WOODPECKER BLOG

GOVERNMENT OF IMO STATE PRESS RELEASE Uzodimma Receives PDP Defectors into APC in Imo State The Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma has received defectors of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State to All Progressives Congress (APC) and has promised them of a level playing ground while in the party. He described their joining of APC as a home coming. The Governor who received them at the Sam Mbakwe Exco Chamber Government House, Owerri, said that the priority of his administration is how to better Imo State and Imo people through good governance. The Governor, who described the political party as a vehicle taking one to a destination, informed that the administrative mantra of his government anchored on Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Recovery emphasized that when the State is recovered the benefit will be for everyone. He reiterated that the political class in the state must unite because according to him Imo has a great herit

GOVERNMENT OF IMO STATE PRESS RELEASE Uzodimma Assents to Bill Repealing Law on Payment of Pensions, Gratuity of Ex-Governors, Speakers, Others   The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma has accented to a Bill repealing the law that created pension allowances and gratuities to former Governors, Deputy Governors, Speakers and Deputy Speakers.   Speaking after accenting to the Bill at Sam Mbakwe the Exco Chambers, Government House, Owerri on Friday, the Governor noted that the law has become necessary because the it runs contrary to the 1999 constitution as amended, which stipulates that a pensioner must have worked for at least 10years and must be up to 45 years of age.   Governor Uzodimma noted: “Apart from the inconsistency of such a law to the provisions of the grundnorm, which is the Constitution of 1999 (as amended), this has led for a very long time a precedence that does not encourage diligence and prudence in service delivery.’’   He regrette

GOVERNMENT OF IMO STATE PRESS RELEASE Imo Records Additional 25 Covid-19 Cases   Pursuant to theirpromise to update Imo people on the latest developments concerning the dreadedcorona virus disease otherwise called COVID-19 pandemic, the COVID-19Prevention and Control Committee Taskforce set up by the Governor of Imo State,Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma has briefed newsmen in their office atOdenigbo, opposite Deputy Governor’s office, Owerri, Imo State.   Informing the press onthe latest development, The Chairman of the Committee, Prof. Maurice Iwu saidthat Imo has recorded 25 more cases from a test of 96 suspected carriers of theCOVID-19 disease.   This case is as aresult of the vigilance of the Committee in collaboration with the securityagencies who intercepted some vehicles carrying passengers across the State,and on subjecting the commuters to COVID-19 testing, it was discovered that 25,out of the 96 passengers tested positive to the deadly C

Nigerian govt announces locations of six new colleges of education May 18, 2020 Azeezat Adedigba Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo State,[PHOTO CREDIT: Nigerian Tribune] The federal government has announced the locations of the six newly approved federal colleges of education, one in each of the six geo-political zones of Nigeria. In a statement on Monday, the spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Education, Ben Gooong, said the six colleges of education will take-off in October. “The attention of the Federal Ministry of Education has been drawn to the mutilation of official correspondence between the Federal Government and the government of Osun State over the location of the newly approved federal college of education in the state,” he said. The new institutions will be located at Bauchi, Benue, Ebonyi, Osun, Sokoto, and Edo states. According to Mr Gooong, the federal college of education in Bauchi State will be situated in Jama’are in Jama’are

GOVERNMENT OF IMO STATE PRESS RELEASE Governor Uzodimma Appoints Okere Director-General, Imo State Orientation Agency Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has appointed Mr. Ethelbert Okere as the Director-General of Imo State Orientation Agency (ISOA). Okere’s appointment is with immediate effect and he replaces Martin Chinagorom Opara. A graduate of Economics from the University of Calabar, Okere – journalist, prolific writer and author of several books, ranks among the best public affairs analysts in Nigeria today. He was, at different times, political aide to several politicians, including Senator Arthur Nzeribe and former Governor Ikedi Ohakim. Okere is expected to bring his wealth of experience in the private and public sectors to bear on the ISOA. He is widely travelled and married with children. Oguwike Nwachuku Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser (Gov.) May 15, 2020

GOVERNMENT OF IMO STATE PRESS RELEASE Imo Government Donates to the Physically Challenged Determined to reach out to all sectors of Imo citizens during this COVID-19 era, the State Government has donated 500 bags of 10Kg Rice, 60 cartons of Indomie noodles, 40 cartons of Lifebouy soap and 42 cases of powder to the physically challenged in the state. Making the presentation in Government House, Owerri, the Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Barrister Nnamdi Anyaehie said the donation is yet one of such ways of ensuring that no section of the society is left behind in the distribution of the palliatives being distributed to the vulnerable in Imo State. He acknowledged the place of the physically challenged in our society, assuring them of government continued partnership and accommodation in the scheme of things. Anyaehie admonished them to continue to be peaceful in their day-to-day activities, promising that

GOVERNMENT OF IMO STATE PRESS RELEASE Imo State University Visitation Panel Submits Report to Uzodimma, Recommends Sweeping Changes The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma has expressed satisfaction with the job done by the Imo State University Visitation Panel Chaired by Prof. Chinedu Nebo, a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN). The panel, in its report, has recommended sweeping changes that will position the school to competitiveness. Receiving a report of the Panel at the Sam Mbakwe Executive Chambers, Government House, Owerri on Friday, Governor Uzodimma expressed joy that the team did not fail to look into critical areas expected of them in a bid to find ways to check corruption and maladministration bedeviling the University. Governor Uzodimma who pledged to personally look at the report assured that all recommendations that will better the institution, the expectation of Imo people from the University and humanity in gen

GOERNMENT OF IMO STATE PRESS RELASE Uzodimma Threatens Total Lockdown of Imo as State Records Four New COVID-19 Cases ·         Lifts Ban on Burial for Two Weeks Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has expressed his displeasure over the non-compliance of the citizens with the government’s directives on the prevention of the spread of coronavirus in the state. Briefing newsmen Friday on the situation as it concerns the battle against COVID-19 in the state, Governor Uzodimma regretted that four new cases from one family have been reported by Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to have tested positive to the disease in Imo State. The Governor noted that despite strict orders for the closure of the boundaries, people still infiltrate the state from outside. He regretted that the infected person came in from Lagos and went to his village where he, in turn, infested three of his family members. This, he said, portends danger to those living in the villages and sh

GOVERNMENT OF IMO STATE PRESS RELEASE Imo Government Insists on Electronic Payment of Workers Salary The Imo State Government has insisted that there is no going back on the plan to pay salary of workers in the state electronically. Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has, therefore, sounded it loud and clear to Government Agencies and Parastatals that payment of salaries to government workers must be by electronic means. Briefing newsmen on Wednesday in Owerri after Executive Council Meeting, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba reiterated that agencies and parastatals that are yet to receive their salaries are to blame for non-compliance to government guidelines to this effect. Emelumba said despite Governor Uzodimma's directive a few weeks ago, some parastatals and agencies have refused to comply with Government directive regarding submission of their Bank Verification Numbers (BVN). The Commissioner stated further that Governor U

GOVERNMENT OF IMO STATE PRESS RELEASE Uzodimma Gives 20 SUVs to Imo State Judges, Calls for Harmonious Working Relationship The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma on Wednesday presented vehicle gi fts to Judges in Imo State and stressed the need for the judicial arm of government to join forces with the other arms, the Executive and Legislature, to move the State forward. The Governor, who stated this during a courtesy visit by Judges, said that the dividends of democracy can only be delivered to people when all the arms of government close ranks and work as a team. While expressing his zeal to work with the Judges, Governor Uzodimma presented vehicle gifts of 20 brand new Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) to the serving Judges as a way of motivating them to work. He noted that Imo State Judges have not been treated well by past administrations and pledged to change the narrative. The Governor who did not only stop at presenting vehicles to the Judges, a