CONNOISSEUR MAN OF THE YEAR (NOMINEES)

The maiden edition of Connoisseur Man of the Year is here. To vote, (1) like our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/connoisseur.com.ng/?ref=hl, (2) write the name of your favorite nominee on the comment section of the page and (3) share the post. Or Log on to www.connoisseurng.blogspot.com, and www.connoisseur.com.ng, scroll to the polls section and click on you favorite nominee. Voting ends on January 11, 2016. Winner (who must amass the highest number of votes) will be presented with a certificate and a statuette. Below are the nominees:

JUST IN: New Deputy Speaker for Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly elected

Hon. Felicia Bassey

Hon. (Mrs) Felicia Bassey has just been elected and sworn-in as Deputy Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. The position became vacant after the Court of Appeal sacked the former number two man in the House, Hon.Effiong Bassey. Mrs. Bassey who represents Okobo State Constituency was in the race with Hon. Samuel Ufuo of Mbo State Constituency.

Why Lai Mohammed Must Be Fired Immediately, By Femi Aribisala

Lai

Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf was the Minister of Information in the dying days of Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq. Nicknamed “Comical Ali” by British tabloids, al-Sahaf made a fool of himself during the Iraqi war by constantly fabricating victories of the Iraqi army, even as territory after territory fell to the American-led allied forces.

What was so ridiculous about him was that his lies were so blatant, only fools could believe them. Even when American tanks rolled into Baghdad, Comical Ali declared: “There is no presence of the American columns in the city of Baghdad at all. We besieged them and we killed most of them. Today, the tide has turned. We are destroying them. The Americans are going to surrender or be burned in their tanks.”

Ex Minister Obanikoro responds to publication that he is hiding from investigation

Former Minister of Interior, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro has reacted to publication by Sahara Reporters that he is hiding from investigation. The Minister took to his facebook page to rubbish the report by the online newspaper. Read below:

RE: Ex-Minister Obanikoro now hiding from Nigerian Investigators Abroad... Sahara Reporters

Ordinarily, I wouldn't dignify SaharaReporters with a response to the baseless and shameful journalism it practices, but there is a limit even to new media madness.

Dragging my children into your deliberate campaign and onslaught against my person, however will not be ignored and I demand you cease and refrain from this practice and limit your scope to me only.

Aniebiet Francis Set to Premiere ‘One Bright Morning’

After releasing the official trailer to her debut short film production – ‘One Bright Morning’, fast rising actress Aniebiet Francis is set for the film premiere in the Akwa Ibom State capital, Uyo. The event will also be the official flag off for the ‘Every Seconds Count’ campaign by her NGO – Conscience Alive Foundation.

Buhari never promised he was going to do anything in 100 days - Lai Mohammed

APC national spokesperson, Lai Mohammed this morning on Channels TV said President Buhari never promised to do anything within his 1st 100 days in office.

"Buhari never promised to do anything in 100 days, that's the honest truth. You see, when you are running a campaign, all kinds of literature will emerge from all sorts of groups but I came here and I said there are only just two documents that you can judge a party with. that is the constitution of the party and the manifesto of the party. Those are the only two documents that are registered with INEC you can go to court on or hold a party accountable for" he said

Ex- Governor Akpabio involved in car crash, hospitalized

Immediate past Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio was reportedly involved in a car crash on Monday, and is currently receiving treatment in National Hospital, Abuja. Below is the news as reported by Premium Times:

A former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, now Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, escaped death Monday morning after his car got involved in an accident along the Airport Road in Abuja. PREMIUM TIMES learnt that the accident occurred near the Bolingo Junction close to the Ship House, Abuja. A witness said Mr. Akpabio was moving in a convoy of vehicles towards the City Gate when his vehicle ran into another car.

Governor Fayose appoints farmer and 72 year old illiterate carpenter LG chairmen

Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has appointed a 72-year old carpenter, Olatunde Afolayan, as caretaker chairman of Moba Local Government Area of the state. According to a tweet on his official twitter, the governor has also appointed a farmer as the chairman of Moba LG. 

Presidency assures Buhari will still balance his appointments

Adesina (right) with President Buhari

The Presidency has assured Nigerians that President Muhammadu Buhari’s political appointments will balance out very soon. The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, stated this on Friday, while featuring on a radio programme, Political Platform, on RayPower 100.5FM.

Adesina said, “Nobody can fault the fact that the persons appointed were appointed on merits.

Atiku’s daughter sworn-in as Commissioner, forfeits salaries and allowances

Fatima Atiku

Fatima Atiku, daughter of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and newly appointed Adamawa Commissioner of Health, has forfeited her salary and allowances for use in revitalizing the state’s health sector. Fielding questions from newsmen in Yola on Friday after being sworn in, alongside 21 other commissioners, Fatima, a medical consultant, said she was giving up her perks because of the numerous challenges in the health sector.

Nigerian Police Forces gets first ever female PRO

Olabisi Alofe Kolawole

Acting ACP Olabisi Alofe Kolawole has become the first female police officer to be appointed as National Police spokesperson. Kolawole holds a first degree in law, from Ogun State University and a Masters degree in Police Leadership and management from University of Leicester, United Kingdom. She replaces CP Emmanuel Ojukwu who is now the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command.

Important message for University of Uyo students

DIRECTORATE OF INFORMATION (SUG) UNIUYO
PRESS RELEASE
The attention of the Students' Union Government has been brought to the on-going qualms about an incident which supposedly occurred in the morning of Sunday, September 21, 2014 at the M2 Hostel located at the Annex campus of the University. it is therefore pertinent to make the following known to all students at this point in time:

“My only regret is that I left office with a successor but without succession”…read Obong Victor Attah’s full speech at the grand reception for him by Ibibio nation

Today is a very significant day in my life, in the life of all Ibibio people and indeed, I believe, in the life of Akwa Ibom state.

Let me start by reminiscing – by remembering an earlier reception that had been held for me by Akwa Ibom professionals in Abuja at the Ladi Kwali Hall at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers, on Friday August 22, 2003. I had not so long before, been sworn in for my second term in office as the governor of this state which was then beginning to show its greatness and to claim its rightful place in the political equation of this country.

The address that I presented at that occasion was titled “It is well with my soul”. In that address, I had quoted the president of Akwa Ibom professional who, at yet another previous occasion, organized to celebrate the re-appointment of Obong Uffot Ekaette, CON, as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, had this to say:

List of successful candidates for appointment into Akwa Ibom State Civil Service

The Akwa Ibom State Civil Service has released names of successful candidates for appointment into different positions in the service. Below are the names…

Ex-Barcelona coach, Tito Vilanova dies

Erstwhile Barcelona F.C coach, Tito Vilanova has died at the age of 45 after battling with throat cancer. He was admitted to hospital on Thursday for an emergency operation but he gave up the ghost on Friday afternoon. #RIPTito

Odudu Francis set to wed Elsie Michael

A top businessman, Odudu Dickson Francis is set to quit bacheloorhood as he prepares to tie the knot with his heartthrob, Elsie Michael. The traditional marriage of the soon-to-be couple is slated to take place on Thursday, 8^th May, 2014 at Community Secondary School, Paul Ekpeowo St, (Off Ekpri Nsukara), Ibiaku Offot, Uyo while the white wedding will hold at Living Faith Church, Ikot Ebido Oku, Uyo on Saturday, 10^th May, 2014 by 10.00am prompt.

According to the wedding invite, the reception will be hosted at EEMJM Hotels and Suites, Uyo.

The groom and bride-to-be recently went for a pre-marriage photoshoot. Below are selected shots from the session. They look good together…!

Faze, Chuddy K, Timi Dakolo attend MBGN 2013 Anna Banner’s birthday

Anna Ebiere Banner is the current Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria. She turned 19 on February 18^th and celebrities such as Faze, Chuddy K, Timi Dakolo, Harrysong (Mr. Songs) were in attendance. Below are photos from the birthday dinner…

E-101Extra release party in pictures

Penultimate Sunday, the much revered E-101 Group birthed another baby, E-101Extra. In an event hosted at Booble Lounge, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, the magazine was unveiled to complement its already existing sister publications (E-101Magazine and E-101Plus). Check out more photos of the event after the cut…