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.
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.
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.
On 11th March, 2018, during the 25th Power Sector Stakeholders’ Meeting in Nigeria held in Uyo, the then Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, described Akwa Ibom State as a “power State”, considering the numerous investment carried out in the sector by the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel. Right from when the Governor took over the mantle of leadership in the state, he has demonstrated unflinching commitment and insatiable quest to ensure that Akwa Ibom State has steady power supply which is a cardinal attraction to investors.
In 2017, in his resolve to ensure steady power supply to Uyo, the state capital, Governor Udom Emmanuel commissioned a modern 3311KV, 2X15 MVA electricity injection sub-station with an assurance that his vision of industrialising Akwa Ibom State is on course.
“I said that our duty will be to put Akwa Ibom State in full industrialization. You cannot talk about industrialisation if you don’t give power to the people, you must create an enabling environment,” the governor once said. Governor Udom Emmanuel
The Governor recalled that his administration started by restoring power in some parts of Ini and Okobo Local Government Areas where there was no light for several years, and added that Ikot Abasi which main town will soon be visited with light. He said the power station in Uyo was his efforts at improving power supply in the state capital, maintaining that people the area connected to the line have already attested to the longer periods of power supply every day.
Another great feat recorded by the governor 20 years after the third 132/33kV transmission substation was constructed in Akwa Ibom State, was the construction of fourth 132/33kV, 2 x 60mva transmission substation at Ekim in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area. While commissioning the project, the Vice President said with the prevailing peace and friendliness experienced in the state, it was obvious that investors coming to Nigeria would prefer to berth in Akwa Ibom first, especially with Ekim Power Plant in Mkpat Enin which would provide uninterrupted electricity in the state.
Osinbajo, however, advised international investors to see Nigeria as the best place to do business “because this is where the market is. The GDP of Lagos State is great than that Kenya and Ivory Coast put together.”
He congratulated Governor Udom Emmanuel and the people of Akwa Ibom state even as he prayed God to bless the efforts of the state in their industrialisation drive.
Addressing the occasion, Gov Emmanuel said the flour mill was a fulfilment of one of his electoral promises made during the campaign since he had said he would make governance touch the lives of the people at the grassroots.
Emmanuel said the flour mill, which has the capacity to provide direct employment to 1,500 people, is the biggest in the South-South zone of the country.
He said the inauguration of another project, the digitized power substation at Ekim, Mkpan Enin LGA, also by the Vice President, would mark the launch of Power-for-All which would ensure that every household in the state had electricity by December 2021.
Meanwhile, speaking on the importance of the project, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Power to Governor Udom Emmanuel and Managing Director of Ibom Power Company Limited, Engr. Meyen Etukudo said Ekim substation, which will receive power directly from Ibom power plant will ensure 24hours power supply to five local government areas in Akwa Ibom State including Mkpat Enin, Onna, Eastern Obolo, Oruk Anam and the host community of Ibom power plant, Ikot Abasi.
The Governor’s Aide said, “Once this transformer is energized, it has the capacity to produce 48megawatts of power which is sufficient to provide steady and quality power supply to the state owned University and the industries within its axis such as the Metering Company, Flour Mills, Syringe factory, and coconut refinery”.
Engr. Etukudo said, “From this Saturday, when the substation commences full operation, there will be 24hrs power at this substation as long as Ibom power plant is generating”.
“If there is no power supply in the surrounding communities, it is not the fault of Ibom power or the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) rather Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) should be held responsible,” he said.
The Chairman of Ibom Power Company Limited, Engr. Etido Inyang appealed to PHEDC to ensure that the power made available at Ekim substation is distributed to the people.
“We are asking PHEDC for their cooperation. Akwa Ibom State Government in collaboration with TCN has built this substation to make power available in the state, let not this power stop at Ekim power substation, let it be taken to the people” the Chairman urged.
Looking at this great investment in the sector, Akwa Ibom people owe government the duty of protecting these infrastructure for continuous benefit of all.
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Department of State Services has arrested former Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Force, Abdul-Rashid Maina.
Maina, who was embroiled in N2.1 billion pension scam was arrested through a joint effort by the EFCC and DSS, sources said, according to SaharaReporters.
According to the source, Maina was arrested in a hotel in Abuja as he attempted escaping by shooting at the DSS operatives detailed to arrest him.
The source said, “He hid himself in a bulletproof car for several hours before he was forced out by the operatives.
“On the request of the EFCC, the DSS has been monitoring his movement for days before now.”
It was gathered that one Zainab Buratai, a woman who claimed to be a businesswoman and philanthropist in Abuja, by her Twitter handle but no established direct connection with the Chief of Army Staff, said Maina had been using his influence in the police force, to terrorize his extended family.
Maina had ordered one of her nephews, Sadiq to be arrested.
Sadiq was beaten to a coma on the allegation of stealing $1.7 million belonging to Maina.
Whereas Maina’s biological son admitted stealing the father’s money and Maina’s son Laila confirmed taking possession of the unspent stolen funds from the son.
Maina’s younger brother, Khalid, was also arrested and detained by officers of the inspector-general’s special team under Abba Kyari.
It took the intervention of senior police officers to secure the release of Khalid last weekend.
Operatives of the anti-graft agency have arrested several agents, couriers, informant and subordinates of Maina in the last two months and several properties hidden under several “proxies and concubines” seized from the fugitive.
As of the time of filing this report, the DSS was still profiling Maina and possibly would hand him over to the EFCC later today (Tuesday) or sometime soon.
His possession of a firearm, among others, is to be investigated by the DSS
Maina is being aided by top government officials led by Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, to evade trial and prosecution following his embezzlement of N2.1 billion pension fund.
Maina in January 2019, secured a court order stopping the EFCC from declaring him wanted.
A federal high court judge, Justice Giwa Ogunbanjo described the action of the anti-graft agency in declaring Maina wanted as “unlawful”.
A non-governmental organisation, Centre for Law and Civil Culture, had approached a federal high court in Lagos to compel the AGF to account for the assets recovered from Maina.
The suit marked FHC/L/CS/756/2019 has the EFCC as the second respondent.
The group is seeking a mandamus order to compel the AGF and the EFCC to provide it with information on the 270 landed properties, exotic cars, money and other valuables allegedly recovered from Maina.
The group said its suit followed the alleged refusal of the EFCC to oblige its request for information via a December 28, 2018 letter.
Ibom Airline’s success story within 100 days of operations in the Nigerian Airspace has spin a new positive perspective on the industrialisation agenda of Governor Udom Emmanuel administration.
The visibility, excellent operations as well as testimonies of good services rendered by the Akwa Ibom State government-owned airliners are significantly pushing renowned, unapolgetic pessimists and opponents of the government towards a point of acceptance that the Governor Emmanuel’s industrialisation programme is real.
Before the loud success story of Ibom Air, trying to convince sceptics – particularly those who are under the strong influence of a different political party as the government in power in Akwa Ibom State – that Governor Udom Emmanuel administration has made any significant achievements in its industrialisation drive was difficult, notwithstanding that at least 15 new industries have been established and there are evidence that they are manufacturing.
Party politics, differences in political opinion and experiences of bad governance in the past have thrown up a thick veil of doubt, disbelief and mistrust between the government and the governed in Akwa Ibom State.
Before 2015, citizens of the State had gotten used to extralarge promises from government, which the promiser neither intended nor had the business capacity to keep. For instance, in 2011, the Governor of the State then, promised to build 31 industries; he could not build a single one after all, despite the huge cash fall.
Governor Udom Emmanuel
So, at inception of the Udom Emmanuel administration, many people thought the industrialisation of the State promised by the governor, was simply a diversory tactics. Their perception was hinged on a straightforward but illogical premise that Udom Emmanuel can not achieve with less resources what his predecessor could not achieve with much more cash. Mind you, Udom Emmanuel resumed office as governor in a time Nigeria had plunged into a deep economic recession, with severe concomitant decline in crude oil production, revenues, and foreign exchange earnings.
The weak and depressing economic reality of that period and the distractions of the convoluted election petitions the governor faced would have been enough excuses for the Emmanuel’s administration to forfeit its campaign promises – forego the industrialisation agenda like the preceding administration did. Rather, in that deep recession, the State attracted the second highest Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). This was manifest in the opening of the Jubilee syringe factory, the Metering solution plant, and most recently, the all-purpose flour mill.
However, despite these specific and other achievement, the feats in industrialisation made by the Udom Emmanuel administration failed to resonate with the people. But most recently, the success of Ibom Air alone, is tearing down that thick veil of disbelief.
When Governor Emmanuel launched the Ibom Airline with three aircraft on June 7, 2019, at the Victor Attah International Airport, it was tedious to persuade those people who differ in political party with the governor to accept the fact that the three airliners in the Ibom Air fleet were for genuine business purposes, not politics; and that the Ibom Air Company Limited is owned by the Akwa Ibom State. The government had had to answer questions of ownership of the airline a thousand and one times at press conferences; each time, it was like preaching to a deaf. One of the reasons was that the airline was born in the eve of the 2019 general elections and facilitated by a governor who was anxiously seeking a re-election.
Ibom Airline started commercial operations on June 7 2019, flying passengers from Uyo to Lagos and Abuja.
On Tuesday, 8th September 2019, the airline marked its 100 days of commercial flight operations in Nigeria with a record of airlifting 50,000 passengers. At a brief ceremony, Chief Operating Officer of Ibom Air, George Uriesi, said the company is excited to mark its 100th day in the nation’s aviation market.
“We are excited to carry our 50,000th passenger within three months of operations…we are thankful for the support of our passengers and thoroughly excited about the future.”
The future is that, Ibom Air is launching its operations on the Lagos- Abuja route on September 25.
Truly, Akwa Ibom people are excited about Ibom Air. This one investment is spinning a new perspective from members of the opposition party in the State, about Governor Emmanuel’s effort in making Akwa Ibom an industrial hub within the Gulf of Guinea.
A few of the perspectives on Ibom Air from members of the APC in the State may suffice here.
Elder Enefiok Ekefre, a caucus member of the APC in an interview on Thursday 19th September, 2019 shortly after he alighted from an Ibom Air flight from Abuja said:
“Ibom Air is one of the good things Udom has done. Governance is not just about renovating schools and constructing road, those are part of the social contracts; it’s about innovations, building a strong private sector. And, that’s what Udom is doing and I am expecting more”.
In a short piece entitled “Flying Ibom Air”, Anietie Usen, a former aviation correspondent with Newswatch Magazine, shared his experience flying Ibom Air.
He wrote: “In 44 years of flying around the world, with commercial airlines, private jets, military carriers (C-130), this is the newest and freshest aircraft, I have flown in Nigeria.”
“My first surprise was the freshness of Ibom Air aircraft: very fresh, very clean, very clear leg room, very comfortable seats, feels like ‘tear-rubber, very friendly crew and uniquely packaged and presented snacks in State colours of orange, green and white.”
“…just as scheduled, at exactly 9:00am, Ibom Air taxied off the Apron unto the runway. Phew! It was seamless. Take off: smooth. Flight proper: smooth. Landing: smooth.”
Also, Imaobong Akpan, after travelling on Ibom Airliner with her sibling, said:
“While we keep asking for Transparency in government deals, let’s invest in ours for home profits. I and kid brother patronized IbomAir today. Take-off and landing very smooth. Flight generally comfortable. Travelling to Lagos or Abuja? I recommend Ibom Air.”
The APC led the strongest opposition against Governor Udom Emmanuel’s re-election in March this year; yet, its bonafide members, Elder Ekefre, Anietie Usen and Imaobong Akpan and scores of other uncounted, have dispassionately applauded the drive, vision, novelty and success of Governor Emmanuel’s administration’s investment in the aviation sector.
The success of Udom’s industrialisation drive is forcing on, little by little, a new economic and political narrative in the State.
President Muhammadu Buhari has named an Economic Advisory Council, EAC.
The Council replaces the Economic Management Team that was chaired by
the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo.
The new EAC Buhari named on Monday has Prof Doyin Salami as the Chairman.
Other members are Dr. Mohammed Sagagi (Vice-Chairman); Prof Ode Ojowu; Dr Shehu Yahaya; Dr Iyabo Masha; Prof Chukwuma Soludo; Mr Bismark Rewane; and Dr Mohammed Adaya Salisu (Secretary).
The announcement, which was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, gave details, “This advisory council will replace the current Economic Management Team and will be reporting directly to the President.
“The Economic Advisory Council (EAC) will advise the President on economic policy matters, including fiscal analysis, economic growth and a range of internal and global economic issues working with the relevant cabinet members and heads of monetary and fiscal agencies.
“The EAC will have monthly technical sessions as well as scheduled quarterly meetings with the President. The Chairman may, however, request for unscheduled meetings if the need arises.”
A Special Envoy from President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa has arrived State House in Abuja, Nigeria today, Monday 16th September, 2019.
The envoy which was received by President Muhammadu Buhari said no Nigerian was killed in the last xenophobic attack in part of Johannesburg.
Leader of the delegation said ten people died.
“Ten (10) people died during the attacks in SA – two Zimbabweans and eight South Africans. There was no Nigerian casualty”, ~ Ramaphosa’s Special Envoy to Nigeria.
AKWA IBOM – A Former governor, Obong Victor Attah, has encouraged the Akwa Ibom State Government to hand back schools it took from churches to the missions that started those schools.
Attah made the call at the first Akwa Ibom Education Summit held at Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio hall, said mission schools were strong in teaching morality.
“When I was governor we started the process of returning back schools to the mission. I want to recommend, if that process have not been completed, please, Your Excellency continue that process, hand back those schools because the missionaries taught us moral rearmament and the stuffs that we are made up of here today.”
He said the schools should be handed back with adequate compensation paid to the missions that owned the schools.
The former governor condemned the implored parents to desist from rushing children who are below four years through primary school.
Attah insisted that rushing children whose absorptive capacity has not fully developed through school was wrong, positing that a child who should be admitted into secondary school should be above 11 years.
“Please know that a child needs absorptive capacity to take in what he’s being taught. This business of rushing children from four years into primary school and then to secondary school, in advanced countries, I will tell you, secondary school intake is described as 11years plus. What that means is that, if school is starting today and you will be 11 tomorrow, you cannot be admitted. You must be 11 plus before you can enter a secondary school.”
“So rushing children to school so that you will say you have a genius, you are wrong. Believe me you create a situation where that child cannot properly develop.”
Attah applauded Governor Udom Emmanuel for giving organising the summit, saying that the summit underscores the seriousness the Udom Emmanuel administration places on education.
“…that Governor Udom Emmanuel has chosen to organise this summit shows me that he is determined that his government will not play politics with education.”
“We are expecting that this summit will bring about what was described as a turnaround in our educational system”, Attah stated.
