Mrs Patience Akpabio, Sister in law to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio has been excommunicated by the Greater Akpabio Family for her continuous online tirades against Senator Akpabio.

The family in a press briefing held on t Monday at their Ancestral meeting home in Ukana Essien Udim Council area, warned all members of the public to desist from any dealing with Mrs Patience Ibanga Akpabio as a member of our Greater Akpabio family saying, “It is sad, that she has pushed us to this line of action by her untoward and satanic actions”.

The family head, Chief Ekam Akpabio speaking on behalf of the family said, “We had earlier through a public notification, served the said Mrs Patience lbanga Akpabio a traditional injunction, demanding that she immediately cease and desist from making further statements about the person of HE, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio his wife, Dr. (Mrs.) Ekaette Unoma Akpabio and other members of the Greater Akpabio family.
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He lamented that “She has continued in her tirade, thus ignoring the injunction by the family. This in itself has brought the family to public ridicule, shame and suggestive of a family unable to manage and control her members. This has never happened and should not have happen at the first instance.
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‎He further highlighted, “The Family is deeply saddened that despite the assurances of our son and her husband, Barr Ibanga Akpabio, that she will cease and desist immediately on
‎her actions in view of the negative attention generated, the aspersions and
‎insults directed at the persons of the Senate President, his wife and indeed
‎the our greater family has continued unabated.
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‎He added , “As you may probably know, the Greater Akpabio Family has very well-known norms of respect, unity and age-long channels to address grievances. To see that this norms and channels Were not adhered to is regrettable. We therefore condemn these actions in their entirety. Such acts are destructive and an affront to our collective survival and development while also being repulsive to family and human dignity.

“They undermine the essence of our
‎core family values while bringing unnecessary distraction and suffering to our communities. We are united in rejecting these actions and reaffirming our commitment to upholding the time-honored ideals of respect, unity and
‎constructive engagement that have always defined us as a family.
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‎”The Greater Akpabio family shall not condone any act or behaviour that shall
‎bring the family to disrepute or pubic opprobrium as exemplified by Mrs
‎Patience Ibanga Akpabio’s Current conduct and attitude.
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“Consequently, we strongly denounce the unwarranted and repeated attacks
‎on our esteemed son and Pride of our Family, President of the Senate, His
‎Excellency, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON. We are
‎immensely proud of his exemplary representation of our Family, Senatorial
‎District and his remarkable achievements as the President of the Senate”.

A real estate and hospitality firm, AIBEN Investment and Properties Limited, has unveiled its new luxury facility, Bourdillon Hotel, in the Gwarinpa area of Nafikns Capital Abuja, with a pledge to redefine the city’s hospitality and tourism experience.

Speaking during the launch of the edifice, Chief Executive Officer of AIBEN Group, Chief Andrew Elerewa, said the multi billion Naira project is a dream fulfilled, saying it represents the company’s belief in Nigeria’s tourism potential.

He said the project reflects the company’s confidence in the viability of Nigeria’s tourism sector, which he described as an industry of the future capable of generating significant revenue if well supported.

“I feel very elated, highly excited, and deeply fulfilled. Going through the process of building and eventually seeing it come to reality, I’m very thankful to God. A lot happened along the way, but we’re happy to finally have something that can serve the people, deliver quality service to the Gwarinpa community, and by extension, contribute to our nation’s development.

“The tourism industry in Nigeria has a lot of potential, and taking a step like this is one of the ways to build infrastructure that will help harness that potential. We believe the industry has come of age, and facilities like this will help to boost government revenue and increase our Gross Domestic Product (GDP).”

Elerewa urged the government to continue providing an enabling environment for investors, adding that the private sector has a key role in developing the industry.

According to him, the facility has already created employment opportunities and will continue to generate revenue for the government through taxation and other channels.

He added: “Government’s role is to provide the right environment, while investors bring in the funds to build infrastructure that can strengthen the sector.

“Whether we like it or not, tourism is a money-spinning industry, and Nigeria must begin to believe in it. Many countries without natural resources make huge income from tourism alone.”

“You have to first believe in your country. This project has already generated a lot of employment. We’ve completed three similar projects, and each one creates hundreds of jobs. Government also benefits through taxes, which is how the economy grows.”

Elerewa, who described tax as an essential part of business, advised entrepreneurs to operate legitimately and take advantage of government incentives.

“Tax is part of business. As a legitimate business owner, you shouldn’t run away from it. Government has also provided incentives that can ease the tax burden on investors. If you stay on the right course, do what’s right, and grow with the system, it will ultimately be beneficial to everyone”, he added.

Speaking, Project Manager of Bourdillon Hotel, Ajayi Simeon, said the hotel was conceived to set a new standard in luxury and service.

According to him, the facility was built with a vision to create something classic, special, and different from what already exists,”

“We benchmarked against the best, and what we have here can stand anywhere in the world. We also value our staff and pay above the minimum wage because we believe excellence must be rewarded”, he stated.

Also speaking at the event, former Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and father of the CEO, Timothy Elerewa, described the edifice as a landmark achievement for the family and a contribution to Nigeria’s economy.

He lauded the Federal Capital Territory Administration under Minister Nyesom Wike for improving infrastructure, noting that good roads and utilities encourage investors to build and expand.

“Twenty years ago, I didn’t see this day coming. The edifice is of international standard, and I’m so proud of my son’s contribution to the economy. With over 600 staff across his hotels, he’s helping the government to create jobs because he understands that government alone cannot do everything.

By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, at the weekend said, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should not blame All Progressives Congress (APC), or any party or individual for its internal crisis, because the crisis is self inflicted .

Wike stated this during a live media parley monitored by our correspondent in Abuja.

It would be recalled that the FCT Mininster, had been at disagreement with top members of the party, advised that exclusion of members for meetings will not help the progress of the party.

“All these talks about APC are rubbish. Is it APC that makes you take wrong decisions? You mean two or three people, because they are governors and receive large allocations, will go and decide, and you tell me to follow? Follow who?”, he said.

The FCT Minister, gave conditions for attending the peoposed party convention, he said nobody must be sidelined and it must be properly organised.    

He said: “With what is going on politically, PDP will continue to lose if there is no change. It is very embarrassing, I know from the beginning that some PDP members are playing games. House that has died since. PDP did not do the right thing. They should follow due process to the national convention.

“If you think you will sideline people to hold the convention, it will not be possible. If a proper convention is to be held I will attend, but if the convention is not a proper one, I will not attend.”

Wike said the leadership had failed to complete necessary congresses and other key processes, which he claimed were stalling progress.

“If they do the right thing, will anybody stall the convention? They have not done the congresses and other things that should be in place,” he said.

He said: “Have I not said it before now that the booby trap you are setting will consume you? The way these present governors are doing, they will bury this party.”

The Minister questioned why his exclusion was justified simply because he no longer holds a governorship position.

“I am the FCT Minister. Are you telling me that because I am not a governor, you will hold a PDP stakeholders’ meeting and exclude me, and then expect the party to survive?” he queried.

He added: “Assuming I am not a Minister, by the role I have played in the PDP till now, is it right to say I cannot be consulted in taking decisions of the party? Certainly not.”