₦airaland Forum

Local Government Workers in Imo State has been thrown into confusion following the recent freezing of Local Government allocation to the State over alleged non-accountability and unethical financial practices.

We gathered that the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) led by Chief Ambrose Onuoha has summoned an Emergency Meeting of all the Chairman and Secretaries of the Union in the 27 L.G.A. of the State which took place on 17/10/13, to address the issue.

It will be recalled that the clamp down by the Federal Government was necessitated by what they described as the automatic administration of the finances of the Local Government through Sole Administrators (SOLAD), adding that this was not in tandem with the Transformation Agenda of the Jonathan Administration.

The action which has almost cripples activities in the State L.G. administration could be likened to the sanction against the Lagos State Government by the Olusegun Obasanjo led State Government in 2006 over creation of new Local Governments which resulted in the withdrawal of Local Government allocations to the State.Meanwhile, all effort to reach the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Local Government, Imo State on the issue proved abortive.
http://famouspeoplenews./2013/10/19/workers-panic-as-fg-freezes-imo-l-g-account/

The announcement by the Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha, that he will re-contest his position in the 2015 general election generated several headlines and commentaries. Okorocha’s declaration to contest the next election is in total negation of his position before assumption of office in 2011. At the 2011 Governor's Debate at the Assumpta Cathedral, Okorocha had promised Imolites that he would be in office for four years.
Now he is recontesting.That is Governor Okorocha for you, a political chameleon. I once wrote articles were i stated why he should resign as Imo Governor. To me, Okorocha worships power with his whole body, his whole heart, his whole spirit and, in fact, his whole being. For him, nothing is too small or too great to do to acquire power and flaunt it. His love of publicity is part of his endless scheming for power. Once he grabs it, he immediately and unceremoniously abandons all who helped him.
Honestly, when Okorocha became governor of Imo State he turned to something else. He went about telling Imo people lies upon lies, defending his failures and deceits with pride. The first thing that he did when he came into power was to loot N26.27billion naira left behind by former Governor Ikedi Ohakim. The Second thing that he did was to borrow n45billion naira and n28billion naira loans from banks with Imo LGA allocations as collateral for three years, the money which he squandered. Okorocha is just a political opportunist looting Imo state dry . He does not have the passion to do things for the people . He never had . He’s a stone-cold unapologetic ambitious man who is milking Imo state to finish.
There are many reasons why he does not deserve re-election. There are millions of voters in Imo State who are waiting to kick him out in 2015. Anglicans and Catholics will never vote for him again. I doff my hat and salute the Christians in Imo State, who stood by unborn children whose death warrant Governor Rochas Okorocha and his cohorts assented to. It is disheartening to see a governor legalize abortion in his state.
Imo youths cannot vote for him again .He has failed to give them jobs. The 10,000 legally employed Imo civil servants that he unjustly sacked in 2011 and their families and friends of their families, workers of Imo State origin too who were sacked in the Abia State civil service for two years now that he has done nothing to alleviate their suffering despite their entreaties will not vote for him again. Imo Civil servants that he has refused to pay the 18,000 naira minimum wage will also not vote for him again.
Instead of sitting down in Owerri and create jobs for Imo Youths, Okorocha is spending millions of naira junketing the globe and entertaining his friends and political associates in Nigeria and abroad leaving Imo State youths without jobs. If Okorocha is not in Kaduna attending meetings with some Boko Haram Governors he will be in Ibadan hosting birthday parties or he is in USA meeting his fleshy needs, things that has little to do with Imo state administration. The only sign of youth employment in Imo is the blaring of siren by the governor’s children, his maids, his in-laws and few hangers on who feed fat on the allocation of Imo State.
Annoyingly, early this year and close to three years after he sacked 10,000 Imo state civil servants the governor advertised the availability of 11,000 jobs via IMO YOUTH MUST WORK programme but didn’t explain where the money to pay the workers will come from since he gave lack of money to pay workers as the reason for sacking the 10,000 Imo civil servants in 2011. Where is the 11,000 jobs opening when the same government cannot pay its civil servants well, again where is this job opening when Okorocha has not built one industry or rehabilitate existing ones.
I can tell that the millions of people in Imo rural areas that he has abandoned will never vote for him again. We all know that it is close to three years of his government and yet democracy does not exist in the 27 local government councils of Imo state as provided for in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria whereas neighboring states have elected men and women in their councils. The result is a comatose Imo LGA’s begging to be attended to. Lack of basic amenities has made these LGA’s a ghost environment.
How can a man who was elected democratically but has been operating the LGA in Imo state with Sole Administrators ask Imo people to re-elect him when he has deprived the same Imo people democracy in their LGA’s. What moral right does he have to ask Imo people to re-elect him when the same Imo people are seeing him using Imo LGA monies to fund his private concerns and award inflated contracts to his companies and cronies. He has told Imo people that they have no right to elect their leaders in the LGA’s and they have no right to elect their town union officials and youth leaders at the grass -root. He is saying “Imo people shut up”
He has also used his brand of military rule to persecute the people of Owerri zone demolishing there houses and shops here and there. Even Oguta State Constituency in Imo State has not produced its representative to the Imo State House of Assembly since after the 2011 general election close to three years now. Owerri people also are itching to occupy Douglas house. How can Ohaji/Egbema as well as Oguta vote for him when he has been looting the 13 percent oil derivation funds of Imo oil producing areas. ISOPADEC, the commission charged with development of Imo oil areas is in comatose. Schools, water, electrification, roads and hospital rehabilitation in Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta which form part of the duties of ISOPADEC remain in their same dilapidated state. There is also the N400 million naira Imo flood victims relief fund given to Imo State by the Federal Government which has developed wings. I tell you the 2015 election in Imo will be an election that will rescue Imo State from Mister Rescuer.
Kenneth Uwadi. Mmahu-Egbema, Imo State, Nigeria




http://famouspeoplenews./2013/10/18/why-imo-will-not-re-elect-okorocha-in-2015/

We wish to inform the general public why we are criticizing the Chief Benjamin Uwajumogu led Imo House of Assembly. We are against their rubber stamp status, their puerile support to mis-governance in Imo State and unnecessary appendage to the executive. We are against men who have lost the morality to sit at the Imo House of Assembly, men who are building hotels all over Owerri from their loot, men who cannot win a bye election in Imo State if it is called upon today. They are a gang of thieves masquerading as legislators. But we tell you something, there is anger in Imo over the looting of the Imo treasury. Imo people are angry over the looting of the 27 LGA funds of Imo. Even wheel barrow chaps know that we are telling the truth and that the Imo House is part of this looting spree going on in Imo State. We are appealing to Imo people to speak out, to remain strong and join us in this fight against mis-governance and looting of Imo tax payers money.

It can be recalled that the Imo state Government during Chief Ohakim’s administration handed over to the Okorocha’s administration a balance of N13.3billion Imo state bond proceeds. Where is this money? We are against the criminal sharing of N45billion and N28billion loans illegally secured with Imo LGA’s allocations allegedly used for non-existent road contracts in various LGA’s. The former Deputy Governor of Imo State, Sir Jude Agbaso alone took N458 million representing 40% of a contract value and he was impeached.

Let’s impeach Chief Okorocha now. Of course, the zombie Imo law breakers don’t have the balls to call for Okorocha’s impeachement. They are part of the ongoing looting of Imo State treasury .In Governor Okorocha’s 2013 Budget Speech on page 9 paragraph 4 & page 13 paragraph 7, he listed a number of contracts he claimed are designed to put Imo State in the Guinness Book of Records for which he categorically stated that he had already paid 40% of the contract sums. Contracts in this category
include:

(a) Imo Towers of 1,000 Housing Units targeted at high net worth individuals and Imo citizens in the Diaspora,

(b) The Ecumenical Centre known as Amarachi,

(c) The Magnificent Towers known as Akachi,

(d) The five star crystal Hotel,

(e)Ultra-Modern shopping malls,

(f) Multilevel car parks,

(g) The Ultra-Modern Judiciary Headquarters,

(h) Princess Hotel, Okigwe,

Today, there is nothing anywhere in Imo to justify the payment of 40% advance as presented by the governor.

Who are the contractors? How were they engaged? Was there any advertisement? Was there bidding? Was there any appropriation before the said contracts were awarded? These are questions law enforcement should seek answers from the governor and his cohorts in Imo State House of Assembly

The graveyard silence maintained by the Imo State House of Assembly over the heartbreaking fraudulent activities being perpetrated by the Executive in Imo is a clear indication of criminal conspiracy and collusion to loot public funds

Signed

Kenneth Uwadi
http://famouspeoplenews./2013/10/12/press-release-by-imo-victory-organisation1/

In my last article I talked about Ali Baba the character from the medieval Arabic literature Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.In the literature story Ali Baba encountered 40 thieves and later became their leader. In my last article, I also talked about the Ali Baba of Imo State of Nigeria and his 27 thieves. I told you with reasons why the Governor of Imo State Chief Rochas Okorocha is the Ali Baba of Imo State and why Chief Benjamin Uwajumogu the Speaker of the Imo House of Assembly and the members of the Imo House of Assembly are the 27 thieves.

I told you about the looting of the 13 percent oil derivation fund of Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta ,the looting of the 27 LGA funds in Imo State and the looting of 400 million naira flood money of Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta flood victims.I tried to open every eyes to see and recognized the true identity of the dishonorable men and women purporting to represent our collective interest in the Imo House of Assembly. We have 26 puppets and one grand puppeteer in the Imo House. As expected the media aide of the Speaker of Imo House of Assembly took a hard sweep on me calling for my head. The said aide even went as far as attaching my cries to Okigwe 2015 senatorial seat. Who cares about Okigwe senatorial seat? I am not even from Okigwe zone.

My anger is that the Imo State House of Assembly has connived with Ali Baba , aided and abetted gross financial impropriety in Imo state and that is why I am calling them the 27 thieves. Who doesn’t know that the past government of Chief Ikedi Ohakim left a total sum of N26.27billion in various bank accounts of the state namely: Balance of Imo bond proceeds in UBA Plc “ N13.3billion; SUBEB project accounts with BankPHB (now Keystone Bank Ltd) “ N3billion; VAT account in Zenith Bank Plc “ N488million; Internally generated Revenue account with Zenith BANK Plc “ N450million; Local Government Joint project account with BankPHB “N2.5Billion; Agric Loan Account with Access Bank Plc “ N500million; Fertilizer sales account with Oceanic Bank Plc “ N250million; JAAC Account with BankPHB “ N3.6billion; MDG Projects accounts with Fidelity Bank Plc “ N500million; Education Trust Fund (ETF) with Zenith Bank “ N1billion and Imo Children Education Funds “ N670million. The Total sum is N26.27billion .

Where is the money?The entire N26.27billion has been criminally squandered by Chief Uwajumogu and Governor Okorocha. Is this not a clear case of crass abuse of office, criminal conspiracy and outright stealing of public funds which should attract very serious sanctions ? Yet the speakers media aide has the mouth to call me names.In a propaganda to paint “all is well” picture of Imo State, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State is always on Africa Independent Television (AIT ) and ChannelS TV to buoy his ego and selfish interests. The irony of this madness is that our governor who should cover his face in shame for looting the resources of Imo State is the one dominating television stations and the pages of Newspapers showing fake transformation in Imo State when nothing tangible is on ground in the 27 Local government of Imo State.

It is regrettable that rather than check the executive arm, the Imo state House of Assembly is criminally colluding with the executive in fraudulent diversion of billions of Imo people’s money.Who doesn’t know how Okorocha and Chief Uwajumogu criminally shared n45billion and n28billion loans illegally secured with Imo LGA allocations .In the past, LGA funds in Imo State was used to develop certain vital social services in the grass root like education, health care and key investments on infrastructures like water, electricity, roads, industries, etc, all which severally and collectively positively impacted on the living standard of the ordinary working masses in the grassroot areas .

In sharp contrast, the current Okorocha’s so-called government, acting under the dictates and or in concert with imperialism has completely jettisoned the idea of government using local government funds and resources to better the lots of the local councils Instead, it has adopted a whole scale capitalist, neo-liberal strategy of looting of council funds. Currently there are no single development going on in the 27 LGA’s of the state. Lack of basic amenities have made these LGA’s a ghost environment. Thanks to Okorocha and Uwajumogu.

Uwajumogu’s media aide should note that we know the various schemes perfected by Okorocha and Uwajumogu to unwholesomely divert public funds and in fact share public funds among themselves as largesse. The duo also go through phantom award of road contracts without any contract documents.Many road projects in Imo state don’t have project design,no advertisement were placed, no bidding,no bills of quantities and specifications,no tender at all, no evidence of prequalification of contractors , no provision for the project in the State budget.

It is an open secret that the dishonourable speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly awarded road construction contracts in the state and even installed his own Asphalt plant in Owerri from where almost all the asphalt used in the construction in the state are procured. Similarly, most of the dishonorable members of the Imo State House of Assembly abandoned their legitimate legislative duties and are in a mad rush to build hotels in Owerri such as the magnificent hotels being built by Honourable Mrs. Eudora Igwe, member, representing Ideato North State Constituency and Honourable Amuka (AKA Oshimiri), member, representing Ideato South state Constituency. Uwajumogu himself has completed two hotels in Owerri and Lagos and renovated the one in Umuahia with Imo tax payers money.

The financial rot in Imo State is enormous. Most Imo state money yielding corporations have been sold or leased to the governor for little or nothing in contravention of the Imo State Investment Promotion Agency Law. Part of Imo Hotel leased to Okorocha, Ada Palm sold to Okorocha for N3.5Billion, 18 General Hospitals sold to Lantech Solutions, Imo Transport Corporation leased to Global Ginikana Ltd for N250 million, Both Concorde Hotel and Oguta Lake Motel leased for 20 years to ABM Global Nigeria Ltd. Enough looting in the state.

A breakdown of the allocation to states of the federation shows that Imo State got over N127 billion between 2011 and 2013, this exclude the N135 billion accrued to the 27 local governments area in Imo State within the same period. This also exclude the N16 billion which is 13 percent Oil derivation fund for Imo State oil producing areas within the same period.13 percent oil derivation to Imo oil areas is 500 million naira a month.Where are the monies? Yet some persons want us to keep quiet. Since the inauguration of Chief Okorocha’s -led administration on the 29th of May, 2011, its conducts and attitude towards the working people of Imo State have clearly shown that his regime is nothing but a monumental waste.

First among the anti-workers actions of the Okorocha’s government was the sack of 10,000 Imo Civil servants. Close to three years after Okorocha wickedly sacked 10,000 Imo workers in order not to pay wages, he has shamelessly launched IMO YOUTHS MUST WORK programme, a programme where he boast to employ 11,000 Imo youths under a slave-driving casualization of workers scheme. With the IMO YOUTHS MUST WORK programme ,he plans to place the employees as casual workers and give them a poverty wage and not allow them to join trade union. They are to be paid a ridiculous amount of N10,000 out of which N2,000 will be allegedly deducted as tax.The height of the anti-worker disposition of Chief Okorocha’s -led administration is the continued refusal to fully implement the paltry N18, 000 minimum wage which has been signed into law since March 25th, 2011 and the continuous refusal to absolve workers of Imo state that were sent home from Abia state civil service.

Here we are, almost three years of this administration and we are seeing unleashing of attacks on pay and conditions of workers, petty traders, road side mechanics, other artisans and unemployed youths are now groaning under brutal attack on their means of livelihood. In the name of beatification at strategic places while the interior and inner roads are deplorable, buildings mainly used for different purposes like churches, houses, and shops in many parts of Owerri are demolished without any provision of alternative.

Reminiscent of the inglorious era of military absolutism where culture of fear and intimidation is often imposed on the people, Chief Okorocha’s -led administration through the service of some gangs of uniformed thugs who masquerade as Government monitoring team has continued, under the guise of beautification and cleaning-up project, to use brute force to subject thousands of small traders and artisans at different areas of owerri to all forms of harassment and physical assault.

To intensify the attack on the living condition of the suffering masses, the government introduced different extorting policies through levy, tax, fees etc. In Owerri, heavy taxes are imposed on houses,banks,hotels and shops in the name of Physical Planning and Infrastructural Development Fund. Worse still, the government does not use its legitimate machinery to collect these fees. It rather employs the services of thugs who do not only intimidate people but also wreak havoc in the process. A sanitation fee is forcefully collected from people who dispose wastes themselves in the nearest bush but have never set their eyes on a government waste bin van. Yet, there has been nothing fundamentally to show for the infrastructure levy collected from the masses.

We call on workers, students, writers, bloggers , the youth, peasant farmers, artisans, professionals, traders and other sections of the working people of Imo State to join us as we speak out against the looting of Imo State treasury by the capitalist non performing military governor of Imo State in civilian clothing Chief Rochas Okorocha . Save us Oh God.

-Kenneth Uwadi, Mmahu-Egbema, Imo State, Nigeria
http://famouspeoplenews./2013/10/09/ali-baba-and-his-27-thieves-in-imo-state-part-2/

Ali Baba is a character from medieval Arabic literature. He is described in the adventure tale of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. This story has been used as a popular story pantomime plot such as in the pantomime/musical Chu Chin Chow(1916) Popular perception of Ali Baba, and the way he is treated in the media shows that he became the leader of the “forty thieves.

Ali Baba, a woodcutter was in the forest when he saw forty thieves stop in front of a cave. The leader said “Open Sesame!” and before Ali Baba’s amazed eyes the sealed mouth of the cave magically opened and the men disappeared inside. To come out and close the entrance, the leader said “Close Sesame” and the cave sealed itself once more. Trembling with excitement Ali Baba waited till the thieves had left and then entered the cave after saying the magic words. To his delight he found lots of treasure and took some away .He later became the leader of the “forty thieves.

In Imo State of Nigeria we have Ali-Baba and the 27 thieves. The Governor of Imo State Chief Rochas Okorocha is Ali Baba himself while Chief Benjamin Uwajumogu the Speaker of the Imo House of Assembly and his dishonorable Imo House of Assembly members of course are the 27 thieves. I am bold to call them Ali Baba and the 27 thieves .The road projects and what is happening in the 27 LGA’s of Imo State come to mind as two of the several examples of their colossal looting of the Imo treasury. I am talking about the looting of the 13 percent oil derivation fund of Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta ,the looting of the 27 LGA funds in Imo State and the looting of 400 million naira flood money of Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta flood victims .

Imo people have no joy in their hearts over what is currently going on in the state. The economic well-being of the vast majority of the working Imo masses under Governor Okorocha is very worrisome. Imo has received billions of naira as revenue allocations from FG. Sadly to note however, the intrinsically greedy capitalist governor of Imo State and his 27 thieves have practically ensured that none of the funds being sent by FG for the 27 LGA’s of Imo State and none of the 13 percent oil derivation funds are committed to the development of the Imo economy and the living standard of the grass root people of the state but have looted the funds with fanfare and impunity.

A huge con game is taking place in the 27 LGA’s of Imo state. Ndi-Imo must talk now.Let us call a spade a spade. The quantity and quality of life for the vast majority of Imo people in the grassroots of the state vis-à-vis the basic means of living have drastically plummeted.I am asking Ali Baba and his gang: where are the local roads, health care centres, modern schools and markets for the various LGA’s in Imo state? Where are the projects for development in the grass root of the state? Where are the billions of naira for Imo LGA’s? Where are the billions of naira for Imo oil producing areas? Why is Ali Baba looting Imo dry?

Imolites want to know what happened to the forty five billion naira loan they took from Zenith bank plc. Imo people are burning with anger. The said sum was actually borrowed using the Imo Local Government Statutory allocation as collateral for a three year tenure. They should tell us what happened to the twenty eight billion naira loan they also took from Diamond bank PLC with Imo Local Government Statutory allocation as collateral for a three year tenure.

It is to our collective knowledge that for almost 3 years now a large chunk of the allocations meant for the 27 Local Government of Imo State from the Federal Account are being deducted at source by Zenith Bank Plc and Diamond bank Plc in repayment of the aforesaid jumbo loan grant.It is also too bad to note that the thieving Imo State House of Assembly led by Chief Benjamin Uwajumogu is part of the policies which have worsened the prevailing plight of the Imo masses. It is on record that the high catalogue of withdrawals, misappropriation, disregard to public procurement rules, happen with the consent of the Imo Speaker Uwajumogu and the Accountant General of Imo State. They both connived with Ali Baba , aided and abetted gross financial impropriety in Imo state. It is also on record that Chief Uwajumogu and his house members endorsed the illegal sack of 10,000 Imo Sons and daughters in the State Civil Service.

Governor Okorocha and Chief Uwajumogu should explain to Ndi-Imo why the whopping sums of money they obtained as loans on behalf of Imo State Local Government areas have disappeared into thin air. Chief Uwajumogu should also explain to Ndi-Imo why he unilaterally awarded contracts without tender or any iota of due process .Is it not because of compromising the state legislature in its constitutional oversight functions that Okorocha made the leadership of the Imo house of assembly to became a contract awarding agency of the Imo state government?

Ndi-Imo wants to know what happened to the one hundred and thirty five billion naira received as statutory allocation of Imo State 27 Local Government Areas from the federation account from June 2011 to August 2013. Ndi-Imo wants to know how Adapalm Ltd was leased to Roche group for 3.5 billion naira which Roche group did not pay a kobo for it Instead Imolites were informed that Roche is to use the proceeds from leasing Adapalm to erect 305 primary school classroom blocks in the 305 electoral wards in the state. Where are the 305 primary school classroom blocks in the 305 electoral wards? It must be noted that till date no such buildings have been constructed by Roche group.

Ndi-Imo wants to know Who owns Roche Group. Ndi-Imo wants to know why Okorocha and his partner in crime Chief Uwajumogu have refused to allow elected council chairmen to be in charge of our LGA’s and have been looting the L.G.A‘s in Imo State with Sole Administrators for almost 3 years now. The effect of this is that there are no single development going on in the 27 LGA’s of the state. Lack of basic amenities has made these LGA’s a ghost environment. No portable drinking water, no good and long lasting roads, schools (Primary and Secondary) are in deplorable and dilapidated condition. No cottage industry, no agricultural development. Local government staff are not paid their salaries as at when due. Yet huge allocations are sent to these local government areas by the federal ministry of finance (Federal Account Allocation Committee)

We say No to looting of the Imo LGA’s. We say No to looting of the oil producing area 13 percent derivation funds in Imo State. We say No to continued refusal to reinstate the 10,000 sacked civil servants in Imo. We want to know what happened to the FG 400 million naira flood money for Imo flood victims. We say No to Ali-Baba and his 27 thieves. Save Us Oh God.

-KENNETH UWADI, MMAHU-EGBEMA,IMO STATE, NIGERIA
http://famouspeoplenews./2013/10/03/ali-baba-and-his-27-thieves-in-imo-state-part-one/

The Nelson Mandela Family, Delta State Government and the Fight Against Desert Encroachment (FADE) are building a Garden of 95 Trees in honour of the former South African freedom fighter, President and global statesman. The garden is situated on a 6 hectare land at the International Airport in Asaba, Delta State.
The Mandela Garden of 95 Trees, which promises to be a major tourism hub in Africa, will showcase the enduring legacy of the iconic global leader, with the unveiling of a life-size bronze statue of the African elder statesman at the heart of the garden by Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, on October 3, 2013.
On the same day, the garden will be commissioned by the members of the Mandela family led by his grandsons, Ndaba Mandela and Kweku Mandela. Both Ndaba and Kweku are currently committed to showcasing the wealth, beauty and potential of Africa through a global NGO, Africa Rising.

The 95 trees at the garden were deliberately planted to commemorate the historic 95th birthday of the iconic statesmen who turned 95 on July 18, 2013. Mandela spent all of his life fighting against unjust laws and segregation in South Africa, rising from 27 years of imprisonment to become the country’s first black president and the symbol of democracy in Africa. The project is also coming on the heels of the endorsement of the United Nation’s International Mandela Day, July 18, by the United Nations Headquarters.
The founder and Chief Executive Officer of FADE, the host/organizer of the ceremony, Dr Newton Jibunoh, spent most of his life fighting and highlighting the evils of desert encroachment, with a three-time life threatening drive through the Sahara desert to win and sustain attention on the environment. Jibunoh, now 70, and greatly inspired by the perseverance and patience of Nelson Mandela in his work, plans to retire to the Mandela Garden of 95 Trees.
“I will run the park for the rest of my life as the keeper,” Jibunoh said. “I’ll build myself a small hut where I will live to keep it. My family will have to come and visit me there. They know my passion. It helps that the project is situated at the airport. They can always fly in and fly out. I believe Asaba provides a more conducive atmosphere than Lagos, London or New York for the garden.”
The Mandela Garden of 95 Trees in Asaba is the fourth in the world, with others in New York, London and South Africa.
Jibunoh adds that: “We are aware that three other monuments are being created around the world by the African Rising Foundation namely in Washington, London and Johannesburg and we count it a great privilege that the Mandela Garden of 95 Trees Asaba will be the fourth.”
The Phase One of the project, according to Jibunoh, involves the creation of the garden which has been designed in the shape of the Map of Africa using 95 trees with the maps of Nigeria, South Africa and Delta State clearly delineated with the trees.
The garden also has a children’s playground, equipped gazebo, conveniences, enquiry office and a gatehouse. It is meant to serve as both a tourist and educational haven especially with the development of the Phase Two, which will have an exhibition hall, library, conference centre, hospitality suites and games reserve.
On Mandela, Jibunoh observed that: “We have to use Mandela to inspire people. We used to have Kwame Nkrumah. There is no other Mandela anywhere. He gave the world all he had. He went to prison for 27 years and came out with nothing. He ruled South Africa for only one term as president and came out with nothing. That’s the legacy!”

27/09/13

CONTACTS
Esther Ekanem - estherthompson6018@yahoo.com +234 803-653-5777; +234 805 025 1113
Keke Bongos - kkbongos@gmail.com +234 806-130-7774; +234 818-027-6117
http://famouspeoplenews./2013/09/30/press-statement-on-the-mandela-garden-of-95-trees/

Now with the endorsement of the Mandela Family and the Delta State
Government, the Garden of 95 Trees for Mandela at the
International Airport in Asaba, capital of Delta State will be
commissioned on the Third (3rd) of October 2013 by the Mandela Family led
by Ndaba Mandela. The state governor, Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan will
unveil the Mandela Statue.

Dr Newton Jibunor is partnering with the Delta State Government to plant 95 trees in Asaba signifying Nelson Mandela’s 95th birthday. Jibunor plans to retire to the Mandela Gardens to manage it by himself.
“I will run the park for the rest of my life as the keeper,” Jibunoh says in his Lagos Island Didi Museum office, adding, “My family will have to come and visit me there. They know my passion. It helps that the project is situated at the airport. They can always fly in and fly out. I believe Asaba provides a conducive atmosphere batter than Lagos, London or New York!” He then adds this info: “I’ll build myself a small hut where I will live to keep it.”

Earlier, Dr Jibunor, who supervised the planting of the trees at the garden stated that the Asaba garden makes it four in the world; one in New York, another in London, while one is in South Africa, asserting that the garden will be one of the major tourist attractions in the country as visiting Heads of State and important dignitaries visiting Nigeria will visit the garden to plant a tree in honour of Mandela.

NOLLYWOOD ACTRESS DAKORE EGBUSON AKANDE, A TOP HOLLYWOOD STAR AND OTHERS TO ATTEND



WAOOOOOW!!!!!!

THE STAKEHOLDERS OF THIS PROJECT



Dr. Jibunoh is a dyed in the wool environmentalist and founder of FADE, who made three successful journeys across the Sahara Desert by car. It is worthy to note, that the theme for Dr. Jibunoh’s 3rd Expedition across the Sahara, was aptly named “Desertification is Global Warming”.


Through his expeditions, he noticed the deteriorating conditions of these desert-affected communities and the inhabitants as their lands are being overwhelmed by the southward advancing Sahara. As a result, he founded FADE in May 2000.



Ndaba and Kweku Mandela started creating Africa Rising in late 2009. The foundation established in 2010, was setup to help them create a new legacy and understanding of Africa as a continent showcasing the tremendous potential and unprecedented growth.



Soon after forming Africa Rising they were joined by a group of young and progressive Africans from different backgrounds with a vision to establish a platform that will enable every African living in and outside the African continent to identify with what it means to be an African.

Kweku Mandela was born in Transkei, South Africa and grew up in America only returning to his homeland in 1993.
He attended APA International Film School in Sydney with long-time collaborator Stefan Vincent. They are currently working on a number of projects together.

Ndaba Mandela, son of Magkatho Lewanika Mandela, second son of Nelson
Mandela. His father passed away in 2005 at the age of 54. He is the Founder of
the Africa Rising Foundation. He will be coming to Asaba in the company of two
board members of AR – Bridgett Majola and Batandwa Alperstein

Batandwa Alperstein is a Business Science (Economics) and BA Honours in Brand Leadership graduate who found his home in advertising. He is an Allan Gray Fellow who is passionate about using creativity and entrepreneurship to transform Africa into a global powerhouse in the decades to come.

Bridgett Majola is a senior associate in the Finance & Banking practice of Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr. She has general corporate and commercial skills and also the skills of a competition law practitioner.



Governor Uduaghan is a member of Global Governors
summit. The group made up of governors from across the world is committed to
building cooperation amongst sub-national governments (State Governments) to address the issues of Climate Change


http://famouspeoplenews./2013/09/10/opening-ceremony-of-the-mandela-garden-of-95-trees-3rd-of-october-2013/
https://www.facebook.com/NelsonMandelaGardens?ref=hl

One of the key issues deliberated upon and resolved by the 1995 Constitutional Conference was the payment of derivation to oil mineral-producing areas. The resolution became part of the 1999 Constitution. It was agreed that the country should set aside not less than 13 per cent of the money accruing to the Federation Account as derivation fund to areas where natural resources are found. The 13 per cent derivation is a way of pacifying the oil-producing communities and also to compensate them for the massive degradation of their environment. It was also agreed that the fund should be managed by a National Derivation Board and a state implementation committee, with nominations from oil-producing communities.

In Imo State there are two Oil producing Local government areas namely Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta. It is a thing to shed tears that since June 2011 till September 2013 ,almost 3 years,the 13 per cent oil monthly derivation fund in Imo State has not impacted on the Imo oil-producing communities . This practice negates the principle behind the derivation which serves as reparation to host communities whose land and water resources are devastated by oil exploration activities. The vast majority of Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta people live in abject poverty. The reason for this embarrassing state of absurdity is the “profit first” capitalist governor of Imo State Chief Rochas Okorocha who has being looting the 13 percent oil derivation fund of the Imo oil producing areas with fanfare and impunity. The almost three years of Governor Okorocha’ with regards to development of the oil producing areas of the state and with regards to development in the 27 Imo LGA’s is nothing short of a nightmare.

A visit to Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta in Imo State will confirm that lack of basic amenities has made the area a ghost environment. Portable drinking water are all spoilt, Roads are now very bad, our schools (primary and secondary) are now in deplorable and dilapidated condition. No NEPA light in the area since June 2011. The question now is : where are the 13 percent oil derivation monies? Why did we not have NEPA light in the Imo Oil producing areas for close to 3 years? This is in spite of the fact that Imo witnessed the longest run of oil money in this regime. In other words, the state has amassed very huge oil and gas revenues, much more than any period since the history of Imo State.

What is happening in the Imo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (ISOPADEC) and the 27 LGA’s of Imo State under the Okorocha’s government readily come to mind as one of the several examples of colossal looting of the Imo treasury yet the Zombie Imo House of Assembly members fold their hands and watch. Imo State have been favoured by high federal allocations to the 27 LGA’s of the state . From June 2011 to August 2013 the 27 LGA’s in Imo State alone have officially received from the federal government the sum of 135 billion naira but under the unjust system of governance of governor Okorocha via Sole Administrators in Imo LGA’s the governor has kept the vast majority of the Imo population in unstable and difficult socio-economic conditions while he and his thieving cabals who reign supreme over unbelievable level of economic backwardness and mass misery in Imo State have exclusive access to things and comforts of life.

A huge con game is taking place in the 27 LGA’s of Imo state. The quantity and quality of life for the vast majority of Imo people in the graaroot of the state vis-à-vis the basic means of living have drastically plummeted. This, it must be stressed, is due to the unprecedented looting of local government funds and looting of the 13 percent oil monies of the Imo Oil producing areas by Okorocha. Where are the local roads, health care centres, modern schools and markets for the various LGA’s in the state? Where are the projects to speed up development in the grass root of the state? Where are the billions of naira for Imo LGA’s? Where are the billions of nairas for Imo Oil producing areas?

Ohaji/Egbema LGA alone from May 2011 to August 2013 got from Nigerian Federal government the sum of N5,631,078,566 ( five billion six hundred and thirty one million seventy eight thousand five hundred and sixty six naira) as LGA allocation. Where are the monies? Where are the additional billions of naira of 13 percent oil derivation for Imo oil producing areas? Where is the 400 million naira FG flood grant to Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta flood victims? What is the actual amount sent to Ohaji/Egbema TC chairman by Imo State government? We want to know where Ohaji/Egbema allocations from FG ended up. How much is Ohaji/Egbema staff strength? How much is the staff salaries? Where has the surplus gone to? What is the remuneration of Paramount rulers of Ohaji/Egbema.

In the past, LGA funds in Imo State was used to develop certain vital social services in the grass root like education, health care and key investments on infrastructures like water, electricity, roads, industries, etc, all which severally and collectively positively impacted on the living standard of the ordinary working masses in the grassroot areas .In sharp contrast, the current Okorocha’s so-called government, acting under the dictates and or in concert with imperialism has completely jettisoned the idea of government using local government funds and resources to better the lots of the local councils Instead, it has adopted a whole scale capitalist, neo-liberal strategy of looting of council funds. In effect, a permanent bazaar society has crystallised with the thieving cabals in the Imo corridors of power looting the resources and wealth of Imo councils leaving the overwhelming majority in the LGA’s to provide houses, water, electricity, education, health care, etc, on their own, of course, strictly in accordance to the size of their pockets which is the only vocabulary understood and acceptable in the market jungle. Today, over 70% of Imolites at the grassroot areas are living below poverty line.

This large scale misappropriation of Imo state local government statutory allocation by the governor and his cohorts has functionally collapsed the cherished constitutional third tier structure. Who will save Imo from the hands of this capitalist thieving governor that is enmeshed in an orgy of corruption and mass looting of public assets and natural resources. Resources that should have been used to better the lot of the vast majority of Ndi-Imo. Who will save us from this capitalist anti peoples governor whose pre-occupation is the implementation of socio-economic policies that is making life harder for the overwhelming majority of Imolites. Looting is the primary ideological reason why he advocates and insist on commercialization of basic needs and social services in Imo State.Through this unjust strategy, he has since June 2011 virtually sold to himself all publicly built government houses and companies in Imo State at rock bottom prices, of course, with money directly looted from the state’s treasury. Lord have mercy.

-Kenneth Uwadi, Mmahu-Egbema,Imo State, Nigeria

http://famouspeoplenews./2013/09/25/governor-okorocha-and-the-local-government-cash-pot-part-3/

OKOROCHA WHERE ARE THE JOBS IN IMO STATE (PART 3)

I have been frowning many, many times ever since I heard that Chief Rochas Okorocha the governor of Imo State signed into law a bill legalizing abortion in Imo State . The bill was sponsored by members of the Imo State House of Assembly and was cited as the Imo State of Nigeria, Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law. I will talk about the Imo House of Assembly members in my next article.
The abortion law granted every woman in Imo state 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 and the right to determine the processes concerning reproduction in her body. Thank God for the Catholic Medical Practitioners Association that reacted angrily to the signing of the bill.The State governor has to hurriedly cancelled this law.
I expect this type of political miscalculation from one of the most travelled governors in Nigeria. Rather than stay in the state to attend to state matters, Okorocha is busy moving from one State to another and from one country to another ,globe trotting all with no advantage to the suffering masses of Imo state. There are records to show that Okorocha has only stayed little over 93 days in Imo State out of the close to three years that he has been on the seat of Power . This development is shadow chasing, irresponsible and an embarrassment to Ndi Imo. Imo people must rise to condemn in strong terms the inability of the Imo State Governor Owelle
Rochas to sit in Owerri and attend to state-matters rather he is spending millions of naira junketing the globe and entertaining his friends and political associates in Nigeria and abroad leaving Imo State youths without jobs.
If Okorocha is not in Kaduna attending meetings with some Boko Haram Governors , he is in USA meeting his fleshy needs, things that has little to do with Imo state administration. Besides I am worried on the cost of these trips which could be over 1 billion Naira Imo tax payers money.
I must confess that we are approaching the third year of Governor Okorocha’s tenure and he has completely failed to meet the hopes and aspirations of unemployed youths in Imo State. Even the limited democratic rights which the poor working masses of Imo State enjoyed during the last administration of the state are being challenged as the present government moves towards more authoritarian methods. Year 2011 to 2013 have shown a monumental failure of the capitalist Okorocha who has proved to be incapable in the areas of youth empowerment, health care and infrastructural development. This is in spite of the fact that the mentioned years witnessed the longest run of oil money in the history of Imo. In other words, the state has amassed very huge oil and gas revenues, much more than any period since the history of Imo State. But there has been nothing fundamental to show for it in term of employment and infrastructure development.
This is as a result of the grab all mentality of Okorocha and his prevailing neo-liberal philosophy which discourages social spending and prioritises commercialization and privatization under the guise of private-sector driven economy. This itself enhances the propensity for corruption as the huge revenue at the disposal of the government is not primarily meant, in the eyes of Owelle Okorocha to be spent on the welfare of the people. Therefore the money is just there for looting. Even when money is allocated to a sector or project it is not sincerely used for the public good but to gratify the greedy top government functionaries and their fronts. The road projects and what is happening in the 27 LGA’s of Imo State under the Okorocha’s government readily come to mind as one of the several examples of colossal looting of the Imo treasury. I must talk about the looting of the 13 percent oil derivation fund of Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta the looting of the 27 LGA funds in Imo State and the looting of 400 million naira flood money of Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta flood victims in my next article.
The big question for now remains :Okorocha where are the jobs in Imo State ?The only sign of youth employment in Imo is the blaring of siren by the governor’s children, his maids, his inlaws and few hangers on who feed fat on the allocation of Imo State. Okorocha sacked 10,000 legally employed Imo civil servants via radio broadcast in 2011. He left the workers till date sad and broke the brittle heart of their loved ones into two. The sack of 10,000 workers in Imo state has gone down in history as a testimony of Okorocha's anti-poor, pro-rich programmes. This is the highest singular sack of workers in one full sweep in Imo State history by any government.
Removing food from the mouth of 10,00 persons is removal of food from the mouth of thousands persons who voted him into power. Sacking workers in Imo state where the poor working masses literally rely on self-help to provide their basic needs (electricity, water, education, health care, etc) despite their low purchasing power, to say the least, is callous, provocative and inhuman. Moreover, it is highly insensitive to retrench workers in a situation when labour market is already over-saturated. More so, when no social benefit is paid to the unemployed as government continues to abandon its social responsibilities to the people. This is in spite of the abundant natural resources and fabulous wealth that accrues to Imo state from sales of crude oil, taxes, and other revenues.
It is also paradoxical for an Okorocha with his campaign promise to create thousands of jobs when elected to opt for sacking helpless youths from jobs.Section 17 sub 3(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria states, “the state shall direct its policy towards ensuring that all citizens, without discriminations on any group whatsoever, have the opportunity for securing adequate means of livelihood as well as adequate opportunity to secure suitable employments”. Where are the jobs in Imo State?
Recently Okorocha launched Imo Youths Must Work’ program and is singing on air that he has employed 7000 teachers and 11,000 civil servants via the Youths Must Work’ .This is arrant nonsense. Yeye they say dey smell. Okorocha’s Willi- Willi Imo Youths must work program is a continuation of his anti-peoples’ policy which is the characteristic of this usurper capitalist politician who naturally feel not duty bound to give employment to youths and poor people since he don’t need their mandate to govern. He sacked 10,000 persons claiming Imo is poor and cannot pay salaries of the 10,000 only for him to turn around after 2 years to claim that he wants to employ a fresh 11,000 civil servants and fresh 7000 teachers. Who is fooling who. Owelle if you are sincere in your Imo youth must work programme then you must re employ the sacked 10,000 workers who are still in court protesting their unjust sack.
The monumental unemployment situation in Imo has turned the State into a seething time bomb. Youth unemployment in Imo is particularly outrageous with over 500,000 Imo youths estimated to be unemployed. Youth unemployment situation contributes largely to the ethno-religious crisis of Boko Haram, kidnapping and armed robbery rocking the nation. This oil wealth in Imo state has made Imo a fertile ground for parasitic capitalist ruling elite like Okorocha who don't invest in production, apart from where he can make quick profits but pour money into campaigns for public offices where his subsequent looting will give him a huge profit at the expense of the poor and working people. This, together with the poor state of infrastructure in Imo accounts for why the so-called rescue mission crusade has not led to job creation and poverty reduction. The so-called rescue mission program of Okorocha is not only extremely tokenistic but also another cesspit of corruption. Lord have mercy.
-Kenneth Uwadi, Mmahu-Egbema,Imo State,Nigeria

http://famouspeoplenews./2013/09/17/okorocha-where-are-the-jobs-in-imo-state-part-3/