2022 Imo 3R ISAMATA Markets Football Tournament : Okoronkwo unveils trophy

 

By  Ben AHANONU 

The Commissioner for Sports, Youths and Social Development, Hon. Emeka Okoronkwo has unveiled trophy for the 2022 Imo State Amalgamated Markets and Traders Association (ISAMATA) Markets Football Tournament in a colourful ceremony at the ISAMATA Conference Hall, State Secretariat, Owerri.

Speaking during the occasion on Friday, Hon. Okoronkwo, called for support of all Imo people as he moves to take sports to the next level. He expressed unhappiness that Heartland Football Club (FC) got relegated and vowed to do his utmost to revive the club. He said that Governor Uzodimma is in support of the tournament as he is always interested in what makes traders happy.

Hon. Okoronkwo, said that the unveiling of the trophy was his first major assignment since assuming office and assured that he will give every necessary assistance for the success of the tournament while calling on Imo people especially sports-loving individuals to feel free and come with relevant suggestions and ideas that could be useful in the efforts to revive sports in the State and restore Imo that has produced many talented sportsmen and women to its rightful position in sports.

He commended ISAMATA Executive led by the President, Hon. Emmanuel Ezeanochie for initiating such a laudable tournament that will not only unify traders in the state but also promote their good health.

Speaking earlier, the ISAMATA President, Hon.  Ezeanochie, thanked the Governor,. Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma for his support, assuring that ISAMATA, which 

 comprises 307 markets and biggest organization in the State is solidly with and in support of Gov Uzodimma administration.

Highlights of the occasion were the handing over of football jerseys and balls to participating teams and conduct of draws for the tournament matches across the  three senatorial zones of Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe by officials of Imo State Football Association led by the secretary, Amanze Uchegbulam and and members of the Football Organizing Committee, chaired by the Okigwe Zonal President of ISAMATA, Hon. Chikwendu Ezeigwe.

Recall that the maiden edition of the football tournament, which will kick off on Sunday December 4, 2022 at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, was won by Malaysia Market, Obowo and N2million in prize money.

The event was attended by members of the State Executive of ISAMATA including the Owerri Zonal President, Hon. David Okoko, Orlu Zonal President, Hon. Udoka Mgbemere, ISAMATA State Secretary, Sir DonChris Okere, Financial Secretary, Mr. Peter Etoh,  treasurer Hon. Protus Anayo, Coordinator of Hausa traders in the State, Alhaji Ibrahim Dangali, Provost I, Hon. Abba Vitalis, Provost II, Hon. Kelechi Onyeka and others.

Malaysia Market: ISAMATA restores hope to traders, constructs over 400 stalls

By  our correspondent 

The leadership of Imo State Amalgamated Markets and Traders Association (ISAMATA) under Hon. Emmanuel Ezeanochie has in accordance with the Shared Prosperity policy of the Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma administration brought joy to petty traders at Malaysia Market, Obowo, following the construction of modern open stalls with access road and good drainage system to check the menace of flooding.

Before 

In a release, the President of ISAMATA, Hon. Ezeanochie said that the completion of the project and other projects in markets across the State is in sync with the 3-R policy of Recovery, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of the Shared Prosperity Government led by Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma.

             Now

According to Ezeanochie, traders especially the petty traders were finding it difficult to transact their business before the intervention of ISAMATA, because of perennial flooding due to the fact that the area is low-lying and close to the river bank and worsened by lack of access road. 

He thanked Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma for his support and for giving him and other members of ISAMATA State Executive, the opportunity to serve the traders assuring that he will strive to deliver on his promise to bring a paradigm shift in the administration of the markets in Imo State even as the welfare of the traders remain a priority.

A cross-section of the traders, who spoke to our correspondent expressed joy and thanked the Governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma for appointing the Ezeanochie -led executive of ISAMATA because it has been transformational and wonderful for the traders.

It will be recalled that  the construction of the over 400 open stalls at Malaysia Market, Obowo is part of the big vision of the Ezeanochie -led executive of ISAMATA.

2023: APC is real deal, party to beat - Ebere

 

By our correspondent 

The Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Imo State chapter, Hon. MacDonald Kelechi Ebere PhD, has declared that the party is the real deal in Imo come 2023 general election, given the state of preparedness, commitment and unity of purpose amongst members, leaders and stakeholders of the party.

Hon. Ebere stated this during a press conference at the State Secretariat of the party along Okigwe Road on Monday.

He said: "As we get set for the main electioneering campaign activities, we are optimistic that our party, the All Progressives Congress is the party to beat in Imo, given the state of our preparedness, commitment and unity of purpose amongst leaders and stakeholders."

According to him, the APC, is the only political party in the state without a single threat of internal crisis, squabbles, division or conflict of interest, but focused and  committed to meeting the genuine aspirations of Imo people.

While recounting the achievements of the recently concluded strategic tour of the 27 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state and town hall meeting with executive committees of the party drawn from the chapters (booth), Wards and LGAs as well as other relevant stakeholders, which include, the realization that the All Progressives Congress, APC, is the most popular, visible, vibrant and resourceful political party in Imo State today and that the popularity and acceptability of the APC -led administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma,  is on the rise amongst Imo electorate, Hon. Ebere, added that given the sense of responsibility, unity of purpose and clarity of direction amongst APC candidates, leaders and stakeholders the 2023 general election is indeed a foreclosed deal for the party.

His words: "While we explored the opportunity to arm our party men and women with the phenomenal infrastructural strides of the Governor Uzodimma -led administration as a campaign tool, we extracted the commitment of party members to work and  deliver all candidates of our party.

"We reaffirm our commitment as a political party on behalf of our candidates and other relevant stakeholders to approach the forthcoming general election with the best democratic practices of issue-based campaigns and non-violent election."

Hon. Ebere expressed profound gratitude to the leader of the party in the state and Governor, His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, for his immense support and equally thanked  leaders across the LGAs, who in spite of the constraints of their obvious tight personal commitments and schedules, did make out time to receive the State Working Committee of the APC, in their various local government areas during the tour 

He reassured Imo people of the unwavering commitment of the APC -led administration to  making life better for all through the provision of dividends of good democratic governance in the state.

The press conference was well-attended by members of the State Working Committee (SWC) of the party.

Imo Wins at NAFEST 2022

Imo State Commissioner for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Mazi Uche Ohia, PhD (left); and Special Adviser to Imo State Governor on Culture, Hon Paddy Obinna at Onikan Stadium, Lagos, during the Opening Ceremony of National Festival of Arts and Culture, NAFEST 2022, on Wednesday November 9, 2022

 

Imo CPC destroys fake, expired consumables

 

By Nigerian Academic Excellence 

The Director General of Imo State Consumer Protection Council, CPC,  Hon. (Mrs) Obioma Okafor, Tuesday, destroyed fake and expired products seized by her Council at Avu Junction dump site, along Port Harcourt Road, Owerri.

Speaking on the occasion, Hon. Okafor stated that the agency will never relent in its efforts to ensure that Imolites are not shortchanged by shylock and mischievous traders that sell fake and expired products to unsuspecting consumers.

Mrs Okafor, who was accompanied by staff of the CPC, thanked the Governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, for giving her the opportunity to serve the people assuring that she will do her utmost to carry out the statutory obligations of the CPC effectively.

She said that the destruction of fake and expired products, which is the fourth since she assumed office will continue because it is the aim of the CPC, which she described as a spiritual agency, to save Imo lives.

               Hon (Mrs) Obioma Okafor 

Can any good come from Atiku Abubakar?

 

             Atiku Ababakar 

By Ben AHANONU 

While some Nigerians have described as Freudian slip Atiku Ababakar's recent odious remarks about Yorubas and Igbos,  I, however consider such as acerbic rantings of a politically handicapped and drowning man that catches at a straw.

 Atiku Abubakar said during the recent Arewa town hall policy dialogue in Kaduna, that:  “What the average Northerner needs is somebody who is from the North … he doesn’t need a Yoruba Candidate or an Igbo candidate”.

I am not surprised by Atiku Abubakar's desperate pronouncement because as a drowning man with defeat staring in his face and which he must embrace soon,  Atiku, has resorted to whipping up ethnic sentiments - he cannot and will never rule Nigeria.

He claims to be a bridge builder and unifier but his actions and pronouncements portray him as antithesis of a pan-Nigerian politician.

A unifier cannot go to southeast and promise to handover to an Igbo after eight years and  move to south-south to make the same promise and by so doing exposing his treacherous underbelly.

Is he coming as  Nigerian President, who will seek a united and prosperous country, or a tribal northern president? 

I want to also believe that Atiku's classification of North does not include Northern Christians, who have been besieged, killed and despoiled by Fulani expansionist terrorists because he will be insulting their psyche.

When Deborah Samuel, a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, was stoned to death and burnt by some misguided fellows for allegedly posting comments that blasphemed Prophet Mohammed, the same Atiku Ababakar was quick on flip-flop to delete a statement he issued condemning the killing on his Facebook and Twitter accounts after coming under pressure from those he thought will vote for him, claiming that it was done without his approval.

It is obvious that Atiku Abubakar only pays lip service to national unity, despite the fact that it features as one of the 5 cardinal points of his so-called “Covenant with Nigerians."

Atiku Abubakar cannot pretend again as his real configuration as a tribal champion ready to divide and rule  is now fully naked before the Nigerian people.

Meanwhile, there are indications  that the former Vice-President, through his statement in Kaduna, might have breached Section 97 of the Electoral Act.

The section states: “A candidate, person or association that engages in campaigning or broadcasting based on religious, tribal or sectional reason to promote or oppose a particular political party or the election of a particular candidate, commits an offence under this Act and is liable on conviction to (a) a maximum fine of N1m or imprisonment for a term of 12 months or both and (b) in the case of a political party, to a maximum of N10m.’’

The question is, why is it not about what Nigeria and Nigerians need? Nigerians need bold and visionary leadership with firm commitment to national unity, over and above ethnic or sectional interests.

Atiku’s comment smacks of extreme and mindless desperation and such an extremely desperate man cannot and must not be given the most important job in Nigeria i.e. the President because it is a job with the core duty of leading, uniting and working in the best interest of all Nigerians irrespective of tribe, religion, sex or creed.

Interestingly, Atiku Ababakar, who sold Nigeria's critical assets cheaply as Chairman of National Council on Privatization ( NCP) and brought darkness to Nigeria is eager to sell more even the NNPC; the same Atiku who cannot  manage his family well - as Jennifer left, has already destroyed the PDP and  wants to bring the same division and destruction into the affairs of the country. 

Indeed, the five PDP Governors led by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike have been proven right and true lovers of the country.

Atiku Ababakar does not believe in equity, justice and fairness otherwise he will not continue to insist on Iyorchia Ayu as PDP Chairman.

Atiku Ababakar is an ethnic champion, who wants to rule Nigeria by all means but lacks the capacity to govern well. He can marry from every tribe in Nigeria but that will not make any difference. 

I take pity on those supporting him because they are on a wild goose chase. So long as I am concerned, Atiku's ambition to govern Nigeria will remain a mirage and this is based on the fact that nothing good will ever come from him.

Police to Daily Sun: Retract false publication or face legal action

 

                            CP Barde

By our correspondent

The Nigeria Police, Imo State Command has the Nigeria Police, Imo State Command Owerri, Imo State, has given the  Daily Sun, twenty - four hours to retract what it viewed as offensive and false news publication in the edition of 20/6/2022, or prepare for legal action against the publisher. 

In a release signed by the Imo Police Public Relations officer, CSP Michael Abbatam, the  Nigeria Police Imo Command, said it is preposterous and most unfortunate that, a notable national newspaper will publish a sensitive story without ascertaining the true facts. 

"The command is miffed and view this publication as malicious, false, misleading and a calculated attempt to undermine the already improved security situation being enjoyed in the state and also to dampen the confidence the Command has achieved with the good people of the state since the arrival of the Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde.

"According to the release, there was no bomb explosion in Izombe Central Market on 20/6/2022, and there was no record that, the traders were at anytime warned by members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) or it militia affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN) not to come out on Mondays for their businesses. 

"However, preliminary investigation conducted by the Police Operatives on arrival at the market while responding to the distress call on Monday 20/6/2022, revealed that some overzealous miscreants came to Izombe Central Market in Oguta Local Government Area (LGA) of Imo State, on a motorcycle, went to a bus canvassing for passengers traveling to Owerri and set it ablaze in the name of enforcing "sit-at-home" order in the Community and left almost immediately after the act. However, no life was lost and most of the people had already  left.

"The Command considers the said publication as not only unprofessional but also at variance with the ethics of the profession of journalism."