…As Owerri Archdiocese launches security outfit
The State Governor Dist. Senator Hope Uzodinma has re- echoed that the security of lives and properties of Imo citizens and other residents in the state is paramount to his administration.
Governor Uzodinma who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of lmo state, Chief Cosmas Iwu, disclosed this, during the passing – out parade ceremony of the pioneer Cadets of the Owerri Archdiocese, held at the Obiri Odenigbo Villa, Maria Assumpta Cathedral Owerri.
The number one citizen of the state, who said that no meaningful development can take place in any insecured environment, recalled that the first major public procurement, his administration made on assumption of office was the procurement of 100 pieces of patrol vehicles with communication gadgets for Security Agencies, in order to combat insecurity and crimes in the state. He also pointed out that his administration has continued to support and collaborate with the security agencies in the state, to ensure that the state is secured.
Governor Uzodinma, therefore commended the Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese, Most Rev. Lucius lwejuru Ugorji and the entire Catholic faithfuls for not only praying for the state government, but went further to establish the Owerri Archdiocesan Security Services, an outfit meant to complement the efforts of the police and other sister security agencies in the state. He used the forum to call on other Dioceses, Religious and Corporate organizations to emulate the bold security initiative of the Owerri Archdiocese and pointed out that security is the business of all of us and not government alone.
According to Governor Uzodinma, he said” if all of us will make out time and invest resources in securing only our families, you will find out that we have collectively secured the state “. He therefore called on Community leaders to give useful information to security agencies on the activities of criminals in their respective Communities and charged the newly trained Cadets to be of good behaviour and assured the Archdiocese of government support to encourage and sustain the security outfit.
Earlier in his address, the Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, said that the establishment of the security outfit was as a result of the security situation in the state and the country and it became necessary to support by complementing the efforts of the security agencies in fighting insecurity. He therefore congratulated the newly trained Cadets for their perseverance, commitment and unwavering spirit and charged them to always remember the values they were taught, in the discharge of their duties, noting that their duty is not just securing a job, but a vocation to serve and protect with honour and compassion.
Archbishop Ugorji also commended Governor Uzodinma for been passionate about security of lives and properties in the state and appealed to the state government to support the security outfit, especially in the areas of mobility, communication gadgets and other logistics.
Contributing, the Chairman of the Occasion Chief Jerry Chukwueke, who also applauded the Governor in his effort to curb insecurity in the state, equally commended the Archbishop for the establishment of the security outfit to safeguard our parishes, chaplaincies, special jurisdictions and communities. He advised the Cadets to be good ambassadors of the Archdiocese, noting that the outfit has created another job opportunities for our youths.
Chief Chukwueke who promised to avail them with technical assistance from time to time, also made financial donation to encourage the Archdiocesan security outfit.
Speaking also, the Director of Owerri Archdiocesan Security Services, Rev. Fr.(Brig. Gen.) Charles Iroegbu, said that Owerri Archdiocesan Security Services is the first incorporated faith- based security outfit in the country and commended the visionary leadership of Archbishop Lucius Ugorji. He thanked the state Commissioner of police and other Security chiefs for their assistance in training the Cadets.
The highlights of the occasion was match parade, fund raising, presentation of gift items to the best behaved and most intelligent Cadets during their training and group photographs.
Present at the event were, the state Commissioner for Transport Hon. Dr. Chika Benson Abazu, the SA to the Governor on Security Gen J .C Ogbonna(Rtd), Gen. S.N Chikwe(Rtd),Hon Sir George Egu, Sir Livy Uzoukwu,Lady Ugochi Nnanna- Okoro and other dignitaries.
