….APC women sweep stadium to remove footprints of PDP members after rally

Meanwhile, as early as 7am on Monday angry Imo  APC women numbering over 3,000 and armed with brooms stormed the streets of Owerri, the capital of Imo State in protest against what they described as the provocative rally of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the weekend. The women, who were chanting war songs also went to the Dan Anyiam Stadium where the PDP rally was held and swept the stadium apparently to sweep away the footprints of the PDP leaders and members who held a unity rally at the stadium to welcome back the party’s former members. The protesting women marched along the major streets of Owerri including Wetheral, Okigwe and Mbaise roads sweeping…

My ordeal in the hands of kidnappers – Bishop Akinola

The former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Peter Akinola, who was kidnapped by gunmen on Tuesday, and freed later that day by a search party led by the Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, has narrated what he went through in the hands of his abductors. Speaking to newsmen at his Abeokuta residence on Wednesday – Christmas day, the retired primate of the Anglican Church said the gunmen pounced on him and his driver as he was leaving his foundation office known as Peter Akinola Foundation for Youth Industrial Training, along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway. He said the four-man gang blocked his car, and pulled him and his driver out at gun point. One…

Abortion Mess: Girl flees hospital in rage, Quack doctor in police net

The popular adage  that everyday could be for the thief while one day is for the owner of the house came to a brazen reality in Owu-binubi Amakohia Ikeduru LGA, Imo State, when a self-branded medical doctor alleged to have been operating an illegal clinic in the community was apprehended by men of the vigilante while attempting to terminate a pregnancy of a girl in her 20s.   The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 at the doctor’s clinic situated near Afor-Owu market square, attracted the attention of the entire village and passersby who came to witness the incident.   In an investigation, THE LEADER gathered that the said doctor had been in…

Stop interfering with LG funds – Governor Chime warns Colleagues

Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State has condemned the interference by some states in the affairs of local government councils, saying it was unconstitutional. He said contrary to popular views, the autonomy of local government councils had been provided for in the constitution. Chime, who was speaking during the flag-off of campaign for local government elections by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu said it was unconstitutional for states to appoint caretaker committees for local governments or interfere with their funds. He said the constitution provided for democratically elected local government councils and independent funding, expressing dismay that some states, had, contrary to these provisions, chosen to treat the councils as if they were…

Fr. Edmund Njoku marks 25 years in priesthood

All roads led to St. Mary’s Catholic Parish Obibiezena in Owerri North LGA, as parishioners, friends and well-wishers rolled out drums to celebrate the 25th priestly anniversary of Rev. Fr. Dr. Edmund Ndubuisi Njoku on October 12, 2013.   The ceremony commenced with a thanksgiving Mass, which had good number of priests in attendance, among whom were: Rev. Fr. Alphonsus Oha, Owerri Archdiocesan Secretary, Msgr. Theophilus Okere and the Religious.   Delivering his homily, Rev. Fr. Mark Njoku noted that a critical quantum of days have passed since 25 years, putting in prospect the relevance of the event which he discussed in three dimensions.   Firstly, Remembrance, which entails the background that influenced the life…

Close ranks now or fail again -Okigwe political leaders warned

A female politician, Princess Miriam Onuoha has enjoined warring political gladiators in Okigwe Zone to shun personal interest and unite for the overall good of the zone. She gave this advice during a meeting of Okigwe Political Leaders Forum held at the country home of Chief Chinedu Chukwuonye (CUDOC) in Anara, Isiala-Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State. According to the former Federal House of Representatives aspirant, the failure of the zone to retain the governorship position during the last general elections will replay itself if the warring political leaders do not have a common front to propagate the political aspiration of the zone, she said. The SURPEE Coordinator of Okigwe zone, called for synergy…

SOLAD fetes St. Peter’s Okigwe Seminarians

Hon. Grace Iwuchukwu, Sole Administrator, Ahiazu-Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State hosted the 2011 set of seminarians from St. Peter’s Seminary Okigwe in her residence at Ogbor-Ihitteaforukwu, September 8, 2013. The seminarians, numbering about 70 celebrated a re-union with their colleagues some of who are no longer in the seminary.  Son of the SOLAD is a senior seminarian. In her welcome address at the unique occasion, Hon Iwuchukwu enjoined the seminarians to put God first in all they do.  She urged them to aspire to be priests with all sincerity of purpose so as to propagate Christian doctrine and win souls for Christ. In his own contribution, Barr. Macky Iwuchukwu, husband of the SOLAD…

REMOVE ANTI-LIFE SECTIONS IN THE LAW

A Declaration of the Catholic Bishops of Imo State on the IMO STATE OF NIGERIA 2012, Law no. 12 and IMO STATE OF NIGERIA 2007 Law no. 7 which habour liberalist-abortion provisions. 1.         As Catholic Bishops in Imo State we have a divinely guaranteed obligation to society at large to promote its spiritual, moral and civic welfare. That is why we pray, preach, speak and work in favour of those virtues and values which elevate and protect the quality and dignity of personal, family and public life.   2.         The Right to life and to Human Dignity belongs to human nature and is inherent in every person by the creative act of God. These rights…

SUNDAY READINGS: 25th SUNDAY OF THE YEAR (c) 22/9/2013

OPENING PRAYER Father, Guide us as you guide creation according to your law of love. May we love one another and come to perfection in the eternal life prepared for us.   FIRST READING A READING FROM THE PROPHET AMOS  8:4-7 Theme: Against those who “buy up the poor for money” Listen to this, you who trample on the needy and try to suppress the poor people of the country, you who say,” When Will New Moon be over so that we can sell our corn, and Sabbath, so that  we can market our wheat? Then by lowering the bushel, raising the shekel, by swindling and tampering with the scales,  we can buy up the…

Knights of St. Mulumba, St. Paul’s Sub-Council hold 2013 Youth Holiday Programme

The 2013 Youth Holiday Programme organized by the Knights of St. Mulumba, Nigeria, St. Paul’s Sub-Council Owerri has ended at Assumpta Pastoral Centre, Wetheral Road, Owerri, August 31. In a homily at the Holy Mass preceding the event, Rev. Fr. Michael Konye called on Christians to put into work the blessings they received from God. According to him, God’s given talents must be improved upon instead of preserving them.  The homilist, who represented the Chaplain of the Sub-Council, Rev. Fr. Lawrence. Nwachukwu, noted that God in his love surrounded them with people and things to make their world better.  They should, therefore, respond to this love shown them by God by extending their love to…

Poor waste disposal can kill – NESREA Warns

The National Enforcement Standard and Regulation Environmental Agency (NESREA) has stressed the importance of adequate sanitation as a requirement for good health. Speaking at a one-day workshop held in Orlu, Mr Rasaq Ashiru, Director, South-East said the aim of the workshop was to make people aware of the importance of sanitation in society. Mr. Ashiru explained that environmental sanitation was Vital in a nation’s growth, adding that to avoid diseases people must be inspired to maintain clean and healthy environment wherever they are. He lamented that some of the environmental problems being experienced today were as a result of poor sanitation, inadequate waste disposal and drainage problems. The environmental problems include gully erosion, flooding and…

A welcome address presented to His Eminence John Cardinal Onaiyekan by the Ahiara Diocese

A welcome address presented to His Eminence, John Cardinal Olorunfemi Onaiyekan, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Abuja by the Catholic Faithful of Ahiara Diocese on the occasion of his Reception as the Apostolic Administrator of Ahiara Diocese, Mbaise, on Sunday, July 21, 2013. Your Eminence, What a wonderful day the Lord has made!  And what a great joy for us to have Your Eminence in our midst as the Apostolic Administrator of our beloved Diocese of Ahiara, Mbaise!  We say thank you for accepting to be our Apostolic Administrator.  We therefore ask Your Eminence to convey our deepest gratitude, love and loyalty to the Holy Father, Pope Francis, for his solicitude and kindness towards our diocese….

60 pupils graduate from Assumpta Nursery/Primary School

Maria Assumpta Cathedral Nursery/Primary School, Owerri has rolled out her second set of nursery three pupils numbering 60 in a graduation ceremony held at the school play ground  on July 25, 2013. The ceremony which attracted members of Maria Assumpta Parish, parents of the pupils and their well-wishers started with a Holy Mass celebrated at the Odenigbo pavilion by the Cathedral Administrator, Rev. Fr. Andrew Nkwocha. Delivering a homily during the Holy Mass, Rev. Fr. Nkwocha called on parents to do their best to give their children the best training to enable them face the challenges of life, which according to him, sending their children to catholic schools is a good step in the quest…

Structure without Sanity in Owerri

Please permit me a space in your widely read newspaper to register my feelings with regard to the pressing issue of sanity in Owerri metropolis, the capital city of Imo State. I must first appreciate the obvious efforts of our indefatigable governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha to transform Imo state far beyond what it was before his inception in May, 2011. The problem of traffic in Owerri has been remarkably dealt with as he has opened up alternative routs to fast track movements in the city. Our governor has created numerous roads within the city as by-pass from the crazy traffic jam that held Imolites to ransom a few months back. He has also given the…

Letter of Appreciation

Your Grace;   I am sending this letter of thanks and the article I wrote for The Wanderer on our recent pro-life mission trip to Nigeria.  It is also coming to you by mail, but I am sending it this way just in case the mailed letter gets lost or long delayed. – Brian Clowes   Most Rev. Anthony J.V. Obinna Archbishop of Owerri Villa Assumpta Post Office Box 85 Owerri, Imo State Nigeria June 18, 2013   Your Grace;   I have returned safely to my family and friends and have recovered from jet lag.  Now all I have to do is catch up with all of my assignments! Of all of the many…

St. Anthony’s Parish Inyishi marks CMO Day Seek support of wives, priests

The three mega component out stations of St. Anthony’s Catholic Parish Inyishi Ikeduru, namely: St. Paul’s Oziri, St. Mary’s Umuoziri and St. Anthony’s Parish Centre Ekenoti converged at St. Paul’s Station Oziri, the scheduled venue for the 2013 Catholic Men Organization (CMO) Day celebration to observe the day amidst pomp and pageantry. The events kicked-off with Holy Mass presided over by the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Chijioke Ekeada, who, in his homily, charged Catholic men to re-assert their roles as pillar of faith in their respective families and the larger church, and noted with regret that many present day fathers have lost control of their families, which he said has resulted in weak family cohesion…