Owelle Rochas; Where is the Diaspora Village. One of the best policy initiatives, the author had seen and analysed since Owelle Rochas Okorocha came to power, in Imo State, was the proposed Imo State Diaspora Village. This is a project that would allow Imo State indigenes in Diaspora to buy house(s) at home, thru a ten or more year’s mortgage system, whereby you pay little amounts, monthly till one finish paying, say 10 or more years. This was supposed to be, a state government and private sector partnership project. Every person, that has lived or still living abroad will testify and agree with the author, that mortgage system is how over 95% of home owners purchased their houses. As an economist (because yours truly is one), I have analysed the overall benefits, this will bring to Imo State’s economy. More so, as Owelle Rochas himself, promised that all the building materials will be sourced locally. This project will bring in massive inflow of cash and also create employment opportunities among Imo indigenes. Remember that the money remitted from Nigerians overseas, accounts for the second largest source(s) of foreign exchange. Imo indigenes (home and abroad) should set aside, their differences, and rally behind Owelle Rochas, to make sure, this project takes off or its kick started. The multiplier effects of this project will transform the state economy. Moving Forward... It appears that the Americans are copying Owelle Rochas in demolishing kidnappers’ dungeons. Imo State government under Owelle Rochas has a policy of demolishing any house(s), where kidnappers are arrested from. This has generated a lot of controversies. But on Wednesday 7/8/13, state of Ohio in USA, demolished a house where, a kidnaper (Ariel Castro), kept his three female victims (Gina Dejesus, Amanda Berry, and Michelle Knight), for a decade. Is this a justification for Owelle Rochas Okorocha or not? Kindly drop your responses. C.V.Akuta UK 9/8/13.

Questions for Governor Fashola. On 24th July 2013, The Governor of Lagos State, deported about 70 Igbos (not minding their states of origin) to Upper Iweka, Onitsha, Anambra State. Their reason was that, these Igbos were destitute(s), drug addicts, and mentally challenged people. In the face of the above, could His Excellency Governor of Lagos State, Fashola, answer the following questions? 1.Make public the correspondence between Lagos State government and Anambra State Government, regarding the return/repatriation of “these citizens”. Governor Fashola claimed there was an understanding between the two states as regards the above. 2.Could Lagos State Government make public, evidences that these people were “destitute(s), drug addicts, and mentally challenged people as alleged. 3.Could Lagos State Government, explain their action, with respect to Section 41, of the Nigerian 1999 Constitution, that says “Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof, and no citizen of Nigeria shall be expelled from Nigeria or refused entry thereby or exit therefrom” 4.Why deport/dump these people by 3am in the morning, a very unholy hour. 5.Could Lagos State Governor explain, if he has deported, any Yoruba (from other states), Hausa, Ijaw etc. 6.Could Governor Fashola, explain why he has chosen to open the wounds of the Biafran war, by following the paths of those that drove Igbos away from their regions before, and during the war. Sincerely Yours, C.V.Akuta Leicester-UK 5/8/13.

Time to Occupy Nigerian Senate. Please, make no mistake about it, by endorsing child marriage in Nigeria, the Nigerian Senate has brought us tremendous shame. By this act, Nigerian Senate has sent message across the world that we prefer child abuse to child protection; that paedophiles are welcomed in Nigeria. No child (boy or girl) is safe in Nigeria. In fact, Nigeria will become the capital of paedophiles. This is also an encouragement to those wishing to embark or commit such atrocity. In contrast to the above, if you’re caught in the United Kingdom, watching only child pornography, the person will certainly go to jail. Then, when a person is caught in the act itself, the culprit will certainly spend a very long time in prison. In some countries, any person caught with an underage will be castrated. That is how serious it is. But are we really surprised at what the sin-nators (Senators) did? No I was not surprised at all. The author predicts many more rubbish laws will be passed by them, after all, they don’t have our interest at heart. The nature of the laws made by the senate, tells us the calibre of people there. In fact, the senate is “empty”. On this particular issue, do not blame Senator Yerima alone, but blame all the Senators. What about the female Senators or where were they when this law was passed? Agreed that the law has been passed, what have the first lady/ladies (wife of the president and state governors’ wives) done. May be, they are yet to react. This is the time to set aside our differences and unite to fight this obnoxious act. Every concerned Nigerian should join the crusade. Every action is equal to reaction. Time for action is now. For this and many other sins of Nigerian Senators, the author moves a motion (a) for Nigerians to occupy the Senate till this law is repealed (b) for Nigerians to start the process of recalling some of these Senators (c) for Nigerians to sign/endorse any petition required for to actualize the above. The author pleads with all and sundry to support this call. May God bless Nigeria. C.V.Akuta UK 24/7/13.