By Eze Amaeshi
There is ongoing jubilation in Itete Autonomous Community of Owerri West LGA as the people and residents trooped out en masse last Saturday, June 1, to witness the formal launching of the Irete Homeland Vigilante Security Network which has the promise and necessary logistics to make the community more secured than ever before, thereby improving the quality of lives and business activities in the friendly community.
The event which took place at the Irete Secondary Technical School had prominent sons and daughters of the community in attendance, with the traditional ruler, HRH Eze Ethelbert Ekwelibe leading members of his cabinet and other chiefs of the community to the event.
Also in attendance was the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ogbaku division, SP Patrick Okoye who represented the State Police Commissioner, while the Directorate of State Security (DSS) in Owerri West was represented by Assistant Director, Felix Chigozie.
In an address presented by the Irete Community Development Union ( ICDU) National executive committee (NEC) signed by the President General, Sir Uzozie Chidume and read by the Vice President General/ Home Branch Chairman, Sir Iwuala Uzoma, the ICDU noted that on assuming office, their vision was “to foster a sense of unity, drive positive change and improve the quality of life of every member of the community” of which today, significant strides have been made towards achieving the vision.
According to the ICDU leaders, some of the initiatives so far taken include peace making among various groups and individuals so as to focus on a common purpose. Rehabilitation of some critical infrastructure like major roads have been carried out. Security of lives and properties in the community had culminated in the present launching of the Irete Homeland Vigilante and Security Network.
Speaking during the event, SP Patrick Okoye, the DPO of Ogbaku Police Division described security as not easy and entails leaving one’s comfort zone, hence the need for support and cooperation to the community’s security efforts.
The Assistant Director of DSS in Owerri West, Felix Chigozie thanked the people of Irete Community for complementing the efforts of government security agencies. He added that community policing would not succeed without the local vigilante efforts and urged them to avoid division among them and always cooperate with each other.
Speaking to newsmen during the event, the Vice President General/Home Branch Chairman of I..C.D.U, Sir Iwuala Uzoma expressed his delight that under two months of coming on board, the new community leadership had been able to inaugurate a strong Homeland security outfit.
Iwuala maintained their resolve to work for their people and called on all Irete residents and people for maximum support and cooperation.
The Chairman of the Irete Homeland Vigilante and Security Network, Sir Okey Ahanaa, on his vote of thanks, appreciated all the invitees for coming. Ahanaa used the occasion to urge parents to warn their children against trying the resolve of their new security outfit to purge the community of crimes and criminality saying that there was need to sanitize the community for the overall benefit of all.
Summing it up, the traditional ruler of the community, HRH Eze Ethelbert Ekwelibe expressed his appreciation to everyone that contributed to make the event successful. He called on everyone to be law abiding, stressing that prison remained blind to a person’s social status.
Adding that things had become different in the community, Eze Ekwelibe canvassed support and respect for the new security outfit, as well as useful information where necessary.