January 5, 2022
Our attention has been drawn to a video making the rounds on social media which indicates that one of the match officials who took charge of the Match Day Four fixture of the Nigeria Professional Football League between Dakkada and Remo Stars in Uyo last Sunday may have been assaulted.
We wish to state that we had not noticed the gory incident as indicated by the circulated video before now mainly because it may have occurred at the end of the match but we completely frown at it.
Our prestigious club has zero tolerance for any form of thuggery and other forms of indiscipline which are capable of bringing the beautiful game to disrepute including assault on match officials or members of the visiting team as available records, right from our days in the Nigeria National League, bear us out in this regard.
To this end we wish to state as follows;
1. That the individual who has been indicted by the video has been identified.
2. That for security reasons the identity of the indicted individual would remain concealed from the public but revealed to the appropriate quarters including the League Management Company (LMC) and the Nigeria Police Force.
3. That the incident has been reported to the Nigeria Police Force through the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of Akwa Ibom state Football Association who is a Superintendent of Police for thorough investigation and prosecution.
4. That the identified individual has been banned with immediate effect from all activities related to Dakkada Football Club for an initial period of one year pending the outcome of both an on-going Internal review of the incident as well as the outcome of the investigation of the Police.
In the interim, we sincerely apologize to the affected match official and the entirety of the Nigeria (Football) Referees Association, the LMC, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the general public.
January 5, 2022
BAN ON SCRAP SCAVENGERS IN AKWA IBOM STATE AND ENFORCEMENT OF EXISTING BAN ON THE USE OF MOTOR CYCLES WITHIN UYO METROPOLIS:
1. BAN ON SCRAP SCAVENGERS
The Government of Akwa Ibom State has, with immediate effect, banned the activities of scrap scavengers in the State. This follows several incidents of grave infractions including acts of criminality and threat to peaceful inter-ethnic relationship in the state by operators of this enterprise. The action of Government is also in consonance with public sentiments amidst popular complaints against the activities of these scavengers who wantonly violate peoples properties, stealing and assaulting law abiding citizens in the process.
Recall that sometime in 2021, multiple explosions, causing fatalities, were recorded in Oruk Anam Local Government Area in the course of scavengers sorting out what turned out to be military brand explosives. About four lives were lost in this incident. Similarly, on 2nd Jan, 2022 scavengers violated the premises of a citizen in Afaha Oku, Uyo Local Government Area in an attempt to cart away properties. While attempting to prevent the scavengers, the citizen was callously murdered in cold blood while mob action was visited on the scavenger assailants causing the death of the two scavengers. Sundays appear to be the busiest day for these scavengers who take advantage of mass Church attendance to invade homes and cart away valuables leaving hapless citizens with tales of woe upon their return from Church.
As a responsible Government, we can no longer tolerate the activities of this industry which evidently is in no way adding value to the socio economic well being of the state but rather escalating tensions and threatening the overall peace and security of the State. Accordingly, the operations of scrap scavengers in the State is banned forthwith. Violators of this ban will be apprehended and dealt with according to the law.
2. BAN ON MOTOR CYCLE OPERATION WITHIN UYO METROPOLIS AND ENVIRONS.
Government has observed with dismay and serious concern the flagrant defiance of the ban on Motor Cycle operations within Uyo metropolis and environs. This ban order is hereby reiterated with a warning that defaulters stand to lose not only their Motor Cycles, if apprehended, but also risk being prosecuted and possibly sentenced.
Security Agencies and the general public are therefore put on notice. An enforcement structure has been put in place to effect these directives to the letter.
The General public should be rest-assured that the Government of Akwa Ibom State will leave no stones unturned in ensuring the safety of lives and properties as well as the peace and security of the state
October 4, 2021
The Akwa Ibom State Government has frowned at unauthorized levies and fees purportedly imposed on pupils and students in public primary and secondary schools in the State.
The Commissioner for Education, Mrs Idongesit Etiebet stated this in an interview with Journalists over the weekend, shortly after the independence day celebration in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State Capital.
According to the Commissioner, several reports have been brought to her notice and accordingly, the investigative team from her office had long swing into action. She however, reassured that on conclusion of all Investigations, all erring school heads and Principals will be sanctioned accordingly.
Etiebet who reiterated that Education is free and compulsory in all public Primary and Secondary Schools in the state, cautioned those Head Teachers and Principals who are bent on sabotaging the State Government’s effort to desist from such actions.
According to the Education Boss, the massive rehabilitation of dilapidated structures in public schools, ongoing fencing projects, Prompt payment of WAEC fees, payment of subvention, recruitment of teachers, prompt payment of Teachers salaries, amongst others, are clear justification that Education remains a priority in the Governor Emmanuel’ completion agenda. She called on Teachers to compliment the state Government’s effort by discharging their responsibilities in line with the government’s Education policies.
Meanwhile, Parents and Guardians have again been advised to report all illegal charges and irregularities in public schools to the Akwa Ibom State Government through educationmonitoring1@gmail.com or 09035734549 and 07010293974 (WhatsApp and SMS only).
September 29, 2021
Beyond bribery and embezzlement of funds, nepotism and the subsequent display of incompetence by some political office holders have been identified as two of the strongest drivers of corruption in Nigeria.
Mr ETANNIBI ALEMIKA, a professor of Criminology and Sociology of law at the University of Jos, believes that sacrificing competence on the altar of nepotism is the bane of corruption and its attendant effects.
He stated this in his lecture on National Security and the Opportunity Cost of Corruption at the two-day capacity building retreat of the Independent Corruption and Other Related Offences Commission -ICPC in Uyo.
Professor ALEMIKA questioned the effectiveness of the Federal Character Commission in the selection of candidates for political appointments and urged the national assembly to rise to the occasion.
The Federal Character Commission created by decree in 1996 primarily to implement and enforce the Federal Character Principle aims at ensuring fair representation of all states in the public service.
On the sidelines of the event, the chairman, house committee on anti-corruption, SHEHU GARBA told Inspiration FM that it is expedient for citizens to join the national assembly and other actors in the war against corruption.
The ICPC chairman, Professor BOLAJI OWASANOYE also told Inspiration FM that the retreat focused on the relationship between crypto-currency and corruption and the need for legislation to regulate the practice.          Â
Our correspondent OKODI OKODI reports that the retreat featured discussions on various topics, including public service and integrity, illicit financial flows and understanding crypto-currency, money laundering and terrorists financing threats.
