CSO Decries Upsurge of Insecurity in Akwa Ibom

 Rights group, Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN), has decried the upsurge in insecurity in Akwa Ibom State and called on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to rise to the occasion and stem the tide.

This was contained in a presentation made by the Director of the Center, Otuekong Franklyn Isong, during a Critical Stakeholders Meeting with the Deputy Inspector-General of Police,  South South, DIG Daniel Sokari-Pedro, at the Conference Hall, Akwa Ibom State Police Headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia, on Monday, 27th May, 2024.

The CHRAN commended the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, on efforts in tackling crime across the State since his assumption of office, elaborating that the Governor has provided patrol vehicles, gunboats and security gadgets to the security agencies in the State to boost crime fighting in Akwa Ibom. 

The CHRAN noted that the Governor has established the Ministry of Internal Security and Waterways as well as Ibom Community Watch (ICW) and appointed a Commissioner to oversee the activities of the ministry and the ICW and expressed worry over the upsurge of crime in the State.

The CHRAN lauded the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, CP Waheed Ayilara, and officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies in the State for their efforts in tackling crimes across the State. 

The Center noted that on assumption of duty, CP Ayilara toured the 31 local government areas and held interactions with the Chairmen of the Local Government Transition Committees and the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to ascertain their security challenges with a view to designing strategies to combat them.

The rights group urged the security agencies in the State to redouble efforts and rely more on intelligence gathering and community policing in order to nip the menace of rising insecurity in the bud.

The CHRAN advocated for improved welfare for officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force and called for improved insurance scheme for the Nigeria Police Force.

The CHRAN also made a case for improved welfare for retired police personnel. 

The Center called for regular training and retraining of officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force, urging Government at all levels to provide sufficient modern equipment to the officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies so as to boost crime fighting and enhance security in Akwa Ibom State. 

Other stakeholders who shared their thoughts at the meeting included the Assistant Inspector-General of Police Zone 6, AIG Jonathan Towuru; Deputy Inspector-General of Police (rtd) Yemi Ogunjemilusi; the Chaiman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Amos Etuk; the Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Akwa Ibom State Branch, Professor Emem Abraham; leaders of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC); Coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission in Akwa Ibom State, an aide to the Akwa Ibom State Governor on Youths, among others. 

The Stakeholders Meeting was hosted by the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Waheed Ayilara, who was also in attendance. 

NCCE Accreditation: CSO Lauds A'ibom Govt Over COE, seeks upgrade of college

 

By Freshgist 

A foremost civil society organisation in Nigeria, the Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN), has commended the management of the Akwa Ibom State College of Education, Afaha Nsit, Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of the State for securing the full accreditation of all Programmes of the College by the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) and Maintenance of infrastructure.

In a Goodwill Message signed by the Center's Director, Otuekong Franklyn Isong and Secretary, Barr. Christopher Ekpo, was made available to newsmen in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital. On the occasion of the 33rd NCE, 6th Degree and 1st Part-time/Sandwich Degree Programmes Matriculation Ceremony of the College, which took place on Friday, 24th May,  2024 in the College.

The Center noted that under the watch of Daniel Udo as Provost, the College has recorded numerous achievements, including the 100 percent accreditation of the NCE and Degree Programmes of the College, recruitment of new staff to replace exited staff, restoration of public power supply after years of blackout, reinvigoration and equipping of Education Technology Unit and the ICT Centre, establishment of effective portal, development of the entrepreneurial centre, establishment of transportation scheme, the running of an uninterrupted academic calendar, the achievement of peace and harmony on campus, the exhumation of over 9,000 NCE certificates that were pending since 2010, the development and use of the ICT to conduct free, fair and transparent Students Union Government elections, and the reinvigoration of sports and sporting activities.

The group noted that the degree programme of the College, run in affiliation with the Faculty of Education of the University of Uyo, is fast rising in patronage but decried that the College cannot admit beyond the quota assigned to it.

The CSO observed that the NCE quota of over 4,000 attracts only 69 students and advocated for the upgrade of the College by the State Government to the status of a University of Education, saying that if the College is upgraded, both degree and NCE programmes can be complementarily run by the institution, which will, by extension, enhance the quality of teacher education and broaden the space for higher education in Akwa Ibom State.

The Center urged the State Government to provide a masterplan for the College, perimeter fence, quality infrastructure, access and link roads within the College.

CHRAN recalled that it has, recently, paid advocacy visits to the College during which it appraised the College and recommended that it be upgraded to the status of a University of Education.

The group stated that the ceremony which was well attended by a cross-section of the intelligentsia in Akwa Ibom State and beyond was presided by the Provost of the College, Prof. Daniel G. Udo, with the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Idongesit Etiebet, represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary, Akwa Ibom State Ministry for Education, Mrs. Rose N. Bassey.

CHRAN LAUDS GOV UMO ENO AS AK-CARES DISBURSES FUNDS TO BENEFICIARIES IN AKWA IBOM

His Excellency, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno

Governor of Akwa Ibom state 

The Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN) has commended the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, as AK-CARES Phase 2 Progamme disbursed funds for nano, micro and small scale projects to needy communities and entrepreneurs in order to cushion the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Center's commendation was contained in its goodwill message delivered by its Secretary, Barr. Christopher Ekpo, during the disbursement of funds to beneficiaries of Akwa Ibom State COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (AK-CARES) Progamme Phase 2. 

The event took place on Wednesday, 15th May, 2024 at Ibom Hall, Babangida Avenue, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. 

The CHRAN recalled the global Lockdown in 2020 with the attendant pains and negative impacts on individuals, families, communities and businesses, which endure to this day.

The CHRAN stated that it had been elated when the AK-CARES Progamme was brought on stream and that when concerns were raised on transparency, it drew the attention of the Commissioner for Economic Development, Mr Emem Bob, who opened up the doors for the scrutiny and verification of the programme.

According to the CHRAN's Secretary, the Center, with a team from the Ministry of Economic Development, on Wednesday, 17th April, 2024, embarked on a verification tour of some projects executed under the AK-CARES in seven (7) local government areas of Akwa Ibom State, including Okobo, Oron, Nsit Ubium, Onna, Mkpat Enin, Abak and Oruk Anam, and held interactions with some officials of the AK-CARES and some beneficiaries of the Programme, which pointed to the transparency of the AK-CARES Phase 2 programme. The CHRAN Secretary stated that the CHRAN would soon embark on a tour of all Projects executed under the AK-CARES Phase 2 across the State in order to appraise their levels of success and to document them for the purposes of accountability and transparency.

The CHRAN urged benefitting individuals and communities to utilise the funds judiciously and safeguard the projects so as to ensure enduring benefits to their families, businesses, communities and Akwa Ibom State.

The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, was represented at the occasion by the Secretary to State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, who presented cheques to the beneficiaries. 

The occasion was witnessed by a representative of the Deputy Governor, Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries and stakeholders drawn from a broad spectrum of the State. The Secretary of CHRAN, Barr. Christopher Ekpo, led members of CHRAN to observe the occasion. 

AVN urges A/Ibom govt to ban scavengers, equip State police to secure public

 

 

By Freshgist 

Support group under the aegis of The Arise Volunteers Network AVN, has called on Akwa Ibom state Governor, His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno to take immediate action to ban scrap dealers and scavengers in the state to curb criminality and promote safety environment.

The group also urged the state government to take drastic measures to equip the newly established state police to secure all public infrastructures in the state.

In a press statement signed by the AVN Director, Amb. Pastor Etop-obong Nathaniel MBA+,JP, CIEHS, ICCA, AAIMWES appealed to the residents and Citizens of the state to volunteer their time, skills, energy, and commitment to support the Arise agenda by monitoring the state public infrastructures and reporting any challenges found immediately to the security agencies.

The release reads in part;

"The Arise Volunteers Network has made an unofficial inspection of public facilities in the state and has been appalled by the wanton and malicious damage done to these facilities. We have seen firsthand the destruction of schools, hospitals, and other governmental infrastructures, which has left many without access to essential services.

"We hereby  called on citizens/ residents to emulate Governor Umo Eno's visionary Arise agenda as it presents a unique opportunity for us to unite, rise above party, religious, and ethnic divisions, and work towards a common goal: a golden Akwa Ibom State where everyone thrives.

Specifically, we have seen that:

" St. Paul's School in Ekid Itam II has been destroyed by vandals, who stole the iron doors and windows to sell as scrap metal. A mad man has also been disturbing the school during school hours, putting the students and staff at risk.

" Offot Central School has been vandalized beyond use, leaving the students without a safe and conducive learning environment.

"We urge the government to provide security for these schools and install perimeter fences to prevent further damages. We also call for the renovation and rehabilitation of these schools to ensure that our children have access to quality education before the resumption.

"Furthermore, our inspection of the Atiku Flyover revealed that all the iron railings and solar lights have been stolen, leaving the structure vulnerable and unsafe for use.

"We urge all citizens, particularly our vibrant youths, to volunteer their time, skills, energy, and commitment to support the Arise agenda. Let us channel our energies into building a state that is prosperous, peaceful, and progressive.

"Let us shun vandalism and destructive tendencies, which only hinder our progress and undermine our collective well-being.

"We appeal to the our dear governor to please take immediate action to ban scrap dealers and scavengers, whose activities pose significant criminal and public health risks to our communities. Their activities have led to the theft of critical infrastructure, leaving many without essential services. Furthermore, their activities have contributed to the spread of diseases and environmental pollution.

"Let us arise, Akwa Ibom! Let us work together to build a golden state where everyone has access to quality education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and a safe and secure environment. Join the movement today and let us create a brighter future for ourselves and generations to come!