See the place in Uyo where Wastes is luxury!

Priscilla Akpanettot

There’s a place in Akwa Ibom State capital city where wastes are considered an essential commodity for economic gain. It is a place where all forms of wastes are collected and sold to industries who recycle them. 

The wastes collected there vary from plastics to polythenes, tins, cartons, irons, shoes, bottles, cans, papers and etc,

The Waste Hub is located on Pepsi Road which can be accessed through Idoro and Abak Road.  Owned by Mr. Rabiu Bello from Kano State who’s been in the business for over 20 years, the hub is a place for the collation and sorting of plastics, including all kinds of condemned disposable plates and their covers; water bottles, broken buckets, baskets, chairs and more.

Upon arrival at the hub, wastes brought in by a supplier are scaled in kilograms and paid for immediately.

After collection, the wastes are carefully sorted into forms, shapes and sizes; and their labels removed, before being stacked in a sack. Thereafter, they are moved to Aba to be grinded, before being sent to Lagos for recycling.  

According to Mr. Bello, the grounded wastes are recycled into rubber slippers, paper bags, water-proof materials or even melted to produce another rubber.

When asked why he has to go all the way to Aba to have the wastes grounded, he explained that there were no such industries in the State, except one in Mbierebe Obio which deals only on cartons. “So all that we buy is sent to Aba, Calabar, Onitsha and Lagos”, he said in pidgin English.

Describing the business as lucrative and self-sustaining, he said the business has helped him cater for his family of 5 and engaged some idle youths in the area.

“I went into the business because it is somewhat monopolistic. There is no much competition in it and a lot of people are running away from it”, he said.

Recalling his early days as a scavenger, Mr. Bello narrated how he went about picking wastes from gutters, before he started having assistants. The boys go round to do the picking from hotels, receptacles, and event venues. When they return, he’ll scale their wastes and pay them appropriately.

The Wastes Hub owner explained that a Kilogram of plastics goes for between N70-N100.  “There are people who bring up to 10kg worth of plastics every day. And that amounts to N30 or 31,000 in a month because they do it every day religiously”.

For bottles, Rabiu pays as much as N100 each for some of them while others are placed in the category of between N5-N50 naira. “That money helps them to pay their bills and also support their families”.

He told the story of a physically impaired boy who’s mother often visit to thank him for engaging the boy. “The boy can neither speak nor hear but he takes home N500-N800 daily from supplying plastics. The mother talk sey the boy dey help am wewell, sey him dey give am moni to buy food and clothes for the two of them”.

Rabiu who attributed the absence of stealing and theft on the Street he operates business to his engagement of the boys in supplies, told this reporter that his place is always busy when they return from school and during holidays.

“Some of them wey bin dey steal, na me warn dem sey mek dem no do am again before dem go burn dem. I go just give dem bag, tell dem sey mek dem enter street, pick rubber. By the time dem come back, I go scale their rubber, pay dem moni and dem dey happy very well. So now, nobody dey steal for here because they don already see wetin to carry com collect moni. Some dey even use the moni buy from another person come sell”, he said.

Attesting to his testimony, his Manager, Miss Emediong Abednego described the business as a worthy venture better than staying idle. She told this reporter of how she put aside her shame to work with Mr. Rabiu when she saw that the gains were substantial.

“There’s a family man who comes here regularly to supply us plastics. He does it diligently and is not ashamed. So I want to encourage everyone out there to drop their pride and ego, and join us in this worthy venture. It’s so easy; just pick, bring and get paid”, she said.

Medical Women Hold Cancer awareness Campaign

 

Amadie Udoakpan

President of the Medical Women's Association of Nigeria, Akwa Ibom State Branch, Dr Uduak Usanga has called on women not to relent in the fight against breast and cervical cancer.

Dr Usanga stated this today, when she led MWAN  members, partners, and support groups on a cancer awareness walk in uyo to mark this year's World Cancer Day on the theme "Lost But Not Forgotten".

While interacting with Journalists, The 16th MWAN president explained that the walk was to create awareness and inform the public of the dangers of breast and cervical cancer.

"As medical women, we are known for cancer-related activities such as screening, prevention, and care, we make out time every two years to organise a cancer walk, to tell the world that early detection can save lives" she explained.

The medical practitioner made clear that there are many other cancer-related diseases in the body but the focus is on breast and cervical cancer which can be detected early enough to prevent death. It has a higher survival rate and lower risk of death.

"My advice to women is, when you start experiencing abnormal growth on your breast, waist pains foul discharge among other signs, do not stay and die in silence, do not fall into depression, no one is witch hunting you, God has the power to heal, go to the hospital, we understand that cancer is not a death sentence. "

Dr Usanga said the Association conducts cancer screening, on the third Tuesday of every month at number  172 Atiku Abubakar Way and that office is open to as many women as possible to come and screen free of charge.

Other partners who joined the solidarity walk encouraged women to practice personal breast examination and report any case to the appropriate authority for prompt response. 

The walk which started at Greenfield by Dominic Utuk Avenue, spanned through Wellington Bassey Way and terminated at the University of Uyo Mini stadium.

Note that cancer is an abnormal growth in any part of the body that causes the affected part to rupture and cause discomfort to the affected persons. Whereas cervical cancer is a malignant tumor in the lower part of the uterus, breast cancer is an abnormal tumor in the breast.

Samuel Efanga, others rejoin PDP

 

Itoro Bassey

A former commissioner for science and technology in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Samuel Efanga, on Saturday, rejoined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ending his sojourn in the opposition party in the state. 

Mr Efanga returned to the PDP alongside top All Progressives Congress (APC), Young Progressives Party (YPP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) politicians from Offot 1 Ward 6, including Hon. Michael Edem.

They attributed their decision to rejoin the PDP to the magnanimous nature of Governor Umo Eno and the open-door policy of Prince Enobong Uwah, the Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government (SSG).

The meeting witnessed the presence of key figures in the Uyo political landscape, including Prince Enobong Uwah, the Political Leader of Uyo Local Government Area, and Hon. Monday Eyo, the Deputy Political Leader. 

Additionally, Dr. Uwemedimo Udo, the Chairman of the Uyo Local Government Transition Committee, and Hon. Uwemedimo Asuquo, the member representing Uyo State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, attended the meeting. They spoke in support of their return and welcomed them back to the party.

Notable attendees also included Obong Paul Ekpo, a former PDP State Chairman and National Assembly member; Obong Uduak Edim, the State PDP Officer, as well as various aides of the governor and other political stakeholders from Ward 6 in Uyo Local Government Area.

Uyo Chairman convenes staff meeting, emphasizes commitment to service

  

The Chairman of the Uyo Local Government Transition Committee, Dr. Uwemedimo Udo, at the Council's general staff meeting held on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, emphasized the importance of delivering excellent service to the people. 

As he addressed the gathering, Dr. Udo reflected on the Council's achievements over the past year. However, he also touched on several critical issues that needed attention. 

The Chairman highlighted the menace of certificate racketeering, stressing the need for integrity and professionalism. He urged the staff to approach their work with a renewed sense of dedication and passion, emphasizing the significance of their role in the local government service.

"Let us treat the infrastructure we have with care, as if it were our own," Dr. Udo passionately implored. "These resources belong to all of us, and we must respect and protect them."

Dr. Udo also took a moment to express his gratitude to the Governor Pst. Umo Eno for his desire to build lodges for Local Government Chairmen across the state and the agricultural initiative for Uyo local government area. 

He revealed that land had already been donated for these projects, showcasing the commitment of the Council to progress and development.

Dr. Udo acknowledged the dedication of his staff, and he commended their support and recognized the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Uyo Branch, for their generous donation of 10 bags of cement towards the construction of the works, lands and housing office block. 

The meeting also featured a solemn thanksgiving service, where various departments, including the Chairman of NULGE, Uyo Branch, Mrs Emem Ekiko, paid tribute to Dr. Udo's exceptional leadership. 

The Administrative, Finance and Supply, and Health departments, among others, led by the Head of Local Government Service, Mrs. Imaobong Antai, expressed their admiration and appreciation for the Chairman's guidance.

Intercessory prayers were offered for the Chairman and his family, Uyo Local Government Area, the government and people of Akwa Ibom State, and members of the political class.

Also in attendance at the occasion were the wife of the Chairman, Mrs. Akaninyene Uwemedimo; Vice Chairman, Mrs Sylvia Ekong; Transition Commitee Secretary, Mr Ubong Udofia, members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Uyo Chapter, led by Rev. Patrick Eyo, members of Uyo Local Government Transition Commitee, and Supervisors, among others.

Media Unit

Office of the Chairman, Transition Commitee

Uyo Local Government Area.

GBV: State Mgmt Committee Trains Resource Persons on Media Engagement

...Aim for effective media representation in 2024

Priscilla Akpanettot

Worried at the alarming increase in  Gender-based Violence (GBV) in the State, the Akwa Ibom State Gender-based Violence Management Committee has staged a training for persons who would engage with the media on issues pertaining to sexual and gender issues. 

Held on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at Ann's Haven in Uyo, the training was put together to ease the task of media engagements on few people, and to spread the reach of SGBV messages.

In her opening remarks, Director, Department of Sexual and Gender-based Violence and Secretary of the Akwa Ibom State GBV Management Committee, Barr. Emem Ette lamented the shortage of advocates On-Air. She recalled that during the last 16 days of advocacy against SGBV, a good number of airtime slots were missed due to unavailability of resource persons.

"We need more voices to speak to the ills ongoing in the society hence this training", she said.

She therefore called on the trainees to take good advantage of the training in preparation for media engagements subsequently.

Participants were taught how to prepare for media engagements, how to conduct themselves On-Air and how to speak in public.

While Barr. Emem Ette spoke on issues surrounding the concept of gender, gender issues and trends; Comrade Uduak Ekong, Chairperson AKBC TV Chapel of the NUJ gave an overview of the types of media and their characteristics. She made a case for the use of the electronic medium on grounds of the immediacy it affords in the dissemination of SGBV messages.

The Special Assistant to Governor Umo Eno on Social Reorientation, Mr. Aniekeme Finbarr educated the attendees on the four types of public speaking and gave useful hints on how to improve one's public speaking skills overtime; while Mrs. Nkoyo Umoh of Breakthrough Action Nigeria, took the trainees on practical steps in preparing for media engagements.

In their separate reactions, participants at the breakout session were excited to share their feedback on the training. They expressed readiness to take-up the responsibility of media advocacy and assured that the knowledge imparted in them would be put to effective use.

The training was put together in collaboration with the Coalition against GBV, with support from Innocent Chukwuemeka Chukwuma Empowerment Foundation.

Pst. Patience Eno to Partner MWAN in Fight against Breast Cancer

The wife of Governor Pastor Patience Umo Eno receiving the T-shirt for the 2024 cancer solidarity walkathon from the 16th President of Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, MWAN, Akwa Ibom State Branch, Dr Uduak Usanga at the prayer meeting

The wife of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Patience Umo Eno, has indicated her interest in partnering with the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN),Akwa Ibom State Branch, in the fight against breast cancer. 

The First Lady made this known on Thursday, January 25, 2024, during the January edition of the Akwa Ibom State Women Monthly Prayer meeting tagged 'Glory Without Bounds' which held at Government House Banquet Hall, Uyo, in response to a brief talk on breast and cervical cancer by the State President of MWAN, Dr. Uduak Usanga. 

The Governor's wife admonished the women to pay close attention to their breasts and report anything unusual for proper checkup and treatment where necessary.

Pst. Patience making a remark at the event

In her words: "your breast is very important. Take very good care of it. When you notice anything abnormal in your breast, run to the address you were given earlier and get checked." 

She expressed her willingness to visit and inspect facilities at the MWAN Well Woman Clinic, Atiku Abubakar Way, relaying her interest to establish a cancer screening centre  under her pet project.

"I want to say because of what you have announced today, I will want you to plan and take me to your Well Woman Clinic. In my pet project, I’m making plans around establishing a cancer screening center. I want to start from there; see what you have on ground and know what to do next," First Lady Patience Eno said. 

Speaking on the theme of the service, Pastor Patience Eno said that God's glory makes one to stand before Kings and Princes, praying that Akwa Ibom women would experience the glory that will announce them to the world. 

"The glory of the Lord will make you appear before the king and when you are there, that glory will instruct you what to say. If you do not have this glory, you will speak vain words.”

"Let the Glory of the Lord in your life show and the people around you will see you as a woman that carries glory. May the joy of the Lord continue to be your strength. Run with this word today and nothing will limit you this year. Whatever you want to achieve will be achievable," the Governor's wife posited. 

In an exhortation on the theme: "Glory Without Bounds", drawn from Habakkuk 2:14, Pastor Idongesit Essienobong who said God's glory is revealed in salvation and judgement, noted that man was created to manifest the glory of God which is the visible expression of signs, wonders, miracles and testimonies. 

Pastor Essienobong charged the women to come to total reconciliation with God by confessing their sins, revealing that the nature of God is love and his saving grace is sufficient for all.

Earlier, a delegation from Akwa Ibom State branch of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, led by the President Dr. Uduak Usanga, who were at the service, sensitized the women on the dangers of cervical and breast cancer and the need for regular medical examination to ensure early detection and intervention, as well as the place of vaccination in preventing being infected with the Human Papillomavirus, HPV. 

The female Doctors also announced plans to hold the biggest Cancer Walkathon in Uyo, on Saturday, 3rd February 2024, by 6am, from the Greenfield Park along Brooks Street to University of Uyo Town Campus field, Ikpa road, Uyo to sensitise residents and help close the cancer care gap, in observance of the World Cancer Day 2024. 

Special intercessory prayers were offered in thanksgiving to God for the victory of Governor Umo Eno at the Supreme Court, prayer for peace in Akwa Ibom State as well as  the smooth actualization of the ARISE Agenda. 

The Service which had in attendance a cross section of women from all the Local Government Areas of the State, featured special numbers, testimonies, hymns, praise and worship as well as renditions by the Deliverance Chorale. 

Media Unit,

Office of the Wife of the Governor, AKS,

January 25, 2024.

UCCDA will have Uyo LG's Support - Uwemedimo Udo

 

...proposes multisectoral committee on City remodeling

Priscilla Akpanettot

The Transition Chairman of Uyo Local Government Area, Hon. Uwemedimo Udo has assured Uyo Capital City Development Authority (UCCDA) of it's full support to transform the city of Uyo.

He said this when he received the inspection team of the UCCDA in his office on Friday, January 19, 2024, on their way to inspect critical infrastructure within the City.

Led by the Executive Chairman of the Authority, Rt. Hon. Anietie Eka, the team had gone to intimate him of their plans before commencing inspection.

They were received by the Transition Chairman who commended the new leadership for being upbeat and assured them of maximum support.

"The areas of interest mentioned are mutual on Uyo being a model and decent city. So, we are on the same page. The Local Government will collaborate to ensure that the lofty ideas are realized," he said. 

While giving the team a brief overview of the Local Government's lone efforts, he lamented the negligence of some infrastructure and called on the sister body to help in ensuring their maintenance.

"Park infrastructure especially has suffered negligence and poor maintenance. We decided to fix the place to make it attractive after interacting with Unions within the Park. We then met with Hensek to deflood some of the parks as our Corporate Social Responsibility", he said, while attributing the patronage of roadside parks to the menace.

"We don't support illegal parks. We've not created any. It's just in people's attitude to look for alternatives but with this collaboration, alot can be achieved", he maintained.

He also supported the demolition of buildings erected under high-tension wires and roadside shanties, while proposing the inaguration of a multisectoral committee on remodeling the Capital City.

"Those who violate building regulations will meet stiff penalties. We will support you on this. Street trading also distorts the master plan of the City, just like those who deface the City with billboards". 

Uwemedimo Udo however, cautioned the Capital City Boss to be firm, fair and operate with equality.

"Use one rule for everybody, no matter how highly placed. You have nothing to be scared of if you do the right thing", he said and again assured that the Local Government will do everything within it's power to help them succeed.

Responding, Rt. Hon. Anietie Eka thanked the Transition Chairman for the warm reception and acceptance accorded them, saying that Udo had justified their reason for coming.

"Since assumption on 1st December, 2023 we've tried to make reforms to make the city better. We want to inspect assets and facilities owned by the government, audit them and take stock, to make them more useful and befitting of a Capital City. So we came for collaboration and partnership". 

He made known his intent to take down illegal structures within the City and the plan to upgrade the Motor Parks to a befitting standard, and promised to report their findings back to the Governor and Chairman for necessary action. 

Anietie Eka was accompanied by board members of the UCCDA on the inspection, including the Assistant Director of Administration, Mr. Anietie Akpan who restated that the new administration came with the agenda of rebranding the Capital City in line with the Arise Agenda; to recover Government property, generate revenue that will sustain the ARISE Agenda and create job opportunities.