90 Minutes to Brazil

 

The Samba city, of Rio de Janeiro, the capital of carnivals globally and the home of football, where the legend Pele hails from beckons as Nigerians hope beyond faith, but with great confirmation and confidence of a fifth World Cup ticket at the greatest football festival on earth-the World Cup.

Welcome to Brazil I can confidently boast. The Eagles will fly past the Walya Antelopes this weekend at the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar, Cross River State.
In an earlier piece just before the October 13 “Battle of Addis Ababa” encounter, I had stated that the worst result the Eagles would have in the first leg would be a draw.

The Ink Newspaper, Uyo

Big Crisis Rocks Akpabio's House

Last Saturday unwarranted attack on the member representing Nsit Ubium State Constituency at the AKHA Hon. Onofiok Luke by Emmanuel Ekon who represents Abak/Ika/ Etim Ekpo Federal Constituency and Hon. Nse Ntuen, the chairman of Essien Udim who is also the ALGON chairman has created serious ripples in the larger Akpabio political cycles with some pundits calling on punitive measures on Nse Ntuen and Emmanuel Ekon.

 

Governor Godswill Akpabio has also been accused of orchestrating the plot that led to the attack on Hon. Luke. Although there were some efforts made by the Governor to calm frayed nerves thereafter, THE INK reporter learnt that the peace move failed flat due to what over 85% of the Akwa Ibom lawmakers described as affront on their Nsit Ubium born colleague.

Iniobong Ekong, Critical questions

 

Ditto that Ifreke Nseowo who manages the www.connoisseurNG.com, a popular website and who also doubles as the Managing Editor of Community Pulse Newspapers had on the blog published a story of Prince Akpabio's rascality at a night club known as Play Terrace located along Aka road in Uyo sometimes in June. The story quite true and factual as it was went ahead to prove to doubting Thomases that indeed some of the Akpabio boys are beginning to allow the allure of power and money to get into their head.

Prince Akpabio at Play Terrace was not his first time on that date; his rascality was not even the first time. But what provoked the situation was the outright disregard for human values that Governor Akpabio's brother displayed with flagrant abuse of womanhood. The sensibilities of the women were abused and trampled upon. It reminded one of one of the dungeon movies that we watched way back in our secondary school days. Much as this commentary is not about prince Akpabio, it is also of a necessity that he be always referenced because it is not that simple to disengage retired captain Iniobong Ekong's action from that of the crown Prince of Ukana. 

Emmanuel Ekon: An irresponsible lawmaker

 

He is the member representing Abak, Ika, Etim Ekpo federal constituency at the National Assembly. He got his emergence into the House not because he was exceptional but because the powers that be just wanted to favour him.

Unfortunately when Ekon got to the House of Representatives, he got lost in the crowd of the National Assembly. He did not go there with creativity neither has he offered anything in terms of effective representation. A lawmaker that has failed outright and has completely lost touch with the realities of what service is all about.

Our position on zoning, by Uyo SD

The people of Uyo Senatorial District under the aegis of Uyo Senatorial District Stakeholders have opened up their position on zoning which they said must be sacrosanct.

In a communiqué signed by Senator Bob, Barr Usenobong Akpabio, Dr Ubong Iyoho and Chief Israel Utit, Uyo senatorial stakeholders observed that since the creation of the state in 1987, Uyo Senatorial district has produced Idongesit Nkanga, Akpan Isemin and Obong Attah as governors of the State. It noted that during these periods which spanned from 1990 to 1992, 1992 to 1993 and 1999 to 2007, Obong Ufot Ekaette, Amb. Etim Okpoyo, Obong Chris Ekpenyong and Sir Michael Udofia with the first two hailing from the Eket Senatorial District and the last two from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial districts were deputy Governors.  

Akpabio’s aide donates to less privileged, ors

An aide of the Governor, Comrade Ini Ememobong Essien has donated a new wheel chair to a physically challenged student of Accounting in the Uyo City Polytechnic, Mr. Peter Effiong.

Mr. Essien who is the Personal Assistant to the Governor on Students Matters, made the presentation last week in Uyo in support of the efforts of the Governor’s wife, Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio to improve on the lots of widows and the less privileged in the state.

He described the State Governor, Chief Akpabio and wife as youth friendly and models of qualitative education. 

Oruk Anam Chair has no link to militants – Group

The Oruk Anam Agenda a social political group in Oruk Anam Local Government Area says their Council Chairman Hon. Anthony Akpan has no link either directly or indirectly with militants. 

The group stated this while reacting to information that the council boss has been in a messy deal with militants. In a release signed by Eno Eshiet, National Coordinator, Umoren Umoren General Secretary and Prince Sunday Francise PRO of the body and made available to our correspondent during the weekend, Oruk Anam Agenda maintained that the council chairman Anthony Akpan is a law abiding citizen who has never been found wanting in any aspect  of his endeavour.

PDP stakeholder commends Anietie Etuk, Council boss

A stakeholder of the Peoples Democratic  Party in Nsit Ibom Local Government area, Hon Nsisong Jackson has commended the legislative credentials of the member representing Nsit Ibom state constituency at the House of Assembly, Hon Anietie Etuk and the Chairman of Nsit Ibom Local Government Hon Mfon Ekong. 

The PDP man described the pair as a partnership that has really encouraged the growth of the Local Government Area. He stated that Anietie Etuk and Mfon Ekong are two very significant leaders that have been able to turn round the fortunes of the local Government Area in the positive direction. He maintained that with the peaceful disposition of the two in the affairs of the council, the ship of leadership of the Local Government Area is focused.