…Cautions against leadership imposition
By Williams Odunze
The Imo State Deputy Governor, Lady Chinyere Ihuoma Ekomaru has tasked Imo State Artisan Association, ISARTA, to maintain peaceful co-existence among themselves,even as she cautions against imposition of leadership on the association.
The Deputy Governor, gave the charge when the association paid her a courtesy and solidarity visit at her office in Owerri, recently.
Lady Ekomaru said that nobody including Government officials has the right to impose any leadership on the association, maintaining that ISARTA is a recognized body registered by Cooperate Affairs Commission,CAC and has to be operated by practicing members.
Earlier in its address, the State Chairman of the association, Kingsley Ofoma Igwe, said that they came to familiarise with the Deputy Governor and use the opportunity to let her know some of the challenges facing the association.
He pointed out that there are numerous cases pending in courts concerning the leadership position of the association.
The State Chairman also alleged that some Government officials in different ministries are using their positions to impose non practicing individuals on the association there by creating disunity amongst them.
He went on to inform that despite the distraction that the association is moving on stronger and united as it is focused on achieving their goals.
Igwe further informed that the association has over 500,000 members across the three geopolitical zones of the state , including, Motor Mechanics, Aluminum Fabricators,Iron Benders, Hair Dressers and others.
He also said that they are embarking on data capturing exercise to have a unified register of members for the purpose of getting in touch with the national body bearing in mind that the Federal Government has plans to collaborate with the association to curb the rate of unemployment among youths.
The association used the moment to congratulate the Deputy Governor, maintaining that her position as number two citizen of the state will make positive impact in assisting the Governor, Hope Uzodinma to realize the 3R mantra of his administration.
They also appealed to the Deputy Governor to help them draw the attention of the Governor to assist them on the plan to have Artisans village at Orlu and Okigwe.
