₦airaland Forum

You may recall that Gov Abu Sani Bello was in Minna General Hospital to inspect the ongoing expansion of the hospital and promised that Niger State Government will continue to monitor activities of the hospital non-stop.

As a follow up to the above, as early as 6am today, 22nd November 2021, the Chief of Staff to Governor Abu Sani Bello, Alh. Ibrahim Balarabe Kagara was at the Minna General hospital to witness firsthand the first class service being delivered at the hospital.

Hon. Balarabe was at the eye-clinic center first where he instructed that patients who come early should be attended to first, and warned those who are in the habit of collecting money to reserve seats for those come late and see the doctors before those who are in the hospital as early as 5am to desist from such practices and if they don’t, the government has already launched investigations and those caught would be dealt with.

He lamented about the constant complain from the general public about how patients are being treated unfairly and that the government will no longer tolerate such acts from anyone.

The Chief of Staff similarly toured the new massive expansion of the hospital that’s ongoing, visited every ward of the hospital and spoke to few patients to hear from them challenges facing them for onward forwarding to His Excellency, Governor Abu Sani Bello.

The COS was accompanied by the MD of the Hospital Dr. Muhammad Ishak Ma’ali and the Head of nursing services of the hospital, Yusuf Ciroma.

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

Gov Abu Sani Bello of Niger State has secured Support of USD200 Million for Actualization of Key Economic Projects. This was at the Intra African Trade Fair (IATF) which is currently holding at Durban, South Africa from 15th to 21st November; an initiative of African Export-Import Bank, Headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.

Further to His Excellency’s economic expansion agenda for Niger State that would lead to development of more infrastructure, revenue generation and job creation, Governor Abu Sani Bello has secured USD200 million from African Export-Import Bank for the actualization of the following projects that will be private sector led, with government providing the necessary enabling environment as well as policies:

• Agro-Industrial Park for Shea butter
• Diary and Meat Processing
• Development of Shagunu Beach
• Development of Gurara Waterfalls

AfreximBank is the leading arranger of syndicated facilities in Africa, a multilateral financial institution established in 1994 by African Governments and private investors with the mandate to promote and finance intra and extra African trade.

It was in light of the above that the Niger State Government approached the financiers and convinced them of the merits and positive impact of the above projects. To further cement the arrangement, the Hon. Commissioner for Finance, on behalf of Niger State Government, met with representatives of Afrixim Bank and signed the document.

The agro-industrial park for shea butter and the diary and meat processing industries will harness the latent opportunities in the sector, open up the state to more investors, create jobs for the youths in the state and provide the State Government with more resources to pursue other developmental endeavors, while the development of the Gurara Waterfall and the Shagunu Beach will similarly create jobs and generate more revenue for the government.

Governor Bello is preparing Niger State for a future where it would self-sustain, be stable, developed and prosperous.

Muhammad Sani Idris
Hon. Commisioner of Information and Strategy
Niger state.

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

Why I Decide to Contest for National Youth Leader of APC

- Abdulahi Majeli, Esq., AICMC


Looking critically at the multiple challenges of our time as youths of our dear nation, any well-meaning and patriotic youth would want to see both his future and that of the generations to come are set on the right footing so that continued peace and unity are enjoyed by all and sundry. This is what gives me both the courage and strength to stand up in doing what I feel is needed to be done, now, not later, in order to create an atmosphere full of prosperity for us all. 


Abdullahi Majeli a vibrant advocate of youth participation in leadership, a chartered mediator and conciliator and a Barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria hails from Gwale Local Government of Kano state and his advocacy in youth participation in leadership is rooted in the firm conviction that the youth posses the needed acumen to introduce new ideas and fresher perspectives to address the multifarious challenges and problems bedeviling our country.


The challenges of our time should be a great cause of concern for every well meaning and patriotic citizen. These cause of concerns stems out of the strong hope for an improvement not only to the status quo but also a better Nigeria where peace and unity abounds for future generations. I draw immense strength and courage from this desire and bolstered by it to do all that is needed to achieve this goal. Growing up as a young man especially during my sojourn undergraduate  at Bayero University, I engaged actively in the struggles that improved the welfare of of my fellow youth during my LL.B. That has no doubt built more passion in me to see the youths being at the forefront of creating a worthy future.


As a lawyer with three (3) years post-call experience, raising the bar and making sure all engagements are both effective and efficient while maintaining strict compliance with the clearly spelt out functions of National Youth Leader under Article 14.22 of the All Progressive Congress Constitution ( October 2014 as amended) is achievable, as functions of office in question is to the mobilize youth for the attainment of party objectives, initiation and implementation of strategic programmes that would endear our great party to Nigerian youths.


It is irrefutable that the youths are the backbone of any society. Yet, these youths are often left unheard. I believe the morale is high and we want to utilize this office to adequately fill the vacuum.


Since the inception of our great party, we  are wary about the communication barrier between the zonal and state youth leaders and this serve as a stumbling block to the success of our party. It is imperative therefore, that strategic programmes are created that will coordinate and maintain the needed cohesion between the zonal and state youth leaders for the betterment of our party.


Nigeria as one of the populous nation with a high percentage of youth as its population, has a major task of managing the human resources within it's circles. Competent and hardworking people representing the people at various positions has been a problem these days, as anything not filled with the right hands shall not yield good and effective results.




So, it is upon us all, to work collectively to ensure the well-desired goals are spelt in our giant nation’s constitution. Working out the policy and objectives of the party effectively and efficiently will bring a new life and development to our Nigerian people, our giant party and our dear nation. These are things only competent people can accomplish.

 

It's high time we repose our confidence and trust on the youths as they have fresh ideas, understand young people better than anybody so as to avoid putting square pegs in a round hole.


In addition, these young people play an indispensable role in the development of any country. As such we should not allow incompetent people to pocket the position that is meant for us.


Nigeria is undoubtedly the only country we can call ours. To that end, making it great rests entirely on us. The decision to make it stand out is our collective responsibility. Let us all with one unified voice make our country great.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 
 
God bless the Nigerian Youths

 Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

Gov Emmanuel to Ex President GEJ- Nigeria's economy was better under your watch

The Nigerian economy faired better under President Goodluck Jonathan, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel has declared.

The Governor stated this on Thursday at Government House, Uyo, while speaking at a special luncheon in honour of the former President who was in the state for the annual conference of the Nigeria Environmental Society and the marriage ceremony of the first daughter of his long time friend and fellow pioneer student of the University of Port Harcourt, Professor Richard King.

According to Governor Emmanuel who was reflecting on the days of Goodluck Jonathan as President, Nigeria, in all indices, was better and expressed regrets that Nigerians have only come to realize what they have lost after his exit. This, he referred to as 'medicine after death.'

"I made a speech the other day. You know I like talking data. I analyzed the growth, the GDP, the exchange rate, by the time I finished the analyses, it was so clear that we did much better and today everybody, every eyes have seen how the economy has been debased. That's why I say we feel proud of you anywhere we go to".

Welcoming the guests, Governor Emmanuel, expressed great pleasure on the visit of the former President, describing him as the pride of the country.

The governor also seized the opportunity to thank the former President and wife for identifying with him and his family during his father's funeral, describing him as a great leader, a father and a brother.

Speaking earlier at the special luncheon upon his reception, former President Jonathan commended the pace of development in Akwa Ibom State under the leadership of Governor Udom Emmanuel. Jonathan who was accompanied by wife, Patience, described the governor as a brilliant, competent gentleman that deserves to be encouraged for greater roles.

He stressed that given his acquaintance with the progress of Akwa Ibom since 1994, he is in a good position to judge the development of the state.

In his words, "You're a gentleman, very competent person, a brilliant young man that needs to be encouraged and I believe he will continue to grow", he stated.

"From what we read and from what we see, you are doing very well. If you come into Akwa Ibom, you see a state that is growing. From 1994 when I was employed as the Assistant Director of Environmental Protection, OMPADEC, till I left office, there was almost no year I didn't come to Akwa Ibom, so I can monitor the development of Akwa Ibom and I'm quite pleased with the way the state is going".

He prayed for Governor Emmanuel to have a good successor who will follow his good steps and continue to lead the state towards greater heights.

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

Jailbreaks: Interior Minister more interested in protecting his political associates than nationwide security – HURIWA drags Aregbesola to Buhari

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has dragged the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola before President Muhammadu Buhari over what it termed “weekly deployment of security officers to protect his political group in Osun State, The Osun Progressives.

The group in a petition to the President said the incessant attacks on prison worsening the security situation across the country, stating that Aregbesola should be asked to buckle up or be booted out of the system to “avoid further compromise.”

The rights group, in a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onubiko, claimed that its investigation has revealed that the current state of security in the country is birthed by constant attacks on correctional centres.

The group said Aregbesola has refused to approve deployment of tactical team of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps to prisons but instead deployed hundreds of them to protect his personal property and his political associates fighting on his behalf.

“More worrisome is that there are indications of clear communications gaps between the Office of the Commandant General and the Minister`s Office for the deployment of tactical and combatant teams of NSCDC to all Correctional Centers in Nigeria, which was allegedly declined by the Minister.

“However, there was an alleged express approval from the Minister for the transfer and deployment of hundreds of NSCDC officers to Osun State to protect personal buildings and provide security covers for persons fighting proxy political wars on his behalf. To show the import attached to these over and above the statutory mandates of the NSCDC, State Commandant of the NSCDC; Mr. Emmanuel Ocheja, personally leads most of the operations.”

The Osun Progressives is a group within the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress loyal to Aregbesola.

HURIWA accused the former Osun State Governor of leadership failure in curtailing attacks on the prison facilities, stressing that he “needs to be called to order”.

“We can no longer afford to keep watching helplessly as the integrity of the Nigerian Prison is being systematically eroded and breached thereby creating rooms for prisoners to escape the long arm of the law with the attendant consequences to the national security interest of the nation.

“We have therefore carried out an investigative activity to ascertain the cause of the lethargic leadership incapacitation in the Parent Federal ministry with a mandate to administer the Nigerian Correctional Centres and the findings are what we have tabled as a petition to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to demand that the federal minister of Interior be compelled to sit up and work or be booted out to stop further compromises of the integrity of the Prison System in the Country.

“Here below are the issues we have tabled before the President and have pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately investigate the allegations we have raised with a view to fixing down the broken down security architectures in the Prison facilities across the Country.

“We, the undersigned leading and prominent Civil Right advocacy group; Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) wishes to draw the attention of the Nigerian President; His Excellency; Muhammadu Buhari to the clear and unambiguous symptom of a failed leadership in the Ministry of Interior due to political distraction on the side of the Minister; Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and the need for the Minister to be called to order or asked to quit and face local Osun State politics.

“It is worrisome that in the face of the implications of the successful and attempted jailbreaks reported across the country in the last eighteen months, which have been adjudged to be the highest so far in the cycle of any administration since the return to civil rule in 1999, the Interior Minister; Rauf Aregbesola appears more concerned with allegedly misusing the personnel of the security agencies under his Ministry for political gains in Osun State rather than fully deploy them appropriately where they are needed to secure the Correctional Centres that are the cornerstone of Nigeria’s judicial system.

“Referencing the Establishment Act of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (2003), empowers the para-military agency to function in the “enhancement of security network and formation within the country, so as to develop structures and training strategies that would contribute to the national security with a broader vision to put to work efficiency in service delivery with a fresh zeal; bring credibility into the concept of security,” Aregbesola’s action so far has portrayed him as a man not worthy of holding a public office of such national strategic and security importance.

“It has therefore become pertinent that Your Excellency implements sanctions in calling the Minister to order and direct him to appropriately deploy personnel of the Security Agencies under his Ministry to perhaps fortify prison security and other critical national assets rather than been deployed for political assignments.

“This petition to call the Minister to order is germane owing to the fact that every jailbreak portends the release of possible arsonists, murderers, assassins, armed robbers, kidnappers, rapists, terrorists, and all manner of criminals that make the society a dangerous place to live in.

“Beyond this, the successful and attempted jailbreaks across Correctional Centres in the Country have all exposed the gross incompetence and ineffective leadership at the Interior Ministry since Rauf Aregbesola’s assumption of office as Minister due to political distraction on the side of the Minister.

“Hence, His Excellency, the President should expedite actions in curtailing the excesses of Rauf Aregbesola in his privileged position as a minister in using the Security Agencies under his Ministry for alleged political gains by exploring the use of sanctions that disallows public office holders to be involved in this phenomenon of using personnel of security agencies for personal interest and for advancing political expansionist tendencies.

“This is because deploying sanctions in calling Rauf Aregbesola to order would provide accountability for and be a deterrent to anyone involved in using their position to divert the attention of security agencies to personal interest”

In a quest to boost unity among the South South Region through sports, the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri played host to the representatives of the South South Inter Club Tennis Association ( SSICTA) at the Government house, Yenogoa today, Saturday, November 6, 2021.

Speaking during the courtesy call, the President of the South South Inter Club Tennis Association, Sir Emem Akpabio on behalf of the Association thanked His Excellency, the Miracle Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri for the audience he granted the Association to intimate him as the Chief Security of the State about the Association which cut across all the clubs in the South South Region of the Country. Sir Akpabio who described the Governor as a sport loving Governor further added that the association is to promote unity in the south south through tennis and used the opportunity to informed the Governor of the forthcoming Niger Delta open coming up early next year and solicited for his support in any form for the successful hosting of the maiden outing.

Responding, the miracle Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency Sen. Douye Diri thanked the leadership of the South South Inter Club Tennis Association led by Sir Emem Akpabio and welcomed delegates to the Bayelsa Government House which has been christened as the Creek Heaven. He appreciated and keyed into the idea of harnessing hidden potentials through sports, he also urged the Association to keep it going so that the region that has become the headquarters of sports in Nigeria may continue to have his rightful place in the country in the area of sports.

Present at the courtesy call were some members of the Bayelsa State Executive Council, Captain of tennis clubs in the whole of south south Region and members of the press.

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

Nigeria's diversity is one of the country's greatest untapped assets and strength for national development, peace and progress, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel has declared.

The Governor who stated this on Thursday while delivering a lecture at the Arewa Media Interactive and Development Forum held at Arewa House Kaduna said, the country must rise to this reality and fortify those foundations with the bricks of faith, patriotism and love as Nigeria needs new foundations to confront the challenges of today since Nigerians are inherently united.

According to Governor Emmanuel, "for decades, the drumbeats of our Nation have filled and seared the ears about the fragility of our unity and the elasticity of the tolerance of our diversity. Some have prophesied the imminent demise of our Nation, so many scenarios depicting the coming Armageddon have been pushed, prognosticated and predicted. But in all of these, our Nation still remains intact.

Though the contours of our unity may not be straight, though the lines of development may be zigzag, the tone and tenor of our discourse discordant and divergent, but the soul, the spirit and the identity of our Nation remain sacrosanct. And on this, all Nigerians of goodwill have come to a solid agreement".

He noted with admiration that Nigeria is a nation that is diverse, and beautiful as a coat of many colours as what tends to divide us should bring us together.

Hear him, "Is it tribe, is it language, or is it food, or is it dance or is it religion? Take, for instance, the consumption of kola nut. Few know that it is grown in the Southwest, used for prayers in the East, and consumed for recreation in the North. It comes to life among the Yoruba, gives life in Igboland and is lively in jaws of the Hausa man. In the same way, a lot of our onions come from the far North; it enriches Ofe Nsalla in the East, Ewedu in the Southwest and Afang soup in my house in Uyo".

Continuing, he said, "We quarrel over religion yet when a big business deal is hatched, no one asks why Ahmed praises Allah and Adewale shouts Hallelujah. Both of them are smiling to the same bank. It was the same country that built a marvel of a pyramid from groundnut in Kano. Experts came from Malaysia to learn about palm produce in the South-South and South-East regions, respectively. And cocoa underwrote the prosperity of the Western Region. Oil was in the backdrop then. It is the same Nigeria, the same tribes, the same faiths, the same language, the same historical backgrounds, the same geography. So if I may ask, what changed?"

He noted that Nigerians were glad when the late Maitama Sule orated on the floor of the United Nations, and rejoiced when Wole Soyinka won the Nobel Prize for Literature, advocating for more unity despite our diversity.

"In the rougher days of Boko Haram, the militants burned Churches and Mosques, and they slaughtered Muslims and Christians. Who were the soldiers fighting to save the whole of the country? We did not say it is a Northern fight, so no Southern soldier should go there. It was not a Fulani soldier or an Ibibio infantryman. It was the Nigerian soldier. When bullets are fired it does not bear a message on what tribesman it should fall. It hits a human, a Nigerian whatever the name of his God or the tribe or language he confesses", he declared.

He noted that the country still have more diversity than unity, questioning what happened to a Nigeria where a Southerner can win an election in Kaduna, or a Fulani man could win an election in Lagos?

In his words, "We have had it in the past. We can have it again. I am sure that a good number of those listening to me now must have heard of Umaru Altine, a Fulani man from Sokoto, who was popularly elected as the first Mayor of Enugu in 1952 and he stayed in office till 1958. The Western Region House of Assembly also had an Igbo man, Emmanuel Ebubedike, from Ozobulu in present day Anambra State, as the Representative of Ajeromi/Ifelodun/ Badagry Constituency. We can point to several other examples".

He regretted that efforts of some founding fathers at laying a solid foundation for national unity and cohesion have been destroyed as what we see nowadays is a country where ethnic champions drive the narrative, and the cacaphony of discordant voices making it difficult for us to hear ourselves. "This has been given expression in the numerous calls for restructuring, resource control and even an outright division of the country along ethnic and tribal lines", he stated.

Governor Emmanuel explained that several reasons have been adduced for this state of affairs as many individuals and groups have taken umbrage at the over-centralization of power at the centre, perceived marginalization of some parts of the country as these are sore points that give fillip to the agitations for balance and equity in the country, warning that we cannot afford to run a country where some parts of our country feel marginalised or left out of the scheme of things as this is a potent threat to the unity of the country. "We must ensure that there is equity and justice and that no part of the country is made to feel less of itself as this will definitely not augur well for our union", he admonished.

He blame most part of the nation's current problems on the elite, stating that the Nigerian elite stokes the hate between one part and another. "And we are seeing them in the debate over VAT, restructuring, zoning, herdsmen and these are not too difficult issues to resolve. VAT calls for fairness between us. To restructure is for all to feel like the brother’s keeper. It ensures we all eat from the same pot and no one goes home hungry or deprived. Zoning means abiding by a formula that works for all", he x-rayed.

He noted that it only takes the people to sit at a table and cross-fertilize ideas, with patriotic give-and takes. "There will be no zero -sum game. The part will become the sum and the sum will be like the part. The equation will be complete. As former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill once said, ?It is better to jaw jaw than to war war. But if one set must take everything, we will always remember our languages, our tribes, the aroma of our mother?s soup. Hate then replaces love, and handshakes will move beyond elbows", he stressed.

According to Governor Emmanuel, as a way forward, Nigerians must sit down and talk to themselves, rather than talk at ourselves.

"We must listen to understand, rather than listen to respond. We must build bridges of unity rather than walls of division. We must realise that every part of our country is an equal stakeholder in the Nigerian project and work actively to harness the best of our diversity for the good of our country. There must be a level playing field and equal opportunities for all Nigerians, irrespective of where they come from or what language they speak."

"Development plans and projects of the government must also be spread evenly across the country so that a sense of fairness and justice will permeate the land. We must take deliberate steps to integrate ourselves and unify the country. One quick step we can take in this direction is a little tweaking of the format of the National Youth Service Corps. This was one of the instruments designed to unify our nation but which hasn?t quite achieved this purpose. I suggest that we make it mandatory for States to retain a certain percentage of youth corpers in its public service every year. This way, we would create employment and state civil services would be more multi-ethnic as unity is a creative process", he advocated.

He advised that the situation where any part of the country is denied commensurate benefits from resources harnessed from that part will only further alienate the people there and weaken our bond as a country, noting that the leaders must work to restore hope and confidence by actively ensuring that there is a sense of belonging and inclusion imbued in our citizens.

"Far too many of our compatriots identify more with their tribe and ethnic group than with our nation. We don?t need more Ibibios, or Fulanis, or Igbos, or Yorubas, or Ijaws, or Hausas. What we need is more Nigerians!", he admonished.\

cc: mynd44

OSUN NURTW HOLDS RALLY FOR OYETOLA, TO ENDORSE HIM FOR SECOND TERM

The National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Osun State chapter will tomorrow, Wednesday 3rd of November 2021 hold an endorsement rally in support of the reelection bid of the Governor of Osun, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, ahead of the July 16th gubernatorial election.

In a statement issued and personally signed by the state Chairman of the union who also doubles as the SouthWest Chairman of the Union, Comrade Olalekan Folorunsho, popularly referred to as Salami, the Union said they are organising the rally because Oyetola has performed beyond expectations.

"All our members in all the local governments of the state have met, and we have agreed to fully support the performing Governor in the 2022 election, and that is why we are staging a solidarity march and rally for him on Wednesday. He is a very good listener, easy going and peaceful man, he has cancelled half salary and he's not disturbing anybody or our union, everybody is happy with him", Salami said.

He added that: ”As part of programmes lined up for tomorrow's rally, all members of the NURTW in the state will walk in solidarity from our State Office to the Freedom park, to sensitive the public and enumerate reasons why we are declaring our support for Ilerioluwa.

“We have invited State Chairmen across the South West, among who are Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya (Mc Oluomo) of Lagos State branch and Alhaji Olajide Abideen Ejiogbe of Oyo State to join the rally which will have in attendance the Governor, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola and members of his cabinet, and it will start by 10am tomorrow (Wednesday) morning. We hereby invite members and residents of Osun State to join us for the warm reception organised in honour of the Governor,” the Union leader said.

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

Stella Dimoko-Korkus Unmasked as Promoter of Gistlover Blogs

* DSS, FBI, INTERPOL Tailing Germany-based blogger, her patrons

+ The Other Blogs She Runs On Instagram

Germany-based journalist turned blogger Stella Dimoko-Korkus is the promoter of Gistlover, an Instagram blog that publishes unwholesome, salacious and scandalous stories that have destroyed lives marriages, relationships and businesses, investigations have shown.

Weeks of painstaking investigations by our reporters revealed that Dimoko-Korkus is the brain behind the stories that are borderline cyber bullying and terrorism.

While the country battles banditry, terrorism and abductions among others, SDK, as the Delta State native is also called, has been fuelling hatred, division and inciting people with salacious and lurid tales that have no basis in reality.

Despite being a trained journalist, she shuns professionalism, using the blog to settle perceived slights while masquerading as an activist fighting the cause of the oppressed.

Though the former Encomium magazine journalist runs a regular SDK blog, sources and our findings showed she has been running Gistlover through proxies since 2018. Surprisingly, most of these proxies don’t know she’s their employer as she uses Gistlover to wreck homes, individuals and corporate organisations with falsehoods and untruths.

Impeccable sources also disclosed that Gistlovers isn’t her only destructive blog as she maintains others for trolling and defaming Nigerians. Her other damaging blogs include The Eye-Opener, Xoxocorner, Xoxomystery, Xoxocruise, Cutie Juls, Ifeomafinegirl and Gistaddict.

But in an indication that her cups are full, we learnt from reliable sources that officials of the State Security Service (SSS) are hot on her trail to bring her to justice.

Our sources disclosed that the SSS, also called DSS, is working with the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to probe all her activities.

“There is every likelihood that Stella Dimoko Korkus will be repatriated to Nigeria to answer to the allegations including blackmailing, defamation of character, incitement, war-mongering and others after the conclusion of the ongoing investigation,” the source, who doesn’t wish to be named, added.

However, the DSS is also reported to have compiled a list of vendors and advertisers who patronise SDK’s Gistlover and other blogs. Commentators who engage with her on the blog are also on the DSS watchlist, our findings revealed.

Relationship with Matharoo Sisters of NAIJAGISTLIVE

SDK has refused to learn from the fate of the Matharoo sisters - Jyoti and Kiran. They had toed a similar path previously.

The Indian-Canadian ladies were arrested, detained, tried in court and deported from Nigeria for running a website, Naijagistlive, which scandalised and blackmailed affluent people.

Though Stella Dimoko Korkus is alleged to have played a role in running the infamous blog because most of her stories regularly featured on Naijagistlive, we are still investigating the connection.


The sisters held sway for over one year, publishing half-truths and outright falsehoods before being arrested in 2016 for defamation and blackmail. The Nigerian government eventually deported them to Canada, where they have remained ever since.

Instead of learning from their fate, Gistlover launched on Instagram in 2018 and was perceived harmless as it trolled practitioners in the entertainment industry.

It began defaming Nigerians, especially wealthy businessmen, politicians and celebrities, in 2019 when it also began encouraging violence among its followers.

Sources confirmed that this was when efforts to know the promoter began until early 2020, when Stella Dimoko Korkus’ name emerged.

Infact, some influential Nigerians reportedly commissioned local and international web and hi-tech experts to unravel the owner’s identity. 95 per cent of their investigations came up with Stella Dimoko Korkus’ name.

Some other concerned Nigerians who didn’t have the resources to consult web professionals in unravelling the owner’s identity identified SDK as the owner based on factors including:
1. The person behind Gistlover is a woman, not a man. Though she laces her posts with Yoruba words, especially her signature payoff - Igi ewedu o ni wo pa wa, internet sleuths are not deceived. Besides, SDK is a polyglot who speaks German, French, Spanish and some other Nigerian languages.
The promoter of Gistloverblog is a trained and professional journalist with over 20 years of experience, contacts and access to sources. This is because she garnishes her stories and gists with details of what took place over 15 years ago. She also gets her stories from both the old and new sources she has kept over the years.

3. Findings by tech experts also revealed that the owner of Gistlover is resident in Germany and has access to uninterrupted power supply, modern gadgets and accessories. This Newspaper also found that she consults experts in European countries like Iceland, Finland, Belgium, and France to host her various websites.

4.Gistlover’s belligerent and combative approach are also characteristic of Stella Dimoko Korkus, who has recently taken to cursing celebrities when she defamed them.

5. There are also several instances of people stating that Stella Dimoko Korkus, introduced and referred them to Gistloverblog on Instagram through her leading blog site, SDK.


Shady character

Though Stella Dimoko Korkus, through Gistloverblog, postures as fighting for the rights of everyday Nigerians, sources said she has been trampling on the rights using her followers on Gistloverblog to harangue celebrities.

"However, she has added blackmailing to her portfolio because she intimidates her victims and threatens to expose their dirty secrets if they don’t dance to her tunes by paying to get her off their backs," one of her victims who wished to remain anonymous alleged.

Another source stated that Stella Dimoko-Korkus operated a couple of bank accounts (details withheld), through which she received the money. She then abandoned the accounts when her activities began to draw the attention of law enforcement agents.
At this point, the former journalist who started with Hints magazine adopted cryptocurrency as a payment method from her victims and clients. She is said to have several human links, especially in Computer Village, who helped to take care of her crypto accounts.

Findings further revealed that Stella Dimoko-Korkus’ younger brother is a strong ally and co-conspirator in using Gistlover and other blogs to defame and blackmail people. He reportedly operates a GT Bank account for receiving money on her behalf.

Lover of strife

Stella Dimoko-Korkus thrives most with strife as she gets her kicks from fighting and bullying people. Some analysts have identified her unwholesome blogging style as the cause of the toxicity in the entertainment industry.

Her jealousy was also why she fell out with her previously close friend, Linda Ikeji. SDK is said to dislike Linda’s dominance of the bloggers’ landscape and regularly uses her SDK blog to denigrate Linda while inciting her followers against her.

When SDK launched on Instagram, she began to troll and bully Linda Ikeji through her other blogs - Ifeomafinegirl and Xoxocorner. She labelled Linda a prostitute, sperm thief and all sorts of unprintable names. Her project Bring-down-Linda Ikeji-by-all-means climaxed when she claimed that a former South-south governor had fathered her son.

SDK, who fights dirty, was said to have later extended her war to Linda’s younger sister, Laura and her husband, Ogbonna Kanu (the younger brother of soccer legend, Nwakwo Kanu). The young lady reportedly suffered untold hardship from SDK because she happened to be Linda Ikeji’s younger sister.

Another of SDK’s victims through her Gistloverblog is Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, who used to be an informant for Gistlover before they fell apart. Unknown to Bobrisky, he was dealing with SDK, so when they fell out over Tonto Dike’s matter, SDK revealed all conversations she shared with Bobrisky and exposed him as a snitch.

Afraid of losing her patrons to the crossdresser, she bullied him to a point where he began to lose his endorsements.

Investigations also showed that SDK is also culpable in the constant collapse of the handle of another male Instagram blogger whom she sees as a competitor. We can authoritatively confirm that law enforcement agents are looking into this matter.

Another Instagram blogger, Ubi Franklin, did not escape her wrath when he started mini-blogging.

Actress Kate Henshaw, reportedly Stella Dimoko Korkus’ chief bridesmaid, has not been spared. She constantly trolls her for her alleged secret affair with a comedian and has labelled her a cougar.

Star actress Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde almost lost her marriage and sanity last January when SDK, through Gistloverblog, alleged that she was having an affair with a former Edo Governor. She dragged her through the mud and didn’t spare her husband too.

Findings also indicate that SDK will soon get her deserts as the DSS and Police are working on the petitions from people she had victimised, blackmailed and bullied.

Their chief complaint has been cyber terrorism that has wrecked their marriages, friendships and businesses.

Our investigations showed that one of Stella Dimoko Korkus’ favourite modus operandi is contacting men with various phone numbers. She will add them, posing as a beautiful lady and then chat with them. Some who fell for her antics have learnt the hard way when she starts blackmailing them with pictures of their private parts.


Professional turned extortionist

Stella Dimoko Korkus hails from Isoko, Delta State. Her mother died while she was young, while her father died some months ago. She had her early education in Lagos and gained a third-class degree in Linguistics from the University of Benin.


She started her career in journalism at Hints magazine, and later, Encomium Magazine, where she covered entertainment news. In 2003, she got married to Stefan Korkus, a German in his late 60s. In 2004, Stella moved to Germany to join her husband, with whom she later bore two sons.

In Germany, she still carried out her reportorial duties at Encomium Magazine because of her insatiable thirst for gossip, with a particular appetite for the ugly sides of people’s lives.

Stella Dimoko Korkus later spread her tentacles by being one of the early adopters of online journalism and blogging, quitting her job at Encomium.

Despite her seeming in-depth knowledge of happenings in the country, sources said Stella Dimoko-Korkus had not visited Nigeria in over eight years. The few times she was seen, she came in quietly and went underground till she left.

With the fast pace of investigations by law enforcement agencies, she might soon become a permanent Nigerian resident once successfully repatriated.

We learnt that she would most likely be accused of cyberbullying, blackmail and stalking.

The Cybercrimes Act 2015 provides for an N10 million fine or imprisonment for a term of not more than three years or both for cyberbullies and stalkers. SDK might well be looking at a time in jail if the security agencies prove their case against her.
=Ends=

NSUKKA AND UDOM EMMANUEL’S GRAND VISION

UDEME NANA

Earlier this month, precisely on Thursday, 7th October, this writer joined the entourage of Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State to the University of Nigeria, where the Governor delivered the 2021 Founder’s Day Lecture. The other great ‘Lion’ in the delegation was Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Russia, Chief Assam Assam who had also served Akwa Ibom State as the Attorney – General and Commissioner for Justice. The Founder’s Day was to mark the spectacular contributions of the great statesman, the late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe to the establishment of the University of Nigeria. The legendary University exists as a counterpoise against the current agitation by some Igbo youths to cut ties with a country for which the great Zik of Africa, their iconic son, who set it up, lived and died.

One does not know why the Governor of Akwa Ibom State was picked as this year’s visiting guest speaker on such an auspicious occasion. As one journeyed through the meandering road towards Nsukka and into the lush greens of that citadel of learning, one wondered if the Vice Chancellor and his team had known that the celebrated Zik of Africa was, in the 1920’s, a mentee of the late Chief Nyong Essien, a respected Akwa Ibom titan, who was the pioneer Chairman of the Eastern Nigeria Council of Chiefs and the Nsom of Uruan in the Ibibio heartland of Akwa Ibom State. There is a possibility that the Governor was properly briefed because he was accompanied by his Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Frank Archibong on the trip.

One imagined the organizers had remembered that the first Head of Government, then known as Leader of Government Business, in the Eastern region was another distinguished Akwa Ibom indigene and a leading intellectual of that era , the late Professor Eyo Ita from Ibeno. Yes, there are memories of Ibanga Udo Akpabio who had served as Secretary – General of the defunct Ibibio state Union and a Minister in the Eastern regional Government who moved the motion for the establishment of the University. Even the symbol of the Institution, the Lion which stands in a menacing poise at the erstwhile main entrance into the University reflects the contribution of another AkwaIbomite as it was chiseled professionally by an Akwa Ibom sculptor, Dr. Uko Akpaide who, incidentally, taught my father when today’s old men were struggling boys in elementary school. Akwa Ibom is also one of the catchment areas of the University, a circumstance which gives advantage to applicants for admission into the school from the state. It would be nice, in addition, to have indigenes of the state enjoy such favourable consideration in employment opportunities. After all, Akwa Ibom was part of the oil – palm belt, the golden goose at that time, which exploitation generated resources to fund the building of the University. So much for some of the vital links between Akwa Ibom and the first indigenous University in Nigeria.

Governor Udom Emmanuel seized the moment to present a case study on how he has changed the narrative of development through infrastructure and Industrialisation in Akwa Ibom, ‘that was once a civil service state’.

According to the Governor, who held the audience spell bound in his characteristic oratory : “ shortly after I was sworn in, fully conscious of where we were going, I set up a Technical Committee on Foreign Direct Investment and charged them to go all out and sell our state, our areas of comparative advantage and ensure that through Industrialisation, we would expand the opportunities of growth for our people “

The Governor, having been properly robed in the requisite academic gown temporarily turned professorial and taught his captive students that ‘the key drivers of Industrialisation were the quality of infrastructure on ground and of course, peace and security since investors will not go to a place that is unsafe and insecure” This explains his ‘Maintain Peace Movement’. It was telling that the Secretary – General of the Group, Prince Enobong Uwah was in the flight. Does anyone out there still have issues with Governor Emmanuel’s deep concern for a peaceful environment?

No doubt, there is a correlation between a peaceful and more secure environment and influx of investors into any location. Any wonder then that Uyo, the state capital, once a sleepy city, is no longer a dull place as it welcomes and hosts business people who fly in to stay, cut deals and savour the hospitable location and its array of delicious cuisines.

Another sector which the present government has changed the narrative is Aviation through Ibom Air even though critics continue to ask questions about the ownership structure of the Airline. Nevertheless, in the words of Mr. Udom Emmanuel “Ibom Air, has become a national sensation, flying the colours of Akwa Ibom within the Nigerian Aviation space and dominating it, a mere two years after its maiden commercial flight’
Indeed, Ibom Air, one of the flagship success stories of Governor Emmanuel operates from the only airport in Nigeria, arguably, with specifications where two aeroplanes can take off at the same time. It is important to underscore that the airline is just one aspect of the business operations plan of the Airport. The Airport in Uyo is a potentially Maintain, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) hub with prospects for job creation, more investments and ancillary businesses. Ultimately, the entire environment around the Airport would become a city with profitable services around it.

The Governor used the podium at Nsukka to repeat his grand vision which a lot of politicians in his state do not seem to see. He noted “ as I always say, it is good for a 21st century leader, to have a broad vision and the requisite exposure to international best practices. What do I mean by that?

He stated ‘your vision is a product of your exposure, what you have seen elsewhere, how those things work and how they can be applied in your local environment to the benefit of the people is a lived experience and not a learned one” Have those throwing mud at ‘Fathers of Faith’ and blackmailing the Governor’s immediate family and other religious leaders concerning the Governor’s succession plan heard that? Which leader would accomplish so much and not want such accomplishments and legacies sustained through a deliberate succession agenda?

Since most Akwa Ibom politicians were not at Nsukka to hear the Governor twice on his mindset about his succession, it would suffice to re – echo Governor Udom Emmanuel’s loud and clear pronouncement on the occasion of the 6th Anniversary of his Administration on the issue, ‘let me now ask you my dear Akwa Ibomites : Do you want a successor who will cancel out all the great strides in industrialization we have started? The peace we currently enjoy and return us to the years when violence and kidnapping reigned and sowed fear in the hearts and minds of the people? Do you want a successor who will come with anger towards all we have done, as opposed to continuing with the great works we have started? Do you want a leader whose approach to testing his popularity would be to drive in a long convoy to “Ibom Plaza” and throw money at the hapless people, watching them scramble for the money and the people would say that’s “Ano owo Mkpo”! Is that the kind of a successor you want? Is that the kind of empowerment our people deserve? Someone who will bring out the worst in our youths rather than challenge them to seize the future and unleash their potentials? Do you want a successor who will relegate God to the background and assume an all-knowing power? Or do you desire a successor with a known e-mail address that the International business community recognises? Do you want a leader who will fritter away our commonwealth in search of cheap popularity or one who would utilize the resources and continue investing in projects with enduring value? Do you want a successor who would see Government as a cabal where our commonwealth would be shared among a privileged few or do you desire a leader who would continue to unleash the entrepreneurial spirit of our people, a successor who understands the economic dynamics that shape our globalized space and would utilize those skills to advance our well-being? These are questions you have to provide answers, and the answers you provide would determine the type of a successor you deserve.

‘Mark my words, we will not return to the type of leadership that is big on noise and small in the execution of the big picture items. We will never go backward on the peace in our land, the steady and focused developments we have started. The line in our State anthem has made this faith manifestly clear: Forward ever and backward never!’

On that occasion, he had also declared :
‘My dear Akwa Ibomites, if what you are desiring is a successor who will not have the capacity and the discipline to build a State where you and your children will live in peace and strive to excel, if you are desiring a successor who will turn back the clock of our developmental strides, if you are desiring a successor who will bring out the worst in our youths as opposed to galvanizing their energies and challenging them to be the best they can be, if you are desiring a leader who would not efficiently utilize the resources of this State on projects that have redeeming value then I am sorry to disappoint you, God will not give us such a successor.’

He had laid emphasis on the point when he further noted :
‘We have gone too far ahead to retreat backward. So as you are engaging in prognostications, creating camps of loyalty and getting consumed by who you think my successor would be, always bear these thoughts in your mind’

That sums up Governor Udom Emmanuel’s splendid vision ; well written and laid out, stated clearly in unmistakable terms and spoken boldly within and outside the state. QED!L

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

Gov Emmanuel Optimistic of Better Nigeria with PDP
... As party e-Registration kicks off in Akwa Ibom

Akwa Ibom State Governor Mr Udom Emmanuel says there is hope of better days for Nigerians given the significant gains the Peoples Democratic Party has continued to record as a Party in the nation.

The Governor who dropped the forecast on Tuesday October 26, in Uyo, while flagging off the e-registration of membership and revalidation exercise of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Akwa Ibom State Chapter, noted that the current widespread groans of Nigerians due to poor leadership can be addressed by a proactive people-centric leadership championed by a Party like the PDP that truly cares about the people.

According to Governor Emmanuel, the present hardship experienced in Nigeria is a display of faulty leadership experiment of an administration enthroned by some Nigerians, which he noted has vindicated PDP, whom he believed would have birthed better leadership outcomes if it still held sway as party at the center.

"If we did not allow Nigeria to test another party, today the noise would have been so much. Some Nigerians wanted "change" and today, they have seen the change that has brought us where we are, but I am hopeful that Nigeria will be better sooner than imagined when the people give PDP another chance."

On the electronic membership registration and revalidation of PDP, Governor Emmanuel who was first to be enrolled shortly after flagging off the exercise, appreciated the party for the innovation and for chosing Akwa Ibom as one of the first six states in the country for the pilot kick-off of the exercise.

In his words, "I am glad that we could be one of States chosen by our party for the pilot scheme of the e-registration. It appears that we were already ready for the exercise before it started. PDP in Akwa Ibom State is being looked up to. In Akwa Ibom State, PDP is a solid rock. And I must say here that our doors are open to receive our brothers and sisters who want to return to their original Party - the PDP"

On his part, the Akwa Ibom State Chairman of PDP, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Akpan, in what he described as "the new regime of a digital era", alluded that the idea of registration of party membership electronically which is the first of its kind in the country, marks a new standard of transparency and credibility in our political system, while appealing to party members to take the exercise seriously.

"I wish to warmly invite our brothers and sisters who went somewhere and want to return, to take advantage of this e-registration and return to the umbrella party."

"This exercise will show clearly the strength of our party in all the wards."

In their seperate remarks, the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, represented by the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon. Felicia Bassey, Rt. Hon. Pat Ifon who spoke on behalf of national assembly members of Akwa Ibom extraction and the National Legal Adviser of PDP, Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem, commended the initiative and pledged their support to drive massive membership registration in their various areas.

The e-registration and revalidation of membership of the Peoples Democratic Party was launched in August 2021 by the national leadership of the party, to take away hitches often experienced in the previous analog method. The dedicated website for the e-registration www.iampdp.com had long been launched and active.


Meanwhile, THE Peoples Democratic Party in Akwa Ibom State is inviting Registration Agents for the e-registration exercise from all the Local Government Areas who were at the Ibom Hall Flagoff event for their specialised training which comes up tomorrow, Wednesday October 27, 2021 at the State Secretariat Complex of the PDP, Atan Offot Uyo expected to commence by 9am.

The Registration Agents are expected to be seated by 8am.

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

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Acting on Presidential Directive, NCAA Moves to Dismantle Globacom’s Masts Nationwide over N5.9bn Debts
 
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has concluded plans to start dismantling some telecommunication masts belonging to Globacom Ltd, a  Global Sattelite Mobile (GSM) telecommunications provider, in various locations across the country over failure to pay N5.9billion renewal fees for height clearance to the agency.
 
The development, sources learnt, followed a directive from the presidency to some of its agencies and parastatals to go after debtors and defaulters and recover all the outstanding for the government.  
 
Sources gathered that the matter came to a head following exchange of correspondence between Globacom and NCAA and scheduled meetings designed to ensure payment of the said accumulated fees by the telecommunication network which failed.
 
A letter dated October 4, 2021, titled: "Re: Illegal Erection of High Structures and Refusal to Renew Expired Aviation Height Clearance Certificates by Globacom Limited" and addressed to the Managing Director, Globacom, affirmed that following the failure by Globacom to pay the the required fees amounting to N5.9 billion, the regulatory agency had no choice but to commence the dismantling of the its masts across the country.
 
"In the circumstance, having exhausted all avenues for a resolution of this matter, we are now left without choice but to apply the relevant sanctions, including the dismantling of all your non-compliant masts nationwide. And this shall be without further notice to you", it said.
 
The letter signed by Legal Adviser/Head, Compliance and Enforcement, Mr. Emmanuel Chukwuma, recalled that, "The meeting to discuss the above subject-matter, was fixed for September 23, 2021, at your instance. 
 
“You may wish to recall that you had on August, 25, 2021, requested that the meeting, earlier rescheduled, at your instance, from Monday, July 26, 2021 to Thursday, August 26, 2021, be further rescheduled to Thursday, September 23, 2021, to enable your Chief Operating Officer/COO to attend. 
 
"It is unfortunate that despite our concurrence to a further rescheduling of the meeting to the requested date, and so informing you through our letter of 13th September, 2021, you failed to turn up for the meeting", it said. 
 
The letter noted that the Director-General of the NCAA had to abort an official assignment in Europe and return to Nigeria in order to be able to attend the meeting. 
 
"Globacom only wrote the letter under reference three days after, asking that the meeting be rescheduled, without any explanation for the failure of any management staff to show up. 
 
"I am directed to inform you that the NCAA is not disposed to granting this latest (fourth) request to reschedule the meeting, particularly, as no reason was given for your non-attendance on the last date. 
 
"In the circumstance, having exhausted all avenues for a resolution of this matter, we are now left without choice but to apply the relevant sanctions including the dismantling of all your non-compliant masts nationwide. And this shall be without further notice to you", it said.
 
In an earlier communication with Globacom, NCAA listed the indebtedness of globacom  to include application fee for 2006 to 2007 at N100,000 per mast, totalling N689,800,000, annual renewal fee for 2007-2022 (15years), N50,000 per mast amounting to  N6,898 and inspection fee covering N6,898 masts across the nation all totalling N6,064,230,000.
 
Sources, however, gathered from one of the documents sighted that, Globacom had only paid the sum of N100 million on July 31, 2019 and had not made any further payment.
 
An earlier letter from NCCA to Global said total application fee for the period under review stood at N604,800,000 while cost of inspection amounted to N190,930,000.
 
The letter also stated the position of NCAA in law with regards to regulation of masts.
 
"Please be reminded that Section 30(3)() of the Civil Aviation Act 2006 empowers the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) by law to prohibit and regulate the installation  of any structure (including telecommunication mast), which by virtue of its ‘height or position is considered to endanger the safety of air navigation," it said. 

Mynd44

Gov. Emmanuel, symbol of peace, unity, justice - Senate President

...As Senator Lawan inuagurates 25km Uyo, Ikot Ekpene dualized road

The President of the Nigerian Senate, Dr. Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan has described Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel as Nigeria's true symbol of peace unity, justice and progress, saying Akwa Ibom is indeed blessed to have him as the Governor at a time like this, nothing that the Federal government has noted the Governor's sincerity of purpose and commitment to the economic development of Akwa Ibom State.

Speaking on Tuesday at Ikot Ekpene while performing the inauguration of the 25km Uyo-Ikot Ekpene road completed by the Udom Emmanuel led adminstration, the Senate President who said he was marveled at the development strides recorded in the state under the leadership of Governor Emmanuel even in the midst of prevailing economic challenges, observed that such feat was made possible because of the love he has for his people.

He praised the Governor for judiciously utilizing state resources in the development of the State, assuring of the readiness of the federal government to partner the Governor in the infrastructural development of the state.


The Senate President assured the state that the National Assembly will interface with the Federal Minister of Works and other relevant offices for the reimbursement of funds expended by the state in fixing federal roads in the State.

In his words, "You are truly a pan Nigerian. You are leader, a Governor who believes in the unity of Nigeria. We are solidly behind the quest of making Nigeria a solid, united nation. Today this country is going through a challenging period. The kind of challenges we face in Nigeria requires that all hands must be on deck to surmount the myriad of challenges facing the country".

"I'm happy and so proud to be here. I have seen a real genuine, committed partner in the development of Nigeria. Mr. Governor, I want to thank you for opportunity to Commission this road.
Governor Udom Emmanuel is what I call justice. He is unity, he is peace, he is progress, he is development. And you are right in all actions you've taken. When this road was left at 20 percent, you took over the project for the love you have for the people of Ikot Ekpene in particular and Akwa Ibom in general. This is what Nigeria needs at this time.

Continuing, he said, "You did this because you want the people of Ikot-Ekpene and Akwa Ibom to have a good road, that's why you put in the resources of this state to complete this road. Your request for a reimbursement by the Federal Government is in order. You deserve refund. I will join you in talking to the Federal Minister of Works and Housing to call for a refund of money sunk in the road".

Speaking earlier, Governor Udom Emmanuel while welcoming the Senate President to the project site, described the road as critically strategic to his Completion Agenda, and lauded the host communities where the project traverses for not stalling the progress of work on the road.

He appealed to the federal government to effect reimbursement to the State on the funds spent in constructing the federal roads in the state.

"The event of today is truly a joyous and happy day for me. This particular one;(Uyo-Ikot Ekpene road ) gives me an exceeding joy. This road remains critically strategic to our Completion Agenda".

Allaying fears over the state of the proposed Seaport project, the Governor assured that the project was on course, assuring that nothing would stop the actualization of the project.

"In this era where there is no money we are surviving. We are expecting a whole lot more from the Federal Government. We need to be supported, we need to be encouraged. The noise you are hearing on social media cannot stop development on the Ibom Deep Seaport".

Giving an overview of the project, the Commissioner for Works, Prof. Eno Ibanga who described Governor Emmanuel as a promise keeper, explained that the road which is a dual carriage, has each lane 8 metres wide and builit to specification by the German Contactor, Julius Berger Construction Plc.

"Each lane of the road is 8metres wide. Built to specification by Julius Berger. Akwa Ibom State does not take chances when it comes to quality".

In their messages of goodwill, the Senator representing Ikot-Ekpene Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Dr. Chris Ekpenyong, House of Representatives Member for Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Nsikak Ekong and the Chairman of Ikot Ekpene Local Govenrment Council, Hon. Unyime Etim, showered encomiums on Governor Emmanuel for changing the narrative in infrastructural development in the State.

Recalling how the opposition used the road as a political campaign tool against the PDP, stakeholders of the area particularly praised the Governor for not abandoning a road project he inherited at 20 percent construction stage from his predecessor, but ensured that the Project was built to specification.

They described the road as an economic gateway to the state, pointing out that the road would be of immense help to the people of the area, and reassured him of their unflinching support towards his completion and succession agena.

Among personalities that graced the commissioning ceremony include, the Governor's wife, Dr. Martha Udom Emmanuel, Deputy Governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo, Senator representing Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District, Engr. Dr, Christopher Ekpenyong, Senator Aloysius Etok, House of Representatives Member for Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Nsikak Ekong, Members of the State Executive Council, Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, and several other serving and former office holders.

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

UNN appoints Gov. Emmanuel Guest Speaker for 61st Founders Day

The University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, has appointed Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel as Guest Speaker for her 2021 Founders Day of University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). The announcement was made on Sunday during a courtesy call on the Governor at Government House Uyo, by Prof. Bennett Nwanguma, Chairman Senate Ceremonials Committee, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Governor Emmanuel who accepted the invitation as Guest Speaker of the 61st Founders Day of University of Nsukka, Nigeria which holds on October 7, 2021, thanked the delegation from the University community for nominating him to speak at the occasion indicating that the session will be an avenue to interact and share knowledge and experiences which will be of benefit to the University Community.

In his words, “…let me thank the entire University for nominating Akwa Ibom State because I am representing the people first, so I want to appreciate that recognition. This lecture means a lot to us because this is an opportunity to share experiences, interact with the University community which we believe will be beneficial to the people as it will pass information, knowledge and experience to the people and the entire university community’’.

Speaking on the contributions of the University towards nation building, Governor Emmanuel maintained that Nigeria can surmount its challenges if there is a re-awakening of a moral rebirth in the minds of the people to take up their responsibilities, the country will be better off.

Hear him, "We need to pass a message that we can fix it, we must rejig the system and get things done, we should not allow many things to decay in our land and the only to do that is to pass information where we try to rebuild a moral rebirth in our people and the confidence in our people that we must forge ahead and if we don’t fix it nobody will do it for us’’.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman, UNN Senate Ceremonials Committee, Professor Bennett Nwanguma, who led the delegation, said the Founder Day Ceremony was an annual event at which founders of the prestigious institution are remembered and honoured, with particular tribute to Nigeria’s first President, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and his generation of Nigerian leaders. He affirmed that the 2021 edition of the ceremony, being the 61st in the series, is scheduled for Thursday, 7th of October.

Prof. Nwanguma thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel and members of his cabinet for the warm reception and hospitality accorded him and his team and expressed the gratitude of the UNN community for the governor’s acceptance to feature at the event.

He said two reasons informed the choice of Governor Emmanuel as Guest Speaker for the year’s event. Firstly, that Mr. Udom Emmanuel, with his record of performance as Governor of Akwa Ibom State, has gained the credence of the University of Nigeria community as one from whom they would draw inspiration and motivation. Secondly, that the University of Nigeria enjoys historical relationship with Akwa Ibom State, because the motion for its establishment was moved by Chief Ibanga Akpabio in May 1955, he added.

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

Palliative Measures on Lambata-Lapai-Bida commences today, 29th Sept 2021 by Federal Government.

The Niger State SSG, Alh. Ahmed Matane led a delegation of Senior State officials to Federal Ministry of works. The team which consists of Commissioners for Works, Hon. Mamman Musa; Information, Alh. Muhammad Sani Idris, Permanent Secretary Ministry for Works, Dr. Imam, Director Civil Engineering of the Ministry, Engr Tanko Ahmed was received by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry for Works, Alh. Babangida Hussaini; the Director of Special Project Unit, Dr. Aisha Ndayako; Director of Federal Highways, Engr. Folorunsho Essan and the Director North-Central Roads, Engr. J. Yusuf.

The SSG presented the demands of the State Government and implored the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Works, to consider the demands.

The short, med and long term demands presented by the SSG are as follows:

Short Term: The SSG appealed to the Federal Ministry of Works to, as a matter of urgency, begin repairs of all bad portions from Lambata to Lapai, and from Lapai to Agaie to Baddegi and to terminate in Bida.

Mid Term: The SSG specifically appreciated the Federal Government for awarding the projects from Kontagora to Bangi, Kontagora to Rijau, Birnin Yauri to Rijau and requested the FG also carryout palliative measures from Mokwa-Tegina-Kaduna and mount securities on the way because it is the shortest route.

Long Term: While presenting the long term plan, the SSG emphasized that reconstruction of all the mentioned roads is the only lasting solution and then appealed to the Ministry to look into Muye-Lapai road as trailers in their numbers are always using that road. He then reiterated the need to also create alternative routes as contingencies. In light of this, he advised the Federal Government to consider Kafin Koro-Adunu-Kwakuti road.

The Permanent Secretary who invited the Director of Highways in the Ministry, Egnr. Folorunsho Essan to respond on the preparations for the work on Lambata-Bida road said work will commence today as the only the delay was the blockade of the road but now that the road was opened, work will commence today as the contractor has already moved equipment to site.

The Permanent Secretary thanked the SSG and his team and emphasized the need for constant communication and synergy between the State Government and the Ministry to avoid unfortunate occurrences such as the one that happened few days ago.

Muhammad Sani Idris
Commisioner of Information and Strategy
Niger state.

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

CHEERING NEWS FROM ISLAMIC DEVELOPMENT BANK ON MINNA-BIDA ROAD.

Gov Abu Sani Bello’s effort has yielded result as Islamic Development Bank Approves More than US$ 110 Million for New Development Projects in MCs.

The Board of Executive Directors of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) held its 341st meeting on the sidelines of the IsDB Group Board of Governors’ 2021 Annual Meetings underway in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Chairing the meeting, H.E. Dr. Al Jasser stated that he was honored with the endorsement of his election by the Board as the President of IsDB and Chairman of the IsDB Group.

“Your Excellencies, respected countries and governments. I will work to the best of my abilities for the benefit of this institution. I will spare no effort to meet the expectations of member countries and those that rely on our support and advice,” Dr. Al Jasser added.

The 2021 Annual Meetings of the Board of Governors of IsDB Group is taking place from 1-4 September 2021 in the city of Tashkent. During the meetings, there are several side events, knowledge sharing activities and bilateral meetings aimed at meeting the development aspirations of IsDB member countries.

The Board approved three new
development projects for Nigeria, Guinea, and Sierra Leone totaling US$ 110.14 million in infrastructure, water and sanitation, and education.
The details of the approved projects are as follows:

1. Upgrading the Minna-Bida Road Project in Niger State – Nigeria: US$ 86.64 million to the Government of Nigeria for Upgrading of Minna-Bida Road Project. The overall development objective of the project is to contribute to the socio-economic development of Niger State in Nigeria through constructing safe, efficient, and cost-effective interconnections between the Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Niger State.

The Project reduces travel time, vehicle operating cost and road maintenance cost, in addition to improved traffic flow and increased road safety.

2. Wastewater Treatment Development Project in Conakry:
US$ 18.8 million to the Republic of Guinea for the Wastewater Treatment Development Project in Conakry Under Reverse Linkage.

The Project aims to improve sanitation service in Conakry by treating the collected wastewater before discharging it to the ocean in order to protect the public and environment from the negative effects of the untreated wastewater.

3. Digital Connectivity in Schools to Accelerate COVID-19 Education Response and Recovery Project – Sierra Leone
US$ 5 million to Government of Sierra Leone for the Digital Connectivity in Schools to Accelerate COVID-19 Education Response and Recovery Project.

The project’s main objectives are to: (i) Restore and restart the educational system and connect communities to critical information and opportunities in the digital economy, and (ii) Drive economic stimulus through the connection of community’s information and opportunities in the digital economy. The project is to expand digital connectivity in schools to accelerate COVID-19 education response and recovery; and to create access to updated educational content, and online courses.

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

A'Ibom @ 34: Gov. Emmanuel inuagurates 9.81 km roads to mark anniversary

...Swears in new President General, Akwa Ibom State Traditional Rulers Council, ors

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel on Thursday commissioned four interconnected roads of 3.4Km, in Shelter Afrique, one Akwa Ibom's high profile estate as part of activities to mark the State's 34th anniversary. The roads include General Koko Essien Avenue, Barr. Enoidem Avenue, David Lawrence Crescent, and Nicholas Ekarika Avenue, bringing the total number of internal roads constructed by the Governor Udom Emmanuel led administration in the estate to sixteen.

Performing the inauguration, the Governor said the projects symbolized a signature of his administration's infrastructure drive in the estate, as done across the state.

Earlier in an interview on Arise TV, the governor maintained that Akwa Ibom State at 34 has become a model of development for the nation, thanking God for taking the state so far and paid tributes to founding fathers and past leaders leaders who have piloted the affairs of the state from inception and handing over diligently like a successful relay race. He also expressed appreciation to the people of the state for their patriotism and love for the state and their support successive administrations over the 34year period.

He solicited for more support from the people and prayed for continued advancement in the state.

Similarly, the thirty-two years long agony of people traversing Akwa Ibom and Abia states was put to rest as the Governor also inaugurated the 45 Metre span twin bridge at Nto Edino, Obot Akara and second phase of the 6.41Km Nto Edino-Ekewre-Azu road linking the two states.

Speaking while performing the inaugurations at the Nto Edino twin bridge, Governor Emmanuel said the projects were a thank you gift to people of Obot Akara, meant to bring development and succour to the people of the area, maintaining that Akwa Ibom State remains a strong pillar in Nigeria's development.

Hear him, "I've heard the stories of the number of accidents, deaths and issues on this road. Today we've brought succur, we've brought development to this part of Nigeria. I'm also here to tell the women, youths, the elders, stakeholders, thank you for your support. I may not be able to go house by house to thank the people of Obot Akara, but if I do good roads, good projects, bring investors, your votes would have actually spoken much better than what I would have done for people individually".

He said such was the essence of voting a responsible government into power. He explained that the second phase of the road and the bridge was a reinforcement of the initial work scope, to take care of severe erosion protection, seasonal swamp area reclamation and replacement of collapsed bridges.

In his words, "When we commissioned the first phase of this road leading to the junction in Abia state, about 8 to 10 kilometres from Agbo Hill, we promised that for those bridges that were giving issues we were going to do a twin bridge that can carry heavy traffic and any dead weight, because I noticed the traffic was going to be much, so we needed to come back for reinforcement. If you check the strength of the road and the bridge, you'll understand what I mean".

The Governor also swore into office the President General, Akwa Ibom State Traditional Rulers Council, His Eminence Ntenyin (Dr.) Solomon Etuk (JP) and Paramount Rulers Elect of Urue offong/Oruko and Ikono Local Government Areas.

OPENING MINNA-BIDA ROAD FOR HEAVY-DUTY VEHICLES NOT AN OPTION.

The Niger State Government has so far committed a huge amount of money on the reconstruction of the Minna-Bida road, and the project is being handled by one of the best indigenous construction company to ensure we get the highest possible standard.

As the reconstruction progresses however, heavy duty-vehicles who constantly travel the road have been known to reverse recorded progress by damaging the section of the part of the road that’s being fixed.

The above is what informed the decision by Niger State Government to close the road to heavy-duty vehicles. The tanker drivers in turn responded by taking laws into their hands and blocking Minna-Bida road entirely and Lambata-Lapai-Bida Road making it completely impossible for smaller vehicles to move.

The Governor Abu Sani Bello administration is determined that the road construction must go on and as such, opening the Minna-Bida road to heavy-duty vehicles is not an option for now for that would destroy everything the government has done and tax payers money would be wasted redoing what was already done.

Nigerlites of goodwill have implored and continue to beg the Federal Government to help not only Nigerlites but the entire country by fixing the trunk A Lambata-Lapai-Bida road and Jenna-Birnin Gwari-Kaduna Road to resolve this issue of heavy duty vehicles regularly damaging the Minna-Bida road.

As it stands today, the entire stretch of the entire roads in Niger state are suffering because of these heavy-duty vehicles. Only a few months ago these same vehicles completely destroyed the Minna-Zungeru road, they’ve also destroyed the Bida-Zungeru road and are now looking to destroy the work ongoing on Minna-Bida road. THE STATE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT ALLOW THAT.

Niger State is the gateway between the north and South West. It hosts the highest stretch of federal roads in the country yet the federal roads in the state have been mostly neglected. The State Government continues to expend limited resources on trunk A roads even when it’s also faced with several challenges that are primarily its duty in the governance of Niger state.

So, at this point, we have to be honest to ourselves. We have to appeal to the federal government to intervene and complement the state government in building road infrastructure across the state. Instead of the government to earmark more money to the rehabilitation of Trunk “A” roads, with a backlog of other responsibilities of the state waiting for intervention, all stakeholders must join hands to appeal to the federal government to understand the conditions of the roads.

There’s no denying the setbacks brought forth by the deteriorated state of these roads. The state has quite limited resources and so there’s no better time to draw the attention of the federal government to intervene than now.

Muhammad Sani Idris
Niger State Commisioner of Information and Strategy.

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

Gov. Emmanuel gives assent to Anti Open Grazing Bill

...Defaulters to pay #10m fine

... Inuagurates Gender Based Violence Mgt Committee, Road Safety Advisory Council

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel has signed into law, a bill to prohibit open rearing and grazing of livestock which provides for the establishment of ranches and livestock administration, regulation and control.
Accordingly, a task force will be set up to monitor enforcement as defaulters will pay a fine of N10 million naira as stipulated in the bill.

The Executive Assent which took place at Exco Chambers Government House on Wednesday in Uyo, was witnessed by the Deputy Governor, Speaker State House of Assembly, Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, State Executive Council Members, Chairmen of Boards and Commissions, Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Extra-Ministerial Departments in the State.

According to governor, the bill which was enacted by the State House of Assembly will promote modern techniques of animal husbandry, promote job opportunities and expand the value chain in livestock business as well as promote international best practices in the state.

In his words, “In Akwa Ibom State this morning, we are signing into law in the presence of Mr. Speaker and the leader of the State House of Assembly, the entire State Executive Council Members, Chairmen of Boards and Commissions, Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Extra-Ministerial Departments in the State, a law to prohibit open rearing and grazing of livestock and provides for the establishment of ranches and livestock administration, regulation and control as enacted by the State House of Assembly as the bill is hereby contained.

"The whole objectives of this law will promote modern techniques of animal husbandry, promote job opportunities and expand the value chain in livestock business, it will promote the production of high quality of livestock in our state as well as promote international best practices”.

The governor further said, the bill will promote the growth of livestock farming and prevent the destruction of farms, crops settlements and homes caused by open rearing across the state, saying ‘’if you are rearing a cattle in the state that is your line of business, so don’t use that to cause destruction for those planting cassava, because the person planting cassava is also eating from there, so we are trying to regulate it according to international best practice’’.

He warned that the law will take its full cause to anyone who faulters, saying ”We will enforce this law, the Attorney-General will ensure that a task force is setup that will monitor enforcement, please those who practice opening rearing and grazing should adhere to this law because there are fines in the law and we will implement the law to the later, and this law is no respecter of persons, if you have cattle wandering and littering the state, harassing people and destroying farm lands and crops, I think that has been put to rest today. So let us adhere, because the fine is N10 million’’, the governor stated.

In a related development, the Governor has also inaugurated the Akwa Ibom State Gender Based Violence Management Committee (GBVMC) as well as a Road Safety Advisory Council for the state (RSAC).

The GBVMC had the First Lady of the State, Dr. Mrs. Martha Emmanuel, as Chairperson, Mrs. Emem Ette of the Ministry of Justice as Secretary, with the State's Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr. Ini Adiakpan, State Director of Information, Mr. James Edet, Police desk officer in charge of Gender based matters, Supol Nseobong Umoh and nine others drawn from various relevant government agencies and Civil Society Organisations, as members

Similarly, the Road Safety Advisory Council on the other hand has the Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo MFR, as Chairman, Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Corps Commander M. O. Olonisaye, Secretary, with State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice as well as Commissioners for Works, Health, Education, Finance, Environment and the State Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers as member.

Performing the inaugurations on Wednesday at the Executive Council Chambers, the Governor stressed that the establishment of the GBVMC became necessary to proffer a synchronized approach to addressing all forms of violence against persons in the nation and reinforce the already operational Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law in the state.

According to him, "We are trying to do this across the Federation, to work towards the total elimination of social and cultural practices that enable gender-based violence", the governor said, adding that the Committee will also make recommendations for the State's line of actions against gender based violence, stimulate actions to improve the welfare of victims and restore sanity be on the social, especially concerning rape and domestic violence across genders.

"I emphasize, any man caught in the act of rape or reported, the law will take it's course and we will fast track the law to take it's course. We won't agree to all those indefinite adjournments" he stressed.

The Governor said the Road Safety Advisory Council was born out of concerns raised in the National Economic Council over loses occasioned by carelessness and disorderliness in road usage across the nation and was being instituted in all states of the federation.

Highlighting terms of reference, the governor said the Council in obligated to, among several other responsibilities, set state road safety strategy targets in line with the federal road safety standards, draw up safety strategy targets for the state and ensure coordination between state and local government areas in achieving road safety targets, drive implementation of federal road safety strategies, evaluation of outcomes of national road safety targets.

The Akwa Ibom First Lady, Dr. Mrs. Martha Emmanuel, while interacting with government house correspondents, thanked God and the governor for bringing the long craved institutionalization of structure for enforcement of gender based violence prohibition to fusion.

The First Lady said the establishment of the committee was a major milestone in the fight against gender based violence and assured that establishment of the committee will yield fruit as her committee was action-poised to fight the menace and bring it to an end in the state.

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

AKSG to establish College of Science & Technology, as Gov Emmanuel hosts UNILAG delegation

A College of Science and Technology that will run as an intermediary programme to prepare students into Science and bridge the gap of effective science learning preceding tertiary education, is to be established by the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel has announced.

The Governor who stated this on Monday while receiving a delegation from University of Lagos, his Alma Mata, led by the Vice Chancellor Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe who paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Uyo, solicited collaborations with University of Lagos in the areas of personnel training and manpower development said the state is set to rejig the curriculars of education generally and that of Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU) through collaborative programmes and entrepreneurial courses packaged to establish students after their school year.

According to Governor Emmanuel, "So we are trying to rejig the curricular, we want to bridge a gap of intermediary education the way you see in other places, so we are thinking of establishing a College of Science and Technology that will serve as an intermediate programme that will prepare people to come into science because in most cases students leave secondary school and gain admissions into the University, and most secondary schools don’t have the same standards, so we are trying to bridge that gap and it is an area we need a whole lot of assistance”.

Continuing, he said, “We want collaboration with you in our tertiary institution Akwa Ibom State University, (AKSU) I am sure the Commissioner for Education with Vice Chancellor of AKSU will make a presentation at Exco very soon in these areas we want collaboration especially in the area of training our people, lecturers and a whole lot, this is because the original vision of that institution was to specialize in Science and Technology”.

The Governor also indicated that plans are underway to formalize empowerment programmes at the skills acquisition center established by the state government to create jobs for youths, calling on University of Lagos to partner the state in areas of manpower development and entrepreneurial courses in the centre.

Hear him, “This year we announced that we are declaring a state of emergency in the education sector beginning from the basic level, rejig the system, recruit better teachers and this is an area we want UNILAG CONSULT to handle for us. We have a whole lot of areas we will collaborate as government, I have a department headed by youths all they do is entrepreneurial training and set up, but I see that I can formalize that and what I am doing right now is we will setup a full institution, which after the first year of studies in that school, one starts earning money”.

He thanked the delegation for the visit and promised to support the institution host the Nigeria University Games Association (NUGA).

Speaking earlier, the Vice Chancellor University of Lagos, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, who described Governor Udom Emmanuel’s leadership as unique in the state said as an alumnus he has made the institution proud and expressed readiness to partner the state in manpower development of the state's tertiary institution.

“We want to acknowledge your contributions in the areas of industrialization and power and we want to assure you that if there is any area you want us to collaborate in studies, we will be ready to collaborate with the state.

"We are bringing on board two major things, we are ready to collaborate with you concerning the young university, just like the Borno State University that we are going to train their lecturers and some of their lectures who had to do Ph.D. definitely we will be able to assist them because of the collaboration we have with other tertiary institution outside the country it will be easy for them to do their research work.

"The second thing is collaboration with government in areas of studies, you want to test your feasibility, and we will do it”, he stated.

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

Gov Emmanuel's infrastructural transformation commendable, outstanding - Ex Vice President

...says visit aimed at cementing friendship, brotherhood

Former Nigerian Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has described Governor Udom Emmanuel’s led massive economic development and infrastructural transformation in Akwa Ibom State as commendable and worthy of emulation.

The former Vice President stated this on Tuesday, when he paid a visit to the state as part of his tour across the nation to ascertain the state of affairs in the country.

The 2019 PDP presidential candidate
appreciated the level of economic development in the state and commended previous leaders for their selfless contributions which laid the foundation for rapid economic and industrial growth.

In his words, "Quite a number of things have endeared me to Governor Udom Emmanuel, the infrastructural development in the state, the other sectors of the economy in the state particularly the industrialization policy of the governor and couple with social sector development health care and education these are very key areas of human development and he has not left them untouched. He has made a very remarkable impact so that actually impressed me".

"I used to come to this state when it was barely nothing, and I want to pay tributes to Governor Victor Attah who laid the foundation this state today. We are here today to further cement that relationship, that brotherhood so that we can further take this state to the next level and the country also to the next level. We want to commend your brotherly welcome and hospitality extended to us which we acknowledge Akwa Ibom is at the top”, he said.

Atiku who decried the downward economic situation of the nation, however said, comparatively, Nigeria fared better under the leadership of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) saying.

Hear him, “Just compare the economic indices during the PDP and also the APC reign, the growth in GDP and industrialization and other sectors of the economy, we did extremely well and we also promoted the growth of the private sector”.

Also speaking, former Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu Muazu, described Governor Emmanuel as a silent achiever.

According to Muazu, "Governor Udom Emmanuel has done so well with little noise in Akwa Ibom State, and has also succeeded in taming those that do not know that their tenure ends in eight years. He is one of the few with the ability to ensure that our party the PDP remains united".

Receiving the guests, Governor Udom Emmanuel welcomed the former Vice President and his entourage to Akwa Ibom State, describing him as a detribalized leader who is committed towards the growth and progress of the nation.

’You are someone that we admire, today if you check the leaders of this country there are few leaders like you who are highly detribalized”, he noted.

Governor Emmanuel stated that Akwa Ibom though richly endowed with mineral resources has not been given a fair share of its resources, lamenting the deprivation of the state evident in the near absence of federal government projects.

In his words, “You are one of the leaders I believe if God had given you an opportunity earlier than now, probably, Akwa Ibom wouldn’t have been where we are now, we have been badly cheated. A state that sits on 36.5% oil and gas reserves of this nation let them tell you what the federal government's presence is, every single dual-carriage way you drive here is done by the state government, every single structure you see in the state outside the Police they posted to me they have not given me anything.

"I don’t even have a depot to store downstream petroleum product, I am developing one of the smartest and modern airport development in this continent, the simplest appreciation I would have gotten from the federal government would have been to give me a fuel Jet A1 dump as an Oil and Gas producing state”.

He thanked the team for commending his strides in the state, and restated that he is committed to making life meaningful to people in the state through efficient management of the resources accrued.

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

Niger State Governor, Sani Bello, has approved the immediate payment of July 2021 salaries to civil servants in the state.

The approval was contained in a statement made available to NEWS DIRECT.

“In order to ensure civil servants celebrate Eid-el-Kabir with ease, Gov Abu Sani Bello of Niger state has directed that July salaries be paid. This is in line with the Governor’s commitment to providing ease for his people,”

the statement reads.

cc: mynd44

...appraise party's successes, future,

...endorse Hon Aniekan Akpan as new State Chairman

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel has urged members of the PDP Caucus to be united, dedicated and committed to the ideals of the party as well as work hard towards meeting the yearnings and aspirations of the electorate.

The Governor stated this on Monday while presiding over the PDP Caucus at the Government House, Uyo, in his capacity as the Party Leader and Governor of Akwa Ibom state

Addressing the Caucus, the Leader of the PDP in the State, commended the Caucus for the critical role they have continued to play in deepening the taproot of the PDP in the State and the nation. The Governor urged the Caucus members to continue to remain united in actions and commitment as the days ahead hold even brighter promises for the Party.

He also took time to brief members of the Caucus on important National and State issues and their implications for the growth and development of the State, the Nation, and the Party.

Speaking earlier, the Acting State Chairman of the PDP, Rt Hon. Lawrence Udosen, thanked the Governor and the entire Caucus for the beneficial cooperation the party has continued to enjoy from members. He also took time to brief the Caucus on the strides and aspirations of the Party since he took over in acting capacity.

Members of the Caucus who spoke commended the Governor for the vision he has continued to deploy in leading the State and assured him of unwavering support towards his completion and succession agenda.

The Caucus also received and heard from a former Commissioner and Legislator, Rt. Hon (Elder) Aniekan Akpan who notified the party's Caucus of his intention to contest for the position of State Chairman during the forthcoming Congress to serve out the tenure of the Late Hon. Udo Ekpenyong.

cc: mynd44

Gov Emmanuel declares war against cultism in Secondary Schools

...pays tribute to retired CJ

....promises to avoid man made mistake on successor

The Akwa Ibom State Government has pledged to do all in her powers to see to the eradication of cultism in Secondary Schools in the State. Governor Udom Emmanuel who reiterated government's commitments towards exterminating the menace cultism in the state, called on parents to join in the fight to correct the ills in the society.

The Governor stated this during a special thanksgiving service to mark the retirement of the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Godwin Abraham, held on Sunday at The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Dominion Mega Parish Akwa Ibom Province 1 Headquarters, Ibesikpo Asutan local government area.

Governor Emmanuel who acknowledged the success of the Chief Judge during his service to the State, pointed out that every man who serves God will not go unrewarded, urged parents to model a Christ-like life based on morality and values to their children as part of efforts to reduce cult activities in the society.

”Today is the thanksgiving of my lord the Chief Judge and his entire family, that is why I sang that song ‘It pays to serve Jesus’, you heard his testimony, how he got born again...How I wish I can send him to Uyo High School to help me talk to those students that cultism is absolutely rubbish.

"I am sure in our days we didn’t hear cultism in Secondary School, but these days in Secondary Schools and if case is not taken, Primary Schools, it is absolute rubbish and we need to kill that monster in our state, else those who are cheering it now will regret it.

“It is the task of everybody, parents and guardians to join to fight that monster. Anywhere God has a promise the devil will always drop something so that the promise will not be fulfilled, I want to believe the devil not drop that in our land”, he said.

He described his working relationship with the Chief Judge as cordial, noting that his contributions towards building the State were exemplary and commended him for returning to God in a thanksgiving service thereby unleashing the blessings of thanksgiving and appreciation to God, upon his family.


“In all the ceremonies lined up, this is the most important, coming back to tell God thank you is the most important, because there are some people who started with you as magistrate but today, they are not alive”, he noted.

The Governor enjoined Christians to pray for the progress of the country, positing that the solution of the country lies in the Church, only if Christians will rise to their responsibility of prayers and intercession for the nation.

On who succeeds him come 2023, Governor Emmanuel vowed not to follow the bidding of men in the emergence of his successor to avoid the mistakes of the Biblical Kings, Saul and Herod.

Hear him, “The pastor has prayed for us for a successor, I keep saying nothing but the truth any day anybody comes to you to say me Udom Emmanuel had an agreement with him know that it is a lie, I have not had an agreement with a single person and I stand here for an umpteenth time in the pulpit of our Lord Jesus Christ to say here that the man that will succeed me is never and will never be my choice. It can only be the choice of the Almighty God. People made Saul in the Bible to do what he wasn’t supposed to do, he said because of people I disobeyed After that God left the people that made Saul disobey and punished Saul. God will only go after the leader”.

In his thanksgiving speech, the retiring Akwa Ibom State Chief Judge, Justice Godwin Abraham, narrating his experience on the Bench, recounted with nostalgia, his assumption of duties in the Judiciary as Magistrate II in September 1987 and subsequent elevation to the position of chief adjudicator.

Justice Abraham described his success story as an act of God, maintaining that in the midst of challenges, he had witnessed God’s favour and interventions when it mattered most.

Expressing satisfaction with the governor’s integrity and priestly role in the state, as well as support of the Executive and Legislature to the Judiciary in his tenure, Justice Abraham said Udom Emmanuel, beyond being the governor, has been to him a brother, friend and a fellow intercessor for the state, maintaining that in his years of partaking actively in the state prayer team, the governor has never meddled into discussing the direction of any court case.

Delivering a sermon at the event on the theme, “More than Conqueror”, drawn from Romans 8:33-39, the Region 14 Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Richard Adeboye, likened life to a battle, an adventure and a piece of diamond coated with dirt and obstacles.

"However, when a man goes through life with God’s Grace the challenges are surmounted so that he emerges more than a conqueror", he added.

cc: mynd44

The Niger State Government on Monday raised a special security squad to ensure the safe return of the pupils abducted on May 30 from Islamic school – the Tegina Islamiyyah School.

A statement by Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello’s Chief Press Secretary Mary Barje, said the outfit was unveiled in Minna, the state capital.

The squad made up of combined security personnel was immediately deployed in Rafi Local Government Area, the statement said.

The pupils’ abduction was confirmed by the police and some residents of Tegina, in Rafi Local Government Area of the state.

At the inauguration, the governor said the time had come for the state government to take decisive action once and for all, to end banditry in the state.

He said: -

“We will give you all the necessary support to enable you to implement all your security strategies to ensure safe return of our abducted children and others, if any.

“We have tried our possible best not to make them succeed in forcing us to change our normal lives;they started by displacing farmers from their farmlands, next they moved to burning farms.

“Then, they moved to kidnapping and forcing us to close our schools, now they have started attacking Islamic schools, only God knows what is next.”

The governor told the squad members that logistics had been provided for them, promising that their allowances and other financial benefits would always be provided as and when due.

He commended the security personnel for their efforts in the ongoing fight against bandits and other criminal elements in the state.

“I mourn the killing of 20 vigilance corps members by the bandits in Magama Local Government Area,” he said.

Sani-Bello had earlier met with parents of the abducted school children at the palace of the Emir of Kagara, Ahmed Gunna, where he urged them to be patience as the government was exploring all avenues to ensure the safe rescue of their wards.

The emir thanked the governor for all his support to his domain, especially in the area of security, and the support given to the family of the kidnapped school children.

On his own part, the headmaster of the school, Abubakar Alhassan, disclosed that 15 of the teachers abducted from the school had escaped from the hands of their captors in Zamfara.

Mr Alhassan said the teachers are now in a military facility in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State, where they would soon be handed over to the government.

cc: mynd44

The Niger state government has warned those spreading ‘false’ videos of refugees fleeing a camp in Niger state to desist or face the state governent’s wrath.

Commissioner of Information Sani Idris said this in a statement sent to vanguard.

He said:-

“Our attention has been drawn to a video of a number of fleeing people believed to be refugees, purported to be fleeing from Rijau.

‘The story is untrue. We investigated the origin of the video and discovered that it is not from Nigeria.

“As Niger state, and the entire country is experiencing a security challenge, some unscrupulous characters have decided to chance upon the situation as an opportunity for mischief and political profit.” He said.

“To the characters responsible, know that, firstly, God is in the know of your machinations and would judge you accordingly. Secondly, the Government will trace the story to its origin like it has done before and will be hard on both the authors and those responsible for spreading the falsehood.”

“We cannot permit mischievous individuals to deepen the anxiety of our people and exacerbate an already difficult situation. The government will come down hard upon these criminals and will see to it that they are made to face the full wrath of the law.”

He said.

The passage of the Electoral Bill as fundamental is crucial to the furtherance of Nigeria’s democracy, as against the ongoing process review the nation’s constitution, Governor Udom Emmanuel has declared.

The Akwa Ibom State governor reiterated that taking the nation on the path of constitutional review would portend a deliberate distraction, when the issue of Electoral bill which should assure Nigerians of their stake in the democracy is on ground and called on Nigerians to defy partisanship in such issue of national interest.

TheGovernor who stated this on Thursday while hosting the South-south zonal Executives of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, at Government house, Uyo, said, though the Electoral Bill may not be a single solution to all of Nigeria’s problem, it is a major step forward, maintaining that Nigeria has tried democracy over the years as a borrowed system and with the level of success so far, it has become expedient to streamline the system.

Hear him, “You are just trying to distract us from what you are supposed to do. Pass Electoral bill, pass Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), then you can talk of Constitution Review. Don’t muddle up issues and get people confused along the line.… To assure Nigerians that their votes will count, the electoral Bill is fundamental, important and urgent and so must be treated same. So if we really mean business that we want to do democracy, then let’s do it right”.

He decried the deteriorating economy of the nation and deprivation of the South-south states of the revenue due to them under the pretence of subsidy, said it was unbelievable that at $72 per barrel oil price, payment of salaries and wages still constitutes difficulty in the country, adding that Nigeria’s problem is not party but lack of sincerity in serving the people.

IIn his words, “As at today, oil price is $72 per barrel, while our budget benchmark was less than $40, yet there is not a dollar in the excess crude account. Even our 13% derivation is not given to us.

They say they are using it to pay for subsidy and we don’t know those consuming 93 million litres of petrol every day. Tell me, what logistics do we have in Nigeria to support importation of 93 million litres of petrol every day”.
Furthermore, “we don’t have pipelines to pump the product to every part of the country at once.

How many trucks do we have in Nigeria? Which roads do we have that the trucks use to transport the fuel to far North-east, South-east and all over the country and then come back to evacuate another 93 million litres every day.

Even during COVID, we were still paying for subsidy on daily basis, but there was no movement. Who were those moving with the petrol, we don’t know. All these to deny us of the 13% derivation, when we can barely pay salaries and to construct a kilometre of road here takes about eight times the cost of making it in other regions".

He commended the zonal EXCO for winning the trust of the party faithful to run the affairs of the PDP in the South-south zone, assuring that the South-south remains the party’s strong hold.

On the defection of Governor Ayade, Emmanuel said the PDP has not lost Cross River State, but that the people of Cross River State were at the verge of losing PDP. According to him, only PDP governors have been able to showcase projects in the nation over time, describing the rumours of his defection as a mere wish, adding that the touch of excellence and capacity brought to bear by the PDP led state governments have a lot to do with the quality of people in the party

In his remarks, the National Vice Chairman of Peoples Democratic(PDP) South-South, Chief Dan Obih, who said he was in this visit to appreciate you and to applaud the wonderful works Governor Emmanuel was doing for the State lauded the developmental strides of the governor in the State, describing him as an asset to the party and the nation.

Obih, however, decried the inability of the present government in Nigeria to proffer solution to the economic recession and alarming rate of insecurity and violence in the country, and said the country need the PDP and people like Udom Emmanuel to progress.

In his words:-

“These are certainly not very good times. As a man with very sound economic background, we notice that on a daily basis the naira is on a free fall. This country needs the PDP than ever before because of the problems that this government has not been able to provide solutions to. Nigerians need PDP; Nigerians need you and others to save our country”.

After a series of hard tackles at the Knockouts, qualified talents of The Voice Nigeria Season 3 moved on to the next stage of the show, the Battles where talents within the same team are paired to compete against each other to get a chance of getting to the Live shows. The first episode featured TeamFalz and TeamWaje.

Starting the battle round was TeamFalz. Dapo and Peace were the first pair to perform at the Knockouts, gracing the stage with their Coming to America-inspired costume and outstanding performance of Beyonce and Shatta Wale’s ‘Already’.

Although all 4 coaches were impressed and had remarkable comments about their performance, their coach, Falz still had to make a decision about who will head to the Live shows. Ultimately, Falz chose Dapo bringing Peace to the end of her journey The Voice Nigeria.

Next to battle was TeamWaje as Elizabeth and Nuel Ayo go head to head to secure their spots on the live shows. With their sultry performance and undeniable chemistry as they rendered Ed Sheeran’s ‘Perfect’, the coaches couldn’t help but be in awe of how far these talents have grown. Yemi Alade described their performance as ‘eargasmic’. The time came for Waje to choose one of the talents who will be heading to the live shows. For showing her growth, skill, tone and control, Waje picked Elizabeth.

Still with TeamWaje, fighting on the vocal stage were Inioluwa and Ayokunmi tasked to deliver a rendition of Nobody by DJ Neptune ft. Joeboy. Albeit the choice of song was outside their preferred range, the talents gave the audience and coaches an enjoyable and melodious performance. The coaches lauded their swag and attitude infused in their performance. Unavoidably, Waje had to pick just one talent who would go straight to the live shows, and that was Inioluwa.

Closing the first episode of the Battles was TeamFalz, with Naomi Mac and Tamara to perform ‘Ladies and Gentlemen’ by Reekado Banks. Tamara was styled in the Yoruba traditional attire, Iro and Buba with gele while Naomi Mac was in a full Agbada regalia.

Away from their outfits, they both delivered an owambe-worthy performance that had the coaches up on their feet. Finally came the part all coaches dread, a time to pick one talent to perform at the live shows. Falz chose Naomi Mac as that talent.

One would think that would be the end of the episode, however, the producers added another element to the show by giving the viewers an opportunity to save their favorite talent from each team, The Battles Viewers save. This means that this week, you can save Ayomikun or Nuel Ayo from TeamWaje and Tamara or Peace from TeamFalz. Voting is done on The Voice Nigeria’s official website. Visit www. thevoicenigeria.com on how to vote.

New episodes of The Voice Nigeria airs every Saturday at 8pm on Africa Magic Showcase, Africa Magic Urban, and Africa Magic Family; Sundays, at 6pm on AIT, Views TV, WazobiaMax TV, Wazobia TV, and at 9pm on Youtube and Airtel TV.

cc: mynd44

Ban On Motorcycles: Niger Govt Provides Minibuses As Alternative, Urges Patience Among Residents

Niger state government has launched mini buses to ply inner routes in minna in order to mitigate the harsh effects of non-operational motorcycles in the state.

This development was coming barely a week after the govt’s announced ban on motorcycles, tricycles plying major roads in the state capital, Minna.

In a statement made available to vanguard, Niger government by Salis noted that these are temporary measures aimed at reducing difficulties experienced by commuters.

“In view of the ban on the operations of commercial motorcycle in Minna metropolis, the Commissioner of Transport, Rahmatu Mohammed Yar’adua, has directed the deployment of buses for township services.” He noted.

“Hence, NSTA vehicles commenced township services on Saturday 5th May, 2021. The vehicles will leave from: Mobil to Chanchaga, Mobil to Tudun Fulani, City gate round-about to Dutsen Kura junction, Kpakungu to Talba Estate and Mobil to Maitunbi at a subsidized rate.”

There are designated bus stops for ease of operation. These include:

CHANCHAGE ROUTE: Tunga roundabout, Landmark junction, Secretariat, COE, FGC junction and Con Oil.

BOSSO ROUTE: Central mosque, F-layout junction, Bahago junction, Randan ruwa, FUT gate, Tudun fulani.

WESTERN BYPASS: Brighter junction, Barikin sale junction, Sauke ka huta junction, Kpakungu, Kure market and Dutsen Kura Junction.

TALBA ESTATE: Justice Fati Lami CAILS, Gbeganu junction, Gurara junction, Talba Estate.

MAITUNBI: Democracy garden round about, Mobil, Kuta park, Flamingo, Maitunbi.

This measure is taken in the interim before the conclusion of modalities for the provision of permanent alternatives.

These stops are also temporary and will be evolving in line with emerging trends as operation continues.

The Commissioner urges Nigerlites to be patient and to persevere as Government fast tracks the process of mitigating the temporary inconveniences being experienced.

cc: lalasticlala, seun