Governor Okorocha Swears-in new Commissioners, Assistants and Advisers

Owelle Rochas Okorocha, his wife Nkechi Okorocha, the SSG Prof. Anthony Anwuka, the COS Sir Jude Ejiogu, the HOS Mr CC. Ekenze in a group photograph with other Commissioners after their swearing-in ceremoniy at Government House, Owerri

 The Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has reconstituted his executive council by appointing 19 Commissioners, 14 Senior Special Assistants, 23 Special Assistants, 12 Executive Assistants and 12 Special Advisers among others.

The new appointees were sworn into office yesterday at the Government House Owerri after the previous Exco was dissolved in August, 2013.

Addressing the new commissioners at the Sam Mbakwe Expanded Exco Chambers at the Government House Owerri during the swearing in ceremony yesterday, Governor Okorocha urged them to aspire to make a name for themselves as their new office may be a stepping stone in their respective political careers.

Mr Sam Onwuemeodo, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media [middle] with others during their swearing-in ceremony

Governor Okorocha advised them not to see their appointment as a political compensation but a call to serve the people.  He urged them to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice bearing in mind the huge burden by the Rescue Mission Administration.

Said he; “As political office holders, do not be carried away and never succumb to pressures of families and friends in making you do what will either tarnish your image or that of the state”.

Responding on behalf of the appointees, Deacon Chike Okafor who emerged as the commissioner for Finance, thanked the governor for the opportunity given them to serve in the state Exco and pledged that they will put in their best to achieve the dreams and aspiration of the Rescue Mission in making Imo State better.

Also sworn in was the Head of Service, Mr Calistus Ekenze.

Out of the 19 commissioners, 9 were reappointed from the previous state Exco. 

Highlighted below is the list of the new appointees and their respective portfolios;

SENIOR SPECIAL ASSISTANTS
S/N	NAME	DESIGNATION	LGA	WARD
1	PST. (DR. MRS.) HENRIETTA JACOBS	PUBLIC AFFAIRS	NJABA	ATTA WARD 3(EGWESU)	ettaden@yahoo.com
2	BARR. OKEY OKOROCHA	SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
3	UDO, ONWUBU ROMSON	EDUCATION, POLICY & AND PROGRAMMES	IDEATO SOUTH	OGBOKO WARD 1
4	PRINCE GLORIA AKOBUNDU	LIAISON OFFICE ABUJA	ISIALA MBANO
5	IKECHUKWU NJOKU	FINANCE & ECONOMIC PLANNING	EZINIHITTE
6	MRS. MMA NZERIBE-MICHAELS	MDG	ORU EAST
7	HON. FAISAL LAWAL	NORTHERN AFFAIRS
8	REV. DR. BUMI BABS	GOVT. HOUSE CHAPLE
9	SONNY CHIADI	SPECIAL DUTIES	OKIGWE	UMU AWAIBU
10	ETHELBERT IBEBUCHI	ADMIN	IDEATO NORTH	OZUAKOLI/ UMUAGO
11	SAM ONWUEMAUDU	MEDIA
12	ENGR. JUDE OKAFOR	COORDINATOR DIASPORA AFFAIRS, LOCAL GOVT AREA LIAISON OFFICER	ORSU	jenookafor@aol.com
13	CHIEF GEOFFREY N. ASIKA	IMO STATE POOLS BETTING & GAMING BOARD
14	LISA ASUGHA	LIAISON OFFICE LAGOS

COMMISSIONERS
S/N	NAME	DESIGNATION	LGA	WARD	REMARK
1	SIR JUDE EJIOGU	CHIEF OF STAFF/SPECIAL DUTIES	OWERRI NORTH
2	CHUKWUMA-MACHUKWU UMEH, SAN	HON. ATTORNEY GENERAL/COMMISSIONER FOR JUSTICE	IDEATO NORTH
3	HON. CHIKE OKAFOR	FINANCE	OBOWO
4	DR. MRS. UCHE EJIOGU	EDUCATION (Primary & Secondary)	IHITTE UBOMA	ABUEKE WARD
5	PROF. UBA NNABUE	EDUCATION (Tertiary & Secondary)	NJABA
6	LADY UGOCHI NNANNA OKORO	INDUSTRY & NON-FORMAL SECTOR DEV.	OWERRI WEST	IHIAGWA
7	HON. GERRY OKOLI	D- COS (Operations)	ORLU
8	COMRADE KENNETH EMELU	SPORTS & YOUTHS DEV.	IDEATO SOUTH	UMUCHIMA
9	LADY LOVE NMA ONYECHERE	WOMEN AFFAIRS & SOCIAL DEV.	OKIGWE
10	ICHIE UCHE BEST MBANASO	WORKS	ORLU
11	PROF. OKEE MAGNUS OKORO	PETROLEUM & ENVIRONMENT	OHAJI/ EGBEMA
12	NICK OPARA-NDUDU	INTERNAL RESOURCES & PENSION MATTERS	OWERRI NORTH
13	DR. IFEANYI NWACHUKWU	PUBLIC UTILITIES & PUBLIC SAFETY	EZINIHITTE
14	HON. UCHE NWOSU	LANDS SURVEY & URBAN PLANNING	NKWERRE	EZIAMA OBAIRE
15	BARR. IHEUKWUMERE ALARIBE	TRANSPORT & TOURISM	ABOH MBAISE	UVURU WARD 2
16	DR. T. O. E. EKECHI (HIGH CHIEF)	INFORMATION	NGOR OKPALA	IMERIENWE WARD 5
17	MRS. ADAORA IJEZIE	PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT	ISIALA MBANO
18	DR. EDWARD ONYEMAECHI IHEJIRIKA	HEALTH	IKEDURU
19	HON. CHIEF VAL MBAMALU	COMMUNITY GOVERNMENT & CHIEFTAINCY AFFAIRS	ORSU

SPECIAL ASSISTANTS
S/N	NAME	DESIGNATION	LGA	WARD
1	PST RALPH AFOAKU	MEDIA PRODUCTION	IDEATO SOUTH	UMUMA ISIAKU
2	BARR. MRS. CHINYERE UWANDU	NEPAD	MBAITOLI	OGWA I
3	HON. UCHE EZE	SECURITY, OKIGWE ZONE
4	CHIEF BON OHIRI	SECURITY, ORLU ZONE	IDEATO SOUTH	ISIEKENESI WARD 2
5	HON. UGOCHUKWU ONYEUKWU	SECURITY, OWERRI ZONE	OWERRI NORTH	EMEKUKU I
6	MRS. OGECHI OLOLO	DOMESTIC	OWERRI NORTH
7	PRINCE EBUNOLA MARTINS	LAGOS AFFAIRS	LAGOS		BAKHILL@YAHOO.COM
8	MRS. ANICHEBE HIGHMAN	SPECIAL DUTIES, OFFICE OF THE FIRST LADY
9	MRS. CHINWE IKE	ADMINISTRATION, OFFICE OF THE FIRST LADY
10	MRS. AMAKA ONWUMERE	PUBLIC HEALTH	IDEATO SOUTH	UMUEFE
11	BARR. MRS. JOY EMEADI	LOGISTICS OFFICE OF THE FIRST LADY
12	CHRIS NWIKE	POLITICAL (D.GOV)
13	UCHE ONWUCHEKWA	MEDIA (D.GOV)
14	EMEKA AJIH	SPECIAL DUTIES
15	ALFRED ONONUGBO	PROTOCOL
16	EMEKA IHIEMEOFOR	FIN. ADMIN
17	HANATU M. MUSAWA	MEDIA
18	MELON OSUOFIA ELILI	MEDIA	IDEATO SOUTH	OGBOKO 2
19	RAYMOND DURU	TRANSPORT
20	CHIMEZIE DURU	ICT
21	OKEY ANYIKWA	RESEARCH & STATISTICS
22	HON. CHARLES NWOSU	ENTRACO ORLU	ORLU	OWERRE EBIRI
23	MRS MARIA IHEDIWA	EVENTS

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANTS
S/N	NAME	DESIGNATION	LGA	WARD
1	ROSEMARY OKEKE	PROTOCOL	ORSU	EBENATOR
2	K. C. ONUZULIKE	SPECIAL DUTIES
3	BETTYE EMENIKE-UZOMA	DOMESTIC	NKWERRE	NNENATO II
4	OBONO MATHEW	ICT	C/RIVER STATE
5	ANITA GODWIN	FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
6	HON. PROMISE AJIERO	ADVANCE PROTOCOL	IDEATO SOUTH	UMUMA ISIAKU
7	EMMA ABUH	ADMIN (D.GOV)
8	LINDA CHIKERE	PUBLIC AFFAIRS (D.GOV)
9	TOCHI UDEZE	SPECIAL DUTIES
10	KELECHI AGU	ADMIN
11	UGORJI IHEANYI SIMPLE (FIRST LADY)	OPERATIONS	OWERRI NORTH	EMEKUKU
*12	NKEM ANYATA-LAFIA	MEDIA	IVO (EBONYI STATE)	NGWOGWO

TECHNICAL ADVISER
S/N	NAME	DESIGNATION	LGA	WARD
1	REV. FR. WENCE MADU	YOUTH EMPOWERMENT FUND FOR OHAJI/EGBEMA & OGUTA LGA

ADVISERS
S/N	NAME	DESIGNATION	LGA	WARD
1	ALAN B ONYEMAECHI	INTER PARTY RELATIONS
2	P. C. ONUOHA	POLITICAL
3	HON. UCHE ONYEAGUOCHA	POLICY AND STRATEGY	OWERRI WEST	OBINZE
4	JASON NWAICHE	FIRST LADY'S PROJECTS	ISIALA MBANO	OBOLLO
5	ENGR PETER OHAGWA	CONFLICT RESOLUTION	NKWERRE	NKWERRE WARD 2
6	CHIEF MIKE OBIOHA	TOURISM	IDEATO NORTH	AKAEME I
7	DR. AMAECHI	HEALTH	OWERRI NORTH	EMEKUKU I
8	DR. JOE OBI NJOKU	PRIVATIZATION/ CONCESSIONING	IKEDURU	UZOAGBA
9	DR. EMMA OGBENTA	COMMUNITY GOVT.	ORU EAST	AWO II
10	SORONNADI NJOKU	JUSTICE AND FAIRNESS	NGOR - OKPALA	NGURU/ UMUOWA (WARD 6)
11	HON. CHUKA AMANWUWA	INTER GOVERNMENTAL INSTITUTIONS, PETROLEUM & PROJECTS
12	PADDY OBINNA	CULTURE	OWERRI NORTH

DIRECTORS GENERAL
S/N	NAME	DESIGNATION	LGA	WARD
1	BARR. MRS. NGOZI NJOKU	IMO FOUNDATION
2	DONATUS EJEFUGHA	IMO STATE GUARDS
3	FORD OZURUMBA	IMO ORIENTATION	ORSU	UMUHU OKABIA
4	DAVID B. DAY	ICAPS
5	PROF. B. IWUCHUKWU	IKEMBA OJUKWU CENTRE
6	CHIKE ORJIOKOR	YOUTH DEVELOPMENT EMPOWERMENT	EHIME MBANO	UMUEZEALA
7	MRS. IHEME NDIDI	WOMEN DEVELOPMENT CENTRE
8	KINGSLEY UFERE	CONSUMER PROTECTION COUNCIL	IDEATO NORTH	IZUOGU II
9	DR. HILARY EKE	ATISAN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
10	FRANK IWUORU IWUORISA	IMO RUBBER	OGUTA	OGUTA WARD A
11	DR. MRS. NGOZI CHUKWUKERE	IGBO LANGUAGE DEV. CENTRE	IDEATO NORTH	ELUAMA UMUTURU
12	SISTER OBONG EGBUNA	IMO BROADCASTING CORPORATION
13	PRINCE CHIKA OKOLI	IMO RICE LIMITED	IDEATO NORTH		CHYKEDOC@YAHOO.COM, CHYKEDOC@GMAIL.COM
14	FRANK IBEZIM	IMO POULTRY LTD

GENERAL MANAGERS
S/N	NAME	DESIGNATION	LGA	WARD
1	CHIKE OKOLIE	IMO RICE LIMITED
2	CHIEF NNADOZIE UDENSI	IMO FRUIT & PALMS LIMITED	MUNICIPAL	ALADINMA II
3	DR. KACHI NWOGA	IMO HOME WATER LIMITED	AHIAZU	OKRIKA NWENKWO
4	SIR JUDE NKPADO	IMO LANDS & LANDS	NKWERRE
5	FRANK IBEZIM	IMO POULTRY NIGERIA LIMITED
6	MR. IGWE OKECHUKWU	IMO TILES NIGERIA LIMITED	EHIME MBANO	IKPE NSU
7	CHIEF GODFREY CHUKWUNYERE	IMO PETROLEUM NIGERIA LIMITED
*	PASCHAL NWAKANMA	IMO LANDS & LANDS
9	HON. HENRY IKE	ENTRACO	IDEATO NORTH

Governor Okorocha prays for victims of Anambra stampede

The Imo State governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha has expressed shock at the death of over 25 people during the stampede at Anambra State recently.

The governor who prayed for the repose of the souls of the dead and speedy recovery of those injured.

regretted that while Anambrarians are mourning their dead,  the leadership of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) is busy apportioning blames and has failed to take responsibility for the tragedy. Said he; “Now is not the time to play politics over the unfortunate incident.  We should respect the pains and sorrows these families are going through and not divert attention from the real issues”.

He said thorough investigation should be carried out to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the incident to avoid such re-occurrence in future.

Throwing more light on the incident, the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha Diocese, Most Reverend Valerian Okeke, attributed the stampede at Holy Ghost Adoration Centre, Uke,  Anambra State, to “false alarm.”
Okeke said at a news conference on Sunday that the stampede was not caused by sabotage and that the church was not suspecting any sabotage, saying, “it is an unfortunate incident.”

Represented by Reverend Father Uche Ukor, the Director of Social Communications, Okeke also denied reports that the stampede was caused by a snake that purportedly came out from somewhere.
Said he; “In the early hours of Saturday, November 2, there was a stampede moments after prayers at Holy Ghost Adoration Centre, Uke, in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
“The stampede, which occurred while people were going home, resulted in the loss of some lives.  Some are still injured and receiving treatments in some hospitals.
“The stampede was reportedly caused by a false alarm raised by somebody in the crowd along one of the narrow roads out of the town.
“The crowd was so much that people wanting to leave all at the same time made it very difficult for people to find enough space to move.
“Vigil was usually held at the centre on every first Friday of the month,”
 “The crowd at the centre was unprecedented on this first Friday of November, probably because it was the Solemnity of All Saints – a holy day of obligation for Catholic faithful.”
“Save for the unprecedented crowd, the vigil started and ended normally,’’ he said, and expressed sadness over the ugly incident.
On whether the incident had a political connotation, Rev. Okeke said the church would not delve into politics or speak for any politician.
He, however, confirmed that Sen. Chris Ngige, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 16 election, did not attend the programme.
Three of the victims regained consciousness at the hospitals, it was gathered.
Dr. Ngige, who visited the recuperating victims in the hospitals, donated N500,000 to take care of their hospital bills.

Imo State Govt to Establish Special School for the Blind

Owelle Rochas Okorocha in a photo with Mr clinton chinonyerem Amaechi, State Chairman of the Association of the blind

Touched by the plight of the blind and partially sighted persons, the Imo State governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha has promised to establish a special school for the blind in the state before the end of May 2014.

Governor Okorocha stated this while interacting with members of the Nigeria Association of the Blind, Imo State chapter at the Government House, Owerri.

The state Governor who promised to provide education and employment opportunities to ameliorate the sufferings of the group, assured that his administration would continually consider the welfare of the physically challenged persons to give them a sense of belonging.

He also promised an upward review of their bursary for those in the institutions of learning and further made financial support to enable the association sponsor her on-coming zonal conference holding in Imo State.

The state chairman of the association, Mr Clinton Chinonyerem Amaechi had appealed to the governor to address some of their pressing needs which include regular payment of their bursaries, employment opportunities to their members and giving them a voice in government through political appointments.

He pointed out that the United Nations convention on the rights of Persons with disabilities calls for practical and positive approach to the issues raised and urged people in authority to grant equal opportunities to the physically challenged persons.

Mr Amaechi thanked governor Okorocha for his concern for the group and assured him of their support to the ‘Rescue Mission’ administration in Imo State.

Imo State-born Gideon Emenike launches locally made rocket in Okigwe (VIDEO)

A seventeen year old boy, Gideon Emenike  who hail Imo State has caused a stir in Umuchime Ubahu community in Okigwe Local Government when he successfully launched a “rocket”  built from locally made materials.

The rocket, which was supposed to travel five kilometres, went further than programmed and landed in a residential area, causing a stampede.

The residents of the house where the rocket landed, alerted the police, thinking it was a bomb.

Gideon Emenike told the press that he does not have any criminal intentions but his love for science and technology especially in the area of aeronautics engineering spurred him and his partner to develop the said rocket.

While on inspection to the compound where the rocket landed, the state Police Commissioner Mohammed Katsina said on getting the information of the incident, the command anti bomb squad swung into action to detect the location.

He exonerated the boy of any criminal or terrorist intentions. He further praised the boy’s skill insisting it was a prowess in science and technology.

He however said preliminary investigations showed that even as the teenagers were reckless in their conduct, they had neither criminal motive nor terrorist intentions, rather they are adventurous and skillful teenagers who are gifted in science and technology.

He called on residents of Umuchime Ubahu community in Okigwe local government area to remain calm and resume their normal business as the command’s anti bomb squad has deactivated a propelled rocket, adding that the element has been certified and it does not contain any toxic or radio-active material. Said he; 

“The boys are just between 16 and 17 years old. They only tried out their learning while in the secondary school. They wanted to know if they can practicalise the theories they learnt in school. The dream of these young boys is to design a spacecraft. It was launched without funfair. “The device went some kilometres into the sky before crash-landing. Let us not forget that the command has some formidable structures on ground. We have since commenced the sweeping of Imo State of all explosive ordinances. I want these boys to be encouraged. May be, who knows tomorrow, at my old age, I may be the lucky one that would fly in the spacecraft made by these young lads.

“So, I would rather not think of punitive measures against the boys. I would rather dwell heavily on protection, rehabilitation and encouragement of these young boys. Those who ran away are free to come back. From this moment, we have ended this case.

*CP Mohammed Katsina addressing the boys

Gideon speaks: “My name is Gideon Chiadikobi Emenike and my friend’s name is Chibuisi Nwafor. I studied in Federal Government College, Okigwe and I graduated last year. This project started when I was still in school. I was told to build a project in school for a competition.

“In my SS1, I built a helicopter. In my SS2, I was told to build another project. I built this rocket and we went for a competition in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. I came second in the competition with the project. This was at the national level.

“We also went for another competition organised by the Society for Science and Technology. I also came second. I also went for Olympiad and I equally came second there. I was told that I was going to represent Nigeria in Brazil but later, my principal said that I was no longer going to represent the country.

“I still don’t know why the principal cancelled the trip. This frustrated me somehow but later, I picked up from where I dropped and started again. I now met my friend at a learning centre. I found out that he has for things related to science. We now pooled our brains together. “That was how we planned to build a rocket and a satellite, as well as sending it into space. It was an amateur satellite because you know we have not yet university graduates.

*The CP holding aloft the rocket after it crashlanded - 

We just graduated from secondary school last year. “We have done this for now. I was really challenged when I heard that other countries were planning to launch satellites into space. It made me to think deep. This is what pushed to do what you are seeing today.  If government can adopt our technology, we can help them to actualize their dream of launching a satellite.

“This particular project was a mere attempt to reach a particular altitude. It was not fashioned to remain in space. This project came through after several experiments. If the Federal Government can sponsor us, we can take Nigeria to any level they want.

The boy’s father speaks

“My name is Friday Mgbemena Emenike. My son is curious about science. He got admission in University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, the last time. I tried to make him to study medicine but he rejected it and preferred to read aeronautic engineering. That was why he refused the admission. That is why he is still at home.

“He got an opportunity to travel to Brazil but the principal of his former school frustrated the move. He is intelligent. I am aware of this incident. When it happened, I didn’t feel too good till I learnt that the thing did not kill anybody and that it did not destroy anything. That increased my joy and I described it as the first victory.

Video by Channels TV