TOIS mark 5th Inter-House Sports Festival in style

BY KENNETH JUDE

Tower of Ivory Schools, Ediene- Abak, Akwa Ibom State has held its 5th Inter-House Sports Festival with the theme “The Discovery of Champions’’ (Season One). The colourful outing held last Saturday in the school compound as guests and sports’ lovers turned out in their large numbers to share in the momentous occasion.

  The event was well attended and had all the trappings of a top notch ceremony with the students treating guests to captivating performances, calisthenics and lots more. The Special Guest of Honour and Commissioner for Education, Elder Aniekan Akpan was represented by the Director in the Ministry of Education, Mr. Anthony Asuquo.

Speaking at the occasion, the Chairman on the occasion, Rear Admiral Uduak Essien, while thanking the School management for putting up the Inter-House competition, stressed the need for the revival of sports in schools, an exercise he noted has lied dormant in recent times. “Let today’s event serve as a springboard for the revival of schools’ sports across the state and beyond. I thank all of you for your patience and I pray God to bless you all for coming.’’

Governor Emmanuel and the imperative of cabinet shakeup

BY ETORO-OBONG INYANG

 

The recent rebuttal by the chief press secretary to the governor, Ekerete Udoh to speculations that his boss was contemplating a cabinet shake up following his victory at the Supreme Court might have gone midway to douse tension among members of the state executive council , but, one thing looks certain, whether now or in the nearest future, the governor would have need to reconstitute his cabinet for obvious reasons, in the final analysis, this is Udom Emmanuel’s government, and he would take absolute responsibility for the success of his government or otherwise, irrespective of the forces that aided him to become the governor. 

A’Ibom to supply poultry equipments to Nigeria - Ufot Ebong

The senior special adviser, Bureau of technical matters and due process, Elder Ufot Ebong, says Akwa Ibom state will in no time from now supply Nigerians poultry equipments that before now were imported.

Elder Ebong, said the development is part of the state governor’s dream of completely industrializing the state and as well provide employment to our teaming youths, hinting that within the few months of Governor Udom Emmanuel, in office, over 1022 youths in the state are gainfully employed.

Elder Ebong, made the disclosure while interacting with journalists in his office where he took time out to explain what the Udom Emmanuel led administration was doing in the state to better the lots of the citizens.

Oil Spill Palliative Projects: Royal Father receives recomendations

Commendations have trailed the Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Supreme Traditional Rulers Council and the Paramount Ruler of Iben, HRM Onwong Dr. Effiong Bassey Archanga for his equitable distribution of  Oil Spill Palliative Projects to engender peace in his domain..

This commendation came from Exxon Mobil an international oil giant operating in the area during the presentation of the second batch of Exxon Mobil Oil Spill palliative project, comprising special school projects, fifty outboard engines and fibre boats, fishing nets and life buoys.

Nya Ebito confronts Udom *says we were schemed out in your favour

 *no, God dragged you back to the pulpit- Governor fights back

BY EMMANUEL AKPAN 

A former Peoples Democratic Party  (PDP) governorship aspirant and Senior pastor, House of Gold Ministries International, Uyo, Apostle (Dr) Nya Ebito has finally spoken after he lost out in the December, 2014 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primaries in Akwa Ibom State.

 Nya Ebito said himself and other top-notch governorship aspirants were schemed out of the PDP primaries in other to favour Mr. Udom Emmanuel as the party’s flag bearer who was later elected as the Governor.

We will demonstrate our grievances against APC come March 12

*says Ibesikpo Asutan electorates
 

Electorate in Ibesikpo Asutan State Constituency has vowed to demonstrate their long drawn political enmity and hatred against APC in the forthcoming re-run polls in the area slated for March 12, 2016.

Rising from a crucial meeting of the political stakeholders of the PDP Monday, the electorate which cut across both the ruling party and the opposition APC in the state took a swipe on the APC candidate, Mr. Gabriel Okon Akpan, for offering himself as an instrument to drag the political future of Ibesikpo Asutan State Constituency backward and anti-clockwise.

The leader of the group, Chief Inemesit Effiong, who said he was not a politician but only an Elder statesman, said history will never forgive or forget anybody or group of persons, who stock in trade was to remain a cork in the wheel of progress of Ibesikpo Asutan people in their collective quest to get to the top of their political echelon by all means.

Govt hails Aka Offot on peace initiatives

The Akwa Ibom State Government has commended the decision by the host communities of Aka Offot Industrial Estate/Banking Layout to embrace and give peace a chance, by agreeing to the peace process brokered by Government, geared towards industrialisation and sustainable development.

This commendation was made by the Executive Chairman, Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation (AKICORP), Dr. Elijah Akpan while receiving the youth leaders of the four host communities of the Industrial Area, who under the aegis of Coalition of Youth Leaders Forum had visited him in his office.

AKICORP boss hails Gov. Emmanuel

The Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation (AKICORP) has joined the good people of the State and, indeed, all men of goodwill across the nation and beyond, in celebrating the victory of the affirmation at the Supreme Court of the divine mandate of Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel as the authentic Governor of the State.

In a message of goodwill to the Governor, signed by the Executive Chairman, Dr. Elijah Akpan, on behalf of the Management and staff of the Corporation, as well as all of Government-owned Enterprises/Investments over which it has oversight function and, indeed, all its Subsidiaries, the Corporation heartily felicitated the State’s Chief Executive Officer, whom it described as “our performing Governor, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel” on his well-deserved victory at the Supreme Court.

According to the message, AKICORP identified with the Governor and the people of Akwa Ibom State on this epoch making occasion, adding that with this affirmation, he would be focussed on proving his mettle as the performer and achiever that he is.

Aftermath of Ibaka Inferno : Residents Count Loses , Seek Help From Government

Residents of Ibaka fishing settlements  in Mbo local Government area of Akwa Ibom State have cried and pleaded with Federal, State and local Governments within the sphere to come to their aid by providing relief materials and some cushion compensation to enable them get back their Business life.

The people also solicited the state Government to consider building and equipping a fire station in the area, rearrange the fishing settlements with a town planning to help end the incessant fire outbreak that is a ritual in the area. 

They dropped the plea amidst tears and anguish when a team of selected Journalists who were on a fact-finding mission to ascertain the remote cause of the fire outbreak and possibly draw government attention to the plight of the people therein. 

An open letter to Governor Udom Emmanuel concerning 2011 oil spill paliative for Eket.

My dear Governor, this letter is being  written under the influence of drugs. 

I am not high nor feeling the least bit euphoric, jittery, or spaced-out. My brain is not acting entirely under its own power, because a few hours ago I took 200 milligrams of the anti-tiredless drugs known in the political pharmacy as DAKKADAMACIN.

With the assistance of this stalwart pharmaceutical sidekick, I have been able to spend the last couple of hours poring over an issue which may soon attract international attention, negatively though, to Akwa Ibom State, by way of youth restiveness in Eket propelled by the non payment of the 2011 Oil Spill palliative to Eket Local Government Area. 

In honour of Late Lawrence Okorie

By Amos Etuk

I have dreaded writing this  piece especially facing the  reality of perhaps writing a tribute in memory of a friend whom I could sincerely describe as a brother and confidant. This is one script in my life I have found so painful to start the first lines, but I must bear this courage to celebrate a vibrant leader and great sports lover who in his own stead gave salient contributions to the growth of sports development in Akwa Ibom State.

There would have been so many issues on the burner in the ever expanding dynamic world of sports to have analysed especially with the commencement of the new football professional season and the chances of our darling side Akwa United where hopes have been raised with a possible top four finish with the strong quality in the side, I would have written about the FIFA elections coming up and the chances of a possible successor of Sepp Blatter from Asia, I would have written about the return leg of the first round fixture of the CAF Confederation Cup holding in Uyo this weekend between Akwa United and Vitas Mokanda Football Club of Congo or the lingering postponements of the National Sports Festival which has now become a national embarrassment, but I must pay tribute to Late Lawrence Okorie, the immediate past Vice Chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Akwa Ibom State Chapter who passed on eternal glory on Wednesday, January 20, 2016.

Akpan Bassey says Akwa United have high expectations in the Nigerian Premier Football League

Akpan Bassey says Akwa United have high hopes in this season’s Nigerian Premier Football League
 

Ten-man Akwa United forced Sunshine Stars to a 1-1 draw in match day one of the Nigeria Professional Football League on Sunday.

Goal caught up with Akpan Bassey, a goalkeeper of the Promise Keepers shortly after the tantalising clash at the Akure Township Stadium.

“God is the secret of the Promise Keepers. He has always kept his promises to us,” Bassey told Goal.

“Akwa United is a team that is dedicated to God. The team is a united set-up.We have an outstanding technical crew led by coach Maurice Cooreman. He understands the whole set-up and knows what he wants.