LATEST EDITION OF THE INK NEWSPAPER

Headlines in THE INK NEWSPAPER
-Akwa United drew at home, drops to 3rd place
-AKS PDP zones 2015 governorship to Eket Senatorial District
-Admiring Hon. (Barr.) Ime Okon BY ANNY MICHAELS
-Umana re-affirms interest in guber race
-Beauty Queens, Kings inducts NUJ Chairman Patron
-Ikot Ekpene people are solidly behind the Governor, says Don Etim
-Akwa Ibom’s free and compulsory education BY JOY BASSEY
-2015: Effanga urges peace and rule play * Says, I will run for election
-Thank you boss - Bassey Albert tells Akpabio
-A’Ibom PDP tasks members on new secretariat
-Enyiekere Emerges Secretary General PDP Local Govt Chairmen forum
-Ikot Ekpene people resolve to unite * Call for International market, industries
-Akpabio’s female lawmaker stripped naked
-Trouble in Eket Over oil spill money
-APN declares total support for Udom Emmanuel
-APC: Enwang faults Udoedehe’s approach BY KENNETH JUDE
-Aides laud Gov Akpabio on the ambience of peace, justice
-ETTEH: A phenomenal servant-leader BY DARLINGTON DAVID
-UPUT Magazine set to celebrate Uncommon Partners of Uncommon Transformation
-7feet Cake for ‘Democracy Day Jamboree’
-Akwa Ibom heroes in memoriam BY ANIEKAN UMANAH
-Resting the zoning brouhaha in Akwa Ibom PDP BY JOE INIODU
-AK govt. ready to investigate recent flooding in Uyo BY JOY BASSEY
-Ewang, ors boycot APC congress

Ewang, ors boycot APC congress

Despite the truce  that was at tempted to be reached between Sam Enwang, Udoedehe and other Chieftains of the APC, it has become glaring that there is apparent war in the party. The just concluded state congress went further to prove such.

 Two time MILAD of Osun and Ogun State, Group Capt. Sam Ewang on Saturday boycotted the State Congress of his party, All Progressives Congress in Akwa Ibom State held at Government Primary School, Offot, along Abak Road. He was joined by former State Chairman and 2011 governorship candidate of All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, Comrade David Ekanem. Also among those who boycotted the congress which former ACN State Chairman, Dr Amadu Attai emerged Chairman was Obong Engr. Effiok Akpan. Obong Effiok Akpan was the leader of Action Congress (AC) in Akwa Ibom State in 2007 and State Presidential campaign Chairman for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

It would be recalled that Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigerians Peoples Party (ANPP) Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and a faction of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) led by Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha merged earlier in the year and became registered by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as All Progressives Congress (APC).

AK govt. ready to investigate recent flooding in Uyo BY JOY BASSEY

The state government is set to investigate the cause of the recent flooding experienced in some parts of Uyo to forestall a re-occurrence.

On Monday last week, some places in Uyo mainly Ukana Offot, Atiku Abubakar, IBB and Ekom Iman junction, among others were rendered impassable after the heavy downpour.

The state Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio who announced this last Saturday at the Government House monthly prayer meeting held at St. John’s Chaplaincy, said “I want to investigate and know the root cause of the flood because we have invested so much constructing underground drainage system in the State”.

Resting the zoning brouhaha in Akwa Ibom PDP BY JOE INIODU

The highly celebrated and applauded Town Hall Meetings which started on March 5, 2014 and ended on April 4, 2014 delivered quadruplets on April 22, 2014 to the overwhelming joy of majority of Akwa Ibom people and searing anger of a minority that are still locked in adversarial position against the current administration. The new babies are to wit: Justice, equity, fair-play and good conscience. These are tenable levers of peace and mutual co-existence of every prosperous society. And so its arrival on our political shores must be celebrated if we don’t seek to be mischievous or drive self interest beyond the bounds of accepted consideration. 

The town hall meeting had the semblance of a referendum. Governor Akpabio described it as “a discussion of the people by the people for the people”. He said: “we do not circumscribe opinion because we have no secret agenda”. And so the discussions through the ten (10) Federal Constituencies were robust, interactive, frank and uncensored. People were free to speak their minds. Senator Effiong Bob endorsed the town hall meeting noting that anybody who fails, neglects or refuses to attend such interaction is not worth mentioning. He attended and registered his minority opinion. Senator Ita Enang attended several of the town hall meetings. He aired his opinion which did not appear to be in tandem with the popular tide. Perhaps his ambivalence may have succumbed to the tide as he was present on the day of delivery of the town hall babies midwifed by the State Executive Committee of the Party of which he is a notable stakeholder. 

Akwa Ibom heroes in memoriam BY ANIEKAN UMANAH

                   

At the inception of his administration, His  Excellency, Governor Godswill Akpabio, CON, expressed a smouldering desire to attain a greater Akwa Ibom State. Thus, within the last seven years, this desire has been greatly articulated through positive anger, culminating in the socio-economic and infrastructural renaissance never witnessed in the land of promise. This extraordinary feat by the Governor has been rightly tagged Uncommon Transformation.

However, aware that physical transformation without a corresponding spiritual balance may impede the overall  progress of the State, Chief Akpabio dug into the archives, with a view to laying to rest, once and for all, the issue of Akwa Ibom heroes, who were brutally murdered during the Nigerian Civil War (1967 - 1970).
Akwa Ibom, which formed part of the then Eastern region, had a fair share of the pains of the Nigerian Civil War. Some of the finest crop of the political leaders, businessmen, technocrats and bureaucrats of the area, were brutally murdered, and others publicly humiliated. This act of inhumanity has continued to haunt the peaceful co-existence and left a major scar in psyche of the people.

Akwa Ibom’s free and compulsory education BY JOY BASSEY

The emphasis on education as the live wire for the growth and sustainable development of any economy can never be overfloged. So the decision of the administration of Governor Akpabio to flag off an agenda of free ad compulsory education at the cradle of his administration must be applauded.
Obviously, the precedence set by Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the Leo’s may have inspired Dr. Godswill Akpabio in his vision to empower the youths of Akwa Ibom State towards the depositioning  in essence, the social welfare policy served as the harbinger of the uncommon transfer motion in Akwa Ibom State.

Sequel to this timely development, the State government in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs and the Ministry of Education forged alliance with the private sector to record a mile stone in the vision of mopping the streets of child hawkers and filling the classrooms with pupils. A most striking phenomenon about this people oriented policy is foreseeable in the undiscriminatory nature of its implementation. In other words, the policy was open even to non – indigenes living in Akwa Ibom State.

Ikot Ekpene people are solidly behind the Governor, says Don Etim

The State Commissioner for works Mr. Don Etim has said that the people of Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area are solidly behind the Governor Godswill Obot Akpabio whom he described as God’s special gift to the people of the state and Nigerians in general. 

Etim informed our reporter that it is the position of the people that they will support the Governor to the very end of his administration and beyond. He maintained that the leadership of the Governor is a noble one that has led to the liberation of the people. He called on the people to be united and steadfast as according to him it is with unity that more successes will be recorded in the different sectors of the society. 

Beauty Queens, Kings inducts NUJ Chairman Patron

The association of Beauty Queens and Kings, comprising all crowned Queens and Kings across the federation and from recognized tertiary institutions has installed the chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, Elder Patrick Albert as patron of the body.

  The honour was conferred on the NUJ chairman at the occasion of a courtesy visit to the NUJ State Working Committee (SWC) at the NUJ Press Centre, Information Drive, off IBB Avenue, Uyo.

  Led by its president, King Ukeme Michael, the group said Elder Albert was unanimously endorsed as a model for the members of the group following his enormous contributions to building a better society through repositioning of journalism in the state and thus ensuring a peaceful society where development strives.
  “The concept of the international press centre is legendary”, the group further stated.

Umana re-affirms interest in guber race

Mr. Umana Okon Umana, immediate past Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government, has re-assured his teeming supporters throughout the state and beyond that he is still in the governorship race. Noting that the contest for the office of governor of the state is open to all eligible aspirants irrespective of his senatorial district, Umana called on politicians in the state who are willing and ready to feel free and enter the race.

A communiqué issued by the state chapter of the PDP after its executive committee meeting on Tuesday had sought to create confusion in the minds of the people of the state by stating that the party has “zoned the governorship position to Eket Senatorial District,” while at the same time concluding that its position on zoning “is without prejudice to the right of any other person from other senatorial districts to contest for the governorship seat in 2015.” Umana, a leading governorship contender in the 2015 race, noted that the contradiction and double speak in the position of the SEC of the party reaffirm that there is no zoning in the choice of candidates for election in the party, a position, he noted, that is also confirmed by the policy statement of the National Chairman of the party. He said the vote for open contest is consistent with the history of electoral contest in the state, urging his supporters to remain calm and trust in God’s perfect will over the election.

Admiring Hon. (Barr.) Ime Okon BY ANNY MICHAELS

In a clime where political office holders are very busy enriching themselves and almost forgetting that they were elected by the people to represent them, a position or mandate they only hold in trust for the people who elected them without any sense of giving back to the people or in the quality of legislative engagements.

One of the legislators in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly that is impressing  his people and truly provides a connect with his root is Hon. (Barr.) Ime Okon, member representing the good people of Ibiono Ibom at the Assembly and chair, Business, rules ethics and privileges committee. Trained as a lawyer, he has enhanled the horizon of being a community leader, politician and lawmaker. He came into the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly with a rich experience having been a solicitor and advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria since 1995. He also served for about nine months as transition chairman of Ibiono Ibom local government council. He also served as the managing solicitor of Lex Associates, a law firm based in Uyo.

 His law practice career has spanned over 15 years. Quite an impressive stint in leadership. He comes along as a gentleman whom the people of Ibiono Ibom see as a rallying point to articulate the projections for a more united and progressive Ibiono. Prior to becoming a legislator, because of his penchant for community development he served as the secretary to the paramount ruler of Ibiono Ibom palace committee and Secretary Advisory Committee to the paramount ruler of Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, HRM Okuku (Dr) Ime Udousoro Inyang voluntarily for a reasonable seven years and counting. That kept him very close to the people at the grassroots.

AKS PDP zones 2015 governorship to Eket Senatorial District

    - Declares support for Goodluck Jonathan
    - Passes vote of confidence on Gov. Akpabio
BY GODWIN SAM

The state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has finally declared its stand on the 2015 governorship position in the State by its declaration of Eket Senatorial District as the home for the next Governor.

This declaration was made in a communiqué reached at the end of an enlarged meeting of the State Executive Committee of the party held on Tuesday, 22nd April, 2014, at the Banquet Hall of the Governor’s Office in Uyo.

Declaring the position of the Party, the State Chairman of PDP, Obong Paul Ekpo, said that the decision to zone the governorship position to Eket Senatorial District was informed by the overall decision of the people of the State, gathered from the ten federal constituencies in the just-concluded town hall meetings. This decision, according to the Party chairman is premised on the provision of the Party’s constitution in section 24(2), which empowers the State Executive Committee of the Party to “identify and resolve political, social and economic issues of concern in the State”.

2015: Effanga urges peace and rule play * Says, I will run for election

...thumbs up Ntukudeh on keke restrictions
 

The need to play politics according to its  laid down rules and principles especially with reference to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has been re-emphasized by the former commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr. Samuel Effanga. The former commissioner stated this in Uyo over the weekend that the level in which the 2015 governorship election in the state is taking is capable of plunging the state into an undesirable condition and situation.

He appealed to politicians and their supporters to bury the ethnic card that is being trumped up as the state belongs to all Akwa Ibomites. Adding that we do not have any other state to run to when we out of our actions and inactions set the state on an unnecessary political fire.

Samuel Effanga observed that never in the political history of the state has Akwa Ibom been this polarized on the lines of were one comes from ethnic region wise. A development he noted is not doing the state any good but rather capable of creating sentiments and sectionalism in the state. 

Thank you boss - Bassey Albert tells Akpabio

 

Immediate past Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Bassey Albert Akpan has sent a letter of appreciation to the Governor Godswill Akpabio thanking him for the opportunity he gave him to serve in the capacity of a commissioner for finance for about seven years. 

A release dated 24/04/2014 is personally signed by Bassey Albert and addressed and sent to the Governor and made available to THE INK over the weekend, Bassey Albert in a statement noted that he wish to thank God Almighty for His grace and place on record his deepest sense of gratitude to the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency Chief Godswill Akpabio, CON for the singular privilege of his appointment to the service of the state as commissioner for Finance for about seven years.

A’Ibom PDP tasks members on new secretariat

The Akwa Ibom State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Obong Paul Ekpo has enjoined party faithful in the state to contribute their resources towards the building of a befitting state secretariat for the party in Uyo.
To this end, any PDP member who fails to identify with the building project should not consider himself as a stakeholder in the party, the PDP Chairman has warned.

He stated this yesterday at the permanent site of the PDP office in Atan Offot,Uyo during an inspection and official handing over ceremony of the site to the recently inaugurated building project committee headed by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem.
Obong Ekpo advised defiant party members that have recently been using the cloak of party elders to sponsor media messages against the decisions of the party, that a time has come for them to prove their status in the party by supporting the project.

Enyiekere Emerges Secretary General PDP Local Govt Chairmen forum

 

Chairman of Ika Local Government Area Chief Saviour Enyiekere has emerged the National Secretary General of the Peoples Democratic Party Local Government Chairmen forum. His emergence THE INK learnt was facilitated by the state Governor Godswill Akpabio last week.

The decision to support Enyiekere who is the Ata Ntrukpum Annanag to such enviable position by the state Governor sources say is as a result of the loyalty, commitment and dedication of the Ika council boss to the Governor, his activities to the people of Ika Local Government and his determination to continuously serve the people effectively and with all amount of sincerity.
Enyiekere who is also the National President of 2015 Godswill Senatorial Movement (GASEM), it could be recalled broke a jinx to be the first Ika council Chairman to win a second term as the council boss. The Ika council helmsman is not new to service outside his grassroots Ika region as he once presided over the affairs of Former Abak Division Youth Assembly in 2003 till date as the National Chairman.

Ikot Ekpene people resolve to unite * Call for International market, industries

The people of Ikot Ekpene local Government Area have resolved to unite and speak with one voice for the good of the people and generations yet unborn. They made this resolve on Easter Monday when a socio cultural organization in the area, the Ikot Ekpene Peoples Assembly (IKPA) organized a get together ceremony which had in attendance Senior Citizens from the area drawn from the academia, government, business, public service, Private Sector, military, traditional institutions and other human endeavours.

The paramount ruler of Ikot Ekpene in a keynote address HRM Okuku (Engr) A J E Asiak commended the group for the initiative to bring Ikot Ekpene people together stressing that he was physically present at the occasion to demonstrate his approval and support to the association. The monarch who was visibly elated stressed that his subjects who are the people of Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area need to unite so that they can foster development and regain the lost glory of the area. He challenged Ikot Ekpene Peoples Assembly to sustain their vision and enjoined other indigenes to queue behind the organization.

Akpabio’s female lawmaker stripped naked

* I made her a legislator, she insulted my aides, says Nse Ntuen

A female Councillor in Essien Udim Legislative council Hon Eno James was last weekend beaten up and stripped naked at Ikot Onwo, Essien Udim Local Government Area last week by aides of the Chairman of Essien Udim Local Government Area Mr. Nse Ntuen.

Sources at the scene of the event informed our reporter that Eno James who represents the people of Ekpenyong ward 2 was beaten up and stripped naked during a marriage ceremony that held last weekend in Essien Udim. THE INK learnt that the victim Eno James is a strong supporter of Prince Akpabio and had been singing praises for the Governor’s aide when he was honored by the PDP some time ago. Those sympathetic to her had however pointed accusing fingers at the Essien Udim Council Chairman and ALGON boss Nse Ntuen.

Trouble in Eket Over oil spill money

There is apparent apprehension in Eket Local Government Area following the alleged creation of some villages into wards with intent to shortchanged some villages as the community get set to receive the oil spill money which is even yet to be released by the Government and Exon Mobil, THE INK was informed last night.

It was gathered that certain persons had nicodemusly liaised with some dishonest members of the Oil spill community to play pranks by including villages that are not gazetted and yet to be recognized by the law.

One of the wards affected in this imbroglio is the ward four central who have since contracted the services of Barr Akpa a legal luminary to challenge the action in court. In a letter addressed to the Paramount Ruler of Eket Edidem Oduenyie and others made available to our newsroom, the petition demands among others that the status quo in terms of the villages remain as the paramount ruler according to the letter has no reason and or power to create or gazette villages for the purposes of Oil spill money or whatsoever

APN declares total support for Udom Emmanuel

                      

The leadership of the Akwa Ibom Progressive Network (APN) says they have decided to declare full and total support to the services of the Secretary to State Government Udom Gabriel Emmanuel and are always determined to support him if he so desires to contest for the 2015 governorship election in the state. The group made this assertion last Saturday in Uyo after the monthly National Executive Council Meeting of the body which was held at the Entry Point Hotel in Uyo, the state capital when our reporter caught up with her international President, Mr. Marcus MacDonald.

MacDonlad said, it is the belief of APN that the state Secretary to Government deserves all the support he needs in order for him to succeed enormously in the task ahead of him. He described the SSG as a round peg in a round hole who has all it takes to contribute immensely towards the reinvigoration of the ship of the leadership of the state. And called on all Akwa Ibom people to join hands with the SSG to ensure that Udom Succeeds in his responsibility to the state. He however also expressed optimism that with the track record of the SSG as a seasoned administrator, Mr. Udom Emmanuel will succeed immensely in his field of service to Akwa Ibom People.

APC: Enwang faults Udoedehe’s approach BY KENNETH JUDE

A former military governor of Ogun State and 2011 governorship contestant in the State, Group Captain Sam Enwang (rtd) has stressed on the need for the people of the State to be properly informed and positioned especially as the political atmosphere heats up ahead of the 2011 General elections. 

He stated this while interacting with newsmen in Uyo last Saturday after the APC state congress which he boycotted.  He decried that some unwanted persons with no pedigree are bent on diverting the process and the principles that APC stands for. He condemned the Part’s Saturday congress which he described as a sham 

He stated further that with his pedigree as a senior citizen of the country and a man who has the interest of the people at heart, he had to cut short his trip in order to put the records straight for the people to understand. He said, ‘I have a father and a mother who brought me up properly, I never insulted or beat up my parents, so people who think they can fraudulently use my name and that of my colleagues to  do fraudulent things, I won’t accept that. What was called State congress in Akwa Ibom held at the Primary School, Offot, was a sham and I wish to particularly dissociate myself from it

Aides laud Gov Akpabio on the ambience of peace, justice

  

The State Governor, Chief Godswill  Akpabio, has been lauded for standing by equity, justice and fair play in the zoning of 2015 governorship to Eket Senatorial District.

Aides to the State Governor from Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency, made this known to newsmen shortly after a high-powered meeting in Uyo, saying their dedication and commitment to the Akwa Ibom Project, as ably led by Governor Akpabio, were uncompromising.

They expressed gratitude to the State Governor for appointing them as his Aides from the Federal Constituency, adding that they will keep to the tenets of the uncommon transformation.
In their words, “Your Excellency, we are thankful to you for choosing us from this Federal Constituency and also for all you have done for us,” adding that their meeting was a reaffirmation of their loyalty to the Akpabio’s administration.

ETTEH: A phenomenal servant-leader BY DARLINGTON DAVID

In the words of a famous motivational writer, Zig Ziglar: “It was character that got us out of bed, commitment that moved us into action and discipline that enabled us to follow through.”

At the most basic level, a leader is someone who leads other. But if you are as curious as I am, you may be tempted to ask what makes someone a leader? 

A leader is a person who has a vision, a drive and a commitment to achieve that vision, and the skills to make it happen.  Leaders see a problem that needs to be fixed or a goal that needs to be achieved. It may be something that no one else sees or simply something that no one else wants to tackle. Whatever it is, it is the focus of the leader’s attention and they attack it with a single-minded determination. 

UPUT Magazine set to celebrate Uncommon Partners of Uncommon Transformation

 

On May 29, 2007 the social contract was signed and flight Godswill Obot Akpabio took off! Few years later, this historic cruise fueled by the collective desire of the people for change has translated to concrete infrastructure and a re-invigorated Akwa Ibom Psyche.

Doting the entire length and breadth of the state are world-class life- changing and revolutionary infrastructure developments christened “Uncommon Transformation”. It is important to state boldly that none of these heights could have been possible without the unalloyed support of the legislators at the state and national level.

The 5th Assembly christened “The People’s Assembly” has no doubt championed an unprecedented partnership with the Akpabio- led executive arm resulting in a paradigm shift in the socio-economic landscape of the state. Those at the national level have also been found as worthy ambassadors. There are partners and there are partners!

A’Ibom Youth Convention set for May 10

It is exactly 2 weeks to what is referred to as the largest gathering of Akwa Ibom Youths Worldwide-Akwa Ibom Youth Convention-Uyo 2014...towards the future we want. The Convention is designed to celebrate and inspire Akwa Ibom Youths. It is an annual event put together by Ibom Youth Pathfinder and brings together Akwa Ibom youths from all walks of life to promote our rich cultural heritage.

Akwa Ibom Youth Convention is entering its 3rd edition, remaining consistent and poised to inform, equip and empower Akwa Ibom Youths by using a team of eminent Akwa Ibom Sons and Daughters that have made Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria and Africa proud in their chosen profession; those extremely dedicated to professionalism, integrity, and excellence; who are driven by the fear of God and the passion for changing and moulding lives of Akwa Ibom Youths.

Membership of Ibom Youth Pathfinder is open to Akwa Ibom Youth all over the world, the organization has a boasts of a huge membership base. According to Chairman, Nsikak Tom Udo, until now Ibom Youth Pathfinder have been and remained the sole sponsor of this event and having grown in status, it has become necessary to open up its sponsorship and invite patriotic individuals and reputable organisations to take advantage of its fast burgeoning brand identity.

7feet Cake for ‘Democracy Day Jamboree’

Democracy works when people claim  it as their own”.-Bill Moyer, The Nation, 22, 2007  
 Since the return to civil rule in 1999, there have been tremendous efforts to restore Nigeria to its rightful position in the comity of nations.

In Akwa Ibom, we have witnessed an amazing transformation of different sectors of the state from May 29, 2007 when the Chief Godswill Akpabio led administration birthed.  
For emphasis, we cannot fail to mention the high quality road network, Ibaka Seaport Project, Tropicana Entertainment Center, Free and Compulsory Education, Independent Power Plant as well as thousands of projects in rural areas just to mention a few.

Akwa United drew at home, drops to 3rd place

Akwa United on Sunday had to rally late to secure a point against a spirited Sunshine Stars of Akure at the Uyo township stadium and keeps them within touching distance of league leaders SharksFc.   

 
 It was the visiting team who drew first blood when Guindo Abilulahi pounced on a loose ball to give the Akure boys the lead in the 18th minute and therefore create silence in enemy territory. What followed thereafter was a barrage of attempts at the visitor penalty area from the home side. Ubong Ikpe was notably guilty of missing a sitter with the goal at his mercy and this meant Akwa United trailed into the half time break. 

Flying without wings

 

Nigeria is at crossroads, a state of confusion over her preparations towards a successful outing at the World Cup in Brazil kicking off on June 12, 2014. I am compelled once again to express my genuine concerns over the state of our preparations as it remains evident that out of the 32 countries that will be at the World Cup, Nigeria as at this moment in the only country without any clear cut preparations, no team list yet made public despite the provisional May 10, deadline given by FIFA to Football Associations of the qualified countries and the embarrassing show of shame, hide and seek game between coach Stephen Keshi and his employers, the Nigeria Football Federation  Nigeria has no team that we will be proud of going to the World Cup and I can assure us any successful outing of the Super Eagles at Brazil 2014 will not  be beyond the second round. I stand to be proven wrong.