The Imo State Government has denied owing workers salaries as claimed by a group, Ndi-Igbo Unity Forum and dismissed the ultimatum issued to Governor Rochas Okoroacha to pay.
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sam Onwuemeodo in a statement on Sunday said “the truth, and the whole truth is that, Governor Okorocha or the Imo State Government has paid workers in the state upto February, 2016, and that of March is about to begin.”
” Anybody or any group that worths being called a group that has any contrary claim to make based on facts and figures should come up with it. In Imo, the government of Governor Okorocha does not tell lies.
” We tell our audience the truth at all times, to the glory of God. We sympathize with these enemies of good works and ask God to have mercy on them,” Onwuemeodo stated.
While stating that the group that issued the statement was as fictitious , the Chief Press Secretary said it was not able to convince their audience on their genuiness by stating their stake and the particulars of the salary arrears and allowances they had talked about.
He said it was ironical that the group made its allegations after the State Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) , Comrade Austin Chilakpu while making his speech during the Workers’ May Day Celebration commended Governor Okorocha for not owing workers in the state salary arrears like it is the case in some other states.
” Those scratching Governor Okorocha have always ended up displaying their weakness both mentally and spiritually. They are always petty because they have no valid claim to make against Governor Okorocha and the Rescue Mission Government he superintends.”
Tag: Rochas Okorocha
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Imo not owing workers salaries, dismisses ultimatum
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Group gives Okorocha ultimatum to pay Imo workers
Ndigbo Unity Forum, an Igbo socio-cultural group, has given Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo an ultimatum of 60 days to pay workers outstanding salaries and allowances.
This is contained in a statement signed by the President of the forum, Mr Augustine Chukwudum, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Sunday.
It described as unfortunate that after receiving bailout funds from the Federal Government, which the governors and their cabinet agreed was enough to settle workers, would divert such money.
The statement said such action was the height of insensitivity in a democratic setting that holds a lot of good promises for the people.
“On South East, we observed that the Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo state notwithstanding bailout funds that runs into billions that he received from the Federal Government that he still owes workers in the state many months salary.
“We demand that Gov. Rochas Okorocha should pay workers in Imo state their salary within sixty days,’’ it said.
The statement warned that coalition of civil societies would soon mobilise for the mother of all demonstration in Imo, if the governor failed to heed to the advice. -
Okorocha seeks review of university curriculum
Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, on Wednesday urged the National Universities Commission (NUC) to review tertiary education curriculum to ensure that the curriculum is directed towards solving productive problems in key sectors of the economy.
This, the governor said, would enable young graduates to become thoroughbred entrepreneurs and professionals while developing their capacity to become independent in specific fields of their choice.
Okorocha said this in Abuja on Wednesday when he received a certificate of recognition of the newly established Eastern Palm University in the State from the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Prof. Julius Okojie.
He said that universities were established to focus more on human capital development and to guide students into specific professional areas.
Okorocha said: “The Eastern Palm University would focus more on human capital development, professionalism, not a situation whereby people read a course and just end up somewhere.
“It would ensure that people are guided along their talent into a proper profession in order to enable them serve their country. I believe that our education system must be tailored towards developing the resources of our land and not being over import dependent.”
Earlier, Prof. Okojie urged the governor to ensure all the academic principles of running a university as spelt out by commission are adhered to by the University.
He called on Okorocha to ensure the running of relevant programmes for the universities.
Okojie said: “Ensure you take off well. Follow all the procedures and academic rituals and ensure all the standards are met. Eastern Palm university must ensure it it operates programmes that are relevant.
“We must be very careful in the way we use politics to run our education in this country.”
With the issuance of certificate of recognition, the University becomes the 42nd state University and the 143 University in Nigeria.
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Imo earmarks N5 billion to boost agriculture
Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, Wednesday said that his administration has set aside N5 billion for the development and transformation of the rural communities in the State.
Aside as part of measure to ensure that the huge investment achieved its purpose, the Governor also inaugurated three hundred and five Government Liaison Officers (GLOs) representing each of the 305 INEC Wards in the state, stating that their primary assignment is to drive the government’s policies and programmes in their respective wards for progress, development and growth.
Inaugurating the GLOs, the Imo Governor, added that strong leadership must be established at the community (ward) level to drive the development, noting that, “today there is the challenge of downturn in our economy as a result of dwindling oil prices. There is unemployment and insecurity and to address all these, the Governor cannot stay in the Government House and know what is happening in every ward and community. Therefore, the need to share some of my powers with you is inevitable. We will not share the chorus of under-development because of dwindling economy but we shall all rise to build the Imo of our collective dreams and aspirations.”
The Governor continued, “the GLOs are the pivots on which the wheel of job, job, job policy will rotate. The GLOs simply mean Job, Job, Job. Government has set aside the sum of N5b for the purpose of the projects in the wards to be driven by the GLOs. Go back to your ward and work out how to create Jobs. Take charge of the eco-system. The GLOs are all challenged to create all the enabling environment for transformation. You are the flagship of the essence of democracy. We shall make the state the hob of the economic drive of the south east and by extension the nation.
“We are also concerned with the issue of security. The GLOs should allay with traditional rulers and others to review the issue of Imo Community Watch. At 40 we intend to do things differently to move Imo state forward. Imo is not a fool at 40. Therefore, we are here gathered to improve the steps and legs of Imo state. GLOs are created to restructure the wards for greatness.
“They are to ensure that we develop the resources of the various wards and create jobs and ensure development of the wards. You can call the GLOs mini-governors. Today, we have challenges of all types hence the need to decentralize power for result and to build Imo of our collective dream.”
He added further that, “we want to create Jobs and boost the economy of the state. The GLOs with the traditional rulers and others working together can make a big difference. This will also help us to fish out new leaders because if one can fix his ward, he or she can also fix the local government and state.”
He charged the GLOs to look inwards and create more economic activities in their localities.
He reminded them that the Rescue Mission Government made bold promises of Job, Job, Factory, Factory, Industry, Industry, in his campaign manifesto and this cannot be achieved without a proper structure upon which the wheel of job, Job, rotates, pointing out that they must think outside the box to create at least 100 jobs for 100 youths in each ward within the shortest possible time.
The Governor also empowered them to oversee the activities of their wards and make recommendations of who should be appointed for certain positions for the purpose of job creation which he said must be agro-based
He explained that the money set aside is to sponsor agricultural activities in the wards with the purpose of creating wealth. “Our strength now lies in agriculture since oil is no longer a good story for Nigeria, we must diversify our economy and the first point of call should be agriculture.”
Responding, the Deputy Governor, Eze Madumere, who is equally a GLO, commended the Governor for the trust reposed in them, promising that with the calibre of people inaugurated as GLOs the set objective will be achieved.
He equally assured on behalf of his colleagues that within the next 90 days significant impacts will be felt at the wards and the government and people of the state will be proud for giving them the opportunity to serve in that capacity.
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Okorocha denies calling for Kanu’s hanging
Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, on Wednesday described as unfounded and malicious the allegation that he called for the hanging of the Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
Okorocha in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, said the report published in the social media was a mere attempt to malign his image ahead of the 2019 general election.
The statement reads:
“The attention of the Imo State Government has once again been drawn to another fictitious allegation in the social media claiming that the state Governor had called for the hanging of Mr. Nnamdi Kanu leader of the Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB).
“Governor Okorocha does not know Nnamdi Kanu. He reads about him on the pages of newspapers like every other Igbo man or Nigerian. Whether he lives or dies, does not have any value to add to Governor Okorocha’s life including his politics. So one begins to wonder why Governor Okorocha should call for his hanging.
“If he dies, will Okorocha become Director of Radio Biafra or IPOB leader? You ask again, whether one million Nnamdi Kanu could constitute any threat to Okorocha in anyway. The answer is obviously No. Then what is Okorocha’s interest in Kanu’s death or life that he would call for his hanging.
“The elements behind this latest moonlight tale also claimed that the Imo Governor had made the call on January 15, 2016 in a meeting with what they called Igbo Elders’ Forum.
“They did not mention the venue of the said meeting or those at the meeting. Incidentally, the same January 15, 2016 (Friday) was the day the Governor travelled out of the country for a brief vacation.”
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Imo: Supreme Court dismisses ex-Deputy Speaker’s appeal
Former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha lost Thursday morning in his challenge of Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha’s victory at the last governorship election in the state.
The Supreme Court in a unanimous judgment dismissed the appeal by Ihedioha, who was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election held on April 11. Okorocha was the candidate of the All Progressives Party (APC).
A seven-man bench, led by Justice John Fabiyi, affirmed an earlier judgment by the Court of Appeal, Owerri, which held that Ihedioha’s failure to properly serve Okorocha and his party robbed the appellate court the jurisdiction to hear the case.
The Supreme Court noted that Ihedioha’s failure to indicate, in the appeal processes (documents), addresses of other respondents was fatal to the case.
They consequently dismissed the appeal for lacking in merit. Ihedioha appealed the ruling.
The Imo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal had, in a ruling on July 22, dismissed Ihedioha’s petition against Okorocha’s victory on on the grounds that it was incompetence.
The Court of Appeal, Owerri dismissed the appeal in its decision given on September 3, 2015, prompting the PDP candidate to appeal to the Supreme Court.
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Imo: Appeal Court strikes out Ihedioha’s petition
The Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri, Imo State, on Thursday struck out the case of the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 general elections, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, challenging the earlier dismissal of his petition by the state’s governorship election petitions tribunal.
Delivering Judgment in the crowded court, the Chairman of the Appeal Panel, Justice Jimmy Bada, said that the appeal was dismissed on grounds of improper service of summons on the respondents, whose addresses were not properly listed.
Justice Bada further explained that the issue of service is fundamental in law and the rules of the Court of Appeal and therefore struck out the case for lack of merit.
The tribunal had earlier thrown out the PDP candidate’s petition for improper filling.
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I had jets before becoming governor – Okorocha
Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, on Thursday said he bought his private jets before he became governor in 2011, contrary to publications in the media that he has bought two private jets since he was elected into office.
Okorocha, who was reacting to statement by workers in the state that he should sell his private jets and use the proceeds to pay their salary arrears, described the allegation as a total falsehood fabricated by those who are bent on discrediting his achievements.
In a statement signed by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, the state government said, “as a government, we want to deny with high sense of honesty that since May 29, 2011 when Owelle Rochas Okorocha became governor, he has never bought any private Jet either directly or by proxy. Having made this denial let those behind the allegation make their facts public to fault our denial.
“The period Governor Rochas Okorocha bought Jets was years before he was elected, during the Olusegun Obasanjo regime when some of the presidential jets were auctioned. The governor bought jets then under the aegis of Lamonde Aviation, alongside few other Nigerians. Since he became governor, he has never bought any private Jet.”
The statement added: “Again, the Debit Management Agency penultimate week published the states and their respective debt profiles. And in the case of Imo State, they published N37 billion which was far from the hundreds of billions the opponents of the government have been claiming to be the debt status of the state. And the N37 billion debt include the ones owed by the previous administrations. The good story is that we have been vindicated on that.”
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PVCs’ collection: Imo declares two-day public holidays
Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has declared Thursday and Friday as work-free days, to enable civil servants obtain Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
He announced this when addressing head teachers and teachers in public schools at the Imo International Conference Centre, Owerri.
Okorocha said workers and others, who had not collected their PVCs, should do so during the holidays, to enable them vote, adding: “Vote and ensure your votes are counted.”
The governor said the meeting was aimed at discussing the way forward for education, which he noted remained the policy thrust of the state.
“We want to ensure teachers are equipped for qualitative education.”
Okorocha hailed the teachers for their contributions to the success of the free education.
He said it was their duty to monitor the pupils, “just as government has met its obligations to teachers and civil servants through regular payment of salary, pension and gratuity and promotion.”
The governor said for the first time, teachers were promoted to Level 17.
“These and other welfare packages have made strike a forgotten issue in the state.”
He revealed plans to introduce the production of raw materials by pupils, to contribute to the agro-based industrial revolution.
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Okorocha woos Ohanaeze for Buhari
•’APC credible alternative for Ndigbo’
Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has urged Igbo leaders to champion a cause that will restore the relevance of Ndigbo.
He spoke when he visited the Chairman, Reparation Committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and a leader of the apex Igbo social-cultural organisation, Chief Amaechi Mbazulike, at Ukpor in Anambra State.
Okorocha, who said it was unfortunate that Ndigbo had been edged out of the political dispensation, especially in the last 12 years of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership, added that it was time for the Igbo to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) as “a credible alternative, which will represent the interest of Ndigbo.”
He noted: “I think the Igbo need a rethink. The way it is now, it is obvious that PDP has failed us. They have taken our children one by one, compensating them with contracts, against the general well-being of Ndigbo.”
Okorocha, the chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum, said he defected to the party with a few Igbo leaders to seek a new direction where Ndigbo could be a major stakeholder and be remembered in the distribution of political positions.
He enjoined Ohanaeze Ndigbo to endorse Gen. Muhammadu Buhari as its presidential candidate, because he had the ability to stop the Boko Haram insurgency and corruption.
Mbazulike hailed Okorocha for his courage in contesting the presidential primaries of the APC, describing it as a foundation laid for Ndigbo in the party.
He, however, said Ohanaeze had not committed itself to any candidate or party, stressing that its greatest concern is the security of life and property of Ndigbo, especially those in the North.
Mbazulike advised Nigerians to eschew acts that could disrupt peace during and after the elections.
He said Igbo leaders should protect Ndigbo’s interest and reposition Ohanaeze Ndigbo to represent Igbo principles.