In commemoration of the Democracy Day in Nigeria which holds on May 29th every year, the Imo State governor has presented his score card after three years in office.
The event which was held yesterday at the newly built Imo International Conference Center (IICC) in Owerri, attracted the presence of thousands of Imolites and dignitaries from various States in Nigeria.
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| Governor Okorocha in a warm embrace with Dr Ezekiel Izuogu, during a function held at Imo International Conference Center, Owerri recently. |
Speaking at the event which was tagged ‘State of Imo Address’, Governor Okorocha recalled the circumstances that brought him to power in 2011 and described it as ‘an unusual election in an unusual circumstances’. Said he; “I took an oath to touch the lives of the people of my State with the help of God and I do what I do not for monetary gain nor to be re-elected but to have my name written in the history of the State as a leader who had great impact on the lives of the people and development of Imo State.”
He lamented the daily bombing and killing of innocent citizens by the Boko Haram sect which has put Nigerians in constant fear and confusion and called on the Federal Government to summon an emergency meeting of all Governors to brainstorm on the way out of the menace.
In his words, “This is not a war against any religion but against the nation, we pray God to touch these evil perpetrators to release the Chibok girls back to their families.”
Governor Okorocha pointed out that he has managed the State’s statutory allocation of N168,495.3 billion in three years to run the free education programme from primary to tertiary levels as well as provided the much needed dividends of democracy to Imo people.
He enumerated some of the achievements made within 3 years in office to include: Over 1,000km of asphalted rural roads, construction and dualization of city roads, construction of 5 inland bridges to link the old and new Owerri, reconstruction of the Government House, construction of Owerri City School, the 305 upstairs primary school buildings in the rural areas and the Degree awarding College of Health Technology at Orlu. Others include the Odenigbo Guest House, Akachi Towers, the Imo European University, Imo College of Advanced Professional Studies, 27 General Hospitals in the LGAs, Young Scientist College, and the Centenary Towers, among others. He further said that government has transformed Okigwe and Orlu into new cities as well as developed more new cities to make Imo a one-city State.
He expressed joy that the Community Government Council (CGC) has come to stay and applauded the contributions of all the Traditional Rulers in the State as well as the members of the Community Government Council towards its success. He assured that with the implementation of the palm for palm programme in the 637 Communities of the State, the agricultural sector will be enhanced and the economy improved.
He also noted that with the cooperation of all security Agencies in the State, kidnapping and other criminal activities have reduced drastically adding that the daily 12noon prayers has attracted the presence of God to make these achievements possible.
On whether he is to contest for 2nd term as Governor or run for the Presidential position under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015, Owelle Okorocha summarily declared that his decision would depend on the wishes of the masses in both the State and in the Nation. He however re-stated that he has no intentions of leaving APC as alleged by his detractors and urged Nigerians to continue to support the Party that assures needed changes in Nigerian leadership.
Contributing, the Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Uwajimogu, commended Governor Okorocha for the giant strides made within the 3 years of his administration and attributed the feat to the cooperation and cordial relationship that existed between the Legislature and the Executive arms.
Uwajimogu further thanked Imo people for making the needed sacrifice to ensure that Imo is put on the part of progress.
He therefore appealed to all the political parties in the State to work towards the common good of the Imo masses while assuring continuous support of the Legislators.
He however enjoined Governor Okorocha to consider a second-term bid in order to consolidate on the achievements made in the areas of free education and infrastructural transformation of the State. “The reward for good job is another job”, he concluded.
Also present at the occasion were, the wife of the Governor, Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha, the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, the SSG, Prof. Anthony Anwukah, the Chief of Staff, Sir Jude Ejiogu, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon. Commissioners and other members of the Expanded Exco., Hon. Members of the House of Assembly, other APC stalwarts like Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Deputy Chairman, APC Alh Bello Masari, Chief Audu Ogbe, Chief Tom Ikimi, Chief Timipre Sylva, Chief Lawal and APC National Women Leader, Barr. Sharon Ikeazu. Others are Heads of Ministerial and non Ministerial Departments, the Chairman, Council of Ndi-Eze, Eze Simon Ohiri, other religious leaders and Traditional Rulers, Security outfits in the State, CGC members, women and youth organizations and friends of Imo State.
Side attractions at the event include song ministrations and documentary on the achievements of the Rescue Mission in the past 3 years.
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