St. Theresa’s Umunakanu-Owerre dedicated

-As Bishop Amatu harps on sanctity of God’s temple St. Theresa’s Catholic Parish Umunakanu-Owerre, Ehime Mbano, like a mustard seed planted in 1923 as a Catholic mission by late catechist Joseph Nwodu grew into a station in 1952, became a parish-in-building 1996, attained full parish status in 2000, completed and dedicated 1st March 2014 by the Bishop of Okigwe Diocese, Most Rev. Solomon Amatu. Receiving the keys and other appurtenances of the church from the Dedication Committee Chairman, High Chief Richard Onwuka Egbule and the Parish Pastoral Council Chairman, Mr. Mike Anyiam, His Lordship described it as a “miracle church”, going by its humble beginning and fast attainment of apex status.  He paid glowing tribute…

Governor Okorocha orders arrest of contractors for non-performance at Ehime-Mbano

Ehime Mbano people on March 26, 2014 cried out against neglect by contractors who they said collected colossal sums of money from the coffers of the state and local government but failed to execute projects duly awarded to them. Startling revelations were made as the state governor visited Ehime Mbano LGA on inspection of projects and evaluation. The Governor was worried that developmental projects geared towards providing dividends of democracy to the people at the grassroots were being aborted and sabotaged by various contactors who collected heavy sums of money but failed to execute projects. The State Governor who was visibly infuriated had to order security agents to arrest some of the defaulting contractors. According…

2015: Shun imposition of candidates – Prof. Nnamdi Obiareri advises voters

A legal luminary, Prof. Nnamdi Obiareri has enjoined political power brokers in Imo State to allow democracy flourish by allowing the people choose who will best represent their interest. Prof. Nnamdi Obiareri gave this advice during a courtesy visit to political stakeholders at Umualumaku, Ehime Mbano L.G.A. of Imo state, March 14, 2014. He told our reporter that it is undemocratic, despicable, condemnable, unacceptable and against the tenets of the rule of law, African Charter on Human Rights and acceptable democratic practice when political leaders impose their preferred candidates on the people. The politician believed that the nascent democracy should be allowed to thrive when the majority of the people are allowed to choose among…

Hon. Dimaku donates bus to Ehime Mbano PDP – Declares interest for second term bid

Hon. Kingsley Nwabueze Dimaku,  member Imo State House of Assembly member representing Ehime Mbano State Constituency has donated a bus to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). As part of its effort to reclaim Imo State come 2015, Ehime Mbano Chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had its prayers answered on Saturday, March 15, 2014 when Hon. Kingsley Dimaku donated a 14 seater bus to the party. At an elaborate ceremony held at his Agbaja residence, the lawmaker informed the party exco and stakeholders that the gift of the bus to the party was in fulfillment of a pledge he made last year. Hon. Dimaku narrated his ugly experiences in the House of Assembly for rebuffing overtures…

PDP embraces returnee at Ehime Mbano

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ehime Mbano LGA Chapter has welcomed back into its fold aggrieved high-profile personalities who decamped to other parties before the 2011 general elections. The returnees who include: Chief Cosmas Iwu, Hon. Stanford Onyirimba, Hon. Prince Nduka, Chief Ogoke Macdonald, former State Chairman of PPA, Hon. Kenneth Nwachukwu, former ACN Chairman in Ehime Mbano LGA with thousands of their followers. Speaking at the event, Hon. Kingsley Dimaku posited that he has played a major role in ensuring that the new converts were given a safe landing. He further elucidated that the coming on board of the heavyweights will facilitate the desire of his party to recapture the state come 2015 elections….

Man killed in Ehime-Mbano over firewood – Angry mob burns suspect’s house

Three brothers, (names withheld)  who are natives of Umuopara Nsu, Ehime Mbano L.G.A of ImoState are now telling the police all they know about the circumstances leading to the death of a young man, Canice Ajuegbe, a native of Umuduru Nsu on Friday 15th February 2014. The suspects were alleged to have killed Canice with a sharp cutlass. Trouble started as the three brothers went to fetch firewood from the neighboring Umuduru community. They were accosted by the deceased who wondered why they were hewing firewood from a palm tree that belonged to his parents. A heated argument ensued which degenerated to a fight. As they engaged themselves in a brawl, one of the three…

Let the affluent reduce poverty by helping the poor – Lolo Rose Chukwu

Lolo Rose Chukwu has admonished the well-to-do in Nigeria to help curtail poverty by helping the poor in the society. THE LEADER spoke with Lolo Rose Chukwu at her Umueze 1 residence Ehime Mbano recently. According to her it is unjust, unfair and unreasonable for people to amass wealth for themselves and their immediate families alone. She enjoined the affluent in the society to put smiles on the faces of the indigent members of the society through provision of employment opportunities, skills and quality education. Lolo Rose Chukwu, a philanthropist whose scholarship foundation has benefited thousands of people, insisted that only through concerted effort by the wealthy that will drastically reduce poverty and make the…

Umunakanu team lifts Major – General Alphonsus Chukwu Unity Cup

The grand finale of the Major-General Alphonsus Chukwu’s Unity Cup was played amidst fanfare, pomp and pageantry recently at Ehime-Mbano Stadium Umuezeala Owerre in Imo State. Imo State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Musa Katsina was the special guest of hour who took the ceremonial kick-off, accompanied by high profile personalities.  Among the dignitaries present at the tournament include Major-General Alphonsus Chukwu of the Nigerian Army, Chief Tony Chukwu, (Onweghi ihe kariri Chineke), Hon. Kingsley Dimaku of Imo State House of Assembly, Air Commodore Martins, Chief Christian Iwu, DPO Ahiazu-Mbaise Division, Chief Eric Uchegbu and Chief A.D.C. Odiuko. The final of the tournament was played between Umunakanu and Umualumaku teams.  At the end of the…

KSM Borromeo Sub-Council recollects at St. Joseph’s Parish Umualumaku

  Members of Knights of St. Mulumba, St. Charles Borromeo Sub-Council, Ehime-Mbano LGA of Imo State with their Ladies, held a recollection at St. Joseph’s Parish Umualumaku on December 22, 2013 as the host, Chief Bernadine Nwaokeafor marks 75 birthday. The Mass was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Tony Dieme, Parish Priest assisted by Rev. Fr. Jonas Uwezuoke, the Curate, Rev. Fr. Isdore Nwanaju and Fr. Stanislaus Ogu. In his homily, Fr. Dieme enjoined the congregation to surrender their lives to God and put God first in all they do. According to him, unless the will of God prevails, man labours in vain.  He insisted that God should be the focal point of all Christians, stressing…

Hon. Barr. Leo Iwuoma donates borehole to community

A political chieftain and legal luminary, Hon. Barr. Leo Iwuoma has brought succor to residents of Umuopara Umuduru Nsu in Ehime Mbano LGA of Imo State by donating a borehole to the community thus lessening their burden of lack of portable drinking water. The project was commissioned on January 1, 2014 by Rev. Fr. Godwin Okechukwu Okoye, who enjoined the affluents in the society to provide selfless service to the society.  He affirmed the biblical exposition that it is more blessed to give than to receive. THE LEADER spoke to the donor, Hon. Barr. Leo Iwuoma on what motivated his good gesture and he observed that it has been his dream to contribute positively for…

Prof. Uwazuruike fast-tracks development of Okigwe South

The member representing Okigwe South in the Federal House of Representatives, Prof. Chudi Uwazuruike has attracted remarkable projects and infrastructure for the constituency. Hon. Maurice Chukwunyere, the Director of Administration and General Services for Legacy Organization told THE LEADER that the projects were evenly spread across Obowo, Ihitte-Uboma and Ehime Mbano LGAs that constitute Okigwe South Federal Constituency. According to him, the projects include: the construction of model market stalls at Abueke and Aformgba in Ihitte Uboma and Ehime Mbano LGA respectively. The ongoing construction of 30 model market stalls at Achara and another 30 market stalls at Amuzi both in Obowo LGA is geared towards improving commercial activities of the rural dwellers. The provision…

Fake evangelist meets waterloo in Ehime Mbano – Receives beating of a life time

Every day is for the thief, but one day is for the owner of the house, says the Bible.  This biblical emphatic statement played itself out Sunday, December 15, 2013 at Umuezeala-Owerre in Ehime Mbano LGA of Imo State. Luck ran out of a fake evangelist David Chigaemezu Nwogu whose syndicate operates a fake Pentecostal ministry at 10 Tetlow Road, Owerri capital of Imo State, had his dubious antics detected during a family deliverance programme held at the residence of Chief Marcel Abba Iwuji in Umueze-Ukwu-Ubia Ezeala/Ezeike Autonomous Community, Ehime-Mbano LGA. Bubble bust on the dubious evangelist David Chigaemezu Nwogu whose fake ministry “by fire by thunder ministry”, conducts fake crusade from one community to…

Major-Gen. Alphonsus Chukwu Unity Cup kicks off in Ehime Mbano

A football tournament sponsored by Major-General Alphonsus Chukwu, Kogi State Director of Nigerian Army Records was kicked-off on Sunday, November 17, 2013 at St. Ignatius Secondary School field Ehime Mbano LGA of Imo State. The football competition is being competed by all the autonomous communities in Ehime-Mbano LGA.  Among the teams involved in the competition include Umuezeala, Umunumo, Umualumaku, Umuakanu, Ikpe Nsu and Umueze II/Umueleke. Others include Ihitte Nsu, Nzerem, Agbaja and Umukabia. THE LEADER spoke with Major-General Alphonsus Chukwu on the reason for sponsoring the tournament and he postulated that it is a veritable avenue to promote unity among the communities in Ehime Mbano LGA. He further elucidated that it is his desire to…

Governor Okorocha settles Ezeship dispute in Umuaumaku/Umuihim

Governor Rochas Okorocha has “settled” the lingering ezeship tussle in Umualumaku/Umuihim Autonomous Community, Ehime Mbano LGA in favour of Nze Chimokem John Paul Okoronkwo as Eze-elect. Umualumaku/Umuihim Autonomous Community has been polarized as a result of who becomes the traditional ruler of the community following the demise of HRH Eze Cyril Nduka. The hitherto peaceful community has sat on the keg of gun powder following the belief in one section of the community that the ezeship stool is hereditary, while the other section insists that the stool is rotatory. A face-off ensued between the two camps and the proverbial sword of Damocles dangled on the community. For over two years, colossal amounts of money was…

Rev. Fr. Tony Dieme: A Priest With Passion For Service

Parish priest of St. Joseph Catholic Church Umualumaku Ehime-Mbano LGA of Imo State, Rev. Fr. Tony Dieme marked one year in office as shepherd of the flock on Sunday, October 2013. In his homily, Fr. Dieme harped on the need for the parishioners to have faith in God who is able to solve their problems. The celebrant enjoined the congregation to constantly pray for increase in faith. He observed that the Apostles encouraged the early Christians to believe in the Trinity of one God, resurrection, efficacy of prayers and life after death. According to him, those who have faith in Christ are like mount Zion and God does not disappoint those who believe in him…

One chance fraudsters meet waterloo in Ehime-Mbano

Security operatives on September 23, 2013 burst a ‘one-chance’ gang and apprehended its members which included two women and a man while the third female escaped.  The two hefty women were stripped naked at Ehime Mbano LGA after they were caught in a botched scam saga.  The trio narrowly escaped being lynched by an irate mob.  One chance fraudsters lure unsuspecting passengers into their vehicles and rob them on the way. Trouble started for the victim, Mrs. Livina Ozubele when she boarded a car en-route to Owerri to procure stockfish which she trades at Anara, Isiala Mbano.  She was told by the driver of the vehicle that he would pick a passenger at nearby Ezihe…

Angry mob sets kidnapper’s residence ablaze at Umuezeala-Nsu

The residence of Mr. Tony Iroh in Umuezeala Nsu, Ehime Mbano LGA of Imo State was last week burnt down by rampaging mob protesting the kidnapping of Ugoeze Nwakaego Nwokeke and attack on HRH Eze Engr. B.N. Nwokeke, Nkwume II of Nkwumeato Autonomous Community, Ihitte Uboma LGA.  Some hoodlums had abducted the Ugoeze after shooting the royal father.  They later asked for a ransom of N50 million Naira. The rampaging youths in their numbers took the security operatives unawares and armed themselves with dangerous weapons and stormed the residence of the Irohs and razed down their residence completely. Attention of  THE LEADER correspondent, Magnus Ibe was attracted to the scene as a dangerous conflagration raged…

Probe road contractors in Ehime-Mbano LGA – Hon. Dimaku urges Imo govt

Hon. Kingsley Dimaku, Imo State House of Assembly, member representing Ehime Mbano State Constituency has enjoined the relevant authorities to probe the nefarious activities of road contractors who collected colossal sums of money from the Local Government Council but failed to execute the projects. Hon. Dimaku also alleged that seventy million naira is missing from the account of the General Hospital which has stalled construction of the project. He made these disclosures during his constituency briefing with stakeholders in Ehime Mbano Council hall recently. According to him, it is very unfortunate that most of the contractors who fail to perform after collecting various sums of money from the LGA are indigenes of Ehime Mbano. Hon….

Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha storms Ehime-Mbano for August meeting

- Allow women to rule, SOLAD urges Nigerians The wife of the Imo State Governor, Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha and her entourage stormed Ehime-Mbano Local Government Headquarters for the 2013 August meeting on Thursday, August 15, 2013. A tumultuous crowd of women drawn from the 31 autonomous communities in Ehime-Mbano were mobilized for the unique event.  In an address at the occasion, the First Lady of Imo State, enjoined the women to shun laziness, idleness, rumor mongering, gossip and help their husbands rear up their children in the fear of God. She further urged them to monitor the companies their children keep.  Nneoma Okorocha informed the audience that the Rescue Mission programmes are geared towards overall…

CWO St. Joseph Umualumaku, Ehime Mbano ends August meeting

- Honours Dr. Mrs. Joy Oguh The Catholic Women Organization (CWO) of St. Joseph’s Parish Umualumaku, Ehime-Mbano LGA on Sunday, August 25, 2013 conferred the “Pillar of CWO Award” on Nneoma Dr. Mrs. Joy Oguh. Dr. Mrs. Oguh was singled out for the award for her unrelenting philanthropy and generosity to the less privileged members of the society.  She was eulogized for her rare financial and material support to the development of projects in the church and community generally. Glowing encomiums were paid for her role in providing education, clothes, welfare and quality wrappers and materials to the widows, orphans and indigent members of the community. Dr. Mrs. Oguh used the occasion to donate clothes…