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Tag: Uzodimma

  • Uzodimma clarifies status of agency heads in Imo

    Uzodimma clarifies status of agency heads in Imo

    Imo state governor, Hope Uzodimma, has clarified that the Imo Sports Commission, Imo State Health Insurance Agency, and the Imo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency were not dissolved during the recent exercise that affected government ministries, parastatals, and agencies.

    According to the governor, the heads of these agencies and commissions remain in office.

    Governor Uzodimma disclosed this in a statement issued by his chief press secretary and media adviser, Oguwike Nwachuku.

    Read Also: Prada Uzodimma felicitates first class PUSG beneficiary Chinonso Oparaji

    He urged the public and development partners to continue working with the heads of the agencies and commissions, saying they were never dissolved.

    He said: “Specifically, Prince Eleazar Onyewuchi Ogbonna (Executive Chairman of Imo State Sports Commission), Dr. Uche Ewelike (Imo State Health Insurance Agency), and Rev. Sister Dr. Maria Joannes Uzoma (Imo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency) were exempted from the earlier announced dissolution.”

  • Ogbonnaya Onu’s death shocking, devastating, says Uzodimma

    Ogbonnaya Onu’s death shocking, devastating, says Uzodimma

    Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has described the death of the former governor of old Abia state and ex-minister of science and technology, Ogbonnaya Onu as shocking.

    Onu was confirmed dead at an undisclosed hospital at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Thursday, a development Governor Uzodimma described as devastating and unexpected.

    A statement by Oguwike Nwachuku, chief press secretary and media adviser to the Imo state governor, said his principal received with shock the sad, devastating, and unexpected news of the passing of Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, a man he loves to describe as one of Nigeria’s intellectual and political giants with extraordinary gentility.

    The statement said that with Dr. Onu’s death, southeast, Nigeria, and the global community have lost a statesman who believed so much in the unity, peace, progress and development of Nigeria.

    The statement further said that Dr. Onu, 72, remained a leading light in the All Progressives Congress (APC) family and has, for many years, imbibed the tenets of progressive democracy as the easiest route to serve the people.

    Read Also: Uzodimma offers employment to First Class Law graduates

    The statement said that Governor Uzodimma therefore consoles the APC family, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the government of Nigeria, the Southeast East geopolitical zone, the government and people of Ebonyi State, and all political associates of the deceased over the huge.

    Nwachuku also said that his principal spared a thought for Dr. Onu’s family and prayed God to give them the grace to bear the burden of the unexpected loss even as he prayed for the repose of the soul of the one-time presidential aspirant of the APC and presidential candidate of the defunct All Peoples Party (APP).

  • Prada Uzodimma felicitates first class PUSG beneficiary Chinonso Oparaji

    Prada Uzodimma felicitates first class PUSG beneficiary Chinonso Oparaji

    Barrister Prada Uzodimma has congratulated Chinonso Oparaji, recipient of the Prada Uzodimma Law School Scholarship Grant (PUSG), for graduating with a first class from the Nigerian Law School.

    Her congratulatory message was contained in a statement by the Director of Media, Principle Legal Consult, Nzube  Gabriel,on Thursday, saying  that “Prada Uzodimma, founder of PUSG, joined other legal luminaries, including top government functionaries to celebrate the Imo State-born genius.”

    Oparaji  outstanding academic feat was recently celebrated by  academic and legal topnotch in Imo State, including the Chief Judge of the State, Honourable Justice T. E.Chukwuemeka-Chikeka, the Vice Chancellor of Imo State University(IMSU), Professor U. U. Chukwumeze SAN, and the Dean Faculty of Law  of the University , Professor C. K. Okorie SAN, with the state government offering him automatic employment.

    According to the statement: “Oparaji’s success serves as a shining example of the impact of the  PUSG’ s mandate of  empowering aspiring lawyers to reach their full potential.

    “As a First Class Law Graduate of Imo State University and a First Class Graduate of the Nigeria Law School Bar Part II 2023/2024, sponsored by Prada Uzodimma through the Prada Uzodimma Law School Scholarship Grant (PUSG), Barrister Chinonso Oparaji’s achievements deserve the highest commendation.

    “Prada Uzodimma also extends her appreciation to the staff and management of the Law Faculty of IMSU for their dedication to delivering quality education.

    Read Also: Uzodimma offers employment to First Class Law graduates

    “As we celebrate Barrister Chinonso Oparaji’s success, let us continue to nurture and support future leaders, reaffirming our commitment to excellence and growth.”

    “His remarkable achievement has not gone unnoticed as Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, extolled his commitment to excellence and therefore offered   immediate and automatic employment for him, further affirming  the  state government’s  commitment to rewarding excellence and inspiring the younger generation to strive for greatness.”

    The PUSG is a collaborative Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative between Barrister Prada  Uzodimma and Principle Legal Consult, launched in 2021 to support deserving yet financially disadvantaged law students across Nigeria  by paying their Nigerian Law School tuition fees, and  has since inception supported 30 law students.

  • Uzodimma offers employment to First Class Law graduates

    Uzodimma offers employment to First Class Law graduates

    Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has approved the immediate employment of Mr. Chinonso Oparaji and Mrs. Chipuruime Udeh, two indigenes of the state who made First Class in Law at the Imo State University and the Nigerian Law School.

    He gave the approval when the duo, in the company of the Vice Chancellor of Imo State University, Prof. Uchefula Chukwumaeze, the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof. Chimezie Okorie and  the Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon. Theresa Chikeka, paid a courtesy call on him at the Government House, Owerri on Monday.

    A statement by Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Governor, Oguwike Nwachuku, noted that the governor  was delighted with the news of the two Law graduates who made First Class at the Law School, adding that it was a joyful thing that needed to be appreciated.

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    He noted  that having distinguished themselves with excellent results worthy of emulation, he was happy to encourage them further with approval for their immediate employment.

    Uzodimma said appreciating the duo was to  encourage  other students of Imo extraction that hard work pays.

    He praised Chukwumaeze,  and staff of IMSU for bringing back hope to the university “in this period of Renewed Hope Agenda.”

     He congratulated the graduates and urged them to correct the ills in the system and  society.

    Oparaji and Udeh, who were accompanied by their relatives, expressed joy at the governor’s gesture, describing it as reward for hard work.

    They encouraged other students reading Law and those in the university to always put in their best if they want to achieve the best.

  • Uzodimma: be law-abiding, seek Nigeria’s unity

    Uzodimma: be law-abiding, seek Nigeria’s unity

    Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has advised Nigerians to be law-abiding and seek the country’s unity. He spoke yesterday on the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Fitr celebration.  Uzodimma urged Nigerians to ensure “religion is not a barrier to their cohabitation.”

    He said they should take advantage of the spiritual blessings from the period of fasting and reflection to unite and seek the unity of the country in the spirit of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    The governor said: “As Muslims in Imo, we must be united. As Muslims in Nigeria, we must also be united. Irrespective of religion, we should be our brothers and sisters keepers. I join the leadership of the Muslims in Imo State to unite. If you unite, you will see the benefit to our state and country. Also, be law-abiding, both Muslims and Christians.”

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    Uzodimma, who congratulated the Muslim faithful for successfully completing this year’s Eid-el-Fitr fasting, urged them to take advantage of the occasion to forgive those who have offended them in the past, the way they pray to God for forgiveness and He forgives, and to lead a life of sincerity.

    The Muslim community in the state spoke eloquently about their relationship with Uzodimma, describing him as the most friendly governor among all the governors to Muslims.

    The Seriki Hausa/Muslim in Imo State, Alhaji Auwal Baba Suleiman, speaking during a banquet organised in their honour by Governor Uzodimma to mark this year’s Eid-el-Fitr, said despite being a Christian, Uzodimma was kind to them.

  • Imo Gov dispute: WAEC confirms Uzodimma results/certificate

    Imo Gov dispute: WAEC confirms Uzodimma results/certificate

    The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) on Thursday tendered, before the governorship election petiton tribunal sitting in Abuja, certified true copies (CTCs) of statement of result and certificate belonging to Imo Governor Hope Uzodimma.

    WAEC’s action was in response to a subpoena issued on it by the tribunal to produce and tender the documents on behalf of Governor Uzodimma

    The documents were produced before the tribunal by the Head of Administration at WAEC Headquarters, Mr. Omifenwa Tajudeen Tunbosu.  

    The first of the two documents produced by Tunbosu was a CTC of Uzodimma Goodhope Odidika’s West African Examinations Council General Certificate of Education, with certificate No. SG 904497 of June 1982.

    The second was a CTC of  Uzodimma Goodhope Odidika’s confirmation of statement of result dated December 18, 2014, earlier forwarded by WAEC to the office of the Senate President and delivered on January 7, 2015. 

    Tunbosu also testified before the tribunal that Uzodimma is the owner of the WAEC certificate and confirmed it to be authentic and genuine.

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu, Uzodimma, Otu to reconcile feuding APC chiefs

    The documents were subsequently tendered and admitted in evidence by the tribunal headed by Justice Oluyemi Akintan-Osadebay.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the last governorship election in Imo State, Samuel Anyanwu, are challenging Uzodimma’s victory in the election.

    One of the grounds on which the PDP and Anyanwu are challenging the election is non-qualification.

    They are alleging, among others, that Uzodimma forged his WAEC certificate.

  • Uzodimma, Oramah explore investment potentials in Imo

    Uzodimma, Oramah explore investment potentials in Imo

    Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has met with the President of Africa Export-Import ( Afrexim) Bank, Prof Benedict Oramah in Cairo, Egypt where the duo discussed in detail the investment potentials of Imo State.

    According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Governor,  Oguwike Nwachuku, during Uzodimma’s inauguration for a second term in office early this year, Uzodimma assured that he would intensify efforts at exploring avenues that would make the abundant human and natural resources in Imo State exploitable.

    Read Also: Call to Bar: Prada Uzodimma congratulates beneficiaries of PUSG, says be good ambassadors

    The statement said the governor was passionate about turning the huge arable land, gas deposits, and other abundant natural resources in Imo State into sources of revenue generation for the State and employment opportunities for the unemployed youth demography.

    “At the Cairo meeting with Oramah during the week, Governor Uzodimma and his host explored, among other things, the huge investment potentials that is Imo State for a win-win situation.

    “An excited Governor Uzodimma is not only confident that the meeting was fruitful and will yield the desired results, he also expressed joy that Imo State would be better off based on the matters under discussion with Oramah.”

  • Uzodimma commiserates with three Imo traditional rulers over wives’ death

    Uzodimma commiserates with three Imo traditional rulers over wives’ death

    Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has expressed his condolences to three traditional rulers in the state—HRH Eze Henry Madumere, HRH Eze Sabinus Nwaneche, and HRH Eze Reginald Amadi—following the passing of their wives.

    He described the occurrences as significant losses to both the state and the traditional institution.

    The deceased wives of the monarchs – Ugoeze Marlinda Chikanele Ulunma Madumere, Ugoeze Patience Nkechinyere Nwaneche, and Ugoeze Ogechi Amadi, passed on recently after brief illnesses.

    Eze Henry Madumere is the traditional ruler of Achi Mbieri in Mbaitoli, Eze Sabinus Nwaneche is of the Ogwuama Ancient kingdom in Ahiara, Ahiazu Mbaise while Eze Reginald Amadi is of the Obetiti-Nguru in Aboh Mbaise.

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    A statement by Oguwike Nwachuku, the chief press secretary and media adviser to the governor, said that Uzodinma was seriously pained on hearing about the death of the three mothers whom he held in very high esteem based on their outstanding personalities and motherly roles in their domains.

    The statement said that the governor regretted that the Ugoezes would no longer be available to continue to assist their husbands in the good works they are doing in their different communities in the interest of our society.

    Governor Uzodimma, according to the statement, maintained that the deceased would be sorely missed by all, adding that those mourning them should be consoled by the fact that they left behind legacies of service to God and humanity which are there for everyone to see.

    He also commiserated with the Imo state traditional institution and urged all and sundry in the institution to join him in committing the families of the deceased in the hands of God during this trying moment as well as to pray for the souls of the deceased.

    The statement added that Governor Uzodimma prayed to God on behalf of his family, the government, and the people of the state, to grant the souls of the Ugoezes a peaceful repose, and to their husbands and all that they have left behind to mourn their unfortunate death, the fortitude to bear the loss.

  • Lawmakers urge Uzodimma to tackle erosion menace in Imo communities

    Lawmakers urge Uzodimma to tackle erosion menace in Imo communities

    The Imo State House of Assembly has moved a motion urging the Imo state Government to tackle the devastating erosion menace in Umuokpara and Nkwo-Mbaa in Ugiri Oka Ward in Ugiri clan in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of the state.     

    Moving the motion, the member representing Isiala Mbano State Constituency, Hon Sam Ikechukwu Osuji  bemoaned the erosion menace in Umuokpara and Nkwo-Mbaa which has also eaten up substantial part of the link road from Ugiri to Umuelemai at one point and then split a Community into two, via a steep gully stretch of over 2 kilometers.       

    Hon Osuji, who is also the Vice-Chairman of House Committee on Environment, as well as a member of House Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Natural Resources stated that the people of Umuokpara and Nkwo-Mbaa of Ugiri Oka Ward, who are predominantly farmers and traders use the link road to export these produce to other local government areas in the State and outside the State.

    Read Also: Two men held for ‘killing’ their lovers in Imo, Ogun

    However, he noted that agriculture and other socio-economic activities have suffered a terrible and devastating setback, due to the persistent erosion menace in the community.

    According to him, “if nothing is done urgently, the remaining narrow lane would be eaten up completely by the threatening erosion. I am deeply touched by the level of devastation in Umuokpara and Nkwo-Mbaa by erosion.”        

    The motion which was seconded by Hon Dr Henry Agbasonu, Member Representing Ezinihitte Mbaise State Constituency, was co-sponsored by Hon Engr Bernard Ozoemelam (Ehime Mbano), Rt Hon Barrister Kennedy Chidozie Ibeh (Obowo), Hon Dr Henry Agbasonu (Ezinihitte Mbaise), Rt Hon Chigozie Nwaneri (Oru-East), Hon Engr Gilbert Nwosu (Oguta), Rt Hon Chief Clinton Amadi (Owerri Municipal), Hon Prince Obinna Egu, PhD (Ngor-Okpalla).

  • Probe billions of dollars spent in power sector since 1999, Uzodimma tells FG

    Probe billions of dollars spent in power sector since 1999, Uzodimma tells FG

    Imo state governor, Hope Uzodimma, has called for a comprehensive audit of the billions of dollars spent by the federal government to provide regular electricity supply since 1999.

    Uzodimma spoke during the Southeast Business Roundtable for Light up Nigeria project held in Enugu on Monday, February 26.

    The launching of the project was done by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited (NDPHC) and its partners.

    The event was to launch an initiative to ensure dedicated power supply to industrial clusters across the country, with Southeast as a major hub.

    Uzodimma lamented that it would be unfair for several billions of dollars to be spent on the power sector without any positive results.

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    He said: “There are questions that are capable of provoking renewed interests of our people in Nigeria. In 1998, Nigeria was generating about 6000 megawatts of electricity. From 1999 to 2007, over $13 billion was spent by the federal government to boost power.

    “In 2024, over 78 percent of homes and industries in Nigeria do not have access to power.

    “The impediment of power supply in the Southeast is also down to poor infrastructure.

    “The people of Southeast are very hardworking. But, over 75 percent of industries are shut down in the Southeast due to lack of power. This is a zone that is hugely endowed. You talk of gas which is in the Niger Delta, which Southeast is part of.

    “I think there’s a need for a comprehensive audit of decisions taken in the past of power sector spending to know whether we are getting it right or wrong. This will help us start from the known to the unknown. Is it because of our inability to manage our national resources or what?”

    He called on Nigerians not to point accusing fingers at the current administration of President Bola Tinubu, which came into existence nine months ago.