Queen Elizabeth, Lugard, Zik, 97 others bag Nigeria’s Centenary awards

British monarch and Head of the Commonwealth, Queen Elizabeth II, is to be conferred with an award on Friday, February 28, by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to mark Nigeria’s centenary.

On the same day too, Sir Fredrick Lugard, who effected the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates of the British Crown to form a new colonial territory and his consort, Dame Flora Louise Shaw, who named the territory ‘Nigeria’ would both receive posthumous awards.

At the glittering ceremony, President Jonathan would similarly present awards in 13 other categories to 97 distinguished personalities, either alive or dead, who eminently symbolize the tapestry of Nigeria’s first centenary.

In a statement, the Presidential Committee on Nigeria’s Centenary Celebrations said the award ceremony scheduled to hold at the Banquet Hall, State House, Abuja, would kick off at 7.00pm. A full list of the award recipients is reproduced below.

A. Contributors to the making of Nigeria

1. Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II

2. Frederick John Dealtry Lugard

3.Dame Flora Louise Shaw, Lady Lugard

B. Heroes of the struggle for Nigeria’s Independence/pioneer political leaders

4. Herbert Samuel Heelas Macaulay

5. Rt. Hon. Dr. Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe, GCFR

6. Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, KBE

7. Chief Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo, GCFR

8. Sir Ahmadu Bello, KBE

9. Professor Eyo Ita

10. Jaja Anucha Wachuku

11. Pa Michael Imoudu

12. Chief Anthony Enahoro

13.Chief Joseph Sarwan Tarka

14. Mallam Aminu Kano

15.Margaret Udo Ekpo

16. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti

17.Hajiya Gambo Sawaba

C. Pioneers in professional callings/careers

18.Christopher Sapara Williams

19.Chief Frederick Rotimi Alade Williams, SAN

20.Chief Akintola Williams

21.Major-General Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi Ironsi

22.Vice Admiral Joseph Edet Akinwale Wey

23.Brigadier General George Tamunoiyowunam Kurubo

24.Louis Orok Edet

25.Major-General Abdullahi Mohammed

26.Professor Thomas Adeoye Lambo

27.Professor Kenneth Onwuka Dike

28.Capt. Chinyere Kalu

29. Brig. Gen. (Dr.) Oviemo Ovadje

30.Professor Grace Alele-Williams

D. Pioneers in commerce and industry

31.Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu

32.Alhaji Alhassan Dantata

33. Chief Adeola Odutola

E. Promoters of democratic transition in Nigeria

34. Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari, GCFR

35. Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola

36. General Shehu Musa Yar’adua, GCON

37.General Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar, GCFR

F. Heroes in global sports competitions

38. Madam Chioma Ajunwa

39.Nwankwo Kanu

40.Richard Ihetu (Dick Tiger)

41.Chief Michael Okpala (Power Mike), MON

42.Monday Ochuko Emoghawve

G. Accomplished pioneer public servants

43.Chief Stanley Olabode Wey

44.Justice Egbert Udo Udoma

45. Chief Emeka Anyaoku

46. Sir Adetokunbo Adegboyega Ademola

47.Dr. Taslim Oluwale Elias

48.Dr. Rilwan Lukman

49. Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki

50.Alhaji Aliyu Mai Bornu

H. Accomplished contemporary entrepreneurs

51. Alhaji Aliko Mohammed Dangote

52.Chief Mike Adenuga

53.Chief (Dr.) Innocent Chukwuma

I. Distinguished academics

54.Professor Benjamin Oluwakayode Osuntokun

55.Professor Kelsey Harrison

56.Professor Chike Obi

57.Professor Dagogo Fubara

58.Professor Jacob Festus Ade Ajayi

59. Professor Claude Ake

60. Professor Aliu Babatunde Fafunwa

61.Professor Godwin Olu Patrick Obasi

62. Professor Umaru Shehu

J. Internationally acclaimed artists, literary icons and journalists

63.Michael Taiwo Akinkumi

64.Professor Wole Soyinka

65.Professor Chinua Achebe

66.Prof John Pepper Clark

67.Cyprian Odiatu Duaka Ekwensi

68.Alhaji Abubakar Imam

69.Daniel O. Fagunwa

70.Ernest Sesei Ikoli

71.Alhaji Ismail Babatunde Jose

72.Kenneth Nnebue

73.Patience Ozokwor

74.Alhaji (Dr) Mamman Shata Katsina

75.Hubert Adedeji Ogunde

76.Fela Anikulapo Kuti

77 Stephen Osita Osadebe

78.(Dr.) Ladi Dosei Kwali

79.Ben Enwonwu

80.Oludotun Jacobs

K. Outstanding contemporary public servants

81.Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule

82.Professor Akinlawon Ladipo Mabogunje, NNOM

83.Dr. Barnabas Sanyaolu Oloruntoba, OFR

84.Honourable Justice Maryam Aloma Mukhtar, GCON

L. Outstanding bravery and public spiritedness

85.Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN

86. Michael Chukwugekwu Ihuka

M.Outstanding promoters of unity, patriotism and national development

87. General Yakubu Gowon, GCFR

88. General Murtala Ramat Mohammed

89. General Olusegun Mathew Okikiola Aremu Obasanjo, GCFR

90. General Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR

91.General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, GCFR

92.Chief Ernest Shonekan, GCFR

93.General Sani Abacha, GCFR

94.Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’adua, GCFR

95.General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, GCON, fss

N. Exemplary service in the promotion of peace and moral excellence

96.,Sir Abubakar Sadiq III

97.Sheikh Abubakar Mahmud Gumi

98.Blessed Cyprian Michael Tansi

99.Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye

100.Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi

Sanusi should be blamed for his suspension as CBN Governor – Falana

FEMI Falana said Lamido Sanusi should have resigned.A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has blamed Lamido Sanusi for the Central Bank Governor’s suspension from office.President Goodluck Jonathan, Thursday, suspended Mr. Sanusi, Nigeria’s Central Bank, CBN, governor, from office over allegations of financial recklessness. Mr. Sanusi has denied anywrongoings and alleged that he was suspended because he exposed the corruption in Nigeria’s state owned oil company, NNPC. He said he would challenge his suspension in court.Mr. Falana, in a statement he circulated on Saturday, said the CBN governor dared the President by refusing to resign when he was purportedly asked to.“Convinced that he could only be removed by the President with the approval of the Senate Mr Sanusi turned down the request and dared the President to remove him,” Mr. Falana said.“Having regard to his irreconcilable differences with the Jonathan Administration on the operation and management of the Federation Account Mr Sanusi ought to have voluntarily resigned his appointment.“But he decided to remain in office while taking the Administration to the cleaners at the tail end of his 5-year tenure. To that extent, Mr Sanusi has himself to blame for his suspension from office on account of alleged financial recklessness,” Mr. Falana added.President Jonathan has already forwarded the name of Godwin Emefiele, the Managing Director of Zenith Bank Plc, to the Senate as a replacement for Mr. Sanusi. Mr. Emefiele, if cleared by the Senate, will resume in June, when Mr. Sanusi’s tenure as BN boss expires. However, the most senior Deputy Governor of the CBN, Sarah Alade, is currently acting as the governor.Mr. Falana said that since Mr. Sanusi had been placed on suspension, the law presumes that he remains the substantive Governor of the CBN.“Therefore, pending the end of his tenure or removal from office through the Senate there is no basis for the appointment of a new CBN governor,” said Mr. Falana.“President Jonathan is advised to suspend the process for the replacement of the CBN governor by withdrawing the new nomination forwarded to the Senate as the nation cannot have a suspended governor and a substantive governor of the CBN at the same time.“In the alternative, the Senate should put off any debate on the fresh nomination pending the end of the tenure of the suspended governor,” he added.Mr. Falana further stated that the diversion of huge public funds from the Federation Account as alleged by Mr. Sanusi should not be swept under the carpet, while calling for the investigation of the alleged financial recklessness against the suspended CBN governor.“Once again, I call on the Federal Government to allow the Auditor-General of the Federation to audit the accounts of the CBN and the NNPC by virtue of section 85 of the Constitution.“The reports of such audit should then be submitted to the National Assembly for necessary action in line with the provisions of section 85(4) of the Constitution,” Mr. Falana added.

2015: Jonathan tears northern leaders apart

By Soni Daniel, 

Some would say it’s too early in the day to predict who the majority of the people of the 19 northern states will vote for in the impending presidential election. It is slightly difficult to say so with certainty for now given the fact that the sitting President, who, by body language, is set on running for second term, has refused to make the pronouncement officially.

But those who are on the political turf with him have not denied that Jonathan is hell bent on seeking another four years so that he could end his Boko Haram-assailed regime in 2019.
Before now, the North had been united in the rejection of the continuation of President Goodluck Jonathan beyond 2015.

The vociferous ones among its leaders have been very clear in their campaign against Jonathan’s Presidency in the first instance, saying that he ought to have relinquished office after serving out the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua tenure in 2011. As their argument goes, Jonathan breached the zoning formula that had been agreed upon by contesting the 2011 election, which one of theirs should have done.
President Goodluck Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan

The breach, according to them, means that Jonathan, a southern minority from Otueke, Bayelsa State, is occupying the exalted office in the land at the expense of the North. But having lost the office to Jonathan, many key political actors from certain parts of the north appear unprepared to listen to any discussion that would bring back the President in 2015.

They have made their opposition to him very clear from the outset and are not ready to back down as the election date draws nearer. When it became apparent to the northern political protagonists that the mantra of zoning would not bring the presidency to the region in 2011, they changed the campaign by reminding Jonathan that he signed an agreement with them to do a single term of four years from 2011-2015.

That argument would have held water but the man, who broached the idea-Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu- known for his oratory prowess, painfully dashed the hope of the northern people by failing to produce the deal purportedly entered into with Jonathan. As it stands, not many Nigerian politicians believe any such deal exists, thus casting doubt on the story.

Even after that, Aliyu, who was seen as an anti-Jonathan campaigner, refused to quit the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) when the golden opportunity came for him to demonstrate in practical terms his opposition to the President and his government.

The governor, like his Jigawa State counterpart, Sule Lamido, who has used his eight-year stint in Dutse to transform the once barren land, insisted that they cannot leave the PDP, which they founded, to tenants, who have no idea of how the party came about. That position has not only emboldened Jonathan to push ahead with his re-election plan but has also motivated him to depend on the two governors to garner the all-important support of the North for his second term.

Now, Jonathan, through his Vice, Namadi Sambo, is working round the clock to break down the massive northern opposition against him and has succeeded in raising some friendly political groups and individuals to key into his second term agenda. One of the groups-the Northern Elders’ Council- headed by elder statesman, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai; and suspected to enjoy the tacit endorsement of the Presidency – emerged, last week, promising to work for the progress and unity of Nigeria.

At its inauguration in Kaduna, the NEC leader, Yakassai, simply said the group came about to work for Nigeria and not any individual. The former Adviser to President Shehu Shagari of the second republic said he was too big to be recruited to work for Jonathan or Sambo, as he did not belong to any political party, having left partisan politics over 12 years ago.

Yakassai said, “”What I am doing now is to achieve peace in Nigeria because we are concerned about the threat to the corporate existence of the country. If we allow a few reckless but vociferous elements cause trouble in the land, it is the ordinary Nigerians, who would be the worst hit.
”Why should we keep quiet and allow a few troublemakers to cause havoc for the majority?

Describing himself as one of the northern leaders who have suffered to make Nigeria great, Yakassai said that those who were criticising him and his group are talking rubbish and seeking undue attention.
He said, “Those who are making noise today about the north have never worked for Nigeria. They are self-seeking persons out there to work for themselves only.

“But I have always been at the forefront of the development of this country and I have been put in the prison 14 times because of working for Nigeria. “I’m still committed to keeping Nigeria as a united country because if there is no Nigeria, there will be no north South.” “The North is benefitting from the unity of Nigeria and it should continue to work together with other Nigerians.”

The emergence of NEC not withstanding, notable groups such as the Northern Elders’ Forum, NEF, headed by Prof Ango Abdullahi, and leading political commentators such as Dr. Junaid Mohammed, do not see any need to allow Jonathan to occupy the Presidential Villa a day longer than May 29, 2015. According to them, Jonathan was unfit to continue in office or having completed the tenure of Yar’Adua, which was a joint ticket of the two leaders.

Ango Abdullahi and Junaid Mohammed are certain that the people of the North deserve to prop up one of theirs to take over from Jonathan next year.
Mohammed insisted that by the common interpretation of the Constitution, Jonathan would be committing an illegality if he contests the 2015 Presidency having been sworn in more than two times as President of Nigeria.

Mohammed, a former member of House of Reps, said, “As far as I am concerned there should be no two ways about it. People who made promises must be made to abide by such promises. And even without the promises an ordinary reading of the Constitution at face value will indicate that Jonathan cannot avail himself of another term in 2015 simply because the constitution provides for two terms for anybody whatever the intervening circumstance.

“Secondly, the Constitution provides for people taking the oath of office only twice in their lifetime. Now how this President can now proceed to take oath of office three times is something I cannot understand and they are unwilling to subject the matter to the Supreme Court for interpretation.

“This shows that they have something to hide and they believe that by mere propaganda through the lies of the people being used they can now change the constitution.
“To me, the easiest way to amend the Constitution is to follow what the Constitution says. Nobody wants to do what the law says and they think they can get away with illegality simply because they are in power. It will not work.”

Ango Abdullahi, a former ABU Vice Chancellor, is unwilling to join issues with Jonathan but maintains that it is the turn of the North to occupy the Presidency in 2015. While describing the emergence of sundry political groups in the North as the work of those opposed to the interest of the region, Abdullahi said the people would field a northern candidate to fly their flag in 2015 but did not say who the candidate was.

The former Food Security Adviser to erstwhile President Olusegun Obasanjo described the NEC headed by Yakassai as a baby of the Presidency, saying the group was geared at thwarting the interest of the North.
Abdullahi noted, “They (NEC) are advocates of Goodluck Jonathan for President in 2015 but we are advocates of a Nigerian President of northern extraction. “The matter is before the public domain to decide between their position and that of NEC. The forces behind NEC formation have always been on the other side against the interest of the North.”

One trait that has clearly emerged from the averments of the protagonists and antagonists of Jonathan’s Presidency from the North is that a wide gap now separates those in favour and those opposed to his re-election. But it is also apparent to those who are frontally opposed to Jonathan that he is not just sitting down and watching them as they attempt to edge him out of the 2015 contest.

Even though the President has not made any speech concerning his re-election, his foot soldiers have taken it upon themselves to drum up support for him at every forum, showcasing his ‘monumental achievements’ in the various sectors of the economy as the justification for the support.

Jerry Gana, a northerner and a member of Jonathan’s party, believes nobody from the North should tamper with the President’s right to run for second term. Gana, who has worked with almost all the administrations since the dawn of democracy in 1999, insists that to ask Jonathan not to run in 2015 would be very unjust and unfair to the people of the South-south, who have always supported the North to ascend to power.

The PDP BoT member argues that it the matter was ever beyond Jonathan, as he cannot say no to second term and hope to have a safe ride back to Otuoke.
A few days after his postulation, Jonathan was in Adamawa State to commission some projects undertaken by the Nigerian Air Force in Yola. It was expected that Governor Murtala Nyako, who crossed over to the opposition APC last December, would, at least, accompany the President to the PDP secretariat for a meeting.

But apparently to show his disdain for the party, Nyako, who drove in the same car with the President to the secretariat, quickly alighted from the vehicle and joined his personal car and left Jonathan at the venue.
He drove to the airport and waited patiently for the President to conclude his meeting with the PDP stakeholders and return to the airport for takeoff to Abuja.

The governor later issued a damning statement predicting that, with God on his side and with the broom in his hand, he would be able to join other Nigerians to sweep away the PDP from the nation’s reins of power in 2015.
The governor said, “Let’s face it, the level of impunity and lawlessness within the PDP had reached an unprecedented level in the democratic history of our great Nation.

It is a situation where both the party and the Federal Government it controls have become instruments of oppression and incompetent to prevent unwarranted killings of innocent citizens in the hands of paid killers guided by those we call ‘the evil few’, who surely lack the sense of decency in dealing with fellow Nigerians.
“We feel that Abuja has become a captive in the hands of ‘the evil-few’ who are bent on destroying this country in pursuit of their narrow selfish interest. For now they have succeeded in strangulating the economy, derailing our democracy and most of all destabilizing our peace and unity.

“Unfortunately, rather than engage in deep introspection in trying to find solutions to the many problems facing the Nation, they indulge themselves in self-adulation and grand deception. They claim that theirs is the best government ever, and they do so without any tangible proof.”
It is obvious that as the 2015 polls draw nearer, the angst against Jonathan in the North will continue. But it is also easy to say that the pro-Jonathan elements in the region will also whittle the attempt to vote against Jonathan and this could lead to a resounding second term victory for the President.

PRESIDENTIAL MEDIA CHAT TAKES PLACE TOMORROW

Another edition of the Presidential Media Chat will be broadcast live on the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria(FRCN) and the Voice of Nigeria (VON) at 7pm tomorrow, Monday, February 24, 2014.During the programme, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will, as usual, respond to questions from a panel of journalists and media executives on current national issues and developments.All other radio and television stations in the country are urged to hook up to NTA and FRCN to relay the programme to their listeners and viewers. Reuben AbatiSpecial Adviser to the President(Media & Publicity)February 23, 2014Disqus seems to be taking longer than usual. 

GOOD ROAD NETWORK, THE KEY TO BEAUTIFUL AKWA IBOM

By Emmanuel Nicholas
Road transportation constitutes an integral aspect of a nation's development. Roads form one of the most important and a valuable public asset as it carries about 90percent of its passengers and a major access to rural communities, which form the food basket of every nation. It is all encompassing and pervasive and therefore affects the social, economic, and political life of every citizen. In Akwa Ibom State, road transportation accounts for 94percent of freight and 97percent of all traffic movements.
Before the entrance of Chief Godswill Akpabio as the governor of Akwa Ibom state some roads in the State particularly those hinterlands outside the state capital were not motorable, and 95percent of cities and rural communities never experienced good network, as some communities were cut off from the others as most ancient wooden constructed bridges were broken down, typical examples were Etim Ekpo and Enen Nsit bridges .
The cities of Abak, Ikot Ekpene, Oron, Ikot Abasi and Eket never experience the impact of development. Chief Dr Godswill Akpabio administration has wrought in terms of giving these cities good road network and other quality infrastructures, turning them from being glorified villages that were regarded or tagged townships into worthy image of urban centres hence making them attractive to investors and the locals
The government of Chief Godswill Akpabio has identified that good road network is the first infrastructure needed in any Nation that seek after rapid economic growth and he embarked upon massive road construction across the State without politicizing it, like concentrating in one zone of the State rather, he spread the road construction cut across all the tribes and geo-Political districts, showing a detribalized personality and a courageous Leader who wants to leave indelible mark on the sands of time.
In making sure quality jobs are delivered, the present administration sort for services of multi-nationals like Julius Berger , CCECC , Setraco, Stemco NIGER PET including some reputable indigenous construction firms who had distinquished themselves in terms of delivering quality jobs
.,CCEE, ACE works, Emem and Sons and Bas Engineering among others.
One of the avowed mission statements of the Governor of Akwa Ibom state was to pursue development with anger. That he has displayed in road construction and maintainace , as over three hundred roads had been constructed and he also established the operation Zero pot hole through the Akwa Ibom Roads. Among the roads constructed by Chief Dr Akapbio administration are dualization of Ekim Itam junction –Ikot Oku Ikono Road, eccentric fly over, Afaha Obong –Etim Ekpo–Urua Inyang–iwukem Road, Oron road Airport diversion, Oron Road 11 from Mbiabong –Airport, Ikot Obio Okpon /Lutheran Road, Ikot Ewang-Mbiaso Road, Ikot Umo Essien –Urua Eret –Ikot Udom Road with spur. Dualization of Aka -Nung Udoe Road, Ikot Akpa Erong –ikot Obio Nko –Nsit –Odot Road,Ikot Ntan-Obiokpok –Afaha Offiong-Mbiokporo 1and 11,Mkpat Enin-Ikot Abia –Ikot Etefia –Ikot Esang Road,Ikpe Ikot Nkon –Obotme –Arochukwu /Nkana Bridge ,Uyo-Afaha-Nkan –Ikot Etefia –Ikot Ukim Road.
Others include Oku –Obom-Ikot Ukana-Nkap/Abiakpo, Ikot Abia Eduo/Ikot Otu –Usaka Annang Road, Leprosy Hospital Road, Umoetteh Road, Ndon Umoh Road, Ebiyak Road, Iman Road,Studium Road, Stadium Road, Nsit Road, Essien Road , Ikot Ikono Etinan, Ring Road/ three Fly-over, Ikot Oku Ikono, Abak junction, dualization of Uyo- Ikot Ekpene Road, Etinan –Eket Oron –Ibaka Deep Seaport ( Mbo), 3rd Ring Road with five fly-overs, Ibeno Road dualization , Abak- Uyo Road, Utu Nsekhe –Ikot Akpa Nkuk Phase 11,Ikot Etim –Ikot Ibritam –ikot Ikara phase 1, and Oku-obom-Usaka Annang, ikot umosseien Road.
In his bid to make the urban centers attractive to investors and tourists, Chief Akpabio has constructed 19 Road in Abak, Ikot Abasi 28, Oron 34, ikot Ekpene 30, Eket 47, Etinan 13 and Uyo being the State capital has received the larger portion of this massive development, with 14 streets in Osongama Estate, 12 in financial layout, 15 in Ewet Housing , 5 Roads in shelter Afrique and 37 others spread across the capital city.
Uyo also has a lot of beautification projects to attract more tourists, Edet Akpan–Nwaniba has been beautified with a roundabout that has a water fountain in the middle, so also have both end of Dominic Utuk Avenue been beautified.
Another spot that has received this mind blowing beautification is the Ikot Ekpene Road – Uniuyo Junction which has been beautified with roundabout and flowers to make it heaven-like.
Governor Akpabio has refuse to allow education to suffer any set back in his time, as he also constructed several roads in many education institutions, among them are ,7 roads in University Of Uyo, ,construction of access Roads, culverts ,drains and Erosion control in Akwa ibom State Polytechnic ,Ikot Asurua, construction on internal roads /drainage at police Academy ,construction of internal roads at holy family college ,construction of internal Road of Akwa Ibom University of Technology, and internal road of college of Education Afaha Nsit ,
With the massive Road construction the State is the best in Nigeria in terms of good terrain. One could drive for fifty miles without pot hole or unconstructed street and road, therefore it is advisable that one should not sleep and drive as it will result in casualties because of the smooth network of roads.
A safe and efficient transportation system provides citizens with numerous economic benefits for Akwa Ibom State, its businesses, and communities. From reduced vehicle and fleet maintenance costs to increased economic development and job creation, the value of our roadways can be counted in many ways.

Well maintained roads and bridges allow convenient and safe access to all the ‘natural’ State has to offer whether you’re headed to work, importing or exporting products, exploring one of our many state parks, or simply visiting grandma. We want you and your loved ones to always make it home safely.

These Benefits include safer travel, reduced congestion, reduced fuel usage, reduced vehicle maintenance costs , job creation and related positive economic impact and Improved quality of life. Also are enhanced tourism opportunities, Improved access to everything, the Natural State has to offer Increased economic development opportunities, Job creation and related positive economic impact, Increased safety, satisfaction, and pride among local residents

Benefits of good roads for the state businesses, industries, and overall commerce include, reduction in commercial transportation costs, reduction in fleet maintenance costs ,reduced time frame for ground shipping, enhanced access to highway transportation network, Improved access to resources, markets, and customers overall boost to economic vitality, better roads mean safer travel.
Akwa Ibom consistently has one of the lowest traffic fatality rate in the country/ Traffic accidents killed 0.5 people in the State from 2007 to 2012, an average of 5percent fatalities per year. Improved safety features and roadway design will help reduce the number of people who lose their lives in traffic accidents and this is important for the state.
Statistics show that increased investment in road and bridge improvements saves lives. Making road lanes and shoulders wider, adding medians and improving bridges are just a few of the improvements that have been shown to significantly reduce fatalities. So the dualization of roads by Governor Godswill Akpabio is to save lives and add value to economics activities of the state .
Akwa Ibom State has the lowest fatality rate in the country today as roadway design is estimated to be a factor in approximately one-third of fatal traffic accidents. where appropriate highway improvements can reduce traffic fatalities and accidents while improving traffic flow and reducing congestion. Every 100 billion invested in highway safety improvements will result in approximately 145 fewer traffic fatalities over a 10-year period.
Bad roads cost business community money. Driving on roads in need of repair costs the motorists 100 million naria a year in extra vehicle repairs and operating costs — that is three thousand naira per motorist or approximately six hundred thousand naira per household. Costs include accelerated vehicle depreciation, additional repair costs, and increases fuel consumption and tire wear.
With good Roads economic growth thrives on easy access. Federal Highway Administration studies show that counties where highway-related improvements were made outperformed the rest of the nation in relative job growth. Researchers concluded that as much as 40 to 65 percent of job growth in the areas studied was attributable to transportation improvements.
Improvements to the highway system can have a positive impact on luring prospective companies and keeping existing companies in the State , increasing job opportunities for the citizens. With wonderful roads network in Akwa Ibom State provided by the prudent leadership of Chief Godwills Akpabio , surely, Akwa Ibom State is ready for economic boom, and the on-going industrialization will become a great success, as tourists will throng the state in great number , the beauty of the state is heavenly. And please again, don’t drive and sleep on motion. While going on sighting of the beautiful places don’t drive and sight to avoid accident. The breath taking terrain of Akwa Ibom state will mesmerize you. To go home safe, pack and watch.

Euro 2016 qualifying draw: Top teams untroubled in new format

The Euro 2016 qualifying draw was held in Nice, France on Sunday.

With more teams than ever playing at football's Euro 2016, the chances of a powerhouse not qualifying are even slimmer than before. But the expanded field -- from 16 to 24 -- means there could be a few debutants in France in two years.

Sunday's qualifying draw didn't produce a group of death, and the likes of two-time reigning champions Spain, the consistent Germans and always dangerous Italy shouldn't be sweating it out come the end of qualifying.

Spain landed in a group with Ukraine, Luxembourg, Belarus, Macedonia and Slovakia -- and of the latter quintet, only Ukraine features in the top 50 in the FIFA world rankings.

Instead of simply the group winner and best second-place finisher automatically qualifying, now the top two in the nine groups and best third-place finisher will automatically progress.

The playoffs decide the final four places.

Gibraltar, population 30,000 and about to embark on its first qualifying campaign, drew the mighty Germans along with Ireland, Poland, Scotland and Georgia.

England was paired with, among others, Switzerland -- the nation England boss Roy Hodgson used to guide.

As host, France is guaranteed a berth in the tournament but will be placed in a group where it will essentially play friendlies. In this case, Les Bleus can look forward to facing Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

"Now we know the 10 games we have to play," France coach Didier Deschamps was quoted as saying by UEFA. "It's pretty good to play a team like Portugal, as they will be prestigious matches."

UEFA president Michel Platini said Germany and England were two of the three member associations who opposed increasing the Euro 2016 field but the Frenchman wasn't fussed. He didn't name the other member association against the move.

"In any democracy, when the vast majority are in favor, you go forward with it even if England or Germany aren't for it," he told reporters this week. "The five or six biggest teams don't have much to worry about, but for the others it will be very competitive.

"So 24 teams will be as good as 16 teams."

In another change, teams contesting two matches in one qualifying round will either play on a Thursday and Sunday, Friday and Monday or Saturday and Tuesday as part of UEFA's "week of football" initiative.

Currently, international matches are mostly played on Fridays and Tuesdays.

"It was a political decision," Platini, a former European footballer of the year, said. "We took it to try and promote the football of national teams.

"Clubs play on almost every day of the week and as a result, international football has been pushed out of the limelight and we would like to see it take that limelight again."

Qualifying starts in September, two months after the World Cup in Brazil concludes.

Full draw:

Group A: Netherlands, Czech Republic Turkey, Latvia, Iceland, Kazakhstan

Group B: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Belgium, Israel, Wales, Cyprus, Andorra

Group C: Spain, Ukraine, Slovakia, Belarus, FYR Macedonia, Luxembourg

Group D: Germany, Ireland, Poland, Scotland, Georgia, Gibraltar

Group E: England, Switzerland, Slovenia, Estonia, San Marino, Lithuania

Group F: Greece, Hungary, Romania, Finland, Northern Ireland, Faroe Islands

Group G: Russia, Sweden, Austria, Montenegro, Moldova, Liechtenstein

Group H: Italy, Croatia, Norway, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, Malta

Group I: Portugal, Denmark, Serbia, Armenia, Albania, France (host)

source.(CNN) -- 

The white robber who carried out six raids disguised as a black man (and very nearly got away with it)

A white man who pleaded guilty to six robberies in Ohio used a black mask so lifelike that police initially arrested a black man for one of the crimes.

The mother of the wrongly accused man even thought a photo of the robbery suspect she saw on television was a photo of her son.

Conrad Zdzierak, 30, pleaded guilty Monday in Hamilton County Ohio to one count of aggravated robbery and five counts of robbery in a plea deal with prosecutors. 

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Conrad Zdzierak targeted four banks and a chemist within the space of three hours wearing the mask

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An unnamed black man's mother saw a surveillance video picture like this one on television and believed the robber was her son

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The silicone mask, purchased from a California costume company, behaves like real flesh and muscle

He faces up to 35 years in prison at his January 7 sentencing.

In exchange, prosecutors dismissed 12 charges and decided not to seek indictments for other crimes, prosecutor spokeswoman Julie Wilson said.

'Conrad apologises to everyone, is sorry for any harm he has caused and accepts responsibility for his actions,' his lawyer Christopher McDowell said.

Zdzierak stole about $15,000 in the robberies of four banks, a credit union and a pharmacy that occurred in March and April - crimes in which witnesses reported that the robber was black and surveillance video appeared to show a black man.

Zdzierak's masked resemblance to the black man who was initially arrested was so similar that some witnesses even identified a photo of the black man as the one who robbed them, McDowell said.

The prosecutor's office would not release the name of the wrongly accused man.

Zdzierak was arrested at a hotel after his girlfriend called police after seeing reports of the robberies and finding two masks and money stained by dye that is used to track robbers, The Cincinnati Enquirer reported.

McDowell said his client purchased the masks from SPFXmasks, based in Van Nuys, California. The silicone masks 'look and behave like real flesh and muscle,' the company's website says.

Owner Rusty Slusser said Tuesday his company's masks are normally bought for movies, Halloween, haunted houses and stage shows, but the Ohio case was not the first time they have been used for criminal purposes.

'We do not condone any illegal activity with our masks,' Slusser said.

Amaechi: I Won’t Be Deterred By Threats To Arrest Me After My Tenure

FROM LEFT: WIFE OF GOVERNOR OF RIVERS, DAME JUDITH AMAECHI; GOV. CHIBUIKE AMAECHI AND FORMER PRESIDENT OLUSEGUN OBASANJO, AT THE INAUGURATION OF ST. ANDREW PRIMARY SCHOOL MILE 1 DIOBU, IN PORT HARCOURT

Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State has dismissed the threat by the Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, that he (Amaechi) will be arrested after Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has been declared as president for a second term in 2015.

Speaking during the inauguration and handing over of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP branded buses to the 23 local government areas of the state on Friday, Wike said they had gotten wind of plans by the governor to flee the state once his tenure elapses next year.

But according to him, “Once the Independent National Electoral Commission announces the victory of President Jonathan, we will immediately shut down the Port Harcourt International Airport and all land and sea borders in Rivers State to prevent Governor Amaechi from escaping”.

But Amaechi, who remained defiant, said he would continue to speak against decisions of the Federal Government under President Jonathan as long as such decisions were against the interest of the people of the state.

The governor, who made this known on Saturday through his Chief of Staff Mr Tony Okocha, alleged that Wike was speaking the mind of the president.

He, however, stated his readiness to vote for President Jonathan come 2015 if Soku oil wells that were ceded to Bayelsa State were returned to Rivers.

Amaechi noted that though he was unaware of plans to humiliate him if the president won a second term in office next year, there was no doubt that the minister was speaking Jonathan’s mind.

He said, “I presume Wike is speaking the president’s mind. Nothing will stop me from fighting for the right and interest of the people of Rivers State. The people and residents of Rivers State are my primary constituency and I have sworn on oath to protect their interests”.