Latest edition of THE INK NEWSPAPER, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

“Blood moon” Cleric calls on Christians to shun astrological teachings

 

BY ASSAM ABIA

Against the backdrop of reactions and interpretations that trailed the recent total Lunar Eclipse of September 28, 2015 in which the moon took the colour of blood, a renowned man of God, Rev. John Uzoma has called on Christians to shun astrological teachings and beliefs. 

Venerably John Uzoma, Archdeacon of Eket and Vicar of St. Michael and All Angels Anglican Church condemned in strong terms the insinuation in some quarters that the celestial event is a sign of the end of the world. 

Bizarre: Eket School where pupils sit on bare floor to learn

BY ASSAM ABIA

Over 1,000 pupils of St. Paul’s Lutheran Primary School, Ikot Ibiok in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State sit on bare floor to learn how to read and write due to unavailability of school desks. 

Narrating the plight of the pupils to our reporter, head teacher of the school, Mrs. Grace Daniel Etop said she inherited the situation which has lasted over two years now. 

“It’s an irony that Akwa Ibom State government offers free education to Secondary School level but very unfortunate that these future leaders are forced to sit on bare floor to learn”, Mrs. Etop  said.

She blamed the situation to the insensibility of the authorities concerned and called on corporate individuals to come to the aid of the pupils, since government has failed to respond, adding that she has called the attention of the ministry of education to the situation but to no avail. 

Mrs Umanah fetes Abak women at independence - Commends First Lady on FEYReP Initiative

The wife of the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Maureen Aniekan Umanah, has described the recent launch of the Family Empowerment and Youths Re-Orientation Programme (FEYReP) by the first lady, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel, as timely and commendable.

Mrs. Umanah made this known in Abak Local Government Area, during her Independence Day outreach to widows and the less privileged, where she distributed foodstuffs, clothing and other materials worth thousands of Naira, in addition to cash gifts, a gesture she said was in support of the first lady’s agenda of building stronger family fronts.

The commissioner’s wife, who has over the years given women in the area a sense of belonging appreciated past beneficiaries of her women welfare programmes, for their ingenuity at investing in businesses that have sustained their families, cushioning them from the harsh economic realities, and promised to ensure every woman in Abak has a chance to live well.

Faculty President suspended, attacked by cultists

BY UBONG INYANG

The embattled president of the Faculty of Arts Students Association (FASA) of the University of Uyo, Comrade Abidiak Odunonwi was on Friday night attacked at his residence by suspected cult members.

The attack came after the president was suspended by members of the faculty parliament following issues of cash embezzlement and other hideous acts by the comrade. He came under intense scrutiny by members of the parliament on numerous occasions and he had been fortunate to escape the axe but not until this occasion as majority of the house members called for his immediate suspension. 

Royal fathers salute Akwa Ibom at 28

Royal Fathers in the state under the umbrella of Ekpuk (Family) Heads Association have rejoiced with the government and people of the state on the 28th anniversary of the state creation. 

 
Speaking with journalists at Chief Godswill Akpabio International Stadium during the official launching of the “Dakkada Initiative”, the State Chairman of the Association, Otuekong Sunday Umoh (JP), described the launching of the “Dakkada Initiative” as timely and a welcome development which will encourage Akwa Ibom people to rise up and not to be lazy.

 
Otuekong Umoh commended the Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel for his vision to industrialize the state, stressing that his achievements within his first 100 days in office have vindicated the people of Akwa Ibom State on the choice of Mr. Udom Emmanuel is their Governor.

Law and policy must be married to grow democracy - Ekong Sampson

The Commissioner for  Rural Development,  Barr Ekong Sampson has advised the makers and enforcers of law to ensure that law and policy are well married, so as to ensure the growth and progress of democracy in Nigeria. 

 
Barr Ekong gave the advice last week while lecturing undergraduate lawyers of the Sir Udo Udoma Chambers in the University of Uyo law faculty, during the annual lecture/dinner in honour of the late Justice Albert Udo Udoma.
Speaking during the lecture session, Barr Ekong said that he is of the belief that law and policy are related, and that law cannot be talked about meaningfully without a critical look at the undercurrent of policy; adding that law and policy have to work together in order to have a better and rightful direction. 

 
According to him, whatever is the battle line between law and justice is what makes the difference. He said that law and policy reforms the major ingredients that should guide democracy, and that the way policy is applied is what determines the efficacy of law.

 

AKSG clarifies N10b ECA Loan

Akwa Ibom State Government has shed  more light on the recent approval by the State House of Assembly for it to access 10 billion Naira Excess Crude Account Loan.

At a press briefing in Uyo recently, the State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Akan Okon stated that contrary to misrepresentation of the issue in some quarters, the loan platform was the initiative of the National Economic Council led by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo that proceeds from the Excess Crude Account which were usually shared among the 36 States should now serve as a collateral under which States could access a maximum of 10 billion  Naira to finance their capital projects in view of the dwindling oil revenue.

He said it was in line with this decision by the National Economic Council which had also directed the Central Bank of Nigeria to create a pool of loanable funds for interested states to access, that Akwa Ibom  sought and got the approval of both the Executive and Legislative arms to access the 10 Billion Naira ECA loan ,being the highest contributor to the account.

Uyo Leaders honour Ikono son

The political leader of  Ikono Local Government Area, Obong Emmanuel Ukpong Udo has been recognized, honoured and inducted as an honorary member of the Uyo Senatorial District Leaders’ Forum (USDLF). 

In a well attended ceremony which took place on Saturday at the special general assembly of the group, Obong UkpongUdo was honoured for his unprecedented contributions to promote the cause of the Ibibios. 

  Setting the tone for the event before the induction, the secretary general of the body, Obong Essien Esema in his remarks said “when a child washes his palms clean, he deserves to wine and dine with the elders,” adding that Obong Ukpongudo deserves the honour. 

Obong Esema, a lawyer, said the honour on the Ikono political leader, was indeed a matter of joy and pride for an exceptional leader like him and presented him for the induction. 

Medical Personnel urges A’Ibom indigenes to be Health conscious

Kelechi Okoro, the Chief Executive Officer of House of Diagnosis, Medical Diagnostic Services in Eket, Akwa Ibom has advised the indigenes of the state to be more Health conscious.
Okoro gave the advise during a three-day free medical test and treatment with the Theme “Caring for the Masses”, in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom.

She said the people should continue to be conscious of their health, environment and life-style patterns in order to minimize the development of diseases in their bodies.

Okoro said that the people should visit medical experts for regular check up.
“We should also strive to widen our knowledge of disease prevention as we carefully listen to the numerous workshops and seminars packaged for us in the course of the event. 

Of Udoma Udoma’s epochal appointment

BY PRISCILLA CHRISTOPHER

One scholar once noted that for his years of faithful and unalloyed service to God and  humanity, he would not hesitate to get his advance payment here on earth while expecting to get the balance when he gets to heaven. This statement expresses his belief that inasmuch as one is expected to be diligent in his doings on earth, the rewards of such should also be expected accordingly. This belief has come to be fulfilled in the life of a son of Akwa Ibom’s soil, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma who was last week nominated a minister of the federal republic of Nigeria. 

The unofficial news which began as a rumour has attracted wide-spread reactions across borders with many seeing it as a welcome development that will not only benefit the Akwa Ibom people but Nigeria at large, giving Udoma Udoma’s vast experience, knowledge and posterity. 

Need to tame unethical Journalism

BY IDRIS MABADEJE

It is for the purpose of guiding individual members of different professions that codes of ethics are formulated to stipulate acceptable standards of behaviour, below which members are deemed to have erred.

Professionals in every field of endeavour, by virtue of their training, are assumed to be capable of making judgements and applying acquired skills to arrive at informed decisions while dealing with their clients.

In journalism, dealing with a mass clientele that requires timely, and credible information to make socio-political and economic decisions, especially in a democracy, imposes a huge responsibility on practitioners to come across at all times, as dependable allies in the tasks of human development and nation-building.

Across many nations of the world, codes of ethics for journalists otherwise known as canons of journalism, share common principles of truthfulness, accuracy, objectivity, impartiality, fairness and public accountability in news gathering and dissemination.