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Ohakim, Orji win at Appeal tribunal IT was another round of victories for Imo State Governor Ikedi Ohakim and his Abia counterpart, Theodore Orji, yesterday as their victories were upheld by the Elections Appeal Tribunal sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State yesterday. The tribunal dismissed petitions seeking to nullify the elections of the two governors. Justice O. Ariola dismissed the appeal filed by Martins Agbaso of the All Peoples Grand Alliance (APGA) and upheld the earlier decision of the governorship and House of Assembly elections tribunal in Imo State. Agbaso, who was dissatisfied by the outcome of the governorship election in his petition argued that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had no power to cancel the first election held in Imo State on April 14, 2007 which he claimed he won. According to him, there was no election in Imo State on April 28, 2007. But Justice Ariola while delivering ruling, insisted that INEC has the statutory power to cancel an election, which it deemed inconclusive. The judge noted that since no contestant was returned winner in the elections, the matter was a post-election issue. The court further noted that from Agbaso's processes, it was obvious that he was challenging the elections of April 28 and not that of April 14, 2007. The court said having not pleaded anything on the material he filed before it, it was assumed that he had opted to abandon his pleadings. Justice Ariola then ruled that the April 28, election was valid because INEC had earlier stated that the April 14 poll was inconclusive. To this end, the court said the electoral commission acted within the ambits of the law and that the election of Ohakim was valid. In a unanimous judgment backed by Justices S.A. Ibiyeye; P. Galinje; C. Ogunbiyi and G. Shoremi, the court awarded N30,000 cost in favour of Ohakim and two other respondents in the matter. Similarly, the petition by the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) governorship candidate in Abia State in the April 2007 polls, Mr. Ikechi Emenike, was also dismissed by the Appeal Tribunal. Emenike in his petition had insisted that Orji whose election had been nullified by the state election petition tribunal in another suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Onyema Oguchukwu, was not qualified to be a governor due to an indictment by a panel of inquiry. But Justice Gbalinje who delivered the ruling dismissed the petition on the ground that the purported indictment report had been quashed by a competent Federal High Court in Kaduna. She said that once a court of competent jurisdiction has through an order of certoriari taken a judgment or process into its court and quashed it, there remains nothing of such, particularly if the quashed indictment was not through an interlocutory injunction.
Ohakim inaugurates IMSU visitation panel OWERRI — A visitiation panel into the affairs of Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri, has been inaugurated by the Imo State government. The visitation panel, which is headed by the retired judge of the Court of Appeal, Justice Sylvanus Adiewere Nsofor, is expected among other things, to critically look into the affairs of theUniversity from 2004 till date. Performing the inauguration ceremonies in the Multi Purpose Hall, Government House, Owerri, the Governor Ikedi Ohakim, regretted that the state government had received very unpleasant reports about the goings on in the state owned University. He was particularly irked that the institution has been sadly christened “Imo Commercial University”, adding that “this is and cannot be a good testimonial for any institution worth its salt”. Chief Ohakim, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Ada Okwuonu, decried a situation where the award of degrees, certificates and admission of students, were given to the highest bidder. The Governor similarly condemned what he termed “the high level of staff indiscipline, mediocrity, corruption, administrative incompetence, falsification of students’ grades and examination malpractices associated with the University”. He reminded the panellists that their assignment “is very sensitive” and should be carried out with seriousness. Responding, the Chairman of the Panel, Hon, Justice Nsofor, who was represented by a member of the panel, Professor Nnamdi Asika, assured the government and people of Imo State that they would discharge their duties very creditably.
Guber polls: Ohakim, Orji win at Appeal Court IT WAS jubilation galore yesterday at the premises of the Appeal Court in Port Harcourt when the five-man Election Appeal Tribunal gave ruling in favour of Governors Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State and Theodore Orji of Abia State. The separate judgements ordered that the governors should continue in their capacity at their various states. Ruling on Imo State, Justice O.Ariola said the appeal by Martins Agbaso of the All Progressive Grand Alliance lacked merit and was therefore struck out. Agbaso had in his nine point motion of appeals among other things sought the court to declare that INEC lacked the constitutional power to cancel the April 14, 2007 governorship poll which he claimed to have won and then rescheduled it for April 28. He argued that there was no election on the new date. But in its verdict, the court said the Commission was right to cancel the election it said was inconclusive. It also noted that since no winner was presented the matter should be treated as post election matter. The court maintained that INEC acted within the ambit of the law and also conducted what it dubbed a valid election. Justice Ariola continued that from the heading of the prayers by Agbaso it was clear the petitioner was challenging the election of April 28 but it would be taken that he abandoned his pleas since he did not plead anything on the material he filed before the court. He later awarded N30,000 cost in favour of Ohakim and two other respondents. Justices Ibiyeye P. Galinje, C. Ogunbiyi and G. Shoremi endorsed the judgement. On Abia State poll, the appellant Emenike Ikedi in his argument maintained that Governor Theordore Orji should not have been allowed to contest because he was allegedly indicted by a panel of enquiry. The judgement delivered by Justice Gbalinje also dismissed the appeal as lacking in merit and thus struck out in accordance with the law. According to the judgement, the outcome of the enquiry had been properly quashed by a federal high court in Kaduna. According to the Justice once a competent court through an order of certoriari quashes a judgement that issue ceases to exist. “A Federal High Court in Kaduna quashed the indictment of the administrative panel against the respondent on alleged corrupt practices. Once a piece of legislation or document has been quashed, it no longer exists and therefore theTribunal was right in holding that there was no indictment against the respondent”. The appeal tribunal assured that statement of the judgement would be made available in due course.
NSE to establish Owerri branch OWERRI — A BRANCH of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) is to be enthroned in Owerri,by the end of this year. "We started this quest for the establishment of a branch of the Nigerian Stock Exchange in Imo State during the Chief Achike Udenwa administration. "As it is now, we can no longer afford to postpone its establishment”, Okereke-Onyiuke said. It was her considered opinion that “when fully operational, it would offer on line real time stock exchange business”, pointing out that it would help businessmen in the state to raise money to finance and sustain their business plans.
Gov Ohakim condemns attack on The Nation IMO State Governor Ikedi Ohakim has condemned the dastardly act by suspected hoodlums early on Saturday who set ablaze a delivery van belonging to The Nation newspapers. He also visited the driver of the vehicle who was injured during the attack and expressed his sympathy while reassuring him that the perpetrators will be apprehended and brought to book. The incident, which occurred about 4.30a.m. along Rotibi Street, Owerri, had the driver of the vehicle, brutalised and is now receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri. Speaking, the governor charged the police in the state to ensure that those behind the act were apprehended. Reacting, the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations), George Okeke, confirmed the incident and assured the governor that the police were doing everything to arrest the culprits. In another development, the state government has alerted of a plot to discredit the administration of Ohakim and destabilise the state. In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary, Steve Osuji over the weekend, the government said that the petrol bomb attack on The Nation van and driver was motivated by some politicians out to discredit the state government. According to the government, the perpetrators of the crime planted placards at the scene of the crime, which by their inscription purported their act to be a protest against the Tribune newspaper, which had last month, carried a false story against the governor of the state. "The state government believes that this is a politically motivated act and condemns it in its entirety. "The Imo State government expresses its sympathy to the management of The Nation newspapers over this unfortunate incident while promising to do all in its powers to fish out the culprits and bring them to book", it said.
'Ohakim cannot leave PPA' The Progressive Peoples’ Alliance (PPA) has debunked rumours that Governor Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State is ready to dump the party. PPA said in a statement by Chief Ben Onyechere yesterday that “nothing like that will happen because the Governor is a gentle and God-fearing man. He would be the last person to contemplate such an issue, since in the first place, he made it to governorship because of his membership of PPA. “In the recent tribunal judgment, PPA was adjudged winner by majority votes, what do you now think those people that voted for the governor will do when they hear such news. “We are aware that detractors are at work, but we can assure them that they will be fighting against God by whose disposition PPA has come to power. The membership of PPA is made up of bonafide Imo people and they are prepared at all cost to defend this Government which God has given the people of Imo on the platform of PPA. “The party is even preparing to take over other South East States because it is a party where the masses will have a say and not where instructions will come from above and favours instead of dividends will be dispensed. “The PPA is in a Government of National Unity at the presidential level which could possible transcend to the state level. PPA has come to stay because the people are in power and not a selected few. The Government is definitely carrying out the party manifesto which is mainly to uplift the living standard of the people and that is what must continue.”
Reps query 10 per cent work on Anambra, Imo power projects THE House of Representatives Committee probing the Power project contracts in the last eight years has discovered that virtually no part of the N15.5 billion contracts awarded in Anambra State has been executed. Leading the Committee to Awka yesterday during a courtesy call on Governor Peter Obi, Chairman of the committee, Mr. Ndudi Elumelu, noted that the projects were to be located in Onitsha, Ihiala, Awka and Owerri (Imo State). He noted that in all, only about 10 per cent of the job was done, despite the Federal Government having paid more than N11.4 billion of the total cost. Having gone round project sites in the state, Elumelu expressed disappointment at the level of rot in the sector. He said: "I must tell you that in all the places we visited, it was the same story of non-performance. We are in your state to look at the projects that were sited here and ought to have been executed. But because we have not seen anything on ground, it is difficult for us to say that they have been sited in Anambra. "We have one that is from Owerri to Onitsha which is supposed to have been done by Rockson. We also have others, two 330 KV substations in Onitsha and two 60MVA 132-33 KV projects in Awka here. Also, there is one at Ihiala, a 132-33KV substation. "The one in Ihiala, we did not see anything; the one in Awka, the same story and the one in Onitsha, the same story." Elumelu added that all the projects were in the same category, the total cost of which is N15.5 billion and the amount released, inclusive of the dollar and naira components. He said: "If you convert it and bring all of them back to naira value, it is N11.4 billion. From the report from Nigerian Independent Power Project (NIPP), we have 10 per cent execution level. "The one for Awka also has an input of other projects totaling about N2.2 billion while over N1.67 billion had already been released. "So, Your Excellency, this is our story and that is why we are in your domain. No amount of intimidation and blackmail will make us stop in our desire to serve the people of Nigeria." Obi prayed to God to use the committee to rescue the country from its Power problems, adding that it was the only way to jumpstart the economy.
7 Students Crushed to Death in Imo A total of about eight people, seven of them students of the Imo State Polytechnic, former Michael Opara College of Agriculture and Technology (MOCATEC) Umuagwu near Owerri, were yesterday crushed to death in a ghastly motor accident that occurred in front of the polytechnic gate.
EFCC seals off popular Owerri Cyber Cafe TIMASY Cyber café which is presumed to be the largest in Imo State has been invaded by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). In an operation that lasted less than an hour, the fraud-busters stormed the café located along Ikenegbu street in Owerri, the state capital, with a team of about eight officials and mobile policemen taking the management of the café and its customers unawares. During the invasion, seven suspects were whisked away while several computers belonging to the company were also impounded by the EFCC operatives. A visit by National Daily to the Bank road, branch of the Timasy Cyber café, at the week-end, indicated that patronage has dropped considerably. Observers who spoke under anonymity observed that ''the scam specialists themselves were their own undoing as they lived a very loud lifestyle.'' They pointed out that the bulk of customers that patronize cyber cafes in Owerri, ''are suspected internet fraudsters, otherwise known as 'Yahoo Boys.'’
Imo to spend N30b on road projects DETERMINED to make all roads in the 27 councils of Imo State motorable, the state government has concluded plans to spend about N30 billion on highway rehabilitation and construction. The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Dr. Chuma Nnaji, disclosed this to journalists at the weekend in Owerri. Nnaji noted that Governor Ikedi Ohakim was determined to ensure that the people enjoyed the benefits of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) agenda, urging the people of the state to work with the programmes and aspirations of government. The commissioner noted that the state government was interested in meeting the Federal Government's specified targets on people-oriented projects. He disclosed that in line with the state's policy on Clean and Green Programme, the state government had planted special specie of trees in the 27 councils. He urged the council chairmen to extend the crusade to rural areas. On the recent restriction of commercial motorcyclists to some roads in Owerri metropolis, the commissioner said 25 more buses had been purchased to cushion the effects of the hardship being encountered by commuters because of the ban.
Five killed in Owerri road crash A total of five people died with several others injured on Saturday evening in an auto accident at Orji, along the busy Owerri/Okigwe Road, Imo State. The accident involved a truck carrying chippings from Ebonyi State, an Audi salon car, a tipper and Peugeot 505 salon car. Our correspondent gathered from a senior officer of the Nigeria Civil Defence and Security Corps that four occupants of the Audi lost their lives when the truck loaded with chippings lost control and rammed into it from behind. It was also learnt that the trucked squeezed the Audi and made it impossible for the trapped passengers to escape, killing four persons of the passengers on the spot. It was learnt that one of the passengers rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, later died before help could reach him. According to an eye witness, the accident occurred near a bridge and caused panic among road users, which made the driver of a tipper to run into a Peugeot car. Several other persons sustained different degrees of injuries in another accident at Naze that involved two Mitshubishi L.300 passenger buses along the Owerri Aba/Road and were rushed for medical attention at the FMC, Owerri, by a combined team of the police and men of the Federal Road Safety Commission. Efforts made to speak with the Sector Commander,FRSC in Imo State, Mr. Angus Ibezim, were not successful as calls placed to his mobile telephone indicated that it was switched off. However, the Head of Operations, FRSC in the state, Mr. Tukur Fifiawa, who confirmed the development on telephone to our correspondent, stated that he was aware of the deaths of two people so far. He said that while two of the victims died on the spot, the others affected were in critical condition and had not died before they were rescued from the scene of the accident. He said that the accident, which occured at Aba/Owerri Road, was being investigated by the traffic unit of the Nigeria Police Division in Owerri North, which retrieved the two buses from the scene of the accident.
Imo Signs N1.4bn Fertiliser Supply Deal The government of Imo State has signed a contract supply deal of N1.4 billion for the supply of 11,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer. The state commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Chief Longers Anyanwu, signed on behalf of the state government, while the Mr. Joel Ata signed on behalf of the supplying company. Speaking on the supply of the product, commissioner Anyanwu said the large quantum supply of the product became necessary to ensure cultivation of various crops and bumper harvest during and after the planting season. He noted that the state government would ensure that the product is received and distributed to qualified farmers in good time. He urged the stakeholders to ensure that the effort of government was not thwarted, stressing that the state government would not entertain any excuses from the suppliers. Job creation through agriculture, he noted, was important to the state government, and that the state government would continue to channel resources towards the production of "Heartland Rice" currently cultivated and on sale.
NMA's 'soul' flies to Imo THE awe-inspiring NMA '08 Soul Flights with galaxy of stars of the entertainment industry and on- board live entertainment will be landing at Sam Mbakwe Airport Owerri from May 23. This follows the victory of Imo State in the bid to be the first state in the federation to host the Nigerian Music Awards. As a result, the NMA gala show will take place in Owerri on Saturday, May 24. The victory of Imo State was announced at a breath taking unveiling ceremony, which was held in Lagos on Sunday, March 9. The ceremony, which took place at the Aquatic Auditorium of Waterparks, Ikeja, featured first class music and an unforgettable dance drama presented on an exquisite stage with enthralling display of lights, effects and fireworks. On stage at the unveiling ceremony were the NMA Voice of the Decade (Female) Award winner, delectable Yinka Davies and her male counterpart, Obiwon. Their theme song performance was a bomb as they held all in the auditorium, filled with journalists from across the Nigerian media, spell bound. At the end of the performance, no one was left in any doubt that these two are truly Nigeria's voices of the decade. Tuface Idibia would have gone green with envy if he had heard the interpretation by Yinka Davies and Obiwon of his NMA Song of the Decade, African Queen. It was as emotional as it was different. As with nearly every event produced by Chief Tony Okoroji, Nigeria's master of the big show, the unveiling ceremony was pure magic. At the climax of the incredible rendition of African Queen by Yinka Davies and Obiwon, the audience was requested to stand up for Her Royal Majesty, the African Queen. Suddenly, from the back of the auditorium appeared a regal procession of a queen under a canopy of many colours, with her coterie of chiefs, advisers, maids and body guards. While the song played, the queen ascended the magnificent stage designed by Nigeria's No 1 stage designer, Mr. Pat Nebo, and sat on her throne. Swiftly, the music stopped. The audience could not help but burst into a rapturous applause as they were witnessing a show choreographed to perfection. To decide on the state fit to host the 2008 NMA, Her Royal Highness, the African Queen was then presented with the very dramatic and colourful "Dances across Nigeria", a theatrical masterpiece put together by Cheta Teena Iroegbu, the Universty of Ibadan trained theatre arts practitioner. The drama contained elements of music, dance and costumes from different states of Nigeria biding to host the NMA. There was pure ecstasy in the hall when the queen got up for about ten seconds to join the Dance of the Maidens from Imo State. That was the indication that she had made up her mind that Imo State was deserving of the hosting right of the 2008 NMA. In confirmation, the huge curtains that formed the backdrop parted immediately to reveal a massive banner with Imo printed in red. The carved motif behind the queen began to descend and a kaleidoscope of lights, deigned by award winning Alla-Dave, enraptured the hall. The proud delegation from Imo State comprising three commissioners, several special advisers and executive assistants to the governor and leaders of the Imo State House of Assembly were invited on stage. They were presented with the trophy and requested to pass it on to the state governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim The delegation was also presented with an NMA flag which will fly at Government House Owerri until the 2009 NMA. As a foretaste of what to expect in Imo come May, special culinary delights from Imo State such as ofe owerri, ngwongwo, isiewu, among others were major attractions at the buffet dinner which also had palm wine from Imo State in abundance. A special documentary on the activities of the Imo State government, with emphasis on the tourism and investment potentials in the state, was also shown at the event. One of the highlights of the show was the question and answer session between the Imo State Governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim and host, Etoma Edu. Chief Ohakim who was following the events from Government house Owerri responded to questions asked by host of the event, STV news anchor, Edu who was asking him questions from the Aquatic Hall Lagos. In one of the many surprises of the night of exquisite African culture and modern technology, Governor Ohakim appeared on the screen looking quite elated as he expressed happiness at the success of Imo State at the bidding. He promised all those coming to Imo State for the NMA 2008 that an unforgettable experience awaits them in Imo State. He also promised that his government would by the following morning have swung into action in serious preparations to receive the stars coming to Imo for the 2008 NMA. The prime mover of the NMA, Okoroji and the head of the Imo State delegation who is also the state Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Chief Ben Obinali took questions from the many journalists present. Imo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Chief Johnson Okafor, the Special Adviser on Communications & Culture, Ms Louisa Aguiyi Ironsi and the Managing Director, Imo Wonderlake Resort and Conference Center, Mr. Joe Nzepuome also answered questions. In the Imo state delegation was the state Finance Commissioner, Mr. George Irechukwu, Special Adviser on project monitoring, Eng. Ben Ekwueme, Majority Leader, Mr Stan Dara, Executive Assistant on Information Technology, Mr. Obi Uchendu, the Governor's Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Steve Osuji among others.
FCT, Imo primary schools benefit from Japanese grants THREE primary schools in both the Federal Capital Territory and Imo State will be direct beneficiaries of $126,375 (N14,912,250) grant this year under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Programme (GGP) of the Government of Japan. The pledged fund, to be granted two local Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) will be signed today in Abuja. It will be used for the construction and renovation of buildings and other facilities. The implementing agencies include Relief, Peace and Development Initiative and the Youth Cultural Association of Nigeria. Only 237 pupils are currently enrolled at Jigakuchi Primary School in Bwari Area Council of the FCT while there are nearly 5,600 school-aged children are in the area. Currently, two classrooms, a mud room and a church have functioned as learning spaces. A 25 per cent increase was recorded in enrollment figures in the past two years ,a statement by the Embassy of Japan said. The Jigakuchi project which will attract $56,945 (about N6,719,510) will take care of a school building with four additional classrooms equipped with 180 sets of desks and chairs. In Imo State, Obibi Primary School and Ubogwu Primary School in Awo-Omamma community, Oru East local council area which are in dire need of facilities will be granted $69,430 (N8,192,740). Rationalisation of facilities in Obibi primary school which was destroyed by storm a few years ago has sometimes forced about 80 students into a class. A similar situation obtains in Ubogwu where windows, doors and roofs of the five classrooms and a teachers' room will be renovated. Desks will be provided for about 200 pupils too. Since 1999,the Government of Japan has contributed $3,829,468(about N451,877,224) under the GGP assistance programme while implementing 81 projects in Nigeria.
The Imo State Election petition tribunal sitting in Owerri on Friday returned the Governor of the state, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, as the duly elected governor of the state.
However, after nine months of deliberation into the two surviving petitions against Ohakim’s election, the Justice Ibrahim Mairiga-led panel decided that after due consideration of the evidence presented before them on Ohakim, the petitioners failed to prove that he was not duly elected. In its ruling on the petition filed by Araraume against the election of Ohakim, the panel disagreed with the two major demands by the petitioner that the election was characterised by manipulation, irregularities and violence. The Tribunal also did not agree with the plea of the PDP candidate that he should be declared winner of the election for scoring the highest number of valid votes cast in 18 out of the 27 local government areas of the state. Mairiga stated that Araraume did not prove to the membership of the panel that the said irregularities, manipulation and violence was in favour of the governor and aided his declaration as the duly elected governor of Imo State by the Independent National Electoral Commission. Ruling further in favour of Ohakim, Mairiga stated that the panel did not believe that elections did not take place in nine of the 27 local government areas of the state as claimed by the petitioner. The decision of the panel according to Mairiga was based on the fact that the results of the election in the nine local government areas were written on pieces of papers and were being compared by the petitioner’s lawyers with INEC results stressing that the displayed results were suggestive of the fact that election held. Therefore the panel after collating the total number of votes cast in the 27 local government areas of the state came to the conclusion that Ohakim and his party the Progressive Peoples Alliance polled 677,723 votes as against Araraume’s 328,189 votes. Even in the other 18 local government areas which served as the basis for Araraume’s plea to be returned as winner of the election, the panel ruled that Ohakim polled 348, 281 votes over the PDP’s 288, 218 votes. A further breakdown of the figures of the election as declared by the tribunal showed the PPA scoring 339, 342 and the PDP 39,971 votes. The panel in its ruling on the case filed by the candidate of the Action Congress, Onyeagucha, the panel turn down the request by the petitioner to annul the election and the conduct of fresh election in the state on the ground that the elections were marred by widespread irregularities. The panel ruled in favour of Ohakim on the ground that the petitioner also failed to prove that there were irregularities and abuse of the electoral process which should warrant the cancellation of the election. Meanwhile, both Araraume and Onyeagucha have indicated their readiness to pursue their search for electoral justice at the Court of Appeal in the nearby Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Speaking in a telephone interview with our correspondent shortly after the judgment, Araraume said that the struggle for the control of the government of the state “is Gos’s own battle.”
Ohakim Beats Araraume Again, As Tribunal Upholds Imo Gov's Election IT was yet another day of victory for Governor Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State as the election tribunal struck out a petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Senator Ifeanyi Ararume challenging his victory at the April 14, 2007 polls. Consequently, the tribunal in about five hours judgement read by its chairman, Justice Ibrahim Mai-Riga upheld the election of Ohakim of the Progressive People Alliance (PPA),having scored the highest number of votes cast in the election. Delivering the judgement, the chairman of the five- man tribunal, averred that the petitioner did not provide substantial evidence to back up his claims that he won the election in the 27 councils. According to Justice Mai-Riga, the tribunal discovered that the petitioner, in the whole of the 27 councils only scored a total of 328,189 votes as against 677,723 votes scored by Governor Ohakim, which earned him victory at the polls. Justice Mai-Riga ruled that having scored 25 percent of the votes cast during the election, Ohakim was validly returned as duly elected by the people of the state. Also, the tribunal struck out the petition filed by the Action Congress (AC) in the same election against Ohakim on the grounds that he (the petitioner) failed to supply the tribunal with sufficient and cogent evidence to justify all the claims in the petition. As the judgment filtered from the tribunal, there were celebrations in Owerri and other parts of the state. An aide of the governor, Louisa Aguiyi-Ironsi who is Senior Special Assistant on Communications, said the victory was an affirmation of the governor's popularity in the state. "The tribunal rightly endorsed the mandate, which the people of Imo overwhelmingly and freely gave Governor Ohakim," he said. But reacting to the ruling, the publicity secretary of the Senator Ararume campaign outfit"the Destiny Organization" Dr. James Okoroma described it as slap on the face of democracy and Imo people, vowing that would go to the court of Appeal.
Ohakim Alleges Plot to His Life There is a palpable discomfort in the political sphere of Imo State as the governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, alleges plans to assassinate him by “some criminal elements” as a result of the on-going proceedings at the Imo State Election Petition Tribunal which is yet to fix date for the ruling of the matter. On plots to manipulate the outcome of the petition before the Tribunal Araraume maintained that it was a sheer hypocrisy for Ohakim to have accused his opponents when in the actual fact, he had been using the huge state funds in a desperate attempt to pervert justice and cover the fraud perpetrated at the April 28, 2997 governorship election. "We have implicit confidence in the tribunal. We believe that the Tribunal judges are men of integrity with the capacity to dispense justice in spite of the pressure the Imo State government is mounting on them. The public should take this allegation with a pinch of salt as it contains no iota of truth", he said.
Ohakim’s mall and a voodoo development THE newspaper reports about Governor Ikedi Ohakim’s recent business tour of South Africa quote him lamenting that Nigeria was behind countries like South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Lesotho by one hundred years. According to the Vanguard report, Ohakim decried what he described as the “low-level” of Nigeria’s economic development. I am not sure if this South-African trip gave Ikedi Ohakim his first epiphany about the true state of affairs in Nigeria. Many Nigerians have been heard by official Nigeria’s fiction about Nigerian being the “giant” of Africa; that is Africa’s equivalent of a super power. Nigeria is not. Ikedi Ohakim’s trip to South Africa may have given him a clearer insight. The economic systems were working in these other countries. The mortgage and credit system, as well as the pension funds were working. Energy was constant. And so on. According to the governor’s testimony we Nigerians are non-starters. True. Many Nigerians who have never had the opportunity to travel out of Nigeria do not really know the actual stage of our economic and social development, and the primitive state to which years of official manipulation have consigned Nigeria. Nigeria presents a very important illustration of a nation that declined in its own social expectations. Ikedi Ohakim’s worries about Nigeria’s one hundred years of backwardness compared to even “small” countries like Botswana, that old part of what was then known as the Bechuanaland protectorate ruled from Mafikeng, and Lesotho, all countries now of the SADC is well founded. The point is that these countries, in spite of their relative disadvantages, took themselves and their people seriously as their post-colonial political history shows. It is about respect – and I emphasize the word respect - for their people. Any elite - intellectual, political or economic – that has very little respect for its own people creates the kind of monstrosity that Nigeria has become over the years. Government for such elite is run on the “come chop” philosophy that makes the president or governor’s security vote outstrip budgets for education and scientific research in the country. In a society in which ideas do not provide the basis of governance, the result is often chaos and ambiguity. I’d like to point to this irony, even in the case of Ikedi Ohakim. Imo State University Owerri has a School of the Social Sciences. But what is the state of that university in general and the state of the Department of Economics and Public Policy in particular? Does the university employ a pool of brilliant economists and other social scientists, and does it have a Center for Economic and Social Analysis to which the Imo State government could depend to do its formal economic analysis and public policy impact analysis? Does Ohakim have a collective of experts within the university system with whom he parleys on issues of economic, cultural, industrial or urban policy? The truth is that the very basis of development is the use to which we put our capital - human or material – and it seems to me that Ikedi Ohakim, not unlike many other of his colleagues lack in this direction. Otherwise, someone should have pointed out to him that his drive for an investment of a $2billion Mall in Owerri by the Mopoya group, which he has touted as his goal and the fruit of his South African junket makes pretty little sense. Ohakim is quoted as saying, “if we unleash a two billion dollar project in this state, everybody will be busy.” If you unleash two billion dollars as a state fund to guarantee cheap and easy access to credit for about 100, 000 young men and women who would commit to investing in co-operative farms in vegetables, small-scale ranching, grains production, farm tools leasing, food packaging, modern food storage and distribution, apparel and shoe making, chemicals, boat/ship building, in-land waterway transportation, engineering services, information technology and equipment design and fabrication especially using the old traditional Igbo iron making cultures and remodeling them to build small scale local steel making plants, and other small scale industrial and distributive ventures, many people will be more than busy, with its many spin-offs. I am quite personally leery of all the talk about “foreign investment.” This is all voodoo talk really, because no country has ever achieved lasting economic development with foreign investments. You must mobilize your capacity to produce and sustain your consumption pattern or perish. Which brings me to this talk about malls: Ohakim’s proposal for the mall in Owerri does not take into consideration the question of the supply end. First, the impact of the shopping mall would wipe about local small-scale businesses, a key part of local employment by over 60 per cent. The unemployment situation would worsen. The capacity for local production will die since the mall will depend on its supply from cheap Chinese products. Besides, we have the example of Tinapa in Calabar to see that this development of Ballpark malls. Without adequate local industrial capability for its supply, it will be a ghostly investment. It would be out of reach for the ordinary citizen, and may become the quintessential example of a true white elephant project. I should make another point: the Onitsha main market was a shopping mall - built by the Eastern government. The difference is that it was sustained by the local policy of economic protectionism, which the late Mbonu Ojike declared as the “boycott” philosophy. It was a philosophy borne out of a hardboiled economic theory and experience by a highly trained economist who knew that no society could develop without building its own industrial productive capacity. The Onitsha mall also took the form of the old Igbo market in which the stalls or sections were rented out to local shopkeepers. But here Ohakim is talking about inviting a South African Mall developer to build a shopping mall that would be anchored, I suppose, primarily on the principles of the organic Mall with an organic owner, with little local participation. I think the governor should revise his goals. The Igbo markets are malls – open air malls in any case – and it would take a little modernizing to upgrade them, in fact, to serve the same functions that the Mopoya Mall will serve in Owerri. If the governor wants a local shopping mall in any case, he could start by meeting with a group of local investors and bankers, and sell the idea to them, rather than going all the way to South Africa to invite a mall developer to come and build a shopping mall in Owerri, and threaten local markets thereby. I also think that the call for “groups across the world” to come and build power stations in Nigeria, particularly in Imo state, is myopic. In 1981, Sam Mbakwe, without the kind of resources currently available to Ikedi Ohakim, built and commissioned the first Independent Power Projects in Nigeria at Amaraku and Izombe. He used both local engineers and engineers from Japan, supervised by the ministry of Utilities under Alex Emeziem. If Ohakim wants to understand how that feat was undertaken, he should get together for lunch with Mr. Alex Emeziem. He should also define his energy program more concretely in a way that would incorporate a vast pool of local skills and resources. This tendency to look outside for what is simply within is costly and unreflective; even dangerous to the economic health of the people. Imo state has the capacity – both in skill and material resources – to embark on building indigenous provincial or Divisional power stations. Perhaps the old Eastern regional system of economic development should suffice here: let the government challenge, say, the people of the old Mbaise Division to produce 65 per cent of the capital for an Mbaise or Okigwe or Orlu Power Projects, and let the Imo state government match them with a grant. Call city engineers together and challenge them to produce designs of power systems, and challenge local contractors to build these power systems. Source: Vanguard, 24th February 2008.
Police ban political rallies in Imo The Commissioner of Police for Imo State, Mr Donald Iroham, on Wednesday in Owerri, clamped an indefinite ban on all political rallies in the state. “We want to send a note of warning that on no account must any person or group of persons gather people together to hold any rally, especially political rallies. “We don't want that because of the situation. We don't want to raise the temperature in the polity by holding a rally that could be partisan. “Some jobless people are looking for the slightest opportunity to cause mayhem in the state,” he said. He also said the police had uncovered a plan by some people to hold a rally that has not got clearance from the police, advising parents and guardians not to allow their children or wards to take part in any rally that did not receive clearance from the police. ``The rally is not in the best security interest of the state for now,” he said.
Imo to increase rice production IMO State Government has unfolded plans to increase rice production to 15,000 tonnes before the end of 2008. Chief Longers Anyanwu, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, disclosed this on Tuesday in Owerri, while briefing newsmen on government's agricultural policies. Similarly, he said production of cassava would be increased from five tonnes to 10 tonnes, while livestock and poultry extension services would be increased by 30 per cent. Anyanwu also said that fish production would be increased by 30 per cent, adding that fertiliser application would go up from 100 kg per hectare in 2007 to 115kg in 2008. He said fisheries, forestry, livestock and veterinary services departments were revived during the first eight months of Governor Ikedi Ohakim's administration. On the World Bank assisted FADAMA II project, Anyanwu said the dormant project had been revived and that 11 local government councils were benefiting from the project. The commissioner said that the state Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) had constructed two cassava processing centres.
Yar'Adua and Sam Mbakwe Airport THE Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport (SMICA) Owerri, Imo State must rank among the most interesting stories of indigence ever told. A veritable child of circumstance, this facility which was built largely through communal efforts of the Imo people remains stunted like a dwarf since it became operational nearly two decades ago. Imo's good fortune of producing an Aviation Minister and chairman of Aviation Committee at the Federal House did not redound on the status of this orphan child called SMICA. Once a former President was visiting Imo State and during a Town Hall Session, a monarch had asked the august visitor why SMICA was abandoned and left for death and the President had retorted to the vein that if Imo people elected to build airport, why bother the Federal Government about its upkeep. It did not matter that the president landed on that decrepit facility. Last December, an eminent lady of the bench was visiting Owerri and got trapped at the airport convenience. There was a bit of security panic before the lock was broken to let her out. That embarrassing spectacle has just been corrected by Governor Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State. Those conveniences have been replaced - clocks, tiles and biden. Fixing toilets at the Federal facility is an insignificant part of the story. Besides the state government erecting a new terminal building and a VIP lounge, Governor Ohakim, since assuming office last May, has fixed the conveyor belt, acquired for SMICA, night landing facilities which is currently being installed. A 500KVA generator was installed and activated late last year and all requirements for upgrading SMICA to a truly international cargo hub is being put in place. Governor Ohakim is poised to turn this airport into the cleanest and most environmentally friendly in the land. First, the Owerri-Aba expressway which is the Presidential route to the airport and which was almost impassable when the Ohakim administration came in last May has been rehabilitated. The approaches to the airport which was overgrown by bush for many years have been cleared, landscaped, and currently being turned to green fields and blossoming hedges. This has vastly improved the aesthetics of the surroundings of the terminal building. The Imo Airport (SMICA) will win awards today as the best kept in the country. In order to make it a truly cargo hub as it has been designated, work is apace by the state government to build a cargo warehouse, customs and immigration sections and a police post. Just last week, Governor Ohakim ordered that the bushes around the tarmac be beaten back so that one can get miles-long view of the airport precincts; even some abandoned aircraft are to be rolled far away from immediate view. In spite of these improvements, many airlines which did brisk business at SMICA when the Port Harcourt Airport was shutdown for repairs recently high-tailed, leaving SMICA bare and devoid of much activities. The abandonment of SMICA by the Federal Ministry of Aviation and the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria FAAN has called to question the N16 billion Aviation Fund approved for the Ministry following the crash of Bellview and Sosoliso Airlines. The state of the Aviation Industry had become a subject of concern after the disastrous crashes. The previous administration had released huge intervention funds to the then Minister Chief Femi Fani-Kayode to upgrade facilities in airports across the land. From the look of things, it seems that nary a grass was cut at the Imo Airport, notwithstanding that this facility is far more viable than most other airports getting attention from FAAN. Isn't there something like an annual budget which allows facilities at airports to be upgraded routinely? It seems an airport must earn attention only by enacting a gruesome air crash. That must be the only reason the Lagos and Port Harcourt Airports have been getting more attention lately. Air transportation is too sensitive and safety-propelled to be left to chance. It is believed that the new Aviation Minister and President Yar'Adua will give our air travel facilities the seriousness they deserve. It won't hurt to begin at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport If only to appreciate at last, the noble communal efforts of the people and government of Imo state. A Presidential pronouncement will not only bring back runaway airlines but will get FAAN to act immediately to bring SMICA to its desired status - a well-appointed international cargo hub. · Osuji is the Chief Press Secretary to the Imo state governor.
Yar'Adua lays foundation for new Imo Govt House The foundation stone of the multi-billion Naira new Imo State Government House and Office Complex sited in Area ‘P’, New Owerri, was yesterday laid by President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. Another major official
Government projects: Yar’Adua calls for change of mind President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua yesterday commissioned the 6.2 billion Naira Okigwe regional water supply scheme with a call on Nigerians to change their attitude towards projects awarded for execution.
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