Akwa Ibom Politics

2015 Guber: Bishop Akpan, AKHA Speaker in Secret Talk

2012-02-21T21:39:00.002-08:00

2015 Guber: Bishop Akpan, AKHA Speaker in Secret Talk
By Franklyn Isong

If speculations making the rounds in Akwa Ibom State at the weekend is anything to go by, then, the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Elder Sam Ikon, may contest the 2015 governorship poll as a running-mate to the State Deputy Chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bishop Sam Akpan.
An aide to Hon. Ikon who pleaded anonymity to this paper hinted that the speaker was presently engaging in some secret talks with the acclaimed founder of the Akwa Ibom Peoples Forum (AKPF) the political group that worked for the emergence of the governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio in 2007.
Our source said that the Speaker was still considering the possibility of the offer being accepted by Akwa Ibom people bearing in mind that he (Ikon) from Etinan Local Government Area, an Ibibio speaking area in Uyo senatorial district, may be difficult to sail through at the poll, noting that Ikon had sought for advise from some of his political associates in the state.
The source further confided that some ranking House of Assembly members, believed to be working for one of the top PDP governorship hopeful in the state who were monitoring the events as things unfold, have tried to dissuade the speaker from accepting the plum offer. They were said to be persuading him to channel his resources and support to either their candidate or a member of the House, who was said to have an eye on the Hilltop Mansion in 2015.
Weekly Insight made several efforts to contact the speaker on the speculation before press time but could not reach him because his telephone line was not connecting. But an elder of PDP in Etinan LGA, who claimed to be a member of his campaign team in the 2011 general election, who spoke with our reporter on strict anonymity said that the speaker could not be working to emerge a running mate to Bishop Akpan in 2015.
He noted that when Ikon adopted the immediate past council chairman of Etinan LGA, Hon. Kenneth Archibong, that it was done in the open. He disclosed that Elder Ikon was presently concerned with the business of the AKHA and that in 2015; he (Ikon) has told his supporters that he would seek for the Etinan Federal Constituency seat.
Meanwhile, a close political ally to Bishop Akpan who is also a founding member of the AKPF in the state, who spoke with this paper while requesting not to be mentioned, has dismissed the report as false, noting that the speculation was not in tandem with any good political calculation in a state like Akwa Ibom where there are different ethnic groups. He said that the erstwhile political Adviser to governor Akpabio was fully aware of the political configuration of the state and therefore cannot contemplate making the speaker his deputy. He, however, did not rule out the possibility of both politicians meeting to strengthen ties and work together in the pursuit of their individual interests in 2015.
He disclosed that the ONNA-born-politician was considering picking his running mate from Annang ethnic divide of the state (Ikot Ekpene senatorial district), noting that Akpan was also building a political structure for the actualization of Governor Akpabio’s senatorial ambition in the 2015 poll.

Girl 19, Strangles Her 3 weeks old baby, Dumps Her in Pit Toilet

2012-02-21T21:23:00.000-08:00

A 19-year old girl, Nsidebe Sunday Effiong, of Ikot Abasi Idem Village, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area, is currently cooling her heels at the Ikot Akpan Abia headquarters of the Akwa Ibom state police command for strangling to death her three weeks old baby and dumping her into a pit toilet. Nsidebe was among those paraded by the command last week in the present effort of the command to rid the state of criminal activities.
Nsidebe Effiong, told reporters at the premises of the police command that she dropped out of school in her Junior Secondary three, when she first had her first baby. She said hardship drove her into taking such a drastic action as it was becoming extremely impossible for her to take care of the baby all by herself. She said the man who was responsible for making her pregnant, a drinking salon operator in Ibesikpo had denied responsibility and abandoned her to her fate.
She narrated how she could not stand the rigours of taking care of herself and the baby, when her mother refused to accept them back to her house. She said she first had a baby previously, adding that her first baby was in the care of her mother. She said her situation of not getting proper care forced her to rent her own room, where all sorts of men come to have sex with her after, which she was paid some stipends.
She further informed crime reporters that she decided to take the life of the baby one morning, when she could no longer bear the hardship. She narrated how she wrapped a towel round the soft neck of the crying baby and snuffed life out of her. To conceal her act, she said she further wrapped her all over and sneaked into the pit toilet in the compound, where she quietly threw the dead baby.
In another development, the Akwa Ibom state police command also paraded three men accused of conning innocent citizens of millions of naira posing as representatives of a firm of Marine Engineers and contractors to Exxon Mobil. The suspects paraded for the crime, David Peter John, Ekpo Udo alias Engr Kingsley and David Iwara and Godson Okedu, were said to have fraudulently duped one Fidelia Onyeachelem of the sum of one million naira under the guise of delivering ten trucks of premium motor spirit PMS to her.
Also paraded by the police include, two men arrested for impersonating police officers. One Bassey Eyong, was arrested for posing as a Deputy Superintendent of police. He was arrested with a fake plastic police ID card, while extorting money from unsuspecting members of the public. Another young man, Patience Effiong Idiong was also arrested at the plaza area of Uyo, extorting money from motorists while parading as a police constable.
In his press statement, the state commissioner of police, Mr. Solomon Arase, thanked members of the public for proffering information leading to the various breakthroughs so far recorded by his command. He said that security was the duty of all well meaning citizens, because the criminal operates among people. He enjoined members of the public to always report suspicious movements and persons to law enforcement agencies, promising to keep up the heat against criminalities in the state.
He promised that his command was committed to ensuring that the state remained free of criminal elements. He said that all those arrested would be prosecuted as soon as investigations into their crimes are fully completed.

The Nigerian challenge…

2012-02-21T21:19:00.002-08:00

The Nigerian challenge…
By Paul Inyang

A few days ago someone put out a map of Nigeria with all the permutations for a divided Nigeria. I counted by their estimation seven different countries products of their considerations. I then took my scalpel and went to work on the Nigerian map and had so many configurations that it seemed like madness. One thing was clear with the exercise that it was somewhat frustrating and filled with anguish at the reality of such break up. If someone had asked me if this would was possible a year ago, I would quickly have asked them what it is they were smoking. Nigerians have always flirted with the idea of a break up since the advent of Biafra. The truth has been that since that last incident Nigerian’s it seems have had very little tolerance for conflict and have been careful not to engage in any activities that would stir the pot enough to set the country on such a path. Even with the issues of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (M.E.N.D), it was not a consideration for many. That conflict was clear to most Nigerians who cared to listen—the utter disregard for the people of the Niger Delta and the collusion of government with the multi-nationals to totally devalue life and environment of the people. The Boko Harram assault has renewed the restlessness of Nigerians, to the point that people are uncharacteristically speaking up on the need to separate. This writer has come to believe that it is possible although not based on any conviction that it will or should happen.
In the 52 year history of Nigeria’s existence we have gone from four provinces (Northern, Western, Eastern and Midwestern provinces) of the 60’s to 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja of today. These are significant changes for a relatively young country like ours. Many may dispute the youth of the country but in all fairness, when compared to other nation Nigeria is a relatively young country. The great impetus for more configurations started with the military decree during General Gowon’s era to create the initial 12 states. Consequently, there was and continues to be a clamor for more states. The premise has been three prong in this writer’s opinion. The first factor is geographical—the need to cluster people according to their physical locations while taking into account historical and cultural relationships. The other is the grouping of folks according to their, ethnic affiliations’ to achieve greater homogeneity, with the hope that with assumed affinity they will be able to live and work together. Finally, the belief that as the country is divided into manageable pieces, insular interest will spur and bring greater development closer to the people.
The overall assessment of our national evolution based on the above principles has been positive for the most part. One can say that Nigeria has benefited from this arrangement and in many ways, we have created some buy-in on the need to remain together. For instance, the creation of Akwa Ibom State was and is still welcomed by all indigenes of the state. I can say that a lot of what we see as development today in Akwa Ibom would not have happened if the state was not created. This has spurred development within the state and has brought government closer to its people. It has also empowered citizen who until now felt marginalized within the Nigerian scheme by dominant groups in the country. The same can be said of other geographical areas of the country where people have begun to see themselves as thriving entities. As Nigeria is moving towards a representative government, citizens are beginning to understand that they count and can purposefully pursue beneficial goals and objectives. A good example is the resource control argument that occurred during President Obasanjo’s civilian regime, which led to the allocation of a measly 13% derivative in the sharing of oil resources to the states, which were previously managed and mismanaged by the central government. Prior to this the Federal Government was the sole beneficiary of the oil proceeds (rent and royalties) despite the recommended 17% by the National Political Reform Conference. Only a beginning—it further recognizes that the people who own the resource have a right to benefit from it and have a say in how those resources are managed.
There is also the unintended consequence of the partitioning of Nigeria, which appears to be the raising of expectations. If Nigeria functioned as most normal societies with patriotic zeal and the understanding that no matter what separates us we are headed in the same direction, then it would be a very good thing. There is also what this writer refers to as a minority complex—meaning that no one wants to be a minority. For obvious reasons the perception is that all minorities are persecuted and treated very unfairly. This has gone beyond minority resentment to—ethnicity, becoming a major issue and folks that saw themselves as brothers and sisters now have difficulty working and living together. The truth is that these folks have lived and done almost everything together in the past. They inter-married, schooled and fought political battles together, now there is an internal drive to differentiate themselves, brought on by some divisive forces. There is thrust to accentuate the superiority of one ethnic group over the other and in some places it has taken worrisome directions which have led to the unthinkable happening. It is natural to exercise self-determination but this driving force goes beyond such, providing motivation for revisionist to begin to redefine who they are at the expense of the truth. In Akwa Ibom for instance, ethnic groups are burgeoning daily, some conspicuous for first time. Little clans that in some cases do not constitute a village rename themselves—republics. Some groups have issued disclaimers implying that they are not of the so-called majority tribe. Some have gone as far calling the other “slaves” and “uncircumcised”. Is this a case of pride, arrogance or plain stupidity? How does this foster unity and sustainability among a people? No matter how many times we divide there will always be a majority and minority—it is how the world was created, with expected disparity. In every village some group likens their situation to that of minorities. We are one or the other by the sheer accident of birth, so what is the big deal? This writer opines that this has contributed the espousing of political concepts such as zoning and the recently introduced issue of indigenization, both polarizing issues.
We should realize that what matters is that we are able to create a niche for ourselves. The Jews in America for instance, understand that they are minorities but have never been preoccupied with this reality and have chosen through their business acumen, astute determination and acquisition of knowledge to control the financial sector and markets. Guess who one has to deal with when they need money for business? There are many examples to draw on including countries such Turkey which is a predominantly Muslim society with a complex mixture of other cultures and religion and has found a way to allow each to flourish and coexist with minimum conflicts. Each community should prioritize and decide what they can bring to the table collectively and individually and work at being great for the betterment of the larger Nigerian community. Sounds simplistic? Some of the best ideas are the simple and obvious ones.
If threatened one should defend themselves if possible to the last man. This is one of my many concerns about our country. We have so imbibed poorly the biblical principle of turn the other cheek that we have abdicated our responsibility to protect our communities within a united Nigeria. We misunderstand that principle completely. For that we have paid a very expensive price. This principle does not preclude that we defend ourselves or pursue appropriated channels to self-determination. Our first thought and action should not always be that of separation. The beauty of our country should be our diversity and we must learn to work together; disagree and settle our dispute amicably. If we separate prematurely, we “will live to fight another day”—our borders after all will be occupied by people who will pursue our demise.
All bright and intelligent people should aspire to be leaders irrespective of where they come from. There will never be a point when we will all have leaders who come from all of our communities, although we all should be able to share in governance. It presumes that if we have one of our own at the helm of affairs, then we will be better off. History has proven that this is not the case. There are too many different communities to accommodate, so the key is participation. Our leaders have never really had our interest at hand. The most that can happen is that they help themselves and their relatives and ignore the rest. All we need are leaders who care enough to change the course of history by doing for all and pursuing the common good—who cares where they come from? Most people would not, as long as we have an enabling functional environment to succeed. What else could be better?

Akwa Ibom communities confront Septa Energy over non-implementation of MOU

2012-02-21T21:18:00.002-08:00

By Assam Abia

Edo communities in Esit Eket , Akwa Ibom on Thursday resisted the unfair labour practices by Oil firms operating on their land disrupting construction activities at the Uquo Marginal oil fields over violations of existing agreements.
Over 1,000 persons occupied the entrance to the Central Gas Processing Facility under construction by Septa Energy to press home their grouse with perceived discriminatory labour practices against indigenes of the area.
The protesters carried placards comprised women youths and elders from Edo community sang songs amidst drumbeats urging the oil firm to honour its obligations on community development.
The women took over the gates and set up their cooking pots on fire while others carried symbolic cassava stick depicting poor yield as a result of oil and gas exploration and production.
The community representatives said that they were compelled to protest the non-compliance to the Memorandum of Understanding between the operators of the marginal oil field with them.
The protesters who demonstrated a high level of civility during the protest, carried play cards with inscriptions such as, “employ our qualified youths”, “Give women their 35% employment right”, ALCON, Employ our People”, “Respect the MOU” and “Give us infrastructure” among others.
They decried the non-employment of indigenes with qualified skill and education into management positions as agreed in the MOU signed between the Host Community and the Management Team.
Our correspondent who was at the scene reports that the protesters vowed not to vacate the entrance to the centre processing facility until the issues raised by them were being addressed by management of the company.
Speaking to the weekly insight on behalf of the women, Deaconess Grace Akpata, a women leader, said that their action was being aggravated by the failed talks with representative of the company in December 2011 after similar demonstration took place.
“These people think we are stupid. Can they do all these in other places? Just because we are peaceful, they take us for a ride. Imagine a C.L.O of this company being a non-indigene. We will not vacate this place (the gate) until they respect the M.O.U they signed with the community”, Akpata stated.
She said further that the company accepted to provide women of the Core Community with some empowerment and welfare package late last year, which they deliberately refused to oblige, adding that issues raised by them during the last demonstration have not been attended to by the company.
“We are peace loving people but we will no longer tolerate injustice, abuse and neglect meted on us for the sake of so called development”, she fumed.
Also speaking, Obongawan Hannah Edemidiong called on Septa Energy Company to call its servicing companies to order to avoid a future breakdown of industrial harmony now existing in the area.
She stated that the state government was involved in the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, which has now been abused by the company and wondered why Government agencies are not concerned in the lukewarm attitude of the company.
“It is very unfair and unacceptable for the company and its service companies to employ more than 85% of its working force outside the state when we have enough skilled manpower. Government should interfere and stop a possible breakdown of law and order in our peaceful communities”, Obongawan Edemidiong said.
Henry Ekong, Akwa Ibom Chapter Chairman of Association of Erectors, Riggers and Scaffolders of Nigeria said that the association opposed the violation of operational area quota.
“I am of Riggers erectors and scaffolders of Nigeria. We are a trade union today gathered here in the front of the central processing facility to express our grievances over what the companies the service operators are doing to the trade union.
“They are even bringing foreigners to do the jobs reserved for Nigerians under the labour Act and in total violation of expatriate quotas
“The MOU stipulated that our youths should partake fully up to 60 to 70 per cent of this project in the skilled and semi skilled categories of manpower but that is not happening.
“ And today we have discovered is that the youths are not represented up to 20 percent, we are not happy, we need a redress we need all head count of workers in the CPF, so that we know exactly who have been cleared by the community and who have not been cleared,” Ekong stated
Officials of ALCON, the construction firm handling the project could not be reached for comments as they were said to have withdrawn from the project site.
Construction Manager of ALCON, Mr. Flavio Grosso could not be reached as he switched off his mobile phones.
Chief Umoh Udobia, Chairman of Uquo Marginal Field Development Board said that officials of Septa Energy had prevailed on him to appeal to the crowd to maintain the peace as Management of the firm has agreed to meet with community representatives at a hotel in Eket.

Oron fishermen bemoan impact of Shell’s Bonga spill

2012-02-21T21:11:00.000-08:00

Famous Fishing Organisation (FFO), a fishing group in Oron, Akwa Ibom has described the recent Bonga oil spill as a setback to their occupation and marine environment.
Mr Johnson Harry Chairman of the group said in an interview in Oron on Friday that the oil spill had crippled fishing activities in Akwa Ibom.
Harry dismissed the views canvassed in certain quarters that the oil spill did not affect Akwa Ibom coastline saying that such views were unscientific.
He said that there ample evidence to prove impact on the Atlantic coastline in Akwa Ibom.
He said that the marine environment along the Atlantic coastline in Akwa Ibom was polluted by the spill and compelled members of FFO to suspend fishing.
“The Spill from Bonga oil field is a very big blow to us; the magnitude of the spill compelled us to leave the waters before the regulators instructed fishermen in the Niger Delta Region to stop every fishing related activity.
“Life has become difficult since we have not been earning income and our concern is that the impact of the spill left a lot of deposits along Akwa Ibom coastline which is yet to be cleaned up.
“We urge the National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency to prevail on Shell to clean up Akwa Ibom coastline of the traces of crude oil as well as offset the losses incurred by fishermen who were deprived of their income due to the spill,” Harry said.
He commended the Akwa Ibom government for visiting the coastal settlements to asses the plight of the fishermen affected by the oil spill.
He said that the visit of the state commissioner for Environment Mr. Enobong Uwah had restored the hope of fishermen that government was sensitive to their suffering.
Harry appealed to Akwa Ibom government to sustain its effort and compel shell to take responsibility for the damages suffered by Akwa Ibom fishermen in the December 20, 2011 oil spill.
Shell Nigeria Production and Exploration Company (SNEPCO), operator of the bonga field located about 120 kilometres from coastline reported that some 40,000 barrels of crude leaked into the Atlantic Ocean in the spill incident.
A statement from SNEPCO said the oil firm has reportedly completed the clean up of the spill which occurred 120 kilometres off the coastline and restarted production from the Bonga platform in January 2012.

Mbo State Constituency Tussle: Staff Indict INEC

2012-02-21T21:09:00.002-08:00

BY NDON ASIAN

More revelations was made on Friday February 17, 2012 at the Election Petition Tribunal hearing national and state Assembly petitions in Uyo, as the Electoral Officer (EO) for Mbo, Mr. Friday Iweka, admitted under cross examination that the election result was fraudulent. Mr. Iweka who holds a B.Sc in local government management was the person saddled with the responsibility of distributing election materials to ad hoc and field staff, and ensuring the smooth conduct of the election generally. He testified as INEC only witness in petition No. EPT/AKS/HA/17/2011 which Ann Etim Eyo (Mrs.) accuses INEC of falsifying result to favour PDP.
Before the electoral officer for Mbo was allowed to testify after entering the dock, the court had to resolve the controversy surrounding one of his names. The petitioner’s counsel had drawn the attention of the tribunal to the fact that the witness deposition bore the name Sunday Iweka instead of Friday Iweka as given by INEC witness No. 1 in the dock. Mr. Iweka explained that the deposition is actually his own but that the name was incorrectly written as Sunday. The tribunal took arguments on both side and ruled that he should testify. He thereafter adopted his statement before being cross examined.
When asked about the conduct of the elections he said it was peaceful. He was further asked to tell the tribunal if he saw or had report of violence during the election, he retorted that “by the grace of God that was the most peaceful election I ever conducted”. But when counsel to the petitioner questioned about what led to the cancellation of elections in three wards in Mbo, Mr. Iweka narrated that after voting, thugs disrupted counting and snatched ballot boxes in wards 1, 2 and 8. As a result, he said there was nothing to record. Consequently, elections were cancelled in those areas. He confessed that there was incident of similar nature in ward 4 & 5.
Surprisingly, Mr. Friday Iweka said he did not know the name of the winner of Mbo State Constituency elections which he oversaw. He could not also ascertain that the result sheets were neither stamped nor dated. He denied collusion between the PDP and INEC, but admitted that some people reported to him in writing, with pictures of themselves in torn cloths. He told tribunal that these people complained of not being allowed to observe, vote or participate in the election.
In what turned out to be an example of the accusation of fraud by most voters, and candidates who lost the elections, Mr. Iweka, confessed that only five political parties fielded candidates for the State House of Assembly election. The parties were ACN, PDP, LP, CPC and NRD. However, he admitted in evidence that APGA, ARP, ANPP and PPA additionally took part.
Weekly Insight’s investigation in 2011 indicated that the violence and wholesale falsification which marked election in Mbo were reflected in the cancellation of election in some wards, and the final result declared and entered in Form EC8-IE. Form EC8-IE is the declaration of result sheet in which the final result is entered.
In that form two parties which did not sponsor any candidate to participate in the State House elections in Mbo, ANPP and ARP were included in the final result and allocated names of candidate and votes. While ANPP was given 447 votes and a candidate, ARP got 3 votes. As if that was not enough, these parties which fielded no candidates also signed the result sheets against the general practice that only parties which candidate participated should sign.
Form EC8-IE was shown to Mr. Iweka who identified it as the declaration of result sheet. INEC did not object to it as tribunal admitted same and marked it as Exhibit D. INEC’s manual for electoral officers was also admitted as exhibit.
In the same vein, the list of party candidates submitted by the Labour Party (LP) on which platform the petitioner contested the election was admitted by the tribunal after overruling objection by the petitioner’s counsel on ground that the one tendered is certified while the one attached to the respondent’s reply was not. On the other hand, the CD sought to be tendered by INEC through its witness was rejected by the tribunal on the basis of the petitioner’s objection. Mr. Iweka had said that he hired the service of a video cameraman to keep record of his activities from the office of the units but he neither mentioned it in his deposition nor was it pleaded in INEC’s reply. The case was adjourned to March 1, 2012 for adoption of addresses.

Robbery Kingpins Arrested, Paraded in Calabar

2012-02-21T21:09:00.000-08:00

Robbery Kingpins Arrested, Paraded in Calabar
By Joseph Kingston, Calabar

It was indeed the end of the road for two persons suspected to be armed robbery kingpins who allegedly terrorized residents of Ugep in Yakurr and Obubra Local Government Areas as well as parts of Ebonyi State.
Parading the suspects at the weekend, the Cross River State Police Command said items recovered from them included over one million rounds of ammunition, locally made pistols, assorted riffles including AK47, G3, a 14 seat ‘Joy Long’ bus with the inscription Government of Anambra State and another vehicle belonging to the Cross River state government.
Their names were given as Chukwuka Umoke, from Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and Leonard Azubuike from Okporo in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State.
They were said to be among the notorious gang that operated in and killed about seven persons in Ugep penultimate week.
The robbery incident however led to the vandalisation of the Police Station by locals who accused the Police of failure to intervene when they (indigenes) foiled the gang’s attempt to rob First Bank of Nigeria Plc
Explaining the incident that led to the arrest, the Cross River State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Hogan Bassey said two members of the robbery gang were picked up in the Afikpo area of Ebonyi State through the combined security operations of both States.
Bassey, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, said some members of the robbery gang were killed during a gun duel with the police. He said an army sergeant attached to a military checkpoint around Amasiri/Afikpo junction in Ebonyi State was killed by the dare-devil robbers.
Also speaking, Mr. Fidelis Alor, officer-in-charge of the Robbery Unit in the Criminal Investigation Department, said the process of arrest was long, adding that most of the robbers lost their lives in the process.
“One of their gang members was shot at Ugep and they carried him like that during the process of their escape. They met various check points at Ebonyi State in three or four locations, where one of them testified he personally shot one army sergeant. Another policeman was also shot in Ebonyi State.
“These were the same set of robbers that terrorized Ugep in Yakurr Local Government of Cross River State. They came to Ugep on a Sunday, stayed in a hotel, surveyed the town on Monday and started the operation on Tuesday. We have not been able to bring together the number of casualties in that Ugep incident.
“They have confessed that they have participated in four different robbery incidents in Ondo, Lagos, Cross River and Imo States. Umoke confessed that in one of the robberies, they gave him N1.6m, and in another he got $1, 000, while in the third he sustained bullet wounds and that one native doctor in Port Harcourt treated him.
“They have said that their gang leader was one Henry and that their source of arms and ammunition is Niger Republic,”Alor, a DSP, maintained.
During interview, one of the suspects, Azubuike confirmed that he was responsible for the death of the army sergeant at a check point close to Amasiri/Afikpo in Ebonyi State.
”We were to go and rob a bank at Ugep but did not succeed because the resistance put up by the Police and some of the indigenes were beyond us, so, we found a way to escape.
“The man that introduced me to this business is Benjamin ‘China’.He called me to come and direct the driver to where he was because the driver was not conversant with the road. I did not actually know the arrangement; I am just a victim. I was only leading them when I discovered that they were shooting the military men, I was in a Toyota Sienna bus with another person leading the bus that the robbers were,” Azubuike said.

Ibibio Nation Stands Still for Okuibom IV

2012-02-21T21:07:00.001-08:00

-As AKHA Speaker, AKSG Officials, Ibibio Monarchs, Ors Storm Asan
BY FRANKLYN ISONG

Edidem Ime Dickson Umoette being presented as the Okuibom Ibibio IV at Asan Ibibio recently
Saturday, February 18, 2012 seemed to mark a new beginning for the people of Ibibio nation as nine paramount rulers of Ifim Ibom Ibibio, the Supreme Council of Ibibio Traditional Rulers, presented the paramount ruler of Etinan Local Government Area, Edidem Ime Dickson Umoette, as the Okuibom Ibibio IV and the traditional head of the race.
The occasion which took place at Asan Ibibio, the traditional shrine of Ibibio people was chaired by the chairman of the State Council of Chiefs and paramount ruler of Ibiono Ibom LGA, Okuku Ime Udousoro Inyang, had in attendance, the Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Sam Ikon and some members of the AKHA who were of Ibibio stock; past and present chairmen of local government councils, commissioners, aides of the state governor; Ntisong Ibibio III, Obong Essien Udo Ekidem and members of his group, the Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio; Dr. Okon Akpan Oku, and members of his Ibibio Elders Forum; Ibibio national Union lead by its deputy president-general, Hon. Ime Udo and several others.
In his opening remarks, the chairman of the event, Okuku Ime Udousoro Inyang, said that the event mark the beginning of a new era in Ibibio land as the race now know who is their king and Okuibom IV.
He noted that the fourth largest ethnic group was bigger than an individual, saying that the there were laid down procedure in selecting a traditional ruler for the people of Ibibio.
The Ibiono monarch condemned what he called threat by some unknown individuals to bomb Asan Ibibio in order to frighten the people not to attend the event.
He called on the state security agents to investigate those behind the threat with in order to unravel their real intention.
Okuku Inyang advised the new Okuibom to carry all the people of the race along and to see himself as the father of all Ibibio people.
While the leader of Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio, Ntisong Essien Ekidem said that with the presentation of Umoette to Ibibio people as the Okuibom IV, Ibibio people should unite and rally round him so that the ethnic group can speak in one voice.
Ekidem also condemned threat by some unknown individual to bomb Asan Ibibio during the event, noting that such a threat should be thoroughly investigated by the state security agents with view to bring those behind the action to justice.
The chairman of Ibibio Elders Forum, Dr. Okon Akpan Oku, thanked the paramount rulers for selecting a new king for the race in line with the constitution of Ifim Ibom Ibibio, saying that with the presentation, the people of the race could now have a focus.
Speakers after speaker extolled the sterling qualities of the Edidem Umoette.
He was presented to by the nine Ibibio Paramount Rulers of Ibiono Ibom, Uyo, Itu, Ini, Ikono, Uruan, Nsit Ibom and Etinan LGAs.
After the presentation, the paramount ruler of Itu who is also the Secretary-General Ifim Ibom Ibibio, Edidem Edet Akpan Inyang, read a resolution signed by the nine paramount rulers, saying that the choice of Umoette as the Okuibom IV was done after prayers to God for His guidance and several consultations by the royal fathers which took into consideration, the constitutional provisions of Ifim Ibom Ibibio with particular reference to Article VI(i)&(ii) which, according to him, dealt with selection of Okuibom based on the alphabetical rotation.
Speaking, Edidem Ime Dickson Umoette assured the people of his race that he would live up their expectation, saying that he has never lobbied for the stool but attributed his ascension to the Okuibom throne as the divine will of God.
He thanked his colleagues, the paramount rulers for finding him fit for the stool, promising that he would unite the people and said that he leadership would be a listening one.
He called for unity amongst his people and urged them to support the state governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, so that he (Akpabio) could deliver on the dividends of democracy to the people of the state.
The event was attended by several socio-cultural groups in the state, especially from Ibibio stock.

The Zambian Lesson

2012-02-21T21:06:00.003-08:00

The Zambian Lesson
By Ekanem Moses. 08027272651

The young dynamic Chipopollo of Zambia has taught all the big names in the round leather game, a big lesson. For Nigeria, it is given to us to learn a great lesson. We as the people have for a long time been living with the problem of believing in what we can’t achieve or do. Yet we have been deceiving ourselves and in extension deceive others.
I can remember those great names in football-during our secondary school days we usually hailed and regarded as our idol, today they are still underage while we become older than them. This wrong perception of attaining greatness has an adverse impact on entirely everything we are involved. It is this corrupt mentality that has polluted nearly all the sporting activities in the Glass House.
They are there meddling with the affairs of what is going on in the field without proffering solutions to their problems. Being in the glass house has so made them glassy with obsolete ideas of fielding overage players in each tournament. What will football supporters expect than being entertained in the field with doubled aged men who are a delight to behold as they run like clumsy pack of cards in the field?
I ceased being football enthusiast the day I nearly kicked the TV screen in our home, if not for my father who was available to raise a loud scream. Since then I learnt how to comport myself and control my overzealous enthusiasm for the round leather game. In other clime some beings commit suicide if their beloved team lost in a match. Football has serve as a unifying factor, it is the only time Muslims/Christians sit together in anticipation for their country team to deliver. It is during football match that everybody forgets where last was bombed, and which spot was declared dangerous zone.
When I had real love for the round leather game was when names like Christian Chukwu, Emmanuel Okala, Muda Lawal etc. were a household name. They made the game a delight; they cherished it, and sacrificed to make it worthwhile for their country first, before themselves, though most of them who are still alive may have been yet not forty. That is not the case, the case is they were committed to playing for their country, nothing but for their country; they were not taken by the fact that they will be ferried one day out of this country.
They were determined to give their country the best result and definitely saw the best themselves. Then footballers were focus and imaginative, even creative. I could remember how I was deeply in love with Segun Odegbami, who was christened the Mathematician, he was always on the touch line, and he was a wizard with ball on the field. I tried as much as possible to emulate him whenever I played. As at that time Nigeria’s football was always a delight to watch. Immediately we entered the era of anything goes, the game lost it glamour, the scintillating and tantalizing entertainment it used to offer gone.
The development made me unease and uncomfortable to write about soccer, after all what is there to write about, is it how Nigerians fans are becoming foreign fans, I developed cold attitude about football, coupled with the fact that I nearly damaged Dad’s Standing T.V Screen then. What is there to write about in our football, even the local content has not been what we used to have. Today there is no more Bendel insurance, stationery stores, Julius Berger, NEPA, Prison, even police team, most of these corporate bodies do not see the need to groom and encourage players any longer, may be for the fear of losing them after a short while to foreign clubs.
I refuse to write or partake in anything football, to avoid developing hypertension, even though football is a game I so much cherish, having been involved in it in my Junior secondary days until I had a fracture which crippled any desire to move higher, again the game since it has been monetizes in Nigeria context becomes a bundle of anything come, anything goes, with no more concentration, desire, and determination to give the Nation nothing but the best, the best as the Ivorien and the Zambian demonstrated in the final of the tournament.
How Zambian fought to claim their long lost victory. God decided to reward them and made them happy for losing much lives in 1993 airplane crash that claimed the entire nations National team. Those on field with youthful looking determined lads were ready to make their father land happy, not those who play to be seen if they are materials to be bought to foreign club. Nigeria’s Players should learn from the young Zambians, and have something to imbibe from them. It is insult to our mentality to be infected with being intoxicated with admiration of foreign club than ours.
This African mentality of preferring what is all foreign to ours; totally discourage me from having anymore affection for the game. What is wrong with our local content football style, we cannot be told, why all the talk about foreign coach and foreign player, we cannot be told, were Emmanuel Okala, Christian Chukwu, Atuegbu, Segun Odegbami not raise locally until they excelled and became legend in their time. Even if there was some white coach then, the success was not in them, but on our players who were united to give Nigeria nothing but the best, and it was the best they reaped as result, all through their era.
Unfortunately, since there have been a lot of boardroom politics in football, the game got exposed to corrupt practices. In fact everything about our sports went into total decay. We are completely disconnected from those areas of sport we used to make a landmark achievement. Completely gone grounded are sports like Boxing, Wrestling, athletic, all went into dispute due to many deficiency rocking each of the management of those bodies. It is these corruptions that now turn Nigerian football lovers to become Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool etc. fans. They promote their activities, encourage their player, their stickers, T-Shirts, Caps are worn everywhere in the country. The entire viewing centres in the country are hooked to the daily matches of these foreign clubs.
Where are we when it comes to sports development in this country, are we leaving things to blind chance or are we now being challenged by the performance of the young Zambians to think on how to give our game a good tonic it need to revive it, or are we still believing that we are the best while we are gradually being relegated to the background, which way Nigerian Sports Commission, are we still believing in indulging in corrupt practices and let the sport die, are we to forget about encouraging “man know man” syndrome in sporting activities and let it survive only on merit wave.
If we brush aside corruption in football, issue of overgrown players will be a thing of the past. Players will have delighted to adorn their country jersey only on merit. We can afford to raise the likes of Odegbami, Chukwu, Muda lawal again, with paramount interest to give the best for their father land if only we can nurture their dream. It is only selecting players by merits that will remove all the hiccups the game have been experiencing lately. When Nigeria football and other sports start having safety guides like Highway code and strictly obey like those traffic drill, to stop when it is to stop, to walk when it to walk, to cross when it is to cross and avoid to play fast and loose with those gimmick that run as down, that is when we will know we have arrive in the scene of being once again in the list of football great in the continent and the world, otherwise we will remain where we are incapacitated

The Zambia in All of Us! By Michael BUSH

2012-02-21T20:44:00.002-08:00

The Zambia in All of Us! By Michael BUSH
Dear you,
1.0 It's a week plus since the final whistle of the 28th AFCON was sounded. The new Champions of Africa are the team with the most unsuggestive sobriquet: Chipolopolo of Zambia. This climax of the Zambia Chapter in the book of Africa football is one that proves, conclusively, that God is a Zambian. Only God's people will go through what Zambia has been through and still emerge from the rubble to strike gold. This Zambia victory is a befitting end to their long, lonely walk, groping for a long-deserved continental recognition. And, it was easy to know this was Zambia's Year. Rewind to 1993. A plane conveying the Zambian national team chose to go kaput off the coast of Gabon. All 18 players on board perished. Still -trust the Zambia resilience- they raised an all-new team (well, apart from Captain Kalusha Bwalya who had missed that terminal flight) and went on all the way to the Grand Finale of AFCON the following year. Unfortunately for them, that was when our Super Eagles were truly deserving of that name. So, as it happened in 1974, the Zambians only went within an inch of touching the trophy; but no! Yet, therein again was embedded the strength of conviction that this was the time. Perhaps their nemesis was the number four. And, since this was 2012, not 2014, any deep thinker, not afraid of being tagged superstitious, would have predicted a Chipolopolo victory. Not to claim any clairvoyance; I remember saying this much in this Column, which could not be pubished last Monday, and on Facebook as well as on live radio in Abuja last Friday. I still see in my mind's eye how my Studio Guest, Big Brother William Williams, screamed that that was pure superstition. He then reeled into that sustained laughter that showed he was really amused. My only consolation that late morning was that the veteran broadcaster was on the same page with me vis-a-vis an impending Elephants loss.
2.0 By the way, what Big Brother William Williams should know is that it is my Uruanness, not superstition, that guides me, twenty four seven. Another very strong indication that Zambia will carry the day was the way Cote D'Ivoire carried themselves, so Chelseaishly. (I expect that Idy James, Raphael Edem, Idara Mbeh and other Chelsea fans will now have something new to attack me for!) Ivorien Players and fans had forcefully snatched the bragging rights and were busy celebrating long before the first whistle. Even their star analyst, Mammadou Gaye, sat on International TV and mouthed that Cote D'Ivoire will beat Zambia four nil. Such disrespect has a way of turning a cat into a lion! Or better still, of messing up Goliath face-to-face with an underrated David! If Mkpat Enin, in spite of her sheer size, chooses to underrate Ibiaku Nto Okpo, because of the latter's butterfly-like legs, the former will almost-always see, as they say in Cameroon, that SMALL NO BE SICK!
3.0 Furthermore, there was yet the strongest reassurance that the morning joy God promises was going to happen in Lusaka, not Yamoussoukro. I'm in no haste, though, to share this with you. Promise first you won't say I'm superstitious. Tell me you won't or I won't tell you. Deal? Okay, here you are: if eighteen Zambians died on active duty on Gabonese soil, were Ivoriens so dumb to know that all eighteen ghosts will also actively participate in the match involving Zambia in Libreville? You may laugh all you can. After all, shouldn't I by now be used to being scornfully laughed at whenever I say some of these things? Even, my own brother, James Edet of AKBC TV, forgot he was on live tv last Wednesday while playing host to me. I had simply told him of this 18 Ghosts Factor, and he passed out in laughter. When he and even his backroom Support Team recovered from their chronic laughter, he asked me why I should believe that Ghosts exist. My simple answer of 'So, no Holy Ghost?' sent them reeling again. I am convinced I am correct and right.
4.0 But, seriously, we must not take anything away from the Zambians. They were clearly the hungrier, better, and more businesslike team last night. I congratulate them. You too should. And as someone alluded to last night; with this victory especially in a tournament no one gave Chipolopolo a dog's chance, the souls of the Zambian 18 can now truly rest in peace. Yes, sadists, it took nearly two decades for this befitting tribute; so? Was there in all those years an AFCON Grand Finale in Gabon? Come on, please, those guys did not die in vain. In fact, they wouldn't have wished for a more deafening minute of silence than the over 150 minute silencing of star-studded Cote D'Ivoire. Congratulations, Kalusha Bwalya; congratulations, Chipolopolo; congratulations, Zambia. 2014. Nigeria?
5.0 However, as Africa retreats for 2014, can I also retreat to share with us what I think is in this unexpected but Continent-wide celebrated Zambia victory, for all of us? One, your fate is in your hands. Only you can decide the fate of your fate. Let the world give you no chance; let them poke all the fun they can at you; but stay focused and determined. Two, pride goes before a fall. Never brag at all. Not before the moment of decision; not afterwards. Our God never shares Glory. You can become a permanent Champion if you obey this rule. Tell your story, but give all the glory to God. Three, there's power in numbers. You must know which is yours. For the Zambians, I think their worst number is four: 1974, 1994. Their best? I think 18. How? Oh that, 18 years after their 18 colleagues perished, they won the elusive gold! What is your own number? These are not all there is in the Zambia story for us. You can discover the rest. To end, I am sure you know, as I do, that football had since overtaken religion as the opium of the people. Many thanks, and God bless family and you. Jesus is Lord!
Your co-spectator
BUSH

Election Tribunal: Udoedehe in Deep Trouble!

2012-02-21T20:43:00.002-08:00

The election petition filed against the election of Chief Godswill Akpabio as the governor of Akwa Ibom state, by Senator John Akpanudoedehe, may have finally kissed the dust. The petition, which had earlier suffered a devastating set back following its dismissal by the Justice Onum-led election petitions tribunal in Uyo, a dismissal later upheld by the Court of Appeal seating in Calabar, was rescued by a Supreme Court judgment ordering that the matter be returned for a fresh trial, will again be dismissed on technical grounds. The lawyers to chief Akpabio had after the commencement of the fresh hearing, asked the new tribunal to strike out the matter, arguing that the mandatory 180 days allotted for the trial of all election cases by the tribunal had elapsed.
The tribunal in a judgment delivered on January 25, 2012, had ruled that the import of the Supreme Court verdict ordering that the matter be heard de novo, was to confer on the new election tribunal a fresh 180 days within which to rule on the matter. The court had relied on a similar ruling by the Court of Appeal in Calabar, which had ruled in the matter of appeal brought by counsel to Senator Ita Enang, praying that the court should throw out the petition brought by Mr. Nsima Umoh, challenging his election, on account of the 180 day provision in section 285 (6) of the 1999 constitution as amended.
The Supreme Court has overruled the decision of the Court of Appeal on its order of fresh trial of election matters at the Election Petition Tribunals after the expiration of the conditionally 180 days allotted to tribunal by the 1999 Constitution.
Ruling legal impasse Friday in Abuja, Justice Walter S.N Onnoghen, who led four other justices of the Alex court, said that the appellant court was wrong to order for a fresh trial on a case that had been concluded by the tribunal after 180 days.
Ruling in the Borno State governorship case between Alhaji Kashim Shettima of the All Nigerian People's Party (ANPP) against the Alhaji Mohammed Goni of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday, Justice Onnoghen "stressed that the Court of Appeal was in error in delving into the matter.
Section 285 (6) reads: "An election tribunal shall deliver its judgment in writing within 180 days from the date of the filing of the petition".
In his ruling, Onnoghen said "The above provision is very clear and unambiguous and therefore needs no construction or interpretation. The law is settled that in a situation as this the duty of the court is simply to apply the provision. As it exists, that is to give the words their plain and ordinary meaning.
"The above being law, it follows that an election tribunal, in an election petition matter, must deliver its decision/judgment/ruling/order in writing within one hundred and eighty (180) from days from the date the petition was filed. It means the argument cannot be given a day or more even an hour after the one hundred and eighty (180) days from the date the petition was filed.
"It is very worrisome that despite the decisions of this court, since October 2011 on the time fixed in the constitution some of the justices of the lower court (court Appeal) still appear not to have gotten the message. From where will the election tribunal get the jurisdiction to entertain the retrial after the expiration of the one hundred and eighty (180) days assigned in the constitution, without extending the time so allotted? Do the courts have the vires to extend the time assigned by the constitution? The answer is obviously in the negative.
"The amendment to the original Section 285 of the 1999 Constitution by allotting time within which to hear and determine election petition and appeals arising therefrom is designed maters in the country. If the decision of the lower court, in the circumstance of this case and the law, is allowed to stand, it would re-introduce the earlier mischief which the amendment sought to correct. It will mean that the instant election petition can go on for another one hundred and eighty (180) days or more after the expiration of the original one hundred and eighty (180) days assigned by the constitution.
"The lower court (court of Appeal) was therefore in error in delving into the matter in the circumstance of this case." Onnoghen ruled.
With the current Supreme Court position on the matter, the petition brought by Senator Udoedehe and his running mate, Dr Ime Umana, against the declaration of Chief Akpabio and his deputy, Mr. Nsima Ekere, as winners of the governorship election in Akwa Ibom state at the April 2011, may have finally reached its end. A lawyer spoken told Weekly Insight that the judgment might be distinguished from the Akwa Ibom case, as it was the Supreme Court that ordered a fresh trial and not the Court of Appeal and not the same tribunal, as was the case in Borno state.

Encounter with Tony Ekefre, the Second Akwa Ibom CBN Award Winner

2012-02-21T20:41:00.002-08:00

Encounter with Tony Ekefre, the Second Akwa Ibom CBN Award Winner
BY DAVID AUGUSTINE

The media was abuzz with the news. It was the talk of the town and people rejoiced. The governor was at the center of the media blitz. He has just come home with yet another award. He has become the warrior of our modern times, coming home again and again with trophies. His Excellency has once again gone out and conquered. This time, from a most unlikely battlefront, the Central Bank of Nigeria. The celebration went on and our dear governor, most deservedly basked in the euphoria.
But somewhere on Abak road, another hero of the CBN award, quietly retired back to his business. Where he carries on his business, there are no airs. It is a modest office in a modest setting, but one filled with initiatives and business ingenuity. He started off with interest in security solutions. He excelled and made his mark. He went into safety and communications installations and allied businesses. He soon became a household name. His business is not as old as his long list of achievements portray. Nevertheless, he has come a long way since his company ACSE Nigerian Limited was incorporated in 1992.
The name Anthony Ekefre, may not ring a bell, but he is the second man from Akwa Ibom to stand erect at the awards presentation ceremony in Abuja for the 2011 CBN award. The Ikot Abasi-born business guru came home with the second best award for Small/Medium Entrepreneur: Small Business Model. He was selected for that award on the strength of what he had made of the newest baby in his ensemble of business concerns, fashion designing and tailoring. The winner in that category was a table water outfit from Kano that trades with the name, Anzal Table Water. Anzal Table Water’s prize made Kano state’s winning tally a record ten.
Ekefre was one of the only two business entities nominated from Akwa Ibom and the only winning entry, save for the governor’s state category award in Infrastructural support to Micro/Small Enterprise. In the state government category, Gov. Rabiu Kwakwanso, also of Kano won in the Poverty Alleviation and youth empowerment, while Gov Isa Yaguda won in Micro Finance activities.
One would have expected Mr. Ekefre to be very happy with the outcome of the award ceremony. However, he says his joy was cut short when he realized that he was the only one in the individual category from Akwa Ibom state in the 14-category award spree, when some states like Kano had ten, Oyo state, 4, among others. He is even more miffed by the fact that in the six years existence of the award, it was only two years ago when EEMJM won in that year’s edition. “I am worried that while some states went home with ten awards, we were only two nominees from Akwa Ibom state and I am the only winner. I am wondering why it should be so. Is it that we don’t have many entrepreneurs? It is funny that I only got to know about the award last year, which means that many business owners in the state do not also know about it. I think that is my major concern for now. I will use the tremendous boost from this award to embark of public enlightenment, telling Akwa Ibom entrepreneurs that the award exists and telling them so many other benefits other states are enjoying that we do not even know about here. It is a challenge. I want us to begin to ask questions why the zonal office of the Central Bank here and the banks operating here have not enlightened the people on the existence of the award and why they have not been nominating businesses from here for the award”, Ekefre had said in a recent media chat.
How did he know about the award in 2011? He said he was notified of his nomination by his bankers, who told him that he should get set for the visitation by the CBN to inspect his facilities. Two days after his bank notified him of the CBN visit, officials of the apex bank came calling without further notice, and without any prior preparations. But to a man that makes excellence his watch word, the visit was a huge success as the bank inspected his offices, his clothing factories, taking keen interest in his book keeping and financial record profile. They made comments where necessary and generally commended the state of affairs in the establishment. He was informed that the CBN officials had one other nominee to visit. He thought that by that he had only one person to contend with in the state. But he was dead wrong as the competition was not between him and his Akwa Ibom compatriot, but with similar enterprises from around the country.
How did he do it? How did he get into the habit of neat, seamless business operations that could meet the highest standard of scrutiny? He said, “It is just natural. I have never gone out of my way to do anything extra ordinary. I just do my business and enjoy doing it, not looking at any body and not aiming at any competition. I didn’t know that what I was doing was to attract the attention it has attracted today. I do my best to play according to rules. I believe that the first law in business is honesty. If you are honest, you can go very far in business. I maintain an open operation, where my words are my bond. If I tell my client that this is this, he should be able to believe me by my pedigree. If your yes remains constantly yes, and those you deal with in business get to know you by your principles of truth and honesty, then you will do well in business. By the way, if I was in default with my bank, or if I am not trustworthy with them, or if I take overdraft and begin to dodge them, do you think they will nominate me for any award. Therefore, I am always mindful of what I do.”
Did Governor Akpabio merit his award? “Yes, he more than merits it. As far as I am concerned, the governor’s encouragement of local enterprise is outstanding! He has this penchant to patronize local businesses as far as such businesses are properly run and are competitive in quality. I can tell you that wherever the governor sees a product by an Akwa Ibom person that meets the required standards, he would never patronize a non-indigene in that area. I am a very good example. You know that the beginning of success for every business is patronage. I dedicate my own award to his encouragement and patronage of local enterprises. He is an inspiration to local enterprise,” he stated.
How about funding? Doing business in the Nigerian economy is not an easy one, not to even good managers like Ekefre. It comes with its own challenges, including funding. But he says, if a business man packages his business well and operates in a well structured financial system, the banks can still be of help. He says, “You will not say that the stream is too far, and therefore you will not drink water” In other words, he believes that no matter the odds, a good business owner must brace up and move ahead.
He has for now in the Engineering and Fashion designing departments, a total of 27 workers. He believes that small and medium scale enterprises hold the key to the solution of unemployment in the country. He says that with more of such SMEs, unemployment could be combated. In his restless quest for business fulfillment and creating opportunities for the employment of Akwa Ibom youths, Mr. Ekefre is soon venturing into an integrated farming scheme that would include poultry, fishery and related farm ventures. He hopes to bring the same finesse and acumen to bear in his new vocation.
To him, the award would be the tonic that would drive him further in his quest to make the desired impact in the economy of the state. He believes that it is the collective contribution of individual Akwa Ibomites that would determine the level the state can go in its drive towards development. He wants to also mentor youths through the exposure and knowledge he has garnered as a result of the award. “I have been exposed to so many things that could be of benefit to our youths here. There are things, I am just getting to know about that I intend to let the youths of my state know and take advantage of. I will do all I can to let them into modern ways of doing business”, he promised.

Call Your Security Force to Order, Ex-Militants Warn Jonathan

2012-02-21T20:38:00.000-08:00

Call Your Security Force to Order, Ex-Militants Warn Jonathan
-Threatened to resume warfare
BY JOSEPH KINGSTON, CALABAR

Ex-militants from the defunct Bakassi Volunteer Force, BVF group, which before now had made the estuaries of the Akpayafe River in Cross River State inaccessible, have called on President Goodluck Jonathan to call Nigerian security force to order, accusing them of deliberate act of aggression.
In a chat with our reporter in their base at Ikot Nakanda, leader of the group, ‘General’Bofa Olorogun said the combined force of the Army, Navy and the Mobile Police had stormed their made shift base and brutally stopped his men from carrying out their “peaceful protest in a democratic setting”.
The former creek fighter explained that the peaceful protest was their only way of registering their dissatisfaction over the handling of their plight since they surrendered their arms to government in the spirit of the amnesty granted Niger Delta militants.
The ‘General’,who spoke through his legal representative, Barr Samuel Okoye said, the essence of the aborted protest was to call the attention of both the State and Federal Government to their plight.
This, he said, was necessary because “after the authority had appealed to us to surrender our arms with a promise of being included in the amnesty programme, government have since turn its back on us.
“Are these guys with guns terrorizing us because we have chosen the path of peace by dropping our own arms? Why are they trying to push us to the wall?, they had vaguely wondered.
The ex-militants thereafter matched around their make shift camp with placards some of which read, ‘We want amnesty’, ‘Give us a chance to live right,’ ‘We are tired of starving and suffering’, ‘BVF is for non-violence’, amongst others.
According to Olorogun, “we laid down our arms in August 4, 2011. We have since written series of letters to the government requesting for their support”, and warned“we will not accept any flimsy excuse”.
He enumerated their demand to include recommendation to the Federal Government for inclusion in the amnesty programme, provision of “proper accommodation over our heads”,availability of monthly stipend to keep body and soul together.
The aborted protest was scheduled to he held in the presence of the campaign train of the erstwhile governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, who led his team to Bakassi to solicit for the vote of the people.
Our reporter who monitored the aborted protest observed the presence of a good number of military men parading the scene earmarked for the protest.

Reps to Probe Contract for Dredging of Calabar Channel

2012-02-21T20:36:00.002-08:00

Reps to Probe Contract for Dredging of Calabar Channel
BY JOSEPH KINGSTON, CALABAR

The House Committee on Customs and Exciseis to set up a probe panel to investigate the abandonment of contract award by the Federal Government for the dredging of Calabar water channel.
The Vice Chairman, House of Representatives, Hon. Chinda Ogundu, disclosed this to newsmen in Calabar while on the inspection of Customs Area Command and the Calabar sea port.
He declared “we shall investigate the way and manner the contracts were awarded and why it was abandoned.This would help us find a lasting solution to the consistent perennial problem associated with the dredging of the Calabar sea port.
“We are in Calabar precisely to the Customs and Excise area command to exercise our constitutional role and other oversight functions in other to have first hand information on the problems of this all important Federal government agency”.
On whether the committee was satisfied with the explanations from the Comptroller of Customs, he said, “you will agree with him that today custom is better than what it used to be. We have witnessed a lot of improvement in Customs especially as it concerns revenue generations.
“For instance, the man said that in 2011, this Area Command exceeded its revenue mandate. It is worthy of commendation. All they are asking is that the Federal government should provide them with better equipment so that they perform better.
”I believe that as soon as the committee gets back to the National Assembly, we will be able to put a lot of mechanism in place to enable the officers and men of the Customs and Excise perform better. It is not enough for us to sit in Abuja and take decisions especially when it concerns the budget. We need to know your problems.”
Hon Ogundu said he was satisfied with the revenue generation of the Calabar/Akwa Ibom area command.
Earlier, the Area Deputy Comptroller of Customs for Cross River and Akwa Ibom, Mr.Gwani Maitizumahs who represented the Comptroller, Mr. Mundu.H.M , had said the command was able to collect N75.6 million Naira as excise due to epileptic production in the only factory producing in the area.
Also he said that the area was able to generate N25.3 billion exceeding its target for 2011 which is the first time in so many years.
He however, enumerated some of the challenges inhibiting the command to include non dredging of Calabar water channels to allow bigger ships to navigate to Calabar with cargo, low utilization of Free Trade Zone and lack of accommodation.
Mr. Maitizumahs also told the House Committee that all the three borders lacked security monitoring equipment to track down smugglers and other related crime in the border.
The House Committee later visited the Free Zone, Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort and the Calabar Sea Port before departing to Onne Port in River State.

STOP THIS MARGINALIZATION: Youth Group Urged Julius Berger

2012-02-05T20:20:00.001-08:00

STOP THIS MARGINALIZATION: Youth Group Urged Julius Berger
-Insist Unions Chairman must be in an Indigene

A Socio-Political Youth known as Supreme Council of Ibibio Youths has called on the construction firm Julius Berger to desist from further marginalization of indigenes of Akwa Ibom State in matters relating to employment and assignment to duties.
In a press briefing held recently, the president of the group, Atauko Deacon Sammy Brown said the plea became necessary following the incessant complaints and various petitions raised by the indigenes of Akwa Ibom State working in Julius Berger and for which the youth group was copies
Presenting the documented petitions to journalists, the President explained that positions such as Head of personnel, the P.R.O, Chief Security and Union Chairman which are exclusive right of indigenes to occupy in other states where Julius Berger operates have been arm twisted and given to non-indigenes
Atauko Deacon Brown maintained that one Mr. Emmanuel Obot, who once occupied the position of union chairman was falsely implicated in shabby deals and sacked adding that Leonard Eghabor from Edo State was imposed as the next union chairman in absolute contravention of the norms as practice in other places and against the wishes of the indigenous staff of Julius Berger.
The group leader took a swipe at Julius Berger management for aiding the oppression and marginalization of indigenes in employment, postings and occupation of sensitive offices. “We are aware that out of about 3,000 employees employed by construct firm Julius Berger, only 1,200 employees are indigenes while the majority 1,800 employees are non-indigenes if Akwa Ibom State. This is vexations as the reverse ought to be the case.
“We have also discovered that out of about 50 foremen, only two foremen are from Akwa Ibom State and when Akwa Ibom indigenes are employed, they are designated to work as securities Junior Staff. Tea Server, Messengers, Menial labourers and Junior Management position”.
The president further stated “when I met with some of Senior Staff of Julius Berger, I queried the rationale behind the non-patronage of Akwa Ibom indigenes in contract awards and in supplies of about 50 items they told me Akwa Ibom people don’t have enough money to supply the items Julius Berger needs”
He maintained that despite agreeing to give indigenes of Akwa Ibom State increased slot in employment and supplies of roads, woods gravels etc,
The company has rather remain unrepentant in the sack of its indigenous staff on frame up charges as engineered by Union Chairman Leonard Eghabor.
He demanded the immediate reverse of the position of union chairman to an indigene in the up-election. “This is the bone of contention. Julius Berger has allowed the office of the union chairman to e occupied by indigenes in other states where they operate, why must Akwa Ibom case be different. We are demanding that the foreigner occupying that quite that position and an indigene be appointed instead if not we will embrace other papheranlias.
In the same vein Mr. Michael Okon warned Julius Berger to end the daylight robbery of the state and enter into negotiations with the aggrieves without which the constructing firm could laying a foundation for self-rule, anarchy and replica of Boko Haram in the state.
While accentuating that the group has no particular interest in any particular ethnic group to occupy the office, it calls on all institutions responsible for maintenance of peace and order to rise up to the challenge of joining the struggle which he said is aimed at fighting for fairness, justice and equity.
Stressing that group is poised to fight for posterity and death of marginalization, Mr. Okon posited, “never again will anything fit for Akwa Ibom indigene be taken to another, we will fight against injustices with everything that we have” he submitted.

BUSH Celebrates His Enemy

2012-02-05T20:19:00.002-08:00

My Dear Enemy
1.0 I am laughing as I write this. In a way, this open letter opens my emotional floodgates. I should not be smiling, let alone laughing, as I do this but I am. I am so exhilarated it can only be best captured by the late Obong Akpan Isemin's anglicised Ibibio dictum, 'my heart is red.' Very red. I am excited to write to you. This is not just any letter, but an open letter of love, of forgiveness and, if you like, of encouragement. Well, encouragement for you to continue being who you have been. I am excited that I have so conquered self and life, and hm, you, to appreciate things so differently.
2.0 Before proceeding, there's this confusion I must dispel. Who is an enemy, or to be more exact, who is my enemy? Is it the human being who, back in 2006/2007, swore that over his dead body shall I represent my people in the Legislature? Is it the one in 2010/2011, who didn't swear, in fact who laughed and played with me all the while, but who had a different agendum? Is my enemy the guy who wined and dined with me, at my expense, while he was in the valley, but who sacrificed me as a ladder to the top? Is my enemy that man, or well, that woman, who smiles and tells me sweet nothings, even when he/she should be fuming with rage? Or, is my enemy that person who shows me he/she is my enemy? Who is my enemy: the one who thinks it; the one who says it or the one who does it? Which one is really the most powerful: to think it; or to say it; or to do it? While you chew on that, can we make progress, Mr. Enemy, please?
3.0 Going forward, please permit me to retrace my footsteps this once. Just to clarify the foregoing, my enemy was not the human being who swore. My enemy is not, and will never be, that one who flaunts those anti-me mien, sentiments, words, etc. And surprise, surprise, surprise, my enemy is not and cannot be the one who didn't swear but who struck against me at the nick of time; neither should the booby prize go to the protege who mouthed eternal love for me while he was drowning, but who remembered to keep one eye open, and swam off alone once he sighted the shore; nor to the one who smiles at me when he should be growling? No, none of these three qualify. Please stop wondering. This is not about your own enemy; it's about mine, remember? I know what I am saying. None of them so qualifies because their previous missteps had compelled my mind to permanently second-guess their enemity-tendency! I knew them. My point here is that my enemy is not and can never be the man or woman who has registered that say-so. On a general note, I like to add that it is only a fool who is and can be caught napping by a known enemy.
4.0 So, who is my enemy? Please take it easy, Mr. Enemy; I shall unveil you, presently. Meanwhile, let me preach a little. See, an enemy can be your parent. It can be a spouse; a sibling; a relative; a colleague with whom you are five and six. An enemy can even be your Pastor! Stop shouting, mbok. As Americans say, you aint seen nothing yet. And if it can be the Pastor, it means you must re-assess those brethren you have been treating as yourself; especially those within your denomination. Something else to note: the closer the enemy is to you, the worse, or more dangerous; or the bigger a threat he/she is! It is true, a distant enemy can only perform small wonders against you. Once a big man-made storm hits you, it's either the brainchild of an insider enemy or of his connivance. Furthermore, you also must be interested in the cause of an enemity. Enemity caused by ancestral history or event can be healed. Enemity created by a fault of yours or a misunderstanding can be mended. An enemy who can't stand you or your ways, and says so to your face, can be panel-beaten into a friend who, in future, can stick closer than a brother. In fact, all these ones are no enemies. They are merely opportunities provided by life to test your people-skills as well as your adaptability and depth. Your enemy is that ever-present darling of yours who secretly hates you for you, for your guts, for your story, for your glory. This is the enemy you should not only dread, but also flee from. This enemy is everywhere. Please spare me that gist of not having an enemy. Even Jesus, the finest and cleanest of them all, had truckloads of them. He still has, thousands of years after He gave His life for those enemies! By the way, don't you know? The more enemies you have; the more tables of honour God sets up for you! And you don't need to have hurt or cheated someone for such a one to become an enemy. So, quit trying to justify your enemylessness!
5.0 Finally, since there's nowhere else for me to run to or continue to ramble, let me tell you about you, my dear enemy. It rankles that you believe you could dribble me for this long, and still keep your identity hidden. Let me tell you, you have been dribbling yourself. You see, I have all along known about your activities, your ways and you. From week one, I noticed, and was terminally-warned of, your wry smiles, hollow laughters, and sickening friendship. In those defeats, or shame, or deprivations or lack (or all) suffered by my family, business or me, I saw through your annoying mannerism of almost-always playing the outsider who wept louder than the bereaved. You have been of no good either, during our few victories. You pose as my friend in public, day and night, but I see how you labour to celebrate along, and how you grumble and curse when you find yourself panting to keep pace with me. It is not my fault, the growth. I only pity you; if you sweat so profusely over these pseudo-growths of mine, what will you do when the real show bursts forth soon? Die? Poor you. And, you are such an ingrate! You never remember the 90% occasions I denied myself to please you; but you never forget the 10% times I couldn't help your over-frequent, selfish demands. But, you know what, Enemy? I celebrate you. It's for all the wrong reasons, though, but I celebrate you. It amazes me how you have managed to put up such a show: all those pretensions; your double facedness; your doublespeak prowess. I hope to one day imbibe your daredevilry; especially your uncanny ability of smilng at me when you should frown. Forgive me -I know you never can, no matter how hard you try- but, I think you should quit your current trade which has fetched you nothing other than near-success and sorrow. I think you should try acting. I have no doubt in my mind you will hit it big in the world of make-believe. As for my family and me, we had not only since forgiven you; I can also confirm that we now truly love, and are grateful to, you. With friends like you, I have not had to take my eyes off the ball. With friends like you, enemies kept themselves away from me, since they trusted that you could do the job, and even better. And what's more, cynicism and sadism, two vibrations you always emit to me, have done me good. Unknown to you, they have always urged me on. It will be too late in the day for you to stop now. As sure as eggs is eggs, you can NEVER EVER be my friend; for, no one else will play your current role like the round-peg-in-a-round-hole you have been. Congratulations, my dear enemy, and keep burning. Jesus is Lord!
Just me,
BUSH

Nyako wins Adamawa governorship election

2012-02-05T20:19:00.000-08:00

With results from the 21 local government areas in the state collated, a former governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako, has reclaimed the governorship seat he lost 10 days ago.
The ruling Peoples Democratic Party's candidate garnered 302, 986 votes to beat his Action Congress of Nigeria challenger, Markus Gundiri, who polled 260, 405 votes. The candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change, Buba Marwa, was only been able to win 107, 564 votes.
Mr. Nyako won 13 of the 21 local goverments while the ACN candidate prevailed in eight.
By winning the majority of votes and 25 per cent of votes in two-thirds of the local government areas in the state, Mr. Nyako has fulfilled the constitutional requirements to be pronounced winner.
Mr. Marwa, a former military administrator and presidential aspirant, was not able to win anywhere.
He was roundly defeated in his home local government of Michika.
The election has shattered the permutation of political pundits who had predicted a keen contest but saw victory going the ACN candidate's way.
Our correspondent say the outcome of the election has left many people in the state transfixed many others bemused.
The state's returning officer,Prof Mohammed H. Mohammed, vice-chancellor of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, is now being awaited to officially announce the result of the election.
The ACN returning officer, a Mr. Sonny, alleged there were alterations in some result sheets and hinted that his party might challenge the result in court.

Akpabio Donates N50 million to Madalla Victims

2012-02-05T20:18:00.001-08:00

Akpabio Donates N50 million to Madalla Victims

The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio has donated N50 million to the victims of the Madalla bomb blast at the St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla in Niger State.
About 43 persons were confirmed dead and more than 100 others injured in a bomb attack which the dreaded Islamic sect, Boko Haram claimed responsibility. Victims of the bomb blast were recently buried in a mass grave.
Governor Akpabio announced the donation during the Episcopal ordination ceremony of Rt. Rev. Mons. Anselm Umoren as the Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja.
The Governor also pledged that the state government would work with the Church to rebuild the Church in Madalla. Chief Akpabio said the donation was to assist the victims of the bomb blast and surviving relatives in rehabilitation and resettlement.
Chief Akpabio admonished the Church not to lose hope in the face of the security challenges facing the country occasioned by attacks by Boko Haram, while observing that the situation would have been worse if the Church was not praying for the country.
The Governor expressed appreciation to the Catholic Church for the elevation of Rt. Rev Umoren to the office of a Bishop and urged the new Bishop to see his elevation as a call to greater service and urged the Church to continue to pray for the new Bishop.
Responding, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Archbishop John Onayeikan expressed appreciation of the Church for the donation and noted that it would assist the Church in catering for the need of the family whose bread winners were killed and those who were still in the hospital.
The Archbishop said he was impressed by the performance of Chief Akpabio and urged other politicians to see politics just as priesthood as a call to serve the people.
Bishop Umoren who was consecrated as the Auxiliary Bishop of Abuja was presented with a ring, miter and a pastoral staff. Governor Akpabio also donated a brand new Toyota Land Cruiser jeep to the new Bishop.

Just ordinary people… By Paul Inyang

2012-02-05T20:17:00.001-08:00

Nigeria gets a bad rap a lot of times! There are all sorts of things written and said about us. We appear to be the outcasts of Africa. Boisterous, pushy, arrogant, corrupt… and whatever else one can envisage. If you happen to be outside the country the burden is unimaginable. One is almost always suspect and a spotlight is cast on one in ways citizen within the country can never imagine. It is expected from Europeans and Americans but when your own kind piles on, then, you know there is definitely a problem. We who are referred to by our fellow Nigerians as Diasporans have the fortune of bearing the additional concern of how we are perceived by the elites of our Nigerian society. The term diaspora has become the dirty word of today just like the phrase of yester-years “been-to”. A trip to Nigeria is often laden with anxiety, worry and elation—mixed feelings for many. I have given some time to reflecting on the relationship with our people at home and whether we can be part of a risen Nigeria as our fathers were and explored the causality of such a strain.
On my many trips back home, I get a chance to meet different categories of people—politicians academics, technocrats, the poor, rich and assorted. I am amazed by the range and depth of characters which speaks to the uniqueness of our people. Not surprising to me, what is striking is the intelligence, resourcefulness, creativity and happiness of our people. On all levels I find us to be very enterprising, honest, hard-working people similar to those I am accustomed to meeting when abroad. I find no other group of citizens as intriguing as my own people. Within and outside we are as similar as they come, in the way and manner in which we operate, set up our communities, our life styles and so on. It is the same in the township as well as in the villages. There is not much that differentiates us even down to our aberrant behaviors which every country in the world has. Such range of characteristics is not unusual in any society, so it is then hard to explain our notoriety. Our cultural variations though many are not dissimilar. The only differences I see, being their expressions and interpretations but spiritually they come from the same stock. There is more that unites us than separates us.
Most of us who live abroad left home with the genuine intention of returning home to serve our country with our talents like our fathers before us. We learned rabidly and attempted to consume as much knowledge as possible in order to make it back home. Some were able to do this in a timely manner and accordingly returned home immediately. Unfortunately for some of us so much time passed by that the country changed dramatically, especially during the military era and for those who could not travel it became almost unrecognizable. The dynamics of our relationship with the folks at home changed. Hereto, we were accustomed to depending on the resources of those at home who were primarily our parents and relatives. These changes brought on new responsibilities. Many quite happily began to bear the obligations and financial responsibilities of our brethren back home. A great many were getting older and took on the added responsibility and challenge of raising families abroad as well. Additionally, some also brought other family members across the ocean adding to their quandary. It did not matter whether one had completed one’s education or not unless one was fortunate enough to come from an affluent family—these are the facts. It required that in some cases that folks reconsider their long range plans to remain, for most not indefinitely but still temporarily as the new realties required. There are many more reasons, these are just a few. Infact, many families at home encouraged their own to remain abroad as the country in their eyes had changed irrevocably for the worse. Incidentally, this is still the case today for many. Believe it when I say that most of us engage in incessant preoccupations about the needs and concerns of our people and are perplexed and anxious when what we do does not seem to be enough. Now, please consider the task of caring for others, raising a family and still managing to complete what is left of your education. Still today, I am sure that there is not a month that passes that one does not get one of those emergency calls. Western Union and Moneygram are always glad to oblige. The greatest beneficiary has been Nigeria. Our economy and foreign exchange have become quite dependent on the financial largesse of these transactions. At a minimum this is an immeasurable contribution not to talk about other in-kind contributions that we make. Please do not consider this a boast it is a contribution that Nigeria cannot afford to lose. It is also not an attempt to apologize.
It is therefore worrisome when I read of attempts to divide us and minimize the contributions of caring people who are just trying to play a part in our society. If a great many have not returned to serve politically and otherwise, it has not been for a lack of the desire to do so. There is a schism that exists between our political class at home and those abroad. Concerted attempts to participate have been thwarted in significant ways. For instance, Nigeria is one of the few countries in the world that does not allow its citizens abroad to vote in any manner. We be in awe when we observe citizens of other countries line up to vote in their elections. What is so threatening about our vote and participation? Is there a price we should pay? Politicians will tell us to our face that we are not their constituents and they owe us nothing. If we make critical comments, we are told we abandoned country for our selfish end and have forfeited our rights even to express our opinions. We are totally disenfranchised and stripped of our rights as if we do not matter. There is no adequate explanation for this at all. A recent legislative attempt to address this anomaly was voted down unceremoniously with no adequate explanations. We are told that if one has dual citizenship one cannot run for political offices when other countries are competing to get those talents. Nigeria has failed to incorporate the lessons of countries like India, Korea, Japan and indeed China who have embraced their talents from abroad by encouraging them to assist in building their nations. What does Nigeria know that other countries do not?
This does not diminish in any way the excellent contributions of our compatriots who have stayed home to do some of the grunt work and sacrificed in ways that we could not. It is greatly appreciated by all Nigerians; more so by those who were/are away from the country during times of great stress and suffering. One must also note that a great deal of the suffering in the nation is self-inflicted by the leaders of our country. There needs to be a transformation in attitude to that of inclusion and openness to embracing change. Those who do not embrace change are doomed to fail and remain stagnant. We cannot continue doing the same thing and expect different results. We realize the need for the unity of purpose and recognize that Nigeria would be a better place if we simply collaborated—all hands on deck. It is ugly and unacceptable to be considered unpatriotic and a usurpers if we dare to want to be a part of building this great country. We are all just ordinary people trying to do the very best that we can to contribute to the revitalization of our dear country. None is more special than the other. Our fears and concerns are the same. Our destinies are after all tied—we sink or swim together; it is our choice.

AKIIPOC CHAIR INTEGRATES YouWiN INTO INDUSTRIALIZATION THINK TANK

2012-02-05T20:16:00.003-08:00

By Alison Peters
The Chairman of the Akwa Ibom Investment and Industrial Promotion Council (AKIIPOC) and S. A. to Chief Godswill Akpabio on Investment and Industrialization Dr. Senas Ukpana on Friday February 3, 2012 formally incorporated key leaders of the Akwa Ibom State contingent of the Youth Enterprise With Innovation in Nigeria (YouWiN) into the state industrialization think tank designated the “Akwa Ibom Entrepreneurs Forum”.
The think tank, according to Dr. Ukpana, was constituted to serve as an institutionalized pool of entrepreneurial/industrial knowledge base, which the agency (AKIIPOC) and the State Government can tap from and also deploy to achieve specific goals, regarding the pursuance and actualization of the current state industrialization agenda of the present administration.
These and many more were made known as part of the round table meeting which AKIIPOC held in its conference room the said Friday, February 3, 2012 with the Akwa Ibom State Organized Private Sector (OPS).
The Akwa Ibom State contingent of the Youth Enterprise With Innovation in Nigeria (YouWiN) are industry-oriented youths trained in the fundamentals of Enterprise Development and Management, under the auspices of the Federal Government in partnership with the World Bank and the Pan African University, Lagos. Each member of the YouWiN group also boasts of an expert/pragmatic business proposal or plan on a specific entrepreneurial project to be executed locally, ranging from manufacturing, through packaging and ICT, to Agriculture, which formed part of the requirement for qualification and participation in the YouWiN scheme.
According to documents made available to Insight Newspapers at the industrial round table meet, a cardinal industrial development objective of the agency and state government was to harness the natural resources and endowments in Akwa Ibom State, including its vibrant population which provides both the labor pool and local market for products consumption. Part of the objectives also included the establishment of an industrial fund to provide soft loans for local entrepreneurs.
In the area of entrepreneurial training, as a core requirement for successful industrial execution, the meeting emphasized the need for lower and middle cadre of trained manpower for the impartation and attainment of practical knowledge and skills needed to execute day-to-day operations of all proposed industries. The forum drew attention to SMEDAN, Entrepreneurial Development Centre of the new Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU), and also to designated banks, as establishments where such trainings could be sought and received. In this regard, the round table meet also stressed on the need to resuscitate and properly fund moribund polytechnics, technical and vocational colleges in the state, for the inculcation of practical skills in entrepreneurs and the people in general.
Other areas indicated by the forum to be urgently addressed included the menace of poor energy/power supply, insecurity, and the overwhelming imperative to stem politicization of all activities and operations relating to the implementation of the state industrialization scheme, to guarantee optimum results.
The AKIIPOC Chairman, Dr. Ukpana thanked the participants at the forum and their respective groups for their sincere contributions towards achieving successful actualization of the state government’s industrialization agenda. He requested them to be available whenever their presence and further contributions were needed.
Other groups in the state aside from the YouWiN represented at the investment/industrial round-table included the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Technology Incubation Centre (TIC), Uyo; Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA); Nigerian Association of Women Entrepreneurs (NAWE), National Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), and the National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME).

A’Ibom Elders React to National Issues, Say All Not Well With Nigeria

2012-02-05T20:16:00.001-08:00

A’Ibom Elders React to National Issues, Say All Not Well With Nigeria

Elder statesmen, past political and economic players from Akwa Ibom state, last week rose at a meeting convened by the organization, Adaha Akwa Ibom Organization, and declared that all was not well with the country. The Elders said that the spate of violence and the reaction of a section of the country to the unfolding issues of the activities of Boko Haram portend danger to the country if not well tackled. The group, which aims at presenting the voice of Akwa Ibom people, the way Afenifere, Oha N’Eze Nd’Igbo, Arewa Consultative Forum, does for the South West, South East and the North, respectively, condemned the near tacit approval of the activities of the Boko Haram insurgents, and called on northern elders to call their youths to order.
“We call on Northern Elders and Leaders (including Alhaji Umaru Dikko who once chided Southern Elders for not controlling their youths) to come out of their slumber and control their youths who are now activists inside Boko Haram and call them to order forthwith. For, as Mr. President rightly observed, Boko Haram are not spirits, they live in the midst of people in the North”, the communiqué the group presented read.
The group of Elder statesmen, frowned at the comparison recently made between the youth restiveness in the Niger Delta and the insurrection by Boko Haram in the north and said such comparison lacks factual bases. “Adaha wishes to unequivocally debunk the unholy comparison by some Northern elements (like the so called Arewa Citizens Action for change, in the Daily Sun Newspaper of 27th January 2012) of Boko Haram with the erstwhile Niger Delta militancy. We maintain that such comparison lacks both basis and merit. For the avoidance of doubt, militancy in the Niger Delta Region was a consequence of years of resource exploitation (including oil lifting, allocation of oil blocks, local content, employment opportunity, non-compensation for oil spill and ecological damages etc) and total neglect of the region’s infrastructure, welfare and provocative marginalization from the benefits of the oil and gas industry. The militants were fighting for the emancipation of the Niger Delta citizens, and their leaders were not faceless”, the group posited.
They then called on President Jonathan to take very serious actions in tackling the Boko Haram challenges. The group further berated those it called traditional allies, now turning out to be the champions of hate against the south south people and a threat to the leadership of a south south son as Nigeria’s president. The communiqué signed by the group’s National President, Obong Michael Afangide and secretary, Dr Maurice Ebong, in the light of prevailing situation in the country called for a National Conference that would not be sovereign to be convened for the various ethnic groups in Nigeria to come together and dialogue on the way forward for the country, urging all ethnic groups in Nigeria seeking for self determination to do so without shedding innocent blood.

Akpabio Receives Best State Government Award from CBN

2012-02-05T20:15:00.003-08:00

Akpabio Receives Best State Government Award from CBN

The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio will on Tuesday February 7, 2012 be awarded the Best State Government Award in recognition of the State’s giant strides in Infrastructural Development and Support for the Women Agro Entrepreneurship Development Programme (WAEPEP) in 2011.
In a release by the Central Bank of Nigeria, signed by Mr. Paul Eluahiwe, Director, Development Finance Department, the award will be conferred on Governor Akpabio on behalf of the State during the 6th Annual Microfinance Conference and Entrepreneurships Awards of the apex bank.
The award will be presented by President Goodluck Jonathan on Governor Akpabio during the Opening Session of the Conference at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja.
The Women Agro Entrepreneurship Development Programme (WAEPEP) is an initiative of the state government in conjunction with the state ministry of Agriculture, aimed at improving agricultural production of the state and boast the state food production.
The programme has empowered 4500 women and youths with an interest free loan of N250,000 each to engaged in large scale agricultural production and other agro-enterprises.

ACN Rejects February 25 Guber Polls Date in C’River
Joseph Kingston, Calabar
Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, supporters, Friday, took to the streets of Calabar in their numbers to protest against the February 25, 2012 governorship election date for Cross River State, fixed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently.
The party seems to be in support of the April 14, 2012 date fixed earlier by INEC, going by their placards, some of which read ‘Jega, reverse the February 25 date’, ‘Nothing is wrong with April 14’, ‘Help our growing democracy’, amongst others.
The protesters marched along major streets of Calabar metropolis down to Nigeria Union of Journalists Press Centre where they addressed journalists on reasons for their protest.
In his brief address, the State ACN Chairman, Hilliard Eta said his people have vehemently rejected the February 25 election date and wondered why INEC had to change the initial date “as if the Supreme Court ruling has any significant effect on the April 14 date”.
Hilliard said the sudden change of date “offends not only the Electoral Act but the Constitution’’ adding that ’’the membership of ACN feel shortchanged.”
According to him, though the party is poised to participate in the forthcoming poll with a view to take over power, ACN would not allow illegality to take preeminence over justice and equity, adding that the party was a respecter of the law and of due process.
“We know the law says you must submit list of candidates within 60 days but if you count from the day the election date was announced to February 25, it is not even up 30 days. So who will be injured if the April 14 date stands? What is the hurry about?’’, he queried.
Eta hinted that the party has already notified INEC of its protest and will resort to seeking legal redress in an event where INEC insists on the new date, but explained that while in court over the issue, the party will go into the election with a view to changing the mantle leadership in the State.
It was observed that before the arrival of the protesters, the Police had already cordoned off the press centre with the State Police Commissioner, Mr Sampson Wudah leading.
Meanwhile Eta had announced plans by the party to conduct “valid primaries soon where a viable, crowd -pulling candidate will be chosen to fly the party’s flag in the gubernatorial poll.”

Boko Haram Strikes In Kogi, Kills 4; Police Station, Bank Burnt

2012-02-05T20:15:00.001-08:00

Men suspected to be members of the Islamic fundamentalist sect, Boko Haram struck early this morning in Ajaokuta, Kogi State, North Central Nigeria, killing four persons. A police station and a first generation bank were burnt by the group.
Though a source claimed that it was a robbery attack, the incident had the trade mark of Boko Haram terrorist organisation.
We gathered from an eyewitness that a pastor who heard the booming of guns at about 6.45 a.m. ran out of his house through the back door.
He successfully escaped with his wife and members of his family thinking it was an armed robbery attack.
However, a few minutes later, residents of Abuja Estate and those around Church Layout where most of the churches in Ajaokuta are located, realised it was a Boko Haram attack.
Victims of the attack have been identified as Dr. Ahmed, a medical personnel at Ajaokuta Steel Company Medical Centre and Mr. Balogun, a driver of the truck conveying fire service men to the scene of the attack.
It was learnt that as fire fighters approached the razed police station to put out the fire, their driver, Balogun, was shot dead by the attackers.
Two other fire fighters were reportedly killed and their efforts to put out the fire frustrated.
Some other persons were said to have also been attacked.
The attack has paralysed economic activities in Ajaokuta.
Offices, banks and shops were not opened this morning while school children who reported in their various schools were turned back.
A resident of Ajaokuta who attempted to report the attack to the Police Area Commander in the town said on phone this morning that the police boss’ phone could not be reached just as the lines of other police officers went dead.
As at press time, there was no official response from the police or government officials on the attack.
The Boko Haram sect has not spoken officially or claimed responsibility.
In another incident, at least six persons were killed by Islamic fundamentalist sect, Boko Haram in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, Northeast Nigeria.
The attack Thursday took place at Kabar Maila Ward in Shehuri North, Maiduguri.
A statement issued by the Joint Military Task Force, JTF, spokesman, Lt. Col. Hassan Mohammed, indicates that there were several bomb explosions in the early hours of Thursday in Maiduguri, while some unexploded bombs were defused by the JTF with no casualty recorded.
The release stated: “In Kabar Maila in Shehuri North, six persons were killed. Preliminary investigations reveal that the six deceased persons were suspected to have been slaughtered by persons suspected to be their fellow sect members.”
The release further states: “the incident occurred in the area where 11 sect members had an encounter with the JTF troops last weekend. The killing may have been as a result of division among sect members.”
It states that JTF will continue to be proactive in dealing with Boko Haram and advised the people to be security conscious.
The group has claimed responsibility for strings of deadly attacks across northern Nigerian cities such as Bauchi, Maiduguri, Kano, Suleja, Abuja, etc.
Reports say the group has killed over 900 people since it began its attacks, with the deadliest being that of 20 January 2012 in Kano, Northwest Nigeria during which over 185 people died.
It also bombed the United Nations Headquarters in Abuja on 26 August last year, killing 23 people.
The group again struck on Christmas Day in Madalla on the outskirts Abuja, killing over 40 worshippers at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church.
Meanwhile, controversy is still raging over the arrest of its spokesman, Abul Qaqa.
The group says the man arrested is not their spokesman but a member identified as Abu Dardaa who went to negotiate with government following government’s request for dialogue with the group.

Salami: CJN’s panel recommends re-instatement

2012-02-05T20:14:00.001-08:00

Salami
• President weighs options to save judiciary
The fate of the suspended President of the Court of Appeal,Justice Isa Ayo Salami,is now in the hands of President Goodluck Jonathan.
The report of the 29-member Stakeholders Judicial Reform Committee set up by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, was submitted to the president last Tuesday for his consideration and decision.
Justice Salami was suspended by the National Judicial Commission at its 7th emergency meeting in August last year for allegedly violating judges’ Code of Conduct.
The President is expected to study the report and decide on the recommendations of the panel, especially the committee’s plea for the reinstatement of the suspended President of the Court of Appeal.
The recommendations of the panel were sent to the President for final consideration on Tuesday.
A top government official, who pleaded not to be named because he is not in a position to speak with the media, said: "I am aware the CJN has sent the report and recommendations to the President, who is the final arbiter in this case.
"A thorny point in the recommendations is the recall of the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami, who has been on suspension since 18th August, 2011.
"The decision to suspend Salami was reached at the 7th Emergency Meeting of the National Judicial Council.
"The issues before the President border on the specifics in the report on the recommendation for the reinstatement of Salami; whether the suspended judge actually violated the Code of Conduct that a judge must abide with and if he ought to have been suspended since the matter was subjudice.
"A sub-committee of the panel, including Justice Mamman Nasir, Justice U. Kalgo and Justice Bola Ajibola, had asked the CJN and the National Judicial Council to reinstate Salami back to his position.
"I think the President is weighing the options because of the crisis of confidence which Salami’s suspension ignited in the Bench and in the Bar. Even political parties were left divided.
"There is also a task imposed on the President by the panel to reconcile the immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Katsina-Alu and Salami."
Of importance to the President, said the source, is the fact that he wants to effect major reforms in the judiciary. Many far-reaching recommendations have been made by Justice Muhammadu Uwais Panel, including public screening of judges before they are appointed.
"I think in the next few weeks, the President will make up his mind, reunify the judiciary and chart a reform course for our judiciary, "the source said.
Some of the other recommendations to be considered by the President are: public scrutiny of judges; appointment of CJN from outside the rank of Justice of Supreme Court to be considered by the Federal Judicial Service Commission; need to reform the system of appointment of judges by giving preference to court room experience and decision in legal practice; whether to increase the minimum years of experience required of a legal practitioner to qualify for appointment as a High Court from 10 years to 15 years post call experience, 20 years post call experience for Court of Appeal and 25 years post call experience for Supreme Court; NJC should sanction Judges who are found not to be performing. Such sanction should include removal, where applicable. Need for sanction to be imposed for contempt ex-satiae curiae; to reduce the backlog of criminal cases, retired Judges and senior member of he Bar should be appointed for a limited period of time to act as recorders (adhoc Judges) to adjudicate on criminal cases; and the criminal procedure laws in Nigeria are outdated and recommended to be modernised and amended.
The panel also recommended that Attorney General of the Federation and the Attorney General of states should cease to be members of the Federal Judicial Service Commission or committee as the case may be.
The 29-member stakeholders Judicial Reform Committee raised by Chief Justice of Nigeria was (CJN) Dahiru Musdapher on October 14, 2011.
Members of the committee include former CJNs; S.M.A. Belgore, Idris L. Kutigi and A.I. Katsina-Alu, Mamman Nasir, A.G. Karibi-Whyte, Mustapha Akanbi, Umaru Abdullahi , Kayode Eso, Umaru A. Kalgo, Rose N. Ukeje.
Others are Justice R.P.I. Bozimo, Justice Lawal Hassan Gummi, Joseph Daudu, SAN, Chief Richard O.Akinjide SAN, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim, SAN, Dr. A.G.F. AbdulRazak, (SAN) and Anthony O. Mogboh, SAN.
It also included former NBA Presidents; T.J.O. Okpoko, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), O.C.J. Okocha (SAN), Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), Oluwarotimi O. Akeredolu (SAN) and Prince Lanke Odogiyan, Esq.
The rest are Hajiya Hairat Balogun, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, SAN, (Director-General, NIALS), Dr. Mamman Tahir (Director-General, Nigerian Law School) and Mr. A.B. Mahmud (SAN).

Prof Okon Uya on Ibibio

2012-02-05T20:13:00.003-08:00

Prof Okon Uya on Ibibio
By Professor S. I. Udoidem

On January 20, 2012 I read an article titled “Prof. Okon Uya: Standing Ibibio on its Head which was posted on the internet from Global Concord. The article quoted a statement credited to Professor Okon Edet Uya on account of which the article was a response. The quoted statement read:
“Until comparatively recently the Oron people did not intermarry with Ibbi (Ibibio) for fear of contamination: first with the uncircumcised and second with the descendants of slaves.” -- Prof. Okon Edet Uya
The said comment accredited to Okon Edet Uya about Ibibio people is not only despicable but offensive to a serious academic mind. A true academic that I had always thought Okon Edet Uya to be is supposed to have a sense of intellectual decency. To justify my reservations I had to consult the text to confirm that Prof. Okon Edet Uya really said what was quoted. The text read:
Indeed among the Oron people, to be called “Ibibi” tantamount to being called “a slave” This explains why “until comparatively recently, the Oron did not intermarry with the Ibibi for fear of contamination first with the uncircumcised and second with the descendants of slaves,” according to one informant (Okon Edet Uya, The History of Oron People, p. 8 line 8)
This assertion is indeed a calculated attempt to defame, malign and insult the Ibibio nation. The assertion is too defamatory to be attributed to just a faceless informant. Okon Edet Uya should have had the courage to mention his informant. It is very likely that no body informed him rather he made it up himself to present himself to the public as the protector of Oron heritage. To degenerate to such puerile and infantile mind-set that allows him to fabricate and concoct derogatory information that flies in the face of ancient history documented by non-partisan missionaries and explorers long before Okon Uya was even born is a great disservice to the academic community in Nigeria. Is he trying to sow seeds of discord between Oron and Ibibio? What really is Okon Uyo trying to achieve? Even if what he said were to be considered just for the sake of academic discourse, what evidence has he adduced for his claims? The word “uncircumcised” is a biblical idiom which had a special meaning for the Jews but the “learned” professor has appropriated it and used it inappropriately to refer to the Ibibio. In the Hebrew sense, all non-Jews were referred to as uncircumcised. Does it mean that all non-Oron people are referred to as uncircumcised? In which case, since the Ibibio are not Oron therefore they are uncircumcised. Or does circumcision here refer to male circumcision or female circumcision (clitoridectomy)? Since the context of his assertion is about marriage one might want to ask: Was it the case that circumcised Oron female did not want to get married to “uncircumcised” Ibibio male? Or was it the case of a circumcised Oron male who did not want to get married to an “uncircumcised” Ibibio female? What does it mean for Okon Uya to refer to the Ibibio as “uncircumcised”? What does he mean by referring to Ibibio as “Descendants of slaves”? One would want to ask Okon Uya to explain the logic of his thought. Were the Ibibio uncircumcised because they were the “descendants of slaves” or were they “descendants of slaves” because they were “uncircumcised”? Or were they “uncircumcised” and at the same time “descendants of slaves”? He should have told us who the Ibibio were slaves to. The use of the expression “for fear of contamination” does not only reflect a poor understanding of the English language, semantic configuration and syntax but shows a sickness of the mind. Not being circumcised is not a transferable disease, it is not infectious how then would our “professor” conceive of contamination in this context. A historian of his standing does not know that if one is advancing some information that one considers novel or attempting to refute an existing knowledge claim that one is supposed to provide documented evidence for his or her new claims. Even where he wanted to base his research from informant would it not have been more academic to have more that just one informant. Two or three more sources of the same information would have given at least some probable credence to the authenticity of the information. To attribute new information of this nature to just a faceless and nameless informant cannot be tolerated from a first year history student not to mention a retired Professor of History. Okon Uya has not shown any evidence in this instance of being a seasoned academic. Rather he is celebrating bigotry.
If we look at it from the standpoint of the Biblical history no one that was created by God was a slave. And, if we look at it from the perspective of the evolutionary theory, none of the animals including humans that evolved through evolution was a slave. The concept of slavery is a human creation for the purpose of subjugating another human being. It is a political concept to engineer a superiority mentality. Perhaps this is where Okon Uya is coming from. Being the most celebrated Oron educated person he now feels that the time has come for him to develop a new grammar of identity and personality for Oron people. But must he tell lies or cast mud on the Ibibio to be able to establish a personality for Oron people? I would not want to engage Okon Edet Uya at the level of his puerile mind rather I would want to help him to learn to look at things with a more dynamic and positive orientation. As a historian and a humane science artist that he is, he owes the society some level of responsibility. He should learn to develop the historiography of slavery with the aim of offering redemption to the politically skewed concept instead of politicizing it and seeking to perpetuate human subjugation.
Is the professor of history not aware that history has turned out to show that to be called a slave is a promise of becoming a more than ordinary? If we look at the Biblical history, Haggar is said to have been a slave girl yet she was the first to be blessed with the fruit of the womb in Abraham’s household. According to the Biblical history, the son of Hagar Ishmael is the father of the Arab world. Does this history make the Arabs inferior to any other race in the world? Mohammed who is revered by Moslems all over the World was an Arab and can trace his ancestry to Ishmael. Joseph, the son of Jacob was not born a slave rather it was his brothers who sold him into slavery, but God blessed him and made him a governor in Egypt . Through him his family (Jews) came to Egypt and saved themselves from starvation from famine. When there was a Pharaoh who did not know Joseph, the Jews became slaves in Egypt for more than three generations. When eventually they left Egypt it was from this ex-slaves’ generations later that Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the World was born. Did his ancestry history make him a slave? Are the Jews not one of the most powerful and technologically advanced nations of the world today? Does anyone remember the notion of Jews having been slaves in Egypt ? Today Okon Uya and his people struggle to go on pilgrimage to Israel to visit the ancient sites and landmarks of Jewish history without minding the fact that Jews were once slaves in Egypt . What this means is that for Okon Uya to politically aim at denigrating a people by describing them as slaves even when they are not as in the case of the Ibibio is to invoke God’s blessing on them.
The big question is, “What really was Okon Uya trying to achieve by invoking such derogatory comments about Ibibio people?” This is a very serious matter. If it had come from a tout from the motor park undocumented I would ask Ibibio people to ignore it but coming from a Professor and an Oron opinion leader, and having it documented for posterity, I think it should be taken seriously. I expect that by now informed Oron people should have disassociated themselves from such racial prejudice. If there is no formal repudiation and disassociation it would be taken that he is speaking the mind of all Oron people. And this would be most unfortunate.
I share the opinion of those who say that Ibibio historians should get together and go to work for the production of an informed and documented compendium of Ibibio history. Such a document would be better than wasting energy and resources dignifying indignity by trying to respond to Uya’s intellectual indecency and falsehood. And I also share the opinion of those who say that Ibibio politicians should pay particular attention to this new development so that Usung akan asine ke udung abet asen.
Professor S. I. Udoidem
University of Port Harcourt