The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Godswill Akpabio

  • Akpabio: increase air surveillance

    Akpabio: increase air surveillance

    Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio has urged the Air Force to increase surveillance in oil producing areas to curtail crude oil theft, bunkering and vandalism of oil pipelines.

    Akpabio gave the advice yesterday when the Commander of 207 Special Mobility Group, Calabar, Air Commodore Charles Ohwo, visited him at the Governor’s Office, Uyo.

    The governor bemoaned the upsurge of pirates and harassment of sea passengers and fishermen.

    Akpabio lauded the efforts of the Air Force in fighting terrorism.

    He said: “Although terrorism is a global problem, what we are seeing in the country is totally un-Nigerian. I want the Air Force to add more value to the security of lives and property.

    “You must have proved your appointment as an efficient and hard working person ,hence the elevation. And I have no doubt that you’ll prove your mettle in this new position.”

     

  • ‘I didn’t call for full emergency’

    ‘I didn’t call for full emergency’

    Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio yesterday denied calling for complete emergency rule in the three northern eastern states of Borno Yobe and Adamawa.

    Akpabio, in a statement by Commissioner for Information and Communications Aniekan Umanah, said: “At no time did Governor Akpabio offer such an advice nor granted an interview on the issue.”

    He said: “Matters of emergency rule are vested in the President and no governor has any say on such decision, as it is the prerogative of Mr President and the Senate.

    “The allegation is a calculated attempt to malign Akpabio’s person and office. The governor was one of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, who applauded the President for retaining democratic structures in the affected states, and could therefore not work against the continuation of the democratic structures in the states.

    “Akpabio sympathises with victims of the insurgencies and prays for an end to the security challenges facing the nation. “

  • PDP governors postpone Bauchi meeting

    PDP governors postpone Bauchi meeting

    The meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum earlier slated for May 8 and 9 in Bauchi, Bauchi State, has been postponed.

    A statement by Akwa Ibom State Governor and Chairman of the Forum Godswill Akpabio said the postponement was to enable the governors attend the World Economic Summit in Abuja between May 6 and 8.

    The statement regretted any inconvenience the postponement may have caused.

    Akpabio said a new date would be communicated to them in due course.

  • Akpabio, Tinubu for honour

    Akpabio, Tinubu for honour

    Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio and Senator Oluremi Tinubu are among eminent Nigerians to be honoured at the 50th anniversary celebration and 33rd Convocation of the Adeyemi College of Education (ACE) in Ondo, Ondo State.

    Others are Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Registrar, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde; former House of Representatives’ member Mr. Omotayo Fawehinmi and Chief Olabanji Akingbule.

    Minister of Communications Technology Mrs. Omobola Johnson; founder of the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Chief Afe Babalola (SAN); Director-General of the National Teachers’ Institute, Kaduna, Dr. Aminu Ladan Sharehu; former Managing Director, Niger-Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Timi Alaibe and the Chairman of the Pacesetters Group of Schools in Abuja, Kenneth Imansuangbon, will be honoured with the institution’s fellowship awards.

  • Missing don’s family petitions Fed Govt

    Missing don’s family petitions Fed Govt

    Otan-Ayegbaju, the headquarters of Bolowaduro Local Government Area of Osun State, has petitioned the Federal Government, Osun and Akwa Ibom states to help find one of its indigenes, Prof. James Olomo.

    Olomo, a Nuclear Physics lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, went missing six months ago.

    At a briefing yesterday, the President, Otan-Ayegbaju Progressive Union, Ademola Olayemi, said last October, Olomo travelled to Eket, Akwa Ibom State, on an assignment for an oil producing company. He has not been seen since then.

    Olayemi said the don’s disappearance has remained a mystery.

    He said: “The community and the family have sent representatives to the Akwa Ibom State Police Command. The police in Akwa Ibom State are trying their best but we think that the presidential intervention in the matter will hasten the process of finding Olomo.

    “We are also calling on Governors Rauf Aregbesola and Godswill Akpabio to intensify efforts on the search for Prof. Olomo.”

    The victim’s younger brother, Lanre Olomo, said the family had taken spiritual and physical measures to ensure his release but to no avail.

    He said he believes his brother is alive.

  • ‘Pray for peace’

    ‘Pray for peace’

    Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum, Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), yesterday urged clerics to pray for God’s intervention in the problem of insecurity confronting the nation.

    Akpabio gave the charge when he led his counterparts on a visit to host Sule Lamido, in Dutse.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governors are in Dutse for a meeting of the forum.

    Akpabio said the level of security needs God’s intervention for solution.

    The governor said people now hide under the insecurity bedeviling the nation to inflict mayhem on political opponents.

  • Myma Bello-Osagie marks 60

    Myma Bello-Osagie marks 60

    IT was a convergence of Nigeria’s crème de la crème at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos, as Myma, the beautiful wife of Hakeem Bello-Osagie, celebrated her 60th birthday. From Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola and Tony Elumelu, Governor Liyel Imoke to former Cross River State, Governor Donald Duke, Governor Godswill Akpabio, Jim Ovia, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, John Edozien and many more, prominent Nigerians from all walks of life showed up.

    Dr Myma Bello-Osagie ,a seasoned lawyer, currently serves as senior partner of Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie, one of the leading law firms in Nigeria. She also heads its telecommunications and oil & gas teams. Her areas of specialisation include corporate restructuring, acquisitions, foreign investment, regulatory communications and equity financing.

    Highly rated for her works, she also sits on the board of various companies and acts as a trustee on the board of several non-profit making organisations, including the African Leadership Foundation, the African Wildlife Foundation and the Art and Business Foundation. She is also reputed as an avid art collector.

  • Entertainers Hype Akpabio

    Entertainers Hype Akpabio

    Top Nigerian entertainers from Nollywood and the music industry have extolled Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, for what they described as his achievements in the state.

    The eulogies are contained in the cover edition of a new journal; Uncommon Transformation, a magazine published by Love Idoko’s Dream Pointers.

    In the glossy edition, Ini Edo, 2face Idibia, Kanayo o. Kanayo, Uti Nwachukwu, and Desmond Eliot were full of praise for the state helmsman, whom they rated high in arts and entertainment, and general development of the state.

    “He is the best thing to have happened to Akwa-Ibom state. He completely modernized the state and made it at par with what obtains in other parts of the world,” said Ini Edo, whose film, I’ll Take My Chances, premiered amidst pop and circumstance in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on September 24, 2011.

    According to the actress, who is an indigene of the state, Akpabio “placed Akwa-Ibom in a place of pride and enabled us lift our heads high. In the area of entertainment where I am from, his contribution has been immense; the building of the Tropicana Entertainment Centre, the sponsoring of numerous arts and entertainment events too numerous to mention. His contribution has been awesome. Akwa-Ibom has indeed been uncommonly transformed. Not only has he done great things, but he has also set an example for others to emulate.”

    In the opinion of celebrated actor, Desmond Elliot, the governor has truly empowered the people: “Though Akwa-Ibom State was created out of the former Cross- River State in September 1987, the potency and beauty of the state was never fully realised until its leadership fell in the hands of Barrister Godswill Obot Akpabio in 2007. As a non Akwa-Ibom indigene, albeit a Nigerian who saw Akwa-Ibom before 2007 and has seen the transformation since, I can evidently say that the leadership tenure of Governor Akpabio has richly empowered the people of the state. As a young person, I am truly inspired and spurred by governor Akpabio’s work to serve my people and be of better employ in the service of our country.

    Also speaking, 2face Idibia, whose path had also crossed with the governor’s, having married from the state says “Governor Akpabio is a blessing to Akwa-Ibom. The next person is going to have a mighty shoe to fill. I have been there several times and the transformation is truly uncommon. He is very humble and hardworking and may God continue to bless him. We need more like him in Nigeria.”

    For Kanayo O. Kanayo, “Governor Akpabio has demystified governance by providing such uncommon infrastructure that can best be labeled “come and see”. He noted that through the effort of the governor, the state has become a tourist destination with stupendous hospitality.

    Also speaking, winner of Big Brother Africa, Uti Nwachukwu says the governor has laid solid foundation for a better future for the state, commending the Akpabio-led administration for taking care of pregnant women free of charge.

    The magazine also covers the near eight-year rule of Akpabio, featuring the governor in an extensive interview. Also published are interviews of the state Commissioner for Information, Hon. Aniekan Umanah, his counterparts in education and health, Prof. Atim Antai and Dr. Ememabasi Bassey.

    Illustrated with colourful pictures, the magazine also showcases the food and culture of the state and other capital intensive projects.

     

  • Esin endorsed for governor

    Esin endorsed for governor

    Elders from 12 local government areas in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District have hailed the decision of Governor Godswill Akpabio to zone the governorship to the district.

    The elders, led by Nduese Essien, Etim Uye and Obong Amatte Ntuk, said the move would bring justice and peace to the state.

    They resolved to endorse Larry Esin as the district’s governorship candidate.

    Last December, Esin was nominated as the consensus candidate of the Oro Union.

    The elders are canvassing support for President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term ambition.

     

  • 2015: PDP to decide if contest will be open, says Akpabio

    2015: PDP to decide if contest will be open, says Akpabio

    Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio yesterday said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will decide if the 2015 governorship election will be open to all the aspirants from the three senatorial districts.

    Akpabio spoke in response to a question posed by Senator Effiong Bob who sought to know where Uyo Senatorial District belonged in the 2015 power tussle.

    He described Uyo as a special senatorial district.

    The governor spoke during the on-going town hall meeting of the Etinan Federal Constituency in Etinan council, Akwa Ibom state.

    The governor said if Uyo Senatorial District does not contest in the primaries of the PDP, Uyo will contest in the opposition party.

    Akpabio said: “In 2015, if PDP were to speak in clear conscience, it can no longer say that two senatorial districts are going to contest. By 1999 till 2015, two senatorial districts have tasted power.

    “Uyo Senatorial District under former Governor Victor Attah. Ikot Ekpene Senatorial district under Governor Godswill Akpabio. The only senatorial district left is Eket Senatorial District, therefore the party will speak.

    “If the party wants to open it up for the three senatorial districts so be it. Even in 2007 it was still open to the whole state. The main opposition that I had was from Uyo. Uyo is very enlightened. It is the capital of Akwa Ibom.

    “Even if we go 2015, if the candidate of the state is not from Uyo senatorial district, the next person from the opposition will be from Uyo. I hope you know that. Uyo cannot fail to contest election. It is a fact. This one that Senator Effiong Bob is asking where is Uyo, Uyo knows that it will contest election.

    “Whether you like it or not Uyo will contest. If Uyo does not contest the primaries of the PDP, Uyo will contest in the opposition. Even the opposition leader if we had any today, is he not from Uyo? The reality is that Uyo is too important and nobody can ignore Uyo. Uyo will never be left out of government. At what stage can you leave Uyo out?”

    Akpabio explained that after the town hall meeting, the stakeholders and elders of the state will sit and decide on how to zone positions.

    His words: “After this town hall meeting, the next thing we will do is to sit down as stakeholders and elders and attempt to zone positions so that when we bring it out you will know that if this person takes governorship, another person takes deputy governor.

    “Those who are going to be aspirants must sign the MoU that this sharing formula approved by the circus of our party is what they will adhere to then immediately after that we will make our pronouncement.”