Governor Udom Emmanuel lays stone for AIT in Akwa Ibom

In fulfillment of government’s promise to attract investors to the state, Governor Udom Emmanuel today, performed the foundation stone laying ceremony for the construction of DAAR communication / AIT – Ray Power FM Complex in Abak Local Government Area.
The event was witnessed by AIT’s Mr. Dokpesi Jnr, Akwa Ibom state’d Deputy Governor-Mr. Moses Ekpo, Dean, Forum of Commissioners- Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem, who is Commissioner for Commerce & Industry, and other members of the state Executive.

The Honourable Commissioner of Information and Communications, Deacon Aniekan Umanah was elated, and stated that the presence of DAAR Communications was heartwarming and will boost employment, possible synergy and development in the state.
Daar Communication are owners of African Independent Television, Ray Power FM and Faaji Fm. Nelson NseAbasi
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Governor Udom Emmanuel laying the foundation stone, while Mr. Dokpesi Jnr., Deacon Aniekan Umanah & Mr. Moses Ekpo looks in admiration

TOUCHING: How Nigerians Use My Condition To Make Money - Boy With Elephantiasis
Some days ago, Naij.com reported that a teenager who is suffering from Elephantiasis is always lurking around Ikeja-Lagos, to beg for alms and possibly seek solution to his condition.

Habib, suffers from elephantiasis
As a result, our reporter made efforts to locate the young lad, to possibly have an interaction with him. After a long wait, finally the ‘beggar’ surfaced at his usual spot just around the general hospital, Ikeja.
Efforts to speak with him proved abortive as he obviously looked too scared and very cautious to interact with strangers. Our reporter approached a trader Abdullahi (not real name) very close to the bridge, who by chance understands English and Hausa languages. After about an hour, finally the boy agreed to speak. Speaking in Hausa, he gave his name as simply as Habib. He explained that he had stopped granting interviews to people.
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According to him, a lot of people have taken his pictures for different purposes.
He said: “My name is Habib. Please I beg you, don’t take my pictures. I beg in the name of God. Many people have used my pictures for different things. Some people even use it to make money outside the country.”
Asked how the ailment started, Habib said he was very young when it started. It enlarges as he grew older. “I just don’t know. This thing just started growing. My parents are in Sokoto. I just somehow found my way to Lagos with my brother from our state. He too is just hustling on the street.
“In fact, I am the one that normally feed him and one other brother, from whatever people give me on the streets,” he lamented.
The boy also said he had been to hospitals in Sokoto, when he was younger, but his parents could not afford to pay for treatment.
“Yes, I have been to the hospital, but we do not have money to settle the bills.”
He continued: “Sometime ago, a convoy on the way to the airport stopped, and a woman alighted from one of the cars. She told me she was a pilot and would like to assist me. She took my pictures, she asked me questions and gave me some money promising to return to see me.
“After sometime, she returned and told me she spoke with former governor of Lagos state, Raji Fasola. She said the governor felt pity and they promised to invite my parents and get them a house, but I haven’t seen her since then.”
On the other hand, Abdullahi, ‘the interpreter’, said he had known Habib for some years now. He lamented that despite the fact that the boy begs just at the nose of Nigeria’s foremost hospital, Nigerians still neglect him.
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He said: “This boy is not up to 15 years. I have known him for some years now. I pity him a lot because he carries the hand on his head. It’s so sad, but there is nothing I can do. Imagine, this is the General hospital. People should help this boy.”
Habib is mostly around the General Hospital at Ikeja in Lagos, and pleads with the general public to come to his aid.
Habib suffers from elephantiasis. Photo Credit: Babajide Orevba