Executive Pardon : Sixty Eight Inmates Regains Freedom In Akwa Ibom

Inline with president Muhammadu Buhari's directive for all the states within the federation to released inmates that made certain conditions, the Akwa Ibom authorities has granted pardon to sixty eight (68) inmates within the custody of the Nigerian correctional service in Akwa Ibom State.

Our correspondent report that a cross sectional view of the pardoned inmates were both old and young men.

Investigations revealed that a number of these pardoned persons might not have been guilty, but because of lack of evidence of defense, they were convicted.

Of the sixty eight freed inmati, 20 were from the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Uyo, 17 from Ikot Ekpene Centre, 17 from Eket Centre and 12 from Ikot Abasi Correctional Centre.

Governor Emmanuel who was represented by the Attorney General And Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Uwemedimo Nwoko advised the inmates to be of fine behaviour and shun acts that will take them back to prison as they will not have a second chance should they find themselves within the act of criminality.

The Governor said the freed inmates were those that had spent years within the Correctional Centres and had developed serious health issues.

Also considered were inmates on grounds of old age while those with minor offense were equally considered.

Inmates with capital offences like terrorism, stickup and kidnapping were declined pardon.

The Controller of Corrections Mr Alex Oditah, on behalf of the Controller General of Corrections Ja’afaru Ahmed, thanked the Akwa Ibom State Governor for having mercy upon the inmates, noting that their release would prevent the spread of COVID-19 and decongest the prison.

The freed inmates thanked Governor Emmanuel for the chance to reunite with their families, expressing confidence that the abilities and knowledge garnered in their different Correctional Centres will make them usefulness to the society.
The sixty eight inmates that regained freedom weren't allowed to interact with our correspondent for fear of the deadly Corona virus currently ravaging the society while the inmates prayed for the virus to be over and feel alive being free.

Coronavirus: 3 Discharged In Akwa Ibom State Today

It was fanfare and excitement in Uyo the Akwa Ibom State Capital, as three more COVID-19 patients were discharged from the isolation facilities after their status had been confirmed negative by the Nigerian Center of Disease Control, NCDC.

Two of the three discharged persons Ememobong Gabriel Udofa a pharmacist and Dr. Otobong Asuquo walked out of the Ibom Specialist Clinic to the joy of all present, in company of the State Commissioner for Health Dr. Dominic Ukpong, the State Epidemiologist Dr. Ntiense Umoette and a Respiratory Surgeon Prof Etette Peters.

Speaking to reporters, Ememobong Udoakpan said at first he was scared but that he got inspired to brace up, from the State COVID 19 medical team as well as from victims who recovered from the attack and were shown on the social media.

“The treatment here has been topnotch. There is a difference between how I came in here and how I am today. I was well taken care of and I commend  Governor Udom Emmanuel for his proactive stance against the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic and the medical team led by the Commissioner for Health, for the facilities put in place here. It helped in my speedy recovery.”

Mr. Udofa one of the first five index cases in the state, said his symptoms started a week after the foreign based medical mission departed the state on March 13, when he started developing symptoms like headache, before losing his sense of taste and smell.

“It was on the 23rd of March that it dawn on me that I had symptoms of the COVID 19, my brother who is an ENT Surgeon told me it was COVID 19, I boiled chicken and I could not perceived its aroma and could sense any taste, and that was when I suspected that I may have contacted the disease.”

Also speaking, Dr. Asuquo said he knew the symptoms of the virus and had to isolate himself for 10 days while reaching out to the state medical team to come to his aid.

He said he was happy to be discharged and assured that he was going to remain resolute in carrying out his responsibility of saving live

s as a medical doctor.

He urged members of the public against ignoring the warnings on the dangers of the virus, as it was very contagious and dangerous.
Confirming the discharge of the three persons, the State Commissioner for Health Dr Dominic Ukpong said that the state was not going to relent in ensuring that COVID 19 is minimized and contained.

He said that work on the Grade Four laboratories to help in the testing of the Coronavirus is at advanced stage, maintaining that one would be sited in Uyo and the other one at the nearly completed Isolation Facility in  Ituk Mbang, Uruan.

The discharge has brought to six, the total number of COVID 19 patients, discharged from the state isolation facility. It will be recalled that the NCDC recently scored the state 99 percent in contact- tracing, a critical element in the fight against the spread of the pandemic.

30 Test Negative Of Corona Virus In Akwa Ibom

Akwa Ibom State  has recorded as high as 30 negative test result from the 31 COVID-19 case samples sent out in the last badge of cases.

The State Commissioner of Heaith, Dr. Dominic Ukpong disclosed this in Uyo today, while presenting an update on the number of COVID-19 cases currently in the state.

'"In the last badge, we sent a total of 31 samples to the NCDC for testing. As at today, Saturday, April 25, 2020, 30 results have returned negative, with only one positive case", he stated.

According to Dr. Ukpong, the only positive case is that of a visitor to the state, who came in during the lockdown.

The Commissioner of Health who reiterated that, the one tested positive case, has been carefully isolated added that, despite his minimal contacts with residents of the state, full contact tracing has already begun.

So far, the earlier positive cases in the state are in good health, awaiting re-confirmation tests.

He observed that, the lockdown is apparently yielding good results in curtailing the spread of the global pandemic.

Everyone is enjoined to continue maintaining social distancing and other safety procedures, and also rely on the rapid emergency response phone numbers provided by the State Government or the nearest health facility, to report any suspected case for urgent attention.

AKSG Gives Reasons Lockdown Continues Till Monday 27April

The Akwa Ibom state government has extended the lockdown in the state to Monday April 25,2020.

This the government explained is due the successes recorded in the fight against coronavirus in Akwa Ibom.

Here is a press statement by the Chairman of the state's Taskforce on Covid-19, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem:

Gentlemen of the press, it is my pleasure to once again bring you up to speed in our collective fight against COVID-19, the present pandemic that has kept the entire global community on its toes over the last few months. As an integral part of the global community, Akwa Ibom state has felt, directly and indirectly the socio-economic impact of the pandemic.

To this end, our dear Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel has been on top of the situation, providing leadership and giving directions in the fight to mitigate the spread and effects of the novel Coronavirus on the generality of our people.

While we are witnessing very pathetic and astronomic rise in the number of cases of Coronavirus infection in different parts of the world, and even in some parts of our country, the situation in Akwa Ibom has, providentially been minimal. For this, we are grateful to God.

The low incidence level of Coronavirus has not been without efforts and pragmatic inputs from the leadership of the state. The Governor, working with the COVID-19 Management Committee, the Incidence Management Committee, health workers and other stakeholders, has deployed resources, financial and material to ensure the pandemic is kept at bay for as much as possible.

So far, only 9 cases have been confirmed in our state. Thankfully, we have had three reversed to negative and have been discharged. Although we still have five active cases and one dead, the sincerity of our government in the fight against the pandemic as not gone on noticed by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. In a recent publication by the national body, our contact-tracing scored 99%. Within a short period of time, the state government has a fully kitted Emergency Operation Centre, which comprises Call Centre, Situation Room and Isolation Centre at the Ibom Specialty Hospital.

The three reversed cases of Coronavirus are evidenced of the quality of healthcare available in our isolation centres. From the testimonies of the survivors, who were full of praises and prayers for the governor, the isolation environments were very comforting while they sojourned therein.

Gentlemen, let me reiterate that the fight against the pandemic is akin to a war situation, where there is no room for jokes. Our experience at the Call Centre of the Emergency Operation Centre is that a few citizens have continued to make unnecessary calls, thereby obstructing genuine calls waiting to come in. Citizens should learn to direct calls not related to COVID-19 to appropriate quarters other than the call centre.

Although, our isolation centres in Ikot Ekpene and at the Ibom Specialty Hospital are in top shape to accommodate any eventualities, the administration has intensified efforts at completing the 300-bed isolation centre at the General Hospital, Ituk Mbang. A few days back, our dear Governor visited the site to assess the level of work done so far. I am happy to let you know that the facility will soon be ready for use with state-of-the-art medical facilities.

My friends in the journalism profession, many people are not aware of the huge resources the administration is expending to keep our state free of Coronavirus and other diseases. Over the last two weeks, we have embarked on the de-contamination of major towns and cities across the three Senatorial Districts of our state. Though the exercise has cost the state so much money, yet it has been worthwhile.

As the first responders to the Covid-19 pandemic, we implore our healthcare professionals to do all they can, to protect themselves. We have followed with deep concern, the spate of self-care and administration of drugs by some of our Physicians which has led to unpleasant consequences. We wish to advise our healthcare professionals to avail themselves of the facilities provided by government to handle the Covid-19 pandemic and other medical challenges. Waiting until conditions are medically irredeemable, even if such has no connections to Covid-19, as has been the case in some situations should be discouraged. 

You are aware that our people have benefitted from the palliatives that emanated from kind-heartedness of our dear Governor. Apart from reaching out to the over 3,000 villages in Akwa Ibom State with assorted food items like garri, rice, beans and flour, efforts have also been made to reach non-indigenes residing in the state. This was done in the spirit of love, with the understanding and good neighbourliness.

Let me use this opportunity to address a few issues that arose from the distribution of the palliatives. Although the food items were meant to ameliorate the hardship of the most vulnerable among us, a number of citizens who never needed such queued up to partake, resulting in mixed reactions. While those who really needed the items and actually got them and were appreciative of the good gesture of the Governor who was kind enough to remember them at a time like this, those who did not need the items but received them for whatever reasons, took to the social media to cast aspersions on the administration. May I therefore advise that anyone who is able to provide for himself and family at such time as this, should for the sake of humanity steer clear of such items, so that those who truly need the items can have more to themselves.

The pandemic has altered the academic programmes of various academic institutions around the world. This has necessitated the development of new initiatives to ensure that not much is lost by pupils and students. On our part as a government, we have also initiated a novel idea, SCHOOL ON RADIO, to help our students prepare for their final examinations in the junior and senior secondary schools.

Gentlemen of the Press, in view of the critical situation that we are in as a nation and as a state, although it would have been desirable to call off the lockdown at this juncture, but given that we must ensure continuous safety of our citizens, the most ideal thing for now is to continue with the lockdown until Monday, April 27, 2020 where we will provide an update on the lockdown at a press briefing.

To this end, everyone is advised to continue to cooperate with the government and the security agencies in the bid to curb community spreading of the virus.

Thank you for listening.

Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem
Secretary to the State Government
/Chairman COVID-19 Management Committee
Akwa Ibom State

23rd April 2020

Coronavirus: Lockdown Has Aid In Curbing Spread In Akwa Ibom - Epedimiologist

The Akwa Ibom state  epidemiologist, Dr. Aniekeme Uwah, says the three weeks lockdown in Akwa Ibom state by the government has gone a long way to curb the spread of the dreaded Corona virus.

Dr. Uwah, made his opinion known  while speaking on a one day intensive training workshop on response and ethical reporting of coronavirus for selected journalists in Uyo.

He explained that with more people staying at home, it makes contact tracing and self isolation more workable which has reduced the number of confirmed corona virus cases in Akwa Ibom state. Advising, residents to keep obeying the stay at home directive of the state government as doing so will help safe both themselves, love ones and the society at large.

Furthermore, the state Epidemiologist, Dr Aniekeme Uwah, hinted that the state has the challenge of unavailability and  limited number of sample test kits and the stress of an eight hour drive to Ebonyi for the test but maintained that there are ready isolation centers in the state but only the one at Ibom Specialist Hospital is active due to space where other emergency Management meetings and other needed departments like the situation room can also be accommodated for easy communications and other centers activated of there be need for it.

Earlier, the Nigerian Medical Association chairman,Dr Nsikak Nyoyoko discribed  the training for journalists as the only way to accord impact on the ongoing Lockdown policy of the state government.

According to him, the intention is to empower media men to inform the public right. The lockdown would not make impact if education of Akwa Ibom  people is lacking. The major reason for the lockdown is for people to stay away from each other, not just to stay at home as we are now seeing people holding meetings while staying at home.

On the overview of Corona virus: Simple facts and figures Dr. Usenobong Morgan, while taking the trainees memory Lane on the outbreak of dreaded virus, lamented that as of 8AM today, Nigeria has only tested 8003 with Akwa Ibom state testing only fifty three (53) persons out of which nine were confirmed positive to coronavirus with one dead, three discharged and five active cases, still in the isolation center.

On his part, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom State council, Comrade Amos Etuk said the training workshop was strategic as it has opened a new chapter towards a stronger Information management on Covid-19.

He pledged the union’s commitment to continue to partner the state government in the fight against Covid-19.

Coronavirus : Nigeria Losses Presidential Chief Of Staff

CHIEF OF STAFF TO PRESIDENT, ABBA KYARI, PASSES ON

The Presidency regrets to announce the passage of the Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari.

The deceased had tested positive to the ravaging COVID-19, and had been receiving treatment. But he died on Friday, April 17, 2020.

May God accept his soul.

Funeral arrangements will be announced shortly.

Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
April 18, 2020

Coronavirus: A'Ibom Health Professionals Demand More Testing, Decries Poor Information Dissemination

The Conglomeration of Akwa Ibom Health Care Professionals have called for more testing of suspected cases of corona virus especially those related to the earlier confirmed five index cases in the state.

The health care Professionals in a review of the handling of the outbreak in Uyo the state capital this evening commended Governor Udom Emmanuel  for implementing the public health advisory as contained in it's initial communique.


While acknowledging the setting up of an Isolation Center at Ibom specialty hospital and the ongoing construction of Isolation centers in Eket and Ituk Mbang, said it is sad that the Akwa Ibom state government was not sending samples for test of those who are said to have come in contact with the index cases in the state.

Speaking, the state chairman of the  Nigeria Medical Association, Dr. Nsikak Nyoyoko who was flanked by his colleagues leading  sister health unions like, comrade Patrick Odu, Chairman, National Association Of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) Akwa Ibom State Council and Dr. Akwaowoh Akpabio, Akwa Ibom State Branch Chairman, Pharmacy Society Of Nigeria (PSN),
Emilia Eliezer,Chairman, Association Of Medical Laboratory Scientists Of Nigeria ( AMLSN ),  both noted that the five confirmed cases have remained clinically stable and commended the courageous health care professionals who have continuously and sacrificially put their lives on the front lines.


Commending the response team on contact tracing for corona virus in the state, they expressed their displeasure on the  lack of testing for corona virus in Akwa Ibom and  called on the state ministry of health and the incident Management Committee to immediately collaborate with the Nigeria Center for Desease Control (NCDC) and ramp up testing for Covid-19 in Akwa Ibom State.

Furthermore, the Conglomerate of health professionals urged the state government to speed up the setting up of state laboratory for testing of corona virus.


Health care Professionals decried the lack of co-ordinated daily updates by handlers of the response team and called for improved information dissemination to avoid the current trend of assumptions and misinformation by the populace.