LarryBravo Nwaiwu

Globally renowned author and public speaker, Chimamanda Adichie, has commended the positive developments in Enugu under the Governor Peter Mbah Administration, saying the state’s dark times were over.

She spoke during a courtesy call to Governor Mbah at the Government House, Enugu, on the sidelines of the Things Fall Apart Festival 2025, which was held at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, at the weekend.

“Arriving in Enugu, there is a feeling of calm and very welcoming. This is the city that I have always loved. I think, in the past, it had some dark times. It seems to me that the light is back,” she said.

The literary icon also told Government House correspondents that she left the meeting with Mbah feeling very inspired by his long-term vision, people-oriented policies and programmes, and the impressive representation of women in his government.

“I have left this meeting feeling very inspired. Surprisingly inspired because I wasn’t sure what to expect. But I have to say that I am so inspired. I am filled with a lot of admiration for the governor’s vision; for his ability to think long term, which is something that I think we need more of in this country. And also for what seems to me very humane point and a kind of outlook that I think is borne from the desire to do well.

“By doing well, I mean to do things that touch the lives of the ordinary people in Enugu State. That’s for me very inspiring. It’s also inspiring to hear and see that the women are very well represented in his cabinet,” she stated.

She hailed the ongoing construction of Smart Green Schools in each of the 260 political wards in Enugu and the allocation of well over 33 per cent in the state’s 2024 and 2025 annual budgets to education.

“I have always felt very strongly that education has to be at the centre of any kind of forward-looking vision for any state in Nigeria. I was very impressed to hear about the Smart Green Schools. Of course, to value something, you have to invest in it. So, that the governor of Enugu State is investing bigger potion of the budget, more than UNESCO recommends, I think is something very powerful.

“So, the idea of trying to reach children in rural areas, who might not have the opportunity to get really very good elementary education, is again, a very inspiring example of the ability to think long-term about the problem that we have. I think it is a shining example of the way forward,” Adichie concluded.

Meanwhile, receiving the multiple awards winning author, who also gifted him an autographed copy of her latest work, “Dream Count,” Governor Mbah described her as a literary giant, inspiration to the younger generation, and an ambassador of Igbo and African cultures.

“Chimamanda is a proud ambassador of Igbo culture, who continues to elevate African narratives on the global stage,” he stated.

He said his government was investing heavily in education to be able to produce many more of her type and others, who would paint Enugu State, Nigeria, and Africa in glowing colours in various fields of human endeavors across the world.

 By Chikaodi Chukwuleta

As part of efforts to strengthen democracy and ensure inclusive participation in the November 8, 2025 Governorship Election in Anambra State and future elections in Nigeria, the Anambra State Government is urging all eligible citizens to take advantage of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In a press release by Law Mefor, PhD,

Commissioner for Information,

Anambra State stated that the CVR exercise, commenced on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, and will end on July 17, 2025, provides an opportunity for eligible voters to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

He noted that this is particularly important for:

– Young people who have recently turned 18 years old and are now eligible to vote

– Citizens who have relocated to Anambra State from other parts of the country and wish to transfer their voting rights

– Individuals who have lost or defaced their voter cards and need to replace them

He further stated that government encourages everyone who falls within these categories to visit their nearest registration center and complete the registration process. This is a crucial step in ensuring that our democracy remains vibrant and representative of the will of the people.

For further information, please visit the INEC website

Amaka Obiefuna

 UpSkill Universe today announced the launch of the Skills for Business programme, a new initiative to help 10,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria and South Africa build critical digital and business skills for economic and business growth. Delivered in collaboration with Google, HP Inc and UpSkill Universe, the programme is designed to equip entrepreneurs with practical tools to thrive in an increasingly digital economy, in addition to having access to a range of courses on the HP LIFE platform.

UpSkill Universe, a leading digital skills training provider, will manage programme delivery and partner engagement. “Entrepreneurs and business owners throughout Africa are already leading change within their communities,” said Gori Yahaya, CEO of UpSkill Universe. “We understand the challenges SMEs face as they navigate a difficult business landscape, prevalence of AI,  and rapidly changing customer behaviour. Through collaboration with HP Inc.  and Google, we see an immense opportunity to empower businesses with the practical tips, tools, and technology – including AI – they need to grow, scale, and succeed.”

Building on the success of the Hustle Academy Business Bootcamp, which has supported over 15,000 SMEs across Africa since 2022, this new initiative will focus on action-oriented learning. Participants will gain hands-on skills through modules such as Unlock growth with practical skills in AI, digital marketing, and e-commerce, which are designed to help SMEs boost their productivity, attract more customers, and grow their businesses online, complemented by access to HP LIFE  – the HP Foundation’s free global online business skills training program.

The programme is also committed to inclusivity, with a goal of at least 50% participation from women-owned businesses.

“The Hustle Academy training reshaped how we connect with customers online,” shared one SME from Lagos. “These skills make a real difference for us.”

Small businesses are the backbone of Africa’s economy, accounting for nearly 80% of jobs across the continent. Yet despite their significance, many still face barriers to accessing the digital skills and tools needed to compete and grow in a changing marketplace. The Skills for Business programme aims to bridge this gap by providing entrepreneurs with practical, locally relevant training that meets the real-world demands of today’s market.

Google’s involvement brings additional expertise in digital growth and strategy for small businesses.

“Small businesses are a driving force for progress across Africa and beyond. It’s more critical than ever to help them access the skills and tools they need to grow, especially as digital technologies transform business operations,” said Kristy Grant, Google SSA’s Head of B2B & Brand Marketing. “We are proud to collaborate on initiatives like this that enable entrepreneurs to translate their ambitions into lasting positive impact for their communities and economies.”

At the heart of the initiative is HP LIFE, the HP Foundation’s free global business skills training program, which is available in eight languages online, via mobile app, and offline. Small business owners and their employees will gain access to more than 30 practical training modules covering topics such as boosting productivity with AI, digital marketing essentials, and starting an e-commerce journey. This will be delivered alongside expert-led virtual workshops by Google and UpSkill Universe to ensure that SMEs can build the capabilities needed to grow their customer base, strengthen operations, and drive long-term success.

“When small businesses thrive, entire communities thrive with them. The Skills for Business program is about empowering entrepreneurs to access the future of work.” said Michele Malejki, Global Head of Social Impact, HP Inc. and Executive Director, HP Foundation. “Since 2021, HP has been on a journey to accelerate digital equity for 150 million people by 2030 by providing access to technology and digital skills content that enhances skills and economic opportunity. We are very proud to support this deeply impactful program, which will provide the support SMEs need to grow, scale, and succeed.

The Skills for Business programme aims to directly train 10,000 SMEs and indirectly impact an additional 59,000 individuals by the end of 2025, demonstrating the powerful role of partnerships in advancing Africa’s digital transformation and economic development.

For the family of Mr and Mrs Bright and Ijeoma  Chilaka with their only child Chizaram, the Sunday June 29th 2025 was like every other happy Sunday until the ugly incident of that which threw them into a pathetic situation, leaving the entire family devasted and dependent on humanitarian  Nigerians  for help  as the eyes of a maiden look upon the hands of her mistress.

At present, Bright is in need of the sum of N3.5 million which he can never generate from sources available to him  for deposit at Igbobi Orthopaedic Hospital to  facilitate his early undergoing of spinal chord surgery critical to salvaging him from the glaring  paralysis  resulting from the accident.

Indeed, Bright now stands the risk of paralysis if he wastes further time in undergoing the prescribed surgery that will enable the medical experts at Igbobi Orthopaedic Hospital where he is currently lying critically ill at male ward E spinal cord department to fix his neck bone.

Bright  who hails from Otulu Omuma in Ezinihite LGA, Mbaise, Imo state was admitted at the hospital on Monday June 30th, 2025 because he was involved in a ghastly motor accident at Oshodi on his way to his sister’s church for an invitation for a special prayer session with the church pastor.

According to his wife, Ijeoma Chilaka, the vehicle he boarded from Mile 2 to Oshodi had head-on collision with another incoming vehicle. While some passengers died on the spot,  Bright was lucky to survive but not without   sustaining serious injury in his spinal chord areas as a result of shift on his neck  bone.

The result of the two X-rays he had showed that there was a major shift in his  neck bone and an urgent surgery needed to be done to fix back the neck bone.

But before the surgery will be conducted, he is being required to deposit over N2.5 million and pay for prescribed drugs estimated to cost over N1 million. Without this amount, nothing will be done until the money is paid.

According to his wife, because of his inability to pay the stated amount, nothing has been done to him since June 30th when he was admitted at the hospital.The only treatment he is currently receiving pain killer drugs to momentarily relief him of pains.

Meanwhile medical experts attending to him said he runs risk of paralysis if the surgery is not done within a short time.

Please,  he can be reached  on 08034453199. Their account details are:  2218664328, Zenith Bank, Ijeoma H. Chilaka; 3461002049, ECO Bank, Ijeoma H Chilaka

Below is a conversation with his wife on her husband’s issue:

Q: Good evening madam, what brought you to this hospital?

Ans: My husband had accident on 29th June at Oshodi  road.

Q: With his own vehicle or what?

Ans: No, we don’t have any motor. He entered a (venagon) bus going to Oshodi to see his sister who invited him to come so that his pastor will pray for him during the church service because of the court case he has the following week.

Q: Did you say court case which court case?

 My husband worked  as a gate man who gives ticket to vehicles carrying goods in and out of the auto parts  market,  Trade fair Lagos. The standard Organisation  of Nigeria (Son ) came to arrest adulterated oil sellers in the market. All the sellers some of who are members of United Allied Machine Parts Dealers ran away including security men on duty on that day but my husband who came to resume duty that day was not aware of anything happening in the market that day. He innocently resumed his duty only to be arrested by SON  security agents who came to raid the place and was put in police cell. He entered the police cell on December 23, 2021 and was released on  July 1st 2022.

Initially after his arrest he was released one week after and taken to court, in the court, he said he was not guilty because he did not know anything about the adulterated oil since he is just a gate man and ticketer  at the  entrance gate.

So they rearrested him, sent him back to cell and in the process the court workers went on strike and all efforts to bring him out was in vain until July when the workers resumed.

Q:   What happened to the real dealers of the adulterated oil I meant the association who are part of the people in the market he was working for?

Ans : They all ran away on hearing that SON stationed its staff in the market so it was only my husband and one boy from Benue his name is Vandal Lube who just came to serve one of them  two months before the incident.

Q :While in the cell did the association do anything to set him  free?

Ans : initially they pretended they wanted to help but when the lawyer defending the case gave his bill, they ran away .

So they abandoned my husband   and none of the other associations in the market whom he was working for came to his rescue because they said their own line of business was not involved in the case as they are dealing on legal businesses. So he was attending to the court with his own lawyer .

Since then the court has been adjourning the case as sometimes when he goes,  SON people will not come.   But my husband is eager to see the case ended so that he will be free . At his last appearance in the court, the SON staff who saw him said “but this is not the right person it has been confirmed that this is just a gate man and ticketer in the market.”

It was because of this statement that my husband  started praying that since the people involved have found out the truth God should please discharge the case. So that Sunday,  his younger sister invited him to her church so that her pastor will pray for  him in the church service for the case to be discharged in his next appearance in the court on Mon July 7th which is the next date the court gave him.

It was on his way to the church that the accident occurred.

Q: So how did you get to know he had accident?

Ans: I and my  child, chizaram came back from church that day about to have our  lunch when a vehicle blew horn  at the gate and when the neighbours in the compound opened the gate I  saw a sienna car  coming in with back and stopped in front of my apartment and when I piped inside, I  saw my husband and the sister.  I thought it was a small problem only to discover he cannot even stand and they had to carry him inside the house.

My sister in-law said having waited and did not see him in church she called his number and somebody picked the call and informed her that the owner of the phone was involved in accident and was unconscious. So she rushed there and a good Samaritan has to bring them back to me.

Q: Now that you are at Igbobi and they called this money which you said you don’t have what is your next line of action to get the surgery done ?

Ans; I don’t know ooo

Q:   Since you were here have they been treating him?

They are giving him drugs to calm the pain since that 30th we came here nothing again. They said the main  thing is the surgery and that the money should be paid before he will go to the theatre.

Q: So what about his relations?

Ans: They don’t have anything. The little I and them have, we used it to run tests and X-ray. We have spent more than 600,000 to buy drugs, do  the X-ray and to calm his  pain.

Q: What about your village meeting have you contacted them?

Ans: Yes but what they brought is N500, 000 but you can see that we are still far from N3.5 million and my fear is that they said the surgery is urgent and doctor said if I don’t do fast the leg and hands will paralyze.

Q: So what are you doing now and what about the church?

My church is a very small church but I am still expecting

Q: So what are you saying now?

I am begging Nigerians  to please come to my rescue to help me raise this money to pay so that more time will not be wasted and my husband will not be paralyzed.

Nigerians, my brothers and sisters, my fellow Nigerians, please come to my rescue and save my husband from this danger. Please my people please help us.

Q:  Where are you from?

Ans: I am from Imo state

Q: Which part of Imo state?

Otulu Amuma in Ezinihite LGA , Mbaise, Imo state.

Their only 11 year old child Chzaram, said her worst pain is that her daddy cannot attend her graduation party coming up on July 27th.

She said because of her excellent performance in her common entrance examination, her father had promised to buy new cloth for her graduation and to come and snap pictures with her.

She is also crying that her mother said because of her father’s problem she will not follow her mates to enter secondary school in September and she has to wait till next year.

But Chizaram in the midst of her tears said she knows God will help her father.

Please,  he can be reached  on 08034453199. Their account details are:  2218664328, Zenith Bank, Ijeoma H. Chilaka; 3461002049, ECO Bank, Ijeoma H Chilaka.