Imo Youths Protest Against Okorocha in Anambra State as Obi Presents N90 Million Naira Cheques to Schools.

Some placard carrying youths who identified themselves as Members of Orlu for Greatness, who said they came from Catholic Diocese of Orlu in Imo State, yesterday carried placards against Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State in Anambra State. Some of the placards read: 'Gov Rochas do for our bishop what Gov Obi is doing in Anambra State by repairing our schools.' 'Gov Rochas, please collaborate with the Church as your brother is doing in Anambra State.' Another placard reads: 'Gov Obi, we love you, tells your brother, Rochas to follow your footsteps.'

The protest, stopped by Gov. Obi's advance team before he got there, took place at Uli Boys Secondary School where Governor Obi presented cheques to the bishop of Orlu Diocese, Most Reverend (Dr) Augustine Ukwuoma for the rebuilding of collapsed school structures. Though Uli is a border town in Anambra State, it falls within the jurisdiction of the Catholic Diocese of Orlu such that the management of mission schools in the town recently returned to the Churches is in the hands of Orlu Diocese.

Speaking during the event, Bishop Ukwuoma, accompanied by emeritus Bishop of the Diocese, Most Rev Gregory Ochiagha, the traditional ruler of Uli, Igwe Damian Onyekaonwu and other prominent members of the town, thanked the Governor for building a 'promising future for our children.' The bishop who traced the decadence in society to government takeover of schools said with the return of these schools, proper training of human beings had begun. He assured that the money will be used judiciously for the purpose it was meant.

Gov. Obi also visited Anglican Girls Secondary School Nnewi and Oraifite Grammar School where he gave cheques of twenty million naira to the Anglican Bishop of Nnewi, Most Reverend Professor Godwin Okpala, thus making a total of ninety million naira distributed to schools yesterday. Thanking the Governor for the gesture, Bishop Okpala said in Obi, Anambra State had seen a Governor who understood that governance was about the people, building a better future for them and engaging in those things that will improve their lot in future such as support to education, health and general infrastructure.

At Girls Secondary School Ozubulu and Maria Regina Secondary School Nnewi where he presented cheques of thirty million naira to the Catholic Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Most Reverend Hilary Odili Okeke. The Bishop described what is happening in Anambra State as a revolution led by Governor Peter Obi. He said what was of interest to him was that all sectors were being developed simultaneously in faithfulness to ANIDS. He said that with the return of schools to the missions and massive empowerment by the Governor, schools in the state were witnessing 'massive physical development' as well as the 'restructuring of the human person.'

Speaking at all the schools visited, the Governor accompanied by the Commissioner for Education, Dr Uju Okeke and other senior government officials said the cheques being distributed were part of government's support for the year 2012, announcing that the support for 2013 will start in this first quarter. As part of efforts for the rehabilitation of schools, the Governor said more money will be given this year to upgrade library, sports and laboratory facilities in schools as well as provision of other infrastructure.