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Author: Isaiah Eka

  • Police apprehend suspected ex-convict parading as military personnel 

    Suspect

    By Isaiah Eka

    Uyo, June 6, 2024 (NAN) The police command in Akwa Ibom, says it has apprehended a suspected ex-convict who has been parading himself as a military personnel.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, ASP Timfon John, said this in a statement in Uyo on Thursday.

    She said that operatives of the command on crime prevention patrol, arrested the suspect, Eddiong Matthew, on Wednesday.

    The PPRO said that preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect, a 35-year old man was an ex-convict.

    She said the suspect had perpetrated series of crimes in the state using a military uniform with the rank of a warrant officer.

    The police spokesperson said that a walkie-talkie, cell phones, a brown coverall dress, and an RCC ID Card suspected to have been stolen from victims, were recovered from him.

    John said that the suspect would be charged to court as soon as investigations were concluded.

    She expressed the commitment of the Commissioner of Police, Waheed Ayilara to rid the state of crime.

    John urged members of the public to always support the police with reliable intelligence to enable it track down.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    IE/CEO/AZU

    Edited by Chidi Opara and Azubuike Okeh

     

  • Flooding: Akwa Ibom to demolish structures built on water channels

    Structures
    By Isaiah Eka
    Uyo, June 5, 2024 (NAN) Sen. Akon Eyakenyi, Akwa Ibom Deputy Governor, says the state government will demolish any structure built on water channels in order to avoid flooding and collapse of buildings.
    Eyakenyi, made the statement on Wednesday during an inspecting tour of flooded areas and blocked drainage systems in Uyo.
    Eyakenyi, also the Chairman, Akwa Ibom Emergency Management Agency, urged residents of the city to avoid dumping wastes on drains and water channels.
    He urged approving agencies to be cautious in granting approvals for buildings, saying,” buildings shouldn’t be erected on areas marked out for drains”
    “Ensure that the land is inspected properly before giving approvals, we have to protect ourselves and the environment.
    “We are listed among flood prone states in 2024 by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency.
    “As a government, we have remained proactive towards controlling flooding and minimizing its effects on the state,” she said.
    The deputy governor urged residents of flood prone areas to relocate to safer environments for the safety of their lives and property.
    Also speaking, Prof. Eno Ibanga, Commissioner for Works and Fire Service, said the state government’s flood control programme was still on stream.
    “We are commencing work on the problem areas, we need to channel water properly to avoid flooding,” Ibanga said.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the team visited Ewet Housing Extension, Gloria Amana and adjoining streets around Osongama Estate.
    Also visited were, Methodist Church Cathedral Itiam Etoi along Oron Road and the Nsikak Eduok Drainage. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    IE/CHOM/AZU
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    Edited by Chioma Ugboma and Azubuike Okeh

  • FG tasks SON on quality, excellence in service delivery 

    Service
    By Isaiah Eka
    Uyo, June 5, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Government has urged the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to remain steadfast in promoting quality and excellence in service delivery.
    Mrs Nura Rimi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, said this in a keynote address at the 2024 leadership retreat for management staff of SON in Uyo on Wednesday.
    Represented by Dr Anietie Umoessien, the Director, Industrial Inspectorate Department, Rimi urged the participants to always drive for excellence in service delivery.
    She said that SON had a mandate to play critical role in protecting the interests of consumers by insisting on safety, excellence and quality.
    The permanent secretary said that the theme for the retreat was significant to the organisation’s journey towards advancing the standardisation of products in the country.
    Rimi further said that the theme reflected the Federal Government’s commitment towards realising President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
    “As we converge under this guiding theme, we are reminded of the organisation’s critical role in protecting the interests of consumers and promoting industrial growth.
    “It is also part of your mandate to enhance revenue generation and Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global market.
    “It is therefore imperative for you to continuously strive for excellence, innovation and relevance in your pursuit of these objectives,” she said
    Rimi urged SON management to imbibe  the culture of collaboration and creativity in order to unlock the full potential of the organisation.
    Earlier, the Director-General of SON, Dr Ifeanyi Okeke, said that the organisation remained committed to ensuring excellence in all standardization.
    Okeke said that SON had a mission to uphold standards, promote quality, and ensure the safety of products in Nigeria.
    He said that the retreat provided unique platform to align strategies, enhance service delivery and explore innovative ways to generate revenue for a sustainable future.
    “Together, we shall explore strategies to elevate our leadership capabilities and foster a culture of excellence within the organisation.
    “To strengthen our leadership capabilities, we must focus on strategic thinking, effective communication, change management and innovation.
    “These skills are vital for navigating the dynamic landscape of standards and regulations while driving continuous improvement and organisational growth,” he said.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the retreat is: “Service Optimization, Greater Effectiveness, and Revenue Enhancement for a Renewed Future”
    (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    IE/AZU
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    Edited by Azubuike Okeh

  • A’Ibom proposes Oct. 26 for LG poll

    Poll
    By Isaiah Eka
    Uyo, June 5, 2024 (NAN) The Akwa Ibom Government has proposed Oct. 26 for the conduct local government elections in the state.
    Gov. Umo Eno disclosed this at a stakeholders meeting organised by the Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) in Uyo.
    Represented by Mr Frank Archibong, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Eno said that the meeting was in preparation for the council polls.
    He said that council chairmen that would emerge from the exercise would be sworn in on Dec. 7, in compliance with the state’s electoral plan.
    Eno who also presented the election plan to political party representatives at the meeting, urged them to prepare for elections.
    “This engagement is a precursor to all of the electoral activities that will ultimately lead to the 2024 local government elections.
    “The council poll could not hold in 2023 because of shortness of time, remember that we assumed office in May 29.
    “That is the reason we still have caretaker committees at the local governments. I see nothing stoping us from having the elections this year,” he said.
    Earlier, the Chairman of AKISIEC, Mr Aniedi Ikoiwak, said that the meeting was to brief stakeholders on the preparations for council polls in the state.
    “So this meeting gives stakeholders the opportunity to interrogate the electoral process as planned,” he said.
    He said that the commission would ensure adequate deployment of electoral and security personnel during the exercise.
    Ikoiwak told political parties to conduct their primaries between July 22 and Aug. 26.
    He said that from the timetable, campaigns would commence on Aug. 26. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    IE/AZU
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    Edited by Azubuike Okeh

  • FG plans brigade to promote citizenship, core values 

    Brigade

    By Isaiah Eka

    Uyo, June 3, 2024 (NAN) Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, the Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), says the Federal Government has concluded plans to establish citizens brigade with the aim of promoting core values.

    Issa-Onilu disclosed this while speaking at an advocacy visit to the Nigerian Christian Institute (NCI), Uyo on Monday.

    He said that the citizens brigade was part of the National Value Charter billed to be unveiled by President Bola Tinubu during the year.

    The D-G said that no fewer then 37,000 Nigerian children would be recruited into the brigade and raised as models to promote core values and good citizenship.

    He noted that the Nigerian child must be nurtured from the cradle with core values to enable them grown into patriotic and productive adults.

    “We have seven items on our plan to deepen national values, one of them is the establishment of citizens brigade.

    “It is to give opportunities to our children to be nurtured from tender age, it is one of the voluntary institutions we intend to create

    “It will be fashioned after what we knew those days as boys scout and girls brigade. They will be kitted and raised as model citizens,” he said.

    He said that the expectation was to enlist hundreds of children into the brigade in the next fews years.

    Issa-Onilu urged Nigerians to memorise and learn how to render the new national anthem as a way of demonstrating their patriotism to the nation.

    “The new national anthem is a symbol of Nigerians’ allegiance and loyalty to the country. It is more impactful, more meaningful and capable of uniting us”, he said.

    The D-G said that the new anthem not only brought back sense of patriotism and nationalism, but evoked the consciousness of Nigerians.

    ”The national anthem that we had in 1960 resonates more in comparison to the one we just changed.

    ”The lyrics are more impactful and more meaningful than the one that we just dropped. That is the real reason for going back to that,” he said.

    In her remarks, Ms Mfon Nze, Principal, NCI, Uyo, expressed gratitude to the agency for finding the institution worthy of the advocacy visit.

    Nze said that the impact of the visit would to be felt for a long time because it had revived the school’s value system

    “I feel elated that in all the schools in Akwa Ibom and Uyo, you chose the NCI, this will remain indelible in the history of this institution,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    IE/DCO/AZU

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    Edited by Deborah Coker and Azubuike Okeh

     

  • Public offices, banks in Uyo closed as labour begins strike

    Strike
    Isaiah Eka
    Uyo, June 3, 2024 (NAN) Public offices and banks in Uyo were on Monday, not opened for businesses following the indefinite strike embarked upon by the organised labour.
    A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) checks around Uyo metropolis showed that labour leaders were monitoring workers’ compliance with the strike.
    It would be recalled that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) directed their members to embark on the strike.
    The labour unions’ decision is part of their ongoing agitation for a new minimum wage for workers.
    NAN reports that the Idongesit Nkanga state secretariat complex and the Federal Secretariat were also not opened to workers.
    At the state secretariat, labour leaders were seen playing drums and chanting solidarity songs.
    Security patrol vehicles were seen stationed at strategic locations in the city to avert any breakdown of law and order.
    Commercial banks located at the Udo Udoma Banking Layout, were not accessible to customers.
    Some of the customers who spoke to NAN expressed worries over their inability to access banking services.
    However, markets and motor parks in the city were operational and open to members of the public.
    Some public school students who were in school earlier in the day, were asked to go home following teachers’ unavailability.
    The NLC Chairman in Akwa Ibom, Sunny James, told newsmen that workers in the state would ensure total compliance with the directive to embark on indefinite strike.
    “We shall move around the state to enforce the directive, we shall continue until the Federal Government meets the demands of workers(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    IE/AZU
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    Edited by Azubuike Okeh

  • National Anthem symbol of citizens’ allegiance, loyalty -NOA D-G

    Anthem
    By Isaiah Eka
    Uyo, June 2, 2024 (NAN) Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, the Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), says the new National Anthem is a symbol of Nigerians’ allegiance and loyalty to the country.
    Issa-Onilu stated this in Uyo on Saturday while speaking to newsmen on some key programmes currently being implemented of the agency.
    The D-G applauded President Bola Tinubu for signing the new National Anthem Law, saying that the anthem contained better lyrics and more meaning.
    “It is more impactful, more meaningful and capable of uniting Nigerians more,” he said.
    He said that the new anthem not only brought back sense of patriotism and nationalism, but evoked the consciousness of Nigerians
    “The national anthem that we had in 1960 resonates more in comparison to the one we just changed.
    “The lyrics are more impactful and more meaningful than the one that we just dumped. That is the real reason for going back to that,” he said.
    Issa-Onilu noted that the national anthem is part of the values of a country, which should make the citizens to appreciate one another.
    He said the agency would soon begin the process of fashioning out a proper and acceptable way of rendering the anthem.
    “The national anthem must be officially rendered. Everyone should know the official rendition of the anthem, the process will begin soon
    “We are going to call for entries from musicians and others. This is an opportunity for us to have a national anthem that we can all connect with.
    “Can we put together our local instruments and produce a very beautiful rendition? these are the things we are looking at,” he said.
    The D-G urged Nigerians to remain steadfast in supporting the policies and programmes of the current administration to ensure better service delivery.
    He said that although Nigerians were facing hardship, every policy being implemented by the current administration was in interest of the nation.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    IE/TYC/AZU
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    Editted by Thompson Yamput and Azubuike Okeh