Priest marks independence at rubbish dump on Owerri street

Samson Folarin

A priest of the Anglican Diocese of Owerri, Imo State, Rev. Canon Uche Chinamerem, caused a stir when he decided to pose in front of a heap of refuse on Douglous Road, Owerri, while celebrating the 56th independence of the country on Saturday.

Chinamerem, who is also the Chaplain of the Chapel of the Holy Spirit, Imo State University, Imo, in the several shots posted on the social media on Sunday, drank and shared wine with an unidentified man, while a group of traders looked on.

The priest told our correspondent on the phone he took the shots to protest the dirty lifestyle of people of the state and government negligence of its role.

He said there was a need for attitudinal change in the country.

He said, “I went to celebrate in front of the refuse dump because what is there is shameful.

“Let’s accept that the government refused to clear the refuse, how can a normal human being go to the market every day, trade within that dirty environment and think nothing about the refuse? Don’t we have market women association, community groups or vigilantes in the area?

“Obviously, they are waiting for the government to clear the refuse. In Igbo parlance, we say a rejected man does not reject himself. Why have we decided to reject ourselves? Why can’t we clear the refuse and tell the government that if it cannot be responsible, we are responsible citizens?  So, this is not just about spiting the government, but telling our people to wake up and do the right thing when the government has failed.”

The priest called for a restructuring of the country to reflect true federalism, saying the present arrangement encouraged corruption and laziness.