Niger Delta

Assembly Approves N50bn Loan For Akpabio …As Gov Hails S’Court Judgment

Published

14 years ago

June 6, 2012

Akwa Ibom House of Assembly says its approval of N50 billion loan from the capital market for the state government has been provided for in the 2012 budget.

Mr Samuel Ikon gave the explanation in Uyo while briefing newsmen on the activities lined up for the celebration of the end of the first legislative session of the 5th Assembly inaugurated on June 6, 2011.

The State House of Assembly had given approval a week ago to the state executive to borrow N50 billion for its projects following a request by Gov. Godswill Akpabio.

Ikon said that the 2012 Appropriation Estimates of N394.7 billion had a deficit expenditure of N65 billion, hence it was needful to borrow to complete most of the road projects executed by the state government.

“It is clear that the projects for the year were in excess of the expected revenue, hence the balance is to be financed through borrowing.

“This is even the first time in five years that this administration is borrowing, I want to commend the state government for fiscal discipline, the borrowing is justifiable,” Ikon said.

He said that if the state government should refuse to borrow, then the construction of dual carriage way from Ekom Iman to Etinan and Etinan to Eket respectively would be suspended.

Ikon said that he was sure that the state government would repay the loan within the life span of the current administration.

The speaker added that the 5th Assembly had passed five bills into laws as well as 13 resolutions.

He announced the donation of 10,000 exercise books to the State Ministry of Education for distribution to selected schools.

Some of the highlights of the celebration are thanksgiving service slated for June 3, special plenary session of the Assembly with legislators from other states, members of the National Assembly, a get-together party and a joint session slated for Rivers House of Assembly complex.

Meanwhile, Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom has hailed the Supreme Court judgment upholding his re-election in April 2011.

In a statement issued the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Anietie Ukpe the governor thanked God for the victory and also the people for supporting him.

The governorship candidate of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the state, Sen. James Udoedehe had dragged Akpabio to court challenging his re-election in April 2011 election.

’’I thank all of you and I give glory to God that each time they stand to challenge the will of God, God uses the court to make sure that His will is maintained.

‘’I give glory to God that you are celebrating the judgment of the Supreme Court and finally God has brought the issue of the 2011 Governorship Elections to an end.

“The election of 2011 was lost and won. That means that Godswill is done again in Akwa Ibom State, ‘’ Akpabio said.

Niger Delta

Edo Partners Stakeholders For Better Land, Housing Services

Published

5 hours ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

The Edo State government has reaffirmed its commitment to strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to enhance effective service delivery in the lands and housing sector across the state.

Commissioner for Ministry of Lands and Housing, Mr. Yakubu Musa, made this known on Thursday, when he met with members of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers in Benin.

Musa emphasised the importance of synergy and collaboration to drive sustainable development in the state.

He said, ‘’The ministry is taking steps to sanitise and regulate the real estate industry to make sure Edo citizens get maximum satisfaction from the lands and housing sector.’’

Earlier, the Chairman of the Association, Mr. Roger Isiokhere, said the visit was to formally acquaint the commissioner with the institution’s activities.

Isiokhere expressed the institution’s readiness to work closely with the ministry in achieving its mandate, offering professional advisory services and other forms of support.

The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Joy Akhigbe, also stressed the importance of collaboration.

In attendance at the meeting were the Surveyor-General of the State, Directors, and other management staff of the Ministry of Lands and Housing.

Niger Delta

Otu Reiterates Commitment To Support Military Veterans, Families

Published

5 hours ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of military veterans and their families.

Otu, who spoke at the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Calabar on Thursday, said his administration would not forget the contributions of fallen heroes.

Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Peter Odey, the Governor described the armed forces remembrance day as a reminder of the sacrifices made by military veterans to keep Nigeria united and peaceful.

“The lesson is to remember our fallen heroes, people who sacrificed for the country, many of them paid with their lives to protect this nation”, he said.

Otu further said widows of late military officers would continue to be part of his government’s programmes and interventions.

“All widows are being carried along, the Commissioner for Social Welfare ensures their inclusion in every programme”, he said.

Earlier, the Cross River State Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Daniel Ojugbo, said the ceremony was not only an honour for fallen heroes, but a time to reflect on the challenges being faced by military veterans and their families.

Ojugbo said families of fallen military officers faced delayed welfare benefits, limited medical care and unemployment for their widows and other dependants.

He commended Otu for his support, saying that his administration had shown genuine and remarkable concerns for the legion and its members.

Also speaking, the Coordinator, Military Widows in the state, Mrs. Miriam Orok, thanked the Governor for improved treatment and inclusion in welfare interventions.

“We are actually seeing better changes under our Governor. He has been carrying us along, and we are very grateful. We also thank the governor’s wife for her sense of compassion”, she said.

The Tide’s source reports that the event featured prayers, wreath-laying, and tributes to the fallen heroes.

Niger Delta

Delta Legislative Assembly Impeaches Leader Over Gross misconduct

Published

5 hours ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

Leader of Ughelli North Local Government Legislative Arm, Rt. Hon. Ajero Prosper Okeoghene, has been impeached over alleged gross misconduct and abuse of office.

The impeachment of the ousted leader was signed by 12 out of the 18 councillors that attended the plenary at the legislative chamber of Ughelli North on Wednesday.

The Councillors alleged that the former House leader breached the constitutional requirement to lead the 8th Assembly.

According to the statement, “We the undersigned Councillors of Ughelli North Local Government Legislative House of the 8th Assembly have watched with keen interest the activities of the present Leader of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ajero Okeoghene Prosper, and having thoroughly gone through it, we decided to as a matter of urgency, resolved to impeach him in line with the relevant Delta Local Government Law 2013, as Amended, and other Legislative practices/convention.

“Furthermore, to the above therefore, we are constrained to state unequivocally that Hon. Ajero Okeoghene Prosper lacks the ability to move this Eighth (8th) Assembly to the next level and as such should step outside for another to reinvigorate this present Assembly.

“Having satisfied the constitutional requirement of 2/3 majority, motion for his impeachment and removal as leader of the Ughelli North Legislative Arm was moved.

“His impeachment was as a result of Misappropriation of funds, inability to pilot the affairs of the house, high-handedness, gross misconduct and refusal to call plenary as at when due and his excessive drunkenness.

“The motion for his impeachment was moved by Hon. Onome Isherhe, Councillor representing Ughelli Ward 12, and seconded by Hon. Clever Erhuvwu Ofariko, representing Orogun Ward 3, respectively.

“The motion for a new Leader of the Ughelli North Legislative Arm was moved by Hon. Collins Oghenebrorhie Arhiakpore, the Councillor representing Agbarha Ward 2 and seconded by Hon Felicia Diedjomaho, the Councillor representing Agbarho Ward 1″, it stated.

Amongst the Councillors that signed the impeachment are Hon. Orido December, Hon. Victor, Hon. Igogono Goddey, and Hon. Felicia Diedjomaho.

Others are Hon. Inana Oke Festus, Hon. Clever Erhuvwu Ofariko, Hon. Collins Arhiakpore, Hon. Joseph Friday Obara, Hon. Onome Isherhe, and Hon. Palmer Israel.

The new Leader of the Ughelli North Local Government Legislative Arm is Rt. Hon. Solomon Oghenero Agbini, the Councillor representing Ogor Ward 1.

All efforts to contact the impeached leader, Okeoghene, were not successful as calls to his line were not answered or returned as of the time of this report.