Monday 31 October 2016

Julius Berger, ors should support monthly sanitation - Environment Boss …As AKTC holds Permanent Secretary hostage

Julius Berger, ors should support monthly sanitation  - Environment Boss …As AKTC holds Permanent Secretary hostage

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mr. Eshiet Ikpe has called on companies operating in Akwa Ibom State to lend their support to the state-wide monthly sanitation exercise.

Mr. Ikpe who made the call in a chat with newsmen after a city-wide inspection of compliance by Uyo residence with the exercise last Saturday said companies like Julius Berger, Gitto Construction Company, Nigerpets Structures, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited and a host of others (big and small) operating in the state should participate in the monthly sanitation exercise as part of their corporate social responsibility, noting that these companies have benefited a lot from the state and so should look for ways to give back to the society.

He said they could do this by releasing their vehicles, trucks and personnel to help in the evacuation of refuse which usually poses a challenge during and after every sanitation exercise.

NDDC to do 34 roads in A’Ibom …as residents pour encomiums on the commission

BY DANIEL EKPENYONG

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has said that a total of 34 township road rehabilitation contracts have been awarded across the state which, according to a press release by the commission, is aimed at ameliorating the plight of the residents who have had to live with impassable road network in the state.

Meanwhile, most of the contractors whose names and jobs have been published in the release have mobilized to site and work has commenced everywhere even as residents bare their minds on this impressive development.

For example, Barr.(Mrs.) Iniobong Essang, a resident of Anwa Nsa street off Ikpa road, Uyo in a chat with THE INK newspaper said the said Anwa Nsa street and the adjoining Ekpene Ntan street had remained impassable for years and that those of them living within the vicinity of the area it was hell going out and coming in on a daily basis.

AKHA moves to protect persons with disability through legislation

AKHA moves to protect persons with disability through legislation

The  Akwa Ibom State legislature is set to enact a law that will guarantee equal opportunity in all aspects of living in the society, and as well safeguard the rights of physically challenged persons in the state.

Speaker. Onofiok Luke gave the assurance, Monday while declaring open a public hearing at the House of Assembly on the ‘Bill for a law to protect the physically challenged persons against all forms of discriminations and to provide for equal opportunities in all aspect of living in the society and for connected purposes’. Barr. Luke, who was represented by the member for Ibiono Ibom, Rt. Hon. Barr. Ime Okon, said the bill which is before the House further affirms the commitment of the state legislature in the provision of a legal frame work that would checkmate the ugly trend of discrimination against physically challenged persons.

It would be recalled that Hon. Luke sponsored the bill last year before he became the Speaker of the House; As the Ibiono Ibom representative Rt. Hon. Ime Okon explains “It is important and interesting to state at this point that this bill was sponsored by Rt. Hon. Barr. Onofiok Luke, as he then was before he became the Speaker, and it was the first member bill in the 6th assembly. 

Akwa Ibom son designs solar powered tricycle as his final year project

Akwa Ibom son designs solar powered tricycle as his final year project

A final year student of the Federal University of Technology (FUTO), Owerri, Ekomobong Finbarr has successfully developed a solar powered tricycle.

Finbarr, who hails from Etinan Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State developed the tricycle as his defence project in partial fulfillment for the award of a degree in Electrical Engineering in the college. 

Speaking to journalists on his project, the young inventor said he was inspired by the need to reduce noise and air pollution in the nation’s cities and to diversify the economy from dependence on oil.

Environmental Sanitation: SSG, T’ Chairman warn Ikot Ekpene residents

Environmental Sanitation: SSG, T’ Chairman warn Ikot Ekpene residents

Last Saturday’s Sanitation exercise in Ikot Ekpene L.G.A was unique as the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Sir Etekamba Umoren personally supervised the exercise with the transition Chairman of the area, Hon. David Umanah. 

The SSG was however not fully satisfied at Urua Oto axis as traders were seen idly around the market premises during the exercise. 

He instructed the chairman to arrest the situation from next month’s exercise as such was inimical to government’s objectives.

He was satisfied as residents complied in other areas visited and expressed delight even as he thanked the transition chairman and his members for their proactiveness.

Akwa Ibom: Youths give Mobil 7 days ultimatum to implement Oil Spill MoU

For refusing to homour the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) it signed with stakeholders of the host community of Esit Eket, angry youths have given Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN) Unlimited, seven days ultimatum to implement the agreement or face serious action that could cripple oil and gas activities in the area.

Addressing Journalists in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital yesterday, the President of Esit Eket Frontline Youths Movement (EEFYM), Comrade Akan Etteudo, explained that Mobil had refused to honour the MoU it reached with the community regarding the deployment of oil spill compensation funds to the development of educational infrastructures in Esit Eket.

“It is with displeasure that we resort to use this medium, on behalf of the entire youths of Esit Eket to press home our grievances. As youths of the host community we believe in peaceful co-existence as violence does not does not bring anything good”, he lamented.

Foreign Investors moves to revitalize NNMC, EPZ in Akwa Ibom

Foreign Investors moves to  revitalize NNMC, EPZ in Akwa Ibom

A group of investors from USA, China and Taiwan under the aegis of phonix group has expressed their readiness to invest in the abandoned Nigeria Newsprint manufacturing company Oku-Iboku and the Export processing zone  Ikot Abasi both in Akwa Ibom State. 

The group led by chiu-ling wang, president international affairs phonix group who toured various abandoned and moribund industrial sites in the state assured that the revitalization of the moribund Nigeria Newsprint and Investment in the Export processing zone remains priority in their heart. 

“We will bring resources from all over the world to ensure that these investments are properly kick started to serve the public and make profit.

Oruk Anam Political Leader Commends Governor Udom Emmanuel Over the sighting of Naval University in Ikot Ntuen

Oruk Anam Political Leader Commends Governor Udom Emmanuel Over the sighting of Naval University in Ikot Ntuen

The political leader of Oruk Anam Local Government Area, Sen.  Ittak Bob Ekarika had commended the State Governor, His Excellency Udom Gabriel Emmanuel in his giant strides recorded in the state. 

Speaking with Newsmen in his country home, Ikot Ntuen, Ekparakwa Clan, the political leader, Oruk Anam, particularly poured encomium on the State Governor for facilitating the conversion of the former premises of Special Technical College, Ikot Ntuen, Ekparakwa Clan to a Naval University. 

Be prayerful, first lady urges Akwa Ibom women

Be prayerful, first lady urges Akwa Ibom women

Akwa Ibom women have been urged to continue to pray and intercede for the peace and prosperity of the state and the country at large.

Akwa Ibom Governor’s wife, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel made the call during the women monthly prayer summit for the month of October held at the banquet hall ground, government house, Uyo with the theme “The Unstoppable God.”

While speaking, she attributed the successes recorded by the state government over the past months to the prayers of the women saying “when women pray, things change”. Mrs. Emmanuel who took the first and second bible reading from Exodus 14:1-30, Acts 12:1-16admonished the women not to relent in their prayers as the unstoppable God which they gather to worship every month is still doing great things in the land.

Martha Emmanuel urges couples on love

Martha Emmanuel urges couples on love

The need for love, respect and mutual understanding between married couples has been identified as the required tonic for a successful marriage.

Akwa Ibom state Governor’s wife, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel gave the remarks at the solemnization of matrimony between Dr. Miss Idara Godwin Mbarikit and Dr. Oduduabasi Akpan Luke, junior brother to the Speaker Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly held at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Flourishing Maga Parish, Akpa Ube street, Uyo.

Mrs. Emmanuel identified love as the strongest force which binds people together, adding that when couples imbibe real love and tolerance, there is bound to be peace, unity and progress in their families. 

The biggest and first ever street union is born

The biggest and first ever street union is born

On Friday, 28th October 2016, Streetsrepresentatives from more than 80 major streets across AkwaIbom gathered at Discovery Park, UdoUmanaStreet, Uyo L.G.A for the formation of a new group called the STREET UNION. Speaking after the meeting, the Secretary-General of the Union, Dr. George Udoh told our correspondent that given the biting season of change in Nigeria, it became very necessary for a group that can work to encourage the people of AkwaIbom extraction to keep faith in and support the government of Deacon Gabriel Udom Emmanuel.

He said the union will be the biggest and strongest organization in recent times. Their mission is to amalgamate all streets, community and village associations for the purpose of supporting the government in order to move AkwaIbom forward in the atmosphere of peace and unity derivable from relationships of trust that will ginger collaboration between the government and the governed.

The biggest and first ever street union is born

The biggest and first ever street union is born

On Friday, 28th October 2016, Streetsrepresentatives from more than 80 major streets across AkwaIbom gathered at Discovery Park, UdoUmanaStreet, Uyo L.G.A for the formation of a new group called the STREET UNION. Speaking after the meeting, the Secretary-General of the Union, Dr. George Udoh told our correspondent that given the biting season of change in Nigeria, it became very necessary for a group that can work to encourage the people of AkwaIbom extraction to keep faith in and support the government of Deacon Gabriel Udom Emmanuel.

He said the union will be the biggest and strongest organization in recent times. Their mission is to amalgamate all streets, community and village associations for the purpose of supporting the government in order to move AkwaIbom forward in the atmosphere of peace and unity derivable from relationships of trust that will ginger collaboration between the government and the governed.

Oro youths hail Victor antai’s performance as commissioner …..declare support for Udom

Oro youths hail Victor antai’s performance as commissioner …..declare support for Udom
For performing creditably well as Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Governor Udom Emmanuel’s administration for the past seventeen months, and intensive mobilization of Oro people for the support of the present administration in the state, a socio political youth organization in the area, Akpakip Oro Librated Movement has commended the immediate past commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Victor Antai, and wish him to continue on his good works to rally support for the present administration.

In a released signed by the President General of the group, Ulap Effiong Adakama and the Secretary, Prince Edet Okon Edet, after their general meeting in Oron over the weekend, the group described the immediate past commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs as the only commissioner from Oro nation that has brought the government of Udom Emmanuel closer to the people, through his various empowerment scheme.

They appreciated the Mr Antai for donating fleet of cars, motorcycles, and other welfare packages to the people of Oro, cutting across the five local government, they described him as a grassroot person to the core, who as a Chairman of Mbo local government, mobilized massive support for Governor Udom Emmanuel in 2015 election.

Women Convention: Uyo LGA first lady solicits more prayers

Women Convention: Uyo LGA first lady solicits more prayers

Akwa Ibom women have been urged to continue to pray and hold unto God in all they do and to also intercede for the peace and prosperity of the State.

Mrs. Bridget Ben, Wife of Uyo Local Government Transition Committee Chairman who made this call during the 2016 Women Convention held at Holy Ghost Ambassadors Ministry International, Ekpaya Street, Uyo, with the theme “I never lost my praise” charged the women to always sacrifice time to pray for their families and the society. 

While speaking, she attributed the successes recorded by the State Government over the past year to the prayers of women, urging them not to lose their faith in God as He alone can make all things possible. “When women pray, things change” adding that, a praying woman is always a winning woman and that when they win, praise will never lost on their lips. 

New Ibom airport board promises to complete MRO

New Ibom airport board promises to complete MRO

The chairman of the newly constituted board of the Ibom International Airport Development Company, Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga has restated the resolve of the new board to ensure the completion of the Maintenance, Repairs and Overhaul facility at the airport.

The Chairman stated this while conducting inspection of facilities and equipment at the airport with other members of the board. He expressed a belief that once completed and fully operational, the MRO as a  foreign exchange spinner will cushion the effect of the dwindling oil revenue in the country.

In his words “The most important thing we want to do, we want to make the airport historic, because, why this airport was built, the crux of it was Maintenance, Repairs and Overhaul. We believe that with the MRO working it can even take of this airport, maintain it and make money for government.”

AKHA to make law on financial grant for researchers

AKHA to make law on financial grant for researchers

Plans are ongoing by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly to make a law that will ensure financial grant for members of the public who will take up the responsibility of conducting researches that will aid the government discover background knowledge on key areas of development.

Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon (Barr) Onofiok Luke disclosed this yesterday a one-day Students Mentorship Summit in Uyo, organised by the Chairman of the Joint Campus Committee in Akwa Ibom, Comrade Akwaowo Clifford Ukpong.

Addressing a cross section of students who gathered for the summit, Barr Luke said that the decision of the legislature to make the new law is to encourage citizens’ contibutions to the government in its developmental agenda.

SWAN Award:YSFON salutes Emmanuel Usosen

SWAN Award:YSFON salutes Emmanuel Usosen

The Transition Committee Chairman for Abak local government area, Dr. Emmanuel Udosen has continued to receive goodwill messages on his recent award by the State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN).

The latest came from the State Chapter of the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON). In a statement signed by the Vice Chairman of the organization, Hon. Udosen Ntayat, YSFON described the award as meritorious and well-deserved coming few months after YSFON had presented Dr. Emmanuel Udosen with similar award as the Akwa Ibom Sports Chairman of the Year 2015. 

Governor Emmanuel’s unrelenting drive in urbanizing Eket

Governor Emmanuel’s unrelenting drive in urbanizing Eket
The landmark achievements of Governor Udom Emmanuel since coming into office are numerous and cut across different socio-economic sectors. Perhaps the main reason the Governor has been named ‘Mr. Industrialization’ is the passion with which he has pursued his industrial development agenda. 

One of this is encapsulated in the Construction and Remodeling of selected roads, strategic Roundabout/Junction and Storm water Drainage in Eket Metropolis awarded on the 12th of August, 2015, expected to be delivered in 33 months time by NigerPet Structures Limited, a notable Civil Engineering Company with over 15 years of work experience in the Country and a major partner in developing Akwa Ibom State. 

AKHA seeks partnership with CSOs, NGOs

AKHA seeks partnership with CSOs, NGOs

BY UBONG SAMPSON

Speaker Onofiok Luke of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has, on behalf of his led state legislature, called on the Civil Society Organizations and Non Governmental Organisations to partner with the state legislature in developmental programmes that will benefit the society and humanity at large.

The Speaker made the call earlier today, while addressing members of Policy Alert- a Civil Society Organization which paid him a courtesy visit in his office.
In his remark, Rt. Hon Luke said that through the Policy Alert organization, the doors of the state legislature is henceforth thrown open to other NGOs to partner with the lawmaking arm of government in working to develop and make the society a better place.

The speaker also hinted that the legislature in the state under his leadership, has been planning towards inviting the civil groups for talk shows on public related issues, though he said, the speed of the said plans has been slightly affected by paucity of funds. However, he expressed optimism that plans in that regard will soon be actualized.

Emmanuel Udosen secondary schools Championship kicks off Nov. 4

Emmanuel Udosen secondary schools Championship kicks off Nov. 4
The maiden edition of Emmanuel Udosen All Abak Secondary Schools Football Championship for public and private secondary schools in Abak local government area will kick off on Friday, 4th November, 2016 at the Church of Jesus Christ Comprehensive Secondary School, Atai Otoro.

The championship which is organized by the State Chapter of the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON) is aimed at discovering hidden football talents abound in secondary schools in line with Governor Udom Emmanuel’s vision of promoting grass-root sports development.

Actualizing investment opportunities in Akwa Ibom State through public relations – A Review

Actualizing investment opportunities in Akwa Ibom State through public relations – A ReviewActualizing investment opportunities in Akwa Ibom State through public relations – A Review


BY IDORENYIN AQUAISUA

The recently concluded Round Table Discourse put together by the Akwa Ibom State Chapter of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) on Thursday, September 29, 2016, in Uyo, could, for sundry weighty reasons, be largely appraised as seasonable, inventively unique and roundly instructive. 

This outlook, beyond other apparently essential considerations including: the timing of the event, the timeliness and import of its theme, the ingenuity and farsightedness of the Mrs. Elsie Udofia led leadership of NIPR Akwa Ibom State Chapter in organizing the event, and the array of outstanding cerebral minds that gathered to create form for the theme of the roundtable, is indisputably justified by the resourcefulness and rich intellectual contents of the Lead Discussant, Dr. Udeme Nana, a multi-dimensional and multi-faceted thinker, reputable for his peerless aptitude for creative initiatives. 

However, it is arguable that the event could not have stimulated the ensuing generous dose of interests save for its theme - ‘Actualising Investment Opportunities in Akwa Ibom State through Public Relations’. This is premised on the grounds that given the popular perception about the traditional rudiments for creating investment, many nominal pundits and investment agents could have misconceived such a thematic construct as either selfishly ambitious or provocative. 

Sure foundation Polytechnic: The inspiration of hope

LOGO_for_Sure_Foundation - Sure foundation Polytechnic- The inspiration of hope

BY SAMUEL AYARA

Little things and places will always remain what they are until great things happen to them”- Anonymous 

The lots of the serene and peaceful village of Ikot Akai, Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, agrees totally with the above statement, as the advent of an idea that will forever put to area on the pages of destination where knowledge can be found has been birthed.

For all its worth not much may have been known of  Ikot Akai Community due to the relative lack of corporate, social or governmental presence, but like the biblical Nazareth, it has brought forth a citadel that will give light and hope to Akwa Ibom and the rest of the world, the Sure Foundation Polytechnic.

Christened as an ivory tower that will educate, innovate and inspire; the coming of this institution is one that has defied every pessimistic thought of how soon a light so bright could have illuminated our clime, true to it, the vision was for an appointed time.

General, The Ambassador

A peep into the antecedents of Major General Godwin Umo (retd.), the sole  Akwa Ibom indigene among the 46 non-career Ambassadors nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari, last week

BY INEMESIT INA

Professor, the Ambassador! That was how then President Olusegun Obasanjo hailed Professor Jibril Aminu (as reported by the then celebrated Editor of Thisday, Olusegun Adeniyi) when the medical doctor-turned-politician visited the President shortly after his nomination as an Ambassador in July 1999. Aminu had been everything at the top – Professor of Cardiology; pioneer Executive Secretary of the National Universities’ Commission; Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri; Minister of Education; Minister of Petroleum Resources; a national leader of the Congress of National Consensus (CNC), one of the five registered parties in the General Sani Abacha regime; a convener of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and a vice presidential contender (before Obasanjo picked Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in January 1999). The ambassadorial nomination was another feather to Aminu’s hat and Obasanjo was apparently excited at having such a star as his envoy (Aminu was subsequently posted to the United States of America, one of Nigeria’s top foreign missions). Aminu later became a two-term Senator (2003-2011), the sole kingmaker of Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako in 2007 and the “linkman” used by Obasanjo to decimate and chase out Atiku from PDP between 2005 and 2007.

Adamawa State might have produced Professor, The Ambassador in 1999, now Akwa Ibom State looks set to produce General, The Ambassador. Like Aminu, Major General Godwin George Umo (retd.) was already an accomplished man before his nomination as an Ambassador by President Muhammadu Buhari, last week. A retired two-star general, former Commander of the Nigerian Army Signals’ Corps, electronics’ engineer, cleric, hotelier and politician, he is now on the verge of representing Nigeria abroad as the President’s envoy.

Kenneth Jude: THE ‘OTHER ROOM’ PALAVER

Kenneth Jude: THE ‘OTHER ROOM’ PALAVER
 For the past three weeks or thereabouts, the word that has dominated both the political and social arena in the country is the other room. In beer parlous, eateries, saloons, betting centres and pepper soup joints, all Nigerians now say with gay disregard is the other room. When the now troubled Madam Patience was the First Lady, her famous diaris God ululation dominated every corner of the nation. In fact, it almost assumed the toga of a slogan in the country. Even after her near cantankerous reign as First Lady, the diaris God lamentation still walked on all fours.

One had thought that no other comic-ridden buzz word will ever replace diaris God. But little did we know that in no time, another, even more striking catchphrase was in the offing. Unlike Patience who was the wife of a seating president, this new catchword in town is the handiwork of President Muhammadu Buhari, the Daura born acetic change champion. The President was responding to an interview his wife Aisha had with BBC wherein she threatened not to support his husband if the former seeks a second term.  She went further to accuse her husband of having lost the country to a mindless cabal bent on throwing spanners into the All Progressives Congress’ well-thought out manifesto prior to the poll.

To Aisha, the levers of governance which ordinarily should belong to her husband have been hijacked by people she claimed Buhari does not even know. So, having campaigned vigorously and with the sort of passion that women evince in matters such as election, everything, she now feels frozen out from the scheme of things. She feels robbed of the authority and powers her office deserves. Some commentators have asked thus: does she even have an office? When Buhari assumed power, he declared with lightning immediacy that there will be nothing like First Lady’s office. In the alternative, he opted for the ‘Wife of the President’ as a fitting appellation for his wife, Aisha. So, from the word go, Buhari had already consigned his wife to the other room, kitchen and the living room. When he did that, he was applauded as a strict disciplinarian who has come to bring sanity to governance and, to a large extent, wean the First Lady’s office of the unconstitutional but enormous powers that oo0zed therefrom in the recent past.

But now, the same people that hailed the ex military ruler for doing away with the sobriquet of First Lady are also condemning him for lashing out at Aisha with such asperity. They say he is anti-women, chauvinistic and all of that. But curiously, the man in the eye of the storm is unperturbed. He is carrying on as if nothing has happened. When he made those comments, his handlers were quick to pass it off as a mere joke. They simply asked: can’t the president crack joke again? But while some people were about believing that the comment by Buhari was only a joke as explained by his media team, the unflappable General reiterated his stance with the force and intensity of a loosed Lion that he meant what he said. It was no joke, he insisted. To many, that was a faux pas taken to unpardonable heights. Emergency Women Activists flew into rage. They said the president has no respect for the women folk. For saying that the wife of the president belongs only to the kitchen and the other room, to them, was an affront to all women in Nigeria and Africa in general.

In moments like this, it is normal and expected that diverse opinions will be whipped up by all manner of persons, more so as it involves the President. Some analysts have also morphed into the sartorial purity of sanctimony. Some men are talking as if what they do to their wives is not worse than what Buhari said. This is akin to the biblical adulterer who watched as all her accusers vanished into thin air when Jesus told them told them to cast a stone on her only if none of them has ever sinned. Upon all their fulminations and condemnation, they all left in ignominy because they also were guilty in one way or the other. So, in this case between Buhari and his wife, it is safe to pass it off as a natural squabble a man has with his wife. The only thing bad about it is that it came from the lips of a president more so all the way from Germany. It’s okay to criticise Buhari for the way and manner he addressed a supposedly First Lady. 

This is so because, leaders, by the virtue of their positions are expected to be people of immense character, wisdom and knowledge. They need these qualities to lead well; take proper and well-thought out decisions. But when these attributes are not there, a leader fails. In the bible, we read of the story of Solomon who asked God for wisdom. For him, that was enough. He knew that with wisdom, all other things will fall into place. He knew that armed with wisdom, he will be able to take decisions that will benefit the people he is leading -manage their idiosyncrasies and eccentricities and be able to know what to do, say at a particular time that will have the potency of calming turbulent situations. But in this instance, Buhari took what he would have settled within the confines of the other room with his wife to public domain. The result is the backlash that has trailed that moment of diplomatic gaffe.

But do we really blame Buhari. I say so because when people talk of the other room, Kitchen and all that crab, I wonder what is strange about all of that. For one, no living being today can say (s)he is not a product of the other room. Presidents, Governors, Ministers, Professors, Doctors, Teachers, Lawyers, everybody is a product of the other room. So, if Buhari says his wife belongs there, he also automatically is a bona fide member of the other room. So, like it or not, the other room is one of the most powerful rooms in the world. 

For married couples, in this room, disputes are settled, big plans are made, children come forth, peace is brokered. Everything happens here. It’s a sacred room of sorts. Not a place for toddlers. No. it’s a place for serious business. In fact, a man who fails to function as he should in the other room, risk losing his marriage. If his nuzzle fails him there, danger looms. And if his wife is not the patient and downright religious type, she will seek solace and comfort from another man who is a better performer in the other room. Such is the power of the other room. It has shattered and mended homes in equal measure. Wives who know their onions guard this room jealously - they may share the kitchen with a maid but certainly not the other room.

For more on the other room, I’ll advise you to ask from newlyweds how they navigated the demands of the other room on their first night. And for further clarification, just in case the newlyweds you confide in fail to tell you all you need to know, please don’t hesitate to seek more information from elderly couples who are still living together in peace and harmony. I’m sure they will oblige you. Go. Now, are we also going to be querulous about women belonging to the kitchen? I can also understand why many are aghast with Buhari for going further to posit that his wife also belongs to the kitchen. For women, the president’s statement diminishes womanhood. How can one say in this age where you have women as presidents of countries, top shots in big companies, belong only to the kitchen? Mr. 

President Sir, please give us a break. Are you telling us that the only thing Aisha does is to take care of your stomach plus your conjugal rights in the other room?  Even though it is said that the pathway to a man’s heart is via the stomach, did you need to Say it aloud? Well, it’s your home, so, I won’t argue with you where you choose to place your wife. But ever since you talked about that other room, I’ve not stopped wondering how you even function there. At 70 plus, does Buhari still have the energy for those physical gymnastics and calisthenics in the other room? Again, I refuse to argue on this one since you have made us believe that you still have some burst of energy for the exertions in the other room after attending to the myriad of issues confronting the nation on a daily basis at the office. Keep it up, Sir.

But away from all the hullabaloo over what you said of your wife or did not, methinks Aisha had some points in her remarks. Admittedly, what she told the world would have been better settled still in the other room, but going by who you are, austere and seemingly penal, I suppose she might have severally sought to have you talk things over, but you, just maybe, did not see any reason to have any conversation with her on issues that bothered her. To you, what does she want to discuss that she can’t do in the other room and maybe the kitchen where she belongs? So, you gave her no audience hence she had to take issues of the other roomand kitchen to the world.
Kenneth Jude: THE ‘OTHER ROOM’ PALAVER

Robbed of the majesty, influence and affluence office of the First Lady should ordinarily command, Aisha could bear it no more. She had to say it the way it is - straightforward and without pussyfooting. She has not been able to make women, (all those that wore uniforms and shouted themselves hoarse during the battle for Aso Rock) smile. Having put in her time and energy in campaigning and assuring the women of good tidings from the current administration, she had expected to repair the fate reposed in her husband with goodies for them. Alas, she has not been able to do so. Reason? She is the ‘wife of the president’ and not the First Lady as was the case up until Buhari roared into Aso Rock.

Unable to bear the pressure being mounted on her daily by a coterie of women who gave their all in support of Buhari, she had to let the world, and invariably, the women know that in the scheme f things, she is a bench warmer- hardly used or consulted for issues pertaining to statecraft. The only time she is needed is when oga is hungry down the waist soon after refilling his stomach courtesy of Aisha’s kitchen. Conversely, with elections coming in three years time, Aisha is bereft of what to tell the teeming women she convinced with every oomph of her blood and strength of appointments, better lives and all that. Having not fulfilled her loads of freebies promises for the women, she became hard-pressed to bare her mind.

In all, it is ideal for Buhari to take the advice of his wife seriously. It is dangerous for him to hand over the wheels of power to a cabal. He may have done away with the office of the First Lady, it will be logical if he allots some respect to his wife especially when he is outside the shores of the country. One would have taken his comments for a joke, but he goofed with pigheaded swagger when he restated his stance despite his media minders saying that he was at his jocular best. Whether Aisha is clad with the apparel of a First Lady or not, she is the ‘first’ woman of the country by virtue of her husband’s position hence deserves to be respected.

For Aisha and indeed all women, please use the power you have in the other room to the best of your ability. Perhaps, if Aisha Buhari was up and doing (extra effort) in the other room, she could not have been so branded by her anti-corruption czar husband. Nigerians would not want to be treated to the infighting that filled the political and social space on account of the First Family bringing issues that should best be settled in the other room to the public. That, to mind, is the least of our worries right now. Recession, high cost of living and their twin sisters are enough trouble. Aren’t they?  

Saving AKWA SAVINGS & LOANS LIMITED …the need to entrench corporate governance, accountability

udom-emmanuel-akwa-ibom-state - Saving AKWA SAVINGS & LOANS LIMITED …the need to entrench corporate governance, accountability
It was a good step taken by the new management of ailing state owned finance company, Akwa Savings & Loans Limited, when it visited the state legislature recently to seek support in the bank’s shot at recovery.
In all honesty, the present plight of Akwa Savings & Loans Limited, a microfinance bank established to assist in the economic development of the state by providing loan services and financing for individuals, businesses and/or corporate organizations, should bother any patriotic citizen.
That is why state government’s injection of bailout fund (an undisclosed amount), constitution of a panel of inquiry and change of the bank management as well as an investigation of the bank’s looters by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, should be commended.

Sunday 30 October 2016

PDP disowns Aniefiok Wilson Iwaudofia


PDP disowns Special Assistant to Akwa Ibom State Governor on Youth Matters
                 

PDP Youth Leaders in the State have disowned the Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Matters, Aniefiok Wilson Iwaudofia over his plans to hold a rally tagged “Nda Ye Udom”.
The press release signed by all the 31 PDP Chapter Youth Leaders in the state and exclusively obtained by THE INK Newspaper, states that the planned thank you by Iwaudofia is “fraudulent, satanic, vile and a calculated attempt to obtain funds albeit dubiously from our Governor Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel and perhaps other unsuspecting elites of the Akwa Ibom Public”.
While stating that Iwaudofia cannot be more catholic than the Pope, the youth leaders of PDP in Akwa Ibom State said they shall stop “that nefarious function which is billed for Tuesday 1st through Thursday 3rd Nov, 2016 across the three Senatorial Districts in the State”.

ANIEFIOK IWAUDOFIA CANNOT BE MORE CATHOLIC THAN THE POPE

Monday 3 October 2016

Latest Edition of The Ink Newspaper, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

Latest Edition of The Ink Newspaper, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

Big trouble in Ikot Abasi *Assemblyman knocks Obong Obot Etokafia

Big trouble in Ikot Abasi *Assemblyman knocks Obong Obot Etokafia
  *Says he’s an attention seeker *We’ve never had a political leader

BY EMMANUEL AKPAN
 
Following the recent  announcement and recognition of  Obong Obot Etokafia as political leader of Ikot Abasi Local Government, the member Ikot Abasi/Eastern Obolo in Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Uduak Odudoh has taken a swipe at Obong Obot Etokafia and his followers, describing them as attention seekers, impostors, fraud and hungry politicians who have failed their generation.  

The lawmaker while speaking with THE INK last week in his office, said right from the creation of Ikot Abasi Local Government Area, the area has the never had a political leader, rather there has always been a leadership structure which is comprising of some influential decision makers and political stalwarts, and that the self acclaimed political leader, Obong Obot Etokafia is nothing but a detractor who is seeking for attention in the area.