₦airaland Forum

WE HAVE NOT BEEN SERVED THE COURT ORDER OVER ELECTIONS: CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF

Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Yusuf Buratai has said that the Nigerian Army has not been served with the copy of the court Order banning soldiers from engaging in monitoring role during elections, adding that it is only when the army authority is served with the relevant papers that he would be in a position to comment on that.

General Buratai gave the hint at the Government House Owerri when he paid courtesy call on Governor Rochas Okorocha on Friday, March 18, 2016 with other Senior Military Officers including the GOC, 82 Division of the Nigeria Army Enugu, Major-General Attahiru.

Receiving General Buratai and his team, Governor Rochas Okorocha told him to give approval for the Army to build a Military School in the state, assuring that the state government would provide the land and other logistics.

Governor Okorocha also complained that Imo state does not have her indigenes in the Army, and said that something must have gone wrong with the quota allocated to the state over the years, commending General Buratai for the able way he has been piloting the affairs of the Nigerian Army since he took over as the Chief of Army Staff.

According to Governor Okorocha, General Buratai had worked very hard from the ranks to become the Chief of Army Staff, remarking that the way he had conducted military activities as the Chairman of the Joint Task force in Port Harcourt some time ago projected him as a very serious military officer who has all it takes to lead the army.

His words “it is also on record at the moment that the soldiers have given a deadly blow to the Boko Haram terrorists. And that feat would not have been possible without the doggedness of the Chief of Army Staff who stooped low to join the troops in the bush to fight the terrorists. To say the least, the army has been well represented.”

The governor appealed to the Chief of Army Staff to send more operational vehicles and other logistics to the 34 Field Artillery Brigade Obinze to enable them perform their role more effectively especially now Imo has become the fastest growing city in the country outside Lagos and Abuja.

The Imo Governor further stated, “we have watched with keen interest what is happening in the North-east. We want to encourage you and your men for the manner with which you have tackled the problem of Boko Haram head-on and today, Nigerians are singing a better song than what it used to be in the past.”

The Chief of Army Staff had in addition told the governor that they were in the state on familiarization visit to the Army Brigade in the state with a view to knowing their challenges, adding that such visit had been delayed by the situation in the North-east which has kept him busy in the area.

General Buratai also expressed appreciation for the support the state government has given to the army brigade in terms of logistics which had contributed to the stable security situation in the state, stressing that the army is winning the fight against the Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East, and that the issue of Boko Haram terrorists would soon become a thing of the past.

He also pledged that those displaced by the Boko Haram attacks would soon get respite, and equally called on kidnappers and armed robbers in the state to have a change of heart or be ready to be flushed out by the army, announcing that before the end of the month he would send five operational vehicles to the Army Brigade in the state while more will come later.


Sam Onwuemeodo
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

Lalasticlala front page please

Gov Okorocha investing Chief Chukwuma as Chancellor

www.nairaland.com/attachments/3508595_2016031817_21_06_jpegc968f8855d25286ff2dff30f2b76ed44

Imo State Governor and Visitor to Imo State University, Dr Owelle Rochas Okorocha today witnessed the 7th Convocation Ceremony of the University and invested Dr Innocent Chukwuma (Innoson) as Chancellor of the University. The overall Best Graduating Student got automatic employment as a lecturer with one million Naira from the state government. Dcn Chike Okafor, Chairman Federal House of Representatives Committee on Health and Ugwumba Uche Nwosu, Chief of Staff to the Governor jointly gave the graduant one million Naira while Dr Innocent Chukwuma gave him a brand new car.

Earlier in the day, the Chief of Staff to the Governor and a graduate of Urban and Regional Planning IMSU and first SUG Director of Transport had Commissioned two toilet facilities he donated to the Students
At the occassion, Dcn Chike Okafor gave a hundred thousand Naira to the Best Graduating Student in all departments in the Business College plus Economics while Ugwumba Uche Nwosu similarly gave same amount to the Best Graduating Student in all departments in the Faculty of Environmental Sciences.

Dr Peter Obi, the former Governor of Anambra state and several other dignitaries were at the occassion.

Gov Rochas Okorocha and wife with Nze Herbert and Amb Kema Chikwe at the event. Nze Herbert Chikwe is the Chairman of Owerri Mall

I call on all Imo industrialists and business men and women to invest in Imo State. We will encourage them like i have ensured that no administrative bottle neck or obstruction of any kind derailed this project.
I believe in the Imo Project. This is why i cited some of my businesses here even before being Governor. I have encouraged my children and relatives to do the same. This is the only state we can call our own and must do everything to ensure its progress - Gov Rochas Okorocha

We must learn when to play and when not to play politics. People wonder why i supported this project by Chief Herbert Chikwe whose wife is an oppsition politician. If i didn’t Sign the C of O and approve the building plan amongst other things, we would not be here today. I did this in the interest of Imo and for the benefit of our youths and economy of our state. Once elections are over, we must face governance squarely and put politics aside. The interest of Imo people is my priority - Gov Rochas Okorocha

Lalasticlala front page please

We must learn when to play and when not to play politics. People wonder why i supported this project by Chief Herbert Chikwe whose wife is an oppsition politician. If i didn’t Sign the C of O and approve the building plan amongst other things, we would not be here today. I did this in the interest of Imo and for the benefit of our youths and economy of our state. Once elections are over, we must face governance squarely and put politics aside. The interest of Imo people is my priority - Gov Rochas Okorocha

Shoprite is here in Owerri

Shoprite

Gov Rochas Okorocha arrives, received by Chief Chikwe

Aides of Gov Okorocha at the function, Ik Ogbonna SA ICT, Lisa Asugha Ayalla SA Special Duties and SA Finance, Mrs Betty Emenike Uzoma

More pix

Entrance

Imo people are grateful to the Governor for attracting Shoprite to the State.

All is ready as Gov Rochas Okorocha is set to Commission Shoprite in Owerri

Flex

My Governor My Governor on duty

Gov Rochas Okorocha acknowledging greetings from his aides, Barr Emma Ibediro, Commissioner for Local Government Affairs and SA ICT, Ik Ogbonna

OKOROCHA AND HIS TRADUCERS
===========================
by Dan Onwukwe
( published on Daily Sun Newspaper, pg 19 March 8, 2016)

For some months now, the governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has received an avalanche of firestorm in his plate. The forces lining up against his administration appear considerable and the nature and rhetoric of their opposition have become indeed sickening. It’s all about dirty politics. And in Nigeria, it involves high-stakes, sometimes a vicious game. Like in war, all lies seem fair and acceptable. In Imo State, where the governor has been up against organised labour, and beyond the state, and a section of the public at large, there are many people, who would want to see Okorocha crumble in front of them. But there are many who recognize his good works and still keep faith with his government.

As a journalist, I know with a degree of certainty how the media, especially in our country operate. They usually have their own storyline on issues and events that unfold over the weeks or months. It’s often a narrative that may or may not coincide with reality. In that respect, and specifically in relation to the greasy poisonous hysteria that is Imo politics, some of Okorocha’s political foes will do everything they can, to portray the governor, his aides, as a sort of bizarre phenomena that bear constant watching.

Las week, that trial ballon was deflated. The attacks on the administration were in full-throated. The governor’s opponents sought to portray him as corrupt, of fleecing the state of the bailout fund given by the Federal Government last year, for states to offset some of their obligations, including payment of workers’ salaries. The dysfunctional story was one of the big stories that dominated both the social media and mainstream media last Friday. It was a high-tech lynching of sort meant to deliver a hammer blow to the governor in which, if it sticks, it might take the governor a long time to recover.

Lets revisit some of the recent damaging reports against Okorocha’s administration. Trending last week was the vicious story that the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has uncovered a “high-level fraud” allegedly perpetrated by some aides to the governor. The punch line was that the EFCC had “arrested the Principal Secretary to the Governor, Dr. Pascal Obi, and two others – Uzoho Casmir and Iheoma Kenneth, who were described by the EFCC as directors of Finance and Treasurer”.

According to the report, an “unnamed cashier of the government was alleged to have made cash withdrawal of N456.532 millions between September 3, 2015 and October 10, 2015, from the Government House account in Zenith Bank”. It was also alleged that the said amount was given to an aide to the Chief of Staff to the Governor (Chief Uche Nwosu), following an “approval and directive by the Principal Secretary to the governor”.

Also, more damaging was a report by a national daily (name withheld) that the governor has fled the country because of investigation by EFCC into how he spent N2bn bail out funds for the state. Now, this is the vicious game, orchestrated to tarnish the image of the governor. The governor, contrary to the report, is in his office, in the state, never jetted out anywhere. An angry Okorocha, addressed the press Saturday morning to show that the report was nothing but a calculated blackmail. The governor said, “If I am with you (journalists) here this morning when someone wrote and published that I had jetted out because of EFCC, you can imagine the level of falsehood and mischief”. But, the governor said he would not take any legal action against the newspaper but would seek a retraction. The reporter of the story is said to be from the same hometown with the PDP candidate who was defeated by Gov. Okorocha in last year’s election.

On the N2bn bailout fund, the governor said the anti-graft agency visited the state several times, as it did in other states, in line with a presidential directive on the bailout funds. In other words, EFCC investigation in Imo State was nothing unusual. The governor said the state has used its bailout fund “judiciously and the records are clear and accessible, and there is nothing like diversion” as alleged. I also know that I spoke with one of the governor’s aides reported to be in EFCC custody, same day he was alleged to be in the anti-graft net. Contrary to the report, the aide was in Owerri, the state capital, not in Abuja as alleged.

One thing I know for certain is that this is poisoned politics, and a frantic search for a smoking gun against Okorocha’s administration. In such a frantic search to get their enemy, the traducers are feeding frenzy. They don’t care about facts. They just run away with the allegation, never bother to get any shred of evidence to support their orchestrated report. The governor’s enemies are surprised that instead of crumbling, the governor is getting up each time from the mat and getting his job done. Okorocha’s opponents also know that if they can’t get at him, link any “misdeeds” with his closest aide, and perhaps it will stick, at least in the eyes of the gullible public. That’s why they are dragging the name of the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Uche Nwosu, who is also a son inlaw to the Governor. I am not holding brief for the COS, but this young man is transparent, of high integrity, but fiercely loyal to the governor. I don’t see anything wrong with that, just the same way the Governor’s Special Adviser (Media), Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo. I have known Sam for over 20 years as a committed journalist who loves his job and loyal to his boss.

All of this boils down to one thing: Nothing is beyond Imo politicians to do. It’s the same all over Nigeria. That’s the battle Okorocha is up against right now. It’s not the first time that his opponents have tried to undo him. If one plot fails, try another. Two years ago, it was all about alleged registration of northerners’ resident in Imo State. The governor took a hit. It began in the National Assembly, but the masterminds were Imo representatives in the two chamber of NASS, championed by former senator, Mrs. Chris Anyanwu, who delivered a scathing remark, accusing Gov. Okorocha of drawing “unusual attention to himself”, and for not respecting the “constitutional provisions of free movement, free association, free worship which are well-cherished by our people”.

Interestingly, behind that attack was a plot to stop Okorocha’s reelection in 2015. There was no proof that the governor intended to register northerners in the state with the aim of issuing them ID card. That plot to bring Okorocha in collision course with the leaders of the North failed. Okorocha was re-elected last year, defeating former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha. The Supreme Court has since validated the governor’s victory.

Altogether, It is not in doubt that Gov. Okorocha has incurred the wrath of many in Imo State. Last year, he was called a “land grabber”, but the governor denied ever taking anybody’s land illegally. He knows what he’s up against, possibly to stop him if he wants to take a shot at the Presidency in 2019. As he told a selected journalists last December, “I work for the glory and honour of the job, not for the money”. Rather than take the state’s money, Okorocha insists, he is “the emperor of blocking the ways from where some people embezzle state money”.

He admits that “misinformation” is the problem with his government. His words, “I have good relationship with my people, I am down to earth, and my style of administration is working for Imo”. Gov. Okorocha remains one of the few governors in the country who came to power through the invitation of the people, the ordinary people, not the elite. He doesn’t have godfathers. And they could be the forces behind his present travails.

But a word of advice to the governor: Devote maximum attention to what made you the toast of majority of Imo electorate five years ago, and the famed sobriquet, “my people, my people ….., my governor, my governor”. All said, the present spar by his traducers should serve as a sobering experience from which he could learn useful lessons. For more allegations may be in the offing.

GOVERNOR ROCHAS OKOROCHA REFUTES MEDIA REPORT

-SAYS HE DIDN’T TRAVEL OUT AS CLAIMED

 

Governor Rochas Okorocha, onSaturday, March 5, 2016 (today) refuted the Thisday Newspaper online report published on Friday, March 4, 2016 that he had “Jet out of Nigeria as EFCC Queries Diversion of N2billion bailout”, with the governor stating that the report was totally false because he didn’t travel out as reported.

 

Addressing Journalists at the Government House to that effect, Governor Okorocha said he decided to have the press parley as early as 8- O’clock to refute the allegation and to show that the report was totally a blackmail because he didn’t “Jet out” to anywhere.

 

The Thisday Newspaper, had published an online report credited to their correspondent in Owerri, Andy Uneze titled “Okorocha Jets out of Nigeria, as EFCC Queries Diversion of N2billion bailout”, stating that the reporter who wrote the story having come from the same place with the governorship candidate of the PDP in the last election has always written negative things about him and the government of the state.

 

His words, “If I am with you Journalists here this morning, when someone wrote and published yesterday that I had Jet out because of EFCC, you can imagine the level of falsehood or mischief. I won’t take any legal action against the Thisday Newspaper, but I only need a retraction because the story was not true. The newspaper was deceived by the reporter.”

 

 He continued, “For a long time, I have not travelled out of the country. So the report was mischievous. The PDP has persisted on impugning on the image of the government. I call on them to leave such acts as this is the time to face governance and development.”

 

On the EFCC issue, the governor remarked that, “The EFCC querying the alleged diversion of N2billion is not out of place as the Commission has visited the state more than fifty times over the past four years and the state has always come out clean. For every report or petition or allegation made to EFCC, it is binding on them to investigate it whether founded or unfounded. That does not mean that the allegation is true.”

He continued, “Every worker in the state was paid beyond the bailout fund and period. The state used the bailout fund judiciously. The records are clear and accessible. There is nothing like diversion as alleged. You know the PDP elements are good in writing petitions. They have no other business at the moment than to write petitions.”

 

“They wrote petitions, and made allegations. The EFCC acted on the petitions and were disappointed after their investigations. The Principal Secretary, Dr. Pascal Obi reported to be detained by the EFCC is the one by my side. These people tell a lot of lies.”

 

“I want the EFCC to come as many times as possible so that when you leave government, it will be better for you. The government has performed much more than what the resources available can do. People should come and ask me what is the secret and how I have been able to achieve all these, instead of writing petitions. It is all about vision and ideas”.

 

“Imo State is not owing any bank any loan as been remoured in some quarters. The only loan payable by the state is the bailout fund. Imo State is the fatest growing city in the country, and the government intends to improve on that.”

 

Sam Onwuemeodo

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.

Tinubu, Ooni Of Ife, Sultan of Sokoto , Ajimobi and Others At Olubadan's Coronation - Photos

Another 1st was recorded at d coronation of our 41st Olubadan. D 1st Oyo State anthem was played today. Present here is D Alaafin of Oyo, Oni of Ife, Sultan of Sokoto, Emir of Ilorin, Alake of Egbaland, D Oba Of Lagos. Also here are Govs. Aregbesola of Osun, Ayo Fayose of Ekiti, AkinwumiAmbode of Lagos state, Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State and Rochas Okorocha of Imo. Former Govs of Oyo State are also here. Chief Omololu Olunloyo, Chief Adebayo Alao Akala and Sen. Rasheed Ladoja who is here in double fold as he is among d Olubadan in Council. D Jagaban of d Federation Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu is here at Mapo Hill.

Pic1- Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Muhammad Sa'ad.

Pic2- Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II. Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and The Jagaban of the universe, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Pic3- Governor Abiola Adeyemi Ajimobi and The Jagaban.

All The Olubadan's Coronation , see Photos below.

Source http://www.viviangist.com/tinubu-ooni-of-ife-sultan-of-sokoto-ajimobi-and-others-at-olubadans-coronation-photos

At the burial

Gov Okorocha at the burial yesterday evening after his return from the installation of Olu Ibadan

Gov Rochas Okorocha at the burial being received by Hon Ugonna Ozurigbo, Deputy Speaker and Commissioner Paul Ajaelu

RE: GOV OKOROCHA JETS OUT OF THE COUNTRY AS EFCC BEAMS SEARCH LIGHT ON ALLEDGED DIVERSION OF N2 BILLION BAILOUT FUND.

For the second time within 24 hours, opposition elements in Imo and their paid hirelings in the media have made false, concocted and ill motivated stories about the Governor and his aides.

Yesterday 3rd March 2016, in a bid to douse the goodwill the state enjoyed from the meeting of the Southern Governors Wives Forum held in Imo State and chaired by the wife of Gov Rochas Okorocha, Ugo Nneoma Nkechinyere Rochas Okorocha, opposition politicians went on social media alleging that the Principal Secretary to the Governor, Dr Pascal Obi was arrested by EFCC while he was part of officials involved in preparation for the Southern Governors Wives Forum.

Having failed in their first mission, they have gone ahead with another tissue of lie that Gov Rochas Okorocha has jetted out of the state as a result of the alleged EFCC probe.

Gov Rochas Okorocha actually JETTED to Ibadan today to witness the coronation of the Olu Ibadan. On his trip was Eze Imo, HRM Eze Sam Agunwa Ohiri and a few other Eze's and government functionaries. On his return from Ibadan, Gov Okorocha dropped off at Egbelu Obube to pay a condolence visit to Engr Chuks Ololo husband to his younger sister, Hon Mrs Ogechi Ololo who lost their patriarch, Chief Iheanyi Ololo.

It's a shame that opposition elements in the state have refused to come to terms with their loss of the 2015 governorship election and have sworn to remain irritants in the system. In other climes, politicians return to their main preoccupation or businesses immediately they lose election but here in Imo, opposition politicians are career politicians without 'Second Addresses' and see public office as a right.

It is worrisome that a few journalists including some in the once respected This Day Newspaper have thrown the ethics of our cherished profession to the dogs for ethnic, political and pecuniary considerations. In the report, no attempt was made to reach the media team of the governor or even any member of his cabinet.

The good people of Imo have given Gov Rochas Okorocha a resounding vote of confidence by returning him for a second term in office to the glory of God and he remains focused on the task of making Imo better.

Ik Ogbonna, anipr
Special Assistant to the Imo State Governor on Information & Communications Technology, ICT.

Gov Rochas Okorocha this evening paid a condolence visit to the Ololo family of Owerri North over the demise of their son, Chief Callistus Iheanyichukwu Ololo senior brother to Engr Chuks Ololo husband whose wife, Hon Ogechi Ololo is the Deputy Chief of Staff, Domestic Affairs, government house, Owerri.
With the governor was Deputy Speaker, Hon Ozurigbo Ugonna, Commissioner Paul Ajaelu and many other government functionaries

At the Burial

RE: GOV OKOROCHA JETS OUT OF THE COUNTRY AS EFCC BEAMS SEARCH LIGHT ON ALLEDGED DIVERSION OF N2 BILLION BAILOUT FUND.

For the second time within 24 hours, opposition elements in Imo and their paid hirelings in the media have made false, concocted and ill motivated stories about the Governor and his aides.

Yesterday 3rd March 2016, in a bid to douse the goodwill the state enjoyed from the meeting of the Southern Governors Wives Forum held in Imo State and chaired by the wife of Gov Rochas Okorocha, Ugo Nneoma Nkechinyere Rochas Okorocha, opposition politicians went on social media alleging that the Principal Secretary to the Governor, Dr Pascal Obi was arrested by EFCC while he was part of officials involved in preparation for the Southern Governors Wives Forum.

Having failed in their first mission, they have gone ahead with another tissue of lie that Gov Rochas Okorocha has jetted out of the state as a result of the alleged EFCC probe.

Gov Rochas Okorocha actually JETTED to Ibadan today to witness the coronation of the Olu Ibadan. On his trip was Eze Imo, HRM Eze Sam Agunwa Ohiri and a few other Eze's and government functionaries. On his return from Ibadan, Gov Okorocha dropped off at Egbelu Obube to pay a condolence visit to Engr Chuks Ololo husband to his younger sister, Hon Mrs Ogechi Ololo who lost their patriarch, Chief Iheanyi Ololo.

It's a shame that opposition elements in the state have refused to come to terms with their loss of the 2015 governorship election and have sworn to remain irritants in the system. In other climes, politicians return to their main preoccupation or businesses immediately they lose election but here in Imo, opposition politicians are career politicians without a 'Second Addresses' and see public office as a right.

It is worrisome that a few journalists have thrown the ethics of our cherished profession to the dogs for ethnic, political and pecuniary considerations. In the report, no attempt was made to recharge the media team of the governor or even any member of his cabinet.

The good people of Imo have given Gov Rochas Okorocha a resounding vote of confidence by returning him for a second term in office to the glory of God and he remains focused on the task of making Imo better.

Ik Ogbonna, anipr
Special Assistant to the Imo State Governor on Information & Communications Technology, ICT.

The First Ladies during the meeting

Wives of Southern Governors in Owerri, resolve to rally support for Nigeria's First Lady

By Obaji Akpet

Wives of Southern Governors have resolved to use their newly constituted Southern Governors Wives Forum (SGWF) as mechanism to support the programmes and activities of the wife of the President of Nigeria, Hajia Aisha Buhari.

This was part of the resolution reached by wives of governors of southern Nigeria after a two day meeting in Owerri under the aegis of the Southern Governors Wives Forum, an association constitutes last month by wife of the president.

In addition to the resolution reached, the forum also elected four more positions for the association to compliment the three existing once.

Those elected for the newly instituted elective positions were namely, wife of Osun State Governor, Mrs. Sherifat Aregbasola as Vice Chairperson; wife of Enugu State Governor, Monica Ugwuanyi as Financial Secretary; wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode was elected Welfare Officer; while wife of Delta State Governor, DAME. Edith Okowa emerged office of the Public Relations Officer of the association.

The objectives of the forum, the number one ladies of southern states agreed to include, among other things, to support the wife of the president in her programmes; to complement the strides of southern governors; promote unity and peaceful coexistence of southern states; to impact on the lives of indigent class of the society in southern states; and to support each other at all times.
The resolution reads in part, "the aims and objectives of the association shall be; to use the association as a mechanism to strongly support the programmes and activities of the wife of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria."

The forum further agreed to carry out some laudable projects, including projects in the area of "girl child education and child labour issues;" "women empowerment initiatives"; " health issues;" and "building of SGWF secretariat in Abuja."