₦airaland Forum

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio has commended the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, for  training 200 youths on computer technology under its skill acquisition programme.
 
Akpabio stated this yesterday during the graduation ceremony of trainees, drawn from the nine Niger Delta states, in Computer Skills Acquisition programme, at the Law Auditorium of the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.
 
The Minister, who spoke through the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Babayo Ardo, said that technology, especially information and communication technology, had changed our world and affected the way we live our lives.
 
He stated: “We must either adopt and fully embrace it or be left behind by the rest of the world. NDDC made a bold decision to spearhead this. They plan to situate the Niger Delta Region at the centre of such a revolution in Nigeria. What you see today is the product of that decision.”
 
Akpabio said he was delighted to come to Niger Delta to celebrate the success and milestones being accomplished for the people by the NDDC, stating: “I thank the management and staff of NDDC for giving me this platform to address you, with the conviction that I inspire another crop of bright Niger Deltans.”
 
The Minister commended the NDDC and other stakeholders in the project ‘Niger Delta’ for their continuous support and encouragement towards building the Niger Delta of “our shared dreams.”
 
He noted: “Among the significant difficulties of Niger Delta are youth restiveness, unemployment and under employment as well as youth disengagement with the productive sector. The thrust of the Niger Delta Ministry polices and NDDC management vision is to tackle the youth problems.
 
“The greater their knowledge and skills set, the greater their propensity to work, the more outstanding their productivity, and the greater the nation’s economic well-being.”
 
He charged the graduating trainees to go out to conquer and succeed, noting: “Failure is not an option. Never rest until you achieve your goals. Resist the temptation to go back to your comfort zone and relapse back to unproductivity and the familiar and convenient mind-set of blaming society and government for misfortunes in life. Knock on all ‘doors’ and assume your ‘doors’ of opportunities will be opened.”
 
Akpabio said that the common goal was to develop the Niger Delta and make it a preferred place of choice for people to live in, do business, and enjoy their lives. “As Niger Deltans, it is our collective responsibility to make this goal come true. I therefore, implore organisations, both private and public to absorb and engage these graduates as IT professionals,” he said.
 
Earlier in his welcome address, the NDDC Interim Administrator, Mr Efiong Akwa, said that the ceremony may not have taken place but for the intervention of the Minister, who charged the Commission to ensure the conclusion of the ICT training programme.
 
He said: “I discovered that two years after the training ended, the consultants had not been paid. All the training consultants were also being owed. I immediately informed the Minister and he directed that all our obligations should be expeditiously met, so that these young men and women would begin to enjoy the full benefits embedded in the training.
 
“When the Commission conceived this programme, we hoped to give the trainees immediate information technology skills as a value added programme to existing educational qualifications. This would empower them towards either establishing small-scale businesses or acquiring enough knowledge to advance further in the IT world.
 
Akwa said that the Commission’s objectives were to develop the human, as well as the community by providing the youths and indigenes with relevant skills which were required to compete in the work force, as well as provide the opportunities and skills for self-employment.
 
The other goal, he said, was to provide an avenue for useful engagement and human capital development by providing the youths a viable alternative to unwholesome, disruptive activities. “Ultimately, this would move our people from destructive to constructive engagements,” he said.
 
Akwa said that the Commission aimed to develop manpower for the Niger Delta, thereby boosting employment, noting that the employment of one person goes a long way in assisting both the individual, the family and the community.
 
He affirmed: “Altogether, the Commission is graduating 200 youths today, offering them an opportunity to add to the information technology revolution sweeping through the globe. The Niger Delta cannot be left behind. I believe that the future of the Niger Delta region lies in what we do today, by creating the enabling environment for sustainable growth, and preparing the youths to be the best that they can.
 
The best graduating student from the IICT training, Mr Lawrence Ehime, expressed delight over the training offered to him and his colleagues by the NDDC. He said: “In the past when Niger Delta youths are mentioned, what comes to mind is agitation. I am glad that NDDC has introduced programmes to change the narrative.”
 
Dr. Ibitoye Abosede
 
Director, Corporate Affairs
 
May 20, 2021.

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has handed over 33 utility vehicles to the Security Committee working with the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, field forensic auditors.
 
Senator Akpabio, who inaugurated the vehicles at the new NDDC headquarters in Marine Base, Port Harcourt, said that they were meant to assist the security personnel working with the 16 field auditors charged with identifying and verifying the projects across the Niger Delta region.
 
The Minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr Babayo Ardo, said that the vehicles would help in the physical verification phase of the forensic exercise.
 
Dr Ardo, apart from representing the Minister, is also the Chairman of the Security Committee of the Forensic Audit.
 
The Minister thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment to the development of the Niger Delta region, as well as the NDDC, noting: “He approved the forensic audit to be carried out to look at their locations, status of completion and level of utilization.
 
Akpabio observed that the report of the forensic audit would guide further interventionist actions in the region. According to him: “Our initial proposal to Mr. President was to hire vehicles for the forensic exercise. But in his magnanimity, he approved the procurement of new vehicles to be deployed for the exercise.”
 
He said that the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs was committed to the rapid development of the Niger Delta region and the repositioning of the NDDC to effectively deliver on its mandate.
 
Akpabio stated: “The NDDC has had a lot of challenges, but these challenges would certainly be surmounted. We shall leave no stone unturned to see that all obstacles were cleared to enable the NDDC work effectively and efficiently.”
 
In his own remarks, the NDDC Interim Administrator, Mr. Efiong Akwa, re-emphasised the importance of forensic audit which covers the nine states of the Niger Delta region. 
 
He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the procurement of 33 Ford Ranger vehicles for the forensic audit to be used by the security operatives working with field forensic auditors.
 
Akwa said that it was a promise made and kept by Mr. President. He also thanked the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Akpabio for ensuring that the vehicles were handed over to the security team assisting the forensic auditors.
 
Dr. Ibitoye Abosede
 
Director, Corporate Affairs
 
May 20, 2021.

John Nwodo, Senator Ayogu Eze headline list for launch of amu nnadi’s "the love canticles"

... to also unveil an album of songs

The Advisory and Planning Committees for the public presentation of "the love canticles", the new book by prolific Nigerian poet, amu nnadi, has been unveiled.

Prominent among the committees is former President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo and two-time Minister of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, as well as Senator Ayogu Eze, former Senator representing Enugu North Senatorial Zone.

The list, unveiled in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, also named Mr. Davies Okarevu, the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, as Chairman of the Planning Committee.

Other members named include Hon. Chijioke Edeoga, Commissioner of Environment, Enugu State and former member of House of Representatives, as well as Barrister George Ero, Director, Rivers State Office, Dr. Prince Alazigha, Director, Community and Rural Development, Barrister Stephen Ighomuaye, Director, Legal Services, Eno Ubi Otu, Director, Finance and Accounts, and Engr. Emeka Ani, Director, Office of Interim Administrator/CEO of the NDDC.

Mr. James Eze, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, and winner of the 2020 ANA Poetry Prize for the book, "dispossessed", and Samson Fiberesima, the General Manager of Radio Rivers, were also named.

This is the seventh book of the multiple award-winning poet, whose 2013 anthology, "through the window of a sandcastle", won the 2013 ANA Poetry Prize, the 2014 inaugural Glenna Luschei African Poetry Book Prize, and was the runner-up to the 2013 Nigeria LNG Prize for Literature.

Described by poet and literary critic, Michael Chiedoziem Chukwudera, as an "alchemical phenomenon", the love canticles is a book of one hundred romantic poems.

According to a press statement signed in Port Harcourt by Edwina Aleme, a member of the Planning Committee, the public presentation, scheduled to hold in the last week of June in Port Harcourt, will also witness the unveiling of an album of songs created from amu nnadi’s poetry, "amu nnadi: everything beautiful".

"This is going to be the first of its kind in Nigerian poetry and promises to be day of astounding art," Aleme stated, adding: "Chief John Nnia Nwodo will present a speech at the event, while the review of "the love canticles" will be presented by James Eze.

The full list of the Planning and Advisory Committees are:

Davies Okarevu (Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, NDDC), Chairman

Emeka Ani (Director, Office of IA/CEO, NDDC), Member

Steve Ighomuaye (Director, Legal Services), Member

Eno Ubi Otu (Director, Finance and Accounts, NDDC), Member

Hon. Chijioke Edeoga (Commissioner for Environment, Enugu State), Member

James Eze (Chief Press Secretary, Anambra State Government and Winner, ANA Poetry Prize 2020), Member

Sampson Fiberesima (General Manager, Radio Rivers and Captain, Book Section, Port Harcourt Club 1928)

Oby Ndukwe (CEO, Citizens Quest TV)

Tammy Allaboh

Pamela Scott (Producer, *amu nnadi: everything beautiful*)

Clara Braide (Directorate of Skills Development and Empowerment, NDDC)

Edwina Aleme (Port Harcourt Literary Society)

Advisers:

Chief John Nnia Nwodo (Former President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo)

Senator Ayogu Eze (Former Senator representing Enugu North Senatorial Zone)

Pastor George Ero (Director, Rivers State Office, NDDC)

Dr. Prince Alazigha (Director, Community and Rural Development, NDDC)

The Ijaw National leader and Chairman of Pan-Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, Chief Edwin Clark, has applauded the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, for embarking on projects and programmes that are impacting positively on the lives of the people of the Niger Delta region
 
Speaking during the commissioning of the 3.2-kilometre rigid pavement Chief Ambakederemo Road in Kiagbodo, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, Clark gave kudos to the NDDC Interim Administrator, Mr Efiong Akwa, whom he described the as a shining light in the Niger Delta.
 
The Ijaw leader, who was represented by his son, Chief Anthony Clark, remarked that NDDC was expected to be the guiding light for the social and economic development of Nigeria’s oil-rich region.
 
He noted that the inauguration of the road, which was preceded by the flag-off of donation of education and essential science equipment in Warri, was part of remarkable achievements recorded by the Interim Administrator in his short period as the Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC.
 
Clark said: “As you commission this Ambakederemo Road, Kiagbodo, today, I want to assure you that we the communities of Kiagbodo, and our neighbours, will ensure that we play our part, that the road will be well protected for the good of the people.”
 
The elder statesman called on the Federal Government to ensure the sustainable funding of the NDDC, expressing concern that the Commission was still being owed a lot of money by the Federal Government unlike similar bodies such as the recently set up North East Development Commission.
 
He said that a country where different standards exist for similar organisations was not in the collective interest of the country, stating that this was more so when the NDDC was the body responsible for the development of the Niger Delta region.
 
Clark stated: “A situation where the Federal Government spends so much on roads, while the East-West Road, running from Edo-Delta-Bayelsa-Rivers-Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, is not funded by the Federal Government, and thus remains deplorable, and has become death traps to users, and a waste of time and resources, as commuters go through the horrendous experience of travelling on the road is quite unacceptable.”
 
In his own remarks, the NDDC Interim Administrator, Mr Akwa, gave credit to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, for galvanising the Commission to deliver on its mandate.
 
He paid tribute to Chief Edwin Clark, whom he described as a model leader, who was always looking out for the things that would benefit the people of the Niger Delta region. According to him, the Ijaw leader was more interested in projects that would help his community, in particular, and Niger Delta at large.
 
Akwa commended the youths of Kiagbodo for being very peaceful and providing the enabling environment for the contractor to deliver on the road, which he noted was a link between Burutu Local Government and Ughelli council area.
 
The NDDC boss commended the contractor for doing a good job and equally thanked the community for appreciating the efforts of the Commission, promising that another road would soon be built in the area. He said: “Because you like good things, good things will follow you.”
 
Giving details of the project, the Director, NDDC Delta State Office, Engr. Dr Emmanuel Audu-Ohwavborua said that solid infrastructure was the pillar upon which any meaningful economic or social growth of any society rested, noting that the security of any community was enhanced by infrastructural development.
 
He observed that Kiagbodo community, before the construction of the Chief Ambakederemo Road, was prone to perennial flooding, youth restiveness occasioned by mass poverty and unemployment.
 
The director said: “Today, the story is different due to the conception and implementation of this very important road, and other interventions (projects and programs) by the NDDC over the years. Economic activities are on the rise, the community is now more peaceful as both young and old are now busy with increased access to their farmlands and other business places.”

Since his arrival in Akwa Ibom property and investment company limited, Uyo (APICO) on December 11, 2019, the government appointed MD/CEO has been held bent on acquiring unprecedented wealth at the detriment of the company according to reliable sources.
To resist attempt by other management and staff to stop his unethical practices according to our findings, he called for restructuring of the company by the state government, believing that he will be given the free hand to send away his perceived enemies and opponents of his practices.
Our correspondents have also noticed UDONFANG CAMPAIGN NETWORK BUSES back on the roads indicative of activating his political aspiration for Abak Federal Constituency position in 2023. We also gathered that during this period under review, (i) he has acquired land and developed 42 numbers self-contained 1-bedroom housing units as his personal estate at Obio akpa, Oruk Anam LGA.
(ii) Acquiring of four bedroom bungalow off Nkemba Street, Uyo among others.
(iii) He is operating a one man management system of administration without observing due process and administrative procedures e.g overriding known conditions of service especially in staff management and human resource control like arbitrary suspension of staff from work without due process and using foul and abusive language on staff.
(iv) Abusive withdrawal of funds in the company’s coffers like drawing money for four domestic staff when this has been provided for in his monthly salary as domestic servants.
(v) Re-painting of APICO Investment House external walls at highly inflated cost without due process as at December, 2020.
(vi) Changing furniture in MD’s office at 5 million naira when a head of Department did not even have a table to work from.
(vii) Engagement and payment of external drivers while deploying government employed drivers in APICO to scouting on the estates
Other fraudulent activities committed by the MD/CEO includes the following:
(a) The MD/CEO of APICO Barr. Patrick Udonfang withdrew the sum of 3 million naira only, for budget defense at Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly as follows; 16/11/2020, 1million naira 17/11/2020, N500,000 and later withdrew the balance of 1.5 million naira.
(b) On 25/2/2021 there was a board meeting of the 9th board of APICO and the company secretary processed and disbursed the sum of over six hundred thousand accordingly, which is the statutory amount meant for the meeting. But, the MD/CEO in his usual unethical and fraudulent manner raised a memo on the same subject matter and withdrew the sum of 1 million naira for himself after receiving his share from the statutory disbursement for the board setting.

(c) The MD/CEO withdrew the sum of 4 million naira for the year 2020 rent allowance for himself despite receiving same in his monthly salary from the state government.

(d) The MD/CEO on the 22/06/2020 withdrew the sum of 5 million naira from the company’s account for himself as furniture allowance but refused to pay the quarterly medical allowances for three tranches to about one hundred and thirty seven (137) staff.
(e) On 02/09/2020 and 07/10/2020 the MD/CEO withdrew for himself the sum of 695,000 respectively, totaling 390,000 for his trip to Abia State to attend the PDP screening appeal panel which was held on the 22nd to 25th March, 2020. However, we are reliably informed that the said trip was duly funded by the party (PDP).

(f) The MD/CEO withdrew the sum of 1.5 million naira for himself claiming that it was for the purpose of restructuring.

(g) The MD/CEO withdrew from the Company’s account the sum of 200,000 monthly for his police escorts.
(h) The MD/CEO in his unethical and fraudulent manner awarded a contract for the painting of the external walls of APICO Investment House and its fence to the tone of N7,225,000.00 (seven million two hundred and twenty five thousand naira) only, to his personal company (MFA-PAT) Nig. Company located at No.44 Ekemba Lane, Uyo, Aks.

(i) On 21/09/2020 MD/CEO fraudulently withdrew for himself the sum of 2 million naira only, as honorarium to Government Protocols, Special Aides, Security, Elder statesmen and other anniversary incidentals for the 33rd Akwa Ibom State Anniversary Celebration.
(j) On 26/10/2020 the MD/CEO fraudulently withdrew from the company’s coffers the sum of 340,000 for an award conferred on him by African Students Union Parliament on the 09/10/2020.
(k) The MD/CEO on 17/12/2020 withdrew the sum of N6, 55000.00 (six million five hundred and fifty thousand naira) only, as funds for Christmas celebration in which N2,255000.00 (two million two hundred and fifty five thousand naira) only, was used for procurement of rice for about 140 staff while N4,250,000.00 (Four million,two hundred and fifty thousand naira), he claimed was used to procure hampers, gift items and honorarium for ;
a. Board Members
b. Government Officials
c. Elder Statesmen
d. Party Stakeholders
e. VIPs
However, his fraudulent and unethical acts has made him unable to remit revenue generated by the Company into Government Internal Generated Revenue (IGR) account.
In view of the above, the State Government and EFCC by way of prompt action should investigate this unethical and fraudulent practices by the MD/CEO of APICO which necessitated his call for the restructuring of APICO to cover up his fraudulent and unethical act in the company while making sure that henceforth revenue generated by APICO is remitted into Government account.

Just as the news of the return to site of contractors handling the construction of the long abandoned East-West road project was yet to simmer down properly, Citizens Quest For Truth Initiative, an advocacy group, has uncovered an unsavoury plot by some self-styled community leaders to put paid to the developmental strides of the President Mohammadu Buhari's administration.

Reports have it that one of the youths said to be related to the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Victor Amadi and some indigenes of Rumuagholu Community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, are demanding payment of a whopping sum of Fifty Million (N50million) Naira from Setraco Construction Company before work on the Nkpolu axis of the road would continue. The community leaders have maintained that SETRACO was yet to reach out to them before entering the community for the execution of the project. But our search for the truth reveals that the company is billed to construct a road in the community, after the construction of the new drainage.

Citizens Quest findings, however, revealed a political undercurrent from the high echelon in the state to ensure that the project, especially the Rivers State section, does not see the light of the day, a situation that is aimed at ridiculing President Buhari and the Hon. Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

We are not unmindful of the fact that those whose properties were demolished for encroaching on the right of way have already been handsomely rewarded by the federal government. It is therefore surprising that the CDC Chairman, who our findings reveal, owns no single property around the project site, should allow himself to be used as an agent of underdevelopment of Rumuagholu Community and, by extension, Rivers State.

We therefore call on the Government of Rivers State to rein in these agents of backwardness, (should it not be an accomplice) to forestall any form of face-off that might ultimately scuttle the timely realisation of the project.

On it's part, the Federal Government should, as a matter of urgent national importance, mobilise security at the various project sites while Contractors deliver on their corporate social responsibility to communities. This way, the contractors can deliver quality projects and on record time, too.
We also appeal to the Community to be patient with the Contractors as road projects are done in milestones and within the availability of funds.

Meinyie Okpukpo
National Secretary

Francis Udoka Ndimkoha
National Publicity Secretary

Citizens Quest for truth initiative, a non-governmental has expressed delight over the quality and pace of work at the East-West Road, adding that t President Mohammadu Buhari has Breathed Life into the Road

The above view was expressed by Chigozie Chimaraoke Okere, Citizens Quest’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary in a statement circulated to journalists.

According to him, “The story of the deplorable state of the East-West Road has consistently left sour tastes in the mouth of Nigerians, especially, Niger deltans. This unfortunate situation outlived several administrations that had paid lip service to the completion of this all-important corridor into the wealth basket of the nation. Little wonder not a few Nigerians were elated when President Buhari undertook to bring to fruition the desire and expectations of the Niger deltans for the completion of the road.”

He recalled that in 2020, via a Press Statement, the Federal Government had ordered contractors on East-West road to return to the site after several exhaustive meetings with the former handlers of the road, the Presidential Infrastructural Development Fund, PIDF and the Contractors, Reynolds Construction Company and SETRACO Nig Ltd.

Chigozie further recalled that there had been a stalemate on the road works since 2016 which resulted to a presidential order, moving the project from the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to the PIDF.

The statement reads further:

“Not much could be achieved as Contractors were owed historical debts. Upon his appointment as Minister, the former Akwa Ibom Governor whose passion for development earned him the title, "The Uncommon Transformer" hit the ground running and in less than one year, he was able to get the Presidential nod to take back the project to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, and with a refund of the sum of N19. 7bn, being money released by the Ministry of Finance to PIDF in 2018, for the payment of Contractors on the road.

“After several beauraucratic bottlenecks slowing down the process of transfer of the project and release of the funds, Akpabio achieved an unprecedented milestone in the release of the funds to the Contractors, and compelled them to return to site.


“In our quest therefore to ascertain the claim by the contractors to have returned to site, the Citizens Quest for Truth Initiatives, (an Advocacy group concerned about the citizens and how the decisions, policies and laws of the governments affect the ordinary Nigerian), on Tuesday, January, 19, undertook on-the-spot assessment of the project sites.

“At the border between Rivers State and Akwa Ibom State, where Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) is handling a massive section of the East-West road construction, the team was impressed with the quality and pace of work as heavy machines were also seen facilitating the entire process at the site.

“Interestingly, the bridge linking Rivers State and Akwa Ibom State is beginning to wear a new look as the base for the extensions has been made visible, the working materials were also on ground too.

“The team also visited the Chainage 2 of the East-West road construction around Rumuodara axis in Rivers State. The team discovered that SETRACO was handling that area of the road and it will cut across the Eliozu axis to Rumuokoro, down to the popular Nkpolu Junction, all the way to Emohua LGA and Ahaoda axis in Rivers State.

“When the CQ team spoke with some of the Engineers on site about the new deep drainage being constructed along the Rumuodara axis of the road, they said the essence is to curtail the flooding that has contributed in the failing of the Rumuodara sections of the East-West road. Heavy excavation machines and workers were also seen on site doing their work diligently.

“Recall that Chainage 1 and 2 of the road that is at Mkpolu and Rumudara junctions the road had been cut off due to excessive flooding occasioned by indiscrimate construction works by independent developers, on the drainage of the road.

“At the Emohua axis of the road, SETRACO is not relenting in the company's promise to complete its section of the project before the end of 2021. The Citizens Quest members confirmed the asphalting of the Emohua LGA axis down to Elele Alimini community.

“Earlier last year, the Hon. Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio had described the East West road as very dear to the people of the Niger Delta and Nigeria as a whole. So to make sure that the presidential directive was implemented, he is working closely with the construction companies to avert further agitation of the people of Niger Delta towards the road and to ensure the completion is speedily done.

“Our next stop will be at the Mkpolu, Runuigbo Junction and the Ahoada axis of the road to ascertain the level of work ongoing there.

“So far, our group is impressed with the quality and pace of work.

“While we commend the Federal Government for responding to the demands of the Citizens, we also wish to expressly request that funding is readily made available to ensure that there are no longer future impediments until the road in completed at the timeline set by the President during last year's Democracy Day celebration. It is also our expectation that the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs is given the support needed to FastTrack development in the region through the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. We sincerely commend him for the singular resolve to redesign and expand the road to six lanes from the Eleme Junction to the Akpajo bridge and beyond in order to contain the present realities of traffic congestion occasioned by Road users particularly to and fro the Eleme Petrochemicals, Indorama, Onne Seaport and NNPC Refinery, amongst others.”

The attention of the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio has been drawn to a piece of fake news which claimed that Senator Akpabio paid $5 million bribe to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and others to secure the appointment of a Sole Administrator for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). 
 
We wish to state categorically that this is a piece of malicious concoction manufactured from the pit of hell by mischief -makers. It is a figment of the imagination of the author of the fake news. Senator Akpabio denies the story in its entirety. The authors of the fake news should be ready to back up their claim or face the full wrath of the law.
 
The story is a desperate attempt by some unscrupulous bloggers to impugn the integrity of the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and the Honourable Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami as the claim is not only spurious but utterly ridiculous. 
 
The fact is that in a suit number ABJ/CS/617/2020 filed by a Civil Society Organization, Forum for Accountability and Good Governance, at a Federal High Court in Abuja, Justice Ahmed Mohammed had granted an order restraining the Interim Management Committee of the NDDC from performing the functions of the board and accessing the Commission’s offices and files.
 
The Order clearly listed the Managing Director Professor Kemebradikumo Pondei, Acting Executive Director of Projects Dr Cairo Ojougboh, Mrs Caroline Nagboh and Cecilia Akintomide as those restrained. The Order also asked that “the most senior civil servant or administrator in the Commission be appointed” to take charge of the Commission.
 
It was based on this order that President Muhammadu Buhari approved the elevation of the Acting Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Mr Effiong Akwa, being the most Senior Administrator to take over the headship of the NDDC as an Interim Administrator pending the completion of the Forensic Audit Exercise.
 
It is therefore absurd for anyone to even imagine that the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio would bribe the Attorney General before an Order of the Court is complied with as the purveyors of the fake news have stated. The general public should discountenance this piece of thrash.
 
It is obvious that some  persons who are scared of the ongoing forensic audit of the NDDC as ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari are working tirelessly to scuttle the exercise by blackmailing the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio.  Their modus operandi is to churn out fake news in a bid to stop Senator Akpabio from sanitizing the NDDC. Otherwise, how can a responsible news website make such a grievous allegation without any shred of evidence to back up its claim. 
 
However, we wish to state that no amount of sponsored fake news and blackmail would deter Senator Akpabio from doing the right thing as directed by Mr. President. The Minister has the overwhelming support of the impoverished masses of the Niger Delta who have borne the brunt of underdevelopment of the region over the years. 
 
 
Anietie Ekong
Chief Press Secretary to the 
Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.
 

January 16, 2021.

SENIOR PROPHET JEREMIAH OMOTO FUFEYIN MET HIS OLD TIME FRIEND, PASTOR DOMINIC, WHO PROPHESIZED THE SUDDEN ENLARGEMENT OF HIS MINISTRY IN THREE YEARS TIME, DURING A CHURCH PROGRAMME AT MERCY LAND DELIVERANCE MINISTRY, WARRI, DELTA STATE

December 27, 2020 was a day of blessing encounter as Senior Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin met with is long time friend Pastor Dominic Nwoko of Mountain of Fire Ministry who paid a visit to Prophet Omoto and he is still serving in Mountain of Fire, Delta State. Amidst church service in Christ Mercy Land Deliverance Ministry, Delta State, Nigeria.

In 2011 whenever there is heavy rain fall, Prophet Jeremiah’s church building and properties usually get submerged in flood. This was a setback of this ministry about ten years ago
One day Pastor Dominic had a dream and told Prophet Fufeyin what his ministry would look like three years after the vision. In the dream Pastor Dominic told the Prophet that he saw ‘mansions, Big City inside the church premises of Christ Mercy Land Deliverance Ministry, foreigners trooping into the church, and some of them trying to see the man of God’.
See video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHuMSU2t2v8
On noticing Pastor Dominic in the congregation, the Senior Prophet called him out, exchanged pleasantries, both of them recalled how far God has brought them and the dream Pastor Dominic had about this ministry some years ago, Pastor Dominic narrated his ordeals doing ministry work and a few life challenges, the Senior Prophet seeing the way he dressed to church knew that all was not well with him, he had compassion to bless Pastor Dominic with a car, N200,000 cash gift and N1,000,000 for stipend. Worshippers reacted to this show of love by the Philanthropist cum man of God, as congregant prayed for God to continually bless the Prophet and his ministry to grow from grace to grace.

To the glory of God on Thursday 31st of December 2020, during the Cross Over night service those gift items were delivered to Pastor Dominic

A few days ago, some youth groups in the Niger Delta region aired what they termed their resentment in the appointment of Mr Effiong Okon Akwa as Sole Administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by President Muhammadu Buhari. One of the groups, Uhrobo Youth Leaders Council (UYLC) was said to have dragged the Honourable Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio before a Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, over the said appointment of the new NDDC helmsman. The UYLC stands commended for its civilised method. Some other youths, who claimed to be of Uhrobo extraction, engaged in a theatre of the absurd by blocking the ever-busy East West road, thereby causing untold hardship on travelers who ply that road. While it is inconsequential to dwell on the cursing spree and death wish on the Minister as they poured libation on the expressway, it must be stressed that much as people have the right to vent their steam, such action should not impinge on the right of way of other law-abiding citizens.

It is trite knowledge that informed Urhobo youths are not part of the said action, but a few disgruntled hirelings masquerading as youths of the revered ethnic nationality. This is a clear case of the hands of Jacob in the garb of Esau.

The use of anti-democratic tendencies by overt beneficiaries of democratic norms, to distract the Hon. Minister of Niger Delta and, by extension, President Buhari, must be condemned and stands condemned, by every right-thinking Niger Deltan. One begins to wonder the rationale behind the conscription of youths to block the ever-busy East-West road, if not to discredit President Buhari.

Players in the NDDC political industry are not finding it difficult to situate the reason behind the incessant attacks on President Buhari and the Hon. Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Akpabio. The outright rejection of the ill-fated Obudu and Okumagba Board, even after being screened by the Senate, has remained the albatross on the neck of the Senate Deputy President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege. He had tactically positioned the two men in order to take absolute control of the NDDC, but according to what we say in the Nigerian parlance, “God pass dem.” The macabre dance steps of those youths are in tandem with the quick drumbeats of Senator Omo-Agege. Could these be happening on the wrong assumption that President Buhari rarely bite? Sometimes, one is tempted to wish these mundane scripts were being played out in an Obasanjo era. Audu Ogbe’s experience as National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during Obasanjo’s administration readily comes to mind here.

How can a man who prides himself as “leader of the South-South APC” continue to exhibit flagrant disregard for the President and Commander-in-Chief, thereby hampering whatever successes the President and his party would have recorded?

Recall that the Interim Management Committee under the leadership of Prof. Pondei was made of no effect following what Femi Adesina, Presidential Spokesman on Media, described as “plethora of litigations and a restraining order issued recently against the Interim Management Committee of the NDDC by a Federal High Court in Abuja.” Since therefore there was no room for vacuum in governance, and considering the fact that the leadership echelon in the NDDC have been embroiled, over time, in the obvious rot and stench in the Commission, the President and Commander-in-Chief, Muhammadu Buhari, considered it expedient to appoint an untainted hand to oversee the running of the Commission until the conclusion of the on-going forensic audit.

Worthy of note is the fact that the incessant unease in the NDDC is boiling to a crescendo following President Buhari’s approval of a forensic audit of the Commission from 2001 to 2019. Those who have had unethical dealings in the Commission have left no stone unturned in their efforts to truncate the exercise. Fortunately, Mr. President has, both in words and action, demonstrated unwavering commitment to unearth the itchy fingers behind the stealing of humongous budgets appropriated for the development of the Niger delta region. Sadly, and most shocking, are incontrovertible revelations that most of the infractions recorded in the bleeding commission were brazenly committed by those who, ordinarily, were entrusted to protect the common wealth of the Niger Delta region.

That Senator Godswill Akpabio is in the eyes of the storm is therefore no surprise; man that has been mostly misjudged by his party men for their misplaced fear of being outshined. Some of them believe that allowing Akpabio to function without hindrance will open another window to replicate the feat in Akwa Ibom State which earned him the sobriquet, “The Uncommon Transformer”, thereby putting him ahead of other leaders from the region, or at most, give him an edge over many of them.

How can we forget, so soon, the “Honourable-Minister-off-the-Mic” incident during the probe of activities of the Commission at the National Assembly? The hunter suddenly became the hunted when the raw truth started coming out, hence the heart-felt appeal for the minister to off the mic. That Senator Akpabio could speak truth to power in the full glare of everybody watching across the globe, is a testimonial that he has nothing to hide concerning the NDDC.

Nigerians have not forgotten the startling revelation that a single senator was awarded 300 contracts, out of which 120 were fully paid for without commensurate job execution? Should Nigerians be reminded that it is the huge number of these phantom contracts that have left a debt burden of over N3 trillion hanging on the neck of the Commission? Should Nigerians be cowed by the blistering undertakers who are desperate to divide the living child because theirs died last night? Certainly not!

As a sharp contrast from what used to obtain before, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has demonstrated leadership in its determination not to be part of any politically-motivated protest that would destabilise the region. According to the IYC President Worldwide, Peter Timothy Igbifa, “parents should monitor the activities of their children and stop them from engaging in any demonstration, especially the one targeting the occupation of NDDC headquarters using the name of IYC.” It is therefore expected that other youth groups in the region should borrow a leaf from the IYC in the journey to making the NDDC achieve the desired purpose.

Rather than distract the Sole Administrator of the Commission from delivering on his assignment, Niger Deltans, and indeed Nigerians, should be concerned about the overall decrepit infrastructure and downward slope of human capital that abound in the region. The commission is presently passing through a season of realization and rebirth, and the best Nigerians can offer now is understanding, devoid of any grandstanding by filthy players whose fingers are already soiled by their unbridled love for and commitment to the underdevelopment of the Niger Delta region. The time to check these scavengers is now.

Written By Chief Obiaruko Ndukwe

President, Citizens Quest for Truth Initiative

I am concerned that core beneficiaries of Governor Udom Emmanuel are the ones betraying and exposing him to the opposition.
People that are on monthly payment by the Governor to protect his image are turning round to destroy his image in the media.

It is sad that those who are not benefitting in anyway are the ones fighting the opposition and projecting the Governor in good light, while those on the Governor's payroll are exposing him in the media.

The Governor has performed well but the opposition has been battling to stop his good works, instead his main people who are enjoying benefits of his govt are using his own money to work for the opposition.
Examples are:
(A) Ekemini Simon who embarrassed the govt with his investigation of the financial records of the state. That is the work of the opposition and not some one on payroll.
(B) Edidiong Udobia this one was referring to Udom's govt officials as Brutuses when he is the Brutus exposing the govt instead of covering up.
(C) Aniebiet Francis that woke up and disgraced the govt handling of monthly youth prayers. She exposed the Governor to the opposition and gave them a tool to attack the govt.
(D) Ifreke Nsewo and Nsibiet John.
These ones are anti government, they use their Newspapers to attack and intimidate the govt instead of the opposition, despite being on the payroll of the large hearted Governor.


The most important thing is that all of them have close contacts in this administration that they could channel their grievances or suggestion to the Governor instead of using the social media.
They are not playing the role of Government defenders that they are paid to do. What type of irony is it for the to turn against the same govt that is feeding them.

They have turned to opposition while in govt.
The opposition in the state is relaxing because the people on pay roll are working for the opposition. I want to use this opportunity to announce that the people attacking Governor Udom Emmanuel have been collecting the sum of fifty thousand naira every monthly through the office of the Chief of Staff, Hon Ephraim Inyang since April last year.

I think the Governor should review that list and bring in able hands that will defend him and work for the party. Anybody playing opposition in government is not worthy to be in the payroll of the govt.

From a Concerned online influencer that is not recognised.

This news is Fake. Ubong King is with his family right now and doing very well.

Stop wishing others dead.

Niger Delta people will, for a long time, remain wholeheartedly grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari, for the immense goodwill he has shown to the good people of the Oil rich but beleaguered region, through the various projects and programmes aimed at the total development and emancipation of the Niger Delta region. We must acknowledge the concerted effort towards the completion of the East-West highway, the reintroduction of the Petroleum industry Bill (P.I.B) to the National Assembly, the construction of the national headquarters of the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in the heart of the Niger Delta region, the monumental Bonny-Bodo road project, as well as the move to reposition the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) through the institution of the Forensic Audit of the Commission, just to mention but a few of the projects and programmes which has definitely put the region on the spotlight and assures that the region is on a steady path of growth and development as well as liberation from the clutches of entrenched stagnation and backwardness which has kept the region utterly underdeveloped and abandoned, over the decades. While we are grateful for this effort, we emphasize that there is still a vacuum and a yearning, to do more for further development of the Niger Delta region.





Certainly, when the recap of events that made news in 2020 is done, one of the stories that will easily come to mind is the much-publicized probe of the Niger Delta Development commission (NDDC) by the National Assembly. And, for sure, a lot of people will love it, not just because it is a sordid and seamy commentary on the Niger Delta struggle, but mainly because recent events have exposed, albeit inadvertently, that whole exercise for what people have always termed it; a terrible, terrible entertainment.





The very sight of the Acting Managing Director of NDDC, Prof. Kemebradikumo Daniel Pondei losing his breath before the glaring cameras of National and International Television should, ordinarily evoke solemnity and somewhat of sadness at the near loss of life, in the course of dedication to national service but this will be reduced further down the slope of horrific spectacles when the cardinal issues that gave rise to that probe, which includes the Forensic Audit ordered by President Buhari on NDDC, is discovered to have been highly politicized, and designed to be poorly executed, by high calibre politicians, seeking with a highway exit ramp out of the impending expository series which the Forensic Audit is sure to kickstart. Needless to say, even party chieftains from both sides of the frontline political divides in the country sought to nail the Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, rather than live to see the exercise succeed.





Many a group who stood in the gap, intent and determined to brave the odds to ensure that NDDC does not fail in the mandate given to it as a creation of law, to salvage the Niger Delta from environmental degradation and entrench a developmental ideology, will be at a loss and in utter consternation at the sudden twist of fate. It is sad that the NDDC which some civil society and advocacy groups of goodwill fought to defend and liberate from the jackals and hyenas have become a prisoner of sorts, to what looms the selfish interest of a selected few. It does appear that the collective heritage of the entire Niger Delta region, comprising nine states (Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross-River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers) have become the estate of not just the National Assembly members (especially principal officers and members of National Assembly Joint Committee on NDDC), but also of the NDDC management and senior staff as well as the Ministry of Niger Affairs!





The sordid tales of the rape of the Niger Delta has dominated the National discourse, this year, 2020 and has sadly not taken even a casualty, because the dramatis personae of this tragicomedy have insisted on a political solution, rather than a humanitarian approach to the issues raised, whereby the people of Niger Delta will have a breathe a fresh and for once in a long time, benefit from their Natural endowment, which is the oil at their backyard. It is so sad to note that in December 2020, the budget details for the 2020 budget of the NDDC has neither been approved by the National Assembly, nor released to the Commission. What this means is that the Commission is technically grounded and unable to function effectively or even meet up with its expectations to the Niger Deltans.





As though that is not enough setback, to a beleaguered people, reports have it that the much talked about Forensic Audit on the account of NDDC, from inception till date, is gradually becoming a reality, that paucity of funds has been programmed to frustrate the development of the region under Buhari, through the non-release of the 2020 budget details of the NDDC by the National Assembly. The target could be to ensure that the Commission engages in extra budgetary spending, or rather, unbudgeted expenditure, so as to have a reason to nail the Forensic Audit report, and make it stillborn. This is because the key perpetrators of these shenanigans have concocted allegations against the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs saying that he is clearly being browbeaten into shielding his friends and associates, as well as cronies and fellow party men from being exposed by the audit, through a careful removal of files containing their shady deals and bloated cum unexecuted but fully paid projects, from the records of the Commission, thus making it impossible for the Forensic Auditors to unmask the pillagers and looters for who they truly are. On the other hand, they expect that he should kill, completely, the whole idea of a Forensic Audit.





It will be a profanity of the anti-corruption stance which Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari professes, if this onslaught by people obviously determined to thwart the goodwill of Africa’s celebrated anti-corruption Crusader and President of the Federal Republic Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, towards the Oil rich Niger Delta region.

Those bent on frustrating the efforts of the Minister for the sake of hijacking the treasury of the Commission to feather their nests towards the 2023 elections had succeeded in crippling the activities of the last Interim Management Committee, under Prof Daniel K. Pondei while plotting a careful takeover of the affairs of the Commission through a list of surrogates as members of the substantive Board of Directors, albeit illegal and skewed.

It may not be common knowledge for those who are ignorant of the behind the scene happenings at the Commission that for over four months, the NDDC has had it's accounts frozen and a lien placed on the said accounts, deliberately forcing the Oil and Gas Companies to pay their statutory 3% and 5% Commission into a special account named EFCC/NDDC instead of the NDDC account domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

While the yearly federal allocation dropped from N80bn to N45bn and exhausted within five months on payment of contractors, foreign scholarships amongst others; the Commission became cash-strapped as a highly placed Principal Officer of the Nigerian Senate in active connivance with the longest serving Member of Staff of the Commission, wrote petitions to the EFCC and ICPC, forcing the anti corruption agencies to move against the IMC. In a rather unfortunate twist, instead of commencing investigations while allowing the Commission to function, the EFCC has simply halted payment of Contractors





Thus, there is an urgent need to address this impasse before it snowballs into a National embarrassment as the ex agitators in the region have begun threats to stall the flow of Oil through the pipelines. The damage to the economy cannot be imagined, if the situation is not nipped in the bud.





Written by Obiaruko Christie Ndukwe, President, Citizens Quest for Truth Initiative, Abuja



Email: CitizensQuest247@gmail.org

Citizens Quest honoured in Port Harcourt

... As founder wins Lady of Excellence award

By Francis Udoka Ndimkoha

History was made on Sunday 13th December 2020 as Citizens Quest for Truth Initiative, an accountability advocacy group won laurels at DMoma award nite, which held at Azny Place, Abacha road, GRA, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

It will be recalled that Citizens Quest for Truth Initiative, in just a little over a year of its existence, has blazed the trail and redefined pro-people advocacy, in Nigeria, especially in the Niger Delta, where they have effectively championed the course of development of the region and exposed series of abandoned or poorly executed projects in the region, and attracting the attention of the Federal Government and other relevant agencies to do the needful.

The Citizens Quest, was honoured with two ornamental award pieces, first as a Proactive Group of the year, South-South and South-East and again, as Special recognition for speaking for the masses.

On hand to receive the awards were the National Secretary of Citizens Quest, Mr. Innocent Okpukpo, the National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Francis Udoka Ndimkoha, and Pastor C.J Ndukwe, among Others.

It is noteworthy that Citizens Quest has dared the establishment by taking her advocacy beyond Print and social media, as well as local and International Television, but also made presentations in the Red and Green chambers of the National Assembly, all win the first years of its incorporation.

As a grand icing on the cake, the founder and President of Citizens Quest Chief Obiaruko Christie Ndukwe, was also honoured as Lady of Excellence of the year, South-South and South-East; an award keenly contested with two first ladies of two states in the Southeast and Southsouth.

November 24, 2020 Liberator News

By Ndu Samuel

Following reports in some online media outlets alleging that the founder and General Overseer of Christ MercyLand Deliverance Ministry, Snr. Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin, popularly known as Owomowomo is using his wealth and position as instruments of oppression, the church have reacted.

A senior protocol in the Church, Mr. Ebikabowei
Edonyanbo who spoke to The Liberator Newspapers during an exclusive chat recently at the church premises in Warri had debunked report saying the narration in the media was
maliciously concocted, stressing that as a church they are not surprised at the attacks on the revered man of God, Prophet Jeremiah
Omoto Fufeyin.

He described the media reports as plots to further tarnish the prophet’s hard earn reputation by attention seekers who are not too
comfortable with the pace at which God is lifting his son, adding that his critics and
traducers have failed again and would continue to fail, as this is not the first one.

He noted that the story been propagated in the media fell short of what truly transpired between the prophet, his blackmailers and co travellers and urged the public to disregard those publications in totality.

Mr. Ebikabowei noted that as a ministry, it is not in their character to respond to every Tom, Dick and Harry, adding that some lies peddled before the public if not corrected may be taken as the truth, hence their response.

He also dismissed allegation that the Prophet
invaded the magistrate court in Ughelli on Tuesday (last week ) with over 30 armed
security personnel to intimidate families and
sympathisers of the defendants Godwin Boukan and his co-accused Amos Wanki when the court convened to deliver judgment on the
matter.

He also wondered why people would take it
upon themselves to attack God’s anointed in such manner without having knowledge of how precious prophets are to the Lord Almighty.

Narrating the experience, he said “These boys text Personal Assistant ( PA) to Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin through Facebook
messenger, one of them called the PA, Mr. Gideon Chancellor with a private number that he sent him a message on messenger that he should go and check his messenger, accept his
friend request that his name is Babatunde, Segun, he should read his message and deliver the message to his Oga which is the prophet.”

“Gideon told him he don’t pick private calls, that he is lucky for him to have picked his call, he told him to call with a visible number or he
will not check the message, after some hours, he called Gideon with an airtel number which was later discovered to be his private number.”

“When he called again, he told Gideon that he was not joking, that Gideon should go and check the message. Immediately he dropped
the call, Gideon went to his messenger, although he did not accept his friend request till date, he wrote a message that people have paid them to publish a video, that if Gideon fail to deliver the message to Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin and get back to them, they are going to publish it, and once they publish the video, it will tarnish the image of Prophet and that Gideon should immediately pass the message to his oga.”

“After that, they sent a message to prophet Jeremiah, they also sent to one of our senior pastor, Pst Andy, after that, they started calling and threatened that if they fail to pay them the sum of fifty million naira they will publish the video.”

“From there, we were able to track the airtel number they used in calling, arrested Boukan, the next day, he confessed that one Amos was also involved and he was arrested too.”

They charged them to court, on the first day, the magistrate adjourned the case, the second time, the prosecutor said she was not feeling fine so the case was again adjourned.”

The third time we went to court, they came with thugs, community bus, about 2 buses and 5 cars filled with thugs, surrounded everywhere, then the magistrate was surprised at the crowd, he called them and discharged them, we did not even go with any security”

“Because of the tension, the magistrate adjourned the case, saying that next time he need to arrange for security, that was how he
adjourned again,

“That was how it all went, so I am surprised at the news they are cooking and circulating, the worse of it was that Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin did not even go to the court at Ughelli.”
He said.

Meanwhile, Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin
had tasked media practitioners to investigate
and verify the authenticity of the sources of their information before publishing, stressing that free, fair, credible, balanced and truthful reportage remains the key guiding principles of the media profession.

Fufeyin particularly cautioned media houses to
stop misleading members of the general public with fake news and not to be an aggrieved party on issues by reporting only from one side.

He continued that the ways of God are not the ways of men, adding that whoever that is bent on blackmailing him is not fighting him but God, maintaining that he is not bothered in anyway.

Prophet Jeremiah said he is aware that the devil is trying by all means necessary to bring him down but assured his teeming worshippers and members of the general public to keep calm as God is in control, he said it was not easy for Jesus Christ while he was on earth, hence he is not surprised at the false negative publications and others that may even arise from other quarters in subsequent times, noting that there is no atom of truth in the various publications twisted against him, rather he is the one that is being blackmailed.

Nevertheless, the Prophet said while he will not
join issues with his traducers, he cautioned that
there is a limit to which he could tolerate such lies, hence his response to clear the air.

Nevertheless, when contacted Hon. Godwin Boukan one of the defendant in the case to hear his own side of the story for a balanced report, he said the matter is so sensitive as it is before a competent court of law in Ughelli, Delta State.

By Chris Churchill

The duo of Godwin Boukan and Amos Wanki were on 1st of September 2020 arraigned before the Chief Magistrate Court, Ughelli for defamation of character and blackmail against Snr. Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin, Founder and General Overseer of Christ Mercy Land Deliverance Ministry, Warri, Delta State.

The duo had alleged that they were in possession of a video of the Prophet where he was linked to a false claim by a certain herbalist in an online video.

They had demanded the sum of 50 Million naira from the Prophet in order to destroy the false video in their possession otherwise they'll release same.

Prophet Owowomowo is a reknowed clergy with a long standing record of humanitarian services and philanthropy. He preaches love and forgiveness, hence defamation of his character and blackmail was seen as gross and unacceptable.

During Cross Examination, the accused persons confessed that their intentions was to extort money from the Prophet that is why they resorted to threatening him with the false video. They were remorseful on the effect of such allegations on the reputation of the Prophet.

Comrade Oyinbi Onduku, Founder and National President of Concerned Citizens for Izon-ebe Development (CCFID) also called on the Snr. Prophet Omoto "to imbibe the virtues of Christ in preaching peace, love, salvation, repentance and forgiveness. As a high ranking man of God he was not expected to indulged himself in Court cases against his fellow brothers, rather he is supposed to pray for forgiveness, repentance and probably deliver whoever that is possessed with contrary spirit".

Onduku bared his mind after the Court session at Ughelli.

The Presiding Judge after careful evaluation of the evidence adjourned the case to December 3, 2020 for security reasons coupled with number of persons present at the court premises. Ruling is expected to be delivered on the next adjourned date.

......Community leaders pass vote of confidence on (the Son of the soil), President of Big Corazon Foundation, Engr Joseph Akpan.

.........youth groups , students and pupils drum support for him as he attracts more developmental programs to the community at large .


Giving back to society is in fact vague and misty in nature. There’s so much that we procure from society. There are so many strata of people who make up the whole population of a nation. But they are different from each other. Some are affluent and some are mere stragglers of survival. In many countries, there are masses who don’t even have excess to basic day-to-day requirements. There are also people who have so much in excess, that the amounts if distributed, would solve many problems plaguing most areas around the world. Daughty, we can see why one of the sporting greats , Mohammed Ali , said ~
"Part of being a person is about helping others. And service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.”

16th Nov. 2020 is the highly anticipated commissioning of the 2bed room bungalow in Ediene Abak , Akwa ibom state, Nigeria, for the beneficiary Mr. Ndiana Obong David, a man who has lost his father, mother and wife, leaving him with 4 children, turn out to be real .

Gloriously seeing is believing, what a lot of people feels is impossible has become a dream come true, some had laughed and mock at him , saying that there can on happen in this part of the world, but today the difference is clear. Thanks, to the enduring qualities of this one very Leader, Engr. Joseph Akpan who has taken the bull by the horn to make this happen as this remarkable flagship initiate has come to stay.

The beneficiary, Mr.Ndiana-Obong David in an interactive with news men, thanked God and The Big Corazon Charity Foundation for coming to his aide as the development get to the handing over stage.
He also stressed that his site was nothing to write home about, but God has made it possible , thanks to the Engr. Joseph Akpan led BIG CORAZON CHARITY ORGANIZATION for being a promise keeper.

Reacting to the gesture, Community Leaders, Youth groups and students in a serial reaction, thanked the
Engr. Joseph Akpan led team , for bring this close to the good people of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
As they all offer prayers for him to Keep Up the good work as other lofty programs are lying in stock.

BIG CORAZON CHARITY FOUNDATION ,
...ONE VOICE , ONE LOVE !

A woman named Honorable Faith, from Omoku, ONELGA, in Rivers State had a dream someday, found herself being shot in her dream, reportedly woke up and noticed that her Spinal Cord was mysteriously damaged, according to her testimony, she was diagnosed of Lumperspyndolysis and her case defiled all modern Orthopedic expertise and taken to the best hospitals in India and South Africa for medical operations but couldn’t find healing.


Obviously, the Lumber Vertebrae of her Spine was cracked and led to her permanent use of Lumber Onset, Waist and knee Brace Gadgets she could not walk for five years. Medical Practitioners predicted her inability to walk on her feet; she became incapacitated, helpless and had been in excruciating pains for five years.


In one of the services of Mercy Land Deliverance Ministry, in Warri, Delta State the Senior Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin, while ministering to the congregation, on the theme "DREAMS INTERPRETATION AND SOLUTION (DIS)" called for a woman who has issues with her spinal cord that he is seeing a lady crying in a red car (Jeep) outside the church, and the church Ushers rushed out to help her in immediately, the Prophet prayed for her healing miracle which took place instantly.


"DREAMS INTERPRETATION AND SOLUTION (DIS)" is a power packed Program theme that exposes the wickedness of the devil’s affliction on humanity, those who came with different afflictions, infirmities and all forms Demonic attacks received solutions and mind blowing spiritual interpretations to dreams to the glory of God.
We thank God for the supernatural healing of this woman Honorable faith from evil affliction. Again we ask God for more grace upon Snr. Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin, the Billionaire Clergyman and Philanthropist and his ministry to continue in good works in the body of Christ.

For further enquiries:

+234 9067827643
+234 7031945514
www.Merctv.org

Video link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFACizeG1IM

Chief Obiaruko Ndukwe is the National President and Founder of the Popular NGO, Citizens Quest for Truth Initiative.
She has distinguished herself amongst women through leadership, youths empowerment, human resource development, social and political advocacy especially for the Niger Delta Region. Chief Obiaruko is a frontline Activist and a notable voice in the Country with massive fellowship. She is selfless, kindhearted, patriotic and an outstanding scholar.

Your support by voting her for the Award will be appreciated.

Please vote for Obiaruko Ndukwe following the link provided below.

Deadline for voting is November, 12.

https://dezmayorz.org/dmoma-award-category/

It was a glamorous event as Mr. Sunday Udoh officially bade farewell to bachelorhood on Sunday 11th October, 2020 in Akwa Ibom State.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of SkyCity TV did tie marital knots with his heartthrob, former Miss Iniobong Jones.

The event was heavily attended by well meaning Nigerians, top political leaders and astute professionals from far and near. A whimsical procession to the altar as part of the wedding rituals "here comes the Groom and Bride", while everyone were seated in church, procession and beginning of the wedding rituals was signaled at Reigners Bible Church, Ikot Oku Ikono Junction popularly known as Ekom Iman Junction.

The officiating Minister, Senior Pastor of Reigners Bible Church, Apostle Akan Weeks joined the couple and blessed them.

The Groom appeared in a white couture jacket designed by Aniferaz signature. And like the grandeur of the misty sunrise and stars that fill the skies in its glory was the splendour and beauty of the Bride who appeared in a white ball gown designed by Verge.

They’ve waited so long for such a moment in time to take their vows and say, “will you be mine?”

The wedding Reception followed immediately at the famous Duellaz Event Centre, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The exotic ceremony was not only classy but colorful, such that evoked timeless elegance and utmost sophistication. Perfectly coordinated and managed by IGL Koncepts Outfit, was sleek with modern décor and aesthetics that is chic and refined.

The decoration details by Edmc Events were alluring and fabulous, from foreign sparkly linens to beautiful strands of floral crystals, cherry blossom, charger plates, led parker lightings, chandelier made the event most adorable.

The traditional marriage ceremony which took place at Nkpok Road, Ikot Udoma, Eket on Thursday October 8, 2020 witnessed a massive turn up by highly revered personalities, friends and other members of the society with both families of the bride and groom present.

Top News wishes the Couple a Happy Forever, Together.

One of Nollywood’s finest star, Yul Edochie has listed the names of other Nigerian actors who influenced him during his formative acting career. Interestingly, his father Pete Edochie who happens to be a legend in the movie industry had his name conspicuously missing.

"Being Nigerian Outside Nigeria: An Extra Burden

I've been in and out of South Africa since the last five years. On my first arrival in Johannesburg, January 2014, I was welcomed at the airport by Fr. Terry Nash. He was smiling, I was smiling too. I was in the company of six other guys who introduced themselves: Delta State, Akwa-Ibom, Benue, Anambra, etc. It got to my turn and I said IMO. Fr. Nash's smile ripened into a giggle, "I have heard about Imo, I met many people from Imo State because I've been in prison ministry. Nigerians generally make up a high population in the prison here. And the Imo guys make the church in prison so vibrant, those guys are great", he said, still smiling. My own smile had left me. Years later I would find myself suffering what seems like a stigma that comes with being Nigerian. Every time I found myself in the airport, my identity as a Nigerian is a source of worry: being asked to step aside for extra questions, being delayed by extra protocol because I'm Nigerian.
Three years ago I was returning to Nigeria one holiday. There was a small chaos at the airport: the noise of police whistles and the barking of police dogs filled the air, "get that man", a chubby white police man was screaming. "Somebody has been caught with drugs again", an unknown Black man quickly hinted me, "it is these Nigerians". I quickly became furious.
"You can't be sure it's a Nigerian", I retorted. Well, the guy was caught. Behold, he had a strong Nigerian accent while he was begging the police men, and had the angled shape of my head: Igbo, with a rosary on his neck. I gave up on defending Nigerian reputation.
I gave up because shortly after a Nigerian family volunteered to do clean up in a certain Catholic parish in Johannesburg, the police stormed into the church one day and found drugs hiding behind the terbanacle. I gave up when a Nigerian asked by an immigration officer to step aside, was scolding the officer for the delaying him and raining legal threats, "I know my rights, you can't keep me this long", only for the immigration officer to find that his documents had all been forged.
Once, on returning to South Africa from Nigeria I was with an old Yoruba woman who couldn't speak or read English, her son in Pretoria had a new born baby. She had been invited, they somehow succeeded in making her a passport and got her a visa. She couldn't read anything or understand any information at the airport, so I helped her because my Yoruba is fluent.
When finally we reached Johannesburg the immigration officers had questions about some "strange" things in her bag. I told them those were cooking ingredients, I was the translator between her and the officers. Soon she became worried and whispered into my ear, "Eyi n di isoro. Fun won ni five hundred naira" (this is becoming a problem, give them five hundred).
"Won o kiin gba five hundred", I replied.
"Oya fun won ni one thousand" (then give them one thousand). She squeezed a wrinkled one thousand naira note into my hand. I told her they do not use naira here. "haaaaaah" her mouth opened. I expected that, I smiled.
Bribe is a Nigerian culture, even our old people believe it works, and that there is no other way of moving past an obstacle asides bribe, there is no other means of progress asides bribe. Bribe is a Nigerian salvation.
Weeks later I had a Nigerian friend who was in dire need. He lived with me, he talked about his two million naira which he was expecting from Nigeria, with many proves of the availability of the money. So he borrowed six thousand rand from me. My friend, it's now more than two years, he never paid. He fled to some place else and never returned my calls. I learned later he had borrowed also from a Kenyan who was our neighbor, and this neighbor kept asking where my 'brother' was. Until today he never paid, and it doesn't prick his conscience.
It's important for we Nigerians to ask ourselves serious questions. What is the most important thing to a Nigerian? What kind of factors in our childhood make us desperate and dangerously competitive? Sometimes we are under the pressure of our parents and peers to "prove our selves". When the average Nigerian travels abroad he doesn't travel to merely make a livelihood. His plan is to outshine his peers. I do not find this common among South Africans. They're usually satisfied, they just want to have what they need, they don't kill themselves over what is beyond them.
The first time I had a drive to Durban with a senior brother from Mariannhill we saw a Nigerian suspiciously passing a tightly-folded bag from under the counter, then they made signs to each other, then he sneaked out. Another man entered and sneakily collected it.
The Zambian brother tapped my back, "drugs, they are your brothers". The saddest thing is that those who choose to talk about this are attacked and bullied on social media, they are regarded as unpatriotic citizens. Because Nigerian morality ends with sex and marriage. Finished. Talk about issues on human sexuality and you'll see the bible-thumping Nigeria saying, "hell fire, Adam and Steve, weapons of the devil, it is not our culture", but bribery is our culture. Everything else asides sexual activity is survival, so it's unofficially acceptable. Our mouths are sharp when HIV is mentioned, we often think we are very moral. What shall it profit a virgin who is a thief? Nigerian morality is faux.

"What is your brother doing in Malaysia?"
"He is hustling", that is all you can say. He's just hustling. He comes back to Nigeria and does Thanksgiving and the priest blesses him with chasuble spread out. He pays his tithes and gives huge offering, and his name is announced in church. But nobody notices that poor man at the corner of the church who is a gate man and gives his offering from the little he earned through honest work.

What is your brother doing in Dubai? You give random and vague answers: He's trying to find something, we are praying he succeeds, please put him in prayer. You know that kind of prayer, right?
A South African Bishop once made a joke, "it is easier to trust a stone than to trust a Nigerian. You keep a stone on this table, you'll still find the stone when you come back. Keep a Nigerian and come back later, the Nigerian is gone". And yet we wonder why religious orders outside Africa are afraid of considering Nigerian applications. Our brothers who were admitted into American dioceses arrived the airport and then ran away.
I visited a church in Johannesburg where I heard during the announcements that the guy who teaches the altar servers had been shut dead. A Nigerian. Later the circumstances surrounding his death did not match with a person who would teach mass servers how to serve Holy Mass.

I know that Professor Wole Soyinka doesn't go to church but he's diligent and and has good reputation. It should make us ask questions about what we value the most as Nigerians: religion or integrity? Perhaps something is wrong with how we have been evangelized.
Back home in Nigeria, Nigerians who are not corrupt are seen as fools by their fellow Nigerians. Their wives mock them. Those Nigerians who studied abroad and now see the world differently, hardly ever come close to political offices in Nigeria, they just won't fit in. And yet we love Jesus the most, we are the bastion of faith in Africa.
Do you know why your visa has been rejected many times? It's because your passport is a Nigerian passport. Ask your friend from Tanzania, he'll tell you how easy it is for him to get a visa.
Do you know why your admission into that European University is taking long? It's because they're still investigating your documents to be sure that they're not fake. Ask your South African friend, he already got an admission.
Now that a new word has been added into the Oxford Dictionary "Nigerian Scam" (please google it) we can be sure that our position in the world is first place. Think Nigerian, but let it be that your reputation is important. Identify as Nigerian, but make sure those who come after you are not denied privileges because of you. Because of those who represent us positively around the globe, because of the many Nigerians who work to earn their living, I am proudly Nigerian. I am proudly Nigerian because because Wole Soyinka is, because Pius Adesanmi was, Chinua Achebe was, because Anthony Cardinal Okogie is, because Chimamanda Adichie is, because Fela Kuti was, because of people such as Flora Nwapa, Ben Okri, Dora Akunyuli, etc. There are many models you could choose from instead of adding to our dirty script. Save other Nigerians from stigma: be true."

- Anthony Dim

The CITIZENS QUEST FOR TRUTH INITIATIVE on Tuesday 16th June 2020, visited the all-important Calabar- Itu Highway, to assess the situation of the road. From our findings, the stretch from Calabar-Itu bridge to Odukpani needs urgent remedial works or maintenance, to ease the burden of commuters on that road, pending the commencement of eventual dualization of that road.

The road is one federal project that has attracted a lot of criticisms to successive federal governments, even the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is not spared by his critics. This is because of the economic importance of the road as it links two major States in the Niger Delta Region, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.

For over 10 years, the over 130 kilometers Calabar-Itu Highway has been deteriorating steadily, when a part of it gets cut off from the other, palliative measures are only taken by government agencies to fix it. Even when contracts are awarded for its repairs, not much is done to save the over 30-year-old road which have left many to express speculations and worries if the road project has been abandoned.

During the tour to the much-talked about road to have a first-hand information on its true status, CITIZENS QUEST observed that the bad state of the road has affected tanker, truck and trailer drivers who have severally threatened to block the Calabar-Itu Highway with their trucks until governments come to their rescue.

Ordinarily, a trip to Uyo from Calabar should last about an hour or 75 minutes maximum. But due to the night marished condition of the road, that trip now lasts between five to six hours and much longer when a vehicle is trapped. Currently, granite is being spread across very bad portions to remedy the situation.

The significance of this particular road cannot be over emphasized. CITIZENS QUEST wishes to use this medium to call on Federal and State Representatives, Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, Ministry of Works, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and related agencies to, as a matter of urgency, rescue the dilapidated Calabar-Itu Highway.

The Calabar - Itu road requires swift intervention of government by way of dualization and expansion.

The group acknowledges the brilliant efforts made by the government of President Muhammadu Buhari in developing the Niger Delta Region and calls on the Federal Government to take more urgent steps towards the completion of the construction of Calabar-Itu Highway to improve lives, businesses and transportation in the region.

#CitizensQuest
#C4yourself
#CalabarItuhighway
#NDDC
#FERMA
#Ministryofworks
#MinisterofWorks

A DEMOCRACY DAY REFLECTION

Democracy day in Nigeria reminds us of the day the military relinguished power to the civilians after a popular call by the Nigerian people on the need to return power to the people by way of democracy. The current civilian rule is so far the longest and has been uninterrupted for twenty one years now. Before the June 6, 2018 decision by the current government of president Buhari, to make this day the new democracy day, it was previously held on the May 29 of every year. Today marks the first June 12 democracy day celebration in Nigeria. This day is equally important as it reminds us of what is till date regarded as the freest and fairest election in Nigeria's history which took place on this date in 1993, won by the late M. K.O Abiola, but was annulled by the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida. Perhaps, this is in a bit to heal all wounds and calm all nerves especially from quarters in the country who still consider such as largely unfair and disappointing.
June 12, now democracy day was formerly known as Abiola day, celebrated in Lagos and some south western states of Nigeria. Today, it has finally kick started as our democracy day in Nigeria. It is a public holiday and reminds us of the long and hard fight that took place in the restoration of democracy in Nigeria.
As youths, we should understand that a meaningful democracy requires the meaningful participation of youths. Young people have much to offer especially in today's Nigeria, from innovation to creativity to new thinking. Our participation in democracy promotes active citizenship, strengthens social responsibility and enhances democratic processes and institutions. Let us be reminded also that, today's young citizens are tomorrow's leaders and decision makers.
As we celebrate this democracy day, let us be reminded of the challenges of poverty, discrimination, barriers to education, limited employment opportunities and many other things affecting the youths, and be determined to meaningfully participate in the democratic processes. Let us regard these challenges as real threats to our democracy. Let us seek to partner with our political leaders in democratic decision making and build partnership with them. Let us as young people take part in responsible and challenging activities that meet genuine needs, so as to have the opportunity to participate in planning and decision making. Also, let us not forget that our participation can make a difference.
Finally, for the Nigerian Youth Congress, Akwa Ibom State Chapter, democracy day is an ideal time to consider how youth engagements with traditional state and federal democratic institutions can be increased and that we must ponder about and work out strategy to achieve same. We must join hands together as youths to make a different and bring about the much desire change and the time is now.
Happy Democracy Day Celebration to all the Youths of Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria at large.
Long live the Nigerian youths,
Long live Akwa Ibom Youths,
Long live our country Nigeria.

Yours in Youth Service
Nigerian Youth Congress Akwa Ibom State Chapter

Barr. Aniekan Etim
Chairman

Citizens Quest For Truth Initiative

Press Release



The Citizens Quest For Truth Initiative wishes to reiterate her surprise as the unusual interest of the National Assembly in the tenure of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), as expressed in our last press release.

Citizens Quest, as an accountability advocacy group, would have ordinarily welcomed the probe committee set up by the Senate on 13th May, 2020, but considering the timing, it is hard to accept.

This is not for any other reason but the fact that there is currently an on going forensic audit, instituted by President Buhari, on that commission. It is therefore a surprise that the Senate would rather probe an organization already being probed by an arm of the same Government.

To a large extent, the Senate is not only setting up a conflict of interests with the Executive, but also, indirectly raising objections to the forensic audit.

Citizens Quest believes that the Senate could as well move a motion to the effect that whatever area of their interest, if not covered by the terms of reference given to the forensic auditors.

We are worried that the IMC will rather be distracted in their mandate to the Niger Delta, faced by various probe teams. This is inimical to to the development of the region, which the senate claims to favour. This probe, coming at a time the commission has taken delivery and about to distribute Covid19 Test kits and set up test centers in the 27 Senatorial districts of the region, is anything but well intended.

Again, we are shocked that a senate that has refused to lend to the clarion call by Citizens Quest and other stakeholders in the Niger Delta region, for urgent attention and completion of the abandoned East-West highway. This is a flagship project of the region, which is now comatose.

We yearn for an effective NDDC, probably, more than any other individual or group has done in recent times, and we urge the Senate to support the speedy conclusion of the Forensic audit, while allowing the IMC the needed concentration to function.

Signed

Chief Obiaruko Ndukwu
President Citizens Quest

Francis Ndimkoha
National Publicity Secretary

One morning at our Law class, when our new Lecturer for "Introduction to Rights" entered the lecture hall, the first thing he did was to ask the name of a student who was seated on the first bench: "What is your name?"

"My name is Justin, Sir."

"Leave the classroom and I don't want to ever see you in my class ever!" screamed the unpleasant lecturer.

Justin was bewildered. When he got hold of his senses, he got up quickly, got hold of his books and left the classroom.

All were scared and angry; however nobody spoke anything.

"Well, let's start the class," said the new lecturer. "What purpose do the enacted laws serve?"

We were afraid, but slowly gained confidence and we began to answer his questions.

"So that there is order in our society."

"No!" the teacher shouted.

"So that people pay for their wrong actions?"

"No! Doesn't anybody here have enough brains to know the answer to this question?!" asked the teacher, sarcastically.

"So that there is justice," said a girl timidly.

"At last! One person who is not a complete slowpoke! That's correct so that there is justice. And now, what is the use of justice?"

All of us were extremely uneasy with his rude attitude. However, we continued trying to answer....

"To safeguard human rights."

"Well, what more?" asked the teacher.

"To differentiate right from wrong and to reward the good."

"Ok, that's not bad. However, answer this question: Did I act correctly when expelling Justin from the lecture hall?"

All were quiet, nobody answered.

"I want a decisive and unanimous answer!" he shouted.

"No!" we all replied in unison.

"Then could you say I committed an injustice?"

"Yes!"

Then his voice softened and he asked, "And why did nobody do anything in that respect? So why do we need rules and laws if we don't have the necessary will to practice them? Each one of you has an obligation to do something when you witness an injustice. ALL of you! Do not stay quiet, never again! Go and call Justin," he said staring at me.

On that day, I received the most practical lesson in my course of Law. When we don't defend our rights, we lose our dignity, and dignity is not negotiable.

~ Barr Edidiong Udofia

President Muhammadu Buhari has extended the tenure of the Professor Keme Pondei-led Interim Management Committee of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) from May 1 to December 31, 2020.

The extension is to cover the period of the forensic audit of the NDDC, earlier approved by the Federal Executive Council, under the chairmanship of the President.

In the same vein, President Buhari equally approved that the NDDC provides intervention support to complement efforts of the Federal and State governments against further spread of COVID-19 in the nine States of the Niger Delta region, in the sum of Six Billion, Two Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (N6,250,000,000.00) only.

The materials and supplies are to be done through Emergency Procurement method as provided in Sections 42(b) (c) and 43 of the Public Procurement Act, 2007.

Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
April 30, 2020

Ingratitude is both a demotivating factor to God and man. Recall in the Bible when God delivered the Israelites from their foes, the tradition was the institution of yearly memorial feasts from the day of victory to the days after them. These memorials served as a gift of gratitude to God for past deliverances and opened more doors for prosperity in the land of Israel.

In the New Testament also, the Bible records the healing of 10 lepers by Jesus Christ where just 1 of them came back to appreciate his healer. Jesus is recorded to have fortified his healing thus, making him ‘wholer’ than the other 9 who never saw the need to return in appreciation of Him.

The story is not different from today’s world where a lot of people clamour for promotion, good health, blessings and what have you without going back to the facilitators of their answered prayers to say “Thank you”.
This is perhaps the reason “help” has become a herculean task to practice as many helpers have later turned out to regret the help they offered to a needy in times of want. It is not news that a lot of help given to people have been used against them directly and indirectly.

In Akwa Ibom State, this scenario plays out on some appointees of the state government who have never said a thing – positive or negative – about the government they are eating from. They do not embark on constituency briefings on the government’s activities or call for support for it, they do not address the press to make or counter assertions, they do not speak even in the lowest tunes about the government, neither have they done a single benefit to their constituents from their allowances or salaries; they are just there!

They literally sit on the fence and are known only at gatherings where they are mandatorily required to be. It is not news that some appointees of Governor Udom Emmanuel are not even known by name or face to their constituents. Worse more is that a chunk of them cannot explain the actions of their boss and his government to the understanding of the public. It is that bad!

Another set of ingrates killing this administration are those appointees in the government and those elected into the party exco who go about philanthropic activities across the length and breadth of the state as though they are spending their personal hard-earned money.

They establish foundations and use same to attend to the needs of people in the rural and urban areas which is quite commendable but never attribute their source to the government, mention the governor’s name or call for support and thanks to Him, notable of this foundation is Ini Ememobong foundation and a host of others.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, these persons and foundations(Ini Ememobong foundation) have been at the fore of support for medical workers, embarking on sensitizations, giving palliatives and other laudable activities without attribution to the government.
Rather than sell the Governor and his kind thoughts to the people, they showcase themselves as the author and finisher of their philanthropic moves and take glories for a privilege they were given to serve.

At the end of the day, they steal the shine off the Governor by creating an impression in the minds of people, of being better off than the sitting government and being able to do more if given the opportunity to serve in a higher capacity.

This unhealthy contest which shows the servant as being better than his master should not be encouraged at a time like this where collaborative effort are most needed.
Political appointees should know that they were put in place to support and not overtake, outshine or snub the government they are working with/for.

Fellow NLers,

I heard recently that unwanted pregnancy can be stopped. No need of taking contraceptives or other dangerous means. I was told that a simple salt and water solution would be enough to prevent conception. To go about it, after intimacy (without using protection) the girl puts a pinch of salt in a half cup of water, mixes it and then drinks it. That stops the sperm from getting to the eggs. How can this be? If this works, why do we still have unwanted pregnancies around the place?

Pls is it true? I need opinions.

By Imoh Usen

After the 2019 governorship election was won by Governor Udom Emmanuel, there was a popular clamour among his supporters that the State Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Comrade Ini Ememobong should be appointed the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy . Till date the agitation persists.

This is a glaring vote of no confidence on the current Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Charles Udoh. Never in the history of Akwa Ibom State has the information machinery been handed over to a group of clueless and incompetent people. Today, rightly or wrongly, Governor Udom Emmanuel is widely seen as a wicked, clueless, unfeeling, and incompetent leader who care less about the welfare of the people of Akwa Ibom State despite the humongous amount the State receives monthly from the Federation Account. 

During the immediate past dispensation that the current Member representing Abak – Etim Ekpo – Ika Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Aniekan Umanah held sway as the Commissioner for Information, you could accuse him of many things but not that he was incompetent. Nothing he did plunged the State's information machinery into chaos like we are witnessing today.

Since the COVID 19 saga, more than at any other time, outings by the Akwa Ibom State Government media team  have been disastrous. The media team has an inept leader, Mr Charles Udoh. Fearing the spread of coronavirus in Akwa Ibom State, there were agitations for Governor Udom Emmanuel to order closure of all schools and lockdown the State as were being done by many other Nigeria State Governors. 

In fairness to Governor Emmanuel, he actually responded decisively. But, his response was not adequately communicated to the people. Instead of emphasizing his order to have all schools shut on a certain day, what his media team communicated to the public was the Governor defending and rationalizing his decision not to shut down schools.

Does it sound confusing? No, it does not. Look at what it is this way: major newspapers, which reported the Governor’s first broadcast, had as headlines: “Akwa Ibom: we won’t shut down schools.” In the true sense, the Governor did order schools to be shut within one week, but this was not adequately and properly put out. The problem was that of miscommunication which portrayed the Governor as being insensitive and uncaring for the well being of the people. The damage had already been done!!

Next, the number one image maker of the State, Mr Charles Udoh appeared on an interview programme in a local radio. He was asked what measures the Government had put in place to cushion the effect of the pandemic. His haughty response was that Akwa Ibom State has a population of seven million people therefore, the Government cannot afford to distribute hand sanitizers and food to everyone! Are you kidding me! Yes, that came from the Commissioner for Information and Strategy.

Soon after, Akwa Ibom people began to read about and see on the social media efforts that individuals and governments are making to ameliorate the suffering of the people during this time. Efforts include the distribution of hand sanitizers, food items and cash gifts to the people. 

In any case, was it not the same Governor Emmanuel who, during the elections season and such as never experienced before , literally broke into the State vaults in order to indulge vote in buying spree? Did his Party agents not invade most households in each electoral unit to share cash? People have asked why he can't do so now to ameliorate the problem that people are going through at this time. Have you seen the viral video of the Akwa Ibom widow who threw herself to the ground, defied securitymen  and lamented about the hunger that she and her children were going through during this lockdown? 

The following day after Mr. Charles Udoh's interview, as if on a counter mission, Comrade Ini Ememobong, launched a media blitz, hitting the streets to distribute hand sanitizers to the people through his foundation. Comrade Ini Ememobong has since been doing what Charles Udoh said was impossible for the State Government to do. That was another major public relations disaster for Governor Udom Emmanuel.

Next, Akwa Ibom State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), through its Public Relations Officer, raised concerns about the level preparedness by the State Government with regards to handling the coronavirus pandemic. Charles Udoh's response was to impute political motives to that legitimate concern and shout down the Publicity Secretary. 

But, the NMA official, who claimed to be an ardent supporter of the Governor, had won the hearts of Akwa Ibom people for telling the truth to power. In their usual crude and reactive nature, media aides of the Commissioner of Information fell over themselves to write about the number of “ventilators" made available by the State Government. 

In a bid to justify the wishful thinking of Governor Emmanuel that Coronavirus can never enter Akwa Ibom State, Charles Udoh in conjunction with the Commissioner for Health, Dr Dominic Ukpong held a Press Conference to announce their rejection of the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) declaration that five index cases in Akwa Ibom State had tested positive for coronavirus. I have never seen any other State in the country receive so much bashing on social media like was given to Akwa Ibom. Mr. Charles Udoh, whom we are told wrote the script of that infamous Press Conference, made Akwa Ibom State a laughing stock in the comity of States.

It is by the Charles Udoh's unstrategic and convoluted information management practices that Governor Udom Emmanuel has been rated the worst performing Governor in Nigeria with regards to preparations against COVID 19 spread. Please look up "The Best and the Worst Performing Governors So Far" list.

This is hardly surprising in the Udom Emmanuel Government in which incompetence has been elevated to State policy, especially by a clique of Akwa Ibom State Government officials popularly referred to as “Lagos Returnees”. Governor Udom Emmanuel is their cheerleader. 

Nobody can point to a single project that the Governor has initiated and completed in five years. Akwa Ibom people refer to his so-called industries as “audio industries” because they are either not operational or have not been adequately explained to the people. 

Gov. Udom Emmanuel's band of media aides know nothing about sensible and effective communication. Their areas of specialization are swarming on social media to insult critic of the government and to copy and paste poorly written stories about the State Government. What sustains their hatchet jobs is the ability to abuse Senator Godswill Akpabio.

They take a cue from Mr Charles Udoh. The man is so obsessed with Senator Akpabio that few days ago he said on radio that the Ibom Specialist Hospital built and commissioned by the administration of Governor Akpabio was not roofed. This is the same hospital that the then Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole as quoted by a report in PREMIUM TIMES, said he had never seen such a complex in Nigeria.

The report reads in part: "The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, made this promise on Saturday in Uyo while inspecting facilities at the Akwa Ibom government’s owned Ibom Specialist Hospital.

"Mr. Adewole noted that with facilities at Ibom Specialist Hospital, medical tourism abroad can be reversed.
“Visiting the hospital complex today is an eye opener, there is no such complex like this anywhere in Nigeria,” the minister said.

"He announced that with the proposed partnership, no Nigerian would be allowed to go abroad for treatment on government sponsorship from Jan. 2017... with this facility, no Nigerian will be allowed to go abroad for treatment,” Mr. Adewole said.

This is the same hospital that Mr Charles Udoh and many privileged government officials were treated during the collapse of The Reigners Bible Church. But because he has to bash Senator Akpabio to keep his job today the hospital is not roofed. So much for incompetence!

1. "All Schools in the State are to be closed down with effect from Monday, March 23, 2020. All Religious Organisations are to restrict their activities."My dear good people of Rivers State, as painful as these decisions may seem, it is a sacrifice we must make to protect ourselves in the face of recent developments." - Nyesom Wike, Governor Rivers State.

2. "Given the measures aforestated, it is our belief that there is no need to shut down our public schools, which are supposed to close in a week’s time. I urge you to go about your normal duties
Thank you and God bless." Udom Emmanuel, Governor Akwa Ibom State

3. “Schools will only resume after we have done a proper evaluation of the situation. If it is for schools to remain closed until even after Easter, we will come back and let people know, but, as for this moment, schools are going to be closed.” - Seyi Makinde, Governor Oyo State

4. “All public and private primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in the state are hereby directed to close on or before 24th March, 2020. Henceforth, Tarabans are encouraged to maintain social distances by avoiding intimate etiquette by avoiding handshakes, hugging and even kissing which medically has been proven to be some of the ways the virus can be transmitted." - Darius Ishaku, Governor, Taraba State.

5. “All public and private schools and institutions in Ekiti State are to close down from Monday, March 23”. All non-essential workers in private and public sectors are encouraged to work from home from Monday, March 23” - Dr Kayode Fayemi, Governor, Ekiti State.

Reprieve has come the way of Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga Rtd, as he is set to nominate another family member into the state executive council.
Despite concerns and counter opinion being raised about his insistence in always nominating his family members, the former Governor is still bent on making his wife the Commissioner.
Report has it that apart from his wife who is serving as a PA to Martha Udom, his brother, Samuel Nkanga is presently the Vice Chairman of Nsit Ibom LGA and another of his brother Amanam Nkanga is the SSA to the Governor on peace and conflict resolution


A source who pleaded to remain anonymous said
Nkanga informed a group of carefully selected supporters at his residence in Uyo on Thursday night that he has on several occasions been reminding the Governor on the need to recognize his contribution and the role he played in the 2019 general elections that saw to the victory of the PDP in the state.
He insists that the Governor will compensate him by giving him a slot as he was duly recognized and rewarded same in the last administration of Obong Godswill Akpabio who he admitted was magnanimous in offering him a slot in the state exco, "As the DG of campaign organization who led the party to victory, I'm entitled to a slot in the state executive council,
I nominated the Commissioner for Education who was later moved to Ministry of Women Affairs in Akpabio's regime." Nkanga boasted.

Quizzed on the influence of the present Commissioner for women affairs,Dr Gloria Edet the former Governor said she has benefited in the merger of two major ministries Agriculture and Women Affairs.
The Governor has assured me that he will unbundle the Ministry to give way to new hands who are expected to perform credibly in his completion agenda and he tipped his wife as one who could deliver as he said his wife is more experienced in handling women than Gloria Edet.


Our source also added that the elated Nkanga went on to say that the chances of another lobbyist, Mr Victor Umondak emerging the Commissioner has been dimmed with the proscription of secret cults by the state government. Obong Victor Umondak, a former Chairman of Nsit Ibom LGA and a renowned leader of a deadly cult group was also one of his options for the Nsit Ibom slot of Commissioner but with the recent ban on cult activities by the Governor he doesn't stand the chance of making it to the Executive Council unless the Governor is not sincere with the proscription.

" Udom can't afford to deny me the opportunity to nominate a Commissioner when he has accorded the National Legal Adviser of the party the honor of nominating two persons into the state executive council. Barr Emmanuel Enoidem has nominated his boy Barr Mbetobong Okpongette and one Mrs Umana into the yet to be constituted state exco." Nkanga was quoted to have told his supporters.