OGUTA STATE CONSTITUENCY RE-ELECTION: Why I am not excited

On the 29th of June 2013, there will be a re-run election for the representative of Oguta State Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly. This is as a result of the nullification of the election of Hon. Eugene Dibiagwu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by the court. The front runners in the election, the PDP and All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA)/yet-to-be registered All Progressive Congress (APC) have been campaigning and mobilizing in a very big way. The battle line seems to be drawn between both parties. On the side of the PDP are Senator Hope Uzodinma, Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha, Senator Author Nzeribe etc. while Governor Rochas is leading the other side…

I begin every programme with Novena – CGC Commissioner

The Commissioner for Community Government Council (CGC) and Chieftaincy Affairs, Imo State, Barr. Lady Ugochi Nnanna-Okoro has attributed the success of her ministry so far to the power of Novena. A Novena is a series of prayers that are said for nine straight days, usually as a prayer of petition. Speaking during an interactive session with the press on the ongoing chieftaincy dispute resolution in the state, Barr. Nnanna-Okoro said God is using Governor Rochas Okorocha to bring peace to several communities most of which have been in turmoil for decades following ezeship tussles. Emphasizing the efficacy of Novena prayer, Mrs. Nnanna-Okoro, a Lady of St. Mulumba, said trouble laden communities now enjoy peace, adding…

FUTO VC counts blessings, challenges – After two years in office

The Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Prof. Chigozie C. Asiabaka (KSM) was two years in office on June 19, 2013, having assumed office on June 19, 2011. To mark the second anniversary as the 6th substantive Vice-Chancellor of FUTO, Prof. Asiabaka addressed the press, June 17, during which he counted his blessings, prospects and challenges. Reflecting on the past two years, Asiabaka said: “We have indeed made remarkable and commendable progress towards re-positioning this university to world class standard”, adding that the laudable success which they have recoded so far would not have been possible without the support of the academic, administrative and other non-teaching staff of the university. He listed what he…

Talks between U.S., Taliban on Afghan war expected soon

Peace talks between the United States and the Taliban over the war in Afghanistan will probably be held “in the next few days,” a senior U.S. administration official told CNN on Wednesday. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, did not offer up a time line for the discussions. But a prisoner exchange is one of the issues the United States intends to discuss with the Taliban. Senior U.S. officials say they want the release of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, a soldier captured by militants in 2009. “We have every reason to believe” Bowe Bergdahl is alive, a Pentagon official told CNN. News that the meeting was moving forward followed a tumultuous day that saw…

Retired Alvan Staff groan under unpaid entitlements

- Head of Service says govt is addressing their problems Retired staff of the Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education (AIFCE) Owerri beween 2007-2009 have carried to the media their battle for survival over their unpaid end-of-service financial benefits (July 2007-Dec. 2009). Two spokespersons of this Group Sir Alex Onyemekara, former Dean School of Sciences and Sir Alex Ukaegbu, Principal Lecturer, Department of Agriculture, who were interviewed, described their members as “The Unfortunate Group”.  They lamented that those who retired before them, (1993-2007) have fully received their gratuities and were enjoying their pensions without any outstanding arrears while those who retired after them (since Dec. 2009) have been adequately covered in the PENCOM Pension Scheme….

Justice Not Sympathy for Imo State Pensioners

Recently the democratically elected government of Imo State declared that with effect from April 2013 retired civil servants will be paid pension only at the Community Government Council offices of their home communities where the traditional rulers are to identify them as genuine pensioners. The general meaning of this directive is that government gazettes of appointments, promotions and retirements of these pensioners as well as the series of biometric capturing exercises held since 2006 are unreliable records until they are confirmed by traditional rulers who have no records to verify the claims of the pensioners. No wonder that in its editorial comments of May 2, 2006 “The Guardian” said that in advanced societies the respect…

Primary School Pensioners cry out again over 10 months arrears

… Pay us now or we die Two keenly contested words in Imo State at the moment are pension-salary and pension-arrears.  While the pension authorities and the pension office argue that retired pensioners in the state are only owed pension arrears and not pension, the retirees maintain that there is no difference between pension and pension arrears. They insist that pension arrears are nothing other than accumulated unpaid pension which eventually translate into arrears. This was the position of some primary school retirees from 1992 till date who staggered into THE LEADER office on Thursday, June 11, to register their grievances over their 10 months unpaid pension running from August 2012. It should be recalled…

Man loses nose to plastic surgery, Files suit against Surgeon

A New York man living in Tulsa went to get a nose job with a well-established Tulsa plastic surgeon and five years later does not have a nose. Vishal Thakkar got a divorce and in 2006 he admittedly made a vain decision. “I decided to do something selfish,” said Thakkar, sitting in his attorney’s office in South Tulsa. Dr. Angelo Cuzalina is known across Green County for his plastic surgery. The Oklahoma Medical Board does not show any complaints in his history. He is listed as president of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. “I had the first surgery and suffered some breathing problems, nothing too bad, but it made it hard to exercise and…

Corruption: The 37th State of Nigeria

There is a cloned hydra-headed monster on a tiny-lined white thread seen with the third-eye only making up the 37th State of Nigeria.  It is CORRUPTION.  On May 27, 2012, the Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Owerri Diocese, Most Rev. Anthony Obinna celebrated a thanksgiving Mass for the State Government to mark its one year in office at the Maria Assumpta Cathedral Owerri.  In his homily, the Archbishop called for an alternative Nigeria. The alternative Nigeria, he explained would be “Nigeria that is just and fair, a Nigeria where there is rule of law and respect for justice and fairness, a Nigeria where the leaders will shun double standard life and enthrone good governance…

KSM St. Paul’s Sub-Council Owerri elects new Executive

St. Paul’s Sub-Council Knights of St. Mulumba Owerri, on Saturday, May 18, 2013 elected a new executive to pilot the affairs of the Sub-Council for the next three years.  This followed the expiration of the tenure of the former executive led by Bro Paschal O.J. Ihemedu. Prior to the election, Bro. Ihemedu expressed gratitude for the support and unstinting cooperation given to him by his fellow brothers and charged them not to relent in the service of God and defence of the Catholic Church.  Bro. Ihemedu sued for peaceful conduct of the election and wished the new executive a successful tenure. At the end of the election Bro. Evarest Njemanze emerged Worthy Grand Knight (unopposed)…

Archbishop McDonald’s Statement on Murder of Soldier in Woolwich

Here is the statement released by Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales last week regarding the brutal murder of a soldier in Woolwich. On behalf of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, the Most Rev Kevin McDonald, Archbishop Emeritus of Southwark and Chair of the Office for Interreligious Dialogue, has released this statement on the shocking murder in Woolwich on 22 May: “The events in Woolwich yesterday have shocked us all. First and foremost, our prayers are with Lee Rigby, his family and friends. “At this time it is vital for people of all faiths to show real solidarity in their rejection of violence and in their commitment to peace. In particular…

Bandits raid Holy Rosary Hospital Emekuku

-As Anglican Church beefs up security following robbery attack on cathedral. As cases of kidnapping appear to be receding in Owerri Metropolis, bandits are shifting their notorious activities to homes, churches and their institutions. Last week, armed robbers raided Holy Rosary Hospital Emekuku, owned by the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri, carting away cash and hospital equipment. The Administrator of the hospital, Rev. Fr. Eunan Asomugha said the hoodlums numbering about 10 struck at about 12 midnight on Saturday, May 25, overpowered the security men before breaking into offices. The priest said they broke into his office and any other office that was locked, turning everything upside-down in search of money.  However no kobo was found…

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…

Dr Joe Obi-Njoku : Rising from the Grassroots

Imagine him chopping wood with an axe.  Imagine him also shirtless, barefoot, a climbing robe “akpi” on his left shoulder and a machete in his right hand, dividing the bush and heading for the nearest palm tree to cut down the ripe fruits for sale, so he and his family could eat.   Imagine him again taking bamboos from the raffia palm and carefully weaving the traditional bamboo bed – “okpukpo,” (agada in some dialet)  also to make a living. Finally, see him riding an old bicycle from his home at Umueme, Uzagba, in Ikeduru local government, to Mbaise to go to college.   That’s the life of Dr Joe Obi-Njoku, as a young man,…