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  • Eka
  • Jan, Tue, 2023
General news

Traditional ruler tasks presidential candidates on citizens’ welfare

Welfare

Isaiah Eka

Nsit Ubium (Akwa Ibom), Jan. 10, 2023 (NAN) The Oku Ibom Ibibio, Nteyen Solomon Etuk, has urged presidential candidates of all political parties to prioritise the welfare of citizens in their respective manifestoes.

 

Etuk, who is the leader of Ibibio nation, said this in his palace during a chat with newsmen on Tuesday.

 

He said that it would be absurd for political leaders to distance themselves from the citizens they were aspiring to govern.

 

According to him, those aspiring for the office of the president should be compassionate and show interest in the welfare of the people they want to lead.

 

“The major leadership problem in Nigeria is the way some of those aspiring to lead us have removed themselves from what is happening in our environment.

 

“When you pay attention to the problems being encountered by the citizens, you will proffer solutions to them and ensure that everyone is positively impacted. This is the hallmark of a leader,” he said.

 

Etuk, also the Chairman, Akwa Ibom Traditional Rulers’ Council, said that a good leader should be concerned about conditions of things within his environment so that he would be able to have positive impacts on the lives of the citizens.

 

He said that for Nigeria to be stable, peaceful and develop optimally, citizens should not be neglected by their leaders.

 

The royal father, therefore, called on presidential candidates of various political parties to carry the citizens along, show empathy and promote peaceful co-existence, in the interest of the country’s unity. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

IE/WAS
Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

  • Eka
  • Jan, Sun, 2023
General news

A’Ibom ready for Tinubu/Shettima presidential rally – Enang

 

 

Rally

Isaiah Eka

Ibiono Ibom (Akwa  Ibom), Jan. 8, 2023 (NAN) A former Presidential Aide, Sen. Ita Enang, on Sunday said the  All Progressives Congress (APC) was prepared to receive Sen. Bola Tinubu and Sen. Kashim Shettima in Akwa Ibom for their Presidential Rally.

Enang, who stated this while meeting with all the wards in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area of the state, said the rally would hold on Jan. 12.

He said the meeting with all the wards and units in the Ibiono Ibom LGA was part of the preparations to put the party together for a massive turnout for the presidential rally.

Enang,  the immediate past senior special assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Niger Delta Affairs added that the campaign materials were also ready.

This, according to him  includes: t-shirts, caps, handbills, and other wears carrying the inscriptions of Tinubu/Shettima and have been distributed.

“I am so impressed and excited at the level of reception for APC in Ibiono Ibom; wards and units, because for a while there was a feeling that APC was in disarray.

“Yes, there was that feeling but we have been able to calm the people and assure them that we are together.

“We have distributed our campaign materials, distributed the caps carrying an inscription of Tinubu, Shettima, and Sen. Ita Enang, we have distributed the t-shirts and wears.

“We have enlightened the people that when they go to vote, they should vote for APC.

“We have appraised them that all things being equal,  the party’s presidential kick-off will be on Jan. 12 and further information will be given as to that effect.

“We have also mobilise the people to come out and received our presidential candidates and at that venue, we will also know other candidates for other offices,” Enang said.

Enang, who is also the Director of Parliamentarians Directorate of the Presidential Campaign Council in Akwa Ibom added that he had unified both aspirants and candidates, who contested for the house of assembly and house of representatives.

He urged other party faithful in the state to step up mobilisation for the presidential campaign rally to ensure victory for the APC. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

IE/MAM/CHOM

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Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Chioma Ugboma

  • Eka
  • Jan, Sat, 2023
General news

Commission cautions against abscondment, flies 300 pilgrims to Israel, Jordan

Pilgrims
Isaiah Eka
Uyo, Jan. 7, 2023 (NAN) The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) says no fewer than 300 intending Christian pilgrims from Cross River, Ondo and Ebonyi have taken off from the Victor Attah International Airport to Israel and Jordan.
The Executive Secretary, NCPC, Rev. Yakubu Pam, while addressing the intending pilgrims on Friday night cautioned them against absconding during pilgrimage.
Pam warned that any offender would be made to face the wrath of the law through imprisonment, including the guarantor.
He said that the pilgrims should consider the journey as purely spiritual so that they would go there and pray for the unity of the country.
He further admonished the intending pilgrims to be good ambassadors of Nigeria and conduct themselves decently while on the pilgrimage.
He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for creating the enabling environment for NCPC to take the pilgrims to the Holy lands.
“It is my singular joy and happiness to stand here to appreciate the distinguished states, particularly Cross River, who put a reasonable number of intending Pilgrims that are traveling out.
“I’m also here to appreciate the governors of the south-south, this time around from the numbers of states that have paid for pilgrims to travel from the south-south, I am proud of the south-south as a zone.
“The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission has been given the power to exploit various areas at geographical biblical places in the Bible for Nigerian Christians to witness what they have been reading in the Bible physically.
“I believe this is nothing to regret but rather to say that God is using our governors to advance the gospel of the kingdom,” he said.
The NCPC boss noted that Nigeria was going into election, a critical moment for the country, as it was about its survival and continuity as a sovereign nation.
”This is the moment we need to go and pray, knock at heavens and the moment we need to tell God that this country will never be down rather this election will  prove the time to rise to make our children and next generation to believe in us.
“We will continue to do our normal duty by making sure that pilgrims move from now up to when the election will take place and the purpose of it all more is praying for the country,” Pam said.
One of the intending pilgrims from Ondo, Rev. Raphael Agbola, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that his intention was to pray for the betterment of the nation.
Agbola urged Nigerians to live a good life, put their trust in God and follow His commandments to achieve great results for the growth of the country. (NAN)(www.nannews ng)
IE/CHIN/VIV
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Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Vivian Ihechu

 

  • Eka
  • Jan, Fri, 2023
General news

Nigerian Legion chairman calls for mop up of illegal weapons

Remembrance

By Isaiah Eka

Uyo, Jan. 5, 2023 (NAN) Retired Col. Joseph Esu, Akwa Ibom Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, has called for massive mop up of illegal weapons as part of measures to tackle terrorism in the country.

Esu made the call during during the Emblem Appeal Fund Launch to mark the 2023 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, in Uyo on Thursday.

He said that it was important to checkmate the proliferation of illicit weapons in order to have a safer nation.

The legion chairman said special task forces should be set up in states to mop up all illegal weapons fueling terrorism in the country.

He appreciated the Akwa Ibom Government for its support to the legion and called for more assistance for members.

Earlier, Gov. Udom Emmanuel said the government was committed to the welfare of members of the Nigerian legion in the state.

The governor, represented by his Deputy, Mr Moses Ekpo, donated N5 million to the legion.

He paid special tribute to the Nigerian legionnaires for their deep service of patriotism.

“The ultimate test of patriotism is when a man or woman leaves the comfort of his home and signs up to defend the integrity of the fatherland, by this act a patriot usually signs away his or her life.

“These people  went to fight so that we may live in peace, pursue happiness and progress.

“It is therefore a tremendous courage to go to combat where bullets, bombs, and other ammunition, all of them instruments of death, are constant companions,” he said..

The governor, therefore, said that the government would remain committed to the welfare of the legionnaires.

“We will continue to partner with the relevant agencies that are tasked with the responsibility of making sure that our armed forces, living or dead, including the legionnaires and their dependents are taken care of,” Emmanuel added.

He called on well-meaning individuals and corporate organisations to assist the veterans to live a normal life.

Emmanuel also praised the armed forces and other security agencies for collaborating with the government to sustain peace in the state.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

IE/ JOY/MZA

Edited by Joy Mbachi/Maharazu Ahmed

  • Eka
  • Jan, Thu, 2023
General news

Harmattan haze: FRSC cautions drivers against speeding 

Harmattan haze: FRSC cautions drivers against speeding

Speeding

By Isaiah Eka

Uyo, Jan. 5, 2023 (NAN) The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has urged drivers to always ensure that their headlamps are on, especially in the morning, when harmattan haze affects visibility.

FRSC Sector Commander in Akwa Ibom, Mr Matthew Olonisaye, gave the advice in a statement on Thursday in Uyo.

Olonisaye reminded drivers and all road users that life had no duplicate, and that speed thrills, but kills.

The sector commander advised that adequate attention and care must be taken while using the roads.

“Life has no duplicate or spare parts, once it is snuffed out of an individual, it is gone forever! Why being complacent and pay little or no attention to the issues of road safety?

“We must strive to consciously protect and safeguard our lives, especially while using the roads.

“Our family members, friends and well-wishers eagerly wait to receive and welcome us back home alive,” Olonisaye said.

The official advised motorists and other road users to apply caution while using the roads, especially as the roads are witnessing high volume of human and vehicular movement.

“Road safety is a shared responsibility, hence, it is required of all to be in alignment with safe system approach to road safety”.

He further advised motorists to be patient, adding that they should “obey applicable speed limits, or at best apply common sense speed limit.

“Avoid night time driving, but when it is early hours of the day, lower beams and keep your headlamps properly adjusted and focused.

“Avoid looking directly into the lights of oncoming vehicles and slow down when facing glare from headlights.

“Use of unsafe tyres should be avoided; use of expired, worn-out imported tyres, otherwise known as `tokunbo’, is dangerous.

“Such tyres may destroy your life if care is not taken.”

Olonisaye commended the efforts of all stakeholders who contributed to making the roads safe during the Yuletide. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

IE/FLP/MZA

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Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Maharazu Ahmed

 

  • Eka
  • Jan, Wed, 2023
General news

A’Ibom Govt distributes special phones, white canes to PWDs

A’Ibom Govt distributes special phones, white canes to PWDs
PWDs
Isaiah Eka
Uyo, Jan. 4, 2023 ( )NAN) The Akwa Ibom Government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, has distributed special phones and white canes worth millions of naira to Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in the state.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr Ini Adiakpan, who made the distribution on Wednesday in Uyo, said it was in commemoration of the 2022 International White Cane Day to sensitise the people to the significance of white canes.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)) reports that the event, organised by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, has the theme, “Fright White Cane”.
She said that the event was intended to make our people fully aware of the significance of white canes and the need for motorists to exercise special care for the blind persons carrying the white canes.
“The white cane in our society is a mobility tool and symbol of a blind person’s ability to conquer mobility challenges and invite special reconsideration to the blind on our streets and highways.
“It is quite apt and timely that the theme is Fright White Cane and the mission today is also targeted on how the blind and visually impaired can live, move around and walk independently while giving back to their communities,” she said.
The commissioner said that all forms of barriers, stigmatisation and discrimination against the blind must be removed.
Adiakpan added that the celebration was on the achievements and successes attained by the blind people in the state over the years.
She said the effort of the ministry had given hope to many blinds in the state as the blind had been well educated beyond barriers,  adding that blindness did not impede achievement.
She warned the blinds against aggressive behaviour due to their impairment.
Adiakpan called on them to think beyond their impediment and self-pity as many people were also facing different challenges but still living happily.
The commissioner said that the visually impaired persons were trained on how to use the special phones given to them.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman, Nigerian Association of the Blind, Akwa Ibom chapter,  Mr Ubong Ben, commended the government for supporting persons with impaired vision across the state.
Ben thanked Gov. Udom Emmanuel for appointing one of them into the state civil service and for empowering blind students in universities. (www.nannews.ng)
IE/IA
Edited by Idris Abdulrahman
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  • Eka
  • Jan, Tue, 2023
General news

A’Ibom holds solemn assembly to usher in 2023

A’Ibom holds solemn assembly to usher in 2023
Assembly
By Isaiah Eka
Uyo, Jan. 3, 2023 (NAN) Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom on Tuesday led residents of the state in the 2023 session of the annual Solemn Assembly and Thanksgiving Service to usher in the New Year.
In a speech at the interdenominational Church service in Uyo, tagged “Go forward”, Emmanuel said that peace remained God’s greatest blessing to the state during his tenure.
He said that peace had been fundamental to all other achievements of his administration.
He, therefore, said that it was important for the state to appreciate God for what He had done and encourage Him to do more.
The governor urged the people to go forward and know where they are, how they got there and then be confident that God will move them forward.
“As we have done in the preceding years, to hand over the state to the Almighty God, I want us to rededicate this state unto God.
“When we rededicate something to God, we are asking him to strengthen what He has done for us.
“So, today we are standing as a people telling God, strengthen that which you have done for Akwa Ibom State and God will do it for us in Jesus name,” Emmanuel said.
He said that God had never disappointed the state, “even in the most tempestuous times”.
Earlier, the Guest Minister and General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, said he was in the state “as an Oracle of God to proclaim to Akwa Ibom people to move forward”.
According to Adeboye, God has no pleasure in backwardness or stagnation.
Speaking on the theme of the service, taken from Exodus 14:15, he said that “God is constant and controls tomorrow”.
He admonished the people to put their trust in God.
He also gave assurance that with the rededication service, peace, joy and prosperity would continue to reign in the state.
He further said that God in his wisdom would enthrone the governor’s successor, who would advance his blueprint for greater development of the state. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
IE/USO
Edited by Sam Oditah