THE PATRIOT NEWSPAPER...Sharing the Nigerian Experience

By Chinedu Eze The major reason why many Nigerians are skeptical about the plan by the federal government to establish a national carrier is that it would not be insulated from interferences by politicians and top government officials who were instrumental to the demise of similar businesses in the past. Fleet of Ibom Aircraft at the airport This has been a challenge not only in Nigeria but in the world. How government can establish and run a business that is fully autonomous with full corporate governance. But Akwa Ibom government is showing a good example with the airline, Ibom Air, it established two years ago. With the right aircraft, the right managerial personnel, the airline has shown so much promise. What is remarkable about the airline is that its day-to-day operations and decision-making are fully insulated from the government of the state, which set it up and picked the best hands from every part of the country and beyond. Ibom Air has deliberate plan towards ...

By Sahara Reporters The beneficiaries according to a document seen by SaharaReporters include a judge, former governors, All Progressives Congress chieftains, traditional rulers, top government officials, senior police officers, army officers and EFCC officials. More Niger Delta Development Commission contracts beneficiaries on the list sent to House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, by Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, have been identified..This is asides lawmakers on the list sent by the minister. Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio The former Akwa Ibom State governor was responding to an ultimatum by Gbajabiamila, who had given him 48 hours to name the lawmakers, who got contracts from the commission or face the “wrath of the House”. While appearing before a House panel probing the alleged mismanagement of N81.5bn by the Interim Management Committee of the NDDC, Akpabio had said federal lawmakers were the biggest beneficiaries...

 A pioneer National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP and one of the founding members of the party, Sen. Anietie Okon has felicitated with the former National Secretary and former governor of Enugu State, Dr. OKWESILIEZE NWODO on his 70 birthday. On his post on Facebook, Sen. Okon described Dr. NWODO as being devoted to the growth of the democracy in Nigeria and helped to build democratic edifice of the Peoples Democratic Party. He said, "Hearty Felicitations to a great Nigerian Patriot., DR OKWESILIEZE NWODO. Together we built the democratic edifice of the PDP. Dr. OKWESILIEZE NWODO "On behalf of the Akwa Ibom State Leaders Vanguard and the great people of Akwa Ibom State, I join other great patriots in wishing you a most blessed Happy Birthday! "You have been actively devoted to the growth of the country’s democratic culture; first as the National Secretary General of our great party_the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) and later the Nat...

By Unwana-obong Victor 23rd July 2020 Elie Wiese once said, "we must always take side. Neutrality helps the oppressor,never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented" in other words, Aristotle posited that,he who is unable to live in the society, or who has no need because he is sufficient for himself, must be either a beast or a god, and he concluded by saying that every man is by nature a political animal. Then, I return to ask, in the society of ours in which you are not borne until government say so by way of birth certificate, you cannot marry until government give consent by way of marriage certificate, you cannot purchase a land and erect a structure without certificate of occupancy and other permits, you cannot even die until government approve by way of death certificate.What will make an average surviving human being to be neutral, silent or apolitical when he is neither a beast nor a god? There is but one answer; Political Apathy!!! P...

•He is confused, says Nwaoboshi •Tunji-Ojo: Allegation spurious By Deji Elumoye and Adedayo Akinwale Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has finally picked up the gauntlet thrown down by the National Assembly to name lawmakers who got contracts from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The minister, in a document attached to his response to the threat by the House of Representatives to sue him over the allegations that federal lawmakers were the major contractors of NDDC, listed four senators as receiving 74 contracts from the commission between 2017 to date. He also accused the Chairman of the House Committee on NDDC, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, of inserting 19 contracts worth N9 billion into 2019 NDDC budget. House of Representatives Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, had last week given Akpabio a 48-hour ultimatum to identify lawmakers that are NDDC contractors as he alleged during his testimony before the House Committee on NDDC. Howeve...

1. Introduction: As part of its civil society engagement and good governance advocacy, the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Akwa Ibom State Branch embarked on a good governance tour of Eket local government area, Akwa Ibom State on Tuesday, 30th June, 2020. The tour covered the four (4) clans of Eket and extended to Iwuochang and Upenekang in Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. In spite of the generally inclement weather, the CLO team, led by the State Chairman, Comrade Franklyn Isong, carried out in-depth appraisal of government projects in Eket and Ibeno local government areas. The tour lasted about five (5) hours, commencing by 11:20 a.m and ending at about 4:30 p.m. The CLO team included the following: 1. Otuekong Franklyn Isong - State Chairman 2. Comrade (Barr.) Christopher Ekpo - State Secretary 3. Comrade (Barr.) Eyibio Okon  - Legal Secretary 2. Findings: The first project visited by the CLO team was the Eket Stadium. The Stadium is located along ...

...frown at cultism, mbiam politics in Eket By Admin The PDP elders in Eket local government area have set ground rules for chairmanship aspirants ahead of the coming local government elections in the state. They said outside the constitutional and party requirements, aspirants for chairmanship and councillorship position must meet certain criteria before participating in the coming local government elections for the overall interest and progress of Eket local government area. The Eket PDP Elders made their decision known today in Eket in a meeting of party elders held at the residence of Chief Nduese Essien. Eket PDP Elders at the meeting In his welcome remarks, the political leader of Eket Senatorial District, Chief Nduese Essien said with the announcement of local government election by AKISIEC, there is need for Eket PDP Elders to meet and discuss the quality of leaders that befit the status of Eket local government area. Chief Essien said outside constitutional and...

Edet Edet. The National Assembly House Committees on Treatise, Protocol, Agreements and Petroleum Resources (Upstream) has slammed a two weeks’ ultimatum on ExxonMobil, to review the existing but abandoned Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Host Communities of Akwa Ibom State. Member representing Eket Federal Constituency, Hon. Pat Ifon and colleague The stipulation came on Thursday, after a petition from the Member representing Eket/Esit Eket/ Ibeno/ONNA Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Patrick Ifon, on the lackadaisical approach to development and neglect of the company’s Corporate social responsibilities (CSR) and other benefits in the Host Communities received attention for a public hearing by the leadership of the National Assembly. The public hearing with theme "HOLISTIC REVIEW OF ALL AGREEMENTS AND MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN OIL COMPANIES IN NIGERIA AND HOST COMMUNITIES" is targeted at finding a lasting peace to for...

By Admin As another local government elections is about to be conducted in Akwa Ibom State, many people have indicated interest to aspire for either the office of a local government Chairman or Councillor. About a week ago, immediately the electoral body, Akwa Ibom State Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) announced the timetable for the coming local government elections in the state, both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) have commenced selling of Nomination and Expression of Interest Form to interested aspirants. Now that preparation for the local government elections which is scheduled for October 31, 2020 is in top gear, there is need to inform interested aspirants who are aspiring to serve as Councillor to know what is expected of them as representative of the people at the ward level. WHAT DO COUNCILLORS DO? Councillors are people elected to represent their local community in the running of their local council and they have an important...

In the build-up to the 2015 general elections, the country was divided right down the middle. On one side were the Jonathanians, who supported the then incumbent President, Goodluck Jonathan, and wanted him to continue in office for another term of four years. On the flip side were the Buharists (I was one, and remain one of them) who wanted the then former military head of state, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, elected civilian President. It was a pitched battle. O le ku, ija Ore (apologies to non-Yoruba speakers. The war was robustly fought, and won by the Buharists. That was over five years ago. But you know what? Most of the gladiators are still in their entrenched positions. Most of the Jonathanians, not able to live with the reality of defeat, turned themselves to people who cavil, finding fault with the government of the day at the slightest drop of a hat. They became wailing wailers, and whenever they began to ululate, you would think raw pepper had been inserted into thei...

Leadership is a privilege to better the lives of others; it is not opportunity to satisfy personal greed.  He has confirmed that through his relationship with his staff, friends and people.  Mr. Idem has touched many lives as well as changing their fortunes.  As a devout Christian, love is his watchword and extending the milk of love and kindness to those in need is the ultimate perfection in his divergent thinking. Mr. Iniobong Idem Mr. Iniobong Idem is the man for progress and a better tomorrow for Eket The people are wallowing in abject poverty, and  help has come from a man who will change the face of the people.

There are individuals who are truly driven by passion to change the narrative. On the ongoing Radio Program, 'School on Radio,' by the Akwa Ibom State Government to provide the educational needs for Akwa Ibom children during this Covid-19 lockdown, you hear something like: "I am Mrs Glory Monday Umanah. I hold a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics and a Post Graduate Diploma in Education. I have 17 years teaching Experience in Private and Public Schools. Best Teacher Award in Economics from Inoyo Toro Foundation, 2019." Immediately another voice comes in: "I am Aniekan Okpo. I have a Masters Degree in Education with 18 years teaching experience. I am a five times winner of Inoyo Toro Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence. First Position in Mathematics 2008, 2009, 2016 and a Grand Mentor Award Winner in 2011 and 2018." Another: "I am Mary Joseph Okon. I hold a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Calabar, Calabar; A Post Gra...

By Nseobong David “ _The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large_ .” – Thomas Paine This perception by Thomas Paine captures the intention of Mr. Iniobong Emmanuel Idem, a Chairmanship aspirant for Eket Local Government  Council in the forthcoming Local Government elections under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Mr. Idem is a graduate of Geology from the prestigious University of Calabar, Cross River State, and further obtained a PGD in Hydrogeology from the same University of Calabar.  A confirmation that Iniobong Idem is properly educated and lettered.  He is happily married, with a family. Mr. Iniobong Idem Mr. Idem possesses a very exciting and highly celebrated credentials in his chequered life.  He runs one of the best oil servicing establishments in Nigeria with staff strength of over one hundred.  He is the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, IDEMGH-LINK GROUP OF COMPANIES, I...

By REUBEN ABATI It is a show of shame isn’t it, what is going on at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)? Established in the year 2000 to assuage the fears of the people of the Niger Delta and address their concerns about the lack of infrastructural development in the region, despite the region’s contributions to the sustenance of Nigeria, it is sad to see how like all good initiatives gone bad in Nigeria, this interventionist agency has become, or has been exposed as a festering sore upon the wound of the Niger Delta. From personality clashes to sordid tales of mismanagement of funds, contractors that collect mobilization fees and simply take a walk, politicians in the National Assembly feeding fat on Niger Delta resources, and reports of terrifying wasteful expenditure and the conversion of every event or situation: graduation ceremonies and even COVID-19 into an opportunity to empty the people’s till, the stench from the NDDC stinks to the heavens. In the past week, we ha...