Dear Readers, I had prepared my topic for the week, when someone drew my attention to the Net and Newspapers in Owerri, where one “Arinze Ekeoma”, who claimed to be a public Analyst based in Okigwe wrote with the caption “Ohakim’s men at work”.
In the said piece, this “Arinze Ekeoma” used more than four paragraphs to destroy my person calling me a Syndicate, Cultist, a terrorist, Boko Haram, Armed Robber, Blackmailer and a failure. According to him, his grouse against me was that I, including Gerry Ogu, Kelechi Mejuobi (of Imo Trumpeta), Dr Amanze Obi, Elbert Okere, and Emperor Iwuala “deployed all arsenals at their disposal to frustrate and finally scuttle the tenure of Governor Okorocha”.
While I may not be able to answer for all those their names were mentioned here, I will speak for myself, moreover when it is clear that the writer mainly targeted me.
First of all, I would want to say that the name “Arinze Ekeoma” does not exist. However, since the author of the piece is not man enough to state his correct name and address, it means that he is not confident of the Government and Governor he was trying to defend.
But in any case, that will not stop me from responding to his accusations, because after reading the piece and making enquiries, I have since unveiled the lazy “Arinze Ekeoma” who is scared of open confrontation.
I will answer him line by line. I want to state that “Arinze Ekeoma” is not only fictitious but an Ulna, through which the Imo state Government wants to attack perceived enemies and “Ohakim’s Men” as stated by this Bonsai calling himself Arinze.
He said Ohakim went to Court to challenge Okorocha because he got frustrated out of Government. Lie. It was me that read Ohakim’s acceptance of Okorocha’s Triumph to Journalists. It was done even against the decision of his party, PDP which warned him about Okorocha.
Two days after the speech, Prince Eze Madumere, Okorocha’s Chief of Staff wrote a letter, with letter-heading of “The office of the Governor Elect” to Banks to freeze all Imo accounts. From that day, Ohakim never got access to any dime belonging to Imo until he left office. And PDP reminded him they warned him about Okorocha. It was after that PDP and Ohakim headed to Court.
This Nincompoop said that “the Ohakim Boys established the Pedestrian Imo Trumpeta tabloid”. For the records, Imo Trumpeta is not “pedestrian”. The likes of this “Arinze” never gave the Newspaper a chance to survive. But today Imo Trumpeta is one year, and employs about fifteen graduates, with all of them married and feeding their families.
Therefore, Imo Trumpeta has and still contributing to job creation in Imo state. How many people does “Arinze” employ?
The paid piper should realize that had Imo Trumpeta been “Pedestrian” he would not have bothered to respond to some publications of the “Pedestrian” Newspaper.
And let me repeat here again, that Imo Trumpeta was not founded to attack any individual or organization. If the Newspaper was founded to attack Okorocha Government as alluded by this Bird brain, what happens to the workers if the Organization closes tomorrow? What of the money sunk into the place by the Publishers? What of their families? Do you think that a man with a family and above forty years of age can come out in the morning, sit down for the whole day in office for one week, looking for materials to attack and individual? The person must be mad, and need see a psychiatric. Arinze’s postulation is silly and therefore nonsequitur.
The reason for establishing Imo Trumpeta apart from informing and educating Imo people is to make profit and remain in business for centuries to come. But in the course of this business, Imo Trumpeta is bound to hurt some people and impress someone. It is the way of life, just like as Arinze has ran to other Newspapers now to express his views about me and the others whom he called “Terrorists”. What if there were no Newspapers, or if they had refused his material, how would he have reached the public? You see, another man’s meat is another man’s poison.
These Newspapers he used in castigating me and my colleagues belong to our friends and colleagues too, but they are doing business and practicing Journalism, which was the reason they gave this “Arinze Ekeoma” the medium to vent his thinking, whether it was a fact or not. So, do we now take wars to these colleagues and friends simply because “Arinze” sent his write-up to their Newspaper? No. That is the ethics of the job. Therefore, can “Arinze” now realize why he cannot cage Imo Trumpeta or dictate their editorials for them? That he does not like the Newspaper is his personal business, as others may like the tabloid and therefore is not “Pedestrian” or run Okorocha’s Government downs.
The Scaly wag who goes by “Arinze Ekeoma” said that I am a blackmailer, which he said had been my trade. “Henry Ekpe, then as Editor of Announcer Express used the blackmail style he is using now to intimidate Ohakim into employing him as CPS”.
What is the meaning of Blackmail? “Demanding money from a person by threatening to tell somebody else secret” The Oxford Dictionary describes.
Now let me make it clear that since I joined Journalism over eighteen years ago, I have never requested money from anybody with threat that I would publish a story if not paid. However, I cannot deny that I have been “dashed” money in appreciation for something I have written for somebody. I cannot collect a dime from any fellow, to run down another. God forbid!
Let me tell this Whelp by name “Arinze Ekeoma” that I am one of the hard working and upright journalists in Imo. I joined Announcer Express as a Reporter and rose to an Editor, after some many years of toiling My Boss Joe Anyama is still there. When I left Announcer in 2009 to serve in Government, I was the only pioneer staff remaining, others whom I came with had left.
For the over seven years I worked in Announcer, I never had any query neither did any body bring a report against me to my Boss, Joe Anyama, this because of my upbringing and faith. I leave smooth paths wherever I pass so that I can return when I want and I maintain relationships too.
Through out my years in journalism, I have not had a single libel case till date. What I was taught in journalism is to always say the truth.
My Boss Joe Anyama would say “Hit it, if you have your facts”. And that is what I am doing now and will continue to do.
Dele Giwa said “It is the duty of Government to hide secrets and it’s the duty of journalists to expose them”.
So, I don’t know what “Arinze” mean by “Blackmailer”. As I write, I have not called any present Government official demanding money for anything. In fact, since Ohakim administration vacated Government House Owerri, I have never stepped my foot inside the place.
Prince Eze Madumere, the Chief of Staff to Gov Okorocha is my good friend, in fact a brother. But since he assumed office, I have never called nor visited and neither has he also. He still remains my brother and I cannot hold anything against him no matter what he does to me because he is defending his Boss which is the right for him.
What does this Vassal mean by blackmailer? Is blackmail when you write constructively about a sitting Government for them to get it right?
For instance, Okorocha told Imo people that he would not borrow a kobo because Imo is too rich. Then a few months later he borrows Billions of Naira and you inform the people about it, is it blackmail? That Imo General Hospitals have been sold to a Northern? That the abandoned city gates in Owerri gulped millions of Naira and yet not completed? That relocation of IMSU to Ogboko is not social justice? That refuse bins have taken over theOwerriCity? That the free education policy of the Government is too confusing that parents are yet to decipher how it works? That the hasty, and now abandoned roads are causing hardship for road users? Are these the blackmails? All these are verifiable facts, and Government has not refuted any of these stories.
A Mascot like this “Arinze” is lost, because he is blinded by pecuniary incentives, for which he was accusing me of. In order words, he has completely fallen victim of the same offence for which he was disparaging others. Is he blind? Is he not seeing all these follies enumerated here?
I am from Imo and a stakeholder here. I live here and will be happy if the fortune of my state improves. What would I gain by resorting to condemning my state Governor when he is on the right track? If a Governor is doing well, the masses will see it, and no amount of criticism can sway the people against the leader.
Can “Arinze” tell us why a Chief Executive of a state will celebrate a birthday in an open field with schools, offices and markets closed, while the state owned University andSpecialistHospitalwere under lock and key over unpaid wages of the Staff? This “Arinze” has insulted all “Arinzes”. I will ask my brother, Captain Arinze to change name.
About a few months ago, when things were looking up right in Imo, I wrote it here and people were asking “if they have bought you” I replied that I would tell the truth at all times, even though it is bitter. And about blackmailing Dr Ikedi Ohakim into making me his Chief Press Secretary, “Arinze” lives in fool’s paradise!
Does Ikedi Ohakim look like somebody you can blackmail into giving you an appointies without first of all weighing your capability?
First of all, it was an insult to the former Governor, for this Zilch called Arinze to say that. And secondly, it was an insult tome as if all Ohakim saw in me was my “Blackmailing style”
Let me tell “Arinze” that I have known Ohakim, for years even before he started dreaming of running for Governor. Just as I have known Okorocha and other big politicians in this state. Mark you, I started my journalism in Imo, and has remained here for over eighteen years on the job. Therefore, it is only these new politicians who may not know me.
Through my brother, Dr Ethelbert Okere, I coordinated Ohakim’s first Press conference where he informed the media that he was running for Governorship. That event took place at Crunches. Ask Imo Journalists.
He won election, and did not appoint me anything and I went on with my job. My appointment as Chief Press Secretary came when it pleased God, not because I am a blackmailer or the best journalist in Imo state. Would you appoint a blackmailer your spokes man, who travels with you everywhere, and has access to you all times?
I want to tell this faceless fellow that I did not fail as a Chief Press Secretary as he said, neither did Ohakim fail. Checkout the fly over his administration initiated. One pillar alone can tar three roads inside Owerri. If it is that easy why can’t the present administration complete them? It is not possible because the project is gigantic both in size and fund. Why is it that just one year after Ohakim, Owerri has turned into refuse bin. He may have failed in some and got some. To say he failed is generalization.
Why Ohakim did not win was not because of bad image, but because of an idea whose time had come. It was an action by spur of the moment. Imo people today know better. And I won’t say more on that matter since Senator Ararume is still in Court challenging the election.
I want to tell “Arinze” that I am fulfilled with the two years and five months I served as a Chief Press Secretary of a Governor. It is not a mean fit, if it were people like “Arinze” would have since been Secretary of his village meeting.
I thank God for his mercies that at my age now I have accomplished what most colleagues and friends are still dreaming of (no insult meant).
I know that the problem I have is envy and jealousy from peers. They are yet to get to terms how my God has been faithful. Most of them thought I would become a beggar after Ohakim. But I am still managing to trudge one, and rather than carrying files around begging, for job, I am an employer of labour, even if the Newspaper is two pages and lasted for three months. I don’t care.
But the problem is that many people like “Arinze” don’t know me and therefore equate me for what their imaginations tell them.
I have paid by dues as a “local journalist”. I was one of the few who joined Journalism in Owerri with a Degree.
When we started Announcer, it was only Statesman, National Post and Leader that were in existence. By then Horn, published by late Chief Onii Egbunine had closed shop.
No body gave the Newspaper a chance to succeed. Today, Announcer is still waxing strong, while I have joined friends to float Imo Trumpeta, I am happy for that.
I want to say that I joined journalism with both eyes open. I am not one of those who joined the Trade because they were looking for “any job”.
I read Communication in School and have a Master Degree and PGD in Journalism. I was one of the few journalists who have their own roofs over their heads. I did this before even joining Ohakim’s Government. Therefore, I am not a “Press Boy”.
My old man Dr Hilary Ekpe, who had a PHD fromLincolnUniversity,USA, died as an Acting Perm Sec in Imo Civil Service. My late mum died as a Headmistress with Masters fromUniversityofNigeria UNN.
It was because of Sir Egbesa Ihite, Gov Sam Mbakwe’s Chief Press Secretary that I took a liking to Journalism. He was a friend to my late Uncle, Sir RU Ekpe, an astute technocrat who worked in nearly all LGAs in Imo state.
Therefore, “Arinze Ekeoma” to call me a blackmailer is off the point. I have a good upbringing and despite the “rich” environment I grew up, I wear humility like a second skill, and I know and respect my elders, no matter their status. However, I don’t have phobia for “big men”. Because I opened my eyes as a kid and saw commissioners, Professors etc in my father’s palour. I was taught not to fear, but respect, and remain by the truth.
About the Rev Father whose picture “Arinze” said, I syndicated to the Media, I want to say till date I have not met Rev Okorie and neither have I any of his pictures. One day, God will open the truth. Rev Okorie is alive and he is a man of God.
I neither blackmailed nor fabricated a story against Rita Ibemere. The story we wrote about her then was accurate, and she knows it and later apologized over attempted kidnap on my person. Announcer Express is still alive, and my Editor-in-Chief and Boss is still there.
And about raising false alarm about attempts on my life, I don’t think this Yeti by name, “Arinze” lives in Imo, for if he does he would have heard that thugs were sent to kill me at the premises of Imo state High Court on November 12, 2011. They were sent by a top official of the current Government in Imo. I know the person.
After beating and kicking me into a gutter, thinking that I was dead, one of them spat on me, saying “let us see from where he will come and write again”. But to their chagrin I later regained consciousness and good people took me to a private hospital, even as my attackers were surprised that I survived, and were looking for me all over Owerri.
I know how many times I have been trailed. I know how many times bugs were planted on my car. What did I do?
“Arinze” said I will “pay” because I have “injured” my victims “badly”. But I don’t know how, even though he has told me the “victims”.
But as far as I am concerned, my life is in the hands of God, and if He says that it would be “Arinze’s” pay master that will take it, let it be if it places him.
