Security has been beefed up across Awka ahead of the visit of Nigeria’s first lady, Remi Tinubu, to the state on Thursday. Security operatives were present at strategic locations in the town.

Police, the State Security Service, the army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Federal Road Safety Corps, and local vigilance groups were deployed at strategic locations to maintain law and order.

The police spokesman in Anambra, Tochukwu Ikenga, said security personnel had been fully mobilised to ensure a peaceful and safe visit by the president’s wife.

Mr Ikenga said the measures aimed to ensure adequate security before, during, and after the visit.

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

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

Chimsom Onwudinjo, a businessman, said he was pleased with the first lady’s visit to the state and the inauguration of projects lined up 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.

Kingsley Chikwe, a retired teacher, said, “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.”

Similarly, 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.

(NAN)