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Tag: Akwa Ibom

  • Prophet to serve 21yrs jail term for raping his daughter in Akwa Ibom

    Prophet to serve 21yrs jail term for raping his daughter in Akwa Ibom

    The Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Okoita, Ibiono Ibom local government, has sentenced a Prophet, Anwana Peter Essien, to 21 years in prison for allegedly raping his 10 year-old step daughter.

    The 37 year-old prophet was said to have raped his Junior Secondary School one step daughter on August 9, 2019.

    He reportedly had carnal knowledge of the victim when she stayed in his house at Itiam Street, Uyo, during the holiday.

    The convict, an indigene of Afaha Ise in Ibiono Ibom, had confessed during his evidence that a demon ‘pushed’ him in the midnight to forcefully undress the victim and have intercourse with her.

    Essien said, “I know the victim of this case. She is my wife’s daughter. In the month of August, 2019, she came to my house at Itiam Street, Uyo. I gave her food and she ate then after eating, I told her to remove her clothes but she refused.

    “I forced her and removed her clothes. I was the one that used my hand and removed my penis and forcefully inserted into her vagina and had carnal knowledge of her. When I was having sex with her, I did not use any condom”.

    In his judgement, Presiding Judge, Justice Okon Okon held that the confession was, “direct, positive and unequivocal that the randy stepfather had sexual intercourse with his step daughter.

    “The parameters established for the proof of rape, have all been satisfied by the evidence of the prosecution witnesses, including the victim and the medical doctor who examined her, fortified by the confessional statement voluntarily made by the accused person himself.

    “It is most despicable and depressing, that the supposed man of God overpowered and defiled an innocent child of about ten years who is incidentally, his own step daughter.

    “The defendant lacks any claim of moral rectitude having thrown over board, the limits of his liberties by shamelessly stripping and polluting the dignity, chastity and sanctity of his step daughter’s body and totally disregarding her under age status”.

    Justice Okon found Anwana Essien guilty as charged and accordingly convicted him, adding that the 21 years imprisonment is with effect from when the convict was taken into custody in the Custodial Centre, Uyo.

    The convict however begged the court to release him, as he has a son that has nobody to take care of him.

  • BREAKING: Appeal Court sacks A’Ibom PDP governorship candidate

    BREAKING: Appeal Court sacks A’Ibom PDP governorship candidate

    The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Tuesday evening sacked a member of the House of Representatives Micheal Enyong as the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for Akwa Ibom State.

    In his place, the court restored Mr Umo Eno, a former Commissioner for Land whose nomination by the party was set aside by a Federal High Court in Abuja on January 20, 2023.

    In a judgment delivered in an appeal filed by PDP against the Federal High Court judgement, Justice Hamma Akawu Barka voided the judgment of the Federal High Court and set it aside on the ground that it was predicated on errors.

    Justice Barka agreed with counsel to the PDP, Mr Paul Usoro and Uwemedimo Nwoko that the Federal High Court judgment was delivered in error and that the court was misled by the plaintiff in the matter to arrive at an unjust conclusion.

    The appellate court held that the issue of statutory delegates who voted at the primary election is an internal affair of the party and that the lower court ought not to have inquired into the issue.

    Justice Barka also agreed with Usoro that only the National Working Committee, NWC, of a political party has the power to conduct primary elections for the purpose of nominating candidates for the general election.

    The appellate court further held that since the lower court has no jurisdiction to inquire into the internal affairs of PDP, the judge has no discretion in law to exercise in the matter.

    Justice Barka thereafter upheld the appeal of the PDP and vacated all orders made by the Federal High Court in favour of Michael Enyong.

    Besides, the Court of Appeal ordered Enyong, a House of Representatives member from Uyo Federal Constituency, to pay a sum of one million naira to the appellant as the cost of litigation.

    Reacting to the judgment, Usoro said that the judiciary has done justice to the unlawful orders issued by the Federal High Court against PDP.

  • Police arrest 15 persons over Naira crisis in Akwa Ibom

    Police arrest 15 persons over Naira crisis in Akwa Ibom

    The Police Command in Akwa Ibom has announced the arrest of 15 persons over alleged destruction of banks in Oron Local Government Area of the state.

    The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Odiko MacDon confirmed the arrest to newsmen in Oron on Sunday.

    “We received information that some banks were attacked in Oron local government and the police immediately swung into action.

    “As we speak about 15 persons have been arrested in connection with the incident,” MacDon said.

    The attack occurred on Friday when some youths protested over scarcity of Naira notes.

    “The Commissioner of Police, Mr Olatoye Durosinmi expressed sadness about the situation and directed Divisional Police Officers in the affected local governments to ensure that there is no further break down of law and order,” he said.

    MacDon added that commissioner has called on residents to be law abiding as anyone caught vandalising public property would be dealt with decisively.

    He said that the Police would do everything possible to ensure that Akwa Ibom remained one of the most peaceful state in Nigeria.

    Residents are already afraid that banks in the area may not open on Monday following alleged directive by the union of bank employees to their members not to go to work where there were attacks on banking facilities.

    A source in the area said no fewer than three banks located along Oron road in the local government and a Cold Room belonging to a member of National Assembly were destroyed during the protest.

  • BREAKING: Supreme Court restores Akpabio as APC Senatorial candidate

    BREAKING: Supreme Court restores Akpabio as APC Senatorial candidate

    The Supreme Court on Friday restored former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godwin Akpabio as the Senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress APC for Akwa Ibom North Senatorial District.

    In a unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Ibrahim Saulawa, the Apex Court upheld the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja which in September last year granted verdict in favour of the immediate past Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.

    Saulawa after reviewing the arguments canvassed by Akpabio said that his appeal was meritorious and therefore was allowed.

    The judgement was on an appeal filed by Akpabio challenging the judgement of the Court of Appeal Abuja, which set aside his victory at the Federal High Court Abuja.

    In arriving at the decision, the Supreme Court in a unanimous judgement said each of the 10 issues formulated by the appellant was resolved in his favour, and against the respondent.

    It held that the court below lacked jurisdiction to entertain the case, adding that whatever decision arrived at by the court amounted to nullity.

    It would be recalled that the Abuja division of the Court of Appeal had on November 14, 2022, set aside the judgment of Federal High Court Abuja, removing Godswill Akpabio as the All Progressives Congress candidate for Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District.

    A three-member panel of Justices led by Justice Danlami Senchi held that Akpabio failed to file a proof of arguments within the time provided by the rules.

    The panel further ruled that Akpabio, having contested the presidential primary of the APC, could not participate in the valid primary of the party held on May 27 and monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which produced Udom Ekpoudom as a candidate.

    But Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court Abuja, had on September 22, 2022, ordered the INEC to reinstate Senator Akpabio as APC’s candidate, being the candidate nominated by the party in the second primary of June 9.

    The trial court had directed INEC to accept the former Minister of Niger Delta as the APC flagbearer.

    Nwite also ordered INEC to publish Akpabio’s name as APC senatorial candidate for Akwa Ibom North/West senatorial district in 2023, stating that the Commission acted illegally by refusing to accept and publish the former governor’s name when it was submitted to it by the APC as its candidate.

    He added that Akpabio was validly nominated as the Akwa – Ibom North/West Senatorial District candidate of the APC from the primary conducted by the party’s National Working Committee on June 9, 2022.

    The trial Judge faulted INEC for electing to monitor the May 27 primary, conducted by an illegal faction of the party led by Augustine Ekanem as against the June 9, primary authorized conducted by the APC NWC.

  • 2023: I’m worried about new trend in political space – Jonathan

    2023: I’m worried about new trend in political space – Jonathan

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed worry about the new trend ravaging political space in the face of the forthcoming general elections in the country.

    Jonathan expressed concern over the politics of bitterness presently witnessed by politicians during campaigns.

    The Bayelsa-born politician made this known during the commissioning of the 1.15 kilometer Afi-Uko Nteghe Uda bridge on Etebi-Enwang road, in the Mbo Local government area of Akwa Ibom State, on Monday, Jonathan said he was worried over the negative energy that the forthcoming elections have generated.

    He stated that politics of bitterness hinders development, and called on politicians to market their politics with ideas, rather than fight, insult and abuse their opponents.

    “I’m a bit worried by the negative energy generated ahead of the 2023 elections. We have noticed a level of bitterness in our politics that does not bring development and I plead with politicians that marketing is about marketing your ideas. Politics is not about fighting, is not insulting, is not about abusing.”

    “We have been reading in the newspapers and social media of how billboards of Presidential candidates, governorship candidates are pulled down and I believe by hoodlums, but sometimes, they say some governments even support those kind of things.

    “If you are a part of the team doing that, then know that you are among the unfortunate miscreants, virus or pathogen that is really decomposing our democracy. Please stop doing that; but in all these, I believe the security services have a lot to do.

    “I believe anybody who commits a crime should not be covered under politics. Arson is arson and is never status bound, so somebody who commits a crime, burn houses, kill people, the record must be kept, and whatever the investigation is completed, such people should be prosecuted; that is the only way people would stop doing this.

    “But if people commit criminal offences and walk away, then, of course, other people would be encouraged to do same. So security services in Nigeria have a lot to do, they must not spare any criminal,” he stated.

    Jonathan who described the bridge as one of the longest in West Africa, commended Governor Udom Emmanuel for his developmental achievements, saying his administration has good intentions for Akwa Ibom people.

    He noted that some major ongoing projects which Governor Emmanuel had assured would be completed before the end of his tenure in May, is proof of his commitment to improve the life of the people.

    While speaking, Governor Udom Emmanuel said he had satisfied his conscience with his achievements across the state, adding that despite criticisms and the falsehood peddled against his government, he tried not to be distracted.

    Emmanuel commended the community for supporting the construction of the project, saying the project confirms his promise to open up the riverine areas.

    He revealed that the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility is waiting for commissioning, adding that it can service two 747 800 series of an aircraft and is appreciated across the world.

    Governor Udom Emmanuel’s tenure in office will end on May 29 2023 after serving two terms in office.

  • 2023: Akwa Ibom governor, Udom in last minute effort to reconcile G-5 governors with PDP

    2023: Akwa Ibom governor, Udom in last minute effort to reconcile G-5 governors with PDP

    Akwa Ibom state governor, Udom Emmanuel is making a dying minute effort to reconcile the aggrieved G-5 governors of the Peoples Democratic Party with the presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and other members of the party.

    Meanwhile, Some observers and stakeholders in PDP have  described the attempt as belated and dead on arrival before commencement, noting that the governor knew that Wike would not listen to him.

    According to others, the chairman, Presidential Campaign Council of the PDP is just trying to make an effort so it would be on record he tried to reconcile the aggrieved members, noting that it would be an exercise in futility.

    Recall that the chairman of the G-5 governors, Nyesom Wike had vowed to endorse a presidential candidate  outside the PDP’s candidate.

    They vowed to return to participating in the party activities if Iyorchia Ayu the national chairman is removed from his position.

    The PDP aggrieved governors dubbed G5 has been making unprecedented and loud moves to announce a candidate from the South that they would support during the 2023 polls.

    They had publicly denounced their support to Atiku for his insistence to retain Iyorchia Ayu, the party’s national chairman from the North as the National Chairman of the party.

    The pendulum is swinging between the APC presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and that of the Labour party, Mr Peter Obi, but the guess on whom they would settle for remained bleak following their frolicking with Mr Tinubu recently and Peter Obi initially.

    The governors, who include: Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, Samuel Ortom of Benue State were of the view that both the presidential candidate and the national chairman of the party should not come from the same zone and that for equity and fair play the national chairman should go so that a chairman from the south would emerge.

    However, it remains to be seen who the G-5 governors would endorse for the 2023 presidential elections in the country.

     

     

  • Akwa Ibom: Appeal Court reserves judgment in Udofia, Enang’s APC governorship poll dispute

    Akwa Ibom: Appeal Court reserves judgment in Udofia, Enang’s APC governorship poll dispute

    The Court of Appeal, Abuja has reserved judgment in an appeal filed by the sacked Akwa Ibom governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Akanimo Udofia, against the judgement of a lower court.

    The three-member panel headed by Justice Elfreda Williams- Dawodu made this known after counsel to the appellant, Damian Dodo, SAN, and Sen. Ita Enang’s lawyer, Mba Ukweni, SAN, adopted their briefs and presented their arguments for and against the appeal.

    Newsmen reports that a Federal High Court (FHC) sitting in Uyo had, on Nov. 14, nullified the nomination of Mr Udofia as the governorship candidate of the APC in Akwa Ibom.

    The judge, Agatha Okeke, ordered the APC to conduct a fresh governorship primary within two weeks but barred Udofia from participating in the new primary.

    The case was instituted by Mr Enang, a former presidential aide who was an aspirant in the primary.

    Enang had prayed the court to declare him the validly elected candidate of the party arguing that Udofia was not a member of the party as at the time of the primary.

    But Udofia had filed an appeal marked: CS/C/370/2022 to challenge the FHC judgment.
    In the appeal, Enang, APC and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are 1st to 3rd respondents respectively.

    Also, in another appeal filed by the APC through its lawyer, J.Y. Musa, SAN, on the same matter marked: CS/C/371/2022, Enang, Udofia and INEC are 1st to 3rd respondents respectively.

    Upon resumed hearing in Udofia’s appeal on Saturday, Dodo said the brief which the appellant relied upon was dated Dec 9 and filed same date.

    He adopted all his court documents and urged the court to set aside the judgment of the lower court.
    Arguing his case, the lawyer said the lower court erred in its judgment as the suit, which was commenced via an originating summons, ought to have been instituted through a writ of summons, citing an Appeal Court judgment which was affirmed by the Supreme Court on Oct 21 to support his submission.

    He said the apex court held that whenever parties are in dispute, especially in pre-election matters, what should be filed was the writ of summons where parties would called their witnesses to enable the court make an unbiased decision since it would be difficult for a court to find two parties agreeing on a fact.

    He said in the instant case where there were allegations of results being fabricated, votes being allocated to certain people, Enang (1st respondent) should have commenced the suit by writ of summons.

    Dodo also argued that Enang’s amended originating summons was filed at the lower court outside the 14 days period prescribed by law.

    According to him, when the lower court predicated its judgment on the amended originating summons, that became an incurable malady that has afflicted the entire suit and the consequence is that the judgment of that court on the basis of the amended originating summons is complete nullity.

    Besides, he argued that the brief filed by Enang at Appeal Court was filed out of five-day stipulated time.
    He urged the court to uphold their appeal and make a consequential order directing INEC to recognise and publish Udofia (appellant)’s name as APC candidate for 2023 Akwa Ibom governorship poll.

    But Ukweni, who appeared for Enang, disagreed with Dodo’s submission.
    Responding to the argument that Enang’s brief was filed out of time at Appeal Court since he had within five days to do so, the lawyer said the record of appeal showed that he was served on Dec. 12 in open court in Calabar

    He explained further that though the appellant served them with brief of appeal on Dec. 9, the 1st respondent (Enang) was not served with the record of appeal, including the notice of appeal, until Dec. 12.
    He said their brief, dated Dec. 14, was filed on Dec. 16.

    “So it is not correct that we filed our brief out of time,” he said, citing a 2006 case decided by Court of Appeal between Justice Party and INEC to back his argument.

    Ukweni said in that case, the court held that the respondent’s time to file brief would commence when complete record had been served on parties.

    “In fact in this case, all the records in this particular appeal were served on the respondent on the 12th day of December, 2022 in open court,” he insisted.

    Reading his brief of argument, the lawyer said that service out of jurisdiction does not apply to FHC when the process is to be served within Nigeria.

    He urged the court to dismiss Udofia’s appeal. Responding to the reply brief of the appellant that Enang’s amended originating summons at FHC was filed outside 14-day period, Ukweni said the trial judge granted their amended originating summon on Aug. 24 in a ruling.

    The lawyer argued that the amendment on the originating summons was a decision of the court which was deemed to be properly filed.

    He further argued that Udofia should have challenged the court ruling within 14 days from Aug 24 when it was delivered.

    “So to now say that they are attacking the judgment on the ground that it was based on amended originating summons is an indirect way of seeking your lordship’s extension of time to appeal against that decision of 24th August, 2022,” he said.

    He prayed the court to strike out the issues and the grounds of appeal in this respect.
    The senior lawyer, who argued that the decision of the court is sacrosanct, said they cannot come through the back door to challenge it.

    Disagreeing with Dodo on filing the lower court suit through originating summons instead of writ of summons, Ukweni said that the Chief Judge of FHC, Justice John Tsoho, gave a practice direction for speedy trial of pre-election cases.

    He argued that Justice Tsoho, by the power conferred on him as CJ, directed that pre-election matters should be commenced through originating summons based on the expediency.

    “And we commenced the suit by originating summons,” he said.
    He clarified that the fact of the case was not the same with the authorities cited by Dodo.
    “In that case, there were issues of forgery of certificate but we are not amending forgery of certificate.
    “Our argument is that the appellant (Udofia) is a member of PDP who contested its primary election on 25th of May, 2022.

    “How come on 26th of May, 2022, you became a candidate of APC?
    “That was the simple case that was presented before the lower court and which has come up before your lordship on appeal,” he said.

    Ukweni said Udofia admitted before the lower court that he joined APC on May 1.
    “The trial judge said assuming we followed your argument that you joined APC on May 1, but the register of members of the party as provided for by the Electoral Act was submitted to INEC on April 14.

    “So how could you have passed through the process of nomination even if you have joined a party on May 1st?” he asked.

    He told the court that a ballot paper of PDP primary held on May 25 with Udofia’s photograph on it was exhibited in their brief.

    The lawyer urged the court to dismiss the appeal, saying it was unmeritorious.

    Newsmen reports that the 2nd (APC) and 3rd (INEC) respondents did not file any brief in the appeal.
    Ukweni also prayed the court to dismiss APC’s appeal for being unnecessary, after an appeal had been filed by Udofia.

    “Why would you (APC) complained for another person?” he asked, urging the court to dismiss it and affirm the lower court judgment directing the conduct of another election for party members.

    Justice Williams-Dawodu, after observing that the case would expire on Jan 22, reserved the matter for judgment.
    She said that judgment date would be communicated to parties

  • Peter Obi in Akwa Ibom – By ETIM ETIM

    Peter Obi in Akwa Ibom – By ETIM ETIM

    I have actually been looking forward to seeing Peter Obi in Uyo for a campaign. I have seen a couple of videos of his campaign events in other places, but I was eager to see him in real life address a crowd. The fact that his wife, Margaret, is from this state heightened the expectancy. Will the people take to her? Will the crowd be big and enthusiastic? At about 3 pm this afternoon (Tuesday, December 20), I drove into Unity Park along Udo Udoma Avenue, venue of the rally. The candidate had pulled in some 30 minutes earlier. The crowd was surprisingly big, despite the fact that people were not ‘mobilized’ and bussed in from the hinterland across the state, as is the practice. In other words, this was no hired crowd; they came on their own. ‘’These are authentic Obi supporters, and I can say that 98% of these people will vote for Peter Obi’’, said Isang Isatt, a PDP chieftain who is Obidient. ‘’They came on their own. They were not hired’’, he said.

    When I arrived, a youth leader was rounding off his speech, and soon Prof Pat Utomi took the microphone. I understand Aisha Yusuf had spoken earlier. I had known Utomi since 1988 when, as a young business reporter in The Guardian, I had gone to Volkswagen to interview him. He was then in charge of corporate communications of the auto maker. In 2002, he took me in a communications course at LBS. Since then, he has turned a full-fledged politician. In 2015, he contested for governor of home Delta State under APC. His speech this afternoon was fiery, passionate and resounding. ‘’With Peter Obi, we shall take back our country’’, he chanted repeatedly, his face reddened and contorted as usual, voice shaking and the crowd jumping and responding, ‘’yea, yes…’’. Soon, a helicopter hovered over the field and landed away from the crowd. Someone standing near me speculated that it might have brought the PSquare twins. ‘’They had planned to come’’, he said. Exaggerations thrive in politics.

    After Utomi, more speeches came from NLC leaders, the disabled community, party chieftains and the well-known comedian, Ime Bishop (Okon Lagos), who introduced Mrs Obi. She looked radiant and gorgeous and wowed the crowd when she broke into fluent Ibibio, and reminded us that the husband is ukot to Akwa Ibom (in-law). Our people adore and dot on sons-in-law. The idea of an Akwa Ibom daughter in Aso Rock as the First Lady actually sounded so good to the people. Since 1999, First Ladies have become quasi presidents, managing pet projects and spending billions. ‘’You will have easy access to the Villa’’, she chimed. The crowd cheered. She would be walking the path taken by other angels: Stella, Turai, Patience and Aisha.

    We were now eagerly waiting for the candidate, and he did not disappoint. There were no signs that the crisis engulfing his chief strategist, Dr. Doyin Okukpe, had any impact on him. Yesterday, I had sent Obi a private message that Okukpe should be encouraged to step aside to avoid distractions. I am glad that was done. Obi’s campaign has set the bar very high.

    Obi started his remarks by highlighting the key qualities that set him and his running mate apart from the other three main candidates: youthfulness and vitality; good education and unblemished records. The others would spend more time in hospitals than in office, he implied and the crowd applauded in acquiescence. Then Obi promised to complete Ibaka Deep Sea Port, ‘’forty years after it was first mooted. Even the children of Israel were freed after 40 years. I will build and complete Ibaka after these past 40 years’’. Some people laughed; others sighed. He continued: ‘’The chopper that landed a while ago came to pick me to Ibaka. I want to inspect the site’’. The crowd loved to hear that. Peter Obi loves symbolism and plays it up now and then. Afterall, he went to inspect electricity project in Egypt early this year just to learn how the Arab nation accomplished energy sufficiency! Ibaka has the deepest natural draft in the country and it’s the most naturally suitable location for a deep-sea port. Even the colonial government documented its quality as a port location. That it has not been developed all these years is one of Nigerian mysteries. Obi promised to end ASUU strike, fix education, fix agriculture and turn it into the new crude oil and end oil theft. It was fun listening to Obi swing effortlessly from English to pidgin English. He has learned fast on the stump.

  • 15-yr-old FGGC, Ikot Ibiong, Akwa-Ibom student wins UBA national essay competition

    15-yr-old FGGC, Ikot Ibiong, Akwa-Ibom student wins UBA national essay competition

    Again, FGGC Ikot Ibiong in Akwa Ibom after producing the best overall principal in Nigeria barely two years ago, a student of same school has won the UBA Foundation N5million essay competition in Nigeria.

    It was the 12th edition of the competition that witnessed students from senior secondary schools across the country participate in a rigorous writing process. Hence, at the grand finale, the expectations were high and the moment was tense. The question on everyone’s lips was, who will be crowned winner of the 2022 edition?

    According to Bola Atta, chief executive officer of UBA Foundation, the entries were impressive. Out of over 5,000 entries submitted for the competition, 12 finalists were shortlisted. Among them were 11 girls and a boy.

    “The entries were completely digital because we are trying to go with the times. Interesting enough, we had a 35 per cent participation from the northern part of Nigeria,” she said.

    “Every student who sent in an entry is a winner. To be confident about your writing skills and ambitious enough to enter a competition to further enhance your educational path is laudable. For those that did not come first this year, I would say do not be discouraged. Take it as a challenge to perfect your writing skills and enter for the competition again next year.”

    The judges of the competition were professors from universities across the country. They were Ini Uko of the University of Uyo, Akwa-Ibom; Asabe Kabir Usman of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto state; Sam Oneigbo of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka; and Tunde Omobowale of the University of Ibadan.

    Asabe noted that the topic on Nigeria’s brain drain for the final essay competition, which the twelve finalists wrote, was striking and timely.

    THE WINNERS AND THE PRIZES

    At the ceremony, Usongobong Paul, a 15-year-old student of Federal Government Girls College Ikot-Obio Itong, Akwa-Ibom, was announced the overall winner of the essay competition.

    The award came with a scholarship worth N5 million to study in any African university of her choice, as well as a brand new laptop among other gifts.

    Usongobong, who was escorted to the event by Akanyere Divinelove Chigozie, her ICT teacher, said she was excited to have won the competition, adding that the experience has bolstered her confidence.

    “I am so grateful to the UBA Foundation for this great opportunity. It has helped me to believe in myself and bolstered my confidence. This scholarship will go a long way towards assisting in my dream to become an ophthalmologist. This opportunity has changed my life and I really appreciate the UBA and the UBA Foundation for this,” she said

    She will also be supported throughout her educational career and beyond with constant mentoring by the UBA Foundation.

    The second prize went to 15-year-old Princess Sholabomi of Value Spring College, Lagos. She won a N3 million educational grant and a laptop; while the third prize of N2,5 million and a brand new laptop went to 15-year-old Sharon Nwajiaku of Ota Total Academy, Ogun state. The other 9 finalists also received brand new laptops as well as consolation prizes, including books and other learning materials.

    A COMMITMENT TO YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

    Oliver Alawuba, UBA group managing director, said the bank remains vested in the youth who are the future of the continent.

    “As a bank, we are interested in empowering our youth, and to do this, we must educate them, through efforts such as these,” Alawuba said.

    “The truth is that we are launching these programmes in all the 20 countries where UBA has a presence. Already, some of these countries have already started. I was in Sierra Leone a few weeks ago where the NEC was held, and I was really encouraged by the enthusiasm and participation. Since we at UBA know that our future lies with our kids, they will take Africa to the world where it needs to be.”

    In his speech, Kennedy Uzoka, chairman of the UBA Foundation, said the organisation has been touching lives and making a solid impact and has produced hundreds of winners, some of who have long graduated from higher schools and have been impacting their communities.

    “I commend everyone for being a part of this event. We set up this competition over 12 years ago because we saw the need to allow students to express themselves and convey their ideas, and over the years, we have seen that we are doing something very unique and truly African. We have given scholarships to over 60 students, and we have been able to produce doctors, engineers, lawyers through this platform,” Uzoka said.

  • How I managed to secure my senatorial ticket – Akpabio

    How I managed to secure my senatorial ticket – Akpabio

    Former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District, Senator Godswill Akpabio has opened up on how he managed to secure the senatorial ticket.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Akpabio, who is a former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, to have said he went into the trenches to secure his senatorial ticket and that it took the grace of God and the prayer of his supporters.

    He made this disclosure while addressing a mammoth crowd of party members, supporters and stakeholders from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District in his Ukana country home on Saturday.

    The former Senate Minority Leader told the crowd of his acceptance of their call for him to represent them at the Red Chambers of the National Assembly saying, “I came here today to formally inform you that I am on the ballot, as your Senatorial Candidate on the platform of the APC. Let me assure us all that our governorship candidate, Obong Akan Udofia, will also be on the ballot. Therefore, go all out and campaign for all our candidates because the party has all it takes to win elections from the national to the states”.

    Akpabio seized the occasion to extol the virtues of the Presidential Candidate of the party, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying, “Senator Tinubu is a tested and trusted leader, who is going into the presidential race as an achiever and performer in public office. Tinubu stands for good governance and performance. Presidential contest is for somebody with capacity to deliver and Asiwaju Tinubu represents that.”

    Speaking further, the former presidential aspirant thanked President Muhamadu Buhari, for his commitment to the security of the country with the recent release of the kidnapped railway passengers and commissioning of the second Niger Bridge before the end of the year.

    “The storm is over. I was not seen in the state shortly after the senatorial primaries of June 9th 2022, because I went into the trenches to secure your senatorial ticket. By the grace of God and your support through prayers, I am today, on the ballot as your senatorial candidate,” he said.

    “Let us all return to our polling units, wards and local governments to canvass support for all our candidates at all levels. Let us also open our arms to all our members, who are aggrieved one way or the other. We need every member on board because our party is large enough to accommodate everyone. The more the merrier,” he stressed.