AKSG Distributes Laptop Computers to 2010/2012 and 2011/2012 Graduates of Nigerian Law School. The Akwa Ibom State Government has given out 273 laptop computers to the 2010/ 2011 and 2011/ 2012 graduates of the Nigerian Law School. The exercise which took place at the conference hall of the Ministry of Education was performed by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Atim Antai. Distributing the computers to them, the Commissioner for Education who represented the State Governor said the present administration is to improve student’s welfare. This, Prof. Antai said is evident to the various grants, scholarships and bursary given out to Akwa Ibom Students within and outside the state. Prof. Antai recalls that the two batches of the beneficiaries of the laptops have already received their law grants stressing that government expects them to be law abiding citizens and engage on positive things that will promote the reputation of the State. The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Mr. Chrisantus Asuka congratulated the beneficiaries for sailing through Law School and charged them to contribute their quota to the development of the State and the nation.

AKGS Reiterates Commitment to Arrest Flooding in the State. The Akwa Ibom State Government has reiterated its commitment to arrest flooding in the State. The State Governor, His Excellency, Sir (Dr.) Godswill Obot Akpabio (CON) announced this at the ceremony to mark the 2013 Engineers Week of the State Chapter of Nigerian Society of Engineers. The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Bassey Albert Akpan said already the pipe jacking technology at Ekim Itam, Ikot Oku Area of Uyo has been extended to Udoudoma Avenue to discharge drains from Uruan Street and Edet Akpan Avenue to a channel at Obot Idim Ibesikpo. He advised residents in Uyo against dumping refuse into gutters to avoid flooding. Mr. Akpan also said government will collaborate with the Nigerian Society of Engineers to deliver what he called concrete infrastructural edifice in the State. Mr. Bassey Albert Akpan on behalf of the Governor performed the ground breaking ceremony at the NSE Secretariat situated along Uyo Village Road.

New Comprehensive Health Center Opened by University of Uyo Teaching Hospital. The University of Uyo Teaching Hospital has opened a comprehensive health center in Ikot Akpamba in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area. This information is contained in a statement by the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, Dr. Patience Udoh on behalf of the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof. Etete Peters. The statement explained that the aim of establishing the health center by University of Uyo is to extend effective health care delivery services to the rural communities without the people taking the trouble of travelling to Uyo before health services could be accessed. The release made it known that it is the wish of the Chief Medical Director, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital to establish such facilities in the three senatorial districts of the State. In the meantime, medical outreach is taking place at Ikot Akpamba, a full complement of Medical Personnel attending to patients. The exercise will last for two days. In a related development, an International non-governmental organization Family Health International (FHI) is to partner the University of Uyo in the fight against HIV and AIDS prevalence.

Four Suspected PHCN Equipment Vandals Arrested by Akwa Ibom Police Command. The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested four suspects who allegedly specialize in vandalizing installations of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in The State. Commissioner of Police, Mr. Wadabe Umar said the suspects were arrested at Abak/ Ikot Ekpene road, following a tip off. Represented by an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Onyeka Orji, the Police Commissioner said in his office that the command will not relent in fishing out criminals. The four suspected vandals are Favour Joseph Godstime, Sylvester Emmanuel Ime, Godwin Effiong Akpan and Charles Okoye. Items recovered from them were two heads of complete armored cables and accessories, one drum hand-saw cater and one screw driver. Also recovered were one Mark truck with registration number, XD 421 NGK, Toyota Corolla car with registration number AA 254 SAP, Nissan Primera car with registration number BMT 194 AA and three Nokia GSM Handsets. The Police Commissioner said the suspects were still being investigated. He applauded the media for their contributions to fight against crime and criminality in the state.

Youth and Sports Commissioner says he is ready to Reposition Sports in the State. The Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Monday Ebong Uko, says he is ready to reposition sports in the State. Speaking with sports editors, Mr. Uko who until his appointment was the Chief Executive Officer of the Hospitality outfit, Monty Suites said as one who has been following sports keenly, he was in the Ministry to implement the vision of Gov. Akpabio for youths and Sports lovers. Mr. Uko said with his background in the private sector, he will look into the possibility of encouraging individuals and corporate organizations to join hands with government to improve sports in the State. He also disclosed that 270 players have been selected to be part of the zonal elimination for the U-17 National Festival scheduled for Abuja later this year. He spoke of the readiness of the Sports Council to strengthen Akwa United with the inclusion of heavily talented indigenes whose loyalty will be to Akwa Ibom and enjoined supporters and fans to cooperate with the club.

AKBC Staffers Directed to Collect Biometric Data Capture Forms. Staffers of AKBC have been directed to collect the Biometric Data Capture Forms in the Administration Directorate for completion for the purpose of self-verification exercise. Staffers of AKBC Television have been scheduled for the exercise on Monday 11th November, 2013 at sub-treasury hall, Uyo by 9 o’clock in the morning. Staff of AKBC Radio will take their turn on Monday 11th November, 2013 at sub-treasury hall, Uyo by 12 noon. A statement signed by the Head of Administration and HRD Directorate, Mr. I. S. Inyang says all staff are to appear for the exercise with original and photocopies of their letter of first Appointment, Letter of confirmation of appointment and first school Leaving Certificates. Other requirements are age declaration and birth certificates used at the point of entry into the service, October 2013 pay slip and salary account statement, staff ID card and number from computer center. Other education certificates are as applicable, change of name and newspaper publication. The statement adds that the exercise is mandatory for all staff including those on annual leave.

Fidelity Bank PLC Donates Toyota Corolla Car to Special Children’s Home. Fidelity Bank Plc. has donated a new Toyota Corolla car to the Special Children’s home in Uyo. The ceremony, which took place at the special children’s home along IBB Way had in attendance, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr. Glory Edet who represented the wife of the Akwa Ibom State governor, Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, the Head of South- South Fidelity Bank Plc., Mr. Charles Oguro and Branch Managers of the bank in Uyo. Speaking at the occasion, the wife of the State Governor, Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio said the present administration places high premium on child development adding that the State government in this regard has introduced free and compulsory education to every child resident in the state as well as signed the child rights bill into law. Mrs. Akpabio thanked the management of Fidelity Bank Plc. for the gesture and assured that the car will be used for the inmates of the home. The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare thanked the management of Fidelity Bank for being the first financial institution to make donations to the home. The Head of South-South Fidelity Bank, presenting the car said the Bank has introduced a Cooperate Social Responsibility Initiative which deals with contributing to the homes of host communities. Mr. Oguro noted that the children being the future leaders of tomorrow need to be taken care of, to enhance their mental wellbeing.

Commissioner Applauds Harmonious Working Relationship Amongst the three Arms of Government in Akwa Ibom State. Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Sir Adasi Obolum says that the harmonious working relationship in the state amongst the three tiers of government has greatly enhanced service delivery to the people, he stated this when he paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman and members on House Committee on Local Government at the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. He appreciated the house for providing enabling environment for transformation and service delivery in the state and also appealed to the house to sustain their support to the Governor till 2015, saying that this was the only way the state will maintain its lead in infrastructural and human development. He called for collaboration between the Committee and his Ministry and assured the house of his ministry’s readiness to cooperate with the house in the discharge of its function. He justified his visit to the house saying that he needed to establish the needed synergy and a working relationship to enhance Chief Akpabio’s numerous benefit of good governance to the masses. He added that there is a need for them to ensure that whatever is done in the Local Government is in consistent with the Laws of the State.

State Secretariat of PDP Relocated. The Akwa Ibom State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has announced the relocation of the State Secretariat from No. 149 Ikot Ekpene Road, Uyo to 113 Edet Akpan Avenue, Four Lane, Uyo. In a release by the State Chairman, Obong Paul Ekpo, every official business and all correspondence should be directed to the new office. It reassures all PDP members that the party will continue to offer the best in service delivery in the spirit of the uncommon transformation in the state.

Commissioner for Commerce and Industry Settles for Duty. As the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry Elder Ufot Nkangude settles down for duty, he can always count on the support of his kins men in Ikot Abasi. This is one way the people say they can help him succeed. Coming under the umbrella of Ukpon Okon Elite Forum in Ikot Abasi, the people made the pledge while congratulating the Commissioner on his new appointment. Speaking through the Forum’s Chairman, Elder (Dr.) Mfon Ibanga and the Secretary, Comrade Joseph Ekwere said the people describe his appointment as meritorious considering his track of achievements in his field of endeavor. The forum expressed appreciation to the State Governor for finding their son worthy of the position. Ukpon Okon Elites Forum wishes him well and prayed for his successful tenure.

SWAN gets new Executives in Akwa Ibom State. The National President of the Sports Writers Association, (SWAN), Mr. Siadu Abubakar has charged the newly elected executives of the Akwa Ibom State Chapter of the Association to uphold the tenets of development Journalism in the course of their reportage. Speaking while swearing in the newly elected executives led by Elder Uwem Ekor, The National President was represented by the Vice President South-South of SWAN and Deputy Director of Sports in AKBC, Mr. Justice Udousoro. He stressed the need for SWAN members to come up with news that will assist in the development of sports as well as attract sponsorship for sporting events. He advised the new executive members to expose any rot or unbecoming tendencies by sports administrators with a view to ridding the association of such practices.

FG Condemns World Bank’s Rating on Nigeria. The Federal Government yesterday condemned the World Bank and other international bodies over their negative ranking of developments within the economy. Declaring open the 18th National Conference of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) in Abuja, President Goodluck Jonathan, expressed worry over the way the World Bank and other foreign bodies came out with their indices on key performance of the Nigerian economy. Jonathan, who was represented at the event by the Minister of State for Finance, Dr Lawan Yerima Ngama, noted, in particular, the country’s ranking on ease of doing business where Nigeria was alleged to have been in 131 position out of 185 countries benchmarked for the ranking. What baffled him, he said, is that companies operating in Nigeria whether local or foreign consistently posted impressive annual reports on yearly basis, saying that the world bodies should explain to the country whether it is when these companies post trillion naira profit that they would come out with a verdict that Nigeria is a good place to do business.

ICPC Recovers 61 Houses from NSCDC Officer. Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, Mr. Ekpo Nta, announced on Thursday that the agency had seized 61 houses as well as 45 plots of land from officials of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). The 61 houses were seized from a single official. Nta said the seized properties were scattered in various locations within the Federal Capital Territory. He made this known when he appeared before an Ad-Hoc Committee of the House of Representatives investigating alleged land-swap allocations and racketeering in the FCT. The ICPC boss explained that the anti-graft agency began an investigation following a complaint by the Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Dr. Ade Abolurin, that his men were involved in dubious land deals.

Senate Approves the Extension of Emergency Rule. The Senate yesterday approved President Goodluck Jonathan’s request to extend the state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states. Besides endorsing the extension, the Senate also summoned Service chiefs and the Minister of Foreign Affairs to a session on the impact of the emergency in the three states. It also resolved to permit President Jonathan to address a joint session of the National Assembly and present the 2014 Appropriation Bill next Tuesday. The President, on Wednesday, wrote to the Senate for an approval to extend the state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states, considered to be the hotbed of Boko Haram insurgency. Before the Senate’s approval, the lawmakers held a closed-door session, where they examined the alleged differences on the continuation of the state of emergency in the northeastern states. The senators were also said to have considered a security report forwarded to them on the threat of insurgents in the three states. A source at the meeting disclosed that “faced with the security report and daily atrocities being perpetrated by Boko Haram in the affected states, we had no option than to endorse the extension of the state of emergency in the three states”. The source noted that though “there were pockets of dissenting voices, who did not want the extension, the weight of what we were told convinced everybody that all is still not well with the affected states.” The source added: “Our resolution to support the extension in the affected states was near unanimous.”

U-17 World Cup Final: Mark leads Delegation to Cheer Eaglets. To cheer Eaglets to victory in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup final against Mexico today at the United Arab Emirates, President Goodluck Jonathan Wednesday constituted a delegation headed by the Senate President, Senator David Mark to represent the Federal Government. Other members of the delegation, according to a statement by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, include the Minister of Special Duties, Alhaji Tanimu Turaki, the Minister of Labour, Chief Emeka Wogu, the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe and the Minister of State, FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide. The President charged the delegation to ensure that the Golden Eaglets receive all necessary support and motivation for victory. To this end, he told the delegation to reassure the Golden Eaglets and their handlers of his personal confidence and expectations that they will maintain their excellent track-record in this year’s Championship, and crown their winning performances with another victory against the Mexicans today. He also conveyed to the Eaglets, through the delegation, the best wishes of all Nigerians for their victory and promised the team that together with all other patriotic Nigerians, within and outside the country, he will be cheering them on to victory during the match. He said he is looking forward to receiving them at the Presidential Villa and showing them the full appreciation of the nation when they return in triumph to Nigeria.

President Jonathan Condemns Rivers State Crisis. President Goodluck Jonathan says the struggle for political space in Rivers State is creating unnecessary tension and that it is not the best the peace-loving people of the state deserve. A former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (Rtd.), whose regime created Rivers State in 1967, urged the people to work for the peace and stability of the state and Nigeria. Governor Rotimi Amaechi, declared that he would never watch oppression and that if social justice is put in place, peace would come. President Jonathan, Gen. Gowon and Amaechi spoke yesterday at a symposium organized as part of the programmes lined up for the Port Harcourt City Centenary Celebration, with the theme: “Port Harcourt City, Past, Present and Future,” at the Alfred Diete-Spiff Civic Centre, Moscow Road in the Rivers State capital.

Reps to Investigate Activities of Concessionaires at Nigerian Ports. The House of Representatives on Thursday mandated it’s Committees on Privatization and Commercialization, Public Procurement, Commerce, Marine Transport and customs to investigate activities of concessionaires at Nigerian ports. This resolution emanated from a motion moved by Rep. Jerry Alagbaoso (PDP-Imo), which was adopted without debate. The concessioning of Nigerian seaports through the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE), and handing over of the certificates of operation to the concessionaires was carried out in 2006. He said the concessioning programme was aimed at ensuring facilitation of trade and greater efficiency in cargo handling and service delivery at the ports. The Legislator expressed dismay over the incessant decay of infrastructure, poor service delivery and arbitrary charges in the name of demurrage. He noted that the Nigeria Customs Service, saddled with the responsibility of collection of duties on imported goods, is faced with operational challenges caused by the concessionaires.

We Need Revolution Now -Tambuwal. Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has said the anti-corruption agencies in the country have failed to curb the rising cases of official corruption and embezzlement of public funds. Speaking at the inauguration of the Nigerian Association of Public Accounts Committees (NAPAC) in Abuja yesterday, Tambuwal said despite existence of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC), cases of official corruption are on the increase by the day. He said, "If our audit system is efficient and effective, agencies like the EFCC and ICPC would really have less work to do. Right now, these agencies are up to their necks with cases and yet stories of embezzlement of public funds keep coming," Tambuwal who was represented by the House Deputy Minority Whip, Rep. Garba Datti (APC, Kaduna) lamented. Tambuwal however said he was not unaware of the limitations of the Auditor General's office and the need to strengthen the office for greater efficiency. He said: "The 1958 Audit Act has become obsolete making Nigeria one of the few African countries without an Audit law. The Speaker assured that the House will give the new audit bill a speedy passage because it was long overdue.