Bishop Ukwuoma commissions retired priests’ home, media complex – Marks 5th Episcopal ordination

The Catholic Bishop of Orlu, Most Rev. Augustine Ukwuoma has commissioned the Diocesan Retired Priests’ Home and the Archangel Gabriel Media Complex. The events were part of the activities marking the 5th anniversary of his Episcopal ordination. The occasion, which took place at the Orlu Diocesan Human Development Centre, where the two projects were situated, attracted personalities, friends and well wishers who came from far and near to witness the ceremony. Delivering a homily at the Mass Bishop Ukwuoma described the event as a thanksgiving to God for the gift of the diocese.  He recalled when the diocese was part of the old Owerri diocese before it was carved out on November 29, 1980 and…

Archbishop of Canterbury’s visit to Pope Francis: ”Pope is an extraordinary humanity, on fire with the Spirit of Christ”

Pope Francis and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, met for the first time in the Vatican since they both took over leadership positions in their respective Churches mid-March. They got on very well together, according to persons accompanying them. They sat and talked together in private for over thirty minutes in the Pope’s library on June 14, with the aid of an interpreter. Afterwards they prayed together and had lunch together with their respective delegations, in the Domus Sancta Marta, the Vatican guesthouse where Pope Francis now lives. “It was a personal visit. And the private conversation with Pope Francis was very personal indeed; it was a very private discussion about the nature of…

Syrian forces fought off an attempt by rebels to seize the sole crossing between Syria and Israel

A day after losing control of Qusair, an important town close to the Lebanese border, rebels tried to grab back the initiative with an assault on Quneitra – a demilitarized zone on the Golan Heights that is patrolled by the United Nations. For the first time since the start of the uprising in March 2011, the rebels briefly took control of the area, sending U.N. peacekeepers scurrying to their bunkers. Israeli sources said Syrian forces wrested back the site after fierce fighting. Austria said it would withdraw its 380 peacekeepers from the 1,000-strong U.N. monitoring force because of the fighting. Pro-government troops have won a string of successes in recent weeks, boosting Assad at a…

Ada, Opara Imo Winners Emerge – Get Brand New Cars

The Owerri Capital City of Imo State was agog as winners of Ada-Imo and Opara-Imo emerge from youths numbering over 1000 from the 27 Local Government Areas of the state. Miss Anabel Obianugu Amadi, a 300 level student of Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) from Aboh Mbaize emerged the 2013 Ada-Imo while one Kenneth Nwadike from Mbano Isiala LGA came was crowned the Opara. The winners went home each with a cash gift of 1 million Naira, a brand new car and a trip to South Africa and a brand new bus for their community. In his remarks, Imo state governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha said that the competition was organized to promote and re-invigorate…

SOLAD distributes Governor’s free Uniforms to School

Hon. Lady Chioma Ogoke, Sole Administrator, Ehime-Mbano LGA. On Friday May 24th 2013 distributed school uniforms to both primary and secondary schools in the area. The school uniforms for girls and boys, procured by the State Government from abroad are part and parcel of the free education programme currently going on in the state. Heads of schools in the Council Area which comprise 58 primary schools and 66 secondary schools in Ehime Mbano LGA collected the uniforms on behalf of their students and pupils. In an address at the handover ceremony, Lady Chioma Ogoke paid glowing encomiums on the State Governor for his giant strides in the field of education which include construction of new…

The Need for Proper Orientation for traffic Task Forces

Imo State is steadily attracting hundreds of inquisitive visitors and tourists who want to see for themselves Governor Rochas Okorocha’s unbelievable structural and infrastructural accomplishments. Both the landscape and skyscape of the major cities of Okigwe, Orlu and especially, Owerri the state capital have changed so drastically that anyone who was last in Imo State by mid-year of 2011, barely two years ago, would question his eyes if they were seeing correctly should he enter the state today. This is not a debatable political issue.  One is talking of what the eye can see and perceive. It is therefore horrific that new visitors to Owerri and Imo State tend to be received by thugs in…

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…

Police bust another Baby factory in Enugu … Rescue six pregnant girls

As the illicit sale of new born babies continue to take a disturbing dimension, the police in Enugu has rescued six pregnant teenage girls being quartered in a hideout awaiting their delivery. Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ebere Amarizu told newsmen that operatives of the Anti Kidnapping Unit of the command acting on a tip-off raided No. 7, Anyansi Lane Ogui, Enugu where they rescued pregnant girls.  He gave the names of the girls, who are about 17 years of age as Chioma, Amarachi, Gloria, Uzoamaka, Nneji and Akpan. The police said the pregnant teenagers were smuggled out of their guardians’ homes and kept in a hideout awaiting their delivery.  Negotiations are believed…

Obiangwu Women protest against injustice in Imo

Roads leading to Dr. Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport Owerri were recently barricaded by women of Umueze Obiangwu in Ngor-Okpala LGA, Imo State, who turned out in their numbers to protest against what they called injustice, marginalization and negligence meted to them by the management of the airport. According to them, their grievances hinge on alleged calculated efforts by the airport management to deny their children job opportunities despite taking great portions of their farm lands to build the airport.  The women lamented that despite losing their lands, they could also not access the little left to them because they were denied access by the airport authorities. They therefore appeal to the State Governor, Owelle Rochas…

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…

Cleric admonishes Christians against materialism – As Oguta celebrates Father’s Day

The Catholic Men Organization (CMO) of Sacred Heart Catholic Parish, Oguta in Oguta LGA of Imo State have been admonished not to allow materialism to becloud their sense of judgement. The Episcopal Vicar of Zone 9 of Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri and Parish Priest of the Church, Very Rev. Fr. Jude E. Ike gave the admonition at a Mass to celebrate the Patron Saint (St. Joseph) of the Catholic Men Organization worldwide on Sunday, May 5, 2013. In his sermon, he enjoined the Christian Fathers to always be close to their wives and children, positing that a good home begets a good society and a good society is the pride of the nation. Fr. Ike…

Town Unions and Community Governing Council In Imo State

A town union is an association formed by members of a particular community for the socio-economic development of that community. Accordingly, town union collaborates with traditional administration, government at all levels and sometimes non-governmental agencies to achieve its aim. Town unions existed in communities in Nigeria even before colonialism. Interestingly, when the colonial masters came to the country, they also associated with town unions and made adequate use of them to foster their mission. With the country’s independence and the constitutional provision on Freedom of Association, town unions became stronger institutions. Also, with the promulgation of the Companies and Allied matters Act, town unions are now incorporated as legal persons. Today, many town unions are…

Mr. Chucks Obiodu: DRIVEN BY PASSION

With a passion for business and a determination to be a haulage contractor just like his father, young Chucks Obiodu went to school knowing exactly what he wanted to do for a living. When life wanted to take him down a different path, he quickly made a U –turn and returned to his dream. Although his older siblings took up jobs in mining, telecommunications, teaching and health sectors, Chucks, the last of five children, preferred to stick with his father. Even so, the young Chucks did not choose his dad so he could work for him or inherit the business after him. All he wanted was a role model which he found in his father….

Breaking News: Ancient tree falls, kills over 30

Over 30 people are feared dead and a yet to be ascertained number were critically injured when a tall tree known as Osisi Ukwu Uko, collapsed on buildings, as well as those transacting their business in a market located under the tree. This sad event reportedly occurred at Umudagu Mbieri, Mbaitoli local council area of Imo State late Thursday night, following a heavy down rain that was accompanied by a ferocious windstorm and thunder. It was also gathered that most of the victims were either traders, who were selling their wares in the market, their customers, some passers-by and others who were taking shelter in the town hall and the surrounding houses. A boy, who…

Community Government: Is it viable?

Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha has on several occasions enumerated what Imo people stand to gain from embracing his Fourth-Tier System of Government, otherwise called, Community Government.  The novelty of it all, being that the state power base will, as it were, relocate from Douglas House Owerri (Government House) to the various autonomous communities in the 27 local government areas of the state. According to the new structure, the duly recognized traditional ruler of each autonomous community will preside over the Community Government Council (CGC), which will include: a Government Liaison Officer (GLO), a Community Liaison Officer (CLO), a Woman leader, Youth leader and Secretary.  The concept is to bring development close to the people as…

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…

Jonathan imposes emergency rule on Adamawa, Borno, Yobe

President Goodluck Jonathan has declared a state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.  However, the governors of the affected states are to continue in their constitutional roles.  In a nationwide radio/television broadcast on Tuesday, President Jonathan ordered the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim, to deploy more troops to the affected states for more effective internal security operations. The soldiers had been given full orders to take necessary action, within the ambit of their rules of engagement, to end the impunity of insurgents and terrorists. Full texts of the President’s broadcast on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 reads. It has become necessary for me to address you on the recent spate…

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…

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…