₦airaland Forum

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Monday congratulated Alhaji Saidu Dakingari, over his re-election as the governor of Kebbi State.Equally, Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, and his Abia State counterpart, Chief Theodore Orji, also congratulated Dakingari on his victory.
While Dakingari was been congratulated, conflicting signals emerged from the camp of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) over the governor-elect’s victory, as CPC’s National Secretariat kicked against the election, describing it as a charade and accusing the electoral body of been partisan.However, Tambuwal in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Imam Imam, said the victory did not come as a surprise considering the level of acceptability of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.He said since the governor first came to power in 2007, he had proved himself to be an astute administrator whose main priority is to see to the progress of the people of the state.While appealing to those who lost out to accept defeat in good faith, Tambuwal urged the people of the state to rally round the governor for optimum result.On his part, Orji in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr. Ugochukwu Emezue, Orji said the victory of Dakingari was a manifestation of the confidence reposed in him and the PDP by his people.The governor hinted that having been voted for massively by his people that the governor-elect should be at his best in terms of service delivery. According to him, the governor must hit the ground running as expectations are high.Corroborating Orji, Okorocha while speaking through his Special Adviser on Print Media, Mr. Ebere Uzoukwa, urged Dakingari who was elected under the platform of PDP to see his election as an opportunity to further improve the standard of living of the people of the state.Meanwhile, the CPC in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Rotimi Fasakin, differed from Matawalle’s position.The state chapter of the party had through Matawalle said his party was comfortable with the election result and shall not contest the result in election petitions tribunal.According to Okorocha, “Your election is an eloquent testimony that the people of Kebbi have implicit confidence on your ability and capacity to transform the state. I have no doubt that going by your outstanding experience in the management of both human and material resources; you will definitely take Kebbi state to a greater height in terms of infrastructural development and good governance.Reacting, Fasakin urged the public to ignore Matawalle’s statement as he said he has no authority to take positions on behalf of the party.He described the Matawalle as one of the unscrupulous elements working against the party’s interest.Our attention has been drawn to the statement credited to one Bashir Matawalle, wherein he stated inter-alia, “the CPC has no problem with the result and shall not contest it in any court.” This is absolute balderdash because the fellow does not have authority to speak for the party, having been part of the renegade group that cast their pearl to the pigs for a meal for the belly, this statement should be discountenanced,” he said.
Fasakin in a telephone chat with THSIDAY yesterday evening also confirmed that CPC would sue the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for not allowing the party to change its candidate ahead of the said election.
He stated that the party was practically excluded from the rerun, as the candidate that stood for CPC in the election had defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) few days to the election.Fasakin said it was not possible for the CPC to field a candidate who had already defected to another political party for an election.
According to him, the CPC had written to INEC seeking an opportunity to change its flag bearer before the election.
He maintained that that INEC has portrayed itself as a partisan body by its conduct during the re-run election due to the commission’s disposition to the party’s request.The hollow and shallow manner the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted the election, despite evidence of CPC’s forced non-participation, clearly unmasked the electoral body as a thoroughly partisan umpire,” he said.He stated further that the commissions response to CPC’s bid for time to file for fresh nomination for another candidate to contest the election on the party’s platform after the defection of the former candidate, Abubakar Mallam to PDP, showed that the leadership of INEC is either in cahoots with PDP to foist dictatorship on the Nation or is grossly incompetent.He however declared that the CPC had no candidate in the March 31st re-run election in Kebbi state, saying the candidate who contested on the platform of the party had defected to the PDP.We were not allowed to present a candidate since our candidate defected to the PDP shortly after the rerun election, we have concluded arrangement to file a motion for exclusion against INEC,” he said.
The Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, having considered the results of the governorship election (of 31st March, 2012), hereby rejects it in its entirety the electoral exercise as monumental charade,” he stated. http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/tambuwal-orji-okorocha-congratulate-dakingari/112875/

PROTOCOLS
DISTINGUISHED LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!
I am very pleased to be here today, to perform the official commissioning of this Okwoyi-Iyienyi Ibeku road, which is one of the many roads recently completed by our Government.
I promised Abians that in the construction of roads and other infrastructural facilities, our Government will be guided by the simple rule of fairness, equity and justice, as we prudently manage our lean resources.Today, this mantle of benefit, has fallen on the people of Okwoyi and Iyienyi Ibeku, and you have cause to rejoice for your new road.In the choice of constructing this road, our Administration was carefully guided by many considerations. One of such considerations was the need to create a basis for the further development and utilization of the resources, abundant in Okwoyi and Iyienyi. The other reason was to link these two rural communities and their resources to the State capital – Umuahia for their mutual benefits.That is why we did not deviate from finding a good contractor, who can build the solid road with such good drainage we have here, which is even better than what we have in the State capital.This road we commission today, runs through Okwoyi and the neighboring community of Iyienyi, and leads to Ozuitem, Bende town, Uzuakoli, and to Igbere. This makes this road, a useful by-pass to reach these areas, while avoiding the busy Umuahia-Ohafia-Arochukwu road.
An important aspect of this road is that it links up with the agricultural policy drive of our government, with focus on opening up our rural roads for easier evacuation of farm products, which will reach the major towns, with improved pricing and use. Through that, the rural farmers are directly enriched with income growth.
This road serves the State’s major agricultural lands and integrated farming establishments, such as the Songhai Farm in Okwoyi, Agro Centres of excellence, Forestry reserves and the ADP in Ozuitem.As the major sources of timber, palm oil, yam, cocoyam and other valuable crops in the State, the Okwoyi-Iyienyi road provides a rich access for evacuation of resources, and growth of the Abia State economy.There is no better way of fostering the growth and well-being of the inhabitants of these areas, as your people can commute easily to the town to work and trade there, if desired, while still enjoying the serenity of the rural environment. This is why this road is important to me and my Administration. I therefore ask Okwoyi and Iyienyi people not to abandon their farm lands for the city, but to enjoy the benefits that accrue to them from opening up their community to a wider reach.In the next stage of our Government’s road project around this community, we expect to link up Okwoyi- Ukome-Isieke – Ameke, to a joint ring road, which will serve your people better.I ask your people to make good use of the road and other facilities that Government will provide to these communities. In return, we will continue to ask for your supports and prayers.
Thank you.

After wallowing in total infrastructure decay for years, Aba the commercial nerve centre of Abia State effectively commenced experiencing a process of urban renewal yesterday as the state governor, Chief Theodore Orji inaugurated multiple projects for the city.The projects which included the long abandoned Ukwa Mangoro Road, Dan Fodio/East roads, Old Express/Samek Road and a pedestrian bridge at Abia State Polytechnic attracted loud cheers from thousands of Aba residents.The decay in infrastructure had made Aba residents to adopt cynical attitude to the state government resulting to what the governor referred to “interminable cat and mouse relationship and obstructive vibrancy” but Orji vowed that Aba would continue to remain “the primary concern” of his administration.We will continue to do everything that it takes to ensure the development of this city, and its full restoration to the glory of all Abians and all men of good will,” he said.The Abia chief executive noted that the challenge of putting Aba to good shape “is a very difficult task” but his administration “is determined to renew the Enyimba City “by initiating original, prime projects and tackling the seemingly impossible ones, some of which have been ignored or left unattended by previous administrations.

A SPEECH DELIVERED ON THE OCCASION OF THE OFFICIAL COMMISSIONING OF COMPLETED GOVERNMENT PROJECTS IN ABA, INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING: 1) PEDESTRIAN OVER-HEAD CROSSING AT ABIA POLYTECHNIC,
2) UKWU-MANGO ROAD PROJECT,
3) DANFODIO/EAST ROADS, AND
4) OLD EXPRESS/SAMEK ROADS,
PROTOCOLS
DISTINGUISHED LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!
ENYIMBA KWENU! KWEZUE NU!
I am always pleased and excited to be at Enyimba City to meet with our citizens. You know you are always on my mind, and despite what seems to be an interminable ‘cat and mouse relationship’ and the obstructive vibrancy of Enyimba City, you remain the primary concern of our Government. We will continue to do everything that it takes to ensure the development of this city, and its full restoration to the glory of all Abians and all men and women of good-will.
Sometimes, I cannot help seeing Aba City as a broken piece of iron, very difficult to weld together, without drawing a spark. But my Administration is determined to do this difficult and exhilarating job, by initiating original, prime projects, and tackling the seemingly impossible ones; some of which have been ignored or left unattended by previous Administrations.The truth is that I am aware of the fact, that Aba remains the foremost commercial, industrial and entertainment city of Abia State. It is also the melting pot for all the Igbo race in their commercial and business adventurism, which itself raises new and urgent problems of governance, seeking for solution. But all these deserve our attentions.That is why we are here today to demonstrate that we do not only know the problems, but are willing to commence solving them. Today, we commission some of the rare projects recently completed by our Administration, for the benefit of a future-focused and expanding Aba city. These new projects have safety implications – often ignored by our people, as well as aesthetic infrastructural linkages, relevant for the business growth of our city.
We will today commission a pedestrian crossing fly-over, for Abia Polytechnic Community and environs; the much discussed, but avoided Ukwu-Mango road and its surroundings; Danfodio/East road - with implications on good drainage in Aba; and the Old Express/Samek Road - with a traffic by-pass implication.
We are confident that the projects we commission today, will to a large extent, improve both the human and vehicular movements in the City; improve the ambiance and aesthetics of Aba, and assist in the development and fast flow of business activities in Ariara market and other business concerns in Enyimba City. We would not end there, but certainly continue our efforts.With these new projects we commission here today, we will soon begin to exploit the larger effects and gains, to begin addressing all the access roads in Aba, even where restorations and reconstructions are already on-going.I need not remind our people in Aba, that some of the projects we have completed for commissioning today, looked like impossible projects in the past – just like the Ukwu-Mango and Danfodio/East Road. Others like the pedestrian over-head crossing, were neither visualized nor considered, despite the obvious safety implications to our people. But our Government saw the need to begin and complete these projects in record time. It is an indication that we mean well for Aba people and will dare to move mountains to advance the Enyimba spirits of enterprise. And we have just started!
Our Government will continue to focus adequate attention to the development of Abia State, and especially Aba - Enyimba City. This is why we spared no efforts to achieve the security of lives and property in this City and fought kidnapping to a total finish. Lest we forget so soon, this City still needs our devoted and consistent attention, as well as our discipline, to restore it to its full stable pride.
That is why we are anxious to restore the original plan of this city and improve its environmental ambiance and great beauty. That is why we want our hard working traders and other investing public in Aba, to cherish a healthy and clean city, as they develop their stores, markets, factories, all in attempt to build great wealth for all of us.
That is why we expect our citizens of Aba, especially the private sector business operators, to pay their taxes and levies willingly, so that our Government will continue to maintain the City and State infrastructures.
It is my belief that for the Aba City of our dream and desire, it would just be equally right to demand your support and cooperation for the benefit of this remarkable City.
Our Government is committed to developing Aba City in all aspects, and at the same time, attend to the needs of other parts of Abia State and its economy. We have been able to come this far, only through the prudent management of our resources, and by converting our lean resources to the common good of Abians, rather than be appropriated into the private estate of an individual or a family dynasty. No sane person, in the guise of politics, would wish for a return of those locust invested years of impunity and recklessness.
I assure all Abians that we will continue to prudently manage our resources for the good of Abians, without distractions from those who, for political reasons and personal drives, have refused to see or recognize the achievements and direction of our Administration.
To all Abians, and especially those in Aba, we assure you that we will continue to seek your opinions and listen to your well-meaning advice and suggestions, including your objective criticisms. That is the essence of a democracy, which we have sworn to deepen in Abia State. We are aware that your individual and collective contributions and utterances will help us improve on our performances and actions; but we will not yield to unguarded intimidations, or succumb to fabrications of half truths that endorse cheap popularities, elsewhere. That will be unfair to Abians!
I am very aware that the job of laying a solid foundation for a sustainable development of any depressed economy, and a long traumatized State – as our own, is never that easy. This is because, one must of necessity, break existing barriers and unsettle existing orders.
But our Government has chosen this laudable, but difficult route, as our covenant with Abians, for its restoration, and for posterity to judge us.As we proceed on our chosen, but difficult route of developing Abia State, we promise to lay the desired foundation and break new frontiers in our infrastructures, roads, new landmarks; attain to the needs of our workers, our pensioners, and create new jobs and empower our youths. In all these, we will be firm in the pursuit of set goals, with justice and equity in the distribution of political dividends and in upholding of the peace in our State.I promise Abians that we will remain disciplined and rise above self interests as we work to deliver on the new face of Aba and our entire State development. I ask for nothing more than the support, patience and prayers of the people of Enyima City.
Thank you and God bless Abia State! http://thejuristlaws..co.uk/2012/03/speech-delivered-by-gov-ta-orji.html

Are states and local governments in the country agents of development or mere conduit pipes for channeling proceeds of federation account allocations? That is the question that stares everyone in the face in view of recent revelations about the finances of most of the 36 states of the federation. While the 1999 Constitution as amended designs the state as vehicle for the actualization of the fundamental objective and directive principles of state policy as enunciated in chapter two of the Constitution, the operation of the component units of the federation as captured in the ground norm has maintained a continuous slide from the ideal since 1999. Coming from a state of abyss under the military, it was permissible however that the finances of the states were at the most unstructured level at the start of the current Republic.But overtime, it has continued to emerge that the states are doing more of rent seeking than actual management. Fewer states are turning in anything tangible in terms of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), while many have completely left the collection of such to touts and political hangers on, as evidence of political patronage.Many of the states resorted to the bond market, which in actual fact means spending much of your future earnings today.The effect of the growing rush for the bond market too will not take eternity to show. From the second term of the Fourth Republic, starting from 2003, some signs of distress were beginning to surface in the management of state finances. The coming into force of the Debt Management Office (DMO) in 2000 created the much needed statistics that provided insights into the financial health of the states. Much attention could, however, not be directed at that because of the battle to free Nigeria itself from the shackles of debt it got entangled in on the platforms of Paris and London Club of Creditors. With Nigeria practically out of the huge debt profile in 2006, concerns shifted to domestic debts and the growing state indebtedness. Right now, the situation is not only worrisome to managers of the economy; it has been described as critical. Chairman of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Mr. Elias Mbam said at a senate public hearing held to look into the state of indebtedness of the states that states have become rent seekers, solely living on proceeds of federation account, which are also further tied to bank debts, foreign debts and bonds.The public hearing was sequel to a motion on the growing bankruptcy in the states moved by Senator Olubunmi Adetumbi on October 27, 2011. The Senator had called the attention of the Senate to the growing concern for the finances of the states and the danger of insolvency facing the 36 states of the federation. Quoting a study of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), the Senator noted that 20 of the 36 states are faced with prospects of unstable and unfavourable financial standing, based on the high percentage of their wage bills in relation to the total revenue accruable. The motion was unanimously accepted by the Senate, which immediately assigned a Joint Committee including Committees on National Planning, Finance, States and Local Governments and Appropriation to conduct a public hearing and report its findings to the plenary.According to the scary statistics submitted by Senator Adetumbi, only four states of the federation can be said to have healthy state of accounts. They are Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, and Jigawa. While records show that Abia spends 14 percent of its revenue on personnel cost, Akwa-Ibom and Anambra spend 12 per cent on the same, while Jigawa spends six percent on personnel costs. Imo (19 per cent), Kwara (18 per cent); Lagos (18 per cent); Kebbi (16 per cent); Delta (15 per cent) are regarded as operating within the tolerable status, while six states are regarded as completely distressed.
On that list include Kano; Sokoto; Niger; Zamfara; Katsina and Osun.
The statistics presented from the Governors Forum Labour Policy Report for 2011 further indicates that Kano expends 126 percent of its revenue on personnel costs, Sokoto, 62 percent and Niger 56 percent. Zamfara spends 54 percent of its revenue on personnel costs, while Katsina and Osun spend 50 percent each of their earnings on personnel costs to stand rooted on the distressed cadre. States that spend between 48 and 30 percent of their total revenue on personnel costs are regarded as being in critical state and they include Ekiti(48 per cent); Plateau(44 per cent ; Benue(42 per cent); Edo(42 per cent ); Borno(41 per cent); Adamawa(40 per cent ); Cross Rivers(39 per cent ); Enugu(39 per cent); Taraba (38 per cent); Ogun(37 per cent ); Kogi(32 per cent); Yobe (32 per cent); Ebonyi(31 per cent); Ondo(31 per cent) and Kaduna(30 per cent), while states which spend from 27 and 20 percent of their earnings on personnel costs are regarded as unhealthy. They are Oyo (27 per cent); Bauchi (26 per cent); Bayelsa (24 per cent); Nasarawa (24 per cent); Gombe (23 per cent) and Rivers (20 per cent).
Senator Adetumbi further submitted that states have now become social employers of labour with unsustainable high work force which makes service delivery almost impossible. With a weak private sector, he projects that the economy would be in further danger even as states become financially insolvent and increasingly handicapped to finance the real sector and drive growth.He also presented statistics to further trouble the discerning minds. States have encumbered themselves with bonds from the capital market, much of them long term. The records on ground show that Lagos alone had participated in the financial bonds on three occasions, with a N15 billion bond in 2002 and two other series including N50 billion as the first series and another N57 billion bond in the second series. Other states on the bond market list include Imo(N18.5 billion)Kwara(17 billion); Bayelsa(N50 billion); Ogun N50 billion);Niger(N6 billion); Kaduna (N8.5 billion); Ebonyi(N16.5 billion); Delta(N5 billion); Kebbi(N3.5 billion); and Yobe (N2.5 billion). Osun has disclosed that it will take N50 billion to finance its 2012 budget. With such huge financial burden, it is apparent that the states are not only living from hand to mouth, but are mere appendages of the government at the centre. The Senator submitted that the infrastructural deficits in the states has continued to put pressure on the major urban centres with attendant migration and worsening crime rate. But to the Senator, the fear is not in borrowing but the absence of proper procedures which further exposes the borrowed funds to misuse.
In an interview with The Friday Edition, Senator Adetumbi insisted that states are really enjoying the bad patch of the economy and that there is the need to urgently revise the trend.
He said of the motion: “That motion has brought to the fore the fiscal challenges that most states of the federation are facing. A situation where some states are spending as high as 126 percent of their internally generated revenue on wages meaning that they have to borrow to meet up. Others spend between 60 and 80 per cent of their total revenue as personnel cost, leaving less than 20 per cent for capital expenditure, that is not acceptable in a developing country where the running of the bureaucracy is costing more than what is required to open up the economy.Because you open up the economy through education, service delivery, infrastructure and the enabling environment for businesses to run. l am not, however, surprised that most states are now going to the capital market to raise funds but why do you need to borrow even at a very high percent if your internally generated revenue and the money coming from the federation account are enough for you to do what you want to do. They are raising bonds to finance infrastructure projects because there is a gap in their revenue that is not enabling them to do as much capital projects as the development of their states is calling for.The Senate reasoned along with Adetumbi and committed the motion to further scrutiny by the Joint Committee. On March 14, the committee gathered stakeholders at the Hearing Room One of the Senate main building to discuss the unfolding scenario of bankruptcy in the states.
RMAFC Chairman and the Debt Management Office did not deviate from the submissions presented by the Senator from Ekiti North on the Senate floor last October. Chairman of RMAFC, Elias Mbam corroborated the findings of the Senator when he declared that the states had so far been living on funds they did not generate.
He stated that most states had mortgaged the monthly allocations from the federation account, due to heavy loans and bonds burden. According to Mbam, besides the local debts, most states have also exposed themselves to foreign debts and bonds, which have practically mortgaged the monthly allocations they receive from the Federation Account.
RMAFC said that as at the end of last year, the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja were owing about N339.9 billion (about $2.165billion), which it said was making it difficult for them to finance developmental projects and grow the economy of the states. That is besides the states’ indebtedness to local banks in short term borrowings and the exposure to the capital market.The RMAFC submitted at the hearing: “Records available to the commission from the Debt Management Office (DMO) showed that as at December, 2011 the total external debt stock of all the states (multilateral) stood at $2.165billion, while that of the Federal Government stood at $3.5billion and a domestic stock of N5.622trillion for the Federal Government alone. The commission considers this profile as high.”
Mbam also said that as a result of the huge debt profile, there have been consistent deductions from the allocations of most of the states of the federation for settling external and domestic debts and the bonds. He said that the development was an indication that most of the state governments had collaterised their share of the monthly Federation Account receipts to service debts.Another trend which is worrisome to managers of the nation’s economy is the fact that most of the debts owed banks by states were tied to Irrevocable Standing Payment Orders (ISPOs) issued to the Accountant General of the Federation to deduct directly from their monthly statutory allocations.
Mbam said: “The implication is that these debt overhangs weigh heavily on the monthly allocations due to the states thereby preventing them from meeting their minimum basic obligations to the citizens.According to him, deficit budgeting has become a serious challenge for most states, noting that even though deficit budgeting is tolerable within an acceptable limit, its endless application has endangered and forced the state governments to resort to excessive borrowing in order to meet their basic expenditure demands.He said these excessive borrowings continued even when where the states had obviously no capacity to pay back.
The chairman of RMAFC stated that the consistent demand by the states for their share of the Excess crude revenue account is an indication of the desperate financial position of the state governments to get funds in order to meet costs of governance.He said: “For instance, the sum of $1.5billion was shared in three equal installments from the excess crude account in 2011 alone out of which states received the sum of $400.8million.”
He told the joint committee that between 2009 and 2011 all the states had a gross statutory allocation of N2.66trillion out of which N266.89billion was deducted as total foreign and other loans within the period with varying degrees of effect on the allocations.Mbam noted that noticeable indicators of financial distress in states include the cries by states that they could not pay the new national minimum wage in the face of the task to provide minimum services to the citizenry.
“This is a critical sign that the finances of most states and local governments were unhealthy. Today, most states have not been able to implement the new minimum wage. This challenge has made state executives to call for the review of the Revenue Allocation Formula in favour of states.Equally, they have also called for the removal of fuel subsidy which they also believe would enhance the revenue accruing into the Federation Account and invariably the statutory allocations to their respective states and local governments,” he said.
Mbam, however, recommended that the National and State Assemblies should consider appropriate legislations limiting the total exposure of states to external and domestic borrowing to not more than 20 per cent of their monthly allocations from the Federation Account.In addition, such borrowing should be for economic projects. Furthermore, there should be strict compliance to the relevant provisions of the Borrowing by Public Bodies Act,” he said.
As a way of redressing the obviously parlous state of finances of the states, the Revenue Mobilisation Chairman said that governments at all levels should diversify their economic base in order to enhance internally generated revenue, just as he called for a review of exclusive and concurrent legislative lists in the constitution with respect to the responsibilities of the Federal, States and Local Governments for appropriate revenue allocation.The cost of governance should be reduced drastically by cutting down recurrent expenditure, particularly, the number of aides, ministries, departments, agencies, wastages, etc. There should therefore be more emphasis on capital projects,”
Mbam said, adding that allocations from the excess crude account should be targeted at economic projects that have direct impact on the people while relevant government institutions should be strengthened to effectively monitor and ensure full compliance with the extant laws in the use of public funds.As the Senate is currently awaiting the verdict of the Joint Committee on the way out of the near certain insolvency by the states in the aftermath of the public hearing, some stakeholders are further expanding the frontiers of the argument.
Last month, Senator Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman, Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs also extended the barricades of the argument on the indebtedness of the states when he presented a bill before the Senate seeking to ensure autonomy for local governments in country in view of the grinding poverty staring the states in the face.
Senator Abatemi-Usman said that financial autonomy for local government areas in the country would give room for rapid growth and development at the grass-roots level. Though the bill is a variant of the Constitution amendment bills being put together by the Senate committee on constitution review, Abatemi believed that the urgency of the matter, as a result of the insolvency ravaging the states and the certain determination of the states to drag the local governments into the pit mandated him to present it immediately. What the Senator appeared to be saying was that if the states go down with the local governments tied to their aprons, the fate of national economy itself is in doubt.The senator representing Kogi Central said in the lead debate that the autonomy granted local governments through the 1976 Local Government Reform had been whittled down considerably over the years and that most states of the federation had misinterpret section 7 of the 1999 Constitution to suit their whims. According to him, local governments had been prevented from functioning the way they should due to financial strangulation by the states.
He submitted: “Local governments have, over the years, suffered from the continued whittling down of their powers, and state governments had continued to encroach upon what would normally have been the exclusive preserves of local governments and consequently there has been a divorce between the people and government at their most basic levels.
“There is no gainsaying that the critical roles of local governments have indeed been impaired, in fact, out-rightly subverted because of corruption in some instances by states. In other cases, the process of disbursement of the accruable funds, as allocated from the Federation Account to the respect beneficiary local councils often get grossly abused; while some states deduct certain percentages before the release of the balance, in the name of servicing social amenities and infrastructure, which are non-existent, in most cases, others simply hold on, at will.He declared that the termination of the joint state and local governments’ accounts will help to substantially eradicate the anomaly. The senator stated further that the delay in release of council funds and deductions by the states had become tools in suppressing the efficiency and service delivery by local governments across the country.But all stakeholders know that yanking the local governments off the apron strings of the states would not come as an easy task. The Senate and, indeed, all stakeholders must be on the alert if the idea is to be achieved in that direction.
http://thejuristlaws..co.uk/

…Of Friends and Fiends by Gov.T.A Orji
I was just reminiscenting on how to propagate the above philosophical discourse and play up its prongs of deep seated implications, when I got further motivation and inspiration from this beautiful title track: “Achuzinam” (Stop hunting me) located in Prince Gozie Okeke’s “A cry for mercy”. In that endeavor, he was divinely inspired to overtly appeal to those who were maligning and casting aspersions on his innocent personality to refrain from such, given that his hands are clean and he has always advocated truth, equity, and justice, in his dealings with all and sundry
My persuasion is that Prince Gozie Okeke delivered on the conviction that agents of darkness were bent on derailing his God given vision. That thought provoking rendition widened and broadened my vision on the reality of wickedness making the rounds in our society.I have always had a simple, broad-minded, and convivial approach to life. These derive from a simple back-ground of an only child, protected, pampered and favoured, which constituted my formative years and which I’m proud to brandish.It has always resonated in my dealings with fellow brothers and sisters, irrespective of creed and social strata. A rational explanation for my steadfastness in keeping my retinue of friends made yester years even after destiny mandated me to become my people’s loyal gubernatorial steward.My noble up bringing, dully spiced with integrity and good character motivated our inaugural resolution to make far-reaching and visible difference in the state. We were not unaware of its attendant furor and bickering, to the effect that we want to curry the favor of Abians and become victors while our predecessors are regarded as villains. It snowballed into the incredible and unfortunate era of hi-wired propaganda, malicious falsehood, intricate web-of intrigues and hatred.Some times when I try to recall the initial challenges of our administration and the unimaginable extent people can go with deceit, I shudder in amazement, which is why, I cannot make head or tail of the show of shame recently brought to public domain. Those, whose deadly desire is to plunder the state, were the first to orchestrate the downfall of our administration on the sinking premix that we were not working. But the divine foundation and backing of our administration constantly raised a banner of defense, variously demonstrated in numerous infrastructural flagships dotting the nooks and crannies of Abia State.My fraternal friendliness and brotherly bonds, motivated me to quickly spot Loop holes and political mines likely to undermine or derail the political ambitions of friends even when it was apparent they were being crooked and dangerously desperate. It provided me part of the clean-slate that characterized my eventful stay at Nigeria’s electoral umpire of that time, which mid-wifed the general election of 1999 and later earned me the Chief of Staff position where I was divinely guided to prove my mettle for 8 unscathed years. I can beat my chest to say that if I was a fish brain, my sojourn at the electoral commission from 1996 – 1999 would not have been carried out and the devastating implication would have been that perceived friends and associates who desperately devised means to cheat on electoral qualifications, would have been identified and thoroughly disgraced. Providence produced me to take the risk of stopping their cheating ass, so as not to expose their laughable ignorance. No trailer load of “Toronto certificates” will facilitate your electoral victory, if the people decide not to give you their mandate and neither will the electoral authority, disqualify you, if you satisfy the basic requirements. True to my nature, I saved a situation without making a hue and cry of it and several of it in such manner by simple way of advice and tutelage devoid of tempting aggrandizement. I am not about to blow my trumpet as some people may erroneously interpret, or cast aspersions on those who think they own the world, but it will only be appropriate to reiterate that we should be weary of those who mercilessly strike in the bush and run out to ask who is doing the striking.On assumption of office as the Governor of Abia State, I carried over my obsession for loyalty and made it sacrosanct so much so that I was ready to disown any of my own that dared to advice otherwise. Unfortunately, my loyalty and childish belief in corporate and gentleman agreement as it were, became my albatross save for Gods amazing grace. My initial platform, which we all struggled to build, became a nest for witch-hunting. If in the face of unwarranted criticisms some people still stoutly stood and aligned with you, then something must have obviously endeared you to them. The myopic mindset of our chronic detractors beclouded their sense of reasoning from hooking up with our progressive mind-set. Selfish and parochial interest, which we were not ready to assuage and placate inevitably, made the centre to cave in and today Abia is breathing a sigh of relief. The platform that was intended to be a convocation of brothers and sisters initially anchored on a zeal to deliver the dividends of democracy, metamorphosed into a ring of devourers and mud-slingers: Pious and Angelic by day but devouring blood-suckers by night. My only transgression was anchored on an innocent desire to effectively and responsibly coordinate the affairs of government given that posterity will x-ray our stewardship's. “No body is an island to himself” they say and the veracity or if you like the extent of one’s invincibility can only be exercised by the extent to which people or his followers allow him to continue.This misconception, aptly gives credence to the political delirium of what may be regarded as a conclave of few siblings, whose intolerable abuses and distractions terminated their hitherto enjoyed good will. It reminds us of the biblical king Saul who having abused the throne, kept living on the revelrious illusion that God was still accommodating and condoning his riotous mannerisms.I woke up one morning to the incredulous conspiracy that a government my regarded friends and associates were supposed to be a part of and to naturally promote its interest, is suddenly abdicating from its responsibility of paying workers salaries, among other diatribes. As we were trying to get over it, same friends orchestrated the unpardonable allegation that our administration has been a reception ground for hordes of criminals and societal misfits. Extrapolating in essence, that the government they shared in its construction is not far removed from criminality. What a world of irony? Time and space, may not permit me to chronicle the pro-active interventions made by our administration in the restoration of normalcy in Abia State coupled with the fact that I will only be over-flogging a position that is even known to a visitor in Nigeria. But permit me to aver with every sense of responsibility that if having detractors, gives one the latitude and concentration to build more workers secretariat, like the gigantic two now nearing completion, we welcome it.The power to take stock is essentially the prerogative of God and the people. Enemies will evaporate like a vapor but the legacies we leave will remain green in the minds of the people. These realities have taken away laxity, docility and indifference from our operation to ensure the delivery of the landmark International Conference Centre rapidly being constructed. It was closely followed by the foundation laying ceremony of the new government house Umuahia located at the New Umuahia Layout.We will ride on detractor’s incoherence to give our people more 132/33 KVA power stations similar to if not bigger than the one located at Ohiya in Umuahia south local government area. The more our people are conscripted to blindly pitch tent against us, the more we will respond by increasing health centres from the present 210 to 450 across the length and breath of Abia State and accelerate completion of the on-going kidney dialyses of ophthalmology center at Abia State Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Centre.Our humble and responsible response, will always be to sign more memorandum of understanding with foreign investors to open shop in Abia State, like the Al-Kamali Petroleum Company from Dubai currently at the verge of sitting a petroleum refinery company at Owaza in Ukwa West local government area and a cement factory in Arochukwu L.G.A.We can graciously give thanks to God for the restoration of normalcy, which has made the state a beautiful bride, whose hand of business relationship is sought by various investors, the latest being Global Green Development Group of California USA. The building of new markets to relocate old ones to promote our cherished profession of commerce cannot be overlooked. The recent pockets of distraction in Aba where this administration has finished an overhead crossing at the Aba/Owerri road, the first of its kind in that city to mitigate against the crushing of innocent souls by motorists, which sought to cheapen and politicize the continental and global accolades of our fallen compatriot: Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu is symptomatic of the Biblical reaction of Jesus Christ, when he was innocently vilified. “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” We have since taken it by our stride to avoid the punctuation of on-going and holistic infrastructural concentration in Aba viz; the completion of Aba-Port Harcourt Road, Construction of drainage at Osisioma/NNPC – Ekeakpara road, construction of Ohanku road, Dan-Fodio road, Obikabia old express road, Ukwu mango and others too numerous to mention without bank or bond facility. We do not wish to be insulated from criticism, but a measure of civility and constructive engagements will not be asking for too much. Let it be understood, as I revisited the subject of this endeavour that a man must always stand up to defend his name so as not to suffer extinction which is the meaning of my Igbo name Ahamefule of which I am conscious of. The legacies we are leaving in Abia State is like a volcano which will one day erupt and the mouth that has spoken ill of our stewardship will in no distant time make a reversal.Chief Sam Mbakwe of blessed memory was similarly vilified and irresponsibly castigated in Aba while overseeing the affairs of old Imo State. He retorted by asking the now popular but amusing question, “if Mbakwe does not govern, is it your mother that will govern? But today the same Mbakwe remains a hero of the people. We shall not ask similar questions like Sam Mbakwe, but we shall remain a hero like him. History they say will vindicate the just.

The Federal government has established a national occupational safety and health institute and laboratories in Umuahia, Abia State.At the foundation lying of the Institute, Chief Emeka Nwadiala Wogu, laid the foundation stone for the establishment of the National Occupational Safety, Health Institute and Laboratories at Ekeoba in Umuahia, Abia State.The project was said to be the first in Nigeria and the second in Africa after its establishment in Cairo, Egypt. According to the Minister, the project is part of the Federal Government's commitment to protect Nigerian workers as well as the provision of institutional framework and capacity to make the work environment safe.The project is a departure from talk shops to initiating achievable goal of drastically reducing the rate of fatality that take place in workplace daily. It will also reduce diseases and poor health conditions engendered by undesirable living and working environment common in the country.Prof wants Nigeria’s culture to be harnessed for diplomatic purposes. Nigeria’s High commissioner to Canada, professor Iorwuese Hagher wants Nigeria's culture to be harnessed for diplomatic purposes.Speaking with Radio Nigeria in Makurdi on his return after a seven year diplomatic career in North and Central America, Professor Hagher said, Nigeria had a robust culture and economy that, if properly harnessed, would boost the image of the country outside.He stated that Nigeria was in the forefront of entrenching international peace and harmony and stressed the need for the international community to reciprocate the gesture by being friendly to Nigerians living in their countries.Professor Hagher urged Nigerian leaders to fight corruption, insecurity and impunity, which according to him, was a threat to the country's image.
http://www.radionigeriaibadan.com/fg-establishes-occupational-safety-institute-in-umuahia.

GOVERNOR Theodore Orji has warned against delay in payment of the monthly salaries of local council workers in Abia State over late submission of salary vouchers by some councils.He directed that henceforth, those councils that submit their wage bills within the stipulated time should be paid.The Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs told journalists two weeks ago that the delayed salary payment was due to late submission of wage bills/vouchers by the treasurers of the councils to the auditor general for vetting before the funds are released.
Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Ochi Ochu, while explaining the reason for the delay in the workers’ February 2012 salaries, said by February 28, only nine of the 17 councils had submitted their vouchers, which were supposed to be turned in between 10 and 15 of every month.He added that the funds for the salaries for that month consequently, were not released to the 17 councils but rather paid into the banks, pending when all of them submitted their vouchers and they were vetted.Not satisfied with the explanation, the governor queried non-release of the money to the councils that submitted their vouchers timely, saying “those councils that failed to submit their vouchers should not punish those that did theirs on time. I expected the ministry to have paid those councils that submitted their vouchers so that those that did not would suffer delayed release of their salaries.When the salaries of all the 17 councils are delayed, the council workers would go to town blackmailing and accusing the government of diverting funds meant for their salaries even when the government had made the funds available.http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=81235:orji-warns-against-delay-in-council-workers-salaries&catid=1:national&Itemid=559

WORRIED by the embarrassment caused him by some reports credited to his aides and political appointees, Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State has cautioned them against making claims on his administration’s purported achievements. The governor, in a chat with The Guardian, decried such false claims especially as they were being dished out through the state-owned electronic media.
He said: “I do not claim projects I did not execute or achievements I did not record. The projects I embark upon are visible, both those completed and on-going, including those we have slated to do. Henceforth, any editor of the state radio/television that approves such false claims of my achievements will be frowned at”.He listed some of his on-going projects that are overt as the new state secretariat, international conference centre and new Government House, Umuahia, new Umuahia markets at Ubani-Ibeku and that of timber in Ndume-Ibeku.Others are the dualisation of Umuahia Township roads, diagnostic centres at Aba and Umuahia, including over 260 health centres in various communities across the state.In Aba, he listed pedestrian bridge at the state polytechnic, scooping of major drainage, Ohanku road, the Ukwu Mango road at Ariaria Market, New Motor Park at Osisisoma, among others.According to him, environmental sanitation and refuse disposal are also being executed even as purchasing of trucks for doing so has become a regular monthly exercise despite the state’s lean resources, which he put at about N3.5 billion, adding that salaries were being paid duly.“All these we have done and we are doing without taking any loan or bond even in the face of grave security challenges that we faced and are stilling facing”.He also directed commissioners and political appointees to henceforth take full charge of positions, including enlightening the public on the activities of their ministries.He added: “They should not leave same for me, they ought to be creative and innovative and watch sycophants make frivolous credits to governments on what has not been done”.see links on http://thejuristlaws..co.uk/

A SPEECH DELIVERED BY HIS EXCELLENCY, CHIEF T. A. ORJI (OCHENDO), GOVERNOR ABIA STATE, ON THE OCCASION OF THE FLAG-OFF CEREMONY OF THE OCHENDO DIRECT KEROSENE SALE TO ABIANS.

I am very pleased to be here today, to conduct this simple, but all important ceremony, which heralds the direct sale of kerosene product to Abians, at affordable price. The scarcity of kerosene, and its rare availability, only at very highly inflated prices, has recently become a topic of great concern and worry to our people.This is no doubt, because of the multiple alternative use of kerosene product to our people – especially for cooking in the cities, and also for providing light in many other cases.I am aware of the great pain and sufferings which many Abians are going through, partly as a result of their search for kerosene, and the other over-all impact of the partial removal of fuel subsidy. This is why our Government is now intervening with the Ochendo Direct Kerosene Sales Initiative, so that we can ameliorate the pains and sufferings of our people. We intend to keep doing much-much more in this direction.
I am very much aware of the problems experienced by our citizens in the supply of major petroleum products, including kerosene. The scheme we flag-off today will begin to address these problems, and will initially be available to residents of Umuahia, as a pilot project.It will subsequently be extended to the other 17 Local Government Areas of the State, and in a rotational basis.This scheme, which will be facilitated by the NNPC and Capital Oil & Gas Ltd, have assured us that a total of 56,000 liters of kerosene will be made available for this pilot project. This same quantity of supply will be equally available for distribution to each of the 17 LGAs, when it is their turn.
This direct sales initiative of kerosene to Abians, will certainly not satisfy all the needs of our people, but it is a welcome assistance, and I urge our people to accept this intervention as an on-going enterprise of our Government and the Collaborators, to support the individual households in our State, especially the women that are on the receiving end of the kerosene scarcity.For good measure, every household is assured of the supply of 20 liters of kerosene at the pump price of Fifty Naira, each time the Ochendo Direct Kerosene Sales Tanker, comes calling!
It is my expectation that all those that participate in this scheme, will be very orderly, no round tripping, and put up their best behavior to ensure the success of the entire exercise. Our Government will work closely with the Police and other Security Agencies, to provide adequate security and ensure discipline during this exercise.I must conclude by reminding Abians, that our Government means well for this State, and will not deviate from our pact with the people, in providing honest governance that will be responsive to the yearnings of Abians.We are committed to building a sustainable foundation for the development of our State and for posterity. For your sake and without personal considerations, we will thread where angels fear to go, our concern is to make the future Abia, great indeed!
For this path-breaking venture, we will continue to seek for your support, prayers and patience.
Thank you,and God bless Abia State

Jesus Christ was crucified by his own people, talk-less of an ordinary man. I want to urge u to put in more effort in programs that will impact positively on Abians. While i commend u for ur effort, i pray that God will continue to support u so that @ d end , Abians will realize that u are a true son of Abia state. Long live Ochendo, Gov T. A. Orji, long live the good people of Abia State.God bless and protect u

The Abia State Governor Theodore Orji, has been in the news, joining debate on national policies. He speaks in this interview on the direction of state policy in Abia State in his second term. UGOCHUKWU EKE was at the session.Your colleagues from the North are calling for a change in the revenue sharing formula, do you subscribe to that? Yes, I subscribe to a change in the revenue sharing formula in the country, as it will give more funds to the states and local government areas across the country. Once the revenue formula is changed and more funds come to the various governments, the rate of development will increase How did you tackle kidnapping in the state, because at a time it looked like the state was going to collapse under their threat?Do you need to remind me of that dark period? The security system in the state collapsed and things got very bad as economic activities stopped in the state, but I believe that God used it for us to atone for our sins. Let me use this forum to praise the security agencies that operated in our state at that point in time and special thanks must go Mr President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for the order he gave that made the military to move into the state and the clerics for their powerful prayers that helped to save the state. I want to tell people now that our state is now the safest state in the country and when the history of kidnapping will be written in this country, Abia State will be a case study.It seems that your government does not have the will power to demolish houses in the state to give the state its true aesthetic value?Let me tell you, that my government will not hesitate to demolish any building that is situated on the waterway to save the cities from total collapse, because if the drains are blocked, the roads we have built will not stand the test of time.We have just opened up the big drainage system in Aba that has been blocked for about 20 years and along the line we found out that a church has been built across the drainage, forcing waste water. We have called the owners of the church for a meeting to find a way for water to move into the Aba River, but if there is no way out, the church must be demolished. Also we have the same with the mosque in Aba where people have built stalls on the waterway, when we made efforts to remove the stalls, the Muslim community resisted. We have called their leaders for a meeting as the demolition exercise will not affect their mosque, but only the market stalls around the worship centre.Your government has built about 210 health centers across the state, are they fully equipped to function?I have given directive to all the 17 local government chairmen in the state to ensure that they open up all the health centres, because they have been equipped. It is not only the health centres that we have built, we have built diagnostic centres in Aba and Umuahia while a dialysis centre is being added to the one in Umuahia to stop our people from travelling long distances for such treatment. As we get older, we need such places for our health problems. We are also building more structures for the Abia State University Teaching Hospital at Aba, children centre at Amachara general hospital; we are doing a lot in the health sector and will still do more as I intend to govern healthy people and not dead people.How have you, despite the lean resources of the state, been able to run the administration?The magic is prudent management of our lean resources from the federation account and we make up the rest with internally generated revenue. After paying the workers, whatever is left goes to infrastructural development like roads, building of houses, hospitals. It was bad before now when we used to get just about N2 billion, while our wage bill will take about 90% of what we get from federation account. However, now, we are getting about N3.2 billion and our wage bill is N1.8 billion.When we came on board we were getting quite a small amount from the internally generated revenue, but now we are getting about N350 million every month, which has been helping us to fund some of our projects. Let me use this forum to make it clear to everyone that this administration has never borrowed money from any bank, which is why the national assembly has commended us. We inherited N29 billion debt which we have been servicing, and there are also debts which the past elected local government chairmen incurred and we are also servicing that, including garnishee orders.

Abia state governor Chief Theodore Orji has flagged off the pilot scheme of the direct sale of kerosene to the public at the approved pump price of N50.The initiative which is being facilitated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and capital oil is aimed at alleviating the plight of the Abia populace in the search for kerosene.
Flagging off the scheme at the Umuahia township stadium, the governor said he was aware of the pains Abians go through in the search for kerosene and other petroleum products adding that it was for that reason that his administration is providing the intervention.He said that a total of 56,000 litres of kerosene will be sold to residents of Umuahia and its environs saying that his administration intends to do much more in that regard in the days ahead and hoped that the scheme will address the problems associated with kerosene scarcity.The governor announced that the scheme will be launched in other local governments of the state on rotational basis and urged the people to support the initiative.According to him, the government will work closely with security agencies to ensure discipline during the exercise.He pointed out that his government means well for the people and will continue to provide governance that is responsive to the people of the state.Earlier, Mr. Udechukwu Ohaegbulam of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said the exercise is the pilot scheme and stated that the company is determined to make a change in the state.In comment, Nnanna Egwuonwu of capital oil, a subsidiary of the NNPC pledged to work with NNPC to ensure that people get kerosene at the official pump price of N50 assuring that more products will get to the state after the flag-off.Receiving the governor earlier, the Ag transition committee chairman of Umuahia North LGA,lady Beatrice Ikpendu thanked the governor for the intervention and stated that he has proven by that he has the welfare of the people of the state at heart.

OCHENDO ABIA...EBE IHE DI NMA SI ABIARA ANYI.GA NA IRU.CHUKWU NO GI NA AZU..ANYI NWA KWUSIKWARA IKE NA ASI NA IGA DI OGOLOGO NDU NA IHE OMA GI N'ILE NKE INA EMERE OBODO GI ABIA STATE..ND'EWOOOOO.

Before the creation of Abia State in 1991, the people of Old Bende, Aba and Afikpo, met severally to demand the creation of states out of the old Imo State to cater for their interests and facilitate the development of their rural communities. From the requests made, only ABIA was created from the list they presented at the time. The uproarious celebration that greeted the birth of the State was a manifestation of the eagerness with which the people had desired it.Predictably, the people of the young State set out to build an egalitarian society which in their estimation was to be the envy of other Nigerians. The spirit was high with unrivaled determination to pursue the new dream, especially with the christening of Abia as God’s own State.The founding military administration and successive governments took positive steps to lay good foundation for the development of the State. One would readily recall the enthusiasm with which Abians supported every administration that emerged in the State until fate, dear fate, played an unwholesome game on them. The emergence of a democratically elected government in the State, at Nigeria’s return to democratic governance in 1999, turned out as it were, the people’s albatross. The unsuspecting people of God’s own State found themselves in a quagmire having been deceitfully lured into idol worship by a mastermind that had projected the establishment of a dynasty anchored on Jezebel spirit. Little did Abians understand that their future and those of generations unborn were being handed over to the devil. In the guise of ensuring loyalty and submissiveness, a people got enmeshed in idolatry,-big time. The projection was actually to ensnare the State under the perpetual control of one family. The rest of the people were, somewhat, only to be seen and not to be heard, in a State largely populated by people who are republican in nature. While the people grappled with the trauma of psychological slavery, wondering how and when freedom would come, the mercy of God showed up. In a style reminiscent of what a semi-illiterate farmer once said, “Man e propose, God e propose.” What actually the old farmer had wanted to say was, man proposes God disposes; an age long axiom that conveys man’s dependence on the superior authority of the Almighty Creator to enforce his plans, programmes, desires and will. Going by the old farmer’s standpoint, while one family- mother and son, had sleepless nights planning how to perpetually enslave God’s people, in God’s own State, unknown to them, the Almighty Creator Himself had also planned how to erode their authority and deliver His people from demonism so that they may serve Him, the only power that deserves worship.History has shown that God is always provoked to jealousy whenever a mortal being enslaves fellow men to the point of wanting to extract worship from them. The Holy Bible records that God the Creator commanded all living souls in Exodus 20:3; “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” kJV. In Exodus 34: 14, it is further stated; “For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is jealous, is a jealous God:” KJV. So, whenever man tries to take the place of God in the life of fellow men, the wrath of God is attracted. As it was in times past, so it is even now, that deliverers are sent whenever a people are hoodwinked into pure idolatry, slavery of the soul or hero worship. Among the Jews of old who had spent about 430years in bondage in Egypt, God sent Moses to set them free and lead them to a land of promise that they might be free to serve the LORD. When Moses aired along the way, he was replaced with Joshua. God has never lacked men to execute His will.In Abia State, with the rate of apostasy among politicians that had almost reached an embarrassing height in 21st century Nigeria, God’s intervention brought in Chief T. A. Orji to fight idol worship in various forms and lead the people to safety, that they might be genuinely productive and serve the only true God-the creator of the universe. Certainly, that is by no means a simple assignment, as it has never been with similar tasks in times past. Those who have had a measure of experience in spiritual warfare would appreciate the magnitude of such assignments. They would agree that such a mission would amount to engaging hungry lions in their den and at the same time ensure that they are defeated. It is no mean task deflating the strength of ravenous wolves. Expectedly, the battle for the soul of Abia State has been ferocious. Those who had enslaved the people for about 12years are unrelenting in their quest to regain control of the State. They have employed all manners of diversionary stunts to see if the deliverer of Abians will be distracted. The irresponsible behaviour exhibited by a rented crowed at the Enyimba Sports Stadium, Aba, on Tuesday, February 28, during a funeral ceremony organized by the Abia State Government to honour late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, was one of such condemnable affronts hatched by haters of progress in Abia to divert attention. That has been the situation in God’s own State since Governor T. A. Orji took up the mantle of leadership.The enormity of the challenges notwithstanding, this man of destiny has continued to wax stronger with each phase of his assignment. The strength made available to him confirms God’s word in Numbers 23: 19, it states, “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” KJV. God’s promises and instructions are firm. God has never abandoned anyone He chooses for a task. Man could fail but God’s call is without repentance or regret. It becomes imperative therefore for people to understand that opposing a man appointed by God for a task, would mean direct affront to God.The level of development that Abia State has experienced since Governor T. A. Orji assumed leadership of the State, eloquently testify of his determination to remain focused in pleasing God who called and chose him for this service. The transformation the State has received in the areas of security; healthcare delivery; housing; urban and rural roads construction and rehabilitation; education; workers welfare and the general wellbeing of the people, is quite unprecedented.I would like to invite Nigerians who had witnessed the eyesore that roads and streets within Umuahia capital development area and environs were a couple of years back, to visit the city now and see for themselves the transformation that has taken place. Aba, the Enyimba city, the commercial hub of Eastern Nigeria, was for many years neglected and abandoned by previous administrations that governed the State. In all honesty, the rot in Aba which was heightened by the careless and lawless attitude of some residents of the city who violated laid down urban development laws and basic principles of environmental decency, by building houses on drainage channels and water ways, converting every available land space to markets, indiscriminate dumping of refuse and sewage in drainage channels, blocking major roads and streets including highways with unserviceable vehicles among many other indecent behaviour that characterized the ugly scene that Aba was for many years, would rattle even renowned world leaders and experts in environmental management.Today, the story in Aba is fast changing, but some of those who love to live in swamps like pigs are resenting the changes which Governor T. A. Orji has brought to Enyimba city in order to restore sanity to the once clean and well laid out city. Going by the words of John Brademas, a famous US Congressman, that “Leadership can be summed up in two words: intelligence and integrity or to use two synonyms: competence and character,” one can boldly posit that God truly brought Chief T. A. Orji to the right place at the right time, otherwise, Abia may have been irredeemable.
A Daniel is indeed here to judgment in God’s own State.

Governor Theodore Ahamefule Orji of Abia State has fought many political battles since he assumed office in 2007. Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu, in this report, wonders if he is a vision less governor, as some of his bitterest critics would say, or a misunderstood innovator, grappling with the task of leaving an enduring legacy. Until May 29, 2011, when Governor Theodore Orji-led Abia State government organized a grand 20 years anniversary of God’s own State and used the opportunity to showcase some of its achievements in the state, reports of kidnappings and general insecurity had led many observers to overlook the governor’s vision and leadership capabilities.Though he rose up to the occasion and, with the aid of the Joint Military Task Force, tackled the ugly problem effectively, it seems his critics have either resolved not to allow him any credit or are deliberately painting his administration’s activities in black for some political reasons. As a result, the governor has continued to be associated with one controversy after the other, the latest being the report that angry youths actually pelted him with pure water in Aba Township Stadium during the lying in state of the late Igbo leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. A source close to Umuahia Government House alleged that the state government has embarked on many life changing projects but has been painted black always by a powerful political clique in the state which has sworn that the governor would never succeed. The source, a top civil servant, who pleaded not to be named, said the problem was that the governor do not ordinarily like to blow his trumpet. “It is for this reason that his political rivals have consistently tried to discredit him, in-spite of his contributions,” he said. He also confided that it was for that reason that some top government officials and politicians advised the governor to organize the 20th anniversary of the state the way it was organised. “We felt he needed to show the world what he had done,”he said. It would be recalled that some of the major projects that the government celebrated during the anniversary included housing estates in Umuahia, like that of Iseke, Amauba phase one and Amaokwe. Many of such housing estates have also been constructed in Aba, the commercial nerve center of the east.Our investigation confirms that after tackling the kidnapping menace, which gave the state its worst media image, Orji has paid more attention to construction of roads, especially in Aba. Recently, he reportedly released N2.5 Billion to road contractors.He also undertook to construct some of the federal roads leading to Aba, like the ABA-Owerri road, whose cost was put at over N5 billion.Another important thing Orji has done in the commercial city of Aba is in the area of environmental control. Few years ago, Aba was considered the dirtiest city in the country. Residents, who spoke to us, said it is no longer so. “The Refuge Disposal Unit is doing very well in Aba and Umuahia. Today, if you go to Umuahia, the streets are swept. There are people, cleaners who are there on daily basis. Bins are provided for people to drop their wastes. And the same is happening here in Aba,” Udeagha Ubagha, a business executive told The Nation, adding that this was a sign of great things to come. “I think the governor has long term initiative. So, I suspect most of his critics are looking at short term developments,” he said.Ubagha said other areas that Orji has made impact include education, medicare, transportation, and agriculture. According to him, “under the governor subventions were increased for tertiary institutions in the state.On the area of medicare, he said, “free medical scheme that was introduced by former governor Kalu is still very much on course.However, Dr. Kingsley Ihioma, a medical practitioner in Aba insists that most of the projects being celebrated today by the government are still on paper. “If you are living in Abia, you would understand the type of politics we play here. 70 percent of these projects you are referring to are still on paper and in the minds of government officials. We are yet to see them,”he said.But according to Chief Onyekwere Uko, a lawyer in Umuahia, “Orji may have done better in the political revolutions he has brought about in Abia State. “Beyond physical development, Orji has tried to renew the social and political reality of Abia State. I can tell you that the claim of political liberation is true,” he said. It would be recalled that as part of her campaign for last April’s general election, the governor’s wife, Mrs. Mercy Odochi Orji, campaigned that the governor’s decision to join PDP was in the interest of Abia State. “Abians should not allow themselves to be deceived because they have seen what happened before when the state was in the opposition, and what has happened since the state joined the Federal Government. All those things that we have been missing have started coming back,” she said.However, because some of the referred benefits are yet to manifest physically, neutral observers to the politics of Abia State are today wondering if Orji is the state’s real albatross or a misunderstood silent reformer. Time will tell.

abia state is more better than anambra state. in terms of development and good roads.

Abia state Government has said the criticism against the state Governor are unfounded as Governor T.A Orji has embarked upon massive projects aimed at giving a face-lift to the state.The Government through the Press Secretary to the Governor, Ugochuwkwu Emezue said Governor Orji has placed heavy emphasis on Aba and its environ and has spent over N5 Billion on road projects in the commercial city.Abia state governor Chief T. A. Orji has vowed to transform Abia state with special emphasis on Aba.But Prince Nnanna Ukaegbu, the Chairman of APGA in the state, said roads have been completely abandoned by the state government.These are factual issues. Debunking the claims through a press statement is not enough to convince the people. If they are serious, let them assemble a media team who will tour the roads and come up with a true picture of the situation of roads in Aba,” Ukaegbu said.Emezue who supplied pictures of copmpleted and on-going road projects in Aba and other parts of the State said “in the past few months this governor no longer sits in his office, he is busy at the sites supervising these projects to ensure that contractors are doing their jobs to specification.Right now the governor has spent over five billion naira in Aba alone on road projects. Some of the roads include Aba Owerri, a federal road rehabilitated by the governor. Everybody in Aba knows the state of this road before it was rehabilitated by Ochendo’s government.lso faulks road has been reconstructed such that those going to Ariaria can now heave a sigh of relief. Ukwumango which used to link Portharcourt express road to Ariaria market which had been impassable, is being worked upon, in fact many say that making this road passable again is one of Ochendo's gift to Aba people. In a matter of weeks the road will be asphalted. Other roads are Ohanku road, Ama ikonnne, Ama Ogbonna road.Aba alone is witnessing the construction and rehabilitation of over 33 roads; most of these roads are nearing completion.In Aba the Governor has constructed an over head bridge at Abia poly to ensure that the students are protected. At the entrance of Aba, the usual chaotic nature at osisoma junction, has given way to a lush green park, which is part of Ochendo's beautification of Aba.The governor is also constructing a new motor park at Osisioma.In Abia state university teaching hospital an ultra modern theater hall is being built for the student doctors, while a high court building is under construction in Aba.In umuahia the governor is building new roads and rehabilitating old ones. Bende road, which is a federal road, is being dualized. Ubakala road which is a federal road has been dualized, Ossah road, a federal road was commissioned by president jonathan few months ago. Other roads are ohafia road,ozuabam road, Amuzukwu road which has been commissioned. Okwoyi road, ochendo by pass at new Umuahia has been completed. In isikwuato, the Nuya road is almost nearing completion. Just to mention few.In health, the governor has built two diagnostic centers one in Umuahia and one in Aba recently commissioned by Jonathan. The governor has built 210 health centers across the state.In housing we have the Amaokwe and Isieke housing estates.A new secretarial for Abia workers is at the roofing level, while an international conference center, a new government house, and a high court building are under construction in Umuahia.”

African Development Bank (ADB) has expressed its readiness to partner with Abia State Government on rural development. Resident Representative of the bank in Nigeria, Mr. Ousmane Dore stated this in Abuja during a parley with Abia State Governor Chief T. A. Orji.The ADB Chief hinted that the bank is ready to offer assistance in such areas as agriculture, health and water resources. Mr. Dore whopromised to be in Abia soon, commended Governor Orji for focusing on
those sectors that impact the masses positively. In a statement, the Chief Press Secretary Ugochukwu Emezue said that Chief T. A. Orji pointed out that Abia State is blessed with a lot of natural resources that can be harnessed for the good of the citizens ,especially in oil and gas. Chief Orji stated that ADB can assist the state in agriculture, health, housing, education , provision of waterespecially in aba, rural development and roads.The Governor maintained that Abia is safe for investment.

Political opponents of Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State gave him a hard tackle at Aba Township Stadium during the lying in state of late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.As the governor was acknowledging cheers from the people, some elements in the crowd pelted him with sachets of water.Since that ugly incident, tongues have been wagging. While his political opponents insisted that the development was a confirmation of the governor’s dwindling popularity, sources close to the state government said it has been ascertained that it was the handiwork of political enemies of the governor.Orji has been involved in many political battles since he assumed the office of governor in Umuahia, especially political battles with his predecessor, Orji Uzor Kalu. Is this a flag-off of a fresh battle or just another unfortunate incidence?

gov.T.a orji has embark on massive rehabilitation and construction of roads in Aba .i think in a due tym he will he will accomplish his goals .

The Federal Government on Thursday summoned governors of the South-South zone including those of Imo and Abia to a meeting to address security challenges facing power projects in their domains.The Vice President, Alhaji Namadi Sambo, summoned the governors at the 21st Board Meeting of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.He said that the proposed meeting would also discuss issues relating to problems associated with the right of ways and the need for timely delivery of power projects in their respective states.Sambo frowned at the poor performance of contractors handling power transmission projects across the country.He warned that the contract of any company which could not reach 50 per cent completion by June would be terminated and given to another company that would deliver.The Vice President further directed the management of NDPHC to make a list of delinquent contractors and consultants, and sanction them if their projects were not completed by the end of the year.
He noted the current low supply in gas and urged the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mr Austin Onivon and the Managing Director, National Gas Company of Nigeria to work with Chevron and all other oil companies to ensure availability of gas.Sambo said that this would enable government to meet the target of the programme for power delivery to the nation.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the board also approved some of the requests made by the management of NDPHC.The requests included the payment of ``P. B. Power/Jiyoda invoices’’ transferred by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to NDPHC in respect of project consultancy services for the construction of Alaoji Phase 1 power plant.The board also approved the Interim Operations and Maintenance Services for the 451MW Sapele Power Station in favour of Messrs Marubeni Corporation and Oloronsogo Power Station.It warned that it would no longer approve any new projects and that the NDPHC must concentrate on urgent delivery of existing contracts. (NAN)

Eight police officers of the Abia State Command are undergoing trial for allegedly disregarding the Acting Inspector General’s order banning police from mounting check-points and individual patrolling on highways.

The officers were caught by the AIG’s monitoring team while visiting commands to ascertain compliance with directives on illegal detention and long detention without trial.

In response, the State Police Commissioner, Bala Hassan insists that his Command has fully complied with the acting IGP Mohammed Abubakar’s directive, saying that the AIG’s directive did not imply that policemen should not be seen on the roads.

In his words, “It is not true that there should be no police patrol on the roads. Only roadblocks are banned, vehicular and foot patrols are not affected”. https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria?action=post;board=20.0

Following the publication of a patently false story against her by POINTBLANK NEWS, an online news medium, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has sued the medium for N10 billion.
The minister is claiming the amount against POINTBLANK NEWS COMMUNICATIONS INC. and its directors – Jackson Ude and Churchill Umoren – as general damages for libel and the same amount as exemplary and aggravated damages for libel.
The suit is with regard to a news story titled “Okonjo-Iweala buys N1.2 billion Abuja mansion!”published on January 10, 2012 which, among other false claims, alleged that the Minister purchased the “mansion” from Chief Fabian Nworah, owner of EFAB Properties Ltd in November 2011.
In response to a rebuttal issued by the minister’s office, POINTBLANK NEWS responded that it had “overwhelming evidence to prove that she owns the mansion but if she insists we are wrong she knows where to seek redress”.
Chief Nworah issued a statement in which he denied that he or his company sold the alleged property – No 3 Nworah Street, Off Gana Street, Maitama, Abuja – or any other property to Dr Okonjo-Iweala. He added for emphasis that the property described in the story was in fact still available for purchase at the time the story was published.
In the statement signed by Chief Nworah: “It is a fact that we have properties for sale but nonehas been sold as at today – January 11, 2012. We are still looking for buyers and we want to say categorically that we did not sell any of the houses to Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.”
In confirmation that its intent was malicious rather than professional, POINTBLANK NEWS refused to retract its story and in fact continued to prominently display the egregious falsehood on its website, in defiance of all standards of professionalism and decency. http://africanheraldexpress.com/blog7/2012/03/07/okonjo-iweala-sues-pointblank-news-for-n10-billion/

Ndigbo in Lagos and Benin Republic have commended Chief Theodore Orji
for the impressive role he played in the burial of Late Ikemba of
Nnewi Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu.
Chief Emeka Ezimako who led Ndigbo in Benin Republic and Chief
Ikemefula Johnson leading various Igbo groups in Lagos to receive the
Governor at Lagos Airport told Abia number one citizen that they
watched with keen interest how he criss-crossed the country from
Zungeru to Nnewi to ensure that Ojukwu was given a befitting burial.
They patted the Governor on the back for ensuring that Aba stood still
for Ikemba despite all odds.  They urged the Governor not to be
distracted by the antics of a few people who do not want Abia to move
forward.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary Ugochukwu Emezue,
the Governor thanked the mammoth crowd for the warm reception given
him.  The Governor who thanked President Jonathan for  honouring
Ojukwu in death applauded Abians For trooping to Enyimba Stadium to
pay their last respect to Eze Igbo gburugburu.
Gov. Orji once again used the opportunity to call on Ndigbo to be more
united and hold unto those ideals Ojukwu stood for. He assured them
that no amount of distraction from the opposition will stop him from
transforming the State in all sectors. He called for their prayers and
support always.see links http://www.abiastate.gov.ng/2012/03/ndigbo-in-lagos-and-benin-republic-have-commended-gov-ta-orji/

GOV. T.a Orji has show a sign of discipline to his administration aids by suspending the T.C chairman and the commisioners for inadequate compliance in discharging thier duties. that means is a way forward to abia state

Governor TA Orji has commiserated with the family of Mr James Iroha, over the death of the late Actor popularly known as Gringory
Governor TA Orji has commiserated with the family of Mr James Iroha, over the death of the late Actor popularly known as Gringory
Abia State Governor Chief Theodore Orji has commiserated with the
family of James Iroha, over the death of the Late Actor popularly
known as “Gringory” of the New Masquerade Fame.
In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary Ugochukwu Emezue, Chief
Orji described the exit of the humour merchant as a painful loss to
Abia, Ndigbo and Nigeria. Chief Orji recalled with nostalgia the role
Gringory played in the New Masquerade, which can be described as
highly, entertaining and educating.
Governor Orji maintained that the Late Abia-born Actor used the New Masquerade to correct some ills of the society.
Chief Orji urged the family of the departed to bear the loss with
fortitude, bearing in mind that Late James Iroha lived a selfless life
serving mankind and God. He reminded them that it is God that gives
and takes life as such they should look up to God in this trying
moment. He prayed God to give the departed rest.
UGOCHUKWU EMEZUE
Chief Press Secretary
see links for more nfo.http://www.abiastate.gov.ng/2012/03/governor-ta-orji-has-commiserated-with-the-family-of-mr-james

Massive turnaround in Abia State



THERE is no doubt that a new wind of change is blowing through Abia State. Statisticians, economists, political commentators and conservative chroniclers can attest to this as it could be seen from all sides of the prism.

THERE is no doubt that a new wind of change is blowing through Abia State. Statisticians, economists, political commentators and conservative chroniclers can attest to this as it could be seen from all sides of the prism.

According to Jack Welch: ‘Genuine leadership comes from equality of your ability to spark others to extraordinary performance’.

This is true of Abia State, where Governor T.A. Orji has united all the sectors and sections in peaceful coexistence. For the first time, Abia is speaking with one voice, banishing the soubriquets of ‘Abuja politicians’ and ‘Talibans’. The Onyema Ugochukwus, Ike Nwachukwus, Elder Adelu, Ojo Maduekwe, Vincent Ogbulafor, to mention but a few, all drink and dine in the same banquet.

A critical scrutiny of governance in Abia will show that every quarter of the year unveils new deals and showcases projects that beef up the social indices. A few examples will suffice: roads in Abia are into a constant change for the better.

Road construction firms have been mobilised with billions of naira for the second time to ensure that they meet up their target before the rainy season.

Construction works at the new secretariat that will accommodate some off campus ministries and the International Conference Centre with over 2,000 seating capacity are going on day and night.

A more edifying Government House has been initiated, indicating that Governor Orji is intent on breaking away from the ugly past of dormancy, squash buckling and blowing of hot air without substance.

Abians are enjoying an ambience of relative security as violent kidnapping and daredevil robberies that forced banks to close are now history.

Appointment of commissioners and transition chairmen went through the credible of stakeholders, political and traditional leaders, yielding ultra-filtration kind of result of high mark in educational qualification and professionalism.

Even in the transitional council, every ward is represented: some of the founding fathers who still enjoy good health like Eze Ogo and Dr. Anagha Ezikpe are still playing roles as we draw from their rich experiences in confronting new challenges.

The wind of protests and strikes which harassed most of the states evaded Abia as the governor pays the minimum wage with some extra that makes maximum impact.

Recently, 21 permanent secretaries were appointed, consequently injecting new blood in the job and heightening the morale, thereby dealing a deadly blow on stagnation syndrome that dampened the spirit of service and delivery.

In sports, Abia is not wanting as Eyimba is adjudged the best, as they are six-time league winners, two-time African champions and presently representing Nigeria in a continental soccer. Abia Comets have also been promoted to join Abia Warriors in the national league.

Bursary and scholarships have also been introduced in education where primary and secondary schools are tuition-free. Structural policy reforms are in place while classrooms and new buildings are sprouting up like mushrooms by the Micah Onyebuchi-led ASUBEB. These are replete in Commerce, Agriculture, Transport and Works ministries.

Health delivery, one of the most important aspects of life, has improved with over 200 health centres dotting the medical landscape of the state. The Mecure Diagnostic Centre, a robust partnership with Indians, has witnessed an upsurge of patients from the neighbouring states of Akwa-Ibom, Rivers, Ebonyi and Cross River.

The specialist hospital next door offers an array of specialist services and compares favourably with others in Abuja and Lagos, so much that professionals in the Diaspora are eager for partnership and collaboration. Just recently, dialyses centres are under construction, ready to beef up the old ones installed in 2007.

Amachara Hospital has been upgraded with a specialist paediatric department. Right at the premises, buildings are sprouting up to house staff and doctors.

In the Commissioners Quarters at Ogurube Layout, more buildings are under construction to house more commissioners who are living off quarters. What a change and great expectations. At the national level, Abians are holding their own with favourable appointments.

Chief Emeka Nwogu of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of Finance are two time ministers, superintending strategic positions in the country. They are daily in the news and are spotlight personalities.

Ndigbo have got some reckoning with Abia sons and daughters holding top military and para-military positions in the persons of Gen. Azubike Ihejirika, Air Vice Marshal Onyemobi, Rear Admiral Ajonu and Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Services, Mrs. Rose Chinyere Uzoma.

The high point is that all claims can be identified in the map of Abia. Have we had it so good before? We can go on and on. Certainly, things are turning around and you know why, for this are foretold. Proverbs Chapter 29 verse 2 says that ‘when the righteous are on the throne, the people rejoice.see links on http://thejuristlaws..com/

I think T.a orji deserve to b praise and nt to b blackmailed for d befitting funeral given to our hero Dim Ojukwu. In Abia state, i think is a respect n honour 4 we d Abians.

The Supreme Court tomorrow deliver its judgment in the appeal brought before it by a Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP], Chief Ikechi Emenike against the election of Governor Theordore Orji of Abia.
The substantive appeal is against the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which upheld the candidacy of Governor Theodore Orji of another faction as the authentic standard bearer of the party in the April general election.

Chief Emenike has approached the apex court to set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal affirming the decision of Justice Gabriel Kolawole of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, which declared Governor Theordore Orji as the authentic standard bearer of PDP in the State for the April 2011 general elections.

Describing the judgment as erroneous and an injustice, Emenike urged the Supreme Court to set it aside and declare his client as the elected candidate for the governorship position.

The appellant as plaintiff at the trial court instituted the suit based on section 87 [9] of the Electoral Act, 2010 [as amended], claiming that he and not Governor Orji was the rightful standard bearer of the PDP to contest the April 16, 2011 general elections in Abia State.

It was his position that he was the dully elected candidate at the appropriate primaries conducted by the state congress of Abia State on January 10, 2011 and that the incumbent governor was not a member of the PDP at the material time and should never have been put forward as the successful candidate at the primaries.
Besides, the Court of Appeal held that the purported election of December 2010 was conducted in contempt of a pending suit touching upon it and an application for interlocutory injunction pending in the suit.
In his appeal before the apex court, Emenike urged the court to upturn the two judgments on the grounds that Governor Orji was not a member of the PDP at the time to this case, as he was at that time the Executive Governor of Abia State elected as a member of the Progressive Peoples Alliance [PPA].

At the trial court, Justice Gabriel Kolawole dismissed the suit and held that Governor Orji dully emerged at the proper primaries as the PDP governorship candidate for Abia State.
Besides, the Court of Appeal held that the purported election of December 2010 was conducted in contempt of a pending suit touching upon it and an application for interlocutory.

In his appeal before the apex court, Emenike urged the court to upturn the two judgments on the ground that Governor Orji was not a member of the PDP at that time.see link on http://sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2012/feb/27/national-27-02-2012-011.html

Unmasking The "Kingpin Of Blackmailer" at Pointblanknews.com-Jackson Ude

Swindles Mrs Oyindamola Amuka(Vanguard Publishers Wife) of £20,000.00
Targets politician with blackmail
Religious leaders on his hit list
A specialist in make believe tittle-tattle
Has no visible means of income but lives large on blackmail money

“Hurray! The publishers and editors of www.pointblanknews.com have accepted at last, that they lied in their concoction of a court report … How many more admissions of malicious errors do the unsuspecting, reading public expect from these offshore hawkers of malicious falsehood?

The fact of the existence of www.pointblanknews.com is that they are a conceited medium of deceit, extortion and blackmail.
The blackmailers are many, on assignment for www.pointblanknews.com. If you pay up when they hit you the first time, they withdraw. If you play hard to get, they pummel you till they break you. Not all their victims had the benefit of a right of reply …,
Facelessness, they argued, is good for blackmail business at www.pointblanknews.com. They hide their identity to avoid taking responsibility for their actions,
But the blackmailers at www.pointblanknews.com are impatient with the law, the court and due process. They have no confidence in the police. Maybe not in the court also.
They are the investigating officers. They are the prosecutor. They are the witnesses. They are the jury. Everybody is guilty on their blog site. They take over the court and give judgment. They intimidate everybody to tow their line.”
Vanguard Editorial June 8, 2009
- www.pointblanknews.com: Dealing with online character assassins click on the link below to read the Vanguard Newspaper Editorial (http://www.vanguardngr.com/2009/06/editorial-wwwpointblanknewscom-dealing-withonline-%e2%80%9ccharacter-assassins%e2%80%9d/ )
Vanguard Newspaper Editorial of June 8,2009 was devoted to exposing the nefarious activities of Pointblanknews.com as a den of blackmailers. As at the time of writing the above quoted editorial, vanguard newspaper could hardly establish the true identity of the blackmailer piloting the affairs of pointblanknews.com. The fellow behind the make believe ritual killing allegation against Mrs. Oyindamola Amuka, wife of (Vanguard publisher Mr. Sam Amuka) was Jackson Ude Editor in Chief /Publisher of Pointblanknews.com. Today as we write he is out to increase the list of his victim, this explains whyBlackmailerBuster.com (BB NEWS) is out to expose to the reading public the wiles of Jackson Ude.


Different look of the “kingpin of blackmailers” at pointblanknews.com – Jackson Ude ; has no visible means of income, lives large on loot made from blackmail

The whole scam to swindle Mrs. Oyindamola Amuka, was blown open by her courageous husband Mr. Sam Amuka, publisher of vanguard newspaper who refused to be sucked in by pointblanknews.com agent Steve Chinua-Ogwu, a self acclaimed freelance journalist that was reportedly sacked from Nigerian police for theft.
According to police report tendered at the Ikeja magistrate court 19, tagged “The police report on 419 case by Steve Chunuwa Ogwu, friend of Giwa-Amu and agent of www.pointblanknews.com” . Conflict over the sharing formula of four million naira(about $26,000) initially collected from Mrs. Amuka prompted Steven Chunuwa-Ogwu to visit Mr Amuka with the “make belief ritual pictures” demanding for money not to publish it in pointblanknews.com.
Since Amuka had no skeleton in his cupboard and knowing his wife so well, decided to promptly report the incidence to the police near his vanguard office and Police investigation was later to revealed to the court that:-
“The fraudsters took Mrs. A Oyin through stage-managed ritual murder processes in search of the spiritual solution for her son’s illness at a shrine (mud house) in a bush at Igbolu area of Iyede, Ikorodu, Lagos.
The photographs taken at the scene were later given special effects falsely presenting Oyin as having been involved in ritual murder. One of the pictures was a headless body of a young man while the other is a bodiless head”
Vanguard Newspaper June 8,2009 click the link below:
(http://www.vanguardngr.com/2009/06/the-lies-of-wwwpointblanknewscom-police-report-on-blackmailer-steve-chinuwa-ogwu-and-others/)
The said crime was committed with the active connivance of some police officers who were later arrested and tried, some of the affected officers refunded in part or all their own share of the N4million. The use of some unscrupulous police officer is key strategy of pointblanknews.com blackmail gambit it re-echoes in all cases investigated against them.
However, before the Nigerian police charged the case to court pointblanknews.com, the propaganda arm of the blackmailers was busy dishing out all manner of falsehood in serialized publication aimed at giving cloak of truth to the whole blackmail. In one of the publication (http://www.pointblanknews.com/os1765.html ).To make the reading public believe the doctored pictures they were told that: “The pictures are already being authenticated by forensic and photographic experts contacted by Pointblanknews.com at the John Jay’s College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, CUNY. Several other Forensic experts have also expressed interest in assisting the Court in working on the case.
Moreover, the truth came to fore in the court room, when the same head that was purportedly severed in the picture was speaking in Ikeja magistrate court. He was Muyideen Alayande the son of Alhaji Rasheed Alayande one the 419ners arrested in connection with the staging of ritual killing with the aim of duping that pointblanknews.com was actively involved in. See vanguard January 21,2010, click on the link below:
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/01/my-father-lied-i-was-never-killed-muyideen-alayande-tells-court/
Pointblanknews.com , tried to no avail to misrepresent the court proceeding because they were one of the beneficiary of the scam. While they threaten the life of Mrs Amuka ,they had temporary victory, the poor woman parted with N4million naira and had to fled to London for safety. While Mrs Amuka was in London a former ally (name withheld) confided inBlackmailerBuster (BB NEWS), that Jackson ude coordinated the plan to threaten and collect £20,000.00 from her.
Nevertheless, but for the audacity of Mr Sam Amuka to challenge this blackmailer, most gullible Nigerians would have concluded that this is yet another typical ritual murder to keep the rich on the ladder of wealth. Merely looking at the doctored picture


Steve Chinua-Ogwu, Agent of pointblanknews.com in handcuffs arrive at Ikeja Magistrate Court

The Publisher of Vanguard Newspaper Mr Sam Amuka’s court statement Vanguard July 24, 2009 http://www.vanguardngr.com/2009/07/how-steve-chinua-ogwu-scandalised-me-by-amuka/
Mrs Amuka statement in court – Vanguard Newspaper July 28, 2009http://www.vanguardngr.com/2009/07/how-i-was-duped-of-n4m-mrs-amuka/
Despite the arrest and prosecution of the agent of pointblanknews.com Steve Chinua-Ogwu the outfit has continously perfect ways to continue to ply its trade of blackmail. The website mainly copy and embellish news from most on-line newspapers/forums in Nigeria and abroad. Within this contest it hatches its blackmail plot. Their key strategy for every of their victim has a recurrent theme: Smear Campaign, Use of fake journalist to demand for money, plotting a make believe scandal, use of civil society organization to deepen public perception in fovour of their blackmail.
Their list of target of pointblanknews.com for extortion include politicians, religious leaders and successful business people. It is curious to note that apart from Mrs Oyindamola Amuka and Sam Amuka , this fellow tried to swindle Abia state by continuous publication of negative story on the state . When that did not yield that desired result since the govonor did not give in to their proposal, they reverted to demonizing the governor’s son Engr. Chinedu Orji with all manner of fictitious stories. In one account, the public were deliberately misinformed that Engr. Orji was involved in a brawl with military personnel and got severely beaten and flown abroad at a time the governors son was very much in the state going about his quite life and routine. Unfortunately for pointblanknews.com the whole story lost its steam when they attempted to link the governor'son with another story of kidnap as revenge for the fracas he had with the military personnel.
When Engr Chinedu Orji refused to give in to the demand by pointblanknews.com to pay N50 million naira so that they would stop further publication of their fiction, the publisher and Editor in-chief of this organ of blackmail Jackson Ude went to town with yet another story that the governor's son was threatening him as a way of currying public sympathy for his blackmail venture . The saving grace for Engr Chinedu Orji is that he is not a social freak, lives a very quite life, doesnt crave for attention or meddle into Abia State matters. For eight years that his father was the Chief of staff he was never known for running any ring of influence even in the first four years of his father as a governor he was little known. At the twilight of the first tenure of his father when Orji Uzu Kalu and mother Excellency (Orji Uzu Kalu mother), vowed to stop his return to government house that Engr Orji took up the gauntlet, led a vibrant campaign that forced the self acclaimed master strategist to kiss the dust. After the victory Engr Orji returned to his quite life.

In the same Abia Jackson Ude, flagged off yet another plot of blackmail to get money and wrestle power from Honourable Nkeiruka Onyejeocha who represents his Federal constituency Umunneochi/Isiukwuato in the national assembly . Under the caption “REP MEMBER IN EXAM SCANDAL, Hires Aide to Write NABTEB Exams” started the hit on Honourable Nkeiruka Onyejeocha and sent several of the fake journalist after her for money and when she refused to pick strange calls. Jackson Ude complained bitterly on his site that she was avoiding calls from journalists. The story is part of the grand design to rubbish the impeccable credibility of Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha before the race for the converted seat for the house of representatives, that for now appear to be the exclusive right of this vibrant legislator who heads the house committee on aviation. The towering profile of Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha and her acceptability among women, youths and community leaders in her constituency has been a source of concern to Jackson Ude and his co-travelers.
A former ally (name withheld) of the Jackson Ude informed BlackmailerBuster.com (BB NEWS) that , Jackson Ude and his gang went ahead to register for NABTEP examination using one of her public outing pictures with canopy . After posting absent for her severally, they invited the Personal Assistant (PA) to Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha who is based in her village (as a mobiliser) that she has a message for her boss. On getting to the scene, she drove into the ambush of police and other media people that have been prepared for the plot. With the plot concluded Jackson Ude broadcasted it online using pointblanknews.com and consistently work to hoodwink other media outfit to publishing it. Same strategy they employed for Mrs Oyindamola Amuka(Vanguard Publishers Wife)
The list of Jackson Ude’s target is expanding from business people to politicians and religious leaders his former ally reveal to BlackmailerBuster.com (BB NEWS) ,he is always after those who will want to avoid scandal at all cost. We only hope all his victim will show the kind of courage displayed by Mr. Sam Amuka(The publisher of Vanguard Newspaper). see links on http://thejuristlaws..com/