UYO INTERNATIONAL STADIUM PRESS CONFERENCE

IN A PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE HONOURABLE COMMISSIONER FOR INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS, MR. ANIEKAN UMANAH (FNIM), ON THE COMMISSIONING OF UYO INTERNATIONAL STADIUM SLATED FOR FRIDAY, 7TH NOVEMBER, 2014.

It is a great honour to address you today on behalf of the government of Akwa Ibom State. The purpose of this conference is for me to intimate you on the line-up of activities for the inauguration of the magnificent 30,000-capacity Uyo International Stadium by His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic.

Gentlemen, Akwa Ibom International Stadium is one of the land mark projects initiated and completed by the Administration of His Excellency, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio, CON, Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State. It is a prominent item on the Uncommon Transformation bouquet of this government. The significance of the Stadium to the development of sports in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, and indeed Africa, justifies the elaborate arrangements made to mark its official commissioning.

Let me share with you brief insights into the edifice we are talking about here.

The stadium is a two-tiered structure that includes a 400m-running track for athletic events, and is the pilot part of Uyo Sports Park development. It sits on a-36.3 hectares of land and is enclosed by a white triangular-shaped outer covering that encircles the whole stands. Its geometry is developed on the basis of a typical layout for multi-purpose stadia, with an arena with running track, and under consideration of optimal viewing for such sports as football and athletics.

It is constructed to seat, severally, a little more than 30,000 spectators for soccer or track and field events. While the Grand Stand can comfortably accommodate about 7,500 spectators, including the VIP/VVIPs. Its East Stand and Curves have provision for approximately 22,500 people. The Governors’ Lounge is located in the Grand Stand on Level Two and has sitting capacity for between 30 and 40 VVIPs. Spaces to the left and right of the Governors’ Lounge are the VIP Lounges that can play host to 60 – 70 people. And on the seating platform of the Governors’ Lounge is provision for fixed seating for 97 VVIPs/VIPs. Level 0 of the edifice includes such athletes’ facilities as team changing units, collective changing units, referees’ dressing room, office and meeting rooms for team meetings, etc. At this level also are entrances to the East Stand Curves, toilets, first aid stations, stores and stairs to the upper levels, with the whole area rain/sun proof.

Level 1 provides dormitories for lower tier seating, kiosks, food, and beverage facilities. Level 2 is used for facilities of spectators of the upper seating, which includes toilets and kiosks. Level 3 is a service concourse for access to the upper tier seating. To ensure maximum safety of users of the facility, the access and exit system are in tandem with global safety canons and provide two separate emergency exits which allow evacuation in less than eight minutes.

Moreover, the stadium has two video boards with the screens placed under the roof of the curves at opposite angles (north and south). The running track has six irrigation taps to clean the tartan surface. There is earthing and lightning protection in the facility, even as a storage tank with two compartments is billed for supply of water to the stadium, whose daily water need is estimated to be 160m3. The second water storage tank with a capacity of 200m is to be provided to serve Phase 1 of the stadium and the fire fighting needs thereof. A fire fighting pump set with an equivalent capacity of 96m3/h with 100% capacity and one jockey pump of about 1% capacity has been installed.

The structure has interesting electrical features, few of which are: 250W floodlights IP67 on 8m high round conical steel poles along the perimeter fence, with a distance of approximately 35m between each of them. There are 70 – 400W street lights on 8 – 12m high steel poles along the perimeter fence. There is also decorative light stack 45W, IP54, on 4m high aluminum pole with door, painted stainless steel screws in the centre of the road between helipad and stadium VIP access.

The stadium comes with fixed and dome cameras for day/night automatic switching for the access areas outside the main bowl, as well as on all levels inside the main bowl, the VIP areas and along the perimeter fence of the stadium. Control monitors are in place in the security room and for the perimetre fence additionally in gate house no. 1.

Gentlemen, that was, as one of our late football ace commentators, Ernest Okoronkwo, was wont to say, “A longish one!” But it was only necessary that I took you on that brief guided tour of that masterpiece of a stadium. Thanks for your patience.

Now, let us move over to the line-up of events:

12.00 pm

- Opening of turnstiles for public admission

- Gates open for entry of VIPs and dignitaries

3:00 pm

- Arrival of :

Ø President, Federal Republic of Nigeria

Ø President, Federal Republic of Cote D’Ivoire

Ø President, of the Republic of Ghana

Ø Their Excellencies, the visiting governors of Nigeria & His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State

3.30 pm

- National Anthem of Nigeria led by Pat Akpabio

- National Anthem of Cote D’’Ivoire led by Patience Ehi

- National Anthem of Ghana led by Emem Andrew

and backed by Ibom Unity Brass Band

3.45 pm

- Hymn: “Afo ‘modot itoro”, sung by Aity Dennis

- Prayer of dedication

3.45 pm

- Welcome Speech by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio, CON

4.00 pm

- Special Commemorative Song by Akwa Ibom Music Stars: Aity Dennis, Pat Akpabio, Fadabasi, Icekyd, Presh, King David, Mc Galaxy, Dikan, Desmond Offong, Unik, Mr. Xto, Pasto Goody Goody, Mish, Queen Favour, Skankin Master, Aniekan Sasforo, Ann Inyang and Lemmy Jackson.

4.05 pm

- Video Presentation: The Making of Akwa Ibom Stadium

4.15 pm

- Governor leads Mr. President and VIPs to the commissioning point

4.20 pm

- Commissioning of the stadium by Mr. President

- Unveiling of the commemorative plaque

4.25 pm

- Speech by His Excellency, the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR

4.40 pm

- Marching display by the Real Brass Band

4.50 pm

On-pitch pre-match entertainment featuring:

- Mish, singing “Akwa Ibom Ayaya”

- Mavins Crew, singing “DoroBucchi”

- KCee, singing “Limpopo”

5.15 pm

- Grand Parade: ‘Journey across the Land of Uncommon Transformation’ featuring the following groups: Greater Tomorrow Football Academy, The State Cheer Leaders, Akwa Ibom Future Professionals Group, The Royal Rangers, Uyai Iban, Itembe, Council for Arts and Culture, Ekpe, Ekpo, the 9999 Choristers, The State Fire Service, The AKSG Ushers and Ibom Brass Band.

Music: ‘Wavin’ Flag’, by K’naan

5.35 pm

- Arrival and pitch inspection by the national teams of Nigeria - the Super Eagles and that of Ghana - the Black Stars

6.15 pm

- Presentation of the teams to the three Presidents by HE the Governor and the official VIP Party

6.30 pm

- Kick-off

8.15pm

- Full-time

- Presentations at the State Box

- National Anthems of Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria

Departures

Gentlemen, you will agree with me that Akwa Ibom State has witnessed steady progress in her short but eventful years since creation. During the past 7 years our State has witnessed tremendous progress in all aspects of development, particularly in infrastructure, education, health care delivery, youth and women empowerment and human capacity development. With the free, compulsory and qualitative education, free health care for infants, pregnant women and the elderly; the construction of about 350 new roads covering about 1,900 kilometres across the State, 5 new flyovers and 30 bridges, as well as the development of the Aviation sector through the completion of phase I of the Ibom International Airport and commencement of work on phase II, in addition to the development of the tourism sector, agriculture and the power sector, the Akpabio-led government of Akwa Ibom State has justified the mandate freely given it by the good people of this State in 2007.

The Stadium Complex to be commissioned by Mr. President is a testimony to the uncommon achievements of this uncommon son of Akwa Ibom State. Given the quality of the edifice, which is adjudged to be the best in the sub-region, there is no doubt that it will add value to sports development in the State, nation and global community.

Accordingly, I invite you to be part of this moment of our history by giving massive publicity to the event. The Government of Akwa Ibom State wishes to commend you for your unrelenting show of patriotism and cooperation through your responsible and responsive reportage of its activities over the years. Please, just as you have already done and doing, keep doing it. On the part of this Administration, you will be given all the needed cooperation and assistance to sustain this partnership.

Thank you and God bless.

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF STATE

The National Council of State in Nigeria has asked security agents to ‘add more venom’ to the fight against terrorism, stressing the need to end the attacks by the Boko Haram terrorist group on villages and towns in the north-east.

The call was made by the National Council of State members on Tuesday after they were briefed of the security efforts of the agencies to end the over five year’s terrorism that has claimed thousands of lives in the north-east.

The Council of State meeting was held at the Presidential Villa and it was presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan.

In attendance were four former Heads of State – Generel Yakubu Gowon, Mr Shehu Shagari, Mr Ernest  Shonekan and Mr Olusegun Obasanjo.

After a briefing by the National Security Adviser, the Council of State members observed that the government was doing everything possible to ensure that the schoolgirls abducted from their school’s dormitory by members of the Boko Haram sect in April were released safe and sound.

The governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio expressed the Federal Government’s commitment to securing the release of the girls.

It stressed the need for the security agents to add more venom to the fight against the Boko Haram sect that had continued to attack villages and towns in the north-east days after the Nigerian government said it had reached a ceasefire agreement with the Islamic sect.

Less than 24 hours after the ceasefire agreement was announced, the terrorist group attacked two towns in Borno. The leader of the group in a video released on Friday denied any ceasefire agreement, emphasizing that the girls abducted from the school had been married off.  

The National Council of State is the highest policy making body in Nigeria and all past leaders are expected to attend the council meeting.

At the last count at the meeting venue, only four of them were in attendance.

The meeting was also briefed on Nigeria’s Ebola-free status by Governor Akpabio.

The council also reviewed the report by a committee set up to investigate reports of discriminations against persons that were infected but now free of the virus across the states and mandated the committee to beef up the recommendations of sanctions against anyone that is working against the unity of the country in any guise.

Courtesy: Channels Television 

Nigeria To Unveil Commemorative 100 Naira Note

President Goodluck Jonathan will unveil the specially designed commemorative 100 Naira banknote by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Wednesday, November 5.

A statement on Monday by the CBN’s Director, Corporate Communications Department, Ibarahim Mu’azu, said the commemorative note was part of the apex bank’s contribution to the centenary celebration, which is in line with its mandate of issuing legal tender currency in Nigeria.

“The choice of the 100 Naira denomination is to mark the centenary celebration of Nigeria and is consistent with best global practices for Central Banks around the world during the celebration of national events,” the statement read.

Part of the features of the commemorative banknote is the inscription of the theme of the centenary celebration: “One Nigeria, Great Promise” as a micro-text.

According to the statement, the new note is also designed to incorporate additional security features for digital communication, protection against counterfeiting, tolerance to the tropics and ease of recognition of genuineness.

The Bank further emphasised that the commemorative note was for the purpose of the centenary celebration and would circulate alongside the existing 100 Naira note.

Wednesday’s unveiling ceremony will be preceded by a brief presentation by the CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, detailing the aesthetic and security features of the note.

The CBN had in 2010, issued commemorative 50 Naira polymer note to mark Nigeria’s 50th Independence Anniversary celebration.

The 100 Naira note bearing the portrait of Chief Obafemi Awolowo was first issued in December 1999.

NOTICE OF RESIGNATION / PERMANENT WITHDRAWAL OF MEMBERSHIP FROM ACTOR’S GUILD OF NIGERIA.

The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) Akwa Ibom State Chapter Chairman Comr. SONY EBONG (AmbP), openly resigned and withdrew his membership from the guild, he wrote as followed;

"Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN has come to a crossroad where her reason for existence has been helplessly defeated by the present spate of administrative flaws and executive high-handedness by the Ibinabo Fiberesima leads national exco.
My reason for this notice is based on the following reasons:

1.     The present national exco lead by Ibinabo Fiberesima is illegitimate as the election that brought her in was done on phone instead of the usual convergence of delegates to a single congress as stipulated in the constitution of the guild. 

2.     The Ibinabo Fiberesima lead national exco performs such actions which completely suspends the existence or provisions of the constitution of the guild. These actions range from indiscriminate arrest of members without fair hearing (as stipulated in the constitution) to excessive usage of veto powers as evidenced in the random issuance of suspensions, expulsions and even dissolutions of state excos through text messages.

3.     In one of my very honest attempts to broker peace and suggest ways of curbing some of these excesses, I was told by the national secretary that the guild (AGN) belongs to someone and the owner has the right to remove anybody at anytime; a statement that brings me to my next point.

4.     The board of trustees of the organization lacks the federal character. The members of the BOT hail from just 2 geo-political zones, leaving four other zones unrepresented.

5.     It was also brought to our notice that the Ibinabo Fiberesima was charged and convicted for man-slaughter and as such does not have the right to stand for any election in the guild as stipulated in the constitution of the guild. 

6.     That upon resumption of office Ibinabo Fiberesima raised election forms for state chairmen to N150,000; N100,000 for Vice Chairmen against N10,000 and N5,000 for Vice Chairmen respectively. 

7.     The widespread chaos rocking the many AGN states today is as a result of Ibinabo Fiberesima’s unrepentant electoral prejudice which has left her with nothing but an inglorious title of a Tyrant.

To this end, I wish to state that from the day I registered as a member of this guild, I have done everything I can to contribute positively to the growth of this guild. But Today, as a responsible leader, since I have strived to help position the guild on a productive pedestal for the benefit of members nationwide without success due to the unrepentant nature of overzealous national leaders, I therefore write to formally bring to the notice of members of Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN-Akwa Ibom State Chapter of my regrettable yet firm decision to resign from my position as the State Chairman of Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN-Akwa Ibom State Chapter and also withdraw my membership of the guild permanently with effect from today.

I thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you in that capacity.
Signed: Comr. SONY EBONG (AmbP)"

Comr. Sony Ebong (AmbP)

BAR. AUSTIN MBEH CLAIMED THAT AKPABIO HAS IMPRESSED OBOT AKARA PEOPLE

Barr Austin Mbeh in an interaction with newsmen in his office claimed that His Excellency Governor Godswill Akpabio has impressed Obot Akara People.

Mbeh, who is the commissioner for Transport claimed and insisted that all is well with Obot Akara People, when he was question about a publication by another indigene of the area published in a local tabloid that Obot Akara has not benefited from the present administration in the state, saying that nothing could be more untrue.

In his word; He said in the contrary, that the present administration has brought about a great sense of belonging to Obot Akara people through the provision of rural intervention projects and access roads which have opened up the area for more flourishing economic activities, such as Health centre at Abama village, provision of modern digital library at the Local Government council, electrification of many villages, construction and renovation of classroom blocks, construction of Abiakpo Nkap bridge, and reconstruction of Nkap - Ikot Abasi Eduo road.

He listed some of the projects executed in the area to include rural water and electricity projects, social and other basic amenities as well as agricultural and women empowerments through micro-credit schemes, adding that the state government has approved a process that will facilitate the building of more roads and bridges in some Obot Akara communities.

On the planned industrialization of the state, Barr Mbeh noted that Governor Akpabio was unrelenting in his plan for the sector by providing superior infrastructure to support industrialization, maintaining however that it was never government’s intention to take over the direct setting up of the industries, since previous attempts by government usually met with monumental failure.

The Transport Commissioner noted that as government’s commitment to the development of the industrial sector of the State, all parts of the State have in the last six years been effectively connected through a network of standard roads by governor Akpabio, adding that this was complemented by the completion and activation of the state Independent Power Project as well as ensuring that the insecurity enigma that plagued the south southern part of the country, was resisted and stamped out from the state.

With such an investor -friendly environment according to Mbeh, it was safer and easier for investors from within and outside the State to key into the state government’s industrialization agenda in the State.

According to him, Governor Akpabio is even ready to support any investor in the state economy with a seed fund through the State investment and Industrial Promotion Council (AKIIPOC).

Barrister Austin Mbeh is sure not to leave in Obot Akara as his claims are entire political, the said library has not function for a day since it completion, I will agree that I noticed the installations of electric poles and mini transformers in some villages in the Local Government, most of the electrical project is said to be done by individuals whom parents were kidnapped in the cause of doing so e.g. the man that installed electricity at Okop Village, that neighbored Ubon Akwa the just discovered hide out of kidnappers whom when approach by the Nigerian police force weeks ago succeeded in killing some police officers.

when I was briefed, I was not surprised at the outcome of the operation, how could the police succeed in carrying out a perfect operation in a village like that, a village without road and electricity, the gravels lay on the road that leads to the village from Ikot Ineme at Aba Road, ends in the said village, meanwhile that construction was supposed to get to Nto Areno the local government headquarter. What make so many people reject truth for their selfishness; the road assigned to Berger from Uyo to Abia State does not enter Obot Akara as a LGA. neither does the one at Umuhia Road Entered Obot Akara, the water mention was given as a project to one village head or the other, how many of such project remained functional at this time, anyone can go around Obot Akara and take a look at those project, who and who where or are empowered in Obot Akara LGA.

When a politicians settles those that campaign for him or her, the right name for it, is empowerment, you give money and cars to people that steak their neck for you to become one thing or the other, when is time that you feel like they should be compensated, you call it empowerment, hoping the masses are entirely stupid, what part of Obot akara are we having Micro Finance scheme and who is assisted with it apart from the politicians and their relatives, why can’t we be straight forward, the money is but of the earth and one day you are going to leave it behind no matter how much you have acquired.

Investment can’t strive in a LGA. Like Obot Akara, had any politicians invested in the local government area ever, the answer is no, you are all too afraid or too selfish to do so, though in that contest it is not your fault is the problem of the entire Akwa Ibomites, we all need quick money instead of investing on a reasonable business, we will rather build an hotel or drinking parlor so that we can start making money immediately, maybe some of us can emulate Innoson Motors in Nnewi, Anambra State.

I am saying this to say that there is no investment anywhere in Obot Akara. His Excellency Governor Godswill Obot Akpabio is, will, and if his tenor be extended remains the “Best Governor in Akwa Ibom State” But pardon my manners Sir, nothing I mean absolutely nothing is happening in Obot Akara Local Government Area, ask Ikot Akpan-Abia Police station or Area Command, Obot Akara Local Government Area is due to negligence becoming a safe heaven for all sort of criminals, kidnappers and heartless fellows. Sir, please go round and confirmed that the single Health Centre at Abama village is functional and how many village does it covered.

Obot-Akara needs help.

AKWA IBOM CITY DEVELOPMENT ON FOCUS

As Akwa Ibom Government project wing, got into Ikot Ekpene road with further diversion towards Itam main market.

We discovered that is an environmental rascality and threat which has crept into the Uyo major city after the abolition of motor parks in the Uyo capital city roads, in this direction Government intend to revert back to the status of pre-2007 era, by legally closing down the illegal motor parks and ban the emergence of motor parks in Uyo capital city, Eket, Oron, Ikot Ekpene and Ikot Abasi LGA’s areas Government intend to transform to municipal and metropolitan cities, especially the motor parks in and outside Akwa Ibom transport corporation complex, while also rebuilding another AKTC motor park closer to the main park in order to relocate the AKTC/NSIK transport agency to join every other transport company in the would be upgraded main park ,and Government intend to demolished the existing AKTC complex to build a 20-storey mega office complex, also the demolished Uyo market will be upgraded to enable the government build another mega complex for the proposed Ibom oil and gas investment co.ltd with the sole objectives of partnering with foreign partners in the oil and gas industry to boost the oil and gas potentials of Akwa Ibom state in order to create wealth and employment opportunities for our people.

We are working tirelessly to kick start a mini refinery in at least two locations in Akwa Ibom state to capture both the domestic and export market in Cameroon, our market target is to reach out to the petroleum market in the north central axis through Itu-cross-river state, Benue state, plateau state, Bauchi state, Adamawa state, Jigawa state, Kano state, Borno state, Yobe state and if possible border towns of Chad Republic, while the Ikot Ekpene is to capture the Abia State, Imo State, Anambra State, Enugu State, Ebonyi. The Ikot Abasi is to take care of the domestic needs and the Mbo is to supply the export market of Cameroon and fishing travelers, offshore rigs and Equatorial Guinea. Our aim is to restore and improve domestic refining capacity and prevent shortfalls in supply of petroleum products, Akwa Ibom government intend to re-activate the abandoned oil refinery license of the immediate past administration, arch (Obong) victor Attah, while set up a strong committee to review the issue of who is in charge of the leasehold for the marginal oil field which was acquired for Akwa Ibom state in 2000 from the federal government of Nigeria, as this conferred exploratory rights on Akwa Ibom state over the stub creek marginal oil mining lease 14, from our preliminary findings, this OML is supposed to bring in hundreds of millions of dollars yearly as our counter-interest as our state’s interest is being managed by universal energy resources limited, incorporated on the September, 27, 2001 to pursue the bid for the oil lease.

The plans is to quickly unlock the oil and gas potentials and aspirations of the state without losing the state funds ,but kick starting a manageable and mini refinery in the state ,by constructing of oil refineries at low tonnage units kp-700 with 20,000 tons tank farm.

The Government intend to hold meeting with the Uyo local government council on the urgent need for partnership with the state government and private investors to either convert the old Uyo motor park that is being occupied now by Jardin construction company to a fast food center that will be taken over by either KFC of South Africa, big treat of China or create a Chinese restaurant or an Italian cuisine that will always attract the foreign or aliens residing in Akwa Ibom state or more so get a private garden resort developers to come and create a greenish cultured international garden with a mini-conference hall for events, weddings, seminars, and meetings, etc. getting further towards the Itam market area Government also consider the urgent need to also relocate the entire Itam market and the sawmill market to somewhere closer to the Itam main market park, and broker an arrangement with the Itu local government council and private developers to build a befitting model market complex in the new site to enable the traders relocate fast, while convert the present Itam market to a mega shopping mall in partnership with reputable Lebanese shopping mall magnets, this will great boost the aesthetic and mega city status of the emerging Akwa Ibom state capital, especially being the doorway to the main city, beyond the Itam market to the main park, we intend to swiftly upgrade the entire motor park with modern facilities and shore up the entire surrounding with street lights and a functional police station directly opposite the main park.

From government projections, once the proposed Ibom industrial international market, Ibaka oil and gas export free zone and other related industrial and agro businesses kick start fully couple with the proposed Ibom mega city along Itam along the Itam highway axis, the traffic congestion will be hectic and this suffice the need to relocate all traffic prune businesses to a separated areas like the main park axis, because of the massive influx of people and business interest to Uyo capital city.

Government are also considering intensifying lobby group to the appropriate quarters to relocate the ExxonMobil producing unlimited headquarters from Lekki-Lagos to Akwa Ibom state, therefore government are looking at the need to set aside a massive portion of land at Oku Ibesikpo, somewhere behind the Tropicana complex for the ExxonMobil headquarters complex, while Ibeno will still remain the operational base.