The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Owelle Rochas Okorocha;

  • Days of hardship will soon be over – Oyegun to Nigerians

    Days of hardship will soon be over – Oyegun to Nigerians

    The chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), chief John-Odigie Oyegun has assured Nigerians that the days of hardship is coming to an end.

    Oyegun stated this on Tuesday at the Umuahia Township Stadium during a mega rally organized in Abia State by the leadership of the party in the state.

    Oyegun while admitting that there is hunger in the country, promised Abians and Nigerians in general that President Buhari is having sleepless nights thinking about how he can improve the economy and better the lots of Nigerians.

    The APC chairman who expressed joy that the APC led government at the federal level since it took over power from the PDP is returning the country to the path of economic growth through various economic and developmental policies that the present government has initiated.

    According to Oyegun, President Buhari has been able to remain unshaken and resolute in delivering the dividend of democracy to Nigerians despite the criticisms from the PDP that he accused of ruining the economy of the country in their 16years of governance of the country.

    Lamenting that Nigeria was among the few African countries without railway system, Oyegun stated that he was happy that the President has changed the narrative with the massive standard gauge railway system being built by the incumbent administration to connect other parts of the country.

    The APC national chairman who was overwhelmed with the support the party has been able to receive in the state and the mammoth crowd that attended the event promised to relay to the president the message from the people of Abia State urging him (Buhari) to run for a second term.

    In his remarks, the Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha thanked Abians for accepting to embrace the message of change being preached by the party and expressed optimism that the party come 2019 would produce governors in Abia, Enugu and Ebonyi States respectively.

    Okorocha who asked Igbos to be careful not to make the mistake they (Igbos) made in 2015, urged them to shun regional politics if they must be in the mainstream and benefit from it.

    Earlier in his opening speech, the chairman of the party, Hon. Donatus Nwankpa recalled how difficult it was for the party to find its footing at the formative stage in the state, but stated that the population and array of political bigwigs in the party show that the members of the State Working Committee have been able to do their work perfectly.

    Nwankpa stated that they were not going to relax on their oasis, but to work harder in ensuring that the party produces the next governor of the state in 2019.

    Speaking on behalf of the people that were received into the party, a governorship aspirant of the PDP in 2015, Dr. Sampson Uche Ogah urged the southeasterners to ensure that they throw their weights behind the Buhari’s administration and reelection in 2019, stating that APC is the party to beat in 2019 in the state.

  • As Okorocha’s wife clocks 50…

    As Okorocha’s wife clocks 50…

    OWERRI was like an occupied territory a few days ago as the country’s powerbrokers deserted Abuja and temporarily relocated to Owerri, the capital of Imo State, for the celebration of the 50th birthday of Mrs Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha, wife of the state governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha.

    Led by President Muhammadu Buhari (who was represented by the Secretary to the Federal Government, Mustapha Boss) and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, the governors of Abia and Bayelsa states, among others, the movers and shakers of society were there in full force to celebrate the beautiful first lady of Imo State for her selflessness and single-mindedness in tackling the scourge of poverty and ignorance among women.

    One by one, they mounted the stage at the Nick Banquet Hall, Government House, Owerri, to extol the virtues of the brains behind Women of Divine Destiny (WODD) initiative, which has brought succour to hundreds of underprivileged people.

    Before the colloquium and book presentation at the occasion, the Vice President had earlier commissioned a new ultra-modern wellness and diagnostics centre for women and children, built by Mrs Okorocha through her WODD pet project.

  • Gov Okorocha gets 27 cakes for 55th birthday

    Gov Okorocha gets 27 cakes for 55th birthday

    IMO State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, is an ebullient personality and politician by all standards, who walks his talks. In his own words, once the time of his birthday comes around, the drums naturally roll.

    This year, the drumbeats are particularly mesmerizing, courtesy of a unique gesture from all the women in the 27 local government areas of the state. Their gift of 27 cakes, representing the 27 LGAs, was sublimely designed: a two-way staircase signifying the connection between the governor and his people, coupled with words of endearment further expressing their love for him.

    The governor was so overjoyed by the gesture that he could hardly contain his glee on the social media.

    As a state chief executive, Rochas is no stranger to gifts, especially on occasions of his birthday when he becomes the beautiful bride wooed with expensive packages and sweet solicitous words of praise and admiration.

    The one from the women, however, means much more to him than the heaps of expensive baubles he received as he celebrated his 55th birthday yesterday.

  • Concerned Imo leaders want Okorocha to resign or impeached

    Concerned Imo leaders want Okorocha to resign or impeached

    Alleges incompetence, serial blunder

    A cross section of leaders from Imo state resident in Abuja under the auspices of Concerned Imo state Leaders on Tuesday asked the state governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha to immediately resign as a result of what they described as “clearly established leadership incompetence and serial blunder on the most elementary duties of governance”.

    Addressing a news conference, the group also asked the state House of Assembly to activate the impeachment clause to unseat the governor if he fails to resign over his constant disregard for the court order and the recent demolition of the Ekeukwu market in Owerri, the state capital.

    Spokesman of the group, Chief Sam Obaji accused the government of embarking on an unlawful, reckless and unprofitable demolition of the market, leaving four people, including a 10-year-old boy, Somtochukwu Igboanusi dead and several others wounded.

    While also asking the state government to refrain from further violation of the court orders in respect of demolitions in the state, the group wants the President to institute a judicial commission of inquiry into the circumstances of the use of Armed forces personnel in this unlawful operation and ensure anyone who played a role in this unlawful deployment of the military to be prosecuted according to law.

    They said: “As leaders in Imo state from various zones and across different political party lines, we are pained that at this time, that government should focus all resources and attaining on helping to alleviate economic hardship and youth unemployment, the government of Imo state is sending struggling families to severe poverty and misery through irresponsible governance.

    “By refusing counsel, rejecting court injunctions and going ahead to carry out the demolition a market that has been in existence before independence in 1960, the Imo state government has provoked the anger of the people and threatened the peace of the state.

    “As Chief Security Officer of the state, the governor ought to have realized that such wanton and reckless disregard sensibilities and interest of the people of the state in a democracy poses a grave challenge to national security at a time federal government is concerned about insecurity across the country.

    “As leaders in imo state, we would ordinarily support ahh hold and well conceived urban renewal project in the state as we know the economic growth spill-offs of properly executed infrastructural development in the state. But what we are witnessing in Imo state is a self-interested and uncoordinated urban renewal project that consists largely of the demolition of private properties and transfer of recovered plots of lands to cronies for private development.

    “The fact that the present demolition is carried out in reckless violation of a clear court order of Justice S.I. Okpara restraining the imo state government from the demolition of the market until a determination of the suit filed by the stall owners in the market.

    “In as much as it is the priority of government to determine the direction of urban renewal, we believe that a responsive and responsible government would undertake a process that minimizes hardship and disruption to the economic and social life of the citizens.

    “We are very angry at this uncivilized, reckless, thoughtless and disrespectful model of governance and warned that henceforth, we will be out to fight the governor to stop him from further destroying life and livelihood in imo state.”

    However, the Imo state government has asked Nigerians to investigate the purported killing of a ten-year-old boy during the demolition exercise, pointing out that it is only by so doing that the truth can be known.

    The government challenged those behind the rumoured killing of the 10-year-old Boy to tell the world where the incident took place, saying those with 2019 ambition are behind the rumoured killing, adding that such persons were leveraging on the relocation of the market to cause trouble in the state.

    Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sam Onwuemeodo who dismissed the calls for the governor to resign said”we want to reiterate our demand that the reported death of a boy should be thoroughly investigated for the public to know the particular area the incident took place and the circumstances surrounding the reported death to reveal whether the whole story has anything to do with the movement of Ekeukwu Owerri Market or not.

    “Again, now that the relocation has been completed, it is also left for those behind the rumours of killings, with some quoting six, some quoting five and some quoting three to tell their audience where the bodies of the rumoured dead persons are deposited and where their families can be located so that interested Nigerians can go into investigation on their own to ascertain whose Claim should be believed.

    “Unfortunately, some people had taken such wicked rumours wholesale. And we are Challenging those behind the Claims to come forward to authenticate their claims. That is the way to unearth the truth. And where they fail to do that, they should cover their faces in shame.

    “For the reported death of the ten-year old boy, those who reported the incident should have been gentle enough to mention the area the incident took place to let the world know whether it has anything to do with the demolition of Ekeukwu Owerri Market or not.”

  • Group to Okorocha, Obiano; Stop washing your dirty linen in public

    Group to Okorocha, Obiano; Stop washing your dirty linen in public

    A group, the World Igbo Youth Council has advised governors of Imo and Anambra states, Owelle Rochas Okorocha and Chief Willy Obiano respectively to stop washing their dirty linings outside or face the sanction of Igbo youths.

    The group in a statement signed by its publicity secretary, Mazi Alex Okemiri said: “The duo should face the task of delivering the dividends of democracy to their impoverished people and stop wasting tax payers money on unnecessary media warfare.

    “Meanwhile, we have decided to wade into the matter to unveil the remote and immediate cause and we call on the two governors and their sympathisers to cease hostilities in the interest of Ndigbo.

    “We also call on the leadership of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by Chief Nnia Nwodo to intervene in the matter. This should be the first test of the capacity of the new Ohanaeze Ndigbo leadership. The youth wing of the body which has been unduly quiet for some time now should also speak out on the matter now.”

  • Revenue allocation: Presidency is avoiding governors, says Okorocha

    Revenue allocation: Presidency is avoiding governors, says Okorocha

    THE Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors Forum, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has said that President Goodluck Jonathan is yet to give any justifiable reason for the constant shortfall in the federal allocation to states.

    The governors had about two months ago demanded an emergency meeting with the President on the fall of revenue accruals to the state governments.

    Okorocha, who is the governor of Imo and a presidential aspirant of APC, spoke in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, while addressing the state’s delegates to Lagos primaries.

    He said: “The meeting could not hold. Somehow we think the presidency is avoiding meeting with the governors on this issue of dwindling revenue and we have not really been properly informed as to the justifiable reason why we are getting what we are getting now as subvention.

    “So it is rather an unfortunate situation that this country has been polarised along party line, along religious line, along tribal line, along party line.

    “Meeting and rubbing of minds has become very difficult, which had helped in the past.

    “So I think I call for unity and we must know when to stop politics and address the issue that affects the life of our people collectively.”

    He warned that if the PDP should win the forthcoming general elections at the federal level, then it would bring a complete end to opposition politics in the country.

    He said that a win for the PDP particularly with President Goodluck Jonathan in the saddle will mean a continuation of the rampaging insurgency in the north western part of the country while a win for any candidate from the northern region will also stoke the fire of violent activism witnessed few years back in the Niger Delta region.

    He stated that his ambition was prodded by an encounter with the late emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, whom he claimed charged him during a visit to the traditional ruler in a London hospital to ensure the unity of Nigeria if he becomes the president.

    He said: “There is no desperation for me to become the president of this country and those of you who were with us in Abuja would recall I said that if this presidency of mine would not unite Nigeria, if it would not bring an end to Boko Haram etc, may I not get it in Jesus name.

    “I don’t have to be your president and I must not become your president. But I have sat down and realised that our part must win this election because if we don’t win this election then opposition would be completely destroyed in this land; there will be no more opposition in Nigeria so we must do all that we can to win.

    “Then we must produce a president that can unite this country because the PDP has polarised Nigeria and it is God that is just keeping us together.

    “The way PDP has divided Nigeria, if President Jonathan wins this election, Boko Haram will not stop in Nigeria.

    “Likewise, if anybody from the north wins this election, the Niger Delta boys will start their trouble.

    “Remember it was late President Yar’Adua that ended the Niger Delta crisis. I am the only aspirant without an enemy.”

     

  • Okorocha greets monarch

    Okorocha greets monarch

    Imo State Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha has congratulated the monarch of Umuokeh in Obowo Local Government, Eze Ifeanyichukwu John Okafor, on his coronation as the Okeh 1 of Umuokeh.

    Okorocha, who was represented by his wife, Nneona Nkechi, described Okafor as a man of impeccable character, whose leadership qualities would bring positive transformation to his community and the state.

    The governor hailed the crowned Prince of Umuokeh, Deacon Chike Okafor, for toeing the footsteps of his father, especially when he served in the Executive Council as the Commissioner for Finance.

    He promised to give representation to the Okigwe Federal Constituency.

    Okorocha congratulated those conferred with chieftaincy titles by the traditional ruler and urged them to see the honour as an opportunity to contribute to the welfare of the people.

    The Chief of Staff, Government House, Sir Jude Ejiogu, received on behalf of the governor, a gift of leopard skin presented by Eze John Okafor in appreciation of the positive transformation the Rescue Mission has brought to the state and pledged the support of the community to the present administration.

     

     

     

    Eighteen persons including the Speaker,  House of Assembly, Benjamin Uwajimogu; the Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Urban Development, Chief Uche Nwosu; the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Comrade Kenneth Emelu; and Chief Ugochukwu Ohakwe were conferred with chieftaincy titles.

     

  • Heartland yet to get Imo government’s relief

    Heartland yet to get Imo government’s relief

    From Tunde Liadi,Owerri

     

    Heartland players and officials are still waiting for the green-light from the Imo Ministry of Youth and Sports over the release of the cash that was allegedly lodged at the latter’s accounts last week.

    SportingLife gathered from a top source that the Imo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Comrade Kenneth Emelu confirmed the receipt of the money but the Naze Millionaires’ players and officials are still surprised at what has stopped them from being paid few days after the new year.

    A player of the Owerri based club informed SportingLife that no Heartland player is talking about training or getting set for the start of the new season with their entitlements yet to be paid despite assurances from the Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha that they would get their pay before the end of the first week of the new year.

    The players are appealing to the Imo Sports boss to fast-track the process leading to the release of their money without any further delay so as to assuage their suffering and keep them in top shape ahead of the coming season.

    SportingLife recalls that last season, Heartland’s players embarked on series of peaceful demonstrations and strike actions to press home their demands but all their threats never yielded any positive result.

     

  • Lagos reopens Ladipo market, list conditions for operation

    Lagos reopens Ladipo market, list conditions for operation

    Lagos State Government has re-opened the Ladipo International auto spare parts market shut for two weeks for poor sanitation and environmental degradation.

    The market was opened on Monday following the intervention of various individuals including the Imo State Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha and other leaders of Igbo community in the state.

    State Commissioner for Environment Mr. Tunji Bello said series of meetings were held with the leaders of the market where the terms and conditions for the market re-opening was agreed on.

    Bello who was represented by Permanent Secretary Office of Drainage Service, Mr. Muyideen Akinsanya, said the agreement reached was jointly signed by President Ladipo Central Executive Committee (LACEC), Mr. Ikechukwu Animalu, Secretary of Ladipo Central Executive Auto Dealers’ Association, Pastor Steve Paul and Chairman Mushin Local Government, Hon. Babatunde Adepitan.

    He listed the conditions to include; non-conversion of the drainage Right of Way (RoW) into trading points and mechanic workshops, non-conversion of the access roads in the market for trading activities and Non-conversion of the shops in the market for residential purposes.

    The agreement also impressed it on the traders not to dump wastes and vehicle parts into the canal and that they should maintain the general cleanliness of the market environment at all times.

    The traders were urged to ensure proper security arrangement in the market which shall be acceptable to the Government and which cost shall be borne by the traders while illegal trading activities in and around the market environment will no longer be allowed.

    Also on the agreement are “that Aguiyi Ironsi International Trade Centre shall remain closed until a resolution is reached with Mushin Local Government, while all statutory revenues, and fees shall be payable to Mushin Local Government and other relevant Government Agencies regularly.

    “That no mechanic workshop shall operate on any access roads leading to the market; while only one – side parking shall be operated by the traders.”

    Government also nullified all allocations and permit around the canal setbacks stressing that traders shall patronise Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) appointed PSP operators and pay service charges promptly, while the LACEC has been empowered to ensure compliance by all the traders in the market.

    “Failure to adhere to the stipulated conditions and agreement shall resort to the Government relocating them from the present location.” it stressed.

     

  • Yinka Gbadebo Sworn in as new NANS President

    Yinka Gbadebo Sworn in as new NANS President

    Com. Yinka Gbadebo, the newly elected President of the National Association of Nigerian Students was last Thursday sworn in as them legitimate and democratic 27th President of the association.

    The inauguration ceremony which took place at the Abuja International Conference Centre with the theme “Repositioning Nigerian Students for National Socio-political Development’’ had the crème de la crème of the society in attendance and these include the: Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha; Engr. Jide Adeniji, Chairman, Governinig Board of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA); Professor Sidi Osho, Vice Chancellor, AfeBabalolaUniversity, Ado-Ekiti; and Com. Jude Imagwe, SSA to President Goodluck Jonathan on Students and Youth Affairs who represented the Nigerian President at the event.

    Shortly after Yinka Gbadebo, who was welcomed up stage with the inspirational and highly-spirited Great Ife anthem, was sworn in, he observed his first constitutional duty as he made his other official members take the oath office to serve the utmost interest of the association

    Those who took the oath include: Comrade Jubril Ahmed, Vice President, National Affairs (A.BU. Zaria); Comrade Peculiar Asemota, Vice President External Affairs (A.A.U. Ekpoma); Comrade Ubon Marcus, Vice President Special Duties (UNIUYO); Comrade Olaogun Victor, National P.R.O Comrade (Federal Poly, Offa); Olusina Oyebisi, Director Travels and Exchange (FUT, Minna); Comrade Kalib Abubakar, Director of Sports (Kano State University); Comrade Alaofin Blessing, Ex-Officio1 Comrade (Kogi State University) Others include: Onukaogu Donald, Senate President (FUT, Owerri); Comrade Shima John, Deputy Senate President (BSU, Makurdi); Com.

    Daniel Munir Momodu, Secretary General (OAU, Ile-Ife); and Com. Ali Abdullahi Mohammed, Assistant Secretary General (Kano State Polytechnic).

    Shortly after that, Engr. Jide Adeniji, the first patron of NANS since 2005 was decorated with the Grand Patronship title. Engr. Adeniji has won several awards which include but not limited to: ICON of Leadership Award for the recognition of his leadership quality in 2005; One of the 50 Outstanding University of Ife

    Alumni by the GUARDIAN Newspapers (2009) and his was made the Grand Patron of Niger Delta Students Association in 2009.

    Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State was also given ‘Life Membership’ of the association, a honour the governor described as instrumental to the development of NANS.

    Governor Rochas Okorocha has, however, promised never to neglect them and also assured NANS that he would embark on some of the campus tours with the leaders of the association. In his appreciation speech, the Governor also promised to send some of the NANS leaders to China to learn how things are done rightly and progressively by the youths. He maintained that NANS is a very instrumental association to the development of Nigeria because it controls the minds of the heart of the nation, that si the youths.

    Past Presidents of NANS also graced the occasion and the legitimacy of Com. Yinka Gbadebo was perfectly and boldly declared against the activities of two presidential candidates who lost woefully at the poll during the NANS Convention last December where Com. Gbadebo was declared the absolute winner.