135-member Elders Advisory Council inaugurated in Imo

Governor Rochas Okorocha in a group photograph with members of the newly constituted Elders Advisory Council 

Governor of Imo state, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has inaugurated 135-member Elders Advisory Council, with five of the elders chosen from each of the 27 Local Government Areas of the state.

Inaugurating members of the Elders Council at the Government House Owerri, yesterday, Governor Okorocha said their role would not only be advisory but would also provide constructive criticisms for the government, adding that the government had taken time to select members of the council to ensure that none of them is in politics or has any known political affiliation.

His words,”the Elders Council must be independent. Members would always advise the government.  It would equally offer the government constructive criticisms from time to time.  That is why we have made the council to be independent.  We had also taken time in the choice of the members of the council to ensure that they are not into partisan politics and do not have any strong political affiliation with any of the political parties or politician.  The essence is to ensure credibility of their personalities and what they set out to do. ”

According to Governor Okorocha, “the elders in the council would also serve as the bridge between the political parties, elders across the nation and even between politicians within and outside the state.  This is in line with our belief that elders are those who understand the past and have a clear view of the future.  People who are in custody of the history of the past and what must be done to correct the mistakes of the past to bring improvement to the future.”

He further stated, “members of the council are those not less than 70 years of age, who must have retired if they were politicians or working.  And who must have been people of proven integrity, who would not be afraid to say the truth no mater whose ox is gored.”

To the elders, the governor told them “to whom much is given, much is expected.  You are also expected to bridge the gap between the government and the people.  You should also restore the fallen integrity of the elders in the state by being brave and truthful in the discharge of your duties.”

Governor Rochas Okorocha congratulating the chairman of the newly constituted Imo Elders Advisory Council, Dr. E.J.K Onyewuchi

However, Dr. EJK Onyewuchi emerged as the chairman of the council, while Prince Pat Abii was chosen as the secretary of the council.

In his response, chairman of the Council, Dr. Onyewuchi, thanked the governor for acknowledging the role and importance of elders in a democratic setting and assured him that they would leave no stone unturned to achieve the lofty goal for which the Elders Council was constituted.

Madumere calls for NYSC reform

Imo Deputy Governor flanked by the Hon. Felix Offou, second on the left, President General of Isoko Development Union (IDU), Chief Iduh Amaidhe and the Commissioner for Urban Renewal, Karo Ilolo during the celebration of Late Pa. John Offou shortly after he was laid to rest at his country home in Okpe-Isoko, Isoko North Local Government of Delta State.

Imo Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, has called for reform of the National Youth Service Scheme, which he said is fast losing the original intent of its foundation.

Prince Madumere stated this at the weekend when he was addressing the cross section of the people of Delta State in Okpe-Isoko, Isoko North Local Government of Delta State during the burial ceremony of late Pa John Offou, the father of the former Media Aide to the immediate past Governor of Delta State, Hon. Felix Offou.

Prince Madumere while narrating his discovery of the cultural affinities of the various tribes and ethnic groups in Nigeria called for more effort to ensure that Nigerian youths get exposed to other people's culture. This he said will go a long way to strengthen cohesion and unity of Nigeria.

He commended the idea of National Youth Service Corps, which its main aim is to expose Nigerian graduates to other ethnic cultures and to learn their values with the soul aim of fostering National Unity.

Prince Madumere while condoling Felix Offou, the son of the late Pa Offou and the people of Okpe-Isoko over the passing away of one of their great leaders and custodian of their cultures and tradition who was aged 128 years, described the people's culture as closely related to that of Igbo thereby calling on the younger ones to embrace every Nigerian as a brother.

He therefore called for reform of the National Youth Service Corps to ensuring that its aim is not defeated saying it is still very relevant to national unity and development of the country.

He further called for abrogation of dichotomy between ‘indigeneship’ and citizenship, proposing that whosever that has stayed at a place for a period of time should not be denied the rights and privileges accorded to others. He said that such consideration will go a long way to make Nigeria a more cohere and united Nation State.

Okorocha calls on Igbo leaders to unite for progress

Governor Okorocha exchanging pleasantries with other dignitaries present at the burial of the former  Imo State SSG, the late Nze Ignatius Umunna

Governor Rochas Okorocha has called on Igbo leaders to unite irrespective of their political party affiliations and religious inclinations for the progress of Igbos as a people and the nation at large, regretting that for quite a long time now Igbo leaders have allowed sectional and political differences to divide them.

Governor Okorocha spoke at the funeral service of the former Secretary to the Imo State Government (SSG),  Nze Ignatius Umunna at his compound Mgbidi in Oru West Local government on Friday, June 10, 2016, stressing that Igbo leaders must now learn to unite, and attributed lack of unity among Igbo leaders to ignorance and selfishness.

His words, “we must unite as a people.  And there is no better time for us as a people to unite than now because what has united us is far bigger than the political parties or religious inclinations that divide us.  We must all unite and sing a common song of unity.  It is important that we must all learn to unite.  I see it as ignorance at the highest level that we have allowed sectional differences to divide us and we have refused to come together as brothers.”

He described the late Nze Umunna as a worthy son of the state stressing that a vacuum has been created with the death of the former SSG, and prayed that his children could fill the vacuum.

He continued, “let us learn to appreciate people when they are alive and not when they are dead.  It is important that we must all learn to appreciate good people when they are still alive.  The children must step into their father’s shoes and must remain united to build on the legacies left behind by their father.”

In his speech, first son of the late former SSG, Mr. Kelechi Umunna described the father as a great manager of men and material and assured that they would build on the legacies left behind by their father.

Former Governor of the state, Chief Achike Udenwa under whom Umunna was SSG for seven years described the deceased as a transparent public servant whose wealth of experience helped him greatly when he held sway as governor regretting that he died when his experience was much needed both by the state and the nation at large.

Rochas’ revolutionary five years in office

In a few days time, precisely on Sunday, May 29, 2016, the people’s performing governor, the dreamer and the doer, His Excellency, Governor Rochas Anayo Okorocha, OON, will be five years in office as the 6^th democratically elected governor of Imo state. Since his emergence in 2011, the Governor has largely remained himself, unchanged from a free thinking welfarist and populist who is hell bent on re-shaping and revolutionizing the state and the national progressive agenda.

Read more - http://imostategovernment.blogspot.com.ng/p/features.html

Madumere woos Surveyor General for increased IGR to Imo

Prince Eze Madumere being received by the Surveyor General of the Federation, Surv. Bisintei Awudu when he paid an official visit to him yesterday in Abuja.

Piqued by the present dwindling resources in Nigeria's economy, Imo State government has indicated interest to partner the office of the Surveyor General of Federation to up its internally generated revenue.

This was made known by the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere while speaking to the Surveyor General of the Federation, Surv. Ebisintei Bietoru Awudu and his team in Abuja yesterday.

Addressing his host, Prince Madumere who paid a visit to the Surveyor General, disclosed the intention of the Okorocha- led administration to map out its territory and its resources content with a view to planning and optimizing its potentials. 

 He said the present call is not unconnected with the present economic realities which elicits innovation and creative approach towards increasing internally generated revenues so as to enable the government meet up with its primary responsibilities and the welfare of her people. 

 He disclosed that Imo State government is worried by the stagnant revenue status despite its ever increasing financial burden ranging from salaries, security of lives and property and other welfare issues, thereby engendering the need for the partnership.

Responding, the Surveyor General, Ebisintei Awudu expressed his heartfelt appreciation to Governor Okorocha and his Deputy, Prince Madumere for taking the right step in the right direction.

 In agreement with Prince Madumere's request, Mr. Awudu pledged to embrace the partnership with Imo State Government with a view to helping her realize her dream of optimizing her resources especially in various areas of strategic concern which center on structural and physical development.

However, Mr. Awudu called on his Directors who are experts in various areas of surveying and they made important contributions that will trigger up development and increase the State's revenue.

Imo Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere with the Surveyor General of the Federation, Surv. Bisintei Awudu and members of his staff in a group photograph when he paid an official visit to the office of Surveyor General of the Federation in Abuja yesterday.

He encouraged Imo State Government to embark on its plan, assuring that it will never regret the investment since it is for both short term and long term purposes.

He promised that his team will help in the area of capacity building while calling for institutionalization of the sector in the State so as to give it needed content to achieve its responsibilities as derived in the Nigerian constitution.

Among other resourceful contents of the State discussed during the visit include, the economic importance of Oguta lake which was described as untapped water resources of the State that will generate a lot of high paying jobs for the youths.

Those in the team of the Surveyor General who made presentations during Deputy Governor's visit are Barde Jatau, Charles Ugwuadu, John Okubadejo and others.

S/Korea sends envoy to Gov. Okorocha, indicates interest in partnership

 

Governor Okorocha interacting with envoys from South Korea who visited him in Abuja

The Republic of South Korea has sent its envoy led by her Ambassador to Nigeria His Excellency, Noh Kyn - Duk to visit Governor Rochas Okorocha in Abuja to discuss modalities and areas the country can partner Imo State to foster bilateral relations, realize the industrialization of the State and development in such areas as Education, and Cultural exchange.

Ambassador Noh in his speech during a meeting with Governor Okorocha in Abuja recently shared the experience of Korea's development and emphasized the importance of Education as well as Science and Technology in the development of a State and Nation.

Reacting, Governor Okorocha expressed optimism that with South Korea's presence in the areas of Education, Cultural exchange, Industry, Technology and Mechanized Farming, Imo State will broaden in its development and economic standard.

Present at the discussions were the South Korean Counselor Economy Mr Dae Sup Lee and the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Government of Imo State on Liaison and External Relations, Hon. Mrs Mma Nzeribe Michaels who facilitated the visit via her ''Imo State is Viable to Investment" campaign.

Be patriotic in service, Okorocha tells NYSC members

Governor Okorocha receiving a plaque from the Director General of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier-General Suleman Kazaure who paid him a courtesy call at the government House, Owerri.

Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has advised Youth Corp members not to reject postings to any part of the country over fear of molestation or the fear of being killed, adding that their postings to various parts of the country to serve should be seen as a call to nation-building.

The governor gave the advice when the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier-General Suleman Kazaure paid him a courtesy call at the Government House Owerri yesterday.

Speaking during the occasion, the governor said that the Corp members should egard their postings to various parts of the country as a test of patriotism, noting too that patriotism is not only in the fear of the law, but equally in the love of one’s country.

He remarked, “even, the greatest love a man can show for his nation is that he dies to save his nation.  We must therefore never for reasons of terrorism or cult activities refuse to fight this battle of indivisibility of the nation.  We must remain so united.  The essence of NYSC is for integration.  Our country is going through a very difficult moment and harassment by men of underworld who have organized themselves to humiliate, kill and maim people.”

He continued, “the NYSC members should be bold to stand up and serve their fatherland without fear of terrorism.  Time has also come for the NYSC members to begin to receive some forms of military training for reasons of self defence.”  He described the DG as a vibrant soldier with integrity and added that Nigeria has been in dire need of men and women of integrity who could contribute their quota to the development of the nation. He charged the DG to see his appointment as an opportunity in life to prove his God-given talent, adding that those who misuse this privilege are called bad leaders.

He expressed optimism that Brigadier-General Kazaure would take advantage of this rare privilege to prove his worth.

                                                                                                             

General Kazaure had earlier told the governor that he was in the state on familiarization tour to acquaint himself with the situation in the NYSC camp since it was not long when he took over as the Director-General of the corps, commending Governor Okorocha for the befitting camp he is erecting for the NYSC in the state.

Okorocha pays condolence visit to family of the late Eze Njemanze

Governor Rochas Okorocha consoling the family of the late traditional ruler of Owerri Ancient Kingdom, HRM Eze Emmanuel Njamanze.  On seat is the wife of the late Eze, Ugoeze Pauline Njemanze and son (standing) Prince Iheanyi Njemanze, when he paid condolence visit to the family on Tuesday, May 10, 2016.

Governor Rochas Okorocha has paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Monarch, HRM Eze Emmanuel Njemanze of Owerri ancient kingdom who died last weekend at his palace. 

The governor who visited the family with the Deputy Governor of the state, Prince Eze Madumere, the Secretary to the Government of Imo state,  Sir. George Eche, Chief of Staff, Chief Uche Nwosu, Principal Secretary to the governor, Dr. Paschal Obi, Head of Service, Mr. Calistus Ekenze and all the Commissioners in his cabinet were received on arrival at the family house by the wife of the late king, Ugoeze Pauline Njemanze and the son, Prince Iheanyi Emenyonu Njemanze.

In his speech, Governor Okorocha said, the Imo state government had come to pay special condolences to one of the foremost Traditional Rulers in the country who had ensured that the dignity of the traditional institution was sustained, adding that the death of the Traditional Ruler was a big loss to both the state and the nation at large.

According to the governor, “to every sunrise there must be a sunset and for every man that is born, there must be death someday.  This is a notorious fact that we have come to live with.  Eze Njemanze was such a humble spoken gentleman, who cared for his people, and a man who lived to say the truth no matter how bitter it was.”

The governor continued “Eze Njemanze was not into so much acquisition of wealth. He was a man who lived a life worthy of emulation.  The biggest consolation to the family should be that he had left behind worthy successors.  The joy of a dying father is to see a worthy successor.”

He charged the wife and the children to continue to live in peace and maintain the principles the late Eze were known and respected for.

Governor Rochas Okorocha with the wife of the late traditional ruler of Owerri Ancient Kingdom, HRM Eze Emmanuel Njemanze when the governor paid condolence visit to the family on Tuesday, May 10, 2016

In his response, the son of the late monarch, Prince Iheanyi Njemanze thanked the governor for coming to sympathize with the family with all those who matter in his administration, adding that such action had only demonstrated how highly he had placed his father.

Prince Njemanze appealed to the governor to ensure that their late father is given a befitting burial for who he was and for what he represented in the state and beyond.

Okorocha inaugurates Education Trust Fund Committee

Okorocha congratulating Engr. Emma Ezeonyeasi, Chairman Imo state Education Trust Fund Committee after his inauguration with other members of the committee on Monday, May 9, 2016.

To ensure that the free education programme of his administration stays even after he must have left office, Governor Rochas Okorocha has inaugurated 13-man State Education Trust Fund Committee to that effect with a renowned Engineer, Emma Ezeonyasi as chairman.

Inaugurating the committee today, Governor Okorocha said the essence of setting up the state Education Trust Fund committee was for the sustainability of the free education programme beyond 2019 when he will be leaving from office. He said there should be need to institutionalize the policy in the overall interest of the state.

His words, “as governor I am poised to see that the free education programme is sustained in the state beyond 2019.  There is no greater gift you can give to a child than education.  Education remains the pivot upon which the wheel of every success in life rotates. We must do everything as a people and government to keep the free education programme alive.”

He continued, “In 2011, the poverty rate in the state was 57% according to UNESCO.  Four years after it came to 14%.  This was made possible because most parents who were selling their valued possessions to pay the school fees of their children and wards do not sell them again since the introduction of free education.  This is why the poverty rate in the state has drastically reduced.  So, there is no going back on free education.”

According to Governor Okorocha, “the lives of our children born and yet unborn are very important.  So this is the time to secure the future of our children and children yet unborn by saving for their education.  Every child must go to school and education must be made free so that the children of the poorest of the poor can go to school as we don’t know where the person who may change the face of the state or the nation will come from.”

He charged the committee members to leave no stone unturned in realization of the goal for which they were chosen.

In his vote of thanks, the chairman of the committee, Engr. Emma Ezeonyeasi assured that they would live up to expectation since they were called to serve the state and her people.

Governor Okoroccha in a group photograph with members of Imo State Education Trust Fund Committee after their inauguration on Monday.  

Imo to partner with Catholic church on family campaign as pope’s representative visits Okorocha

 

Okorocha welcoming Pope Francis’ representative, ArchBishop Vincenzo Pagilla, President Pontifical Council for the Family, to the Government House, Owerri on Friday May 6, 2016

The government of Imo state will partner the Catholic Church in its worldwide campaign for better families since the family is believed to be the engine of every society.

Governor Rochas Okorocha gave the indication when the representative of Pope Francis, Arch Bishop Vincenzo Pagilla, who is the president of the Pontifical Council for the Family, paid courtesy call on him at the Government House, Owerri today with the Catholic Arch Bishop of Owerri, Anthony Obinna and his Umuahia counterpart, Bishop Lucius Ugorji also in attendance.

Governor Okorocha said he was not surprised that the Pope could be concerned about the fate of families across the nations of the world, having seen the Pope visiting and eating with the sick, entering the mosque to pray with Muslims, and visiting refugees in war ravaged areas to sleep and eat with them, adding that the Pope by all standard is a practical Christian who is doing what Christ did while on earth.

Hear the governor, “the Pope should be commended for the great job he is doing all over the world.  What he has been doing is indeed practical Christianity.  We have come to a very critical moment in our life history. We have to understand that the problem of the world is not economy, it is not terrorism, neither is it religion, the problem of the world is the lack of attention to the family and its values because if the family is right, the society will be right.  It is out of the family that ISIS, Boko Haram, etc came out from, if the family values are fixed the world will be a better place”.

Governor Okorocha promised that the state will key into the development of the family values, describing the Arch Bishop of Owerri as a frank and honest man who preaches the gospel the way it is without fear or favour and also encouraged the church to always see the good in everybody irrespective of their shortcomings.

The governor also promised to build a centre in Owerri for family reunion which will be handed over to the Catholic Church.  This he said will help in rebuilding the family.

In his speech, the Pope’s representative and President Pontifical Council for the family, Arch Bishop Vincenzo Pagilla stated that the council’s main purpose is to foster peace and unity in the family across the globe and help inculcate good morals to the family structure.

According to him, he is in the region to help in building bridge of peace between Africa and Europe through the family re-orientation.

He said “if the family is right the world will be right, this is our message.”

Pope Francis’ representative, ArchBishop vincenzo Pagilla addressing Imo people on the campaign for better families across the world by the Catholic Church.  With him; Governor Rochas Okorocha, ArchBishop Anthony Obinna of the Owerri Archdiocese, Rev. Father Chris Anyanwu. From right; ArchBishop Lucious Ugorji of Umuahia Catholic Diocese, when they paid courtesy call on the Governor on Friday, May 6, 2016 at the Government House, Owerri.