Imo govt to partner with OMPAN on media and publicity

From R-L, Ebere Inyama (pioneer chairman of OMPAN, Imo chapter,and publisher of Global News Alerts) Henry Uwalaka (publisher of the Educator newspaper,), Mrs Amaka Okafor ( SA to the governor on Electronic and new Media) , Mr. Ikechukwu Anyanwu, ( Chairman of OMPAN, Imo chapter and publisher of Arise Afrika Magazine)

Imo State Government has expressed its readiness to partner with Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria, Imo state chapter in the dissemination of information about government programmes.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Electronic and New Media, Mrs Amaka Okafor, made this known when she hosted the executives of the association in her office on Wednesday May 13,  2020.

Speaking during the meeting, the Special Adviser said too many people create platforms on the internet and claim that they are online practitioners and this has made it difficult for the members of the public to ascertain who the real practitioners are.

The SA expressed satisfaction that the meeting offered her opportunity to identify with the real online Media Practitioners in the state.

Responding to questions from members of OMPAN, Mrs Okafor said that her office is working on a strategy whereby a forum can be created to keep the people of the state abreast with the policies and programmes of the government.

She also said her office documents a Weekly Review of Government Programmes, adding that a feedback mechanism will be built into the government website so that people can as well make their contributions.

The SA assured that the governor will do his best to carry the people of Imo state along and to engage in people-oriented projects and programmes.

Mrs. Okafor formerly was a reporter for CHANNELS TV, during which time she covered Nigeria Defence beats in Mali, Liberia, Burkinafaso and later, Sambisa forest.  She also covered a beat at the National Assembly, and later, the  judiciary before her appointment as the SA on New Media to Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma.

In a vote of thanks, the Chairman of OMPAN, Imo Chapter, Mr. Ikechukwu Anyanwu commended the SA for considering to work with OMPAN and assured her that the association's competence to timely publish all government activities via credible online Media platforms.

It will be recalled that in on March 30 - 31, 2018, the National Convention of OMPAN took place in Owerri, Imo State and shortly after, various government and non - governmental organizations including the Nigeria Police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) set up a working relationshipwith the association.

Also present at the meeting were Mr. Henry Uwalaka, Amb Prince Ukwu, Hon Finnan Chuks, Chibueze Chukwukere, Obiajulu Okwuosa, Chukwuma Anurunkem and the pioneer chairman of the association, Mr. Ebere Inyama

Hope Uzodinma signs two bills into law in Imo

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma,has signed two bills – the Imo Waste Management Agency Bill and the Consolidation of Land Use Charges Bill – into law.

Mr. Oguike Nwachukwu, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, disclosed this in a statement issued Saturday in Owerri.

The governor said: “The bill establishing the state Waste Management Agency would help to address the issue of indiscriminate dumping of refuse. It will also help in converting waste into wealth and also create sanity in the state.”

He said by the provisions of the bill, offenders would be subjected to heavy penalties, adding that the signing of the bills would help convert waste to wealth in the state

According to him,  the second bill which bordered on land use and property would end the issue of land grabbing in the state.

He said property owners in the state would be required to present their Certificate of Occupancy for validation, adding that the bill also recommended that all landowners must pay for land use charges.

Imo Government announces partial lockdown relaxation

Imo state Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has announced that the lockdown imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19 pandemic within the state will be partially relaxed from Sunday.

In a statewide broadcast Friday evening, Uzodimma said only food markets, food vending, supermarkets and pharmaceutical shops would be permitted to open.

He said while free movements would be allowed, anyone seen outside without face masks would be arrested and prosecuted.

“We must all understand that although we have not suffered any deaths from Coronavirus, COVID 19 is a reality and we must continue to observe all the necessary safeguards even as I ease some of the restriction that we have put in Place.

“In this regard, I wish to announce that effective Sunday May 3rd 2020, all food markets and food vending supermarkets and pharmaceutical shops are permitted to open for business.  Large markets will however remain shut”, the governor said.

Uzodimma disclosed that massive disinfection of major public places such as markets and public squares was currently on going and will end on Saturday.

He said that there is no entry into or exit from the state. In the unlikely event that any person manages to gain entry into the state, he or she must immediately report to the COVID 19 taskforce for mandatory checks and quarantine. Those who illegally gain entry into the state and those who assist or harbour them shall be arrested and prosecuted.

“The wearing of face masks is mandatory by the law of the state. Consequently any person caught without face mask shall be arrested and prosecuted

“Also, effective Sunday, May 3rd, 2020 public gatherings not exceeding 50 persons at a time shall be allowed. However the rule of social distancing must be strictly adhered to.

“If such gatherings must hold, there must be sufficient provisions for bucket stands for regular washing of hands in running water.

“Hand sanitisers must also be made available for regular use by the people so gathered. Equally every person in the gathering must wear face mask”, he said.

The governor however maintained the dusk- to- dawn curfew in the state remains in place.

Governor Uzodinma releases 36 prisoners in Imo

Governor, Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has released 36 prisoners as part of efforts to decongest the prison following the threat of COVID-19 pandemic.

The governor also directed the Acting Chief Judge of the State, Mrs. Ijeoma Aguguo, to immediately commence accelerated trial and release of inmates who are on awaiting trial on minor charges or allegations.

A statement issued on Friday by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Declan Emelumba, said the governor also directed that trials must observe all COVID- 19 safety measures, including wearing of face masks and social distancing.

He directed the prisoners granted pardon are those serving three years with less than six months to go.

Others are convicts who have spent up to 25 percent of their prison terms and minor offenders with three months to six months imprisonment.

FUTO Donates Sanitisers to Imo State Government to fight Covid-19

Expectations of the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma is being met on daily basis as delegation from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) registered their presence with donation of cartons of sanitizers to the State Government to assist in the fight against Coronavirus disease.

Receiving the team at the Government House, Owerri on Tuesday, the governor stated that the response of the FUTO team to the clarion call of the state government demonstrates their determination to help in the growth of the state, especially now that the state is battling with the Covid-19 situation.

Expressing delight on the provision of 2,000 pieces of 100ml sanitizers which were produced by the institution, Governor Uzodimma charged them on result-oriented research to further develop other scientific items to save our people from coronavirus scourge and other diseases.

The Governor noted that Covid-19 has given every Dick and Tom a sense of worry globally, to the extent of casting doubt in the credibility of our scientists.

He thanked FUTO for rising to the occasion, adding that the sensitization awareness to students and their host community was not a waste of time and their ‘FUTO-made’ sanitizers are further proof that they are in tune with world standards. The Governor assured that the products will be put to proper use.

Earlier, leader of the delegation and the Vice-Chancellor of FUTO, Prof. Francis C. Eze stated that partnering with the state government through their support and encouragement is the way to go in order to surmount the attendant economic stress that COVID-19 has brought upon the lives of the people.

Prof. Eze further pledged the support of FUTO in the areas of public awareness and sensitization. He urged the government to always count on the university’s support and prayed that the pandemic would soon be done with.

Hon. Speaker IMHA pays courtesy visit to Dr. Bados Nwadike, S A Political to Imo governor

Yesterday, the Speaker Imo House of Assembly Rt.  Hon. Dr. Collins Chiji paid a courtesy visit to the S.A. political to Imo Governor Dr Batos Nwadike. In company of the Speaker was a political leader of Okigwe zone and S.A. to Imo Governor, Chief Regis Uwakw

Hope Uzodinma launches six isolation centres, 31 ambulances in Imo

The Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma on Friday, opened six isolation centres across the state.

Uzodinma said in Owerri, the state capital at one of the isolation centres that the facilities were put in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the state.

The governor said though there was no confirmed coronavirus case in the state, his administration was ready to tackle the virus if it spread to the state.

He equally provided 31 ambulances and over 100 security vehicles.

The governor said the ambulances had been allocated to the 27 local government areas in the state.

He listed the location of the isolation centres as Aboh Mbaise General Hospital, Umuguma General Hospital, Okigwe General Hospital, Federal Medical Centre Owerri, Imo Teaching Hospital, Orlu, and Imo Isolation Centre, Owerri.

 Uzodinma said, “We are working how to implement policies for a healthy Imo. By the grace of God, there is no confirmed case of COVID 19 in Imo .We are being creative and vigilant. The Imo initiative on crime prevention is all being launched today. The centre is also going to deal with any other contagious disease. It is a comprehensive package to conquer the health and safety challenge of our people. Health, safety of the people are our concern.”

Imo govt to empower 5000 unemployed graduates

Five thousand youths would be captured in the first phase of a skills acquisition and entrepreneurship training for Imo youths, said the Imo state governor Hope Uzodinma.

The Commissioner for Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition, Mr. Noble Atulegu, disclosed this to newsmen in Owerri, adding that the programmes will fully kick-off as the battle for COVID-19 virus declines.

He said among other things that resource persons will be brought into the state for the different pieces of training, which he said has a short term, mid-term and long term plans.

Atulegu pointed out that, “Phase one of our projects will empower five thousand unemployed graduates and we bring them together, we train them and give them something to start up a new business.

Said he, “I will also let you know that some people do not need that package what they want is just that training and they will start making their money.” “Look at how we will achieve this, for our short term plan is for the graduates who just graduated from school. Because they have been exposed and have a certain level of knowledge, believe me, they will pick up very fast in their training.

“Then for the mid-term plan, is for young people who just finished secondary school. It may take that person a few months or up to a year to catch up with the training and quickly follow it to the last.

“While the long term plan, by that time we must have been coming close to the end of our tenure.

“We must have trained those unemployed, those who were unable to go to secondary school and those who graduated from universities will be empowered. What we are doing now, is to produce future leaders.”

Uzodinma appoints 27 interim chairmen for Imo LGs

The Imo State governor, Hope Uzodinma, has appointed Interim Management Committee chairmen for the 27 Local Government Areas of the state.

The Secretary to the State Government, Cosmos Iwu, announced this in a statement, in Owerri on Thursday.

This, he said, followed the approval given by the state House of Assembly authorising him to do so.

The governor had soon after assuming office, instructed the Interim Management Committee chairmen appointed by his successor, Emeka Ihedioha, to hand over to Directors of Administration and General Services of the various LGAs.

The appointees include Emma Njoku (Aboh Mbaise), Chief Larry Chikwe  (Ahiazu Mbaise), Chief Francis Onyeberechi (Ezinihitte Mbaise), Chidi Okechukwu (Ehime Mbano), Olemgbe Chike (Ihette Uboma), C. C. Ihejirike (Obowo), and Mrs Nkechi Mbaonu (Okigwe).

Covid19: Gov. Uzodinma orders total lockdown of Imo

Imo Governor, Hope Uzodinma has ordered complete lockdown of the state as part of measures to prevent the dreaded Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease from entering the state.

Uzodinma gave the order in a state broadcast pennultimate Saturday in Owerri.

He said the move was in line with his commitment to protect the lives of the people of the state.

The governor ordered that all markets be closed indefinitely and also prohibited all forms of marriage ceremonies.

He also announced the ban on burial and funeral ceremonies and declared that all forms of religious worships in churches and mosques, including crusades and open evangelism were prohibited.

Uzodimma further directed that road blocks be mounted at all land borders into the state to ensure those coming in would be screened and given a clean bill of health by officials attached to the check points, before allowed entry.

He also directed all civil and public servants in the state, except those on approved essential duties, to stop work immediately.

He said a combined team of military, police and other security agencies would be deployed to the streets to ensure strict compliance with the directives.

The governor, however, noted that though the new measures might cause some inconveniences or hardship to the people, they were inevitable to assure success in the fight against COVID-19.

The governor assured the people that the state was ready for any emergency as according to him, “a team of specialist doctors are now on ground and well equipped to handle any emergency just in case the virus finds its way into the state.”

Further measures announced by the governor to contain the virus included, training of health educators to go to rural communities to educate them as well as the distribution of hand sanitisers to all the communities in the state.

Uzodimma stated that these measures would be reviewed on weekly basis and if it became necessary to relax them or take more measures, the government would act accordingly.

The governor who assured that his administration would be at its best toward surveillance, prevention and control, called for vigilance and strict adherence to safety norms.

“I wish to reiterate my earlier advise that the best safety measures against the disease are social distancing, regular washing of hands with soap, sanitising our hands regularly as well as periodic check of body temperature to be sure that it is not above 38 degrees Celsius.” he said.

While acknowledging that the number of those infected by the disease in the country is on the increase, Uzodimma said it had become expedient for government to take further measures to ensure that Imo was safe from the Coronavirus pandemic.