INTERVIEWS

Revealed: Major Nzeogwu who plotted Nigeria's first coup in 1966 committed suicide 

Details have emerged on how the hero of Nigeria’s first coup d’etat of Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu committed suicide in the battle field by injecting himself with poisonous liquid in a bid to escape being captured alive by the Nigerian army.

Speaking during an interview recently, Nzeogwu’s younger sister, Susan Uwechie said that after injecting himself, he threw a grenade. By then, the Nigerian soldiers were around. He was together with Emmanuel Ifeajuna, his colleague. Ifeajuna sneaked out and informed the Nigerian soldiers that ‘that person that is holding the war, I just left him there. Go there, and you will meet him’. Immediately they came near, he injected himself with poison and released a grenade. All those soldiers died with him…

Read the full text of the interview here.

From his existing biography, Chukwuma can be said to be an elemental figure (Ogbanje – one with a short breezy life span) do  you share in that belief?

Yes, it is true. He always told us clearly, and from accounts from our elder sister, it was clear that he came to the world with a mission.  Our late father used to tell his friend, Olusegun Obasanjo who was married to pressurize his friend, Chukwuma, to get married too. Several times he told him “you’re married. Please let your friend get married too”. My brother’s standard response was always,  “ I am not interested in that, because  I won’t live long. I have come here to do what I want to do and then move away. So, there is no point getting married and leaving behind a widow or orphan to suffer’. He was focused on what he said he came to the world to do and did not want any distraction.

So, he had a premonition that he was going to die young?

Yes.

In your family lineage or genealogy, can you recall anyone with that kind of streak that he probably took after? Did he reincarnate anyone as traditionalists believe?

Well, I don’t know. Since I was born, I never heard from even our elders that he took after someone. He was a different kind of person.

After so many years of his death, how do you remember him?

We always remember him in our prayers asking God to accept him in his bosom, since he was the one that sent him on the mission. We believe that since he came to achieve what he wanted to achieve and had gone away, God should give him eternal rest. We have left him in the hands of God. He sent him here and called him back.

He didn’t marry. But have you heard stories of his having a girlfriend or child anywhere?

No. Nothing like that. We never knew of any. His friend, Obasanjo confirmed it to us. He said he never had any.

As a notable hero in your family, what strong memories of him can you remember that you can share with us? Are there times you would say, if Chukwuma were to be alive, he would have done this thing like this or this way? Can you remember any incident or feeling like that in your family?

It has to do with cheating or injustice. He never liked cheating in any form. Where he saw or perceived any, he tackled it without looking back. Sometimes when we were being punished by our father for some misbehaviours, he used to fight on our behalf to get us out of the troubles and punishments. He would tell our parents to forgive us. They are children. They won’t do it again. But if my father insisted on flogging us, he will appeal to him more strongly, saying’ I think I have pleaded with you. Please leave them.’ He was that kind of person and he loathed bribery with all his heart. He also hated corruption. He would not bribe you and would not accept.

How did members of your family react when you heard the news of his involvement of leading the first military coup d’état in Nigeria in 1966?

We were shocked and surprised.

He did not tell anybody?

No. Even, he did not tell my father. What he did was that when he came (I just put to bed that time and my mother was with me on Omugwo.- Igbo post- natal motherly visitation and care); remember that there was no phone that time. So he came to the house to tell my husband to release mum; that he wanted our mother and father to go home to the village.   We were all living in Kaduna then. My husband wanted to seek for more clarifications, but he told him, “no questions. Just release this woman to join her husband. I am sending them home.” He sent them back to Okpanam.  They first of all went to stay in Asaba where we had a house, before relocating them to Okpanam. This happened the same month that the coup occurred. We did not expect it. Even my husband did not know about it. So, we were all shocked.

Was your father angry? How exactly did he react?

He was very angry and fumed over his son, because he knew the consequences of what Chukwuma did. He knew they would be searching for him to punish him. My father was upset and complained bitterly.

He never met him again until he was killed?

They never met again. He was sending friends to cater for my father’s failing health and upkeep. His friends were the ones in charge. They took directives directly from him and what to do and where to take him to. He never sent any direct message to my father.

During that intervening period, you know he was detained? Did your father make any conscious effort to see him?

He didn’t want to see my father. He tried to see him. He sent message that he had told him he had a short life to live and whatever he heard or saw , he should take it like that.’ Don’t worry, people will take care of you’, he told him. He was not moved by any persuasion and insisted on his friends taking care of him through him.

Your father died shortly afterwards in 1973. Do you think he died of a broken heart arising from the ordeal of his son? Was it the news of the death of Chukwuma that killed him eventually?

Yes, that was what killed him. He died of stroke. He had stroke and after some years he died.

After his release from detention, he joined the Biafran forces and was gunned down at  Nsukka. What was the family reaction to that?

Well, as the war was raging, they were also pushing forward. He was with his soldiers. He was not gunned down like that. The Nigerian soldiers had been pushed back by them. He knew that they were particularly looking for him. So, he was running for his dear life.

He was trying to escape before they caught him?

No, he wasn’t trying to escape. Well, he tried to….. He was trying to escape to join those people because they were soldiers too. Part of them was Nigerian soldiers.

Was he with the Nigerian soldiers or Biafran soldiers?

Ehmm… it was when the war was serious. Where he was, he had to belong to the people there. Common sense dictated that.

“I challenge anyone who believes that Chronic Leg Ulcer, called “Achaere” in Igbo, is supernaturally projected, to inflict one on me and I will pay him a whooping sum of N5,000,000.00 or I will forfeit my property of that worth in compensation to that effect”.- Physiatry Laureate Professor Obika M.C

Obika

                                                                           

…as he provides his 10 years research cure for this deadly disease, which will halt amputation by orthopedic surgeons, plus other ways to effectively manage arthritis.        

(Q). Prof., I am aware that because of your research on the treatment and cure for Gangrene called Achaere in Igbo and also your postulation that Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation should be an independent Branch of Orthodox Medicine which has almost become a reality today, you were reposed with a laurel as the father of this Modern Branch of Physical Medicine, what exactly is this branch of-medicine all about, I mean its definition and how you came about founding it as an independent Branch of Medicine?

(A).    Yes, the Oxford Concise Medical Dictionary, 2000 edition, in page 533 defined Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation as; “a Medical Specialty established by the Royal Society of Medicine and the Royal Society of Physicians in 1931. Initially, the members pioneered clinics devoted to the diagnosis and management of rheumatic diseases, but later extended their interests to the rehabilitation of patients with physical disabilities, ranging from asthma and hand injuries to back trouble and poliomyelitis. The term has caused confusion in recent years, with many doctors preferring the description Rheumatology & Rehabilitation for this specialist activity. Since 1972 however, when the Royal Society of Physicians approved it, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation has become the generally accepted term”. The sub- Specialties in PM&R includes Rheumatology and Geriatrics, Sports Medicine, Occupational Medicine, Neuromuscular and Pain Medicine, and Electromyography. In Britain and the USA, PM&R as a specialty area gained recognition during 1947, when many veteran soldiers returned from the second World-War. So, with the aim to rehabilitate them towards productive lives, the specialty gathered Momentum.

(Q.) Okay, we have seen the definition and when this branch of Medicine became known in Britain including the USA,  what about here in Nigeria with regards to your postulations and its establishment?

(A.)    Here in Nigeria, PM&R diseases have held a monotonous gripe on the public, due to the ill-management of such diseases by inexperienced Physicians. Chief among these are rheumatic disease, and even sports medicine disorders and so on. About 90% of these problems if not properly diagnosed and managed leads to degenerative changes. So, premised on this fact, I postulated that PM&R should be established as an “Independent Branch” of the orthodox medicine, concerned with the epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis and effective treatment or management of diseases which alters the function and performance of the patient”. Like philosophy, that has no specific definition, within the Committee of Physical Medicine Physicians; PM&R also has no specific definition. In fact, it has been a specialty of Medicine with lots of confusion even as we see in the definition from the Oxford Concise Medicine Dictionary. PM&R has been called so many names because of the wide areas it encompasses such as Rehabilitation Medicine, Remedial Medicine, Military Medicine Rehabilitation and even to me I have likened PM&R to the Modern African Medicine (MAM), please take note, I do not mean African Traditional Medicine (ATM) rather Modern African Medicine.  This is due to its methods of application, which has about 60% non-invasive approach, but the name; Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, my definition and postulation has been statutorily backed by law which led to the registration of the two regulatory Bodies today, that is, the Physiatricians Association of Nigeria (PAN) and the Association of Rheumatology & Geriatricians of Nigeria (ARGN).

(Q.) Prof, these regulatory Professional Bodies you just mentioned, when were they established?

(A.)   The Physiatricians Association of Nigeria was established in the year 2012. It was registered as a Civil Society Organization (CSO) for Physiatrists and Physiatricians. It was formerly, an Educational Committee of the National Executive Council (NEC) of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), before the year 2012, so when we opted for registration, our parent Body, NMA refused but after much struggle and legal battle the Court authorized the Corporate Affairs Commission to grant us registration. So about six (6) years elapsed before we gained autonomy, after which the next registration of the Association of Rheumatologists and Geriatricians of Nigeria (ARGN) did not meet any resistance, because the CAC granted its registration after we applied.

(Q.) Prof., what is the meaning of Physiatrists and the difference between a Physiatrist and Physiatrician?

(A.) Physiatrist is a word phrased by Dr. H. Crusein, a German Physician, which means a Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Physician, who is a specialist in this field. But now, that PM&R has been established as an Independent Branch of the Orthodox Medicine, I rephrased this specialist of PM&R to be a Physiatrican, while Doctors with the Basic Qualification in PM&R will be referred to as Physiatrists.

(Q.) So you mean that a Physiatrican as phrased by you, means a specialist Doctor of PM&R, while Physiatrist as phrased by Dr. H. Crusein now means a PM&R with the basic Qualification?

(A.) Yes

(Q.) What are the Qualifications approved by the Association and you, being the founder, for this first category of PM Doctors and that of the specialist PM&R Doctors respectively?

(A.)   Yes, it is the equivalent of the MBBS, but, because of its mode of training, it is MBBChtr, that is “Bachelor of Physical Medicine and Bachelor of Surgico-Traumatology & General Rehabilitation” while that of the specialist PM&R Doctors is also double Honors, which is “Doctor of Physical Medicine” (MD-Phil) and Fellow West African College of Physiatricans” (FWACP) 

(Q.) Prof., don't you think that what you are doing will bring disharmony within the Medical Profession? Is there history of such movement or will I call it revolution ever since the history of medicine?

(A.)   Well, what I have done and continuous doing is not alien in the history of medicine. First of all, before I delved into the history peculiar to my effort in establishing PM&R as an independent branch of Medicine, I would want to sight other examples. It may interest you to known that during the era of the old school Doctors, I mean in the renaissance during the 18th and 19th centuries, there were what is called “System of Medicines” founded by those Physicians, like; Andrew Tailor Still, Samuel Heinemann, Rudolf Steiner and others, the branches they founded are Homeopathy, Osteopathy, Chiropractic, Anthroposphical Medicine etc. The founders of these branches of medicine in those Era were renowned Orthodox Physicians but because of opposition from their fellow doctors, some of these professions they founded later were regarded as complimentary medicine. In the case of Dentistry, it was a deferent ball game, because Dentistry was already a specialized area of the orthodox medicine, before the modern founder Pierre Fauchard, a Physician from England liberated it. This is the similarity which PM&R has with dentistry as a profession.

(Q.) So Prof, you mean that was how dentistry was established and that, it was formally a specialist area of the Orthodox Medicine?

(A.)   Yes, history of Dentistry can be perused from The New Encyclopedia Britannica, volume 23 pages. 931 under the heading “History of Dentistry”. But in addition to this, today in some countries, Osteopathy, formally regarded as complementary medicine has now metamorphosed as a branch of Orthodox Medical Profession in the United State of America. The NIH and other sectors of health delivery in the U.S.A have mainstreamed it as equal to their counterparts, and it is now known as “AmericanOsteopathy Medicine”. So the Americans have now seen the need to liberate themselves from the clutches of the British dominion, from where the name “Western Medicine” originated. So premised on this history and developments, this is why I called PM&R, “Modern African Medicine” because, taking a critical look on the methods used in Physiatry, we could see that it was a pattern of healing adopted from the African concept of healing, refined in the Western World and now renamed PM&R. These methods, includes the use of Methylsalicylate, like here our forbears, used things like peperish poultices to heal deep seated lesions and also in the case of bone fracture/dislocation. Hydrotherapy also has origin in Africa. In fact, the New Encyclopedic Dictionary of the English Language defined a medical doctor as a qualified practitioner of Medicine or Surgery in any of its branches. So the acceptable evolutionary rendering, not the myopic concept about medicine, now globally, is that medicine cannot come under one umbrella. Today, there are four established branches of medical professions and these are: Internal General Medicine and its specialization, General Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and its specializations, Dentistry and its specialization, American Osteopathic Medicine and its specialization, even Optometry is regarded as a branch of medicine and they are also as doctors.

(Q.) Alright Prof., I think we can take establishment of PM&R to this length, now I would want you to highlight the disease these groups of doctors called Physiatrists and Physiatricians treat and the methods used?

(A.)      Okay, Physiatrists (that is General PM&R), or Rheumatologists, Geriatricians Occupational Medicine Sports Medicine, Neuromuscular & Pain Medicine Physicians, Phrased” Physiatricians” by me, please I would want you to note that, this word is not found on the internet language or in other medical dictionary, except in the website of PAN/ARGN because it was a newly phrased but, I am sure that in the shortest possible time it will be known everywhere. So these groups of Doctors treats brain injuries, all degree of rheumatic diseases, including rheumatoid & osteoaritosis, osteoporosis…

(Q.)  Prof., what is the meaning of rheumatic diseases, arthritis.

(A.)   The Word Rheumatism or Rheumatic diseases is a vague term with no precise medical meaning, it refers generally to aches and pain which afflicts the joints, bones, soft tissues like muscles, tendons, ligaments and other coverings of the joints, like the sinovium. And there are more that 150 to 200 different kinds of rheumatic diseases and of which some forms of gangrene is a rheumatic related disease.

(Q.) So what is the definition of Gangrene?

(A.)   Yes Medically gangrene is known as deep and peripheral arterial stenosis, with open chronic lesion disease (ulcers) gangrene in English, achaere in Igbo, and egbo-ese in Yoruba. Also, it includes all cases of peripheral and superficial bedsores, diabetic ulcer, ulcer affecting the distal part of the lower limb, called chronic leg ulcer (CLU) and is defined as, “infarction (death) with putrefaction (the process of protein decomposition by Bacteria) of macroscopic portion of tissues, producing putrescent and cadaverine (a purulent discharge with a very offensive odor), these conditions also affects such other organs, like the appendix, pancreas, the gallbladder or even the testis.

Etiologically, there are varieties of deep, superficial and peripheral arterial stenosis, but due to space and time, we will highlight few of them as relates to this interview these are;

1.      Gangrene (arterial stenosis) affecting the distal part of the lower limb,

2.      Diabetic sore,

3.      Bed sore

4.      Traumatic Gangrene

5.      Decubitus sore and Frostbite

1.      Gangrene affecting the distal part of the lower limb, known as chronic leg ulcer (CLU) may be   predisposed by the following factors:

I.       Arterial obstruction from a “disease (probably thrombosis of an arteriosclerotic artery)”

ii.      Embolus from the heart in arterial fibrillation or after coronary thrombosis

iii.     Boils and carbuncles can also cause gangrene of the lower limb (deep superficial or peripheral arterial stenosis), known as Rodent, Gas or Senile Gangrene. Other causes of gangrene affecting the distal part of the lower limb are,

2.      Diabetic sore, which is due to the these factors;

i.       Trophic changes resulting from peripheral neuritis

ii.      Artheroma of the arteries resulting in ischemia, and

iii.     Excess of sugar in the tissues which lowers their resistance to infection and

iv.     Fungal infections. The neuropathic factor impairs sensation, and thus favours the neglect of minor injuries and infections, so that inflammation and damage to tissues are ignored. Muscular involvement is frequently accompanied by loss of reflexes, and deformities. In some cases the feet are splayed and are deformed (neuropathic joints). Think callosities develop on the sole, and are the means whereby inflection gains entry, often following armature chiropody, infection involving fascia, tendon, and bone can spread rapidly upwards via sub-facial plans.

3.      Bedsore and Decubitus ulcer are predisposed by i. Pressure injuries impeding peripheral circulation, because there are peripheral blood pressure critical to maintaining peripheral circulation and thus tissue viability, which is 26millimeter/hectogram (mm/Hg), but once this is impaired through external pressures like in the case of ambulatory patients (spinal cord and orthopedic cases) who become bed-ridden for a very long time, pressure sores or bedsores develop because these external pressure have impeded circulation, predisposing arteriosclerosis (derived from arteriole occlusion) of the peripheral vessels (small arteries supplying the skin). Because artery has a uniformed network, such phenomenon extends with alarming rapidity. Other factors leading to bedsore and decubitus are anemia, humidity (in exposure to sunlight) and malnutrition.

4.      Traumatic peripheral arterial stenosis is due to local injury and may arise as a result of crushes, bruises or pressure injuries (as in the case of splint or Plaster of Paris (POP), while

5.      Frostbite is due to exposure to cold, especially if accompanied by wind off high altitudes (e.g. climbers and explorers). It is also encountered in the elderly or the vagrant during cold spell. Pathologically, there is damage to the vessels walls, which is followed by transudation and edema. The sufferer notices severe burning pain in the affected part, after which it assumes a waxy appearance and is painless, blistering and then gangrene, follows.

There are available records (epidemiological data) as well as Journals and Medical Test-books showing that gangrene has defied most solutions medically, thereby leaving sufferers at   the mercy of charlatans and other forms of fetish healing administered by shamans on the premise, that it is not as a result of natural occurrence but rather, something projected by an enemy, until the condition degenerates to an extent where amputation becomes the only option to save the victim's life.

(Q.) What is the mortality ratio occasion by this disease?

(A.)   The morbidity and mortality ratio of deep and peripheral arterial stenosis (gangrene) shows         that, it is the third killer disease after heart disease and diabetes combined and even has favored such other conditions, like cerebrovasculer disease, diabetes and even in some cases         of orthopedic and other ambulatory conditions. So before the advent of this discovery, made          by me et.al for this latest treatment on gangrene which has about 80 to 95% ability to effect granulation (healing) as have been demonstrated on severalclinical trials (both in the controlled and randomized studies), as conducted at the West African College for Physiatricians (WACP), and the Nigeria College for Rheumatology and Geriatric Medicine (NCRGN), including other centers (Hospital;/Clinic Bases), the only solution conventionally has been skin grafting for closure of the sores in the early stage which has about 3 to 5% granulation effects only or amputation of the limb as in the cases of chronic leg ulcer and diabetic sores. Available data shows that 80% cases of amputation in the orthopedic department are due to deep and peripheral gangrene.

(Q.) Prof, I am aware of people you have treated like 6 years 8yrs?

(A.)      I have demonstrated the potency of this theory in using this discovered drug phrased ‘Recombination Granulation Induced Factor’ (RGIF) and its special procedure of administration (Physical Medicine) which has the efficacy of effecting granulation even in chronic cases of 10 to 25 years duration, where the ulcers granulated in just 4 to 6months treatments.

(Q.) I would now want to ask you and your association, what is your goal, because many are really dying from this gangrene?

(A.)  My Association, that is PAN and ARGN launched, the National Program on Gangrene and Rheumatic Diseases, which is a National Emergency Health Plan and which goal and vision is to establish the fact that, gangrene relating to deep and peripheral arterial stenosis (surface and superficial sore) in time, will no longer be a nightmare to any who have fallen victim to it. The fact is that, this Association in partnership with our India Pharmaceutical Company and our UK partners, has manufactured a sizeable  number of this drug and have trained a good number of technicians known as Medical Hydro therapists as Founded by me, that will help in the administration of this wonder drug. Individuals, who also not are victims of chronic leg ulcer or diabetic sore etc, will also benefit from the treatment on other cases of rheumatic disease, diabetes and burns.

  

How I showcased the achievements of Rochas’ administration in international circles -    Nkeiruka Sylvanus

Nkeiruka Sylvanus

Published 2nd May 2013

Nkeiruka Sylvanus is an actress, blogger, musician, human rights activist and government official. In 

this Interview with Ebere Inyama, she speaks about her appointment in politics, her career as an actress

 and other facts about her social life.

Excerpts:

Q: Tell us your name and give us a brief account of your early childhood education.

My name is NkeirukaSylvanus. I hail from Umuosi village in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area 

of Abia State. I was born into the family of Mr and Mrs Sylvanus Nwauzo. I attended my Primary and 

Secondary education at Ohabiam Primary and Secondary Schools in Abia State.

Q: How did you become an actress?  Were you forced into it or did you opt for it as a matter of

 personal decision?

Oh! I have always loved to be an actress starting from my early childhood.  After my graduation from 

Ohabiam secondary school, I moved on to University of Nigera Nsukka where I enrolled to study 

Medicine but roughly two years into the course, I saw a better part of me loving acting more and 

getting committed to it so I had to check out of the Medical School to face my career as an actress. 

Some years later, I went back to the Enugu State University of Science and Technology where I studied

 Mass Communication between 2004 to 2008. After that, I proceeded to Lagos State University where I

 studied History and International Relations and I also did my Masters in History and International 

Relations as well.

Q: Tell us about your life as an actress.

I joined the movie industry at the early age of 16. That was the time I just graduated from the secondary

 school and got admission into the university. Then I discovered that acting was taking a better part of

 me. It has been fun and exciting. If I can count, I have acted in over 200 movies. I am still acting and in

fact, my most exciting movie is in progress and will be coming out soon.

Q: Tell us about other things you do besides your career as an actress

I am also a business woman, a blogger, musician and a human rights activist. I like advocating for the

 poor people and offering assistance to the needy and the down trodden. I always lend my voice to 

people who need to be heard. I am a defender of the defenseless. I became ‘The Face of Hope’ for the

 less privileged under the Rochas Foundation in 2010 where I worked hard to ensure the upkeep of 

hundreds of poor people and that motivated me to join the campaign of His Excellency Rochas 

Okorocha  during the 2011 gubernatorial election in Imo State.

In December 2011, I launched a Nationwide Television programme called ‘I’ve got Talent Show’.  It is

 a talent-hunt programme through which talented youths are discovered with a view to providing them 

with a platform to excel in their career and become successful in life. It is a mission to fish out raw

 talents among the youths, especially the less-privileged and give them hope for quality education to 

enhance their literacy level and improve their socio-economic status.  The main goal of the project has

 been to champion the campaign against child illiteracy in Nigeria and West Africa. It has been both 

challenging and time-consuming. The show featured special talents in many fields such as acting, 

dancing, singing, fine arts and fashion designing.

I was previously the Special Adviser to Governor Rochas Okorocha for Lagos Laison before I was 

reappointed as the Special Adviser, Public Affairs.

Q: You just mentioned that you are a business woman. What kind of business do you do?

Well, I partner with Airtel in Enugu State in the Telecommunication business. I also do buying and 

selling of different kinds of goods. 

I have reserved space for on-line advertorials for interested business men and women in my blog.  I also

 have space for adverts for coporate organizations such as banks , manufacturing companies, 

educational institutions  among others.

Q: Have you won awards from any organization since you became a public figure?

Yea. I have won Award of Excellence from my State government. The Actors Guild of Nigeria gave me

 an ambassadorial Award for representing them positively well. I have also received awards from

 various Organisations, including ZAFAA Awards London, Builders and Great Achievers 

Awards, Babcock University, Award for Best Key Player Public Enlightenment/Media by Imo 

State Government among others

Q: What made you decide to join the ‘Rescue Mission government of Governor Rochas

 Okorocha? You had the option of saying no when he appointed you?

Well, I see Governor Rochas Okorocha not only as a governor but as a philanthropist. When he offered

 me the appointment, I decided to accept because of what he stands for. Through his Foundation, he has

 been able touch positively the lives of many people especially the less privileged. So that is what

 inspired me to join in his government. May be if an appointment was given to me by any other 

Government, I would have said no. I considered the fact that my joining the ‘Rescue Mission’ 

government will give me the opportunity to make life better for the less privileged.

Q: How would you address the rumour mongers who have labelled you as a girl-friend

 of Governor Okorocha? 

 It is unfortunate that people can say such false stories. I’ve been working for this man even 

before he decided to contest for the gubernatorial election. During the elections in Imo State I 

was all over the State. I attended every major Campaign event for His Excellency, Governor 

Okorocha. I was there when he declared his interest to aspire for the office of governor in Imo

 state. Then, people did not talk about my alleged relationship with him. They saw me on T.V,

 they heard me on the Radio, they saw me take part in the Street Rallies, they saw me at the

 INEC Office in Owerri, yet nobody talked about me being in a relationship with him.  Now that

 God has made it possible for him to become a governor the rumour mongers have started 

talking. All of a sudden, they accuse me sleeping with a man I look up to asmy mentor and 

father simply because he appointed me as one of his advisers.

Some people in our society find it very hard to believe that a lady can ever get anything on 

merit, especially in the Nigerian context. Once a lady gets to a top position in government or

 any other sector in the society and it happens to come from a man, it is often assumed that 

she is romantically linked to the man. This mindset of our people is not good at all and it needs

 to be addressed. I believe that a lot of women out there have got what it takes to arrive at the

 top without sleeping around with men. But I am not discouraged because I know that it is the

 hand-work of detractors and disgruntled politicians.

Q: What are your achievements in office as a Special Adviser to the Imo State

 governor?

Well, achievements in my own understanding, has to do with the number of lives one has 

touched positively, and I can tell you that I have touched quite a lot of lives. During my

 appointment as Special Adviser, Public Affairs, I organized a Nationwide programme(I’ve got 

Talent Show) which I have earlier talked about. Considering the importance of education for 

every nation and the challenges associated with it, I decided to create a unique means of

 raising funds for continuous free education for the poor as well as empowering the youths for 

the future. I did this by packaging products, programmes, projects and events that add value

 to the society and attract funds for the upkeep of the less privileged, especially the youths. 

Similarly, I introduced a Television programme which features a documentary on the 

achievements of the Rochas Okorocha-led government in Imo State. The documentary (video)

 tagged ‘Inside Imo’  is presently being aired on AIT International every Monday by 9am. In

 fact, I have succeeded in showcasing the achievements of the Rochas Okorocha-led 

government in international circles.

 
Q: What advise do you have for women out there who look up to you?

 I am encouraging them to stay focused and not be discouraged by what rumour mongers say

 about them. I want them to hold on to their faith in God, and to work hard in their chosen 

fields so as to excel in their various careers.

Thank you for your time.

It is always my pleasure, Thank you