NNPC's Pro-North Shakeup; Another Provocation of Ndigbo

By Nwobodo Chidiebere  

“There really can be no peace without justice. There can be no justice without truth.”
  ---Louis Farrakhan

President Buhari's 97/5 per cent policy was grossly implemented recently at the NNPC Tower, Abuja. In the nepotism-driven shakeup; Fulani oligarchy had their way. Shaibu Musa was appointed MD of the NNPC Medical Services, Ibrahim Birma was named new Group General Manager, in charge of Audit Division, of which was renamed Governance, Risk and Compliance Division. Ahmadu Katagum was appointed Group General Manager, Shipping, in Downstream Autonomous Business Unit, Kallamu Abdullahi was made Group General Manager in charge of Renewable Energy Division in the Downstream; Dr Bola Afolabi as Group General Manager, Research and Development Division; Adeyemi Adetunji was confirmed as Managing Director, NNPC Retail Division; Usman Yusuf nominated as Group General Manager attached to NNPC's group managing director's office; Bala Wunti was asked to be in charge of Corporate Planning and Strategy.

In furtherance of his Northernization of NNPC, President Buhari in collaboration with the infamous Aso Rock Cabal, appointed Umar Ajiya as new Managing Director of Nigerian Products Marketing Company, NPMC; Muhammed Abah as Managing Director of Warri Refining Petrochemical Company; Malami Shehu mandated to take over the affairs of Port Harcourt Refining Company as its managing director, while Adewale Ladenegan was made Managing Director of Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company. The Niger-Delta region—the goose that lays the golden eggs of crude oil was compensated with two non-strategic cum inconsequential positions: Diepriye Tariah appointed Managing Director; Integrated Data Services Limited and Roland Ewubare made new Group General Manager of National Petroleum Investment Services. Maikanti Baru retained his plum job as the NNPC's group managing director. It's now official that the new definition of NNPC is Northern Nigeria Petroleum Corporation; thanks to President Muhammadu Buhari's ethnic bigotry!

Whither Igbo nation? This was my question after reading the development in the news like every other Igbo person. Not even one Igbo son or daughter was considered competent or loyal by President Buhari and his Fulani brothers! This is certainly not the best time to be born Igbo, but like the children of the Most High God; we will prevail. The million-dollar question is: where is the so-called unity President Buhari told us that were not negotiable in his ill-conceived speech? From this anti-Igbo appointment, I can deduce that what Buhari meant in his venom-filled cum un-presidential broadcast, was that the continuous domination of his kindred in this Fulani-Estate called Nigeria, was not negotiable. Is this the type of unity President Buhari claimed that he ‘discussed and settled’ with Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Emeka Ojukwu in 2003? Wonders shall never end!

This article is not for the consumption of President Buhari and the born-to-rule advocates, but for every Igbo individual who had in the past, advertently or inadvertently attacked Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB, and other freedom fighters in Igbo land, for the sake of non-existent one Nigeria. The implication of this development is that Igbo nation will not have any representative in the management staff cadre of NNPC for the duration those appointments will last. Mind you, there is no drop of crude oil in the North but her sons and daughters call the shot in the affairs of Nigeria's highest revenue-generating agency. Woe betides any applicant of Igbo origin who is dreaming to secure a job in the NNPC under the Fulani-structured management of the corporation.

Between President Buhari and Nnamdi Kanu, who is dividing Nigeria? Who is heating up the polity? Who can be justified now? Where are Joe Igbokwe and his co-travellers in APC from Igbo land?  Is the rabble-rouser called Rochas Okorocha still prostrating before his salve-masters at Aso Rock? With this pro-North vis-à-vis anti-Igbo shakeup in NNPC, President Buhari simply told Igbo nation to go to hell! Igbos have been told, proven and shown severally that we are not wanted in Nigeria—unless we will be comfortable with third class position, but our political leaders, elders and elite have been living in denial. Any Igbo person who fails to stand up now for his or her freedom, will be judge harshly by history, when our stories will be told to future generations of Igbos.

Henceforth, those Igbo leaders who cannot speak in the face of unprecedented marginalization of Ndigbo by President Buhari's government will forever remain mute in Igbo land. Our ancestors will never forgive them for turning their backs on Igbo nation, at a crucial moment like this. Even the dumbest in the world of the dumb, will attest to the fact that President Buhari and his Fulani brothers are the ones winning millions of supporters for Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB via their eccentric lopsided appointment against Igbo nation. And no imbecile should try bringing up the flimsy excuse that Igbos did not vote for Buhari again. In a democracy, there is always freedom of choice. What we demand from Buhari is not favour but constitutional right of Ndigbo. All men and women of goodwill and conscience of Igbo extraction should rise up, before it is too late. I thank Ohaneze Ndigbo for finally waking up from their slumber and urge every true Igbo to do same because evil triumph as a result of nonchalance of good men.

OF TWO LEADERS …And some noisy followers

BY Nsibiet John

We are living in perilous times. Times when some acclaimed supporters of certain interests have thrown decorum to the mud. Times when our leaders preached a direct opposite of what they practice and claim it is politics.

It is a reflection of the contents of their characters. Weeks preceding this, Akwa Ibom state has been hilarious and full of comics.

Supporters of different political interests have been up in arms against their perceived or real enemies. Online platforms especially facebook pages and whatsapp mechanisms have played host to some gilberish and insidious innuendoes published as news and or promotions for respective candidates and 2019 aspirants.

It appears none of these commentators are ready to call a spade a spade. They glory even in the abuse of government institutions. Whether State or federal. They appreciate the failure of their paymasters to accord respects to which respects are due. They seem to forget quite hastily that Udom Emmanuel and Nsima Ekere did not join politics through the door of insults on leaders but after they must have or in the present sense in the process of a successful exploits in their chosen careers.

Youths who are supposed to learn the ropes of leadership from the elders have sold this asset for some plates of porridge and leaves of money. Today, a visitor or an online follower of political events in the state will believe in error that Governor Udom Emmanuel and Nsima Ekere are enemies.
This no love lost situation between the duo is not a creation of Ekere neither is it a creation of Udom but a creation of some very shallow minded individuals parading themselves as supporters, aides, strategists and all what not for the two men.

These groups of people just sit in the comfort of their zones and cook up stories and or with disjointed expressions give out very boring messages in an attempt to hoodwink the public into believing what they think.

Governor Udom Emmanuel and Obong Nsima Ekere have been victims of greed and insincere supporters. Most of the people backing either of the men have no business in politics. From all indications, Obong Nsima appears to be the major victim in this case. Some people who have some kind of axed to grind with Akpabio feel they should hide under the coverage of Ekere to throw punches at Udom. They do this believing that Nsima Ekere will see them as a friend. Well, the Nsima Ekere I know is wiser and may not buy that crap when the chips are down.

These are the kinds of people that create trouble for Nsima Ekere. Udom is also not too lucky in this regards because some people around him are doing so because they feel they can get something to fill the alignment of their pockets.

To an extent, methinks there is an urgent need for some persons who think they are doing Udom Emmanuel and Nsima Ekere a favour to look before they leap. Some people running around Nsima Ekere as supporters are very dishonest just like some of those following Udom around. These guys go for what they can get and once that manna is no longer falling, they retreat and start preaching a negative gospel about such a fellow.

That is why it is easy to see a man in the morning singing hallelujah choruses to Udom and in the night he throws punches at the same man. Godswill Akpabio can attest to this. Himself has been a victim of human beings insincerity especially in politics. But they, the perpetrators of these acts will always take these to mean politics.

Practical examples abound and those who are experts in this tale know themselves. I will not have to mention their names today. People these days seem to tie their inability to improve upon their lives to government or any other politician or political entity.

The sad aspect of it is that with the unemployment rate alarmingly high, some youths, some youths with inferiority complex syndrome have readily found blackmail as a tool for escape.

Some of these youths as funny as it may sound are empty yet they make the loudest noise. Some of them do not possess the capacity to convince their brothers to support their choice candidate.

If you ask some of them why they do the things they do, they will say’ da mmaga ufan ado or ufan ado isinogho owo mkpo.
One of the most disturbing things in Akwa Ibom State today has been the war of words between loyalists of Nsima Ekere and Udom Emmanuel. These guys take to facebook to vent their frustration at every given chance and opportunity.

Ever since Nsima Ekere emerged as MD/CEO of NDDC, he has been attending  to his duties with tact and courage. He has intervened where necessary but some unscrupulous elements, those who crave unnecessary attention has taken to facebook to say Ekere’s intervention is as a result of the failure of Udom Emmanuel, imagine a lame duck argument. That is not all, NDDC has intervened on Ukana offot street, amongst others. The recent flood on that road came and the arguments started.

Udom’s men had blamed Nsima on a poor work, Nsima’s men said, No, blame Udom on flood control system. It is funny. I have personally had discussions with some of these too know youths and I cannot just explain the bases for their arguments. The summary is that, these guys promoting hate agenda between UGE and ONE are contracts seeking bigots, who have always eek a living from character assassination. And once the paymaster realizes the plot, they go search for another. Politics will always come and go, governance will remain.

And after politics, where will we be. You that said all sort of things against somebody where will you be, what will you say and when the money you must have made from such unglorious adventure must have been exhausted, what will you do.

Yours sincerely is not saying that we must not criticize. Far from it. But when criticism is not objective, constructive and devoid of hate, it becomes something else. When criticisms is financially induced, it becomes a tale of venting out frustration. Those whoi do not love Udom should not forget that he is the Governor of Akwa Ibom State and will remain so till he serves out his tenure. As well as those who do not love Nsima Ekere, their love or hate cannot stop him from being the MD/CEO of NDDC. He will remain so till the Federal Government tells him, you are done serving.

This is why in all that we do, we must be careful. Be careful not to mortgage your future with the peanuts you are swimming with today. It is this kind of dilemma that I wish our youths who are the ones farming hate speeches, abuses and insults to desist from. Because in the streets where we belong, the sentiment is high and Akwa Ibomites are a very intelligent set of people. Even when it is obvious that these men are in the news because of 2019 governorship elections. Akwa Ibomites have looked beyond 2019 governorship election. The people know where their hearts belong and trust, they will follow it to a conclusion.

So whether there is a noisy minority or the quiet majority, Akwa Ibom people will make their choice and no federal might or state resources can swerve our consciousness.
Akwa Ibom’s Democracy have been tried and tested on may fronts, especially by politicians who do not want to leave the stage for the younger ones. Former President of  Nigeria Chief Olusegun Obasanjo must have had Akwa Ibom in mind when he said recently that nobody will give the youths power. Invariably implying that youths must work hard in order to get power.

In this wise, yours truly concurs with OBJ and I will move to add quickly that power is not given, power is grabbed. Therefore, our youths may have to do better than living in facebook and other online platforms to fight for politicians whose stock in trade is to perpetrate themselves in power and continue in oiling the lines of their pockets with tax payers money.

For now both Udom and Nsima deserve to be appreciated for the little and or big things they have done. And in the final analysis, we are not as divided as political jobbers would want us to be.

GOVERNOR WIKE SWEARS IN 14 NEW COMMISSIONERS

In  a bid to reposition the State Government  for better performance, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike on Wednesday swore in fourteen  (14) commissioners.

The governor also  swore in a new permanent secretary, Mrs Ibiware Ogolo.

Performing the swearing-in, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike charged  the commissioners to exhibit 100 percent loyalty.

He said: "We demand 100 percent loyalty.  This work deserves total commitment.  When you have the opportunity  to serve the state, it is a rare privilege.  Therefore, you have to be committed to service.

" We are rebuilding the state  because  a lot went wrong  during the immediate  past administration of the APC. You need to put in your best."

According to the governor, those who put in their best will be noticed by the people and rewarded in the future.

"Once you do your work, people will notice you and appreciate the quality of your service  to the state.  That is why you must continue  to put in your best", he said.

He urged the commissioners  to respect their oath of office and live responsibly  as top officials of the State Government.

"Don't see your appointment as your time to eat because there is nothing to eat.  You are appointed to work. If you cannot meet up with the tempo of the administration, just withdraw", he said.

Commissioners sworn in are: Emma Okah ,Charles Nwogu ,Walter Ibibia ,Dr. Tam Jaja

,Ukel Oyagiri ,Isaac Kamalu  and Albert Miller .

Others are:  Boma Iyaye , Emeka Onowu
,Prof. Princewill Chike ,Tasie Chinedu Nwobueze ,Sylvanus Nwankwo ,Prof. Kaniye Ebeku and Rodaford Longjohn.

In an interview, Emma Okah assured that he will contribute  his quota to the actualization  of the vision of the administration.

NIGERIAN SENATE AMENDS ELECTORAL ACTS

..

The Senate passed the Electoral Act No. 6 2010 (Amendment) Bill 2017 into law.

1. There shall now be full biometric accreditation of voters with Smart Card Readers and/or other technological devices, as INEC may introduce for elections from time to time.

2. Presiding Officers must now instantly transmit accreditation data and results from Polling Units to various collation centers. Presiding officer who contravene this shall be imprisoned for at least 5 years (no option of fine).

3. All Presiding Officer must now first record accreditation data and polling results on INEC’s prescribed forms before transmitting them. The data/result recorded must be the same with what they transmitted.

4. INEC now has unfettered powers to conduct elections by electronic voting.

5. Besides manual registers, INEC is now mandated to keep Electronic registers of voters.

6. INEC is now mandated to publish voters’ registers on its official website(s) for public scrutiny at least 30 days before a general election and any INEC staff who is responsible for this but fails to act as prescribed shall be liable on conviction to 6 months’ imprisonment.

7. INEC is now mandated to keep a National Electronic Register of Election Results as a distinct database or repository of polling unit by polling unit results for all elections conducted by INEC.

8. Collation of election result is now mainly electronic, as transmitted unit results will help to determine final results on real time basis.

9. INEC is now mandated to record details of electoral materials – quantities, serial numbers used to conduct elections (for proper tracking).

10. A political party whose candidate dies after commencement of an election and before the declaration of the result of that election now has a 14-day window to conduct a fresh primary in order for INEC to conduct a fresh election within 21 days of the death of the party’s candidate;

11. Political parties’ Polling Agents are now entitled to inspect originals of electoral materials before commencement of election and any Presiding Officer who violates this provision of the law shall be imprisoned for at least1 year.

12. No political party can impose qualification/disqualification criteria, measures or conditions on any Nigerian for the purpose of nomination for elective offices, except as provided in the 1999 Constitution.

13. The election of a winner of an election can no longer be challenged on grounds of qualification, if the he (winner) satisfied the applicable requirements of sections 65, 106,
131 or 177 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and he is not, as may be applicable, in breach of sections 66, 107, 137 or 182 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999. [For example, a person’s election cannot be challenged on the ground that he did not pay tax, as this is not a qualifying condition under the Constitution.]

14. All members of political parties are now eligible to determine the ad-hoc delegates to elect candidates of parties in indirect primaries. The capacity of party executives to unduly influence or rig party primaries has been reasonably curtailed, if not totally removed.

15. Parties can no longer impose arbitrary nomination fees on political aspirants. The Bill passed prescribes limits for each elective office as follows:

(a) One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N150,000) for a Ward Councillorship aspirant in the FCT;

(b) Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N250,000) for an Area Council Chairmanship aspirant in the FCT;

(c) Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000) for a House of Assembly aspirant;

(d) One Million Naira (N1,000,000) for a House of Representatives aspirant;

(e) Two Million Naira (N2,000,000) for a Senatorial aspirant;

(f) Five Million naira (N5,000,000) for a Governorship aspirant; and

(g) Ten Million Naira (N10,000,000) for a Presidential aspirant.

16. Relying on the powers of the National Assembly in Paragraph 11 of Part II (Concurrent Legislative List) of the Second Schedule (Legislative Powers) to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Senate also passed measures reforming procedures regulating Local Government Elections. State Independent Electoral Commissions can no longer conduct elections that do not meet minimum standards of credibility.

17. Any INEC official who disobeys a tribunal order for inspection of electoral materials shall be imprisoned for 2 years, without an option of a fine.

Rivers East: Governor Wike alerts International Community of INEC/Police Rigging Technique

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has alerted the international  community  of the latest rigging system hatched  by the ruling All Progressives Congress  (APC) wherein they use the Police to concoct electoral results in collusion with the Independent National Electoral Commission  (INEC).

The governor  told the international community that the actions of the Police, APC and INEC, portend  grave danger to the nation's democracy .

Speaking  at the Government House Port Harcourt on Tuesday  when he granted audience to Mr Paul Lehmann,  the High Commissioner of Australia to Nigeria, Governor Wike informed the international community that the administration  will not allow the rigging of future elections through the new scheme adopted by Police, INEC and the APC.

It will be recalled  that Senator George Thompson Sekibo was removed as the duly elected Senator representing Rivers East Senatorial District on the premise of results certified and tendered by the Police at  the Election Tribunal.

"We are happy that we have been vindicated.  INEC printed their own result sheets with their serial numbers.  These other people went and printed result sheets with the same  serial numbers. The issue is how did they know  the serial numbers?

"When the election took place , INEC declared PDP as winner. INEC  now colluded with the Police and  police now came to the tribunal and tendered the concocted  results they printed ", Governor Wike said.

The governor said that the Election Tribunal attached probative value on the  documents  tendered by the Police, as against that of INEC, even when INEC  has the  constitutional responsibility to conduct elections  and declare results.

He said: "Having  known this, are we going to fold our arms and allow same thing to happen again now that we have discovered that this is their new strategy. That they  will collude with the  police to write  results and they  will go the tribunal to tender such results. We  will resist".

Governor Wike  urged Australian investors to take advantage  of the  the state's agricultural potentials  as his administration  has created  the right  business  climate.

He said: "Aside from oil and gas, Rivers State has several other potentials. We want  investors       to invest  in the area of agriculture.  We will give tax holidays  for investors  to  come to the state"

Earlier, the Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Paul Lehmann said his  visit is a mission in economic  diplomacy.

He said that the Australian Government would want to develop  a beneficial  relationship  with the Rivers State Government.

REVISITING A'IBOM GOVERNORS’ PENSION LAW

Ofonime Honesty

Barely three calendar years ago, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio in collaboration with the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly led by Elder Sam Ikon, threw the masses into delirium by passing into Law, a controversial bill which made humongous retirement provisions for former Governors, former Deputy Governors and their spouses.

That the Executive Bill was passed into Law within 24 short hours after being received by the state parliament plus the fact that the masses were not consulted for inputs really emboldened the Assembly’s reputation as a ‘rubber stamp of the executive arm.’ Well, according to the present Speaker, Mr. Onofiok Luke, the present Assembly has metamorphosed from a rubber stamp into an iron seal. Hear him: "People are saying that we are a rubber stamp Assembly but I want to tell you that we are iron seal to all activities of His Excellency.” Brazen declaration!

In addition to N200 Million annual pay to ex-governors and deputies, the Akwa Ibom Governors and Deputy Governors Pension Law 2014 makes it mandatory for ex-governor’s and deputies to enjoy pension for life at a rate equivalent to the salary of the incumbent governor/ deputy governor respectively.

A new official car and a sport-utility vehicle every four years; one personal aide and provision of adequate security; a cook, chauffeurs and security guards for the governor at a sum not exceeding N5million per month and N2.5 million for the deputy governor, are the other benefits they are expected to enjoy.

The Law also provides a furniture allowance of 300 per cent of annual basic salary every four years in addition to severance gratuity and a medical allowance not exceeding N12 million per annum for the spouse of an ex-Governor provided that such a spouse was married to the Governor at the time he or she was in office. N2.2million goes to ex-governors as entertainment allowance while N2.1million goes to ex-deputies. To cap it all, the state is mandated to bear the burial expenses of an ex-governor and pay condolence equivalent to the amount of basic salary of the incumbent governor.

The belief that the House of Assembly later repealed a section of the Law earmarking N100m medical allowance for former governors and N50m for former deputy governors is however shrouded in uncertainty because the Assembly refused to publish the Law in public domain after its passage. Journalists were only shown the Bill before passage.

While a great percentage of the populace wailed over the Law, the former governor, Godswill Akpabio, (now the Minority Leader of Nigeria’s Senate), as per Channels Television, alleged that the Law had been in existence, that he was the one implementing it.  “It’s a laughable situation that people generate controversy over the pension law. The law has been in existence in Akwa Ibom State. I am the one implementing it.”

He however contradicted himself by claiming that, “all the former elected governors and their deputies have been enjoying the pension.” Dear readers, how did they “enjoy” it when it when the Law, according to him, wasn’t implemented?

Former Governor Obong Victor Attah promptly returned fire.  “You (journalists) should go and look at the Law critically and ask him whether Obong Attah has been enjoying any of the benefits provided for in the Law. You should also ask him whether he built a retirement home for me either in Uyo or Abuja. Ask him to tell you how much he has been paying to Obong Attah as retirement package after I left office. These are questions Akpabio should answer and should provide verifiable records to Akwa Ibom people and Nigerians.”

Attah’s debunking of Akpabio’s claims is corroborated by the fact that the first civilian Governor of the Akwa Ibom State, Obong Akpan Isemin, singularly battled kidney related problems till 2009 when he succumbed to death. His widow, Obonganwan Imoh Isemin blamed poor facilities at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, where a reported lack of electricity plus dilapidated dialysis machines prevented the departed elder statesman from receiving dialysis treatment. Why the state government did not fly the legendary Isemin abroad for treatment will forever remain a case study for historians.

Claims and counter-claims aside, the Akwa Ibom Governors and Deputy Governors’ Pension Law 2014 lacks moral justification. It amounts to brazen robbery for a state where the aged, who wasted their useful years in the civil service, are denied gratuities decades after retirement. Ouch! Our senior citizens have been reduced to objects of mockery. From far flung places, they go for futile “screening exercises” in Uyo.  Some slump and die due to strenuous exertions. These screenings, what for? To worsen issues, next of kins of primary schools retirees who were on a peaceful march demanding payment of their parent’s gratuities were arrested by the Udom Emmanuel administration and charged to court.

That Akpabio hurriedly put the Law in place before leaving office leaves a sour taste. If you consider the fact that Nigerian public office holders are arguably the highest paid the world, then any justification for the Pension Law should be defeated.

Truth is, this Law is draining the state coffers hence incapacitating the present administration from fulfilling sundry obligations. Why can’t the beneficiaries of the obnoxious Law adjust to a normal life after leaving office? Must the state continue using a large chunk of her revenue to fund the extravagant lifestyle of these persons? Past American leaders like Bill Clinton and Barrack Obama are earning megabucks through book publishing and public speeches. Why are our past leaders so lazy?

It is public knowledge that with the present economic realities, President Muhammadu Buhari volunteered a 50 per cent slash in his salary. Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, followed suit. Disappointingly, Akwa Ibom state receives the highest revenue allocation from the federal government but no public office holder has volunteered a slash in his earnings. Chief Akpabio, who masterminded the Law, is now earning from dual sources having gone to the Senate in 2015.

The foregoing added to the fact that Akwa Ibom State has received several tranches of the Paris Loan refund yet huge debts including gratuities are not paid banishes any shred of sanity from the Law. That the masses have refused to ask salient questions about how their commonwealth is managed is quite disheartening. Poverty is indeed slavery.    

The Akwa Ibom former Governors/ Deputy Governors Pension Law without any equivocation is a conduit pipe fashioned to please a cabal of sacred cows. How long this aberration will continue is beyond my guess. However, our greatest undoing is to continue clapping for this circus band that draws no smile from the audience. A circus band whose stage is filled with looted Naira notes.  

Dear readers, in concluding this brief piece permit me to hand over to Festus Keyamo, SAN. Worried by the trend, the firebrand legal luminary described it as “totally immoral.”

He continued: “a question we should ask is, have we blocked the holes to prevent public stealing? And the answer is no. We have not. We have not blocked those holes. If we have not done this, then to me, it is salt on injury for somebody to be in public office with opportunity to steal and for him to still come back to enjoy such bogus benefits. Having said that, for me it is a double compensation for the beneficiaries.”

War Against Ritual Killings, Vandalism, Gov Udom Task VGN

Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom state has formally received the state Commander, Vigilante Group Of Nigeria, Group Commander Joshua Michael Dickson into the state as the substantial commander of VGN.

The Governor while receiving the Group's helmsman in his office, Government House Uyo last Thursday, acknowledged the tremendous contributions of Vigilante Group of Nigeria in stemming the tide criminal activities in the state.

He specifically assigned the Group to ensure prompt protection of solar street lights against vandalism, transformers and other electricity facilities as well as stemming the tide of ritual killings in Akwa Ibom community.

The Governor out of his love for security of lives and property approved a new office complex for the Group and urged them to see sincerity as a watch word in the course of their service in the state.

Governor Emmanuel assured that he will do his bit to ensure that the Group functions optimally in the state to bring to end every forms of illegal activities in the Akwa Ibom community.

Speaking with journalists after the meeting, the VGN Commander, Group Commander Joshua Michael Dickson expressed appreciation to the Governor, reiterating that he will do his best to maintain the Group's core mandate of complimenting efforts of the police in fighting crime.

Group Commander Dickson while promising maximum protection of the assigned electricity facilities in all nooks and crannies of the state, warned those who are in the habit of vandalising government properties to desist forthwith or be prepared to face the full weight of law.

A'Ibom Gov't holds workshop on renal medicine for medical practitioners

By Evelyn AFFIA

In a bid to empower medical professionals in the State to effectively tackle the increasing cases of kidney diseases, the Akwa Ibom State government through the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor (Medical) organised a 4-day workshop training and re-training of medical professionals in the state.

The 4-day training programme on "Renal Medicine", kicked started with a cocktail/opening ceremony on Monday, 21st August with about 40 participants drawn across health facilities in the state such as Renal unit, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH); Ministry of Health; Hospitals Management Board, and from various health parastatals.

Interacting with participants at the workshop, the SSA to the Governor (Medical), Dr. Ignatius Akpabio commended the state governor for taking bold steps towards repositioning the health sector of the state for efficient and effective healthcare delivery, adding that so far the state has recorded remarkable achievements in the health sector.

He noted that the rising cases of renal diseases is worrisome and that the state government is leaving no stone unturned in her efforts to see that the disease is effectively tackled, urging the participants to maximize the opportunities that the workshop will provide.

In his remarks, the State Chairman, Nigeria Medical Association, and the South-South Zone, Dr Aniekeme Uwah said that the workshop on Renal Medicine was necessary due to the rapid increase of renal diseases that has affected both young and the elderly in Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria at large.

He noted that training and re-training of medical professionals is paramount to give more enlightenment and insight through practicals to help fight against this killers disease.

The various Resource Persons in the  likes of Prof. Fatiu Abiola Arogundade, Professor of Medicine /Consultant Nephrologist; and Prof. Badmus Tajudeen, professor of surgery/consultant Urologist/Transplant surgeon from Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital complex Ile Ife, did justice to their topics and also gave more insight  on "The General Overview of Renal Medicine in Akwa Ibom; Demonstrations with Diapact CRRT machine and a Road Map to Renal Transplant".

Among other resource persons, Renal Machine Engineer, Engr. Dabiri; Engr. Kunle and Mrs Josephine Onyekwere, Senior Renal and Transparent Nurse.

The high point of the event was the  practical session in a view of giving the participating Renal surgeon/physicians, ICU Nurses and Renal technicians a first hand insight and knowledge of using "end stage kidney disease patient" about the use of Diapact CRRT machine recently acquired by Governor Udom Emmanuel for the use of the critical ill kidney patients in Akwa Ibom State.

PRESIDENT BUHARI’S ADDRESS TO THE EXECUTIVES OF APC AND PDP AT THE STATE HOUSE

, FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017.

I thank you sincerely, collectively and individually for finding time from your busy schedules to come all the way to Abuja and welcome me back home.

This visit signifies the unity of Nigeria. It is not a party occasion. It is not a political gathering. It is a symbol of our National unity. It is also an expression of the maturity of our democracy.

Multi-party democracy is a very tried and tested form of government. Opposition does not mean hostility, enmity or antagonism. Democracy needs opposition, one which is vibrant but responsible.

I am very pleased to see you assembled here all shades of opinion in Nigeria. Please convey to our countrymen and women in your respective states my deep gratitude to all those who prayed for my recovery. I am imploring all Nigerians to continue praying for peace and prosperity in Nigeria.

I thank you so much God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

GOV EMMANUEL REITERATES NEED FOR NAVAL WAR COLLEGE IN A’IBOM

Governor Udom Emmanuel has expressed the belief that in view of the strategic importance of Akwa Ibom and the huge economic benefits from its maritime sector,the proposed Naval War College in the state will soon be realised.

Governor Emmanuel stated this when he played host to a delegation of Course 1 of the Naval War College of Nigeria, Ubima, Rivers State, at Government House, Uyo.

He lauded the theme of the tour, “combating maritime security challenges towards socio-economic development” and hoped that their tour of the shoreline of the state will help in fighting security threats and ensuring the growth of economic life of the coastal areas.

“we have a whole lot of foreign investors who have indicated interest to develop those shorelines, starting from logistics to petrochemical plants, refineries and fertilizer plants,” adding that with assurances of adequate security presence, their zeal to invest will be boosted.

He said the commencement of the war college in Rivers state  meant that Akwa Ibom is inching closer to having its soon.

Akwa Ibom, he insisted, has the longest shoreline in the whole country, and from the shoreline comes the largest quantity of crude oil which is being exported on a daily basis from the country.

For these reasons, he maintained that, if the country had needs for 2 - 3 war colleges, the state with the longest shoreline should be one of them.
“Nigeria’s investments is greatest in our shoreline; so we need the naval protection more than any other place.”

 He expressed hope that the visit would spur the Nigerian navy to commence the college sooner.

On the new Naval Technical College in Ekparakwa, Mr Emmanuel said he was expecting an invitation to address the first set of students in the college.

He said his reluctance to visit the college now was borne out of his desire to speak directly to students once they start classes, instead of visiting to see just the structures in the school.

He said the Nigerian Army had carried out aptitude tests for their command secondary school in Efa, Etinan local government, and urged the naval college to follow suit.

Commending the synergy among the armed forces in the country, he also encouraged them to continue doing their best for the sake of the country, despite the limited resources within reach.

Earlier, the team leader Rear Admiral Felix Christopher Udofia commended Gov Emmanuel for enhancing socio-economic development of the citizenry through dynamic leadership.

He said the Naval War College was established primarily to develop the competencies of selected Naval officers, officers of sister services and those of friendly nations “so that they can effectively perform managerial roles, leadership and command responsibilities and operational level of warfare.”

Rear Admiral Udofia said with the dynamism and increasing complexity of contemporary global security environment, the naval war college is out to “train these officers so they can make sound decisions in the application of maritime force as a policy option.”

He said in line with these objectives, the college curriculum mandates participants to embark on a study tour of selected states in the country to be abreast with efforts of the state governments in support of maritime security.

Udofia said the recommendations made at the end of the tour, will be forwarded to the state government, “to further enhance the activities of government for socio economic development of the citizenry.”

He said Akwa Ibom was one of the two states selected for the study tour of Course 1  of the Naval War College, and commended the state on its 30th anniversary coming up next month.

VCs, ASUU reject 120 cut-off mark for varsity admission •‘It’s FG’s ploy to destroy public varsities

’

Olufemi Atoyebi and Folashade Adebayo

SOME Vice-Chancellors and the Academic Staff Union of Universities have rejected the decision of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board to peg admission cut-off mark at 120 for universities and 100 for polytechnics, monotechnics and colleges of education.

ASUU said the action, which it described as a “sad policy decision,” was in tandem “with the dream of the present government to destroy public universities in the country.”

Most of the vice-chancellors our correspondents interviewed on the issue maintained that they would not lower admission standards in their respective varsities.

The vice-chancellors stated that the decision would add no value to the nation’s university system.

For instance, in a statement issued by the Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, on the issue and released by his Media Assistant, Mr. Sunday Saanu, on Thursday,  the premier university stated that it would never admit any candidate that scored 120 in the UTME.

The statement added, “It should worry us as patriots that candidates who scored just 30 per cent in the UTME can be admitted into some of our universities. Yet, we complain of poor quality of our graduates. You can hardly build something on nothing. The consolation here is that since JAMB started conducting this qualifying exam in 1978, UI has never admitted any candidate who scored less than 200 marks out of the maximum 400 marks.

“This translates to a minimum of 50 per cent. This remains our position as an institution aspiring to be world-class. Reality is that only about four other universities in the country have such high standard. To that extent, apart from being the oldest, we are an elite university in the country at least judging by the quality of our intakes.’’

Olayinka, however, commended the decision of the Federal Government to re-introduce the post-UTME test and exonerated the incumbent JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, from the cancellation of the test two sessions ago.

“It is gratifying to note that the Honourable Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, who chaired the meeting, apologised publicly for canceling the post-UTME screening last year.

“In effect, universities are now allowed to conduct the test using modalities approved by the Senate of each institution.

“To be fair to the incumbent Registrar of JAMB, he was not the Registrar when the policy somersault of cancelling the post-UTME test was made last year. As strongly canvassed by us at every opportunity, for UI, the need to admit the best admission seekers is the primary motivation for the test and not money, even though we do not pretend that you can run any university so properly called without funds.”

Speaking to one of our correspondents on Thursday, the Vice-Chancellor, Tai Solarin University of Education, Ogun State, Prof. Oluyemisi Obilade, said that the onus would ultimately fall on parents and employers of labour to decide “between a first-class graduate of a university which takes 120 as its cut-off mark or one that takes 180 as its cut-off mark.’’

Obilade, who said that TASUED would never go below 180, insisted that many of the VCs at the Combined Policy Meeting during which the 120 benchmark decision was made, said they would not go below 180.

She said, “But some universities chose 120 at the meeting. What the JAMB has done is to transfer power back to the Senate of universities to decide their cut-off marks.  What I can tell you is that many public universities and even private universities will not go below 200. We were told that some universities were doing what they called ‘under the table admission’ and then come back to JAMB after four years for regularisation.

“TASUED will not go below 180, not under my watch. Even in the United States, there is what we call Ivy League universities, and there are those you can call ‘Next Level Universities.’ There are also those that are termed community colleges. At the meeting, the outcome is that universities have been given the freedom to decide. It is not general legislation and it is not binding on everybody.’’

Speaking with journalists in Ibadan, the Chairman of ASUU at the University of Ibadan, Dr. Deji Omole, said it was the dream of the present government to destroy education in the country.

He said, “Rather than sanctioning the identified universities that admitted over 17,000 students illegally, the JAMB registrar simply regularised illegality and lowered cut-off marks to favour the interests of the friends of government who own private universities and are hell bent on destroying public education.”

Omole said it was vital for JAMB to be scrapped in order to save the nation’s education and its future. He said the board had outlived its usefulness and that prospective students should apply directly to universities of their choice for admission.

He said, “Where are the students that the JAMB registrar said entered universities illegally? Which universities admitted them? If 30 per cent did not take JAMB and found their way into the university system, is that not corruption and a message that JAMB is not significant anymore? What sanction did those who did the illegal thing receive other than regularisation of illegality.

“We are watching because long before now we have said that JAMB has outlived its usefulness. Let the universities set their unique standards and those who are qualified can come in. Scoring 120 out of 400 marks is 30 per cent. Even in those days, 40 per cent was graded as pass. But now JAMB said with F9 which is scoring 30 per cent you can be admitted.

“They deliberately want to destroy education. Even for polytechnic, 100 marks is 25 per cent. It is sad. And that is where we are in Nigeria. They want to destroy public education at all costs. This is not setting standard for education in Nigeria. It is purely lowering standards and digging grave for the future. This is why ASUU is currently on the struggle to influence the government to do the needful for education in Nigeria.”

Also, the Dean of Students Affairs, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Prof. Kayode Alese, who spoke on behalf of FUTA management, said that the institution would soon unveil its cut-off mark.

“However, I can assure you that FUTA has never gone as low as 120. It has never happened and it will never happen,” he said.

Alese added, “Having spoken for the university, my personal opinion is that the 120 cut-off mark will not add value to our education system.  The Federal Government has just increased the pass mark from 40 to 45 in universities. What that means is that you must score at least 45 for you to pass any course. We have enough candidates and yes you may try to increase access but tertiary education should be for those who have the capability.’’

Also, the Vice-Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Prof. Tope Ogunmodede, said the institution would not admit any candidate with 120 UTME score.

He said, “Traditionally, OAU has never admitted students who scored below 200 in the UTME. For us, we are sticking to 200. The minimum benchmark is 120 but you can go higher than that. I expect that an institution should be able to determine the quality of its graduates because there are internal exams. What has been done is to provide a leeway for universities to decide their cut-off marks.”

Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students has described the reduction of the cut-off marks for admission into tertiary institutions as “a gross misplacement of priority and an exercise in futility.”

The organisation said that the reduction by JAMB, from 180 for universities and 165 polytechnics, to 120 and 100 respectively for the 2017 UTME, would translate to a disastrous outcome in the future.

The President of NANS, Chinonso Obasi, in a statement on Thursday, threatened that the decision would be resisted if JAMB refused to adhere to the status quo.

He said, “As critical stakeholders in the educational sector, NANS will vehemently resist the review and call on government to maintain the status quo and endeavour to conduct a comparative study and analysis of policies from other climes that support functional learning and production of young people that can compete with their peers globally.

 “Even with the current status, the general phenomenon is that Nigerian graduates are not employable. The lowering of standards will translate to a disastrous outcome in the future by churning out young people who cannot fit into the demands and expectations of the 21st century.’’

According to him, since the 21st century is being driven by innovation and competitiveness, lowering the entry level into tertiary institutions would only further contribute to reducing the productivity and peak performance of young people seeking admission into the country’s higher institutions of learning.

However, the Vice-Chancellor of the Christopher University, Ogun State, Prof. Friday Ndubuisi, said the new admission benchmark would have no negative implication on the quality of education.

He said, “This is not an imposition.  The cut-off mark is a minimum benchmark for admission. This idea of taking the UTME every year without getting admission is worrying. About 1.6 million candidates sat for the examination this year and about 500,000 will be admitted mostly because of the cut-off mark. Most universities will not go below 200, but with five credits obtained in two sittings, a person should be qualified for admission.  This is, however, not an imposition.  Universities still get to decide on whom to admit through the post-UTME.’’

2 Lesbian Beaten, Burnt To Death In Makurdi For Allege Involvement In Immoral Act

Two beautiful ladies were beaten and set ablaze by some angry mob at the ‘Owner’s Occupier area’ in Makurdi, Benue State for allegedly involving themselves in acts of lesbianism.

Reports have it that the two ladies were caught in the act and were stripped naked, beaten and set ablaze on the street by residents of the area.

However, the Benue State Police Command has denied knowledge of the report, saying that several efforts to get the details of the report had proved abortive.

The new was broke and they confirmed speaking with the Benue State Police PRO, Moses Yamu said, who said “We have seen the story on social media but report has not been made.

“I still doubt if this happened in Benue. How can such event happen in Makurdi and the police is not informed? Anyway, we shall let the public know once we are done with our investigations.”

The post Shocker! How 2 Lesbian Ladies Beaten And Burnt To Death In Makurdi (Graphic Photos) appeared first on Timeofgist.com.

Illegal Recruitment: Senate to Accelerate Passage of Existing Vacancies Bill, Says Saraki

President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has said that the Senate will accelerate the passage of the Existing Vacancies in the Federal Civil Service (Prohibition) Bill, once it resumes in September.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki said that the Bill, which is currently due for Second Reading, will be given priority as one of the Senate’s legislative interventions to curb the increasing rates of illegal recruitment into federal government agencies and parastatals.

“The Existing Vacancies Bill will put in place clear-cut procedures that will help to curb and possibly end the trend of ‘silent or underground recruitment’,” the President of the Senate said, “This country belongs to every Nigerian, and as such, all vacancies that exist in the Federal Civil Service must be properly advertised to give every Nigerian that meet the requirement a chance to apply.”

Saraki also stated that the objective of the Bill, which was introduced by Senator Biodun Olujimi, the Senate Deputy Minority Whip, will be to promote the integrity and transparency in the recruitment of personnel into the Federal Civil Service, by making it an offence for a Federal Ministry, Agency or Parastatal to fill existing vacancies in their organizations if such vacancies have not been advertised publicly.

“With this Bill, we will set time-frames for recruitment and the publication of recruitment in national dailies,” the President of the Senate said, “This will make it the duty of the heads of government agencies and ministries to ensure compliance or face punitive measures.

“Additionally, this Bill will help to ensure that the mandate of the Federal Character Commission is followed to the letter, by imposing punitive measures on those that choose to intentionally flout the law by embarking on secret recruitment exercises within the MDAs under their purview.

“This illegal recruitment trend needs to stop, and when we resume, we will begin to work towards enshrining this in our laws,” Saraki said.

Illegal Recruitment: Senate to Accelerate Passage of Existing Vacancies Bill, Says Saraki

President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has said that the Senate will accelerate the passage of the Existing Vacancies in the Federal Civil Service (Prohibition) Bill, once it resumes in September.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki said that the Bill, which is currently due for Second Reading, will be given priority as one of the Senate’s legislative interventions to curb the increasing rates of illegal recruitment into federal government agencies and parastatals.

“The Existing Vacancies Bill will put in place clear-cut procedures that will help to curb and possibly end the trend of ‘silent or underground recruitment’,” the President of the Senate said, “This country belongs to every Nigerian, and as such, all vacancies that exist in the Federal Civil Service must be properly advertised to give every Nigerian that meet the requirement a chance to apply.”

Saraki also stated that the objective of the Bill, which was introduced by Senator Biodun Olujimi, the Senate Deputy Minority Whip, will be to promote the integrity and transparency in the recruitment of personnel into the Federal Civil Service, by making it an offence for a Federal Ministry, Agency or Parastatal to fill existing vacancies in their organizations if such vacancies have not been advertised publicly.

“With this Bill, we will set time-frames for recruitment and the publication of recruitment in national dailies,” the President of the Senate said, “This will make it the duty of the heads of government agencies and ministries to ensure compliance or face punitive measures.

“Additionally, this Bill will help to ensure that the mandate of the Federal Character Commission is followed to the letter, by imposing punitive measures on those that choose to intentionally flout the law by embarking on secret recruitment exercises within the MDAs under their purview.

“This illegal recruitment trend needs to stop, and when we resume, we will begin to work towards enshrining this in our laws,” Saraki said.

Hate Speech: FG Directs NBC To Sanction Erring Stations

The Federal Government has directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to sanction any radio or television station that broadcasts hate speech, as part of efforts to stem the growing tide of hate speech in the country.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, issued the directive in Abuja on Thursday at the 3rd Annual Lecture Series of the NBC, which also coincides with the 25th Anniversary of the Commission.

"As a matter of fact, the challenges facing the NBC have never become more daunting, considering the increasing propensity of some radio and television stations across the country to turn over their platforms to the purveyors of hate speech. It is the responsibility of the NBC to put these broadcast stations in check before they set the country on fire.

"As the NBC celebrates what is a milestone - a quarter of a century - in its existence, I urge the Commission to redouble its efforts in discharging its mandate. The NBC must ensure a strict adherence to the Broadcasting Code, and errant stations must be sanctioned accordingly to serve as a deterrent. The nation looks up to the NBC to restore sanity to the broadcast industry. The Commission cannot afford to do any less at this critical time. It cannot afford to fail the nation," he said.

Alhaji Mohammed, who cited the ignominious role played by a radio station in fueling the genocide in Rwanda in 1994, which led to the loss of over 800,000 lives in 100 days, charged the NBC not to allow the purveyors of hate speech to lead Nigeria to the path of destruction.

"If you tune into many radio stations, for example, you will be shocked by the things being said, the careless incitement to violence
and the level of insensitivity to the multi-religious, multi-ethnic nature of our country. Unfortunately, even some of the hosts of such
radio programmes do little or nothing to stop such incitements. Oftentimes, they are willing collaborators of hate speech campaigners. This must not be allowed to continue because it is detrimental to the unity and well-being of our country," he warned.

The Minister re-echoed the recent position of the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo "that it is the resolve of the government that none will be allowed to get away with making speeches that can cause sedition or that can cause violence, especially because when we make
these kind of pronouncements and do things that can cause violence or destruction of lives and property, we are no longer in control.”

He said the purveyors of hate speech are also deliberately giving the impression that the Buhari Administration has not achieved anything since assuming office in May 2015, adding, however, that no amount of hatred by the naysayers will obliterate the solid achievements of the Buhari Administration, under a most difficult situation.

"Despite operating with just 45% of the funds available to the immediate past Administration, due largely to the fall in oil prices in our mono-product economy and the failure to save for the rainy day, this government has achieved so much more in so short a time. To put things in perspective, a country that has consistently produced more
oil than Nigeria, despite having about one sixth of the Nigerian population, is today embroiled in the worst economic crisis in its history. There is shortage of food, medicine and everything, and there is hyper-inflation.

"With Nigeria being affected by the same downturn in oil prices, coupled with years of monumental mismanagement of the country's
economy and the mindless and maddening looting of its treasury by rapacious public officials, why is Nigeria not in similar crisis as
the country in question? My answer is simple: Because Nigeria has a President like Muhammadu Buhari," Alhaji Mohammed said.

While reeling out the achievements of the Buhari Administration, he said the Administration has brought transparency to governance, with the Treasury Single Account (TSA) enabling the government to monitor its revenue and spending; the modified tax system improving tax collection; the agriculture sector producing food in excess of what obtained one year ago, and the government spent 1.3 trillion Naira on Capital projects in the 2016 budget, the highest in the country's history.

"Does anyone remember the scandalous fuel subsidies that failed to deliver fuel to filling stations? What about the fertilizer subsidies that never guaranteed the availability of fertilizer to farmers? Today, fuel queues are gone with the phantom fuel subsidies. Also, thanks to the resuscitation of 11 of the country's moribund fertilizer blending plants, fertilizer is now available to farmers nationwide. In fact, 6 million bags of fertilizers have been delivered at 30% below the market price, 50,000 jobs created and the 50 billion Naira saved with the stopping of fertilizer subsidy, all because of the revival of those blending plants. Six more are expected to come on stream soon.

"The government is not done. Despite the paucity of funds, the Federal Government's Social Investment Programmes are being implemented. The N-Power Volunteers Corps created 200,000 jobs in the first batch and 300,000 more will follow shortly; the Homegrown School Feeding is spreading from state to state, providing nutritious food for school children and employing thousands of cooks; the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) is providing N5,000 monthly to one million vulnerable and poorest Nigerians; while the Micro-credit scheme will provide over a million Nigerians with small loans at very low rates
through the Bank of Industry," the Minister said.

Alhaji Mohammed said despite the cowardly bombing of soft targets, the Boko Haram insurgency is not in resurgence; and that the fight against corruption is unrelenting, with alleged looters forfeiting the proceeds of their ill-gotten wealth, the corrupt being unable to sleep easy while critical infrastructure like roads and railways are being delivered.

Speaking further on the achievements in the economic sector, he said figures just released by the National Bureau of Statistics have revealed a growth of 95 per cent in capital importation/Foreign Direct Investment in the second Quarter of 2017, over the First Quarter and added that Year on Year increased by 43.6 per cent over the

South-East Agitates For SGF Position As Buhari Set To Nail Lawal

Chief Charles Udeogaranya, a presidential aspirant for 2019 on the platform of All Progressives Congress has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to choose a secretary to the Federal Government, SGF , from the South East as part of efforts to balance the perceived lopsidedness in Nigeria’s political appointments.

 In a statement issued in Lagos, Udeogaranya said: “As our president receives the report of the investigative committee headed by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on allegations against the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Babachir Lawal, I candidly advise president Buhari to urgently search out a noble and patriotic Nigerian from the South-East zone of the country as a replacement.”

 According to Chief Udeogaranya, “this has become necessary due to the unintended omission of the South-East in the six principal offices of the Federal Government and on the effort to carry all Nigerians along in the governance of the country.

“This singular action, if implemented by Mr president, would send a positive signal towards equity, justice, unity and aid national peace than rhetorics. “

On a personal note, it will assist my campaign and that of all APC candidates from the South-East on various positions for the 2019 general elections.

“I plead with my friend for many years and now the president of the country, President Muhammadu Buhari to pay more attention to the matters of concern in the South-East zone of the country.

“Time has come for all Nigerians to help the country solve her many woes and create a beloved nation out of Nigeria.”

Dakuku Peterside Congratulates Senator Uchendu Over Appeal Court Victory

I join thousands of Rivers people and Nigerians who have faith in the inalienable right of the people to chose their representatives, to congratulate the people of Rivers East senatorial district and particularly Senator  Chf Andrew I Uchendu on this victory at

the court of appeal . It is a hard fought battle but it is for the ULTIMATE GLORY of GOD ALMIGHTY. This victory has renewed the confidence of our people on the institutions of the state to redress injustice.  More than ever this victory gives us another opportunity to unite and pursue the the" rivers dream " which our detractors are working hard daily to "kill".
Let's also appreciate our leader Rt Hon CRA who daily gives us encouragement to dare and thousands of supporters who are daily making sacrifices to see their dreams come true. Your sacrifices will not and cannot be in vain . Congratulations to all those who believe and those who genuinely know that we are GREATER TOGETHER. Congratulations to you all . Long live RVS.

Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside,

DG, NIMASA

2019: FEAR GRIPS IKONO PDP * AS STAKEHOLDER WASHES PARTY'S DIRTY LINEN IN THE PUBLIC

As the next political season draws close to elections, Ikono Local Government Area is becoming more tensed as political appointees seem to draw closer to their subjects with meagre offer to attract their support again.




While others claim that PDP will remain relevant and stronger in the upcoming local government election, others believe that the Broom Party will sweep them beyond repairs since existing political office holders in the area find it extremely difficult to effect necessitated change in the life of the people.



For instance, Hon Iboro Ekanem, member representing ikono/Ini in the National Assembly is undoubtedly political deaf and dumb.



His abysmal performance in the Green Chamber has politically scored PDP CAPITAL ZERO in Ikono / Ini Federal constituency, a second term for the underdog will spell doom for PDP.



Also, the blunt refusal of Hon Iboro Ekanem, Barr Godwill Umoh and Victor Udofia not to acknowledge the people oriented leadership existence in Ikono has set a stage for political royal rumble.



Recently, the romance of Hon Iboro Ekanem with member representing Ikono in the state house of Assembly, Hon. Victor Udofia has totally collapse following Udofia's ambition to contest for House of Representative come 2019.



The State legal adviser of PDP, Barr. Goddy Umoh who was one time removed in the middle of election as Ikono campaign chairman to then Governor Godswill Akpabio second term bid is not helping matters either.  He is parading himself as emperor of Ikono politics and sometimes see himself as the street governor of Ikono politics.



It's on record that anyone who dares to challenge or oppose his submissions is politically doomed in the area.



As a stakeholder of Ikono politics and founding member of PDP, I expressed dismay on how and why Godswill Umoh (my brother) squandered over 2million naira from inter ministerial jobs allocated to Ikono by H. E Udom Emmanuel.




It's also on record that those who stood up to ask questions on purported embezzlement of public funds were blackmailed before the governor.



It is also on good authority that the recently organized empowerment program by the Senate Minority leader, Sen. Godswill Akpabio that saw the disbursement of vehicles and other valuable items, the legal adviser in collaboration with the PDP Chapter Chairman, Barr Moses Akpan and the transition Committee Chairman, Mr. Itoro Columba connived and diverted three cars to themselves using different fonts.



When the people of Umoh's ward (Itak ward 11) discovered the fraudulent act, they staged a protest. Given the level of embarrassment, he immediately withdrew the vehicles, sewing machines and other items which he fronted people to collect. He has also instructed the transition chairman to take instructions from him.



However, the Transition Chairman is having a showdown with members of his transition committee for allegedly sales of Ikono local government properties in excess of more than ten million naira. These properties include; caterpillar, generators and vehicles.



He has also been accused of not rendering account of Internally Generated Revenue in the council and not holding FGPC meeting with members of the committee.



The head on fight between the Chapter Chairman of PDP, Chief Moses Akpan and his aide, Mr. Odudu Sunday Akpan only mellowed down when Odudu trickishly collected the car from Barr. Akpan who fronted him to collect the car on his behalf during Sen. Godswill Akpabio's recent empowerment.



Chief Akpan is running a PDP palace in his house where parties are organized daily courtesy of taxes (politically) from his palace. The most recent is the slicing of money meant for the ward chairmen for the just concluded ward congresses from 20000 to 10000. He is believed to be very greedy as that is the general opinion of Ikono people.



I am aware that out of four Special Assistants to governor Udom Emmanuel, three of them are from ward 2. They were not appointed for their contribution to PDP or support to governor Emmanuel but rather on the basis of in-laws and relationships.



Candidly, this appointment has really irked the hardcore politicians who have toiled hard and work to sustain the PDP in Ikono LGA. It's is known fact that as a result of insensitivity of Ikono elected and appointees political office holders, long standing members of PDP are now in APC.
For example: Senator Aloysius Etok, former AKHA, HOR member and immediate past senator representing Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District. Rt. Hon. Ikwo Nyong Inyang, former SA to the speaker House of Representative and a two term House of Representative member. Dr. Clement Bassey, former chairman of Ikono, two term house of Assembly member and a former commissioner. Dr. Emmanuel Akpanobong, former House of Assembly member. Cosmos Ibanga, Dr. Ebebe Ukpong, former chairman of council, former member of national board and former commissioner respectively. This is the kind of opposition that PDP in Ikono is up against. They are a host of others but I decided to mention only few.



In PDP, the likes of Engr Edet Umotong, feels not appreciated as he is accused of being APC member courtesy of blackmail by Barr Godswill Umoh. Obong Emmanuel Ukpong Udo aka Macaire doesn't understand his offence for financing and standing firmly with the party.



If the threat on Ikono people is real, definitely his exit from politics to professional calling is a matter of time.



Hon Kelly Okon is believed to be the political strategist within and beyond Ikono who runs a "PDP bar" which used to be a convoke of PDP across the state. The bar now is a shadow of itself laying credent to the  fact that the rumour about his days in PDP might be well numbered.



It is on record that he is related to Ikwo Minimah of APC,  Engr Samuel Ekpenyong, Hon Luke Eshiet, Engr Idongesit Umoren, Dr. Usen Akpan, Idongesit Jimmy, Friday Akpan, Barr. Nsima Akang have been left out.



Mike Eneh, a staunch PDP member from ward one also feels neglected.




Kenny Inyang Ekah, Taliban leader of Ikono feels oxtrasized by Barr Umoh. Inem Inyangette, foremost youth leader in Ikono is  aggrieved of what is becoming of PDP in Ikono, blaming the ungodly situation on methods of appointments.



It is established that if Rt Hon Victor Udofia doesn't make the primaries over his ambition to the National Assembly, he will likely collapse his structure and join anyone who will pick governorship ticket in APC.



It is high time the umbrella party looked critically into the politics of Ikono LGA with a view of resolving timeless neglect, hatred, jealousy and self imposed.

GOVERNOR EMMANUEL Set To Declare FAAC RETREAT Open IN UYO Today

Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State is billed to declare open a retreat organized by the Federal Account Allocation Committee(FAAC).

The event scheduled for the Le Meridien Ibom  Hotel and Gulf Resort, Uyo will hold by 11am on Thursday.
Expected in attendance are the Minister of Finance, members of the Federation Account Allocation Committee.
Governor Emmanuel is also hosting the Minister and Members of the Federation Account Allocation Committee as well as participants /staff of Naval War College, Nigeria in a State Banquet at Government House Banquet Hall, Uyo by 7:30pm.

Inyang-Eyen Jittery Over Theft Allegation On Akpabio... Issues A Rejoinder

August 22, 201

Irked by a recent newspaper report which says that he accused the immediate past governor of the state, and the present Senate Minority Leader, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio of embezzling over N1 trillion within the period of 2007 and 2015, Akparawa Ephraim Inyang-eyen, the state Commissioner for Works, has come out to debunk the claim through a press statement issued to the media today.

Mr. Inyangeyen, in the statement, said that there was no time he privately or publicly accused the Chief Godswill Akpabio of embezzlement funds or creating ethnic disunity in the state as reported by the paper.

“My attention has been drawn to a false and malicious news story published in a local tabloid, The Post of Monday, August 21, 2017with the Headline, “Akpabio stole over N1 Trillion As Governor-Ephraim Inyang”.

“No point have I privately or publicly accuse the Distinguished Senate Minority Leader, Chief Godswill Akpabio of embezzlement of funds or creating ethnic disunity in the state as reported by the paper,” the statement reads.

Contrary to the newspaper report, the commissioner said that he did not receive any delegation of Onna chieftains at his residence on Monday, 5th August, 2017. He said, “I did not receive any delegation of Onna chieftains at my residence on Monday, 5th August, 2017. The report says”(I) accused Senator Akpabio when I received a delegation of Onna Chieftains who trooped into (my) residence

“On the said day, after attending the free ICT training opening ceremony, I moved straight to attend the 30th Anniversary of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio (Dinner and Award night) in Uyo where I was honoured by the foremost socio-cultural body. The entire story is pure fiction. It is rudely concocted to create confusion and encourage false speculations.

“Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio served Akwa Ibom State for 8 solid years and his achievements aptly christened as “uncommon transformation” are very visible for all to see. The former Governor enjoys a very robust relationship with Governor Udom Emmanuel and all his aides (including myself) working to make our state better. No amount of fabrications and cooked up stories like this will change that harmonious relationship.

“I enjoin everyone to ignore that news report and continue to support the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel who is very passionate and committed to delivering on his campaign promises,” the Works Commissioner concludes.

Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District Disown Udom For Allege Proposed Lagos Lodge

NTO ANNANG YOUTH MANDATE
Unity, Progress and development
 Old Itu Road
Ikot Ekpene
Akwa Ibom State

Your Excellency
OPEN LETTER TO DEACON UDOM EMMANUEL:
This lodge is not a priority; Complete Uyo-Ikot Ekpene Road
INTRODUCTION
This is the third letter we are writing you this year, but the first we are making public. Since we did not receive any response to the first two, we assume that you might not have seen them. By making this an open letter, there’s no doubt that you will read this and we, undoubtedly, expect a reply.
Your Excellency, we are a socio-political association duly registered with the CAC in 2009. Our mandate is to protect and project the interest of Annang people of Akwa Ibom State, especially the youths who constitutes the bulk of our membership and population.
We have keenly followed the debates on the plan by the state government to build a new Governor’s Lodge in Ikoyi, Lagos. While government officials, including the governor, have announced that N1.2 billion has been budgeted for the project, many other commentators insist that the project’s total cost is N9.1 billion. They argue that more provisions would be made in subsequent budgets to cover the total cost.  At whatever cost, we believe that this project is not only a waste of resources and misplaced priority, it is indeed a reflection of the governor’s insensitivity to the entire Annang people. Your Excellency, for over two years that you’ve been governor, the state government has refused to complete the Uyo-Ikot Ekpene Road started by your predecessor, Senator Godswill Akpabio. The senator himself feels let down; but it is all the more painful to Annang people that despite our role in the emergence of His Excellency as the governor and in spite of pleas and entreaties from Senator Akpabio, our traditional rulers, clergies and key stakeholders, the governor has refused to complete the road. Equally saddening is the fact that the governor has failed to fulfil a major campaign promise he made to our people: building an international market that traverses Ikot Ekpene and Obot Akara LGAs. In addition, the inability or refusal of the government to build new roads in the five local government areas of Abak, Etim Ekpo, Ika, Ukanafun and Oruk Anam (popularly called Abak Five) is a constant jar on our emotions. Your Excellency, why are you repaying our goodness and support to you with ingratitude? How can you contemplate to spend billions on a new building in Lagos State, when that money would have been used to complete the all-important Uyo-Ikot Ekpene Road? Is it not selfishness and insensitivity for your Administration to have constructed all the roads in Onna, the governor’s LGA and launched a massive urban renewal of Eket town, and yet refuse to, or neglect to do something about our plight in the eight LGAs of Annangland? Does this not amount to a slight and betrayal of our leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who risked everything and spared no costs to make you governor? Your Excellency, why have you forgotten so soon all the assurances you gave to Senator Akpabio before your election that you’d never betray or disappoint him? Why have you forgotten your pledge to Senator Akpabio that you will complete the Four Point by Sheraton Hotel project in Ikot Ekpene? What manner of governor will so brazenly turn against his mentor and benefactor, and indeed, his large support base in so short a time?
Finally, we wish to remind His Excellency that of all the major arteries that radiate from the central business district of Uyo to the neighbouring LGAs, it is only the Uyo-Ikot Ekpene highway that is left abandoned. We can only hope for equity and justice.
Thank you.
Please accept the assurances of our highest esteem.
We remain yours sincerely,

Dr. Ubong Udoette                                                                              Barr. Aniedi Akpan
PRO                                                        President

NDDC will budget N4 billion to Raise Innovation Champions - Ekere

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Mr. Nsima Ekere, has said that the Commission will budget more than N4 bilion this year for renovation and upgrade of learning environments across the Niger Delta.

Mr. Ekere, who spoke during the 30th Anniversary of Akwa Ibom Association of Nigeria, AKISAN, in the United States of America, stressed the need for a revisit and overhaul of the country’s learning system to bring it in line with computer-driven economy.

Presenting a paper entitled: “Strategic Disruption: Raising Innovation Champions.” the NDDC Chief Executive Officer affirmed that the Internet had become the world’s number one classroom without walls and boundaries.

According to Ekere, “we live in rapidly changing times where the definition of schools and learning has shifted radically; where brick and mortar schools are being challenged by borderless learning, and educational curricula must change rapidly in response to the current dynamics.

“The information age we live in today requires us to prepare our children more effectively to compete against others from all corners of the planet. Global boundaries are shrinking and the world is now a truly global village. In business, we no longer compete against our neighbours and countrymen but against unknown entities in some remote parts of the globe. The hunt for skills and talents traverses national boundaries.”

Ekere emphasized that innovation was a key element in economic competitiveness and progress. He advised: “We must begin to train our children today to become the innovation champions of tomorrow.”

He said that Nigeria had a duty to feed the ambitions of its youths to help them to live their dreams of becoming big players in the computer industry, stating that it called for revamping of schools to create a new learning culture, as well as increasing investments in education.

Ekere said: “We need to review our educational curriculum to favour skills and competencies demanded by the modern world. The call of leadership is to inspire, to rally the troops and to fire them for higher ideals. We need to raise leaders in technology, innovation, energy, power, agriculture, genetic engineering, banking and finance, environmental management, climatology, machine intelligence, medicine, sports, entertainment and the arts amongst other areas.

“Oil has saved us but it is on its way out. The next wave of growth will be fuelled by the higher mental capacity of our people; what they can see; what they can create and what they can give to the world. That is why we must invest aggressively in 21st century education. A computer is not a toy; every child in school today should have access to one. The internet is not just for Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and Snapchat; it is the platform for exponential knowledge and information that will help our young people to develop real world problem-solving skills.”

The NDDC boss said that it was time to teach our children to code and write programmes from a very early age so they can develop technology solutions for the challenges that are specific to our environment and beyond. “This means emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, STEM. If technology is the core resource of the information age, programming and coding literacy becomes the currency of trade in that world,” he stated.

In addition, he said: “STEM will teach students how to perform proper scientific research using real-world problems, improve their thinking processes when solving challenges; develop a rigorous methodology for communicating research work and prepare students to compete against some of the smartest kids on the planet.”

Ekere noted that the young ones need the right mindset, adding: “They must be ready to dream and step out to grab the wings that give flight to their dreams.

“Our children need true role models. They need to follow after people whose lives demonstrate clearly and unambiguously that the future prosperity and growth we seek will not be dropped on our laps but earned by competitive hard work and deployment of creativity, ingenuity and innovation.”

Ekere acknowledged the fact that government must create the right learning environment by increasing funding for education; providing computers in the classrooms and putting in place comfortable learning spaces.

He noted that NDDC was emphasizing on the environment, content and quality of learning. Giving an example with Akwa Ibom State, he said that the Commission had since inception rehabilitated more than 120 school blocks in the state.

He added; “In 2016/2017 school year alone, we have supplied 9,600 desks and benches to schools across the state. Our signature hostel project at the University of Uyo has helped to resolve legacy accommodation challenges at the university. And we have sponsored 230 indigenes of the state to various universities abroad for post-graduate programmes in high-skill areas.”

The NDDC Managing Director said that the Commission’s recurrent skill acquisition programmes offer sustainable technical and life skills to many. According to him, “the trainings we provide are carefully crafted based on established needs across the region and for industries operating in the region.”