Category: health

Emmanuel lkpeama 

Worried by the health implications caused by the intake of expired products, the Imo State House Of Assembly has urged the Imo State Government and other relevant agencies to sensitize consumers on the need to be conscious of checking product expiry dates before purchase and consumption for enhanced and improved health of Imo residents.

This was the outcome of the Motion on Tuesday 25th February 2025, during Plenary, which was Chiefly sponsored by the Member Representing Mbaitoli State Constituency, Hon Engr Innocent Ikechukwu Ikpamezie.

Moving the Motion, Hon Innocent Ikpamezie explained that many people are sick and unaware of the reason for their sickness, noting that they may have consumed expired products without knowing.

Hon Ikpamezie further explained that many expired products, such as packaged foods, drinks, drugs etc are in circulation and being displayed in shops, markets and supermarkets.

He also noted that manufacturing companies print expiration dates on products packaging to give consumers indication when it is to be used.

Unfortunately, according to the Mbaitoli lawmaker, 80% of consumers of packaged food products in Imo State do not check expiry dates information before purchase from the markets and supermarkets.

This, according to him, has led to devastating health challenges to many residents in the state, after consuming such products.

Hon Ikpamezie, who is also the House Committee Chairman On Environment, stated that the outcome of consuming expired products has led to food poisoning, with wide spread of liver and kidney malfunctions in people, and symptoms like fever, stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, including bacteria infections, noting that they are life threatening.

The pragmatic lawmaker stated that in international shops, there are proper checks on products and their expiry dates, unlike what is obtainable in our locality.

In their respective submissions, the lawmakers appreciated the Chief sponsor for the Motion for bringing the consciousness of the people of the State on issues of expired products, and described expired products, such as packaged foods, drinks and drugs, as not only risky but worse than insurgency, as they are capable of killing an entire generation, if adequate cautions are not taken.

According to the supporting lawmakers, those who sell expired products, including fake products, should be punished with stiffer penalties.

Furthermore,they called on relevant agencies, including regulatory bodies, to interface with the House Committee on Commerce and Industry, towards finding lasting solutions.

They however argued that the complacency of the drivers of some of the agencies tend to worse the already bad situation.

Onyebuchi Onwuchekwa, Owerri 

The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma has inaugurated the Board of Imo State University Teaching Hospital (IMSUTH) and that of Imo State Universal Basic Education Board (IMSUBEB).

Senator Uzodinma while inaugurating the Board of Imo State University Teaching Hospital (IMSUTH) and that of Imo State Universal Basic Education Board (IMSUBEB), stated that since the inception of his administration in 2020, concerted efforts have been made to restore and revamp the only State owned tertiary hospital, IMSUTH, Orlu, which had hitherto remained comatose.

He expressed delight that today “the institution can stand among the league of effective teaching hospitals in the country.”

Governor Uzodinma went further to described health and education as critical sectors that directly impact on the life and well-being of the people, which necessitated the urgent intervention of his administration in the sectors on assumption of office in 2020.

The Governor regretted that about 70% of deaths occurring in the country were preventable, and due mainly to poor or lack of health care delivery system, and maintained that “much of such deaths would have been avoided with the presence of good primary, secondary and tertiary health care institutions.”

He hinted that his administration has invested over N4billion to rehabilitate faculties and procure equipment at the University Teaching Hospital, as well as attracted professionals with proven record of local and international medical practice to the institution.

The Governor therefore encouraged the Chairman, Dr. Emmanuel Ogueri, and other members of the Board – Prof Kelechi Uwakwe (Chief Medical Director), Rev.Fr.bDr Emeka Emekaraoha, Anyaehie Okameme, and Dr Osita Kingsley Uzoma – to bring to bear their wealth of knowledge and experience in medical practice abroad, and replicate same to make Imo a centre for medical tourism.

“This is your own. Help to stop the medical tourism in Imo. Bring back here your wealth of knowledge and experience. Unless we are healthy there won’t be development,” the Governor said.

He advised for synergy between the Board and the management of the Institution, and noted that the current CMD has enough information that the Board can rely on to work.

He promised that government will support the team to deliver on the assignment given to them.

To the State Universal Basic Education Board, Hon Chidiebere Egbo (Chairman), Arc. Mrs Amaka Onu, Hon Chuks Metu (Secretary), Hon Vitalis Obioma, Hon Edward Obinna, Mrs Nzeoma Lucy Nkeiru, and Mrs Leticia Amandianeze, the Governor enjoined them to show prudence and accountability in the management of funds, and pledged to publish their monthly reports for Imo people to see.

“Your failure is our collective failure; and your success, our collective success. Be wary of those who will tell you it is now your turn, because it is not your turn, but the turn of Imo people. Change the story, rebuild the schools, and go and serve as servants,” he cautioned.

Senator Uzodimma called for sacrifice on the part of the Board, noting that his administration has made efforts to pay all the outstanding counterpart funding obligations and saved about N20billion which he said will be used to give face lift to primary/secondary schools and also provide qualitative basic education that will include qualitative teaching personnel, materials and environment in the State.

In their separate acceptance speeches, the Board Chairman, Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Emmanuel Ogueri thanked the Governor for the confidence reposed on him and his members and vouched that they will do their best to provide the much sought after medical services that people seek outside the shores of the country such as complicated surgeries and organ transplant.

On his part, the Chairman of Imo State Universal Education Board (IMSUBEB), Hon. Chidiebere Egbo commended the efforts of the Governor in ensuring that the status of the education sectors in Imo is restored, and pledged that the Board will align with the vision of the Governor and make polices that will improve the quality of basic education in the State, while also carrying out their task with utmost sense of responsibility.

Investigator news reports that the inauguration ceremonies were witnessed by key government officials like the Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe, Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmos Iwu, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barr Nnamdi Anyaehie, Head of Service, Mrs. Chikaodi Emenalor, Commissioners, and stakeholders like, Barr. Marcelinus Nlemigbo, Chief Charles Amadi, Chief Tony Chukwu, HRH, Eze Oliver Ohanwhe, among others.