Igbo leaders meet in Owerri, brainstorm on the state of the nation

The pan - Igbo Socio-Cultural organization, OHANEZE NDIGBO led by Chief Gary Enwo Igariwey organized Igbo Unity Forum in Owerri the Imo State Capital on Thursday, July 14, 2016 at the International Convention Centre (IICC) Owerri with the theme “NDIGBO AND THE STATE OF THE NATION: PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES,”.

His Excellency Senator Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo was the distinguished chairman of the occasion while His Excellency Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe was the Special Guest of Honour. 

Others are Former Vice-President, Former Service Chiefs, Past Governors, past/present Senators and members of the House of Representatives, past/present Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, past/present Judges of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and High Courts and past Inspector – General of Police,  past/present Federal Permanent Secretaries, past/present Speakers of States House of Assembly, Traditional Rulers, Town Union Leaders, leading Igbo Artistes and Sportsmen/Women, past/present Igbo Diplomats, past/present Vice-Chancellors, outstanding Igbo Academics, Igbo Businessmen and Captains of Industries, Leadership of various market organizations.

Also to be in attendance were, leaders of various Women Organizations, Ohaneze Ndigbo Leadership across the seven Igbo speaking states, leadership of Igbo Trade Associations in Lagos, Onitsha, Aba, Nnewi and so on, outstanding Clergy, affiliates of Ohaneze including Izu Umunna, Aka Ikenga, Ohaneze Lagos and others. The Igbo World Assembly, Igbo Leaders of Political Parties, all members of Ime Obi, Igboezue and Ohaneze NEC will equally be in attendance.

 

The event offered Ndigbo the needed opportunity to brainstorm on the state of the nation and the most popular way forward.

It should also be recalled that the factions of Ohaneze had resolved their differences some months ago in Owerri and all hands are now on deck in the overall interest of Ndigbo, both at home and in diaspora.

Below are excerpts of some comments made by the dignitaries who attended the event:

GOVERNOR ROCHAS OKOROCHA
A nation or people that are faced with extreme danger like ndi Igbo should seek the wisest course of action and not of sentiments and complains. Thank God that the Igbos are now complying and not complaining.
We must act quickly and now too under the present ugly situation which our terrible condition points out to us, if not, we might be destroying the psyche of generation of Ndi Igbo yet unborn. There is no better time for us to unite than now.
Few years ago, we sang the song of grief, marginalization, and we were looking frustrated looking for who can help us, but thank God we have realized that no amount of complain against the marginalization if ndi Igbo will bring succor to our children rather we shall all rise and take our rightful position and sing a new song.
Before we join the bandwagon of complaining, little do we realize that Igbos are different and distinguished in both conduct and character, hence passion for success like no other tribe in the world… we are unique and the only privileged people in this part of the world that come from the same womb with Jesus Christ. We were told by our Lord Jesus Christ that even when they said there is a casting down, Igbos must say there is a lifting up.
Many ethnic groups had fought their ways into recognition. Many had used militancy to get attention to themselves but those are the other ethnic groups. This is not the way of Ndi Igbo. What others had done that has gained them accolades, the Igbos will do it and they will be insulted because we are unique. Let us sing a new song different from the songs of war and the song of complain because the more we complain, the more the world does not listen to us. My brothers and leaders the time has come for us to look inwards because he that is rejected does not reject himself (onye ajuru aju anaghi aju onwe ya).
I am excited that today H.E Ebitu Ukigwe, Jim Nwobodo, Alison Mmadueke, Col Achuzia, Paschal Dozie, Igariwe, Prof. Anya and other leaders here have now embraced themselves for unity, I have seen the promise land.
No one nation even the entire world can marginalize Ndi Igbo. The Igbo’s marginalization is an apparent marginalization which does not reflect any practical reality. Take an Igbo man, leave him in the desert, give him nothing and give him two years he will make something out of nothing… Why then must we depend on help, from where? This is the time for us to think outside the box. This is the time for us to encourage our youths and give them hope.
Let us break the jinx of disunity caused by politics because what unites us is far more than the political parties that divide us. We shall know the points to speak in politics and time to speak as ndi Igbo. Let us know when to play politics and when to be ndi Igbo… This is the wisdom that underlines us.
To the leaders … you have done well. We commend you all, even the late Ojukwu, Agukwe, Okpala etc may their souls rest in peace, and may the labours of our heroes past not be in vain.
You are handing over to us quickly a new baton and it is incumbent in us to prepare for subsequent generation. Now that we are together the world will hear us.
My dream is to see that day when Igbos economically will be sound, that we as a people can develop the resources of our land and make a Dubai and China out of Igbo land. We can do it without help.
This we can achieve if we are united without any outside help. The problem of ndi Igbo is not marginalization but the inability of coming together. This we must all fight to achieve as leaders of the land.
I have talked with my brother governors, we have agreed to set up an Igbo economic forum and we are thinking of getting huge parcel of land where all the governors will come together and develop a new economic hub for ndi Igbo.
For those of you who have lost hope or confused, living in a complete moral bankruptcy I urge you to rise because Igbo has risen. What we have been waiting for is for this leaders to come in the manner they have come now. That they have come together the world will hear us. I know that one day in the course of history of this nation, Igbo nation will rise to such a height that they will begin to donate goods and items, food, money to other nations.

HIS EXCELLENCY ALISON MADUEKE
Anything we put our minds and strength in as Igbos we can achieve it. Igbos are the only people that built an airport on their own without federal government’s intervention. We won’t complain of marginalization again.

COMMODORE EBITU UKIGWE
Today is an interesting day as topics treated today has the potentials of waking us up, gingering us up to face the issues. I am particularly happy to be here today because when I look round Owerri, I see enough to inspire me. In other words, it is a case of inspiration and aspiration. Owerri is transformed, I know the town which is turning out to be a city well because during the civil war I was here, I fought here.
Okorocha’s action is a message to all Igbos. We need not talk so much about our past because most Nigerians do know that if there is any group of Nigerians that can make a change in their life, that group is an Igbo. Therefore, there is nothing to complain about our pride. We are a proud people. If we were not a proud people, we would probably have been carrying our books in our hands going around to beg but begging is not in our culture. Those who came here after the civil war, if they come back in most cases they can’t recognize the place. This is because the Igbos are focused, hardworking and they can change any place to a better place.
We have met today and discuss, we are not playing politics, we are facing issues. Issues that concern us as a people and the nation at large. What I will tell every Igbo man or youth is to be focused. We cannot plead or beg. Every Igbo must change his status, change what others may think is a terrible thing for us, we must not be intimidated by anybody. We are not going to beg, we will persevere and change our lives.
This is an Igbo affair and therefore many of our traders, industrialist and academicians are not in the east here. They are in all parts of the country, developing their lands at the detriment of theirs. We have to attract our sons and daughters back home, we have to transform this place as it is part of our traditional home. We should confront the difficulties facing us than talking about it. Concentration must be in industrializing the Igbo region. And it appears that God wants to use Governor Okorocha to pass a message to the igbos. We won’t talk about marginalization again.

CHIEF DR CHUKWUEMEKA EZIFE
I greet Governor Okorocha for being the founder of the new Igbo nation. We the Igbo are a people of destiny and no human being born by man can change our faith and destiny. We depend on the almighty God for everything we do. This is only the beginning, I will call on the governors of Abia, Enugu, Anambra and Ebonyi to help with precious time for us to redefine the Igbo leadership that will dramatically develop the Igbo homeland so that a migration form here will not be as a matter of economic necessity.

CHIEF JIM NWOBODO
What we are doing today is very important, it is what English people call “rediscover yourself”. He that is rejected cannot reject himself. We have to rediscover ourselves. We have come to make a statement that we are major stakeholders in this country. If you go to Lagos, Alaba for instance is being occupied by the Igbos, anywhere you go to in Nigeria has Igbos dwelling and occupying the place. Even in America the presidential candidate Trump said that they Igbos should go because we have enough in our land.
We Igbos have enough in our land, during the era of Michael Okpara it was palm kernel or palm oil that was our major source of income and it was sufficient.
I tell you my people, we should be proud of ourselves, we should be proud of what we have, we are equipped as a people. What we ask ourselves is why are we developing other places and leaving our place. The time has come for us to develop our land. This is why I am thanking Rochas Okorocha, if you go to other places and look around, when you come to Imo you will be amazed with the infrastructural development in the place. When I came here during the Christmas period, I wondered if this was really the Owerri that I used to know. Welcome governor Okorocha. We are the light of the nation, and so, we should be proud of ourselves as Igbos contributed 60% of the development of both Lagos and Abuja.

DR. PASCHAL DOZIE
Good thing is Good, what sweetens a child equally makes him foolish. This is a trying time and we must change with time.
For me what has become important after the Ime obi meeting where we x-rayed ourselves is that it reminds me of a sentence and this is what I believe must have happened today. After several years of despondency, a nation in Latin America came together to look at themselves and decided to take their future into their hands and the man who made the speech almost like what Prof Anya told us he said. “The present has overcome, the past shall never return. The future is here”… Our future is here. Why do I say that, because the leadership of the Igbos not only has decided that the past shall never return, the past of despondency, the past of self re-ordination and pity. We are now moving forward forgetting the past and looking forward to the future.
Again, one of the things that really also interested me was that in that meeting we redefined the concept of Igbo leadership, taking it back to what it used to be, even our governor re-echoed the refrain that the original concept of the Igbo leadership has to be maintained and the value system needs to be rekindle into our system or else we go nowhere. Therefore, today is just the beginning of a new dawn.

PROF ANYA O. ANYA
We have come because our people say that it is when the flood threaten to watch us that we look for the tall men among us, this is such a time. This is the time for the sons of Isaka, your assignment is clear, to help our people chart a new course in this very dangerous times. According to a Chinese America culture, Ndigbo is one of the three old tribes, the other two being the Jews and the Chinese. They are all unique people but they are not a lovable people. Our task is to be the pathfinder who will raise the eagle generation that will lead our people in this 21st century. Afterall prank pranol said that each generation will out of relative obscurity discover their mission. We are here to help our younger ones to discover their missions in this 21st century. Maybe we should start with the story before the story, what is called prologue. It is a viewpoint that most ndi Igbo will accept that at no time in modern times have ndi Igbo be faced with huge challenges and problems as confront us in this decade of 21st century.
We are faced by uncertainty, we are faced by doubts and even fear. It is not surprising then that in this doubt and uncertainty we could lose our focus, we could lose our confidence in ourselves and we can now pursue new and emerging ideas… re awakening from our past, hence we need to have a quick thank into our history, ancient and modern. In other to understand and reposition ourselves to confront this Chevrolet. Let me say that it is clear that we are amongst the earliest inhabitants to this part of Apula, the Niger area. Archaeological finds from the Nsuka area, Okigwe area and from the Afikpo area all indicates that we have been in this area for perhaps over the last 500 years verifiable and archaeological evidence suggest that the Yoruba’s worried to meet us in this area 200 yrs later, the evidence of Igbukwu suggest that by 968 AD a sophisticated archaeological culture had already flowered and flourish in this area. It is noteworthy then that the quality of the bronze certified from Igboukwu are not only older but there are also superior in quality to the life and bronzing that would come nearly 500 yrs later.
When the British encountered ndi Igbo in the colonial eastern Nigeria, they had encountered before individual Igbos in the slave time at the North Americans (Carribeam). This slaves in those strange countries were industrious, strong willed, intelligent and hardworking, they were often born leaders. One unforgettable one unforgettable benchmark I will like to remind us, the first Igbo graduates Azikiwe, Mbanaso Onwu, Ibiam etc came on the scene in the early to middle years of the 1930’s, their classmates and contemporaries were the grand children of the first yorubas who graduated in 1880s, yet 30 years later the measure of educated Nigeria was the Igbo. The measure of the successful businessmen were Igbos like Ojukwu (snr) Greg Mbadiwe etc. The top military officers of Nigeria origin were predominantly Igbo, the first perm secretary was Igbo, Nwokedi Anele, that year 1964 marks another watershed Eastern Nigeria was the fastest growing industrialized economy in the world. Ndigbo in other words had magnificent energy overtaking all the obstacles to reach the mountain top of Nigeria. At that very point in 1964, the slow match into darkness of Nigeria and for the Igbos has started but we did not know. How come we did not see it for everything we had worked for, so strenuously for since 1914 were at risk. The reason was simple, we were blind sided and we did not have the sons of Isaka amongst us, I quote from the bible, 1st chronicles 12:32 “the sons of Isaka were those who had understanding of the time to know what Israel this time Igbo land ought to do. Why do I say so? It is a usual for a society at the apex of its powers and influence as it were in 1964 to put all it had worked for in jeopardy in an all or nothing gamble, it was a complex situation we must admit which we need to interrogatively at so point to learn all the lessons that need to be learnt for the sake of our children, do these times 2015, 2016 contain the echoes of those days of 1965, 1966, what of 2017 does it suggest any resemblance to 1976. We need to know and understand why ultimately Biafra failed for the sake of future and sake of our children. At the back of all the controversies, one question refuses to go away “why is our leaders of those days opt for a strategy that could lead to war or violent resistance at the point that we were at the height of our influence and advantages in Nigeria.
It is important that the redemption and rebuilding of ala Igbo will not come from outside Igbo land, it will not come from Abuja, it will not come from Lagos, it will however need a paradigm shift in our approach to the problems of Nigeria. Our past experience as a people should be our guide. Ndi Igbo will not flourish in the Nigeria pseudo federation until federalism with mandate resolution of power is restored. With this our initiative can become unchanged for the benefit of our country and our compatriots. This is why we need to support the ways of democratic opinion insisting on restructuring Nigeria.

AMBASSADOR GEORGE OBIOZOR
I will use my little chance to give you what I termed state of the nation. I am particularly happy by the spirit that is resurrected in Igbo land today. It justifies many reasons for optimism in Igbo land.
We have seen many things and survived it. As a matter of fact, what kind of country do we have? Nigeria is a country full of optimism but living in uncertainty and doubts. There must be reasons for this, whether you like it or not any nation that disregards ideals can never do well. The secret is that ideals run nations. I want to tell you if you remember countries that had independence around 1960, Brazil was one of them and the rest of them, compare them to us, why are we lagging behind? It’s simple. Just recently some Nigeria leaders discovered that Nigeria unity is non-negotiable. Well I have an answer. The reality is after so many years, inspite of all efforts, past and present, Nigeria’s unity has not been guaranteed, at best it has been an aspiration not an achievement. Let me be frank with you, throughout the history of this country, no generation of Nigeria leaders civilian or military had created an atmosphere of credibility to ensure Nigeria’s claim to political future of oneness.
What do Nigeria elites do? None of the Nigeria political groups was able to involve a unified national ideology that other people accepted. This is true. What we see is ethnic nationalism which is not about to disappear certainly not in Nigeria no matter how we may want to wish it away.
Ethnic nationalism is still a potent force. The period or era if government by intimidation, coercive integration is over. No one group again can own the nation. Those denied justice may have no interest in peace.

CHIEF ENWO IGARIWEY
We have come here today in a rare situation. For a very long time Ohaneze has been doing its bits to be the mouth piece of the Igbo nation.
Today is a special day because as a people we have decided to close ranks and address our problems by ourselves. For a long time we have never had this kind of meeting. We have had meetings of governors coming together, traditional rulers coming together and Igbo groups coming together, to try to proffer solution to Igbo problems. Today I am excited to welcome all of you here.
First, you may have noticed that for sometime now, Ohaneze and Igbo people have been speaking with one voice. This is because peace has been midwifed and that was done in this very state, Imo State. The governor of Imo state midwifed that peace. So today Ohaneze speaks with one voice. Some people have been complaining rightly, but that is not why we are here today. I will tell you a simple story that reflects why we are here today. When the civil war ended nearly forty years ago, it was not a magic that we recovered with the pace with which we did, when the red cross, canters were sending relief materials to our people again in the refugee camp because our people by their adventurous nature had gone to fetch for themselves, that is the Igbo spirit, that is the can do it spirit.
Gentlemen & ladies, I want us to emphasis our story sides. As a people you will agree with me that we are very very adventurous people, we are achievers, look round you, we have made more gains than loses. Our strength is in the fact that as individuals we are great achievers and we hope that when we are direct this strength of ours we will be able to address the problems of our people. Today will mark the beginning of a new Ohaneze, a new Ohaneze that has full support of our governors, of our traditional rulers so that when we make a statement or speech the world will know we have come. We are going to bring hope to our people, our people will no longer cry because as a people we can solve our problems. There is nothing we put our minds to that we cannot solve, when you see Lagos the way it is, highly developed environment, the Igbos contributed about 30% of that development, the same in Abuja that means that if we redirect our energies we can build Abuja in Igboland. That means we can build Lagos in Igboland, and that is our new direction now. What we want that our people should not see any person as being responsible for any situation we find ourselves in. We will only be there if we accept it. We will put our feet down and put our heads up, we will rise to the occasion to solve our problems. Hope has come, that is the message we are bringing. Today, Ohaneze is having an ultra modern complex courtesy of the governor of Imo State and we thank him for that. We call on other governors to follow suit so as to equip Ohaneze to be a formidable voice in the nation.
Why is it that our people are investing in everywhere but home? Wealth is not wealth until it gets home says an Igbo adage. The governments in Igboland must come together to create that environment to attract our people. Those things they do out there, let them come and do it here so that our young people will have employment and we won’t be needing to beg anybody for employment, we can do it for ourselves.

CHIEF S.N. OKEKE – Fmr Chairman Police Service Commission
“It is only in Imo State that the APC change mantra is effective in a very positive way through the total turnaround of the state by Owelle Rochas Okorocha.

LOLO CECILIA EZEILO (Deputy Gov Enugu State)
When we put together all the things we have been told today, what we are telling ourselves is that our future is in our hands. What we are telling ourselves is that we did it before during the time of M.I. Okpara and we can do it again. Igbo people are known for entrepreneurship, and hardworking spirit, a patient people.
Finally, I thank all the people of ndi Igbo for their support during the Nimbo Massacre especially governor Rochas who visited with APC Governors.

GOVERNOR OKEZIE IKPEAZU
Love for the Igbo nation must be encouraged as any tribe that does not unite will lose its rights, we must unite to get our rights.
This a new dawn in Igbo land as Ohaneze through the magical vision of Owelle Rochas Okorocha has united us as one and we will henceforth speak with the full backing of the governors and leaders of the Igbo nation.

United Nations rate Okorocha’s govt high on poverty reduction

The United Nations report on poverty rates in states in Nigeria showed that before 2011, the poverty rate in Imo State was 57% but by 2015, the poverty rate came down to 19%.

This disclosure was made by Governor Rochas Okorocha during a parley with over 200 journalists at the NUJ secretariat in Owerri on Monday.

Speaking during the interactive session which lasted for nearly 5 hours, the governor who was accompanied to the occasion by the Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Mr. Acho Ihim, and some top government appointees said that he will not relent until he makes the State capital, Owerri, a model city that would attract investors.

Reacting to questions asked by journalists at the occasion, he attributed the reduction of poverty in the state to the success recorded by his administration in the free education programme.

He restated government decision to relocate the Eke-ukwu market from Douglas road to a better location, adding that it is not good to accommodate a major market at the center of the city. According to him, another SHOPRITE will be built to replace the Eke-Ukwu marked after it has been relocated.

Speaking further at the occasion, Governor Okorocha advised journalists in the state to desist from being used by aggrieved politicians to attack him and the ‘Rescue Mission’ government adding that in future, he may reconcile with such aggrieved politicians.

He cautioned the Editors of the Leader newspaper to be conscious of the ownership of the medium – The Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri- in whatever they publish, expressing concern that most of the news published by the newspaper could destroy the image of the church. He said it is wrong for the tabloid to publish news like a full blown political newspaper when it should set the pace for other newspapers because of what it represents.

He said his government has brought a lot of brand new things in the state and appealed to the people of the state to continue in their unflinching support for his administration because he means well for them and that all his actions and inactions have been in the best interest of the state.

Governor Okorocha urges Muslims to remain peaceful

The Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has urged Muslims in the State and indeed, across the nation to remain peaceful by pursuing peace and ensuring peace, as they mark Eid-el-Fitri and noted that the lingering suspicion between Christians and Muslims in the country was the creation of the elite.

The governor remarked that before now average Christians and Muslims across the nation had lived in peace and shared a lot of things in common without any suspicion, until the elite brought in clannishness for both their economic and political advantages.

According to Governor Okorocha, with peace in the Country and genuine love among Nigerians not minding their religious differences and place of births, Nigeria as a nation, would easily overcome its challenges and also achieve greatness.

He also urged Political and religious leaders to be patriotic enough by laying emphasis on those virtues that unite Nigerians as a people and talk less about those factors that have the capacity to eat deep into the unity of the nation.

The governor assured Muslims in the State that his government and the people of the State would continue to treat them as their brothers and Sisters, and reiterated his advice to them to remain peaceful and see themselves as partners in progress in his honest effort to make the State better than he met it.

Re: The Grazing Reserve Bill in Imo House of Assembly

In two separate editions published on June 19^th and June 26^th 2016, a widely read newspaper, The Leader, published an article titled ‘The Grazing Reserve Bill in Imo State House of Assembly’.

The said article credited to Onwuasonya FCC Jones may have stirred the hornet’s nest due to the wrong interpretation given to the bill by the newspaper, but the truth has to be told so as to correct a wrong impression.

For instance, the newspaper erroneously claimed that the bill “is targeted at forcefully taking away majority of the lands owned by our people and giving them to some of the cronies of the governor” and “to Islamize Imo State by bringing in the Fulani and Hausa herdsmen who will have equal rights and access and even more opportunities, as they will be in possession of most if not all the productive lands in the State”

For the avoidance of doubts, the said ‘Grazing Reserve Bill’ is no other than the ‘Bill for a law to Establish Agricultural Estates and Farm Settlements in Imo State’, sponsored by Hon. Amb. Uju Onwudiwe (House Member Representing Njaba State Constituency, Imo House Of Assembly, Owerri).

The said bill which has passed second reading in the Imo State House of Assembly is intended to engender mechanized agriculture, champion reorientation of the people to transform from subsistence to commercial farming in order to create jobs, enhance food security, reduce unemployment, ensure healthy population, and earn foreign exchange.

The bill provides for the establishment of farm settlement and Agricultural Estates in the 3 geopolitical zones of the state in order to leverage on specific areas of comparative advantage, in terms of crops, animals and fishery production. The eventual decision of which option that shall be taken shall be informed by feasibility study, directed by the Agency that will be established in conjunction with the governing board. The governing board is to be made up of technocrats who are requisite stakeholders in agricultural resources. This includes: Agricultural Development Program (ADP), Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Lands and Survey, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Environment, Renowned Farmers each from the respective zones, Traditional Rulers, Imo State Coordinator for Community Service Development Program (CSDP) – a part of world Bank Assisted Projects, etc.

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

Mrs.Osinbajo attends "Project Ayodele' graduation ceremony in Owerri

Wife of Nigeria's Vice President, Barr.Mrs.Dolapo Osinbajo arrived Owerri today to attend the graduation ceremony of 810 participants of the "Project Ayodele' graduation ceremony. 

Established in memory of Mrs.Osibanjo's late mother, 'Project Ayodele' offers various skills acquisition courses to its participants.

Speaking during the ceremony which was held at the Imo State International convention Centre, Owerri, today, Friday June 24, 2016, Barr. Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo said that government alone cannot fight poverty and crime in the country, adding that well meaning individuals could also play a major role in the reduction of poverty and crime rates in the society through empowerment programmes.

She said, “the Foundation PROJECT AYODELE was set up in memory of my mother who died four years ago.  So, this foundation is an honour to her memory.  Training people on skills that can be turned speedily into cash was a move to empower our people and stop poverty and crime in the nation.”

She continued, “I have come to Imo state to celebrate men and women that have graduated today under the auspices of, PROJECT AYODELE. With the training and the skills acquired, those involved can take care of themselves.  We did not know many years ago when we started the project, that I will end up as the  wife of the Vice-president.  And I didn’t know too that I could be in Imo for that.”

According to her, “where you are today have nothing to do with where you are going tomorrow.  I pray for the participants.  Whatever they have learnt would take them to a higher height.  I was just watching the video about the 200 homes built for indigent women by the wife of Imo governor, Mrs. Nkechi Okorocha. I congratulate her for that feat.  The Imo governor’s heart is large that it continues to speak so plainly from. ”

Governor Rochas Okorocha in his speech at the colourful event wondered why Nigerians should be singing the song of poverty amidst wealth and knowledge.  We have 200 million Nigerians and over one million millionaires and billionaires.  If we make a law that every billionaire or millionaire must engage or empower 200 people, one will discover that the 200 million will be self sufficient and poverty will disappear”.

Governor Okorocha continued, “If every bigman in Nigeria builds something that will create Job, there won’t be poverty.”  In Nigeria poverty claim does not reflect practical realities.  I am happy because the wife of the Vice-president has created more than 800 direct jobs in Imo on her own.  If every politician does that, we will be hiring labour from outside.  This is why I am not worried about the corruption that is internal but the one that is external because it allows the resources of the land to go to foreign countries.”

His words, “Woe betide all leaders who stock their money abroad to develop other people’s country while they live their people in penury.  That is the corruption that is bad for our country.  If we can invest the resources in this country, no matter the source, there will be no poverty in the country.  I commend the wife of the vice president for the initiative.”

The anchor woman of the programme in the state, and wife of Imo governor, Mrs. Nkechi Okorocha said the wife of the Vice-president had done the state a great favour by training more than 800 indigenes of the state to acquire various skills, adding that the exercise was a direct complement to the Job, Job creation mantra of the Imo state government.

Mrs. Okorocha urged the beneficiaries to also transfer what they have learnt to others so that poverty will be eradicated in the state and the state would be better for it, thanking the wife of the President Aisha Buhari for the support and love she has continued to show the wives of the governors in the country.

The wife of the governor of Abia state, Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu and her Enugu state counterpart, Mrs. Monica Ugwuanyi attended the event.

Imo govt cautions dredgers, miners against illegalities, non payment of tax

Imo State Government has cautioned miners and dredgers operating in the state to stop with immediate effect all forms of irregularities that have jeopardized the environment

  

The message of the state government was communicated through the state task force committee chairman on Mining and Dredging, Hon Kenneth Emelu at the Ikemba Ojukwu Centre, Owerri.

He warned dredgers to stop dredging where they don’t have authorization to dredge, particularly in areas that have become a serious threat to lives and property.

The task force who lamented bitterly how activities of dredgers have posed a threat to some buildings in Amakohia and Egbeada, stated that government is out to clamp down on miners whose activities have jeopardized buildings and the lives of its inhabitants.

Speaking on the need for miners and dredgers to pay tax, the state taskforce chairman explained that it will help to improve the Internally Generated Revenue of the State and appealed to them to reason with the state government as their support and maximum cooperation is highly needed.

Honourable Emelu recalled that the state government was not interested in the generating revenue through the activities of the dredgers but the current economic downturn propelled it to look inwards for improved revenue.

Emelu who was the immediate past Honourable Commissioner for Youths and Sports in Imo State reminded dredgers and miners operating in the state that section 4 sub-section 1 and 2 of Imo State Law  2012 stated clearly that state government is entitled to N1000 on each trip of sand.

From reports in the public domain, since the law was enacted in 2012 it has not been implemented but the dwindling economy has forced the state government to move for its implementation.

The task force committee chairman who noted that the Federal Government gives certificate of operation to dredgers and miners also seized the opportunity to educate them about certain sections of Imo State levy law 2012 and urge them to cooperate with the state government for improved IGR.

Miners operating in Imo State have carried out their business for over three years without paying tax.

Emelu who noted` that the governor had been magnanimous enough since 2012 passionately appealed to dredgers and miners to show understanding, maximum cooperation and pay their tax as at when due, adding that it is now their turn to reciprocate Governor Okorocha`s kind gesture.  

Contributing at the meeting, the Managing Director of Buckingham Dredging Ltd. Obinze, Mr Chuks Osuji, who also doubles as the Secretary of the organization in the state promised that they will work in harmony with the Emelu-led Task force Committee on Mining and Dredging in the state.

IMHA honors Okorocha, describes him as the “Architect Of Modern Imo"

Governor Okorocha being congratulated by the Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly during the activities marking their first year of legislative business yesterday

The Imo State House of Assembly (IMHA) in an unprecedented move yesterday, gave special awards to Gov Rochas Okorocha and his dear wife, Nneoma Nkechi Rochas Okorocha as part of activities marking their first year of legislative business.

In his speech, the Speaker Acho Ihim said Governor Okorocha was being rewarded with the award for his outstanding achievements in office. The Speaker refered to Owelle Rochas Okorocha as the "founder and architect of modern Imo" with the plethora of projects dotted all over the state. Speaker Ihim said the first lady was being recognised for her charitable endeavours especially the ‘She Needs A Roof Project’ (SNARP), that has provided over 150 bungalows for indigent widows across the state & Nneoma Kitchen, an initiative that provides food for less privileged.

Imo State First Lady receiving an Award of Excellence from the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Ozuruigbo during the activities marking their first year of legislative business yesterday

Gov Okorocha in his speech thanked the Speaker and members for appreciating his works. He said he is not satisfied with his achievements even while being applauded and will put in more efforts. He assured that all projects initiated by his government would be completed by his administration.

In his remarks, Hon Mike Iheanetu, a PDP lawmaker representing Aboh Mbaise constituency said "Mr Speaker, I want to thank the Governor of Imo State. He knows I never believed in him. You are a man with sagacious ambition. We worked hard to stop you. You enjoy enormous grace from God. You will go places. I am impressed. Even as an opposition member. You have done very well"

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.