IMHA OKAYS MOTION URGING GOVERNOR UZODIMMA TO MANDATE TRADITIONAL RULERS TO ENCOURAGE YOUTHS IN THEIR AREA TO BE SECURITY CONSCIOUS AND EMPOWER LOCAL SECURITY VIGILANTE ALREADY EXISTING IN COMMUNITIES*

 *IMHA OKAYS MOTION URGING GOVERNOR UZODIMMA TO MANDATE TRADITIONAL RULERS TO ENCOURAGE YOUTHS IN THEIR AREA TO BE SECURITY  CONSCIOUS AND EMPOWER LOCAL SECURITY VIGILANTE ALREADY EXISTING IN COMMUNITIES* 

In a bid to check crimes and empower local vigilante already existing in communities, the Imo State House of Assembly has urged His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodimma to mandate Traditional Rulers to encourage youths in their area to be security conscious.

Moving the Motion, the Member Representing Njaba State Constituency, Hon Benneth Ozioma Worship Ebonine expressed concern that most community youth leaders are idle, hence the continued cases of insecurity, but which the Imo State Governor is tackling. He noted that if these youths are involved in community security, they would be of great assistance and will be kept busy, thereby closing-up the lacuna between Imo community youth leaders and the State government. 

In his words, Hon Ozioma Ebonine said, *"Insecurity has reduced the Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, of the State. We must assist Governor Hope Uzodimma to secure the State and make it friendly for investors to come in. One sure way to help contain insecurity is to urge our Governor to mandate Traditional Rulers to encourage our youths to be security conscious. But unfortunately, most communities are in disarray, as a result of ezeship tussle, and some Traditional Rulers are not in good terms with their youths. Government cannot do everything. Let us therefore engage our youths, and security threats will be a thing of the past. Thank God the present Administration is a youth-friendly government, where  youths are given sense of belonging".*

The Motion which was seconded by Hon Sam Ikechukwu Osuji, Member Representing Isiala Mbano State Constituency, was co-sponsored by the following 9 lawmakers :

1. Hon Chigozie Nwaneri (Oru-east).

2. Rt Hon Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu (Nwangele).

3. Hon Innocent Ikpamezie (Mbaitoli).

4. Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi (Owerri-west).

5. Hon Francis Uche Agabige (Orsu).

6. Hon Henry Agbasonu (Ezinihitte Mbaise).

7. Hon Francis Uzoma Osuoha (Ohaji/Egbema).

8. Hon Dominic Ezerioha (Oru-East).

9. Hon Chisom Ojukwu (Nkwerre).

In solidarity with the Chief Sponsor, the following Honourable Members made significant contributions to support the Motion :

1. Hon Engr Gilbert Chiedozie Nwosu (Oguta).

2. Hon Clinton Amadi (Owerri Municipal).

3. Hon Kelechi Ofurum ( Owerri North).

In their respective submissions, they observed insecurity has been the major setback in the southeast, but agreed that His Excellency Governor Hope Uzodimma has done so much to nip it in the bud in the State. They insisted that Government cannot do everything, hence the need to engage the youths, to completely eradicate insecurity in the State. They therefore urged the Governor to direct  Traditional Rulers to go home and engage these youths.

Hon Engr Johnson Iheonukara Duru, Member Representing Ideato North State Constituency, opposed the Motion with the argument that there was already in place an *Imo Security Network* . But  Mr Speaker explained that the objective of the Motion was for His Excellency the Governor to Mandate Traditional Rulers to Encourage Youths in their Areas to be Security Conscious and to Empower Security Vigilante Already Existing in Communities.

When the Speaker of Imo State House Of Assembly, Represented by the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu, who presided, put it to vote, the Ayes had it. Thereafter, he Ruled as follows : 

* Be It Resolved By This Honourable House To Urge His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, Governor Of Imo State To Mandate Traditional Rulers In The State To ;

A. Encourage the Youths in the various communities in Imo State to be more security conscious and to report suspicious individuals to relevant Authorities for necessary actions ; and

B. Empower the Local Vigilante already existing in the communities.

The Clerk was thereafter directed to communicate the Resolution of the House to His Excellency the Governor.

 *Citizen Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha*

04/07/2024