(APRIL TO SEPTEMBER 2024)

Preamble

A critical part of the mandate of the Imo State Orientation Agency is to serve as an interface between the government and the people, by keeping the latter abreast of the programmes and activities of the former (through public enlightenment) and providing a feedback mechanism between the two.

In this regard, the agency, through its orientation officers spread across the twenty seven local government areas, almost on a daily basis carry out exercises that involve indigenes of the various communities with the aim of improving their collective social wellbeing. These activities are routinely documented at the community and local government levels and finally sent to the head office management of the agency as Quarterly Reports.

Below is the latest (quarterly) report covering April to September, 2024.

OWERRI ZONE

ABOH MBAISE L.G.A

· During the period under review, the agency’s staff monitored the monthly clean-up exercise in Umuogbaja,Umuokoroegbe, Ozuzu, AmaNwankwo and Umunchi communities. The staff was also involved in sensitizing the people on the dangers of monkey pox and chicken pox which were then ravaging the African continent and the entire world

· Sensitization was also done across all communities on the activities of organ harvesters that infiltrated parts of the area. The electorate was also educated on the need to vote conscientiously during the local government elections that held during the period under review.

· There were visits to primary/secondary schools on resumption, during which both teachers, students and pupils were addressed on the need for attitudinal changes especially in terms of punctuality.

AHIAZU MBAISE L.G.A

· During the sensitization on monkey pox at AhiazuMbaise, LGA, the following royal fathers were visited:EzeLoiusNwokeke of Eziama, Eze P.C. Anoruo of Isiala, Eze Patrick Ikeoma of Ogbe, EzeSabinusNwaneze of Ogonama, Eze B.O.S Nmadinobi of Ogbenneisii, EzeCosmasOnyatiti of Aguneze, Eze Pius Onyekwereof Nnarambia amongst others.

· Agency staff in the area also interfaced with the recently elected Councilors, reminding them that they are the closest to the people and should endeavor to impact on their lives positively; in keeping with the objectives of the full restoration of local government autonomy by the federal government.

EZINIHITTE MBAISE L.G.A

  • Visits to schools that need government’s attention in terms of class room blocks, libraries, science laboratory/equipment etc. The schools include ImeOnichaSecondary School, Oniaha Secondary School and Isi Iyi Community School. Others areprimary school, Umuoma, Community Secondary School, Obokwu,Omukwu Town Secondary School and Ihitte Secondary Technical School. The agency’s staff promised to convey its findings to the government.
  • It was observed that some communities have been cut off owing to erossion occasioned by heavy flooding – Umuhu, Ekeoha, Umuora, Ubonukam, Obizietc.
  • Carried out sensitization and participated actively during the immunization of children between zero and 59 months old against child-killer diseases such as polio meningitis.

IKEDURU L.G.A

  • Visit to schools, ensuring that teachers thought pupils/students the New-National Anthem.
  • Addressed the women of Amaimo on Aug 17, 2024, during the celebration of the 2024 August Home and Abroad meeting. The women were reminded of the need for them to live exemplary lives for their children to emulate.
  • Security needs to be restored in the area as stories of theft, robbery and other anti-social vices were reported in some communities.
  • We brain stormed with many of the community youth leaders on how we can apply community policing to check criminal activities.

MBAITOLI L.G.A

  • Full participation by all Imo State Orientation Agency staff across the area during the May Day and Children’s day celebrations.
  • There was a 2-day skill acquisition programme on Catering and Event Management Services. We were there to commend the initiator and urged others to act in like manner.
  • The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination programme took place in the L.G.A; the target was girls between the ages of 9-14years.The vaccine was to protect the girls against cervical cancer. The Imo State Orientation Agency team was on ground during the sensitization and vaccination programme proper.
  • Had pep talks with students of Comprehensive Secondary School,Ogwa, and OgbakuSecondary School;admonishing them on the need to shun all forms of social vices. Students of OgbakuSecondary School reported the lack of teachers in Chemistry and Mathematics, pleading that government should come to their rescue as this may affect their future.

NGOR OKPALA L.G.A

  • During one of the town hall meetings, the Nguru/Umuowa Community requested for the rehabilitation of schools in the area.
  • Visit to Nguru/Umuowa Health Center was fruitful, the environment was so bushy and untidy. Wehad the environment tidied up.

OWERRI NORTH L.G.A

  • The Orientation team visited Umunahu and Owalla primary schools where both the teachers and pupils were advised on the essence of punctuality.
  • The Agency team also paid a familiarization visit to the new council boss

OWERRI WEST L.G.A

  • During this period, we worked with the various youth groups for the monthly sanitation exercise.
  • The area is witnessing high level of insecurity; records of kidnappings and other crimes are becoming a daily occurrence. There’s need for government to improve on the security of the area.
  • We also paid an official visit to the new council boss, Hon. Victor Nwankwo
  • Several rural roads in the area are in serious dilapidated state and need urgent attention

OKIGWE ZONE

EHIME MBANO L.G.A

  • Insecurity has continued to pose a threat to the peace and progress of the area. Findings revealed that this could be attributed to the infiltration of youths from Ebonyi state and Umuna,Okigwe. To this effect, we met with HRH Eze Samuel Okeke of Umunumo, Ibenikwo autonomous community on how best to tackle the ugly trend. The area needs more surveillance by security agencies.
  • Addressed the women at St Charles Catholic Church, Redeemed Church of God and Vincent De Paul Catholic Church Umuezeala, during this year’s August meeting, reminding them of the need for proper upbringing of their children.
  • Frequent attack on farmers has continued, this makes it difficult to bring their products to the markets. Reports of several attacks on farmers have discouraged many and lead to apprehension and food insecurity
  • Youth leaders, women and other community leaders appealed to the government to restore security in the area as most women did not come home for this year’s August meeting because of the fear of the unknown.
  • The activities and presence of military personnel in Ehime Mbano calls for concern, as, innocent youths are being apprehended daily.

ISIALA MBANO L.G.A

  • Inter-phase with the executives of various Transport Unions, Taxi-Drivers, Okada Riders, Tri-Cycle riders etc. Issues concerning reckless driving, overloading and illegal motor-parks were discussed.
  • The Agency was a major player in the campaign for a peaceful and orderly conduct of the recently concluded Local Government elections.
  • Orientation groups were set up in some primary and secondary schools in the area. Aim is to catch them young.
  • Commercial motorists in the area have complied with the mandate on the use of waste baskets after a joint meeting between them, the Agency and the Bureau for Environment and Sanitation.

OBOWO L.G.A

  • Working in synergy with the new elected local government chairma.
  • Attended the 2024 August meeting and paid visits to some schools, churches and communities to preach the message of unity and peaceful co-existence

OKIGWE L.G.A

  • Spoke to various youth organizations on the dangers of drug abuse.
  • Educated the people to exercise their civic responsibly of voting.
  • Organized a workshop for youths and women on the need to embrace agriculture, as a way to curb hunger and starvation.
  • Considering the volatile nature of the area, we have always advised the people to report strange movements/faces to appropriate quarters.

IHITTE UBOMA L.G.A

  • Vandalization of the electric transformer that powers OnichaUboma has kept the entire area in total darkness. They called for government assistance.
  • The level of immorality in Okati Community is unequaled: Rape, homo-sexualism, drug abuse, stealing and even child abuse are on the increase – these deserves urgent government attention.
  • It was observed that cattle herders have returned to Ekwereocha community, while the people there now live in fear.
  • We recommend skill acquisition programs to engage some of our youths who already have derailed.
  • Business activities going down seriously, due to inadequate security.

ONUIMO L.G.A

  • There is absolutely no security in Onuimo. The people are scared to move about their normal businesses
  • As directed by the DG, we report to the council Headquarters daily, notwithstanding the security situation in the area.
  • In the month of September all social, political and religious activities were halted following the gruesome killing of nine members of the Eze’s Cabinet.

ORLU ZONE

ORLU L.G.A

· There was an all-inclusive meeting between the leaders of Amaifeke

Central Youth Organization, the Orlu Local Government Orientation Officer and three traditional rulers: HRH Eze (Dr) Emma Okeke who is the Chairman, Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers and the traditional ruler of the Amaifeke ancient kingdom, HRH EzeAloyNwaele of OfeahiaAmaifeke and HRH EzeOkechukwuIhemegwo of IsialaAmaifeke. Security was the focus of the meeting.

· The OrluLGA arm of the Agency paid visits to some selected markets to preach against selling of adulterated goods.

· The Orientation Officer was a Special Guest at the Amaifeke Ancient Kingdom Unity Football Cup Finals which was sponsored by their Lagos-based illustrious sons.

ORU EAST L.G.A

· The Local Government Orientation Officer and the COCs had their monthly

meetings. They also attended cabinet meetings at the Eze’s Palace.

Agency staff took part in the National cash transfer programme during which 50 persons got N30,000 each.

ORU WEST L.G.A

· The orientation officer along with his coordinators had a meeting with officersand members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers following reports of unwarranted harassment, intimidation, damages etc, on commuters and residents of Oru West. The chairman of the Union, Mr. NwabuezeOkechukwu, thanked them and promised to put a stop to all the negative occurrences.

· Agency staff also carried out a sensitization exercise for a hitch-free local government election and encouraged the citizens to come out en-masse to vote the candidate of their choice. Insecurity has plagued some communities namely, Ubulu, Ibiasoegbe, Nempi, Amaotuo and Ofeahia.

ORSU L.G.A

· Despite the heavy presence of military personal in the LGA, insecurity is still on the high side. Nearly all the youths live outside the LGA. There are no commercial activities in the area as all the market remain closed.

IDEATO NORTH L.G.A

· Agency staff participated in the supervision of NECO for SS3 students.

The officers also interacted with mothers who came for their children’s immunization at the Head Centre against child-killer diseases, and advised them on some pre cautionary measures.

· They also had interaction with Okada riders who were sensitized on the local government elections that were around the corner.

IDEATO SOUTH L.G.A

· At Ideato-South, the Orientation Officer visited some schools where shecharged the students to shun examination malpractices. Staff of the agency alsointeracted with some farmers who were made to understand the importance ofagriculture as a way of cushioning themselves, their families and communitiesfrom the hash effects of the ailing national economy

· The officers attended a Health programme where the outbreak of cholerawas made known to the participants. After that, they paid a courtesy visit to the new chairman of the council, Hon. OkwaraOkechukwu in his office. She also visited some dog owners where she lectured them on the need

to be giving their dogs constant vaccinations.

· At the Onugbokwu festival this year, the Youths were lectured on the need to engage themselves in meaningful ventures and to see the new Yam festival as aperiod for peace and unity.

· During the yearly August meetings, the agency staff charged the women to be homebuilders instead of home wreckers.

NWANGELE L.G.A

· Agency’s Staff in the area held meetings with the youth to remind them of the dangers of drug abuse and other antisocial behaviour. Some schools were visited and the students sensitized against drug abuse, cultism and illicit sex.

· The staff equally visited the health center of Owuaga where they explained the importance of visiting health facilities for proper diagnosis and not resorting to self-medication.

· Visits to the markets was rewarding as it was observed that traders have now abandoned their shops and trading on the roads thereby causing traffic jam. The Agency staff carried out enlightenment campaign on the dangers of this.

OGUTA L.G.A

· There was an awareness campaign for the collection of PVCs which accounted for the huge turnoutit voters during the last local government election in the area though the exercise encountered some problems.

· Oguta Town, Izombe, Agwa, Ejemekwuru and EziOrsu are communities being ravaged by criminals.

· There were palliatives shared by the government to the natives of Oguta following the loss of their farmlands and business establishments, and the exercise was monitored by the Agency’s staff. However, it was observed that there is a rise in the use of hard drug among the youth.

ISU L.G.A

· Agency staff visitedNkwoIsunjaba market where it interacted with the market master Mr.OdadimmaNwaibe who took them round the market. They identified expired items sold in the market and the sellers were warned to desist from such act.

· The agency also sensitized the people on the policies and programmes of the Governor Sen. Hope Uzodimma, and also encouraged them to embrace farming to ensure adequate food supply at all times.The monthly clean-up exercise in the local government was carried out, with the full participation of Agency staff.

EDITED BY

Mrs. Nkechi Akubuiro,HOD Mass Mobilization

Mr Marshal Opara,HOD Media