Senate rejects N4b First Ladies Mission House fund

The Senate Wednesday rejected the appropriation of N4bilion for the building of the First Ladies Mission House in Africa. This is contained in the summary report of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) 2013 budget, which was approved by the Upper Chamber. The controversial figure was part of the proposed budgetary estimates submitted to the National Assembly for consideration and approval. There were bitter criticisms of the money, which was seen as a waste of scarce resources. Chairman of the Senate Committee on FCT, Senator Smart Adeyemi noted in the report of his committee, that “ it is worthy of note that the proposed appropriation for the construction of the building for First Lady Mission in…

Pack and Go – Anambra First Lady orders baby factories

-Why they’re springing up in Southeast, by Red Cross Anambra State Government on Monday ordered all motherless babies’ homes that could be tagged ‘baby factories’ to pack and leave the state within 48 hours or risk a clampdown. Wife of the Anambra State Governor Mrs. Margaret Peter Obi stated this at the 2013 Children’s Day event at the Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka. She warned motherless babies’ homes in the state and those indulging in any form of illegal adoption of babies and outright selling of babies in any disguise to pack and leave without further delay. Sale of babies in ‘Baby factories’ has become rampant in the Southeast in recent times. Security agents have…

Same sex union is abomination – Archbishop Obinna

- As pro-life conference kicks off in Owerri, Monday The Most Rev. Anthony J.V. Obinna, Catholic Archbishop of Owerri has described same sex “marriage” currently going on in some parts of America and Europe as an abomination. Speaking on Radio Nigeria Owerri Current Affairs Programme, Issues of the Moment, Archbishop Obinna said God created us male and female and we have to respect that identity so that our children, who are being influenced by the “toxic waste” from Europe and America will be insulated from this kind of abomination which led to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The Archbishop spoke ahead of a two-day Pro-life Conference kicking off tomorow in Owerri with the theme…

Why I take Indian hemp -Pastor arrested for kidnapping tells police

A Pastor of a Pentecostal Church arrested for alleged kidnapping shocked detectives, when he was also arrested with a bundle of Indian hemp, found in his house as part of his daily meal. General Overseer of Divine Justice Church, Owerri, Imo State, Pastor Clement Ezeigbo, who is currently cooling his heels in the police Anti Kidnap Unit of the state police command, told the police: “I don’t know anything about kidnapping but I am the owner of the Indian hemp (Igbo) but the good thing is that I don’t smoke it but I use it to prepare my food.  I enjoy eating food prepared with Indian hemp”. “I don’t think there is anything wrong when…

Man who put mum’s body in cupboard Banished …Also baby factory suspect

Imo State traditional rulers have banished Dr. Chimezie Osigwe, in whose home was found the embalmed body of his 73-year-old mum declared missing 10 years ago. Also banished is the proprietor of the Ahamefula Motherless Babies Home, “Madam One Thousand” where 26 expectant teenagers were rescued. “Madam One Thousand”, is no longer to reside in the state, the traditional rulers ruled. Dr. Osuigwe, a native of Ezuru Umuagwu village in Ejemekwuru Autonomous  Community, Oguta LGA Imo State  is a member of the Satguru Maharajji sect. Announcing the verdict, the Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Samuel Agunwa Ohiri, said the action of the duo desecrated the land, warning that henceforth all forms…

APGA Leaders storm Ehime-Mbano -As SOLAD urges Governor to vie for 2nd term

Chief Mrs. Chioma Ogoke, the Sole Administrator of Ehime Mbano Local Government Council, on May 10, 2013 implored the Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha to consolidate his achievements by running for a second tenure in the 2015 gubernatorial elections. She made this appeal through the State Working Committee of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) which visited Ehime-Mbano. According to her “the monumental achievements of the present regime and its benefits will manifest fully if Governor Okorocha serves another tenure”, she said.  She urged the Governor to shelve his presidential ambition for now. In address at the event, the State Governor represented by Chief Vitalis Anyaegbu, the State Secretary of the party postulates that…

Silver Jubilee anniversary: An act of thanksgiving – Bishop Ukwuoma

–     As Prof. & Mrs. Tony Uzoma clock 25 years in marriage It was all joy and merriments as Prof. Anthony Uwandu-Uzoma and Mrs. Beatrice Ifeyinwa Uzoma marked their silver jubilee wedding anniversary at St. Gregory’s Catholic Parish Amaigbo, Nwangele LGA, Imo State on Saturday, May 11, 2013. The silver jubilee celebration commenced with a concelebrated Eucharistic Mass presided over by the chief shepherd of Orlu diocese, Most Rev. Dr. A.T. Ukwuoma and assisted by about 50 priests from different dioceses of Igboland, including Very Rev. Fr. Patrick Ibole, Vicar-General Owerri Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Dr. Alphonsus Oha, Chancellor, Owerri Archdiocese and Rev. Fr. Prof. Louis Asiegbu of the Federal University of Technology Owerri. Delivering a…

St. Andrew’s Parish Umuokanne celebrates Father’s Day – Decries lukewarm attitude of members

The Catholic Men Organization (CMO) of St. Andrew’s Parish Umuokanne has expressed disappointment over the lukewarm attitude of some members towards the upliftment of the parish. The President of the parish CMO, Mr. Sylvester Onyema (City), who expressed this view during the Father’s Day, May 5, 2013, regretted that some CMO members are not making any financial support for the parish and called for a complete change of heart, both morally and financially. The Parish CMO Secretary, Vincent Mary-Ihejieto Esq., echoed similar view.  He told THE LEADER that this year’s Father’s Day was rich spiritually. “Some of our parishioners’ resident “abroad” were invited to help us support and build our “parish security fence” as the…

VIRUSES ASSOCIATED WITH HUMAN CANCER (1)

Cancer may be described as any tumor arising from abnormal and uncontrolled division of cells that then invade and destroy surrounding tissues. Most of them are named after the organ or cell in which they start e.g. liver cancer, cervical cancer, skin cancer etc. Cancers are grouped into: carcinoma when they arise in the epithelium, sarcoma when they involve connective tissues, leukemia with origin in blood or bone marrow, lymphoma arising from B or T lymphocytes (white blood cells), myeloma originating from plasma cells, and central nervous system cancer when the cells of the CNS are involved. Cancer is a public health problem world-wide and affects all categories of persons. It is the second common…

Imo baby factory saga: ‘I never impregnated anyone’ – Suspect

Contrary to police statement, Chukwuebuka Onyemefule, popularly called Oyibo, has denied any involvement in the pregnancy of the 23 girls who were arrested last week by the Police at the Ahamefule Orphanage at Umuaka, Njaba Council Area of the state. The 23-year-old who spoke with Daily sun said the police had lied that he was solely employed by the owner of the motherless babies’ home as a stud. He maintained that he was only employed about three weeks ago to work at the sachet water factory and that 23 girls were all pregnant when he resumed at the sachet water section of the hospital. According to him, “the police lied when they said that I…

ACHEBE AND THE INVENTION OF AFRICAN LITERATURE (1)

came strong on the world stage with the publication of his first novel, Things Fall Apart. It is a work widely considered to have defined African literature and brought balance to world literature. This is despite the fact that there were other pioneering efforts regarding African prose by African indigenous writers. By 1933 Omenụkọ by Pita Nwana had been published, followed by the Onitsha Market Literature through which Cyprian Ekwensi published pamphlet stories like Ikolo the Wrestler and Other Ibo Tales (1947) and When Love Whispers (1948). These were before Amos Tutuola’s The Palm-Wine Drinkard (1952), which many regard as the pioneer novel form in English language by an indigenous African. However, it is Chinua…

Archbishop Obinna visits St. Francis Chaplaincy, Dan Anyiam Staduim

-Dedicates church, confirms 125 The Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese, Most Rev. Anthony J.V. Obinna paid a pastoral visit to St. Francis of Assisi Dan Anyiam on Sunday, May 12, 2013. The Holy Mass was presided over by His Grace, Most Rev. A.J.V. Obinna, assisted by Rev. Fr. Jude Zimoha, the Chaplain, Fr. Alphonsus Oha, Fr. Longinus Chinagorom, Fr. George Nwachukwu, Fr. Kingsley Nze and Fr. George Ike. In his homily, the Archbishop said that St. Stephen was one of the seven deacons that spread the good news of Christ until his brothers, the Jews stoned him to death and even until his death he pleaded with God not to hold the sins of his…

The morality of sharing money to Pupils in Imo (2)

Wrong Formation: St. Paul’s foremost warning to Timothy is, “The love of money is the root of all evils” (1Tim. 6: 10). The worst offense any parent could commit against his child will be to introduce him to money as a standard for either consolation or love. Using money to attract a child is like using bone to attract dogs. When the bone is not available, the dog refuses to listen to the voice of the owner and could go wild. And scripture says, “Teach a child how he should live, and he will remember it all his life” (Prov. 22: 6). Let us therefore expose the harm which this practice of sharing money to…

Priest raises alarm over extortion by lecturers -As KSM Owerri Sub-Council holds 2nd Degree investiture

A Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Dr. Casimir Nzeh has expressed worry over the increasing level of corruption and extortion going on in institutions of higher learning in Imo State and other parts of the Eastern Nigeria. Preaching during the Second Degree Investiture of the Knights of St. Mulumba, Owerri Sub-Council, Fr. Nzeh regretted that no serious academic work is going on in most institutions of learning in Igboland as marks are simply awarded to students who can afford them. The priest further revealed that most lecturers have become authors, churning out all sorts of junks from the internet and selling them to students in the name of “text books”. Fr. Nzeh who is the Owerri…

A jewel in his Crown

In his hay days, Pius Ukaga was a simple, easygoing, ever smiling, hardworking and amiable man. Agriculturist by profession, when he became Eze Obibi in 2003, he took those qualities with him, aided by a reliable cabinet, peaceful community, supportive children, especially a resourceful first son. But the jewel in his crown was his Emii-born witty wife, a diligent and resilient woman, the Eze’s one and only spouse and companion of 55 years. It is she, the Ugoeze, who has held his hand in good and bad times. With her by his side, there was no obstacle the crown couldn’t overcome.  Ugoeze Beatrice onyegenonu, a retired school teacher is a woman who knows her community…

Stop this Money sharing to Imo Pupils now

In his maiden broadcast to the people of Imo State in June 2011, Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha left nobody in doubt that education was indeed his top priority.  In keeping with his campaign promises, he unfolded details of his free education package.  The free education that was initially planned for public primary and secondary schools was soon extended to state-owned tertiary institutions of learning.  Governor Okorocha at every opportunity kept emphasizing the importance of saving the future of Imo children through qualitative education.   In addition to free tuition, he made budgetary provisions for textbooks, school bags and sandals, for them.  To crown it all his Government pays allowances of N300 per pupil and N500 per…

SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER YEAR C 12/5/2013

OPENING PRAYER Father, help us keep in mind that Christ our Saviour lives with you in glory and promised to remain with us until the end of time.  FIRST READING A READING FROM THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 7:55-60 Theme: I can see the son of man standing at the right hand of God. Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven  and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at God’s right hand.  “I can see heaven thrown open”, he said, “and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” At this all the members of the council shouted out and stopped their ears with their hands; then they…

CWO St. Mark’s Catholic Parish visits Akpodim Motherless Babies

In the spirit of the 2013 Mother’s Day celebration, the CWO, St. Mark’s Catholic Parish, New Oweri embarked on visitation to the less-privileged homes.  On April 29, 2013, the Akpodim Rehabilitation Centre in Ezinihitte Mbaise was visited where various food items and cash donations were made.  The mothers were pleased to meet the blind adult inmates who were taught basket making with local materials, brooms, cane chairs and practical agriculture. The Co-ordinator of the home, Rev. Augustine C.A. Njoku commended the mothers for their generous donations and appealed to the government and good spirited individuals to come to their assistance. In response, the CWO President, Barr. Mrs. Ngozi Iwu, thanked the founding fathers and staff…

PASTOR’S CONER – COME, LORD JESUS!

A shout of love expresses the tension of Christ-spouse and of the Church (humanity)-spouse towards the definitive encounter at the end of the history of salvation: when the Passover of all creation will be accomplished through new heavens and new earth which the Lord will perform; when the love with which the Father loves the Son will be in the disciples in a perfect communion (Gosp).  Vat II speaking of the eschatological nature of the pilgrim Church and of its union with the heavenly Church (LG48), confirmed the vision of hope which the inauguration of the new humanity in Christ brings with itself.  The same Spirit which raised Jesus Christ-spouse of the Church from the…

Tribute To Monsignor Dr. Georg Huessler Of Caritas Fame

Only a few months into the Nigeria- Biafra war, the imbalance in the disposition of military hardware was already definitive in favour of Nigeria. U.S.S.R and Britain literally flung the gates of their armouries wide open for Nigeria to satisfy her wish-list of weapons on credit, while Biafra struggled to purchase obsolete bolt- action rifles at cut-throat black market prices. It was the peak of the cold war, the ideological conflict between the Communist East bloc (Russia and her allies) and the Capitalist West bloc (U.S and allies). To survive as a country then, you needed to belong to one bloc. Biafra belonged to none. An ideological orphan! Having denied Biafra access to weapons to…