Okorocha parleys with journalists, reiterates decision to move Eke-Ukwu Market

Governor Okorocha (Middle) addressing journalist during a parley held at Rochas Foundation School of Africa

Governor Rochas Okorocha has reiterated his administration’s resolve to move the Eke-Ukwu market located at Douglas Road in Owerri.

He made this known during an interactive meeting with journalists at the Government House, Owerri today. Speaking at the meeting, the governor said,  “I am not in a hurry to go. I always say this prayer - let my enemies make the mistake that will advance my course. I brought light into the state, and forces of darkness are not happy. There were lots of ritual killings at Nworie and several places we opened up, why will the forces of darkness be happy with me? Ekeukwu is the main issue. They don't want it to move. All sorts of criminal activities take place at Douglas road, I have said the market must move. We are waiting for the rains. I am of light and can only give light, I am not of darkness. I am progressive. Posterity shall bear me witness. I must make Owerri one of the finest city in Nigeria.”

Speaking further, “The belief in deity is old fashioned, we must rise above it. If agbara is strong, why doesn’t it come out during the day.There is no connection between light and darkness. We must believe in God, all powers belong to Him. Urban renewal of Owerri must continue. We must fix this land, we have no other place we can call our own. We shall not go back to Egypt. They have tried all they can but fail.

We are owing pensioners but they will be paid soon. I will pay them. I appreciate their plight. They will smile soon.

I am not a sectional governor. The next election must not be based on place of origin. You must show your individual vision.

I believe in this state and am moving all my investments back home. My Spibat house is Rochas Foundation School of Africa to help less privileged children across Africa.

Owerri is Imo State capital and is for all. We must de-emphasize regional sentiments.

We are not owing workers today. We have paid July salaries.

I love my people, Imo people and will do my best for you. I said I will retire lots of politicians and hand over to a new generation. I have demolished the feudalistic structures in Imo so that the younger generation can rise.

Okorocha returns to Owerri after short trip abroad

Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha returned to Imo State yesterday after a short trip to Europe. He arrived Abuja on Tuesday and yesterday, he attended the Progressive Governors Forum 4th Lecture Series titled 'Building The Economy Of States: Challenge Of Developing Inclusive Sustainable Growth' held in Kaduna before coming to Owerri.

Okorocha who is the Chairman of Progressive Governors Forum is pictured with other Governors at the venue of the event in Kaduna.

He landed at the Sam Mbakwe airport at about 2:30 pm yesterday and was received by a large crowd who welcomed him with loud cheers. 
Details to unfold later

2016 Iri ji Mbaise: Imo govt applauds Mbaise people on preservation of Igbo culture

Imo Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere flanked by Resue Mission team performing the traditional "Iwa Ji and Iri ceremony as others watched with excitement.

The Government of Imo State has commended the people of Mbaise in Imo State for preserving the cultural heritage of Ndi Igbo, while assuring them of Government’s resolve to work with them to improve on their infrastructure and general development.

The Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere made this remark on Monday 15th August 2016 while addressing the people of Mbaise  at the venue of their New Yam Festival in Aboh Mbaise.

Prince Madumere who represented the Governor of Imo State began by  his address with a message of hope and love, peace and unity.

The number two citizen of Imo State who had his childhood  and part of his secondary education in Mbaise also said that Governor Okorocha's high regards, saying that it is the reason he has always worked with Mbaise people as their sons and daughters are appointed to lead and serve in strategic positions.

Speaking further, he revealed Governor Okorocha has directed that construction work will begin on some of the roads as soon as the rains are over. He also asserted that academic activities will soon begin in Mbaise-Ngor-Okpala Campus of Imo State University. 

It will be recalled that Governor Okorocha had promised to build Campus of Imo State University in Mbaise-Ngor-Okpala axis as proposed under the administration of late Dr. Sam Mbakwe.

Prince Madumere speaking on Iri Ji Mbaise described the event as the height of celebration of Igbo culture, which is universal in every Igbo community. He said that yam remains the chief-crop of Igbo land and main-stay of agriculture in the traditional Igbo society, saying it is worthy of being celebrated. 

He however attributed the Iri Ji festival as symbolic and significant to the enterprise of Igbo man. He also asserted that development of agriculture keys into Owelle Rochas Okorocha Government's idea of diversification of economy. 

He also used the opportunity to call for the support of the good people of Mbaise, saying that Rescue Mission Government's strength does not lie on force and might but on the love, cooperation and massive support it enjoys from the people including the people of Mbaise.

The high point of the event is the "Iwa Ji and Iri Ji" (Yam cutting and eating) ceremonies, which afforded the people of Mbaise and other guests the opportunity to make donations for the execution of some Community projects in Mbaise.

As the tradition demands, the highest ranking Traditional Ruler, HRH, Eze Chidume Okoro as the custodian of the culture and tradition of the people was the Royal Father of the Day and the Deputy Chairman, Imo Council of Ndi Eze, Owerri zone with Chief Dr. Pat Eke as the Chairman of the occasion.

Prince Eze Madumere was accompanied by top government officials of ‘Rescue Mission’ including illustrious sons and daughters of Mbaise Nation among whom are Chief Hilary Eke, Imo State Chairman of All Progressives Congress; Chief Chidi Ibe, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry; Hon. Iyke Njoku, Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor of Imo State; Barr. Ngozi Njoku, Commissioner for Health among others.

Others who spoke were Hon. Nnanna Igbokwe who is of Ahiazu Mbaise and member representing Ahiazu-Mbaise Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, HRH, Eze Bernard Onyenguzo Enweremadum, the Traditional Ruler of Ngwa-Ukwu from Abia State among others.

Relocation of Eke-Ukwu market: Imo Govt allocates shops at Imo Int’l Market

The Imo State Government, yesterday, 9th August officially allocated the first phase of shops/lands in the Imo International Market located at Egbeada to the representatives of Douglas Market, Ekeonuwa and Ekeukwu Owerri for speedy development and relocation. This is in fulfillment of the agreement reached between the Government and the shop owners at Douglas, Ekeonuwa and Ekeukwu markets that shops will first be allocated to them before considering any other person or group.

A press release from the office of the Deputy Chief Of Staff, Operations, Mr. Kingsley Uju said the traders were urged to fuse into the vision of the Government in ensuring that the new market is developed to International standard and assured them that Government will continue to do its part in ensuring that their demands are met and pleaded with them to abide by the rules;  “the rule is not to abandon the shops when given but to develop them so that Government can as well open up the remaining parts of the market for allocation of 2nd phase and speedy completion. For those who may not have the money to develop theirs, arrangements have been made for soft loans from banks ”.  

Those in attendance to witness the handover were Honourable members of Imo State House of Assembly led by Hon. Ikechukwu Amuka (Osimiri), Hon. Lugard Osuji, and the Deputy Chief Whip. The representatives of the marketers were Chairman of Douglas Market, Chief K E Onwusoro, Chairman Ekeonunwa market Mr. Onyenaguba, Chairman Ekeukwu Owerri, Mr. A. Okwudiri. Kingsley Uju represented Government of Imo State

Lingering Crisis in Ahiara Catholic Diocese: Mbaise monarchs beg Okorocha to intervene.

Governor Okorcha receiving Traditional Rulers from Mbaise when they paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House last weekend

Prominent Traditional Rulers from Mbaise led by the Deputy Chairman of the State Council of Traditional Rulers for Owerri zone, and Chairman Mbaise Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze Chidume Okoro, political leaders from the area led by Nze Patrick C. Onuoha and the foremost socio-cultural organization of the area, Ezurezu Mbaise led by its president-general Chief Nnamdi Cajetan at the weekend, met with governor Rochas Okorocha at the Government House, Owerri.

In their address which was presented by Eze Okoro, they appealed to the governor to quickly intervene in the lingering crisis that has engulfed the Ahiara Mbaise Catholic Diocese for years now over the posting of Bishop Peter Okpaleke as the substantive Bishop of the Diocese.
They also thanked the governor for all the projects he had sited in Mbaise and also thanked him specifically for the free education programme which they said Mbaise people have benefitted from, more than other areas in the state judging from their population.
They equally thanked him for locating a University in Mbaise and told him that Mbaise people love him and he should not take the unfriendly dispositions of few Mbaise sons against his government to mean that of Mbaise people. They told him that Mbaise people would remain grateful to him.
The Mbaise leaders used the opportunity offered to them by the visit to invite the governor to the 2016 edition of Iriji Mbaise.

In his response the governor assured that he would meet with all the parties involved in the Ahiara Mbaise Catholic Diocese crisis to see to the resolution of whatever is the bone of contention and regretted that a case of that nature involving the church could be allowed to linger for so long.
He also reminded the Mbaise leaders that his administration has been exceptionally fair to their people both in terms of projects and in terms of appointments, and remarked that, apart from Mbaise people being the greatest beneficiaries of the free education programme of his administration, he is also building a University in the area because of the love he has for them.
The governor reminded them that the Commissioner for Commerce & Industry, Chief Chidi Ibeh, the Economic Adviser, Chief Ike Njoku, his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, the Director of Ochiedike Diagnostic Centre, Dr. Ifeanyi Nwachukwu, the Director-General, Imo Foundation, Mrs. Esther Eke, Commissioner in ISOPADEC, Chief Pschal Nwogu, two newly appointed Permanent Secretaries, Chairman SUBEB, Dr. Mrs. Ejiogu, the Director-General of his Campaign Organization Barr. Iheukwumere Alaribe are all from Mbaise.
According to him, more than forty percent of the students in the Owerri Rochas Foundation College are from Mbaise. He said he would not change his good impression about Mbaise people because of the unfortunate attitude of few politicians from the area. He also commended Mbaise people for their ingenuity.

Imo introduces weekly agric programme for civil servants, reduces working days to 3 per week

The government of Imo State has introduced a policy tagged “BACK TO LAND FOR AGRICULTURE” to enable the state engage and invest heavily in agriculture for self-sustenance since from all indications, the state can no longer depend on monthly allocation from the federal government for survival.

Against the backdrop, the governor directed that public servants in the state would now work from Mondays to Wednesdays, and use Thursdays and Fridays for agriculture (farming) while Saturdays can be used for ceremonies. And the directive takes effect from Monday August 1, 2016.

He disclosed this when Traditional Rulers from the state operating under the aegis of ‘Royal fathers in Agriculture’ paid him a courtesy call at the Government House Owerri yesterday, adding that the State Executive Council has given approval to the new policy.

However, the governor exempted public servants on essential duties like the teachers, nurses, doctors and people involved in Internally Generated Revenue drive. Political appointees are also exempted from the three-days working periods.

The governor added “we shall try this programme for the period of one year, starting from 1st of August 2016 and hopefully this will help. Let me make this emphasis before it is misconstrued or misrepresented that this does not in any way affect the salaries of the workers. Workers will get their full salaries. So the policy does not mean that there will be a cut in salary rather let us now find a way for our workers to supplement their salaries”.

He continued “for this reason the issue of annual leave and casual leave is hereby cancelled. Resumption time for work has changed from 8am to 7.30am in the morning and ends by 4pm. Any worker that is not found on his or her seat between 7.30am and 4pm on the days concerned will be summarily dismissed”.

“Everybody must go back to agriculture. Every political appointee must own a farm. The youths would also be encouraged to take to agriculture. Schools including Universities, Polytechnics and Secondary schools in the state must own farms. The Community Government Council (CGC) must be strengthened for the sake of this agricultural programme”.

“Two billion naira (N2b) has been set aside at the micro-finance bank for the purpose of this Back To Land For Agriculture policy so that those willing can access it. And time is gone again when politicians and some Imolites will come to government in the pretext of farming and collect loans and use it to buy cars and marry new wives”.

“Again, the June and July Salaries would be paid this week. We are making sure that our workers are comfortable and our pensioners are happy because this is one area the whole nation is having a serious challenge. Our problem is not being unable to pay salaries but paying over-bloated salaries. We are also making effort to pay our pensioners once the harmonization is over”.

“I also want to announce that government has appealed to families and those who organize burials on Mondays to Wednesdays to please change and have their burials on Saturdays so that we can concentrate on the government’s work and on the agricultural programme.

“Everything that has to do with agriculture no matter what shape it comes, government will support it. So many countries are going through economic crisis because of the fall in oil. Our nation is also going through very difficult moment. We have taken responsibility as leaders and we are not blaming anyone. Wise nations and leaders save for the rainy days. There were periods the oil price was in our favour. But those in charge then blew the money. They made no savings. Today the oil price globally has crashed and here we are. And we must fall back to agriculture as the panacea” Governor Okorocha stated.

Governor Okorocha in group photo with Traditional Rulers from the state operating under the aegis of ‘Royal fathers in Agriculture’ when they paid him a courtesy call at the Government House, Owerri yesterday