Madumere calls for end to marginalization of Imo in Niger Delta

Imo Deputy Governor, Prince EzeMadumere addressing the Niger Delta leaders and stakeholders during the week 2015 Niger Delta Development Forum organised by Niger Delta Partnership Initiative Foundation ( NDPI ) in Asaba, Delta State.

Imo Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere has called on development partners and donor agencies to end marginalization of Imo State in their collaborative effort to stimulate growth in Niger Delta.

He made this remark yesterday while delivering a keynote address at the opening ceremony of 2015 Niger Delta Development Forum organized  by The Niger Delta Partnership Initiative Foundation (NDPI) in Asaba, Delta State.  

The forum seeks to increase level of awareness and understanding among stakeholders of systemic constraints to economic growth in the Niger Delta.

Prince Madumere praised the organizers of the event for creating a forum where the leadership of various Niger Delta States come together to interact and discuss the impact of partnership with the collaborative organizations to foster development in the Niger Delta region.

Speaking further, Prince Madumere admitted that the partnership may have yielded dividends in facilitating hitch-free project start up and implementation through the provision of infrastructure, logistics, security and local procurement support.

He also used the opportunity to call on the forum to take a comprehensive look at the developmental strides of Owelle RochasOkorocha-led government since 2011 and appreciate the rate at which the government has turned things around especially area of infrastructural development.

He therefore urged the forum and other partners to focus on Imo State to complement the effort of the Rescue Mission Government to enhance the course of development.

FRCN annual lecture: Okorocha calls for unity of Nigerians.

Governor Okorocha speaking at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) annual lecture series held in Abuja yesterday

Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, has called on the Government and people of Nigeria to address the issue of unity of the country and structure of governance.

He made this call yesterday as the guest speaker at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) annual lecture series held in Abuja with the theme: ‘Managing Change in Democracy: The Nigerian Situation’.

Okorocha said there is over-centralization of power in Nigeria with the current federal structure and advocated a Community Government in order to have four tiers of government as against the current structure.

He decried the current situation in Nigeria where the various ethnic groups do not value one another and how this has negatively affected Nigeria’s development.

He noted that changing a government without changing the standard of people is not change, adding that Nigeria must also get it right in the areas of education and agriculture. Said he; “we are looking for leaders in a democracy and President Muhammdu Buhari has all the characteristics and I can also tell Nigerians that we are in a right place.”

The event was chaired by a former Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Ahmadu Commassie while the Etsu Nupe, HRH Yahaya Abubakar was the royal father of the day and the chief host was minister information and culture, Alh. Lai Mohammed.

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Review salaries of public office holders, Okorocha tells RMFC

Okorocha in hand shake with RMFC Chairman during the latter's visit to Govt House, Owerri on Wed.

Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has called on the chairman and members of the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission (RMFC) to do a downward review of the salaries and allowances of the President, Governors, National Assembly members, and all other political office holders at least by fifty percent to make the offices less attractive.

Governor Okorocha made this call on Wednesday when he hosted the chairman of RMFC Engr. Elias Mbam and other members of the commission to a breakfast meeting at the Government House, Owerri at the end of their annual retreat in the State.

Speaking at the meeting, Governor Okorocha said that with the downward review of salaries and allowances of political office holders, such positions or offices would become less attractive which would also reduce the tension that always go with the contest for such offices.

He explained that the drastic reduction of the take-home pay of political office holders would reduce poverty among the populace and also reduce crimes that are mostly borne out of the envy occasioned by these bloated salaries and allowances of political office holders.

According to him, only those keen in rendering genuine service to the people would go for such public offices if the salaries paid are less attractive.

In his words, “when the salaries and allowances of public office holders whether elected or appointed are reviewed downward at least by fifty percent or even more than that, it would make the offices less attractive and with that, only those who want these offices for service would go for them.”

He continued “If one knows that at the end of the month your total pay as governor or National Assembly member would be less than five hundred thousand Naira, most people would stay away.  And only those with ideas and the genuine spirit of service would aspire for such offices. The huge amount spent on recurrent expenses should be directed to infrastructure, while the paraphernalia of offices should be drastically reduced. People who are ready to sacrifice for their people should be encouraged for leadership positions while those coming for the gains of the offices should be discouraged.”

  

Chairman of the commission, Engr. Mbam said they had chosen Imo State for their retreat because of the good stories being associated with the state in terms of security, infrastructure, tourism, hospitality and so on, adding that they were satisfied with what they have seen so far in the state in terms of her development and growth.

Engr. Mbam commended Governor Okorocha mostly for the free education programme of his government and his own personal free education initiatives through the Rochas Foundation, assuring him that they will work on their findings during their retreat in Owerri.

Rochas lays foundation for new office blocks at NSCDC Imo State command

Okorocha laying foundation for the new office block at the Imo Command of  NSCDC ( photo by Onyeka Jerome O.)

The Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has laid foundation for the building of new office blocks at the Imo State command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). The new office blocks will be designed to contain well secured units of cells where suspects will be detained before prosecution.

Other events that took place at the NSCDC Command during Rochas’ visit yesterday include a ceremony which marked the 100 days in office of the Imo State Commandant of the Corps, Mr. Pedro Awili Ideba and the flag off of the Arms Squad training for the 2015 batch of officers of the NSCDC.

Also present at the occasion is the Secretary to the Imo State Government, Chief Jude Ejiogu, Governor Okorocha’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr Kingsley Uju Chima, the member representing Owerri Municipal at the State House of Assembly, Mr Lugard Osuji and a host of others.

2015 Batch of the Arms Squad trainees of the NSCDC (photo by Jerome Onyeka )

Group photo of Government officials and security personnel at the foundation laying ceremony at the NSCDC, Imo Command  (photo by Jerome Onyeka O.)

Imo to partner with PZ CUSSON to establish Palm refinery in the State

Okorocha interacting with representatives of  PZ CUSSION at the Govt House, Owerri yesterday ( photo by Onyeka Jerome O.)

Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has pledged to partner with a Multi-National Company, PZ Cusson in setting up Palm Plantations across the three zones of the State as part of its efforts to diversify the economy of the state.

Owelle Okorocha made this pledge when the Management of the PZ Cussons called on him at the government House Owerri yesterday. He stated that a taskforce on palm plantation has already been set up by his government to ensure that every community has at least a hectre of palm plantation.

The governor regretted a situation where a country like Malaysia that got palm fruit from Imo State is now a leading country in the production of palm produce, whereas Nigeria is still relying on crude oil to exist.

He stressed that time has come for the nation and state to look inwards and return back to agriculture, pointing out that his administration will be ready to partner with serious investors in the development of the agric sector especially in the area of palm plantation.

Speaking further, he stated that the communities in Imo State has already planted palms and will be ready to provide 100 tons of palm fruit every month if the company is serious with business.

  

Earlier, the leader of the group, Mr. Santosh Pillai expressed their readiness to partner with the state government to resuscitate its agro industrial sector, noting that Imo State was a major player in the export of palm oil produce in the late seventies.

He spoke of their determination to revitalize the palm industry in the state and Nigeria at large and at such reduce import and increase export of palm produce.

How Rochas destroyed politics of ‘godfatherism’ in Imo State

By Anthony Inyama

The politics of ‘godfatherism’ whereby  a candidate of a political party is chosen exclusively by an influential individual or a cabal within or sometimes, outside the party had been the style of politics being practiced in Imo State since Nigeria’s return to democracy until 2011 when Rochas Okorocha broke the jinx. 

From 1999 when the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) began to control the government of the State, issues of ‘godfatherism’ had been at the center of the party’s affair and eventually caused its downfall.  

‘Godfatherism’ issue was responsible for denying Rochas the party’s ticket for the 1999 gubernatorial election in Imo. Same issue led to the emergence of Chief Ikedi Ohakim as the flag bearer for the People’s Democratic Party in Imo State during the 2007 governorship election.

After Ohakim’s emergence as the party’s candidate for the 2007 governorship election, aggrieved members joined forces and formed a parallel group within the party which they named ‘The Alliance Group’. On the other hand, Chief Ohakim teamed up with his allies within the PDP framework to form a group which they named New Face Organization (NFO).  The stage became set for a protracted political battle between the two factions - the Alliance group and the NFO.

Such was the state of the PDP when Rochas Okorocha was called by some concerned citizens to rescue the State from political ‘gangsterism’ and ‘godfatherism’.

As at September 2010 when political parties in Imo State were preparing for the gubernatorial election scheduled for to take place the following year, the People’s Democratic Party were still enmeshed in internal crisis arising from issues of ‘godfatherism’. According to reports from the Front Page of the Red Parrot Newspapers Published on Sept. 15^th 2010, “The Chairman of Isu Local Government Area of Imo State, Mr Ignatius Egbuchulam, described the then PDP National Chairman, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo as “an assassin hired to kill Imo PDP”, accusing him of imposing members of the Alliance group on the Party to be its executives.

Siimilarly, the front page of the Oriental Life newspapers published on November 5^th, 2010, reported that the PDP Local Government Congress held in October, 2010 at Orlu was won by one Mr. Emmanuel Obi who hails from Okporo.  The election which was captured on video was generally accepted by the delegates but the tale changed on Monday, 1^st November, 2010 when one Chief Clifford Okonkwo from Okwuabala was sworn in at the Dan Anyiam Stadium as the Chairman of the Party in place of Mr Emmanuel Obi.  The newspaper further reported that some PDP stalwarts led by Chief Arthur Nzeribe jungled the list right inside the stadium.  The emerging scenario placed the delegates in a confused state as they were at a loss concerning who to refer to as their chairman – Mr Obi, who actually won the election or Chief Okonkwo whose name was being used to replace the winner.

The PDP at the State level was not left out in the bizarre cases of ‘godfatherism’ and irregularities that ravaged the party during the October, 2010 Congress.  The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the PDP cancelled the ‘selection’ of Mrs Kema Chikwe as the party’s Candidate for the Owerri Senatorial race after Mrs Chris Anyanwu presented a video clip which revealed some PDP stalwarts removing her votes from the ballot box and stuffing same in their pockets at the at the Grasshoppers Handball Stadium, venue of the congress.  She threatened to show the video clip of the illegalities at the primaries on Cable News Network (CNN) unless the PDP declared her winner of the Primary election.

Fortunately for Rochas, the government of Chief Ikedi Ohakim had performed below expectation and therefore failed to secure the support of most Imo State electorate, leading to his defeat at the polls.

Indeed, Okorocha’s victory can be regarded as unique not only because he has no political godfather, but also because he contested for the election on the platform of an opposition political party, APGA. For the first time in the history of Imo State, an incumbent governor lost in an election despite the fact that he had the support of many political heavyweights in Nigeria including the then president, Good Luck Jonathan.

Many political analysts are of the view that Rochas’ emergence as governor has rescued Imo from the clutches of political godfathers. Having contested in primary elections while in the PDP some years earlier, Owelle Rochas Okorocha knew and understood the style of politics played by the party and this is no doubt a major factor that propelled him to dump the party when he did.

It will be recalled that while addressing Igbos at the 5^th annual International Convention of Imo State Congress of America (ISCA) from 2^nd to 5^th August 2013 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in the USA, Owelle Rochas Okorocha accused the People Democratic Party of “playing the politics of ‘godfatherism’ as well as mismanaging the economic resources of Nigeria”

Suffice it to say that Okorocha’s victory at the gubernatorial election in 2011 have paved way for the emergence of an era in Imo State where candidates of political parties do not need to enter into any agreement formally or informally with a godfather for the purpose winning in an election. The way in which Governor Okorocha has conditioned the minds of most politicians in Imo State presently is such that practice of ‘godfatherism’ no longer appeals to them. They now work hard to earn the support of the electorate rather than depending on a godfather to help them win in an election. They argue that if Rochas who came on board the political scene without the support of a godfather can defeat an incumbent governor in an election, why can’t they do so equally?

If the present campaign by Governor Okorocha against political ‘godfatherism’ continues to achieve positive results in the next 12 years, the issue of ‘godfatherism’ in Imo State politics will surely be a thing of the past.

Imo Govt recovers two factories from NDIC

Two defunct State-owned factories which were formerly sold out to the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Company (NDIC) were on Monday, recovered by the Imo State government after many years for non-productivity.

The factories are Resin Paints Industry in Aboh Mbaise and Paper Packaging Industry Limited in Owerre-Mbieri .

Speaking during the handing over ceremony at the Imo Trade Investment Centre in Owerri, Governor Okorocha said the NDIC was at the verge of selling the factories out to prospective buyers before the State government bought them.

According to him, the two factories are among the legacies left by the late Governor Sam Mbakwe’s administration.

He expressed hope that the recovery would generate employment opportunities for the youths in the State and also increase the State’s internally generated revenue when full operations begin in the factories.

Speaking to journalists at the occasion, a representative of the NDIC, Obaji Obaji, said that the Imo State government has completed all the transactions, adding that the two factories now fully belong to the Imo State government.

Also present at the occasion is the Chairman of the Imo State Trade Investment Committee, Mr Rex Anunobi, and the State’s Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry and Non-formal Sector, John Uzoma,

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Brigade commander visits Okorocha, vows to sustain fight against insecurity

Gov Rochas okorocha receives a plaque from Brig-Gen Kay Isiyaku, Brigade Commander, 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze Owerri during the latter visit to Govt. House, Owerri on Tuesday.

The Commander of 34 Field Artillery Brigade Obinze, Imo State, Brigadier- General Kay Isiyaku has paid a solidarity visit to Governor Rochas Okorocha.

Welcoming the army commander at the Government House Owerri today, the Imo State governor noted that the Nigerian army had done very well in the fight against insurgency and terrorism bedeviling the nation at the moment.

The governor who viewed Boko Haram as a national problem, explained that the war against terrorism is a like a nation fighting against herself, He expressed optimism that it will soon be a thing of the past as a president who understands the situation is now at the helm of affairs and the citizenry are now united in the fight to stop terrorism, he said ‘the fight against terrorism is a serious one and the army is doing their best to put it to an end’

Governor Okorocha, seized the opportunity to admonish the army commander to ensure that the kidnap cases that have been nipped in the bud did not raise its ugly head again.

According to the governor ‘we are going to work collectively to ensure sustenance of   success recorded in the security sector’ he promised to give the new commander all the cooperation he might need to succeed in his assignment.

The state chief security officer and the newly posted army commander agreed to work as a team, and collaborate with other security agencies to ensure adequate security of lives and property in the state, and to deal with other security challenges that may rear their ugly heads up.

His words “as a young senior military officer, I have seen you as one that has the desire to bring your long-time experience to bear.  I would want to ask that you liaise with the traditional rulers in the state, the state owned security outfits, and the federal security agencies in the state to make your job easier.”

In his speech earlier, the new Commander, Brigadier General Isiyaku said he was on courtesy call to familiarize with the government in the state, and commended the administration of Governor Okorocha for its free education programme which he also described as a very huge investment.

Brigadier General Isiyaku also assured that he would work in synergy with other sister agencies on the issue of security in the state, and assured on the cooperation of his command to sustain the war against kidnapping and cultism in the state.

Okorocha reassures teachers of prompt payment of salaries

Governor Okorocha in handshake with some of the teachers during the 2015 World Teachers' Day celebration held at Heroes Square, Owerri

The Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha celebrated this year’s teachers day with a firm promise to the teachers that their salaries will always be paid as at when due.

The Governor stated this at the 2015 World Teachers Day held at the Heroes Square, Owerri today.  He expressed his pleasure with the teachers for keeping faith with his administration in its quest to eradicate poverty and illiteracy in the state through the provision of free education.  He said his love for teachers has made them the envy of other civil servants and vowed that not even the present economic situation of the country which has drastically reduced the allocation given to state can separate him from the teachers.

Speaking further, the Governor described the teachers as the custodian of the children’s future and as such should emulate Christ in shaping the lives of the children under their tutelage.

He reminded all present that the best legacy one can give to a child is education because education is power.

The Governor stated that on assumption of office four years ago, Imo state had about eleven thousand teachers but now, that number has been doubled to accommodate the rising increase in the number of intakes as a result of the free education. He said that 305 schools have been constructed by his administration and the old schools within the Owerri municipality have been renovated.

He called on the teachers to reciprocate government gesture by being dedicated to their duties. The governor equally expressed his desire to introduce a Teachers adjustment programme which will be geared towards making sure that every teacher is entitled to twenty five students and which will equally ensure that the concept of teachers packing in few schools in the town to the detriment of schools in the rural areas is stopped and addressed.

Earlier, in his address the NUT State Chairman Sir Napoleon Aniche re affirmed the total support, loyalty and commitment of the teachers to the rescue mission government.  He stated equivocally that since the creation of Imo State in 1976 that without fear of contradiction no past government has identified with the teachers like the present government.

The NUT boss re-emphasized that the teachers in the state have entered into irrevocable bond either to sail or sink with the Governor. He stressed that the theme of the celebration “Empowering Teachers, Building Sustainable Societies” is very apt and in tandem with governor Okorocha’s vision of free and qualitative education.

The teachers’ boss equally brought to the attention of the governor some of their challenges which include; the plight of the retired primary school teachers, regular payment of running costs to school heads, inadequate teachers, and donation of land for the building of Teachers village.

Contributing, the national president of NUT, Comrade Michael Olukoya in his message thanked the Governor for prompt payment of teachers’ salaries despite the current economic challenges facing the nation and called for its sustainability.

Independence: Okorocha calls on politicians to support President Buhari

The activities marking the 55^th Independence Anniversary of the nation kicked off in Imo State with glamour at the Heroes Square, Owerri today.

  

Addressing thousands of Imolites and other stakeholders who gathered at the Heroes square, Governor Rochas Okorocha stressed the need to celebrate Nigeria despite the spate of insurgency and insecurity in the country. He also advised all politicians to work together with President Mohammadu Buhari to take the country to an enviable height.                        

He appealed to Nigerians especially the youths and asked them to be proud of their country, adding that God blessed this country and that He will not abandon us half way.

           

The high point of the occasion was the march pass by the security agencies and the public schools in the State.