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Tag: Imo State

  • Give non-workers friendly Governors red card, says workers union

    Organised Labour under the auspices of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), has asked workers across the country not to re-elect governors who are not workers friendly, but to serve them red card during the forth coming genera, elections for lacking the conscience to do what is right to Nigerian workers.
    In a communique at the end of its 70th National Executive Council meeting, the union asked governors owing staff salaries and pensions to have the fear of God at heart and pay the salaries and stop treating workers in their states as worthless citizens.
    The communique signed by the National President, Comrade Lawrence Amaechi and acting General Secretary, Yahaya Ndako, the union also pass a vote of no confidence on Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State over what it described as his anti Labour policies  in the state.
    While lamenting the increase spate of killings in the country, the union asked Federal Government to urgently address the security challenges, while expressing concern over the delay in concluding the ongoing negotiation on the new National minimum wage.
    The communique reads in parts: “NEC-in-Session resolves that the Union will oppose vehemently any action aimed at delaying this process.
    ” To this end, therefore the NEC urges the Federal Government to match its words with actions so that the high expectations of workers on the implementation of the new minimum wage would be realised on or before September, 2018. Failure, the entire members of the Union will not take it with levity.
    “The NEC-in-session condemns in strongest terms the spate of consistent and unwarranted killings and bloodsheds in Nigeria.  The Union observe with pains and regrets that the killings are synonymous with ethnic and religious cleansing.  The NEC-in-session describes the killings and kidnappings as major threats to our National Unity, masking other issues that should get National attention.
    “Hence it urges the Federal Government of Nigeria to as a matter of urgency, overhaul its security architecture and apparatus  so as to enable the security operatives arrest the collapse in the security sector headlong.  NCSU will continue to raise her voice vehemently against actions that pose a threat to peaceful coexistence and survival of Nigeria project”.
    “The 70th NEC applauds the bold and proactive steps taken by the President of Nigeria Labour Congress to report the Federal Government of Nigeria to ILO, on their obnoxious and draconian Labour bill aimed at distorting our Industrial Relations landscape. NCSU notes that any attempt to pass a bill that negates or violates ILO Convention 98, would be vehemently resisted by organised Labour.
    “The NEC-in-session supports review of the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS) being championed by the National Joint Public Service Negotiating Council  through the setting up of Technical Committee to consider critical upward review of the frightening pay disparity between the salary that exists in the core Civil Service (CONPSS) and other salary structures”.
    The union reject the high and intimidating rate of unemployment in Nigeria which it said poses very serious security risk and threat to peace and national Unity of the Country and asked the government to look inwards and divest a policy that will generate massive employment opportunities for able-bodied Nigerian Youths, while infrastructural and industrial development should be at the front burner of the Government so as to nip in the bud, possible revolution that may erupt as a result of massive unemployment in Nigeria today.

  • Defection: Oshiomole’s emergence saved APC from collapse – Okorocha

    Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has called on stakeholders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to support the National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomole as he stabilises  the party.

    The Imo governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press  Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, stated that Oshiomole’s emergence saved APC from implosion.

    He observed that the party would have totally collapsed if the former National Chairman of the party, Odigie Oyegun and the National Working Committee were allowed to pilot the affairs of the party for another one year as proposed with the tenure elongation.

    According to Okorocha, “with the scenarios that have played out within the fold of the APC, at the moment and in less than one month after the National Convention of the Party, it is obvious that the emergence of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as National Chairman has saved the party from an impending catastrophe”.

    “With the unfolding developments in the party, the story would have been very nauseating if there was no National Convention and if Adams Oshiomhole had not emerged as the National Chairman of the Party”.

    “It can also be argued that some of the proponents of tenure elongation were innocently doing so without having an overview of the entire disturbing picture behind the scheming for elongation of tenure. All these defections, as we all could see, were never planned in the past few weeks. The coming of Oshiomhole just forced the cat out of the bag.

    “With the events too, leaders of the party could now see the wisdom in jettisoning the clamour for tenure elongation for the John Oyegun led National Working Committee (SWC) members, and opting for a National Convention to elect new officers. In the circumstance, those who opposed the elongation stuff and insisted on convention should now be commended”.

    Okorocha was also quoted as saying  that, “one could easily imagine what would have been the case if the party had allowed the Oyegun-led SWC to continue and what would have happened at the party’s primaries especially that of Presidency.

    “What is happening in the party now could not have been planned and executed within these few weeks Oshiomhole took over as the National Chairman of the party. Rather, his coming only altered the plan of those who wanted to destroy APC to serve personal interests.

    “When the issue of elongation came up, we heard a lot of stories why some of those behind the undemocratic demand were persistent on that. That, there was an arrangement somewhere to shortchange President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential primary for 2019. And with events of the moment, that claim has got an alibi.

    Read also: 13 APC LG chairmen defect to PDP

    “In other words, Oshiomhole’s coming was timely. He came at the appropriate time. He is on it and will get it right. All we need to do is to support him. APC has come to stay as number one party in the Country and even in Africa. And whatever that is happening in the party now are indices of Party Politics and they have nothing to do with the fortunes of the party either now or in 2019.

    “In 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari will be re-elected by Nigerians. The Party will also have more governors and more legislators elected by the electorate because the records are available to show that we have done well in four years compared with the sixteen years spent by the other party.

    “Adams Oshiomhole has the political will and all it takes to make APC an institution that we shall all be proud of. We know his capacity and that was why we all supported him. He will drive us safely to our destination by the grace of God”.

  • Imo impeachment saga: Abuja moves to save Madumere

    Following protests against Imo State House of Assembly’s moves to impeach the State Deputy Governor, Eze Madumere, there are fresh moves by powerful forces in Imo and Abuja to frustrate the move, reports Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu

    SINCE the Imo State House of Assembly formally served an impeachment notice to the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, on Tuesday this week, the battle of supremacy between his supporters and those of his principal, Governor Rochas Okorocha, has assumed a new dimension. Today, top officials of the Federal Government in Abuja, according to our sources, have intervened to frustrate the move and save the embattled deputy governor.

    The notice, in which the lawmakers accused the Deputy Governor of gross misconduct, was servQed on Madumere through substituted means (newspaper publications) in Owerri. It was signed by the Speaker, Acho Ihim and 13 other lawmakers, including Ugonna Ozuruigbo (Nwangele), Chinedu Offor (Onuimo), Ikechukwu Amuka (Ideato South ),  Lawrence Duruji (Ehime Mbano), Uche Ejiogu (Ihite Uboma), Henry Ezediaro (Oguta), Maxwell Odunze (Orlu), Lloyd Chukwuemeka (Owerri North), Chika Madumere (Nkwerre),  Uju Onwudiwe (Njaba),  Ngozi Obiefule (Isu), Victor Onyewuchi (Owerri west),  and Arthur Egwim (Ideato North).

    Months before the lawmakers’ latest action, alleged plan to remove the Deputy Governor over new calculations for the 2019 governorship race had dominated interest amongst observers of Imo State politics. It dates back to initial speculation that Okorocha had resolved to support his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, to succeed him as against his deputy, Madumere, who many had over the years seen as Okorocha’s choice. The matter had generated so much tension until the governor finally made the declaration publicly.

    That declaration marked the final parting of ways between the two close associates as Madumere, citing the interest of his people, insisted on contesting for the governorship position on the ticket of APC, in spite of Okorocha’s decision.

    The initial negotiation: Senate or governorship?

    The Nation gathered that before the hitherto close associates finally parted ways, Okorocha had the burden of settling his political family, especially his deputy, who, we gathered, was the real coordinator of the political family since Okorocha came to power. Sources within the family confided that the issue of what to give Madumere was a very difficult subject even for Owelle. At a point, the source said, the governor toyed with the idea of settling Madumere with the Owerri Senatorial ticket, as a way of making way for Nwosu. “That idea did not work because Madumere with other important Owerri stakeholders and many others, who supported the deputy governor within the family, saw it as an unfair deal and so they probably advised Madumere not to accept the offer. This development deepened the crack as the governor viewed the attitude of the deputy and the concerned members of the family as a direct challenge to his authority as the leader,” he said.

    Considering the proximity of the impeachment saga to the failed settlement negotiations, it seems the result was the plan to cut the deputy governor to size through formal impeachment. But our source explained that some lawmakers vehemently opposed the idea, leading to the intrigues that preceded the service of the impeachment notice. It would be recalled that while the two sides were still denying any knowledge or plan to impeach Madumere, five lawmakers, known to be his supporters, were suspended in very controversial circumstances. After the first four lawmakers, were suspended, another one was finally suspended, bringing the number of pro-Madumere lawmakers suspended to five. At this stage, it became clear that the state House of Assembly was set to impeach the Deputy Governor.

    So, when on Tuesday, this week, the lawmakers served the impeachment notice to Madumere, in spite of the subsisting legal battles over the matter, a new round of intrigues and efforts to save the deputy governor commenced.

    Madumere’s response

    Madumere had since responded to the allegation in a statement signed by Uche Onwuchekwa, the Special Assistant/CPS to the Deputy Governor of Imo State. The statement reads: “The office of the Deputy Governor of Imo State has received the notice of gross misconduct circulating round the State and shared in various platforms on the social media signed by 13 members of Imo State House of Assembly that bothers on the following:

    1. Absence without official reason or permission duly obtained from office for a period of three (3) months.
    2. Failure to perform any of the constitutional function of Office of Deputy Governor of Imo State, including but not limited to:
    3. Failure/refusal to attend constitutionally mandated proceedings of the State Executive Council;
    4. Failure/refusal to attend constitutional mandated proceedings of the State Security Council.
    5. Refusal to attend, and to hold meetings with the Governor and Commissioners of the Government of Imo State for the governance of Imo State made compulsory by and under S.193 (2) of the 1999 Constitution
    6. Concealment of felonious conduct affecting the presentation of self as eligible candidate of Office of Deputy Governor, Imo State, having been convicted and imprisoned for theft in the United States of America.

    We hereby respond as follows:

    1. The first claim of absence is rather an old ploy of calling a dog a bad name to hang it. Fortunately, the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere is an administrator per excellence who does not joke with his duties, especially his constitutional responsibilities. As such, he has never absconded from office the period so claimed. He is constitutionally saddled with the responsibilities of superintending Boundary Commission. By our records, the Deputy Governor of Imo State has never abdicated from such responsibility. Considering the period under review People of Umuoma of Ihitte-Uboma local government, Ihube of Okigwe local government among others can testify of the Deputy Governor’s sagacity in crises resolution with particular reference to April 11, April 16 2018.

    His Excellency also participated in one day retreat for Stakeholders in the management of Nigeria boundaries, which held in the Airforce Conference Center, Abuja on May 7, 2018 in the company of the Surveyor General of the State and the Principal Secretary to the Deputy Governor.

    1. A. Refusal to attend Constitutional mandated proceedings of the State Executive Council is also one of the allegations that cannot stand any administrative procedure. There are laid down procedures through which a Deputy Governor or any member of the executive Council can be invited for Executive council meeting. We hereby state that the Deputy Governor has never been invited for such meetings either through a memo or any official notices and thereby cannot stand against the deputy governor with the period in review.
    2. As stated above, the Deputy Governor can only attend a meeting he is officially invited to and he is no spirit to know when meetings are slated except he is duly informed.
    3. Refusal to attend, and to hold meetings with the Governor is to say the least another exercise in triviality as the Deputy Governor cannot force himself on the Governor, especially when he has been tagged a pariah in the Government circle. We state here that Governor Okorocha has never created such opportunity to meet with the Deputy Governor to discuss the programmes and activities of the Government other than the once we embarrassingly hear by the road side and other sources. To this extent, where the Deputy Governor’s inputs are needed, there are right procedures through which he could be reached either through his Principle Secretary and other principal officers or directly to the Deputy Governor.
    4. The most embarrassing, among the spurious allegations, is the annoying allegation of concealment of felonious conduct affecting the presentation of self as eligible candidate of office of Deputy Governor of Imo State. This is not only astonishing but an extreme show of lack of due diligence. The Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere, has never been convicted of any civil matter let alone theft.

    We are pained to state that two times the Deputy Governor had to go through the pains of losing his freedom in detention were all in the course of saving Owelle Rochas Okorocha from public disgrace. He rather had to carry Okorocha’s cross and bore his shame. It will be recalled that Prince Madumere shortly after Achike Udenwa’s victory at the polls in 1999 where he had to face contempt of Court for failure to make it to the court. He was in detention in the United States for about one month all because he was delayed by Governor Okorocha. To the glory of God, Prince Madumere was acquitted of any wrong doing.

    The second time he had to stoop that Governor Okorocha may be spared of the humiliation of getting incarcerated, Prince Madumere again yielded and was detained for almost two months on phony charges, which he also been absolved of all charges.”

    Fresh moves to save Madumere

    Soon after the ‘newspaper’ notice was published, supporters of the deputy governor took to the streets to formally protest the move and seek ways of stopping the impeachment. They took over the streets of Owerri as early as 6 am, singing various anti-Okorocha songs, even as they accused the governor of masterminding what they described as kangaroo charges against his deputy.

    They carried placards with various inscriptions such as, “Okorocha leave Madumere alone;” “Okorocha, must you foist your son-in-law on Imo people?”; “We are in a democracy not in ‘familiocracy;’” “We say no to Okorocha’s third term agenda;” “APC will not accept the imposition of family candidate;” “NWC, rise up before we lose Imo to PDP;” and “We appeal to President Buhari to intervene in Imo situation.”

    “Okorocha controls the House as his personal estate, without reference to the feelings and aspirations of the citizenry,” they said.

    They said Madumere was innocent of the charges levelled against him. It was the first formal effort to frustrate the move.

    Though the impeachment notice, titled, ‘Notice of gross misconduct,’ alleged that the deputy governor had “concealment of felonious conduct affecting the presentation of self as an eligible candidate of office of deputy governor, Imo State, having been convicted and imprisoned for theft in the United States of America,” among other charges, the protesters declared Madumere innocent, accusing the lawmakers of abandoning their legitimate duties to do the bidding of the governor. They also described the move against Madumere as a grave injustice, saying that the allegations were trumped up charges aimed at impeaching the deputy governor for daring to oppose Okorocha’s position to install his son-in-law as the next governor of the state.

    Not impressed by the demonstration, the House, during its Wednesday’s sitting, however ordered the Clerk, Chris Duru, to write the state Chief Judge, Paschal Nnadi, to probe the allegations and ascertain if the deputy governor was guilty of gross misconduct as contained in the petition signed by 13 members of the House.

    They also described the state House of Assembly as the worst Imo had ever had, calling it a mere rubber stamp in the hand of Okorocha.

    They also described the state House of Assembly as the worst Imo had ever had, calling it a mere rubber stamp in the hand of Okorocha.

    Aside the protesters in Owerri; Prince Madumere has received support from unlikely quarters. In Imo, most of the outstanding members of the opposition have openly spoken in support of the deputy governor, a development some observers describe as a signal that if the lawmakers succeeds in impeaching Madumere, there may be major alliance between the state APC and some major opposition parties and leaders to battle Okorocha.

    Senator Victor Umeh’s decision to add his voice to the growing opposition, according Chief Christian Uba, has further expanded Madumere’s support beyond Imo. But in Imo, prominent leaders like former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, Chief Zeek-Martins Nnadozie and former Governor Ikedi Ohakin are among prominent Imolites that had openly berated Okorocha and the House of Assembly over the impeachment moves. They described it as undemocratic.

    Ihedioha alleged that the impeachment process was masterminded by the state Governor, Rochas Okorocha. According to him, Okorocha’s interest in Madumere’s impeachment was because Madumere had expressed desire to contest the state governorship which was contrary to Okorocha’s preference for his in-law, Uche Nwosu. “This unfortunate development is particularly alarming and indeed worrisome to all the advocate and defenders of democracy and the rule of law.

    “It is therefore, incontrovertible that this move, being undertaken by Governor Okorocha and Imo House of Assembly is a colossal assault on all known democratic tenets, including freedom of choice, freedom of association and the right of an individual to aspire to any political position in the land.”

    A source close to the Imo State Government House, who confirmed the intervention of the presidency on Friday said it is certain that the planned impeachment has been stalled. “It cannot hold again. This is because the presidency has intervened. The presidency is of the view that the allegations against the deputy governor were not proved and so he cannot be impeached on the basis of such spurious allegations. They believe he is innocent. According to the them, ‘the man has not been found wanting, so why must he be impeached at this point, considering the likely implication of that action on the party’s fortunes in 2019.”

    Asked if the PDP and APGA leaders in Imo and Anambra states, who are also against the move are working with the presidency on this matter, the source said: “No! They can’t be working together but it is just that what is not justifiably cannot be justified. The Imo PDP and APGA leaders opposing Okorocha on this matter simply see an opportunity to get at him ahead of the 2019 elections. This is what the APC leaders from Abuja may have seen and have therefore decided to intervene,” he said.

    The source however revealed that it is not the Adams Oshiomhole-led National Working Committee of APC that is intervening now to stop the impeachment. According to him, “The new National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has so far shown no interest in resolving the matter. He has not made any concrete move to intervene. The people working hard now to stop the matter and save Madumere from the impeachment move are directly from the presidency. I am not allowed to name them. But they are the ones that are concerned to save APC in Imo. They have said that the House should not continue with the impeachment since the Chief Judge has not constituted the required committee and since there seem to be no justifiable reason to commence the process.”

  • Umeh to Okorocha: ‘You’re a trickster’

    There may be no end to the war of attrition between Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, and Senator representing Anambra Central, Victor Umeh.

    Umeh fired back at Okorocha on Wednesday for daring to label him a non performing senator.

    Umeh who is also a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) reiterated his regrets supporting Okorocha to become governor about ten years ago.

    The lawmaker told reporters in Abuja that the support he gave Okorocha which made him Imo State governor has remained a source of regret to him.

    Umeh spoke in the Senate to underscore the need for the Senate to pass “A Bill for an Act to establish the Theatre Arts Professional Regulatory Council to provide for the regulation, training and registration of the Theatre Arts Professionals in Nigeria and for matters connected therewith, 2018 (SB.681).

    He noted that Okorocha’s attempt to “orchestrate the impeachment “of his deputy, Chief Eze Madumere convinced him that the governor is “an irredeemable and unconscionable leader.”

    He said that “if Okorocha is allowed to succeed in piloting the impeachment of his deputy it will be the second time Okorocha would be behind the removal of his deputy.”

    Umeh insisted that Okorocha began to attack him because he advised him not to impeach Madumere having impeached his first deputy, Chief Jude Agbaso during his first tenure as governor of the state.

    He said, “No doubt, Rochas Okorocha is about making history in Nigeria as the only governor that impeached two deputies and because I advised him against impeaching the current one, he started attacking me.

    Read Also: You’re a failed Senator, Okorocha replies Umeh

    “I regret supporting him to become governor of Imo State against all odds.

    “I didn’t know he is a trickster and a ‘419” who found his way into office through fraud and deception.”

    The senator recalled how Okorocha declined to honour agreements with other party stalwarts in the state who ensured his success.

    “Now Okorocha has turned himself into a tiger that is attacking all of them without any molecule of conscience,” he said.

    Umeh said that he personally signed the agreement that brought Okorocha to power as governor, “but I later saw that the governor is a trickster,” which made him to distance himself from the governor.

    He accused Okorocha of attacking religious leaders and elder statesmen for advising him to toe the right path.

    Umeh threatened to publish Okorocha’s alleged “fraudulent transactions” if he continued his outbursts against him.

    He said, “Here is a man who was answering “yes sir, yes sir’ to me, even in the presence of my police orderly who has been working with me in the last 13 years.

    “On getting to office, he suddenly changed, became a tiger and was attacking everybody.  I have documents of some of his fraudulent practices and if he continues to attack on me, I will publish them.”

  • IFEYINWA OKAFOR: I don’t like to recount my challenges

    Ifeyinwa Okafor is the CEO of Homes and Landscapes, an interior decorating company which uses recycled products. In addition, she has her hands in many pies as a lawyer and accountant and contested for governorship in Imo State during the 2015 elections.
    In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, she talks about her inspiration and motivation in politics, potential for women, political thuggery and more

    What was the experience for you in politics?

    Each challenge of life, family, social and cultural life exists and they should make us stronger. The passion and the love you have for the people has to be greater than the challenges that come your way. So, that in a summary is what drives me. That is what keeps me up at night.

    So, where you have the picture of a child that is going to bed every night hungry or a woman that is being raped without food in an IDP camp, then you imagine the things that I see and need to see change in our society. I also believe that there is no social or political wall that is too high to climb.

    You are a woman of many parts, having degrees in different fields like law and accounting. What motivates you to do all this?

    It is important for a woman to be really empowered. For a woman in the workplace or the political space, I believe that she needs to be more qualified than her peers to stand out. Once you are better qualified and know your onions, they would listen to you. So, that, in essence, is to say that women have something to contribute. We are all brilliant; we are also well-equipped and well-educated. So, you need to bring your brain and all the skills you have to the political space because we have value to add to our society and make the country a better space. Look around and you will find a lot of well-qualified women out there, who need to be invited to be part of Nigeria’s governance.

    There is also the issue of violence in politics. What was your experience like when you aspired to be governor of your state?

    I am a person of faith and as I said before, there would always be challenges. I knew that going into the race when I did that there would be political thuggery, there would be political assassinations and so on. But, again, my mind was made up on my motivation. I knew what I wanted and where I was going.

    I was aware of my reason for going into that race and I felt that if I had to die in the process of bringing good governance to the children of this nation, I was very well prepared to die.

    Was there someone in your family that motivated you?

    Well, my late father (Chief Ododo Okafor) always encouraged me to be part of the conversation. He actually encouraged me to step up only on issues bothering me and how to stand out in whatever I set out to do. So, he was a motivating factor for me.

    What were the other challenges for you?

    Interestingly, I don’t like to recount challenges. Instead, I like to recount the blessings and opportunities that are there for us when we get into office and turn things around positively for Nigerians.

    Let’s talk about some of the women you admire

    I admire Hilary Clinton in global politics. I admire Angela Merkel in Europe; she opened doors and has inspired a lot of people. She was one of the few leaders in Europe that opened her doors for other countries while others were discussing how to close their doors. She encompasses my role model.

    What is your take on the Not-too-young-to-run law?

    It is an excellent law but there are practical issues that still need to be overcome. One of which is the structure of our political parties. Another is the financial requirement to obtain a form. For example, in some political parties, to obtain a form aspiring to be a governor, the form is 12 million naira. I do not know how someone who just finished school at the age of 21 years would have 12 million naira to buy a form just to aspire to govern a state. And that, of course, is not all.

    There is also the financial implication of going round the whole local government areas to campaign. So, you can see that financial issues would always be a challenge for aspirants.

    What are your plans for the 2019 elections?

    I am not just campaigning as a candidate for the elections. In addition, I would be creating awareness for the other candidates because this is something that I am passionate about.

    Let’s talk about your antecedents and how it all started

    I graduated from the University of Bradford, England, with a first class degree in Law (LLB) after a Bachelors degree from the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, in 1991. I also hold an MBA from the University of Lagos, Nigeria, and am also an alumnus of the Johnson Institute for Responsible Leadership, University of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, USA.

    I am also the Managing Director of International Packaging Industries Plc, Lagos, and I teach Corporate & Business Law as well as Governance, Risk & Ethics at ADRAC (Professional ACCA Accountancy Tutors).

    I am also a Fellow, Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAN),  Fellow, Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSAN),  Member, Institute of Directors (IoD) and  Member, Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIBN). In the course of my career, I have won several local and international awards. They include the Federal Road Safety Commission, Nigeria Essay Competition Winner in 1985; McDonalds Academic Award for Science, Columbus, Ohio U.S.A, in 1979 and also Science Excellence Award, Wisconsin U.S.A, in 1978.

    There is also the award in 2009 by the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, (ICSAN); Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN) award, Best Graduating Student Award (Erastus Akingbola Prize); Best Subject Award in Corporate Financial Management, as well as the recipient of Oba Olashore Prize and Ben Nwoji Prize.

    You had a project for young people last year. What is the focus?

    Art Arise is a creative workshop for children. The 2017 workshop was the maiden edition. Our vision is to ensure that children should not be discouraged and also not to look at art as a hobby but that art can become a source of livelihood. We also inspired them to discover their hidden talents. Art Arise is a creative hub for any child who has a talent in singing, dancing or using their hands to make items. The idea is putting them in a room while they inspire one another. During the eight days, we had mentors in different artistic fields who taught them how to develop and use their talents.

  • Imo Police parades 34 for kidnapping, armed robbery

    In what could be described as a major clampdown on criminal elements, the Imo state Police Command on Wednesday, paraded 34 suspects for alleged kidnapping, murder, armed robbery, fraud, rape, conspiracy and theft.

    Among those arrested include members of a notorious gang that specializes in kidnapping, raping and killing young girls after collecting ransom from victims’ family.

    Leader of the gang, David Ndubuisi (24) from Umuneke village in Ngor-Okpala Council Area of the state, confessed that the gang had abducted and murdered over three young girls ranging between the ages of 20 to 28 years after raping them.

    He said he was arrested after his gang kidnapped one Miss Cynthia Dike (28), who he said they raped and murdered and thereafter dumped her naked body in the forest.

    Also paraded, was a five-man kidnap syndicate that abducted and murdered a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Mr. Amos Akano from Nkwerre Council Area after collecting N5 million ransom from the victim’s family.

    Parading the suspects at the Command Headquarters, the state Commissioner of Police, Dasuki Galandanchi, said the community policing strategy adopted by the Command was yielding results.

    The CP disclosed that while ten suspects were nabbed for armed robbery, 14 were held for kidnapping and two persons for fraud.

    Galandanchi said “ten out of the suspects were nabbed for armed robbery, 14 for kidnapping and two for fraud.

    Read Also: Imo Assembly begins impeachment process against Madumere

    The Command also rescued eleven kidnap victims, while items recovered include four stolen vehicles, four locally made guns and one Pump Action”.

    Citing some of the achievements recorded by the Command, the CP said, “through intelligence gathering, David Ndubuisi,24, of Ngor Okpala LGA of  Imo state, Chinonso Akabisi,26,of Isiala Mbano LGA,and Christian Chukwuka,24, of Oguta LGA were arrested for their involvement in the kidnap of one Cynthia Dike of Ngor Okpala LGA on June 15, 2018.”

    The CP disclosed that the suspects kidnapped the victim on her way back from Port Harcourt and took her to their den in the forest, where they took turns to rape her for days before killing and dumping her naked body in the bush.

    According to him, “one motorcycle, two knives, one purse, hand bags and handsets belonging to victims were recovered from the suspects”.

    He said all the suspects would soon be arraigned in Court.

  • Imo: Ripples over plot to impeach Deputy Governor

    Fresh revelations and recent developments in Imo State House of Assembly have renewed fear that the alleged plot to impeach the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, may be true after all, reports Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu

    SINCE the Imo State House of Assembly suspended four of its members during its first plenary after the face-off at the National Convention by the two opposing factions in the state, the allegation that Governor Rochas Okorocha has instructed his men to impeach his estranged Deputy, Prince Eze Madumere, has again taken the centre stage in the politics of the state ahead 2019.

    It would be recalled that both Okorocha and Madumere had, in the past, formally denied any knowledge of moves to impeach Madumere.

    The denials notwithstanding, there were signs that something must happen as the robust relationship between Okorocha and Madumere continues to deteriorate.  So, before the open disagreement at the convention, the intrigues that trailed the congresses in the state and the courteous utterances of the leading figures in the face-off had created a very complex situation as it became rather difficult to describe the extent of the crack in the governor and his deputy’s personal and official relationships. At a point, some observers concluded that Okorocha’s camp may have given up in the battle for the control of Imo State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC), especially because of the victories recorded by the allied forces against the governor’s camp at the state congresses. But informed observers could not help but note that Governor Okorocha’s resolve to stop the re-election of Senator Hope Uzodimma as the National Organising Secretary of APC was expressed without mincing words.

    So, as APC moved to Abuja for its National Convention on 23rd June, 2018, both observers and party members were curious to see how the power game in Imo APC will proceed. At the beginning, everything seemed to be under control. But trouble started after a group loyal to Okorocha stormed the Imo delegates’ pavillion.

    According to insider reports, members of the group on arrival at the pavilion, asked delegates loyal to Madumere, the deputy governor, to vacate their seats. At this stage, it became clear that the battle was not ended. As would be expected, the order was resisted, leading to open fisticuffs while President Muhammadu Buhari was making a speech.

    Impeachment plot rebounds

    Fresh developments in Imo confirm that the open fight in Abuja was just a preamble to the actual power game that will ultimately unfold in Imo. The Imo battle did not wait long to unfold for as soon as the state lawmakers resumed after the convention, the hallowed chamber witnessed open flexing of muscle as the House promptly impeached four members identified as supporters of Madumere. The Nation observed that the political landscape of the Southeast state has not remained the same since then.

    In fact, since the Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Acho Ihim, announced the suspension of the four lawmakers at the Assembly’s first plenary after the party’s National Convention, tongues have been wagging mainly because the affected lawmakers are known supporters of the Deputy Governor, Madumere. As a result, analysts have linked the development to the plot to impeach the deputy governor as quickly as possible.

    The lawmakers suspended are Uche Oguike, representing Ikeduru State Constituency; Ifeanyi Nnataraonye, representing Imo Deputy Governor’s local government, Mbaitoli; Nzeruo John Nkenna of Oru East and Chiji Collins, representing Isiala Mbano Constituency.

    The motion on which the suspension was predicated was raised on the floor of the Assembly, with the title: “Motion for Investigation of un-parliamentary Conduct of Four House members.” It reads in part: “…Whereas a number of members of Imo State House of Assembly have continual unabated to conduct themselves in ways and manner capable of eroding the co-operate image and sanity of Imo parliament and the state

    Be it resolved by this House that Hon. Chiji Collins, Hon. Uche Oguwike, Hon. Ifeanyi Nnataronye and Hon. Nkenna Nzeruo be immediately subjected to the Disciplinary and Ethic Committee of this Honourable House

    Be it further resolved that 4 (four) Honourable members be forthwith suspended till the report of the said Committee is received and resolved by this house.”

    Besides the suddenness of the motion suspending the lawmakers, its timing, immediately after the open confrontation at the national convention, critics of the Speaker’s decision to accept the pleadings of the motion, and his implementation of it immediately argued that the motion “did not state in clear terms the offences of the lawmakers” to warrant immediate suspension.

    Reacting to his suspension, one of the affected lawmakers, Nkenna John Nzeruo, who represents Oru East, described it as “witch-hunting.”  The lawmaker who spoke to The Nation on Friday, described the impeachment as witch-hunting,” even as he explained that he was speaking from his hiding place as, according to him, there have been threats on his life since he first came out to condemn his suspension. According to him, “I had to speak out because the people that suspended me and the other three colleagues did no tell the world our offences. They only said we were suspended because of unparliamentary conduct. I find that phrase ambiguous; a proof that there are hidden reasons for the illegal action.   As a lawmaker, I have not been found wanting in the discharge of my legislative functions neither have I faced a disciplinary committee for whatever reason.

    “The only crimes I committed are : That I gave heed to my people, whose mandate I represent, not to participate in any oath taking for the sum of Fifty Million Naira (N50,000,000) to protect my integrity before God and my people.

    Another is that I refused to go to the press to attack, abuse and assassinate the characters of Senator Hope Uzodimma as instructed even when he is my brother, constituent and also a BoT member of same party (APC).

    Another offence is my refusal to join the band wagon of the Ugwumba Movement (Agburu) supporting a particular governorship aspirant in Imo State.

    Finally, I may have offended some people because I wore the uniform provided by and for the Southeast members of the party (APC) for the just concluded National Convention of the party in Abuja.

    How these become an unparliamentary conduct is yet to be proved,” he said.

    Confirming the allegation that some lawmakers were asked, by some forces, to take oath, the lawmaker told The Nation, “I was asked to take oath of allegiance, oath of total support, but I refused to do that. That was my second offence. The third offence is because they saw me at the National Convention associating with the state APC. So, this suspension is simply the outcome of the APC National Convention of 23rd June, 2018, at Eagle Square, Abuja.

    I have also been reliably informed that other forms of attack are being programmed against me.”

    How the plan to settle matter failed in the House

    After announcing the suspension of the lawmakers, the Speaker had set up a committee headed by Hon. Lawman Duruji to investigate the matter, submit its report on July 5 2018 in order to help Assembly to resolve it internally. But investigation by The Nation during the week shows that that committee could not do anything tangible until the expiration of the time given it to conclude its work.

    Nzeruo told The Nation that until Friday, a day after the expiration of the time, neither him nor any other lawmaker affected in the suspension were invited by the committee to answer to any allegation. “Today is Friday and in spite of the fact that the committee was expected to conclude its work yesterday (Thursday), none of us has been invited to answer to any charge. Instead, the House adjourned until 24th of August without saying a word about the suspension. Because of that, we are going to the court to sue the Imo State House of Assembly and the Speaker of the House, who pronounced the suspension.”

    Tension in the land:

    Following the power show, there is tension in Imo, especially amongst APC members in the two factions. One of the suspended lawmakers, Nzeruo for example, told The Nation that since he reacted to his suspension, there have been threats to his person, a development that has made him to go into hiding. “I have been into hiding since then because of threatening calls and suspicious movements in my compound. The atmosphere is not good at all,” he said.

    Impeachment stalled

    Even as the suspended lawmakers head to the court, we gathered that the impeachment move may have been stalled following two unresolved issues. A source close to the Assembly told The Nation that some lawmakers were not happy because the sponsor of the impeachment move has not fulfilled his part of the bargain. Another issue, the source said, has to do with the fact that the lawmakers are not comfortable with the position of the State Chief Judge on the issue. Some of them said the he may not accept the plan or the way it is being carried out.  For now the tension continuous to build up..

  • Breaking: Court nullifies Imo APC Ward, LG Congresses

    …orders fresh congress

     

    A Federal High Court sitting in Owerri, the Imo State capital Thursday nullified the Ward and Local Government Congresses of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State.

    The presiding Judge, Justice Lewis Allagoa, in his ruling that lasted for about two hours, held that APC Ward and Local Government Congresses were never held in the state in the first place.

    He therefore ordered the party to conduct fresh Ward congresses in the state in line with the guidelines of the party, “they should go back and conduct fresh Congresses in accordance with the constitutions of the party; they should be responsible and save our democracy.

    Read Also:Imo APC Ward Congress characterized by confusion, controversies – INEC

    The Judge in his ruling observed that The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which is the body mandated by the Electoral Act to supervise primaries and Congresses of political parties in their report attached as exhibit by the Plaintiffs, affirmed that APC Congresses were not held in the state.

    Justice Allagoa in his ruling dismissed the argument of Counsel to the Defendants that the Plaintiffs lacked the locus standi to challenge the conduct of the Ward Congresses in the state.

    He ruled that the Plaintiffs having established the fact that they are members of the party and Ward Chairmen have the locus standi to challenge the outcome of the Ward Congresses.

    Justice Allagoa in also dismissed the argument by Counsel to the second and eight defendant, Kelvin Nwufor (SAN) that the Plaintiffs did not get leave of Court to serve the defendants outside the jurisdiction of the Court, stating that the Federal High has one jurisdiction.

    He therefore granted the Plaintiffs’ prayers that the Court declare as null and void results purported to have emanated from APC Ward Congress in the state as the Congress never held across the state.

    The Plaintiffs who are APC Ward Chairmen in the Originating Summon in the Suit with Suit No FHC/OW/CS/69/2018 had prayed the Court among other reliefs to issue an Order of injunction restraining the defendants by themselves, agents, or privies from announcing or declaring or making reference to non-existing results of the ward congress purportedly claimed to have been released by them as results of the inconclusive ward congress.”

    The defendants in the Suit include the immediate past APC National Organizing Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso, the State Chairman of the party, Chief Hilary Eke, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and others.

  • Court orders Nigeria to pay two families N170m over rights abuses

    The Community Court of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has ordered the Nigerian government to pay two families over N150million for rights violation.

    The court gave the directive in two judgements it delivered on Wednesday in two suits filed by the two Nigerian families, whose members suffered rights violation in the hands of security agents.

    The first judgment was in a suit marked: ECW/CCJ/APP/13/14 was filed by Chief Damian Onwuham and 22 other members of a family, whose property was demolished four years ago under  a 2009 law enacted by Imo State, that allows for the demolition of the homes of kidnappers as part measures to curb the menace of kidnapping in the state.

    The plaintiffs had alleged the violations of their rights to fair hearing and effective investigation; right to presumption of innocence; right to property and right to dignity of the human person as guaranteed in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

    A three-man panel of the court led by Justice Friday Chijioke Nwoke, ordered the Nigerian government to pay N100,089,140 as special damages to the  family.

    The award, the court said, represents the total cost of the buildings and other household items destroyed by agents of the Imo State government, namely, one unit of bungalow of 15 bedrooms and two sitting rooms, another bungalow of seven bedrooms and a sitting room and a third bungalow of six bedrooms and a sitting room.

    the Court held that the 12th April 2014 demolitions on ‘account of an unsubstantiated allegation of the offence of kidnapping without trial is illegal, unlawful and violated’ Articles 7 and 14 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

    The Court also awarded another N20m to the family as general damages for the violation of the Applicants’ fundamental rights to fair hearing, human dignity and right to property but rejected the family’s claims for exemplary damages.

    The court directed the government to ‘investigate the circumstances surrounding the disappearance  of Chief Onwuham’s son, Obinna Kasarachi , with a view to determining his whereabouts, and where an offence is found to have been committed, prosecute the culprits.’

    Obinna, the alleged kidnapper, was allegedly handcuffed and taken from the family home on 19th December 2012 by members of Operation Rescue Imo, a state security outfit comprising of policemen, soldiers, members of the State Security Service and the Civil Defence Corps.

    Read Also: Lawyer slumps, dies in court

    While the court acknowledged the ‘devastating effect’ of kidnapping on the economy and safety of citizens of any state confronted with the menace which justifies ‘drastic measures,’ it held that such ‘measures have to be within the confines of the law, having regard to what is fair and just and in the circumstance avoid acts that tend to violate the right of others.’

    Justice Nwoke said: “It appears that the anti-kidnapping law of the defendant, if it exits, prescribes punishment without recourse to trial by an independent tribunal,’ which is inconsistent with international best practices that provides for trial by a court or tribunal for any offence created by law as well as against ‘all known human rights norms for punishment to be imposed on a suspect without the necessity of a trial.”

    He described, relied on by Imo State Government,  as “punitive, obnoxious and indeed an exhibition of the highest point of impunity,” which if “allowed under any guise then all of us are endangered species.’ It also criticised the demolition based on the State anti-kidnapping law as a form of collective punishment that is neither consistent with international law, particularly the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights nor the  country’s  1999 Constitution.”

    The second judgment was on a suit marked: ECW/CCJ/APP/29/15 filed by members of the family of a Nigerian politician, Ikyasa Chia, who was abducted and later killed three years ago by some policemen.

    The plaintiffs comprising the four wives and children of the late politician had asked for 500 million naira in compensation for the “physical assault and gruesome murder,” of Chia, who was allegedly abducted by officers of the Police led by one Inspector Benjamin Yankyaa.

    The court, in its judgment, ordered the Nigerian government to pay N50mn compensation to the family of the deceased politician.

    It said the compensation is for the ‘arbitrary, unlawful and illegal’ killing of the family’s breadwinner on 14th August 2015 by the police near Makurdi, the capital of the country’s Benue State.

    The court characterized the killing as a gross violation of the deceased’s right to life and respect for the dignity of his person as enshrined in Article 4 and 5 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.

    The court said the failure of the defendant to investigate and prosecute persons connected with the said unlawful killing of the late Chia is a violation of the rights of the Applicants as well as abdication of the Defendant`s obligation under the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.

    It said: “A state has a legal duty to take reasonable steps to prevent human rights violations and use the means at its disposal to carry out serious investigations of violations committed within its jurisdiction to identify those responsible, impose appropriate punishment and ensure the victim’s adequate compensation.”

    The court noted that, while the defendant attached a statement by the officer that led the team in the arrest as well as the investigating officer, it failed to attach a “comprehensive report prepared by an independent officer, stating the circumstances that led to the death of Ikyase Chia.

    It also noted that “no evidence was led to show that interviews and interrogations were carried out on all the officers who took part in the operation.’’

    The court held that in the “case of lethal force by state agents, as in the present case, a prompt investigation is critical to ascertain whether the officers intentionally shot the deceased or it was ‘absolutely necessary’ to have shot him while trying to escape a lawful arrest.”

  • Igbo leaders: ‘We will vote Buhari in 2019’

    … Nigeria’s Presidency negotiable – Buhari

    Notable Igbo leaders, Chieftains and members of the All Progressive Congress (APC), on Tuesday converged in large number in Owerri, the Imo State capital for a mega rally with a promise that the Southeast zone will support President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election in 2019.

    They noted that the Southeast has benefited immensely from President Buhari’s administration in the last three years, more than what they got for the 16 years of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) administration.

    Apart from this, the APC leaders said that supporting President Buhari’s second bid will brighten the chances of the zone to produce Nigeria’s president in 2023.

    Speaking at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, venue of the event, the Igbo leaders took turn to highlight some of the landmark achievements the Buhari’s administration has recorded in the Southeast, with special emphasis on the second Niger Bridge and the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.

    Imo State Governor and Chief Host of the event, Rochas Okorocha, said that what President Buhari is doing in the Southeast has endeared his administration to the people.

    Read Also: Buhari, French President meet in Aso Rock

    In his words, “what we are celebrating here is the leadership of President Buhari. It is true that the Igbo made a mistake in 2015 but the Igbo believe in Buhari for 2019 and the Igbo are ardent followers”.

    The Imo governor also dismissed insinuations that the APC is fragmented in the Southeast, stating that, “nobody should use the current misunderstanding in the party to judge the performance of the party in the Southeast. There are similar misunderstandings in other zones as well”.

    Kano State Governor, Abdulahi Umar Ganduje in his speech acknowledged that the Southeast are truly in support of the President’s reelection.

    He said, “With what I have seen today, it is clear that the Igbo has made a u-turn in politics and they are now in the centre of politics in Nigeria. I am impressed with the massive support for the APC and Mr. President”.

    Former Governor of Bornu State and one time National Chairman of the PDP, Ali Mordu Sherriff in his brief speech, said that with the mammoth crowd that gathered for the rally the Igbo are for Buhari. “I have seen with my eyes and confirmed that the Igbo are for Buhari”.

    Leader of the Southeast APC caucus in the House of Representatives, Nnanna Igbokwe, said that the Lawmakers are convinced that President Buhari’s administration has dealt favorably with the Southeast, assuring that “we will mobilize our people in large number in our respective states and vote for APC in 2019 to ensure that we give the President a resounding victory in the Southeast in 2019”.

    The newly elected APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomole, in what appeared to be his first assignment, said that “I am left with no doubt that the APC has taken over the Southeast and our opponents will not sleep today in Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Abia over what is happening here today”.

    He continued, “I want to salute the determination of the Imo State Governor, today he has shown who truly owns the land. I am truly impressed and I will tell the President that what I saw today is not a social media stunt but physical demonstration of support for the APC”.

    In his response, President Muhammadu Buhari told Igbo that Nigeria’s Presidency has always been negotiated on the position of strength.

    He said that the Igbo Presidency in 2023 will be possible if Ndigbo can invest the same skills and determination they deployed in the business sector into politics.

    According to Buhari who was represented at the Southeast APC Mega Rally by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, “the Igbo should navigate their way into the centre of national politics by supporting the APC in 2019”.

    He stressed, “what happens in 2019 will go a long way to determine the fate of the Igbo nation as it concerns the 2023 Presidency. So it is important that they put away party sentiments in the overall interest of the Igbo nation and ensure that the APC gets landslide victory in the Southeast”.

    The President emphasized that Nigeria needs focused leadership to overcome the plethora of problems created by the PDP administration, “many people are running around to be the President of Nigeria but Nigeria is not a banana republic, what Nigeria needs now is a detribalized, honest, transparent and determined leadership and that is what President Buhari represents”.

    Dignitaries at the event include, Modu Sherriff, former governor of Bayelsa State, Timinipre Silver, Kano State Governor, Abdulahi Ganduje, Senators Uche Ekwunife and Andy Uba, APC National Auditor, George Moghalu, APC National Organizing Secretary, Emma Ibediro, Anambra APC governorship candidate in the 2017 election, Dr Tony Nwoye and other members of the APC NWC.