Rev Fr Stanislaus Mbamara of Nnewi diocese of catholic church has been abducted by unknown persons.
The priest who is also a student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka was kidnapped on Saturday evening.
A statement from the Chancellor of diocese Fr Raphael Ezeogu reads “Our priest, Rev. Fr. Stanislaus Mbamara, a student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, was kidnapped yesterday evening – June 2023 – on his way from Awka to Nnewi.
“Let’s storm heaven with humble and insistent prayers for his quick release in sound health of mind and body. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Help of Christians, pray with and for us.”
The development was openly discussed in the industrial town of Nnewi on Sunday amidst speculation on the motive of the abductors of the priest who was described as easy going.
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Anambra State command, Ikenga Tochukwu (DSP) could not be reached for police angle of the incident.
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Uzodimma thumbs up appointment of Akume, Gbajabiamila as SGF, COS
From Everest Ezihe, Owerri
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has commended the appointment of former Benue State Governor, Sen. George Akume and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, by President Bola Tinubu as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chief of Staff (COS) to the President respectively.
Recall that Tinubu formally confirmed the appointments of the duo at a meeting he held with the Governor Uzodimma-led All Progressives Congress Governors at the Presidential Villa last weekend.
The Governor described the appointments as well deserved, a call to national service, reward for patriotism and loyalty Party.
On the choice of Senator Akume as SGF, Governor Uzodimma said “he has sustained an enviable political trajectory, offering valuable service to our great nation and therefore, his appointment as the SGF is a patriotic call for more service to the nation.”
“As a former colleague at the National Assembly, I am confident that his antecedents in national leadership and his astuteness in administration, has garnered him enormous credibility to carry on this new national assignment,” the Imo State governor added.
He further described Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila’s appointment as meritorious noted, “On behalf of the Government and the good people of Imo State, I most specially congratulate the Rt. Hon. Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila on his meritorious appointment as the Chief of Staff to President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.”
He added: “The pragmatic Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives, brought dynamism to the leadership of the 9th National Assembly as he balanced his loyalty to the Party with his patriotism to the nation.
“The Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila will no doubt, bring his expertise to bear in his new assignment as the Chief of Staff to the President, especially as a true nationalist he is and I wish him success on the job.”
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Gov Soludo sets to ban sand mining in erosion prone communities
From Ifeoma Ejiofor, Awka
The Anambra State governor, Prof. Charles Soludo said he would sign an executive order banning sand mining in erosion prone communities.
Gov Soludo stated this when he hosted a town hall meeting on erosion control and management with stakeholders from five communities in the state, largely affected by gully erosion.
The 5 out of 146 communities affected by gully erosion in the state are Nanka, Awgbu, Oko, Amaokpala, and Ekwulobia.
The governor appealed to the communities in the state to join the government in her efforts to fight erosion menace ravaging the state.
The town hall meeting tagged; “Delivering the Solution Mandate in Erosion Control” was held at Oko Civic Centre.
“The environment is Anambra’s most serious existential threat. “The fifth finger of my administration’s manifesto is based on the environment; towards green, clean, planned markets, communities, and cities to make our environment sustainable,” he said.
The governor stated that part of the challenge is that individuals have the wrong attitude towards the environment, but expect the government to do everything instead of contributing their quota as well.
“As an individual, what have you done today and tomorrow to combat the erosion threat?” He inquired.
He observed that the greatest moment to act was decades ago, saying that the second best time to act is now, emphasizing the need to define the individual and collective responsibilities.
