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Tag: Succour

  • Succour for Anambra widows

    Over 150 widows in Anambra State have been empowered by Virtuous Women Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO).

    The widows drawn from across the 21 local government areas of the state were presented with motorcycles, wrappers, bags of rice, toiletries and other material gifts.

    Addressing the beneficiaries in Awa, Orumba South council area, founder of the NGO, Mrs Ifeyinwa Egbosiuba said the exercise was part of the organisation’s programmes in alleviating the challenges of the widows.

    She noted that the association, which had been in the forefront of empowering widows since inception, had empowered no fewer than 20,000 widows in the 36 states of the federation.

    She said, “The day is set aside by the United Nations to recognise and empower widows and vulnerable children.

    “We offered European Scholarships to 36 youths and 12 children in primary and post-primary schools as well as to the university.

    “Skills acquisition programmes, shelter for widows, and farming schemes have also been provided.”

    Egbosiuba solicited support to better the lives of widows and the less-privileged in the society.

    Also speaking, Captain, Anti-Conflict Peace Keeping Chaplaincy, Lagos headquarters, Mr Ernest Maduka, said widowhood was not a curse, neither were widows beggars nor objects of sympathy.

    Read Also: Better days await Lagos widows, say perm sec, others

    Speaking on the theme, “Upholding The Human Rights of Widows”, Maduka noted that women and girls had rights to be protected from sexual and gender based-violence in armed conflicts.

    The empowerment/support programme featured awareness lecture as well as inauguration of state executive.

    One of the lecturers, an Assistant Director, Investigations, National Human Rights Commission, Anambra State, Mrs. Nkechi Ugwuanyi said the day was observed globally to educate the public on issues of concern, mobilise political will and resources to address problems of women’s rights.

    “In Anambra, women are faced with various kinds of abuse and violations, ranging from disinheritance, sexual violence, domestic violence, discrimination on ground of gender to harmful traditional practices,” she decried.

    She enjoined relevant stakeholders to live up to their obligations by upholding the rights of widows as enshrined in the international and National laws.

    She added, “There is need for stakeholders to intensify their efforts at creating awareness on widows’ rights and the need for inclusion of women in decision making process during conflict resolution.’’

  • Succour for Bayelsa victims of electoral violence

    Victims of the last general elections from Nembe Bassambiri, Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, received some succour recently. A philanthropist, Reuben Okoya, an Architect brightened their world. Okoya, one of the leading governorship aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) visited them and made cash donations in order to alleviate their suffering.

    The people of Bassambiri, mainly members of the PDP, were chased out of their ancestral homes during the last Presidential and National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly elections.

    They were reportedly sent packing by their brothers and sisters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following unresolved political disagreements. Since the incident, some of them have been living as displaced persons at King Koko Centre in Ogbolomabiri, Nembe.

    But Okoya, out of sympathy, paid them a visit. Okoya has been at the forefront of donating to people in need. During the last flood that ravages most communities, he visited some of the Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDP) camps and donated relief materials.

    His visit to the victims of political struggle was special. It restored hope to the hopeless and made them believe in their party. Okoya gave them N2 million and promised to engage his friends and other interventionist agencies to facilitate their resettlement at home.

    Okoya was accompanied to the event by the Director-General of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Dr. Zedekiah Isu. He told them that his efforts to help the downtrodden were borne out of his antecedent as a manager of resources, cities and people.

    Addressing the displaced persons, he said: “Last year, we had a very big flood in Bayelsa. During that period of the flood, I went out with my team supported by SEMA. We went round the state helping those victims by providing them with food, money and equipment for them to survive the period. I was a commissioner of Bayelsa State during Alaemieseigha time, in Jonathan’s time I went to Abuja to work as a City Manager. So, I manage cities, I manage people and I manage resources.

    “A few months ago, I heard that there were some displaced people in Nembe because of political reasons. The truth is that you are all our brothers, our children, our sisters, our fathers and mothers. In this day and age, nobody from Nembe should be displaced. The United Nations recognises that displacement can come from war, famine or factors beyond human control but you are displaced for reasons that can be controlled by humankind.

    “They pushed you out of your homes and your comfort, but I can help you. I can identify with you and help you provide funding to be able to help you out for at least this short period. Your kids have to go to school. You still have to cure malaria and typhoid.”

    While observing that Boko Haram victims were catered for by the Federal Government, Okoya wondered: “Who is taking care of you?” He, however, thanked the administration of Governor Seriake Dickson for giving monthly stipends to the victims for their upkeep.

    But he said: “Those of us who are fortunate should also help. I am fortunate and I must give back to those who are less fortunate. I have come to help. I want to ask all Bayelsans who are out there, who consider you their brothers and sisters to also help, no matter how little.

    “We want to appeal to all Bayelsans to be our brothers’ keeper because you are displaced now, it might be us tomorrow. We need you to be with us at all times. I also appeal to businesses and companies that are doing well in Bayelsa State to bring something to the table to help you.

    “I am sure the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has a fund for helping less privileged people. They can provide because the money is not much. So, they can help you to go back home. Our prayer is that in some weeks from now you will go back to your homes but in the meantime how do you survive?

    “I appeal to the NDDC and other federal agencies to come to your rescue. We know you were displaced for some political reasons. We want to appeal to the Federal Government to come and make your area safe, so that you can go back home and live.”

    Okoya described displacement as a terrible experience, adding that it causes anger, especially when one realises that the people involved were from oil-producing communities. He said the people would be indignant that the Federal Government had done nothing to them despite taking their resources.

    He urged them to remain calm and peaceful and avoid the temptation of resorting to violence.

    He said: “I want to appeal to everyone to come to your rescue and restore your dignity. When you take someone’s dignity from him, you take everything from him. I see young men who have families but they can’t cater for their families.

    “I want to encourage you to be steadfast, no matter how painful you get, no matter how depressed you get, no matter how frustrated you get, don’t take to violence. “But I want to appeal to you to co-operate with your chiefs and leaders. They are also doing their best. It is not an easy job, but when Nembe people come as one, when we unite as one, then we become stronger.”

    The philanthropist urged people to avoid violent conflict that could lead to displacement. He advised that even when people disagree, they should not resort to violence to avoid humanitarian consequences.

     

  • Group celebrates 10 years of giving succour

    Thirteen years after the death of popular pastor, youth mentor and marriage counsellor, Bimbo Odukoya, her husband, Pastor Taiwo Odukoya and the flock he leads, the Fountain of Life Church, has moved on.

    At the weekend, the church celebrated 10 years of catering for single parents, widows/widowers and divorcees in need of one thing or the other; a forum that was instituted in memory of the late Pastor Odukoya.

    Speaking to reporters after the event, Pastor Biodun Soderu said the assistance rendered by the church to vulnerable groups at this time of the year is a way of encouraging them to continue to soldier on in life. Soderu is the Assistant Head of Department, Ruth and Boaz Fellowship, the platform or ministry through which the church has been reaching out to vulnerable groups, such as single parents, widows/widowers, divorcees and matured singles.

    During the anniversary, about 150 people, mostly women, benefitted from Ruth and Boaz Fellowship’s Christmas gift, made up of essentially food items like rice, beans, macaroni and spaghetti.

    Soderu said the group regularly renders assistance to needy persons, particularly during its bi-annual rallies, as well as during its monthly prayer meetings.

    Other ways of assisting the needy, he said, includes paying school fees for indigent students, paying house rent for those in dire need of shelter, widow empowerment and support, as well as provision of vocational tranings in soap making and other skills.

    Pastor Soderu added: “We have a vocational school that we have ran for almost 10 years. The school has graduated thousands of people in a number of vocational fields. We also have a cooperative that has over 1,500 active members. These are some of the ways we have used to assist vulnerable people in society, not just members of the Fountain of Life Church, because the vocational school and cooperative is open to everybody.”

    Head of Department, Ruth and Boaz Fellowship, Pastor Tinu Olashore, said the Lord has utilized the group to do a lot of exploits over the years. She said: We have recorded amazing testimonies and answers to prayers from our prayer meetings. This has also been an avenue for counseling those that require same. We have also set up coffee meetings in Abeokuta and Lagos where members can come together in an intimate setting to fellowship in smaller groups.”

    Olashore said Ruth and Boaz has been sustaining its empowerment programmes through voluntary donations from members and the parent church. She added: “The money is dedicated to the programmes and does not go into the coffers of the church.”

     

  • Succour for expectant mothers, others in Anambra

    The joy of residents of Okpoko in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State knew no bounds following the donation of some medical facilities by a lawmaker from the area, Hon. Chukwuka Onyema.

    Okpoko is a densely populated community that lacks basic health institution to cater for the needs of the citizenry.

    Onyema, member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, had renovated some primary health Centre in the area, one of which he handed over to the Anglican church in the area, as well as a brand new ambulance.

    The locals, particularly the pregnant women and those suffering from one ailment or another, were full of appreciation to the benefactor for providing quality and affordable medicare to them.

    A resident, Mrs Maria Ozofor, who lamented difficulties encountered by pregnant women at night, asserted that the gesture would reduce their sufferings.

    Another local, an aged mother, Mrs Chetachukwu Unamba, expressed joy that the facility had brought quality medical service to their doorstep.

    “We really thank God for the gesture. It will go a long way in reducing our stress including the long distances we trek to access medicare,” she said.

    Speaking at the commissioning of the center, at St Luke’s Anglican Church, Okpoko, the Bishop of Ogbaru Diocese, Rt. Rev. Prosper Amah, expressed appreciation to the legislator for being proactive in the delivery of quality dividends of democracy to the people.

    He said the sitting of the facility in the church would ensure its maintenance and protection against vandalism.

    The cleric said pregnant women and other patients would no longer encounter difficulties accessing medicare in the community, promising to make available a mobile phone number in the event of emergencies.

    He charged the management of the centre to make effective utilization of the ambulance in offering medical services to the citizens.

    He however cautioned against its abuse, stressing that it should be strictly used for the purpose it was purchased.

    “The ambulance shall remain standby for responses to emergency health cases and there won’t be any payment for its use,” the bishop said.

    Earlier, the lawmaker, Onyema, disclosed that the gesture, carried out in collaboration with the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, was targeted at attracting affordable medical health for the people of the community.

    “Okpoko is a rural area that comprises more of middle income and low income earners. We need a health centre where the sick would not be asked to pay any fee before they can be attended to,” he said.

    He also explained that the decision to hand over renovated and equpied health centres to the church, was to ensure they were managed effectively and efficiently.

    Onyema however regretted that most of the institutions given to local governments became moribund with time due to mismanagement.

    He said, “It was the immediate past governor of the State that initiated the practice of handing over schools and hospitals to churches and one can attest to the fact that these institutions have experienced a radical improvement.

    “I realized that when Mr Peter Obi partnered with the church in schools and hospitals, they picked up. So I decided to toe that line.

    “Normally, health centres are handed over to local governments and most times you find out that when those hospitals are handed over to the local government, the hospital facilities and vehicles end up being run down.”

    Expressing optimism of the churches’ ability to take care of the facilities without government’s supervision, the lawmaker maintained that the ambulance was purely for emergency cases within the community.

    On his part, the Chief Medical Director of the Primary Health Centre, Dr Ejikeme Okonkwo, hinted that the centre was in a deplorable state before the lawmaker’s intervention.

    He assured that the centre would provide 24 hours emergency services, including ultra sound scan machine, HIV clinic, maternal child healthcare, among others.

    “The people will now be happy as they will be coming to a cleaner, cheaper and better equipped healthcare centre,” he stated.

    Photo: the Bishop of Ogbaru Diocese, Rt. Rev. Prosper Amah, cutting the tape for the commissioning of the health centre in Okpoko.

     

  • Succour for the needy in Ebonyi 

    Succour has come the way of over 1,000 street beggars, physically challenged and other downtrodden in Ebonyi State. Their benefactor is an interdenominational worship centre, Power House.

    One of the beneficiaries, Ifeoma Eleagada, a blind mother of three from Ngbo community, Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state, has been begging for over seven years in the popular Abakpa Main Market in Abakaliki, the state capital.

    She was married as a second wife by her husband and became blind after the marriage. She had to quit the marriage and took to street begging to survive. While begging last week, someone from Power House approached her and announced to her that there was occasion designed for the physically challenged. After about one hour, another person from the same organisation said the same thing to her. She agreed and followed the person to the place.

    At the end, she was fed well alongside her children and over 1,000 physically challenged and downtrodden who attended the programme. She was given fat envelope that contained money. Others were also treated same.

     

    Her joy knew no bounds.

    Ifeoma said “We are regarded as nothing, we are rejected by the society because of our conditions but today, we have been treated specially by this church.

    “I am very glad; I have never seen this type of gesture since I was born. I am a beggar with my three children and I am not married. I pray God to bless this church and the founder. I am begging at Abakakpa main market Abakaliki. I have been begging for the past seven years.

    “I married a married man and I repented and separated from him because it is against the word of God. I resolved that I will not continue to be married to a married man, instead I will stay on my own and be begging and I have been begging and feeding my three children.

    “I was not born blind. I got blind when I got married to that married man. Now I have repented, I have vowed that I will not marry the man again and nothing will make me to marry him again”.

    Another street bagger, Francis Nwankwo also said that he has not been treated the way he was treated by the interdenominational worship centre.

    Nwankwo who is from Awkuzu, Anambra state said “It is only today that I have seen this type of thing in my life. I pray God to bless this centre. We are regarded as less privileged in the society; we are suffering because no one cares for us. Some of us have died of hunger and sickness. We have suffered a lot in this world but today, we have been given a sense of belonging, we have been treated very well”.

    Earlier, founder and President of the Power House Assembly, Ephraim Ononye said the gesture was inspired by a desire to help the needy.

    He regretted that well-to-do individuals in the society have neglected the less privileged and called on them to use their resources to better the loss of the down trodden instead of wasting them on earthly things.

    He told the less privileged during the event at the Assembly’s branch in Abakaliki not to lose hope as according to them God was still remembering them.

    “It is not every help that we render that we publicise. Last Sunday, so many people into this church empty and left with N10,000 each and we didn’t take it to the news. But we take this one to the news to move the hand of the well to do people in the society to begin to think about how to help the down trodden, people who are living with disabilities.

    “I also want to move the hand of churches and pastors. We collect tithes and offerings from our congregations, we get richer by the day, we get mansions. What about the less privileged in the society who are the people God expected us to take care of as churches and ministers, pastors and prophets.

    “Let those people that calls themselves rich men also think of how to assist the less privileged, those who are living with disabilities and the  downtrodden in the society not  just building mansions, ridding expensive cars and spending money extravagantly. This is where we should spend our money,” he said.

     

  • NGO provides succour for inmates

    A church, the House on the Rock , through its non-governmental organisation (NGO), the Prison Ministry, has vowed to help reintegrate prisoners into the society when they are released.

    Its Director, Reverend Joe Uleato, said the organisation would work with the Nigerian Prisons, Ikoyi on reformation and re-integration of the inmates.

    He urged the inmates not to lose hope but to take advantage of the various programmes they were exposed to while in prison so as to contribute positively to the society.

    Uleato spoke at the commissioning of a block of seven toilets donated to the Nigerian Prisons, Ikoyi as part of the efforts to provide healthy living environment for the inmates.

    Uleato told them to see their present situation as pre-destined and from which they can journey into a brighter future once they regain freedom.

    “It is not finished for you yet. The prison is just a bus stop for you. The future lies ahead and God will bring that expectation to pass,” he said.

    He made reference to a former leader who became President after being released from prison.

    The Deputy Controller of Prisons (DCP) Ikoyi Prisons, Mr Tolu Ogunsakin, praised the Controller General of Prisons Mr  Ja Afaru Ahmed and the Controller of Prisons Lagos State (CP) Mr Tunde Ladipo  for  equipping Ikoyi Prison  with CCTV camera and rehabilitating the facility.

    According to him, the welfare of prison inmates across the country is of utmost concern to the Controller General of Prisons, adding that this was why he spared no effort in ensuring a healthy environment for them.

    Ogunsakin praised the House on the Rock, for its support to the inmates in form of legal and medical aid, talent hunt shows and skills acquisition, through the church’s Prison Ministry headed by Deacon Dayo Olaiya.

    He emphasised that the spiritual contributions of the Prison Ministry has helped in the reformation objectives.

    He said: “When they hear the words of God, they cool down and it gives them hope of a better tomorrow.”

    Assistant Director, Prison Ministry, Pastor Andy Jibunor, explained that the organisation partnered with Prison authority to ensure transformation of the inmates.

    Jibunor said their activities were not limited to Ikoyi Prisons but to other prison facilities in the state.

    The event also featured a novelty football match between House on the Rock Football Club and Ikoyi Prison inmates. The church won 3-1.

  • Succour for Aba fire victims

    Help has come for traders at the popular Line 49, Lagos Zone of Ahia Ohuru (New Market) in Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State who lost cash and goods to a mysterious night fire on February 6. Over 14 shops were burnt down at the market, leaving the shop owners and occupants in tears. Their losses were estimated in millions of naira.

    The traders wondered why security men on duty in the area did not raise the alarm when they saw an unusual fire or smoke in a place that is neither connected to the national electricity grid nor do the traders sell any inflammable material.

    One of the traders, Mr. Ifeanyi Ogbonna who was struggling with his emotions, told our reporter that he lost about N2.5m while a neighbour who sells provisions lost goods worth about N8m.

    According to him, men of the Abia State Fire Service came to the fire scene, but left when they ran out of water.

    He said that the fire was later put out by sympathizers who used water from a nearby borehole, adding that it was the sympathisers who stopped the fire from engulfing other shops in the zone.

    He appealed to the governor of the state Okezie Ikpeazu and other well-meaning Nigerians to come to their aid as they cannot bear the pain and weight of the loss alone.

    While the local and state governments were yet to come to the rescue of the traders, the member representing Aba North and Aba South Federal constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Ossy Prestige, after collating the names of the after persons, has responded to the traders’ plight. He gave them money.

    Some of the beneficiaries who spoke to newsmen after receiving their payments stated that the intervention of Prestige was a rare feat in the history of the constituency.

    The traders who promised to use the monies they got judiciously stated that Prestige through the cash has given them a new lease of life having fulfilled the promises he made to them when he visited the site of the disaster.

    Fielding questions from newsmen, Prestige explained that his gesture was simply an act of giving back to the people that elected him to represent them in the Green Chamber of the National Assembly.

    The lawmaker urged the beneficiaries to ensure that they used the money judiciously in their efforts to rebuild their shops and starting a new lease of life after the ugly incident that befall them.

    He also debunked insinuations that his good works at Aba was politically motivated, saying he had always executed some expected projects in his constituency ever since he was elected into office.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, this gesture is part of my humanitarian efforts in ensuring that my constituents in difficulty heaved a sigh of relief, and as a lawmaker representing them, I am required to share in their joy and pain. I have been a philanthropist before going into politics. Don’t forget that without being a politician, I became a major donor in Rotary Club International years back.

    “So whoever that may misconstrue my kind gesture as trying to score political points is wasting his time and energy. But the important question that you must ask any person telling you that is what was holding the person or their pay masters from coming o the rescue of the fire victims till date. Like I said, this is purely humanitarian and as a Rotary Club member that I am, giving back to the society with the little resources that God has blessed me with has nothing to do with politics.”

     

  • Cross River provides succour for refugees

    Cross River provides succour for refugees

    Cross River State government has provided food and relief materials for over 3,000 Southern Cameroonian refugees camping in Ikom Local Government.

    The United Nations said over 10,000 refugees have been registered in councils.

    Items donated included rice, plantain, beans, yam, garri, palm oil, cartons of noodles, toiletries, cooking utensils, among others.

    Governor Ben Ayade said he was aware of the pains of being chased out of your ancestral home, hence the need to ameliorate their suffering.

    Ayade, represented by the Managing Director, Cross River Food Bank Commission, Dr. Mercy Akpama, said his administration prioritised the welfare of residents, especially those in distress.

    He said: “I am aware of your pains and I am not relenting in my contact with President Muhammadu Buhari and the international community.

    “There is no greater pain like depriving people of their ancestral homes.

    “This passion has led me to bring food to you and soon I will build camps for you while waiting for my contacts to come to fruition in a bid to see you return to your ancestral homes.

    “I love you all and urge you to live in peace with your hosts. Remain patriotic and obey the laws of the land.

    “I urge you to share these items in love, for your suffering will not be too long.’’

    Director-General of Cross River State Emergency Management Agency Mr. John Inaku assured the refugees that the governor is concerned about their plight.

    “We have your brothers and sisters in other locations as well. These items are for those of you in Ikom and I can assure you that the governor will reach others soon.’’

    Inaku said arrangements were being made to convey medicines to the refugees.

    “The governor will come with more things for you. Be law- abiding. You are our brothers and sisters and we love you all,’’he said.

    The Coordinator, Southern Cameroon refugees, Mr. Abia David, hailed the government and people for their concern, noting that the gesture was a sign of true love to those in need.

  • Ashimolowo gives succour to widows

    Ashimolowo gives succour to widows

    The annual outreach for widows organised by Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo took place yesterday in Ode-Omu, Osun State.

    Widows from the community and neighbouring towns thronged the venue to receive packages that would bring relief to them and their children. According to the cleric, the widow’s events started 12 years ago and it started as a simple desire God laid on his heart.

    “I lived in the UK for about 34 years and I became burdened. We started a university in Ode-Omu and I needed to touch lives. The scripture says we should not neglect widows. For the first year, we got 308 responses. We gave them clothes and money and we touched lives. I saw how successful it was and I felt it should be continued.”

    Asimolowo added that “by the second year, the number rose to 850 and an excess of one thousand by the third year. Last year, we had 10,000 widows participating and this year, we thought we would have about 12,000 but we got a list with 16,900.”

    The man of God, who hails from Ode-Omu and Ile Ife, disclosed how the widows are selected for the yearly event: “We used to ask from 119/120 compounds and they would give us names. But Modakeke, which is 20 miles away, heard about what we were doing. There is a link historically and you find that every compound in Modakeke was replicated in Ode-Omu.

    “Interestingly, the other towns also wanted to participate and we insisted that the monarch in each town would accredit the head of the widows. These widows began to bring each other together because of their challenges and, this year, we have about 17,000. The event is being put together by my wife and I; not the church. It is a celebration of these women. Usually, they do not get celebrated; instead they are castigated and set aside.”

    He stated the expectations and the fact that eight towns would be involved in the special outreach. “We will have kings from 12 cities, friends, dignitaries, and the deputy governor, who has been there with us over the years at the event. It is our own way of impacting and empowering the women. We wish we could do more.”

    The event which would cost the Ashimolowos about 57 million naira will bring succour and help to give the widows a better direction for the year. “Usually, it is the largest money that they would be handling for the year. We hope others would continue this. It is a biblical injunction to visit the fatherless and widows. The need in the nation is high, we are hoping things are different here. In the UK, the system cares for them.”

     

     

  • Chidoka promises succour for poor

    Chidoka promises succour for poor

    Anambra State United Progressive Party (UPP) governorship candidate.  Chief Osita Chidoka has promised to establish a highly competent, resourceful and prudent government that will resurge productivity and create a system that empowers the ordinary people to create wealth.

    The former aviation minister   commended the leadership of the UPP for upholding the ideology of the party to serve the interest of the people.

    Noting that the ordinary people in Anambra have suffered neglect,  Chidoka said one of the cardinal aims of his administration is “the empowerment of the ordinary people through a special wealth transfer policy; the first of its kind, that grants hardworking people of Anambra State direct access to government guaranteed facilities, opportunities and connections to excel in their respective fields.”

    He added: “I want to restate our commitment to run a highly transparent people-based government driven by a knowledge economy that resurges our innovativeness and wealth-creating abilities as a people.

    “Our driving force will be our competence, sense of duty and honesty. We will not run a government where only a few individuals have access to state resources and opportunities while the rest of the people suffer. No! That will not happen under my watch. Anambra state belongs to all Anambra people and everybody must be carried along and afforded equal opportunity. I want to create a situation in Anambra where the children of the poor and the forgotten have equal access and opportunity in our development as a state. Once I do this, I would have been true to my calling and vision.”

    The former Corps Marshal of Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC)  said the time has come for Anambra to restore the integrity of governance “by voting not on the basis of divisive arguments but for a person of proven competence, character and required commitment to lead the state at this trying time.”

    Chidoka said the people are not only aware, but also solidly behind him in the patriotic quest to restore their rightful place in governance. He therefore, urged them to get their permanent voter’s cards in preparation for the election.

    While receiving Chief Chidoka at a stakeholders meeting in Orumba South, a community leader in the area, Ichie Nwagboso Onyeagba, commended him for standing with the people and championing their interest at all times.

    Onyeagba urged Anambra people to support Chidoka, adding that the November election offers the people the golden opportunity to ensure that incompetent, dishonest and compromised persons are not allowed to foist themselves on the state.