INEC records 3rd attacks on facilities in Imo State - ITREALMS

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recorded the third attack on its facilities in Imo State in one month, reports ITREALMS.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Imo State, Professor Sylvia Uchenna Agu, was quoted as reported that the third in the series as the State Headquarters office in Owerri that got attacked by unknown gunmen.

INEC releases timetable for governorship in Bayelsa, Imo & Kogi - ITREALMS

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released timetable and schedule of activities for three states' governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi, reports ITREALMS.

INEC at its weekly meeting held Tuesday 25th October 2022, approved the timetable and schedule of activities for the Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States’ governorship elections.

Imo gov, Ihedioha pledges support for SPDC’s gas project - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Imo State Governor, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, has pledged the support of the government and people of the state for the success of the multi-billion dollar Assa North/Ohaji South Gas development project, reports ITREALMS.

Speaking during a visit to him in his office last week by the leadership of the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), the governor said, “We are determined to work with you to build the plant and to help Imo State fulfil its quota to the nation’s domestic gas aspiration. We are dedicated to making life meaningful for our people and to making Imo State investor friendly. Imo State shall partner with you. We have a civilised state and our hands are wide open to welcome Shell back to your original home in Nigeria.”

SPDC’s Managing Director and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Osagie Okunbor, who led the SPDC delegation, described the gas project in the state as the company’s “most important project right now” adding, “We are committed to making the Assa North Gas Project an exemplary one.”

The project, according to Okunbor, is key to driving the Federal Government of Nigeria’s ambition of marching away from a mono-economy through diverse industrial growth. “It is premier amongst the Seven Critical Gas Projects initiative led by the Ministry of Petroleum and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).”

The Assa North/Ohaji South gas project is a joint venture project involving SPDC, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Total E&P Nigeria Limited (TEPNL), Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) and SEPLAT, a leading indigenous producer.

SPDC is expected to manage the upstream operations to produce 600 million standard cubic feet of gas per day, half of which will be processed at a new SPDC JV processing plant and the remaining half sent to SEPLAT for processing at the company’s new gas processing plant. The combined volume translates to almost 2,400 MW of potential electricity generation if used for power generation.

At the meeting with the governor were the deputy governor, Gerald Iroha; Chairman of Imo State Oil and Gas Committee, John Ottih; and SPDC’s Directors — Toyin Olagunju and Igo Weli.

Nenye Dom/Editor

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Pix: L-R: General Manager, Conventional Oil and Gas of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Toyin Olagunju; Managing Director, SPDC, and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Osagie Okunbor; Imo State Governor, Sir Emeka Ihedioha; the Deputy Governor, Gerald Irona; Chairman of Imo State Oil and Gas Committee, John Ottih; and SPDC’s General Manager External Relations, Mr. Igo Weli, during a visit to the governor in his office in Owerri... last Monday.

Imo explains partnership with OGP – ITREALMS

ITREALMS: 

The Imo State Governor, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, has said the state Government applied to join the Open Government Partnership (OGP) as one of the ways of entrenching transparency in public service, reports ITREALMS.

Governor Ihedioha who gave the explanation while receiving a delegation of the British High Commission to Nigeria, Tuesday, listed other governance reforms initiatives introduced by his administration to mainstream accountability in governance.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Engr. Gerald Irona, the Governor described Imo as an investment-friendly state, reiterating the commitment of his administration to partner international organizations in ensuring good governance in the state.

“In Imo State, we are highly enterprising people and we are investor-friendly. We have very huge potentials in tourism, agriculture and education. We inherited a state with decayed infrastructure and poor morale of citizens, occasioned by poor governance. Pensioners were owed for over eighty months and the Governor has now started paying. Governor Emeka Ihedioha has taken steps towards restoring public confidence in governance, with rule of law as a cardinal principle. We met an Internally Generated Revenue- IGR base of N258m monthly. His Excellency introduced reforms to entrench transparency and accountability in governance. Through Order 005, the Treasury Single Account -TSA was introduced and as a result, so many leakages in revenue have been blocked. Last month, we generated over N800m, as against N258m that we inherited as IGR.”

“We are implementing the IPPC accounting standards. We have applied to join the Open Government Partnership-OGP, as one of our transparency initiatives. We are opening up the government for citizens’ scrutiny and participation. We have opened an Efficiency Unit in the Ministry of Finance, with a view to reducing the cost of governance. We are investment-friendly and the Governor has set up a desk for ease of doing business in the state. We seek investments in the areas of Power, Agriculture and Tourism. Imo State is willing and ready to partner with the DFID.”

Earlier in her presentation, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing said they were in the state to identify areas of possible support through the Department for International Development.

“We are in your state to get a better understanding of what is on the ground, with a view to knowing how we can support governance in Imo State. We have programmes that will be beneficial to you. We also wish to understand the challenges you are facing in the state.”

Uboshe Uboshe/Editor

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Imo says oil lords not criminals - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Imo State Government has said that oil landlords are not criminals as have been wrongly allude in some quarters, reports ITREALMS.

The Deputy Governor of Imo State, Engr. Gerald Irona who gave this clarification said, people of the two Oil Producing Local Government Areas of Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta in the state are not criminals.

The Deputy Governor made the clarification in a welcome address he delivered during the first Security Summit of Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta Local Government Areas, held at Oguta Civic Center, Oguta, weekend.

He blamed the impression of criminality about people of the area on the activities of a few, whom he accused of giving people of the area a bad name.

Engr. Irona described the summit as aimed at addressing security challenges in the two oil producing Local Government areas of the state.

“This Summit is aimed at addressing security challenges in the two oil producing Local Government Areas of Imo State. It is expected that the meeting will identify the causes of insecurity in the area and proffer possible solutions. Today, we shall agree on how best to protect our people.”

“The present Government of Imo State identified some flashpoints. Principal among the flashpoints are Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta Local Government Areas. Co-incidentally, that is where we have the oil facilities and installations in Imo State.”


“Stakeholders therefore appealed to His Excellency, the Governor, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, to approve the re-jigging of the security architecture of the area. His Excellency graciously approved this summit, with a view to creating a forum for the discussion of the worrying security issues in the area and this is why we are here today. Efforts are being made to ensure a sustainable offensive against every form of criminality in the state. This Summit is one of such efforts.”
“Again, the provision /donation of vehicles to Law Enforcement Agencies by ISOPADEC to aid their operations is part of the ongoing efforts towards strengthening the security of the area.”
“The truth is that we are not criminals. A few bad eggs are making our area notorious. We shall not allow them to tarnish our collective image. No one shall make us live in fear in our ancestral homes. No one will frighten and threaten us at will again. That era is gone.”
Continuing, the Deputy Governor identified forms of criminal activities in the area to include cultism, kidnapping, oil bunkering, banditry, rape, armed robbery and proliferation of arms.
He expressed appreciation to the Governor of Imo State, Chief Emeka Ihedioha for what he described as his show of love for people of the area, describing him as a promise-keeper.
Meanwhile, as part of its support to the security of lives and property, the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission -ISOPADEC weekend, donated Six Hilux branded vehicles to Law Enforcement Agencies in the state.
Commissioning the vehicles during the first Security Summit of Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta, Governor of Imo State, Chief Emeka Ihedioha reiterated the commitment of his administration to the security of lives and property in the state.
He commended the ISOPADEC management for what he described as their people-oriented programmes, urging them to do more to better the lives of the people.
Highlights of the Summit were: paper presentations by the Service Chiefs in the state, including the Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Ladodo, Brigade Commander, 34 Field Artillary Brigade, Obinze, Brigadier General Ibrahim Yusuf, Imo State Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, Raji Ibrahim, Director, State Security Services, Iquo Arthur-Worrey and Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nse Inam.
Earlier in their remarks, Chairman of the occasion, General Kalu Egwuagu and Special Adviser on Security to the Governor of Imo State, Raymond Nkemdirim described security as essential to development, even as they urged law enforcement personnel deployed to the area to be professional in the discharge of their duties.

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OGP and Imo’s Good Governance Voyage-1 - ITREALMS

MidWeekCommentary@ITREALMS: 

One of the cheering news in Imo State today is that the administration of Governor Emeka Ihedioha has submitted a Letter of Intent to join the Open Government Partnership, Nigeria. This confirmation came from the Secretariat of OGP Nigeria, Abuja. The implication is that the state has made some commitments in the area of Open Government.

Imo State government sources identified some of the commitments made by the state to include: Access to Information, Anti Corruption, Open Budgeting, Fiscal transparency, Open Contracting and Citizens Engagement.

Enquiry at the OGP National Secretariat revealed that a Letter of Acceptance of Application to Imo State has already been signed by the Attorney General and Minister for Justice and will likely arrive Owerri, the State capital this week.

Open Government Partnership (OGP) is a multi-stakeholder initiative that focuses on improving government transparency, accountability and responsiveness to citizens through technology and innovations. It was launched in 2011 by eight founding member-countries, following their endorsement of the Open Government Declaration. The eight countries are: Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Norway, The Philippines, South Africa, United Kingdom and United States of America.

Nigeria joined the OGP in July 2016, two months after President Muhammadu Buhari attended the Anti- Corruption Summit organised by the government of the United Kingdom in May, 2016. At the Summit, the Nigerian President reaffirmed his government’s commitment to strengthening anti-corruption reforms and bringing integrity to governance through leadership by example. He announced Nigeria’s commitment to Global Open Government Partnership principles and directed the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to implement the commitments made in London.

ALSO READ: 100 days of Emeka Ihedioha by Chris Uruakpa - ITREALMS

In July, 2016, the Federal Ministry of Justice, under the leadership of Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, organised a Stakeholders session on the OGP to identify members of the Steering Committee and to discuss the implementation framework of the OGP Principles. One of the highlights of the meeting was the self-selection of the Civil Society representatives at the Steering Committee. Subsequent meetings were held, where the Action Plan and other related issues were discussed.

For OGP to be operational in any state, such a state is required to implement commitments made by the state government; endorse a high-level Open Government Declaration; deliver a state action plan developed with public consultation (government and civil society); Commit to independent reporting on their progress and contribute to peer learning.

Now that the administration of Chief Emeka Ihedioha, pursuant to his electoral promise of entrenching good governance has commenced this journey, steps need to be taken to close the gaps identified in the process.

For the first time in eight years, Imo State annual Budget is online- on the state official website. This is part of the proactive disclosure obligations of the state government under the FOI Act. This, no doubt is a step in the right direction.

The giant strides of the Governor Emeka Ihedioha-led administration in the areas of ease of doing business and open contracting cannot also go without mention.

However, there is need for a stakeholders’ session for state and non-state actors on OGP implementation in the state. The need for members of the state steering committee to emerge cannot be overemphasized.

Again, pursuant to the commitments, there is need for efforts to be fast-tracked towards adopting the Freedom of Information Act in the State. The summary of commitments on Access to Information is implementation of the FOI Act in Imo State. Although the FOI Act is applicable in all states of the federation, having an Imo State version will further show the commitment of the present administration in Imo State to transparency principles.

There is no gainsaying the fact that the present administration in Imo State, led by Governor Emeka Ihedioha is committed to entrenching openness and accountability in governance. This indeed, is a new beginning for Imo State.

While we await a Letter from the OGP Nigeria National Secretariat, accepting Imo State’s application, the foundation needs to be laid for a smooth implementation of OGP principles in Imo State.

Steps need to be taken to make Imo citizens own the OGP process, to ensure effective implementation, lest it becomes another elitist initiative.

The time to act is now!

*Dr. Walter Duru, a Communication expert is a member of the National Steering Committee of OGP, Nigeria, where he co-chairs the Access to Information Working Group. He also chairs the Board of the Freedom of Information Coalition, Nigeria.
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Sam Amadi: Journey to remove legacy deceit, murderous incompetence in Imo - ITREALMS

ForTheRecords@ITREALMS:

A text of a Statement Made by DR. SAM AMADI, APGA Gubernatorial Aspirant for Imo State 2019 on Tuesday, September 4, 2018 while Collecting his Nomination Form.

Today, we officially begin the process to end the legacy of deceit, corruption and audacious immorality in Imo.

Today, we raise the APGA flag signaling the beginning of the onslaught against a legacy of ‘Iberiberism’ in Imo State and the beginning of building strong foundations for prosperity, justice and accountability in Imo State.

Today, we raise the voice of millions of Imo citizens who have courageously declared an end to impunity, to unbridled stealing of public wealth and the criminality of mendacious 419 operatives who have hijacked political power since the end of the illustrious Sam Mbakwe era.

Today, as I pick this nomination form Imo citizens declare their determination to fight every inch of the way to liberate their land from poverty for many and stupendous wealth for just a few.

We know it will be a tough battle. Those who invaded political leadership in Imo and built this infrastructure of poverty and misery have consolidated their political power in the state through continuous impoverishment of the citizens.

But we can hear the voice of the people proclaiming an end to poverty; we can hear the people refusing to be deceived again and again; we can hear them looking for a new leadership.

We are in APGA because Imo people have chosen APGA as the vehicle of redemption. APGA is ready to end the Okorocha legacy and the legacy of similar deceitful and incompetent leaders who have raped and wasted the potentials of the state.

APGA’s manifesto focuses on sustainable community-based prosperity and social justice. APGA emphasizes responsibility and accountability to the people. APGA articulates the egalitarianism and productivity that define the Igbo worldview. APGA represents those character traits and competencies that made Eastern Nigeria the fastest growing economy in the World under M.I. Okpara in the 1960s and Imo State under Sam Mbakwe the fastest industrializing state in the 1980s.

In the 21^st century, governance has been complex. Imo needs a competent hand to start the rebuilding. Considering the damage Governor Okorocha has inflicted on Imo State, in 2019 Imo can’t afford another one from the tribe of political entrepreneurs whose interest in public office is to maximize personal wealth and indulge in endless sensuality. Imo needs a man or woman of integrity, compassion and competence. Imo needs a Governor who can envision transformation and deliver it on time. Imo needs an upgrade of Sam Mbakwe, a governor whose lack of interest in personal wealth enables him or her to focus all energies towards building economic and social infrastructure of rural prosperity. That person is me. I am ready to provide such a leadership.

My colleagues and I at the New Imo Movement have developed a Community Action Plan for Prosperity based on the social democratic values in the APGA manifesto and the time-tested principle of economic and social development, more recently from the Asian continent.

This plan has three agenda. Rural industrialization, health and education and open government.

We start with a commitment to return 100 per cent of all local government allocations to the local government council to be used singular to build rural economy. We have to end poverty in Imo by making communities prosperous.

Our grand rural industrialization plan will lead to 108 cottage industries in Imo State in one year and create about 108,000 new jobs for unskilled and medium skilled youths. 27 local government councils in Imo State will have 305 quality health centers and we will have public schools that are comparable to the best private schools.

We will end the apartheid that subjects the children of the poor to failed schools that lead to more poverty and misery. The New Imo is an equal opportunity society.

From May 29, we start this difficult march to establish the vision of the founders of APGA and present a model to the world of an African economic and social miracle better than the Asian miracle. We can do it at the Heartland of Southeast. The Sun will once again rise from the East.

We are ready and willing. This task is urgent and pressing. That is why we are in a hurry to pick the nomination form and begin the journey to end Rocha’s Nightmare. Join us.

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Imo Adult Levy: Taxation without human face - Opara-Ndudu

ITREALMS:

Governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)  for the 2019  gubernatorial election in Imo State, Nick Opara-Ndudu , has criticized  the introduction of adult  levy by Governor Rochas Okorocha, reports ITRealms.

Opara-Ndudu also accused Okorocha of being  insensitive  to the sufferings of the people, who are now enmeshed  in debilitating  poverty induced by his seven years misrule.

ITRealms recalls that the Imo State Government (IMSG) had on Friday in a statement by  Louis Duru, the State Commissioner For Community Government, Culture and Traditional Affairs , on behalf of the Governor, stated that all “leviable adults” in the state have been ordered to pay N3,000 each as adult development levy.

According to Duru, who noted that the state had registered at least 2,000 leviable adults in each autonomous community, the money is to be used for “autonomous community adult development”. Each recognized autonomous communities in the state, will serve as the collectors and they are to pay not less than N6 million each.

Reacting to the development, Opara-Ndudu said the “announcement by IMSG requiring all adults to pay N3,000 monthly or N36,000 per annum is, to say the least, a step in the wrong direction,” adding that  with this pronouncement, it is clear that the government is determined to continue in its misguided and justifiably vilified programme of punishing and impoverishing Imo citizens rather than work for their welfare and peaceable enjoyment of their livelihoods. 

“In a state where the rural folks have gone through untold harassment and psychological torture in the past seven years, one needs to remind Governor Rochas Okorocha that the basis for the existence of any government is the welfare and well-being of the people. And any government that loses sight of this raison d'etre for its existence, as is the case in Imo state today, loses credibility and justification for its existence. 

“As a professional accountant and public finance practitioner, I do know that there  is a plethora of initiatives that can be pursued by IMSG to raise and increase revenues without burdening the citizens with additional taxes and levies. For the record, it needs to be mentioned that Imo State achieved its highest revenues since its creation in 2014 when it recorded N8.1 billion in revenues. 

“From monthly revenue of about N320million at the beginning of 2014, the state made incremental progress in the course of the year reaching as high as N800million in the third  quarter of 2014. These results were achieved under my watch as the Pioneer Commissioner of Internal Resources(IGR) and Pension Matters, having assumed that position in January 2014 for the following  nine months,” he disclosed.

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

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Easter Message: Opara-Ndudu assures APGA will raise Imo again

ITREALMS:

An Imo governorship aspirant for 2019 gubernatorial election on the ticket of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Nick Opara-Ndudu, has sent an Easter greeting to Imo State citizens in the country and Diaspora, urging them not to lose hope as the state “will rise again” if given  the mantle of leadership of the state next year, reports ITRealms.

  In the Easter greeting titled “Imo Will Rise Again”,  which is contained in a video message now circulating in the country and other parts of the world,  Opara-Ndudu told  Imolites to emulate the virtues of Jesus Christ as epitomised by his passion, persecution, death and resurrection during Easter, and to pray to the Almighty God to give them the grace to come together to build a state that both present and future generations would take pride in, by taking inspiration from the teachings of Christ.

The former Imo commissioner promised quality and purposeful leadership that will bring about the transformation of the state and improved quality of the lives of the citizens, which he said has deteriorated in the last seven years, adding that the transformation would touch all sectors of the economy of the state.

 He pledged to overhaul the economy by reviving the agriculture and industrial sectors as well as providing quality education, security, health, housing, road  network, if given the mandate to run the state on the ticket of APGA.  All of these are contained in his blueprint which, he said  would  soon be unveiled.

A Chartered Accountant by training, Oparad-Ndudu, who spent over two decades in the banking sector and rising to the position of a Deputy Managing Director, holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy from University of Nigeria Nsukka. He has also attended training programmes in  economics, banking and finance, as well as management  within and outside the country.

While in the banking sector, he provided useful financial advice and facilities that enabled many small and medium businesses, across the length and breadth of the country, to grow bigger and now adding values to the economy of the country.

This, combined with his public sector experience, the former bank boss said he  has the required experience of working in a structured environment and the disciplined approach to accomplishing tasks that come with such exposure and experience. These are qualities that would come handy in addressing the rapacious destruction of the civil service bureaucracy and non compliance with due process in the state.

A practicing Catholic Christian and an indigene of Emekuku, Owerri North Local Government of Imo State, Opara-Ndudu said   “I have spent the better part of the past six months building up a network of concerned Imo Citizens to confront the monster that is before us.

As a former student union leader and a veteran of such struggles, I am supremely confident that the will of Imo people (and not cash ) shall prevail in due time and season. And together, Imo will rise again.”

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

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Prof. Iwu, Zinox chairman Ekeh, others drum support for Imo development with IEDI

ITREALMS:

The former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Maurice Iwu, renowned serial digital entrepreneur and Chairman, Zinox Group, Dr. Leo-Stan Ekeh, Senator Chris Anyanwu and a host of other prominent sons and daughters of Imo State have drummed support for the development of Imo State, reports ITRealms.

They expressed determination to see Imo State enjoy an unprecedented level of socio-economic development commensurate with the immense potential and human capital resources at its disposal.

The eminent sons and daughters, ITRealms reports, made this call on penultimate Thursday, December 28th 2017 at the launch of the Imo Economic Development Initiative (IEDI) – a landmark private initiative set up to boost human capacity development, wealth creation and poverty alleviation in the state.

The high-profile event also witnessed the commissioning of the IEDI office located in Owerri.

In his speech at the event, Chairman of IEDI, Prof. Iwu disclosed that, in addition to the need to address the development challenges of Imo State, the driving force behind the establishment of IEDI was to stir aright the socio-economic affairs of the state in order to complement the efforts of past, present and future governments of the state.

“While each government administration, past or present has put in some efforts to improve the condition of the state, and amidst the clamour for political power, it has become apparent that our beloved state would benefit from citizens’ involvement and private sector engagement, to see Imo progress to a level that is a true reflection of the enormous talents, intellectual and material resources of its sons and daughters at home and in the Diaspora.”

According to him, a deliberate well-thought out plan of strategies to accomplish the goals are being addressed in the areas of agriculture, urban renewal of the three major cities in the state, rural vitalization, health, energy, education and security.

“Imo sons and daughters have excelled in many fields of human endeavour but there appears to be no nexus between the acclaimed individual educational and business accomplishments and our ability to develop our state or to produce and effective and responsive governance structure. The challenge facing us now is to development of Imo economy to reduce poverty and unemployment, create wealth and improve their internally generated revenue of the state.

“We are greatly encouraged by the progress members of IEDI have made in areas such as agriculture, infrastructure, projects on skills acquisition and exploring Federal resources in energy, industries reactivation and health care development. Projects in information technology are being articulated by some of our members to prepare our state to participate meaningfully in the IT-driven knowledge economy. We are in contact with our brethren in neighbouring states and our members have indeed facilitated the establishment of corporate joint-ventures with like minds. 

“The IEDI plans to hold an economic investment summit early in 2018 in partnership with the government of Imo State to highlight the low-hanging fruits projects for investors and entrepreneurs, articulate an economic development blueprint that will accommodate short-term, medium-term and long-term goals of the state and how to accomplish them.”

Also speaking at the event, Chairman, Zinox Group, Ekeh, who highlighted the important role ICT can play in rewriting the history of Imo State, also harped on the essence of a conducive and responsible political climate in the state as a necessary condition to attract prospective investors.

“Through ICT, Imo State has the potential of becoming a conveyor belt of globally-certified talents that will create sustainable wealth, not only for the state but for Nigeria and the African continent at large. ICT remains the only profession in the world today that can make the son of a poor man the richest man in the world.  By making significant investments in this area, we can unleash the power of the youths, give them a level playing ground with their contemporaries in other parts of the world and make them global citizens. I assure you, the effects will transform the state and change the narrative for good. Sadly, the governments and even those at the centre seem not to realize the huge potential in this area.

“I must also point out the need for us to ensure that we contribute in ensuring we get our political governance structure correct and responsible to the development needs of the state. This is because investors calculate political risks before making investment decisions and only a stupid investor will want to put his money in a state where the political system will negatively affect his investment,” he counseled.

While expressing agreement with Ekeh, Prof. Iwu noted that though non-partisan, the IEDI will show an active interest in the governance of the state, going forward.

“Our prime focus remains the economic development of our state through private sector funding and leveraging on available Federal and State Government resources. But we are keen stakeholders in the affairs of Imo State, including how it is governed,” he concluded.

Among the dignitaries and well-meaning citizens of the state in attendance at the high-profile event were renowned technocrat, doyen of Corporate Nigeria and founder of Diamond Bank PLC, Dr. Pascal Dozie; Chairman, National Population Commission, Mr. Eze Duruiheoma (SAN); former President, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Rtd. Major General Sebastian Onwuama; industrialist and past President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Engr. Charles Ugwu; Pioneer Vice-Chancellor, Michael Opara University of Agriculture, Prof. Placid Njoku; former Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Prof. Jude Njoku; astute politician and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Imo State, Chief Jerry Chukwueke; former PDP Deputy Chairman, Imo State, Chief Cosmos Iwu; former Nigerian Ambassador to Hungary, Chief Eddy Onuoha; Chairman, First Index Group and former member, Federal House of Reps, Chief ThankGod Ezeani and media consultant, scholar and frontline Nigerian journalist, Chief Amanze Obi.

Others include Chief Cyril Amako, Dr. Vin Udokwu, Chief Louis Ezeigwe, Dr. Chinedu Iwu, Chief Patrick Okereke, Chief G.G. Iheka, Chief Charles Onyirimba, Mr. Uchenna Iwu, Engr. John Obinna Chukwu; Dr. Bola Njoku, Mr. Ifeanyi Agwu, Dr. Mrs. Chukwu Ngozichukwu; Dr. Harold Onunmuo, Chuka Gabriel, Mr.& Mrs. Wilson Nwafor, Ifeanyi Ukaigwe, Steve Nwoga, Barr. Golden Nwosu,Timothy Iheamatu, Mr. & Mrs. Emeka Agoawike and Chidi Nkpobara, among others.

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

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Mega Praise Concert: Imo offers prayers for Nigeria

ITRealms:

The Imo State capital, Owerri is set for an all-night mega praise and worship concert scheduled for today, Thursday January 5, reports ITRealms.

Performances, ITRealms gathered would see a host of headline gospel artistes as well as prayers and exhortations offered up for Nigeria and the host state for a more rewarding 2017.

The event, ITRealms also report, is hosted by the office of the Wife of the Executive Governor, Her Excellency Nkechi Rochas Okorocha, in partnership with the entertainment division of Yudala, Nigeria’s fastest growing and pioneer composite e-commerce outfit.

With the theme: Starting the Year with Jesus Christ, the event is expected to attract an estimated 110,000 strong audience including the entire Christian community, First Ladies from other states, First Class Chiefs and traditional rulers from Imo State as well as several dignitaries to the Heroes’ Square, Owerri for a night of undiluted praise, worship and supplications to usher in the New Year.

Already, excitement is at an all-time high in Owerri for the concert which will witness performances from some of Nigeria’s finest Gospel Ministers including Chioma Jesus, Frank Edwards, Steve Crown, Chinyere Udoma, Able Cee, Uche Agu and comedy skits from Aboki4Christ, among others.

Top on the agenda for the all-night concert will be a feast of prayers and supplications led by anointed men of God representing the various Christian denominations in Imo State. These will focus on intercessions to God for a prosperous, peaceful and more rewarding year for all citizens of Imo State in 2017. 

In addition, prayers will be offered for peace and unity in Nigeria as well as God’s divine intervention in the myriad of challenges faced by the country including the prevailing economic recession and the militancy/restiveness in parts of the country which poses a threat to the continued unity of the Nigerian State.

Going by the array of Gospel Ministers and the expected out-pouring of praise, prayers and worship at the event, many attendees are in for a glorious time of healing, liberation and a chance to start the New Year with a renewed personal relationship with God.

Uju N. Dominic/GEE

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Oganiru urges Ndi-Igbo to be vigilant, defend themselves

ITRealms:

A socio-political and cultural organization of Igbo speaking people in Abia, Anambra, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Rivers States of Nigeria, the Igbo Improvement Union (Oganiru Ndi-Igbo) has urged Ndigbo to be vigilant and ready to defend themselves, life and property by any and every means possible, reports ITRealms.

A communique issued by the group and made available to ITRealms on the gruesome attack on Ukpabi-Nimbo in Uzo-Uwani LGA of Enugu State, and endorsed by 14-man signatories led by its President-General, Hon. Ugochukwu Agballah and Secretary-General, Chief Edozie Njoku, made this known after a closed door meeting with Igwe John Ikemefuna Akor, Agaba Idu XXIV of Ukpabi-Nimbo Community in Uzo-Uwani LGA of Enugu State.

The group expressed shock and disbelief on the wanton destruction of lives and property in Ukpabi-Nimbo, the Union said it is scandalized that such ethnic cleansing and palpable act of brigandage could take place in a 21st-century Nigeria.

The Union was dismayed over inability of the joint patrol team stationed at Uzo-Uwani LGA in arresting these criminals in spite of all reports to the law enforcement agencies about the impeding attack.

Oganiru Ndi-Igbo reaffirmed its earlier position taken at Umuahia, Abia State on April 23rd 2016, “That the entire Igboland should be excised from the proposed grazing reserve/ranch, noting that this latest invasion is a proof that the Fulani herdsmen are the greatest threat to the corporate existence, territorial integrity and structural indivisibility of the Nigerian State.

The Union further admonished the Buhari-led Federal government of Nigeria for its inability to use security forces in apprehending Fulani herdsmen who unleash mayhem on communities all over the country and wondered why it is only Fulani herdsmen that are allowed to carry AK47 all over the place without police ever  arresting any of them.

“The genocidal activities of the Fulani herdsmen are most injurious to the Nigerian state than the activities of secessionist organization,” the union said.

Ike Okeugwu/GEE

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Samsung smart schools target 10,000 teachers across Nigeria

ITRealms:

The Samsung Smart School for Teachers initiative is targeting an estimated 10,000 teachers across five states in Nigeria, namely Ogun, Rivers, Delta and Imo respectively, reports ITRealms.

Managing Director, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Brovo Kim, made this disclosure at the launch of the project at Federal Government Boys College, Apo, Abuja in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Education.

He also said that the Samsung Smart School for Teachers in Apo would be the first of five launched in Nigeria, with others planned for Ogun, Rivers, Delta and Imo states, which anticipated result will be a collective 10, 000 teachers receiving training as primary beneficiaries, and a further 5,000 students impacted as secondary beneficiaries, over a five year period.

“The Samsung Smart School concept is implemented in urban schools with the infrastructure, but not the skills needed to use IT for teaching and learning. In line with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal to improve education, we believe it is essential to equip teachers with basic computer literacy, as well as the tools they need to use ICTs for curriculum development and more impactful teaching; and the Samsung Smart School for Teachers is an important step in achieving this,” he said.

Kim pointed out that with the launch of the Samsung Smart School for Teachers at the Federal Government Boys College, teachers would receive training to empower them to access digital content, share it with students, monitor students’ progress and conduct assessments.

ITRealms recalls that the initiative is part of Samsung’s global efforts to use technology to increase the quantity of students who have access quality learning materials and facilities, as well as to improve the quality of education given out by tutors.

Representative of the newly appointed Federal Minister of Education, Mr. Adamu Adamu, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan expressed her excitement about the impact this will have on education in Abuja. She recognized and applauded Samsung’s effort and contribution towards ICT development within the country.

“We are indeed grateful to Samsung for tapping into the goal of the ministry of education to train quality teachers. We encourage all beneficiaries of this project to take full ownership of the project and let the improved quality of teaching reflect in our students’ results” she said, urging stakeholders in the education sector to partner with the ministry of education to salvage the country’s educational system.

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