IMO STATE MONITOR - NIGERIA

Nigeria: Jonathan Sacks NNPC Boss, Appoints Replacement By Bassey Udo President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday sacked the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Andrew Yakubu. The Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), Reuben Abati, said in a statement that a replacement, Joseph Dawha, was appointed to take over from him immediately. Mr. Abati also said the President also approved the appointment of Anthony Muoneke as the Managing Director, Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, more than five months after the seat became vacant. Also appointed for the NNPC were Aisha Abdurrahman as the Group Executive Director, Commercial and Investment, while Attahiru Yusuf, formerly Group Executive Director, Commerce & Investments, takes over from her as Group Executive Director, Business Development, NNPC. Ms. Abdurrahman was, until her appointment Group Executive Director, Business Development. Mr. Abati said all the appointments take immediate effect. Until his appointment, the new Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mr. Dawha, who hails from Borno state, served as the acting Group Executive Director, Exploration and Production, NNPC. He was also formerly the Managing Director of Integrated Data Services Limited, IDSL, a subsidiary of the NNPC. The new Managing Director of the NPDC, Mr. Muoneke, who hails from Anambra state, is a lawyer, who was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1985. A legal expert with over 29-year experience as oil and gas lawyer, Mr. Muoneke who has practiced at both local and international levels in both the energy and power sectors, was the Executive Director, Finance & Administration, Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited, NDPHC. Mr. Yakubu, who was appointed in July 2012, succeeded the former GMD, Austen Oniwon. After his assumption of office, Mr. Yakubu was said to have worked to maintain the production capacity at an average level of about 2.3 million barrels per day despite the challenges of pipeline vandalism. Other achievements credited to him include the successful completion of the divestment processes and assignment of equity to the NPDC, the upstream subsidiary of the Corporation and the completion of Seismic Processing Centre in Port Harcourt by the IDSL as well as the successful restoration of operations at the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company, WRPC, after a two-year closure. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Yakubu served as Group Executive Director, Exploration and Production; Managing Director, WRPC; Executive Director, Operations, NETCO; Executive Director, Operations, Nigerian Gas Company, and General Manager, Engineering Technical Services, Engineering and Technology Division, ETD. He was also Manager, JV Oil Facilities, National Petroleum Investment Management Services, NAPIMS; Manager, East Area Oil Development Project, Mobil Producing Nigeria JV; Manager, Yoho Oil Development Project, Mobil Producing Nigeria JV as well as Manager, Bonny Terminal Rehabilitation Project. Read our earlier post on this story as well as full press release announcing the appointments below. President Goodluck Jonathan has fired the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Andrew Yakubu. Read the press statement announcing the sack and the appointment of a replacement below. STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE PRESIDENT JONATHAN APPOINTS NEW CEOs FOR NNPC AND NPDC President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has approved the following appointments and changes in the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC): 1. Dr Joseph Thlama Dawha - Group Managing Director, NNPC 2. Mr Anthony Ugonna Muoneke - Managing Director, NPDC 3. Ms Aisha Mata Abdurrahman - Group Executive Director, Commercial and Investment, NNPC 4. Dr Attahir B. Yusuf - Group Executive Director, Business Development, NNPC The new Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Dawha hails from Borno state. He has served previously as the Group Executive Director, Exploration and Production, NNPC and Managing Director of Integrated Data Services Ltd (IDSL), a subsidiary of the NNPC. Mr Anthony Muoneke, the new Managing Director of the NPDC, hails from Anambra state. Called to the Nigerian Bar in 1985, he has over 29 years' experience at both local and international levels in the oil and gas as well as the energy and power sectors, including serving as Executive Director, Finance & Admin, Niger Delta Power Holding Company Ltd. (NDPHC). All the appointments are with immediate effect. Reuben Abati Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity) August 1, 2014 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Corruption: Akanbi, Sagay, others disagree on immunity January 11, 2013 by Success Nwogu, Ilorin 25 Comments Former Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Justice Mustapha Akanbi The desirability or otherwise of the immunity clause in the nation’s constitution again came to the fore on Thursday as eminent lawyers in separate interviews disagreed on the subject. While a former President of Court of Appeal, Justice Mustapha Akanbi (retd); and three prominent Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Mr. Olisa Agbakoba, Chief Afe Babalola and Mallam Yusuf Ali, called for the removal of immunity clause from the Constitution, a popular constitutional lawyer, Prof. Itse Sagay, said no. Section 308 of the nation’s constitution confers immunity from trial on the President, Vice-President, governors and their deputies while in office. Akanbi, Babalola, Agbakoba and Ali opined that with the unbridled and monumental corruption perpetuated by some public officials, removal of immunity clause could be a starting point to nipping corruption in the bud. Akanbi who is a former Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, said it would be counterproductive to continue to allow corrupt public officials to continue in office if there is an established and a clear case of corruption against such officials. He said, “I think that there is a consensus by everybody that if a man is corrupt and he continues to run the country, then he will be setting an example in corruption for others to follow. So, if there is no immunity and he is prosecuted, it is better for the society and the country. “If there is a clear case of corruption, nobody should take cover under immunity. I agree that during this Constitutional Amendment, it should be reflected that any public official, be it at the presidency or the governor that has a clear case of corruption should be prosecuted even in office.” Agbakoba said he was in support of the removal of immunity clause in respect of corruption matters. He, however, said it might not totally end corruption. According to him, there is the need to have strong anti-corruption institutions for a meaningful anti-graft war. Babalola said the rationale behind the immunity clause was to ensure that public officials such as President, Vice-President, Governors and their deputies could concentrate on their administrative work. He, however, said that with the high rate of corruption, once a public official had been investigated and there was a clear case of corruption established against such a person, the the person should be prosecuted. According to him, this should be reflected in the constitutional amendment. He added that there was the need to strengthen the judiciary and anti-graft agencies to ensure thorough prosecution and possible conviction of corrupt officials. “We should amend the constitution such that once there is a prima facie against a governor who has been investigated, he should face prosecution immediately. He should not wait until he is out of office and continues his corrupt acts,” he said. Ali said the immunity clause should be removed with respect to corruption and constitutional issues. “We are saying that the immunity clause should be amended to reflect that there will be no immunity for corruption matters and illegal or unconstitutional issues committed by governors or presidents. There should be no immunity for these acts, especially corruption matters. “From our experience, once these people leave office, nobody remembers those things. You can imagine how many people that became Senate president in the past, allegations were made against them by anti-graft agencies at that point but later what came after it? Some of them are now in the corridors, in fact sitting rooms of power,” Ali said. But Sagay cautioned against the removal of immunity clause. He stated that the removal of immunity clause could be counterproductive. He reasoned that it could distract public officials from performing their responsibilities while in office. -------------------------
EDITORIAL: TO ROCHAS ADMINISTRATION:
IMOLITES WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE STATUS OF [THE INYISHI ALUMINIUM EXTRUSION COMPANY].

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< Okorocha drops 6 commissioners, reshuffles cabinet Written by Joe Nwachukwu, Owerri Thursday, 14 June 2012 THE Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, has reshuffled his cabinet, dropping six commissioners in the state executive council. The six commissioners were Ejike Uche (public utilities and rural development); Ogueri Enwerem (commerce and industry); Obinna Duruji (information and strategy) and Alex Ogwazuo (culture and tourism). Others were Mrs Chioma Ogueke (housing and urban development) and Mrs Ann Dozie (women affairs and social development. The chief of staff, who addressed newsmen after the weekly state executive council meeting, disclosed further that new commissioners-designate had been appointed by the governor and were waiting for the screening and approval of the state House of Assembly. He said those nominated were Uche Mbanaso; Chinedu Offor; Nnanna Ugochi Okoro; Chima Iwuchukwu; Emma Ekweremba and Charles Onuoha. The governor, according to the chief of staff, also effected changes in his special advisers and senior special advisers, adding that the list would be made public soon. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Avoid mischief makers, Okorocha advises Corps members at POP ON JUNE 14, 2012 • IN NEWS BY CHIDI NKWOPARA, OWERRI. Out-going 2011 Batch B members of National Youths Service Corps, NYSC, who served in Imo State, have been reminded that “self reliance, hard work and free enterprise are determining factors for survival”. Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, gave the advice Thursday at the passing out ceremony of the Corps members in Owerri. “I advise you to avoid mischief makers and other misguided elements in the society, who propagate and engage in terrorism, human trafficking, drug peddling and advance fee fraud as means of livelihood”, Okorocha pleaded. Earlier in her address, the State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs. Chinwe Ojukwu, forwarded six names out of the 2,250 corpers that distinguished themselves during the service year for state award. “Some corps members, who ran foul of the rules and regulations of the scheme, were also considered for sundry offences and will be subjected to various forms of disciplinary measures with the NWSC Bye Laws”, Ojukwu said. The NYSC Batch 'B' Corps Members At Their Passing -Out Parade At Murtala Muhammed Square, Kaduna on Thursday.photo by Olu Ajayi Explaining the action, the Imo NYSC boss said: “Some of these measures include withholding of their discharge certificates, few months of extension of service, outright repeat of service and other forms of sanction”. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- EDITORIAL: SEE THE HEALTH SECTION FOR DETAILS. Global malaria death toll falling
Anopheles mosquitoes spread malaria

Related Stories
• Malaria parasites 'resist drugs'
• Malaria vaccine trial raises hope
We all like reports of dramatic medical and scientific breakthroughs but the reality is that most developments are incremental. As a result, important issues can get overlooked.
Take malaria. Deaths from the parasitic infection - which is spread by the bites of infected mosquitoes - have been falling steadily since around 2004. Only a few years ago it was said that the disease killed one child every 30 seconds. I remember using this figure on a trip to Ghana in 2006. By 2009 the estimate was down to one child dying every 45 seconds.
"It is now more likely that malaria kills a child every sixty seconds," according to Dr Richard Cibulskis, the lead author of the World Malaria Report.
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EDITORIAL: [OJUKWU IS DEAD];
LATE GENERAL CHUKWUEMEKA ODUMEGWU OJUKWU'S LIFE IS A PIVOTAL POINT IN THE HISTORY OF NIGERIA, PAST AND FUTURE. IT'S THE UNEDITED TRANSCRIPT OF THE EVOLUTION OF NIGERIA.

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Nigeria: Roche Group Takes Over Imo Palm Plantation


EDITORIAL VIEWPOINT: THIS IS A VERY 'SMART' MOVE BY THE GOVERNOR. IT IS A RECOGNITION OF THE LIMITATIONS OF NIGERIANS WITH REGARDS TO CERTAIN GLOBAL/INDUSTRIAL ISSUES. IT IS NOT AN INDICTMENT OF THE INTEGRITY OR INTELLIGENCE OF THE PEOPLE. EVEN THE DEVELOPED COUNTRIES IMPORT 'BRAIN-POWER' FROM ANYWHERE THEY CAN FIND THEM AND EMPLOY THEM FOR THEIR LOCAL DEVELOPMENT. BRAVO TO THE GOVERNOR. THIS SAME APPROACH SHOULD BE APPLIED TO OTHER AREAS SUCH RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, BIOTECH. [READ MORE IN THE COMMERCE & INDUSTRY SECTION]
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ALL HAIL THE IMO STATE GOVERNOR

Nigeria: Imo Govt Begins Payment of Stipend to Pupils, Students

Johnkennedy Uzoma
2 November 2011
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Owerri — Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has commenced the payment of monthly stipend to primary school pupils and secondary schools students.
The payment, which began yesterday, took off simultaneously in the 27 local government areas of the state. Primary school pupils are expected to receive N100 each while secondary school students are getting N120 each. Class room monitors in primary schools are to receive N120, while prefects of secondary schools will receive N150 each.
Addressing journalists, his Special Adviser on Education, Professor Fabian Osuji said committees would be set up in the 27 local government areas to monitor the exercise.
He added that Governor Okorocha, his deputy, Sir. Jude Agbaso and other top government officials would participate in the exercise. Osuji further stated that the government would start implementation of its policy on education with the construction of 305 European standard schools across the state.
He said a committee has been set up by the government to ascertain the actual data of students in schools in the state, as well as available facilities. The governor's aide added that a joint committee of SEMB, SUBEB and NUT, which would be chaired by a top government official, would be set up to implement the free education policy in the local government areas. Osuji said the committee would be charged with the responsibility of award of contracts, payment of stipend and supervision of the school fencing project.

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Nigeria: Jonathan Sacks Board of Govt Agencies
Tony Ailemen
20 October 2011

Abuja — President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday dissolved the boards of federal government parastatals.

Jonathan announced the dissolution while inaugurating committee to select new members of the boards which will soon be constituted.

The committee which the President described as "the most powerful" committee is headed by Vice President Namadi Sambo.

The committee which also has Senate President, Senator David Mark as member, also includes Speaker of House of Representatives and the Peoples Democratic Party's acting National Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Baraje.

This was as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator Anyim Pius Anyim is to serve as Secretary of the Committee.

President Jonathan said it was customary for the boards to be dissolved and reconstituted at the end of every four years

He however noted that it was delayed since it is the same government that is in power.

He said: "Let me thank all those who have served on the various boards, we are dissolving the boards not because they were not effective but because their tenure had lapsed.

"At the end of every four years, boards are dissolved and reconstituted because it is customary to do so".

He therefore charged the committee to hasten up their work so that government can immediately reconstitute the boards.

AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).
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10 die in Imo flood disaster

ON OCTOBER 19, 2011 • IN NEWS
BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

OWERRI—The death toll in the flood disaster currently rocking Okwuamarihe and Amanachi communities in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State has risen to 10.
Similarly, over 50,000 families have also been sacked from their ancestral homes by flood, while several houses have been submerged in the disaster.
Narrating the ordeal of his people to newsmen, the traditional ruler, Eze Mike Ebighi, lamented that property conservatively put at over N1 billion have been destroyed.
He regretted that some of his kinsmen have relocated to safer grounds in neighbouring towns, adding that apart from being a danger zone, the people were facing intense hardship and abject poverty.
The royal father traced the origin of the flood to the construction of the Ihiala-Orlu federal highway that passes through the community, stressing that no proper channelisation of flood was incorporated in the design.
He recalled with grief that water-borne diseases had become a regular feature in the community, adding that a recent outbreak of yellow fever claimed several lives in the area.
Speaking also, one of the flood victims, Mr. Godwin Ashiegbunam, said his property had been destroyed by the flood and called on the state government to quickly come to their aid.
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Ojukwu Returns Soon, Says Bianca

17 Oct 2011
Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu
By Chinedu Eze in London

Special Assistant to the President on Diaspora, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu, has ex-pressed optimism that her husband, Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu, who is currently undergoing treatment in a London hospital, would soon be discharged.


Speaking with journalists at the Leyton Marsh Fields, London, venue of the 2011 Nigerian Carnival United Kingdom (NCUK) at the weekend, Bianca thanked Nigerians for their prayers and support so far, adding, “we hope to be back home soon.”

She expressed joy over the carnival, saying it would provide a forum for Nigerians living in the UK to interact and strengthen their unity as Nigerians.


She said if Nigerians worked together in the UK, they would be able to command respect from the host country and also be able to influence decisions about their welfare.

Bianca, therefore, urged the organisers of the carnival not to be discouraged but to organise more programmes that would foster the unity of Nigerians in the Diaspora.


Also speaking at the event, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Zainab Maina, who represented the First Lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan, urged Nigerians living in the UK to be of good conduct as they were also ambassadors of the country.

Maina also thanked the organisers of the programme for attracting thousands of Nigerian youths to share in their country's rich culture and tradition.


She said such unity was important especially as that the country was passing through various ethnic and security challenges.

Maina also urged the Nigerian women in the UK to ensure their children and wards were well trained to contribute positively to the development of their host country and their fatherland.


“This carnival is an opportunity with Nigerian culture and tradition. We're known for peace and hard work and we must radiate this at all times,” she said.


In his speech, Chairman of the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (CANUK), Bimbo Folayan, said the programme was borne out of the need to have an umbrella body of Nigerians in the UK.
“We have over two million Nigerians in the UK. We must always come together. In the past, Nigerian Carnival UK (NCUK) held the carnival alone and this is the first time CANUK is collaborating. CANUK is the collection of all other individual associations in the UK. We're working as one because we believe that when we work together as one, we can do exploits. Next year, we hope to have a massive show,” he said.



We all have roles to play in this matter because intelligence gathering requires that the man in the streets also avails security agencies necessary information to further facilitate their operations.”


Moro further disclosed that the Federal Government had gone into a synergy with the governments of Niger Republic, Chad and other neighbouring countries with a view to checking any form of security threat from such countries.
“Government is on top of the situation, be assured that in the coming weeks and days these security challenges will become history,” he said.

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Northeast Nigeria militant attacks kill at least 65

By Mike Oboh in Kano and a correspondent in Maiduguri | Reuters – 2 hrs 37 mins ago
November 5, 2011

KANO, Nigeria (Reuters) - At least 65 people were killed in a spate of coordinated gun and bomb attacks in the northeast Nigerian city of Damaturu on Friday, an aid agency said, and witnesses said dozens of bodies were piling up in morgues in the now almost deserted city.
Gunmen raided the city and nearby village of Potiskum, both in northeastern Yobe state, on Friday evening, and engaged in several hours of running gunbattles with security forces, witnesses said.
Militants bombed churches, mosques and police stations.
Though no one has claimed responsibility, the Boko Haram Islamist sect has been behind previous such attacks.
"This place was like a war zone last night. There is no single policeman on the street now, the attacks destroyed mosques and churches, I have seen many injured persons in the hospital," said local Damaturu artisan Benard Ogbeifun.
"There were dozens of dead bodies, and no vehicles on the road. I'm staying in my shop and praying."
An internal memo sent to Reuters from an emergency relief agency, which declined to be named and did not say who was responsible for the killings, counted 65 people killed in total. All were in Damaturu, except for two in Patiskum.
"The police headquarters, (military) Joint Task Force Office and five Churches were attacked with explosives ... and there was also an exchange of gunfire between the Security operatives and the unknown gunmen in Damaturu, the state capital," the report said.
Some 16 other people were wounded by gunshots at the two locations, all but three of them hospitalized, it said. It described the situation in the city on Saturday as "relatively calm."
Seven police officers and two soldiers were among the dead in Damaturu, said a military source said.
MULTIPLE SUICIDE BOMBINGS
The attacks followed multiple bomb blasts in nearby Maiduguri, making Friday one of the worst days of violence in the northeast since Islamist sect Boko Haram launched an insurgency against Nigerian authorities in 2009, vowing to impose sharia law across the country.
A triple suicide bombing of military headquarters in Maiduguri, northeast Nigeria's biggest city, and three roadside bombs in different parts of it, wounded at least seven people. The blasts all went off shortly after Friday prayers.
The sect has overtaken militants in the oil-rich Niger Delta as the West African country's main security headache.
Another witness to the Damaturu violence, Umar Gambo, said he had seen several dozen dead bodies at the local morgue.
"The streets are deserted. I have lost count of dead bodies, but ... I saw at least 80 dead bodies in the mortuary. There is no high presence of security on the streets and two banks were bombed," he said.
"I can't understand why all this madness."
Boko Haram says it wants sharia law more widely imposed across Nigeria. It draws much of its support from unemployed youth in the remote, economically deprived north.
The group appears to be growing in sophistication and security analysts believe it has made links with al Qaeda's north African affiliate.
A suicide car bomb attack against the United Nations' Nigeria headquarters in Abuja killed 26 people.
(Reporting by Mike Oboh in Kano and a correspondent in Maiduguri; Writing and additional reporting by Tim Cocks in Lagos)
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[2011: FROM HERE TO THERE]:

Posted: 07-Sep-2011 [18:20:18] by Online Unit

ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE IMO STATE GOVERNMENT FROM MAY 29TH 2011 – SEPT 5TH 2011 (1ST100 DAYS IN OFFICE OF GOVERNOR ROCHAS OKOROCHA)


PUBLIC UTILITIES:

Rehabilitation of Water Schemes in Imo State, namely:

1. Otamiri Head –Works
2. Egbu Water Scheme
3. Orji Water Scheme
4. Umuoba Water Scheme
5. Ubachima Water Scheme
6. Mgbidi Water Scheme
7. Umuowa Water Scheme
8. Osuama Water Scheme
9. Nsu Water Scheme

COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

Adoption of Public Private Partnership (PPP) in the execution of some projects, namely:

10. International Electrical, Electronics and Auto-Parts Market, Naze
11. Central Market for general goods, New Owerri
12. Imo Free Trade Zone, Ngor Okpala
13. Development of Industrial Clusters, Phase 2-4, Naze
14. International Trade Fair Complex/Exhibition Center, New Owerri
15. Transformation of Okigwe Regional Cattle market into Okigwe

International Market

[The projects mentioned above are starting points, as the present government in Imo State has entered into agreements with their developers who are expected to commence work on the sites between September and October 2011, while Phase 1 of the Industrial Cluster has been completed.]
Adoption of Private Public Partnership in the re-activation of some moribund industries, namely:

16. Owerri Shoe Industry
17. Nsu Tiles and Ceramics Industry, Mbano
18. Ezinnachi Clay Products Industry

EDUCATION

19. Establishment of the Imo College of Advanced Professional Studies
20. Secured approval of 922 million(Nine hundred and twenty two million) naira from the Education Trust Fund (ETF) to be used for projects in Educational Institutions in Imo State
21. Commissioning of a well equipped Information Communication Technology (ICT) Laboratory at Girls Secondary School, Ikenegbu, Owerri
22. Secured approval for the establishment of National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) Study Center in Imo State
23. Release of 138 (one hundred and thirty-eight) million naira for payment of arrears of CONTISS/CONUAS (Academic & Non-academic) staff entitlements in Imo State University, Owerri
24. Provision of 100 (one hundred) million naira for the accreditation of courses in the Faculty of Engineering and Nursing Science in Imo State University
25. Reversal of the proposed 150,000(one hundred and fifty thousand ) naira school fees for students of Imo State University by the past administration
26. Increased subvention to the Imo State University from 57.56 million(fifty-seven million, five hundred and sixty thousand naira) to 100million(one hundred million) naira monthly
27. Commencement of the building of the Young Scientists’ College in Owerri
28. Declaration of free and compulsory primary and secondary school education in Imo State

HEALTH

29. Upgrading of General Hospital Owerri to a Specialist Hospital.
30. Connection of the Owerri Specialist Hospital to the National electricity grid
31. Provision of Solar energy as well as Solar-Powered borehole in the Owerri Specialist Hospital
32. Constitution of a Task-Force group on counterfeit and fake drugs and unwholesome food items
33. Purchase and distribution of medical equipments worth 90,000,000(ninety million) naira to health institutions in Imo State.
34. Approval of the payment of 100% CONMESS/CONHESS (salary structure) for all doctors and health workers in Imo State University Teaching Hospital.
35. Facilitating the return of some specialist doctors who left Imo State University Teaching Hospital (IMSUTH) before May 29th 2011
36. Reviving the Academic Curriculum of the Imo State University Medical School by ensuring the graduation of the 3rd set of medical doctors from the school in August 2011. It will be recalled that IMSU/IMSUTH have not graduated medical doctors in the last 2 (two) years owing to protracted industrial strikes by staffs of the institution
37. Purchase of 2 new ECG machines as well as 2 new Anaesthetic machines for use by IMSUTH
38. Successful implementation of 89%DPT3, 107%OPV3, 80%BCG,77%HBV and 96% anti-measles vaccination coverage of targeted children during the first round of the 2011 Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week held from 28th June2011 to 3rd July 2011

FINANCE :

39. Payment of 12 years arrears of pension owed retired staffs of Imo State government
40. Release of 2.7 billion (two billion, seven hundred thousand) naira into the State and Local Government Joint Revenue Mission Bank Account for the development of Imo State rural schools and infrastructure

LOCAL GOVERNMENT:

41. Implementation of the outstanding 2008 Local Government Staff conversion exercise in the various cadres
42. Actualizing the 2008 Local Government Junior staff promotion exercise

URBAN PLANNING:

43. Commencement of negotiations with Messrs Roche Group from Ireland with a view to creating a demonstration layout which will pilot the provision of modular mass houses in Imo State
44. Commencement of negotiations with Hewlett- Packard Corporation, USA with a view to actualizing the computerization of the Imo State Land Registry
45. Commencement of negotiations with a Brazillian firm who is willing to partner with the Imo State government in providing power supply using natural gas
46. Commencement of discussions with Tummy Tummy Foods Industries Limited to facilitate their building a factory in Imo State, which upon completion, will provide employment for over 3000 youths
47. Commencement of discussions with TTI with a view to re-invigorating the IGIS Project

SPORTS:

48. Imo State representatives at the just concluded Hockey Premier League championship held between 14th and 21st August 2011, came 3rd, thereby qualifying to represent Nigeria in India for the next World Hockey Championship
49. Renovation of the Indoor Sports Hall at Dan Anyiam Stadium.
50. Revisiting the contract for the construction of the Orlu Township Stadium
51. Imo State Weight lifting Team participated in the competition for junior and senior categories at Lagos State and won 3 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze
52. Imo State Amateur Wrestlers won 1 gold, 3 silver and 5 bronze medals at the Continental Championship which ended on 30th May 2011
53. Imo contingents in the Karate Championship held in Ghana in August 2011 won a total of 3 gold and 1 bronze medals
54. Imo contingent that took part in the 17th National Sports Festival held in Rivers State in July 2011 came 14th on the medals table, having won a total of 61 medals, including 8 gold, 16 silver and 37 bronze.
55. Through sponsorship by the Imo State Government, the Heartland Football Club, Owerri recently qualified for the Finals of the 2011 Federation Cup.

HOUSING:

56. Conversion of the Parliamentarian quarters to Concord Hotel Annex
57. Conversion of Banquet Hall to Government House Chapel
58. Design and construction of Heroes Square
59. Design and construction of Ikemba Ojukwu Convention Center, Owerri
60. Renovation of Commissioners’ Quarters
61. Reconstruction of Multi-Purpose Hall and V.I.P Lounge, Government House
62. Reconstruction of Imo State House of Assembly
63. Reconstruction of the Exco Chambers Building
64. Renovation of the Imo Concorde Hotel
65. Reconstruction of the Abuja Laison Office of the Imo State Government
66. Reconstruction of the Brigade Commander’s Guest House
67. Renovation of the Imo State Police Commissioner’s Guest House
68. Renovation of the abandoned Governor’s Lounge, near Concorde Hotel
69. Design and construction of Multi-purpose Hall at Oguta Motel
70. Reconstruction of the Customary Court, Owerri

Completion of some Housing Estates, namely:

71. Nekede Exclusive Garden Phase 11, Area ‘H’ New Owerri
72. Okporo Housing Estate , Okporo, Orlu
73. Obinze-Avu Lay out
74. Egbu Market, (Somachi)Lay- out
75. Acquisition of Iwuanyanwu Holdings Landed Property at Naze
76. Acquisition of land for Mass Housing at Azara Obiato

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT:

77. Seventy-five matrimonial cases have been treated and the couples re-united
78. On August 23rd 2011, Operators of “Hope House Child Center, Ngugo”,received one million naira, while Green Health Care Services received four million naira as their subvention from the Imo State Government
79. Installation of twenty-seven 40KVA Generator sets in the 27 Special Health Centers
80. Commencement of the procurement of customized Identity cards for all the Traditional Rulers in Imo State

SECURITY:

81. Procurement of one hundred Hilux Vans manned by a combined team of Police, Army and State Security Service for the effective policing of the Local Government Areas
82. Empowerment of Local Vigilante groups to complement the efforts of the Police in combating crime in Imo State
83. Patrol of the newly acquired Security vehicles within and around the 27 Local Governments for sensitization

AGRICULTURE:

Restructuring and revitalizing of the Assets of the Imo State Government-owned Companies that have been moribund or performing at a very low capacity, namely:
84. Imo Palm Plantation limited ( a.k.a Adapalm Ltd, Ohaji)
85. Imo Modern Poultry, Avutu, Obowo Local Government Area
86. Imo Rubber Estate limited, Obiti, Emeabiam and Umuekwunne
87. Development of cassava farms in all the 27 local Government Areas in Imo State
88. Commencement of the replication of Imo Palm Plantation project in the 3 zones that make up Imo State
89. Commencement of the replication of Imo Modern Poultry in the 3 geo-political zones that make up Imo State
90. Empowerment of over 100 FUGs & FCAs under the FADAMA 111 projects to increase food production in Imo State
91. Increasing the volume of fish production in Imo State through the Agro-Nova project of the Imo State Ministry of Agriculture
92. Improvement of the Oguta Fish Hatchery to produce about 50,000 fingerlings per year
93. Stocking of the Nekede Poultry section of the Agronova with birds
94. Delivering Agricultural Extension Services to the farmers in the Local Government Areas
95. Distribution of sufficient quantity of fertilizer to the farmers in Imo State during the last planting season

CAPITAL PROJECTS:

96. Release of 180 million naira for development projects in Orlu and Okigwe zones in Imo State
Asphalting of some major roads within Owerri Municipal, including:
97. Assumpta Road,
98. Bank Road,
99. MCC Road through School Road
100. Restoring peace and confidence in the entire people of Imo State to the nation’s democratic process.

405KMs OF ROAD TO BE CONSTRUCTED IN IMO
Posted: 26-Sep-2011 [17:05:12] by Online Unit

405KMs OF ROAD TO BE CONSTRUCTED IN IMO



The Imo State government is to construct a 15 kilometer road each in the 27 Local Government Areas, totaling 405 kilometers of roads network in its first phase of massive roads construction in the rural areas.

Making this disclosure during his meeting with Transition Committee Chairmen of the Local Government Areas, heads of Traditional Rulers’ Councils and the Community Speakers of the Fourth-tier of government held at Rochas Foundation Plaza recently, the Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha advised the representatives of the Local Councils to rehabilitate their Communities’ major markets so as to boost the revenue accruable to them, adding that the the law backing the activities of the Community Speakers would soon be passed by the State House of Assembly.

Speaking further at the meeting, the Imo State governor, who called on the monarchs to desist from engaging in partisan politics, lamented over the bloated costs of contracts given by the previous administration in Imo State and vowed to review such contracts in order to save funds for the State Government. Said he, “I am not working to be re-elected, rather I am working to leave a legacy for the future generation and I promise you that at the end of four years, I will be adjudged as having done better than the late Governor Sam Mbakwe”.

In a response, the head of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Agunwa Ohiri said that the present government has done well in several spheres of governance especially on the introduction of the Fourth-tier of government and pledged the support of Ndi-eze ( members of the Council of Traditional Rulers) to the present administration.

He reminded his colleagues of their obligation to reside in their domain and advised the Community Speakers to secure approvals where necessary from their Traditional Rulers before engaging in


CORRUPT PRACTICES: YOUTHS DEMAND FOR OHAKIM’S ARREST
Posted: 12-Oct-2011

EFCC Chaiman, Farida Waziri.CORRUPT PRACTICES: YOUTHS DEMAND FOR OHAKIM’S ARREST:
Over 1000 youths took to the streets in Owerri, the Imo State capital on Monday 10th October 2011 in a peaceful protest, demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of the immediate past governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).The protesting youths who displayed placards with inscriptions like ‘Owelle, we demand Ohakim’s arrest now’, ‘why EFCC doesn’t want to arrest Ikedi?’, ‘Ohakim, Opiah bring back Imo money’, marched from Dan Anyiam stadium along Wetheral Road to Government House Owerri, where they were received by the Imo State Deputy Governor, Sir Jude Agbaso.Speaking on behalf of the group, Comrade Nduka Chiagozie Ozuruigbo said the former Governor should be made to give account of his administration’s financial recklessness and misappropriation.He accused the former governor of masterminding some criminal activities in the State including kidnapping and urged security agencies to carry out further investigations on the recent activities of the former governor.The youths also demanded for the EFCC to investigate the controversial dredging of Nworie River, rehabilitation of Oguta Lake Motel, construction of multi-purpose hall and several inflated roads contracts awarded by the former governor.Addressing the youths at the Imo State Government House, Owerri, the Deputy Governor, Sir Jude Agbaso described their action as democratic and reiterated government’s commitment to improve their lives through a massive creation of jobs, adding that their grievances and demands would be presented to the appropriate authorities for immediate action. ##############################

Nigeria: EFCC Holds On to Ex-Governors
Leke Adeseri, Ola Ajayi, Oscarline Onwuemenyi, John Bulus And Prince Emmanuel
12 October 2011, Lagos —

THE immediate past Governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao Akala, the Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Hosea Agboola and a contractor, Mr. Femi Babalola were arraigned yesterday in Ibadan on an 11 count charge of conspiracy, illegal acquisition of property and illegal award of contracts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.However for the second time yesterday, the EFCC failed to arraign the immediate past governors of Ogun and Nasarawa States, Otunba Gbenga Daniel Alhaji Akwe Doma respectively who were last week picked by the agency over allegations of fraudulent misuse of public funds. While keeping Daniel in custody the EFCC officials have also intensified their search for incriminating documents and on Monday night combed the offices of a first generation bank that was allegedly used for the distribution of local government funds.Governor Danjuma Goje, the immediate past Governor of Gombe State who surrendered to the EFCC Monday morning was also still being held yesterday in EFCC custody over similar allegations. However, the reverberation of the arrest of Goje was last night spreading around Gombe with former associates and officials of Goje going underground.Former Nassarawa State governor, Akwe Doma could not be arraigned because there was no available judge to hear the case.Following its inability to arraign Doma in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Tuesday the anti-graft agency quickly filed the charge at the Nassarawa State High Court in Lafia. However, it was still unable to get a judge to hear the case against the former governor.The Head of Media and Publicity at the EFCC, Mr. Femi Babafemi, told our correspondent in Abuja that the delay in the arraignment of the former governors was occasioned by the ongoing Judges' Conference taking place in Sokoto, Sokoto State.According to Babafemi, "We are doing everything we can to arraign these suspects, but we are handicapped by the Judges' Conference, which is going on in Sokoto State presently. With regards to Doma, we still hope to get a judge to hear his charges by tomorrow (Wednesday)."Akala, Senator, Contractor dockedAs early as 8.15am yesterday Alao-Akala and two of his aides were conveyed to the court in a bus with number plate AJ 134 SBC KADUNA. The former Governor was welcomed by his supporters who had arrived the court premises earlier singing solidarity songs.All the accused persons pleaded not guilty to all the charges read to them at the State High Court, Ring Road, Ibadan.Other charges preferred against the three accused persons include obtaining property by false pretence and acquiring property with money derived from alleged illegal act and concealing the ownership of such property.According to the charges, the accused persons were alleged to have awarded contracts totaling N2.270b in year 2007 for the supply of 33 drilling machines and another put at N355m for the supply of 20 Roro trucks and 200 pieces of skip bins.They were also alleged to have conspired and awarded N8.5b contract without budget provision for the construction of roads in all 33 local government areas of the state in 2007 and 2009.Akala who was clad in white Guinea brocade fiddled with his phone for most of the duration of the session and looked unperturbed.The former governor was also accused of having bought two choice property in Ibadan with money allegedly realised from the illegal act and that he bought two other property in London using a false identity.They were also accused of obtaining by false pretence the net sum of N269m from the state and local government joint account.Babalola was alleged to have obtained N269m from the state and local government joint account in addition to another N347m from various contractors engaged in road construction in the local governments.Though, counsel to the anti graft agency, EFCC had prayed the court presided over by Justice Moshood Abbas that the accused persons be remanded in prison so that the commission could prepare for their trial, the defence counsel led by Mamman Osuman (SAN)and three others told the court that there was a pending allocation for bail before the court.He said, his clients especially Akala having spent six days in detention, should be granted bail describing their detention as unnecessary and unconstitutional.Justice Abass said since the accused persons did not waste time responding to the prosecution=s application, their bail application must also be heard within a reasonable time.The judge then ordered that the accused persons be remanded in custody of the State Security Service with access to lawyers, doctors and one spouse each.The trial continues today at 12 noon.As he left the premises amid tight security, his supporters poured encomium on him praying that he would come out of his ordeal unscathed.EFCC fails to arraign Daniel, combs bank for documents...Ex-Chairmen quizzedMeanwhile in Abeokuta the EFCC kept supporters of Daniel waiting yesterday as the commission failed to arraign them yesterday.For hours, supporters of the embattled ex governor, security personnel and journalists waited endlessly in anticipation of the commencement of the much publicized trial of the former number one citizen of the state who was picked up last Thursday.Few lawyers were sighted within the court premises which gave an indication that, the trial might take place as scheduled while journalists shuttled between the Federal and State High CourtsOne of the lawyers defending Daniel in the case kicked against the failure of the commission to arraign the former Governor saying that keeping him in custody was a breach of his fundamental rights.Dr. Yemi Oke in a statement yesterday said that the EFCC was served with a court process to enforce his fundamental rights yesterday morning, by the ex- governor=s lawyers B Mr. Taiwo Osipintan (SAN) and Taiwo Oyetibo(SAN), in which they alleged that their client was being held under gruesome conditions.The full content of the protest letter reads:"As it is generally known, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, former Governor of Ogun State, was taken into custody on Thursday October 6, 2011 by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC."Since then under the guise of investigating allegations contained in petitions written against him, the former governor has been detained at the EFCC facility in Abuja under unbearable conditions. In the last four days he has been subjected to gruesome interrogations by operatives of the commission."Under normal circumstances, Otunba Daniel should have been arraigned in court since he has spent more than the required period specified by law in detention. But at the time of issuing this statement, he has not been arraigned in court and no charge has been preferred against him. Yet he is being detained and his fundamental human rights curtailed for no just cause. "Only his wife is allowed access to him."This morning the EFCC has been served with court processes by Otunba Gbenga Daniel's lawyers led by Professor Taiwo Osipitan, SAN and Mr. Tayo Oyetibo, SAN seeking to enforce his fundamental human rights. This has been ignored by the agency.This disposition of the EFCC has left us with no alternative than to conclude that there are other motives for the continued detention of Otunba Daniel other than the investigation of an alleged crime. Otherwise he should have been admitted to administrative bail or formally charged to court. Because of the worsening condition under which he is being held and the curtailment of his fundamental rights, the former governor has declined food and medication, which has raised serious concern about his health.AIt is noteworthy to point out that one of Otunba Daniel=s interrogators, in an unguarded moment, blurted out that the case against him would not have gotten to this level if he had begged a former president of the country whom he said was behind Otunba Daniel's travails."We therefore call on all men and women of goodwill to prevail on the EFCC to allow the rule of law to prevail by either releasing the former governor or charge him to court. These are the only two options known to law.EFCC combs bank for incriminating evidence against DanielMeanwhile, EFCC stormed the premises of one of the new generation banks (name with held) in Abeokuta on Monday afternoon and locked up the bank till 9:30 pm in search of documents on the Joint State and Local Government Account. The commission operatives did not leave until they got the documents.Attempts to get a reaction from the bank manager were rebuffed yesterday as staff were uncooperative while some customers who spoke with our correspondent confirmed that, they were locked out but did not know the reason.Ex-Chairmen of LGs quizzedThe commission also summoned former chairmen of local governments during the Daniel era and quizzed them over the alleged deduction of council money.Confirming the invitation, ex Chairman, Ifo local Government, Sikirulahi Ogundele told our correspondent that he was quizzed over deduction of local governments money.According to him "EFCC invited all immediate past chairmen, they asked us questions. It was all about our administration and we educated them", he said.While acknowledging that there was deduction of fund during their tenure, Ogundele said all the money deducted were legal and constitutional.Meantime, apprehension has gripped many politicians in Gombe State following the detention of the former Governor of the State, Alhaji Mohammad Danjuma Goje by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.Vanguard gathered that many officials who served the Goje administration have fled the State while some others are keeping their tongues in check.Ex governor Goje who is currently a Senator of the Federal Republic is being interrogated by the anti graft agency in connection with alleged misappropriation of state funds to the tune of N52 billion during his tenure of 8 years.Goje was declared wanted by EFCC over the weekend consequent upon his failure to heed the summons of the Agency. He however turned in himself at the early hours of Monday morning.EFCC sources said that barring any last minute changes, the former Governor would be arraigned this week before a Court in Gombe.Meanwhile, Goje's detention by the Agency has prompted some mixed reactions from the people. While jubilations erupted in some quarters of the State Capital when news filtered that the ex governor was in custody, a score of others were not particularly happy with the development. These included indigenes and non indigenes who saw Goje as the architect of modern Gombe State who worked tirelessly during his reign as governor to not only elevating the status of the State from hitherto a glorified village, but placed the State on a pedestal that attracts commendations and applauses.On the security situation of the State, those who spoke to Vanguard on anonymous conditions said that were it not for Goje, the crises that have engulfed the neighboring state of Plateau, Bauchi and Borno States would have found a place in Gombe, stressing that it was as a result of the security measures taken by the former governor to prevent the escalation of religious crises to Gombe that earned him an award from the Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigerian, CAN.Tension in Lafia over Doma Meanwhile security has been beefed up in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital following last week's arrest and detention of former Governor Doma of Nasarawa state, by the EFCC.Since the arrest of Doma there as been serious tension in the state as a result of mixed reactions that trailed his arrest. While youths believed to be loyal to the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC took to the streets carrying placards and dangerous weapons celebrating Doma's arrest, supporters of the PDP and the immediate past governor mobilized themselves at the state PDP secretariat along Jos road, Lafia for a counter demonstration yesterday. It was only the intervention of the security agencies that prevented a clash between the two camps.

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405KMs OF ROAD TO BE CONSTRUCTED IN IMO

Posted: 26-Sep-2011

405KMs OF ROAD TO BE CONSTRUCTED IN IMO:
The Imo State government is to construct a 15 kilometer road each in the 27 Local Government Areas, totaling 405 kilometers of roads network in its first phase of massive roads construction in the rural areas.Making this disclosure during his meeting with Transition Committee Chairmen of the Local Government Areas, heads of Traditional Rulers’ Councils and the Community Speakers of the Fourth-tier of government held at Rochas Foundation Plaza recently, the Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha advised the representatives of the Local Councils to rehabilitate their Communities’ major markets so as to boost the revenue accruable to them, adding that the the law backing the activities of the Community Speakers would soon be passed by the State House of Assembly.Speaking further at the meeting, the Imo State governor, who called on the monarchs to desist from engaging in partisan politics, lamented over the bloated costs of contracts given by the previous administration in Imo State and vowed to review such contracts in order to save funds for the State Government. Said he, “I am not working to be re-elected, rather I am working to leave a legacy for the future generation and I promise you that at the end of four years, I will be adjudged as having done better than the late Governor Sam Mbakwe”.In a response, the head of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Agunwa Ohiri said that the present government has done well in several spheres of governance especially on the introduction of the Fourth-tier of government and pledged the support of Ndi-eze ( members of the Council of Traditional Rulers) to the present administration.He reminded his colleagues of their obligation to reside in their domain and advised the Community Speakers to secure approvals where necessary from their Traditional Rulers before engaging in certain projects.

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Nigeria: Ndigbo, Festus Eriye and the Limits of Sophistry
Chuks Iloegbunam
10 October 2011

A number of unavoidable commitments meant my giving a miss to this year's Igbo Day celebration which took place in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, on September 29, 2011. But being one of the countless Ndigbo who appreciate the import of the Day, I asked Prince Ralph Ndigwe, the publicity secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the organizers of the annual event, to please make available to me every important material on the Day. Among other things, I looked forward to reading the keynote address which Senator Uche Chukwumerije was slated to present. As it turned out, I read first a reaction to the keynote address before a copy of the Senator's paper got to me.

The reaction in question, which appeared in the Daily Nation of Sunday October 2, 2011, was by the columnist Festus Eriye. Sensationally entitled Uche Chukwumerije and the uses of militancy, and sub-titled Embracing violent fringe groups is recipe for disaster the article threw up its writer in bold, fraudulent relief. Mr. Eriye deliberately confused militancy with militarism in order to devalue Chukwumerije's clarion call to his people, and divert attention from the thrust of his representation. On both scores he failed woefully because whoever reads the keynote address and Eriye's "response" will quickly and rightly come to the conclusion that the columnist misappropriated his column for the chance to do a hatchet job.

Is Uche Chukwumerije the devil? Or is he a saint? Or neither? Whatever he is - and Ndigbo, his own people, as well as broad swathes of rationale people across the length and breadth of Nigeria, believe that he is a true and patriotic citizen - the very words he uttered should be used to form the rubric of his judgment, not the biases and prejudices of any writer who confuses the ownership of a column with the license to manufacture mendacity and utilize same for the obfuscation of the unwary. It is dishonest to deny a striker's goal on account of the fact that he happened to be k-legged, just as it is very wrong and most unfortunate to insist, as some misguided people have been doing, that President Goodluck Jonathan lacks the dominant infrastructures of leadership simply because he happens to come from a minority ethnic group!

For the benefit of those who are yet to get a lowdown of Chukwumerije's Igbo Day speech, I crave a general indulgence to recapitulate. The Senator's address, entitled Wake-Up Call: Path To Igbo Self-Rehabilitation explained its essence in the opening paragraph thus: "The dialectical flow of Nigerian's history has now swept Ndigbo to what Zik once described as the brink of an open grave. Ndigbo must today -not tomorrow - regain themselves and re-assert their corporate personality in our multi-ethnic Federation or diffuse into isolated individual entities in the anonymity of Nigeria's multitude. The purpose of this brief address is to draw our attention to this threat and offer suggestions on a mode of urgent redemptive positive action."

Chukwumerije's suggestions for salvaging Ndigbo were enunciated on a three-pronged praxis: the Economic, the Cultural and the Political. He detailed the economic, political and cultural relegation of the South East, not only through negative Federal policies and actions but also by regrettable diffidence among Ndigbo themselves. Witness:

"Content analysis of the Nigerian press in the last three decades will probably indicate that no ethnic group has fielded as many super-patriotic expert-advisers on Nigerian unity or is as ready to sound and act holier than Pope Nigeria as members of the Igbo ethnic nationality.

"But all these noisy activities have neither induced a change of heart in the Nigerian System nor restored our rights and dignity in the Federation. Today, South East zone still carries the open wounds of a savage genocidal war. She is the backwater of Nigeria, scoring low in economic, political and social indices. On the economic front, the fact that an indisputably major national project, Second Onitsha Bridge, has been abandoned by Federal Government to South East self-help through the euphemism of Public Private Partnership while similar mega national projects in other states or zones receive full Federal funding is an eloquent statement on Nigeria's attitude to the challenge of repair of our war-destroyed economy. In the quest for political leverage, our loud deadlines and projections on the election of a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction have been mocked by the Nigerian system. Our place on the rung of Federation's power ladder has slid to 5th or 6th level, yet we are the largest single ethnic group in the country. On the social front, the Igbo cultural personality is treated with as much respect by the rest of Nigeria as the regard which animals of the forest reserve for the once-respected red crest of the cock!

"The Result? The nose-dive of the ethnic group, beginning from the collapse of our Igboness in 1970, has continued so relentlessly that the group is on the verge of extinction. Yes, total disappearance of a group from the institutional centre of our multi-ethnic Federation is a refined form of extinction. Extinction does not refer only to the death chambers of physical extermination and genocide. Total disappearance of a group from a political map is a refined extermination entraining the same grim harvest to a group which allows itself to disintegrate into lone disparate stars in the firmament."

Senator Chukwumerije's proposal for halting and reversing the slide of Ndigbo amounted to a three-sided rescue operation as follows:

•Functional unity anchored on a core group.

•Launch of a 'Marshal Plan' to the rehabilitation of our war-shattered economy.

• Recovery of our group cultural personality.

It was from Chukwumerije's blueprint for the salvage operation that Eriye brazenly performed distortions in order to achieve his disreputable objective. This is what the Senator said [the italicized and capitalised words being his]: "In increased effort to optimally realise the potentials of its grass roots-oriented republican constitution, Ohanaeze needs to do more to reach three groups. One is the large reservoir of elders and statesmen in our large family to enrich and strengthen Ime-Obi. The second is the youths. Youths are the teeth or the fangs of any disadvantaged group struggling for redress. Distancing ourselves from our main youth organizations like Massob will cost us the leverage necessary to re-direct their energies to constructive ends WITHIN THE AMBIT OF THE LAW. The causal relationship between OPC/June 12 and South West access to the Presidency for twelve years, or between youth militancy and Niger Delta's current access to Presidency, or between a politicized Boko Haram and North's determination to win the next round of Presidential election points to the fact that youth militancy has become an effective weapon in the armoury of group struggle. It is the fatherly duty of Ohanaeze to devise means of constructive engagement with our youth bodies as members of our large family."

It was from the quote above that Eriye fraudulently devised paragraphs 7 and 8 of his article which he put in quotation marks and credited to Senator Chukwumerije, thus: "It was the Niger Delta militancy that ensured that President Goodluck Jonathan became President of Nigeria while the Boko Haram sect is being used by the North to achieve its presidency bid in 2015. The Igbos should therefore incorporate the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) into its system to ensure that an Igbo emerges as President of Nigeria [in 2015]."

Now, any publication worth its salt will, in the very least, query this wanton display of intellectual dishonesty. Massob hasn't ever been tossing bombs into police stations, public squares and places of worship. Massob has never been carrying out assassinations. Massob has never been propounding violence as its raison d'etre. Above all, Senator Chukwumerije's presentation advocates the re-direction of the energies of Massob and other Igbo youth organizations "to constructive ends WITHIN THE AMBIT OF THE LAW."

It is obvious that Festus Eriye has an ax to grind with Senator Uche Chukwumerije. That is his perfect entitlement. What he ought not to do is tell lies and deceive the reading public in order to score private points. Chukwumerije is widely regarded as the conscience of the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly. He was at the cutting edge of the dismantling of Chief Obasanjo's unfortunate third term project. His address at the 2011 Igbo Day celebration went down well with Ndigbo as a people. Only those non-Igbo who would advocate disunity among - and marginalization - of their own people will find fault with his position.

The swipe against Senator Chukwumerije is down to his advocacy of an Igbo President of Nigeria in 2015. The unjustified criticisms will heighten, of course. But the Senator had made this point in his address: "The possibility of the emergence of the six zones as the new units of power allocation and centres of initiative in the Federation makes the fossilization of the South East into a coherent bloc imperative, while the unanimous support given by Ndigbo everywhere to President Jonathan's Presidential bid underscores the communality of our pan-Igbo family." To this extent, the intervention of Festus Eriye, a South-Southerner, is perverse.
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Nigeria: Imo Commissioner Kidnapped

John Kennedy Uzoma
10 October 2011

Owerri — The Imo State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs Chioma Ogoke has been kidnapped.

The incident occurred yesterday while she was on her way to Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of the state. The state's Commissioner for police Muhammed Abubakar confirmed the story to newsmen. The attack is coming barely a week after Governor Rochas Okorocha launched the Operation Rescue Mission Against Kidnapping in the state.
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Okorocha launches 100 security vehicles
From VAL OKARA, Owerri

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has threatened to deal ruthlessly with sponsors of crime that encourage kidnap and other violent crimes in the state. Okorocha read the riot act yesterday during the official launch of 100 security vehicles code-named Operation Rescue Imo, Community Policing at the Dan Anyiam Stadium Owerri and said that most of the criminals are products of political thuggery of the past.

“We are determined to fight and stop crime in the state and stop this ugly story of kidnap and armed robbery. We must have a free and safe state where investors will be willing to invest.”

According to him, the rate of kidnap has drastically dropped in the state from 15 cases to three in a week, saying that, politically-motivated kidnaps have gone in the state while financial kidnapping today thrives.


He therefore advised those who intend to join crime to shelve the idea as crime does not pay. He expressed worry that following the high rate of crimes in the state potential investors turned their back against the state.

Okorocha noted that the war against criminals in the state is not a reflection that Imo State is worst hit in crime but to ensure that crime is completely eliminated in the state.


The highlight of the ceremony was the parade of 32 suspected kidnappers including three ladies and the distribution of the vehicles to security agencies with the police receiving 54, Army 27 and others shared the rest.

The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abubakar Mohammed assured the government gesture would help a lot to reduce crime in the state, saying that, if sustained crime would be a thing of the past in the state.


He said that, with the partnership among security agencies operating in the state, they would fight crime in its totality.

Also speaking, the Commander 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, Brig-General Aaron Danpome assured that security agencies in the state would double their efforts to fight crime to its barest minimum.

He observed that security is very important component of meaningful societal life and without it there would be no development in the country.
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IMO GOVT RELEASES N2.7BN FOR RENOVATION OF SCHOOLS
:
Posted: 22-Jul-2011 [12:26:44] by Online Unit

IMO GOVT RELEASES N2.7BN FOR RENOVATION OF SCHOOLS:

The Imo State government has released the sum of 2.7 billion naira for the renovation of primary and secondary schools in the 27 Local Government Areas in the State in line with the decision of the State Executive Council meeting held at Government House recently.

According to the spokesperson of the Executive Council and Commissioner for Justice in Imo State, Barrister Soronnadi Njoku, the sum of one hundred (100) million naira each is allocated to the27 Local Government Areas as a flag off to the State rescue mission on education, health and security.

The statement added that that commissioners, permanent secretaries and members of the State House of Assembly in every local government are to oversee the refurbishment of schools, which according to the commissioner, would constitute a minimum of three hundred (300) pupils for the primary and secondary schools in the rural areas, and five hundred (500) pupils for same category of schools in the urban areas.

Adding his voice, the Commissioner for Finance, Chike Okafor said that schools who do not meet the minimum population strength would be converted to government farms and health centers. He posited that the council did not revoke the hand-over of schools to missionaries; rather, the rescue mission on education is primarily focused on schools owned by the State government.

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ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE IMO STATE GOVERNMENT FROM MAY 29TH 2011 – SEPT 5TH 2011 (1ST100 DAYS IN OFFICE OF GOVERNOR ROCHAS OKOROCHA):
Posted: 07-Sep-2011 [18:20:18] by Online Unit:

PUBLIC UTILITIES:

Rehabilitation of Water Schemes in Imo State, namely:1. Otamiri Head –Works2. Egbu Water Scheme3. Orji Water Scheme4. Umuoba Water Scheme5. Ubachima Water Scheme6. Mgbidi Water Scheme7. Umuowa Water Scheme8. Osuama Water Scheme9. Nsu Water Scheme.

COMMERCE & INDUSTRY:

Adoption of Public Private Partnership (PPP) in the execution of some projects, namely:10. International Electrical, Electronics and Auto-Parts Market, Naze11. Central Market for general goods, New Owerri12. Imo Free Trade Zone, Ngor Okpala13. Development of Industrial Clusters, Phase 2-4, Naze14. International Trade Fair Complex/Exhibition Center, New Owerri15. Transformation of Okigwe Regional Cattle market into Okigwe International Market[The projects mentioned above are starting points, as the present government in Imo State has entered into agreements with their developers who are expected to commence work on the sites between September and October 2011, while Phase 1 of the Industrial Cluster has been completed.]Adoption of Private Public Partnership in the re-activation of some moribund industries, namely:16. Owerri Shoe Industry17. Nsu Tiles and Ceramics Industry, Mbano18. Ezinnachi Clay Products Industry:

EDUCATION19.

Establishment of the Imo College of Advanced Professional Studies20. Secured approval of 922 million(Nine hundred and twenty two million) naira from the Education Trust Fund (ETF) to be used for projects in Educational Institutions in Imo State 21. Commissioning of a well equipped Information Communication Technology (ICT) Laboratory at Girls Secondary School, Ikenegbu, Owerri22. Secured approval for the establishment of National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) Study Center in Imo State23. Release of 138 (one hundred and thirty-eight) million naira for payment of arrears of CONTISS/CONUAS (Academic & Non-academic) staff entitlements in Imo State University, Owerri24. Provision of 100 (one hundred) million naira for the accreditation of courses in the Faculty of Engineering and Nursing Science in Imo State University25. Reversal of the proposed 150,000(one hundred and fifty thousand ) naira school fees for students of Imo State University by the past administration26. Increased subvention to the Imo State University from 57.56 million(fifty-seven million, five hundred and sixty thousand naira) to 100million(one hundred million) naira monthly27. Commencement of the building of the Young Scientists’ College in Owerri28. Declaration of free and compulsory primary and secondary school education in Imo State.

HEALTH29.

Upgrading of General Hospital Owerri to a Specialist Hospital.30. Connection of the Owerri Specialist Hospital to the National electricity grid31. Provision of Solar energy as well as Solar-Powered borehole in the Owerri Specialist Hospital32. Constitution of a Task-Force group on counterfeit and fake drugs and unwholesome food items33. Purchase and distribution of medical equipments worth 90,000,000(ninety million) naira to health institutions in Imo State.34. Approval of the payment of 100% CONMESS/CONHESS (salary structure) for all doctors and health workers in Imo State University Teaching Hospital.35. Facilitating the return of some specialist doctors who left Imo State University Teaching Hospital (IMSUTH) before May 29th 201136. Reviving the Academic Curriculum of the Imo State University Medical School by ensuring the graduation of the 3rd set of medical doctors from the school in August 2011. It will be recalled that IMSU/IMSUTH have not graduated medical doctors in the last 2 (two) years owing to protracted industrial strikes by staffs of the institution 37. Purchase of 2 new ECG machines as well as 2 new Anaesthetic machines for use by IMSUTH38. Successful implementation of 89%DPT3, 107%OPV3, 80%BCG,77%HBV and 96% anti-measles vaccination coverage of targeted children during the first round of the 2011 Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week held from 28th June2011 to 3rd July 2011

FINANCE39.

Payment of 12 years arrears of pension owed retired staffs of Imo State government40. Release of 2.7 billion (two billion, seven hundred thousand) naira into the State and Local Government Joint Revenue Mission Bank Account for the development of Imo State rural schools and infrastructure

LOCAL GOVERNMENT41.

Implementation of the outstanding 2008 Local Government Staff conversion exercise in the various cadres 42. Actualizing the 2008 Local Government Junior staff promotion exercise.

URBAN PLANNING43.

Commencement of negotiations with Messrs Roche Group from Ireland with a view to creating a demonstration layout which will pilot the provision of modular mass houses in Imo State44. Commencement of negotiations with Hewlett- Packard Corporation, USA with a view to actualizing the computerization of the Imo State Land Registry45. Commencement of negotiations with a Brazillian firm who is willing to partner with the Imo State government in providing power supply using natural gas46. Commencement of discussions with Tummy Tummy Foods Industries Limited to facilitate their building a factory in Imo State, which upon completion, will provide employment for over 3000 youths47. Commencement of discussions with TTI with a view to re-invigorating the IGIS Project.

SPORTS48.

Imo State representatives at the just concluded Hockey Premier League championship held between 14th and 21st August 2011, came 3rd, thereby qualifying to represent Nigeria in India for the next World Hockey Championship49. Renovation of the Indoor Sports Hall at Dan Anyiam Stadium.50. Revisiting the contract for the construction of the Orlu Township Stadium51. Imo State Weight lifting Team participated in the competition for junior and senior categories at Lagos State and won 3 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze52. Imo State Amateur Wrestlers won 1 gold, 3 silver and 5 bronze medals at the Continental Championship which ended on 30th May 201153. Imo contingents in the Karate Championship held in Ghana in August 2011 won a total of 3 gold and 1 bronze medals54. Imo contingent that took part in the 17th National Sports Festival held in Rivers State in July 2011 came 14th on the medals table, having won a total of 61 medals, including 8 gold, 16 silver and 37 bronze.55. Through sponsorship by the Imo State Government, the Heartland Football Club, Owerri recently qualified for the Finals of the 2011 Federation Cup.HOUSING56. Conversion of the Parliamentarian quarters to Concord Hotel Annex57. Conversion of Banquet Hall to Government House Chapel58. Design and construction of Heroes Square59. Design and construction of Ikemba Ojukwu Convention Center, Owerri60. Renovation of Commissioners’ Quarters61. Reconstruction of Multi-Purpose Hall and V.I.P Lounge, Government House62. Reconstruction of Imo State House of Assembly63. Reconstruction of the Exco Chambers Building64. Renovation of the Imo Concorde Hotel65. Reconstruction of the Abuja Laison Office of the Imo State Government66. Reconstruction of the Brigade Commander’s Guest House67. Renovation of the Imo State Police Commissioner’s Guest House68. Renovation of the abandoned Governor’s Lounge, near Concorde Hotel69. Design and construction of Multi-purpose Hall at Oguta Motel70. Reconstruction of the Customary Court, OwerriCompletion of some Housing Estates, namely:71. Nekede Exclusive Garden Phase 11, Area ‘H’ New Owerri72. Okporo Housing Estate , Okporo, Orlu73. Obinze-Avu Lay out74. Egbu Market, (Somachi)Lay- out75. Acquisition of Iwuanyanwu Holdings Landed Property at Naze76. Acquisition of land for Mass Housing at Azara Obiato.

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT77.

Seventy-five matrimonial cases have been treated and the couples re-united78. On August 23rd 2011, Operators of “Hope House Child Center, Ngugo”,received one million naira, while Green Health Care Services received four million naira as their subvention from the Imo State Government 79. Installation of twenty-seven 40KVA Generator sets in the 27 Special Health Centers80. Commencement of the procurement of customized Identity cards for all the Traditional Rulers in Imo State.

SECURITY81.

Procurement of one hundred Hilux Vans manned by a combined team of Police, Army and State Security Service for the effective policing of the Local Government Areas82. Empowerment of Local Vigilante groups to complement the efforts of the Police in combating crime in Imo State83. Patrol of the newly acquired Security vehicles within and around the 27 Local Governments for sensitization.

AGRICULTURE.

Restructuring and revitalizing of the Assets of the Imo State Government-owned Companies that have been moribund or performing at a very low capacity, namely:84. Imo Palm Plantation limited ( a.k.a Adapalm Ltd, Ohaji)85. Imo Modern Poultry, Avutu, Obowo Local Government Area86. Imo Rubber Estate limited, Obiti, Emeabiam and Umuekwunne 87. Development of cassava farms in all the 27 local Government Areas in Imo State88. Commencement of the replication of Imo Palm Plantation project in the 3 zones that make up Imo State89. Commencement of the replication of Imo Modern Poultry in the 3 geo-political zones that make up Imo State 90. Empowerment of over 100 FUGs & FCAs under the FADAMA 111 projects to increase food production in Imo State91. Increasing the volume of fish production in Imo State through the Agro-Nova project of the Imo State Ministry of Agriculture92. Improvement of the Oguta Fish Hatchery to produce about 50,000 fingerlings per year93. Stocking of the Nekede Poultry section of the Agronova with birds94. Delivering Agricultural Extension Services to the farmers in the Local Government Areas95. Distribution of sufficient quantity of fertilizer to the farmers in Imo State during the last planting season.

CAPITAL PROJECTS96.

Release of 180 million naira for development projects in Orlu and Okigwe zones in Imo StateAsphalting of some major roads within Owerri Municipal, including:97. Assumpta Road,98. Bank Road,99. MCC Road through School Road100. Restoring peace and confidence in the entire people of Imo State to the nation’s democratic process.

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