A call has gone to men and women of goodwill, especially those from the oil producing areas of Imo State, to leave political and religious differences behind, and unite in the fight against COVID-19.
Head of the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC) Dame Elsie Tagbo RBK Okafor, Tuesday, made this clarion call in Owerri Imo State when responding to questions from newsmen on Commission’s preparedness in fighting Corona Virus.
“In this war against corona virus, humanity, the world, Africa, Nigeria, Imo state and the great people of Ohaji Egbema and Oguta must stand together against all odds and differences to defeat this common enemy,” she said.
Commission’s Head therefore charged stakeholders, individuals and groups in Ohaji-Egbema and Oguta L.G.As to visit the traditional rulers of our respective communities with donations and items that would assist in protecting the villagers from contracting COVID-19.
On the need for vigorous awareness campaign and how Commission intends to go about it, Commission’s Head revealed:
“In this battle, information is our most strategic weapon. That is why the governor has sent us with this message of awareness and hope. To ensure its effectiveness, we would be engaging the services of 44 professional town criers to ring this preventive measures every morning, afternoon and evening to ensure everyone is aware of how to stay safe and what to look out for.”
Expressing satisfaction over the measures governor Uzodimma has put in place to keep the virus at bay in the entire state, and what the Commission she superintends has learnt from it, Dame Elsie Tagbo RBK Okafor enthused:
“The number one priority of the Governor and this administration is the wellbeing and safety of every Imo citizen and that is why ISOPADEC as a Commission has set up help lines. Please, feel free to call us for help anytime you sense you need help”
While calling on our people in the diaspora to keep the faith, especially those living in countries that are worse hit by the virus, Dame RBK Okafor said:
“To our brothers and sisters, we want you all who are in the most affected places to know that the boarders of the country may be shut at this moment but the resolve and love in our hearts are without borders and in due time we shall be communicating the aid through the platform. Finally please stay safe and continue to obey every government guidelines.”
Recall that Commission, Sunday, visited some traditional rulers in the oil producing areas of Imo State, seeking their collaboration in driving COVID-19 awareness campaign to the nooks and crannies of their respective communities.
Imo Govt Hit Hard On Private, Religious Schools Flaunting Closure Order
By Orji Sampson
The Imo state government has expressed its displeasure and disappointment over the flaunting of its closure order by some schools owned privately and by religious organizations.
In a letter signed by the newly sworn in Commissioner for Education, Prof BTO Ikegwuoha, the government said any school that fails to adhere to the Governor’s directives shall be closed down indefinitely adding that a monitoring team set up by the ministry of education has already swung into action to ensure that this order is adhered to strictly.
Prof Ikegwuoha further stated that those flaunting the order are endangering the lives of our children and their families and called on them to desist from doing so or lose their license.
Parts of the letter read;
“The Executive Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Most Distinguished Senator, Hope Odidika Uzodinma has directed all primary and secondary schools, including all tertiary institutions and schools owned by religious organizations, to be shut down immediately. This directive is due to the coronavirus epidemic
“The monitoring team of the Ministry of Education will be going round the state to ensure that the directive of the Executive Governor of Imo State is carried out without hesitation, for the interest of the wellbeing of the good people of Imo State. Any school that is not in compliance of this directive shall be closed down indefinitely.
