Friday, 29 August 2014

PGD Journalism studies for 2013/2014 session in Imo ends in grand style

Group photo of the Post Graduate Diploma students for the 2013/2014 academic session with some of their lecturers

The 2013/2014 academic session of the International Institute of Journalism, Abuja, Owerri zonal campus has come to a successful end.
Speaking during a graduation party organised by the students at the NUJ Secretariat, Port Harcourt Road, Owerri on Wednesday 27th August 2014, the coordinator of the Institute, Dr Ndudi Nnadi congratulated the students for a successful completion of the One year Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Journalism and urged them to put the knowledge which they have gained from the school in to good and profitable use.
He expressed satisfaction that many journalists who passed through the IIJ, Owerri campus have presently distinguished themselves as successful members of the society, adding that no fewer than two Commissioners serving in the present Imo State government led by Governor Rochas Okorocha are products of the IJJ, Owerri.
He advised the graduating students to shun corruption and to practice journalism with a sense of objectivity and excellence.

Dr. Ndudi Nnadi (center) flanked by some of the students during the tree planting exercise while the NUJ State Chairman, Sir Innocent Igwe (extreme right) watches


Earlier, the State Chairman of the Imo State Chapter of the NUJ, Sir Innocent Igwe led the graduating students on a tree planting exercise within the premises of the institution.

The high point of the occasion is the presentation of the 2014 edition of The Globe newspapers to the audience by the Editor, Mr Ebere Inyama on behalf of the entire students of Post Graduate Diploma studies for the 2013/2014 academic session.

Scanned copy of The Globe newspapers (inset- Mr Ebere Inyama handing over the 2014 edition of the newspapers to Mr Tony Ibe at the venue of the graduation party.

Also present at the occasion is the former Director General of the Imo Broadcasting Coporation (IBC), Mr Alex Nwahiri, Sir Tace Onyeagoro, Mr Tony Ibe, Mr Emma Duru and a host of others.

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54th Annual Conference of the NBA ends in Owerri in grand style

Governor Okorocha (extreme left) and Gowon (extreme right) at the NBA conference in Owerri
The 54th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association which began on Monday 25th August in Owerri the Imo State capital comes to an end today with over 5,000 legal practitioners in attendance.
The conference theme which is targeted at x-raying the political history and development of Nigeria, Constitutional reforms, Economic development, Educational development, Infrastructural issues and Judicial reform also witnessed new Innovations in  Information Technology (IT) which will enable lawyers surf through the web and research on legal matters.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the conference held at the newly built Imo International Conference Center (IICC), a former Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon lauded the theme of NBA’s Conference which was, “Nigeria, A Hundred Years After,” and observed that “Nigeria is not yet 100 as an independent nation.”
He admitted that the nation was yet to achieve its potential as a sovereign country and challenged participants at the conference to discuss how to make Nigeria greater in the next 100 years.

Earlier, the Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha said the nation could not grow until those with vision and passion for development were allowed to assume leadership positions. He challenged lawyers to provide direction for the country as people with great training.
President Goodluck Jonathan, who was represented on the occasion by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke (SAN) also explained the decision of his administration to negotiate with the family of the former Head of State, General Sani Abacha, over money looted by the late maximum ruler. Adoke said the Federal Government’s option of negotiation for the recovery of Abacha loot was not only transparent, but had also become a standard for the world to adopt.
Also speaking, The Speaker of House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal asked lawyers to lead efforts to save the nation, saying poverty had worsened across the country.
He alleged that Nigerians were yet to be given the opportunity to freely choose their leaders, insisting that elections so far conducted under the current civilian government had not been different from the style adopted by the military.
He called for credible elections as the solution to Nigeria’s problem.
The occasion was used by the outgoing NBA President, Okey Wali (SAN) to render the account of his two-year stewardship, saying his administration had been able to advance the goals of the body.
Wali listed his administration’s achievements to include infrastructure development and fighting for justice for Nigerians.
Okey Wali said “the NBA annual general conference continues to be the premier and veritable opportunity for lawyers from around the world to meet and hear firsthand about current trends and legal developments in various areas of practice.”
Speaking on the issue of Ebola virus, the NBA said its branch in Owerri has secured the collaboration and services of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Imo State Chapter to provide ambulances and other medical equipment and personnel, education and enlightenment of members. Example is to avoid shaking of hands and physical body contact.  It also stated that it would partner with FAAN and Aviation Ministry for Airport screening on landing and surveillance at the Airports. 
The statement by Wali reads in part. “We urge our members to please maintain higher standard of hygiene. Note that Imo state is not one of the states that have been flagged as location where potential victims have been sited. Please further note that all the conference participants do not gather at the same venue at the same time. They are usually spread out in different sessions going on simultaneously. 
Also present at the occasion were the Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, Augustine Alegeh (SAN) who was elected on Tuesday July 15, 2014 as the 27th President of the Nigerian Bar Association and a host of others.

from L-R, Okey Wali and Augustine Alegeh




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Saturday, 23 August 2014

Obinugwu youths hail Rochas for replacing Ilomuanya with Eze Stanley Nwangwu

Governor Okorocha giving the Staff of Office to HRH Eze Stanley Anaezionwu Nwangwu  

Youths of Obinugwu Autonomous Community in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State stormed the Government House premises Owerri yesterday to express their happiness over the enthronement of HRH Eze Stanley Anaezionwu Nwangwu as the new Traditional Ruler of the community.

Speaking on behalf of Obinugwu Youths, a youth Leader in the community Mr. Abuchi  Ezekwe said that the turn of events in the community is symbolic of the return of justice and better future for the people adding that Eze Stanley Nwangwu would have been on the throne long ago if not for political manipulation and injustice masterminded by previous government in the State.

He therefore thanked God for using the Rescue Mission government to intervene in the matter.

From Wetheral road to the entrance gate of the government House, the youths carried placards bearing different inscriptions such as “Obinugwu is now free”, “Thank you Your Excellency for making Obinugwu a safe place”  “No more 419 Eze in Obinugwu” among others.
The Youths however appealed to State government to provide adequate security in the area to protect the people from harassment and molestation from aggrieved parties.
Receiving the group, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Sir Jude Ejiogu commended them for being appreciative of the goodwill of government and urged them to remain peaceful.
Sir, Ejiogu maintained that the Rescue Mission government in Imo State is set to toe the path of justice and liberate the people from evil leadership. He assured the people of Obinugwu of their safety and advised them to support the newly recognized Traditional Ruler.





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Tuesday, 22 July 2014

Rochas tasks journalists, broadcast stations on objective reportage

Mr. Basil Okechukwu Uzoma, 3rd from right exchanging pleasantries with governor Okorocha

The Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorohca has challenged broadcasting Houses and journalists operating in the state to maintain objectivity in their reportage rather than leaning on any political bias.
Governor Okorocha gave the charge when the new General Manager of Radio Nigeria Heartland FM Owerri and the management team paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House Owerri recently.

Owelle Okorocha who expressed regrets that some broadcasters and journalists have thrown diligence in management of information over board and appealed to Radio Nigeria to give the state government and other individuals the right to reply to issues and allegations against them.
He encouraged the management of Radio Nigeria to keep abreast of events happening in the State in order to give a fair and accurate report of the government.
The Imo Governor stressed that the achievements of the Rescue Mission government has been grossly under-reported by Radio Nigeria as the government has done over 2,000 projects in less than 3 years of its existence. “The Imo government cannot be compared with any government in terms of infrastructural development.” He argued.
While assuring the General Manager and Management of Heartland FM of the support of state government, the Governor disclosed that the state owned radio station- the Imo Broadcasting Corporation (IBC) as well as public facilities are open to all irrespective of political affiliation.

Speaking earlier, the new General Manager of Radio Nigeria Heartland FM, Owerri, Mr. Basil Okechukwu Uzoma said he came with his team of management staff to pay homage to the governor and keep him abreast of happenings in the station.
Mr Uzoma who is barely 3 weeks old at the station said they were committed to informing the people of good governance at the Local, State and Federal government levels as well as highlighting areas of need for intervention.
The General Manager called for patronage from both government and the citizenry pointing out that the station is open for all and geared to giving equal opportunity to all irrespective of religious and ethnic background.
He assured that the news content of happenings at the Local, State and Federal levels will remain accurate, objective and impartial.



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Friday, 11 July 2014

Okorocha urges FG to empower T. Rulers as FECTRON concludes 3 days prayer in Imo



The Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to see the decentralization of powers to the Traditional Rulers in the communities as paramount in achieving sustainable leadership, development and security in Nigeria.

He made this call while declaring open a 3-day prayer conference organized by the Fellowship of Christian Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (FECTRON) at the Imo Convention Centre, Owerri, recently.

Governor Okorocha said that as custodians of the peoples’ customs and traditions, Traditional Rulers deserve full recognition and involvement in ensuring that government projects/programmes get to the people at the grassroots pointing out that if empowered, they are capable of identifying criminals in their hideouts and bringing terrorism and insurgencies to a halt. 

The Governor disclosed that Imo is the first State in Nigeria to establish the Imo Traditional Parliament, pay security votes to Traditional Rulers in the 637 communities and recognize Ndi-Eze as Chief Security Officers in their localities which has helped in curbing kidnapping and other criminal activities in the State.

He said that as Chairmen of the Community Government Council established by his administration, the Royal Fathers have been empowered to supervise and maintain schools in their areas as well as ensure that funds provided by government to enhance agriculture, especially the palm for palm plantation are adequately utilized by farmers Said he;
“Nigeria will not develop and get better until the custodians of power in the communities are empowered”,

Speaking further at the occasion, Governor Okorocha said the prayer conference was apt and timely now that the nation is threatened by insecurity and insurgencies and thanked God that there are ‘Kings of the Earth’ who reverence God and humble themselves to intercede for the people and the nation at large.
He reminded them that there is a connectivity between God and the leaders of His people on earth and urged them not to relent in praying for leaders at all levels.

He explained that the success story of the Rescue Mission government lies in the daily prayers observed by the government and people of the State, adding ‘you can’t be praising God and remain small because you are as high as you think your God is.’  

Earlier in his address, HRM Eze Samuel Ohiri (Eze Imo) said the prayer conference has over the years recorded tremendous success by positively impacting on the spiritual and material wellbeing of the Kings across the country and thanked God for helping them overcome various limitations in their quest to seek His righteousness.

Eze Ohiri described Imo people as Christians who put God first in everything they do adding that most of the Traditional Rulers in the State and beyond are on track for the heavenly race.

He thanked God for giving Imo State a God-fearing Governor like Owelle Okorocha who has better the lot of Imo people through infrastructural development, free education, uplifting the standard of Ndi-Eze in all ramifications, etc.

Eze Imo thanked the leadership of the faith building Organization for choosing Imo as host State for this year’s Annual Conference assuring them of adequate security and hospitality the State is known for.

The Christian Royal Fathers used the occasion to pray for the blessing and unity of Government and people of Imo State and Nigeria at large.

The prayer session which lasted from 9th to 11th of July 2014 was attended by the FECTRON National President, HRM Atuwatse II, The Olu of Warri, Traditional Rulers from all States of the Federation and Religious Leaders.


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Imo to partner with S/African investors to revive Avutu Poultry

ROCHAS OKOROCHA IN A HANDSHAKE WITH MR DIRK HANEKOM, CHAIRMAN OF AGRIC SOUTH AFRICA DURING THEIR VISIT TO GOVT. HOUSE, OWERRI RECENTLY - 
The Imo State government is to partner with South-African Agricultural investors to revive and improve the Avutu poultry farm in Obowo LGA.
 
Governor Okorocha made this known on Monday when he led a team of South-African Agricultural investors to pay courtesy call on the widow of the late Governor of the State, Mrs. Ahuikpeghe Mbakwe.
 
Speaking at the occasion, Governor Okorocha said that henceforth, the Avutu Poultry farm Ltd. Will be known and referred to as Sam Mbakwe Poultry Farm.
 
He said that the first civilian governor of the State, the late Chief Sam Mbakwe would continue to be honoured as long as the State would continue to appreciate the foot-prints he left behind.
 
Okorocha who was received at the country home of the late former Governor by the wife and son, Ahuikpeghe and Chief Alex Mbakwe, told his audience that Mbakwe had achieved much for the State that his administration has remained a reference government in the State and beyond.
 
Welcoming the governor, the late Mbakwe’s first son, Alex Mbakwe commended governor Okorocha for being the first governor after the late father to have shown enormous interest in both the family and the Avutu poultry farm and prayed that God would continue to encourage him.  He appealed to the governor to rehabilitate the road leading to the poultry since those going to the poultry would need good road to get there.
 
At the poultry farm, the governor regretted the long-time neglect the poultry had suffered and said his administration would stop at nothing to achieve the goal behind the establishment of the poultry, reiterating that the poultry when fully revived, would provide job opportunities to thousands of Imo sons and daughters.
 
The governor assured that his administration will overhaul the farm and also rehabilitate the State owned paint industry located at Mbaise.
 
Earlier, the leader of the South African investors, Mr. Dirk Hanekom had told the governor that they had come to partner the state government in agriculture, which he said remains a tool to unite African nations, also praising the governor for keeping the doors of his administration open for investors.
 
Speaking at a mini reception organized by the people of the area, a leader from the area, Chief Abraham Alesiro said that since 1983 nobody or any governor has done for Avutu Obowo people what Rochas has done for them.  He advised the governor to postpone his presidential ambition and seek re-election as the governor of the State.
 
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Imo increases IGR from N200m to N600m as Rochas calls for regular payment of Tax by citizens

Imo State Governor sitting next to former governor of Bayelsa State, Chief D.S.P Alamesiegha at the Banquet Hall Owerri during the occasion of Aka Ndozi Imo

Governor Rochas Okorocha has commended the Ministry of Internal Resources and Pension Affairs and the Imo State Board of Internal revenue for their effort in improving the IGR of the State from N200m to about N600m.

He made the commendation during the official launch of Aka Ndozi Imo (The hand that contributes to the development of Imo State) at the Banquet Hall, Government House Owerri recently.

The programme which is a tax mobilization initiative was organizhted by the Imo State Board of Internal revenue and the Ministry of Internal Resources and Pension Affairs.
Governor Okorocha who stressed the need for increased internally generated revenue, urged all to see tax payment as a thing of joy and as a civic responsibility which a good citizen must perform.  Said he;
 “There can’t be a great citizen without a great tax payer”

Speaking further at the occasion, Governor Okorocha assured that government would provide the necessary facilities for effective tax collection while sounding a warning to illegal tax collectors to desist from such acts.
He called on individuals and co-operate organizations operating in the State to imbibe the culture of regular payment of taxes to assist government provide the needed social infrastructure and services.

 The governor recalled that his administration inherited 12 years pension arrears owed by the previous administration which today has been cleared, and further vowed that “never again in the history of Imo State will any worker stay without his/her pension. “
He explained that the Ministry of Internal Resources and Pension Affairs was established by the present administration to dramatize the seriousness the Rescue Mission government attaches to issues of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and pensions.




Contributing, the Speaker Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Uwajimogu, noted that government has a responsibility to provide social amenities but the people must reciprocate by paying their taxes. He therefore called for a symbiotic relationship between government and the people to ensure a more prosperous state.
The Imo law maker gave assurance that the House will provide the necessary legislation and laws that would guarantee effective tax system in the state.
In his address of welcome, the Commissioner for Internal Resources and Pension Affairs, Mr. Nick Oparandudu maintained that a most urgent action was needed to increase the revenue base of the state especially as oil revenue which constitutes much of the federal allocation has continued to drop over the medium and long term due to a combination several factors.
He therefore appealed to residents and organization in the State to support the government through regular payment of their taxes to enable it meet the growing demands of citizens.
He rated the Okorocha administration as having performed creditably in providing physical infrastructure, services and even free education up to tertiary institution and called for collaborative effort of stakeholders, the traditional rulers, private sector and all citizens of the State to achieve the Imo of our dreams.

HRH Eze Ben Igwilo, the traditional ruler of Osina autonomous community and Secretary Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, said the Traditional Rulers are committed to raising about 1,000 taxable adults in their various communities to help government realize its programme of developing the State.

Highlight of the occasion was that award of recognition and appreciation to individuals and corporate organization for sustained and prompt payment of taxes.
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