https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hkP-58t7S4

discusant:


If your group can fight war and defeat Arewa to agree to resource control in Nigeria’s political process; that’s the only way to have oil and gas producing states to control their resources and pay tax to Abuja central government.

The civil war was won for Arewa. Nobody gives up in peace time what he won through war. It’s waste of time hoping that Arewa will give up the oil and gas deposits in the south to the oil producing states.

Stop spamming this thread

Ok

Ok

The Osun State Government had said a new investor had been found for MKO Abiola International Airport, Ido Osun.

The State’s Commissioner for Works and Transportation, Remi Owowaiye, disclosed this on Friday during the Ministerial Press Conference organised by the Ministry of Information and Civic Orientation.

Recall that ex-governor Rauf Aregbesola in May, 2018, during an interactive session, had said the concession agreement entered with AWOL International Limited, a private consultancy firm, on the project had failed.

However, Omowaiye said many investors had indicated interest in the project, adding that government was at the stage of entering into Memorandum of Understanding with one of the investors before the advent of coronavirus.

‘MKO Abiola airport’ll boost economic growth’
He said, “Many investors have shown interest in the development of the project. Government is at the stage of entering into MOU with one of the investors on a BOT arrangement and serious meeting had been held with the leading investor and their partners from USA.

“If not for COVID-19 pandemic, the MOU would have been signed and site handed over by now.”


https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/punchng.com/new-investor-taking-over-mko-abiola-airport-osun/%3famp

NDLEA nabs Lagos drug baron, seizes cocaine, millions of naira

A notorious drug baron and former vice chairman of Lagos Island East local council development area, LCDA, Asekun Kehinde Sakiru, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja, Lagos.

Asekun has been on the wanted list of the Agency following the recent arrest of some traffickers and drug seizures linked to him. The long arm of the law however caught up with the wanted baron at about 9.40pm on Friday 7th May, 2021 while trying to board a Virgin Atlantic airline flight to London, United Kingdom at the Lagos airport.

At the point of his arrest, Asekun was caught with a kilogramme of cocaine concealed in five pairs of palm slippers packed inside his suitcase. He has been on the wanted list of the MMIA Command of the Agency in connection to a case involving one Azeez Adeniyi Ibrahim who was arrested with 6.45kg of cocaine in December, 2020.

During preliminary investigation, it was gathered that the London based baron is a seasoned politician. He was at different times between 2004 and 2014 the vice chairman of Lagos Island East LCDA. He had also contested and lost elections for House of Representatives in 2007 and Lagos State House of Assembly in 2015.

Although, he claims to be an international businessman who deals in automobiles, investigation is yet to confirm that to be the source of his acquired wealth.

In the course of tracking him, the sum of N131million was seized from his account and another N14 million also blocked in the account of one of his traffickers, Azeez Adeniyi Ibrahim, bringing the total sum so far recovered from him to N145 million.

While commending the officers and men of the MMIA Command of the Agency for resilience and dedication to duty, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) said with the support of all stakeholders, the problem of drug trafficking and abuse in Nigeria will be drastically reduced very soon.

“This arrest is yet another message and red alert to those still in this criminal trade whether as barons or traffickers that they will soon enter the dragnet of the Agency, daily being spread across the country, if they fail to back out especially now that we are moving all out for the barons and the big cartels while we continue to reign in the traffickers”, Gen. Marwa warned in his reaction on Wednesday.

Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja
12th May, 2021

https://www.facebook.com/200902653400035/posts/1957280887762194/

Abagworo:


Chino has invaded Abia thread with his Ihedioha2015 handle. Of course we all know what to expect.

Meanwhile I read that the Aba mega mall has opened. What exactly is going on there? Is it a market for "Aba made" stuffs or a typical shopping and entertainment center like normal malls elsewhere?

Then this Rhema University how is it waxing?

What nonsense, who is chino what does he look like? you think I am one the disgruntled elements like you who go about causing disunity among igbo unity? I say it the way it is. You must have seen my comments before and after elections, I remain the same. I careless about what you think but it will not stop the likes of Ihedioha from taking what is duely theirs.

Ok

State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, are back to the trenches in their war of words following Ihedioha’s call on the former to account for the N500 billion loan he allegedly obtained from banks since he could not pay workers.

However, in a statement at the weekend by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, Okorocha urged Ihedioha to allow him run the state with the decorum and respect it deserves.

“We have heard about those inciting certain groups in the state to cause trouble, but we have chosen to remain calm,” the statement read.

“It is unfortunate that a man who had been in the House of Representatives for 12 years, and Deputy Speaker for four years, and who should know the efficacy of respecting political office, would take delight in abusing his governor without provocation”

He insisted that his free education programme and infrastructure development are testimonies to the facts under reference. He also maintained that he acquired Spibat Estate before becoming governor.

According to Ihedioha, however, “Imolites are in rude shock that while civil servants who, despite illegal deductions from their meagre salaries and allowances are being owed up to seven months’ salary and several months of allowances groan in alarming hardship, Okorocha is busy junketing around the world in expensive private jets, having sold almost all of the state’s assets and obtained loans in excess of N500 billion.”

He insisted that Okorocha should publish what accrued to the 27 local councils, how much he has so far borrowed from banks, receipts from the Federal Government through monthly allocation, excess crude, ecological fund and 13 per cent derivation.

Also, he should state how much he has generated from internal revenue, the sale of state assets, and the illegally deductions so far from the salaries and allowances of Imo civil servants since 2011.

He added: “It is regrettable that Okorocha has arrogantly refused to tell Imolites how much he has received. How can a man build the multi-billion naira largest private estate in Nigeria, sited at Spibat at Amakohia, with state funds?”

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/2015/06/okorocha-ihedioha-row-over-n500b-loan/

IMO MUST BE FREED FROM ITS PRESENT UNDERDEVELOPMENT AND ROT!!!



State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, are back to the trenches in their war of words following Ihedioha’s call on the former to account for the N500 billion loan he allegedly obtained from banks since he could not pay workers.

However, in a statement at the weekend by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, Okorocha urged Ihedioha to allow him run the state with the decorum and respect it deserves.

“We have heard about those inciting certain groups in the state to cause trouble, but we have chosen to remain calm,” the statement read.

“It is unfortunate that a man who had been in the House of Representatives for 12 years, and Deputy Speaker for four years, and who should know the efficacy of respecting political office, would take delight in abusing his governor without provocation”

He insisted that his free education programme and infrastructure development are testimonies to the facts under reference. He also maintained that he acquired Spibat Estate before becoming governor.

According to Ihedioha, however, “Imolites are in rude shock that while civil servants who, despite illegal deductions from their meagre salaries and allowances are being owed up to seven months’ salary and several months of allowances groan in alarming hardship, Okorocha is busy junketing around the world in expensive private jets, having sold almost all of the state’s assets and obtained loans in excess of N500 billion.”

He insisted that Okorocha should publish what accrued to the 27 local councils, how much he has so far borrowed from banks, receipts from the Federal Government through monthly allocation, excess crude, ecological fund and 13 per cent derivation.

Also, he should state how much he has generated from internal revenue, the sale of state assets, and the illegally deductions so far from the salaries and allowances of Imo civil servants since 2011.

He added: “It is regrettable that Okorocha has arrogantly refused to tell Imolites how much he has received. How can a man build the multi-billion naira largest private estate in Nigeria, sited at Spibat at Amakohia, with state funds?”

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/2015/06/okorocha-ihedioha-row-over-n500b-loan/

B2mario:


Enyi face-off from here, i.diot!
Which Abia is in bondage and which Okezie has become a failed guy, Okezie that just won yesterday? This how outsiders normally say rubbish about another man state. Is Mbaise better than Owerrinta talk more of Aba?

It's you, your family and Ihedioha that is in bondage and won't get out of it.

If you don't have anything good to say here, you have every right to remain silent.

because what i said is not what you wanted to hear that is why you are insulting me? i only analyzed what i saw today in aba.

was in aba today..chai, what i saw with my eyes is so horrible that even if okezie spends the whole allocation for 8yrs in the town it will still be a scratch on the surface. the level of rot and decay with almost all roads in aba a death trap is worth crying for. abia state where have we got it wrong that we are in this sort of bondage? the worst is that okezie has become the fall guy, its a pity. nobody should hope for anything to happen in abia more especially with the dwindling oil price, the destruction has been done already.

Ihedioha please come to our rescue.

State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, are back to the trenches in their war of words following Ihedioha’s call on the former to account for the N500 billion loan he allegedly obtained from banks since he could not pay workers.

However, in a statement at the weekend by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, Okorocha urged Ihedioha to allow him run the state with the decorum and respect it deserves.

“We have heard about those inciting certain groups in the state to cause trouble, but we have chosen to remain calm,” the statement read.

“It is unfortunate that a man who had been in the House of Representatives for 12 years, and Deputy Speaker for four years, and who should know the efficacy of respecting political office, would take delight in abusing his governor without provocation”

He insisted that his free education programme and infrastructure development are testimonies to the facts under reference. He also maintained that he acquired Spibat Estate before becoming governor.

According to Ihedioha, however, “Imolites are in rude shock that while civil servants who, despite illegal deductions from their meagre salaries and allowances are being owed up to seven months’ salary and several months of allowances groan in alarming hardship, Okorocha is busy junketing around the world in expensive private jets, having sold almost all of the state’s assets and obtained loans in excess of N500 billion.”

He insisted that Okorocha should publish what accrued to the 27 local councils, how much he has so far borrowed from banks, receipts from the Federal Government through monthly allocation, excess crude, ecological fund and 13 per cent derivation.

Also, he should state how much he has generated from internal revenue, the sale of state assets, and the illegally deductions so far from the salaries and allowances of Imo civil servants since 2011.

He added: “It is regrettable that Okorocha has arrogantly refused to tell Imolites how much he has received. How can a man build the multi-billion naira largest private estate in Nigeria, sited at Spibat at Amakohia, with state funds?”

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/2015/06/okorocha-ihedioha-row-over-n500b-loan/

has it got to posting computer generated image as an estate in owerri? smh, is it how bad it has got to in imo state just to prove otherwise for our lame governor? ihedioha where are you, please come and save imo state from this ugly situation we have found ourselves?

what is happening to my dear state? How did we get ourselves into this mess in the first place? How did we allow a scam artist take over our state? What did Imo state do wrong to deserve this disaster? We get the kind of rulership we want. At last Ihedioha is vindicated.


millionnaireman

who will save imo state from going further into the ditch?

*How the Reformed Ogboni Fraternity Controls Imo State*

To this end, the following would be looked into.

1. The kidnap of the principal secretary to the former Deputy Governor of the State, Sir Emenike Ihekwaba allegedly by Governor Rochas Okorocha on the 26th of August 2012 and what the governor told the then commissioner of police (Mr. Bolanta) in respect to the kidnap of the top civil servant.

2. The murder of the Chief Protocol Officer to the former Deputy Governor of the state, Mr. La. Anyanwu allegedly by Governor Okorocha in January 2013.

3. Why the incident of 1 and 2 paved the way for the eventual removal through impeachment of Deputy Governor Jude Agbaso in March 2013.

4. The Homosexual activities going on at the Executive arm of government and the initiation of T.C. chairmen into the ungodly act. Why is Okorocha spreading immorality in Imo State?

5. The control of Imo State and her people by the Reformed Ogboni fraternity and Marine Spirit fraternity: and why Ogboni members are in control of the three arms of government in the state; namely (i) EXECUTIVE (ii) JUDICARY (iii) LEGISLATIVE

6. The Human ritual sacrifices (vis-a-vis with new born babies, adopted babies, aborted babies in the state via (i) The six entry points into the state capital (ii) Major round-abouts in the state capital (iii) The three markets in the state capital and the constant evil practices( Human ritual sacrifices) at the ORASHI RIVER in OBODOUKWU in Ideato North L.G.A.

7. The looting of State resources via local government allocation, ISOPADEC funds, state allocation, Ecological funds

8. The land grabbing madness of Governor Okorocha; How Rochas Okorocha without shame, openly stealing and grabbing of lands belonging to individuals and communities in the state.

9. The fraud called free Education policy in the state.

10. The Abortion law. Why Okorocha sent it as an Executive bill to the State Assembly on behalf of the Reformed Ogboni fraternity. Why it did not pass any first, second and third reading before it was passed as a bill and signed into law by Okorocha himself within 48hrs.

11. How Okorocha’s village mansion got burnt in 2004 (when he was Special Adviser on inter-party affairs to President Obasanjo) and how in assisting to put out the fire burning his mansion, Ogboko residents stumbled into his underground room where they allegedly saw human skulls numbering over 72.

12. The acquisition of properties with stolen state funds by Governor Rochas Okorocha, his wife Nkechi, his brothers and sisters.

13. How Governor Okorocha uses a killer squad which he set up and controlled by his son- in-law Mr. Uche Nwosu, (who is also the commissioner of lands, survey and urban planning) to intimidate people.

14. Okorocha’s refusal to organize local government election since 4 years.

15. Why Okorocha allowed speaker Uwajumogu to award road contracts in the state.

16. The murder of Mr. Noel Unegbu ,a show promoter based in United States of America and one of Okorocha’s money launderers.

17. The brutal murder of Chief Benneth James Ihekire, founder and managing director of Dekor-kote paints industries Ltd in 2012

18. Why the late Chioma Ogoke was poisoned

19. The execution of state projects with very inferior materials by Governor Rochas Okorocha in Imo State.

20. The sexual abuse of female political appointees at government House and the Governor’s wife’s special likeness for female appointees.

How Okorocha’s village mansion got burnt in 2004 (when he was Special Adviser on

inter-party affairs to President Obasanjo) and how in assisting to put out the fire

burning his mansion, Ogboko residents stumbled into his underground

room where they allegedly saw human skulls numbering over 72

21. Why out of 15 High courts in Owerri, only 3 are functioning. The remaining 12 High courts are under lock and key with thousands of cases assigned to these courts that have no judges.

22. Why so many innocent people are languishing in Owerri prisons and how Okorocha is responsible for the sufferings of inmates in Owerri prisons.

23. Why Okorocha is the grand patron of several secret cult groups in the state and uses same to intimidate the people openly and shamelessly.

24. Why only three categories of people are given road contracts in the State; namely (i) Reformed Ogboni fraternity members (ii) Homosexuals and Lesbians (that is members of Marine spirit fraternity (iii) Drug Addicts

25. Why Imo State is now the Head Quarters of occultism in Nigeria

From the above 25 issues to be discussed in details in the final part of this narrative and testimony, it is very clear and obvious that the very good people of Imo State are unequally yoked with the leadership of Rochas Okorocha. Conversely, the federal government is called upon to apply the doctrine of necessity and set aside the immunity of Okorocha; and then have him arrested to face criminal charges of corruption, stealing, membership of several secret societies, sponsorship of cult activities, homosexual activities, ritual sacrifices of human beings, drug addiction, killing of innocent people through murders, using the Imo police command to cover up his various atrocities, like the assassination and brutal murder of Architect Franklin Okoli etc, etc.

As King Ahab died painfully, shamefully, and most disastrously as was prophesied,

so shall Rochas Okorocha die in JESUS MIGHTY name I pray, AMEN.

MY RUINED BUISNESSES

It will not be out of place if I do not talk about my businesses which the Imo State Government and the State Police Command ruined. It is acknowledged that I operate genuine businesses in Owerri, the State capital with known addresses. I have a Super-market (NWACHINEMEREM STORES) which was under lock and key for more than 8 months as a result of our illegal, unlawful and criminal arrest and detention due to false accusation or murder by the State Government and the State police command, and as a result, goods worth millions of naira got spoilt and expired, both at the supermarket, my warehouse and other shops.

Also, my well known chain of Keke-Tricycle transport network (ABOKI HOLDINGS—transport division) is in shambles due to my illegal, unlawful and criminal arrest and detention for 11 months(328 days) by the State Government and the State Police command. Many of my other businesses are also in ruins. Consequently, I have instructed my lawyers to take immediate legal action against the Imo State Government and the State police command to press for serious damages and also for Human Right abuses on my gentle self, my wife and my children. The impunity of the very foolish and irresponsible Rochas Okorocha led ungodly government and that of the police in Imo State will not be allowed or swept under the Carpet.

He who sows injustice reaps calamity (Proverbs chapter 22 verse . If a man returns evil for good, evil will never depart from his house (Proverbs chapter 17 verse13). Bread of deceit is sweet to a mouth, but afterwards the same mouth will be filled with gravels and stones (Proverbs chapter 20 verse 17). Woe unto them that call evil good: woe unto them that put darkness for light and light for darkness. Woe unto them that put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter (Isaiah chapter 5 verse 20). Therefore, standing by the authority of the word of God in mouth and as an oracle of the MOST HIGH GOD, I degree and declare that Psalms 109 must be the portion of Governor Rochas Okorocha and his cohorts. The spirit of all those he killed will pursue him to his untimely and sudden death.

As King Ahab died painfully, shamefully, and most disastrously as was prophesied, so shall Rochas Okorocha die in JESUS MIGHTY name I pray, AMEN.

There is only one true God who is in Heaven. He is the most High God. Let us all clap for Jesus. Let us continue to clap for Jesus. He is the only way, the only truth and the only life. He is the only pathway to this GOD who is in HEAVEN. ALLELUYAH. AMEN.

I rest my pen.



Citizen (Dr.) Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha FCAI

Former Senior Special Assistant on Media, Immediate Past Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties

Imo State House of Assembly (From 15th June 2011- 17th December 2013)

where are the following projects owelle started 5years ago?

- ada palm plantation

- princess hotel okigwe

- oguta hotel

- orlu hotel

i want to know what is going on with the industrialization of imo state which owelle used as a campaign promises this year? we shall continue to lag behind until imo state move away from mere seeking of limited spaces in the state civil service and start industrialization of the state. imo state is not looking up at all in terms of development. what is the government doing about zero employment status of imo state? why is imo state just a place live your first 20years and then the person zooms off to other states to make a living? what is going on?

cc: millionnaireman

CharliParker:
I will agree when Bornu and Osun state makes any excuses but Abia state is what pains me most

Don't excuse any of those states

LordMecuzy:
Nwanne Ihedioha2015 how u coping after loosing to Rochas? Now no federal government compensation self..... edit your username to 2019

Election is over. I stand for good governance in Nigeria as a whole.

Abia State: This is a South-Eastern state and believed to be the worst state in Nigeria and its history. The state is also owing the civil servants over 6months salaries. It is even painful that this is an oil producing state that has been benefitting for the past 16yrs. And since this report till now nothing has changed in terms of its status as the worst Nigerian state.



Inside Abia: Nigeria’s dirtiest state


■ Epidemic looms, residents lament

On Wednesday penultimate week, Aba, the commercial nerve centre of Abia State, witnessed its first rain in 2015. Although the rain was not heavy, it left a heavy burden on the residents, as the en­tire city was flooded.

The situation was such that moving from one part of the city to another was a diffi­cult task. People were compelled to remove their shoes and fold their trousers to wade through the flood even as vehicles were trapped in the craters dotting the roads. Many of the residential buildings and busi­ness premises were not spared as the flood ravaged personal effects and commercial goods. In some cases, people fell into gut­ters and sustained injuries. Those who were coming into the town that day had a hectic time as Osisioma area and parts of Aba – Owerri road were flooded, particularly the Abia Poly gate and St Paul’s junction. This resulted in a traffic snarl that forced people to trek long distances. In fact, Aba was liter­ally floating that day.

A resident, Mrs Agnes Ajumbe, told our correspondent that her daughter broke her leg when she fell into a submerged gully on Jubilee road while returning from her business place that day. Her words: “When my daughter was returning after the rain on Wednesday (last week), she removed her shoes as everywhere was flooded. Unfor­tunately, she fell into a big hole on Jubilee road because it was covered with flood wa­ter and she didn’t know that the hole was there. As she fell, her handbag containing recharge cards and a sack containing bot­tles of groundnuts that we sell fell into the flood. Everything was damaged. The bottles of groundnuts broke and she broke her left leg. I am a widow and our source of liveli­hood is gone. I don’t even have money to give her proper treatment, so I took her to a native bonesetter. The affected leg is swol­len and the pain is unbearable for her. She is always crying, particularly in the night. I am confused.”

Another resident, Mr Simeon Ofoma told our correspondent that his Carmry car broke down inside a gully on Eziukwu road. “I didn’t know that the hole on the road was so big because the entire place was flood­ed. The bottom plate and exhaust pipe were affected. I bought the car in November last year and I spent a huge amount to fix it. We are really suffering in this state. When I was travelling to my home town, Arochuk­wu, last year for the Christmas festivities, the car also broke down because of the bad roads. Living in Abia is like living in hell,” he lamented.

Investigations revealed that in the last couple of years, Aba, the economic livewire of Abia State has deteriorated in every ma­terial particular. If nothing is done and fast too, Aba residents will experience more hardship this rainy season.

Most of the roads are in a deplorable state and impassable when it rains even slightly. If you go to a place like Obohia, for in­stance, your heart will melt at the level of decay and suffering residents of the area are going through. Ama Mmong, a densely populated suburb, is a patch of hell. Going there could be likened to a journey to Gol­gotha. It is a difficult task accessing there from any point. To go there, you must arm yourself with sachets of water with which to wash your legs because you will get to por­tions where vehicles cannot navigate and you will be compelled to wade through dirty smelly water. Residents disclosed that the ugly state of the road had made commercial bus drivers to increase the fare. Milverton Avenue, which is the loading bay of luxury bus operators, has broken into two. Driving through that axis is a risk many motorists are not willing to take because any vehicle that goes through it will hardly be the same again. Umu Ule road, Port Harcourt road, MCC roads, Port Harcourt road, Hospital road and Umuocham road are some of the major arteries where commuters gnash their teeth in agony.

Interestingly, you can hardly find the cam­paign posters of the ruling party in Obohia. This is because residents of the area do not want to hear anything about the ruling par­ty there. “We don’t want to see any of their nonsense posters here. In fact, they cannot come to campaign here because we are not happy with them and the youths of the area may give more than they bargained for,” Innocent, a tricycle rider, told the reporter.

Apart from the broken roads, the gut­ters are filled with dirt. It is the same sto­ry in virtually every part of the town. Also, mountains of refuse dot the town. One of the new ‘mountains’ is on Ochefu Street by Market road. Getting there, you are left wondering how human beings live in such environment right in the city centre. And the garbage bins, where they exist, spill on the road before being evacuated. The result is a stinking city.

Dirt is not peculiar to Aba. Going to Umuahia, the state capital, you easily notice why Abia could be regarded as the dirtiest state in the country. At Umuikaa junction, along the Aba – Enugu expressway, dirt is strewn all over the place. A massive refuse dump site emitting acrid odour and billow­ing smoke welcome you to the capital city. The ‘perfume’ stings in the nose. And in the middle of the expressway, shortly after Abia Tower in Umuahia, are unsightly heaps of garbage. And if you are going to Akwa Ibom from Abia, nobody will tell you the boundary of the two states because immedi­ately you cross into Akwa Ibom everything changes for the better. And if you are go­ing to Imo State, the environment becomes cleaner when you cross the border town of Owerrinta.

Indeed, epidemic looms in Abia because the residents have been exposed to dirt and offensive odour for years. The gutters have become breeding grounds for mosquitoes and rodents. Interestingly, the residents and business owners are compelled to pay sanitation levies yet dirt and rotten wastes litter everywhere. Worse still, the people have been conquered. Hence, many see no evil and speak no evil. It was learnt that fol­lowing a report on the decrepit state of Aba markets not long ago, some of their leaders were arrested and detained on the suspicion that they gave information to the reporter.

http://sunnewsonline.com/new/?p=108027



A former minister of finance and economic planning, Dr Kalu Idika Kalu, has said that the state of infrastructure in Abia fell short of the aspirations of its founding fathers.

Kalu told the News Agency of Nigeria in his country home, Ohafia, that the euphoria that greeted the creation of the state 22 years ago seemed to have waned due to under-development.

The former minister also decried the lack of manpower development in the state.

He said the ingenious artisans in the state, particularly in Aba, the commercial nerve centre of the state, were the worst hit.

“When Abia was created, I felt so proud not because I thought we should be split into so many states, but because I thought we had the potential to place Abia as one of the top states in the nation.

“As a commissioner then in the old Imo State, I remembered coming into Aba when they were opening the NTA office in the town and we had lots of designers there.

“Take for an example people in the textile and garments industry, these are people that need just a little support to get to the global stage of designing,” he said.

He alleged that “22 years down the lane, no meaningful development has taken place in the state”.

Kalu added that a situation where critical infrastructures were in deplorable condition and in most cases non-existent was regrettable.

“We have not lived up to expectations and we still have a long way to go to create viable agriculture, industries and proper infrastructure.

“There is no question that we need to do a lot more and part of the problem is that we have not really had time to amplify our resources beyond the ones we know.

“Abia State had oil and gas territories which were ceded to other states.

“We still have a golden opportunity to look at these things radically and isolate ourselves whether as governors, senators or members of the house,” he said.

Kalu said what the people needed was a system that would bring about growth, development, stability and progress.

He added that such proper steps would reduce the poverty level among the people to the barest minimum.


http://www.punchng.com/news/kalu-decries-poor-state-of-infrastructure-in-abia/



■ Residents commend The Sun for shining on the city

Aba, the commercial nerve centre of Abia State, was agog on Sat­urday. That day, The Sun shone brightly on the dilapidated city. The residents, who over the years, had been united in grief over the total collapse of infrastructure in the city, had something to cheer. They were elated that their predicament had been exposed to the whole world to see.

They were happy that Saturday Sun pre­sented a dispassionate report on the deplor­able condition of critical infrastructure in the city. As soon as the newspaper hit town, it started selling like hot cake. The newspa­per was a souvenir of sorts. For them, now that their story had been told in words and pictures, there could be a ray of hope that in­tervention may come from the Federal Gov­ernment since the state government had aban­doned them. Indeed, some of them suggested that the Federal Government should declare a state of emergency in Aba to address the situ­ation.

Justus, a resident, said: “Beloved, I com­mend your write-up about Aba. Every as­pect of the city is in utter ruins. Nigerians need to be aware of this. We can’t keep quiet anymore. It’s time for coordinated action for change. Some of us aren’t partisan or have any affiliation with any political party what­soever but we just demand good governance. Abia and, particularly Aba, is in total ruins.”

Chief Okey Nwagbara, All Progressive Congress (APC) vice chairman, Abia Central, described the state of affairs in Aba as awful while commending Saturday Sun for the re­port. Hear him: “First of all, I would like to commend your newspaper for the report that was published on Saturday, although you did not capture half of the situation on ground about Aba. Notwithstanding, that was a very wonderful story. You were only able to give us the pictures of the areas you had access to and nobody will blame you for those areas you did not have access to. It is good that you have shown to the world that the town you know as made in Aba, because it was making people and things, is now waiting to be made. So, I thank you people so much for that report and I’m appealing to other media houses to come to us at this hour of need as The Sun has done because it is those who give us that we will give back when the time comes.”

Nwagbara, who regretted that Abia which used to be God’s own state had become God’s cursed state, said that the city has the worst road network in Africa. He stressed that the way things are going, in the next few weeks, Aba will be closed down as nobody will be able to come in or go out. He further said that the situation of Aba was worse than Ebola be­cause while the virus can be treated, nothing is being done about Aba. According to him, the environmental pollution in Aba calls for concern.

The All Progressives Grand Alliance Party (APGA), Abia State Chairman, Prince Ukae­gbu, remarked: “At times, one wonders how the citizenry manage to survive under such bad conditions. In the past, we’ve had cause to call on the governor to either perform or re­sign because for the past seven and half years, Abia State can literally be called a state with­out a governor and without government. The only aspect of government that we witness borders on reparation, taxation and all forms of unlawful brigandage by government’s tax collectors; that has been our general experi­ence in Aba.”

He went on: “In Abia State, infrastructure has a different meaning and connotation. Here, infrastructure means impassable roads, it means dirt and rubbish along the streets, that’s the meaning of infrastructure in Aba and Abia State because they are non-existent. I have challenged the governor on countless number of occasions and offered to sponsor and arrange a media tour so that the gentle­men of the press can come around and let the governor point out those achievements which he claims on the pages of newspapers, televi­sion and internet. Sometime ago, the gover­nor rather hastily organised his boys in the media who came and gave him kudos, noth­ing is happening in Abia State. I have said these things repeatedly. We are a state without a government.

“I have said this several times, Aba is not in Russia, neither is it in San Francisco. Aba is right here. You came from Lagos, go round Aba and find out if you can see those things the governor and his aides kept posting on the internet, those beautiful buildings and roads you see on the internet and in magazines. I have challenged him and will be happy if the governor will take up my challenge, let me sponsor a media tour of Abia State and afford the governor the opportunity to highlight all his achievements. Nothing is going on in Abia State. The other time, we were hoodwinked into believing that an airport and seaport were being constructed in Abia State. I had cause to challenge the governor to reproduce the budget estimate and there were no provisions for building an airport or seaport. Few months to the expiration of the tenure of this admin­istration, no work has started anywhere, this is a wuruwuru government. This is a govern­ment steeped in propaganda, spending bil­lions of state resources in laundering its bat­tered image. This is the true state of affairs in Abia State.

Indeed, not a few residents insist that the deplorable story of the city had not been told in full. They maintained that inasmuch as Sat­urday Sun did a marvellous job in throwing light on the state of affairs in the city, there were still some very ugly spots that were not covered. So, against the agitations of the resi­dents, our reporter visited some of the areas in dire need of attention on September 2. But coming into city, the reporter joined other travellers in trekking because of the traffic snarl at the Osisioma end of the Port Harcourt – Enugu expressway. Take this: Aba was liter­ally locked down on September 3 because of a gully after the rail crossing on Aba – Owerri Road. The resultant traffic snarl brought the city to a standstill as it spiralled to other areas.

Diary of decay

Indeed, every part of the city is in a sham­bles. Milverton Avenue, the home of most of the luxury buses that go to various parts of the country, is almost a no-go area because of a very big ‘river’ in the middle of the road. Located in the heart of the city, Miverton Av­enue, which used to be a pride of the city, is now a shadow of itself. When it rains, it be­comes almost impassable. In fact, only Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) navigate through the deep ‘river’ in the middle of the road. Any car or tricycle (keke) that dares to pass through the ‘river’ may not come out in one piece.

But if Milverton Avenue is in a sorry state, Eziukwu Road leading to Cemetry Market simply depicts hell on earth. The road had not only become impassable and abandoned, some of the buildings have been overtaken by flood, forcing the occupants to flee. It was gathered that snakes invade houses in the neighbourhood. “Eziukwu Road has become a no-go area. A part has become home for un­serviceable vehicles and junks. But flood has overtaken another part, making it impossible for people to live there for many years now. The place, as you can see, is abandoned and big snakes usually come out of the bushes,” lamented Mr Ephraim Nwaogwugwo, who lives in the neighbouring Ehi Road, which also is in a sorry state.

Obiora Street leading to the famous Eny­imba Stadium is equally in a very bad condi­tion. While Dan Fodio Road is in a class of its own, it is indescribable, a piteous sight. Tricycles and vehicles that pass there bear the brunt as most of the time they are trapped in the waterlogged crater.

Unity Street is a dead zone. Cut off from the adjoining street, it is a place to see and die. Ajali Street by Abam Street is nauseous, unsightly, an eyesore. Even pigs may not be comfortable living in such environment. Ironically, the residents of the area claim that it is dressed in false robe by the gov­ernment. “What they do is take photographs of good roads elsewhere and present same to the world as Aba. It’s been hell living in this neighbourhood; it’s been hell living in this town because of the state of the roads in particular. People hardly wear shoes in this neighbourhood. How can you do that when the entire place is in a mess, especially dur­ing the rainy season? However, they should remember that what a man sows that shall he reap,” noted a resident who identified himself simply as Tony.

Other major roads in Aba town that need urgent intervention include Market road, Hos­pital Road, Jubilee Road, Okwunuka Road, School Road, Uratta Road and Etche Road among others. In fact, virtually all the roads in the city are begging for attention. The situ­ation is that those who can afford it now go for SUVs. Car wash points are springing up all over the city because no car remains the same after an outing as it would be splashed with mud.

As it is in Ngwa Road, so it in Georges’ Road in terms of moulds of garbage. When the reporter went to the latter, it was near impossible for him to breathe because of the stench coming out of the wastes that litter everywhere. Investigations revealed that gar­bage bins receive some form of attention only when the contents begin to overflow.

Woe betide you if you are visited by fire in Aba. This is because the fire station on George’s Road is in a horrible condition. The vehicles in the station are dilapidated except one. As a matter of fact, the facility looks desolate. But the open space there has turned to a mechanic workshop and car park, even as it is rented to people for ceremonies such as marriage receptions.

http://sunnewsonline.com/new/?p=80414

Bornu State: This is a North-Eastern state, ravaged by the activities of Boko Haram terrorist. It is believed that some elements in the region are responsible for this wicked acts of terrorism.


The Borno State Police Command on Sunday confirmed the killing of two persons after a suspected female suicide bomber detonated an explosive along Baga/Monguno.
The Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Opadokun, who spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Maiduguri, said that four persons were also injured.
“A female suicide bomber detonated an Improvised Explosive Devise (IED) strapped on her body along Baga/Monguno highway, killing herself and two others on Saturday.

“Four persons sustained injuries during the attack,’’ he said.
He also confirmed an IED explosion near a military check point in Konduga Local Government Area, in which two persons were injured.
“It is true that we had a suspected IED explosion at Tungushe village in Konduga LGA on Saturday near a military check point.
“Two persons were injured and they are now being treated at the hospital,’’ he said.
Mr. Opadokun advised residents to be vigilant and report strange objects to the nearest security check point for action.
Suicide bombings by suspected members of the Boko Haram in Borno State have killed dozens of people in the past month as soldiers continue their onslaught on the group.

President Muhammadu Buhari has pledged to defeat the insurgents and already called for the transfer of the army command centre to Maiduguri, the state capital.

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/184493-borno-suicide-bomber-kills-2-injures-4.html


The National Emergency Management Agency (NAMA), this weekend, held a meeting with the Borno state government to work out modalities towards improving the lives of internally displaced persons in the state.

Director of Search and Rescue in the agency, Air Commodore Charles Otegbabe, while briefing newsmen shortly after the meeting in Maiduguri, said both the NAMA and Borno state government have agreed to jointly run the IDP camps in order to improve on the lives of those living in camps within the state.

“What we’ve agreed essentially is more like sharing responsibilities on how to continue to maintain the camps in a very hygienic manner. We’ve also agreed that NAMA would do as much as possible to provide items like rice, maize and other hard foodstuff; while things they can easily source here would be provided by the state government,” Otegbabe said.

http://dailypost.ng/2015/06/07/borno-nema-to-work-towards-improving-lives-of-idps/

OSUN state: This is a South west state.

Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun on Wednesday opened up on his inability to pay the salaries of workers in the state for five months, blaming it on “declining federal allocation.”
The governor made the open confession at the 7th Bola Tinubu Colloquium organised to mark Tinubu’s 63rd birthday in Lagos.
He said he was deeply pained and unhappy that he had not been able to pay workers salaries.
“I have found it hard to pay the wage bills owing to the declining federal allocation to the state.
“Federal allocation to the state has reduced by 40 per cent since 2013, making it difficult for government to meet up its responsibilities,” he said.

Aregbesola said the situation became so bad at a time that he resorted to the state’s reserves and exhausted it on payment of salaries.
The governor added that the government went ahead to accumulate debt of N12 billion in its bid to ensure that salaries were paid.
He said that he would not mind to borrow more “just to ensure that workers were paid but the “banks would not grant more loans.”
He said: “Osun is next to Lagos in the sheer size of its civil service.
“In fact, the state inherited 50 per cent of all the workers in the old western state and more than 75 per cent in the old Oyo State.
“I was meeting my wage bill of over N3.6 billion with N4.6 billion federal allocation until July, 2013 when the Federal Government announced a decline of about 40 per cent allocation to states.

“This reduced the state’s allocation from N4.6 billion with which I was meeting my bills to N2.6 billion.
“Since then, Osun has had to augment salaries by sometimes N1 billion, sometimes N1.6 billion.
“Before the last time I paid salaries in November, 2014, I have had to either spent the state’s reserves on salaries or borrow money.
“Today, I have a loan of N12 billion that we spent on salaries and I could not go to the banks anymore.”
The governor said that his administration remained pro-workers in spite of the tight corner it had found itself, pledging to pay the salary arrears as soon as the means was available.

He reiterated the commitment of his administration to the welfare of the people, adding that he had demonstrated the commitment with the implementation of a number of programmes.

He described Tinubu as “an icon through whom many great leaders had risen”


http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2015/03/25/why-i-owe-osun-workers-5-months-salary-aregbesola/

http://www.informationng.com/2015/03/why-i-owe-osun-workers-5-months-salary-aregbesola.html

They are still arguing. We have just entered another 4yrs of waste. When shall imo state be truly rescued. We are doomed. Out of silliness they chose scammer ahead of a true performer.

tonychristopher:
Jeez...this is not the school I graduated from...men this is despicable..why all the hype about Rochas
Damnn

forget their useless propaganda on this thread. we got it wrong when we failed to elect ihedioha.

Beremx:
it is your people that are fools. You're very stewpid for calling your ancestors fools.

An Mbaise man can never be governor of Imo state. Go and mark it somewhere!

..and we shall continue in this mess called imo state. who is fooling who? Please I have better things to do right now than talking to a woman.

Beremx:
hasn't Ihedioha stopped paying you for campaigning for him? Its high time you stopped using the moniker and support Okorocha's government.

isn't it shameful that after wasted 4years this is all we got. disaster. I weep for my state. When we begged you fools to vote Ihedioha, some of you used hate campaign against him that he is from mbaise. Are we not part of imo state?

Ojorocha's hand work. Imo has sunk, we have to suffer for the next 4years. smh head. exits thread in agony.

hbpeze:
Mbaise women once married can ruin the finances of their spouse

lies. our women are very hardworking unlike an average woman. this is one of such dirty notions people hold of us. its all lies.

they call us snakes and good for nothing people but we are the real face of imo state.