The death toll in the ongoing communal conflict between Uko-nteghe Uda and Uko Akpan Enwang communities in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State has continued to rise following escalation of crisis in the area.

Recently, there have been reports of deaths where two persons have been reported killed while one person was beheaded in fresh attacks which occurred in the early hours of Thursday.

However, confirming this incident to Planet Radio, the Police Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macdon, said the command is aware of the situation but could only confirm two casualties.

READ ALSO : Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel receives Rivers state counterpart Nyesom Wike on condolence visit

The PPRO who wondered why communities would fight themselves, stressed that the Force will continue to occupy the area to ensure that normalcy is restored in the warring communities.

Reports have it that due to the situation, many residents of the area have fled their homes for safety.

Written By Otobong Billy

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Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel today received his Rivers state Counterpart Nyesom Wike on a condolence visit to the government and people of the state over the demise of the state chairman of the People’s Democratic Party-PDP, Obong Udo Ekpeyong and other prominent leaders of the state.

Speaking during the visit at the government house, Uyo , Governor Emmanuel who described the demise of the leaders as painful, explained that his administration has done everything within its capabilities in providing proper medical care for the people, noting that it was only God who knows why the sad event should occur at this period.

The Governor who thanked the Rivers state Governor and his delegation for the visit, described the Late Ekpenyong as a loyal associate and party faithful whose death happened at a time his services for the state were needed mostly.

READ ALSO Federal Government, States and Local Government share N619.343 billion as federation allocation for December 2020

Government house correspondent Jane Uwa reports that Earlier Governor Wike had said the demise of the Akwa Ibom sons at such a close interval was painful. He prayed God to give the government and people of the state the fortitude to bear the loss.

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suspected militants have attacked facilities at the new Norfin Offshore Shipyard in the boundary shoreline of Ikot Ukpong in Oruk Anam, Akwa Ibom State.

The armed men reportedly arrived the yard around 5am Monday, shooting sporadically to scare off security workers, before unleashing explosives on the multimillion naira dredging facility of the company. Briefing newsmen at the ship yard, Chairman, Norfin Offshore shipyard Ltd, Engineer Iniekong Udonwa lamented the huge damage done by the suspected militant group from Ogoni part of Rivers State.

READ ALSO : President Muhammadu Buhari to inaugurate National Oil and Gas Excellence Centre Lagos, on Thursday January 21

He reiterated that the incident had discouraged him as it has affected expansion activities, causing him to consider taking the investment elsewhere. He said the project was borne out of desire to contribute to the development of the state through provision of employment opportunities for youths. Engineer Udonwa appealed for prompt intervention from the State government to forestall a recurrence of the ugly incident.

On the site were some policemen led by the area Divisional Police Officer, Kelechi Amadi, who declined to comment on the matter. However, when contacted, the State Police Spokesperson Odiko Macdon assured that he will comment on the matter once he is briefed.

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Akwa Ibom state Head of Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien says the state Governor Udom Emmanuel will continue to work towards clearing all backlog of entitlements owed retirees in the state, while advising public office holders to adhere to the standard instituted by the Udom-administration in terms of prompt payment of workers’ salaries and welfare packages.

READ ALSO :Akwa Ibom State governor, Udom Emmanuel celebrates 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Day as he reiterates commitment to the welfare of the Nigerian Legionnaires

Speaking with Planet news, Elder Essien who noted that the issue of retired teachers has been there over the years, therefore assured that the present government is doing its best in addressing the issue.

The state head of service however advised leaders to make prompt payment of teachers a priority. According to him, if past leaders had done the right thing, there would have been little or no backlog of worker’s entitlements.

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The Senate of the University of Uyo at its Special Meeting held on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 approved the commencement of academic activities for the completion of the 2019/2020 session for students of the School of Continuing Education and Professional Studies, which was disrupted by the nationwide industrial action of the Academic Staff Union of Universities -ASUU.

Accordingly, the Management of the University of Uyo hereby announces the resumption of academic activities for Certificate, Diploma, Part-Time Undergraduate and Part-Time Postgraduate students of the University, in line with the revised academic calendar approved by the University Senate.

In a release made available to Planet news and signed by the Registrar Aniediabasi Udofia, all Students are expected to resume and complete their online registration for the 1st Semester 2019/2020 Session from Monday, January 18, while Continuation of 1st Semester 2019/2020 Session lectures shall be for Three weeks from Monday, January 25 to Saturday, February 13.

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Also, Revision exercises for the 1st Semester 2019/2020 Session Examinations for all students shall commence from Monday, February 15 to Saturday, February 20, while first Semester 2019/2020 Session Examinations for all Students in the School of Continuing Education and Professional Studies will be for Three weeks from Monday, February 22 to Saturday, March 13.

A Two-week break for the 1st Semester 2019/2020 Session, for all students of the School of Continuing Education and Professional Studies, will be observed from Monday, March 15 to Saturday, March 27 and Failure to complete all registration requirements immediately will be considered as evidence of voluntary withdrawal from the university by the students. The release adds that the use of FACE MASKS and HAND SANITIZERS is MANDATORY as All other COVID-19 protocols must be strictly observed.  

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Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly’s Ad Hoc Committee investigating the 2019 Financial/Account Reports of the State Government has announced a public hearing on the matter.

READ ALSO : AkwaIbom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, urges labour unions in universities

According to the Spokesperson of the Assembly and Secretary of the Ad Hoc Committee, Barrister Aniefiok Dennis, the event is scheduled to hold today Monday, January 18, at the Conference Room by 10am prompt.

The Committee invites stakeholders and the public to be part of the event.

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