Peter Obi’s ‘Final Push’

All of Anambra State Governor Peter Obi’s expenditures, from July 2013 to the end of his tenure in 2014, are designed to speed up the delivery of all of his government’s developmental initiatives. This is his ‘final push’ to round off the sustained focus of his administration since its inception. Having adopted the ‘With the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)’ as his governance template, Obi is clearly attentive to Gordon Brown’s recent call for accelerating delivery of the MDGs. But he is also a politician who also wants to finish strong and give the lie to the insinuations of those who, probably wearing blinkers, refuse to see progress on the ground. One thing is sure: the…

Power tussle in Taraba: SAN petitions Jonathan

Nigeria seems poised to witness another Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua saga in Taraba State, as an ailing Governor returns home and reportedly tries to recover power from an unwilling deputy. Governor Danbaba Suntai’s  home coming has opened a can of  worms in Taraba as his deputy Alhaji Garba Umar, who acted as Governor during his ten months medical treatment overseas, is reluctant to hand over. Suntai was involved in a plane crash last year and was receiving treatment in Europe and America until his recent return. However, renowned constitutional lawyer Sebastine Hon (SAN) has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to call Suntai’s deputy to order for rejecting the changes made by Suntai shortly after his return….

Anambra pays N1.5bn for 2012 gratuities, pensions

Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi has cleared the 2012 gratuity of retired local government workers totalling over 1.5 billion naira. Governor Obi presented the cheque to the benefitting pensioners and next of kin of deceased ones at the Women Development Centre, Awka. Shortly before the presentation, Governor Obi said his administration had sustained prompt payment of pensions and gratuity because of prudent and skillful management of available resources and recalled that his administration liquidate arrears of pension and gratuity accumulated by successive pension administration since 1996. He explained that government introduced a new innovation of paying the beneficiaries simultaneously through electronic payment.  He enjoined the pensioners to remain part of the efforts to rebuild the…

Governor’s Overseas Trip paralyses Imo

Imo State appears to have grounded to a halt and nothing seems to be moving since Governor Rochas Okorocha travelled to the United States of America, last month. Our investigations revealed that government activities were paralysed as most of his aides were neither empowered nor have any authority to transact serious business. Last week, the Deputy Governor ordered the contractor handling the Nekede-Ihiagwa Road to return to site immediately. The order was ignored as the contractor is yet to return to site more than a week the order was issued. Observers say the contractors feel the deputy governor doesn’t have a biting power to sanction. The Leader also gathered that a World Bank Project team…

Umuna Flood Victims yet to be rescued

The traumatic experience of the torrential down pour of 27th of June, 2013 still lingers in the minds of inhabitants of Orlu Urban particularly in Umuna, where the trapped victims are still begging for attention to save them from this perennial floods that have been ravaging the city, getting worse each year. As the rescue government of His Excellency, Owelle Rochas continues its massive road construction of the Orlu Urban Town; the residents of Umuna continue to count their massive losses worth millions of naira. Buildings and perimeter fences were pulled down, demostic animals-birds, goats, sheep and their likes were drowned in their hundreds. Even places of worship were not left out in the flood…

Some governors’ achievement claims are mere propaganda – Mark

Senate President, David Mark, took stock of the delivery of democracy dividends in the states and declared that some state governors have merely engaged in propaganda with nothing on ground to show for their performance. Mark made this remark while declaring open a two-day retreat for the Senate Press Corps in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital. “We have cases of governors who claimed they have constructed tunnels but you cannot find them.  We have cases of overheads and you could not see them.  We have cases of those who claimed they constructed dams and there were no dams”, he said. Mark, however, commended Governor Godswill Akpabio for the transformation of the state in the areas…

Imo govt abandons Nsu tiles and ceramic industry -Equipment looted

The question agitating the minds of Agbahara Nsu indigenes in Ehime Mbano LGA is whether the Owelle Rochas Okorocha led administration in Imo State has abandoned the Nsu Tiles and Ceramic Industry. It will be recalled that the Governor informed natives of the community during a visit in 2012 that his administration is poised in establishing the Nsu Tiles Industry under a joint partnership with Italian investors who will provide machinery and technical expertise, while the government will provide the logistics, financial backing and enabling environment as the raw material is readily available in commercial quantity. A high powered government delegation led by  Chief Benjamin Uwajumogu, Speaker Imo State House of Assembly, accompanied by Hon….

Deportation of Ndigbo: Obi drags Fashola to Jonathan

-As Igbokwe gives reasons Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has formally complained to President Goodluck Jonathan over the dumping of 72 people at Onitsha by the Lagos State Government. Last week, 723 people were conveyed in a truck and escorted by armed security men and dumped in Onitsha overnight.  The ‘deportees’ said they were picked up on Lagos streets, detained for months before being herded into the truck that was escorted to Onitsha overnight, where they were forced to disembark and abandoned. In the protest letter, Obi stated that the ‘deportation” of people from Lagos to Anambra State was unconstitutional and disregard to the rights of those involved. Recalling that the dumping of people at…

Pension: Not in my hands – Dr Mrs Uche Ejiogu

In church circles, she is popularly known as “Nwanyi Ukwa,” in recognition of her culinary skills in making the delicious, traditional dish Ukwa. Dr Mrs Uche Ejiogu has proudly defended that title every Harvest at Assumpta Cathedral. But she has other names not connected to her culinary ability. Nicknames such as Iron Lady and Air Raid refer to her penchant for rattling nerves when she pays a surprise visit to schools. In one of her visits, she found that teachers at the school had taken more money from students than was allowed for a particular exercise. She ordered a refund and teachers didn’t like that. But that’s the “Iron Lady” in “Nwanyi Ukwa,” a doctor…

Imo gets 16 new Perm Secs – Dr. Iwuagwu for Education

The Imo State governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha on Wednesday, July 03, 2013 at the Government House Owerri, swore in 16 new Permanent Secretaries for the Imo State civil service. The swearing in ceremony which witnessed a huge gathering of friends and well-wishers at the Government House was the actual confirmation of the senior civil servants who were appointed acting permanent secretaries about a month ago. Speaking at the occasion, Governor Okorocha congratulated the new Perm Secs on their appointment. He urged them to work hard to meet up with the expectations of his rescue mission agenda. He challenged them to brace up and be ready to work round the clock to deliver to the people….

RE: ROCHAS OKOROCHA MUST HEAR THIS

I read with amplified interest the story of one Dr. James Madubuonu, said not to be real names, as submitted by one Dr. John Onwukwe on page 3 of The Leader of June 30, 2013, who had tried severally to meet with Owelle Rochas Okorocha on an issue of urgent importance for about two years but was bureaucratically prevented by his aides. This is really very sad especially since the person to be seen is a public servant who should be accessible to people. The situation becomes more sad when considered that the individual seeking to have audience with the governor was not going to seek for some personal favours or to have dinner but…

Jonathan condemns irregularities in Oguta rerun election – As PDP, APGA trade Accusations

President Goodluck Jonathan, on Tuesday in Abuja, condemned the irregularities that characterized the rerun election to the Imo State House of Assembly in Oguta on Saturday, June 29, saying that the conduct of certain persons and groups involved in the election negated the spirit of one man, one vote, which his administration was trying to foster in Nigeria. Speaking at an audience with a delegation from the Nigerian Senators’ Forum, President Jonathan urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) and the nation’s security agencies to take immediate steps to bring all those who played any role in the violence and irregularities that marred the election to justice. The President said it had become apparent that…

OGUTA STATE CONSTITUENCY RE-ELECTION: Why I am not excited

On the 29th of June 2013, there will be a re-run election for the representative of Oguta State Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly. This is as a result of the nullification of the election of Hon. Eugene Dibiagwu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by the court. The front runners in the election, the PDP and All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA)/yet-to-be registered All Progressive Congress (APC) have been campaigning and mobilizing in a very big way. The battle line seems to be drawn between both parties. On the side of the PDP are Senator Hope Uzodinma, Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha, Senator Author Nzeribe etc. while Governor Rochas is leading the other side…

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…

Newly elected Eze Irete recommends Option A4 -To Ezeship-torn communities

Communities which for years have known no socio-economic progress, as a result of being enmeshed in intractable internal strife over their royal stool, can now heave a sigh of relief as an incontrovertible way out, has been found.  The solution lies in Option A4 system of voting, which has been described as most transparent, as it simply involves counting those queuing behind each candidate in an open field. This recommendation came from His Royal Highness, Eze Ethelbert Ekwelibe, the Agubiam I of Irete, who personally emerged through the Option A4 method on Wednesday, June 20, 2013, when he pulled 1110 votes to defeat his two other opponents, Anayo Okenwa and Uzoma Ibe who got 127…

Okorocha, Contractor trade blames – over N1.3bn contract

A N1.3billion contract for the building of an ultra-modern judiciary commission headquarters in Owerri, the Imo State capital awarded to Nnutouch Global Ventures is now a source of sharp trading of blames between Governor Rochas Okorocha and the Managing Director of the company, Dr. Osita Okereke. Problem began last week when the Governor after an inspection visit to the project site said that he had resolved to terminate the contract awarded in April 2012 owing to the failure of the contracting firm to deliver by April this year as contained in the Contract Agreement. But in a swift reaction, Dr. Osita Okereke, the Managing Director, warned that the Governor dares not carry out his threat,…

Retired Alvan Staff groan under unpaid entitlements

- Head of Service says govt is addressing their problems Retired staff of the Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education (AIFCE) Owerri beween 2007-2009 have carried to the media their battle for survival over their unpaid end-of-service financial benefits (July 2007-Dec. 2009). Two spokespersons of this Group Sir Alex Onyemekara, former Dean School of Sciences and Sir Alex Ukaegbu, Principal Lecturer, Department of Agriculture, who were interviewed, described their members as “The Unfortunate Group”.  They lamented that those who retired before them, (1993-2007) have fully received their gratuities and were enjoying their pensions without any outstanding arrears while those who retired after them (since Dec. 2009) have been adequately covered in the PENCOM Pension Scheme….

Governor Obi showers N100m on Mission Hospitals

… He is a  blessing to humanity –Bishop The Anglican Bishop of Amichi Diocese, Most Reverend Dr. Ephraim Ikeakor has described Governor Peter Obi as a blessing not just to Anambra State, but to humanity at large. He made this comment while receiving a cheque of N10m for the continued renovation of Amichi Diocesan Hospital which was among the missionary-owned institutions Anambra State is supporting in her strategic partnership with the churches. The Bishop who prayed to God to raise more Peter Obis said that people like him were needed for the edification of society. The governor who on June 4, toured some missionary institutions and gave them cheques totaling N120m continued with the tour…

Engr. Obinna Nshirim: Spread the Money…

For a man who’s been around politics for most of his life, Engr Obinna Nshirim should know when a politician is playing politics or playing to the gallery. Additionally, for a man whose dream of obtaining good education was nearly aborted by lack of a mere two naira, in 1970, Engr. Nshirim also knows how to praise a Governor who removes school fees and tries to clean up the education system, especially primary and secondary. Even when it seems Engr. Nshirim is contradicting himself, one thing is certain; he knows the terrain well, having been around political circles for long.  From his undergraduate days at University of Benin until now, he’s been in politics, although…

Angry Youths Disrupt Okorocha’s Convoy

The convoy of Governor Rochas Okorocha’s was yesterday attacked in Oguta LGA of Imo State by angry youths purportedly hired by a candidate for the postponed Imo House of Assembly elections scheduled for next week. Report has it that the Imo State Governor Okorocha, who was in Awa community in Oguta LGA to drum up support for the candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) – Chief Walter Uzonwanne for the upcoming election scheduled for next week met with opposition candidate driving into Awara on his way out of the community. An eyewitness reports that one of the motorcyclists on the campaign train of the PDP candidate was knocked down by one of the…