light resulting in a binding Court order against Olufunke Ashekun for compensatory damages in the sum of $250,000 and punitive damages in the sum of $50,000.

“In granting the judgment and damages, the Court recognized the prolonged intense and malicious campaign conducted by Olufunke Ashekun against Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries USA, INC. who was seriously concerned by the reach and extent of her destructive rhetoric.”

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The statement also disclosed that a day to the ruling by the jury, Funke Ashekun slumped when she realized that the case was already overwhelmingly against her and was taken out from the court by an emergency 911 Ambulance.

It noted that the following day, her husband suffered the same fate of slumping in court when the jury made its pronouncement.

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