DONTOM, TIMAYA, PASTO GOODY GOODY FOR ICE KID DAD’S BURIAL

Pasto Goody Goody, Timaya, Don Tom

Ace music start, Ice Kid Banton is set to bury his day next week. The roll call of artistes to thrill at the Artistes Night which comes on Wednesday 28^th March, 2012 include Egberi Papa 1 of Bayelsa – Timaya, ‘I don See My wife’ crooner – Dontom, Mista Xto, Pasto Goody Goody, Sir Wilker and PMAN stars.

The burial which comes up at Ikot Eko Ibon, Onna LGA, Akwa Ibom State on 29^th March is to be conducted by Catholic Church. It could be recalled that Ice Kid’s dad , Late Ikpe Kiddy Ikpe died last Month after kidney dysfunction.

Ice Kid

PAUL EKPO RESIGNS FROM GOV. AKPABIO’S CABINET

Mr. Paul Ekpo, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Akwa Ibom Statehas resigned from his position.

Connoisseur.com learnt exclusively that the Etinan born politician resigned from Gov. Akpabio’s cabinet to contest for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairmanship position in Akwa Ibom State.

He resigned from his appointment today and we have spoken to some of his colleagues who confirmed this to us.

GOLDEN HUNT: WHICH OF THESE FACES WILL GO HOME WITH THE STAR PRIZE?

After being at the Godswill Akpabio Golden Hunt camp for over two months, one of the 6 faces on the box above will have the opportunity of emerging winner of the music reality Tv show and also go home with the star prize (a car).

 The grand finale of the show is slated for tomorrow, Sunday 12^thFebruary, 2012 at M-Lounge, Monty Suites, Edet Akpan Avenue, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

 The red carpet will start by 2.00pm. Who among Mirobed, Princess Tiara, Tobbyray, Becky, Nancy B and T-N do you think will emerge winner? You have to make yourself available at M-Lounge to witness it live and direct while showing love to your favourite contestant.

PASTOR TUNDE BAKARE SNEEKS INTO UYO

Connoisseur.com has learnt exclusive that the founder of Save Nigeria Group (SNG), Pastor Tune Bakare is in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital. We scooped that Bakare who was conspicuous seen during the recent nationwide strike and protest against fuel subsidy was in Radio Nigeria Atlantic FM, Uyo this morning.

We are told by a source that he is in Uyo for a church program.

Pulse publisher set for dedication of first child

Uko Umoh

The publisher of Community Pulse newspaper, Mr. Uko Friday Umoh will on Sunday, 15^th January, 2012 take his bundle of joy and first child, Inimfon-Abasi to church for dedication.

    The dedication service will hold at The Apostolic Church, 69 Oron Road, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State while the reception will follow immediately at the Judiciary Multi-purpose Hall, Wellington Bassey Way, Uyo, AKS.

     CONNOISSEUR learnt that who-is-who within and outside Akwa Ibom will throng the very influential publisher’s event.

Larry Esin comments on removal of fuel subsidy

Larry Esin

Former governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State, Engr. Larry Esin has commented on the growing debate on fuel subsidy. This morning, he opined on the issue of national concern using his facebook page...below is his comment…

A very happy new year to all of you and may your plans and desires for the new year all come to pass. Undoubtedly, the new year began with a myriad of sociopolitical and economic development issues for the Oro nation, Akwa Ibom Stateand Nigeria. On all of these challenges we must exercise wisdom and perseverance. Though much has been taken from Oro and much have Oro sacrificed, that which we are we are, one equal hearts of heroic tempers. The question of our role in the governance of our State in 2015, a responsibility we welcome with open arms, will occupy and engage our thoughts and actions for the next three years. And rightfully so !

But let us not be consumed, blinded and misled by the fledgeling believe that it is "our turn" now. It has always been our turn. For as long as we have been a part of Akwa Ibom State, it has always been our turn and responsibility to vie for any political office and offer solutions to meet the development challenges of our State. The ibibio's, anangs, ekid's, and all other ethnic groups will express their fundamental right to serve their State in 2015, and we cannot fault them for doing so. Oro will win the governorship not by evoking "Zoning", but by presenting the best marketable Oro candidate in the race and giving 100% of our support to that candidate period !

As Nigerians, we are also concerned about the fuel subsidy removal and its attendant impact on the quality of our lives. Let me sate here that while I appreciate the objective of the federal government to generate revenue, I do not agree that such revenue can best be secured through the removal of subsidies. Neither do I subscribe to the argument that "subsidies" are anti development as some of the proponents of the removal of subsidies have argued.

The reality is that subsidies are economic development tools; employed by even the most advanced countries (USA, China, UK, Japan, Germany, OPEC member countries etc) to boost the competitiveness of their industries on the international market. Most of you may have heard of the agriculture subsidy war between China and the US, which helps grain farmers in these countries to compete internationally.

The OPEC member States grant far reaching subsidies on petroleum products, a major industrial input, to boost cost effective production and ultimately the competitiveness of their industries internationally. However, where there is a failed implementation of subsidy programs or initiatives, the resultant impact on the national economy can be devastating; like in Nigeriatoday. The solution is therefore not a withdrawal of subsidies, but a proper implementation of the program.

Removing subsidy because of inefficiency is equivalent to throwing out the bath water with the baby in it. If our refineries are fixed so that we can refine our crude oil locally, and the recurrent expenditure of government trimmed, we will have recovered most of the $8 Billion annual cost of subsidies each year. Let us exercise wisdom and perseverance in tackling these problems; the solutions can be found within and not through fresh World bank borrowing. These will be a grave mistake and must be avoided by all cost. Thank you so much for the opportunity to chat with you again, and please pardon my long silence on this forum. I may be silent, but I am not insensitive to our collective challenges as a people. All the best and God bless.

Larry Esin

 

 

(C) CONNOISSEUR 2012

Actor Moses Armstrong appointed Special Adviser to Gov. Akpabio? No, it’s a hoax…

Moses Armstrong

Rumours making the rounds has it that actor Moses Armstrong has been appointed Special Adviser on Entertainment to Governor Goodwill Akpabio. This has been the discussion of some stakeholders in the industry and some celebrity sites have published stories insinuating that Armstrong has been given the

appointment but CONNOISSEUR has scooped from a source close to Gov. Akpabio that the fair skinned actor has been pressing for the appointment but it has not yet been ratified by Gov.Akpabio.

      It could be recalled that the self-styled Akwa Ibom’s finest and most celebrated (Hotel accommodated) actor organized an e-stars endorsement rally for Akpabio sometime last year and there was an imbroglio over the sharing of the N30m that was approved by Gov. Akpabio for the event. Since relocating from Lagos, Moses as been trying to make it big in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state capital and he is currently the chairman of Ibom Actors Forum. 

© CONNOISSEUR 2012