AKHA Speaker Charges Commonwealth Parliamentarians To Be Innovative In Legislative Business

The Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, has lauded House of Representatives member, Mrs. Zainab Gimba, on her emergence as Vice-Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women in Parliament (CWP) International and tasked parliamentarians to be innovative and evolve with the global trend of legislative business.

Rt. Hon. Bassey, who made this in Munyonyo, Kampala, Uganda, where he led a delegation of the State House of Assembly to the 64th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) conference, said Gimba’s feat has further shown that the association has kept to its vision of connecting, developing, promoting and supporting Parliamentarians and their staff to identify benchmarks of good governance and the implementation of enduring values of the Commonwealth.

He tasked parliamentarians at all levels in Nigerian to take advantage of the ongoing CPA conference and take the centre stage in the comity of nations.

While commending the organizer of the event and the aptness of the theme of the conference, ‘Adaption, engagement, and evolution of parliaments in a rapidly changing Commonwealth,’ the Speaker, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Mr. Darlington Udobong, described Mrs. Gimba’s emergence as key in Africa’s quest for the enhancement of the powers of the parliament.

“I am glad Nigeria is represented through Mrs. Zainab Gimba, a former University Don and member representing Bama/Ngala/Kala-Balge Federal Constituency of Borno State, who was elected Chairperson of the African Regional of the CWP few weeks ago in Zanzibar, Tanzania. Today, she is the Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women in Parliament and this position qualifies her to represent the continent at the CWP International meetings.

"we can achieve more as a nation, we can walk the miles as a nation and occupy the centre stage. I urge all parliamentarians in Nigerian to take up the challenge and embrace the global trend in lawmaking. The world is talking about adaptation, evolution, innovation and commitment to the task of legislation, we should not be bystanders, we should strive to take the lead".

The statement also hinted that members of the Akwa Ibom delegation would have the benefit of taking part in so many workshops and roundtable discussions including “Climate Change: Achievements, Challenges and Efficacy of Parliamentary Interventions; Innovation in Parliament: the impact of science and technology on how Parliament works today; The role of Parliament in facilitating persons with disabilities as electors, candidates and legislators; The Role of Parliament in the doctrine of Separation of Powers; Enhancing Transparency and Accountability; Maintaining Stability, Evolution, Dynamics and Challenges of Terrorism in Eastern Africa, among others,” among others.

A'Ibom To Host Six States As Ibom Chronicles Boxing Championship kicks Off In Uyo

All is now set for the maiden edition of Ibom Chronicle Boxing Championship in Akwa Ibom state where six States and two boxing clubs are to battle for medals and cash prizes.

This was made known yesterday, Wednesday 25September2019, in Uyo during a Media parley ahead of the boxing event slated for 1st October 2019 at the Uyo Township Stadium.

The Chairman, organising Committee of Ibom Chronicle Boxing Championships Evang. Theophilus Udo, hinted that the reason for the boxing championship is to discover and groom world champions even as they prepare athletes for the Junior African Championships and the National Sports Festival, Edo 2020.

"In the years past we have seen many persons invest a lot in football, Ibom Chronicle saw the need to revive boxing in Nigeria starting with Akwa Ibom State playing host to these carefully selected States in the South/South and South East of our dear Nation".

It will be recalled that Miracle Eshiet Joe and Emmanuel Akpan both won Gold for Akwa Ibom state at the just concluded Fifth National Youth Games in Ilorin, Kwara State hence the need for this event to discover more talents.

Mr Udo hinted that Five states and two clubs including Akwa Ibom will participate in this tournament so as to put the Athletes in shape ahead of next year Championship.

" Five states have confirmed their participation in the championship which includes Cross River, Rivers, Bayelsa, Abia and Host Akwa Ibom.

We want a better competition that is why we have invited these states, so as to ensure that we reduce the rate of crime and anti social activities in these states and as well know the level of preparedness of Akwa Ibom Boxers for national trials will know and put them feet for the Junior Championship and the Sports festival".

Six categories will be competed for, three in the Junior level which include 46 Kg, 54 Kg, 54kg male and female while the senior category includes 56 Kg, Male, 75 Kg Male and 81Kg Female.

The Boxers will be competing for medals and cash prizes.

Athletes are expected in the state on the 30th of September as competition will begin on the 1st of October.

A'Ibom Police Declare War Against Motorcycle Operations in Uyo, Eket

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command wishes to inform members of the public that it has commenced a massive crackdown on users of motorcycles within Uyo metropolis in compliance with the law prohibiting same

Law abiding members of the public should avoid using motorcycles within Uyo metropolis as those found violating this Law will be apprehended and prosecuted.

Furthermore, as a proactive measure to checkmate criminality within Eket and its environs, the Command will enforce the directive of the State Government prohibiting the use of motorcycles in Eket and Ikot Ekpene Local Government Areas between 6pm and 6am daily.

According to the state police public relations officer, SP Odiko Maccdon, users of motorcycles within Eket are therefore enjoined to avoid doing so within the said period as offenders will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.

He maintained that the state Commissioner of Police, CP ZAKI AHMED reiterates his commitment to the protection of lives and property and maintenance of law and order in every parts of Akwa Ibom State and therefore calls on law abiding citizens to cooperate with the Police in this regard.

Senator Akpabio Urges NDDC To Complete Ongoing Projects

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswll Akpabio has directed the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to complete on-going projects including the on-going headquarters building project before awarding contracts for new ones. 

Senator Akpabio gave the charge when in the company of the Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Festus Keyamo they paid a working visit to the headquarters of the Commission in Port Harcourt on Friday.

During a meeting with the management and staff of the Commission, Senator Akpabio disclosed that the NDDC had more than 12,000 on-going projects across the nine states of the Niger Delta region which experienced funding challenges.

The Minister said it was not a coincidence that two Niger Delta sons were selected by President Muhammadu Buhari to superintend over the affairs of the Niger Delta but a conscious effort at ensuring effective development of the region especially in the areas of infrastructural and human capital development.

According to Senator Akpabio, “The creation of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs was a direct response to the series of agitations by people of the region flowing from the deep sense of exclusion, environmental degradation, lack of development, poverty and unemployment facing the region,” he said.

On its part he said the NDDC was a child of necessity which was established “with a mission of facilitating the rapid, even and sustainable development of the Niger Delta into a region that is economically prosperous, socially stable, ecologically regenerative and politically peaceful” and said the Commission has to adopt a new template to achieve this mission.

According to Senator Akpabio, “The Niger Delta Development Commission must adopt a well structured funds development regime whereby all funds that accrue to the Commission must be properly utilized in this new era of probity which President Muhammadu Buhari demands,” he said.

In her welcome address, the acting Managing Director, Dr Akwagaga Enyia said the Commission under her watch had embarked upon fiscal responsibility as required by the anti-corruption drive of the Buhari administration. She promised to expeditiously complete the on-going headquarters building project.


Senator Akpabio and Mr Keyamo who later inspected the on-going construction of the headquarters building of the Commission, charged the management to channel more funds into completing the building. They also visited a failed portion of the East-West road and promised an intervention to alleviate the suffering of commuters.

Amapakabo Invites Nya, Udoh, Effiong, Akpan, Others For CHAN

Coach Imama Amapakabo has invited some NPFL stars ahead of the match against the Togolese this weekend.

Invited are, the joint highest goal scorer of the Nigerian Professional Football League mfon Udoh of Akwa United, Theophilus Afelokhai of Enyimba International FC, and Samuel Matthias also of Akwa United.

Others are, Ogene Elijah of Plateau United, Sikiru Alimi of Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi and Super Eagles goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa who plays for Heartland Football Club of Owerri. 

The aforementioned players will join the Under-23 stars like Ebube Duru, John Lazarus, Seth Maye, Olisa Nda,  Fatai Gbadamosi and Williams Ukeme.

These were the players who prosecuted the match against the Sudanese Under-23 side. Ndifreke Effiong the scorer of the two goals out of the five goals scored against Sudanese will be major boost to the quest of CHAN Eagles to win away from home.

The CHAN Eagles will take on the Togolese  in their country come Sunday, the 22nd September 2019.

Pump As Barr. Aniefiok Dennis Sponsor Bill To Upgrade School Of Health Technology To A College

A bill for a law to upgrade the Akwa Ibom state School of health Technology to a college of Health Technology for training of various health professionals in the state and for other matter connected there with has passed second reading at the Akwa Ibom state house of Assembly.

The bill is  sponsored by the member representing Etinan state constituency, Barr .Aniefiok Dennis, and nine others as cosponsors.

Dennis While speaking on the need to change the name of the school to "College of Health Technology", hinted that the change is in order to help the students of the school to be able to meet  the standard with those outsider the state and to also gain recognition from the National Board for Technical Education (NABTE).

Also, " the bill when is passed into law and assented to by the Governor, it will enable the Institution to assess grants from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund( TETF), for improved infrastructure in the collage".

Barr. Dennis,who is the chairman, house committee on information used the opportunity to commend Governor, Mr.Udom Emmanuel for putting his best in terms of infrastructural development in the school and pleaded with his colleagues to support the bill to see the light of the day.

Our House correspondent, Theophilus Udo, reports that earlier at the floor of the House during debate on the bill ,Members of the house unanimously spoke in support of the Bill and advocate that health personnel should be trained to handle students and also man the various health facilities built by Governor Udom Emmanuel in the state.

They also expressed optimism that the passage of the bill into law will stop quackery and will also encourage our people to go to school.

On his part,the speaker of the house Rt.Hon.Aniekan Bassey, explained the merit of the bill and what the students stand to benefit if the bill is passed into law.

The bill was later committed to the House committee on Health for further legislative actions and to report back to the house.

After plenary, the sponsor of the bill, explained to journalists that before now, once a students graduated from the school ,their certificate were not well recognized outside the state as such limits those graduates from gaining jobs outside the state, but Once the school is upgraded they will go for Youth service.

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