Author: straightnewsng.com

The former manager, First City Monument Bank, FCMB, Onitsha branch, Nwachukwu Placidus, has been turned to a prison landlord for diverting fixed deposit funds of a customer worth N112,100,000 million to his personal use. Placidus is to spend a cumulative of 121 years behind bars. Justice S. N. Odili of the Anambra State High Court in Onitsha, handed the judgement on Friday following Placidus’ arraignment on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 by the Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The EFCC Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, in a statement on Saturday, explained that the convict was arraigned on…

Severe windstorm visited angst on Ibom ICON Hotels and Golf Course, Uyo, pulling down about 100 trees and blocking some footpaths and Right Of Way. Worst hit of the unfortunate incident which occurred on the evening of Wednesday, May 1, 2024, is the golf course where the ferocious windstorm uprooted some trees and battered some branches. The hotel premises and the golf looks like a war-torn area as fallen trees spread across different corners waiting for sawing to ease access to some places by users and visitors alike. Keen observers think that havocs wrecked by the windstorm could pose serious…

By: Ofonime Umanah  Protocol If there is one subject that has been discussed again and again in journalism circles, it is the subject of press freedom. It is so important that the world decided to dedicate a day to celebrate and share thoughts on it, with a view to finding a nexus between it and other connecting issues. That is why we are here to consider the connection between this all important issue as it affects our unity and the diversities in our cultural values, nuances and idiosyncrasies. In looking at this subject, I will like to talk about press…

In an effort to boost its economy and revive the entrepreneurial spirit of the people, Akwa Ibom government has enriched 780 entrepreneurs with N400 million business grant. This is part of the Entrepreneurship Accelerator Programme initiated by Governor Umo Eno administration. Among the beneficiaries of the grant is a physically challenged entrepreneur from the state, Mr Jones Okon Akpan. At the presentation ceremony at the Government House Banquet Hall in Uyo on Friday, May 3, Governor Eno directed that Akpan be provided with appropriate mobility aids and additional support. He described the beneficiaries as ambassadors of the Entrepreneurship Accelerator Programme,…

By Prof. (Obong) Sunday N. Etukudoh Protocol I stand before you today with deep appreciation and great humility, welcoming you all to the 2024 World Press Freedom Day – a day set aside to promote the importance of journalism and freedom of speech, to educate the public on the current issue of global environmental crisis, to mobilise political will and resources to address the emerging global problems, and of course, to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. First and foremost, I wish to express my deep appreciation on the invitation extended to me to serve as the Chairman of the…

The activities of major marketers in diverting and hoarding Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly known as petrol meant for Akwa Ibom has elicited the anger of Nigeria Labour Congress in the state. Speaking at 2024 Workers Day celebration at Uyo Sports Stadium, the Chairperson of Nigeria Labour Congress, Akwa Ibom Council, Comrade Sunny James is angry with marketers in fuel diversion. James recapped the recent action of some ‘faceless’ persons in stopping supply of fuel to the state and by IPMAN’s withdrawal of services, an action that exacerbated the economic hardships facing the people. He blamed the lingering fuel crisis…

Akwa Ibom government has donated 20 Toyota Hilux trucks worth multi-millions of Naira to security agencies in the state to boost their operations. This was as the government had donated 14 gunboats to security agencies for water security operations to make Akwa Ibom unsafe for criminal elements. Akwa Ibom Governor, Umo Eno, while presenting a vehicle to the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Waheed Ayilara, said the first acquisition of the donation was just the first phase of vehicles acquisition for land and water security patrol respectively. Eno reiterated his administration resolve to do all within its…

More than 500 International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in Akwa Ibom State territorial waters are accused of alleged default in payment of taxes to the state government, Straightnews reports. Speaking at the 2024 May Day celebration held at Uyo Sports Stadium, the Chairperson of Nigeria Labour Congress, Akwa Ibom Council, Comrade Sunny James accused the companies of clandestinely exploiting crude oil from Akwa Ibom territorial waters without paying commensurate taxes to the state government. Straightnews gathers that IOCs, the operators of upstream oil and gas companies, hinge their argument of non-remittance of taxes to the state on the basis of…

The size of Akwa Ibom government workforce that was a guarded secret over the years has been revealed by the secretary of Nigeria Labour Congress in the state. The workforce comprises civil, teaching and local government services. Announcing this in Citixen Assembly programme aired by XL 106.9 FM, Uyo on Wednesday, May 1, the secretary of Nigeria Labour Congress, Akwa Ibom council, Comrade Alpha Marshall said the numerical strength of the workforce was legitimised at 51,000 workers on the nominal roll as of last year. Marshall said the figure was bandied by the state government during a meeting of an…

Governor Umo Eno has declared first and third Fridays of every month as Farm Days for farming activities in Akwa Ibom for workers and people to boost increased food production in the state.  ‘‘I am therefore declaring the first and last Friday of every month Farm Days in the State. It won’t be a day for funerals. We will monitor to ensure everyone goes to the farm,’’ Eno said. Reiterating his position on the food sufficiency programme as a palliative measure to give succour amid the biting economic situation, the governor urged workers to take advantage of the Farm Days…