Inaugural meeting of Southern Nigeria governors’ wives ends in Owerri.

Governor Okorocha in a group photograph with the wives of the state governors in Southern Nigeria who paid courtesy call on him at the Government House Owerri, on Thursday March 3, 2016

The two-day meeting of the wives of the governors of states in the Southern part of Nigeria has ended in Owerri, Imo State.

The First Ladies operating on the platform of wives of Southern Governors Forum came to Imo State yesterday for their inaugural meeting.

 Receiving the First Ladies at the Government House, Owerri shortly after their arrival, the Imo state Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha charged them to ensure peace among their husbands (governors), adding that political affiliation has no tangible role to play when it comes to quality leadership.

The governor told the governors’ wives, “It is commendable that wives of governors in the southern part of the country could come together under one umbrella to talk about the way forward. This is the beginning of a new story in Nigeria.”

The governor continued “I appreciate all of you for coming together under one umbrella irrespective of political party affiliation to champion a course for the good of the nation.  That is why I see women as unique creatures from God and any nation that undermines their potential is bound to fail.”

His words, “The nation starts with the family.  I would not have become a governor if I had no family.  Ideal families bring about ideal nation.  Nigeria should work towards restoring family values.  The Forum should create a programme that would enable them discuss issues of family. As governors’ wives, you are in a better position to address the issue of family and unity among the women.”

He added “you should revisit the issue of family values in your meeting.  When the family is right, the village is right, when the village is right the local government is right, when the local government is right the state is right and when the state is right the nation is right.”

Governor Okorocha also thanked other governors’ wives for honouring his wife by electing her first among equals’ adding that women do exploits when they come together.

In her speech earlier, the chairperson of the forum, and the wife of the Imo state Governor, Nneoma Nkechi said, they were in the state for the two-day inaugural meeting of the forum which was formed with the express permission of the wife of the president, Her Excellency Aisha Buhari.

She stated, “We are in the state for our inaugural meeting.  The wife of the president instituted the forum.  And we cannot do it alone without the support of the governors in the zone.  We therefore appeal that you talk to your fellow governors to give support to the forum to enable it succeed.”

She stated that the task before the forum is enormous and as such requires the support of their husbands who are the governors to move the forum forward and help them achieve the lofty ideals of forming the forum.

The Imo First Lady thanked her colleagues from Southern Nigeria for unanimously electing her as their Chairperson and for showing her great love since elected, promising that she would not let them down.

In the communiqué arising from the meeting which was presided over by the Chairperson of the forum, Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha and read by the wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, the women said, they would use the Forum as a mechanism to strongly support the programmes and activities of the wife of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Hajia Aisha Buhari.

The communiqué further read thus “to compliment the giant strides of the Southern governors for the overall development of the society and to promote unity and peaceful co-existence among the Southern States of Nigeria.”

It also read that “members of the Forum will aim at impacting positively on the lives of women, children, youths and the vulnerable in our local communities and beyond and to identify with and stand by members of the Forum at all times.”

The Forum equally agreed to carry out Girl child education and deal with child labour issues while promoting women empowerment initiatives, health issues and to build a secretariat for the Forum.

The following First Ladies were in attendance, Her Excellencies, Nkechi Ikpeazu (Abia), Monica Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Sherigat Aregbasola (Osun), Martha Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Edith Okowa (Delta), Olufunso Amosun (Ogun), Rachael Dickson (Bayelsa), Bolari Ambode (Lagos), Florence Ajimobi )Oyo), Osodieme Ebele Obiano (Anambra) and the host, Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha (Imo).

Okorocha seeks partnership with USA to boost ICT in Imo

Governor Okorocha in group photo with the United States Council General, Mr. John Bray and members of his team during their visit to the Government House, Owerri 

Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has made a request to the Government of the United States of America to partner with Imo State to establish an efficient Information and Communication Technology network in the state.

He made this request today when the United States Council General, Mr. John Bray paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House Owerri.

Speaking during the occasion, Governor Okorocha acknowledged that the people of Imo state has benefitted a lot from the Government and people Speaking of the United States, adding that it is his desire that the cordial relationship existing between the two countries is sustained.

He further requested for the identity of Imo state citizens serving jail terms in the United States of America with a view to holding discussions on the possibility of setting some of them free and bringing them back home.

Responding, Mr. Bray said he came to Imo State to experience its rich cultural heritage and to familiarize with the government and the people.

He thanked the governor for the warm reception given him and members of his team.

Also present at the occasion were some Traditional Rulers and State government officials.

Equatorial Guinea Ambassador commends Okorocha’s free education programme

Ambassador Job Obiang posing for a photograph with Governor Okorocha at the Government House Owerri, yesterday

The Equatorial Guinea Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Job Obiang has commended Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State for his administration’s free education programme which has made the burden associated with education to be very light especially for the less privileged people including a good number of Equatorial Guinea nationals schooling in Imo State.

He made this commendation during his visit at the Government House, Owerri yesterday.

Mr Obiang who visited Governor Okorocha in the company of some dignitaries from Ethiopia said he was in Imo State on a social visit.

Speaking to journalists at the Government House, Obiang said he is happy that some citizens of Equatorial Guinea are also beneficiaries of Governor Okorocha’s free education programme, adding this act of magnanimity by Governor Okorocha has made him an exceptional leader. He said Governor Okorocha is making plans to spread his free education programme to other countries by building schools in some African countries for the benefit of the less privileged.

Obiang thanked the government and people of Imo State for their hospitality and expressed satisfaction at the warm reception which members of his team were given upon their arrival in the state.

Mr Obiang and members of his team in a group photo with Governor Okorocha and some government officials

Also present at the occasion is the Chief of Staff, Government House, Chief Uche Nwosu, Deputy Chief of Staff, Mrs. Ogechi Ololo and a host of others.

IGP storms Owerri, says Community Partnership Policing will continue in Imo

The Inspector General of the Nigerian Police, Mr Solomon Arese in handshake with Governor Okorocha during his visit to Imo yesterday.

The Inspector General of the Nigeria Police (IGP), Mr Solomon Arase was in Owerri the Imo State capital yesterday as part of his working tour of states in the federation.

During the tour, the IGP paid a courtesy visit to Governor Rochas Okorocha at the Government House, Owerri where he explained that the purpose of his tour is to get acquainted with his men instead of sitting in his office and dishing out instructions without feeling the pulse of his men physically, adding that in the course of such visits, he would interact with the Traditional Rulers, stakeholders and other related bodies on the way forward as it concerns security.

He said he would continue to ensure community partnership policing and that was one of his reasons for reaching out to Traditional Rulers and stakeholders to assist since the manpower the police has in the states is inadequate to tackle the challenges that are inherent.

He assured that the Nigeria Police Force would continue to give the state necessary support to help the government deliver good governance to Imo people, adding that the state must be peaceful and secured to attract direct foreign investors.

Responding, Governor Rochas Okorocha commended the IGP, Mr. Solomon Arase for changing the face of the Police Force within his short period in office, and asked him to sustain the momentum.

He said the government and people of the state have been enjoying a very cordial working relationship with the Police and this has helped in reducing crime to the barest minimum in the state.

According to him, the major success in the fight against crime the state came from the Community Government arrangement in which the Traditional Rulers are now made the Chief Security Officers of their communities, working with the Police, and with the introduction of Imo Security Network, Imo Community Watch and Imo Civil Guards. 

In his words, “I have always said that Boko Haram is not more powerful than the natives but the over reliance on the central structure to help out in this kind of crisis has made the natives powerless.  There is need to empower the locals who know all the routes used by the insurgents.  They can easily pinpoint which among their brothers and sisters are criminals, and that would make the works of the security agencies easy.”

Speaking further at the occasion, Governor Okorocha said that Imo is the fastest growing city in Nigeria now, so it needs more Policemen to tackle the inherent challenges.  He said Imo is also more centralized to house the zone 9 headquartersthe Nigerian Police of than any other state, adding that the state government would donate a building if the relocation is given approval.

On the funding of the police, Governor Okorocha advocated collaboration between the federal government and the state governors to provide the police with their needs to keep security tight in our society.

Okorocha brokers peace between factional leaders of Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo

Governor Rochas Okorocha in a handshake with the President-General of Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo,Chief Gray Nnachi Enwo-Igariwey, whe he visited the Governor at the Government House. Owerri recently

Governor Rochas Okorocha has reconciled the two factional leaders of Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo, Chief Gray Enwo-Igariwey and Dr. Ralph Obioha with Dr. Obioha dropping his claim to the President-General OF Ohaneze and accepting Chief Enwo Igariwey as the only President-General of the Organization.  Dr. Obioha also pledged to give Chief Igariwey all the needed support and cooperation to enable him succeed.

The reconciliation of the two factions had come Monday night at the end of a very lengthy meeting between the two leaders, members of their respective EXCOs and delegates from the states that make up Ohaneze, at the Government House Owerri, with Governor Okorocha presiding the meeting.

At the end of the meeting, Dr. Obioha dropped his lingering claim of being the authentic President-General of Ohaneze, and declared that he and his faction had accepted the leadership of Chief Igariwey as the President-General of Ohaneze, and Dr. Obioha’s declaration elicited jubilation in the Ndubuisi Kanu Exco Chambers, Government House, Owerri.

However, one of the agreements at the meeting was that the tenure of Chief Igariwey has been extended by one year, and at the expiration of the one year, fresh election would be conducted to select new leaders of the body.

All those suspended from the body in the course of the squabble between the two factions were also recalled, while all the court cases occasioned by the dispute would also be withdrawn.  A 17-member committee that would see to the implementation of all that was agreed including the issue of election was set up with Dr. Obioha as Chairman, while the governors will produce one member each.

In his speech at the historic event, Governor Okorocha expressed gladness that “the Ohaneze family is back as one.  There is peace now in Ohaneze.  The Ohaneze with Chief Igariwey as President-General is the umbrella body to champion the course of the Igbos.  Today, we have proven to the world that Igbos are their brothers keepers.”

Okorocha continued, “The President of Ohaneze will soon address the Igbo nation.  All Igbos must join hands with the Ohaneze leadership to move Igbo nation forward.  With this peace, we are going to see a new kind of support for Ohaneze.  The rest of the world will hear about the Igbo nation.  The jinx has been broken.”

He continued, “with this peace we are going to emphasize on the economy of the South-East rather than politics.  We shall make it, with God on our side.  The old things have passed away and behold new things are taking place.  And I want to commend all my brothers and sisters here for this peace in Ohaneze.  This is a new Ohaneze that will move the Igbo nation forward.”

According to Governor Okorocha “the governors will be behind the leadership and the entire NEC, so that a new song will be sung in the Igbo nation.  I commend the President-General for keeping the Ohaneze spirit on, despite the lack of support from the stakeholders.”

Chief Igariwey and Dr. Obioha in their respective speeches said achieving peace in the leadership of Ohaneze and reconciling the two factions should be celebrated by all Igbos because the division had never augured well with the august body and the interest of the Igbos in general.

They commended Governor Okorocha for ensuring that peace and unity return to Ohaneze, and assured that they would not let the Igbos down.  They said Ohaneze would now be occupied with issues that would boost the economy of Igbo land.

The two leaders, Dr. Obioa and Chief Igariwey had also addressed the Journalists present before leaving the venue of the meeting and said the world would now know the Igbos better, that they disagree to agree in the overall interest of the Igbo nation and her people.

Imo Govt intervenes in Oguta/Ossemoto crisis, warns parties to stay action

Sir Jude Ejiogu addressing the people of Ossemoto who visited him at the Govt House, Owerri

The state government has advised the people of Oguta Amaeshi and Ossemoto autonomous communities in Oguta Local Government Council to shun any act capable of breaching the peace in the area, warning them to stop any ongoing action in areas on dispute until unanimous decision is taken on the matter by the state government. 

Secretary to the Government of Imo State (SGI), Sir Jude Ejiogu dropped this hint on Monday, February 15th, 2016 while addressing the good people of Ossemoto autonomous community who called on him at the Cabinet Office to register their grievances over an alleged encroachment into their lands by some individuals in Oguta LGA.

Sir Ejiogu commended their peaceful conduct in handling the situation, assuring them that the state government would not leave any stone unturned in solving the crisis, while appealing to them not to take laws into their hands.

The SGI reminded them that Oguta LGA remains an integral part of Imo state which is the reason for the establishment of the Marine University in the area, adding that government would not hesitate to deal ruthlessly with anyone seen breaking the law or breaching peace in the society. 

He therefore enjoined them to live in peace and in harmony with one another so as to avoid any form of bloodshed. According to him, the security agents were on ground to arrest and prosecute any person who tries to foment trouble in the area.

Speaking earlier, the leader and Spokesperson of the team, Ichie Ofonedu Ignatius expressed bitterness that their children had stayed out of school while their means of livelihood has crumbled as a result of mayhem unleashed on the community by gunmen who have been terrorizing them since the past one week, stressing that their lands had been bulldozed by individuals whose stock in trade was to cause panic in the area, in order to reap from where they did not sow.

He called on the state government to rescue them from the unwarranted intimidation and humiliations, pointing out that his people decided to appeal to Governor Okorocha's rescue mission administration to look into the matter with a view to finding a lasting solution to the public unrest.

Ichie Ofonedu further reiterated his people's rare support to the present administration in the state, affirming that the state has witnessed enormous transformation since it came on board in 2011 and called on all hands to be on deck in ensuring that the state is developed.

Rochas seeks cooperation from artisans to relocate workshops to permanent site

In line with his agenda to rebrand Imo State  with a view to make it more attractive for investors, the  Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has passionately appealed to artisans in the state to embrace his administration`s plan to relocate them to a permanent site, stating that it will help to give the state a good outlook.

Governor Okorocha, made the appeal during a meeting he held with various artisans’ groups in the state at the government house Owerri, where issues concerning their relocation to a permanent site called artisan village was discussed. 

During the meeting, Okorocha enlightened the artisans on the need to operate in a uniformed environment, explaining that it will repackage the outlook of the state in the eyes of investors as well as promote a decent environment.

The governor at the meeting that attracted the leadership and members of various artisans groups in the state, noted with dismay that some of their activities on the road diminishes the image of the state in the eyes of some visitors.

He further observed that oil drops from cars whenever road side mechanics are working have always contributed to damage the roads and urged the artisans to see reasons to cooperate with him on the way forward in the interest of the state.

His words` please I need you to help me, if the mechanics and  the welders move to the permanent site we provided for them, probably they design a good blue uniform as work cloth which will be more decent and  will help to package the image of the state. We want the market environment of our state to very pleasant  in the eyes of our visitors.

He explained that in a decent and organised society, artisans and traders have various sections allocated to them in the city for their commercial activities and the essence is for decency, uniformity and easy identification.

Imo State Governor informed his audience that he has given the Commissioner for Commerce and industry Barr. Ifeanyi Araraume (Junior) the power to reposition the markets in line with the new spirit of rebranding the state.

Earlier in his speech, Barr Ararume (Junior) described  Governor Okorocha as a man whose contributions have rescued the state since he took over the mantle of leadership in 2011.

He expressed conviction that the governor’s decisions and policies are in the best interest of the people, adding that Owelle Okorocha is a generational leader who wants the best for his people.

Artisans who attended the meeting included leadership of mechanics, welders association, sand dealers Association, Okigwe Cattle Markets, farm produce dealers association, National Association of Nigerian Traders and others too numerous to mention.

NLC calls off protests in Imo, agrees to collect 70% of monthly allocation

The one day protest embarked upon by the members of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in Imo State has been called off. The strike was called off after the state government and the organized labour reached an agreement to share the monthly allocation that comes to the state at the ratio of 7o% for the NLC and 30% for the state government. 

 

The NLC were protesting  the suspension of workers of selected Parastatals and Agencies in the state and the agreement was a product of the Joint Committee made up of the leaders of the organized Labour in the state, their National leaders and Government Representatives.

Receiving a copy of the agreement yesterday at the Government House from the National President of the NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, Governor Okorocha

Said , “my action, suspending the workers of the Parastatals and Health outfits was of no personal benefits to me or my family, but to save the soul of the state and guaranteeing the future of Imo children yet unborn.  On the issue of the 70% and 30% sharing formula for labour and government respectively, Governor Okorocha stated, “I have accepted the formula.  And I promise with the 30 percent given to me, I assure Imo people that I will make them happy with that.  I am happy that the workers are satisfied with the 70% percent.”

 “No worker in the state will be punished for participating in the protest.  The agreement will place the truth on a practical manner because people never believed when I say what is being gotten from the Federation Account.  I enjoin all governors to copy the Imo formula as it will help to understand every government better.”      

 The governor continued, “I have done all within my reach to please the workers of Imo and provide democracy dividends to the people of the state despite the difficult economic situation in the country.  It is unfortunate that over the years, the fumes coming out of the exhaust pipe in Imo are only smokes of consumption and no smoke of production.  That can never help to develop the state.”                                                                  

Speaking further  at the meeting, Governor Okorocha said, “I share in the sentiment of the workers of doing the old things, the old way without any positive result.  And if the state must be secured for the future generation, then sacrifice is inevitable.  For those wondering who has lost or won in the conflict, there is no winner.  There is no loser.  We are all winners in the struggle.”

“I believe that the culture in Nigeria does not allow collective ownership of properties, people do better when there is individualism in the ownership of properties.  That explains why the concessioned properties of the state government are doing well.  I thank labour for doing me a great favour by this agreement.”

Comrade Wabba before handing over copy of the agreement to Governor Okorocha expressed the appreciation of Labour for the constitution of the Joint Committee and the agreement reached, assuring that labour in the state will continue to work together with the government to improve on the lives of Imo people.

Comrade Wabba further remarked “I thank the Security Agencies for doing wonderful job in ensuring that there was no breakdown of law and order.  And hoodlums did not take advantage of the situation to cause havoc.  The workers will continue to give their best in the service of the nation.”

Wabba continued, “I enjoin the government to ensure that the agreement be given effect and implementation to avoid future reoccurrence of the problem.  The agreement signed will be the end of the challenges hat necessitated the Joint Committee.”

Part of the agreement read thus, “that Government will retain and run all its affairs with not more than 30% of the verified revenue for the month, while the committee will apply the balance of 70% in the settlement of salaries of public servants and pensioners.  The understanding is with effect from January 2016.”

Also present at the meeting is the Chairman of the joint committee, Hon. Ikenna Emeh.

Okorocha inaugurates 305 GLOs, unfolds plan to spend N5bn on rural transformation

Governor Rochas Okorocha, has inaugurated three hundred and five (305) Government Liaison Officers (GLOs) representing each of the 305 INEC Wards in the state, stating that their primary assignment is to drive the government’s policies and programmes in their respective wards for progress, development and growth.  He also announced that N5billion has been set aside for rural transformation which the GLOs would anchor.

Inaugurating the GLOs, today at the Imo International Convention center (IICC) Owerri, governor Okorocha said that strong leadership must be established at the community (ward) level to drive the development of the area remarking that, “today there is the challenge of downturn in our economy as a result of dwindling oil prices. There is unemployment and insecurity and to address all these, the governor cannot stay in the Government House and know what is happening in every ward and community. Therefore, the need to share some of my powers with you is inevitable. We will not share the chorus of under-development because of dwindling economy but we shall all rise to build the Imo of our collective dreams and aspirations.”

The event coincided with the celebration of 40^th anniversary of Imo State having been created on 3^rd February 1976.

Okorocha in group photo with service chiefs during the celebrating to mark Imo @ 40 (photo by Jerome Onwusonye)

Speaking further at the occasion, Governor Okorocha said that the GLOs are the pivots on which the wheel the government’s policies will rotate adding that the State government has set aside the sum of N5b for the purpose of the projects in the wards to be driven by the GLOs.  

Said he; “Go back to your ward and work out how to create Jobs. Take charge of the eco-system.  The GLOs are all challenged to create all the enabling environment for transformation. You are the flagship of the essence of democracy.  We shall make the state the hob of the economic drive of the south-east and by extension, Nigeria.”

“We are also concerned with the issue of security.  The GLOs should liaise with Traditional rulers and others to review the issue of Imo Community Watch.  At 40 we intend to do things differently to move Imo state forward.  Imo is not a fool at 40.  Therefore, we are here gathered to improve the steps and legs of Imo state. GLOs are created to restructure the wards for greatness”.

“They are to ensure that we develop the resources of the various wards and create jobs and ensure development of the wards.  You can call the GLOs mini-governors.  Today, we have challenges of all types hence the need to decentralize power for result and to build Imo of our collective dream.”

“We want to create Jobs and boost the economy of the state.  The GLOs with the Traditional Rulers and others working together can make a big difference.  This will also help us to fish out new leaders because if one can fix his ward, he or she can also fix the local government and state.”

Owelle Okorocha charged them to look inwards and create more economic activities in their localities.  He reminded them that the Rescue Mission Government made bold promises of jobs, factories and industries, in its campaign manifesto and this cannot be achieved without a proper structure upon which the wheel of job rotates, pointing out that they must think outside the box to create at least 100 jobs for 100 youths in each ward within the shortest possible time.

GLOs from the 305 wards seated at the IICC shortly before their inauguration (photo by Jerome Onwusonye)

He equally empowered them to oversee the activities of their wards and make recommendations of who should be appointed for certain positions for the purpose of job creation which must be agro-based for now.

The governor announced that the money “set aside is to sponsor agricultural activities in the wards with the purpose of creating wealth.  Our strength now lies in agriculture since oil is no longer a good story for Nigeria, we must diversify our economy and the first point of call should be agriculture.”

Governor Okorocha,the Wife Nnneoma Okorocha,speaker Hon. Acho Ihim in a group photograph with chairman Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Rev. Stanford Nworgu  at a prayer session in celebration of Imo @40.

Responding, the Deputy Governor who is equally a GLO, Prince Eze Madumere thanked the governor for the trust reposed in them, promising that with the calibre of people inaugurated as GLOs success is assured.  He equally assured on behalf of his colleagues that within the next 90 days significant impact will be felt at the wards and the government and people of the state will be proud for giving them the opportunity to serve in that capacity.