The residents of the Alor community in Idemili South Local Government Area, Anambra State, which is the hometown of the current Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, have installed no less than 50 CCTV cameras as a big step towards combating insecurity in the area.
The President-General of the Alor Peoples’ Convention, APC, Chief Uzoma Igbonwa (Okife), revealed this at their first Ito-Ogbo Alor Kingdom cultural festival (Senior Citizens Day) and added that the installation of CCTV cameras has made Alor one of the safest communities in the state.
According to Sir Igbonwa, Alor London ranks first in life and property security. We’ve installed 50 solar-powered CCTV cameras throughout the Alor community. We have a security command centre from which we monitor Alor through television.”
Igbonwa said, flanked by Ngige himself, the traditional ruler of Alor Kingdom, Igwe Collins Chukwumesili, their legal counsel, Bona Oraekwe Esq., the Idis of Alor, and other town union executive members, “I can observe what’s occurring on the streets of Alor from anywhere using my iPad.”
“Security is of utmost importance. It is the paramount responsibility of government to protect the lives and property of its citizens, but in the absence of government assistance, we are compelled to rely on our own resources, as we have done so much for the security of the Alor people.
Also accompanied by the Chairman of the Alor Age Grade Council (Chief Arc. Josef Emefo), Igbonwa disclosed that Ito-Ogbo, a festival of longevity/octogenarians and nonagenarians, will be held every three years in the region.
“Under my leadership, the Alor people developed Ito-Ogbo, a combined birthday celebration for individuals aged 80 and older, and we appreciate them for all they’ve done for the Alor community.”
“Effective now,” added Igbonwa, “these 120 elders will be excused from communal taxes and services.” We presented them with badges of appreciation in order for them to gain prompt notice at whatever public event or venue they attend.”
He recalled that their illustrious son, Ngige, had not only attracted federal projects at Alor and Oraukwu, where roads and bridges have been built, but had also employed so many people from both the community and its neighbours, and he urged Ngige not to relent because future generations would always remember his good deeds.
Senator Chris Ngige, who attended the ceremony, praised the Octogenarians and Nonagenarians for living to such a ripe old age in good health and provided a generous package for their maintenance.
According to Ngige, “from now on, as a concerned resident of Alor, I shall provide pharmaceuticals or their monetary equivalent to every 120 octogenarians and nonagenarians in the area for their maintenance, as my personal commitment to the care of the elderly in our midst.”
On the side of widows, Ngige asked them to join a cooperative organisation and collect statistical data that will allow him or other individuals and organisations to grant them money to start businesses to support themselves and their family.
In his remarks, His Majesty, Igwe Collins Ebele Chukwumesili (Ezedioramma III of Alor), praised the Octogenarians, the Nonagenarians, and the entire Alor people for the newly formed tradition, asking that as the community celebrates longevity, Ndi Alor will live a long and prosperous life.
The celebration was highlighted by the cutting of a joint birthday cake, the distribution of medals, and a March past by age grades. Donation of food and cash to the Octogenarians and Nonagenarians.
(Source: independent.ng)
