AKHA SPEAKER ADVOCATES PROMOTION OF INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES

A’IBOM SPEAKER ADVOCATES PROMOTION OF LOCAL LANGUAGES

... Urges Parents To Be Role Model To Their Kids

The Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, has advocated for the promotion of native language in Nigeria as a way of promoting development and social cohesion.


The Speaker made the call while playing host to a delegation from Ukara Ibibio, a socio-cultural organization, in his office on Tuesday.

Rt. Hon. Bassey, while thanking the delegation for stopping by, appreciated the group for thriving to protect the Ibibio heritage and urged them to take the #BringBackOurNativeLanguage campaign to nooks and crannies of Akwa Ibom.


In his words: “I thank the leadership of Ukara Ibibio for this visit. It is apt and it brings to mind the need for us to preserve our cultural heritage, especially as it concerns our native language. We need to encourage Ibibio and other languages to be spoken and written in all educational institutions of Akwa Ibom State.


The need for a policy direction in this regard cannot be overemphasized as it will contribute to our development and social cohesion. Country like Iraq, Libya, China and Japan have done it. They have interpreted all science books to their respective languages for easy assimilation by the people.”

“When Japanese, Chinese and French Presidents for instance visits another country, they communicate through their own native language using an interpreter.

It is important for our leaders to think towards this direction and ensure there is a national policy that promotes our local languages. Most State Houses of Assembly conduct the affairs of the House through their native languages. It is the right step in the right direction. Our local languages must not be allowed to go extinct,”

Speaker Bassey enjoined parents to be mentors and role models to their children at home stating that the home is the first schooling environment of any child. He pleaded that parents should endeavour to communicate with their children at home using local dialects.

To him, "Communicating with our kids at home using our vernacular will assist them in learning about their culture and promoting same"

Speaking, the leader of the delegation, Mrs. Ekaette Macaulay Utong, who described the Speaker as someone that has displayed humility, selflessness, integrity in development of the state, thanked him for the warm reception and opportunity given them.

She maintained that Rt. Hon. Bassey “is towing the path of the forebears of Ibibio nation in promoting Ibibio cultural heritage and development,” and appealed that he uses his office to ensure, unity, peace, love and prosperity of Akwa Ibom heritage.

©

NWF Extends Ongoing Gov. Dickson Classics

Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) has extended the ongoing 3rd Governor Dickson National Wrestling Classics in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, by two days, according to the president of the body, Hon. Daniel Igali.

The competition earlier scheduled to end on 30th June, will now be concluded on 2nd July.

In a chat with journalists on Tuesday, the Olympic and World champion disclosed that the extension is at the instance of the sponsor of the competition, Governor Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State.

“The Governor wants to be personally at the finals of the Governor Seriake National Wrestling Classics. He understands the importance of this tournament, does not want to send a representative and has very important functions on the 29th and 30th (June) which is Saturday and Sunday,” the NWF boss explained.

“So, he essentially pleaded with the Nigeria Wrestling Federation for us to extend it by two days because he wants to be personally be at the finals. And of course, he who pays the piper (dictates the tune), you know what they say.

“The board of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation has met; we’ve also met with stakeholders of the teams and agreed that it is worth doing, it’s worthwhile

Hon. Igali, who is also the vice president of Commonwealth Wrestling Board, equally informed that Governor Dickson has agreed to foot the extra bills that will be incurred by the various teams as a result of the extension.

“The Governor has also promised that whatever expenses are involved with the shift, will be borne by the State Government.”

20 states and 16 wrestling clubs across the country are expected to participate in the 3rd Gov. Dickson National Classics, which serves as qualifiers for both the 12th All-Africa Games in Morocco and the World Championships in Kazakhstan later this year.

Send in your prediction of the match between Nigeria vs Burundi today by 6pm

Prediction stopped by 5pm

Fixtures of FIFA Women second round

ROUND OF 16 AT FIFA WOMEN'S WORLD CUP.

Germany vs Nigeria

Norway vs Australia

England vs Cameroon

France vs Brazil

Spain vs USA

Sweden vs Canada

Italy vs China

Netherlands vs Japan

AKSG Sacks Over 600 LG Staff, Set special committee

By Ofonime Honesty/ Joseph Atainyang

Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State is on the verge of dismissing over 600 staff reportedly employed into the Akwa Ibom State Local Government Service Commission by the suspended Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Valentine Attah.

To fast-track the process, the governor has set up a committee to summarily dismiss the employees on the grounds that their recruitment did not follow due process.

Codenamed 'Special Committee', the panel announced via a notice pasted at Local Government Secretariats and offices that employees should appear before it with educational qualifications and service particulars.

The said notice was sighted by these reporters on a visit to Uyo Local Government Secretariat.

It reads: "Staff posted to Uyo local government by posting of 4th June, 2018, and 12th March, 2019 are to appear before the Special Committee today, Wednesday, 19th June, 2019 at the office of the Akwa Ibom State Head of Civil Service with their educational qualifications and service particulars by 9am."

Ibom chronicle report that some of the newly employed staff had allegedly lobbied with as much as N200 thousand to gain the 'illegal' recruitment.

We also gathered that the Head of Service, Uyo Local Government Area and Dean of HOS, Mr Ebukidung was said to have enrolled three of his children in the list. According to sources, they were duly employed and issued with appointment letters.

Our correspondents learnt that, Mr Affia whose son finished his Masters degree programme from a certain university in London, was on arrival in December 2018, appointed a principal legal officer on Grade level 12.

Meanwhile our team met some victims of the fraudulent employment at the premises of the Akwa Ibom State Head of Service, Elder Effiong Essang in the Akwa Ibom State Government House, running about in scattered directions. They pleaded their names and faces should not be published.

They lamented their plight, saying as qualified but jobless citizens of the state, they thought they had conquered their employment challenges, not knowing they were going to be fired.

The victims called on the state government to temper justice with mercy and reinstate them for the sake of their innocence and responsibility of catering for their families.

It could be recalled that Sir Val Attah was suspended by Udom Emmanuel over illegal employment of over 600 personnel into the service and promotion of 31 members.

The suspension letter which was signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem stated thus in parts, "This is sequel to his involvement in an unauthorized recruitment of persons into the Unified Local Government Service.

"The suspension takes immediate effect pending the outcome of the state audit on the recruitment exercise. The appointments of those who benefited from the said recruitment are hereby declared null and void", the letter concluded.

However, all attempts to get confirmation from government information managers proved futile as the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Ekerette Udoh and the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem could not respond to phone calls.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a government house source told our correspondents who were present at the spot that as was already stated, the dismissal was authentic.

He said, "You know the suspension letter of Sir Val Attah had already stated that the recruitment was null and void. So as you can see, they are here, running up and down and trying to make photocopies of their documents so they can submit for verification accordingly".

Meanwhile, Governor Udom Emmanuel is not strange to dismissing government workers. After resuming office as governor in 2015, Udom Emmanuel sacked 5,000 teachers who were duly employed during the administration of his predecessor, Chief Godswill Akpabio.

The mass dismissal was said to have been done on the grounds that the recruitment did not follow due process, although Mr Emmanuel was then the Secretary to the State Government.

However, sources in government told our reporters that spaces created by the ongoing dismissal would immediately be filled by the same government.

Aiteo Cup 2019 Round of 32 Full Time Result

Coach Japheth of Akwa United shortly after their 3-0 defeat

Smart City 3-2 Enyimba

Lobi Stars  2-0 Enugu Rangers

Ambassador 0-1 Warri Wolves

EFCC FC 1-0 Sunshine Stars

Gateway United 0-2 Abia Warriors

Aklosendi FC 1-0 Nasarawa United

Rivers United 3-0 Akwa United

Shooting Stars 2-0 Katsina United

Ekiti United 2 - 4 Bendel Insurance

Crown FC 1-1 Kwara United (4-5 on penalties )

Gombe United 0-1 Niger Tornadoes

Wikki Tourist 1-1 Calabar Rovers ( 2-4 on penalties)

Rivers United kicks Out Akwa United, Progress To Round Of 16

By Sammy Wenjiya

Rivers United have qualified for the round of 16 of the 2019 AITEO Cup after beating Akwa United 3-0 in Enugu on Wednesday.

Kehinde Adedipe, Bright Onyedikachi and Ossy Martins were the goalscorers for the 'Pride of Rivers' in the round of 32 clash decided at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.

Rivers United started in barn storming fashion and could have scored in the opening 60 seconds when Martins got on the end of a teasing Peter Ubakanma delivery off a corner only for Etboy Akpan to clear his goal bound header off the line.

Akwa responded in the seventh minute with the Rivers United goalkeeper, Abiodun Akande forced into making a smart save to deny  Dennis Nya who struck with purpose from the edge of the box.

Rivers United scored with their next goal attempt with Adedipe's effort off an Ubakanma delivery from a free kick, crossing the line despite the best attempts by the Akwa defence to prevent the ball from hitting the back of the net.

Akwa predictably pushed forward in an attempt to get back on level terms and hurl themselves back into the contest.

They almost got the equalizer on 19 minutes when Olisema shot but saw his effort saved, again by Akande.

Spaces were now opening up for Rivers United as the Akwa United players charged up field in numbers in search of the equalizer.

They almost got caught out in the 23rd minute following an electrifying Rivers United counter attack which ended with Bakary Bamba heading agonizingly wide from eight yards after he was set up brilliantly by the impressive Onyedikachi.

Moments later, Ubakanma fired an indirect free kick inches wide as the Port Harcourt side began to tighten the screw.

Seven minutes before the break, Akwa had and missed their best chance of the half when an unmarked Ocheme Edoh placed a header from six yards wide when it seemed easier to score.

The Uyo club, buoyed by that action, made one last push in an attempt to get back on level terms before the game got to the half way stage.

Temple Emekayi needlessly gave away a free kick at the edge of the Rivers United penalty area on the stroke of half time and set piece expert, Ndifreke Effiong stepped forward to take.

He struck it brilliantly and the ball seemed destined to nestle in the bottom corner but Akande produced an extraordinary save to push the ball away for a corner.

It was basically the last kick of a first half that ebbed and flowed but even more drama was to unfold in the second half which Akwa threatened to take by the scruff of the neck.

An Akwa free kick, five minutes after the restart was kept out by desperate Rivers United defending as the 'Promise Keepers' sought to briskly get the scoreline on an even keel.

All that was to change moments later as they were hit with a sucker punch with Rivers United scoring the game's second goal with their next real attack.

A lightening break on 55 minutes culminated in Martins squaring for Onyedikachi on the far side.

The pint-sized terror still had it all to do with an Akwa United defender paying him close attention.

Onyedikachi is however a winger blessed with a magical touch and low centre of gravity and he proceeded to leave his marker flailing on his backside with ajn unbelievable feint before unleashing a fearsome strike that flew into the top right hand corner which leaving goalkeeper, Olorunleke Ojo shell-shocked.

Akwa never recovered.

It was only a matter of time before Rivers United netted their third, a stunning Martins header off a precise Justice Charles cross following another devastating counter attack in the 75th minute.

The Uyo club had some positive moments though, in a wonderfully-open second half that left the spectators gasping for breath.

Nya headed an Aniekeme Asuquo free kick over the bar in the 70th minute while Akande produced a top drawer save that defied the laws of Physics in the 72nd minute to deny Ndifreke from point blank range.

Rivers United was however the more efficient side and could have scored more as Bamba struck a fierce effort against the crossbar while an unmarked Martins headed wide from close range late in the half.

The Akwa United head coach, Abasiakan Windy refused to speak to the media after the game but striker, Edoh was more forthcoming.

"Today was their (Rivers United's) day. We (Akwa United) didn't play so bad but we had our chances and didn't take them while they took theirs," Edoh told the official Rivers United FC website, www.riversunitedfc.com.ng.

Technical manager of Rivers United FC, Stanley Eguma also shared his post match thoughts.

"We had our tactical plans for this game against Akwa United. I watched them in Lagos during the Super Six playoffs and studied their weaknesses with the aim of exploiting them.

"My players were prepared and this win will boost their confidence as our focus is to go as far as possible in this competition," he said.