OBITUARY ANNOUNCEMENT; December 02, 2002
The immediate past chairman of Njaba Local Government area, Dr Ositadinma Fush Ejikeme has died. Dr Ejikeme died on Monday October 21, 2002 at the Owerri General Hospital after a brief illness.
He was rushed to the hospital on sunday night after complaining of an unsual severe stomach problem. He was pronounced dead the following day by the chief medical doctor at the hospital, name unknown. Dr Ejikeme will be missed and remembered by all, especially the entire staff of Njaba Local Government area.
He is survived by his wife and two children. Dr Ejikeme was buried on Friday November 29, 2002 in a ceremony arranged and sponsored by the government of Imo State. Special thanks will go to the executive Governor of Imo State, Chief Achike Udenwa for remembering this fallen hero of Okwudor and indeed Njaba local government. We will continue to update our readers when more information become available. Chidi Nwankwo. Nnenasa.
Imo House Summons SSG Over Autonomous Communities> This Day (Lagos) October 21, 2002 Chuka Odittah Owerri The Imo State House of Assembly has summoned the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Nze Ignatius Umunna, to an emergency extra-ordinary session of the House to explain details of the creation of about 176 new autonomous communities across the 27 local government area in the state recently.
The emerging meeting convened by the Speaker, Barrister Godfrey Dikeocha, was to investigate the unilateral composition of communities by the executives without recourse to legislators in the state.
Already, a state panel of inquiry headed by Justice Onamajuru has sent its report on lists of areas billed for new autonomy in the state.
The report of that judicial panel of inquiry is what the state government is alleged to have amended while also fixing new names outside the recommendations of the panel.
When THISDAY called at the office of the Speaker in Owerri for comments on the controversial creations, the speaker declined comments.
Reports, however, say that the SSG in answer to the summons of the House pleaded innocence of the already suspended the creation of its autonomous communities.
The suspension was ordered by the House to enable them ratify circumstances surrounding the automatic creation of autonomy for communities.
The Imo State Broadcasting Corporation (IBC) Owerri last week repeatedly announced the release of new autonomous community, which claimed to have emanated from the office of the SSG.
As at press time when THISDAY visited the office of the SSG for reactions, the SSG was said to have been unavailable. Sources at the SSG's office confirmed the suspension of the hasty 176 autonomous communities.
From Chibuzor Obilo-Our Imo State correspondent
The transitonal CHAIRMAN OF Njaba Local Government,Nze Ben Durugbor has assured all communities in Njaba LGA of an even tranparency during his tenure in office.
Nze Durugbor made the call when he visited Eze Alloysius Ojinnaka, The Ezesinobo 111 of Umuaka, during a courtesy call at Eze's palace.
In his response, Eze Ojinnaka assured the interim LGA Chairman that Umuaka will accord him all the support he needs to make his job a very easy one.
In his brief remark, the chairman of Umuaka develpment town union, Dr Isaac Mbachu reiterated that Umuaka, being the most populous and most vibrant in the entire local government area is lacking in many basic amenities. He pleaded with the transitional chairman to award some contracts to Umuaka, inorder that Umuaka will retain her place in the hierachy of projects and services
He also reminded the chariman that as a son of Umuaka, he should not forget his roles, responsibilities and promises to his community by bringing the fat cake home.
The chairman also reminded all that were present at the courtesy call, that an Umuaka son must be elected the next chairman of Njaba LGA no matter what.
Chibuzor Obilo- Owerri correspondence