City Reports

Newspaper vendors in Owerri have decried alleged abuse, extortion, intimidation and highhandedness by men of Imo State Environmental Transformation Commission (ENTACO).

The group lamented that despite the huge amount of money allegedly being extorted from them by the operatives of ENTRACO through sheer intimidation and bullying, they are being forced out from Government House Roundabout by Old Okigwe Road Owerri where they station.

Speaking anonymously to journalists in Owerri on Monday, the newspaper vendors commented that ENTRACO, previously, had never intimidated and extorted them as being experienced in today despite the huge amount of money they pay to ENTRACO men and management.

“Newspaper vendors in Owerri are not happy the way ENTRACO men extort us and bully us. They force us to pay them monthly just to allow us be. Surprisingly, they came here this morning, forcing us out, breaking our tables and chairs, scattering our wares. They should allow us be. Previous governments had allowed us to stay here despite all odds. We should be allowed some space and freedom as bonafide citizens of Imo State”, they cried.

The newspaper vendors while urging the state government to call the operatives and management of ENTRACO to order to allow them stay at the Government House Roundabout by Old Okigwe Road to continue their lawful business, reechoed that they do not constitute any danger or nuisance to the public.

“We are law abiding citizens of Imo State. We do legal business to earn good living. But our greatest challenge is Imo ENTRACO who bully us, intimidate us and extort us. They abandoned their legitimately assigned duty of decongesting and keeping the environment neat to manhandle and extort law abiding people who are left with no option than to dance to their downgrading, illicit demands. This anomaly should be corrected henceforth to avoid further highhandedness. Enough is enough”.

However, efforts made to hear from ENTRACO General Manager was unsuccessful as he was not in the office when our reporter called

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State says he inherited a failed state from his predecessor Emeka Ihedioha in January 2020

Uzodimma who said this during a broadcast in Owerri on Sunday to celebrate his three years in office, said that the problems he encountered in the early days of his administration were daunting.

The governor said that despite the challenges of COVID- 19 pandemic and insecurity which he said is politically motivated, his administration in 36 months had recorded unprecedented achievements.

Governor Uzodinma said he inherited a failed road network but he had been able to construct quality roads which had attracted the presence of the president, major general Muhammadu Buhari (Retd) to the state twice.
He said that the civil service system he inherited was nothing to write home about but today the state possesses one of the best Civil service systems in the federation.

“The Civil Service was a good example of a disoriented and directionless institution with no regards for regulations and due process.

As a consequence, the productivity and reputation of the Civil Service dropped to zero. For a state like Imo that was renowned for its efficient and reputable civil service this collapse was a major dent on our pride and reputation he said

Governor Uzodinma was sworn in as governor following a Supreme court ruling which declared him winner of the 2019 election.

Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, has lauded MTN Nigeria for remodeling science laboratories in Government Secondary School Owerri.

Uzodimma gave the commendation when he officially commissioned the remodeled science laboratories project solely championed by MTN Nigeria at Government Secondary School Owerri on Thursday amidst jubilation.

Uzodimma who was represented at the event by the state Commissioner for Education, Prof. John Cliff Chike Nwadike, said the science laboratories which included chemistry, biology and physics labs would encourage the students to enhance their knowledge on science, technology and innovation thereby making them employable, wealthy and creators of labour to promote social, economic development, peace, comfort and security.

The Governor, who posited that Imo State government will always partner with MTN on way forward, expressed joy of how MTN effectively carries out its corporate social responsibilities to the people, charging science teachers in the state to embrace digital technology to enable them imbue sound technological skills in the students who he encouraged to be focused in their academic activities.

While assuring MTN of the readiness of the ministry of education in sustaining laboratories in schools, Uzodimma reminded MTN of the need to complete any public project it started in the state. He thanked Old Boys of Government Secondary School Owerri for attracting MTN to the school and pledged government’s continued support for improved affordable, quality and digital/technology education.

In his speech earlier, Director of Mtn Foundation, Mr. Dennis Okoro, said MTN saw the need for technological education hence it decided to remodel the science laboratories at the school, maintaining that the feat was part of its corporate social responsibilities to the society.

Okoro added that MTN has been doing wonderful projects across the country to add to the social and economic advancement of the country with a view to reducing poverty, hunger, suffering, crime and violence, hailing the government for allowing the project in the school.

Contributing, the Executive Secretary of MTN, Odunayo Sanya, noted that MTN had previously installed solar borehole at the school where teachers and students are sourcing portable water, stressing that more than “2000 communities and over 30 million people in Nigeria have benefited from MTN projects and we are committed to do more, giving back to the society”.

Thanking MTN for the project which he described as a worthwhile, the National President of Government Secondary School Old Boys Association, Dr. Etofelam Osuji, promised that the Old Boys would often soar like the eagles to help the state government achieve more academic excellence for the school, observing that practical education will now be easier for the students.

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo state has vowed to recover all government owned plots of land sold to individuals by the previous administrations.

The governor, said government has information on a number of plots of land belonging to the state government sold to individuals by the previous administrations as well as structures built on rail lines.

He vowed that all plots of land belonging to the state would be recovered at the appropriate time, even if it meant demolishing structures already built on them in order to restore the state’s master plan.

Also, the governor frowned at businessmen and companies who got land allocations at the Owerri Industrial Layout but were yet to set up their businesses on them and vowed to revoke their allocations and hand them over to serious businessmen to boost the industrial policy of the state.

On road construction, the governor assured Imolites that before the end of the year, the Owerri-Mbaise-Umuahia road; Orlu-Mgbee-Akokwa road; and Oguta-Okporo Orlu road would be completed to add to the ones commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari recently.

On insecurity, Uzodimma pleaded with those causing violence in the state to lay down their arms and work towards the development of the state. He blamed the opposition again for the violence.

Imo state has witnessed an increase in violent attacks by unknown gunmen. Former governor Ikedi Ohakim escaped an attempt on his life last Monday. On December 22 the General Manager of OCDA also survived an assassination attempt on his life. Both attacks claimed lives of police officers.

The Imo state governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has warned those who want to win election at the expense of peace and stability in the state that he is not keen about winning or recontesting for election come 2023 but interested in making Imo better.

He stated this while speaking at the 7th edition of Imo Stakeholders forum held in Owerri. He warned those who cause instability and security breaches in his government to desist from such as anyone found culpable with face the wrath of the law.

He disclosed that the state has sufficient and sophisticated security equipments to fight insecurity to a halt and However decried that the sponsors and the perpetrators of insecurity in the state has impeded on the development of the state as the government now divert funds meant for developing of the state to tackle insecurity challenges. He maintained that his government will deploy every means to stop, kidnapping, banditry, ritual killings, Insurgency, cannibalism amongst others. The Governor reiterated that despite intimidation by the perpetrators, people still move about their businesses peacefully. He further stated that the security agencies are already aware of the sponsors of insecurity in the state and will parade them in due course. He frowned at the recent attack on the security men accompanying former governor of Imo state Chief Ikedi Ohakim to a function and declared they will be brought to book.

The governor also reassured of his effort to create employment through Digital economy, he noted that the recent skill up Imo training was to ensure that youths in the state are empowered therefore making them self reliant and occupied. According to the Governor, Imo state is the only state that has Ministry of digital economy which will eventually create thousands of employments in the state. Also the governor explained that OCDA has been instructed to expand development to other cities such as Orlu and Okigwe to reduce much cluster in the state capital thereby increasing house rents in Owerri city. He assured that his government will also pay attention to growth of Agriculture and Education. He further assured Imo citizens that he will deliver on the mandate given to him by God and will be proud to have served meritoriously after leaving office and urged Imo people to defend their state and make it more habitable instead of allowing criminals to destroy their heritage.

Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emeka Nduka, has urged journalists to use their pens to stabilize the political system in the state since they are the oxygen which democracy needs to survive.

Nduka who gave the urge at his office last week in Owerri while interacting with media professionals, pointed out that journalists are needed in any sector of governance as they are the channels through which the people know what happens at the corridors of government.

He averred that in as much as journalists are the watchdog of the society they should carry out their duty with high level of decorum, respect for human rights and fear of God, noting that constructive criticism is needed to put the erring public servants on the right tract, bemoaning any pen pusher who destabilizes the political system on parochial interest or sentimentality.

The Member who represents Ehime Mbano State Constituency, posited that what one does today will determine what the future of such a person will be, appreciating God for His favors in his life, maintaining that he was the only APC candidate who made it to the legislative house in 2019, hinting that his victory was not gotten through INEC nor the Tribunal, but through the Appeal Court, saying what God determines in one’s life must be done, calling on newsmen to continue to work in synergy with APC candidates to ensure their victory in the forthcoming elections, adding that the party has what it takes to recover the state from political backwardness.

The pragmatic Speaker said he would use his office to see that the Assembly Correspondents are well taken care of, as he called on them to shun Afghanistan style of journalism, opining that putting government or legislators on the dark spot to score cheap political goals will not favor any media outfit, soliciting for a balanced reportage.

The apex lawmaker in the house, Nduka, thanked God for making it possible for him to attain the pinnacle of his career by making him the Speaker of the Ninth Imo Assembly, as he pledged to uphold people’s happiness against his personal pleasure, disclosing that he is not there with a competitive mindset, admonishing that one should not be hasty in forgetting those he or she started with as no bad condition in life is permanent.

To boost the economy of Imo State for even development, Governor Hope Uzodimma has urged banks to open for business on Mondays as security has fully returned to the state.

The Governor said when the banks start operation on Mondays businesses will boom, economic generation increases tremendously because traders would be happy and more confident to sell and hence deposit their money in the banks.

This urge was made by the Governor through the Commissioner for Finance and Coordinating Economy, Dr. Mrs. Doris Anite, while responding to the Award of Excellence given to Governor Hope Uzodimma and herself by The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Imo State Branch, on her Annual Bankers Dinner and Awards, held at Rockview Hotel, Owerri last week.

According to the Governor, “I know that every Monday the banks are shut for business due to insecurity. I believe the government has done a lot to contain insecurity in Imo State. Shops are opening and I want the banks to also open on Mondays. When you shut your banking doors on Mondays you are telling everybody that Imo State is shut for business. Imo State is not shut for business. When traders sell, they want to deposit their money in the banks – and if you do not have the banking doors open, you do not give them the confidence to sell for that day. We want you to support government in that regard”.

On the issue of issuance of Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) requested by CIBN to enable her build her zonal headquarters in Owerri, the Commissioner promised that her request would be granted by the Governor, stating that it is one of the priorities of the state government to consider giving C of O to notable organizations like CIBN to encourage commence and industry in Imo State with a view to strengthening productivity, as well as building the economy to improve welfare and wellbeing of citizens.

“I’m not making promises because I’m not the Governor. But I’m speaking from what I know. The issue of C of O will be a thing of the past for CIBN”, she maintained.

Harping on the theme of the event, “Building Resilience for Economic Growth in a Challenged Economy; The Agricultural Finance Option, Anite encouraged the bankers to always have a good reputation by changing the perception of the public on unethical practices associated with unwholesome practices of banking and marketing by keeping to the ethics of banking and marketing, thanking CIBN for the opportunity availed to her to firmly contribute to the advancement of banking industry. “I cannot ignore the position am today in the banking industry due to your support and professional encouragement”

By Jennifer John

Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has described the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) as one of the most cherished higher institutions in the South Eastern part of the Nigeria.

Uzodimma made this assertion while addressing, the governing council and management of the university who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Owerri, Wednesday.

“It is a university that all of us are highly indebted to and we will continue to encourage it”.

He expressed delight at hosting the governing council of the university, describing education/knowledge as the key ingredient for national evolvement, reason for the concerted effort the state government makes to resolve any challenge being faced by educational institutions in the state, be it primary, secondary or tertiary.

He used the opportunity to call on the management of the institution, the academic and non academic staff, to do whatever they can to ensure that students return to classes, calling on ASUU and the federal government to sheath their swords in their current quagmire for the interest of students and Nigerian educational system in general.

Earlier in his address, the Pro Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council of the University, Senator Jack Tilley Gyafo, appreciated Uzodimma for his numerous support for the university, including effort to make the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri a University Teaching Hospital, effort at amicably resolving the land dispute between FUTO and its host community, as well a providing adequate security for the institution.

By Jennifer John

Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has cautioned Nigerians against the attitude of lamentation, complaints and blaming leadership where things are not going well.

Uzodimma made this caution at the Maria Assumpta Cathedral, Sunday during a thanksgiving Mass to herald the celebration of Nigeria at 62 years.

The governor appreciated the abundant human and natural resources the nation was endowed with, urging citizens to understand that every nation in the world has its challenges, that Nigerians should rather study how those nations overcame theirs and tailor the solutions to the nation’s challenges, stressing that this was the responsibility of both the leadership and followership.

“I want to assume that the common denominator is once you identify a problem, next is confront it . We must stand up as a nation to tackle the challenges that affect our progress. To understand the meaning of collective interest. What drives the nation is collective interest. How many are interested on how Nigeria can be better and if we are, what are we doing in that direction?”Uzodimma queried.

Speaking about Imo state, Uzodimma recounted the various problems that confronted the state, ranging from poor past leadership, insecurity, poor infrastructure, among others and the efforts his administration has made so far towards addressing them.

He acknowledged that though the political class has been blamed for the mistakes of the past and that the mistake was that of all the political class, the people should differentiate between leadership that came to work and that which didn’t come to work.

The number one citizen of the state called on all citizens of the state to join forces with the government that has come to work, listen to government’s side of the story and embrace the good aspects of it for the interest of generations unborn.

He assured that he has developed an economic growth plan that would provide solution to poverty, unemployment and insecurity in Imo state, as he pledged to do his best throughout his tenure to drive government, bring out best policies with fear of God and good conscience.

Earlier in his homily, the Archbishop Owerri Catholic Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace, Most Reverend Dr. Lucius Ugorji, called for a change of heart from leaders of all sectors of the nation’s economy. He urged all Nigerians to embrace God and shun the killings, corruption, insecurity and all other forms of vices, but seek for solution to the challenges confronting the nation.