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Tag: A’Ibom

Group lauds A’Ibom for plans for a DISCO
Apex Ibibio youth group, Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio has lauded Akwa Ibom government for it’s plans to float an electricity distribution company.
It has also called on oil companies promptly intervene upon report of oil spillage in their host Communities by arresting the spillage and paying appropriate compensation to affected Communities.
The communique endorsed weekend in Uyo by it’s International President Akparawa James Edet and Secretary, Akparawa Bassey Bassey at the end of it’s September Central Working Committee meeting also advocated for an equal sharing formular in the ownership of electricity infrastructure put in place by communities.
It regretted that the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) is yet to improve upon its rather poor services to its customers in the State and condemed a situation where individuals or Communities in the State purchase and install electricity infrastructures only for PHEDC to later take ownership of such facilities.
“That it is unethical and against business principle for PHEDC or any distribution company in the Country to surreptitiously arm twist individuals or communities to repair or replace damaged power facilities while the distribution companies are only interested in the circulation and collection of outrageous bills
“That henceforth, such facilities could only be bequeathed to the PHEDC or any other distribution company whatsoever on the basis of 50-50 Equity Ownership between the provider(s) of the facilities and the Distribution Company.
“That PHEDC, should, as a matter of urgency commence the distribution of prepaid meters to its customers in the State and desist henceforth from giving outrageous estimated bills to Akwa Ibom households.” It said.
It said the plan to float a distribution company nby the state government would improve power supply to the state and boost the state’s industrialisation and small scale business drive, create wealth, empower the citizenry and ultimately improve the State’s economy
The communique commended the state government for plans to continually connect more communities in the State to the National grid and call on communities to jealously guide against the vandalisation or theft of Transformers and other power facilities provided them.
It called on oil companies and other blue chip business establishments operating in the state to regularly carry out reasonable level of Corporate Social Responsibility for the benefit of their host communities to enhance a cordial working relationship with such Communities.
September 18, 2022
A’Ibom empowers 3,000 youths in skill acquisition scheme
Not less than 3,000 youths from Akwa Ibom have received start up grants in a special skill acquisition scheme aimed at improving human capital development initiated by the state government
Flagged off about a year ago, the scheme is meant to equip participants with entrepreneurial/ managerial skills, value re-orientation and attitudinal change in areas such as Agriculture, Oil and Gas, Information and Communication Technology and Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMES)
At the graduation ceremony of the first 3,000 beneficiaries in Uyo yesterday, Governor Udom Emmanuel advised them to make judicious use of the acquired skills and start-up grants for higher productivity and self development.
Represented by the deputy governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo, the Emmanuel charged them not to sell the laptops and other kits provided but to see the starter packs as empowerment tools to advance their personal development.
Being a critical component of his administration to create employment opportunities and wealth for Akwa Ibom people, the governor said the project is one of the platforms for the implementation of the 8-point Completion Agenda comprising Human Capacity Development, Industrialization, Agriculture and Small and Medium Enterprises Development.
He noted that the scheme was designed to accomodate youths and women due to the significant role they play in community development which account for about 48 per cent of the National Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He assured that with the training, unemployment would be tackled in the state, while also offering graduands the opportunity to secure lucrative employment in multinational companies and large scale industries.
The Commissioner, Ministry of Trade and Investment, Engineer Camillus Umoh stated that the graduation ceremony was the first phase of the Ibom Project meant to train 3000 beneficiaries from each of the three senatorial districts of the state.
Umoh explained that the aim of the scheme was to endow youths with basic skills to enhance their small businesses and enable them secure jobs in multinationals and other business concerns.
While appreciating the Governor for actualizing his vision of human capacity development through the project, he lauded the facilitators and trainees for diligence exhibited in the course of the training and revealed that plans for the second phase was already underway.
August 11, 2022
A’Ibom: Security foils attempted escape of job seeker’s murderer after death sentence
Security agents on Thursday foiled an attempt by a convicted murderer, Uduak Akpan to escape from the court after he was sentenced to death.
Akpan, who has been standing trial since last year for the murder of a female job seeker, Iniubong Umoren was sentenced to death by hanging by an Akwa Ibom High Court sitting in Uyo.
The two-part judgement held that while he was being sentenced to life imprisonment for the case of rape, he was also to die by hanging for the case of murder.
He had lured the late Umoren to his father’s residence at Nung Ikono Obio village in Uruan Local Council on the pretext of offering her a job, where he raped and murdered her.
It however took the vigilance and timely intervention of the security officials who overpowered him before taking him inside the waiting prison van.
Presiding Judge, Justice Bassey Nkanang however discharged and acquitted second accused,Frank Akpan and third accused Bassey Anwan, fathwr and sister to the sentenced murderer.
State Attorney General, AG, and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom appreciated security agencies for their investigations that aided the state in presenting a solid case before the court and commended security agents present in court for stalling the attempted escape of the
“But I don’t think the attempted escape is something to be surprised about. This young man committed some very grievous and gruesome offenses. I think the security officials were very attentive and that is why they were able to overcome him and put him up.” The AG said.
He also said that the state would study the judgment and determine whether to appeal the acquittal of Uduak’s father and sister or not
Akpan had during proceedings confessed that he raped and murdered the deceased because she challenged him during the act.
“I first used condom to have sex with Iniubong Umoren and later removed the condom because I did not enjoy the sex. She became infuriated and I reached out to a stabilizer and a box iron and used it to hit her abdominal part and she started to bleed. I hit her again and she screamed. I used her jean trousers and strangled her and she became lifeless.” He had said.
August 4, 2022
2023: More defections hit PDP as OBA declares for YPP in A’Ibom
The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has continued to suffer more defections in Akwa Ibom following the declaration at the weekend of Senator Bassey Akpan for the Young Progressives Party (YPP).
About 10,000 PDP members including the member representing Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency, Hon Emmanuel Ukpong ‘Udo and the lawmaker representing Ikono state constituency, Hon Asuquo Nana Udoh and thousands of others left the PDP for the Young Progressives Party in a reception rally held in Uyo.
The event which had a chieftain of YPP, Senator Ifeanyi Uba and the state chairman of the YPP Pastor Nyenime Andy witnessed the national chairman of YPP, Bishop Emmanuel Amakiri formally receive Akpan and other chieftains of the PDP from across the 31 local government areas into YPP.
At the event, the state chairman, who was also the gubernatorial candidate of the party announced that he was stepping down for Senator Bassey Albert Akpan, popularly called OBA by his admirers.
The carnival-like event which held eexactly fifteen days after OBA decamped from his former party, PDP, over 10,000 others from different parties including PDP, APC and others, announced their mass defection to YPP.
The national chairman of the party who charged the people that YPP has come to stay in Akwa Ibom adding that time has come for every young progressive Nigerian to take his destiny in his hands also expressed the pleasure that the masses have decided to rally round their popular son, OBA, to liberate Akwa Ibom from its current quagmire.
Amakiri described OBA as the best person that can take Akwa Ibom to its desired destination and urged the people to eschew and resist vote buying because it brought Nigeria to its present misfortune.
Akpan in his speech said that in line with the electoral laws,he willingly offered himself as an aspirant in the upcoming primaries for substitution, following Andy’s withdrawal of his candidacy.
He assured the delegates that if given the chance at the primary, he will not disappoint the party, adding that as a governor, all the civil servants will be treated to social justice, welfare, fairness and equity in the next dispensation.
The senator announced plans to work with others on the theme of “3Rs”, promising to “recover Akwa Ibom, reconcile Akwa Ibom back to God and reposition Akwa Ibom for greatness” declaring that hope is by the corner.
He said the next government would banish hunger, insecurity, hardship and injustice from the staye and decried a situation the current government has refused to pay imprests to the workers for over 18 months and owes over N18 billion in pensions.
While declaring that YPP will defeat PDP in all the units, OBA promised to clear gratuities and pensions as well as arrears of promotions as governor.
The event was preceded by the official unveiling of the state YPP secretariat and OBA’s campaign office in Uyo.
July 31, 2022
A’Ibom Court jails Lawyer for contempt
An Akwa Ibom State High Court yesterday ordered a lawyer Mr Inibehe Effiong to be remanded in jail for one month over contemptuous and insulting behaviour in court.
Justice Ekaette Obot ordered that Inibehe Effiong use the correctional facility to purge himself of insolence and dishonorable acts that tend to bring the court to disrepute.
The Court had sat in the case of libel by Governor Udom Emmanuel against Mr Leo Ekpenyong and on its last day for the prosecution to end its case.
It was alleged that Effiong had despite repeated warnings from the State Chief Judge, constantly accused the Judge of being biased, asking her to escuse herself from handling the case.
Counsel to the Governor Emmanuel, Samuel Ikpo said he was shocked that a lawyer could utter such damning and profane utterances against a judge.
“I believe that when he comes out of the correctional facility, he will learn how to conduct himself before a court.” Ikpo said.
He wondered why Effiong could disobey an order given to him by the judge, who asked him to take off his wig and step aside from the bar and he choose to remain obstinate.
“A lawyer should not allow himself to use one client to destroy his reputation before all the judges. I think Justice Obot has really been patient with him all these while,even as a lawyer, I could not tolerate the young lawyer’s conduct”. Barr Ikpo stated.
But according to Effiong, he took the action because the CJ ordered a Premium Times reporter to leave the court.
“I said my lord, we were thinking that since the proceeding is public, that members of the public should be allowed to observe the proceeding. My Lord asked me to proceed with cross examination.
“I obeyed. I informed the court that I was not feeling comfortable and safe having two armed mobile policemen seated inside the courtroom, that it was strange and that I felt unsafe. I applied for the judge to excuse the armed policemen from the courtroom.
“The Hon. Chief Judge then ordered me to step out of the Bar, that she was sending me to prison. She then ordered the policemen to take me to Uyo prison. And that I should be in jail for one month. I am waiting inside the courtroom for them to bring the conviction warrant.
“I will be going to the Uyo Correctional Centre now. I have not done anything. I wasn’t even opportunity to say anything before the “conviction”. Two lawyers in court appealed to the Hon. Chief Judge but my Lord insisted that I must be jailed.” He said.
July 27, 2022
Police donate N20.8m to families of 20 deceased officers in A’Ibom
The Police has handed over cheques worth ₦20.8m to family members of 20 deceased Police Officers who served in the Command.
State Commissioner of Police Olatoye Durosinmi while presenting the cheques on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Baba Alkali in Uyo at the weekend pointed out that the monumental loss of the fallen heroes were incomparable to the value of the cheques.
Durosinmi however said that the gesture was the IGP’s way of commiserating with them and aimed at ameliorating the hardship being experienced by the families of those who died in active service.
The Commissioner of Police, who condoled with the deceased families, urged them to reciprocate the kind gesture of the IGP by making judicious use of the money and assured of the support of the Command at all times.
July 24, 2022
Court Sentence Man 31, to hanging for killing girlfriend
The Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Uyo has sentenced a 31 year-old man to death by hanging for killing his 22 year-old girlfriend over accusation of infidelity.
Ubon Edet, a native of Use Ndon in Ibiono Ibom Local Council, was condemned by Justice Ntong Ntong having found him guilty of murder of one Emem James from Ikot Anyan Itam in Itu Local Council.
Edet, an aluminum fabricator has been living with his girlfriend, a patent medicine dealer at Ekit Itam in Itu for about two years until their love turned sour on 6th December, 2018, when Ubon said he suspected his fiancee of having an affair with one of his neigbours.
He was said to have plugged his aluminium drilling machine to electricity and used it to cut off the girlfriend”s neck around 3am while the girlfriend was deep in sleep in their one room apartment.
He was alleged to have escaped through the ceiling, leaving the girlfirend in the pool of her own blood only to report to the Police that armed robbers attacked his fiancee.
In a judgment read for three hours, the trial Judge Justice Ntong Ntong sentenced the accused to death by hanging but in particular commended two police officers for their role in bursting the crime.
“How I wished all the Police Officers in Akwa Ibom in particular and Nigeria in general, will always emulate these officers: Inspector Emmanuel Udobong and Inspector Peter Robert to always conduct discreet and thorough investigation of any matter assigned to them.
“Our society needs these kind of gentlemen par excellence. Police investigation assists the Court to do substantial justice and in this case, I am satisfied with the report of the investigation made by the Police in this case.
“Death is a mandatory sentence for capital offenses. I do not have any discretion in this matter. In accordance with my oath of judicial office, Ubon Udo Edet, the sentence of this Honorable Court is that, you be hanged by the neck until you are dead.” The Judge ruled.
July 24, 2022
A’Ibom to Partner Foreign Investors to Boost Education
As part of efforts to boost education, Akwa Ibom government has said it is set to partner international bodies to stimulate development in the sector
State Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo made this known when the management of Topfaith University, Mkpatak and representatives of Western Kentucky University, Re-Focus Africa Group and Knowledge First, an American educational foundation, paid him a courtesy visit yesterday in Uyo.
Ekpo, who commended the Top faithful Educational Group for it’s strides in education maintained that education remained an integral part of the Completion Agenda of Governor Udom Emmanuel because of its potential for human capacity development of the people.
The Deputy Governor assured of government’s commitment to collaborate with the international bodies and work together for mutual benefits for the educational development in Akwa Ibom and Nigeria.
He stressed that the visit would provide hope for the people of Akwa Ibom and also open up the state to further global relationships and investments with the organization, adding that Akwa Ibom is open to investors in every sector.
Earlier, the Proprietor of the Topfaith University, Dr Emmanuel Abraham who was accompanied by representatives from the Western Kentucky university, USA, Re-focus Africa investment organisation, Tanzania, and Knowledge-First Academy, Texas, USA, disclosed that Topfaith University decided to collaborate with the three institutions as they share a common philosophy of influencing their environment through development.
Abraham said the essence of the visit was to pay homage to the Government of Akwa Ibom state while acknowledging its contributions towards the growth of the Topfaith dream which he said was at its 20th year.
In a separate remark, the founder of Re-Focus Africa group, Dr Silas Sunshine stated that the group was a pan African investment organization whose focus is to identify, develop, maximize and deploy potentials throughout Africa by connecting opportunities to resources.
Sunshine said the essence of his visit was to familiarize himself with developments in the state, to learn about the needs, expectations and aspirations of the state as his organization’s investments spans beyond education to other sectors like electricity, agriculture, real estate, media, sports, and mining.
“We look out for investment opportunities on the continent, we use our vast network of resources and partners to mobilize resources and investors to leverage on these opportunities with the singular aim to help and democratize access to wealth for our people in the continent.” He said.
July 22, 2022
A’Ibom approves renovation of 71 Health centres
Akwa Ibom government has given approval for the renovation of 71 health centres across the state to boost health care delivery at the grassroot.
It has also said that a new general hospital would be built and commissioned in Ibiono Ibom, the largest Local Council in the state before the end of the present administration.
This was made known by the Permanent Secretary at the state Ministry of Health Dr Patrick Eshiet at a stakeholders in respect of the annual budget preparation of the ministry in Uyo yesterday.
Essien who noted that no administration had impacted so much in health care as the present one stated that the general hospital would address the yearning of the people who had not had one since the creation of the state.
State Commissioner for Health, Prof Augustine Umoh rold the stakeholders that the interface was necessary in the state government’s quest to achieve a robust health sector as inputs from the stakeholders remained strategic.
Umoh said the proposals on the 2023 budget should be a true reflection of the actual needs of the health care system and charged participants to be fully and actively involved in the deliberations.
He explained that with paucity of funds, there was need to channel resources to the most critical areas, hence the need for the engagement.
Some of the issues raised included the need to recruit more medical personnel, upgrade of the colleges of nursing, procurement of up to date equipment with particular reference to the laboratories and the need to provide access to quality drugs amongst others.
July 22, 2022
NGO wants A’Ibom to reduce cost of governance
Policy Alert, a non-governmental organization working for improved economic and ecological outcomes in the Niger Delta, Poicy Alert has called on Akwa Ibom government to cut down the cost of governance inorder to free resources for capital development programmes.
The call was made yesterday in Uyo in a memorandum to the public consultation on the state’s 2023-2025 Medium Term Expenditure Framework/Fiscal Strategy Paper organized by the State Ministry of Economic Development.
Presenting his organisation’s position, Policy Alert’s Programme Officer, Fiscal Reforms and Anti-Corruption, Faith Paulinus, said that while the MTEF document indicated that government was working to reduce cost of governance in the medium term, the reality on ground has proved otherwise.
“Next to declining revenues, the biggest threat to the state’s fiscal health is ballooning cost of governance. In the ten years between 2011 and 2021, the state’s recurrent expenditure has grown 273%, with spurious items such as debt servicing, cost of purchasing government vehicles, and running of Government House taking a huge chunk of overhead spending.
“This has left little fiscal space for capital investments in infrastructure and human development. Something drastic has to be done about this big elephant in the room.”
“We are also worried that the state has again insisted on calibrating its MTEF around Debt-to-GDP ratio. This is faulty for two reasons. First, we do not have reliable and current figures for sub-national GDP. Second, debt-to-GDP ratio gives a false sense of fiscal sustainability.
“It is the same Debt to GDP fallacy that the federal government has been relying on to over-reach its borrowing options and we see where that has kept the country today. Our advice to the state government is to base its medium term projections on Debt-to-Revenue ratio, which is a more realistic predictor of fiscal health.” It said.
The Memorandum, however commended the planned shift in recurrent to capital expenditure ratio to 30:70 by 2025, saying it was a step in the right direction since in the absence of a thriving private sector, growth is driven by capital expenditure which serves as the public share of the total capital formation in the economy.
While also commending the state government for opening up the MTEF process to public consultation in line with the provisions of the state’s Fiscal Responsibility Law, the organisation cautioned that the continued delay in inaugurating the Fiscal Responsibility Board with inclusion of representatives from civil society and labour constitutes a violation of the law and undermines the legitimacy of the entire MTEF process.
“The Memorandum also expressed concern on the rising debt profile of the state and the huge funds channeled to public debt servicing as it does not augur well for the financial health of the state.”
July 20, 2022