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Tag: Rochas

  • Why we’re withholding Okorocha’s certificate of return – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) on Thursday cleared air on its decision to withhold certificates of return of Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo and three others.

    Mr Festus Okoye, INEC National Electoral Commissioner, Information and Voter Education, said the decision “does not amount to shifting goal post at the middle of a match.“

    He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Awka that INEC only issue certificate to people who genuinely won elections.

    “Issuance of certificates of return is a statutory function of INEC, it is only issued to those who won election and must be done through free will of a returning officer.

    “In the case of Imo West Senatorial zone where Okorocha contested, the Otu-Opi Federal Constituency in Benue, Agayi State Constituency and another in Akwa Ibom.

    “What INEC is saying is that you can’t engage in bad electoral behaviour and expect INEC to reward you with a certificate.

    “Our certificate is only for those who won freely,” he said.

    Okoye said the commission has the right not to issue certificate to such persons as it would amount to abnormality.

    He said INEC action is not targeted at the voters who voted people of their choice but to address excesses of those who wanted to use unconventional means to win elections.

    Read Also: I’m not owing any bank, Okorocha insists

    “Once we have such case, INEC will not issue certificate, but ensure that the right thing is done,” he said.

    He said at the moment that contenders of the positions in all the four affected areas are in court adding that INEC is awaiting for the outcome of the pending matters.

    Okoye said if the court orders INEC to issue certificates of return to the people involved, it would do same.

    He said if a consequential order is made directing INEC to conduct fresh election in the areas, the commission would do same.

  • INEC lacks power to withhold my Certificate of Return – Okorocha

    Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha has described the decision to withhold his Certificate of Return by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after being declared winner of the Imo West Senatorial election as unfortunate and unconstitutional.

    The Imo Governor alleged that INEC is being used by those he said were fighting him ahead the 2023 Presidential election to stop him from going to the Senate, adding that it is only the Courts that have the powers to nullify any election after a winner has been declared and the Electoral umpire does not have the power.

    “In my own case, my Certificate of Return has not been issued and I wonder why INEC will withhold my Certificate for a frivolous reason, without hearing from me. I am not a violent person and those who know me know that. This is why we have peace in Imo State. The Returning Officer could not have done that under duress under the watchful eyes of the Police, DSS and party agents. I am not unmindful of the facts that those who are fighting me from Abuja are anxious to see me removed as a Senator. I urge INEC to do the right thing immediately by releasing my Certificate.

    The governor continued that, “let me tell every Nigerian that I fought no one and no one should fight me. If anyone fights me, he will be the loser at the end of it all. My INEC Certificate cannot be touched or seized, doing so is belittling democracy in Nigeria. It is only the Tribunal that has the right to say otherwise once a result is declared. INEC cannot seize my Certificate by mere petition written by somebody in a case I was not given the opportunity to present my own side of the story.”

    Okorocha who addressed thousands of youths, who came on protest over the conduct of the 2019 elections in the state, Wednesday, at the Government House, accused the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Professor Francis Ezeonu of wrecking democracy in the State “with the worrisome manner he has handled the Conduct of the 2019 elections in the State”.

    He added further that “the REC has shown that he was brought to Imo after the 2015 election to return PDP to power in the state”.

    The governor insisted that “the REC had acted illegally by ignoring the provision of the Constitution that makes it mandatory for a candidate to have 25% in 2/3 of the Local Governments in the State by announcing the PDP candidate, Emeka Ihedioha who only met the requirement in 9 Local Governments instead of 18 LGAs which is 2/3 of 27 LGAs winner”.

    Okorocha also wondered why the REC should accept the outrageous figures from the three Local Governments Areas of Aboh Mbaise, Ahiazu Mbaise and Ezinihitte, where the PDP candidate got 64,219 votes from Aboh Mbaise alone, stating that the figures from the three LGAs constituted 50 percent of the total votes got by the PDP candidate in the State with 27 LGAs.

    The governor maintained that Uche Nwosu, the governorship candidate of Action Alliance (AA) won the election and has the required spread by having 25% in 21 out of the 27 LGAs in the State, adding that “the REC is working to set the state on fire”.

    The governor also regretted that “the REC has become a willing tool in the hands of those fighting him, adding that for the REC to have ignored the Constitutional provision for the announcement of the winner of the governorship election only explains his desperation to announce the PDP Candidate winner”.

    According to him, “I say so because going by the actual calculation, the person that won this election is Ugwumba Uche Nwosu. Uche Nwosu won the election landslide, if you remove the manipulation results from Mbaise, Uche Nwosu won with over 50,000 votes, if you cannot declare him a winner because you have someone already, then they should go for a rerun because you cannot change the Constitution if the Federal Republic of Nigeria because you want to favour a candidate.

    “In the course of this manipulation, we all observed that the REC decided not to use the collation officers from Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), which he disbanded for reasons he gave that they have met with politicians. Again, he brought some people whom he introduced from the University of Agriculture Umudike. They arrived just a night before the election date and we thought we have gotten the collation officers. Again, those ones were disbanded on the same reason that they have met with politicians, I wonder how this is possible having arrived the state after midnight on the election eve.

    “Now the REC went to his own University in Awka to bring in collation officers. We believed him not knowing that he brought people he has been training for a hatched job for some weeks now in Anambra State to come and carry out this injustice in Imo State.

    “These men arrived with heavy security from Anambra and went straight to the various Local Governments. We never knew that these were relatives of the PDP candidate and from the same Local Government. These are relatives of the PDP Candidate who were already briefed of what to do. This explains the over voting witnessed in Mbaise. Out of the 270,000 votes that he scored, 50% of it or over 130,000 all came from just three local governments of Mbaise”, he stated.

    He added “As far as I am concerned and we still maintain that REC has wrecked democracy in Imo State. Unfortunately for them, they were not smart enough to know that section 179 requires you to have a spread at least in 2/3 of the local governments before you can be declared a winner. They ended up with only 9 local governments instead of 18 required by law. The Returning Officer was advised by all the Senior Staff of INEC against declaring a winner without looking at the Constitution. This man in a hurry decided to announce the result against the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,

    “This is wrong, in doing so, the Returning Officer didn’t even consider the results cancelled, total voters cancelled in the different Polling Booths, was enough to declare the election inconclusive as the difference between the PDP and AA would have called for a supplementary election. With the speed with which he announced the result tells you that the man is part of the game. This again is unacceptable to all of us” he said.

    “It is obvious that this fight is targeted against me by some of those who have decided to fight me from Abuja. I am ready to take this fight as much as I can but don’t transfer this aggression you have against me to anybody associated with me, that I would not be acceptable. Allow the young men who won the elections to be so declared” he added.

    The leader of the youths, Comrade Ezenna Okoro said, “We are here to express our dissatisfaction with the manner INEC Conducted its election in the State. Particularly, we youths from Okigwe Zone demand that Uche Nwosu be declared governor and Emenike be returned as Senator elect because he won the election based on results gotten from the booths and wards,

    “INEC should not provoke us and we are giving them 24 hours to reverse the election of Imo North Senatorial Zone won by Emenike and as a matter of fact give us a date for the rerun between Uche Nwosu and the PDP Candidate having failed to make up the Constitutional requirement” he stated.

  • Aisha Buhari, Rochas disagree over support for gov’s son-in-law

    The First Lady,Mrs Aisha Buhari  yesterday in Owerri canvassed votes for President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Imo State ,Senator Hope Uzodinma to the chagrin of Governor Rochas Okorocha.

    Represented by the wife of the vice president,Mrs.Oludolapo Osinbajo,the first lady was confident that the SouthEast and Imo State in particular would vote all APC candidates in the coming elections.

    “A vote for Buhari is a vote for progress. APC has done well and we must all support all APC candidates,” she said at a rally in Owerri  organized by APC women  and youths in the South East.

    She added:”I am happy with the crowd we saw today.Iit shows that Imo is APC and I want to urge all our youths not to fight, avoid any form of crisis because President Buhari is a peaceful man. From what we have seen today President Buhari has won the South East the same way all our APC candidates have won.”

    At the rally was Uzodinma whose candidature is strongly opposed by Okorocha.

    The governor is rooting for his son in law,Uche Nwosu,who is contesting the March governorship election on the platform of   the Action Alliance (AA).

    Nwosu was originally in the APC until the party gave its governorship to Uzodinma.

    An angry Okorocha said at yesterday’s  rally that nothing would stop Nwosu from succeeding him as governor.

    He said: “Let me say this madam First Lady, this time around we are not here to ask you to campaign for Buhari.What my wife has done is to tell you that Buhari is on ground.

    “Imo victory for Buhari is designed, sealed. In Imo state, we have 47 political parties and one of the perfect alliances is Action Alliance led by Uche Nwosu.

    “Nwosu is APC in spirit. APC, owes Imo people an apology because of the injustice meted to Imo people. In Imo state, Nwosu will win Imo state. It is not anti- party. We refused imposition in Imo state.”

    At some point during the rally supporters of Uzodinma and those of Okorocha/Nwosu began to tear each other’s  campaign posters,and eventually clashed.

    Security personnel had a tough  time bringing the situation under control.

     

    No fewer than 15 persons sustained injuries and were rushed to an undisclosed hospital for treatment.

    Speaking to reporters on the situation, Uzodinma  asked the APC leadership to “ look into the matter and take appropriate action.”

     

  • 2019: Rochas didn’t ask son-in-law to defect –Imo APC chair

    A CHAIRMANof the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State, Dan Nwafor, has dismissed reports that the state governor, Rochas Okorocha encouraged his son-in-law and Chief of Staff to the governor, Ogumba Uche Nwosu to defect to the Action Alliance.

    Speaking with newsmen in Abuja, Nwafo said there was no evidence  that the state governor, Rochas Okorocha, asked his son-inlaw and other lawmakers to leave the party and join the Action Alliance, challenging  anyone with such information to make it public.

    He said: “The governor of the state, who is a cofounder of this party in Nigeria, is a senatorial candidate of the party. I am not aware that the governor permitted anybody to go to any party. If you have the proofs, bring them.

    “Uche Nwosu was the foremost governorship aspirant of the party and due to irreconcilable differences, he felt he should pursue his ambition elsewhere. As a state chairman, I am sad. Even though I need all my governorship aspirants to be in the party, I cannot stop him. “If he had decided to choose his political path, I will wish him well. But I will work for my party and my party will win.

    That is where I stand. Everybody planning to run for governorship position in Imo State in one way or the other is close to me. But will I say because I know them before, when they move to one party or the other, I am supposed to know where they are going to? I am the state chairman of the party, I will work for the party and I am committed to the party.

    “Anything that will make my party fail, I should be worried about it. So, whenever persons are leaving the party, I’m concerned. What is my job? What is our job? To see how we can make sure to bring other alternatives that can create tabling window elections.

    “When one person leaves, we are working hard to bring in five, six, seven who would replace them. APC is our party, and we are in the APC. The party is working together. For some people, it takes faster or longer for their wounds to heal. But we are all in the process of healing our wounds. We are working together, we must put our past behind us.

    The focus is that, President Buhari will win and all the candidates of our Party in APC Imo will win, so, we are working with everyone in Imo APC.”

  • A Nobel for Rochas

    A Nobel for Rochas

    It is an old truism that a child would willy-nilly concentrate on his tummy when he bathes. Of course it’s not because his stomach area is the dirtiest part of his body but if we must wager, it’s the part that most fascinates him;  the part he can most connect with both literally and metaphorically.

    This is what comes to mind when Hardball conjectures the rationale for the strange happenings in the heartland of the southeast – Imo State, Nigeria. Recently it was the erection of anomalous statues; an act that enjoyed global uproar and earned the poor state high grades in international odium.

    Nigerians and the now captive Imolites were still trying to wrap their minds around that sordid statue of Jacob Zuma planted by their boisterous governor, and he drops yet another ‘bomb’ on them.

    While some think that the latest action is a meeting (mating if you like) of minds between knavery and ribaldry, Hardball sees an award-winning novelty.

    Here is the story: Gov. Okorocha appoints 28 commissioners; just a few short of the number of ministers at the federal level. In a state that cannot discharge such basic functions as paying pension to elder citizens; why on earth would it have separate ministries for Tertiary Education; Gender and Social Development; Rural Development; Agric and Food Security; Transport; Tourism; etc.? All of these could have been merged to have a total of not more than 14 ministries. That used to be the norm.

    But if you forgive the dicing up of ministries, what do you say to the creation of the Ministry of Happiness and Couples’ Fulfillment!?

    No let’s take that back. After a full day of tumult and hysteria on social media, State Government made the vital correction that it is indeed PURPOSE Fulfillment and not COUPLES Fulfillment.

    Many commentators were already conjecturing a department of the Ministry that would be in charge of dispensing Viagra and premium coital latex to Imo couples…

    But can’t they see that Couples’ Fulfillment is more germane to creating happiness among the citizenry than the rather nebulous Purpose fulfillment? No man or woman would deign to be happy if he/she has an unhappy bedroom. This most novel ministry would have been perfect in clearing the snafus in bedrooms across the state.

    Hardball hereby appeals to Gov. Rochas to keep the Ministry as indeed: MINISTRY FOR HAPPINESS COUPLES ENJOYMENT. One thinks a Nobel awaits him for novelty in governance by the time he is through. How come no one thought about it all the while that once you win the bedroom battles, you have won all wars!

    Imagine a ministry that deals with chronic erectile dysfunction, unwarranted coitus-interruptus and frigid-at- fifty issues. That would be the day! Go Rochas!

  • Rochas and the Liberian children

    Rochas and the Liberian children

    Against the backdrop of the recent  euphoria and backlash in the media against the Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, for hosting the South African President, Jacob Zuma, attention shifted from a very important part of activities marking the 55th birthday of the seeming  controversial politician.

    Notably, focus was lost on the teeming children rescued by the Governor through the Rochas Foundation. The children, drawn from several African countries, were specially honoured by the celebrant and the expectation was that the milk of kindness and heart of compassion essential in defining the essential Rochas, more so because this aspect of the man’s worldview and commitment to philanthropy had not been exposed.

    Granted that the Rochas Foundation had been known to engage in charity even before Owelle became Governor, with schools in parts of Nigeria, many had thought that the activities of the group was restricted or confined to Nigeria ýalone.

    Thus, the 55th birthday celebrations provided a rare opportunity to unveil the politician’s heart of gold and it’s broad extension to several African countries as well as the chilly stories of abandonment, neglect, excruciating hungerý and deprivation that was the lot of the children until they were rescued by the Rochas Foundation.

    Of course, the visit of Jacob Zuma and the unveiling of a statue and road named after him blighted other important aspects of the ceremonies as well as benefits to Imo State. And the Governor was portrayed as insensitive, obtuse and outright stubborn -a clear deviation from the objective that informed the visit in the first place.

    Notwithstanding the controversy trailing the visit of the South African leader, special focus or attention must be given to the philanthropy that has unquestionably made a Rochas an outstanding personality in the black continent. It will be a great disservice to humanity to do otherwise.

    Unknown to many of his critics, the Governor had meant to reserve a special place for the African child as part of activities to mark his 55th birthday. Though considered rather  ambitious by closeý aides and those who make up his kitchen cabinet, Owelle was determined to see the project to a hasty start, a fact that even the worst traducers cannot wish away.

    The plan, according to insiders, was for the setting up of ýRochas Foundation College of Africa in Owerri, capital of Imo State, with five orphaned children each from 55 African countries. Meaning that the school is to have 275 children for its take off. A bold and audacious project no doubt.

    Of course, the dream became a reality and the children resumed at the beginning of the first term of academic calender for the 2017/2018 school year.ý Sadly, not many knew of this historic and unprecedented feat and the benefit of these children to the state and the significance of this rare act of charity was banished to ignominy.

    Perhaps, it may be necessary at this stage to highlight the story of the children from Liberia on whom fate has smiled on and are today part of the the Rochas Foundation College of Africa in Owerri. Their chilly stories undoubtedly epitomises and mirrors what has become the circumstance and life of other children in the school.

    First is Hada Sue who lost her mother during childbirth. She has never seen her father since she was born but believes he may still be alive. She had been surviving in a local orphanage until Rochas Foundation found her.ý Today, she’s among those who have found hope and by reason of being given the opportunity of a good education, even the sky cannot hinder her goals or stop her from fulfilling destiny.

    The story of Hawa Karsieh is no less interesting. ýShe lost her mother in 2011 and her father in 2012. Life as an orphan had been very difficult for her. She was in an orphanage boarding school, unsure of what the future holds or would offer until Rochas foundation found her.ý Again, she has a song of renewed hope on her lips. And feelings of despair that was her lot in the past has totally disappeared.

    For Abdulah Farsahwuo, Rochas Foundation was God sent. The dreaded Ebola had abruptly altered his destiny and dealt him a deadly blow never to be forgotten. Everyone simply pointed at him asý the orphan who survived Ebola. The Ebola pandemic almost wiped out his entire family including his father and mother. The young Abdulah was living with his aunt as a house help without going to school until Rochas foundation found him.ý The opportunity of being in school has imbued feelings of nostalgia and euphoria alike. On one hand, he is extremely happy that Rochas has filled the void he lost while wishing that children back home in Liberia could find someone with similar heart of gold to rescue them. But, he’s almost sure that tomorrow will bring good tidings courtesy of Rochas Foundation.

    In the case of Kokuloi Mulbah, he found out early that fate can sometimes be cruel and wicked. Talk of a child who grew up deprived! Kokuloi lost his mother at a very young age. He has never met his father since he was born. Neither does he know if the man is alive. He used to live in a local community in a remote part of Liberia with no access road. He has not recovered from the circumstance of how he was discovered by Rochas Foundation. Eternal gratitude to the Governor and his family remains a song on the lips of Kokuloi.

    Musu Masaaki, the fifth Liberian child equally had a tale of woe before he was rescued by the Rochas Foundation. She is among the 275 children in the school in Owerri. She is also one of the kids who survived the killer disease known as Ebola.ý She was banished to a home, forlorn and sad, until hope came through the Imo State Chief Executive.

    By and large, it is definitely impossible to seek to tell the story of 275 orphans quartered and learning in the Rochas Foundation College of Africa in Owerri. It is also possible that the stories of these children and circumstances of how they were picked may never beý told. It is even doubtful if the man behind this noble project would really tolerate real focus of these children to whom he has come to be known and regarded as a father.

    But it would be uncharitable, albeit unAfricaný, not to appreciate this unprecedented display of philanthropy. And posterity would definitely be kind to him each time attempt is made to review what Rochas has done. Yes, he may have some flaws as any human being. Some mistakes could also be traced to him since he is fallible. No one, it must be stated, could wish away or forget Owelle who opened his heart and showed love to children of Africa. About time this reality or fact sinks!

    • Bekee Igwe writes from Ikeduru LGA of Imo state

     

  • Rochas crush on Zuma

    SIR: Somewhere in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria, a fancy statue of President Jacob Zuma poses in elegance, despite widespread condemnation of the romantic gesture by the Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, who appears to be quite star-struck by the South African President.

    Aside from the rumoured extravagant cost of erecting the monument—which comes at a time of extreme economic hardship, and likewise, the reported unpaid salaries of Imo State workers, the logic behind Governor Rochas’ immortalization of the embattled South African leader, eludes Nigerians.

    To many people, President Zuma, doesn’t exactly possess the ‘Perfect Role Model’ skill set, following his back and forth romance with indictments and corruption allegations. Also, with the recurring xenophobic attacks in South Africa, the safety of Nigerians hasn’t been particularly guaranteed. So, why Jacob Zuma?

    As part of the welcome package from the Imo State governor, a road was named in honour of President Zuma, as well as the President being conferred with a chieftaincy title.

    In the absence of any known logical reason why Jacob Zuma should enjoy such unusual exaltation, perhaps, it will be safe to assume that Governor Rochas Okorocha must have a deep crush on President Zuma!

     

    • Nimi Princewill,

    princewill.nimi@yahoo.com

  • All set for Rochas Revealed

    The biography of the Imo State Governor Ethelbert Anayo Rochas Okorocha, entitled Rochas Revealed, will be presented at the state capital on Thursday September 14.

    The book’s foreword, which traces Rochas eventful and highly productive life from birth to the present, is written by His Royal Highness, Emir of Lafia and Chairman, Nasarawa Traditional Council, Nasarawa State, Alhaji Isa Mustapha Awai 1.

    The 415-page book is written by the former National President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Dr Wale Okediran. It will be reviewed by the award winning writer and lecturer at the English Department of the University Of Port Harcourt, Dr Obari Gomba.

    Rochas Revealed has taken on the myths and misconceptions along with the formidable reality of a Nigerian leader who rose from grass to grace through the dint of hard work, diligence and an abiding faith in God. Through his tireless, multifarious activities and disciplined lifestyle, Rochas has positively touched many lives around the country. Even though controversial, Rochas has become something of  a totem of the Nigerian dream; a living testimony that a man can make of himself anything he wants to be. Putting such a rich and varied life between the covers of a single book would seem challenging enough; harder still to record the vast panorama of history that Anayo Rochas Okorocha has lived through, and in some instances, helped to shape. It is for this reason that the book has benefitted immensely from the input of more than 100 friends, family members, critics, associates and mentees from all corners of Nigeria. In presenting Rochas Okorocha back to the public in the hope of a more understanding appraisal, the belief is that this engrossing biography – a tribute to more than five decades of a still evolving life – will find warm reception in the hearts and minds of all who peruse its elegant pages.

  • Rochas didn’t sack Ndubuoke

    Rochas didn’t sack Ndubuoke

    Facts have emerged that Imo state governor, Rochas Okorocha was unaware that Fan Ndubuoke had been relieved of his position as General Manager of Heartland FC, over a year after.

    This was revealed by Imo State Deputy Speaker Hon. Ugonna Ozuruigbo, who is the Chairman of a Task Force Committee for Sports Facilities in the state.

    “The governor had summoned a meeting involving my committee, the former sports commissioner, Ken Emelu and Heartland GM. When he (Okorocha) asked after Heartland GM, Emelu pointed at Okey Ibe. The governor shook his head and said ‘no, I’m talking about the Mbaise man that was winning those trophies (Ndubuoke)’. The fact is that over a year after, the governor was not aware that Ndubuoke was no longer the Heartland. That infraction was perpetuated by Emelu,” Ozuruigbo said.

    Ozuruigbo exonerated the state government from the ‘ill-treatment’ meted out to Ndubuoke.

    “Here was a man who had an accident while working for the club. He was still bed-ridden and the next thing was to sack him, after all he had achieved at the club. My governor will never be involved in such a thing. He wouldn’t have approved of it, if it was brought to his knowledge. Emelu and Ibe have to explain to Imolites how they did what they did,” he pointed out.

    “When Fan was in charge of Heartland, he was getting N8 million every month, yet the club won the Federation Cup back-to-back. Now, the club gets N28 million every month yet there is nothing to show for it and players are being owed bonuses. I am aware that as part of the Glo sponsorship of the league, LMC released N20 million to Heartland between March 9 and September 15, but that money is not reflected anywhere in the club’s account.

    “What we do now is that we take the players’ bonuses and allowances to the match venue and as soon as the match is over, they get are paid. The government has released all that will take care of the team till the end of the season. At Nnewi (after the game against Ifeanyi Uba United), the players begged that we should still hang around till the end of the season. At least, they want to be sure of their monies,”  he added.

    He reiterated the state government’s desire to bring Heartland back to winning ways.

    “The club is not doing well and we want to revive its lost glory. We want an accountable management that will make judicious use of government’s huge investments in the club. We want to assure Imolites that the club will bounce back stronger next season,” he enthused.

  • ‘Rochas a blessing to humanity’

    ‘Rochas a blessing to humanity’

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, who turns 53 today, is a blessing to humanity, his Principal Secretary Dr. Pascal Obi, has said.

    According to him, the governor, born on September 22, 1962, in Ogboko, Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo State, was born without the proverbial silver spoon in his mouth.

    Obi said Okorocha achieved greatness by combining resilience, rare intelligence and God’s grace.

    “As we celebrate this icon, this patriotic and detribalised Nigerian leader, the Nostradamus of our time and by popular acclaim, the traditional prime minister of Igboland, on attaining 53 years, may we offer supplications to the Almighty God, who made the gift of Owelle to Imo State, and to humanity, to continue to bless and sustain him to greater heights in the years ahead,” Obi said.

    According to Obi, the governor’s humble background was behind his vow to become the silver lining in the cloud of the less privileged.

    “Owelle’s passion to liberate people from poverty is anchored firmly on education, as he applies the ancient adage: ‘’Give me fish and I shall feed for this moment; but teach me to fish and I shall feed a lifetime’’. Governor Okorocha has demonstrated an uncommon love for education to the point of making it the cardinal focus of his Rescue Mission philosophy.

    “Today, in Imo State, education is free from primary, secondary up to the tertiary level, including free books, sandals and stipends for primary school pupils; all to the consternation of sceptics, who never conjectured the feasibility of such social enterprise.

    “Today, no Imo child has any excuse to remain illiterate; today every Imo family is a beneficiary of Owelle’s educational largesse,” Obi said.

    According to the principal secretary, Okorocha launched the Rochas Foundation 14 years ago, even before becoming the governor. The foundation has five secondary schools of excellence in Owerri, Ogboko, Ibadan, Jos and Kano.

    “This father of the poor, the comforter of the less-privileged, not only gave tuition, free books, free uniforms, free boarding and free meals, but partnered his wife, Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha, to adopt all the over 15,000 children of diverse ethnic backgrounds.

    “As a governor, Owelle Okorocha stands tall among his peers. His unrivalled infrastructural transformation of Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe, along with many other landmark projects are legacies, which speak eloquently of his passion to leave footprints on the sands of time.”

    Obi said the governor, in his second tenure, was focusing on industrial revolution and attracting foreign investors.

    “The people have faith in their governor and we look forward to the harvest of industries, which he has commenced with the recovery of Avutu Poultry, Resin Paints, Aboh Mbaise, Paper Packaging Industry, Owerri-Ebeiri, etc,” he said.