Tag Archives: Imo State

Imo State Police Command has dismissed officer for killing teenager

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For allegedly killing of a 16-year-old boy, Obinna Iwuoha, last week Thursday at a police checkpoint in Ugwu Omiri, Okohia community of Isiala Mbano Local Council, Imo State, the Commissioner of Police, Taiwo Lakanu, has dismissed the trigger-happy sergeant, Wilson Ufere, from the force.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Andrew Enwerem, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, disclosed this to The Guardian on Monday in Owerri. He added that after preliminary investigations into the killing, the CP ordered for Ufere’s prosecution in the court as soon as possible.

Obinna, who was a secondary school one student, died instantly, while three others, Tochukwu Uzoukwu, 25, Chukwuebuka Donatus, 24, and Chigozie Iwuala, 28, were severely injured leading to their being in a coma for days.

Enwerem said: “The CP has directed that the officer be dismissed and he has been dismissed. After the departmental trial, he will be charged to court soon. There was an attempt to burn down the police station in Isiala Mbano by the angry mob, but the police prevented them.”

Ufere was said to be infuriated by the response and immediately released some bullets into Iwuoha’s body, killing him instantly.

 

Source: The Guardian

Magistrate Rescued By Police 2 Days After Kidnap In Imo State

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The Imo state police command has rescued a magistrate of Ihiagwa court in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo state, after reportedly spending two days in the kidnappers’ den.

The magistrate a female, was abducted on March 18 by gunmen along the Owerri-Port Harcourt expressway on her way home after close of work.

Her driver was equally kidnapped but later released by the gunmen who established contacts with her family, demanding 20million Naira as the condition for her release.

Speaking to newsmen in Owerri the Imo state capital, the spokesperson for the Imo state command, Andrew Enwerem, told newsmen that the magistrate has been rescued unhurt and reunited with her family.

Enwerem disclosed that no ransom was paid for her release. He said that the operatives of the command rescued her in an undisclosed forest.

According to him, the men of the command swung into action immediately the incident was reported to the police, and successfully the woman was rescued unhurt.

He said however, the command is investigating the incident and as soon as the criminals are arrested, they will be paraded to the general public.

Imo First Lady, Nkechinyere Okorocha Challenges Women Over Governance.

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The wife of the Imo State governor, Nkechinyere Okorocha has called on the government to give women a chance in governance and public offices.

She maintained that the importance of women in the development of the society can not be overemphasized.

In line with the International Women’s Day, themed “Be Bold for Change” the wife of the Imo state governor urged women to take advantage of the theme of this year’s programme and plan on ways of attaining greatness in all ramifications.

“As women we have to take advantage of this year’s theme and plan, we have to go back to the drawing board and realize that out importance on this earth can not be overemphasized.

“We will have to take up more responsibilities and challenges to shape the world and make it a better place.

“The government will have to increase the opportunity given to women, in all sectors of the economy and I am sure we will not disappoint the society” she added.

 

Source: Channels TV

FG Commissions 100-Unit Housing Estate In Imo State

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The Federal Government has successfully completed a 100-unit housing estate in Imo State under the Ministerial Pilot Housing Project of the Ministry of Power, Works and Hosing.

The project was built through the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria to provide low cost housing for public workers across Nigeria.

The Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing, Mustapha Shehuri, said the Federal Government through the ministry would continue to strive to ensure that the challenge of housing deficit in Nigeria was surmounted.

He added that it was government’s plan to build mass housing units across the country for public workers over the next three years through a Public-Private Partnership arrangement.

The minister was speaking in company of the Imo State Deputy Governor, Eze Madumere, who represented Governor Rochas Okorocha at the commissioning of the housing unit at Naze industrial layout in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

 

He explained that national housing models have been designed and approved for each geo-political zone, to ensure the use of standard building materials.

“This housing unit is a Private-Public Partnership (PPP) arrangement which will be affordable to Nigerians, especially public servants.

“The Federal Government through the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing has signed a two billion Naira MoU with Shelter Afri (an African shelter company), to build affordable houses for Nigerians.

“So I want to call on workers in Imo State to take advantage of this scheme,” Shehuri said.

Commending the Federal Government for the project, Mr Madumere said the project would go a long way to complement the policies of the State Government in providing affordable housing units for workers in the state.

He disclosed that the State Government was already in talks with the labour union in Imo State on the matter.

“This housing scheme is apt and what the state needs at this critical time; Imo residents need roofs over their heads. This is giving hope to the middle class earners.

“For us, it is a commendable effort. My leader and Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, is ever ready to continue to partner with the Federal Government in such programmes and projects, since it is geared towards making life better for the people of Imo State,” the Deputy Governor said.

In his address, the Managing Director of the mortgage bank, Mr Richard Esin, said the bank and the project have become effective vehicles through which the Federal Government actualises its policy for the provision of affordable housing for Nigerians.

He added that with the consistent contributions of the National Housing Fund Scheme, Nigerian workers would become eligible for mortgage loans at concessionary interest rates of 6% per annum.

“Through this scheme, over 2200 houses have been built for public workers by the Federal Government in all the six geo-political zones of the country. This in turn will surely address the housing deficit in the country,” Mr Esin said.

Climax of the occasion was the launch and cutting of the tape of the housing estate as the dignitaries were taken on a tour round the facility.

The 100-unit housing estate comprises of 48 units of 3-bedroom fully detached bungalows, 40 units of 2-bedroom semi-detached bungalows and 12 units of 1-bedroom terrace.

As disclosed by the mortgage bank, the sum of 592.3 million Naira was invested for the development of the 100-unit housing estate.

 

Source: Channels TV

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo visits Imo today, tells Nigerians to shun nepotism.

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Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has urged Nigerians to shun ethnic or religious biases. Speaking yesterday at the 2017 Murtala Muhammed Memorial lecture in Abuja, Osinbajo expressed regrets that the spirit of the Nigerian project had degenerated to the extent that, “The first question we ask is not what is the worth of a man or a woman, or what he or she can do but where he or she is from or what religious label he is wearing.

According to the acting president, Nigerians should emulate the legacy of the late General Muhammed, who even in his short reign, left indelible marks in the country.

Meanwhile, the Acting President yesterday paid an official visit to Rivers State in continuation of Federal Government’s dialogue with peoples of the Niger Delta.

He said that it was extremely discomforting that the Niger Delta region where he did his National Youths Service Corps 38 years ago was still grappling with the same challenges of underdevelopment and poverty.

He disclosed that the groundbreaking ceremony for the Integrated Contaminated Soil Management Centre provided for by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report will be performed on Thursday in Ogoni.

The acting president reassured the stakeholders that the Federal Government would continue the amnesty programme for ex-militants. In response, Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike said he was in support of the 16-point agenda submitted by the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) to the Federal Government.

Osinbajo will also pay an official visit to Imo State today. A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Sam Onwuemeodo in Owerri yesterday stated that the Acting President would inaugurate “one or two projects, out of more than two thousand verifiable projects” executed by the Governor Rochas Okorocha’s administration.

Okorocha Launches Emergency Rescue Health Centre In Imo.

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The Imo State government has commissioned a 24-hour emergency response centre aimed at delivering quality healthcare to the people of the state.

Governor Rochas Okorocha explained that the gesture by the state government was to address the deficiencies in the health sector.

He added that it would also cater for the tough challenges faced by people with petty and immediate health issues before being referred to a bigger hospital for treatment.

The Governor enjoined the people of the state to take advantage of the newly commissioned facility.

He noted that his administration was committed to delivering quality and qualitative healthcare to the people of the state, saying it has been demonstrated in the building of 27 general hospitals across the state and the ‘health at your door step initiative’.

The launch comes few days after the state government floated a new airline for commercial purposes.

In her address, the state’s Commissioner for Health, Ngozi Njoku, revealed that the centre, which is located in the heart of Owerri, has state of the art medical facilities that can cater for immediate health challenges.

She said it also has a 24-hours rapid response telephone services and stationed ambulances to help discharge its primary duties as stipulated.

The Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, who was a special guest at the event, commended the Imo State government for the development.

Professor Adewole described it as a laudable gesture that would add value to the healthcare delivery system in the state.

 

Source: Channels TV

Suspected Criminal Gang Attacks Court In Imo, Sets Accused Free.

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A suspect standing trial for crimes that include kidnapping, Henry Chibueze, also known as Vampire has escaped from Imo High Court premises following a shootout between gunmen and security operatives.

The attack left several persons wounded. No death has been reported so far.

Men suspected to be members of a gang attacked the operatives when the suspected criminal and other inmates arrived at the premises of the Imo High Court in Owerri, the capital of the southeastern state.

Eyewitness said the gunmen, over six of them, found their way into the court premises shortly after over 50 inmates were conveyed to court for hearing of various suits filed against them.

The gunmen opened fire on the security operatives and inmates at the court premises shooting sporadically into the air for over 10 minutes leaving several people wounded,.

According to the eyewitness, the gunmen were able to whisk away Henry Chibueze, whom was described as a “notorious criminal and kidnapper” who has been in prison since July 2015.

“We were here in the court premises when a lawyer came to call us to enter room three for hearing. Shortly after that we started hearing sporadic gunshots. About six gunmen entered the court and started shooting. Some people were even wounded. They came with a Jeep and eventually they whisked away one of the inmates who the prisons officials brought to the court for hearing. The gunshot lasted over 10 minutes,” the eyewitness, who do not want to be named told reporters.

“We Thought They Were DSS”

Confirming the incident to reporters, the spokesman for the Nigeria Police Force in Imo State, Maduba James, said the suspect, Chibueze, also known as Vampire was presently at large and that over five persons were critically injured due to the sporadic gun shots by the gunmen.

He told reporters that security operatives were on top of the situation to ensure that there was no breakdown of law and order in the state.

Mr James said: “We were in the office this morning when we got a call that some gunmen were in the court premises. We thought they were DSS officials because by then we were conveying over 50 inmates to the state High Court for hearing.

“However, the gunmen attacked some of our men and some of the inmates. They are critically injured now and have been taken to a hospital.

“Meanwhile, one of the inmates, who we know as Vampire, is at large presently but my controller and other security operatives are on top of the situation”.

At the moment, there is heavy presence of security operatives in the court premises and several clusters of people discussing the sad incident.

Imo Government Attracts 1bn Naira From CBN To Support MSMEs

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The Imo State government says it will commence the disbursement of one billion naira to operators of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the state.

The State government had applied for two billion naira, but got the approval for one billion naira after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had announced that it has earmarked 200 billion naira for MSMEs.

The disbursement plan was disclosed by the state’s Commissioner for Planning, Mr Iyke Njoku, during an interactive session with journalists in Owerri, the Imo State capital in southeast Nigeria.

The commissioner, who is also the Chief Economic Adviser to the State Governor, Mr Rochas Okorocha, explained that the loan was obtained from the apex bank to boost and support MSMEs in the state.

He hinted that the loan was expected to be repaid within a period of one to three years.

Mr Njoku, however, said that the loan would be strictly monitored by the state government to ensure it was not diverted from the purpose it was meant for.

2 men burnt to death for stealing motorcycle in Imo State.

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In another case of jungle justice two young have been set ablaze for allegedly stealing a brand new motorcycle from a commercial motorcyclist.

According to The Punch, the incident happened on Monday in Umuguma in the Owerri West local Government area of Imo.

An eyewitness said the deceased who were in their mid twenties had successfully snatched a brand new motorcycle from a commercial motorcyclist at the ever busy World Bank roundabout, near Owerri, the Imo capital when they were intercepted.

Before the arrival of security operatives, other commercial motorcyclists set them ablaze.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Andrew Enwerem, DSP, said his office was yet to be briefed about the incident.

EFCC Detains Former Imo Governor Achike Udenwa

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) rearrested former Imo State Governor Achike Udenwa on Wednesday in connection with an alleged campaign scandal committed during the 2015 presidential election.

 

Mr. Udenwa, as a State coordinator for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign organization in Imo State, was said to have collected the sum of N3.5m from the former senator representing Kaduna South and Director of Finance for the PDP presidential campaign organization, Nenadi Usman.

 

The suspect, in his statement to the commission, admitted receiving the money via Diamond Bank with account numbers 0058805692 and 005950791 on January 14 and 28, 2015, respectively, in three separate installments. He added that the money came from a company named Joint Trust Dimension Limited.

 

This same company was charged alongside Mrs. Nenadi Usman and the media director of the PDP presidential campaign organization, Femi Fani-Kayode, before a Federal High Court in Lagos on a similar allegation.

 

An investigation, however, revealed that Achike Udenwa and Viola Onwuliri, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs and State Minister for Education, who was his deputy at the presidential campaign organization, were the two signatories to the Diamond Bank account that received the money.

 

Upon his arrest, Mr. Udenwa was immediately granted administrative bail by the commission on the condition that he reports himself to the commission at an appointed time. But while enjoying his administrative bail, Mr. Udenwa chose to deliberately skip reporting, thereby compelling the EFCC to revoke his administrative bail pending his arraignment soon.

 

Achike Udenwa was a governor of Imo State under the flagship of the PDP between 1999 and 2007 and became Minister of Commerce and Industry between 2008 and 2010 under President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

Thursdays, Fridays Are Now ‘Farming Days’, Imo State Government Declares.

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The Imo state government has reduced the working days of some civil servants in the state. Workers are now to work for three days in a week, while they can spend the remaining two days on their farms.

 

This was as the government introduced a policy tagged: “Back to Land for Agriculture”, which is meant to enable the state workers engage and invest in agriculture for self-sustenance.

 

Governor of the State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, made the policy known when traditional rulers from the state, operating under the aegis of Royal fathers in Agriculture, paid him a courtesy call at the Government House Owerri on Monday.

 

He further explained that the State Executive Council has given approval to the new policy.

 

A statement by the state governor’s Chief Press secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, however assured that the new policy will not affect the salaries of workers.

 

The statement reads, “Against the backdrop of the “Back to Land for Agriculture” Programme, the governor directed that public servants in the state would now work from Mondays to Wednesdays, and use Thursdays and Fridays for agriculture (farming) while Saturdays can be used for ceremonies. And the directive takes effect from Monday August 1, 2016.

 

“However, the governor exempted public servants on essential duties like the teachers, nurses, doctors and people involved in Internally Generated Revenue drive. Political appointees are also exempted from the three-days working periods.

 

“We shall try this programme for the period of one year, starting from 1st of August 2016 and hopefully this will help. Let me make this emphasis before it is misconstrued or misrepresented, that this does not in any way affect the salaries of the workers.

 

“Workers will get their full salaries as been the practice. So the policy does not mean that there will be a cut in salary rather let us now find a way for our workers to supplement their salaries”.

 

He continued, “For this reason the issue of annual leave and casual leave is hereby cancelled. Resumption time for work has changed from 8am to 7.30am in the morning and ends by 4pm. Any worker that is not found on his or her seat between7.30am and 4pm on the days concerned will be summarily dismissed.

 

“Everybody must go back to agriculture. Every political appointee must own a farm. The youths would also be encouraged to take to agriculture. Schools including Universities, Polytechnics and Secondary schools in the state must own farms. The Community Government Council (CGC) must be strengthened for the sake of this agricultural programme.

 

“Two billion naira (N2b) has been set aside at the micro-finance bank for the purpose of this Back To Land For Agriculture policy so that those willing can access it. And time is gone again when politicians and some Imolites will come to government in the pretence of farming and collect loans and use it to buy cars and marry new wives.

 

“Again, the June and July Salaries would be paid this week. We are making sure that our workers are comfortable and our pensioners are happy because this is one area the whole nation is having a serious challenge.

 

“Our problem is not being unable to pay salaries but paying over-bloated salaries. We are also making effort to pay our pensioners once the harmonization is over.

 

“I also want to announce that government has appealed to families and those who organize burials on Mondays to Wednesdays to please change and have their burials on Saturdays so that we can concentrate on the government’s work and on the agricultural programme.

 

“Everything that has to do with agriculture no matter what shape it comes, government will support it. So many countries are going through economic crisis because of the fall in oil.

 

“Our nation is also going through very difficult moment. We have taken responsibility as leaders and we are not blaming anyone. Wise nations and leaders save for the rainy days.

 

“There were periods the oil price was in our favour. But those in charge then blew the money. They made no savings. Today the oil price globally has crashed and here we are. And we must fall back to agriculture as the panacea.”

Imo Govt. To Upgrade Zoological Garden

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The Permanent Secretary, Imo Ministry of Environment, Mrs Lilian Asuzu, said the government was determined to upgrade the state Zoological Garden in Owerri to become an international tourist site.

 

She told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Owerri that the measure would equally go a long way to boost the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

 

According to her, the proposed upgrading will attract huge patronage from tourists across the nation.

 

The permanent secretary said the zoological garden would promote education and research which was one of the government’s priority.

 

“As an economist, I know that government needed to diversify its economy to boost its IGR and one of the key areas was the state’s zoological garden,” she said.

 

She explained that in the entire South East, the Imo zoological garden was the only existing zoo, adding that government needed to improve its quality to make it more attractive to tourists.

 

Meanwhile, Prof. Udochukwu Nnadi, a tourist, told NAN that there was urgent need for the state government to carry out maintenance, especially at the Lion’s Cave.

 

He said the zoo had potential but the government should put certain infrastructure in place for it to be fully harnessed.

 

(NAN)

Imo State Recalls Suspended Workers To End Protests

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The Imo State government has recalled workers it suspended in 19 parastatals in the state, ending the disagreement between the government and labour unions on the issue.

The decision was reached on Wednesday after a meeting between the State government officials and some leaders of the labour unions.

In an agreement signed after talks by the ‘Committee on Joint Government-Labour Negotiation in Imo State’, an immediate recall of all suspended workers of Imo State was recommended, “notwithstanding that the parastatals in the opinion of Government should have been more productive”.

One of the other clauses in the agreement is that the gross revenue of the Government from all sources would be verified every month by the joint committee  of Government and Labour.

The agreement read: “That the Government will retain and run all its  affairs with not more than 30% of the verified revenue for the month, while the committee will apply the balance of 70% in the settlement of salaries of public servants and pensioners.

“Negotiations will continue with a view to fully accessing the wage bill of every Ministry, Department and Agency (MDA) and to determine the funding modalities of parastatals within the agreed percentage sharing framework.

“That a comprehensive agreement will be reached by both parties”.

Both parties were also of the opinion that at a quarterly interval, the position in Imo State on the critical areas would be reviewed and compliance ensured and that all revenue subheads for the month would be fully disclosed by the office of the Accountant General to select Committee of Labour.

Credit: ChannelsTv

NLC Stage Protest In Imo State

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Members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) from the 36 states of the federation led by the National President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba on Wednesday converged in Owerri the Imo State capital.

The protest is to express their displeasure over the lingering issue of the concession policy by the state government as well as the suspension of workers from 19 parastatals in the state.

The Labour shut down all activities at the Sam Mbakwe airport, Owerri and other government offices under the NLC to effect the compliance of the protest.

However, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief John Oyegun is presently at the Government House in Owerri to brief newsmen about the issues.

Meanwhile a meeting between State Government and the State Executive of the Nigeria Labour Congress is  at the moment ongoing at the office of the Secretary to the Government of Imo State as they are trying to see how to resolve the issue at hand.

Credit: ChannelsTv

Sack Of 3,000 Workers: Labour Urges Imo Residents To Stockpile Foodstuff

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As the 14-day ultimatum given to the Imo State Government to recall 3000 sacked workers and clear months of salary arrears among others, expires, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has urged the residents of the state to stock-pile food stuff and prepare for a long battle to force the government to yield to labour demands.

 

Congress called on civil society allies, market women, elders and community leaders including students to join forces with in order to restore sanity to the state.

 

A statement by Mr. Igwe Achese, President of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, and a member of the six-man action committee on Imo set up by leaders of the two factions of NLC, insisted that the planned industrial action would not only cripple the government in Imo State, but would help it to understand and appreciate the principles of respect for the moral and legal rights of her workers and citizens.

 

 

According to the statement, “It is important to inform the Governor that the movement is united on this if he is consoling himself with current events in the Congress.

 

His disappointment should also increase if he knows that the Congress has set up a Joint Action Committee, JAC, to oversee our engagement with his government. We hope that this will send a clear message of our determination to get him to align with the sovereign will of the people and workers in Imo State.

 

 

“We know the capacity for chicanery which the government possesses. Perhaps that is what has emboldened the unlawful actions he is bent on foisting on the workers in the state but we assure the government that we are fully prepared. We have seen all manners of wicked behaviour directed against Nigerian workers in the past and fortunately, we have withered all of them and are still standing unbent.

 

We assure the government that after this struggle, we shall remain standing as this has always been the historical truth. The Police are also advised not to collude with the government to continue suppressing the people because it will only add to the battered image of the force and will not stop the people from expressing their desire for equity, justice and fairness.

 

“We call on our allies in the civil society movement, market women and men, businessmen, elders and community leaders including students to join forces with us as we prepare to restore sanity to Governance in Imo state.

 

 

We advise residents of Imo state especially those in Owerri to stockpile food and other necessities as we will go the entire hog to ensure that the government is made to subject itself to the sovereign will of the people.

 

 

We also warn those who use the roads that may lead in or out of Owerri to seek other routes as traffic in these areas will be seriously affected.”

 

 

Credit : Vanguard

Sack Of 3,000 Workers: Imo Govt Begs Labour To Shelve Strike

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Imo State Government has appealed to the state and national leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, to consider the long standing cordial relationship existing between them and drop their planned shutdown of the state.

 

Labour had threatened to shut down the state if Governor Rochas Okorocha failed to recall the over 3,000 workers of the 19 parastatals, agencies and departments, which he summarily sacked recently.

 

According to a press statement signed on behalf of the Governor by his Chief Press Secretary, CPS, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, government appealed to labour not to embark on any strike that would not benefit anyone.

 

“The national leadership of the NLC should be patriotic enough to advise the leadership of the NLC in the state to honour their invitations to participate in the high-powered 18 – member committee set up by the state governor to review the cases of the staff affected by the suspension in question, so that the matter can be resolved amicably in the spirit of no victor, no vanquished”, Okorocha pleaded.

 

While recalling that the inauguration of the committee could not take place last Tuesday, because the Labour Representatives did not come for the exercise, Okorocha equally recalled that the Committee has the state NLC Chairman, the Trade Union Congress, TUC Chairman, the State Chairman of Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, and the Chairman of National Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, as members. Others chosen from labour unions are the Representative of Magistrates Association of Nigeria, Representative of Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Imo State University, IMSU, Imo Polytechnic, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Chairman of Imo State branch of Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, and representative of the Judiciary Service Union of Nigeria, JUSUN.

 

Credit: Vanguard

NLC To Shut Down Imo Over Anti-Labour Policies

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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC ) has finally resolved to mobilise to Imo State to shut it down as a response to what it termed Governor Rochas Okorocha’s anti-labour policies, workers’ retrenchment.

 

 
Besides, the congress has decided to report Governor Okorocha to the Inpector General Police (IGP) for raising armed private militia against workers and inflicting injuries on them, while also warning that there would be serious consequences if he continued.

 

 
These decisions were taken after the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the NLC, held in Lagos, at the weekend. The congress leadership visited Imo State recently where they held a rally with the workers and also met with Governor Okorocha who promised them and denied any anti-labour practices.

 

 
But barely few days after the departure of the NLC leadership, the governor sacked about 3,000 workers in some government parastatals in the state.

 

 
Rising from the NEC meeting, the NLC said: “In line with the congress’ philosophy of an injury to one is an injury to all, Congress also resolved to mobilise to Imo State to shut it down as a response to Governor Okorocha’s anti-labour policies and retrenchment of workers, in spite of his promises to the leadership of the congress that he would not take such decisions.”

 

 

 

Credit : Nigerian Tribune

Sack: Labour Gives Imo Govt. 7 Days To Reverse Directive

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The Imo chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress on Monday gave the state government seven days to reverse its sacking of 5,000 workers from its 19 parastatal agencies.

 

 

Mr Austin Chilakpu, the Chairman of Nigeria of the chapter, announced this at a news conference shortly after an emergency meeting with local government health workers in Owerri.

 

 

Chilakpu said that labour’s resolve to give the ultimatum followed reports from health workers that the government was allegedly using its agents to intimidate workers in their offices. Chilakpu added that labour leaders still disbelieved that the radio announcement sacking workers in the agencies came from government.

 

 

“Within seven days, if government failed to refute the announcement, we will now take it that the radio announcement came from government, and we will now know the next line of action to take.’’

 

It will be recalled that the government on Jan.17 announced sacking the workers.

 

 

 

(NAN)

Okorocha Sacks 3,000 Civil Servants

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Imo State governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, has summarily sacked over 3,000 workers in 19 parastatals, agencies and departments, as he stopped their salaries with effect from January 4, 2016.

 

 

A Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, source said that over 3,000 workers were affected in the sack.

 
It was gathered that “the current action of the governor, which not only came on the heels of last Wednesday’s labour protest in Owerri, headed by the National President of Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, Ayuba Wabba, is also closely linked with the recent obnoxious form which the administration forced Imo workers to sign before collecting their unpaid salaries.”

 

 

According to a statement by the Secretary to the Government of Imo State, Sir Jude Ejiogu, the workers caught in the sack-web include the Imo Water Corporation, Imo Cattle Market, Imo Sports Council, Imo State Environmental Transformation Commission, ENTRACO, Imo Marketing Company, Imo Consumer Protection Council, Hospital Management Board, and its headquarters staff.

 

 

Others are Imo Tourism Board, Imo Blue Lake of Treasure, Imo State Investment Promotion Agency, Imo Job Centre, Imo Water Development Agency, IWADA, Imo Library Board, Imo Agricultural Loans Board, Imo Livestock, Imo Poverty Alleviation Agency, Imo Palm Plantation, Agricultural Development Programme, ADP and Small Holders Unit.

 

 

Government explained that the action followed what it called “a productivity audit recently conducted in the parastatals, agencies and departments.”

 

 
The statement added that “Government is satisfied that it is no longer in public interest to keep running these agencies, parastatals and departments with huge cost on public revenue and no services to the public, under the present economic realities.”

 

 

Government promised that the affected workers would be communicated to in due course, about the administration’s next line of action regarding possible re-engagement, after the on-going concessioning exercise affecting the agencies, departments and parastatals.

 

 

The affected staff were ordered to handover all government property in their possession to their chief executives within 48 hours, while civil servants on secondment to any of the affected agencies, parastatals and agencies, were deployed to their parent ministries.

 

 

Agencies that escaped the hammer
It was gathered that the agencies of government which staff narrowly escaped Okorocha’s sledgehammer were the Secondary Education Management Board, State Universal Education Board, General Hospital Okigwe, General Hospital Aboh Mbaise, Imo Essential Drugs, Specia Education Centre Orlu and School of the Deaf and Dumb, Orodo.

 
Others are Zoological Garden, Owerri, Logara Mbaise Remand Home, Government House Clinic, Imo Broadcasting Corporation, IBC, Project Finance Management Unit, Financo Brokers, Heartland Football Club and Imo College of Advanced Professional Studies, ICAPS, Owerri.

 

 

 

Credit : Vanguard

Money Laundering: EFCC Received Over Five Petitions Against Ohakim – Witness

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A prosecution witness has told Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, received over five petitions against former Imo State governor, Ikedi Ohakim, who was arraigned on Wednesday, July 8, 2015 on a three-count charge bordering on money laundering.

 

Ohakim is alleged to have made a cash payment of $2, 290,000.00 (two million, two hundred and ninety thousand dollars), for a piece of land at Plot No. 1098 Cadastral Zone A04, Asokoro District, otherwise known as No.60, Kwame Nkurumah Street, Asokoro, Abuja.

 

While answering a question by the defence counsel, Awa Kalu, SAN, prosecution witness, Ishaya Dauda, said the Commission received over five petitions against the accused person.

 

Dauda, a Senior Detective Superintendent, SDS, with the EFCC, also told the court that some of the petitions against the accused person were received from the following sources: Alliance of Redemption and Destiny Organization; Aggrieved Imo State Citizens; Citizens for Imo Economic Security and 27 people (who are all signatories to a petition) from each of the 27 local governments in the state.

 

When asked by the defence counsel if he made any effort to confirm whether or not the groups were registered, Dauda said there was no need to do that.

 

Dauda further told the court, while answering a question by the defence counsel, that all the petitions were investigated.

 

However, when the defence counsel asked for copies of the petitions in court, the prosecution witness told the court that the petitions were in the Commission’s files.

 

“My Lord, it is important we see the petitions because the liberty and freedom and of our client is at stake. Besides, we need to see the petitions so that we can cross-examine the witness thoroughly,” said the defence counsel.

 

However, the prosecution counsel, Festus Keyamo, raised an objection to the request, saying that the defence counsel had failed to do the proper thing as required by law.

 

According to Keyamo, “My Lord, in a criminal charge, you cannot ask a witness to present copies of petitions in court. It is wrong to harass or ambush a witness to present copies of petitions against an accused person in court. If you really needed them, you should have applied for them or told me. If you want them and you tell me, I will bring them.”

 

The defence counsel then prayed the court to ask the prosecution witness to give him copies of the petitions.

 

Responding, Keyamo told the court that he would give copies of the petitions to the defence counsel within 24 hours.

 

In his ruling, Justice Ademola said the prosecution was right in his submission, adding that, “If you( the defence counsel) needed them, as you do need them, you would have asked the prosecution to give them to you.”

 

The case was adjourned to December 7, 2015 for continuation of trial.

 

Credit : PM News

“Imo PDP Deceiving Jonathan”- Rochas Campaign Organizers

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Governor Rochas Okorocah Campaign Organisation has accused the People Democratic Part PDP of not telling the people of why they want power in Imo state and that the PDP stalwart in the state are deceiving President Goodluck Jonathan.

The group in a statement signed by Sam Onwuemeodo Commander-in charge of Media, research and Strategy, Rochas Campaign Organisation said that “in line with our resolve to always remain civil and show good examples for other political parties and their candidates to follow, we want to crave the indulgence of Nigerians of goodwill, especially the patriotic citizens of Imo State to react to the latest lies of the Imo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic party, PDP, and its governorship candidate, Hon Emeka Ihedioha.

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Okorocha Picks Imo APC Governorship Ticket

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Reports say that Governor Okorocha has picked the governorship ticket  under the All Progressives Congress (APC), few hours after losing his bid for the presidential ticket.

Okorocha’s son-in-law and Commissioner for Lands and Urban Planning, Chief Uche Nwosu, who was said to have been adopted as the governorship candidate, announced his withdrawal from the race. Nwosu said “party’s interest supersedes personal ambition.” He enjoined members to give same support and solidarity to Okorocha, who was nominated in absentia as he was in Lagos where the party’s national convention was held.

Speaking before the ratification of Okorocha’s candidature, the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Mr. John Alamba, said the party had the power to substitute any candidate, who withdrew from the race. ”A few days ago, we gathered here to elect Chief Nwosu as the APC governorship candidate, but I was in Lagos when I learnt that the candidate had resigned on personal grounds. We are gathered here today to ratify Governor Okorocha as the party’s governorship candidate,” the panel chair said.

Credit: Vanguard Nigeria