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Tag: Okezie Ikpeazu

  • Old Bende endorse Ikpeazu for second term

    The people of old Bende section of Abia state have endorsed Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for a second term in office and also adopted him as their consensus governorship candidate for the 2019 governorship election in the state.

    The position of old Bende people was made public in a communiqué read by Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa during a mega rally organized in honour of the governor and his deputy Sir Ude Oko-Chukwu in Umuahia.

    The section of Abia state which is made up of nine local government areas said that they were impressed with the achievements of governor Ikpeazu in the last three years and assured him of their block votes in 2019 governorship election.

    In his speech, the Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Sir. Oko-Chukwu said that the people of Old Bende decided to honour the governor in appreciation of his giant strides in the governance of Abia State.

    Oko-Chukwu requested Governor Ikpeazu to accept the various calls requesting him to offer himself to be reelected in 2019, as he deserves reelection and that he has no reason to deny the people of the state his quality services.

    In his own speech, the immediate past governor of the state, Senators Theodore Orji described Ikpeazu as a good and loyal successor as well as a performing governor who deserves a second tenure, noting that he has touched all facets of the Abia economy.

    Orji said that old Bende people will force him to run for a second term and advised all those warming up to contest with him in the coming election to preserve  their money as their attempt will be in vain.

    Read Also: Ikpeazu promises more support for health institution

    He said, “Governor, you have done so well and if you refuse to re-contest for a second term in office we are going to get a court injunction compelling you to run so that you can complete the good works you started in our state”.

    Other speakers including Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, Chief Sam Onuigbo, Sir. Cosmos Ndukwe, Hon. Chinedum Orji among others extolled the quality of infrastructural development and good governance of the Governor and expressed the decision of Old Bende people to ensure he is returned in 2019

    Contributing, the Old Bende Traditional Rulers Council led by Eze Godwin Chionye and representative of the President Generals and women groups all appreciated governor Ikpeazu and supported the call for his reelection.

    Responding, Governor Ikpeazu thanked the old Bende people for their solidarity, steadfastness and show of love, adding that he will ensure even development of the entire state irrespective of party affiliation.

    Ikpeazu said that their gesture has placed on his shoulders greater support and assured Abia people that the state is safe in his hands, “With this singular show of love for me you have succeeded in waking up greater vigor to work for the state”.

    He reassured the Old Bende people that he is proud of them and has their interest at heart, stressing that without Old Bende Abia cannot be complete as the people have contributed immensely to the development of the state economy.

    The governor commended them for their enterprising spirit, saying he was humbled by the  reception organized in his honour, he was later honoured with the chieftaincy title of Omekaozuoha of Old Bende.

  • Student group endorses Ikpeazu’s second term, urge students to shun cultism

    The National Association of Abia State Students (NAASS) has unanimously endorsed the second term agenda of incumbent governor of the state, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu.

    In a release signed by the President of NAASS, Comrade Emmanuel Njoku, made available to The Nation, the group stated that their decision to endorse the second term ambition of the governor was because of the “giant developmental strides” in Aba and across the state since he (Ikpeazu) assumed leadership as the governor of the state.

    According to the student body, they believe that giving Ikpeazu the opportunity to run for a second term in office would give him (Ikpeazu) the opportunity to complete the ongoing works across the state which when completed would meaningfully impact positively and at the same time alleviate the sufferings of the people living in Abia State.

    NAASS while calling on all and sundry to cue behind the reelection of the Governor in 2019 stated that the interest of the governor in the promoting efforts of the Small and Scale Medium Enterprise (SME), especially the made-in Aba campaign which has put food on the tables of so many families and giving leather works manufactured in Aba and other parts of the state a global brand.

    On what he intends to achieve in office as the President of the student group, assured of transparency, accountability and peoples oriented government, stating that his regime would ensure that there was cordial relationship between the students’ body and the state government. This is even as he called on all Abia Students across various institutions in the country to be good ambassadors of the state and shun acts that are capable of causing insecurity and restiveness including cultism, armed robbery among other unlawful act wherever they are and would find themselves in life.

    Other members of the Njoku led Comrade Erem Prosper Chidinma (Vice President General Duties), Comrade Cadet ASP Nwaubani (Vice President Special Duties), Ukoha Kalu Chisom (Financial Secretary), Nwadinobi Precious Chidinma (Treasurer), Ndubuisi Raymond (Director of Welfare), Charles Bernard Ibe (P.R.O) and Azu Azubuike Emmanuel (Director of Transport and Sports).

  • FG upgrades electricity distribution capacity in Umuahia, Aba

    Mr Babatunde Fashola, Minister for Power, Works and Housing, said the electricity transmission capacities of Umuahia and Aba transmission sub-stations have been upgraded to boost power supply in Abia and environs.

    Speaking at the inauguration of the 40MVA 132/33KVA mobile power transformer at Umuahia transmission sub-station on Monday, Fashola said the move was part of the Federal Government’s commitment to boosting the socio-economic growth of the country.

    He said the growing population and consequent demand for more power supply made it pertinent to increase the volume of power supplied through the sub-stations in Abia.

    Fashola noted that increasing the capacity of Umuahia sub-station would improve electricity supply to Umuahia metropolis and its environs as well as some parts of Imo.

    “It is no longer news that our power generation has risen to 7000 MW but the distribution capacity still lags 2000 MW behind. That means we need to expand distribution and transmission support system,” he said.

    The minister said the new mobile power transformer installed by the Transmission Company of Nigeria ( TCN ) would increase the capacity of the Umuahia transmission sub-station from 80MVA to 120MVA.

    According to him, the commissioning of the 60MVA 132/33KVA power transformer in Aba transmission sub-station would also increase the sub-station’s capacity from 147.5MVA to 227.5MVA.

    Fashiola said he was in Abia to discover, first hand, the local problems encountered in power supply and to develop solutions.

    “Our purpose is to hold the annual monthly meeting with stakeholders to deepen our service to Nigerians with respect to accessing adequate power supply.

    “It is also to familiarise ourselves with the power installations and assets that generate, transmit and distribute power in the state,” he said.

    In his remarks, Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia commended the Federal Government for boosting power supply in Abia.

    Ikpeazu said that the actualisation of the socioeconomic development of the state and nation at large required a well structured power distribution system.

    NAN

  • Ikpeazu is a man of destiny – Fayose

    Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose has described the Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu as a man of destiny, and urged Abia electorate to vote him for second term in 2019.

    Governor Fayose spoke on Monday in Abia while Commissioning the  1.2kilometer Umuatako street in Osisioma area of Aba, the commercial capital of the state, constructed by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

    Governor Fayose who was in Abia on a one day state visit, said that Governor Ikpeazu has performed, with tangible evidence of his achievements including the road he commissioned.

    He said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is the only party that has all it takes to improve the living standard of the people.

    Governor Fayose also lauded the quality of the Road and standard of its drainage assured Governor Ikpeazu of the continuity of his administration while urging Abians not to allow blackmailers to hijack the state.

    “Abia people, I have come here again today to tell you that my brother, Governor Ikpeazu is a man of destiny. Anybody fighting him will fail. Those who fought him in 2015 failed, even when they went to courts, they also failed. I am urging you to vote him again in 2019 so that he will continue and conclude the work he is doing for you.

    “I have seen the kind of roads he is building for you, they are of high standard with quality drainage both sides, that is how to build a road and that is what Governor Ikpeazu is doing. Keep supporting him and our party the PDP. Don’t allow blackmailers and corruption people to come and hijack your state. Only PDP will bring development and change as Governor Ikpeazu is already doing.”

    Dr Okezie Ikpeazu who expressed satisfaction for delivering Abians legacies that have direct impact both in human and Infrastructural sectors, said that his promise to commission Umuatako road with Streetlights was fulfilled as  the Streetlights are now functional.

    Governor Ikpeazu however explained that his governance will not relent in providing the citizens with good projects which is the only vehicle that drives good leadership.

    Also, the immediate past Governor of the state and senator representing Abia central senatorial zone in the Senate, Senator Theodore Orji said he is proud to identify with the laudable projects of Governor Ikpeazu which were the reasons for his quest to ensure equity in 2015, noting that 2019 is a time of presenting the score cards of achievements by the leaders which only PDP can give.

  • Ikpeazu vows to fight measles, other preventable diseases

    Ikpeazu vows to fight measles, other preventable diseases

    Abia State government says it is committed to providing all that is required to reach every Abia child with vaccines for the control of measles and other preventable diseases.

    Governor Okezie Ikpeazu stated this at the flag off ceremony of the measles vaccination campaign at Itungwa primary school field, Obingwa LGA.

    Ikpeazu said that measles is preventable, adding that the measles vaccination campaign calls for cooperation of parents especially mothers  as well as the deep commitment of care givers.
    This according to him, is to ensure that no child looses his life on account of measles.

    The Governor pointed out that vaccination against measles and other preventable diseases will enhance life expectancy, noting that many children are deformed as a result of non-vaccination against child killer diseases and not due to attacks by ghosts as is erroneously believed.

    The Commissioner for Health, Dr. John Ahukanna disclosed that the measles campaign is targeted at children from 9 months to 5 years, adding that measles is vaccine preventable.

    He disclosed that 197, 000 deaths were attributable to measles globally in 2017 and appealed to stakeholders to assist the government by mobilizing parents to take advantage of the measles vaccination campaign.

    The chairman, Obingwa LGA, Sunday Amechi said mass vaccination is a proactive strategy in the management of measles and promised to partner with the state Ministry of Health on the fight against preventable diseases.

    Development partners including WHO delivered goodwill messages at the event.

     

  • Hold APC liable for killings in Nigeria – Secondus

    Hold APC liable for killings in Nigeria – Secondus

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),  Prince Uche Secondus, on Monday accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of sponsoring various killings in the country and must be held responsible for the death of innocent Nigerians.

    Secondus while speaking at the headquarters of the party in Umuahia, Abia State,  also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure  free, fair and credible election in 2019.

    He warned that Nigerians would resist any attempt by INEC to rig the elections in favour of the APC.

    Secondus, who was on a three-day working visit to the state,  said the “PDP is on a mission to recover the land  from the APC.”

    He said: “APC government has collapsed. They must be held responsible for the killings in various parts of the country. APC government has empowered the Fulani’s with the power to kill.

    “They (APC) must be blamed for the mismanagement of the country’s economy. There is hunger in the land. They (APC) are broken bottle and should brace up and get ready to leave because Nigerians are tired of playing politics with the killing of innocent Nigerians and hunger which they inflicted on Nigerians.

    “The APC government has run down the economy of the country. They can no longer protect the lives and property of Nigerians. They have run down the National Assembly that is why Nigerians are yearning for PDP to come and take over power from the APC. We are moving gradually, but working to rescue the nation from the mess that APC has thrown it into. We are not going to allow the APC to rig election in 2019. That is why we are saying that the best gift Buhari will give Nigerians is to conduct a free, fair and credible election, after which Buhari will retire to his house honourably because we know that Nigerians have seen that the APC has failed abysmally”.

     

    Read Also:  PDP  members defect to APC in Kwara

     

     

     

  • Ikpeazu obeys NJC’s orders, swears in new acting CJ

    Ikpeazu obeys NJC’s orders, swears in new acting CJ

    Abia state Governor Okezie Ikpeazu yesterday swore in  Justice Onuoha Kalu Ogwe as the Acting Chief Judge of the state.

    The governor acted in compliance with the National Judicial Council’s (NJC) directive on the crisis in the judiciary.

    Ogwe replaces Justice Obisike Orji, who was appointed to the post on Monday following the suspension of  Justice Theresa Uzokwe as Chief Judge by the Abia State House of Assembly.

    The NJC, however, rejected the action of the legislature and the subsequently appointment of Orji by the governor.

    The council consequently suspended Orji and directed the Abia Government to immediately swear in Ogwe as the acting chief judge.

    In a brief remark at the swearing-in at the Government House, Umuahia, the governor said that the government was acting in compliance with the NJC’s directive.

    Ikpeazu said, “our desire is to stabilise the judicial system of the state and in doing so, this state is determined to abide by the directive of the NJC.”

    Read Also: Get your voter cards, says Ikpeazu

    Ikpeazu admonished the acting chief judge to collaborate with his administration in its efforts to stabilise the state judiciary “for the common good of the people of the state”.

    Ogwe expressed gratitude to the governor for his humility in accepting the NJC’s directive.

    He said, “you have acquitted yourself as a man.
    “I am already a judge and what I have been asked to do is to provide leadership for my brothers.”

    Earlier at a news briefing, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of the state, Chief Umeh Kalu,  said the state government, having received the position of NJC “is committed to the rule of law and will abide by the directive”.

     

  • Abia swears in a new acting Chief Judge

    Abia swears in a new acting Chief Judge

    The Abia state Governor Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has sworn in Justice Onuoha Ogwe as the acting Chief Judge of the state as directed by the National Judicial Council (NJC).

     

    Details later…

  • Ekwueme buried in Anambra

    Ekwueme buried in Anambra

    Anambra State stood still on Friday as Alex Ekwueme, Nigeria’s former Vice President was laid to rest in Oko, his home town.

    The burial had in attendance the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, as well as Goodluck Jonathan, former President of Nigeria. Top government officials, close friends and family members gathered to pay their lasts respect to the 85-year-old elder statesmen who died in November 2017.

    Some of those present to witness the final moments were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience.

    Read Also: FG renames Varsity after Ekwueme

    Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, his colleague, Rochas Okorocha, Governor of Imo State, as well as Akinwunmi Ambode, Okezie Ikpeazu, Ifeanyi Okowa of Lagos, Abia and Delta State respectively, were also in attendance.

    Osinbajo, in his tribute to the former Vice President, described him as a true Nigerian icon, worthy of celebrating.

    He said Ekwueme was being immortalised for his selfless service, integrity and contributions to national development.

  • I’ll enforce January, 2019 deadline for drug control centres – Prof. Adewole

    I’ll enforce January, 2019 deadline for drug control centres – Prof. Adewole

    The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, on Friday said he would start the enforcement of the Federal Government’s directive on drug control centres from January, 2019.

    Adewole said that this step would end the sales of drugs through the operations of drug marts in Nigeria.

    The minister spoke in Aba at the ground breaking ceremony of the Abia State Wholesale Control Centre ( CWC ) for drugs.

    He said that the final deadline for the enforcement had been fixed for January, 2019, saying that there would be no going back on the deadline.

    “There will be no going back on the January, 2019 deadline.

    “If we find anybody doing marketing or wholesale distribution in January, 2019, we will arrest and confiscate the product.

    “For those who nurse the dream that there will be another CWC in Abia State, they should wake up from the dream, because there will be no other one.

    “Please let us work together; do not write any petition to me again, because I will not read it and I will not do any business with the petition.

    “I learnt that those writing petitions are using the soldiers. I will use the Generals and not soldiers. I will use the Minister of Defence, so that we will enforce the order.

    “The directive came from the Presidential Committee on Pharmaceutical Sector Reform. We did not just wake up and say go to this place. It has presidential backing,’’ he said.

    Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, said he was glad that the centre was being set up to identify those genuine drug dealers and stop the circulation of fake drugs.

    The governor said the state government would ensure that all genuine drug dealers relocate to the centre on completion to create a safer drug distribution system in the state.

    Ikpeazu, represented by his deputy, Sir Ude Oko-Chukwu, said that Abia would provide the needed facilities for the centre to function optimally.

    The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, said that the CWCs were meant to ensure regulated and organised drug distribution at four levels, with drug manufacturers at the apex.

    Adeyeye said that NAFDAC would play its role to make the policy to succeed, urging drug dealers to play by the rules of the law for safety.

    She was represented by Mr Ali Ibrahim, the Director, Pharmacovigilance and Post-marketing Surveillance.

    NAN