….As Ogbujiezenkwu/lgwewuike Forum visit Hon lkpamezie.
Onyebuchi Onwuchekwa, Owerri
Worried by the invasion and destruction of their farmlands by herdsmen in Mbaitoli Local Government Area, a Sociocultural Association in the area, Ogbujiezenkwu/ljiezenkwu/ lgwewuike Forum has called on the Imo State Government to come to their aid to save them from imminent hunger, clash with the herdsmen and possible loss of lives.
The call was made when the association visited the Member Representing Mbaitoli State Constituency in the Imo State House Of Assembly, Hon Engr Innocent Ikechukwu Ikpamezie in his office, at the Assembly complex, on Thursday 4th July, 2024.
Speaking on behalf of the Association, the Chairman, Hon Chief Nze Barrister Chris Nwabia expressed concern that the entire community farmlands that make up the membership of Ogbujiezenkwu/ljiezenkwu/ lgwewuike Forum have been invaded by marauding herdsmen, with their flocks.
Chief Chris Nwabia appealed for urgent intervention to save them from imminent hunger and possible loss of lives, as the youths in the areas have resolved to take confrontational action against the invading herdsmen.
In his words, Chief Nwabia said, “Our people who have nothing else to live on, but farm produce, are currently helpless, as herdsmen lead their flocks into our farmlands to eat up our planted crops. For fear of being killed and raped, our women have abandoned their hard-earned investments in farms and farmlands, while hunger and starvation stare us in the face. ”
“Our demand, therefore, is that these herdsmen, who carry firearms, should leave our communities without further delay. We also demand the immediate removal of their flocks from our farmlands, as we did not give them any part of our farmlands for grazing. We are farmers, if they are truly farmers, then let them go for ranching. We restrained ourselves because of the respect and love we have for the State Governor”.he stated
He went further to state that the forum is spread in the Five Wards of Mbaitoli Local Government Area, namely,Umunoha/Azara Ward, Afara/Eziama Ward, Ogbaku Ward,Ubomiri Ward and Ifakala Ward.
Nwabia, also expressed support to the Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, for his giant strides in the State, stating that the forum is very impressed with the achievements of the 3-R Shared Prosperity leadership in the State, while commending Hon Engr Innocent Ikpamezie for being steadfast in his legislative duties and responsibilities to the people of Mbaitoli.
Speaking on the forthcoming Local Government Election, Chief Nwabia assured that gbujiezenkwu/ljiezenkwu/ lgwewuike Forum will support candidates of the government, who will replicate what the governor is doing at the grassroots level.
In the same vein,a respected leader in the forum and a notable voice in the State, Major General Chief S. Chikwe (Rtd), spoke on the issue of the marauding Herdsmen in their respective communities in Mbaitoli LGA. He called on the State Government to intervene, without delay, before things get out of hand.
On the forthcoming local government election, General Chikwe called for a harmonized meeting to unite everyone.
He described Hon Engr Innocent Ikpamezie as a well brought up son, who has made Mbaitoli proud. “Two main issues have happened in the State in recent times and our son, Hon Innocent Ikechukwu Ikpamezie came out with clean hands. First, was the issue of land racketeering, then the current issue of purported impeachment. Our son has made Mbaitoli proud, and I am pleased with him”.
Responding, Hon Innocent Ikpamezie appreciated the members of the forum for the visit, promising to pass their messages to the appropriate quarters, for immediate attention, noting that he had not disappointed them before, and cannot do so now that they have presented an urgent matter of concern.
The pragmatic lawmaker, who is the House Committee Chairman On Environment, described the leaders of the forum as responsible Men and Women Of Substance, whose words cannot be neglected.
He therefore appealed to them to call on their youths to hold on, assuring that Imo Government would surely step into the issue of Herdsmen invasion of farmlands in their respective communities.
On the forthcoming Chairmanship and Councilorship Election, Hon Ikpamezie called for unity of purpose, maintaining that the will of God would be done, while highlighting some of his works, noted that his constituents are in a better position to assess him.
He opined that he has sponsored people oriented Bills and Motions that have impacted positively on the lives of the people of Imo State such as Secured Admissions for Mbaitoli Sons and Daughters in Higher Institutions of learning,Payments of Hospital Bills for Mbaitoli Indigenes,Facilitating Employment Opportunities for Mbaitoli Indigenes and Sharing Hundreds of Bags of Rice In Mbaitoli During Festive Seasons, Such As Christmas And Easter Periods
