Imo Assembly Directs Owerri Municipal Council Chairman To Change The Name Of Douglas Road To Dr Hope Uzodimma Road

 *IMO ASSEMBLY DIRECTS OWERRI MUNICIPAL COUNCIL CHAIRMAN TO CHANGE THE NAME OF DOUGLAS ROAD TO DR HOPE UZODIMMA ROAD*

In a deliberate move aimed at erasing the name of the colonial figure who inflicted pain and destruction on Ndigbo, the Imo State House Of Assembly has directed the Executive Chairman of Owerri Municipal Council to change the name of Douglas Road to Dr Hope Uzodimma Road.

This is the outcome of the House Plenary activity on Tuesday 09/09/2025.

Presenting the Motion, the Member Representing Nkwerre State Constituency in the Imo State House Of Assembly, Hon Barrister Chisom Ojukwu, bemoaned the pains and destruction inflicted on Ndigbo by Harold M. Douglas, who was the first District Commissioner of Owerri and who is remembered as a man who ruled with violence. 

Hon Chisom Ojukwu further explained that inspite of the history of oppression associated with Harold M. Douglas, in Igboland, he was immortalized with naming of a prominent road and the seat of Government in Owerri.

In his words, Hon Chisom Ojukwu noted, *"Harold M. Douglas is remembered in both official colonial records and oral traditions as a man who ruled with violence, forced labour, collective punishment and massacres, including the Eziama Massacre (1904), the war on Norie (1905) and the Ahiara Massacre (1905)".* 

Beckoning on his Honourable Colleagues to lend their voices to the Motion, Hon Ojukwu remarked that landmarks of such importance should not honour Colonial Masters, but should reflect the names of true heroes and heroines from Imo. He further noted that Governor Hope Uzodimma has shown capacity, honesty, sincerity and selflessness in governing Imo State, and rightly deserves to be immortalized with the renaming of Douglas Road to Dr Hope Uzodimma Road.

The Motion which was seconded by Hon Engr Gilbert Chiedozie Nwosu, Member Representing Oguta State Constituency, was cosponsored by the following lawmakers :

1. Rt Honourable Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu.

2. Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi.

3. Hon Chigozie Nwaneri.

4. Rt Honourable Kennedy Chidozie Ibeh.

5. Hon Uche Agabige.

6. Hon Sam Ikechukwu Osuji.

7. Hon Innocent Ikechukwu Ikpamezie.

8. Hon Obinna Egu.

9. Hon Okey Udeze.

10. Hon James Uba Esile.

11. Gilbert Chiedozie Nwosu.

12. Hon Clinton Amadi.

13. Hon Emeka Ozurumba.

14. Hon Henry Agbasonu.

The following lawmakers supported the Motion with commendable inputs :

1. Hon Chief James Uba Esile (Onuimo).

2. Hon Barrister Emeka Kingsley Ozurumba (Isu).

3. Rt Honourable Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu (Deputy Speaker).

4. Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi (Majority Leader).

5. Hon Chigozie Nwaneri (Chief Whip).

6. Hon Barrister Ikenna Ihezuo (Orlu).

7. Hon Sam Ikechukwu Osuji (Isiala Mbano).

8. Hon Barrister Dominic Ezerioha (Oru West).

Following extensive debate by lawmakers, who supported the Motion, with only one dissenting voice from Hon Chief Worship Ebonine (Njaba), the Speaker, Rt Honourable Chike Olemgbe, who presided, put it to vote and Ayes had it. Thereafter, Mr Speaker Ruled as follows :

Be It Resolved By This Honourable House To

1. Direct The Executive Chairman of Owerri Municipal Council To Commence The Process Of Renaming Douglas Road To Dr Hope Uzodimma Road.

2. Mandate The Ministry Of Culture And Tourism To Conduct A Public Enlightenment Campaign On The True History Of Harold M. Douglas, To Ensure Our People Understand Why This Corrective Action Is Necessary.

3. Direct The Relevant Agencies Of Government To Reflect The New Name In All Records, Signage, Maps And Official Documents Of The State.

The Clerk was directed to communicate the Resolution of the House to His Excellency the Governor.

 *Citizen Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha* 

09/09/2025