The Nation Newspaper

Tag: uyo

  • TENGER TO HEARTLAND: Uyo still a ‘slaughter slab’

    TENGER TO HEARTLAND: Uyo still a ‘slaughter slab’

    JUSTIN Tenger, Technical Adviser of Akwa United, has assured that Heartland won’t be spared in Wednesday’s match day 31 fixture as Uyo Township Stadium still remains a ‘slaughter slab’.

    Speaking ahead his team’s mid-week home game against Heartland, the veteran domestic league coach said: “At this stage of the season, no match is smooth. So I expect a tough fight from Heartland.

    “The Uyo Stadium, I have nicknamed as a ‘slaughter slab’, as no team has left without a defeat. So the Owerri side should expect to be beaten in Wednesday’s Week 31 game.”

    On his team’s draw against Sharks on match day 30, he said: “I dedicated it to God.

    “However, I heap praises on my players for keeping their cool as they defended the one goal lead till the minute the referee gave the penalty.

    “I have played the same set of players in the past five or six matches for 90minutes, so there’s consistency in my team.

    “The penalty I really don’t want to talk about as it was best in the opinion of the match officials.”

  • NLC threatens to join ASUU strike

    NLC threatens to join ASUU strike

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Monday threatened to join the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in solidarity strike if the Federal Government failed to address the body’s demands.

    NLC President, Abdulwaheed Omar, made the threat at the opening ceremony of the “2013 Rain School’’ in Uyo.

    “We call on the federal government to have meaningful dialogue with ASUU with a view to implementing the agreement.

    “The state governments should equally obey the law and pay minimum wage to teachers and the local government workers as well as the 27.5 per cent teacher’s enhanced salaries.

    “Should these strikes persist, workers of Nigeria will not hesitate to join them in solidarity,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted Omar as saying at the forum.

    Omar said the modules of the rain school were designed to train members of affiliate unions and state councils of the NLC.

    “This is in order to equip them with necessary skills to empower and protect their rights at workplace.’’

    He said the theme of the 2013 Rain School was imperative due to the obvious violation of workers’ rights in the workplace and in the larger society.

     

  • Uniuyo to immortalise slain student

    Uniuyo to immortalise slain student

    The University of Uyo said it would immortalise late Kingsley Udoette, a 200 level zoology student who died during June 12 students protest over intra- campus transport fare.

    Prof. Kimse Okoko, Chairman, Uniuyo Governing Council, stated this when the council paid a condolence visit to the bereaved family in Uyo on Thursday.

    Okoko said Udoette would not have died the way he did if the students had held dialogue with university’s management.

    “But we are comforted that God will give you the strength and the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

    “The university community and council will ensure that Udoette did not die in vain.

    “We will immortalise him in the university in whatever way we can.

    “It will be tragic for us to do anything that will belittle the sacrifice that Udoette has made. And as I have said, he will be remembered.”

    He added that the university and the council would continue to monitor the progress of the family.

    The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Comfort Ekpo, said Udoette’s death was a great shock to her and the university community.

    Ekpo appealed to students to always use dialogue when they had disagreement with school management.

    She said that dialogue remained the best option in any conflict situation.

    The vice chancellor thanked the students who stood by the family during the loss.

    Responding on behalf of the bereaved family, Mr Okposin Ekong, thanked the council chairman and university management for their visit.

    Okposin said that Udoette was a beloved son of the mother, Maddy, who lost her husband years ago.

    He appealed to the university authority and security agents to ensure that his killers were brought to book.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Udoette died of gunshot wound during the protest.

  • That planned demolition in Uyo

    SIR: It sounds unbelievable that about 10,000 buildings will be demolished in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital. I believe the chairman of Uyo Capital City Development Authority (UCCDA) has done a survey to understand the infrastructural problems of the state capital and thereby concluded that those structures should be pulled down after seven days warning to the occupants.

    I want to ask the chairman, if he has also considered the fate of the occupants who are indigent and helpless? What steps has the government of Akwa Ibom State taken to replace 10,000 buildings that will soon go down? Where will the occupants of the buildings relocated to?

    Uyo is a developing city and the population is increasing every day. The government, unfortunately has not built and allotted up to 2,000 houses to citizens from 2007 till date. Presently, the shops and commercial buildings for business activities in Uyo are inadequate. The people are seen in Uyo daily struggling to do petty businesses under umbrellas and kiosks around Ibom Plaza and major streets just to keep”body and soul” and their families together.

    Now, the government wants throw them out into the streets. If the state government is very sincere and committed to alleviating the hardship faced by these homeless people, they are supposed to build more than 10,000 housing units, relocate them and then embark on the demolition exercise.

    This same government that promised 31 industries to improve the living standard of the people during the last electioneering campaign has suddenly forgotten the implementation of the promises; instead it wants to subject the people to more hardship in the name of infrastructural development. I wonder what use are the good roads, flyovers and other government infrastructural edifice to the hopeless and poverty-stricken people struggling to survive.

    Every government has areas of focus and I believe the present government in its wisdom has its visions; and is gradually executing them at its best. But my desire is to plead for these defenceless citizens who are the major residents of Uyo but have socio-economic challenges. Government should consider their welfare while taking major decisions on infrastructural development.

    If not, there will come a time when the poor, the homeless and the unemployed citizens of Nigeria will come together as a great and determined force to fight and gain freedom from the corrupt, selfish and unpatriotic colonial masters who take pleasure in enslaving the people.

    •Mark Isong,

    Uyo, Akwa Ibom.

  • Police interrogates A/Ibom lawmaker for alleged murder

    Police interrogates A/Ibom lawmaker for alleged murder

    The police in Akwa Ibom has confirmed the arrest of Victor Udofia, a member of the state House of Assembly, for alleged murder case.

    The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Etim Dickson, confirmed the arrest when he briefed newsmen in Uyo on Friday.

    Dickson said that Udofia, representing Ikono State constituency was invited for questioning following requests by some media practitioners.

    “In reaction to several calls from media practitioners across the state on the above issue, I, hereby, confirm the invitation to the state CID homicide section of Victor Udofia,’’ he said.

    He said that Udofia was allegedly involved in the murder of one Nsikak Edet Etefia, in Ibiaku Atta, on Aug. 15, 2012.

    “Investigation since then has been on, many have been questioned. The honorable member was just invited like any other person for him to tell us his side of the story.

    “I want to say here that the investigation is ongoing and the truth will be established and anyone found culpable will be made to face the wrath of the law,” he said.

    Dickson said that the lawmaker was released after the interrogation.

  • Dolphins aim high in Uyo

    Dolphins aim high in Uyo

    Former Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) champions, Dolphins have revealed that they would take precautionary measure in their first duel of the 2012/13 season in Uyo.

    The Port Harcourt-based club will kick off their campaign against hosts, Akwa United today.

    Dolphins were 2010/11 Nigerian champions before Kano Pillars dethroned them last season.

    Last term in this same corresponding fixture in Uyo, the encounter produced five thrilling goals but the hosts won it with a Johnson Omo winner.

    Dolphins are experienced campaigners having won the league title thrice, and one of the club’s midfielders, Isiaka Olawale said it would be great to get an away victory to start their campaign.

    “We have worked hard because we know that this game will not be easy for us but we have a plan on how to beat Akwa United tomorrow (Sunday),” Olawale said.

  • ‘Why true federalism is necessary’

    The Association of Public Policy Scientists of Nigeria (APPSON) yesterday advised the Federal Government to review the current revenue mobilisation and sharing system to grant states and local governments more powers since they are closer to the grassroots people.

    This, the association said, would guarantee true federalism in the country.

    APPSON President, Aluu Vincent, spoke in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, while interacting with newsmen shortly after the inauguration of the association.

    He frowned at the renewed agitations for re-introduction of the onshore/offshore dichotomy by some sections of the Northern elite, saying the call is an affront on the collective wellbeing of littoral states.

    Vincent urged the federal government to create one more state in the South East for equity so that it would be at par with other regions with six states each.

    The President observed that the call for introduction of state police is not ripe for the country’s political development at the moment.

    He said: “APPSON supports the review of the Constitution, especially in the area of true federalism.

    More political and fiscal powers should be given to states since the states are closer to the grassroots people.

    “One more state should be created in the South East for equity sake.

    Traditional rulers should be constitutional assigned roles and also Nigeria is not ripe for state police at the moment.

    “APPSON also frowns at the call by some elements in the North for the stoppage payment of 13 per cent oil derivation to oil producing states.

    This to us is an affront on the collective wellbeing of littoral states.

    “It will lead to more under development of the area that lays the golden egg that feeds the nation. Atleast, the 13 per cent oil derivation should be increased to 20 per cent.”