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Tag: Okorocha

  • Okorocha pardons 94-year-old, 15 other convicts

    Okorocha pardons 94-year-old, 15 other convicts

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has pardoned 16 convicts, including a 94-year-old man, Canice Egbunanne, on the nation’s 54th Independence anniversary.

    It was the first time in 10 years the state’s convicts got such amnesty under a governor’s prerogative of mercy.

    The governor’s action followed the recommendations of the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, under the chairmanship of Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Chukwuma-Machukwu Umeh (SAN).

    Eleven of the convicts were imprisoned for non-capital offences and had almost completed their prison terms.

    The others had less than six months to serve.

    Pa Egbunanne and 70-year-old Chidi Nwosu were pardoned on the grounds of age.

    Before the amnesty, Okorocha asked the crowd at the event whether or not they supported the release of the 16 people as recommended by the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy. There was a deafening affirmation from the crowd.

    The governor delivered an emotion-laden extempore speech that excited the crowd before he threw the question to them.

    He said at 54, the nation should seriously tackle insecurity, youth unemployment, selfishness and corruption, lack of patriotism, ethnicity, insurgency and other national challenges.

    He said: “As a nation, there is no better time to act and achieve the desired goals than now. We must admit that things are not working out the way they should in Nigeria. That will help us to wake up as a nation.

    “Democracy has not functioned well in Nigeria. We have to strengthen our democracy because it is not being practised the way it should. When that is done, then development is guaranteed. Nigerians should see themselves as members of one family and shun leaders who preach tribalism, religious dichotomy and division among the political class.

    “Nigerians should use the 54th Independence anniversary to revisit the devolution of power. A nation where the citizenry have private security, private electricity, private borehole and everything private is a failed one. To get things right, we must know when to disagree and when to unite for a common goal as a nation.”

    Okorocha hailed the Army, police, the State Security Service (SSS) and other security agencies for their sacrifices.

    The governor noted that they sacrifice their security and comfort to keep others secured.

    Among the pardoned convicted are: Uchenna Udum, Sunday Egwu, Amos Ishaya, Anyuba Bartholomew, Benjamine Osunkwo, Okezie Obasi, Ifeanyi Nwokeji, Ogbonna Onyinyechi, Chidi Nwosu and seven others.

    Deputy Governor Eze Madumere; the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Anthony Anwuka; Chief of Staff to the Government House, Sir Jude Ejiogu and Service Chiefs attended the event.

    A statement yesterday in Owerri, the state capital, by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Sam Onwuemeodo, said others included top government functionaries, traditional rulers and religious leaders.

  • Okorocha slams Kalu over comments on APC

    Okorocha slams Kalu over comments on APC

    IMO State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has chided the former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, for calling the All Progressives Congress (APC), a wrong political party and threatening to support the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to win the governorship election in Imo state in 2015.

     Okorocha also slammed the former Abia Governor for dabbling into Imo politics without enough information on the current political situation in the state. It will be recalled that Orji had in an interview published in a national daily, said that the Imo Governor made a mistake by joining the APC, which he termed a “wrong party” and predicted that the PDP will have landslide victory in Imo state in 2015.

    But Okorocha, in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, stated that the former Abia Governor did not have any information, talk more the correct one, on the political situation in Imo state at the moment, adding that his comments were provoking and unwarranted.

    The statement said that Orji has no reason to predict political misfortune for the Imo governor, stressing that “as a two-term former Governor of a state and a vibrant political player like Kalu to describe a legally registered political party like the APC with prominent Nigerians of all shades as members, as a wrong party calls for deep concern.

    “With the level of his political exposure, the former Abia governor would have known that no duly registered political party is a wrong party. And for the former governor to threaten that the PDP would win landslide in Imo state in 2015 and that people like him would lead the campaign, without correct information on what the political scenario in the state at the moment is laughable.

    ” The Governor’s aide also added that “Okorocha is in tune with the electorate in the state through his monumental projects including the free education at all levels, infrastructural development and so on.

    And we are talking about projects that are on ground and can be verified. So when the time comes, Governor Okorocha would show Imo people what he has achieved for them in four years, and the PDP in the state will also be asked to do the same for the 12 years they held sway in the state.

    And alarm will definitely bow. “That is where men like the former Abia governor would meet the brick wall, because victory in an election must be occasioned by something. It does not happen in vacuum.

    “The former Abia governor should go back to those working with him over their political project in Imo state and ask them to be honest with him by telling him whether the PDP has any good story for Imo people arising from the 12 years the party governed the state. If they tell him the truth, he would know that the victory of the governorship election in the state in 2015 is in the custody of Imo people and they would hand it over to the man who has proved to them that leadership is all about service to God and humanity, and not all about pleasure.”

  • Okorocha praised for security

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has been praised for providing adequate security for the people.

    Imo citizens and visitors from other states praised him at the headquarters of Lifeline Assembly, Ohii, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State when his deputy, Prince Eze Madumere reminded the congregation that during the former administration, people’s freedom was constantly trampled upon through intimidation, crime and other anti-social activities that nearly brought the state to its knees.

    Speaking during the church convention whose theme was “Divine Restoration,” he said God answered the prayers of Imo people through Governor Okorocha who he described as God-send.

    He also told the congregation that relationship between Governor Okorocha and Bishop Maxwell Korie has remained cordial, even as he regretted the seeming misgivings that existed between them due to wrong inferences coming from quarters that do not cherish peace.

    Continuing, he narrated the proposed government demolition of the former Lifeline Assembly Church, which was located at the Ware House Roundabout and the church’s opposition to it. He thanked God that the matter was amicably resolved, noting that the reason for government’s decision could be better appreciated as issue of what used to be an eternal traffic challenges has been solved with roundabout and exit route for motorists.

    He averred that ever since, Lifeline Assembly has remained his church as he is committed to its growth and will be ready to render any form of assistance towards its growth, especially when it has to do with salvation and changing our people’s life for the better.

    There was, however, uproar when former governor Ikedi Ohakim and his entourage came to the church with over 10 buses as though they were going for campaign. It was later discovered that they were there to oppose what the opposition was to say.

    While Prince Madumere was speaking on free education and its gains, some of them that had found their way into the church shouted no, even though they were cautioned to behave responsibly by Bishop Korie.

    One of the church members who spoke in confidence decried desperation on the part of some politicians coming to the house of God to behave irresponsibly.

    Earlier before the introduction of Madumere, Bishop Korie said his humility and loyalty were infectious, saying such character is rare in our clime.

    He also described Madumere as a man of peace who came at the time he was needed.

     

  • APC presidential ticket: Kwankwaso woos Okorocha

    APC presidential ticket: Kwankwaso woos Okorocha

    In a bid to get the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso has sought the support of Imo State Governor and Chairman of the APC Governor’s Forum, Owelle Rochas Okorocha.

    A delegation of the “Nigeria Project 2015” , the campaign organ of Kwankwaso, at the weekend visited Okorocha at the Government House in Owerri to get his support.

    Okorocha, who is also nursing a presidential ambition, was said to have received the delegation warmly, urging members of the APC in the state to support Kwankwaso’s ambition.

    He was said to have described him as one of the best presidential aspirants.

    Addressing reporters at the end of the meeting, the leader of the delegation and Kano State Commissioner for Information, Youth, Sports and Culture, Dr. Abubakar Nuhu Danburan, said the meeting was impressive and encouraging.

    He, however, noted that the governor told them that he was also nursing a presidential ambition, adding that they were impressed with his blunt response.

  • Ohakim challenges Okorocha to debate

    Ohakim challenges Okorocha to debate

    A former Imo State Governor Ikedi Ohakim has challenged Governor Rochas Okorocha to a public debate.

    The former governor said this would enable him to correct what the alleged lies peddled against his administration.

    He said he could no longer tolerate the daily tarnishing of his name by his detractors,  despite the achievements and transformation of the state when he was governor.

    Ohakim said: “I hereby ring the bell for the debate to commence, not an attack. No one should attack any person, including the governor. Let us debate issues and policies. Today, we have come to speak. We have come to answer the question: what did Ohakim achieve, on the other hand, and what did Ohakim buy from the market we sent him, on the other? How much did we give him to go to the market? Those things he bought, were they for himself or for the people?”

    The former governor spoke at the weekend when he gave the scorecard of his administration from 2007 to 2011, titled: Legacies That Speak.

    Ohakim said his administration always put the masses at heart in the implementation of its programmes, adding that he reduced poverty compared to the present administration.

    The former governor alleged that Okorocha caused more hardship with the sack of some employees he inherited from the preceding administration.

    He alleged that the hardship arose from the sack of the Imo Concord Hotel workers, the dissolution of the elected executives of the local government areas his administration put in place and the sack of Imo Transport Company (ITC) workers.

    Ohakim alleged that the sack of the workers had caused over N1.8 billion monthly to be withdrawn from the state’s economy.

    He said: “Let me raise the alarm that child poverty, involving children below 18, has also emerged as a major dimension of poverty in Imo State. Let the debate begin. Let us put our differences away and face the realities staring us in the face.”

    “I speak for posterity, for unemployed youths, traders and artisans. I speak for our people dying of hunger; our people are perishing and money is not circulating.”

  • Okorocha sympathises with Sun

    Okorocha sympathises with Sun

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has, on behalf of the government and people of the state, expressed regret over the death of the Vice-Chairman of the Sun Publishing Ltd, Mr. Dimgba Igwe.

    He said Igwe’s death at 58 last Saturday taught a lesson about life that “we all live at the mercy of God.”

    The governor said: “Given the option, Mr. Igwe would have preferred to remain alive, but he was not offered that alternative by his creator.

    “Politicians and political office holders, who talk and act as if the world belongs to them, should learn a big lesson from Igwe’s death.”

  • Okorocha warns monarch against impersonation

    Okorocha warns monarch against impersonation

    •Threatens to prosecute collaborators

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha warned at the weekend, the sacked traditional ruler of Obinugu community in Orlu Local Government, Mr. Cletus Ilomuanya, against impersonation.

    He said his dethronement was backed by laws, adding that he would be sanctioned if he violated the laws.

    The governor, who said peace returned to the community after the removal of the traditional ruler, contrary to media reports, added that there would be no sacred cow in his administration’s effort to sanitise the state.

    His words: “I don’t believe in no-go areas. Any person or institution working against the interest of the state will be dealt with, irrespective of his or her status.”

    Speaking during a breakfast meeting with reporters at the Government House, Owerri, Okorocha said: “I don’t know why a dethroned monarch should still be parading himself as a king. If you go to the community today, the people are happy because they are free from the despotic leadership of Ilomuanya and are happy with the government.”

    He blamed the former governor, Chief Achike Udenwa, for foisting the dethroned monarch on the community.

    The governor said: “Ilomuanya found his way to the throne because of Udenwa’s weakness. People believe there are institutions that cannot be touched, but it is not so with me. Ilomuanaya has ceased to be a traditional ruler and should no longer be addressed as such.

    “Henceforth, any person addressing him as such will be prosecuted. He reported to the Presidency that I dethroned him because he supported President Goodluck Jonathan. But I am not bothered by his lies.”

  • Okorocha demands apology from Ihedioha over ‘attacks’

    Okorocha demands apology from Ihedioha over ‘attacks’

    •’It’s governor who should apologise’

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha demanded yesterday an apology from the House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, for allegedly embarrassing him at Ahiazu Mbaise in Aboh Mbaise Local Government during the ‘Iri Iji’ Mbaise Festival at the weekend.

    Ihedioha, when presenting kolanut to the governor, allegedly taunted him for non-performance and neglect of Mbaise people.

    He said: “My governor, we are happy to have you in our midst at this time. Mbaise people are peace- loving and hospitable. As our governor, who has graced this occasion for the first time since assuming office, we are glad that you will address issues of neglect of Mbaise people before handing over to Owerri Zone and particularly to me next year.

    “It is our collective wish that the issues be addressed soon as the 2015 general election is approaching when you will leave office for my administration as the governor to address neglect and decay.”

    But Okorocha in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, described the deputy speaker’s outburst as an unwarranted, unnecessary and unprovoked verbal attacks on his person and office.

    The statement reads: “After those attacks and the fruitless effort made to prevent the governor from addressing his people, we waited till August 17 to see whether the deputy speaker or leaders of the Mbaise nation could be guided by the rules of decency to apologise to the governor for those needless attacks and actions, but to no avail.

    “It should be stressed that before the event, Okorocha and Ihedioha had no problem to the best of the knowledge of Imo indigenes and Mbaise people in particular, except that Ihedioha is aspiring to succeed Okorocha next year, which is not an offence.  But this should not  warrant verbal attacks against the governor, especially when the deputy speaker is not yet a candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but only an aspirant.”Mbaise people and indeed, Imo people, who were at the Iriji Mbaise festival, saw that Ihedioha began his verbal attacks against the governor when he was given the kolanut for the event to present to the visitors. Instead of performing that traditional assignment, he took on the governor, telling him how he would not return to the Government House in 2015 in a very disrespectful manner as if he is the mind of Imo people.

    “As if that was not enough, when Ihedioha was called upon to address the people, instead of using the opportunity to tell the crowd what he has attracted to the area in the 12 years he has been in the House of Representatives or what the PDP-controlled Federal Government has done for Imo people, he opened another round of attack on the governor, telling the people that the projects of the Okorocha administration were inferior.

    “Ihedioha began that speech and ended it with attacks on his governor. The number six citizen did not deem it fit to welcome his governor to an event he (Ihedioha) was listed as the chief host. That his governor attended such function should have been hailed by him.

    “Although those at the event were disappointed at the attacks, it should not stop at that. Ihedioha should be honourable to apologise to his governor for the attacks. The leaders and traditional rulers of Mbaise should do same.

    “It is important to use this opportunity to urge the governorship aspirants to appreciate the advantages of others over them. Okorocha has earned for himself an enviable popularity among the Imo populace. They admire him because of his sterling performance.”

    Ihedioha, in a statement by his Media Assistant, Mr. Chibuike Onyeukwu, said: “It is the governor who has embarrassed Imo people with his disrespect for traditional institutions that should apologise to Mbaise people for desecrating their New Yam Festival, which has been held successfully over the years without his presence.

    “He should also apologise to the Imo people for turning our once respected state to a laughing stock. The governor also acted similarly during the Oru Owerri Festival, where he disrupted the festival and turned it into a political event. He threw decency to the winds with his hired thugs, knowing that he has no support in Mbaise, being the strongest base of the deputy speaker.”

  • Okorocha hails his deputy

    Okorocha hails his deputy

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has urged politicians, especially the leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to emulate his deputy, Prince Eze Madumere.

    He spoke at the Government House, Owerri while addressing Oguta indigenes and a group operating under the aegis of the Rochas Youth Alliance.

    According to him, Madumere has followed him for many years.

    Okorocha described his deputy “as my beloved son in whom I am well pleased”.

    He recalled the days he suffered with him.

  • Okorocha urges women to plant palm trees

    Okorocha urges women to plant palm trees

    The Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha has called on Imo women to embark on aggressive palm-to-palm programme to revamp and sustain the state’s economy.

    Okorocha spoke this during a one-day sensitisation workshop with the theme: “Kuo Nu Nkwu, Umunwanyi” (plant palm trees, women) organised by the Imo Women Development Centre for the Community Government Council (CGC) Women Leaders in the 637 communities.

    Governor Okorocha, who identified palm-to-palm programme and the CGC as among the major legacies of the Rescue Mission administration, revealed that the palm-to-palm initiative was a awake up call for rural communities to revive and redirect their attention to aggressive palm plantation as a viable economic project which, when fully realized, would transform the economy of the communities, state and the country.

    He said: “The sudden neglect of palm plantation and over-dependence on crude oil has been the  bane of Nigerian’s economy.”  He also revealed that palm fruit is a gift from God to the Igbo which must not be abandoned.

    He maintained that the economy of the old Southeastern Nigeria was sustained by oil palm even before the discovery of the crude oil.

    Governor Okorocha, who extolled the women for their great support to his government, said his administration had placed women at the main stream, considering their role, adding that he would always carry them along.

    He urged the women to use their God-given gift and potential to make the palm-to-palm programme a huge success.

    Governor Okorocha used the occasion to educate the women on the deadly Ebola virus and the need for precautionary measures to be taken to avert the spread of the virus.

    Earlier in a keynote address, the Director-General,Women Development Centre, Imo State, Hon. Ndidi Noel Iheme, said the centre was to rank with the National Women Centre, Abuja with the objective to develop and empower women of the state, especially rural women, through impartation of skills that would enable them to engage meaningfully in small and medium-scale businesses with little funding.

    Mrs. Iheme urged the women to embrace and propagate the programme to improve the economic and social well-being of women.  She further said that the sensitisation workshop would have empowered and drilled the women leaders to be part of the driving force that would propel the economic emancipation of the rural communities, families and the state.

    Present at the occasion were the representative of the wife of the governor, Her Excellency, Nkechi Okorocha, the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere and other government functionaries.