Tag: Rochas Okorocha

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has said if the All Progressives Congress (APC) is serious about wresting power from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), it should field him as its presidential standard-bearer.

He said he could dislodge the President Goodluck Jonathan-led Federal Government.

Speaking yesterday at a rally organised by a northern group, the Arewa Peoples Grand Coalition, to urge him to pick the nomination and expression of interest forms, Okorocha said of all the APC presidential aspirants, he had a better chance to defeat the PDP candidate.

He said this was because none of the aspirants had ever provided free education, stressing that he had, over the years, provided free education in parts of the country, “and I will provide it all over the nation if I become the President.”

Okorocha visited the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris and inaugurated the Rochas free secondary school education in Zaria.

The governor, who spoke in Hausa and English languages, asked the crowd whom they would vote for if he was fielded against a PDP candidate, and they shouted: “Okorocha! Okorocha! Okorocha!

He said:  “There is need for a change in Nigeria. It is a must and it must happen. The change has become necessary.

”I believe that if I fly the flag of APC, I will bring victory to the party. I am the only one who can defeat PDP without struggle. No PDP candidate can face me in other parts of the country. We don’t have problem with PDP, our problem is how to choose the candidate who can defeat it.

”I am a leader. Leaders are never satisfied until things get better. The country is not doing well. Our problem in this country is hunger. My first four years, if elected as the President, will be years of radical transformation.

“On the day of my swearing-in as the President, we shall sing the old national anthem, which says “though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand”.

Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has vowed that his administration would provide asphalted roads in the 637 communities by next year.

He spoke at Atta Comprehensive Secondary School in Njaba Local Government at a reception held in honour of Prof. Uba Nnabue, the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Science and Technology.

The governor, who could not hold back joy, assured that his administration would deliver on its election promises by providing free education, embarking on agricultural development, ensuring improved healthcare, massive road construction and putting in place infrastructural development in the 27 local governments.

He regretted that some contractors had failed to deliver on the rural road projects, saying Community Government Councils (CGC) would be empowered to embark on the building of roads to the tune of N5billion, having earlier announced the release of N1billion to the communities.

Okorocha vowed to remodel Atta Comprehensive Secondary School.

He sensitised the people on the need to participate in the coming Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC’) voters’ registration and permanent voter card collection exercise, saying government would close markets, schools and offices to enable everyone participate.

The governor said the communities, which failed to register the required number of voters, would not benefit from the rural road development fund.

He praised Prof. Nnabue for his resourcefulness, describing him as an asset to the state.

The Chairman, Atta Nwambiri Central Committee, Dr. Basil Izuagba, said the event was organised by three communities (Atta, Egwedu and Umunam-Atta) to honour their son, Prof. Uba Nnabue and appreciate the governor for the free education and infrastructural development.

Nnabue expressed joy at the reception accorded him by his people and thanked Okorocha for remembering Atta.

He hailed the Rescue Mission Government for breaking the jinx of providing free and qualitative education at all levels and pledged the support of Atta people to the administration.

The Vice Chancellor of Imo State University, Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie, said the free education programme remained the best thing to happen to Imo State since its creation, “as the children of the less privileged now have unlimited access to education.”

Monarchs, members of the House of Assembly, Executive Council and other personalities attended the event.

Highlight of the occasion was the presentation of gifts and conferment of chieftaincy titles on Okorocha and Nnabue by the traditional rulers of Atta Nwambiri.

Imo State government has approved N400million for the completion of structures at the Imo State University Teaching Hospital (IMSUTH), Orlu. Contractors handling the projects have been ordered to expedite action on them so that they would be inaugurated within three weeks.

Governor Rochas Okorocha spoke when he visited the Nursing department of the hospital.

He lamented the infrastructural decay, following the “terrible work done by the contractors on the buildings”, which he said were inherited from past administrations.

Okorocha said his efforts to complete the projects proved abortive because of the attitude of the contractors, who sought variations, adding: “This has not only delayed the completion of the projects, but has also deprived students of a conducive learning environment.”

The governor hoped that with the release of the balance sum on variation, the contractors would not delay the completion of their jobs.

He said government would not spare anyone who defied the order.

Okorocha used the occasion to offset over N200,000 medical bill of Mrs. Chinwendu Iwu from Nwangele, who had surgical operation, but could not pay.

The woman, who could not hold back tears of joy, thanked the governor for his magnanimity and prayed God to bless him and help him complete his programmes.

The Governor Rochas Okorocha administration has said a governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Chris Anyanwu, has no programme for Imo people.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, said in a statement yesterday: “We have read with concern, the media reports credited to the lawmaker representing Owerri zone in the Senate, Senator Chris Anyanwu, in which she accused Governor Rochas Okorocha of plunging the state into huge debt, including local debts of about N50 billion, among other allegations.

“Senator Anyanwu came up with the unfounded allegations while declaring her ambition to run for the governorship election on the platform of the PDP in 2015,  after she had bought the nomination form.

“Let us start our reaction by acknowledging that Chris Anyanwu is a distinguished senator, who deserves respect.  She is also a lucky politician, having been the first person in Owerri senatorial zone, who has gone to the Senate for two terms of eight years even when the late Evan Enwerem could not achieve that feat.”

“Beyond these, one could be stating the obvious if Senator Anyanwu is said to have put on the toga of an alarmist in recent times, which is not expected from a distinguished senator of her calibre.

“Recently, she deceived distinguished senators by raising the alarm that the Imo State government was registering northerners with the aim of issuing them identification cards, and the lawmakers were deceived into passing a resolution on a matter that never existed. When the challenge was thrown back to the senators for proof, they discovered that they had been deceived by the female legislator, prompting the state government to demand an apology.”

“This time round, the senator used the opportunity to tell Imo people what she has achieved in the eight years she has been in the Senate and her programmes for the state, if she becomes the governor, raising another alarm of a huge debt that does not exist and without giving any hint to her audience that can enable them authenticate her claims.

“Senator Anyanwu would have given the particulars of the debts and how she arrived at the N50billion local debt to be taken serious. If the alleged debt was money borrowed from a bank, then which bank?  Using her declaration event to make the bogus claim is an indication that she has no programme or policies for the state.

“Senator Anyanwu’s programme for the state in her governorship pursuit would not have been Rochas Okorocha; or the imaginary debt his government was suspected to have incurred. The truth of the matter is that governorship aspirants like Senator Anyanwu know that to beat Okorocha in the 2015 poll will be like building a skyscraper in the air; which does not have the possibility of happening.  They now feel that scratching him at every forum will help their precarious political situation.

“In making the allegation, Senator Anyanwu did not say anything that would make any serious person to believe her. So, we see the allegation as an issue she used to fill the gap in the unveiling of her programme for the state. She had no programme to tell Imo people. She used the false claim to fill the blank space. Do not forget, she needs to win the PDP ticket before talking about Rochas.”

Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has urged the Joint National Association of Persons with Disability (JONAPD) to avoid being used by politicians for selfish interests.

He spoke when the group visited him at the Government House, Owerri.

Okorocha said his administration came on board not for the cabals but for the masses, including the physically- challenged.

He noted that the Rochas Foundation was established to accommodate the group.

“I am here to serve you without expecting rewards.”

The governor, who regretted the politicisation of the association by the previous executives, enjoined members to be careful in choosing their leaders, to avoid people, who would use them for their selfish ambitions.

Okorocha, who expressed joy that a new chapter of love had been re-established between the government and the association, promised to build a befitting headquarters for the disabled and carry them along.

JONAPD’s Caretaker Chairman Mr. Christian Amaechi hailed the leadership qualities of the governor and his achievements.

Amaechi, who regretted the past activities of the association, promised that they would no longer yield to politicians’ manipulations.

He assured the Okorocha administration 100 per cent support.

According to him, JONAPD has set up a committee to look into the activities of non-government organisations (NGOs) related to the welfare of the disabled.

Amaechi sought empowerment for the group’s members.

The Presbyterian Church of Nigeria has honoured  Imo State Governor  Rochas Okorocha with the ‘Leadership par Excellence’ Award, in recognition of his purposeful governance and the humanitarian services provided through the Rochas Foundation.

Presenting the award at the Aladimma, Owerri parish of the church, the minister-in charge, Rev. Sunday Ole, said the state had witnessed development in the three years of the Rescue Mission Government.

He hailed the governor for the humanitarian services provided through the Rochas Foundation, which he said had given hope to the children of the less privileged.

The cleric also praised the free education programme introduced by Okorocha in primary and secondary schools as well as in tertiary institutions.

He prayed that God should give him the opportunity of a greater responsibility to contribute to the development of the nation.

Delivering the governor’s citation, Dr. Obasi Oko described him as a great philanthropist, a teacher, an educationist par excellence, an orator, an apostle of peace, a detribalised Nigerian and an apostle of transformational leadership, who, given his wealth of experience, is qualified for the highest political office in the country.

Okorocha thanked the Presbyterian Church for finding him worthy of the award and dedicated it to the masses and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), whom he said never shifted ground in ensuring a transparent election in the 2011 governorship poll.

The governor, who pledged to promote the well-being of the masses and invest in building a place of worship for God, urged Christians to pray for those in authority.

The Imo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Celina Oko, was also honoured with the award of ‘Ambassador of Christ (AC)’, for her dedicated, transparent, focused and uncompromising Christian life.

Imo State capital, Owerri yesterday witnessed what has been described as the country’s biggest political gathering. It was at the wedding of the daughter of the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha.

The governor’s daughter Uju, got married to Dr. Uzoma Anwukah, son of the Secretary to the State Government.

Among the political heavy weights in attendance were the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie- Odigie Oyegun, his predecessor Chief Bisi Akande, national leader of APC and former Lagos State Governor, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, former Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Kano State governor and APC presidential aspirant, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso among others.

Other dignitaries were Kwara State Governor, Ahmed Abdulfatah, his Akwa Ibom counterpart Godswill Akpabio, two former Bayelsa State governors Timpreye Sylva and Dipreye Solomon Alayemeseigha, his former Abia State counterpart Chief Ogbonaya Onu, and APC National Publicity Secretary, Isa Mohammed.

Also in attendance were Nasarawa State Governor Tanko Al-Makura, Sen. Chris Ngige, publisher of the Leadership Newspapers, Sam Nda-Isaiah, and Sen. Bukola Saraki.

The wedding also afforded the APC Presidential aspirants the opportunity to deliberate with the leaders of the party ahead of the Presidential primaries.

However, all the APC leaders and other politicians declined to speak to anxious journalists, insisting that they were in Owerri for the wedding of the Governor’s daughter.

Speaking shortly after the Church service, Governor Okorocha, said that the coming together of the eminent Nigerians, irrespective of their political affiliations, was an indication that the country was still united.

According to him, “This is not a gathering of any political party. I can see APC leaders, I can see PDP leaders, and members of other political parties, this is a strong indication that the unity of our country cannot be compromised.”

He thanked God for His blessings on his family and the state, “I am grateful today to witness the marriage of my beloved daughter to a man am proud to call a son, it is indeed the Lord’s doing and am grateful”.

Joining the couple at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, the presiding Priest and Bishop of Okigwe Catholic Diocese, Bishop Solomon Amatu, charged them to preserve the sanctity of the marriage institution by loving each other like Christ loved the Church.

He further admonished them to pattern their marriage after the will of God and not the will of men.

Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha will host the 22nd edition of the Nigeria Media Merit Award (NMMA) on November 1.

The event, the biggest annual media excellence awards in Nigeria and Africa, will hold in Owerri, the state capital, from Friday, October 31 to Sunday, November 2.

The governor will be assisted by the public and private sectors in the state for the awards ceremony.

The grand award ceremony, which has become the highest focus of the media institutions and practitioners for recognition and acknowledgement of excellent achievements in the industry, is gathering enthusiasm among practitioners. It will host the best among media practitioners, veterans and chief executives.

The highlight of the event is the grand award presentation ceremony on November 1, when winners will be announced from the over 150 outstanding media practitioners who were nominated for this year’s 53 categories of the awards.

Other activities include the media leaders’ roundtable, to be chaired by Okorocha, where special papers will be delivered by veteran media practitioners and academicians on: The Freedom of Information Act: The Role of Media in Reporting Issues of National Interest.

A night of tributes will also be held in honour of dead media leaders and icons. There will be a media tour of Imo State by practitioners, to witness the developmental projects of the Okorocha administration, among other activities.

The Imo State Government has expressed it preparedness for the ceremony. The Local Organising Committee (LOC) is chaired by Deputy Governor Eze Madumere.

A member of the committee and Senior Assistant to the Governor on Media Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo said: “The state is set to welcome the veterans and practitioners of Nigerian media industry to the Land of Hope.”

He said the guests would enjoy the best of the state’s hospitality during the NMMA awards.

According to him, Okorocha is enthusiastic about the media development in Nigeria and has contributed immensely to its development across the country and Imo State in particular.

Onwuemeodo stressed the essence of the media and the need for the private and public sectors to support its growth, especially the welfare of practitioners, who are often exposed to hazards.

The governor’s aide noted that the impact of media reportage could make or mar a nation.

The Chairman of NMMA’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Vincent Maduka, was optimistic that Imo would make a success of the event.

He said the NMMA had raised the bar of media excellence in Nigeria by setting the precedent for other media award schemes.

Onwuemeodo said: “NMMA enjoys the goodwill of the private and public sectors because of its credibility, which could be seen in the progress and positions of NMMA alumni, many of whom have gone to garner several international media awards in the past 20 years.”

NMMA Panel of Assessros (PoA) Chairman Prof. Ralph Akinfeleye stressed the importance of media synergy with the government.

The expert said the assessments of entries for this year were ongoing, adding that the nomination list would be published this week.

He said there was an increase of about 36 per cent in the number of entries received this year, compared to last year’s, which had 952 eligible entries from 632 entrants as against 1,307 eligible entries received from 886 entrants this year.