The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Eze Samuel Ohiri

  • ‘Osinbajo one of best vice presidents Nigeria ever had’

    The Chairman, Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Majesty, Eze Samuel Ohiri, on Saturday described the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, as one of the best vice presidents Nigeria ever had.

    Ohiri expressed this view while receiving Osinbajo at his palace in Owerri where the vice president also had a town hall meeting.

    He said that the vice president had creditably acquitted himself in the way he piloted the affairs of the country any time President Muhammadu Buhari was not in the country.

    “I want to thank you, especially for the way you held forth for Mr President the last time he stepped out of the country.

    “The way you conducted the affairs of the country; people are talking about you in the world.

    “Unarguably, you are one the best vice presidents we have ever had.

    “We are proud of you,’’ he said

    In his remark, Gov. Rocha’s Okorocha of Imo expressed appreciation to Osinbajo for honouring him by visiting the state on a day the governor was marking his birthday despite the vice president’s busy schdule.

    He said that the state government had initiated a ‘one community one project’ programme aimed at taking governance to the grassroots.

    Okorocha said that the programme was in consonance with the various economic empowerment programmes of the Federal Government.

    “I wish you will be here on Monday; I had planned for you to hand over first cheque of our one community one project – a partnership between the communities and the state government to set one small scale industry in every community.

    “So, we are looking at in the next six months, to build about 645 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

    “Imo State Government will give 40 per cent of the take off fund which is 4 million; to all the 645 communities which is 4 million and their cheques will be released starting from Monday with the release of the Paris Club. Some are into farms, poultry, and snail farming among others

    “Your Excellency, I know with your economic empowerment projects, these communities will benefit,’’ he said

    Responding, Osinbajo thanked Imo traditional rulers, the governor and Imo State people in general for their usual hospitality.

    He said that various completed and ongoing projects in the state typified how states could partner with the Federal Government in driving development.

    Imo state a perfect example of the cooperation that should exist between all tiers of government; the state government and the traditional rulers here have demonstrated how we should work together.

    “On our way here, we had been to the International Cargo airport, which was approved by the Federal Government and built by the Imo State Government – the first of its kind in the country

    “The Imo Cargo airport is a very important infrastructural development because not only does it represent the commercial hub of the South East, it is also central place to the economy of Nigeria.

    “I will also commend the state government for the Air force hospital built by Imo State Government and handed over to the Federal Government,’’ he said.

    Osinbajo had shortly after touching down at Imo airport, inspected the ongoing International Cargo project before proceeding to inaugurate a 200-seater hospital built the Imo State Government and donated to Nigerian Air force.

    The vice president also inaugurated the TraderMoni Scheme at the Relief Market, Owerri.

    Afterwards, Osinbajo proceeded to the Rocha’s Foundation, Owerri where wards from all over the foundation in Nigeria and across Africa, held a colourful 56th birthday celebration for their benefactor, Okorocha.

    Delivering a lecture titled, “ The Advantage of the Disadvantage’’, Osinbajo encouraged the less privileged not to despair but to work hard and have faith in God.

    He said that many notable personalities in Nigeria and world over were orphans that never gave up.

    According to the vice President, there is merit in being able to give and commended Okorocha for his philanthropy, especially in giving free education to indigent children.(NAN)

  • Police arrest suspects over death of Imo monarch

    The Police Command in Imo state has arrested two suspects in connection with the death of Eze Brendan Ibekwe, the traditional ruler of Mgbe autonomous community in the Orlu Local Government Area of Imo.

    The spokesman of the command, Mr. Andrew Enwerem, told newsmen on Wednesday in Owerri that Ibekwe was assassinated on June 24 by gunmen in his community while his body was found on the Orlu-Owerri highway.

    Enwerem said the Commissioner of Police in Imo, Mr. Dasuki Galadanchi, had directed the command’s Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department to take over the matter.

    Read Also:Gunmen dumps murdered Imo monarch’s body

    Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Samuel Ohiri, has expressed his concern over the murder of Ibekwe.

    He described the incident as a sacrilege for a traditional ruler to be murdered by gunmen.

    Ohiri called for thorough investigation into the matter, saying that the killers must be brought to book.

    NAN

  • Imo monarch implores civil servants to fight corruption

    The Eze Imo, Eze Samuel Ohiri, on Thursday appealed to civil servants to show full commitment to the anti-corruption fight of the current administration to ensure sustained development.

    The monarch made the appeal in Owerri while receiving a delegation of the National Council on Establishment led by the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita.

    Ohiri said that support and cooperation of all Nigerians were necessary for the success of the fight.

    “Pay close attention to the fight against corruption, discipline, loyalty and dedication to duty. If you put in your best, our country will be the best in the world.

    “In spite of the challenges you are facing in terms of low salary, do not relent in your efforts.

    “Rest assured that the traditional institution recognises your sacrifices and contributions for our nation,’’ the monarch said.

    Read Also:  ‘Don Waney’s men not in Imo’

    He described civil servants as the engine room of the country’s governance, and thanked them for efforts in moving Nigeria forward.

    Earlier, Oyo-Ita said that the council was deliberating on issues that would guide state governments on ways to enhance civil service.

    Oyo-Ita said that it was important for the council to meet regularly to ensure that the tenets of civil service were maintained.

    She said that the council was determined to move the country forward.

    “As a royal father, you play a very important role in the governance of your state, and as civil servants, we will ensure that work of governance must go on.

    “We need to work together as one council and speak with one voice with regard to what we need to improve the service,’’ she said.

    NAN

  • Okorocha denies sacking Imo chairman of traditional rulers

    Okorocha denies sacking Imo chairman of traditional rulers

    Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo State says he did not sack the Chairman of the state Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Samuel Ohiri as insinuated in the social media.

    The governor refuted the report in statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Sam Onwuemeodo in Owerri on Wednesday.

    Okorocha described the report as ‘baseless’ and urged the general public to disregard the rumour.

    Some state tabloids and social media reported that Ohiri has been sacked by the governor over gross misconduct.

    According to him, if there is need to sack Ohiri or any other government official, the information will be communicated through the appropriate quarters.

    “How can I sack a top government official on the pages of newspapers?

    “I have not sacked Eze Ohiri and now that it is clear to both rumour mongers and the general public, it is left for them to say their source of information,” he said.

    NAN

  • ‘Stop insulting Imo govt’

    ‘Stop insulting Imo govt’

    The Chairman, Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Samuel Ohiri, has described as falsehood and unprofessional, the publication in local tabloids that two monarchs from the state were detained in Abuja.

    Eze Ohiri, who addressed reporters at the Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri, on his return from Abuja, said he and Eze Chijioke Okwara of Nkwere were only invited for interrogation by the Director of Operations, State Security Service (SSS), on August 21.

    The royal father said they repeated their visit the next day, as they did not see the director the previous day.

    He said the visit was in connection with a petition by Chief Cletus Ilomuanya, the deposed traditional ruler of Obinugwu autonomous community, alleging threat to his life.

    Although Eze Ohiri said he was not privy to the petition, questions concerning the Iriji cultural festival performed by Chief Ilomuanya were raised as well as issues on the traditional institution and security in the state.

    The monarch said no one constituted a threat to  Ilomuanya, stressing that the deposed traditional ruler had no right to perform the Iriji ceremony as the ‘Obi of Obinugwu’, since he had been dethroned by the government.

     

     

    Eze Ohiri said the law backing the action of Governor Rochas Okorocha was clear.

    “Chief Ilomuanya either needs to go back to school or consult a lawyer to educate him on the content of the law made before the present administration came to power,” he said.

    Eze Ohiri, the chairman of Ndi-Eze, advised Chief Ilomuanya to stop parading himself as the traditional ruler of Obinugwu community and  warned him to refrain from disparaging the Okorocha administration.  “Enough is enough.  Obinugwu now has a new monarch. Chief Ilomuanya should understand that fact,” he added.

    Eze Ohiri advised  reporters and the public not to address Chief Ilomuanya as a traditional ruler.

    He said journalists should be guided by the ethics of their profession.