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National Honours: Group Slams FG For Allegedly Delisting Two Akwa Ibom Sons

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A group, Akwa Ibom Integrity Alliance, has tackled the federal government for allegedly delisting the names of two prominent sons of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Bassey Akpan and Mr Effiong Akwa from the nominees for national awards.

Recently, President Muhammadu Buhari conferred investiture to eminent Nigerians and friends of Nigeria, who have contributed to the development of the country.

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But, the integrity group in Akwa Ibom, which claimed that their sons made the list earlier, queried why the investiture committee would at the eleventh hour expunge the names of those people thereby subjecting them and the state to public ridicule.

READ ALSO: 2023: Arewa Group Berates Wike, Says He Has Drawn Battle Line With The North

In a statement signed by the group’s National President, Barr. Stephen Abia and the National Secretary, Prince Imoh Etimudo, respectively, urged the federal government to rescind its decision to avoid laying a wrong precedent.

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The statement in parts, “When the list of national awards nominees was released, we took pride in the fact that some deserving indigenes of Akwa Ibom State made the list. We saw the national awards recipients as worthy ambassadors of Akwa Ibom State, whose spirit of excellence, distinction and hard work in their different stations of life align with the true Akwa Ibom Dakkada spirit.

“But we were later to be saddened by the manner in which the name of one of our accomplished sons of Akwa Ibom State, the Senator representing Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District, Senator Bassey Albert was curiously dropped from the list a few minutes to the awards ceremony.”

The group said though it has been informed that Senator Akpan who was nominated for honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger, CON, was dropped over alleged pending case of corruption by the EFCC saying, that should not be the reason for dropping his name at the eleventh hour especially since the case has not been established.

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The group however reasoned that in law, one is not guilty until proven in court and queried whether the Senator was the only Nigerian with corruption charge nominated for the award?

The group said their sons were being victimized because they are from Akwa Ibom even as they asked what would be their fate if at the end of the day the court does not pronounce the Senator guilty.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: APC Announces Fresh Presidential Campaign Council List

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The group, therefore, urged the federal government to address the situation as they would not allow their sons and daughters be disgraced.

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Edo Govt Bans Kabaka’s Firm, Others From Collecting Revenue

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Edo State Government has banned private firms earlier authorised to collaborate with the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) to collect revenue in the state.

The state government said the ban became necessary due to reports of violation of terms of operations given to them earlier.

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In a public announcement, Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, said the ban also extends to Atalakpa Recovery Concept Ltd, a private consultant earlier engaged to enforce compliance.

Ikhilor, while frowning at the activities of the private firms, noted that the “era of using unions as fronts to harass, intimidate, or extort drivers and road users in the name of revenue collection is over.”

READ ALSO: Six Injured In Edo Multiple Car Crash

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The statement partly reads: “The Edo State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has observed with grave concern the alarming resurgence of illegal revenue collection by certain unions and organizations under various guises across the State.

“It has become clear that some of these groups, previously given limited authorization to collaborate with the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) under clearly defined terms, have grossly violated the conditions of their engagement and resorted to cash collections, extortions, social harassment and intimidation.

“Specifically, the activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), ANNEWAT, and Drivers on Wheel, are hereby banned with immediate effect.

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“These unions are not authorized to collect any form of dues, levies, taxes, or charges from motorists, drivers, traders, or any member of the public in Edo State.

“This ban also extends to Atalakpa Recovery Concept Ltd, a private consultant earlier engaged to enforce compliance.

READ ALSO: By-elections: Edo APC Tackles PDP Over Call For REC, Others Redeployment

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“Credible reports reaching the people-loving Governor, indicate that the firm and its workers have become complicit in widespread extortion and abuse of mandate, thereby betraying the trust reposed in them by the State.

“The Government considers these actions as acts of economic sabotage, social oppression and a direct affront to law and order.

“All activities of the aforementioned unions are suspended indefinitely.”

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The SSG, while noting that “no individual or group under any of these unions is permitted to collect any form of payment from motorists or road users,” advised “all motorists, drivers, and road users not to pay any cash or comply with any form of illegal levy imposed by these banned entities.”

He disclosed that “the Commissioner of Police and all relevant security agencies have been duly notified and directed to arrest and prosecute any individual or group found violating this directive.”

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17-year-old Nigerian Named World Best In English At 2025 TeenEagle Finals In London

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…Outperforms over 20,000 participants from 69 countries

Nafisa Aminu, a 17-year-old student of Tulip International College, Yobe State, has emerged world’s best in English at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals.

The 17-year-old was named the World Best in English Language Skills at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals held in London, United Kingdom.

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The TeenEagle competition is an internationally recognised contest that tests English proficiency, critical thinking, and communication skills, attracting students from both English-speaking and non-English-speaking nations.

Nafisa’s triumph was confirmed in a statement by the head of her family, Hassan Salifu, who attributed her success to “dedication, discipline, and the enabling support of the state government.”

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Representing Nigeria, Nafisa outperformed over 20,000 participants from 69 countries, a historic feat that has thrust her into the global academic spotlight and brought honour to Nigeria.

 

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FG Promotes 30 Senior NCoS Officers To Assistant Controller General

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The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board has approved the promotion of 30 senior officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service to the rank of Assistant Controller General of Corrections.

The announcement was made in a press statement signed by the NCoS spokesperson Umar Abubakar, on Tuesday.

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“The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board has approved the promotion of 30 Controllers of Corrections to the prestigious rank of Assistant Controller General of Corrections,” the statement read.

Abubakar noted that the promotions were made in line with CDCFIB’s commitment to “merit-based advancement, professional excellence, and the continuous strengthening of leadership within the Nigerian Correctional Service.”

READ ALSO:Customs Intercepts N1.7bn Falsely Declared Goods Across South-West Zone

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“Among the newly promoted officers are twenty-seven general duty officers who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, leadership, and operational competence in various formations across the country.

“In addition, three professional officers have also been elevated in recognition of their outstanding service and specialized contributions in the areas of Medical Laboratory Science, Nursing, and Public Health,” the statement read.

According to the statement, the promotion exercise was said to align with the ongoing reforms in the Service, a key part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

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The statement credited the reform momentum to the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, whose efforts were described as “unwavering” and “unprecedented.”

READ ALSO:Court Strips Transport Minister, CRFFN Regulatory Power Over Licensed Customs

Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, congratulated the newly promoted officers, charging them to rise to the responsibilities of their new roles.

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“I urge them to redouble their effort to service delivery, strategic leadership, and the core mandates of reformation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of inmates,” he said.

He further stressed that the promotions are not merely rewards for past service but “a call to higher responsibility in line with global best practices in correctional management.”

“The Service remains committed to building a motivated, disciplined, and professional workforce capable of meeting the complex demands of modern corrections and public safety,” Nwakuche added.

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