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Tag: A’Ibom

Police begin autopsy on Tingles Lodge killing in A’Ibom
The Police in Akwa Ibom have commenced autopsy on a young man identified as Ernest Akpan, who died under suspicious circumstances at Tingles Lodge at Ikot Udoma in Eket Local Council of the state.
The State PPRO, Odiko MacDon told newsmen in Uyo on Tuesday that the autopsy would be carried out to determine the cause of the death while it would also study a CCTV device that was tampered with by unidentified persons.
MacDon further added that the state Police Commissioner has ordered that the matter be transferred to the State Headquarters at Ikot Akpanabia in Uyo.
“Yes we are aware of the incident, Investigation is ongoing, I think in no distance time the handlers would come out.” The PPRO said.
Sources said that Akpan was at Tingles lodge for an end of year party alongside friends on Friday night, only to be found dead at the pool in the early hours of Saturday.
“The party went well until his body was found lifeless inside the pool in the early hours of Saturday. Worried over the death of their son and pressing for answers over what caused his death, the deceased family asked and got a view of the CCTV footage of activities that night at the Hotel.
“Suspicion of murder replaced the earlier circulated news of drowning following the mysterious dissapearance of CCTV footage from about 4:15am to around 5:58am when the alleged murder must have been committed raising questions over “who has done what and why the who is trying to hide what he/she has done”
“Tingles lodge will certainly have to answer to the law over why and how the CCTV footage was tampered with, while the friends of Late Ernest Akpan who are currently cooling their heels in police custody will certainly have to provide answers to many questions over who killed and deposited Ernest’s body in the pool.” The source said.
January 4, 2022
New App to redefine technology in A’Ibom set to debut
A new ICT App that is designed to put Akwa Ibom in the global technology map is set to be unveiled in Uyo, the state capital on Tuesday
A statement signed by the Executive Director Operations, ViaNile Global Operations, US based Technology Expert Mr. Atai Albert, and made available to newsmen in Uyo said that the All-In-One digital application would afford users the luxury of Instant Messaging, Video Conferencing & Streaming.
Albert said the new application would also in addition turn a smart phone into a walkie talkie, create store and sell, virtual workplace and workgroup, marketplace with endless capabilities, adding that nothing like this has ever happened in the technology world.
“ViaNile is more than a social media application but a digital container in the social media space.The application is built with African continent in mind as it requires a much lower bandwidth for good connectivity in Africa.
“For once we now have a digital enterprise application that puts Africa first by correcting over 300 years misinformation of our people, our continent and what we truly represent.
“The philosophy behind ViaNile is to use the wealth created in Africa to directly empower Africans to have a foot hold on the emerging digital economy.
“A good percentage of the profit from ViaNile will be used to fund start-ups across African continent while also training young Africans in the development of emerging technologies like Video Conferencing, Instant Messaging, Payment Gateways, browsers, app stores, Cyber security and also help in the deployment of these companies to use their skills.
“Our target is that within a short time, ViaNile will be the main source of information on Africa, Africans and amongst the Diaspora population. We are out to change the narrative about Africa and Africans once and for all,” Executive Director of Operations, ViaNile Global Operations.”Albert explained.
January 3, 2022
Christmas: Gov Emmanuel preaches unity, hope for greater A’Ibom
Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom has re-assured of the committment of his administration to delivering campaign promises of improved living standard and infrastructural renaissance as captured in his 5-point agenda.
Emmanuel who stated this in his Christmas message to the people of the state however maintained that his vision could only be achieved in an atmosphere of love, peace and tranquility as exemplified by Jesus Christ.
Reflecting on the essence of Christmas, the Governor stressed the need for love and sustainable peace among citizenry, whom he noted, are of a common stock not withstanding political affiliations.
He further said that as a government perpetually on the move for better well-being and food sufficiency, more would be done in health and agriculture sectors of the economy.
“It is a season of hope, of our determination to continue to forge ahead and deliver on our campaign promises; to leave this State better than we met her, and to proclaim with certainty that the Akwa Ibom story will not be reversed, that the things which had hitherto defined us negatively as a State and as a people shall be permanently cancelled and erased, and it will be Forward Ever Backward Never!
“The season of the Birth of our Lord and Saviour signifies peace and goodwill to mankind, and this peace which we have enjoyed in this State shall be permanent, and any resort or attempts to reverse it and reintroduce the orgy of violence and security challenges that this State had earlier witnessed before now, will, and shall never return.
“We will however, continue to ensure that issues concerning education, agriculture, health care or the social infrastructure are given the prime attention they deserve. We owe our children the responsibility of preparing them to be competitive in an information technology-driven world; we owe them the right education to make them future employers of labour, as opposed to being job seekers.
“Our healthcare delivery service remains top in our agenda. We promised to remodel, construct and equip with modern amenities General Hospitals in all the Ten Federal Constituencies. We have successfully done nine; the last in Ikot Abasi is currently on-going.” He explained.
The Governor said the promise to provide power for all by the end of 2021 was almost achieved pointing out that the remaining 265 villages out of the 2,274 in the state would soon be provided with power.
“We promised to provide Power for All by December 2021, which actually means the provision of electricity to the 2,274 gazetted villages that make up this State. As I speak, out of the 2,274 gazetted villages, only 265 villages yet to be connected to the national grid, that’s about 92 percent score in this regard.
“We hope to connect the remaining 265 villages to the national grid as soon as possible, thus meeting our target in this regard. We came to serve; to work diligently and quietly to improve the material and living standards of our people and nothing will distract us from achieving those set goals.
“Our infrastructural Renaissance is on the ascendance. Even our naysayers or worst critics will agree with us that all over the State, we are experiencing huge road and other infrastructural expansions. We remain committed to finishing our turn-key projects.
“Let us therefore, eschew bitterness and hatred from our body-politic. All Power belong to God Almighty and He gives such to whom He has qualified. God does not choose a man that is qualified; but he qualifies a man that He chooses.” Emmanuel reiterated.
On the fight against the spread of the Corona Virus, the Governor appealed for effective adherence to the safety guidelines and protocols.
“As we get set to roll out the drums of festivities, let me again reiterate the need for us to follow the simple but effective protocols aimed at curtailing the spread of the Covid- 19 virus. You may have been following in the news the mutation of a new variant called Omicron.
“At a time the world thought we had turned a corner with this virus, this Omicron variant has returned the world to the starting point. Travel restrictions are being imposed all over the world and some countries have painfully considered another round of lockdowns.
“Here in Nigeria, and in our State in particular, we have discovered some cases of this Omicron variant and it is incumbent upon us, to do all we can to curtail its spread. The simple protocols of social distancing, regular washing of hands with liquid soaps, the wearing of facemask, use of hand sanitizers etc. plus the robust healthcare facilities we have provided, had helped us a great deal in stemming the spread of this virus when it first appeared on our shores.
” We should remain committed to doing same with this new variant. We do not intend to impose another round of lock- down. This will however, depend on how we obey the protocols. This is a serious matter and should be treated as such.” He appealed.
December 26, 2021
Female Councillor donates house to homeless family in A’Ibom
A female councillor in Akwa Ibom have donated a two bedroom bungalow to a family of five who have been homeless for more than 12 months.
Speaking while commissioning the apartment yesterday, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Iniobong Ememobong, described the gesture as “unprecedented”, especially given the fact that such gesture appears strange to the Local Government administrators in the state.
The Commissioner, who was represented by one of the Special Assistants (SAs) to governor Udom Emmanuel, on Public Affairs, Mr.Morgan Ekanem, commended Miss Enang, “for demonstrating part of the best legacies of the governor Udom Emmanuel’s administration of lifting people out of poverty”.
Ememobong charged other political office holders to emulate the Councilor for committing her lean resources into saving and providing succuor, especially “at this period of the country’s socio-economic down-turn”.
The Chairman of Etim Ekpo Council, Mr Imeh Afia, expressed delight and commended the Councilor for being in a light and a tool for development in her domain.
Afia, who was represented by the Leader of Council, Hon. Uduakobong Udofa, described the lawmaker as “a woman of conscience with a milk of human kindness flowing over her system”, even as he prayed God for more blessings and charged her to “continue with your good work of empowering the people”.
However, Miss Wisdom Enang, in an interview with Journalists, said she was moved to tears, “when the news of my people trapped and rescued in a collapsed building reached me.
“When I heard the pathetic story, I had to pray to God, who gave me the enablement to accept to come to the rescue of my people. Everybody knows that times are really hard now, but I had no other option than to clear my account to build this two-bedroom apartment for them.
Wife of the beneficiary, Mrs. Inem, exuding joy, recalled that, “me, my husband and three children were chased out from our family compound. Our Church, Church of Christ, rallied a build a mud house for us, but the house collapsed during the rainy season and trapped all of us, including my last child, Abasianwam, who was already buried in the rubbles of the collapsed house.
“My waist was badly hit, and neighbours came to rescue us. We had to move to the nearby cubicle built in the premises of a public water station to pass every night in fear of being killed or attacked by night marauders, until help from a Samaritan woman with good heart for the poor and down-trodden, only God will reward her.”
December 22, 2021
Flood sacks 500 residents, 120 houses in A’Ibom community
Heavy flood has displaced more than 500 residents and destroyed more than 120 houses following increased that has taken over more than 3km radius of Ikot Obio Atai village in Itu Local Council of Akwa Ibom
This is even as the Village Head Obong Okon Mkpong has fled from his palace at Number 85 Urua Ekpa Road more than a decade ago and relocated to Udo Usanga Street due to heavy flood.
Indigenes and non indigenes who reside in the area have been sacked from their houses turning some locals into refugees in their community.
The flood also lead to a gully erosion along Akpan Etong Street where some houses have been swallowed by the gully while a man was reported to have died recently in the gully.
Though Ikot Obio Atai, or Urua Ekpa Road, is in Itu local government area, the flooded area is less than two kilometres from the main gate of the Town Campus of the University of Uyo, UNIUYO while the community is within Uyo Capital City Development Authority, UCCDA.
Lawmaker representing Itu State Constituency in the State Assembly, Mr Kufre Edidem, who is also an indigene of Ikot Obio Atai, recalled that the state government during former Governors Godswill Akpabio’s tenure reffered the matter to the then deputy governor, who facilitated official of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to visit the village and shared relief materials among the victims.
Edidem said he has brough the state Commissioner for Works to inspect the flood site and has forwared the complain to the state government, expressing the hope that work on the flood site would be included in the 2022 Akwa Ibom State budget.
On why he has not brought the issue before the assembly under Matter of Urgent Public Importance, Edidem retorted, “do you want the thing on the floor or you want the problem solve? So if you want the problem solved, it is when you are a legislator and you dont have good relationship with the executive and the executive does not listin to you that is when you bring matter to the floor of the house is to catch the attention of the executive.
“But if the executive is already listening to you: the commissioner for finance, commissioner for environment followed me, they made the engineering drawings and they are working on next year budget, and it has been put in the budget, so what do you want the matter on the floor? It is for sensationalism or what?”
The Village Head whom the flood sacked from his palace said the flood problem was beyond the village capacity to handle, noting that the community has written several letters to successive state governments but to no avail.
”The community has written to the government till date, nothing has happened, Since 1999, nothing has happened . If it was possible the community would have addressed the problem.
“It is difficult for us. Governor Udom Emmanuel should come and help us. we are all members of PDP. It is sad that even the village head ‘s house is under water and yet they say that Akwa Ibom is beautiful.’
October 21, 2021
FYReP educates 15,000 girls on teenage pregnancy in A’Ibom
The Family Empowerment and Youth Reorientation Path Initiative (FYReP), a pet project of the wife of Akwa Ibom Governor, Dr Martha Emmanuel has said it has so far carried out advocacy against teenage pregnancy to over 15,000 girls spread across 62 secondary schools in the state.
It has also pledged to commit more energy and resources to the fight against teenage and unwanted pregnancy in the state.
Emmanuel who made this known during the sixth anniversary celebration FYReP, in Uyo yesterday regretted that adolescent pregnancy rate in the state is estimated at 17%, with one in every five adolescent girls (aged 15-19) in the state either pregnant or has had a child.
“FEYReP has reached out to about 15,000 students spread across 62 secondary school in the three senatorial districts of the state with its advocacy program tagged ”Girls, Uphold Your Dignity” with an objective to raising the bar on the standard of behaviour and educational focus of the girl child.
“It seeks to reposition the girl child educationally, promote behavioural change and educate on reproductive health. Meanwhile, the program is yielding positive results.
“The advocacy also gave birth to a program tagged “Bright Future for Responsible Boys”. Noticing that the boy child appears neglected and dangling in the cliff of social ruins, consumed by drug abuse/ addiction, cultism, rape, promiscuity and other vices, FEYReP stems the tide by educating the boys on sexual orientation and need for financial independence. The innovative approach has rescued our young boys from the clutches of abandonment and neglect”.
“FEYReP created and championed a mentoring program tagged “Follow the Star” which offers steady support, hope, wise counselling and guidance to our young ones to develop their academic and professional skills as well as uncover their talent potentials to help them succeed in their future endeavours. So far the idea has yielded positive results as about 6000 students have been reached and mentored”. She explained.
The Governor’s wife said her pet project has worked to reduce maternal mortality in the state as over 5000 expectant mothers across the 31 Local Government Areas received free Medicare, cash, as well as delivery kits through her Pregnacare Outreach’ programme.
FEYReP, she also noted has within its six years of existence built, furnished and delivered 57 two and three units bedroom bungalows to the poor and indigent of Akwa Ibom, under its ‘Shelter of Hope’ Project, empowered over 10,000 rural women with interest free loans and extended cash grants to o er 8,000 widows.
“With the theme “Right to Rise”, the physically challenged are not left out in FEYReP’s programs as there is ability in every disability. Over 2000 of them have been empowered with financial grants for businesses as well as packages such as Braille paper,.wheel chairs and the gesture is ongoing.
“Recognizing that development will only be achieved if only it is inclusive of all ages and the elderly, better known as senior citizens, are not forgotten by FEYReP, hence they are often celebrated and empowered by my Non-Government Organization. They also receive free medical check-up since we see old age is a blessing.
“Boosting the income of women becomes a necessity for gender equality. FEYReP has created a platform called ‘FEYReP Multipurpose Interest Free Loan’ and we have been able to reach out to over 10,000 rural women across the three senatorial districts.
“Well over 8,000 widows have so far been empowered with cash grants by my NGO (FEYReP) to be economically self-reliant and productive.
“In my entrepreneurial development, the ‘Get -a -Skill’ program, a good number of female youths have benefited in capacity building, trained as fashion designers, barbers, hair dressers, shoe menders, mechanics and aluminium workers and empowered with tools. This program is ongoing in the state and has yielded tremendous result.
“To complement the government’s effort in healthcare delivery, we therefore make donations of equipment and consumables to the following health centres: Aka Ekpenme, St. Theresa Hospital, Use Abat and Handmaid Hospital, Ikot Ambang all in Ibiono Ibom local government area, Methodist Hospital, Ituk Mbang in Uruan, General Hospital, Iquita in Oron, Central School of Nursing, Ikot Ekpene, Primary Health Centre, Ikot Etok-Udo in Abak and Leprosy Hospital, Ekpene Obo in Etinan Local Government Areas. This goal is to support and strengthen public healthcare system in our communities”. She said.
Emmanuel who expressed sadness over the spike in Gender Based Violence during the Lockdown occasioned by Covid-19 pandemic said FYReP intervened by staging a state wide awareness campaign in condemnation of the act, provision of the necessary logistics resources to prosecute its perpetrators and provide succour to the victims in their GBV centre.
September 22, 2021
A’Ibom: Jubilee Syringe producing 1.7m syringes daily, says MD
At least 1.7 million syringes are been produced daily for pharmaceutical companies by the Akwa Ibom based Jubilee Syringe, Managing Director of the company Mr. Akin Oyediran has said.
Oyediran who made the disclosure when he hosted correspondents in his factory in ONNA local council further said that the demand for the product which has become a brand name in Nigeria is far more than the company’s production capacity.
“We turn out a minimum of 1.7 million syringes on a daily basis, and we sell 2.5 million daily we have been producing for the pass two years. The reason for the overwhelming demand is the quality of our product and the vibrant sales and marketing team which is made up of mostly Akwa Ibom people.” The MD explained.
Oyediran who conducted members of the Correspondents’ Chapel round the facility at the weekend hinted that he is taking full advantage of the law recently passed by the National Assembly that all Government hospital must use locally made Syringes.
He mentioned that the company was able to keep Nigeria hospitals afloat with constant supply of quality syringes even during the Covid-19 pandemic, when China closed their doors for exports of medical consumables.
Asked how he did it, he said the company had to quarantine and lock the staff inside the facility and continued with production to feed hospitals in Nigeria.
“The main reason for the law is because, the syringes we produce in Nigeria are world class and the country would not want to spend her foreign exchange on what is already being produced locally.
“We are working to ensure a total ban on importation of syringes into the country. We are working closely with the ministry of health and NAFDAC; they are cooperating with us very well. They are getting ready to send the document to the Federal Executive Council.
“It is a good thing for us in Nigeria to have good quality product produced locally. In Jubilee Syringe, we pay maximum attention to quality. We make sure we go through all the processes to ensure that what comes out is the best.”He explained.
Oyediran noted that a total ban on importation of syringes would give the company which is in a Public Private Partnership (PPP) with the Akwa Ibom State Government an opportunity to increase production capacity as well as hire more Nigerians to work in various areas of need and would enhance economic as well as human capital development.
Calling on other companies in the country to follow the trend in ensuring that locally made products dominate the Nigerian market, the MD rolled out the company’s plan to manufacture other medical consumables which includes: Jubilee face mask, Jubilee hand glove, and Jubilee middle etc before end of 2022.
He however expressed appreciation to the state government for the partnership and provision of enabling environment for the business to thrive for the benefit of all in the country.
September 20, 2021
NESREA seals 8 firms for violating environmental laws in A’Ibom
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has shut down eight companies for contravening various environmental laws , policies and guidelines regulating their operations in Akwa Ibom state
NESREA state Coordinator Mrs Iwobi Ngozi told a press conference in Uyo yesterday that the affected companies did not produce Environmental Audit Report as required by law in their operations .
The Coordinator listed the firms shutdown to include Hensek Integrated Nigeria Ltd, Basse Engineering & Michel Ltd, Peacock Paints Ltd and Wizchino Engineering Ltd Lion Plywood ,Timber Nig Ltd , China Civil Engineering Construction Ltd , VKS Nig Ltd as well as DPL Construction Ltd .
Iwobi disclosed that the companies have operated in the state for a long time not minding the requisite environmental laws that regulate their operations and despite enough sensitization and enlightenment by the Agency to draw their attention for them to do the needful.
” The last two companies mentioned above obstructed us when we visited them during our routine checks on them. The security men at the gate attack the team from our Agency and prevented us from entering the company facility. VKS and DPL obstructed us . That alone was another offence which attract another penalty before we reopen their facility for operation”
” Notice for obstructing the team and the penalty have been sent to them. Contrary to section 31 of NESREA established Act, It is an offence for Officers of the Agency to be obstructed by person or persons or by corporate body from performing his or her duties ”
” It is worthy to note that beside its robust mandate , the Agency’s compliance monitoring and enforcement activities are structured and carried out based on the provisions of 33 National Environmental Regulations.” Iwobi explained.
She said the companies ignored all the notification letters and Abatement notices issued to enabled them carry out their operations in an environmental friendly and sustainable manner .
Iwobi explained that the Agency would continue to embark on nationwide enforcement exercise to end an era of of gross negligence and non adherence to set standards and regulations by some industries whose activities posed serious threat to the environment.
” The level of impunity exhibited by these erring facilities must not be allowed to continue This exercise on going process and the Agency will , without warning , go ahead to sanction any facility that falls below regulatory standards. ” She said
August 13, 2021
NGO facilitates arrest of seven men for raping their daughters in A’Ibom
The Family Empowerment and Youth Reorientation Path-initiative FEYReP said it has facilitated the arrest of seven men for alleged rape and defilement of their daughters in Akwa Ibom.
The founder of the organisation, Dr. Martha Emmanuel who is the wife of Akwa Ibom State Governor disclosed this in Uyo last weekend during an interaction with newsmen.
Emmanuel who expressed worry over the disturbing instances of sodomy in the State said her organisation would ensure that the perpetrators are convicted fast.
She added that FEYRep is in partnership with the Judiciary, Police and FIDA saying that she has mandated her staff to post on the internet the identities of rape convicts in the State for ‘shaming purpose’ inorder to deter intending rapists from the act.
According to her, “as I speak we have about seven fathers in police cell awaiting trial for defiling their daughters. These issues trouble my heart a lot and I can assure you that Justice must be done.
“FEYReP is in Partnership with the Judiciary, Police, FIDA. You see? Perpetrators cannot go scot-free. Anytime the cases that involve us would be tried in the court, we must be present. That is to tell you how serious it is. The judge will also know that we are very serious about these.”
It could be recalled that the State Violence Against Persons Prohibition(VAPP) Law 2020 has stipulated 21 years imprisonment for rape culprits.
On that premise,the governor’s wife also told journalists that her pet project has secured the conviction of 10 rape culprits for the past six months.
According to her, “I can say authoritatively that in the last six months, and with the help of all involved (Judiciary, Police and FIDA), we have secured conviction of ten culprits of rape and other gender based violence in the state.”
On what spurred her into the campaign against GBV, she said, “most of the victims are vulnerable children, poor women, who do not have a voice. I am happy to lend my voice, to be their voice. To speak for them any day and anytime.
“What would a 60 year old man be looking for in a two or three year old infant? Is that not devilish? We can’t condone such an abnormal behaviour in our society.”
Speaking on other areas of her intervention, the First Lady remarked that she has in the last six years in office as the governor’s wife, placed premium on the family component of the society, stating that it remains the bedrock of a functional society.
She said, “we believe that if we get it right at the foundational level, the society would have been better off. This is why we have invested so much in many Akwa Ibom families. All the programmes at FEYReP are towards projecting a successful family Unit.”
On funding of her projects and the sustainability of FEYReP after office in 2023, she said “We get our funding from good spirited individuals and organisations. They see what we do and trust in us to always deliver. I’ve always said that FEYReP will outlive this administration.”
August 9, 2021
COVID-19: A’Ibom records 3 new deaths, as cases rise to 156 in two weeks
Three persons have lost their lives as new COVID-19 cases has risen from five to 156 in the last two weeks in Akwa Ibom even as the state government has called for increased caution and vigilance among residents.
Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem who disclosed this in a press conference in Uyo on Thursday said the deadly effect of the Delta variant necessitated the need to reinforce protocols already established by government to prevent the spread of the virus in the state.
“Over the past two weeks, cases of covid-19 within the state have risen from 5 to 156). This increase, when considered in the light of the new Delta variant of the virus, which has now been isolated in Nigeria, calls for a renewal of our collective effort at preventing the spread of Covid-19 virus infection in our state.
“Accordingly, the government calls on all citizens of the state to obey all Covid-19 guidelines and protocols earlier enunciated by both the government of the state and the Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC).” Ekuwem explained.
The SSG stated that all non-essential social gatherings like burials, weddings and birthday celebrations should be reconsidered with a view to drastically reducing the scale and scope or suspending them.
“Social distancing in tricycles and in Mini-buses and wearing of face masks are to be strictly complied with. Religious houses (churches and mosques) should run at half capacity and services should last not more than one (1) hour.
“Hotels, sit-outs, clubs, schools, transport companies, supermarkets, Banks, pharmacies should all ensure compliance with all Covid-19 preventive measures in their facilities.
“All Covid-19 monitoring mechanisms are hereby reactivated to ensure strict compliance with Covid-19 guidelines and protocols.” He said.
Ekuwem, who is also the chairman of the State COVID-19 Committee called on residents to avail themselves of the state molecular laboratories which are fully functional to do their Covid-19 tests.
“Government shall continue to monitor the trends in the disease and take actions as may be necessary from time to time. Also, monitoring teams shall be reactivated to ensure compliance with the above directives.” He stated.
July 22, 2021