RE- PRINCE AKPABIO AGAIN

Our attention has been drawn to yet another onslaught in the orchestrated
and deliberate smear campaign of calumny mounted by some compromised
sections of the junk media with the sole objective of blackmailing members
of The Akpabio family, or anyone for that matter that is associated with the
Akpabio's.

This latest effort is on the front and back page of another new arrival on
the ever increasing newspaper stands in Akwa Ibom state that goes by the
name Global Post in its Vol. 2 No. 1,January 27, 2014, edition.
The said cover story reads; "Prince Akpabio again! ...fights over ex-lover."

Curiously, on the backpage is another piece by one Gideon Ekere, titled,
"The evil that a woman does...", all in a lame, confused and barely coherent
attempt to vilify the First Lady, Her Excellency, Mrs Ekaette Unoma Akpabio.
It needs also be observed that, the same paper devotes a full page editorial
on Page 4, in a struggle to demean the recent Award as Best Governor
since the creation of Akwa Ibom State conferred on the governor, H. E.
Chief Dr. Godswill Obot Akpabio, CON, by the League of Newspaper
Publishers in the State, to which Global Post, we understand is neither a
member nor affiliated.
To every discerning mind, to devote nearly three pages in a 16 paged
newspaper to cast slur and use unprintable gutter language on a particular
subject, is in itself an indictment on the intent and flawed goal of the
medium.

It bears repeating here that the said story on Prince Ukpng Akpabio fighting
over an ex lover is false, fictitious, unfounded and riddled with bad faith. It
is even mors shameful that persons who are half baked and lack good
command of English language are given such prominence to write a
column on backpage of a newspaper wherein they assault us with wrong
grammar and scare people from encouraging readership of newspapers. It
is a shock that the jaded attempt to ridicule the First Lady was as
uncordinated, uninteresting and gibberish only fit for the thrash can. No self
respecting paper with professional hands will sanction such mediocre script,
not to talk of publish it at all.

Ordinarily, we would have chosen to ignore the rubbish by Global Post, its
authours and sponsors, and not dignify them with a comment, but for the
fact that, the unsuspecting public may be misled and hoodwinked into
entertaining their evil and concocted tales as truth. We als put on record
that, whereas the explosion of Newspaper outfits in the State may represent
a positive indication that, the Akpabio led administration has created a
conducive and Press friendly environment for them to thrive, many of the
nearly 100 newspapers floated within this period are driven by ulterior and
mercantilist political motives, even as they are peopled by charlatans,
quacks, professional blackmailers who do the bidding of their pay masters.
This is indeed a sad development which the Nigeria Union of Journalist will
do well to arrest, so as to restore the vanishing integrity of their noble
profession.

While we call on the public to ignore and discountenance the false reportage
on Prince Ukpong Akpabio by Global Post as the said story exists only in
the imagination of those who contrived it, we hereby charge Global Post to
speedily tender aretraction of the story and if they be professionals, publish
this rejoinder, according it as much prominence as the did with the fake
incidents. We also alert the people to the common trend that newspapers
springing up tend to believe that, using the Akpabio family as a punching
bag for yellow journalism will translate to higher sales and popularity for
their paper. Hence, all manner of stories and fictions emerge. The people
should be wary of these hounds who claim to be journalists.

Signed
Anietie Uwakmfon. Otobong Imaikop for Concerned Friends of Prince
Akpabio

5 REASONS UDOM EMMANUEL WILL EMERGE GOVERNOR

The race to the Hilltop mansion is heading to its defining moments. Pundits are fine tuning factors that could make the difference while the political class are silently calculating where to pitch tent to avoid being left out. The current Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Mr Udom Emmanuel is in the mix. His present portfolio will not allow for an early declaration, but he is in excellent condition and this is why he will win:

1. HE REPRESENTS THE FUTURE: Akwa Ibom has gone a long way since 1987. The development has been tremendous especially with the infrastructural Renaissance of the present government. What does the future hold then? It requires strategic planning and sound economic policies. Nobody's credentials beats Udom's practical experience interacting at the highest level with business developers and investors. He doesn't just hold vague academic records but has been hugely successful in his private strides so far. He was the Pioneer Manager of the Lagos Central Branch of Zenith Bank. He was also in charge of the Telecommunications Sector, Income Optimization and Financial & Strategic Planning Group of Zenith Bank Plc. He had over seventeen years financial services experience and shortly before his appointment served as an Executive Director of Zenith Bank Plc. This is a big factor Akwa Ibom people won't ignore.

2. ZONING: Hasn't this issue been flogged enough? It is the deciding factor in this race. It carries with it equity, justice and fair play. Nobody with conscience will honestly rule it out. Every part of the state feels a sense of belonging when they are part of the leadership. It becomes more compelling when that part of the state parades very fine candidates for the top job. One of Gov Akpabio's enduring legacies will be leaving power respecting the zoning formula that aided him to power. What is good for the Reverend Father is good for the Cathechist. Isn't it?  More so, his credentials dwarfs other likely contenders from the district, the like of Rt (Hon) Okpolupm Etteh, Bishop
Samuel Akpan , Senator Helen Esuene , His Excellency Obong Nsima Ekere , Larry Esin ,
Senator Udo Udoma  and Hon Effiong  Abia. His experience and professional dexterity are almost incomparable.

3. POLITICAL AFFILIATION: Udom has no previous political attachments. No much of it. Everyone desires political and economic integration. And with this background, he is the people's favourite. Willing to welcome all and sundry, young and old, men and women. It becomes more interesting when the odds are stacked against him. The faithful disciples are pouring in in their numbers.

4. CAMPAIGN FUNDS: Money, Money, Money. Thats what the game is all about. In Nigeria, money itself is a decider. His savings at the bank will save for a good start and with tremendous contacts and friends, funding shouldn't be issue.

5. CV: Elections are always about the best hands. Udom's credentials are rich.  He holds a Bachelors degree in Accounting from the University of Lagos in
1988. He bagged Master’s Degree with specialty on Corporate Governance from the Leeds Metropolitan University, United Kingdom. His
responsibilities while with the Zenith Bank included Non-Executive Director, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) from 2008 and Director, Nigerian Interbank Settlement Systems (NIBBS) from 2009, Non-Executive Director, Zenith
Bank, United Kingdom; Zenith Bank – Gambia; Zenith Bank – Sierra Leone; Zenith Insurance; Zenith Pensions and Custodian; Zenith Securities; Zenith Trustees and Zenith Registrars. An alumnus of, France, Columbia Business
School, USA, the Wharton Business School, USA and the London Business School, he is also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants
of Nigeria, Fellow of the Institute of Financial Management. It is also worthy to note that with over 23 years cognate experience in financial services garnered from PricewaterHouseCoopers , Diamond Bank and Zenith Bank, he is authorized by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) to carry out financial services in the United Kingdom. This is a great factor.

There are a thousand and one reasons Mr Udom Emmanuel will be Governor but these few are very instructive.

Meet Bisi Alimi: “The First Nigerian Gay” To Come Out On CNN

So the rave
continues, days after the bill was passed against gay rights in
Nigeria, seems like Nigerians are beginning to become more open
with the gay issues.

Bisi Alimi the first Nigerian man to openly declare he was gay on TV
was on CNN to talk about his experience and the Nigerian anti-gay
law.

Read Excerpts below: -

In 2004, Bisi Alimi did an extraordinary thing.He went on national
television and told his fellow Nigerians that he was gay.
“There were so many things we don’t talk about,” Alimi told CNN’s
Christiane Amanpour on Thursday. “My career was on the line, I was
going to be outed by the media.”
It was better, he decided, to come out of the closet on his own
terms……

“I have a responsibility to stand up for the community, to give a face
to the community, to demystify the old arguments that there are no
homosexuals in Nigeria,” People were not ready to educate
themselves. And this created a lot of problems for the LGBT
community in Nigeria.”I couldn’t get a job, I left university, nobody
was going to employ me, my life was constantly in danger, I was
always beaten, arrested by the police, discharged.Parliament passed
the bill last year, so why did the president sign it now?
“He has been boxed to a corner,” Alimi said, who believes President
Jonathan is increasingly politically alienated.

I know, like so many other Nigerians know, that this is a
distraction.As for those fellow countrymen, Alimi believes that for
many, their intolerant views are bolstered by religion.How many
Nigerians know…what this law means? Or how many Nigerians have
an understanding outside of religion what exactly we talk about when
we talk about se*uality?”“Why then should religion be the basis of
putting a law in place in a secular state?”

He would eventually seek asylum in the UK, where he now lives.He
became the first Nigerian to declare his homosexuality on
television.In that same year, 2004, Alimi had been diagnosed with
HIV. He had been working for years as an activist with the gay
community in Nigeria, and was programing director for an HIV-
advocacy group.

ADULTERY IN IMO STATE: Mother-Of-Two Str*pped Unclad, Sent Back To Father

Umuozu, Nwangele LGA, Imo State – A mother of two was stri*ped
unclad and conveyed in a wheelbarrow to her father’s house for
alleged involvement in adultery and causing her husband’s untimely
death.

The young woman is a widow and a second wife to an indigene of
Eshiukwu in Nwangele LGA. She was put in a wheelbarrow unclad
with her two children, driven around villages, while youths chanted
war songs. The woman was finally returned to her father’s compound
in a nearby community known as Isiala.

The eyewitnesses said the woman was a well-known “serial
adilteress” and was deeply involved in it “for material satisfaction.”
Apparently, the woman was caught fornicating just a couple of days
after her husband’s death. Furthermore, she was accused of causing
her husband’s untimely end. He died from a bloated stomach after
suffering for months. The woman used the money she got from her
s*xual partners to feed her family, which, according to the villagers,
is a taboo.

The villagers allege she may have gotten into the mess due to
poverty. One eyewitness confirmed that such act could send a man to
an early grave, and blamed the woman for not paying her late
husband any respect by going after her lovers shortly after the man’s
demise.

Source: Vanguard

Winners’ Chapel Introduces Payment Of Tithes/Offerings Using Phone Dial Codes

This billboard was spotted in Covenant University. Picture is courtesy
Rockcitygist.com

Supreme Court Orders Abacha Son’s Trial for Theft

The Supreme Court has unanimously decided in the morning of
January 17, 2014, Friday that Mohammed Abacha, son of the late
former Head of State, General Sani Abacha, must be returned to an
Abuja High Court and face his trial.

A 123 count criminal charges have been brought against him by the
Federal Government of Nigeria, wherein he was alleged to be in
possession of stolen properties belonging to the Federal Government.
The theft was allegedly committed by the late former dictator stole,
when he ruled Nigeria.

Mohammed Abacha had previously unsuccessfully attempted to foil
his trial. Then he proceeded to the Court of Appeal, where he lost.
Finally, he approached the Supreme Court.

The son of the late ruler declared that the immunity enjoyed by his
father, while in office, extended to him and that having forfeited some
of the family’s properties confiscated by the government, he should
be exempted from prosecution in line with the he provisions of
Decree number 53 of 1999.

The Court, however, stated that immunity does not extend beyond the
tenure of office and that even if the late head of state were alive, he
could have been prosecuted for a criminal offence, not to talk of his
son, who has never been a State Leader.

Therefore, Mohammed Abacha has to go and face his trial at the
Abuja court.

PHOTOS: Ghana Football Player Catches BBA Housemate, Elikem, Sleeping With His Wife

2013 Big Brother Africa’s Ghanian representative, Elikem Kumordzie,
has been taken to court on adultery charges by Nii Odartey Lamptey.
The former Black Stars Striker, Lamptey, has accused 2013 BBA
housemate of going to bed with his wife.

He reportedly raised the matter and took legal actions against Elikem
when he found out that his wife, whom he has been married to for 20
years, was having illicit affairs.

Speaking during different interviews he had granted to Tv channels in
Ghana, Lamptey insisted he had caught his wife and Elikem in
questionable positions in their home a reasonable number of times,
and that he was certain the BBA star was in a romantic relationship
with his wife

Last year Domptey had announced that he was not the biological
father of the 3 children his marriage produced, and that he had
carried out a DNA test that proved it.

Elikem has however denied all the allegations leveled against him,
saying there was no way the stories were true. He insists that they
are all just idle rumors being tossed around by ‘fools’.
The Accra high court has adjourned the case to 22 January, 2013.

Couple Who Drank Their Own Urine Live TV Face Twitter Backlash

Have you been
flushing away liquid gold down the toilet?
In the eyes of Bex Long and John Dixon, you have indeed, as this
couple use their own urine to heal cuts on the hands, quell the
symptoms of depression and aid clearer skin.

Appearing on ITV’s This Morning to tout the benefits of their special
brew (and making an entire nation gag in the process as they
proceeded to drink it on air), the couple have caused a backlash on
Twitter against their practice, with people using the
hashtag WeDrinkWee to voice their disgust.

John Dixon has been drinking it for seven years and when he met Bex
Long, he introduced her to it, and it apparently helped treat
her depression. She said: “I spoke to people where John works and
heard stories about how they had got better [from doing it] and
thought I would try it. ‘For the first couple of months I felt happy and
bouncy – it worked straight away,’

Meet Mikel Obi’s Russian Babe, Olga Diyachenko

So it seems Nigeria’s Mikel Obi has finally been taken. He is said to
be seriously dating and living with a beautiful Russian lady, Olga
Diyachenko, in his UK house. Bad news for the Nigerian babes. See more photos of them below:

Goalkeeper Agbim asks for forgiveness after error-strewn performance

The national team coach looks set to continue with the goalkeeper
despite his less than stellar performances in the two matches the team
has played
Nigeria goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim has offered apology to the country
after his mistakes allowed the team concede two goals in Wednesday’s
4-2 defeat of Mozambique at the African Nations Championship.

The Super Eagles needed to win the game after losing their opening
game 2-1 against Mali.
They went behind early when Dario Khan scored a long range free kick
that flew above Agbim before another miscalculated dive by the
goalkeeper allowed Aberto Diogo score a second one 10 minutes later to
even scores after Ifeanyi Ede and Rabiu Ali had given the west Africans
the lead.

Nigeria managed to win the game scoring twice in the second half but
were always in constant fear that their defence and goalkeeper could
once more capitulate.

“No goalkeeper in the world will be happy to concede cheap goals and
for a keeper of my calibre I am most disappointed than anyone else but
that is football and I can’t dwell in the past,” Agbim has said.

“I have to forget and plead with fans of the game to understand and
forgive so that we can jointly forge ahead. I promise that I will do better
next time and it’s a promise I wish to keep.”
Agbim has been a constant feature in the squads of Stephen Keshi since
he took charge of the national team in November 2011.

The Enugu Rangers goalkeeper, who is also captain of the Super Eagles
B Team and is expected to be part of the country’s squad to the World
Cup, has received support from the coach.

“It’s a team work and we cannot single out one individual for blame,
otherwise we had a situation in the game against Mozambique when a
player had an empty net and yet could not slot the ball in until the
opposing defender cleared it,” said Keshi.

“I have worked with Agbim now for two years plus and if he was not
good he will not be here. We must learn to understand our players and
forgive errors, especially as he is the last man in the defence and his
own errors are easily seen by all,” the coach said.

Nigeria will face South Africa in their last Group A game on Sunday, an
encounter they must win if they are to make it into the knockout rounds.

F1 Great Michael Schumacher May Be In Coma For Life

Speculation on Michael Schumacher’s prognosis for recovery from
his serious head injuries is rampant in Germany, with one publication
reporting that the multiple Formula 1 champion could be in a coma
for the rest of his life.

The Daily Mail is
reporting that German outlets Focus and Bild have spoken with
neurological experts, who have discussed their views based on
reports of Schumacher’s condition.

The 45-year-old has been in a medically induced coma at a hospital
in Grenoble since an accident on a ski field in the French Alps on
December 29 last year.

The latest official report on his condition being “critical but stable”,
Schumacher’s management team adamant they will release no more
updates unless there is a change in his condition.

Schumacher’s wife Corinna also pleaded with media to back off from
their relentless hounding for updates and leave the hospital, where
they had been gathered since news of Schumacher’s accident broke.
“Please support our shared fight with Michael,” she said in a
statement.

“It is important to me that you take the pressure off the doctors and
the hospital so they can do their work.
“Please have faith in their statements and leave the hospital. Please
also leave our family in peace.”

But according to the Daily Mail, the silence on Schumacher’s
condition has led to anxiety in his native Germany, as publications
turn to non-official sources to gain an insight into the potential – or
otherwise – of Schumacher making a full recovery.

German publication Focus spoke to neurosurgeon Andreas Zieger of
the University Clinic for neurosurgery in Oldenburg, a man not part of
Schumacher’s medical team.

Professor Zieger speculated that, given the time Schumacher has
been kept in an induced coma, “there may have been complications.”
“We should not speculate here. Ultimately, we are talking about life
and death. A coma can in theory be maintained for a lifetime. It won’t
hurt the human brain.”

Professor Zieger added: “Brain injuries are among the most
complicated injuries that can happen to the human body.
“Predictions about how long a person might be in a coma or potential
complications are seldom reliable.”
Another news outlet interviewed Cologne neurological expert
Professor Gereon Fink, who fears that the length of Schumacher’s
coma, now reaching its 18th day, indicates serious damage in the
brain..

“He assumes that Michael Schumacher’s health condition is
apparently worse than hoped for,” the site reported.
“If the injuries are so severe that it would harm the patient, he is kept
longer in the medically induced coma,” Professor Fink said.

“Depending on where bleeding has taken place can lead to unilateral
paralysis, speech disorders or personality changes.”

MTN Denies Increasing Price Of Recharge Cards

Have you bought
MTN recharge cards over the expected price this year? Retailers of
MTN recharge cards have alleged an increase in the price they buy
recharge cards in bulk as responsible for increase in the retail price.

Some retailers add N20 over the normal price (based on value) of all
MTN card denominations they sell. For instance a N200 MTN card
may be sold at N220.

The arbitrary increase is applicable to only MTN recharge cards in
most parts of Lagos.
Some retailers said the cards were scarce and dealers have now
capitalised on the scarcity to increase their retail prices.

“MTN cards are scarce in Lagos and dealers are selling to us at
increased prices, so we too have to add N10 or more to each
denomination to recoup our money,” a retail vendor, Emeka Ogor, told
Thisday.

Worried about this development, the management of MTN has
therefore said it has not effected any retail price increase in any of
the recharge card denominations, stating that the face value of all its
recharge card denominations remain the same.

Corporate Services Executive, MTN, Mr. Wale Goodluck, said: “We
have not effected a price increase and the retail price of the various
denominations of our recharge cards and recharge vouchers remain
the same.

“Our recharge vouchers come in the following denominations: N1,500,
N750, N400, N200 and N100, and must be sold at the face value.”
Disturbed by the new development which started last week, Goodluck
said: “Any such hike is contrary to MTN’s wishes or knowledge. MTN
has a well-established distribution structure and all our authorised
partners within this structure are obliged to sell recharge cards at
their face value.

“Any variance from the authorised face value of recharge cards is
without MTN’s knowledge or authority.”
“MTN’s 55 million customers can purchase airtime via recharge
cards or recharge vouchers as well as through a virtual top-up. The
airtime recharge options are generally distributed via a very extensive
trade and distribution network which has over the years successfully
enhanced accessibility to airtime and customer convenience,” he said.

Goodluck assured customers that the company was working
assiduously to arrest the situation and urged its customers in the
affected areas to explore other options of purchasing their airtime,
such as the MTN Virtual Top Up (VTU) or MTN Auto-Top Up.

2face Idibia Builds N250m Night Club

2face Idibia is expanding his investments in hospitality, with the
launch of his Rumors Nite Club in FESTAC Town, Lagos.

Said to be worth
over N250 Million, the club which opened its doors in the New Year
to fun seekers, is an extension of 2face’s club in GRA, Ikeja under the
same.

A source who spoke to NET said that the building of the club
commenced sometime in late 2012 and was completed in December
2013.

Idibia’s business partner Dotun Omotoye told NET ‘We are only test
running the place and waiting for the completion of the 1000 guest
capacity event center before we open officially in February’.
Omotoye confirmed to NET that over N250 million has been expended
on the project.

Hypertek Records and Entertainment C.E.O 2face Idibia had in 2012
acquired the facility holding former Lacachette Nite Club situated in
G.R.A, renaming it ‘Rumors’.

He told Punch in an interview of his plan to go in full throttle into
night club business. ‘I am not only an artiste, I’m also an
entrepreneur. I want to make the night club a model like Jay-Z’s Club
40/40. I want to have my clubs in major cities in Nigeria and one in
South Africa, Europe and the US.’

Since birthing in Festac Town, Rumors has already become a hotspot
for night crawlers especially around the Festac Town vicinity. The
club will officially be opened in February with Victoria Island as its
next target location.

Source: THENETNG

JONATHAN ANNOUNCES TUKUR'S RESIGNATION

The National Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has just accepted the resignation of the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

President Goodluck Jonathan announced to the members of NEC that Tukur has resigned from his job.

Jonathan handed the resignation letter to the National Secretary of the party, Prof. Wale Oladipo.

As soon as he announced the resignation, the audience clapped in acceptance.

President Jonathan therefore directed the Governor of Cross Rivers State, Mr. Liyel Imoke to move the motion for the acceptance of Tukur’s resignation.

Imoke appealed to Tukur not to abandon the party despite his resignation.

10 Courses Will Be Ready For Accreditation At AKS Varsity- VC

Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU) has prepared about 10 courses in
various faculties for accreditation by the National University Commission
(NUC) in 2014, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Sunday W.
Peters, has said.

Peters said the university will be ready to present the courses including
Geoscience, Marine Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics/Statistics, Computer
Science, Agricultural Engineering, Civil and Mechanical Engineering among
others for accreditation this year even as work continues on other courses.

“We are hopeful that the various constructions and remodeling of some
facilities will be completed before the students are back to campus,” Peters
said. The projects which are in different levels of completion are said to be
built according to the NUC Standards and specifications. Works on the
faculties in the main campus at Mkpat Enin are all ongoing, while
renovation of old and construction of new dormitories in Obio Akpa
Campus is in execution.

Chairman of the AKSU Governing Council, Prof Okon Eminue, said he was
satisfied with the pace of work while urging the resource persons to
expedite action on the construction works.

They both spoke when the Commissioner of Education, Prof. Mrs Atim
Antai led an inspection team, comprising of the Special Assistant to the
Governor on student Matters, Comrade Ini Ememobong, staff of the
ministry and members of special task force to assess the quality and level
of execution of projects at the main campus.

Antai noted that there were so many additional construction works on site
different from the original plans which the contracts were awarded.
According to her, though there are allowable variations in government
contracts, that such permissible variations should not exceed reasonable
percentages. She advised the resource persons to always obtain approval
for price adjustment before embarking on project extension.

Ememobong on the other hand said most of the variations were caused by
changes in plans. He advised the school architects to always liaise with
the faculties Officers and Heads of Departments before forwarding their
final drawings and plans to the contract awarding committee.
In his response, the spokesman for the school architectural team said,
some of the adjustments were necessary so as to meet the NUC regulatory
standards.

UDOM EKPOUDOM EMPOWERS ETIM EKPO AGAIN, Says His People will Only Support Those They Know and Not Strangers

It was another season of celebration last Saturday at the premises of Rtd
Deputy Inspector General of Police, UdomEkpoudom as members of his
Clan and Village gathered to receive gifts ranging from Motorcycles,Wra
ppers andfood items from him.

The gathering which was attended by prominent citizens of Etim Ekpo
Local Government Area had in attendance, business moguls, political and
religious leaders and educationists from the area including the 10 Ward
Chairmen in the local government area.

While16 people smiled home with new motorcycles, the widows got items
like Rice, Meat and Wrappers from the Rtd DIG and wife.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Bishop Ahaisaiah Umana
commended Udom Ekpoudom and wife for their consistent generosity in
giving to their people at all times. He described Ekpoudom as a man
having the fear of God in him as a guiding principle; recalling that he
prayed for the Rtd Officer when he began his Police career and also
intimated him of his imminent goodwill when he was to be promoted.

Bishop Umana thanked Ekpoudom for heeding his advicenot to forget his
peoplewhile in service and on retirement and advised the beneficiaries of
the items to handle them with care so that they will enjoy using them for a
long time. He admonished them not to rough-handle the motorcycle they
have received adding that the journey of a thousand mile starts with a
step.

In his speech, the Rtd DIG said that the gathering was not a new thing to
him and his wife. He maintained that before the advent of free education in
the State, he had been givingscholarship to over 50 indigenous students
yearly and that while in the Police service, he gave employment to many
people in the Police Force and other places; adding that the Motorcycles
have been a regular gift to his people courtesy of his family.

The Retired Officer, whilecommending Tower of Ivory School for helping to
generate employment for his people; saidthat his benevolent acts are not
for political purposes or for the contest of any election though, he is
qualified to contest any elective position in the country. He disclosed that
when the political war was heated in 2011 after his retirement, his people
called him to honour him but he told them to transfer their love for him to
the Governor and support his second term ambition if they so love him. He
noted that he was however surprised to hear people blackmail him by
saying he had started campaigning for Senate when he laid the foundation
for the construction of Etim Ekpo Traditional Rulers Council Secretariat
when all he had in mind was to redeem the initial promise he made to his
people.

He further expressed that the money he is using forempowerment is his
personal sacrifice andfamily savings which is unaffiliated to the
government’s money and called on Etim Ekpo people to continue in their
support for the Governor till 2015; stressing that Etim Ekpo people will only
support who they know in 2015 and not a stranger who does not know
them either.

Also speaking, the wife of the Rtd DIG, Mrs. Dorathy Ekpoudom described
the day as their own Christmas where they invited everyone in the area to
celebrate with them. She thanked the people for coming out within a short
notice and pledged her continuous support for the women of Etim Ekpo.
Hon. MfonIdung, Bishop Enomfon Akpan, Engr. AkanimoEdet, Barr
Christopher Okorie and Hon. Ini Okopido who spoke at intervals described
Udom Ekpoudomas a perfect example of a giver whose kind has never
been seen or heard of in Etim Ekpo. They noted that it was rare for an
individual to consistently engage in giving to his people without any
political intention and expressed that this show of love is the best way of
relating with people; adding that when there is love, people can feel each
other’s impact. They therefore called on the people to continue in their
prayers and support of their senior; attesting that God kept them at the
head so that they will be a source of blessing others.

They prayed God’s blessings on Ekpoudom’s family and called on others
to emulate the examples of the Rtd DIG by giving to the less privileged in
their own capacity, while advising parents to encourage their children to go
to school so that they can be of meaning to the society.

Responding to the Officer’s gesture, one of the beneficiaries of the
Motorcycle, Mr. Ubong Inokon thanked the DIG and his family for always
caring for their welfare by helping those in need to stand strong. He noted
that Ekpoudom has demonstrated that he is a true leader of the people
who does not think of himself and family alone but the betterment of his
people as well. He also prayed God to replenish the family’s pocket and
bless them accordingly.

PDP NEC Meeting: Governors Didn’t Discuss Tukur With Jonathan, Says Suswam

Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam said yesterday that Tukur’s
resignation was not discussed with the President.
According to him,
issues concerning the states and how to resolve the party’s crises
and bring back governors who defected to the All Progressives
Congress (APC) were discussed with the president.

Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State said yesterday that Alhaji
Bamanga Tukur’s resignation was not discussed with President
Goodluck Jonathan at NEC meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party,
PDP, which held at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.

Suswam, who made this known while speaking with State House
correspondents, said that the governors’ meeting with the president
last night centered on issues concerning the dwindling fortunes of the
ruling PDP, particularly the onerous task of winning back five
members of the party that defected to the All Progressives Congress
(APC).

Suswam said, “First, we met with the president as PDP governors to
discuss issues of the party and the way forward. And that meeting is
continuing; we just touched based with the president to discuss
issues that affect the party.

“The issue discussed with the president was basically on how to re-
strategise and re-position our party and how to move forward as a
party. The second meeting is the national caucus and I am not in a
position to comment on that; after the BoT meeting, the vice president
will brief on the outcome”.

Asked if the issue of the chairman’s resignation was discussed,
Suswam said the vice president will comment on that after the BoT
meeting, even as he insisted that, in the PDP governors’ meeting with
the president, “issues like that was not discussed”.
“I think it’s the responsibility of the national caucus and the BoT, and
the vice president will adequately brief you on the outcome”, the
governor added.

Noting that the governors did not table any demand before President
Jonathan, Suswam said, “It is not an issue of demand; we are just
touching base with the president. The president is the PDP party man
and so, from time to time, all PDP governors meet with him”.

On concerns raised at the meeting, he said: “The concern is that the
fortunes of our party are dwindling and so we need to address that.
How do we re-position our party to win the forthcoming elections in
Ekiti and Osun? How do we win back our colleagues that have
stepped aside? We don’t believe that they have left the party; they
only stepped aside. These are the issues that were raised”.

Niger State governor, Muazu Babangida Aliyu, who chipped in some
few words while the interview with Suswam was going on, stated that
the five governors aggrieved governors who left the party would
definitely return.

According to Aliyu, the G5 governors were just on the side-lines and
that as soon as the party is restructured following ongoing effort, they
would return.

Britain Disappointed In Nigeria, Jonathan Over Same-s*x Marriage Law

The British
government has expressed disappointment over President Goodluck
Jonathan’s assent to the same s*x marriage Bill.

Speaking on the recent development, British Minister of State at the
Ministry of Justice, Jeremy Wright, said: “The UK is a close friend of
Nigeria, but we are disappointed that President Jonathan has given
his assent to a Bill which will further criminalise same s*x
relationships in Nigeria. The UK opposes any discrimination on the
basis of s*xual orientation.

“The Bill also directly infringes on fundamental rights of expression
and association, which are guaranteed by the Nigerian constitution
and by Nigeria’s international treaty obligations.

“We are concerned by the prospect this raises of further action
against an already marginalised section of society,” Wright said

Court Orders Teenager To Be Subjected To 12 Strokes Of Cane For Theft

An Abuja Magistrates’ Court
on Wednesday ordered that a 19-year-old boy, Isaiah Sunday, be
flogged 12 strokes of the cane for theft.

The Senior
Magistrate, Shafa Aliyu, ordered that the convict be flogged after he
pleaded guilty on a one-count charge of stealing.
Aliyu said that the punishment would serve as deterrent to others,
“besides, he is a young boy and the complainant has forgiven him,’’
Aliyu said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the police executed
the public flogging of the teenager after the judgment.
Earlier, Prosecutor Udeh David told the court that Ntibuka Linda of
No. 22 Majekodumi Street, Utako, Abuja, reported the case at Wuse
Police Station.

David said that the complainant came back from a journey on Jan. 5
to discover that the convict had entered her apartment.
He said the convict stole N18, 000, one curve 4 blackberry phone, one
touch light Nokia phone and one carton of Indomie noodles.
The prosecutor said during the investigation the Nokia and Blackberry
phones were recovered from the convict and the complainant forgave
the accused.

The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Section 289 of the
Penal Code.
Sunday pleaded guilty to the charge and pleaded for forgiveness.
`My lord, forgive me. She called me on phone to warm her generator
and then I saw the key to her room.

“I opened the room and took only N4, 000 not N18, 000. I used the
money to buy one Polo shirt and spent the balance. (NAN)

BUDGETING; THE ONOFIOK LUKE ARCHETYPE By Aniekeme Finbarr

The idea of budgeting does not naturally trigger excitement in the minds of a layman.
Government's budget usually appear complex or confusing at a first glance, me thinks it is
possibly put together so that only bureaucrats could understand it. The technical terms and intimidating figures are enough to frighten the common citizen. Little wonder why, budget speeches are seen as mere yearly rituals, forgotten after they are read to public hearing. Such presentations are seen as official secrets between the executive and the legisture which requires 'accelerated passage' by the latter. What is more appalling is the fact that the big figures reeled out do not match current realities.

Nigeria’s economy has grown very fast in the last thirteen years in
response to the surges in global oil and non-oil commodity prices. In
particular, Nigeria’s nominal GDP has doubled from N20 trillion in 2007
to N40 trillion in 2012! Oil and gas output rose from N7.5 trillion in
2007 to 15 trillion in 2012. Non-oil GDP rose from N12.5 trillion in 2007
to N25 trillion in 2012. Crops rose from N6 trillion in 2007 to N12
trillion in 2012. Trading and commercial services rose from N6 trillion in
2007 to N11 trillion in 2012. Comparatively, with a nominal GDP of $250
billion in 2012 ($451 billion PPP), Nigeria is the 30th (40th in 2005,
52nd in 2000) largest economy in the world (PPP), 2nd largest within
Africa behind South Africa, and on track to overtake South Africa and
become one of the 20 largest economies in the world before by 2020 (if
recent trends persist!!!). Its small manufacturing sector is the third-
largest on the continent, and produces a large proportion of goods and
services for the West African region. With a population over 160 million
people, GDP per capita was $1560 Nominal, $2,800 PPP in 2012, Nigeria
is once again a middle income economy, an emerging market, with
expanding financial, service, communications, and entertainment sectors.

But the question raging across the country is the potency of
the jumbo figures and the growth in the economy promoting the standard of living of Nigerians. While some analysts blamed spiralling inflation for making the
people "going thirsty" even as they "reside" by the proverbial
ever-flowing river, the manifest opulence of the political class has
become a discomforting alibi for negative judgement in respect of
government's concern for the electorates. Therefore, if the figures show the economy is getting healthy by the day and the masses are languishing in poverty, it means there is a wide gap in the economic planning process that needs to be bridged. And that is exactly what a young, vibrant lawyer who chairs the Finance and Appropriation Committee in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has been striving to achieve. His name is Hon Barr Onofiok Akpan Luke.
December 5, 2012 still comes fresh to mind, Barr Luke blazed the trail in an out of the box fashion. He foraged into the innovation of
Public participatory budgeting. It was the first ever Pre-Budget
briefing/Public hearing on the 2013 Budget, conducted as a town
hall meeting by his Committee. The array of dignitaries, relevant government officials,  stakeholders, students, NGO's, Market
organizations, businesses, youth and women groups, professionals, members of the
traditional institutions and the media that invaded the hitterto quiet conference room of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly was manifest tandem with the
importance of the event.

This year 2014, the story has remained the same and indeed the records have been surpassed. He had once again   engaged stakeholders, finance ministry
officials as well as their counterparts in
the ministry of economic development
and principal officers of the house, on a
one day budget meeting, where their
views, criticism, recommendations, were
collated to form part of the working
tools of the committee.
The public was also briefed by ministry
officials on various aspects of the
budget. A budget that has been widely acclaimed “the people’s budget” 

The Akwa Ibom Government has proposed a total budgetary outlay of
N469.374 billion for the 2014 financial year. This amount is as against N599.180 billion of the total revised
appropriation for 2013 fiscal year. To raise the bar, the people must derive inspiration from the template laid by Barr Luke. They must participate in the process, which doesn't necessarily end at the public hearing. The 2014 budget is  tagged ”Budget of Actualisation” and the people ought to know that the policy thrust of the budget is aimed at completing ongoing projects and creating jobs, ensuring efficient service delivery, enhancing sercurity and promoting private investment. This is the crux of human capital development and it requires vigilance. Now that Hon Onofiok Luke has brought the people closer to the process via the public hearing, they must follow it all the way, even by assisting the house perform its oversight functions.

A breakdown of the budget as presented by the Governor shows that general administration will receive N93.2 billion or 30.7 per cent of the budget proposal, while N69.19
billion or 22 per cent of the budget is earmarked for the social sector.
The Justice and Law sector is to receive N6.06 billion or two per cent of
the budget proposal, while the regional sector is allocated N4.5 billion
or 1.5 per cent of the total budget and with the major thrust of the budget being  the completion of
on-going projects like the 30,000 capacity stadium, the specialist
hospital and the Tropicana Entertainment Centre before the end of 2015.

For the 2014 fiscal year, government says Recurrent
Expenditure is proposed at N165 . 504 billion , made up of N 42 . 534
billion for personnel cost , N31 ,673 billion for overhead cost and
N 91 . 297 billion for consolidated revenue fund charges including
pensions , gratuities and public debts . The total Capital Receipts and Expenditure for the year 2014 is
estimated at N 303 . 870 billion as against the corresponding revised
figure of N421 . 285 billion for 2013 , a total projected capital receipts
shows that N251 . 420 billion will be transferred from the
consolidated revenue fund .

The 2014 budget moreso is derived from the 2014-2016 medium term expenditure framework promoting projects and programmes which aims to develop human capital and enhance services in the education and health sectors. High premium is placed on optimizing the services of the key economic development drivers particularly human capital development, agriculture and micro, small and medium development as foundation for real growth.

The people must get involved borrowing a leaf from the Onofiok Luke example. He has kickstarted a trend we
hope will be deepened and institutionalized in Budgeting processes
and cycle. And if the people do not take advantage, his efforts will be in vain. God forbid. Onofiok Luke is an exceptional gift to the state. His valuable
weapon towards target objectives is the functionality of his intellectual
power. Every reformer must be gutsy enough to dare to cleanse the
Augean stable. While his intellectual station proffers a sense of social
responsibility, his gut to try the extraordinary underpins his impulse as a
crusader for change. A deeply humble young man who covers it all with the
force of a brainwave that’s capable of the unexpected. A man that is naturally loved and admired by
people; a democrat and pivot of mass mobilization; a man who achieves
greatness through sheer
determination; a good listener; a man that remains unruffled even at the
height of unwarranted intimidation and provocation; a man with critical
thinking skills. He is a lawmaker for all seasons and his template for budgeting is remarkable.

Fans Unhappy with Akwa United FC Preparations for New Season

Fans of Akwa United Football Club of Uyo has expressed disappoinment over what it calls lack of blueprint for the state sponsored team ahead of the new season.

Speaking to  journalists at the Uyo township stadium during the week, some of the fans expressed fears that the team which luckily escaped relegation last season may be heading for doom in the new campaign if club officials continue with their lakadissical attitude..

A concerned fan, Mr. Basil Ita said it was necessary for the team to put things in place after the dramatic relegation escape. The sports enthusiast said he is not sure Akwa United is ready for the new football season and called on the chairman of the club to sit up or face the wrought of fans.

Another fan, Engr. Enobong Udi said the team lacked transparency. He said they were yet to know how many players the team have sold and how many has been brought in by the management ahead of the new season which begins in less than a month.

Also speaking, another fan Mr. Smart Offiong called for a new management team to be constituted for a smooth takeoff  “We call on the board and State's Sports Ministry to facilitate modalities and processes to set up a new management crew for the team to begin work immediately with the coaching crew."

Akwa United had last month sold top striker Mfon Udoh to rivals Enyimba FC of Aba for an undisclosed fee. The transfer of the 22 year old has raised dust from some quarters, which has lead to the management being pressurized to sign a quality striker to replace the forward.

A club source said Utibe Archibong, Ezekiel Solomon and two others have been drafted from Akwa Starlets FC into the team to join returnees Ubong Ekpai and Emem Eduok and spear the clubs' attack in the coming season. It has been rumoured that Utibe Archibong has opted out to continue with Akwa Starlets. Ubong Ekpai was away for trials in South Africa in the second half of last season, while Emem Eduok is expected to sign for the club from Dolphins of Port-Harcourt.

The source also said the club is on the verge of completing transfers for more than ten undisclosed players in the coming days. Akwa United early December had appointed former First Bank FC handler, Patrick Udoh as coach ahead of veteran ‘Okey Emordi’ and other contenders.

The new Glo Professional Football League season is set to commence after the end of CHAN 2014 holding in South Africa. Akwa United will be competing with nineteen other teams for glory. The League Management Committee of the Nigerian Football Federation had earlier in the week released guidelines for registration of teams that will compete in the Nigerian Premier League this season.

Dogged Fighter: Controversial Pastor Chris Okotie To Run Again In 2015 Presidential Elections

Controversial pastor of the Household of God Church International
Ministries, Chris Okotie, has declared his intention to contest for the
umpteenth time, the 2015 presidential elections.

Speaking in an
exclusive interview with Saturday PUNCH in Lagos, Okotie said he
would contest for the highest seat in the land under the platform of
the FRESH Democratic Party, although, he refused to disclose the
strategy being put in place to ensure his victory at the polls.
He said, “I don’t want to talk about our strategy for now, we have
learnt from our past experience, we don’t want to talk about it for
now”.

It would be recalled that FRESH party was last year deregistered by
the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, but the party
won a court victory against its proscription that same year.
FRESH, which is an acronym for Faith, Responsibility, Equality,
Security and Hope, according to the flamboyant clergyman, can
salvage the country from its present situation. He added that all the
cosmetic and superficial solutions provided by the ruling Peoples
Democratic Party, PDP, were a journey in futility.

A catalogue of Okotie’s unsuccessful runs at the presidency, include
his first attempt against former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2003
under the banner of Justice Party. He ran again in 2007 as a member
of the Fresh Democratic Party and lost to the late President Umaru
Yar’Adua.
Asked if he would contest in 2015, Okotie said, “I will run in 2015,
God willing.

“God spoke to me about my participation in the political process,
which was why I took the step in the first place. He has not said
anything contrary”.
When reminded that he had lost in previous attempts and that people
might actually doubt if his claim that he was instructed by God to
contest in the elections was genuine, he said as a servant of God, his
duty was to follow divine instructions.

He summed up the blame for his failure in past elections on the
prevalence of election malpractices especially by the PDP.
He said, “I can sum it up in one word-rigging by the PDP. Even one
of the party’s stalwarts, Chief Adeseye Ogunlewe, told The
PUNCH recently that all elections have always been rigged. So that
answers the question.

“These election questions are inter-related. If they didn’t rig, then I
could have won. Apart from election malpractices, the duty of a
servant of God is to obey his master when he gives him instructions,
irrespective of whether he fails or succeeds. Like Moses in the Bible,
who kept fighting until Pharaoh released the Israelites”.

UDOM EMMANUEL AND THE LEADERSHIP CALL By Aniekeme Finbarr

" A leader takes people where they want to
go. A great leader takes people where
they don’t necessarily want to go, but
ought to be". - Rosalynn Carter

It is trite and
well established by great minds of ages that the
loudest problem of humanity is that of
leadership despite the technological, scientific,
and economic advancements in the global
context. Among such great minds was Confucius.

Confucius (551-479 BC) was a moral philosopher
who lived in an age when China was
characterized by great socio- political unrest
and crass corruption. The mighty Chou dynasty
(1122- 256 BC) had degenerated into a system
of loosely bound feudal states that were engaged
in continuous and interminable warfare, much to
the distress of the common people who
remained at the mercy of the aristocracy. The
great wise one postulated that it is " the way of
the leader", his traits, disposition and good
conscience that can liberate the people from any
socio- political quagmire. Confucianism and its
ideal essence of the way of the leader have
persisted and laid an ethical basis for political,
socio-economic culture of modern-day China.

And like in Confucius' time, quality leadership in
climes like ours has continued to deteriorate
faster than potatoes in an airtight bag. Those
age-long, fundamental and hallowed traits in
leaders have become so rare, scarce and in most
cases completely extinct. Little wonder why, it
evokes a sense of unutterable joy when one
identifies these traits in a 21st century, modern
day Nigerian politician.

My inspiration to deliver this
intellectual offering stems from the exemplary
leadership qualities of Mr Emmanuel in managing
the peculiar, unusually large and dynamic
finance machinery in Nigeria and beyond. His credentials are already public knowledge and there for all to appreciate. His present day contributions are also quite commendable.  

  The Godswill Akpabio administration as everyone
knows is a robust, upwardly mobile and
performance driven government. An
administration that has put in stellar
performance to inscribe indelible imprimaturs in
the hitterto dour Akwa Ibom landscape. An
administration that has fumigated the stench
odour of infrastructural rot and decay that
endured in the state prior to the coming of the
uncommon transformer. An administration with
an unflinching commitment to deliver on
electoral promises and even do more. And to fit
into the fast lane, anger- inspired approach to
governance, one must possess lots of
characteristics. Top on the list is humility.

Mr Emmanuel as a loyal servant in the Akpabio
administration has displayed rare humility in first accepting the appointment to become SSG without blinking, as risky as the idea sounds. And on the job, early testimonies have emerged of his calm and open disposition to learn and lead. The doors to his office and home have remained
open to lofty ideas, brilliant concepts,
suggestions and criticisms from every angle of
the populace. Everyone who has come in contact
with him has had cause to testify to his listening
disposition and penchant to offer help and
assistance with an infectious smile. He exerts a
rare sense of dedication, commitment and even
benevolence aimed at crystallizing the principal
policy goals of the Dr. Godswill Akpabio.

Mr Udom Emmanuel is a study in servant
leadership. And like Zig Ziggler says “The
ultimate measure of a man is not the number of
servants that he has but the number of people
that he serves”. His seeming unpopularity before his appointment may not be unconnected with it. He has always quietly assisted people within his capacity and often times, these acts do not attract much publicity. And to crown his humble stance,
with all sense of modesty, he situates the drive
and the passion that undergirds the obvious
changes altering the finance landscape as the work of God almighty and those of “HIS BOSS” and
believes whatever success that has been
recorded so far in the course of his career is attributable to the support of his superiors and co-workers and in the case of SSG, to Governor Akpabio, the principal
purveyor of the vision to revamp the system.

Another remarkable trait of  Udom Emmanuel is his
strenght of character. Like his boss, Chief
Godswill Akpabio, CON, he remains unweavered
and resolute in the face of pressure, cheap
blackmail and falsehood from the foes of
government and elements who are immuned to
accepting good things. He knows this terrain could be rough and unfriendly. His uncommon maturity
in approaching issues is remarkable and this has
attracted a firm trust from the people to the
Akpabio administration.

General Norman
Schwarzkopf, the army general in charge of the
Persian Gulf War in the early 1990s, thought so
much of character that he said: “Leadership is a
combination of strategy and character. If you
must be without one, be without strategy.”
Because he was a Marine sergeant in the 1960s,
this assertion amazes me since generals spend
much of their time dealing with strategy.
General Schwarzkopf, above all understands that
the troops have to trust their leaders. And in Udom Emmanuel and Chief Akpabio's
administration, the people have trusted.

Udom Emmanuel's drive to succeed speaks volumes of his desire to make it happen in whatever he sets his eyes on, his gargantuan and  towering achievements construct a
sharp contrast with his early background of
birth in the then rural Ukanafun Local
Government Area where the father was
teaching and a secondary school education at
Community Secondary School, Ikot Akpan
Eshiet in Onna Local Government Area. It,
however, attest to the fact that with discipline
and hard-work, one can be a success story
irrespective of one’s place of birth and early
life. The University of Lagos Accounting
graduate started his working career with Price
Water House before joining Diamond Bank Plc.
But his career as a corporate strategist
blossomed with Zenith Bank, where he through
dint of hardwork navigated his way to the top
echelon of the bank as an executive director.
He has served in the said capacity since 2006. That is a man success knows by name.

I have been specially
impressed by these fruits of leadership and am
left without a choice than to conclude that if
Udom Emmanuel could deliver excellently in this
capacity, then he could do more if entrusted
with higher responsibilities. He is a savvy ,
purpose-driven, value-maximizing, and
thoroughbred professional whose driving force
hinges on the fundamental need to make a
difference.

His strides has had to wield no magic
wand other than his commitment to excellence
which derives its finer stuff from hard work,
dedication, and recourse to endless prayers. This
is what Nigeria needs at times like this. Courage,
Tenacity, and Patience. Having the courage to
stand alone, the tenacity to not succumb to
pressure, and the patience to keep fighting until
you win the day--and sometimes being able to
do all three at the same time--is something you
will have to develop if you want to be a true and
successful leader.

Competent leadership is the
first and most important thing any nation that
wants to start the process of reconstruction
must get right. There is no single route to
rebuilding a nation and every route a nation
elects will ultimately succeed as long as the
nation gets its leadership right. We must realize
as a country that, as the saying goes, “A skunk
stinks from the head down,”. We must get it
right with leadership. And the only way to
identify such leadership is to locate persons like Udom Emmanuel who have done well in their
little corners.

Follow Finbarr on Twitter @aniekemefinbarr

Super Eagles Set to Battle Mexico in an International Friendly.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria has been scheduled to play against the
El- Tricolor of Mexico in a World Cup warm-up match.
The Nigeria
Football Federation (NFF) and its FIFA Match Agent Jairo Pachon of
Eurodata Sport revealed this on Thursday. The match has been slated
for March 5th- one of the FIFA-free days.

The match, which is been organized by Soccer United Marketing
(SUM) and the Mexican Football Federation’s US representative, with
the cooperation of Eurodata Sport, will be played in Georgia Dome
and AT & T Stadium in Georgia, Atlanta, USA.

Mexico and Nigeria- two nations competing at the Brazil 2014 World
Cup finals- have met five times with Nigeria winning just once and
Mexico three times, plus a draw which came the last time they met in
May at the Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas, USA.

The March friendly serves as a build up for the 2014 FIFA World Cup
in Brazil.
Nigeria have been drawn alongside Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina
and Iran in Group F while Mexico will play Brazil, Croatia, Cameroon
in Group A.

Pellegrini and Suarez Win Barclays December Award.

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini and Liverpool striker Luis
Suarez have won the Barclays monthly awards for December.
Pellegrini, who
collects the Premier League manager of the month award for the first
time since joining City in the summer, guided his team to an
unbeaten run in the month of December, recording five wins and a
draw.

Wins over Swansea City, West Bromwich Albion, Arsenal, Fulham,
Liverpool and Crystal Palace helped City move from sixth place on
the table(with 22 points from 12 matches and nine points adrift of
the leaders) to second place (with 41 points from 19 fixtures and
within a point of league leaders Arsenal).
Manuel Pellegrini Clinches His First Barclays Manager of the Month
Award.

The 2011 champions scored 30 goals during the period, which has
made them the right candidate to break Chelsea’s record seasonal
haul of 103 goals achieved in the 2009/10 season.
Suarez became the first player in the Barclays Premier League history
to reach double figures in a calendar month with ten goals in
December.

Four of those goals came on December 4 during Liverpool’s 5-1 win
over Norwich City. He followed that up with two goals each in three
of his subsequent league appearances for the Reds.
His brace against Cardiff City propelled Brendan Rodgers’ side to the
top of the league standing at Christmas for the first time since 2008.

P-Square Duo Set To Have White Wedding In April 2014 In Dubai

According to Maestromedia, if all things work out as planned the two
brothers would walk down the aisle together with their heartthrobs,
Lola and Anita come April. Peter and Paul Okoye will be having their
white wedding in Dubai come April, 2014 if everything goes as
planned.

Well,
congratulations to them!

The World’s Biggest Family: Man With 39 Wives, 94 Children And 33 Grandchildren + PHOTOS

Ziona Chana also has 94 children, 14-daughters-in-law and 33
grandchildren.
They live in a 100-room, four storey house set amidst the hills of
Baktwang village in the Indian state of Mizoram, where the wives
sleep in giant communal dormitories.

Mr Chana said: “Today I feel like God’s special child. He’s given me
so many people to look after.
I consider myself a lucky man to be the husband of 39 women and
head of the world’s largest family.”

The family is organised with almost military discipline, with the
oldest wife Zathiangi organising her fellow partners to perform
household chores such as cleaning, washing and preparing meals.

One evening meal can see them pluck 30 chickens, peel 132lb of
potatoes and boil up to 220lb of rice.
Coincidentally, Mr Chana is also head of a sect that allows members
to take as many wives as he wants.

He even married ten women in one year, when he was at his most
prolific, and enjoys his own double bed while his wives have to make
do with communal dormitories.
He keeps the youngest women near to his bedroom with the older
members of the family sleeping further away – and there is a rotation
system for who visits Mr Chana’s bedroom.

Feeling peckish? The senior ladies of the Chana family show what it
takes just to make a meal
Rinkmini, one of Mr Chana’s wives who is 35 years old, said: “We
stay around him as he is the most important person in the house.”
He is the most handsome person in the village. She says Mr Chana
noticed her on a morning walk in the village 18 years ago and wrote
her a letter asking for her hand in marriage.

Another of his wives, Huntharnghanki, said the entire family gets
along well.
The family system is reportedly based on mutual love and respect.
And Mr Chana, whose religious sect has 4,000 members, says he has
not stopped looking for new wives.

“To expand my sect, I am willing to go even to the U.S. to marry,” he
said.
One of his sons insisted that Mr Chana, whose grandfather also had
many wives, marries the poor women from the village so he can look
after them.

REVEALED: Identity of Rapahel Edem’s wife-to-be. PHOTOS

By now I guess it won’t be news any longer that well-known MC and
erstwhile presenter of Sports Arena, Raphael Edem will be getting
married on 6 th and 8 th of February, 2014. Before now the identity of his
bride-to-be was not known to many. Above are her photos.

Her name is Andifon Akpan a
graduate of Chemistry, University of Uyo. She is cool, calm and
collected. Both have been dating for some time now. #NoMoreDetails.
Congrats to them.

Additional info from connoissuerng.com

10 REASONS UMANA UMANA MUST JOIN APC NOW By ANIEKEME FINBARR

Politics like Chess is a funny game. The there’s more to it than
meets the eye – the more you look at a chess as a game, the more it
really gets into your soul. It requires your brains, instinct, current realities, strategy and your moves. The political Arena can be likened to the chessboard, a
checkered gameboard with 64 squares arranged in an eight-by-eight
grid. The people you find in the political Arena can also be likened to the 16 pieces each Chess player begins with; one king , one queen , two
rooks, two knights, two bishops , and eight pawns . Each of the six piece
types moves differently. And to make politics and chess so synonymous, The course of the chess game is
divided into three phases: opening , middlegame, and endgame .

The politics of Akwa Ibom State and the build up to the 2015 Governorship elections has been no less interesting. Characterized by intrigues, shocking moves and very fascinating dramatis personae. One of the main gladiators and Immediate Past  Secretary to the Government of the State, Obong Umana O Umana hereinafter referred to as UOU is one of the men to beat. Like in Chess, he is apparently in his middle game and his next move would be crucial. An insight into his game plan isn't out of place and that's why this writer opines that he makes the right move now by joining the All Progressive Congress(APC) after all Philosopher D. S. Jordan seats “Men must learn
how to act brave. The world steps aside for the man who acts like he
knows where he is going”. Here they are in no particular order:

1. ZONING: Zoning is already a vexed issue. It is almost becoming a cliche but remains a crucial factor in this game. Interestingly, there is no universally accepted formula as the state is not divided into 3 equal parts. Therefore, the idea of justice, equity and fairness remains a topic of debate till when William Shakespheare would have said ' hurly burly's done, the battle lost and won'. The most popular version of the zoning formula is its division among senatorial districts and with Governor Akpabio leading the PDP at the moment, it will be followed to the latter, meaning Eket Senatorial District wil take its turn next. This obviously doesn't favour UOU. The Current Leadership of the APC have pooh poohed that idea of zoning as being unjust and unacceptable. Thus, UOU obviously not favoured under the umbrella can sweep his way through with the broom.

2. PARTY TICKET: UOU has very intimidating credentials, the savvy and the war chest to navigate his way through any political waters. But history has shown that being the standard bearer of a party in a Governorship Race is not a race for the swift. Even though he stands a chance in the PDP, wouldn't it be wise to jump ship and secure the ticket elsewhere. A ticket is a ticket. And like a meal ticket in a typical Nigerian Secondary school, it qualifies one to the same dinning hall with the other students. The APC isn't a bad option.

3. THE LOSER TAG: Sympathy is not a good option in politics. Especially when you have hitherto wielded power, appeared strong and unperturbed. Politicians never  sympathize.
They want to feel power and success. They want to be sure this is where it is happening.  No politicians wants to take chances especially those who have been out in the cold for 8 years. And even those in government who want to consolidate on their gains. Losing at the PDP primaries before jumping ship will be viewed as a weak, late move and by then the stakeholders must have made committments elsewhere. See why that APC move looks urgent?

4. SAVING FUNDS: Apart from the organization of the world cup (ask South Africa and Brazil), nothing else consumes more money like the PDP primaries, at any level. Bank accounts are stocked for times like now and delegates know its a once in a life time opportunity. To win or even stand a chance, you must be very willing to spend generously and like a raffle draw, there are no guarantees, chances hang on a slender thread. The more money you spend, the brighter your chances. Is that a good chance worth taking? I guess the APC wouldnt be that costly. As a first class graduate of Economics, UOU will fancy that.

5. AGGRIEVED POLITICIANS: The Opposition Parties in Nigeria are natural homes for unhappy politicians who feel sidelined and ill treated especially in a election season. This season will be no different. I forsee the APC currently in relative calm bombarded by aggrieved politicians who couldnt make it in the PDP. What a smart political chess player should do is to make the move right away and make hay while sun shines. If UOU reconclies his interest now with the current APC leaders in the state, it looks like a great chance to start work on time.

6. CURRENT STRENGHT OF THE APC IN NIGERIA: At the end of November last year, Nigeria’s political landscape experienced a seismic shift as five governors and a number of members of the House of Representatives and Senators renounced their membership of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and decamped en masse to the increasingly powerful opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). The defection now means that the APC has 16 of Nigeria’s 36 governors, while the PDP has 18. With an eye on the 2015 elections, however, it is notable that both Lagos and Kano states, the country’s two most populous by some distance, both now fly the flag of the APC, and that if you add up voter populations in the states held by the APC as compared to those held by the PDP, the opposition party’s states account for 52% of the electorate. The figures remain theoretical but its certainly not one that a politician should get his eye off. UOU could derive some strenght from there.

7. HEAVYWEIGHTS IN THE APC: The APC in Nigeria is peopled by known political war veterans and this can inspire political confidence. The APC was formed in February in a
merger of Nigeria's four largest opposition groups – the Action
Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change
(CPC), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), and the All
Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) – and the party boasts
numerous political heavyweights including former Lagos
governor Bola Tinubu, three-time presidential candidate and
former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari, and former government
minister Nasir El-Rufai. This gives the APC a large degree of
recognisability and legitimacy. In Akwa Ibom, former military Governor, Sam Enwang and Senator, Minister Governor aspirant John Akpanudoedehe are two of the many strong names on the list. If UOU is added there, that would be an indomitablesquare.

8. FINANCE AND SUPPORT BASE: I don't know how he did it but UOU's support base in the state is frightening. He parades a very courageous litany of past and serving political office holders who are ready to dare the odds and stay loyal to the course. I feel most of them will move with him everywhere he goes. Meanwhile, UOU has a deep pocket having been
Akwa Ibom State Director of Budget, the Commissioner for Finance and
presently the Secretary to the State Government. Am sure he made some savings enough to match any force in the state.These are the twin factors that matter most in the game.

9. THE IBIBIO FACTOR: I honestly wish I didn't have to include this but this is a factor you can't ignore. And up until we get there, this is where we are. The Ibibios in the strict sense of the word are the majority tribe in the state. In the 2011 elections, they showed a strong desire to get power back and trust me, not much has changed since then. UOU being an Ibibio man and a very strong contender will excite his kinsmen. They stand a chance and better still on their preferred platform, the APC.

10. THE MEDIA:  A.J. Liebling once said that "Freedom of the press is guaranteed only to those who own one". The statement underlines the role of the media in any political season. It is amazing how powerful our electronic, print and social media can collectively be. It is the same situation everywhere, from Nebraska to Nassarawa, London to Lagos, New York to Uyo. The APC has reason able influence on the media. Being a candidate of the APC is a guarantee of more than enough publicity.  From the Nation Newspaper to Global Concord, there's a full assurance of real hype which affects the pysche of the people and shapes their reasoning. And on the other hand, a vibrant and tech savvy youth population is influencing the electoral
process in Nigeria via the social media, Facebook, twitter, Google +

These factors are not in any way exhaustive but they a few UOU can happ on and achieve his politidal dreams and aspirations in 2015 beginning now.

Aniekeme Finbarr is a Public Affairs Analyst. Follow @aniekemefinbarr on Twitter.