‘Not my Cattle’ – Commissioner of Police

Unlike Governor Okorocha who has an infectious smile and readily shows off his white teeth; the Commissioner of Police Muhammad Musa Katsina doesn’t smile easily, especially when in uniform. In fact, he looks stern when his office is crowded with people making one petition after another, when he’s pondering over the crime rate or considering the number of teenagers in custody for serious offences, including kidnapping. Meeting Katsina for the first time, you’d wonder if he ever smiles. But wait until the dark uniform is replaced with a bright caftan and the 54-year-old strikes a more relaxed pose. Then, he’s smiling, laughing, quoting his favourite Chinua Achebe and singing a hymn or two in remembrance…

No regret serving Under Rochas – Nnanna Okoro; As Governor grades ex-commissioners, aides

The erstwhile Commissioner for Community Government Council (CGC) and Chieftaincy Affairs, Imo State, Barr. Lady Ugochi Nnanna-Okoro said she enjoyed her tenure while it lasted and that she would not feel disappointed if she was not re-appointed. Nnanna-Okoro, popularly called the Lady of the Masses, spoke to THE LEADER while handing over to the Permanent Secretary, on Friday, July 19 as directed by Governor Okorocha.  The Governor had earlier dissolved the enlarged executive council, comprising commissioners and senior aides. Lady Nnanna-Okoro said dissolution of cabinet is a normal process of administration, explaining that dissolution is not “sack” as some press would like to put it because the chief executive could dissolve the cabinet for several…

Church demands Subvention to Catholic Hospitals – As Imo State Council on Health meets

Catholic Health Services of Imo State has once again appealed to the State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, to approve subvention to Catholic Hospitals in the state. This is contained in their submission to the 2nd Imo State Council on Health Meeting held July 9-12 at the Imo Concorde Hotel Owerri. The State Council on Health meeting is convened to bring together all stakeholders to assess the situation in the health sector, identify areas of priority and proffer solutions. The Catholic Church’s submission was read on behalf of the Catholic Bishops in Imo State by the Provincial Health Co-ordinator, Lady Stella Maris Achunine. She gave reasons for the request for subvention, which include; that some patients…

I begin every programme with Novena – CGC Commissioner

The Commissioner for Community Government Council (CGC) and Chieftaincy Affairs, Imo State, Barr. Lady Ugochi Nnanna-Okoro has attributed the success of her ministry so far to the power of Novena. A Novena is a series of prayers that are said for nine straight days, usually as a prayer of petition. Speaking during an interactive session with the press on the ongoing chieftaincy dispute resolution in the state, Barr. Nnanna-Okoro said God is using Governor Rochas Okorocha to bring peace to several communities most of which have been in turmoil for decades following ezeship tussles. Emphasizing the efficacy of Novena prayer, Mrs. Nnanna-Okoro, a Lady of St. Mulumba, said trouble laden communities now enjoy peace, adding…

Police discover gun depot in Mbaitoli

In another development, the Imo State Police Command has uncovered a gun depot at Idume-Ogwa in Mbaitoli LGA with at least 13 brand new AK47 rifles. Also recovered from the depot are pump action guns, double barrel guns, assorted rifle parts, 750 live cartridges, one carton of security torchlight, rifle accessories and vehicles. State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Katsina told journalists on Wednesday that the bullet proof jacket with the inscription, “Nigeria Police” was also recovered by the reconstituted illegal arms mopping squad. Some suspects have been arrested in connection with the discovery and investigation is ongoing to arrest others implicated in the gun deal. Katsina also disclosed that the fight against crime and criminality…

Widow, family members, others escape death from food poisoning in Ohaji

-As couple dies after meal in PH The Ministry of Community Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has relocated to its permanent office at No. 14 Orlu Road Owerri, after being commissioned by Governor Okorocha. Commissioning the office complex, Owelle Rochas Okorocha said that Community Government Council (CGC) is government of the people for the people and by the people. He further said that development can only be achieved if powers are decentralized to the communities for them to manage their affairs. Responding shortly after the commissioning of the office, the Commissioner for Community Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Lady Barr. Ugochi Nnanna-Okoro reaffirmed her determination to actualize the ideals of CGC in the state. In another development,…

Extortion Rocks Junior School Cert Exam In Imo – Enraged Education Commissioner vows to punish culprits

A large scale extortion of candidates in the ongoing Basic Education Certificate Examination (a.k.a. Junior WAEC) by those charged with the supervision of the examination in Imo State, has been exposed Following public outcry, especially by parents of students involved in the examinations, who were shocked they were being demanded between N200 to N500 each examination day for their children and wards to “settle” their supervisor, THE LEADER embarked on a fact-finding tour of parts of the state including Isiala Mbano, Onuimo, Ehime Mbano, Ideato North and Ideato South Local Government Areas and made telephone contacts with Orlu, Oru West, Ihite-Uboma and Ikeduru LGAs. Investigations in three schools visited in Isiala Mbano – Aquinas Secondary…

No buying of Text-Books from Lecturers – VC tells students

-As IMSU SUG inaugurates Exco The students of the Imo State University, Owerri have been warned seriously to desist from illegal levies charged by their lectures.  This was part of the address made by the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the university on May 28, 2013 at the school auditorium during the inauguration of 12-man executive members of the Student Union Government (SUG) 14th Republic. In his address, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie thanked the Governor of the State, Owelle Anayo Rochas Okorocha on his efforts at making the university a focal point of his administration.  According to the former National ASUU Chairman, “all of you are studying tuition free through his generous…

Okorocha’s Administration and the Zenith Bank Loan Scandal

Not too long ago, the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) wrote a petition to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) accusing Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and his team of taking an unauthorized loan that runs into many billions of naira from Zenith Bank using the monthly allocations for the 27 local government councils in the state as collateral for the loan. Consequently, the Imo State Commissioner for Finance, Deacon Chike Okafor and the Accountant General of the state, Mr. George Eche were arrested and detained by the EFCC in relation of the accusation. These government officials were later granted administrative bail. As an offshoot to the alleged controversial loan, there…

Imo CGC begins payment of pensions in rural areas -As Ada and Opara Imo competition holds tomorrow

The Imo State Community Government Council (CGC) has begun payment of pensions in the 637 communities in the state. The Commissioner for Community Government Council and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barr. (Lady) Ugochi Nnanna-Okoro disclosed this while interacting with the press in Owerri on Monday. She said that cheques were being distributed to the pensioners in their various kindreds. Lady Nnanna-Okoro explained that pensioners who did not see their names were those who did not fill the forms distributed to pensioners in their various areas. Barr. Okoro announced that the grand finale of Ada and Opara Imo competition will take place on Monday, May 27 at the Ahiajioku Conference Centre New Owerri. The Commissioner said the contestants…

Dr Joe Obi-Njoku : Rising from the Grassroots

Imagine him chopping wood with an axe.  Imagine him also shirtless, barefoot, a climbing robe “akpi” on his left shoulder and a machete in his right hand, dividing the bush and heading for the nearest palm tree to cut down the ripe fruits for sale, so he and his family could eat.   Imagine him again taking bamboos from the raffia palm and carefully weaving the traditional bamboo bed – “okpukpo,” (agada in some dialet)  also to make a living. Finally, see him riding an old bicycle from his home at Umueme, Uzagba, in Ikeduru local government, to Mbaise to go to college.   That’s the life of Dr Joe Obi-Njoku, as a young man,…