Author: Ugonne Inyama-Uzoma

Patriotism

By Ugonne Uzoma

Owerri, June 19, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo has urged journalists to be patriotic and ensure the overriding interest of the state and country while carrying out their duties.

Uzodimma gave the charge while receiving journalists at the Imo Government House, in Owerri on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that members of the Correspondents’ Chapel and the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Imo State Council had paid the governor a courtesy call.

They were led by the state Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Imo State Council, Mr Ifeanyi Nwanguma.

“There must be synergy between the government and the press for true and functional democratic governance,” Uzodimma said.

The governor added that the media must also criticise the government while offering its support through fact-based reporting.

The governor, who further advised the press against antagonistic reporting, urged them to show more commitment to objective and patriotic reporting.

“Let the overriding interest in your duties as pressmen be patriotic; criticise objectively but also ensure you report the good works of the government.

“There can be no government without the media so protect and partner with the government to help strengthen democracy in our country,” he said.

Speaking on the pervading economic hardship across the country, the governor urged the press to educate the people on the long term benefits of the policies of the Federal Government.

“As a nation, we must endure temporary hardship in the struggle to recalibrate the country.

“The people might feel the impact for a short while but the long term benefits are enormous.

“Please do your duties by enlightening the people on the benefits of these policies of government,” he said.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Imo Correspondents’ chapel, Mr Chinonso Alozie, said the visit was aimed at strengthening the relationship between the chapel and the state government.

Alozie added that the chapel was also desirous of identifying areas of partnership inline with its core mandate of developmental journalism.

The chairman also called for more inclusion of the press to enable better reportage of the activities and programmes of government.

He commended the governor for his developmental projects in the state, especially in the areas of road construction.

Also speaking at the meeting, the state Chairman of NAWOJ, Dr Dorothy Nnaji, also commended the governor for his recognition of the press in the state.

Nnaji also appealed for more support for the group to enable them carry out their development programmes across the state especially in the area of health campaign for rural women.

Highlights of the visit was the governor’s donation of a 14-seater bus each to the Correspondents’ Chapel and NAWOJ. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

UOI/MNA

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

Commendation
By Ugonne Uzoma
Owerri, June 11, 2024 (NAN) Imo House of Assembly, on Tuesday, commended the Governor, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, over the timely rescue of some underaged girls allegedly trafficked to Ghana for prostitution.

The lawmakers made the commendation, following a motion of urgent public importance moved by Mr Chisom Ojukwu (APC-Nkwerre).

Ojukwu had urged the house to applaud the governor and his wife, Chioma, for the “swift rescue of the girls.

Presenting the motion on the floor of the house, he said that the governor’s action demonstrated his sensitivity to the plight of the people of the state.

He also hailed him for quickly assembling a delegate which travelled to Ghana to facilitate the rescue of the girls.

Ojukwu said that the matter would have been overlooked while the girls continued to suffer.

He therefore thanked the governor “for carrying out his duty of protecting every citizen of the state”.

Supporting the motion, the Majority Leader, Mr Kanayo Onyemaechi (APC- Owerri West), commended the governor for also rescuing other victims of trafficking from other states.

Onyemaechi lauded the governor “for rising to the occassion” and successfully rescuing the girls.

Also, Mr Kennedy Ibeh (APC-Obowo), while thanking the governor for the feat, alleged the involvement of a syndicate in the act.

He urged the security agencies to thoroughly investigate the matter to ensure that the syndicate was smashed and brought to book.

Contributing to the motion, the Deputy Minority Leader, Mr Clinton Amadi (LP-Owerri Municipal), commended the governor’s quick intervention and pledge to rehabilitate and reintegrate the girls.

Mr Kelechi Ofurum (APC-Owerri North) also called for the perpetrators to be fished out and made to face the law.

Following more contributions in favour of the motion, the Speaker, Mr Chike Olemgbe (APC-Ihitte Uboma), ruled in its favour. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

UOI/OIF/USO
Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Sam Oditah

Imo Assembly summons publisher over alleged defamation against lawmaker

By Ugonne Uzoma
Owerri, June 6, 2024 (NAN) The Imo House of Assembly has summoned the Publisher of the Watchdog Newspaper to appear before it over an alleged defamatory publication against the representative of Orlu State Constituency, Dr Ikenna Ihezuo (APC).

The House issued the summon during its plenary session on Thursday, following a complaint brought to it by the aggrieved legislator.

Ihezuo said that the Chairman of the Orlu chapter of the party, Mr Stanley Nwosu, alleged in a story published in the June 4 edition of the newspaper, a local tabloid, that he (Nwosu) prevented the lawmaker from diverting 65 bags of rice, being the palliative for subsidy removal for Orlu constituents.

The lawmaker said that the report was false and alleged that Nwosu was collaborating with the publisher, Mr Precious Nwadike, who contested for the Orlu seat at the assembly but lost.

“The report is an orchestrated attempt to tarnish my image by defaming my character and reducing my estimation before people who know me.

“If this matter is not properly handled, the entire legislative arm will be negatively affected,” he said.

Ihezuo, therefore, called on the house to summon the author of the report, the editor and publisher of the newspaper to appear before it with evidence to support their publication.

Reacting to the complaint, Mr Kennedy Ibeh (APC-Obowo) described the publication as “derogatory, demeaning and an affront to the entire legislative arm”.

He urged the house to invite all the parties involved to have an interface with the house to ascertain the reason behind the publication.

Contributing, the Majority Leader, Mr Kanayo Onyemaechi (APC- Owerri West), said that various bodies, including the police and traditional rulers, were involved in the collection and distribution of the palliative.

He said that with those people involved, it would be impossible for the lawmaker to attempt to divert the rice as alleged in the publication.

He, therefore, supported the demand for the invitation of the publisher and a thorough investigation and proper handling of the matter.

Following other positive contributions, the Speaker, Mr Chike Olemgbe (APC-Ihitte Uboma), directed the Clerk to invite the author of the report, the editor and the publisher of the newspaper to a meeting with the house on June 11. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

UOI/CEO/USO
Edited by Chidi Opara/Sam Oditah