PDP, ANPP, slam Okorocha for closing schools, markets for birthday

Posted by: Okodili Ndidi Posted date: October 11, 2012


Leaders of opposition parties in Imo State have berated Governor Rochas Okorocha for closing public schools, government institutions and markets for his 50th birthday and the 10th anniversary of his foundation.

Last Monday, schools, ministries and markets were closed throughout the state to celebrate the governor’s birthday, the 10th anniversary of the Rochas Foundation and the graduation of over 1,000 pupils of the Rochas Foundation College.

Describing the situation as “an abnormal setting”, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), through its Publicity Secretary, Chief Blyden Amajirionwu, said the state had never witnessed such display of power and wastage of public funds.

The party scribe alleged that “the state is in the firm grip of a lawless and unstructured government”.

According to him, closing down economic activities and approving three days’ public holiday to celebrate a birthday was an act of intimidation against the governed.

Amajirionwu said: “There was an unprecedented buying of air time on Television and Radio with people’s money.”

The Imo State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), through its Secretary, Mr. Christian Oguoma, said: “It amounts to misplacement of priority for the state government to be throwing a multi-million naira birthday bash while over 500,000 residents, who were displaced by ravaging floods, are still sleeping under the trees at the mercy of the weather.”

The All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) Chairman, Vitalis Ajumbe, chided the governor for closing down government institutions to celebrate his birthday and the anniversary of his private institution.

He said: “Where in the world are governors shutting down their states to celebrate birthday parties? This is waste of public funds. He (Okorocha) should be reminded that government is not run as a private business.”

The Southeast Chairman of the Campaign for Democracy (CD), Comrade Uzor A. Uzor, described the elaborate birthday celebration as “unacceptable and unbecoming of a public servant who should be accountable to the people the elected him to manage their common wealth”.


http://thenationonlineng.net/new/news/pdp-anpp-slam-okorocha-for-closing-schools-markets-for-birthday/

Lmaoooooo. This okorosha is a clown. Only in AGIPA land...

is he beginning to think that he is a king or something? u can imagine wot he will do if he ws president.

Ovularia: “It amounts to misplacement of priority for the state government to be throwing a multi-million naira birthday bash while over 500,000 residents, who were displaced by ravaging floods, are still sleeping under the trees at the mercy of the weather.”

wow

Wasteful celebration
Posted by: Editorial Posted date: October 12, 2012 In: Editorial

Why is it that many governors in Nigeria often lose a sense of limit and prudence? The lavish 50th birthday celebration of Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State last weekend has brought this question to the fore once again. According to reports, the celebration of Governor Okorocha’s day climaxed last Monday with a grand ceremony which had in attendance, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai of Zimbabwe and former Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd). Also present to felicitate with Okorocha were five fellow governors: Peter Obi of Anambra State, Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta, Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers, Isa Yuguda of Bauchi and Shehu Shema of Katsina, among other dignitaries from across the country.

Nothing wrong with these invitations. What was reprehensible was that Governor Okorocha seemed to need the attention of the entire state riveted to his show, so he had the state shut down. Thus, government offices, schools and markets in the state were closed last Monday and teachers, students and the civil servants were directed to report at the Heroes Square, venue of the grand finale of activities marking the governor’s birthday.

We wonder what point the governor, an elected state official wanted to prove by celebrating his 50th birthday, which is a private affair, in such elaborate and wasteful manner. Getting a prime minister and all the dignitaries to attend must have cost a lot of money. Who is paying for all this? Then the hidden costs of closing down the business of the entire state for a whole day may never be accurately quantified, but the losses are surely enormous in terms of man hours and lost opportunities.

In fact, in celebrating his birthday, the governor failed to attend an official duty in Enugu last Sunday where governors and leaders of the Southeast met to take a crucial decision. As reported, Governor Okorocha was absent because “he was celebrating his birthday.” When did personal matters take precedence over official affairs of state for an elected officer?

It is disturbing that as this elaborate ceremony was going on, workers in the state had not received their salary for September, one week into another month. Imo is a very impoverished state with hardly any industry or large viable enterprise. Indeed, there is nothing that can be described as a viable economy beyond government business. The major source of sustenance is the monthly federal allocation. Basic infrastructure is weak if not non-existent; schools are dilapidated, no potable water and healthcare facilities are inadequate. Imo State is also one of the states ravaged by flood, with thousands of the citizens displaced and are now at the mercy of the weather.

We dare say that a state like this requires a sober and serious leadership that can harness the available resources, re-orientate the people and build systems and institutions that can engender a viable economy. On the contrary, we have observed over time that the governor who was voted to office on a groundswell of the people’s goodwill and high expectations is given to arbitrariness, flamboyance and wastefulness. We had cause to caution on this page a few months ago when he released a list of multitudinous appointees with many bearing frivolous and laughable titles.

Again, we advise that with about one and half years of his tenure gone, he does not have the luxury of time. He must brace up to the serious business of governance in a highly deprived environment. Quality leadership is driven by good personal examples. A lavish and disruptive birthday party doesn’t speak well.

http://thenationonlineng.net/new/editorial/wasteful-celebration-2/

I marvel at the open display of insensitivity by this loquacious emperor, especially at this perilous period when the populace is ravaged by calamities on all sides.

For a photo-loving Governor like him, this should have been a good opportunity for him to commisserate with the affected denizen and even give them some sense of belonging by celebrating the birthday in one of the relief camps.

Such act of selflessness would have really captured WHO i thought him to be but what i see is just another lip service and i won't be surprized if he wakes up tomorrow and start trudging in the flood from one community to another with phalanx of photographers and media men to capture WHAT he actually is.

Like the great Zik once said, "Leadership sagacity is not by garrulous but symbolic jingoism"

It's a political 'show of force'. He's trying to prostrate as the 'top' eastern governor and as well connected to make his presidential bid more realistic. Though I don't agree with it, my only concern is the development of the state, so I'm indifferent on whether or not he has a birthday party.

You can guarantee this was funded by state funds, he's one of the richest men in the country and doesn't take a government salary. He can fund his own B-day party.

[quote author=]It's a political 'show of force'. He's trying to prostrate as the 'top' eastern governor and as well connected to make his presidential bid more realistic. Though I don't agree with it, my only concern is the development of the state, so I'm indifferent on whether or not he has a birthday party.

You can guarantee this was funded by state funds, he's one of the richest men in the country and doesn't take a government salary. He can fund his own B-day party. [/quote]

dont be fooled. hes rich, doesnt get paid.
most contract goes to his underground companies

The evil that men do

Eko Ile: Lmaoooooo. This okorosha is a clown. Only in AGIPA land...

Omo eko its okorocha not "sha"

No! I dont believe. Tell me it's not Okorocha I used to know

as if PDP wouldn't have done worse . . .
PDP, your days are numbered

This is uncalled for Gov Rochas. However, the opposition parties would likely do the same, if not worse if given the chance.

Just like a monkey tell another monkey say him too like Banana....

Silly season in politics...

I actually thought Okorocha was a leader to the core------ this is not done anywhere--all because of Birthday? SmH

Shutting down schools and the entire state civil service for a shindig?

Governor Rochas has just single-handedly debunked all the merits of having a state police force

This man Okorocha is fast becoming very irrelevant with every passing day. From his illegitimate dismissal of all elected Local government chairmen and councillors, indiscriminate and plan-less embarkment of road construction in all the local governments in Imo State, recklessly erecting gates in every road in Owerri to declaring a public holiday just because he was celebrating his birthday, it is becoming more of a worry to me and many concerned observers that Okorocha is showing himself to be too childish to handle a position as governor of Imo State. He may very unwittingly be making a mere rudicle of his so-called ambition of either getting a second chance as the governor of Imo State or his over-bloated ambition of running for the office of presidency in 2015. He needs to show himself to be less of a clown and more of an adult and responsible leader.

Being educated shouldnt be confused with being enlightened,the governor displayed an act of irresponsibility..when most people are ravageD by flood,the insensitive governor is having a jumbo b'day. African leaders have a long way to go,cos most of them cant separate their private life from official duty.
Imagine closing school for common b'day.
If him papa die nko,wetin him go do?

IMMAGINE THIS MAN OOO SO IF YOU BCOME THE PRESIDENT WATIING GO KON HAPPEN YOU GO SHUT DOWN ALL THE SECTOR COS FOR YOUR BIRTH DAY NAWA NIGERIA NO GO KILL US OOOOO

Dis crass behaviour na norm for our overcelebrated thieves disguised as Governors, ministers et al. Tinubu's own is still fresh on our minds. Wetin hold up do person then. Na go save us from this conceited pple.

The nation newspaper,Tinubu and his party should stop using this paper to spread false informations,they can't win the presidency or any other state even Ondo state no matter what cos they will do worse.

imo state dis is jst una morning. a criminal and a 419 hs ascended power. rochas is a crook. i hate him wt all passion

^^^^^^^^^^
This is to the fool packman, writing in bold and capital letters is akin to shouting in public. Learn some "netiquette".

This is the most irresponsible act by any elected official in Nigeria so far. What was he thinking? An such a man flaunts his lowly upbringing. If he was the son of Zik or Ahmadu Bello, he would have decreed that nobody should come out of his home.

Super1759: am not sure that HE gave the instruction for schools and offices to close for his celebration, maybe the workforce did that to celebrate with him.

Gbam!

Austinodark: The nation newspaper,Tinubu and his party should stop using this paper to spread false informations,they can't win the presidency or any other state even Ondo state no matter what cos they will do worse.

It's not denial. I'm just selective about the reality I accept ~Bill Watterson

There has hardly been pretence about the flamboyant lifestyle of Chief Rochas Okorocha, the governor of Imo State. His flashy way of living predates his governorship status. But as a public figure, many had thought the demands of office would temper his showmanship’s propensity.

He proved those who thought along that line wrong Monday when he chose to celebrate his 50th birthday amid pomp and ceremony. It was double celebrations for him as the occasion also marked the 10th anniversary of Rochas Foundation.

In his honour, the state government ordered all markets and schools in the state shut. Civil servants, including teachers, with their students in tow, were directed to proceed to Heroes Square, Owerri, venue of the grand finale of the activities marking the birthday of the governor. It was a directive everybody obeyed peremptorily.
This Day

Owerri, the capital of Imo state was yesterday grounded to a halt as the Governor of the state, Owelle Rochas Okorocha celebrated his 50th birthday.
Civil servants deserted their offices, schools and markets were closed and crowds transported from the twenty seven Local Government Areas of the state, as all roads led to the Heroes Square Owerri, the venue of the mother of all Birthdays inNigeria.
Preparations for the ones –in- a-life birthday began days ahead with vehicles conveying youths outside Imo state, into Owerri.
Top musicians, comedians, journalists, clergy and all manners of visitors outsideNigeria, stormed Owerri in their numbers, even as all the hotels in Owerri were fully booked by the state government, for the visitors.
Since the creation of Imo state in 1976, the people of the state were yet to witness this kind of stupendous birthday by any sitting Chief Executive of the state.
Imo Trumpeta

Wish Okorocha is my daddy, I for get money die... For all you haters,nothing going to stop this guy cos he got loads of cash to spend... Walking pass

Super1759: am not sure that HE gave the instruction for schools and offices to close for his celebration, maybe the workforce did that to celebrate with him.

Not matter how you slice and dice this one, this buck stops with the first citizen of Imo State.

In his honour, the state government ordered all markets and schools in the state shut. Civil servants, including teachers, with their students in tow, were directed to proceed to Heroes Square, Owerri, venue of the grand finale of the activities marking the birthday of the governor. It was a directive everybody obeyed peremptorily.
Source

Hahahahahahahahahaha!! LMAO
Am I the only one who sees the irony in this. PDP of all parties taking about wastage and being insentive hahahaahaaha. Abegi I no fit laff anymore. Lol. Pot calling kettle black.

he is the commander in chief of the state nah

This is how it starts