8.4 C
New York
Sunday, May 19, 2024
Search
Subscribe

In Nnewi South, Seamlessness, As APGA Nominates 3 Candidates for Soludo’s Approval of One As TC Chairman

247ureports
-
0
In Nnewi South, Seamlessness, As APGA Nominates 3 Candidates for Soludo’s Approval of One As TC Chairman

 

By Izunna Okafor, Awka

Hon. Van George Chiedu Ezeogidi, Hon. Amaka Gloria Okoli, and Hon. Prince Adolphus Ikechukwu Umeaniba, have emerged as the three nominated candidates for the position of the Transition Committee Chairman for Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra.

The Nnewi South Local Government Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Hon. Azubuike Osuchukwu, confirmed this in a telephone interview with this reporter, Izunna Okafor, on Saturday, shortly after the just-concluded nomination exercise where the party members in the local government area made the selection through voting process.

According to him, Hon. Van George Chiedu Ezeogidi (from Utuh community) polled the highest votes of 68; followed by Hon. Mrs. Okoli (from Amichi) who polled 56 votes; and then Hon. Umeaniba (from Azigbo) who polled 41 votes.

Hon. Osuchukwu also confirmed the scores of other contestants in the election, as follow: Hon. Endaline Ogochukwu Akaolisa (39), Hon. Uche Ochuba (33), Hon. Ikenna Aniagboso (23), Hon. Akudo Remmy Ojiego (16), Rt. Hon. Gerald Ebuka Akaeze (6), Barr. Chiwenche Mbazulike (5), and Barr. Kingsley Ndubueze Umenwa (1).

Speaking on the outcome of the process, the Local Government Party Chairman described it as a very peaceful one and commendable, even as he expressed his optimism on the competence and capability of any of the three nominated candidates to deliver and perform well when he or she makes it to the final list.

According to him, the party members have done their own parts and nominated three persons as was directed in the guideline issued for the exercise, while the Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo now has the onus to choose one person from among the three candidates nominated by the Party, as the TC Chairman for the Local Government.

Also speaking in an interview with this reporter, an APGA stakeholder in the local government area and Anambra State Head of Service, Barr. Theodora Igwegbe, who Chaired the exercise on the delegation of the party Chairman and approval of the people, also hailed the process and the conduct of the party members.

She further attested that the exercise was seamless, democratic, free and fair, despite an argument that ensued earlier over a suggestion by a party member, and which was also wisely, democratically and unanimously addressed, to pave was for the hitch-free exercise.

“Just like every other electoral process, it took us time; but we achieved success through a very peaceful and democratic exercise,” she said.

Imo: As Hope Uzodimma’s Appointees Still Roam The Street

247ureports
-
0
Imo: As Hope Uzodimma’s Appointees Still Roam The Street

 

The latest on Gov. Hope Uzodimma’s Commissioners, Special Advisers, and Senior Special Assistants is that they are still roaming the streets of Imo State, unsure where they are and where they are going, four months into the Governor’s second tenure. Immediately after their appointment and swearing-in, the Governor left them to their fate, and they are confused about where to start or what to do.

This has been the story of most of his appointees from 2020. Recall that most of those he appointed in 2023 were relieved of their duties upon his swearing-in for his second term in office in January this year. This was after the appointees were owed salaries for several months and never really had an office to operate in. Today, they are grumbling and gnashing their teeth.

Curiously, it is the Governor himself who emphasized that these appointments are with “immediate effect”. There may be a different dictionary that only Uzodimma knows and uses for him to muster the level of absurdity Imolites have witnessed in his administration. Or else, the Governor by himself is proving that the question marks over his education are indeed justified.

How can you appoint people into positions with immediate effect without immediate provision of working basic and requisite tools? For the Commissioners, their plight is worsened by the fact that the various Ministries are comatose, meaning that there is nothing to start with. Without doubting their capacities to turn things around, the worry of most of these Commissioners is that they are like people conscripted to go to war without any weapon, nor are they armed with any information about the enemy.

We are only concerned that these mindless operations have reduced the quality and value of governance and must be discontinued forthwith. Ndi Imo are predominantly educated and enlightened to be so insulted in this manner by a man who thinks himself more important than everyone else.

Town Union Writes Government, Rejects Move To Relocate Imo Polytechnics To Hope Uzodimma’s Community

247ureports
-
0
Town Union Writes Government, Rejects Move To Relocate Imo Polytechnics To Hope Uzodimma’s Community

 

Orlu Town Union led by Hon Eddie Olumba as President, has outrightly rejected the plot by the Imo State government to relocate the Orlu campus of Imo State Polytechnic to Omuma and at the same time warned all religious organizations by whatever name, to stay away from the community’s land on which the school is situated.

The Union, in a letter signed by Barrister Ephram Okafor and addressed to the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, protested vehemently about the plan to relocate the Orlu campus of Imo Polytechnic to elsewhere and thereafter, use land which the community donated for the establishment of a tertiary institution for another purpose adding that, if for any reason, the government no longer wants to use the land for the purpose, it was donated, it should be returned to the original owners.

The letter reads in part, “Your Excellency Sir, over the years, it will also interest you to note that our client gave their land to the government in that government had promised to build institutions which our client considered to be able to drive developmental goals and to sustain mutual benefits.

“Such land given to the state government is the present site which inhabits the Imo State Polytechnic, Orlu Annex. But this land was originally released to the government during the colonial era to build a teacher’s Training Institute called Bishop Shanahan training college (BSTC). There after, as there was cessation of offensives after the civil war, the government seized the land and pronounced it Alvan Ikokwu College Of Education to serve as part of its formative campuses.

“In time, the Alvan Ikeokwu College of Education became fully functional in Owerri neccesitating the closing of her formative campus in orlu and establishing of TESAC (Technical School and Acquisition Center) in the same location.

“When there was need to situate a polytechnic in Orlu, the same site which housed Tesac was named a campus of Imo State Polytechnic with its main Campus settling at Omuma in Oru West local government area.

“While our client live in expectancy of savoring the prospects of being hosts to a tertiary institution, like a thunder bolt from the blues, our client became jolted with the news of the plans by the state government to relocate the Imo Polytechnic to Omuma and cede the Site to Catholic Church for use as pastoral center.

“While our client may not be averse to government decisions, they are opposed to this extant case because it does not serve the public interest especially that of our client, the aborigins who are the host community, reasons abound.

“If you may recall your Excellency, our client gave their land primarily because of the mutual developmental benefits.

“That was why there was no atom of restiveness witnessed when the government established Alvan Ikeokwu college of education and later replaced it with Tesac and thereafter named it a campus of Imo Polytechnic. Nobody had cast aspersions over the import of its statuses at any point in time because it was serving the public interest for which the land was given.

“Today, our client are vehemently opposed to any plans to hand the present location of Imo Polytechnic to the Catholic Church under any guise because it will not in any way serve our interest.

“If the government intends to move the campus of Imo Polytechnic in Orlu to Oru without recourse to establishing an institution that can be of greater good to our client, our passionate appeal to your Excellency is that the government should therefore return our client’s land back to their community.

“Our client are opposed to government’s moves to hand the land to the Catholic church because the previous one given to them to serve as Bishop’s House has been turned to a Pastoral center and hotel in total breach of the purpose for which our client released the land to the Church.

“Your Excellency sir ,our client are certain that if the present land is handed to the church, their community will not have anything to gain rather the Catholic Church will turn it into another ground for her activities that will have no direct or indirect benefits to the people.

We pray that our client’s appeal is given the priority attention it deserves.

Please accept the assurances of our most esteemed regards”.

Monarch Indicted, As Police Arrests Killers Of Imo Born Army General

247ureports
-
0
Monarch Indicted, As Police Arrests Killers Of Imo Born Army General

 

The Imo State Police Command has finally arrested and paraded the alleged killers of retired Major Gen Richard Duru, who was reportedly abducted at Orji, in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State, while purchasing some items.

The Police Public Relation Officer in Imo State Henry Okoye who, announced the arrest of the killer gang, said they were arrested through sustained follow-up to diligently gathered intelligence.

According to him, those arrested in connection with the retired General’s unfortunate demise are, “Chukwunonso Emmanuel ‘M, a native of Uke in Idemili North L.G.A Anambra State, was arrested in Lagos while attempting to obtain a new plate number for the victim’s Mercedes Benz car. His confessions led to the Arrest of two members of the gang, Okoroigwe Goodness, 24 years ‘M’ and Innocent Ogu, 54 Yrs, old ‘m’. The suspects confessed to the crime of Kidnapping cum murder of the Retired Major General Richard Duru and equally confessed membership of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) /Eastern Security Network (ESN). They will certainly have their day in court upon completion of the ongoing investigation”.

Recall, that at about 2030 hrs on September, 27, 2023, late Major General Richard Duru, who hails from Ideato Local Government Area was kidnapped along Bishop’s Court, Area 7 Orji/Uratta, Owerri and his black Mercedez Benz GL 450 car with registration number, LND 826 NG snatched by the syndicate. They killed the victim after collecting a ransom of 50,000 US Dollars from his family. The unfortunate incident caused apprehension among members of his family who until recently did not known that he has been murdered, as they kept hoping that he would one day return home alive.

It was also gathered that aside the 50, 000 US dollars initially paid as ransom, different sums of money were paid into a Filipino and U.S accounts respectively by the retired General’s family who did all they could to secure his release not knowing that he had already been killed by the heartless kidnap syndicate.

It was also said that the owner of the Filipino account into which part of the ransom was paid was killed by the masterminds of the kidnap when he came home to collect his own part of the proceeds from their evil ill-fated transaction for which an Imo Monarch was allegedly arrested and is still being detained up till date.

The kidnap and murder of the retired army General has further highlighted the high rate of insecurity of lives and property in Imo despite claims by the State government and its officials that it has been nipped in the bud.

Some of those who bared their minds of the development said, “the kidnap and murder of the retired General attracted public attention because of his status.

Many of such incidents happen on daily basis in several parts of the state without being reported because most of the victims are either youths or people of low status.

The current administration in Imo State has failed in its primary responsibility of ensuring the security of lives and property of citizens and is only using propaganda to cover its tracks”.

Burial: Peter Obi Visits, Condoles with Late Junior Pope’s Family

247ureports
-
0
Burial: Peter Obi Visits, Condoles with Late Junior Pope’s Family

 

By Izunna Okafor, Awka

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the last Nigeria presidential election election and former governor of Anambra State, has visited the family of the late Nollywood actor, Junior Pope, to offer his condolences.

During his visit, Obi also signed the condolence register and expressed his sympathies to the grieving family.

Announcing this on his social media handles on Saturday, May 18, Kenneth Okonkwo, a Nollywood actor and former spokesperson for the Labour Party Presidential Campaign, also shared photos and videos of the visit Okonkwo.

“HE Peter Obi arrived at the residence of John Paul Odonwodo, Junior Pope, to pay his condolences to his family over the sad and untimely departure of their child, brother, husband, and father. He consoled his mother, Mrs. Maria Odonwodo, the widow, Jennifer, and his children,” Okonkwo wrote.

It would be recalled Junior Pope, whose real name was JohnPaul Odonwodo, tragically passed away on April 10, 2024, when the boat he was on capsized on the Anam River in Anambra State, as he was returning from a film location. He was laid to rest on Friday in his hometown of Ukehe, located in Nsukka Local Government Area, Enugu State.

The funeral, held at Saint Peter’s Catholic Church in Ukehe, was attended by numerous celebrities. Family, friends, and colleagues were deeply emotional as they gathered to say their final goodbyes to the beloved actor.

Junior Pope, who was married to Jennifer Awele since November 2014, leaves his wife and their three children behind, as he journeyed to the great beyond, after the tragic incident.

Chisco Group Boss Frowns at Incessant Demolition of Igbo’s Investments Across the Country, Unveils New Estate in His Hometown

247ureports
-
0
Chisco Group Boss Frowns at Incessant Demolition of Igbo’s Investments Across the Country, Unveils New Estate in His Hometown

 

By Izunna Okafor, Awka

It was a historic moment in Amichi, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, on Friday, May 17, as the community witnessed the unveiling of the first ever Housing Estate in the town, and indeed, in the entire local government area.

The brand new mega Estate, known as the Diamond City was unveiled by an illustrious son of the community and Chairman of the Chisco Group of Companies, Chief Chidi Anyaegbu, who is also the facilitator of the project.

Speaking during the unveiling, which was also witnessed by top government functionaries and indigenes of the community, among other stakeholders, Chief Anyaegbu described the Estate as a very significant and historic landmark in Amichi land, expressing joy that he’s alive to witness and see it happen.

The philanthropist, who revealed that he has estates in other parts of the country and beyond, explained that he was touched and inspired to establish this one his home-state, Anambra, in the spirit of Akụ Ruo Ụlọ (Think Home Philosophy), which he said Governor Chukwuma Soludo advocated when he visited and had a chat with Ndị Anambra living in Lagos.

He further noted that the hatred against Ndị Igbo and the incessant demolition of their property and investments in different parts of the country is also good enough reason for Ndị Igbo to start thinking home and begin developing their own states and region, hence, his vision and decision to establish the new mega estate in his hometown and state.

The Chisco Boss, while calling on other Anambra indigenes to embrace the Akụ Ruo Ụlọ philosophy, also hinted that Governor Soludo’s administration has provided an enabling environment for investors; even as he expressed optimism that the Estate will thrive and also grow to become one of the greatest to reckon with. He also stressed that the Governor, who was unavoidably absent at the event, has personally expressed his delight with the development and assured to visit the site someday sooner; even as he urged that “any human being that loves the Igbo tribe must support any investor that invests or intends to invest in Igbo land.”

In their separate remarks, the State Commissioner for Environment who is also from the Local Government Area, Engr. Felix Odimegwu, and the State Commissioner for Lands, Prof. Offornze Amucheazi, described the venture as a welcome development and a plus for the state.

While congratulating and hailing the facilitator of the project, Chief Anyaegbu, for responding to the Akụ Ruo Ụlọ clarion call of Mr. Governor, they, however, advised the project management to ensure that they give adequate consideration to green vegetation and environmental sustainability in the development of the Estate, urging them to also shun anything that may result to environmental degradation, as some developers do in the state.

Earlier speaking, the State Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Pauly Onyeka, explained that the venture aligns with the state government’s vision to make the state a livable and prosperous homeland, while urging the facilitator to also attract his likes in the state to replicate such developmental ventures and other investments in Anambra.

He further urged the developers to adhere to the new Anambra State Housing Policy, which, among other things, states that one should not build horizontally any longer, but vertically due to scarcity of land in the state; and that one should not build in more than 65% of his land area, but use at most 65% of his land area for building and use the remaining 35% for green vegetation, recreational centres. He also warned against people channelling water from their houses to the road, urging that every estate should have catchment pits for such purposes, and for a cleaner Anambra.

In an interview with this reporter, the Transition Committee Chairman for Nnewi South Local Government Area, Hon. Ikenna Aniagboso, who was also present at the event, described the project as the first-of-its-kind in the history of the community and the local government, which he said, is one of the obvious evidences and signs that even the rural area and the entire state are rapidly developing and embracing new looks, with new projects and investments springing up, especially under the Soludo-led administration. The Mayor also lauded Chief Anyaegbu, while emphasizing that such development will also serve as a catalyst for other developments in the area, its environs, and the entire state at large.

While the Traditional Ruler of Amichi, Igwe Afam Umezeoke went memory lane to recount how the flare for development has been flowing in the veins and lineage of the people of Amichi, which has also been manifested in the emergence of the new Estate; the Head of the Umeohimiri Family, Amichi, Rev. Fr. Ferdinand Umezeoke commended their son, Chief Anyaegbu for facilitating the project; even as they both expressed optimism for its success.

On his own part, the Managing Director of the Bayview Property, which is a partner in the project, Mr. Joseph Okafor, said the new Estate (which is located in Umuehi village, the boundary between Amichi and Nnewi) will have ultra-modern facilities, including central water system, commercial centre, CCTV security control system, fire house, well-constructed roads and drainage channels, health facilities, power house, waste collection points, solar-powered streetlights, sports area, play ground and recreational centre, among other facilities that will make it stand out.

Cutting of the tape by Chief Anyaegbu and the symbolic laying of the foundation stone for the Estate, formed the highpoints of the event.

 

MORE PHOTOS FROM THE SCENE:

Governor Bala Mohammed: Between Right Of Way And Rights Of people – By Garba Adamu Gwangwangwan 

247ureports
-
0
Governor Bala Mohammed: Between Right Of Way And Rights Of people – By Garba Adamu Gwangwangwan 
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has found himself at a crossroads between prioritizing the right of way on developmental projects and safeguarding the rights of the people affected by such projects. In navigating this delicate balance, he faces the challenge of ensuring sustainable development while upholding the welfare and interests of the populace which are the critical components in ensuring his success during the 2023 general elections.
Nevertheless, the right of way is crucial for the implementation of infrastructural projects that are vital for the economic growth and social progress of the state. These projects may include roads, beautification of street by planting three or flours as, pipelines, and other public utilities. Governor Mohammed, like many other leaders, recognizes these onerous importance attached to the  creating an enabling environment for investment and development initiatives to thrive. Without adequate right of way, the execution of these projects could be severely hindered, leading to delays, increased costs, and missed opportunities for progress.
However, on the other hand, the right of the people to fair treatment, compensation, and participation in decision-making processes cannot be disregarded. Development projects often require the acquisition of land or displacement of communities, people who are affected by said development projects which can have significant impacts on the lives and livelihoods of the affected individuals and communities. Government must ensure that the rights of these people are respected and protected throughout the project implementation process.
Other people are of the views that  demolition and arbitrary removing of shops mostly containers and tent erected by  petty traders, Akara and pap joint as well as roads side mechanics, balkanizer to mention but a few who are not opportune to be among the selected few government upper them the job decided not to venture in to any act that tantamount to destroy their lives, It is a misguided initiative that could lead to disastrous consequences on the lives of Bauchi citizens hardworking men and women who now surviving on their meager earning to sustain their lives and the immediate family members not along other pressing demand.
To strike a balance between the right of way and the right of the people, the present administration must adopt a transparent and consultative approach. This involves engaging with affected communities from the outset, providing them with adequate information about the projects, and seeking their input and feedback. By involving the people in the decision-making process can ensure that their concerns and interests are taken into account and addressed to the extent possible.
Furthermore, the Bauchi state government should prioritize fair and just compensation for those affected by development projects. This includes not only monetary compensation for land acquisition but also support for livelihood restoration and alternative housing arrangements where necessary. By providing adequate compensation, can mitigate the adverse impacts of project implementation on the affected individuals and communities.
Additionally, the present administration should consider one thing which warrant the people to make some makeshift, tent and containers at right of way which is the present economic hardship that keeps on biting people just as bush fire that has no any solutions at the sight. Majority of those erected their shops for business at roads side are youths both Men and women and retiring civil servant that government failed to pay them their entitlement after  serving the state meritoriously.
What baffles  majority of the  affected people is weather the removal of tent and shops on right of way is only limited to Bauchi metropolis or will be extended to major cities across the twenty local government areas of the state, while those with containers that there were asked to remove them without any prior notice neither compensation. at this juncture, I’m appealing to Bauchi state government to have a rethink on some of these kind policies and  that have cripple their business of it citizens and remains in visual cycle of poverty.
Agreed, the Bauchi state government has  the legal right to proclaim land   when  the need arises but  it is certain that were developmental projects that is  meant for the socio economic well-being of it’s citizenry, in the other way round  the road or market construction make people to suffer without  any compensate them with kindness and fairness it negate the social contract theory.
–
Garba Adamu Gwangwangwan wrote from Bauchi local government, Bauchi state. adamugarba0079@gmail.com.

NNPC Ltd Clarifies Lagos Depot Fire Incident

247ureports
-
0
NNPC Ltd Clarifies Lagos Depot Fire Incident
…Says Normalcy Restored
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) wishes to clarify that the fire incident at a tank farm in Marine Beach, Apapa, Lagos, was at a depot belonging to HOGL Energy Ltd (Honeywell Depot), and not an NNPC Retail Ltd.’s facility as circulated by early responders.
The fire, which has since been extinguished, was as a result of petroleum products spillage within the perimeter of the tank farm.
Meanwhile, NNPC Ltd and other depots in the area have resumed loading activities.
NNPC assures that the incident will, in no way, affect petroleum products supply and distribution across the country.

UNESCO Honors Gaza Journalists – On How Israel Inadvertently Empowered Palestinian Media

247ureports
-
0
UNESCO Honors Gaza Journalists – On How Israel Inadvertently Empowered Palestinian Media

By Ramzy Baroud

By granting its 2024 World Press Freedom Prize to Palestinian journalists covering the Israeli war on Gaza, UNESCO has acknowledged a historic truth.

Even if the decision to name Gaza’s journalists as laureates of its prestigious award was partly motivated by the courage of these journalists, the truth is that no one in the world deserved such recognition as those covering the genocidal war in Gaza.

“As humanity, we have a huge debt to their courage and commitment to freedom of expression,” Mauricio Weibel, Chair of the International Jury of media professionals, which made the recommendation for the award, truthfully described the courage of Gaza’s journalists.

Courage is an admirable quality, especially when many journalists in Gaza knew that Israel was seeking to kill them, often along with their families, to ensure the horror of the war remains hidden from view, at worst, or contested as if a matter of opinion, at best.

Between October 7, 2023, and May 6, 2024, 142 Palestinian journalists in Gaza were killed in Israeli bombardment, assassinated or executed. It is higher than the total number of journalists killed in World War II and the Vietnam wars combined.

This number does not include many bloggers, intellectuals and writers who did not have professional media credentials, and also excludes the many family members who were often killed along with the targeted journalists.

But there is more to Gaza’s journalists than bravery.

Whenever Israel launches a war on Gaza, it almost always denies access to international media professionals from entering the Strip. This go-to strategy is meant to ensure the story of the crimes that the Israeli army is about to commit goes unreported.

The strategy paid dividends in the so-called Cast Lead Operation in 2008-9. The true degree of the atrocities carried out in Gaza during that war, which resulted in the killing of over 1,400 Palestinians, was largely known when the war was over. By then, Israel had concluded its major military operation, and corporate mainstream western media had done a splendid job in ensuring the dominance of the Israeli political discourse on the war.

Israel’s behavior since that war remained unchanged: barring international journalists, placing a gag order on Israeli journalists and killing Palestinian journalists who dared cover the story.

The August 2014 war on Gaza was one of the bloodiest for journalists. It lasted for 18 days and cost the lives of 17 journalists. Palestinian journalists, however, remained committed to their story. When one fell, ten seemed to take his place.

Occupied Palestine has always been one of the most dangerous places to be a journalist. The Palestinian Journalists’ Union reported that between 2000 – the start of the Second Palestinian Uprising and May 11, 2022 – the day of the Israeli murder of the iconic Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, 55 journalists were killed at the hands of the Israeli army.

The number might not seem too high if compared to the latest onslaught in Gaza, but, per international standards, it was a terrifying figure, based on an equally disturbing logic: killing the storyteller as the quickest way of killing the story itself.

For decades, Israel, an occupying power, has managed to depict itself as a victim in a state of self-defense. Without any critical voices in mainstream media, many around the world believed Israel’s deceiving discourse on terrorism, security and self-defense.

The only obstacle that stood between the truth and Israel’s engineered version of the truth are honest journalists – thus, the ongoing war on the media.

What Israel did not anticipate, however, is that by blocking international media access to Gaza, it would inadvertently empower Palestinian journalists to take charge of their own narrative.

“Interpretations depend very much on who the interpreter is, who he or she is addressing, what his or her purpose is, at what historical moment the interpretation takes place,” late Palestinian intellectual Edward Said wrote in ‘Covering Islam.’

Like any other form of intellectual interpretation, journalism becomes subjected to the same rule of positionality in academia, as in the relationship between the identity of the researcher and the social or political context of the subject matter.

Palestinian journalists in Gaza are themselves the story and the storytellers. Their success or failure to convey the story with all its factual and emotional details could make the difference between the continuation or the end of the Israeli genocide.

Though the war is yet to end, the Gaza journalists have already proven to be deserving of all the honors and accolades, not only because of their courage, but because of what we actually know about the war, despite the numerous and seemingly insurmountable obstacles created by Israel and its allies.

Most people all over the world want the war to end. But how did they acquire the needed information that made them realize the extent of horror in Gaza? Certainly not through Israel’s cheerleaders in mainstream media, but through Palestinian journalists on the ground who are using every means and every channel available to them to tell the story.

These journalists include self-taught youngsters, like 9-year-old Lama Jamous, who wore a press vest and conveyed the details of life in displacement camps in southern Gaza, reporting from Nasser Hospital and many other places with poise and elegance.

As for the accuracy of information provided by these journalists, they were certainly professional enough to be verified by numerous human rights groups, medical and legal associations and millions of people around the world who used them to build a case against the Israeli war. Indeed, all we know about the war – the death toll, the degree of destruction, the daily human suffering, the mass graves, the famine, and much more – is possible because of these Gaza-based reporters.

The success, and the sacrifices of Gaza journalists should serve as a model for journalists and journalism around the world, as an example of how news about war crimes, sieges and human suffering in all its forms should be conveyed.

Outrage, As Catholic Priest Tells Congregation That Jesus Died with Erection

247ureports
-
0
Outrage, As Catholic Priest Tells Congregation That Jesus Died with Erection

By Izunna Okafor, Awka

The media space has been agog recently over the comment of a Catholic Church priest, Rev. Fr. Thomas McHale, who claimed that Jesus Christ died with an erection during his crucifixion on the Cross of Calvary.

The 53-year-old American cleric serving at the Our Blessed Lady Immaculate in Blackhill, Consett, County Durham, has not only sparked an outrage as a result of the comment, but has also been under fire for same.

The assertion, which he made during a sermon, was also said to have left the congregation and parishioners stunned, with many describing it as vulgar, shocking and inappropriate.

The parishioners were also said to have lodged a compliant and report to the church authority about the comment, with many verbally calling for the priest’s dismissal.

“He told people Jesus died with an erection. The church was shocked. There were young families there,” a parishioner told newsmen.

Confirming the development to newsmen, the Spokesman of the Hexham & Newcastle Diocese (under which Fr. McHale serves as priest), attested that a complaint regarding that was received and investigated according to the protocol of the Diocese, after which it was found that the cleric actually made the comment.

It was, however, gathered that the priest still retains his employment and still serves the Church, despite the complaint and its confirmation by the Diocese.

Meanwhile, the comment has also recently sparked off an outrage in the media space, as netizens share their views on the said comment of the priest and its implications.

See some reactions below:

123...5,170Page 1 of 5,170

Advertisement




Advertisement




Advertisement




EDITOR PICKS

POPULAR POSTS

POPULAR CATEGORY

ABOUT US

The Impertial Observer

Contact us: 247ureports@gmail.com

FOLLOW US

2023 © 247Ureports