VOL
9. NO. 14 July 25- August 7, 2010 PUBLICATION
Osumenyi Community Grieves Over Murder
Of Leaders
How Soludo
Sent Thugs To Attack Me, My Guests
Obi Presents
N5 Million Cheque To Schools
Head
Of Service Plans Biometric Data For Teachers
Nnewi
Town Receives Four Priests And One Deacon
ST LOUIS PARISH REWARDS DESERVING MEMBERS
Tragedy
Strikes Utuh Community
Igwe
Nnobi Calls For Reactivation Of Grounded Projects
Senator Obiorah Parleys With Nnewi
North PDP
There Is No Crisis In Ukpor
It Was A Terrible Experience”
OSUMENYI COMMUNITY GRIEVES OVER MURDER OF LEADERS
Leaders
of Osumenyi community in Nnewi South LGA of Anambra State
have asked the state police command and Governor Peter
Obi to whom three murder cases were reportedly lodged
to do something before all prominent people from the community
are exterminated.
The community is currently boiling over the murder of
the President-General of the town union, Chief C. L C.
Akunedozi, CEO Lakebato Group of Companies Limited on
June 19, 2010.
In a conference in Awka, the first Vice President of the
town union, Celestine C. Obi-Oguatu, narrated that Akunedozi
attended the town union meeting which he left half way
only to be trailed and shot several times before he died
by the gate of his house.
To make the matter suspicious, Obi-Oguatu said as the
assassination was going on, the gate man of Akunedozi
approached five mobile policemen in a Toyota Hilux jeep
who were staying just a distance away from the murder
scene to go and rescue his master and they refused.
He claimed that after Akunedozi was killed, the same policemen
in the jeep went to the murder scene followed by a bus
inscribed with the slogan of a governorship candidate
in the last governorship election in the state and picked
two police orderlies attached to Akunedozi who were wounded
in the attack leaving Akunedozi in the pool of his own
blood in the car.
According to Obi-Oguatu, when one of the police orderlies
told the police team that he fired and punctured the tyre
of the Camry salon car the assassins operated in and that
the team should follow and arrest the assassins, they
did not listen.
He said two other people, Mr. John Okonkwo, a member of
trustee of Osumenyi Development Union and a businessman
based in Kano, was assassinated in a similar circumstance
on September 3, 2009, while Prophet Ogamba was picked
from God's Temple and murdered in cold blood in 2003 and
the family intimidated from going on with the case.
Other citizens had been threatened or wounded by assassins'
bullet since 2003 when misunderstanding broke out among
the citizens over conferment of chieftaincy titles.
Obi-Oguatu, who was accompanied by the Secretary General
of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Anambra State chapter and about 12
executive members of Osumenyi Development Union, however,
appealed to his people to be calm and to volunteer information
to the police on the cases.
Meanwhile, Campaign for Democracy has described the assassination
and brutal murder of Chief C.L.C Akunedozie and Sir John
Okonkwo as not only barbaric and callous, but also despicable,
condemnable and internally-sponsored.
It asked that "as a matter of uttermost immediacy
the dismissal of the Amichi Divisional Police Officer
(DPO) and those officers led by the I.P.O at the said
station, involved, for the unethical conducts." It
said they should be investigated and charged for murder.
In a statement by the chairman of CD, Anambra State branch,
Comrade Uzor A. Uzor, the human rights group also demanded
that "the said Politician whose bus was used to rush
the two mobile policemen to hospital after abandoning
Chief C.L.C Akunedozi to bleed to death be arrested and
prosecuted accordingly."
In addition, he continued, the present executive members
of Osumenyi Development Union be provided with adequate
security among other things.
^
TOP
HOW
SOLUDO SENT THUGS TO ATTACK ME, MY GUESTS
Minister of Information and Communications,
Prof Dora Akunyili, spoke on Sunday, July 18 of how People's
Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the Anambra State
February 6 governorship contest, Prof Charles Soludo,
sent thugs to attack her at the burial of her late sister
Gloria, at the weekend.
In a statement Akunyili explained that she had come down
to her village to join her family, relations and well
wishers to pay her last respect to her late sister Gloria,
"But unknown to me, my family and invited guests,
a large number of thugs loyal to Soludo were carefully
organized to disrupt my participation in my sister's burial
ceremony. "
Her statement reads in part ''I have never seen the number
of thugs I saw on Friday in any event.
“The thugs were also instructed to embarrass my
invited guests. As you may be aware, Soludo is marrying
my late elder sister's daughter, Nonye. So we are in-laws.
“But since he lost the last gubernatorial election
in Anambra State, Soludo has singled me out as the source
of his failure to win the election, and he convinced my
sister to believe that I was the cause of his failure.
"All efforts by people to make him understand that
I alone cannot make him governor have failed.
"So he brought that anger, grudge and frustration
to the burial of his mother in-law who is also my elder
sister.
"All arrangements made by me and my other siblings
to receive guests at Isuofia, where my late sister was
residing (which is also Soludo's village) were vandalized
by Soludo's hired thugs.
"They followed this up with text messages of blackmail
to my guests, friends and well wishers.
"When the environment in Isuofia became too insecure,
tense and hostile, I quietly relocated to my father's
compound at Nanka which is few kilometres away just to
avoid trouble.
"But Soludo's thugs also trailed us to my own village,
Nanka, to commence trouble but the security agents quietly
dismissed them. I want to remark that my late sister,
Gloria was a very peaceful, Godly and well brought up
woman.
“While she was alive, I enjoyed her love and friendship
as a sister no matter what Soludo and his hired thugs
think.
“Because of this, even in death, I will do nothing
to dishonour her because what Soludo and his thugs have
done is to dishonour her; but God has taken control,"
Akunyili stated.
^
TOP
OBI PRESENTS N5 MILLION CHEQUE TO SCHOOLS
Gov. Peter Obi has visited St Raphael Secondary
School, Awkuzu and Marist Comprehensive Secondary School,
Nteje and donated 2.5 Million Naira to each of them to
help improve on their infrastructure for a conducive learning
environment.
While speaking to students, he encouraged them to take
to their education very seriously and assured them that
education remains one of the priorities of his government
and that he would not relent in his support for education,
which he described as “the passport for tomorrow's
competition.”
Speaking at the occasion, the Principal of Marist Comprehensive
College, Rev. Okey Anochie who described Obi's victory
at the polls as victory for democracy, good governance,
truth and honesty said that with the government of Peter
Obi, the righteous had been enthroned in Anambra State.
Speaking further, he said: “when special people
touch our lives, they teach us how to live. Thank you
for being special, thank you for touching our lives. Thank
you for teaching us how to live.” The Principal
also commended what he called Obi's simple and approachable
disposition and urged him to continue to transform the
state through ANIDS.
At St Raphael Secondary School, the Principal, Mike Okoye
commended Governor Obi for his humility and wisdom to
recognize that everybody, including the rich and the poor
is his child. He said that Obi was the first Governor
in Anambra State that has been visiting schools, including
primary and secondary schools and insisted that that was
a sign that he understands that the young ones are the
future of the society.
Speaking on the visits to schools, the co-coordinator
of APGA in Oyi Local Government Area said that Gov Obi
had elevated education to a pride of place as a critical
sector for sustainable development...^
TOP
HEAD
OF SERVICE PLANS BIOMETRIC DATA FOR TEACHERS
Plans
have reached advanced stage to install high-technology
machines at the headquarters of the Anambra State Post
Primary Schools Service Commission, PPSSC, Awka to capture
the biometric data of all the staff of the commission
in line with government directive.
Announcing this recently at a well-attended interactive
forum with all principals of secondary schools in the
state, the State Head of Service, Barr (Mrs) Ngozi Melifonwu
lauded the present PPSSC led by chairman Sir Norbert Obi
and secretary Nzemeka Olisa, as “the best, the most
progressive-looking, most responsible and most efficient.”
Barr Melifonwu noted that before his present appointment,
Chief Nzemeka Olisa had distinguished himself as a great
and worthy principal, adding that Nzemeka's relationship
with his chairman Sir Norbert has been very cordial and
fraternal.
Melifonwu commended principals for their decorum and impeccable
nobility, even as she enjoined them to be steadfast, courageous
and strict in enforcing the Public Service Rules so as
to leave enviable legacy to future generations, arguing
that “a teacher is next to God” as they are
'in loco parentes' to the children under their care.
Mrs Melifionwu reminded principals on the correct approaches
to matters concerning leave in the public service.
Earlier during the interactive session held at Nnamdi
Azikiwe Secondary School, Abagana, to highlight some anomalies
in the public service which was attended by principals,
senior officials of the PPSSC, including Secretary Nzemeka
Olisa, and high profile officials of the Office of the
Head of Service of the state, grey areas in the Public
Service Rules (200) were explained to the principals.
In a remark, the Secretary to the PPSSC, Chief Nzemeka
Olisa, PEN, commended the efforts of the Head of Service
and her team and assured that principals of secondary
schools in the state would be strictly guided by the Public
Service Rules (2000 edition) and the Financial Regulations.
He announced that the second principals' residential retreat,
which will be in two sessions, will kick off at Nkpor
in September.
The first-ever residential retreat for principals of secondary
schools in the state was held at the Madonna Renewal Centre
Nkpor-Agu in September 2008. It was facilitated by the
present PPSSC.. ..^ TOP
Nnewi Town Receives Four
Priests And One Deacon
It was all joy and celebrations as Nnewi Catholic Community
received four newly ordained priests who celebrated their
first Holy Mass on Sunday July 11, 2010 at Our Lady of
Assumption Cathedral Nnewi.
The four priests are Rev Frs. Anthony Chukwunonye Edoka,
Francis Ogonna Nwizu, Bonaventure Chidozie Ifedigbo and
Christopher C. Ugochukwu.
In the homily, Rev Fr Philip Nnadi reminded newly ordained
priests that they have been separated from the people
to offer sacrifices to God for the people.
Describing a priest as one who offers sacrifices and prayers
to God on behalf of the people, he distinguished them
from the pastors and priests of other churches who only
pray for the people but do not offer sacrifices and would
not absolve sins.
Like Jesus who started with prayer and ended with prayer,
Fr Nnadi charged the priests to pray for themselves even
as they pray for the people. He told the priests to always
run to Jesus through prayers since Jesus has the solution
while others have the suggestions.
He nonetheless cautioned them to avoid self glorification
since it is not faith-oriented and above all asked them
to dedicate their time for the salvation of souls.
Expressing his joy for the newly ordained priests, the
Senator representing Anambra South, Senator Ikechukwu
Obiora gave thanks to God and also thanked Nnewi Catholic
community, even as he advised the newly ordained priests
to let the light of the Lord shine on the society through
them.
The Cathedral administrator, Msgr Gabriel Onuorah thanked
all who were present especially those who cancelled some
of their activities, only to be there.
After the Mass, H.R.H. Igwe K.O.N Orizu gave the newly
ordained priest some words of encouragement.
The Chairman of Nnewi pastoral council, Sir Dr. P.N. Ogwueleka
expressed joy and thanked God for the gift of the new
priests.
While reading the welcome address, the secretary Nnewi
Catholic Community, Sir Mathew Ekechukwu revealed that
the fifth indigenous priest of Nnewi is to be ordained
on August 28, 201 at Mbaise Imo State while his reception
will be at St. Peter Clever's Otolo Nnewi on August 29,
2010.
As they thank the newly ordained priests who made themselves
available to God, they thanked their parents for investing
their resources and time on them and above all thanked
Most Rev. H.P.O Okeke, the ordaining prelate.
A gift of Saloon Car each was given to the four newly
ordained priests with Bishop Okeke and the Seminary Rector
receiving a token each for their good job. The Nnewi Catholic
Community also received one deacon, Rev. Ntodonke Chidiebere,
SDV who would be ordained on August 28, 2010.
. ..TOP
ST LOUIS PARISH REWARDS DESERVING MEMBERS
By Vien Jezon
The
Parish priest Rev Fr Afam E. Ike and parishioners of St
Louis Catholic community Uruagu Nnewi on Sunday July 11,
2010 organized a special Merit Award ceremony at the Church
premises for its deserving members.
Fr Afam described the Awardees as people who have played
special roles and so deserve special thanks. “Some
of them are not from the parish but they have played special
roles that endear them to the as friends of St Louis,”
he remarked.
Speaking at the Mass, the Catholic Bishop of Nnewi diocese
and Chief celebrant Most Rev Hilary Paul Odili Okeke told
the congregation that the first foundation of showing
that we love God is to keep His commandments and that
our love must cost us something otherwise we have not
started. He prayed for the grace of God on Christians
to live like the Good Samaritan thereby making sacrifice
for the sake of love.
The Chairman of the occasion Hon J.C. Okeke described
St Louis as a very peaceful parish and thanked the parishioners
for considering them worthy of such an award.
The “Apostle of St Louis Award” were given
to the following: Rev Fr Michael N. Azike, “Onwa”
of St Louis to Chief Louis I. Onwugbenu of Louis Carter
Group, “Nna” St Louis to Bro Joseph Ekejiuba
Okoye (Omekeze). Hon. J.C.Okeke and Mr Godwin Muoghalu
of G.More & Sons Ltd bagged the Grand pillar awards
while Sen. Ikechukwu Obiorah and Hon. C.I.D. Maduabum
got the Nwanne di na mba awards. The pillar awards went
to Messrs Innocent Okoli of Sonak Nig. Ltd, Prince Anthony
O. Nwangwu and Nnamdi B. Nwangwu. Lady Josephine N. Nwangwu
and Mrs Monica Okeke were recipients of the Great Mother
awards.
Post humous awards of Nna okwukwe went to Late Chief Pius
O. Unachukwu, Hon. Simon Achusim and Chief Agbanusi Uzoukwu
while the family of late Isaac Igbodiegwu Okafor received
God's Household award. Excellence in Diligence went to
Mr. J.B. Okoli the Catechist, Titus Obiora N. among others.
^
TOP
TRAGEDY
STRIKES UTUH COMMUNITY
- As Chief Edwin Atueyi's House
Catches Fire
By Peter C. Okonkwo
The evening of Saturday July 10, 2010, brought tragedy
to the household of Chief Edwin Atueyi in Umuenyi, Utuh
Community, Nnewi South Local Government Area.
The Christian Outlook was informed that the fire was allegedly
caused by thunderstorm at about 7:45pm that Saturday evening.
Narrating is ordeal, Chief Atueyi said that as he got
home after closing from his shop, he observed heavy smoke
coming from his sitting room and so opened the door leading
to the sitting room only to notice that the fire had already
gathered momentum.
“I started shouting and this attracted my neighbours.
I was able to carry one out of the two of my motorcycles
and was lucky enough to escape before the fire caught
up the entire building.”
One of chief Atueyi's close relatives, Miss Gloria Okonkwo
revealed to The Christian Outlook that Chief Atueyi and
his wife passed their miserable night outside sleeping
on mats provided by their neighbours. The agonizing part
of it she said was that they lost every property they
had apart from the clothes they wore and the motorcycle
which Chief Atueyi succeeded in carrying out but joyously,
no life was lost.
When asked what might have caused the fire outbreak, Chief
Atueyi said, “It might be thunderstorm because nobody
was in the house and it thundered heavily with lightening
few minutes before the house caught fire.”
As he thanked the neighbours that have assisted them so
far, he called on other Christians in Nnewi diocese to
come to their rescue.. .TOP
IGWE NNOBI CALLS FOR REACTIVATION
OF GROUNDED PROJECTS
Igwe Engineer Nick Obi, Omenyili Nnobi has said that time
has come for reactivation of all Federal Government grounded
projects like industries, mills, factories and commercial
ventures.
He made this call recently while addressing his cabinet
members in Nnobi, Idemili South Local Government Area.
He said that when these grounded viable projects are reactivated,
employment opportunities for youths to minimize their
restiveness will be available while our young graduates
will lessen parents, guardians and sponsors of education
burden of shouldering their upkeep after spending huge
sum of money to send them to tertiary institutions.
He decried the kidnap, assassination and armed robbery
that now reign in our country especially in Eastern states
where it has become so terrible and unbearable hence most
of our well placed citizens don't come home again for
fear of their dear lives.
He said this has worsened the economic situation in these
grossly affected states due to poor patronage especially
Onitsha, Nnewi, Aba to mention but a few. He commended
Governor Obi for using ANIDS to deliver grassroots democracy
dividends to the people.
^
TOP
SENATOR OBIORAH PARLEYS WITH NNEWI NORTH PDP
By Dom Onuoha
The member representing Anambra Senatorial Zone
in the National Assembly, Senator Ikechukwu Obiorah recently
had a parley with the PDP faithful at Anaedo Social Club
hall, Nnewi.
Unable to attend in person, his representative and Member
representing Nnewi North in Anambra State House of Assembly,
Hon. J.C. Okeke relayed the Senator's happiness and confidence
in the 5-man caretaker committee under Elder Godwin Onyejekwulum,
recently appointed to pilot the affairs of the party in
the council area.
Okeke on behalf of the senator informed the members that
the time table that would streamline the party's ward
congresses would soon be released even as he enjoined
them to conduct theirs without bitterness and rancour
in order not to create divisions among themselves on which
other parties might capitalize to the detriment of PDP.
The Senator commended them for their loyalty so far and
promised to continue to deliver on his mandate to the
people.
Representative of Hon C.I.D Maduabum, member representing
Nnewi North/Nnewi South/Ekwusigo Federal Constituency
in the Federal House of Representatives, Dr. Frank Anaeto,
also addressed the party faithful.
Both Hon Okeke and Dr Anaeto delivered the cash donations
routed through them by the federal legislators; just as
Okeke made his own personal donation.
Nevertheless, not a few people expressed their discontent
with the Senator Obiorah's representative stewardship
which they said is “too distant.”
The kernel of their submission was that representation
is not only about giving money to party members. Rather,
it is more fundamentally about meeting the people and
interacting with them one-on-one and initiating projects
that will touch the likes of the people.
They complained that Senator Obiorah is always fond of
sending representatives instead of coming personally to
meet and interact with the people.
But while addressing the press, Hon Okeke said Senator
Obiorah, “ is a grassroots politician who has attracted
a project of N180 million to Nnewi,” adding that,
“and I know that there is no community in his constituency
that you will not feel his presence; project-wise, ranging
from renovating markets, installation of solar energy
and building of libraries.
“So, I can beat my chest and tell you that there
is no Senator in Anambra who has done what he has done
in his Senatorial Zone.”
On the allegations of distant representation, Okeke said,
“Ikechukwu Obiorah is such a humble legislator that
he attends funerals, sees to the welfare of the people
in terms of anything you can think of; I mean, he is very
close with his constituency.”
Present at the parley included other party big wigs such
as former Anambra State Commissioner for Youths and Sports,
Hon Emma Nsoedo, Chief Ejiamatu Igbokwe, Hon Felicia Ngwube,
Hon Calista Adimachukwu and Hon Azuka Okeke...^
TOP
THERE
IS NO CRISIS IN UKPOR
Says Nnewi South HOA's Claim On Deities Is A Fallacy
By Dom Onuoha
The Special Assistant to the President General
of Ukpor Improvement Union (UIU), Nnewi South LGA, Sir,
Hon Alex Ifeagwazi has declared for all that care to listen
that there is no crisis in the town; especially in terms
of controversies surrounding the Igweship stool of the
community.
Recognizing though that there are discordant tunes in
different quarters regarding different issues, he however
thinks that some people are not expressing their opinions
objectively; with the interest of the community at heart.
According to him, “For the past sixteen years since
after the last officially-crowned Igwe of Ukpor, Anoliefo
died, there have been contentions to the throne. One person
will get elected and another will go to court. But as
at now, the byelaw governing the Igweship stool spells
out a rotational method for the community. According to
this arrangement,Umudara Emenahi produced the last Igwe,
automatically it shifted to Obi Nwajiaku; Umuohama in
particular.
“Now for the present Igwe-elect in the person of
Francis Onyimadu, it has been a very long process even
before the present leadership of UIU, under Barr Hyacinth
Maduagwu came in.
“It has been a legal tussle; one thing leads to
the other; the other group will win, the other group will
go to court. Eventually when this administration started,
all these letters, all these court judgments were brought
to his notice. What the PG and his executive did was to
parcel all of them to the State Government for the Attorney
General and Commissioner for Justice to advise the town
on what to do.
“In summary, after going through the documents,
the Ministry of Justice wrote to the Ministry of Local
Government and Chieftaincy Matters who in turn wrote to
us saying that they don't see anything bad in crowning
the present Igwe-elect.
“Based on this, the PG called a general assembly
of the whole town. The matter was tabled before them and
they voted that the Igwe-elect should be presented to
the Local Government and afterwards to the State Government.
And that was done. But unfortunately, sooner than later
that was done, there were some disgruntled fellows within
the town who went writing all sorts of unpalatable stories
that the Igwe was not elected in a proper way.”
Hon Ifeagwazi maintained that in spite of these contentions,
what the PG did was proper in that it was in line with
the directive of the state government. For this he counseled
that individuals should always learn to work within the
ambit of majority decisions on community matters instead
of distracting the PG from doing his work with opinionated
utterances.
He made a painful reference to a recent statement where
a certain former chairman of Umudara clan was quoted to
have said that the Ukpor PG goofed. As he put it, “there
is no way everybody will agree to a particular issue at
all times; that is why we say that majority carries the
vote.”
The SA also lamented that within the town's Council of
Obis, there seems to be some festering misunderstanding
which is impinging adversely on the vision of Barr Maduagwu's
administration.
“I don't know whether we have up to two or three
of them now. So, I don't know why the problem they are
having should be transferred to the PG.”
Ifeagwazi who is a knight of St. John International, KSJI
as well as a member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers,
MNSE vehemently refuted a recent press statement credited
to the present Head of Administration of Nnewi South LGA,
Hon E.C. Nwabuagha to the effect that the impetus for
the development of the council area came only with the
removal of two powerful shrines located within the council
headquarter premises.
In his words, “The HOA of Nnewi South LGA is my
friend. He is saying his own opinion. He is not from Ukpor
town. So, he cannot say it's deities that are preventing
development in Ukpor. Actually, it depends on government
administration. Whereas some people utilize their allocations
for development, others pocket theirs or waste it.
“But when you have a sensitive government that critically
scrutinizes what its officials are doing, then you're
bound to sit up. The present administration of Mr. Peter
Obi and the Commissioner of LG and Chieftaincy matters
are interested in what the HOAs are doing. As a result,
the HOAs have no reason not to perform in terms of the
money they get.
“So, the HOA in Nnewi South has no choice than to
put up all these structures he is putting up and should
not say it is deities that prevented development in Ukpor
for a real long time. That s impossible and what he said
about deities is a fallacy.”
He posited that Ukpor presently is predominantly a Christian
community but as a transitional Igbo society, has its
own vestiges of traditional beliefs that in no way run
counter to the development of the town.
In spite of the many seeming distractions, Hon Ifeagwazi
however said that progress is on course in Ukpor.
“The Igweship palaver is not disturbing the PG from
carrying out his sole responsibility of ensuring that
UIU and Ukpor as a town is well developed and facilities
and amenities are attracted for the people to enjoy and
to be gainfully employed.”
Some of these facilities he said are in the area of health
like renovation of hospitals, construction of a Skill
Acquisition Centre, execution of MDG projects as well
as road projects being attracted by the member representing
Nnewi North/Newi South/ Ekwusigo Federal Constituency
in the Federal House of Representatives, Hon CID Maduabum
who is an indigene of Ukpor.
He advised all Ukpor citizens to coagulate efforts with
the President General in moving the town forward; pointing
out that, “Leadership is not a simple game nor is
it a do-or-die affair.
“The PG cannot lead anybody astray. Whatever he
is doing, he is doing it judiciously. He is a Christian.
Whatever he is doing, he does it with the interest of
the town in mind. People should sheath their sword. Let
everybody embrace peace for the overall development and
benefit of all.” .^
TOP
IT WAS A TERRIBLE
EXPERIENCE”
-
As Chief Onunkwo Recounts Kidnap Ordeal
By Oliver-Ross Udeafor
The President General of Ihembosi Progress Assembly, Chief
Ebuka Onunkwo who was kidnapped on Monday, July 12, 2010
by five armed men but regained his freedom on Thursday
night of same week, has described his experience in the
hands of his abductors as a terrible one.
Chief Onunkwo who spoke to our man in his country come
in Ihembosi, Ekwusigo Local Government Area said that
the five men who kidnapped him stormed his house in the
evening of July 12 when he was discussing with people
and ordered him to follow them.
According to the President-General who is also the Eze
Ndigbo in Cotonou, Benin Republic, his abductors who were
heavily armed, quickly whisked him away in a Jeep just
as they equally blindfolded him throughout their journey
to the place where he was held captive.
The international businessman further disclosed that he
remained blindfolded from the day he was kidnapped to
the day he was released and that he never saw the light;
though they were giving him food.
He said that when he was finally released, his abductors
took all that he had on him but that they were compassionate
enough to give him the SIM card of his phone.
Chief Onunkwo, when asked of his feeling towards the kidnappers,
said that he bore no grudges against them; but are rather
that he is praying for them to have a change of heart
and turn a new leaf; for God to touch their hearts so
as for them to repent and know that what they are into
is a bad thing.
He also stated that his experience in the hands of the
kidnappers would not make him change the way he relates
with people adding that for him to have been kidnapped
and released alive is the work of God and because of that
he would continue to relate well with people as he was
doing prior to the incident.
When our man wanted to knew what he paid for the kidnappers
to release, he refused to disclose the amount rather he
said that he has been released and that the essence of
whatever he paid was for him to regain his freedom.
However, our man gathered that the business tycoon paid
the sum of thirty million naira (N30m) to regain his freedom.
According to our source, his people cashed the money from
a bank in Onitsha on Thursday afternoon and took it to
Mgbidi in Imo state before the bad boys released him.
Our source said that the money was taken in a big Ghana
must go bag by his people and that they handed the money
to the kidnappers who then released him to them. This
we learnt happened at mid night of Thursday.
Meanwhile, the international businessman's place has turned
into a Mecca of sorts since he was released.
People have been trooping to his place sympathizing with
him and rejoicing with him. The visitors have continued
to pray for the arrest of the kidnappers so that they
can pay for their sins.
