ESEWEZIE TAKES ‘KNOW YOUR OKADA RIDER’ CAMPAIGN TO OKPANAM

In keeping with his promise to extend the Know Your Okada Rider’ project to Okpanam community, the Chairman of Oshimili North local government, Hon. Innocent Esewezie, on Thursday stormed the palace of the Ugoani of Okpanam, Dr. Michael Mbanefo Ogbolu, to brief him on the import of the initiative soon to be launched in the locality.

Esewezie, who was accompanied by the Secretary to the Local Governnent, Hon. Austin Ajufo, the HPM, Mrs Bielonwu, the Okpanam Divisional Police Officer, CSP Gambo Adu, the Chairman of Okada Riders Association in Oshimili North, Mr Joseph Okolie, also known as ‘Onyeami’, among others, told the Ugoani that the initiative, which had successfully taken off in Ibusa, was in furtherance of his administration’s commitment to the security of lives and property.

He noted that many criminal activities, including armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, among others, had been linked to Okada riders, over 80 percent of whom were non Indigenes, describing the situation as unacceptable.

The Council Chairman, who is the Chief Security Officer of the local government area, said 1000 riders had been registered and issued with branded vests in Ibusa, with the rule ‘No Vest No Ride’, pointing out that the same rule would apply to Okpanam after the berth of the initiative in the area.

Esewezie told the Ugoani, his chiefs and community leaders that a 30-man enforcement Taskforce had been inaugurated for the Ibusa axis, disclosing that the Okpanam Taskforce would be made up of 70 members, who would be paid monthly stipend for a period of five months.

He commended the Okpanam Police Division, the community’s vigilante outfit and the youth of Okpanam for their crime control efforts and solicited their support for the soon to be launched ‘Know Your Okada Rider’ project.

I his remarks, the Ugoani of Okpanam, Dr. Mbanefo Ogbolu, thanked Hon Esewezie for the initiative, which he said was thoughtful and highly commendable, describing the Council Chairman as a blessing to the people of Oshimili North.

The traditional ruler pledged the support of his community for the initiative.