Akwa Ibom
Akpabio Set To Resolve Abia/Akwa Ibom Border Clash Says Senator Austin Akobundu

Akpabio Set To Resolve Abia/Akwa Ibom Border Clash Says Senator Austin Akobundu
Akpabio set to resolve Abia/Akwa Ibom border clash says Senator Austin Akobundu. The Senator representing Abia Central in the National Assembly, Austin Akobundu, has assured that Senate President Godswill Akpabio is taking decisive steps to resolve the recurring border skirmishes between Ikwuano in Abia State and Obot Akara in Akwa Ibom State.
His statement follows the recent killing of an indigene of Ariam Usaka Community in Ikwuano LGA by gunmen from the neighbouring Isie-Kwen, Ikrokwum, and Abama communities in Obot Akara LAG.
During his visit to the bereaved family in Ariam Usaka, Akobundu condemned the persistent bloodshed over the contested Ndurukpe farmland and called for calm on both sides.
He stressed the need for an end to the violence, urging all parties to embrace peace.
He revealed that Senate President Akpabio had swiftly responded to the crisis by establishing a team to investigate its root causes and ensure a peaceful resolution.
“When I was alerted by the Chairman of Ikwuano LGA about the unfortunate incident, I immediately informed the Senate President, His Excellency Godswill Akpabio.
“As a peace-loving leader, he swung into action, setting up a team dedicated to resolving this matter and bringing an end to the needless loss of human lives,” Akobundu stated.
The senator also highlighted his ongoing discussions with Obi Aguocha, representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency, and Patrick Umoh, representing Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency.
“Both lawmakers have shown great commitment to resolving this dispute, and I assure you that, under the directive of the Senate President, this matter will be amicably settled,” he said.
Akobundu noted that he and Hon. Aguocha had taken immediate steps to prevent further casualties, emphasizing that lasting peace would be achieved through constructive dialogue rather than inflammatory public statements.
Issuing a statement without engaging stakeholders would be counterproductive. What we need is a collaborative approach where all concerned parties come together in good faith.
“My focus, alongside the relevant stakeholders, is to ensure peace. Rest assured, I will not disappoint you,” he promised, adding that he would support the deceased’s widow and four children.
The slain victim, 38-year-old Otutubuike Innocent, was part of a search party looking for another missing youth, Ebene Emele, when he was ambushed and shot dead by suspected gunmen from the Akwa Ibom communities. Emele had reportedly been kidnapped days earlier on the disputed land.
Expressing deep concern, the Mayor of Ikwuano LGA, Dr Anthony Nwaubani, decried the continuous attacks by people from Obot Akara and Ini LGAs, as well as the destruction of farmlands. He called on authorities to clearly demarcate the boundary, which he noted had been a subject of contention for over a century.
Similarly, the President-General of Ariam Usaka Development Union, Chief Charles Ugboaja, accused the Isie-Ikwen, Ikrokwum, and Abama communities of violating longstanding natural boundaries that had been recognised by their ancestors.
“The boundary is clearly marked by a thick forest that has remained untouched for centuries. Authorities must intervene to reaffirm the rightful demarcation.
“We demand the return of our abducted son—alive or his remains—and urgent relief for our farmers, who have been unable to work due to the ongoing conflict,” he asserted.

Akpabio
Adding his voice, the monarch of Ikemba Autonomous Community and Chairman of Ariam Usaka Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH Eze Joseph Obaji, called for the implementation of previous findings by a Federal Government delegation and the Boundary Commission.
“The reports confirmed that the disputed land belongs to Ariam Usaka. The boundary line is clear: if coming from Ikwuano, it is after the army post; if coming from Ikot Ekpene, it is before the army post.
“The authorities must enforce this demarcation to end these needless clashes,” he stated.
Akwa Ibom
Umo Eno Is Committed To Blue Economy, Maritime Development: Oil , Gas

Umo Eno Is Committed To Blue Economy, Maritime Development: Oil , Gas
Umo Eno is committed to blue economy, maritime development: Oil , Gas . Akwa Ibom Oil and Gas Professionals have been assured of the commitment of the state government to harnessing the potentials of the blue economy and the extensive maritime development.
The Commissioner for Special Duties and Ibom Deep Sea Port, Comrade Ini Ememobong, reiterated the commitment of the state government to harnessing the potentials when he hosted members of the Akwa Ibom Oil and Gas Professionals to a courtesy call in his office on Thursday, March 13.
He said the recent commissioning of the Surge Protections project and development of Surge lines in Oron, was a demonstration of Governor Umo Eno’s dedication to maritime development, emphasising that the action would bring greater focus on maritime transport and recreation in the area.
Highlighting the significance of the Ibom Deep Seaport, which he described as a foundation for future development, Comrade Ememobong acknowledged the importance of a collaboration between the Ministry and the maritime oil and gas professionals and assured them of his readiness to work together with them, in order to drive growth and development in the maritime sector so as to achieve the long-term objectives of the state in the maritime sector.
The Commissioner stated that the industrial city envisioned by the Governor aims to build indigenous capacity and ensure local participation in its development, saying, “This is where the local content law comes into play, requiring that a certain percentage of the project’s workforce, services, and materials be sourced locally.”
“To activate this law, however, there needs to be available capacity among local individuals and businesses.
This is why His Excellency has prioritised capacity procurement, which ensures that the necessary skills and resources are in place before project execution begins. By doing so, the government can guarantee that local communities are well-prepared to take advantage of the opportunities arising from the industrial city’s development,” he emphasised.
Comrade Ememobong seized the occasion to commend the technical committee, led by Mrs. Mfon Usoro, in driving the Ibom Deep Seaport project forward, saying the committee is ready to collaborate with key stakeholders to turn the vision of the Ibom Deep Seaport into a reality.
Earlier, while addressing the Commissioner, the leader of the delegation and Secretary General Port State Control for the West and Central African Region, Captain Sunday Umoren, expressed his team’s enthusiasm in supporting the development of Akwa Ibom State’s maritime sector.
As indigenes of the state, with expertise in various sectors of the maritime cluster, they seek to give back by investing in human capacity building, in view of the upcoming Ibom Deep Seaport.

Umo Eno
“We are here to render our services to you; we will respect your support in planning because the deep seaport is coming: the port is just a notch, but there are other aspects to port development, which if we don’t position ourselves very well, we may end up having a deep seaport in Akwa Ibom but not making the best out of it.” He said.
Other members of the team were the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Project and Director of Project, Ibom Deep Seaport, Engr. Akaninyene Ekong; Former District Surveyor NIMASA, Marine Surveyor Engr. Eyo James; and Project Lead, Shell UK, Adjunct Professor John Moores University, UK, Prof Maurice Asuquo.
Also on the team were the Chief Engineer, Jad Construction limited, Warri, Engr. Iniobong Ebong; Marine Pilot, Nigerian Ports Authority, Bonny/Port Harcourt Pilotage District, Rivers Port Complex, Nkopuyo Abraham.
Akwa Ibom
Uniuyo Theatre Arts Presents ‘Dance Of The Ghosts’, Haunting Commentary On Nigeria’s Social Ills

Uniuyo Theatre Arts Presents ‘Dance Of The Ghosts’, Haunting Commentary On Nigeria’s Social Ills
Uniuyo Theatre Arts presents ‘dance of the ghosts’, haunting commentary on Nigeria’s social ills. The University of Uyo’s (UNIUYO) Theatre Arts Department, recently, presented a thrilling performance of Ben Binebai’s “Dance of the Ghosts,” directed by Sunday Umanah-Tusi.
This impressive performance was a practical component of the Year One course, THA 113 – Practical Orientation Production.
In the thought-provoking play “Dance of the Ghosts,” Ben Binebai crafts a powerful political allegory that reflects the Nigerian state’s struggles with leadership, mistrust, and the pursuit of power. Set in the fictional Ebiogbo Kingdom, the play exposes the harsh realities of a society where many live in fear, poverty, and frustration.
Through the lens of Ebiogbo Kingdom, Binebai shines a light on the disconnect between the people and their leaders, as well as the mistrust and backstabbing that often characterize the pursuit of power.
The play advocates for collective action and protest against irresponsible and autocratic leadership, promoting a message of social change and conflict resolution.
Overall, “Dance of the Ghosts” was a captivating production that left the audience spellbound. With its talented cast, creative team, and eerie atmosphere, this play is a must-see for anyone interested in the supernatural and the unknown.
The production was a masterclass in collaborative storytelling, with a talented team of creatives bringing the world of ghosts to life.
The set design, crafted by Umanah-Tusi, Edikan Samuel, Emmanuel Alexander, and others, transported the audience to a realm beyond the living. Dora Nnanake and Emmah Edet’s costumes added a touch of eeriness to the proceedings, while Katty Otioro and Sylvia’s makeup designs made the ghosts look eerily real.

Uniuyo Theatre Arts
The lighting, designed by Uwem Nesfield, cast an otherworldly glow over the stage, immersing the audience in the world of the ghosts.
The choreography, crafted by Jackyafricana Abasiodiongo Ekomabasi, Precious Ammang, and Queendalyne Effiong, added a dynamic energy to the performance.
The stage management team, led by Blossom, Jeffrey, and Sarah, ensured a seamless transition between scenes, keeping the pace of the play steady.
The playwright, Ben Binebai is a renowned Professor of Drama, Dramatic Theory, and Criticism at the Niger Delta University (NDU) in Amasoma. A prolific writer, Binebai has penned numerous works that showcase his expertise in drama and theatre arts. His play “Dance of the Ghosts” is a testament to his ability to craft thought-provoking stories that reflect the complexities of Nigerian society.
Akwa Ibom
Umo Eno Commissions Model school In Oron, Charges Shool Heads On Maintwnance Culture

Umo Eno Commissions Model school In Oron, Charges Shool Heads On Maintwnance Culture
Umo Eno commissions model school in Oron, charges shool heads on maintwnance culture and directs head teachers to live in school
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has charged heads of schools and other institutions to ensure preservation of government infrastructures within their custody and to ensure that the intended benefits of government investments in the sector are delivered to the targeted beneficiaries.
He also tasked headmasters and headmistresses of model primary schools built across the State to utilize the live-in facilities to enhance their care for the pupils, and protection of the facilities in line with the aspirations of his administration’s ARISE Agenda.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony of the Model Primary School, Uko-Oyukim in Oron Local Government Area, Governor Eno said a special education monitoring team was about to be activated to monitor the model schools, warning that any headteacher found not living on campus or whose school facilities are not well managed would be replaced.
He, therefore, tasked the Akwa Ibom State Infrastructure & Assets Management and Maintenance Agency to step up their vigilance over the educational facilities, adding that he was willing to bring to bear his private business experience as a hotelier, where he would work round the clock to ensure every guest enjoys utmost comfort, to make Akwa Ibom children receive the best from government investment in the education sector.
“Very soon, we are setting up education monitoring teams, and the team will help us ensure that all of these facilities are intact. They will monitor all these schools we are opening, from the washroom to the classrooms, all the facilities, the curriculum and of the work they are doing.
“The Headmasters or Headmistresses will also ensure that non of these facilities are destroyed. We must continue to maintain the standard. I am setting up a Governor’s Monitoring team, but they will work with the Honourable Commissioners to ensure that they give us the right information.
“If we come to your school, particularly our schools that are remodelled, and we find out that the standards are dropping, we will change the head Master or Mistress immediately.
If we come to the school and discover that you are not living on the school compound, we will send you back somewhere else.
“We can not use your money to put this edifice in place, only for it to go down in few months,” the Governor stated.
Speaking on behalf of Oron stakeholders, the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, described the emergence of Governor Umo Eno as God’s blessing to Akwa Ibom State and particularly thanked the Governor for accepting to be used to extend God’s love to Oron people.
According to Senator Eyakenyi, Governor Umo Eno’s value for education which fueled his drive to pursue and obtain a PhD has been demonstrated in his identification of primary education as being fundamentally imperative and therefore investing in giving Akwa Ibom children a good start up.

Umo Eno Commissions
The Commissioner for Education, Professor Ubong Umoh, presenting an overview of the project, commended Governor Umo Eno’s model primary school initiative, maintaining that such underscores his administration’s dedication to transforming the educational landscape thereby fostering academic excellence and social development.
He said the Uko-Oyukim Model Primary School, designed to accommodate 495 pupils in 19 fully furnished classrooms on a 25:1 pupils to teacher ratio, was fully equipped with library, early childcare development facilities, solar-powered ICT laboratory, modern sick bay, spacious auditorium, dedicated staff quarters, seperate gender-specific sanitary facilities, with comprehensive human kinetic facilities that enhances education and sports development.
Pupils of the school, little Miss Happiness Antai and Master Godwin Asuquo, conveyed the feelings of the school community through a special address and a ballad which expressed the gratitude of the pupils, teachers and their parents to the Governor for the kind gesture he has extended to them through the state-of-the-art facilities.
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