Author: Enwono-Abasi Elisha

Recently, the Crest Newspaper joined an expert roundtable discourse in far away Senegal, a West African Country, to contribute to the ongoing discussion about preventing conflict which is prevalent in the oil, gas and solid mineral rich communities in the West African region. The event which took place between November 27th to November 28th 2023 at Goree Institute, Dakar – Senegal, had as its theme: “Responsible and Inclusive Management of Extractive Resources for Conflict Prevention.” https://crestnews.ng/ekperikpe-intervenes-in-health-sector/ According to the Executive Director of the Institute, Mr. Doudou Dia, the round table discussion is in continuation of their pursuit in the research…

The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Brand Management and Marketing to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Sir Raphael Edem has reiterated the need for all Akwa Ibom persons to join in the task of marketing the unique potentials and qualities of the State in positive ways. He made the note, Wednesday, during the ongoing Chats of the Conference of Online Publishers, Akwa Ibom State (COOPA) on the theme, ‘Nigeria in Post Subsidy Removal Era: Governance and Citizens Engagement.’ According to him, “The task for building Akwa Ibom brand is not just the State Government’s responsibility. Every positive thing that…

Everything seems to sing and dance to the melodious redemption tune played through the land. The song speaks the language of pains, inflicted by men who came to steal and kill. They did not only steal and kill, but ravaged the innocent bodies of African young females, making their tender, plumpy breast sag. They sag so early! “For fear of these masters, who enjoyed the agony of our ancestors, they seat upstairs shouting ‘Blacks are Animals! Take them away!’ They say this so often till they tend to believe and make us believe ‘we are animals’ and should be bound…

Editor of the Crest Newspaper, Enwono-Abasi Elisha was amongst the 20 participants selected from three West African Countries, Nigeria, Ghana and Sierre-Leone to participate in a-three day regional capacity-building workshop of the Gorée Institute – Centre for Democracy, Development and Culture in Africa, Dakar-Senegal. The event which took place from July 26 to 28 at the Gorée Island, Dakar-Senegal had the theme: “Mechanisms for the prevention and management of conflicts related to mineral resources in West Africa.” According to the Organisers, the theme was apt to equip the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the Media to be able to tackle…

 … Community self help  Part 3 The Clan Head of Iko explained how he has been utilising community efforts in the area of development before SEEPCO’s few interventions. “I constructed 1000 desks, 600 for the three sections of the community, Okoroetor, Ataessien and Akprikpe axis. Before the desks arrived, the children in Primary and Secondary Schools were sitting on the floor for lessons. “When the transformer in the area was vandalized, we reinstated it and bought ormoc cable, poles, grass cutting machines to the two schools we have, Iko Community Secondary School and the Government Secondary School, Iko Town. We…

…SEEPCO begins activities despite inconclusive EIA, MoU Part 2  “Their occupation was greatly affected. So, we gave them each ₦100,000 each to buy fish, crayfish and start selling,” – Community stakeholder. INCONCLUSIVE is the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, as at the time of this report which should guide the activities of Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited, SEEPCO, in host communities in Eastern Obolo LGA, Akwa Ibom State. Several assertions by stakeholders of Iko community, Atabrikang I, Obianga, Ikonta, Okoroinyong, Iwofe, Egwenwe, Amazaaba, Emero-oke, all in Eastern Obolo LGA, point to this fact. Environmental experts view this…

 Part 1  “Sterling Global took 1000 hectares of our mangrove for its Petrochemical Chemical plant and even push forward for more 700 hectares. Now they want to pay compensation and relocate our people who have stayed for 137 years to another place. The Governor suggested that the people of Ikonta-Obianga be relocated to ONNA LGA where they have a massive land. How will our people be taken to a different land? “When Sterling Global came to Ikonta-Obianga, they used the Committee to oppress the people. The place they vacated the fishermen, they only paid peanut. It is not everybody who…