OBI PARLEYS WITH MAN
Ijeoma Nnodum, Awka
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Anambra State
Government has awarded the contract for the construction of roads in
the Awada Industrial Cluster at the sum of over 1 Billion Naira.
Governor Obi said this after a meeting with members of Manufacturers
Association of Nigeria (MAN), Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi States chapter
at the Government House, Awka.
Gov. Obi said
that Government intervention was part of the outcome of regular
interactions between Government and the manufacturers through which
Government listened to their needs and strive to solve those within her
powers.
The Governor who
expressed satisfaction with the regular meeting with MAN to enable
Government identify areas for immediate intervention to enhance their
operations, disclosed that the Awka branch of the bank of industry
would soon be opened to serve them.
The Chairman of
the Association, Dr. Chike Obidigbo said Governor Obi had performed
beyond expectations in fulfilling the promise to empower and encourage
indigenous manufacturers. He noted that many of their members have
benefited from government infrastructural development of industrial
areas and expressed gratitude to the Governor for his high patronage of
Innoson Vehicle Company at Nnewi and other products packaged in the
State, noting that it is great morale booster to other investors.
The Association
Chairman noted that the regular meetings initiated by Governor Obi to
identify the problems of manufacturers have continued to record huge
success towards achieving the set goals.
A member of the
Association Chief Robert Ezenwa said they never had it so good and
observed that Governor Obi is the only Governor that has given listen
ears to manufacturers.
OBI CALLS FOR SUPPORT FOR JONATHAN
Ijeoma Nnodum, Awka
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Governor Peter Obi
has charged Nigerians to support President Goodluck’s Administration
with prayers in its efforts to transform the country. Governor Obi
gave the charge at the first session of the Seventh Synod, Diocese of
Okigwe South at Saint Paul’s Church Avutu, Obowo Local Government Area,
Imo State.
The Governor
said President Jonathan had vision, commitment and dedication to take
the country to the next level. He explained that the task of
rebuilding the country requires collective responsibilities of all
citizens and reinstated the need for those in position of authority to
promote exemplary conduct, respect for rule of law and Due Process,
while urging the people to cultivate the courage of pointing out
short-comings of leaders to encourage them to perform better.
Governor Obi
lamented that high level of greed in the country is impacting
negatively on the national consciousness.
The Bishop of
Anglican Diocese of Okigwe South, Right Reverend David Onuoha said
Governor Obi was a servant-leader, whose solid achievements had
entrenched principles of good governance. Bishop Onuoha commended the
Governor’s humility, simplicity and moral disposition to life, as well
as respect for the Church and constituted authority.
The Chairman of
the session, Mr. Nathaniel Mbonu said the Governor had remained
consistent in changing the face of governance.
Also speaking a
parishioner, Sir Ben Ekedebe observed that Governor Obi has introduced a
new order that has refined and scaled up tone of democratic
principles.
OBI DONATES COMPUTERS TO SCHOOL
Ijeoma Nnodum, Awka
Monday, May 21, 2012
Gov.
Peter Obi has donated a complete set of 10 computers to St. Pius
Spiritual Year Seminary Akwu-Ukwu. He announced this yesterday at the
Seminary feast and investiture ceremony.
He described as unacceptable that an institution of such stature
should be without computers at this age and time when the world had
become a global village.
The
Governor regretted that wrong perception and misplacement of
priorities in the past led to the collapse of the values of the people.
The
Onitsha Arch-Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Anthony Asonaya, who
described the Gov. as the best thing that has happened to Anambra State
since creation, thanked the Governor for his visit. He said the
Governor had remained a source of pride and encouragement to the
people. He noted that he has restored honesty and transparency in
governance by fulfilling promises made to the people. “He is the first
governor to initiate and sustain integrated and comprehensive
development of the State”, he submitted.
Similarly,
Gov. Obi also attended the annual investiture of Seminarians of St.
Gabriel Seminary, Ozubulu, where he called on the Church to continue to
remember the State in prayers.
Speaking
earlier, the Catholic Bishop of Nnewi Disocese, Most Rev. Hilary Okeke
noted that the Governor, unlike other politicians, placed the
collective welfare of the people above politics of self.
OBI CHALLENGES THE CHURCHES
Monday, May 21, 2012
Gov.
Obi has challenged the Churches and all other organizations that are
concerned with the good of the society to re-double their efforts
towards the re-orientation of the people of the State for better
appreciation of sound and pristine values. Speaking at the 2012 Third
Session of the 12th Diocesan Synod of the Church of Anglican Communion,
St Philip Anglican Church, Asaba, the Governor said that the Church
had fundamental role to play in the present efforts to rebuild the
country. He called on them to remain vocal on all issues affecting the
life of the people and speak out always against the ills in the
society, tell the people in authority the truth and encourage them to
remain responsive to the needs and aspiration of the masses.
Responding,
the Bishop as Asaba, while commending the humility of the Governor,
observed that he was giving a new definition to governance in the
country and encouraged him to continue on that path. He commended his
courage and political will for embarking on massive infrastructural
development of rural communities, including Anambra West, which,
according to him, was hitherto grossly neglected by previous
administrations.
At
the service to mark the 3rd Session of the Second Synod of Ogbaru
Diocese at Saint Luke’s Church, Okpoko, he said that the State
government had succeeded in enlisting Okpoko as one of the areas for
slum upgrade project to lift the life of the people.
He
disclosed that Government would embark on reconstruction of more
access roads in Okpoko, even as he charged them to maintain the
facilities already provided and avoid dumping of refuse in culverts.
Responding,
the Bishop of Ogbaru, Rt. Rev. Samuel Ezeofor commended Governor Obi
for his passion for education and assured him that the Church would
support his efforts to turn Okpoko around.
WE ARE BUILDING A MODEL HEALTH INSTITUTION – OBI
Monday, May 21, 2012
Governor
Peter Obi has laid the foundation stone for the three Multi-Million
naira building projects at the Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Ihiala.
Governor Obi said the projects were in line with the present efforts of
his administration to reposition the hospital and its health
institutions to become a model in the country.
The projects
include a two storey new Hospital Complex that will accommodate Out
Patience Department, Accident and Emergency Wards, Ultra Modern
Laboratory, State of the Arts Theatre, Children’s Ward and Conference
Centre. The other two projects are both three storey buildings for
students hostels for the schools of Nursing and Midwifery each made up
of at least Ninety self contained rooms and other facilities.
Governor Obi
noted that Medical personel remain the engine that drives effective and
efficient healthcare delivery and therefore require adequate and
proper training to carry out their responsibilities. He explained that
the State Government partnership with Church is geared towards providing
quality services to the people and assured the hospital that
government will do more.
The Catholic
Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Most Reverend Hilary Okeke observed that
Governor Obi is the first Governor to sustain empowerment of churches
to uplift the lives of the people. He assured that the facilities
will be put to effective use and enjoined the students appreciate
efforts of the Governor to give them a sense of pride and brighter
future prospects.
In an address,
the Managing Director of the Hospital and Schools Complex Reverend Dr.
Peter Uzochukwu extolled the Governor for giving new lease of life to
all sectors in the State and for returning mission schools to their
original owners. He said the robust partnership between the Governor
Obi administration and the Church is impacting directly on the lives of
the people, noting that the Governor has saved the hospital more than
anybody else since its existence, sixty years ago.
Some of the
Student Nurses who spoke to the press, Miss Chinwe Oputa and Mr.
Emmanuel Onyegbunam expressed gratitude to the Governor for his regular
support and encouragement to the hospital and its schools, assuring
that they will not disappoint him.
GOV OBI MOURNS FORMER LABOUR LEADER
Ijeoma Nnodum, Awka
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Gov.
Peter Obi of Anambra State has joined millions of Nigerians in
mourning the former Labour leader, Comrade Paschal Bafyau, describing
his death as a loss not only to the Labour movement, but the entire
country.
Obi,
who described the late labour leader as a great Nigerian, said that he
was also a consummate labour leader who, in spite of the fact that
he led labour at a time Nigeria faced the challenges of military
dictatorship, recorded solid achievements such as the building of the
12-storey Labour House in Abuja and the establishment of the Labour
Transport Service that helped Nigerians to ameliorate the cost of
transportation at that time.”
Praying
for the peaceful repose of his soul, Obi condoled the family, the
Nigerian labour movement and the people of Adamawa State for what he
called painful death.
OBI ASSURES ON ACCELERATING RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Governor Peter
Obi says efforts will be scaled up in reversing the gross neglect of
some rural communities by successive administrations. Governor Obi was
speaking at a service to mark the collation of canons at Cathedral
Church of Saint Michael Umuikwu Anam, Anambra West Local Government
Area.
The Governor
said the on-going massive infrastructural development of rural
communities was geared towards opening up the areas to boost
socio-economic activities and widen scope of opportunities to empower
the people to become self-reliant and care for themselves.
Governor Obi
reinstated that his administration will continue to support initiatives
that promote development and better life for all. He said necessary
measures would be taken to make major access roads in the area motorable
throughout the rainy season.
The Anglican
Bishop of Mbamili Diocese, Right Reverend Henry Okeke thanked the
Governor for his love for Anambra West and commitment to uplift quality
in the area. He noted that the Governor has received a lot of local,
national and international recognition and honours for his
people-oriented leadership and commitment to welfare of rural
communities.
In another
development, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Most Reverend Paulinus
Ezeokafor said the church had benefited a lot under Governor Obi
government while the Governor had made a clear difference in the
management of human and national resources, making the State the least
indebted in the country.
Speaking in
Awka, Most Reverend Ezeokafor noted the State Government collaboration
with the church has engendered growth and sustainable development. He
observed that the good road network, crisscrossing the State is
boosting socio-economic activities and has opened up hitherto neglected
rural communities while other States are now emulating Governor Obi’s
leadership style.
Meanwhile, a
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prince Rob Iweka said the people of Obosi
Community would never forget Governor Peter Obi for restoring peace law
and order in the area. Prince Iweka who was speaking at a social forum
at Obosi noted that the Governor’s prompt intervention and commitment
saved Obosi from crisis.
AMAKU TEACHING HOSPITAL, ONE OF OBI’S LEGACIES - Community Leader
Ijeoma Nnodum, Awka
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
As
the issue of Governor Peter Obi’s successor gradually engages the
attention of Anambra’s citizenry, a community leader in the state,
Chief Anthony Agidigbo Oguejiofor says the approval of the Amaku
Teaching hospital, Awka, will rank as one of Governor Peter Obi’s
greatest legacy.
In a Press
Statement made available to the Press in Nnewi, Chief Oguejiofor
described the recent accreditation of health institutions in the state
as ‘historic and unprecedented’, as the institutions were distressed at
the beginning of the present administration.
He observed that
the people of the state were particularly excited by the accreditation
of the teaching hospital by the Medical and Dental council of Nigeria
which had now provided the state with two teaching hospitals.
‘This
singular achievement has marked out Obi as a man of ideas and achiever
as he conceived the project, built it from the scratch and finally
crowned with the accreditation for the hospital and medical college.’
He noted that there was a lesson in leadership here when it was
recalled thatother governors before Obi were only busy trying to cite
one arm of the university or the other in their hometown.
Oguejiofor said
that initially when he heard the news of what had been built at Amaku,
he did not appreciate it until he visited the premises and marveled at
the scope of work comprising twenty gigantic buildings.These included
house officers’ quarters; consultants’ clinics; general out patient
department; college of medicine, laboratory, pharmacology and mortuary
buildings among others. He invited Ndi Anambra to take a trip to the
hospital and see for themselves the great job done there.
It will be
recalled that the Amaku Teaching hospital and State University College
of Medicine was granted accreditation in April to train medical
students.
ANAMBRA WILL REMAIN POLIO-FREE - OBI
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Gov.
Peter obi said that Anambra State would remain polio-free as his
government was determined to keep tackling health challenges of any
form in the State. He said this yesterday, during the campaign for the
eradication of polio from the State at the premises of Regina Caeli
Hospital, Awka.
Gov. Obi,
accompanied by his wife, Margaret; daughter, Amaka ; Commissioner for
Health, Prof. Linus Ilika and other Exco members, kicked the exercise
off by administering immunisation to many children. He said that he
always tried to grace the campaign personally because children, who
were the future of the society were concerned. He maintained that any
society that neglected to take care of her children and the youth would
suffer the consequences in future.
The Governor who
expressed happiness over the improvement in all health indices of the
State, including the accreditation of major health institutions in the
state that lost accredited before he took over Government, promised
that he would not relent.
Expressing
satisfaction with the way churches have managed the schools handed over
to them, he said that Government had in her kitty the sum of 1.2
Billion Naira to be given to Churches to rehabilitate the Secondary
schools handed over to them. This, he said, would translate to 20
Million Naira per secondary school.
He also donated a
brand new ambulance to Regina Ceali hospital, which was received by
the Bishop of Awka, Rt Rev. Dr. Paulinus Ezeokafor, who thanked God for
what he called the gift of Peter Obi to the State.
Earlier in a
broadcast at the government house, the governor thanked those
collaborating with the government in the fight against polio. His
words: “We thank our partners - WHO, UNICEF, WORLD BANK, BILL GATES,
DFID, USAID, Red Cross, Rotary International, National Primary Health
Care Development Agency and others for their contributions. We will
continue to partner with them in our concerted effort to eradicate
polio. Our commitment to achieving the MDGs and making our people
healthy and happy is total. Today, again, I wish to reaffirm our
resolve”.
The
representative of Rotary Club, Rotarian Chika Ekwueme expressed
happiness that for five years, Anambra has remained polio-free, which
he attributed to the governor’s commitment to the people of the State.
In his remarks,
the Commissioner for health, prof. Linus Amobi Ilika siad the
immunisation was targeted at 2 million Children.
GROUP DONATES CHEST CENTRE TO ANAMBRA AS OBI HAND OVER GRANT-IN-AIDS TO HOSPITALS
Ijeoma Nnodum, Awka
Friday, May 11, 2012
Group,
Agbani Partners, made up of some Oil companies – Famfa, Statoil,
Chevron and petrobras- yesterday handed over a state-of-the art Chest
Clinic to Anambra State government.
Handing
over the Clinic, comprising the building and state-of-the art
equipment, the representative of the group, Mr. Shola Adebalu , said
that credit must be given to Gov. Peter Obi, who through the goodwill
he enjoyed in Nigeria today attracted the project to Anambra State .He
said it was part of their social responsibility that was undertaken for
its capacity to add value to the lives of the people of the State. He
thanked the Governor for his interest and support to make the project a
reality.
Gov.
Obi thanked the group for their support. He said the complex, located
within the new teaching hospital complex which recently secured
accreditation, would be handed over to the teaching hospital for proper
management and for the people of the State to derive maximum value
from.
In
another development, the Governor also handed over cheques of over 80
Million Naira as grant-in-aid to 40 missionary hospitals some of which
are: Red Cross, Faith Hospital, Awka; Niger Diocesan Hospital, St.
Mary the Virgin Hospital; East Niger Hospital, Ogbaru, among others.
The
Governor who said that his Government would not relent in his efforts
to improve the health sector, said that arrangement had been concluded
to build a Cardiac Centre at St. Joseph Hospital, in honour of Dr. Joe
Nwiloh, a renowned Anambrarian and an internationally recognised heart
surgeon, who is also from Adazi-Nnukwu.
In
his earlier remarks, the Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Prof.
Linus Amobi Ilika said that Anambra people should be very grateful to
Gov. Obi for his commitment to all sectors, including health. He said
that the State would upgrade public health laboratory to a
comprehensive and integrated centre to serve the South-East and become a
centre of research.
Ilika
said that the idea behind the grant-in-aid to the missionary Churches
was on the philosophy that they are collaborators and not competitors
of the Government as they all serve the people of the State.
GOV. OBI RECEIVES GOVERNOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
Ijeoma Nnodum, Awka
Monday, May 7, 2012
Gov. Peter Obi has received the 2011 Governor of the Year Award of the Business Hallmark publications. The award was presented to the Governor at the People of the Year, 2011 awards ceremony of the media organization at the Golden Gate Restaurant, Kingsway Road, Ikoyi, Lagos on Saturday Night.
Speaking
at the event, the Publisher of the newspaper, Prince Emeka Obasi said
his choice was after painstaking debate and voting among the members of
the Paper’s Editorial Board. He said his choice was informed by Obi’s
transformational, visionary and people-oriented leadership, which it
noted had set a standard and benchmark to access governance in the
country.
Further,
it noted that Governor Obi administration had re-defined governance
through comprehensive, integrated and holistic approach that introduced
a new order hinged on promotion of fiscal discipline, transparency and
accountability. “With what he is doing in Anambra State, she is now
one of the most progressive and celebrated state in the country”, he
said.
The
Chairman of the occasion, Chief Abdulaziz Udeh said the award was in
recognition of Obi’s commendable difference in governance, adding that
performance such as his, had become a beacon of hope for the country.
The
Special Adviser to the President on Inter-Party Relations, Sen. Ben
Obi said that the award had shown that Gov. Obi’s solid achievements
and leadership qualities were speaking for themselves. He said the
Governor was destined to leave a solid legacy in Anambra State through
transparent, focused and committed leadership.
The
Anglican Bishop of Mbamili, Rt Rev. Henry Okeke said the award was in
recognition of the Governor’s giant strides that were being appreciated
beyond the bounds of the State and the Country.
In
his response, the Governor said he saw the award as a challenge and
motivation for him to do more for the uplift of the society.
ANAMBRA INTRODUCES FREE HEALTH CARE
Ijeoma Nnodum, Awka
Friday, May 4, 2012
Anambra State is
set to introduce free healthcare in hospitals across the State in the
specific area of child delivery. This was revealed by Governor Peter
Obi yesterday while handing over a brand new ambulance donated to the
Aguata Anglican Diocesan hospital, Umunze to the Archbishop, His Grace
Christian Efobi.
Making the
presentation, the Governor reiterated the state government’s commitment
to continue to assist the Church develop their own facilities, arguing
that those facilities served the interest of the people of Anambra
State .
In an address
signed by Archbishop Christian Efobi, he said that since 1981 when the
hospital was established, successive governments did not show interest
in its progress until now. Commending the Governor for the gesture, he
encouraged him to continue partnering with the Church for the good of
society. The archbishop, who lamented that politics in Nigeria was
devoid of civilized norms, thanked Governor Obi for championing a
paradigm shift by encouraging service in governance.
Concluding, he
also commended Obi for the befitting burial accorded Dim Emeka Ojukwu
saying that by so doing, he brought honour to the Igbo race.
Earlier in his
remarks, the State Commissioner for Health, Professor Amobi Ilika said
the present government was committed to addressing inequality in the
state which was the reason development was being taken to remote areas
that never witnessed it before. He enjoined the hospital managers to
deploy the ambulance for their outreach mission of saving lives.
Explaining the rationale for assisting hospitals owned by voluntary
agencies, the Commissioner said the present government saw them as
collaborators rather than competitors.
In a related
development, the Governor donated a brand new 18 sitter van and ten
desktop computers to Austin Memorial Secondary School Nanka and Holy
Family Collgege, Isuofia. He advised the students to be serious with
their academics which according to him were the basic currency they
need to conquer the future. He also tasked the students to be of strong
moral character.
Responding, the Principal Rev Fr (Dr) Cosmas Ebebe thanked Obi for
introducing civilized order into governance in Anambra State . He also
commended the Governor for the support to missionary institutions,
especially in the recent handover of schools to them and grant of six
billion naira for rehabilitating the schools.
WHY I VISITED ANAMBRA STATE – IG OF POLICE
Friday, May 4, 2012
The
Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar was in
Anambra State yesterday on official tour of the Anambra State Police
Command.
Speaking during a
courtesy visit on the Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, he said he was in the
State because all the times the Governor had called him on phone or
visited him, that he was so passionate about security of lives and
property in the State. “I am here to access the command, its
operational readiness and needs”, he said. The IG said that Anambra
was one of the foremost States in Nigeria in terms of economic
achievement, which, according to him, flourished when there were peace
and security.
Speaking about
the police force, he admitted that he took over at a time the world all
of over, including Nigeria, is facing security challenges. He assured
Nigerians that the police would not relent. He promised to continue
to work towards restoring professionalism in the police by emphasizing
discipline, competence, training and motivation.
Responding,
Governor Obi thanked him for the visit. He said that Anambra State
Government was committed to working with legitimate security agencies
in the State. He said that he had donated over 200 new patrol
vehicles, Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), communication equipment,
among others to the police and that he would continue to support and
work with them.
Obi appealed to
the IG to consider Anambra security along the line of her huge
population saying, “population wise, Okpoko alone should have its own
command.” Describing Anambra as one of the safest States in the
country, he linked the challenge os armed robbery to the volume of cash
in the State, being predominantly a commercial city.
Later, at a well
attended Town Hall meeting, The Inspector General of Police read a
riot act, saying that road block is gone forever. According to him,
Nigeria is the only country where police block roads and block easy
passage by motorists. Through the ban of road blocks, Abubakar said,
the police had curbed at least 70 per cent of corruption among its rank
and file.
He said he would
tackle the nasty issue of extorting money from detainees before bail,
saying that there was nowhere in the constitution where money was
prescribed for bail.
He also said
that the police had drawn a code of conduct for police men and any one
not toeing the line would be dismissed. But he asked the people to be
courageous and resist tempting the police with bribes.
He also said
that illegal use of siren must stop and that he had ordered the Anambra
Commissioner of Police to enforce the law after his visit.
ANAMBRA WILL BE BEST STATE IN 20 YEARS, SAYS OBI
Friday, May 4, 2012
Based
on the solid foundation he has been laying for it, Anambra will be the
best state in Nigeria in 20 years time, Governor Peter Obi has said.
Anambra
State Government has initiated more measures to further strengthen the
policy of honouring retired civil servants. Governor Peter Obi dropped
the hint at a dinner organized in honour of committee of Directors of
the State Civil Service who toured some completed and on-going projects
of the present administration, two retired Heads of Service, fifteen
retired permanent Secretaries, two retired accountants General and one
retired Auditor-General at the Banquet Hall of the Governor’s Lodge
Amawbia.
According
to Obi, his efforts and good rapport with the presidency had attracted
foreign investors to the state resulting in the decision of the second
largest brewers in the world, SABmiller, to establish a factory in
Onitsha, Anambra State. The factory which is one of the three being put
up in Onitsha industrial area, the governor said, would employ an
initial 350 people, with 60 percent coming from Anambra State as
mutually agreed. The other two will also employ about the same number,
the governor stated.
He
noted that these and other foreign investments like the Protea group
which is building a five-star hotel in Onitsha were results of his
vision for the state and useful partnership with the federal government
to which he is adviser on finance. Obi stated that his several trips
abroad with the president had been yielding good dividends to the state
from the useful contacts he had been making.
The
governor said such investments were what the state needed to take care
of the large number of the unemployed and reckoned that if sustained,
the state would rank the best in the country in 20 years time.
He
used the opportunity to commend the retired top civil servants that
included Elsie Ikemefuna and Ngozi Melifonwu who were former heads of
service and said it was wrong not to show appreciation to those who had
served the state well. He also noted that his administration was the
first to honour such people and while regretting that it had not been
done in the past, promised to make it a regular event henceforth.
According
to him, the peak of civil service was not being permanent secretaries
because the position was by appointment. Rather, he noted, the peak was
directorship.
Obi
reiterated his resolve to build a better place for today’s children by
laying the proper foundation regardless of whether it was an unpopular
action. ‘I’m not doing what I’m doing today as a campaign because I
have said I will not aspire for anything again after eight years in
office as Anambra governor. I’m not doing it to seek glory because I
have got all I want from God. The history of Nigeria will not be
written without a page being devoted to my contributions to the growth
of Nigeria’s democracy,’ Obi stated.
The
event which was also attended by serving directors of the various
ministries who toured the governor’s projects, also saw them relieving
what they witnessed on the tour. Their spokesman, Pius Udo, who is the
clerk of the state legislature, said the tour afforded them the
opportunity to confirm what they had heard and read about the governor’s
achievements and stated, ‘we have come, we have seen and we are
convinced that the government is performing.’ He then jokingly moved a
motion that Obi be commended and appreciated by the audience for his
good works.
Highlight of the dinner was the presentation of gifts to the retirees.
ANAMBRA LABOUR UNION SING PRAISES OF OBI AT MAY DAY
Ijeoma Nnodum, Awka
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Yesterday’s May
day celebration in Anambra was unlike many others in the past devoid of
rancour and name-calling between labour union and Government as the
Chairman of the state wing of the Nigeria Labour Congress, comrade
Patrick Obianyo praised Governor Peter Obi for his enormous
achievements in infrastructural development.
These
facilities, Obianyo said, had given the people easy access to towns and
villages in the state and opened up those communities that were
hitherto difficult to reach.
Describing the
relationship between the state and the labour union as “very cordial
because it is obvious that the government has done so well and had
increased workers’ salaries severally including the recent N10,000
increase”.
Obianyo,
however, asked the Governor to look into some areas that are still
disturbing to the workers. Although salaries has been increased several
times, he said, the recent removal of fuel subsidy has greatly eroded
the value of money and government needed to put more money on workers’
wages.
He also said
that the union was worried about the plight of workers of Anambra state
indigenes dismissed by Abia state government. Most worrisome, he said
was the aspect of 53 pensioners among them who have spent their entire
productive life in the service of Abia Government and had been
receiving their pensions.
The workers also
worried about the termination of appointment of workers of the defunct
Anambra state environmental protection agency (ANSEPA), contract
appointments and the likes. Obianyo also demanded that labour leaders
be appointed into boards and parastatals and non ministerial
departments.
Governor Obi in
his speech thanked workers for their contributions to the growth of the
state. He said that when all joined hands the state would attract
outside support and that in itself will give the state more leverage.
Obi said that
virtually everything Obianyo complained off were being handled at
government level and that soon, the Secretary to the Government will
invite labour leaders on a round table to discuss them.
ANAMBRA SEEKS CLOSER COLLABORATION WITH UNICEF, OTHERS
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
The United
Nation Children Funds (UNICEF) has commended Governor Peter Obi for his
commitment in promoting the welfare of children and the vulnerable.
The UNICEF country representative in Nigeria, Mrs Suomi Sakai gave the
commendation when Governor Obi led some Government officials to her
office in the UNICEF office at Abuja.
She said that
the Governor had done well in the implementation of projects and
programme that impact directly on the lives of children and women. She
explained that children need special care, attention and proper
training to equip them adequately for their future roles. She assured
that the organization will continue to work with the Government that
has the vision and strategy of delivering people- oriented programmes
with basic objectives.
The Head,
Social policy Section of UNICEF Mrs. Shalim Bahvgvna said that Anambra
State had done exceptional in water and sanitation sector covering
over 85% of said target.
Responding,
Governor Obi said that his visit was to update the organization on the
various activities of his programmes, exchange ideas and suggestion on
possible areas of improvement. He expressed satisfaction on the level
of success recorded so far. The Governor said that the State
partnership with UNICEF and other Developmental partners helped to fill
budgetary gaps in order to achieve Millennium Development Goals.
Governor Obi
also held discussions with the DFID, UNDP, among other bodies.
SECOND NIGER BRIDGE IMPORTANT TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT – MINISTER OF WORKS
Monday, April 30, 2012
The Minister of
Works, Arch Mike Onolememen said Governor Peter Obi’s creative
collaboration with the Federal Government has attracted its strong
intervention on Anambra State and South East roads. He was speaking
when Governor Obi paid him a courtesy call in Abuja. He also made it
clear that the Federal Government is passionate about the completion of
the Second Niger Bridge project before the end of the tenure of
President Goodluck Jonathan.
The Minister
noted that the Governor’s persistence and commitment to critical road
infrastructure has uplifted quality road network in the area. He
recalled that the Governor’s persistent appeals on the ravages of
erosion between the Upper Iweka and Bridge Head end of Onitsha Express
Way brought immediate Federal Government intervention that checked
further devastation.
He said that
President Goodluck Jonathan will soon give directive on the Governor’s
request as it relates to Amansea end of Onitsha-Enugu Express Way,
passing through the entire capital territory.
On the Second
Niger Bridge, the Minister said that they had commenced procurement
processes for the project since December last year, assuring that work
on the project will commence within the last quarter of this year or
first quarter of 2013.
Earlier
Governor Peter Obi thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for the visible
presence of the Federal Government now in Anambra. He said his visit
was to draw their attention to the condition of the existing roads in
the area that required urgent attention. The Governor explained that
if nothing was done urgently on the roads, they will become impassable
at the peak of rainy season. He equally repeated his call for work to
commence on the Second Niger Bridge. Governor Obi said that while the
State Government is waiting for the refund of money it spent on
reconstructing federal roads in the State, he was equally seeking
permission to embark on the reconstruction of more federal roads in the
State.
The Governor
was accompanied on the visit by the Commissioner for Works, Arch.
Calistus Ilozumba, Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Prof.
Chinyere Okunna, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, Mrs. Michel
Onugbolu and Permanent Secretary in-charge of the State Liaison Office,
Abuja, Dr. Beatrice Okonkwo.
|
Syria massacre 'seen before' in Bosnia
Baer: Syrians would use chemical weapons
Houla after the massacre, in the war zone
Bodies ripped apart in Houla massacre
