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Tag: Ikpeazu

  • Ikpeazu mourns ex-CJN Kutigi

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has described the late former Chief Justice Of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi, as an impartial jurist of all time.

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Enyinnaya Appolos, the governor said the late Justice Kutigi would be remembered for his “impartiality and fair minded contributions to the democratic development of the nation”.

    Ikpeazu said: “The late Justice Idris, as a strong advocate of Justice in Nigeria, was a shining light, an impartial jurist and a good example for young persons who desire to build their career in the legal profession.”

    Commiserating with his family, the governor said the demise of the former CJN occurred when men like him were needed to stabilise the country.

    He added that Justice Kutigi would not only be missed by his family and the Judiciary but also by all who came across him one way or the other.

  • Senator Orji, Ikpeazu visit oil explosion sites, as monarch blames NNPC

    The senator representing Abia central senatorial district, Senator Theodore Orji has visited the two communities devastated by oil pipeline explosions in Abia State.

    So have the state governor Okezie Ikpeazu and his wife Nkechi.

    The two communities are Umuimo and Umuaduru in Osisioma council area of the state.

    Death toll of the explosions has risen to 150. Houses and economic crops were also destroyed in the resulting inferno.

    The senator, who was briefed by the traditional ruler of the area, HRH Eze Ikechukwu Chiavoilaefu, said the explosion had a devastating effect on the affected communities.

    Eze Chiavoilaefu said that over 150 people lost their lives, as 70 bodies were evacuated from Umuodara while 80 were taken to the mortuary by several ambulances from Umuimo, another site of the incident.

    The traditional ruler blamed the incident on the inability of the staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to respond to distress calls made to them when the people noticed leakages from their pipelines.

    He said that when the people noticed the leakages they made every effort to get the management of the NNPC to come and repair the damaged pipelines.

    “But to our chagrin they never showed up till the incident happened,” he said.

    Speaking with newsmen after inspecting the sites and visiting the survivors of the pipeline explosion, Senator Orji regretted the inability of the management of NNPC to do the needful on the pipeline which led to the ugly incident.

    Orji said, “If the management of NNPC had heeded the calls of the people from the area to come and repair the leaking pipeline, those who lost their lives and those who have been rendered homeless will not be in the situation they have found themselves now”.

    The senator warned that what happened should be a lesson to people who are living along or near oil pipelines, saying that they should be vigilant at all times and warn those in authority to come and repair their pipelines when there are leakages.

    Orji noted that there is hunger in the land which may have called for people to go for the easy money by trying to scoop petroleum products.

    “There is hunger in the land and even if you post a battalion of soldiers there they will not stop the people from coming to scoop petroleum products from the leaking pipeline.”

    He also blamed the security agents who were alleged by the people from the community to be collecting as much as N1000 from people to allow them to go and scoop the petroleum products from the leaking pipelines.

    The former governor of the state promised to raise the issue at the floor of the senate so that the federal government will come to the aid of the victims and their families, “as many of them have lost their homes, economic crops and means of livelihood”.

    The senator later donated cash to some of the victims currently receiving treatment in various hospitals in Aba and Osisioma, while he also called for immediate supply of medics to the area to avoid outbreak of diseases.

    Earlier, the council chairman of Osisioma council area, Iheyinna Mgbeahuru also blamed the NNPC for the disaster, saying that when the leakages were noticed, “We called the management of NNPC severally for a meeting which they never responded to till today”.

    Mgbeahuru said that the oil pipeline leakages has affected their crops, farmlands and sources of water as all their boreholes have been affected to the extent that they have to buy water from outside their community to drink and do other domestic things.

    He thanked the former governor for showing concern over the plight of members of his senatorial district, “You not only came personally, but made efforts to visit all the sites and those affected which shows that our people mean a lot to you”.

    Governor Ikpeazu also came calling to see things for himself as he visited Umuaduru and Umuimo villages in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area after the pipeline explosion.

    The governor directed the Commissioner for Petroleum Resources, Chizurum Kanu to immediately inaugurate a commission of inquiry to unravel the immediate and remote causes of the pipeline explosion that affected two communities and led to loss of lives.

    He also directed the Commissioner for Heath, Dr John Ahukannah and Chairman of Osisioma LGA, Mgbeahuru, to visit the surviving victims of the explosion at the various hospitals and ensure that government provided them with adequate medicare as well as pay their medical bills.

    Ikpeazu who cried during the visit described the incident as disheartening and unfortunate and commiserated with the families of those who lost their lives as a result of the pipeline explosion and prayed God to give them the fortitude to bear the loss.

    The next person to call on the pipeline explosion sites was the wife of the governor, Mrs Ikpeazu who also visited victims of the inferno at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) in Aba.

    The wife of the governor shed tears while sympathising with the surviving victims at the teaching hospital

    Mrs. Ikpeazu paid for the treatment of the victims at the hospital and took time to pray for them and she also used the opportunity to pay for the treatment of a 10-year-old boy whose body was burnt by a high tension cable.

     

  • Ikpeazu: Nnamdi Kanu’s father’ll return soon

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has assured traditional rulers and indigenes of Afaraukwu Community in Umuahia North Local Government Area that Eze I. O. Kanu, father of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), would soon return home.

    Eze Kanu, his wife and some of their relatives were declared missing after soldiers invaded his palace in September 2017. He has since remained incommunicado.

    Ikpeazu spoke yesterday when the people of Afaraukwu-Ibeku visited him at the Government House in Umuahia.

    According to Ikpeazu, governors of the five Southeast states are working to ensure that Kanu’s father returned home. He stressed that efforts were on to ensure that the traditional ruler doesn’t spend the New Year outside his community.

    He said: “Eze Ibeawuchi can tell some of the moves the government made to prevent the invasion of the community. I was outside the country when the crises started, and returned immediately to take charge to prevent an escalation. We went as far convening an emergency meeting of traditional rulers to help persuade the military not to engage the unarmed youth.

    “We imposed a curfew to de-escalate the situation and moved in to ensure that the  injured were treated. The Southeast Governors’ Forum is doing its best to ensure that Eze Kanu is re-united with his community. Your traditional rulers will go with me to meet my colleagues and we will work to ensure that Eze Kanu does not spend the New Year outside his home.”

    President-General of Afaraukwu Development Union Chief J. C. Ezebuiro hailed the governor for his development strides, and assured him of the community’s support for a second term.

    He said: “You have been uncompromising in security, education and infrastructure; you have set a standard and under your watch Abia has returned back to her lost glory in agriculture; the state has also become indomitable in sports.”

     

  • Ikpeazu calls for collaboration at independence

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has called on Nigerians to unite to build the country of our dreams.

    The governor, who made the call in his independence anniversary message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Enyinnaya Appolos, said a better Nigeria is possible if we do away with acrimony, strife and politics of bitterness which remains the bane of our national growth.

    The message reads: “Despite what seems to be a gloomy economic outlook, political and social challenges, protests and agitations fuelled by obvious cases of marginalisation of some sections of the country, particularly the Southeast, I am confident that we are capable of being stronger together if we make the virtues of love, fairness and equity our watchwords.

    “I, therefore, call on every patriotic Nigerian, irrespective of ethnic, political and religious inclinations, to take a retrospective look at our country and ask the question ‘why has God brought us together as one country?’

    “All men of goodwill must therefore stand up for Nigeria and work hard to make it a country we can all be proud of, and where equity, justice and fairness rules. There is no price too high to pay for a better Nigeria.

    “I am sure that with everybody working together, our tomorrow will certainly be better than our present and past.”

  • Ikpeazu celebrates Pinnick’s re-election

    The Abia State Governor, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu has again identified with the aspirations of the board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). The Governor, like the FIFA President Gianni Infantino and many others, has sent a congratulatory message to the NFF President Amaju Pinnick on his recent re-election.

    The message was delivered through a letter from The Government House, Umuahia and signed by Governor Ikpeazu. In the letter titled Hearty Felicitations, the Abia CEO who fondly calls Pinnick his brother-in-law wrote, “I write to celebrate with you on your recent re-election to the office of the President of the Nigeria Football Federation.

    “For those of us who know you and are associated with you, your steady rise through the ranks of global footballing administration is not coming as a surprise to us. This has always been your passion and it is gratifying seeing someone with the passion and competence to drive change succeeding at their endeavours.”

    The man who is backing Enyimba FC and the Super Eagles to the fullest, also noted professionally the task ahead of the NFF boss and his reinvigorated board.

    The Governor added, “I am aware that the task ahead is enormous both in terms of unifying the football family in Nigeria and ensuring qualification and good outings of our national teams at various continental and global competitions. I am also aware that you have what it takes to take football in Nigeria to never-attained heights.

    “On behalf of my family, the Government and people of Abia State, I offer my congratulations and pray God to guide and guard you going forward.”

  • Ikpeazu reiterates commitment to supporting Abia women

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has reiterated the readiness of the state government to support women by addressing issues that affect them.

    Ikpeazu made this known yesterday in Umuahia during the 2018 Abia Women’s August Delegates Conference (AWADEC) organised by the Office of the Wife of the Governor and the Ministry of Women Affairs.

    The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Mr Ude Oko-Chukwu, said that in the past three years, his administration had initiated programmes for empowering and promoting the cause of women in Abia.

    He said women were endowed with economic and organisational skills and described them as huge contributors to the growth of the family and society.

    Ikpeazu said his administration would continue to encourage women to reach their highest potential, adding that they had the capacity to facilitate sustainable development in the state.

    Wife of the governor, Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu, said the conference was a deliberate effort targeted at educating Abia women on the importance of refocusing their priorities  to develop Abia.

    Ikpeazu urged Abia women to become active contributors to the establishment of good governance and be empowered to make the right choices which would promote qualitative leadership.

    She said: “The Abia woman also needs to claim her right of place in ensuring gender parity for elective positions. Therefore, I call on more Abia women to come out to contest elective positions in 2019.”

  • Ikpeazu: Okpara inspired me

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has described the late Premier of the Eastern Region, Dr Micheal Okpara, as one of those who inspired him to leadership.

    Ikpeazu, who spoke when he visited the Afougiri Ohuhu Umuahia home of the late premier, described him as the best visionary ever in Nigeria.

    The governor laid a wreath at the deceased’s tomb, and said: “The hallmark of a great and visionary leader is that generations after him enjoy his achievements. Personally, his brand of leadership inspired me. He left great legacies and those of us after him can only be inspired to work harder in honour of his memory.”

    Chief Uzodinma Okpara, who led his mother, Mrs Adanma Enyidiya Okpara, and other relatives to welcome the governor, assured him of the family’s and Ohuhu people’s support to his government.

    He hailed Ikpeazu’s development strides, including the planting over 2 million tenera specie palm trees within three years of his administration, and urged him not to relent or be distracted by the antics of his political opponents.

    The Ohuhu clan of Umuahia, who were celebrating the New Yam festival, later adopted Governor Ikpeazu as their sole candidate for the 2019 governorship election after a motion was moved by Okpara and seconded by Empire Kanu, and the people concurred via a voice vote.

    Ikpeazu was thereafter honoured with the title of Dike Oha of Ohuhu.

  • Technology: Ikpeazu urges Africans to look inwards

    The Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has called on African countries to take advantage of the available technological platforms to adapt home grown innovation and solutions to resolve the socio-economic challenges facing the continent at the moment.

    Ikpeazu delivering a speech, Accelerating Digital Governance at the 4th edition of Transform Africa Summit, holding in Kigali Convention Centre, Kigali, Rwanda stated that African states must tag along in the global technology journey and by collaborating with each other. This is as he noted that technology has too many advantages for any sane leader or society to ignore.

    Abia governor who used the occasion to share Abia’s experience and breakthrough in using technology to facilitate efficient governance, resource mobilisation and management also highlighted the efforts of his administration in using technology to solve everyday challenges in the state especially in the health sector.

    “Universal health coverage is one of the bane of Africa societies, leveraging existing technology and the huge teledensity in Nigeria; we have built a platform for digital tele-health system known as dial-a-doc-direct project. This project links all the 292 ward PHCs in our rural communities to a medical call centre where e-consulting, e-diagnosis, e-prescription and e-referral system has shortened the response and service delivery time and cost.”

    Major government and private sector leaders including President Paul Kagame, Chairman of AU Commission, President of the United Nations General Assembly, Houlin Zhao Secretary General International Telecommunication, Rob Shutter Group President & CEO MTN, Strive Masiyiwa Founder and Chairman Econet Wireless are attending the event. Others include more than 33 Ministers from different countries, members of the diplomatic community and Heads of multinational institutions.

  • Ikpeazu reconciles warring Umuahia South leaders

    Abia State Governor  Okezie Ikpeazu has urged political leaders in Umuahia South Local Government Area to bury their differences and live in peace.

    He called for unity and peace among the warring leaders when  he received a delegation of stakeholders from the council in his office.

    The governor said that greater achievements will be recorded in an atmosphere devoid of rancor.

    Ikpeazu said: “Now that you have come together, the sky will be the limit for Umuahia South. I want to assure you that I will be your ally. You should continue to hold together and I want you to continue in this trajectory and path.”

    The governor lauded the leaders for showing maturity.

    He said: “I give God the glory for the maturity shown by the leadership. It is the spirit to attract political position and other incentives in a place.”

    He promised to address the issues raised by the delegation especially the poor road network confronting the area.

    Ikpeazu promised to fight the infrastructure battle in the area, adding that  “opening up  of roads in Umuahia South was important in the development of the capital city.”

    He stresed: “There cannot be any meaningful development in Umuahia, the capital city, without opening up Umuahia South. We must ventilate and open up Umuahia South. Your demands are genuine and it is righteousness to do it.”

    The chairman of the council, Hon Obioma Ogbulafor, said their visit was to inform the governor that Umuahia South LGA was nho more in the eye of the storm.

    He said the council vote for him because he is the consensus candidate of the people.

    Chief Tony Ukasoanya, CSL Nwosu and the chairman, Umuahia South Traditional Rulers Council, Eze J.C Onwuka, extolled the people-oriented leadership of the governor, which has brought about genuine development in many parts of the state and assured him of their support for his re-election bid.

    Ukasoanya said: “You are not a Governor that does projects on face book. We are happy with what you are doing and 2019 is not negotiable.”

    The leaders however, appealed to him to address the construct the Umuokpara Ringroad, and the abandoned  Ngbarakuma-Umunwanwa – Achingale Road.

    Thanking him for addressing the challenge of flooding in Ubakala, they also urged him to provide  pipe-borne water for the area.

    A former House of Representatives from Ikwuano-Umuahia Constituency, Hon Udo Ibeji, moved  a motion for the adoption of the governor as the sole candidate of Umuahia South for next year’s election.

    The delegation included former Minister and former PDP National Chairman, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, Benson Ezem, Chief Emeka Inyama, Chief Tony Ezebuiro, and Bibi Ogbulafor.

  • Ikpeazu won’t be distracted by 2019 contest, says aide

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeasu’s Chief Press Secretary Emmanuel Apollos spoke with reporters in Umuahia, the state capital, on his boss’ activities and the preparations for next year’s elections. Excerpts:

    Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has ben endorsed by some groups. Do these endorsements represent the true position of Abians?

    The governor is  enjoying massive endorsements across the state, not just from our party-the PDP, Abia is a PDP state. So, the support and endorsements asking the Governor to re-contest in 2019 is from Abians from various political and religious leaning. What Governor Ikpeazu has done so far in Abia is unheard of since the creation of Abia that is why Abians are asking for a continuity. Abia for the first time since creation has seen the first flyover that will soon be completed at Osisioma junction at Aba. Since the creation of Abia, we have seen dualized Faulks Road with the perennial Ifeobara problem permanently solved. Abians are seeing the making of a 6 lane Port Harcourt road that was abandoned for more than 12 years. Why will they not ask for continuity? So, the support and endorsements are real and from Abians at home and in the diaspora.

    But, the opposition has a contrary opinion…

    When you go round Abia on your own and interact with the people, you will draw your conclusions as to whether the endorsements are bought or not.

    May be, I should agree with them that Governor Ikpeazu bought the endorsements with his hard work, humility, transparency and people-oriented leadership style. Abia today has a governor that they can call their own. A governor they can reach him when it is necessary. A governor who lives with them in Aba and Umuahia. They see, feel and can relate with him. In fact, some people are of the opinion that Governor Ikpeazu has over simplified the office of the governor through his humility and hard work.

    Are the opposition saying that the endorsements from the people of Bende LGA was bought? Or that the endorsements from the people of Umunneochi LGA was bought? Or will they say that the endorsements by the people of Ukwa-Ngwa which makes up nine out of the 17 LGAs in the state was also bought?

    The fact is that Governor Ikpeazu’s achievements in Abia has destabilized and disorganized the opposition parties in the state. They are so frustrated and disorganized that the only thing they can think of doing now is to tell lies. Again, Abians are not ready to buy or listen to their lies because Ikpeazu has opened their eyes.

    Those who had the opportunity to make Abia great when they served as governor and in other very highly political offices, but failed to do so, what will they be telling Abians now? You can understand why Abians have constantly rejected some of them even with the endless effort to be lawmakers. Our advice to our people in the new Abia where Governor Ikpeazu is in charge is: don’t be like them. Make positive impact in any opportunity of service given to you so that more will come.  So when we see failed politicians masquerading around, trying so hard to reinvent themselves by jumping from one place to another in the name of campaigning for others, we will always remind them of their past and ask them what they did with opportunities given to them in the past, whether in public service and in private sector because a lot of them have questionable integrities that no amount of image laundry can help them. Nobody should hide under President Buhari or any body else,  come to Abians with your scorecard.

    If you want to get the true situation about what is happening in Abia, ask Abians on the street, as those in Ariraria market and those at various markets in Aba, whatever they tell you, verify it with what we tell you and what is on the ground, then you can draw your conclusions. But if you asked those failed opposition elements they will lie to you, and look for ways of criticizing Governor Ikpeazu. And unknown to them that they are making Ikpeazu profile more popular because they more they talk about him, they more people ask questions and they get to know about him and they things he has achieved for Abians.

    Why are opposition figures defecting to the PDP in Abia? What is the trick?

    The defection of key opposition leaders like Ochiagha Reagan Ufomba, Chief Damian Ozurumba, Chief Tony Onwutoebe, Chief Tony Ukasanya and many others, is an indication that there is something Governor Ikpeazu is doing very right. These were people that stood against the election of Ikpeazu in 2015, but since 2017, they have been spearheading the call for Ikpeazu to contest again in 2019. When you engage these individuals, they tell you that the only thing that attract them to PDP is the achievements of Governor Ikpeazu. After the 2015 election, APGA had 11 out of the 24 members in the House of Assembly, but today they have only three members. Seven joined the PDP and one went to APC and PDP lost only the impeached former speaker, Martin Azubuike to APC.

    Like I told you before, the achievements of Ikpeazu are attracting more member to PDP while what is left of the opposition keeps getting frustrated.

    There are claims that the governor has not fulfilled campaign promises he made in 2015 and now he has thrown his hat into the ring for 2019. What is your reaction?

    The governor has not told anyone that he will contest again. Despite the massive calls for him to seek reelection, like he said, he will respond to the calls, but he has consistently appeal to Abians to ensure they have gotten their PVCs.

    If anyone says that the governor has not fulfilled his 2015 promises to Abians, it is either the person is not in Abia, not in touch with realities in the state or the person is among the frustrated insignificant opposition elements, whose stock in trade is to tell lies always. Otherwise, the question should be, what were the 2015 campaign promises of the governor? And if anyone says he has not fulfilled the promises he made in 2015, the appropriate questions will therefore be: who took 30 Aba shoes makers to China for training in automated shoe making? Who built the Abia Investment House in Umuahia? Who built Umuola Road, Ebere Road, Ukaegbu Road, Ovom Street, Ochefu road, Weeks street, Owerenta street, Owerri road, Kamalu road, Umuatako road, Umule road, Umuehilegbu road, Umuocham road, Dr Chima Nwafo road, Omeni Drive, Adventist close, Ugwunagbo road, Ekwereazu Ngwa-Nto Edino road, Owoahiafo-Onicha Ngwa road, Umunkpeyi-Umuehim road, Umuocheala road, Egbelu Mbutu road, Abiriba Ring road, Nkporo road, Okobo bridge in Arochukwu? If you answer these questions sincerely, then you will know if Ikpeazu has fulfilled the promises of 2015 or not.

    Again, who is building the first flyover in Abia at Osisioma? Who is building Port Harcourt Road after 16 years of its abandonment? Who is constructing and dualizing Faulks Road and Brass street in Aba? Who is reconstructing Aba-Owerri road? Who is reconstructing and dualizing Ururuka road? Who is rebuilding Enyimba Stadium? Who is reconstructing Aba Road in Umuahia? Who is constructing Umuode road? Who has found the permanent solution to the Ifeobara perennial flooding challenges?

    He has introduced tele-health initiative in Abia where you can dial a doctor direct from your home or office when you feel you need a Medicare. Who introduced home-care for the aged? Who introduced emergency medical service in Abia? Go and find out who did all these things I’ve mentioned. If it is Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, then you will answer whoever tells you that he has not fulfilled his 2015 promises to Abians.

    In Abia of today under Ikpeazu, we don’t play politics with our development. We promised to tell our people the truth and they know we have kept our word. Ikpeazu has certainly moved Abia away from where he met her in 2015, and today Abia is on the move again.

    The non-payment of workers’ salary seems to be a trend across the states. What is the situation in Abia?

    It is a trend because there seems to be a fundamental defect in the nation’s economy. Today even the private sector is finding it very hard to pay workers’ salary. As a journalist, I am aware that many of our colleagues have not been paid for years not even months. There is no justification for non-payment of salary. But to Abia workers, the story is not as bad as other states.