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Tag: Imo State

  • Uzodimma’s focused leadership and Imo digital transformation – By Chimezie Amadi

    Uzodimma’s focused leadership and Imo digital transformation – By Chimezie Amadi

    By Chimezie Amadi

    Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, took the reins of government in the Eastern Heartland when I was still with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) over three years ago. When I first met him over a decade ago, his charming personality and rare leadership qualities endeared me to him.

    Uzodimma is a man with hallowed grace and a Midas touch. His most striking quality is his uncommon ability to think globally while acting locally, with exceptional street intelligence. Before he invited me to serve in his government, I had had the opportunity of working with him quietly at the background at strategic and operational levels.

    On his election as governor, in one of our discussions, when he mooted the idea of running a tech-driven government and growing the Imo digital economy to diversify internal revenue generation drive, enhance job opportunities and tech diffusion in all sectors of the state’s economy, I immediately concluded that Imo is in a new deal and has gotten it right this time. This is because it takes a forward-looking leader and a revolutionary thinker to see the enormous benefit of a digital economy.

    Now, working close to him full time, I see a visionary and purposeful leader, generational thinker, game-changer and kind-hearted, good listener. I also discovered that he was highly underrated by people not close to him.

    When I took office, he demanded a policy thrust to encapsulate his digital agenda for the state and that gave rise to the development of the Imo Digital Economy Agenda (IDEA) 2022-2026.

    Uzodimma’s five-year agenda to digitize the state will stimulate digital revolution, trigger investments in smart infrastructure and birth a viral smart economy and a connected city state. The Imo Digital Economy Agenda (IDEA) 2022-2026, is anchored on six strategic pillars: Digital Literacy and Skill, Solid Infrastructure, Service Infrastructure, Advocacy, Monitoring and Evaluation, Collaboration and Partnership. It involves connecting the over 600 autonomous communities in the 27 local councils of the state to the Internet. The policy was conceptualized to harness the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) potential, driving new solutions to developmental challenges, which would engender growth, essentially to foster competitiveness, enhance access to information and knowledge, as well as eradicate poverty and ensure social inclusion.

    Having boasted that he is not in Imo to joke, the governor has taken up various ambitious projects, including roads infrastructure and healthcare.

    The Owerri/Okigwe road, Owerri/Orlu road which have been completed, while Owerri/Mbaise road which is nearing completion, are visible testaments to his focused leadership.

    In his acceptance speech after his inauguration in 2020, the governor had promised, among others, to take Health For All (HEFA) to the 27 local councils, to strengthen existing primary healthcare workforce in the state, as well as rehabilitate, renovate and equip all dilapidated community health centres in the state. These have proved not to be empty promises, as civil servants in the state now enjoy free medical services.

    There is limited space to enumerate Uzodimma’s transformational agenda in Imo. But one that generations yet unborn will live to remember is the SkillUpImo Project.

    SkillUpImo is fashioned to position Imo state as the digital hub of Africa, to birth a big Startup economy and connects Imo tech talents to the global gig economy. It has remained the biggest human capital developmental effort embarked upon by any state Government in modern time. In the SkillupImo programme Cohort 1, Uzodimma trained and equipped 5,000 Imo youths with Industry 4.0 tech skills and startup kits to enable them ply trade anywhere in the world while another set of 15,000 Youths are currently being trained in basic, intermediate and advanced digital skills in the ongoing SkillupImo programme cohort 2 .

    Prof. Mohammed Ajiya, the President/Chief Executive Officer of Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), Abuja, an international centre for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) studies, captured the initiative in the following words: “The beauty of the digital economy is that you could be working for a company in America, Asia or Europe from the comfort of your home. SkillUpImo is one of those initiatives that target youths to prepare them for the digital economy space, which has contributed over 18 per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).”

    Many tech giants are already buying into the project, while academies and examination bodies are offering certifications. Small wonder the training centres have become beehives of activities, even on public holidays. Many youths from the South South and South West geopolitical zones, as well as other states troop to the centres to enrol.

    The youths, mostly graduates of other fields, are being trained on basic digital skills like computer appreciation, phone repair, Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) installation, and car tracking.

    On intermediate digital skills, the youths are trained in digital marketing, graphics, video, photo editing and digital entrepreneurship. They are also trained in advanced digital skills such as cybersecurity, UI/UX, mobile app development, front-end and back-end development, blockchain technology, data analysis and project management.

    The initiative is part of the move to align Imo with the Federal Government’s objective of diversifying the economy as encapsulated in the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) 2020-2030.

    Interestingly, other ‘bigger’ states are copying the initiative, and Imo is happy to be the pioneer in the country.

    As expected, Imo state was recently ranked number one in terms of digital innovation and entrepreneurship development among the states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by FATE Foundation in its State of Entrepreneurship Index Report for Nigeria. The index is a yearly measure of entrepreneurship development in Nigeria.

    As many tech giants and even government agencies, such as National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), wait in the wings to grab graduands of SkillUpImo project, what the initiative needs now is support and sustainability.

    Why initiatives fail in this part of the world is neglect. For sustainability, public-spirited individuals and businessmen are, hereby, called upon to support this initiative. Zinox Group set the ball rolling by providing support and jobs for the graduands. Others have keyed in. However, there is more to be done.

    It will be a misnomer to think that Governor Uzodimma would abandon the project, because no mother abandons her child, let alone the favorite one –more so, now that he is being looked upon as one with the Midas touch in the Eastern Heartland, with projects and policies that are positively transforming Imo and creating jobs.

    Since Uzodimma is still in his first term, with the nod of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), for another, Imo people should brace up for better days.

     

    *Dr. Amadi is Imo State Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government

  • Group alleges plot by Gov Uzodinma led govt to sponsor protest against PCA, Tribunal over relocation of venue

    Group alleges plot by Gov Uzodinma led govt to sponsor protest against PCA, Tribunal over relocation of venue

    A social political group, Lawyers in Defense of Democracy(LIDD), has raised the alarm over plots by agents of the government of Imo State, South East Nigeria to stage protests against the President of the Court of Appeal, and members of the State Election Petition Tribunal over the relocation of sitting venue from the Owerri to Nasarawa State.

    The Group in a statement it issued on Friday and signed by one Barr. AG Obe, noted that the cry has become necessary owing to the negative consequences the planned protests are likely to have on democracy in the state and in the country as a whole.

    The statement reads: “Our stand on issues of democracy and law has always been constant.

    We represent and promote the highest ideals of democracy and would always stand for due process entrenched in the rule of law.

    “It is against this backdrop that Lawyers in Defense of Democracy(LIDD) condemn in its entirety, the nocturnal meetings, consultations and wicked conspiracy by agents of the Imo state government to stage a state-sponsored protest with the sole aim of smearing the reputation of the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem and blackmailing the tribunal Judges for the Imo State Assembly/National Assembly election petitions panel.

    “Uzodinma and his cronies may not have factored in the reality that a new President has taken the saddle and the old order is gone for good.

    “If he had, his agents plotting to brow-beat the Imo election petitions tribunal Judges and blackmail the President of the Court of Appeal to silence and inaction, through their derailed protest march and media assault, would not have wasted state resources on a fool’s errand.

    “So what are the issues? After all the concerted efforts by the same agents of government to frustrate the tribunal’s hearing in Owerri failed, suddenly, out of the blues, a threat to attack the Judges if they continue to sit emerged. Any responsible institution will swiftly ship it’s personnel out of the danger zone, and that was exactly what the President of the Court of Appeal did, relocating the Imo tribunal from Owerri to Nasarawa state for the safety of the officers of the law and the litigants.

    “So, the planned protest march is Uzodinma’s response to the relocation of the tribunal to a neutral ground where the Judges will be under less pressure to do the right thing, with no governor or individual threatening brimstone and fire if they did not play ball.

    “Uzodinma’s agents may still be under the illusion that their candidates who polled the least votes in election, can be arbitrarily declared winners and nothing will happen, just like Uzodinma who came from his 4th position in the Imo governorship election in 2019 to become Governor in the worst case of judicial robbery in Nigeria.

    “In the new administration, not many Judges want to be identified with such a stigmatizing judicial stunt.

    “Who would want to gamble his life and safety in the state where Uzodinma’s aides violently attacked judicial officers of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria in Owerri, forcing the Court Judge to flee the state for the safety of his life, just because the court entered a judgment Uzodinma and his goons felt was not in the interest of the Governor.

    “What kind of Judge will stake his neck in a state where Uzodinma’s men will storm a church in session, open fire inside the church and abduct Hon. Uche Nwosu whose only crime was that he is the son-in-law of former Governor Rochas Okorocha, one of Uzodinma’s political rivals.

    “A government that holds nothing sacred will not think twice about attacking the tribunal and battering any judge whose disposition appears not to support their political interest.

    “So anyone attacking the judges or the President of the Court of Appeal for relocating the tribunal, is an enemy of Imo people who has no interest in seeing that justice is served on all the electoral rogues that truncated the will of the people of Imo state during the legislative elections in the state.

    “We therefore wish to assure Uzodinma and his cronies that it would be a vain effort attempting to discredit the Judiciary, arm-twist the President of the Court of Appeal and intimidate the Imo Election Petitions Tribunal through their poorly planned protest march.

    “If they choose, his protester can march from Government House to Omuma, the course of justice will not be derailed to serve the interest of Uzodinma and his ilks alone. We urge him to advise his lackeys to save their energy and rather work towards defending the stolen mandate they flaunt.”

  • How Imo Govt hopes to enhance healthcare delivery

    How Imo Govt hopes to enhance healthcare delivery

    The Imo Government on Wednesday announced plans to enhance healthcare services in the state through Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative.

    The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Success Prosper-Ohayagha made the disclosure while interacting with journalists in Owerri.

    According to him, the measure will improve access to quality healthcare services in the state.

    Prosper-Ohayagha, a Reproductive Health Consultant and Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants, said that the state’s Health Insurance Scheme was being strengthened to deliver quality services.

    He added that monitoring teams had been put in place to ensure that private health establishments do not deviate from approved operational guidelines, rules, and regulations.

    He said that health officials would regularly inspect private facilities to ensure professionalism.

    He also said that the inspection was to ensure that private health facilities were duly accredited and operating with government approvals and in conducive environments.

    The commissioner said that the health ministry has partnered with international organisations such as the United Nations Children’s Fund, to access funding and technical support.

    “We are also working in synergy with the Nigerian Medical Association and some international organisations to improve the quality of health services in our dear state.

    “Currently, the 305 health centres in all Local government areas are being renovated, while those abandoned by previous administrations are being revived “, he said.

    He called on patent medicine dealers and traditional medicine practitioners to live up to expectations and maintain acceptable standards.

    Also speaking, Special Adviser to Gov. Hope Uzodimma on Networking, Ms Chantel Onwuzurike, reiterated the governor’s commitment toward attaining the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    Onwuzurike said that the Government’s Health at Your Door policy would be taken to all the various autonomous communities across the state in no distant time.

  • Relocation of Tribunal: Imo people, political leaders hail President Court of Appeal

    Relocation of Tribunal: Imo people, political leaders hail President Court of Appeal

    …say tribunal can now adequately look into how election results surpassed BVAS accreditation

    Cross section of Imo people and political leaders under the umbrella of Imo political stakeholders forum have lauded the decision of the President Court of Appeal and Imo election petition tribunal Judges to relocate its sitting from Owerri to Nasarawa state.

    The National/state Assembly Election Tribunal, sitting at the old High Court premises, Owerri, Imo State capital, at the weekend relocated to the High Court Complex, Opposite Shopping Malls, Mararaba Nyanya, Nasarawa State.

    The Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Owerri branch, Daniel Odiba, disclosed this in a statement.

    The statement read in part, “This is to notify all lawyers, litigants and the general public that the National/state Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, Owerri, Imo State, has been relocated to the High Court Complex, Opposite Shopping Malls, Mararaba Nyanya, Nasarawa State.”

    Reacting to the development, the forum in a statement by its leader Amb.Sam Nwandu expressed optimism that with the relocation the tribunal will now have the atmosphere to look into how election results above bimodal voter accreditation system was announced by the electoral body INEC in some constituencies in Imo State.

    The statement read in part, “With this relocation we believe that it will give the judges the right atmosphere to look into how election results above bimodal voter accreditation system BVAS, was announced by the electoral body INEC. Most of the actual results of the Feb 25th House of Reps, Senate and House of Assembly election of March 18, was in no doubt contrary to original results as voted by the indigenes in that election.

    “INEC BVAS was active during the Feb and March 18 State Assembly election including the Supplementary election and going by the uploaded results through www.inecelectionresults.ng, what INEC declared was in complete variance with the uploaded figures by BVAS. For instance, in Okigwe Federal Constituency, the total accreditation uploaded in the INEC BVAS machine was not same with the huge figures of over 40,000 used in declaring APC winner against the Labour Party that won the election, IN Owerri municipal where less than 14,000 was accredited over 70,000 was used to declare APC winner against the Labour Party Candidate, IN the State Assembly seat for Ideato North local government, the PDP scored 5,063 votes as against the APC of 4,097 votes and the result was uploaded on inec server but APC was declared winner against the PDP candidate who won the election with figures above inec accreditation record. In Mbaitolu Federal constituency won by Labour, accreditation figures was manipulated to declare APC winner in a Supplementary election they lost, In Oguta/Ohaji/Oru West Federal constituency that PDP candidate Kingsley Uju was leading despite been arrested on election day, APC was declared winner with election figures above the BVAS recorded accreditation figures, In Orlu Federal Constituency which was lost APC, figures above accreditation numbers was used to declare APC winner , In Okigwe Senate and Orlu Senate results where announced for APC with manufactured figures above the total number of votes accredited by the BVAS machine same situation in AHIAZU Mbaise where Results was announced with fake BVAS accreditation in favour of APC.
    “Outrageously, that of Owerri Municipal council as announced by the INEC returning officer showed that APC scored 79,043 votes, LP scored 12,765 votes, PDP scored 9, 674 votes. It goes to show that in Owerri Municipal council, BVAS was not used to conduct the election; these issues should be looked at critically by the Judges and ensure that justice is served, and citizens confidence in Electoral process restored.”

    In Imo the electoral system was rapped and afterwards set on fire and the only way to quench that fire is for the Court to look into the political and electoral madness that happened during the 2023 General election and restore the peoples confidence in the electoral system and reaffirm their hope in the Judiciary by voiding all the fraudulently announced results with figures above accredited voters number or manipulated bvas accreditation numbers which was done in some of the constituencies especially during the Supplementary elections.

  • Gunmen kill INEC staffer, whisk away wife in Ebonyi state

    Gunmen kill INEC staffer, whisk away wife in Ebonyi state

    Emmanuel Igwe a staffer of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has been reportedly killed by Unknown gunmen in Ebonyi State.

    It was gathered that the incident occurred on Sunday, along the Ivo Local Government Area axis of the state.

    Findings show that Mr Emmanuel, who was an assistant electoral officer in Afikpo North LGA, was ambushed by the criminal elements while returning to Ebonyi from a trip to Abia State.

    The deceased’s wife was also whisked away by the armed men to an unknown destination.

    The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, confirmed the unfortunate incident.

    “We have begun a manhunt for the assailants. We are hopeful that they will be apprehended. The victim was shot through the windscreen of his car,” the PPRO said Monday.

  • Gunmen attack senator Okorocha’s convoy, kill one policeman

    Gunmen attack senator Okorocha’s convoy, kill one policeman

    The convoy of Senator Rochas Okorocha representing Imo west was on Sunday evening attacked by unknown gunmen.

    Okorocha’s convoy was attacked at the Ihube community on the Okigwe-Enugu expressway, leaving a poliveman dead.

    It was gathered that Okorocha had finished attending the burial and had returned home in Imo state but his convoy was attacked on their way back to Enugu.

    He disclosed this on Sunday at Amaimo in the Ikeduru Local Government Area of the state.

    Okorocha said it was after he had finished attending the funeral ceremony at Mbaise and the convoy had dropped him at his Spilbat mansion in Owerri and was heading back to Enugu that they were attacked.

    According to Okorocha: “I am angry. I am very angry. I am angry because I spent two days in Enugu and nothing happened to me, but it is in my own state that the convoy released to me by the governor of Enugu State (a very good man) to attend the burial ceremony of Ihedioha’s mother at Mbaise that was attacked and one policeman killed.

    “What is happening in Imo State makes me angry. Many people who are running to govern Imo State are not capable, but I have seen one man whose cap fits. When it is time, I will speak.”

  • Most beautiful girls in Nigeria are from Imo state – Davido

    Most beautiful girls in Nigeria are from Imo state – Davido

    Nigerian ace singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has asserted that the most beautiful girls in Nigeria are from his wife, Chioma’s home state, Imo.

    Davido made this statement while featuring as a guest on the latest episode of the Drink Champs podcast co-hosted by N.O.R.E and DJ EFN.

    The Afrobeats superstar, asked where the most beautiful girls are from, and he replied that wherever his wife is from is where the most beautiful girls are.

    He said, “The most beautiful girls in Nigeria are from Imo State; where my wife is from.

    “Wherever my wife is from, that’s where the most beautiful girls are.”

     

  • How I’ve turned Imo state around in less than four years – Uzodinma

    How I’ve turned Imo state around in less than four years – Uzodinma

    Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma has boasted about reviving the economy of the state in less than four years that he took up the mantle of leadership.

    Uzodinma  claimed that  he met the State in a bad condition that could be likened to a cemetery when he assumed office in 2020.

    He said, “When I came to Imo State, I met a moribund state, a state that was in distress. A state, I can even say, was in the cemetery; I exhumed the body.”

    He gave the assertion on Wednesday while featuring on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme.

    The governor also claimed that “the infrastructure deficit in the State was so huge, all the roads were not motorable, and all the hospitals were not working” when entered office.

    “Given the situation in Imo State before 2020 when I became the governor and the situation of Imo State today, 2023, three years after, a lot of things are there for people to know that there is a huge difference,” he added.

  • INEC releases final candidates’ list for Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi guber poll

    INEC releases final candidates’ list for Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi guber poll

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the final list of candidates for Nov. 11 governorship election in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi.

    Those listed for Bayelsa poll included Gov. Diri Duoye (PDP),Chief Sylva Timipre (APC), Mr Eradiri Udengmobofa (LP), Mr Osuluku Binalatefa (SDP) and Mrs Ogege Mercy (APP).

    The candidates for Kogi were Mr Leke Abejide (ADC), Mr Dino Melaye (PDP), Malam Ahmed Ododo (APC) and Mrs Suleiman Fati (ZLP).

    Those listed for Imo poll included Gov. Hope Uzodinmma (APC), Mr Ayanwu Samuel (PDP), Mr Odunzeh Ben(NNPP) and Mr Achony Nneji (LP).

    Mr Festus Okoye, the INEC National Commissioner and Information and Voter Education Committee, said in a statement in Abuja the list was approved by the commission at its regular meeting on Tuesday.

    Okoye said that the decision was in line with the provision of Section 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2022.

    He said that the section required the publication of the list not later than 150 days to election day i.e. Friday June 9, following the period for voluntary withdrawal and substitution of candidates by political parties under Section 31 of the Electoral Act 2022.

    “The final list has been uploaded to the Commission’s website and social media platforms.

    “Same will be published in our State and Local Government offices in the affected States on Thursday June 8 ahead of the statutory deadline of June 9, “ Okoye said.

    The list showed that all 18 political parties fielded candidates for Kogi poll, while 17 parties fielded candidates for Imo and 16 parties in Bayelsa.

    The list also showed that two political parties fielded female candidates for Bayelsa poll, while only one party fielded a female candidate for Kogi poll.

    Okoye reminded political parties and their candidates that in line with timetable and schedule of activities for the election, campaign in public would officially commence on Wednesday, June 14 in line with Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 and ends on Nov. 9 i.e. 24 hours prior to election day.

    “We urge parties and candidates to conduct their political activities with civility and decorum as peaceful electioneering heralds a peaceful election.

    “Political parties and candidates have a responsibility to de-escalate tension, ahead of the election,” Okoye said.

  • Kidnapped Imo Catholic Priest regains freedom

    Kidnapped Imo Catholic Priest regains freedom

    A Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Mathias Opara, who was kidnapped by gunmen last Friday in Imo has regained freedom.

    It was gathered that Opara, popularly known as Owu Ujo, was released by his abductors late Sunday night.

    He was kidnapped along Ejemekwuru- Ogbaku road between Oguta and Mbaitoli Local Government Areas of Imo while returning to Owerri.

    He was said to have participated in the funeral ceremony of a colleague’s father at Izombe community in the Oguta Local Government Area and was heading to Owerri when he was abducted.

    A source, who pleaded anonymity said, Opara, who is in charge of Man of Order and Discipline of the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri, was released unharmed.

    However, the source could not ascertain if any ransom was paid for
    Opara’s release.

    “Details surrounding his release are sketchy for now, but the important thing is that he has been released,” the sourced stated.

    Confirming Opara’s release by his abductors, the Police command’s spokesman, ASP Henry Okoye said the command would not rest on its oars in ensuring that the culprits were brought to justice.

    “The priest was released as a result of the pressure mounted on the criminals by our operatives who were on undercover operation.

    “The command is trailing their track to possibly arrest them because we will not allow criminals to take over the state,” Okoye said.

    Recall that Opara’s abduction and release came barely two weeks after gunmen kidnapped the Priest of Christ the King Parish, Ezinachi/Ugwuago of the Diocese of Okigwe in Okigwe Local Government Area, Rev. Fr. Jude Maduka.

    It would be recalled that Maduka was kidnapped while preparing for the Eucharistic Mass celebration at his adoration ground.

    A Catholic Priest of St. Paul’s Catholic Parish, Osu, in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area, Rev. Fr. Michael Asumogha, in Okigwe Catholic diocese was equally kidnapped in April and later released.