Emeakaroha draws Europe to Nigeria as Chinwendu weds Chimaobi

- Bishop Amatu lauds Archbishop Obinna over Odenigbo The wedding between Engr. Dr. Chimaobi Vincent Emeakaroha, son of Prince Sir Mayor Eugene and Lady Juliana Emeakaroha and Miss Chinwendu Peace Ike at St. Peter’s Catholic Parish Umunohu/Amakohia Ihitte/Uboma LGA, Imo State, could best be said to be an international melting pot as a galaxy of Catholic clergy, the religious and academic bigwigs from Europe stormed the ceremony. Most Rev. Solomon Amatu, Catholic Bishop of Okigwe, was the chief celebrant of the Mass.  He was assisted by Permanent Rev. Deacon Othomar Josef  Ableidinger (Austria), Rev. Fr. Dr. Emeka Emeakaroha (Austria) and over 60 Nigerian priests among them Rev. Fr. Dr. Kevin Madu (host Parish Priest) and…

Pension Thieves to Bag 10 Years Imprisonment as Senate Passes Reform Bill

Culprits to pay triple value of stolen funds After almost one year of legislation, the Senate Wednesday passed the much awaited Pension Reform Act Amendment 2013 with the provision of 10 years imprisonment as penalty for any pension administrator who misappropriates or diverts pension funds. The bill also provides that anyone found guilty of embezzling pension funds would pay thrice the value of what he has stolen. It also provides for five years imprisonment or N10million fine for any pension administrator who fails to remit profits earned from an investment made with the fund of a contributor. It also provides for a fine of N500,000 daily for any agency administering pension affairs which fails to…

Bees sting 83-year-old woman to death in Imo

An 83-year-old woman, Mrs. Nwanyiaro Orji of Nchoko Amiri in the Oru East LGA of Imo State has been stung to death by bees. Information reaching our News Desk say that on that fateful day, March 30, 2014, Mrs. Orji had gone to make use of a pit  latrine which was outside her house, when  all of a sudden, there was a loud sound, people around thought that a ripe pod of the bread fruit tree nearby had dropped. , Little did they know that it was the hive on top of the big bread fruit tree that fell. The angry bees began to fly around, stinging people including the deceased step-son who was in…

Umuna Community threatens to shut down govt business – over flood menace

The people of Uzoubi Community in Orlu LGA of Imo State have threatened to shut down all government businesses in the area to compel the authorities to come to their rescue over the incessant flooding that have been ravaging their homes, livestock as well as farmlands. Our correspondent, Chukwudi Udechi who visited the flooded  Umuna community, reported that the victims are planning a peaceful demonstration to press home their plight. In a chat with THE LEADER, an indigene of the community, Mr. Gabriel Ibemere disclosed that the issue of flooding in Umuna, particularly Uzoubi, is something that occurs every year and which has affected the community so badly.  He stressed that the recent heavy downpour…

FG told to make Microfinance banks official banks in LGAs

The Chairman, Board of Directors, Allworkers Microfinance Bank, Prof. Ike Basil Onukogu, has called on the governments of the federation to make microfinance banks the official banks for the local government areas where they operate and the official banks for payment of salaries of all government workers. This is a reasonable action to take, Prof. Onukogu said, since microfinance banks were created to bring banking facilities to the working class and to those who were marginalized by the banking industry. Prof. Onukogu, a University of Nigeria Nsukka retired Professor of Statistics and a former Chairman, Board of Directors, University of Nigeria Nsukka Microfinance Bank, made the call at the send-off party organized in honour of…

KSM Mbama zone ends recollection at St. Anthony’s Umunkwo

Knights and Ladies of St. Mulumba Nigeria, Mbama Zone of Ugiri Subordinate Council, Okigwe Diocese, converged at St. Anthony’s Parish Umunkwo, Isiala Mbano LGA, March 23, 2014 for their quarterly recollection at the instance of one of their own, Bro. (Barr.) Emma Osuji and Sister (Lady) Ebere Osuji. The event which attracted friends and colleagues of the host from far and near kicked off with a Eucharistic sacrifice which had Rev. Fr. Dr. Vincent Oguh, Parish Priest, St. Anthony’s Umunkwo as chief celebrant. In his sermon, the clergyman observed with regret that knights, rather than being supported in their good works for the church, are bombarded with barrage of skepticism and criticisms and cautioned against…

Feast of Unborn Child: KSM Owerri Sub-Council carries campaign against abortion to Girls College

The Knights and Ladies of St. Mulumba, Owerri Sub-Council, celebrated the Feast of the Unborn Child at Owerri Girls Secondary School on Tuesday, March 25, 2014. The pro-life campaign was led by Dr. E.C. Agulana (KSM) Worthy Physician of the Sub-Council and Lady Stella Achunine (LSM) Worthy Vice-President/Health Co-ordinator Owerri Archdiocese. They enlightened the students on the evils of abortion and the need to preserve life at all costs. To drive home the lesson, a video film produced in Kenya was shown to the staff and students of the school.  The film deals with the implications and complications of abortion. Our correspondent said the students were visibly touched by the horror of abortion as evidenced…

Public smokers to face 6-month jail in Nigeria

Those who smoke in non-smoking designated areas, will henceforth pay N50,000 fine or get six months imprisonment or both, if the new Tobacco Control Bill 2014, which is being forwarded to the National Assembly eventually sails through. Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, Minister of Health disclosed this Wednesday when he spoke on the Bill.  He was addressing State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting which was presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan. The FEC has given its approval to the Draft Tobacco Control Bill 2014, said the Minister, who also disclosed that companies that infringe on the Bill when passed into law, would pay between N1 million and N5 million fine…

POPE FRANCIS REAFFIRMS IMPORTANCE OF VATICAN BANK’S MISSION

The Institute for Religious Works, or ‘Vatican Bank’.  Pope Francis approved a proposal Monday on the future of the Institute for Religious Works, commonly known as the “Vatican bank,” affirming its importance for the good of the Church. “The IOR will continue to serve with prudence and provide specialized financial services to the Catholic Church worldwide,” read a statement from the Holy See press office released April 7. “The valuable services that can be offered by the Institute assist the Holy Father in his mission as universal pastor and also aid those institutions and individuals who collaborate with him in his ministry.” The proposal has not been detailed, but seems to deal with the insertion…

National Confab: Imo position

The Imo State delegates at the ongoing National Conference have declared the position of the State. In a six-point provisional agenda made available to THE LEADER, the delegates called for a federation of six regions, consistent with the existing six zones, creation of two more states for the South-East, devolution of powers, fiscal federalism, rotation of presidency and regional/state police. In taking the position, the five-man delegation said they were guided by some principles, including consistency with the position of the South-East delegates and promotion of the interest of the people of Imo State. On Regionalism, the delegates said: “Nigeria should be a federation of six (6) regions consistent with the six (6) zones which…

ASUP Strike: Stop intimidating us – Poly lecturers tell Minister

-As FG introduces ‘no work no pay rule’ The Federal Government has been urged to show sincerity in the current efforts to resolve the 10-month-old strike of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) instead of its present attitude of insensitivity and intimidation. The national President of ASUP, Mr. Chibuzo Asomugha expressed this view in an exclusive interview with a news correspondent recently. Asomugha, who recalled that there have been several interventions especially by the Senate Committee on Education, explained that the strike which commenced on April 29, 2013 was suspended on July 17 last year on the understanding that government was going to resolve four of the issues government chose by itself within two…

9-Month-Old Baby Charged With Attempted Murder In Pakistan

A 9-month-old Pakistani boy has been charged along with the rest of his family with attempted murder, according to reports. Musa Khan was photographed last week crying as his grandfather held him for fingerprinting. He was with his family during a protest in a Lahore slum that turned violent in February. Police say the boy, who was 7 months old at the time, threw stones at them. “Slum residents threw stones at gas company workers who had tried to disconnect households that failed to pay their bills, leading the police to charge an entire family with attempted murder, including Musa. “The absurdity of the case became apparent last Thursday when the screaming child was produced…

Minister raises alarm over neglect of senior citizens

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina, has raised an alarm over the neglect of elderly people in the country. Maina said this at the first stakeholders consultative and policy dialogue, organised by the Nigerian Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology in Abuja on Tuesday. The minister, represented by Mr. Maijanma Kwassau, Director, Social Welfare, said care for the aged has declined mainly due to prevailing economic challenges. She said other reasons responsible for the problem included the breakdown of extended family system, support system for senior citizens and rural-urban migration of younger persons in search of greener pastures. Maina said that efforts were ongoing to domesticate regional and international instruments to…

JDPC Seminar: Why Catholic Church is interested in National Confab – Fr. Osuagwu

-As Okonkwo advises priests not to be partisan in politics An erudite cleric,  and former co-ordinator, Justice, Development and Peace Committee JDPC Owerri province, Rev. Fr. Innocent Maduakolam Osuagwu has given reasons why the Catholic Church is interested in the on-going National Conference in Abuja. In a paper he presented at a seminar organized by the JDPC of Owerri Archdiocese prior to the commencement of the Confab, Fr. Osuagwu gave seven reasons why the Church is interested in the conference: -     The Church wants to compassionately associate herself with the destiny of her host nation and member-citizens, and the effort to do everything to correct anomalies and enthrone uprightness (righteousness); recalling the many years of…

On 20th anniversary of Rwandan genocide, pope urges reconciliation

Just days before Rwanda was to begin a weeklong period of official mourning to mark the 20th anniversary of its genocide, Pope Francis urged the country’s bishops to be resolute in continuing the work of healing and reconciliation. “Twenty years after those tragic events,” when as many as 1 million people were murdered in savage acts of ethnic violence, Pope Francis said, “reconciliation and the healing of wounds must remain the priority of the church in Rwanda.” Meeting the country’s bishops April 3 during their “ad limina” visits to the Vatican, the pope offered his prayers for all Rwandans “without distinction of religion, ethnicity or politics.” Forgiveness for what happened and “authentic reconciliation can seem…

Owerri mechanics to relocate to Avu – Gov. Okorocha appeals for cooperation

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has advised mechanics operating in Owerri and environs to co-operate in the effort to relocate them to Avu Mechanic Cluster with an assurance that government intends to provide modern facilities, including a uniform specification for workshop buildings. The governor who spoke during an interactive meeting with mechanics at Ahiajoku Convention Centre stressed the need to sanitize the urban profile of the state capital with the relocation of mechanics and other artisans to a more conducive environment. Calling on the mechanics to embrace the good intentions of government by peacefully moving out of their present locations, including Orji and Nekede mechanic villages, Governor Okorocha assured that those who own workshop…

Catholic Church submerged by flood in Orlu

Words couldn’t expressed what was seen at St. Joseph’s Parish Umuna Orlu LGA, Imo State as the whole church both inside and outside was submerged by flood following a heavy downpour on Sunday night, March 30, 2014 that lasted for several hours. When THE LEADER correspondent, Chukwudi Udechi visited the parish at about 7am, some parishioners who came for morning Mass without knowing that a terrible thing has happened, were seen trying their best to scoop out the flood that covered both the altar where the blessed sacrament was kept and the sacristy where the sacred vessels and other religious  items were kept. When THE LEADER sought to know the cause of the flood that…

Ritualists behead church warden in Imo – Family tasks police to fish out killers

Fear reigns in the entire community of Ibiasoegbe, near Mgbidi, headquarters of Oru-East Local Government Area following the gruesome murder of a 66-year-old woman, Mrs. Josephine Okorie in her farm at about 9am on Monday, March 31. The attackers apparently laid ambush and matcheted the woman at the back of the neck. They were about collecting the decapitated head when they heard the voice of another woman, who was coming along the path.  They ran away, leaving the head and body. Mr. Monday Okorie, son of the deceased, said it was the woman, who raised the alarm which attracted other farmers.  Unfortunately the suspects had escaped.  He said that his mother was a warden at…

Holy Trinity Parish W/Bank celebrates her Mothers’ day in grand style

The dignity of womanhood restored through the Blessed Virgin Mary Holy Trinity Catholic Parish World Bank Owerri last Sunday, March 30, 2014 joined the rest of Christendom to celebrate this year’s Mother’s Day. The highlights of the occasion were the Award of “Men of Divine Destiny” selected members of the Catholic Men Organization (CMO) and “Faithful Mothers” to some selected members of the Catholic Women Organization (CWO) and the cutting of the Mother’s Day cake. The Eucharistic celebration had the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Nicholas Ijemaru as principal celebrant assisted by Rev. Frs. Philip Opara and Francis Onuoha. Preaching the sermon, Fr. Ijemaru, who announced that day’s theme as: “God that searches the heart”, called…

National Conference: Look beyond Religion …Archbishop Obinna

Nigerian Christians and Muslims must look beyond religion and focus on the common good, if the country will move forward. They must concentrate on shared values and uphold that which is capable of lifting up the nation. Archbishop Anthony Obinna made this call while addressing communication directors at the Assumpta Pastoral Centre Owerri April. He emphasized  that if the practitioners of both religions should work concertedly on common good issues that would benefit the nation, without forcing Islam or Christianity into dynamics, “we might end up with a humanizing Islam and a humanizing Christianity without thereby evacuating their more spiritual – doctrinal aspects.” The Catholic Archbishop  of Owerri  explained that Muslim – Christian encounter was…