₦airaland Forum

Am quoting PATRICKOBI :@ Eko Atlantic,you are the only individual here with better understanding ,people who think that Yam would only be grown in Benua state forgot that in a world full of aggro-technocrats,a state can decide to start experimenting on ways to outshine others with their newly invented machinery to improve agricultural yields..so i wonder why block heads would think Abia state is out for child's play when they have kicked off on the area of agricultural produce and stuff.....na wa from Madam bingo oringo and Foolishiologist like mensdept and southeast commentators....you guys dont have any thing to offer us here....as for Abia state ,they are for real business,good things are happening but just that its a bit slowly ,but i will call that slow and steady pace ,which the governor has adopted...i pray he make up for the lost time,he would ,with the way things are going ,he will reach his destination....T.A ORJI has got witty in his kitty ...so no doubting things

@ mendept,your an idiots,you are only paid to malign the state government but i tell you ,you are a failed empty vessel ,you can not make any good sound...Abia has got off to a glorious start and we are happy about it,so all you are doing is a waste of time...look for a better job to do...

Abia Flags Off Cocoa Growth Enhancement Support Scheme

In line with the federal government cocoa transformation agenda, Abia state government has flagged off growth enhancement support on cocoa at Ikwuano Local Government Area Council Headquarters.

The flag off exercise which also involve distribution of Ultimax Plus agriculture fungicides to registered cocoa farmers is to enhance development in cocoa sub sector through the adoption and usage of new cocoa varieties and better farm management practices.

Governor Theodore Orji said the move would create wealth and boost the economy as well as drive the development needed in the cocoa sub sector.

He therefore, called on cocoa farmers to embrace this opportunity for effective utilization of inputs and urged all unregistered farmers to visit the collation centers located at Ikwuano LGA, Bende LGA, and Umuahia North LGA.

Due to several factors that include low yield inconsistent production pattern, aging cocoa farmers, disease incidence, pest attack and neglect on the agriculture sector because of the discovery of petroleum resources

The goals of improved cocoa transformation agenda are to enhance the livelihood about 100,000 farmers by increasing the cocoa yield per hectare as well create employment opportunity by doubling production and increasing processing capacity

Meanwhile about 6,000 hybrid cocoa pod are in Nursery production in Lordu Umuahia to be distributed later to the farmers during the roll out.source :Channeltv

@ekenedegreat and mendept,you guys are just a bunch of discrediting scumbags that are all well known for defaming great rulers,i bet you would be the first to condemn the world if T.A was to be your father,you would be of the note that he s the best governor,but to be frank with you guys,the only thing borne in your is hatred.....The governor we know is actively working and am sure would make up for the lost time which was languished in his quest to set Abia free from the shackles of Mamacracy sonacracy of the Igbere's powers that be.....so if you are are of the opinion that the governor if not working,i will stand here to disclaim all your argument with factual evidence,you may be the one of those who sit at a distance to condemn the state......T.A had made the mark,we are proud of him

Abia Flags Off Cocoa Growth Enhancement Support Scheme


In line with the federal government cocoa transformation agenda, Abia state government has flagged off growth enhancement support on cocoa at Ikwuano Local Government Area Council Headquarters.

The flag off exercise which also involve distribution of Ultimax Plus agriculture fungicides to registered cocoa farmers is to enhance development in cocoa sub sector through the adoption and usage of new cocoa varieties and better farm management practices.

Governor Theodore Orji said the move would create wealth and boost the economy as well as drive the development needed in the cocoa sub sector.

He therefore, called on cocoa farmers to embrace this opportunity for effective utilization of inputs and urged all unregistered farmers to visit the collation centers located at Ikwuano LGA, Bende LGA, and Umuahia North LGA.

Due to several factors that include low yield inconsistent production pattern, aging cocoa farmers, disease incidence, pest attack and neglect on the agriculture sector because of the discovery of petroleum resources

The goals of improved cocoa transformation agenda are to enhance the livelihood about 100,000 farmers by increasing the cocoa yield per hectare as well create employment opportunity by doubling production and increasing processing capacity

Meanwhile about 6,000 hybrid cocoa pod are in Nursery production in Lordu Umuahia to be distributed later to the farmers during the roll out.source :http://www.channelstv.com/home/2013/06/09/abia-flags-off-cocoa-growth-enhancement-support-scheme/

@ mendept,you are a fool for saying that,you should know you own father ,can not perform half of that the present governor is doing or what he has put in place now,all you could do is sleep on Nairaland looking for something to gossip on,shameless idiot....your own father has not been able to take care of his own family ,let lone the public....anu ofia...you are the one to be buried in hell....as for T.A he is the best governor Abia state have had over two decades...he is the best....

-This is another good achievement for the benefit of all abians by and large....and by and by ,we are sanguine in hope that more and more good things will come our way...kudos to Abia state government for all these initiatives.Long live Abia state ,long live the citizens of Abia state

why would people keep writing vague on our state government,Abia is better than what that abia4change guy is doing,he does not have anything to say,people should stop listening to him....HERE ARE SOME COMPLETED PROJECTS TO LOOK OUT FOR

The Philosophical Significance of
Ochendo in Abia Political Equation
By Chief (Sir) Don Ubani

History of leadership in Africa is replete with dramatis personae whose roles and dynamics accorded them nomenclatures other than those they had originally been named by their parents. A few example would suffice. Before the examples, it may be necessary to state that these names or titles evolved as a result of the circmstances prevalent at a given time, which nececcitated the emergence of such a leader. In Ghana, formerly known as Gold Coast, colonialism and imperialism had combined to subject her citizens to a various degree of exploitation. They had expected that their traditional rulers and Dr. Joseph B. Danquah; being the most prominent indigeneous political activist at that time, would have come to their rescue. But this was not to be. When, however, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah appeared on the scene, with a clear vision of what he wanted for his people, which, ofcourse, was total liberation and engaging in activities that would lead to his imprisonment before becoming leader of Government Business and later President of Ghana, the Ghanians named him ‘The Osagyefo; meaning ‘The Redeemer’. In Tanzania, due to circumstances not too strange to those of Ghana, Dr. Julius Nyerere was known as ‘The Nwalimu, meaning ‘The Teacher’ and ofcourse, he taught his people the methodology of emancipation from bondage. Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya fought, unabatedly, for the independence of his people and became known as Mzee. The most iconic African figure of moral authority; our own highly reverred Dr. Nelson Mandella is known all over South-Africa and, indeed, the world over as ‘Madiba’. It could, therefore, follow that for any nomenclatural suffic attached to a leader, such a title must have its philosophical undertone and circumstantial originality.

In God’s own State of Abia, the incumbent Governor, Chief (Sir) Theodore Ahamefule Orji, has an appellation that is known as ’Ochendo’. I do not think I may be wrong to assume that this title has gone beyond Abia. This is because a title that is associated with a sitting Governor and has appeared in more than one thousand publications; in the print and electronic media and globally via the internet, cannot be said to be restricted to a geographical environment. Ochendo has, therefore, assumed a very wide usage both within and outside Nigeria.
As may not completely be ruled out, many persons who call Ochendo may not have borthered to ask what the meaning of Ochendo is. Basically, Ochendo is an Igbo word which translates to protection and defence of life. It could be protection against the vagaries of weather, harsh socio-economic conditions or inhumanity arising from man against man. In a literary simplified sense, the umbrella, rain-coat, rain-booth, various forms of generosity, philanthrophy, liberation and defence symbolize Ochendo or as I have always preferred to put it; ‘Ochendoism’.

That Ochendoism has been meaningfully popular and acceptable in Abia State must suggest that it has its philosophical significance in the socio-econo-political existentiallism of the people of the state.

From a pragmatic point of view, it has to be stated that for the collectivity of the above components of Ochendoism to be manifest in the practicality of the philosophy, the principles of collectivism, reconcilliation, justice which incorporates equity, security and peace, economic integration that does not exclude agricultural development, intellectual foundation, commercial enterprise that is not isolated from skill acquisition, effective public service mechanism and equally importantly, synergy between government and the private sector and also co-operation with religious leaders. Ochendoism, from a critical appreciation, has manifested positively in all the social, economic and political firmaments of the Abia dynamics.

Before Governor T. A. Orji’s emergence, the state was devastatingly torn into factions; the major gladiators being the home-based politicians and the Abuja domicilled Abia politicians. There was no love lost between the two. The result of this avoidable rancour was that the State became the victim. But Governor T. A. Orji, being a seasoned tecnocrat and bureaucrat, did not need to consult any oracle to realize that such a cat and dog relationship, if not radically resolved, would continue to constitute a clog on the wheel of the progress of the State. Ochendo quickly reconcilled all the warring factions in the state and, without hesitation, gave every Abia his or her right. The only personality that was inevitably left out in the reconcilliation agenda was the former Governor, whom every well-meaning Abian knows as a man whose interest and ambition are the exact antithesis of collectivism and progress.

Today, Abians speak with one voice, with coherence that means peace arising from equity. Nobody or section, within the frame-work of Ochendoism, complains of marginalization or inequity. To make sure that people conduct their legitimate trades or business uninhibited, the Government of Chief T. A. Orji, spurred by the philosophy of Ochendoism, has practically made seucrity of lives and property a top priority. There is no iota of exaggeration to say that, contemporarilly-speaking, Abia State has emerged from a volatile security state to one of the most secured states of the Nigerian Federation.

As a state, Abia has one of the lowest Federal allocations, despite being an oil-producing state. Before the election of Chief T. A. Orji as Governor, transparency had nothing to do with the financial management of the state. While the former Governor could, as a sitting Governor, buy an Ocean-going vessel and name it after his daughter and even had the temerity of inviting a sitting President to launch the ship at Port-Harcourt, an invitation the President unmistakably turned down, Ochendo is not given to quest for materialism and has, so far, managed the financial fortunes of the state so prudently and transparently that Abia State has been, undeniably, proclaimed by no mean an institution than the National Assembly as one of the few financially healthy states of the Federation. The philosophy of Ochendoism dictates that the State Government and her indigenes cut their coat according to their cloth and not according to their size. Hence the government of Abia State, under Ochendo, has not borrowed money either internally or externally. Ochendoism implies that the successor of Governor T. A. Orji will not be encumbered by an avalange of inherited debts.

In the same vein, Ochendoism demands that the morale of the public servants in the state should be high. This is why, no sooner had Chief T. A. Orji emerged as Governor, than every public servant was automatically promoted to the next salary grade level. The history of public service in Nigeria places Ochendo as the First Governor to display this uncommon generosity. It is equally in this direction that the government pays twenty thousand and one hundred naira as minimum wage to her workers even when the Federal Government has legislated eighteen thousand naira as minimum wage. The morale-boosting agenda of the governor for Abia workers does not end at their wages. The government has gone further to enhance their environmental cum psychological affectation by building a modern secretariat complex for them, reconstructing and refurbishing existing dilapidated offices.

Ochendoism places much emphasis on the educational development of the state. Primary and Secondary education are tuition-free in state-owned institutions. Many of the Schools in the state were built before the Nigerian-Biafran war and have, therefore, become dilapidated. The government of Chief T. A. Orji has been unrelenting in her determination to renovate such school buildings and also build new structures. The Abia State government, inspite of her financial inadequacies, occupies the top-most echelon in the ranks of state governments that own and effectively run tertiary institutions. Under Ochendo, the state government has efficiently coped with the numerous challenges associated with the various compuses of the Abia State University, the rapidly growing Abia State Polytechnic at Aba, the Abia State College of Education (Technical) at Arochukwu and the Abia State College of Health at Aba. These Institutions of higher learning engulp enormous resources of the state yet the philosophy of Ochendoism fires the state Government on.

The philosophy underneath Ochendoism places emphasis on self actualization. To this effect, the government has been motivating agricultural practices. Not too long ago, the state government doled out a one billion naira interest-free loan to genuine farmers in the state. The government has been encouraging profitable development of her palm-plantations, cocoa plantations, rubber plantations, cassava farms and animal husbandry, including fishery. Liberation farms are springing up.

Traders are being encouraged by providing them with large modern markets at Ndume-Ibeku and Ubani-Ibeku. Old markets in the state such as Ariaria International Market, Ekeoha Shopping Centre, Ngwa Road Market, Ohabiam Electronics Market and Ehere Market, all in Aba, are systematically being renovated and modernized. Aba has had a face-lift under Ochendo after many years of infrastructural abandonment and decay. Umuahia now wears the real look of a state capital, unlike what it was before. Ochendoism is synonymous with youth empowerment and gender sensitivity. Before the emergence of Chief T. A. Orji as the Abia helmsman, Abia Youths who were considered very lucky and well connected could only get wheel-barrows. The youths then were made to accept povery and defeatism as an acceptable way of life. But under Ochendoism, Abia Youths have comfortably been made to experience the other side of life. The government of ochendo has exposed them to various forms of skill acquisitoin, ranging from craftmanship to computer technicalities. Apart from skill acquisition, the administration, which outlawed the use of commercial motor-cycles in the urban cities of Umuahia and Aba in order to address crime, has consistently empowered the Abia Youths with donation of hundreds of tricycletes, cars and buses. About five thousand Abia Youths are being paid fifteen thousand naira each per month. These and many other incentives are pragmatic disposition of Ochendoism in addressing youth unemployment and its attedant restiveness.

In the philosophical outlay of Ochendoism is the very strong belief that the health of the citizenry of any given polity determines its success in the pursuit of her set goals. Contingent upon this, the Ochendo administration has, unabatedly, placed premium on the health of Abia people. His government initiated and built the Abia Specialist and Diagnostic Hospital at Umuahia. This hospital is an innovation on its own as there is no ailment that can not be successfully diagnosed in it. It is a very result-oriented partnership between the state government and MECURE OF India. The Abia State University Teaching Hospital at Aba has been enjoying commensurate funding by the state government and recently constructed an elevator to ease the pains of her patients who may be unable to climb the steps. The story there is a comprehensive success.

The hospital at Amachara, which before the emergence of Governor T. A. Orji, was incapable of competing with any well equipped, staffed and managed Health centre, has today been transformed into a Specialist hospital, having the right calibre of medical personnel, equipment and funding. Abandoned General hospitals at Okeikpe, Okpuala-Ngwa, Arochukwu andmany other places have been vigorously renovated and refurbished to make them capable of addressing the health needs of the people. Ochendo’s grass-roots health policy is that every community in the state should have a functional health cenre. Towards the realization of this objective, the government has built about two hundred and fifty health centres, equitably distributed in the three senatorial zones of the state.

In the area of administration, the philosophy of Ochendoism has injected stability and confidence in the system. Prior to the election of Chief T. A. Orji, the State Executive Council could not exceed six months in a stretch and no commissioner was appointed without being taken to a juju shrine to swear to an oath of unconstitutional allegiance to the family of the then governor. It did not stop at that. The intending commissioner was equally required to cough out some reasonable amount of money before being so apppointed. By June 2013, the Commissioners serving in the administration of Governor T. A. Orji would have served two years, having come on board in July 2011. None paid a dime. None was taken to any shrine. There is no gainsaying the fact that the founding fathers of Abia State laid its foundation in their uncompromised faith in God, hence Abia is known as God’s Own State.

Before the advent of Ochendo as Governor, Abia had been forced into a goon’s own state. During that time, the Ogwugwu shrine in Okija in Anambra State had become the official holy temple of the state government. But Ochendoism implies that the people of God’s Own State should worship the God that created Heaven and Earth. The relationship between the government of Ochendo and religious leaders in the state has been unprecedentedly cordial. Ochendo believes so much in the efficacy of Christianity and the Church that he is the only Governor, since the end of the Nigerian-Biafran war, fourty-three years ago, that has successfully handed schools back to their former missionary owners, in the state. He has also handed over hospitals to their former missionary owners. It is also beyond any doubt that he has sponsored the highest number of Christian pilgrims to Israel between 1997 and 2013. Being a quintessential advocate of the Nigerian State and unity, Ochendo has been very generous in the sponsorship of Muslims in the state to Mecca. Many non-indigenes hold political appointments in the state, including execution of big contracts.

Ochendoism appreciates the importance of tourism. Hence the administration of the state does not only encourage investors in this sector but has taken a very bold step by initiating and constructing an international conference centre that will make Abia State a destination point for intellectuals, professionals, administrators, diplomats and business executives.

Summarily put, Ochendoism is the tenacious application of vision, transparency, justice, equity, altruism, intellect, humanity, partnership with the federal government and above all, the fear of God in managing the affairs of a people by its leadership.

Chief (Sir) Don Ubani; KSC, JP
(Okwubunka of Asa)
Umuiku-Isi-Asa
Ukwa-West L.G.A.
P.M.B. 7048, Aba
E-mail: ubanidon@yahoo.co

what is wrong about that....he deserves it considering the work he is doing ,so am happy about that and want to use this opportunity to congratulate him on that effect..

Poverty Alleviation Cannot Succeed without Women Empowerment


The economic empowerment of more Nigerian women constitutes the major ingredient for and the best weapon to be employed to successfully win the war against poverty.

Former President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Prof. Joe Irukwu, SAN, expressed this view in a lecture he delivered at the recent 2013 Gender Stakeholders Summit and award ceremony organised by the Centre for Gender and Child Development, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State.

He said by empowering more and more women economically at both the family and national levels it “would enable them to combat poverty”.

Irukwu, whose lecture was titled ‘Nigeria at 100: National Building and the Issue of Gender Mainstreaming’ also called for the elimination of all forms of barrier, including cultural practices, that inhibit women development.

He further stated that although significant progress has been made in women participation in politics in Nigeria, a lot more still needed to be done to fully emancipate the Nigerian women and tap their potentials for national development.

“It is my submission that women who are economically successful will be in a better position to influence the direction and quality of our national politics and societal equilibrium,” the chartered accountant and insurance guru said.

In his remarks the Vice-chancellor of MOUAU, Prof. Hilary Edeoga, noted that nobody was created inferior; hence the need to accord women their importance in the society, adding that “any nation that does not respect the talents of both male and female is going to fail”.

Earlier in her address the acting Director of Centre for Gender and Child Development, Mrs. Georgina Edeoga, called for sustained evaluation of the impact of government policies and programmes on the vulnerable members of the society, especially the girl child.

“We want to create opportunities for them to live their dreams. We want to ensure that their march to greatness is not scuttled or impeded by the inertia of the society of ignorance of its members,” she said.

Four personalities were given awards at the ceremony. They included Governor Theodore Orji of Abia state for his outstanding performance in gender empowerment and poverty alleviation while the wife of Bayelsa state governor, Mrs. Rachael Seriake Dickson was honoured for outstanding performance in gender innovation and poverty alleviation.

Other award recipients were Prof. Dora Akunyili, honoured as Amazon of democracy and good governance, as well as popular Nollywood actor, Osita Iheme, who was honoured for outstanding role model in mentoring children/youths.

people should stop being sentimental over things regarding abia state..the governor T.A orji is working,he has performed than many governors who were once in his shoes now..so why talking blush here

WE'VE MOVED ABIA OUT OF DARKNESS - GOV ORJI..

Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji, yesterday enumerated the achievement of his administration in the last two years, saying that they have been able to bring the state out of darkness and led the people into real democracy.

The governor spoke yesterday at the Umuahia Township Stadium in an interdenominational church service held to mark this year’s Democracy Day anniversary in the state.

According to Governor Orji, before his administration, what obtained in the state was “government of one family by one family,” saying that he has changed that to “government of the people for the people by the people,” which he said represents true democracy.

“We have moved Abia State nearer to God; we have been able to move Abia out of darkness. It is an achievement. There was no democracy before now, it was just ‘government of family by one family,’ we have stopped that and now we have democracy where consultation is done before things are concluded”, Orji said.

The governor said that his administration has laid a good foundation for the development of the state, saying that before now there was none.

KUDOS to T.A Orji for all his god work.Ride our amiable governor,you have moved Abia state to a greater level...we are solidly behind you

Orji: PDP has come to stay in Abia

Abia State Governor Theodore Orji has said with the rate of work going on in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is the party to beat.

Orji said the PDP has come to stay in the state because of the things he has put on ground.

Orji cautioned party members to steer clear of those who are trying to sneak into the party to destroy it.

He said he has laid a solid foundation for the state.

“So that another PDP governor coming after me will have less work to do .

there was nothing wrong to try to make space for his indegenes,if you were in his shoes you would do the same to protect urs

Abia First Lady Wages War On Child Traffickers, Baby Factory...

In her renewed efforts to stamp out baby factory as well as child trafficker in the state, wife of Abia State Governor Lady Mercy Odorchi Orji recently reiterated her resolve to flush out baby factory in the state and curb other illegal business that has made Abia state a safe haven for their ungodly trade.

Lady Orji made this observation while flagging off this year's maternal and health week in Umuahia, the state capital. She bemoaned the rate of death witnessed among infant due to malnutrition.

She said, "26 percents of neo-natal deaths occurs as a result of malnutrition, nursing mothers as well as care-givers must avail themselves of the new health centre provided by the state government to improve their health status," Odorchi advised.

She further demonstrated the determination of the state government to curtail child trafficking in the state by adopting baby Nwakego Okeke whose father was rendered incapacitated due to an injury he sustained in a fatal accident recently.

"The state government would partner with development partners to address the menace of child trafficking that has become a money spinning venture for unscrupulous elements in the society," she said.

In an interview with Daily Trust, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health Mr.Eme Onyekaba pointed out that neo-natal deaths has become a hydra-headed issue in the state adding that parents must intensify effort to immunize their wards from zero age to 59 months as a way of curtailing communicable diseases.

Similarly, the state coordinator of development partners in Abia, Dr Hillary Ozo said "though lots of progress have been recorded towards maternal and child survival in Abia state, the state remains polio free but that with low immunization rate this could change" he stated.

Why I Sacked Non-indigenes In Abia Civil Service - Orji

Abia State governor, Chief Theodore Orji has stated that the decision to rid the state civil service of non-indigenes was borne out of the desire to protect his citizens who faced similar ordeal in other states of the South-east.

Speaking during the occasion of his conferment with the “Man of the Year Award” of Daily Independent Newspaper in Lagos over the weekend, Orji said though he does not regret the move, it was a response needed to restore the pride of the people whom he governs.

Orji, alongside president of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and former chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mrs Ifueko Omoigui-Okaru were honoured for their various contributions to the country’s economic development by the paper.

In all about 2,604 non-indigenes mostly from the neighbouring Imo State were disengaged from the Abia State government public service on August 25, 2011.

Apart from Imo State, whose indigenes formed the bulk of those laid off; workers who are from Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu States were also affected in the purge prompting misgivings in the South Eastern part of the country.

According to him, “When I have the opportunity to serve the Abia State people, I have no apologies to make to anybody. What I want to place on record is this, I wondered where people were when Abia born people were being chased away from other civil services.”

Orji, a retired civil servant said, “If Abia is chasing other people away, we are only copying what others have done to us. It was a question of observing fairness and equity”.

haters will stop at nothing to talk trash and cluelessly while governor T.A will stop at nothing until he leaves no stone unturned in making sure he finishes his task and set the record straight......the basic fact is he can't be distracted by the insurgent censure of the fools who wish him to flop,but its pity to those people because T.A has really established himself with good governance process he has been carrying out....i wish him more good days in the office

bia nwokem,we are not following this your crap,we have got better things to look out for and not this ur crap.if we need to see out for something more reasonable we know where to get it..this your story no make sense at all...don't lie about a governor and his colleague who came for a good project execution ,don't make up stories that are not genuine in order to seek for attraction and attention,we can't give it to u
as for T.A orji,we like his governance,obughi nke ndi digbue zogbue

who does not know T.A has recorded great achievement more than what the his predecessors did?T.A has set the record straight

OUK has never been there,he was only using fake stories on people.......but we know the truth...besides nobody told him to speak for us ,he has got nothing to offer in our behalf up there..so let him sit back,we don't need him

H.E Governor T.A. Orji will today Mon 20th May 2013 Perform the following functions…..
ABIA BANNER 1

His Excellency, the Executive Governor will today Mon 20th May 2013 Perform the following functions…..

1: Commissioning of the New ASEPA Office Complex a Ogurube Layout, Umuahia. And the New Timber, Industrial Market, Ahiaeke, Ndume Umuahia.

2:Thereafter, he attends the Royal Reception in honour of Rt Hon Uzor Azubuike, at Abia Poly, Aba.

Abia Signs MoU To Build Industrial City...

Abia state government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a private firm under a Public Private Partnership to build and develop an industrial markets city-Abia International Industry City (ABIIC)-for traders and other business ventures that would be comparable to international standard.

Governor Theodore Orji during the MOU signing at the Government House, Umuahia, said the desire to bring in private investors in the area of trade and commerce is part of the vision of expanding the horizon for industrialization of the state.

He expressed optimism that the project would be a huge success, while the chairman of ABIIC; Dr. Babatunde Obada, disclosed that the project is a done deal and realizable by 2014.

He appealed to the governor to make a ‘monumental pronouncement’ about the project because it would help to encourage traders to participate effectively in the project.

According to Dr Obada, the reason to build the industrial city in Abia is to further encourage trade and commerce, as the enormous business acumen acquired by the traders over the years would be at play and the company may not spend much if the traders are fully involved.

Anticipating ground breaking ceremony in three months’ time when the rains must have subsided a bit the firm intends to complete the project by December 2014 having laid down maps and strategy to work within the time frame.

The bank financing the project also explained that their involvement with the company is to support SMEs and allow traders own their shops instead of renting it which at the long run with proper sustenance can lead to trade export in Aba

The ABIIC is a plan is to include Africa Continent among the industrialized city in the world.

After the signing of MoU Mr Orji noted that the state is attracting investors from all part of the world because of the safe and secure environment which is a plus for investment to thrive.

The large market is expected to be sited at Aba the commercial hub on completion would consist of many industrial clusters.

CHANNELS

ORJI CONSOLES THE VICTIMS OF THE UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT BY A COLLAPSE BUILDING


”My prayers and thoughts are with the victims and families of those affected by the unfortunate incident caused by a collapsed building at Agbama Housing Estate, Umuahia”…H.E T.A. Orji
HE GOV T.A. ORJI at the Collapsed building in Umuahia 2
My prayers and thoughts are with the victims and families of those affected by the unfortunate incident caused by a collapsed building at Agbama Housing Estate, Umuahia. I sympathize with the families of those occupants that died in the collapsed building and I pray for the quick recovery of the survivors.

Let me use this opportunity to thank all those who had assisted in the rescue effort, the Medics, Security men and women, Construction Companies, Agbama residents and other brave Abians. All your efforts to safeguard lives are well appreciated.

However, the cause of the unfortunate collapse is currently being investigated to forestall future occurrence. We will investigate the case and we will take measures against those involved as poor safety standards by house owners and developers will not be tolerated in Abia State.

GOVERNOR ORJI DISTRIBUTES BACK-UP VEHICLES TO JUDGES

Abia State Governor T.A Orji has started the presentation of back-up vehicles to judges in the state judiciary to empower them in the discharge of their duties .
The governor while handing over six vehicles to the state Ag chief judge for distribution to the first batch said that judges are entitled to back-up cars. He stated that other judges will get theirs soon ,adding that newly appointed judges in the state will also get theirs in due course and commended the judiciary for discharging their duties creditably.
The Abia state chief executive described the judiciary as important and stated the preparedness of the executive to empower that arms of government.---Source : WWW.THEDIAMONDNEWSPAPER..COM

Abia revokes homes’ licences for violating child rights


FOLLOWING the faking of nursing homes, maternities and the urgent need to curb the violation of child rights, abductions, illegal adoption and other social vices targeted at children, the Abia State Government has approved the revalidation of such facilities.

With the revocation of their operation licences, the state has directed the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to revalidate only those ascertained to be carrying out genuine functions in accordance with government’s stipulations.

The state said it was determined to check illegal movement of minors and sale of babies by such homes and persons in different guises. Recently, six such homes were sealed off and their operators arrested while over 48 pregnant girls and six infants were released in the process.

Meanwhile, the state has advised members of the public, who have need to adopt children, to liaise with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development or risk prosecution.

The governor has done some thing I think is inevitable, it is good as it will help to create room for competition for places in the executive platform.he has done something I like,being receptive per say is a great quality of a leader

there is no gain saying it was a bad idea to dissolve and to make better...as he has dissolve that ,he will look for capable hands that will take us to a greater height............T.A has demonstrated some great level of competency ....

Abia state has a governor ,some one who has the problem of his people at heart...i like what the governor has done,in fact its is appropriate ,he has done something which is professional and i am so sure it is going to help redesign the image of the state and bring the desired development in the state.

The Abia youth Empowerment Summit slated for Wednesday 24th, April 2013, came with a bang. It unfolded as structured and every item on the programme hit the ground running. As expected and witnessed, the buildup on the print and electronic media was spectacular. Broadcasting Corporation of Abia had it on radio and TV every five minutes. The FRCN got more than their fair share and newspapers were awash, heralding the date of the event and the awesome profile and capacity of the guest speaker.

For so many it was a promise kept as the Michael Okpara Auditorium was festive and festooned with ribbons of national hue. In short, the venue was dressed like a bride for a prince and there was an intercourse of ideas. Abians imbibed to the brim.

Chief T.A. Orji, long aware of the precarious and vulnerable position of the youths has done so much to address their imbalance. It may not need any stressing that the youth are in larger numbers in all activities. They are energetic though inexperienced, experimental to the extent that any action is better than no action. The odious in society recruit hands from the youth, even the church need the youth more than politicians in the largest numbers to chant and cheer.

Some negative politicians dispatch youths to hoot their opponents to submission, others do not feel guilty handing them cudgels, knives at times, guns to work as body guards, foot soldiers and plain thugs. Those who plan to rig elections, especially in thumb printing woo the youths. The able Governor of Abia, having been an active youth, passing through schools and serving the nation in the NYSC in Sokoto State, can double as a consultant on youth affairs as he has constantly observed youths in all stages of their lives, commenting, condemning or correcting as the case demanded.

Accordingly, he has not relented since in office from his days as Chief of Staff when he was honoured and adopted a patron saint of the youths.

In many of his encounters with the teeming youths, he has always promised and worked hard to meet them at their point of needs. Little wonder youth empowerment has dominated his family outreach. The free education from primary to secondary level and the free transport from home to school and back in Umuahia and Aba cities were cheery news when it was enacted in 2007. The monthly payment to some carefully selected youths from all the electoral wards in Abia was unheard of and put genuine smiles on many faces.

Creation of employment opportunities has been a continuous exercise in many sectors notably, the rejigging of Abia Rubber Company in Abam involving collaboration with an international firm, the resuscitation of all Oil Palm Estates in Abia starting with Ohambele and Mbawsi Oil mills are all targeted at accommodating the youth who form the largest employable block in Abia.

The life improving Ochendo Liberation Farms in all the L.G.As is an orchestrated scheme aimed at bequeathing survival skills, allowing the youth a chance to moderate their destiny and becoming producers rather than consumers. It would be recalled that the Amnesty programme extended by the federal Government to the militants in Niger Delta areas eluded Abia at the initial time, but Chief T.A. Orji skillfully negotiated Abia militants to benefit for which a camp was established in Abia South and today, those who willingly embraced the amnesty are reformed and reintegrated into society.

Investors have been encouraged and given incentives to invest as to employ our teeming youths. Last week, Wednesday April 17th, the ground breaking ceremony marking the take off of Shoprite, a South African Superstore chain is a grand design to increase the employment window for youths in Abia. The Abia Government allocated a vast land in Uwalaka Road, combining the Old Garki and Asubeb land space to accommodate the behemoth stores. There are others too numerous to mention.

According to an Igbo proverb, ‘the small goat watches the mother’s mouth as it chews the curd.’ It is on record that immediately after the elections Engr. Chinedu Orji popularly called Ikuku inaugurated the Ochendo youth foundation. It is timely as he propped up the youth and involved them into so many activities. Henceforth youths gathered in Osisioma, Ohafia and were bequeathed with life-serving tools and gadgets like tricycles, barbing and hair salon equipments ranging from clippers, dryers, generating sets, computers all in the North and South senatorial zones.

Her Excellency, Lady Mercy Orji has not been left out. Her pet project Hannah May has particularly borne the cross for the female youth. Skill acquisition tools like sewing machines, hairdressing dryers, manicure and pedicure kits have been given out. Prostheses, for amputee youths, wheel chairs and crutches have been handed to the needy. Right now the skill acquisition centre opposite the Nnamdi Azikiwe Secretariat in Umuahia is busy training youthful females in varying skills, Viz computer appreciation, fashion designing, interior decoration and other skills. This is concurrently going on in other centres in Aba and Arochukwu with monthly stipend paid.

On the buildup to the democracy day in 2012, May 28 precisely, in the spacious, Aguiyi Ironsi cenotaph with most of the youths on the terraces, enabled by giant T.V sets for viewers on all corners with funfair as youthful musicians and Nollywood stars participated, the Governor gave out tools, equipment and tricycles upon which he promised that the next edition would be resounding and amazing to all.

Knowing T.A. as a man of action not given to too many promises, the question on many lips were, what date? Wednesday April 24th 2013 provided the answer.

The three phased programme took off with the awesome lecture. For a start, the no-nonsense Governor who keeps all the money, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the key speaker, was on hand at the Okpara Auditorium and delivered his thought provoking speech which should be adopted nationwide as a template for youth empowerment and panacea for restiveness.

According to Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the youth constitute 18% of the world population but African countries under invest on the youth at great consequences such as breeding an unproductive segment who live under the poverty line of two dollars a day. Not only that, they find themselves highly unsecured in jobs, marital affairs, financial statuses and therefore psychologically marginalized. To add insult to injury, this unhappy, ill-equipped segment will metamorphose into parents, guardians and leaders. In an apt reference to Hopenhyan, an established authority, the plight of the unhappy youth and victims may exacerbate intergenerational conflicts when young people perceive a lack of opportunity and meritocracy in a system that favours adults who have less formal education and training but, more wealth, power and job stability. Could this be a reenactment of Karl Maxi’s class struggle? From studies available, the rise in unemployment triggers off an increase in the crime rates and other vices as prevalent in the growth of armed robbery in the Southwest, cross border banditry and terrorism in the North, while in the South-South and South East, kidnapping and youth restiveness and other violent acts preside like a colossus.

He reeled out some government based initiatives past and present, which include the NDE, the 100 Billion Textile Revival Funds, Smedan, PW/WYE-Public Works and Women/Youth Empowerment Scheme. The EDC,-Enterprise Dev Centre, the You Win Project, Niger Delta Amnesty Training Project, and some real but unheard-of projects in the CBN like Initiatives Towards Promoting Youth Empowerment- NIRSAl-Nigerian Incentive-based risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending and many others. Do you know that Airlines Services would have collapsed and jobs lost? Check out the PAIf-Power and Aviation Intervention Fund.

As solutions, he recommended massive job creation, great emphases on technical and vocational Education, provision of social safety nets like the Social Security Act of USA which came into reckoning since 1935, huge investment in agriculture, developing the rural areas to check urban migration, and a change of mentality which prefers white collar jobs as the only source of survival. He greatly advocated that the exuberant nature of the youths should be channeled to production, patronizing the many windows opened by the CBN.

Before the ovation died down after the lecture, it was a massive movement to the Umuahia Township Stadium, even the looming rain was not enough to deter the large numbers. Carefully parked and arranged were cars, buses and painted taxis of all types. If not for the yellow colour branding of the buses and taxis, any undiscerning would have taken the arena to be the Apapa Wharf and the assembly ground of Toyota put together. Those who tried to count the numbers could not complete the exercise due to parallaxes as their gazes were dazed.

In all, the Abia Governor staked 200 vehicles as handouts, seven hundred tricycles and one hundred Laptops.

The question in many minds were: ‘how does the government manage to do all these with ongoing massive constructions in roads and buildings in-spite of the paltry funds?’

His Excellency may have taken seriously the admonition of his namesake, the former American president, Theodore Roosevelt who said “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”

If I have the temerity to venture an opinion, the Abia government should as a matter of strict urgency set up a committee to study critically the financial windows opened by the Central Bank many of which are unknown to Abia Youths.

On the other hand, the Abia government ably led by sir T A Orji has not fared badly judging by the recommendations of the CBN oracle. With hindsight and a few examples already mentioned, the agricultural reforms ranging from the rejuvenation of all the Eastern Nigeria farms located in Abia and the Ochendo liberation farms in the 17 LGAs are instructive.

There are various skill acquisition centres private and public. The 4500 selected group from all wards on monthly stipends gulping 65 million naira monthly is akin to the Social Security of USA. Likewise, the numerous equipments already given out. The amnesty scheme where Abia was left out but deftly negotiated by the governor speaks volumes. The bursary and scholarships re-instituted and the free education in primary and secondary are effected to lure the youth to school and for the parents, any who gets the youth off drugs and crime may have done quite a lot.

Eddie Onuzuruike