Gov Eno institutes N100m Education fund for students with disability in A/Ibom

 

By FRESHGIST 

Akwa Ibom state Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has setup a N100 million education intervention fund to assist physically challenged students in public tertiary institutions in Akwa Ibom State.

Eno made the disclosure when he granted audience to the University of Uyo chapter of the National Association of Students with Disabilities, led by Emmanuel Wisdom, in his office in Uyo, the state capital.

Announcing the intervention the governor said he was moved by the passion to give the student body a sense of belonging to underscore the political inclusion drive of his administration.

He mandated the office of accountant- general, secretary to the state government, ministry of education as well as ministry of women affairs and social welfare to supervise the disbursement of the fund.

He warned against bureaucratic bottlenecks in the disbursement of the fund, noting that the gesture was to encourage and make life easier for such students, stressing that some physically challenged persons were more focused than those with no disability.

“We will deposit N100m into that fund immediately to support all physically challenged Akwa Ibom students in public tertiary institutions and those residing around here.

“That money is set aside for them. The ministry of women affairs and ministry of education will verify that the beneficiaries are in school and pay school fees directly to their schools, then give them a little allowance to keep them in school until graduation.

"It's  just N100m; from time to time, we may augment it but for now we will put it there. The ministry of women affairs will ensure that they profile them properly so that they make sure they benefit from it.

“All you need is an approval to open maybe a joint account and the money will be kept there and the SSG will authorise payment.

“I don’t want the bureaucratic bottleneck of them applying and there is no money, so we put the money there for you to manage and give us the report but please let’s verify and make sure these are the right people and encourage them.

“This idea is to encourage them and make life easier for them. At least, if they want to go to school, let’s pay their tuition because they are doing well and even better than some of us who are not physically challenged, Eno said.

The governor also announced a cash donation to Udeme Emmanuel, a physically challenged student, in addition to a monthly stipend to aid his participation in the law school and assured him of automatic employment in the ministry of justice on his completion of the course.

“I believe that if the physically challenged ones among us love to go to school, we must support them, for Udeme Emmanuel who is leaving for law school, we will support him and pay monthly allowance for his upkeep and give him automatic employment in the ministry of justice immediately he is through with the law school”, the governor said.

Two of the students, Emmanuel Wisdom and Ubong Ikpe were appointed personal assistants on student matters and on students with disability respectively.

The appointees appreciated the governor for his political inclusion agenda, acknowledging that the physically challenged have been positively touched and promised to carry out their duties with diligence

Appeal Court upholds powers of FRSC to impound vehicle in A'Ibom

 

By FRESHGIST 

Court of Appeal, Calabar division has Maintained the powers of the Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) to impound the vehicle and place a fine on an erring motorist, one Micheal Benson (Esq) in Akwa Ibom State. 

Benson, the appellant who's a lawyer practicing in Uyo was arrested by the officers and men of the FRSC on patrol in 2017 for drivers license violation, vehicle licence violation and Tyre violation.

His vehicle, Toyota saloon car with reg nos:KTS 572 was impounded and a fine slammed on him by the officers. 

Benson however dragged the FRSC to the Akwa Ibom State high court Uyo in a suit nos:HU/FHR. 21/2017 challenging its powers and right to impound his vehicle and called for the enforcement of his fundamental human right.

He also demanded to be awarded a sum of N10Million as damages. 

The trial Judge, justice Aniekan Akpan dismissed the application for lacking in merit noting that the FRSC has the powers according to the constitution to impound vehicles and fine any erring motorist. 

Benson then proceeded to the Court of Appeal, for the judgement of the lower court to be upturned but the three man panel, Hon justice R C Agbo, Hon justice M B Barka, Hon justice B.B Aliyu, delivering judgement on Monday June 26, 2023 in suit nos:CA/C/305/2017. Michael Benson Esq vs FRSC, upheld the ruling of the Akwa Ibom high court.

Justice Aliyu who read the judgement on behalf of the panel ruled: "FRSC has the powers to arrest, prosecute within the ambit of Law denoted to the commission. We affirm the decision of the trial court and posit that the Appeal was grossly incompetent."

The court also dismissed the prayer that N10Million should be awarded to him as damages rather awarded a cost of N50,000(fifty thousand naira only) against the Appellant in favour of FRSC

Govt to Partner Turkey for Agric Devt in A'Ibom

 

By FRESHGIST 

The Akwa Ibom State government has begun  conversation with Turkish government on grounds of partnership to develop agriculture in the state.

The state Governor, His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno made this known during a courtesy visit to Hidayet Bayraktar, the ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Nigeria.

Eno also stated that agriculture was one of the areas of priority by his administration, adding that the state is willing and ready to partner with key players in the global agricultural sub-sector.

Recall, Turkey ranks high in agricultural production per hectare, and the government provides many opportunities and financial support for agri-business.

In Turkey, agriculture is one of the most important economic platforms that contribute to the growth of the country’s economy and it is a major producer of wheat, sugar, milk, poultry, cotton, tomatoes, and other fruits and vegetables, as well as apricots and hazelnuts for which it ranks as top producer in the world.

Governor Eno who was conducted round the Green House at the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey, assured the Ambassador that Akwa Ibom is one of the most peaceful states in the country and with large expands of arable land which, if maximally cultivated, could feed its people, the country and even more.

According to him, "Agriculture is our major focus, so we will like to work with you to achieve our goal on agricultural revolution; and I can assure you that you will enjoy Akwa Ibom State."

In his response, the Turkish Ambassador,  Bayraktar applauded Governor Eno for the visit and assured him that  his country would not hesitate to partner with the state government to achieve its aim of revolutionising the agricultural sector.

Akwa Ibom: NCoS decorates 305 newly promoted officers

By FRESHGIST 

Nigerian Correctional Service, Akwa Ibom State command has decorated a total number of 305  newly promoted officers and men from the command.

Speaking briefly before the decoration at the federal secretariat Uyo on Friday

The state controller,  Julius Ezugwu  tasked the newly promoted officers and men of the command to think outside the box on how to add more value to the Service and improve on their services to the inmates in-terms of reformation and rehabilitations. 

He congratulated the newly promoted and charged them to be more hardworking and committed in the discharge of their duties.

He also appreciated the Controller General of Corrections, Haliru Nababa FICMC, MFR, mni, for staff motivation and massive promotion saying that they have never had it so big like 2023.

 

He said, "the newly promoted officers, you know the task before us, it's no longer to safe custody inmates alone but you have to ensure they are reformed, rehabilitated and be prepared to be reintegrated into the society, that is why this promotion is a call for more responsibility for you to put in your best to ensure that these inmates do not just leave raw as they came.

"The new service has made a lot of provision that even after the training the inmates will not be stigmatized because they will be certified and when they are certified they can have a gainful employment on discharge from our facilities, so I enjoin you to know that this promotion is for more service to the society."

He also urged those who did not merit the 2022 promotion to be patient, remain loyal to the Service, and be devoted to their duties noting that they will be captured in subsequent promotions.

In separate goodwill messages, the Service Commanders who graced the event congratulated the decorated officers, urged them to give their best to the Service, and restated their commitments to maintaining the mutual collaboration existing between the Nigerian Correctional Service and their respective Services in the state. 

In a vote of thanks, the most senior among the decorated officers, DCC Paulinus Etim Ph.D. on behalf of others, expressed his immense gratitude to God for uplifting them to the next rank, and to guests for sharing in their joy. He further pledged their total loyalty and commitment to the Service and prayed for others who missed out, adding that promotion comes from God.

Our correspondent reports that the 305 decorated were part of the  10,131 officers and men of the Service whose 2022 promotion to the next rank was approved by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB).

Appoint fresh hands on governance- CHRAN Boss urges TINIBU, Umo Eno

 

CHRAN Chairman, Otuekong Franklin Isong

By Freshgist 

A rights group under the aegis of The Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN) has

Urged the President of federal Republic of Nigeria His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Akwa Ibom state governor, Pastor Umo Eno against recycling individuals that have been in the corridors of government but, to make fresh appointments into the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government from persons across the federation.

 The group explained that appointment of fresh hands will allow for fresh ideas, new strategies, zeal and vigour that will better drive the governance process of the country. 

In a Press statement signed by the Director and Deputy director Public Affairs of CHRAN, Otuekong Franklyn Isong, and Comrade Vincent Aluu respectively, made available to newsmen in Uyo on Wednesday, the group applauded President Bola Tinubu for hitting the ground running by making policies and programmes that will impact positively on the economic fortune of Nigeria. 

Isong also commended President Tinubu for the dissolution of the Federal Boards and Agencies except those established by 153 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). 

The group noted that only those with the right professionalism, character, competence, capacity and track record should be appointed to man the various positions, irrespective of political party affiliation, ethnicity or religion. 

CHRAN express satisfaction on the replacement of all the Service Chiefs with new ones by the President, added that "it will reposition and reinvigorate the security architecture of the country for efficiency".

At the State level, CHRAN commended the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, for setting the agenda straight by inspecting ongoing projects embarked upon by his predecessor and for taking deliberate actions that will further promote peace, unity and growth of the State under his watch. 

According to CHRAN,  "Governor Eno's visit to President Tinubu and Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio was a step in the right direction. 

"We called on Governor Umo Eno to also dissolve all State Boards of the various MDAs and to appoint fresh hands into them, asserting that; "these MDAs are the engine room of government and it takes strong institutions managed by men of great intellect and expertise for government policies to be formulated, intepreted, implemented and evaluated for better results."

"We advised the Governor to beware of sycophants and mediocres while putting together his team in order to succeed in the delivery of good governance to Akwa Ibom people".the group stated

10th Senate: Gov Eno salutes Akpabio, calls for collaboration

 

His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, Governor, Akwa Ibom state 

By Freshgist

The Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom state, His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno, has congratulated the newly elected Senate President of the 10th National Assembly, declared his readiness to work with him for the good of Akwa Ibom State.

In a press statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Ekerete Udoh on Tuesday and made available to journalists in Uyo shortly after the inauguration of Senator Akpabio as the Senate President.

The state governor described the election process as free, fair and credible, the governor said politics was over and now is the time for governance, appealing that all political actors work across party lines for the development of the state.

 “on behalf of the government and the good people of Akwa Ibom State, I send you our hearty congratulations on your emergence as the Senate President of the 10th National Assembly.

"The process was free, fair and transparent and is a testament to the deepening of our democratic traditions and ethos. I have always said that politics is over and it’s time for governance, and that, demands we work across party lines to advance the cause of our development.

“We stand ready to work collaboratively with you, to move the needle of development, growth and progress of our dear state in particular and the Nation in general. Once again, congratulations and God’s speed. “ The statement read.

USAID State2State tasks A'Ibom govt on conflict prevention and mitigation dialogue

 Cross section of participants with the conflict specialist Akwa Ibom State, Mr Cosmos Dinee

By Freshgist 

The State2State project ably sponsored by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has tasked ministries, Departments and Agencies of
government in Akwa Ibom State to be agents of conflict resolution and mitigation in their discharge of duties.

Declaring Open a day workshop on the theme; Quarterly Conflict prevention and mitigation dialogue Akwa Ibom State, held on June 8 2023 at Uranus Hotel, Uyo, the state capital. The state team lead-State accountability, transparency and effective state to state Activity, Mr Borve Paago-Imabel, disclosed that the workshop was aimed to promote good governance and service delivery for the new government.

Imabel, who was represented by the S2S conflict specialist, Mr Cosmos Dinee stated that while working to increase responsiveness of citizen priorities, that the project also have the mandate to implore the government agencies on capacity to manage societal conflict through prevention, mitigation and dialogue.

Dinee emphased that development cannot thrive where conflicts persist added that when everyone is carried along, conflict tendencies will be reduced in the state.

 He also called on government to always take deliberate effort in resolving conflict through informed dialogue.

 Stressing that when attempting to mitigate conflict, each and everyone must take cognizance of the certain vulnerable members of population, youth, people living with Disabilities and woman ensuring that they don't feels excluded at any point.

Dinee also charged the MDAs to always channel their energies productively in conflict resolutions for the general good of all.

"In state2state, Our focus is on three key areas; Basic Education, primary health care and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)

"These are critical issues in the sustainable development goals which is already running since 2015, when the mellinium development goals ended in 2015 and was replaced by the sustainable development goals , that what ever progress or effort was made on MDG 2000- 2015 should be taken forward by the SDGs 2016-2030.

So there are certain expectation from the United Nations that all states community, Local governments, and the world at large on achieving education for all by 2030.

"Under WASH, there's a strong concern on eradication of open defication so there's a linkage between them so we can't talk about health without wash and of course there's a place for education in all Eevee mentioned. So at the end we will be able to measure the effectiveness in service delivery using indicator drawn from our key sectors. And when u are talking about good governance, it is defined by the impacts of governance in lives of citizens . These are the areas we specialize on.

"We urge all government agencies to sit up as the new government begins, we encourage inclusive governance, if certain vulnerable members of population, youth, people living with Disabilities and  woman feels excluded at any point, it enough reason for conflict to arise.

"When addressing conflict that arises from fund, it must be associated with budgeting processes, citizens feels excluded and this drives conflict.

" So when management of public fund, people's opinion should be made priority  because there can also be violence of implementation, how well the resources was manage

"So, The PFM looks at the effectiveness of public finance management in the state and how they are able to impact lives of the citizen.

"All we want good governance and service delivery for the new government , drawing review the implementation of action plan and resolution from the previous quarterly dialogue and setting a workable agenda for the new government on governance improvement in priority sector, peace and stability of state inclusivity". He added

Ibom Air @4: Uriesi attributes speedy growth to hard work, dedication of staff

 

By Theresa Donatus, Uyo 

Encomium as Ibom Air celebrates it's Fourth anniversary on Wednesday 7th June 2023, attributes it's success stories to  its ability to deliver on the very high expectations of its shareholders and through  careful and painstaking execution of its business plan, hard work and dedication of its committed staff. 

Ibom  airline company, established and owned by Akwa Ibom State government   which commenced operations on the 7th of June 2019 says it has witnessed tremendous growth in just four years of operation.

Speaking with newsmen in Uyo on Wednesday, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Ibom Air, Mr. George Uriesi also used the medium to express his profound gratitude, on behalf of the board, management, and staff, of the airline to its loyal customers, associates, and stakeholders across the country and beyond for their support these past four years.

According to him, ""It is with immense pride that we celebrate Ibom Air's 4th anniversary today. Over the past four years, we have witnessed tremendous growth, exceeding our business plan projections and delivering on the very high expectations of our shareholder. 

"These significant milestones were achieved through the careful and painstaking execution of our business plan and the hard work and dedication of our very committed staff compliment. 

"I am pleased to say that in Ibom Air’s DNA, our unique internal culture of Excellence, Safety, Integrity, Passion, and Innovation, have become institutionalized and permeates our entire business. This culture underpins our determination to continue to offer our customers the highest quality of service in our industry.”

 

 In a press Release to celebrate its fourth anniversary, signed by the General Manager, Marketing, and Communication, Ibom Airlines Limited, Aniekan Essienette and made available to journalist in Uyo on Wednesday, stated that It has recorded significant milestones, surpassing even the projections, set for itself within four years of operation.

"With its modern fleet of aircraft, commitment to safety, and unparalleled customer service, Ibom Air has emerged as the preferred choice for travelers seeking safety, comfort, reliability, and affordability". She reports

Also commenting on the  IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification awarded to Ibom Air earlier in the year, the COO declared it   another testament to the Airline's  commitment to the highest safety standards in the industry. 

 “The achievement of IOSA certification, the imminent entry into service of the new, ultra-modern hub terminal in our home base, the commencement of aircraft maintenance at the brand-new MRO facility also in Uyo, and the forthcoming delivery of our first brand new Airbus A220-300, together represent a pivotal moment for the Company as we prepare to expand our services into West and Central Africa in the second half of the year". He said 

Ibom Air also used the medium to announce a fun event planned for the  9th of June 2023 to fete customers and critical stakeholders, as part of the activities to mark this year's anniversary celebration,  "For details on participation, visit-https://www.ibomair.com/ibom-air-4th-anniversary/". The statement stated 

Empower taskforce to seal stations with unbearable rates- Isong

 

By Freshgist 

A Rights group under the aegis of Centre for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN) has urged Akwa Ibom state governor, Pastor Umo Eno to set up taskforce to seal any filling station selling above approved price to curb economic hardship of the people in State.

Recall, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the fuel subsidy removal on Monday, May 29 during his inaugural speech, and since then, there was fuel scarcity, filling stations that are even dispensing fuel are doing so between N550- 700 per litre in the state.

In a press conference in Uyo on Thursday, CHRAN Chairman, Otuekong Franklyn Isong  explained that the pronouncement of the president on fuel subsidy removal was premature saying that subsidy in the 2023 budget runs till June 30.

Using urged the governor to empower the taskforce to deal decisively with anyone hoarding the product or selling at unbearable rate.

He recommended that the team which is expected to comprise members of the press, Civil societies, Civil Defence , Police , DSS should go ahead to seal off any station hoarding fuel or selling above the approved pump price  and the remaining fuel dispensed to motorists. 

He said,"We call on the governor of Akwa Ibom state Pastor Umo Eno to put up a committee that will go round to check any filling station that is cashing into the unfortunate situation to cause economic hardship on the people. Such filling stations should be sealed off so that it serves as a deterrent to others. I know other states can revert to normal price but Akwa Ibom state will not.

"Let the taskforce be made up of the press, civil society, civil defence , police , DSS any station hoarding fuel should be sealed off and the remaining fuel dispensed to motorists, any station selling above approved pump price should also be sealed off. 

According to him, "there is a provision made for the 2023 budget that subsidy  would run up to the 30th of June. The President's policy statement  in his inaugural speech,  has today  caused economic Chaos in the country. That statement has resulted into economic hardship the pump price has skyrocketed to N550 that is if you even see the fuel to buy. 

Food commodities and transportation have gone high.  Transport as at two days ago from. Eket to Uyo was 700, today it is 1500 that is if you will see vehicle to enter. A bolt ride from Ewet housing estate to Aka road was 400, now it is 1000. A bag of garri after the announcement just increased with 10,000 from the existing exorbitant price it is sold at 48 thousand Naira. Garri which is the commonest commodity is even more expensive than the N30,000 minimum wage of a civil servant. CHRAN is calling on Mr president to address the issue."