Rochas Okorocha must hear this

One Dr. James Madubuonu, not real name has made very frantic efforts these years to see Owelle Rochas Okorocha, Governor Imo State, to help solve the most important problem facing the state but his aides have made it impossible for them to meet. The said citizen is a lawyer by profession specialized in security matters for 43 years in the U.S. but those who think that they matter so much feel that insecurity is not a problem in Imo State. This man, being a citizen of Nigeria feels that charity begins at home that is why he chose Imo State as the home of the program and he named it Imo Security System. It is…

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…

Newly elected Eze Irete recommends Option A4 -To Ezeship-torn communities

Communities which for years have known no socio-economic progress, as a result of being enmeshed in intractable internal strife over their royal stool, can now heave a sigh of relief as an incontrovertible way out, has been found.  The solution lies in Option A4 system of voting, which has been described as most transparent, as it simply involves counting those queuing behind each candidate in an open field. This recommendation came from His Royal Highness, Eze Ethelbert Ekwelibe, the Agubiam I of Irete, who personally emerged through the Option A4 method on Wednesday, June 20, 2013, when he pulled 1110 votes to defeat his two other opponents, Anayo Okenwa and Uzoma Ibe who got 127…

Police retirees decry neglect by pension managers

Retired personnel of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) at the weekend in Benin, Edo State, expressed concern voer what they termed “gross isolation and neglect by their pension managers of the PENCOM Act 2004”. They said they were in the dark on what accrued from their contributed pension scheme after 35 years of service in the country.  President General of the association, Dr. Moses Ajeka, made the lamentation while inaugurating Edo State Chapter, Elders Club of Nigeria (PENCOM retired police officers) in Benin.  According to him, the club, which came into being in October 2010, was an umbrella body of the retirees aimed at correcting the challenges arising from the PENCOM Act. “We are the…

2013 Odenigbo Committee Inaugurated

The Most Rev. Anthony J.V. Obinna, Catholic Archbishop of Owerri and founder Odenigbo lecture series has inaugurated the Committee to organize this year’s Owerri Archdiocesan Day/Odenigbo lecture. The 90-man Committee is headed by Mr. Paschal O. J. Ihemedu with Prof. Obiajulu Emejulu as Secretary. Inaugurating the Committee on Monday, June 10,  at the Assumpta Secretariat Hall Owerri, Archbishop Obinna expressed satisfaction with the progress of the lecture series, stressing that “it is yielding fruits, especially among our English-Speaking Igbo”. He recalled years when people, who addressed public gatherings in Igbo language were regarded as illiterates, saying that “today the reverse is the case as those who cannot address ndigbo in Igbo language now apologize for…

Knights in Nsukka rise in defence of the unborn child

The Knights and Ladies of St. Mulumba, St. Peter’s Sub-Council based at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, took this year’s battle in defence of the unborn child outside Nsukka urban on Sunday, April 21, 2013. In groups of 10 each, their members attended Masses in five different parishes in Orba, Obukpa, Ovoko and Ibagwa-Aka to deliver Pro-life sensitization talks and interact with members of the congregation in the fight against abortion. For all Knights and Ladies of St. Mulumba, this is a yearly exercise nationwide to mark the Day of the Unborn Child.  It is expected that through this means, members will interact with the public and reaffirm the teachings of the church on the…

How APC will Fix Nigeria – Okorocha

Imo state governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has assured Nigerians that the newly formed All Progressive Congress (APC) by the coalition of major opposition parties will fix and return Nigeria in the path of progress. Governor Okorocha who seized the opportunity of rendering his two year account of stewardship to Imolites to speak on his political future and recent political development in the country, maintained that APC would among other things balance the political equation as well as offer credible alternative so far as leadership is concern in Nigeria. He said “let me throw more light on why I have decided to join and promote APC. It is a clear fact that our dear country under…

Editorial: Maintaining our Pro-Life Stand

The news that the House of Representatives, after 18 months of foot-dragging has finally toed the step of the Upper Legislative Chamber in proposing laws banning the practice of gay marriage, homosexuality, lesbianism and other sexual aberrations in the country, has gladdened many hearts. Henceforth, Churches and Mosques are forbidden from conducting same sex marriages while gay and lesbian couples who marry could face up to 14 years each in prison. Witnesses or anyone who helps such couples marry could be sentenced to 10 years behind bars. Anyone taking part in a group advocating for gay rights or caught in ”public show” of gay affection also would face 10 years in prison if convicted by…

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…

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…

Msgr. Emma Ogu celebrates 40th anniversary of priesthood

It was another remarkable day in the life of Very Rev. Msgr. Emma Onyebuchi Ogu, Spiritual Director, Mater Ecclesiae Seminary Nguru Aboh Mbais as he celebrated 40 years of his priestly ordination on April 28, 2013 at St. Anthony’s Parish Umunama. He was ordained priest on April 28 1973. The celebration attracted a cream of the society, priests and religious, members of the House of Senate, House of Representative, Honourable Members of Imo State House of Assembly, Knights of the Church, Royal Fathers and top civil servants. Delivering the homily at the solemn Mass presided over by Msgr. Emma Ogu and assisted by 35 other priests including Rev. Fr. Peter C. Osuagwu, Parish Priest, Rev….

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…

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,…

Auto crash: Why Okorocha was not treated in Government hospital

Insecurity and protracted labour dispute between the State Government and staff of the Imo State University Teaching Hospital (IMSUTH), were reasons why Governor Rochas Okorocha was not taken to the hospital for treatments when he was involved in an auto crash recently. Okorocha’s vehicle had head-on collision with another vehicle belonging to one Osita Nnawuihe on Friday, April 19, 2013 at Umuoma, Orlu, while driving himself without the usual outriders and government house ambulance. Daily Sun learnt that the governor was rushed to St. Mary’s Children and Community Hospital, Umuowa where he received first aid, while Nnawuihe was taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owerri for treatment. The State Government and the teaching hospital…