The clamour for an additional state for the South East geo-political zone of Nigeria has been on for some years now. This clamour is predicated on the obvious fact that the SouthEast remains the only geo-political zone of Nigeria the country which has only five states with fewer number of Local Government areas. The other geo-political zones namely: South-South, South-West, North-East, North West and North Central, have six states each except North-West with seven states to her advantage. With only five states,it means the South-East has just 15 Senators,…
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Imperative Of Press Freedom In Imo Development
The world over, the media functions not only as watchdog of society, but also as agenda setters for the government.The role in journalists in holding political leaders accountable for their actions, is provided for in Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution As Amended. Regrettably, politicians tend to fume each time journalists attempt to carryout their mandates as enshrined in the constitution. Fred Fedler, an American journalist wrote, “Journalism is built on reporting government.” More than 70 percent of media reports mostly cover issues of governance. Why then politician or government…
Read MoreJob Creation, Key To Curbing Insecurity
It is evident that unemployment predisposes youths to crime. This explains why governments especially, in the developed world, place high premium on the issue of job creation. In the United States for instance, job creation constitutes a major campaign issue during elections. The US government usually releases monthly job figures for public consumption. An administration that neglects job creation usually pays heavily during elections. Ditto for the United Kingdom, where on-going debates for the scheduled July polls, is already dominated by such issues. Sadly, the germane issue of unemployment appears…
Read MoreEnough Of This Attempt To Gag Imo Journalists
The media all over the world function as watchdog of society. Journalists whose role in holding political leaders accountable for their actiins, are protected by Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution As Amended, are the main actors in the media industry. It is however, shocking how politicians fume each time journalists attempt to carryout their mandates as enshrined in the constitution. As an American journalist, Fred Fedler wrote, “Journalism is built on reporting government.” More than 70 percent of media reports mostly cover issues of governance. So, no politician or…
Read MoreUzodinma Must Prove Doubting Thomases Wrong.
The recent announcement by the Imo State governor, Sen Hope Uzodinma, to the effect that his administration would soon conduct local government elections, has received more knocks than kudos by both critics and admirers of the governor alike. It however, apoears that an atmosphere of pessimism has rent the air in Imo, following fears that the recent announcement may end up as the previous ones which, in the view of some Imolites, did not produce any result. Following the announcement, the Imo State Chapter of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party,…
Read MoreFlood Warning: Imo Listed Among States At Risk; Need for Preventive Measures
Imo State was recently listed among states that are at risk of being hit by flooding this year. The warning was released by the meteorological agency saddled with the responsibility of forecasting weather conditions in the country. Considering the harrowing experience and/or devastating effects of flooding in the past, it is only advisable that the recent warning be taken seriously. In the past few years, many Imolites, and indeed Nigerians have had their homes, property, schools, roads, hospitals and farms worth billions of naira, completely destroyed by flooding. Several factors…
Read MoreJob Creation, Empowerment, Key To Fight Insecurity
Length or breadth, nexus exists between unemployment and insecurity. This is predicated on the logic that unemployment exacerbates inequalities and fuel a sense of resentment. Thus unemployed and underemployed people are often more at risk of depression, anxiety and stress. This can occasionally lead to violence. A 19th Century American social worker was quoted as saying: “of all the aspects of social misery, nothing is so heartbreaking as unemployment.” A look at the rate of violent activities in the world would suggest that countries with high employment rates and entrenched social…
Read MoreFood Insecurity: States, Neglecting Agriculture In Nigeria
Nigerians currently faces what could pass as the worst food crisis in the annals of the nation. Food items considered common in the past, have presently become luxuries as they are virtually beyond the reach of the common man. As a result, hunger protests have erupted in various parts of the country. All over the world, especially in the developed nations, agriculture remains on the ‘A’ list of governments’ priorities. Nations like China, India, Russia, the United States, Brazil, even Ukraine, have emerged superpowers in grains production. It is sad…
Read MoreEconomic Hardship: Time Uzodinma Reconstituted Cabinet, Face Governance, Give Imolites Reprieve
Governance is about being proactive in ensuring the welfare or wellbeing of citizens. It is not just about long convoys with stern-looking security guards; neither is it about VIP meetings, chartered flights and globe trotting. Severe economic hardship has hit Nigeria in barely ten months of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government. Prices of food and other goods and services have already hit the sky. This avoidable situation has been blamed on the perceived hasty removal of subsidy on fuel by President Tinubu, at the point of of his…
Read MoreIsreali V Hamas Conflict: UN Must Do More To Prevent Wars
Isreal and Palestine are currently engaged in fierce battle that has reportedly cost nearly 20,000 people their lives. This number excludes thousands of those who were injured or displaced as a result of the hostilities. Both sides have had a taste of casualties with the Palestinians in Gaza ( the battle ground) more seriously affected. The historical path to the latest Isreal and Hamas conflict is well publicised; Hamas, the militant group that controls the Gaza strip has reportedly carried out what Isreal described as “unprovoked attack on her…
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