…Berates detractors as purveyors of malicious falsehood
By Martin Opara
A human rights and advocacy group known as Imo Accountability Vanguard (IMAV) has passed a vote of implicit confidence on the Executive Secretary of the Secondary Education Management Board (SEMB), Imo State, Dame Tina Azubuike, stating that she has sanitised the system and engendered discipline, transparency, accountability, and due process.
The President of the group, Comrade Austin Ugoamadi, disclosed this while addressing newsmen in Owerri, the state capital, yesterday. He berated those he described as “paid agents of misinformation and mischievous purveyors of falsehood” for allegedly collaborating with their cohorts in the media to rubbish what he termed the exceptional performance of the Executive Secretary.
According to him, “We have taken time to thoroughly investigate all the allegations levelled against the management of SEMB in some print and online media platforms by enemies of progress and discovered that they are not only entirely false and misleading, but are also aimed at denting the hard-earned image and reputation of Dame Azubuike. From all indications, she is passionately committed to rendering quality, transparent, and result-oriented services, and to leaving a legacy for which she will be fondly remembered by posterity.”
Ugoamadi further stated that the group is aware that the campaigns of calumny are “plotted, sponsored, and orchestrated by individuals whose selfish interests and gluttonous acquisition tendencies are threatened by the Executive Secretary’s uncompromising adherence to merit, due process, and refusal to engage in corrupt practices, no matter whose ox is gored.”
He commended the Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma (Onwa Imo), for consistently identifying and working with competent hands, and for giving Dame Azubuike the opportunity to serve and showcase her abilities. He also pledged the group’s unflinching support and loyalty to the 3R Shared Prosperity Administration, which he said has repositioned and transformed the fortunes of the state within the past six years.
“Conclusively, we are using this opportunity to caution all those involved in the reprehensible act of sponsoring and maliciously peddling falsehoods with the intention of denting the image of honest and hardworking public servants with impeccable character and unblemished track records, such as Dame Azubuike, to desist forthwith or face the wrath of God and the venom of patriotic men and women of goodwill,” he warned.
He further stressed that “the cardinal role of the press in ensuring a decent, accountable, and law-abiding society where good governance thrives is not in doubt,” and therefore called on media practitioners to adhere strictly to the ethics of honest, balanced, and verified reportage.
