PoliticsAndMe

NON-INDIGENES DONATE CAMPAIGN SECRETARIAT, BUSES AS ARISE WITH RENEWED HOPE DEEPENS UNITY AND MOBILISATION
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‎The Arise with Renewed Hope Initiative on Thursday, April 9, extended its mobilisation drive to the non-indigene community in Akwa Ibom State, bringing together diverse ethnic groups resident in the state in what has been described as a defining moment of unity, inclusion, and political consolidation.
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‎The event, held at the Non-Indigene Secretariat, Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo, drew participants from across Nigeria’s ethnic nationalities who live and do business in the state, effectively positioning the non-indigene community as a symbolic “32nd Local Government Area” of Akwa Ibom.
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‎Driving the core message of the engagement, the President-General of the initiative, Engr. Uwem Okoko, reinforced the strategic importance of the non-indigene population in the political architecture of the state. He described them as a critical bloc whose contributions to economic growth and social stability cannot be overlooked.
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‎He further announced the inclusion of non-indigene representatives into the initiative’s structure across all previously toured local government areas, ensuring broader participation and inclusivity.
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‎He emphasised that the integration of non-indigenes into the movement reflects a deliberate effort to unify all residents under a common purpose of progress, peace, and political advancement in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno.
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‎In his welcome remark, the Coordinator of Non-Indigenes in Akwa Ibom State, Amb. Sunday Usikhifo, expressed deep appreciation to the state government for fostering a peaceful and business-friendly environment that has enabled non-indigenes to thrive. He highlighted the importance of sustained peace and security as key drivers of economic activity and social harmony.
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‎As part of his commitment to the growth and institutional strength of the non-indigene community, Amb. Usikhifo announced the donation of a fully completed two-storey secretariat complex comprising 33 offices, aimed at providing a central administrative hub for the association.
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‎In addition, he donated three buses to support the operational activities of the group, formally handing them over to the President-General of the initiative.
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‎Setting the tone for the engagement, the International Coordinator, Sir Udo Kierian Akpan, underscored the significance of unity across ethnic and cultural lines, noting that the strength of Akwa Ibom lies in its diversity and collective commitment to peaceful coexistence and development.
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‎The highlight of the event was the formal inauguration of the Non-Indigene Association Executive Council, with Amb. Sunday Usikhifo as Coordinator, Mrs. Tope Balogun as Deputy Coordinator, and Alhaji Ibrahim Ilya as Secretary.
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‎Other members of the council include High Chief Dame Ngozi Igwe, Mr. Abdulateef Adebanjo, Mr. Philip Otuoma, Mr. Maxwell Ntul, Chief Ukachukwu Ogbonna, Rev. Seimiekumo Steve, Mr. Theophilus Ajakaiye, Mr. Emmanuel Ajah Ogbonna, Kosuk Monday, Mrs. Tari Adesoye, Comrade Chinagorom Asika, Jonathan Ifekwenne, Mamuda Tanko, Mrs. Gloria Afujue, Mr. Julius Ogungbemi, Chief Wisdom Kenechukwu, Asemota Osayi, Mr. Tabi Frederick, Mr. Sakiru Awoga, Mr. Manu Methodius Chukwuemeka, Mrs. Philo Baarong Binang, Alhaji Umaru Ali, Ichie Egbe Aleke, Pst. Macqueen Henunumwen, Mahmud Sali, Ejoke Okpura, and Gloria Michael, among others.
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‎Also inaugurated was the Non-Indigene Associations Advisory Council, chaired by Elder Ononode Obareki with members including Hon. Kaycee Chididali, Prof. Isaac Ayandele, Alhaji Kayode Oyekunle, Chief Adeeyo Adeboyega, Mr. Olalunde Napoleon Femi, Prince Adeboyega Isiak Adegboke, Mr. Olamide Ogunfunkehin, Chief Tejagbaye T. Brown, Madam Faith Usikhio, Engr. Robinson Usabor, Engr. Benedict Ikenga, Gen. Nico Sinate, Chief Ibor Eni, High Chief Sir Ezeoma Innocent Igwe, Mr. Taye Ishola, Mr. Philip Otuoma Otuh, Chief Chikwado Ubah, Alhaji Prince Ahmed, Alhaji Hassan Dankala, Bishop Daniel Muoto, Imam Bello Danladi, Archbishop Madu Daniel, Adamsu Alex, Akinyele Aderibigbe, Chief Okena Ohiamwen Destiny, Mr. Azim Hussain Zaman, Angela Michael, Olisa Nwogbo, and Ezuma Emmanuel, among others.
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‎Goodwill messages reflected the broad-based support and unity across ethnic divides, with contributions from Chief T. T. Brown representing the Niger Delta community; Alhaji Ibrahim Ilya representing the Arewa Hausa community; Prof. Isaac Ayodele representing the Yoruba (Oduduwa) community of South-West Nigeria; High Chief Dame Ngozi Igwe and Chief Ukachukwu Ogbonna representing the Igbo community of South-East Nigeria; Mr. Emmanuel Usikhifo; Emmanuel Owala, SA to the Governor on Creative Talent Development; Alhaji Umaru Ali; and Mr. Emmanuel Obgole.
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‎The event concluded with the commissioning and inspection of the newly donated secretariat complex and buses. Highpoints of the ceremony included the formal ribbon-cutting and vibrant cultural displays by representatives of the four major ethnic blocs Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, and Niger Delta showcasing unity in diversity and reinforcing the spirit of national integration within Akwa Ibom State.

BREAKING: Ex-NEXIM Bank MD, Robert Orya, sentenced to 490 years in prison over ₦2.4bn fraud

BREAKING: Ex-NEXIM Bank MD, Robert Orya, sentenced to 490 years in prison over ₦2.4bn fraud A former Managing Director of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), Robert Orya, has been handed a cumulative jail term of 490 years over a ₦2.4 billion fraud.

https://www.arise.tv/assam-assam-cross-river-akwa-ibom-oil-wells-dispute-rooted-in-revenue-allocation-not-boundary-ambiguity/?fbclid=IwVERTSAPqi5FleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR5dx5FGHRkso86CGQodB2DvHCFrfcA_hNiUs4AAT8KAv5Y3g8Tsteo4WVRoYw_aem__IfhOSrfj6vVl6xzGJHL_g&sfnsn=scwspmo

Assam Assam: Cross River-Akwa Ibom Oil Wells Dispute Rooted In Revenue Allocation, Not Boundary Ambiguity Former ambassador Assam Assam says Cross River-Akwa Ibom disagreement centres on allocation of 218 new oil wells, not unresolved state boundaries.

*NEWS UPDATE*

*Akwa Ibom Reaffirms No Maritime Boundary With Cross River at RMAFC Hearing*

The Akwa Ibom State Government has reaffirmed that the State has no maritime boundary with Cross River State, stressing that the matter was conclusively settled by the Supreme Court.

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, SAN, made the clarification on Thursday, January 29, 2026, during the hearing of the Inter-Agency Technical Committee (IATC) on Disputed/New Oil Wells, convened by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) in Abuja.

Udom recalled the Supreme Court’s July 10, 2o12 judgment, which followed the ICJ ruling of October 10,2002 , on the Nigeria–Cameroon boundary and effectively extinguished Cross River State’s estuarine sector. He noted that the apex court again reaffirmed this position in its July 10, 2012 judgment, holding that Cross River State is not a littoral state and therefore has no offshore entitlement.

In his remarks, Chief Assam Assam, SAN, stated that all issues relating to existing or new offshore oil wells fall squarely within the bona fide maritime territory of Akwa Ibom State, adding that the matters had long been duly settled by the courts.

Also speaking, Paul Usoro, SAN, cautioned against inflammatory statements and unfounded claims, stressing the need for due process. He insisted that all parties must be properly served with full details of the issues to be presented, to ensure full understanding and informed responses.

Udom further noted that despite Akwa Ibom’s posture of restraint and peace, including engagements with elder statesmen and stakeholders, such overtures were rebuffed, leading to renewed attempts to reopen settled matters concerning oil wells within the 200-metre isobath.

The hearing was adjourned to a later date to allow all parties to be formally served with the relevant documents and details of the proceedings ahead of full consideration.

Representing Akwa Ibom State at the meeting were:
Paul Usoro, SAN; Assam Assam, SAN; Uko Udom, SAN , Solomon Umoh , SAN , Uwemedimo Nwoko, SAN; Emmanuel Enoidem, SAN, former Attorney-General of Akwa Ibom State; Mr. Ekpenyong Ntekim, Commissioner for Finance; Emem Bob, Commissioner for Information; Dr. Aniekan Umanah, immediate past Surveyor-General of Akwa Ibom State; Mrs. Emem Isang, Honourable Member representing Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency; Dr. Patrick Umoh, among others.

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