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Tag: Imo State

  • Outrage over teenager punished to death by soldiers

    Outrage over teenager punished to death by soldiers

    …I have forgiven the killers- victim’s father 

    Widespread condemnations have continued to trail the death of a 15-year old student of Army Day Secondary School Obinze,  Miss Queendalin Ekezie, who was punished to death by a  soldier attached to the 34 Artillery Brigade Obinze,  Imo State for coming late to school.

    The victim was said to have collapsed after she was commanded to do frog jump by the soldier who ignored plea that she was exhausted.

    According to eyewitnesses, the teenager  started vomiting blood before the soldier who is yet to be identified left her without any assistance.

    Meanwhile the Imo   government has launched investigation into the matter with a promise to bring the killer soldier to justice.

    The State Commissioner for Education, Mrs Gertrude Oduka, however has said that the State government would not be in a hurry to conclude on the incident.

    She disclosed that some senior staff in her Ministry have been sent to inquire about the remote cause of the incident.

    “We have launched investigation into the matter, the matter is so sensitive that we would not like to be in a hurry to issue any statement, but we have dispatched senior staff to find out what has happened”, Oduka said.

    But the father of the victim, Mr Hyginus Ekezie, said that his family has decided to let the matter be.

    Ekezie who spoke to our correspondent , at the family residence  in Ama Oso, Umuagwo in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State , said that he decided to forgive the killer of his daughter after due deliberations with his kinsmen.

    According to him,   “there is no point talking about this issue again, we have decided to allow peace to reign, we have forgiven anybody who might be involved in the death of our daughter, God knows best. I sat with my kinsmen and they told me to forget all that have happened” Ekezie said.

    He disclosed that a delegation of the Army have already visited his family to pay their  condolence.

    It would be recalled that Queendalin, who got to school late on that fateful day, was punished by a soldier who ordered her to “frog jump” until she got exhausted and passed out.

    Delight Aguocha , Queendalin’s friend who witnessed the incident had earlier narrated that, “on that day, we had set out at 7am. We waited for a motorcycle to take us to school till it was 8am. When we became frustrated, we decided to board a commercial cab. But the driver did not leave the motor park until the car was filled with passengers.

    “When we got to school at 9am, we met three sets of late comers on the ground. Two soldiers
    were asking each set to do frogjump to a particular distance after which they picked their bags and entered their classes.

    “When it was our turn, we were about reaching the finishing line when they said we were not doing it right and we should start again. After we repeated it, we went to pick our school bags, but one of the soldiers said he was still not satisfied.

    “I completed the punishment the third time and I picked my bag and left. I suddenly discovered that my friend was not with me. When I returned to the place, I saw her crying. She started vomiting the food she ate that morning. She was saying, ‘my back, my chest.’ The soldiers were just staring at us.”

    She added that when they got to the hospital, the victim was given an injection and was put on a drip, but unfortunately she couldn’t survive it”.

  • Okorocha advocates closer ties between Igbo traders and Customs

    Okorocha advocates closer ties between Igbo traders and Customs

    Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha has called for a more cordial relationship between traders and leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service.

    The governor suggested a national Summit between the traders and the Customs at to correct the impression that the actions and policies of the Customs are targeted against the Igbo traders.

    Governor Okorocha also advised the Customs personnel to concentrate at the borders instead of mounting road blocks in the cities, stating that “if the Customs Officers do what they are expected to do at the borders they have no business mounting road blocks again in the Cities”.

    Governor Okorocha spoke when the Comptroller of Customs, Federal Operations, Zone C, Mr. Azarema. A. Abubakar paid him courtesy, Wednesday, at the Government House Owerri.

    He regretted that “there has been a very dangerous communication gap between the Customs authorities and the Igbo businessmen”, adding that communication is key in the relationship between the two interest groups”.

    According to him, “once the goods have passed the borders and enter the cities, checking them becomes the duty of the Police and no more the functions of the Customs’ officials. Custom officials have no business mounting road blocks inside the cities. Even the issue of under payment should not be the responsibility of the Customs. Customs should also assist the NDLEA to fight illicit drugs, because the NDLEA does not have the needed personnel and resources to fight illicit drugs”.

    His words “I request that Customs’ authorities come down to Imo State or anywhere in the Southeast and talk to the Igbo traders because 90% of the importers are Igbo, come and talk to them and explain to them why the customs take the actions or do some of the things they do that do not go down well with the importers. Our people misunderstand some of these customs’ actions. The impression in the country now is that the Igbo are been witch hunted by the Customs on daily basis because they are Igbo. While that may not be true, there is need to give them proper explanation to some of these actions.

    Read Also:  Okorocha  as instinctive monarchist

    “Due to this lack of communication, some corrupt custom officials take advantage of it and extort money from innocent importers. I will be ready to discuss with my brother governors on this summit. This will help to smoothen the relationship between customs and Igbo importers because for now the relationship is sour and not good for our national unity”.

    He said “Another problem that must be taken care of is the situation where somebody will clear his goods at Apapa Wharf with receipts and when the person gets to Owerri or Aba, they will stop him and insist that he underpaid. It is not the duty of somebody who is here to decide whether somebody underpaid or not in Lagos instead people that cleared him should be held responsible. This double payment of customs duties should stop especially on this side of South-East. This is extortion in my understanding.

    “I Commend the customs for saving millions of lives in Nigeria through the seizure of illegal arms imported into the country as each of those AK47 could take over 100 lives if they enter into the wrong hands. I encourage that the prosecution of those importers who bring in the containers should be made known to the public to serve as a deterrent to others. All we hear is that this number of pump Actions have been seized and AK47 also seized but at the end, the public will not be informed of what has happened to the people that bring in these guns. Custom owes it a duty to explain to people actions taken on persons who commit these crimes”.

    Comptroller Customs, Federal Operations Zone C, Mr. Azarema .A. Abubakar told the governor that Zone C, is made of South-South and South-East with headquarters in Owerri, adding that the South-East is the hub of trade which makes it incumbent on them to seek for Cooperation and support of the governor.

    He said aside checking illegal goods or import the Customs also have to do the job as a security agency, adding that they would work closely with all the relevant persons and bodies.

     

  • ‘Our old-fashioned, life-saving bridge’

    ‘Our old-fashioned, life-saving bridge’

    Do not judge the bridge by its look. It may be old-fashioned but it means the world to the people of Amainyi community in Ihite Uboma Council Area of Imo State. It links them with other neighbouring communities. It is via this bridge that farm produce from the agrarian community is taken to the market in the city. Long files of pupils also take the bridge every morning to school in other villages.

    At a time in the past, Amainyi community was famous for the wooden bridge which was the envy of other surrounding villages which could not afford the comfort of such infrastructure.

    But as a result of long years of abandonment, the bridge finally collapsed, bringing untold hardship on the people of Amainyi community. They were cut off from the neighbouring villages and this adversely affected commercial, social and other activities.

    Little school children had to swim across the river to school with the accompanying dangers.

    Various efforts to get the attention of the government to the plight of the people as a result of the collapsed bridge were abortive until recently when the newly installed traditional ruler of Amainyi, Eze Eze Emeka Ogbonna, drew the attention of the state government.

    Expectedly, the reconstruction of the collapsed bridge after many years brought huge relief to the community. It once more unlocked social and commercial activities crippled in the past.

    The new bridge threw the farmers and women into frenzy and not a few of them were eager to take a walk across the bridge. The news of the new bridge also ignited joy in neighbouring communities that had hitherto been unable to visit Amainyi to buy farm produce.

    The elated monarch, recounted the ordeal the people went through when the bridge collapsed, adding that the reconstruction of the bridge will once more trigger agricultural and commercial activities in the community.

    According to the traditional ruler who is a trained Pharmacist, “our people went through difficult time as a result of the collapsed bridge. Traders that were coming from other communities like Umuoke in Obowo Local Government Area to buy our farm produce could not come again and several other socio-cultural activities were totally grounded”.

    He continued that, “we were able to reconstruct the bridge after the state governor, Rochas Okorocha gave money to traditional rulers in the state to undertake grading of critical community roads. So we met and decided to use part of the money to rebuild the bridge. So today the people are happy because they are now reconnected with other parts of the State. But we are yet to repair the road that connects the bridge and we are sure that the governor will still intervene”.

    The monarch also disclosed that the Eze-in-Council is currently completing abandoned water projects in the community, adding that “we are working hard to revive abandoned and uncompleted projects in the community to make life easier for our people”.

    Some of the villagers who spoke with The Nation, expressed joy over the wind of development that is currently sweeping through the community.

    Nze Durumba Nwaokocha, a widowed octogenarian, particularly relished the reconstruction of the ancient bridge, “when I was a young man we used to take turn to service the bridge. Different age grade takes turn to repair the bridge by replacing decayed logs and clearing the narrow path to the bridge”.

    He stated further that, “I was devastated when the bridge collapsed. Our young men don’t take interest in community service nowadays. But during our time, most of the amenities we had was through communal efforts,  we never waited for government to do everything for us”.

    Also expressing gratitude,  a widow and petty trader,  Madam Agnes Ikuoka, said, “I am so happy about the bridge, last week I went to Umuoke market for the first time after a long time. We thank God for using our Eze to help us to repair our bridge”.

    Meanwhile the state government has commenced massive grading of rural roads across the state to stimulate economic and social development.

  • Killers at Heroes Square

    Killers at Heroes Square

    Scorpion. Explosives. Rocket launchers. AK47. All these conjure imageries of sorrow, tears and blood. And they seem incompatible with the words ‘forgiveness’, ‘heroes’ and ‘amnesty’. But a way was found around them in Imo State on Monday. Perhaps acting in line with the saying that it is human to err and divine to forgive.

    But some sins are just too much to be forgiven, especially when the sinners’ motives for seeking forgiveness are suspect. Killers should have no place at Heroes Square.

    I came to this conclusion on Monday after Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha promised to recommend some of the men behind New Year eve’s massacre in Rivers State to the Federal Government for amnesty. He said he forgave them. They submitted weapons. Yes, weapons of mass destruction. They said they had turned a new leaf.  They were dancing. To them, it was a dance of penitence. To me, it was like they were celebrating the fact that they could enjoy VIP treatment after shedding innocent blood.

    Emenike Agamu, aka General Red Scorpion, was fourth in command to late dreaded militant, Johnson Igwedibia, aka Don Waney. He led the men who surrendered arms to security operatives in the Imo State capital. This was after their boss and his younger brother were felled by the military. Fear of falling to the superior firepower of the military obviously made fake repentance.

    As at the time Red Scorpion and his gang of evil men held their show of shame in Owerri, Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike was still looking for them. He had released a list containing their names.

    Speaking at the Owerri circus, Scorpion confessed that the militant group led by the late Waney killed plenty people and blew up many oil pipelines. He said they were driven into crime by unemployment and poverty. Murder, robbery, rape, kidnapping and cultism were the evils these men wrought on their compatriots.

    Okorocha believed them. I do not. He thinks they deserve forgiveness and even amnesty. I disagree. He perhaps feels they should continue to enjoy the blood money in their kitty. No. No sir.

    The governor called them activists. I say they are criminals. He said “their surrendering arms will end the security challenges we have in the Ohaji/Egbema, Awara and the rest of the areas where people have been on self-exile for many years”. I do not share his optimism. These boys will go back to the creeks and use their hidden weapons once they cannot get free cash again.

    Okorocha called them “our brothers and sisters”. He was kind enough to admit that they stayed in the creeks and forest “perpetuating all kinds of evil, killing and maiming human beings”.

    He added that “our children have decided on their own to come back to the society and be part of the society. They are doing so on their own, surrendering arms which they have used in committing criminal activities for what they called expression of grievances of different sorts”.

    Okorocha was glad that “the lives of these boys have not been left in the hands of the military and police who would have wasted them but today they are been reintegrated into our society to become good citizens”.

    The governor did not end without declaring the clincher: “The state has forgiven them and will subsequently give their names to the Federal Government for amnesty.”

    For some reasons, I do not trust these men. I strongly feel that the weapons they submitted are just a fraction of what they have in their arsenal.

    Amnesty should not be for every Tom, Dick and Harry. The beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, launched under the late Umaru Musa Ya’Adua, were not known to have opened fire on innocent citizens like Waney and his men did on New Year’s eve. These guys deserve to face the law and serve their time.

    These guys do not deserve to be called human-beings. How can anyone who killed people who did not offend him be regarded as human-being? How can someone who killed just to score a point be regarded as human-being? I think we should cut them with knife and see if blood will come out. I have this feeling blood does not flow in their veins.

    We were all in joyous mood that the New Year was here. Then Waney in his evil enclave told Scorpion and others to go to Rivers, his home state where he was even a titled chief, and kill fathers, mothers and children. And they obeyed. By the time they were through, not less than 20 people were dead. Before then, these evil men were known to have killed people and cut off their heads, which they obviously took away as evidence for their masters.

    While I do not agree with Wike that the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State was out to procure amnesty for these self-confessed criminals, I concur with him that these men shed innocent blood in Rivers and if for anything they are to be considered for amnesty, it is Rivers’ business. Not Imo’s. Yes, they have camps in Imo from where they wreaked havoc on the two states, but the last offence for which they are wanted was committed in Rivers. What Imo is trying to do in this respect is nothing but playing the meddlesome interloper.

    As pointed out by the Rivers State government, Section 212 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), does not give the Imo governor the power to grant amnesty to any person for an offence committed in Rivers State. May be Okorocha can grant them amnesty for the offences they committed in Imo State and pass them to Rivers to decide what to do with them.

    My final take: Killers have nothing in common with heroes. So the sort of heroes’ treatment they received at the Heroes Square in Owerri on Monday is disgusting. Their victims must be turning in their graves at the show of shame superintended by the Imo strongman.

  • Okorocha to Ohakim: show your achievements in office 

    Okorocha to Ohakim: show your achievements in office 

    Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, Thursday challenged his predecessor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim to publish his achievements in office.

    The Imo governor who was reacting to Ohakim’s claim that his administration owes Judges in the state 16 months salary, said that the former governor did not run an organized government and could not know that the salaries of Judges are not paid by the state government.

    The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, in a statement made available to journalists, stated that, “Chief Ikedi Ohakim was reported to have announced his desire to contest the 2019 governorship election in the state at a Press Conference.

    “While doing that, he never deemed it necessary to tell his guests one achievement  his administration recorded while he held sway as the governor of the state, from 2007 to 2011”.

    The statement continued that, “Ohakim also never told those in attendance what he would do this time if elected governor again in 2019 which perhaps he didn’t have the time or resources to do when he was governor.

    “He accused the Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha of owing Judges in the State 16months salary arrears and then threatened to go on protest naked if the salary arrears are not cleared by March.

    “When we read that report, we withheld our response with the feeling that the former governor must have been misquoted, and might do a refutal. He didn’t do that but rather maintained his position, occasioning this response.

    “We make hay to say this. If after being governor of the state for four years, the former governor didn’t know that the state government does not pay Judges’ Salary then something must have gone wrong somewhere and it is quite unfortunate.

    “The National Judicial Commission (NJC) pays Judges’ Salaries. If the NJC handles the salary of Judges, then, the former governor was either distributing falsehood or has become overwhelmed by Governor Okorocha’s achievements that he didn’t know what to say again against the governor and his administration than to resort to jokes”.

    It added further that “we are always painstaking when handling issues concerning prominent citizens of the state like Chief Ohakim who had also governed the State, otherwise we would have made certain calls. And in any case, he didn’t run an organized government and didn’t therefore know who was paying who.

    “Let Chief Ohakim publish his achievements for the four years he was governor, with their locations, or publish all the achievements of the PDP governments in the State from 1999 to 2011, or publish the achievements of all those who had governed the state from 1976 when the state was created to 2011 when Rochas came on board and let Rochas publish his own achievements. Let there be issues and not petty lies”.

    The governor’s aide also stated that “Chief Ohakim also ran for the governorship primary of his party in 2015 and came third, which means his party members still have reservations over his tenure as governor from 2007 to 2011.

    “If one good tenure deserves another, should Chief Ohakim’s abysmal tenure also deserve another? The answer is NO.

     “We want to appeal to the former governor to look for another issue to talk about and not the issue of Judges’ Salary because the State does not pay Judges’ Salary”.

  • 2019: Will Madumere’s declaration divide Okorocha’s political family?

    2019: Will Madumere’s declaration divide Okorocha’s political family?

    Since the Deputy-Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere,  declared intention to run for the governorship seat in 2019, there has been speculation that his decision may divide Governor Rochas Okorocha’s political family before the forthcoming election. Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu, reports on the prospects and the fears 

    LONG before he declared interest to contest the 2018 governorship election in Imo State, there has been wide speculation that the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, was poised to succeed Governor Rochas Okorocha. Insiders and informed observers of the All Progressives Congress-led state government of Imo State said he is both favoured and positioned to succeed his political mentor. Besides being one of the oldest associates of the governor within the ruling political family, he is a known confidant of Owelle and is highly favoured by what some analysts call the “zoning factor.”

    But ironically, since the report of Madumere’s declaration of interest to contest for the plum job was made public, there has been apprehension that the expression of his interest at this point in time may divide Okorocha’s political family in Imo State.

    It all began Thursday, towards the end of January, when the Owerri prince finally disclosed his readiness to join the 2019 governorship race after years of silence on his political ambition.

    Madumere, who is from Owerri zone, which has not produced a governor since the return of democracy in 1999, said he is eminently qualified to succeed his boss, Governor Rochas Okorocha.

    That day, Madumere played host to the executive members of All Progressives Congress (APC) from Mbaitoli. In the course of the colourful event, the APC chieftains formally endorsed the Deputy Governor as their “sole candidate for the 2019 gubernatorial election.”

    Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Uche Onwuchekwa, the Deputy Governor, for the first time responded to the recurring invitation when he said he has decided to heed the calls across the state and beyond to contest the 2019 election in the interest of the people of the state that have shown him overwhelming support and solidarity.

    The impact of the declaration on the political texture of the state has been great as any informed observer of the politics of the state would expect. While some said it is an expected development, others expressed fear that it may change a lot of things both within the Imo ruling family and the state APC.

    Some of the concerned observers, who expressed this fear, contend that in spite of the growing popularity of the Deputy Governor among some APC chieftains as the right successor of Owelle, the governor may have someone else in mind, citing what they described as his body language in the last one year; a fact they said may cause a fatal division within the ruling political family.

    Responding in a telephone chat on Thursday this week, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Rochas Okorocha, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, however told The Nation that the report of the alleged declaration of the Deputy Governor to contest elections in 2019 has not caused any division in the political family and will never cause any crack. “Governor Rochas Okorocha is a new generation democrat. I can assure you he would not stand on the way of any aspirant to the governorship seat in Imo. Since the news item you made reference to was published, the robust relationship between the Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, and the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, has remained as cordial as ever. The Governor will not stop any of his people from pursuing their political ambitions. He is a true democrat. Also, the political family is intact and will remain so; you can quote me that any claim of division within the Okorocha political family is the handiwork of enemies of this government and of progress,” he said.

    The Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Uche Onwuchekwa, also confirmed Onwuemeodo’s claim that all is well. He told The Nation that there is no problem between the Governor and the Deputy Governor. “No, there is no problem here, the relationship between the Governor and the Deputy Governor is still as affectionate as it has ever been,” he said, denying any claim of sudden division.

     

    More like a family

    Our investigation shows that Prince Eze Madumere’s relationship with Governor Rochas Okorocha is more like a family member than just a trusted political associate. In fact, since 1998 gubernatorial elections in Nigeria, when he served as the Director for Women and Youth Mobilization for Owelle Rochas Okorocha’s campaign in Imo State, under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Madumere has remained not just a key associate of Okorocha but a principal tactician of the political family’s activities, a job he continued in 2002, when he served as chief strategist on media and logistics for Okorocha’s presidential bid under the platform of ANPP (20022003).

    So, by the time Okorocha came out for his 2011 Imo State governorship bid, Madumere had been acknowledged, even by members of the then emerging political group, as one of the brains behind the formation of and a principal field commander that put in place what is today referred to as Okorocha’s political family in Imo State.

    According to the source, that is why, when Okorocha eventually emerged the governor of Imo State, May 6, 2011, Madumere was first given the strategic position of Chief of Staff to the Governor, a position that put him at the centre of the campaigns for Okorocha’s re-election on April 11, 2015 and more importantly, a position that enabled him to contribute immensely in the articulation and promotion of the Rescue Mission ideology and operations of the Okorocha-led government. He later emerged the Deputy Governor of the state, following the impeachment of the former Deputy Governor, Jude Agbaso.

    Giving insight into the depth of his relationship with the governor way back in September 2016, Madumere had said in an interview, “I understand the vision of my boss. I feel his pulse in his passion to render service to humanity. In all these, keep it simple and ensure you make input to make your leader succeed because that is one of the reasons he has me around.

    “He is gifted. You should also pray that God grants you the grace to be able to understand him at every point in time, interpret his vision and you must be proactive to ensure a smooth sail of work plans. Again, always show deference to your father irrespective of your knowledge, exposure or whatever because such is the heavenly prize you must pay in gratitude. What Governor Okorocha has exposed me to in his magnanimity is nothing money can buy,” he said.

    Such is the intimacy between Madumere and the governor that many members of the political family and close observers could swear that nothing can separate them politically.

    Succession intrigues

    Events in the last one year and what some observers described as the body language of Governor Okorocha however suggest that all may no longer be well. In fact, since the issue of Okorocha’s succession took the front burner in Imo State politics, there have been insinuations that the governor may have been persuaded by some forces to consider looking at another direction instead of Madumere. The Nation investigation shows that family pressure may be primarily responsible to the successor intrigues currently playing out in the state’s seat of power. A source confided that within the immediate family of the governor, members have different candidates and may have been piling up pressure on the governor to consider their choices. “Many of you think the governor is only considering his son-in-law, Hon. Uche Nwosu, but I can assure you that there are many other family members on the line. As we speak, not all the members of the first family here are pushing for the governor to endorse Nwosu. I can reveal to you that Nwosu is not the only son-in-law to the governor that is currently being positioned for the job. In fact, about two other family members are also vying for the governorship seat and they have support within the family, not to talk of the interest of Aunty Jeraldine, who, you must know, is a strong influence on Owelle. So, the matter is more complicated than you can imagine,” the source said.

     

    Okorocha’s body language

    Although Okorocha has never said openly that he would not support the candidacy of his deputy, some of his utterances have been adduced to conclude that he has been toying with the idea of dumping Madumere. The first is his open rejection of zoning formula, which should favour Madumere’s Owerri zone, the only zone that has not produced a governor since 1999.

    Another utterance is his declaration that nobody above 50 years of age will succeed him as governor of the state. For some time, it was considered a mere rumour but the governor was quoted on March 5, 2017 as repeating that statement in Owerri, the state capital, while speaking as a Special Guest of Honour at the occasion marking the beginning of the 2016/2017 legal year in the state. Considering that Madumere is from Owerri zone and is slightly above 50, analysts wondered if the utterances were the governor’s way of declining support for Madumere, who is considered his most trusted aide.

     

    Okorocha’s dilemma

    Apart from the stated restrictions which Okorocha’s critics said were glaring indications of what he intends to do and which some predict would likely lead to open division within his tightly held political family, close observers of APC politics in Imo said Owelle is also encumbered with many other political challenges. An APC chieftain in the state, who pleaded not to be named, confided to The Nation that until the last re-run governorship election in Imo State, Governor Okorocha led a single, united APC in the state, where he was an unchallenged emperor. But following the stiff challenge, Hon. Emeka Ihediola-led PDP governorship team gave him in the run-up to that election, the governor had to enter into an alliance with some other top politicians like Senator Ifeanyichukwu Godwin Araraume. According to our source, this union and a few other alliances that helped to ensure Okorocha’s re-election gave birth to a new state APC, an APC chapter that may no longer be described strictly as a one man association.

    So, besides the problem of his political son to succeed him in 2019, it seems Okorocha is currently burdened by the interest of the other stakeholders like Araraume and what can now be described as the ‘third force’ in the state chapter of the party, that is the group led by Hon. Emeka Nwajiuba. As our source puts it, “The governor’s lot is complex, very complicated. He is under pressure within his immediate family to make a choice. Members of his political family, who labored to nurture the movement, are watching with increasing frustration even as the new alliances within the APC in the state are poised to put up a fight. I think Owelle will need God’s grace to do the right thing and save the party before 2019 elections.”

    What would constitute the right move for Owelle Rochas Okorocha remains to be seen even as the apprehension within all the interest groups continuous to mount.

  • ICYMI: Inside Imo forest of horror

    ICYMI: Inside Imo forest of horror

    A trip to Igwebuike forest, a den of kidnappers and other criminals in Imo State, reveals grisly activities in the thick jungle. 

    The lush vegetation of the Igwebuike forest in Awara village of Ohaji-Egbema Council Area of Imo State, accentuated by melodious songs and chirps of endless species of rare birds, completely conceals the horror inside the expansive jungle. Behind the facade of the natural beauty of the forest lie blood-chilling tales of horror that can intimidate the bravest of hearts. The snaky path that runs through a grassy farmland leading to the bowels of the mysterious forest does not in any way betray anything bizarre.

    One thing that strikes an observant visitor to the forest is the attitude of the villagers, especially those living on the outskirts of the forest. There is this pitiful gaze on the ignorant visitor, suggesting that you may be embarking on a journey to the land of the dead.

    Inside the forest, criminal elements, including kidnappers, daredevil armed robbers, militants, among other hoodlums, gang up to perpetrate unimaginable criminalities. A great percentage of kidnap victims in Imo  and other neighbouring states are either rescued or found dead in the forest.

    In the last two years when the criminal activities in the forest got to its peak, no fewer than 30 decomposed remains of victims have been exhumed by both the police and local vigilantes.

    The villagers do not like discussing the evil that goes on at the Igwebuike forest nor disclose the identities of those behind the heinous crimes for fear of attacks.

    The forest, which is actually an island, is surrounded by the Orashi River, which separates Rivers and Imo states. This has made it naturally appealing to criminal elements who enjoy a sense of security provided by the river and other thick forests.

    Most of the activities of militants from Rivers State and beyond were actually coordinated from the Igwebuike forest where they have their camps.

    It was at this forest that the dreaded militant, Igwedibia aka Don Waney planned the New Year’s Day attack on worshippers in Omoku, Rivers State before he was killed by security men.

    An indigene of the community, Uzor Okafor, disclosed that the Igwebuike forest used to be a communal land until it was hijacked by the “evil men who turned it into a criminal headquarters”.

    According to him, the criminals seized the farmlands and palm plantations and forced the farmers to relocate from the village for fear of violent attacks.

    “I to own a farm along the road to Igwebuike forest and that was what I depended on to feed my family but I had to abandon it and I have not visited the farm in the last three years. Many other farmers have also abandoned their farms for fear of these marauders who are living at the forest.

    “We are appealing to the government to raid the forest and flush out these undesirable elements before they kill everybody. We are suffering in silence. Our community (Awara) is an agrarian community and we depended on farming but the activities of these criminals at Igwebuike forest have affected economic activities in the village. Many people have left the village, abandoning their farms and houses”.

    Another indigene, who didn’t want his name in print, compared Igwebuike forest to Sambisa forest, the stronghold of the Boko Haram terrorists.

    “What is happening in that forest is unimaginable,” he said. “Many people have been buried alive in the forest including wives of prominent chiefs in that community. We are simply helpless. We need the government to assist us and provide security for the villagers”.

    The perplexed traditional ruler of the community, Eze Andrew Ezenwoke, described the forest as a “stronghold of evil”.

    According to him, the criminals live in the forest from where they unleash terror on the community.

    “The forest is a safe haven for all manner of criminals from where they come to town to carry out heinous crimes,” he said.

    Speaking further, the monarch said, “The forest is a kind of island on the border between Imo State and Rivers State and criminal elements, converted it to their den from where they coordinate their activities”.

    He lamented that the community has suffered severely as a result of the criminal activities in the forest.

    “Our people have been forced to abandon their farmlands and homes over the insecurity in the area,” he said. “No one can go into that forest except in the company of armed security men. Our people no longer go to their farms, especially those around the forest”.

    The traditional ruler added further that the community is willing to donate the forest free to government so as to open it up and in the process, overthrow the hoodlums that have made life hellish for his subjects.

    He said, “We are appealing to the government to open up roads in that forest and develop it for residential purposes or better still, cite a school or any other institution on that expanse of land to uproot the evil that is currently sitting on that land. We are ready to give it to the government of charge. It has become a serious nightmare for our people and the entire state because most of the criminals that attack other parts of the state and beyond operate from the forest.

    ”The fact that we share a common boundary with Rivers State also adds to the problem because nearly all the criminals in Rivers equally hide in Igwebuike forest”.

    The state police command which has exhumed corpses of several victims buried in shallow graves at the Igwebuike forest said that the accounts about the forest may not be completely accurate.

    The State Public Relations Officer, Mr. Andrew Enwerem, who confirmed that officers from the command had exhumed remains of two victims from the forest, said that, “there were criminal activities at Igwebuike forest but that does not mean that it is as horrific as believed”.

    The state government last year responded to the security challenges in the community and other parts of the oil producing communities that share common boundary with Rivers State by granting amnesty to the militants.

    At the occasion, over 4000 repentant militants surrendered their arms and renounced militancy and other criminal activities. After the amnesty programme, peace was gradually returning to the communities before the recent criminal activities.

  • Imo Deputy Gov. Eze Madumere joins guber race

    Imo Deputy Gov. Eze Madumere joins guber race

    …says I am eminently qualified to succeed Okorocha

    Imo State Deputy Governor, Eze Madumere, Thursday night, disclosed his readiness to join the 2019 governorship race after years of silence on his political ambition.

    Madumere who is from Owerri zone which has not produced a governor since the return of democracy in 1999, said that he is eminently qualified to succeed his boss, governor Rochas Okorocha. 

    Speaking while playing host the entire executive of All progressives Congress ( APC ), Mbaitoli, Madumere, said that he is one of the earliest Apostles of the Rescue Mission and can be trusted. 

    Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Uche Onwuchekwa, the Deputy governor, said he has decided to heed the calls across the state and beyond to contest the 2019 election in the interest of the people of the State who have shown him overwhelming support and solidarity. 

    The party chieftains endorsed him as their sole candidate for the 2019 gubernatorial election.

    The party executive members from all the twelve wards of Mbaitoli LGA,  led by the Local  Government Chairman, Barr Tony Amaechi, stressed; “among the few celebrated leaders in State and in the country at large, the Deputy Governor, Prince Madumere has distinguished himself in all ramifications. He has not only been proven to be loyal, humble but he has displayed competence to unimaginable measure”.

    They contested that, “among the twelve qualities that have been enumerated as regards who succeeds Governor Okorocha, our Deputy Governor has scored over 98%. For us as a people, he has become a role model and the pride of Imo State. On this note, the entire leadership of All Progressives Congress, Mbaitoli Chapter present him as our soul candidate for the Governorship race.”

    The Youth leader, Comrade Obinna Osuji, in his speech,  described the Deputy Governor as a “trustworthy Imo son who has shown competence, capacity, the administrative acumen and utmost love for the youth through life time empowerment programmes and mentorship”.

    In a similar vein, the Woman Leader,  Hon. Mrs. Gladys Emesibe said; “I am particularly happy with the Deputy Governor of our State. All the women of our party are very happy for the development in the State. Prince Madumere is our pride. He has fear of God. He is humble and has been supportive of the Governor in whatever in every capacity. All the women of Owerri zone have been calling on him to come out because of his leadership qualities. We shall work with other Local Government Areas to ensure that he emerges the Governor”.

  • Unity carnival ushers peace in Imo communities

    Unity carnival ushers peace in Imo communities

    If the mammoth crowd that gathered at Mgbara Primary School in Egbema in Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State for the maiden edition of the Niger Delta Unity Carnival is anything to go by, it is impossible to imagine that the oil-rich community was once the epicentre of cult wars and militancy that forced the people to flee their ancestral homes.

    All grievances and acrimony that had turned the brothers against one  another resulting in an orgy of killing, looting and maiming were jettisoned as brotherly love took over. Everyone, including the key players in the crisis, relished that moment of peace and harmony and pledged to, henceforth, live and work for peace.

    As the crowd was treated to scintillating performances by first-class musicians and cultural troupes, it was evident to the crowd that peace had finally returned to the oil-bearing communities.

    Old women, elders and the youth bathed in the euphoria of the event as they relived the experiences of the ugly past. They danced, sang and hugged one another. To them, it was the birth of a new Egbema.

    All thanks to Hon. Kingsley Uju Chima, the Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations) to Governor Rochas Okorocha who has invested a large chunk of his time and fortune in the peace process not just in his immediate community of Egbema but also in the entire riverside communities.

    Commenting on the carnival, his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Joseph Chimezie, said successful hosting of the crowd at the carnival indicated that peace has finally returned to the communities.

    He said it took intensive consultations and collaborations by his principal with all stakeholders in the oil communities to achieve the feat.

    He said: “To successfully host over 20,000 people in one event without any incident showed that peace has returned. It was not easy and could not have been possible without the diligence of Hon. Uju who has committed his time, resources and energy to bring the warring camps to the peace table, which was sealed with the Maiden Unity Carnival. It took months of diligent planning and the people are happy for the new found peace.”

    Also relishing the peace, Mr. Stanley Uzoaru described it as unimaginable. He said: “It is simply unimaginable to host an event of that magnitude in Egbema without any ugly incident. You can’t even believe that a couple of months ago, the community was hotbed of criminal activities that left many people dead and several properties running into millions of Naira destroyed.”

    As early as 8:00 a.m. that morning, Mgbara Primary School, venue of the event, has been filled to capacity with gaily dressed women and youths who waited with bated breath for the event slated for 12 noon to commence.

    The convener, Hon. Uju, who also launched a foundation, the Zara Uju Foundation for the less-privileged at the event, said the concept of the carnival was to make his people have a sense of belonging.

    Emphasising more on the foundation, Uju revealed that giving has always been the secret of his success, adding that for over 11 years, he has always been donating to the needy stealthily.

    He further stated that his willingness to give necessitated the launch of the Zara Uju Global Foundation to reach out to more people.

    According to him, the categories of people to be taken care of by the foundation “are people living with disabilities, widows, youths interested in learning one skill or the other”.

    Friends and colleagues, as well as well-wishers praised Hon. Uju’s generosity and philanthropic disposition to the needy.

    The guests all made pledges and donations in support of the foundation.

    The foundation also donated trailer loads of rice, yam, tomatoes, salts and motorcycles to the widows and other less-privileged people.

    To entertain guests at the event were different carnival floats, masquerades from the oil-producing communities and award winning musicians such as Timaya, Gozie Okeke, Ruff Coin Nwaba, Achara Man, F2, Chupac, School Fees, MC Egbeigwe, and 2cantalk, among other comedians.

    The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Uche Nwosu and his wife, members of the State House of Assembly, businessmen and top government functionaries, among others attended the event.

  • Imo commissioners pledge to perform

    The Imo State Commissioner for Youth Development Hon. Ifeanyichukwu Onwueyiagba and his Sports counterpart Dr. Martins Ohiri, have assumed duties at the former Ministry of Youth, Sports and Public Safety, Owerri, Imo State Secretariat Complex.

    Addressing the Heads of Departments (HODs) at the Conference Hall of the Ministry, Hon. Onwueyiagba described his appointment as historic, stating that he would remain appreciative of Governor Rochas Okorocha. He promised to learn from HODs to make positive impact so as to add to the passion Governor Okorocha has for the youth of Imo and their development. He said the N1 million released by the governor to the 305 wards and N5 million empowerment fund to Ohaji/Egbema youths, were some of the good gestures of the governor geared towards a solid future for youths. He promised to sustain Okorocha’s magnanimity.

    In a statement, Brendan Nwaozor, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Public Safety Public Relations Officer (PRO), said Ohiri thanked the governor for finding him worthy to represent him at the Ministry of Sports. He sees his appointment as a challenge to prove his mettle, stressing that with the grace of God and assistance of the Permanent Secretary, and the HODs, sports in the state would move to a higher level. Ohiri appealed for team work to realise Okorocha’s vision for sports development.

    Earlier, Hon Onwueyiagba and Ohiri paid a courtesy visit to the Head of Service, Mr. Callistus Ekenze. Mr. Ekenze congratulated them on their appointments. He wished them success and urged them to prove their worth by improving on the success legacy left behind by their predecessors.

    The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Rosemary Izuogu, welcomed the two commissioners to the ministries and informed them that the entire staff were happy to receive them. She promised that they will put in their best to ensure they excel in their respective ministries. She later took the two commissioners round the various offices and departments of the ministries on a familiarisation tour.