The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southeast report

  • Group protests Imo policies

    An organisation, the Imo Peoples Action for Democracy (IPAD) has kicked off a one-week peaceful demonstration against what it described as bad governance in the state.

    The rally tagged Occupy Imo began on December 18 in Owerri, the state capital.

    In a statement made available to Southeast Report, the coordinator of the group, Aku Obidinma said the rally was a response of the people to the increasing bad governance in the state which he said was now attaining its peak.

    The bad policies, he alleged, included lack of due process and respect for rule of law, waste of scarce resources on non-economically viable projects, refusal to fully pay workers’ salaries, pension arrears and gratuity to pensioners, issuance of dud cheques to pensioners, failure to account for the bailout funds, Paris refunds and other loans collected.

    Others are use of state fund and apparatus in conducting personal business, illegal demolitions and displacement of people resulting in loss of means of livelihood by thousands of Imolites even against restraining court orders, nepotism and familiocracy, unending grabbing of land using government powers and conversion of same to personal properties, refusal to conduct local government election and failure to account for the trillions of Naira  allocated to that tier of government for over six years, construction of poor quality infrastructure and increase of abandoned projects.

    He said the time and venue for the protest were chosen to ensure that the state government’s usual strategy of diverting attention of Christmas returnees away from the rot in governance through impressionist cosmetic beautification of the state was frustrated, believing the protest will keep the people conscious about their sufferings in the hands of the state government.

    He said Imo People’s Action for Democracy was a coalition of civil society groups, activists, faith-based groups, professional bodies and community-based organisations among others that stand up in defense of democracy.

    According to him, the coalition will continuously engage both the government and the citizens on good governance and democracy, adding it will, at all times, mobilise Imolites on lawful steps and actions to resist bad policies and actions of government.

    He called on Imo people irrespective of affiliations to come out in their numbers to collectively send the message to the government.

    The former Chairman, Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Sam Amadi, Charley Boy Oputa, Chidi Odinkalu, Festus Okoye, Ezenwa Nwangwu, Victoria Ibezim, Chido Onumah, Clement Nwankwo, Okechukwu Nwanguma, Wisdom Durueke, Louis Alozie, were expected to at the rally.

     

  • Ikpeazu’s wife launches deworming exercise

    Ikpeazu’s wife launches deworming exercise

    Abia State governor’s wife Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu has flagged off a deworming exercise for pupils of Osisioma Local Government Area which took place at Abayi Umuocham Primary School Aba.

    Speaking during the event, Mrs Ikpeazu said that the programme, which is part of the state’s free school feeding programme, is meant to provide balanced diets for pupils in primary 1 to 6 and make them healthy.

    Mrs Ikpeazu said that Abia State is among the first states in Nigeria selected to benefit from the homegrown school feeding programme funded by the Federal Government under its Social Investment policy and noted that the deworming exercise is in line with her pet project Vicar Hope Foundation.

    The governor’s wife said that the deworming exercise is part of the systems and structures laid down by the state Primary School free meal program which has made it attractive and seamless for the federal government to get involved in the feeding of school kids in the state.

    She said, “Over the past two years, we have made several sacrifices to sustain the Home Grown Free school meal and its state components, it is a welcome development that we now have added deworming to our service”.

    “This deworming programme will go round all the schools where our free school meals are being served, it will complement our efforts to make our children healthier and more capable of pursuing their educational career”.

    Mrs Ikpeazu noted that Abia state has become better with the two programs, “Our expectations are that our children will be stronger, healthier, more intelligent enough to sustain our unbroken record as the leading state in education development in the country”.

    The State Focal person of the Home grown School feeding programme, Mr Chinenye Nwaogu said that the deworming exercise will consolidate the expected result of the Free School Meal and boost the children’s health and academic performance.

    The program manager Emeka Ahuruoye said that free school meal has been caring for over 800 schools while 1,600 women were employed by the state government who cook the food for the school children.

    Ahuruoye said that the governor had insisted that those who will cook the food for the school children must be people who do not have any means of livelihood, stressing that it part of the way to empower the people of the state.

    In a similar event 50 graduates of Vicar Hope Foundation/springboard Skill Acquisition Program of the wife of the Governor, have been charged to use the knowledge gained from their training to become self-reliant.

    The wife of the Governor of Abia State Mrs Ikpeazu gave this charge at Bende Local Government headquarters while empowering the graduands of Hair dressing, Interior Decor and Catering management

    Mrs Ikpeazu also disclosed that by the program the Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has created a platform for business development and empowerment and called on public spirited individuals, donor agencies and the organised public sector to join government in adding value to peoples lives.

    The Coordinator of National Directorate of Employment Lady Buchi Ojei, commended the wife of the Governor for her positive touch to all categories of Abians.

    Responding on behalf of the graduands,Mrs Ugochi Ijioma thanked the first lady for the opportunity given them and assured they will put into good use the empowerment items given them.

  • Young graduate trains 150 in skills

    Young graduate trains 150 in skills

    Worried about the rate of unemployment among the youth and young graduates, a young graduate, Miss Faith E. Akanimoh has trained over 150 in skills.

    At 24, Miss Akanimoh, who is the Founder/Trainer and Director of Deemmy Beauty Touch Centre.  has etched her name in the annals of history as one of those Nigerians who  complement government’s efforts towards reducing the rate of unemployment among young graduates.

    A native of Ikono Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Miss Akanimoh has trained  men and women in various skills. Some of the skills are fixing and braiding of hairs, makeup services and tying of African wrap (gele) for brides during traditional and white weddings. The centre also renders pedicure services, fixing of nails and lashes, among others.

    In a chat with Southeast Report during the graduation ceremony of the 2016/2017 batch of trainees at the centre’s  101, Orlu Road, Akwakuma, Owerri, Imo State office penultimate week, Akanimoh said: “Deemmy Beauty Touch Centre was established to provide opportunities for the youth to acquire skills that will enable them to be self-reliant as well as enable them to contribute to the nation’s economy.

    “It is not right for individuals, especially the youth and young graduates to remain idle or chase white collar jobs that are non-existent. When somebody has acquired a skill, he or she will be able to fend for himself and members of his family.”

    She said some of the centre’s ex-students/trainees have always been retained because it is one of our policies to ensure that those we train are given a leeway to practise what they have learnt during the training period.

    Miss Akanimoh said it was her little contribution to government’s call for wealth and job creation and empowerment of youths to become self-sufficient.

    “Our initiative is geared towards furthering our obligation of empowering youths to live a value-added life by organising vocational training. Our trainings are intensive with dedicated and seasoned facilitators aimed at impacting knowledge to the participants.

    “Youth empowerment is a process where young people are encouraged to take charge of their lives. They do this by addressing their situation and then take action in order to improve their access to resources and transform their consciousness through their beliefs, values, and attitudes.

    “Youth empowerment aims at improving quality of life and it’s achieved through participation in youth empowerment programmes such as the type offered by our centre,” she said.

    According to her, most of the people who underwent training at her centre begin their own businesses after the completion of training; but in some cases the centre retains some of the trainees as a result of their competence and some other reasons.

    Advising the youth and young graduates to start up something no matter how small, instead of being idle, Akanimoh revealed that she began the makeup business from a very humble beginning.

    Miss Akanimoh attended the Uwanabasi Nursery/Primary School Uyo in Akwa Ibom State, Odofa Private Secondary School, Lagos State and the Ekiti State University where she obtained Bachelor of Science from the Department of Computer Science.

    Last year, she proceeded for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Owerri Imo State for her primary assignment.

    She told Southeast Report that her talent started manifesting at the NYSC camp in Umudi Nkwere also in Imo State where she was posted to serve. There she started training her fellow Corps members and after the camping, she purchased an umbrella and continued training. From there she bought a canopy where she was still training before she got her own salon and a make-up studio.

    According to her, she learnt hair making after her Senior Secondary Certificate in Education (SSCE) while she learnt makeup/gele immediately she graduated from the university.

    She said: “All started in Lagos where I constructed a container very close to my school in order to sale weavons, attachment; cream among others while I was waiting for the NYSC mobilisation. After some months, I started my small-scale business.

    “I decided to learn makeup/gele tying and immediately I finished the training, I received my call up letter to Imo State.  Meanwhile at the NYSC camp, I started with my bonk mate, platoon members and I was earning little income.”

    According to her, after the camp, she went to her place of primary assignment which was Akwakuma Girls’ Secondary School Owerri, Imo State where she decided to get an accommodation close to her school.

    Miss Akanimoh is of the view that every young child should be allowed to acquire any skill of his/her choice before proceeding to the tertiary institution. This, she said, will make the child to be more focused.

    But on the part of a young graduate, she said it is not too late for them to be engaged in any small-scale business or even to learn a skill, adding that it is very necessary to supplement one’s basic income.

  • Owerri: Gains, pains of urban renewal

    Owerri: Gains, pains of urban renewal

    An urban renewal plan in Imo State has triggered cheers and groans among the residents

    It has been a memorable year for Imo State residents. They have seen statues named after prominent Africans wow some and infuriate others. Now traders, artisans, and commercial tricycle (keke) operators in Owerri, the state capital, are seeing major markets being knocked down to make way for the state’s master plan. It is the remodeling of the capital city under the state government’s urban renewal plan but not everyone is happy about it. Those who did business in the markets are lamenting their losses and inconveniences. Others who see the bigger picture are rejoicing because the capital city is replacing an unflattering exterior with a fascinating one.

    Under the remodeling plan, traders were relocated to newly built markets. Gigantic buildings that stood on waterways and other routes were pulled down to expand the urban roads. Tricycle operators, popularly known as ‘keke riders’ were banned from the state capital.

    Today not too many returnees flocking into Owerri for the yuletide will know their way around the capital city. The reason: all the major roads, like the Bank Road now renamed Muhammadu Buhari Road, Wethdral Road, renamed Sam Mbakwe Road, and Okigwe road, renamed Nnamdi Azikiwe Road, have been upgraded to four-lane roads on both sides with reflective road signs.

    The nerve-wracking gridlock that made the city a nightmare for visitors, especially during festive periods is gone. Motorists plying the roads now relish the comfort of driving through the newly built roads without having to waste their productive time.

    The hospitality industry is one sector that has benefited immensely from the urban renewal programme. The hostels are all warming up for a big haul as fun seekers from far and near are already trooping into Owerri for the yuletide holiday.

    But like the saying goes, one cannot make omelete without breaking eggs. The new face of Owerri came at a price. The traders ejected from the Owerri Main Market, also known as ‘Eke Ukwu Owerri’ and the New Market are still counting their losses. The same applies to the mechanics and other artisans who were sacked from the city centre and relocated to the new mechanic village located on the outskirts of the city.

    Keke operators are still to come to terms with their eventual sack from the capital territory after years of playing the ostrich with the state government’s directive that banned their activities.

    Owners of buildings without requisite approvals are also among those licking their wounds. There is hardly any sector that was not affected in one way or the other by the exercise but gladly the end has justified the huge sacrifice and resources committed to the programme.

    The urban renewal, majorly the relocation of the markets, was regarded as historic because of the fierce resistance that greeted the idea for several decades. Indigenes and shylock traders who benefited from the chaos created by the crowded markets grouped against the plan to relocate or remodel any of the markets or widen the roads.

    For instance, previous administrations, including the military, have made spirited efforts to relocate the Owerri Main Market from Douglas Road in the heart of the capital city to make way for the expansion in order to check traffic congestion and criminal activities.

    The plan was stubbornly resisted by the defiant traders who hid under clannish sentiments to frustrate government efforts. Bemoaning the demolition of the markets, the traders blamed the state government for carrying out the exercise at a period the country was going through recession. They lamented that the urban renewal programme had brought untold hardship on the common people who rely on their petty trading at the markets to cater for their families.

    Commuters who had relied on the chaotic services of keke operators for their shuttle now walk long distances to get to their places of work or business.

    According to one of the displaced traders at the Owerri Main Market, Mrs. Rosaline Ikuebena, it is still like a terrible nightmare.

    “I cannot believe that by today I will be roaming the streets in search of what to do after owning several shops at the Owerri Market,” she said. “We are suffering, many families that depended on trading to survive are currently frustrated. Some of them have returned to the village, while very many others have resorted to begging to provide for their families. We are in big trouble and we need help.

    “When we were forced out of the market, the state government promised to assist us to settle down in the new markets but today very few of us can afford the cost of the new market shops”.

    The President-General of the Owerri Main Market Union, Mr. Uche Kamsochi, appealed to the state government and other relevant authorities on behalf of the traders to look into their plight, “the traders are suffering and we need assistance. We are not opposition the urban renewal programme but we are asking that the displaced traders who paid the price should be considered”

    But very many other residents are happy over the remodeling of the state capital. The new-look Owerri is indeed a sight to behold, especially at night when thousands of light glow, sending a flood of rainbow colour across the city.

    The chaos caused by the sound and pollution of the innumerable tricycles that struggled for potential customers from sunrise to sunset, are all gone. To a very great extent, sanity that has eluded Owerri capital city has returned.

    Dr. Moses Onwubualiri, a medical practitioner who lives in the city, commended the state government for the political will to embark on the urban renewal project.

    According to him, “the remodeling of Owerri in line with the capital city master plan is long overdue but successive administrations had shied away from undertaking the responsibility because of the anticipated political backlash. But now that it has been done everybody is happy. You can now move freely in Owerri without having to contend with the noise and pollution caused by the sprawling markets or keke riders”.

    Another Owerri resident, Ikokwu Ezikiel, a legal practitioner, described the programme as a most welcomed development, “it is a great idea even though it came with a huge price, Owerri is now a befitting state capital, about one of the best in the country”.

    Also commending the programme, the state Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Mr. Kayode Aremu, said that the Urban Renewal Programme “has gone a long way in addressing road challenges”.

    He said the relocation of major market from the city has paved way for free flow of traffic.

    H said, “The city is now decongested and we have more road networks, this is good for traffic management and it has helped us to respond to emergencies promptly”.

    Justifying his decision to embark on the project against initial resistance by the traders and members of the opposition party, the state governor, Rochas Okorocha, said that apart from making Owerri one of the best state capitals in the country, the programme is aimed at attracting investors and making Owerri a tourist centre.

    Apparently referring to the plight of the traders, the governor argued that “for one to make an Omellete, eggs must be broken”.

    According to him, “the issue of Eke-ukwu (Owerri Main Market) was taken beyond the scope it represents and I still maintain that the removal of that market was the best thing that has happened to Owerri capital city and has brought sanity to the city.

    “Before now the headquarter of all criminal activities was at the Eke-ukwu and as we progress we want to live like other Cities in the world, in decent society markets of that nature must be placed at a proper place and not right in the centre of the city where it does not only constitute nuisance but also promotes criminal activities.

    “This will make our State a tourist centre and will encourage investors to come into our land, we shall continue with the urban renewal as we widen the roads, distill the gutters, relocating markets and making sure that keke operators are no longer in the streets of Owerri city”.

     

  • Choristers inspire at Aba concert

    Choristers inspire at Aba concert

    After six months in the making, the first-of-its-kind gospel music concert in Aba lived up to its billing. As choristers worked their instruments and belted out solemn tunes, the audience made up of Christians and political leaders could only watch in awe.

    It was the first edition of Prestigious Voices Music Concert and it took place at Wesley Methodist Church Cathedral, Aba.

    The performers were drawn from various denominations.

    The music concert came at a time when Nigerians were in high spirits in anticipation of the Christmas celebration. It also provided the guests the opportunity to be entertained as the event was used to mark the 2017 Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols under the watch of His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. J.O.I. Nnonah, the Archbishop of Aba Archdiocese (Methodist Church Nigeria).

    One thing that was outstanding during the music concert was the coming together of Christians from different denomination and the political class from diverse political backgrounds to be under a roof and ministered to through songs.

    In his homily, the guest speaker and Priest in-charge of United Evangelical Church, Nigeria in Aba, Rev. Message Aquaowo speaking on the topic, “Worship Him”, said that the purpose of man is to worship God all the days of his life.

    Aquaowo who took his text from Matthew chapter 2 verses 2, 8 and 11 in 4 sub-topics, said that Jesus must be worshipped by all nations.

    The cleric, while narrating the significance of the event in the lives of Christians, noted that the message which Christ brought to the world is global and not for a section of the people.

    He maintained that the three gifts; gold, myrrh and frankincense which the three wise men presented when they located where Jesus was kept signify that Christ should not be worshipped with empty hands and stressed that people cannot worship God unless they have an encounter with Him.

    Some of the participants including the Abia Central Senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Ahamdi Nweke and Hon. Dame Victoria Akanwa, one-time Commissioner in the state lauded efforts of the lawmaker representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency, Hon. Ossy Prestige in ensuring that the people of Aba had the opportunity to be ministered to through songs.

    Nweke said, “What I found amazing about today is that getting here, it was more than I had expected. Today shows first and foremost that we are all children of God before any impartation of ideologies or differences that we may have politically.

    “Today, you saw as I did an array of people from every imaginable political party in Nigeria. we have all come under the same roof to return all honour and glory to whom it is most due; God Almighty. That is why I have come and I have thoroughly enjoyed myself.

    “Quite frankly, it would be wrong to say that I have been attending other events like this because if you say so, it would be akin to admitting that there has been one like this before, not to my knowledge and not in this state.

    “What we saw today, is entertainment in Aba, unfortunately in the past 10-15years has been drinking joints during Christmas; a time for us to reflect what the celebration of our Lord Jesus Christ was all about. To celebrate it in the way we have done today is just simply amazing.

    “It is not just the carol, the atmosphere, it is you all coming together to make it a wonderful evening for everyone who has found the time to attend”.

    Hon. Akanwa while calling for unity among Abians regardless of their regardless of their religious beliefs and political leanings noted that the day has brought more blessings to her.

    “I am from Ukwa and of the PDP extraction. He (Prestige) is a godly man. Not all the legislators are doing this. I am a top PDP woman and he is of APGA. I am a Christian, a godly woman and a knight of the Anglican Communion. He (Prestige) has done well in his immediate constituency. When we are in different political party, it doesn’t mean that we won’t visit somebody from another party who is doing well. He has done well and he has looked after his immediate constituency.”

    In an interview with newsmen after the event, Prestige maintained that there was not political about the event but to worship and promote the name of God through whom Christians from the entire world got salvation.

    He added “What motivated me is that this is a period where Christians all over the world remember the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ and as a child of God, I deemed it necessary to have this programme today to still make Aba and Nigerians know that my believe in God is unequivocal.

    “My belief in God is absolute. That God made Christmas a period where His son was born and that we should use the period to preach more about the Word of God within this period. That was actually what motivated me.

    “There is no boundary in Christianity for those who are truly Christians. There is no party in God, if you are anywhere and you believe in God, you are my brother. So, I extended hands of fellowship to my brethren irrespective of political party. Political party is just a platform through which people go into public office to serve the people.

    “The people are supreme and party is just a platform. At this point, there is nothing like party as far as I am concerned. What matters most are the souls that were won for Christ through such concert or event like we just did today.

    “I want to let you know that it is only in the church and propagation of the gospel that I do most of my investment; I invest in God because I know that He is the author of my life and giver of all good things. So, I don’t think that there is anything that will make me go back from this kind of programme. I will rather continue to make the event bigger as the year goes by”.

    The Governorship candidate of APGA in the 2015 general election, Dr. Alex Otti, business mogul and owner of Master’s Energy, Dr. Sampson Uche Ogah, PDP member representing Ukwa East and West federal Constituency, Hon. Uzoma Nkem Abonta, Hon Solomon Adaelu, member representing Osisioma, Obingwa, Ugwunagbo federal constituency, Ambassador Okechukwu Emuchay, Kingsley Onyemaechi Offor, Elder Chibuike Adindu Nwokeukwu were dignitaries at the event.

     

  • Foundation builds quarters for Abia DPO

    Foundation builds quarters for Abia DPO

    An organisation known as Emma Nwaka Foundation has built a residential quarters for the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) for Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State to alleviate the accommodation problems faced by every DPO posted to the area.

    Speaking with The Nation while handing over the building at Amokwe-Amiyi, Isuikwuato, the chairman of Senator Emma Nwaka Foundation, Sen Emma Nwaka said that he decided to build the residential quarters to solve the housing needs of the council area DPO.

    Nwaka a former senator said that he felt pity for the DPOs who have been operating from outside the council area, stressing that such situation do not allow them to give their best in terms of crime prevention or even combating crimes head long.

    He said that most DPOs posted to the area either operate from Okigwe in Imo state or from Umuahia, “This is very bad for combating of crimes and I felt pity for them, their condition made my foundation to build this modest house for them”.

    Nwaka who is the immediate past state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said that the building is a three bedroom house, en-suit masters bedroom and a room for his orderly, “There is a standby generating set and a borehole to service the house”.

    He said, “I had wanted to furnish the house to taste but the recent burial of my late mother drained my purse, but I am going to beckon on my friends to come and help in the furnishing so that every DPO posted here will have a place to live in and operate effectively”.

    “I have also offered to help a son of the man who donated the land free for the building to get a job as part of the way to pay him back, though the house is very close to my house, the land does not belong to me. The name of the man who donated the land is Paul Ihedioha”.

    Nwaka said that the foundation had earlier seek the permission of the police to build and donate the house to the state police command and part of the letter which The Nation sighted reads.

    “When it came to our notice that the DPO of our area does not have a befitting abode in his area of operation, we thought it wise and necessary to build a house and hand same over to the Nigeria Police in perpetuity on the understanding that it shall become the permanent abode of any DPO posted to the area”.

    “The job these people do can at times be quite hazardous, as most times, they lead their men to confront dangerous criminals and it is not fair that at the end of the day such an officer goes back to dwell among these miscreants without absolute control over his own house”.

    “This made our foundation to decide to build a three-unit, apartment for the DPO, made up of a 3 bedroom flat en-suit, a two room apartment for his orderly/assistant  and a security outpost with perimeter fence, there is water and dedicated power generating set to augment public supply”.

    In a letter sent to the foundation on the occasion of the unveiling and handing over of the building to the state police command, the senator representing Abia North at senate, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa was read.

    The letter reads, “I sincerely commend you and the entire members of the Emma Nwaka Foundation for this rare choice of providing a comfortable perpetual accommodation for the DPOs in your council area., this is indeed an added strength to the foundation of our national security in Isuikwuato and the entire nation which is worthy of emulation”.

    Unveiling the building the Abia state Commissioner of Police, Michael Ogbizi commended the Emma Nwaka Foundation for remembering to give back to the police which he said will go a long way to encourage them to do more.

    Ogbizi who was represented by his deputy, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Sagir Abubakar said that he had wished that there are 774 Nwakas across the country which would have helped the police to perform better and urged him not to relent.

  • Ebonyi workers hail Umahi

    Ebonyi workers hail Umahi

    Despite the fact that Ebonyi State receives one of the least allocations from the federation account, the state is one of the few that is up to date in payment of workers’ salaries, gratuities and pensions.

    In the state, workers get their salaries on or before the 20th of every month. This month, they started getting salary alerts since the 11th.

    To show appreciation for the welfare policies of the Governor David Umahi administration, workers in the state rallied in Abakaliki, the state capital, to thank the governor.

    Indeed, the Pa Oruta Ngele Stadium Abakaliki was filled to capacity as the workers in various colourful attires sang, danced  and praised Governor Umahi for his constant support and policies.

    The workers led by the Acting Chairman of Nigerian Labour Congress in the state, Leonard Nkah, thanked the governor for his favourable disposition to workers, pledging their continued support for his administration.

    “We are gathered to re-affirm this support as you pulled the state from the brink of collapse occasioned by backwardness, poverty, corruption, poor state of infrastructure, among others”, said Mr Nkah

    He said that the governor steadily paid workers salaries and gratuities and made history by paying us 13th month bonus salary when other states with higher Federal Government allocation battled to pay basic salaries,” he eased.

    To crown it all, the workers conferred on the governor, a traditional title of of ‘Enyi Ndi Oru’ (Friend of Workers) in appreciation of his numerous welfare packages to them.

    The workers also endorsed the governor ass their candidate for the 2019 general election

    In his speech, Governor David Umahi, ordered immediate training and retraining of civil servants in the state for efficiency and greater productivity.

    He said that the exercise would boost the performance of government.

    The governor also announced the commencement of payment of severance allowances of public officers who served under his predecessor, Chief Martin Elechi whom he served as Deputy Governor.

    He noted that the payment of the officers their severance allowance was delayed because they did not pay the officers who preceded them and workers salaries, pensions and gratuities when they were in government.

    “God however spoke to me yesterday and directed that we should review the decision not to pay them as I direct relevant state and Local Government Area (LGA) agencies to compile list of those affected at both levels, for us to look-into the matter.

    He noted that to further show his appreciation for the conduct of the labour leadership, workers would receive 50 per cent of their salaries on January 2nd 2018.

    “This would serve as a palliative before the payment of your January 2018 salaries and your leave allowances would from the same period, be

    paid as part of your salaries.

    The governor announced the donation of 66, 000 bags of 25kg rice to workers as part of their Christmas celebration, directing that each worker would collect at least two bags each.

  • Imo commissioners pledge to perform

    The Imo State Commissioner for Youth Development Hon. Ifeanyichukwu Onwueyiagba and his Sports counterpart Dr. Martins Ohiri, have assumed duties at the former Ministry of Youth, Sports and Public Safety, Owerri, Imo State Secretariat Complex.

    Addressing the Heads of Departments (HODs) at the Conference Hall of the Ministry, Hon. Onwueyiagba described his appointment as historic, stating that he would remain appreciative of Governor Rochas Okorocha. He promised to learn from HODs to make positive impact so as to add to the passion Governor Okorocha has for the youths of Imo and their development. He said the N1 million released by the governor to the 305 wards and N5 million empowerment fund to Ohaji/Egbema youths, were some of the good gestures of the governor geared towards a solid future for youths promising to sustain Okorocha’s magnanimity.

    In a statement, Brendan Nwaozor, the Ministry of Youth, Sports & Public Safety

    Public Relations Officer (PRO), said Ohiri thanked the governor for finding him worthy to represent him at the Ministry of Sports. He sees his appointment as a challenge to prove his mettle, stressing that with grace of God and assistance of the Permanent Secretary, and the HODs, sports in the state would move to a higher level. Ohiri appealed for team work to realise Okorocha’s vision for sports development.

    Earlier, Hon Onwueyiagba and Ohiri paid a courtesy visit to the Head of Service, Mr. Callistus Ekenze. The Head of Service Mr. Ekenze congratulated them on their appointments, He wished them success and urged them to prove their worth by improving on the success legacy, left behind by their predecessors.

    The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Rosemary Izuogu, welcomed the two commissioners to the Ministries and informed them that the entire staff were happy to receive them. She promised that they will put in their best to ensure they excel in their individual Ministry. She later took the two Commissioners round the various Offices and Departments of the Ministries on a familiarisation tour.

     

  • Ikpeazu’s wife launches deworming exercise

    Ikpeazu’s wife launches deworming exercise

    Abia State governor’s wife Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu has flagged off a deworming exercise for pupils of Osisioma Local Government Area which took place at Abayi Umuocham Primary School Aba.

    Speaking during the event, Mrs Ikpeazu said that the programme, which is part of the state’s free school feeding programme, is meant to provide balanced diets for pupils in primary 1 to 6 and make them healthy.

    Mrs Ikpeazu said that Abia State is among the first states in Nigeria selected to benefit from the homegrown school feeding programme funded by the Federal Government under its Social Investment policy and noted that the deworming exercise is in line with her pet project Vicar Hope Foundation.

    The governor’s wife said that the deworming exercise is part of the systems and structures laid down by the state Primary School free meal program which has made it attractive and seamless for the federal government to get involved in the feeding of school kids in the state.

    She said, “Over the past two years, we have made several sacrifices to sustain the Home Grown Free school meal and its state components, it is a welcome development that we now have added deworming to our service”.

    “This deworming programme will go round all the schools where our free school meals are being served, it will complement our efforts to make our children healthier and more capable of pursuing their educational career”.

    Mrs Ikpeazu noted that Abia state has become better with the two programs, “Our expectations are that our children will be stronger, healthier, more intelligent enough to sustain our unbroken record as the leading state in education development in the country”.

    The State Focal person of the Home grown School feeding programme, Mr Chinenye Nwaogu said that the deworming exercise will consolidate the expected result of the Free School Meal and boost the children’s health and academic performance.

    The program manager Emeka Ahuruoye said that free school meal has been caring for over 800 schools while 1,600 women were employed by the state government who cook the food for the school children.

    Ahuruoye said that the governor had insisted that those who will cook the food for the school children must be people who do not have any means of livelihood, stressing that it part of the way to empower the people of the state.

    In a similar event 50 graduates of Vicar Hope Foundation/springboard Skill Acquisition Program of the Wife of the Governor, have been charged to use the knowledge gained from their training to become self-reliant.

    The wife of the Governor of Abia State Mrs Ikpeazu gave this charge at Bende Local Government headquarters while empowering the graduands of Hair dressing, Interior Decor and Catering management

    Mrs Ikpeazu also disclosed that by the program the Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has created a platform for business development and empowerment and called on public spirited individuals, donor agencies and the organized public sector to join government in adding value to peoples lives.

    The Coordinator of National Directorate of Employment Lady Buchi Ojei, commended the wife of the Governor for her positive touch to all categories of Abians.

    Responding on behalf of the graduands,Mrs Ugochi Ijioma thanked the first lady for the opportunity given them and assured they will put into good use the empowerment items given them.

  • Group protests Imo policies

    An organisation, the Imo Peoples Action for Democracy (IPAD) has kicked off a one-week peaceful demonstration against what it described as bad governance in the state.

    The rally tagged Occupy Imo started on December 18 and was billed to end on 24 in Owerri, the state capital.

    In a statement made available to The Nation, the coordinator of the group, Aku Obidinma said the rally was a response of the people to the increasing bad governance in the state which he said was now attaining its peak.

    The bad policies, he alleged, included lack of due process and respect for rule of law, waste of scarce resources on non-economically viable, refusal to fully pay workers’ salaries, pension arrears and gratuity to pensioners, issuance of dud cheques to pensioners, failure to account for the bailout funds, Paris refunds and other loans collected.

    Others are use of state fund and apparatus in conducting personal business, illegal demolitions and displacement of people resulting in loss of means of livelihood by thousands of Imolites even against restraining court orders, nepotism and familiocracy, unending grabbing of land using government powers and conversion of same to personal properties, refusal to conduct local government election and failure to account for the trillions of Naira  allocated to that tier of government for over six years, construction of poor quality infrastructures and increasing multiples of abandoned projects in the state.

    He said the time and venue for the protest were chosen to ensure that the state government’s usual strategy of diverting attention of Christmas returnees away from the rot in governance through impressionist cosmetic beautification of the state was frustrated believing the protest will keep the people conscious about their sufferings in the hands of the state government.

    He said Imo People’s Action for Democracy was a coalition of civil society groups, activists, faith-based groups, professional bodies, and community based organisations among others that stand up in defense of democracy in the state henceforth.

    According to him, the coalition will continuously engage both the government and the citizens on good governance and democracy adding it will at all times mobilise Imolites on lawful steps and actions to resist bad policies and actions of government.

    He called on Imo people irrespective of affiliations to come out in their numbers to collectively send the message to the government.

    The former Chairman, Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Sam Amadi, Charley Boy Oputa, Chidi Odinkalu, Festus Okoye, Ezenwa Nwangwu, Victoria Ibezim, Chido Onumah, Clement Nwankwo, Okechukwu Nwanguma, Wisdom Durueke, Louis Alozie, would speak at the rally.