Mbaise Diaspora Proposes Specialist Hospital, Community-owned CCTV

Tony Icheku in Owerri

Nigerians of Mbaise descent from Imo State, resident in the United States of America, USA plan to up the stakes in its $5 million Annual Medical outreach by building a Specialist Hospital either in Mbaise, Imo East Senatorial district or in Owerri, the State capital.

In an exclusive interview with THISDAY in Obizi, Ezinihiitte Mbaise LGA, the National President of Mbaise USA, Chief Sonny O. S Echendu said the association is of the view that it’s over $5 million spent annually in medical outreach programme in Mbaise could have enhanced value for the people if there is a permanent health care centre which they could access as the need arises.

“Mbaise USA, having reviewed its annual Medical Outreach, where it flies in specialists for surgeries, general medicine and other healthcare needs is working towards building a Specialist Hospital either in Mbaise or Owerri, the State capital. Beyond providing for the people’s healthcare needs, the facility would also be used as a research centre for medical educational institutions”,  Echendu said

According to him, the association also annually empowers  60 Mbaise women who were each given N200,000 per person either to recapitalise their business or as a take-off capital for petty trading.

Echendu, an alumni of the Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA also expressed concerns about the insecurity challenge in the state and country which he described as complex, dynamic and fluid.

He prescribed for Imo State a community-based policing comprising various state governors, LGA chairpersons, Traditional Rulers, President-Generals of Town Unions/Association and Village heads.

Echendu proffered that in the three LGAs of Mbaise, the Mbaise USA Association are proposing to install CCTVs, control centres with rapid response squad to minimise insecurity in the area which in recent times have been scenes of violent killings. He said the association is closely studying models where the system have been effective and would clone such in the LGAs.

In his analysis of the situation, the former Armoured Corp Commander in the Nigerian Army traced the issue beyond guns and ammunitions, noting that youth unemployment are also part of the challenge.

He added that if kidnapping is perceived as a lucrative crime, it also holds attraction for criminals. He nonetheless noted that whether the insecurity is sponsored or not, there is need to separate, segment and isolate each factor responsible for insecurity in the country, thus his description of the insecurity challenge as a complex phenomenon.

Accordingly, he tasked the various state governors, LGA chairperson, traditional rulers and village heads to put on their thinking caps towards resolving the challenge.

 He also suggested that politicians and political parties should not be totally exonerated from the insecurity challenge and said they should be closely monitored to determine their role or otherwise in the insecurity issues bedeviling the country

Echendu was speaking after the double events of thanksgiving and remembrance service for his late parents, Pa Humphrey and Mama Grace Echendu which held at St Andrews Anglican Church, Obizi.

He described them as role models and humane, who sowed the seed of greatness and love for others on him

Echendu was also conferred with the the chieftaincy title of ‘Ochiagha’ General by HRM Eze. S. O Azubuine, Obizie V of Obizi Autonomous Community.