PDP to Akpabio: Come clean on corruption allegations

● Urges him to perish the thought of taking over Akwa Ibom in 2027

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, tasked the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, to address the allegations in the public domain that a prominent official of the National Assembly in connivance with another top official in the Presidency have been using ministers and other government functionaries to siphon billions of Naira including funds meant for palliatives for poor Nigerians under the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

This was as the PDP pointedly told Akpabio to perish the thought of taking over control of Akwa Ibom State in 2027, stressing that the scheme to use false claims and inciting comments to destabilize the State had already failed.

The Party said that Akpabio should as a matter of public duty concentrate on attending to the plethora of allegations of corruption around him to justify the respect and integrity expected of the occupier of the office of the Senate President.

It noted that there were pending investigations before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegation of looting of N108.1 billion belonging to Akwa Ibom State on Senator Akpabio’s watch as Governor as well as alleged N86 billion contract scam in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) during his tenure as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.

The PDP said; “These are funds belonging to and meant for the welfare of the people of Akwa Ibom State and the Niger Delta Region and our Party challenges the Senate President to immediately come clean and clear the air on these allegations, especially given the sanctity of the office which he now occupies.

“Senator Akpabio should note that the office of the Senate President does not confer any form of immunity on him from investigation and/or prosecution. In any event, he must know that time does not run against the State in criminal matters,” it stated.

These were contained in a statement by Hon. Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary of the PDP in which the Party counselled Akpabio to come to terms with the fact that the people of Akwa Ibom State were firmly rooted in the PDP as a peaceful and united people blessed by God especially under the immediate past and current administrations.

The PDP said that the people of Akwa Ibom State could not be swayed by any agent of disunity, incitement, hatred and retrogression whose intention was to use propaganda and hate speeches to derail and appropriate the State for selfish interest.

It further said; “The boast by Senator Akpabio to take over Akwa Ibom State in 2027 is not only pathetically empty but further exposes his level of arrogance and disdain for the sensibility, intelligence, democratic right and sovereignty of the people of Akwa Ibom State.

“Our Party advices Senator Akpabio to leave Akwa Ibom State alone and focus on the challenges of his office as Senate President which is alleged to be engaged in process manipulation and sharp practices including alleged budget padding and diversion of public funds.”

The PDP urged the people of Akwa Ibom State to disregard Akpabio’s antics and remain united in their determination to continue to build their state under the banner of the PDP.
[1/25, 5:13 AM] OJ: How violent attacks disrupted over 1.3m children’s education in Nigeria – UNICEF

The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has lamented that the series of violent attacks on schools in 2021, particularly in the North-East and North-West regions, led to disruptions of learning for over 1.3 million children, necessitating precautionary school closures.

This was as the World commemorated the International Day of Education in which the UNICEF Country Representatives in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, called for a multi-sectoral approach to improve school safety through comprehensive planning, coordination, and adequate resource allocation, especially in states with higher risks.

A statement on Wednesday, by Safiya Akau, Communications Officer, UNICEF Nigeria said that Munduate, however, commended the significant progress made in providing access to education for 7.2 million children in humanitarian settings across Nigeria, adding that the success was achieved via a collaborative effort with the government, donors and partners.

According to UNICEF; “A recent evaluation indicates that on average, only 43 per cent of the Minimum Standards for Safe Schools are being met in about 6,000 assessed schools.

“This finding particularly highlights challenges in ensuring the safety of school infrastructure and in mitigating risks such as violence, conflict, and natural hazards.

“Nigeria had shown a commitment to creating safe school environments by endorsing the Safe Schools Declaration and developing the Minimum Standards for Safe Schools,” UNICEF said

UNICEF also said that there was room for further progress and called for collective responsibility in safeguarding the educational environment for every child, saying; “Education is a key driver of gender equality, economic growth, and social development, but sadly, it remains inaccessible to many Nigerian children.”

Munduate further said; “Their educational journey is often disrupted by attacks on communities and schools, including the abduction of students.

“These challenges are particularly acute for adolescent girls, potentially stalling the progress made in girls’ education in Nigeria.

“To complement these efforts, UNICEF emphasiszes the importance of alternative learning platforms, such as the Nigerian Learning Passport. This digital platform, with over 750,000 users, offers curriculum-aligned materials and is crucial for ensuring continuity of education, especially during school closures.

“UNICEF remains committed to working with the Nigerian government, donors, and all partners to ensure that every child has access to a safe, inclusive, and quality education.”