April 8, 2024
The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Akwa Ibom State, has received its 19th state coordinator, Mr Christopher Okun.
Okun succeeds Mrs Chinyere Ekwe, who has been redeployed to the NYSC Area Office in Minna, Niger State, after the expiration of her tenure.
A statement signed by NYSC Public Relations Officer, Mr Udogwu Madukaku, on Saturday, said the new coordinator was the Deputy Director (Operations), South South Area Office, Asaba, in Delta.
He said that Okun is a graduate of the former Bendel State University, now Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Edo State, where he graduated in 1987 with a B.A. (Hons) in History.
The statement reads in parts: “With this appointment, Mr Okun has become the 19th Chief Executive Officer/State Coordinator of the Scheme in Akwa Ibom State.
“The new State Coordinator is expected to bring his rich expertise in the course of his many years with the NYSC to bear on the activities of the scheme in the state and to move it to the next level.”
The NYSC PRO said Ekwe, in her handover note, welcomed Okun to the state, assuring him that he was in good hands, as staff of NYSC Akwa Ibom have served NYSC diligently during her time.
The statement said the new state coordinator commended Ekwe for her show of good leadership qualities and her motherly disposition towards the corps members and wished her well in her new station.
April 8, 2024
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has terminated the contract for the Nsit Atai/Okobo/Oron Road abandoned for several years by successive governments.
The road had remained incomplete since the administrations of former Governors Godswill Akpabio (2007 – 2015), and Udom Emmanuel (2015 – 2023).
The contract termination followed complaints and protests by the people of the three local government areas and a socio – cultural organisation, the Oron Union.
Governor Umo Eno announced the termination during the funeral ceremony and thanksgiving service in honour of late Mrs Deborah Ekaette Imaikop Enoidem, mother -In-law of the Immediate past Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem held at Ikot Epkene Udo Village in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of the state.
Udo used the occasion to reel out projects undertaken by his administration in the Oro Federal Constituency in the last 10 months of his assumption of office.
These include the 2.1km Ukpong Street, 2.1km Essang Street, Orukim-Uyenge Universal Energy Road, Okopedi Road, by East West Road, Secretariat Oruko Eweme Road, and re-modernisation of Oron Bridge.
He assured that his administration was bent on executing more projects in Oro Nation, and indeed, the entire state.
Governor Eno disclosed that each of the 31 LGAs in the state has at least two projects currently ongoing and assured that the government “is judiciously spending government resources by channeling the funds into projects for the benefit of Akwa Ibom citizens.”
He also warned the people to desist from obstructing projects with illegal structures, in expectation of being paid compensation.
“There is no LGA in the State which at least two projects are not ongoing. By the grace of God, we will continue to do more. We are spending money on projects and people are working and making a living from those projects.
“We will continue to use the state money for this state. We will create jobs, and government will support hardworking people who are ready to work. Our administration will continue to touch rural people. During our campaign, I promised to serve you, and I will continue to serve you,” he stressed.
He reiterated that despite these hard times with excruciating cash crunch, his administration has not taken any loan to execute any of the ongoing projects in the state.
“All the projects we have been doing, we are proud to say, we have not taken one loan from any bank in the last 10 months. I believe that we can use the resources we have in this state to work for the our people.
“I thank the Oro People, our in- laws. I’m working for you, as I do with the entire state, and I will continue to work for you. I will serve you in Oro Nation by building on the foundation of my predecessor. We will do much more,” he added.
March 11, 2024
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted sunshine and haziness from Monday to Wednesday across the country.
NiMet`s weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja forecast a sunny and hazy atmosphere on Monday over the northern region throughout the forecast period.
According to it, cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine are expected over the North Central States, with prospects of localised thunderstorms over parts of Benue State during the morning hours.
“Later in the day, localised thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of Benue and Kogi.
“Increased cloudy conditions are anticipated in the morning hours over the inland states of South and coastal cities, with chances of morning thunderstorms over parts of Imo, Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, Abia, Cross River, Rivers, and Delta states.
“Later in the day, localised thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of Osun, Ekiti, Ogun, Edo, Ondo, Oyo, Imo, Abia, Enugu, Anambra, Cross River, Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Lagos states,“ it said.
According to NiMet, sunny and hazy atmosphere is expected over the northern region throughout the forecast period on Tuesday, with chances of localised thunderstorms over parts of Taraba and Kaduna states during the evening hours.
It envisaged patches of clouds over the North Central region with prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Kogi, Nasarawa, Benue, and the Federal Capital Territory during the morning hours.
The agency envisaged localised thunderstorms over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Kwara, Nasarawa, and Kogi states later in the day.
It anticipated cloudy skies over the inland areas of the South and the coastal cities, with prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Lagos State during the morning periods.
NiMet predicted localised thunderstorms over parts of Osun, Oyo, Ondo, Ogun, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Anambra, Cross River, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, and Delta states in the afternoon and evening hours.
According to NiMet, sunny and hazy atmosphere is expected over the northern region throughout the forecast period on Wednesday.
“Increased cloudy conditions with chances of early morning thunderstorms is expected over parts of Plateau, Nasarawa, and the Federal Capital Territory during the morning hours.
“Later in the day, localized thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of Kwara, Nasarawa, and Kogi states.
“Cloudy skies are expected over inland cities of South and Coast, with prospects of localised thunderstorms over parts of Imo, Ebonyi, Abia, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Lagos states in the morning hours,“ it said.
NiMet anticipated localized thunderstorms over parts of Abia, Ogun, Edo, Imo, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Lagos states in the afternoon and evening hours.
The agency urged the public to take adequate precaution as strong winds might precede rains in areas where thunderstorms are likely to occur.
“Temperature values are still high, especially in the North; please stay hydrated. Airline operators are advised to get updated weather reports and forecasts from NiMet for effective planning in their operations,“ it said.
March 6, 2024
In a bid to alleviate the hardship faced by Citizens due to rising food prices, the Akwa Ibom State Government has announced plans to introduce redemption centres where registered vendors will offer basic food items at discounted rates to impoverished individuals holding government-issued food vouchers.
Governor Umo Eno disclosed this initiative during a speech delivered at the All Nations Christian Ministry at its March first Sunday service in Uyo, the state Capital.
Expressing concern over middlemen exploiting the current situation by hoarding staple foods and reselling them at exorbitant prices, the Governor emphasized the need to ensure that food aid reaches those in genuine need.
“We want this food to get to the real people,” Governor Eno stated. “If not properly managed, people would buy it, hoard, and resell at a higher price again to the masses.”
He acknowledged the challenge of ensuring the success of government programs, attributing their failure at times to such exploitation.
Pst. Umo Eno said the proposed system will utilize a social register to identify eligible beneficiaries, and food vouchers will be distributed accordingly.
“Redemption centers will be established across the state, including in local markets, where individuals can exchange their vouchers for essential food items.
To prevent fraud and counterfeiting, Governor Eno mentioned the implementation of security printing for the vouchers and warned against any attempts to forge them. Additionally, measures will be taken to identify and apprehend individuals attempting to sabotage the process.
He also assured support for farmers, stating that the ministry of agriculture would provide necessary inputs for cultivation and would be prepared to purchase surplus harvest from willing farmers.
“The initiative signifies the government’s commitment to addressing the challenges of food insecurity and exploitation, while also supporting agricultural development within the state “he said
