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Category: Akwa Ibom Update

  • Akwa Ibom fights hunger, malnutrition

    Akwa Ibom fights hunger, malnutrition

    The Akwa Ibom House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security has taken the campaigns on combating malnutrition to the 31 Local Government Areas of the State.

    Media reports indicate that the committee will work in collaboration with stakeholders and development partners to ensure good nutrition especially for children and adolescents.

    The Chairman, House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security in the Assembly, Mr Moses Essien, on Tuesday urged the 31 LGAs legislative arms to domesticate nutrition and food security committees in the third tier of government.

    Essien, who is also the member, representing Ibiono Ibom state constituency in the House of Assembly, said there was need for all stakeholders across the state to get involved and eradicate malnutrition from the state.

    READ ALSO: NULGE Express frustration over delay in LG financial autonomy

    He said since the inauguration of the committee by the National Assembly and the State House of Assembly, there was need to have the same committee at the local government legislative council.

    The committee chairman noted that the National Demographic Health Survey 2023/2024 statistics showed that 24.1 per cent of children in Akwa Ibom are stunted and 22.6 per cent are underweight.

    Essien, who is also the Chairman, House Committee on Health, said that there was need for collaboration among key stakeholders and development partners to combat malnutrition and food insecurity in the state and country.

    “According to the National Demographic Health Survey carried out in 2023/2024, 24.1 per cent of children in Akwa Ibom State are stunted, 11.8 per cent are wasted while 22.6 per cent are underweight.

    “These indicators show the level of malnutrition in the state that calls for serious concern among critical stakeholders.

    “This is because malnutrition has severe consequences on the child’s health leading to infant mortality.

    “It was the resolution by the National Assembly that combating malnutrition and food insecurity cannot be left in the hands of executive alone.

    “Hence, the establishment of the National Legislative Network on Nutrition and Food Security.

    “It is our belief that each legislative council in the 31 Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State must also domesticate nutrition and food security committees at the third tier of government.

    “Leaders of local government legislative councils should appoint chairmen and members of nutrition and food security committees and ensure their inauguration,” Essien said.

    READ ALSO: Africa has what it takes to develop itself – Tinubu

    Essien disclosed that a workshop will soon be organised in collaboration with some development partners to enhance capacity building for members of the committee.

    In her remarks, Dr Idongesit Umo, Akwa Ibom Nutritionist Officer, urged the house committee to ensure that the budgeted funds for nutrition and food security were released on time for implementation of activities to combat malnutrition.

    Umoh added that combating malnutrition in the state and country should be everybody’s business and not left for the executive alone.

    “When we talk of nutrition we look at the most vulnerable, we look at children under five years and pregnant women and the adolescents.

    “We urge the House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security to ensure that the budgeted funds for nutrition and food security are released promptly to enhance proper implementation of activities to combat malnutrition.

    I’m sure if we do this, the next time the demographic survey will be released, the issue of Akwa Ibom having 24.1 per cent stunted and 22.6 per cent in terms of children who are under weight will change for better,” Umoh said.

    Speaking on behalf of the Council Chairmen, Mr Utibe Nwoko, Chairman, Ika Local  Government Area, assured that all the chairmen of councils would partner the committee in combating malnutrition in the state.

    Nwoko urged everyone to return to farm, stressing that the genesis of malnutrition and the consequences are mostly as a result of lack of farming. 

  • Gov, Eno Appoints Daughter as Acting First Lady

    Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has named his daughter, Helen Eno-Obareki, as the Acting First Lady of the state.

    This appointment follows the recent demise of his wife, Pastor Patience Eno.

     The decision was made public during a condolence visit by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in Uyo.

    As First Lady, Helen Eno-Obareki continues the legacy and initiatives started by her late mother, particularly the Golden Initiative For All.

     Governor Eno expressed confidence in Helen’s ability to carry forward the projects and values her mother embodied.

    He addressed rumors about the possibility of remarrying, humorously dismissing such claims, stating that he has no intention of paying another bride price. 

    The move to appoint his daughter reflects the governor’s commitment to sustaining the legacy of his late wife, both in public service and within the family.

  • Akwa Ibom Firstlady, Mrs. Patience Eno is dead

    Akwa Ibom Firstlady, Mrs. Patience Eno is dead

    Pastor Mrs. Patience Umo Eno, wife of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has passed away after a brief illness.

    The news was announced by the state Commissioner for Information, Ini Ememobong, in a heartfelt statement titled “Unexpected Sunset”.

     

    The state Commissioner for Information, Ini Ememobong, announced the First Lady’s death in a press statement issued in the early hours of Friday.

     

    According to the commissioner, the First Lady passed away peacefully at a hospital on September 26, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones. The family has requested prayers and support during this difficult time and has asked for privacy as they mourn the loss of their beloved wife, mother, and grandmother.

     

    “She passed away peacefully at the hospital on 26th September 2024, in the presence of her family.

     

    “The family submits to the will of the Almighty and asks for the prayers and support of kind-hearted individuals during this difficult time.

     

    “Further details will be provided by the family as necessary. In the meantime, the family kindly requests privacy as they mourn their beloved wife, mother, and grandmother.

     

    “His Excellency, the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno appreciates all who have stood by the first family in this period and assures all the citizens that despite this huge personal loss, his commitment to the service of the state is unwavering.”

     

    Pastor Mrs. Patience Umo Eno was a highly respected figure in Akwa Ibom State, renowned for her charitable work and unwavering support for her husband’s administration. Her legacy will live on through the lives she touched.

     

     

    Despite this huge personal loss, Governor Umo Eno has reassured citizens of his unwavering commitment to serving the state. He expressed gratitude to those who have stood by the first family during this period.

     

  • #EndBadGovernance protest: Gov Eno rewards A/Ibom Youths with N310m

    Unlike the Federal Government that has gone after the youths with violent clampdowns and trumped up charges, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has fulfilled his promise to reward youths in the state for boycotting the recent #EndBadGovernance protest.
    At a thank-you gathering in Uyo, the governor announced a N310 million cash reward, distributed as N10 million per Local Government Area (LGA), to be shared among youths across party lines.
    The governor commended the youths for listening to his appeal to shun the protest, stating that their actions showed they were not ashamed to do well.
    He acknowledged the issues that led to the protest, including hunger, unemployment, and high food prices, and assured that his administration was working to address them within available resources.
    Governor Eno also announced additional benefits for Akwa Ibom youths, including:
    – 100 youths per LGA to be added to the Ibom Community Watch, regardless of political affiliation
    – Increased student bursary from N10,000 to N20,000 for undergraduates and N20,000 to N30,000 for postgraduate students
    – An employment portal to be created by the Ministry of Labour and the Senior Special Assistant on ICT to connect youths with job opportunities
    – A digital platform for oil companies in Akwa Ibom to harvest applicants for interviews
    – A monthly N50,000 business grant for 5,000 youths to start small businesses
    Stakeholders at the gathering urged the governor to complete the abandoned Ibom Science Park, initiated by former Governor Obong Victor Attah, to fast-track technological growth in the state.
  • 100 Sacked Staff Sue Nigeria’s Central Bank

    100 Sacked Staff Sue Nigeria’s Central Bank

    …Claim Damages
    About 100 sacked staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have sued the apex bank at the National Industrial Court seeking payment for damages.
    About 200 staff of the CBN were sacked in May, by the Yemi Cardoso administration as part of the bank’s re-organization strategy.
    The sacked staff are, among other things, seeking full payment of their monthly salaries, allowances and all other financial benefits they should have been entitled to if they were still in the employment of the bank, from the time their employments were terminated to the time they should have retired from the apex bank.
    The former CBN staff’s Lead Counsel, Ola Olanipekun (SAN), on Thursday, made the court documents available to select journalists in Jos, Plateau State.
    Olanipekun stated that the sacked staff approached the court to enforce their right to fair hearing as workers who had been unjustly sacked by CBN.
    According to Arise TV, the sacked staff’s lead counsel said, “the unlawful action of the apex bank has caused monumental damages to his clients running into hundreds of millions of Naira, adding that they are praying the court to ensure that the defendant pay all the claimants their monthly salaries, allowances and other emoluments/entitlements.”
    Olanipekun added that “one of his clients who still has nine years of service left with the Bank would have earned, if his employment had not been unlawfully terminated, a sum of ₦1,621,455.70 monthly as evidenced by his salary payment, and such other monies in that regards as his current or subsequent promotion position/grades would be entitled.
    “He is praying for an order of the court to ensure that the defendant pays forthwith, all monthly salaries and allowances that the claimant would have earned in the course of his service/employment, being the sum of ₦178, 360,127.00 or such other sums in that regard, from the effective date of unlawful termination of his appointment up and until his due date of lawful retirement on 4th August, 2033.
    “The counsel said that the claimant is also praying the court to ensure that the sum of N100,000,000 million is paid to him as General Damages against the defendant, for wrongful termination of his contract of employment.
    “The sum of ₦30,000,000.00 as the cost of litigation/prosecuting the suit is also demanded from the defendant with 21 percent post-judgment interest, per annum, on all judgment sums awarded, from the date of judgment until the entire judgment sum is wholly defrayed/liquidated as well as further orders as the court may deem fit to make in the circumstances of the case.”
    Olanipekun explained that the Originating Summons dated 22 August 2024, is supported by a 27 paragraphs affidavit deposed to by the Claimant himself.
  • Olukayode Ariwoola retires as CJN

    Olukayode Ariwoola retires as CJN

    Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, the 22nd Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), has officially retired from service upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.

    Born on August 22, 1954, Justice Ariwoola’s retirement marks the end of a distinguished judicial career.

    Justice Ariwoola was appointed to the Supreme Court bench on November 22, 2011, and later became the substantive CJN on June 27, 2022, following the resignation of his predecessor, Justice Tanko Muhammad.

    His appointment as CJN was formally confirmed by the Nigerian Senate on September 21, 2022.

    As events marking his retirement unfold at the Supreme Court, there are strong indications that Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun may be named as his successor, making her the new Chief Justice of Nigeria.

  • Kano Corruption Agency to Quiz Kwankwaso’s Nephew

    Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) has secured a post no debit on account linked to the alleged local government contract scam in the state, blocking N160million while moving to recover N440million.

     

    This is as investigators of the commission are expected to continue the quizzing of some of the key figures in the investigation.

     

    It was also gathered that Musa Garba Kwankwaso, nephew of the leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, will be quizzed by the investigators, on Thursday.

     

    He is expected to answer questions regarding the involvement of his company, Novomed Pharmaceuticals, in the alleged contract scam.

     

    The contract, said to have been awarded without due process, involves each local government paying about N9 million monthly, amounting to N396 million in total every month.

     

    The scandal came to the fore when Bello Galadanchi, a United States-born Nigerian filmmaker and content creator, alleged that the state government directed each of the 44 local government councils to pay about N10 million for the drug supply, with the contract awarded exclusively to Novomed Pharmaceuticals.

     

    According to Galadanchi, 25 local governments, including Tofa, Bebeji, Dambatta, Dawakin Tofa, Doguwa, Kumbotso, Tudun Wada, Gezawa, Ungogo, Warawa, Ajingi, Kabo, Kura, Madobi, Bichi, Gwarzo, Rogo, Garun Mallam, Takai, Shanono, Kiru, Makoda, Nasarawa, and Gabasawa, have already made payments for August to the company’s account.

     

    Critics had alleged lack of transparency in the dealings of the local governments’ interim management committees appointed by Governor Yusuf in March, after the tenures of the elected council chairmen expired.

     

    Governor Yusuf had, late last week, distanced himself from the contract by denying prior knowledge of the deal and ordering an immediate probe into the matter.

     

    In an exclusive interview with Daily Trust, the chairman of the PCACC, Muhuyi Magaji, said: “We’ve already issued invitations to about five or six individuals, including the permanent secretary of the Ministry for Local Governments, the Director of Planning, and the Director of Local Government Inspection”.

     

    He said the commission also summoned the chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Kano State, the state secretary of the association, as well as the chairman of the Local Governments Directors of Personnel Management Forum. Also invited is the public relations officer of the forum.

     

  • Akwa ibom: Umo Eno remains Gov as S/Court dismisses APC, YPP, NNPP’s petitions

    Akwa ibom: Umo Eno remains Gov as S/Court dismisses APC, YPP, NNPP’s petitions

    The Supreme Court, Thursday, affirmed the election of Umo Eno as the governor of Akwa Ibom State, in the March 18, governorship election in the state

    The seven-man panel of the Apex court, lead by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, dismissed the petition following the withdrawal of three separate appeals brought before it by the petitioners alleging certificate forgery.

    They failed to convinced the panel that Emo Eno Bassey and Bassey Eno Emo were not the same and as such that the governor allegedly forged his Secondary School Certificate.

    Consequently, the lead counsel to the respective parties withdrew their separate appeals as the apex court panel of Justices hinted that they have no merit.

    The Petitioners in the matter are All Progressive Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Akanimo Udofia, Young Progressive Party(YPP) and its gubernatorial candidate, Akpan Albert Bassey as well as that of New Nigeria People’s Party(NNPP)and its governorship candidate, John James Akpan Udoedehe.

    Their arguments especially forgery allegations did not go down well with the Apex Court Justices who queried the lawyers on whether the West African Examinations Council WAEC gave evidence to establish the criminal allegations.

    Upon admission that WAEC did not testify in the matter, the lawyers opted and separately withdrew the appeal.

    This prompted Justice Abba-Aji to dismiss them following no objections from lawyers to the various respondents.

    The Court did not award cost against any of the lawyers to the appellants having voluntarily withdrew their cases on ground of want of merit.

    The Court of Appeal in Lagos had in November last year affirmed the election of Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State in the governorship election held on March 18, 2023.

    The appellate court in its judgment dismissed three separate appeals, filed against the governor’s election.

    While affirming the September 28, 2023 judgments of the election petition tribunal, the three-member panel of Justices headed by Festus Obande dismissed the appeal brought by the governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party, Bassey Akpan, and his party against the Independent National Electoral Commission, Eno, and the Peoples Democratic Party.

    Justice Obande also granted judgments in favour of the governor against the appeals of the governorship candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party, John Udoedehe, as well as Akanimo Udofia, of the All Progressives Congress.

    The appellate court declared in the unanimous judgments that all three appeals lacked merit.

  • Otong emerges Speaker, Akwa Ibom 8th Assembly

    Mr Udeme Otong (PDP), representing Abak State Constituency, has emerged as the Speaker of the 8th Akwa Ibom House of Assembly.

    Also, Mr Kufreabasi Edidem (PDP), representing Itu State Constituency, emerged as the Deputy Speaker in the election preceding Friday’s inauguration of the house in Uyo.

    Otong, a two-term lawmaker, emerged after he secured 20 votes to defeat his only contender, Mr Ukpong Akpabio, who scored 6 votes.

    Akpabio (PDP) is representing Essien Udim State Constituency.

    The Speaker was earlier nominated and seconded for the position by Mr. Effiong Johnson – (PDP, Mbo State Constituency), and Mr Uwem Imo-Ita – (PDP, Mkpat Enin State Constituency), a first-timer in the house.

    In an inaugural speech, Otong thanked his colleagues for their support which, he said, saw him emerge as the speaker.

    He said that the members had placed a big responsibility on his shoulders and solicited for their support and cooperation to succeed.

    He also urged them and people of the state to cooperate with the new administration to move the state forward.

  • NDE disburses soft loans to traders in Akwa Ibom

    National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has commenced disbursement soft loans to petty traders, comprising youths and women, in Akwa Ibom.

    Coordinator of NDE in the state, Mr Obegolu Obiora, said on Wednesday during the orientation and loan disbursement exercise that the loans would be refunded after the three-month moratorium in order to allow others to benefit.

    The soft loan, which is under the Micro Enterprise Enhancement Scheme (MEES), will be given to 74 beneficiaries at N20,000 each, totaling N1,480,000.

    Obiora commended the Federal Government for the initiative, adding that the funds were given to only those who were already in business to help strengthen its financial flows which would lead to business expansion and job creation.

    He said that the Director-General of NDE, Mallam Abubakar Fikpo, had assured of continuous implementation of the laudable empowerment programmes that would help in raising the employment index in the country.

    “This initiative is part of the federal government’s efforts at addressing the continuous rise in the unemployment rate in the country.

    “The director-general has reiterated the commitment of the directorate to its mandate through the implementation of empowerment programmes, aimed at generating jobs, creating wealth and enhancing capacity building for unemployed persons.

    “This move will boost the economy through access to finance for petty traders and other small business owners, and enhance the operational capacity of existing micro enterprise owners to expand their businesses and, in turn, improve their earnings.

    “The director-general declared that 74 youths and women-beneficiaries will go home with N20,000 each, totalling 1,480,000, and further advised them to make judicious use of the fund to expand their businesses,” he said.

    One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Abasifreke Handson, thanked the federal government for the loan, saying that the fund would help in boosting her perfume and bag-making business.

    Another beneficiary, Mr Kenneth Bassey, also commended NDE and the federal government for their efforts at tackling unemployment in the country.