​ABIA UNDER T.A ORJI: THE DECAY CONTINUES WITH IKPEAZU

In Abia State, we are whipsawed by abysmal infrastructural decay and alarming debts. Unless there is a breakaway from the status quo or total deracination, Abians will be living in never-never land to believe that they are approaching their land of Eldorado.  

This is rightly so because T.A Orji’s led Abia State government apart from mismanaging Abia funds also left Abia in huge domestic and external debts of N25.13 billion and $33.79 million respectively as at December 31, 2014. These amounts later increased to N25.127 billion and $41.976 million in 2015.

However, the fall in oil price further increased the financial stress on Abia State. By May 2015, Abia State government was unable to pay civil servants salaries for approximately 11 months. According to numerous news reports, Abia State was one of the pioneer States that pushed for bailouts from the Federal Government.

To inject life into an economy in comatose as well as offset the civil servants salary arrears, The Federal Government granted Abia State N14.2 billion bailout. But Abia was quick to take advantage of the bailout package to renegotiate its liabilities, including taking a 20-year loan of N14.15 billion at a nine per cent lending rate from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) ostensibly for the settlement of outstanding wage bills.

The consequence of this action is that, Abia’s financial Maradonnas are hoping that future residents of the State or our children will pay off today’s costs for running the government. In other words, Abia government is not only spending the future resources of our children but also heaping humongous debts for them to settle. 

With this reality facing Abia State, it is obvious that the T.A Orji led Abia Government discarded prudence. This can be proven by reviewing the funds (accrued to and) received by Abia State from the Federal Allocation from January – July 2015 using several documents from yourbudgit, DMO and FAAC.

Authoritatively, Abia State monthly Revenue (January – July 2015) was N4.89 billion. The breakdown is as follows: FACC Allocation, N2.82 billion; Value Added Tax (VAT), N662.60 million; 13 % share of Derivation, N385.73 million; Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) N1.03 billion. 
To make it simpler for everyone’s comprehension, every month from January to July 2015, Abia State received about N3.87 billion from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, popularly called FAAC Allocation. The State also generated N1.03 billion every month from IGR. When you add the IGR with the monthly remittance from the Federal Government, it will give you total average monthly revenue of N4.89 billion.

Surprisingly, while Abia State received N4.89 billion monthly, the government ran monthly commitment (Recurrence Expenditure) of N5.18 billion. This left Abia State in deficit of N290 million monthly. This is a clear indication of financial recklessness. To hide the true nature of Abia State finance however, the government resorted to borrowing, vide ut supra (as stated above).
However, to mislead and make us believe further that Abia State finance was healthy, T.A Orji led government released a budget of N102.38bn in the 2015 fiscal year. The budget had Recurrent Expenditure – including Personnel cost and Overheads – projected at N62.2bn in 2015 or say about N5.18bn monthly as against N4.89 billion Abia generated monthly. This made the budget a charade because it left Abia State with a deficit of N290 million every month.

Do not let anybody to tell you otherwise, every budget target is realizable only if substantial portion of the State’s cost as budgeted was funded fully from her IGR. But that was not the case in the Abia State 2015 budget and other past budgets.  The expenditure was funded from bank loans at lending rates of about 20 per cent interest.

Yet T.A Orji led Abia State Government failed to comprehend these developments. Instead of seeking ways to improve the IGR; the government deflated it the more with the destruction of Umuahia markets. This Executive recklessness (the demolition of Isi-gate, Mgbuka and Timber markets) costs Abia State approximately N1.436 billion in IGR annually. 

Abia State government could not broaden its horizons on revenue sources beyond selling income generating assets, collecting Personal income tax from voluntary payers and road tax. And more often than not, the revenue generated ended up in individuals bank accounts.

Like I mentioned earlier, Instead of diversifying revenue sources, T.A Orji’s government gave out Abia income generating assets. For example, Mgbuka former land was allotted to a wife of a former President for hotel construction under PPP. The former Isi-gate, Gariki and Timber, Ministry of Lands and Works were given to Trade-Mall Mortgage Company and Pro-M LTD respectively under same arrangement. 

My worry is that except the Abia mall all other projects are yet to be completed six-years after they were given out. For approximately six-years Abia State government is yet to generate Kobo in form of IGR from them. However, from the look of things, these projects look more like white elephant projects.

One of my biggest worries which precipitated the ongoing exposure is the barefaced refusal of Abia State government to open the book despite this glaring financial mismanagement. They have blatantly refused to publish audited financial statements of the State without consideration for accountability which is one of the cardinal tenets of democracy. So if there were no skeletons in the cupboard, why then is it under lock and key? 

If we desired a new Abia with cornucopia of democracy dividends, demand for accountability should henceforth be our oriflamme. As servants the onus lies on them to tell us how our money is being spent. Also do not forget that those seeking your votes with N10, 000 today are the architects of our predicament.  The money they are enticing you with is our 20-years common wealth they embezzled. Collect it from them and vote wisely. After all, it is a debt our children will pay.

Join US next week for more thought provoking revelations. Abia Must be Free !

I Didn’t Join APC To Witch-hunt Anyone, Says Ohiri Lewis

An Abia born-businessman and world-class rated Interior Designer, Ohiri O. Lewis has described as baseless insinuations erroneously peddled in some quarters that he joined the All Progressives Congress(APC) to witch-hunt or scuttle political ambition of some politicians in his home state.

Ohiri, popularly known as NG-1 Designer, in a statement made available to newsmen, stated that he was instead lured into APC by an ‘impressive performance’ of President Mohammad Buhari.

The statement further reads, “I am a fan of President Mohammadu Buhari. I am lured to join APC following an impressive performance Mr. President has recorded since he assumed office. I am of the same opinion with many Nigerians that Mr. President deserves another term of four years to enable him stabilize our economy and successfully return the nation to the joyous path of social justice and prosperity.”

Ohiri, who is also the convener/national coordinator of One Destiny Organization, a pro-Buhari group and member/patron Buhari Friends Organization(BFO), also disclosed that his organization has carefully put certain strategic measures on ground to mobilize and sensitive Nigerian youths and others across the six geo-political zones to ensure that President Buhari is reelected in 2019.

On the political developments in his home state, Abia, Ohiri maintained that he is rather committed to the reelection of President Buhari hence Abians are greatly enlightened to make an informed but rightful choice in 2019.

“I am more committed to President Buhari’s reelection project. Abia people are well enlightened and really know what good governance is all about. They are democratically inclined to make the right choice when time comes” he concluded.

​Between Uzoukwa and Ememanka

It is obviously within my rights to form an opinion on issue(s) of concern. As a trained journalist and stakeholder,  I equally enjoy the privilege of assuming a position on issues of governance in my dear state.  

My latest article published on the back page of Daily Sun of Wednesday, February 28, 2018 entitled “Abia is like Imo, but there’s hope” aptly reflected my thinking and renewed aspiration for Abia. I, therefore, owe nobody any apology. 

While responding to the said article, one Onyebuchi Ememanka defiled caution and professional ethics as he unproductively resorted to blackmail and name calling.  I am absolutely not surprised hence he clearly lacks the basic training of the journalism profession. Though writing is for all and sundry,  there are yet trained persons who are academically and mentally prepared,  nurtured and ethically tooled to write professionally.  That charlatan called Ememanka does not belong to this noble class. 

It undisputedly clear that Ememanka does not know Ebere Uzoukwa, Ochiagha Obingwa, either as a journalist or politician. I don’t know much about him either.  I had only set my eyes on that clown on two occasions. The first day was at Enitona hotels,  Aba, at a state event where he was uncontrollably running his mouth as a Master of Ceremony(MC). The second occasion was at Crest hotel where he was shamelessly loading some black substance into his dirty nose.  I later discovered it was snuff.  Chai…dirty boy. 

However, the truth remains that Ememanka orchestrated his blackmail relying on a script handed over to him. I am also believing that such script was made available to him by his boss, my brother and governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu.  The whole essence was to tarnish Ebere Uzoukwa’s towering profile and hard earned reputation by presenting him as a bad and irresponsible fellow.  But, Ememanka and his boss failed woefully in that ill-fated voyage hence the young man is best known and celebrated as an intelligent, hardworking, dedicated, diligent and upright media practitioner. 

For the records,  Ebere Uzoukwa began his career as journalist with The Tusk,  an Aba-based tabloid as Imo State Correspondent in 2003. Later in 2005, he joined The Exclusive newspaper that was published by Prophet T. B Joshua,  also as Imo State Correspondent.  In 2006, he joined LEADERSHIP, an Abuja based national daily. In 2008, Ebere Uzoukwa was promoted as Senior Correspondent, still covering Imo State. In 2010, Owelle Rochas Okorocha identified him as one of the good journalists in Imo hence he appointed him Chairman of his Media Think-thank Team for Rescue Mission governorship campaign. Upon his victory in 2011, Ebere Uzoukwa was appointed S. A Media(Print). In 2012, he took full charge as SA Media/CPS following Hon. Chinedu Offor’s elevation as Commissioner for Information. In 2013, Gov. Rochas Okorocha dissolved the entire exco, a normal tradition in the business of governance. Shortly and while reconstituting the cabinet,  the governor was intensely pressurized to appoint an Imo-born journalist into that position. Remember, Ebere Uzoukwa hails from Abia not Imo. Based on his outstanding performance, the Imo State Government awarded Ebere Uzoukwa a ‘Certificate of Service’ personally signed by Gov. Rochas Okorocha and boldly inscribed ‘in appreciation of your dedicated service and invaluable contributions……’. That was how Ebere Uzoukwa took a dignified bow and graciously exited Imo State Government House.

Ebere Uzoukwa served Rocha’s Okorocha meritorously and thereafter left Imo State Government after two years as a fulfilled man.  Nobody sacked him and incompetence as falsely and erroneously imagined by Ememanka and co-travellers has ever formed part of his features and trademark. He is indeed a sound mind. 

Immediately after leaving Imo State Government  House, Ebere Uzoukwa returned to his company LEADERSHIP hence he took Leave of Absence(LA) to serve Gov.  Okorocha. He was then promoted to the position of Assistant Editor.  In 2014, while still in LEADERSHIP, Okezie Ikpeazu through Mr. Solomon Nwigwe invited him to lead his media team following his annointment by Chinedu Orji(Ikuku) and his father, Ochendo, who was a sitting governor.  After rigorous  interview, political balancing and considerations, Late Chijioke Nwankudu who later became Chief of Staff to Okezie Ikpeazu and Elder John Nwangborogwu pleaded and enjoined Ebere Uzoukwa into taking the Deputy Director. That decision was reached to enable Hon. Osita Igbe function as the Director considering where he was coming from. Indeed,  that wasn’t an issue hence Ebere Uzoukwa had decided to contribute his valuable quota towards making Okezie Ikpeazu governor of Abia State. 

Within this period,  Ebere Uzoukwa deployed his brand new Toyota Corolla 2009 model into Okezie Ikpeazu’s convoy.  On two occasions,  the vehicle was jammed and destroyed from behind by the obviously rough drivers in the convoy.  As one of the leaders of the PDP then,  Ebere Uzoukwa equally deployed his savings into sponsoring some of the party’s programmes and activities at Ward 9 and Obingwa LGA. Needless to say that the young man spent over N5M of his hard earned savings on Okezie Ikpeazu’s 2015 governorship project. 

How and when did Ebere Uzoukwa join Ikpeazu’s government? That was 7 months after his swearing in.  The point of contact was at Sam Mbakwe airport.  The Late Chief of Staff later called for the appointment letter.  On resumption, Ebere Uzoukwa discovered something strange and unthinkable in Umuahia government house. There were over 30 media aides including printers and all manner of human beings.  It was absolutely an unproductive team.  The situation was obviously chaotic as there were different camps and intense power play by the major actors.  The whole arrangement was clearly disjointed. The then Chief Press Secretary,  Mr.  Godwin Adindu,  was battled from all fronts. 

Ebere Uzoukwa equally discovered that SSA position in Abia cannot sustain an average man with a family.  What can Ebere Uzoukwa do with a salary of N70,000 and impress of N100,000? 

However,  it became imperative as he authored a memo to the governor drawing his attention to that contraption called ‘media team’ as well as proffering solutions. Okezie Ikpeazu,  in his usual lackadaisical manner never responded. Rather, some of boys pushed him into dissolving the media team. That was indeed the opportunity Ebere Uzoukwa was waiting for.  As he never had an office within his 8-month sojourn to Umuahia Government House,  it was too easy to walk away. 

Since then, Okezie Ikpeazu had offered Ebere Uzoukwa appointments on three different occasions through his emissaries, yet he turned them down. In December 2016, Ebere Uzoukwa, after dumping the PDP,  contested the Chairmanship position of Obingwa LGA under the platform of All Progressives Congress(APC), yet Okezie Ikpeazu and his ABSIEC would cocncort results in favour of his PDP lackeys.  Since then,  the young man has been operating independently as a media practitioner. 

I have taken time to profile Ebere Uzoukwa as a Journalist, PR Consultant, political strategist,  Development Consultant, Mobilizer,  Politician and a Scholar.  Ebere Uzoukwa is currently pursuing his Doctorate Degree in Mass Communication at the Imo State University, Owerri. He is not known as an incompetent and unreliable person both in the political arena and media industry. Rather, he is prided as a bold, courageous, fearless and outspoken personality. That is what Ebere Uzoukwa is and represents.

Who is Onyebuchi Ememanka, one may ask?  He studied Law and was later called to Bar.  Is he practicing what he studied? Noooooo.  What was he doing before he found himself in Umuahia Government House?  He was a sales boy at Samsung, Lagos.  Why was he sacked? Piffery…..Again?  Stealing.  Who rescued him from severe hardship and economic suffocation?  My friend, Hon. Solomon Adaelu. How did Hon. Adaelu do it?  By evacuating him and his family back to Aba? How did he get into Ikpeazu?  Hon. Adaelu pleaded for his engagement. Why assigning him the portfolio of Public Communication which is a media job than Legal Advisory Role?  Because of incompetence and lack of legal knowledge. He also lacks the basic experience hence he never practised his acclaimed proffesdion since leaving the Law School. 

What is the difference between Uzoukwa and Ememanka?  The Obingwa-born journalist and politician has since 2003 remained in his profession. He has grown and garnered much experience as a journalist and editor.  He never left his profession to crash into other professions. He has not only distinguished himself as media practitioner,  but has worked diligently to earn an appreciable level recognition and respect. This is what the so-called Ememanka lacks.  He has failed woefully to fit into his legal progression.  Little wonder he resorted to MC job and quack journalism.  He is a sycophant and palace jester.  Ememanka,  the dirty pig that feeds on snuff,  is an opportunist and ‘food is ready’ praise singer.  When Ebere Uzoukwa and others were labouring day and night to ensure that Ikpeazu was elected governor in 2015, Ememanka was nowhere around Abia. He was in Lagos doing his job as a sales boy and unfortunately ended up stealing his employer’s goods. It is unfortunate that such character was engaged without a background check as an appointed of the government. It is only Okezie Ikpeazu that can do this. 

Having unmasked the charlatan called Ememanka,  I will take a time off to prepare my next article on Abia which will also come on the back page of Daily Sun.  I shall be also unveiling the ‘true’ Okezie Ikpeazu to the world.

I rest my case!

Ebere Uzoukwa

(Ochiagha)

ABDUCTION OF ABACITYBLOG: Abia State Government Suspected

Based on the information gathered from sources close to Abia State Government, the abduction of Ngozi Blessed Onwukwe who is the editor in chief of Abacityblog has the state government’s hand in it.

We gathered that the abduction maybe related to the Abia State SEEDC contract fraud stories recently published by Abacityblog where they quoted the Abia state SSG Dr Eme Okoro and other govt officials involved in the fraud against Engr Emma Uche Adimoha’s Phrenemos International Ltd. 

The  Abia State Commissioner for Information when contacted by reporters concerning the abduction of Ngozi Blessed Onwukwe, said the  Abia State Government has no hand in it.

Meanwhile,  the efcc, icpc, and dss are still investigating the fraud while the nigerian police has concluded investigation and issued arraignment notice to the suspects on this alleged fraud against Engr Emma Uche Adimoha owned Phrenemos International Ltd. It  was also gathered that the parties involved in this case will appear in the Lagos high court by next hearing as phrenemos International Ltd has been in the court with UBA PLC over the same fraud.

Credit: VoiceOfTheEast.com

Mascot Uzor Kalu Unveils Aba Got Talent Program

A​ prominent investment banker, business mogul and former Chief of Staff to the former Abia State governor, Mascot Uzor Kalu has unveiled a program called Aba got talent which is set up to enable the youths to show case their talents to the world.

The program comprises comedy, dance, singing and acting.

The winner of the comedy competition will go home with fantastic cash prize and the opportunity to appear on a national comedy show. The winner of the dancing competition will equally go home with a fantastic cash prize and will appear on an a list music video.

While the winners of singing and acting will have the opportunities of music production and national movie appearance.