Gov. Akpabio Says No Conspiracy Can Stop PDP In 2015. Akwa Ibom State Governor and Chairman of PDP Governors' Forum, His Excellency, Sir (Dr.) Godswill Obot Akpabio (CON) JP, says no amount of conspiracy would stop PDP from winning 2015 general elections at all levels. Akpabio stated this on Saturday in Sokoto State during the official reception of Alhaji Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa and his supporters from All Progressives Congress (APC) to People's Democratic Party (PDP) at the Shehu Kangiwa Square in Sokoto State capital. Speaking for PDP Governors, Governor Akpabio described Bafarawa’s defection as the right step in the right direction, saying that his decision mean well for the people of Sokoto State. Akpabio who maintained that despite distraction in the party, PDP remained strong and focused, thanked Nigerians especially the Sokoto people for believing and keeping faith with the party, assuring that PDP Governors would give him overwhelming support. Responding, Bafarawa said he defected to PDP following the decision of his supporters and promised to deliver Sokoto State to PDP at all levels during the 2015 general elections. Bafarawa said he joined the party based on the principle of building democracy in the Country, and promised to mobilise party faithful to work to ensure the success of the party in the state, saying that Sokoto is the only state in Nigeria that is presently administered by a Governor/Deputy Governor leadership from different political platforms. The National Chairman of People's Democratic Party, Alhaji Ahmed Adamu Mu'azu in his remarks explained that the chieftains of the party after due consultation with the party stakeholders will come up with policies and programmes to reposition the party for excellent service delivery. Alhaji Mu'azu who described PDP as a winning party pledged to sustain the achievements of PDP which are tangible all over the nation. Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan has assured Nigerians that People's Democratic Party is the party that would lead Nigeria to greatness. Jonathan, who made the remark Saturday during a one- day working visit to Sokoto State and official reception of Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa and his supporters who defected from APC to PDP, expressed admiration for the large turn-out of people particularly PDP stakeholders in Sokoto for choosing the right leaders to move the state forward. He stressed that the party is strong and united despite some leadership changes, and assured that PDP which is symbol of democracy is poised to giving good leadership to Nigeria and providing dividends of democracy for the transformation of the country. The President assured the people of the state that with Bafarawa and Deputy Governor, Alhaji Mukhtari Shehu Shagari in the PDP, there was hope for more development in Sokoto. Those at the occasion were Vice President Namadi Sambo; Senate President David Mark, Governors Liyel Imoke of Cross River; Godswill Akpabio, Akwa Ibom; Seriake Dickson, Bayelsa; Ibrahim Shehu Shema, Katsina; Babangida Aliyu, Niger; former Governors Ibrahim Shekarau of Kano and Mahmuda Shinkafi of Zamfara States; PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu'azu and one-time Minister of Aviation, Kema Chikwe, among others.

Development Initiative of Gov. Akpabio Hailed by Obio Akpa Community. The Akwa Ibom State Governor, His Excellency, Sir (Dr.) Godswill Obot Akpabio (CON) JP, has been hailed for his infrastructural development at the Obio Akpa Campus of the Akwa Ibom State University. The commendation was made at the end of meeting of the executives at the conference room of the Obio Akpa Campus. In A communiqué signed by thirteen Royal Fathers made up of Clan and Village Heads and the community religious coordinator, Obio Akpa Campus, pledged their total, unalloyed support and loyalty to the Governor. They formally declared their support for Governor Godswill Akpabio’s senatorial ambition come 2015 and promised to pray continually for Chief Akpabio’s success at the polls. The communiqué signed by Chief Elijah Sampson Udo, Village Head of Afaha Ikot Akpan Idem and Chairman Land Donor Committee- Obong Christian Essien, Clan Head of Obio Akpa- Obong Sunday Akpan, and the Clan Head of Ndot. Other signatories to the communiqué are Obong Uwem Uyosin Akpan- Clan Head Northern Ukanafun, Chief Samuel Okon Essien- Village Head Ata Obio Akpa and Prince Aniefiok Wilson Odio- Community Religious Coordinator Obio Akpa Campus. Others include: Chief Ukpeh Okorie Akpan- Village Head Obio Ibiok Nkarika, Chief Okon Udo Ereka- Village Head of Ukanafun Ikot Ekpa, Chief Isaiah Akpan Umanah- Village Head Afaha Ikot Akwa, Chief Augustine Akpan- Village Head Ndot Ikot Ukpong Eto, Chief Aniefiok Okon Udo- Secretary Land Donor Community, Chief Emmanuel Udofa- Acting Village Head of Afaha Obo 1 and Prince Etetim Johnson Udo- Chairman Ikot Idem Village Council. The Obio Akpa Campus Chiefs appreciated the pragmatic leadership of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. S. W. Peters, Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration and Head of Obio Akpa Campus- Prof. Nyoyoko for their tireless efforts towards the development of the campus.

AKS Deputy Gov. Conferred with Eka Esit Ima Ukpum Minya Title. The Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor, Her Honour, Noble Lady Valerie Ebe, was conferred with a chieftaincy title, of Eka Esit Ima Ukpum Minya last Saturday by the just installed Clan Head of Ukpum Minya, His Royal Highness Etebom Archibong Umanah. Speaking, Lady Ebe, who was accorded the honour in recognition of her contributions to the development of the area said she was delighted over the honour which she observed would spur her to do more for the people. Lady Ebe used the occasion to commend the Traditional Rulers in the State for their role in maintaining peace in Akwa Ibom State. The Deputy Governor informed the people that the Governor, His Excellency, Sir (Dr.) Godswill Obot Akpabio (CON) JP, had decided to make the Eket Senatorial District produce the next Governor and so invited the Traditional Rulers to educate the people on the need to support the Governor to enable the State produce a good successor. Others who were honoured by the clan head included, the Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government– Mr. Udom Emmanuel, who represented Governor Akpabio at the event, Senator Helen Esuene, the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly- Elder Sam Ikon, Barr. Ekong Sampson and the Managing Director of Amadu Services Limited, Chief Amaunam Okodi among others. The event which was organized by the Ukpum Minya Clan Union and Chaired by Edidem Okon Udo featured the coronation of the Clan Head of Ukpum Minya Clan, Etebom Archibong Umanah. The coronation was done by the Paramount Ruler of Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, Edidem Akpan Ekpene, who called on indigenes of the area to give the new Clan Head the necessary support, to enable him succeed.

Assembly Man Condemns Threat by Opposition to Stall Governance at The National Level. The member representing Oron/ Udung Uko State constituency, Chief Jerome Isangedighi has condemned threats by the opposition to stall governance. Reacting to the directive by the leadership of the All Progressive Congress (APC) to its National Assembly members to drop all executive bills, as a way to call in the federal government’s attention to the crisis in Rivers State, the State Law Maker said although constructive criticism was good for democracy; it is dangerous when an opposition part seems to be confrontational in the name of drawing attention to issues. Chief Isangedighi, who is also the Chairman, House Committee on Industries Commerce and Tourism said the nation’s budget is like a life wire and is not to be toyed with. Chief Isangedighi who heads Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Adhoc Committee on sustainable development stressed that Nigeria can only progress and assume its proper place in the committee of nations when there is peace and stability, stating that Nigeria is bigger than partisan considerations.

Law Maker Says No PDP Senator Has Defected to Another Party. Contrary to speculations, no Senator on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has on the floor of the Senate defected to any other political party. The Senator representing Uyo Senatorial District, Senator Ita Enang, made this known in Uyo when he interacted with youth leaders of Uyo Senatorial district. Senator Ita Enang said that all the elected PDP Senators were still occupying their seats in the senate because according to him, no other political party has contested nor won their seats. Senator Enang explained that any elected officer who wished to defect from one political party to another must in the first instance seek the consent of the electorates at home before he could change his political party and re-contest for the seat. He assured the people that threats of defection have in no way affected the fortunes of the leading Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as well as the leadership of the senate. Chief Ita Enang used the forum to call on the youth leaders to continue to mobilize support for their subjects in the present State and Federal Government for continued peace and progress. Meanwhile youths of Uyo Senatorial District have declared their support for Senator Ita Enang’s second term tenure in the senate. The youths made their declaration known when they paid a solidarity visit to the Senator at his residence in Uyo. They said their position was informed by the Senator’s performance which they described as impressive. The youths coordinated by Mr. Daniel Bassey also pledged support for President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election and the State Governor’s zoning to Eket Senatorial District in 2015.

Notice of 3 Days Workshop for Registry Staff in the Civil Service. The office of the Head of Civil Service in collaboration with Alston Management Consortium is organizing a 3-day workshop on attitude to work for registry staff in various ministries, departments, and agencies of government. The workshop is built to begin today being the 11th to Thursday 13th of February 2014. A statement from the office of the Head of Civil service, says that the workshop which will hold at the Governor’s Office Annex from 9 am each day shall be declared open by the head of civil service Mrs. Cecilia Udoessien today 11th February 2014, by 10am. The statement advised all newly nominated participants to come to the workshop without failure, as they are expected to report at the office by 8.30am each day for registration formalities.

AKSG to Give Adequate Support to Cycling Sports. The deputy director of Sports in the state, Mr. Lawrence Iquaibom, says the State Sports Council will not turn its back on giving adequate support to cycling sports in the state. Mr. Iquaibom said this during an interview with sports reporters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, during the 9th edition of the Garden City Cycling Championship held in Rivers State last weekend. He expressed his happiness on the performance of the state athletes in the championship as it is a good build up towards the forth coming national sports festival in Calabar, Cross River State. Meanwhile, the people who won the first and second position in women’s veteran category were Elizabeth Ikechukwu and Patience Okon, while Daniel Edem was placed 3rd in the junior category.

Ayang Friendship Cup Soccer Fiesta to Begin on Friday. A soccer fiesta tagged Ayang friendship Cup initiated by the member representing Eket in the State House of Assembly, Mr. Ayang Akanimoh Ayang will begin on Friday. Speaking in Uyo, Mr. Ayang stated that the decision to put together the tournament was in fulfillment of the demand for sporting activities in the constituency. He said the soccer competition will not only harness talents but will promote unity among the youths of the area. Mr. Ayang stated that arrangements have been concluded for the team briefing and unveiling of the trophy and presentation of sport kits for 11 teams from the 11 wards in Eket tomorrow 12th February 2014. He said the event built for 10am will take place at his constituency office at Grace Bill Road Eket. According to the lawmaker, the commissioner for Youths and sports Mr. Monday Uko, soccer legends including; Aniedi Dickson, Isong Isang, James Etukebe, Moses Effiong, Charles Bassey and the auditor General for local Governments Pastor Umoh Bassey are expected at the pre-tournament events. An event consultant Mr. Victor Udofa indicates that the opening match will be played at Eket sports stadium, on Friday Feb. 14th 2014 between Dolfin waves of Okon 2 and the Bees of Urban1. The release has it that the speaker of the state house of assembly Elder Sam Ikon will take the kickoff while other Lawmakers and prominent citizens in the state will watch the match.

2014 Batch (A) Corps Members to Pass Out on Thursday. Members of the 2013 batch A of the NYSC serving in Akwa Ibom will on Thursday 13th Feb, 2014 round off their service year in the State with a grand passing out ceremony. The events will be presided over by the State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio. Meanwhile the outgoing corps members have stepped up parade rehearsals at the Uyo township stadium in readiness for the passing out ceremony.

1,000 Medical Practitioners Due in Akwa Ibom for Doctor’s Games. More than one thousand Medical Doctors drawn from the 36 State and the FCT are expected in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State Capital to take part in the eight Sports at the Maiden Nigerian Medical Doctors Games. The President of Nigeria Medical Association, Dr. Rosharon Enebulele, who confirmed this said the games will hold from 16th to 22nd Feb, 2014 in Uyo. He said participants will feature in football, tennis, table tennis, basketball, badminton, chess, scrabble and draft. Dr. Enebulele who said the competition would involve both male and female doctors were organized as part of their strategy to promote quality health care delivery in Nigeria.

2014 Bar Week of NBA Eket Branch Opens Tomorrow. The speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal is expected in Akwa Ibom on an official visit. While in the state Alhaji Aminu will deliver a key note address at the 2014 Bar week of the Nigerian Bar Association, Eket Branch opening tomorrow at the Villa Marina Hotel Eket within the week with a theme "Toward a Free and Fair General Election in 2015, Issue's and Chalenges" and will end on Friday 14 Febuary 2014. The state Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio will grace the event as the special guest of honour with the deputy governor, Noble Lady Valerie Ebe as guest of honour. A release by the chairman of the planning committee, Barr. Okon A. Okon and chairman publicity sub-committee Barr. Emmanuel Mkpor named the state chief Jugde, Justice Idongesit Ntem Isua, as the chairman of the occasion. The week will be formaly declayed open tomorow at the Villa Marina Hotel Eket by 10am.

UNIUYO: Screening Of Candidates into Post Graduate School Released. The University of Uyo has released dates for the screening of candidates for post graduate programs of the institution for 2013/2014 academic year. The schedule shows that on Monday February 17, candidates for the education faculty in the institute of education will be screened. On Tuesday 18th, faculty of social science and business administration, while post graduates for the faculties of Engineering, Art and science will be screened on Wednesday 19th February 2014. A statement signed by the Registrar of the University, Mrs. Edak Umondak, indicates that candidates in the faculties of Agriculture and Law will take their turn on Thursday 20th February, and those of the faculties of Pharmacy, Environmental studies and Basic medical sciences will appear for screening on Friday February 21. The statement says all the screening exercises will be done in the different departments of the programs applied for.

Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to Last for 50 Years, Says Minister. The Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen and Reynolds Construction Company’s (RCC’s) Chief Engineer, Nader Yusuf, have said the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway will last 50 years when completed. They spoke yesterday at the inspection of the road by the minister. Onolememen said the asphalt used for the building of the road was an improved material, which would give the road a 50-year lifespan despite the heavy traffic. He added: “We have found out that the bitumen we used on this road before was not good enough to withstand the heavy traffic. We have designed an operation and maintenance strategy, which will take off immediately after the construction of the road. It will run for 25 years. “The usage of the asphalt will end the damage done by heavy trucks and we will not witness the destruction done by heavy trucks on the road again, because they are not using bitumen for the rehabilitation. “The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Works and the ministry’s transaction adviser on infrastructure, has secured project amount initiative for the actualisation of the project. “This is besides the commitment of the Federal Government, which amounts to about N50 billion. The Private Finance Initiative (PFI), which is a way of funding critical infrastructure projects, is common in the United States of America and it is a novel funding mechanism in Nigeria, which is what we are implementing in the ministry. This is the first road, which will benefit from the PFI funding. What this means is that this road will be completed as scheduled. It will also be a model for our other projects.” Onolememen assured Nigerians that the road would not be concessioned to anybody. He said government had secured the N25 billion commitments for this year. The Works minister urged the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to be involved in the project, to ease traffic.

Aganga Praises Dangote Over Industrialization. Nigeria’s Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga has lauded the efforts of Dangote Group of Companies, for the infrastructures put in place to boost large scale industries and trade in the economic sector of the country. Speaking at Savannah Sugar Company, Savannah, near Numan, in Adamawa State, shortly after inspecting the company’s facilities he said, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has immensely contributed to the economic growth of the country for aligning with the ideals of the President Goodluck Jonathan's administration, saying that the Federal Government would continue to work with investors towards the promotion of trade and industries in Nigeria. The minister lauded the transformation drive of the Dangote Group in the promotion and growth of the Nigerian economy, and for the infrastructures of the Savannah Sugar Company, which has generated employment for millions of youths and women through direct and indirect employments. The minister expressed surprise at the level of the progress made by the company within a short period of time, believing that with the development the economy would continue to boom in Adamawa State in view of the employment opportunities for the people of the area in particular. He said, " I am delighted to say that Dangote Sugar Company is setting the pace in the industrialization of the country which entails their commitment in hiring senior hands" and that the achievement so made had surpassed the expectation of Nigerians. He said the Federal Government had created an enabling environment for foreign and Nigerian indigenous investors to invest in Nigeria as the country has the potentials to boost trade and industrialization. Aganga appealed to Dangote to continue to join hands with the Federal Government in impacting on the people through provision of employment opportunities to Nigerians while charging other privileged Nigerians to do same for the socio economic development and growth of the Nigerian economy. The Group Managing Director of Dangote Sugar, Mr Grahams Clark, said, Savannah Sugar Company had lived up to its bidding in the discharge of its social responsibility through building schools, housing estates and encouraging out growers scheme where a number of families were employed directly and indirectly.

Nigerian Banks Invest N750b in Power Sector, as AFDB Pledges $380m. Nigerian banks have invested about N750 billion in the power sector since its privatisation by the Federal Government, it was revealed yesterday. Representative of Nigerian Bankers, and Chief Executive Officer, Diamond Bank Plc, Alex Otti, who confirmed this at the 2014 Nigeria Power Sector Investors Conference in Abuja on Monday stated that the bankers invested their funds discretionarily based on the economic value of the enterprise. He said "we are ready to lend more. And the reasons we are told is that we can see that the business makes sense. And we can see that the government is committed to what it is saying." Moreover, the representative of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Mark Chavelo revealed that the bank would provide $380 million to improve private sector participation in the Nigerian power sector. He noted that the bank was also releasing $3 million to support private sector capacity development. Minister of Power ,Professor Chinedu Nebo, said the conference was to facilitate interaction between new investors and financial institutions to meet the funding needs of the Nigerian power sector which at the moment has a voracious appetite for investment. According to him, the forum would also provide opportunities for the clarification of government policies as they relate to power sector to facilitate financial investment in the sector. He spoke on the transmission and governance structure of the emerging electricity market, assuring that the nation’s transition is from a government monopoly to a structured and regulated private sector dominated market. “This market is one that is governed by contracts, regulations and a market where contractual obligations are honoured on a pre-agreed and transparent manner,” he stated. The minister said that as Nigerians await the declaration of the Electricity Transmission Market, the sector was not out of wood following transmission challenges and the vandalization of gas pipelines.

Minister Says 2015 Election Will Not Stop Investments. The Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, has called on investors to invest in the telecommunication sector and other key sectors of the economy in spite of fears that 2015 elections may affect their investments. Speaking at the 5th Annual Pan-African Investors Conference held in Lagos, she said the 2015 election can only raise the political tempo and not affect return on investment. She said the on-going reforms in the key sectors of the economy must be handled by whosoever wins the presidential election. Mrs. Omobola said investors should invest in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) which she said has been returning between 20 and 30% for the past nine years.

FG Sets Up Committee to Review Cement Quality Standard. The Federal government has set up a technical committee to review the quality of cement produced in the country. This is with a view to redefining the appropriate standard of cement to be produced in the country. Reacting to criticism that Standard Organization of Nigeria, SON has relaxed its earlier standard of 42.5 as minimum grade for cement used in the country to 32.5, the Director General of SON, Mr Joseph Odumodu, said that a committee was already at work to review the current standard and weigh the implication and impact of the removal of the 32.5 on the economy and price of cement in the country. He said that the committee started sitting in December urging that civil society groups should be part of the committee to see firsthand how the standards are set.
Nigeria Custom Service Impound Goods. The Federal Operations Unity Zone C of the Nigeria Custom Service has impounded a total of 2074 bales of second hand clothing and 24 bales of lace materials. The Area Comptroller of the Zone, Mr. Victor David said 2053 bales of the second-hand clothes were concealed with 45 cartons of honey well noodles in the Mark truck with registration number, PDC 504 worth about 26 million Naira. The items were deceitfully hidden in J5 bus with registration number AKI 501 AA on the Onitsha-Adoni Nsukka road. Two suspects were arrested in connection with the incident and are now held by the NCS Officials.

FG to Spend N1. 3 Trillion Naira on University Education in Six Years. The Federal Government is to invest N1.3trillion naira in University Education over the next Six years. The supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, announced this during a courtesy call on him, by a team from the World Bank and the African Center of Excellence (ACE). The Minister’s disclosure follow the statement made by the Academic Staff Union of Universitis (ASUU) to the effect that it might embark on another strike as the Federal Government was yet to release the Two Hundred and Twenty billion Naira to the Union. Wike said the Federal Government has realized the potential of an effective university system and therefore is determine to invest heavily in research, infrastructure, and improved quality of teaching in the University system.