By Iheanyi Enwerem

There has been widespread clamour, especially from Okigwe South region of Imo State, for the development of the historic Abadaba Lake which has been overgrown by weeds for several years.

An investigation by IKORO OKIGWE revealed that it was the administration of the Late sage, Chief Sam Onunaka Mbakwe, that saw the need for the development of the lake into a national tourism centre. The Imo State government then did not only stop at identifying the economic potentials inherent in Abadaba Lake but went ahead to lay foundation for some buildings that can assist in take-off of the tourism project.

IKORO OKIGWE can also say authoritatively that base on our findings, one of the major contracts that stalled the project was stalled the project was struggle for the ownership of the project site between Nkwumeato in Ihitte/Uboma and Umulogho in Obowo Local Government Areas leading to a situation where the Imo State government had to express some reservations on the project leading to a situation where subsequent administration both military and civilian have not cared to re-visit the tourism project.

A tourism expert Mr. Chris Anyanwu who spoke to IKORO OKIGWE said that the Abadaba Lake is a goldmine that has been abandoned by several administration in Imo State adding that if fully developed it will be capable of generating at least N1bn annually to enhance revenue generation. He went further to say that based on the human face of the present government, the re-elected Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma should ensure that the project is revisited because of its economic potentials.

An indigene of the area, Mr. Kenkwo Kesaandu Kingsley who spoke to us via telephone conversation lamented that the project has been abandoned for over 35 years leading to situation where the lake including the structures at the site have been overgrown by weeds and pleaded for intervention by Imo State government.

” Abadaba Lake is bigger than Oguta lake, 85% of the structures constructed under Dee Sam Mbakwe’s administration are still alive, the 800 capacity halls. The lake will create jobs and generate revenue for our State, I appeal to government to look into reviving it”. He said.

By Iheanyi Enwerem

The Deputy Governor of Imo State Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, has called on Imolites to go back to farming, stressing that this is one of the solutions to eradicating hunger in the State.

Ekomaru made this assertion while interacting with delegation of Home Economics and Hospitality Management Department, Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, who paid her courtesy visit in her office, on Tuesday.

” We all have to go back to the days of having a garden in our homes, you can cultivate tomatoes, vegetables and other items. If we all go back to farming hunger will reduce”.

She opined Furthermore she described the Governor Sen. Hope Uzodimma as a man with foresight, “Our Governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma is a man with insight, hindsight and foresight. A man who singlehandedly favoured me to come and ride with him, to the point I am here today.

“He is a governor that has passion and wants the state to be better than he met it and has been working very hard towards that.A governor who has restored stability, love and what governance used to be. A Governor who has many packages to turn Imo into Nigeria’s Dubai and which by his grace that will surely manifest in the next four years”

The deputy governor said the governor picked up Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education and has done mighty things with the staff, in the area of structure and nomenclature, as well as the infrastructure of the higher institution.

She disclosed that the governor is still interested in Alvan and as the day goes, he will keep unfolding his plans and desire to meet the standard of a University that has been running for about twenty years, “though we just started as a University”

The number two citizen of Imo State noted that God has been doing great things in the Home Economics and Hospitality Management department of the institution, from where He picked their former Head of Department, Dr. Stella Nlemchi (now Professor) and made her Provost of the College, and further elevated her to the position of the Deputy Vice Chancellor Admin who is currently running the university, even as the same God also chose her as the deputy governor of the state, from the same department.

“The department has maintained its integrity, churning out wonderful girls, wonderful wives, who can stand out anywhere and when you give them any challenge like becoming the deputy governor, they hit the ground running.

“I want to finish in this assignment with a good legacy. I want to make you proud and make the entire womenfolk proud”, the deputy governor enthused. Earlier in the address of the department read by its head and leader of the delegation, Dr. Mrs Cynthia Mbah, said they came to extend their congratulations in person to the deputy governor for her elevation.

While saying that the memories the deputy governor left behind will not be forgotten in a hurry, she expressed confidence that God will empower her with the capabilities to deliver on her assignment, while promising their solidarity and support in the discharge of her duties.

Adding his voice, one of the leaders in the department, Dr. Alphonsus Ukozo described the department as the fulcrum of the University, whose members embodies; Resilience, hard work, vision and dedication. Qualities he said are inherent in the deputy governor, as well as the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University.

By Okey Obasi

The Chief Judge of Imo State, Honourable Justice T.A Chukwuemeka -Chikeka has listed insecurity as the greatest challenge facing an organization such as the Judiciary that depends wholly on the State government for it’s financial well-being adding that before now, their greatest problem hovered around getting ample financial support for their sustainance.

Speaking at the 2023/2024 opening of the Legal year of Imo State Judiciary held at Justice Oputa High Court complex in Owerri Justice Chukwuemeka -Chikeka, who was emotional in her speech said that in recent times, insecurity has become a new deadly form of challenge that is affecting adversely, their operations in the Judiciary.

She said that this has resulted in the loss of personnel, infrastructure and man-hours adding that in the last two years alone, the Judiciary had lost more than a dozen courts.

Our investigation revealed that between 2022 and 2023, the following courts were burnt down by unknown arsonist.

They are High Court Etiti, High Court Atta Nwanbiri, Magistrate Court Okpala, Customary Court Umuneke. Others are Customary Court Ihuoma, High Court Orlu, High Court Oguta and Magistrate Court Ubulu.

While these burnt court building are yet to be re-built the after effect is that most of the High Courts in the out stations have had to relocate their operations to the already congested headquarters in Owerri.

Furthermore, it is chilling that aside from burning down courts, the insecurity problem has claimed lives of some lawyers at the bench and others at the bar.

The Chief Judge re-iterated enough cannot be said on this issue of insecurity but it has become sufficiently clear that security is local and ultimately personal.

She continued, it is true that safety is of the Lord,but much diligence and vigilance is required of each and every one of us in order to combat this menace.