The Imo State Commissioner for Tourism, Rev Jerry Egbule Egemba, has allayed the fears of the citizenry in respect of the security situation in the state.
The commissioner highlighted that the true position is that insecurity has been hyped by some people who do not mean well for the state and the well-being of the citizens.
Rev Egemba made this known through a release made available to newsmen, which he personally signed. .
The cleric urged Imo sons and daughters, visitors, captains of industry as well as holiday makers to take time and come to Imo to relax for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
“I use this opportunity to once again call on our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora, and other tourists to feel safe and free to come home for Christmas and New Year festivities without any fear. His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Odidika Uzodimma through the help of God has restored peace and security of life and property in Imo State,” Egemba said.
He stressed that his team as the commissioner for tourism and the security agencies working in the state have been seriously moving around all nooks and crannies of the state, monitoring and coordinating the various activities involving foreigners, the Diaspora brothers and sisters, and other types of tourists visiting the state.
According to him, to ensure maximum security and assure tourists, holiday makers, visitors and the general public of maximum security of lives and property, Aboki Danjuma, the Commissioner of Police (CP) in the state alongside his management team and the officers, men and women of the Imo State Police Command have gone to the three zones of the state- Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe on familiarisation tour and confidence building.
He said that on each of the familiarisation tours and confidence building, the Commissioner of Police utilised the opportunity to reaffirm the commitment of the Imo State police in ensuring the maximum safety of the people and the law abiding citizens who would come home during the Christmas and the New Year seasons.
The commissioner said that as a result of the efforts of Governor Hope Uzodinma, the chief security officer of state, to entrench peace, security of lives and property in the state a good number of religious tourists have been holding various events and programmes in the state.
Rev Egemba revealed that one of such religious tourism is the “one-night open-air crusade” of the Assemblies of God Church, held at the venue of the Imo State Christmas Tourism Village, Concorde Hotel Boulevard, opposite Ndubuisi Kanu Square, in the New Owerri.
According to him, the religious crusade had a capacity close to 25,000 participants that attended from other states in Nigeria, and from the USA, Europe, UK, and other continents of the world.
He said that the theme of the one-night event was ‘Oh God, Send Down thy Glory,’ adding that “the glory of God indeed, came down over Imo State, signalling the commencement of Christmas activities in the state.
“What a great comfort of heart to our friends and brothers both from within and outside the country who can now confirm that there are no more serious security threats in Imo State, particularly Owerri, the capital city.”
Rev Egemba recalled another open air event, a medical and religious programme, which took place in the market square at Umunachi Obowo, Imo State.
He stated that the program was anchored by a team from the UK, led by Pastor Glory Anyanwu of Come and See Church, London, United Kingdom.
The commissioner stressed that the occasion attracted about one thousand participants, “which again was very successful without a single security breach, confirming that even in the rural areas and local governments, no more serious security challenges.
“Who says Imo is not safe for tourists and other holiday makers alike? We use this opportunity to once again call on our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora and other tourists to feel safe and free to come home for Christmas and New Year festivities without any fear.”
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