South East
Speak Only Igbo At Functions, Okorocha Tells Monarchs
The Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has banned traditional rulers in the state from speaking English at public functions and in their palaces.
The governor consequently directed that they must speak Igbo language at functions and while conducting activities at their palaces, insisting that they could employ the services of interpreters, if the need arises.
Okorocha gave the directive while handing over letters of recognition and staff of office to Nineteen (19) newly recognised traditional rulers in the state, adding that Igbo language must not be allowed to die as been predicted in some quarters.
The governor also told the traditional rulers in the state to be agents of peace, progress, and prosperity in their respective domain instead of being tools of disunity and destabilization, warning that any traditional ruler who could not show genuine leadership in his autonomous community stands the risk of having his Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office withdrawn.
His words “Today, history is made that light has come and darkness would not comprehend at all. The truth has surfaced and the right people have finally become the custodian of the traditional right of their people. You are not permitted to speak English at functions. This will help keep our culture and Igbo language alive”.
He continued “For many years now, most of you have been looking for a day like this. Some of you were victims of injustice and never believed that this could be possible and most of you have been waiting without knowing your fate. But today, it is a manifest of truth that your people have chosen you, and the government of Imo State has approved”.
He further stated “I took the bold step of reconciling people, took the step to ensure that truth came to be and voided the rancour that has existed in our various communities over Ezeship title.
“This has equally affected the Community Government Council (CGC) negatively because every community requires an Eze to function effectively as the head of the Community Government Council. Today, that responsibility has fallen on you, I urge you not to fail as failure is not an option.
“I encourage you to help the government in developing the resources of our land as posterity will only remember you for your positive contributions in the development of your community and not in how much wealth you enmasse as an Eze”.
He added, “Remember that to whom much is given, much is expected. This whole exercise you must understand is not an election or appointment to enable you distinguish between those who love you and those who hate you. Today, you are an Eze, and you must be the Eze for everyone both those against you and those who were for you.
“I advise you to take all of them along and embrace peace. Your first assignment should be to invite those who were against you to make peace in your land as no Eze can function effectively if there is no peace in your land”.
He continued, “Today, you join several Ezes in the communities of Imo State. You are now addressed as royal fathers and members of Imo State Traditional Council which its right is given to you until death, unless you act in such a manner that you are found wanting before the members of this society”.
He explained that “The essence of Ezeship is not in the title of being called HRM or HRH, it’s in what you have been able to do to change your society for good. You have to understand that you have enormous responsibilities, Ezeship is not an easy job, it attracts enmity and takes all your time”.
In his vote of thanks, Eze Lucky Ajoku of Ihiagwa Autonomous Community, described the governor as an apostle of good conscience and equity and promised that they will embrace peace and help the government attain the lofty ideals of the Community Government Councils in their various communities.
The Ezes given their Staff of Office and letters of recognition are:
HRH D.E.C Onyebuagu – (Ibiasuegbe Autonomous (Oru West), HRH Ifeanyi Kenneth Aguneto – (Umueze/Abaza Ogwa (Mbaitolu), HRH Charles Anyakudo – (Ekwe (Isu LGA), HRH Ugo Ndubueze Donatus – (Umunokwu, Okwuato Aboh Mbaise), HRH Athanasius Ezekwe – (Enyiogugu), HRH James Nnamdi – (Ngurunweke Aboh Mbaise), HRH Francis Anukwu – (Avuvu Ancient Kingdom, Ikeduru), HRH J.C. Ebii – (Umunama-ala Ezinihitte), HRH Jude Alozie – (Onicha Nworie Ezinihitte), HRH Val Nwoke – (Ejemekwuru Oguta), HRH Boniface Uzoma – (Abba Nwangele), HRH Ukachukwu Nnanna – (Dioka Nzerem Mbano), HRH Pius Onyekwere – (Nnarambia Ahiazu Mbara), HRH Lucky Ajoku – (Ihiagwa Owerri West), HRH Christopher Amadi – (Okolochi Owerri West), HRH James Ezerioha – (Ihite Owerre, Orlu), HRH Basil Anyanwu – (Umuhu Ngor-Okpala), HRH Leonard Aguocha – (Umuohiagu Ngor-Okpala), HRH Eze Frankline A. Dabirinze – (Uzoagba).
The police in Ebonyi State say they have discovered the body of a yet to be identified middle-aged woman in a hotel room in Abakaliki, the state capital. The spokesperson of the police in the state, Loveth Odah, stated this yesterday.
She said the body has deep cuts on the chest and neck and has been deposited in a mortuary. According to the spokesman, it was discovered at Crown Garden Hotel located along the ever-busy Afikpo road in the capital city.
Mrs Odah, who said that the victim was found in the pool of her own blood, said the suspect had been identified as one Uchenna Awoke.
She said the hotel manager, Emmanuel Eze, the supervisor, and other workers had been taken to the police station for questioning and accused the hotel management of negligence.
“The manager of the hotel, the supervisor and other staff of the hotel were taken to the station for questioning and I must confess to you that the whole thing is negligence on the part of the hotel management. How can a guest be murdered in a hotel room and days after, the management is not aware of the incident.”
“We will investigate the matter properly and I assure you, the perpetrator of the act must be arrested and prosecuted. All we are asking is for the members of the public to avail the police of useful information that will lead to the arrest of the suspect.”
The Senate yesterday passed the South East Development Commission (Establishment) Bill 2018.
The proposed commission aims at enhancing the infrastructural development of the South East zone, which is grappling with huge ecological challenges.
It also seeks to act as a catalyst for the development of the commercial potential of the zone.
The proposed legislation requires the concurrence of the House of Representatives to become a bill of the National Assembly, and the President’s assent to become a law.
Senators Stella Oduah (PDP-Anambra) and Samuel Anyanwu (PDP-Imo) jointly sponsored the bill read in the Senate on June 22, 2016.
Its passage in the Red Chamber followed the presentation of the report of the Committee on Establishment and Public Service by its former Chairman, Senator Emmanuel Paulker (PDP-Bayelsa), on the floor of the Senate.
The bill, after Paulker’s presentation, was considered clause by clause by the committee of the whole, and amendments made by the lawmakers were read for the third time and eventually passed.
In his remarks, presiding Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, commended his colleagues for a job well done.
In his words, “Every morning we pray that God should give us the grace to do only those things that will promote the peace and unity of this country.
“I believe that we have shown today that we are committed to the unity of this country, and it is this unity that will give us faith in this country.
“This faith will in turn help us to pursue peace and progress,” he said.
Briefing newsmen after plenary, members the South East caucus of the Senate, led by Sen. Enhinnaya Abaribe (PDP-Abia), thanked their colleagues and members of the committee for their efforts.
Abaribe, who spoke on behalf of the caucus, urged the President to sign the bill into law “as soon as we tidy it up and bring to him, in the interest of the unity and progress of Nigeria”.
“This will put to rest the long-drawn agitation in the South East, and the difficulties in the rehabilitation and reconciliation efforts that started at the end of the civil war.
“All things we see always will end up at the negotiating table, which is what we have done,” he said.
The lawmaker said he hoped the House of Representatives would give concurrence to the bill as it went in the Senate.
When established, the South East Development Commission would be the third zonal interventionist body in the country.
Bishop David Oyedepo, the Founder and Presideng Bishop, Living Faith Church Worldwide, on Saturday predicted that nothing would disturb the peace of Nigeria and its story would change for the better in the year 2019.
Oyedepo made the declaration at the just concluded annual prophetic gathering of the Winners’ family, christened the “Dominion”, in a satellite telecast of the church.
In the telecast monitored in Abuja, the cleric also declared that 2019 would be a year of “I have Dominion”.
“Nothing will tamper with the peace of Nigeria; the story will change for the better in the name of Jesus.
“Nigeria shall not see bloodshed, the Prince of Peace will continue to dominate in Nigeria, in Africa and Nigeria is declared blessed.
“Anywhere you step, accident is forbidden; death will not come near you and our nation.
“Anything that is of grace in my life, I freely release upon you today.
“God has opened the year 2019 to us, celebrate Him because its our year of “I have Dominion,” he said.
The Bishop added that the year 2019 would be a year of humbling testimonies for Nigeria and pace-setting testimonies.
He further declared that 2019 would be a colourful year for the nation.
According to the cleric, as long as Jesus has the final say on the issues of Nigeria, it will experience greatness.
Oyedepo said that there would be no more cause of alarm in any area of the nation and its citizens.
He advised Christians in Nigeria to delight themselves in the spirit of servant-hood, adding that the spirit of Christ is the spirit of servant-hood.
“The Spirit of Christ is the spirit of servant-hood. As you keep rising on the ladder of leadership, you must retain our spirit of servant-hood, constantly working to add value to others and be kingdom minded,” he said.
According to him, dedication is at the root of dominion, saying: “Sow yourself as a seed by being totally dedicated to God and His Kingdom’’.
He told his congregation that sacrificial giving guarantees the meeting of all their needs.
“When you engage in taking care of the well-being of others, God is also committed to your well-being,” he explained. The cleric admonished Christians would engage in meeting the needs of the needy, every barrier on their path of destiny would be crushed.
“Nobody tampers with your life, your career, your family and goes away with it because you are promoted to God’s kingdom.
“God will stand for your defence in the day of trouble. Every sacrificial giver has a defence around him in the day of trouble always have that in mind,” he said.
He reminded his congregation that the Church is not a building; the Church is a people and the Redeemed of the Lord.