BY EMMA OKEREKE OWERRI
Thousands of Teachers in Imo State,Thursday, stormed the streets of Owerri, the State Capital to protest the continued abduction by the Boko Haram Sect of over 200 Chibok School girls in Borno State.
At the Government House Owerri, the State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha expressed regret that the leaders have failed in their constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property. He said “I hate to say this but apologize to Nigerians that indeed, we have failed.”
Governor Okorocha advised Nigerians to unite irrespective of political, religious and ethnic affiliations and act quickly to bring the children back.
He maintained that “the country is faced with extreme danger and must seek the wisest course of action and not of mourning; it is on that note that we look worried but we must find solution.”
He further declared that no amount of sacrifice to salvage the ugly situation would be too much, and enjoined all to join hands to protect the integrity of the nation.
Governor Okorocha disclosed that the state would embark on a three-day fasting and prayer.
Owelle Okorocha noted that the integrity of the nation is at stake and called for prayers to seek God’s intervention pointing out that it took prayers and support of all to rid the state of kidnappers.
The governor commended the teachers for demonstrating their concern over the urgency to bring back the over 200 abducted Chibok girls by Boko Haram sect.
Speaking earlier, the Imo State Chairman of Nigeria Union of Teachers [NUT], Comrade Cletus Okeke who spoke on behalf of the group, lamented the activities of Boko Haram in the country and described it as assault to humanity and attack on teaching profession. He maintained that “the school system remains the proud industry of teachers and that the innocent school boys and girls are the raw materials we process for the human resources development of the nation.
He disclosed that over 176 teachers have been killed by the insurgents adding that “Boko Haram had constituted a stumbling block to the realization of making education available to all by the year 2015”.
Comrade Okeke who stated that the Imo NUT demonstration was in line with the decision the group took at Abuja with the other 36 states of the federation, urged the state government to garner all within her reach to fight the insurgent with the international bodies as he called for the unconditional release of the Chibok girls immediately.
He commended the state governor on his performance so far and pledged their allegiance to him.
Present at the occasion include the secretary to the state government Prof. Anthony Anwuka, Dr Roland Anyadike the Nigerian Labour Congress Chairman, Mr Sam Onwuemeodo, the SSA media to the governor and others.