Tag: Gov. Ikpeazu

Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has ordered the immediate closure of Umuehilegbu Industrial Market popularly called Bakasi Market in Aba the commercial hub of the state.

A statement by the Chief of staff to the governor, Chief Anthony Agbazuere, stated that the order came as a result of an unwarranted attack of men of the Abia State Fire Service and the destruction of its vehicles.

The statement added that the Chairman and all members of the Industrial Market Management Committee have also been suspended.

The governor also ordered the Police and other security agencies to safeguard the market and equally arrest all perpetrators of the illicit acts for consequential prosecution.

Our correspondents gathered that mob from the market had attacked men of the fire service for allegedly arriving late to put out fire that razed a section of the market.

The statement, titled ‘Government Special Announcement, read, “Following the unwarranted attack of men of the Abia State Fire Service and the destruction of Abia State Fire Service vehicles, the Governor of Abia State, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, Ph.D has approved the immediate closure of Umuehilegbu Industrial Market popularly called Bakasi Market, Aba.

“The Chairman and all members of Umuehilegbu Industrial Market Management Committee are hereby suspended.

“The Police and other security agencies are to safeguard the market and equally arrest all perpetrators of the illicit acts for consequential prosecution.”

By Linus Effiong, Umuahia

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu says he is determined to reducing rural -urban drift by making the rural areas more conducive and economically viable.
Governor Ikpeazu who was speaking when he received in audience a delegation of the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), Prince Paul Ikonne at Government House, Umuahia noted that his administration had on assumption of office mainstreamed Agriculture as an alternative source of income as it provides industrial raw materials and capable of providing job opportunities.

The Governor while also describing Agriculture as as key for the survival of any society, regretted that if not for the ravaging covid 19 pandemic, his vision of establishing Cottage Industries in some parts of the state would have been realized. He stated that his administration had placed orders and paid for machinery for the establishment of some cottage agro industries from Tiny Tech Corporation of India but the movement of the equipment was hampered by the advent COVID-19.

He urged Prince Paul Ikonne to approach his new position from a multi -sectorial angle and look for a possible way of assisting in addressing the menace of soil and gulley erosion ravaging various parts of the state and requested a letter from the people of Ukwa West supporting the possible hand over of the Ogwe Golden Chicken Company to NALDA for resuscitation.
The State Chief Executive expressed the preparedness of the State Government in providing necessary support for the success of the pilot stage of the National Youth Farmers Scheme for which Abia has been selected to be participating in the pilot stage.

Describing the visit as a home coming, the Governor described Prince Paul Ikonne as a worthy and proud son of Abia State who has also served the people of the State in various capacities. He thanked Mr President for finding him worthy of such high elevation and expressed confidence that with his known passion for hardwork, he was confident that the new Executive Secretary will deliver on his assignment.

Speaking earlier, the Leader of the delegation and Executive Secretary National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) Prince Paul Ikonne said that NALDA has been revived by President Muhammadu Buhari as a result of his passion ensure food security across the country.
Prince Ikonne said that they have designed some programmes including Back to Farm, the National Young Farmers Scheme towards driving young youths to farm with a view to creating jobs.
He noted that two processing centres are to be cited in the state by the agency and expressed satisfaction that many communities in the state have started donating lands for various Agricultural value chains of the Federal Government.
He also informed the Governor that prominent indigenes of Ukwa West LGA had approached his agency with a request to help resuscitate the Golden Chicken Farms at Ogwe, and that once the State Government approves, NALDA will take further steps in this direction.

Deputy Governor Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, some members of the State Executive Council including the Commissioners for Lands and Information, Barrister Suleman Ukandu and Chief John Okiyi Kalu respectively, the State Coordinator of the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises, Niger Delta (LIFE-ND), Dr. Uchenna Onyeizu and other stakeholders in land and agriculture were part of the event.
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By Linus Effiong, Umuahia

Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has called on all stakeholders in the education system to continue to show total commitment in advancing the cause of education in the State and ensure that processes of re-opening of schools as announced were seamless.

The Governor stated this during the flag off of the fumigation, decontamination and clearing of schools in the state prior to resumption of students in exit classes to take their final examinations, held at the International Conference Center, Umuahia.

He called on Transition Council Chairmen, Education Secretaries and other stakeholders in the education sector of the State to ensure that the reopening of public and private schools in the state tomorrow, 4th of August, 2020, is smoothly effected.

Governor Ikpeazu who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr. Anthony Agbazuere, directed all teachers handling exit classes to subject themselves to Covid-19 testing starting from tomorrow.

Speaking further, he disclosed that deconttamination and fumigation of schools will also begin tomorrow and informed that the State government has provided hand-sanitizers, digital thermometers and face masks for the school children.

On the need for T. C Chairmen to monitor and report to government the progress of the dry run prior to resumption of academic activities on the 10th of August, 2020, the Governor directed that the exercise must not be handled with levity.

In their separate speeches, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Kanaelechi Nwangwa and his Health counterpart, Dr. Joe Osuji, assured that government would mobilize all necessary resources to ensure that all schools comply with the protocols put in place for the re-opening of schools.

They disclosed that relevant materials have been distributed among Zonal and Area Inspectorates of Education in the State and called on all to cooperate with the Ikpeazu led administration in ensuring that-the schools are safe for both children and teachers who are resuming school.

Also speaking, the Transition Council Chairman of Isuikwuato LGA, Dr. Osita Igbei, expressed appreciation to the Governor for his pro-activeness in convening the meeting and putting in place necessary protocols to protect school children. He assured that the Chairmen would put the materials provided into judicious use and ensure that the needful is done as well as monitor activities in all the schools.

On behalf of the Education Secretaries, the Education Secretary, Ugwunagbo, Mr. Ujo Iheanacho, thanked the Governor for all his efforts in ensuring that Abia is free from Covid-19 disease and pledged that they would work assiduously to ensure the best outcome.

The event which featured display and review of fumigation equipment by interested private companies in the State who are to participate in the schools fumigation exercise attracted the presence of Commissioners for Loval Government & Chieftaincy Affairs, Sir Gabriel Onyendioefu and his Information counterpart, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, also had in attendance all the LGA Transition Council Chairmen, Education Secretaries, Environmental Health Officers and other stakeholders in the education and health sectors of the state.

From Linus Effiong, Umuahia

The Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, PhD has received with deep shock and profound sadness, the news of the death of Chief Sir Johnson Onuigbo, the State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The Governor who described the Late Chief as a “close personal friend and long standing political associate” is deeply saddened by his death describing it as a major setback in the political development of the State.

The Governor recalls with sad nostalgia, the hardwork and passion shown by Late Chief Onuigbo in the administration of the ruling party in the State. In particular, the Governor recalls the efforts of the Late Chief in the 2019 elections that ensured his electoral victory and those of a majority of the members of the party. It will be correct to say that he was one of the major architects of our electoral victory in 2019.

“Chief Onuigbo had a peculiar pattern of administration which was a direct consequence of the warm personal relationships he built over the years with a cross section of the Abia populace and which ultimately rubbed off on how he ran the party producing solid victories and stability within the party”.

“Beyond politics”, the Governor continued, “Akinboard was a close personal friend of mine for many years and this relationship was one of the major reasons for the seamless and cordial relations between my administration and the party”.

He further described him as a man of principle and integrity who insisted that internal democracy must be institutionalized in the party.

“In all areas where he was privileged to serve our people, from the Chairmanship of Umuahia North LGA to the Abia Central Zonal Chairmanship and as State Chairman of our party, Chief Onuigbo exhibited uncommon passion and dedication”.

“My family and I, join the teeming members of our party and indeed the entire state to mourn the passage of this great man and iconic politician, and to pray the good Lord to grant his wife, family and the people of Ibeku Kingdom the fortitude to bear this very painful loss”.

“Abia State has lost one of her most outstanding and most committed political leaders. Akinboard will be sorely missed”, the Governor concludes.