AKSG Warns Mischief Makers Against False Publication Regarding Resignation of Former PDP Boss. Akwa Ibom State Government has distanced itself from a story published in an Uyo based Local tabloid titled, ‘’Joy in Akwa Ibom Government Quarters as Jonathan Sacks Tukur’’. The State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Aniekan Umanah in a statement described the story as a pure fabrication and an act of mischief meant to serve the political interest of its sponsors. Dismissing the story, he said Akwa Ibom State Governor, His Excellency, Sir (Dr.) Godswill Obot Akpabio (CON) JP, as a loyal party man and the Chairman of the PDP Governor’s Forum has always acted in the interest of the party at all times. Contrary to the insinuation, Mr. Umanah stressed the respect Gov. Akpabio has for the immediate past National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Tukur adding that preliminary investigations had revealed that the story was sponsored by desperate politicians in the State who are bent on creating confusion and setting the Governor against high ranking political figures at the National Level. The Commissioner therefore called on members of the public to discountenance the story and be weary of moves by desperate politicians who wanted to cause disaffection and create unnecessary tension in the polity. He described Sir Akpabio as an ardent supporter of the National Leader of PDP and President Goodluck Jonathan, saying he would never be distracted by the activities of merchants of lies but rather remain focused on the uncommon transformation of Akwa Ibom State as well as peace and progress in the Country.

Wife of Akwa Ibom State Governor Selected for 2013 Sun Newspaper Most Supportive First Lady Award. Wife of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio has been selected for the Most Supportive First Lady Award 2013. A statement from the Sun Publishing Limited and the organizers of the award indicates that the Governor’s Wife will be formerly presented with the award on February 22nd during the prestigious annual The Sun Awards to be held in Lagos. Presenting a letter of notification to Mrs. Akpabio at Government House Uyo, Officials from the Sun Publishing Limited led by the Managing Director, Eric Osagie, said Mrs. Akpabio has been selected for the award in recognition of her support for the uncommon transformation agenda of her husband, Sir (Dr.) Godswill Obot Akpabio (CON) JP. He added that Mrs. Akpabio had been selected after carefully reviewing the impact of her land mark projects in the area of child rights, support for widows, people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups in the State. Mr. Osagie noted that the award category for First Ladies was recently created to recognize the significant role of Governor’s wives in creating social change and congratulated Mrs. Akpabio for emerging the pioneer recipient of the award category. Responding, the Governor’s wife thanked the Sun Publishing Newspaper Limited for finding her worthy to receive the award. She expressed gratitude to the Almighty God for directing them to take notice of her work adding that her modest achievements would not have been possible without the support of her husband, the women, children and men of the State who whole heartedly embraced her there by making her work easier. In a related development, the Akwa Ibom State first lady is builled to be honoured as the, ‘’Most Valuable Governor’s Wife in the South- south Geo- political Zone’’, at the Most Valuable Governor’s wife awards 2013. The Award ceremony which will hold at the Abuja Sheraton Hotels on the 10th of February has as its theme, ‘’Grassroots Transformation in Nigeria: The Role of Governor’s Wives, NGO’s as Champions’’.

Education Commissioner Condemns Low Turn Out of Children in Public Schools, Weeks after Resumption. The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Atim Antai, has expressed dissatisfaction at the continuous low turnout of school children since the beginning of this term. Prof. Antai who registered her displeasure while monitoring schools across the State wondered why school children will stay at home some weeks after reopening thereby loosing part of their academic work which had commenced immediately on resumption. The Commissioner appealed to parents to send out their children to school as well as monitor their performance to enable them succeed in their academic endeavours. Accompanied by Heads of the Ministry of Education, the Commissioner inspected time books, lessons notes, and general teaching at the Comprehensive Secondary School, Okobo, Government Primary School, Uya Oro, Methodist Senior Science College, Oron and Community Secondary School – Okuko in Urue Ofong. At Community Secondary School- Okobo, Prof. Antai commended the orderliness and disciplinary disposition of the school and advised the teachers to carry out their mandatory aspect of effectively teaching the students to enable them pass their examinations. She directed that the absentee teachers be queried and replies forwarded to her office. Speaking at Government Primary School- Uya Oro, the Commissioner expressed displeasure at the lack of commitment of teachers to duties pointing out that teachers were the problems in the school system. Prof. Antai advised them to live close to their duty stations for easy access to their schools and for effective monitoring. The Commissioner frowned at the situation whereby members of the public were using the school premises as a thorough fare thereby causing accidents among pupils in the school. Addressing students of Methodist Senior Science College –Oron and Community Secondary School- Okuko, the Commissioner spoke of the commitment of the State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, to reposition every Akwa Ibom Child to enable them meet up the challenges through the free and compulsory education. The monitoring also took the Ministry of Education Monitoring Team to St. Theresa School, Ikot Akam, Oruk Anam Local Government Area, Ibiaku Clan Community Secondary School, Ukpum Comprehensive Secondary School, Okon Town- Ikot Abasi, Community Secondary School, Ikot Inuen- Oruk Anam as well as Community Secondary Commercial School, Ikot Asute- Oruk Anam. The Permanent Secretary who led the monitoring team said the era of truancy among teachers and students were over. Mr. Asuka advised that the Ministry of Education will ensure daily monitoring of schools to enable the school system sit up for excellent performance warning that erring teachers will be sanctioned to instill sanity in the system. The Permanent Secretary sympathized with the state of dilapidation at the Community Secondary Commercial School, Ikot Asute and directed the principal to write for immediate State Government intervention program to enable the school provide a conducive learning environment for the students.

AKSG Commends Effiong Ekong’s Family on Donation of Library. The Akwa Ibom State Government has commended late chief Effiong Udo Ekong’s family for the construction and donation of a library complex to Government Primary School, Ibiaku Uruan, Uruan Local Government Area. The recommendation was contained in a goodwill massage presented by the Commissioner, Ministry of Education. Prof. Atim Antai, during the official handing over of the library complex by the Effiong Udo Ekong Education Foundation on Friday, January 10, 2014 to the Primary School. Prof. Atim Antai, who was represented by the permanent secretary in the ministry, Mr. Chrysanthus Asuka, stated that the state government was grateful to the Effiong Udo Ekong’s family for their magnanimity, emphasized that the gesture would leave an indelible legacy in the annals of educational growth and development in the future generation and the society at large. The commissioner emphasized that the library project donated by the foundation, has gone a long way in complimenting and actualizing the free and compulsory education policy of the present state administration led by Chief Godswill Akpabio as it will enable the pupils to develop the reading culture in them. She called on youth in the state to shun cultism, drug abuse, alcoholism, and other social vices to cultivate a sound reading culture for intellectual development and for the positioning of the society for effective growth. The state government appealed to patriotic individuals and organizations to rise up to the challenges of helping in the task of providing educational materials to the student.

Akwa Ibom Information Boss Bags National Appointment. The Commissioner for Information, Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Aniekan Umana, was last week appointed and sworn as a member of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR). Inaugurating the new council at the Federal Government Press Council in Abuja, the Minister of Information and supervising Minister of Defence, Mr. Labaran Maku decried the spate of negative representation of Nigeria in the media and therefore charged members of the council to develop strategies that will enhance the positive image of the country. Mr. Umanah, a Federal Government nominee, is to work with other members of the Governing council which will run the affairs of the institute in the next two years. Speaking on his appointment, the Commissioner thanked the federal government for the new responsibility and expressed appreciation to Governor Akpabio for making it possible for him to be considered. The Commissioner who acknowledged that the NIPR Council assignment was an added responsibility declared his readiness to serve to the best of his ability in the interest of Akwa Ibom and Nigeria. The new 22-member Council has Dr. Rotimi Oladele as president.

Three General Hospitals in the State to be Upgraded to Specialist Hospitals. Three General Hospitals in the State are to be upgraded to Specialist Hospitals. The Hospitals are General Hospital – Eket, General Hospital – Ikot Ekpene and General Hospital Iquita Oron. The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ememabasi Bassey, made this known when he received a delegation from the First Care Group, USA on a courtesy call. Dr. Bassey further stated that a diagnostic center will be inaugurated soon. He also announced plans by the State Government to collaborate with renowned medical groups to manage the 20th Anniversary Hospital in Uyo. The Health Commissioner noted that the 20th Anniversary Hospital which would be inaugurated this year is intended to reverse the high traffic for medical attention to India and other western Countries. Dr. Bassey expressed joy that more medical personnel and the relevant man power would soon be recruited to make up for the short fall arising from death and retirements. Earlier the leader of the group, Dr. Amechi Erondun, the CEO of First Care Group – USA informed the Commissioner that they were in the State to present their technical proposal for the management of the 20th Anniversary Hospital. He stated that first Care Group would seek to create a veritable platform for the training of doctors and other health personnel in the State, saying that the team has enormous experience in clinical care and hospital administration. He said that First Care Group had its presence in over 29 Countries of the world and could comfortably key into the vision of the State Governor, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio. Also on the delegation were Mr. Mark A. Bush, President and CEO of Care Management Services, USA, as well as International Hospital Management Group.

Innovation to Generate Wealth and Transform the Country’s Economy. Fermiel Services, a subsidiary of 02 Nigeria is organizing a training program on small and medium enterprise SMEs to complement the efforts of the Federal Government in the creation of 1 million jobs by the year 2015. The Federal Government is partnering Commercial banks across the Country to fashion out a new form and mechanism that will give SMEs increased access to cheap funds. The Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga made this known during a meeting with SMEs Desk Managers of Banks in Abuja. He noted that the new initiative is aimed at increasing the capacity to create jobs, generate wealth and transform the Country’s economy. Consequently, Fermiel Services is sharing the vision of the Ministry of Trade and Investment in increasing the contributions of SMEs to the nation’s growth domestic products, from 10% to 30% and increase its port earnings through SMEs from 3% to 25 % per annum. To achieve these goals, the firm has come up with training on SME selling products such as liquid soap production, antiseptic and disinfectant production, perfumes and roll on making. Others are shampoo and conditioner making, styling gel and balm. It also trains people on fish, poultry and grass cutter farming. The Carrier Coordinator of Fermiel Services, Mrs. Stella Bright has advised indigenes of State and other residents to avail themselves of the opportunity. According to the firm, the first 55 persons who will embark on the training will be shown a step by step method of manufacturing products of high quality that will attract investors and grant them access to loans and boost their business ideas and help them to become entrepreneurs. In Akwa Ibom, the forms are obtained at Food Affairs, No. 93 Ikot Ekpene Road, Uyo or Food Affairs No. 3 Uyo road, Ikot Ekpene. The sale of forms will last only two weeks from 20th January to 3rd February, 2013 and it is obtainable at the rate of N2, 500 only. For more enquiries, contact the Carrier Coordinator – Mrs. Stella Bright on 081 4020 3822.

Finance Commissioner Attracted to Ongoing Biometric Data Capture Exercise. The Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Bassey Albert Akpan, has been attracted to the ongoing Biometric Data Capture exercise for Primary School teachers in Local Education authorities in Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency. This prompted him to undertake an assessment of the exercise accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Elder Nse Ekefre and the Accountant General, Sir Udo Isobara. The Commissioner while interacting with the teachers described the Biometric Data system as the modern and scientific method of keeping records of public servants which facilitates prompt payment of salaries directly into workers accounts. He explained that the system entails finger prints identity, issuance of valid unit numbers for staff identification throughout their service years, pointing out that this has reduced discrepancies in record of service as well as eliminate ghost workers from government payroll. Mr. Akpan said that the program is cardinal to the State Government since its implementation in the civil service has reduced personnel cost, it must be applied to MDAs and Local Education Authorities to free public funds for other projects. The Commissioner explained that the exercise was not meant to witch hunt anybody but an avenue to authenticate the actual number of staff in government employ and solicited teachers cooperation for the attainment of the set goals. The Permanent Secretary, Elder Nse Ekefre, lauded Governor Akpabio for putting the biometric Data System in place which has added value to the public service. He expressed satisfaction with the orderly conduct of the participants, during the verification and capturing processes, adding that the program will be extended to the 31 Local Education Authorities in the State. The Accountant General, Sir Udo Isobara, appreciated the biometric concept which has complemented the E-payment system as transactions can now be carried out on line. Speaking on behalf of the teachers, the Ikot Ekpene Local Education Authorities Secretary, Mr. Francis Ekpotu thanked the Commissioner for Finance and his entourage for the inspection and assured him of his maximum support and cooperation of teachers towards the success of the exercise.

UNIUYO VC Commends Outstanding Efforts of Center for Gender Studies. The Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Prof. Comfort Ekpo has commended the outstanding efforts of the Center for Gender Studies and Women Development to complement the contributions of Akwa Ibom women to National Development. Prof. Ekpo made the commendation while addressing Akwa Ibom women at the meeting organized by the Center for Gender Studies and Women Development to receive report from various sectors of National life in which Akwa Ibom women had contributed towards national development. The Vice Chancellor observed that the impressive attendance at the meeting inspite of the public holiday demonstrated the commitment of the center to ensuring that Akwa Ibom women were not left out in the forth-coming centenary celebrations. She stated that the contributions of Akwa Ibom women was part of the mandate of the center and reiterated the resolve of the University Management to provide an enabling environment for the center. Prof. Comfort Ekpo expressed the hope that the center would develop an enduring culture and called on Akwa Ibom women to shun divisive tendencies but entrench unity of purpose amongst them in order to champion the cause of women for the progress and development of girl child and women folk. In her opening remarks, the chairperson on the occasion and the University Librarian, Prof. Felicia Etim, said that the meeting was a follow up to an earlier meeting where various committees were established to identify and document the contributions of Akwa Ibom women towards National Development. Prof. Mrs. Etim charged the committees to take their various parts seriously to beat the deadline. She commended the Vice Chancellor for convening the meeting to assemble Akwa Ibom women to rub minds over their contributions to national development as part of the nation’s centenary celebrations. Earlier the Director of Center for Gender Studies and Women Development, Prof. Enoabasi Urua, maintained that the University of Uyo under Prof. Comfort Ekpo was determined to document the contributions of Akwa Ibom women for posterity. Prof. Urua stated that the meeting was held to receive reports from various committees set up at the last meeting to generate information about Akwa Ibom women who had made significant contributions to national development. The highlights of the meeting were the presentation of reports from the various committees and an interactive session.

Permanent Secretary Advices Obot Akara People to Shun Indolence and be Productive. The Permanent Secretary of Budget Office, Pastor Nicholas Ekarika, has advised the people of Obot Akara to shun indolence and laziness, instead they should be productive in order to contribute to the development of the Local Government and the State. Pastor Ekarika gave the advice when the executive members of South-South Consolidated Forum, Obot Akara Chapter visited him in his office. The Permanent Secretary charged the people not to engage in thugery, kidnapping and other societal vices as these are capable of destroying them. The Chairman South-south Consolidated Forum, Obot Akara Chapter, Mr. Cletus Ukpong, said the visit was to intimate the Permanent Secretary who is an indigene of Obot Akara of the existence of the group and called for his support to enable them achieve their aims. Mr. Ukpong said one of the objectives of the group is to unite the people of Obot Akara to work for the good of all. The Secretary of the Forum, Comrade Godsday Umoette, thanked Gov. Akpabio for appointing Pastor Ekarika as the Head of Budget and noted that he has brought innovations to budget processing in the State. Mr. Ukpong noted that South-south consolidated forum is a socio- cultural organization with the aim to become a collective voice of the South- south people and attract development to the area through dialogue and consultation. The members of the forum presented Yogurt drink manufactured by an indigene of Obot Akara and a member of the group to the Permanent Secretary.

Ukanafun Councilor goes to Constituents with Gifts Items and Performance Score Card. The Councilor representing ward 8 in Ukanafun Local Government Area, Miss. Akaninyene Ime Tom, has held her maiden constituency briefing described by the people of the area as unprecedented. At the briefing which took place at her country home in Ikot Essien, the Councilor doled out various gift items and cash worth about a million naira to the people. Miss Akaninyene Tom, who is said to be the first female elected councilor in the area and also the Deputy Leader of Ukanafun Legislative Council stated that it was important to return to her people to thank them for their support during the last councillorship election which saw her emergence as councilor. She said it was incumbent upon her to organize such a forum in order to intimate the people of her activities in the council as well as present her score card for the people to reappraise her representation so far. The Councilor who is also a political science student of the University of Uyo mentioned some empowerment projects she has executed to include award of scholarship and sponsorship of vocational training to some indigenes in the area. Miss Tom acknowledged the contributions of some political stake holders in Ukanafun towards her advancement and promised never to disappoint them. She particularly expressed her gratitude to the State Commissioner for Lands and Town Planning, Obong Eno Akpan, whom she described as a dependable and God fearing personality. The State Commissioner for Lands and Town Planning, Obong Eno Akpan, said he was thrilled by the magnitude of such gesture shown to the people by Miss Akaninyene Tom which according to him was worth emulating. He described the Councilor’s representation at the Local Government Council as exemplary and pace setting. Obong Akpan used the occasion to sensitize the people on the need to participate fully in the voter’s registration exercise expected to take place in the State later in the year. The Commissioner called on the people to cue behind the aspiration of Chief Godswill Akpabio for Ikot Ekpene Senatorial seat as well as the zoning of the Governorship seat to Eket Senatorial District in 2015. The Chairman of the event and one time Vice Chairman of Ukanafun Local Government Area, Mr. Aniefiok Mfioko, paid glowing tributes to Miss Akaninyene Tom for what he called effective representation in the face of challenges in the council. He commended her for steps so far taken to alleviate the sufferings of the people. Among items donated to the people by Miss Akaninyene Tom were five motorcycles, two hair dryers, two generators, three sewing machines and wrappers which were all distributed to selected beneficiaries from the ward. She also gave cash of N100, 000 to the Chairman, Akaninyene Tom Campaign Organization, and N10, 000 to each person from each of the ten villages of the ward. The Village Head of Ikot Essien, Ete Idung Ubokudom Ekeke, ward 8 PDP and a good friend of the Councilor from Rivers State also benefitted from the cash donation of N20, 000 each. Two beneficiaries Ofonime Mfioko and Miss Aniema Isaiah expressed appreciation to the Councilor whom they described as God sent. The event saw a large turnout of people including prominent indigenes of the area, political stake holders, traditional rulers, youths, women and parents of the Councilor, Mr. and Mrs. Ime Tom. Highpoint of the event was the installation of Miss Akaninyene Tom as the Unwana Ikot Essien, and presentation of an excellence award to her as the best Councilor in Ukanafun Local Government by two youth groups in the area.

PDP appoints Mu’azu as New Party Chairman. The Peoples Democratic Party led by President Goodluck Jonathan has appointed a former Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, as its new party chairman. Mu’azu is to replace the former chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, whose resignation was announced by President Goodluck Jonathan. According to Newsmen, Mu’azu was said to have been selected as the consensus candidate after the meeting between President Goodluck Jonathan and the governors of the party at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, yesterday. At the meeting which was reported to have ended at 1:22 am this morning, it was revealed that majority of the governors in attendance had rejected the choice of Mohammed Wakil by the President, lamenting on his alleged inability to carry people along when he was a principal officer of the House.

Fans, Ekweremadu Hail Super Eagles’ Victory Over Bafana Bafana. A cross-section of Abuja-based football fans on Sunday described the Super Eagles’ defeat of South Africa’s Bafana Bafana at the ongoing Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) as commendable. Also the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, on Sunday in Abuja congratulated the Super Eagles over their 3-1 victory over hosts South Africa in Cape Town. The win helped the Nigerian side to book a quarter-final ticket at the ongoing 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in South Africa. A statement signed by Ekweremadu’s Special Adviser on Media, Uche Anichukwu, said the Deputy Senate President hailed the team as showcasing the “typical Nigerian Spirit’’. The statement also quoted Ekweremadu as saying the team showed “great improvement’’ and deserved the victory. “I am indeed proud of the Super Eagles which we saw today (Sunday), for showing resurgence, character, a high sense of patriotism and indeed that entertaining football that stands the nation’s football out,” it quoted him as saying. The statement said the Deputy Senate President then urged for prayers and support for the team, and also enjoined the Eagles to “build on their current form and go all out to clinch the trophy’’. The fans expressed joy at the victory, with some of them saying they were sure the Eagles would go all the way to the final.

President Jonathan Approves Lagos National Stadium Concession. President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the concession of the National Stadium in Lagos. The approval was granted last week, according to the Ministry of Sports/National Sports Commission (NSC). A statement from the Ministry of Sports yesterday, said with the approval, the Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, will constitute the Project Steering Committee and the Project Delivery Committee, which will liaise with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) to draw up modalities for the concessioning. The Federal Executive Council had in September 2012 set up a Committee to look into the mode of maintenance of federal stadia and to develop a sustainable funding framework for sports in general. That Committee in turn set up a Technical Sub-Committee, which in collaboration with the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) and the ICRC recommended the most viable option for the maintenance of the six federal stadia. The technical sub-committee recommended the involvement of private sector participation in the management and operation of the stadia with concessioning as the preferred and most sustainable approach. It also recommended that the concession of the federal stadia should start with National Stadium, Lagos. The statement said further announcements concerning the commencement of the process would be made soon.

WHO Certifies Nigeria Guinea Worm Free. The World Health Organization has officially certified Nigeria as a Guinea Worm-Free Country, the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu said in Abuja on Wednesday. Chukwu disclosed this while presenting the WHO certificate of clean bill of health to President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House. The ceremony was held during the first Federal Executive Council meeting in 2014, which was presided over by the President at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa. Chukwu said that sequel to the alarming rate of guinea worm disease in the country the Nigeria Guinea Worm Eradication Programme was established in 1988. He said that with the efforts of the NIDEP, the country recorded its last case of guinea worm disease in November 2008. The Minister, who spoke shortly before handing the certificate to the President, said that over 900 GWD rumour reports was received and investigated nationwide. He, however, said that none of the cases was found to be guinea worm disease. Responding, Jonathan said that it was a milestone attainment which coincided with the period ‘’the country marks its centenary’’. He said the achievement further attested to government`s efforts at ensuring that the country was rid of all kinds of endemic diseases. “The certification by WHO is a global recognition of how far we have come and the success of the work that has been done to rid our nation of this scourge. “Eradication of guinea worm disease that has long plagued many parts of our country has placed interminable burden on our citizens. ‘’As a government, we have been working very hard and today we have received the good news,’’ he said. Jonathan said that a lot had also been achieved on wild polio eradication. He said government would double its efforts to also attain the status of a wild polio free nation. ‘’Just as we have fought the incidence of guinea worm and succeeded so are we committed in our fight against HIV and AIDS and many endemic diseases such as Malaria, Tuberculosis and, of course, polio. “While polio is yet to be eliminated in our country, we have seen the impressive results in the control of wild polio virus Type 3 transmissions. “We are hopeful that transmission of wild polio will be interrupted this year, at least before the end of the year,’’ the president said.

Fresh Strike in Health Sector as Workers Mobilize for Warning Strike. Fresh strike appears to be looming in the Nigerian Health Sector as the health workers plan to embark on a warning strike this week. The Chairperson, Joint Health Workers Union, Johesu Ayuba Waba, said the union will begin a three day warning strike on January 23rd, 2014. Mr. Waba who spoke in Abuja noted that the strike is for government to fully and unconditionally implement all agreements it signed with the union whose members include labouratory technicians, pharmacists and other health workers outside doctors. The Chairperson also directed the members to proceed on the strike on the day in question saying that the notice has been dispatched to all unions and associations. Mr. Waba said the strike was being embarked upon owing to the none implementation of National Industrial Court order. He said that government has failed to address the issue of cancelling of consultancy appointments for its members as ordered by the court. Mr. Waba made it clear that the union would not call off the strike until all agreements made with government since May 2010 to date were implemented unconditionally. The strike announcements by the health workers is reminiscent of the happening that characterized Nigeria’s health sector in 2013 that led to strikes by Association of Resident Doctors and the Nigerian Medical Association at different times of the year. The doctors recently suspended a nationwide strike planned early January.

NAFDAC Disowns Online Recruitments; Says it is a Scam. Following an online recruitment site offering job placement from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the agency has dissociated itself from the scam calling on unsuspecting members of the public to be aware. The Chairman of the Agency’s Governing Council, Mr. John Ibu maintained that the agency was neither recruiting nor mandating anybody or organization to do so on its behalf. The site, ‘’topics.net’’ advertise recruitment forms into the agency along with links and phone number for calls.  He said that the site was manned by con men posing as consultants and recruitment agencies for NAFDAC. The agency is the second government service after Civil Defense Corps and Immigrations to admit to employment scam done in its name. Meanwhile a call placed to the site was answered by one Paul who claims to be based in Lagos and said the service charged N5, 500 per form for BSc job seekers. He said the forms would be sent to a private e- mail to be filled and returned.

“I Have No Regret Over Single Tenure” –President Goodluck Jonathan. President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria yesterday said he has no regrets over his proposal for a single tenure for the President and Governors. He reiterated that he was in support of a single term of seven years and expressed his displeasure at critics for politicizing the issue even though it had not yet been presented to the National Assembly. He emphasized that a single term of seven years will help reduce the cost associated with elections and reduce the unrest associated with elections. According to him, “the issue is that in Africa, elections create social unrest and we need to manage this. Look at election that was conducted in this country that both local and foreign observers agreed that the elections were credible and still there was crisis in some of the states”. He continued: “I have no regrets. Transformation is costly, transformation is painful. The issue of single tenure is to stabilize the polity. A country cannot be stabilized economically without first and foremost stabilizing the polity. We must stabilize the political environment before you can talk about the economy. It is very easy to say all your problem is caused by corruption, corruption is there, and we must all fight corruption. From 1960 to date, Nigeria has not been under steady political environment. Some people are not too sure of what will happen the next day because the long history of military rule has affected the polity. We had succeeded in installing Obasanjo as the president once; Yar’Adua had been president and now I before another election. We can say that this democracy has come to stay.” President Jonathan made this comment during his first media chat which occurred yesterday.

FG to Upgrade Power Transmission Network With N240bn. The Federal Government on Sunday said it had mobilized (N240bn) from various sources for the upgrade of power transmission network in 2014 and beyond. The government also stated that it would set up a development financial institution to provide medium and long term financing for industrialists and entrepreneurs. The Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, confirmed this development plans for the 2014 fiscal year. A copy of the plan was made available to journalists on Sunday night in Abuja. She said the financing was part of the efforts to ensure clear and sustainable benefits of the power sector privatization programme to the country. The minister said, “Power transmission remains with the Federal Government, with the management outsourced to the Manitoba Hydro Company. “$1.5bn in financing from various sources has been mobilized for investment and upgrade of the transmission network in 2014 and beyond. “On the development financial institution, she said the need for its establishments became imperative since lack of access to affordable medium to long term credit was one of the greatest problems facing Nigerian industrialists and entrepreneurs. To realize this project, the minister said the government was currently working with partners such as the World Bank, the Africa Development Bank, the BNDES Bank in Brazil, and KFW in Germany. Dr. Okonji Iweala also unveiled plans that the Bank of Agriculture and the Bank of Industry will be re-structured as specialized institutions to provide retail financing from this new wholesale development bank. The minister said the government would continue to implement job creation programmes, noting that supporting the creation of jobs by the private sector will continue to be a top priority in 2014.

FG to Ban Foreign Medical Trips to Curtail Capital Flight. The federal government is to ban public officers from traveling abroad for medical treatment, the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, told journalists in Abuja, yesterday. He said that the manner Nigerians travel abroad for medical treatment is not acceptable and that he is preparing a memo for the Federal Executive Council, FEC, which will stop public officers from wasting public funds on foreign medical trips. The only exception, according to him, will be a situation where the capacity to handle such a medical problem does not exist in Nigeria. “I am preparing a memo which will soon be presented to the council to stop public officers from foreign medical treatment”. The minister regretted that fraudulent slant has even been introduced into the issue of foreign medical trips whereby criminally minded doctors connive with foreign hospitals to rip-off Nigerian patients by referring such patients to those foreign hospitals and agree with such Nigerian doctors to be paid between 10-15 per cent of the medical bills as kickback. “The other reason why people go abroad is the one that is the most disturbing to me as Hon. Minister of Health. What is it? Some unscrupulous doctors and other health practitioners because of money being made to conspire with foreign practitioners. For instance, if Prof. Chukwu as a doctor refers you to some of these countries, 10 -15 per cent of whatever money you pay there comes back to me”.

Most Politicians Have No Business In Politics, Jonathan. President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said that over 50 per cent of politicians are not supposed to be in politics. He said most of them acted to become politicians because they lack any other thing to do. Jonathan made the observation in a short message he delivered during the first Sunday of the year held inside the presidential villa Abuja. The service also featured the thanksgiving by the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims commission for the success of the 2013 pilgrimage to Israel which the president participated in. Based on the observation, just as the Anglican church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Nicholas Oko, urged him not to give up but continue to persevere and to release the Nation to the Promised Land.  The president likened politics to professions, such as Nursing and Teaching which should ordinarily not accommodate wicked people. He however regretted that those under such categories have found their ways into the Nation’s politics.

N’Delta Ministry Trains 86 Indigenes in Farming. The Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs has trained 86 indigenes of the region in various aspects of agriculture as part of strategies meant to arrest criminality and restiveness in the oil-rich belt of the country. The beneficiaries were trained at Galilee International Institute, Israel, and Songhai Integrated Farms, Porto-Novo, Republic of Benin, in many areas of farming, especially in poultry and fishery. Already, the ministry has doled out N750, 000 to each of the beneficiaries, drawn from all the states in the Niger Delta region.

Turkey Supports Nigerian Entrepreneurs With N594 Billion Loan. The government of Turkey has set aside the sum of N594 (€2billion) as loans for Nigerian entrepreneurs to facilitate trade relations between both economies. Executive Chairman of the Nigeria-Turkey Chamber of Commerce and Industry, (NTCCI), Dr. Eze Eche Hyacinth, who dropped this hint over the weekend in Abuja, also disclosed that the loan would attract a single digit interest rate of 3.4 per cent for individual entrepreneurs. Hyacinth said the loan could be accessed from the EXIM Bank of Turkey through the Guaranty Trust Bank, Stanbic IBTC Bank and Access Bank Nigeria Plc in Nigeria. The NTCCI boss, who regretted that about €400million budgeted for similar assistance last year was not accessed by any Nigerian, assured that the chamber would intensify efforts to raise more awareness on the offer this year. Hyacinth further explained that the loan was targeted at bolstering the nation's economy in the areas of agriculture, mining, machinery, and infrastructure. He informed that a business plan that must involve Turkish technical partners for guidance and easy assessment was one of the prerequisites for assessing the loan which has a 10 -year repayment timeline. According to him, the chamber has been collaborating with the Economic Desk of the Nigerian Embassy in Turkey to promote investment and trade relations between both countries. While also disclosing that the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, would lead a team of experts and stakeholders to the Nigeria- Turkey business forum slated for Ankara in Turkey from March 23 to 29, Eche said that the chamber was ready to provide institutional framework meant to increase investment and trade relations between both countries, adding that the forum would provide a platform for excellent business networking and new business contacts with investors, among others. He said: "Activities lined up for this event are aimed at promoting private sector interactions and enhancement of investment contents of economic relations between Nigeria and Turkey for the benefit of both countries”. Again, they are for the realization of our mutual drive for the expansion of the scope of economic interactions, particularly the investment contents of economic relations between both countries," he explained. He said the week-long forum, also involves the Konyan Chamber of Industry; Independent industrialists and businessmen association, MUSIAD; All industrialists and businessmen association, TUMSIAD; Small and Medium Scale Industrial Development Agency, KOSGEB, all of Turkey.

Bafana-Bafana Coach Applauds Super Eagles For Their Win. The head coach of Bafana-Bafana, Gordon Igesund, on Sunday in Cape Town said the Super Eagles deserved their 3-1 win against his team. The coach said at the post-match news conference that “the Nigerian side not only brought their physical approach to bear on my team, but did the needful to win the pulsating encounter’’. The win by the Eagles was in their final Group A match at the ongoing 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in South Africa. Home Based Super Eagles training for the African Nations Championship (CHAN 2014) in Abuja started on Monday 6th January 2014. The Team Departed from Abuja on Tuesday for the Championship Starting From January 11th in South Africa. The win meant hosts South Africa exited the championship with four points from three matches, after Mali topped the group with seven points and Nigeria came second with six points. Igesund also said he felt satisfied with the work he had been doing with the Bafana Bafana team. He added that he was not in any way placed under pressure by the threat of a sack by the South African Football Authorities, SAFA. Meanwhile, Stephen Keshi, the Super Eagles coach, hailed the performance put up by his team’s goalkeeper, Chigozie Agbim. “It was a man-of-the-match performance he put in for the team,’’ he said. Keshi said the goalkeeper had learnt from his previous mistakes and made amends in the keenly-contested match against the hard-fighting South Africans. “We all make mistakes and I believe that Agbim has learnt from his past mistakes, and I want to also commend all the players for putting up a good performance in the match” he said.