Niger Delta
Methodist Prelate Loses Car To Armed Robbers
The prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, His eminence Dr. Sunday Ola Makinde was attacked by a gang of armed robbers in Akwa Ibom State and dispossessed of his Toyota Land Cruiser Jeep.
The attack was said to have taken place between Abak and Ukanajun as the prelate and his entourage were returning from a grand reception and thanksgiving service by the cathedral of Unity Methodist Church, Ukana Ikot Ntuen, Uwa East, Essien Udim in honour of governor Godswill Obot Akpabio last Sunday.
In a telephone conversion with one of the drivers in the entourage who craved anonymity, the armed robbers may have been informed of the prelate’s movement by a source who attended the church reception.
Even though the source did not give a detailed account of the attack and the exact spot where it occurred, it was obvious that they had pre-information by the way they operated.
Apart from the prelate losing his car and some content inside it, the mobile policeman attached to him was also said to have lost his riffle to the hoodlums.
Our source added that the attack must have been carried out on the prelate as target because their informants may have informed them that the prelate’s car was loaded with cash given him by the governor.
The Tide was however not told how much cash His eminence lost to the men of under world in addition to the car.
The prelate who earlier reprimanded Gov. Akpabio for his habitual lateness to events, however commended him for the various life touching projects he has executed in the state.
Makinde told politicians who are interested in second term not to stash money for their re-election but should execute projects, saying it is there projects that would make people to vote for them a second time.
He singled out both the Lagos State governor Fashola and Akpabio for their good works and endorsed them for second term.
Responding, Chief Akpabio attributed his lateness to the planning committee, who had informed him that he was only going to be needed during the second part of the programme.
Akpabio used the occasion to call on Akwa Ibom politicians to stop politics of deceit, noting that some of them who are spreading falsehood about him can not even be voted by their kinsmen.
He said his emergence in the political arena was facilitated by his family members due to his track records.
He later commissioned a multi purpose hall and parsonage built and furnished by Elder Ibanga Akpabio, stat PDP Secretary.
Niger Delta
Four Decades After, Jonathan Hosts Class’81 UNIPORT Alumni …Recommits To United Nigeria, Visits Oloibiri Oil Well One
Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, recently played host to Class ‘1981’ Alumni Association of the University of Port Harcourt Alumni
Jonathan, who is an alumnus and a member of the pioneer graduate class of 1981 of the federal institution alongside other of his former school mates, participated in reunion activities which commenced 25th November and ended on Saturday in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
A statement made available to newsmen from the media office of the ex-President notes that activities earlier lined up for the programme include a lecture, an excursion and a dinner and award night, respectively.
The statement added that the reunion programme is part of activities of the alumni aimed at fostering bond among old classmates and a platform to deliberate on issues affecting their alma mater and give back to the school and society in general.
The Tide which monitored the reunion learnt that the Pioneer Students-graduants of the Port Harcourt situated University also paid a reunion courtesy visit to the pioneer Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Ebiegberi Alagoa in his Nembe-Ogbolabiri country home, Nembe council area of the oil rich Niger Delta state.
Dignitaries who graced the occasion were King Alfred Diete-Spiff, former Governor of Old River State and Amanyanabo of Twon Brass who was the Royal Father of the event
The Tide gathered that the University of Port Harcourt was established in 1975 as University College, but was upgraded to a full-fledged university in 1977. The school popularly called Uniport has over the years groomed many illustrious leaders and trailblazers of international repute and the reunion was meant to encourage young and upcoming generations on the power of education.
Meanwhile, former president has again harped on the need for a United Nigeria, describing the country as blessed with both human and natural endowment, saying Leaders should focus more on building a United nation where no one society or tribe should be more valued than the other.
“Leaders should focus more on uniting Nigerians, if one society or group of people or tribe is more valued than the other then there’s be disunity and disenchantment from those who feel not being a accorded their rightful respect and value”, he said.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,Yenagoa
A delegation from Akwa Ibom State, comprising members of the Ibom Deep Seaport Committee is currently in, Seoul, South Korea to drive Governor Udom Emmanuel’s vision for the rapid realisation of the seaport.
Among members of the delegation are Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, Commissioner for Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport, Mr Akan Okon, and Chairman of the Implementation Technical Committee, Mrs Mfon Usoroh.
They are among the Nigerian contingent to the Maritime Sector and Harbour Development programme in Seoul, South Korea.
The Nigerian contingent is under the leadership of the Nigerian Ambassador to South Korea, Ambassador Ali M. Magashi.
Opening up on the essence of the visit, Commissioner for Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport said it was to help offer inputs for the development of lbom Deep Seaport.
According to Commissioner Akan Okon, the visit will also enable Akwa Ibom State tap into the broadening bilateral relationship between Nigeria and South Korea, especially in the areas of maritime security and economic development.
“Having invested so much in the Ibom Deep Seaport, the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel will continue to seek ways that would ensure the Ibom Deep Seaport is optimally beneficial to Akwa Ibom people, when it is finally established.”
Mr Akan Okon assured that, “on our part, we’ll continue to work tirelessly to drive Governor Udom Emmanuel’s lofty vision for Akwa Ibom State.”
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Fugar Division in Etsako Central Local Government Area identified as Ibrahim Ishaq has been reported kidnapped near Ise river along the Auchi – Ekperi-Agenebode road.
It was gathered that the police officer was travelling with his orderly last Friday when they were attacked by the kidnappers.
A source close to the police said: “He was coming from Agenebode to Fugar and he passed through Ekperi Road and they were attacked. He was kidnapped but his orderly escaped and the kidnappers have made contact this morning and they are demanding N50million. The incident happened around 6:30 pm on Friday.”
As at the time of filing this report, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Edo State was yet to respond to a text message sent to him.
But it was gathered that the Commissioner of Police, Philip Ogbadu has ordered immediate deployment of men of the Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime unit, men of the Tactical and Srike teams of the state Police Command to move to the area to rescue the DPO unhurt.
Fear has enveloped the community, with members debating the incident and arguing that “if a DPO can be abducted, who is safe?”.
-
Business5 days ago‘Renewable Energy, Pathway To Revamp Economy’
-
News5 days agoAgriculture Reduces Nigeria’s Dependence On Oil Sector, FG Admits
-
Sports5 days ago2021/2022 NPFL Season Starts, Dec 17
-
Sports5 days agoUS-Based Okorie Plans Maiden South-East Sports Festival
-
Politics2 days ago
Shehu Explains Buhari’s Controversial Tweet On Biafra
-
Business5 days agoEFCC Blames Frauds In Banking Sector On Insiders
-
Sports5 days agoCAFCC: Enyimba Storms Tunisia With Depleted Squad
-
Business5 days agoSEC Frowns At Resurgence Of Ponzi Schemes