WOODPECKER BLOG

IMO AS THE LEAST CORRUPT STATE 10th December 2019 The National Bureau  of Statistics (NBS) has rated Imo has the least corrupt State in Nigeria. The rating was contained in the bureau’s latest report titled “The 2nd Corruption Survey Report in Nigeria”, released at the State House Conference Center in Abuja, on Friday. Imo was rated the least corrupt state in Nigeria with 17.6%, followed by Jigawa and Plateau states. The National Bureau of Statistics conducted the survey with the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime, in collaboration with other partner international agencies. Highlights of the survey were presented by the Statistician General of the National Bureau of Statistics, Dr Yemi Kale, and the Country Representative of the UNODC in Nigeria, Mr Oliver Stople. He said that the first corruption survey report on Nigeria was conducted in the last half of 2018, where Imo State was ranked very high in the corruption index.

THE  GENESIS OF OUK’S TRAVAILS:AN OPINION   BY: JOHN MGBE VAILS:AN OPINIONI merely  wish to do a  brief profile  of  the genesis  of Orji Uzor Kalu’s  travails in  order to put matters  in perspective.After this  brief profile, there may be a  need to do an elaborate  analyses in order to carry everybody  along . It is not exactly  correct to say that OUK’S travails  started 12 years ago i.e in 2007 when he served out as Governor of Abia State. Long before  he served out as governor, he was already in the cesspool  of crises  as the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC), was  already investigating  his  alleged financial   infractions. This can be corroborated by the following reports in the mainstream  media in Nigeria. (1)ORJI KALU UNDER PROBE -For Financial Crimes                (Culled from the cover story of Newswatch, November 8,2004 Page 12-20; (2)Orji Kalu Challenges Obasanjo -“Tell us how much money you have; You are a Hy

PHOTO: Ihedioha inaugurates Visitation Panels

Governor Emmanuel wins at Appeal Court November 13, 2019 Cletus Ukpong Governor Udom Emmanuel The Court of Appeal, Calabar, has affirmed the judgement of the election petition tribunal that Udom Emmanuel, the governor of Akwa Ibom, was validly elected in the 2019 general election. The appellate court in its judgement on Wednesday declared that the appeal by the All Progressives Congress (APC), and its governorship candidate, Nsima Ekere, lacked merit and, therefore, dismissed the case. Mr Emmanuel was a candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He is currently doing his second term. The PDP in Akwa Ibom said the latest judgement was a confirmation of the “sanctity of the ballot”. READ ALSO: Oyo Governorship: Appeal Court rules in favour of APC but leaves Makinde in office “In the well-considered judgement, the noble Lords of the penultimate court, held the Appeal was lacking in merit, agreeing with the tribunal that the APC did not lead credible eviden

Buhari presents Nigeria’s 2020 budget October 8, 2019 Nasir Ayitogo and QueenEsther Iroanusi Buhari in NASS [Photo Credit: Linda Ikeji's Blog] President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday presented the year 2020 budget proposal to a joint session of the National Assembly. Mr Buhari, who arrived the National Assembly chambers at about 2 p.m., presented the budget to lawmakers. The president announced that N125 billion was allocated to the National Assembly while N110 billion was allocated to the Judiciary. In terms of allocation to ministries, the president announced the following allocations to respective ministries. Works and Housing – N262 billion Transportation – N123 billion UBEC – N112 billion Defence – N100 billion Agriculture – N83 billion Water Resources – N82 billion Education – N48 billion Health – N46 billion North East Dec Commission – N38 billion SIPs – N30 billion FCT – N28 billion Niger Delta – N24 billion In his speech before the presentation, Sena

 28th. September, the last Saturday of the month, members of World Youth Peace Organization participated in the exercise of Clean your environment and neighborhood. The members took to the street in front of St. Joseph's Catholic Parish. Umuna that has been suffering from floods with all types of deadly and filthy rubbish caused by live stock business owners along the Trunk A Road in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State. Seeing is believing. Our health concern about this live stock business on the Urban City of Orlu, dumping the remnants from the killed chickens into the gutters causing blockage of the water drainage. Exhibit: You can see a member of the group holding part of the intestine from the gutter in front of the church. Live Stock business can't be operated on a highway of an urban city. This is a sorry sight to the public. They need urgent removal from the premises. Emergency intervention from the state and local government are needed to resolve this p

Ihedioha is recording steady milestones and accomplishments. Having just observed his 100 days in office, Governor Ihedioha of Imo State has tucked away in his kitty, astonishing milestones. Briefing newsmen in Owerri, the governors Special Assistant on Public Enlightenment Prince Eze Ugochukwu, narrated the sorrow state of the workers secretariat which was recently reconnected to public power supply after seven years. According to Prince Ugochukwu, the secretariat was in darkness all these years because of enormous bills owed the power company which Governor Ihedioha has repaid. He reported the case of the Owerri urban water scheme at Egbeada-Owerri, which was shut down for many years for reasons of nonpayment of power bills, and which Governor Ihedioha has again offsetted. Speaking on ways adopted by  Ihedioha to bring back good governance, the public enlightenment aide, gave a distinction to the administration for introducing the Treasury Single Ac

PROFILE: Meet Buhari’s new Economic Management Team members September 16, 2019 President Muhammadu Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari has constituted an Economic Advisory Council (EAC). Presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina, said President Buhari appointed the following experts: 1. Prof. Doyin Salami – Chairman 2. Dr. Mohammed Sagagi – Vice-Chairman 3. Prof. Ode Ojowu – Member 4. Dr. Shehu Yahaya – Member 5. Dr. Iyabo Masha – Member 6. Prof. Chukwuma Soludo – Member 7. Mr. Bismark Rewane – Member 8. Dr. Mohammed Adaya Salisu – Secretary (Senior Special Assistant to the President, Development Policy) Here is what you need to know about the appointees. 1. Doyin Salami He is a senior lecturer at Lagos Business School where he leads sessions in the economic environment of business. He has also served as director of programmes for five years until January 2005. Mr. Salami is a doctoral degree graduate of Queen Mary College, University of London.

Buhari to attend ECOWAS Summit in Burkina Faso September 13, 2019 Agency Report President Muhammadu Buhari President Buhari will depart Abuja on Saturday to attend the one-day ECOWAS Heads of State and Government Extraordinary Summit on Counter-Terrorism, in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Femi Adesina, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, said this in a statement in Abuja on Friday. Given the growing threat of terrorism in the sub-region, the West African leaders had called for the Summit to review different initiatives taken so far, and redefine the priority intervention areas for the containment of the worrisome attacks in the area. The presidential aide said the decision to convene the Summit was reached at the 55th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Abuja on June 29, 2019. According to him, Mr Buhari recognises the imperative of collective actions in the fight against terrorism, and will continue to pa

September 11, 2019 | Speech Full Text Of Nnamdi Kanu's Speech At The European Union Parliament. By The Nigerian Voice  1  BIAFRA BRIEFING FOR THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT Nigeria in Crisis There is a crisis in Nigeria. The Nigerian State has never been at peace with itself and recent events amplify this pending emergency. And, as has been the case since independence from Britain in 1960, Biafrans are the easy target of the lack of a credible Nigerian state. Nigeria governs without the consent of all within its borders. Nigeria claims to be ruled by law, but in effect, there is a de facto lawlessness in Nigeria. Nigeria’s epidemic of violence flowing from the North is well documented. In 2014 the Global Terrorism Index judged Fulani militants to be the fourth most deadly terror group in the world, behind Boko Haram, Isis, and the Taliban. Lawlessness is always one step ahead of the Government. In response, the Governmen

Okorocha’s Victory Affirmed, As Tribunal Throws Out Izunaso’s Petition   Sep 9, 2019 FMR GOVERNOR, OWELLE OKOROCHA's victory in the SENATORIAL ELECTION has been affirmed  by the  election panel.Hedefeated JONES ONYERERI and Senator Osita Izunaso.He thus becomes the senator for Imo West Senatorial District of Imo State. DETAILS FOLLOW SOON   

Tribunal nullifies Orji Uzor Kalu’s election as senator September 9, 2019 Agency Report Orji Uzor Kalu The National and State House of Assembly Elections Petitions Tribunal sitting in Umuahia has nullified the election of the Senate Chief Whip, Orji Kalu, for Abia North Senatorial District. Delivering its judgment on Monday, a member of the three-member tribunal, Justice I.P.C Igwe, said the petitioner, Mao Ohuabunwa, a former senator, successfully proved his allegation of substantial non-compliance with the electoral guidelines. Mr Ohuabunwa of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had approached the tribunal to nullify the election of Mr Kalu, who contested the February 23 2019 election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Mr Kalu is a former governor of Abia State. The petitioner told the tribunal that Mr Kalu’s declaration as the winner of the poll by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not comply with the provisions of th

100 Days: Restoring glory of Oyo State Published September 5, 2019 Kindly Share This Story Governor Seyi Makinde Seyi Makinde About 100 days ago, when I took the oath of office as the Governor of Oyo State, I set a goal. I shared that goal in my inaugural speech. The major thrust of that goal is to restore Oyo State to a place of pride. I did not dwell on the negatives then, I remain positive even now. I spoke about my campaign trail and what the people had told me. I continue to pay on-the-spot assessment visits and to take targeted actions based on my findings. For example, one of my assessment visits has resulted in the ongoing renovation of Adeoyo Hospital, Yemetu, including an upgrade of the radiography/radiology facilities. Hope is a great value to have. But hope is about things you have not seen and as one writer said, ‘hope is better served as breakfast’. When promises are made, it is so that people may believe something good will

Gov. Ihedioha flags off 81km urban roads construction, reconstruction of Technical Colleges .. Monarchs, NURTW, Imolites laud governor on projects In fulfillment of his promise to address the dilapidated infrastructure in the state, with a view to ensuring economic development, Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha CON, has flagged off the construction of 81km urban roads project worth N23.4b in the state This is as the governor has promised that his administration would not consider geographical divisions while addressing the developmental needs of the state.  The governor who stated this while performing the flag-off of the projects, Thursday, said part of his administration's cardinal agenda is to run a one-stop state, where democracy dividends will be evenly distributed across the 27 local government areas of the state.  The 16 roads earmarked for construction under the project include Nkume/Umuowa/Owerri Ebiri/Umuna/Orlu; Imo