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Tag: Akwa Ibom

  • Police receive 35 public complaints, arrest 66 in Kano

    The Kano State Police command said it received no fewer than 35 public complaints, while 66 defaulters were arrested and investigated from October 2017 till date.

    The Command’s Public Relations officer, SP Magaji Majiya, disclosed this in a statement in Kano on Monday.

    He said that the complaints ranged from corrupt practice, incivility, unprofessional conduct, assault, illegal road block and illegal detention to delving into civil matters.

    ” Twenty-three police officers, 28 ‘Karota’ personnel, 12 Special Constabulary, two VIOs and one FRSC were involved, ” Majiya said.

    According to him “the Inspector General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, is determined to rid the force of corrupt practice and other unprofessional conducts by its officers and men”.

    Majiya said two units of X-Squad offices were established in Kano, each headed by an Assistant Commissioner of Police under the supervision of Mr Rabiu Yusuf, Kano State Commissioner of Police.

    “From its inception in October 2017 , the Kano East X-Squad office was headed by ACP Naziru Kankarofi .

    ” The Squad is charged with receiving public complaints and positive criticism against members of the force. ”

    He assured members of the public that the command would continue to respect human rights and do away with all forms of corrupt practices in discharging its duty.

  • 2019: ‘Fight against destroyers of our destiny’

    …….forces of oppression will be repelled – Saraki

    Akwa Ibom state governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel has said that next year’s general elections, particularly the governorship would not be an ordinary electoral contest but a fight between the people and ‘destiny destroyers’.

    Speaking on Sunday at the Uyo Township Stadium on the occasion of the 31st anniversary celebration of the state, Governor Emmanuel, therefore urged Akwa Ibom people to rise up and fight against some highly placed individuals who want to mortgage the destiny of the state.

    Though he was not explicit on who he referred to as ‘destiny destroyers’ the governor said Akwa Ibom was and will remain a People’s Democratic Party(PDP) state which cannot be subdued by the opposition.

    He said no single individual from the state can play God and get away with it, adding that the gathering of ‘lions and bears’ against of the political destiny of the state would be put to naught in next year’s election.

    “Today Akwa Ibom people have come together and the fight before us is Akwa Ibom destiny and we are taking our destiny in our own hands. We will fight for our destiny. All destiny hijackers we tell them Holy Ghost fire.

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    “All destiny destroyers we tell them Holy Ghost fire. In Akwa Ibom today we have development coming into Mbo, Ibiono to everywhere. There is nothing like Oro, nothing like Ibibio, nothing like Annang; development cuts across everywhere.

    “If you go to Ibaka road people were dancing; a major economic road was abandoned over the years because of ethnic bigotry. Today what are we saying forward ever, backward never. If they like let the lions and the bears come together. Can they eat up our destiny?

    “The same God of yesterday is the same God today and is the same God of tomorrow. Never again can the destiny of Akwa Ibom be taken over one man who has risen up to pretend that he God. Did Goliath succeed?

    “We shall conquer the beast. No man will sell our destiny; no man will mortgage our destiny; no man will rubbish our destiny. On our destiny we stand; our destiny is built on a solid rock and so shall it stand”, Emmanuel said.

    The governor mentioned the renovation and upgrading of general hospitals in Ituk Mbang, Etinan and Ikono as well as attraction of industries such as Toothpick factory, metering assembly plant, fertilizer blending plant and syringe factory among others.

    Speaking earlier the Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki assured that the PDP would reclaim power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at the federal and state levels.

    Saraki said, “In 2019 the forces of darkness and oppression will repelled across the 36 states of the federation”.

    In attendance at the occasion were the governor of Sokoto state, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, Senator Dino Melaye among other PDP chieftains.

  • ‘APC to use Akwa Ibom to launch party to South-south’

    The Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari, on National Assembly Senate Matters Sen. Ita Enang, has said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would use Akwa Ibom to launch the party to the South-South.

    Enang said this during the solidarity rally in honour of President Buhari and Nsima Ekere, Managing Director Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) held in Uyo on Saturday.

    According to him, the president had said that Akwa Ibom is the greatest among the states in the South -South.

    “Akwa Ibom state shall be the launching ground from where APC shall launch to conquer Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Cross River and other South-South states,” Enang said.

    He called on all Akwa Ibom people to support Buhari in the forthcoming 2019 general elections, stressing that the president would do more for the state in his second term.

    The Presidential aide reminded the people that the Federal Government had approved the dualisation of Abak – Ekparakwa – Ette – Ikot Abasi road.

    Enang urged the people to support all APC candidates in the state to ensure even development, stressing that the PDP government in the state have utilise effectively the resources of the state.

    In his speech, Mr Nsima Ekere, Managing Director of NDDC, said Akwa Ibom people could not afford to play opposition again as an oil producing state.

    Ekere urged the people to support Buhari and vote APC massively to launch into the mainstream politics.

    “Akwa Ibom people have made up their mind that they cannot play opposition party in the state, they want to be part of APC government at the centre.

    “That is why Akwa Ibom people have troop out in thousands to identify with President Buhari and to say that they will vote APC all the way.

    “Today,  Akwa Ibom North East senatorial district had spoken that come 2019 APC in Akwa Ibom is one,” Ekere said.

    He promised to rename the Ibom Airport after the former governor,  Obong Victor Attah, and ensure the unity of all elder statesmen in the state.

    The large crowd of APC supporters thronged the venue of the event. (NAN)

  • Osun wins three gold in weightlifting

    Team Osun has continued with its brilliant run at the ongoing National Youth Games in Ilorin, picking laurels in weightlifting and Ayo Olopon.

    Edin Emmanuel swept home three gold medals in the male weightlifting event in 70kg, 75kg and 81kg categories beating his colleagues from Kwara and Akwa Ibom.

    Also, Rafiu Akinpelu clinched bronze medal in the male single event of Ayo Olopon, becoming the second bronze winner for Osun after Zainab Hammed in female weightlifting.

    Ogun -born Segun Kilani won gold medal in Ayo Olopon while Lukman Yahaya won silver.

    In Karate, Osun athlete, Fausiya, lost to her colleague from Abia.

    Osun athletes will further compete in taekwondo, female Ayo Olopon as well as female weightlifting.

  • Akwa Ibom State wealth creation journey: Counting the gains under Emmanuel

    A better way to get a deeper understanding of why Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was moved to describe Governor Emmanuel as “a very clever Governor” on September 23, 2017, is to look back at how Akwa Ibom has fared in the last three years in the area of wealth and job creation.

    If you take your eyes for a moment off the Jubilee Syringe Factory and the Metering Solutions Industry where many Akwa Ibom indigenes make up at least 70% of the entire workforce in each of these companies; and if you also take your gaze away from the vast possibilities of wealth creation that the two other industries – The Flour mill at Onna Local Government Area and the St Gabriel Coconut Refinery which are almost completed hold, then you are likely going to find your gaze fixated on other stimulating cases of wealth creation through enterprise support and development championed by Governor Udom Emmanuel.

     

    Let’s begin with a true-life story.

    A few years ago, Ekemini Usoroh, a graduate of Physics from the University of Uyo, Nigeria could have been a part of the statistics of unemployed youths in Nigeria from Akwa Ibom State. In 2016, after returning from the compulsory Federal Government-run National Youth Service Scheme, Ekemini had set out on a path of entrepreneurship.

    He had set up a small-scale nylon production factory in Ikono Local Government Area.  The first few months were quite promising as his output grew to reach a weekly production scale of 10 bales of nylon bags. “That production capacity was way below the demand for the nylons. I would go out and canvass for new supply deals and get the nod from prospective customers to supply only for me to be unable to meet the demand. Everything conspired against me – chief, was the epileptic power supply in Ikono where I was operating from at that time. I was producing with just one archaic machine as that was all I could afford at that time. All these factors conspired against me.  I almost stopped producing and then I decided to move to Uyo”, Ekemini recalled.

    The turning point for his business came when Ekemini entered for the Season 2 of the Umbrella Business Quest. The Umbrella Business Quest is a flagship programme initiated by the Peoples Democratic Party in Akwa Ibom State where Governor Udom Emmanuel holds the reins as leader of the party.

    Ekemini Usoroh by pitching his business idea of nylon production before a panel of preliminary assessors for the Umbrella Business Quest Show, got selected as one of the three contestants to slug it out before another panel of assessors made up of entrepreneurs on Live radio. He emerged the overall winner. The Cash Prize as Business Capital or support fund for the position of the winner was N250,000.

    But little did Ekemini Usoroh know that his fortune of his business was going to change for the better on the day of the presentation of the Cash Prizes. On that fateful day (May 28, this year), Governor Udom Emmanuel had made a stopover at the Peoples Democratic Party Secretariat in Akwa Ibom State for a stakeholders’ meet. After listening to the rundown of the kind of enterprise that each winner was going to invest the cash Prize in, Governor Emmanuel decided to announce an increase in the categories of the Prizes. Ekemini got one million, five hundred thousand naira (N1,500,000) in addition to the statutory N250,000 cash prize he won. This made his business N1,750,000 richer.

    Still at that event, a popular food vendor in the city of Uyo, Mr Grace Bassey popularly known as “Eka Udo” who was selected for the honour category of the Business Icon Award which originally comes with a cash prize of five hundred thousand, got rewarded with an additional One Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N1,500,000.00). Eka Udo started her food vending business hawking food around before making enough money to open her outlet which currently has about 17 people in her employ. Sadly, Eka Udo had lost her sight about two years ago. Governor Emmanuel had also directed the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for health, Dr Dominic Ukpong to initiate the process of conducting immediate medical examination on the now visually impaired food vendor, Eka Udo to find out if her eye defect could be addressed medically, so that government can foot the bills for the operation.

    Today, Ekemini Usoroh is back to full scale nylon production business and is currently employing about 4 persons in addition to himself. When I visited his new nylon production factory at Afaha Ube Itam, sometime in July, Ekemini proudly showed me the new Automated Extruder Machine he acquired with the prize money he got. “This new machine has brought efficiency into my business by reducing labour inputs and increasing productivity. This machine (pointing to the Extruder Machine) cuts, seals, and counts the nylon on its own. So, all my staff do is to put them into bale bags for delivery. And because I have people who work for me, it is now easier for me to go and make deliveries while also seeking for new distributorship deals. Right now, we have distributors in Abak, Ikono, Ikot Ekpene and Arochukwu in Abia State. But I will pause with trying to penetrate new markets as I have just landed a contract to train 20 Akwa Ibom young people in my factory as part of the wealth creation initiative of the PDP”, Ekemini explained to me in July.

    Now, although I have taken the time to mention just two cases where Governor Udom Emmanuel decided to reach out and help fan the embers of enterprises owned by these Akwa Ibom indigenes, the Governor’s action, by my lights, reflects his tact in leading the journey of wealth creation in Akwa Ibom through a two-pronged approach of creating jobs through industrialization and enterprise development through support to Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs).

    For example, in a sheer determination to ensure that the prong of enterprise development through support to Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs), records many success stories, Governor Udom Emmanuel in a deliberate effort to stimulate business growth in an economy that was under recession, had approved the release of two billion naira, as interest-free loans to Akwa Ibom traders to bolster trade and commerce within the state.

    On why the loan is interest free in a country where interest rate from commercial banks is from 25 percent, Governor Udom Emmanuel had said during the inauguration of the scheme, “Interest rate in the country is high, but we are making our scheme interest free to empower the entrepreneurs to grow their businesses for more outputs optimisation. This is because if we charge these entrepreneurs interest rate on the loan, as they are into small scale businesses, the interest rate would automatically wipe out their profits, making it difficult for their businesses to thrive. Also, we decided to give the market women first, because if you empower 1,000 women, you have indirectly empowered a large population in the state.”

    Through a strategy of adapting and localizing globally tested and trusted models of communal prosperity, the Governor Emmanuel-led administration has also hatched many success stories of wealth creation through the Dakkadda Multipurpose Cooperative Society. Under this scheme, akwa Ibom indigenes numbering several thousands have received support to drive economic enterprises in diverse areas of investment in fish farming, palm fruit cultivation, palm oil processing and other ventures.

    With the approach of creating jobs through industrialization, Governor Emmanuel has through a Public Private Partnership model, dotted the landscape of Akwa Ibom with industries like Syringe Manufacturing Company, the Fertilizer blending factory in Abak, the Metering Solutions Company, the Toothpick and Pencil factories, even as the Coconut Refinery located in Mkpat Enin, the Flour Mills, and the Plastic Making Company nears completion. Aside from the direct jobs created by the existing factories and the new jobs which will be created by the ones soon to be commissioned, these factories have unlocked newer economic opportunities for residents in the communities where these factories are located. For instance, there is a marked increase in accommodation in all the communities where these factories are located. Cottage businesses have and will continue to spring up to support the rising demands occasioned by the influx of people to these communities.

    There is no gainsaying the fact that it was in recognition of the audacious moves and big bets Governor Emmanuel has made in leading the wealth creation journey in Akwa Ibom this far in just three years  that the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Nigeria’s public broadcaster, recently deemphasized partisan politics and celebrated these milestones by honouring the governor with the “Integrity and Service Award”. The Award ceremony was held inside Aso Presidential Villa, Abuja and the presentation made by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha.

    It would be foolhardy to assume that the road that Akwa Ibom people travelled to make these wins in our wealth creation and economic empowerment journey was not fraught with discouraging setbacks. It is logical to conclude that what would have kept us moving aside from the unfailing benevolence of God Almighty must be the dogged determination, vision and courage of Governor Emmanuel to leave behind a state where Akwa Ibom people will look back to his era as Governor and refer to the years he held the rein as the golden era of Akwa Ibom State history.

     

    • The road ahead looks brighter and hold bigger promises!

     

    • Borono Bassey, a Public Affairs analyst, wrote in from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

     

    (Reactions: boronobassey@obonguniversity.edu.ng)

  • PDP leader joins APC in Akwa Ibom

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State on Saturday suffered a devastating blow with the defection of the party’s leader in Ika Local Government Area, Dr Francis Udoikpong.

    Dr Udoikpong, a PDP state caucus member and former Commissioner for Health, defected with about 5,000 others, including Sir Godwin Idungafa, a former Ika local government vice chairman; Mr Harry Eduo, a former Ika local government secretary and councillor; and Uyo Udom, a lawyer and politician.

    The defection of the PDP leader is coming barely a month after Deputy Inspector-General of Police Udom Ekpoudom (rtd) and Obong Otu Robert Akpan, his counterparts in Etim Ekpo and Ini local governments, joined the APC with Senator Godswill Akpabio, former Senate Minority leader.

    Dr Udoikpong, also a former chairman of Ika Local Government and past Chairman of the State Agency for the Control of AIDS (SACA) who for the defectors, said they were leaving the PDP because the Udom Emmanuel Administration had neglected Ika, a boundary local government with Abia State.

    He condemned inclusion of their names in Emmanuel campaign organisation without their consent, and demanded their names be removed.

    Mr Ini Okopido, state chairman of APC, who received the defectors, noted that with their coming Ika is now APC.

    Mr Okopido, himself an indigene of Ika, assured them of accommodation and equal rights as old members in the APC.

    Gabriel Toby, member for Ika/Etim Ekpo State Constituency, who joined the APC recently, told the crowd that with major Ika political gladiators in one camp, APC would sweep the 2019 elections in the area.

    Among APC chieftains that witnessed the defection are Sir Ernest Ukpong and Akanimo Edet, former House of Assembly members and Chief Edem Obot, the Adaha Ika.

  • Udom submits guber forms, urges Buhari to reconsider Electoral Act

    The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, submitted his governorship nomination forms on Thursday, August 6, 2018 and called on President Muhammadu Buhari to reconsider signing the Electoral Act 2010 amendment bill.

    The governor who underscored the essence of the bill, urged those who initially advised the President not to sign the bill to have a change of heart and encourage him to do so because it will strengthen the country’s democracy. He said the bill is the way forward for Nigeria.

    He however dismissed claims  of the All Progressives Congress (APC) making in roads in Akwa Ibom State, noting that the people of the state have experienced development under the leadership of PDP.

    He said: “I know the publicity secretary of our party has been shouting over this issue, but we need to add our voices as a people that we still expect that the President will change his mind and sign the electoral bill into law because that is the way forward for Nigeria. That is the only bill that can strengthen democracy in this country.

    “The change is in that electoral bill; the expectations of Nigerians are in that electoral bill. We believe the advisers who are advising the President not to sign will also advise him to change his mind so that democracy can be strengthened in Nigeria.”

    Emmanuel noted that PDP in Akwa Ibom State, is in full force, stressing that party remains strong in the state and the South- South region.

    He added “Let me say that my people all over the world for the first time came together and said this time, I should be unopposed. I thank all of you for making it possible. I want to say to whom much is given, much is expected. It is a huge burden on the PDP.

    “But the people in Akwa Ibom have tested development. We have seen dividends of democracy through PDP. On PDP we stand and remain. No shaking. Akwa Ibom is PDP.

    “We are urge Nigerians not to mind what they are saying about the South-south. We are not only talking about Akwa Ibom but the entire South-South. There is no shaking.”

    He added that the PDP will reclaim some states after the 2019, adding “when we count the results we will know how many will be PDP.

  • Husband, wife sell only son in Calabar

    The Cross River State Police Command has arrested one Mr Daniel Bassey and his wife, Magdalene, for selling their two-year old son for an undisclosed amount in Calabar.

    Addressing reporters in Calabar on Tuesday, Commissioner of Police, Hafiz Inuwa, said the couple was arrested when the wife reported at the Efut Divisional Headquarters that her husband took their only son, Moses Bassey, to an unknown person in Port Harcourt through one woman simply known as Mummy and collected an undisclosed amount of money.

    “The suspect was later arrested. During interrogation, it was revealed by Daniel Bassey that the complainant, Mrs Magdalene Bassey, mother of the baby was party to the transaction. The duo are now in police custody to unravel the cause of this inhuman action and possible prosecution,” Inuwa said.

    He said efforts were on by the police to ensure that the baby is recovered.

    Daniel Bassey, who was paraded alongside his wife and 78 other suspects, admitted to the crime.

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    He said he was 27 years old.

    Daniel, an indigene of Akwa Ibom State, said he did it because of economic hardship.

    Daniel who said he has two children, said the boy was his second child. His first child, a girl, is three years old.

    His wife, Magdalene, who said she was 22 years old and from Bakassi local government area in Cross River State, admitted that she consented to the act.

    She said she agreed to it so they could solve their financial problems.

    The police Commissioner, Inuwa, who paraded 80 suspects for various offences, said they had seized 11 firearms, N92, 000 cash and recovered two vehicles.

    He said security was everybody’s business and appealed to members of the public to be patriotic by shearing timely and useful information to help the police do their job better.

  • Emmanuel’s aide joins APC 

    A special Assistant on Project Monitoring to Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel, Utibe Idem, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    This brings to five Emmanuel’s aides, who have resigned and joined the APC in the last few months.

    The governor’s aide and others were received by APC’s state chairman Mr. Ini Okopido in Nsit Ubium council at a reception in honour  of Mr. Umana Umana, managing director of Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority and APC’s 2015 governorship candidate.

    Idem said he had no regret leaving his job to join the APC.

    “I am very bold to leave the former house. From today, me and my family are members of APC”.

    Umana said the people have shown interest in APC as seen during the registration and revalidation exercise.

    He stressed that with such interest, no one can doubt the party’s victory in 2019.

    Umana assured his supporters that the victory, which the party was denied in 2015 will be restored.

    “Interest in the party and the support which the party has received in Nsit Ubium and the state during the registration and revalidation of members is unprecedented.”

    “What you were denied in 2015, God will restore it to you. APC will takeover Akwa Ibom in 2019.”

    Umana thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing Akwa Ibom indigenes, saying those appointments, particularly the managing director of NDDC, have impacted positively on development of the state.

    While applauding Buhari’s fight against corruption, Umana said this gesture will be reciprocated in next year’s election.

  • Navy shuts down 150 illegal refineries

    …seizes imported rice worth N220m

     

    The Eastern Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy in Calabar has shut down over 150 illegal refineries through swamp buggy operations in its area of responsibility, which includes Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Rivers State, in the last seven months.

    Outgone Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) of the Command, Rear Admiral, Mathew Emuekpere, who made this known while handing over to his successor, Rear Admiral David Adeniran, in Calabar on Tuesday also said within the period through their anti-smuggling operations, the Command had seized 13, 803 bags of imported rice valued at the sum of over N220 million at N16, 000 per bag among several other contrabands.

    He said with the reduction of smuggling activities, the Command has been able to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s efforts in revamping the economy and enhancing the activities of local farmers.

    Emuekpere, said during this time, which he served as the FOC, having taken over the Command in January this year, over 90 suspects have been arrested with their vessels and barges for various martime crimes.

    He thanked Navy personnel and other sister security agenies and paramilitary organziations and civilans that contributed to the successes recorded during his stay as the FOC of the Command and urged that the same support be extended to his successor.

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    He also expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari, and the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ekwe Ibas, for giving him the opportunity to serve as the Flag Officer Commanding of the Eastern Naval Command in the past seven months.

    The new FOC, Rear Admiral David Adeniran, promised to complete all ongoing projects in the Command.

    He warned that any form of collusion or abetting illegalities would not be tolerated.

    He urged all Navy personnel to support him and promised to work with other security agencies to check criminality.

    “Our purpose is to fight all forms of illegalities and ensure that our maritime environment is safe for legal business. We cannot do it alone but would collaborate with other security agencies. We also urge our host communities to help us succeed, so we can also assist them in any way we can. We would work with all stakeholders for the benefit of all. We encourage those involved in illegalities to change and work for a better Nigeria,” the new FOC said.