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  • Akpabio, govs, ministers, others attend Senator Ekpenyong’s thanksgiving ceremony

    Akpabio, govs, ministers, others attend Senator Ekpenyong’s thanksgiving ceremony

    Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong and his family recently welcomed dignitaries from various parts of the country to Calabar, Cross River State for a Thanksgiving gathering.

    The event, held on Saturday, November 25, 2023, was a heartfelt expression of gratitude to the Almighty for the blessings bestowed upon him and his family.

    In a remarkable display of camaraderie, the Canaan city of Calabar played host to a diverse range of dignitaries who supported the Senator and his family.

    The event saw the prestigious presence of the Senate President, His Excellency Godswill Obot Akpabio, and Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who led a delegation of over 50 senators and 30 members of the House of Representatives, Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency Senator Bassey Otu and his deputy Rt Hon Peter Odey, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Dr. Betta Edu, Minister of Sport Development Senator John Owan Enoh, Minister of Gas Resources Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo, His Excellency, Mr. Donald Duke and his Wife Her Excellency Onari Duke, as well as former Governors and Ministers.

    Read Also: Ekpenyong’s motion on gunshot victims prompts swift govt action by NPF

    Other dignitaries present at the event were the Obong of Calabar and other traditional Rulers, the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly Rt Hon Elvert Ayambem, APC State Chairman Barr Alphonsus Ogar Eba, NDDC Chairman Mr. Chiedu Ebie and Managing Director Dr Samuel Ogbuku, as well as Executive Directors of NDDC, SMEDAN DG Mr. Charles Odii, present and former Commissioners in the Cross River State Executive Council, current and former members of the Cross River House of Assembly, and captains of industry amongst others.

    The Thanksgiving and infant baptism service took place at the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Duke Town Cathedral, and was officiated by His Eminence Ekpenyong N. Akpanika, Prelate and Moderator of the general assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, while the reception was held at the Calabar International Convention Center.

    The Chief Host of the occasion, Bassey Edet Out, the governor of Cross River State, in his goodwill message, expressed heartfelt appreciation for the presence of the dignitaries and thanked them for their collective commitment towards the growth of the nation.

    The governor articulated his vision for the unity and progress of the country and emphasised the importance of collaboration across regional lines as an ingredient for success.

    The Senate president, His Excellency Senator Godswill Akpabio, delivered a stirring set of remarks that expressed a spirit of gratitude to God for his numerous blessings and also called for national unity.

    Expressing gratitude for the warm welcome extended by the Cross River State Governor, the Senate President also acknowledged the significance of the occasion that brought together leaders from across the political spectrum.

    He acknowledged the impressive achievements of Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong and pledged to support him to enable him to do even more for his people.

    In his remarks, Senator Ekpenyong deeply appreciated everyone who attended the occasion. 

    He also gave special recognition to his wife, Netanela, and members of his family, including his parents, HRH Etinyin and Dr Mrs Asuquo Ekpenyong, constituents from the Southern Senatorial District, friends, well-wishers, and all who contributed to the success of the event.

    He prayed that the good Lord would grant them journey mercies to their respective homes.

  • Akpabio leads 50 senators to celebrate Nigeria’s youngest senator

    Akpabio leads 50 senators to celebrate Nigeria’s youngest senator

    The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio led over 50 senators on Saturday to Calabar where they join other dignitaries including the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Otu, the deputy Senate President and the Senate Leader to celebrate with Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, Nigeria’s youngest senator of the 10th Senate.

    Speaking at the occasion of thanksgiving held at the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Duke Town Parish, by Senator Ekpenyong to thank God for his election into the Senator and the dedication of his third child Anam, the Senate President noted that Senator Ekpenyong may be 37years in age but a good example of the resourcefulness of a Nigerian youth.

    He noted the commitment of the 10th Senate to work through legislation to support the Executive and ensure better living for Nigeria as an indivisible country.

    He responded to a clergyman who remarked that he had fears over the Presidential ticket of the APC in the 2023 election, saying, God who knows better than human God gave Nigeria a President that is strengthening our unity and togetherness.

    Read Also: Akpabio to Fed Govt: tackle life-threatening disasters with ecological funds

    He urged the clergy to disabuse their mind with religious divisiveness and know that even in Israel, the Christian population is not even one third. He emphasized that we all serve one God; Muslim and Christian.

    He urged the Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu to rule with a heart of love inorder to  perform better than the record set by any previous governor of the state.

    Governor Otu thanked all the senators that graced the occasion to celebrate with Senator Ekpenyong and invited them to return to the state for the Carnival Calabar celebration.

     Besides the senators that graced the occasion, the Minister for Sports, Senator John Owan-Eno and the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Betta Edu were present.

  • Akpabio to Fed Govt: tackle life-threatening disasters with ecological funds

    Akpabio to Fed Govt: tackle life-threatening disasters with ecological funds

    • 5,000 communities seek intervention

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged the Federal Government to channel ecological funds into tackling life-threatening environmental issues.

    Akpabio gave the advice yesterday when he hosted officials of Ecological Project Office, led by the Permanent Secretary, Mallam Shehu Ibrahim, at the Senate.

    The Senate President was reacting to a submission by the permanent secretary that the monthly N3 billion allocation to the office was grossly inadequate to tackle the requests it was getting daily.

    Ibrahim said the agency had received over 5,000 requests from disaster-ravaged communities seeking urgent help.

    Reacting to Ibrahim’s statement, Akpabio advised the agency to prioritise interventions.

    Read Also: Akpabio: Modular refineries ‘ll create jobs, security

    The Senate President cited the case of ocean surge that was ravaging five states in the South and the massive desert encroachment in the Lake Chad Basin.

    He promised that the Senate would carry out necessary legislative actions to assist the ecological office to perform its functions.

    Akpabio said: “The method of intervening and selection of projects must be such that they will put urgency outside the normal data they are working with.

    “The Ecological Office should attend to the most urgent situations that are likely to affect the lives of the people before it goes to the ones that may not affect lives. Those that are life-threatening should be selected first.”

  • First Lady, Sultan, Zulum, Akpabio, others for Solemn Assembly award

    First Lady, Sultan, Zulum, Akpabio, others for Solemn Assembly award

    Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, Minister of FCT, Ezenwo Wike and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar will be receiving award of excellence from Christian leaders under the National Solemn Assembly (NaSA).

    Others are Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun and the Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu.

    The leaders, who made this known on Thursday in Abuja noted that the award will be presented awards at the National Prayer, Praise and Thanksgiving Day scheduled for December 1, 2023.

    Addressing journalists on Thursday in Abuja, the Chairman, National Solemn Assembly, Archbishop Leonard Bature Kawas, said the NaSA is a Praise, Worship and Thanksgiving program to praise God for Nigeria, for the peace he has granted the country after the election and to praise God for the new leadership that emerged.

    He said the NaSA will also be an avenue to thank God for not allowing the country to burn despite some prophecies and predictions from different quarters.

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    “We will also appreciate the First Lady for her good works by giving her an award alongside other eminent Nigerians.

    ”This program will kick off on 1st of December after the religious leaders had concluded their 40 days fasting for peace and prosperity of the country on 30th November.

    “Today marks the 33rd day of our fasting and we have only 7 days left. We set out to fast for 40 days and terminated it on the day before the National Solemn Assembly. I call on all Nigerians to join the fasting for the country. “I ask our fellow Nigerians that time has come for us to come together and praise our God, celebrate his goodness and celebrate the leadership that he has given us.

    “Many people gave all kinds of prophecies that Nigeria will burn, but God has proven everyone that made such prophecies wrong by making sure that Nigeria remains peaceful and we want the peace to continue, we want Nigeria to be one United country and we must show faith in the leadership God has given to us”.

    Also, the Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos State Chapter, Reverend Stephen Adegbite said the program, though organised by a coalition of Christian organisations, is a nationalist, all embracing occasion.

    “On behalf of the comity of Christian groups and the National Solemn Assembly, I wish to implore all well meaning Nigerians at home and in diaspora to join us as we seek the face of God in praises and prayers to bless and guide the present administration and all elected public officials at all levels so that they will make the best decisions and policies for the good of the people.

    “Our focus is the collective good of all Nigerians and how the people of Nigeria can benefit from the dividends of democracy. “Our people have been through a lot, they have endured a lot, they deserve a lot of good things and a prosperous future”, he said.

  • Akpabio: Modular refineries ‘ll create jobs, security

    Akpabio: Modular refineries ‘ll create jobs, security

    • No fuel queues during Yuletide

    The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, yesterday challenged the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to seek ways of deepening the consumption of locally produced petroleum products.

    He also called for the establishment of modular refineries and renovation of existing ones “to create a multiplier effect which will include creation of jobs for our teeming youth, and more security for the country.”

    Akpabio made these remarks when the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, visited him in Abuja.

     He also explained efforts being made by the red chamber to end oil theft and pipeline vandalism which, according to him, cost the nation revenue losses.

    The Senate President said the red chamber would partner with the NNPCL in creating legislations that would smoothen the ease of doing business for stakeholders in the oil and gas sector.

    He commended NNPCL for ensuring an end to the fuel subsidy regime and called for capacity building for legislatures to ensure proper legislative input in the sector.

    He told the delegation from the oil giant that Nigerians want to hear good news and “you came with a very good news. And this is good news.”

    He expressed satisfaction at the resolution of the deficit in the account of the company, saying that the Senate is “a people focused Senate” that is set to bring benefits to Nigerians.

    On his part, Kyari assured the Senate that in the next three months the country will not witness any fuel queues again.

    The NNPCL GCEO said the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) has ensured that “energy supply is stable, creating cheaper energy” for Nigerians.

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    He disclosed that the company has “robust supply plans from now until next year; we have always planned for three months. And I guarantee you your Excellency that we will not see any shortages in our country.

    “You may see a number of scattered reports that of filling stations that people will call it queues. They are not.”

    He also insisted that the NNPCL occupies over 30 per cent of the downstream sector in the oil and gas sector, adding that the Company will “optimally provide” petroleum to consumers.

    While linking the challenges in the sector to oil theft and pipeline vandalism, Kyari said the country has recovered up to N1.7 million barrels of crude oil following increased monitoring and supervision of the facilities by independent pipeline security companies, and the military.

     ”In the last five to six months, government security agencies and private security companies have done things differently, and it has yielded results,” and underscored that the oil regulator aims at meeting its targeted contribution to the budget.

    He told the leadership of the Senate that the NNPCL would restart the Port Harcourt refinery in December, followed by the Warri Refinery to start in the first quarter of 2024.

    He added that these would be complemented by small scale refineries, as he underscored that the company has recorded N274 million profit in 2021, which represents a growth from 2018.

  • Akpabio names Natasha, others as chairmen of Senate committees

    Akpabio names Natasha, others as chairmen of Senate committees

    Senate president, Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday, November 21, named Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the lawmaker representing Kogi Central, as the chairman local content committee and vice chairman of steel respectively.

    A statement issued by Arogbonlo Israel, the Chief Press Secretary to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, revealed that Akpabio also appointed 14 other senators as chairmen and vice chairmen of different committee

    The newly appointed chairmen and vice chairmen are as follows:

    1. Steel – Patrick Udubueze (Chairman), Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Vice-chairman)

    2. Tourism – Shuaibu Isa Lau, Ireti Kingigbe (Vice-Chairman)

    3. Inter-Parliamentary Affairs – Jimoh Ibrahim (Chairman)

    4. State and Local Government Affairs – Binos Yaroe (Chairman), Francis Fadahunsi (Vice Chairman)

    5. National Atomic and Nuclear Energy – Sahabi Alhaji Yau (Chairman), Mustapha Khalid Ibrahim (Vice Chairman)

    6. Youth and Community Engagement – Yemi Adaramodu (Chairman)

    7. Sport Development – Kawu Sumaila (Chairman), Ned Nwoko (Vice Chairman)

    8. Niger Delta Affairs – Babajide Ipinsagba (Chairman), Rev. Amos Kumai Yohanna (Vice Chairman)

    9. Art, Culture and Creative Economy – Onawo Ogoshi (Chairman), Okechukwu Ezea (Vice Chairman)

    10. Defence – Joel Onowakpo (Vice Chairman)

    11. Petroleum Downstream – Ifeanyi Ubah (Chairman), Babajide Ipinsagba (Vice Chairman)

    12. Solid Minerals Development – Sampson Ekong (Chairman)

    Read Also: I won’t fight Eno, says Akpabio

    13. Niger Delta Amendment Development Commission -Osita Ngwu (Vice Chairman)

    14. Establishment and Public Services – Sunday Marshall Katung (Vice Chairman)

    15. Housing – Victor Umeh (Vice Chairman), amongst others.

    The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio confirmed the appointment shortly after announcing new minority leaders in the House.

  • I won’t fight Eno, says Akpabio

    I won’t fight Eno, says Akpabio

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio has promised to avoid fighting Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno despite party differences.

    Akpabio, ex-governor of the state, made the promise at the weekend during a thanksgiving mass held in honour of Minister of Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, at Our Lady of Mercy Chaplaincy, in Abak Local Government of the state.

    He said he would continue to work for the peace and development of his home state across party lines.

    “As an elder statesman, my major concern now is to work for the peace and unity of the state and by extension Nigeria.

    “I’m not interested in any kind of war. I am more interested in bringing development to the state. If there should be any competition among us, let it be in the overall interest of our people, like competing for development and life changing projects for our people.

    “If the governor is bringing a project to street or road A, as the President of the Senate, I should be seen working on bringing water or electricity to street or road B. This is the kind of competition I want to see and not unnecessary bickering that brings no good to our people,” he noted.

    Akpabio hailed Ekpo for remembering to thank God after his nomination and swearing-in as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and member of the Federal Executive Council.

    He said:  “We are who and what we are today because God made it possible for it to be so. It is, therefore, imperative that we give thanks always. I thank you for not forgetting the God who made it possible for you to be who you are today. 

    Read Also: Why I don’t want war in Akwa Ibom, by Akpabio

    “Let me also take this opportunity to once again thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting an Akwa Ibom son to occupy the number 3 position in the country. It has never happened since the creation of our dear state.”

    Governor Eno advised Akwa Ibom people to support any indigene of the state in any position of authority for the benefit of the state.

    He stressed his readiness and that of his government to put the state and its people first without any political or religious consideration.

    Ekpo said his sudden introduction to President Bola Tinubu by the President of the Senate, Akpabio, as the ministerial nominee from the state looked like a joke to him.

    According to him, “when I was formally introduced to President Tinubu by my leader and President of the Senate for this ministerial appointment, it looked like a joke to me. Subsequently my name was announced as a nominee and when I appeared before the Senate, I was told to take a bow. Today, I am a Minister of the Federal Republic.”

    Ekpo said he was in God’s presence to return all thanks to God for using President Tinubu and Senator Akpabio to make his appointment possible.

    “I am here today with my family to return thanks to God Almighty for making today possible. I also thank our dear President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, for finding me worthy of this appointment.”

    Ekpo pledged his readiness to do his best for the state, its citizens and Nigeria as a whole, to ensure Nigeria reaps from its enormous gas resources for the country’s development.

  • Why I don’t want war in Akwa Ibom, by Akpabio

    Why I don’t want war in Akwa Ibom, by Akpabio

    President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio, at the weekend, said he is not interested in any kind of war in his home state, Akwa Ibom, but is rather poised to develop the state.

    He insisted that he would continue to work for the peace and development of Akwa Ibom State, across party lines.

    Akpabio made the promise while speaking at the Thanksgiving Mass held in honour of Minister of Petroleum Resources (Gas), Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, at Our Lady of Mercy Chaplaincy, in Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

    A statement by the Special Assistant on Media to the Senate  President, Jackson Udom, quoted Akpabio, who is a former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, as saying “as an elderstatesman, my major concern now is to work for the peace and unity of the state and by extension Nigeria.

    “I am not interested in any kind of war. I am more interested in bringing development to the state. If there should be any competition amongst us, let it be in the overall interest of our people, like competing for development and life  changing projects for our people.

    “If the governor is bringing a project to street or road A, as the President of the Senate, I should be seen working on bringing water or electricity to street or road B. That is the kind of competition I want to see and not unnecessary bickering that brings no good to our people,” he noted.

    Speaking further, Akpabio lauded Hon. Ekpo for remembering to thank God after his nomination and swearing-in as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and member of the Federal Executive Council.

    He noted that “we are who and what we are today because God made it possible for it to be so. It is, therefore, imperative that we give thanks always. I thank you for not forgetting the God who made it possible for you to be who you are today.

    “Let me also use this opportunity to once again,  thank President Bola Tinubu for supporting an Akwa Ibom son to occupy the number 3 position in the country. It has never happened since the creation of our dear state.”

    Speaking at the Thanksgiving Mass, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, called on Akwa Ibom people to unite behind any indigene of the state in any position of authority for the benefit of the state.

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    He also stated his readiness and that of his government to put the state and its people first without any political or religious considerations.

    Earlier in his speech, Minister for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Hon Ekpo, disclosed that his sudden introduction to President Bola Tinubu by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, as the ministerial nominee from the state looked like a joke to him.

    According to him, “when I was formally introduced to President Tinubu by my leader and President of the Senate for this ministerial appointment, it looked like a joke to me. Subsequently my name was announced as a nominee and when I appeared  before the Senate, I was told to take a bow. Today, I am a Minister of the Federal Republic.”

    Speaking further, Ekpo said he was in God’s presence to return all thanks to God for using President Tinubu and Senator Akpabio to make his appointment possible.

    “I am here today with my family to return thanks to God Almighty for making today possible. I also thank our dear President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, for finding me worthy of this appointment.

    Ekpo pledged his readiness to do his best for the state, its citizens and Nigeria as a whole, to ensure that Nigeria reaps from its enormous gas resources for the country’s development.

  • I’ve never taken alcohol, smoke cigarettes – Akpabio

    I’ve never taken alcohol, smoke cigarettes – Akpabio

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio has claimed he had never taken alcohol or smoke cigarettes in his life because of their side effects in the human system.

    Akpabio made this revelation while admonishing secondary schools students from across the country who participated in the grand finale of the National Quiz Competition organised by the National Institute For Legislative And Democratic Studies (NILDS).

    The theme of the quiz competition was “The legislature and democracy.”

    At the end of the keenly contested event, Saint Theresa’s College Nsukka, Enugu State won the competition.

    Greater Tomorrow International School, Arigidi-Ikare Akoko, Ondo State came second while the School for the Gifted in Gwagwalada, came third.

    Akpabio, who commended the participants for getting to the finals of the quiz, urged youths to shun vices that could affect their dreams and aspirations in life.

    He specifically urged them to refrain from taking alcohol or engage in smoking any form of substance that could be injurious to their healths.

    Akpabio said: “You should strive to become visionary leaders in future by abstaining from things that would truncate your dreams and goals.

    “In my own case, I have never smoke cigarettes or taken alcohol before. This is because, growing up, I listened to parental guidance.

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    “As a kid, I usually see a man who would stagger on the road and fall into the gutters. I asked my mum who told me it was because he was drunk.

    “Some people would drink alcohol and drive home while others would drink and drive to paradise.”

    Akpabio said Nigeria deserved honest youths who are God fearing.

    The Director General of NILDS,  Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, said similar competitions were held at the state level, involving secondary schools drawn from the three senatorial district in the 36 states.

    He said the participating schools emerged from a competitive process with the School for the Gifted in Gwagwalada, representing the North Central and the FCT Zone.

  • Akpabio swears in Abia Central Senator Akobundu

    Akpabio swears in Abia Central Senator Akobundu

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio yesterday swore in Col. Augustine Akobundo (retd.) as the senator representing Abia Central on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The Senate President had directed the Clerk to the Senate, Chinedu Akubueze, to administer the oaths of Office and Allegiance on Akobundu before he was led to take his seat.

    Akobundu replaced Senator Darlington Nwokocha of the Labour Party (LP) who was the Minority Whip before he was sacked by the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, on November 4.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Nwokocha as the winner of the February 25 National Assembly poll in Abia Central with a total of 92,116 votes, while Akobundu came second with 41,477 votes.

    Read Also: Akpabio swears in PDP’s Akobundu as senator

    Dissatisfied with the result, Akobundu, a former Minister of State for Defence, filed a petition before the election petitions tribunal to upturn Nwokocha’s election.

    His appeal was rejected by the tribunal in September.

    Undeterred by the ruling, Akobundu, who was PDP’s Organising Secretary, approached the appellate court to further seek redress.

    Akobundu and Osita Ngwu of Enugu West are the two PDP senators from the Southeast in the National Assembly.