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The gang who effected the kidnap of an Uyo based
business man, Mr. Nyong, popularly known as ENTACO
has demanded a N40m ransom before they will set him
free. A reliable family source told Weekly Insight
that the kidnappers had earlier asked for N100m, but
on further negotiation scaled down the amount to
N45m and then to N40m. Desperate efforts are on by
family members and friends to secure the release of
the business magnate
A distraught family member who spoke to Weekly
Insight on condition of anonymity described the
kidnap as “bestial and a crude way of making money”.
He said the businessman was an easy-going,
conscientious Christian who would never hurt a fly.
He called on security ...detaill |
Ogogoro Herbal Seller Go
Underground In Eket
Over death of two persons |
The mysterious tragedy that claimed
the lives of one Mr. Ayanam, a Landlord and his
tenant after taking a dose of herbal formula mixed
with local gin known as Ogogoro in Eket last week
has sent underground sellers of combine for fear of
the drug agency.
Our correspondent gathered that even commercial
motorcyclists who patronized Ogogoro joints have
gone to town informing whoever cares to hear of the
danger in drinking herbal mixtures.
Last week, in a small quiet area in Eket known as
Uqua, a Landlord, Mr. Ayanam and one of his tenants
reportedly died a few hours after taking a dose of
herbal medicine purportedly meant to cure stomach
upset. It was gathered that a tenant complained to
the Landlord that his two children were having
stomach upset and that the Landlord offered the
Local formula which consisted of dried powder in a
solution of Ogogoro ...detail |
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Generator Smoke Kills
Four In Mbo |
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Tragedy
struck in Enwang, the Mbo Local Government headquarters on
Monday when fumes, which emanated from a generating set
claimed the lives of four members of a family of seven.
The family of Mr. Sunday Okon Antai was said to have gone to
bed on that fateful Sunday oblivious of the fact that death
was lurking around and waiting for who to take away.
Trouble started when Antai, who was the head of the family
decided to put on his new electric generator and lock up it
up in an enclosure.
Our correspondent gathered that Antai, who just fixed new
aluminum windows on his new building, closed all the windows
before going to sleep that night.
Antai, his two wives and four children were later rushed to
a hospital in Ewang on Monday morning after they were found
motionless on the ground.
An electrician, who had visited the house to carry out some
jobs for the Antias, was surprised to have found out that
the family was ...detail |
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SSG Reassures Civil Servants on Christmas
Bonus |
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The Secretary
to the Government of Akwa Ibom State, Mr
Umana Okon Umana, has reassured public
service employees in the state, of
goernment's commitment to the payment of an
extra one month salary as Christmas bonus.
Umana stated this in his office while
reacting to questions from journalists who
wanted to know if the state government would
pay the bonus as promised by the governor.
The SSG allayed the fears being expressed in
some quarters that the government wants to
renege on the promise. Describing the state
governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, as a
promise-keeper, Umana said the bonus would
be paid in December to put
...detail |
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Usoro Isaac Usoro is an interviewer's delight any day. He
glides through questions with practiced
ease. A consummate journalist with an
excellent media background, he fielded
questions with enormous conviction. He
recently spoke to some journalists in his
office where he gave insight into some
issues on Chief Godswill Akpabio and his
administration. Editor-in-chief, David
Augustine was there. Excepts.
We would like to find out, 18 months on the
saddle, how far, so far?
I will start by saying that it's been very
interesting. I am glad; you have been one of
those who have witnessed how far it has
been. Of course, there is a saying that it
is not how far but how well. So we will
...detail |
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Julius Berger Relocates to Akwa Ibom State |
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The management of Julius
Berger last week donated 10,000 note books to the ministry
of Education.The donation was made during a courtesy call on
the ministry.
Speaking during the call, the Area Manager, Mr. Maedler,
thanked the state government for the opportunity given them
to showcase their quality work. He promised to relocate the
company's area office to Uyo, the state capital, in view of
the prevailing peace in the state.
Mr. Maedler further stated that he was impressed by the
government's interest in educating the young ones who are
the leaders of tomorrow, stating that it was one of the
greatest achievements of the present government. He also
stressed that Julius Berger was proud to be identified with
the state, bearing in mind the
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AK. Gov. Thumps Up Girl-Child Education
- As
Girls High School Marks Silver Jubile |
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The Akwa Ibom State Government has again emphasized the need
for every girl-child of school age to be properly educated.
To this end, it will henceforth be a punitive offence not to
adequately enhance the educational status of female students
in Akwa Ibom State.
These were the charges of the State Commissioner for
Education, Dr. Nse-Abasi Akpan, at a well attended and
uniquely celebrated silver jubilee of Girls High School,
Ikot Ibiok, Eket, last weekend.
According to the Commissioner who was represented by a
Director in the Ministry of Education, Mrs. Alice Esin, “the
Government of Akwa Ibom State places much emphasis on
educational needs of our female children, to adequately
prepare them for the world today.
Dr. Akpan pointed out that since educated women are now
competing favourably with their male counterparts globally
as renowned engineers, medical doctors, bankers, and
successful administrators, solid educational foundation
must, as a matter of priority be laid for them in the state.
The Education Commissioner acknowledged with enthusiasm the
impressive achievements and leading roles played by the
principal of the school, Mrs. Grace Ime Isine, mostly in the
areas of attaining ...detail |
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Councillor Escapes Attack |
The Councillor
representing Ward 6 in Nsit Atai LGA, Otuekong Umoette Akpan,
has said that he narrowly escaped attempt to physically
attack him penultimate Tuesday November 11, 2008 at his
residence by some unknown persons suspected to have been
hired by his political opponents.
Narrating the incident to Weekly Insight in his office,
Otuekong Akpan said that he had sent his PA, Unwana B. Orok,
on an errand, and while he was waiting for the PA's return,
he (Otuekong) instead received a phone call from the aide
who alerted that six suspicious-looking young men had just
ridden into the Councillor's premises on two motorcycles
that bore no registration numbers, and that he, Otuekong
Akpan, should run
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In The Land Of
Grace |
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The Blackman's world, nay
Nigeria, is one singular place on the surface of the earth
that its everyday people must rise not knowing what the day
would bring, survive through the hard realities and
circumstances of the day, and go to sleep maybe fulfilled or
maybe not, by the sheer grace of God; everyday. We must
grope our way through life's dark side without basis for
forecast, but by the special grace of God.
By now it should not be any wonder why “church business”,
and marabout “consultancy services” that have melted down to
spiritual assignments must always thrive in our environment,
because the portion of responsibility that is supposed to be
man's has completely been shifted to the Almighty. That is
why in our country, the people must fast and pray for
virtually all matter of the state, no matter how scientific,
trivial and mundane they may be. The state no longer bears
responsibility. Everything is now apportioned to God; and
all I see in this is a grand conspiracy, so that when thing
are not going right in the polity someone must take the
blame: God, for not answering our prayers. Imagine that?
Smart bums!
There is a clever kid in my neighbourhood. His parents and
others call him Udo-Mma, but I fondly call him Edima Ufan,
meaning “Dear Friend” and he calls me so too. He races like
craze to me each time I return home and gives me all the
“gists” while I
...detail |
Comrade Governor, Welcome On Board
-ByEkanem
Moses |
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Ralph Waldo Emerson once said
“Not Gold but only men can make a Nation great and strong …
men who for truth and honour's sake stand fast and suffer
long. Brave men who work, while others sleep, who dare while
others shy, they build the pillar deep and lift them to the
sky”. Looking at Adams Oshiomhole's antecedent is
remembering also a man in history called LENIN, who was a
great thunderous paradox of a man. Lenin accomplished such
staggering task. He was a short, stocky figure with a big
head set down on his shoulders, bad and bulging little eyes,
a snub nose, wide generous mouth and heavy chin. The entire
civilized world came to recognize Lenin at a glance. Usually
dressed in shabby clothes, with trousers too long for his
legs and unimpressive in appearance, a leader purely by
virtue of intellect-colourless, homourless, uncompromising
and detached, without picturesque idiosyncrasies, but with
the power of explaining profound ideas in simple terms and
combining shrewdness with greatest Audacity. Many of the
attributes of the man Lenin perfectly fit into Oshiomhole's
life styles. This is one man who suddenly came into
limelight in 1999, when he became the President of Nigerian
Labour Congress. He is a motivational figure and interesting
phenomena. He could be described as a radical unionist,
activist,
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Umanah Umanah And The Burden of Service |
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He came in, stretched a hand across the table for a handshake. He
smiled in a way that suggested some familiarity. His suit was a
little bit over-sized, but was clean and well cut. A spotted black
and white tie completed his gentlemanly look. “Dave,” he said as he
took the seat opposite me, “you don't seem to recognize me. I was
one of the labour leaders who came to you when we had some problems
sometimes ago”. In a flitting moment the face registered. I could
remember that evening at the twilight of the last administration
when a particular parastatal's workers were agitating for some
rights, and they came for help. He was then the spokesman.
“So how did it go,” I injured. Another smile and he told me he was
re-posted, but some of his colleagues were not that lucky as they
were laid off. I waited in anticipation to know what the heck he is
after this time. He took time to review and assess the performance
of the present government and the result to him has not been so
satisfactory. I wanted to know the areas of failure, but he kept
generalizing and bemoaning the “Ado OK” slogan. In all I knew he
hadn't told me why he came this time.
I told him I had an appointment to keep in the next few minutes.
That did the magic. He looked around, as if he was searching for an
invisible listener. In a conspiratorial tone, he said, “Editor Do
you know that the SSG wants to stop the governor from paying this
year’s Christmas Bonus?” I looked at him again. This time I saw some
lines across his cheeks that made him appear older than what I
suggested could be his age. I saw a glint in his eyes and a
mischievous smile dangling on his mouth. For a minute I did not
reply. He may have felt I did not hear, as he repeated his question.
I calmly ask him, “Who is this SSG? “ He looked surprised,
apparently thinking I was a dumb editor who did not even know who
the SSG was. He made to answer and I cut him short. I tried to
educate him on the awesome powers of a state governor and his
ability to do anything he likes and at the time he chooses. I told
him that no SSG had such powers, let alone the one currently in
office who is known for his kindness and ability to touch hearts. I
tried to make him understand that the office of the SSG is more or
less like the nerve center that coordinates activities of government
that the holder of the office cannot operate independent of what the
governor wants and outside decisions of the executive council.
He looked confused and confessed he heard from “somewhere”; that,
that was what people say. I tried to make him see the shame of being
a part of such rumour mongering against a man who may have no hands
in who gets paid and how much. He looked contrite as he made to go.
I stopped him mid way and asked him if he had ever written a
petition. He looked surprised. He sat down again. He looked at me
furtively. “Yes”, he said. “during the battle of the union, I have
participated in writing many”. I asked him if in all honesty all
they had then written were true. He laughed mirthlessly and told me
that most were padded” to create the necessary impact. He got up and
left without saying goodbye.
I sat back, sad at the problems and unnecessary headaches that
leaders face in the hands of such ghostly petition writers. I began
to see the amount of pain and hurt that they undergo. I now came to
terms with the frustrations that accompany such mischievous
writings. I placed myself in the shoes of the governor who in
resignation told the visiting first Lady of Nigeria, Hajia Turai
Yar'adua that Akwa Ibom has become the petition capital of Southern
Nigeria.
For some people like Mr. Umana Umana, the SSG, it becomes even more
painful. One begins to see the hands of political hawks seeking to
devour him. In all the petitions so far making the rounds, he has
been so maligned and vilified that an observer may even think he is
a governor. But when the substance of most of the petitions is
brought into focus, it usually turns out, the way my labour friend
said it- padded to create effect. How else would you describe one of
the petitions against him that accuses him of owning most of the
government projects in the state? How pained could a man who toils
day and night to make the society better be, when he is accused of
having majority equity in such projects as Le'Meridien Ibom Hotel
and Golf Resort, Ibom Power Plant, and even the airport?
It makes no sense but we often get sunk in by such allegations. The
motive could be far from altruistic. It is not aimed at fighting any
corruption, but a senseless and primitive way of trying to discredit
a leader and ease him out. Sometimes, when you look at some of these
petitions, you get the impression that some highly placed people
even those masquerading in government are involved.
But truly who is so afraid of the man that is so interested in
seeing his back? To me, I think the man represents something very
fundamental in the present government. He is a stabilizing force. He
provides the symbol of a government that decided to make a clean
break from the past when SSGs were appointed from the ruling
governor’s backyard. He represents a critical ethnic card, for those
who still hold fast to such primodial ethnic question and balancing.
He represents a credible leadership with years of meritorious
service and an incredible technocratic pedigree. Pulling Umana down
is pulling down a formidable superstructure of the present
administration . A cursory look at the administration shows that
Chief Godswill Akpabio and Mr. Umana make a good match; with the
governor's hunger and passion for development being juxtaposed with
Umana's meticulous professional administrative backing. The synergy
has so far produced amazing results that confound critics and
gladden admirers. It is therefore in the best interest of the
present administration that Umana is left alone by those political
propagandists out to undo him.
I am sure that the plethora of allegations, rumours and petitions is
aimed at generating enough controversies around him so that the
governor might decide to sacrifice him. But that could be a bloody
miscalculation, especially for a man that has shown such loyalty and
commitment to the success story of the administration.
The fear of an insider's job becomes even more apparent with the
mischievous publication in the Fresh Fact Newspaper of Oct. 10,
2008, where an administrative query by the Auditor General of the
state to the permanent secretary, office of the SSG was deliberately
made public and imputed to him. At a time Gov. Akpabio is working so
hard to ensure that there is a definite development turn around for
Akwa Ibom State, we owe him a duty to have some temperance in our
criticisms. This is not in any way suggesting that we keep mute when
genuine cases of corruption is uncovered, but that facts should
remain sacred in what these petitioners write. Petition writing
based on proven cases of corruption is an act of patriotism no
doubt, but deliberate falsehood and padded half truths aimed at
destroying public officers are condemnable. The change we require in
our society is the one envisioned by Selywn Hughes, British
theologian who said, “Real change is an inside matter. It begins at
the core of the personality and works its way out”. For our
community to change we must first change our ways. |
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