Author: straightnewsng.com

The whereabouts of an ace radio programmes’ producer and newspaper editor from Akwa Ibom State are said to be unknown. Mr. Uduakabasi Ikpat, the editor of Real News, and a member of All Progressives Congress, was said to have been last seen on Thursday, August 6 before his sudden disappearance. This may not be unconnected with the publication of New Works Commissioner, Professor Eno Ibanga Runs ‘Mad by his newspaper on Thursday, August 6. A Facebook post on his wall says “He was being threatened via calls and text messages over a news report alleging that new commissioner for works,…

In order to tackle COVID-19, Nigeria will benefit from World Bank’s $114 million for the pandemic fight, the global lender said on Friday. The money comes in the form of a $100 million loan and a $14 million grant to be split between Nigeria’s 36 states and federal-level procurement of medical equipment, tests and medicine. “Nigeria has ramped up its efforts to contain the COVID-19 outbreak, but more needs to done at the state level, which are at the front line of the response,” Shubham Chaudhuri, the World Bank’s director for Nigeria, said in a statement on Friday. Africa’s most…

In less than two months, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai has become the butt of court orders. This time, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai Friday, August 7 got a 20-day court order to tender an apology letter to a royal father in Akwa Ibom State, over the gross infringement of his fundamental rights by officers of the Nigerian Army. Recall that a Federal High Court in Abuja had May 16 ordered Tukur Buratai, chief of army staff, to produce for prosecution, the army officers who allegedly facilitated the escape of Hamisu Bala, a suspected kidnap…

The Akwa Ibom Government has pledged to partner the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) in making diversification to a non-oil export, a significant index in the Nigerian economy. The Commissioner for Trade and Industries, Prince Ukpong Akpabio, who stated this Thursday when the officials of NEPC led by Mrs Pauline Ndulaka, the Deputy Director/Trade Promotion Adviser, visited him at the State Ministry of Trade and Industries Headquarters, Uyo, also harped on the need to assist in promoting export activities in the state. Akpabio who greatly acknowledged the unique contribution of exports to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and its…

A former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode has thrown his weight behind the controversial Chinese $400 million loan obtained for Galaxy Backbone, Federal Government’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) agency, in 2018. The House of Representatives panel on July 29 raised the alarm over clauses described as “lethal” by the panel in article 8(1) of the commercial loan agreement between Nigeria and Export-Import Bank of China purportedly conceding Nigeria’s sovereignty to China. Upon this, the house treaties committee summoned Isa Pantami, communications minister; Zainab Ahmed, finance minister, and Patience Oniha, director-general of the Debt Management Office (DMO), to appear before…

As the country’s infections from the virus crossed 45,000, Nigeria on Thursday reported three more deaths from COVID-19. This is as Akwa Ibom State has recorded fresh 13 cases, bringing the total infections to 234. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) which revealed the latest figure, also said the West African nation had 354 fresh COVID-19 cases for the day. Nigeria’s latest COVID-19 infections were confirmed in 16 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), taking the country’s tally to 45,244. A breakdown of the new infections from the virus indicated that the FCT had the highest number of…

More than 20 people have allegedly been murdered in a fresh attack while several others sustained various degrees of injuries in fresh attacks on three communities in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Channels Television reports. The attack occurred earlier on Thursday and was said to have been carried out by suspected militia. The attacked communities are Kurmin Masara, Apyia Shyim, and Takmawai. This happened a few days after security agencies were deployed to the vulnerable communities of the state. The Chairman of Zango Kataf Local Government Area, Elias Manza told Channels Television that the gunmen, who are…

Following the untimely demise of its Chairman, the All Progressives Congress in Akwa Ibom State has appointed an acting Chairman with effect from Thursday to man the acitivities of the party pending the election of a substantive one. He is Ita Udosen, who until now, was the state Deputy Chairman of the party, and a medical doctor. The Chairman, Mr. Ini Titus Okopido, passed into eternity on Wednesday after a protracted illness at Ibom Specialty Hospital, Uyo. A press release signed by Nkereuwem Enyongekere, State Publicity Secretary Thursday said “Following the sudden, sad and devastating transition of our Chairman, Late…

We at Straightnews felicitate you, Mr. Ray Ekpu, on your 72nd birth anniversary. You have, in your many years of practice, made an indelible mark in the media space- a mark that will forever be cherished by generations to come. You have trained, paved way and given opportunity to many media practitioners who have become notable today. For this, posterity will remember you for good. We pray that you live in good health and may all your wishes come true. Happy birthday, Mr. Ray Ekpu!

What a tragedy that has befallen a family and a party as two prominent brothers and bigwigs of All Progressives Congress in Akwa Ibom State died in less than four months! As the family members of Nto Udo Uke in Ikot Akpan Anwa, Ika Local Government Area were making arrangements for the obsequies of their son- Dr. Ime Okopido, another family member- Mr. Ini Okopido, the state APC Chairman, died Wednesday morning at Ibom Specialty Hospital, Uyo, thus throwing the family into mourning. Ime, a brother to Ini and a one-time Minister of State for Environment, died in April this…