Umbrella Civil Society Group Commends Gov Emmanuel On Composition Of Public Procurement Council

By Ememobong Okon

An umbrella body for Civil Society Organizations in the State, Akwa Ibom State Civil Society Organizations forum, has expressed appreciation to the State Governor, Deacon Udom Emmanuel, for the recent appointment of one of their members, Mr. Harry Udoh, as a member of the Akwa Ibom State Public Procurement Council.

In a press statement issued by the group's head of media and publicity, Mr. Kingsley Atang and made available to newsmen on Monday, the group described the appointment of Mr. Udoh as deliberate, noting that the inclusion of civil society representation in the council, demonstrates strong political will to replace corruption, opacity and inefficiency with a regime of openness, especially in the area of public contacting.

"we are confident that Akwa Ibom State has just taken one of the fist steps towards joining the league of jurisdictions across the globe that are embracing open contracting for more efficient and effective public service delivery.

"Oftentimes, dearth of financial resources and political interference have been known to hamper the work of otherwise well-intentioned government initiatives.

"we therefore call on the State government to provide the council with the institutional resources and political space to fulfill its mandate.

"once again, we salute the Akwa Ibom State Government for its goodwill and ongoing partnership with Civil Society and affirm the forum's commitment to work with government to achieve the stipulated objectives of the Akwa Ibom State public procurement law 2019." the statement read.

It would be recalled that last week, Governor Emmanuel inuagugurated the Akwa Ibom State Public Procurement Council, with Mr. Harry Udoh, as the representative of civil society groups in the State.

Mr. Harry, a development expert with about 30 years cognate experience, has been in the forefront of advocating for  meaningful development of the State and the nation at large.

In an interaction with our reporter, Mr. Udoh, while appreciating the State Governor for the appointment, said, "With His Excellency, Udom Emmanuel's assent to the Public Procurement law and the prompt inauguration of the Public Procurement Council, the governor has laid the bulwark for transparency, accountability and good governance in the state.

" This also indicates the good intent of government for proper management of the state's resources. "

Hon. Anthony Etim Advocates Steadfastness in Hosting Akwa Ibom Youth Sports Festival

The Akwa Ibom State Weightlifting Association chairman, Pastor Antony Etim has advocated for the persistent hosting of the Akwa Ibom State Youths Sports Festival, saying that the festival has  immensely resulted in the discovery of talents  in various sports.

Etim who also doubles as the local government chairman of Oron made the advocacy while interacting with the state exercutive members of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) led by Comrade Emmanuel Akpan, in Uyo.

Pastor Etim who is a  former, footballer, Javelin thrower and a weightlifter explained that the advent of the Akwa Ibom Youth Sports Festival brought about the discovery of young talents like Edidiong in weightlifting, Imaobong in track, Idara in Boxing amongst others who could have been found wanting in the streets without knowing the potentials in them.

He appreciated Governor Udom Emmanuel for  according  sports   and youth  development  a priority in his administration and extolled the governor for affording him and other  members of the association   the opportunity to serve on board and contribute to the development of sports in the state.

While hinting that the  State Weightlifting Association is  determined to make the state proud in the sports at all levels, he said so far,  the state lifters have won 49 gold, 20 silver and 29 bronze medals in the National Sports Festivals, while in the  National Youth Sports Festival, Akwa Ibom did not take the rare as it  clinched 12 gold 11 silver and 12 bronze medals as well.

The chairman mentioned some of the weightlifters which helped the state to scoop the  laurels at  competitions to include: Edidiong Umofia, Uwana Peter,Namsifon Ekanem, Theresa Okon amongst others, whom he believed will go ahead to represent Nigeria in Olympic  having excelled in Africa and International championships.

He hinted that soon after the association was inaugurated a meeting of the board was convenned followed with a visit to the Uyo Township Stadium to assess facilities for training of weightlifters, adding that for positive results in the game it was pertinent to have a  standard training facility which he provided one of the best weightlifting platforms for the athletes training.

The chairman listed other attainments of the association to include: organizing a reception for weightlifters who participated at the Jigawa  State Weightlifting Competition and preparation of weightlifters for the postponed Edo National Sports Festival.

He also said that arrangement  was made to stage Oro Nation Youth  Weightlifting Tournament but was postponed due to the emergence of Coronavirus Disease , which according to him will still hold after the pandemic.

 According to him, the Association of Local Government of Nigeria ( ALGON) was  desirous to present youths from the 31 local government areas for weightlifting competition so as to harness talents in the sport.

Etim,  expressed readiness of the association to partner SWAN towards the  development of Weightlifting in the  state.

It would be recalled that the Akwa Ibom state youth sports festival held only twice with the third edition failing to hold in 2019, no thanks to political activities of 2019 in the state.

Meet Aminu Kurfi Balele : The Game Changer Who Is Leaving Footprints In The Sand Of Time

The story of Nigeria football cannot be complete without a mention of Alhaji Aminu kurfi Balele, the fast rising football administrator whose records on and off the pitch is gradually dwarfing the achievements of many who have spent over two decades in the corridors of football with virtually nothing to show for it.

As senior special adviser to the former executive governor of Katsina state Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari, Balele who was also a former chairman of Katsina united, is the brain behind the rising profile of Katsina United as one of the emerging super powers of Nigeria football

His deep administrative manoeuvrings around the football circle helped to lift the Changi boys from their comfort zone in the NNL to the Nigeria professional football league, NPFL, after they finished as league leaders in the 2016 season before going on to win the NNL Super 4 competition, a result that catapulted them to the Apex league in the country.

Known for his forthrightness, admired for his doggedness and respected for his resilience, Dan Arewa as he is fondly called by his admirers is gradually winning souls from all sectors of the sporting fraternity. Many remember with excitement, the role he played in turning Katsina United into a brand that is now talked about, not only in Nigeria but in the whole of Africa.

He was the brain behind the quick completion of the Muhammadu Dikko stadium in Katsina state and used his influence to get the Golden Eaglets camped in Katsina on their way to winning the 2015 FIFA Under 17 World Cup in Chile.

That in itself, was a landmark achievement that will remain indelible in the hearts of the good people of Katsina state for years to come.

This easy going and very unassuming administrator, guided the Under-15 team of Katsina United to back to back finals of the LMC/NPFL Under-15 features and was also on hand to guide Katsina feeders to the quarter final of the AITEO Cup. All these achievements came without anyone blowing his trumpet.

In 2018, Aminu Kurfi once again applied his administrative ingenuity by single handedly convincing the executive governor of Katsina state, his excellency, Aminu Bello Masari to host the NFF Extraordinary congress.

This happened at a time when Nigeria football was groaning in the mud of crisis and uncertainty.

Katsina state government hosted over five hundred football stakeholders, among them, 44 delegates, in what turned out the best organised NFF Election ever held in the history of Association football in Nigeria.

This was the first time in the history of NFF elections that the winners and losers shook hands in agreement that the process was indeed very free and fair.

Despite his goodwill, this man has his few regrets as the NFF have failed to fulfil two key promises made to the Katsina state government on the eve of the 2018 election.

Firstly, they promised to build the first FA secretariate in the Katsina state capital and secondly, they made a special promise to the emir of Daura, Faruk Umar Faruk, that they will bring one of the FIFA Goal projects assigned to Nigeria, to the home of president Mohammadu Buhari.

 Both promises have not been met till date as there are no assurances of any sort from the eggheads in the football house.

Balele is not deterred by these setbacks, as he has continued to contribute his quota to the development of football in the state and Nigeria in general.

Voted Katsina state FA chairman in 2019, this erodite and immensely intelligent politician who is well respected by the government and people of Katsina state for his rising profile as a key stakeholder in Nigeria football, was at the forefront of Nigeria's participation at the 2018 World Cup in Russia where he helped Nigeria football federation officials and fans to sort out important logistics before and during the competition.

He also singlehandedly secured Max Airline for the NFF to help airlift the Super Eagles of Nigeria to Sfax for a crucial world cup qualifier with Libya in October 2018,  and later Maseru for the return leg of a double header with Lesotho just last year.

He is the peace maker, a man who has continued to preach peace among football stakeholders. His philanthropic hand has touched the young and old in all the villages and towns of Katsina state and environs. He has touched lives and has not stopped doing his best in helping humanity.

 Loved by the media, appreciated by the footballers, respected by club owners and other stakeholders and adored by the fans, Aminu Kurfi will always be remembered as the man who discovered the jewel or Katsina United, the pride of the Changi boys and a player that all football lovers in the state will love to call their beloved, he is Destiny Ashadi or better still, the Katsina Diamond.

I'm Not Aware Of 50 UUTH Staff Waiting Covid-19 Test - A'Ibom Healy Commissioner

Five Covid19 positive patients including a nursing mother have been given a clean bill of health and discharged in Uyo, Tuesday after being confirmed negative to the dreaded virus by the Nigerian Center for Diseases Control, NCDC.

Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dominic Ukpong who made the disclosure while addressing newsmen at the Ibom Specialist Hospital shortly after their discharge said one of the discharged survivors was a medical worker with the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital.

Flanked by the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof. Emmanuel Ekanem and Dr. Martins Akpan of the Primary HealthCare Development Agency, Dr. Ukpong explained that the nursing mother had to be given special treatment at home since she had a 7months baby and two infants ages two and three respectively in her care.

“I commend Governor Emmanuel for putting in place a means through which we were able to administer medical care to that woman because there was no way we could have brought her and three children into this facility, since none of the children had tested positive.

“Her samples have now come out negative and she has also been discharged along with the other four cases”

On the reported case of 50 medical workers awaiting testing at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Dr Ukpong maintained that, “I am not aware of such number of people lining up for testing at UUTH.

“The one we have actually profiled and met the criteria for testing was among those discharged today, a staff of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital".

“Yesterday (Monday) I was at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital to commission an isolation ward”, he stated, adding that, he has frequent interactions with the Chief Medical Director of the Teaching Hospital and any such development had not been brought before him.

On contact tracing, the Commissioner disclosed that the state has so far done 458 contact tracing, indicating about 99.1% attainment as acknowledged by NCDC.
Fielding questions from reporters on some of the concerns raised on the testing modalities and other issues, Dr. Ukpong stated "Scientifically, there are criteria for Covid19 testing, and we follow the criteria as set out by NCDC.

He said the Governor Emmanuel has performed very well in the fight against the disease, especially judging from the huge number of the index cases and the gradual decline in the numbers, but urged Akwa Ibom people to continue observing the laid down precautionary measures in order to check the spread of disease in the state.

Also speaking, the CMD of Ibom Specialist Hospital, Prof. Emmanuel Ekanem commended the facilities and response strategy provided by the Akwa Ibom State government in preventing the spread of Covid19 pandemic in the state, and maintained that the hospital management was very satisfied with the sincerity of the government.

President Buhari Appoints New Chief Of Staff State

President Muhammadu Buhari today appointed a new Chief of Staff in the person of Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari following the demise of the former CoS, Mallam Abba Kyari.

Prof. Gambari, CFR who was born on November 24, 1944 and hails from Kwara State is the former Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations for the Department of Political Affairs (DPA).

He attended King’s College, Lagos. Proceeded to London School of Economics where he obtained his B. Sc. (Economics) degree (1968) with specialty in International Relations.

He later obtained his M.A. (1970) and Ph. D. (1974) degrees from Columbia University, New York, USA in Political Science /International Relations.

The Ilorin prince and uncle to the present Emir of Ilorin is a revered scholar and diplomat who has garnered experience and held high profile positions.

Following his track records in leadership, the former governor of Kwara State, AbdulFatah Ahmad on March 4, 2013 named him the pioneer Chancellor of the Kwara State University.

Also, he was the Minister for External Affairs between 1984 and 1985.
Although the appointment of Gambari is yet to be made official by Presidency but sources say he was picked after a rigourous selection process by the Presidency.

He is to resume work on Wednesday after meeting with President Buhari earlier today at the State house according to report.
Congratulations Sir!

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.