The AfricaNews articles of Efiokobong
Nigeria: First lady gets highest chieftaincy title
It was a display of the rich cultural heritage of the Otuoke community in the oil rich Bayelsa State of Nigeria when the highest chieftaincy title to be given to a woman was bestowed on Dame Patience Jonathan, wife of President Goodluck Jonathan at a ceremony attended by dignitaries from many parts of the country. - With music, dance and royalty, the Otuoke kingdom came alive as Dame Patience walked the red carpet to receive her new title.
Decked in a-two piece traditional regalia with a crown on her head, Patience was given the title of Odadigba of Otuoke kingdom, meaning a ladder of success.
Organizers described the title as significant in many ways as the she has been the pillar be…Nigerian lecturers on strike over abduction
Lecturers in the University of Uyo, south Nigeria have begun an indefinite strike to protest the abduction of one of their colleagues, Memfin Ekpo, a professor of pathology in the institution's medical school. Ekpo who is the husband of the newly appointed Vice Chancellor of the University, Comfort Ekpo was abducted by unknown gunmen January 16 during a church service. - But the lecturers who felt their safety in the university was being threatened first took to the streets to register their protest before giving the security agencies 72 hours to release their colleague.
According to the secretary of the lecturers union, the failure of the security agencies to do so within the stipul…Shell has no plans to quit Nigeria
Despite coming under severe criticisms over its activities in the oil rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria, Shell Petroleum Development Corporation says it is not in a hurry to quite the country. The company which is a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell with headquarters in The Hague, Netherland said Shell was not planning to leave the country. - According to media reports quoting top officials of the oil company at a public hearing in the Dutch parliament, the oil company maintained that it could not be held solely responsible for the environmental degradation in the oil rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
While acknowledging the huge challenge it faces in region, the oil company said it the …Nigeria: High turnout at voters registration
Therese Okpon is a 60-year-old widow who responded to calls for all Nigerians above 18 years to get registered for the April general elections. Since she lost her husband four years ago, she has been hawking smoked fish from house-to-house to feed herself and her grandchildren. - She suspended her trade on Tuesday to visit the nearby town hall in order to get registered. After spending the whole day, she was asked to come the following to get voter’s card.
Narrating her ordeal, she said “my legs are arching, after waiting for several hours, I could not get the voter’s card,’’ she said.
Therese counts herself lucky. Not many Nigerians could be registered o…Nigeria, Kenya to strengthen ties
The Nigerian Government has assured Kenya of its readiness to strengthen bilateral ties with the East African nation as part of efforts to promote cordial relationship between the countries. Nigerian Vice President, Namadi Sambo gave the assurance in Abuja, capital of Nigeria when he received visiting vice president of Kenya, Katonzo Musyoka at his residence. - Sambo said as Kenya was forging ahead with a new constitution and good governance for its people, the Nigerian government was interested in sharing parliamentary experience and socio-economic cooperation particularly in the area of transportation.
The Nigerian Vice President gave the assurance that the government would work out mea…
