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Tag: Akwa Ibom

  • Former Akwa Ibom Gov returns home after honouring EFCC invitation

    Former Akwa Ibom Gov returns home after honouring EFCC invitation

    The immediate past Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, has returned home after honouring an invitation by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    This was made known in a press statement issued by Barrister Stephen Abia.

    He stated: “In what was purely a routine affair, the immediate past Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, CON, honoured the invitation by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). This he did, seamlessly in his undaunted spirit of patriotism and sense of responsibility.

    Abia stated that such an invitation was normal and should not be construed as a conviction.

    He said: “It is worth emphasizing here that this invitation has been extended to thousands of Nigerians, both the rich and the not-so-rich, political and corporate titans. An invitation, therefore, is not a conviction. But a section of the media, egged on by Mr. Emmanuel’s traducers and political adversaries, has made the invitation seem like he was convicted. Dispassionate minds need to note the elementary distinctions between an invitation and honouring same, and an arrest which demands some legal mechanics.”

    “Mr. Udom Emmanuel had since yesterday evening left the EFCC headquarters in Abuja to his home. He was not detained, it must be emphasized, as was reported yesterday by a section of the press. As a statesman, Mr. Udom Emmanuel is open to interactions within the confines of the law as one who has nothing to hide dreads no query.”

    Read Also: EFCC quizzes ex- Governor Emmanuel

    He also used the opportunity to highlight some of Udom Emmanuel’s achievements in office.

    “Mr. Udom Emmanuel presided over a robust growth in Akwa Ibom State. He faced two harsh economic environments: the economic meltdown that occurred shortly after he was sworn in in 2015, which saw the price of oil drop to historic lows, and the COVID-19 pandemic that ravaged the world shortly after he was sworn in for a second term.

    “In spite of these, he presided over eight years of economic growth that saw many expansions in the infrastructural profile of the state, earning Akwa Ibom the singular distinction of the state with the best road network of all the sub-nationals in the nation.

    “He established Ibom Air, which today, has been adjudged the best airline in Nigeria, and ran a deeply transparent government where the budgets and government expenditures were regularly published.

    “His performance was applauded across party lines, leading to the award of the Commander of the Order of Nigeria (CON) bestowed on him by the immediate past President and Commander-in-Chief, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, despite being a Governor elected on the platform of the PDP.

  • FG commends Akwa Ibom for implementation of water, sanitation projects

    FG commends Akwa Ibom for implementation of water, sanitation projects

    Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev  has commended Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno for the implementation and payment of counterpart funding to support Federal Government projects in the area of water resources and sanitation that would benefit the state.

    He gave the appraisal at the 32st conference of regular meeting of the National Council on Water Resources and Sanitation in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Thursday.

    The Minister listed the different projects and programmes to begin in the State and appreciated the Governor for his support assuring more support and collaboration where necessary.

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     Eno assured the Federal Government of his administration’s support in the area of water resources and sanitation for the good of the people of the State.

    The conference tagged: “Water and food security: Challenges and opportunities in the face of daunting climate change” attracted  Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, stakeholders in the water and sanitation, lawmakers from the National/States Assemblies, Commissioners, Labour leaders, academia, contractors and the media amongst others.

  • Election fraud: Judge orders professor’s arrest

    Election fraud: Judge orders professor’s arrest

    A High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State yesterday ordered the arrest of a professor, accused of election fraud, for being absent during judgment.

    Ignatius Uduk, a professor of Human Kinetics at the University of Uyo, is being prosecuted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on charges of perjury and announcing and publishing false results during the 2019 general elections in Essien Udim State Constituency, where he served as the returning officer.

    The judge, Bassey Nkanang, adjourned the case for an hour after the defendant and his counsel failed to announce their appearance.

    The prosecution counsel, Clement Onwuenweunor, and an INEC official had announced their appearances in court.

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    When the hearing resumed, Justice Nkanang proceeded after a lawyer the judge asked to call the defence counsel informed the court that the lawyer said he was not feeling fine and had asked him to hold a brief for him if the judgment was taken.

    The lawyer, Ndifreke Inyangette, said the defence counsel communicated with him via a text message.

    In his submission, the prosecution counsel prayed to the court to revoke the defendant’s bail and issue a fresh bench warrant for the professor.

    Inyangette said the court could deliver judgment. If convicted, sentencing could be taken at a later date.

    He further informed the court that the defendant was ill, of which the judge admitted that the court was aware and had received medical reports.

  • First Lady mourns Akwa Ibom Deputy Governor’s daughter

    First Lady mourns Akwa Ibom Deputy Governor’s daughter

    First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Dr. Blessing Eyakenyi Adewunmi, daughter of Akwa Ibom’s Deputy Governor Akon Eyakenyi.

    Describing the news as a “great shock and sadness,” the First Lady extended heartfelt condolences to Dr. Blessing’s husband, parents, and the entire family. 

    She lamented that her passing was “extremely painful and a great loss.”

    Read Also: Akwa Ibom confirms cholera outbreak in community

    Senator Tinubu encouraged the bereaved family to draw strength from faith, quoting 1 Thessalonians 5:18, which states, “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 

    She also referenced Job 1:21, affirming, “The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”

    The First Lady prayed that these words would bring comfort and fortitude to the grieving family. 

    “May the Lord God grant you all the strength to bear this irreplaceable loss,” she said, adding, “May her gentle soul rest in peace.”

  • Akwa Ibom confirms cholera outbreak in community

    Akwa Ibom confirms cholera outbreak in community

    The Akwa Ibom State Government has confirmed a cholera outbreak in Emeroke community, located in Eastern Obolo Local Government Area.

    In a statement Dr. Patrick Essiet, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, revealed that the State Epidemiologist has been sent to the area to begin awareness campaigns aimed at controlling the spread of the disease.

    Essiet recommended that residents observe proper hand washing practices, especially after using the toilet, and advised boiling drinking water before consumption. He also urged anyone experiencing symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting to seek prompt medical care at the nearest health facility.

    “Furthermore, the Ministry reminds community leaders to enforce the existing government ban on open defecation,” the statement added.

    Essiet emphasised that while the State Government is focused on a long-term solution, immediate and short-term relief supplies are being mobilized to support the affected community.

    Samuel Nteogwuijah, the Chairman of Eastern Obolo Local Government Council, assured the community of a coordinated effort to tackle the outbreak.

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    During a visit to Emmanuel General Hospital in Eket on Sunday, accompanied by his wife and other community leaders, the Council Chairman reaffirmed his commitment to collaborating with relevant stakeholders to prevent further spread of the disease.

    “Plans are underway to collaborate with the state government and relevant agencies to contain the spread of this terminal disease,” Nteogwuijah stated.

    He also expressed appreciation to Governor Umo Eno for his quick response in directing the Ministry of Health and other relevant agencies to provide immediate support to the affected areas.

    Health officials have already visited a secondary health facility in the state to assess the exact number of cases, while ongoing efforts to manage the situation continue.

  • Tension mounts in A’Ibom as Ekid people ask Ibeno to quit their lands

    Tension mounts in A’Ibom as Ekid people ask Ibeno to quit their lands

    Tension has continued to build up between Eket, Esit Eket and Ibeno local government areas in Akwa Ibom state over the Stubbs Creek Forest lands otherwise known as Akoiyak.

    The people of Eket and Esit Eket under the aegis of the Ekid People’s Union (EPU) have asked Ibeno people to quit the Stubbs Creek Forest lands, insisting they are the ancestral lands of Ekid people.

    The oil-rich Stubbs Creeks Forest lands host the BUA Refinery and Petrochemical plants, the ExxonMobil QIT facility and other oil and gas companies.

    In a petition to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Director General of the State Security Service (DSS), the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the EPU asked Ibeno people to peacefully quit the land.

    The quit notice was part of a submission of the EPU to the Akwa Ibom State Land Use Allocation Committee which sat at Uyo, the state capital, last Thursday.

    The position paper signed by Dr Samuel Udonsak, EPU President General stated that, “It is with the permission of the Paramount Rulers of Eket and Esit Eket, and the Power of Attorney (PA) granted by Ekid people that the Ekid People’s Union (EPU) is representing Ekid people (Eket and Esit Eket) here in this committee today.

    “The land occupied by Ibeno people today is Ekid land. Undoubtedly so by the Privy Council judgment of 1918. We take the liberty of this meeting to put Ibeno and your committee on notice that we have petitioned the AGF, NSA, DGSS and IG of police that they are occupying our land illegally and must quit peacefully. We have also intimated them of our resolve to recover our land peacefully.

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    “You are aware that we are in court on the matter of BUA’s criminal encroachment of our land and we are pleased to inform you that the request by the State’s Director of Civil Litigations (DCL) to settle the matter out of court met with the consent of the Ekid people.

    “Regrettably, the government misled BUA as it still continues to mislead other investment concerns in the Stubbs Creek Forest.

    ‘It is our prayer and hope that this committee would urge itself and the government to desist from its wanton, irregular, illegal, and criminal confiscation/usurpation of Ekid land in the Stubbs Creek Forest (Akoiyak Ekid).

    “Their Majesties, Edidem E.C.D.Abia and Edidem Peter Assam, our revered Paramount Rulers, hope that our informed, instructive, and true position today will be conveyed to the government. And that government would find it helpful in fashioning out a viable and peaceful investment model in the economically endowed, oil and mineral rich Stubbs Creek Forest.

  • A’Ibom council polls: Tribunals dismiss 13 APC petitions

    A’Ibom council polls: Tribunals dismiss 13 APC petitions

    …affirm PDP victory

    The Akwa Ibom state Local Government Election Petition Tribunals sitting in the three senatorial districts of the state the petitions filed by candidates of the People’s Democratic Party(PDP).

    The tribunals dismissed 13 petitions emanating from the APC against candidates of the PDP on the conduct of local government elections held in the state October last year.

    The tribunal therefore affirmed victory of 13 chairmanship candidates of PDP that were dragged to the tribunal.

    The state legal adviser of the PDP, Ekemini Uba disclosed this on Friday during a press conference in Uyo to mark the end of the tribunal session.

    Uba said the tribunal had to strike out those petitions as they were not filed within the time frame stipulated by law.

    “Pre hearing notice was not filed within the time frame as required by law.

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    “Again, the petitioners approached the tribunal based on the electoral law contrary to Akwa Ibom state election petition laws.”

    “The petitioners were against our candidates for the Championship of Abak and Ibiono Ibom local government areas and for the councillorship in 11 of the 14 wards in Ibiono Ibom local government area and others.”

    Uba who was accompanied by the PDP Publicity Secretary Edwin Ebiese said after due consideration of all the cases, the tribunal in Akwa Ibom North West (Ikot Ekpene) and Akwa Ibom North East (Uyo) respectively dismissed the APC petitions and reaffirmed victories of PDP candidates in the  13 local government areas of the state.

    “In upholding our submissions, the tribunal held that the petitions were incompetent having been filed out of time.”

  • Tension mounts in A’Ibom as Ekid indigenes ask Ibeno to quit

    Tension mounts in A’Ibom as Ekid indigenes ask Ibeno to quit

    Tension has continued to build up between Eket, Esit Eket and Ibeno local government areas in Akwa Ibom State over the Stubbs Creek Forest lands otherwise known as Akoiyak.

    The people of Eket and Esit Eket under the aegis of the Ekid People’s Union (EPU) have asked Ibeno people to quit the Stubbs Creek Forest lands, insisting they are the ancestral lands of Ekid people.

    The oil-rich Stubbs Creeks Forest lands host the BUA Refinery and Petrochemical plants, the ExxonMobil QIT facility and other oil and gas companies.

    In a petition to the National Security Adviser(NSA), Director General of the State Security Service (DSS), the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and the Inspector General of Police(IGP), the EPU asked Ibeno people to peacefully quit the land.

    The quit notice was part of a submission of the EPU to the Akwa Ibom State Land Use Allocation Committee which sat at Uyo, the State capital, on Thursday January 16, 2025.

    The position paper signed by Dr Samuel Udonsak, EPU President General reads: “It is with the permission of the Paramount Rulers of Eket and Esit Eket, and the Power of Attorney (PA) granted by Ekid people that the Ekid People’s Union (EPU) is representing Ekid people (Eket and Esit Eket) here in this committee today”, 

    “The land occupied by Ibeno people today are Ekid land. Undoubtedly so by the Privy Council judgment of 1918. We take the liberty of this meeting to put Ibeno and your committee on notice that we have petitioned the AGF, NSA, DGSS and IG of police that they are occupying our land illegally and must quit peacefully. We have also intimated them of our resolve to recover our land peacefully”,

    “You are aware that we are in court on the matter of BUA’s criminal encroachment of our land and we are pleased to inform you that the request by the State’s Director of Civil Litigations (DCL) to settle the matter out of court met with  the consent of the Ekid people.

    “Regrettably, the government misled BUA as it still continues to mislead other investment concerns in the Stubbs Creek Forest. 

    ‘It is our prayer and hope that this committee would urge itself and the government to desist from its wanton, irregular, illegal, and criminal confiscation/usurpation of Ekid land in the Stubbs Creek Forest (Akoiyak Ekid)”

    “Their Majesties, Edidem E.C.D.Abia and Edidem Peter Assam, our revered Paramount Rulers, hope that our informed, instructive, and true position today will be conveyed to the government. And that government would find it helpful in fashioning out a viable and peaceful investment model in the economically endowed, oil and mineral rich Stubbs Creek Forest”, 

    “For, no meaningful investment, development, or peace can occur in the Stubbs Creek Forest or it’s corridor, without justice, equity, and fair play. The same would apply if we want to arrive at an amicable, peaceful, and enduring out of court settlement of the BUA case with Ekid People”,

    “The ownership of the Stubb’s Creek Forest (Akoiyak Ekid) was determined in perpetuity in 1918. It is a judgement in rem. No edict, gazette document, or executive order can be superior to a concluded apex court judgment”

    “Avail yourself of the Privy Council judgment and the map of the Stubb’s Creek Forest today and know peace. For by that judgement, the swamps and shoreline from the mouth of the Qua Iboe River to Child Point (Okposo) belongs to the Ekid people( Southern Ibibios) At no time in this life will the Stubbs Creek Forest or any part thereof belong to Ibeno, or anyone else without the express consent of the Ekid people”

  • Akwa Ibom council unveils Arise Ini rice

    Akwa Ibom council unveils Arise Ini rice

    Ini Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom has unveiled a locally produced and processed rice dubbed Arise Ini rice. 

    Chairman of the council, Barrister Inibehe Umah, unveiled the rice at the remodelled Ini Council hall amid jubilation. 

    The ceremony, coincided with a thank-you Get-Together for PDP Faithful. 

    The chairman appreciated stakeholders and all party faithful for supporting him before, during and after the elections, while also applauding Governor Umo Eno for performing creditably well.

    “Today, I’m here to say thank you to our party faithful and to also wish you all a happy new year. I want to thank His Excellency for his sterling performance ever since he was sworn in as Governor,” Umah stated. 

    Umah said the initiative was in line with the ARISE Agenda of Eno on food security and sufficiency. 

    He emphasised that the ARISE INI RICE project, which has gone through various stages from cultivation to processing and now distribution, employs modern agricultural practices and processing techniques to ensure the final product meets the highest quality standards.

    “Governor Umo Eno has been magnanimous in siting of projects across the 31 local government areas of the state, appointment of youths and women into various positions as well as taking care of the aged people.

    Read Also: Student union honours Akwa Ibom philanthropist

    “The Governor is very much interested in agriculture, and as a government at the grassroots, we must key in and replicate same in our domains. What we are witnessing today is not just the launch of a rice brand; it is the birth of a new era in the agricultural history of Ini LGA,” Umah added.

    He announced plans to establish an ICT hub which he said when completed, will feature modern computer systems, reliable internet connectivity, and dedicated training spaces where students can familiarize themselves with computer-based testing environments well before their actual examinations. 

    He added that the ICT hub will also serve as a certified CBT center, eliminating the need for Ini students to travel to distant locations for computer-based examinations.

    “The ICT Hub project is borne out of our observation that many of our students struggle during JAMB and other computer-based examinations because they lack access to computer facilities for practice.

    “Some have had to travel long distances to find CBT centers, while others arrive at examination venues with limited computer experience. This hub will change that narrative,” Umah explained. 

  • Police, DSS profile sponsors of communal crises in Akwa Ibom

    Police, DSS profile sponsors of communal crises in Akwa Ibom

    The Police and the Department of State Security (DSS) have commenced profiling individuals suspected of sponsoring communal clashes in Akwa Ibom State.

    The newly appointed Commissioner of Police in the state, Baba Mohammed Azare, disclosed this yesterday when he paid a courtesy visit to Governor Umo Eno at Government House, Uyo.

    CP Azare, who pledged to tackle the rising wave of crime in the state, assured his commitment to collaborate with other security agencies to ensure adequate peace and security.

    He identified pockets of kidnapping, armed robbery, communal clashes, and homicide as some of the security challenges facing the state.

    “I want to assure you that my team, in collaboration with the DSS in the state, has commenced profiling the sponsors of communal clashes and will soon submit an interim report.

    “I also pledge to engage the youth in dialogue to promote peaceful coexistence and to work with other security agencies to bring an end to security challenges in the state,” CP Azare said.

    He told the governor that he had directed the command’s Public Relations Officer to make his phone number and those of other principal officers available to the public for easy access.

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    Eno, while welcoming CP Azare, expressed satisfaction with the choice of the new Police Commissioner, citing his previous experience as Deputy Commissioner of Operations in the state.

    The governor also commended the new CP’s plan to engage the youth in community policing, saying it aligns with the state government’s efforts to enhance peace and development.

    He assured the newly appointed Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, of his administration’s support in tackling crime and maintaining peace in the state.

    He particularly commended the selection of the new Police Commissioner, noting his previous experience as Deputy Commissioner of Operations in the state, which has provided him with adequate knowledge of the terrain and its security situation.

    He also decried the spate of vandalism of public facilities, especially transformers, which he said cost the government a considerable amount to replace and hinders rural development.