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New approach to taxation pushes A’Ibom IGR to all-time high of N24.8billion in 2019

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ABN TV EDITOR
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Abasifreke Effiong

Akwa Ibom state has moved from 16th position on the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) rating table in 2015 to number six (6) on the table in 2019, going by the latest rating released by the Joint Tax Board (JTB).

The state’s IGR reached an all-time high of N24.8billion within eight months, January to August 2019. This amount represents 57.05 percent of the projected IGR (N43.6billion) for the 2019 business year.

The governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel gave the figure in the performance review of the 2019 budget while presenting highlights of the 2020 budget to the Akwa Ibom state house of assembly.

“As at August 2019, the actual recurrent revenue collected was N190.66 billion… a breakdown of this shows that Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) was N24.875 billion.”

The IGR for 2019 is more than the sum of the state’s IGR realised in 2016 and 2017 and N5.7 billion higher than the N19.04 billion generated between January and September 2018.

The state generated N11.3billion between January and September 2016 and N10.4billion within the same period in 2017.

The state’s IGR started picking up in 2015 when Mr. Udom Emmanuel took over as governor.

The Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS) under the Emmanuel administration’s, led by Mr. Okon Okon, has aggressively pursued tax recovery from organisations that evaded taxes in the last 10 ten years.

Mr. Okon Okon, Chairman AKIRS

The recovery must have accounted for the improvement in the state’s IGR.

There has been major reforms in tax administration in the state since the Udom Emmanuel administration came on board in 2015.

Some of the reforms include, the signing of the Akwa Ibom state revenue administration bill 2016 which grants autonomy to the AKIRS, automation of tax collection process, and approval of 2.5 percent incentive to all revenue generating agencies of the state.

Mr. Leo Umana, Executive Director Tax Recovery and Enforcement said strategic reforms introduced by the AKIRS have improved tax administration in the state and this account for the significant improvement in the IGR.

“The successes we have been so far is because all of us have worked together as a family. And, of course we must give credit to Governor Udom Emmanuel for signing the Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service Administration Law that grants autonomy to the board. That has been the beginning of the turning point.”

Akwa Ibom state was trudging towards the lower rung on the tax table before 2015 due to leakages, corruption and lack of commitment by the state government’s revenue officers.

It was learnt that under the previous administration, many organisations in the state including government owned investments were not remitting relevant taxes especially PAYE to the government and there was no commitment on the part of government to explore new tax options, enforce or recover taxes withheld by organisations.

“When we came on board we discovered that there were a lot of leakages especially in the road taxes, so we introduced automation and that has really helped”, Umana noted.

Our correspondent learnt that the automation of the tax collection process has blocked leakages in road taxes accruing to the state.

Mr. Leo Umana (middle) Executive Director Tax Enforcement and Recovery with members of his enforcement team during tax enforcement drive recently.

When the current board came in it used to generate between N6 – N8million monthly from the road taxes, but that rose to N18millon in the month it introduced automation.

Now the board generates between N28 – N32million monthly.

Akwa Ibom state is currently ranked the sixth on the IGR performance rating in 2019 according to data obtained from the Joint Tax Board and National Bureau of Statistics.

Lagos, Rivers, Ogun, Delta and Kaduna are the first top five on the table.

Akwa Ibom used to stand behind Kano, Cross River, Edo, Bayelsa, Ondo and Osun states on the IGR performance rating.

There has been noticeable coordination in tax collection, transparency and ease in payment of tax, and an unprecedented level of tax enforcement under the new Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS) board led by Mr. Okon Okon.

About 80,000 people have been brought under the state’s tax net within the last two years.

“When we were sworn-in, the people we met on ground in the tax net were not up to 15,000. But now the number of people on the tax net is above 100,000”, Umana said.

AKIRS has been on an aggressive tax enforcement in the state in the last few months.

Umana said the AKIRS under the chairmanship of Mr. Okon Okon has pursued vigorously the recovery of taxes from defaulting organisations.

“The law allows us to investigate organisations for a about ten years in past. So we did that and made a lot of recovery from financial institutions that are operating in the state.”

The steady growth of the state’s IGR under the current AKIRS board is giving the state government more confidence to target a higher IGR in 2020.

The state is projecting N52.556 billion IGR in 2020. This is about N556 million higher than the projected statutory allocation for the year 2020.

EFCC Arraigns Man Over Land Fraud In Uyo

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ABN TV EDITOR
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The Uyo Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, October 8, 2019, arraigned one Victor Saviour Uko before Justice Fatu Riman of the Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on one-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N900,000.00.

Uko ran into troubles when the Commission received a petition dated July 18, 2019, from Mfonobong SundayJim, alleging that sometime in December 2018, he was lured into purchasing a parcel of land situated at Ikot-Oku in Ikono village, Uyo, by the defendant and his accomplice namely; Daniel Udofia and two others, who are currently at large (Effiong Bassey Jackson and Otu Saviour Uko).

According to the petitioner, while the defendant presented himself as the owner of the said land, Udofia presented himself as the village head of Ikono village. Based on this assurance, Jim paid the said amount of money in cash to Uko and a signed power of attorney was issued to him.

The complainant realised he had been defrauded when he tried to develop the land but was stopped by a traditional injunction placed on the land by the community and was further informed that the land belonged to the community. Efforts made by the petitioner to get his money proved abortive.

The one-count charge reads; “That you Victor Saviour Uko “M” on or about the 19th day of December, 2018, at Ikot-Oku Ikono village, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud did obtain the sum of N900,000.00 (Nine hundred thousand naira) only from Mfonobong Sunday Jim, which money was paid to you under the pretence that the money is a purchase price for a piece of land known as “Ikot Esa” behind QIC Primary School, Ikot-Oku Ikono village, Uyo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State and that you are a bonafide owner of the said land, a pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.”

When the charge was read in English language and interpreted to him in Ibibio language, as he claimed to understand the later, the defendant pleaded “guilty” but the defence counsel, David Akpanofun, quickly objected to his plea and applied that the charge be read and re-interpreted to him.

His application was granted and Uko changed his initial plea of “guilty” to “not guilty”.

In view of his plea, Shehu Usman, the prosecution counsel, prayed the court for a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded in prison custody.

Akpanofun, who attempted to make an oral application for bail, was vehemently opposed by the prosecution on the grounds that he jumped the administrative bail earlier granted to the defendant by the Commission.

The matter was adjourned to Friday, October 11, 2019, for hearing of bail application and the defendant remanded in EFCC custody.

The defendant and Udofia were arrested on August 28, 2019. Uko later jumped bail and was re-arrested at Ikom Iman junction on October 4, 2019.

Udofia will soon be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

Shell inaugurates 34 projects in Delta

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ABN TV EDITOR
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Illori Ogunmola

DELTA – Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC) Joint Venture (JV), inaugurated 34 community projects in the Ogulagha Kingdom, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta on Thursday 3rd October, urging host communities to create enabling environment for sustainable business growth.

SPDC General Manager(GM), External Relations, Mr. Igo Weli, speaking at the inauguration said the projects were executed through a GMoU between SPDC and Ogulagha Kingdom Cluster Development Board (OKCDB).

Inauguration of a concrete bridge at Obotobo 1, in Ogulagha Kingdom by Mr Emmanuel Amgbaduba, Commissioner for Oil and Gas, being assisted by the king of the kingdom and others.

Weli was represented at the event by Mr Arthur Owagbedia, Installation Manager, SPDC Forcados Terminal.

He said that it was only when businesses thrived that the oil giant could undertake more social investment initiatives in the Niger Delta.

According to him, the oil multinational remains committed to the creation of greater positive impact in the oil-bearing communities and the entire Niger Delta region.

“The Ogulagha Kingdom communities will benefit more social investment projects and programmes if the people continue to promote peace, safety and growth among themselves and support SPDC JV’s sustained uninterrupted production.

“I encourage all stakeholders to speak up against sabotage of facilities because willful damage of company assets, like pipelines is a criminal act that sadly also has a far-reaching negative implications for the people and the environment.

“Sabotage to facilities harms the environment and is also unsafe for those undertaking this dangerous activities.

“We must speak up against the theft of crude oil, vandalism and the attendant damage to our environment,” he enthused.

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, in his remark, reiterated the state government’s commitment to providing safe and enabling environment for investors.

Okowa, who was represented by Mr Emmanuel Amgbaduba, Commissioner for Oil and Gas in the state, urged SPDC to improve on its Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) to its host communities.

“I will do everything humanly possible to make Delta a business destination.

“SPDC and other oil companies should improve on their CSR in the areas of employment, contracts and award of scholarship,” he said.

Earlier, the Chairman of Ogulagha Kingdom Cluster Development Board, Mr Linus Yeinanagbegha, said the board was inaugurated in 2015 and started receiving funds in 2016.

He said that the board had embarked on several projects across the Ogulagha Kingdom, adding that some have been completed while others were at various stages of completion.

Yeinanagbegha listed some of the completed projects for inauguration to include: construction and furnishing of three units of two Bedroom flat teachers’ quarters and the construction of two units, six standard public convenience, among others.

“We appreciate the SPDC, the entire Ogulagha Kingdom is pleased with the SPDC considering the accelerated development of the kingdom through the GMoU,” he said.

Nigeria, South Africa to establish joint council on industry, trade and investment

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ABN TV EDITOR
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Patricia Ngwenya – South Africa

The federal government of Nigeria and the Republic of South Africa have agreed to establish a joint economic advisory council on industry, trade and investment.

This was the highpoint of trade talks between Presidents of the two countries yesterday Thursday 3rd October, at the Union buildings, Pretoria, South Africa.

President Muhammadu Buhari is on a three day visit to South Africa after a large scale xenophobic attack on foreign nationals in South Africa earlier in September.

About 700 Nigerians have left South Africa after the attack.

The joint economic council is part of renewed diplomatic and trade ties between the two countries after the xenophobic attack.

A joint communique after talks by the two nations says President Buhari and President Ramaphosa welcomed the idea.

“Presidents of the two nations welcomed the decision to establish a Joint Ministerial Advisory Council on Industry, Trade and Investment.”

“The inaugural meeting of the Council would be held not later than April 2020, in Abuja. The Council is expected to serve as a critical vehicle in facilitating and promoting private sector participation.”

The communique obtained by The Dune correspondent in South Africa is published below.

JOINT COMMUNIQUE ON THE OCCASION OF THE STATE VISIT
TO THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA AND THE INAUGURAL SESSION OF THE ELEVATED BI-NATIONAL COMMISSION BETWEEN SOUTH AFRICA AND NIGERIA
03 OCTOBER 2019

1. At the invitation of the President of the Republic of South Africa, His
Excellency, Cyril Ramaphosa; His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari,
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, paid a State Visit to South
Africa from 02 – 04 October 2019, and attended the inaugural session of
the elevated Bi-National Commission (BNC), as part of continuing bilateral
engagements aimed at strengthening and deepening cooperation
between South Africa and Nigeria.

2. President Buhari was accompanied by a high level delegation
comprising State Governors, Ministers, and Senior Government Officials.

3. The two Heads of State reviewed a wide range of bilateral,
continental and global issues of common interest. They acknowledged the historical and strategic relations that exist between the two countries, and
the need to further strengthen the ties of friendship and cooperation.

4. The two Presidents noted with satisfaction the continued exchange
of high level visits and meetings between the two countries. In this regard, they recalled the successful working visit of President Ramaphosa to
Nigeria in July 2018, during which the two Heads of State reaffirmed their
collective desire and commitment to enhance political, economic and
social relations between the two countries.

5. The two Presidents appreciated the vast nature of the two countries’
bilateral cooperation which covers, amongst others; Trade and Investment, Energy, Mining, Defence and Security issues, Justice, Police,
Immigration, Tourism, Environment, Education, transport as well as
Science and Technology. In this regard, the two Presidents took note of
the thirty two (32) signed Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding
(MoUs), and committed themselves to ensuring that those which are in
force are fully implemented while those which are not yet in force are to
be revived for implementation.

6. Both Presidents noted with great satisfaction the economic
cooperation between the two Republics and welcomed the steps to
increase trade volumes as well as private sector investments. They
welcomed the important role of the Business Forum, which took place on
the margins of the State Visit. The two leaders further welcomed the
decision to establish a Joint Ministerial Advisory Council on Industry, Trade
and Investment. The inaugural meeting of the Council would be held not
later than April 2020, in Abuja. The Council is expected to serve as a
critical vehicle in facilitating and promoting private sector participation in
the economies of both countries.

7. Both leaders took note of the significant footprint of South African
businesses operating in Nigeria in sectors such as telecommunications,
mining, aviation, banking and finance, retail, property, entertainment and
fast foods industries. They also noted and welcomed the business
activities of Nigeria’s small, micro and medium enterprises, as well as the
investment of Dangote Sephaku Cement in South Africa.

8. President Ramaphosa used the opportunity of the meeting to brief
President Buhari on the recent incidents of violence in South Africa
affecting foreign nationals. He also alluded to the fact that these
unfortunate incidents are not consistent with the values and principles
underpinning South Africa’s constitutional democracy.

9. President Ramaphosa also dispelled the notion that incidents of
violence affecting foreign nationals were targeted at Nigerian nationals,
as other foreign nationals and indeed South Africans were affected as
well. The President assured his counterpart that the South African
Government was fully in control of the situation and several interventions
including engagements with diplomatic community and émigré
communities, security operations, policy and legislation reviews were
underway.

10. Both Presidents strongly condemned the attacks against foreign
nationals including Nigerians in South Africa and the reprisal actions
against South Africans and their interests in Nigeria. They expressed
strong commitment to take all necessary measures to stop a recurrence
of these attacks which they said undermine the vision of a strong and
prosperous Africa that the two countries have for the continent.

11. President Ramaphosa further contended that South Africa is an
integral part of the African continent and, in this context advocates for a
peaceful, vibrant and sustainable Africa, and that as Africans, we all have
a shared commitment to foster peace and greater continental unity. He
further stated that we should never forget that our fellow Africans have
contributed to developing our economy, and that of the region and
similarly South Africans are helping to develop economies across the
continent.

12. Both Presidents condemned these violent incidents and the
destruction of property and reiterated their call for heightened law
enforcement. They stressed the importance of high level engagements on this unfortunate phenomenon as demonstrated by the reciprocal dispatch
of Special Envoys by both countries. In this regard, the two Presidents
endorsed the establishment of an Early Warning Mechanism and directed
the two Foreign Ministers to give practical expression to the Early Warning Mechanism to be used as a preventative and monitoring platform.

13. The two Presidents further endorsed the reestablishment of the
Republic of South Africa and the Federal Republic of Nigeria consular
Forum to meet twice a year.

14. At the Continental level, the two Presidents exchanged views on the
current political, economic and security situation in their respective
regions. They also expressed their grave concern on the ongoing
instability in some of the countries on the Continent and strongly
condemned the continued terrorist and extremist activities.

15. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to working together in
pursuit of sustainable peace and economic development on the continent
in the context of AU Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade
Area Agreement (AfCFTA).

16. On the international front, President Ramaphosa seized the
opportunity of the meeting to congratulate Nigeria as the current Chair of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). In the same vein, President Buhari also congratulated South Africa as the
President of United Nations Security Council for the month of October
2019 and as the upcoming chair of the African Union for the year 2020.
They reiterated their call for the reform of the United Nations Security
Council.

17. President Buhari expressed profound gratitude for the warm
reception and hospitality accorded to him and his delegation. He also took
the opportunity to invite President Ramaphosa to pay a reciprocal visit to
the Federal Republic of Nigeria on a date to be jointly agreed and
communicated through diplomatic channels.

18. In conclusion, the two Presidents reaffirmed the strategic relations
that exist between the two sister Republics and committed themselves to
working together to further enhance close political, economic and social
cooperation in the interest of their people and the continent.

DONE IN PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA
03 OCTOBER 2019

Buhari discusses trade, political cooperation with Ramaphosa

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ABN TV EDITOR
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Patricia Ngwenya – South Africa

President Muhammadu Buhari will discuss trade ties and political cooperation with President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, today Thursday 3rd October.

Buhari’s meeting with the South African government will hold at the Union buildings, Pretoria, by 2:30p.m.

Programme of event for the diplomatic meeting between Nigeria and South Africa.

Muhammadu Buhari arrived South Africa on Wednesday for a state visit after an outburst of xenophobic violence in and around Johannesburg stirred tensions between Africa’s leading economic powerhouses.

But the recent violence in SA targeting foreigners — including Nigerians — threatens to dominate the talks.

Buhari was met by SA’s Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor after his arrival at the Waterkloof military base, near the South African capital Pretoria.

The three-day state visit, the first by a Nigerian leader since 2013, was planned before mobs descended on foreign-owned properties in and around Johannesburg in early September.

The violence — in which at least 12 people were killed — sparked fury in Nigeria and saw hundreds of migrant workers repatriated to the country.

Some South African businesses in Nigeria were forced to close shop temporarily after they were targeted by revenge attacks.

The two governments dispatched special envoys to each other’s capitals as Pretoria offered “sincere apologies” in a bid to calm the anger.

The presidency in Abuja said Buhari would use the state visit to discuss the “welfare of Nigerians, and find common grounds for building harmonious relations with their hosts”.

He will hold a “town hall meeting” with Nigerians living in SA to listen to their experiences and show the government is working to protect them.

Buhari is expected to urge Ramaphosa to pay reparations for the Nigerians affected by the violence but the South African authorities look set to reject those demands.

EFCC Arraigns Banker For Stealing Customer’s Money

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ABN TV EDITOR
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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Port Harcourt Zonal office on Wednesday, October 2, 2019 arraigned Gladys Udia before Justice M. L Abubakar of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, forgery and alteration to the tune of N3,476,700.00(Three Million Four Hundred and Seventy Six Thousand, Seven Hundred Naira only)

One of the counts read: “That you Gladys Udia and Dominic Okon a.k.a Paul (now at large) between the 24th and 31st of July, 2019, at Port Harcourt, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, whilst you were staff of Union Bank Plc stole the sum of (N3,434,000,00) Three Million, Four Hundred and Thirty Four Thousand Naira only, property of one Benjamin Akerele and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 390 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C 38 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) 2007 read together with Section 1 (1) (b) of the Failed Banks (Recovery of Debts) and Financial Malpractices in Banks Act, Cap B3 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria)2007”.

Udia’s trouble started when a petitioner, Benjamin Akerele, a customer of Union Bank, Port Harcourt, sought the intervention of the EFCC over the theft of his money in the bank.

The petitioner alleged that sometimes between July 24 and August 6, 2019, a total sum of N3,476,700.00(Three Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Six Thousand, Seven Hundred Naira only) was fraudulently withdrawn from his account domiciled in a Union Bank’s Sokoto branch.

Investigation carried out by the bank’s internal affairs unit revealed that the principal suspect, Gladys Udia, a staff of the Ikwerre Road branch in Port Harcourt was captured by the bank’s CCTV Camera taking photographs of the customer’s BVN printout page with her mobile phone and sent same to her accomplices, who subsequently carried out a limit enhancement on the customer’s account at the Bori branch, thereby granting them access to the account.

Investigations also revealed that between July 25, 28 and August 6, 2019, a total sum of N3, 476, 700.00 Three Million Four Hundred and Seventy Six Thousand, Seven Hundred Naira was fraudulently transferred by Udia from the account of Akerele to several accounts of her accomplices.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the seven-count charges when read to her.

In view of her plea, Prosecuting Counsel, M. T. Iko prayed the court to fix a date for commencement of trial.

However, counsel to the defendant, U. A Ekwere immediately informed the court of a pending application for the bail of the defendant.

He also prayed the court to grant the defendant bail in liberal terms which was not opposed by the prosecution counsel.

Justice Abubakar granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1,000.000.00( One Million Naira only) and one surety in like sum. The surety must be a civil servant on grade level 10 and resident in Port Harcourt. The surety must be verified by the prosecution.

The Judge also ordered that the defendant be remanded in prison custody pending the fulfillment of her bail conditions, while the matter was adjourned to October 10, 2019 for continuation of trial.

20,000 plus have benefitted from Delta job, wealth creation – Okowa

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ABN TV EDITOR
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Ilori Ogunmola

No fewer than 20,000 persons have benefitted from the Delta State’s Job and Wealth Creation programme since its inception.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa disclosed this on Wednesday 2nd October at the 2nd Warri Economic Summit held in Warri, Delta State.

The event was convened by Mr Michael Tidi, Chairman, Warri South Local Government Area.

The governor, who was represented at the event by his Chief of Staff, Mr David Edevbie, said that no meaningful development could be attained without peace.

Representative of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Chief of Staff, Mr David Edevbie at the event on Wednesday.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring peaceful and harmonious coexistence amongst all ethnic nationalities in the state to enhance development.

“Since 2015, we have worked tirelessly toward improving the lives of our people through policies and programmes on peace building, economic growth and sustainability.”

“No real development can take place in the absence of peace, Delta has been largely peaceful since the inception of this administration.”

“In the last four years, we have covered all the local governments in the state with our quest to ensuring inclusive economic growth and sustainable development.”

“Warri is strategically located and can easily become and economic hub in the country once the investment climate is bright.”

“With the inauguration of the Warri/Effurun and environs Development Agency, it is our hope that the development of the areas will be accelerated to attract the right investment,” Okowa said.

Earlier in his address of welcome, Mr. Michael Tidi said the council was midwifing a process that would lead to the birth of 1000 hectares of palm oil plantation.

He said the project will start in 18 months time and will be sited in one of the rural communities.

Tidi said the oil palm project will reduce spending on import of palm oil, thus rake in millions of dollars in revenue for the local government, Delta State and Nigeria.

“We all know that oil is a wasting asset, we clearly cannot build our future on something that may not be there when our children grow up.”

“According to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigeria imports palm oil of 500 million US Dollars about N175 billion.”

Mr Gabriel Aggey, former Executive Director, Nigeria Gas Company in his keynote address advised the people of Warri to also invest in gas business.

According to him, gas is a lifetime investment.

“Warri is the hub of gas production but unfortunately we are not utilising what belongs to us.

“Both state and local governments should come together and create the enabling environment for business to thrive,” he said.

Other resource persons at the event were, Amaju Pinnick, President of the Nigerian Football Federation, Dr Musibau Babatunde, Special Adviser on Economic Affairs to the Oyo state governor.

Prof. Adeola Adenikinju Director, Centre for Petroleum Energy Economics and Law, UI, Mr Amos Irueden, Bamidele Ayodele and Mr Zion Oshiobugie all spoke on ways to develop Warri.

Senate delegation arrives A’Ibom for Senator Ekpenyong’s wife’s burial

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ABN TV EDITOR
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Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel has received a delegation from the senate led by senate minority leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe who arrived the state ahead of the funeral of Late Dr. (Mrs) Grace Ekpenyong, wife of the Senator representing Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, Obong Chris Ekpenyong.

The obsequies is scheduled for tomorrow Thursday, 3rd October, 2019, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Parish, Abiakpo Nkap, Nto Edino, Obot Akara Local Government Area.

On hand at the Hilltop Mansion, Government House , Uyo, to receive the delegation comprising Senator Uche Ekwunife; Senator Kola Balogun; Senator Ibrahim Hadejai; Senator Bassey Albert; Senator Ade Fadahunsi , Senator Akon Eyakenyi and immediate past Governor of Ekiti State Mr Peter Ayodele Fayose, were Secretary to the State Government Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, Commissioner of Finance Mr Linus Nkan, Commissioner of Information Mr Charles Udoh, his counterpart in the Ministry of Works Mr Ephraim Inyangeyen and Senator Anietie Okon.

Governor Emmanuel thanked the senators for identifying in their number with Senator Ekpenyong in his period of grief, assuring them of a hitch-free stay in the State.

Four feared dead in Warri cult clash

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ABN TV EDITOR
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Ilori Ogunmola

DELTA – A lady and three young men are feared dead in a suspected cult reprisal attack in Warri, Delta State.

The identity of the of the four victims could not be established as at press time.

Tension has engulfed the popular Iyara, a suburb in Warri South Local Government Area, where the killing took place earlier today, Wednesday 2nd October.

Top security sources said about a score of person sustained injuries during exchange of gun shots by the clashing cult groups and have been taken to an undisclosed hospital.

Sources said the gang were using AK-47 riffles during the attack.

Persons who were unwinding in bars in the salacious environment were said to have fled for dear lives.

Businesses have been shutdown abruptly in the area.

The yet-to-be-identified lady caught in the attack was said to have visited one of the bars to unwind with her boyfriend when pellets from AK47 guns hit her.

It could not be ascertained as of the time of filing this report if an earlier attack from a rival cult group had taken place in the area.

A youth leader in Iyara community who claimed to have witnessed the incident said police operatives drafted from A Division under the Warri Area Command to the scene of the clash could not move into the trouble spot for fear of being caught in the crossfire.

Indigenes of the community have blamed the police for recurring cases of violent clashes by cult groups in Warri, saying that the police were fond of releasing suspected cultists shortly after the are arrested, hence giving them the impetus to return and unleash terror on people.

A youth leader in Iyara said the community will mobilise to meet with the Commissioner of Police, Mr Yinka Adeleke to return Chief Superintendent of Police, Anietie Eyo, popularly called “Calabar” to Warri.

Eyo is renowned in Warri for courage and valour in taking the battle to criminals in their hideouts.

”People are running up and down for fear of being killed. Help us inform the CP to send Eyo back to Warri to save us from these boys whom other policemen are afraid to confront or we will storm the state police command soon because we had some level of quiet when Eyo was the DPO here”, the youth leader who did not want his name on print said.

He also told our reporter that preparation for Islamic burial rites for one of the three boys shot dead in the incident ongoing as at the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, CP Adeleke and the PPRO, Onome Onovwakpoyeya, did not pick their calls on Wednesday night.

Governor Emmanuel’s church holds ‘covenant service’ on roadside

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ABN TV EDITOR
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Abasifreke Effiong

AKWA IBOM – Members of the Qua Iboe Church, 112 Ikot Ekpene road, Uyo,Akwa Ibom State, where Governor Udom Emmanuel worships at, held their new month ‘covenant service’ for October by the roadside.

Worshippers at Qua Iboe church holding October’s covenant service

The church has remained closed since last Sunday due to lingering crisis over name change.

Members of the church including an aged man was seen on Tuesday (1st October) morning, conducting the new month service in front of the gate of the church along Ikot Ekpene road.

About 10 police vehicles blocked the entrance of the church on Sunday 29th August, preventing members from having access to the church premises.

On Saturday 28th September,some worshippers in the assembly protested in front of the church, demanding the deployment of the resident pastor,Rev. Ibup Emah.

The protesters displayed placards which read, “Rev Ibup Emah must go”, “Rev Ibup Emah, go with your UEC Agenda”, “Let Qua Iboe Church, Oku be in Peace”, “Rev Ibup Emah, we are tired of your lies”.

The protest came barely few days after the church leadership said in a press statement that normalcy has returned to the church.

The resident pastor, Rev. Ibup Emah, whom the protesters said he must go, was one of the three persons
who signed a press statement.

The release sighted by this reporter reads, “The leadership of the church wish to inform church members and the general public that the issues have been resolved and normalcy restored to the church.”

The release was jointly signed by Elder Onofiok Etang, chairman church committee and Elder Sylvester Edem, Church Secretary.

The crisis is caused by a division in leadership of the church between those for and against a name church, from Qua Iboe Church to United Evangelical Church.

The Dune learnt that some members of the church who looked up to the governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, who is a deacon in the church to help resolve the crisis, have expressed regret that the governor was taking side with those supporting the name change.

Governor Udom Emmanuel

However, Governor Emmanuel in a statement last weekend said he is committed to resolving the crisis in the church.

“It is very wrong for certain elements to make unfounded allegations concerning my role in the local assembly on Ikot Ekpene. At a peace meeting I had with the leadership of the church on Thursday September 26, I had outlined the processes and plans for peace to return to the both the local and the national leadership of the church. The parties were very satisfied with the plans outlined and went back very happy.”

“Very soon, we hope to see the full restoration of peace and understanding between the two groups. I think it is sad and unfortunate for some people to exploit the matter and make unfounded allegations”, the governor said.

The Dune learnt that members of the church at 112 Ikot Ekpene road are opposed to the name change.

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