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Tag: Imo State

  • Its too early to judge our performance, Rochas tells Nigerians

    Its too early to judge our performance, Rochas tells Nigerians

    The Chairman, Progressive Governors Forum and Governor of Imo State, Mr Rochas Okorocha, says on Tuesday it is too early for Nigerians to judge elected officials on their performance.

    “We want to appeal to Nigerians not to judge us from past sins or within the two years we have been in the mantle of leadership of this great country.

    “You should judge us when the mandate entrusted to us expires,” Okorocha said at the opening of a retreat on policy synergy between states and the Federal Government, holding in Birnin Kebbi.

    The governor reminded Nigerians that those presently at the helm of affairs came on board when the country was at the brink of collapse due to security and economic challenges.

    He assured that the APC-led administration would meet the expectations of all Nigerians.

    “Our party has the best governors ever produced in the history of this country – from Sokoto, Adamawa, Kebbi, Lagos, Imo, Zamfara, Nasarawa, Kogi and others.

    “When you visit those states, you will know that Nigerians have not made mistake electing us to lead their states affairs.

    “We have resolved to fix the economy and it has already being fixed, ” he said.

    The chairman of the progressive governor explained that they are working with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to put resources together to stamp out hunger in the country.

    “We are united and Nigeria will always remain an indivisible nation.

    “We don’t know who is Hausa, Yoruba or Igbo, our determination is only to stamp out hunger and bring democratic dividend to our citizens.

    “Hate statements should not be taken serious or regarded from anyone,” he said.

    Okorocha commended Kebbi farmers for saving the country a lot of foreign exchange through their agricultural activities especially rice production.

    Earlier, Kebbi Governor, Atiku Bagudu, said the governors would continue to work diligently in line with the APC manifesto.

    He said they would intensify efforts to eradicate poverty.

    “The enthusiasm and patriotism of President Muhammadu Buhari and Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, demonstrate that Nigeria is getting its footsteps right.

    “All that helps Nigeria to develop is now brought to debate and discussion table, and we should always cherish what we discuss significantly in order to enhance our development,” Bagudu said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the retreat was to evaluate current challenges faced by state governments in accessing opportunities and resources provided by various policies of the federal government.

  • AUGUST DATE FOR LAKECITY FILM FESTIVAL

    SPEARHEADING the tourism drive for the annual Omerife festival in Oguta, Imo State, the second edition of Lakecity Film Festival (LACIFF) has been scheduled to hold from August 21 to 23, 2017, with the theme: ‘Tourism is the voice of unification’.

    Announcing this in Lagos last week, founder of the festival, Mazi Ekine Stronghold, stated: “This year, the Lakecity Film Festival will hold against the backdrop of the annual Omerife festival. This is in line with our set out objectives which is to celebrate the indigenous and showcase our rich cultural heritage.”

    He noted that Oguta Ameshi, Obodo Girigiri is a land of history with a lot of tourism potentials and explained that this year’s edition will feature a blue carpet, Nollywood novelty football match, a business and investment roundtable, Igbo filmmakers’ forum, master classes, lake tour, Ogene Nkirika parade and a host of other fun filled activities.

    LACIFF, he said, will continue to focus on indigenous films, “what makes these films stand out, their indigenous content and appeal”.

    Corroborating Stronghold’s statement, Dr. Ernest Nwapa, who has been a major patron of the festival, said it was his fervent belief that Nigeria can be what we want it to be with film and tourism.

    “This industry is made for places like Oguta. What we need to do is to work together to promote and design creative ways to grow of this union of film and tourism. I believe this Omerife edition of the Lakeciy Film Festival will be memorable.

    Some Nollywood stakeholders at the event were chairman, Board of Trustees of the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Prince Ifeanyi Dike; president of the Association of Movie Producers of Nigeria (AMP), Mr. Ralph Nwadike, former president of the association, Paul Obazele; Actress Hilda Dokubo; Actors Chinedu Ikedieze, Charles Inojie, who is also the president of the Screen Writers Guild of Nigeria (SWGN) and veteran filmmaker Tunji Bamishigbin.

    Omerife is the annual New Yam Festival being celebrated during harvest time in Oguta. It stretches from the last week of August to the third week of September. During the festival, cows, goats and fowls are slaughtered by the Ezeigwe, the Iyasara, the Ezeukwu, the Ndanike, Nde Okpara, Umuishi, the presidents and patrons of all age grades, as well as the first sons of deceased fathers.

  • 4,000 sign up to anti-graft fight in Imo

    4,000 sign up to anti-graft fight in Imo

    The anti-corruption crusade gathers steam in Imo State where thousands of teachers and pupils have joined the battle. OKODILI NDIDI reports

    It is just as well that the anti-corruption fight is focusing on the young and their teachers, rather than on fat cats in high places. Jail them or make them cough up what they stole, high-profile crooks are unlikely to drop their old habits, but take the anti-corruption message to young people with impressionable minds, and you might win them over before they become monsters.

    That is what is happening in Imo State where no fewer than 4,000 volunteers comprising teachers and pupils of secondary and primary schools have signed the anti-corruption inducement form of a non-governmental organisation African Initiatives Against Corruption and Examination Malpractices (AIACEM).

    The NGO said it was committed to taking the crusade against corruption and exam malpractices to primary, secondary and tertiary institutions across Nigeria.

    The NGO visited over 10 schools in Imo on the 2017 World Anti-Corruption Day to counsel students against corruption and examination malpractices.

    Addressing a large crowd of students at Christ the King International Anglican Secondary School on the topic “Catch Them Young,” the Director of the NGO, Mr. Frances Abioye described corruption as the greatest problem confronting the nation.

    He said corruption has eaten deep into the fabric of the nation, adding that the NGO was willing to tackle and curtail it.

    He said, “It is unfortunate that even students at various levels do not know that cheating or examination malpractice is part of the corrupt practices in Nigeria. We are determined to change the story and we have begun the crusade with primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in Imo, but soon we’ll carry the message across the country.”

    Abioye said that within two months of its formation the NGO has recorded over 3,000 volunteers in its Anti-Corruption Club (ACC). That figure will change after the Imo tallies.

    He hinted that most Nigerian graduates are no longer employable due to the fact that they depended on cheating and malpractices during their school days, adding, “I want to warn all of you in this seminar to shun corruption and exam malpractice because it can only lead you to doom”.

    Also addressing the students, Prof. Okey Okoro of the Department of Library Science, Imo State University disclosed that the only way to guarantee Nigeria’s future is by catching the younger generation.

    “If we don’t do what we are doing today,” he said, “this nation will still be prone to all kind of negativity. We must begin now to redirect the mindset of school children because they are the leaders of tomorrow but if we allow them to build themselves with cheating and malpractices, we cannot get it right again.”

    Okoro condemned all manner of examination malpractice, and commended the NGO for initiating the idea and championing the crusade against corruption and examination malpractices.

  • Okorocha bans Imo monarchs from speaking in English at official fora

    Okorocha bans Imo monarchs from speaking in English at official fora

    Gov Rochas Okorocha of Imo has banned traditional rulers in the State from speaking in English at official functions and while conducting affairs at their palaces.

    Okorocha gave the directive while handing over letters of recognition and staffs of office to 19 newly recognized traditional rulers in the State in Owerri on Tuesday.

    He directed that every monarch must only speak in Igbo at functions and in their palaces, adding that interpreters could be employed if the need arises.

    The governor said this was in a bid to ensure that the Igbo language did not die as predicted in some quarters.

    He also told traditional rulers in the state to be agents of peace, progress and prosperity in their respective domains instead of being tools of disunity and destabilization.

    He  warned that any traditional ruler who could not show genuine leadership in his autonomous community would have his Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office withdrawn.

    The governor further encouraged the new traditional rulers to help the government to develop the resources of the state while urging them to rule equitably.

    “Every community requires an Eze to function effectively as the head of the Community Government Council. Today, that responsibility has fallen on you.

    ”I urge you not to fail as failure is not an option and I encourage you to help the government in developing the resources of our land.

    “Remember that to whom much is given much is expected. This whole exercise you must understand is not an election or appointment to enable you distinguish between those who love you and those who hate you.

    “Today, you are an Eze, and you must be the Eze for everyone both those against you and those who were for you. I advise you to take all of them along and embrace peace.

    ”Your first assignment should be to invite those who were against you to make peace in your land as no Eze can function effectively if there is no peace in your land,” he said.

    Delivering a vote of thanks vote of thanks, Eze Lucky Ajoku of Ihiagwa Autonomous Community, promised that they will embrace peace.

    Ajoku also pledged the support of the monarchs in helping the government attain the lofty ideals of the Community Government Councils in their various communities.

  • Okorocha bans monarchs from speaking English

    Okorocha bans monarchs from speaking English

    Henceforth, traditional rulers in Imo State have been forbidden to speak English or any other foreign language at public functions or in their Palaces while conducting the affairs of their communities.

    This was the directive of the State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, who said that the monarchs could employ the services of interpreters if the need arises.

    The Imo Governor gave the directive while handing over letters of recognition and staff of office to 19 newly recognized traditional rulers in the State.

    He asserted that “Igbo language must not be allowed to die as been predicted in some quarters”.

    Governor also urged the traditional rulers to be agents of peace and prosperity in their respective domain “instead of being tools of disunity and destabilization”.

    He warned that any traditional ruler who could not show genuine leadership in his autonomous community stands the risk of having his Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office withdrawn.

    According to him, “today, history is made that light has come and darkness would not comprehend at all. The truth has surfaced and the right people have finally become the Custodian of the traditional right of their people. You are not permitted to speak English at functions. This will help keep our Culture and Igbo language alive”.

    He continued that, “for many years now, most of you have been looking for a day like this. Some of you were victims of injustice and never believed that this could be possible and most of you have been waiting without knowing your fate. But today, it is a manifest of truth that your people have chosen you, and the government of Imo State has approved.

    “I took the bold step of reconciling people, took the step to ensure that truth came to be and voided the rancour that has existed in our various communities over ezeship title. This has equally affected the Community Government Council (CGC) negatively because every community requires an Eze to function effectively as the head of the Community Government Council. Today, that responsibility has fallen on you, I urge you not to fail as failure is not an option. I encourage you to help the government in developing the resources of our land as posterity will only remember you for your positive contributions in the development of your community and not in how much wealth you enmassed as an eze”.

    The governor added further that,  “remember that to whom much is given much is expected. This whole exercise you must understand is not an election or appointment to enable you distinguish between those who love you and those who hate you. Today, you are an Eze, and you must be the Eze for everyone both those against you and those who were for you. I advise you to take all of them along and embrace peace. Your first assignment should be to invite those who were against you to make peace in your land as no Eze can function effectively if there is no peace in your land.

    “Today, you join several Ezes in the Communities of Imo State. You are now addressed as royal fathers and members of Imo State Traditional Council which its right is given to you until death, unless you act in such a manner that you are found wanting before the members of this society”.

    He also explained that “the essence of Ezeship is not in the title of being called HRM or HRH, it’s in what you have been able to do to change your society for good. You have to understand that you have enormous responsibilities, Ezeship is not an easy job, it attracts enmity and takes all your time”.

    In his vote of thanks, Eze Lucky Ajoku of Ihiagwa Autonomous Community, described the governor as an “apostle of good conscience and equity and promised that they will embrace peace and help the government attain the lofty ideals of the Community Government Councils in their various communities”.

     

  • Police parade 36 suspected kidnappers, armed robbers in Imo

    Police parade 36 suspected kidnappers, armed robbers in Imo

    It was a massive haul of ammunitions in Imo State as the State Police Command commence clampdown on notorious kidnap syndicates and armed robbery gangs and other criminal elements operating in the State and the environs.

    No fewer than 36 kidnap and armed robbery suspects have been arrested within the period the operation has lasted.

    The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Ezike, who paraded the suspects at the Police Headquarters Tuesday, assured that the offensive against criminal elements in the state will be sustained until heinous criminal activities are reduced to the barest minimum.

    He said that apart from tracking down kidnap and armed robbery syndicates, the Command will also initiate massive onslaught against cult groups who have taken delight in harassing and maiming innocent residents of the state.

    Describing cultism as the “root” of other criminal activities, Ezike, said that cultists will be traced to their classrooms, hostels and homes, where they will be apprehended to face the law, even after escaping from the scene of their crime.

    According to him, “I am delighted this morning as we showcase our modest achievements in crime management in Imo State since my last parade of suspects in April. Permit me to mention however, that we have also in between the period made public some arrests and recoveries which we thought were very urgent importance.

    “As we approach the second half of 2017, the Command expects increased business activities and human relationships in Imo State. These activities come with its good, bad and ugly baggage. We must therefore continuously be on the red alert so that the less than 7% criminal elements in our midst do not cause us avoidable pains”.

    He continued that, “consequently in the coming weeks and months, our Tactical Operational focus shall be to sustain the momentum in the current operation of identification, arrest, detention and prosecution of suspected armed robbers, kidnappers, cultists and other notorious criminals.

    “To commence the urgent vetting and profiling of communities, organizations, hotels that have shown uncommon notoriety in the provision of safe haven and passages for armed robbers/kidnappers with a view to holding their leadership and owners accountable for their acts or omissions .

    “To sustain high visibility policing as a crime prevention measure and employ forensic technology as a fundamental aid to criminal investigation and detection and to expand the frontiers of Police/community partnership through strategic communication and relationship that will continue to stimulate our whistle blowing policy”.

    The Commissioner of Police, attributed the success recorded within the time under review to “the workability of our whistle blowing policy which has encouraged the residents of Imo state to expose criminality and other vices that torment our society, renewed partnership with all segments of the Imo community and good inter-agency cooperation and collaboration, as well as the commitment and renewed zeal of the personnel of Imo state Police Command, using intelligence-led policing platforms and high visibility policing models to achieve efficiency and effectiveness”.

    Some of the criminal syndicate that were busted include a notorious four-man kidnap gang led by a 34-year-old father of seven, which has been terrorizing residents of the state, especially around Avu community in Owerri West Council Area of the State.

    Other members of the gang that was said to be behind the abduction of a female magistrate that was later rescued by the Police recently, were Chima Agujo (20), Tochukwu Chima 27 and Desmond Akano (25).

    Also paraded were members of child trafficking syndicate that specializes in abducting and drugging pregnant women who are kept till they deliver and their babies sold by the gang.

    Names of the members of the gang were given as Chinedu Onyeakosi, Chinaza Onyeakosi and Chidi Donatus, all male.

    The Police also paraded students of the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) who were arrested for alleged armed robbery and cultism.

    Items recovered from the paraded suspects, include stolen vehicles, AK47 Riffles, locally made pistols, pump action guns, axe, machetes and other dangerous weapons.

     

  • Police rescue baby sold for N650, 000 in Imo

    Police rescue baby sold for N650, 000 in Imo

    The Imo State Police Command has arrested members of a notorious child trafficking syndicate that specializes in stealing and sell under aged children.

    A ten-month old boy, Tochukwu Okechukwu Peter, who was stolen and sold for N650, 000 was rescued and handed over to its parents, Mr and Mrs Okechukwu Peter.

    It will be recalled that the Command paraded five women four days ago for stealing a baby at a burial ceremony in the state and selling it for N600, 000 to a buyer in Nnewi, Anambra State.

    Parading the three suspects , Ogechi Chukwuocha, 42 years, Calista Igwe, 38, and Chimezie, 32 shortly before handing over the recovered child to the parents, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Andrew Enwerem, said that the child was stolen from his mother , Udoka Peter, on June 15, 2017 at Ogbaku in the Mbaitoli Council Area of the state.

    Enwerem, disclosed that the prime suspect, one Favor Nwekem, absconded with the baby after the mother left it in her custody to attend to some domestic chores.

    “The mother of the baby handed over the child to the prime suspect to attend to some important chores and before she could come back, she had absconded with the baby to where she sold the baby for N650,000.00.

    “Members of the syndicate have been arrested except the prime suspect who is still at large”.

    According to him. “On June 15, one Udoka Peter, reported the case of the stealing of her ten months old son by one Favor Nwekem. The operatives of the Department of Criminal Investigations and intelligence swung into action and raided their hideout in Orlu and recovered the stolen child.

    “Investigation revealed that one Ogechi Chukwuocha bought the child for N650,000, from Calista Igwe, while Chimezie Okafor was the link person. Unfortunately, the prime suspect ran away, but we are trailing him and will soon nab him”.

    The 42-year-old widow, Ogechi Chukwuocha, who allegedly bought the child for N650,000, said that she has been looking for a male child for a long time to retain the inheritance of her late husband’s property as she only had two female children for her husband before he died.

    She denied that she never knew that the child was stolen, “the woman that brought the child to me,  told me that the mother willingly asked her to give the child to anyone that can take care of the child and she needed money so I gave her the money and took the child”.

     

  • Police announce reward for officers killed in Imo Bank robbery

    Police announce reward for officers killed in Imo Bank robbery

    Two policemen who were killed by robbers during an attack on a branch of Zenith Bank in Imo State have been recommended for posthumous promotion, according to Police Commissioner Chris Ezike.

    Ezike told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Owerri that another policeman, Otu Attang, who survived the February 22, 2017 attack, would also be promoted with the deceased officers, Messrs Chukwudi Iboko and Sunday Agbo.

    Four armed men on that day, trailed a man to the bank in Owerri, and in the process, attacked police officers attached to the place.

    In the gun battle, the policemen killed one of the robbers identified as Ikechukwu Okpara, but lost Messrs Iboko and Agbo.

    Ezike said the recommendation followed the huge sacrifice the three officers made to save the bank and its customers.

    “The officers were gallant and showed serious commitment during the robbery attack. Nigeria Police Force cannot abandon them,” he said.

    The commissioner also said the management of the bank had undertaken to offer scholarship to the children of the deceased officers.

    He said three of the suspected armed robbers, Justice Ogbonna, Abiye Charles and Okechukwu Nwanegbo, who attacked the bank, had been arrested, adding that different types of arms were recovered from them.

     

  • 2019: Okorocha warns against inciting statements 

    2019: Okorocha warns against inciting statements 

    …says no group can threaten the security of the State

     

    The recent threat by political leaders from Owerri zone in Imo State to kill and burn down the property of anyone from the zone who supports any other politician from another zone for the 2019 governorship election has drawn the ire of the State Governor, Rochas Okorocha who warned against further inflammatory utterances that could undermine the peace and security of the State.

    The Imo Governor cautioned proponents of zoning, especially those from Owerri zone to desist from acts that could jeopardize the safety of lives and property of Imo citizens, asserting that the government will not fold it’s hands and watch “few overzealous politicians threaten the lives and property of the citizens for political reasons “.

    A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo,  read in part, “the attention of the Governor and Chief Security Officer of the state, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has been drawn to the recent threat by a group of politicians from a particular political zone in the state to kill and burn the properties of people from their zone who would support candidates from the other zones of the state for the governorship of the state in 2019.

    “This uncivilized and undemocratic threat bothers on the lives and properties of Imo citizens, and no responsible government would fold its hands and watch few overzealous politicians threatening the lives and properties of the citizens for political reasons”.

    The statement continued that,  “the Governor is worried that such threat could also elicit similar threats from the other zones of the state and a situation like that could lead to undue bickering, especially when it is recalled that there is no zone that has not governed state and those concerned were elected by the people on merit and not on zonal sentiment.

    “It is the popular wish of Imo people that anybody who has what it takes to offer the state and her people purposeful leadership should come out when the time comes not minding which political zone of the state the person might come from. And that has been the stock in the politics of the state since 1979.

    “It is also important to remind these elements fanning this ember of division among Imo people out of zonal bias that Imo people have never left political contest in the state for the governorship to one particular zone for any reason”.

    It also clarified that,  “for instance, in 1979 Chief Sam Mbakwe of NPP from Okigwe zone, Dr. Nwakanma Okoro of NPN from Umuahia zone, Dr. Nnanna Ukaegbu of GNPP from Owerri zone, Mr. Steve Evuleocha of PRP from Owerri zone, and Mr. Zacheaus Nwosu of UPN from Okigwe zone ran for the governorship of the state and at the end of the day, Imo people settled for Sam Mbakwe from Okigwe zone.

    “In the 1983 election, Sam Mbakwe of NPP from Okigwe zone, Chief Collins Obih of NPN from Orlu zone, Mr. Sylvanus Ekeanyawu of UPN from Owerri zone and so on, contested the election which Mbakwe also won.

    “In the 1991 governorship poll, Dr. Ezekiel Izuogu from Orlu zone, Prof. Fabian Osuji and Dr. Alex Obi from Owerri zone ran for the ticket of SDP, while Chief Evan Enwerem from Owerri zone and Dr. Douglas Acholonu from Orlu zone ran for the ticket of NRC in the primaries. At the end of the day, Chief Enwerem from Owerri zone won the election proper.

    “In the 1999 election, Chief Achike Udenwa, Rochas Okorocha, Greg Mbadiwe, Ezekiel Izuogu from Orlu zone and Humphrey Anumudo and Desmond Iwuagwu (Barnax) of AD from Owerri zone all took part in the gubernatorial election.

    “In 2007, Hope Uzodinma, Tony Ezenna, Festus Odimegwu, ThankGod Ezeani from Orlu zone with Kema Chikwe, Bright Nwanne, Emma Ojinere from Owerri zone and Ifeanyi Araraume from Okigwe zone slugged it out in PDP. At the end of the day, the contest was narrowed down to Ifeanyi Araraume for PDP and Ikedi Ohakim for PPA all from Okigwe zone and Martin Agbaso of APGA and Ugo Opara of ANPP all from Owerri zone.

    “While in 2011, it was between Ifeanyi Araraume of ACN, and Ikedi Ohakim of PDP from Okigwe zone, and Rochas Okorocha of APGA from Orlu zone and Chief Vitalis Ajumbe of ANPP from Owerri zone. At the end, Rochas Okorocha won.

    “And in 2015, it was between Ikedi Ohakim, Ifeany Araraume from Okigwe zone and Emeka Ihedioha, Chris Anyanwu from Owerri zone in PDP, vis-a-vis Owelle Rochas Okorocha of APC from Orlu zone and Captain Emma Iheanacho of APGA from Owerri zone, which Rochas Okorocha also won.

    “From the foregoing, it is clear that Imo governorship has never been left for any particular zone. Imo people have always elected their governor on the basis of merit. And the trend won’t change in 2019 no matter the level of threat from some self-centered politicians in the state. Imo people do not succumb to any political colouration that will deny them the freedom to elect someone who will take the state to the next level of development and growth”.

     

  • Lawyer wants Imo to adopt whistle blowing policy

    A lawyer in Imo, Mr Blessing Iweajunwa, has advised the State Government to key into the whistle blowing policy introduced by the Federal Government to effectively tackle corruption.

    Iweajunwa, who is also a right activist, gave this advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Owerri.

    She said that with the level of success the policy had recorded at the federal level, it could be replicated in Imo.

    “This policy has helped the Federal Government to recover billions of naira and many corrupt leaders are now facing trial.

    “I want Gov. Rochas Okorocha to adopt the policy in Imo because many people are willing to blow the whistle here,” he said.

    According to the lawyer, since successive governors in Imo have not deemed it fit to probe their predecessors, only the whistle blowing policy can expose such leaders.

    She said in spite of the Federal Government’s bailout Paris Club fund, which was given to Imo, workers had yet to be paid their salaries.

    Iweajunwa pointed out that with the policy; the Imo Government could realise millions of naira from corrupt leaders and use the money to clear the controversial pension arrears.

    She, however, urged the State Government not to relent in its efforts of ensuring adequate security in the state.