Author: straightnewsng.com

The Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria (AKISAN), United States of America has doled out the 2021 scholarships worth about N1.5 million to 12 Akwa Ibom indigenes studying in the University of Uyo. At the colourful ceremony held at Watbridge Hotels and Suits, IBB Avenue, Uyo, AIKSAN rolled out scholarship scheme to the students offering Medicine and Surgery, Pharmacy and Engineering courses in the university. The recipients included Gideon Ndedu from Eket, Joshua Tom from Etim Ekpo, Osmond Ntah Robinson from Etinan, Kingsley Edet from Ibiono Ibom, Unwanaobong Nyong from Ikono and Victor Nkereuwem from Mbo. Others were Emmanuel Ekot from…

The Christian Association of Nigeria and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria have expressed displeasure over the abduction of the Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Samuel Kanu-Uche by unknown gunmen. The clergyman was kidnapped alongside the Methodist Bishop of Owerri, Rt. Rev. Dennis Mark, and his (the Prelate’s) chaplain along Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State on Sunday. The Police Public Relations Officer, Abia State Command, Geoffrey Ogbonna, confirmed the abduction to one of our correspondents. “The incident is quite unfortunate and the Abia State Police Command has put in place efforts to ensure that he…

Retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), Udom Ekpoudom, has won the All Progressives Congress ticket for Akwa Ibom Northwest Senatorial District. Ekpoudom polled 338 votes to emerge the candidate of the APC in the party’s primary which took place on Friday, May 27 at the Government Primary School, Ikot Ekpene. The state legal adviser of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mark Chukwu monitored the primary. The APC returning officer, Itemuwem Eyo announced the result shortly after the sorting and counting of ballot. Other contestants such as Joseph Michael Akpan scored 12 votes, and Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo. Read also: Udom…

A former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode has congratulated Atiku Abubakar for emerging the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential flagbearer for the 2023 general elections on Saturday. Atiku, the former Nigeria’s Vice-President, polled 371 out of the 767 accredited votes to defeat his closest rival, Rivers State  Governor Nyesom Wike who garnered 237 votes. Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, came a distant third with 70 votes while Akwa Ibom governor Udom Emmanuel got 38 votes. Read also: Fani-Kayode Attacks Buhari For Keeping Mum On Killings of Christians in Adamawa  Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed polled 20 votes, former Secretary to the…

Iniobong Sunday The sleepy Ikot Andem village in Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State was Monday thrown into confusion following alleged killing of the youth leader in the area ahead of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial primaries. Straightnews correspondent gathered that the armed hoodlums laid siege and shot at the deceased known as Comrade Ufot Job, along the spur linking the Ekparakwa-Ukanafun Highway and Ikot Udo Ossiom village. “The late Job was riding on his motorcycle from his village, Ikot Andem, and was ambushed by suspected cultists who opened fire on him and made away with his…

The Nigerian Idol musical reality show climaxed Sunday, with Progress Chukwuyem emerging the overall winner and clinching N100 million worth of prizes. It includes N30 million, a new SUV, a Bigi branded refrigerator and a year’s supply of Bigi drinks, an EP and a music video, a weekend getaway from TravelBeta, and a DStv Explora fully installed with a 12-month premium subscription.   Sponsored by the Bigi carbonated soft drink brand of Rite Foods, the show was a climax of the 10-week electrifying performances by top 12 contestants. The 21-year-old singer, songwriter, and performer, from Ika South of Delta State, defeated the 27-year-old Zadok…

Nigerian governors have lost the battle over the financial autonomy from the Local Government Joint Account. Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court delivered the ruling on Monday in favour of the Federal Government and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU). The NFIU had in June 2019 issued guidelines aimed at curbing crime vulnerabilities created by cash withdrawals from local government accounts by various state governments. The guideline, which was on money laundering risk and vulnerabilities, advised all banks not to honour transactions from joint accounts. It also reduced cash withdrawal from local government accounts to N500,000 daily. Read…

The Federal Government has cancelled contracts awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, before December 31, 2019. Consequently, the government has asked the affected contractors, who have been mobilised to refund the all monies to NDDC accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. The government’s directive is contained in a statement by Dr. Ibitoye Abosede Director, Corporate Affairs. Several probes and dramas have trailed the activities of the intervention agency for some time. The NDDC statement read: “This is to bring to the notice of all contractors engaged by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), as well as stakeholders and…

National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), Kuru in Plateau State has been tasked to assist in scrapping State Joint Local Government Account to enhance effective administration and better performance of the local government councils in the country. NIPPS is also asked to assist in removing the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) from the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2010 (as amended). The State Chairman of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Akwa Ibom Branch, Otuekong Franklyn Isong made the calls in a paper he delivered during an interactive session with the Local Study Tour of the Senior…

Anambra Governor Charles Soludo has wept following beheading of Hon Okechukwu Okoye who represented Aguata 11 Constituency in the Anambra House of Assembly by gunmen.   Gunmen kidnapped the lawmaker and his aide, Cyril Chiegboka, on May 15 at the weekend. The severed head of the lawmaker was found on Saturday evening at Chisco Park in Nnobi, Idemili North Local Government Area, Anambra State. Read also: Soludo fails one-week pledge of list of Commissioner-nominees to House Shocked Soludo has placed a N10 million bounty for anyone or group with information that could lead to arrest of the brutal killers.