ISIEC presents Certificate of Return to 27 Imo LG chairmen-elect

 

The Imo State Independent Electoral Commission, ISIEC, has presented Certificates of Return to the winners of Saturday’s local government chairmanship election in the state.

The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, won all 27 chairmanship and 305 councillorship positions.

While presenting the certificates on Tuesday, ISIEC chairman Charles Ejiogu said the presentation of the certificates was in line with the provisions of the law.

Ejiogu stated that certificates of return for the vice chairmen and councillors would be presented to them in the next couple of days.

“What has just happened is the concrete demonstration of the will and determination of the people to express themselves democratically in an atmosphere devoid of bitterness and rancour.

“Observers have adjudged that the election was very peaceful, free, fair, transparent and credible,” Ejiogu said.

Two of the 27 chairmen-elect are female, while 14 other females emerged as vice chairpersons of various LGAs.

 

 

Imo Leads Other States In Women Literacy Rate in Nigeria

Governor Hope Uzodinma

 

Barely few days after Imo emerged tops among the states in the south east and south south geopolitical zones in availability of functional health facilities, the state has now recorded the first position in Nigeria in terms of literacy rate among young women.

In a survey carried out by StatiSense, a data and policy analyst organisation, and published in September 2024, Imo polled 83.5 per cent of the total number sampled to emerge first position in literacy rate among women aged between 15 and 24 years.

StatiSense sought to establish how states were preparing their women for future leadership.

From the available statistics, it was established that Imo state, under Gov Hope Uzodimma, was investing heavily in the education of the girl child and young adults.

Anambra State recorded 78.4 per cent to come second while Ebonyi State with 74.3 per cent came third.

However, Lagos, Enugu, and Abia states picked up the fourth, fifth, and sixth positions, followed rapidly by the South South states of Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Delta, and Edo. Osun and the Federal Capital Territory came a distance 12th and 13th positions.

 The organisation, StatiSense, explained that it periodically isolates certain indices in various sectors like health, education, environment, and policy implementation to assess the performance of the 36 states and FCT.

Responding to the results of the survey, Imo State Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy, Hon Declan Emelumba said he was not surprised at the result because of the heavy investment made by Gov Uzodimma in education.

According to him, in addition to the state funding three universities and two other tertiary institutions, it has embarked upon the provision of science laboratory facilities in all the secondary schools in the state.

He said Imo has been motivating the teachers through prompt payment of salaries and promotions as well as raising their retirement age to 65 years.

According to him, ” His Excellency, Governor Hope Uzodimma, upon his assumption of office in 2020, declared that the education of the girl child must be a priority alongside that of her male counterpart The policy is yielding results “

He also disclosed that since 2021, Imo State students, among them girls, have been posting the best results in JAMB, WAEC, and Nigeria Law school bar examinations.

 

 

Seplat Energy Commences Free eye care services to residents of Imo state

 

A cross section of patients waiting to be attended to by Seplat Energy PHOTO CREDIT - Brand Times https://www.brandtimes.com.ng/seplat-energy-jvs-eye-can-see-initiative-transforms-lives-in-imo-state/

Seplat Energy, foremost indigenous energy company in partnership with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), has in the past five days, delivered critical eye care services—free screenings, surgeries, and distribution of eyeglasses—to thousands of underserved residents, reaffirming the JV’s unwavering commitment to improving healthcare access in its host communities.

The flag-off of the ‘Eye Can See’ programme in Imo State took place on September 19, 2024, at Full Moon Hotel in Owerri, marking a significant milestone in Seplat’s long-standing legacy of impactful healthcare outreach, which began in 2012.

Since its inception, the initiative has, before now, reached over 105,000 Nigerians, performed 4,560 life-changing eye surgeries, and distributed more than 51,000 reading glasses—all with the aim of reducing preventable blindness, promoting early detection of eye diseases, and enhancing the quality of life for beneficiaries.

The Eye Can See programme is a shining example of Seplat Energy JV’s commitment to creating sustainable, long-lasting impact in its host communities. By providing essential healthcare services to thousands of individuals, Seplat Energy is not only addressing immediate medical needs but also fostering a culture of proactive health management.

As Seplat Energy JV continues its mission of community empowerment and sustainable development, initiatives like ‘Eye Can See’ reflect a deep-rooted belief in the power of corporate social investment. With NNPCL and local stakeholders, Seplat Energy’s Eye Can See programme stands as a beacon of hope, illuminating the path toward a future where everyone can live with clarity, dignity, and excellent health

 

Imo Ranks 1st in South East, South South In availability of Functional Health Facilities

 

 

Imo State now leads the entire former Eastern Region in the operation of functional health institutions, an investigation carried out by a policy and data collection company, STATISENSE.

In their report, STATISENSE discovered that only 12 states in Nigeria are operating more than 1,000 health facilities.

Among the 12, only Imo operates more than 1,000 health facilities in the entire South East and South South States.

Reacting to the development, the Imo State Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy, Hon Declan Emelumba, expressed satisfaction with the publication of the statistics.

Emelumba said the publication has vindicated the state government in its performance index, which cuts across all sectors both in infrastructure and human capital development.

According to him, apart from funding five grade A health institutions, including one teaching hospital, Gov Hope Uzodimma had taken health care to the doorsteps of Imo people.

He said the investment of Uzodimma in the health sector was yielding dividends and, therefore, would continue to sustain it.

Currently, Imo state is operating 1,335 health facilities across the 27 local government areas of the state.

It is only fourth to Lagos, Kaduna, and Ogun States in the 36 States of Nigeria and Abuja.

While Lagos is leading with 2,171 health facilities, Kaduna has 1,556 and Ogun with 1,380, then Imo 1,335.

Other states that made the list of 1,000 health facilities include Katsina, Niger,Benue ,Kano, and Oyo .

The rest are Osun, Taraba, and Bauchi states.

 

Imo assembly calls for intervention on flood-ravaged primary schools

School submerged by flood   PHOTO CREDIT -  Quick Africa News

\The Imo State House of Assembly has called for urgent government intervention to rescue Primary Schools 1 and 2 in Umuna, Orlu Local Government Area of the state, from submersion by flood.

Ikenna Ihezuo, a member representing Orlu State Constituency, made the call on Tuesday, 17rh September, 2024 while moving a motion regarding the recent flooding in the schools.

Mr Ihezuo described the affected schools as highly vulnerable and susceptible to flooding that usually left both the pupils and teachers stranded and helpless.

He further expressed concern that teaching and learning in schools would soon become difficult if urgent measures were not taken to stop the menace from escalating.

He said that it was surprising that the situation had not been brought to the attention of Governor Hope Uzodinma, who, he said, had carried out rehabilitation on roads and other public amenities across the state.

Therefore, he prayed the House to urge the governor to direct the Ministries of Works and Education or other relevant government agencies “to rescue the flood-ridden” schools.

The Chief Whip, Chigozie Nwaneri, supported the motion and agreed that urgent action was needed before the buildings in the schools became compromised due to the flooding.

Mr Nwaneri feared that the buildings could collapse at any time if nothing were done urgently to arrest the situation.

Also, the Majority Leader, Kanayo Onyemaechi, said that although the structures were still strong, serious threats could be avoided through immediate action.

He also called for remedial measures to commence before miscreants would take advantage of the situation to vandalise the buildings.

Following other contributions in support of the motion, the Speaker, Chike Olemgbe, ruled in favour of the prayers sought.

Mr Olemgbe directed the Clerk, Chinelo Emeghara, to convey the assembly’s resolution to the Office of the Governor and the relevant ministries.

 

Imo Govt Signs Pact with Egyptian Firm On Power Supply

Determined to solve the perennial epileptic power supply in the Imo state, governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma has signed a pact with an Egyptian power generation, transmission and distribution company, Madkour Group.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Egyptian firm, Madkour Group, which was signed in Government House Owerri on Saturday 1st June, 2024, was the highpoint of months of partnership discussions between the management of the Egyptian firm and those of the Orashi Electricity Company of Imo State, coupled with days of tour of facilities in the State by both parties.

While the President of the Egyptian firm, Dr. Mostafa Madkour signed for Madkour Group, Engr. Valentine Obumeyan, the Acting General Manager of Orashi Electricity Company of Imo State signed on behalf of the State government, with both parties committing to doing everything humanly possible to “set Imo State on fire” by January next year.

Addressing the audience at the signing ceremony, which included top government officials and key management officers of Madkour Group, the Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma said in pursuit of the development of Imo State, his administration has already “assented to a law on power generation for the State and the law created Orashi Electricity Company Limited for Imo State.”

 The Governor noted that the Federal Government supported the State in the establishment of the Company and to find technical and financial partners.

Governor Uzodimma added that “the need for partners became necessary because the business of power generation, distribution and transmission is capital intensive and it is not what the State can carry alone.” “This informed the coming of Madkour Group to partner Orashi Electricity Company Limited of Imo State as both technical and financial partners.”

The Governor emphasised that “as part of the deliverables, by January next year (2025) we will be able to generate, transmit and distribute our own power,” noting that it was to consummate the partnership that the signing of the MOU became inevitable. Responding on behalf of the Madkour Group, the President, Dr. Madkour, thanked the Governor for trusting in their capacity and accepting to engage them in the partnership.

He assured that they will provide all that is needed in the power generation, transmission and distribution in the State in line with the pact they have entered into with Orashi Electricity Company of Imo State. Dr. Madkour further promised that they will not only work hard “to support and stabilise the source of power supply in Imo State,” but “will work hard to make it happen.”

 He thanked the Governor very sincerely for the trust and promised that they will not disappoint his expectations. The Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmos Iwu, and other members of the expanded State Executive Council witnessed the signing ceremony which took place in the Governor’s Conference Room.

Imo Govt. Launches Court For Minor Financial Disputes

The Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, has inaugurated a dedicated Small Claims Court to handle judicial matters involving claims of N5 million or less. The new court aims to provide a faster, simpler, and more affordable avenue for resolving minor financial disputes and ease the burden on both the court system and citizens. 

Speaking during the inauguration of the court, the state governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, who was represented by his deputy, Placid Njoku, Uzodimma, said that the court would speed up justice in the state. He however, stated that the court was established to take care of certain cases in the state that were not supposed to go through the gamut of the main court for adjudication.

 Describing it as a good development, Uzodimma unveiled that qualified and competent magistrates would be appointed to manage the court. He said, “We must know the quality of people sent to manage this court. They must know the rules of the game. It is important for Imo State to ensure that magistrates that are sent to this court are people who are sensitive and cognisant of the contents of the court and content of the law.” Adding that the small claims court would reduce the number of case in the High Court, Uzodimma stated that reduction of undue delays of cases was the major reason for the establishment of the court. He added, “It is a well-known fact that the conventional method of justice delivery system is cumbersome, time consuming and sometimes frustrating. 

The backlogs of cases sandwiched with many other issues, causes undue delay in cases that could be easily decided. That is why the birth of small claims procedure is necessary. The administration of justice in that regard was good for both the judiciary and the citizens.”

2024 Budget: Uzodimma Presents N592b Appropriation Bill To Imo Assembly

Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo presented the state appropriation bill totalling N592.2 billion for the 2024 fiscal year to the House of Assembly on Tuesday for consideration and approval.

 The bill, christened “Budget of Renewed Economic Growth,” comprised N100.99 billion in recurrent expenditure, representing 17 per cent, and N491.2 billion in capital expenditure, representing 83 per cent. Presenting the bill on the house floor, Mr Uzodimma said the capital expenditure increased by 32 per cent. According to him, this indicates his determination to stimulate and fast-track the state’s economic growth. He said the budget “is focused on the state’s rapid economic growth.” 

The governor promised that every fund projected for the development of the state must be judiciously used to achieve a common goal. Mr Uzodimma further said his administration would continue vigorously pursuing his vision to establish a state “where justice and equity for all are guaranteed.”

 He further said his administration would remain prudent and cut off frivolous expenditures to fund capital projects. “Prudent and efficient management of public funds is the new norm that cannot be compromised. “As always, all capital projects must be subject to due process, routine scrutiny and audit,” he said. 

Mr Uzodimma urged the house to grant the budget accelerated passage to ensure it was ready on January 1, 2024. Earlier, the speaker, Chike Olemgbe (APC-Ihitte Uboma), commended the governor for ensuring a harmonious working relationship between the executive and legislature. Mr Olemgbe said the 2024 budget aims to provide more infrastructure and facilitate other government economic activities for the people’s general good. Mr Olemgbe thanked the governor for being the “most responsible fiscal governor since the inception of the state.” He adjourned the house to December 14 for the second reading of the budget bill.

CSCHEI appoints Imo state – born Sylvester Okere to lead Diaspora engagement

 

Sylvester Okere, CIPM ll, FIIM.

A prominent Nigerian diaspora leader in the United States, Dr. Sylvester Okere, has been appointed to lead the CivilSociety Organization on Community Advancement and Humanitarian EmpowermentInitiative (CSCHEI) as the Director, Diaspora (North America and South America). CSCHEI is an accredited non-profit organization that coordinates various registered community-based organizations (CBOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and civil society organizations (CSOs) to provide community enhancement, humanitarian empowerment, dignity, and societal values for development.

Okere’s latest appointment by CSCHEI is believed to have come to pass due to his commitment to serving the African diaspora and promoting community development between the United States of America, The United Nations, The World Bank Civil Society Policy Forum program; as well as African nations.  As the Director, Diaspora (North America and South America) of CSCHEI, Okere is expected to develop and implement strategies to engage and mobilize the African diaspora community in North and South America to support CSCHEI’s mission of community advancement and humanitarian empowerment in Africa. He will also build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, businesses, and civil society organizations.

Sylvester Okere led the AGOA International Trade and Commerce Fact Finding Workshop held at Hilton Manhattan New York in February 2013. The initiative brought some leaders from Africa to participate, along with US lawmakers, the UN, Civil Societies, NGOs, and heads of government agencies to discuss critical issues surrounding AGOA.

He facilitated, and mobilized the African Diaspora for The White House Policy Briefing of February 22, 2016

Okere championed USAID's Global Innovation Exchange program for Africa. The Global Innovation Exchange is a global online marketplace for innovations, funding, insights, resources, and conversations, allowing the world to better work together to address humanity’s greatest challenges; and a unique resource by Center for Development Innovation | U.S. Global Development Lab in the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Okere is a member of the World Association of Detectives (WAD), Certified Fraud Examiners (CFE), National Council of Investigators & Security Services (NCISS), Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC), American Security Foundation, American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS), Public Record Retriever Network (PRRN), Maryland Investigators and Security Association (MISA), and other esteemed associations. He is a certified institutional protection manager (CIPM II) with a primary focus on industrial security, infrastructure, and trade facilitation. He is also the Founding President of Strategic Groups USA LLC, a private security and private detective firm, and the United People for African Congress (UPAC), a 501c3 non-profit umbrella organization that advocates for the rights of African nationals across the United States. 

Sylvester Okere hails from Obibi Ezena, in Owerri-North Local Government Area of Imo state. He is a former Nigeria Immigration officer with 18 years of federal service (Kano and Imo state combined). He lived a few years in Europe prior to migrating to the United States where he settled as a businessman, politician, Security Professional and an activist. He has received many national and continental awards; amongst two recent recognition: Prominent African Activist Award by NELAS UK, 2018 ; Presidential award of Nigerian-American Lawyers Association; The Outstanding Nigerian In Diaspora award 2017;  Nollywood Who Is Who USA magazine African Community Leadership Award and African Champion a community service award.

S/Court fines Ozekhome N40M for filing ‘frivolous’ suit against Uzodinma

 

Mike Ozekhome

The Supreme Court on Tuesday imposed a fine of forty million naira (N40M ) on Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) for filing a ‘frivolous’ motion before the court in respect of Imo Governorship tussle decided in 2019.

In a ruling by Justice Tijani Abubakar, he ordered the Senior lawyer to personally pay the N40M fine to the four respondents he dragged before the court.

Abubakar held in the ruling that the request was strange, frivolous, baseless, unwarranted, vexatious and irritating.

He further held that the motion was a calculated design to demonize the Supreme Court.

Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN called to the Nigerian Bar over 42 years ago was fined a huge amount for bringing a motion before the Apex Court seeking to revalidate the suit that removed Emeka Ihedioha as Governor of Imo State in 2019.

Those to be paid are the Action People’s Party, APP, Uche Nnadi, Uche Nwosu, and the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC.

In the motion considered to be frivolous by the court, Ozekhome had asked the Court for a consequential order to compel INEC to issue a fresh Certificate of Return to Ihedioha to enable him spend a four-year tenure as Imo Governor.

His grouse was that the incumbent governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma unlawfully spent the four years which Ihedioha ought to spend.

Among others, Ozekhome in the motion claimed that the All Progressives Congress APC had no candidate in the 2019 Imo Governorship election, hence, Uzodinmma ought not to have been made governor on the platform of APC.

However, the apex court dismissed the motion on the ground that it has no jurisdiction to entertain such a motion.