TDÂ The pioneer Commissioner for Homeland Security in Imo State, Dr. Ugorji Okechukwu Ugorji, has unveiled a five-point set of priorities if he becomes governor of Imo State, including a state-of-the-arts security metrics centre in honour of the slain General Richard Duru.
General Duru, it could be recalled, was kidnapped and evidently murdered by villains three years ago.
He shared these priorities at a meeting with Nigerian and American leaders in the United States, in July 2026.
The meeting was held at LaDome Events Center, in Newark, New Jersey.
Those in attendance included the former Chairman of the World Igbo Congress, Chief Austin Egwuonwu and Dr. Iwuozo Obilor.
Also present were Chief Michael Onyeze (the President of Igbo Traditional Chiefs Association in New Jersey), and Honourable Chris Awobue, amongst others.
Ugorji Proposes “SEEDS”
The former Commissioner said his priorities, which are summed up in the acronym “SEEDS“, have Security as the number one focus.
SEEDS, meanwhile, stands for “Security, Education, Employment, Development, and Service“.
He proffered that there cannot be sustainable development in Imo State without evident and effective security.
Dr. Ugorji pledges, as part of his security policy statement, to build an ultra-modern, state-of-the-arts security monitoring centre somewhere in Imo State.
The centre will have technological features that would enable the state to monitor every open space, every forest, and every riverbank in the state for actionable intelligence.
The centre will, however, be mindful and respectful of individual liberties and human rights of the citizens of the state in its operations.
General Duru to Be Honoured
And quite importantly, Dr. Ugorji suggests that the centre should be named after General Duru, the former Coordinator of the Imo Security Organization (IMSO).
General Duru was kidnapped on September 27, 2023, in Owerri while serving the state.
At the time of his disappearance, he was heading to IMSO, an agency that was administratively under the Imo State Ministry of Homeland Security and Vigilante Affairs.
Dr. Ugorji, who was the commissioner for the ministry at the time, says Duru was his closest and most trusted ally in the fight to right the ship of the state, security-wise.
“The homeland cannot and must not forget its heroes. General Duru was one such hero,” Ugorji states.
