Okorocha awards contract for the building of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo secretariat

Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has awarded a contract for the building of a befitting secretariat for Ohaneze Ndi Igbo at its premises located at No. 7 Park Avenue GRA, Enugu with the Contractor asked to finish the job as quickly as possible.

Governor Okorocha while awarding the contract at the weekend, explained that he had undertaken to construct the new secretariat for the Pan- Igbo organization as a private person and not in his capacity as the governor of Imo State, adding that he was doing that as a concerned Igbo citizen, assuring too that with the unity now prevalent in the leadership of Ohaneze, the whole governors of the South-East zone would now begin to show interest in the affairs of the organization.

The governor who had before now inspected the secretariat was not pleased with what he saw on ground and promised to do something about the situation, and it was against the backdrop of that promise, that he awarded the contract for the job to take off immediately.

Governor Okorocha had last month, reconciled the two factions of Ohaneze with Dr. Ralph Obioha and Chief Cray Igariwey being the contending personalities and at the peace meeting at the Government House Owerri, Dr. Obioha denounced his own faction and agreed to work with Chief Igariwey and since then, the situation has been quite commendable.

Governor Okorocha also charged the leaders of Ohaneze to draw a programme that would attract the South-East governors and other prominent Igbos to be in attendance adding that the Igbos must unite for progress and development.

In his speech, the Secretary General of Ohaneze Dr. Joe Nworgu commended Governor Okorocha for appreciating the importance and role of Ohaneze in the life of Ndi-Igbo, stressing that the leadership of Ohaneze and Ndi-Igbo in general would continue to appreciate his gesture and love for his people.

Madumere, Ololo, others score Nneoma Skills Acquisition Centre high

Efforts made by Imo State First Lady Ugo Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha, to establish the Nneoma Skills Acquisition Centre in Owerri Zone and the functional facilities on ground to fully equip the place have received commendations from distinguished personalities in the state and beyond.

Speaking at the premises of the Skill Acquisition Centre for Owerri Zone located at Ulakwu in Owerri-North Local Government Area of Imo State recently, the State Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere eulogized Mrs Okorocha for a job well done, adding that setting up the Skill Acquisition Centre is a right step in the right direction.

The state number two citizen who represented Governor Rochas Okorocha at the event noted that the centre will showcase products that would be needed by big companies in the state and beyond, adding that is a complimented effort to touch lives as its activities are in line with the 2015 campaign promise of the state governor on building an industrial base for job creation.

He opined that the establishment of the Skills Acquisition Centre will enhance emergence of successful entrepreneurs who would offer jobs to many unemployed youths in the state and further strengthened the state economy as the graduates of the centre will be in the frontline of reducing unemployment through job creation.

Madumere who explained that the Nneoma Skill Acquisition Centre is a sacrifice that will take youths out of the streets and further reduce crime rate in the state also cautioned the matriculating students to remain focused and be of good conduct.

Adding her voice, the Deputy Chief Of Staff Domestic Affairs, Mrs Ogechi Ololo, described the Imo State First Lady as a wonderful woman whose projects were geared towards touching the lives of the less privileged ones in the society.

She expressed conviction that the place will make huge positive impact in the lives of the students and further equip them for a life of productivity that will elevate the socio-economic level of the state

Earlier in his speech; the Chairman of the occasion, Prince Alex Mbata described all the projects done by Mrs Okorocha as real and exemplary.

In her address at the occasion, Mrs Okorocha, explained that the centre is her brain child established for the purpose of the skills acquisition and economic empowerment. She said her target is that in no distant time, the graduates of the centre will become self-reliant, independent and great entrepreneurs of repute who would become captains of industries and employers of labour.

She observed that with the present day economic recession, it is not advisable to depend entirely on white collar jobs, hence the necessity for Nneoma Skills Acquisition Centre.

The centre trains students in different skills such as; Computer Training, Fashion and Designing, Hair Dressing and Beauty, Catering, Photography and Cosmetology. It also boasts of highly qualified instructors and who are skilled and are committed to their work.

The event attracted distinguished personalities in Owerri Zone and beyond including; Mr Ifeanyi Opara, MD, CEO Ifeco Communications and Titanic View Hotels, Mr Kachy, Elezieanya, MD, CEO Macol Construction Company. Also, officials of UBA Bank, Heritage Bank, Fidelity Bank, Zenith Bank and other financial institutions were there at the occasion.

Some top politicians from Owerri Zone that graced the occasion were; Engr. Chuks Ololo former TC Chairman of Owerri North and APC Candidate for Owerri Federal Constituency seat in the 2015 polls, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu ,Chief of Staff Government House, former Secretary to Government of Imo State Sir Jude Ejiogu, Majority Leader of Imo State House of Assembly and member for Owerri Municipal, Mr. Lugard  Osuji, Mr. Victor Onyewuchi, member representing  Owerri-West in the State House of Assembly, past and  Serving commissioners, Special Advisers and  Senior Special Assistants.

Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere in handshake with Her Excellency, Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha during the commissioning of Nneoma Acquisition Center in Owerri Zone

Rochas swears in SSG, tells IMSU lecturers to call off strike

The new SSG, Sir George Eche in hand shake with Governor Okorocha during his swearing-in ceremony at the Government House, Owerri today.

Governor Rochas Okorocha has sworn-in the new Secretary to the Government of Imo State, Sir George Eche.  Eche, a career Civil Servant, replaces Sir Jude Ejiogu who was dropped penultimate week by the governor.  

In his speech at the event, Governor Okorocha used the opportunity to call on the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Imo State University chapter to call off the strike embarked upon by the lecturers in the university, expressing shock that the lecturers would go on strike in the second week of March, over the month of February salary.

His words, “it is shocking that the ASUU in IMSU told lecturers to go on strike in the second week of March because of February salary when they had been paid full salary for the month of January.  This is shocking.  It is not acceptable to the state government.  ASUU in IMSU should call off the strike without delay because it is not justifiable.”

The governor continued “we shall continue to keep faith with the workers welfare.  If the workers in the state did not go on strike over two months’ salary owed to them, we would have continued to go out of our way to pay them full.  But they went on strike over two months salary and we then agreed with labour that they should take seventy per cent of the total income of the state to pay salaries and pensions, while the government takes only thirty per cent for capital expenditure. And now they have seen the truth of what we have been telling them about the finances of the state.”

According to the Governor, “As the allocation dropped further for the month of February, the labour body in the state may only be able to pay the workers fifty per cent of their salary.  The whole thing has been able to let Imolites and the world to understand what the state has kept faith in the past in payment of salaries and allowances until recently when the economic situation in the country has become challenging following the outrageous looting of the resources of the country in the past.”

His words, “the workers of Imo state should imbibe the spirit of sacrifice because of the prevailing economic situation at the moment.  They should show concern.  Imo people should also show understanding.  The state has the highest number of ghost workers.  The government has set aside N3.5billion for the Job creation which must be agro based.”

The governor expressed optimism that Sir Eche would leave up to expectation and also stated that his predecessor, Sir. Ejiogu, was never sacked out of dishonor, adding that he also put in his best, reminding him too that every political appointment must end one day.

The new SSG, Sir George Eche (4th from right), flanked by Governor Okorocha and other top government officials 

In his vote of thanks, Sir Eche promised that he would bring the needed change to the office of the Secretary to the State Government for better and expressed gratitude to the governor for finding him worthy for such position.

Imo to represent Nigeria in Slovakia for the 2016 world schools debate

Governor Okorocha in group photo with the victorious students and their coordinators

Students from Imo state will be representing Nigeria in the 2016 World Schools Debate that will hold in Slovakia late this year.  The students qualified to represent the country in the inter-continental academic event after they had emerged the overall winner at the president’s Inter-SUBEBS debate completion in the country.

Miss Precious Nnabugo, precious Etoh, Favour Nneji, Oluebube Duru and Goodness Nwanebu had represented Imo state in the President’s Inter-SUBEBS Debate Competition and they came first out of the thirty six states in the country that took part in the academic venture, with the team and their handlers visiting Governor Rochas Okorocha, Monday, March 28, 2016 to inform him about the lofty development.

Addressing the students and their coordinators, Governor Okorocha commended them for doing the state proud and also urged them to do the nation proud by emerging the best in Slovakia, stressing that their winning the President’s Inter-SUBEBS Debate competition was a victory for Imo people and a kind of vote of confidence in the free education programme of his administration.

Governor Okorocha’s words, “let me say first of all, how happy I am that in my time my children will be representing the entire nation outside the country.  This is a victory for me, victory for Imo people and victory for the free education programme of the state.”

He continued, “There is no other way to explain this development than to say, it is the outcome of the free education programme of the state.  It is a feat.  I charge you to go and conquer the world for the nation, as you conquered the nation for the state.  Go and shine in Slovakia.”

To encourage the students to do well in Slovakia, the governor promised to give them scholarship to study in any country of their choice if they come first.

The coordinator, Mrs.Adim Madumere Chinwe had earlier commended the governor for the free education programme, promising to leave no stone unturned to ensure that the team shines in Slovakia to the extent of emerging victorious.

Okorocha commissions Nneoma Skills Acquisition center as school matriculates 130 students

Imo State Deputy governor, Prince Eze Madumere representing Governor Okorocha during the commissioning of Nneoma Skills Acquisition Center yesterday.

Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has commissioned a skills acquisition school founded by Her Excellency, Nneoma Nkechinyere Okorocha.

Speaking during the commissioning of the school yesterday, the governor who was represented by his deputy, Prince Eze Madumere, described Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha as a great woman of charity who has taken governance to another dimension through her "She Needs a Roof Programme (SNARP), which provided state-of-the-art accommodation for scores of indigent widows and also empowered them financially.

He observed that in demonstration of her innate caring character, she kick-started another programme with a view to empowering the people by establishing Skills Acquisition centers in three zones of Imo State for the purpose of empowering the youths to be self-reliant and productive.

He described the setting up of the center as timely since it is in tandem with industrialization policy of Rescue Mission Government led by Governor Okorocha and urged the students to be serious with their studies as he called on well meaning men and women to join hands to uplift Imo by contributing immensely to this project.
Speaking earlier, the First Lady, Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha showered encomium on her husband, Owelle Rochas Okorocha for his support through the provision of a platform to make impact on humanity.

In an emotionally laden address, she said she, in appreciation of God's mercies and blessings upon her family, draws happiness and fulfillment whenever she impacts on humanity especially in the life of the down-trodden.

She said her purpose of establishing skill Acquisition Center is to empower people by training them to be self reliant, independent and becoming entrepreneurs of repute who will in the long run become captains of industries and employers of labour.

Speaking further, she emphasized the need to rely less on white collar jobs even with the realities of global economic recession.
While congratulating the Students on their matriculation, she called on the men and women of good conscience and goodwill to support the noble initiative.

Matriculating students of the Nneoma Skills Acquisition center.

She also urged the matriculating students to be focused so as to achieve success and become partners in progress to the uplift of the State and Nigeria at large.

The event was also merged with the Matriculation of 130 batch 'A' Students of Nneoma Acquisition Center Orlu Zone located in Umuowa, Orlu local government of Imo State for the class of 2016.

Also speaking, the administrator of Orlu zonal Acquisition Center listed among others as the following departments in the center, Computer Training, Fashion and Designing, Catering, Hair Dressing and Beauty, Cosmetology, Photography among other departments, which he said are well equipped.

He expressed happiness at the success story of the Center, which its students have begun to join in chains of production of products that are needed in every homes with quality concept in their package.

Highpoint of the occasion was the  exhibition of range of products produced by the students of the Institution.

High profile personalities who graced the occasion include Chief Dr. Innocent Chukwuma, Chairman, Innoson Group of Companies who is the Chairman of the occasion, Law Ebiruo, Commissioner of Lands, Survey and Urban Development, Deputy Speaker of Imo House of Assembly, Traditional Ruler S led by HRM, Eze Samuel Ohiri among others.

A cross section of the students of Nneoma Skills Acquisition Center

Okorocha launches Igbo newspaper, unfolds plan to build Igbo Dev, Centre

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state has launched an indigenous tabloid which he called Ikoro. He unveiled the maiden edition of a 16-page Igbo newspaper with the name “Ikoro igbo” at the International Conference Center, Owerri Imo State last week during the launching of Globalization of Igbo Language, themed; “That the world may hear this.

Speaking during the occasion, the governor said that language and culture are the identity of any nation and without it the people lack honour respect and are relegated in the world’s socio-economic and political spheres.

He regretted that Igbo language and culture were blinded by the British imperialistic regime but emphatically noted that the language will not die, adding that the language is now compulsory in Primary and Secondary schools in Imo.

According to him, all the subjects would henceforth be taught in Igbo language in all schools.

He disclosed that plans are underway to establish an Igbo language Development Centre to which he appointed the Deputy Vice Chancellor, DVC, Imo State University, Owerri,  Rev. Fr. Prof. Jerome Okonkwo as the Director General.

He maintained that all hands must be on deck by Igbo to learn and be proud to speak their language to counter the United Nations assertion that in no time Igbo language would be extinct.

Governor Okorocha unveiling the maiden edition of  Ikoro igbo at the Imo International Convention Center, Owerri

He charged the DVC to come up with ideas and policies that would ensure the sustenance of Igbo language and culture.

Speaking also, the Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Chief Acho Ihim, said the lawmakers would do everything possible to ensure that Igbo language does not go extinct. The Speaker also revealed that already, a Bill for a Law to this effect has passed through the second reading in the House of Assembly. “The Bill for a law, for the teaching and learning of Igbo language has passed through second reading in the Assembly. When signed into law by the Governor, it would be mandatory for the subject to be taught at all levels in all schools in the state”, Ihim said.

Guest lecturer at the occasion Rev. Fr. Prof. Jerome Okonkwo in his brief lecture titled “ Igbo are you wise” said knowledge of something leads to teaching of it.

He blamed parents for not grooming their children in learning and speaking of Igbo language and berated a situation where parents use only English Language in their homes and regretted that it affects their wards.

He urged Igbos to rise up to the challenge and also challenged Ohanaeze to show their weight on the project of development of Igbo language.

Prof. Okonkwo then thanked the organizers for bringing children to the ceremony and assured that the step by Imo State government was commendable and would have a multiplier effect.Ther were cultural displays by men, women and school children while the Omenimo cultural group entertained the people.

IMSU graduate who bagged 1st class says Okorocha’s free education made him succeed

Wife of Imo State Governor, Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha congratulating Dr. John Chigozie Ekenze during the convocation ceremony his mother watches

" I lost my beloved father shortly before my Matriculation. I thought all had ended but dropping out of college was the last thing on my mind. I borrowed text books from my colleagues to read for exams because I couldn't afford it. In the year 2011, Governor Rochas Okorocha declared free education in Imo state. I am standing here to thank my Governor because without free education, I would have been out of school, I wouldn't have been standing here."

This was the mood in which Dr. John Chigozie Ekenze told his success story during the convocation ceremony of the Imo State University Owerri at the weekend. Ekenze scored a total of 4.78 points in Optometry to emerge the best graduating student IMSU 2013/2014 session.

Governor Rochas Okorocha who was at the ceremony for the conferment of Higher Degrees and Honorary Doctorate Degrees to deserving Nigerians at the University’s convocation arena on Saturday March 19, 2016, congratulated Dr. Ekenze for the laudable performance and high sense of perseverance and hard work.

Said he, “The last Convocation of the University was in 2008 and today the number of Masters and Ph.D graduates from this institution is the highest in the country.  This goes a long way to justify the claim that our main industry is education.  We remain number one in education in the country and no one can take that away from us.  The free education programme is the main policy thrust of the administration in the state.”

 According to him, the difference between America and Nigeria is in the quality of their human capital.  If our human capital is developed, we shall sing the same song of the Americans therefore Nigerian universities should begin to think of courses that will tailor towards the development of the resources of our land.

Governor Rochas Okorocha congratulating Dr. John Chigozie Ekenze during the convocation ceremony.

Also at the event, the Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sanni Bello was honored with Doctor of Business Administration Degree (Honoris Causa).

In his speech after he had been awarded the Honorary Doctorate Degree, Alhaji Abubakar Sanni Bello said that all tribes must unite for the greatness of the country, adding that it was against the backdrop of his vested interest in the unity of the country that he accepted to be honoured by the Imo State University.

Governor Bello thanked the University Community for finding him worthy to be honoured with Honorary Doctorate Degree, assuring that he would do his best towards the development of the University, and also commended the free education programme of the Imo state government.

Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sanni Bello (2nd from right ) flanked by his wife and the wife of Imo State Governor in a group photo at the convocation ceremony.

Shoprite opens office in Imo, gets brand new bus from Okorocha

Governor Rochas Okorocha has officially opened a multimillion naira company called Shoprite in Owerri the Imo State capital.

Delivering his speech at the opening ceremony of the company yesterday, the governor stated that the rescue mission government has opened its arms to welcome investors to the state and enjoined all Imolites, irrespective of political divides to come and invest in the state.

In his words “we must now irrespective of political affiliations unite and save the lives of these numerous young Ndi-Imo who are looking up to us for leadership.” He continued, many of you will wonder what will an APC governor be doing in a business championed by a PDP chieftain?  Let me say to you, in political parties we must learn to defend our political parties but in governance for the people, we must learn to unite and provide to our people the much needed dividends of democracy. That is the singular reason why I have supported this project.

The governor admonished those who had drawn a line of divide between political parties and as such refuse to contribute to the development of the state to turn a new leaf so that posterity will remember them.

He thanked the facilitator of the project, Nze Herbert Chikwe for partnering with the government in its quest to boost the economy of the state, stating “I am here to challenge all Imolites especially the privileged ones irrespective of political affiliations to come down at home just as Nze Herbert Chikwe has done.”                           

He assured the foreign investors that the government will give them every support needed and made a donation of a staff bus to the organization.

Earlier, the chairman Owerri Mall Development Company, Nze Herbert Chikwe thanked the governor for assisting them in the speedy approval of the design plan and certificate of Occupancy.  He noted that Imo has been keyed into the national economic map of states witnessing foreign Direct Investment (FDI), pointing that Owerri mall and Shoprite has opened the economic space of Imo state.

Lending his voice, the Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Ezenwa Onyewuchi, member representing Owerri Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, thanked the chairman of the group for dreaming successfully and putting Imo state in the world map.  He expressed his appreciation to the governor for supporting the vision and pledged that the Owerri people he represents will jealously guide and protect the investment.

Okorocha tasks Senate Committee to address poor presence of NDDC projects in Imo

Governor Rochas Okorocha (center) in group photo with the members of the Senate Committe on NDDC during their visit to Government House, Owerri yesterday

Imo state Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has charged the Senate Committee on NDDC (Niger Delta Development Commission) to look into the gross marginalization of the state by the commission and take steps to ensure that the anomaly is corrected in the new dispensation.

Governor Okorocha who spoke when the members of the Senate committee on NDDC led by its chairman, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, paid courtesy call on him yesterday at the Government House Owerri said that the NDDC has not done well in Imo state.

In his words, “If there is any state that has not benefitted from NDDC programme it is Imo state.  We are worst for it.  There is no single project completed by NDDC in Imo state except for boreholes and renovation of classrooms.  Something has to be done and urgently too in Imo by the Commission to give the state a sense of belonging. There must be change of attitude on the part of NDDC.  Irrespective of political parties we are one when it comes to governance.  Governance is the key because the essence of democracy is to produce for people good leaders who will provide for the people dividends of democracy, and where this is lacking, democratic structure has failed. ”

He thanked the Senate committee for asking for government’s input before the passage of the NDDC budget.  According to him, the Owerri/Okigwe road which has become a death trap because of its narrow nature is a federal road and it needs to be reconstructed by NDDC.  

Speaking further, the governor said that the road linking the Imo Industrial park and the one to Oguta Lake can also be taken up.  

Said he, "I want to advice the NDDC to think of one unique project that will touch the lives of the nine NDDC states like railway or power. That will define the true essence of the commission.”

The governor complained that it is only in the NDDC that one kilometer of road is awarded for N500 million whereas the Imo State government builds same for only N70 million and yet the NDDC contractors wouldn’t do the job.  He urged the Senate to ask the contractors to come and do the job they had already been paid for.

Chairman of the Senate committee, Senator Nwaoboshi had earlier told the governor that they were in the state on fact-finding to enable them carry out total evaluation of NDDC Jobs from 2000 till date, and to also find out whether the performance of the commission has actually affected the lives of the people in the NDDC states, adding that the committee members decided to undertake such action following a motion to that effect in the senate which was passed.

Senator Nwaoboshi assured that his committee would ensure that the contractors who abandoned their sites on flimsy reasons would be made to face the wrath of the law, while those who require assistance of the committee to return to site would be assisted to do so.

According to him, their committee would not cut corners, while their report would reflect the facts on ground, adding that if the need arises, the committee might have a public hearing for all Nigerians to see the truth.

Governing council of Imo Poly inaugurated as Chairman, Imo SUBEB is sworn into office

 The Chairman of the Governing Council of State Universal Basic Education Programme (SUBEB) in Imo state has been sworn into office.

Dr. Mrs Elizabeth Ejiogu who was sworn in as the Chairman pledged to discharge her duties honorably without fear or favour.

Performing the swearing ceremony at the Sam Mbakwe EXCO Chambers, Government House, Owerri today, Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha charged her to discharge her duties selflessly and without fear of favour.

He reiterated his administration’s resolve to promote education, adding that the state will offer land free of charge to any investor for the purpose of building a private university.

Speaking further at the occasion, Governor Okorocha said the outstanding performance of Imo State candidates in the last Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) shows that the free education programme in the state has been justified. He expressed government’s intention to build more universities in the state, adding that the Skills Acquisition Center in Ohaji Egbema will be upgraded to Imo University of Science and Technology.

In a related development, the Board members of the Governing Council of Imo State Polytechnic was also inaugurated today at the Government House, Owerri. The members include Chief Charles Amadi (Chairman), Mr. Nkem Nwankwo (member representing Owerri Zone), Barr. Charles Duru ( member representing Okigwe zone) and Mr. Udo Ramson Onwubu ( member representing Orlu zone), HRH, Eze Anthony Oguzie of Umuagwo. Others are the Rector, Imo State Polytechnic Umuagwo, Fr. Wence Madu, The Registrar, Imo State Polytechnic Umuagwo, Representatives of the National Board of Technical Education (NBTE), The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, The Non-Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (NASUP), 2 members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP).

Newly inaugurated Board members of the Governing Council of Imo State Polytechnic in group photo with Governor Rochas Okorocha