CHRAN

CHRAN PRESS RELEASE
CSO LAUDS AKWA IBOM COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
The Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN) has lauded the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, and members of his team for ensuring the security of life and properties in the Akwa Ibom State since assumption of duty.

The international human rights group made the commendation on Monday, 24th November, 2025, in a high-level Stakeholders Security Meeting at the Akwa Ibom State Police Headquarters, Ikot Akpan-Abia to review the security situation in the State and strengthen collaborative efforts in maintaining peace and stability across all communities in the State.

Speaking through its Director, Otuekong Franklyn Isong, who led members of the Center to attend the meeting, CHRAN noted the tireless efforts of the Commissioner of Police in tackling crime in the State.

The CHRAN also commended the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, for providing adequate assistance and support to the Police and other security agencies in the State which have facilitated the effective policing of the State and led to the reduction of crime during the current administration in the State.

The civil society group condemned in strong terms the use of social media to spread fake news in Akwa Ibom and other States of the federation, enabling the inimical activities of terrorists, bandits and other non-state actors.

The CHRAN called for patriotism, solidarity and support for the Police and other security agencies in the country in the war against terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements in the country. The CHRAN called for regular stakeholders security meetings to enhance citizens’ participation in community policing in the State.

In his opening remarks, the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, reaffirmed that Akwa Ibom State remains peaceful and secure, noting that the Command working closely with sister security agencies, continues to maintain robust patrols, effective surveillance, and intelligence-driven operations throughout the State.

The CP also expressed concern over the recent spread of fake news and unverified security alerts on the social media, which has the potential to cause panic and undermine public confidence. He categorically stated that such messages are false and misleading and must, therefore, be disregarded. He urged the public to rely solely on verified information from credible security sources.

The Commissioner further emphasized the need for communities to take ownership of security by exposing criminal elements, including those involved in armed robbery, cultism, vandalism, drug peddling, and other unlawful activities. He noted that no community can be truly safe if some residents shield or protect criminals.

CP Azare called on traditional and religious leaders, youth groups, market associations and civil society organizations to continue to work closely with the Police and other agencies to sustain the peaceful environment that the State enjoys.

The CP assures the public that the Command will continue to work tirelessly to protect lives and property and maintain law and order in every part of the State. Residents were called upon to remain vigilant and to report suspicious persons or movements to the nearest Police Station or any other security agency.

The meeting was chaired by the Commissioner of Police, CP Azare, and had in attendance representatives of civil society organizations (CSOs), traditional rulers, religious leaders, market unions, transport unions, students unions, Nigeria Labour Congress, community representatives, and members of the Press.

In their separate responses, some critical stakeholders, such as the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Bishop Chris Nyong; the Paramount Ruler of Uyo, HRM, Edidem Sylvanus Okon; the Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Sunny James, among others, appreciated the Commissioner of Police and heads of other security agencies for securing Akwa Ibom State and making it peaceful and safe.

While offering key interventions, observations, and commitment aimed at strengthening security across the State, the stakeholders unanimously pledged to strengthen collaboration with the Police Command, improve information sharing, and support all initiatives aimed at sustaining peace and security in Akwa Ibom State.

Signed

Comrade (Barr.) Christopher Ekpo
(Secretary)

Dated: 24th November, 2025.

CHRAN LAUDS FUTIA ON TRANSPARENCY IN PROCUREMENT
The Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN) has lauded the Federal University of Technology Ikot Abasi (FUTIA), Akwa Ibom State for ensuring transparency and accountability in its procurement processes. The CHRAN made this assertion through its Director, Otuekong Franklyn Isong while observing the Technical Bid Opening for 2025 TETFUND Special Intervention for Disaster Recovery in Monday, 13th October, 2025.

In a letter dated 7th October, 2025, and signed by Umoh Jacob, Ag. Director, Procurement, for the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Leo Daniel, the CHRAN was invited to participate in the exercises as an Observer in line with Section 19(b) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007.

Speaking during the exercise, the CHRAN observed that the exercise was conducted in accordance with the basic principles applicable to public procurement under the PPA, 2007, which are accountability, fairness, reliability, transparency, ethical standards, and economy.

The exercise was presided over by the Vice Chancellor of the FUTIA, Prof. Leo Daniel and had the university’s management team in attendance. The exercise was moderated by the Acting Director of Procurement of FUTIA, Umoh Jacob.

PRESS RELEASE

CHRAN To Host 2025 Annual CSOs Conference In Akwa Ibom

All is now set for the hosting of the 2025 Annual Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Conference in Akwa Ibom State by an internationally recognised human rights organisation in Nigeria, the Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN), in conjunction with other human rights groups, civil society organisations and Non-governmental organisations in Nigeria.

The event will hold on Monday, 6th October, 2025, by 10:00 a.m. at the CHRAN Conference Hall, No. 15 Akpa Ubeh Street (by Ibom Hall) off Babangida Avenue, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria with the theme: “THE STATE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION IN NIGERIA USING AKWA IBOM STATE AS A CASE STUDY” under the distinguished chairmanship of the former National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Emmanuel Enoidem, SAN.

The Keynote Speaker will be the Chief Lecturer, Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua and Founder, Uyo Book Club, Dr. (Mkpisong) Udeme Nana, while the Special Guest of Honour is the Executive Director, Projects, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Rt. Hon. Sir Victor Antai.

The Guest of Honour is the Chairman of the House Committee on Health and Member representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Obong (Hon.) Moses Essien. Father of the Day is a renowned Professor of Communication Arts, Prof. Desmond Wilson, while the Mother of the Day is the Executive Chairman of Ibeno Local Government Area, Hon. (Deaconess) Gloria Ekah-Effiong.

The theme of this year’s conference has being carefully considered as apt, on the heels of the 1st Year Anniversary of the Chairmen of the 31 Local Government Councils of Akwa Ibom State; the 38th Anniversary of Akwa Ibom State, and 65th Independence Anniversary of Nigeria. The CHRAN anticipates that the Conference will beam searchlight on the activities of elected Local Government officials in Akwa Ibom State and examine grassroot governance with a view to deepening democracy at the grassroot level and facilitating good governance, transparency and accountability in the administration of the Local Government System in Nigeria.

The CHRAN has, over the years, been hosting public lectures, seminars, conferences and symposia on relevant thematic areas as part of its civic responsibility towards the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria as a foremost pro-democracy, human rights cm civil society organisation that fought for the enthronement of democracy in Nigeria.

Participation at the event is strictly on invitation.

Signed

Otuekong Franklyn Isong
(Director)

Comrade (Barr.) Christopher Ekpo
(Secretary)

Dated: Tuesday, 30th September, 2025.

CHRAN DIRECTOR BAGS MORE HUMANITARIAN AWARDS
The Director, Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN), Otuekong Franklyn Isong, has been conferred with two separate awards of excellence by Justice Nsima Akpabio Chambers and Professor Enefiok Essien, SAN, Chambers of Justice, both from the Faculty of Law, University of Uyo, Nigeria, in their respective Dinner nights on Friday, 12th September, 2025 in recognition of Comrade Franklyn Isong’s humanitarian contributions in Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria at large.

These awards are coming barely two weeks after the CHRAN Director was conferred with an award of excellence by Law Students’ Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN), Faculty of Law of the same university and three weeks after the Department of State Services (DSS), Akwa Ibom State Command in its South-South State Directors of Services (SDSs) at Four Points by Sheraton hotel, Ikot Ekpene, honoured the CHRAN Director with an award of excellence in recognition of his excellence support in maintenance of security in Nigeria through the CHRAN. The Center remains grateful that our humanitarian services and contributions to the development of humanity and our society have not gone unnoticed. The Center will continue to render these services and will not rest on our core mandates of ensuring good governance, transparency, accountability, Rule of Law, holding public office holders accountable to the masses and sustenance of our democracy.

Dated: Wednesday, 17th September, 2025.

MKPAT ENIN: CHRAN APPLAUDS EMOIMEE
On Tuesday, 29th July, 2025, the Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN) has expressed satisfaction on the ongoing projects being executed in Mkpat Enin local government by EMOIMEE, a Host Community Development Trust, established by NNPC/MPN Joint Venture for the oil-producing LGAs of Eket, Mbo, ONNA, Ikot Abasi, Mkpat Enin, Eastern Obolo and Esit Eket in July 2023 under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021 to fund community development projects, enhance skill acquisition of the people and support their educational advancement.

The CHRAN made the assertion while addressing newsmen in the Center’s office in Uyo after its Director, Otuekong Franklyn Isong, led a team of CHRAN members and a cross section of the Press to embark on inspection of ongoing projects being executed by EMOIMEE in Mkpat Enin. The team was conducted round the various projects’ sites by the Non-Executive representative of Mkpat Enin in the Management Committee of EMOIMEE, Rev. Obot Ekanem. The team went to various sites, interacted with contractors handling the projects, inspected the projects and have the firsthand information about the projects.

Some of the ongoing projects inspected were: renovation of existing 4Nos classroom block and Assembly Hall, perimeter fencing and gate house, construction of 4Nos new classroom block, offices and ICT/library, modern toilet, construction of new two bedroom flat staff quarters etc in QIC Primary School, Ikot Obio Ndoho; renovation of existing 6Nos of classroom block with office and toilet in Ndon Ibotio; construction of modern toilet with borehole, tank/tank stand, Group School, Ikot Ayan/Edim; construction of modern toilet with borehole, tank/tank stand in St. John’s Primary School, Asong; construction of 1 Nos of solar inverter powered borehole with stanchion and reticulation in community health centre, Ndon Ibotio among several others. The CHRAN being an internationally recognised civil society, human rights-cum-good governance organisation with core mandate on transparency and accountability - holding public officeholders, government and governmental agencies/institutions accountable to the people will continue to carry out its civic responsibilities across Akwa Ibom state and Nigeria at large.