Encomium
Two Fridays back, amiable Cross River State Commissioner for Information, Chief Akin Ricketts walked into the Club of 50 and was treated to a surprise birthday bash by staffers of the ministry. And was he overwhelmed by the gesture and kind words of his staff? Of course, he was and took time to choose the right words in thanking them for keeping him in mind.
Chief Ricketts was born on August 2, 1964, to Engineer Anderson David Ricketts and Princess Victoria Ricketts (nee Victoria Ubi Ofem). He has his roots in Ugep (Yakurr); Yoruba and Carribeans (West Indies). His late father, Engineer Ricketts was a Mechanical Engineer, who came to Ugep and Yakurr in the 1940s and built palm oil mills in Yakurr, Biase and Obubra Local Government Areas for the defunct Eastern Region Agricultural Corporation.
Engineer Ricketts met and married Princess Victoria Ubi Ofem, the daughter of Obol Neil Ubi Ofem, a first-class chief of the Eastern Nigeria Council of Chiefs representing the old Obubra Division of the present Cross River State and the old Abakaliki Division of present Ebonyi State.
Chief Ofem was a leading member of the defunct National Convention of Nigeria and Cameroon (NCNC) and attended the 1958-1959 London Constitutional Conference that negotiated the independence of Nigeria from Great Britain under the aegis of the NCNC.
Chief Akin Ricketts, a prestigious traditional chieftaincy holder of Obol Nkama of Ugep, was bestowed the chieftaincy title in 1998, by the Obol Lopon of Ugep and the Paramount Ruler of Yakurr, Obol Ubi Ujong Inah for his meritorious service and contribution towards the social and economic progress of Ugep. He was barely 34 years old then making history as the youngest person to ever be so honored by the Obol Lopon of Ugep Royal Family in 300 years.
Married to Dr. Ifeoma Ricketts and blessed with three children, before venturing into the murky waters of politics, he had made his mark in international business.
GOVERNOR UDUAGHAN LEADS AZIZA AND OTHERS TO RAISE GBP2M IN UK
Middle of this week, Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan will be storming the United Kingdom with the President-General of Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), Chief Patrick Aziza (rtd. Major-General ) and other dignitaries to attend the 7th Annual International Convention of UPU and a GBP2 Million-Fund Raising ceremony of the erection of the Urhobo House in the UK.
Other dignitaries expected at the two-day event are the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Professor Amos Utuama, Nigeria’s High Commissioner in the UK, Dr. Dalhatu Sarki Tafilda, Senator Emmanuel Aguariavbodo, Obaisi Ovie Omo-Agege, Chief O’Tega Omerhor, Chief Fred Majemite and Chief John Oguma among others.
Authoritative sources said day one of the event which is Friday, August 22, 2014, at Londom Dockland Hiltons Hotels, will feature a symposium and dinner. Admission, we heard is fifty pounds per guest. And Day 2, which is the convention proper and fund raising night will hold on Saturday, August 23, 2014, at the prestigious event centre, Worshipville with admission extended to all.
CROSS RIVER MOVIE AWARDS RETURNS WITH 48 CATEGORIES
The modest success recorded at the maiden edition of the Cross River Movie Awards (CRMA 2013) in September 2013, has motivated the organizers to begin preparations for the second edition. Official sources say the blueprints of CRMA-2014 will soon be made public.
Last year, the maiden edition actually moved Nollywood to Calabar for the award designed to celebrate, appreciate and motivate producers of both indigenous and non-indigenous movies shot in the tourism-friendly state.
The award ceremony had in attendance the CRS Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke and his wife, Obioma; Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey, Shan George and a handful of other personalities.
Nominations for this year’s awards were opened early August to ensure enough time for the process, and for the planning of a memorable ceremony.
When the date and venue for the 48-category-awards ceremony are announced, we shall be the first to let you know.
