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Tag: Okezie Ikpeazu

  • JUST IN: Gov. Ikpeazu goes into isolation after death of Commissioner

    Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia has directed members of his inter-ministerial committee on COVID-19, who came in contact with late Dr Solomon Ogunji to undergo test and self-isolate.

    The directive is contained in a statement signed by Chief Okeiyi Kalu, Abia State Commissioner for Information and made available to newsmen on Monday in Umuahia.

    Ogunji was the State Commissioner for Environment before his death on May 24.

    Kalu said the family of the late Commissioner, suspected to have died of hypertension on May 24, was tested for COVID-19 and the result came back positive.

    He said the governor had advised Abia Exco members who had contact with Ogunji, before his death, to also observe self-isolation until they had been tested for the virus.

    “Gov. Ikpeazu, who is still in mourning will also subject himself to all other necessary protocols as he has directed his cabinet members, including the Deputy Governor, to do.

    “We wish to call on all Abians to continue to observe relevant regulations issued by the government and health authorities to stem the spread of the disease,’’ the statement read in part.

  • Abia Govt. orders compulsory COVID-19 tests for Executive Council members, others

    The Abia Government has directed members of the State Executive Council and the State Inter-Ministerial Committee on COVID-19 to undergo compulsory COVID-19 tests.

    The Commissioner for Information, Mr John Okiyi-Kalu made the disclosure in a statement in Umuahia on Sunday.

    Okiyi-Kalu said that the directive followed the outcome of tests conducted on the close family members of a late Commissioner in the State and member of the inter-ministerial committee on COVID-19.

    “Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has directed all members of the committee and those of the Executive Council, who might have recently come in contact with the late commissioner, to immediately undergo COVID-19 tests and isolate themselves thereafter, pending the outcome of the tests.

    “Governor Ikpeazu, who is still in mourning, will also subject himself to all other necessary protocols as he has directed his Exco members including the Deputy Governor to do,” he said.

    Recall that the State Commissioner for Environment, Solomon Ogunji was reported to have died of heart attack two weeks ago.

    He called on the people of Abia to constantly observe the relevant regulations issued by the state government and the health authorities to prevent further spread of the disease.

  • BREAKING: Abia Commissioner for Environment is dead

    The Commissioner for Environment in Abia, Dr Solomon Ogunji is dead, the State’s Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi-Kalu has confirmed.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Abia State Information Commissioner confirmed the development in a statement issued in Umuahia on Sunday.

    Okiyi-Kalu stated that Ogunji died on Saturday “after a brief illness, relating to high blood pressure” at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital in Aba.

    He said the Abia State Government was deeply saddened by Ogunji’s death.

    “Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu, who received the sad news with shock yesterday (Saturday) has personally communicated and condoled with the bereaved family and he is currently in mourning,” he stated.

    “The state government prayed God to grant the bereaved family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” said Okiyi-Kalu.

    Ogunji was a senatorial aspirant in the 2019 general elections, seeking to represent Abia South on the platform of the PDP.

    He was appointed special adviser to Ikpeazu on urban renewal in 2015 and later commissioner for environment in the previous administration.

    Ogunji, who was a close political ally and confidant of the governor, was a member of the state’s Inter-Ministerial Committee on COVID-19.

  • COVID-19: Gov. Ikpeazu declares dusk to dawn curfew in Abia

    Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia has declared a dusk to dawn curfew on the state as part of government efforts to check further spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the state.

    Ikpeazu said this on Saturday in Aba while addressing newsmen on the state government’s efforts toward handling recent developments in the state.

    He said that an extensive contact tracing exercise had commenced in Ukwa West, Ikwuano and Umuahia North Local Government Areas, which are thd epicentre of the state’s index cases.

    “Presently, about 207 contacts have been established and we are still counting. Unfortunately our epidemiologists are experiencing some problems in some communities in Ukwa West.

    “The TC chairman of Ukwa West and the traditional rulers must yield unfettered access and cooperation to our medical team or risk immediate suspension,” he warned.

    Ikpeazu said that transition committee chairmen of the councils were expected to take the exercise serious, adding they will be held responsible in the event of any lapses.

    The governor said that from April 26 midnight, the three affected local government areas would be on total lockdown for seven days.

    He added that this was aimed at enabling the state government’s epidemiologists to successfully conduct and conclude the ongoing contact tracing exercise in the areas.

    Ikpeazu acknowledged receiving 1,800 bags of rice from the Federal Government for Abia people, adding that the wholesomeness of the supply will be examined and a pattern for distributing the items will be evolved.

    He said that the state had also received a number of face masks from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and commended the federal government for the gesture.

    “We make bold to state that in Abia, we are self-sufficient in the production of facemasks and as such do not need any imported face masks and PPE in Abia,” Ikpeazu however said.

    He directed that Christian Association of Nigeria, traditional rulers, Civil Society Organisations and women journalists as well as presidents of town unions and development associations should be included in the Committee on Palliatives.

    “From next week the committee would embark on the distribution of relief materials in various communities in the state,” he said.

    Ikpeazu added that plans were underway to ensure that more groups and individuals would benefit from the state government relief materials distribution exercise.

  • Abia Assembly confirms Justice Ogwe appointment

    The Abia House of Assembly, on Wednesday, confirmed the appointment of Justice Onuoha Ogwe, as the Chief Judge of Abia.

    The Assembly confirmed the appointment of Justice Ogwe’s appointment after the Speaker, Mr Chikwendu Kalu, conducted a voice vote, to which the lawmakers unanimously approved.

    The confirmation followed the letter by submitted by Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu, dated Oct. 22, asking the lawmakers to confirm Ogwe’s appointment.

    The Governor had inaugurated Justice Ogwe, as the Acting Chief Judge of Abia, in compliance with the recommendation by the National Judicial Council (CJN).

    His appointment followed the compulsory retirement of the former Chief Judge, Justice Theresa Uzokwe on March 14.

     

  • 2019: Ikpeazu praises Udom, Wike takes swipe at Akpabio in Uyo

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu was on Friday full of praises for his Akwa Ibom State counterpart Governor Udom Emmanuel at his declaration for second tenure in Uyo, capital of the state.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, who was also present at the Governor Udom’s second tenure declaration event, took a swipe at the State’s former Governor Godswill Akpabio.

    “Those that defected cannot say that Udom is not performing well, they were only escaping from prosecution,” Governor Wike said of Akpabio while telling the mammoth crowd gathered at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, venue for the event, not to be intimidated.

    “No man is God. Do not be intimidated, for I know you that you will stand and defend your votes,” Wike said.

    Speaking at the event, Ikpeazu said “Akwa Ibom is lucky to have a God-fearing leader,” while also adding: “God does not lie, he alone can make kings. You cannot come from anywhere and take over Akwa Ibom land. Akwa Ibom belongs to Akwa Ibom people”.

    In his address, Governor Udom asked for support of Akwa Ibom people, stressing he is submitting himself again as a servant-leader to the people for his second tenure bid.

    “I come today following the ratings and commendations of Akwa Ibom People drawn from the 3 Senatorial Districts in our state & also cutting across diverse segments of our population, that I have made results-oriented efforts in serving Akwa Ibom people since I was elected in 2015.

    “I have operated a Christ-centric Government, I have led a People-centric Government, I have worn humility like a badge of honour, believing that power comes from the people; I have refused to hurl insults at people who have attacked and called me names.

    “I have been a Servant-leader which I had promised you. I have maintained peace in Akwa Ibom State and brought about civility in our engagements. I hereby submit myself to complete the Divine Mission which you had first sent me to accomplish in 2015,” Udom told the mammoth crowd gathered at the stadium.

    Speaking on Akpabio’s earlier comments on invading Akwa Ibom like Poland, Governor Udom said, “Anybody who wants to make Akwa Ibom be like the invasion of Poland, to kill our people, we say, Holy Ghost, Fireeeeee”.

     

  • B R E A K I N G: Okezie Ikpeazu wins at Supreme Court

    The Supreme Court, Friday morning, affirmed Okezie Ikpeazu as the Governor of Abia State.

    The case was filed by Uche Ogah who had accused Ikpeazu of allegedly submitting false tax information to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Ikpeazu defeated Ogah in the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, primaries ahead of the 2015 gubernatorial election in the state.

    Justice Okon Abang of a Federal High Court in Abuja had on June 27, 2016 sacked Ikpeazu from office as governor of Abia State, after the court found him guilty of tax offences.

    Abang ordered Ikpeazu to vacate office for Ogah, who challenged Ikpeazu’s eligibility to contest the 2015 governorship election as the flag bearer of the PDP.

    Following the judgment and order for the immediate inauguration of Ogah as Abia governor, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, issued him with the Certificate of Return.

    But in another judgement in August, 2016, the Court of Appeal affirmed the election of Ikpeazu and quashed the judgment of Justice Abang.

    The Court of Appeal described the ruling by Justice Abang as a rape of democracy, and ordered Ikpeazu to retain his office.

    Subsequently, Ogah approached the Supreme Court where he prayed that the High Court judgement should be upheld.
    ‎In a judgement by the apex court, it faulted the judgement of the High Court, even as it awarded the sum of N250,000 against Ogah.

    Two out of the three-man panel of the Supreme Court struck out the appeal, thereby affirming the judgment of the appeal court.

    Mr Oga’s appeal was dismissed for lacking merit.

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria described the case as a storm in a teacup, which shouldn’t have been entertained in the first case.

    He warned politicians against trying to influence the judiciary, saying there was a security breach which will be investigated by the court.

    He wondered why some politicians would attempt to bribe court employees to know who is writing the judgment or what the judgment is.

    Meanwhile, in a reaction, Governor Ikpeazu, has dedicated his victory to the people of Abia state, who he said stood by him all through the period of litigations.

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Enyinnaya Appolos, Governor Ikpeazu stated that the victory is a re-affirmation of the mandate given to him by the people, and now twice confirmed by the Supreme Court.

    He stressed that only God will take glory for the victory, and commended the judiciary for standing firm on the side of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Governor Ikpeazu wishes to call on all Abians to join hands with him to ensure accelerated growth and development of the state.

    According to him; “the time for politics is long over, and I have forgiven all those that were bent on distracting me. Let all well meaning Abians, including my opponents, come and join us to grow and develop our state without distractions as we ultimately have stakes in the growth and development of our state and people

    “Today, there is the work of Abia to do and history will judge us by how much of that work we do, not by how much politics we play. My doors are open to all, my ears are open to hear and my eyes are strong enough to read suggestions on how we can best deliver greater dividends to those who really matter: the great people of Abia State.”