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JUST IN: Monarch Tasks Soludo to Establish Greater Onitsha Development Authority
Anambra State Governor, Charles Chukwuma Soludo has been called upon to address the city’s “urban decay” and establish a greater Onitsha development authority (GODA) to restore the city’s industrial and cultural prominence.
Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, made the call today during the launch of an annual lecture series on Igbo culture, traditions, and values.
The lecture series, launched in partnership with the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, was titled “Onitsha Traditional Society: Origin, Spread, and Culture.”
At the event, the Anambra monarch, in addition to cultural heritage, addressed governance and development in Onitsha.
He highlighted the need for a deeper exploration of Igbo history, particularly the origins and ancestral ties between the Igbo, Yoruba, and Edo language groups.
He outlined three hypotheses regarding Igbo origins, including autochthony, internal migration, and external migration.
The Obi suggested a possible shared ancestral root before linguistic and cultural divergence. The monarch called for the scrutiny of the author B.O.N.
Eluwa’s book “Adona-Idu” and its claims about an ancient Igbo kingdom with links to Ile-Ife.
The lecture stressed the importance of authenticating the histories of communities descended from Eze Chima, a pivotal figure in the founding of Onitsha and related settlements.
The Obi noted discrepancies in oral histories, suggesting Eze Chima may have ties to the Nri civilization, Benin, or Yoruba traditions.
The Obi Nnaemeka Achebe Annual Public Lecture Series is named after Nnaemeka Achebe himself, a revered traditional ruler and cultural advocate who has served as the Obi of Onitsha since 2002.
The public lecture series was attended by academics, traditional rulers, and government officials.
It featured the foundation stone laying for the Obi Nnaemeka Achebe Dome, which will house the World Centre for Igbo Repository.
News
NMMA shortlist 972 entries for 2026 awards
NMMA was founded by a former Chairman of Daily Times, the late Alhaji Babatunde Jose, who led the organisation for 10 years.
The Nigerian Media Merit Award (NMMA) said that it has shortlisted 972 of 1,112 entries for this year’s awards.
The Chairman of the NMMA Panel of Assessors, Otunba Dele Adetiba, said that the entries for the 34th edition cut across print, radio, and television categories.
Chairman of the NMMA Board of Trustees, Prof. Dayo Duyile, said that the award was established in 1990 to promote professionalism, ethical journalism and excellence among media practitioners.
Duyile, a veteran journalist and academic, said the NMMA was founded by a former Chairman of Daily Times, the late Alhaji Babatunde Jose, who led the organisation for 10 years.
News
Nigerian Law school student dies after falling from hostel rooftop
The deceased was a student of the Nigerian Law School, Enugu campus, who was undergoing externship programme at the Lagos campus.
•Faith Alayande
A Nigerian Law School student identified as Faith Alayande, is dead after she fell from the rooftop at Lagos campus.
In a statement on Monday, Aderonke Osho, secretary to the council and director of administration, said that the deceased was a student of the Nigerian Law School, Enugu campus, who was undergoing externship programme at the Lagos campus.
Osho said preliminary findings revealed that the student died from injuries sustained after falling from the rooftop of the campus hostel around 4am on Friday.
The Nigerian Law School is deeply saddened by this tragic development.
“Management is working closely with the appropriate authorities and the family to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, ensure that all necessary procedures are duly followed, and provide further information as appropriate.”
News
Ekwulobia Suspends New Yam Festival for Kidnap Billionaire Son
A source from the community said the traditional ruler of Ekwulobia where Ezeokafor hails from, His Royal Majesty, Igwe (Engr) Emmanuel Chukwukadibia Onyeneke, officially suspended the Ekwulobia New Yam Festival, saying there was no need to celebrate while their son remained in captivity.
• Joseph Ezeokafor
Ekwulobia community in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State has cancelled its New Yam festival celebration billed for September 4, 2026.
Ohibaba.com learned that this is because of the kidnap of billionaire businessman and owner of Jezco Group of Companies, Chief Joseph Ezeokafor.
Ezeokafor was kidnapped in Awka on Tuesday last week when he stepped out of his house without his security details to attend to his spiritual need, where he goes to offer prays.
Public Relations Officer of Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga who confirmed the development said that serious operation is currently ongoing to save the elder statesman.
His kidnap has sent his community into mourning, causing the postponement of the new Yam festival, an annual festival which holds on a static date every year.
A source from the community said the traditional ruler of Ekwulobia where Ezeokafor hails from, His Royal Majesty, Igwe (Engr) Emmanuel Chukwukadibia Onyeneke, officially suspended the Ekwulobia New Yam Festival, saying there was no need to celebrate while their son remained in captivity.
“The Igwe said the community of Ekwulobia cannot celebrate while their son remains in the custody of the kidnappers,” the source said.
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