Workers in the Imo State Civil Service on Tuesday protested against the attack on their colleague Mr. Unegbu Chimaobi who was allegedly battered and assaulted by one Precious Izuogu, son of the Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Lady Rosemary Izuogu while carrying out his lawful duties in the office.
The protesters, who were mostly information officers and their colleagues moved through the Local Government Commission Office to the head of Service office at the state secretariat Owerri had placards with different inscriptions like: “Enough Is Enough, Civil Servants Are Not Slaves, We Demand Justice, Etc. decried the frequent battering of the Civil Servants by the same Precious Izuogu.
Speaking on behalf of the Information Officers, Mrs. Bibian Okere stated that the Information Officers of the Ministry of Information have come to show their grievances over the incident that happened to one of their colleagues, Mr. Unegbu Chimaobi, Pointing that if allowed to continue, it means that that the Information Officers have become an endangered species because they are pool staff.
She implored the Head of Service to look into the matter and ensure that Chimaobi Unegbu gets justice. Stating the information officers are loyal Civil Servants, working for the upliftment of the Shared Prosperity Government under the leadership of Dist. Senator Hope Uzodinma and that they are working to ensure that the administration moves forward to the betterment of civil Servants and Imolites in general.
In his response, the Head of Service, Barr Raymond Ucheoma thanked the workers for the show of solidarity as an injury to one is an injury to all. He informed the aggrieved officers of the various steps taken to ameliorate the situation, stating that Mr. Unegbu was taken to the hospital for treatment and that he (Mr. Unegbu) had come to present himself to him (the Head of Service).
The Head of Service further reminded the Officers of the importance of their office to the Government and that having displayed this high level of solidarity, it will not be taken for granted as the security of Imo workers is important.
Noting that the Governor, Dist. Senator Hope Uzodinma is a worker-friendly Governor, he assured them of their safety as the information officers are the ones that mirror what governance is all about.
Barr. Ucheoma admonished the officers on the need to appreciate the efforts of the Hon. Commissioner for Information, Hon. Declan Emelumba, and the Permanent Secretary, Barr. Lady Obiageli Amadiobi for their efforts in ensuring that their welfare and interests are well protected.
