Excessive Urbanisation Of Owerri: Robbing Peter To Pay Paul

Suya is a Shish Kebab-like food consumed in West Africa, originally introduced by the Hausa people of northern Cameroon, Niger and Nigeria. It is highly popular and suya spots litter almost every major street junction in Nigeria. Since suya is made mainly with skewered beef, there is a popular saying in Nigeria which comes in the form of a rhetorical question: let us have more suya; is it nor from the flesh of the cow? In other words, more cows have to die for us to have more suya. The most abused decree in Nigeria is, most probably, the Nigerian Land Use Decree of 1978. Ironically, one of the justifications given for the Land Use…

CGC Election: Okponakuma Executive Members returned unopposed - As Orlu was declared inconclusive

The Community Government Council Election held on March 8 in various communities in Imo state had it that some communities returned their former caretakers unopposed. In Okponakuma community Njaba L.G.A, Mr. Geoffrey Nnadozie was returned as the secretary, Lolo Francisca Mbadi Woman leader while Mr. Chidiebere Ifesinachi was the youth leader. In his speech the executive secretary Mr. Nnadozie pointed out that they have been in the office for the past one year, describing their return as one which is based on their antecedents and also due to their relentless effort in carrying out their oversight function, the people of the community having found them worthy returned them unopposed for them to continue with their…

Crisis rocks CGC elections in Okigwe South

Confusion reigned at the Community Government Council elections held at the various autonomous communities at Obowo, Ihitte-Uboma and Ehime-Mbano LGAs respectively On Saturday March 8. At Ehime Mbano LGA, Executive Secretaries deployed as presiding officers for the CGC elections ran away to escape harm by angry voters. The areas badly affected include, Ezeala Ezike, Ibeama-Okwu, Nneano and Nsu autonomous communities where a free for all fight ensued as people armed with clubs, sticks and dangerous weapons stormed the polling units to disrupt the elections. Other communities affected include Umualumaku-Umuhim, Ibeafor Umunumo, Umuezeala Nsu, Umunumo, Agbaja and Umuezeala Ogwara Autonomous Communities. The protesters were agitating that zoning arrangements were flouted with reckless abandon. The most affected…

Rescue Mission Classroom Seats lying useless in some schools

Many primary and secondary school students are still standing or sitting on the floor to take their lessons, despite the release of the special seats promised to them by Governor Rochas Okorocha as part of his Free Education largesse. The Leader’s Investigation revealed that although the long-awaited Rescue Mission seats have been available in some schools since last year, students cannot use them because they are in bits and pieces, awaiting coupling into proper – “lockers and chairs.” The Rochas’ seats consist of a table with a small hold underneath for books and a matching chair for each student to sit on. Nobody knows whose responsibility it is to fix the seats and in some…

Imo Govt pays compensation to Naze/Egbu Landlords

The Imo State Government says it will not renege in its resolve to ensure prompt payment of compensation to Land Owners whose Land was acquired for development purposes. The Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Urban Planning, Chief Uche Nwosu stated this in his office while disbursing cheques of over N32 million to Land Owners of Timber and Allied Market Approach Layout of Egbu and Naze, Owerri North Local Government Area. The Commissioner who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Basil Ogwunga recalled that during the immediate past regime in the State about 30.48 hectres of land was acquired for the building of Timber and Allied Market without any compensation paid. He noted that in…

Okorocha reshuffles Imo Exco, Removes Accountant General

There has been a minor reshuffle in the Imo State Executive Council; the minor changes also affected some Permanent Secretaries, according to a release by Governor Rochas Okorocha’s Senior Special Assistant on Media, Sam Onwuemeodo. He said, “Following these developments, the Hon. Commissioner for Transport, Barr. Ihukwumere Alaribe has been moved to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. In the interim, the Hon. Commissioner for Petroleum and Environment, Prof. Okey Okoro will be supervising the Ministry of Transport and oversee the duties of the commissioner accordingly, pending when a new commissioner for the ministry will be appointed”. “Again, the Accountant-General of the state, Mr. George Eche has been moved to the Ministry of Works…

Justice Kutigi heads National Confab As Okorocha unveils Imo State delegates

President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the appointment of the leadership of the National Conference with Justice Idris Kutigi as Chairman. According to a statement signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim, the appointees are to resume in Abuja on Wednesday. Other members are Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, Vice Chairman and Dr. Valerie Azinge, Secretary. President Jonathan had during his centenary media chat said that the members would be named while the team would be inaugurated on March 10. In a related development, Governor of the State, Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha, has approved and forwarded the names of five delegates of the state for the forthcoming National Conference to be…

Your Excellency put our people to work – Archbishop Obinna tells President Jonathan

The Archbishop of Owerri, His Grace, Most Rev. Anthony J.V. Obinnna, has identified jobs creation as the number one priority in ImoState. In a brief message prepared for President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan during his visit to the state, the Archbishop emphasized that jobs would come through the provision of industrial and commercial projects. He worried about the teeming population of unemployed graduates in the state and appealed to the President to give job creation some more attention. “Since Imo State is part and parcel of Nigeria, I pray that you continue to give attention to and make provision for industrial and commercial projects that would help employ more and more of the many graduates and…

President Jonathan’s visit to Imo

One of the national newspapers captured the event well when it said:  Owerri Shuts down as Jonathan Welcomes PDP Returnees. Since Governor Okorocha’s daughter’s wedding last year, no event or ceremony has impacted Owerri or rocked and restricted movement as much as last week’s presidential visit. The good thing is President Jonathan’s long-awaited visit has finally come. A proud moment for us! It was, indeed, a privilege for us to welcome the first president from the South South – a man who got our votes 100 per cent three years ago. Igbo people, so welcoming and hospitable, turned out in their numbers to bid him “ndeewo!”  Governor Okorocha, with other South East governors and eminent…

Extend free education to mission schools – Msgr. Paul Amakiri tells Imo govt

A renowned educationist and former national president of the Association of Nigerian Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Msgr. Paul C. Amakiri has challenged the Imo State Government to extend free education to mission schools bearing in mind the wards are also sons and daughters of the state. Speaking during a five-day seminar organized by National Association of Catholic Diocesan Directors/Secretaries of Education (NACDDEN) held in Owerri recently, Msgr. Amakiri who is also the Director, Ahiara Diocesan Education Commission recalled his recent efforts to have audience with the governor on the issue, but regretted that his efforts have not been successful.  He therefore urged the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Dr. Theodore Ekechi, who…

Mission Schools deserve grants-in aid

In most countries of the world the Catholic Church has proven itself to be a competent and strong provider of quality education and moral values. From Europe to Africa down to the Americas, including the Caribbean, Catholic schools are highly regarded and generally do well academically. They are a prime choice for many parents who want their children disciplined and educated, even in countries where education is free and public schools have a high standard. This is because Catholic education has long been recognized for its ability to offer wholistic knowledge to children – an education that focuses on physical, moral, intellectual and spiritual development. The result is the emergence of a disciplined human being,…

IBC pensioners go spiritual over 40 months pension arrears

The Imo Broadcasting Corporation (IBC) Pensioners Association embarked on a three-day fasting and prayer last week to seek the intervention of God in the non-payment of their pension and gratuity by the Imo State Government and IBC Management. The Pensioners decided to go spiritual at their general meeting on Wednesday February 12, 2014 in Owerri. The IBC retirees are being owed 40 months of pension and gratuity arrears which led to two peaceful demonstrations last year to press for the payment of the arrears after which promises were made by both the government and IBC management.  After several months of waiting the pensioners resolved to take the matter to God for divine intervention. As if…

Okorocha suspends commissioner – As Speaker Sacks Lawmaker

The Imo State Government has suspended the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Nma Love Onyechere, from the activities of the State Executive Council. No reason was given for the immediate suspension of the commissioner. A statement issued by the State Government, stated that Mrs. Mma Love Onyechere has been suspended indefinitely from the activities of the State Executive Council. The Commissioner for Primary and Secondary Education, Dr. (Mrs) Uche Ejiogu was mandated to take over the running of the ministry temporarily.  The Statement said the decision to suspend the commissioner was taken after the weekly executive meeting, which was presided over by Governor Rochas Okorocha.   However, it was reliably gathered that…

When will Imo Ezeship nominees get their staff of office?

(An appeal to Governor Rochas Okorocha)  We wish to use this medium to congratulate our Governor, Rochas Anayo Okorocha for his effort in settling the long standing Ezeship tussle between the contestants and beginning another power tussle between the nominees and other COMMUNITY GOVERNMENT COUNCIL MEMBERS.  Months back, precisely in 2013, the Ahiajoku Convention Centre was a home for the king makers of various communities and Imo stakeholders.  This gathering served as an alternative dispute resolution procedure as against the court process that has entertained a lot of endless Ezeship cases. At the Ahiajoku Convention Centre, the citizens of Imo State at home and in diaspora, saw in you the Governor an impartial judge.  Your…

Douglas House, Owerri

- Emmanuel A. C. Orji As we celebrate Imo State at 38, it is reasonable that we recall sweet historical reminiscences and panorama. In 1984, while I served as Imo State Chief of Protocol, I conceived the idea of restoring the old District Officer’s residence, Owerri, which I christened Douglas House, and the   name   stuck. I also suggested that it be designated the state prime guest house. The Military Governor of the old Imo State at that time, then Brigadier Ike Nwachukwu, a man who loves excellence and readily welcomes good ideas, bought my suggestions,  which also had the active support of the then Secretary to the State Government and Head of Service, Chief F.U….

An appeal to Governor Rochas Okorocha

We, the temporary staff of the various Local Governments in Imo State employed in 2007 by His Excellency Chief Achike Udenwa and who were suspended by the current administration wish to appeal passionately to His Excellency, Governor Rochas Anayo Okorocha to reinstate us as we have contributed immensely to the LG service for five years (from 2007-2012) before the current administration sacked us. More so, majority of the top government officials like the Perm Sec., HOS and Directors of the various governmental agencies were employed without waiver and later “permanented” and confirmed when waiver was released. For e.g., those who were employed in the various LGs in 2001 were employed without waiver but in 2003,…

Govt. celebrates Imo at 38

How to move the state forward – Fr. Nkwocha The Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, his wife Nkechi and members of the State Executive Council stormed the Maria Assumpta Cathedral Owerri, Sunday, February 2, 2014 to commemorate the 38th anniversary of the creation of Imo State. Imo, with six others, was created on February 3, 1976 by the late Head of State, General Murtala Mohammed The anniversary Mass was presided over by Rev. Fr. Andrew Nkwocha, the Administrator of the Cathedral, who represented the Most Rev. Anthony Obinna, Catholic Archbishop of Owerri, who was attending an already scheduled pastoral visit. In his sermon, Fr. Nkwocha said the day was special not only to the…

Owerri Industrial Layout Now Dumping Ground for Sewage

The only Industrial Layout in Imo State is being turned into a sewage dumping ground by refuse disposal agents who are operating freely in the area. Industrialists operating in the area are crying out to Governor Rochas Okorocha to come to their aid and rescue the place from becoming an environmental hazard. They are also asking the governor to keep to his pre and post election promise to revitalise the Industrial Layout which is now in a derelict state. In an audience he granted on 24th June 2011, Governor Rochas told the industrialists “You are my friends, I want to be your customer and the state will give you contracts” He said his administration will…

Nigeria not disgraced at Mandela’s burial – Viola Onwuliri

- Asks Rochas to give account of LG Allocations The Hon. Minister of State 1, for Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri has dismissed the impression in certain quarters that Nigeria was not properly recognized at the burial of late Nelson Mandela of South Africa, in December. Answering during an interactive session with journalists in Owerri, December 30, Prof. Onwuliri said Nigeria was well received at the burial.  She said the fact that President Jonathan did not speak at the occasion did not amount to disgrace. Prof. Onwuliri explained that certain leaders were selected to talk on behalf of their continents and only Namibia talked from Africa. “For goodness sake, we did not go there (South…

APC storms Umueze II/ Umueleke Ward

Members of  the All Progressive Peoples Congress (APC) during a meeting at the Umueze II residence of Chief Emma Bukar Iwuanyawu, the Ehime Mbano Co-ordinator of the party, an interim management committee inaugurated for the ward. The meeting which was simultaneously held at all the wards across the 27 Local Government Areas in Imo State is geared towards strategizing and winding up of the parties which collapsed into APC.   Chief Emma Bukar Iwuanyanwu highlighted the great achievements of Governor Rochas Okorocha to include: the ongoing construction of 27 General Hospitals, provision of free education at all levels which has reduced the burden of training children from parents, he said.   According to him, the…