The archbishop of Archbishop Diocese of Owerri, AJV Obinna, has called on the governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, to change his approach in the face of severe security challenges in the state. Obinna made this assertion in his post sermon presentation to mark this year’s World’s Communication Day, at Maria Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri, yesterday.
He retorted that the insecurity in the country, particularly in Imo State, was baffling and required the urgent attention as well as action of the governor. The archbishop urged the governor to map out strategies on how to tackle the gross insecurity threatening the foundation of Imo State.
On the continued agitation for the independent state of Biafra by IPOB and MASSOB, the cleric noted that it was the “provocative exclusion” of the South East from the scheme of things by the centre that propelled and inspired Igbo youths to start demanding for sovereignty through self determination. He told his audience that all of MASSOB, IPOB and ESN were reactionary as the Igbo youths have been told of the Nigeria – Biafra civil war when their progenitors were forced back to Nigeria even as successive governments since then have never treated the South East fairly.
Almost sounding like a father counseling his children, the archbishop urged leaders on all levels of government to embrace peace, dialogue and unity as key factors in building a united country directed towards progress, growth and development. He gave kudos to the Southern Governors Forum for their recent action towards the call for restructuring, while he decried the “over importation of police and military (security) personnel from the north to the Igbo nation because it makes me and any sensible person to feel intimidated”.
During the discourse on the World Communications Day, the Imo State Commissioner of Information, Chief Declan Emelumba tasked journalists to emulate the Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis, whose message in this year’s celebration of global communications was entitled “Come and See”. In his words, Emelumba stated that the meaning of the theme was come and see what the Imo State Government through Governor Hope Uzodimma has been since he assumed duties. That is, the journalists should report what they see and encountered rather than what they hear in rumours or get from social media platforms. He maintained that the governor and government are not perfect men as they can make mistakes and as well apologize.
