It is highly regrettable that Abia have not moved beyond where the military administrators left it since 1999, it is even shameful that all those that have led Abia from 1999 till date despite their aboriginal status have not deemed it fit to place Abia first before self.

Abia is a state blessed with the best of natural resources and human capital deposits, but as at today it is debatable if the state is ranking higher than any other in real term development across all sectors except in criminal political ingenuity.

I make bold to say that all the Abia political gladiators have not thought of Abia beyond political gains,
No doubt politics is the catalyst to development, but playing politics devoid of economic, infrastructural and human capital developmental mindset in place, is a very dangerous and destructive road to travel.

But I have come to the very sad and unfortunate realization that in today’s Abia, all political gladiators have made politics without developmental mindset a set standard, and it’s being practiced from 1999 till date.

I find it very untrue that a leader elected by the people will mount the saddle of leadership of a state without an inclination of what to do to advance the state beyond where he met it, but we have seen that happen repeatedly in Abia, thereby raising the salient question that we all have silently nursed within our inner beings,

‘’WHAT IS REALLY WRONG WITH ABIA?

Selfishness and greed may not be unconnected with the current sad reality being faced in our state today, while lack of vision and creativity in governance by our leadership has relegated us from the premier league to the monkey post division and we have collectively hired amateur players as captains in major political league matches.

I am yet to see one governor in Abia that has a carefully researched infrastructural and economic developmental master plan as we have in some other states, all we have produced in Abia are political wizzkids with doctorate degrees in electoral fraud but F9 in developmental arithmetic.

Who can we hold accountable for our collective misfortune, is it that Abia has refused to develop or have we intentionally refused to develop Abia?

Why is it that all the political gladiators in our state only come together once in four years only to talk about whose turn it is to govern Abia without talking about developing a framework of a people-centred development strategy? Why is it that nobody has made it a priority to discuss Abia’s political, economic and infrastructural development, but we are always quick and eager to discuss rotational governance and turn by turn leadership?

Why is it that 26 years after creation no government has deemed it worthy to call for Abia economic summit, or talk about Abia beyond political gains?

Why can’t the Alex Otti’s, Uche Ogah’s, T.A Orji’s, Orji Kalu’s, Okonjo Iweala’s, Kalu Idika Kalu’s Aruma Oteh’s, Ike Nwachukwu’s, ihejirika’s, Acho Obioma’s, Okezie Ikpeazu’s, Enyinnaya Abaribe’s, F.N Nwosu’s, Emeka Nwogu’s, Emmanuel Adaelu’s, Benjamin Apugo’s, Onyema Ugochukwu’s, Bernard Enweremadu’s, Max Nduaguibe’s, Colonel Akobundu’s, chikwe Udensi’s, Acho Nwakanma’s, Nyerere Anyims, Ikechi Emenike’s, Empire Kanu’s, Reagan Ufomba’s, Senator Nkechi Nworgu’s, the J.J Ogbulafor’s,Senator Adolph Wabara’s, Sam Ohuabunwa’s the Thomas Aguiyi Ironsi’s etc. come together with each setting aside their selfish political ambitions, their grievances against one another, their political wounds and victories for the sake of our Abia?

I have this certitude that if we can sit in a round table to discuss ABIA, we will not be in court almost three years after elections struggling for who will govern the state, if we can sit together to discuss ABIA, it will erase electoral suspicion and birth political trust, if renowned economists like Dr. Alex Otti, Kalu Idika Kalu, Dr. Okonjo Iweala, will come together and give Abia the economic blue print needed to move Abia to the next level, industrial giants like Dr. Uche Ogah, Elder Emmanuel Adaelu etc. will have the opportunity to sit together and plan on how best to effectively industrialize ABIA, why can’t general Ike Nwachukwu, general Ihejirika, colonel Akobundu etc. put heads together and brainstorm on the best way to tackle insecurity in Abia, will it be out of place to see Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, Senator T.A Orji, Senator Enyi Abaribe, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, Senator Emma Nwaka, Senator Adighije, Dr.ACB Agbazuere, Chief Acho Nwakanma, Chief Acho Obioma, Senator Nkechi Nworgu, Senator Adolph Wabara, Chief B.B Apugo and other notable Abia Political high players to come to a round table to altruistically discuss the political standing of Abia as it is today, I am almost certain that the outcome of such a confab will lead to the end of Government of my pocket to my pocket and for my pocket which has become the set standard and major reason why many go into politics with the mindset of do or die.

Until we discuss Abia, we will continue to produce accidental leaders whose loyalty will remain with those they rode on their backs to office rather than the people, until we discuss Abia, our political reasoning will still be trapped in clannish sentimentality, Until we discuss Abia no matter the best of ideas and intentions of whoever that will come to govern Abia will still be met with stiff opposition and frustrated by those that has made Abia treasury their milking pot, the truth remains that the human and material capital domiciled in Abia can never be maximized to the interest of the people until Abia is holistically discussed and the way forward charted towards conscientious development, until we discuss Abia, the masses will keep complaining, while the political elite will be smiling to the bank, until we discuss Abia, nepotism will continue to be the standard while competency and merit will remain withdrawn in Abia political curriculum, if Abia is not discussed, I am indubitably certain that we all will still gather as usual to blame each other over our collective political misfortune after each electioneering period.

For us to get Abia right, Abia must be discussed

Aguoru
Writes from Umuahia

It is highly regrettable that Abia have not moved beyond where the military administrators left it since 1999, it is even shameful that all those that have led Abia from 1999 till date despite their aboriginal status have not deemed it fit to place Abia first before self.

Abia is a state blessed with the best of natural resources and human capital deposits, but as at today it is debatable if the state is ranking higher than any other in real term development across all sectors except in criminal political ingenuity.

I make bold to say that all the Abia political gladiators have not thought of Abia beyond political gains,
No doubt politics is the catalyst to development, but playing politics devoid of economic, infrastructural and human capital developmental mindset in place, is a very dangerous and destructive road to travel.

But I have come to the very sad and unfortunate realization that in today’s Abia, all political gladiators have made politics without developmental mindset a set standard, and it’s being practiced from 1999 till date.

I find it very untrue that a leader elected by the people will mount the saddle of leadership of a state without an inclination of what to do to advance the state beyond where he met it, but we have seen that happen repeatedly in Abia, thereby raising the salient question that we all have silently nursed within our inner beings,

‘’WHAT IS REALLY WRONG WITH ABIA?

Selfishness and greed may not be unconnected with the current sad reality being faced in our state today, while lack of vision and creativity in governance by our leadership has relegated us from the premier league to the monkey post division and we have collectively hired amateur players as captains in major political league matches.

I am yet to see one governor in Abia that has a carefully researched infrastructural and economic developmental master plan as we have in some other states, all we have produced in Abia are political wizzkids with doctorate degrees in electoral fraud but F9 in developmental arithmetic.

Who can we hold accountable for our collective misfortune, is it that Abia has refused to develop or have we intentionally refused to develop Abia?

Why is it that all the political gladiators in our state only come together once in four years only to talk about whose turn it is to govern Abia without talking about developing a framework of a people-centred development strategy? Why is it that nobody has made it a priority to discuss Abia’s political, economic and infrastructural development, but we are always quick and eager to discuss rotational governance and turn by turn leadership?

Why is it that 26 years after creation no government has deemed it worthy to call for Abia economic summit, or talk about Abia beyond political gains?

Why can’t the Alex Otti’s, Uche Ogah’s, T.A Orji’s, Orji Kalu’s, Okonjo Iweala’s, Kalu Idika Kalu’s Aruma Oteh’s, Ike Nwachukwu’s, ihejirika’s, Acho Obioma’s, Okezie Ikpeazu’s, Enyinnaya Abaribe’s, F.N Nwosu’s, Emeka Nwogu’s, Emmanuel Adaelu’s, Benjamin Apugo’s, Onyema Ugochukwu’s, Bernard Enweremadu’s, Max Nduaguibe’s, Colonel Akobundu’s, chikwe Udensi’s, Acho Nwakanma’s, Nyerere Anyims, Ikechi Emenike’s, Empire Kanu’s, Reagan Ufomba’s, Senator Nkechi Nworgu’s, the J.J Ogbulafor’s,Senator Adolph Wabara’s, Sam Ohuabunwa’s the Thomas Aguiyi Ironsi’s etc. come together with each setting aside their selfish political ambitions, their grievances against one another, their political wounds and victories for the sake of our Abia?

I have this certitude that if we can sit in a round table to discuss ABIA, we will not be in court almost three years after elections struggling for who will govern the state, if we can sit together to discuss ABIA, it will erase electoral suspicion and birth political trust, if renowned economists like Dr. Alex Otti, Kalu Idika Kalu, Dr. Okonjo Iweala, will come together and give Abia the economic blue print needed to move Abia to the next level, industrial giants like Dr. Uche Ogah, Elder Emmanuel Adaelu etc. will have the opportunity to sit together and plan on how best to effectively industrialize ABIA, why can’t general Ike Nwachukwu, general Ihejirika, colonel Akobundu etc. put heads together and brainstorm on the best way to tackle insecurity in Abia, will it be out of place to see Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, Senator T.A Orji, Senator Enyi Abaribe, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, Senator Emma Nwaka, Senator Adighije, Dr.ACB Agbazuere, Chief Acho Nwakanma, Chief Acho Obioma, Senator Nkechi Nworgu, Senator Adolph Wabara, Chief B.B Apugo and other notable Abia Political high players to come to a round table to altruistically discuss the political standing of Abia as it is today, I am almost certain that the outcome of such a confab will lead to the end of Government of my pocket to my pocket and for my pocket which has become the set standard and major reason why many go into politics with the mindset of do or die.

Until we discuss Abia, we will continue to produce accidental leaders whose loyalty will remain with those they rode on their backs to office rather than the people, until we discuss Abia, our political reasoning will still be trapped in clannish sentimentality, Until we discuss Abia no matter the best of ideas and intentions of whoever that will come to govern Abia will still be met with stiff opposition and frustrated by those that has made Abia treasury their milking pot, the truth remains that the human and material capital domiciled in Abia can never be maximized to the interest of the people until Abia is holistically discussed and the way forward charted towards conscientious development, until we discuss Abia, the masses will keep complaining, while the political elite will be smiling to the bank, until we discuss Abia, nepotism will continue to be the standard while competency and merit will remain withdrawn in Abia political curriculum, if Abia is not discussed, I am indubitably certain that we all will still gather as usual to blame each other over our collective political misfortune after each electioneering period.

For us to get Abia right, Abia must be discussed

Aguoru
Writes from Umuahia

Integrity is a virtue not acquired through education, positioning or wealth, but by sheer strength of Character, most often, we have seen highly educated men and women from privileged and noble backgrounds whom we look upto in the society display such characters that falls short of any atom of nobleness that one begins to wonder if actually he/she deserves the position he/she occupies.

If anyone has followed the campaign trail of Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu down to his early days of governorship as I have, such a person will discover that the governor has made a number of promises that he has failed to keep.

Top on the list of such unkept promises is the payment of salaries of Abia civil servants on the 24th of every month which he never kept two years after he was sworn in as governor, he ended up with a record of being the worst governor Abia has ever produced when it comes to salary payment. In a local radio interactive program (Family Love FM 103.9) Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu made the following promises and I quote “For me to achieve my campaign promise of ensuring regular salary payments without impacting this administration’s development agenda anchored on the five pillars of education, agriculture, infrastructure, trade and commerce, as well as oil and gas, read my lips: I will clear outstanding salaries and pensions owed Abia workers before the end of July this year: 2017” we are today in November and the outcome of that promise is well known to all Abians.

Again, In a meeting with the retired civil servants in November 2016, you had promised to look after the pensioners and pay them as at when due two years and six months after, Abia pensioners are being owed between 11 to 18 months resorting to the elder statesmen taking to the streets to protest and demand for their due entitlements.

Dr. Ikpeazu had promised to build a modern abattoir in Aba so as to stop butchers from further polluting the waters and the environment through the dropping of animal wastes and burning of tyres into the atmosphere thereby causing pollution and health risks but two years+ down the line that promise went the way of other promises he made to Abians.

Shortly after assumption of office Governor Ikpeazu promised that his government will not collect taxes from traders in aba due to the pitiable state of infrastructure in various markets located within aba until the infrastructural challenges which had scared traders and customers away from commercial town has been addressed, today everybody knows the state of infrastructure in those markets and the government had gone ahead to introduce and impose multiple of taxation on the traders.

As at December 2016 immediately after the swearing in of the 17 elected council chairmen Dr. Ikpeazu charged them to identify three projects in each ward within their various LGA,s that will receive urgent attention from the state government through them, needless to tell you what transpired, how such promises caused problems between the newly elected council chairmen and the stake holders within their local governments, as everyone was busy lobbying to ensure that such a project as promised by the governor is domiciled in his choice location. Today it’s either that the governor has forgotten he made such promises or it has gone the way of other promises made by him.

As at February 2017, governor Ikpeazu also promised to do a 10 kilo meter asphalted road in each of 17 LGA,s that made up Abia state, typical of his style he again asked the 17 council bosses to identify and submit to him the roads which they will like to be done within their LGA, needless to let you into the joy and applause that greeted such pronouncement, and how the chairmen sprang into action, but till date that promise ended not being fulfilled just like others before it, he also promised to take one youth from each local government area to a skill acquisition and technological training program in china but till date that also has become a mirage and a promise unfulfilled.

He promised to enhance security and introduce motorized policing which was applauded by all including the opposition, but shortly afterwards the police vehicles disappeared and he ended up restricting our movements between 6am to 7pm, while kidnapping, armed robbery and all forms of criminality went on the increase.

He promised to stop touting by creating jobs that will gainfully engage Abia youths, but two years down the line, Motor Park touting (Agbero) has become the only line of employment open to Abia youths thereby turning them into agents of extortion in the guise of revenue enforcement.

My Governor may be you have forgotten, let me refresh your memory, Shortly after assuming office you promised to clear the streets off the praise singing billboards that littered the length and breadth of the state capital but two years and a few months after, under your watch those billboards are back, even in front of the government house creating the same scene that you promised not to tolerate under your administration.

Governance demands integrity and trust, while Integrity is a vital ingredient in leadership, it therefore becomes difficult to believe in trust deficient leadership and any government that lacks the basic trust of the people will not make any meaningful progress, my Governor I must be open and bold enough to tell you that your volume of unfulfilled promises is making the people lose trust and faith in your leadership, and it’s difficult for any leader who had displayed lack of capacity in promise keeping to enjoy the trust and confidence of his subjects.

Dr. Ikpeazu, I want to assume that you did not intentionally default on those promises, but its only human that we forget some of the things we promise, please revisit the promises earlier made before going ahead to promise more.

Aguoru
Writes from Umuahia

Sunday the 26th of November 2017 was a day that saw the banquet hall of the prestigious Lagos travel inn, bubbling with activities and filled to the brim, the occasion was the LAYE awards organized by the Lagos state government to celebrate and encourage youth entrepreneurship and reward excellence.

The occasion which featured the speaker of Lagos state house of assembly Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa and the chairman of Ikeja local government, Hon. Engr. Mojeed Alabi Balogun as guests of honour also had as principal guests of honour Pharmacist Uzamat Akinbile Yusuf, commissioner for youths and social development, Hon Babatunde Durosinmi Etti, commissioner for wealth creation and empowerment amongst other notable government officials from Lagos state.

This year’s Lagos state young entrepreneurs summit also featured award ceremony in recognition of youth entrepreneurs who had excelled in business, entertainment, online marketing and other areas of endeavor in Lagos state, delivering the 2017 LAYE award lectures Dr. Michael Enyinna the group chairman Fund Vine Capital and securities limited, a resource person and one of the awardees gave a lecture titled ‘’HOW TO BECOME A SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEUR IN AN UNSTABLE ECONOMY’’ while the highlight of the nite was the award ceremony where Dr. Michael Enyinna alongside other successful young entrepreneurs were decorated in different categories for their excellence in entrepreneurialism in Lagos state.

The All Progressives Congress in Abia state on Thursday said there is no provision in its constitution that guaranteed automatic ticket for aspirants including sitting governors.

This came following a recent statement by a former Governor of Abia state and a chieftain of APC, Orji Uzor kalu where he advised the incumbent Governor ,Okezie Ikpeazu to join the All Progressives Congress, APC, and that he (Ikpeazu) will be given automatic ticket to run for the 2019 election.

Speaking with newsmen in Umuahia on Thursday, publicity secretary of the party in the state, Comrade Benedict Godson explained that the field is open for anybody who wants to vie for elective positions on the platform of APC.

His words: "Tickets for the governance of Abia state on the platform of APC is open for all Abians. I can tell you that there is no provision in APC constitution that guarantees for automatic ticket".

"Anybody who is interested in contesting election can do so. Let me say it again, nowhere in our constitution that has to do with automatic ticket".

Asked if APC in Abia would permit Governor Ikpeazu if he shows interest to defect to the governing party, Benedict Godson said, “Political party is like a church. Free entry, free exit. If the governor must join APC, he must pay workers their salaries, fix infrastructure decays in the state".
"You know Abia is in a big mess. No development. No payment of workers salaries. Pensioners are suffering. I believe, if Governor Ikpeazu wants to make a shift, he should actually show good example. Abians need good governance".

A chieftain of the APC in Abia State and the chairman of the party’s central working committee has described the statement credited to the former Governor of Abia State Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, ‘’stating that the party will give the present governor of Abia state automatic ticket to run for governorship under the party if he joins APC’’ as ill-informed and bereft of any atom of truism, in a statement released to the press by Hon. Acho Obioma, he said that he wants to believe that Chief Orji Kalu was quoted out of context, as there is no part of the APC constitution that guarantees automatic ticket to any one not even the president.

Hon. Obioma said every elective position in the party is contestable including the presidency as described in the party’s constitution he went further to challenge Chief Orji Kalu to quote the portion of the party’s constitution that states that a governor is guaranteed automatic ticket upon admission into the party, if it is what he actually said.

Chief Acho Obioma reiterated that what Chief Kalu said is not the party’s position and has never been, and that the party allows a level playing ground for all aspirants and does not give preference to anyone no matter how highly positioned.
He further stated that the party frowns at impunity, believes and practices democracy in its finest form and therefore gives everybody the democratic space to exercise their democratic right under the constitution of the party.

He admonished party stalwarts to guard against unwarranted statements that may demean the party’s democratic values, as the party is positioned to give Abians a new lease of life come 2019 through value added leadership and ensuring that Abians enjoys dividends of democracy as seen in neighboring states he concluded by saying that in Abia APC it is some ones integrity and good works that will guarantee his being allowed to stand for elections under our party’s ticket.

A bill for an Act to establish the National Centre for Disease and Control, NCDC, will be passed by the National Assembly before the end of the year, the Chairman, Senate committee on primary health care and communicable diseases, Mao Ohuabunwa, has said.

The senator said this in Abuja on Tuesday at the launch of the NCDC Strategy and Implementation Plan (2017-2021).
The launch of the five-year plan is aimed at incorporating a new vision and mission to guide the activities of the agency and assist in proper disease surveillance, monitoring, evaluation and implementation of intervention plans, PREMIUM TIMES understands.

In attendance at the launch were health partners from the ministry of health; World health Organisation, WHO; West African Health Organization, WAHO; USAID, ministry of agriculture and rural development, and others working in Nigeria on disease outbreak intervention and control.
Mr. Ohuabunwa said the Senate was committed to the development of the health sector adding that this is why it created a committee for primary healthcare and communicable disease instead of, ”just maintaining the status quo.”

He assured the agency of the Senate’s support in achieving success in its plans for the prevention and control of diseases in the country.
“With the prevalence of disease outbreak in Nigeria, we are geared and ready to collaborate with NCDC to ensure that we can achieve the universal health care coverage, or health for all in 2020. We mean it when we say the establishment of an institution of NCDC is important and we are legalising it.
“Work is in progress on the bill and before the end of the year, the bill it will be ‘legalised.’ This year, we have resolved to support NCDC, National Agency for Control of AIDS, NACA and primary health care because of the prevalence of disease outbreaks across the country.
That is why we have resolved to implement the National Health Act 2014. We will establish it to implement the basic Universal Health Care, UHC law which stipulates clearly that 1 per cent of the consolidated revenue should be dedicated to health,” he added.

The WHO country representative, Wondimagegnehu Alemu, in his own remarks, commended the previous effort of the agency especially its intervention and prompt coordination of staff and support partners during emergencies.
Alemu, while re-pledging the support of the international health agency to assist in the fight against disease intervention said the presentation of the plan will strengthen the emergency response of the country and as well assist the health partners to collaborate better.
“There are lots of diseases’ outbreaks and Africa has the largest of these challenges. It is commendable that NCDC is taking this initiative knowing the impact of their activities and response during the Ebola crisis, and an established national disease centre will ensure that there is a central response coordination for the country and Africa.”

The Chief Executive Officer/National Coordinator, NCDC, Chikwe Ihekweazu while presenting the plan said it became necessary for the agency to have a working plan in other to know, ”what needs to be done to strengthen the disease surveillance and coordination in the country.”
“We cannot work on fighting and preventing disease outbreak alone without collaboration with others because the health security in one geographical location is based on the health security in another geographical location all around the world.

”Every country needs to have a plan that is their own. A vision of their own on how disease control for the country to work before getting other partners to join in. That is why we started activities in late 2016 to develop a 2017–2021 strategic plan, incorporating a new vision and mission to guide activities,” he said.
He explained that the 2017-2021 strategic plan seeks to create, ”a strong vision for the NCDC supported by well-articulated implementation and delivery plans.”
Mr. Ihekweazu said, ”no plan is worth the paper it is written on without the people to help work on it and implement.”
He also said the agency was poised to give health structures, Nigerians and the world can have confidence in.

Abia PDP on saturday, 18th of November 2017, suffered another blow at Oma Egwu ward in Ekenobizi, Umuahia south LGA, as chief Emmanuel Egwu (Esere) former Special Adviser to governor Okezie Ikpeazu officially declared his readiness to join the APC, the occasion which took place at his country home in Ekenobizi had in attendance the APC ward executives, the LGA chairman, and many other notable APC stalwarts including Chief Acho Obioma, chief Mascot Uzor-Kalu, Chief Martin Apugo, Chief Asagwara Peter, Chief Chidi Wisdom, Mr. Destiny Chibuike Ukauwa (a.k.a shwarts), Chief Osondu Nwankwo and a host of other notable party chieftains were also on hand to welcome Chief Egwu into the APC.

Delivering his acceptance speech after filling the party’s registration form, Chief Emmanuel Egwu said that he can no longer be in a party whose leaders take pleasure in suffering the Abia populace, a party that thrives in impunity and injustice, he said his decision to dump the PDP was borne out of his innate conviction to join the progressives since PDP in Abia has proved to be anti-people, during a chat with newsmen chief Emmanuel Egwu said his decision to resign his appointment with the state government was borne out of principle, he went further to say that though Dr Okezie Ikpeazu’s government has demonstrated lack of capacity to develop Abia beyond where he met it and has by its actions further diminished the democratic fortunes of Abia state by increasing suffering in the land, I hold nothing personal against him, he said.
Chief Emmanuel Egwu said that he is moving to the APC with all his supporters numbering over a thousand and promised to give the Umuahia south APC a befitting and fully furnished party secretariat.

On the 26th of November 2016, Dr. Michael Enyinna an Abia state born investment expert, entrepreneur and financial management consultant, will be receiving recognition in the 2017, LAGOS YOUNG ENTERPRENEURS AWARD holding at Lagos Travel Inn Hotels and Suites, 39/41 Toyin Street, Ikeja Lagos.

The group managing director of FUNDVINE CAPITAL Group LTD, who hails from Ogwe in Ukwa west LGA of Abia state, will be honoured amongst other industrial giants across the federation who are living and doing business in Lagos, and his award comes in the category of YOUNG FINANCIAL & PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ENTREPREPEUR OF THE YEAR 2017.

Sir we congratulate you for making Abia proud with this well-deserved recognition/award, we also encourage you to come home and invest in Abia so as to give employment to our teeming unemployed graduates and add to the Abia economy.

A former executive chairman of Aba south LGA, former commissioner in Abia state electoral commission (ABISEC) Chief Okezie Erondu has dumped PDP.

Chief Erondu who was the coordiantor Okezue Abia Aba south LGA. and a close friend of governor Okezie Ikpeazu said further moves will be made public soon, but for now he is done with PDP as the government in power has refused to live up to the expectation of the masses that voted them into power thereby betraying the confidence bestowed on them by Abians.

Methodist Church Nigeria to honour Solomon Adaelu, Charles Nzechi, Martin Apugo, Emmanuel Egwu, (Esere) others…………

Methodist Church Nigeria, had set aside Sunday the 19th of November 2017 to honour and recognize some distinguished individuals who had shown exemplary conduct and excellence in different fields of endeavor and had impacted positively to the society through humanitarian services by giving help to the less privileged in obedience to the word of God, the program which will go along with the 2017 HARVEST, tagged HARVEST OF OPEN DOORS, will feature a SPECIAL AWARD SERVICE that will recognize personalities like Hon. Solomon Ezinwa Adaelu, Ambassador Chief Charles Nzechi, Chief Martin Apugo, Chief Emmanuel Egwu, (Ebekuo Dike) and others for their roles in giving hope to the societies less privileged and excelling in their chosen fields of endeavor.

The Harvest/ special award ceremony which will be holding on Sunday 19th of November 2017 at VICTORY METHODIST CHURCH, IKPOT EKPENE/MARCAULEY ST. UMUAHIA, will have Most Rev. Dr. C.R. Opoko (JP) as the Royal Father of the day, under the distinguished chairmanship of high Chief Gabriel U. Okenwa (C.E.O GADO HOTELS LTD), While High Chief Emeka Inyama will be the special guest of honour.
The award which will be featured in different categories and is meant to encourage those whom God had used to give meaning to our society.
WORTHY IS THE LAMB

APC set to restore Abia’s economic, social, political and infrastructural fortunes …Chief Amobi Godwin Ogah

A close observation of the Abia political phenomenon reveals a silent but sunamic style of political revolution in favour of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in an exclusive interview with Abiafacts newspaper Chief Amobi Ogah a chieftain of the APC bared his mind and revealed why APC is the party to beat come 2019 election.

Chief what is the status of the APC in Abia state?

That the APC has come to stay in Abia is one fact that can no longer be wished away, even by the strongest of propaganda and criticism as witnessed in our state today, but the most interesting aspect of the whole political happenings is that the more the PDP tries to raise some spurious propaganda against the APC, the more the fortunes of PDP dwindles, and while the PDP loses fame the APC gains membership and strength, the reason is not farfetched.

How will you rate the democratic fortunes of Abia state since the coming of the 3rd republic in 1999?
In the past 18+ years of Abia,s democratic experience under the PDP it’s been tales of woes across all sectors but the state got to its crescendo in bad governance under the present PDP government of Okezie Ikpeazu, whereby despite all the efforts put in by the APC led federal government by providing bailout funds and Paris club refunds to aid the state offset its self-inflicted debts, the state government and its officers had consciously diverted such funds for other private uses outside of the real intentions of receiving such huge funds and leaving the already impoverished populace suffering in immeasurable proportion.

Abia roads today are left in a pitiable and impassable condition while lip service and huge amount of money are being fraudulently voted for the construction and reconstruction of the roads without proportional action taken to ensure that people have access to good roads and other infrastructural benefits that comes with democracy.

The commercial town of Aba and the capital city Umuahia are being forced to shut down daily by 7pm with the lame and lazy excuse of security, killing the commercial and enterprising spirit of an average Abian, and chasing away investment opportunity in the state, while a few members of the ruling PDP in Abia state, their families and friends swim in criminal affluence at the expense of the poor Abian.

We are no strangers to the decay and wickedness that has become our lot under the PDP, but we have come to reassure Abians that all hope is not lost as the APC has taken a resolve to bring social, political, economic and infrastructural renaissance to Abia, the APC will restore security and good governance back to our state, the APC has come to keep Abia in the lead amongst the comity of states, we urge Abians to endure, keep faith and align with APC as we have resolved to bring smiles back to the face of Abians.

The statement of Abia State APGA chairman Reverend Augustine Ehimere against APC seems to be creating ripples as Chief Amobi Ogah has replied.

Reverend Augustine Ehimere few days ago during a meeting with APGA faithfuls at APGA Umuahia North office informed members numbering above 500 that APC will not get any vote in Abia State due to the way Federal Government led Nigerian Army dealt with IPOB.

In a swift response, Chief Amobi has reacted to this statement.

Amobi, disagreed with the position of the Reverend Ehimere. He advised the APGA chairman to look for a party and join.

‘The APGA chairman should be aware that APGA is not a party, APGA is a movement in Abia in 2015 election because people vowed not to vote PDP and the movement ended after the 2015 election, so he should go and join a party” he said.

He went on “APGA is a creation of the slit of PDP in 2015 and the people that slit into APGA have already joined other parties, so i don’t know what the chairman is saying or still doing in APGA”

“I dare APGA to contest for 2019 election and see if they can win even one seat in the House of Assembly, i advise Ehimere to go and join a party” he concluded.

Senator Mao Arukwe Ohuabunwa despite being just 2 years and a few months old in the red chambers is not a stranger to legislative business, having represented Arochukwu/Ohafia federal constituency in the house of representative in the past so he is quite prepared and ready for the task of attracting development to Abia north senatorial zone.
Despite the electoral challenges he faced during and after the elections, but as a man in touch with his constituency and also well abreast of legislative functionalities, it did not take him long to initiate a motion on the urgent reconstruction of Arochukwu/Ohafia road given its strategic importance and the neglect it has faced over the years, where politicians have turned it into campaign material, but today by virtue of Senator Ohuabunwa’s legislative ingenuity the reconstruction of that road has been passed and included in the budget while action is ongoing on the Ohafia/Arochukwu road courtesy of Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.
Senator Ohuabunwa have also inline with his Corporate Social Responsibility successfully constructed class room blocks at Ututu and Item, he has also planted solar powered street lights at Arochukwu, and Isuikwuato, he also dug solar powered bore hole at Elu-ohafia and has also constructed skill acquisition center at Isuochi.
Senator Mao did not just set out to undertake all these developmental projects without first identifying areas of urgent need within his constituency being a man in tune with his environment.
Senator Ohuabunwa had also passed bills and raised motions in the red chambers that have been passed as law while some are still being considered and are at different stages of consideration.
These are the bills and motions sponsored by Senator Mao Ohuabunwa in the 8th Senate.
National Centre for Cancer and Treatment (Est,etc) Bill 2015. (SB. 10) (Passed into law)
Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology Act Cap N116 LFN 2004(Repeal and Re-enactment Bill 2015 (SB.11) (second reading)
National Agricultural Land Development Authority Act Cap N4 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill 2004, (SB. 12) (second reading)
Nigerian Institute of Management Act 14 2003 (Amendment) Bill 2015 (SB. 13) (SB. 18) (second reading)
Presidential Transition Bill 2015 (SB. 19) (second reading)
Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme (Est, Etc.) Bill 2015 (SB.20) (Passed into law)
National Council for Research and Development Bill, 2015 (SB. 124) (merged)
Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Act No. 6 2007 (Amendment) Bill 2015 (SB 132) (second reading)
Federal Entrepreneurship Centers (Establishment, etc.) Bill 2015 (SB. 133) (second reading)
Medical and Dental Practitioners Act Cap M8 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill 2015 (SB. 136) (second reading
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Third Alteration) Act 2016 (Pending)
An Act to Amend the Code of Conduct Bureau Tribunal Act, Cap C15, LFN, 2004 (etc.) (Merged)
Motions
Motion on the control of gully erosion and provision of relief materials to citizens of affected parts in Arochukwu, Isuikwuato and other parts of the nation (passed)
Motion on the plight of Locum Medical Doctors in internship training (Passed)
Motion on the full implementation of transfer of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) surplus fund from yearly budget requirements, to the Rural Electrification Fund as established by the Electricity Power Reform Act,2005 (Passed)
Motion on Digital Switch Over; The Way Forward after Nigeria’s failure to meet the deadline set by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for migration from Analogue to Digital Broadcasting (Passed)
Motion on the outbreak of Epidemic of gastroenteritis in Ohafia and other parts of Umunneochi LGA of Abia North (Passed)
Motion to address the rehabilitation of Prison inmates through agricultural programs run by the Nigerian Prisons Service (Passed)
Disturbing rates of Accidents caused by obstructions/illegal structures on our highways (passed)
The need for the CBN to expeditiously implement its intervention funding programs to qualified Nigerian Companies, Factories, Industries and Exporters (Passed)
Urgent need to revisit the issue of Corporate Tax Incentives which is turning to a huge drain on the Nigerian economy (Pending)
Urgent need to end the illicit trade in freshly minted Nigerian currency (passed))
Motion on Petitions from constituents of Abia North, against breaches affecting them (several adopted and restorative actions taken, while some still pending).
For Senator Ohuabunwa, experience, passion and love for his people are the driving force behind the midterm achievements he has so far recorded in the journey of representing and attracting development for the good people of Abia north senatorial zone.

While I condemn in its entirety the pictorial misrepresentation and the over sensationalism of the handshake between the governor of Abia state, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu PhD. and the APGA governorship candidate for the 2015 general elections Dr. Alex Chioma Otti by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Enyinnaya Appolos, at the burial ceremony of Chief Mrs. Felicia Agbazuere, mother of Dr. ACB Agbazuere, the former commissioner for information and strategy in Abia state at Ikem Nvosi, in Isiala Ngwa South LGA, which ignited an instant reaction by Ferdinand Ekeoma, Dr. Otti’s media adviser, I want to use this medium to appreciate the courage, humility and political dexterity of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu for doing what I immediately termed a show of open heartedness, love, political maturity and willingness to partner and learn where need be.

While on the side of Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, I lack words to describe his exhibition of warmness, large heartedness, humility and maturity displayed on the 27th of October 2017, this side of Dr. Otti is what has been hidden from Abians by the media and even by Dr. Otti’s media handlers, they have always given us a picture of an all-knowing supreme leader who doesn’t tolerate opposing views and at the same time too full of himself that humility is not found in his dictionary, his followers has always painted a picture of a man whose stone rigidity is not fit for our clime and polity and that has made an average Abian who is not used to regimental life style to always get scared at the mention of the name Dr. Alex Chioma Otti.

The Dr. Alex Otti that I saw and mirrored through his actions on that day is a man who is very accommodating, very forgiving and willing to relate even with the lowliest of beings.

If all our political leaders can imbibe the culture of accommodating and relating with each other or even come together to discuss the affairs of the state and how to move the state forward, I bet you Abia would have gone beyond where it is today.

It is very saddening that our political leaders have seen politics in Abia as a winner takes all affair where the spoils of office is more important than the task of providing leadership and improving the state, while their followers are meant to remain enemies to each other so as to protect their own selfish gains, it is also very unfortunate that our leaders have tactically devised a means whereby even members of the same political party who do not belong to same camp are viewed as enemies and must be kept divided so as to give the leaders the latitude to loot and steal unchecked.

If our political leaders and those we look upto for guidance will be willing to make public show of love and political understanding once in a while after elections like we see in Akwaibom, Cross River, lagos etc. no matter how cosmetic it is, it will help to create a political atmosphere of peace, unity and political understanding amongst the followers and will still not stop them or any one from criticizing the government when they err, or playing politics when it is time.

While I blame the government for making political reconciliation impossible after elections by not accepting developmental criticism and seeing even the most noble of advices as coming from opposition, I will also encourage our opposition political leadership to call the government to order when its actions are geared towards abridging the fortunes of the state rather than enhancing it and for the government to take in such advices in good faith and see the opposition as partners in progress rather than enemies as that is the only time we can truly say we are Abians, we are great.

Aguoru
Writes from Umuahia

The member representing Osisioma/Ugwunagbo/Obingwa federal constituency, Honourable Solomon Adaelu has directed that the construction equipment he procured for the three local governments he is representing should be moved back to site by next week so as continue the grading of all the rural roads within his constituency since the rainy season is now over.

He asked the three local government chairmen on whose care the equipment are kept, to ensure that they identify areas that need urgent repairs and direct the equipment to be moved to those areas so as to palliate the sufferings of his constituents.

Hon. Adaelu reiterated that the second phase of our rural road grading/rehabilitation program will soon commence, while explaining that the equipment were withdrawn because of threats from some political opponents who were not comfortable by our resolve to give our people a better life instead of partnering with him to ensure that life is made easy for our people, they were rather threatening to burn down the equipment we procured for the people.

He enjoined his constituents not to lose faith and that he is committed towards ensuring that the dividends of democracy get to every nook and cranny of Osisioma/Ugwunagbo/Obingwa federal constituency asking them not to lose sleep over those threats as they are only meant to distract him from discharging his constitutionally assigned role of attracting development to his people, he assured them that he has since towered above such distractions and that he remains focused and unperturbed by such threats but advised the people to stand in defense of democracy and good governance and demand for their rights at all times as good governance, good roads, potable water, security, education, health and all the good things that come from good and responsible government is their right and not a privilege, he advised Abians to demand for it and where they feel that the government has fallen short of their expectation they should ensure that such government is voted out of office because the task of getting Abia to work again is for all of us.

I am not unmindful of their antics and untrue publications against my person but I urge Abians to disregard such, as it is the handiwork of agents of distraction who would rather invest in propaganda than deliver on good governance.

On Tuesday the 17th day of October 2017, Abians woke up to the shocking realization that fraud and forgery had taken a new dimension in Abia state, with the cloning of a fast rising tabloid the Abia Facts Newspaper, the dangerous intentions of some evil persons who is bent on suppressing the truth through every means possible in Abia is becoming very glaring and more daring.

While the first line suspects by anyone who has been following the progress and content of the Abia Facts Newspaper online and on hard copy is the Abia state government and its agents, but our prima facie investigations is pointing accusing fingers at a highly placed Abia lawmaker, who owns a printing press and has a notorious reputation for everything evil.

The Abia facts newspaper both online and print editions has maintained a process of balanced reportage of every side of the story and has been engaged in developmental and responsible journalism not tilting towards any political, clannish, tribal or pecuniary interest while carrying out our duties of sourcing and reporting news for the reading Abia public who has come to identify and rely on the well trained and responsible journalists in our team to dish them accurate and factual information as to the happenings in Abia state.

We have maintained a standard and has shown finesse in our news reporting by ensuring that the public is fed the truth and nothing short of it, we have always reported the side of the government in power, the opposition and the public and that has given us the Godspeed by which our newspaper online and hardcopy has been accepted by the generality of Abians.

One can now imagine our shock at waking up to the realization that someone will go all out to tarnish our hard earned reputation in an attempt at putting us on collision course with reputable Abians by faking our hard copy edition of 23rd Oct. 2017 which was already on sale in the vendors stands across Abia state and using the names of some senior journalists in our team to demean the image of some highly placed and successful Abians, while attacking political parties and the person of the president of the federal republic of Nigeria.

They did not stop at that they also went on to drop loads of the fake publication at different public locations, but the most shocking is the one dropped at the office of the chief press secretary to the governor and I am tempted to ask how did it get there, with all the security personnel attached to the government house?

While we are not accusing the state government and its agents of being in collaboration with the devilish highly placed Abia law maker that runs a printing press in a commercial town in Abia state, we also find it very unbelievable that the Abia state government will maintain such a conspiratorial silence at such a devilish act and has not called on security agencies to conduct a full scale investigation with the aim of fishing out the culprit and bringing such a person to book or even make an open statement in condemnation of the act.

We at Abia facts newspaper cannot be deterred or cowered by the activities of some devilish agents who work for the devil at night and come in the day to pretend to be men of God, but are afraid of the truth that Abia facts newspaper has come to stand for, we maintain our resolve to speak the truth and expose evil where ever it is found in Abia, we have instituted a process of investigation with the DSS and the Police and we have also engaged private investigators and so far our search keeps leading us to a particular direction, as soon as investigations are concluded we will make public our finding and take legal actions against the criminal/s.

We enjoin the public, especially our avid readers to continue to read and enjoy Abia Facts as we are poised to serve you hotter, fresher, factual and truthful news stories as they unfold in Abia and beyond.

Aguoru
Writes from Umuahia

The attention of Hon.Acho Obioma media team has been drawn to a said press release by agents of Abia state government whom in their bid to thwart the truth and divert attention from the verifiable points and issues raised by the APC chieftain has led to further more exposure of the gross incompetence and mediocrity of those unfortunately in the affairs of administering our dear state.Hon Acho Obioma ordinarily would not have raised an eyebrow about the said publication but believes he owes Abians a duty to further expose the timidity and gross corruption being perpetuated by Ikpeazu and his bunch of charlatans.

It is of note that in the said press release the Abia state Governor accused Hon.Obioma of collecting 90% mobilisation in respect of the Ariam road and abandoned the job.This is the height of irresponsibility and neglect of duty for a government to admit paying a contractor 90% mobilisation in contravention to the procurement act and still left the contractor to abscond without taking adequate measures to recover the said money from the contractor.

We challenge the government to make available now to Abians the payment process stating the payment vouchers,cheques/e-payment receipts and the bank used for the payments if no such records they should now tell Abians what they did with the alleged money.The onus lies on the government to do so and should in case in the contrary the government will now meet us in court for defamation of character and Abians would also now know Ikpeazu runs a government of propaganda,lies and deceit.

Its also of note that Hon.Obioma is In court with the state government on the said contracts after repeated lies in form of promises that governor Ikpeazu has always made to the Ariam Ikwuano community on how he will pay his company to go back to site which Hon.Obioma found absurd and had to take legal action to recover monies being owed him by the state and clear his name, and we ask how can a man paid 90% upfront contract sum still take the government to court to get his money?

Why did the state government wait till Hon.Obioma's expose of the monumental fraud and ineptitude of the government which can be seen but not limited to the government appropriating the sum of one billion naira on the eastern comfort to polycorn junction road, a road less than one kilometre before they start cooking up false allegations against his person just the way they did a fortnight ago when Dr.Alex Otti raised an alarm on the government's incessant borrowings with nothing to show for such huge sums where Abia state remains the least developed state with decayed infrastructure, and civil servants going as long as nine months without being paid their salaries?

Just of recent a government that is owing salaries running into arrears of nine months, just for it's self seeking need to win re-election, having failed in providing Abians the basic necessities of life went ahead and recruited over one thousand aides for a governor, with majority of them not having portfolios or offices and also twenty seven commissioners in a state with less than fourteen ministries, just in a desperate move to gain underserved re-election,It is very funny and regreattable that a governor who keeps crying of paucity of funds when it comes to salary payments would go ahead to recruit over a thousand aides to serve as attack dogs to perceived political enemies.

The government should stop it's deceit just like they claimed to be bringing in $1.5b shoe factory which has remained elusive till date, We make bold to challenge the governor on a media tour to show us the projects he claimed he has done,locations of the projects,cost of projects,monies paid so far on the projects,stage and time of completion.

This, if the government garners enough courage to do will further expose its penchant for collecting kickbacks from contractors, mostly with the claim to bribe judges handling his several litigations and cases and his crave to always travel out of the country to buy choice properties where his children whom just before now were schooling in Nigeria but hurriedly left the country to school abroad on his assumption of office leading to his lackadaisical attitude towards paying teachers.

A man who never had a house in his village prior to being made the governor,just the other day invited his kinsmen to show off his multi billion naira mansion to them.
To showcase the mediocrity and show of shame that has become the hallmark of Ikpeazu's administration and PDP usual style took Governor Wike of Rivers state to commission three earth moving equipment inflated and bought with billions of naira whereas his contemporaries in APC controlled states are commissioning bridges and flyovers.

Abia state government today is so ridiculed for it's theft and mediocrity that even Ikpeazus predecessor today openly testifies to his failure in governance.


Signed:

Kenneth oladokun
Media aide to Hon.Acho Obioma

The attention of the SOUTH EAST MANDATE GROUP FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE (SEGFGG) has been drawn to a Punch Newspaper publication of September 23rd 2017 by a phantom and non-existing group that goes by the name Concerned Citizens of Nigeria calling for the arrest and prosecution of the former governor of Abia state and a serving Senator of the federal republic of Nigeria Senator T.A Orji, in as much it is the undeniable right of every citizen under the constitution to freely express their views and air their opinion, it is also worthy of note to state that such rights must be aired in a responsible manner and in total respect to the rights of other citizens bearing in mind that where the rights of one stops the rights of another begins.

The publication which was signed by one Taiwo Akinyele and calling on the federal government and the judiciary to resume a case of corruption against the person of Senator Orji, when he was the Chief of staff to the governor of Abia state in 1999 to 2007 is not only uninformed but mischievously contrived with evil intentions aimed at distracting the hard working Senator.

Senator T.A Orji is no longer standing trial for any corrupt charges in any court of law anywhere in Nigeria, and anyone who thinks he has any problems with senator Orji should feel free to approach the relevant agencies rather than coming on the pages of the newspapers to allege all manner of falsehood against the person of the distinguished Senator, we are also aware that it is the handiwork of some unscrupulous politicians who always feel threatened and frightened at the mention of the achievements and name of the distinguished Senator.

Today, Distinguished Senator T.A Orji is a hard working senator and elder statesman who had served Abia state, the south east and the entire nation with rectitude and nobleness and his works stands out for him, if he has any case to answer the law enforcement and the anti-corruption agencies are there to carry out their duties, it is therefore not in the place of anybody or group to come on the pages of the newspaper to tarnish the image of the hardworking Senator because of their selfish political intentions, and Senator Orji cannot be distracted by such kindergarten political tactics as he is committed to carrying out his duties with due diligence.

SOUTH EAST MANDATE GROUP FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE is a political watch dog of the south east geopolitical zone and at such will stand against any one from within or without trying to malign our political leaders, and senator Orji stands tall as a leader who champions the cause of the zone and Nigeria in general.

The group is aware of all the people behind the said malicious publication and will not hesitate to expose them and their evil deeds if they should continue in their mission to pull down our champions we therefore ask them to desist from such acts in the interest of the zone and Nigeria in general.

Sign:
Chibuike Okoronkwo esq
Secretary: (SEGFGG)

The Governor of Abia state Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu PhD, has spent a little above two years in office as the executive governor of Abia state, but out of the 30 months spent in office he has travelled to 6 continents out of the seven continents on planet earth and has visited over 62 cities and 24 countries in just 30 months plus that he has spent as governor.

Dr. Ikpeazu can conveniently pass for the most travelled governor in modern day Nigeria and one wont be fouled for calling him the globe-trotting chief security officer in the country.

Out of the 30 months in office as the governor of Abia state Dr. Ikpeazu had spent more time on air outside of the state than he had spent in the state, according to Government house sources, the governor they know and see and who carries out the duties of the governor is the deputy Governor
Most of the official functions that requires governors mandatory presence had seen the governor rushing in from abroad to attend to such duties, a few instances abound when Governor Ikpeazu had to join Abia delegates at the PDP non elective convention held on the 12th of august 2017 from Brazil and it remains doubtful if he ever visited the state before jetting out of the United States after the Abuja convention.

The most recent was the fracas that erupted in the state between the IPOB and the military in Umuahia that led to the death of many and the governor was as usual away from his duty post when all that was happening, he had to cut short his trip to fly down to Abia to meet with the stake holders in security to be briefed of the situation in a state where he is supposed to hold sway as the chief security officer.

Most often Governor Ikpeazu’s popular excuse for running an abroad based government is the hunt for foreign investors, but despite the millions of dollars spent on such trips, Abia has not recorded even a local investor coming to invest in the state, giving room for the tagging of his so called investment hunt abroad a jamboree of sorts and a scam by investment experts, they have also advised Dr. Ikpeazu to concentrate and build an enabling environment that will attract investors into Abia state rather than spend the states resources chasing shadows and engaging in frivolities in the name of investment hunt.

Abians has been deceived for too long and we cannot continue to face deception at the expense of real time development as seen in neighbouring states of Ebonyi, Anambra, Akwaibom, Rivers etc.

The continuous absence of governor Ikpeazu has had a negative effect on the overall wellbeing of the state as many have argued that the monies spent on such frivolities could have been put to better use if the governor had been economically creative, the millions of dollars expended on those jamboree abroad would have been more than enough to do two or more cottage industries that would have generated employment for the teeming unemployed youths in Abia.

I am also of the opinion that those monies spent on such trips that are frequently undertaken with friends and relatives would have been enough to offset the salaries of secondary school teachers who are being owed five months salary or that of secondary education management board (SEMB) whose workers have not received salaries for 7 months and counting.

We have had occasions where we saw some Chinese that came to Abia state had a fresh corn eating competition and a muscle flexing show with Dr. Ikpeazu and left with the promises of coming back to invest 600 billion naira into the shoe making industry, what about the turkey garment manufacturing firm that we were told is coming with multi-million dollar machinery to establish in Abia, but till date all those deals has been silenced while our travel loving governor has been on the move travelling round the world taking selfies in factories, trains, restaurants and pubs and sending them back to us here in Abia.

One gets more confused daily seeing our governor Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu undertake such expensive and fruitless trips abroad at the expense of the states lean purse, knowing fully that no investor can invest in an unstable economy like we have it in Abia with the state of collapsed infrastructure and insecurity at its height.
Is it not high time our governor had compassion on the pitiableness of the Abia economy and sit down here with us, take a closer look at his style of governance which has ruined Abia in all geometrical forms and think of how to improve on his person and government and stop the global junketing that has crippled Abia economy, rendered the investments economically immobile and residents hungry and begging to feed?

Aguoru
Writes from Umuahia

A group known as the CONCERNED CITIZENS OF NIGERIA has petitioned the EFCC, the chairman, Presidential advisory committee on anti-corruption, the inspector general of police and the attorney general of the federation over an alleged criminal conspiracy/abandonment of prosecution in a fraud case involving the former governor of Abia state and a serving senator, Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji.

The case which saw the group calling on the above named persons to use their offices to look into the abandonment of the matter pending before a federal high court in Lagos by the EFCC and the chief judge of the federal high court involving an alleged looting to the tune of 2,638,000,000,00 (two billion, six hundred and thirty eight thousand naira only, belonging to Abia state government but was criminally diverted to private accounts by senator Orji when he was the chief of staff to the Abia state government.

The group called on the relevant authorities to immediately intervene and ensure the resumption of the case, stating that they have it on good authority that Senator Orji has been boasting about, that he has bribed his way through the EFCC and the courts and has had the matter subdued and at such it can no longer see the light of day.

The group through their spokesperson Mr. Taiwo Akinleye said that it will amount to miscarriage of
justice and a nod to corruption, if Senator T.A. Orji is left to continue in the Red chambers after looting
Abia dry, he read out a 100 count charge bothering on corruption and attached with cheques and
documents which evidenced the fraudulent transaction he was engaged in as the chief of staff to the
then Governor before becoming governor which was why he was sent to jail and was only brought out
after he allegedly won election to become governor from jail.

He called on the media to bring the attention of the public and the government to the matter so as to
ensure that justice is done to Abians and their looted funds returned, he also said that if the present
Administration of president Buhari is serious about fighting corruption that they are ready to present
them with facts that will ensure all corrupt persons are sent to jail or made to return their loots but he
however stressed that the media should be voice of the voiceless and speak for the people all the time
that is only by so doing that people like senator Orji will be sent back to jail where they belonged.