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The Chairman, Zinox Group, Mr Leo Stan Ekeh, on Monday appealed to those affected in the demolition of Ekeukwu Market in Owerri, Imo, to allow peace to reign.
Ekeh also announced a N50-million donation to be disbursed to those directly affected by the exercise as well as the families of the victims who allegedly lost their lives from it.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that residents of the state had continued to condemn the demolition of the market and the alleged loss of lives.
Ekeh said that he hoped the donation would help cushion the effect of the loss on the affected.
He also pleaded with those affected not to allow themselves to be used to cause trouble in the state.
“Everyone directly affected by the demolition including those trading in the market, whether indigenes of Owerri, Orlu, Okigwe or from neighboring states are to benefit from the donation’’ he said.
He said that he had set up an implementation committee that would work hand-in-hand with the market’s leadership on the disbursement.
Ekeh said that it would be headed by Mr Ambrose Ejiogu as Chairman and Dr.Vin Udokwu (Secretary).
Other members are: Chief C.Y. Amako, Prof.Obioma Iheduru, Chief Emeka Ekwebelem, Mrs.Chuks Ekemaru, Dr. Canice Nwosu, SamNwoke and Chief Analyn Nwaneri.
“The committee’s mandate is to work with the leadership of the market association in identifying those affected for disbursement of the funds to them.
“This, we hope will be sorted out within two weeks and funds disbursed 21 days from today,” he said.
It would be recalled that Ekeh had two months ago started a multi-million naira comprehensive refurbishment of a practical entrepreneurship centre in Owerri.
He said that that if the model should work, the Imo State Government could replicate same in other regions for the benefit of her citizens.
The Zinox boss had also promised to invite multinationals such as: Microsoft, Google, HP, IBM, Cisco, Facebook to Imo to expose its youths to the bigger global wealth roadmap in ICT
