The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Imo

  • Imo communities protest

    Major oil producing communities in Imo State have decried their alleged exclusion during last week’s visit of Acting President Prof Yemi Osinbajo.

    The communities blamed this on alleged bickering among politicians.

    They called on  Governor Rochas Okorocha to intervene and end the supremacy battle among politicians, especially his appointees.

    They alleged that the Acting President’s visit was hijacked by some politicians.

    The communities warned that the situation could compromise the peace in the area.

    The House of Assembly has summoned Deputy Chief of Staff Kingsley Uju to explain his “role” in shutting out communities during the visit.

    The House said Uju would answer to various allegations of high handedness and favouritism.

  • Imo’s siege of the vampire

    Imo’s siege of the vampire

    Wikipedia defined vampire, as a being from folklore who subsists by feeding on the life essence (generally in the form of blood) of the living. In European folklore, vampires were undead beings that often visited loved ones and caused death or mischief in the neighbourhood they inhabited when they were alive.
    So when a man styles himself vampire, he is no less expected to re-enact the attributes of that being from which his name derives. That was exactly the scenario that played out in a very dramatic manner at the premises of the Owerri High Court, Imo State a couple of days back.
    It looked like fiction. It had all the attributes of vampires portrayed in very menacing forms with dire consequences for humans. But this time, it was no fiction. It was real and live.
    The vampire really gave a good life account of its self. It did not only suck blood; it caused mischief and left in its trail sorrow and awe before disappearing very mysteriously. It did not visit loved ones but the neighbourhood where he was being detained since he is not the typical vampire that is considered to be causing trouble from its grave.
    This very vampire is known; has a name and is mortal. He is a notorious kidnapping and armed robbery suspect who has been standing trial at the Owerri High Court for related offences. Accounts had it that heavily armed gunmen penultimate Friday, stormed the high court premises shooting sporadically killing two people with many others critically wounded in a bid to free a notorious kidnap suspect, Henry Chibueze, popularly known as vampire.
    The invading gunmen numbering about six stormed the court room where the suspect and 49 others were standing trial, opened fire and successfully ferried away vampire in a waiting SUV vehicle. It was a scene to behold as judges, lawyers and some security men scampered for safety. Three judges and one magistrate were reported to have sustained serious injuries and taken to the hospital.
    Coincidentally, vampire was arrested in 2015 by the DSS while planning to kidnap some judges who were in the state for a conference and has been standing trial since then. He is said to be linked to many high profile kidnappings, killings and armed robbery cases and had evaded security until the DSS succeeded in arresting him.
    With his escape, an uneasy air now pervades the state as there is palpable fear of an upsurge in kidnapping and related criminal activities. Nobody knows what will follow next given the dexterity and brazen impunity with which his colleagues in crime ferried him to safety. As usual, security operatives are said to be on “top of the situation’ to ensure there is no breakdown of law and order.
    Expectedly, they have commenced a manhunt to apprehend the escapee and clear the huge embarrassment the incident represents. This is more so given that the Owerri High Court is so strategically located that if the gun men could operate so freely in the manner they did, whisking away such a dangerous and high profile suspect, then Imo people have genuine cause to be apprehensive of their lives.
    For, apart from the high court being located close to the Government House and the official residence of the Commander of the 34 Field Artillery Brigade, Obinze, the area is heavily manned by soldiers and policemen with armoured personnel carrier stationed close by. It was therefore curious that the armed men could operate freely in the brazen manner they did without resistance.
    The state governor, Rochas Okorocha was reported to have placed a ransom of N5 million for any person that will volunteer information that will lead to the arrest of the escaped suspect to underscore the seriousness of the matter. But the state Police Commissioner Taiwo Lakanu in his initial reaction to the monumental challenge was unfortunately reported to have said it was the headache of the Nigerian Prisons Service.
    If by that statement Lakanu was implying that the siege occurred when officials of the prison service brought the suspects to court and are therefore culpable for mismanaging the situation, he could be understood. But if the purport of that statement is that the state police command has nothing to do with the embarrassing development, then he got it entirely wrong. Could it be the reason why despite the strong security mounted around the court premises, there was no challenge to the impunity of the bandits until they had fulfilled their mission and vamoosed into the thin air?
    Such a statement raises puzzles about the security architecture erected around the area and the synergy that ought to exist between the various security agencies in such emergency situations that miserably left them all gaping. One would have wished to find out the responses of the police and the military immediately the assault was going on.
    So the matter is not just the headache of the prisons as Lakanu would make us to believe but the headache of the entire security operatives in the state including the governor who off course is the chief security officer of the state.
    Now that vampire and some other suspects are at large, the state police command and other related agencies cannot fold their hands just because the unfortunate incident was mishandled by the prison authorities. The fact that armed criminals could brazenly assault the state and escape without challenge is enough worry for the police which Lakanu leads. He may now find out that much of the responsibility for tracking down and re-arresting vampire and his colleagues in crime would still rest on the shoulders of the police.
    Though there may have been dereliction of responsibility on the part of the prison officials for not making adequate security arrangements before conveying the suspects to court, it would appear the usual rivalry between the various security agencies may have had a role in bringing about the unfortunate pass. We say so given that the prisons did admit that they got a call that some armed men were in the court premises but presumed they could be officials of the DSS since they were conveying over 50 inmates to the court.
    And if one may wish to ask, what are the usual arrangements when such a huge number of suspects are to be brought to court? Why did the prison authorities presume that the armed men sighted within the court premises are officials of the DSS? And why did it not occur to someone to cross-check given the sensitivity of the assignment they were to embark upon? These are issues that should be established through a thorough and very serious investigation involving all arms of the nation’s security agencies.
    This reality speaks volumes and only a very detailed investigation could unravel why armed men were sighted within the court premises and nobody raised eyebrows. It is also a big puzzle how such a contingent of armed men arrived the court premises without being noticed by the security agencies within the area. And when actual shootings started, why was response zero?
    Suspicion of connivance between some prison officials and the criminals has been raised. More so with reports that a prison official had in the past been caught sharing kidnapping information with some suspects and that such a plan was even executed by some suspects while in detention. These are very troubling developments that out to provide quick lead to the direction of the probe.
    Given all the issues that have been traded, the federal government should set up a high-powered investigation team involving all arms of the security agencies to get at the root of this national embarrassment. Definitely, there is more to the escape of the suspects than ordinarily meets the eyes. The impression fast gaining ground is that there is an official dimension to the escape of vampire and his accomplices.

  • Imo gangsters

    •Is Imo State losing the security plot?

    There is cause for worry in Imo State. Two gangster actions in just 36 hours left the beautiful city of Owerri, the state capital, and the heartland state of eastern Nigeria in a trail of blood and sorrow. It is not that tales of killings and gangsterism do not abound in other parts of the country, but the last two reports emanating from Owerri are peculiar.

    The first happened last Friday on the premises of the High Court, Imo State. A suspected kidnap kingpin, Henry Chibueze, (also known as Vampire) was being arraigned and as proceedings were about to start, an armed gang suspected to be his members stormed the premises and guns blazing in commando style sprung him.

    About six persons were reportedly killed in the episode and an unknown number injured. Among those hospitalised were judges and lawyers who scaled fences in their escape bid. Among the fatal casualties were said to be prisons personnel while soldiers on guard in the area were reported to have fled upon hearing the sound of the marauders’ superior arms.

    This manner of armed assault on a court in a capital city in Nigeria is a rarity. This one is particularly troubling considering the seemingly secure location of the court. The High Court, Owerri is behind the Government House, and down the road is the Command House, the abode of the Commandant of 34 Brigade, Obinze. A short walk away is the State Command of the Department of State Services (DSS) as well as the Imo State Police Command.

    In other words, the court would be assumed to be located in a highly secure precinct. But how only six gunmen could breach its security and whisk away a suspect in an SUV is a jigsaw security operatives would have to unravel; and quickly too.

    But as the report goes, it may well be that security may have been compromised while the suspect was in detention as it is claimed that he was afforded such privileges as using cell phones and meeting female consorts. It was alleged that he was also coordinating the affairs of his gang even from behind the bars.

    The other incident happened two days later (Sunday) in Ikenegbu area of the city, not far from the scene of the first incident. It is the abduction and killing of Mr. Ben Onyechere, a former aide of the former governor of Abia State, Chief Theodore Orji.

    Mr. Onyechere was reportedly trailed to a supermarket by his assailants at about 8 p.m. by about five gunmen. The hoodlums had ejected his driver from the car and driven away with the victim. The following day, Onyechere’s body was found in the neighbourhood. His driver who was said to have tried to resist was shot in the legs.

    This manner of brigandage and wanton killings in a state are unacceptable, to say the least. That armed gangs would operate day and night, kill freely and walk away from the scene unchallenged is ominous. It is suggestive of numerous dark auguries chief among which are a failure of governance and a looming anarchy.

    These two dastardly killings are affronts to the chief security officer of the state, which is the governor; and it is symptomatic of serious dereliction of duty by the commissioner of police in the state and all members of the state’s security council. These incidents give the impression that the state is vulnerable and suffers deficient policing.

    Further, the report that a seemingly dangerous detainee was accorded privileges, if true, is a marker of the rot in the prison system. The bloody escape of the victim is just one possible dire consequence of such shirking of responsibilities.

    We urge the state government and all concerned to act swiftly to remedy the situation by going after the miscreants and bringing them to book. This is the only response that will restore confidence in the ability of the government of the day to protect residents of the state.

  • Imo celebrates maiden airline

    Imo celebrates maiden airline

    It was fanfare at the Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport as the first flight of the maiden Imo Airline, Imo Air, touched down at exactly 11.42am to the admiration of thousands of Imo indigenes who thronged the airport to witness the historic event.

    The governor and his wife, Nneoma, who were among the first passengers aboard the flight from Lagos, was greeted with thunderous cheers from the ecstatic crowd who broke the security line into the tarmac to catch a close glimpse of the flight.

    “The state is not affected by the economic recession that has crippled most states in the Federation,” the governor declared, happily, adding, “|Imo has continued to make huge investments and execute capital intensive projects to the amazement of other states”.

    Speaking at the colourful event, Okorocha asserted that “Imo is not affected by the much-talked about recession in the Country because some people might wonder why the State should dabble into Airline business in time of recession”.

    He explained that the State has cleared arrears of pension and paid salaries up to December 2016, and is about to commence the payment of January Salary.

    The maiden flight landed at the Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport Owerri with the first set of passengers including the State Governor and members of the State Executive Council and was welcomed by thousands of Imo people who thronged the airport to celebrate the feat.

    Meanwhile, the Airline will be operated and managed on behalf of the State by DANA Airline because according to the Governor, the State has not gotten the license to operate a full blown Airline.

    The governor said it has been his dream to “position Imo State on the fast lane of development, prosperity and growth”, adding that he won’t rest on his oars until that dream is realized.

    He added that “Imo is not affected by the much-talked about recession in the Country because some people might wonder why the State should dabble into Airline business in time of recession”.

    He said, “This is a happy moment in the state. The aim of going into the air business is because I want to drive traffic to Imo State as Owerri is genuinely becoming the fastest developing city outside Abuja and Lagos. For this, there is need for more airlines to cushion the effects of high traffic coming to the state”.

    Continuing, he said, “Imo government does not have an operating air license. So we needed to partner with a good and qualified airline operator, hence the choice of DANA Air because of its proven track record and sincerity of purpose. The Imo Air will be operated by DANA and we have a contract of ten years with them. We have five of this aircraft and the first one has just landed and four other ones will start operation in few weeks’ time”.

    The Governor explained further that, “the International Cargo Airport will soon kick-start to supplement the efforts of Imo Air. In our pursuit of making Imo better, Imo International Cargo Airport will soon commence operations. Work is going on smoothly and by April God’s willing the fastest International Cargo Plane will arrive in Imo State. This, we believe will help drive up commercial activities in the State. Imo is a hub for business and there is no better place to invest now in Nigeria than Imo State as in spite of the recession the State is still flourishing and progressing because of its visionary leadership”.

    He said that Imo Air will have 10% discount for all indigenes flying the plane and the operation will equally employ over 30% of Imo sons and daughters to help in the management of the Imo Air”.

    The DANA Air Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Mbanuzuo Obi in his speech, stated that, “the partnership between DANA and the good people of Imo State will create employment and better working relationship for the State. Imo Air is in safe hands and the choice of DANA Air for the partnership is an excellent choice as DANA Air is registered with International Air Transport Association operations and security treasuring”.

    Obi added that DANA Air has the best Customer Service Awards for 3 years running and has also been known to operate one of the top most operational brands in Nigeria.

    He commended Okorocha for his vision and passion for excellence.

     

  • Imo to disburse N1b loan to SMEs

    Imo to disburse N1b loan to SMEs

    THe Imo State government yesterday said it will begin, next week, the disbursement of N1 billion Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) loan to operators of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
    The Economic Adviser to the Governor, Mr. Iyke Njoku, addressed reporters on the fund.
    Njoku said Governor Rochas Okorocha attracted the loan to assist SMEs across the state.
    The governor’s aide, who is also the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, said the state applied for N2 billion, after the CBN announced that it earmarked N200 billion for SMEs but got the approval for N1 billion from the apex bank.
    He said: “After the announcement, the state applied for N2 billion. But at last, we got N1 billion, which was attracted through the efforts of the governor, who is desirous to boost small and medium businesses in the state. The process of sourcing the loan has been made easy so that those doing small businesses in the villages can access the loan.”
    Njoku said the loan, which would be repaid between one to three years, would be monitored by the government to prevent its diversion from the purpose it was meant.
    The commissioner said the beneficiaries of loan would not be restricted to those in SMEs but would be extended to those in agriculture to boost food production.
    He said the state had not accessed any fund under the CBN Anchor Borrowers Programme for rice production.
    On the state’s debt profile, Njoku said Imo was not indebted to any commercial bank in the country.

  • Heartland Flickers miss Kenyan flight

    Heartland Flickers of Imo have missed their scheduled flight from Abuja to Kenya for the 2017 Africa Club Competition slated for Saturday to Jan. 15, an official said on Friday.

    Dorothy Edih, Secretary, Imo Hockey Association, made the disclosure to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

    Edih said that the team had left Abuja for Lagos to seek alternative flight.

    She said that the team missed the flight due to delays on their way to Abuja.

    NAN reports that the team’s vehicle broke down and they had to sleep in Lokoja.

    “Besides, we did not pay on time for the flight because we equally had delays from the government with the release of funds.

    “By the time we arrived, it was late to make payment. We were told that there is no flight to Kenya from Abuja, so, we have to move to Lagos.

    “We hope to get a flight from Lagos to Kenya tomorrow (Jan. 7) by God’s grace,’’ she said.

    The team is made up of 18 players and eight officials.

  • Succour for the poor at Imo Thanksgiving Day

    Succour for the poor at Imo Thanksgiving Day

    Owerri, the Imo State capital, was suffused with dignitaries who came from far and near to join those who are indigenous to the state in this year’s Imo Day of Thanksgiving.

    The people began trooping to the Heroes’ Square where the annual event usually holds. They sang melodious hymns as they danced along.

    The capital city had been in celebration mood since the beginning of the Yuletide season as the government took time to beautify the city preparatory to Christmas celebrations.

    This has been the routine since the inception of the ‘Rescue Mission government’ of Governor Rochas Okorocha. A day is set aside at the end of the year to remember the needy and the vulnerable ones who could not fend for themselves.

    The day, which is now known as the Imo Day of Thanksgiving, is characterised by acts of kindness anchored on genuine philanthropy.

    Expensive gifts, including cars, clothes, household wares, food items and cash are freely donated by the State Governor and all government functionaries, as well as other public-spirited individuals and given out to the needy that usually come out in large numbers at the Heroes’ Square where the annual event normally holds.

    This year’s edition was no less successful as it attracted the usual crowd and very eminent personalities from within and outside the country. Those in attendance were former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Ghana’s President-elect, Nana Akufo-Addo, among others.

    Speaking at the event which was preceded by a visit to the Palace of the Chairman of the Imo State Traditional Rulers’ Council and Eze Imo, Eze Agunwa Ohiri, Governor Okorocha said the day was set aside to appreciate God for His goodness upon the state and her people in the preceding year, adding that the event is also a platform to show love and care for the needy.

    He said: “Imo Day of Thanksgiving is not only for members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state but for the whole of Imo people; not minding their political affiliations.”

    According to him, the Thanksgiving was organised to enable Imo people to thank God for what He has done for the state and her people.” He added that “the Thanksgiving will attract more blessings from God”.

    The governor further said all that his administration had achieved would not have been possible without God; hence the need to thank Him and commit the rest years of his administration to Him.

    Commenting further on the importance of the Thanksgiving Day, Okorocha said it gave the rich the opportunity to share what God has blessed them with the poor, thereby attracting more blessings.

    Also speaking about the Thanksgiving Day, the Deputy Governor Prince Eze Madumere said: “The wisdom behind the annual Imo Thanksgiving is to show allegiance to God Almighty since Imo State was founded by God Himself. We also use the forum to extend goodwill to the less-privileged in our midst and extend God’s manifold blessings upon us to others.”

    Continuing, he said: “It is very fundamental to our very existence as Christians. Owelle Rochas Okorocha has no other god other than the Supreme God. That is why we are not ashamed to worship in the glare of all.”

    Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu who was the Chairman of the occasion described Governor Okorocha as a statesman who knows when to play politics and when to offer leadership to his people. He added that as the governor of the state, “he has never discriminated against people based on partisan politics but has continued to carry everybody along, including the poor and the vulnerable.”

    Obasanjo, who was the Guest Speaker at the event, said he was particularly delighted to join Imo people in thanking God for what He has used their governor to do in the state, stressing that he was amazed to see a new Owerri town which, he said, is quite different from what he used to know.

    He said: “Rochas Okorocha was my unpaid adviser who helped me in most of the good policies I initiated as a President. I want to congratulate him because he has changed the face of Owerri. I know this city very well. As I came in today, I was asking is this the Owerri that I used to know.”

    The Special Guest of Honour and Ghana’s President-elect, Akufo-Addo, said: “I cherish the progressive zeal I have seen in Governor Okorocha and I know that he is a great leader that has the passion to develop Nigeria and Africa.”

    Those that came received handsome gifts ranging from bags of rice, clothes, household appliances and cash.

    Some of the beneficiaries who spoke with Southeast Report said the Imo Day of Thanksgiving has become a watershed for the needy. They described the annual event as divinely inspired to give the poor a sense of belonging and a feeling of the Yuletide.

    Madam Theresa Akuche,  a disabled widow who was among those who went home with cash gift and food items, thanked the state government for remembering the poor during the Christmas season.

    She said: “How would my children and I be able to celebrate the Christmas season taking into consideration the current prize of rice. But I got one bag of rice and enough money today. My prayer is that God will reward our Governor who has remembered the poor.”

    Another beneficiary, Mr. Lazarus Ikonne, said he came all the way from Arondizuogu in Ideato North Local Government Area to be part of the event. He added that, “apart from the gift items I received, I was moved to tears by the genuine and uncommon show of love displayed by our governor, his wife and the Deputy Governor. We will not cease in praying for them and the entire state.”

    Even those that were not members of the APC benefited from the gesture.

    Mr. Chibuike Onyenta, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who was also a beneficiary, said the initiative has blessed the needy and has fostered unity beyond political and religious divides.

    He advised the rich in the state to join hands with the government in bringing respite to the poor.

    The event was a platform for the governor and other important dignitaries that attended the occasion to exhibit humility. One would be surprised to see Governor Okorocha carrying a carton of indomie on his head as if he was returning from the village market.

    Also, former President Obasanjo is seen carrying a tuber of yam. That was expected because he is farmer. All the dignitaries, including visiting Ghana’s President-elect, Akufo-Addo were humble enough to carry one item of thanksgiving or the other. This, indeed, is leadership by example.

  • Nursing association to open Imo branch

    the Association of General Private Nursing Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPNP) will inaugurate its Imo State branch next month.

    Its president Rev Joseph Olawale said the association has inaugurated the Benue and Abia branches.

    He spoke during the association’s fifth annual general meeting/national conference in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

    “Some states in the North are warming up to fully join the association especially Sokoto and Borno States,” he said.

    Olawale urged AGPNP members to development themselves “educationally, morally, financially and religiously.”

    He said: “Do not be a yellow page member. Be very current in the practice and practise within your limitations as dictated by your curriculum. Invest in new ideas and drugs,” he said.

    The AGPNP president thanked the association’s partners such as NGOs, donor organisations, and the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) for their support.

    “I appreciate NANNM for their interest in AGPNP. They are ready to make sure that AGPNP has good footing in their states,” Olawale added.

  • Imo, Enugu govs present 2017 budgets

    IMO State governor, Rochas Okorocha, and his Enugu State counterpart, Governor Ifeayin Ugwuayin, yesterday presented budget proposals of N131,143,144,277 (one hundred and thirty-one billion, one hundred and forty-three million, one hundred and forty-four thousand, two hundred and seventy seven Naira) and N105,719,471,000 (one hundred and five billion, seven hundred and nineteen million, four hundred and seventy one thousand Naira) respectfully to the various state Houses of Assemblies for the 2017 fiscal year. A breakdown of the Imo State’s budget tagged ‘Budget of Consolidation and Continuity II’ showed that N77.413 billion representing 59.03% was for capital expenditure, while recurrent expenditure got N53. 730 billion representing 40.97% of the total budget estimate.

    The governor explained that the budget was informed by the “compelling need to accomplish more for the people and accelerate the pace of work in ongoing projects and programmes in all sectors of the economy. He said: “The 2017 budget is expected to give a thrust to my vision to address the infrastructural challenge of the State, improve the tourism potentials as well as the living standard of our people.” Okorocha explained further that to finance the 2017 budget, “the state government will endeavour to enforce all existing revenue laws through revenue courts to reduce incidences of tax evasion to the barest minimum”.

    He also pointed out that “the state government has already introduced short and medium term measures to reduce our recurrent expenditure”, adding that “these measures focus on cutting non-essential and non-developmental expenditure elements from the budget”. According to the governor, the 2017 proposed budget will focus on the existing free education programme, infrastructural development, urban renewal, rapid industrialization and employment generation, agricultural development, efficient healthcare delivery and women and youth development.

    Earlier in his speech, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Acho Ihim ,expressed hope that the 2017 budget will address the issues of sustaining infrastructure development in the state. He also expressed satisfaction at the performance of the 2016 budget. The Enugu appropriation bill which was themed: “Budget of Economic Recovery and Inclusive Development”, when approved, according to Governor Ugwuayin would address the yearnings and aspirations of the people of the state in spite of the present economic challenges in the country.

    The governor noted that the budget represents a 24 percent increase compared to the previous year’s figure of N85,179,449,000 (eighty five billion, one hundred and seventy nine million, four hundred and forty nine thousand Naira). From the budget size presented, N55,197,939,000 representing 52 percent is for recurrent expenditure while the sum of N50, 521,532,000 representing 48 percent is for capital expenditure. According to the governor, the increase is a result of his administration’s commitment to boost the state’s Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR) and explore other funding windows to complement allocation from the federation account. Gov. Ugwuanyi pledged that attention will be given to completion of ongoing 2016 priority projects and execute new ones that will touch the lives of the people positively.

    The governor promised better days ahead and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to zero tolerance for corruption, adding that the diversification of the state economy through private sector participation and Public Private Partnership to fast-track sustainable and inclusive development is also a top priority. He disclosed that his administration has made modest efforts in its reform programmes, adding that it has mapped out strategies for the implementation of the 2017 budget. Responding, the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi, commended the governor for his administration’s fiscal discipline which contributed to an impressive implementation of the 2016 budget. While promising a speedy passage of the budget, without compromising its oversight functions, the Speaker applauded the cordial relationship between the legislative and executive arms of government in the state.

  • Imo police join change campaign

    Imo police join change campaign

    The ‘Change begins with Me’ campaign of the Federal Government is yielding results in the police, one institution that is grossly perceived to be corrupt. But perception or not, law enforcement agents are already in the forefront of the campaign for a corrupt-free Nigeria.

    In Imo State, the Commissioner of Police Taiwo Lakanu launched the crusade at the Imo International Conference Centre.

    The audience, including traditional rulers, religious leaders, students, youth organisations, government officials and other stakeholders, were thrilled when hundreds of policemen filed out with placards with such inscriptions as, ‘say no to corruption’, ‘bail is free’, ‘corruption kills, kill corruption’, ‘I am the change’, ‘change begins with me’ and ‘say no to bribery’, among others.

    The scene evoked mixed feelings, but the message that it will no longer be business as usual in the police force was not lost on anyone. The determined look on their faces and the joy with which they flaunted their new identity showed that officers and men of the police force have been desirous to change the negative public perception about policemen.

    Flagging off the campaign at the colourful event, Lakanu said it is aimed at correcting the attitudinal problems and negative habits in the police.

    He noted that the campaign will also change the public’s perception of the men and officers of the force.

    According to him, Nigerians are entitled to a better service delivery from the police and as such must have a better perception of their services.

    He said, “During the launch, the President admonished every Nigerian to contribute to change by changing the way we conduct ourselves, engage our neighbours and generally how we relate with the society. Evidently therefore, the entire campaign is anchored on change of attitude and a total re-orientation of the way we live. As a result, in line with the directives of the Inspector General of Police for the Nigeria Police Force to embrace the campaign, the Police Force to embrace the campaign, the Imo State Police Command is launching the campaign”.

    Speaking further,the Commissioner of police said, “No one can fault the assertion that there is a compelling need for a sweeping change of attitude within the Nigeria Police Force. This is more so as the perception of the institution by members of the public is unfortunately one that is not only corrupt but inefficient and brutal.

    “As negative as such a perception may be and as indicting of the force as it may also portend, the fact is that it was formed from nothing. It is indeed a by-product of the way members of the public are treated by some policemen.

    “Most Nigerians perceive the police force as corrupt, even though not every policeman is guilty of the vice. However, the fact a few bad eggs have decimated the image of the whole institution renders it objectionable to those they are supposed to be serving. Hence the need to key into the ‘Change Begins with Me’ campaign becomes inevitable if the Force must change such negative impressions and perceptions.

    “For instance, under my leadership, the state police command has been working assiduously to effect a change of attitude among members of the force. We have set up a monitoring unit called the X Squad to serve as an organ for Police oversight and accountability at the command.

    “At the highest level of the command’s leadership, the attitudinal change has commenced in earnest and is expected to trickle down to the bottom. The leadership of the command has vowed to walk the talk as the era of saying one thing and doing an entirely different thing is long gone”.

    The police boss at the occasion also launched what he called Operation ‘Nkpochapu’, which he said is designed to flush out all criminal elements in the state, especially during the yuletide.

    Reacting to the development, one of the traditional rulers who graced the occasion, Eze Leo Nwokocha, said that the launching of the campaign by the Police, will rebuild the trust of the public in the police force.

    He stressed that the traditional institution will also key in into the campaign, adding that true change can only come when every Nigerian and public institutions embrace change and seize to do things in the old manner.

    The monarch commended the state police command for quickly adopting the change slogan, adding that, “the Imo CP has always insisted on doing things the right way and this has reflected in the conduct of policemen across the state and I am sure that with the launching of this campaign, many more officers and men in the command will turn a new leaf and this will be in the overall interest of the society”.