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…

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…

Njiko Igbo Condemns deportation of Igbo

Njiko Igbo, a socio-political group, has described the recent alleged deportation of 67 people by the Lagos State Government to Onitsha in Anambra State, as unlawful. In a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Brady Chijioke Nwosu, the group stated that it was unlawful for a government to detain citizens of the country without proper trial. Recall that 67 people were recently deported from Lagos and brought to Onitsha. Some of them who spoke to newsmen said they were arrested and detained for crimes they knew nothing about and subsequently, deported. Nwosu, in his statement said: “It is prejudicial for the Lagos State Government to make indiscriminate arrests of Ndigbo, dump them in detention…

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….

Prof. Celestine Onwuliri; A demise that would continue to live in our minds – Msgr Theo Nwalo

- As family commissions academic block for Major Seminary Activities slated to mark the one-year remembrance of Prof. Celestine Onwuliri who died in Lagos in the ill-fated Dana air crash which occurred on June 3rd, 2012 have been concluded with a memorial Mass at St. Jude’s Catholic Parish Amuzi Mbaise and the commissioning of a Philosophy Block built in memory of Prof. C. Onwuliri at the Seat of Wisdom Major Seminary Ariam, Abia State on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd June respectively. The Mass which witnessed a mammoth crowd of people who came from all walks of life had Msgr. Theo Nwalo, the Catholic Administrator of Ahiara diocese as the chief celebrant and assisted by…

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…

Rochas Okorocha must hear this

One Dr. James Madubuonu, not real name has made very frantic efforts these years to see Owelle Rochas Okorocha, Governor Imo State, to help solve the most important problem facing the state but his aides have made it impossible for them to meet. The said citizen is a lawyer by profession specialized in security matters for 43 years in the U.S. but those who think that they matter so much feel that insecurity is not a problem in Imo State. This man, being a citizen of Nigeria feels that charity begins at home that is why he chose Imo State as the home of the program and he named it Imo Security System. It is…

60% of drivers cannot drive – Mr Emeka Osuorji

It was once reported overseas that 30 per cent of people driving vehicles in Lagos were visually impaired and have no business behind the wheels. General Manager, Imo State Traffic Management Authority (IMSTMA), Mr. Emeka Osuorji, re-echoed that recently when he expressed concern that 60 per cent of those driving in Imo state could move a car but didn’t know how to drive. IMSTMA boss and his men are trying to clean up the roads much like the police, road safety, civil defence and orientation, all uniformed organizations trying to control traffic on perpetually crowded and crazy roads. Whether this is a duplication of service or a case of too many cooks spoiling the broth…

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…

New Yorkers Welcome Defeat of Abortion Bill

“A Remarkable Victory for Unborn Children” Here is a statement from the New York State Catholic Conference, which represents the Bishops of New York State in public policy matters: The failure of a last-ditch hostile amendment to try to effect passage of the Abortion Expansion Act is a remarkable victory for unborn children, as well as vulnerable women and girls who so often face unrelenting societal and family pressure to abort. The result is, quite literally, the answer to prayer. More accurately, it is the answer to millions of prayers by men, women and children of every faith from every section of the state who believes in the inalienable right to life of the baby…

Prof. Viola Onwuliri commissions Ultra-Modern School Gate at Amuzi

- Harps on Education as short-cut to bigmanism One of the activities lined up for the one-year memorial of late Prof. C.O.E. Onwuliri (KSJI), the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) is the commissioning of an ultra-modern school gate of Community Secondary School Amuzi, Ahiazu LGA Mbaise, which took place Wednesday, June 19, 2013 by the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs State I, Prof. Viola Onwuliri (LAUX), wife of the late former Vice-Chancellor. Before her arrival, the students and their teachers filed out from the school gate to the Eke Amuzi market to accord her a befitting welcome.  After commissioning the school ultra-modern gate, the Minister inspected the school’s laboratory science…

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…

Politics And Public Service: The Most Lucrative Business Enterprises In Nigeria Today (1)

Politics is a witty stratagem and artifice that are being exercised to establish a human and material platform for the institutionalization of a stable and progressive state with the full credence and tenet of the entrenchment of democracy and enactment of good governance. While Public Service could be categorized as a working contract entrusted to the care and responsibility of a chosen with a stipulated remuneration, recompense or allowance, for the strengthening of the affairs of the state and welfare of the people. Analytically, both politics and public service are for the advancement, growth and upliftment of a state in every facet of her development including direction, conduct, guidance, administration and management. If all these…

Kano increases pensioners allowance by 3,000%

Kano State Government has increased the minimum allowance of its pensioners by 3,000 percent.  The government said the least paid pensioner in the state now earn N5,000 as against the previous N135 per month. The State Head of Service, Alhaji Umar Shehu Minjibiri who disclosed this during a press briefing at the 2013 Public Service Day, said the implementation of the improved allowance had already taken effect. He said the state government decided to improve the pensioners’ welfare in view of the fact that their previous allowance was barely enough to attend to their needs. He also said as part of the Public Service Day celebration, the state government was organizing a workshop to sensitize…

Woman disappears on daughter’s wedding day

The whereabouts of a widow, Mrs. Kate Onwuhara, a lecturer at Novena University in Delta State is still a mystery following her disappearance on the day she was to give out her daughter in marriage. Her daughter, Ugonne Onwuhara’s wine-carrying was to take place on the evening of Thursday, June 20, 2013.  Earlier that day, it was thought that some persons from her own family in Imo State were supposed to be at the event and so she went to inform and invite them.  She was said to have driven in her Toyota Corolla car (marked Rivers, WY433PHC) to Umuelemai in Isiala Mbano LGA.  It was around 11am. Speaking to the press (not The Leader)…

Community denies kidnap of 18 pupils

Leaders of Ngor Autonomous Community in the Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State, have described as false and misleading, newspaper reports (not THE LEADER) that a commercial bus driver (name withheld) and a female teacher (name withheld) were intercepted by eagle-eyed security men as they were conveying 18 abducted pupils. According to newspaper reports, the children who are pupils of Umuohie Primary School in the Ngor-Okpala LGA, were being ferried to Rivers State before the abductors were caught. In a reaction to the news, the President General of the community, Mr. Justus Ugochukwu Okoh, who told our correspondent that he followed up the case from Umuneke Police Station to the State Criminal Investigation Department…

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…

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…

Parishioners pray for kidnapped choirmaster -As gunmen abduct two in Owerri

Kidnappers appear to have staged a come-back in Imo State after about one month break. On Friday, June 23, 2013 the hoodlums struck at Ubomiri in Mbaitoli Local Government Council at night and abducted two prominent members of the community – a Lagos-based retired bank director and an Owerri-based contractor, who is also a choirmaster at the Maria Assumpta Cathedral Owerri. Reports said that the choirmaster had gone to the Ubomiri residence of the former bank director, who is his brother-in-law when they were kidnapped. Both of them hail from Umuabali Ubomiri. The Imo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Joy Elemoko Ugo confirmed the incident saying that the police are on top of the…

Family of six die in fire explosion in PH

Tragedy struck in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, when a fire explosion claimed the lives of a couple and their four children while sleeping. Sunday Sun learnt the fire incident, which cause was yet to be ascertained at press time, occurred about 1.45am. Head of the family was said to be a commercial taxi driver while his wife was a petty trader. The victims, who were living at No. 17 New Estate Road, Railway Quarters, near the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), hailed from Anambra State. An eyewitness said the children were three boys and a girl. Sunday Sun gathered that survivors of the family were their two daughters cur4ently sitting for the West African Examination Council…