Death of six pupils sparks off protest in Akwa Ibom

The protesters ... on Wednesday

The protesters ... on Wednesday

The protesters ... on Wednesday

Scores of youths in Eket, Akwa Ibom State, rampaged through the town on Wednesday to protest the death of six pupils in a fatal road accident.

Etiebet’s removal from PDP BoT: How will it affect Akwa Ibom politics? What’s your opinion?

                                                                      Chief Don Etiebet

When the Prof. Jerry Gana-led committee, which was mandated last January to restructure the membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustee (BoT) adopted a formula that any member of the board who has defected to other parties between 1999 to date should automatically be said to have lost its privilege status of being a member of the PDP BoT, many knew that the former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba and Chief Don Etiebet would surely be affected.

Though a founding member of PDP, Don Etiebet had left the party to become the national chairman of the opposition ANPP before he later came back to PDP. Now, according to news reports, Etiebet has been replaced in the PDP BoT with another Akwa Ibom politician, Senator Emmanuel Ibok-Essien.

The question is: how will Don Etiebet’s removal from PDP BoT affect politics in Akwa Ibom State? We’ll like to read your opinion on this? Thank you.

Jungle Justice: Community in Akwa Ibom Roast Four Kinsmen Over Alleged Robbery

                                                           File photo: Jungle justice: A man burnt to death

Four alleged armed robbers were recently roasted to death in Ibianga Asakpa, Oruk Anam local government area, Akwa Ibom State.

The alleged robbers were said to have gone to the community to rob residents of the area.

Direct list of the local government areas of origin of the 19 law officers recently retired from the Akwa Ibom State civil service

Due to requests from our readers, THINK AKWA IBOM hereby publish the direct list of the 19 law officers recently retired from the Akwa Ibom State civil service. The list as the screen-shot in this report shows is culled from the Commissioner of Justice, Bar.  Ekpenyong Ntekim’s facebook page.

Belinda Effah,nollywood actress on Calabar

How we got married secretly – Janet Jackson speaks on billionaire, Wissam Al Mana (PICTURED)

Wissam Al Mana  and Janet Jackson

‘We were married in a quiet, private, and beautiful ceremony,’ Janet Jackson says.
Janet Jackson and Wissam Al Mana have kept their marriage a secret until now.

The couple has told ET News exclusively that they married last year. “The rumours regarding an extravagant wedding are simply not true. Last year we were married in a quiet, private, and beautiful ceremony.”
Their first joint statement comes after rumors of a wedding began to swirl.

Akwa Ibom SSG, Umana Okon Umana in a unique face-to-face meeting with facebook friends, likens succession politics to a game of football

                               The SSG, Mr. Umana Okon Umana addressing his facebook friends

By Nse Peter

The Secretary to the Government of Akwa Ibom State (SSG), Mr. Umana Okon Umana spent more than five hours in the evening of last Saturday, 23 Feb, holding a novelty face-to-face interactive meeting with his facebook friends, mostly youths from different parts of Akwa Ibom State.

Gov. Akpabio’s election as the chairman, PDP Governor’s Forum: What’s your opinion?

                                                              Gov. Godswill Akpabio

Our readers will like to know what you are thinking; please share your thoughts in the column meant for comments. Thank you.

Tiger Woods re-unites with ex-wife, Elin Nordegren

                                                 

File photo of Woods with Elin on September 15, 2004 in Detroit, Michigan. Credit:  Andrew Redington/Getty Images

A report published by U.S Weekly says that Tiger Woods and his ex-wife, Elin Nordegren got re-united for the first time in so many years, and were even photographed together, at an event on Saturday, Feb, 23 in Jupiter, Florida. The report says their daughter, Sam, 5, and Charlie, 4, were also present. Woods and Elin were photographed strolling alongside one another at the event.

“I have no reasons to call Gov. Akpabio satan” - Arc Nya-Etok

                                                                Arc Ezekiel Nya-Etok

By Nse Peter

“I honestly have no reasons to call Gov Akpabio 'satan', or some other unprintable names. If this makes me a coward then too bad for me, I can live with that.”

News update: Commissioner for Justice, Ekpenyong Ntekim, publishes local government areas of origin of 19 law officers recently retired in Akwa Ibom

                                                         Commissioner Ekpenyong Ntekim

By Nse Peter

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Akwa Ibom State, Bar. Ekpenyong Ntekim has published the local government areas of origin of the 19 law officers recently retired in the state’s Ministry of Justice.

Three of the affected law officers are from Uruan Local Government Area, while two are from Onna, same with Ikono. The following local government areas have one each: Uyo, Urue Offong/Oruko, Ikot Ekpene, Eket, Etim Ekpo, Mkpat Enin, Oruk Anam, Ibesikpo/Asutan, Udung Uko, Ibiono Ibom, Essien Udim and Abak.

Wow! Oprah Winfrey and her ‘girls’ on red carpet

Essence magazine honoured Oprah Winfrey with the Power Award at the 6th Annual Essence Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon last Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013, in Beverly Hills Hotel, Los Angeles. Oprah was joined on the red carpet by students from her Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa.

All is now set for today’s (Saturday, 23 Feb, 2013) Get Together of Friends of Umana Okon Umana on Facebook

The event which is scheduled to hold by 4pm in the Banquet Hall of EEMJM Hotel & Suites, Dominic Utuk Avenue, Uyo, will be chaired by a broadcast guru in Nigeria, Akparawa Michael Bush.

“You have written your name in gold,” Eket politician praises Speaker Sam Ikon for rejecting zoning in Akwa Ibom

The president of Akwa Ibom Democratic Project (AKDP), Mr. Enobong Ikoiwak has commended the speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Sam Ikon for speaking against the agitation for the zoning of the 2015 governorship position in the state.

War against Islamic terrorists in Mali: U.S. military personnel arrive in Niger

                                                                            File photo: U.S military





About 40 U.S. military personnel have arrived in Niger, President Barack Obama told Congress on Friday, the last of a deployment of about 100 to help coordinate intelligence sharing with French forces operating in Mali.

I don’t believe in zoning, says Akwa Ibom Speaker, Sam Ikon

Today, 22 February, is Sir Wilker Jackson’s birthday.

Today, we celebrate the life and achievements of the award winning high life musician from Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria! May God bless you with long life, good health and plenty smiles and laughter.

From all of us in THINK AKWA IBOM!, we say happy birthday to you, Sir Wilker Jackson!

Akwa Ibom Justice Commissioner, Ekpenyong Ntekim announces retirement of 19 law officers via facebook

By Nse Peter

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Akwa Ibom State, Barrister Ekpenyong Ntekim has announced through his facebook page, the retirement of 19 law officers from the state ministry of justice.

Ekpenyong Ntekim listed the names of the affected law officers as Augustine Edet Akpan, Kingsley Udo Ekwere, Iniobong Michael George, Edet Okon Essang, Essien Okon Ninedays, Eme Ekanem Ukpong, Ema Tom Udonsek, and Kingsley Udongo Edoho. Others are: Uko Akpan D. Isaiah, Albert Emmanson, Udemeobong Effiong Utong, Uduak Emmanuel Etuk, Etim Daniel Okon, Uduak Udofia Malachy Eyo, Josiah Edet Ottuk, Godwin Oscar Idiong, Polycarp Afangideh, Akaraobong Ekong and Edet John Essien.

 

The commissioner who posted the information in the early hours of last Wednesday indicated that the retirement took effect on 14 February, 2013.  He did not however specify their offense nor their age bracket.

In an apparent effort to justify why he took to facebook for the announcement, Ntekim who has just 736 friends and 78 followers on the popular social media network says “before it is heard from other sources, with expected misinterpretations and ascription of mala fide, I have the painful obligation of stating that 19 Law Officers who served in various capacities under me in the Ministry of justice until the 14th February 2013 have been retired by the Government of Akwa Ibom State.” 

“To some of my esteemed colleagues (including personal friends), being in sync with the tempo of the administration was a huge learning curve of immense consequences,” the commissioner wrote.

S.A to Gov. Akpabio, Etubom Jerry Emah is reported dead

A news report published by the mid-week edition of the Uyo-based Global Concord newspaper says that the Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Akpabio on Education Monitoring, Etubom Jerry Emah is dead.

The Global Concord report says “news of his demise filtered out on Monday morning leaving thousands of Akwa Ibomites especially people from Etinan Local Government Area where he came from in shock”. 

The paper says it has confirmed from an unnamed family source, the sad news of Jerry Emah’s death.

Veteran Nigerian actor, Justus Esiri is dead.

Justus Esiri who is one of the iconic figures in Nollywood reportedly died on Monday, in Lagos.

The veteran actor and father of singer, Dr. Sid, started his acting career in the 70s and was well known for his role as Headmaster in the Village Headmaster series which aired on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

May his soul Rest in Peace!

Wedding Photos: Nollywood Actress, Nse Ikpe-Etim Is Now Mrs Clifford Sule

There’s a newly wed couple in town….the lovely Sules!

On Valentine’s Day, 14th February 2013, Nollywood actress Nse Ikpe-Etim and her first love, Clifford Sule became ONE after completing their Civil Ceremony (Registry) wedding.

The next day – February 15, close friends including Rita Dominic, Waje, Thelma Ojiji, Uche Jombo, Dakore Akande and Michelle Dede celebrated with the couple at the swanky Sky Lounge penthouse restaurant & bar at Eko Hotel in Lagos.

Coke Overdose? Mom Drops After Drinking 10 Liters of Coca-Cola a Day

Natasha Harris, 31-year-old mother of eight who lived in Invercargill on the South Island of New Zealand, is said to have died after drinking more than two gallons of Coke a day, Yahoo! News has reported.

“Harris’ mother-in-law testified at the coroner’s inquest last year that Harris was a bona fide Coke fiend and that she would ‘go crazy if she ran out...she would get the shakes, withdrawal symptoms, be angry, on edge and snappy’.”

Folks, when next you want to indulge in Coke (or anything) please remember that too much of everything is….. (You can complete the rest!)

Nigerians spent N2.14 trillion on MTN, Airtel, Glo and others in 12 months

Active telephone subscribers in the country must have spent a whopping sum of N2.14tn on voice calls and Short Message Service, among other basic services between January, 2011 and December, 2012, says a news report published in Punch newspaper.

Whoa! N2.14 trillion! That’s whopping for real! Guys, that’s your money talking. But please can someone tell MTN, Airtel, Etisalat, Glo and the rest of them to have mercy on helpless Nigerians by improving service quality, at least.

Breaking news!! Singer Goldie Harvey is dead

I'm in shock. Singer Goldie has passed on. Just confirmed from her best friend and my close friend, Denrele Edun. He told me Goldie died a few minutes ago at Reddington Hospital in Victoria Island. Goldie just came back from the US today he said, and was so full of life, then something went tragically wrong. Will get all the details from him in a bit, he was crying so much and had to switch off his phone. I'm shaking so bad. She and I had a conversation a few days ago while she was in the US. Oh dear Lord. Is this how people die? May her soul rest in peace..Amen.

Google execs building $82M airport to house their private jets

I have lots of ideas for when I am rich and famous, but they do not include an airport. 

Google cofounders Larry Page and Sergey Brin have different plans, however. The powerful duo are proposing to build a $82 million facility for private and corporate jets at Mineta San Jose International Airport.

Keshi makes resignation U-turn

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi withdraws resignation

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has withdrawn his resignation after a meeting with Nigeria Sports Minister Bolaji Abdullahi.

Keshi stunned fans when he announced, barely 24 hours after leading Nigeria to African Nations Cup glory, that he had handed in his resignation.

But on Monday night the coach met for hours with Abdullahi and, after the meeting, the Minister told KickOffNigeria.com the issue had been resolved.

"I have spoken to Stephen and the NFF President Aminu Maigari and apparently there were issues that weren't handled properly," Abdullahi said. "But what I can tell you now is that the issue has been resolved and Keshi is staying on."

Article by: Colin Udoh

Culled from http://www.kickoff.com/news/32797/nigeria-coach-stephen-keshi-withdraws-resignation

Pope Benedict XVI to resign, citing age and waning energy

Anthony Faiola and Michelle Boorstein,

LONDON — Recognizing what he described as his failing strength of "mind and body," Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday that he would step down as head of the Catholic church, the first pontiff to give up his duties since 1415.

"After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry," Benedict said in a statement.

Sold by aunt, raped by ‘Good Samaritan’

by Ademola Olonilua

Ideally, at the age of 14, a child ought to be in secondary school. Being a formative year, parents and wards know that they have to provide the child with the best so as not to mar them for life.

Such is not the case of 15-years-old Abigail (not real name) who was sold into child labour by her aunt. She left Togo and was brought illegally to Lagos by the aunt. At 15, she has never been to school.

“Win or lose, I will vote for Keshi to continue in fashioning the new Super Eagles” - Mike Awoyinfa, foremost Nigerian journalist.

“If Nigeria wins (in today’s match), it would be double joy for Stephen Keshi, who would have won the African Cup of Nations both as a player and a coach. Keshi has definitely paid his dues as the former coach of Mali and Togo. And it has paid off for him as we all can see. Using his insider knowledge of Mali, it was easy for Nigeria to plan against Mali and win by such a huge margin.”

My prayer is that Stephen Keshi will be left alone to do his job without the sword of Damocles hanging around his neck. He is definitely a good coach. Otherwise, we won’t be where we are today. Win or lose tomorrow, I will vote for Keshi to continue in fashioning the new Super Eagles that will lead us to the World Cup in Brazil.

Oku Ibom Ibibio Tussle: Udoedehe Dumps Akpabio Udoukpa, Declares Support for Edidem Umoette

Former senator James Akpanudoehe has publicly declared his recognition of the paramount ruler of Etinan, His Royal Majesty, Akwa Edidem Ime Dickson Umoette as the Oku Ibom Ibibio IV, says a news report published in Global Concord, a local tabloid in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

“It has been my wish to come and meet you and your council as my fathers and custodians of Ibibio culture, values, and peacemakers in Akwa Ibom State to declare my support to your throne as Oku Ibom Ibibio IV,” Udoedehe who was the ACN 2011 governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State reportedly told Edidem Umoette when he paid the monarch a visit in his palace to officially invite him and other Ibibio traditional chiefs to the burial of his late mother.       

What would have been late Dele Giwa’s feeling about Newswatch’s transformation into a daily newspaper?

With new and far-reaching changes in a magazine he co-founded, lived and died for through a parcel bomb in 1986, would you say that late Dele Giwa is smiling or crying in his grave?

“My Peppermint stick” – M.I. asks Agbani Darego to be his Valentine

My Dearest Agbani Darego,


Will you be my valentine?

Do give this the utmost consideration. If you will be my valentine, let me say that I am, first, of all men most privileged, and second, about to engage in heavy research about what being someone’s valentine actually entails.

If you will not be my valentine, I must assume this is only because you would prefer me to ask you to marry me. If so, poste haste and with rapidity in extremis, I would, My Sweetling, desire your hand- and as much of the rest of you as possible -in blissful matrimony.

But wait. I traverse ahead of myself. I have not introduced myself. Sure I have spent many hours ogling over your Instagram photos and following you closely on Twitter, but I have never, as it were, had the opportunity of introducing myself.

I am The Editor.

Ah, My Lollipop, I can see your sad smile now. You are shaking your head, wondering if I am just another one of those men struck by your beauty and effortless grace.

Yes, it is true I am one of those men, but if I might add, I am even more awestruck by your beauty. There is no hope for me.
Marry me, My Cupcake.

Consider the advantages. I have discussed them below.

My Fondant, If you marry me, you will be fully protected in the event of a Zombie Apocalypse. I have watched Walking Dead (Seasons 1 and 2), and every zombie movie there is. I know how to finish them off (destroy the brain), how to stay alive (Run like hell) and how not to get slowed down by unnecessary hangers on. (I know so much, I am in fact publishing a simple handbook on this very subject called“Surviving The Zombie Apocalypse” available in stores shortly. You will of course, get a free signed copy.)

Secondly, the possibility exists that with your incredibly beautiful genes, and my deeply rooted interests in you, our offspring could be the very first of the race of super intelligent and super powerful humans. I can see it now: Junior finds the cure for cancer. His sister brings about world peace. You and I will bask in parental pride, secure in the knowledge that our union has benefited the world immensely. As I said, the possibility exists.

Thirdly, You will never have to worry about me going off to be an astronaut or being called off on some secret government mission to topple some enemy regime. I won’t even join the Bolivian Army. I suppose these are some of the first things you worry about when you a potential suitor approaches. Rest your lovely head at ease, My Peppermint stick, I will do none of these things.

Have you seen Les Miserables yet? I’m only asking because I haven’t and everyone is going on and on about it.

My Sweetest Sugarplum, I know we have a lot to figure out, but let us ignore the little details of whether you love me or whether you want to get married at all or whether you will be able to stand me. You must believe me when I say those are minor details.

Say you will be my valentine, that is all I ask.
And if you cannot grant that, grant me your personage in marriage.
And if that proves impossible, could I please have your phone number, house address and your word that you will never ever ever take out a restraining order against me?

Thank you, My Strawberry Tart.

Yours Infinitely,

The Editor

Culled from http://www.ynaija.com

Nse Ikpe-Etim tells us how she found love

I had been immunized against the bug and this is received through all the amazing lessons life hands you on a platter.  I had a boyfriend when it was a taboo to have one. I was 17. Our first meeting was as ordinary as it gets. I went on a stroll which was not uncommon those days on our estate, and there came this young man driving his father’s car. He stopped, chatted with me for a while and I wonder what he said that made me get into his car and have him drop me off. He called the intercom and we talked again but he knew the times to call when mum would not do the picking. Little did I know that the day he picked me up was the day I would begin the journey. We spent our spare moments together, talking, walking and when we walked the streets, word travelled swiftly to our parents. On my arrival home, a cane was the welcome party. We always paid dearly for those nights because our parents wanted us to be straight kids, but we didn’t mind.
This did not deter me nor stop my stubborn heart from wanting to be with him. I had a friend who listened to my fears and laughed at my tales of the experiences school had brought with it, alongside the education I so craved. I remember when he played the guitar and sang Chris de burgh’s “Lady in Red”. It was so beautiful; the funny thing is that I was not wearing red when he sang, but in that moment red was just a state of mind. I was fragile and he was so caring, attentive to my every need. We would meet up at 7.30pm under the stairs and talk till it was almost 10pm. Then he would tell me it was time to go. I would sulk, make faces till I cried and he would be forced to stay at least a second more. Well that was until mum called out my name and I would run inside, pretending the trash was my mission. He would run back home and sometimes, the doors would be locked and he would have to call for someone to open the door. He was the best friend I’d never had.

REVEALED! The ‘lawyer’ behind numerous threat messages to THINK AKWA IBOM

THINK AKWA IBOM! has unmasked the identity of the person behind the numerous threat messages it has been receiving since it published 28 hours or so ago, a story about a female blogger who revealed on her blog how she was sexually abused as a young girl by a grown up woman. 

She is Aidee Ekpoh.

Aidee Ekpoh, is a single lady believed to be from Onna Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State. She is believed to be working with a marketing company known as Brand Life Nigeria, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The management of THINK AKWA IBOM! is currently reviewing her threat messages and also investigating her background to determine how to legally handle the situation.

Watch out this space for more revelation!