In a desperate move to disabuse the mind of the people of Imo State about the current scam going on in the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC) the state governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has again appointed another priest as the Technical Adviser on Youth Fund for Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta LGAs.

The new man is the current rector of the state Polytechnic, Umuagwo, Rev. Fr. Wence Madu.

His appointment followed the rejection of same by Archbishop Anthony Obinna of the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri.

According to a document obtained from the Secretary to the Government of Imo State, Rev. Fr. Madu is among the 21 new aides appointed by Governor Okorocha yesterday, Monday August 26.

The governor had appointed Archbishop Obinna and Bishop Cyril Okorocha of the Owerri Anglican Diocese to manage the disbursement of N500 million(N250 million in each of the two LGAs).

The governor was alleged to have told the people of the oil bearing areas that he had already made the money available for their empowerment while in actual sense, no money was made available.

But speaking recently during a pastoral visit to Assumpta Cathedral Parish, Owerri, Archbishop Obinna denied being given any money by the state government for Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta LGAs youths.

According to the prelate, ”I want to state clearly that i did not touch the N250 million, that i did not accept the offer”.

He explained that one of the two reasons he rejected the governor’s appointment was that his mentor and predecessor, Bishop Mark Unegbu had warned him against accepting government appointments.

The other reason, he hinted, was it was not his duty to distribute money for youths, saying he is not a local government agent.

The ISOPADEC fund has been an issue of concern for the people of the oil producing areas, with allegations flying that the governor had since converted the money meant for the development of Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta areas.

In fact, that was one of the cardinal points of campaigns during the recent House of Assembly rerun election for Oguta State Constituency.

Before then, the governor told them that the ISOPADEC Fund was being used to build a maritime university at Oguta and a secretariat for the commission.

But investigations revealed that no work is going on at the proposed site for the university.

When it appeared that no activity was going on in the two LGAs with the ISOPADEC Fund, with youths of the area regularly protesting, the governor decided to float the N500 million Youth Empowerment Fund.

To make it look real, the governor announced the appointment of Archbishop Obinna and Bishop Okorocha as heads of the committee that would distribute the money, giving impression that the money had been given them.

The revelation by Archbishop Obinna that he did not touch the money has stirred reactions from the youths of area.

According to the leader of Concerned Youths in the area, Comrade Thomas Nyerike, Governor Okorocha is playing politics with the N500 million Empowerment Fund.

Nyerike who spoke with journalists in Owerri, described the empowerment fund as a Greek gift that does not reflect the wishes of the youths, adding that it was a political exercise meant to deceive the people of the area.

He said the governor only wants to hoodwink the youths into forgetting their agitations for better funding of ISOPADEC and provision of basic amenities.

Meanwhile, Archbishop Obinna has to cautioned the Rochas Okorocha-led state government to stop politicising prayers in the state, adding that Catholic prayers like Angelus is not government business.

The governor had reportedly directed that the prayer be said at every hour.

But the prelate stated that the governor had no right to determine for the Catholic church when and how the Angelus prayer should be conducted by the church.

Governor rochas should be more focused if he wants to grow politically. With the way things are going he might find it difficult to get a second term in office

nuceo: Governor rochas should be more focused if he wants to grow politically. With the way things are going he might find it difficult to get a second term in office

Rochas should keep digging his political grave. He will definitely burn himself out just like Oji Uzor did and then be a political lepa.

nuceo: Governor rochas should be more focused if he wants to grow politically. With the way things are going he might find it difficult to get a second term in office

So who is better or more trustworthy than a clergy to handle such funds without being faulted by the people? Bishop Obinna was right by refusing to mix religion with culture but he should also have adviced the Governor on a better individual to give such a sensitive appointment.

I guess the money has been diverted to the funding of APC which obviously ranks higher on his scale of preference

Abagworo:

So who is better or more trustworthy than a clergy to handle such funds without being faulted by the people? Bishop Obinna was right by refusing to mix religion with culture but he should also have adviced the Governor on a better individual to give such a sensitive appointment.

It is not Archbishop Obinna's duty to advise him on anything, Bro. Besides, didn't you read where it is said that the money isn't available anymore? I think that's even the Archbishop's main reason for turning it down - the lies

mekonline:

It is not Archbishop Obinna's duty to advise him on anything, Bro. Besides, didn't you read where it is said that the money isn't available anymore? I think that's even the Archbishop's main reason for turning it down - the lies

Don't mind Abagworo the born sycophant! He will defend even the indefensible as long as his benefactor Okorocha is involved.

Rochas should avoid playing politics with the Catholic church. Do not mix religion and politics together especially with the Catholic church. there are other people who can manage such funds. It must not be a clergy.

mekonline:

It is not Archbishop Obinna's duty to advise him on anything, Bro. Besides, didn't you read where it is said that the money isn't available anymore? I think that's even the Archbishop's main reason for turning it down - the lies

How did they know the money is not available? Nothing there justifies the claims of the money not being available. Archbishop Obinna is a hardcore supporter of Okorocha's programmes and is also in support of Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta youths enpowerment. The problem here is that he does not want to mix religion with politics which is a wise one. I'm sure that when the money is finally disbursed, some of you will claim it was not properly done and that it should have been done in a different way. Give those different and better ways as advice to the government. That's the reason for the Imo community government.

Abagworo:

How did they know the money is not available? Nothing there justifies the claims of the money not being available. Archbishop Obinna is a hardcore supporter of Okorocha's programmes and is also in support of Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta youths enpowerment. The problem here is that he does not want to mix religion with politics which is a wise one. I'm sure that when the money is finally disbursed, some of you will claim it was not properly done and that it should have been done in a different way. Give those different and better ways as advice to the government. That's the reason for the Imo community government.

If the money was available, why did he have to lie about giving it to the Archbishop? Do you have proof that the money hasn't been diverted? The Archbishop is non partisan. He isn't a supporter of Rochas. He applauds Rochas when he does well and turns him down when he tries to play politics with him like now

Imo state under the clown okorocha long gone to the ditches..

What a people..

Abagworo:

So who is better or more trustworthy than a clergy to handle such funds without being faulted by the people? Bishop Obinna was right by refusing to mix religion with culture but he should also have adviced the Governor on a better individual to give such a sensitive appointment.

Which money? The money has been used to fund Tinubu's medical treatment abroad, now he wants to use the man of God as a scapegoat.

OOOOOHH my Gaaaad, Imo State is in hot soup.

mekonline:

If the money was available, why did he have to lie about giving it to the Archbishop? Do you have proof that the money hasn't been diverted? The Archbishop is non partisan. He isn't a supporter of Rochas. He applauds Rochas when he does well and turns him down when he tries to play politics with him like now

Did you read the article? Making the money available doesn't mean he gave the money to AJV Obinna. haba!

mekonline: I guess the money has been diverted to the funding of APC which obviously ranks higher on his scale of preference

That is certain..

Tinubo his godfather has been smiling to GTbank all these while..

Imo state allocation(100%).. going..going..gone to tinubo and his hausa cousins..

While the poor people of imo state continue suffering in hardship and under development..

berem: Rochas should avoid playing politics with the Catholic church. Do not mix religion and politics together especially with the Catholic church. there are other people who can manage such funds. It must not be a clergy.

Sensible for the first time.

The involvement of Religion in the East (Especially the Catholic Church ) is appalling.
Its time Igbos gain political maturity and stop all this Catholic Interference in Igbo politics.
We have seen this happen in Enugu, Imo and Anambra

berem: Did you read the article? Making the money available doesn't mean he gave the money to AJV Obinna. haba!

Oga pls read the article properly before arguing. For the avoidance of doubt, let me enlighten you once again:

Did you see the portion where the article said: "The Governor was alleged to have told the people of the oil bearing areas that he had already made money available for their empowerment while in actual sense, no money was made available. But speaking recently during a pastoral visit to Assumpta Cathedral parish, Owerri, Archbishop Obinna being given any money by the state government for Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta LGA youths. According to the prelate, "I want to state clearly that I did not touch the N250 million"

bushwailo: The involvement of Religion in the East (Especially the Catholic Church ) is appalling.
Its time Igbos gain political maturity and stop all this Catholic Interference in Igbo politics.
We have seen this happen in Enugu, Imo and Anambra

Na who be dis bushman

bushwailo: The involvement of Religion in the East (Especially the Catholic Church ) is appalling.
Its time Igbos gain political maturity and stop all this Catholic Interference in Igbo politics.
We have seen this happen in Enugu, Imo and Anambra

Na who be dis bushman.So the bishop should have allowed him to bribe him.majority of the states you mentioned are catholics so why should the church not be concerned about the welfare of itz members

Mallam Rochas Okorocha is unashamed 419er who never had gainful employment except as thug and butler of former governor of Plateau State. I guess Okorocha’s sectional village style of blackmail did not work this time around as he attempts to rope Catholic Church in Imo State into his bloody idiocy in Imo State.

The dude named Rochas Okorocha should be tied to a stake, along with his blind sycophantic praise singers, and shot.

I regret ever liking this nicompoop of a man called Okorocha.I have tried not to but no,I hate him to d fullest.He is bloody deceiver.

Imo State governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, and Catholic Medical Practitioners Association are at daggers-drawn over the abortion bill the former just signed into law.The law, among others, permits women to procure abortion at will.Gov OkorochaSponsored by the Majority Leader and member representing Ahiazu Mbaise state constituency, Mrs. Adekunle Ihuoma, the law is to be cited as “Imo State of Nigeria, Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law Number 12 of 2012”.According to the new law, every woman shall have the right to enjoy reproductive rights, including  rights to medical abortion in cases of sexual assault, rape, incest and where the continued pregnancy endangers the life or the physical, mental, psychological or emotional health of the mother.The law also stipulates that “every woman shall have the right to take decisions about her health needs and requirements.”The law was very specific that a woman “shall have the right to determine the processes concerning reproduction in her body.”Okorocha also approved that every woman should have a right to health, which should be understood to mean enjoyment of the highest level of physical, mental and social well-being and healthcare services.These provisions include everything relating to family planning.Chairman, Catholic Medical Practitioners Association, Dr. Phillip Njemanze, has reacted angrily to the law, arguing that “the law is anti-God, dehumanizing and totally unacceptable to the association.“The law is devastating. With its signing into law by Governor Okorocha, abortion has been legalized in the state and anybody, just anybody can now ask for abortion as a right in the state.”While recalling that the National Assembly had earlier rejected the bill, especially as it was against humanity, Njemanze reasoned that the law would encourage human egg trafficking.