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Tag: Okorocha

  • I inherited unproductive civil service – Okorocha

    I inherited unproductive civil service – Okorocha

    Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, said on Thursday he met an analogy Civil Service that was both unfocused and unproductive when he became governor in 2011.

    He said the state Civil Service he inherited was both obsolete in structure and in activities, adding that his concern has been to inject “fresh blood and ideas into the state’s Civil Service to make it functional and result-oriented.”

    The governor noted that since his assumption of office, it has been his desire to transform the Civil Service from analog to digitalized Civil Service.

    Governor Okorocha who spoke at the induction of more than 2,000 newly employed graduates into the state’s Civil Service at the Imo Trade and Investment Centre, said “idleness, truancy, gossips, and sharp practices” had characterized the state Civil Service.

    He said:  “The government had, in line with its policy of job, job and job mantra employed more than thousand graduates into the state’s Civil Service and almost the same number into the local government system and the essence of this noble action was to reinvigorate the state’s workforce for the good of the state and her people”.

    “I walked in excited over the joy I see on your faces for the little thing the government has done for you. I am very happy to note that you are happy that your government has remembered you. This will become a new page in your life. The beginning of a new story in your life. You remain now the only pivot upon which the engine of any given government must rotate. Politicians come and they go, governors come and go, but the Civil Servants remain.

    “You will not only serve me but many governors that will come in future. I like to make a request that you see yourself as that very new beginning of Imo Civil Service. I had some concerns, hence the need to introduce fresh blood, fresh ideas, and fresh innovations to the moribund Imo Civil Service. Before your coming, we have a Civil Service that was very analog, that is not in tune with the modern world, so your coming now is to rejuvenate the whole Imo Civil Service and bring in new ideas, visions and also make it computer compliant.”

     

  • Okorocha to Imo monarchs: be just, fair to all

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha yesterday urged traditional rulers to promote justice and fairness among their subjects.

    The governor spoke at the presentation of staff of office and Certificate of Recognition to some monarchs at the Sam Mbakwe Exco Chambers of the Governor’s Office in Owerri, the state capital.

    He said the monarchs were products of justice and should uphold justice at all times.

    Okorocha said: “You are products of justice and so you must continue to maintain justice. For many years, most of your communities had remained without traditional rulers, resulting in the killing of innocent souls and building walls of hatred in the communities and the division had created indirect poverty in the system as you no longer work together as members of one community and as brothers and sisters.”

    He added: “Today, your rising as traditional rulers has marked an end to injustice and will bring progress to your various communities.”

    The presentation of the staff of office had restored peace in 11 autonomous communities, which had been engulfed in eze stool crisis in the past 15 years.

    The traditional rulers given staff of office are: Eze Marcellinus Iheme (Umuezegwu Autonomous Community), Eze J. C. Uwalaka (Umuhu), Eze Bartholomew Agu (Aku-Amato-Amaraku), Eze Samuel Amanta (Ezumoha) and Eze Dr. C. A. C. Eronini (Awo Mbieri).

    Others are: Eze Magnus Onyeka (Isi Orodo) Eze Iwuoha A. Korie (Odomkume), Eze Christian D. Adigo (Okwu-nezigwe), Eze Charles Nneji (Okwelle), Eze Isaac Ibeke (Umucheke Okwe) and Eze Augustine C. Agbordike (Eziawa).

    The intervention of the governor in the crisis which had resulted in the loss of lives and properties, allowed the communities to select their traditional rulers who were eventually given Staff of Office and Certificate of recognition.

    All efforts to restore peace in the troubled communities by previous administrations proved abortive until Okorocha met with the people involved and the contenders to the Ezeship stools of the respective warring communities and the pending cases in the eleven communities were amicably resolved.

    The governor further explained “This is the first time in Imo State that we are trying to have Ezes in all the communities in the State. We have over 644 autonomous communities but had less than 500 Ezes at any given time. This we are trying to address to bring progress to all the communities.

    “Today, let me be the first to congratulate you as Ezes and remind your wives (Ugoezes) that behind every successful Eze is a patient Ugoeze. When you become a traditional ruler, it is an undertaken to sacrifice your time, resources, family pleasures for the interest of the people. Not every Eze is Eze until such Eze is able to impact positively on the lives of the people in his community”.

    He added: “An Eze is that man when passing judgement between two conflicting groups would be delivering judgement as if he is doing it before God. An Eze of a progressive community and an Eze of a failed community cannot be the same. Your Ezeship is rated by the progress in your land and that you must uphold. The Ezes of today are those who will imbibe Jesus as their Lord and Saviour against the Old Order where Ezes are seen as idol worshippers”.

    In his vote of thanks on behalf of the other traditional rulers, Eze CAC Eronini of Awo Mberi, thanked the governor for being an agent of justice and promised that they will all ensure that peace is restored in their Communities and also pledged to assist the government in bringing meaningful development to their Communities.

  • Biafra: Kanu deceiving Ndigbo, says Okorocha 

    Biafra: Kanu deceiving Ndigbo, says Okorocha 

    •‘Igbo ‘ll lose N3 trillion to another war
    •Governors: Anambra election will hold

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha yesterday warned the Igbo nnot to fall for the deception of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu over the actualization of Biafra.

    He warned that the Igbo would lose not less than N3 trillion I assets and cash should there e another war.

    Okorocha, who spoke at the presentation of staff of office and Certificate of recognition to traditional rulers, lamented that traditional rulers had kept mute while the cloud gathered over activities of Biafra agitators.

    He said: “On IPOB, the cloud is gathering, nobody is talking, even our traditional rulers, pastors and leaders. This is bad for our people. If you will remember vividly that few years ago, during the civil War, it was a similar story. That was how it all started. At that time, we believed that the Ohafia warriors would be able to fight and disseminate the North”.

    Okorocha added: “Now we are being deceived that IPOB will drive away Nigeria and give us Biafra. Even our Pastors, men of God and some leaders in the rural areas, nobody is speaking out against this action and the song of war is coming gradually like a desert encroachment. We fought the war and it was believed that the Igbos would learn from it but they still went ahead and developing the resources of other regions.

    “There are five million Igbo living outside the shores of Igbo region. Any form of war will cause the Igbos over three trillion naira loss in properties and assets. No sane person will spread the message of division and war because it does not benefit the Igbo in any way. I urge you traditional rulers to speak against it and educate your people on the true state of things. Igbo need to build bridge of unity across the nation”.

    Enugu, Southeast governors yesterday in Enugu, resolved to support holding election in Anambra State in November.

    It was a reaction to the declaration by IPOB that there would be no election in Anambra.

    At the meeting were South East Governors Forum chairman and Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi; host Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Governor Rochas Okorocha Imo State;Governor Okezie Ikpeazu  of Abia State  and Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State who was represented by his deputy Nkem Okeke.

    The governors appealed to stakeholders for  a peaceful governorship election in Anambra State, assuring that they were solidly in support of the forthcoming poll.

    Umahi, who read the communique also said the Apex-Igbo Social Cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo briefed them on the latest on the quit notice given the Igbo by a coalition of Northern youths.

    They assured that they were in torch with the Igbo residing in different parts of  the North over the quit notice with the firm assurance that they were making efforts to ensure that  no Igbo lives are in danger or threatened.

    The governors hinted that they received a presentation from Geometric Power Company and commended Professor Barth Nnaji for the wonderful presentation.

  • Okorocha denies rift with APC NWC

    IMO State governor, Rochas Okorocha, yesterday described as unfounded and misleading, the report that he was heading for a showdown with the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over an alleged internal crisis in the state chapter of the party. The governor also dismissed the reported crisis in the state chapter of the party as a mere imagination of detractors who were not comfortable with the brotherly cooperation among the party faithful and the leadership in the state. Okorocha in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, said, “we have read the media report with the caption “Crisis in Imo APC as NWC, Okorocha Head for Showdown”.

    The report gave the impression that there is crisis in the Imo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the disciplinary action taken by the party leadership in the state against one or two officials of the party at the local government level.” The statement added, “according to those behind the media report, the issue could lead to a “showdown between the governor and the National Working Committee (NWC)” of the party. And it is important that we put the record straight so that those who planted the false story won’t go home celebrating.

    “The truth is that there is no crisis or misunderstanding within the rank and file of APC in Imo State. In fact, the APC in Imo is like a family. It is enviously united. And with such exceptional unity, the party was able to confront and submerge all the arsenal of PDP and fully backed with all the Federal Government apparatus in the 2015 election and the party (APC) was able to win the governorship election and also secured more than 50 percent in the presidential election which was doctored by the PDP elements using security agencies.

    “Those who planted the false media story were not there when the situation was hot and people needed to raise their fingers to be counted. They have joined the party with stiff governorship ambition. And they feel that the best way to pursue their ambition is to create division in the party and market falsehood.”

    The statement continued: “In their desperation, they have relocated to Abuja and in their imaginations, they thought they could be made governors in Abuja and then brought home for inauguration. And they also believe they could achieve that by telling unfortunate lies against Governor Okorocha.

    “The governor has repeatedly said that every Imo man or woman who feels qualified can vie for the governorship of the state. But what the APC members in the state would not allow anybody to do is to create confusion or division in the party. “Again, the governor’s contention that those above 50 years should drop their guber ambitions was his own personal opinion and people should not lose sleep over that innocent view. “Once again, Imo APC is intact and the governor, as a highly experienced and endowed party man would continue to work with the NWC and other patriotic stakeholders in the party to continue to keep the flag of APC flying.

  • PDP not a threat, says Okorocha

    PDP not a threat, says Okorocha

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha yesterday dismissed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as no threat to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “PDP is a non issue; we don’t even care about that. We defeated them when they were in power, so what is different when we are now in power?”

    Okorocha, who is also APC Governors Forum Chairman, spoke after he led his colleagues to a meeting with Acting President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa.

    He said President Muhammadu Buhari’s medical vacation is not stopping the ruling party from holding its convention.

    According to him, the party was still trying to put its house in order before the convention can take place.

    He said: “We came to discuss issues relating to our party and our government and how to move our party forward.

    “We discussed a lot of issues on how to move the party forward, how to strengthen the party and how to make sure our party remains victorious in all elections. Very soon we will have a convention. That is part of the things we are discussing.

    “The convention not taking place has nothing to do with the absence of the President or the Acting President. We are just putting our house in order and making sure things are in the right form before we kick off.

  • Paris Club refund: Imo confirms receipt of N7bn

    Paris Club refund: Imo confirms receipt of N7bn

    Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, on Thursday acknowledged the receipt of N7billion as the state’s share of the latest Paris Club refund.

    The governor said the money would be used to clear 2017 outstanding pensions since the government had earlier cleared all past pension arrears up to December 2016.

    The state government had promised to pay pensioners at the end of every month with effect from January this year.

    But the governor, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, said “however, the government kept this promise in abeyance following the steady and disturbing increase in the number of pensioners and the amount involved worrisomely snowballing to more than N1.5billion even when some states with more population density pay about N500million as pensions. This ugly scenario has occasioned the Final Clearance Programme which has already begun at the local government headquarters across the state.”

    “All things being equal, the good news at the moment is that, with the current Paris Club Fund, government would clear the 2017 outstanding Pensions but would also not leave any stone unturned to find out why it appears people retire on daily basis in the state but nothing goes out from the fat pension bill and figure, thereby giving the impression that all those who retired in the state since its creation are still alive.

    “The government would also use part of the Paris Club money to pay salary although the state government does not have any outstanding salary to contend with, because it has paid salaries up to the month of June 2017.

    “The governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha and the people-oriented Rescue Mission Government in the state would continue to, out of genuine concern for the welfare of the pensioners, the workers and the entire people of the state, work for the progress and prosperity of the state.”

  • APC youths to honour Tambuwal, Okorocha, others

    APC youths to honour Tambuwal, Okorocha, others

    Youths of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Central Zone, will on Saturday honour Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, his Imo State counterpart Rochas Okorocha; FCT Minister Mohammed Bello and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, with a distinguished leadership award to mark the mid-term anniversary of the party’s coming to power.

    A statement by the leader, Terve Aginde, said the party’s National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu will chair the occasion, while Senate President Bukola Saraki will be the Special Guest of Honour.

  • Igbo language must not be allowed to die – Okorocha

    Igbo language must not be allowed to die – Okorocha

    The Imo State government has forbidden traditional rulers from speaking English or any other foreign language at public functions or in their palaces while conducting affairs of their communities.

    Governor Rochas Okorocha, who gave the directive, said the Monarchs could use interpreters if the need arises.

    Okorocha spoke while handing over letters of recognition and staff of office to 19 traditional rulers.

    The governor noted that “Igbo language must not be allowed to die, as being predicted in some quarters”.

    He urged the monarchs to be agents of peace and prosperity in their domains “instead of being tools of disunity and destabilisation”.

    Okorocha warned that any traditional ruler who cannot show genuine leadership in his community could have his Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office withdrawn.

    He said: “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 rights of their people. You are not permitted to speak English at functions. This will help to keep our culture and Igbo language alive.

    “For many years, 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; 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, to ensure that truth came to be, and voided the rancour that existed in various communities over Eze 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. Posterity will only remember you for your positive contributions in the development of your communities and not in how much wealth you amassed as an Eze.”

  • Okorocha calls for list of Igbo in foreign prisons

    Okorocha calls for list of Igbo in foreign prisons

    •Governor hosts defence attaches, advisers

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha yesterday called for the list and identities of Igbo sons and daughters in various prisons and detention facilities across the world.

    The governor also requested for the particulars of the offences they committed to enable his administration see if it can play any role to secure their freedom.

    He noted that the “possibility of some of them being unjustly imprisoned could not also be ruled out”.

    Okorocha spoke in Owerri, the state capital, when he hosted defence advisers and attaches from various countries serving in Nigeria during their visit to the Government House.

    Defence Advisers and attaches in attendance were: Brigadier-General Augustine Agundu (Director Foreign Liaison at DIA), Col. Patrick Doyle (U.S.A), Snr. Col. Wang Runxu (China), Col. Thomas Ludulla (Germany), Col. Moussa Labbo (Niger Republic), Commodore Luciano Conegela (Angola), Col. Michael Shatamuka (Zambia), Col. Mark Nuson (Ghana), Col. Kuttche Rogger (Cameroon), Lt.-Col. Daislike Nagatani (Japan), among others.

    The governor noted that furnishing his administration with the particulars of such Igbo sons and daughters and the nature of the offences, which warranted their incarceration, would make his administration know the right action to take.

    He said: “Many Igbo sons and daughters are languishing in the various prisons of the world with some for obvious reasons and some unlawfully imprisoned. I beg, as a governor of the state, that if you go home, especially those from China, Korea, Turkey and the United States of America (U.S.A) and you facilitate their release, I will be ready to come over and pick them and reintegrate them into our society.

    “Imo is where you have the brain box of the nation: the literacy rate is very high here. We are very industrious people; we control the commerce of this nation. You have come to the right place for cultural interaction and exchange. You will meet the right people.

    “Often than not, Nigeria receives a misconception and we suffer a very bad image across the world. Yet, this is the place everyone wants to come to. Believe me, among the foreigners who have come to Nigeria, 90 per cent of them don’t normally want to go back. So, the question is: if Nigeria was bad, why are those coming in finding it difficult to go back? I think it is rather what I may call the media misinterpretation and the media war we suffer in this country.

     

  • Okorocha: I’ve achieved so much my successor may be stoned

    Okorocha: I’ve achieved so much my successor may be stoned

    ‘My successor will be stoned if he fails to perform’

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has declared that his achievements in the last six years have surpassed those of his predecessors put together.

    The governor, who spoke with State House correspondents in Abuja, also said that his records will be difficult for his successor to beat.

    According to him, his administration has impacted positively on citizens.

    The chairman All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors Forum said: “I’m on this job not for the profit of it but for the honour and glory of the job. So I want to leave a legacy.

    “I want Imo people to miss me and they will definitely. Believe you me they have not seen such developmental works before now and they will miss it.

    “The only problem I have is that anybody that comes after me and does not perform will be stoned.

    “Because you cannot come to Imo State now and say you want to abolish free education from primary to university, they will not accept.”

    He went on:  “I have spoilt Imo people believe me. You cannot come to Imo State and say you want to give them a single lane road when they are used to eight lane road in the city, they won’t accept it.

    “You cannot come there and tell the children to go to schools that the floors are not tiled. They will not accept because all the schools have been rebuilt.

    “I have rebuilt 450 schools. You can no longer take them to those ramshackle hospitals.

    “Those shanties they called hospitals because I have built ultramodern 27 to 200 bed general hospitals. You can no longer tell them those stories. All the infrastructure is there.

    “You cannot tell them that there are criminal activities anymore and that your hands are tied they will not accept it because we know where we brought Imo from, from unsafe place to a safe place right now.

    “And you can no longer tell our workers to dress shabbily they will not. They will want to dress in their suits and tie and white shirts. So Imo has changed believe me.”

    He asserted none of his predecessors has done as much as he had done.

    “I stand to be challenged and corrected by anybody that what we have done in Imo State in this six years can be comparable to what any governor in that state living or dead has done.

    “And whether if we put all of them together can match what we have done. Have you seen me sounding boisterous? That is the truth,” the governor explained.

    He said he has refused to be quiet with his performances, adopting a different approach to governance.

    “The point is I don’t make media noise. I don’t make foundation laying stones programme. I don’t bring women to dance because I want to lay foundation project.

    “I don’t commission projects because for me it doesn’t make sense. They say that is the only way to get the media to know what we are doing but to me it doesn’t make sense.

    “What is the most important is that people are benefiting and people are happy.”