Security tightened in Awka ahead of Tinubu’s wife visit

Security has been beefed up across Awka ahead of the visit of the First Lady of Nigeria, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu to the state on Thursday.

Our correspondent observed situation of things in Awka, reports that there was visible presence of security personnel at strategic locations in the town.

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and local vigilance groups were deployed at strategic locations to maintain law and order.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said security personnel had been fully mobilised to ensure a peaceful and safe visit of the President’s wife.

Ikenga said the measures were aimed at ensuring adequate security before, during and after the visit.

The First Lady is expected to inaugurate the National Community Food Bank Programme for the South-East geopolitical zone and an empowerment programme for 5,000 residents of the state.

She is also expected to visit the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, where she will inaugurate an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre.

Some residents of Awka expressed optimism and enthusiasm over the visit, describing it as an opportunity for the state to benefit from the Federal Government’s interventions.

Mr Chimsom Onwudinjo, a businessman, said he was pleased the First Lady’s visit to the state and inauguration of projects lined by in the state.

“I am happy that the First Lady is coming to Anambra. It shows that the federal government is paying attention to the needs of our people.

“We hope that the projects and empowerment programmes will have a direct impact on the lives of ordinary residents,” he said.

Mr Kingsley Chikwe, a retired teacher, said the visit would further strengthen the relationship between the federal government and the people of the state.

“We are happy to receive the First Lady. Beyond the ceremony, we expect the programmes she is inaugurating to benefit the people, especially the poor and vulnerable.

“The food bank programme, in particular, is important because many families are struggling with the rising cost of food,” he said.

Similarly, Mrs Ekene Okpe, a civil servant, welcomed the visit and urged the organisers to ensure that beneficiaries of the empowerment programme were selected transparently.

“We want the empowerment to get to the right people and not just those who are politically connected.

“The federal government should also continue to focus on improving the welfare of people in the South-East, particularly women, youths and vulnerable families,” she said.