Akpabio unveils multi-billion naira empowerment programme – Newstrends
Connect with us

metro

Akpabio unveils multi-billion naira empowerment programme

Published

on

Akpabio unveils multi-billion naira empowerment programme

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, on Monday launched a comprehensive empowerment initiative worth billions of Naira for his constituents in Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District.

The programme featured the distribution of various items, including sports utility vehicles, cars, buses, motorcycles, tricycles, farm equipment, makeup kits, deep freezers, grinding machines, generators, computers, and mini hand tractors. Business grants were also disbursed to further boost economic activities in the area.

In a statement by Anietie Ekong, Special Assistant to the Senate President on Media and Communication, it was revealed that 10 paramount rulers from the district received sports utility vehicles, while over 500 students were awarded scholarships and bursaries.

Senator Akpabio explained that the initiative was designed to uplift his constituents economically and socially. He described the programme as an expression of gratitude for their overwhelming support during the last elections, which also contributed significantly to President Bola Tinubu’s victory.

“The items and grants will enhance economic activities, improve livelihoods, and elevate the well-being of the beneficiaries,” Akpabio said.

READ ALSO:

He commended the people of his senatorial district for voting en-masse for President Tinubu, noting that over 119,000 out of 160,000 votes for the president from Akwa Ibom State actually came from his district.

Senator Akpabio also commemded President Tinubu for the creation of development commissions in the country and said it would fasttrack grassroots development in the country.

“We decided to create regional developmental nexus for the president to use in sending empowerment to most regions in Nigeria. And the 10th National Assembly believes strongly that development should go to the grassroots,” Akpabio said.

The Senate President urged the people of the South South and South East to continue to support President Tinubu’s administration, noting that the president has shown love and commitment to the development of both regions.

“I can tell you that one of the best decisions the president made for the South South region was his support, together with the party, the APC, that this region should once again produce the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

The constituency briefing and empowerment programme was graced by Senators and other members of the political class, traditional rulers, religious leaders, women groups, youth groups, who came to show their support for the Senate President.

Speaking at the event, Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro praised the leadership of Senator Akpabio at the 10th National Assembly and said Akpabio enjoyed the support of his fellow Senators across party lines because of his pragmatic leadership.

The Minister of Petroleum Resources (Gas) Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo said Akpabio had justified the mandate of the people of Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District and that was why the people had decided that they would return him to the Senate to continue to offer effective representation to the people.

 

Akpabio unveils multi-billion naira empowerment programme

metro

Alleged money laundering: Court temporarily freezes 21 bank accounts, orders holders’ arrest

Published

on

Alleged money laundering: Court temporarily freezes 21 bank accounts, orders holders’ arrest

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday ordered the temporary freezing of 21 bank accounts domiciled in some commercial banks and directed the arrest of the account holders by the police.

Justice Emeka Nwite gave the order after counsel for the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police, Ibrahim Mohammed, moved a motion ex-parte to the effect.

Justice Nwite also granted the “order directing the banks to issue details of the account package(s) and to place a Post-No-Debit (PND) on the accounts, disable the ATMs while allowing inflow into the said accounts” pending the conclusion of the investigation.

“I have listened to the submission of the learner counsel for the applicant and gone through the affidavit evidence.

“I am of the view that the motion ex-parte is meritorious.

“The application is hereby granted except that the period of the investigation can only last for a period of 90 days,” Justice Nwite said.

The judge adjourned the matter until April 3 for mention.

The banks are Access Bank Plc, Sterling Bank Ltd, Wema Bank Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, Union Bank Plc, Guarantee Trust Bank Ltd, United Bank of Africa Plc, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, First Monument Bank Plc, Heritage Bank Plc, TAJ Bank Plc and Keystone Bank Plc.

READ ALSO:

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that while the I-G is the applicant in the motion ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1965/V/2024, the 13 banks are sued as 1st to 13 defendants respectively.

The I-G, in the motion filed by Mohammed, sought an interim order directing the listed “banks to freeze the accounts mentioned in the schedule attached to this summon pending investigation and prosecution of this case.

“An order directing the banks to issue details of the account package(s) and to place a Post-No-Debit (PND) on the accounts, disable the ATM while allowing inflow into the said account as from the date of this court order.

Alleged money laundering: Court temporarily freezes 21 bank accounts, orders holders’ arrest

Continue Reading

metro

Youths beat Osun monarch for appointing Imam on disputed community

Published

on

Youths beat Osun monarch for appointing Imam on disputed community

The crisis erupted in the Hallelujah community in Egbedore local government area of Osun State on Friday, as enraged residents beat the newly installed Ajeniju of Hallelujah, Oba Jelili Olaiya while attempting to conduct jumat service in the area.

The Ajeniju, who was installed by the Timi of Ede a few months ago, against the will of the Ido-Osun community, was beaten to a pulp by angry youths, saying he had no right to install a chief Imam in the community.

It was gathered that the monarch had last week turbaned one Ahmad Tijjani as Chief Imam of the Hallelujah community, but while gathering some people at his palace to observe jumat prayer, some youth allegedly from Ido-Osun invaded the palace and disrupted the exercise.

Some of the aggrieved youths while shouting at the monarch queried his authority to install and conduct jumat prayer in a domain belonging to a separate monarch.

READ ALSO:

The mob beat the monarch seriously and vandalised the palace before security operatives could intervene in the situation.

A security source who pleaded anonymity disclosed that it took the intervention of security operatives to rescue the monarch from the scene.

“The situation escalated, resulting in the vandalization of the palace and a physical attack on Ajenifuja of Hallelujah, who sustained serious injuries. He has since been taken to the State CID for further investigation and safety”, said the source.

However, another source in the community disclosed that the monarch has been taken to the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo for treatment.

Confirming the incident, the Special Adviser to Governor Ademola Adeleke on Security, Hon. Samuel Ojo said he will not comment on the incident pending the outcome of an investigation on the matter.

Youths beat Osun monarch for appointing Imam on disputed community

Continue Reading

metro

Lagos commuter bus summersaults, LASTMA rescues 8 injured passengers

Published

on

Lagos commuter bus summersaults, LASTMA rescues 8 injured passengers

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has rescued eight injured passengers involved in an accident at Hammadiya inward Abule-Egba.

The LASTMA General Manager, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, confirmed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.

The statement was signed by Mr Taofiq Adebayo, Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, LASTMA.

Bakare-Oki said the road traffic incident which involved a commercial long bus, popularly referred to as ‘Molue,’ at Hammadiya inward Abule-Egba, caused severe injuries and significant disruption to traffic.

“The accident was triggered when the vehicle, registered as KTU 801 XM, lost control at excessive speed, reportedly due to driver impatience.

“In an attempt to avoid colliding with another LT commercial bus and pedestrians awaiting transport at the roadside, the driver veered sharply, resulting in the bus crashing into the expressway median and overturning.

“Several passengers sustained injuries, while others escaped through the bus’s windows,” he said.

READ ALSO:

He said that officers from LASTMA promptly arrived at the scene, executed a well-coordinated and efficient rescue operation.

“Eight individuals, including five males and three females, suffered varying degrees of injuries. Among the injured was the bus driver, who sustained a fractured left arm.

“All victims were immediately handed over to LASAMBUS medical personnel and transported to the General Hospital at Ile-Epo for urgent medical attention,” he said.

Bakare-Oki said to ensure the free flow of traffic and public safety, LASTMA’s Response Unit was swiftly mobilised to oversee the removal of the overturned vehicle.

Continue Reading

Trending