I LAID A FRESH FOUNDATION FOR ABIA- GOV.T.A ORJI OF ABIA STATE

THE administration in Umuahia says it is the beginning of a new dawn. The opposition, however, disagrees noting that nothing has significantly changed. Even where there are changes some say that Governor Theodore Orji could only be doing what he was elected to do.

Governor Orji nevertheless agrees even with his worst critics that his performance in his first term was nothing to write home about. It is as such not surprising that administration officials are proclaiming a new dawn in the infrastructure landscape of the state in his second term. In his first term the state was comatose, security was virtually absent.

Criminal elements, particularly, kidnappers almost over ran the state. Besides, his first term was embroiled in controversy and crisis. Litigation against his victory in the 2007 elections lingered for close to three years of the four year tenure.

Again, Orji confessed that he and the wealth of the state were held in complete bondage allegedly by his estranged political mentors. For this, he said that funds meant for the development of the state were allegedly diverted to other areas to serve personal and family problems, to the neglect of the state issues and problems. In his second lap Orji, however, has shown some momentum which according to his associates is aimed at laying the foundation of the state.

DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

Among the key projects now underway that Governor Orji envisages to lay a new foundation for the state are a new Government House, a new secretariat complex, a conference centre among others. Aba, neglected in the last 20 years with its infrastructure decaying by the day, is presently receiving a facelift.

As a first step, the government collaborated with the Federal Government and moved troops led by Major General Sylvester Audu to restore security by fighting and subduing the kidnappers and other criminal elements that molested residents. The troops returned life to Aba.

Residents who fled the city returned. Today, Aba is secured. Business and investment confidence is returning. The troops have come to stay in the state. They have their main barracks at Ohafia and a large Camp in Asa, less than 20 minutes drive from the Aba city.

WOOING INVESTORS

Expectedly, the Government has cashed in it to woo investors. Among the foreign investors that have shown interest in the state is Alkamali Petroleum, a Dubai based oil and gas company which has shown interest in the oil and gas rich area of Ukwa West.

The company has promised to build a refinery in the Ukwa area of the state, rich in oil and gas. There is also an investor that have declared interest in building a cement factory in Arochukwu while a Malaysian company has shown interest in the palm oil palm plantation which the state is also very rich in.

The Government has also opened negotiations with a South African Brewery to revive the moribund Golden Guinea Breweries in Umuahia, the state capital. An Irish company has expressed interest to invest in the abundant quarry industry in Abia state. Already, officials of the company, Quarry, Roads and Mining Unique Services Limited (QRM), have visited the state and held business talks with the Governor.

GOVERNEMNT'S DRASTIC ACTIONS

Last August the Government took a decision to return all non-indigenes in its employment to their various states. This action was not well received by some of the states whose citizens were involved, but the administration was unwavering.

The government also suspended some senior officers of the Local Government system, mainly the treasurers, for their alleged plan to sabotage Government's biometric programme aimed at checking the infiltration of ghost workers into its payroll. The government, however, later recalled them after over one month with a stern warning to sin no more.

In February, about 8 commissioners, the 17 Local Government Transition Chairmen and some other senior aides were also sent on suspension for allegedly playing a role in the embarrassment of the governor during the lying-in-state of late Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu at the Enyimba Stadium, Aba. Though some of the chairmen were recalled, few of them lost their positions, while in the case of commissioners; it led to cabinet reshuffle which saw some them swapping ministries and few new ones joining them.

OPPOSITION

Abia state in the real sense of it has no strong opposition. However, two political parties, personified in their 2011 governorship candidates, Ochiagha Reagan Ufomba for All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA and Prince Paul Ikonne for Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN have been criticizing the government, insisting that the government has not done anything, especially in Aba. Orji has time to maybe disprove them!

Now, a chat with the governor. Hear him:

What are the challenges in governing Abia State and carrying out the projects credited to you?

Our revenue profile is not palatable. But a lot of things have happened in our state before now. People collected revenue and pocketed it. It is now that we are getting consultants to improve the IGR to N500 million. Before, it used to be N250 million.

When I came, I met only N150 million which I raised to N200 million. I never surpassed N250 million a month since I came on board. So, with this revenue profile that has not changed, I want you to judge us from that angle. Now, since I came and with all these projects ongoing, I've never obtained a dime from the bank; you can check this out from any bank. Neither have I taken any bond; the only loan I have taken is the N1 billion agric loan from the Central Bank. And the Central Bank has its conditions for giving these loans and how to expend it. It is tied to agric and these are facts.

So, when the N3.5 billion (monthly allocation) comes, they first of all take their loan and what remains is what we use. So, it is not even N3.5billion that we get, it could be less. Now compare this with what we are doing. You went round, I'm sure you have not seen half of what we are doing because you went to Aba and Umuahia; you have not gone to Arochukwu, Isikwuato and many others where work is going on in the area of roads, public buildings which are springing up everywhere.

This is the first puzzle I'm giving you; go and think, how is this man managing? And how can you compare this man with this type of situation to confront security. The security situation that we have here is scaring away investors. You don't send a policeman to go and pursue kidnappers without arming him, without giving him money; you have to buy vehicles for him, for the police, for the army, for the SSS because if you don't, they won't work.

People at times they go to Akwa Ibom State and come back to say 'Ah, look at what is happening in Akwa Ibom', same with Rivers State. Compare us with them. Check it out, all the governors, military and civilians who have been working in Lagos, Rivers and Akwa Ibom states, they've been doing well. It is because they have the money.

So, I want people to judge us based on what we have. We don't have money, we can't manufacture money. I challenge anybody to go and point out one building and say this was the building that was built within the eight years in the state capital, Umuahia.

None! Today, I can confidently count what we're doing: the Secretariat Complex is there, the International Conference Centre is there, we are building a Government House, we are adding more quarters to the Commissioners' Quarters, we have a new Diagnostic Centre, a new Dialysis Centre, a new Children Hospital, Housing Estate at Amaokwe, a new Broadcasting Complex, the new market- all within my second tenure.

All I could not do during my first tenure because of circumstances which many of you know about. I don't want to re-echo them. But if you look back, you will realise the wonders that are happening in Abia State. I mean, I met no foundation here, I'm starting afresh.

If I had had a Government House, I won't be thinking of constructing another one. All my colleagues surrounding me have foundation laid for them. Rivers State, is he talking of building a Government House? No. Akwa Ibom, Imo have secretariats. So, you see, mine is just bare, nothing is there. And you can't compare a person who is starting afresh with someone who has gone far. So that is the problem.

So, how were you able to do these projects in spite of the challenges you have enumerated and even without borrowing?

You have to cut your coat according to your size. First, it's not true that I'm not going to borrow money, I will, if I have to in order to complete all the ongoing projects. I don't want to leave any abandoned projects. I will. The banks are coming, giving us offers, but let me manage first; I don't want to infect our state because we have suffered enough.

I inherited a bill of N29 billion even though my predecessor said he left a clean bill of health for me. I went to the Ministry of Finance to get details which include the sum of N26 million which we are owing The Sun newspapers. The chairmen that were on boards then left a bill of N2.9 billion for me as unpaid salaries. I'm still paying for all these debts; I've paid off most of them.

So, I don't want to do this for anyone coming after me. If I'm going to leave any debt at all, it will be a manageable debt which can be cleared quickly. If I didn't inherit this N29 billion debt, it would have solved a lot of problem for us. But I had to pay it; I had to start paying debts before doing other things.

On the bond issue, I attended one seminar where the then CBN governor, Soludo advised state governors to go to the bond market, I went. But that was the time I had a tough time in the state with allegations flying about that I wanted to transfer money out of the country; for this, I left it; it became a challenge to me. I said let me show them that I'm not only a manager of human beings, I could also manage resources, I could also manage money and that is what I have done.

Besides what you have done so far, what else do you have in the pipeline for the people of the state?

Yes, I will tell you the projects I've not done. Why we are concentrating on roads is because our people are passionate about roads. To them, road is all and all, they use it to assess governments; if you are building roads, they say you are a performing governor, they don't look at other sectors but the other sectors are very, very essential.

If you go to Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), you see the auditorium we are building for capacity building for our students. We want to train them as number one health institution. And in terms of programmes on HIV, tuberculosis, diabetes which we partner with foreigners; they come here and meet our people.

We are fighting polio; Abia is one of the states that don't have polio. So, we make sure our people are healthy. That is on the health sector.

On education, that is where we excel really.

Of course, you know Abia people are intelligent; we have institutions of higher learning and we are funding them handsomely and paying their salary; the new salary, not the old one but the new university scale. And as of May, we have repaired more than 400 primary schools that were dilapidated since the war. We have repaired them, we have furnished them, we have equipped them. The scheme is ASOPADEC.

You know we are an oil producing state. When we get our 13 percent derivation, there is a law we made; we have shifted some money to ASOPADEC to carry out rural development.

We are also repairing schools, repairing roads, providing water, providing electricity. So, while the state government is doing its own part, ASOPADEC is also doing its own.

Our students, when you get to Nigerian Law School, check out, at least from 2007 when I came on board, the best graduating students, at least an Abia daughter or son will be among them. The same thing with Medical School , an Abia daughter or son must be among the best graduating students.

@spyder880 ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTIONS.

ELECTRICITY
T.A Orji administration has successfully evacuated power from the 132KV sub-station at Ohiya at the cost of N1.5 billion.Consequently, the State government in 2011 awarded contract for the construction of 5no33kv High Tension feeder lines from the Ohiya 2x30 MVA, 132/33kv injection substation.
The 5no feeder lines radiate from Ohiya injection sub-station to the following locations –Afara, Ubakala, Nkwoegwu, Ntigha, and Umungwa. Construction work along Afara, Ubakala, Nkwoegwu and Umu Ngwa has been completed while work on the Ntigha axis’s in progress.

SECURITY
Till date, the State government has given out more than 175 patrol vehicles to security personnel in the state to help fight crime as well as communication equipment. Today, we handed over 25 brand new security equipped Hilux trucks to the Army to boost our efforts on effective security. This exercise is still ongoing; we are doing it to the Police, SSS and other security agents in our state. Besides, the State government was instrumental to the rehabilitation of the Army barracks at Ohafia, which has boosted the security of the State. The joint Military-Police patrol has reduced crime drastically. Today Abia is among the most peaceful States in Nigeria, safe for investment, tourism and living.

KIDNAPPING
If you will recall, there was a time no one could sleep with his two eyes closed. I am sure it was a period we will not want to remember when we are assessing the history of the state by this same person osisikanku . but Gov.T.A Orji administration came on board and it an History of the past . which we all experience.
my brother the Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State has identified patience, prudence and sincerity of purpose as all it takes to take the state to the next level.
He, has, therefore, promised to surmount all the obstacles in his quest to reposition the state.
let put away criticism and hatred better to join hands together with ideals in other to take our state higher

It's hard to please men,no matter how best your bested achievements are on the face of the earth.The world on it own is insatiable or unsaturated & the people in it are naturally molded & fashioned with hatred,jealousy,strife,conflict,selfish machination to condemn their fellow man,no matter how good a man's bested interest to keep giving out his best is at all time,his quest to search for that singular,basic means of making the world a better place for all looks abortive.T.A Orji,has a flare to continually seek for one solution-solving means which may be the modest answer to every challenges Abia state is facing or may be facing.He never folded his arms,that i think.He aims at reaching out to sundry places,to enable Abians share from the dividends of democracy.This is the time to refrain from rancorous ,nefarious and falsified rumours against T.A Orji.Let us visit places that have been said that the governor has fixed and the jobs he is creating to help the youths ,this will give room for any critic to say what he feels in order to be able to know if what has been professed of T.A's administration spares him derogation or not.but for me ,i think T.A is doing every thing possible to put Abia ahead of time.....


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz0RPsouRak&feature=relmfu


in terms of security it is something worth for praise because Abia state have been Rated as the most peace full state in Nigeria. Gov T.a Orji made security the number one priority for every Abians and has also ensure power supply in the state . My fellow brothers what else do we want from this man .now we abians can go to Bed with our two eye closed And walk around freely without fear but with confident. we can now Enjoy Adequate power supply in the state.

what is wrong with the governor of Abia state providing WASTE BIN TRUCKS in the state and for the people of Abia to enjoy sanity and cleanliness in every environment of Abia state. there is a say "cleanliness is next to godliness" And "A clean Environment Attract investors to the state". is a welcome development by the governor which every one of us as abians need to support .most of u are just interested in either picking holes in government programs and policies on critics, not to talk about the insulence that comes with it, which u wont be brave enough in real life. how come none and i mean none of u av ever made an imput or comment on abia state, the way forward or programmes, govt should implement to better the lot of all of us? why are u all fixiated on trying to run down people, u cant and will never match in all ramfications? why? why are u all so into phd...pull him down syndrome. u all should look inwards, it could be u tommorrow.

It's hard to please men,no matter how best your bested achievements are on the face of the earth.The world on it own is insatiable or unsaturated & the people in it are naturally molded & fashioned with hatred,jealousy,strife,conflict,selfish machination to condemn their fellow man,no matter how good a man's bested interest to keep giving out his best is at all time,his quest to search for that singular,basic means of making the world a better place for all looks abortive.T.A Orji,has a flare to continually seek for one solution-solving means which may be the modest answer to every challenges Abia state is facing or may be facing.He never folded his arms,that i think.He aims at reaching out to sundry places,to enable Abians share from the dividends of democracy.This is the time to refrain from rancorous ,nefarious and falsified rumours against T.A Orji.Let us visit places that have been said that the governor has fixed and the jobs he is creating to help the youths ,this will give room for any critic to say what he feels in order to be able to know if what has been professed of T.A's administration spares him derogation or not.but for me ,i think T.A is doing every thing possible to put Abia ahead of time.....

The current security breaches in the North have been described as the major threat to the continued implementation of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.
Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia State made the remark during a dinner organised in honour of Gov. Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State who is in the state on a two-day working visit.
Orji regretted that corps members were now rejecting posting to volatile states in protest against the killing of the people by the Boko Haram.
''The idea for which NYSC was set up cannot be achieved under this circumstance. If this insurgency continues, NYSC will die, it will collapse,'' he said.
He recalled his youth service experience in Sokoto with nostalgia, but regretted that young graduates might no longer have such opportunity provided by the scheme.
The governor, therefore, stressed the need for all Nigerians to unite to end the terrorist activities of the sect.
He further spoke of the return of ''peace, brotherliness and unity'' brought about by his administration through the reconciliation of the political class in the state.
The governor said the current atmosphere in the state had led to the progress and development.
Wamakko, in his speech, underscored the need for political leaders in the country to engage in acts that would promote national unity and progress.
He explained that his administration believed in one Nigeria, saying that residents of the state enjoyed equal treatment, irrespective of tribe or religion.
He described Orji as a detribalised Nigerian and commended him for his people-oriented programmes.
Wamakko, who said that he had visited the state as a deputy governor more than a decade ago, noted that the two cities of Umuahia and Aba had been transformed in terms of roads and clean environment.
Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe, representing Abia south, a former member of the House of Representatives, Chief Mao Ohuabunwa and Chief Tony Ukasanya, a member of the PDP Board of Trustees, also commended Orji's leadership qualities.

http://leadership.ng/nga/articles/29845/2012/07/15/security_challenges_constitute_major_threat_nysc_says_orji.html

It has just been revealed that APGA member in Abia State and Obingwa born Chinenye Anyim Nyerere has concluded plans to ensure the lucrative but heinously criminal business of kidnapping which crippled Abia economy in time past returns to the State.
Nyerere is now working in concert with his paymaster, the Governor of Imo State and the man whose group of businesses Nyerere is his General Manager to return Abians to the dark days. Just recently, Nyerere paid a nocturnal visit to the GEJ Barracks in Ohafia where he organized a party for the rank and file with the sole objective of “help my boys as they are being marginazlized”. He brought message of mutiny from his master because he gave out large sums of money to this cadre of military personnel who he promised to take care of should they reciprocate by protecting his boys.
The question we ask is, why did Nyerere choose to visit the barracks at night? Why did he not put the commander in the know? Why would he want to cause division in the military in Abia State? What is the meaning of printing insignia written: “GEJ BARRACKS OHAFIA, HONORARY MEMBER”, with the instruction to the rank and file to “cooperate” with any person found with that insignia?
If Rochas knows so much about caring for the military, how come he has not replicated same in Imo where security is at its lowest ebb at the moment? Why did he not send his children who he swore to use for all things that are good? Why is Nyerere being used as an object of destabilization? Must he return Abia to geurillas by inciting the rank and file against their superiors? Why did Nyerere not think of better ways of complementing the State Government efforts on security, like donation of patrol vans; food and such other incentives that must pass through the Commander to help propagate discipline and respect for which the Nigerian Army is noted? Why print insignia to be given to a particular set of people? Who are those people?
For those who do not know him. He is from Obingwa and lost flatly to Enyinanya Abaribe then in the PDP Senatorial primaries. His political dossier is empty and everything but inspiring. He left the PDP for APGA and lost again during the last general elections. Nyerere lives in Imo, works for Rochas and has never contributed in any way to contribute to the development of Abia. His area was where Nigerian journalists returning from Akwa Ibom on national assignment were kidnapped. His Obingwa was the same area of Abia where majority of kidnap camps were mounted. Abia State Government is spending so much to maintain a military base in Obingwa. What has Nyerere done for them? Why did he go to Ohafia with a rag printed “Honorary member” just to subvert security in Abia?

Abians should know who to be held responsible in event of fresh outbreak of kidnapping and sundry criminal activities. Nyerere is just one of them. Let him also be reminded that it is too early to start playing politics of succession. If he wants to be Governor of Abia State in 2015, the best way to go about it would not be to cause disaffection amongst security personnel or dislocate the existing atmosphere of peace and security in the State.

A 22-year-old Nigerian has emerged one of the top graduating students of John Hopkins University in the United States. He obtained a Grade Point Average of 3.98 out of a possible 4.0 to earn a degree in Neurosciences, SEGUN OLUGBILE writes.

A 22-year-old Nigerian, Emmanuel Ohuabunwa, has made history at John Hopkins University, United States of America. Ohuabunwa from Arochukwu, Abia State, has done the nation proud by becoming the first black man to make a Grade Point Average of 3.98 out of 4.0 to bag a degree in Neurosciences in the university. He was also adjudged as having the highest honours during the graduation that was held on May 24 this year.

For his efforts, he has won a scholarship to Yale University to pursue a degree in medicine. Besides, he has been inducted into Phi Beta Kappa Society, a prestigious honour group that features membership of 17 US Presidents, 37 US Supreme Court Justices, and 136 Nobel Prize winners.

According to Wikipedia, The Phi Beta Kappa Society is an academic honour society. Its mission is to “celebrate and advocate excellence in the liberal arts and sciences” and induct “the most outstanding students of arts and sciences at America’s leading colleges and universities.”

It was founded at The College of William and Mary on December 5, 1776, and thus it is the oldest honour society for the liberal arts and sciences and among the oldest undergraduate societies in the US.

In an online interview with our correspondent, Ohuabunwa, who was born in Okota, Lagos and attended Lilly Fields Primary School, Lagos, said he left Nigeria after his junior secondary school education at Air Force Comprehensive School, Ibadan, Oyo State.

“My parents moved the whole family when I was 13 years old. I was about to begin SS1 at Air Force, Ibadan. When I got to the US, I was enrolled with my age mates, which meant at 13, I was in middle school. I went to Fondren Middle School, which was in the middle of the ghetto. That was one of the darkest years for me because I encountered a lot of peer pressure. Some of the students, ignorant about Africa, bullied me and called me names such as ‘African booty scratcher’ because to them, Africans were dirty and scratched their butts all the time.

“Some asked me if I lived in mud huts and ate faeces for breakfast. I remember one day, when I was walking to the school bus, a boy came from behind and punched me in the face, called me an African and walked away. It took everything in me not to retaliate. I knew that God had put me in the U.S for a purpose and it did not involve fighting or selling drugs or doing the wrong things.

“My experience during that year gave me a thick skin. I learned to stand for what I thought was right even when the opposition seemed insurmountable. I also learned to look at the positive in all situations. Even though these kids were bullying me, I was still gaining an opportunity to school in America and nothing would stop me from making the best of this opportunity.

“The shocker was that the kid that punched me in the face was black. I would have expected the blacks to be nicer to me. Nevertheless, I don’t blame those kids because they were ignorant about Africa. All they knew about us was the stuff they had watched on TV or documentaries, showing primitive African tribes, living in the jungle and making noises like monkeys.

“In regards to the whites, there might have been some minor episodes but again I don’t blame them for it because it is a problem with stereotypes,” he said.

But in spite of this humiliation and racial prejudice against him, the first in a family of three was not discouraged. He faced his studies and was always coming top in his class. After he completed his middle school education, he passed the entrance examination to DeBakey High School for Health Professions. It was at this school that his interest in neurosciences and medicine started.

“By the second year of high school, we were able to interact with doctors, nurses and other administrators in the hospital. The more I learned about medicine, the more it felt like the thing God was calling me to pursue and by being in the US I got a lot of people to support me to do this. Even though in high school, I got to see first-hand what it meant to be a doctor. We studied advanced anatomy and physiology, learned medical terminology, and learned important skills, such as checking blood pressure, pulse rate, and many more.

“I knew I wanted to go to the best school in the US. I had heard that Johns Hopkins Hospital had been ranked the number one hospital in the US for the past 21 years and I wanted to be in that environment.’’

Worried that his parents might not be able to sponsor him to the university, Ohuabunwa purposed to work very hard. He did and when the result of the PSAT came, he performed so well that he won the National Achievement Scholar.

By virtue of this award, he received certificates of recognition from various organisations including senators from the Congress of both Texas and the US. He also received scholarship from the University of Houston; Rice University, Texas A&M Honors College and many more.

He had also won the Principal’s Award during the annual awards ceremony at DeBakey High School.

“During our graduation ceremony at DeBakey, I also won the Award for the Most Outstanding Senior Young Man and the student volunteer award for my volunteer activities in the State of Texas,” he said.

But his breakthrough came when he won the Bill and Belinda Gates Foundation full scholarship to any university of his choice. He worked hard and gained admission to Johns Hopkins University to study Neurosciences.

But why Neurosciences, Ohuabunwa said, “I studied Neuroscience, because I was fascinated with the brain, its control of our behaviours and how various diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, lead to a decline in its activity. I also minored in Psychology because I wanted to understand disorders in the psyche. What causes bipolar disorders or schizophrenia. I did not just want to label them as crazy but to understand what causes these conditions and how we can treat them,’’ he explained.

But what does he consider to be the missing links in the education sector of Nigeria when compared with that on offer in US, Ohuabunwa said unpredictable academic calendar, corruption, examination malpractice and inadequate funding were some of the problems confronting his home country’s university sector. These, he said, were absent in the US.

“There were a few problems with Nigerian higher education that contributed to our emigration in 2003. The first was the number of strikes that occurred in schools. It took my uncle seven years to graduate with a degree that should have taken him only four years. A second problem was the corruption. We had heard of people going into universities, because they paid someone to look the other way. I also heard of a few cheating scandals, where people would pay someone to take their exams for them or get a copy of the exam a few days before,” he said.

But is he saying that US university system has no such problems at all? Ohuabunwa said, “Although this sometimes occurs in the U.S, it is less common because of the strict security. I remember when taking the Medical College Admissions Test, test required before one can matriculate into medical school, each student had to get his fingerprints taken every time we entered and left the hall. The whole place was packed with cameras and security staff that monitored everything we were doing. The exam was computerised to make sure that no one saw the test before the actual date.”

Another difference, he said, is that America rewards hard-work while the system also emphasises on a balance between academic life and extracurricular activities.

On how he won the scholarship to Yale, Ohuabunwa said his 3.98 GPA in Neurosciences, and many awards he had won and God’s grace, contributed to his winning the scholarship.

“As at the time of my application for medical school, I had a 3.98 GPA of a 4.0. This made me the only black student inducted into the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa. I was also awarded the Becker Family Scholarship for being the most outstanding student in the Neuroscience major at Johns Hopkins University. Furthermore, by God’s grace, I took the MCAT and scored in the top five percentile.

“That, combined with my hours of volunteer service in different hospitals across the US allowed me to gain acceptance into every medical school I applied to, including Harvard, Yale, Johns Hopkins, Columbia, and Cornell. As the time came to make a decision, I had narrowed it down to Harvard and Yale. Both schools, I enjoyed visiting. Nevertheless, while my parents prayed, they asked God to give us a sign of what school to attend. A few days later, I received a letter from Yale Medical School, offering me a full ride scholarship for all four years. That was the sign from God,” he said.

But would he come back to Nigeria after the completion of his programme, he said yes.

“I am absolutely interested in the health care policy decisions in Nigeria. Because there are many changes that need to occur, I will not rule out the possibility of coming back after my studies, in order to join hands with the leaders to make these changes possible.’’

He added that his ambition is to become a medical doctor specialising in brain surgery.

“Two weeks ago, my grandmother passed away after a long battle with strokes. Even during emergencies, it was difficult for her to get to the hospital, let alone get treatment. This is a common theme not only in the health care system of Nigeria, but in different countries in the world, where the poor get neglected.

“Second, Nigerian hospitals lack the infrastructure required to compete with major hospitals around the world. It would be an honour to one day contribute to this transformation that is necessary for improvements in Nigeria’s health care sector,” he said.

He, however, advised Nigerian youths who have the wherewithal, to go abroad to study. Ohuabunwa also called on wealthy Nigerians to invest more in the education of the poor rather than in acquisition of material things.

Ohuabunwa, however, said that his parents, who he described as his greatest role models, contributed a lot to his academic feat through Godly training, counsel and guidance. He also did not forget the impact that his short stay at Air Force school had on him.

“I was definitely not the brightest at Air Force. At that time, I felt like I spent more time running away from seniors than focusing on my studies. Nevertheless, I learned three things at Air Force that have served me well in the US. I learned discipline, adaptability and resilience. These attributes helped me a lot in US,” he said.
http://www.punchng.com/education/nigerian-breaks-academic-record-at-john-hopkins-university/

Umuahia — Governor Theodore Orji has described criticisms from the opposition through media attacks as inconsequential to his administration.
Orji made the assertion when he received in audience a delegation from Nzuko Ohuhu, a socio-cultural group from Ohuhu community in Umuahia North LGA of the State at the Government House in Umuahia.
The governor's reaction came on the heels of comments made by former governorship candidate of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Prince Paul Ikonne and that of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) Regan Ufomba in their separate interviews with some national dailies.
Governor Orji who recalled his past travails in the hands of the opposition right from his first tenure in 2007, first from his predecessor in office and then the electoral petitions that followed soon after the 2011 election said: "They have continued to fail and would never succeed, even in their media war, their utterances are very negligible and inconsequential to our administration."
He maintained that in spite of their criticisms his administration will never loose focus in its determined move to reposition and transform the State.
While commending the delegation for their visit, the governor said: "It is our corporate responsibility to develop Abia and the State capital, this is the first port of call for any visitor, so any impression implanted in the minds of our visitors will ever remain in their assessment of our administration.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201206220757.html

this is a welcome development in our country if only all the other governors in other state in Nigeria will also emulate the governor of Abia state chief theodore orji who have done to this corpers who served at the state,it will help to reduce crime rate , and unemployment in the country, because if this kind of money will be given to every youth corper that served in a particular state it will bring a better development in the country.

You are ignorantMr Man...I hope you are not an Abian with all these your spelling and grammatical errors. You are waiting to steal from Local Government pulse I guess.

and the winner of the MOST IGBOTIC GOVERNOR AWARD goes to:

TA ORJI: He does not have any investment outside Igboland and has his house built in igboland. that is the spirit of a hardcore igboist! CONGRAX TA AND NDI ABIA!

based on our major criteria which is that the gov must not own homes and businesses outside igboland in nigeria, TA won fair and square.
www.facebook.com/Ndi.Igbo!!

These are Ameke, Isiadu, Ahieke and Mbom Women/Men of Ibeku expressing their joy through natural gifts from farmland to Gov TA Orji. I understand the Government under Gov TA Orji built their roads, Bridge and checked the threatening erosion in their area. They vowed to remain eternally grateful the government.

The New 2x40MVA, 132/33KV Transmission substation, and the 132KV DC Transmission line in Umuahia was commissioned today. Interesting to know that our Artisans, SMEs, Residents & other business owners are rejoicing. The Federal Govt built and the State evacuated...
We are making progress in Abia. To God be the glory!

Abia State government has provided 500 tricycles to be given out free to indigent youths in the 17 local government areas of the state. Each local government would get 50 tricycles.

The gesture is in line with the youth empowerment programme of the state, which has engaged 4,500 youths in the local government.

Governor Theodore Orji, while inaugurating the tricycles, urged the transition committee chairmen of the local governments to ensure that the items get to the real beneficiaries. According to Orji, the tricycles should be given to those who need them and not those already empowered.

To ensure that the items are well distributed, Orji advised that it should be distributed at ward level through the local government areas and urged Transition Committee Chairmen of the local government areas of the state to liaise with traditional rulers of various communities in their localities, party executives at ward levels, market women and youth groups to ensure that the targeted group is captured.

Orji noted that from the distribution of tricycles that the state would advance to the distribution of vehicles, which according to him is his plan for the state.

“My wish is for Abia State to advance in all sectors of the economy-advancement of people, advancement of self and advancement in everything,” he said.

According to him, the present administration in the state is sincere and cares for the people, every person would be carried along by government so that they would have a sense of belonging and give out their best to the development of the state.

Emma Nwabuko, commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, described the occasion as another milestone by the present administration in the state to uplift the standard of living of the people, especially the youth.

According to him, the occasion is unique, because the leaders of tomorrow and strength of the society are benefiting from government.

Recall that the first phase of the Abia State youth empowerment scheme, geared toward eradicating poverty and crime in the society was launched in Aba, the commercial hub of the state recently.

Four youth groups, namely Aladinma, Columbia Youth Movement, Down Bellow and York City Youths and 20 other individuals benefited from the progrmmme, which kicked-off with Aba North and South Local Government Areas of the state.

The four youth groups were each presented with a commercial bus, while each of the 20 individuals got a tricycle (keke) to start transport business.

The scheme, which would be replicated in all the 17 Local Government Areas of the state, would also offer skills acquisition and scholarships to youths in the state.

Chinedum Orji, chairman, Abia Youth Council, the initiator of the scheme, affirmed that he intends to engage the youth in productive activities that would take them off crime.

He observed that youth engage in crime due to lack of livelihood and urged political office holders to invest in the youth and women, especially widows.

According to Orji, youth empowerment, would not only reduce crime in the society, but would also engender economic development.

He urged the youth to stay out of trouble and utilise the opportunity provided by the programme to better their lives as well as contribute to the economic development of the state and country.

“We started from Aba, because of its importance as the economic base of the state and that is also why Governor Theodore Orji is trying to restore infrastructure in the area,” he affirmed.

http://www.businessdayonline.com/NG/index.php/city-file/city-file/39097-abia-empowers-500-youths-with-free-tricycles

WE cannot stop every germ that seeks to harm us any more than we can stop every person who seeks to harm us. But we can but try and government’s essential role in that regard is to contain it and improve our health. It is often said that health is wealth, but who cares and how?

This is the typical agony of the average Nigerian who today cannot not afford to visit private hospitals for medical attention. Most times such people out of poverty, non-availability of government hospitals and frustration resort to self-medication without proper diagnosis, there by increasing the rate of untimely death.

That was the terrible experience of most Abia people for a very long time, until recently. Before now whenever people were sick, it was either they go to patent medicine dealers with limited knowledge or expertise on healthcare, visit private hospitals for those who could afford it, stay at home and suffer pains which might eventually lead to their death or go to hospitals outside the state.

Mostly affected then were the rural dwellers who could not access the city to buy drugs from medicine dealers, or afford to go private hospitals within or outside the state.

The only functional government hospital in the state capital, Umuahia, which is the Abia State General Hospital at Amaracha, located along Ossah Road was not even fit to be called a hospital where patients could be treated of their ailments . Workers in the hospital saw the place as more of a recreational centre where they come to while away the time because they were owed back log of salaries by successive governments in the state. Then, the health situation in the state called for a state of emergence because of its precariousness.

But to my greatest amazement while at home during the last yuletide celebration, I could not believe what I saw on ground in the state in the area of health delivery and infrastructure development. On enquiry, I discovered that the private hospital with the name Alaoma Hospital belonging to Dr Ezeogo Anagha Ezeikpe located along Aba Road Umuahia has been acquired by the present government of Chief Theodore Orji.

Having not been around for years, I could not recognise it due to the massive rehabilitation and upgrading that had taken place there that has transformed into the Abia Specialist and Diagnostic Centre with state-of-art medical equipment. The project was executed by the state government in partnership with MECURE, a reputable and international health company. The Centre is currently witnessing another expansion to accommodate a planned dialysis centre where the problems of kidney would be handled instead of taking patients to oversea for treatment.

The Abia General Hospital at Amachara which I once described as not even good to be called a mortuary before I left the country has equally been equipped, modernised and upgraded with sophisticated and modern equipment to meet the health needs of the people within and outside the state. Inside the hospital compound, new buildings were erected and old ones were equally rehabilitated.

I also discovered that the same midas touch has been extended to Umunneto General Hospital by the government to take care of people in Abia North zone.

The Abia State University Uturu, which has its medical school at Aba with partial accreditation before 2007 to train undergraduate doctors, has been granted full accreditation. I learnt that it was made possible by the intervention of the Governor Orji who put the necessary things in place, including several edifices to ensure that the accreditation was fully granted to save the future of the graduates of the department whose fate has been hanging in the balance for years over the partial accreditation.

I can recall also that before 2007, only two Schools of Nursing in the state were fully accreditated, but today seven Schools of Nursing have been fully granted accreditation by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria. Also, the School of Health Technology Aba, School of Nursing Umuahia, Uzuakoli Tuberculosis and Leprosy Centre have witnessed massive rehabilitation and expansion.

In partnership with EU-Prime, the state government has distributed 20 vans to the council areas in the state for effective immunization of children against polio and other sicknesses. And in line with Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, the government in the state has built over 200 health centres across the 17 council areas in state. Most of the centres, which are mainly located in the rural areas, have been equipped, while some others are being equipped. Health personnel have been posted to the already completed and equipped ones.Those without resident doctors have visiting doctors attached to them and qualified nurses permanently attached to attend to the patients with the visiting doctors coming regularly.

The government has also paid all the counterpart funds relating to HIV/AIDS programmes in the state and for other health agencies that have anything to do with HIV/AIDS. Due to the impressive performance of the state in reproductive health in partnership with United Nation Funds For Population Activities, UNFPA, the State remains the only one in the South East zone selected for participation in UNFPA. In addition, the organisation selected the State as its zonal headquarters.

So I was not surprised when I learnt that a prominent non-governmental organization, Health Watch Initiative, had nominated Governor Orji for award as the Health Ambassador of the Year. It is an award well deserved because of his government’s radical transformation in the health sector since he assumed office as governor in 2007.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/06/changing-face-of-abias-healthcare/

Held down in a web of intrigues that clouded governance, the people of Abia State glimpse the prospects of a government for the first time in years. Is it for real?

THE administration in Umuahia says it is the beginning of a new dawn. The opposition, however, disagrees noting that nothing has significantly changed. Even where there are changes some say that Governor Theodore Orji could only be doing what he was elected to do.

Governor Orji nevertheless agrees even with his worst critics that his performance in his first term was nothing to write home about. It is as such not surprising that administration officials are proclaiming a new dawn in the infrastructure landscape of the state in his second term. In his first term the state was comatose, security was virtually absent.

Criminal elements, particularly, kidnappers almost over ran the state. Besides, his first term was embroiled in controversy and crisis. Litigation against his victory in the 2007 elections lingered for close to three years of the four year tenure.

Again, Orji confessed that he and the wealth of the state were held in complete bondage allegedly by his estranged political mentors. For this, he said that funds meant for the development of the state were allegedly diverted to other areas to serve personal and family problems, to the neglect of the state issues and problems. In his second lap Orji, however, has shown some momentum which according to his associates is aimed at laying the foundation of the state.

DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

Among the key projects now underway that Governor Orji envisages to lay a new foundation for the state are a new Government House, a new secretariat complex, a conference centre among others. Aba, neglected in the last 20 years with its infrastructure decaying by the day, is presently receiving a facelift.

As a first step, the government collaborated with the Federal Government and moved troops led by Major General Sylvester Audu to restore security by fighting and subduing the kidnappers and other criminal elements that molested residents. The troops returned life to Aba.

Residents who fled the city returned. Today, Aba is secured. Business and investment confidence is returning. The troops have come to stay in the state. They have their main barracks at Ohafia and a large Camp in Asa, less than 20 minutes drive from the Aba city.

WOOING INVESTORS

Expectedly, the Government has cashed in it to woo investors. Among the foreign investors that have shown interest in the state is Alkamali Petroleum, a Dubai based oil and gas company which has shown interest in the oil and gas rich area of Ukwa West.

The company has promised to build a refinery in the Ukwa area of the state, rich in oil and gas. There is also an investor that have declared interest in building a cement factory in Arochukwu while a Malaysian company has shown interest in the palm oil palm plantation which the state is also very rich in.

The Government has also opened negotiations with a South African Brewery to revive the moribund Golden Guinea Breweries in Umuahia, the state capital. An Irish company has expressed interest to invest in the abundant quarry industry in Abia state. Already, officials of the company, Quarry, Roads and Mining Unique Services Limited (QRM), have visited the state and held business talks with the Governor.

GOVERNEMNT'S DRASTIC ACTIONS

Last August the Government took a decision to return all non-indigenes in its employment to their various states. This action was not well received by some of the states whose citizens were involved, but the administration was unwavering.

The government also suspended some senior officers of the Local Government system, mainly the treasurers, for their alleged plan to sabotage Government's biometric programme aimed at checking the infiltration of ghost workers into its payroll. The government, however, later recalled them after over one month with a stern warning to sin no more.

In February, about 8 commissioners, the 17 Local Government Transition Chairmen and some other senior aides were also sent on suspension for allegedly playing a role in the embarrassment of the governor during the lying-in-state of late Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu at the Enyimba Stadium, Aba. Though some of the chairmen were recalled, few of them lost their positions, while in the case of commissioners; it led to cabinet reshuffle which saw some them swapping ministries and few new ones joining them.

OPPOSITION

Abia state in the real sense of it has no strong opposition. However, two political parties, personified in their 2011 governorship candidates, Ochiagha Reagan Ufomba for All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA and Prince Paul Ikonne for Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN have been criticizing the government, insisting that the government has not done anything, especially in Aba. Orji has time to maybe disprove them!

Now, a chat with the governor. Hear him:

What are the challenges in governing Abia State and carrying out the projects credited to you?

Our revenue profile is not palatable. But a lot of things have happened in our state before now. People collected revenue and pocketed it. It is now that we are getting consultants to improve the IGR to N500 million. Before, it used to be N250 million.

When I came, I met only N150 million which I raised to N200 million. I never surpassed N250 million a month since I came on board. So, with this revenue profile that has not changed, I want you to judge us from that angle. Now, since I came and with all these projects ongoing, I've never obtained a dime from the bank; you can check this out from any bank. Neither have I taken any bond; the only loan I have taken is the N1 billion agric loan from the Central Bank. And the Central Bank has its conditions for giving these loans and how to expend it. It is tied to agric and these are facts.

So, when the N3.5 billion (monthly allocation) comes, they first of all take their loan and what remains is what we use. So, it is not even N3.5billion that we get, it could be less. Now compare this with what we are doing. You went round, I'm sure you have not seen half of what we are doing because you went to Aba and Umuahia; you have not gone to Arochukwu, Isikwuato and many others where work is going on in the area of roads, public buildings which are springing up everywhere.

This is the first puzzle I'm giving you; go and think, how is this man managing? And how can you compare this man with this type of situation to confront security. The security situation that we have here is scaring away investors. You don't send a policeman to go and pursue kidnappers without arming him, without giving him money; you have to buy vehicles for him, for the police, for the army, for the SSS because if you don't, they won't work.

People at times they go to Akwa Ibom State and come back to say 'Ah, look at what is happening in Akwa Ibom', same with Rivers State. Compare us with them. Check it out, all the governors, military and civilians who have been working in Lagos, Rivers and Akwa Ibom states, they've been doing well. It is because they have the money.

So, I want people to judge us based on what we have. We don't have money, we can't manufacture money. I challenge anybody to go and point out one building and say this was the building that was built within the eight years in the state capital, Umuahia.

None! Today, I can confidently count what we're doing: the Secretariat Complex is there, the International Conference Centre is there, we are building a Government House, we are adding more quarters to the Commissioners' Quarters, we have a new Diagnostic Centre, a new Dialysis Centre, a new Children Hospital, Housing Estate at Amaokwe, a new Broadcasting Complex, the new market- all within my second tenure.

All I could not do during my first tenure because of circumstances which many of you know about. I don't want to re-echo them. But if you look back, you will realise the wonders that are happening in Abia State. I mean, I met no foundation here, I'm starting afresh.

If I had had a Government House, I won't be thinking of constructing another one. All my colleagues surrounding me have foundation laid for them. Rivers State, is he talking of building a Government House? No. Akwa Ibom, Imo have secretariats. So, you see, mine is just bare, nothing is there. And you can't compare a person who is starting afresh with someone who has gone far. So that is the problem.

So, how were you able to do these projects in spite of the challenges you have enumerated and even without borrowing?

You have to cut your coat according to your size. First, it's not true that I'm not going to borrow money, I will, if I have to in order to complete all the ongoing projects. I don't want to leave any abandoned projects. I will. The banks are coming, giving us offers, but let me manage first; I don't want to infect our state because we have suffered enough.

I inherited a bill of N29 billion even though my predecessor said he left a clean bill of health for me. I went to the Ministry of Finance to get details which include the sum of N26 million which we are owing The Sun newspapers. The chairmen that were on boards then left a bill of N2.9 billion for me as unpaid salaries. I'm still paying for all these debts; I've paid off most of them.

So, I don't want to do this for anyone coming after me. If I'm going to leave any debt at all, it will be a manageable debt which can be cleared quickly. If I didn't inherit this N29 billion debt, it would have solved a lot of problem for us. But I had to pay it; I had to start paying debts before doing other things.

On the bond issue, I attended one seminar where the then CBN governor, Soludo advised state governors to go to the bond market, I went. But that was the time I had a tough time in the state with allegations flying about that I wanted to transfer money out of the country; for this, I left it; it became a challenge to me. I said let me show them that I'm not only a manager of human beings, I could also manage resources, I could also manage money and that is what I have done.

Besides what you have done so far, what else do you have in the pipeline for the people of the state?

Yes, I will tell you the projects I've not done. Why we are concentrating on roads is because our people are passionate about roads. To them, road is all and all, they use it to assess governments; if you are building roads, they say you are a performing governor, they don't look at other sectors but the other sectors are very, very essential.

If you go to Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), you see the auditorium we are building for capacity building for our students. We want to train them as number one health institution. And in terms of programmes on HIV, tuberculosis, diabetes which we partner with foreigners; they come here and meet our people.

We are fighting polio; Abia is one of the states that don't have polio. So, we make sure our people are healthy. That is on the health sector.

On education, that is where we excel really.

Of course, you know Abia people are intelligent; we have institutions of higher learning and we are funding them handsomely and paying their salary; the new salary, not the old one but the new university scale. And as of May, we have repaired more than 400 primary schools that were dilapidated since the war. We have repaired them, we have furnished them, we have equipped them. The scheme is ASOPADEC.

You know we are an oil producing state. When we get our 13 percent derivation, there is a law we made; we have shifted some money to ASOPADEC to carry out rural development.

We are also repairing schools, repairing roads, providing water, providing electricity. So, while the state government is doing its own part, ASOPADEC is also doing its own.

Our students, when you get to Nigerian Law School, check out, at least from 2007 when I came on board, the best graduating students, at least an Abia daughter or son will be among them. The same thing with Medical School , an Abia daughter or son must be among the best graduating students
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/06/abia-working-hard-for-a-re-sit/

IT is the hottest debate in town. Boko Haram and terrorism have been pushed to the back seat, for now. Temporarily forgotten is the proposed electric power tariff increase the Federal Government vowed must go into effect this month. Sidelined for now are the petrol subsidy report and its mind-numbing revelations on which many interest groups have served notice they would soon go on “occupy” street protests.

In fact, the first year post-election performance rating of the President Goodluck Jonathan has been drowned in the cacophony over the renaming of the University of Lagos as Moshood Abiola University (MAU) (or is it Moshood Abiola University of Lagos MAUNILAG?)

There are those who strongly believe the President deliberately planned it this way to divert attention from the growing perception that he has performed way below the expectation of Nigerians in the past year. If that was so, I promise the President’s strategists that the diversion will be brief. No matter how noisy and strong the jet stream of urination is, it will it will soon pipe down, so the elders say.

As soon as President Jonathan completed his rather dry and un-arresting speech presentation, the University of Lagos exploded in a spontaneous outrage. Students, teachers and sympathisers closed ranks and poured into the streets. Their bold and vehement message to the President: WE DON’T WANT! And let me add: I DON’T WANT!!

Given the outburst of opposition from across the spectrum, I wonder where the President made his “wide” consultation. From the way staff and students of the University reacted to this change of name, it was clear they hadn’t the slightest inkling of it. A consultation that did not involve the staff, students, alumni nor flown as a kite in the media to feel the pulse of the nation could not in all honesty be described as “wide”. Even members of the national parliament, whose duty it is to amend the laws to enable the change of name, were taken by surprise.

Abiola’s political enemies

I am left with the following conclusion: the President only consulted with the camp of the ruling political establishment, Abiola’s political enemies. These people and their supporters annulled the June 12 1993 presidential election won by Abiola. These were the people who, sensing disintegration possibilities hurriedly ceded power to the Yoruba and chose General Olusegun Obasanjo as the person to take up the presidency rather than Abiola.

These were the people who ensured that both General Sani Abacha and Chief Abiola should vacate the scene and give way to a “neutral” leader as a way of ending the fight for self-succession and revalidation of the annulled election. These were the people who chose May 29th as the hand over date to civilians, rather than October 1, our National Day. And also, these were the people who, since 1998 when Abiola was killed in government custody, have refused to recognise his contribution to the restoration of our democracy, let alone honour him for it. These were the people who ignored June 12 and instead settled for May 29th as our Democracy Day.

Jonathan, I believe, told them he was determined to recognise Abiola’s contributions to the restoration of our democracy after 13 years of denial by the political establishment which the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is the driving vessel. The renaming of UNILAG was probably the end product of the negotiations.

I smell mischief in this whole thing. The idea is obviously to localise Abiola’s memory to the South West, thus making him seem not good enough to have an institution in Abuja, (such as the National Stadium) our nation’s seat of power named after him. This was a man who held 197 chieftaincy titles from all over Nigeria, built 63 colleges, 121 mosques and churches, 41 libraries and was grand patron of 149 societies, a record yet to be attempted since. Above all, he won the fairest and freest presidential election on a Muslim-Muslim ticket. These same people seeking to belittle him never thought twice when they named the road fringing the Atlantic Barbeach, Victoria Island in Lagos after a regional leader of the north, Sir Ahmadu Bello.

Quite obviously, also, the idea is to diminish the brand known as the University of Lagos (UNILAG), a fifty year-old legacy university and one of the three top universities of choice in Nigeria. When Professor Jibril Aminu was the Minister of Education, he tried to do the same thing to my glorious alma mater, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). Aminu was fond of calling it “University of Nsukka”. An attempt was made to rename it after the father of Nigerian nationalism, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. When the Great Zik founded the University in 1955 with its formal opening on October 7th 1960, he named it the University of Nigeria to honour the nation and emphasise his own nationalist propensities. Zik continued to reject the renaming of UNN till he died.

He, however, happily welcomed the creation and naming of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, after him by the Anambra State Government.



Mischief taken too far

These two factors are at the heart of the rejection by the staff, students, alumni and well wishers in the naming of UNILAG after Abiola. It has nothing to do with ignorance by the students of the contributions of the man. The renaming is mischief taken too far. It is capable of killing a proud brand and rubbing it with the mud of “Abiola politics”. It is an act of diminishing Abiola and UNILAG with a single effort.

Whether his enemies like it or not, God used Abiola to save Nigeria from disintegration and to preserve its democracy.

If Abiola had not fought the annulment of his election, General Babangida or his alter ego, General Sani Abacha, would have still been in power today if the nation had not since disintegrated. Abiola’s struggle forced the north to cede power. It made it possible for the idea of power rotation and zoning (which was spawned during the days of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in power to address the fears of sectional domination) to be practicalised. The north had resorted to using the military to return to power any time the date for the zoning of the presidency to another part of the country seemed around the corner as we saw in the Muhammadu Buhari coup of December 31, 1983 when Dr. Alex Ekwueme was already being touted as the next president in 1987.

Abiola’s struggle helped put paid to military intervention. It helped douse the agitation for national disintegration or secession threats. It also led to the election, for the first time in our history, of two southern presidents within 12 years. It made the election of a minority president of Nigeria possible. Abiola is the founding father of Nigeria’s modern democracy. He must be honoured with an institution in Abuja, our federal capital. UNILAG must be left to remain as UNILAG.

Jonathan’s goodwill towards Abiola must not be sullied by a very unpopular and mischievous decision. Having done so already and getting the resounding NO from stakeholders and patriotic Nigerians he must listen. He must follow due process of the law, since he is neither a General nor Pharaoh.

It is a brave man who realises his mistake and takes steps to correct it.

Emeka Nwosu’s book for launch tomorrow

AFTER years of chronicling the current affairs of Nigeria as a political reporter, Emeka Nwosu, former Political Editor of Daily Times, National Chairman of National Association of Political Correspondents and now the Special Adviser to the Deputy Speaker, House of Reps, has compiled his writings into book form. The book is entitled: Nigeria and the Crisis of the Nation-State, Agenda for National Consensus. It is a 248-page volume with 67 single-article chapters covering about everything under the sun of Nigerian politics and governance as seen through the eyes of an experienced reporter and opinion leader.

Emeka is a veteran of the trade whom I have met in the field both home and abroad. While I have remained on the pages, he forayed into the practical world of politics. In fact, he even ran for the House of Representatives. Nevertheless, he has never missed an opportunity to write and express his views about unfolding events in Nigeria with his articles making frequent outings across the spectrum of the Nigerian Press.

The book launch will take place at the Shehu Yar’ Adua Centre, Abuja on Tuesday, June 5th 2012 under the Chairmanship of Prof. Jerry Gana. The Governor of Abia State, Chief Theodore Orji will be the Chief Host, while Emeka’s principal, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, will be the Chief Guest of Honour.

We will be there to support him. Join us.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/06/mau-mischief/

As the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the April 2011 general elections, Ochiagha Reagan John Ufomba, last Sunday, May 27, 2012, celebrated his 59th birthday, his political associates, rivals, friends, well wishers, critics, business partners and family members, who gathered in Lagos to share the golden moment with him, could not help reviewing his political philosophy, even as reports that weekend confirmed that some armed policemen and thugs invaded and sealed off the venue of a scheduled meeting of APGA members in Aba.

Amongs the politically conscious guests, the news, which broke shortly before the birthday dinner, served as the take-off point for discussion of the political situation in Abia State and Ufomba’s political philosophy and the journey so far.

Born on the 27th day of May 1962 to the family of Ichie and Mrs Edward Ufomba, of Umuogele Ntigha in the present Isialangwa North Local Government Area of Abia State, Ufomba commenced his academic pursuit at the Immaculate Conception Seminary, Ahieke Umuahia. He later read Secretarial Studies at the Federal Polytechnic Mubi, Studied Public Administration at the Federal College of Education Technical Akoka, read History and International Relations at the Lagos State University (LASU) and also read Law at the Lagos State University (LASU), before proceeding to the prestigious Harvard Business School, Boston USA to Study Global Negotiation. He is presently in the field of peace and conflict resolution at the National Open University of Nigeria. He is happily married to Adanma Ufomba, a marriage that has produced two boys and three girls.

As an early beginner, he made his mark in the business world venturing into dry cleaning services, poultry farming, medical laboratory, and was one of the first merchants to import the Rapid HIV Testing Kit and Sim Card backup in Nigeria. A business ally of Alhaji Aliko Dangote, he was one of the biggest distributors for Dangote Industries, distributing a minimum of 200 cement trucks every month under a guaranty scheme with a loan from UBA. He was a major supplier of LPFO to Ashaka Cement in Gombe State and major manufacturing company in Lagos.

He set up the 1.2million metric tons Reagan Cement Plant in Calabar, Cross River State in 2005 after working with Dangote for several years. Recognizing the competence and genuine drive of his company towards the economic growth of the Nation, the Federal Government of Nigeria gave him a license to import 500,000 metric tons of cement in 2008, and another license to establish a 2million metric tons capacity cement manufacturing plant in Arochukwu, Abia State. To tap from his rich business ideas, the Federal Government appointed him into the committee that formulated the policy on the future of cement industry in Nigeria in 2009.

Speaking about Ochigha Ufomba’s success in the field of business, Alhaji Aliko Dangote had this to say: “I am certainly not surprised at this breakthrough given the highest level of your commitment and support to the cement industry, I am very proud of this achievement”. His recent exploits into a multi-billion dollar shipping and Floating Power Plant investment is a novelty that would turn several willing dark nations and states into sunshine.

In recognition of his very humble efforts and contributions to the expansion of the gospel of Christ, the Catholic Church has honored him with many prestigious but Christ inspiring titles. Ufomba, is the Dike Di Oha Ma of Aba Dioceses, Ambassador of Christ and the IDE of St. Benedict.

Not forgetting his root and the challenges therein, he ensured the introduction of a scholarship scheme that presently takes care of 165 students, amongst other humanitarian gestures.

Politics

In the field of politics, Ufomba was the Campaign Coordinator of former military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida in the South-East. He represented Abia State Government in the National Poverty Eradication Program Committee under President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration. He was also Special Assistant on Integrated Rural Development and served in several boards.

During his service to Abia State, he was described by insiders as “a great creative thinker, initiator, mobilizer and a loyalist and gentleman of immense sagacity and principle until his resignation in 2003 on personal grounds,” leaving behind what he described as “an unblemished record.”

He explained that he is a student of the philosophy of late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, who said, “in a democratic dispensation, the aspiration, views and the yearnings of the people must be respected.”

Vision/Message

Ufomba came to Abia State politics with a vision of change and the need to do a new thing. A year after the election, he has continued to advocate and fight for quality leadership in Abia State; however, his frankness and boldness on issues has projected as a major opponent and thus a subject of criticism. While majority see him as a Daniel, others call him a trouble maker. But, perhaps because of his resilience, Ufomba has actually emerged a factor in Abia State politics.

Turning rather religious, he has this to say of himself and his people, “if my blood is what is required for my people to be free from want and deprivation, I will freely give it. I am not unaware of the ill conceived attacks on my person arising from this principled position of mine by some near-do-wells. I am not God, and I am not a saint either and nobody is, tell them to stop looking for the living in the land of the dead; they can never see me where they are pointing fingers.”
http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/politics/48674-ufomba-a-daniel-or-trouble-maker.html

this is a welcome development that WILL improve the level of the economic growth in abia state and will attract so many investors to come down to abia and invest . this will also reduce the cost of transportation and increase the level of massive development in the state. what a nice initiative from our beloved governor of abia state chief T.A.Orji. may God continue to strengthen him and put more grease to his elbow.

Umuahia — The face of transportation in Abia State is set to change as a Canadian firm,Globim Corporation has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Abia State Government to build monorail system of transportation to connect Aba and Umuahia.

Chairman of Globim, Dr Jude Igwemezie, who led a delegation to yesterday to seal the MoU, said their firm specializes in the construction and management of monorail.

According to him, the project would cost $1.6 billion and would be entirely funded by the firm as Abia government would only be required to provide the land, security and manpower.

He said when it becomes fully operational, the monorail would generate 4,000 jobs in Abia and 20, 000 jobs across the Southeast.

He said that aside from providing commuters an efficient and alternative means of transport, the monorail, which would be built to run at a height of nine metres, would eliminate road hazards like accidents and robbery.

Igwemezie explained that the company was interested in introducing the monorail transportation system in Abia and other cities in the Southeast zone and eventually the entire Southeast would be connected with monorail integrated mode of transportation.

He said Globim had already secured approval to build monorail in Onitsha, Enugu and Calabar and assured the governor that they will provide the funding and expects the government to provide labour and security to them.

Governor Theodore Orji, who was visibly elated over the prospect of having the monorail running in his state, said after signing the MoU that the novel project was much acceptable to his government.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201205200195.html

In line with his administration's transformation agenda and in keeping with his promise of fast tracking the development of the state, the Abia state government under Chief TA Orji has continue to embark on development projects across all sectors of the state's economy. The last few months has witnessed unprecedented activities in the various sectors which could be best approached sectorially.

ROADS
At the last count, more than 38 road projects have been awarded in various parts of the state. Some have been completed while others are at various stage of completion. Notably among these is the recently commissioned Ukwu mango road, Aba abandoned by past governments for 20 years. This vital link to the Ariaria international market, has given residents of the area a new lease of life as normal commercial activities have resumed in the area. The list below provides an insight into the road projects either completed or under construction by the Abia state government. Of the total number of roads done are 21 in Abia Central, 6 in Abia North and 9 in Abia South senatorial zones.

HEALTH
The health sector of the state has received tremendous boost since the inception of the present administration. Perhaps the greatest achievements of the administration in this all important sector are the establishment of the state of the art Abia specialist and diagnostic center in Umuahia and Aba through a Private-Public Initiative PPI. Today, that center has become a referral center for health professionals beyond the state. Patients and specialists from the entire South East and South South now access the facility. Patients that would otherwise been flown abroad for medical treatment are now handled locally since the center boasts of the state of the art facility comparable to what obtains in advanced countries of the world. There is plan by the government presently to extend the services offered at the center. In that regard, the renal dialysis and ophthalmology center are billed to take off soon. The structures are already awaiting the installation by the technical partner's. In the same vein, the Amachara General hospital is now an annex of the diagnostic center to provide more services to the people as part of the expansion process. At the moment, a three storey building which is being constructed by the house officers has reached advanced stage of completion. So also is the 2-storey building for resident doctors? Also the theatre is being renovated while work is going on at the accident and emergency center. The government has constructed and equipped more than 210 Community health Centre's in different parts of the state under its primary healthcare services to the people. The health Centre's are provided with boreholes and a tricycle each to convey patients. The aim of the government is to ensure that every political ward in the state has a health Centre to attend to patients. The government also plans to employ health professionals to main hospitals. As parts of its effort to provide qualitative healthcare to the people, it has embarked on the construction of an auditorium at the specialist hospital Abayi, Aba for student doctors. The government has continued to meet its counterpart obligation to partner agencies such as WHO, UNICEF and has continued to support the Ministry of Health in its campaigns and other activities aimed at keeping Abia state polio free.

COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
The Abia State Government being piloted by Chief T.A Orji is bent on providing the enabling environment for business to thrive in the state. That is why many investors are interested in partnering with the state government. The government has signed MOUs with various companies within and outside the country willing to do business with the state. Not long ago, Alkamali Oil of United Arab Emirate entered into partnering with the state towards exploring opportunities in the oil sector. There is a similar plan by private investor to set up a cement manufacturing plant in Arochukwu following the abundance of limestone – a major raw material for cement production. There are many of such partnering between investors and the Abia State Government going on in the state.

The Abia State Government has also taken a giant leap forward in its effort to relocate the Umuahia Main Market from its present location to a more spacious and ideal place. It has therefore vigorously pursued the plan to realize the Ubani Ibeku Ultra-Modern Market project in the shortest possible time after the former contractor handling the project failed to deliver.

At the moment, work is progressing steadily at the site of the new market at Ubani Ibeku where about 3,000 shops have so far been built. All things being equal, by December this year traders will start moving over to the new market while the space where the old market was situated will be converted to another use by the government.

In the same vein, the state government has concluded plans to relocate traders at the old Industrial Market to a more conducive location at Azueke Ibeku in the Umuahia North Local Government Area of the state. Government plans to build more than 5,000 shops in the new market while already, about 2,000 shops have been realized. The rest will soon be completed.

Government's desire is that by the end of the year, movement of traders to the new market could have commenced.

Apart from constructing new markets, some old markets have been receiving the attention of the state government. Not long ago, the executives of market associations in the state were provided with brand new official buses for their executives. Infrastructural development of the markets is a continuous process. For instance, rehabilitation of internal roads in Ariaria International Market is nearing completion. Transformers have been donated to the markets.

SPORTS
Since the inception of the present administration in Abia State, it has recorded giant strides in the field of sports. The most recent are as follows:

1) The reconstruction and re-grassing of the Umuahia Township Stadium (Upgrading of the stadium).

2) Acquisition of World Class Wrestling Ring.
3) On-going collaboration between the Abia State Government and Vejie Bold Club of Denmark for the establishment of a sports academy in the state.

4) Signing of the Abia State Sports Endowment Fund by the governor.

5) State qualified to play in the 2012 WAFU competition (Continental Football Competition).

6) The state now presents two club sides in the pro-league in the 2012 football season.

It is on record that Abia state has over the years; produced notable and international sports men and women who have excelled in various fields of sports. Names like Kanu Nwankwo, world champion in power lifting, Obioma Aligekwe are Abia sons. Recently also, the Enyimba Football Club's chairman, Felix Anyansi Agwu was elected into the board of the Nigerian Football Federation. The Director of Sports, Abia State Sports Council was also appointed into the nine-man ministerial committee to reform football in the country.


JUSTICE
To ensure quick dispensation of justice, the government has through the ministry of justice prosecuted over 3000 criminal cases, handled over 2000 civil matters in courts, prepared over 1000 contract agreements among others. Monumental structural developments have been witnessed. This includes complete renovation of 12-room office block for lawyers in the ministry of justice, construction of a gigantic office complex at the ministry headquarters, Umuahia. The project is more than 80% completed. Harmonization of the salaries and the condition of service of law officers with those of the magistrates in Abia State is a major milestone recorded by the chief present administration within this period. Many states in the federation and even the federal government are yet to carry out such harmonization. At the judiciary level, renovation of old court halls and construction of new ones are on going at both the Umuahia and Abia judicial divisions of the state. Six new court halls each are springing up simultaneously in Aba and Umuahia High courts.

HOUSING
The housing sector of the state has not been left out in the state's scheme of things. In the last six months, a lot has been done in this sector. The fencing of the site for the new Abia Government House at Ogurube layout is nearing completion at the cost of N175, 000,000.00. The new civil servants secretariat estimated to cost n1.2b is at roofing stage on (1no) 4 storey building and the other (1no) 4 storey building is at the 2nd slab even as the old one is undergoing renovation, while work at the 3,000 capacity international conference Centre, Umuahia has reached 70% completion. The project is estimated to cost N551.9m. The government has also deemed it necessary to alleviate the accommodation problem facing other government establishment in the state. Hence it has embarked on the construction of a 48 room office complex at the broadcasting corporation of Abia state at the cost of 217,080,900.00; fully remolded and expanded the customary court of appeal building umuahia at the cost of N62.7m and embarked on the construction of two of massive storey building at the ministry of justice. The old structure at the ministry has been given a face lift. The Abia State planning commission office complex has been completed.

Also, the government has embarked on the construction of two additional court halls at the High court Complex in Abia and umuahia. No doubt, when completed, they will impact positively in the quick dispensation of justice. The projects are expected to be completed before the end of the year. The 3(no) new NYSC hostel blocks and 1 (no) staff building project embarked upon by the state government at the permanent orientation camp at umunna at the cost of 201.5m has almost been completed just as construction work at the isieke Housing Estate, Umuahia is progressing steadily and nearing completion An initial 30 units of 3 bedroom bungalow are to be built at the cost of n126m, Renovation, construction and installation work at the Abia house, Abuja at the cost of N150m is in progress. Works on basement, interlocking tiles, drainage and lift have been completed. The high Brow Amokwe housing Estate has been completed while Amuba housing Estate is also ready for occupation. Finishing is ongoing; works on relaying of interlocking stones is also nearing completion. Still on housing, the state government is extending the commissioner's quarters to accommodation all the commissioners with additional 4 (no) duplex at the cost of 500m. The project will soon be completed as work is in progress.

AGRICULTURE
To give agriculture a boost, the administration through its agencies like the ministries of agriculture and the Agricultural development Programme ADP have been impacting positively on farmers .The government has mapped out programmes to supply fertilizer and other farm inputs to genuine farmers. it has also encouraged mechanized farming through the provision of loan facilities to big farmers. The ministry of agriculture acquired 55 tractors under public /private partnership (PPPS) initiative. Farmers who did not benefit have been advised to approach the ADP for their tractor hiring services .The governments have been providing trainings, workshop and seminars for farmers as well extension services. In the same way, the administration in collaboration with the national root crops research institute NRCRI, Umudike has done a lot in widening the horizon of farmers into the modern farming techniques. Government has also programmed its agricultural agencies into the federal government and the international agricultural development agencies like IFAD and FADAMA III among others for the formulation and execution of agricultural policies.

It has continued to honour it counterpart obligation. Abia has joined the Federal Government cassava and oil transformation initiatives (COTI). The governor recently signed the irrevocable standing payment order (ISPO) to give farmers impetus to access the N1 billion commercial agriculture loan of the federal government.

The Ministry of Agriculture has approved a collaborative programme with the ministry of local government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the Abia state oil producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC) to establish mega farms (liberation farms) across the 17 local government areas of the state. Livestock, fisheries and poultry will be involved, and serve as Centre's for intensive production of all agricultural products as well as job creation Centre's. The project is expected to create 4,000 jobs. Soon, a modern abattoir will be established in Aba under a PPP arrangement with an Ottawa based company.

POWER GENERATION

One of the greatest achievements of the Ochendo administration is ensuring steady power supply in Umuahia and its environs. The administration has successfully evacuated power from the 132KV sub-station at Ohiya at the cost of N1.5 billion.

PUBLIC UTILITIES


Abia state government since the inception of the 2nd tenure of Chief TA Orji has made tremendous achievement in the area of water and electricity through the ministry of public utilities in the area of water, a comprehensive consultancy service has been carried out on how to rehabilitate the old umuahia regional water scheme and integrate the surrounding schemes. The State through the ministry public utilities and water resources has liaised with the federal ministry of Niger Delta for the regional water scheme in the captured in the federal government subsidy removal Reinvestment programme (SURE). This will involve the reconstruction, rehabilitation and expansion of the water schemes. Also, the rehabilitation of Umuokpara water scheme has been executed. In the area of electricity the timely intervention by the state government facilitated the inspection and pre – commissioning tests of the completed 132kv network from Alaoji – Umuahia and the 2*30MVA, 132/33Kv injection substation equally energized. Consequently, the state government in 2011 awarded contract for the construction of 5no33kv High Tension feeder lines from the Ohiya 2x30 MVA, 132/33kv injection substation. The 5no feeder lines radiate from Ohiya injection sub-station to the following locations –Afara, Ubakala, Nkwoegwu, Ntigha, and Umungwa. Construction work along Afara, Ubakala, Nkwoegwu and Umungwa has been completed while work on the Ntigha axis's in progress. This has greatly increased the electricity supply situation in umuahia metropolis and its environs. In addition, government initiated and completed the installation of solar energy streetlights in the following areas of umuahia metropolis – house of assembly junction to Bende road, Ndume Otuka road, Road 3 low cost housing estate, Health Centre Road, World Bank, Adelabu Street and Bende road which is about 80% completion.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND CHIEFTAINCY AFFAIRS
One of the greatest legacies of the Chief TA Orji administration in the state is the sustenance of peace in the communities. This has impacted positively on development. Through its relevant agencies like the ministry of local government and the chieftaincy affairs, it has resolved Ezeship and inter community disputes in rural grassroots communities through prompt settlement of 76 Ezeship and inter- community disputes. The government has provided safer environment for local government administration by taking proactive decisions and actions on security reports received from the local governments. The Abia state government has continued to pay salaries and allowance of Ndieze regularly in addition to facilitating payment of over N100m old debts as well as arrears of salaries owed by the 17 LGAS and ensured regular prompt payment of salaries owed by the local government in the state. The state government during the period under review completed the construction of the JAAC/ Ndieze secretariat crescent with asphalt by direct labour; procured and distributed 3711kv / 300 KVA transformers to the 17 local governments and institution in the state. Government also procured and distributed 72 vehicles to the 17 transition committee chairmen, there and all revenue unit of the 17LGAs as well as 4 principal officers of Abia state tradition Rulers council. Government also made funds available for the renovation of the headquarters and also produced uniform signposts for them. The ministry in keeping with the governor's directive empowered 6000 Abia youth across the 17 local government areas.

WOMEN AFFAIRS
The Abia State government gives premium to the development of women, children, the indigent, elderly and persons living with disabilities. Over 200 women have been trained in various skills. A total of 1500 women had benefitted from the free pre and post natal treatment for pregnant women for the first six weeks.

The Abia state government through the ministry has continued to take care of destitute and the less privileged by collaborating with the Itumbuzo mentally destitute home in the evacuation of some mentally ill persons in the state. Various sensitization programs and child trafficking and abuse, HIV/AIDS, teenage pregnancy, harmful tradition practices, child right law, child immunization, maternal mortality have been carried out by the government.


PETROLEUM AND SOLID MINERALS DEVELOPMENT
Abia state government has been able to achieve 100% maintenance on the vandalized system 2E-porthacourt Refinery osisioma Depot pipeline in collaboration with the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN). The depot is expected to commence operation soon and will boost the social and economic development of the state. The government has been able to clean up and taken remedial actions on the 16 spill incidents that occurred in the state in the last one year due to sabotage. A solid mineral Data Bank has been created and has indicated the locations of solid minerals site in the state. This has helped attract foreign investors to solid minerals sector and invariably will create employment and increases the state government's revenue.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
It is the desire of Abia state government that her citizens do not lag behind in this technological age. Its relevant ministry, the ministry of science and technology thus initiated the Ochendo free computer training designed to train Abians in all local government area of the state to be computer literate. The training programme has been on for public/civil servants. About 700 candidates have so far been trained. There is also the Computer for All Abian Initiative (CAAI) designed to enable interested public/civil servants in Abia State to have their own computer set at affordable prices, without interest. About 500 public servants have benefitted from the programme. The State government through an MOU recently signed, issued the right of way to a fibre optic technology company to invest in fibre optic technology in Abia State. This is inline with the State strategy on ICT. The State is also planning to partner with a Private firm to build ICT centres for the Youths in the State. Abia State has also keyed into the Federal government ECOWAS/CUBA initiatives of replacing high energy consuming incandescent bulbs with lower energy consuming fluorescent lanterns deploying government buildings and estates across the state. The ministry has completed work on the Abia State science and technology policy.

FINANCE
The state government through the ministry of finance has taken proactive measures that have meaningfully enhanced the revenue base of the state government. The financial management organs of the state government have been overhauled to ensure efficiency and transparency. Consultants on revenue were engaged that have assisted the government identify many revenue windows and potentials hitherto untapped previously. This has resulted to the marginal increase in the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) profile of the state government. Efforts have been intensified to complete the data capture of all state civil servants with a view to actually determine their number in the government payroll to eliminate ghost workers. The state government through the department assisted the former community banks to recapitalize to micro finance banks as part of the state government empowerment programme for the people at the grassroots. The ministry set up and inaugurated a committee on E-payment solution. Payment of salaries and pensions is up to date in the state. All categories of retired civil servants have been paid up to march this year. The finances and General Purpose Committee has been strengthened to entrench due process, transparency and accountability in the award of all government contracts. The reconstruction, evaluation and upgrading of the state government's debt had been done at the state level, the first in the South East zone. Plans have been conducted to extend some to the LGA's before the end of the year. The government has fine-tuned appropriate framework and strategy that would compel remittance of collected revenue to Board of Internally Generated Revenue (BIGR). This has become necessary because revenues expected from various internal sources have failed to reach projected levels.

EDUCATION
Education remains a key priority of the state government. Accordingly the state government has invested huge resources to that sector. There is a functional free transport services for students in Aba and Umuahia and this has alleviated the financial burden on parents. Scholarships have been instituted by the government for bright indigenes of the state to pursue academic programmes in locally and overseas. Renovation of public primary and secondary schools is a continuous process and many dilapidated schools have benefitted from this gesture.

SECURITY
The Ochendo government seems to have made the greatest achievement in this sector. Till date the state government has given out more than 150 patrol vehicles to security personnel in the state to help fight crime as well as communication equipment. The exercise is still going on. Besides, the state government was instrumental to the rehabilitation of the Army barracks at Ohafia, which has boosted the security of the state. The joint military- police patrol has reduced crime drastically. Today Abia is among the most peaceful in Nigeria
http://www.thenigerianvoice.com/nvnews/91397/1/gov-ta-orjis-scorecard-in-brief.html

Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State has identified patience, prudence and sincerity of purpose as all it takes to take the state to the next level.
He, has, therefore, promised to surmount all the obstacles in his quest to reposition the state.
Addressing a crowd of Abians at the Aguiyi Ironsi Cenotaph in Umuahia while marking the 2012 Democracy Day and his first year in office in the second tenure, Orji believes that no obstacle was insurmountable, especially when Abians were involved.
He stressed that having weathered the storm which prevailed in the state before he assumed office and which was responsible for the lack of infrastructural and socio-economic development of the state, his administration was now poised to push ahead with its lofty programmes.
The Governor enumerated his achievements within the first year of his second tenure which cuts across the three senatorial districts.
He said these were was just a tip of the iceberg and that Abia State will yet see monumental dividends of democracy delivered to them.
“As our second tenure draws forth, with all the strength, and with all the experience we have garnered in life and in office, with all the confidence that Abians daily impact on me, with the genuine criticisms we receive from many Abians, I can re-affirm the promise I made to Abians last May 29, 2011.
“That I will do whatever is right, and what is best to serve Abia State and leave a legacy that promotes sustainable growth, peace, democracy and development of Abia State,” the Governor, said, adding, “God helping me, I and my government will not fail Abians.”
Turning to those he called un-repentant critics that see nothing new in the state, Orji said: “I can only assure them that our new magic framework for Abia is that we know what to do, and Abia’s problems will soon yield to the sustained efforts of our sincerity of purpose, to serve no one else, but the general interest of Abians.”
He also singled out political leadership as a challenge confronting the state, but insisted that he has the courage and singleness of purpose to subdue it, so that the second tenure will be one that will be remembered for a long time to come in the state.
“We promise you that everything will turn around in Abia State, and we will transmit this state greater, better and more prosperous than it was transmitted to us.”
He assured that some of the most pressing problems that tended to dismember Abia, including kidnapping, armed robbery and general insecurity has been dealt mortal blows.
Earlier, Chairman of the occasion, Ike Nwachukwu, a Senator, insisted that unlike the era before 2007, Abia has witnessed tremendous transformation in all nooks and crannies and that many more were still being expected.
He enjoined Abians to continue to show support and loyalty to the present administration in its quest to return the state to its former glory, as well as empower the people economically.
http://dailyindependentnig.com/2012/05/cutting-the-2012-democracy-day-cake-to-mark-the-one-year-anniversary-of-the-second-tenure-of-governor-orji-in-umuahia-on-tuesday/cover-25/

As part of his government’s youth empowerment programme, Abia governor, chief Theodore Orji has given out various packages to youths in the 17 LGAs in the state to make them self reliant.
The items given out to the youths through their various chairmen include 500 tricycles, 5,000 delivery packs, 30,000 phones, 20,000 free lines,1000 chairs, tables and umbrellas each to be given to 50 youths from each of the LGAs.
Handing over the items to the beneficiaries at the Aguiyi Ironsi cenotaph , Umuahia, the governor directed that political party officials, traditional rulers and other stakeholders should be involved in the selection process to ensure that the items reach every strata of the LGAs.
He said that government cannot share money to every person hence the need to translate the gesture to the items to empower unemployed youths in the state.
The governor who also handed over brand new buses he had earlier promised the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour congress, the Trade union congress and the Joint negotiating council said he wishes Abia people advancement in all sectors.
According to him it is not only roads that he is building but empowering people to live healthy lives.
Speaking earlier, the secretary to the state government prof. Mkpa Agu Mkpa said the items are donations from the state governor to empower the youths to be better citizens.
In his remark, the commissioner for Local government and chieftaincy Affairs, Emma Nwabuko said the event marks another milestone of the governor in uplifting the welfare of the people and expressed gratitude to the governor for his kind gesture in uplifting the living standard of the people.
http://www.abiastate.gov.ng/2012/05/governor-taorji-has-given-out-various-pages-to-youths-in-seventeen-l-g-a-in-abia/

Reagan Ufomba APGA man in Abia was humiliated recently in Ojukwu’s home in Enugu as he was barred from participating in the stakeholders’ meeting of the party. Ufomba who arrived the place wearing jeans and T shirt in an old bus, used for his campaign was bounced by security men as they insisted that he came with thugs numbering about 30.

Ufomba made frantic efforts to force himself into the meeting with his boys. Irked by this act the security men beat him to stupor as some of his boys fled. Those who were arrested were found with guns and other dangerous weapons. Reagan was rushed to the hospital.

It was learnt that Victor Umeh who was tongue lashed at the meeting sent Reagan to disrupt the meeting which was attended by Peter Obi. It was also learnt that Ufomba may have been expelled by APGA over this incident. Efforts to speak to Victor Umeh and Reagan Ufomba proved abortive.

Details later
thejuristlaws..co.uk/2012/05/news-flash-reagan-ufomba-bounced-at.html

The current security challenges facing the country today, especially in the North remind Nigerians, especially Ndigbo of the predicaments and frustrations faced by their people at the peak of kidnapping in the South East zone. Worst hit by the menace then was Abia State, which commercial city, Aba, was overtaken by the dare devil kidnappers. Residents of the city fled en masse and the once bubbling and ever busy city became deserted.

While other states in the zone battled with the menace, that of Abia State was the most celebrated and publicised for reasons best known to the sponsors of the crime in the state. Some cynics of the government even called for Governor Theodore Orji’s resignation for his failure to secure the state.
But if not for their amnesia, how would they have forgotten so soon that before the upsurge of kidnapping in the state, that there was a failed attempt to assassinate Orji, when his convoy was attacked by hoodlums within the boundary between Abia and Imo State, while he was returning from Owerri airport to Umuahia in late 2007. If not for God and the courage of his security teams to return fire in its deadly efficiency, maybe he might be dead by now and those behind it will have their way by swearing in his then deputy, Chris Akomas, who was later impeached.

While the state was about to recover from the shock of the attack on the governor, bandits took over Umuahia and Aba forcing banks and other private and public commercial operators to close shops.
Government efforts to curb the problem then initially failed to yield positive results as the robbers often overpowered and outsmarted the security agents with their heavily sophisticated weapons and tactics. The situation took a dangerous turn when kidnapping crept into the state and took on the residents and visitors in the state. Many saw the development as politically-motivated, considering the changes in the tide of political equation in the state that did not go down well with some people that lost in the new power equation. Just like the Boko Haram sect, the kidnappers at a time became more tactful, desperate and sophisticated in operations beating security agents at will.

Some cynics called for the governor’s resignation for failure to provide security for the people, just like some people who are not comfortable with President Goodluck Jonathan government are calling for his resignation in the face of daunting security challenges that is novel, suicidal and can overcome any government.
Realising the enormity of the security challenges and its crippling effects on the economy of the state with Aba becoming a haven for the kidnappers, Orji took courageous and bold step to tackle it. A bill was passed by the State House of Assembly making kidnapping, a capital offence. Whosoever is caught in the act shall forfeit all he has acquired to the state government, as it is believed that such proceeds were from kidnapping. After signing the bill into law, Orji dangled a stick and carrot before the kidnappers by granting them amnesty which few of them accepted, but other die-hards led by the notorious Osisikankwu with their sponsors rebuffed it.

At a time the policemen in the state were accused of conniving with the kidnappers to destabilize the state, especially when it became obvious that despite the state government’s support to them which included the provision of more than 250 patrol vehicles, increased allowances and other incentives, kidnappers were having a field day. But in the face of all these, Orji remained undaunted in funding the security agents to combat the crime. Within the interventions of the military in the battle against the menace in the state with camps at Ngwa High School Aba, Community High School in Ukwa-West and Goodluck Jonathan Barracks at Ohafia, the state government released billions of naira in providing necessary logistics for them to perform.

So, nothing was more deserving than the award of National Ambassador for Peace that was conferred on Orji in Umuahia recently by the former minister of FCT and chairman, National Council for Peace and Unity, Engr. Muhammed Abba Gana. With the prevailing security challenges in the country today, the Federal Government should borrow a leaf from the Abia government by funding the security agents adequately. A security think-tank with Orji in-charge might provide the magic wand to tackle the problem as was done in Abia sometimes ago.
http://thejuristlaws..co.uk/2012/05/security-challenge-applauding-abia.html

The Supreme Court this morning at Abuja in a unanimous decision dismissed on all grounds the Appeal filed by a PDP Chieftain, Ikechi Emenike, challenging the nomination of Chief TA Orji as Governorship candidate of PDP

Abia State Governor Theodore Orji has said the state overcame its security challenges to start rebuilding it.
Kidnapping, robbery and murder once tarnished the image of the state and also scared off investors and undermined even regular business activities.
As a result, the state and local governments could not provide basic social services in health, education, water supply and sanitation. To worsen the situation, most of its basic infrastructure was flattened. Lack of adequate sanitation, potable water and electricity in addition to substandard housing and overcrowding aggravated the challenge.
Today, the governor told journalists, Aba is secure and business and investment confidence returning.
Across Umuahia, the reduction in crimianl activities is remarkable. There were crackdowns on local gangs in addition to other security measures.
In recognition of this, the National Council for Unity and Peace (NCUP) has conferred on the governor the award of the National Ambassador for Peace.

Governor Orji said the state’s allocation from the Federal Government is a mere N3.1b while it pays N2.6b a month in salaries. He also said his administration has greatly improved the state’s internally generated revenue profile, making N500m monthly as against N150m or N200m in the past.

Now, there are developmental projects across the state spanning health and education, revival of domestic markets, support for agriculture, and job creation, especially for young people. He said the state was ready to provide at least the minimum conditions for human sustenance. He said the government has already begun the process of rebuilding itself through construction of basic facilities.
Orji said the state is undergoing its largest urban redevelopment boom. These include a Government House, judicial headquarters, and administrative complex for the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State and the secretariat. The governor said the development was necessary to bring people, jobs and life back to the state. Abia is a clear picture of how much the basics matter: cost of living, job quality, schools, and opportunities to develop the right skills for the best jobs.

Orji said the government is also rebuilding the suburbs through construction and restoration projects. The state capital, Umuahia, is rebuilding itself, with one construction project at a time.
Having restored security, the government has now delved into rehabilitating the decayed infrastructures as well as providing new ones to make the state work again. The state has been working on rebuilding leaky and antiquated sewer lines. Workers have to redirect channels draining to to the city’s canal system. The government wants to prevent progressive deterioration of the drainage system and find a way to control future growth.
The government’s biggest challenge remains flood control and financing of projects which will require millions of naira to rebuild underground arteries.
On access to safe drinking water, the governor said his administration is working to bring relief to the people.
Various projects are going on in Aba to restore the glory of the commercial city. Among the prominent ones is the reconstruction of the Ukwu Mango Road, which links the popular Ariaria International Market with the rest of the city. The road was abandoned for years. There is also the construction of a pedestrian bridge in front of the Abia State Polytechnic to ensure the safety of students and the de-silting of the School Road/East drainage system.

The government is building a central motor park at Osisioma, along the Port Harcourt-Enugu Express Road. Journalists visited the central motor park whose construction is nearing completion. The project will decongest the city which has numerous chaotic motor parks scattered all over the town with its attendant nuisance.

Aside the many road contracts awarded and those where actual construction work is going on in Aba, including the completed popular and busy Faulks Road, other equally important ongoing projects include the construction of a massive auditorium at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, (ABSUTH), Aba.
Also, the dignity of Ariaria International Market is being restored as the government has embarked on the rehabilitation of the dilapidated internal roads in the popular market. He said the state is building an International Conference Centre with the capacity to seat over 3500 participants,while the old and existing workers’ secretariat is having a touch of modernity so as to synchronise with the emerging new look at Ogwurube Layout where the amazing Central Bank of Nigeria and the re-built Customary Court of Appeal are situated.
A short distance from the Customary Court of Appeal,the government has laid the foundation stone for a new Government House in Umuahia.
Transport Commissioner, Chief Ukpai Agwu Ukpai warned operators of illegal motor parks in the state to move into approved areas.
The commissioner specifically warned touts in the state to quit all state and federal roads “unless they choose to relocate to prisons”.
Taking journalists to Aba ’s drainage projects, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Ugochukwu Emezue said the drainage system has long been a source of concern to the extent that the Ukwu Mango stretch was covered with garbage and stalls and houses built on it. He said the government is de-flooding and constructing the drainage to connect A line at the Ariaria International Market, and open up Faulks Road.
.htmlThe Commissioner for Information, Dr Eze Chikamnayo said the governor inherited a much polarised and run-down state and promptly went to work. Chikamnayo added that immediately, the security problem was tackled, Governor Orji moved to the next level with the provision of infrastructure. He said Orji is leaving a legacy of over 100 outstanding edifices, structures, covering every arm of government and all sector.
http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/newsextra/47705-abia-rebuilds-infrastructure.html

No fewer than 1000 members of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in Abia state including the deputy gubernatorial candidate and campaign manager of the party’s governorship candidate in the 2011 election have defected to the Peoples Democratic Party.
The defectors who said they were rather “returnees” to the party they belonged to before they joined APGA were represented at the brief ceremony at the government house where they were received by Governor T A Orji and top notches of the PDP .Their representatives included the running mate of Chief Reagan Ufomba, the APGA governorship candidate, Chief Chima Ubaka, the Director General Ufomba campaign Organization, chief Okechi Kanu, the chief of Staff Chies Jude Nwogwugwu as well six representatives of the markets in Aba among others.
Receiving them, Governor Orji said they have made their best decision in life by returning to the PDP, and urged them to galvanize and make the party stronger at the local government levels. “I receive you to formalize the sense of belonging. This is the best decision you have taken; we accept you with all sincerity and we believe you have come with sincerity.”
He said that their mass exodus has dealt the final death blow on the party adding that the little relevance APGA had was because of the presence of late Emeka Odumegwu –Ojukwu. He stressed that the death of the former leader would definitely mark the end of the party adding that those who were playing up the ethnic sentiment were not helping the party either as nobody wants to belong to a party owned by one ethnic group.
He advised them to pitch their tent with the largest party which has the capacity to accommodate everyone from every part of the country noting that the habit of leaving a party once one failed to win nomination was not the best political behaviour.
Referring to his brief stopover in APGA before joining PDP the Governor said “we made APGA relevant in the state,” adding, we fought a war in Abia State that almost tore the state apart but we won and everything is turning around for our good.”

He noted that PDP would continue to win in Abia state given its performance in the last election, stressing that his administration has returned the state to the mainstream of Nigerian politics which he said made the completion of the 132kv power substation in Umuahia possible among other federal government projects.
According to him, the political class who fled the state has returned saying “PDP is one united family, we are not polarized though they could be problems during elections,” and urged them to stay even when there seem not o be space for political office at the moment.
In his remarks, chairman of PDP in Abia State, Senator Emma Nwaka who had earlier received thee decampees at the party secretariat said that with the development “only one person is left in APGA and after now APGA will be buried in Abia State,”. He said that they could rightly be addressed as returnees as they all were members of he PDP.
Their leader Chief Okechi Kalu said they were back to PDP for obvious reasons, adding that they had expected their former party to offer constructive opposition but was averse to the idea of criticizing on the newspaper which they consider as inimical to the image of the state.
http://leadership.ng/nga/articles/25634/2012/05/24/apga_members_defect_en_mass_pdp_abia_state.html
http://abiastatenews..co.uk/2012/05/apga-members-defect-en-mass-to-pdp-in.html

the governor of abia state his excellency chief T.A Orji has contributed immensely in fighting against unemployment among the youth of abia state.this program of empowerment is a very good initiative impounded by the governor to help reduce the level of poverty and laziness among the youths of abia state. is a programme that will also improve and enhance the growth and the development of Abia state.

No fewer than 12,000 youths have been selected for empowerment in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State as part of the poverty eradication programme of the Federal Government.
Member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Arua Arunsi, made this known at the inauguration of his free medical care at General Hospital, Ohafia.
He said the beneficiaries were selected from all the wards in the constituency with each contributing at least 100 persons, in addition to the 40 indigent persons selected for economic empowerment package, including sponsorship of their children in school.
The lawmaker said he was determined to ensure that youths in his constituency were adequately empowered to be economically independent, adding that youth empowerment was an integral part of his campaign manifesto.
I will do whatever I will do to reduce unemployment in my constituency,” he vowed, adding that the selected youths would be sent to the skill acquisition centre set up by the wife of Abia state governor, Mrs. Mercy Odochi Orji for training in various vocational skills.

According to him, the youth empowerment initiative was in line with the transformation agenda of the Goodluck Jonathan administration aimed at moving Nigeria from the present level of development to a higher level; thereby making lives better for the citizenry.
But he warned that the expected transformation would not be accomplished overnight owing to the “great damage” inflicted on the nation by long years of military rule.
Arunsi explained that his free medical service programme would take care of the various health challenges being encountered by his constituents, adding that an estimated 12,000 patients would receive treatment in Ohafia, Nkporo and Arochukwu.
To make this possible, the lawmaker said drugs worth over N10 million were sourced from the MDGs pool while a medical team comprising five doctors, an optometrist, pharmacist and several nurses were assembled to attend to the health needs of the patients.

Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Hon Ude Oko-Chukwu, who declared open the free medical service programme, commended Hon Arunsi for fulfilling his campaign promises to his constituents, and urged the people to maximise the opportunity offered by the free medical services.
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/12-000-youths-for-empowerment-in-abia-lg/116454/

It's hard to please men,no matter how best your bested achievements are on the face of the earth.The world on it own is insatiable or unsaturated & the people in it are naturally molded & fashioned with hatred,jealousy,strife,conflict,selfish machination to condemn their fellow man,no matter how good a man's bested interest to keep giving out his best is at all time,his quest to search for that singular,basic means of making the world a better place for all looks abortive.T.A Orji,has a flare to continually seek for one solution-solving means which may be the modest answer to every challenges Abia state is facing or may be facing.He never folded his arms,that i think.He aims at reaching out to sundry places,to enable Abians share from the dividends of democracy.This is the time to refrain from rancorous ,nefarious and falsified rumours against T.A Orji.Let us visit places that have been said that the governor has fixed and the jobs he is creating to help the youths ,this will give room for any critic to say what he feels in order to be able to know if what has been professed of T.A's administration spares him derogation or not.but for me ,i think T.A is doing every thing possible to put Abia ahead of time.....