Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo and his deputy, Dr Onyekachukwu Gilbert Ibezim, have officially been sworn in for a second term in office.

The inauguration ceremony, which took place at the Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, was attended by a host of high-profile dignitaries, including; Vice President Kashim Shettima, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan.

Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) was elected for a second term in the Nov. 8, 2025 off-cycle governorship poll in the state.

He took the oath of office alongside his deputy at about 11:05 am.

The Chief Judge of the State, Justice Onochie Anyachebelu, administered the oaths of office and allegiance to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the duo.

Both the governor and his deputy were accompanied by their wives and members of their families.

The programme began on Sunday, March 15, 2026, with an interdenominational service at the International Convention Centre. The event marked the end of Soludo’s first tenure and included prayers for a successful second term.

Details shortly…

President Bola Tinubu, accompanied by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, has departed Abuja for a historic state visit to the United Kingdom, marking the first such trip by a Nigerian leader in 37 years.

Tinubu is set to become the first Nigerian president hosted at Windsor Castle by the British monarch. More details on this visit can be found on official government channels.

Their flight left the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at about 10: 00 am on Tuesday.

They were seen off at the airport by a delegation led by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, service chiefs; Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu, among others.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Monday disclosed that the President and the First Lady would be guests of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle from March 18 to 19.

President Tinubu is also the first Nigerian leader to be hosted by the British monarch at Windsor Castle.

“Nigeria and the United Kingdom share a deep history of ties and a special bond. The purpose of this visit is to strengthen bilateral relations and explore avenues for collaboration on issues such as immigration, trade, investment, and cultural exchange,” the statement read.

The visit will feature a state banquet hosted by the Royal Family in honour of the Nigerian guests, and private discussions between the King and the President.

Their Majesties will invite President Tinubu and the First Lady to view a special exhibition of items from the Royal Collection related to Nigeria.

The King and the President will also meet with organizations engaged in interfaith dialogue, both nationally and internationally.

President Tinubu will hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street, which will lead to expanded bilateral engagement between senior officials of both countries.

The meeting will culminate in the signing of various Memoranda of Understanding and agreements, including those on trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation.

The President will witness the signing of a landmark £746 million financing deal between the UK Export Finance and the Nigerian Ports Authority and Federal Ministry of Finance to support the refurbishment of two major national maritime infrastructure — the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays) and the Tin Can Island Port Complex.

The President will also be the guest of honour at the Nigerian Modernism exhibition, showcasing modern arts and culture, and will attend a reception with Nigerian and British business leaders and the diaspora community.

Members of the President’s entourage include Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed; and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu.

Others are Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; and Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani.

Also on the trip are Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.); National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed.

The last Nigerian state visit to the United Kingdom was in 1989 when President Ibrahim Babangida visited during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

President Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria at the conclusion of the state visit.

The village head of Odonget community in Obubra LGA in Cross River State, His Highness Chief Richard Ahim Ayan, and other community stakeholders who escaped into bushes and neighbouring communities are lamenting over their wives, children, and other loved ones who are said to be missing or have been killed.

Last Thursday at about 1:00 a.m., soldiers from the 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army invaded the community following reports that the locals requested illegal miners to pay N1,000 each before passing with their minerals. The soldiers reportedly burnt down more than fifty houses, including that of the village head, killed several villagers, arrested some, while more than 200 women, elderly persons, and children fled their homes and village for safety.

The soldiers have imposed a dawn-to-dusk curfew.

Precious minerals, including a very lucrative one locally called ‘Cusa’, used for gunpowder, have been mined illegally in communities in nearby Etung LGA over the last three years by men from northern parts of Nigeria in alleged connivance with powerful individuals.

“More than 500 armed soldiers are still occupying our village, making it very unsafe for our return. The whole village is a ghost town except for the soldiers sauntering about,” said a youth leader, Amos Agim, who is now hiding in Iyamoyom community.

Agim explained that since everyone fled from Odonget to Ochon, Itabang, and other communities, several family members have been reported missing while many have been killed.

In an interview, Agim lamented, “I don’t know where my wife and children are. Since early Thursday morning, everyone ran in different directions. My house has been burnt.

“The family of our village head is also scattered; some were killed. His house and many other houses were burnt down.”

Agim recalled the genesis of the problem, saying it began when the northern men mining the precious stones in nearby communities refused to pay N1,000 each before being allowed to evacuate the minerals through Odonget.

“One kilo of the precious stone is N35,000. They make so much money, yet they refused to pay at the checkpoint manned by the community vigilante.

“Trouble ensued. The miners then invited the soldiers, who arrived with arms and, instead of settling the problem, descended on our community, setting it ablaze and killing our people. As we speak, corpses still litter our community.”

Another displaced victim, Madam Charity Bissong, sobbing, said her aged husband and two grandchildren who could not escape were killed.

Reacting in a statement on March 12, 2026, Major Yemi Sokoya, Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Headquarters of 13 Brigade Nigerian Army, denied the killings but disclosed that during their engagement with the community, only four people were killed while they lost one soldier.

He said the soldiers acted swiftly to prevent a total breakdown of law and order.

He added that they had to call for reinforcement from the 245 Battalion when armed local youths allegedly ambushed them.