Welcoming Imo Women For August Meeting
In the recent time August every year has become very prominent and fresh in the minds of every Igbo man and indeed people from Imo state.
The manner and way it is even being heralded, August appears to assume a more popular dimension and attraction than the month of December which we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Before today, Igbos all over the world celebrate December with pomp and pageantry as both old and young head to their respective towns to celebrate with their kit and kins.
The people are seen in their thousands going simply because the month of December afford each an opportunity to meet with friends and well wishers who they have not met with for years.
It also afford the various communities the opportunity to embark on developmental projects such of which are done through launchings.
But with the advent of Women’s August Meeting, the tempo and momentum which December hitherto generated is gradually slowing down especially among the women folk.
These days, hardly any Igbo woman both the high and mighty would wish to miss any August Meeting for whatever reason.
Infact in most Communities, there are fines for absentees to the annual August meeting to prove how compulsory it is.
And to make it a little moderate, many communities now have uniforms for the meeting which now help to checkmate the show of affluence by the average women who before use the occasion to showcase sophisticated and expensive wears.
However, one important thing which should not be taken away from the women in this assemblage is that it affords those living outside the opportunity to interact with those at home on the needs and problems in the communities.
It also afford the various branches the opportunity to access themselves as it affects their individual and collective relationship and by extension their husbands and the men’s bodies.
Reports all over now is that activities this August has shifted to the various communities where these women are gathered to brainstorm on how to better the lots of their communities.
While they do this, we at t Trumpeta Newspapers want to commend those who in all ramifications are championing various developmental projects in their communities, and to those who are yet to toe such line to see it as a priority.
They should also look inwards to ensure that they also harmonize those at home so as to ensure that the home front ever remains peaceful and safe always.
Finally, they should also sensitize the youths against the dangers and consequences of bad company, hooliganism, vandalism, crime and indeed thurgery especially now that we are nearing the next election year.
Happy August Meeting and safe journey as you go back to your stations after the session.
Enough Of The Unwarranted Attack On Imo Chief Judge!
May I with all due respect, state as follows: That the Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon. Justice B.A. Njemanze, is a free citizen of Nigeria and of Imo State. The chief Judge is Media- friendly and his rights under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (to standing for his right) does not make him Media-unfriendly.
I am writing to separate two issues generating concern to me: there is the issue of “Appointment of Magistrates in Imo Judiciary” and there is this issue of a sustained and unwarranted personal attacks on the person, integrity of the Imo Chief Judge, who to me is one of the best Judges this Nation and Imo State have produced. On the appointment of Magistrates in Imo Judiciary, that is an area I am incompetent to comment on because it is beyond my analytical lenses since I am unlearned but I am tempted to scan the dotted lines. There are glaring efforts by these Imo illustrious sons to give this matter a political coloration. Barr. Emperor Iwuala’s article in (Trumpeta Newspaper and Nigerian Newspoint Newspaper) over the controversial appointment of Magistrates in Imo Judiciary were properly digested. Permit me to state from what I gathered from Emperor Iwuala, “Still on the Alleged Controversial Appointment of New Magistrates in Imo State (Trumpeta August 1, 2013 page 5). He stated “Ironically, the son of state Chief Judge, the fiance to the state deputy Governor etc. were among the controversial new magistrates”. As I have already stated, I am not competent enough to dwell on this matter reserved for Learned men” but may I ask about the intention of Mr. Iwuala to highlight the issue of “the son of state Chief Judge and the fiance to the Deputy Governor etc. being among the controversial new magistrates. My take is Barr. Emperor Iwuala could have generalized the issue of appointments and continued on his anger on the method of appointment rather than making a “escape-goat” the son of the Imo Chief Judge and the fiance to the Deputy Governor. Are the Chief Judge’s son and the fiance to the Deputy Governor not lawyers? Did they not attend the Nigerian law School? Did they not pass their exams? What make them deficient to man our magistrate courts, as alleged? Are they not learned men again? Are they not members of the bench? By mentioning the son of State Chief Judge, it amounts to insinuation and unnecessary incitement, and an attempt to ridicule the integrity, the good image, of our highly respected distinguished Mentor and Alumnus of (Old Student of Emmanuel College Owerri) and a renowned Jurist. By mentioning the Chief Judge’s son makes the public to think that the State Chief Judge did turn the whole appointment into a family affair. Do we need to open up on those who did hijack Imo appointments and positions to their families? These insinuations no doubt have made tempers to rise. The Chief Judge is performing his legitimate duties as a Senior Judicial Officer of the state in the service of his fatherland Nigeria, and should not be dragged into “Politics” of the state. He has through his legal services, served and protected the interest of the POOR MASSES of this Nation and Imo People. He cannot oppress or victimize the PRESS or the MEDIA because he has no reason for that but he has a Right to complain when his Rights are infringed upon. So the Press and media have equal rights to complain when their rights are infringed upon. I equally digested the Article by Mr. Kenneth Uwadi (Weekend Announcer, Friday, August 2, 2013 P. 2 “IMO State Chiefs Judge and the Press”.
May I quote Mr. Uwadi, with due respect who posited that” Fighting Iwuala is an attempt to deny a media man the fundamental right to protest against unpopular and anti-people’s policies. Justice Njamanze by this threat to sue the media has moved against free speech in Imo State. It is an indicator that he has no respect for press freedom”. If the state Chief Judge via Solicitor Prof. F.C Dike (SAN) of Nnaji Dike Chambers threatened libel suit against Emperor Iwuala and two media houses based in Owerri), does the Chief Judge not have a right to complain whenever he feels equally threatened? My take is that both the Judiciary and the press are partners in the growth and development of our dear state. The media houses have their constitutional right to move against any policy of the government that is “antithetical” to the interest of the people’s interest as envisaged and guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution”. The state Chief Judge’s image to my mind seem to have been brought to public ridicule by this attempt to make his son an “escape-goat” and it is totally unacceptable.
Chinyochaobi Israel Uhuegbu 08137921022
