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Tag: Okorocha

  • ‘Happiness, Couple Fulfillment Ministry’ was a typographical error – Okorocha

    ‘Happiness, Couple Fulfillment Ministry’ was a typographical error – Okorocha

    Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state on Wednesday renamed the Ministry of Happiness and Couple Fulfillment, saying it was an error.

    Recall that the governor had on Tuesday announced the appointment of his sister, Ogechi Ololo, as the ministry’s Commissioner.

    However, the governor, in a press release on Wednesday, noted that there was a typo in the naming of the new ministry.

    “There was a typographic error in the first statement issued on the swearing in of the new commissioners,” the statement read.

    “The word “Couple” was inadvertently written, instead of the word “Purpose,” we regret that.”

    It added that the “real essence of life is to be happy and to fulfill one’s purpose in life; Government officials are elected to address this.

    “Happiness and Purpose Fulfilment Ministry therefore, is established for the lost time to correct the policy framework to guide ministries and departments on what they must do to guarantee the citizens’ happiness and contribute better to the society.

    “This is the very reason people elect their leaders: to guarantee their happiness and purpose fulfillment. A great leader therefore, is one who provides happiness to the people.”

  • Okorocha swears in own sister as Commissioner for Happiness and Couples’ Fulfillment

    Okorocha swears in own sister as Commissioner for Happiness and Couples’ Fulfillment

    Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha has sworn in 28 new commissioners and 27 Transition Committee Chairmen for the 27 local government councils in the state.

    One of the commissioners sworn in by the governor is his biological sister, Mrs. Ogechi Ololo (nee Okorocha). She is now the state’s Commissioner for Happiness and Couples’ Fulfillment.

    Ololo, who is married to Chuks, an engineer, was the All Progressives Congress’ candidate into the House of Representatives for the Owerri Federal Constituency seat in 2015 and she has served in various capacities since Okorocha became the state governor in 2011.

    She had, before her new appointment, served as her brother’s Deputy Chief of Staff and Special Adviser on Domestic Matters.

    Swearing in the new commissioners and the Transition Committee Chairmen on Monday at the Imo International Convention Centre, Owerri, the governor charged them to leave their marks in their respective ministries and local governments.

    He urged them to see themselves as men and women on a rescue mission.

  • Okorocha swears in Commissioner for Happiness and Couples’ Fulfillment, among 27 others

    Governor Rochas Okorocha has Sworn-in Twenty-Eight (28) new Commissioners and Twenty-Seven (27) Transition Committee Chairmen of the 27 Local Government Councils in the State, telling them that they have been appointed to come and prove their worths in the service of the State and her people.

    The new Commissioners and the Transition Committee Chairmen and members were Sworn-in on Monday at the Imo International Convention Centre (IICC), with the governor saying that his administration has completed more than One thousand projects and would do everything possible to complete the remaining ones before May 29, 2019.

    He charged the new appointees to work as if they have only few weeks to deliver and leave their marks in their respective Ministries and Local Governments and to see themselves as men and women on rescue mission, adding that they have come to be part of the success story of the administration and to contribute their own quotas.

    His words “You are the privileged group that has the opportunity to make names for yourselves, and put your signatures in the sands of time.

    I want to remind all of you that this appointment is not business as usual. We shall not tolerate any sharp practice or corruption of any type. Neither shall we accept indolence or laziness. You have been called to duty to help us achieve our vision in the Rescue Mission Project”. He Continued “at this moment I charge you all to be good ambassadors of the Rescue Mission wherever you find yourselves.

    To the Transition Committee Chairman, you must ensure that on-going projects must be completed especially the Schools, Chapels etc”. He reiterated that what his administration has achieved so far has exceeded all that the previous administrations in the State, both Civilian and Military, put together had achieved pointing out that anybody with contrary claim on that should make it public.

    The Commissioners sworn-in and their portfolios are; Prof. Nnamdi Obiaraeri (Information), Lady Barr. Ugochi Nnana – Okoro (Agric. & Food Security), Hon. Gertrude Oduka (Primary & Secondary Education), Chief Dr. Jones Uzoka (Niger Delta Affairs), Hon. Uchendu Chijioke Mark (Public Utilities), Hon. Gerald C. Okolie (Rural Development), Hon. Dr. Cyril Okafor (Tourism), Engr. Emmanuel Umunnakwe Ojinere (Trade & Investment), Chief Lasbery Anyanwu (Transport), Hon. Onwueyiagwu Valentine (Youth Development) , Hon. Barr. Mrs. Ngozi Njoku (Gender & Social Development), Hon. Chief Mrs Josephine Udoji (Works), Hon. Achilike Nwawuike (Internal Resources & Pension Matters), Prof. Emenalo Chizoba (Tertiary Education), Hon. Nwamerenini Chukwuka (Labour), Hon. Dr. Iyke Njoku (Planning, Budget & Statistics), Hon. Barr. Emma Ibediro (Local Government), Hon. Barr. Obinna Mbata (Finance), Hon Dr. Martin Ohiri (Sports), Hon. Mgbeanulu Obinna (Environment & Natural Resources), Hon. Emma Buka Iwuanyanwu (Science & Technology & Vocational Education), Hon Dr. Mrs. Angela Uwakwem (Health), Hon. Lady Joy Mbawuike (Informal Sector & Market Development), Hon. Barr. Chief Tony Umezuruike (Housing), Hon. Prince Chidi Nwaturuocha (Public Safety), Hon Dr. Ernest Nwigbo (Inter-Government Affairs & Donor Agencies) , Hon Duru Okechukwu (CGC & Traditional Affairs), Hon. Emeka Benjamin (Special Duties).

    In addition to the 28 Commissioners, the governor also announced Chief Kingsley Uju as the Supervisory Commissioner Ministry of Land and Chairman Bureau for Land, while Mrs. Ogechi Ololo as the Commissioner for Happiness and Couples’ Fulfillment.

    The Transition Committee Chairmen also sworn-in are; Okechukwu Victor Onyechere(Ideato South). Barrister Onomeze (Ihitte Uboma). Sir Anyehe Okeneme (Ikeduru). Julius Onyeneho (Isiala Mbano). Barr. Akas Paschal, (Isu). Steve Odoemena (Mbaitoli). Eke Sylvester Chidi (Ngor Okpala). Aloysius Onwuegbuchulam (Njaba). Barrister Paschal Onwukaike (Nkwerre). Chief Bona Akwaiwu (Nwangele). Chidi Nwoke, (Obowo). Barr. Mgborokwu G. (Oguta). Amadi Ebenezar (Ohaji/Egbema). Benneth Ilochuonwu, (Okigwe). Uche Lebechi, (Onuimo). Onyeocha Obinna, (Orlu). Mrs. Ihekire Ngozi, (Orsu). Barrister Duru Evaristus, (Oru East). Okoro Obinna, (Oru West). Ojirisi Alex, (Owerri Municipal). Mrs. Esther Eburuche, (Aboh Mbaise). Sir Edmund Enwereji, (Ahiazu Mbaise). Onuoha Franca, (Ehime Mbano) Anyanwu Bob, (Ezinihitte Mbaise). Kingsley Uche Onwuka, (Ideato North). Ofurum Kelechi, (Owerri North ). Hon. Osigwe Victor, (Owerri West).

  • Of Okorocha, Zuma’s statue and the culture of insensitivity

    By Francis, IKHIANOSIME

    “For, although a country may stand still, history never stands still. Thus, if we do not soon begin to move forward again, we will inevitably be left behind. And I know that Americans today are tired of standing still – and that we do not intend to be left behind. But effort and courage are not enough without purpose and direction” – Senator John F. Kennedy

    When I recall the time-honoured words above of Senator John F. Kennedy who later became the 35th president of America, I remember my country. The memories of these words have been recently provoked by the action of Rochas Okorocha. Governor Okorocha has been on the limelight for different reasons. A number of the times are for the wrong reasons. The ostentatious chief executive of Imos state known for a sartorial stole around his neck like a Catholic clergyman is not new to baffling Nigerians. Regardless of his contributions to his state, he is perhaps known for controversial achievements and memories.

    In 2012, Governor Okorocha declared a two-week Christmas holiday that received midst reaction and as if to test on our collective amnesia or to scuff a healing wound, in 2016, he went a week better by declaring a three-week public holiday for a state that is in dire need of daily productivity to offset her different debts and pockets of arrears to workers. In 2015, Okorocha erected a Christmas tree in Owerri which gulped a whooping sum of Six hundred million (N600M), at a time when the State owed a backlog of salaries. The former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representative, Emeka Ihedioha captured this insensitivity thus: “It is ridiculous and indeed smacks of insensitivity for this government to spend over N600M on Christmas decorations when families can no longer afford their meals and basic needs as a result of non-payment of salaries, pensions and other entitlements,” On September 19, 2017, the Governor received 27 cakes from women of the 27 local Government of Imo on the occasion of his 55th birthday. Recently, the self-immuned- to-criticism governor unveiled a statue of the President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma worth 520 million naira in the face of the hard-biting residue of the slow-winding recession in Nigeria. As if to say that was not enough, he was also vested with the title of Ochiagha di oha mma of Igbo Land (the people’s warlord), adorned with the Imo merit award, the highest honour of the state and a street was named after him. This far from being a celebration of world leader was more of the unveiling of a plaque of insensitivity.

    Without any prejudice to the intention and relationship the Governor of Imo State has with the South African President, the unveiling of the statue of the president of South Africa touch on wrong nerves more than it does provoke adulation. It has sparked off so much controversy because Jacob Zuma is a leader of political polemics. Like his host, he has suffered so many troubled waters which has left him marred and morally miry. In 2006, he wrangled through a rape scandal having being accused of raping a much younger HIV-positive woman. He similarly has sparked of criticism for his polygamous lifestyle, having currently four wives. He survived impeachment proceedings in 2016 having been accused of corruption scandal related to his rural homestead in Nkandala. In South African, the name Zuma has become synonymous with “Guptagate”, when he came under fire “over alleged influence-peddling involving the Gupta business family, which reportedly secured government tenders and even influencing appointments”. The Zuma epiphany in the face of all these was a show of insensitivity to the Nigerian psyche. In the face of these and the superfluous honours vested on the President of South Africa, I am beginning to think that Jacob Zuma must have done so much in fighting for the Imo people to be vested with the honor of the People’s warlord. Wait a minute! Was it not Zuma’s presidency that Nigeria witnessed the resurgence of xenophobia, where Nigerians and even Imolites were attacked and some killed recently? Or was he particularly fighting for the Imo people during that Xenophobic attack to be christened, “warlord”? Was the honour a personal honour or a reflection of the collective feelings of the people of Imo? The event has made us cast a fresh gaze on the import of Nigerian honours: from honourary doctorates, social honours, and even some chieftaincy titles. Are social honours still honourable? Is Imo State so much in economic affluence to spray such sum on a figure that is controversial at home and abroad? It suffices for leaders to understand the dynamics of social sensitivity.

    The figure of Jacob Zuma has been unveiled and now stands still in Owerri, but history never stands still. History goes through a gestation. Once its time of maturation comes, it comes out full blown with all its consequences. While statues are meant to evoke great memories and serve as historical mementoes for a people, like the Statue of liberty in the United States of America which is symbol of America’s independence; David’s statue in Italy which represents the Biblical hero David; Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; the statue of President Zuma would have made more meaning to the people of Imo and to Nigerian, if his figure would evoke more pleasant memories.

    It suffices to mention that artistic symbols like statues are not mere effigies. They speak more words than imagined. Unless we are sensitive to the words they speak, we are in for its consequences. The latest conflict about race in America began with a mass shooting, a flag and some statues. In Charlottesville some protesters moved earlier in August to pull down the confederate symbol particularly the statue of Confederate General Robert Lee and it was resisted. This fury was sparked because confederacy is perceived to be synonymous with white supremacy. In 2015, Dylann Roof; a self-acclaimed white supremacist went to a predominantly black Church in South Carolina and killed nine people in a sporadic shooting and afterwards flaunted the supremacist flag in some photographs. This exasperated the fury of some blacks as it revoked the imagery of slavery and white domination. It is believed that confederacy fought to maintain slavery and white supremacy in the United States. The question has suddenly poked up, whether it was okay to honour those who have incensed this racial tension, especially the statues of confederates. Even though the American government and people have a different explanation for having the confederate flags and statues across America, those statues have long spoken of racism and it was either greeted with insensitivity or silence. Beyond the erection of a statue for Zuma are the words and voice it echoes at the moment. Insensitivity has its boomerang. For a nation convalescing from xenophobic attacks and recouping from the mildew of recession, the unveiling of the Statue of a figure whose history and person has no overflowing positive influence on the people would be the unveiling of insensitivity. There are more impacting African figures to erect or even political icons or natives of Imo who have impacted on their common history to be unveiled. Perhaps, the statue of Jacob Zuma in Imo would go down in history as one of the infamous statues in Nigeria. Maybe elsewhere, it may be of better relevance but not in Imo. This act is only festering the culture of insensitivity; a wrong culture to cultivate.

     

    Francis IKHIANOSIME is a Catholic Priest and teaches philosophy at the Seminary of All Saints, Ekpoma.

     

  • Zuma: Remove statue, apologise to Nigerians, concerned citizens tell Okorocha

    From Ogu Gbuaja, Owerri

    Few days after South African President, Jacob Zuma, paid a two-day visit to Imo State (last weekend), scores of Imo people and South Africans have continued to criticize the action of the Imo State governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha to erect and unveil the South African leader’s bronze statue.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the controversial statue was erected at a high brow area at Ikemba Ojukwu Centre axis of Owerri capital city, at an estimated cost of N520 million.

    Those who spoke on the issue wondered why a state that is paying workers 70 percent of their salaries, and yet to pay over 30 months arrears of pensions among the myriad of liabilities, should embark on such ‘wasteful venture’ for a President that has over 800 corruption charges pending in the South African courts.

    They, however, urged the governor to quickly apologize and demolish the statue.

    Sources close to the state government confided in TheNewsGuru.com that about seven of such statues of yet-to-be unearthed persons have been erected waiting to be unveiled by the governor.

    However, despite the public outcry, the governor, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, said he owed nobody an apology for erecting the statue.

    He opined that those accusing the governor are his political opponents who did not see any good future dividends that would be recorded as a result of the visit, the statue and road named after Zuma, including a chieftaincy title of ‘Ochiagha Imo State’ (War commander), conferred by the monarchs in Imo at the palace of the chairman, Council of Traditional Rulers in the state, Eze Sam Ohiri, at Mbari Street, Owerri.

    Many persons, including Imo civil and public servants and retirees, who spoke on the issue on Thursday, condemned the governor for taking such sole initiative.

    The critics include a former aide to Okorocha and former member who represented Owerri Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Uche Onyeaguocha; other social critics as Elder Mathew Okorie, Engr. Ikechukwu Obodo, Chika from Mbieri, Mbaitoli, Friday Ekpo, Da Maraokwe, from Uzoagba Ikeduru, Pastors Chinedu and Elija Iwuchukwu, and Victor Ugochukwu Nwosu; and Alloysiuos Ibeakor, from Ibeasiegbe.

    Onyeaguocha, likened Okorocha working in tandem with Zuma, as alleged corrupt persons to milk Imo dry more, urging the South African leader to quickly go back to his country and face corruption charges hanging on his nake.

    Ibeakor, said: ”Though we cannot condemn him, Okorocha, outright, I would advise the governor to retract that statement. ”

    Iwuchukwu said: ”We demand apology from him. We are not against the governor honouring or welcoming anyone, but the size of money to built such a thing. If that statement is credited to him, it means that the governor I’d greater than Imo people who voted for him.”

    In his comment, Maraokwe posited: ”He owes no one apology, but one day he will owe apology to God.”

    Nwosu, noted: ”He (Okorocha), should listen to the masses.”

    China said: ”Our governor has seen himself as demigod, ascribing himself as God is wrong. If a man does anything without recourse to those who voted him.”

    Tony remarked: ”A tree does not make a forest. That assertion has been proved wrong that a tree has made a forest. Somebody voted for him. I believe God is watching and a day of reckoning is coming.”

    Okorie, in his submission, said: ”It is wrong for Okorocha to say he owes no one an apology. He should not be Eze Onyeagwalam (King to says no one should tell me). I am not speaking for any political party, APC, PDP, APGA or anyone.”

    Obodo, opined: ”President Zuma has not contributed anything to the development of Imo State. This is a state where workers, pensioners and masses are crying and this man is honoured. Sam Mbakwe of blessed memory has not been honoured. It is wrong. It is wasteful. What had Zuma done to Imo State that he should be built a statue and name a road after him? He should apologize to Imolites and remove that statue. Men should learn to control their libido. I think that man should be punished for that offence he has committed.”

    In tweets, some South African residents, Leo Barriers Barnard and Phiri James Gordon, said they were saddened by the honour.

    Gordon said: ”The most corrupt country in the world honours one of their own.”

    Bernard noted: ”Why don’t they just take Zuma? We will donate him to Nigeria with a year’s supply of pap in vleis…

    Muzi Nsibande: ”The most corrupt president in the African continent is honoured with a bronze statue in one of African’s most corrupt country Nigeria.”

    Charles Ernest Doller, twitted: ”Too many drugs that killing our South Africa and shame on Zuma for his honour with his corruption 782 or maybe more during 2017.”

  • Zuma: Okorocha blasts critics, says ‘I owe no one any apology, expect more statues’

    Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has reacted to critics condemning his recent invitation and honouring of the South African President, Jacob Zuma.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that apart from honouring Zuma with the highest honourary title in the state, Okorocha also unveiled a gigantic statue of the South African President and also named a road after him.

    The decision has been widely criticised as endorsing the governance style of a president who is facing corruption charges in his country.

    The critics also lamented that Zuma had been helpless to the recent xenophobic attacks and killings of innocent Nigerians in the South African country.

    However, in a swift reaction, the governor explained that everything he was doing was to reawaken the lost glory of the state which the former ruling party, PDP, had hitherto destroyed.

    This was revealed in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sam Onwuemeodo, on Tuesday.

    “If it was in the days of PDP, Schools and Markets would have been shot down. And roads closed because President Zuma was coming. But none of such things was done because Rochas and his government have human face. The PDP for the 12 years they held sway never attracted any meaningful visitor to the State except PDP NEC members who were coming to loot the State,” the statement read.

    Mr. Onwuemeodo in the statement also explained the rationale behind the governor’s gesture, saying Mr. Zuma’s visit was principally to sign a MoU between Jacob Zuma Education Foundation and Rochas Foundation College of Africa.

    Furthermore, he said a meeting was also held with Mr. Zuma and other businessmen at the Ikemba Ojukwu centre, including Leo Stan Ekeh of Zinox Computers, Dr. Pascal Dozie of Diamond Bank, Chairman of Innoson Motors, and a host of others.

    After the meeting, the state government decided to encourage the South African president to do more and appreciated him for coming by honouring him with a Merit Award and erecting his statue, the statement added.

    In a non-apologetic manner, Mr. Onwuemeodo said Gov. Rochas was determined to bring development to Imo state and would not be deterred by criticisms.

    “And in case these “Galatians” do not know, if all we need to do to attract good things or investments to Imo is erecting statues, then, we have no option than to erect as many of such structures as possible. We owe no one apology. Rochas made a promise to open the doors of Imo to the rest of the world, for good and he is doing that and we cannot be deterred by these enemies of our people,” he said.

  • Zuma saga: Irate youths rained stones on Okorocha’s publicity vans

    Imo State governor, Rochas Owelle Okorocha has come under heavy attacks for erecting the statue of President Jacob Zuma of South Africa in the state.

    In a video obtained by TheNewsGuru.com, irate youths in the states were seen hauling stones at vans used by Okorocah’s campaigners to stage a public display for the Zuma reception event.

    Apart from jeers and boos which greeted her Okorocha’s men who were on the carrying out the publicity show, stones, and dangerous items were thrown at their vehicles.

    Recall that TheNewsGuru.com had earlier reported that Okorocha at the weekend erected a statue in honour of Zuma, after playing host to him in the ‘eastern heartland.”

    Watch video

  • Okorocha builds giant statue of Zuma, names newly commissioned road in Imo after him

    Imo state governor Rochas Okorocha yesterday unveiled a giant statue of South Africa president Jacob Zuma in Owerri Imo state.

    Zuma who is on a two-day visit to Owerri, Imo State, South East Nigeria was also conferred a traditional chieftaincy title by the state governor – a road was named after him.

    Okorocha also conferred on President Zuma, the Imo Merit Award, the highest award in the State conferred on distinguished personalities who have made a difference in the development of their communities and to humanity.

    This has triggered fierce reactions from Imo state indigenes, Nigerians who took to social media to vent their disappointment and anger.

    The visit of President Zuma, according to Imo State government, is for the signing of an MoU between Rochas Foundation with the Zuma Foundation.

    Nigerians react:

  • Zuma, Okorocha set to provide free education to indigent kids in Africa

    The President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, and the Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, have agreed to jointly work on giving free education to indigent children in Africa.

    During the formally signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two political leaders, on behalf of their respective foundations, Okorocha said that the best gift and legacy that can be given to any child is free, quality and quantitative education.

    Okorocha said the purpose of the MoU signed with Jacob Zuma Foundation came as a result of his dream to touch lives and provide free education to less-privileged children.

    “17 years ago, this dream came to me to touch the lives of the less-privileged children. For reasons of my background, I almost could not go to school due to poverty. Then I asked God to bless me so that I may bless others,” he said.

    He added that he shares many things in common with the President of South Africa who did not have a formal education due to the poor background.

    “I read a bit about your history and it looked like I share things in common with you growing up and the challenges you had as a child who was not privileged to go to a formal school or to see the four walls of a classroom but rather had to study in prison. I was not imprisoned but I was a prison of poverty,” Okorocha said.

    Addressing the children present at the event, the governor said the purpose of the visit of the South African president to Nigeria was not for politics but for the children.

    “President Zuma is not here in Nigeria for any social interaction or any political reasons, he is in Nigeria for Humanitarian reasons,” he said.

  • 2015 bribery claim: ‘South-East is my stronghold, I didn’t need you to win,’ Jonathan tells Okorocha

    2015 bribery claim: ‘South-East is my stronghold, I didn’t need you to win,’ Jonathan tells Okorocha

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan has refuted the report that he offered a bribe to Rochas Okorocha, governor of Imo state, ahead of the 2015 presidential election.

    He said this in reaction to the allegation that he offered “huge sums of money and an influential ministry” to Okorocha in order to make him dump the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Jonathan in a statement issued on his behalf by his spokesman, said, “We offer to quickly dismiss these claims as lies, because we are clear in our minds that such conversation never happened,”

    “We are wondering whether this truly came from the governor because we are sure that even governor Okorocha himself did not believe that anybody would accept these claims.

    “In the first place, it sounded irrational and absurd. Besides, it was obvious to all and sundry that the south-east, being Dr. Jonathan’s political stronghold, the ex-President did not need Okorocha to win in the zone.

    “However, to set the records straight, we make bold to say that former President Jonathan never made any contact with Okorocha, ahead of the 2015 elections.

    “All those who had either worked closely with him in any capacity, or served in Jonathan’s administration can bear testimony to the fact that idle talk is not his style.

    “Since we know that the only proof the purveyors of this bribery allegation could offer is to probably claim that the transaction happened in a dream, we can only offer the governor sincere advice, to avoid rumours and twaddle, and get down to the business of result-oriented governance.

    “Governor Okorocha would have served his state better, if he directed his enormous drive to create growth and development opportunities for the good people of Imo state, rather than allowing himself to be drawn into dissipating his energy on platitudes and propaganda.”