Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has pledged to partner with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Owerri branch in the members quest to immortalise the late Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, former Justice Sylvester Nsofor.

Governor Uzodimma gave the assurance on Monday when he received in audience the officials of the NBA, led by Barr. J.I. Ogamba.

The governor who said no honour done Justice is small urged the NBA to properly develop the concept of how it wants to immortalise Justice Nsofor to as to enable government consider the budgetary implications.

Governor Uzodimma also promised to critically look at the other demands made of him by the lawyers and assured that he will not disappoint their reasonable expectation as an elitist organisation while also not ignoring the other sectors of the state.

The governor took time to brief the NBA on the state of affairs in Imo, stressing that the state was removed from the track making it difficult for things to be done properly for years.

He said his priority is to return the state to the track by developing working data, planning with the data and setting in motion an operation that is development- oriented.

Governor Uzodimma regretted that the state's civil service is the weakest link in his efforts to redirect the state to track because of the penchant of the civil servants for corruption.

He said the much his government has been able to do in the judiciary is because Covid-19 pandemic had not caught up with the state so badly and assured that better days are ahead because the situation will not last for ever.

On the assassination of the former NBA chairman, Barr. Ndionyenma Nwankwo, the governor said the manner he was killed left him speechless and reminded him of how wicked some people can be.

Earlier, Ogamba commended Governor Uzodimma for being lawyer- friendly and venturing into programmes that will be in the interest of the people.

He particularly lauded the Governor over the manner he handled Covid-19 pandemic in Imo, harmony in the three arms of government, rejuvenation of infrastructure, report of the Judicial Commission of inquiry on lands and other related matters, and efforts being made to sanitize the rot in that sector.

Ogamba read out a catalogue of areas the NBA would want the government to pay more attention to like security, welfare of judicial officers, the return of touts on the streets of Owerri, establishment of more Customary Courts, appointment of more judges, among others.

Dr. Livi Uzoukwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Imo State who accompanied the NBA on the visit commended Governor Uzodimma for bringing activism and heroism into governance.

He encouraged the Governor to continue on that trajectory so as to salvage the people of Imo State.

Deputy Governor, Prof Placid Njoku, Secretary to Government of Imo State, Chief Cosmas Iwu and members of the state expanded executive council were also in attendance.

•PHOTO: Governor Hope Uzodimma (7th left); his deputy, Prof. Placid Njoku ( 6th left); Secretary to Government of Imo State, Chief Cosmas Iwu (4th left); Chairman of Owerri branch of NBA, J.I. Ogamba ( 5th left); Dr. Livi Uzoukwu, SAN (8th right); Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Imo State, Barr. C.O.C. Akaolisa (7th right) and others when officials of the NBA paid a courtesy visit to Governor Uzodimma on Monday.

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