Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has launched the Imo Mid-day Prayers patterned after the Catholic mid-day prayer known as Angelus.

At the launch yesterday in Owerrri, Gov. Okorocha said that the prayer would begin from noon and last for 10 minutes.

The governor noted that the essence of the prayer was to re-awaken the culture of prayer in the mind of the people of the state.

He attributed some of the achievements in the state to God, and called on the people of the state to use the opportunity of the prayer to be ambassadors for Christ.

Speaking at the event which witnessed a large turnout of members of the clergy, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Religious Affairs, Mrs. Henrietha Jacobs, called on Imolites to join Catholics at mid-day to pray for the growth of the state and nation at large.

Various prayer intentions were offered for the state, legislators, youth, market people and civil servants.

In another development, Owelle Okorocha has called on magistrates to reposition themselves for improved service delivery to the people. He made the call at the 2013 maiden week of the Magistrates Association of Nigeria (MAN) Imo State Chapter held at City GlobalHotel, Port Harcourt Road Owerri.
Declaring the programme open, the governor noted that their appointment as magistrates had made them leaders who must strive to utilise their position to render services to mankind.

He pointed out that the judiciary is the last hope of the common man and urged them to make justice, equity and fair play their watchword.

Okorocha enjoined them to shun corruption and live above board, noting that the government would partner with them to ensure that they achieve their set objectives as magistrates in the state.

In his remarks, the chief Judge of Imo State, Justice Benjamin Njemanze, noted that magistrates occupy a very vital position in Nigeria especially in the administration of justice, stressing the need for them to be treated with respect and dignity.

The chief Judge urged the magistrates to live up to expectation, and not to allow themselves to be deterred by the attitude of the people. He assured that they would help to uphold justice in the state.

In her contribution, the chairman of MAN in Imo state, Maureen Onyewuotu, appealed for the removal of bureaucratic bottlenecks to enable them achieve their set goals.

•Photo shows Governor Okorocha.