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Soludo’s Call For Relocation Of Investment To Anambra Stirs Controversy

Published

3 years ago

July 2, 2023

A few days ago, Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo went on an investment drive in Lagos.

During a town hall meeting with Anambra people resident in the state, Soludo advised them to consider relocating their investments back home, as part of the think home philosophy.

Soludo told them that Anambra State was ready for business and investments, adding that investing in the state would be in their own best interest.

The Governor went further to state some of the achievements of his young administration, and his plans to develop the state, and how all hands must be on deck for that to be achieved.

He enjoined them to reflect deeply on it and do everything possible to contribute to the growth of the state.

“This is the same question I ask myself everyday. And we have a responsibility to leave Anambra State better than we met it. Your host (Lagos) will never respect you if you don’t have a livable and prosperous homeland,” Governor Soludo reiterated.

Just days after the call, two Anambra indigenes, a comedian, I Go Tuk, who is also known as Ogbuefi Main Market and a Radio personality, Ifeanyi Orakwue, also known as Huge Man, made podcasts, berating the governor for such a call.

Ogbuefi Main Market in his podcast berated Soludo for the bad roads in the state, saying that if Soludo must think of advising Anambra people in Lagos to return home, he must first fix the bad roads in the state, as investors will need roads to come into the state, and move their wares about.

On his part, Orakwue decried the level of insecurity in the state, saying that any state that cannot ensure the security of people and businesses had no right to call for investments.

He went further to narrate that nightlife in Anambra has died totally because of insecurity.

Mentioning streets in Onitsha where he lives, Orakwue said he recently had a need to rush his daughter to hospital one evening at about 6 pm, but he was surprised that after he left the hospital and drove home, all the streets were already totally empty, while shops had closed.

He said even in his estate at 3-3, Nkwelle Ezunaka where soldiers were in charge of security, he got back at about 7 pm to find that the gate had been shut.

He said his enquiry showed that the decision was because of the level of insecurity in the town, adding that as early as 6 pm, businesses in the commercial city of Onitsha had closed, and queried if that was the kind of place Soludo wanted Anambra indigenes who are enjoying the beautiful atmosphere that Lagos offered, to leave and return home.

Both Ogbuefi Main Market and Orakwue concluded their podcast by advising Anambra people not to listen to the governor, or heed his advice, but to continue to do their businesses in Lagos, pending when Soludo would fix Anambra State, and make it ready to receive the level of investment Soludo was seeking.

The reaction of both men to the call by the governor have in the past one week generated controversies, with many berating them for demarketing the state, while some others have sided with them, claiming that their stand was in order.

Reacting to the call by both men, Mr Ejimofor Opara, the media and publicity secretary of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), in a podcast on Facebook, which was made to counter those by Orakwue and Ogbuefi Main Market, said that there was no society that was entirely devoid of crime, noting that even Lagos has its fair share of it, yet Anambra indigenes have continued to invest in the state.

Reacting to Ogbuefi Main Market, particularly, Opara said he was recently in Lagos, and took out time to visit many areas where Igbo indigenes were living in squalid areas that didn’t have roads and were mostly flooded, yet they managed to reside in the place.

He wondered why anyone would de-market Anambra on the grounds of roads.

Also, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Chris Aburime came down hard on both Orakwue and Ogbuefi, claiming that Soludo’s visit to Lagos was a serious business that should not be reduced to the level of comedy.

He said: “This wasn’t a jamboree, but serious business. The mission was simple and unambiguous.

“He came to Lagos to seek partners in progress in the quest to build a prosperous, livable and secured Anambra State that all can be proud of.

“At least, if it is true that heavens help those who first help themselves, Anambra’s own sons and daughters must be sought out first as investors to join hands with the governor in the task of state building.

“Beyond political pandering, Governor Soludo is a leader in a hurry to transform Anambra State for good and leave it better than he met it.

“He has no luxury of time to waste. So, he would stop at nothing to enlist support wherever it could be found.”

On the other hand, there are some indigenes of the state, who saw nothing wrong in the what Orakwue and Ogbuefi said, claiming that the level of insecurity in the state was high and needed to be attended to, despite Soludo’s claims of having whittled it down drastically.

Mr Ifeanyi Okolo, a businessman and commentator on public affairs said: “This noise they are making and abusing Ogbuefi Main Market, can they dispute that roads in Anambra are not bad? What the two men gave are advice that the state government should take and try to work on, to make the state better.

“In the case of Orakwue, he gave an account of how he took his child to hospital and how all the shops had closed at 7 pm because of insecurity.

“So, do you expect that he should tell lies to please the state government and claim that people stay out until midnight, when that is false? They should rather work with the advice of both men.”

Meanwhile, Governor Soludo doesn’t seem to be oblivious of the problems enumerated by both Orakwue and Ogbuefi.

He had assured that even though he had done more in the area of insecurity and road construction, more would be done.

Speaking to Anambra State stakeholders in Lagos, Soludo said: “On the chaotic nature of Onitsha, my government is determined to resurrect Onitsha by returning it to its former glory as the biggest commercial city in the South-East and beyond.

“Concerning security-related issues, my administration has drastically reduced the menace of killings and kidnapping to the barest minimum with the security architecture put in place by his government.

“I commend security forces: the Army, the Navy, the Police, the States Vigilante Group and other paramilitary agencies for their dogged efforts in contributing to the successes recorded so far.

“I assure you that law and order has been greatly restored in the state compared to the impunity that held sway before we came into office,” the governor said.

PUNCH

News

Eating Takeout Food Often May Increase Heart Disease Risk — Study

Published

18 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Editor

Research suggests that higher takeout food consumption may increase a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease, like heart disease.

In a new study, published in Food Science & Nutrition, researchers said eating takeout food too often can influence systemic inflammation that underlies much cardiovascular disease.

The study of over eight thousand people in the 2009 to 2018 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) found that those who eat greater amounts of takeout food are likely to have various elevated risk factors for heart disease.

They were interviewed in their homes and also visited a mobile examination centre, where they recalled their food intake, received cardiometabolic health assessments, and had blood collected.

Mammograms may predict heart disease risk in women — Study

The researchers found a correlation between the amount of takeout food a person consumes and their likelihood of developing chronic low-level inflammation, a key driver of cardiovascular pathology.

Deaths from cardiovascular disease and the consumption of takeout foods are both on the rise, and while that does not prove a causal relationship, the study explores whether there is a connection between the two.

The study tracked degrees of systemic inflammation according to the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), a scale that quantifies the risk of inflammation related to the intake of specific dietary substances.

The three major takeaways from the analysis included that a higher level of takeout food consumption corresponded to an unfavourable cardiometabolic profile consisting of lower HDL, as well as higher triglycerides, fasting glucose, serum insulin, and insulin resistance.

Jayne Morgan, MD, cardiologist and Vice President of Medical Affairs in a reaction, who was not involved in the study, explained that “Takeout food raises the cardiovascular risk not because of one ingredient, but because of a predictable combination of nutrients, additives, and preparation methods that adversely affect blood pressure, lipids, insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and endothelial function.”

“This includes excess sodium that increases blood volume and blood vessel stiffness, and unhealthy fats, usually saturated fats or trans fats, that increase cholesterol level and atherosclerosis, a condition that can lead to heart attack and stroke.”

Michelle Routhenstein, Preventive Cardiology Dietitian at Entirely Nourished, also not involved in this study, declared, “It is also important to recognise that frequent takeout use often reflects broader lifestyle pressures such as demanding schedules, limited access to cooking resources, irregular meals, and disrupted sleep, all of which can quietly compound cardiovascular risk.”

News

How To Identify Fake Kiss Condoms In Circulation

Published

20 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Editor

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has recently warned Nigerians about the circulation of counterfeit Kiss brand condoms in major markets across the country.

Contents
Original DKT Kiss condoms
Fake Kiss condoms

In a public alert published on its website recently and referenced as Public Alert No. 042/2025, the agency said the warning followed information received from DKT International Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation involved in contraceptive social marketing and HIV/AIDS prevention.

NAFDAC stated, “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control is notifying the public about the sale and distribution of fake Kiss condoms in various Nigerian markets.

“The information was received from the MAH-DKT International Nigeria, a leading non-governmental organisation focused on contraceptive social marketing. Its mission is to provide Nigerians with affordable and safe options for family planning and HIV/AIDS prevention.

“The fake Kiss condoms have been reported to be found in Onitsha Market, Idumota Market, Trade Fair Market, and various markets in Kano, Abuja, Uyo, Gombe, Enugu, and others.”

Kiss condom is a brand of male latex condoms designed to offer sexual protection, including the prevention of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, gonorrhoea and syphilis.

To help consumers avoid counterfeit products, NAFDAC outlined key differences between original and fake Kiss condoms.

Original DKT Kiss condoms
The original product comes in a light red box pack with clear instructions printed on the lower part of the pack, including single-use warnings and storage and caution information. The box contains detailed medical device information, including MDSS GmbH, Germany, and a complete Nigerian address at Isolo Industrial Layout, Oshodi-Apapa Expressway.

The condom pack is light red, with the word “Kiss” closely written on six lines. The wallet outer pack is lighter red, carries the Oshodi-Apapa address, manufacturer details, and a clear product description beside the condom image. The hidden flap includes revision dates, medical device details, and caution information, while the wallet inner contains detailed instructions and eight bullet points under important notes.

The original condom is large, oval-shaped, well-lubricated, and has a large teat end for semen collection.

Fake Kiss condoms
In contrast, fake Kiss condoms come in darker-coloured box packs with little or no additional information. Some boxes are plain white inside and lack condom images. The address is wrongly listed as 42, Montgomery Road, Yaba, Lagos, while the manufacturer’s address is incomplete or missing. Storage and caution information is absent.

The condom pack is darker, with “Kiss” loosely written on five lines and wide spacing. The condom strip is longer than the original. The wallet outer pack is also darker red, carries incorrect or missing addresses, lacks colour wave designs, and shows inconsistencies in barcode lines. Medical device and caution information are missing, and the hidden flap contains no details.

Inside the wallet, information is summarised with only six bullet points. The fake condom is thinner, round-shaped, less lubricated, and has a smaller teat end.
(TRIBUNE)

News

Lagos: Police Arrest 14 Suspected Traffic Robbers On Lekki-Epe Expressway

Published

23 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Editor

Fourteen persons suspected to be involved in traffic-related robbery have been arrested at various points along the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos over the past two weeks.

The arrests were confirmed on Tuesday by the Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, via a post on her official X handle, @AbimbolaShotayo.

According to her, operatives of the Command’s Tactical Squad based in Elemoro carried out the operations that led to the suspects’ apprehension.

She explained that the arrests followed sustained patrols and intelligence-driven operations aimed at curbing criminal activities associated with traffic congestion and improving the safety of motorists and other road users along the busy corridor.

Adebisi noted that the development reflects the Command’s determination to strengthen security and uphold law and order on the Lekki-Epe axis, adding that the Tactical Squad has continued to proactively identify crime-prone areas and respond swiftly to threats posed by criminal elements.

She called on residents and commuters to support police efforts by providing timely and credible information that could assist in preventing and detecting crime.

“Security is a shared responsibility. Members of the public are encouraged to stay alert and promptly report any suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station,” she said.

The police spokesperson further reassured residents and road users of the Command’s commitment to maintaining aggressive patrols and security operations to protect lives and property in the area.

She reiterated the Command’s community policing message, “See Something, Say Something,” stressing the importance of cooperation between the police and the public in sustaining peace and security.