Impersonation: VGN Threatens Legal Action on Iba Oku Village Head, Ors

Michael Ufot

The State Commander of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), Group Commander Joshua Michael Dickson, has issued 48 hours altimutum to Iba Oku Village Head, Etidung Gabriel Patrick Mbeke and others to desist from causing confusion by establishing illegal security units with the name "Vigilante Group of Nigeria" or face legal action.

Group Commander Dickson handed the warning on Monday while interacting with journalists in the Command's headquarters, Uyo. 

Commander Dickson who alleged that th Etteidung Mbeke has already concluded plans to float his own Vigilante Group with flags already hoisted to that effect, urged the Village Head to discontinue what he described as an illegal organisation within two days or face dire consequences. 

He said the new group will not only cause confusion in the security system within the State but will stand as an illegal organization hence the need not to fly.

Efforts to reach the Village Head for his reaction proved unsuccessful.

The Vigilante boss further warned those who engage in illegal road blocks at night in major streets in the state with the name "Vigilante" not to use the name of the organisation for their activities. 

According to him, if anybody wants to have people secure their environment at night or thereabouts, they are free to do so but should not use the name of Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Akwa Ibom State chapter. 

He noted that some of those who block some streets at night use the opportunity to extort money from members of the public, adding that in extreme cases, some of them engage in robbery and other criminal activities. 

Mr. Dickson said the Vigilante Group of Nigeria is a well structured and organised security outfit whose role is to secure communities and complement the efforts of other sister security agencies. 

He noted that Vigilante group is often misunderstood and seen by people as an inferior security outfit, adding that this line of thought is untrue and false. He maintained that the Vigilante has supported the military in the fight against insurgency, adding that most times, their effort is not well publicised. 

According to him: " Here in the state, we deploy 100 of our men every month outside the state to assist other security agencies to tackle security issues in some fragile states in the North. They stay there for one month and when they come back, we send another set of 100 men to these troubled regions."

He said the Akwa Ibom State chapter of the organisation has a personnel strength of over 5000 well trained and committed officers.  

Commander Dickson noted that they are not rivals with the Police, but only complementing their efforts by providing security in rural communities. He said that the Vigilante is a grassroots security outfit with branches across the 774 local government areas in the country.  

The Vigilante boss Commended Governor Udom Emmanuel for supporting them especially by providing them a land which now serves as their office. He stressed that the moral and financial support they have received from the Governor has been key towards the successes they have recorded in the past years.

On how they fund the group, he said so far, the governor has been of immense support to them, adding that they are looking up to him for more once he settles down for his second term in office. 

He stated that they are now fully on ground and ready to function optimally by partnering the Police and other security agencies to fight crime in the state, warning interlopers to stop their illegal activities with immediate effect.

A'Ibom Community in Nasarawa Celebrates Udom's 2nd Term

...Calls for Massive Support, loyalty

Michael Ufot

Akwa Ibom Indigenes  in Nasarawa State have celebrated with Governor Udom Emmanuel on his swearing-in into office as the Executive Governor of the State for the second time.

The President of the Community, Mr Ephraim Udofia made their position known while fielding questions from journalists at the Inauguration Lecture in honour of the Governor's Swearing-in held at Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort, Uyo yesterday.

According to the President, the Governor has nurtured some lofty plans for the State in the last four years which will be manifested and put to use in his second term, expressing optimism that the state will be more fruitful than ever.

Mr Udofia Stated with emphasis the need for industrial revolution, continuous peace, creation of employment to stem the tide of youth restiveness  and political inclusiveness in Udom's second term.


He pleaded with the Governor to retain some of his aides (specifically technocrats) with good vision and ideology to ensure prompt realisation of the governor's adminstration drive.

While calling for Massive Support and loyalty among citizens of the State, the Diaspora President warned opposition to join hands with the Governor to drive the State to its destination.

VGN partners Police to tackle insecurity

...As Dickson Congratulates Buhari, Udom/IGP

Michael Ufot, Uyo

The Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) Nationwide, has expressed readiness to join forces with the Nigeria Police Force in tackling crimes in both rural and urban areas across the country.

This formed part of the resolutions reached at the Group's courtesy visit to the Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Adamu in Abuja yesterday.

Speaking on behalf of the IGP, the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Training Department, David Folawiyo, expressed worries over the high crime rate at the rural areas, noting that the effort of VGN will go along way to stem the tide of insecurity at the grassroots level.

Folawiyo who doubled as the Chairman, Presidential Committee on Community Policing, described VGN as the best  for Community Policing, saying that Vigilante knows the nooks and crannies of the affected villages and towns in every State.

Speaking with journalists at Victor 

Atta International Airport after his return to the State, the State Commander of VGN, Group Commander Joshua Michael Dickson Congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Udom Emmanuel for their successes at the just concluded 2019 polls.

The Akwa Ibom State Commander who represented the South South Region in the visit, felicitated the Police IG on his confirmation as the substantial Inspector General of Police by President Buhari, and promised to his best to compliment the effort of the police in the State.

Meanwhile, from all indications, President, Muhammadu Buhari has interest in the VGN Bill, which is already on his table for accent to enable the Police function optimally.

UNIUYO student drowns in hotel swimming pool —Police

A 100 level student of University of Uyo, identified as Kingsley Etim, was said to have drowned in the swimming pool of De Vegas Paradise Hotel in Uyo on Saturday during a pool party.

Confirming the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday, Police Public Relations Officer in Akwa Ibom, SP Odiko Macdon, described the incident as unfortunate.

He said that the Command had commenced preliminary investigation into the matter to unravel more facts concerning the incident, as the Police did not foreclose a foul play.

He said that the victim’s body had been deposited in a mortuary as investigation continues in order to establish the fact.

An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, said the incident occurred at about 9.00 p.m. on Saturday, adding that the deceased was found when one of his colleagues spotted the body after others had left the pool.

“When my friends and I were about leaving the venue of the party to catch up with time before they locked our hostel, we heard that someone had drowned in the pool.

“I was shocked because there was no sign of such and everyone had left the pool a long time before then.

“No one noticed he had drowned. Maybe because it was already dark and there was loud music.

“When he was brought out, people tried to revive him but it was all in vain,” she said.

“It was gathered that the deceased was later rushed to the University of Uyo Health Centre where he was confirmed dead.

Erosion takes over A'Ibom State Capital, ...As Community sends SoS to State Govt

By Ekemini Simon

Ewet Offot Community in Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State is on the verge of being washed away by gully erosion which has been ravaging the area for some years now.

This reporter and other newsmen, who visited the gully site at Udo Inwang Street observed that a large part of the community habitat has already been swallowed by the gully with an hospitality complex, Royalty Gardens and Accommodation standing as the next building that may cave into the encroaching ravine.

 The Palace of the Village Head of the Community and Cardinal Ekanem Seminary are among the buildings facing imminent threat.

Speaking with newsmen, the Village Head of Ewet, Eteidung Stanley Isaiah Uwah-Umoh noted that the gully erosion threat has in the past three years become a serious worry to the community as they have lost houses, farmlands, economic trees and cash crops.

 He stated that owing to the encroaching threat, the hospitality complex owned by his Royal family may soon cave in as the gully has affected the safety of the building.

Eteidung Uwah-Umoh explained that because of the threat, the 22 rooms hotel and suites have been out of service to ensure the safety of lives of prospective guests.

While noting that although the State Government had a while ago undertaken some intervention work, he insisted that the effort had not proved adequate to bring to rest the threat of the erosion menace hence the need for immediate intervention before the community is swept off.

The Village Head added " We earnestly call on the State Government to urgently intervene. The hotel which has been the family fortune has been closed down and now the Palace is in a great danger.

" It would not be nice for the government to wait until more houses cave in and lives lost before intervention comes. We have communicated severally and given promises that help will come and we have waited long. Further delay may be dangerous because during these few days of rainfall, we have seen the serious portions caving in."

 Commenting on what may have caused the gully erosion in the area, Eteidung Uwah-Umoh stated that the flood water channeled from town into the community has become much, hence the reason for the impending calamity.

He said " At a time, this road was right down to the beach.  But now you have seen that the large portion of the road is no more. This damage has only taken about three years. It has been so fast and all along we have been informing the government. The remedial work they came to do, they have done it twice but it has not worked"."

Also lending his voice, one of the leaders of the community who serve as Chairman Advisory Council to the Paramount Ruler of Uyo, Obong Simon Umoette called on government to rise up to the challenge the gully erosion is posing to the community before it reaches  a stage where no remedial work will be effective.

He added " If Lagos State can reclaim land from the sea, I am convinced it is not too difficult to reclaim land from land. The State Government really have to be serious about our cry for help. This is rainy season and it will get worse.

" When our community is totally swept off, what will we tell our children tomorrow. The time to act is now. And we trust the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel to rise to our help".

Also speaking, the Chapter Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party in Uyo Local Government Area, Mr Idorenyin Orok said that the village besides playing host to many residents in the State Capital, the village has been at the centre in the support of the PDP administration and at such deserves immediate attention from government.

He added " If not for anything, but for the fact that this is a PDP community where our party pack votes, we expect and appeal to this administration to immediately intervene against the impending calamity which may gradually wash away this community."

Assam Assam Disown Ndueso Essien over Attack on Works Commissioner

...Says He Cannot Speak for the people of Eket without Due Consultation

... Udom Will Complete Ongoing Eket Remodelling Project

Michael Ufot 

Against the purported Statement allegedly made against the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Works, Akparawa Ephraim Inyang-enyen by the Chairman, Eket Senatorial District Elders Forum, Chief Ndueso Essien, a former Attorney General of the State and Senior Stakeholder of the Senatorial District, Amb. Assam Assam (SAN), has said that such statement did not represent the true position of Eket people.

Amb. Assam Assam who spoke during an interview with Planet 101.1 Fm Uyo, Wednesday, said that the Eket Senatorial District Elders Forum Chairman lacks the loco standi to make any policy statement on behalf of the Forum without due consultation and approval by the major stakeholders of the district.

Amb. Assam Assam who is a former Ambassador to Russia noted that some industries in the State are private investments and are cited based on availability of raw materials and at investors' discretion.

His words "the essence of electing a Governor is not for the benefit of his senatorial district alone, but to spread development across the length and breath of the entire State".

"Industries are being cited on the basis of Economic value.

Most of the industries in the State are private investment and the owners decide where to keep them".

On the issue of compensation for demolished properties, he said that the Works Commissioner cannot issue private cheques to individuals on demolished properties, and challenged anyone to come out with prove if there is any.

He added that the Commissioner cannot used one valuer across the State for all property valued, saying that an individual who has a property has the fundamental right to get compensation when government takes over such property. If the individual is under-compensated, the person has the right to approach the Court to regain his compensation.

While passing votes of confidence on the Works Commissioner and the Udom Emmanuel's led government,  Amb Assam Assam assured that every projects initiated by the present administration will be duly completed and put to use for the good of all.

Shocking: A'Ibom Gov Bars Commissioners, SAs from giving information to Journalists without his permission

GOVERNMENT OF AKWA IBOM STATE OF NIGERIA

PRESS STATEMENT

GRANTING OF PRESS INTERVIEWS

As part efforts to streamline and ensure a coordinated approach to information management and dissemination, the Akwa Ibom State Government has directed that all government functionaries, including Commissioners, Special Advisers, Members of Boards and Commissions, Special Assistants and other Personal Aides of the Governor, should henceforth desist from granting press interviews without the permission of His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel.

The Honorable Commissioner for Information and Strategy as well as the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor are exempted from this directive. They will continue to carry out their functions accordingly as the spokespersons to the State Government and His Excellency the Governor respectively.
 
This directive takes immediate effect.

Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem
Secretary to the State Government

Breaking: Gov Bello Condoles Senator Dino over mother's death

3 May, 2019

SENATOR DINO MELAYE
Ayetoro-Gbedde
Ijumu LGA
Kogi State


CONDOLENCE LETTER ON THE PASSING OF YOUR BELOVED MOTHER, DEACONESS COMFORT MELAYE

I received with shock,  news of the passing of your mother, Deaconess Comfort Melaye. Words are insufficient to condole one on a mother's death, but I do urge you to take solace in the life that she lived. I have no doubt that mama’s impact and reach will continue to be felt through her offspring.

On behalf of the Great People of Kogi State, my family and myself, I offer you our deep condolences while praying the Almighty God to grant you and the rest of the Melaye family the grace to endure this irreparable loss.

Do keep us notified of funeral plans.

Thank you.


YAHAYA BELLO
GOVERNOR OF KOGI STATE