The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Ebonyi state command, has used the International Civil Defence Organisation (ICDO) day to awaken the populace consciousness on security.

The State Commandant of the Corps, Francis Nnadi during the celebration of day in Abakaliki on Saturday,.noted that the command had been reinvigorated to ensure adequate protection of critical infrastructure and the peoples,’ lives and properties.

Nnadi posited that the command was synergising with the state government and sister security agencies to sustain the toga,. given to Ebonyi as the safest state in the south east zone.

“For the command to succeed, we would continue soliciting the collaboration of vital information fron the public as security is everyone ‘s business.

“We are grateful to the Commandant General of the corps, Abubakar Audi and Gov. Francis Nwifuru for the unflinching support to us which has greatly, motivated us for improved services,”

He noted that the ICDO day was celebrated world over to honour men and women involved in community service, protection of lives and properties and timely interventions in cases of natural disasters.

“We used the occasion of this year’s commemoration to organise an enlightenment road walk, highlight our achievements in my first 100 days in office such as commissioning of projects, among others.

“These projects include: the commend’s creche/ nursery day care centre, rapid response centre with operational vehicle, training garden among others,”.

He thanked governent officials, heads of security agencies.among others who graced the occasion and assured that the command will re-double its efforts in securing the people’s lives, properties and public infrastructure.

Governor Francis Nwifuru represented by the Commissioner for Internal Security, Mr Etta Ude, congratulated the NSCDC for the event and acknowledged its contributions towards ensuring security in the state.

The governor said that the achievements of the commandant were monumental describing them as “Physically oriented and not guess work”.

“The state government has effectively partnered and motivated security agencies in the state and.will continue doing so.

“The state commandant of the corps has done very well within three months in office and he appears determined to do more.

“The state governor has done well for the people and he is someone who fulfills all the promises he makes,”.

He noted that personnel of the state ‘s vigilante outfit would undergo security trainings from the
NSCDC to enhance their operational capacities.

The event”s lecture was delivered by the command ‘s Deputy Commandant, Celestine Ukeoma with the theme: “Civil Defence, guarantee of security for the population,”.

Goodwill messages were delivered on the occasion by the state commissioners for justice, heads of the police, immigration, army in the state among others.

By Johnkennedy Uzoma, Owerri

Staff of Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education (AIFUE), Owerri, from Ohaji/Egbema LGA, of Imo State, has being charged to be good ambassadors

A council member of the tertiary institution, Hon Lady Obiageli Ajoku gave the advise when she hosted indigens of Ohaji/Egbema LGA working in the place in her office on Monday.

Dr. Ajoku who hails from Ohaji also enjoyed her brothers and sisters to be law abiding and shun all manner of social vices as long as they remained staff of the institution.

While thanking them for coming to show solidarity, the council member tasked them to support the Government of Sen. Hope Uzodimma to enable him attract more dividents of democracy

Earlier in his speech, the leader of the team, Mr. Aguocha Ifeanyichukwu Shedrach congratulated Dr Oby Ajoku for her well deserved appointment which is the first of its kind in the history of Ohaji.

He said: “the staff of Alvan Ikoku Fed. University of Education from Ohaji are full og gratitude to Almighty God for making one of their own sisters, Ada Ohaji a member of the University Council”.

Describing Hon.Obiageli Ajoku as a trail- blazer, a woman who made history in Ohaji by being the first person in Ohaji/Egbema LGA to become a member of council since inception, they declared that she has contributed immensely to the growth of her community Ohaji including the welfare of the youths.

Aguocha appealed to her to always use her position to better the lives of the youths of Ohaji, while advising her to keep her door open for assistance of sons and daughters of Ohaji.

He assured Hon Oby of their co-operation, while promised to convey her message to other members.

By Anthony Ahize

The Ozara Autonomous Community, one of the ten wards in Oru West Local Government Area of Imo State, came alive on Wednesday, February 26, as it held its highly revered “Igu Aho” ceremony at the palace of the traditional ruler, His Royal Highness, Eze Jonas O. Ahize Ogbuehi X of Ozara, The Statesman Newspaper can exclusively report.

The “Igu Aho” ceremony, a time-honored tradition of the Ozara people, serves as the official declaration of the community’s yearly calendar, setting the tone for various cultural and religious festivities. As mandated by Article 12, Section D of the “History of Ozara autonomous community Traditional Rulership Constitution, this ceremony is one of the key responsibilities of HRH Eze Ogbuehi of Ozara.

With deep cultural significance, “Igu Aho” is regarded as the guiding framework for major festivals such as Iri Ji (New Yam Festival), Nso Oru, Aruru Eze, Ido Mbiba, Odu Agwunsi, Ite Nsi, Iru Mmuo, Ikpa Okwu, the payment of homage to the town’s deities by Ndi Odinala and other official festivities by villages.

The event, presided over by Eze Jonas Ahize Ogbuehi X, witnessed an impressive turnout from all segments of the community. Present were high-ranking chiefs, elders, the Nze na Ozor title holders (Ndi Odinala), women, and youths—all gathered in colorful traditional attire to honor the age-old ritual. Each of the seven villages of Ozara was well represented, underscoring the unity and significance of the occasion.

The ceremony commenced with divination, prayers, and sacred declarations, followed by the official announcement of the community’s festival calendar. The Igu Aho tradition was originally established to prevent conflicts in scheduling events across the seven villages and to promote cooperation and orderliness in communal activities.

According to documents made available to the statesman newspaper correspondent, This age-long practice is backed by the history of Ozara autonomous community Traditional Rulership Constitution, a document meticulously crafted by a six-man constitutional committee in 1977, ensuring the smooth governance of the community’s traditions. The committee members include:
• Chief L. A Anyikire (Chairman)
• Chief Eze Patrick E. (Secretary)
• Chief L.M.G Ezenwata (Member)
• Chief O.C Udennaka (Member)
• Chief C.M Obodoako (Member)
• Nze Onyebulie Ogwo (Member)

This constitution, signed by the head chiefs of various villages, continues to uphold the sanctity of Igu Aho, ensuring its uninterrupted observance.

Following the solemn rituals and official announcements, the event transitioned into a lively celebration, marked by traditional feasting and merriments. The air was filled with excitement as villagers exchanged goodwill and celebrated their shared heritage.

The Igu Aho festival remains a pillar of cultural identity for the people of Ozara, reinforcing their traditions while fostering unity and cooperation. As the new calendar of events unfolds, anticipation is high for the series of festivals that will follow, keeping the spirit of Ozara alive.

With another successful Igu Aho ceremony concluded, the people of Ozara look forward to a year of peace, prosperity, and rich cultural festivities.

The Ebonyi State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Francis Nnadi, has inaugurated projects executed by his administration within his first 100–days in office.

Nnadi while addressing newsmen in Abakaliki said that the projects’ inauguration and road walk, were used to mark the International Civil Defence Organisation (ICDO) Day celebrated globally on Saturday.

The NSCDC state commandant noted that the projects which formed his achievements within three months in office, included the creche/ nursery day care facility of the command.

“We also inaugurated the safe school quick response centre of the command with an operational vehicle and the training garden.

“We have fully digitalised the command as I can fully view it from any point with Close Circuit Television (CCTV).

“We have installed solar-powered lighting system all over the command for improved visibility especially at night while giving offices, tremendous face-lift,”.

He noted that the command was using the ICDO day to re-orientate the populace that security was everyone’s business.

“The toga of the safest state in the south east zone given to Ebonyi for instance, was achieved through collaborative efforts of the government, security agencies and the populace.

“The people should understand that the NSCDC and sister security agencies require vital security information from them, to effectively protect their lives and properties,”.

Nnadi said he will not relent on his achievements so far but improve on them for efficient service delivery.

“The reward for hard work is more. work as I will strive towards enhancing the skills and welfare of the personnel.

“We have designed a welfare package for the personnel which rewards the best dressed, most disciplined and dedicated personnel.

“I encourage other security agencies to enhance the welfare of their personnel because an officer who bears arms should not be hungry,”.

He thanked the Commandant General of the Corps, Abubakar Audi and Governor Francis Nwifuru for their support to the command and pledged not to let them down.