New dawn !

Buhari Has Reconnected Nigeria To The World –
Okorocha
Source: Leadership.
Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state was a
member of President Mohammadu Buhari's
delegation to the United States during a just-
concluded official visit. After the visit, the Imo state
governor speaks with ABIODUN OLUWAROTIMI in
Washington, DC on the gains the visit will bring to
Nigeria. He also speaks on his government in Imo
state, the crisism in the All Progressive Congress as
well as the prosecution of his predecessor, Mr. Ikedi
Ohakim, among other issues.
How will you describe President Mohammadu
Buhari's just-concluded visit to the United States?
The visit was very important and we believe this will
open a new door. Doors of opportunities for Nigeria.
We believe that the visit will reaffirm a solid
economic ties between the United States and Nigeria.
The visit has come a long way to prove that America
and Nigeria will work together for the benefit of both
parties. This is time for Nigeria and the entire Africa
to begin to realize the good things that the person of
President Buhari has attracted. And we believe that if
we utilize these golden opportunities, then Nigeria
will begin to witness great developments. As a matter
of fact, Buhari has reconnected Nigeria to the world,
and if you remember very well, our country was
disconnected from the international community
under the last administration of Dr. Goodluck
Jonathan. Okorocha--Buhari
As a major stakeholder in your party, APC, what is
your take over the crisis rocking the party?
You see, what we have there is not a crisis. It is just a
disagreement here and there. It is the attempt of our
party to introduce what is called proper democracy
and the decision of some minority to work against
the idea of the party is what is causing this problem.
As a party, what you are seeing there is not a crisis, it
is just a miscalculation and we are trying to rectified
that.
Coming back to your state, Imo, how will you say the
state has changed under your administration?
Yes, all the things that we have achieved in Imo state
today is about passion and vision. It takes a leader
with passion and vision to move any state like Imo
forward if we have to consider how the past
government of Ikedi Ohakim had bastardized the
place. If you are determined to do something, then
you will succeed. I always work in Imo state to ensure
a good living status for our people. I work hard in the
state as if my life depends on it, and that is what
every good leader should do. As far as i am
concerned, i do all that i can to meet up with my
campaign promises and obligations as a governor.
We have been able to carry out projects that our
government needs to succeed. We are discipline, we
plan and we also sacrifice, and all these have moved
the state forward. We have done everything to ensure
that those who voted us to power have reasons to
smile.
Your predecessor, Mr. Ikedi Ohakim was recently
arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC), prosecuted and granted bail by
the court but, he is alleging witch-hunting by your
administration. How will you react to that?
That is not true because i am not part of it, and we
have not taken any report against Ohakim to the
EFCC. Anyway, we cannot deny the fact that multiple
corruptions took place in Imo state during his time as
governor but, i have not reported or taken him to
anyone. The EFCC men are just doing their job as
allowed in our constitution. My government is too
busy with taking good governance to the door step of
every one in Imo state so i do not have the time to
ask the EFCC to go and catch any criminal or
whatever. The EFCC has the right to do its job and if
he is found guilty, let him face the music. But let me
make it clear to the whole world once again that i
have no hands in what is happening to Ohakim
presently. Several monies were stolen under his
administration and the EFCC has the right to invite
him for questioning.
Can you let us into the plans of your administration
in its second term sir?
Yes, for the first four years, i embarked on what is
called social infrastructure. We built well over 250
schools and several general hospitals. We did so
many infrastructures that can make us to be called a
proper state in the country. We also embarked on
projects that developed the lives of ordinary Imo
people. The only thing we could not cover in the first
instance was the issue of job creation. During the last
four years, we were able to engaged about 25, 000
youth in our Youth Empowerment Scheme but, this
time around, we are going to build industries, create
jobs so that everybody will be kept busy. In fact, the
moment we take off, it will become an offense if you
are seen on the street walking during the time that
you are supposed to be at work.
okorocha_wins
During your first term, you forfeited your security
vote. Do you still wish to do the same in your second
term?
Yes, it is a continuous process because i believe that
sacrifices must be made to people that you govern,
also in the place of leadership. The security vote to
my understanding is just an illegal legitimate fund
which is provided for a governor to spend at will
without any accountability under the cover of
security. It is illegitimate because it is not
questionable by law so it is left to you to make that
sacrifice as a good leader. The security vote can be
utilized on free education and other things, and that
is what we are doing in Imo state now. As a governor,
you must always know that there will be no time for
people to commit crimes if they have good jobs.
There will no room for crime if they have good
welfare.
Thepanaceareports
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