Notable citizens of Imo State: HRH, Eze Sir Matthew Chidozie Nwokoma (Okaa Ome 4th of Umuokanne Ancient Kingdom, Ohiaji/Egbema LGA), Pharmacist Obiadogu Okechukwu Ethelbert (Acting Provost, Imo State College of Health and Management Sciences, Amaigbo, Nwangele LGA, Dr. Uchenna Ewelike (Executive Secretary, Imo State Health Assurance Agency) and Hon. William Chinedu Okenso (APC Secretary, Oguta LGA), have hailed the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Hero Express Newspapers, Leonard Ajokubi, for floating the media outfit which has clocked one year.

These personalities who felicitated with the Publisher during the One Year Anniversary of the Hero Express Newspapers held at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Centre, Owerri, last week, encouraged him to keep projecting truth and justice with the tabloid which they prayed would stand the sand of time.

For Obiasogu Okechukwu Ethelbert, Acting Provost, Imo State College of Health and Management Sciences, Amaigbo, Nwangele LGA, "let justice, fairness and truth be the watchwords of every newspaper like the Hero Express Newspapers. Of course, the newspaper will sell well by the truth it carries, not the quality alone. Speak for the downtrodden".

Obiasogu who is a renowned pharmacist, having studied pharmacy at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, said "the Governor allowed me to remain the Acting Provost of College of Health and Management Sciences, Amaigbo, Nwangele, because I'm just, sincere and clean. I have no skeleton on the cupboard. Journalists are people who project truth and justice and hence should maintain their ethics, say no to mischievous people who want to pull innocent people down due to inordinate ambition, hatred or wickedness. Anchor your belief on objectivity to continue to soar higher".

The Provost added that he was "vindicated when I was accused in the media of embezzling the College's fund. People who leveled the unsubstantiated accusation against me are those who want my position. The Award bestowed on me was due to my goodness and good managerial skills, for I have mounted GP tanks to enable full water reticulation on the campus. I am building gate and extra hostel for students. I caused the full accreditation of the College by NBTE, established E- Library and now we are offering HND courses with our graduates going for NYSC among other achievements".

Just as the traditional ruler of Umuokanne Ancient Kingdom, Eze Matthew Chiedozie Nwokoma, who was honored at the event as the "Most Outstanding Traditional Ruler", urged the Publisher of the tabloid to keep faith in reflecting objectivity and justice in his newspaper for a better society. He expressed delight over the honor which he promised to enliven. He attended the event with his cabinate members.

Expressing delight over the Award bestowed on him, the Executive Secretary of Imo State Health Assurance Agency, Dr Uchenna Ewelike, advised Publisher of Hero Express Newspapers to continue to use the medium to project truth and fairness, disclosing that the National Health Insurance is on the right trajectory Agency is living up to its task under his supervision, saying the enrollment of civil servants has been concluded.

Urging Governor Hope Uzodimma to cooperate with Agwa people as to get their bulk votes, Secretary of APC in Oguta LGA, Hon. William Chinedu Okenso, appealed to the Governor for improved security of life and property at the area, saying with peace and calmness reigning absolutely business activities will thrive therein with poverty and suffering being reduced.

"The Imo State Government should intensify effort to solve insecurity in Agwa. Agwa people give bulk votes and on this basis I call on the Governor to make use of these bulk votes to enable him win the governorship election on November 11, 2023, Okenso advised".

With the Publisher of Hero Express Newspapers, Leonard Ajokubi appreciating those who graced the event. "I want to seize this opportunity to thank you for seeing reasons to attend the anniversary ceremony of my Newspaper, Hero Express. Your presence encouraged me to a great extent, hence, I will remain grateful to you. Once again, thanks for identifying with us. Stay blessed. Regards".