Tag: A’Ibom

Categories
NEWS & LIFE

A’Ibom Govt begins payment of pension, gratuity of retired teachers

Emmanuel donates N60m to families of slain policemen
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Emmanuel Udom

Mr Effiong Essien, Head of Civil Service in Akwa Ibom, said the state government had started payment of many years of pension and gratuity of retired primary school teachers.

Essien told newsmen in Uyo on Wednesday that the next of kin of deceased teachers would also be paid.

He said that the payment started on April 19 as promised and condemned the protest staged by a section of the affected retired workers.

Essien said that the payment would be carried out in batches, saying that the concerned retired teachers had started receiving alerts.

According to him, the process will continue throughout the week.

He noted that the government might stage a public show of the payment to convince ‘doubting Thomases’ that it was sincere with its promises.

Essien said that the payment which covered almost 40 years showed that the government of Gov. Udom Emmanuel was workers’ friendly.

“It was published widely that the payment of backlog of gratuities left by previous governments and administration in the state will start on Monday.

“Everything has been put in place for the payment to start but they went to the street as if they didn’t hear the news or publication of the payment.

“Actually, the payment started on Monday and it continues today. Many of those who have been selected for payment have received alert.

“If everything is put together before the week is over, we will put up a public show of the payment,’’ he said.

Essien noted that the administration of Gov. Emmanuel was very sensitive to the needs of the people of the state especially the workers.

“The governor is workers-friendly and ensures salaries are paid as and when due.

“Last year, he even paid when workers were at home during the COVID-19. He paid pensioners and also paid salary.

“The backlog has been there for decades. From 1976 to 1986 is one decade; 1986 -1996, two decades; 1996-2006, three decades; almost getting to four decades.

“Every time the protesters come out, we keep assuring them that we are putting things in place. The protesters are not even the workers that government employed but their next of kin,’’ he said.

Essien said that if the government was consistent in payment, it would go far in clearing the backlog.

He said, “His Excellency cleared 10 years backlog of pensions since he came into office and is ready to do something like that with the gratuities.’’

He, however, debunked the rumour in social media that the state government was doing secret recruitment in the public service.

Categories
NEWS & LIFE

A’Ibom Govt donates multi-million Naira equipment to PWDs

Emmanuel donates N60m to families of slain policemen
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Emmanuel Udom

The Akwa Ibom State Government has donated equipment worth millions of naira to Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in the state.

Speaking during the donation, on Thursday, in Uyo, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr Ini Adiakpan, said the gesture became necessary as a way to eliminate some of the barriers faced by PWDs.

Adiakpan said that the state government remained one of the few in the country dedicated to the welfare of people with disabilities, including strengthening their sense of belonging in the society.

She applauded the efforts of Gov. Udom Emmanuel, for always creating good and friendly policies favourable to the PWDs.

The commissioner said that other efforts of government could be seen clearly in the consistent provision of mobility devices, financial empowerment, educational materials, scholarship for students with disabilities and sponsoring of skills acquisition programmes.

She urged the PWDs to leverage on the gesture of the government and make good use of the equipment, to enhance their living standards as well as to contribute to the society.

“I wish to use this event to urge you all to make good use of the enabling environment and inherent resources created by government to improve yourselves.

“Live your dreams, rise to the faith of greatness, and contribute your quota to the building of a sustainable and resilient society that embraces humanity in all its diversity,” she said.

Responding, on behalf of the PWDs, the State President, Joint Association of Persons With Disabilities, Mrs Offiong Bassey, applauded the state government for its favourable disposition to the conditions of PWDs.

Bassey noted that the support of the state government had already made street begging a taboo for the association.

The equipment donated included body-support machines, vocational tools, cartons of generating sets, saloon equipment, sewing machines, clutches and wheelchairs.

Categories
NEWS & LIFE

Police arrest 2 suspects over fake bank alert in A’Ibom

DPO Sakaba, 8 other policemen, 2 ‘Yan-Sa-Kai’ killed in Kebbi
fILE PHOTO

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom says it has two suspected fraudsters who allegedly swindled their victims of various sums in the state.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Odiko MacDon, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen in Uyo on Wednesday.

MacDon said that the suspects allegedly swindled their victims with fake bank credit alerts.

He said the Police arrested one of the suspects, a Point of Sale (POS) operator, after he used fake alert to defraud two of his customers, Markson Mark Wisdom and Edidiong Samuel Robert of N200,000.00 at his POS stand, situated at Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo.

The PPRO said that operatives of the command also arrested another suspect who bought a Lexus 330 salon car in Lagos using fake bank alert.

He said based on intelligence the police trailed the car to Uyo through Abia and arrested the suspect along IBB Way in Uyo.

“The Akwa Ibom State Police Command, on Jan. 18, 2021, relying on credible information, that a Lexus 330 salon car was bought with fake bank alert at Festac Town, Lagos State trailed the said car to Uyo via Abia State and in a coordinated operation.

“Utilizing the instruments of intelligence-driven policing by the Anti- Cultism Unit of the command, arrested one male suspect, along IBB Road by Ibom Hall, driving the car with a fake number plate; Lagos AKD 230 GQ and recovered the said vehicle.

“In another development, on Jan. 17, 2021, Operatives of the same Unit apprehended a POS Operator, male, aged 26, for fraudulently using fake alert to defraud customers,” MacDon said.

The PPRO said that the Commissioner of Police, Mr Andrew Amiengheme, had appealed to members of the public to be vigilant to the prevalence of these crimes.

He further urged members of the public to take additional steps in securing their cars by inserting security devices and be more vigilant after parking their cars.

MacDon, however, promised that the police would deal decisively with perpetrators of such heinous crimes in the state.

Categories
Uncategorized

Man bags life imprisonment for raping 3-year-old step daughter in A’Ibom

36 arrested in Philippine raid on illegal online gambling operation
jailed

The High Court sitting in Uyo, has sentenced a 23-year-old man, Iniobong Moses, to life imprisonment for raping his 3-year-old step-daughter in Ikot Akpe, Uyo Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom.

The Court, presided over by Justice Okon Okon, on Wednesday found Moses guilty of rape, contrary to Section 367 of the Criminal Code Cap 38, Vol. 2 Laws of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria, 2000.

Justice Okon described Moses as “a disgrace to humanity, whose conduct falls abysmally below even the conduct of beasts.”

The Judge held that by his indefensible and despicable act, the convict has shown himself to be callous and devoid of passion.

He further held that the convict does not deserve to walk freely on Nigerian soil and breathe the air of freedom meant for decent members of the society.

The convict, Iniobong Moses, a native of Afaha Udo Eyop in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area of the State, in his confessional statement, said he was drunk.

Moses said that he defiled the infant by putting his fingers and penis into the victim’s vagina on Nov. 8, 2019, when his wife left for market.

The Court rejected the claim by the accused that he was drunk, saying drunkenness was not an exculpatory defence in Law for the commission of a crime and more so, as it was self inflicted.

The Police Medical Report shows history of abnormal vaginal discharge and wound on the labium of the victim, a case of sexual assault with genital ulcer and genital tract infection.

The Court held that Moses deserves to be put away for a long time from public glare to save innocent children from being further brutalized and ravished by him.

Categories
NEWS & LIFE

COVID-19: A’Ibom confirms 48 new cases, cancels state events

Emmanuel donates N60m to families of slain policemen
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Emmanuel Udom

The Akwa Ibom Government has cancelled all state events requiring large gathering, as it confirmed
48 new cases of COVID-19 in the state.

Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Chairman of the COVID-19 Management Committee, said this during a press briefing tagged “Second Wave of COVID-19: Need for Strict Compliance with Guidelines and Protocols.”

Ekwuwem cautioned Akwa Ibom residents against acts that might lead to another lockdown with its attendance consequences.

He said “large political meetings are discouraged until the current spike of COVID-19 infections is reduced.

“Religious leaders must adhere strictly to the guidelines and protocols for programmes as developed by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and submitted to government.

“School administrators must ensure compulsory and proper use of face mask by students, teachers and everyone in the school premises.”

The SSG stressed that COVID-19 guidelines and protocols must be strictly adhered to by everyone in the state.
According to him, the use of face mask remains compulsory in all public places, offices, tricycles, buses, cars, churches, mosques, markets, hotels and schools.

“Social distancing must be maintained in all public events (indoor and outdoor), in tricycles, cars, taxis, buses, schools and churches.

“Regular hand washing with running water; regular use of sanitizers in homes, offices, public buildings, schools, churches, mosques, hotels and markets, among others.”

Ekuwen also said that personal temperature measurements must be used at entry points into all public buildings, churches, schools, and high body temperatures be reported to the nearest medical facility.

“Hotels, bars, night clubs, restaurants, fastfood outlets and tourism resorts should also adhere strictly to further specific guidelines and protocols as outlined by the COVID-19 Guidelines and Protocol Task Force of the Hotel and Tourism Management Board.

“All COVID-19 Guidelines and Protocol Compliance Monitoring Teams in Churches, Mosques, Markets, Motor Parks, check points, etc, are hereby directed to increase the frequency, intensity, scope and scale of their monitoring activities,” Ekuwem said.

He called on the people to help curb the spread of the dreaded virus by undertaking all necessary precautionary measures issued by World Health Organisation, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Akwa Ibom Government and other relevant public health organisations.

Categories
NEWS & LIFE

COVID-19: A’Ibom Govt cancels Christmas Carol

COVID-19: A’Ibom Govt cancels Christmas Carol
Akwa Ibom State Governor Emmanuel

The Akwa Ibom Government has cancelled the hosting of this year’s annual Christmas Carol festival to curtail the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the state.

The cancellation was made known in statement issued by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr Orman Esin, in Uyo on Thursday.

Esin said this was due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which he noted had hindered preparations for the festival, which usually takes about six months ahead.

He said that in obedience to the WHO, NCDC and the State Government protocols on social distancing and the threat of a second wave of the virus, the festival had to be put on hold.

“The Government of Akwa Ibom State wishes to inform the general public that the 2020 Edition of the state’s award winning Christmas Carols festival has been cancelled.

“This development is hinged on the logistics challenge posed by the global lockdown and international travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to the bourgeoning threat of a second wave of the virus.

“As expected of world class event of that magnitude, its preparation starts at least six months before the date.

“The global travel restrictions and closure of factories earlier in the year, made it impossible to commence the planning of this annual soul lifting spiritual event this year.

“The government deeply regrets this development and urges citizens to take personal responsibility, in addition to government restrictions, to prevent the transmission of the dreaded virus,” he said. (NAN)

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the last time the state government held the event was December 2012.

Categories
EDUCATION NEWS & LIFE

3 children of police inspectors drown in A’Ibom

Bayelsa bye-elections: 3 policemen drown in Southern Ijaw River
Drown

The police in Akwa Ibom has confirmed the drowning of three children of police officers in a pool of water at Eket barracks.

Speaking to newsmen, SP Odiko Macdon, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, described the incident as “painful and shocking.”

He said that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Amiengheme Andrew, received the news of the sad incident with rude shock and disbelief.

“The three of them were children of two serving police inspectors in Eket division, we commiserate with the families, it is indeed painful.

“We understand that the pool of water is used for erosion control, it is more painful because this is preventable,” he said.

He urged policemen residing in barracks to be more vigilant to avoid tragic occurrences, saying, “we should keep an eye on the welfare of our family members, they are the reason we work.”

A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who visited the scene reports that the pool has been cordoned off to avoid further incidents.

A bereaved family member, who pleaded anonymity, said the incident occurred on Tuesday, and that the children were aged between 5 and 7.

Categories
NEWS & LIFE

A’Ibom police kill 2 armed robbery suspects, debunk bank robbery in Uyo

Police rescue 14 kidnap victims in Niger

The Akwa Ibom Police Command has confirmed the killing of two armed robbery suspects at Ifuho Village in Ikot Ekpene by operatives from the command.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Odiko MacDon, stated this in a statement made available to newsmen in Uyo on Friday.

MacDon stated that the command got a distress call around 12.30 pm on Thursday that the suspects allegedly attacked and attempted to rob their victims of their valuables.

He said that the command responded swiftly to the call, leading to the shooting to death of the suspects during a gun-battle with them.

He stated: “On Oct. 8, at about 1230hrs, in response to a distress call, operatives of Ikot Ekpene Division, supervised by its DPO, SP Joshua Benjamin, proceeded to Ifuho Village in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, where some bandits were operating.

“On sighting the police van, the hoodlums opened fire on the operatives, leading to a gun duel.

“While some of the hoodlums escaped through a nearby bush with possible gun shot wounds, two others were hit by bullets.

“They were taken to the police clinic, Ikot Ekpene, where they were confirmed dead.”

MacDon further stated the police recovered one locally made pistol, two live cartridges, one expended cartridge, one black Qlink motorcycle and GSM phones and some charms at the scene of the incident.

He stated that one of the robbers, identified as “Ebube”, was one of the inmates, who recently escaped during a jail break in Ikot Ekpene.

MacDon alleged that Ebube was a notorious gang leader, who had regularly terrorised residents of Ikot Ekpene, Essien Udim and its environs.

“In a follow-up operation, operatives of the division arrested one Felix Nsikak, in connection with the robbery and five phones were recovered from him,” he stated.

The command’s spokesman stated that investigation into the matter had commenced to determine the level of Nsikak’s involvement in the crime.

He added that efforts were ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the gang.

Meanwhile, the command has denied the rumour about a bank robbery at Udo Udoma Banking Layout on Thursday.
MacDon stated that the command responded to a distress call on the alleged bank robbery but discovered it was a false alarm.

“The command wishes to warn mischief makers and peddlers of false information to desist forthwith or have the law to contend with,” he stated.

He stated that the Commissioner of Police, Andrew Amiengheme, had warned criminal elements to either relocate from the state or be ready to bear the consequences of their criminality.

Categories
NEWS & LIFE

FG disburses N993.45m to 24,929 vulnerable households in A’Ibom

FG repackaging school feeding programme for more impact
Humanitarian affairs Minister, Sadiya Farouq

The Federal Government says it has disbursed over N993.45 million to 24,929 vulnerable households in nine local government areas of Akwa Ibom under its Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme.

Sadiya Umar Farouq, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, disclosed this at the commencement of the programme at Ikono LGA near Uyo on Tuesday.

Farouq said the selected local government areas represented 30 per cent of the state’s council areas.

She said that each of the beneficiaries would receive between N30,000 and N40,000.

According to her, the benefiting LGAs are; Eastern Obolo, Ikono, Mkpat Enin, Nsit Atai, Nsit Ubium, Onna, OrukAnam, Ukanafun and Uruan.

She said that the CCT programme, a component of the social protection schemes of President Muhammadu Buhari administration, was aimed at taking 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years.

”Apart from the war against corruption, Buhari has prioritised social protection interventions to pull 100 million people out of poverty over the course of 10 years.

“The payment cycle could have started in September 2019, but issues faced with the payment service provider that delayed the process has now been resolved,” she said.

The minister, however, apologised for the delay in the disbursement of the money to the beneficiaries.

In her welcome remarks, Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr Ini Adiakpan, appreciated the Federal Government’s gesture.

Adiakpan urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the gesture in order to encourage the Federal Government to do more.

“The benefits of implementing the Conditional Cash Transfer intervention in Nigeria have been enormous especially in health, nutrition and education.

“These are very critical areas for which every responsible government must concern itself with.

”Akwa Ibom State keyed into the programme in the middle of 2019, with nine pilot local government areas.

“The State Operating Coordinating Unit enumerated about 126,000 households making the beneficiaries’ list. We are grateful that today about 24,929 are the first set of beneficiaries,” Adiakpan said.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Christiana Umo, appreciated the Federal Government for the kind gesture.

Umo said that the money would help her to start a small business to support her family.

Another beneficiary, Miss Blessing Monday, said that the money would go a long way to alleviate her suffering.

Monday promised to invest the money to enhance the financial position of her household.

Meanwhile, enjoy this short video and don’t forget to subscribe.

Categories
NEWS & LIFE POLITICS

Electoral malpractice: 3 varsity dons indicted, 3 INEC officials sacked in A’Ibom

INEC to conduct by-election for Rimba/Ebagi Ward of Abaji Area Council on April 24
INEC

Mr Mike Igini, INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Akwa Ibom, on Tuesday said that three university lecturers had been confirmed to have been involved in electoral malpractice during the 2019 general elections.

Igini, who addressed newsmen at the INEC office in Uyo, said that three officials of the electoral body had also been sacked over alleged involvement in electoral malpractices.

According to him, the three university teachers will soon be charged to court.

Igini, however, did not mention the names of the institutions and the areas where the malpractice took place.

“The lecturers, who were engaged as Collation and Returning Officers during the 2019 general elections, were reported to have manipulated and falsified election results.

“As I speak to you, not less than three of the staff of the commission from the ICT Unit and those in the rank of executive and administrative officers were also involved in actions that completely undermined the electoral process and integrity of the commission,” he said.

He said that the suspects compromised their positions and produced outcomes contrary to the will of the people, as expressed through the ballot.

“A panel we set up subsequently established a prima facie documentary evidence of deliberate criminal manipulation of election results against the Collation/Returning Officers,” Igini said.

He said that the involvement of the three INEC staff from the ICT unit had been proved beyond reasonable doubt.

“This action has become absolutely necessary because of the unsustainable belief by some members of the public that the commission does not sanction persons involved in electoral malpractices during elections.

“We must have an institution that has integrity to protect the will of the people in any election.

“Punishing those involved in unwholesome electoral activities will serve as a lesson and a clear message to those who will be engaged by INEC in future.

“It is good for them to know that INEC in Akwa Ibom will always be transparent. People engaged as presiding officers are a very important link. They are the last set of people in charge of election materials, particularly the ballot papers and result sheets,” the REC said.

He regretted that in spite of the training given to the electoral officers and staff of the commission, they went a different way and chose to involve themselves in unethical conduct.

Igini lamented that the officials manipulated and falsified election results, thereby producing outcomes that were contrary to the will of the people.

“Following a formal request by the Commission, the authorities of the affected institutions released the lecturers to appear before an investigative panel set up by INEC Headquarters on Aug. 12 and 26, 2020,” he revealed.

Igini noted that the INEC workers sacked were shown the way out “in line with the extant rules and the power of the commission to appoint, dismiss and to exercise disciplinary control over its staff”.

Meanwhile, enjoy this short video and don’t forget to subscribe.