– Prof. Njoku Nwagu, Viola Onwuliri, Protus Uzoma, Chuka Okonkwo, others commend initiative
By Martin Opara
Community Watchdog Newspapers in line with its motto of empowering the people, through information, last Saturday, 16th December, 2017, commissioned its Orlu area office/press centre, amidst encomiums and loud ovation by top politicians, academics, professionals, and distinguished personalities who attended the event.
The publisher of the newspaper, Comrade Precious Nwadike, in his speech, said, the new office is “a concept designed to bring media services to the door steps of the people and also give them an opportunity to air their views and contribute to contemporary state and national issues at minimal cost and without the stress of going to the state capital, where most of the newspapers are based”.
He also availed that the office, equipped with modern internet facilities, can also be used for press conferences and related events. “A public court to be coordinated by an independent person will hold in this office every quarter, to provide the oppressed, aggrieved and disenchanted, avenues to ventilate their views and emotions. He, on behalf of the board and management of the company, pledged continued commitment to the mission statement of adhering strictly to the role of a whistle blower, propagating an ideal society, that will be fair and just to all, by holding onto professional ethics, without minding whose ox is gored”.
The Chairman of the occasion, Chief (Dr) Engr. Ifeanyi Nwagu, Chief Executive Officer of AIFY Global Aluminum Company, in his opening remarks, described Comrade Nwadike, as an exemplary person, whom the youths should see as a role model and emulate his “I can do spirit”. “He is not pessimistic and does not believe in failure”. He expressed happiness that Community Watchdog Newspaper, has come to stay, and that the press centre is located in Orlu. He, however advised the management not to relax or relent, because “the problem most people have is inability to manage success”.
The Editorial Adviser of the newspaper, an acclaimed philosopher and University Don, Prof. Protus Nathan Uzoma commended the company for the wonderful initiative, which he said, is “the first of its kind, around here”. He described Comrade Nwadike as an innovative, resilient and courageous young man, who has doggedly, fought corruption, injustice, impunity and bad governance, without minding the consequences. “I am Editorial Adviser of Community Watchdog newspaper, because I have implicit confidence in him and what he represents. I urge other Orlu elites to emulate him by investing in Orlu”. He pledged continued support for the watchdog team.
The former Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Prof. Jude Njoku, congratulated Nwadike for his uncommon courage. “We need more responsible and focused young men like you, to take over as leaders of tomorrow. Leadership is not what one assumes over night without tutelage. People like you who have treaded steadily and made some impact, whose antecedents and track record are known, should be entrusted with positions of trust and responsibility.”
The erudite professor and gubernatorial aspirant in Imo State, who was also the keynote speaker, regretted that governance in the state, has been trivialized, ridiculed and made mockery of. According to him, the grassroots that are supposed to be the spring board for social, economic and infrastructural development, have been polluted and unnecessarily, balkanized. “It is a very sad development that the town unions have been destabilized and bastardized; to the extent that communities are no longer allowed to choose their leaders and representatives. This, has indeed caused more harm than good, and negatively, altered a lot of things because when the foundation is faulty, the entire building, is in danger of imminent collapse”.
The former Minister of Education, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, said she came with her entourage to felicitate with the Community Watchdog team because, “our son Precious Nwadike is making tremendous effort and impacting positively on the society. He has carved a niche for himself, when other young people are still searching for jobs. I sincerely commend him and his team for this unique and wonderful initiative.”
Hon. Emma Dike, a former member of the Imo House of Assembly, who represented Hon. Jerry Alagboso, and the member for Oguta State Constituency in the Imo House of Assembly Hon. Henry Ezediaro, said they aligned themselves completely with all the earlier speakers said about the virtues and antecedents of Comrade Nwadike, whom they also described as a thorough bred gentleman.
A former Vice Chancellor of the Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri, Prof. Chuka Okonkwo also commended Comrade Nwadike and his team for their giant strides and urged them to keep the pace.
The chairman, correspondents’ Chapel, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Imo State Council, Comrade Steve Uzoechi, who was accompanied by Comrade Okara of Daily Times Newspapers, said, “every media man knows the importance of this office/press centre. Nwadike is indeed a talented and resilient person, who does not waver from defending his right. “He is a worthy son, whom Orlu people should be proud of.”
The highlight of the occasion, which attracted several high profile individuals, was the presentation of community service award to three distinguished personalities, for their contributions to the human capital, social, economic and infrastructural developments of their various communities. Those honoured include, Chief Barr. Henry Chidi Nwuke, a constitutional Lagos based lawyer and President General of Umuowa Progressive Union, in Orlu LGA, Chief Emeka Diwe, an industrialist, and President General of Association of South East Town Unions (ASETU) and Chief Anthony Odunze, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, ANCODUNZE Foundation Worldwide, who hails from Mbaitoli LGA of Imo State.
Other dignitaries present at the event, include, include Hon. Tony Enochy Ethel Barr. Nwadike (PhD), Prof. Ofoh of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Engr. Benard Agranwa, who represented Barr. Henry Nwuke and Nwuke’s elder sister, Ezi Ada Uju Bena Nwogu, Hon. Fimbar Ifeanyi Mbanaso. Hon. Lambert Ajargbu, Anselem Ajaegbu, Chief Julius Nwadike, Chief Raymond Nwadike, Engr. Achinike Oyeka O’Bright, MD/CEO of Freshcoat paints and Interior, Comrade Darlington Uzoahia, National President of Orluzurumee Youth Assembly, Comrade Martin Akanwa, Publisher productivity Magazine and Hon. Lady Judith Uche.
