The Bayelsa State government-owned Niger Delta University (NDU), Amassoma, will resume academic activities on January  6, 2014, its Registrar, Mr Tombra Morris-Odubo, has said.

The registrar, who made the disclosure in a statement issued in Yenagoa, stated that all students were expected to return to school today, January 3, 2014, adding that first semester examination would commence on January13.

He noted that the university fixed the date for the resumption after its Senate had reviewed the academic calendar of the institution.

According to the calendar, first semester examinations will commence one week after resumption, beginning with the Faculty of Education on January 13.

The Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of the university, Mr  Beke Tuobokiye Sese, said he had not been contacted on the resumption date.

He, however, said lecturers were ready and willing to return to the classroom after the five-month strike by university teachers.

He said, “we are ready for academic work so as to make up for the lost time.’’

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, last Monday, said the nation’s primary healthcare sub-sector was underdeveloped due to inadequate funding.

Okowa, (PDP-Delta North), who made the remarks at the Illah Day 2013 celebration at Illah in Oshimili North local government area of Delta State,  said the sector, being the bedrock of every society, had suffered because there was little or no attention paid to it.

Okowa said adequate attention should be paid to the development of primary healthcare as the only way to touch lives of people at the grassroots.

He said this could be achieved through allocation of certain percentage of funds on annual basis to develop the sub-sector and attract development to the grassroots.

Okowa commended the Illah Development Union of Nigeria (IDUN) for its commitment to the development of the communities.

The senator said he would partner with the union to establish a befitting health and skill acquisition centres for youths in the community.

The President-General of IDUN, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, said the union had recorded tremendous achievements through the support of some individuals and philanthropic organisations.

He said that the union had assisted in building a primary healthcare centre, providing palliative measures at controlling floods, and upgrading of Illah Girls Basic School to full-fledged secondary school.

He added that the union would turn attention to furnishing/equipping the Youths Skill Acquisition Centre in the town.

Ezemonye pointed out that the union would revive the entrepreneurial spirit in youths to tap from the gains of cottage activities in the area of textile, welding and carpentry.

The traditional ruler of Illah, Obi Nwabuenu Mebu, said the community had witnessed some levels of development in the last few years.

It has been revealed that occupants of the  vehicles involved in a ghastly accident at the Zarama axis of East/West road last weekend were heading to Calabar, for this year’s annual  carnival of the state.

At least,  seven passengers were roasted to death, leaving nine others with fatal injuries  following an accident. The accident which generated fear in the community occurred at about 10.20am causing heavy traffic jam on both sides of the road.

One of the vehicles involved in the accident , an 18 seater Toyota Hiace with registration number YB 820 AAA was said to have exploded and gone in flames after the collision resulting to the death of the passengers including  its driver.

An eyewitness, Mr. Joel Ebi, said the commercial bus was travelling from Warri in Delta State to Calabar, Cross River State when the crash occurred.

The second vehicle, a Toyata Siena bus with registration number BJ 292 BWR was conveying a family of eight from Warri to Aba, Abia state.

It was gathered that only the driver of the Siena bus sustained a minor injury.

Remains of the passengers have been deposited at the morgue of the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri by officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC),while the rescued commuters are receiving medical treatments.

It was gathered that both vehicles were on speed as one of them was attempting to over take which resulted to the collision as both vehicles veered off the road.

Another witness, Mr. Amabebe, said immediately the accident occurred, the Hiace Bus veered off the road and found itself close to his farm, adding that he heard a loud explosion before the vehicle caught fire. He said:” The bus suddenly burst into flames. We rushed to the scene and were able to rescue seven of the passengers.

One of  the survivors of the accident  in the  Siena bus, who maintained anonymity thanked God for saving her life and her family.

In an interview, an official of the FRSC, Chukwuma Ukaegbu, who is the Unit Commander of Sagbama local government, blamed the accident on total disregard to traffic regulations by the accidented vehicles.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Alex Akhigbe, confirmed the accident but said he was yet to get the details .

The sole Spiritual Head of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, Leader Olumba Olumba Obu, says his organisation has commenced the erection of a state-of-the-art ultra-modern multi-million naira orphanage home.

Director of the home, who represented the Leader Olumba Obu, Ambassador Onyero Emefiele, disclosed this at the end of year Children party organised by Olumba Obu to celebrate the Xmas Festival with the inmates at the mini orphanage home at the world headquarters of the church in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

She explained that  they have acquired  large  hectares of land  where speedy development is on-going adding that  the level of project execution is up to 80 per cent  with contractors on site trying to round off with the project before the second quarter of next year to ensure smooth take off  of the home

According to her, when completed, the orphanage  will have a playground, a nursery, primary/secondary school, a modern library, a clinic with medical experts and nurses.

Also speaking, Manager of the orphanage home, Sister Eno-obong Ntuk, who spoke on the category of inmates said that the inmates are in two categories which include pure orphans whose both parents may have passed on to the great beyond stressing that when such kids grow up and become of age, they would be allowed to go away from the home to carry on with their lives.

She added that the second category are those who are on fostering basis perhaps because their parents may not have the wherewithal to cater for the kids or the kid may have had a spiritual challenge and the parents lacked the capacity to cope  or resolve  the situation until their problems are resolved.

On how they get inmates, Ntuk averred that when a baby is picked up, “we take the child to the police station and in most cases we run advertorials in the news media that we have picked abandoned baby before finally accepting the kid into the home to join other inmates.

On the history of the orphanage home, she said that the whole idea was conceived by mother Elizabeth, Olumba Obu’s wife, in 1969, during the civil war era where stranded and emotionally broken people often visited Olumba’s wife to seek solace and perhaps have free meals.

She said that as time went on, 70 per cent of such persons remained and depended on mother Elizabeth for survival.

According to her, in 2013, Leader Obu got the orphanage registered with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and the Cross River State Ministry of Social Welfare to continue with the good work.

The Manager called on the Government and its relevant agencies to come and aid the orphanage home saying “when you educate a child, you shut the prison door to persons,” she added.

Also speaking, Care-giver in the home, Mrs. Sache Kingston, said that presently the orphanage home has 39 inmates, stressing that her vision is to ensure that the kids live well and become truly useful citizen who will grow up to contribute to the nations’ economic development.

NUPPPPROW Chairman, The Tide unit Comrade, Amesi Abraham, addressing workers during 2013 End of Year Party at Commercial/Production Hall of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation. With him is the state Chairman, Comrade Larry Onwhonda (right) and state Secretary of the Union Comrade Williamson Sinto. Photo: Nwiueh Donatus Ken

Senate Leader, Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba, says that devolution of powers from the Federal Government to the State Governments will enhance rapid growth of the country.

Ndoma-Egba, representing Cross River Central Senatorial Zone on the platform of PDP, said this on New Year day in Calabar in an interaction with journalists.

He said that the long years of military rule had foisted on Nigeria a unitary system with a strong Federal Government while the federating units had become weaker.

‘’I believe there should be devolution of powers. With long years of military rule, powers were over centralised. ‘’So, I support a stronger federating units and a less strong centre. We must take more powers to the federating units,’’ he said.

The senate leader said that the current administration was doing its best to address various issues confronting the nation.

‘’The problems of Nigeria were not caused by President Goodluck Jonathan. ‘’The President is doing his honest best just like those before him had done their best and those after him will also do their honest best,’’ the lawmaker said.

On cross-carpeting by some politicians, he said there was nothing wrong in the movement of politicians from one political party to another, describing it as democratic process.

He said that while some politicians defected from the ruling PDP to other parties, some politicians would also defect to the PDP in the New Year.

‘’I am convinced that the movement will continue in the New Year with some politicians also moving to the PDP,’’ he said.

He called for the reconstruction of Calabar-Itu-Ikot Ekpene road and Calabar-Ikom-Ogoja-Katsina Ala road, saying the roads were in bad state.

Commander, The Nigerian Navy, NNS Jubilee in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, Commodore Isaac Ogbole, last Saturday said the command had arrested seven persons believed to be oil theft suspects.

Among those arrested were four Camerounians-Elias Mume, Lappa Bamileke, Fabian Lemonmu and Meluis Amah, and three Nigerians – Emeka Igbokwe, Michael John and Egbe Jame.

Commodore Isaac Ogbole told newsmen in Ikot Abasi that the suspects were allegedly caught “red-handed” on December 31, 2013.

“The suspects were nabbed at Agbani area, close to Bakassi Local Government Area, the border between Nigeria and Cameroun,” he explained.

He said that the suspects were intercepted after intelligence reports indicated that they were travelling from Ibaka in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom to Cameroun in a boat while pretending to be businessmen dealing on provisions.

Ogbole disclosed that the suspects were intercepted with 134 drums of 250 litres each, loaded with Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS), concealed under some assorted provisions, while heading toward Cameroun.

He listed other items recovered from the suspects to include two Yamaha outboard engines and two oil pumping machines.

“From all indications, it was clear that the men were not only carrying petroleum products. They could have equally smuggled arms and ammunition into the country. “They have made useful statement to my men and told us that their master is somewhere in Cameroun. From what we are seeing, they are perpetual smugglers who come in and out of the country,” he said.

The suspects were promptly handed over to the Akwa Ibom Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC). The state’s NSCDC Commandant, Mr Pedro Ideba, who spoke shortly after receiving the suspects, promised to ensure a thorough investigation toward effective prosecution of the suspects.

Ideba assured Nigerians of the command’s determination to stop oil theft, and described the crime as a huge economic sabotage.

“People come into our country and steal our crude oil to other countries. They will adulterate it and re-sell to our people. This act must stop,’’ he declared.

Ex-militants in Bayelsa State have applauded the policies and programmes of Governor  Seriake, saying that they had ensured peace, security and development in the State.

Spokesman for leaders of ex-militant groups in the State, Mr Eris Paul, gave the commendation in an interview with newsmen in Yenagoa.

According to him, efforts by past administrations in the state to curb cultism, sea piracy, kidnapping, and oil theft, did not yield much result.

He said the present administration had made remarkable strides in curtailing the vices, adding, “before now, the state was gripped by violence and insecurity, but the present administration has brought peace and development in the last two years.’’

Paul also said that the Dickson administration had shown commitment to the development of basic infrastructure in parts of the state which had impacted positively on the lives of the people.

“Dickson has done a lot; many of us had not seen a flyover in this state in the past, but we have started witnessing it in our generation; we are very much impressed. The era of violent crimes and threat to life is over. The era of cultism and armed robbery attacks is also over in the state’’, Paul said.

He noted that government had done a lot in the provision of infrastructure because of the relative peace and security in the state.

“Development cannot take place in an atmosphere of violence and kidnapping of contractors. Maybe what we are seeing now is the beginning of what is to come. Everywhere I go now, I boldly say Bayelsa is one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria’’, he added.

He called on the people to support government and the security agencies to ensure the sustenance of existing peace and progress in Bayelsa.

The people of the South-South geo-political zone have been called upon to unite and initiate a vibrant and integrated regional economy that would serve as a model to make Nigeria more productive and competitive.

The Amanyanabo of Opobo, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja made the call last Friday in Opobo, in an address to mark the 10th anniversary of his coronation.

In the address titled “Our Kingdom Must Reach The Future That Beckons”, King Jaja stated that such initiative would reverse the neglect visited on the Niger Delta and other communities locked out by self- serving political elite from positive integration with Nigeria’s crude oil based economy.

According to the monarch, it was needful for all politicians of the South-South states to leverage on the opportunity of a president from their home region to actualise a vibrant integrated regional economy.

Recalling his pledge during his coronation on January 3, 2004 to “build a framework to stimulate and translate into concrete milestones, the collective aspiration of the people”, King Dandeson Jaja said he had created mobilisation committees which had engaged various kinds of professionals, businessmen and women as well as other interests. These, he said, were fashioning out linkages to appropriate government and corporate establishments in Rivers State, Nigeria and the outside world, with a view to pulling Opobo Kingdom and its neighbours out of desperation caused by the uprooting of our local economy.

The royal father recalled efforts by himself and his council of Alapu (chiefs) to build support for the shared customs and tradition of the kingdom in a way that it would be authentic and more responsive to the demands of the changing world.

He however expressed sadness that the widely acclaimed Opobo International Boat Racing and regatta, which won federal government accreditation within two years of its existence had met with government denial, even by the Opobo/Nkoro Local Government.

The coronation anniversary was concluded with a thanksgiving service at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Opobo in which the king read the only lesson taken from 1st Kings 1:32-40.

King Dandeson in his speech at the  Church service urged his people to be cautious during the on-coming political campaigns period so as not to let politics divide them.

The events were attended by distinguished personalities including traditional rulers, from within and outside the south-south region, and captains of industry.

The Amanyanabo of Nembe, Dr Edmund Daukoru (left), receiving the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Retired Rear Admiral Gboribiogha Jonah (right) for a test drive of the ongoing Ogbia-Nembe Road in Bayelsa State recently.

A former vice chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Edo State, Mr Mamud Umar, has supported the introduction of competency test for primary school teachers by the state government.

Umar said yesterday in Auchi, Etsako West Local Council, that it would assess the intellectual capacity of the teachers and encourage them to be more alive to their responsibilities.

The state government had fixed Jan. 11 as date for the competency test for all primary school teachers across the state.

The competency test is coming on the heel of the sack of 836 teachers by the government in 2013 due to falsification of age and certificates forgery among others.

“The proposed competency test for primary school teachers across Edo State is necessary and timely due to the poor teaching standard by some teachers in the state. “The test is a platform to discover those who have the knowledge to teach the children,’’ he added.

Umar, however, wondered why the governmet restricted the test to only primary school teachers.

“I am not denying the fact that there is need for a test, but the manner it was introduced and restricted to only primary school teachers is suspicious,’’ he said.

The former NUT official called for the continous training and re-training of teachers in the state to enable them update their knowledge and skills for effective teaching.

“Government needs to train teachers and equip them with new skills and ideas to enable them perform their duties adequately,’’ he said.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Delta State last Monday said it recorded a total of 504 crashes involving 842 vehicles in 2013.

The Sector Commander, Mr Imoh Etuk, who disclosed this in an interview in Asaba said that 1,720 casualties were recorded from the crashes out of which 168 died and 1, 446 persons were injured.

He attributed most of the crashes to over speeding, burst tyres, loss of control, over loading and wrong overtaking adding that most drivers in the state do not always obey traffic signals whenever they are on the road.

The sector commander said more enlightenment programmes were organised in the state in the year under review which helped in the reduction of the crashes.

He said most of the crashes recorded in the state involved inter-state commercial vehicles, adding that 17, 398 motorists were apprehended for various traffic offences during the period.

Etuk said a total of 20, 353 traffic offences were recorded across the state last year, while 11, 364 vehicles were impounded.

He identified seat belt violation, riding motor cycle without helmet, light signs and number plate violations as the prevalent offences during the period.

The sector commander said 9, 118 of those arrested were enlightened on traffic regulations and made to pay fines of between N2, 000 and N50, 000 before their release.

The Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of police, Zone 5 command, said on Tuesday that 150 armed robbers were arrested in a total of 124 armed robbery cases reported in 2013. The zone comprises the three states of Edo, Delta and Bayelsa.

Argungu, who was briefing reporters yesterday in Benin, said the figure was against 163 reported cases and 181 arrests made in 2012.

The AIG said 2013 witnessed a drastic reduction in crime and criminality, owing to the crime preventive strategies put in place in the zone.

Giving a breakdown of major crimes in the zone, Argungu said 70 kidnappers were arrested in 43 cases reported, adding that  the figure was against the 43 reported cases of kidnapping and 101 arrests in 2012.

Argungu said 70 kidnap victims were rescued in 2013, as against 52 rescued the previous year and gave the number of ammunitions recovered  10,150 as against 9,480 recovered in 2012. Argungu said while  firearms recovered in 2013 were 205, 198 were recovered in 2012 adding that  the number of murder cases also went down from 17 in 2012 to 12 in 2013.

The AIG, however, said the number of cases charged to court increased  from 50 to 67 in 2012.

Argungu attributed the successes recorded in 2013 to effective supervision by the zonal headquarters, of the three states under it.

“Worthy of mention is also the robust partnership the zone enjoyed with members of the public who were always willing to give useful information in the area of crime fighting and prevention. Inter-agency partnerships and cooperation with sister agencies also played a key role in adding value to our efforts at making the zone peaceful and safe,” he said.

Argungu said men of the zone were always ready to ensure safety of lives and properties and he urged members of the public to continue to cooperate by providing the police with useful information.

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo (UNIUYO), Prof. Comfort Ekpo, has appealed to the Federal Government for funds to develop infrastructure in the institution’s permanent site.

Ekpo, who made the appeal in Uyo while conducting newsmen on tour of facilities at the university, said that infrastructure decay was one major challenge facing the university and solicited financial assistance from corporate organisations and individuals.

She said that the university was still operating in makeshift structures at its Town Campus inherited from the defunct College of Education, Uyo.

The vice chancellor said that most of the structures were built in the 1950s when the campus started as a teachers training college and later it metamorphosed into Advanced Teachers Training College.

“Currently we have had to face inadequate office space for academic, administrative and other staff, inadequate lecture halls and poor standard students’ hostels, among others. “The University of Uyo has the burden of severe infrastructure decay that needs to be addressed holistically if it must become one of the elite institutions in Nigeria as envisaged. “While the university has been trying to focus on building its permanent site, it has to react to some challenges on its other campus. “This is like burning a candle from both ends,” she said.

The Vice Chancellor, however, said that in spite of the challenges, her administration had maintained excellent academic culture and produced some high quality graduates.

Ekpo said that all the academic programmes of the university had received full accreditation except pharmacy, which she said would soon be accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

L-R: Commodore Muhammed Garba, Rear Adm. Sidi-Ali Usman and Commodore V. Okeke, addressing a news conference in Warri last Monday.

The Political Adviser to
Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, Chief Fred Majemite, says construction of more dams will ensure water for all by 2020.
Majemite, a former commissioner for Special Duties, said this in an interview on Tuesday in Benin.
He said that rehabilitating abandoned regional water projects would also ensure the realisation of the 2020 MDG Goal of Water for All.
He said emphasis must be placed on harnessing water resources, adding that it was gladdening that the Federal Government was already addressing the issue in its transformation agenda.
The Adviser noted that though water was available in the southern part of the country, oil exploration and oil spillage had contaminated available domestic water sources stating said that the Federal Government was currently deploying measures to ensure the treatment of drinking water across the country.
He noted that the challenge of availability of potable water in the country was more intense in the northern part of the country, adding that with the construction of dams, the issue would be tackled.
The political adviser observed that the construction of dams across all the states had been an uphill task to the Federal Government.
He, therefore, called on the various state governments to assist the Federal Government in this regard by putting measures in place to ensure availability of potable water.
Majemite, who was a former Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Urban Development in Delta, also called for the amendment of the Land Use Act of 1978 in line with modern realities.
He said that the clauses in the Act which vested the power to own and control land on the government should be removed, stressing that the people and communities were the owners of land and not government.
He also said that land titles should be freehold, to provide a better title for investors coming into the country, noting that investors were used to being freeholders of land.

The chairman Ogba/Egbema/
Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State Chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN),Comrade Azubuike Ezekudo says his administration would work towards uniting ONELGA youths for the development of the area.
Comrade Ezekudo stated this during the thanksgiving church service/inauguration of the newly elected eleven man executive of the NYCN, ONELGA chapter held at the St Patrick Catholic Church Ndoni, last Sunday.
He used the opportunity to appeal to the youths in the area to remain peaceful and be agents of peace adding that no meaningful development can thrive in an atmosphere of rancour, crisis and destruction.
He assured that the new executive will justify the confidence reposed on them even as he sued for support and cooperation among all in the area.
The ONELGA NYCN leader expressed satisfaction with the commitment showed by the ONELGA Council chairman Hon. Austin Ahiamadu in curbing youth restiveness in the area as well as providing employment for teeming youths through the ONELGA mass transport scheme.
Comrade Ezekudo assured the council boss of their support and willingness to partner with his administration in order to promote peace and harmony that bring investors to the area for the benefit of the people.
The ONELGA youth leader said that his administration would promote and build a virile youth organization in the area and thanked the S.A on Youth Affairs to the ONELGA chairman Hon. Christian Ojuba for his support during the election that ushered in the new executive in the area.
Also speaking, the Secretary General NYCN  ONELGA chapter, Comrade Ordu Collins assured that the executive will work as a team and called on all development partners in the area to open channels that would promote youth development  in the are.
Other elected officers are Stanley Ohagwazue Vice chairman, Nwaomah Anthony , Treasurer, Amirize Prince Eze, Assist Sec, and Vincent Nmebuna, Fin. Sec.  Also elected includes Duke Nwagbara, PRO I, Ahakwo Richard, PRO II Engr Okiridu Ugochukwu, social secretary, elebachi Chukwudi, welfare secretary while Obiosa Chinedu was elected as auditor.

The Nigerian Army in
Calabar, the Cross River State capital has said it destroyed 36 petroleum tankers and six “Cotonou” boats allegedly used for illegal bunkering in Cross River.
The outgoing Commander of 13 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Okwudili Azinta, announced this last Wednesday while presenting a scorecard of his command activities in 2013.
Azinta said that the tankers and boats were destroyed at different locations in the state by members of the Joint Task Force (JTF).
According to him, oil theft in Cross River has reduced while most creeks that are being used to refine stolen petroleum products are now being patrolled by men of the JTF.
“With the combined efforts of the JTF in Cross River, sea robbery and piracy have also been reduced in the waterways of Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.
“Also, there is no militant camp in Cross River; the Efut Esighi militant and shrine camps in Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River have been destroyed by the Nigerian Army.
“All these were made possible by the zero-tolerance to illegal oil bunkering in the state,” he said.
He said that the command under his leadership had trained 40 officers on intelligence information gathering.
“The Army needs appropriate and timely information to strengthen its operational network.
“The Army also needs expertise through training to collate, gather and make information which can be used to arrest crisis before it escalates.
“The idea of the training was nursed from the fact that the military needed such training on warfare in the present 21st century,” he said.
The commander also said that the brigade, under his command, hosted and won the 82 Division Inter-Brigade Proficiency Combat Competition.
Our correspondent reports that the command is executing some projects in the barracks which include the renovation of the old residence of the former governor-general of Southern Nigeria.
Others are single officers’ accommodation, 13 Brigade Urban Communication masts, and a block of 30 flats for soldiers and others.
Azinta advised officers and men of the command to key into his leadership style in building the Nigerian Army worthy of emulation.
Azinta has been transferred to 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Benin, as the new commander.

The people of Akam in
Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River state, have commended the Federal Government for all its on going rural transformation policy in all nooks and crannies of the country.
The commendation followed the award of contract for the construction of flood and erosion control by the Cross River Basin Development Authority (CRBDA) which is acting on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.
Speaking on behalf of the community, the Clan Head of Akam, His Royal Highness, Ovarr Clement E. Ogar, thanked the present administration in the state, the Presidency, the Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma Egba and member representing Ikom I State Constituency, Hon. Agbiji Mgbe Agbiji, for attracting the contract to their village.
In his words, “this year is a year of love, progress and development in the entire country. We are peace loving people especially with our neighbours. Before now, we never knew that Akam will be remembered by any government. But today, you can see our roads being tarred with erosion control.”
Ogar regretted that the flood and erosion problem had lived with the community over a period of years and expressed their gratefulness to God Almighty for keeping them alive to witness this tremendous transformation of their village.
He, however, called on the state government to also assist in the renovation of St. Patrick’s primary school whose roof was blown off recently by a windstorm and the grading of their farmland roads.
Also speaking, Hon. Peter Ejukwa Edim, one time Supervisory Councillor for Health in Ikom Local Government, described the transformation in his village as unprecedented in the history of the community, and commended Senator Victor Ndoma Egba and member representing Ikom I State constituency, Hon. Agbiji M. Agbiji for always speaking for Akam community.
The Secretary, Akam Traditional Rulers’ Council and a retired Superintendent of Police, Mr. Stephen O. Agbor, said “I lack word to express the joy in the faces of my people on the transformation of our community and commended those behind it.”
He called on the Federal government to establish a cocoa industry for the production of beverages in Akam because of the quality of cocoa it produces which is the best in the country.
The youth leader, Mr. Arong E. Arong, expressed joy over the siting of the project in Akam Community. He advised the people to be steadfast and not relent in supporting the PDP government at all times.
Earlier, the women leader, Mrs. Achi Okey Edim, said “that Akam women will continue to support all the policies and programmes of PDP and commended the presidency for siting the project in the community.”
She commended the rural transformation of Senator Liyel Imoke in the area of provision of free health care to mothers and child, renovation of school, provision of electricity in all the 18 local government areas of the state.

The executive of ONELGA chapter of National Youth Council of Nigeria, posed in a group photograph after their inauguration in Ndoni recently.

The Head of Service in
Cross River State, Ntunkae (Mrs.) Mary-Theresa Ikwen, has called for the posting of police personnel to government establishments as well as top government officials to enhance safety of lives and property in the State.
In a courtesy visit on the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG)  Zone 6 in Calabar, Mrs. Ikwen  maintained that her call became necessary, to forestall the infiltration of government offices as well as attacks on government officials  by hoodlums.
She pointed out that, as a federal establishment saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives and property, there was need for interaction and strong synergy between the two establishments for the enhancement of this goal.
The Head of Service recalled that in the past decades, police presence was noticed in all government establishments and appealed to the AIG to direct the return of policemen to government establishments especially, new and old Secretariats as this, according to her, would boost security in these areas.
Ikwen explained that due to the absence of police services in and around government establishments, government has been forced to engage the services of private security outfits whose reliability she maintained could not be guaranteed as according to her,  government is contemplating the  recruitment of security personnel and therefore sought for Police cooperation in their training.
Responding, AIG,  Jonathan Johnson, commended the Head of Service for the visit which he noted would enhance a strong working relationship between his office and that the State Civil Service.
On threat to lives and property, the AIG noted that the atrocities caused by criminals, were not peculiar to the civilians alone as several police officers had been victims of these nefarious acts which he noted needed to be adequately addressed.
On the request of posting police personnel to government establishments and top civil servants, the AIG noted that though this did not fall directly under his jurisdiction, he would direct the State Commissioner of Police to take necessary action on the request made.
He also lent his support to the use of private security outfit as this, he maintained, would complement the fight against crime in the State, while assuring of the training of the State Security personnel when the need arises.

Emmanuel Uduaghan of
Delta State says the Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH), Oghara, would commence kidney transplant before the end of the month.
Uduaghan, who disclosed this last Thursday at a news conference in Asaba, said the teaching hospital had perfected all arrangements to undertake its first kidney transplant in two weeks’ time.
The governor said that his administration had taken health issues very seriously and was determined to leave a lasting legacy in the health and other sectors.
He said that at present, the state government was subsidising the cost of kidney dialysis in patients in the hospital to reduce the financial burden of the treatment.
“The cost of dialysis in DELSUTH is the cheapest in the country and this is because we appreciates the pains these patients go through to have the required three sessions of the dialysis in a week,’’ he said.
Uduaghan said that his government would sustain the free rural healthcare programme as well as free maternal and child healthcare programmes.
On water supply, the governor said the government was addressing the challenges, adding that it would partner the communities.

An Educational Adviser in
Malawi, Prof. Ken Longden, has challenged the old boys association of Community Secondary Grammar School, Ugep, Cross River State to ensure that their alma-mata benefits from the State Government’s on-going infrastructural facility to post primary schools.
Longden threw the challenge while bidding farewell to the Old Boys, saying he felt delighted to see students he taught 43years ago at the age of 22, excelled in their various professions and commended them for the wondrous initiative of making him visit his former school once again.
He said that although the institution has witnessed serious transformation right from the period when he left till date, he still believes more has to be done so as to keep the flag flying.
The former teacher maintained that he was aware that the machinery of government is currently being managed by COSGRAM old students who 43years ago were under his tutelage.
Among his former students mentioned  were former Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Ivara Esu, current Unical VC, Prof. James Ekpoke, current State Chief Judge, Justice Okoi Ikpi Itam, former Governor of the Cross River, Chief Clement Ebri, Chief Ogban Ebock as well as Elder Bolaji Anani.
He however advised them not to relent on impacting on the younger generation particularly on issues that pertains to the nation’s educational development.
The Educationist wondered what could have brought him from the United Kingdom to Nigeria and then Malawi and again back to Nigeria courtesy of COSGRAM old boys and advised them to unite as one invisible entity so that they can have a better chance of attracting and initiating policies and programmes that would make the school breed best graduates in the country.
He urged the old boys to capture the history of the institution and include it into the archives and annals of history, so that in future the younger generation of students would have to know that was how it was in those days.
Longden, therefore appealed to the old boys to try and preserved the few traditional structures that are left in Ugep (a village where the school is situated) so that the generation yet unborn would have to know that structure of such nature had existed.
He also pointed out that the way and manner in which uncommon transformation is taking place, it could be very easy for every old structure to be completely eroded with the time.
The former teacher averred that education being a bedrock to any  given nation it cannot be toyed with, as no society thrives without investing much in its educational sector, advising them to stand up and ensure that they impact positively on youths education within their immediate domains given the fact that their communities had once aided them to succeed in life and today they have become men to reckon with.
“I can see that from generation to generation education is passed on, that is a strong value of education,” he contended.

No fewer than 36 petro
leum tankers and six boats used for illegal bunkering in Cross River State have been destroyed by the Nigerian Army.
The outgoing Commander, 13 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. Okwudili Azinta, made this known to news men in Calabar while presenting a scorecard of activities of his Command in 2013.
Azinta said that the tankers and boats were destroyed at different locations across the state by members of the Joint Task Force (JTF).
According to him, oil theft in Cross River has reduced drastically while most creeks that were used to refine stolen petroleum products have also been destroyed.
“With the combined efforts of the JTF in Cross River, sea robbery and piracy have also reduced in the waterways of Cross River and Akwa Ibom. “Also, there is no militant camp in Cross River. All these were made possible by the zero tolerance of illegal oil bunkering in the state,’’ he said.
On the area of information, he said that the command under his leadership, trained 40 officers on intelligence information gathering.
“The Army needs appropriate and timely information to strengthen its operational network. IT also needs expertise to collate, gather and make information analysis which could be used to arrest crisis before it escalate. The idea of the training was nursed from the fact that the military needs such training on warfare in the present 21st century, ’’ he said.
He further stated that the Brigade under his command hosted and won the 82 Division Inter-Brigade Proficiency Combat Competition.
Azinta charged officers and soldiers of the command to key into his leadership style in building the Nigerian Army worthy of emulation, stressing that men of the force could touch lives in the society if only they remain steadfast in rendering selfless services to humanity by maintaining peace and order in the country.
He said with the transformation agenda of the Chief of Army Staff which is to transform the Nigerian Army into a better force to meets its contemporary challenges. He was poised to key into by executing infrastructural projects that would enhance the operation of the soldiers within his ambit.
“I urged you to take the military job as selfless service because no man on earth can reward you, continue the good works you have been doing and to put more efforts in carrying out your civic responsibility,” he noted.
In his appreciation, one of the soldiers Capt. Achere applauded the out-going commander for his land mark achievement in 13 Brigade, Eburutu and Ogoja barracks.

Graduates waiting to be interviewed for employment at the State Civil Service Secretariat in Uyo, recently.