US TO PARTNER WITH IMO STATE TO GENERATE POWER WITH GAS DEPOSITS

The government of the United States of America is to partner with Imo in the area of power generation using the abundant gas deposits in the State.

This development was made known by the Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha during a brief reception organized for him by a group of Imo citizens at the Sam Mbakwe Airport upon his arrival from Abuja today.

According to the governor, the decision by the US government to partner with Imo State was reached when he addressed the US Lawmakers at a forum last week.

Responding to questions asked by journalists at the occasion, Governor Okorocha denied allegations by some people that he met with Imo State Lawmakers in South Africa during the period he travelled abroad.

He disclosed that he met with the President of Malawi, Mrs Joyce Banda, who requested for a ‘Rochas Foundation school’ to be established in Malawi.

Speaking further, the governor said he met with the former President of the United States of America, Jimmy Carter and other top officials of the US government.

He reiterated the resolve of his administration to provide free education to indigenes of Imo State, build 27 general hospitals, 305 model schools, 3 five-star hotels and tar all the roads in the State.

The high point of the occasion is the presentation of gifts and ‘good wishes’ to the governor by all present to commemorate his 50^th birthday which was celebrated on Saturday 22^nd September.

MASSOB warns soldiers...

The Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), has warned soldiers in Onitsha, Anambra State not to stir its members to negative reaction.
MASSOB issued the warning in Onitsha, over an alleged arrest and manhandling of its Regional Administrator, Onitsha Region Four, Chief Arinze Igbani.
Igbani was allegedly picked from a hospital bed in Onithsa by the army without any justifiable reason.
The organisation’s Director of Publicity, Mr. Uchenna Madu, who addressed journalists in Onitsha in connection with the arrest and molestation of Igbani, said soldiers from the Army Barracks in Onitsha, numbering about 25, arrived where Igbani was receiving treatment after an accident three months ago, beat him up and broke his already healing leg.
The soldiers, he said, arrived the place in three Hilux vans and without any question or information as to their mission, swooped on Igbani who, due to his broken leg, tied only a wrapper and started beating him up.
The MASSOB director of publicity said the soldiers dragged Igbani out of bed and began to deal several blows on him.
Madu warned that MASSOB had taken enough humiliation from the soldiers in Onitsha and might be compelled to react against persistent provocation by the soldiers.
He said MASSOB had the resources to manufacture more bombs and could cause more damages than Boko Haram.
He wondered what Igbani, who had been confined to bed in the last three months could have done to warrant his arrest and the amount of beating he received from the soldiers.
Madu said although Igbani was removed from the hospital ward to a private house to avoid influx of visitors that came to visit him, his presence there did not cause any harm to the neighbourhood.
MASSOB, he said, condemned the action of the soldiers, which he described as sheer wickedness and barbaric.
He also noted with dismay that 18 other people who came around to visit the MASSOB chief were arrested and five motorcycles belonging to the visitors seized.
His word: “Is it because Arinze is an Igboman and the soldiers who carried out the dastardly raid were Hausas and Fulanis?
“All their actions today were borne out of their pathological hatred for the Igbos because they see in Arinze a representation of Biafra, which they do not want to hear.”
Madu said it was absurd for the soldiers to exhibit such wicked gallantry on a helpless Igbani when members of Boko Haram continued to tear the nation by their terrorist acts.
He warned the soldiers to release Igbani and the other 18 people arrested with him without further delay.
Culled from SUN

PHCN to S-East govs: Demolish structures under power lines

THE Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, Enugu Electric Distribution Zone, yesterday, called on the five South-East governors to order the demolition of all structures built under high tension power lines and other power installations to prevent electrocution of the people.
The company particularly asked the Enugu State Government to urgently remove the large billboard it erected under the 330KV high tension power line near Haijag Construction Company along Enugu-Onitsha expressway in Enugu.
The metal edge of the billboard, which bears the inscription of Enugu Lifestyle and Golf City, also known as Centenary City, almost touches the power line and constitutes serious danger to workers of the Construction Company and petty traders within the area.
The PHCN Public Affairs Manager in the zone, Mr. Eseme Udoh, who conducted newsmen round some of the affected power lines within Enugu metropolis, yesterday, regretted that despite repeated warnings to property owners within the zone, they have continued to erect illegal structures directly under high tension power lines.
He said that occupants of such structures are exposed to danger as they would be easily electrocuted if any problem occured on such power lines, adding that necessary precautionary measures should be taken by members of the public by way of rejecting occupation of such structures or doing business under power lines.
He said: “If you can recall, the PHCN had problems in Port Harcourt and Ibadan in the past when live wires snapped on people. The one in Port Harcourt was at a bus stop and killed several people and that of Ibadan was in a market where many
market women were affected.
“As a responsible organisation, we have embarked on sensitization of members of the public and customers especially those who have structures under high tension power lines.”
Culled from VANGUARD

Two men escape lynching for killing vultures in Enugu State

The Enugu State Police Command says it has commenced investigations into an incident that took place in a community in the State where two persons escaped lynching for allegedly killing vultures.
The two victims, identified as Wale Alabi from Ibadan, Oyo State and Polycarp Onyia from Udi in Enugu, were said to have narrowly escaped death from the angry mob in Nkerefi, Nkanu East Local Government Area of the state for allegedly poisoning and killing 23 vultures.
The vultures were believed to be living in the Eke Market ancestral shrine in Nkerefi where the two intruders allegedly went and poisoned 23 of them, incurring the wrath of the community.
According to the Enugu State Command Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ebere Amaraizu, the two men had gone to Ohuani Nkerefi community where they allegedly poisoned the vultures as they perched on the ancestral tree located inside the village shrine.
Consequently, the vultures started dying in their numbers while the men kept packing them inside their sacks until the villagers noticed what was happening and started querying them.
The villagers, it was gathered, were angry that their ancestral shrine was being desecrated and were in the mood to mob the victims before the police were alerted and their prompt intervention saved the situation.
Culled from SUN

TRICYCLE OPERATORS IN IMO RECEIVE N10 M INTEREST-FREE LOAN FROM GOVT

In line with his campaign promises, Imo state Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has empowered commercial tricycle operators otherwise known as ‘keke operators’ in the State with an interest-free revolving loan of 10 million Naira.

Handing over the cheque to the executives of the keke operators at the Government House Owerri, recently, Governor Okorocha who was represented by the Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Urban Planning, Hon. Uche Nwosu described the loan as a gesture aimed at changing their lives for better.

He urged the beneficiaries to pay back to the Union at the end of the stipulated time so that others can also benefit from the scheme.

 According to him, the loan will assist them to repair their Keke, foot their bills for any member under hire purchase and take care of other pressing problems.  He also called for the judicious and prudent
management of the loan, stating that it will be unfair to abuse the benevolence and magnanimity of the governor.

The governor’s representative further explained that the loan was made possible due to Owelle  Rochas Okorocha’s passionate feelings about their plight.  Hon. Nwosu said such money in the past would have been used to service one political ‘godfather’ or another, but because the governor is not answerable to any person except the masses who massively voted for him. 

Speaking further, he warned them to beware of critics of the governor who are desperate to heat –up the state explaining that such politicians do not mean well for our dear state.  “They only storm the State to cause trouble and after that, they will bounce back to their base in Abuja, leaving the people to suffer and the government to struggle to find its feet”, Nwosu stated.

In his remarks, Mr. Austin Chikere, the Chairman of ‘keke’ operators who received the cheque on behalf of the association promised to utilize it prudently and thanked the governor for keeping to his promise.
 Also present at the occasion is the Special Assistant to the governor on Non-Formal
Sector, Mr. Stanley Dike and others.

Imo CPC calls for traders' co-operation

The Imo State Consumer Protection Council (CPC) has called for the co-operation of supermarket operators and allied traders in the state, for better consumer rights protection.
The acting General Manager, Imo State Consumer Protection Committee (ISCPC), Obioma Uzoma, made this call at a seminar for supermarkets and allied traders in Owerri on Wednesday.
He said the call became necessary considering trade abuses, adulteration, exploitation, and dealings in fake and unwholesome goods and products by manufacturers.
Uzoma said the workshop was aimed at sensitising all stakeholders involved in the manufacturing, distribution and retail of consumer products and services.
"It is to ensure that everyone appreciates the position of ISCPC for proper consumer rights protection. The committee has begun its meeting with these trade groups for possible registration for the granting of ISCPC permits to dealers in consumer goods and services."
Uzoma went further to state that the plan would provide a platform to guide committee workers on the expectations of the government concerning consumer rights enforcement.
Also speaking at the seminar, the Imo Director of Co-operatives, Cyprain Onuoha, said co-operatives played various roles as the institutional framework for harnessing economic growth, and urged the traders to embrace them.
"Co-operatives remain the only organ to fight poverty and under-development. Hence, they should be embraced by all, irrespective of one's status in the society," Onuoha said.
Culled fro DAILYTIMES

MASSOB smashes 5-man robbery gang in Onitsha

Members of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) yesterday smashed a five-man armed robbery gang in the commercial city of Onitsha, Anambra State.
The gang was alleged to be responsible for violent crimes along the ever-busy Onitsha-Owerri Road before luck ran against them.
Parading one of the suspects, Chibuzor, a native of Ebonyi State, who named the other fleeing members of the gang, MASSOB Director of Security in charge of Region 4, Mr. Chukwuneke Agoha, said his men were on patrol when they ran into a roadblock mounted by the robbers after they had robbed a trailer driver and several others.
Agoha said, “Our security men were on patrol along Onitsha-Owerri Road around midnight when suddenly they ran into a gang of armed robbers who barricaded the expressway with a spoilt vehicle. Our men, who were riding on motorcycles, ran into the parked car and fell down and the hoodlums rushed out from their hideout and attacked them and stabbed some of them with bottles and machetes before they called for reinforcement and one of them was arrested while four others escaped.”
In his statement, the suspect confessed that he joined the gang about a month ago and had participated in many operations within Onitsha and environs, stating that he met the gang at a motor park where they were sleeping every night.
He said the leader of the gang, simply identified as Otu, was released from prison about three months ago and that he initiated him into armed robbery when they met at a joint where they were smoking Indian hemp.
Commending the security men for their gallantry, the MASSOB Administrator in charge of Region 4, Chief Arinze Igbani, said the Movement was committed to the task of stamping out criminal elements from the South-East, especially armed robbers and kidnappers.
Igbani said MASSOB would continue to hunt down criminals and hand them over to the police in line with the directives of their leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike.
He lamented that the constant clampdown on the members of the group by the Army and the Police had slowed down their pace and zeal in tackling insecurity in the zone.
Igbani added, “We are appealing to the Anambra State Government and security agencies to allow MASSOB members a free hand to operate and flush out the criminals in the overall interest of the people.
“They should stop seeing us as hoodlums while actually we are helping them to tackle the security challenges, which appear to be above the powers of security agencies.”
Meanwhile, the suspect had been handed over to the police at Okpoko Police Station for proper investigation.
Culled from SUN

GOVERNOR OKOROCHA INAUGURATES COMMUNITY GOVERNMENT COUNCIL IN IMO STATE

The Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has inaugurated the Community Government Council otherwise known as the Fourth-Tier Government in Imo State.

In a speech at the inauguration ceremony held at the Headquaters of the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, new Owerri yesterday, the governor said that time has come for people to promote agricultural activities in the State which he described as the best way to ensure availability of food not only for local consumption, but also for export. In his words, “it is regrettable that we the Igbos depend largely on other tribes for food. This is because we the Igbos have forsaken agriculture. But today, I am glad that we are practically going back to agriculture for food security and economic development of our State. This is what the Community Government stands for”.

Speaking further at the occasion, Governor Okorocha announced that the State government has perfected arrangements to establish a Songhai Farm in each Community in the State.

He explained that the purpose of the Community Government is to decentralize power towards bringing governance to the door-step of the rural dwellers and unlock the hidden potentials in the rural Communities.

The governor formally presented the 49-page Community Government Council Law which captured all the Communities in the State and the operational framework of the Community Government recently passed by the State House of Assembly.

According to the Law, the Traditional Ruler will serve as the Chairman of the Council while those formerly addressed as President General will serve as Secretary. The Community Liaison Officer, Woman Leader and Youth Leader will serve as members. Already, some civil servants have been posted to the various Communities to constitute the administrative wing of the Council.

Governor Okorocha explained that under the law, Communities can initiate projects according to their needs while government plays its part by providing funds to actualize those projects

Also during the occasion, the governor declared open the ‘Traditional Parliament’ structured to give voice to the masses and promote cultural values of the Igbos. He urged the Traditional Rulers to make good use of the opportunity provided by the Community Government by making laws that will promote Igbo tradition and cultural values. Said he, “History is made today with the inauguration of the Traditional Parliament. This parliament which has all the Traditional Rulers in Imo State as members will provide the window of opportunity for us to promote our culture. This is where laws related to marriage, kola-nut and other cultures that are common to the people will be made. Today I empower you to begin to make such cultural laws that will make us not to forget our language because my worry is that if we do not act quickly now, we might be destroying the generation of Ndi-Imo yet unborn and that a day might come when there is no one speaking Igbo language. It is important we bequeath the legacy of our culture to our children unborn”.

He challenged the Traditional Rulers to adopt Alternative Dispute Resolution [ADR] in settling conflicts in their various Communities as part of measures geared towards promoting unity in the State

Adding his voice, the Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Hon Benjamin Uwajimogu commended Governor Okorocha for his vision in establishing Community Government which he said would fast-track development at the grassroots and place Imo above other States in terms of rural development and agricultural revolution in Nigeria

Also speaking, the Commissioner for the newly created Community Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prof Chima Iwuchukwu, described Community Government as ‘Government of the people for the people and with the people’.
He pointed out that the Community Government will promote unity, entrepreneurship and the spirit of self- help in the Igbo nation.

The highpoints of the occasion is the conferment of the title of ‘Owelle Ndi-Igbo and Igbo Prime Minister’ on Governor Rochas Okorocha by the Traditional Rulers.

US CONGRESS HONOURS ROCHAS WITH CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION

Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has been awarded the prestigious Congressional Certificate of Recognitions for his selfless service, commitment to free education and Infrastructural development not just in Nigeria but in Africa.

Presenting the Award to Governor Okorocha in Houston Texas today, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee said Governor Okorocha "has been recognized by all the major tribes in Nigeria for his Charity and good citzenship. He has inspired his people to believe in government again. She described the Imo State  leader as a selfless individual who has used his resources  for the benefit of the poor without asking  for returns. " Governor Okorocha is not asking for  what he can get from Nigeria but for what he can do for Nigeria. Owelle Okorocha represents hope for better Nigeria.”

Congresswoman Lee said that Governor Okorocha's strong face and leadership values helped him to rise from a classroom teacher to an international business mogul who has embarked on a charitable foundation designed to extend educational opportunities to the less priviledged". Lee said Governor Okorocha has inspired a generation of young Africans to serve their communities and has given hope to the less privileged in their Communties . "Because the need for strong spiritual leadership  is so vital to the future of our world, it brings me immense pleasure to acknowlege that Governor Okorocha is extending God's kingdom biblically and educationally" 

 Reacting to this prestigious Award to Governor Okorocha, Commissioner for Information & Stratregy, Mr Chinedu Offor said the Governor dedicates the Award to all Nigerians irrespective of tribe and religion and to the less priviledged.

In his words,”I am indeed blessed to have witnessed this memorable occasion where an able son of Nigeria and Africa was recognized by an influential member of the U.S Congress for his role in changing the lives of generations of Nigerians. This is indeed a proud moment for Imo State because with this singular award, His Excellency has once again raised the bar of leadership and profile of Imo State.  To God be the Glory"

IMO TO RECEIVE ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE FROM AMERICAN CITY OF NEWARK

The city of Newark in New Jersey, United States of America has pledged to assist Imo State government in the areas of education, agriculture and infrastructural development. 

 Speaking during a visit by Governor Rochas Okorocha to Rugters University yesterday, the Vice President of the City of Newark, Honorable Marcy Phillips promised to work towards strengthening cultural ties with Imo State. Said he, "Imo State and New Jersey share a lot in common, and I believe that with mutual cooperation, we will achieve mutual benefit for the people of both States
who share the same ancestral link to Africa". Ms Phillips  who expressed the readiness of business men from the State of New Jersey  to explore the potentials of Imo State  promised to assist the Imo State government to achieve its full potentials by linking it up with other State Governments and businesses in the United States. 

Speaking further, the Council woman said a  practical demonstration of the City's desire to partner with Imo State is its decision to award Governor Okorocha its highest civilian honor - The  Medal  and  an Honorary member of the City council - the first African leader to earn such title.

 Governor Rochas Okorocha who was in the State of New Jersey to promote the Administrative plans to build a diaspora village where Nigerians living abroad can own and develop property in their home State said he would continue to put in place policies that will attract Investors and improve the lives of all Imolites. In his words,  "I am in the State to personally invite all our brothers and sisters to take advantage of all that Imo State has to offer. We do not seek money, we do not seek aid, rather, we seek partnership to ensure the rapid industrialization of the State.

Addressing several Nigerian groups and business organizations at the occasion, Governor Okorocha expressed interest on how the city of Newark was able to overcome its developmental problems to emerge as one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. He said Imo State is currently undergoing a similar experience but expressed optimism that with sacrifice, hard-work and visionary leadership, the State will emerge stronger and become a focal point of commerce and industry in Nigeria.

Governor Okorocha who also received the prestigious award for his contribution to Educational development from the Rutgers University promised to sustain his free education policy in Imo State. Said he; "Education is my life. Education is the greatest legacy any parent or Government can give to its youths. My administration will continue to give priority to Education. We have also attracted offers from Business men toset up international schools in Imo State.”

In honoring Governor Okorocha, Rutgers University promised that its students will visit Imo State as part of an exchange programme designed to further improve education in the State and will favorably look at
establishing a branch of the School in Imo State.