₦airaland Forum

@ 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

@ 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

@censre4truth,do you still have time for Madam Bingo and devil's dept who are paid to talk rubbish here,are they the ones to tell us what is happening in Abia state....Abia state the most peaceful state in Nigeria,all thing is under control...God bless Abia state....T.A will wow many at the end of the day,he started off on a good note this second tenure and we are proud of his progress so far...long live abia state

Governor Orji determined to provide consistent healthcare in Abia

Governor Orji determined to provide consistent healthcare in Abia Abia state Governor, Chief Theodore Orji said yesterday that he had declared total war on sickness in the state. This, according to him was the reason his administration has placed priority attention in the health sector. The Governor said this at Amachara Specialist Hospital, Umuahia while commissioning a Chest Clinic donated to the state by Chevron. The Chest Clinic was built by Chevron under Agbami Partnership. Orji explained that he paced priority on health because “it is a healthy person that enjoys democracy dividends”. Governor Orji commended Chevron for the gesture and said that they also chose to assist the government in an area the Government had special interest in. His words: “Honestly, what we have done in the state was to declare war against sickness, and that war will continue until I leave office. If you join me, we will give sickness a good fight. “As I speak to you today, we have modern Diagnostic Centres in Aba and Umuahia. In that centre [Umuahia] we are installing a Dialysis Machines. They are on ground now. And we also have an Eye Centre. “Here at Amachara, we are establishing a Children’s Centre. We have furnished 250 functional Health Centres in 291 political wards of the state and we have given ambulances to the 17 Local Government Councils, we do this bearing in mind that health is very vital”. The governor further commended Chevron for citing the Chest Clinic at Amachara and assured that it would partner well with them to ensure that the clinic functions well. He however appealed to the company to extend its gesture in the area of education. In his speech at the ceremony, the Area Manager of Chevron in Port Harcourt, Mr. Joe Sapka said that the company decided to donate the Chest Clinic as its own way of contributing to the health of the people. Agbami partners, Sakpa explained, have as part of its social responsibility, been adding value to the lives of people and contributing positively to the socio-economic development of Nigeria. He called on Abians to make adequate use of the Chest Clinic for their own good.

The Governor T.A gracing the commissioning of Amachara hospital in grand style...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 its citizens

I won’t leave abandoned projects in Abia – Orji


GOVERNOR Theodore Orji of Abia State has promised not to leave a legacy of abandoned projects for the state.

Consequently, he pledged to complete all ongoing projects before the expiration of his tenure in 2015.

Orji stated this while answering questions from newsmen shortly after inspecting some on-going projects in Umuahia to ascertain the progress of work.

According to him, the multi-billion Naira projects are progressing in line with government’s plans, based on the available resources.

Governor Orji said Abians should judge him on the basis of what he did with the resources available to the state.

The governor also expressed joy that the contractors were doing a good job.

At the Ubani Ibeku new market, Chief Orji observed facilities were being put in place and noted that light has been connected to the market, while the fire service building and the motor park have been completed.

The governor also inspected the new low and middle income housing estate under construction, located close to Ubani Ibeku modern market, where he assured that the houses would be ready for occupation in the next five months.

He assured that the houses would be affordable for civil servants, and also disclosed his intention to park into the new Government House before the end of his tenure in 2015.source :http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/06/i-wont-leave-abandoned-projects-in-abia-orji/

We shall today Thursday 6th June, 2013 Commission the New Chest Clinic at Amachara General Hospital Umuahia. Immediately after the commissioning of the New Chest Clinic, we shall proceed to Ikwuano LGA Hdqrs to Flag Off the latest Growth enhancement Programme for Cocoa.

To God be the Glory!

By Nnachi Kalu

THE views attributed to one Odimegwu Onwumere against the Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore A. Orji on the back page of The Guardian, Monday, May 27, 2013, has come to notice as yet another attempt to ridicule the government of Abia.

There is no reason to indulge Onwumere with a reply but as the Igbo say, “it is better to remove the palm of the monkey from the fire before it becomes a human hand.” The truth is a lie repeated overtime soon begins to sound like the truth. However, it is important to set the records straight and in the interest of the very many people who still value the truth said in plain language.

In the first instance, Onwumere lacks the moral justification to make comments regarding the development of Abia. He was a prominent member of the former government headed by Orji Uzor Kalu; he was in the kitchen cabinet. He was part of the malaise that reigned in Abia for a long while. He supervised the selling of virtually all institutions in Abia including but not limited to the Golden Guinea Breweries, Ceramic Industries and unfortunately ceding of the Ogwe Golden Chicken Farm to kidnappers.

Onwumere did not see anything wrong in the criminal rape suffered by Abia economy between 1999 and 2007. Abia in his mind was right and in good health. Onwumere did not see anything wrong in the manner Abia was ruled from overseas by Kalu. Onwumere knew that for eight years, Kalu left the country a record of 63 times. He would need to tell us why he was struck numb while that charade lasted. He would also need to tell us what dividends of democracy were recorded then.

Assuming the incumbent Governor Theodore Orji would embark on overseas trip another 63 times to fix Abia, we would sincerely not mind. If it would take the governor one million trips to correct the criminal administration of Abia, we would vote with our legs, mouth and nose to support him. Ironically, the governor is not an international businessman; he does not own a shipping company, does not run an airline nor does he have chains of businesses in The Gambia, the U.S., Europe and Asia. He leaves Abia on a mission but in the final analysis, he is determined to heal the wounds of the past.

Onwumere should not mislead the public. The trip to Canada was at the instance of the Vice President and the Nigerian High Commissioner to Canada, an illustrious indigene of Abia, Chief Ojo Madukwe. The governor joined other state governors in trying to assess the potentials of trade investments. If he had made a comment regarding strengthening bilateral agreements between Nigeria and Canada, then he is perfectly correct because Nigeria’s trade agreements with any country can only be boosted by fragments of integrated efforts. So, what was the point Onwumere was trying to make?

The Abia governor is not given to playing to the gallery. He does not rule by subterfuge and blackmail. He is strongly determined to recover Abia from the doldrums of monumental underdevelopment. He is working hard to restore all the years eaten up by locust, which people like Onwumere unfortunately were privy to.

For the six years Orji has served as governor, he has only had cogent reasons to leave the shores of Nigeria seven times including his normal vacation. The palm plantation which Onwumere’s principal sold off and mismanaged is now yielding good investments. Shanid is a foreign investor that has strategically turned the fortunes of Abia Palm Plantation. That palm plantation was useless while the former governor was globetrotting. Imoni – Yemi is a Benin Republic based rubber company and is currently doing wonders with the rubber plantation in the state.

May be the likes of Onwumere need to be given lessons on what “Silent agriculture revolution” is. In just few trips, the government has been able to have the best cocoa farm sprawling a massive 450 hectares with the most productive seedlings; whose result will in no time stun doubters and critics. Silent revolution means that the government has usefully partnered foreign investors who have introduced the most productive cassava stems, which again would buoy food and wealth for Abians.

In no time, the manifestation of those bilateral agreements would become obvious because they were made in good faith and with no deceit. Theodore Orji is committed to strengthening the economy of Abia and would not insist that even the ones that appear to be a ruse are hastily concluded. The investments that have not taken off are the ones still entangled in the cobwebs of super antics, which was the lot of Abians for those eight horrifying years.

The state government reserves the right to review all trade and partnership proposals so that the government would get it right. In the bid to air his views Onwumere showed much ignorance about the monorail project and made comments regarding it in bad faith. The company proposing the monorail had stated ab initio that they intend connecting the whole of South East and would start a pilot test with Enugu State. If the German company that proposed the waste to wealth investment is not yet on ground, then it would be that the collective interest of Abians may not have been guaranteed.

Theodore Orji is busy building 701 primary health centres and strengthening tertiary health institutions in the state. The government has never had a health centre that could serve as referral point. Hitherto, the people of Abia were all moving to neighbouring states for medical attention.

The government is busy developing infrastructure so that the state would naturally become the beautiful bride and a safe haven for investors. The government is interested in rebranding and repackaging Umuahia and indeed other communities so that the people could survive on self while direct foreign investments would just be a plus. The government has done the Aba –Umukabia Road so that the foreign investor who would dredge and open up the Aba River would have an access road to move equipment.

Let us say you have just woken up from a deep slumber. Uninformed critics should realise that Abia has miraculously moved from that static point to where they and their cohorts condemned it. Umuahia is no longer a glorified village while Aba people have been offered more than watching football. The 67 clusters of motor parks, which hitherto serviced the supply of touts for the very many sinister jobs, have all been dismantled, giving way for a secured, serene and peaceful Aba.

• Kalu, a senior personal assistant to the governor on public affairs wrote from Umuahia.source :http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&amp%3Bview=article&amp%3Bid=123617%3Are-gov-orji-and-foreign-trips-&amp%3Bcatid=203%3Ayouth-speak&amp%3BItemid=730#.Ua7Fb6C63vY.facebook

ULTRA-MODERN MARKET UMUAHIA IS GOOD TO COMMENCE TRADING.ITS A GOOD THING TO KNOW!KUDOS TO ABIA STATE GOVERNMENT FOR ACTUALIZING THIS DREAM....ITS TRULY A DREAM COME TRUE.THANKS TO T.A ORJI FOR THIS WONDERFUL INITIATIVE.

If any body wants to defame Abia state in totality,let him present his real fact and ideally we the good people of Abia state will examine his remonstration to know if he has got something to show off as criticism ,but in a failed attempt to do so ,we will make sure he gets what he deserves which is a total damnation ...we can not fold our arms and watch megalomaniacal clown that are cloned in the devils workshop to take advantage ,whatever way...we stand to refute and rebuff every claims directed against Abia state and its government.As for our governor ,T.A orji,he has been extremely hardworking and he is doing everything to put the name of Abia state ahead of others.It is true that it was not easy for him during his very first tenure ,but on the second tenure he has used his provisional schedule well and making sure no stone is left unturned....there are many unachievable achievement he has put in place,projects ,infrastructural projects,youthful projects,road projects and many more,and there are still more to come before he finally bows out in high-highhanded and heroic way to the notice of all good people of Abia state...having said that ,i will use this opportunity to highlight some pictures revealing the good work of T.A in his administration.

people are being paid to rubbish the good work of the governor but they won't succeed ,the governor is working ,we all know it,doing all this defaming can not take you anywhere,we know the truth and the truth shall stand so tall,so back off....T.A is better off,and he has written his name in the good book

How we chased kidnappers out of Abia, by Eze Udo


Eze Eberechi N. Dick is Eze Udo 1 of Mgboko Mgwa Amaise Autonomous Community, Obingwa L.G.A and the 2nd Deputy Chairman, Abia State Traditional Rulers Council. He is also a member of Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), board. He speaks on governance in Abia State.

Abia State appears to be passing through a critical period. What’s going on?

I do not understand what you mean by “critical period” because every time in the life of an administration is very critical, especially to an administration like that of Ochendo, His Excellency, T.A. Orji that is totally committed to service delivery. He is saddled with enormous responsibility of paying salaries with the little allocation from the Federal Government and still embarks on enormous infrastructural development. And if you go around Abia State, you will testify to the massive infrastructural development spread across the state.
Eze Eberechi

Eze Eberechi

Only recently, His Excellency flagged off the construction of 10km road network in each of the 17 local government areas of the state. This is an unprecedented feat by any measurement. It would be unfair to judge him without considering the background of his assumption of office. He almost did not have first term. Most of the first term was spent in litigations but he was courageous to face the challenges of governance. Having said that, when he came on board, he challenged himself on two things based on experience.

First, was to liberate Abia State from the structure that he inherited. And he successfully did this. He systematically dislodged some of the bad things going on before he came which hindered service delivery. It is not about doing temporary popular projects. When we say that Gov. T.A. Orji is doing legacy projects, projects that will stand the test of time, we know what we are talking about.

This is the time we are practising real democracy in Abia State. It’s not a government of those you know or those that are sponsoring you. It’s the government of the people- grassroots support. That is what I have seen and that is what makes me feel that we are running a true democracy for the first time in Abia State.

Most importantly, Ochendo has taken us back to the main stream of Nigerian politics and we have started reaping the benefits. All the long abandoned federal roads in Abia State are being either renovated or reconstructed. Take, for instance, the Aba-Enugu–Port Harcourt Express that was a death trap which is now wearing an entire new look, not to talk of the recently flagged off Abiriba-Ohafia-Arochukwu federal road.

Some South-East states are experiencing insecurity while Abia State seems to be at peace. As a traditional ruler, what do you think should be done to stabilize the polity? And what role should the traditional institution play?

A few years back when kidnappers dislodged from Rivers State relocated to South- Eastern states, Abia became insecure and investors fled. It was one of the most critical periods of this administration and it is through challenges like this that you know great leaders. A leader faced with what T.A was confronted with at that period could have thrown in the towel especially at a point it became clear that most of the atrocities were targeted at Ochendu, either to tarnish his name or present him as incapable of being governor.

But the foresight of His Excellency in taking us back to the main fold of Nigerian politics was to play another important and positive role to attract the Federal Government which sent troops and other agencies to deal a fatal blow to that scourge. And kidnapping disappeared. What many people do not understand is that if Abia was still in the opposition camp, the Federal Government could not have responded so promptly.

This episode happened just a short while ago, but people seem to have forgotten. Top businesses and industries folded up in Aba. Powerful individuals went on self-exile. But today life has returned because peace has been restored. And there could be no better legacy than somebody creating enabling environment for the economy to thrive once again. Despite the giant strides you have mentioned, there are criticisms against the leadership style of Governor Orji.

Ochendu prioritizes his projects. He executes people-oriented programmes, unlike those leaders who embark on flamboyant projects at the spur of the moment only to abandon them. I have said that he is courageous and eventful – not moved by chorus actions, and stampeded by political marauders. This is not to say that he is not encouraged by the support of his million admirers. His service delivery trait is what prompted me to step out to talk.

What is on ground in terms of infrastructural development in the State and is it enough to justify all the positive things you are saying about Governor Orji?

In terms of roads, there’s hardly any part of Abia that has not felt the impact of Ochendo. People also seem to have forgotten that before Gov. T.A Orji came, Aba had reached a stage where nothing was coming from it because successive governments had failed to address the problem of access roads into Ariaria. It is T.A. Orji’s administration that addressed that. He has set records in the health sector, as hospitals are upgraded and rebuilt. Diagnostic centres of International Standard for specialist care built, medical personnel trained and equipped.

Tertiary and other institutions of learning are taken care of with their infrastructure rebuilt. Every Abia child and even non Abians go to school free of charge. While agriculture is Ochendo’s priority, loans of billions of naira have been given to farmers. Farm inputs worth millions of naira have been distributed by Ochendo and his wife, Lady Mercy Odochi Orji (Osinulo).

He built International Secretariat, International Library that compare with those seen in America. There is hardly any community in Abia that does not have a transformer, courtesy of Ochendo. The Diagnostic centre in Umuahia has reduced the need for our people to go to India and the UK for complex health problems. In addition, the well over 110 health centres scattered in all parts of the State have made health care affordable to the rural populace.

How do you look at the role of the wife of the governor towards the development of the state?

Lady Mercy Odochi Orji is wonderful. Widows, the indegent and the handicapped have been greatly touched. While Her Excellency’s NGO is involved in the various communities, she has also mounted a campaign against HIV – AIDS scourge and has distributed relief materials in terms of food, clothings, medications, hospital beds and mattresses to destitute homes and the needy people.

What is relationship with the traditional institution in the state?
Cordial, very cordial. His remunerations and gift of cars have been highly appreciated. The truth of the matter is that we have impeccable relationship with Ochendo that was never before obtainable.

As a royal father, what is your advice for the governor?
Let Ochendo get ahead courageously with his usual humility and cool headedness.source :http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/06/how-we-chased-kidnappers-out-of-abia-by-eze-udo/

ORJI UZOR KALU BEHIND THE FEUD BETWEEN JONATHAN AND ROMTIMI

By Mary Ekenyere

It has been discovered that chief Orji Uzor Kalu the former governor of Abia state has been one of the factors behind the feud between President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Rotimi Amechi of rivers state. This is a scheme he perfected after he was refused entry into PDP. As a drowning politician who is looking for an opportunity to launch him self back he started holding secret meetings with the northern political leaders promising to destabilize Jonathans camp and return power back to the north come 2015. Since he has lost all political influence he aligned behind Amechi to form a political alliance with Sule Lamido for the purpose of wrestling power from his South South kinsman president Jonathan he boasted to Amechi that since he can do it with former president Obasanjo and succeed that he can still achieve it against Jonathan in 2015 and Its also for the same reason that he has been forming so many igbo interest groups with the sole aim of deceiving the Igbos into supporting the northerner in 2015 with a fake promise of the North handing over power to the igbos in 2018. This entire scheme has been perfected by OUK and he has found an instrument in Amechi since no igbo politician can give him the chance to be manipulated again having known his evil political tactics

uwa ekwe nmeta...who will say this is not a good work ?i love what i see......

Appreciating Road and Transport Revolution in Abia


WHAT is truly lacking in many parts of the country today and has continued to inhibit development is lack of access roads and adequate transportation system.

Successive governments at all levels, especially during the long years of military regime, did not help matters at all. Several efforts and inputs by private individuals and organisations in the transportation sector has not been enough because majority of Nigerians rely on land transportation to move around. Besides, the cost of such transport scheme is always unaffordable by some Nigerians, especially in the rural areas.

But in Abia State today, unlike in the past, the situation has changed and is still changing for good with the present administration's policy on massive road construction and rehabilitation across the senatorial zones in the state.

The policy has brought about the opening up of access roads in several parts of the state, especially in the agrarian communities in the hinterlands where farmers reside. Before now, some of the people in the rural communities in the state have not seen caterpillars not to talk of using tarred roads. The state government under the leadership of Governor Theodore Orji has remained consistent in pursuing the policy which is one of the cardinal programmes of his government from inception.

Apart from the ongoing construction and rehabilitation of roads across the state, the government has completed the following roads since the assumption of office. They include Abia Tower (Ossah) dualised road, Okpara Square dualized road; the Uwalaka Ahia-Orie Ugba road; Ibeku Road extension, Ozuitem Street, Abam-Orie Ugba Street, Umuovom Nkatta Road (Ochendo Bye-Pass), Ahieke-Okwuta-Isieke Road with spur to the Cenotaph, Uyo Street, Okwulaga-Afaraukwu Road, Umuafai-Lodu-Ahieke Road, Link Road between Aba Road and Timber Market, Nkata Ameke Road, Nkata-Alike Ring Road, New Secretariat By-pass, Ubakala-Old Umuahia dualised Highway, internal Roads in Abia State House of Assembly, Abia Transport Road, Enyiukwu Road, Okigwe Park Bye-pass and the asphalt overlay of over 25 streets within Umuahia the state capital and these roads were also beautified with streetlights and pedestrian walkways on both sides. The development has restored nightlife in the state capital amidst secured atmosphere devoid of crime of any sort.

In the commercial city of Aba alone, the state government has completed the Okwu Street, Ezeogo Road (Opposite Ngwa High School), Nwala Street, Mount Zion Street, Ikonne Street, A-line and F-line, Ariaria Market. Other roads include Umule Road, Umuocham Azikiwe, Okigwe, Faulks Road, Orieohazu Street, Unity Garden/Osisioma Ring Road, Timber and Allied Products Market internal roads, Uratta Road, dualization of Aba-Owerri Road with the spur at the Osisioma Ngwa end of the Enugu-Port-Harcourt expressway, dualization of Aba-Port Harcourt Road, Udu Street, Umugo-Ugwunagbo Road, Uratta, Ngozi Avenue, Omenazu, Okigwe Road, East Street and the recently commissioned Brass street, Milverton Avenue, Azikiwe Road, George Street and Constitution Crescent.

I have no hidden agenda in the governance of Abia – Orji


The Governor of Abia state, Chief Theodore Orji has said that he has no hidden agenda While piloting the affairs of the state, as he would continue to do what would make his people happy.

Governor Orji said this on Tuesday when he addressed members of the Peoples Democratic Party who called on him at the Government House, Umuahia as part of their 2013 Democracy Day celebration.

Before visiting the governor, the party led by the state executive committee had taken a walk round the Umuahia city to sensitize people on the 2013 Democracy Day celebration.

The state Governor re-assured them that the party had come to stay. He said that their visit had re-invigorated him to work more for the state.

Orji however warned them to be wary of people who may want to come into the party just for the purpose of destroying.

“We have done well and we are laying the foundation for Abia state. PDP has performed well in Abia State and it has changed politics in the state. We have to fight anything that will disunite us” Governor Orji said.

According to him, there is a good working relationship between the three arms of government, especially, between the Legislature and the Executive, made up of PDP members.

The governor called for confidence, support and faith from members of the party, saying that his government has embarked on legacy projects in an effort to uplift the standard of the state.

Orji also said that his administration was empowering the youth of the state for them to be self-employed and earn decent living.

Earlier in his remarks, the state chairman of the party, Senator Emma Nwaka, who led other members, including members of the House of Assembly said they came to re-assure the governor that the party would in 2015 retain victory in the state.

Nwaka commended the governor for bringing maturity and civility into the state, saying that the state is now free from the hands of the cabals.

The chairman said that the party was happy with what the governor has been doing in the state, especially by empowering the youth, and creating different platforms for them to excel.

THE 2013 DEMOCRACY DAY SPEECH PRESENTED TO ABIANS, BY HIS EXCELLENCY CHIEF T. A. ORJI (OCHENDO), GOVERNOR ABIA STATE, DELIVERED AT THE UMUAHIA TOWNSHIP STADIUM, UMUAHIA, ON THE 29TH DAY OF MAY, 2013

PROTOCOLS

DISTINGUISHED LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

Just this morning, I made a goodwill broadcast to the good people of Abia State to herald the celebration of our democracy day on this 29th day of May 2013. We are here again this afternoon to continue that celebration with other citizens of our great Nation.

Each year as new events unfold, we find good reason to rejoice in the celebration of new milestones achieved in the building and gestation of the global values of democracy. We equally find time to review the challenges we face in nurturing and growing the institutions and values supporting democracy in our public and private lives.

Our journey into a stable, prosperous polity and society is indeed an annual relay race, and we are making progress towards the desired goals and have good reason to celebrate this day. This year’s democracy day celebration coincides with the second anniversary and the mid-term of our second tenure in office. We arrived here by the grace of your massive votes and support, and it is therefore necessary that in the spirit of global democracy and accountability, I should brief Abians on our score cards and performance in the past 2 years.

Just 3 days ago, the reputable Independent Newspapers Ltd, honored me as the ‘Man of the Year 2012, and distinguished Person in Governance’. I dedicate this coveted prize to all Abians as a symbol of your hard-won democracy. This is because it is standing on your shoulders, that I worked on this anvil and challenged past leadership impunity, and successfully fashioned the new condition of good governance, which many now recognize as the hallmark of Abia State, and of which our people can be truly proud of. It was through your massive electoral support that we were able two years ago to put the final nails to the coffin of despotism and god-fatherism in Abia State. We successfully achieved the consolidation of the elite politics of our State and taking us to the mainstreams of Nigeria’s politics.

In many ways, the obvious advantages and dividends of our wise political moves in our State are becoming evident and it is strengthening our collaborations with the Federal Government of Nigeria. In the past two years with the Federal military and police support, we have clearly demonstrated that we can boldly tackle the challenges of our State’s security and eliminate the menace of kidnapping, which almost crippled our cities and rural areas in the not too distant past.

To date, we continue to make the security of lives and property of Abians the first charge of our Government. This is why Abia is now acclaimed as one of the safest State in Nigeria, and our environment is once again safe for everyone to live freely and aspire for greater things, and for local and foreign entrepreneurs to participate in.

Just a few months ago, I joined other Nigerian Governors for a Trade Mission to Canada to seek for foreign investment in Abia State. We expect our local businesses to benefit from these foreign trip and collaborations to develop Abia State. These are only possible because we have peace and security in the State.

I am aware that many of our citizens still clamor for greater employment opportunities in the Government sector, the Private sectors and as private entrepreneurs. Our Government is working very hard to grow our jobs as fast as we can, so as to accommodate all deserving job-seeking citizens and young entrepreneurs.

This is why in our legacy projects we have sought to address the issue of unemployment and job creation through a re-focus on agriculture as the main-stay of our economy. In collaboration with the Federal Government, we have commenced the building of a 240 ton/day high quality cassava flour plant to be located at Abiriba in Ohafia Local Government. When completed, this industry will provide thousands of jobs and synergy for multiple wealth creation in Abia State.

We are also collaborating with the Private Sector operators to maximize the employment opportunities in our Rubber Plantations in Amoke/Ndiochi Arochukwu, and our Oil Palm Plantations in Ohambele, Ukwa East, Oil processing mill at Mbawsi, and Oil Palm Estate in Ozuitem. These have collectively created over 2,500 jobs as I speak to you.

We are the first State in the South-East and South-South regions to start the distribution of vitamin-A cassava stems to more than 2000 of our farmers. This is aimed at increasing the vitamin content in our people’s diet – that is highly dependent on cassava products. We are equally breeding 450,000 high yield cocoa seedlings and 300,000 palm oil seedling for free distribution to our farmers.

Also our pilot Liberation Farm at Okeikpe has taken-off with initial employment of above 50 settlers and another at Lodu with 75 youth settlers. These will increase to 1000 youth settlers in each location respectively, when the Liberation Farms take off in the 17 LGAs of our State. We expect these to usher in job opportunities, especially for our youth entrepreneur farmers, and also create wealth and food security for our citizens.

Just recently we empowered more than 300 youths to own their vehicles as entrepreneur transporters, or other self-employed artisans, this is in addition to the 4,500 youths who are on monthly welfare salary by Government’s efforts, while awaiting absorption into new job openings.

Our dreams is to leave a lasting legacy of sustainable development, growth and transformation of Abia State and I invite all Abia Youths to avail themselves of the emerging opportunities, especially in agricultural development and other self-employing areas, while collaborating with our Government to achieve the desired goals.

While in the last two years, we may not have accomplished everything we set out to do, we have worked with sincerity, faith and prudence in the service of Abians and our impressive score cards will show for it.

Our Administration in the past two years resolved to take up the hard task of building Abia State on a solid base that can stand the test of time. This process may be slow, but the results will be enduring, and we see this as the only reasonable way to go for the sake of our posterity.

It is in the pursuit of the above dreams, that we are fast-tracking our legacy projects to complete the building of a befitting Government House for Abians in Umuahia and the first State Government funded Secretariat for our Civil Servants, while the old secretariat built by the Federal Government which was in a dilapidated condition has been rebuilt and renovated.

This is because we recognize these projects, including the building of a world class Conference Center – as major symbols of Statecraft, which were ignored over the past 20 years and now need to be in place.

In the past two years, we have forcefully tackled some of the State’s lingering and abandoned infrastructural facilities, especially in Aba where the major road that link the city have been executed, while others are on-going. This is in addition to the reconstruction and construction of many new roads in all areas of our State.

An updated account will show that we have completed more than 50 major road-constructions in various parts of the State. Worthy of mention is the Geometric Access road which supports the performance of the first private power plant in Nigeria, also the Ekeakpara-Osisioma road leading to NNPC depot, the omnibus Milverton Road which is a major access into Aba and the Ukwu mango road, all of which were abandoned since 1981.

It is our wish to continue to do more, as we open up more access roads in the urban and rural areas of the State. It is also interesting to note that we empowered many youths and local contractors along our construction routes, and rehabilitated many federal roads to the tune of N14.7 billion, since we believe it will ease the movement of our people. We are still awaiting the Federal Government’s refund for this commitment.

In the past two years we have also concentrated enough attention in relocating and building new markets to satisfy the commercial yearning of our citizens. We have completed the relocation of the Umuahia Timber Market to a more expansive and convenient location to attract the synergy of other allied industries.

The motor spare-parts market in Ohiya has been opened and is functional, while the construction of the new market in Umuahia Ubani Ibeku is nearing completion, and it is hoped the market will open for business this year. We have entered into partnership with ABIIC Co to build a first class market in Osisioma near Aba, and an Abia Mall to accommodate Shoprite Supermarket etc is being built in Umuahia.

In the past two years, we have also concentrated enough attention in the development of our Healthcare delivery system. This is because we believe that only healthy citizens can enjoy and appreciate the dividends of democracy.

That is why we continue to maintain our state-of-the art Specialist Diagnostic Centre in Aba and Umuahia; a Dialysis and Ophthalmology Centre in Umuahia, and new doctors’ residence and a Chest clinic for tuberculosis in Amachara, – all of which will be commissioned very soon. Also our massive auditorium at the Abia State Teaching Hospital, Aba and a fully equipped dialysis center will soon open to the public.

We have commenced the building of 17 nos of 100 bedded hospitals, each to be located in the 17 LGAs of our State. As of now work has commenced in the following hospitals, Arochukwu, Ikwuano, Obingwa, Ugwunagbo, Osisioma-Ngwa, Amachara in Umuahia North, and Okeipke in Ukwa West. This is in addition to 250 health centers now available in our 291 political wards of the State.

The aim of these efforts and collaborations are to ensure that our citizens enjoy the same special health care attentions they travel to seek for in India, South Africa and other developed countries – and often at unaffordable costs. We therefore expect our citizens to take advantage of these health facilities to improve their health and well-being. Overall, our hope is that affordable health care will be brought to the doors of all our citizens, especially within the rural areas.

My good people of Abia State, our Government is aware of the fact that business and commerce dominate the search for the livelihood of our people. That is why we have also focused on creating the enabling environment for the growth of business, which will in turn create jobs.

This can only be possible through a safe and secured State, and the continuous maintenance of our infrastructures. So far we have been able to sustain our security and infrastructural development despite the growing cost of these services – and in the midst of reducing IGR and inadequate allocation from the Federal resources.

I therefore urge our citizens to begin to live up to their social responsibilities in tax payments, which we have now streamlined to avoid double taxation and for ease of payments through designated banks.

Our Government will continue to do our part to assist the private sector businesses, especially in building local capacity, developing the local market infrastructure and opening up linkages to outside markets – and as your partners in the job creation initiatives. We have continued our giant steps in improving our urban environment of business locations – through environmental renewals and relocation of services that improve entrepreneurship. That is why we have been doing the massive work of the drainage of Aba – from the General Hospital through CKC, Old Court School road to East road, and down to Aba River. This is our attempt to provide a permanent solution to the flood menace of Aba, which once lead to the popular Ndiegoro flood disaster that made Dr Sam Mbakwe, Governor of Imo State to cry publicly for our State.

We are equally working on other big drainage in Aba – from Okigwe road Primary School through Aba Sports’ Club, to Margaret Avenue – down to Aba River. At the same time, the rehabilitation of the internal roads in Ariaria International Market is almost 95% completed and a new market now planned for Ukwa to be located at Umudiofia in Ukwa West LGA, so as to ease the pressure on the central markets in Aba Metropolis.

Our Government has also handed over some schools to the original owners, and this is aimed at improving the standard of education in our State. Meanwhile we have continued to support, rebuild and renovate many of our school buildings to improve the environment for learning, especially the former Annunciation Secondary School, Isuikwuato, the Government College Umuahia, Umuochaiam Girls High School Abayi, Aba, Ndume Otuka Secondary School, Umuahia, and many others.

Another major area of our focus in our Legacy transformational agenda has been in providing adequate housing for our civil service workers and other citizens in line with the millennium development goals. Our gigantic secretariat complexes are at completion stage, and work at the Administrative building of our Ministry of Justice is now completed and at landscaping stage. The Broadcasting House at the Premises of BCA is also completed, with its state-of-the art studio digitalized.

We have also completed the construction of 4 houses at the permanent site of the NYSC camp in Umunna, and a massive theatre hall nearing completion at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital Aba; four more new duplexes delivered at the Commissioners’ quarters, and six court- room buildings renovated at Aba and Umuahia.

Our Housing Estate at Amokwe has been completed and occupied, while the Isieke Housing Estate is progressing very well. The new Amuba People’s Estate being built in partnership with Aso Savings and Investment is on-going, while our partnership with Trade-More Holding Co in the building of a housing estate close to the new Umuahia Market at Ubani Ibeku has commenced. The building of Ohobo housing estate located at the former timber market site has also commenced. These are all aimed at providing affordable houses for our civil servants and others.

We have also not forgotten our promise to revive the moribund Golden Guinea Ltd, Umuahia, and I wish to assure you that this promise is still on course, especially as that project has ability to create massive jobs for our people.

Also in the past year, the Legislative Arm of our government has performed very well, both in legislative out-put and in terms of capital projects. The main legislative complex has been reconstructed and an additional administrative building completed, while a new 24 room constituency offices for legislators is nearing completion, and the residence for the Deputy Speaker has also been completed and occupied.

My fellow Abians, I have taken this pain to keep you abreast of the activities of our Government in the delivery of democracy dividends, not to stress you, but to emphasize that our Government has been able to take the State this far, only through the prudent management of our lean resources, and without recourse to the bond market. This certainly calls for some celebration!

I also wish to use the opportunity to make it apparent to you why our State Infrastructural Development Board and Fund, deserves the support of our citizens through your willingly contributing to your taxes and infrastructure levies to improve our State’s internally generated revenue (IGR), which will assist us further in providing the services that Abians need. This will be your worthy sacrifice to changing the face of our State!

My good people of Abia State, before I end this speech, I need to re-emphasize that our Government will not relent in our sincere approach to solving the many problems of our State. But, no one should fail to recognize the major impediments to the development our State, which revolve around past delayed responses to deteriorating issues and the absence of enduring foundations, which were in the past left to fester and develop to wide ugly gulfs.

That is why our new Government in the past two years commenced the foundation of our legacy projects as a response to achieving the sustainable development and the mending-process, in which a majority of our citizens can be carried along in unity as co-partners in the Stat’s development.

For our Government, I want to assure all Abians that we will not shy away from doing the difficult task of repositioning our State and taking it to the next level, and making the difference. I only ask for your continuous support and patience.

In the next two years to the end of our tenure, we commit to redouble our efforts so as to complete all on-going legacy projects. We also expect to draw from all the strength, and all the experience we have garnered in life and in office to better serve Abians.

I believe that with the confidence that Abians and most Nigerian daily impact on me through the recognition of our modest and honest efforts, which have come in many droves; and the genuine criticisms we receive from many of you and other Nigerians; as well as the strong loyalties of many of you out there, I can re-assure you that I will do whatever is right, and whatever is best to serve Abia State and leave a legacy of sustainable growth, peace, democracy and development.

I am aware of the enormous challenges of governance in Abia State, but our Government has the resolve, the discipline and the focus to turn around our collective fortunes, and leave Abia State better than we found it.

God helping me, I and my Government will not fail Abians, we will not fail our party the PDP, and we will not fail our Nation!

Thank you for listening and enjoy a happy democracy day!

T.A.O.

if governor T.A did that to create provision for his people who had no jobs ,its not a bad idea,after all many did it .....so am not against that idea in as much as he created a provision for Abians...why people are crying ,if we were the governor,we would have done the same

Governor Orji vows to raise school enrollment in Abia state

Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji has vowed to do everything humanly possible in order to increase enrollment into primary, secondary and university levels in the state.

According to the governor, children are the greatest asset of the Nigerian nation, and that as leaders of tomorrow, they must be effectively groomed.

Governor Orji said his administration would ensure that good healthcare, quality education and adequate food security are provided for the Abia children.

The governor, who addressed the children at the Umuahia Township Stadium as part of the 2013 Children’s Day Celebration, also assured them that the government would provide enabling environmental for every child to achieve his/her God given talent.

Chief Orji urged Nigerians to collectively build the culture of peace, love and enduring security by promoting handwork in order to ensure that the children do not derail in future.

He said that Abia state Government has always had good programmes for the children. “My administration is committed to making sure that our children grow in an environment of peace, love, and stability. Our nation in many areas has been under enormous security pressure that endangers the lives of children, women and vulnerable members of the society”, Governor Orji said.

Orji also stressed on the need for everybody to give priority to the rights and privileges of the child, irrespective of creed and tribe.

He said that there was need to ensure that children were protected from injuries and unnecessary deaths.

According to him, the civic responsibility of every individual is to report all suspicious activities to security agents, pointing out that the government would do its own part by guarantying the safety of all, including children.

“Already, Abia has signed and ratified the United Nations conventions on the rights of the child, and has also ratified the AU charter on the rights and welfare of the child.

“We will continue to domesticate all these conventions and treaties to ensure the rights of children are fully realized, especially the right to education”, the governor had declared.

7 States Control 90% Of Cash Transactions – CBN

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said that Lagos and the six other states control about 90 per cent of cash transactions in the country.

The other states are Rivers, Anambra, Abia, Kano, Ogun and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The CBN Deputy Governor, Operations, Mr Tunde Lemo, who disclosed this, said this was the reason the above mentioned states were being slated for the second phase of the cash-less project billed to kick off on July 1.

Acknowledging that there are still challenges with the cashless project, he said most of them are being resolved. He listed one of the major challenges to include interconnectivity in some of the clusters, which he said was being addressed.

Lemo said that besides the use of alternative channels of transactions such as Point of Sales (PoS), the cashless project would be driven through the telephone.

Nigeria is second in number of mobile phone users in sub-Saharan Africa after South Africa, which is also the largest economy in the region. Lemo also said the cashless policy had been successful in Lagos, adding that the number of Point of Sale (PoS) machines in Lagos has increased significantly from about 5,000 when the policy took off last year, to over 150,000.

“We still have a few challenges, but if I look back, I really would say that we have done a lot to transform the payment system in Lagos through PoS,” he said.

The cashless policy, which implementation began in Lagos in January, last year, is aimed at reducing the dominance of cash in the system. “The policy specifies penal charges for individuals and corporate organisations that want to withdraw or lodge cash above prescribed limits. Under the policy, the CBN pegged the daily cumulative cash withdrawal or deposit limit for individual accounts at N500,000 per day and N3 million per day for corporate accounts.

Just a week ago, the chief executive officer, Electronic Payment Providers Association of Nigeria (E-PPAN), Mrs Onajite Regha, said the coming on board of the next phase of the cash-less policy in July may raise the value of electronic funds transfer in the country to N160billion per day by the end of the year.

The E-PPAN boss said the current value of electronic fund transfers – put at N80 billion per day by the CBN, would most likely double because there would be a lot of changes, which would compel people to use e-Fund transfer channels.

GOV. ORJI AND FOREIGN TRIPS

by Nnachi Kalu

I have read the falsehood being disseminated by Odimegwu Onwumere against the person of the Governor of Abia State, Chief T.A. Orji and indeed an outright attempt to demonize the government of Abia State on the back page of Guardian Monday May 27; 2013
Odimegwu Onwumere is a serial liar who believes that a lie repeated overtime would have the face of the truth. One would have felt that responding to his sounds of a broken record would mean over indulging him. It is however important to set the records straight and in the interest of the very many people who still value the truth said in plain language.
In the first instance, Onwumere lacks the moral justification to make comments regarding the development of Abia State. He was a strong member of former Gov. Orji Uzor Kalu’s kitchen cabinet. He thus supervised the strategic killing of Abia State evident in the selling off of virtually all institutions in Abia State including but not limited to Golden Guinea Breweries, Ceramic Industries and unfortunately ceding of the Ogwe Golden Chicken Farm to kidnappers.
Onwumere did not see anything wrong in the criminal rape suffered by Abia economy between 1999 and 2007. Abia in his mind was right and in good health. Onwumere did not see anything wrong in ruling Abia from overseas which was Orji Uzor kalu’s lot. Onwumere knew that for eight years, Orji Uzor left the country a record sixty three times. He would need to tell us his take on that and why he was struck by numbness while that charade lasted. He would also need to tell us what dividends of democracy were recorded other than the shameful football story of “back to back” .
Assuming TAO would embark on overseas trip another sixty three times to fix Abia, we would sincerely not mind. If it would take TAO one million trips to correct the criminal administration of Abia, we would vote with our legs, mouth and nose to support him. Ironically, TAO is not an International businessman, he does not own a Shipping Company, does not run an Airline nor does he have chains of businesses in Gambia, the US, Europe and Asia. He leaves Abia State on a mission but in the final analysis, he is determined to heal the wounds of the past.
In your ignorance, you have continued to mislead the public. The trip to Canada was at the instance of the Vice President of the Federal republic of Nigeria and the Nigerian High Commissioner to Canada, an illustrious Abian, Chief Ojo Madukwe. TAO joined other State Governors in trying to assess the potentials of trade investments. If he had made a comment regarding strengthening bilateral agreements between Nigeria and Canada, then he is perfectly correct because Nigeria’s trade agreements with any country can only be boosted by fragments of integrated efforts. So, what point were you making?
Chief T.A. Orji is learned and not given to Razzmatazz. He is not selfish and does not rule by subterfuge and blackmail. He does not believe in showmanship but strongly determined to recover Abia from the doldrums of monumental underdevelopment which your likes supervised. He is working hard to restore all the years eaten up by locust which the Onwumeres unfortunately were privy to.
For the six years TAO has served as Governor of Abia State; he has only had cogent reason to leave the shores of Nigeria for a modest seven times including his normal vacation. And it might interest you to note that the palm plantation which your principal sold off and mismanaged is now yielding good investments. Shanid is a foreign investor that has strategically turned the fortunes of Abia Palm Plantation. That Palm Plantation was useless while your principal was globetrotting. Imoni – Yemi is a Benin Republic based Rubber company and are currently doing wonders with the Rubber Plantation that is just by the backyard of your principal.
May be you need to be given lessons on what “Silent Agriculture revolution” is. In just few trips, we have been able to have the best Cocoa farm sprawling a massive 450 hectares with the most productive seedlings; whose result will in no time stun selfish people like you. Silent Revolution means that we have usefully partnered foreign investors who have introduced the most productive cassava stems which again would buoy food and wealth for Abians.
In no time, you would see the manifestation of those bilateral agreements because they were made in good faith and with no deceit in mind. TAO is committed to strengthening the economy of Abia State and would not insist that even the ones that appear to be a ruse are hastily concluded. The investments that have not taken off are the ones still entangled in the cobweb of super antic which was the lot of Abians for those eight horrifying years.
The State Government reserves the right to review all trade and partnership proposals so that we would be get right. You know nothing about the Monorail project and made comments regarding it in bad faith. The company proposing the Monorail had stated ab initio that they intend connecting the whole of South East and would start a pilot test with Enugu State. If the German company that proposed the waste to wealth investment is not yet on ground, then it would be that the collective interest of Abians may not have been guaranteed.
TAO is busy building 701 primary health centres and strengthening tertiary health institutions in the State. We never had a health centre that could serve as referral point. Before now, we were all moving to neighboring States for medical attention. You did not write about that while the false party lasted for eight years.
We are busy developing infrastructure so that we would naturally become the beautiful bride and just a safe haven for investors. We are interested in rebranding and repackaging Umuahia and indeed other communities so that we could survive on self while direct foreign investments would just be a plus. We have done the Aba – Umukabia Road so that the foreign investor who would dredge and open up the Aba river would have an access road to move equipment.
Let us say you have just woken up from a deep slumber. You will just realize that Abia State has miraculously moved from that static point where you and your cohorts condemned it to. Umuahia is no longer a glorified village while Aba people have been offered more than watching football. The sixty seven clusters of motor parks which hitherto serviced the supply of touts for the very many sinister jobs which you supervised have all been dismantled giving way for a secured, serene and peaceful Aba.
Nnachi Kalu, an author/social commentator writes from Akwette, Ukwa East; Abia State

I have not endorsed anybody for 2015 – Governor Orji

imageThe Governor of Abia State, Chief Theodore Orji has declared that he has not endorsed any person to succeed him as the governor of the state in 2015.
The governor spoke in Aba Monday at a reception organized by traditional rulers in Aba area for Chief Uzo Azubuike, the member representing Aba North and South in the House of Representatives.
Azuibuike is prominent among those being touted as likely successors of Governor Orji in 2015.

To debunk accusations of favoritism, Orji publicly stated that he was not at the ceremony to endorse Azubike, saying he was at the ceremony to celebrate with him as he was being honoured by his people.

“We are not here to endorse any body. We are here to celebrate with him because his people are honouring him. I say this because tomorrow you start to hear that I have endorsed this person or that person. We have not endorsed any body”, Governor Orji explained.

At the ceremony, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal and his deputy, Emeka Ihedioha were honoured with chieftaincy titles.

Earlier, during a courtesy call to the Government House by the Speaker, Governor Theodore Orji commended his leadership qualities noting that it was the reason the Federal House has remained focused.

Orji added that Tambuwal has so far led the chamber the right way. He said this has made the House contribute positively towards the growth of democracy and the development of the nation.

In his remarks, the speaker commended Governor Orji for the transformation he has brought to the state and urged him to continue the good works.

Tambuwal also lauded the cohesion existing in the Abia State wing of the Peoples Democratic Party which he attributed to the inclusive government run by the Governor Orji.

According to him, the delivery of democracy dividends through hard work has endeared Governor Orji to the people of the state and made the party more popular.

Tambuwal also attributed the governor good performance on his unblemished track record in the civil service, adding that the prevailing peace in the state was another feather to his cap.

Tambuwal later commissioned two projects in Umuahia, including the permanent office of the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency [SEPA] and the ultra modern Industrial Market.

The speaker was accompanied by his Deputy, Emeka Ihedioha, member representing Isuikwuato and Umunneochi, Mrs. Nkeiru Onyejiocha, member representing Ahiazu and Ezinihitte Mbaise, Nnanna Igbokwe and the Special Adviser to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Bright Nwelue, among others.

‘Orji Has Built Legacy Projects In Abia’

BY Ugochukwu Emezue

The Chief Press Secretary to Abia State Governor, Mr. Ugochukwu Emezue, in this interview with journalists in Lagos, speaks on the steps taken by Governor T.A.Orji to improve the lives of Abians among other issues. Charles Ajunwa was there

The opposition has accused Governor T.A.Orji of not doing anything in terms of infrastructural development of Abia State. What is your response to this?

Let me start by saying that Governor T.A.Orji is not averse to criticisms, especially when they are coming from the opposition. He is never perturbed by negative criticisms from the opposition in the state. The truth is that he remains focused and committed in delivering the dividends of democracy to Abians. In terms of the development of the state, the Governor has shown the zeal and commitment to take Abia State to the next level.


During the beginning of his second tenure, the governor told Abians that this is the time they should begin to rate and judge his performance. So far, he has been able to lay a solid foundation for a new Abia State in all sectors.
Agricultural sector is one area the governor is making great impact with silent revolution. The belief of the governor is that oil will one day dry up. It is a fact, oil can’t be there forever and there must be an alternative. This is why Governor T.A. Orji is investing so much on agriculture.


In education, he believes strongly that if you educate the people you are making them to be self-reliant; you are making them to stand on their own and education is key to any development. The state government is doing free tuition for primary and secondary schools in the state.


In the area of transportation, the governor has injected lots of buses into our agencies to make sure that our people go to wherever they want to go with no inhibition as far as transportation is concerned. When you are talking about transportation the roads must be good, you cannot have effective transportation without having roads that are motorable.


As at today, the governor is targeting a 10-kilometre road in every local government. In my own little village, we are already beneficiary of such project. He is doing same across all the communities in the state. If you go to Aba, the governor late last year awarded contract for the construction of 18 roads. Within five months the state government has been able to achieve 10 of the roads.

There was an empowerment programme in Umuahia recently. What was it all about?
It was a youth empowerment programme. You know that when the youths are idle then there is a big problem. The devil makes use of an idle mind and the governor is saying no, the youths are the future of any generation so they must be equipped if their future must be bright and taken care of.


Most of them are graduates, some young school leavers with nothing doing and the governor wants to make them entrepreneurs on their own. He has given most of them buses and cars and the state government i believes that most of them will become big transporters and also contribute to the economy of the state. Most of them now have computers, which of course offer a lot of opportunities for them, some have barbing saloon and are becoming employers of labour in their own little way. By the time the entire exercise begins to yield full fruits, it will bring money to the system.

What was the secret of the peace achieved by the state governor given the state of insecurity that once loomed large?
You know the governor is a man with a large heart. As a governor, he made sure he accommodated everybody. There must be political peace, which he ensured was achieved. He made sure all the gladiators, who is who in Abia State, those who used to be away from the state because of what they considered a hostile environment were now given their due recognition and respect.


When there is hostility within the elites it affects everybody. So he tried to achieve the peace among the political elites, bringing them together to assist in proffering solution to the challenges of the state. The elites are now saying one thing and doing the same. Secondly, by being in the centre politically, coming into the mainstream of politics the governor was able to align himself with the Federal Government so that when the issue of insecurity was at its peak, the governor sought intervention from the Presidency.

On the 29th of this month, Abia State will join other states in the country to celebrate the Democracy Day. Is it really worth celebrating?
Yes, it is worth celebrating. It will be a day of glory for us. 2013 for us is one of the most memorable years for Chief T.A. Orji as a governor. He has come to blossom to a level that the world has come to affirm that this is a man who makes less noise, but committed to action. The awards Governor T.A.Orji has received this year are intimidating.


These are awards that you will be proud to receive, awards based on merit. It will be a celebration of the liberation of the state, a celebration of laudable projects that have kick-started the solid foundation of the state. Above all, it will be a celebration of the glory of God on the state among others.

ANOTHER SCORE CARD

A system of leadership that does not strive for a balance on its success and continuity is very fragile and defective, and will not maintain stability of leadership because the process encourages abnormality measures. I have seen that T.A has been with nerve-racking passion that seizes him, and has got the gradation mentality, and this phenomenal apathy which has projected his drive to a greater level of helping him pull a huge initiative. In aphorism, people generally are quick-witted to dish out apocryphal connotation towards his administration but am happy he has tried to silence them all, imagine Abia state has now stood ahead of other South East states in road maintenance,as the federal government newest report has assessed and authenticated the quality of the federal-owned road that has been attended to by all the states in the South East, and the all-round assessment revealed that Abias state stood out among them all.This showed commitment to development...i appreciate T.A 's effort to state building. For futher info =http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/05/appreciating-road-and-transport-revolution-in-abia/?fb_comment_id=fbc_139723206218458_134165_139885819535530#f6862000f27866

this Abia 4 change guy is a real busy body man...i mean for crying out loud,who told you the speak was around for such only those project,well even if he was truly around for that project what makes u think there nothing so imperative about his coming,he came because he knew what it took to raise that project to that order,so mr man,look for something else to talk on...as for us,abia is on the right track....and we are happy for T.A orji and his success so far...he has done what was difficult for as many governors who were once in these his shoes

T.A has shown how concerned he was by cutting short his official duties in order to visit the victimized people at the site of the collapsed building...that shows how pitiful he is about the people

Today, we commissioned the newly built Abia State Environmental Protection Agency Head Office Complex and the New Timber & Industrial Market both in our capital city, Umuahia. These projects are some of the legacy projects embarked upon by our administration and handed over to Abians today.

We shall continue to build and commission projects that would enhance our future growth and sustainable development. Because our target is to meet the aspiration of our people on infrastructural development, we will continue to develop needed infrastructures in the State.

The building of a solid foundation for a viable State will be determined by the effort we put in place today. And that is the reason why our administration is making sure that all the needed tools and machineries for the sustainable future development and growth of our dear State are being put in place by our administration.

Thank you
TAO

OUK lied that he visited House of Common in the UK .His latest lie is that BOT chairman of PDP Tony Anenih will be visiting him at Igbere on 21st May. That another big LIE.OUK id going around mobilizing youths ,ABIA YOUTHS to come to Igbere .Let us say NO to a pathological liar who has nothing of any truth to say or do. PDP has no business with a con man who uses all means to trigger off manipulation and fraudulent activities.

people never believed anything good especially when it has to do with Abia state.what is happening to these loafers ?Abia is surging forward and there are stupendous effort relished and being executed by the governor T.A Orji...so we down here in Abia state have started witnessing some good achievements by the Governor

Amnesty :Orji lauds FG,makes case for Abia ex-militants.Governor T.A Orji commended the federal government for initiating the amnesty programme for ex-militants but appealed to it to include repentant Abia militants in the programme.
Speaking when he received the House of Representatives committee on public petition ,the governor said ex-militants will be willing to under go training if invited by the federal government.

According to him,his administration granted amnesty to repentant kidnappers and criminals in the state and was in the process of rehabilitating them before the announcement of the amnesty package by the federal government which unfortunately did not include Abia youths.

The governor also used the forum to advise the Boko Haram to come out and dialogue with the federal government to bring lasting peace in the country.
Earlier ,the chairman of the house committee on public petition s,Hon Uzor Azubike said the committee has responsibility of carrying out investigative activities and advising the house on the proper actions to take over complaints brought to it.
He said that they were in the state to investigate the complaints of over 5,000 ex-militants from Abia Abia state who are complaining their non inclusion from the federal government amnesty programme in order to mitigate possible backslide if nothing is done.

He thanked the governor for his efforts in crime management as manifested in the declaration of amnesty to ex-militants in the state and revealed that they will listen to youths to see how they can be captured in the federal government amnesty programme
Amnesty :Orji lauds FG,makes case for Abia ex-militants.Governor T.A Orji commended the federal government for initiating the amnesty programme for ex-militants but appealed to it to include repentant Abia militants in the programme. Speaking when he received the House of Representatives committee on public petition ,the governor said ex-militants will be willing to under go training if invited by the federal government. According to him,his administration granted amnesty to repentant kidnappers and criminals in the state and was in the process of rehabilitating them before the announcement of the amnesty package by the federal government which unfortunately did not include Abia youths. The governor also used the forum to advise the Boko Haram to come out and dialogue with the federal government to bring lasting peace in the country. Earlier ,the chairman of the house committee on public petition s,Hon Uzor Azubike said the committee has responsibility of carrying out investigative activities and advising the house on the proper actions to take over complaints brought to it. He said that they were in the state to investigate the complaints of over 5,000 ex-militants from Abia Abia state who are complaining their non inclusion from the federal government amnesty programme in order to mitigate possible backslide if nothing is done. He thanked the governor for his efforts in crime management as manifested in the declaration of amnesty to ex-militants in the state and revealed that they will listen to youths to see how they can be captured in the federal government amnesty programme

it is a right step to properly redirect the administration to a more initiative course and to remould and re-fashion the course of governance for the interest of the people

Abia State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Renewal has commenced the verification exercise and authentication of purpose clause in the certificates of occupancy of all classes of developers in the state.

This is due to flagrant abuse and conversion of assigned uses in the certificates of occupancy by some property owners without the consent of the state Government.
In a press conference in Umuahia, Commissioner for Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Renewal, Donatus Okorie said that the illegal and unilateral change of purpose clauses as enshrined in Certificate of occupancy and building permits has resulted in the growth of formless, unplanned and disorderly settlements in the urban areas which would no longer be condoled by the Government.

He, therefore appeal to all property owners to co-operate in this verification exercise to avoid the confiscation and revoke of their property.