An Art Work similar to a bronze sculptor stationed near the Government House gate, Owerri, the Imo State capital has been removed and destroyed.
Residents of Owerri were stunned on Monday when the statue with similar looks to privileged first class citizens of the state were spotted close to the new Church nearing completion in Government House, Owerri.
The statue which has a man and woman using a wrapper-like item to cover about five others squatting below, attracted unprecedented crowd who gathered to catch a glimpse of the Art Work. Different views and interpretations trailed the presence of the statue that suddenly turned a Mecca of sort.
However, three days after it made appearance at the Government House, the eye-popping statue has been removed and demolished.
It was drama on Wednesday when Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha and his son In- law, Hon Chief Uche Nwosu, ferried away the heavy object.
Trumpeta correspondent was at the spot when the Governor’s convoy left the Government House to where the statue was stationed and Okorocha had to stop for a while to take a look at the statue. Decked in blue jeans, a white T shirt with his trademark muffler and brown traditional cap, the governor accompanied by Nwosu, took a look at the statue.
A source close to the Governor at the scene revealed to this Newspaper that Okorocha claimed that he was not aware who planted the statue near the Government House. He was said to have ordered his security aides attached to his motorcade to dispose the strange looking artwork.
The statue was later dumped behind the Government House chapel, that is in a sorry state and undergoing construction. In the process of disposing the item, the statue broke in bits and pieces.
It would be recalled that last year, an ugly looking Bull was planted at the Fire Service Roundabout, along Wetherdral road, Owerri. The Bull attracted severe comments and negative reactions from Imolites, especially religious leaders who condemned it. Moments after the Bull was criticized, the office of the Mayor of Owerri Zone reportedly removed the item.
However, sources said that the Bull was moved to Awaka, Owerri North LGA, the residence of the former Mayor of Owerri, from where it was sighted recently in a residential building some where around Works-Layout, Owerri.
Meanwhile, reactions have continued to trail the latest sculpture, which looked like Imo people, being covered with a piece of cloth, by a family; a man and his wife.
While many commend the Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha for ordering the demolition of the current statue found at Government House, even as it was alleged that the Governor knew nothing about the Sculpture, but the question is; how could such a statue be dumped at the gate of Government House, Owerri, without the security personnel who man the gate always not take notice when it was left there?
