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The cleric in charge of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, the Very Rev. Isaac Achi, yesterday confirmed the death of 43 parishioners and unidentified persons in the Christmas Day explosions at the church.
He also said 73 others are receiving treatment in 12 hospitals in Abuja, Madalla, Suleja, Zuba, Kwamba and Kubwa.
Rev. Achi, at a briefing in Madalla by the Catholic Bishop of Minna Diocese, the Most Rev. Martin Igwe Uzoukwu, said the census of victims continues.
Rev. Achi said: “Up till yesterday when I found it uncomfortable, I moved into a community and I was able to identify 20 parishioners that died in the explosions. This morning (yesterday), they brought in a list of 23 others confirmed to have died in the blast.
“Until you (the parishioners) provide information, we will not know all those who were affected. In spite of the list we have, we will still go out to take stock.”
According to the list released by the church, 27 parishioners and others died; 73 are in hospitals.
Of the 27, five are unidentified.
The dead are: Anthony Okoronkwo; Comrade Dike A. Williams, Emmanuel Dike, Richard Dike, Lilian Dike, Lynda Chioma Ubiukwu, Uche Queen Obiukwu, Chidinma Cynthia Obiukwu, Linderlin Ifeoma Obiukwu, Ann-Chinedu Aigbadon, Chiemeri Nwachukwu, Cecilia Ebeku; Oluebube Faustina Pius, Chidera Sylvia Pius, Florence Nwachukwu and Eucharia Ewoh.
Others are: Joseph Daniel, Inspector Titus Eze, Obasi Jonathan Onyebuchi, Ehiawaguan Peter, Uche Esiri, Sgt. Kadiri Danjuma and five unidentified Persons.
Rev. Uzoukwu noted that the death toll is more than 40.
He said: “Reflecting on the ugly and unfortunate but avoidable incident in Madalla, I stare at the fact that we have lost more than 40 people with many others wounded, maybe maimed forever. They are in different hospitals in Suleja, Abuja Main Town and Gwagwalada.
“I look at the destruction of St. Theresa’s Church edifice, which cost us millions of Naira and the surrounding buildings that cost their owners a lot of money and efforts to build. What a loss, a big loss indeed to all of us, irrespective of tribal, religious, economic or cultural affiliations. What wrong have we done to merit this treatment?
“We join all people of goodwill to strongly condemn the ugly and barbaric act which was targeted at innocent and peaceful Nigerians. I call this an act of terrorism levelled against my people who went to church to celebrate the Holy Day of Christmas, a day that Christians all over the world commemorate the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Divine Mercy Incarnate, the Prince of Peace and Love(Is 9:6, Jn 1: 14).”
The Bishop pleaded with Moslems to address the challenge posed by Boko Haram to the nation’s security.
He added: “I call on all my peace-loving Muslim friends to condemn publicly this act against us. I call on all our religious leaders, traditional rulers and custodians of the land in Niger State to stand up strongly against this Boko Haram group, who have claimed responsibility for this dastardly act against the good people of Niger State.
“Together, we will root out the evil that is coming among us. We all must put our hands on deck to take more proactive measures for the good of our people and our nation.
“We need to restrain our people from acts of violence against other groups in our communities. According to the words of the Sultan of Sokoto, this is not a fight between Islam and Christianity, but a fight between good and evil.”
He pleaded with the Federal Government to be more pro-active in preventing crimes.
He said: “I direct my plea to the Federal Government to listen to the cries of Nigerians. Let them realise that it is the blood of innocent citizens that is shed on a daily basis.
“It is a known fact that the security agencies in Nigeria are trying their best. But their best is only determined by their training, equipment and modes of operation. These have been proved to be ineffectual in preventing violent crimes in the country.
“They need to be more proactive in preventing crimes before they are committed rather than their belated reactions to criminal activities. Effective crime management falls under three stages: prevention, detection and prosecution.
“Offenders should be arrested, prosecuted and punished - if proved guilty. That will go a long way to reducing the escalating wave of criminal activities in our country.
“Prevention is always better than cure, hence it is better to detect and forestall a crime from being committed. We request our governments at all levels to go the extra mile to fish out criminals at all levels, bring them to book and prosecute them.”
Responding to a question, the Bishop said: “We need to go beyond words and move into action to ensure that our people live together in harmony and peace.
“My hope is that the Federal and State governments will take care of the medical treatment of those injured either here in Nigeria or abroad. I hope that they will help to compensate those who lost their relatives and their property during the ugly incident.”
On the burial of the victims of the blast, he said: “It is not going to be a mass burial. We are going to bury our people after due consultations. I cannot tell you the date right here, but you will hear from us.
“You cannot just go and bury people like that. They have families; we need to find out where the families are; we need to contact them on the burial programme.”
The Bishop urged the parishioners not to be afraid to come to church to worship God, in spite of the explosions.
He, however, announced a modification of church service in the Kwamba Dinary (including St. Theresa’s Church) for the New Year’s Eve.
The Bishop said: “If you run away from God, where will you run to? Come back, come back.”
“We have cancelled the midnight Mass for the New Year for all the churches in the Kwamba Dinary .Our tradition has always been to sleep overnight in the church for the New Year.
“But for the eve of the coming New Year, there is no sleeping in the church until January 1, 2012 in Kwamba Dinary. On December 31, you should come to the church at 4pm for service and by 6pm, it will be over. The church should make sure you talk to the appropriate authority so that they can bring back the curfew.
“But in the morning of Sunday, January 1, 2012, you should come back for normal service.”
Amid emotion from parishioners who were at the briefing, the Bishop asked them “not to seek vengeance”. “Let us forgive them and pray for peace and unity in this country,” he said, adding:
“Let us spend one hour daily to pray for unity and peace in this country. Use the first 15 minutes to read the Bible, the second 15 minutes to use Rosary, the third for meditation and the fourth for Divine mercy and prayers.
“And if you are a Muslim, spend one hour also daily. The first 15 minutes to read Quran and Hadith, the second for Takbir, the third to reflect and the fourth Divine mercy from Allah.”
Asked to reconcile the conflicting death toll figures, the Bishop said: “I went to the hospitals; I did not count them. My people have been killed and you are still worrying me. If you go to the mortuaries, you will see. I cannot count.”
On what the Catholic Mission is doing about security in churches, the Bishop said: “God is our security; unless God builds, the builder builds in vain. God is our safety; God is our security.”
Culled from The Nation Newspaper

To generate 450mw of electricity, create 870,000 jobs

THE Federal Government and Global Biofuels Limited, an indigenous bio-fuel producer, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the construction of 15 integrated bio-fuel plants in Nigeria worth N424billion.The project is expected to generate 450megawatts of electricity as well as create 120,000 direct and 750,000 indirect jobs.

The Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr Olusegun Aganga, signed for the Federal Government, while the Managing Director/CEO, Global Biofuels Limited, Dr. Felix Obada, signed for his firm.
Aganga said: “This will create value chain, in addition to linking 15 states of the federation to cheap bio-fuel generated electricity at the rate of 30 megawatts per state."Construction on the pilot plant, which will be established in Ekiti State, will commence in the first quarter of 2012 and shall be completed within 12 months, while 14 additional plants will be established in 14 other states after the completion of the pilot project. The states include: Ondo, Osun, Kwara, Kogi, Benue, Gombe,Bauchi, Zamfara, Kano, Kaduna, Nasarawa and Plateau.

“The project had been subjected to stringent feasibility and market studies, the Ministry of Trade and Investment would partner other focal ministries and parastatals of the Federal and state governments to ensure the successful execution of the project.” The minster said the project is the culmination of several years of hard work and intensive research between Global Biofuels and its collaborators in Research Institutes in Nigeria, China, Brazil and India. When completed, he said the project would positively impact the nation’s economy and attract more Foreign Direct Investments into the country.
The company, he said, will start the implementation of an agro-based industrial activity for the production of ethanol, biomass electric power and food, all from a single industrial complex, using sweet sorghum as raw materials. The pilot project is at Ilemeso, Ekiti State.

Aganga said plant construction is scheduled to start in the first quarter of 2012 while mechanical completion, test run and inauguration have been fixed for the last quarter of 2012.
“The project is expected to create 120,000 direct jobs and 750,000 indirect jobs across the project’s value chain while a minimum of 15 states of the federation shall be linked to cheap biomass electric power supply at the rate of 30 megawatts per state,” he added.

Obada said 70 per cent of the project would be funded by the Chinese government while the remaining 30 per cent would be sourced from other financial institutions including NEXIM Bank, ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development,Africa Finance Corporation, Fond Gari of Togo and FirstBank of Nigeria Plc.

“Reuben Abati is a blatant liar”- NLC President

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the umbrella bodies of Nigerian workers have fixed Wednesday, January 11 for the commencement of a nationwide strike to protest the removal of the subsidy on petrol.”The Labour unions reached the decision to embark on a nationwide industrial action after a meeting on Tuesday.

The only condition given that would avert the strike was the reversal of the pump price of petrol.
In a statement issued by the President of the NLC, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, the Union dissociated itself from Dr. Reuben Abati’s claim that Labour was in support of the fuel subsidy removal. The NLC President stated that “no one would have believed that the revered office of the President could stoop so low to tell a lie, in a bid to defend the Presidency on the misleading and callous imposition of astronomical increase in fuel prices on Nigerians, the Special Adviser on Media to President Jonathan, Dr. Reuben Abati told the media that Labour was in support of the subsidy removal.

His claim that Labour was consulted and had given support to whatever government does on the issue of removal of subsidy is a blatant lie. In the first place, the leadership of the Labour Movement has held only one meeting with the Federal Government on the issue of subsidy removal. This was on Tuesday, 20th December, 2011 and that meeting was not conclusive, as it was agreed that a follow-up meeting will be called by the Presidency. ”

Meanwhile, the President has constituted a committee headed by Retired Justice Alfa Belgore to dialogue with the NLC. Another committee which would ensure judicious use of the proceeds from the subsidy is to be headed by Dr. Christopher Kolade.

Hundreds of people trooped out on Tuesday in Lagos, Ibadan and Ilorin to protest the removal of the subsidy which has caused an increase in the price of petrol. A protester was shot dead by the police in Ilorin, Kwara State.

Boko Haram Leader Speaks
What is Boko Haram about?

Our aim is to spread Islam all over Nigeria, that is our mission and I want people to understand that our correct name is Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad. Those calling our group Boko Haram do so to discredit the group and its ideas. It was formed at three fundamental levels.

The first level from which our group emerged was from people in this country who, for selfish reasons, recruited young people and sometimes children and sent them overseas for education. In reality, these people are totally ignorant of the reasons why these big men take them abroad. In the name of education, these young men are taken to mostly Arab countries and turned into militants who respect only those who sponsored them abroad. Those big men who sponsor these youths don’t have any conscience and no love for this country. 

It all started in 2004 when the Government of Mauritania fell.

It is similar to what is happening in Libya now, though slightly different. When the government in Mauritania fell in 2004, some individuals from that country came into Nigeria to recruit some youths as mercenaries to join forces with them to overthrow the government in power.

The second level of our membership is made up of young men who were recruited by our late leader, Mohammed Yusuf. Yusuf was approached by some people from Mauritania to recruit more Nigerians to continue with the struggle in Mauritania. The grounds were that these young people were being recruited to further their Islamic studies. They were to serve as a support group to the Mauritanian army. But our leader Mohammed Yusuf rejected the plan. But a number of Nigerian big men who were involved in the Mauritania struggle were angry with Yusuf. This led to a disagreement which pitched the young men loyal to Yusuf against those backing the big men. Yusuf, however, insisted on genuine Islam whereas those opposing him were mercenaries who were willing to serve their master’s interest in Mauritania.

At what point did they leave perfect Islam and become violent? 

Whatever I am telling you now I have already made available to the SSS when they arrested me. There was a misunderstanding within the group and this disagreement was between those who received military training in Mauritania and those who were loyal to Yusuf. The SSS infiltrated our ranks and began to arrest many of those who were militants. However, as they were arrested some big men moved in to ensure that the court released them and they came back causing more problems within our group.

In 2009 the disagreement developed into a crisis in areas where our group was spreading Islamic ideals. I was in charge of our operations in Bauchi, Gombe and Plateau. The crisis was more in Bauchi State, in two locations and in Kano in one location. In Bauchi, a group began to lay claim to a mosque that was built by our group. This caused a major crisis again and a young girl was kidnapped in Bauchi and taken to Borno State. Our group was fingered but we told one intelligence officer, Bala, who was investigating the case that her relations took her to Borno and if the issue was not handled well it could cause a crisis. The SSS directed us to contact the Commissioner of Police in Borno State to secure the girl’s release. We were still in the process when the Bauchi State governor directed that members of our group should be driven away from the state. That was how our people started to resist the forced evacuation and the crisis with the government spread to Borno State. In fact, the crisis began in Bauchi and not Borno.


Anytime there is a bombing in Nigeria Boko Haram claims responsibility, for example, four times in Borno Police headquarters and the UN office in Abuja.

Yes, we bombed some of those places you mentioned. Remember I told you that some of our members were recalled from military training in Mauritania. Among them were three specialist in bomb making.

When this crisis began I made a move to the authorities advising that the arrest of Boko Haram members would not bring an end to the crisis. I suggested that the government should stop the arrest and release those already arrested. Let me repeat it today, government should rebuild houses, mosques and schools demolished in Bauchi and Borno states. Government should not interfere in the genuine worship of our group and ensure justice for all. If these are not in place, I predict that the Nigerian situation may become like what is happening in Somalia.

I give this warning because many of those young men who went to Mauritania are being attracted back home because of the violent situation brought by the present crisis.


When I gave my advice, the police chased and arrested me, and kept me in detention. Before I was detained, I gave the police the video recordings of how some of our members were being given military training, but the IGP ordered that I should be detained. I was left in detention for 10 months. 

But those things that I warned about are playing out today. While I was in detention, I was in contact with our people and I still gave forewarnings to the authorities about attacks. I even told them beforehand whenever an operation was to take place. The bombing of the police headquarters had been planned and on many occasions I had always told them in advance.


In fact, Bala had helped the police because each time I got in touch with him he worked to avert the attacks. If not, the police headquarters would have been bombed before now. Three days before the attack I warned the police that there would be an attack in Abuja that would embarrass the security authorities. Also, after the bombing of the police headquarters, I was summoned before the IGP and given a GSM phone. I called the person who planned and led the attack and we spoke right in front of the IGP. So, all these terror attacks are caused by the negligence of government.

Since I was released from detention, I have rejoined my group and some of us have warned our members to stick to the original ideals of our leader, Yusuf. He did not tell us to kill innocent people or to break into and steal from banks. If there is a conflict between the faithful and the authorities our opposition should be against the authorities and not the talakawas.

There are allegations that Boko Haram is being sponsored by some top level politicians, is it true?

The truth is that politicians are the root cause of this Boko Haram problem. For instance, in Borno State, the governor sponsors a group of armed youths known as ECOMOG. It is this ECOMOG that the governor formed and looks after, above the police, SSS and other security agencies. In Gombe State, the governor has the Kalari. I was once contacted by a governorship candidate to kill an opponent for a fee. The security agencies know what I am telling you.

In Bauchi there is the Tarafuka, an armed group sponsored by the government, and the government watches on, even when we have the SSS and police. That is why our new leader, Mallam Abubakar Shekau, is calling on the youths to disregard all government in the country – a call that has brought him and the group into conflict with the government. Some politicians are now taking the advantage of the conflict between the Boko Haram leadership and the authorities to execute their own agenda.

Did Boko Haram bomb the United Nations Office in Abuja?

I would not answer the question of whether Boko Haram bombed the UN building or not for some reasons.

The Commissioner for Info and strategy; Chief Don Ubani, has reminded Abians that though the state, under Governor T A Orji, enjoys maximum security of lives and property, it has become expedient that every body in the state should become security conscious of persons and activities within and around his or her residence or place of work or trade. Chief Ubani, in a press release issued in Umuahia, stated that even though recent bomb explosions experienced in the country have only been witnessed in some northern parts of the federation, Abians should not take their security for granted as no evil intent might be made manifest on the outward appearance of the person harboring such an intent. Chief Ubani urged Abians not to hesitate reporting any person or persons whose movements or activities appear suspicious to law enforcement agents who are in all the nooks and crannies of the state for quick apprehension and interrogation of such a person or persons. Meanwhile, Chief Ubani has condemned, in its totality, the recent killing of Nigerians who went to commemorate the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ at a Catholic Church at Madalla Niger State on a Christmas day. Chief Ubani recalled that even in the pre-historic days of man's existence, when man had not come into contact wit civilization and decency, life, especially that of the
innocent, was regarded as being sacrosanct and wondered why the innocent should continuously be subjected to unprovoked and unjustifiable butchering, even in a house of God. Chief Ubani commiserated with families of all those killed or injured in the Xmas bomb blast and prayed that all those behind these dastard-ly acts shall b unveiled soonest. HCFIS.

Nnaji Obed Asiegbu

S A to the Abia State Governor on E-Governance.

The Commissioner for Info and strategy; Chief Don Ubani, has reminded Abians that though the state, under Governor T A Orji, enjoys maximum security of lives and property, it has become expedient that every body in the state should become security conscious of persons and activities within and around his or her residence or place of work or trade. Chief Ubani, in a press release issued in Umuahia, stated that even though recent bomb explosions experienced in the country have only been witnessed in some northern parts of the federation, Abians should not take their security for granted as no evil intent might be made manifest on the outward appearance of the person harboring such an intent. Chief Ubani urged Abians not to hesitate reporting any person or persons whose movements or activities appear suspicious to law enforcement agents who are in all the nooks and crannies of the state for quick apprehension and interrogation of such a person or persons. Meanwhile, Chief Ubani has condemned, in its totality, the recent killing of Nigerians who went to commemorate the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ at a Catholic Church at Madalla Niger State on a Christmas day. Chief Ubani recalled that even in the pre-historic days of man's existence, when man had not come into contact wit civilization and decency, life, especially that of the
innocent, was regarded as being sacrosanct and wondered why the innocent should continuously be subjected to unprovoked and unjustifiable butchering, even in a house of God. Chief Ubani commiserated with families of all those killed or injured in the Xmas bomb blast and prayed that all those behind these dastardly acts shall be unveiled soonest. HCFIS.

Nnaji Obed Asiegbu

S A to the Abia State Governor on E-Governance.
Sent from my iPhone

visit this site to see/listen to the good message of the gov:
http://www.abiastate.gov.ng/2011/12/my-yuletide-message-to-the-good-people-of-abia-and-friends-of-the-state-4/

please visit this official site below to listen/see the re-assuring message of GOV.T.A ORJI



http://www.abiastate.gov.ng/2011/12/my-yuletide-message-to-the-good-people-of-abia-and-friends-of-the-state-4/

ALEX YOU COULDN"T HAVE DONE MORE.YOU ARE NOTHING BUT ICONOCLAST AND A PROMOTER OF INDIGENT ACT,AND JUSTICE WILL SOON CATCH UP WITH YOU, WHOEVER IS GREASING YOUR PALMS TO MALIGN THE GOV.OF ABIA STATE HAS FAILED WHOLLY,AND THOSE THAT READ YOUR ENACTED EFFECT ON THE SPEECH MADE BY THE GOVERNOR DISCOVERED HOW STUPID YOU ARE, LIKE I SAID,YOU COULDN'T HAVE DONE MORE, THE GOV ,T.A WOULD CONTINUE TO DO HIS GOOD WORK TO TAKE THE PEOPLE OF ABIA TO A SAFE HABOUR FOR THE BETTERMENT OF ALL ABIANS.SO I BOLDLY STATE THAT YOU HAVE FAILED ALEX

@ SSaemoenl,its very unfortunate your speckled eyes are truly blind indeed that they failed to register the good works our amiable governor T.A.is doing in this state of Abia, however, i would state boldly that you lack sense of judgement and discretion.There are numerous work going-on in the state ,and i have this to say that you are on the vanguard of those who chose to malign the government and administration that have recorded massive infrastructure development around the State.The administration of T.A is continually with greater zeal, synergy and collaboration in all efforts geared towards achieving the goals of transforming Abia state for the better.As regard @ SSaemoenl,i would say you are truly a propagator of propaganda.

numerous projects have taking effect in the state Abia .its an interesting to know that GOV.T.A Orji has propelled off projects in a grand style.more grease to his elbow.

THE PRESENTATION OF 2012 APPROPRIATION BILL TO THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY BY THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF ABIA

It is with great sense of humility, honour and commitment, that I, on behalf of my distinguished colleagues, management and staff of Abia State House of Assembly, joyfully welcome Your Excellency, Chief Dr. T, A. Orji (Ochendo) and your esteemed colourful entourage to the hallowed chamber of the Abia State House of Assembly, on this auspicious occasion of the presentation of the year 2012 Appropriation Bill.
Presentation of Budget or Appropriation Bill is an annual constitutional and statutory ritual, which the Executive Arm of Government, must perform preparatory for any ensuing Fiscal Year.
Your Excellency, it is therefore needless to say that like us, you too may also have prayed for this unique occasion which, apart from giving you the opportunity to present the 2012 Appropriation Bill to Abians, will also provide the forum for you to meet and interact with your Legislator, friends and staff of the Abia House of Assembly.
Your Excellency, as you have come to discharge one of your key constitutional functions, may I once more congratulate you on your successful re-election into office for a second term and also for successfully and convincingly scaling through the legal hurdles, raised by your opponents in the 2011 April polls.
The 2012 Appropriation Bill which, Your Excellency has aptly christened “Budget of Transformation is expected to transform and jumpstart the Abia economy and renews the hope of Abia citizens for a better tomorrow.

Your Excellency, the last 6-7 months have not been without challenges, your administration within the period, has recorded significant achievements in the areas of infrastructure, power, health, security, roads, environment ,housing, education, agriculture, poverty alleviation, youth empowerment, gender sensitivity and other core sectors of the economy.
We, at the House of Assembly commend you in a most spectacular manner over the prevailing peace and security currently witnessed across the State. This is the result of your commitment, hard work and foresightedness in dealing with the security situation in Abia State. It is heartwarming to note, that today Abia State is the most peaceful State in Nigeria. We further commend you, over the massive and aggressive infrastructural development which your administration has pursued in and around the State.
Your Excellency, I make bold to state that this present administration is truly on a mission-having targeted key service areas for delivery to the people as part of their democracy dividends. The commissioning of two Specialist and Diagnostic Hospitals in Aba and Umuahia with the state of the art equipment, rehabilitation of both State and Federal Government, roads, dualization of major roads leading to the State Capital, award of contract for evacuation of electric power to feeder sub-stations within the Umuahia Capital Territory, construction of new Secretariat and International Conference Centre as well as donation of vehicles to a number of institutions and organizations including among others, the Police, the Army and even the Abia Legislature are eloquent testimonies of your desire and determination to leave God’s Own State better than you met it.

Your Excellency, you have once again demonstrated your love for Abia workers in spite of all odds by going beyond the Federal Government approved minimum wage of N18,000.00 and committedly accepting and approving the payment of N20,100.00 as minimum wage. This means that the lowest paid worker in Abia State receives N20,100.00 over and above his counterparts in the Federal Government establishments. I salute your courage, concern and show of love for Abia workers.
The prudent and transparent way that your administration has managed the finances of the State, to a very great extent accounted for the classification of Abia State as one of the financially healthy States in Nigeria by the National Assembly, We commend Your Excellency for this remarkable fiscal discipline and urge that you do not relent in your efforts to realize the lofty and noble dreams of your administration for the good people of Abia State.
The 2012 Appropriation Bill shows a reasonable increase over that of last year, which is an indication that the State is making some progress and it is our belief and conviction that the year 2012, will usher in greater advances in our shared efforts and commitment to make Abia State better.
The progress so far attained should be consolidated and built upon, for a better future for ourselves and our children. For the fact that the expectations of Abians from whom we derive our mandate are very high vis a vis delivery of dividends of democracy, we cannot afford to disappoint them as their representatives.
Therefore, as “Budget of Transformation” the 2012 Appropriation Bill should adequately provide for quality education, health care delivery, agriculture, road construction, job creation and employment opportunities. It should also enhance value of the public private partnership (PPP) in all aspects of the social and economic development of our State, so as to give meaning to the lives of Abians in all walks of life.
Furthermore, it should be such that will increase access to such variables that will guarantee the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which are veritable vehicles of genuine transformation, industrialization and service delivery.
Implementation of this budget of transformation must be religiously and efficiently handled by those whose duty it is, to do so. As an institution and a partnering arm of the Government in a democratic dispensation such as ours, the Abia Legislature will not relent in continuously providing the necessary legislative frameworks that will support every concerted effort aimed at guaranteeing peace, stability justice, good governance and above all sustainable development in our State.
Your Excellency, it may interest you to note that the 5th Abia House of Assembly which you proclaimed on Wednesday 8th June 2011 has performed creditably. So far, the House has held 43 plenary sessions, received 13 Bills out of which 5 Bills have been conclusively and successfully passed into Law and awaiting your ascent. The remaining 8 Bills are at various stages of consideration and will very soon be forwarded to Your Excellency for ascent. We have also within the period under review, entertained and passed 4 motions and 37 resolutions on topical issues.
The House also within this period has fully renovated and furnished the official residence, Lodge of the Honourable Speaker of the House. Equally, work is still on-going on the reconstruction of the official residence of the Deputy Speaker of the House. The House has further intensified efforts at solving the office accommodation problem of the Assembly by embarking on the construction of a 34 – room storey building office complex which is now at 20% stage of completion.
All this feat, Your Excellency is a reflection of the determination and commitment of the entire members of this Honourable House, in the spirit of collective responsibility and good working relationship with the Executive Arm, to take Abia State to the next level of positive development.
Your Excellency, these projects as you know, are capital intensive and must be effectively backed up financially. Therefore, I wish to use this opportunity to appeal to Your Excellency to use your good offices to cause adequate and prompt releases of funds meant for Abia State House of Assembly to enable her realize her numerous developmental dreams.
May I at this juncture, assure Your Excellency of our readiness and commitment to give accelerated consideration to the 2012 Appropriation Bill presented before us today. We will ensure the full participation of all Abians in our Legislative proceedings and step up our oversight functions on the Ministries and other Government establishments, to ensure compliance with a view to collectively navigating the ship of God’s Own State to a safe harbour for the common good of all Abians.
Your Excellency, members of the Press, Ladies and Gentlemen, as we gird our loins for the forth coming Fiscal Year, we expect greater zeal, synergy and collaboration in all efforts geared towards achieving the goals of this Budget of Transformation.
Finally, we wish you all Merry Christmas and Fulfilled New Year. May God bless Abia State and Nigeria. Thank you for your honoured attention.

Yuletide Season- Free Transport Scheme For Abians Abia State indigenes who are planning to come back home for the Christmas and New Year festivities can now heave a sigh of relief as the governor Chief T.A Orji has decided to write off their transportation cost for those wishing to travel by bus.
In a press statement by his Chief Press Secretary Ugochukwu Emezue, those affected are those residing in Abuja, Sokoto, Niger, Jos, Kaduna and Lagos. According to Mr. Emezue, the governor has approved the provision of luxurious, coaster and hummer buses that will be stationed at designated centres to convey our people down to Abia State.
The Governor’s spokesman hinted that Abia State Liaison Officers in Abuja and Lagos are coordinating this movement which will commence soon.
Mr. Emezue maintained that Governor T.A. Orji’s gesture which has become an annual ritual is to assist Abians who may not be financially strong to foot their bill to join their families down here to experience the fun of the season.
Chief T.A. Orji according to Chief Press Secretary is very much interested in the welfare of Abians no matter where they are residing and that is why he always attend to their needs promptly.
Mr. Emezue used the opportunity again to reassure those coming back of adequate security during this festive period. He stated that the governor in the past few days had given out patrol vans to security agencies to ensure a hitch free yuletide period.
Mr. Ugochukwu Emezue
Chief Press Secretary

http://www.ghanamma.com/2011/12/abia-tackles-insecurity-ghost-workers/

Abia State Governor Theodore Orji has unfolded plans to weed out ghost workers from the state’s public service by introducing biometric measures.

He solicited the understanding of labour unions to sanitise the state and local government services.

Orji said there are many ghost workers in the local governments drawing salaries without working every month. They are being shielded by certain vested interests, he said.

The governor assured the people of maximum security during the Christmas and new year festivities, urging indigenes of the state to return home for the celebrations.

He told a gathering of Abians in Lagos that his administration would combat kidnapping and other forms of violence during the period, announcing that additional 42 patrol vehicles would be distributed to security agencies to tackle crime during the Yuletide.

The governor also said that, in many towns and villages, there would be no power outage because the Independent Power Project (IPP) has filled the gap.

Orji was guest of the Abia Think Tank, a group of intellectuals, technocrats, politicians and businessmen in Lagos, which held an annual lecture delivered by the former university don and media guru, Dr Chidi Amuta. The lecture was entitled; “State of the state: Abia on my mind”.

Amuta decried the high cost of governance across the three tiers, advising those at the helm of affairs to cut the political bureaucracy at the state and federal levels.

He said: “The number of ministries and parastatals must be cut down to reduce redundancy. Job for the boys to compensate political followers must end”.

Governor Orji who tendered his stewardship said security, infrastructural development, social services and housing would remain the priorities of his administration.

He charged the elite in the state to participate in politics and governance, assuring that the state has been liberated from political, economic and social bondage of the past.

The governor enjoined indigenes wishing to celebrate Christmas at home never to hesitate to do so, adding that government would guarantee security of life and property during and after the period.

He regretted that the image of the state had been dented by kidnapping, stressing that the bad media report has continued, despite the improved security in the state.

Orji unfolded plans to build a new secretariat, Government House, more health centres, and houses for the poor. He said, following down-sizing, N20,100 is being paid monthly as the minimum wage for workers.

http://www.ghanamma.com/2011/12/abia-tackles-insecurity-ghost-workers/

More facts are emerging on the true identity of Mr. Jackson Ude of Pointblank News. Few weeks 9jaconnect did an exclusive on his blackmailing activities. Like a leopard Jackson Ude who is a school drop cannot chang9jaconnect has it on good authority that the refusal of Abia State Government to approve Jackson proposal for retainer-ship for five million naira (#5 million) per quarter is one of the major reasons he vowed to blackmail Governor T.A. Orji’s person and administration on his sub standard news site.
Having found out that Abia State Government is not succumbing to his blackmail tactics, he aligned with a former Abia State Governor, who owns The SUN Newspapers to tarnish the efforts of Governor T.A Orji.
9jaconnect authoritatively learnt that, some State Governors in the South-South and the North are tired of Jackson’s antics despite the fact that he is on their pay role. An aide of one of the Governors in the North complained that despite the fact that they pay him an undisclosed amount per quarter, Jackson will always surprise him by writing bad stories about the governor, all in a bid to request for more money. As it is, the Governor has set up a trap to expose him and his gang, made up of other guys who run some news sites designed to blackmail Nigerian politicians. It would be recalled that Jackson who is the arrow-head of the syndicate escaped arrest, recently when he blackmailed Hon. Uche Ekwunife of Anambra State who is a member of the House of Representatives Jackson was lured by Hon. Uche Ekwunife to come and pick some amount of money which he demanded in order not to publish a story against the former Governorship aspirant of APGA. Jackson sent one of his boys to go and collect the money but luck ran out on him as he was arrested by the police and paraded before newsmen. Sahara reporters carried that story for many months .We gathered that Jackson pleaded for Sahara reporters to remove the story but the editor who is quite apprehensive of Jackson’s blackmail tactics refused, having warned him to desist from such disgraceful act.
As it is, the story is all over the town about Jackson’s survival tendencies.

We will publish Jackson’s proposal to Abia State Government when the need arises