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South South: More feathers added as George Sekibo becomes War Canoe Chief

The huge leadership and experience profile of Chief George Thompson Sekibo, Senator representing Rivers East Senatorial District in the National Assembly is rising. On Saturday, April 12, 2014, he was installed Chief of Etem War Canoe House of Ogu, in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State by his people, and he later threw a lavish reception for his guests, admirers and followers at his Ogu country home.

Sekibo was quick to assure his people that he would continue to attract development projects to the area, and that his installation as a traditional chief would not interfere with his legislative functions in the Senate, rather it would spur him to do more.

The occasion was graced by the chairman of Ogu Divisional Council of Chiefs, Chief Engr. Mark D. Derefaka, the chairman, Ogu/Bolo council of Chiefs, Chief Jonah Tamuno Furubowarifama, a former member of the Federal Character Commission, and retired diplomat, Chief S. M. K. Taribo, Chief Joakin Abam Nyeduko, Chief Francis Ebenezer Opudere-Onye, Chief Frank Barasimeye Opumbere and Chief Amabipi Ogu amongst others.

Highlight of the day was the presentation of the progress reports on the on-going sand-filling project, the road network to Ogu and the Ogu motor-park and other development projects that the senator has attracted to the community; and the presentation of an 18-seater bus to the Ogu Divisional Council of Chiefs by the new war canoe chief. Last year, Senator Sekibo was given the honorary chieftaincy title of Igo Alabo of Ogu by the Amanyanabo and chiefs of Ogu Kingdom.

NOLLYWOOD STAR, SHAN GEORGE ATTACKED IN CALABAR

Armed ‘men of the night’ on Friday, April 11, 2014, invaded Cross River State-born- Nollywood superstar, Shan George’s new home in Calabar and carted away valuables valued at millions of Naira.

Sources said the robbers who scaled the fence of the compound around Parliamentary Extension broke the rear glass of her car and gained access into the car to steal valuables before making their way to the living room. The source added that though she and her family members were home when the robbers came calling, no occupant of the house was in anyway hurt.

But they took money in the pigeon hole of the car, jewelry, watches and other valuables. The living room did not offer much to be grabbed as she is just moving into the house and the furniture were yet to arrive.

EU RESIDENT OFFICER IN CALABAR ALSO ROBBED

Just as the indigenes and residents of the Canaan City of Calabar were still pondering what evil had hit the tourism-loving state, the dare-devil night-men launched another attack. And their victim was a staff of a European Union (EU) funded-project, Financial Planning Commission, that is working in the nine states of the Niger Delta.

He was robbed at gun point at his Ekorinim residence in Calabar, and according to our source, the victim, a German who pleaded not to be mentioned for safety reasons, said the incident happened at about 8.15pm in the presence of his two little kids aged almost three and one year old respectively.

The two robbers armed with guns held the occupants of the house hostage, and for about an hour conducted a thorough search of their rooms while robbing them of their monies, electronics, amongst other valuables.

And the victim’s residence is just around the Cameroonian Consulate in Calabar, a few meters from the residence of the State Commissioner of Police in a neighbourhood generally regarded as highbrow, where almost the crème-de-la-crème own houses.

AMIDST POMP AND FESTIVITIES VENA IKEM BURIES DAD IN GRAND STYLE

An unprecedented crowd gathered at the village of Begiaba in Obudu Local Government Area two weekends ago to pay their last respects to Pa Sylvanus Ikem, the father of Mr. Venatius Ikem, erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the PDP and the immediate past commissioner for works in Cross River State.

The patriarch of the Ikem Family and Frater of the Rosie Crose, Frater Ikem was born in 1936 and passed on to greater glory on March 6, 2014. And amidst pomp and festivities, his final funeral rites started with an evening of tributes, reminiscences and wake-keep at the Ikems Begiada Family Compound followed by a Rosicrucian funeral ceremony before the interment of the body in his compound.

The funeral oration was delivered by Frater John Omore, the Regional Overseer of the Apollonius Lodge of the Rosicrucian Order, AMORC, and he described Frater Ikem as someone who was committed to the quest for knowledge and the service of mankind.

Venatius Ikem, in a tribute described his father as a courageous person, a pride and a source of inspiration to the family and those who knew him. Though the man never went beyond the teachers training college, TTC, he gave his all for his children and relatives to acquire education. Bowing out at 77, he is survived by his wife and many children including Vivian Ikem and Venatius Ikem.

Mr. Mike Aniah, Secretary to the State Government represented Governor Liyel Imoke while Mrs. Rosemary Bassey led the AMORC delegation. The VIP list also had Mr. Paul Ada, CRS representative on NDDC board, Mr. Victor Abang, who stood in for the Senate President, Senator David Mark, Hon. Essien Ayi, the House of Representatives member for Calabar South/ Akpabuyo/Bakassi Federal Constituency, Hon Daniel Asuquo who represents Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency at NASS, Dr. Sandy Onor, amongst others.

WORLD CLASS HOSPITALITY INSTITUTE, OROVIE, DEBUTS

Judging by the preparation going on at its site, second quarter of this year will witness the opening of a world class hospitality management training institute in Benin City, the capital of Edo State. It is christened Orovie Institute of Hospitality Management.

This unique private tertiary institution is set to train high standard tourism, hotel and leisure middle-level manpower managers thereby creating employment opportunities for Nigerians in the category of 5-star hotels which hitherto had been an exclusive preserve of expatriates.

According to a source at its liaison office, this first of its kind in West Africa will operate in affiliation with top hotels, regulatory bodies like National Tourism Development Commission (NTDC), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and hospitality boards. Certificates offered will be recognizable in non-English speaking countries, while graduates will be eligible to work abroad since proficiency in French, German and Arabic languages is compulsory for every student.

Lest I forget, there are also adequate arrangements for existing hotels to re-train their staffers. Soonest, I will unveil the faces behind this project which we learnt has so far gulped over N200 million.

Encomium

Written by Encomium

A media, tech and events company.

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