Labour leaders ‘rank’ Okorocha among 5 best performing governors in Nigeria.

 

NLC President speaking to journalists

Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has been ranked among five of the best performing governors in Nigeria.
The president of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar made this disclosure when he led a delegation of labour leaders on a routine visit to the Government House, recently.
He described Governor Okorocha as a labour-friendly governor following his commitment towards improving the welfare of workers in Imo State and maintaining a cordial relationship with the labour unions in the country.

According to the NLC boss, the visit was aimed at having a close discussion with the governor towards sustaining the cordial relationship existing between the State government and workers.

He applauded the developmental strides of the governor which he said has transformed Imo into a model State. In his words; "We want to commend you for transforming your ideas to reality in Imo State and let me recall that beyond that, you also set the pace for the entire governors in Nigeria in terms of payment of minimum wage" said the NLC president.

Responding, Governor Okorocha said that his administration has a role to play when it comes to the issue of welfare of workers in Nigeria and for that reason, Imo State cannot be found wanting when it comes to the welfare of workers. Said he; “You may have heard that Imo is the first State in Nigeria to pay minimum wage which settled the matter in the country. This is also the first State where retirees whose gratuities are below five hundred thousand naira are being paid 100% as well as payment of 12 years arrears of pension owed workers in the State”.
Governor Okorocha who described the civil service as a pivot upon which every government rotates, assured that his administration will not relent in promoting programmes that will enhance the welfare of workers for optimum productivity.
He further assured the NLC leadership that the newly formed All Progressive Congress (APC) will take appropriate measures to towards improving the welfare of Nigerian workers when it takes over the governance of the country in 2015.

Also present at the occasion is the National President of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers (NUPENG), Comrade A. Igwe and a host of others.

 

Rochas appeals to FG to set up local vigilante groups nationwide to fight crime

Rochas receiving a commemorative plaque from Maj. Gen. Olaniyi

Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha appealed to the Federal Government of Nigeria to introduce local vigilante groups whose duty will be to assist other security outfits in Nigeria in the fight against crime.

He made this appeal during a courtesy visit to Imo State Government House, yesterday, by the Commander of 82 Division of Nigerian Army, Enugu, Major General Adebayo Olaniyi.

Speaking at the occasion, Governor Okorocha said that if not for the support of the military to the other security agencies, the country would have been overrun by criminals and hoodlums, adding that the local vigilante group set up by the Imo State government some months ago otherwise called the ‘Imo Security Network’ has contributed to the reduction of crime in the State.

He condemned the attitude of some Nigerians as well as some media establishments who speak  and publish nothing but negative news about Nigeria, adding that such attitude does not portray nationalism and patriotism.

He applauded high level discipline in the Nigerian Army and called on the federal government to introduce military training as part of the academic curriculum in our secondary schools to ensure that Nigerian children are taught to imbibe discipline at a very early stage of their life.

Earlier in his address, the Commander 82 Division Nigerian Army Enugu, Major general Adeboye A. Olaniyi said that he was at the Government House to pay a courtesy call on the governor, adding that he was on a working tour of the army formation in his Division of which Imo State is one.

He thanked the governor for his support to the Army and particularly for improved water supply at the Army barracks in Obinze, in addition to vehicles, and finances for their work which has stemmed the spread of ugly incidences of kidnapping and other crimes in the State.
He assured the governor that the army will do everything within its powers to ensure that crime is reduced to the barest minimum in the State.

The high point of the occasion is the presentation of a commemorative plaque to the governor by the Army Commander.

Arrests of govt officials: Youths protest against the EFCC in Owerri

Commercial activities and vehicular movements in Owerri, the Imo State capital were temporarily grinded to a halt last thursday when over 10,000 youths under the umbrella of conference of Imo progressive youths across the 27 Local Government Councils of the State took to the streets in a peaceful demonstration against the incessant harassment of the Owelle Rochas Okorocha’s Administration by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The protesting youths who carried placards with inscriptions:”Owelle has redefined governance”, “Imo was raped from 1999-2003, Messiah has come”, and “EFCC stop insulting Imo people”, caused traffic gridlock in the Owerri metropolis thereby forcing commuters to walk to their destinations

Addressing journalists during the protests, the coordinator of the group Barrister Kennedy Ibe said that they were protesting against the continued harassment and distraction of the present government by some highly placed Imo citizens using the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFFC) as a willing tool to destabilize the Okorocha-led administration.

Barr. Ibe warned those Imo sons whose stock in trade is to engage in distracting the present administration by inviting EFCC or going to the media to castigate government to desist from it forth-with, adding that the present government has done well within the shortest period of time compared to the past administration of Chief Ikedi Ohakim that spent four years in office but has nothing to show for it.

On the current security situation in the State, the leader of the team described it as politically motivated and orchestrated by disgruntled politicians in the State and their cohorts in Abuja to distract and discredit the administration.
According to him, the recent arrests of the Accountant General, Commissioner for Finance and the clerk of the Imo House of Assembly by the EFCC is to cast aspersions on the present administration in Imo State.

Ibe commended the governor, stating that he has achieved more than all the past administrations especially in terms of education and infrastructural development. In his words;
“The minister for Information was here with the Good Governance Team and he confirmed that the governor is doing a good job because he saw the massive infrastructural development in the State. We are not fooled by the recent actions of the EFCC because we know it was all masterminded by selfish politicians and we want to warn them to stop interfering in the rebirth of Imo. We have decided to lend our support to his administration because we wanted a governor who had a passion for progress and development and we found all that in Owelle,” he said.

Abia govt destroyed our shops despite court order!- victims

•I saw only the photocopy, not court order, says commissioner

The recent demolition of a multi-million naira shopping centre, Micro Plaza, situated by the junction of Ariaria International Market, Aba, by the Abia State Government despite a standing court order, restraining them from doing so, has been attracting condemnations. Many are wondering why a democratically-elected government should destroy the property of her citizens without regard to court order. Micro Plaza was built over 10 years ago by the traditional ruler of Ezimba Ogbaeruru Autonomous Community in Orlu area of Imo State, Eze Michael Igwenma.

But between August and December last year, the complex was demolished by the Abia State Government despite a standing court order against such action.

The action affected over 1000 persons, including traders and apprentices. Since then, the traditional ruler has not been seen. Eze Igwenma is said to have either gone into hiding, following threats to his life after the demolition, relocated to another state or has been flown abroad for medical treatment due to shock. His lawyer, Mr. Chris Nwadigo, condemned the action of the government, describing it as a misapplication of power in an orderly society.

Nwadigo, who is also representing the traders, said the action of the government undermines the powers of the judiciary and reduces the order of court to a worthless piece of paper, even in a democratic society.
 The Aba-based human rights Ddfender and the President of Peoples Rights Organisation, described the action as jungle justice, anti-human rights and anti-democracy. But in a swift reaction, the state Commissioner for Commerce, Chief Samson Orji, denied the knowledge of any court order, restraining the government from carrying out the demolition. He, however, agreed that he spotted a photocopy of such document during the demolition exercise. “No order was served on me as a person, commissioner or ministry,” he stated.
“The only time I spotted such document was when the demolition was going on and it was a photocopy. And that order was at the post of the actual demolition and the order itself was vacated 14 days after it was issued, which should have been sometime in September. Even if I had sighted it and it was a subsisting order, notwithstanding whether I believed it or that it was a photocopy, I would have still honoured it because I am a civilised member of the society.”
Describing how the plaza was demolished, Orji said: “We came on a Saturday and finished 10 days after. The property we brought down was not exclusively that of Micro Plaza; they included all properties that were within a 47-metre clearance from the highway, from the middle right and left.
And this is not my idea; it is the Federal Government’s guide, rule and law.” He stated that the main reason why government demolished the plaza was because it was turned into a market. “There were so many other structures. Our interest was because the structures were turned into a market. The activities overflowed into the expressway and obstructed free flow of traffic and in some cases led to ghastly accidents.
“For us, we wouldn’t have been interested if it had not been turned into a market. Government has an international market and you establish an individual market. We had told them to relocate or go into the market and they refused. He cannot claim to have been victimized.” Speaking earlier, Nwadigo said the action of the government was purely a display of raw and naked power. “The traders have been denied of their means of livelihood which is an integral part of life.
The problem we have here is that some politicians are still living in the era of the military, having not seen themselves in a new democratic dispensation where the rule of law is the ultimate for an orderly society. They still wear the garment of military mentality with a despotic cap to match. Demolishing the plaza on a holy day without regard to the powers of the court is absolute arbitrariness and misuse of power,” Nwadigo said.
He called on the Human Rights Commission to investigate the matter.
He also called on those that demolished the plaza to resign from the government for placing personal interest above the interests of innocent Nigerians and their families. “The action also paints a picture that reduces a court order to a worthless piece of paper, and this is capable of eroding confidence in the court. This is a crime against humanity,” Nwadigo said. Ndubuisi P. Ochonma, another lawyer to Eze Igwenma described the incident as a flagrant disobedience of a court order by the Abia government and its officials, particularly the Commissioner for Commerce. “It is regrettable that the commissioner personally supervised the act of disobedience of the court order. His attention was duly drawn to the order of this court but he intentionally ignored the order,” Ochonma alleged. Narrating the genesis of the incident, Nwadigo said that Micro Plaza has block A, B and C.
He said in August last year, the Chairman of Ariaria International market, Francis Eze Duru and his personal assistant, Chief Agbawodikeizu, with the connivance of Chief Samson Orji demolished the Block A part of the plaza. “Their action affected over 200 traders.
The owner of the plaza, Eze Michael Igwenma, got an injunction from an Osisioma Court on August 15, 2012, restraining the government, Francis Eze Duru, Agbowodikeize and Chief Samson Orji, and others from further demolition of the B and C parts of the plaza. “The tenants in the plaza briefed us on the clandestine plan of the government and its cohorts to demolish the B and C parts of the plaza. On their behalf, we went to court on August 27, 2012.
The vacation court presided over by Hon Justice C. O. Onyheabor adjourned to September 10 for hearing of the motion. On that day, the defendants did not come. But Duru and Agbawodikeizu, on their own, locked up the B and C part of the Plaza, stating that it was sealed by the Ministry of Commerce.
“The matter was incidentally assigned to the Court of Justice Adiele on October 9. It was later adjourned to October 16 for hearing of our motion on notice for a mandatory injunction on the sealing of over 300 shops at Micro plaza. “On that date, counsels to Duru and Agbawodikeizu moved a notice of preliminary objection and we responded, and the court consolidated both motion on notice. On October 29, the court in suit No 55, gave a ruling mandating the defendants to unseal those shops within 48 hours or the Area Commander, Aba would unseal them.
“The traders opened their shops and started business in accordance with the order of court, and on December 15, the matter came up. The Ministry of Justice brought a motion application that the court set aside the ruling it gave on the unsealing of the shops. The court then adjourned the matter for January 23, 2013 for hearing of the motion from the Attorney-General’s chambers. As we were looking forward to that date, on Saturday, December 8, the defendants, acting underground, came to Bloc B and C to demolish it with a bulldozer. “I personally came and informed them that it was lawlessness embarking on the exercise when the matter was in court. Because of the crowd they met at the site, they left with their bulldozer only to come in the early hours of Sunday, December 9, when people had gone to church.
They stormed the plaza and demolished the B and C part. I asked the commissioner if he was aware that there was an order of court restraining the demolition of the plaza.
His PA tore the order I was showing him. They were on the verge of fighting me and I wriggled out and left the place. “Over 300 traders were rendered jobless with their means of livelihood taken from them. That was raw use of power. They left the traders dehumanised, traumatised, impoverished, confused, helpless and hopeless on account of their wicked deeds. Can we call this type of thing democracy?”

ARMED FORCES DAY: ROCHAS HONOURS NIGERIA’S ‘FALLEN’ HEROES

The Imo State Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha has called for the inclusion of patriotism and nationalism as a compulsory subject to be studied in the primary and secondary schools across the nation as a way of achieving peace, unity and national development.

He made this call at the 2013 armed forces remembrance day held at the Hero’s Square Owerri on the 15th day of January.
Governor Okorocha recalled that many years ago, our soldiers went to war and sacrificed their lives for the peace and unity of our country Nigeria and as such, deserve to be honoured.

He thanked God that nearly 100 years after the amalgamation of Nigeria, the country is still intact, even though there is no peace there-in.
He called on leaders of our country to stand up to their responsibility of promoting the peace and unity of this country and to engage in activities geared towards national development.

Highpoints of the occasion is the laying of wreaths at the foot of the ‘unknown soldier’ by the Governor, his Deputy, Sir Jude Agbaso, the Chief Judge of the State, Justice B.A. Njamenze, the Imo State Police Commissioner, Mr. A.D. Bolanta and the Commander, 34 Field Artillery Brigade, Obinze, M.S. Alkali.

This was preceded by the release of white Pigeons by Governor Rochas Okorocha as a mark of peace and the handing over of ‘empowerment envelopes’ to the widows of the fallen heroes of our country by the Head of service of the State, Mrs Nkechi Onumajuru.

N62 BILLION FRAUD: GROUPS CALL FOR OHAKIM’S ARREST AND PROSECUTION

Ex-governor Ikedi Ohakim

Commercial activities in Owerri the Imo State capital was grounded for several hours today when hundreds of members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), women and youth groups and artisans staged a peaceful protest in Owerri, demanding for the immediate arrest of Chief Ikedi Ohakim by the Economic and Financial crimes Commission (EFCC).

This action by the groups came few days after the report of Imo State Account Reconciliation from June 2007 to May 2011 was made public. The Accounts Reconcilation Committee uncovered a total of N62 billion naira fraud by the past administration under Ex-governor Ikedi Ohakim.

The groups bemoaned the massive fraud and corruption by Ohakim and some chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Speaking on behalf of the NURTW in the State upon the arrival of the protesting groups at the Government House, Owerri, the Chairman, Comrade Chukwuemeka Obuh said that “it is regrettable that someone would spend years as governor of a State without any visible project to speak for the administration.”

In addition to the need to recover the billions of naira allegedly stolen by the former Governor, Comrade Chukwuemeka Obuh called for the confiscation of the properties acquired by him and his partners in crime.

Obuh said the union will not hesitate to ground movement in the State by shutting down all motor parks if EFCC fails to arrest Ohakim within 21 days.
Also speaking on behalf of women in the State, Tina Abike said Ohakim’s arrest is long overdue considering the massive fraud and corruption that characterized his administration.

She warned against moves to shield Ohakim from facing the full wrath of the law, adding that women in the State will consider going naked if EFCC continues to delay the arrest of the former governor.

In the same vein, Comrade Okereke Emmanuel Ike said Imo youths will support every move by Governor Rochas Okorocha-led administration to recover all funds stolen by Ohakim and his cohorts.

He wondered why EFCC is still foot-dragging in arresting the former governor whose fraudulent activities in government is quite alarming.

In his response, Governor Okorocha urged them not to take laws into their hands as government has implicit confidence in EFCC and other anti-graft agencies to bring the former governor to book.

He reassured that his administration will ensure that funds looted within the period by the former governor will be recovered for further development of the State.
Governor Okorocha reiterated that his administration will remain focused in the ongoing transformation of the State as well as deliver on his electoral promises.

Heartland FC wins 'Super 4' trophy for Imo State

The Heartland football club of Imo State has won the ‘Super 4’ trophy contested by four football teams in Nigeria, namely, Kano Pillars, Lobi Stars, Rangers and Heartland Foot ball club.
By this victory, the Heartland FC have been distinguished as the best football team in Nigeria, having won 3 trophies for the State recently, including the FA Cup ‘back –to-back’ twice consecutively in the last 2 yrs.

Receiving the team and the trophy at the Government House Owerri today, Governor Okorocha commended the Heartland FC for making Imo State proud. According to him, the latest victory by the Heartland indicates that God’s favour is upon Imo State.

He called on the Federal government of Nigeria to extend support to some States that are doing well in certain sports so as to encourage them to do more.

Earlier, the Imo State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr Kenneth Emelue said that the Heartland FC has won three out of the four trophies contested by State-owned football clubs in Nigeria in the last 2 years.
Highlight of the occasion is the display of the trophy before the audience at the Government House, Owerri which was preceded by handshakes between the Governor and each player of the Heartland FC.

Also present at the occasion is the Imo State Deputy governor, Sir Jude Agbaso, Chief of Staff, Government House, Prince Eze Madumere, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Chinedu Offor and a host of others.

Nigerian Christians in US petition Obama over Boko Haram

Obama

Members of the Christian Association of Nigeria  ( CAN), based in the United States of America had sent a written petition to the White House and President Barack Obama lamenting the continued killing of innocent Christian worshipers in the northern parts of Nigeria.

The Christian group alleged that on  Christmas day in northern Nigeria, Boko Haram was  busy slashing the throats of Christians right inside their churches or at their homes, adding that at least 15 of such barbaric killings have been reported in the past  number of days, while worshippers had to watch in terror as their colleagues’ throats were slashed open.

In a  statement signed by the Executive Director of Christian Association of Nigerian-Americans, CANAN,’Laolu Akande in connection with the 2012 Christmas day attacks by Boko Haram in Maidugiri, Borno State, the body urged the American Government to  designate Boko Haram, as Foreign Terrorist Organization ( FTO).

“What we are asking today is whether President Barack Obama and the State Department are comfortable to be mere witnesses to this evil? Is President Obama not aware that they are cutting the throats of innocent Nigerians who are simply practising  their faith?

“In the hope that President Obama is not comfortable with what is going on, we as Nigerian-Americans, are appealing to his humanity to please instruct the State Department to do what is right and to label the Boko Haram group an FTO.

However CANAN said US designation  of Boko  Haram as a terrorist group  would send the warning signal to those financing and supporting the terrorists, that the game is up.

It said  without such global intervention,  Boko Haram financiers and supporters are being dangerously awarded a grant of impunity!

“We had warned that Boko Haram would continue its tradition of killing Nigerian Christians on Christmas day. Last week marked the third straight year that the terror group has murdered Nigerian Christians in the church on a Christmas day.

“But the problem is worse than that. This year (2012) alone Boko Haram has killed almost 800 Nigerians, most of whom are Christians. In the last three years, over 3000 have been sent to tragic deaths. Victims also include people from several other countries.

The group said President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan had again over the weekend acknowledged his government’s inability to contain  the Boko Haram menace.
Quoting the Associated Press, CANAN  said Jonathan’s remarks offer a glimpse into “the worried leader’s mind as his weak government remains unable to stop attacks by the Boko Haram.”

“Our government in Washington DC, especially the White House and the State Department are fully aware of what is going on. But both President Barack Obama and outgoing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have simply tolerated this impunity by their inaction.

“Already, American citizens have been affected, and the United Nations building in Abuja has been attacked by these terrorists. The US Congress has affirmed that Boko Haram is a threat to the US, especially with the group’s suspected links to al-Qaeda, “ it said.
Culled from THIS DAY

3rd Class Degree, SSCE holders barred from Nigerian Police recruitment

Nigeria's Inspector General of Police, Mr. Abubakar

In a bid to sanitize the Nigeria Police as well as carry-out far reaching reforms in repositioning the force to achieve its mandate of effectively securing lives and property, the Police Service Commission has said holders of Secondary School Certificate would no longer be accepted into the Nigeria Police Force as constables.
It said the minimum entry requirement now was Ordinary National Diploma.
In the same vein, Third Class degree holders would no longer be accepted as Cadet Inspectors, in line with the reform in the force.
PSC Commissioner and Chairman, Public Affairs Committee of the commission, Ms. Comfort Obi, who stated this at a news conference in Abuja on Monday, explained that the commission had reviewed the recruitment process into the police.
According to her, the PSC has over the years formulated policies aimed at the efficiency and discipline of the police force, adding that background checks are now carried out on applicants to separate bad eggs and discourage shady characters from joining the police.
To achieve some of this lofty objectives, Obi stated that polygraph tests were also carried out on applicants to determine drug users, alcoholics and liars that could tarnish the image of the force.
She said, “The mechanism put in place by the commission is in line with police regulations to ensure that bad eggs don’t find their way into the force. We are focusing on the recruitment process and have raised the minimum entry requirements.
“SSCE holders can no longer join the police as constables; even a third class degree holder cannot join the Cadet Inspector cadre. The minimum qualification for a constable is OND and it must include six credit passes in SSCE including Credit pass in English and Mathematics.”
The PSC Commissioner in charge of Strategy, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, explained that written examinations had been introduced for applicants, adding that promotions in the force were based on merit rather than Federal Character.
Culled from Information Nigeria

Three Nigerian governors in critical health condition

Sullivan Chime

As Nigerians mourn the death of Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State alongside former National Security Adviser Andrew Azazi, the health condition of three other serving governors is a matter of serious concern to the people of their States and that of the Federal Government.

The health conditions of Governors Sullivan Chime of Enugu State, Liyel Imoke of Cross River State and of course Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State are giving their people sleepless nights.

Liyel Imoke

Danbaba is lying critical ill in a Hanova Germany hospital as a result of injuries he sustained when a private jet he personally flew from Jalingo to Adamawa crashed into a bush. He was in the plane with four aides all of who are equally in critical conditions in a different hospital. There have been reports that Danbaba’s brain has damaged, thereby making him a ‘human vegetable.’ But Taraba State commissioner for information Emma Bello told Daily Times that the governor is responding to treatment.

Dambaba Suntai

On his own, Governor Imoke has been out of Cross River State for over two months due to medical issues. There have been rumours that the governor is dead but like Emma Bello, the state information commissioner released a press statement last week saying the governor was not dead but receiving treatment abroad. He stated that the governor before leaving the country had written a formal letter informing the State Assembly that he would be away for medical treatment. The governor was not in the state when the last Calabar carnival took place. His wife Obioma was in charge of proceedings that day.
Rumours were everywhere on Saturday that Sullivan Chime, Governor of Enugu State was dead. And like the others, the state commissioner for information came out to say that the governor was still alive but receiving treatment abroad. Chime has been away from the state for over three months.
Ironically, all the affected governors are receiving treatments abroad, a development that provokes the people of Nigeria and their separate states to anger as they wonder why the nation’s leaders cannot fix the problems of the country’s health sector instead of running overseas whenever they have health challenges.
Whatever is the case, it should worry all well meaning Nigerians that three out of 36 state governors are in critical health condition while their people wallow in ignorance, diseases and pain.

 

Yakowa and Azazi died on Saturday with their aides and two pilots when the military helicopter with which they travelled to River State for the burial of the father of Oronto Douglas crashed into a mangrove in Bayelsa State.

Culled from DAILY TIMES