By CHIDI NKWOPARA
OWERRI — Imo State governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, has warned the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to start preparing its handover notes now as the newly formed All Progressives Congress, APC, would wrestle power from it in 2015.
Okorocha read the riot act when he played host to leaders of the merging political parties from Enugu and Ebonyi states at Government House, Owerri.
Okorocha said: “APC is a child of circumstance, following the desire of Nigerians to reap dividend of
myimostate.blogspot.com is blog dedicated to stories and events from and about Imo state.
Wednesday, 12 June 2013
Tuesday, 11 June 2013
GOVERNOR OKOROCHA FLAGS OFF 2013 MATERNAL, NEW BORN AND CHILD HEALTH WEEK IN IMO STATE
Flagging off the exercise at Nwaorieubi, in Mbaitoli Local Government Headquarters yesterday, the governor urged mothers in the state to ensure that their children participate in the immunization exercise towards sustaining Imo as a polio-free state. According to the governor, the exercise will go a long way to reduce physical disability among infants in the State.
Said he;
Monday, 3 June 2013
IMO STATE CROWNS MOST BEAUTIFUL GIRL AND MOST HANDSOME MAN
Miss Anabel Obianugu Amadi, a 300 level student of Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) from Aboh Mbaize has emerged the 2013 Ada-Imo while Mr Kenneth Nwadike from Isiala Mbano Local Government Area came was crowned the Opara.
The event which was held on Tuesday at the Ahiajoku convention center, Owerri featured over 1000 contestants from Imo State
GOVERNOR OKOROCHA. MAKES THE CASE FOR APC
Governor Okorocha who seized the opportunity of rendering his two year account of stewardship to Imolites to speak on his political future and recent political development in the country, maintained that APC would among other things balance the political equation as well as offer credible alternative so far as leadership is concern in Nigeria.
Wednesday, 8 May 2013
Opposition Parties flay Jonathan over harassment of Rivers State Government
Addressing journalists at the Government House, Owerri today shortly after a political rally at the Heros square, Comrade Oshiomole announced that after reviewing the recent developments in the country, the four major opposition political parties, including, the All Nigerian People's Party (ANPP), the Action Congress of
APC GOVERNORS STORM IMO STATE
Eight governors of All Progressives Congress (APC) who stormed Owerri the capital of Imo State yesterday
for the party’s first rally in the South-east Zone have vowed to sweep out the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from all levels of governance in the country in 2015, blaming the nation’s woes on the misrule of the PDP.
Speaking at the Heroes Square venue of the rally, Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, said 23 governors were already members of the APC even as eight governors attended the Imo Freedom Rally, adding that the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), was not joining any political party nor was it in alliance but in a merger to form a new party called APC.
Speaking at the Heroes Square venue of the rally, Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, said 23 governors were already members of the APC even as eight governors attended the Imo Freedom Rally, adding that the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), was not joining any political party nor was it in alliance but in a merger to form a new party called APC.
Thursday, 18 April 2013
N458m contract scam: court orders police to produce Dina, J-PROS boss
Mr. Dina is accused of obtaining money from the State government under false pretenses.
The suit as filed by the State Attorney-General and Commissioner, Barr. Soronnadi Njoku on behalf of the
PDP Chieftains offered me N3bn as bribe to impeach Okorocha- Uwajimogu
The embattled Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Benjamin Uwajumogu, has revealed how the elder brother of the impeached Deputy Governor, Martin Agbaso, and some chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), allegedly offered him N3 billion to impeach the State governor, Rochas Okorocha.
Speaking during an interview with some journalists in Owerri, the Imo State capital, Uwajumogu, alleged that
Imo State to celebrate Freedom Day May 6th
Imo State government has disclosed plans to celebrate what it described as ‘Imo Freedom day’ as well as the second year anniversary of Governor Rochas Okorcha.
The planning committee chaired by the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere (MFR) has lined up several activities that will ensure maximum participation by Imolites in the event which will commence on May 6th.and culminate into the Two-year anniversary celebration of Governor Okorocha-led administration on May 29th.
Describing the Imo Freedom Day celebration and launching of New Imo projects as key substance of democracy, Governor Okorocha urged political appointees to ensure that Imo people are well mobilized for the event.
He noted that much has been achieved in the area of infrastructural development and other critical sectors which will be show-cased to the people during the celebration.
In his remarks, the Mayor of Owerri, Dr. Kachi Nwoga used the occasion to intimate the Governor on what his committee has done so far preparatory to the launching of the new Imo Projects.
He explained that the New Imo Project includes the physical environment, repainting of structures in identical patterns, relocation of artisans to industrial clusters and re-organizing various motor parks.
Dr. Nwoga stressed the need to re-introduction of effective transport system in Owerri as well as maintaining zero tolerance for street trading.
GOVERNOR ROCHAS OKOROCHA - APC IS A CHILD OF NECESSITY
The Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, Wednesday stated that the emergence of the opposition parties' coalition, All Progressives Congress (APC), had become 'a child of necessity' at present, declaring that the emergence of APC would be in the best interest of the country's politics, democracy and Ndigbo.
The Okorocha made disclosure in Abuja, while addressing journalists after inspecting the on-going construction work of the state liaison building in the city.
While admitting that his teaming up with APC is to wrest power from the People Democratic Party (PDP) at the centre, the governor said: "It's not in doubt that I'm in APC. All Peoples Grand Alliance (APGA) is no longer the issue; we have moved beyond that and we are talking about APC now. Of course you will agree with me that there are factions of APGA; one of the factions is the one being led by me, the other one is the Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi-led faction and the one led by Chief Victor Umeh.
"On my part, we have said the formation of APC is for the better interest of Ndigbo, national politics, and democracy. Now we have a bigger party which would be a national party, that is why the APC became necessary."
Continuing, he said: "If you look at it, the Congress for Progress Change (CPC), All Nigeria's Peoples Party (ANPP), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and APGA were all regional parties. And if all these regional parties decide to form a mega party, then it is wise for every small party to join this big party knowing fully that you will be inconsequential if you remain with your tiny regional sentiment, and I think this nation should go beyond regional sentiment and talk about national sentiment and national issues."
The governor said the best option for opposition parties was the emergence of APC as a strong and viable party, adding: "Good enough, APC has come to stay.
"It's no longer in doubt whether I'm in APC or AGPA, but let it be known that people have always seen APGA as Igbo cultural party," admitting that APGA has never been a national party as it is not really a political party.
"For us, it is like an Igbo thing and for now, it is very proper that we look at it from a bigger picture that would benefit our people.
"It should be worrisome that today in Nigeria no Igbo man is the President or Vice-President, the Senate President or the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chairman of a national party. None of these positions come to the Igbo man because we are not playing in the right party but in APC, we would make sure that one of these major positions comes to an Igbo man." Okorocha said.
He added that "if the late Odimegwu Ojukwu had been alive today, he will be the first person to support this merger because he was once the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of ANPP. So this idea of bringing tribal sentiments when it comes to a bigger picture of politics would not help us in this nation and that is why I commend the Buharis, and the Tinubus for giving up these regional sentiments to build a bigger party that can help rebuild our nation of our collective dream and aspiration."
On his involvement in the recent impeachment of his Deputy Governor, he however stated that he was innocent in the exercise. "It was purely the state House of Assembly matter, it was a poor situation that was not well managed, because the deputy governor is somebody that I love so much and somebody that I worked with before he became the deputy governor when he was the Commissioner for Works. That goes to show how close we were," he explained.
Tuesday, 2 April 2013
JUDE AGBASO IMPEACHED FROM OFFICE AS DEPUTY GOVERNOR OF IMO STATE
The Imo State Deputy governor, Sir Jude Agbaso was on Thursday,
Impeached by the Imo State House of Assembly after the House uncovered evidence
that he collected a bribe of 458 million naira from some contractors handling
roads construction projects in Imo State.
Owing to the abandonment of some road projects in the State, the
Joint Committee on State and Local Government Projects led by Mr. Stan Dara,
member of Imo State House of Assembly representing Orsu Local Government Area
in their investigation discovered that Agbaso, the deputy governor who was also
then the Commissioner for works had demanded and collected gratification of 458 million naira from J-PROS
International Nigeria Limited (the construction company handling some major
roads projects in the State).
Acting on the report of the Project Monitoring Committee, the Imo
House of Assembly had set up a Special Adhoc Committee presided over by Mr Simeon
Iwunze.
According to the report by the Special Adhoc Committee, Mr. Joseph
Dina of J-PROS International Nigeria Limited in his testimony confirmed having
given Agbaso a total sum of N458 million on request through a text message to
two accounts domiciled in both GT Bank and UBA. The report further revealed that
Agbaso lied severally before owning up. First, he denied ever inviting Mr. Dina
of J-PROS to his house but when Dina stood his ground and mentioned to have
bought a blue designer Porsche wine from London for him and how Agbaso sent his
security personnel to bring him to his MCC Road residence, Agbaso owned up.
The drama was further heightened with the denial of demanding and
receiving any gratification before Dina revealed the phone number with which
the deputy governor made the request and the account numbers 08033444421 and
the payment as follows: Three brothers Concept Limited, Bank: GT Bank Plc with
Account No: 0045630151 with sort code 058266511. Amount paid is N325,000,000 in
February 2012; Another N133,000,000 was paid in the month of June to IHSAN BDC
Limited, Account no 1015334698 with sort code, 033153351, UBA Plc, 27, Wharf
Road, Apapa, Lagos State
The House, having failed to reach the Deputy governor owing to the
latter’s absence from office and his official residence, had resolved to serve
him an impeachment notice through other means; electronic and print media and
pasting such at his official residence after a plenary session which was held
last week.
IMO STATE GETS A NEW DEPUTY GOVERNOR
The Chief of Staff to Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State was sworn-in to office as the Deputy Governor of Imo State on Saturday, March 30th 2013.
The
event which was presided over by the Imo State Chief Judge and
President, Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Benjamin Njemanze took
place at the Government House, Owerri.
Monday, 25 March 2013
IMO STATE GOVERNMENT MOURNS LITERARY ICON, PROF. CHINUA ACHEBE
His Excellency, the governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha has received with rude shock, the demise of a legend and literary icon, Professor Chinua Achebe.In a press release signed by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Media & Publicity, Mr Ebere Uzoukwa, Governor Okorocha described Prof. Chinua Achebe as a notable literary giant with an extra-ordinary intellectual background, adding that his death has created a vacuum in the literary world.He said Prof. Achebe's demise is a colossal loss to Nigeria and Igbo nation, having contributed immensely in the education sector and in nation building through his internationally acclaimed literary works, constructive criticisms and of course, his uncompromising war against social malpractices across the globe.While His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha on behalf of the good people of Imo State, sympathizes with the members of Prof. Achebe’s family, he however requests the federal government to immortalize his name as a great Nigerian.He prays God to give the deceased family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
Monday, 18 March 2013
NEWLY APPOINTED SOLADS SWORN-IN FOR IMO STATE LGA's
PRINC EZE MADUMERE, CHIEF OF STAFF, IMO STATE GOVERNMENT HOUSE WITH THE NEWLY SWORN- IN SOLE ADMINISTRATORS
towards restoring normal Council activities, pending the conduct of the LGA election in the State. He reminded them that the assignment given to them will make or mar their future political career, as people will henceforth expect the best from them in terms of service delivery. Also speaking at the event, the Chief of Staff to the Governor , Prince Eze Madumere charged them to carry out their duties as expected of them without fear or intimidation as the State will not tolerate failure from them. Responding on behalf of his counterparts, the Sole Administrator for Orlu LGA, Barrister Hyacinth Ikechukwu Mbachu thanked the State government for the confidence reposed in them and promised not to fail in his duty. Out of the 27 newly appointed SOLADs , 19 were sworn-in while the remaining 8 are yet to be cleared by the State House of Assembly. The remaining 8 LGAs are Isiala Mbano, Ehime Mbano, Ezinihitte Mbaise,Ahiazu Mbaise, Isu, Onuimo, Owerri West, and Nwangele LGAs. |
Wednesday, 13 March 2013
Press release by Imo State House of Assembly on impeachment of Deputy Governor
The attention of the Imo State House of Assembly has been drawn to series of publications in National and State based Newspapers insinuating that the travail of the State Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Sir Jude Agbaso is not connected to failed and abandoned contracts but politically motivated. Ordinarily, the Imo State House of Assembly would not have bordered to join issues with the said publications but in order to set the record straight so that members of the public will understand the issues at stake, we state as follows: 1. That a State and Local Government Joint Monitoring Committee was established about six months ago to monitor the construction of roads in the three Zones of the State
2. That His Excellency, the Deputy Governor, Sir Jude Agbaso as the then Commissioner for Works and Transport worked with the Committee and even inspected project Sites together.
3. That the State and Local Government Joint Monitoring Committee led by Hon. Bro. Stan Dara submitted their Report on the Floor of the House in February 2013.
4. That the Report of the State and Local Government Joint Monitoring Committee indicted the following Construction Companies. a. Timik Nig. Ltd b. J-Pros International Nigeria Ltd. c. And Others.
5. That due to the indictment of the afore-mentioned Construction Companies, another Special Adhoc Committee led by Hon. Barr. Simeon Iwunze was set-up to find out why the Construction Companies failed or abandoned their project Sites.
6. That the Special Committee invited the Companies to Room 201 (Conference Hall, Imo State House of Assembly) and questioned them on why they abandoned their Sites.
7. That in the cause of interaction and investigation, J-Pros International Nigeria Ltd (Mr. Joseph Dina, its Managing Director) confessed that they abandoned their Site because the Deputy Governor, Sir Jude Agbaso demanded and collected the sum of N458 million Naira only from him.
8. That the Committee thereafter invited Sir Jude Agbaso, and from the interview, the House found enough evidence and collaboration.
It is therefore mischievous, sacrilegious and cheap blackmail for anybody or indeed group of person to try to divert attention from the real issues at stake. For the avoidance of doubt, the travails of His Excellency, Sir Jude Agbaso has nothing to do with 2015 rivalry, ethnic and zonal politics or indeed weeping up undue sentiments. The Imo State House of Assembly will therefore not allow external forces to influence its Constitutional duties. Imo Must Be Better
Signed: Hon. Dr. Acho Ihim
Chairman House Committee on Information
Thursday, 7 March 2013
Rochas seeks partnership with America for improved agriculture in Imo State
OWELLE IN HANDSHAKE WITH MR. JEFF. HAUKINGS JNR(AMERICAN CONSULAR GENERAL)
Governor Okorocha made this call while receiving the American Consular General for Southern Nigeria, Mr. Jeff. Haukings Jnr. Who paid him a courtesy call at the Government House Owerri recently. According to Governor Okorocha, Imo State has a lot of agricultural potentials that are yet untapped adding that the American government could partner with the State to harness those potentials. He appealed to the Consular General to encourage American business men to invest in Imo State particularly now that the rate of crime in the State has been reduced. Governor Okorocha urged the Consular General to feel free to interact with Imolites and discover the uniqueness in our culture and the newly introduced 4th tier government that is aimed at speeding up rural development as well as unlocking the hidden resources in the Communities. Speaking earlier the Consular General, Mr. Jeff Haukings Jnr. Said he was on a tour of the State to interact with the people, adding that it is a 7-day tour of the 17 States of Southern Nigeria. He thanked the Governor and the Imolites for the warm reception given to him and his team. Present at the occasion were the Deputy Governor, Sir Jude Agbaso, the Speake,r Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Uwajimogu, the Chairman Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH, Eze Samuel Agunwa Ohiri and some members of the State Executive Council. |
Wednesday, 6 March 2013
Heartland FC to Enjoy Support From State Government
Imo State Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha has assured the members of Heartland Football Club that the State Government is doing everything within its powers to ensure they are in the best spirit and comfort to compete at the Confederation of African Football (CAF)tournament coming up late in the month.
He gave this assurance while briefing newsmen shortly after inspecting the on-going renovation work at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri recently.
He said that the State government embarked on the renovation work on the stadium to ensure that the playground is upgraded to be the best standard obtainable in Nigeria and expressed confidence that the team will come back with the trophy.
Governor Okorocha assured the players that the State government is making necessary arrangements to ensure that they are paid their allowances and bonuses and urged them to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice, stressing that it will enable them to perform well during the game.
Speaking earlier the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Comrade Kenneth Emelu assured the Governor and all Imolites that Heartland FC will perform wonders at the competition and bring back the trophy to Imo State.
Friday, 1 March 2013
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