Uyo Airport Incident Shows That Everyone In Akwa Ibom Is APC-Aisha Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari’s wife, Mrs. Aisha Buhari has described what happened at Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo during her visit on Friday 14 December, 2018, as an indication that everyone in the state is APC. There was a mild drama on who to welcome the First Lady between Senator Akpabio's wife and the wife of the incumbent governor, Mrs. Emmanuel.

The First Lady, who had gone to the state for the flag-off of a program to empower some 16,000 women and youths, said that the occurrence at the airport was noting but a mere politics. And that as it is widely known that when it comes to President Buhari, it is all about  'movement' which Senator Goodwill Akpabio is championing in the state. Saying that, “it shows that governor of the state Udom Emmanuel and his wife will soon join APC.”

“To me, what happened at the airport was just a mere politics but when it comes to President Muhammadu, it is all about movement. It is a movement and we have Senator Godswill Akpabio in Akwa Ibom State to lead the movement of President Muhammadu Buhari. As you are all aware the Presidebt is a man of integrity and for those who believe in his ideology should play politics with integrity and momorality.

What happened at the airport shows that, from my observation, almost everybody has entered APC today. That very soon Mr. And Mrs. Udom, their Excellencies will soon join us. It gives me a great pleasure to be in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State today to address you on this great occasion, the flag-off of a vocational skills training and empowerment of women and youths, organised by MDE, in collaboration with my 'Future Assured' program. 

You will recall that since the beginning of this administration under my Future Assured program, we have trained thousands of women and youths across the 6 geopolitical zones in this country. 

This has been in line with my pledge to contribute in reducing the level of poverty, to ensure that women of Nigeria are self-reliance. We are therefore gathered here today in our renewed commitment to making that promise a reality, to empower 7,600.

The empowerment program includes activities such as vocational skills training, for 1,500 women and youths, disbursement for 1000 women trained with cash of 5000 naira each, disbursement of 3 months interest free facilities to 1,100 beneficiaries, issuance of basic business training certificate to 5000 prospecting beneficiaries. 

All these skills outlined for training exercise  are environment specific and competitive in nature. They have been designed to assist the women commence small scale businesses on completion of training.

My Future Assured program shares the aspirations of MDE and SDG in empowering women and getting them actively involved in economic activities, which will lead to self-reliance and inclusive growth in the economy.

Future Assured is contributing to this program with empowerment of 4000 women. As you are all aware, the importance of women economic empowerment program can't be overemphasized. It is specifically addressed five goals of sustainable development; such as poverty eradication, hunger, gender equality, good jobs and economic growth.

At this juncture, let me sincerely appreciate our hosts HE Senator Godswill Akpabio and his wife, Her Excellency Unoma Akpabio for making this all important occasion a reality. I am also grateful to the D.G of MDE, Dr. Nazil Muhammed, his Directors and all who worked tirelessly to ensure we succeed,” Mrs. Buhari stated in her perwoful speech at the program.

Atiku Wishes Buhari Long Life, Says “We Are Brothers”

Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, on Monday congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his 76th birthday.

“I wish President Muhammadu Buhari happy birthday even as my family and I pray for long life for him. Despite the fact that we will meet at the polls soon, I very much affirm that we are brothers born from the womb of One Nigeria. Happy Birthday”, the former Vice President tweeted.

Earlier in the day, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar had attended a town hall meeting with youths in Lagos. There, Atiku’s running mate, Peter Obi assured the youths that Atiku’s government will invest more in education. “The greatness of any nation is the function of how educated her citizens are”, Obi said. He also promised that “the Atiku Presidency will provide jobs and improve the economy a great deal”.

The National Chairman of the PDP, Uche Secondus,  while urging the youths to vote for Atiku affirmed that “a vote for Atiku is a vote for your freedom”. He went further to state that “Atiku will work hand in hand with the youths to develop Nigeria, that is Atiku’s social contract with Youths. Our party, the PDP will hold the Atiku presidency accountable.”

The presidential candidate used the opportunity to reaffirm his readiness to “get Nigeria working again”. He said “II have many children but only one of them is working with the government, all others are working in my various companies. I believe in creating jobs, my government will create jobs for the youth.”

Pledging to ensure that youths will play major roles in his administration, Atiku said “I  pledge that 40% of my government will be youths. My Minister for Youth will be less than 30 years of age, if you are in that category, it could be you! ”

He also promised that lower tax rates and other incentives will be given to the private sector to provide jobs as it is done in the civilised world.

“My government will invest seriously in education to come up with citizens who will be useful to themselves and the country as a whole”, Atiku Abubakar assured.

Sex For Marks OAU Prof Bags Six Years Jail Term

Justice Maurine Onyetenu of the Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo, Monday sentenced former lecturer of Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Prof. Richard Iyiola Akindele, to six years imprisonment for demanding sex to pass her student, Monica Osagie.

The accused had pleaded not guilty to the charge of sexual harassment preferred against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offenses Commission, ICPC.

He had since then been remanded in prison custody following objection to his bail by the prosecution ICPC.W

When the case came up on Monday, Akindele opted to change his earlier plea and admitted guilty of the offences as charged.H

Hewas arraigned before Justice onyetenu on November 19 for alleged sexual harassment.

Meanwhile, efforts by the defence counsel to suspend the sentencing and negotiate for plea bargain failed, as Justice Onyetenu frowned at the rampant cases of students harassment by lecturers.

Iustice Onyetenu said “the plea bargain is not absolute. The court still have discretion.

Thiskind of issue is too rampant in our tertiary institutions. We send children to school, they come home telling us that lecturers want to sleep with them.

“We can not continue like this. Somebody has to be used as example. Even primary schools pupils are complaining. Telling me to suspend sentence does not arise. Plea bargain does not arise. May be the case continue to occur and reoccur because someone has not been used as example.

“It is time for the court to start upholding the right of the children, especially female students. The case is endemic.

Counsel to the defendant, Mr. Francis Omotosho, informed the court that the defendant has lost his job and has learnt his lesson.

He told the court that the University has discovered the mistake in the marking of the examination paper of the victim and has concluded plans to compensate her.

The Counsel further told the court that plans are ongoing to make offices of the lecturers open by building the front side with glasses at OAU.

But, the Judge, who apparently not convinced with the prayer of the Counsel, said “do you think they do it in the office? They go to hotel.

Counsel to the ICPC, Mr. Shogunle Adenekan, urged the court to confiscate the mobile phone of the defendant and forfeit it to the federal government, saying that sensitive materials were discovered there during forensic.

He also urged the court to grant order, releasing the mobile phone of the victim, Monica.

After considering the plea bargaining entered and signed by the Counsels, the Judge said there is a need to deter other people because of the nature of the case.

In her judgement, Justice Onyetenu sentenced the convict to 24 months on count one, 24 months on count two, 1 year on count three and 1 year on count four.

She said the jail term should run concurrently.

She also ordered that the Samsung X4 of the victim should be returned to her and the Samsung X8 of the confict should be forfeited to the federal government.

-Vanguard