Rochas calls for devolution of powers to States and LGA’s

The Imo State Governor Owelle Rochas Okorcha has called for a systematic devolution of power in Nigeria where the enormous power at the centre is decentralized to the States and Local Government Areas to create room for sustainable economic development at the grassroots.

Owelle Okorocha stated this while addressing the Board members of the Nigeria Media Merit Award and some Media executives who called on him at the Government House Owerri at the weekend.

Governor Okorocha maintained that devolution of power is the solution to the apparent poverty in Nigeria, adding that the country’s political authority is highly concentrated on an individual who solely determines the survival or death of millions of Nigerians. “There is no way for Nigeria unless power is divulged and resources controlled by a joint Development Board made of the three tiers of Government”, he noted.

He further regretted that the over centralization of power has made it difficult for serious development programmes to exist in the local Government and rural communities. A situation where Government at the centre takes 55% of the revenue allocation, leaving 45% for the state and local Government, he said, makes it impossible for the people at the grassroots to witness meaningful impact of Government.

The Governor enjoined Nigerians to join hands in the call to urge the federal Government to borrow his idea of community Government Council (CGC), where autonomous communities are given the opportunity to take part in the day to day running of their affairs.

On his vision of aspiring for the presidential seat, Governor Okorocha said he is propelled by the need to completely transform the ailing economic structure of the country as well as his desire to return power to the people. “It is not time for me to be President; but there is need for me to be President”, he concluded.

 Responding on behalf of the group, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Nigeria Media Merit Award, Mrs. Bukky Ajayi, said the interaction has afforded them an insight into Governor Okorocha’s vision for Nigeria; but expressed worries if the ordinary people will be given the opportunity to contribute in the process of implementing such vision to their benefit.

Mr. Dele Adetemi, another member of the Board described Governor Okorocha’s vision as thought provoking and one that can be realized with the practical involvement of the ordinary Nigerian especially as it concerns their wellbeing and better living standard for all which is the essence of good leadership.

Okorocha, Ngige flays Jonathan over neglect of South-East zone

Governor Okorocha addressing a crowd of APC supporters at a rally in Aba on Friday

The Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has taken a swipe at the present leadership of the federal government of Nigeria over the poor state of roads and lack of Federal Government presence in the South-East in terms of social infrastructure and political appointments.

 Addressing a huge crowd at the Aba Recreation Club on Friday Nov 8, where the South East leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held a campaign rally, he said that the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has marginalized Ndigbo up to a point where the people can no longer endure and thereby prompting the need for the Igbos to vote out PDP in 2015.

He said that PDP has failed Nigerians since the 15 years of its dishonest leadership in the country and called on the people to support the All Progressive Congress (APC) which he described as “a brand new party for a new and prosperous Nigeria”.

Owelle Okorocha vouched that APC will guarantee peace and stability in the nation, free and qualitative education, massive infrastructural development as well as give Ndigbo a fair share of federal appointments and projects.

 Also speaking, Senator Chris Ngige regretted that the Federal Government has neglected most of the roads in the South East as well as failed to give Igbos their rightful position in stake of the nation, and called for the support of an Igbo presidency. “Nigeria will be better when they recognize the fact that the sun rises from East, and return the presidency to the Igbos” he noted.

He pointed out that the remarkable successes recorded in Imo, Lagos, Rivers State and other APC states is an indication that the party will do well at the centre if given the mandate in 2015.

Contributing, the former South East zonal chairman of APC and a Governorship aspirant in Abia State, Chief Nyere Anyim said Abia will sing a new song of progress when APC is voted into power in 2015.

Others who spoke at the occasion include, the Speaker Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Benjamin Uwajimogu, a member of the APC Board of Trustees, Chief Mrs V.N Chukwuani, a party leader in Anambra State, Chief George Muoghalu.  All affirmed that the party has a vision to transform Nigeria into one of the leading economies of the world.

Voter registration: Imo to shut down markets, schools, govt offices to ensure compliance.

Governor Okorocha in handshake with Mrs Serena Williams during the latter;'s visit to Govt House, Owerri today

Markets, schools and all government offices will be temporarily shut down in Imo State from 7am to 12 noon between the 13^th and 17^th of November 2014 to enable the people in the State to participate in the forthcoming voter registration exercise.

This decision was taken by the Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha when the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) representative in Imo State paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Owerri today.

Speaking during the occasion, Governor Okorocha urged Imolites to ensure that they participate in the voter registeration, adding that the voters card “ represents the dividend of democracy which also empowers the electorate to decide who governs the state and the nation”

According to him, the acquisition of the voters card is compulsory for all Imolites above the age of 18 years and to that end, the State government will be declaring work-free hours from 7am to 12 noon between the 13^th and 17^th of November 2014.

He decried the attitude of Igbos towards similar exercises in the past, adding that the Igbos are erroneously regarded as being fewer in population when compared the Hausas and the Yorubas simply because they (the Igbos) fail to come out en masse to participate in such exercises.

Earlier, the resident electoral commissioner in Imo State, Mrs. Selina Oko, disclosed that (INEC) would commence distribution of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) in Imo and in 12 other states of the federation.

Oko disclosed that the commission also approved Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise which commences on Thursday November 13 and end on Monday November 17, 2014.
According to her, the register will be displayed at the polling units where the distribution officer would be present from 8-00am till 4.00pm during the 3-day exercise.

She said the exercise is for those who were not up to 18 years of age during the last voter registration exercise in 2011, those who failed to register during the last exercise as well as those who registered but could not find their names on the list of registered voters.

Speaking further at the occasion, Mrs Oko said that any polling unit that failed to register up to 50 people will not be officially recognised

She advised people whose names appear in the register to go to the distribution officer at the polling units with his or her temporary voters card TVC to collect the permanent voter card.

Rochas appoints Mbakwe’s daughter, 6 others as commissioners.

Governor Okorocha and his deputy, Prince Madumere in group pix with the newly appointed Commissioners

Imo State governor, His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has sworn-in seven new commissioners including the daughter of Sam Mbakwe, Patience Mbakwe and seven new Local Government Caretaker Committee Chairmen.  The new commissioners and new local government caretaker committee chairmen were appointed to replace their predecessors who had left the government to pursue their political ambitions.

The new commissioners were also given portfolios by the governor at the end of their swearing-in which was held at the Government House, Owerri today

Chief Chidi Ibe is the new commissioner for Information and Strategy.  Mr. Obinna Mbata, commissioner for Internally Generated Revenue.  Others are Ms Patience Mbakwe [Industry and Non-formal Sector], Mr Victor Ogbonna Amadi [Commerce and Market development], Mr Ikechukwu Njoku [Finance], Mr Clinton Obinyom [Public Utilities and Public safety], Mrs. Mma Nzeribe [Primary, secondary and Non-formal Education].

The Local Government Transition Committee Chairmen sworn-in were those of Owerri North, Owerri West, Owerri Municipal, Ahiazu Mbaise, Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta and Oru East Local Governments.

Governor Okorocha and his deputy, Prince Madumere in group pix with the newly appointed LGA Caretaker Committee Chairmen

Addressing the new appointees, the Governor hinted that he has released N3 billion for the renovation of all the Headquarters of the local governments in the state, adding that the council secretariats were left over the years to rot.

He also informed that his administration would begin to renovate the old schools in the state he said had produced great men and women.  He mentioned some of the schools as Government Technical College Owerri, Government College Owerri, Akwakuma girls school, and so on.

He said the rescue mission administration in the state will grow from strength to strength and that the appointees were in for serious business, because standard had already been set in their respective ministries and local governments and they should work to improve greatly on the existing standard.

The governor also told those in attendance at the event that the governorship aspirants in PDP in the state came out in their large number because they heard he would vie for the presidency, assuring that he would not abandon or leave Imo people.

He said his government would not rest on its oars until he was satisfied that every family in the state is free from ignorance and poverty, telling the new appointees that he had invited them to partner with him to make the state better.

Imo govt lifts embargo on employment as workers celebrate Civil Service week.

Governor Okorocha in a group pix with Permanent Secretaries in Imo State Public service when they paid thr governor a courtesy visit at Govt. House, Owerri recently

The Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has announced the lifting of embargo on employment into the State Civil Service while congratulating Imo workers on their Civil Service Week.

Owelle Okorocha announced this while addressing Permanent Secretaries in the State Civil Service who called on him at the Government House, Owerri.

He explained that the recruitment will be made from workers already involved in the Youth Must Work Programme and in accordance with the Civil Service guidelines.

The Governor also disclosed that buses will be provided to convey civil servants to and fro their offices, free of cost, adding that while politicians in other parties are concerned about elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is committed to executing more projects, completing and commissioning existing projects for the betterment of the State.  “There will be more projects and we will be stronger than when we started,” he said.

He thanked the Permanent Secretaries for working as a team and for their support to the Rescue Mission government and directed the Head of Service to submit list of senior officers who will be deployed as Principal Officers to supervise certain government projects and ensure their proper maintenance.

Speaking on the 2015 elections, Owelle Okorocha stressed the need to give Ndi-Igbo their rightful positions at the federal level and called on the people of the South-East to support any Igbo man vying for the presidential seat as he insisted “I will neither allow the Igbos to be forgotten as a people nor tolerate the long years of marginalization Ndi-Igbo have suffered in Nigeria.”

Earlier, the Imo State Head of Service, Mr. Calistus Ekenze said they came to present birthday gifts to the Governor as well as thank him for approving the celebration of the 2014 Civil Service Week in the State.

Mr. Ekenze explained that the celebration which kicked off Wednesday 22^nd of October will feature many presentations starting with a march past competition among the Deputy Governor’s Office, House of Assembly and Ministries.  He also appreciated the contributions of some sponsors in providing cash and items for a successful event.

The Chief Civil Servant used the occasion to invite Governor Okorocha to the Grand Finale holding on the 6^th of November, revealing that an Award will be conferred on the Governor by Imo workers on that occasion.

He also thanked the Governor for reactivating the State Secretariat where over 900 rooms were tiled, more than 200 sets of computers provided and office furniture put in place for workers’ comfort and efficiency at work.  “The workers are happy and they are doing their best.  We are solidly behind you and resolute in our minds you are going to succeed the more,” he assured the Governor.

Adding his voice, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industries and Non-formal sector, Mr. John Uzoma described Governor Okorocha as a God-sent leader who cares for the masses and have heard peoples’ cries by lifting the embargo on employment.

Imo govt to establish 637 micro finance banks in rural communities

 

The Imo State government has revealed its plan to float Micro Finance Bank in each of the 637 Communities of the State, with its headquarters at Okigwe Road Owerri.

The State Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha made this known while on facility tour of some projects in Owerri recently.

Governor Okorocha who disclosed that the State government in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria in the project, has equally obtained certificate and completed all necessary documentation for smooth take off .

He assured that the bank would be adequately funded by the State, stressing that about 2 billion naira has been earmarked for the bank.

Owelle Okorocha described the financial institution as a dream come through in the present administration bid to alleviate poverty in the state pointing out that “this will help the ordinary people in the village, the peasant farmers, traders to access loan.”

He further said that all Community Government Council (CGC) accounts would be created in the Imo Micro Finance Banks for easier access to the communities.

Buhari,8 governors, others attend Okorocha’s daughter’s wedding in Owerri

 

Miss Uju Okorocha (right), and Dr Uzoma Anwuka (left)

Former Head of State, General Mohammadu Buhari and former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar were all in Owerri, today to attend the wedding of Governor Okorocha’s second daughter, Miss Uju Okorocha who tied the nuptial knot with  Dr Uzoma Anwuka, the son of the secretary to the Imo State Government.

Also in attendance at the wedding are former Governor of Lagos State,  Senator Bola Tinubu, the  National chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Chief John Oyegun, former Chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande. Others are Governor Rabiu Kwakwanso [Kano State], Governor Wammako of Sokoto State, Governor Abudfatah Ahmed [Kwara State], Chief Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, Alhaji Tanko Al Makura of Nasarawa State, former governor of Kwara State senator Bukola Saraki, former Speaker of House of Representatives Alhaji Bello Masari, former governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timpre Sylva, one time governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamesieye, one time governor of Abia state, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, publisher of Leadership Newspaper and Presidential aspirant on the platform of APC, Alhaji Sam Nda-Isaiah, State Chief Judges, National Assembly members, and a host of other prominent Nigerians.

Governor Okorocha in hand shake with General Buhari at the former's daughter's wedding in Owerri

Speaking at St. Joseph’s Catholic Chaplaincy Imo State University, Owerri where the event took place, Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha said, with the galaxy of Nigerians of all shades both Muslims and Christians coming together for the church wedding, was an indication that Nigerians are ready to live in unity irrespective of their religions and tribes.

  

In his sermon at the occasion, the officiating Minister, Catholic Bishop of Okigwe Diocese, Bishop Solomon Amatu charged the couple and Christians at large to make God their friend rather than an enemy as he warned that no one ever defeats God in a battle no matter the status and position.

The Bishop urged them to keep to their vows of the marriage for each other as he prayed for God’s abundant blessings and fruitfulness.

Owelle Rochas Okorocha and wife flanked by Alhaji Asuwuju Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar at the wedding of Uzoma and Ujunwa in Owerri today

Earlier at the couple’s Traditional marriage held at Governor Okorocha’s  country home in Ogboko, Ideato-South Local Government Area of Imo State on Friday, a former National Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, Chief Audu Ogbe, sued for harmony among tribes and religions in Nigeria to achieve a lasting peace and progress.

Chief Ogbe who expressed worry at the alarming rate of unemployment, insecurity and poor electricity in the country, appealed to the political class to promote industrial development in order to reduce youth unemployment.

He commended Governor Okorocha for being a detribalized Nigerian and for the giant strides achieved through his Rescue Mission government in Imo State.

Governor Okorocha and his second daughter, Ujunwa

The traditional marriage rites were performed by the groom’s family in accordance with the norms and tradition of the Ndigbo and the bride handed over to the Anwuka family by the bride’s father, Owelle Rochas Okorocha.

The governors of Abia State, Chief Theodore Orji and that of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajumobi were present to felicitate with their colleague and give their blessings to the new couple.

Others present were the Deputy Governor of Niger State, Alhaji , Musa  Ibeto, the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere, the wife of Borno State governor, Hajiya Nana Shettima, the former Minister of Finance, Chief Olu Falaye, former Super Eagles player, Tijani Babangida, the members of Muslim Community in Imo State, the Speaker Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Uwajimogu and other state legislators, the Chaiman, Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH Eze Samuel Ohiri  and other Imo traditional rulers as well as the enlarged Expanded Imo State Executive Council.

Okorocha launches 'Security Black File' for crime prevention and control

Governor Okorocha 3rd from left, addressing Imolites during the official launch of 'The Imo Security Black File' 

The Imo State government has launched a security organization called 'The Imo Security Black File' in continuation of the State government's bid to beef up security in the State ahead of Christmas and the forthcoming general elections in Nigeria.

Performing the ceremony at the Nick’s Banquets Hall, Government House Owerri today, Governor Rochas Okorocha said that the Security Black File is in line with the Igbo tradition and would contain the names and communities of all crime suspects in the State. Said he; “we will go back to the cultural and traditional method of crime prevention which involves exposing criminals.  Igbo’s are proud of and conscious of their root and hates public disgrace.”

Governor Okorocha tasked the Traditional rulers to stand as Chief Security Officers of their various communities adding that the 'black file' is part of “Operation stop them before they strike” and would be with the traditional rulers and all government agencies.

He stressed that the file is highly confidential and warned that it should not be used vindictively or out of sentiments, pointing out that the exercise would go down in the State even in the next 100 years, in crime control.

The State Chief Executive, who noted that the exercise would aim at changing criminals to responsible citizens, disclosed that henceforth the names of criminals and their communities would be announced alongside their Traditional rulers from time to time.  He urged the traditional rulers to work in synergy with the Police and other Security outfits in the State as he assured the State government's readiness to provide both enabling ground and logistics to ensure the success of the programme.

Governor Okorocha presenting a copy of the 'Black File' to one of the Traditional Rulers

Present at the occasion were the Deputy Governor Prince Eze Madumere, the State Exco members, representative of the State Commissioner of Police, traditional rulers in the State among others.