THINK AKWA IBOM! wishes you a happy Easter!

2015: Wow! Akwa Ibom babes gather for Okon Iyanam!

By Nse Peter

For real, you can’t afford not to like this piece of news we picked up on facebook.  Akwa Ibom babes are gathering for Okon Iyanam who is likely to contest the 2015 governorship election in Akwa Ibom State! Iyanam is a former executive director at Globacom.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, 20^th July, 2013 at EEMJM Hotels, Brooks Street, Uyo by 1.00pm, and is organised by a group known as Original Akwa Ibom Babes For Okon Iyanam 2015.

                                                                              Okon Iyanam

And finally Imo deputy governor, Jude Agbaso is impeached!

                                            Jude Agbaso, the impeached Imo deputy governor

A report by Premium Times says 25 of the 26 lawmakers in the Assembly voted in favour of the impeachment.

“The Assembly had served Mr. Agbaso a notice of impeachment over the allegation that he demanded and collected N458 million bribe from J-PROS Limited, a construction firm handling the rehabilitation of Sam Mbakwe Road in Owerri, the state capital,” the online news medium reports.

Chinua Achebe, Nigerian novelist and poet - in pictures

Achebe has died at the age of 82. Here we celebrate his life with portraits and quotations from his work

 

 

Chinua Achebe in 1960, holding copies of his 1958 novel Things Fall Apart
“The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won our brothers, and our clan can no longer act like one. He has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart.”
From Things Fall Apart (1958)

What does Chinua Achebe mean to you and your country? Please drop your condolence here, your praises, and poetic thoughts for the late famous author. Thank you.

Robbery suspect nabbed while selling stolen items to owner

By Feyi Afisunlu 

 

23-year-old Sadiq Adetumobi is currently cooling his heels at the State Criminal Investigations Department, SCID, over the recovery of stolen  fabrics worth millions of Naira in his possession.

DailyPost gathered that robbers broke into some shops at Idumota market on Monday, carted away assorted fabrics.

Why we make sex look real in our movies – Ghanaian actress, Yvonne Okoro

Here is Excerpt of the interview Yvonne Okoro granted to The Nation newspaper recently.

Why do Ghanaian actresses love exposing their body?

I think sometimes when you are acting, you feel like doing something that you want to be remembered for. Maybe in the course you overdo it. It depends on the script. I think in Ghana we wanted to start something, like a Trans-setter. I remember in those days, when people are kissing and they do it tackily, and we are thinking if you can’t kiss, then don’t do it. So I think we ended up doing it well or we are overdoing it. The truth of the matter is it exists in our culture.

Nigeria Approves $2 Billion Transfer From Oil Savings

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan approved the distribution of $2 billion from oil- revenue savings to be shared by the country’s 36 states and federal government. 

The funds, which will be distributed within the next two weeks, will be used to “facilitate various development projects being executed by the different tiers of government across the country,” Akwa Ibom state Governor Godwill Akpabio said today in an e-mail from the capital, Abuja. 

Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, relies on crude exports for about 95 percent of its foreign-currency earnings and 80 percent of government revenue, according to the Finance Ministry. The West African country saves oil revenue above the budgeted price in the Excess Crude Account to meet spending shortfalls. The account currently has $7.82 billion, Akpabio said. 

Nigeria’s 36 states shared $1 billion last month from the oil savings to help them complete projects that have already been started.

Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-21/nigeria-approves-2-billion-transfer-from-oil-savings.html

I am not a product of zoning. I am a product of the people - Godswill Akpabio

The Punch Editorial: Politics of oil block sharing

Inspired by Senator Ita Enang’s shocking revelations on the ownership of oil blocks in Nigeria, The Punch newspaper, in its Tuesday, 19 March, 2013 edition, has published an editorial comment on the issue that is a must-read.

THE need to address concerns about the procedure for awarding oil blocks in Nigeria has become urgent, given the current controversy over which section of the country controls majority interest in the oil industry. 

2015: Akwa Ibom SSG, Umana Okon Umana disowns campaign posters

BestMan Media Team, a media/public relations group working for the Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State government (SSG), Mr. Umana Okon Umana, has disowned the political campaign posters that are in circulation around the Uyo metropolis, Akwa Ibom State, describing it as being unauthorized by the SSG. 

Bill Gates cancels visit to Nigeria

United States of America dealt a hard blow on Nigeria, Monday, with the cancellation of a planned visit to Nigeria by one of its richest men, Bill Gates, to the country, following the controversial pardon granted the former Bayelsa State Governor, Dieprieye Alamieyeseigha, by President Goodluck Jonathan last week.

 

 

Book Review: BURNING HURT By Unyime-Ivy King

 Author :Unyime-Ivy King

It was worth the read. I must confess, I enjoyed reading a book with a local plot/setting like "Things Fall Apart," etc which I read years ago. I so enjoyed the Ibibio vibes, the proverbs etc. It made me identify with my ancestry.  I was actually interpreting the book in Ibibio, acting or playing a certain village setting in my head- I imagined watching this book on TV.
I can relate to this book a little bit when I remember some issues in my Dad's village. It is a small village bordering other villages, so anything that happens in one's compound is the talk of the village. The likes of Sunday etc in the book remind me of one particular man we called "Ekpa Enang", he was rumoured to be dating an Ex-soldiers wife and the woman used to fry fish or bush meat for him and perhaps other foods. So the husband got wind of it and we hear he poisoned him.

2015: Sir James Essien says no to zoning in Akwa Ibom

What's all this noise about zoning of governorship in Akwa Ibom State?
Since when did zoning become a yardstick for governorship slot in Akwa Ibom State?
Uyo and Eket senatorial districts, let us all campaign and (let us) produce the best candidate (that’ll become governor in 2015).

-          Sir James Essien, ace comedian from Akwa Ibom State

Source: Sir James Essien’s facebook page

First person from Akwa Ibom to win Nigerian Idol? Can Abasiakan make history?

Yes, he can. He has the voice, and has been vowing the crowd. Everybody that is watching the current Nigerian idol seems to be in love with Mr. Abasiakan Hanson. And he is just a step away from wining the prestigious Nigerian Idol. Abasiakan needs your vote to win!

To vote for Abasiakan, please use your mobile phone, text 521 to 33680. You can vote as many times as possible.

Guys, let’s do this together!

Please share this with your friends on facebook.

Lil Wayne in Critical Condition After More Seizures: "Everyone Is Praying For Him"

Lil Wayne is currently in critical condition at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles following a series of seizures earlier this week, a source tells Us Weekly.

Conflicting reports about the status of the rapper's shaky health surfaced on Friday, March 15.


TMZ earlier reported that the "Tap Out" rapper was put into an induced coma after his condition was determined to be unstable. According to the site, the seizures were so severe this time that the rapper reportedly had to be put in restraints because he was shaking uncontrollably.
A source tells Us that Lil Wayne's condition is being wildly exaggerated, however. A tweet from the "Got Money" rapper's Twitter account Friday evening seemed to support that fact.
"I'm good everybody," the message read. "Thx for the prayers and love."

"Wayne is doing well," a rep for the rapper tells Us. "We appreciate your concern."
According to TMZ, Lil Wayne's mother is currently on a plane on her way to her son's bedside, and all further decisions about his health will be held until her arrival.
"His family is there," another source confirmed to Us. "Everyone is praying for him."
Cash Money president Mack Maine, meanwhile, took to Twitter himself to reassure concerned fans that Weezy was okay.

"Wayne is alive and well!" he wrote. "We watching the Syracuse game … thanks for the prayers and concern."

Lil Wayne, real name Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr., was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday, March 13 after one of his bodyguards found him unconscious on the floor of his room the same day he was released from the hospital following multiple seizures on Tuesday, March 12.

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Lil Wayne in Critical Condition After More Seizures: "Everyone Is Praying For Him"

PDP Leaders Pay Courtesy Visit To Gov. Godswill Akpabio

L-R PDP BoT Chairman, Chief Tony Anenih, Governor Godswill Akpabio, Alobo Graham Douglas and Prof. Jerry Gana during a courtesy visit at the Govt. House, Uyo.

Akwa Ibom, where’s Winmos, Asur electronics, Data Sciences, Inyangette, Utuk Motors etc?

By Nse Peter

Photo of closed factory

On Thursday, 14 March, 2013, President Goodluck Jonathan had a well-publicized dinner with leaders of the private sector in Nigeria. The event, beautifully tagged ‘A Centenary Dinner with Top Nigerian CEOs’ is apparently part of the elaborate plans for the forthcoming celebration of Nigeria @ 100. 

There were more than 250 business leaders in attendance.

And of course, the richest man in Africa, Alhaji Aliko Dangote was there.  Femi Otedola too was there. 

Mike Enyong's Wife Is Death

REVEALED! Senator Etang Umoyo may contest for governor in 2015

By Nse Peter

 

Senator Etang Umoyo who represented Eket Senatorial District in the ill-fated third republic may have joined the growing number of politicians from the Eket Senatorial District jostling for 2015 PDP governorship ticket in Akwa Ibom State.

Etang Umoyo who through his vantage position as chairman, Eket Senatorial District Forum has been one of the main campaigners for the zoning of the governorship in Akwa Ibom to Eket Senatorial District in 2015. He is from Esit Eket Local Government Area.

A source who hinted THINK AKWA IBOM! about Umoyo’s ambition didn’t want his name mention because, according to him, the former senator is quietly consulting party leaders for now, and that he has not been authorized to speak on the matter.

Akwa Ibom 2015: I’m not a product of zoning, says Akpabio

By Aniefiok Macauley

Akwa Ibom State governor, Godswill Akpabio, at the weekend made a volte face on the issue of zoning of governorship seat in the state in the 2015 election, saying he is not a product of zoning as the issue of zoning is in God’s hand.

On his facebook page, Nsima Ekere still bears the title ‘deputy governor’

By Nse Peter

Six months after Obong Nsima Ekere resigned from office under controversial circumstances, he stills adorn himself with the title of ‘deputy governor’, Akwa Ibom State. His facebook page says so, at least.

The former deputy governor has 4,532 friends and 1,532 followers as at the time THINK AKWA IBOM! checked his facebook page on Tuesday, 12 March, 2013 at about 6.30pm.

On 19 February this year, four months after Nsima Ekere’s resignation as deputy governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Etim Sam, the publisher/editor-in-chief of The Impact newspaper who appears to be in sympathy with the former deputy governor posted on Ekere’s facebook wall “Your Excellency, remove the status of Deputy Governor from your post, we are seeing a greater you in 2015, your long silence will not help matters in this regards, make your position known to us to take a stand”.

There is no indication, however, to show that the former deputy governor responded to Etim Sam’s post.

Ekere ‘liked’ his former boss, Governor Godswill on facebook as being among ‘inspirational people’.

A Must Watch For You! Civil Defence Commandant Can’t Tell His Organisation’s Web Address

Breaking News: Prof. I. I. Ukpong is dead

By Nse  Peter

A renowned professor of Economics and former secretary to the then Cross River State government during the administration of Gov. Clement Isong, Prof. Ignatius Isaac Ukpong is dead.

Ukpong, from Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, may have died on Wednesday, 6 March in a private hospital in Enugu State where he went through surgery to remove blood clot from his brain, THINK AKWA IBOM! gathered from a source closed to the family.

Oil blocks: Senator Ita Enang’s revelation on the Senate floor yields first fruits

By Nse Peter

If you think the revelation by Senator Ita Enang during the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) debate in the senate, that northerners own more than 83 per cent of oil blocks in Nigeria was mere noise making, you need to read this. A report published in The Nation newspaper today, Friday, 8 March, says the senate chamber was surprisingly quiet and peaceful as the PIB bill enters the second reading.

“The seamless passage of the bill to the committee stage surprised many in the gallery,” says The Nation. 

“Apparently because of the revelation on Wednesday that northerners own more than 83 per cent of oil blocks, the Senate gallery was filled up.