The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • UNTH heart patients form association

    UNTH heart patients form association

    Former heart patients who went through surgery at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) are coming together to form an association.

    Numbering over 300, they underwent their surgeries between 2013 and 2017. The chief medical director of UNTH, Dr. Chris Amah who disclosed this said the former patients aim was to encourage people with heart problem to come forward and be treated. They also aimed at raising funds for indigent patients as well as enlightenment.

    Amah disclosed that right now, over 50 children and 30 adults are queuing up for attention while 20 children were currently undergoing the surgery at the hospital.

    The current surgeries are being undertaken by the United States based VOOM Foundation led by its president, Nigerian-born Dr. Vincent Ohaji.

    The CMD said an Italian NGO, PONIC, was also using the hospital’s facilities to carry out surgeries for patients mainly from Bayelsa state. “Before now, the NGO use to fly their patients to Italy but after inspecting our facilities, they reached an agreement with us for the use of the facilities,” he said.

    Amah disclosed that both the Enugu state and Federal ministries of health have always been supportive to the hospital.

    The CMD showered praises on an Enugu oil magnate, Dr. Arthur Eze whom he said comes around to foot the bills of the patients.

    “Arthur Eze is always kind enough to help off bills of patients.“

    Amah called on wealthy Nigerians to emulate the gestures of Eze and help those less privileged who are in distress.

  • Farmer’s child needs N2m for bladder surgery

    Farmer’s child needs N2m for bladder surgery

    A peasant farmer in Enugu State Joseph Chijoke Emmanuel is desperately seeking over N2 million from individuals, government and corporate organisations for three surgeries to correct his son’s defective bladder.

    Emmanuel’s three-year-old son, Chizuroke, was born with a hole in his bladder, making it impossible for him to urinate with his manhood. As a result he wears diapers to avoid messing himself up with urine.

    For three years, Joseph and his wife Grace have been going through harrowing times seeking for financial help after exhausting the funds at their disposal.

    Their efforts to raise funds paid off as they initially received nearly N1 million for the first surgery called bladder closure.

    The problem the family is faced with now is how to raise N2.1million for the three remaining surgeries which include bladder neck repair that would cost N902,000; Epispadia repair that will gulp N635,120.00 and Reflux Surgery that would take N626,120.00.

    Emmanuel, who narrated his ordeal to our correspondent, said that while being grateful for the initial help from the public, he will be even happier and relieved if the public can help again with the remaining cash required for the three surgeries.

    “We humbly want to appreciate the entire people of the public following how they assisted us in contributing to the surgery of our son, Emmanuel Chizuruoke, who was born with a defect called bladder ex trophy which made him unable to urinate.  His doctor said that he was going to undergo four surgeries which include bladder closure, bladder neck repair, Epispadia repair and Reflux.

    “We are back to tell you that the first surgery, bladder closure, was successful and it wouldn’t have been possible without your contributions, We are grateful to all. May God Almighty bless you abundantly.

    “We are still pleading with you to assist in the remaining three surgeries the child is still going to undergo which will cost two million one hundred thousand, N2,100,000.00. Please, our brothers and sisters, we still plead with you all to assist us for we cannot afford such amount of money.  We are counting on you so much. Please help us and God will not fail you in any way,” Emmanuel pleaded.

    Emmanuel disclosed that all these while, they have been going to the University Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu for the repair because they cannot afford to fly him abroad that might cost more to accomplish.

    Emmanuel, who said that they hail from Nkerefi in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, said that before they cried out to the whole world, they tried to raise money in their community who are predominantly peasant farmers, to no avail and are left with the option of crying out to the whole world to come to their rescue.

    “We made efforts to get help from our community, Nkerefi. Our people are mainly farmers and no one could help us,” he lamented.

    Donors may send their donations to the following accounts: Emmanuel Divine Chizuruoke, UBA, 2078001642 or Emmanuel Grace Sharon, FCMB, 3251364010.

  • Abia police present scorecard amid criticism

    The Abia State police command has been criticised for failing to tackle rising crime in the state. A member of the House of Representatives representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency, Ossy Prestige raised the alarm on the crime situation in the commercial nerve of the state. Prestige demanded the immediate deployment of combat-ready policemen in the city to arrest the situation. His call was amplified by the leadership of the Abia State chapter of the All Peoples Congress (APC), urging Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to tighten security in the state. They expressed the fear that if nothing urgent was done, the economic development of the state and Aba would be affected.

    In response, the State Commissioner of Police Adeleye Oyebade launched the Tactical Response Squad (TRS) following the deployment of more personnel and two armoured personnel carriers (APC) by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris.

    The state police command has said their response has yielded fruit, leading to several arrests of hoodlums and recovery of arms.

    Speaking on the command’s achievements, the Police Public Relations officer, DSP Geoffrey Ogbonna said “The Abia State Police Command under the leadership of CP ‘Leye Oyebade, in continuation of her onslaught against crime and criminality in the state, recorded handful of achievements. These were made possible by harnessing the various strategies identified in crime prevention and control.

    “On 07/05/2017 at about 2330hrs, a report was received from one Ibe Torty Kalu ‘m’ of Aba at the Police Control Room in Aba that his Peugeot 504 Saloon Car with reg. no. AJ 72 AAA dark blue in colour was snatched by three (3) armed men at Okigwe road by Rail at about 2315hrs. Consequent upon the report, patrol teams in the area were placed on alert. Then on 08/05/2017 at about 1530hrs, the said vehicle was recovered by detectives attached to Ndiegoro Division at Ibadan road by Ibere road where it was abandoned. Investigation is in progress.

    “On 08/05/2017 at about 1100hrs, following a report at CPS Aba that one Chibueze Agunwa ‘m’ of Osunkwo Triangle Road Aba, defiled 5 years old girl on 22/4/2017 at about 1800hrs and ran away. The suspect has been arrested and will be arraigned in court soonest.

    “On 08/05/2017 at about 1630hrs, a case of defilement was reported at CPS Aba against one Ugochukwu Oleka ‘m’ of Iroanusi Road Aba. The suspect committed the act on an unknown date against a girl of 13 years old in her house. Investigation has been concluded and medical report reveals that the victim is two months pregnant.

    “Upon intelligence gathered by detectives from CPS Aba about the activities of notorious syndicates that specialised in snatching exotic vehicles from neighbouring states; the operatives from CPS Aba on 08/05/2017 at about 1540hrs, recovered one Toyota Highlander Jeep with Reg No. SSM 631 TP from where it was hidden. The owner has been contacted and he affirmed that the vehicle was snatched from him in Lagos in the year 2015. The operatives equally recovered one Lexus RX 300 Jeep with Reg. No. ABC 472 LK on 04/05/2017. Efforts are on ground to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

    The police also reported that they arrested a suspected motorcycle thief, two alleged cultists, one burglary suspect as well as recovering some stolen vehicles, among others.

    Ogbonna urged members of the public to provide the police with useful information that would lead to the arrest of suspected hoodlums in their neighborhood, stating that the police was ready to shield informants.

  • Anambra, professionals hold quiz competition for pupils

    THE League of Anambra Professionals (LAP) and the state government are set to hold a school quiz competition for SS2 students, as part of fresh investment in education.

    Highest winner will go home with N100,000 as well as certificate of excellence in competition holding across the state. Various cash prizes are for other winners.

    Announcing this in his office in Lagos, LAP President Willy Nzewi said the competition will start in a written quiz at both the local government area and the state levels and end in an oral televised quiz.

    The local government area level competition takes place on Tuesday May 23, 2017 and the state level holds on Wednesday May 31, 2017, he further said.

    In his contribution, the chairman of the group’s education, research, doctrine and publication committee, Prof. C.U. Ezeigbo said the subject areas of the quiz are English Language, Igbo Language & Culture, ICT and Mathematics.

    Ezeigbo added that each school in Anambra State will send its best two students to the local government area level competition. Then each council will send its best three best students to the state level and the best six students at the state level will proceed to an oral televised quiz.

    The LAP school quiz expert confirmed that first prize will get N100,000, the second prize is N50,000 naira and the third prize is N30,000 – in addition to three consolation prizes of N5,000.

    On the cash prizes at the council level, he said the first winner will smile home with N12,000 as well as a certificate of merit, adding that the second and third winners will get N8,000 and N5,000 plus certificates of merit.

    Nzewi said the first and only LAP school quiz competition held in 2008, expressing happiness that it is back and brighter nine years later.

    According to him, “the 2017 competition is billed as the battle of the minds to emphasise its objectives among which are to promote and stimulate education as an enabler of economic advantage towards the transformation of Anambra State into a richer and safer society.”

    Nzewi, a renowned chartered accountant and business adviser, added that the group, through the school quiz competition, is also drawing the attention of privileged Ndi Anambra to the need to invest in education and the opportunities that lie in coming together to pursue development in their home state in partnership with government at every level.

  • Obi to youths: don’t give up

    Obi to youths: don’t give up

    Former governor of Anambra State Peter Obi has advised youths to remain focused and keep pushing forward even when they are down. He reminded them of the saying: when there is life there is hope.

    Obi was speaking to medical students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University on their campus at Okofia, Nnewi, Anambra State.

    Speaking to the students who filled the auditorium, with many more standing outside, Obi emphasised that whatever the distraction, anyone desirous of success must not lose focus. He hinted that despite the fact that people called him names in an attempt to force him to share Anambra State’s money out to people, he refused and stayed focused in delivering dividends of democracy to the people.

    He made it clear that a committed man should not be interested in making a few friends happy, but rather should be focused on doing what is right and beneficial to the entire society.

    Speaking further, he reminded the students that their youth was their critical tool. Obi agreed that young people were permitted by the law of growth and development to be impulsive, but he said that the problem was usually when some of them, rather than grow to thoughtful young adults, remained becalmed in adolescence.

    Obi said most famous men, including those that founded business and Information Technology empires, started in their youth and concluded that the successes of today were the crystallization of the dreams of yesterday.

    Speaking briefly on the youth and Nigerian politics, Obi advised them not to allow themselves to be used by politicians, some of whom sent their children to schools abroad and remain at home looking for youths to use as thugs. Obi argued that once the youth follow the dictates of their conscience in playing politics and not contended with “crumbs”, things will improve in Nigeria.

    Speaking after the conference, the man behind it and the chaplain, Catholic Youth Organisation of Nigeria, Nnewi Diocese and St. Camillus de Lellis Chaplaincy, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Rev. Fr. Chetanna Jude Chukwuneke said that he was fulfilled by the programme, which he described as among the programmes designed to inculcate positive values in the youth through words of wisdom from men of proven integrity

  • Dep. Gov is Imo Boys Brigade patron

    Dep. Gov is Imo Boys Brigade patron

    Smartly dressed in a well-tailored black suit and a traditional Scottish feather cap, the Imo State Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere caught a figure of a newly commissioned officer, an exact opposite of his dress code of flowing safari.

    That was at the Chapel of Praise in Achi-Mbieri, Mbaitoli Council Area of the state, during his induction as the State Patron of the Boys’ Brigade, Imo Council by the state officers of the organisation.

    Walking briskly despite his age, Madumere, confirmed the aphorism that old habits die hard, because as a young lad and a member of the Anglican Communion, he was a member of the Boys’ Brigade in his local Church from where he acquired the para-military training which he said has remained with him.

    The initiation rites on the Deputy Governor, which was performed by the President of Imo State Council, Lady Edith Onyejiaka, was witnessed by a large number of clergymen, family members, political associates and other well-wishers.

    Addressing the congregation, the Public Relations Officer of the State Council, Rev. Innocent Osuoha, affirmed that the Deputy Governor has been a member of the Boys’ Brigade since childhood and will be well at home with the norms of the organisation.

    He disclosed that the decision to install him as the state Patron of the Brigade, was influenced by his life of philanthropy, describing him as a great leader who has continued to serve God and humanity.

    According to him, “Prince Madumere is a great leader, a philanthropist, a peace loving and humble gentleman who is also a goal getter. More so, he has been a member of Boys’ Brigade since childhood”.

    In his prayers, the Chaplain of the Chapel of Praise, Ven. Sunday Iherue prayed God to grant Madumere, the strength and wisdom to carry on with the noble responsibility of helping to groom the youths.

    He asserted that the choice of the Deputy Governor as the State Patron, will surely motivate the youths to join noble and credible organizations, instead of cult groups that are inimical to their successes in life.

    In his words, “his installation as the Patron will surely breathe life into the organisation and the State and will also help to transform the youths into good citizens with sound moral values hinged on the Christian faith.

    In his response, the visibly excited Madumere, thanked the State Officers and the entire members of Imo State Council of Boys’ Brigade for finding him worthy to be invested as the Patron.

    He said that, “honestly I felt honoured to be thought worthy to play the role of a Patron in this oldest and most noble global organization and I assure you that I will do the best I can to ensure that I justify this confidence”.

    Addressing the Boys, while inspecting a guard of honour mounted in his honour, Madumere said, “While inspecting the Parade, I was particularly attracted to the youngest among the boys in Parade because of his focus, discipline and marching according to the rhythm of the band. When I got close, I said to him, I was once like you. I was also a beneficiary of the teachings of the Boys’ Brigade”.

    He continued, “I want to say that it was this Christian Youth Association that kept me out of trouble. It kept me busy to the extent I did not have to follow the bad ones. Today I am the Deputy Governor, but little did I know that I would be brought back to render service to this organisation that groomed me. For me, it is an honour.

    “I can only assure you that I will surely be there for you and ensure that we all transform into leaders that will carry on with the crusade of building a great nation.”

  • Reprieve for TB patients in Ebonyi

    Reprieve for TB patients in Ebonyi

    In a visit to Ebonyi State, Minister of Health Professor Isaac Adewole revealed that Nigeria is among six countries that account for 60 per cent of new cases of tuberculosis globally. He noted that Nigeria ranks fourth among the 30 high tuberculosis countries and is number one in Africa.

    It is on account of this that the donation of a fully equipped chest clinic to the state government by a consortium of oil firms under the umbrella of Agbami Partners, is a very good development.

    The facility was provided for the Mile Four Hospital, Abakaliki, the state capital.

    The donor consortium is made up of FAMFA Oil limited, Petrobras, Statoil, Chevron and Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

    The Mile Four Hospital was established in 1946 by the Catholic Church to provide specialised care to sufferers of tuberculosis in the Southeast.  Inaugurating the project, Professor Adewole announced that the federal government was making efforts to achieve the target of providing one machine per local government area across the country for the fight against tuberculosis epidemic.

    According to him, the machine would not only provide GeneXpert MTB/RIF technology as the primary diagnostic tool for TB among all presumptive TB cases in the country including PLWHA but also increase the number of notified TB cases, especially in the rural areas.

    The Minister who commended the initiative and contribution of the church in providing quality healthcare for the people added that tuberculosis remains a serious public health problem in most parts of the world causing deaths of nearly one-and-half million people each year, mostly in developing world.

    In a remark, the Group General Manager, NAPIMS, Mr. Dafe Sejebor, who stated that the project was aimed at facilitating the socio-economic development of the country, added that the commitment of the agency is to see that the standard of living and quality of life of Nigerians were improved upon daily. Represented by Uzo Ejidoh, the group General Manager added: “I am happy to note that the Agbami partners remain committed to improving the quality of healthcare in our society through the provision of infrastructures such as Chest Clinics to address chest-related ailments”.

    In their separate remarks, the Chairman, FAMFA Oil Limited, Modupe Alakijia and Director, Star Deepwater Petroleum Limited, Richard Kennedy represented by Obinna Iheonu and Mike Kabi of Deepwater Community Engagement Advisor respectively, the duo stated that Agbami partners had so far donated 25 chest clinics to different states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

    They said the chest clinic came with fully equipped standard X-ray machine, male and female wards, treatment rooms, laboratories and GeneXpert machine.

    Commissioning the project, Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State commended the benefactors for the initiative adding that they have through the execution of the project fulfilled their corporate

    responsibility to the society.

    Umahi who was represented by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Daniel Umezurike expressed hope that the Chest Clinic would help to tackle incidences of tuberculosis and other health related issues in the state even as he x-rayed some of the contributions of the present administration in the area of combating malaria, TB and HIV/AIDS.

  • Women get loans in Imo

    Women get loans in Imo

    No fewer than 110 women in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State have been presented with N100,000 cheques each as soft loans to help them start their businesses. The women were selected across the 11 political wards in the council. The loan has an interest of seven per cent.

    Speaking while presenting the cheques to the beneficiaries at the Njaba Council Secretariat in Nnenasa, the state governor Rochas Okorocha said the sum of N1 billion has been set aside for the empowerment of women in the state. He said that the initiative was to stimulate economic activities within the state.

    The governor, who was represented by the Chairman of the Imo State Board of Internal Revenue (BIR) and state Development Council coordinator for Njaba council, Mrs. Henrietta Jacobs, said “the loan is being disbursed to at least 10,000 women who are involved in small and medium enterprises across state”.

    Okorocha prided that the State in the last six years has risen from 23rd position to third position in the national development index.

    He attributed the feat to the free education programme of his administration, which has made education in the state owned free from primary to university level.

    “Today, Imo women are no longer selling their wrappers, their goats and domestic animals in order to pay their children’s school fees, and today also, despite the dwindling inflow of revenue to the state, the Governor Rochas Okorocha-led administration still considers it expedient to give out N100, 000 loan to each of these Imo women,” he said.

    Okorocha further disclosed that more women would be accommodated in the second and third phases of the programme to bring the number of beneficiaries to 10,000.

    The governor hinted that his intention was to eliminate poverty and boost the local economy by making the women in the state self-reliant.

    He advised the beneficiaries to endeavour to put the loan facility into useful ventures so as to be able to pay back and get a bigger amount in return.

    Some of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Akowuchi Juliet from Okwudor and Mrs. Adaku Mbagwu, from Ibele Umuaka expressed their gratitude to Governor Okorcha for the initiative.

    They said the programme would assist them in their various businesses and reduce poverty in the state, “particularly amongst women that constitute the larger percentage of the population in the state”.

    They promised to pay back the loan within the stipulated time.

  • FERMA satisfied with Abia road repair

    ‘What we did was to repair the roads and make them passable for motorists and we have done them to the best level available’

    The management of Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has commended the work done by its Abia State office on both the Umuahia-Bende and Umuahia-Ariam-Ikot Ekpene federal roads.

    The commendation was given by Mr Bonaventure Nweke, an engineer, and Deputy General Manager, Operations, Abuja, when he led a team of four other engineers Ilegbusi Adebayo, GM Mechanical, A. J. Adedayo, Zonal Director, Southeast II and Timothy Nehemiah, Operations I Abuja, to Abia, saying that the state office has done well.

    Speaking while conducting the four visiting engineers round the two sites, the resident engineer for Abia State, Abraham Akange said that both roads were awarded on direct labour basis as captured in the 2016 budget.

    Akange said that the management staff came as part of their oversight function to see the extent of work done on the roads, adding that the repair works have been done while the work on drainage system will come next.

    He said that the work on the roads was given out to be done on direct labour basis.

    “What we did was just to repair the roads and make them passable for motorists and we have done them to the best level available.”

    The Abia FERMA boss praised motorists plying the Umuahia-Bende Road for their understanding while the repair work was going on and urged them to be careful as the work has not been completed.

    On the Umuahia-Ariam-Ikot Ekpene road, Akange said that the roads was so bad before now that vehicles were falling into ditches, while others were traveling through bush parts, “But after the work we did, the road is now good enough for motorists to move at good speed”.

    He said that after the work on the road which was flagged off by Senator Theodore Orji representing Abia Central senatorial district and Sam Onuigbo representing Ikwuano/Umuahia federal constituency was completed, “We are going to work on the drainage system”.

    The Abia FERMA boss said that as the 2017 budget is about to be passed that they expect that the federal government will allocate more funds to the agency to enable them tackle more roads in the state.

    Akange praised the people of Ariam for being peaceful during their stay at the area, stressing that there was never any incident such as theft and youth harassment which normally occurs in such situation.

    He used the forum to warn motorists using the newly repaired road to drive with caution, “When the road was bad FERMA was called and we have done our work and now that it is good they have been speeding which could lead to accidents”.

    In his response, the leader of the team, Nweke said they were impressed with the level of work done by their Abia office and urged them to continue to do quality works.

    Nweke said that they were in the state to see the level of work done on their projects as given out through direct labour within the period as budgeted in the outgoing 2016 budget

  • Imo re-born

    Imo re-born

    At their Freedom Square, Imo State residents marked their Freedom Day but they also freely aired their grievances against their government, reports OKODILI NDIDI.

    ‘Some of you are angry with me or my political appointees, some are not happy with the way their traditional ruler or stakeholders in their communities have dealt with them. Some of you are not happy with the way the police arrested you and have not had the opportunity to express your feelings; this is the reason for this Freedom Square. I want to provide for all Imolites a forum to express themselves so that we can build a society full of trust and hope. This Freedom Square has been dedicated as a free zone to all Imolites to come and speak their minds without having the fear of being molested or arrested’

    Imo State has its own version of October 1, and it is May 6. Governor Rochas Okorocha said it marked the state’s redemption from the clutches of godfathers, among other liberties. To boot, the state also has a freedom square, where in the tradition of such squares, residents are free to rail against the government or anybody whatsoever without fearing any backlash. At this year’s edition, much of such railing took place, but they were amicably resolved. Perhaps, that is the greatest thing about the rebirth of Imo. Before this dispensation, there was no such thing.

    Before the Freedom Day, people are informed through state media to go to their council headquarters or the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) secretariat to collect complaint forms and write down their petitions or complaints and submit them at the venue of the event or even before. On May 6 more than 1000 complaints were received and read out by the state chairman of the NUJ, Sir Innocent Igwe to the hearing of the entire crowd. The accused were called to put up their defence, while others were called to personally make their complaints right before those who offended them.

    One of the most outstanding cases that was heard and treated at the event was that of land grabbing brought against the governor by a medical practitioner, Dr. Chukwujindu Felix, who accused him of taking his land for the Eastern Palm University without his consent or any form of compensation.

    The governor was invited to defend himself and after extensive cross-examination of complainant and defendant, it was discovered that the governor actually followed due process in acquiring the land for the private university. Nonetheless, the chairman of the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Samuel Ohiri was mandated to carry out further investigation to ascertain the authenticity of the man’s claim in order to ensure that he is adequately compensated.

    Other matters handled that day also included the non-payment for some of the contracts done for the state government, Marker Union crisis, kingship and communal land disputes, among others, were also amicably resolved to the satisfaction of all parties and the day ended happily for everyone.

    This year’s edition is the sixth. The people came together to take stock and reappraise their fate under the new destiny, to know if they are genuinely free from the ills of the past that triggered the historic revolution that changed the political course of the state on May 6, 2011.

    The people on that day rose up with insurmountable strength and spoke with one voice against a formidable force propelled by the then government of Ikedi Ohakim, which the people resisted and sacked because of alleged anti-people policies.

    It was the day of the supplementary election between Governor Rochas Okorocha, the then unpopular candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the then incumbent Governor Ohakim. The people showed uncommon boldness and stood their ground that they wanted a change.

    That was about the first time that an incumbent governor in Nigeria was to be roundly defeated in an election by a candidate that was largely adjudged as an underdog. The common people filed out and with their bare hands challenged and defeated the armed agents that wanted to subvert their will.

    The beneficiary of that resolve of spirit is Governor Okorocha who in the memory of the sacrifice of the people instituted the Imo Freedom Day as a time to reflect of the new political journey that started on the 6th of May 2011.

    That day, indigent women, students, artisans, civil servants all came out to celebrate the aspects of their public and private lives that have been affected by the achievements of the government, ranging from the free education programme, infrastructural development, and improved healthcare delivery system, among others.

    Speaking in an emotion-laden voice at the event,  the governor recounted how he overcame ‘tremendous’ odds to win the 2011 governorship election against an incumbent governor.

    He recalled that his governorship ambition was greeted with widespread rejection. “I was totally rejected by every group that could make one win an election but I remained determined and focused,” he said.

    He said, “When I started the journey, there was no politician of note that was with me. The elites rejected and abandoned me and it took the resolve of the common people, the market women, the artisans, the keke riders and the disabled people for me to win that election even when all the apparatus of government, including the Police, Army, DSS, INEC were against me.

    “The idea of May 6 as the Imo Freedom day is that it was on that day in 2011 that the complimentary election that brought me to office was held. The powers that be actually wanted to use the complimentary election to steal my mandate but the common people resisted them and insisted that their votes must count. Some of them lost their lives, while others were wounded. So that is why we have set today aside as the day Imo people became free from political, social and spiritual slavery brought upon them by the selfish politicians who held the state hostage for a long time”.

    Speaking further, Okorocha said, “Before I was elected governor, Imo State was under spiritual and financial bondage. The State was dedicated to and ruled by deities and the people were in captivity but my victory rescued the State and her people from all forms of oppression”.

    He asserted that his election was a turning point in the political history of the state, adding that he defied the rejection of godfathers to beat an incumbent governor.

    He said, “I never benefitted from the politics of godfathers. When I came to run election for the governorship in the state in 2011 I was literally rejected by who is who in the political equation of the State. No single politician of note was standing with me. This was perhaps the only election in the history of Nigeria that was won through the support of the ordinary people and not by the support of political elite, security agencies and moneybags”.

    He continued: “My victory came from God and the people. And that is why I have been saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that I fulfill that which I promised my God to make life better for the ordinary man and release them from captivity. That is my journey and that is my story. And those of you who had followed me could recall that in the political history of Nigeria there had been nothing like Supplementary election till my own election”.

    He added further that, “my understanding of Supplementary election is do all things possible to prevent Rochas from becoming the governor of Imo State. This is the meaning of Supplementary election which today is holding Nigeria in political bondage. It took the intervention of the masses to force INEC to do the needful in declaring me governor. That was my story and this was the struggle. Exactly on the 6thof May 2011 the mandate given to me by the people spoke against all forces in the state.

    “Today I remain grateful to all Imolites especially those seen as nobody in the state because they are the reason I became the governor. I promise that I will continue to do all within my powers to make Imo State great and lift it higher as a sign of appreciation for all the support I have received from the masses. I remain eternally grateful to the people of Imo State.

    “One of my greatest challenges when I was sworn in 2011 was realising that my people were in bondage both spiritual and physical. People never believed that anything good or better can come from politicians. When you call somebody a politician, the first thing that will come to your mind is a person who promises and will never do; a criminal or a thief, probably a man who hires thugs and molests his political enemies. This was the people’s definition of Imo Politicians at that time. I swore to make a change in the system and that was how what we are celebrating today became possible.

    “I try to use this Freedom Square to dramatise what I saw in Imo State when I came in. The statue demonstrates a man who has endured untold hardship, ignorance, lack, systematic poverty, living in a society that is morally bankrupt; that was the situation of Imo State when I came. People were about to give up on politicians and leadership because of the sufferings and deceits but a hand of help came. This is what we are celebrating today as rescue mission.

    “Today opportunity has come for you to express yourselves on those things that have bothered you and kept us in chain all this while. This is the true meaning of Imo Freedom Day. Some of you are angry with me or my political appointees, some are not happy with the way their traditional ruler or stakeholders in their communities have dealt with them. Some of you are not happy with the way the police arrested you or for one thing or the other and have not had the opportunity to express your feelings; this is the reason of this Freedom Square. I want to provide for all Imolites a forum to express themselves so that we can build a society full of trust and hope. This Freedom Square has been dedicated as a free zone to all Imolites to come and speak their minds without having the fear of being molested or arrested.”

    Also speaking at the well-attended ceremony, the Deputy Governor of the State, Eze Madumere, who was remanded in Owerri prison for over two months during the build-up to the 2011 election by the then administration of Ohakim, expressed joy that the Rescue Mission Government has justified the sacrifice of the people of the state. He assured that the state government will continue to strive to meet the expectations of the people, adding that “the Rescue Mission Government will ever be grateful and indebted to the Imo people”.