Gov. Uzodimma assures Imolites of safety during Christmas season

By Ifeoma Ikem

His Excellency Gov. Hope Uzodimma has assured Imo indigenes in diaspora of maximum security of lives and property during the Christmas and New Year celebration.

Uzodimma, who was represented by the Commissioner of Information, Hon Declan Emelumba gave the assurance during the celebration of the Imo State Towns Development Association (ISTDAL) 2021 Cultural Carnival.

“Those of you who are coming home for Christmas and New Year festival can now come with every confidence that all is well, because of the security measures put in place by the governor.

“I use this opportunity to allay the fears of the people about the different news that are circulating on daily basis about insecurity in Imo State which bring fear to the people’’.

According to him, `as we speak, there is security now in Imo State, we now have relative peace there now, except for occasional issues here and there and we are giving you assurance that everyone we be protected.

“Those who have been in Imo state lately can testify to this,’’ he said

He, however, appreciated the fact that the state government is working day and night to improve infrastructural facilities in the state.

“The government has done close to 46 roads within the state. The governor is up to the challenge and in this dry season they will move into the rural areas and commence work immediately.

“Most roads that were not motorable are now motorable; there is something the government has introduced called people’s budget which is an opportunity for you to come out and tell the government what you want them to do in your community and government will cooperate with your request’’.

He said, `leader especially those of you in Lagos, you have a role to play by talking to those who are in the position to tackle the case of insecurity.

Previously Orlu and Okigwe road which link to the main town had been neglected for long but the government has recently worked on the road.

“If you know that what we are doing is wonderful, you must find a way of being a stakeholder in the community,’’ he added.

Chief Chris Ekeocha, President of ISTDAL had during his welcome address highlighted the achievements of the association.

Ekeocha also commended the efforts of members, the present Executives of the ISTDA, Lagos who made sure that all activities are now carried out in the Secretariat.

“ISTDAL will bounce back fully to her activities with the celebration of children’s day, we will call on some Town Unions who could not resume meeting for fear of Covid-19 pandemic or any other reason to bounce back to meeting in January 2022.

“It can be better than this, therefore let all hands be on deck to make our association better and move it forward’’.

The President, Imo state Towns development Association Women wing, Lagos chapter, Chief Mrs Lilian Anakor, encouraged the Igbo women to teach their children their language and culture.

“Our women should make it a responsibility to teach their children Igbo language so that they could own their identity anywhere they are.

“Our children need to know our culture and dialect’ it is very important in the society so that cultural values will not be lost’’.

She also advised the young couples especially the women to be submissive to their spouses, we need to respect and honour them.

Chief Tony Okafor, the Chairman of the Planning Committee said that Imo day/cultural carnival is a special day that all Imolite in Lagos gather to celebrate and showcase their cultural heritage.

Okafor explained that the celebration is all about culture; actually the white men came to steal our culture and most of our children have lost it.

“We need to blend our children to know our culture so that they will come back to their root’’.

He pointed out that every year, there is always an innovation so they are changes, and the children cannot run away from their culture as they have no choice.