Akwa-Ibom Refutes Rape Claim in Abandoned Children's Home - NAN

Mrs. Mary Ayaewa, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare in Akwa Ibom has refuted claims that female children in the state government run Divine Orphanage Home were raped.

She denied the claims in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Uyo.

The permanent secretary said that it was an attempt by some disgruntled managers of private orphanage homes in whose care the children used to be, until they were requisitioned by the state government.

"Most of these private homes used the children to make much money from international donors without actually taking care of the children properly. It was for that reason that the state government decided to remove the children from their custody. We are not surprised at this development as we already know that there is no truth in the allegations they are making," she said.

According to Ayaewa, the children are in good hands with adequate security being provided by mobile policemen.

She disclosed that some of the children had been admitted to nearby day and boarding schools, while some others had commenced vocational studies.

On the allegations that the children were kept out of school by the ministry, she said, "the children needed to settle down since they were now in a new environment. That was even during the holiday period."

Ayaewa maintained that the state government was committed to the welfare of the orphans.

"The wife of the governor, Mrs. Ekaette Akpabio visited the home recently and ordered that additional cloths should be provided for them.

According to the permanent secretary, the state government has initiated free and compulsory education to enable the children to discover their potential.

NAN reports that 471 abandoned children, accused of witchcraft, were evacuated by the women affairs and social welfare ministry from private children's homes to a government owned orphange at the Uyo Security Village.

Why abandoned children were evacuated - Eunice Thomas

Written by EKONG INYANG                                  Eunice Thomas

-

The immediate past Commissioner in-charge of the Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs. Eunice Thomas penultimate week shaded more light on why government took some drastic steps to evacuate the 471 abandoned and branded children scattered all over Eket in AKS.

 In a 32 minute chat that revealed most bizarre things about those bodies that laid claims to the custodianship of the disadvantaged children, the former Commissioner told Weekend Insight that the government’s via her ministry then, decided to most swiftly against those bodies parading themselves as ‘care givers’ to the vulnerable children whereas their real intention is to safe guard their individual pockets.

Mrs.  Thomas - an amiable woman, mother and very Godly entity then said “The journey to reclaiming and relocating the 471 children started when the ministry received calls, SMS, letters from well placed individuals, organizations and even SOS from the children concerned.

For instance, a website called AK Global Forum on witchcraft has this on its page, ”witch children cry out “Stepping stones Nigeria has failed us”, she told weekend Insight adding that even reports and other investigations by the ministry revealed that those children camped at the now defunct Qua River Hotel and the stadium by Stepping Stones Nigeria were given N300  each, every two days as feeding allowance.

Weekend Insight learnt also that aside the N300, those disadvantaged children were also receiving free condoms to promote sexual immortality amongst them.

Investigations carried out by this reporter showed that already amongst them exists a pregnant teenager that the authorities have apprehended the man responsible for the act.

But the immediate past head of the women ministry Eunice Thomas asking rhetorically wished to the “Who are SSNCEF’s sponsors and where do they get their financial assistance from?

Again, she would like to know how an organization priding itself as a covering for helpless persons would allow those it supposes to protect to sleep under tippers arguing that at another place “the house SSNCEF placed the children did not even have a roof of its own”.

“The questions arising from this are, “how much do you make on each of them and who has been your sponsors? Mrs. Thomas asked wondering if it was proper for any organization to feed fat on the vulnerability of innocent children deprived of their rights by their parent’s insensitivity.

On CRARN, the soft spoken mother of four said “CRARN director has not been in office for five (5) months now and has not even paid his staff for the period. There’s no fence and the toilet facility no corpse could be placed in there. The general living condition of the evacuated children was abysmal and to say the least appalling”. Mrs. Thomas fumed.

She informed Weekend Insight that given the scenario above, the ministry did not have nay other choice than to move in swiftly and taken possession of those children and I have to thank His Excellency, Chief Godswill Akpabio for extending the most sincere support for the cause of the children.

“He did not spare anything. From the facility the children are camped to the environment, there’s absolutely no way anybody can void his “governor’s willingness to give these lovely children a meaningful existence.

“We are only doing what was and is still expected of us. (Myself and the permanent secretary Barrister Mrs. Mary Ewa) have and will not do anything to hurt any individual talk less of using the machinery of government to subdue a man out of his right. Go forbid! “She said in an attempt to answer to the allegation that the government forcefully evacuated the children without the consent of the organizations primarily responsible for the children upkeep and welfare.

However both CRARN and SSNCEF had at different fora and platforms held media chat to acknowledge  government’s kind gesture on the children while pledging to work with the Ministry of Women Affairs in actualizing government’s goals in that direction.

Meanwhile all efforts by Weekend Insight to get the SSNCEF programme Director Mr. Lucky Imo Inyang to speak on the issue were unsuccessful as Inyang on several occasions avoided the meetings arranged by this reporter.
Taken from


Weekly Insight Newspaper

The Great Debate-Libya’s democracy has a real chance

                                             Ghadafi's shameful death
By Daniel Serwer

The views expressed are his own.

Libyans will be getting up late tomorrow morning, having enjoyed a spectacular celebration tonight.  “The Wizard of Oz” comes to mind:  “The witch is dead, the wicked witch is dead!”

Now begins the hard work of building a more open and democratic society with some distinct advantages, and Libya has vast resources—not only the oil and gas in the ground, but also cash in foreign bank accounts.  Qaddafi’s ironic legacy is that his ill-gotten gains will fund Libya’s reconstruction.

The population is small (about 6.5 million) and more or less homogenous.  There are tribal and geographic distinctions, there are Berbers as well as Arabs, there are blacker people and whiter people and there are rich and poor.  But none of these differences has yet emerged as a source of widespread violence.

All the Libyans I talked with during a visit to Benghazi and Tripoli last month showed confidence in the National Transitional Council (NTC), which has drawn a roadmap for preparation of a constitution and elections that is widely accepted as reasonable and legitimate.  Much criticized by the Western press for bungling a few public announcements, the NTC has managed to continue paying social security benefits and subsidizing bread.  In Benghazi and Tripoli, the water and electricity are flowing, markets are open and well stocked, police are on the street and at least some of the garbage is being collected. For most Libyans, that counts for a lot more than whether an announcement of Saif al Islam’s capture was true or not.

Most of Libya was rid of Qaddafi regime more than a month ago.  The main sources of friction so far have been two:  fighters, mainly from the Nafusa Mountains in the west, who have not wanted to leave Tripoli; and Islamists who seem ready to push for a less secular society than many Libyans would like.  Islam is already pervasive in Libya—most women cover their hair, alcohol is prohibited (and not generally available), mosques are ubiquitous and, I am told, well attended.  Libya’s Muslim Brotherhood is relatively moderate, as are its secularists.

                                               Ghadafi died on the way to hospital

But there will have to be political differentiation:  left and right, Islamists and secularists will begin soon to form political parties.  That process will not be an easy or smooth one for people with no democratic experience and a lot of guns, including surface to air missiles looted from Qaddafi’s armories. There is a real risk of revenge killing by militias and of insurgency by Qaddafi loyalists.

But Libya has better prospects than much larger and poorer Egypt, where the protesters handed power to a military that is now reluctant to surrender it. Nothing is guaranteed, but a democratic Libya that enjoys good relations with Europe and the United States is a real possibility.

                                                  A 'rat' removed from the sewage and killed?

A Three Week-Old Boy’s Arm Amputated, Mother Cries for Help

                                           Akwa Ibom babies often suffer like Etimbuk
Written by
Marshall Jones

 The birth of little Etimbuk heralded joy in the family and communities of Udung Otong, in Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria; but the joy in less than three weeks was reversed to sadness as the half brother of the baby, Nathaniel John 27, used machetes to chop off the infant's right arm.
  The half brother, Nathaniel, who is based in Calabar but frequently visits home sometimes to vent his anger and frustration on any one mostly children, did not waist time to make the little boy his next victim. Mrs Enobong John told  Newsmen that the little child fell asleep after breastfeeding in the morning of Tuesday, September 27 while she was in the kitchen to handle a few domestic chores.
 “I head the child crying, I thought it was the usual cry of children who needed to be cuddled as his yelling became even harder, but within a few moments his, brother, Israel, ran to me raising alarm which bewildered every one. I ran into the room only to see blood spills all over the room; my son’s arm was cut off with blood pool all over his body and the beddings …” Mrs Enobong lamented
 The baby was immediately rushed to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) where he is said to be receiving treatment. The mother who trades firewood in the local markets told this reporter that her husband has since retired from work and was bedridden due to ill-health.
 A senior Doctor of the Orthopaedic Unit of the UUTH, who merely gave his name as Dr Nortich said the baby's health will be okay when given appropriate treatment; but refused to comment on the possibility of rejoining his arm.

 Commenting on the matter, the Police Public Relation Officer of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Oyenka Orji said the matter was under investigation by the police. On whether the suspect was a mentally retarded person as speculated, he maintained that the police will only rely on a medical report of a qualified doctor to ascertain his mental status.
 It was gathered that no sooner had he committed the crime than taking to his hill. But speculations were rife that some able-bodied youth who went after him later apprehended him and sent him to his early grave.

 The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Eunice Thomas was placed on a phone call, but as soon as the matter was raised to her she abruptly dropped the call and refused to pick any from this reporter.

 Reacting to the appeal to help the infant for his medial treatment, a Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Affair to Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Clement Ikpatt expressed bitterness as to why the matter was allowed to get into the media.
 “…it would have been easier, faster and best to first report matter to relevant government agencies in Akwa Ibom State for action than resort to a fund's raising campaign and unnecessary publicity stunt on the Internet. Yes, it is commendable to help the needy and engage in various forms of humanitarian services.” Ikpatt roared.

                                                Baby Etimbuk gasping for breath
 Yet admitted that: Nevertheless, I urge all who wish to undertake child rescue missions, or are in the habit of being suddenly called upon by strangers to rescue abused children, to contact and properly register each case with the relevant government ministry for purposes of accountability.

 But in a ten paragraph response, the author of the best-selling novel, “Beyond Execution…” and Chairman of the Diaspora Ibom People’s Congress (IPC) Dr Tom Mbeke-Ekanem commended Ms Favour Onobo, for drawing attention of the world to the plight of little Etimbuk and called upon well meaning individuals to come the aid of the three week old. He however, berated the Akwa Ibom State government for being insensitive to the plight of vulnerable children like this and quick to venture into “denials” with bloated ego and image on such issues involving the plight of children.

 “I have also seen in the last week a thrash in the name of press release by the agent of the government supposedly in reaction to your sharing of this information with us. I am sure if you did not append the pictures of the baby, theirs would have been a complete denial of existence of such baby. Thank God you were not accused of importing the picture from Benin Republic or wherever.

 “It's still fresh in our minds the denials of the so called witchcraft children at Eket by the state government. To make sure Akwa Ibom was not portrayed "negatively" before the world, (CEO of CRARN) Sam Itauma, the Good Samaritan, was hounded down like a common criminal. Left for the state government, those kids would still be “skinned and roasted” alive for no fault of theirs while they look the other way. May you not be given a Sam Itauma – treatment!” Dr Mbeke-Ekanem maintained
 He recalled that a similar incident like this occurred in July this year involving one little Mfoniso Edet. He was allowed to die due to negligence while the state governor was busy touring the globe scampering for awards to receive.

 “Was it not in July 2011 that the fate of another Akwa Ibom child, Mfoniso Edet, dangled in the hands of the good Samaritans around the world? As tragic as this was unfortunate, Mfoniso died in August 2011 while his governor was receiving yet another "award" of inhumane transformation of the state in a far away Houston, Texas?... How insensitive or inhumane should those entrusted with the citizens lives continue to be?” He queried.

 Meanwhile Mrs Favour Onobo has appealed to well-meaning individuals and bodies to donate for the help of little Etimbuk and children facing similar fate in Akwa Ibom State. 

                                            Three Weeks Old baby Etimbuk crying for help

AKWA IBOM STATE @24! A PITY

Written by
Obong Umana,
As the citizens of Akwa Ibom State commemorate the occasion of their
state creation, as we congratulate each other for the journey since,
we must look back and ask, "Are we better off since?".
Today the leadership of Akwa Ibom State is known within the
international community for seven things only viz.
1. Operating an unsafe territory
2. Suppressing freedom of speech and the free press
3. Hostility toward private investments
4. Human right abuses
5. Protracted litigation over election fraud
6. A narcissist governor who travels the world buying accolades
7. Murders, Kidnappings, and Political intimidations
But rejoice Akwa Ibom, for ultimately, power belongs to the people,
Akwa Ibom people.
Today Godswill and his gang of oppressors gather in celebration, in a
multi million dollars banquet hall; continuing in their con and image
laundering stunts, even as Akwa Ibom populace wallow in abject
poverty, and government employees wonder from whence the next meal is
going to come for their children!
Godswill seek to inflate his ego with worthless titles, proclamations
and City keys, honorary credentials from unaccredited institutions
(claiming accomplishment in management science!), yet he remains who
he is!
The psychology of accolades procurement has been diagnosed as
symptomatic of deep seated "depleted self esteem" and a feeling of
worthlessness.
The pathology of accolades purchase also reveal "poor child in a
cookie jar syndrome".
Individuals with the combined diagnosis of "depleted self esteem" and
"poor child in a cookie jar syndrome" has never evolved into good
leaders for the simple fact that they expend extreme energy seeking
recognition, seeking adulation at every turn, and invariably over
compensate.
Leadership…Leadership…Leadership? Oh Professor!!
This, Akwa Ibom, is the sorry circumstance that we find ourselves in
this season.
At 24, we cannot celebrate without remembering the hundreds kidnapped
and assassination during the past four years under the reign of
Godswill (the Clown in a Gown).
At 24, we cannot celebrate without remembering Philomina Udonwa, Paul
Inyang, and Edidem James Robert Obot.
At 24, we cannot celebrate without remembering the demise of CRARN and
the fate of abused children in Akwa Ibom State. And attack on their
rescuer, Sam Itauma.
At 24, we cannot celebrate without remembering the demise of Amakpe
refinery and the teaming unemployed youths in Akwa Ibom State.
At 24, we cannot celebrate without remembering all the political
prisoners who are still anguishing in prisons across Nigeria.
At 24, we cannot celebrate without remembering Christy Ibokwe and her
prophesies.
At 24, we cannot celebrate without remembering that Akwa Ibom treasury
has been turned into an Akpabio family cash cow.
Godswill on August 6, 2011, with glee during a one man stand up comedy
show in Houston USA, proclaimed that the metric for determining
whether Akwa Ibom Citizens are better off since the beginning of his
reign is "if you can arrive at Uyo Airport and drive to your home in
five minutes".
Let me submit to Godswill that such bogus metric, even in the euphoria
of a standup comedy show, is rather condescending.
Security of life and property, peace and prosperity of 70 percentile
of Akwa Ibom Populace, these are the metrics by which we hold Akwa
Ibom government accountable to.
One of the worthy business and governance principle adopted in every
civilized society is the commitment to accountability; where we pledge
to "be honest and open and model the highest standard of corporate
integrity".
Conducting the people's business fairly and honestly is a tenet of
good governance. Integrity is not a novel concept in the lives of Akwa
Ibom indigenes.
However, we cannot honestly say that Godswill and his hang of PDP
politicians have made the personal commitment to act ethically in a
rapidly changing governance environment. We cannot say that Godswill
and Akwa Ibom legislators have conformed their actions to the highest
standards that are universally expected of persons in their role.
We therefore cannot celebrate without a strong sense of PITY for Akwa
Ibom State, our motherland.

Pity Akwa Ibom State…
Pity the state that builds roads and flyovers while her citizens
wallow in abject poverty and ignorance.
Pity a state whose citizens live in palpable fear, some exiled in far
away places, while Godswill contract electronic surveillance and
eavesdropping on citizens to Middleeastern contractors.
Pity the State that is full of beliefs and empty of religion,
Pity the State that wears cloth it does not weave,
Pity the State that eats bread it does not harvest,
Pity the State that drinks wine that flows not from its own wine-press.
 Pity the State that acclaims the bully as hero, and that
deems the glittering conqueror bountiful,
Pity the State that despises passion in its dream,
yet submits in its awakening.
Pity the State that raises not its voice
save when it walks in a funeral,
boasts not except among its ruins,
and will rebel not save when its neck is laid
between the sword and the block.
Pity the State whose statesman is a Fox and a "Madagascar Lion",
whose philosopher is a juggler and "Treasury Bugler",
and whose art is the art of murder, kidnapping, and intimidation.
Pity the State divided into fragments,
each fragment deeming itself a nation.
Adapted from Khalil Gibran
*The Garden of the Prophet* (1934)
Akwa Ibom where is your passion?
Why do your voice cease after the wailings along the funeral routes,
even as they massacre your leaders? From Barrister Udonwa through Paul
Inyang and Philomena Udonwa, to Edidem James Robert Obot, the Oku Ibom
III.
Why do you behave like a conquered people?
Why do you join your Statesman Fox to persecute your sons and
daughters, your own, From Barrister Udonwa through Paul Inyang and
Philomena Udonwa, to Edidem James Robert Obot, the Oku Ibom III , to
John James Akpanudoedehe, and hundreds of murdered and kidnapped? How
bad could they be that when their necks were laid between the sword
and the block, you let the Statesman Fox walk your land like the
glittering Conqueror?! Still!!
What exactly do we have to celebrate? Highways and flyovers on an
impoverished population?? Unpaid wages to government employees?!
Little Mfoniso Edet died without basic healthcare??? Celebrate this?!
Is this the uncommon transformation you have been waiting for?!
Is this the Change you deserve?!
Are we celebrating CT scans and other imaging equipments in our
"International Specialist Hospitals"?! Celebrating people getting well
once they arrive at the gates of Emmanuel Hospital in Eket?!
Akwa Ibom yearns for that bright, caring, and uniting leadership.
Akwa Ibom yearns for that mantra that rings "Law and Order, Public
safety, healthcare for all, food for all, literacy for all, and
Justice for all".
Akwa Ibom yearns for Unity; unity of people, unity of purpose, unity
for our State's survival.
Unity, that is the necessary and satisfactory condition to win the future.
Akwa Ibom cannot continue to fraction and dream of a free and fair future.
The way forward ---
1. Akwa Ibom must return to a value system free of cults and tyrant
leadership; rather a servant governor must be bestowed upon the
people.
The government of Akwa Ibom State must ultimately return to the people.
Every Akwa Ibom person must be a stakeholder, capable of feeding his
or her self and capable of defending self and family by any means
necessary.
2. What is good for the people, must be good for Godswill, his
children, and his wife.
Education is free in Akwa Ibom State, isn’t it?!
Akwa Ibom State has a 23rd century education system, doesn't it?!
Akwa Ibom children can compete globally in technology and the
sciences, can't they?!
Why then don't Godswill's and Umana's children take full advantage of
these values and attend schools in Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria?! Why
schools in Lagos and England?!
We know the truth; the quality of education in Akwa Ibom State is
substandard despite the noise on free and compulsory education!
Now therefore, investment in re-engineering the educational system
must not become a political con job.
Let me be clear here, education must not be limited to formal primary,
secondary, and college instructions, rather, education must be an
organic infusion of information and data into every Akwa Ibom person.
Armed with information, and connected through technology, the viral
structure will be made feasible, for the liberation of the mass in
Akwa Ibom State.
Freedom of the Press must be understood as an education enabler, just
as much as the much touted eLibrary and free education.

Repression and suppression of the Press, as is the practice under
Godswill and under consideration by Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, must
be resisted.
Akwa Ibom must preserve freedom of speech of her citizens with the
ultimate sacrifice if necessary.
Education that liberates the mind is what Akwa Ibom yearns for.

3. Small business remains the engine of economic development globally.
Akwa Ibom State yearns for a government that promotes indigenous
entrepreneurs and indigenous technical capacity development.
How long shall we rely on Germans and the Chinese, the Arabs and the
Indians, and now the Americans to build monuments for Akwa Ibom State,
Nigeria, and Africa?!
How could we possibly guard our national security and walk around in
zoot suits, when the innermost sanctum of our dwelling is designed and
built by the Germans?!
The blue print of our hill top mansion rest free for all in cyberspace.
Akwa Ibom yearns for leaders that understand some fundamentals.
We must therefore demand support for local and indigenous investments
with micro loans, underpinning infrastructure development in energy
and low cost voice and data communication, workforce readiness in
related technologies, and management support.

These are the things that Akwa Ibom State must enable through
intelligent engagement and strategic planning.
Strategic sectors including Energy, Agriculture, Machine tool, Food
processing, Public transportation, and Construction must be enabled
for startups.
These underlie the essential thoughts for food; thoughts for the
welfare; and thoughts for the economic viability of Akwa Ibom State.
That Amakpe Refinery lie this day in a warehouse in Houston, Texas,
just because the equity structure of Corporate Amakpe has not been
adjusted to fit Godswill's nepotic bent, is not a matter for
celebration.
4. Security, Public safety, Security – the future of Akwa Ibom State
and everything good, rises and falls with the state of security and
public safety in Akwa Ibom State.
The exiled must return without fear of being kidnapped or assassinated
by Godswill and his cult bangers.
Abdicating responsibility for security to the Federal Government
tantamount to abdicating governance responsibility.
Where then is our governor?!
We have no need for a glittering conqueror deck out with certificates,
keys, red strip less gowns, and assorted purchased honoraries!
But we know why our security concerns have no resolution still!
The problem is within; and he that bred the viper for a pet, must
destroy the viper that has grown into a two headed monster.
Evil has beset Akwa Ibom State.
Isaelis and electronic eavedropping?!
Not even the Israelis can stop this evil.
One month has elapsed since Godswill shamelessly proclaimed in Houston
"the Egyptians you see today, you will not see tomorrow". Question:
Umana Umana, has the Israelis stopped crimes in Akwa Ibom State Yet?!
Godswill stop the sheared; no investment is coming to Akwa Ibom State
with current state of security.
Akwa Ibom State is still a No-Go area; can't you understand that?!

5. The Justice project must be rooted in law and order in Akwa Ibom
State. Justice must be seen to be swift and fair.
Godswill has pervaded justice; bought justice with money; bought the
office of governor from Tribunal and Appellate Judges.
Most of murderers and kidnappers, when arrested and charged, are
released surreptitiously or on nolle prosequi by the Government.
Decree 2, the tyrant tool remain a torture tool in Akwa Ibom State; so
what justice is Akwa Ibom celebrating?
What reason do the third rate college Professor of "business science"
say Akwa Ibom has to celebrate?! Where is justice for all?!
Justice has been bastardised in Akwa Ibom State.
Tell me, why is Chris Ekong still in prison awaiting trial after so many years?!

Justice?!
But justice Akpabio will plead at the end time.
Justice will never rest till Godswill is a ward of the International
Court of Justice for crimes of Political Assassinations, Abuse of the
civil rights of citizens, and if investigation concludes so, money
laundering.
Pity the State that acclaims the bully as hero, and that deems the
glittering conqueror bountiful.
Pity the State whose statesman is a Fox and a "Madagascar Lion",
whose philosopher is a juggler and "Treasury Bugler",
and whose art is the art of murder, kidnapping, and intimidation.
 Akwa Ibom Isongo ooo!!! Long live Nigeria!!!

 Umana writes from Miami, USA