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@PresidencyZA
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Imo State government in
Nigeria has honoured South Africa's President Jacob Zuma with a giant bronze
statue, and by naming a road after him.
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| Image source: @Ref_Nkw |
During
a visit to the south-eastern state of Imo on Saturday and Sunday, Mr Zuma was
given a chieftaincy title and the Imo Merit Award - the highest honour awarded
by the state.
The
Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNC), a coalition of more than 150
anti-corruption organizations in Nigeria, condemned state governor Rochas
Okorocha for portraying Mr Zuma as a "hero before a group of African
youth" when he has been dogged by corruption allegations for a decade.
"Is
Governor Okorocha not aware that the people of South Africa are currently
demanding for the resignation of a leader who has brought shame and dishonour
to the country of Nelson Mandela?” it added in a statement.
Rochas Okorocha Unveils
Statue Of Jacob Zuma; Nigerians Scandalized
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Governor Rochas Okorocha with President Jacob Zuma and former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Mr. Zuma was on Friday conferred with a traditional title of
Ochiagha Imo, by Eze Imo, with the title certificate was issued by a former President of Nigeria, Olusegun
Obasanjo
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PREMIUM TIMES reports that Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State
on Saturday unveiled a statue in honour of South African President Jacob Zuma.
The event was witnessed by Mr. Zuma and
other dignitaries.
Asides the mammoth statue, Governor
Rochas also named a road after Mr. Zuma.
Sequel to the unveiling of the statue,
Mr. Zuma was on Friday conferred with a traditional title of Ochiagha Imo, by
Eze Imo, Samuel Ohiri. The title certificate was issued by a
former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo.
In a statement, Mr. Okorocha said the honour was conferred on Mr. Zuma for his
love for education.
“Today, we have decided to honour you
for your love for education, though you were deprived in your early days in
life but you are working to make sure that every poor child went to School.
Your love for education to us is the connection between you and government and
the people of Imo State. The only industry we have and we can truly be proud of
is education in Imo State. This is another reason why we have chosen to honour
you”, he said.
Mr. Zuma who spoke after receiving the
award charged Africans to come together to address the issues that affect the
continent, adding that we are one people.
“Africans must come together to address
African problems. We are the same people. We cannot succeed if we handle
problems as individuals. We need to recognize that we are one.”
The award comes a few days after
another Nigerian,
Jelili Omoyele, a 35-year-old, was killed in South Africa.
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