LIVENEWSGUNS

 RIVERS CRISIS: WHOM THE GODS WOULD DESTROY, THEY FIRST MAKE MAD   By Aniekan Udofia  The latin concept, "Quos Deus vult perdere, prius dementat," which literally means in English: Those whom God wishes to destroy, he first deprives of reason, captures the political situation in Rivers State.  When the crisis began in Rivers State, there were those who knew that the battle was only dictated by the former governor Nyesom Wike because the current governor had not found his footing. In what many laughed at, it was an act of scorn by former governor of Ekiti State  Ayodele Fayose to look an incoming governor in the face and warned him not to try his predecessor that he would crush him. The likes of Fayose and some others have extolled Wike to the point that the former governor of Rivers State saw himself larger than life. Like an emperor, Wike reigned supreme in Rivers State and, in his own word, singlehandedly bought the forms for all the elected political office h...

 GODSWILL AKPABIO : KEEPING IT IN PERSPECTIVE                    Sen.  Akpabio I received calls from ardent followers of my *KIIP* column to re-publish a piece I wrote on March 8, 2019 about Sen. Godswill Obot Akpabio’s political future after he lost the Senate race in 2019. The article was inspiredy by the negative press statement by Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem after Godswill lost the election. In the article, I made some  strong predictions about his political future, (while those that called me today say I 'prophesied”. Today, in the wake of his election as the Senate President, they ask me to publish the said article again. And I have hereby obliged.  And my solemn prayer is that may God guide him to use the powerful position, the third in Nigerian national protocol list, for the good benefits of the common man in the country and particularly his most neglected, often forgotten and vulnerable Annang women and children....

  Governor Umo Eno:  the peg of good governance, peace, unity By IFIOKABASI ABIA In a significant move, Governor Umo Eno has demonstrated a commitment to peace and unity in Akwa Ibom State. By hosting the reception and 61st birthday celebration of the President of the 10th Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, he did not only provides a venue for this important event but also underscores the importance of collaboration between state and federal leadership.  The governor's presence alongside some of his State Executive Council members at the celebration signals a concerted effort to foster harmonious relations and strengthen the state's ties with the federal government. This gesture reflects Governor Umo Eno's dedication to promoting a spirit of love and cooperation for the benefit of Akwa Ibom State. Governor Umo Eno's decision to host the reception and 61st birthday celebration for Senator Godswill Akpabio, the President of the Senate, speaks volumes about his commitment to f...

    “After every storm the sun will smile; for every problem there is a solution, and the soul’s indefeasible duty is to be of good cheer.” – William R. Alger Every trying time in human history comes with agents of solutions who turned out to become heroes and celebrated icons. One of our illustrious sons, Prof. (Dr) Augustine Vincent Umoh, is serving as the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Health at a time dreadful Covid-19 pandemic gnaws at not only the state but the entire humanity. There is never a more difficult time to be a health commissioner in the history of Akwa Ibom than this morbid period in which the state government is under intense pressure to contend the spread of the evil pandemic that does not only brought economic hardship but put human lives into a serious risk of survival. Just like Dr. Thomas Dyer Tuttle, a Washington Health Commissioner in the United States who was celebrated for his outstanding contributions to the fight against the Spanish Influenza pa...

  By Joe Iniodu There seems to be no end to the new wave of change that has greeted the Niger Delta  Development Commission (NDDC) under the supervision of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and  under the watch of Senator Godswill Akpabio, CON.  On September 28, 2021, the Commission delivered 67 flats to the Nigeria Police Special Protection Unit, Base 6, Omagwa in Rivers State. The sprawling structure also has other complementary features to give it that contemporary edge of sync with modernity.  From Omagwa in Rivers State, the next likely port of call which would attract yet another array of movers and shakers is Uyo in Akwa Ibom State, where NDDC is again set to deliver another landmark social investment; the construction of a 1000 bed space, which would accommodate students of the University of Uyo.  The edifice which is at about 98% completion, bears the architectural brand of NDDC headquarters building with the façade, design and aesthetics serving...

             Emmanuel Amama                  IFIOKABASI Abia What is the prayer of many? Some replied 'live a good life', 'take care of myself', 'plan for my old age', 'plan for my family', 'celebrate my birthday in a grand style'. All of this prayers are good but the ultimate goal of life is to leave a legacy to humanity. What will the unborn generation remember you for? Like Jesus Christ, as it is recorded in Mathew chapter five; the Bible says Jesus preach the gospel and heal the sick. After, three days when the people wanted to go, he had compassion for them.  He asked his disciples if any bread is available for them feed. Peter replied, there is no market for them to buy bread, excep a little lad with five loaves of bread and two fishes. Jesus knew what is going on with the people. Some will get home without bread. He asked Peter to get the bread from the lad.  Thank God...

Prior to the end of OBONG Attahs administration, Emmanuel Ukoette, a dynamic youth leader who led a coalition of youths across the state in support of the administrations re-election was only appointed personal assistant to the then governor on youth mobilization barely few months to the end of the administration. Today that same youth was appointed first, as special assistant to the governor on environment, later GM Ibom Taxi Scheme and today, a three  term member of the green chamber of this country all because of Akpabios Boys to Men leadership development philosophy. I remember vividly the commissioning of the un completed stock exchange building located on the Udo Udoma business district and the public outburst and reservations of the then president of the commission, over the deceit of such commissioning. I remember how a visibly angry former president of this country asked for the IPP to switched on when he was invited to commission the plant, even after...

Those who showed love or claimed to have loved Godswill Obot Akpabio are leading a war. They've culled a section of wisdom to defend their action. They now wear new garments. Quite different from the past. And different from what they told us. So full of defense, just to sustain the tempo of political enchantments. They are up in arms against the uncommon man for committing a moral wrong.  Yes, to them, Godswill Akpabio played god, not until now. When they suddenly realized themselves. What then happens to the former political guidelines? Now is the time for biased differentiation.    Within this period, Godswill Akpabio might have returned to the drawing board. But will he still find anything written there? Because, his friends or enemies might have played a fast one on him. Whatever happens should teach him that everything goes, everything comes back. Eternally rolls the wheel of being. Everything dies, everything blossoms again. Eternally runs the year of b...

After the elections, comes reactions. Punching in high places. Nothing seems so brutal than an otherwise strong argument against a popular candidate. In perilous times like this, any man goes. Anything different from the one currently faced by the APC governorship candidate, Obong Nsima Ekere is a flying game. Before now, Nsima had dropped a message. Urging people to be confident. He promised to be closer than a brother. And sticker than blood. That he's coming for good. And that, when he comes. Things will be done the proper way.  Just like the biblical waiting for the son of God. Many Akwa Ibomites were anxious, patiently waiting for the coming of Nsima Ekere. It was like tsunami. Swept everyone off their feet. 'Nsima Is coming' filled the air. Coming to where was the question. Wherever he was coming to. Whatever he was coming for. Wherever he was coming from. Whatever he intended coming to do. Was never in the consciousness of anyone. But they all followed ...

                   Igini By Gideon Ekere This joke is a serious one. Because it is making us suffer a throwback to the era of political buccaneers. It's not that funny, but painful in disguise. The anger is increasing. No more as usual. Making time and human enemies. And we are still wondering. Where an election umpire brought a die-hearted fellow from. Wherever, whoever he is, we will get to know more in the-yet-to-be unfolded movie. After jogging many kilometers to escape political dragons. Another one emerged from the moon. Just like my Igbo friends would exclaim. After being threatened by an ugly scene. Ogini kwano? Meaning, what is it. I've been forced to jump into the ring. Just to meet a man who came to serve. But has refused to serve with his two hands. I possibly want to ask him a democratic question. Expressed with a million thought. And then leaves him to his ancestral feelings. If not properly answered, hearts will be t...

By Udeme Ankott  “Above all, don't lie to yourself. The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to a point that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect, he ceases to love.” ― Fyodor Dostoevsky It's all over. Until the second leg anyway. A  brilliant game. Paris St. Germain started and finished magnificently, but missed a stack of chances. Barcelona were defensively suspect, but made their host pay for their profligacy with a fortuitous Messi goal and two clinical volleys by Coutinho, giving the Catalan giants a lead to take back home for the second leg. Tonight had it all: great goals, bizarre goals, early goals, late goals, headed goals, mesmerising skill, several lollipops, defensive fragility, a confusing red card and ultimately a hugely satisfactory result for Ernesto Valverde and co. Lionel Messi runs towards Neymar Jnr, the PSG talisman and says, “o my me...

By Ette Udo Sunny The Holy Bible advises that no one should embark on a project without first sitting to calculate the cost, to avoid failure and its attendant embarrassment. It is in keeping with this wise counsel that discerning individuals, organizations and governments conduct feasibility studies before they initiate a project of any kind. To this end, cost evaluation of a venture, its expected benefits and challenges, as well as its viability and practicability become imperative. It is pertinent to state here that our Lord Jesus Christ proffered this advice to us, his followers, warning us against spurious and unattainable project launchings or groundbreakings, ostensibly to spare us the embarrassing waste of resources and dashed hopes associated with it. However, it is most unfortunate and pathetic that our governor, His Excellency, the Revered Deacon Udom Emmanuel, out of desperation for a scorecard vis-a-vis 2019 polls, has repeatedly failed to avail us primarily, the...

 By Osuini Francis Akwa Ibom Civil Servants who were once beneficiaries of Akpabiomba; an extra salary in the last month of the year, promotion arrears, leave grants and other juicy perks are today on the throes of uncertainty and resultant hardship under Governor Udom Emmanuel. The reason for the spiteful treatment they are getting from the governor is unknown to them. But they believe that if a governor they overwhelmingly voted for in 2015 and who is seeking a second term in office could unleash such hardship on civil servants in his first term, then it behooves them to be wise as they return to the polls on March 2, 2019. "In the era of Akpabio, civil servants fared well", said a civil servant who craved for anonymity. "It was our promotion arrears and other perks that we often used to buy land and build our houses each time such entitlement came", he continued. "Now no civil servant can boast of purchasing a parcel of land, not to talk of building ...