Eka – NAN Archive

Eka
Apr, Tue, 2023

Sports

Akwa United whip Kwara United with 3 first half goals

NPFL

By Isaiah Eka

Uyo, April 25, 2023 (NAN) Akwa United Football Club of Uyo have bolstered their position in Group A of the 2022/2023 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) by defeating Kwara United 3-1.

In their match day 15 fixture on Monday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa United scored their first goal through Taiye Muritala in the 18th minute.

They went on to dominate the game and scored their second goal through Cyril Olisema and then the third goal through Ubong Friday before the end of the match’s first half.

The second half witnessed a change in tempo as Kwara United took over the game, resulting in scoring a goal.

They were in control of the game in most parts of the second half, but they unfortunately could not convert any other one of their scoring chances into goal.

Speaking during the post-match briefing, Kwara United’s Chief Coach, Kabiru Dogo, said they had a good match in spite of the result.

“My team dominated the second half of the game but could not convert most of their chances.

“Our tactics worked very well during the game, but it was just unfortunate the players could not score goals.

“It was a good match for the two sides at least, but the first 45 minutes were too tough for us because the plan didn’t work out the way I planned and Akwa United played very well in the first 45 minutes,” Dogo said.

On his part, the coach of Akwa United, Ayodeji Ayeni, was thankful to God for the three points garnered by his team and promised to work harder in subsequent games.

“At this level of the league, every game is important to me. So, our team had to come all out from the first blast of the whistle to score the three goals,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that earlier at the same venue, Dakkada FC had played a 1-1 draw with visiting Rangers International FC in a Group B match.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
IE/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Eka
Apr, Sun, 2023

Sports

Young Africans SC whip hosts Rivers United in CAF Confederation Cup clash

Cup

By Isaiah Eka

Uyo, April 23, 2023 (NAN) Young Africans SC of Tanzania on Sunday in Uyo beat hosts Rivers United 2-0 in the first leg game of their 2022/2023 CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final fixture.

In the match played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Young Africans took the game to their opponents from the first blast of the whistle.

But in the 74th minute of play, striker Fiston Kalala Mayele scored the game’s first goal against the run of play.

Rivers United’s fightback was compounded by the second goal in the 81st minute through Mayele.

Speaking during the post-match briefing, Young Africans’ coach, Nasredinne Nabi, said he was happy with the result as he came with hopes and the result came.

“I am happy with the result. I came with the hope that we are going to play a big team, but thank God we’ve won.

“This result is however a surprise for me because I know Rivers United are a good team and are very difficult to beat in Nigeria. This is a very good result,” Nabi said.

The captain of Young Africans SC, Stephane Aziz, in his comments said he and his teammates worked very hard to achieve the result and promised to go far in the competition.

The Head Coach of Rivers United, Stanley Eguma, on his part said it was a bad day for the team.

He however added that it was all because his players could not get their act right.

Eguma attributed the loss to injuries sustained by their star players who could not feature in the match against Young Africans SC.

He said the team would endeavour to get their rhythm back in the second leg and bounce back into the competition.

“It was a bad day for us today, we didn’t get our act right. But that is football. When the game started, we had a lot of scoring chances. But the players couldn’t convert them to goals.

“We had an upper hand in the game in the first half until when there was an opening and the opponents scored as a result of a defensive mistake.

“The goal really motivated them and they came all out to play. The second goal they scored was against the run of play because it was an opportunity for us to score a goal.

”But our players lost their bearing when they took the corner-kick.

“Like I said, it was a bad game for us today. But I believe we’ve learnt our lessons today.

“Actually, we lost some of our key players. If they were there, they would have made a difference.

“Players like Morris Chukwu, Onaja Joseph and our highest goal scorer Paul Aquah. They were all out due to injury.

“We are to go back and work harder and get our rhythm well for the second leg. It is not yet over, we will still bounce back in the next game,” Eguma assured.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
IE/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Eka
Apr, Sat, 2023

Sports

Rivers United attribute CAF Confederation Cup success so far to Gov. Wike

Success

By Isaiah Eka

Uyo, April 22, 2023 (NAN) Rivers United Football Club of Port Harcourt on Saturday in Uyo said their success so far this season was attributable to the governor of their owner-state, Nyesom Wike.

Rivers United’s Chief Coach, Stanley Eguma, said at a pre-match news conference at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium that Wike’s contributions helped them to the 2022/2023 CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finals.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Rivers United host Young Africans SC of Tanzania on Sunday in a CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final first leg match from 2 p.m.

Eguma added that the club had also worked hard however to reach the quarter-finals, saying the feat has been a very big improvement in the history of the club.

He thanked the governor for his support to the club which has moved them so far, promising that they would put in their best to win Sunday’s match.

“It is a good development to be in the quarter-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup. We have laboured and worked hard to this level, which of course is a very big improvement in the club’s history.

“The governor of Rivers has been the chief financier of the club and, most importantly, God Almighty who has seen us through and the players and technical crew who have been working very hard.

“I think it is a good development that we are getting up to this stage and we will not let it off our hands immediately like that,” Eguma said.

The coach urged football fans in Uyo and across the country to stand by the club, come out en masse to support the club to victory in Sunday’s game.

“We expect fans to come out in their numbers to support the team tomorrow (Sunday). We should not be allowed to look like orphans because this is our home. Nigeria is our home.”

Rivers United’s captain, Festus Austin, while speaking assured that he and his teammates would put in their best to win Sunday’s match.

He said this was in view of the fact that they had defeated the Young Africans before at home and away.

Austin said Rivers United players have put in place strategies to score goals in Sunday’s match in spite of the strength of the Young Africans.

“We know what we want in this competition. People do call us underdogs, but we the players we are focused, and we know what we want

“Young Africans are a very good side. We played against them last season, and we defeated them both home and away. But that will serve as a motivation for us, we will not allow that make us complacent.

“We just want to approach every game that comes our way with 100 per cent commitment. I know at the end we are going to scale through.

“We have worked to ensure we score goals on Sunday. We have already perfected our strategies on how to score the goals,” he said.

The coach of Young Africans, Nasredinne Nabi, while speaking with newsmen also said he was confident of going back to Tanzania with victory.

”Even though my team finished number one in our group and we are playing the team that finished second in their group, our players will not approach the match with any superiority in mind.

“Our ambition has been to qualify to this stage and do the best to win the match on Sunday and return to Tazania with victory,” he said.

Nabi however commended the choice and state of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, saying it was a very good stadium for the match.

The captain of Young Africans, Bernard Morrison, on his part said his team would do their best to win the match on Sunday.

“Sunday’s game is not a joke for us. We’ve really prepared for this game and we’re determined to get to the semi-finals.”(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
IE/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi) I

Eka
Apr, Wed, 2023

General news

A’Ibom to host maiden ECOWAS food, cultural festival

Festival

ByIsaiah Eka

Uyo, April 19, 2023 (NAN) Akwa Ibom is set to host the first edition of the food and cultural festival for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The Director-General of the ECOWAS Food and Cultural Festival, Mr Felix Ihonre, who made the disclosure in Uyo on Wednesday, said the festival would hold from April 25 to April 29.

Ihonre said that the theme of the festival is: “Celebrating Africa Cultural Heritage for Peace and Development”.

He said the programme would promote rich cultural heritage of Nigeria and bring together stakeholders from all walks of life to articulate positive action plan as well as strategise on how to end poverty in the country.

Ihonre further said that the event would give Akwa Ibom the opportunity to showcase its rich cuisines and boost the internally generated revenue of the host state in particular and Nigeria at large.

“This all important event aims to attract foreign investors/investments to the host state, Nigeria and ECOWAS region.

“It will promote African cultural heritage, food/hospitality industries for tourism, peace and development; promote a region for sustainable/ qualitative/quantitative food, cultural and industrial revolution.

“Promote friendship, peace, economic integrationand trade in ECOWAS with global community; expose the economic/cultural potential of host state/country /ECOWAS to the world.

“It will also promote youth development, employment and internal revenue to the host state, country and ECOWAS.

“The event is in partnership or sponsorship of the Federal Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture and other MDAs.

‘It will also be collaboration of the host state, Akwa Ibom state through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism,” he said.

According to him, the goal of the event is geared toward a food and cultural revolution in West Africa.

The director-general said it was also for peace, security, sustainable development and investment that would promote source of livelihood for employment and nutrition.

He noted that the programme would be on rotational basis and would bring more economic fortunes to the state.

“It will showcase host country potential to the world and promote peace and cordiality within the 15- member countries of ECOWAS.

“The main event will be cultural floats from across the nation, we will have a session with students and youths, where they will be engaged in essay competitions in food security,” he explained.

The Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Mr Lawrence Umoren, said that Akwa Ibom had been adjudged to be one of the cleanest, safest and peaceful states with a good road network.

Umoren said that it was high time for the people of the Akwa Ibom to showcase to the world the rich culture and cuisines of the state. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
IE/PAT/FAA
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Edited by Peter Amine/Folasade Adeniran

Eka
Apr, Mon, 2023

General news

NDE commences training of women on shoe, bag making in A’Ibom

Training
Isaiah Eka
Uyo, April 17, 2023 (NAN) National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has commenced a five-day training of women on shoe and bag making in Akwa Ibom

Director-General of NDE, Mallam Abubakar Fikpo, who spoke during the official flag-off of the Skills Acquisition Training in Uyo, said that the programme was targeted at unemployed women across the country.

Fikpo, who was represented by the State Coordinator of NDE, Mr Obegolu Obiora, said that the empowerment was to generate mass employment and reduce poverty amongst women.

“The programme is dedicated to the development of entrepreneurial abilities among women and youths.

“It is also to inculcate the spirit of entrepreneurship, creativity, innovation and self-reliance in the unemployed, with a view to assisting them in setting up their own businesses,” he said.

According to him, the Women Employment Branch (WEB), a platform of the Small Scale Enterprise Department, is responsible for undertaking the training

Fikpo said that the objective of the training was to design income generation activities for women in order to generate mass employment and reduce poverty amongst them.

He said that in 2022, the directorate, through WED, kick-started the training in income-generation activities in some skills.

Fikpo said the skills included: decorative painting making, embroidery (stone/beads on clothes), perfumery, organic products, extraction of natural organic oil, spice/seasoning production, turban making, event decorations, make up and gele and rafia works.

“The products and services emanating from these skills are in high demand. Therefore, we expect our beneficiaries to be doing well in their current endeavours,” he said.

Fikpo disclosed that in the previous years, the directorate had created over one million direct jobs for women of all categories through skills acquisition and entrepreneurial training opportunities.

Earlier in her address of welcome, NDE’s Head of Small Scale Enterprise Department, Ms Chikodi Ike, expressed delight over the commencement of the skills acquisition training for the women.

Also speaking, the State Coordinator of NDE, Mr Obegolu Obiora, assured that the participants would be adequately equipped with starter-packs at the end of the training to enable them to be self-employed. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
IE/EBI/WAS
Edited by Benson Iziama and ‘Wale Sadeeq

Eka
Apr, Sat, 2023

Politics

INEC cancels federal constituency rerun election in A’Ibom

Cancellation

Isaiah Eka

Uyo, April 15, 2023 (NAN) Wide-spread violence has compelled INEC to cancel Saturday’s Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency rerun election in Akwa Ibom.

Resident Electoral Commissioner in Akwa Ibom, Dr Cyril Omorogbe, told newsmen in Uyo that the rerun election in the area was abysmal.

He said the election was cancelled in all the 17 polling units because of the snatching of electoral materials, including Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) machines.

“The fact is that we had about four local government areas where we conducted election and one major one was Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency.

“We were there early enough and at about 8:30 a.m., polling units were opened. Couple of hours after we opened the polls, I received a call that BVAS machines were snatched.

“Two hours after that I received another report that was not good. So, the election in Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency has been cancelled.

“They were fighting all through the local government area in the 17 polling units. I received a report from Collation Officers in the area that election did not hold.

“In the 17 polling units, materials were either snatched or the process disrupted.

“The Collation Officers have all returned and have written their reports. The result sheets they were supposed to fill are all here in Uyo. Apparently, there was no election,’’ he said.

Omorogbe expressed regret that the violence led to the shooting of one of the corps member on election duty in the leg.

He wondered why politicians would be so desperate in a federal constituency election to the extent of shooting an innocent corps member.

“The corps member was shot; he is still in the hospital,’’ he said.

Omorogbe added that no untoward reports had been received in Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency, and that results from there would be declared.

He said INEC would decide the next line of action on Ikono/Ini federal constituency after a meeting in Abuja. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

IE/ALLI

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Edited by Alli Hakeem

Eka
Apr, Sat, 2023

Politics

INEC cancels Ikono/Ini federal constituency rerun in Akwa Ibom

Cancellation

Isaiah Eka
Uyo, April 15, 2023 (NAN) The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cancelled the Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency rerun election in Akwa Ibom due to violence.
The state INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Dr Cyril Omorogbe, said this when he addressed newsmen in his office in Uyo on Saturday.
Omoregbe said the election was cancelled in all the 17 polling units as a result of reported snatching of election materials, including Bi-Modal Voters Accreditation Machine System (BIVAS) and others
“I just want to give a brief update on what has happened today, in the case of the rerun election.
“The fact is that we had about four Local Government Areas (LGAs) where we conducted election and one major one was of them was the Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency
“We were there this morning early enough at about 8:30 a.m, polling units were opened. A couple of hours after we opened the polls, I received a call that BIVAS machines were hijacked.
“So, I knew from then that we were in for a tough time. Two hours after that, I received another report that was not good. So, the rerun election in Ikono/Ini federal constituency has been cancelled,” he said.
Omoregbe added:“ I received reports from the Collation Officers that supposed to collate the result in the area, that election did not hold.
“The whole exercise in those 17 polling units were marred by violence as materials were either hijacked, disrupted, or people were being chased, among other things of that nature.
“From the Collation Officers in the field who were supposed to collate, they all came back and had written reports, and the result sheets they supposed to fill are all here. Apparently, there was no election for now.
“On the other constituency of Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency, I am still expecting to hear from them, but I believe at this point things went well. Perhaps, in the next couples of hours, the result will be declared.”
The REC said the commission would take a decision on the matter after a meeting in Abuja.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
IE/ARIS/ABI
Edited by Idowu Ariwodola/Ali Baba-Inuwa

Eka
Apr, Fri, 2023

Environment

Gov. Emmanuel inaugurates 6.64km road

Road

By Isaiah Eka

Uyo, April 14, 2023 (NAN) Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom, has inaugurated a 6.64km Ring Road 2 with drainages to tackle the flood problem along Abak and Aka roads in Uyo and its environs.

Emmanuel, who inaugurated the road on Friday, said the road inauguration heralds another phase of projects before he exits office on May 29.

“With the commissioning today, we have taken into consideration the drainage system. When the flood was ravaging every other state capital, we were spared because of a lot of investments we’ve done underground.

“If you check underground it can take a whole big car underground, everything around this area has been channeled underground to Aka road.

“We are still in this Shelter Afrique trying to tar roads; we have more than five and I hope we will be able to commission them.

“Those in Atan Offot area, I told them that the day I’ll leave office, I will not leave a single road in Atan Offot and now 15 roads in Atan Offot with side drainages have been done and there is no place in the area that is not tarred.

“We are able to achieve all these because of your support,” Emmanuel said.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Work, Prof. Eno Ibanga, thanked the governor for his support in the execution of projects.

Ibanga said the road was built to specification to take care of everything that will tend to sustainability.

“We have 4-metre median that is paved, that runs through the beginning of this road to the end.

“Both sides of this road have drainages and this road carries 3.32 underground drain that carries all water out of this arena and Aka road end. When rain comes, you don’t have any course for alarm.

“We have 60-mm binder course and 50-mm railing course of the main alignment. This roundabout is made of 70-metre asphaltic course. That means in the next 50 years as the Lord tarries, this road will stand the test of time.

“I want to thank you, Your Excellency for believing in one man, HENSEK Integrated Services.

“He has been a source of joy. Your Excellency, I want to thank you for believing in me. You have told us that anything that we do, we can always accomplish.

“I want to thank all Akwa Ibomites for the support for my boss, his Excellency, the Governor, to accomplish this feat as a state.

“Your Excellency, I gave you 12 projects to commission, you only trimmed it to five. I am sure before we exit, you are going to commission more,” Ibanga said.

In his remarks, Chief Executive Officer, HENSEK Integrated Services, Mr Uwem Okoko assured the government and people of the state that the road would be durable.

Okoko pledged to maintain the roads he has constructed free of charge without cost to government in case of any defect.

“This road is a dual carriage way, 3.32, when you take both sides is, 6.64km of road. It is 10 metres wide, it has walk way of 1.2 km on both sides and has an underground drainage system running across the entire length of the road.

“It is 5 metres deep, 1.5 metres by 1.5 metres by 0.2metres running from this side of Abak road to IBB flood control canal. From Aka road, we have 1.3 by 1.3 by 0.15 metres underground drainage running to IBB control canal,” Okoko said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
IE/VAO
Edited by Vincent Obi

Eka
Apr, Thu, 2023

Politics

Assembly passes Akwa Ibom map establishment bill

Law

Isaiah Eka 08039185152

Uyo, April 13, 2023 (NAN) The Akwa Ibom House of Assembly on Thursday passed the state map establishment bill, aimed at ensuring proper mapping of the state for developmental purposes.
This followed the adoption of the report of the House Joint Committee on Land, Housing and Boundary Resolution at plenary in Uyo.
Presenting the report, the Chairman of the committee, Mr Udo Kierian Akpan, said the bill, sponsored by Mr David Lawrence (PDP-Eket) would help to reduce agitations and communal conflicts and promote development within the mapped-out boundaries.
“The Bill will enhance cultural affinities of the people within the boundaries and make for easy identification and placements.
“It will also assist in the proper identification and allocation of resources domiciled in the component units,” he said.
Also at plenary, the House passed State Rural Access Roads Agency Bill.
The Speaker, Mr Aniekan Bassey, who presided over plenary, directed the Clerk of the House, Mrs. Nsikak Orok to transmit clean copies of the bills to the state governor for his assent.
Meanwhile the House has adjourned its plenary until April 18. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

IE/ABI
Edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa

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Eka
Apr, Thu, 2023

Politics

Niger Delta group endorses Akpabio as senate president

Akpabio

Isaiah Eka 08039185152

Uyo, April 13, 2023 (NAN) A Group, the Niger Delta Conscience Coalition (NDCC) has endorsed Sen. Godswill Akpabio as its preferred candidate for the Senate President of the 10th National Assembly.

The President of the NDCC, Mr Aniefiok Fabian, who addressed a news conference on behalf of the group in Uyo on Thursday said Akpabio had the experience, competence and capacity to lead the National Assembly.

“The Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio a person fit, capable, prim and proper to pilot her affairs and deliver the much needed robust. cohesive and transformative leadership as they all set out to commence the sessions of the 10th Senate.

“As a group that totally trust in a conciliatory, equitable and cohesive Nigerian State, we note that the in-coming Senate could not have done better, setting the ball rolling in their current show of resolve to rally around a trusted, tested and capable hand by settling for man who has paid the necessary dues of bridge-building National Sustainability via a Godswill Akpabio’s Presidency,” Fabian said.

He faulted report claiming that Akpabio was targeting a Ministerial appointment rather than being the Senate president saying it was untrue.

“Sen. Godswill Akpabio could not be aiming for anything less than the Senate President of the 10th senate,” he said.

He appealed to senators in the 10th Assembly to elect Akpabio as the senate president having paid his dues as a former governor and former minister. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
IE/ABI

Edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa

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