Governor Hope Uzodimma, yesterday, named himself and his deputy, Prof. Placid Njoku, former governors Achike Udenwa, Ikedi Ohakim, Rochas Okorocha, Emeka Ihedioha and others, as members of a 246-member Imo Elders Council.
He also named a former chairman of the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya as chairman of the council and Prince Lemmy Akakem, as his deputy, while a former Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Maxwell Duru, will serve as secretary of the council.
The council also has former deputy governors namely: Ebere Udeagu, Ada Okwuonu, Eze Madumere and Douglas Acholonu, who was the deputy governor to the late former Governor Evan Enwerem, as members.
The Guardian learnt that the members would brainstorm during meetings on matters of importance to the state and the nation and offer elderly advice to the state government at any point in time.
A statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Cosmas Iwu, revealed that the committee will be inaugurated today at the Government House, Owerri.
As at the time of filing this report, The Guardian could not confirm whether Okorocha and Ihedioha, who have been having running battles with Uzodimma, accepted or rejected their appointment into the council.
BESIDES, the Alliance for Africa (AFA) has urged Uzodimma to ensure full implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act in the state.
The group made the call, yesterday, at a joint media briefing organised by AFA in collaboration with Imo State Committee on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls and other Civil Society Organisations in Owerri.
It said the VAPP Bill, which was enacted by the state House of Assembly and recently signed into law by the governor, when fully implemented, would address all forms of violence against women and girls, including sexual and domestic violence and harmful cultural practices.
Executive Director of AFA, Iheoma Obibi, also advised that to achieve effective enforcement of the law, Uzodimma should make adequate budgetary allocation, establish the Violence Against Persons Agency to be led by an active multi-sectorial action committee, as well as create an active Gender Based Violence rapid response team.
