Author: straightnewsng.com

In the spirit of the Yuletide, a Non-Governmental Organisation has showered food items worth N2.8 million on some indigent people in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal capital. Coming under the aegis of Feed A Soul initiative, the organisation doled out a bag of food worth N5,000 to each of the 560 indigent persons. Announcing this Saturday in his Twitter handle, Joe Abah specialising in Governance, Institutional Reform, Public Policy, Political Economy, Rusty Law, reported “I am very proud of Mrs Abah for her ‘Feed A Soul’ initiative. Abah, a PH.d holder tweeted “N5,000 worth of food in each bag distributed to 560…

Akwa Ibom Government has confirmed the death of a former Military Governor of the state, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (retd) on Friday, December 25. A press release dated Saturday, December 26 and signed by Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, the Secretary to the State Government, said the former governor died from complications resulting from COVID-19 infection. Accordingly, Governor Udom Emmanuel has declared a seven-day mourning for the departed and directed flags in A kwa Ibom be flown half-mast with effect from Saturday, December 26. The release  stated “The Government of Akwa Ibom State hereby formally announces the death of a former Military…

The dreaded COVID-19 has consumed 20 medical doctors within seven days in the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory. Addressing a press briefing on Friday, Enema Amodu, chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in FCT said the doctors died of Coronavirus complications. Amodu stated that medical personnel are in need of personal protective equipment (PPEs) as the second wave of infections in the country has been “catastrophic”. He said “Everywhere around the world at this time, we are facing a second wave, and this second wave is so overwhelming and more catastrophic because a lot of people have gone back to the way…

Nigeria’s new COVID-19 infections fell to 712 against the number in the previous day, while Akwa Ibom recorded 16 on Christmas Day. So far, Nigeria’s COVID-19 confirmed cases have risen to 82,747 while the number in Akwa Ibom has jumped to 409, according to Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. NCDC tweeted on Friday, December 25 “On the 25th of December 2020, 712 new confirmed cases and 4 deaths were recorded in Nigeria.” The new infections were reported in 19 states including Federal Capital Territory showing that Lagos has 388 while FCT and Kwara have 77 and 39 cases respectively. According…

The resumption of academic activities in Nigerian public universities after suspension of a nine-month-old industrial action by Academic Staff Union of Universities is suffering a major setback. This is because National Universities Commission (NUC) has ordered Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian universities to stop academic activities amid rising COVID-19 cases. A circular signed by Chris Maiyaki, Deputy Executive Secretary (Administration) called for stoppage of classrooms, hostel accommodation, conferences and seminars and closure of universities awaiting further instructions. “Vice-Chancellors are to please note that the directive is part of the measures approved by Mr. President to mitigate the second wave of Coronavirus infections…

FIFA has cancelled the U-17 and U-20 World Cups that were to hold in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The U-17 World Cup was scheduled to take place in Peru and the U-20 World Cup in Indonesia. FIFA, in a statement has confirmed both countries will now host the respective competitions in 2023. “The COVID-19 pandemic continues to present challenges for the hosting of international sporting events and to have a restrictive effect on international travel. “FIFA has therefore regularly consulted the relevant stakeholders, including the host member associations as well as the confederations involved in both tournaments originally…

Today is marked, the world over, as the Christmas Day, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. Pope Francis in his traditional Christmas described the birth as a source of hope, and “this Child, Jesus, was born ‘to us’ … without any borders, privileges or exclusions.” Speaking at the Hall of Benediction of St. Peter’s Basilica, the upper area just behind the central loggia where he would usually have delivered his message, Francis said “we can all call one another brothers and sisters” even as we hail from every continent, every language and culture, with our own identities and differences. He…

As Christians in Akwa Ibom celebrate the 2020 Christmas, Governor Udom Emmanuel has enjoined all to adhere to all the COVID-19 protocols to avoid another lockdown in the state. Emmanuel who gave the advice in his 2020 Christmas broadcast said “The use of facemasks, social distancing, regular hand washing, hand sanitizers are protocols that have worked in reducing infections. Let us remain committed to applying these protocols. “If we adhere to these simple but effective rules, there may be no need for us to impose another lockdown, but if we observe that these rules are flouted, then we may have…

The chairman of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and a former military governor of Akwa Ibom State, Idongesit Nkanga, is dead. An undisclosed source told Straightnews that Nkanga, 68, died on the Christmas Eve. The late Nkanga was Akwa Ibom military governor from September 1990 to January 1992 during Ibrahim Babangida’s military regime. He retired as an air commodore in the Nigerian Air Force. As the chairman of PANDEF, Mr Nkanga was vocal in the campaign for the restructuring of Nigeria and the development of the country’s Niger Delta region. In May 2001, he was a member of the board…

By: Israel Umoh As the Yuletide approached, the Sahara Desert wind blew angrily across the Niger Delta Region. It rustled gentle leaves and turned them to brown. Trees danced typical Makosa, moving left and right. The wind spewed dust everywhere. Freezing cold gripped animals and humans alike, causing them to shake uncontrollably. Bicycle riders developed cold feet, hands and shivering lips. Fetchers of well water from our village commonly called anwa well and a stream in Nkek Idim looked epileptic as the biting air enveloped the parched land. Honeyed lips cracked with stammering voices. Well-sculptured legs wore different sighing marks.…