Popular Priest Marks Independence at Rubbish Dump In Owerri

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.

Rev. Chinamerem, who is also the Chaplain of the Chapel of the Holy Spirit, Imo State University, in the 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 disclosed that he took the action as a way of protesting the dirty lifestyle of people in Imo state and government negligence of its role and keeping the state clean.

He told The Punch that 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 the restructuring of Nigeria for true federalism, saying the present arrangement encouraged corruption and laziness.