₦airaland Forum

Abia State Begins Verification And Authentication of C’s of O

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.

Abia Govt and Youth Empowerment

By Aloy Ekwebiri

ON September 20, 1940, the 32nd President of the United States of America, Franklin D. Roosevelt in an address at University of Pennsylvania said: "We cannot always build the future for our youths, but we can build our youths for the future".

It was on the basis of this statement by this great Amercian leader and other successive leaders in the country that America is a great country today. They realised the importance of building their youths for the future instead of always building the future for them. They did not only give the children fish, they taught them how to catch fish because the future is very important for their survival.

In Nigeria, since Independence, the slogan has been that the youths are the leaders of tomorrow. This is even when nobody or government had been building the youths for the future. So, the slogan , which was coined by our political leaders, appeared to be mere lip service, as successive governments in Nigeria have failed to properly empower Nigerian youths.

We have seen or heard bogus youth empowerment schemes by successive governments at various levels which were effectively undermined by bureaucratic bottlenecks and political intrigues. This has been the situation for many years. So, how will the youths be the leaders of tomorrow in such circumstances in the country?

But recently I witnessed a different approach to youth empowerment scheme that was unique, realistic and worthy of emulation by governments at all levels. It was the Abia Youth Empowerment Scheme, Abia-YES, summit held at the state capital Umuahia on Wednesday April 24, 2013. Before then, I have heard and read about how a non-governmental organisation, Ochendo Youth Foundation being co-ordinated by Chinedum Orji, had been partnering with the state government and public-spirited individuals and organisations to empower youths in the state. Before the youth empowerment summit, the foundation had given out more than 500 vehicles, 300 tricycles, several sewing machines and other gift items to unemployed youths free of charge. Already 4500 youths selected from the three senatorial zones in the state have been on the monthly payroll of the state government with the sum of N10,000 as social safety net for their survival.

I have also read about the houses built for the less-privileged widows by the wife of the state governor, Mrs Mercy Odochi Orji. And the question that readily comes to my mind is, will this be possible in a society where every action is politicised?

So the summit was an opportunity for me to confirm the authenticity of the youth empowerment scheme and poverty alleviation programmes of the government in collaboration with Ochendo Youth Foundation and others. At the summit was the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who doubled as keynote speaker. In his educative and incisive speech, Sanusi gave a template for youth empowerment and lauded the Abia government for its approach to youth empowerment.

According to him, 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. As solutions, he recommended massive job creation, great emphasis on technical and vocational education, provision of social safety nets like the Social Security Act of the USA which came into reckoning in 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.

From the Michael Okpara Auditorium venue of the lecture, we moved to Umuahia Township Stadium. Carefully parked and arranged at the stadium were more than 200 cars, some buses, laptops and sewing machines. To my greatest surprise and as well as others present, the arrival of Governor Orji at the venue alongside Sanusi and other prominent personalities marked the beginning of the event. In his emotion-laden speech, he informed that his administration's plans for the youths have already taken-off with direct empowerment of them which has drastically reduced the level of crimes in the state. The Governor handed over the keys and particulars of the vehicles and gift items to the beneficiaries, mainly youths from the three senatorial zones in the state.

Beneficiaries were highly elated with their gifts and celebrated with their relations and friends. I was later informed that the state government had done a lot more before now in the area of youth empowerment such as the free education from primary to secondary level and the free transport from home to school and back in Umuahia and Aba cities which started in 2007.

The government has also created employment opportunities for the youths by the reviving the Abia Rubber Company in Abam in collaboration with an international firm, resuscitating all oil palm estates in Abia, starting with Ohambele and Mbawsi Oil mills.

The life-improving Ochendo Liberation Farms scheme in all the LGAs is aimed at impacting survival skills and giving the youths a chance to moderate their destiny and becoming producers rather than consumers.

Indeed, Abia government's approach to youth empowerment and poverty alleviation appears to be first of its kind in the country and governments at all levels should do well to adopt it to avoid failure and ensure it is not hijacked by the politicians for selfish reasons.

Abia prepares for carnival

The Abia State government said yesterday that it is ready to host thousands of youths and investors from across the world for the maiden edition of “Miss Enyimba Beauty pageant and Enyimba Youth Carnival Train Road Show”. Organized by Culture TV Entertainment and the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State (BCA), the event will take place in Aba on May 31. Speaking at a press briefing in Aba, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Development, Prince Maduka Uwadi, said the event is an avenue for Nigerians and foreign investors to explore the rich economic potentials of the city and the state in general. “The Abia State government is solidly behind this project as it will provide opportunity for investors to visit Aba, the commercial center of the state to see for themselves why Aba is called Enyimba and Japan of Africa,” he said.

H.E. T.A Orji on arrival from Canada recently

Most people in Nigeria wrongly assume that the day, Monday, is the first day of the week. When that decision was taken or the habit and tradition began, we were not there to argue in favour of our favorite Monday as the first son of the week. One thing is certain that Monday is the first working day and to some people, a horrifying day, especially the chief executives, for its numerous hurly burly. From our reckoning, the working week starting from Monday, 15th April, 2013, has been exceptionally busy and fruitful for all in Abia, direct and indirect, manifest and latent.

His Excellency Sir T.A. Orji KSW, though not an engineer by profession has learnt from site and coupled with his bureaucratic experiences that the rainy season is not the best of times for road constructions, consequently in November 2012, launched into massive re-construction of roads in Aba in the bid to answer to the distress calls from Aba residents, principally, on the state of roads. He astutely, masterminded the contract and the construction to start and terminate within the favorable weather of the dry season. This plan went like clockwork as ten out of the sixteen roads were ready for commissioning on Monday 15th, April, 2013.

This involved multiple tape-cutting ceremonies at different spots. These took place in a total of six points, starting with the Geometric Power Plant Road, and in each new location, it was a cocktail of praises, thanksgiving and dancing.

Came Tuesday, many people thought that the superlative activities in Aba the previous day was too colossal and would have weighed down the Governor but they were in for surprises as the manifest for the day proclaimed two major events—meeting with all stakeholders in Agric sector and presentation of service vehicle to judges.

Other ministries may have been sulking at the extra-attention the agricultural ministry was getting. As a voice opined, nothing done for Agric may be too much as such patronage would guarantee food security for Abians. The speaker was unaware of what lay ahead as events unfolded. If I should preempt you, Thursday and Friday were to showcase more Agric features.

In legal terms, the bench is seen from all angles as a conservative Job. They are stingy with their smiles and stony with their frowns. Even the modern scientific discoveries which have proven that humans use more energy and muscles when frowning than smiling has not improved their mien. To them, it is an occupational hazard and maintaining stolid faces, even in court dramas that take place in Igbosere Courts in Lagos, most of them in marital issues and divorce pleas are matters of can’t help. Long before our comedians came of age, if you could recall Lagos Weekend, a publication of Daily Times in the 1970s, our judges couldn’t be amused. But the events of Tuesday April 16th 2013 disarmed the judges as they grinned from ear to ear when a total number of six vehicles were presented to them.

Wednesday was another historic development that took historians and journalists to task as for the first time, the South African Superstore Chain, came to Abia. The Abia Government made this possible by making sizeable land available to the extent of bulldozing the existing building of ASUBEB to create enough space for Shoprite.

On the given day, His Excellency declared the construction open amid congenial flourish.

It may not be wrong to say that His Excellency is restless. On Thursday those who were full of envy for the lucky trail of the Agricultural sector were pleasantly surprised. The Governor’s motorcade headed straight to Ukwa where the Agricultural revolution was made more manifest. Many people, including the commissioner for Agriculture Hon. Ike Onyenweaku call it the Ochendo Liberation Farms. The Governor in his speech continuously referred to it as the Abia Liberation Farms.

Be that as it may, the Abia Liberation Farms is an ambitious project. It is encompassing and aimed towards a reconstruction of the mindset of our youths. There are 17 farms set up in the 17 Local Government Areas. 50 youths in each LGA, are to be trained in multi agricultural facets, made appealing by present day technology. It is an agricultural revolution of sorts as the youths, the strong and energetic percentage of the society are integrated into the role to engineer their destiny. They will receive stipends while in training and will get grants after the training to start their own farms. The pilot scheme in Ukwa Okeikpe was what took the Governor to Ukwa and after that, a long lingering error was corrected, injecting new blood in form of investors into Abia Palm as Shanid Agriculture Limited, an international firm, are now in a Public Private Partnership-PPP with the Abia government in Ohambelle, Ukwa East LGA.

Some of the Governor’s aids who got into celebration mood, shouting Thank God it is Friday early in the following day shut up abruptly as the manifest showed otherwise.

‘Who is the International Leadership Conference Team?’ so many asked with consternation. The International Leadership Conference team is a group involved in medical mission already in Imo and intent on replicating their activities in Abia. They were given audience by the ebullient Governor who reassured them of their request and before long, it may crystallize into signing a memo of understanding-MOU. There after the Governor’s entourage shuttled to Ibeku High School, venue for flagging off of 2013 farming season. Agriculture again? You will ask. After the formalities of Kolanut which is highly revered in Igboland, the Hon. Commissioner for Agric presented his address. The Governor was led round the stands of the 17 LGAs and before he left, declared open the farming season for 2013 with the sale of subsidized fertilizer to farmers.

The following working week took off on Monday April 22nd with more activities but the broadcasting corporation of Abia BCA, FRCN and other networks did ear tingling promotions of Wednesday, April, 24, 2013. This diverted all attention from other activities and had all ears cocked and eyes open, and thus all became highly expectant of the super Wednesday.

It was another of the Governor’s famous agenda – The AYES- Abia Youth Empowerment Summit featuring the finance impresario of our time, the CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as guest speaker. AYES was a three phased event, starting from the lecture series, aptly titled Ochendo Annual Lecture Series in Michael Okpara Auditorium where the speech was masterly delivered. It delved professionally on how the youth can be made ready for tomorrow. According to Franklin D Roosevelt, 32nd president of United States of America, ‘We cannot always build the future for the youth, but we can build our youth for the future.’

The audience did not wait for the standing ovation to die down before they trooped to the next venue, the Umuahia Township Stadium for the awesome unveiling of 200 vehicles, 1000 computers and tricycles, all for our youths. The youths in Abia assembled in unity and celebrated security, stability and prosperity.

These happened in 7 working days and the question on many lips was, ‘is T.A Orji going for re-election?’ No! But T.A is always -with the electorate and has taken serious inference from his namesake, the former American president, Theodore Roosevelt who said “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.

Orji stresses importance of youths to development

Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia said on Friday in Umuahia that his government was focusing on youth empowerment to use the enormous potential in them for development.

``These people you see here (youths), if you toy with them, you are toying with yourself because they will show you pepper, but if you galvanise and use them effectively, they will show that they have energy that is positive,'' he said.

Orji made the remarks when he presented a bus each to Abia chapter of National Youths Council of Nigeria (NYCN) and the Students’ Union Government of Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, on Friday in Umuahia.

The governor, who made the presentation separately, added that the government was pleased with the exemplary conducts of the students of Abia Polytechnic.

The governor, who said the bus would enable the students to attend the programmes organised by other students’ groups, urged them to continue to support government policies and programmes.

In his speech, Chief Mba Ukariwo, the Chairman, Governing Council of Abia Polytechnic, thanked the governor for the gesture and assured him that the school would continue to support government's programmes.

Ukariwo said the management of the institution had tackled the problem of cultism, adding that staff and students now work in harmony.

Also speaking, Mr Chidebere Kanu, the state chairman of NYCN, said since the inauguration of the council by an Act of Parliament in 1964, Orgi's government was the first to accommodate the group.

Kanu thanked the governor for his youth empowerment scheme, especially the recent presentation of more than 200 vehicles to the youths and assured that they would make good use of the vehicles.

Abia Govt Pegs Fertilizer Price For Farmers

Agriculture received a fresh boost at the weekend in Abia state when Gov. Theodore Orji, at the formal flagging off of this year’s farming season. at Ibeku High School, Umuahia, slashed theprice of a bag of fertiliser for farmers from N6500 to N3500.

Also at the state Agricultural Stakeholders Summit held in the state, it was announced that in addition, 450,000 cocoa seedlings and 100,000 oil palm seedlings are to be distributed free-of-charge to the farmers.

At the said summit, whose theme was “ Agricultural Transformation Agenda- A Road Map To Increased Food Production,” the governor through the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Mkpa Agu Mkpa reiterated his commitment to transforming the agricultural sector with a view to enhancing the state economy, provide employment and making food available to all.

He said was the state was collaborating with the federal government for the supply of 240 ton per-day High Quality Cassava Flour processing plant, cultivation of of 6,000 hectares of cassava in Abriba and inaugurating of the state agricultural implementation committee.

Also during the week, the governor performed the formal handing over of the Abia Palm Estate at Ukwa to a foreign company and launched the state Liberation farms project located statewide, which the state Agriculture Commissioner, Ike Onyenweaku said will provide 8,000 jobs.

Our Effort Towards Stemming Child Trafficking - Abia CP

Umuahia — ABIA State Po-lice Command said it had intensified the battle against child trafficking in the state.

The state Police Commissioner, Mr. Usman Tilli Abubakar, said his men had smashed many child trafficking syndicates operating in the state especially in Aba area.

Abubakar also said his men had also raided several 'baby factories' and made several arrests.

The CP mentioned specifically the case of one Nkemdirim Ebere, alleged to be an operator of a baby factory home at Adaelu Road, Osisioma Ngwa.

According to him, his wife, Adaeze Nkemdirim was arrested by the police when they raided the place while the man escaped.

At the home, three young girls were said to have recently delivered babies at the home while the babies were sold.

Abubakar gave the names of the three young girls as Eberechi Achi, Onyedikachi Okere and Gift Ohuonu.

He also mentioned another home named Daughters of Zion Rehabilitation/Motherless Babies and Care Centre at Amaoji Ukwu, Obingwa.

At the centre, the CP said: "Nine pregnant teenagers were found. Their names are Blessing Amadi, Amarachi Onwukwe, Amarachi Udoka, Chidinma Onukafor, Favour Dike and Precious Emmanuel. Others were Eziuche Michael, Chinasa Chukwuka, Chidera Ogbonna and Chinyere Agbakuru."

Riding Cancer Out of our Society One State at a Time….. Pink Pear
In her nature of giving back to the community, the Pink Pearl Foundation train headed to the eastern part of Nigeria – Abia State. In conjunction with the First Lady of Abia State, Her Excellency, Chief Lady Mrs. Mercy Odochi Orji, the foundation created awareness as well as free lecture and screening on Breast and Cervical Cancer to the women of Abia state. The two day event themed “PINK RIDE”, took place on the 3rd & 4th of May 2013. In the absence of the Her Excellency, the First Lady of Abia State, the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Nene Ananaba was present to flag off the event. To show their dedication towards the fight against cancer, and to create awareness about Breast and Cervical Cancer, the Pink Pearl cyclists rode round the Umuahia city, women were told about the free lecture and screening happening in their city and how the lecture was to enlighten and empower them, the cyclists went all the way from the city to the state university to show the women their dedication to the campaign against breast and cervical cancer, handbills with the Breast Self-Examination (BSE) process were handed out during the cycling ride; the market women rallied round to get one and thanked the cyclists for the information being given to them. Day two of the event held at the Okpara auditorium, women rushed in numbers to get screened and taught on the stages and dangers of breast and cervical cancer; the Pink Pearl team was led by the Senior Partner of the foundation, Mr. Onye Ubanatu, volunteer doctors and nurses; Dr. Uche Okwe, Dr. Ofukwe Ngozi, Dr. Agbeyeke Ewere, Mrs. Usenu and Mrs. Emina. The event kicked off with the speech from the Senior Partner, thanking the women of Abia state for attending the event, he also made them understand that they “have taken the right option by choosing to get screened because the first step to the cure is early detection”, he thanked the Wife of the Deputy Governor for choosing to attend and represent Her Excellency the First Lady of Abia state, in return she thanked the Pink Pearl Foundation for coming to empower and enlighten the women of Abia state, she stated that “the opportunity to get free lecture/screening in this present economy is very rare and that the women should cherish what they are being given”. The lecture was given by Dr. Uche Okwe, in which she explained to the women the stages and dangers of breast and cervical cancer and how early detection is key, she cited the need for women to go for regular mammography checkups, she also emphasized the need to learn the Breast Self-Examination (BSE) properly, after the lecture, the women were given time to ask questions as to which they were adequately answered. The women were then screened and counseled. A total of 107 women registered to be screened and 18 of these were either found with lump in their breast or cervical lesions. The closing statements were given by Mr. Onye Ubanatu, he thanked the women for coming and also urged them to spread the word, explaining to them that it’s a collective fight towards the eradication of Breast and Cervical Cancer, the women in return thanked the team for the unique opportunity they have been given and also thanked the doctors immensely for their help. Since its emergence in 2007, Pink Pearl Foundation has shown its dedication, determination, and assertiveness in eradicating Breast and Cervical Cancer in Nigeria; creating awareness in every state in the country and launching over 40 programs to support the cause against Breast and Cervical Cancer. Again Pink Pearl has shown their drive and determination towards this cause.
By: The Abia Awakening

Abia gov assures on outstanding demands

Abia state Governor, Chief Theodore Orji, has assured Labour in the state that their demands would be met, adding that government had commenced preparations for the payment of the arrears of teachers’ salaries and allowances.

Orji, who gave the assurance on the occasion of this year’s Workers’ Day celebration in Umuahia, commended labour unions in the state for adopting constructive dialogue approach with the government in their demands rather than taking to the streets.

Orji, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Emeka Ananaba, reiterated government’s commitment to the welfare of workers.

The governor allayed labour’s fears over unpaid salaries and allowances owed to some parastatal, saying it would “soon be cleared.”

Addressing the workers at the rally at the Umuahia Township Stadium, the state chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Silvanus Eyeh, commended the government for paying teachers’ salaries up to March.

Eyeh, had in his address, urged the government to intensify efforts to clear the arrears of the TSS as well as that of the minimum wage in the secondary schools. He called on the government to look into problem of the Health Workers in Hospitals Management Board, Ministry of Health, ABSUTH and the Health Workers in the Local Government who were yet to be paid CONHESS and CONMESS.

Also, speaking, the Chairman of the state chapter of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Christopher Okpara, commended the governor for embarking on the new Secretariat complex project for workers in the new Lay out in Umuahia, the renovation of the Nnamdi Azikiwe secretariat and the construction of a 48-room office complex at the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia state to provide comfortable working environment for workers.

Governor T. A. Orji returns from week-long economic trip, says it was a huge success...

Governor Theodore Orji of Abia state yesterday returned from his week long economic trip to Canada and described his trip as “a huge success”.

Governor Orji said the trip “has opened the doors of the state to investors from Canada to invest in the state”.
Addressing Abians who thronged the Umuahia Government House Banquet Hall, shortly after his return, he said he had discussed areas of interest with the interested investors.
Accompanied by his wife, Odochi and other top government functionaries, the Governor explained that very soon, the result of the visit would begin to manifest.

Before returning home, Orji said that he had instructed some of his aides to continue the discussion with the Canadian investors after which the investors would visit the state for further discussions and possible actions.

The Governor gave areas of interest that the discussions were held to include environmental control, oil and gas, mining, and agriculture, pointing out that he assured them of adequate security of their investments in the state.

According to Orji, the investment summit would strengthen the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Canada. He also disclosed that he used the opportunity to interact with Abians who are resident in Canada.

He maintained that the trip was in the overall interest of the state, affirming that he was in governance to change the face of Abia even as he promised not to disappoint Abians.

H.E Chief TA Orji has declared that as the process of deepening of democracy continues to take root in the state and the State becoming one of the safest and most secured in the country, there is no gainsaying the fact that Abia is more than fertile for increased investments.

The governor made this declaration in his presentation at the Canada- Nigeria investment conference, Toronto.

In a statement by the Chief Press secretary, Ugochukwu Emezue, Chief Orji who was accompanied to the investment forum by top government officials hinted that huge investment opportunities exist in Abia in areas like oil and gas, agriculture,mineral resources, tourism, real estate and education.

According to the governor, mineral resources which abound in commercial quantities in the state are yet untapped.
These he said include kaolin,galena, granite,gypsum,tar sand,phosphate, black marble, copper, gold.
Apart from mineral resources,chief Orji said that opportunity exist for investment in mining, processing and quarrying activities.

Speaking further, the Abia state helmsman said that tourism and hospitality industry remains a fertile ground for investors with the increasing mobile population of the state.
Huge opportunity exist also in the area of Real estate for building and management of middle and high scale housing development especially in the urban areas the governor added.

In the area of agriculture, Chief TA Orji argued that Abia has fertile land and the areas of comparative advantage for foreign and local investments are in the production of cassava ,while opportunities abound in cocoa processing and beverages , rice milling and fruit canning.

On a concluding note, Chief TA Orji stated that with the improving power supply in Abia from NIPP and private power stations, the state is now ripe for foreign investment in the oil and gas sector to further harness into local industries and household use.

Foundation Trains 365 Abia Women Entrepreneurs
A UK based Foundation for Women, Cherie Blaire in partnership with the Youth for Technology Foundation has trained 365 women entrepreneurs in Aba, the commercial centre of Abia state.

The women were equipped with business skills and knowledge and the ability to use technologies appropriately to access critical information necessary to build and sustain their businesses.

One of the guest speakers, Emelike Ogbonnaya, of the department of Business Administration and Management, Abia State Polytechnic, spoke on 'Business Planning: a sine qua non to successful entrepreneur'.

He noted that about 80 percent of business failures today can be blamed on lack of planning. He called on government to play its part in providing the needed support for entrepreneurship to grow in Nigeria.

Another speaker, Ejem Agwu also of the department of Banking and Finance, Abia state Polytechnic, who articulated the various sources of funds for entrepreneurs in Nigeria, identified funding as a major problem for entrepreneurs in developing nations.

Ngozi Okpala, a successful entrepreneur inspired the women by recounting how she grew from scratch to the top. She said believing in oneself, building self image and integrity should be primary when trying to build a business and not money as people think.

The program manager, Ezekiel Nworie said the objective of the programme was to provide women entrepreneurs in Nigeria with broad based training to help them strengthen and grow their businesses and become more financially independent and self-reliant.

Abia teachers, research workers suspend strike

WORKERS of the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI) Umudike Umuahia, Abia State returned Monday from their three months old strike and began with de-weeding of their premises and cleaning of their offices.

Chairman of the NRCRI branch of the Senior Staff Union (SSU) Comrade Obi Ogbonnaya told The Guardian that their return to work followed the directive to all striking workers of the research institutes in the country that embarked on the nationwide strike since February 4, 2013 to suspend the strike and return to work with effect from Monday, May 6, 2013.

While the researchers resumed work, the Abia State teachers that embarked on strike five days ago called off their strike last weekend and directed the teachers to return to the classroom today Monday.

Chairman of the Abia State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Enoch Olua Omeoga told The Guardian yesterday in his office in Umuahia that the teachers’ strike was to protest non-payment of the enhanced Teachers Peculiar Allowance called TSS with effect from January 2013 which he said the state Governor, Dr Theodore Orji had approved.

He said that the strike was suspended following the meeting the union held with the state Deputy Governor, Chief Emeka Ananaba at the weekend where it was agreed that the said TSS would have effect from January 2013 and the arrears paid before the May 2013 salary.

I can remember Abia state of 1999 till 2007, does days Abia was a family affair, and the worst state in terms of development,emp loyment,securit y, we were like the children of egypt of the old, our prayers was that God should produce a messiah somebody like moses who will take us to promise land, not withstanding God heard the cries of the people of Abia and he provide us the moses of our time, the icon of democracy the peace ambassador, a man with vision and dedication, who is that man, TA ORJI. In 2007 has he emerge office he paid every civil servant that the past administration was owing the state workers especially in Aba north and south LGA, he started roads construction and building project and poverty eradication now Abia is a that state that everybody both the indigenous people and the aliens can boost of, the city of Aba and umuahia is like the city of paris of france of africa, and with the international conference centre and many more, we the people of Abia are gratefully happy with the transformation programme of the Governor, thanks for saving us from the land of egypt.---By. Ugochukwu ezenwa

@ TONY AYO,you are a very bad person ,you must be one of those who try to discredit the good work of the governor,if you are not one of those who use dirt that comes from rubbish from your garbage to deface the beauty of Abia,and you come out here talking rubbish,most of you in abia are not from Abia,all you do is use your dirty bizness to deface aba....sooner or later you shall be exterminated from Aba...

Abia is truly number 1 safest place in Nigeria,crime free state..we are truly ,proudly Abians

Youth Empowerment Programme not political – Abia Government

The Abia state government has debunked the ongoing criticism by the opposition in the state, that the state government was biased in its youth empowerment programme and only favours those who support the government.

The government said the empowerment scheme was for every youth in the state, irrespective of their political affiliation.

According to the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Theodore Orji, Mr. Ugochukwu Emezue who spoke to Dailypost on the issue, the programme was to engage the youth in the state with useful venture.

He said that the government embarked on the empowerment programme in order to secure the youth of the state, insisting that it has no political attachment.

Emezue said that the youth have done a lot for the state in the area of security, pointing out how the government fought hard to suppress the bad old days when kidnappers and armed robbers held sway in the state with different activities.

“With this youth empowerment scheme which will be carried out in all the local government areas of the state, many people will be empowered and those who have been empowered will also employ others like conductors and others in their different areas”.

“It has no political attachment. The election period is over and the Governor wants to empower every youth in the state, irrespective of what political party he or she belongs. Governor Theodore Orji is a Governor for all and wants to build on the future of the youth in the state, irrespective political leaning” He said.

“We want our youth to be celebrated like others in the transport industry, which is why we have given them vehicles to help start their own transport garages like others before them in that industry, and in future, they will say they started with Abia youth empowerment programme.

“The concern of Abia government under the leadership of Chief T. A. Orji is to see that youth of Abia get meaningful economic opportunities and as well stay out of crime.

“If anybody is saying the empowerment programme is for political patronage, then the question is, are the beneficiaries of this programme youth of Abia or not’’, Emezue said.

for those who hate good things,good things will elude you..T.A is working and i pray he continually performs as he is doing without any distractions

PRESS RELEASE: ABIA STATE GOVERNMENT

Abia state governor, chief Theodore Orji is now in Canada for the 2013 Canada-Nigeria Investment Conference.

In a statement by his chief press secretary, Ugochukwu Emezue, chief Orji while in Canada for the week long event will explore investment opportunities for the state which has now become investment destination.

According TO the chief press secretary, governor Orji will showcase the areas investors are expected to tap into.

Chief Orji who is in Canada with top government officials/chamber of commerce officials will be the guest of Abians in Canada. Mr. Emezue declared that the interaction between the governor and Abians will provide the platform for the number one citizen to update them on the positive development going on in the state in all sectors.

It will be recalled that governor Orji recently delivered a lecture in John Hopkins university USA after which he held a town hall meeting to keep them abreast with the legacy projects at home and the need for them to invest at home.

Police Foils Bank Robbery In Aba

The Aba Area Command of the Nigerian Police Force on Sunday foiled plans by a six man robbery gang to break into a branch of Diamond Bank Plc in Aba, the commercial nerve centre of Abia State.

The Aba Area Commander, ACP Rabiu Dayi told journalists at the crime scene that the robbers gained entrance into the bank’s premises around 2.00am Sunday morning, adding that the operation was frustrated through the quick intervention of the police team.

He stated that the leader of the gang was killed during the operation while five others escaped through the bank’s fence at the instance of police response.

Dayi said that the timely response of the Aba Area Commands anti robbery squad, Police Mobile Force 28 and other Police Patrol teams foiled all the efforts made by the fully armed robbers from gaining access into the bank.

According to him, “17 shells of expended bullets, a master key and a GSM handset were recovered at the crime scene. Out of the six members of the gang, the leader whom you see lying dead here was killed by the Mopol officer on duty, while other five members of the gang escaped through the backyard fence when they noticed the heavy presence of police team.”

ASP Anari Anari, Officer in charge of the Anti Robbery Unit of the Command said that his team has declared a manhunt for the fleeing members of the gang.

He charged the public to give information about criminals to the police, warning that the anti robbery squad would stop at nothing in making Aba unsafe for criminal activities.

“I am sounding a note of warning to all the criminal elements in Aba and its environs. The anti robbery unit in collaboration with other security agencies in Aba will make here unsafe for their operations. 247ureports

Gov.T.A Orji's Model State of Law and Order...

YOU cannot legislate a society of law and order into existence. Neither can you cause it by fiat. You build. Law and order are the conditions for all other socio-economic activities of man," wrote Alozie Ogugbuaja, in his controversial memo on "The People's Police".

Indeed, beyond the legacy projects, one outstanding achievement of great value by Governor Theodore Orji of AbiaState is the building of a new society of law and order. Orji's Abia is standing tall in the federation as a model state in terms of law and order and social harmony. And this was not legislated into existence but a product of committed and pragmatic action.

In the midst of a country gripped by violence, where bloodshed either by accident or by deliberate organised crime make the headlines everyday in the papers, Abia State has remained an isolated case of a sort of haven on earth where peace reigns and where residents sleep with their doors wide open. And, I emphasise again, this did not come by fiat or by providence but a product of judicious and strategic governance. Governor Orji toiled day and night, tasked his brain and mind to attain this state for his people.

From Umuahia, the state capital, to Aba, the business hub and to the villages and communities, it is a very commendable story of a society at peace with itself. The Governor succeeded in clamping down all manners of social deviancy, from street gangsterism, city mugging, and armed banditry to the menace of kidnapping. Today, while the neighbouring states are still battling with the scourge of violent crimes, Orji has moved ahead to consolidate his vision of legacy projects. The Governor has even moved beyond Abia to invest energy on a programme of regional integration, with the argument of harnessing the regional abundances which were the glories of those regions.

If you realise that the first primary duty of government is the maintenance of law and order and the greatest achievement of any leader can make is the sustenance of peace in the land, then you would appreciate the sacrifice of Orji in building an Abia of peace and harmony. This is why I argue that societal peace which is a product of law and order is a cardinal human need. But, unfortunately, Abraham Maslow, the legendary psychologist missed this point in his theory of the hierarchy of human need.

For Governor Orji, peace and an atmosphere of law and order are the very ultimate of human need. Anybody who has experienced war like the Igbos of the Biafran generation would agree with Orji. In a state of anarchy, people abandon their shelter to find refuge in the cold corners of the bush. Nobody talks about the need for social acceptance or recognition. Nobody remembers the desire for comfort or pleasure. Self-actualisation becomes an illusion. The only drive and need become the protection and preservation of life.

The governor of Abia state has done something that is remarkable ,to us it is something that has never been done before in Abia state,this good gesture will help alleviate the poverty level in the state and there by create opportunities for the unemployed youths..am so happy when i heard about the initiative and i make bold to say the governor has been showing a great commitment to ensuring that Abians are well placed....more grease to your elbow, T.A ORJI

ouk is a duping con man

OUK begs Abia, asked for forgiveness


I know I have wronged Abians and by extension Nigerians. I was deceived by my wicked mother Odiuko. My buffon brother Nnanna's greed also did not help matters.
Pls, forgive me beg TAO and all Abians. Now I know that I should not have been greedy myself. Pls, forgive me.
OUK

The Economics Of ShopRite In Abia

The recent foundation laying ceremony of the Abia Mall, at the old Garki area of Umuahia, has led to appreciable excitement among residents of the state; especially as Africa’s biggest retailer, ShopRite, is touted as one of the partners of the project.
The state government entered a strategic partnership with Pall Mall which involves a joint funding of the project to achieve its set objectives. In a recent interview, Governor Theodore Orji confirmed that the state government has paid its own part of the funding. “ShopRite is coming to Abia State,” he said. “We have completed everything, paid our own counterpart funding to them and it is left for them to come onboard.”
This development, according to analysts, is a major significant socio-economic gain for the hitherto under-developed state. In terms of direct and indirect employment, this project when completed stands to significantly depopulate the labour market in Abia State and convince hesitant investors to take the plunge.
Samuel Eke, a financial analyst, commends the state government for proactively engaging the retail giant and fast-tracking talks to get to this stage. “Last year, ShopRite announced that it would be investing N32 billion on property developments in Nigeria to overcome lack of infrastructure and capitalise on rising consumer spending,” he said. “Responsible state governments took note of this and began to put in place incentives to attract the retail giant.
For Abia, it is indeed a coup to have secured this partnership as apart from Enugu, the retail giant is not present in any other South-Eastern state in the country. I must commend Governor Theodore Orji for taking this step and ensuring that speed is of importance. If this tempo is sustained, we may see the mall commissioned soon. The benefits of this development to residents of Umuahia and indeed surrounding towns cannot be over-emphasised.”
ShopRite operates a policy of augmenting dependence on international suppliers by sourcing, promoting and procuring local products. In Abia, local industries thrive and have gained increased visibility in recent times. Some of the entrepreneurs are looking forward to possible partnerships with the retail giant.
Ndidi Achonu operates a small factory inside the Aba Leather Cluster zone where African-themed shoes and handbags are produced. “I relocated to Abia from China with my husband in 2009 to start this and I can sincerely say that there are no regrets,” she said. “Things were tough initially but I am gradually making an impact here and can now boast of seven employees. If ShopRite comes to this state, I will certainly explore ways of taking this business to the next level because I am confident that my products will make their shelves.”
A survey of 700 consumers conducted by Business Day Nigeria during October 2012 found that while price was still crucial to the Nigerian consumer, health considerations were becoming more important. 50% of respondents said that they read the labels of packaged food and beverage products before purchasing them. 39% said that they would like to see more nutritional information, including calorie counts, on restaurant menus.
In an era of more sophisticated Nigerian consumers, the development also comes as a relief to residents of Abia, a state notorious for counterfeiting of high-target brands. “For me, I consider this one of the state government’s recent economic initiatives that has really tricked down to the people,” said Ifeyinwa Obodo, a civil servant in the state. “To be able to go to a shop where you have the peace of mind that everything there is guaranteed and you have the luxury of options is a very welcome development. I urge the state government to hasten work on the site so that this can be opened soon. I thank Governor Theodore Orji for making this dream come true.”

ABIA ALIVE YOUTHS EMPOWERMENT CONCERT

Abia roof tops will no doubt be on fire with best of Nigerian Music acts in the coming days. The event is the 'ABIA ALIVE YOUTHS EMPOWERMENT CONCERT' organized by the Ochendo Youth Foundation and Powered by 2Flame Ent.

Top on the list of acts expected to thrill Abians are DJ Jimmy Jatt, DJ Waxxy, P-Square, M.I , Flavour, Dauda, J. Martins, Morachi and Muno.

The event is scheduled to kick off from 10am on Wednesday, 24th April 2013 at the Umuahia Township Stadium and the gate is FREE.

THIS MAN - REAGAN UFOMBA!!!

BY EJIMNKONYE OGUOFOR

Story, story, story all the time...does this man actually want us to take him seriously? He says abia elites and leaders are in support of Gov T A Orji, but did not tell the world why all well meaning abians ostracised him and his dubious politicking. The truth is that Mr. Ufomba has deep deficiency of character and is so untrustworthy that even his kinsmen in Ntigha have roundly rejected him not just in the last elections but in their various town union activities. He should go ahead and publish all that he claims he has on the elections.

As a bad loser, he finds it difficult to distinguish between constructive criticism based on policies and issues and rabblerousing borne out of bitterness and envy. Because he is out of business, he finds time to concoct tales with the singular aim of distracting the government. Elections are not won on the pages of newspapers but it is the people who choose their leaders. Dejected Reagan should realise this and shut up his demented mind.

Governor T.A. Orji is already transforming the state. Evidence to this abound.

While Reagan Ufomba cowardly abandoned Abia people and busied himself with his many questionable activities during the 8-year reign of Orji Uzor Kalu's despotic regime, Abia patriots fought gallantly to reclaim their political power. The climax of this was the gallant decision of Chief TA Orji to take the bull by the horns and liberate abians from the kalu dynasty. One wonders where Reagan was and what he did during that dark decade? We challenge Reagan who is now been sponsored by Orji Uzor Kalu as is clearly shown by the numerous interviews exclusively published by Orji Kalu's newspaper to point out any surviving road left by the former governor in aba after ten years. He should also give us a list of five public buildings erected by the former governor in abia state during his reign of terror.

Reagan is nothing but a limbless political lackey looking for job after woefully loosing out in the last elections. Having realized that 419 business is no longer lucrative and in view of the searchlight EFCC has placed on him. He is now relishing in the contrived title of 'opposition' even when he could not win his own ward in a guber contest acclaimed by all and sundry to be free and fair. By the way, even if the election was rigged as he is quick to claim, does it mean that a whole governorship candidate lacks so much clout that he could not protect the results in the booths in his own ward? His admission that he visits Abia once in every eight months is instructive here. A man like that cannot boast of grassroot support. How can this mad man claim Orji Kalu built Aba General Hospital which was established in the 80s'? how could he ever try to wish away the world class diagnostic centre built by Ochendo? Anyway, the real truth has come out and as Reagan, Ikonne and Orji Kalu regroup, Abians are ever ready to cast out these known demons with their antics.

This is a response to the interviews granted by REAGAN UFOMBA as published in the The Sun & Nation Newspapers

In our bid to reposition Abia Palm for economic gains, we officially handed over Abia Palm to Shanid Abia Palm L.T.D yesterday. With this new arrangement, we have created more than 500 jobs as at yesterday through Shanid Abia Palm L.T.D. Our aim is to create more and more jobs through the new PPP driven arrangement in Abia State.

The Abia liberation Farms structure has been approved and funded in response to global agro-economic development that call for the commercialization of small holder agro investments.
The very interesting aspect of liberation farms is that this concept is also in line with the federal government agricultural transformation agenda.
The General objectives of Abia liberation farms include:
1. Creation of employment for the people, with a target to create employment for over 5000 youths by the end 2015.
2. Increasing the production of capacity of local supply, and through value addition pull on products partnership arrangements.
3. To industrialize the State through provision of adequate supply of agro- raw materials and installation of processing.
Stimulation of competitive prices for agricultural products
Generation of revenue for the State.
ABIA liberation Farms have different strategies for achieving the set objectives, these strategies differ with enterprises. ABIA liberation farms are currently involved in the following:
1. Cassava production
2. Plantain production
3. Rice production
4. Fish production
5.broiler/egg production.

Abia liberation farms, the in-built sustainability nature of plantain direct investment in plantains across the 17 local government, Areas of Abia state. For other enterprises like Rice grains production, cassava roots production,pig production, poultry and aguaculture, Abia liberation Farm have adopted the strategy of Public-private -partnership (PPP).

To date, the four (4) hectare plantain plantation you see as a reality, land has been acquired for plantain plantation in Ukwa East while the four (4) hectares acquired for plantain plantation in the Lodu area of Umuahia North has been cleared.

It is the intention of the Librations Farms management to establish plantain plantations in the 17 Local Government Areas of Abia state. From the Livestock Pilot Plot at Lodu, Umuahia North, Pigs and Birds will be supplied to farmers in Abia state in line with the PPP arrangement.

The people and government of Abia state will on Wednesday, April 24 2013 play host to thousands of youths in the first ever Abia youth empowerment summit tagged A-YES.

According to a statement by the commissioner for Information and strategy, Dr. Eze Chikamnayo, the initiative will be the first time in 20 years that Abia youths will assemble in unity to celebrate security, stability and prosperity ushered in by an acknowledged icon whose transformational impact on Abia state has been widely celebrated.

The commissioner said the summit; a three-pegged event will witness a lecture, award of people empowerment tools (buses, cars, tricycles etc) and a gala night. He said the lecture tagged “1st Ochendo Youth Lecture” will be delivered by the governor of the central bank of Nigeria (CBN), mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi at 10 am on April 24 2013 at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia.
The Information boss stated that mallam Sanusi will speak on youth empowerment as panacea to insecurity.
He further revealed that the award ceremony and gala night which will be graced by a galaxy of Nigerian artistes are scheduled for Umuahia township stadium in the afternoon and evening of April 24 2013.
The administration of Chief Theodore Orji therefore invites all Abians and Nigerians to witness A-yes, a legacy of innovativeness and tenacity of purpose.

T.A ORJI can not be part of any plan to grant amnesty to criminals,he has always combated crimes and he will not be part of such act to grant amnesty to repented criminals

Governor Orji flags off new roads in Aba, vows to keep kidnappers away

Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State has restated the determination of his government to ensure that daredevil kidnappers never returned to Aba and indeed the God’s Own State in general, affirming that, “we are fully prepared for them”.

Governor Orji noted that it was because the government fought criminals, especially kidnappers out of the state that roads and other developments were being witnessed in the state.

The governor gave this assurance in Aba, Monday, during the commissioning of seven out of the 16 roads he flagged-off in December.

He said that if the kidnappers were still terrorizing people in the state, the roads would not have been completed.

Casting his mind back on the bad state of Aba, both in security and the infrastructures before now, the governor assured that better days were waiting for the Aba residents. He however urged them to always pay their taxes to enable the government do more.

While calling on the people to pay their taxes, the governor announced that the state has introduced a single tax regime as against the old system whereby all manner of people demand different taxes from the residents, most of which ended up in private pockets.

“We have introduced single tax regime. We are not happy with double taxation. Pay your tax and leave the rest for me. My job is to give you conducive environment and ensure that you are comfortable”, governor Orji said.

“First, we have to thank God who helped us to fight kidnappers. If they were still here, we would not have done these roads and other things we are doing in Aba. When I came here in 2010, Aba people all fled. But today everybody is back. We have flagged-off 16 roads and we have done 10 roads under two months.



“I want Aba people to believe in government that tells you the truth, my yes is my yes and my no is my no. when we say we will do something we will do it. I never told Aba people that I will do work on all Aba roads. I told you that will work on some roads.

“Any politician who tells you that he will build all the roads in Aba is not sincere because it is not possible. We are bringing new things in Aba”, Orji said.

Referring to abuses and hostile environment Aba people induced by the opposition used to show him, the governor said he was sure that the people would sing his praises by the time he was done with his development projects in the state.

“This is a working government. I am not interested in praises but I know that I will be celebrated. Mbakwe who is being celebrated today was stone but later celebrated. I know that we will be celebrated. I gave out 16 roads and in two months we finished 10 and very soon we will complete the rest”, Orji said.

He advised Aba residents to stop believing in rumours and gossip, “always verify and see things for yourselves. Go to Nigerian Breweries, it is expanding and it is expanding because the state is secured”.source :http://dailypost.com.ng/2013/04/16/governor-orji-flags-off-new-roads-in-aba-vows-to-keep-kidnappers-away/