Reigners Church Collapse: AK CAN visits victim in Hospital

It was a moment of grief at the in-patient Department, Ibom specialist Hospital in Itam, on Monday, as the leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), in Akwa Ibom State visited a critically – affected victim of the recent Reigners Bible Church Collapse. 

Lead by the state CAN  Chairman, Rev. Dr. Ndueso Ekwere, the body which commiserated the plight of the victim, offered prayers of intercession to God towards the survival of the affected persons 

In an enotion-ladden voice, the sister of the victim, Comfort William who hails from Ikot Akpan Abia Ubium, Nsit Ubium local government area, expressed gratitude to the state chapter of CAN for their compassion and concern shown through the visit. She also thanked the body for the financial support given to aide quick recovery of the victim.

Clergyman thanks God for Governor Udom Emmanuel’s survival at the Reigners Bible Church collapse

A clergyman and General Overseer of Levites of Grace Ministry International, Evangelist Anietie Jones Ekpo, popularly called Nso, returns all glory to God for the miraculous survival of Governor Udom Emmanuel at the Reigners Bible Church collapse. He sees the governor as the project of the almighty God to salvage people of Akwa Ibom State from bondage, evident in his leadership style, industrialization policy, prudent management of resources, youth empowerment, among others. 

Nso stated this during the 8th Annual Convention of the church held at the church headquarters, 50 Ikot Abasi Street, Uyo. with a theme “God is Able, this year’s convention witnessed a sermon by Pastor UbonAbasi Ekpo, who called on the congregation not to fear as God is able to solve all their problems. 

AK CAN advocates unity of Christians …Condemns dichotomy among Churches

As part of efforts to protect the interest of Christians, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Akwa Ibom State has extended its evangelization tour to churches in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial district, with a call on Christ believers to embrace love and unity in order to fight a common course. 

The state chairman, CAN, Rev. Dr. Ndueso Ekwere, who stated this last Sunday during the tour, stressed that one cardinal requirement for Christians to overcome the attacks of the enemy is unity, adding that such would enable them to have interest in one another. 

At the Grooves Memorial Methodist Cathedral, Ikot Ekpene, where the state CAN chairman was received by Archbishop Sunday B. Uko, Dr. Ekwere said, “in a time like this in our country, we need to be very watchful and prayerful. Christendom today, is severely under the threat of Islamic extremism. This is the more reason we have to intensify our efforts in prayers and supplication to God, especially for the sake of our stain brethren

MAN Acting Rector charges Lecturers on quality service delivery

The Acting Rector of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron Mr. Mkpandiok Ante Mkpandiok has called on the Lecturers and Instructors to be generous in their impartation of knowledge and information to the Cadets and Students of the Academy. This he said during the Opening Ceremony of the IMO Model Course 6.09 for Lectures and Instructors in the Academy Monday, 16th January 2017.

The Acting Rector said that the thrust of his administration is to reposition the Academy to regain the lost glory of the institution, that of Cadets as well as the confidence of the maritime stakeholders in the shortest possible time.

“The content of this Course is aimed at producing quality Cadets who will compete favourably with their counterparts anywhere in the world. I commend your good services to the academy and your fatherland, I want to see a remarkable difference in every aspect of Cadets training after this programme”, he stressed.

He emphasised that it has become pertinent for all hands to be ondeck if the Academy is to regain its pride of place in the comity of maritime institutions, and if the huge potentials embedded in Nigeria’s Maritime Sector is to be fully realised and utilised. 

Ekong Sampson tasks Akwa Ibom water company on integrity, competence and result

BY EDIFON ABASI-OBOT

Water has been identified as a vast and robust industry that incorporates numerous revenue generation opportunities. 

The Special Adviser on Political, Legislative Affairs and Water Resources, Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Ekong Sampson made this estimation during a facility tour at the Akwa Ibom Water Company (AKWC) in the course of the week. “If entrepreneurs, companies and multinationals involved in other businesses would still find a way to explore market opportunities in the water industry, AKWC stand a great chance to be a major revenue earner in the State.” He posited.

According to him, water is key to survival, hence the AKWC is of utmost importance to the State. The concern of the present government of Akwa Ibom State under Mr. Udom Emmanuel about good water, in adequate quantity has informed the need to reposition the AKWC to function in line with the 5-point agenda of the administration.

Barrister Sampson charged the Management and staff of the Water Company to adopt the profit-oriented attitude that should characterise a company. These he reiterated must be bound by integrity, competence and result. 

He challenged the management of the company on wealth creation, being an important aspect of the Governor Udom Emmanuel agenda, insisting that the company has capacity to produce the best quality of water in assorted packages for the large market of Akwa Ibom State and beyond. This he said could run alongside the reticulation function of the company and generate huge revenue for the State.

Ekong Sampson, who visited the Brook Street and Ifa Atai water facilities impromptu, said he was not so much interested in ceremonial receptions and protocols, but in ascertaining the true state of the company in terms of potentials for results. “I see a huge investment here, second to none in the State, take advantage of the monopoly you already have, create a brand and hit the market. That is what companies do.” Sampson said.

He tasked the AKWC management to set the corporate tone for a new mode of operations; staff should start working like company workers with profit generation as a driving force, then Government will complement in its own capacity.

The Honourable Special Adviser however assured that State Government will soon put in place, a viable Board, with substantive Managing Director but cautioned, in the meantime, against unnecessary politicking and engagement in leadership tussle. “Water is too vital a thing to play politics with. There should be clear insulation of the operations of the company from politics.” He warned.

The General Manager, Administration, Barr. Aniefiok Ukpe, who spoke on behalf of the company Management and staff, thanked the Special Adviser for the visit, describing it as an injection of new life into the company. He also appreciated the Governor Udom Emmanuel for sustaining the regular payment of staff salaries in the company, promise the readiness of the company to work with the new leadership under the Bureau.

Barrister Ukpe however lamented the high cost of power generation to run the facility, as most of the company’s operations required electricity. He also recounted the several challenges faced in adequate reticulation to include non-replacement underground channels that have distort due to road construction, describing it as present dilemma of previous good deeds. 

Among several other members of staff who seized the opportunity to interact with the  Honourable Special Adviser, the Company Secretary and Manager, Legal Services, Barr. Imaobong Effiong also appreciated the concern of the Governor and the new Bureau Boss in the operations of the AKWC. She therefore, on behalf of the staff, promised that with the new drive Ekong Sampson is taking, there would be improved attitude, to reflect the colours of the company which stand for quality and integrity.

Nsima Ekere will be next Governor – Ex Commissioner

A former Commissioner for Science and Technology in the state, Mr. Samuel Effanga says 2019 elections presents a good opportunity for the people of Akwa Ibom State to free themselves from the bondage brought upon them by former governor Godswill Akpabio with the imposition of Governor Udom Emmanuel as governor, whom he said is running a government of impunity.  

The former House of Representatives aspirant stated this during the formal inauguration of the National Executive Council (NEC) of One Frontiers, one of the support groups of the All Progressives Congress canvassing for the enthronement of an APC government come 2019. He added that over N200m from the state’s treasury was wasted in imposing Udom on the state. According to him: “Nobody should say that there is no money in Akwa Ibom State; if we had used the money that accrued to this state judiciously, we would not be talking about recession in the state today.’’

Tension over Archbishop Ejijah Mboho’s Health

More worries have continued to mount over the true health status of the General Overseer of Goodnews International Gospel centre, Abak Archbishop Elijah Mboho. Many people who spoke with our reporter went as far as alledging that the prominient man of God has passed away.

Our reporter gathered yesterday that the news about his death has made headlines for past two days by citizens of the state,  a source close to the church said that the health status of the elderly man of God has been a mystery for the church members and close followers for some weeks now.

The fear over health status of the Archbishop has been fueled by his lack of appearance in Public events since the church finished their last Christmas convention held at the Goodnews International Headquarters in Abak. 

Under pressure

BY PAULINUS NTA

It was Ras kimono, a popular Nigerian reggae artiste , who, in the 90s , asserted in one of his popular tracks, that we are all under pressure. Ras was right but little did he know that years later, Nigeria will experience a breath-taking pressure than we did in the 90s. 

If he had known, he would have reserved the song for today when we are experiencing the climax of decades of leadership failure. You can call it economic meltdown, blizzard, drop of oil price or the most common euphemism, economic recession, Nigeria is under pressure.

Without any fear of contradiction; without any ill will or any apology, Nigerian songs those days were issue-based. But today, the story is different, musicians fizzle away from issues of public concern  and beam their searchlights on sychophancy, sex, and other articles of immorality.

Council Boss appeals to ExxonMobil, provide electricity, pipe borne water

Chief Williams Mkpah, the transitional Chairman of Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom has appealed to ExxonMobil to provide electricity and pipe borne water as its Cooperate Social Responsibility to host community. 

Mkpah made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Ibeno local government area of the state on Wednesday, saying that ExxonMobil have forsaken the community.

He decried that ExxonMobil could not provide essential amenities to their host community in spite of providing conducive environment to the multinational company to operate.

Mkpah explained that the multinational company was yet to impact on the life of the host community which they operate since they change their name to ExxonMobil.

Environmental Association of Nigeria get new Executives

Members of the public have been called upon to protect the environment and keep it clean and safe. The call was made by the new Chairman Environmental Management Association of Nigeria (EMAN) Akwa Ibom State chapter, Mr Jeremiah Akpabio shortly after taking over the reins of leadership of the association last weekend. 

Mr Akpabio, a Principal Assistant Registrar at the Federal Polytechnic, Ukana stressed that under his leadership the association will partner relevant agencies to ensure environmental best practice. 

DPR partners NSCDC to curb adulterated petroleum product in Akwa Ibom

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in Akwa Ibom has solicited more robust partnership with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to curb incessant adulteration of petroleum products in the state.

Mr. Bassey Nkanga, the Operations Controller of DPR in charge of Akwa Ibom and Cross River, made the appeal in Uyo during a courtesy visit to the Akwa Ibom Commandant of the NSCDC.

Nkanga commended the efforts of the corps in riding the state of adulterated oil and gas operations in the state.

“We want to work with the NSCDC to ensure that no contaminated and no adulterated kerosene gets into Akwa Ibom State. 

Defection: Chief Isong commend Sen Nelson Effiong

The decision by the Senator representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial district, Senator Nelson Effiong to dump the PDP for the APC is timely, proactive and in the overall interest of the Senatorial district, a former Chairman of Urue Offong/Oruko LGA and Publisher of Newsday newspaper, Chief Edet Isong has declared.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after the former Akwa Ibom Speaker announced his defection at Thursday’s plenary, Chief Isong congratulated the Senator for taking what he called a bold, courageous and patriotic decision to leave PDP which he described as a sinking ship, explaining that like Senator Gods will Akpabio himself has said severally, Akwa Ibom cannot afford to play opposition politics hence the need for all stakeholders to rise up and join the crusade of returning the state back to the mainstream of Nigerian politics by aligning with the center in order to attract dividends of democracy to the state.