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Youths threaten to shut down hospital in Imo
By Chris Njoku, Owerri
Angry youths on Monday threatened to seal the multi-billion ultra Mbano Joint Hospital and College of Nursing Sciences in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
The youths from Mbeke, Umuezeala-Ama and Umueze 1 – the host communities- accused the management of alleged breach of mutual agreements reached between their communities and the institutions in 1959.
The youth went berserk as they incessantly shouted at the management, staff who attempted to address them.
It was gathered the youths, who arrived the facility at about 10 am, barricaded the institution’s gate while issuing four-day ultimatum to the management to redress their grievances or to face total show down.
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Led by their leaders, Chief Elias Onwume, Chief Emeka Ihezie, Sir Innocent Ogoke, Udochukwu Duru, the aggrieved youths presented a 12-point demand to the hospital management.
They insisted on open or free trade within and around the hospitals and institutions, non-restriction of any type against students, patients and traders in or outside the premises.
They also demanded inclusion of three traditional rulers in the board management, non- creation of a new mortuary road, engagement of external security men for security services instead of the land owners, formal land lease agreement between them and the hospital / institutions in addition to the reconstruction of the Board of Directors in which the three communities should be members.
However, the traditional ruler of Ihim Autonomous community, Isiala Mbano council area, HRH Eze Oliver Ohanwe, appealed to the embittered youths to sheath their swords and allow peace to prevail.
Addressing the youths, Eze Ohanwe, who spoke in tandem with leaders of the youths, sued for peace, patience and understanding among them.
The monarch, who is the vice chairman of the Niger Delta council of traditional rulers, noted youths’ agitation had become trendy in developing society.
