Author: straightnewsng.com

The heavy downpour of Saturday has wreaked untold havocs in Uyo, Akwa Ibom capital and its environs. The rains which started after 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 16, was accompanied by heavy thunderstorm. Like Tsunami, the thunderstorm went beserk, randomly pulling down such economic trees as plantain trees, banana, pear trees and cassava, among others. Virtually, major roads, streets and avenues in Uyo were flooded and rendered impassable by verocious running water. While many residents of houses and businesses along flood-prone areas were crying, owners of economic trees were seen gnashing their teeth. Straightnews reporter said some residents in parts…

Universal Energy, a Joint Venture (JV) company, deals on crude oil, natural gas, producing fields/oil blocks, pipeline and infrastructure. The Universal Energy Resources Limited, owner of Universal Energy, according to its website- Upstream Nigeria, is said to have its office at 25 Idoro Road, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Seven Energy, the gas producers, whose main production asset is the Stubbs Creek, a marginal field in Akwa Ibom State, has a 62.5 per cent equity interest in the Universal Energy. However, Savannah Petroleum, British fossil fuel giant, has completed acquisition of a majority stake in Nigerian oil and gas exploration company-…

By Akanimo Sampson Director of the Globalisation and Development Strategies Division of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAN), Richard Kozul-Wright, has made a strong case for a coordinated global investment programme to tackle the twin challenge of delivering social and economic development while stabilising the climate. The international community, in its commitment to delivering the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda, is making an ambitious attempt to ensure an inclusive and sustainable future for people and the planet. But little more than a decade is left to meet the goals and efforts so far have fallen…

By Akanimo Sampson The Senior Disability Rights Researcher at Human Rights Watch, Emina Ćerimović, has taken President Muhammadu Buhari to task, claiming that the Nigerian leader is not doing anything yet on torture chambers in the country. President Buhari said in October 2019 of the Islamic rehabilitation centers that he will not ‘’tolerate the existence of the torture chambers and physical abuses of inmates in the name of rehabilitation.’’ According to the global rights group, the Buhari administration was yet to acknowledge that the abuse of people with mental health conditions was even rife in government-run facilities. “People with mental…

By Akanimo Sampson In Uganda, refugees in Kyaka and Kyangwali settlements and their nearby host communities are currently benefitting from a EUR 2.00 million (UGX 8.3 billion) humanitarian water aid package from the European Union (EU). The two piped water systems was recently completed by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), a United Nations agency. This substantial EU funding was complemented by project funds from the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). CERF is however, one of the fastest and most effective ways to ensure that urgently needed humanitarian assistance reaches people caught up in crises. Established by the United…

Brazil recorded a dramatic comeback to narrowly defeat France and reach the final of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup. The hosts booked a place in their sixth FIFA Under-17 World Cup final after coming from two goals behind to top France 3-2 at Bezerrão Stadium in Brasilia. Arnaud Kalimuendo-Muinga scored first for France in the seventh minute, before Nathanael Mbuku made it 2-0 five minutes later. France remained in control for the majority of the match, but Kaio Jorge then began the comeback for Brazil in the 62nd minute. Gabriel Veron equalised by scoring a rebound off French goalkeeper Melvin…

Pope Francis has called for action to be taken on kids’ exposure to porn sites online. Speaking at the Promoting Digital Child Dignity conference in the Vatican recently, he, therefore, called on technology giants to prevent children from accessing pornography online easily. Francis said: “There is a need to ensure that investors and managers remain accountable, so that the good of minors and society is not sacrificed to profit. “For the sake of advancing the development of the internet and its many benefits, companies that provide services have long considered themselves mere suppliers of technological platforms, neither legally nor morally…

A Nigerian immigrant made history on Tuesday, November 5, as she became the first black to win a councillor seat for Bangor City Council in Maine, United States of America. Angela Okafor and others elected were sworn in during a ceremony at Bangor City Hall on Wednesday, November 13. Okafor from Enugwu-Ukwu in Njikoka local government area of Anambra State, became a United States Citizen earlier this year. Angela and Ben, her husband own two pharmacies, and live with their three children in Bangor. A foreign-trained and American-licensed attorney, she worked in the dish room washing department because she did…

A nine-year-old Belgian is shinning like a star as he prepares to graduate this December from the Eindhoven University of Technology with a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electrical Engineering. Laurent Simons, who University staff have described as ‘simply extraordinary,’ plans to do his PH.D in Electrical Engineering in the university, while he will also study for a Medicine degree, his father revealed during an interview with CNN. The boy’s parents, Lydia and Alexander Simons, did not believe their son is a genius until his school teachers started reporting how he quickly understood and learnt things far above his age…

For some years, most villages in Ukanafun and Etim Ekpo local government areas of Akwa Ibom State were locked down as a result of cult war among some restive but aggrieved youths in the areas. Consequently, the aggrieved caused mayhem that led to loss of lives and properties of innocent persons. Some persons were kidnapped and ransom paid; others killed; women raped; socio-economic activities zeroed in resulting in the villagers abandoning the crisis-torn areas to safer communities. Though the militants later called aggrieved youths embraced peace, Governor Udom Emmanuel had announced the state government’s intention to resettle them to sustain…