EXPLICIT MAGAZINE

AKHA COMMITTEE HOLDS PUBLIC HEARING TO ESTABLISH AKS UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, AFAHA NSIT By Julius Nsikak - Explicit Magazine February 26, 2025 Hon. Onofiok, Chairman, AKHA Committee on Education  From the outside, the State Assembly's Complex was a hub of activity, with every available parking space occupied by cars, tricycles, and other vehicles. Upon entering, the old chapel of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly was packed to capacity, filled with a large turnout of public hearers eager to witness, listen, and participate in the public hearing of the State House of Assembly Committee on Education. For those who missed the gathering, the public hearing focused on a bill proposing the establishment of the Akwa Ibom State University of Education, Afaha Nsit, including provisions for its administration and related matters. The event was deemed highly enlightening, offering valuable insights and shedding light on both familiar and unfamiliar trends. Notably, this marked the first ...

AKWA IBOM STATE LEGISLATURE CONFIRMS GOV. ENO'S 27 NOMINEES  By Julius Nsikak, Uyo  The Akwa Ibom State Legislature has confirmed 27 nominees for Commissioners and Special Advisers, who will be appointed into the State Executive Council by Governor Umo Eno.  This confirmation came after a thorough screening exercise, where the state's legislators reviewed the nominees' qualifications and experience. The house committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Public Petitions, chaired by Hon. Prince Aniefiok Attah, was the mandated committee that undertook the screening exercise. The confirmed nominees include notable individuals such as Elder Aniekan Umanah, Dr. Henry Archibong, Rt. Hon. Nsikak Ekong, and Rt. Hon. Alice Ekpenyong, among others. The list also features Captain Iniobong Ekong (rtd.), Mr. Bob Almond Emem, Comrade Ini Ememobong Essien, and Dr. Offiong Offor, to name a few. Other nominees who made the cut are Barr. Kufre Udosen, General Koko Essien (rtd), Hon. Ubuo Effi...

AKHA COMMITTEE PLEDGES TO REVISE OUTDATED ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS, URGES AKSEPWMA TO PRIORITIZE WORKER SAFETY  By Julius Nsikak, Uyo Members of AKHA committee on Environment posing with visiting agency, AKSEPWMA  The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Environment, chaired by Hon. Bassey Pius Bassey, has committed to updating the state's antiquated environmental laws to better serve the needs of its residents.  This commitment was made during a meeting with the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency (AKSEPWMA) in Uyo, the state capital, on Monday, February 17, 2025.   The gathering aimed to promote effective waste management, control, and environmental sustainability.  The committee's assurance came in response to two motions: "Urgent Need to Equip Environmental Workers with Protective Equipment (PPE)" sponsored by Hon. Selinah Ukpatu, and "Urgent Need to Address Unregulated Refuse Dump Scavenging in Uyo Metropolis" spons...

AKWA IBOM STATE POLICE COMMAND PASSES OUT 1,511 RETRAINED WOMEN POLICE OFFICERS IN GRAND STYLE By Julius Nsikak - Uyo The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has made history with the passing out of 1,511 retrained female police officers, following a three month rigorous training programme, created to enhance their skills and expertise. This epoch making ceremony is evidence of the command's efforts to strengthen its workforce and ensure security across the state, while also promoting gender inclusiveness within the Police Force. The training being far from routine exercise  is a confirmation of the command's commitment and preparedness to building a more complex  and effective Police Force, capable of meeting the evolving security needs of the states thereby making the society livable and crime free. Speaking at the passing out ceremony, the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, expressed his excitement over the successful completion of the re-tr...

  GOV. ENO INTERVENES IN EASTERN OBOLO-SPFL CRISIS, PROMISES FAIR RESOLUTION, SUSTAINABLE INDUSTRIALISATION  By Julius Nsikak, Uyo  Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Bassey Eno, has stepped in to resolve the escalating conflict between the people of Eastern Obolo Local Government Area and Sterling Petrochemical and Fertilizer Limited (SPFL).  After a thorough tour of SPFL's facility, the Governor announced the formation of a high-powered committee to address the host communities' grievances and ensure a fair and lasting resolution.  The committee will comprise representatives from the state government, Eastern Obolo, SPFL, and security agencies, and will focus on environmental concerns, relocation of affected communities, land usage, and other critical issues threatening peace in the area. The Governor's intervention comes after tensions in Eastern Obolo reached a boiling point, with the Paramount Ruler, HRM Uboon Harry J. Etetor IX, issuing a 14-day ultimatum to SP...

IKOT AMBON IBESIKPO GETS NEW COUNCIL, SOLICITS PARTNERSHIP FOR HIGH SCHOOL Sunny Edemenang - Uyo Ikot Ambon Ibesikpo in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area has inaugurated a new village council, marking a significant milestone for the community.  The Village Head, Eteidung Nicholas Etim Akpan, seized the opportunity to appeal for a partnership with the state government to establish a functional public High School in northern Ibesikpo, which will serve around 25 villages. Without waiting for government to do everything, the community has already demonstrated its commitment to education by setting aside vast portion of land for the High School project, provide tables and chairs for the teachers, bought books and uniforms for the pupils.  They have also embarked on perimeter fencing to secure the school premises. The newly formed village council consists of eight members, with Mr. Saviour Edet Etim as chairman, Mr. Aniekfiok Edet Etim as vice chairman, and Mr. Kingsley Udofia a...

GENERAL HYDROCARBONS LIMITED VS. FIRST BANK  OF  NIGERIA: THE FACTS, HALF-TRUTHS, FICTION  By Nora Inwang In light of the ongoing legal dispute between General Hydrocarbons Limited (GHL) and First Bank of Nigeria (FBN), GHL has issued a press release on February 8, 2025, to clarify its position, particularly in response to FBN's claim that the company took out a loan. The management of General Hydrocarbons Limited stated, "Is GHL's liability to First Bank a loan? The simple answer is NO. It is not a conventional commercial loan; rather, it is a project finance arrangement." Here’s a breakdown of the situation: GHL is the licensed operator and awardee of OML 120. FBN approached GHL to finance the exploration, development, and production of OML 120, with a profit-sharing arrangement of 50:50, while GHL would pay FBN the cost of financing. The FBN 50% share was specifically allocated to help reduce FBN's non-performing loan of $600 million, which had been discounted ...

SHOCKING INCIDENT: 13-Year-Old Boy Arrested for Threatening Classmates with Father's Gun in Akwa Ibom By Julius Nsikak, Uyo DSP Timfon, Addressing Journalists at a Press Briefing  A disturbing incident has unfolded in Akwa Ibom, where a 13-year-old boy, Samuel Sunday, was arrested by the police for using his father's gun to threaten his classmates at St. Paul Primary School, Ikot Ibiok, in Eket Local Government Area.  The police also apprehended the boy's father, who owns the gun and had kept it in his wardrobe before the son took it to school. A ccording to the state Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, the 13-year-old suspect had taken the gun from his father's wardrobe on November 24, 2024, and was arrested on January 30, 2025.  The police acted on intelligence and recovered the locally made pistol, which the suspect had been carrying since November 2024.  " On 30/01/2025 at about 0800 hrs based on credible information at the Command’s disposal, that on 28...

NO WRITTEN NIGERIAN LAW PROHIBITING PHONE CALLS AT MILITARY OR POLICE CHECKPOINT By Julius Nsikak, Uyo There have been several questions as to whether or not there is any written Nigerian law, prohibiting citizens from taking calls at military or police checkpoints. Undoubtably, the assertion that making calls at military or police checkpoints is wrong due to security concerns, as stated by Major-General Usman Mohammed, lacks constitutional or legal backing.  In fact, there is no written Nigerian law that reprimands citizens for making calls at checkpoints or supports the seizure of phones by military or police officers. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, enshrines the fundamental rights of citizens, including the right to privacy, which is sacrosanct and imperative for the protection of human dignity. The act of brutalising and seizing phones from citizens for making calls at checkpoints is a clear infringement of their right to privacy and is a...

AKWA IBOM POLICE COMMISSIONER HOLDS TALKS WITH CEOs, YOUTHS TO RESOLVE CONFLICT  By Julius Nsikak, Uyo CP, Azare  The Akwa Ibom State Police Commissioner, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, has urged youths in the state to refrain from taking the law into their own hands, as this can hinder meaningful development.  He made this plea during a meeting with youth leaders from across the 31 local government areas at the police headquarters in Uyo. CP Azare attributed the disputes between host communities and oil companies to a breakdown in communication and emphasised that development cannot occur without peace. He encouraged the youth leaders to work closely with the police to resolve disputes and warned that the command would not tolerate any group disrupting the peace.  "No one should obstruct the operations of these companies," he said. "If you have a problem, inform us immediately so we can resolve issues amicably. The factories in your community are for empowerment and develo...

CHRAN COMMENDS ETIM EKPO COUNCIL CHAIRMAN FOR TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY  By Julius Nsikak - Uyo The Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN) has commenced its accountability tour of projects executed by the Chairmen of the 31 Local Government Councils of Akwa Ibom State, with a focus on verifying projects completed within their first 100 days in office.  This initiative is part of CHRAN's commitment to promoting democracy and good governance at the grassroots level.  The tour began with a visit to Etim Ekpo Local Government Council on Monday, 3rd February 2025, where the CHRAN team was received by the Executive Chairman, Hon. Gideon Uwah. The Director of CHRAN, Otuekong Franklyn Isong, emphasised that the organisation's core mandate extends beyond federal and state governments to monitoring the activities of local government councils, ensuring that council officials are held accountable to the people.  He noted that CHRAN is a worthy development ...

GOV. ENO FLOATS  N5.1 BILLION EMPOWERMENT SCHEME FOR A'IBOM FARMERS, ENTREPRENEURS  CPS, Ekerete Udo Farmers, traders and entrepreneurs in Akwa Ibom State are to receive over N5.1 billion as grants and equipment support under the ongoing ARISE empowerment programme of Governor Umo Eno's administration. Under the scheme, N2 billion is earmarked as grant to support individuals, corporate and commercial farmers, another N2 billion for validated traders across the 31 LGAs, while operators of Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) will receive support in terms of equipment to the tune of N800 million as well as special grant of N310 million to be won by two farmers in each of the 31 LGAs of the State. The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Ekerete Udoh, who made this known during a Press Briefing at Government House, Uyo, highlighted the Governor's strides in advancing Akwa Ibom's economic development and commended journalists in the State for their cooper...

  HOW ABSENCE OF EDUCATION SECTOR PLAN CONTRIBUTES TO INSUFFICIENT SPECIAL EDUCATORS IN AKWA IBOM  By Mercy Obot  Naomi Umoh was seen signing for students with hearing impairments for three hours. She appeared a bit unwell, and her eyes reflected the strain of standing for such an extended period. Her body seemed to have undergone significant and traumatic stress. However, the work was not over for the woman who is in her thirties. With her fragile voice, Naomi narrated how she had to sign for another three hours because there was no other sign language interpreter available for the second class. Like a living sacrifice, this reporter observed that Naomi signed again for the next three hours, despite her body being worn out and etched with weakness. This exhausting routine is not unique to Naomi. In a heart-wrenching conversation, the special education teacher compared her daily teaching job to a toxic relationship and an emotional rollercoaster, attributable to the unfor...

SOUTH-SOUTH NIGERIA TO EXPERIENCE TRANQUILITY AS  NACAT INITIATIVE TAKES STAND AGAINST CORRUPTION  By Julius Nsikak - Uyo Mr Ekpo Mr. Michael Ekpo of the Network Against Corruption And Trafficking (NACAT) Initiative has stated that the south-south region of Nigeria will enjoy peace and stability, with leaders being held accountable for their actions.  This declaration was made weekend during a press briefing for the grand opening of the NACAT Initiative's south-south office in Uyo.  Ekpo, the newly appointed Coordinator for the region, emphasised that the organisation aims to promote transparency and accountability amongst government, corporate bodies, and individuals through media advocacy, fieldwork, and legal action.  The anti-corruption agency seeks to combat corruption, drug and human trafficking in Nigeria, Africa, and globally.  He stressed that as a non-governmental organisation, NACAT Initiative is committed to eradicating corruption, which he beli...