₦airaland Forum

CoolFreeday:
imagine the type of leaders that we have.
God have mercy!

That is why he has been paying through the nose just to be the governor so that immunity would cover him,but he has failed this time around. No fraudster will be allowed to rule Abia State. All the criminals campaigned with how much stolen money they got but Dr Ikpeazu just told Abians the hard truth they wanted to hear and he was massively voted in. Today Abians are smiling as the state is witnessing a kind of progress that it never had in the past.

The Chief press secretary to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu reacted thus:

On this Uche Ogah's Masters Rice fraud issue, I don't talk to journalists

I don't know why some journalists colleagues of mine can't just mind their business.
What is my concern with Uche Ogah's attempt to cheat government by smuggling 30 container of masters rice, which he declared as yeasts in the Form M he used for the importation?
Uche Ogah is a business man who knows how to smuggle anything he wants to smuggle into nigeria.
He is not the first and will certainly not be the last.
Why are some journalists calling to ask for my reaction on the seized of 30 container of rice which our brother Uche Ogah was trying to smuggle into the country before customs catch up with him?
Whether he declared in the form M of the importation that he was importing yeasts when in actual fact he was importing masters rice, that is his business with the customs.
And I am sure that if he shakes their hands well, they will ask him to go, after all this is not his first time.
No be Nigeria Customs?
As a journalist, I know that there is harmonized system (Hs) payment of 10% duty and 50% levy for rice importation and harmonized system (Hs) payment of 5% duty and 5% VAT for yeasts importation.
As a 'smart' Nigeria importer, and as his custom is, Uche Ogah was acting fraudulently by declaring that he was importing yeasts in other to evade the payment of the 10% duty and 50 % levy for rice, and as a fuel subsidy expert, Ogah knows how to smuggle his way, that was why he declared in the form M of the importation of the Masters Rice, that it was yeasts, so he can pay 5 % duty and 5 % vat which actually meant for yeasts.
But like they will say in Isiko, everyday is for the thief, one day is for the owner.
Please dear journalists, when you have story on Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, call me for my response.
But on this case, kindly call my brother Monday Onyekachi Ubani, he is the right person to respond.
On this issue, I don't talk to the press. Thank you.

It has come to our notice that some unscrupulous elements are linking Governor Okezie Ikpeazu as the man behind the exposed of the fraudulent activities carried out by defeated Abia governorship aspirant in 2015 election Mr Uche Ogah. We want to use this opportunity to make it clear that Dr Okezie Ikpeazu had no hands in it. That Mr Ogah has been cheating the Nigerian state for many years is no news to any Nigerian as he is still facing trials for his role in subsidy scam and other related offences he committed.

Political minorities and losers in Abia state are hereby warned not to drag the good name of Dr Ikpeazu into the mould.

Pastor Ponponkon
cc; lalasticlala seun Seun and Mynd44

DrinkWater10:
hello Mr ponponkon, I m in my home state Abia; infact ABSU to be precise.
Come and redeem your promise

Remind me abeg o. You know I'm an extremely busy guy sometimes selective amnesia do occur in my brain

DrinkWater10:
hello Mr ponponkon, I m in my home state Abia; infact ABSU to be precise.
Come and redeem your promise

Remind me abeg o. You know I'm an extremely busy guy sometimes selective amnesia do occur in my brain

sarrki:
weldone ikpeazu
all we want is good governance

Exactly bro,that's all we ask for

Mynd44 tell lalasticlala that his boss Pastor Ponponkon wants to see his report immediately

jullty:
You can see, Osibanjo is an illiterate person..

And they will continue to disgrace him. When they mean federal republic. It means. They have no chief. All the governor are disgrace him.. you are not suppose to deal with them. You only deal with state governor.


Have ever seen an government officials going to meet them. No. Because the police is your representative in the area

Which of them is you? Oya eat this food it helps to develop brain and improve your reasoning capabilities. Weed without good food is suicidal

Here in Abia we are only interested in progress and national development. We are aware of the areas we are falling short of expectations. But I assure you that in the days ahead,we shall be addressing those minor issues affecting our people.

We are expecting to host president Buhari very soon. Seun seun try visit abia state we got lots of goodie for you including this soup

lalasticlala everybody is rushing down to abia,it shows we are doing well.

Here comes Enyioha Ndigbo

The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has just been conferred with the traditional title of Enyioha Ndigbo by the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers...
Eze Eberechi Dick, who doubles as the chairman of the Southeast Council o Traditional Rulers and Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers conferred the title on the Vice President on behalf of all of us..

VP Osibanjo arrives Abia for one day visit

The Executive Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has arrived Umuahia, the capital of Abia State, for a one day State visit.

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu is pleased to welcome the Vice President to Abia again, after he visited in February to flag off the SME clinic at Aba, the commercial and economic hub of Eastern Nigeria and SME capital of Nigeria...

While in God's own state, the Vice President will pay homage to the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers at Okpara Auditorium, where he will be conferred with a Chieftaincy Title by the Abia monarchs.

After the brief event, the Vice President will commission the Abia Investment House built by the Governor Ikpeazu administration.

The final event of the day will hold at the Abia International Conference Centre, Ogurube Layout Umuahia, the venue for the Niger Delta dialogue/town-hall meeting.

ngwababe:
Bros which side you dey stay for Aba

Ogborhill

lalasticlala and Mynd44 we cannot continue to fold our hands and let these oil companies take us to cleaners. They're are now begging the governor for forgiveness,yes we have forgiven them but they must pay Abia state all the money taxes and levies from 1958 tilll date. That's our stance

IKPEAZU, TOTAL MEET OVER UNREMITTED REVENUE, OIL COMMUNITY DISPUTE.

© CPS
#AbiaOnline

The Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has met with managment of Total E &P Nigeria Ltd over the lingering issues of none-remittances of revenue to the state by the multinational oil firm, and total neglect of the oil-bearing communities in Ukwa West LGA of the state, where the company is currently engaged in an oil exploration activities.

The meeting followed complaints by the state and the oil rich communities of Owaza and Asa in Ukwa West LGA of the state which prompted a recent tour of oil facilities in the area by Governor Ikpeazu, with a promise to resolve the lingering issues with Total E&P Nigeria Ltd.

At the meeting between the government and management of the oil firm yesterday, the Total delegation led by the Deputy Managing Director, Total E&P, Nig Ltd, Mr Francois Le-Cock commended the Governor for initiating the meeting, stressing need for dialogue between the company, the government and the oil-bearing communities.

"We commend the Governor for visiting our stations in Owaza, and also for calling us to this meeting for Community engagement. I appeal to the community not to prevent or stop us from working in the community." Le-Cock said.

Stressing the need for peaceful coexistence of the state, community and the oil company, Governor Ikpeazu thanked the traditional rulers and people of Ukwa West LGA, especially the youths for the mature way they have conducted themselves in a peaceful dialogue instead of engaging in destruction of oil facilities in their communities despite the obvious neglect by the oil firms.

He said: "I must commend the oil communities in Abia for choosing the path of peace and dialogue instead of engaging in militancy and destruction of oil installations in the area to show their displeasure over the neglect and destruction of their communities and environment by the oil companies operating in their communities.

"The misunderstanding between Total and Oil bearing communities was due to lack of clear cut communication between the oil company and the communities that have been shortchanged by the oil companies since there is nothing to show in terms of human capital development, infrastructure and job opportunities.

"The Oil bearing communities are worried that they do not know what their rights are as they are not aware of of what the environmental impact assessment specifies, even as they are not carried along in the company's policies.

"As a state, we are not happy that you're operating in our state and yet you don't tax to us. You don't employ our people. It's now time for the Total and other companies operating in the state should establish a community Relations officer in communities and state to make for greater symbiosis between the company, the locals and the state." The Governor said.

Speaking on behalf of the Oil-bearing community, the former Abia Commissioner in the board of NDDC and ASOPADEC chairman, Chief Sam Nwogu, thanked the Governor for his initiative and expressed the readiness of the Oil community to provide Total with the enabling environment to continue to carry out its operations.

lalasticlala we are not taking chances again. Every kobo owed to abia must be paid

OIL FACILITIES IN ABIA; ABIA GOVERNMENT MEETS WITH TOTAL E/P..

#AbiaOnline

Following the recent agitation against the Total E & P Nigeria Limited by the host oil communities in Ukwa West LGA which provoked a tour of the oil facilities by the Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, a peace meeting was held today with the company.

Speaking at the meeting held in Government House, Umuahia, the Governor said that the State government wants oil companies to thrive but advised that they must perform their Corporate Social Responsibility to the community and the State as a whole.

He pointed out that Abia State should be getting tax revenues from the company. Oil Companies should involve the host communities by making them know the local content, provide jobs for the people and hold meeting with them by creating Community Relations Offices.

The Governor regretted that since 1958 the oil exploration started in Owaza community, there is nothing to show for it in terms of development in the area. He stressed that it was lack of clear communication between Total E & P Nigeria Limited and its host community, that led to the problem, stressing that the people should have an idea of the Environmental Impact Assessment of the company in their land. He assured the willingness of the community to do business with the company.

Dr. Ikpeazu who thanked the Owazza people for their maturity in handling the case, observed that there was need to treat the people well as Owaza community in the tradition of Abians are known to be very peaceful. He added that Nigeria should start to compensate oil communities that do not carry arms against oil companies in their vicinities.

Earlier, the Deputy Managing Director, Total E & P Nigeria Limited, Portharcourt, Mr. Francois Le-Cocq appreciated the Governor for conveying the meeting. He said his company will involve dialogue in settling the matter as he believes in dialogue. Mr. Le-Cocq pleaded with Owaza community not to prevent them from working in the community.

In a vote of thanks, the leader of Owazza community, Chief Sam Nwogu thanked the Governor on behalf of his people for standing for them and promised to provide enabling environment for the company to work.

abiaonline.com

Abagworo:
Will Ndi Abia appreciate FG's effort or try to block development because of radio biagra hate preaching.

Acting President was here last week,Minister of health was here last week too. ICPC chairman was here too
. Minister of transport said he's visiting us soon. Don't you think we are good? If we are bad,will they be jostling to be our visitors?

Seun I swear I will sue you to court if I didn't win nairaland award as the most honest poster in this forum. Everything I say and post has always proven to be true and factual. Pm me for my account number if you wish to moneytise the award

Mynd44 what's your take on this visit? The floor and areana is cleared for you to talk

We are not an APC state but our good and friendly policies are attracting federal presence to Abia for the first time in 16 years.

God bless Dr Okezie Ikpeazu for chosen not to play party politics with the welfare of Abia Masses

lalasticlala recall when I posted Dr Ikpeazu Ikpeazu's visit to fashola last year,I told you he promised to come and see things for himself, now he's here,FG roads in Aba and Abia are gonna smile

GOVERNOR IKPEAZU WELCOMES FASHOLA BACK TO ABA.

#AbiaOnline

Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, was today welcomed back to Aba, the commercial nerve Centre of the South East by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

The Minister who served at Aba in the early years of the National Youth Service Corp scheme arrived Aba this evening and was welcomed by Governor Ikpeazu at the famous Brass Junction at Umungasi Aba.

The State's Commissioner for Works, Rt. Hon. Eziuche Ubani, had earlier welcomed the minister at Abia Tower Umuahia and escorted him to the SME capital of Nigeria.

After a brief reception ceremony at Brass Junction in Aba, Governor Ikpeazu joined the Minister in a Coaster Bus, and drove through the very deplorable Aba-Ikot-Ekpone Road, from Bata junction through Opopo Junction down to Acho Nwakanma By-Pass.

The Minister was unable to visit the very deplorable Port Harcourt road Aba, and other power installations today due to his late arrival to the state, but the visit continues tomorrow, as the Minister is already in the state capital-Umuahia.

lalasticlala we shall ensure Mr Ag President enjoys his stay here

VICE PRESIDENT YEMI OSINBAJO'S VISIT TO ABIA STATE: Huge gain to Business Owners.

By Ikechukwu Iroha

#AbiaOnline

Practically, Federal Government has thrown its weight behind local content patronage and the campaign for made in Aba products.

Dr. Ikpeazu’s effort at diversifying the state’s economy through his various vigorous campaigns of bringing the Made in Aba products to the global attention is a commitment that has shown his readiness to leave a foot print in the sands of time.

Abia State has great potentials and comparative advantage in the area of Leather making, Garments, Fabrications etc while also exploring opportunities in other areas.

It could be recalled that the progress made in the area of SMEs attracted the attention of the Nigeria military which resulted to a contract patronage for the production of 50,000 military boots.

Among other investors who have developed interest in what is going on in Abia State, Abians in Diaspora also placed order for Aba made shoes to be distributed to school children through Mr Chinenye Nwaogu, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Job Creation and Youth Development. This iss unprecedented.

These efforts and reportage have not gone unnoticed worldwide.

For the records, Ariaria international market has a number of over 50,000 combined artisans in different fields ;Garment makers, Leather makers, Shoe makers across the state. There are several of such hubs across the state.

Dr Ikpeazu sponsored some artisans to Turkey to acquaint themselves with the types of equipment that are being used in modern day manufacturing operations. He also arranged fair financing packages to enable them acquire these equipment for enhanced quality in goods they produce.

These are some of the reasons the Federal Government cannot shy away from what is happening in Abia State.

Small businesses are defined by the amount of capital and the number of employees. Any support for SME is equally a support for the greater good of the society, considering that the drive for skill acquisition, trade and commerce is paying off in the present Nigeria where reliance on "white collar jobs" has kept many in the Labour market.

Basic presumptions underlying the desirability of nurturing small scale industries are the perceived multiplier effect which small industries have on the economy and economic growth in general.

Small Scale industries have helped the economy and the country in the areas of employment generation, poverty eradication, improved income distribution etc.

The visit by the Vice President will further assure the business community of readiness of the Federal Government to finance business ventures in the State.

The timing is key, as it coincides with the date Bank of Industry(BOI) returned to Abia after being away for over a decade, it therefore means that financing of small scale enterprises and other projects will be less cumbersome.

Protection of small businesses has been a factor militating against growth of SMEs, the visit will open ways for questions and deliberations on how to protect SMEs from unhealthy competition arising from price control.

Business owners are expected to leverage on the opportunity to discuss issues that bother on Multiple Taxation, Borrowing, Interest Rates, Foreign Exchange, Policy thrust of the Federal Government and other opportunities opened for businesses to survive in Nigeria.

The two day interactive session between SMEs and the Federal Government of Nigeria, MDAs and all relevant agencies of government with a view to creating a brand new platform to grow small businesses in Nigeria will give room for business owners to showcase their products to Nigeria and international community as all eyes will be on Abia as the SME hub of Nigeria while creating avenue to show the resilience and entrepreneurial nature of an Igbo man.

Commissioning of the one Stop Shop in Abia by the Vice President will fast tract investment in the State. It's expected that the visit will attract more investors to Abia State.

lalasticlala are you aware that Mr President Prof Yomi Osinbanjo is coming here?

Press Release

MSME CLINIC: BEGINNING WITH ABA IS A PERFECT DECISION - Ikpeazu tells Osibanjo, others

Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has expressed gratitude to the Federal Government of Nigeria for the confirmation of his position that Aba, the Commercial Nerve Centre of Eastern Nigeria, is the national Capital of Small and Medium Scale Enterprise in Nigeria.

Governor Ikpeazu said this when he joined the Acting President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osibanjo, and other top government functionaries at the media launch of the Federal Government's Micro Small and Medium Scale Enterprise Clinic, (MSME Clinic) in Abuja.

Prof. Osinbajo is slated to be in Aba, the Enyimba City and the SME capital of Nigeria on Thursday for the launching of the MSME clinic.

Speaking at the Aso Rock event today, Governor Ikpeazu, who doubles as the Chief Promoter of Made-in-Aba Products, commended the FG for doing the right thing by beginning the novel MSME Clinic at Aba.

He said that the decision has confirmed that Aba is truly, the SME capital of Nigeria and called on the Federal Government to further support small and medium scale enterprises by urgently fixing Port Harcourt road Aba and Aba-Ikot Ekpene Highway in the commercial city of Aba.

He highlighted the potentials of MSME to support economic growth, create jobs, get the country out of recession and add significantly to national GDP.

Govenror Ikpeazu told the Acting President and other participants at the event that his government had earlier identified MSME as a major engine of economic revival.

He also informed his audience that his focused efforts at dealing with the infrastructural challenges at Aba, the MSME capital of Nigeria, is based on his conviction that a robust MSME can lead to massive wealth creation when properly incubated and supported.

He highlighted the MSME potentials of Aba, especially the leather and garment industry and thanked the Federal government for choosing Aba as the location for the maiden outing of the program.

He also took time to highlight some of the achievements of his administration at Aba including the ongoing work at Faulks road and the Osisioma interchange, that was recently flagged off.

Enyinnaya Appolos
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

www.abiaonline.com

Okwyjesus:
Why won't the speaker come from Abia north or Umuahia. Why all this Ukwa/ Ngwa politics. Don't tell me the new speaker is from Abia central, l already know but it shouldn't be Ngwa man.

Sorry o the new speaker is the Ngwa man. Use ogbolo soup swallow am o.

Hmm this one strong o. Baba since na mistake, oya carry this food go chop and sin no more

just the way it goes

lalasticlala whatever is worth doing is worth doing well. Abia has risen no going back to dark days again

It is well my people, it has not been rosy at all duecto paucity of funds but be rest assured that the light has come to shine forever