society
ANAMBRA IS READY FOR A DELIGHTFUL FESTIVE EXPERIENCE UNDER GOVERNOR SOLUDO
ANAMBRA IS READY FOR A DELIGHTFUL FESTIVE EXPERIENCE UNDER GOVERNOR SOLUDO – Christian Aburimme
… WELCOME TO THE LIGHT OF THE NATION!
After a whole eventful year of so much done to keep transforming Anambra State into a better, livable, happy place, Anambra is now ready for a delightful festive experience.
It is the ideal destination for investors, tourists and merrymakers. And what awaits Ndi Anambra and visitors is a tribute to coordinated governance and purposeful preparation under the leadership of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, as the state has undergone tangible developments across multiple sectors, creating an environment that promises everyone a peaceful, secure, and enjoyable Christmas celebration.
According to the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, the readiness is evident in every corner of the state, from rehabilitated roads to revitalised markets, from enhanced security measures to improved healthcare readiness. What emerges is a picture of a state administration that has worked deliberately to ensure that this festive season will be marked not only by traditional joy and celebration but also by safety, accessibility, and prosperity.
He said a most critical foundation of Anambra’s readiness lies in its improved road infrastructure. Road rehabilitation projects have intensified across major urban centres, with critical routes in Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi, Ekwulobia, and surrounding communities receiving much-needed attention. Township roads have been restored, significantly improving traffic flow and accessibility throughout the state.
These infrastructural improvements serve a dual purpose: they facilitate the increased movement expected during the holiday season while simultaneously demonstrating Governor Soludo’s commitment to long-term development. For residents returning home from Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and beyond, these enhanced roadways represent more than mere convenience; they symbolise a state that values connectivity and mobility.
Markets have always been the lifeblood of Anambra’s economy, and the current administration has recognised this reality through targeted interventions. Major commercial hubs including Onitsha Main Market, Ochanja, Eke Awka, and Nkwo Nnewi have benefited from increased sanitation efforts and organisational improvements.
Access lanes have been reconfigured to reduce congestion, while traders have fully stocked their shops in anticipation of the seasonal rush. The result is a marketplace environment that is cleaner, safer, and more efficient than in previous years. These improvements not only enhance the shopping experience but also reflect a deeper understanding of how commerce drives the state’s prosperity.
Perhaps no preparation is more critical than ensuring the safety of residents and visitors. That is why the Soludo administration has reinforced the state’s security architecture through a comprehensive approach that involves multiple agencies and community participation. Joint patrols have become more visible, particularly in urban centres and high-traffic areas. Checkpoints have been reorganised to improve surveillance effectiveness, while community vigilante groups have intensified their local monitoring efforts. This coordinated strategy has fostered a more stable and secure atmosphere, providing residents with the confidence to celebrate the season without fear.
Only a healthy citizenry can enjoy festivity. So, the state’s healthcare sector has not been left behind in all this readiness. Major hospitals, including the state teaching hospital and other healthcare facilities, have strengthened their emergency response capacity in anticipation of potential increases in patient volume during the festive period. These measures demonstrate foresight and responsibility, ensuring that medical services remain accessible and effective even during what is traditionally a busy time for healthcare facilities. The readiness of the health sector provides an essential safety net for all who will be celebrating across the state.
Transportation hubs throughout Anambra are operating under improved management structures. The Chinua Achebe International Airport in Umueri continues to experience increased activity, while major motor parks such as Upper Iweka, Ekwulobia Terminal, Solution Park at Aroma, and Unizik Junction now exhibit more orderly loading patterns. Traffic officers have been strategically deployed to reduce bottlenecks, resulting in smoother transit operations across major routes.
The tourism sector has also received renewed attention. Hotels such as Golden Tulip Krypton Villa Hotel and Suites, Vegas Astoria, and entertainment venues like Drinks.com are experiencing heightened activity, benefiting from the enabling environment created by the Soludo’s administration. Cultural and recreational sites including the Solution Fun City, Agulu Lake, and the newly opened Anambra Country Club have undergone environmental improvements in preparation for increased visitor traffic. The recently established Ikenga Mall represents another significant addition to the state’s commercial and leisure infrastructure, offering residents and visitors an enhanced shopping experience.
Communities across Anambra are organising a rich array of cultural festivals, carol nights, and end-of-year celebrations. The state government has complemented these grassroots efforts by organising a comprehensive events calendar branded ‘Onwa Dezemba,’ which extends into the first week of January and promises a diverse range of activities for all demographics.
What distinguishes this Christmas season in Anambra is beyond the individual improvements across various sectors by Governor Soludo. It is also the collective atmosphere of readiness that permeates daily life throughout the state. The coordinated efforts of ministries, agencies, businesses, and local communities reflect a unified commitment to ensuring a festive period characterised by peace, organisation, and enjoyment. From food vendors to transport workers, from market women to young people decorating public spaces, from families preparing their homes to businesses expanding their services, there is a palpable sense that Anambra is prepared to welcome its own.
For the thousands returning home from across Nigeria and abroad, the message is clear and welcoming: come home with confidence, and come to enjoy. The state stands ready, in infrastructure, in security, in healthcare, in commerce, and in spirit, to provide the foundation for a truly memorable celebration.
As our families reunite and communities gather to mark this special season, Anambra State under Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s leadership offers not just the promise of festivities but the assurance of safety, accessibility, and prosperity. May this Christmas be one of the most peaceful and beautiful the state has experienced in years.
Ndi Anambra, Merry Christmas.
Ramadan: Adron Homes Felicitates Muslims, Preaches Hope and Unity
Adron Homes & Properties Limited has congratulated Muslim faithful on the commencement of the holy month of Ramadan, urging Nigerians to embrace the virtues of sacrifice, discipline, and compassion that define the season.
In a statement made available to journalists, the company described Ramadan as a period of deep reflection, spiritual renewal, and strengthened devotion to faith and humanity.
According to the management, the holy month represents values that align with the organisation’s commitment to integrity, resilience, and community development.
“Ramadan is a time that teaches patience, generosity, and selflessness. As our Muslim customers and partners begin the fast, we pray that their sacrifices are accepted and that the season brings peace, joy, and renewed hope to their homes and the nation at large,” the statement read.
The firm reaffirmed its dedication to providing affordable and accessible housing solutions to Nigerians, noting that building homes goes beyond structures to creating environments where families can thrive.
Adron Homes further urged citizens to use the period to pray for national unity, economic stability, and sustainable growth.
It wished all Muslim faithful a spiritually fulfilling Ramadan.
Ramadan Mubarak.
society
Underfunding National Security: Envelope Budgeting Fails Nigeria’s Defence By George Omagbemi Sylvester
Underfunding National Security: Envelope Budgeting Fails Nigeria’s Defence
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by saharaweeklyng.com
“Fiscal Rigidity in a Time of Crisis: Lawmakers Say Fixed Budget Ceilings Are Crippling Nigeria’s Fight Against Insurgency, Banditry, and Organized Crime.”
Nigeria’s legislature has issued a stark warning: the envelope budgeting system; a fiscal model that caps spending for ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) is inadequate to meet the country’s escalating security challenges. Lawmakers and budget analysts argue that rigid fiscal ceilings are undermining the nation’s ability to confront insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, separatist violence, oil theft and maritime insecurity.
The warning emerged during the 2026 budget defence session for the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) at the National Assembly in Abuja. Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (APC‑Kebbi North), chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, decried the envelope system, noting that security agencies “have been subject to the vagaries of the envelope system rather than to genuine needs and requirements.” The committee highlighted non-release or partial release of capital funds from previous budgets, which has hindered procurement, intelligence and operational capacity.
Nigeria faces a multi‑front security crisis: persistent insurgency in the North‑East, banditry and kidnappings across the North‑West and North‑Central, separatist tensions in the South‑East, and piracy affecting Niger Delta oil production. Despite declarations of a national security emergency by President Bola Tinubu, lawmakers point to a “disconnect” between rhetoric and the actual fiscal support for agencies tasked with enforcement.
Experts warn that security operations demand flexibility and rapid resource allocation. Dr. Amina Bello, a public finance specialist, said: “A static budget in a dynamic threat environment is like sending firefighters with water jugs to a forest fire. You need flexibility, not fixed ceilings, to adapt to unforeseen developments.”
The Permanent Secretary of Special Services at ONSA, Mohammed Sanusi, detailed operational consequences: irregular overhead releases, unfulfilled capital appropriations, and constrained foreign service funds. These fiscal constraints have weakened intelligence and covert units, hampering surveillance, cyber‑security, counter‑terrorism and intelligence sharing.
Delayed capital releases have stalled critical projects, including infrastructure upgrades and surveillance systems. Professor Kolawole Adeyemi, a governance expert, emphasized that “budgeting for security must allow for rapid reallocation in response to threats that move faster than political cycles. Envelope budgeting lacks this essential flexibility.”
While the National Assembly advocates fiscal discipline, lawmakers stress that security funding requires strategic responsiveness. Speaker Abbas Ibrahim underscored that security deserves “prominent and sustained attention” in the 2026 budget, balancing oversight with operational needs.
In response, the Senate committee plans to pursue reforms, including collaboration with the executive to restructure funding, explore supplementary budgets and ensure predictable and sufficient resources for security agencies. Experts warn that without reform, criminal networks will exploit these gaps, eroding public trust.
As one policy analyst summarized: “A nation declares a security emergency; but if its budget does not follow with real resources and oversight, the emergency remains rhetorical.” Nigeria’s debate over envelope budgeting is more than an accounting dispute; it is a contest over the nation’s security priorities and its commitment to safeguarding citizens.
Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba (Eritosin) Celebrates as She Marks Her Birthday
Today, the world and the body of Christ rise in celebration of a rare vessel of honour, Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba, fondly known as Eritosin, as she marks her birthday.
Born a special child with a divine mark of grace, Rev. Mother Eritosin’s journey in God’s vineyard spans several decades of steadfast service, spiritual depth, and undeniable impact. Those who know her closely describe her as a prophetess with a heart of gold — a woman whose calling is not worn as a title, but lived daily through compassion, discipline, humility, and unwavering faith.
From her early days in ministry, she has touched lives across communities, offering spiritual guidance, prophetic insight, and motherly counsel. Many testify that through her prayers and teachings, they encountered God in a deeply personal and transformative way. Near and far, her influence continues to echo — not only within church walls, but in homes, families, and destinies reshaped through her mentorship.
A mother in every sense of the word, Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba embodies nurture and correction in equal measure. As a grandmother, she remains energetic in purpose — accommodating the wayward, embracing the rejected, and holding firmly to the belief that no soul is beyond redemption. Her life’s mission has remained consistent: to lead many to Christ and guide them into the light of a new beginning.
Deeply rooted within the C&S Unification, she stands tall as a spiritual pillar in the Cherubim and Seraphim Church globally. Her dedication to holiness, unity, and prophetic service has earned her widespread respect as a spiritual matriarch whose voice carries both authority and humility.
As she celebrates another year today, tributes continue to pour in from spiritual sons and daughters, church leaders, and admirers who see in her a living reflection of grace in action.
Prayer for Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba (Eritosin)
May the Almighty God, who called you from birth and anointed you for His service, continually strengthen you with divine health and renewed vigour.
May your oil never run dry, and may your prophetic mantle grow heavier with greater glory.
May the lives you have nurtured rise to call you blessed.
May your latter years be greater than the former, filled with peace, honour, and the visible rewards of your labour in God’s vineyard.
May heaven continually back your prayers, and may your light shine brighter across nations.
Happy Birthday to a true Mother in Israel — Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba (Eritosin).
More years.
More anointing.
More impact.
If you want this adapted for a newspaper page, church bulletin, Facebook post, or birthday flyer, just tell me the format and tone.
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