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.....Groups reject Nana Udom's ambition


A banker, Mr. Ndiana-Abasi Nana Udom has said the Akwa Ibom State Government was not telling the truth about her current finances status.

Udom, who is vying to represent Ukanafun/Oruk Anam federal constituency in 2019 said the finances of the State have improved tremendously in 2018 compared to 2015, hence the State government should not continue to give citizens the impression that the economy was still uptight.

'Anyone who is saying that there is no money in Akwa Ibom State, is lying. I am saying this as a banker. The economy has stabilized. Anyone who claims otherwise is playing politics', Udom said at a meeting with youth.

At the meeting held in his father's house, Nung Udom, Ikot Uneke, Ukanafun, Ndiana-Abasi Udom said there should be complementary improvement in social services offered the State now that the finances have leaped.

Udom who works at United Bank of Africa, Uyo,  said his entrant into politics was informed by a desire to change the way politics was played; challenged the youth to rise to the occasion and vote him to the House of Representatives in 2019.

He regretted that youth engagements in governance in the State was still very low, claimed that he was tipped for an appointment, but some "evil man" rose up and stopped it  because he is a youth.

Udom who recreated the travails his father with kidnappers  two years ago, said Ukanafun/Oruk Anam should present a youth who has shown capacity and willing to serve so that there will be a complementary leadership and followership.

He said during his father's travail, the State government did not assist his family, but his young friends did; for that reason he said it would be better to stay on the part of the people.

Mr. Ndiana-Abasi Udom recently announced his intention to vie for the PDP ticket to represent Ukanafun/Oruk Anam, on  a Facebook page dedicated for his promotional and campaign materials.

"This is to personally and officially unveil the reality behind the MFONABASI 2019 project. While thanking all my family members,friends and the good people of Ukanafun/Orukanam Federal Constituency for all the support so far, Let me assure you all that this project has come to stay and that we are working daily towards victory by the special grace of God".

Nevertheless, groups in Ukanafun have rejected Udom's  aspiration, accused him of sponsoring blackmail against other contenders for the position.

In a statement yesterday, Thursday May 9, chairman of  Akwa Ibom Taxi, Tricycles and Motorcycle Association, in Ukanafun, Mr. Edidiong Friday accused Nana Udom of sponsoring malicious publications against Mr. Unyime Idem, another aspirant to the Ukanafun/Oruk Anam seat.

Mr. Friday in a video said APCOTMA rejected Nana Udom's N100, 000 and motorcycles which were baits were  to induce the group.

"APCOTMA rejected the overtures of Ndiana Udom because he is not known to them since he rarely visits home".

He said he was afraid that with Udom's affinities to stakeholders of the APC in the State, he may defect after the election.

"Part of the reasons why he was rejected is that he is an APC supporter who is being sponsored to win the House of Representatives election using PDP platform and later decamp to the APC", a blog tellnaija.com.ng quoted the APCOTMA chairman.

Culled From The Guide Newspaper

By Chidiebube Okeoma

A former governor of Anambra state, Peter Obi, has condemned the use of force on those agitating for a sovereign state of Biafra by the federal government.

Obi, who spoke to newsmen on Thursday after a close door with  the Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, at the government House, Owerri, said that the continued incarceration of the Biafra activists was rather worsening the whole situation.

The former governor said "The Federal Government should rather than apply force engage the players in dialogue as a means of finding a lasting solution to the problem , especially the issue of Biafra.

" I have warned against the use of force against Biafra agitators, the Federal Government should be open to continued dialogue, which is what
we are supporting.

That is why I am here today to thank governor Rochas Okorocha for his efforts in managing the Biafra challenge in the recent time”, he said

Obi said that the Igbo people were not happy with the forceful approach the federal government had adopted in clamping down on the separatist group, saying , “Our people won’t support the use of force against those agitating for Biafra, it is a very delicate matter that must be treated with caution.

"As a matter of fact, the FG should release all Biafra activists that are currently in detention to begin the process of meaningful dialogue” He concluded

Obi, who denied that he was in Imo State to perfect his plane to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress, said "I am a member of the People’s Democratic Party and I am not dumping the party for any other party. I am not joining the APC, I am here on a private visit that is all, nothing more”.

 ~Apreciates the support of Nigerians, rest of Africa

Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has congratulated #BBNAIJA 2017 Winner, Efe Ejeba, describing him as a proud ambassador of Delta State

The Governor noted that he wasn't surprised Efe won the competition by a whooping 57 percent of votes cast because he was well behaved in the Big Brother's House.

In a statement issued in Asaba on Sunday, by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu,and made available to Ifeanyicy.com, Governor Okowa lauded Efe Ejeba for being a good ambassador of Delta State, adding that the State Government is proud to have supported talented Deltans to achieve their dreams.

"As a state we are very delighted that our son Efe won the #BBNaija competition. We are glad that he related very well with the house mates and survived all the evictions and avoided controversies in the house," he said.

"He has portrayed the Delta character of being a true patriot and a worthy ambassador of the state. As a state we have continued to support talents in sports, creative entertainment and even in business and we are glad that Efe has made us proud again.

"On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, i thank Deltans and indeed all Nigerians that supported our son #Efe to clinch the prize money. Indeed beyond the prize money, he has displayed leadership traits that has distinguished him as a role model and we are very happy to have him bring honour to the state," The Governor emphasized.

Governor Rochas Okorocha today, Monday  March 10th, 2017 while addressing executive and members of Imo State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalist, NUJ said that the local government election in the state will be held in September, 2017 and that before the time, the House of Assembly must have amended the local government law to make the tenure of chairmen and councilors three years instead of the two years it has been.

The governor made the disclosure when he interacted with Journalists in the state for about six hours on Monday, April 10, 2017 at the Nigerian Union of Journalists’ (NUJ) Press Centre Owerri, adding that the court cases instituted by the PDP people over the local government administration had caused the delay in the conduct of the election.

The Monday parley at the NUJ Press Centre would be the second time the governor had gone to the centre for interaction with Journalists and in each case Journalists asked the governor all manner of questions without restruction.

His words, “we are going to have local government election in the state in the month of September. And the election will be conducted in such a way that people will not spend much and as a result wanting to win at all cost and getting back their money at all cost for something that is meant to serve the people”.

He continued, “The amount of money spent in running an election is what brings corruption in the system. This is what we are trying to change in Imo State and in our democracy. We want to bring our people together and as much as possible bring concensus candidates to reduce cost. We have one party in Imo State which is the APC and there is no division in it”.

The governor also explained that there are federal presence in the state at the moment, while more are expected adding that the Nigeria Army has taken over the General Hospital at Owerri West LGA, and the command schools in Okigwe, Orlu and Owerri, while the Navy has taken over the General Hospital at Ngor Okpala and the Maritime University at Oguta. The Airforce has taken charge of the hospital at Owerri North while the Police has taken over the hospital and the Police college at Ideato South”.

He said the International Cargo Airport, and the taking over of the Egbema Power Station by the federal government are all evidences that Imo would not complain of the absence of federal presence again in the state.

The governor who took his time to marshal out the monumental achievements of his administration in less than six years to the delight of the Journalists also said that “Judiciary has been so neglected all over Nigeria but we want to show example in Imo State as most of the magistrates and customary courts are in shanties. Government has declared state of emergency on judicial infrastructures. We are building an ultra modern high court complex called Justice Oputa High Court complex and before the end of the year, it will be completed. The High Court will be relocated to more befitting court complex than the bungalows they are now using”.

We are equally looking into their welfare and having discussions with them from time to time. We are equally looking at having children’s court, it is still been processed by the chief Judge”, he added.

The chairman of the Imo State Chapter of the NUJ, Sir Innocent Igwe in his remark, said the Journalists in the state would continue to appreciate Governor Okorocha for always making himself available to interact with the media practitioners in the state, adding that the Journalists would continue to appreciate him.

Sam Onwuemeodo
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.

... DESCRIBES IMO AS FASTEST GROWING STATE

The Chief of Staff, Imo State Government House Ugwumba Uche Nwosu has described free education as the most laudable programme of the Rescue Mission administration led by His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha.
He made this assertion when he appeared as guest at the Orient Fm and Television accountability programme- THE APPOINTEE , He made it clear that free education had far reaching and multiplier effect on all other areas of life of Imolites, declaring that it has  reduced poverty from 54 percent to 11 percent in the state as it has  lifted off huge burdens off the shoulders of numerous parents in the state.

    Answering questions on different policies of the Government and it's effect on the lives of Imo people, Nwosu said State Development  Council (SDC) is a creation to take government to the door- step of rural dwellers, since the SDC now perform most of the services that people travel from their different communities to access at the Government House,House  of Assembly or State Secretariat.He said SDC and CGC compliments each other as SDC covers the ward, while the CGC is in the communities.

   On the Urban renewal programme the youthful chief of staff  said it has reshaped the entire state and made it a beauty to behold. He called on citizens to exercise patience and support the Governor on the projects since nothing good comes easy.

    Nwosu who describes Imo as the fastest growing state in the Federal Republic of Nigeria averred that the Urban renewal project was imparative  to make the state conducive for numerous investors who are trooping into the state from different parts of the world.

  He was also asked question about his award last year as the best Appointee of the Rescue Mission,  aswell as the recent open letter to Governor Okorocha by the former Governor of the State, Ikedi Ohakim.  He described his award as a challenge on him to put more effort and not a reason to relax and rest on his laurels.

    While on the letter by the former governor,  he said there was nothing wrong in any citizen of the state writing to the governor but however picked hole on the channel of the communication and so many blatant lies that were contained in the letter.

   On the challenges faced in performing his duties, he said though there are challenges,  he does not see them as burden. He said the job is easy for him because the Governor made it clear to them for the onset that he was out to work for the state and that any person that wishes to be in his cabinet must be ready to work tirelessly.

  Some callers on the programme Charles Obioha and Fidelis Onuoha form Nkwerre LGA lauded the Governor for his numerous laudable programmes that has ensured the Massive Development of the State and the Chief of Staff for his untiring effort to work for and promote the administration in a good light.
   Anthony Asugbara who called  from Ohaji Egbema also commended the Rescue Mission but raised question on the delayed LGA election and state of Adapalm, to which the Chief of Staff informed him that arrangement has been concluded for the election as announced recently by the Governor.  For Adapalm, he said the establishment had numerous challenges and shortcomings but that all has been settled and that the establishment would soon bounce back to life.

ONWUKA VIVIEN (Mrs)
PRO to the COS  IMGH