Latest Edition of THE INK NEWSPAPER, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Umana Mocks Udom * Describes ACA as Akwa Ibom Cunny Arrangement

* Explains grouse with First Lady Unoma Akpabio 

Introduction

I want to welcome you very warmly to this interactive session; I can see you are trying to make it look very formal meaning that you have changed the format of this interactive session. I thought that we should call you this evening so that I can personally say thank you to you all. The last time we had a meeting like this, I was still the Secretary to the state government and that was sometime in 2013. And I had also called you to request you to support the administration in terms of reporting the policies and programmes of the administration. 

Today as Chief Ita Awak pointed out it is almost one year since I left office. Many of you, I don’t know where you have disappeared to maybe you are part of ACA- Akwa Ibom Cunny Arrangement (laughs). But I am so happy to see your faces today. And I belief we will have a very interesting interactive session. I am not going to be the only one to talk; I will also like to listen to you. I am sure there are many questions you may want to ask us and there are some questions we may want to ask some of you specially my friends from THE INK and Radar.

Birthday: Enoidem prays for Akpabio’s opposition BY NDANTI EKUH

As Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem turns 50, Sunday, 27th July, 2014, he has told newsmen that his 50th birthday is special as compared to other years.

In a telephone chat last Saturday, the Honourable Commissioner for Special Duties while thanking God for sustaining his life throughout the past 50 years said though he is not kin to celebrating birthdays, the uniqueness of the 50th anniversary has forced him to invite all his friends, family members, political associates and his well wishers for a special thanksgiving to mark his attainment of the golden age.

Enobong Uwah hails Akpabio for atan offot roads pledge

The recent promise by the State Governor that, roads in Atan Offot community in the capital city of Uyo Local Government area will be awarded and constructed, has received the commendation and applause of one of the foremost indigenes of the area and Honourable Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Prince Enobong Uwah.

In a chat with news men during his inspection duty around Uyo to assess the clean up work of his ministry, Commissioner Uwah expressed gratitude on behalf of Atan Offot people in particular and the good people of Uyo to Governor Akpabio for his magnanimity in considering the plight of the community and taking up the challenge.

Progressives task Nigerians to unite in the fight against terrorism

Nigerians of all tribes and creed have been  charged to sink their ethnic, social, political and religious differences and unite together as one family and fight the menace of terrorism in the country. 

The charge was contained in a release issued last week by a pan-Akwa Ibom socio-political group, Akwa Ibom Progressive Advocates, AKIPA on the state of the nation following the rising spate of insurgency and bomb blasts that have continued to claim countless innocent lives in some major cities across the country. 

Hoodlums attack ACA in Itu * MacJoe fingered

Vexed by what many has been describing as his inability to control the Itu Local Government political bloc despite being the council Chairman, Michael James Etim has been accussed of sponsoring political thugs and hoodlums to unleash mayhem against the SSG Udom Emmanuel’s political group, the Akwa Ibom Consolidation Alliance last Monday in Itu Local Government Area.

The boys numbering more than hundreds are said to have first of all attempted to invade the council secretariat venue of the Itu chapter inauguration of ACA but were repelled by a combined team of security operatives and some agile men from the Alliance group at Mbak. The inauguration however went on successfully amidst pomp and pageantry.

That was not to be done as the group on their way back to Uyo to review the inauguration were waylaid by the hoodlums and attacked seriously. It took the timely intervention of security operatives mainly the police to quell the situation and avoid a possible breakdown of law and order as the ACA group was equally poised for a revenge. In the earlier stampeed some vehicles belonging to some members of ACA were damaged.

Enoidem at 50: The journey so far BY JOE INIODU

There is a common saying that a good child is a source of pride to the father and by extension the family, while an unruly child brings reproach to the mother. Barrister Emmanuel Moses Enoidem remains a sustained source of pride to the mother, family, community, local government area and the State. An elated mother who was all smiles confirmed this when she was asked of her wish for the son at 50. Many people spoken to within his community and outside have also expressed kind and glowing sentiments that underscore that they are proud of him.

 Born on July 27, 1964 to the family of Chief Moses Enoidem, a produce buyer from Utu-Ikot Eboro village in Etim- Ekpo LGA, Emmanuel Enoidem was one of over forty siblings. In such a large family, he needed to carve a niche of identity for himself. That he started from his primary school where he shone with outstanding brilliance. 

As the deranged take over Uyo BY PRISCILLA CHRISTOPHER

The last is yet to be heard of the pollutants accommodated amongst us as the mentally deranged have joined the throng of elements, causing discomfort and inconvenience to the environment. Until recently, the efforts of the state Ministry of Environment to combat the plague of incessant begging around plaza and its environs was a nip in the bud to ensure the total evacuation of defacing elements of environmental pollution. Alas, those credible efforts have been debased by the replacement of abnormal beings at the same spots and around the places where the driven beggars played out their trade. 

This trend of environmental degradation which keeps changing from one form to the other therefore calls for an action that would see to the absolute erasure of unwanted and unneeded elements from the environment. 

Counting Enoidem’s assets at 50 BY JOE INIODU

Many dictionaries define asset as anything useful or valuable. It could be an intangible like experience or a tangible like landed property or cash or even human resource. Specialist knowledge and even copyright are also assets. In the same vein, some sterling attributes are assets. Assets have also been expanded to accommodate even physical attributes and those who posses them flaunt them even as they have minimal contributions in the evolution and enhancements.

 
Barrister Emmanuel Moses Enoidem is not blessed with the asset of size in the vertical order. He is also not a beneficiary of our creator’s generosity of large frame. He is rather structured deceptively with what looks like a puny frame. And for those who judge strength from the enormity of size, Barrister Enoidem would be such persons undoing. Under the seeming puny frame lies steel that is resilient and resistant to pressure and the fancy of brutes and bullies.

Legislator celebrates Mboho at 70

A legislator in Abak Local government Legislative Council, Hon. Akaninyene Udotong, has congratulated the President of Goodnews Community, ArchBishop Dr. Elijah Mboho on his 70th birthday Anniversary.

Speaking to journalists at the event, Hon Udotong said it was essential to thank God for all he has done through the instrumentation of ArchBishop Mboho, whose life has been a blessing to many people.

Hon. Udotong who is the Councillor representing Abak Urban ward 2 used the platform to appreciate the State Governor Chief Godswill Akpabio, CON and wife, forfinding time to honour the man of God with their esteemed presence.

NUJ Chairman decries rate of nudity in Universities, Facebook

NUJ Affairs!  Forum of former State Chairmen of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council with Elder Patrick Albert (4th right), State Chairman of NUJ after a meeting at the NUJ Press Centre, Uyo, Wednesday, 23 July 2014

The alarming trend of indecent dressing embraced by our youths in the Universities and even taken to the extreme on social media have again been described as worrisome by the state chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Akwa Ibom State Council, Elder Patrick Albert.

Elder Albert used the occasion of the wedding ceremony of Mr Clement Barukui, a journalist working with the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) where he functioned as the Governor of the Feast to call on parents, most especially mothers to take actions that would reverse the ugly cases of nudity gradually being accepted by our youths in the guise of fashion.

Akpabio seeks indigenous banks in A’Ibom

Akwa Ibom Concerned Professionals based outside the State have been enjoined to take a critical look at the banking industry so that they can assist in establishing state- owned financial institution.

Governor Godswill Akpabio who made the call Friday when Akwa Ibom Concerned  Professionals, Lagos led by Mr. Udeme Ufot paid a courtesy call to him at Government House, Uyo, hinted that the Cooperative Development Bank earlier owned by the State government was acquired as a result of the banking reforms.

Put God first, Ekere tells supporters

As the 2015 gubernatorial race gathers momentum, the immediate past Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Nsima Ekere KJW, has admonished his teeming supporters in the state to put God first in their dealings.

Speaking during the inaugural monthly fasting and prayer meeting of the Akwa Ibom Consolidation Project (AKCP) in Uyo on Saturday, Mr. Ekere argued that it paid better to trust in God than in chariots and horses.

He said it was obvious that the project was being driven by God and was, therefore, heading for success given the numerous battles, known and unknown, God had fought and won on its behalf.

COMANCLEM dies * We owe him not, says Exxon Mobil BY EMMANUEL AKPAN

* Controversy over corpse

The inventor of the Anti-Corrosive Special Paint QIT and the MD/CEO of COMANCLEM Nigeria Limited, Professor Clement John Uwemedimo is dead, THE INK can authoritatively report.

THE INK gathered that he died at his Aka Idak Eyop residence in Uyo last week after a brief illness. According to a family source who spoke on grounds of anonymity to our reporter, registered patentees have been trouping into the deceased compound to confirm the incident.

Commissioner Ekpuk Udom felicitates Barr. Enoidem on his birthday

The Commissioner three in the Akwa Ibom Assembly Service Commission Hon. Ekpuk Silas Udom has noted with keen interest and described the performance of the Hon. Commissioner for special duties Barrister Emmanuel Enoidem as outstanding in the administration of Chief Godswill Obot Akpobio the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State.

Hon. Ekpuk Udom made this observation when he spoke with reporters in his office toward his forth coming Golden Jubilee, celebration.

Tower of Ivory Schools graduate 71 ... honours outstanding students BY EMMANUEL AKPAN

 The Tower of Ivory Schools, Ediene Abak, last week Friday held a air of happiness as they rolled out drums to celebrate their outgoing and outstanding students.

The graduation ceremony which took place at the Godswill Akpabio multipurpose hall with the theme ‘Acquisition of Useful Skills and Attitudes as a Foundation for Survival in our Today’s World’, featured the handing-over parade, cutting of graduation cake, presentation of the Year Book, presentation of Testimonials, Awards of excellence and souvenirs to students and  staff of the school as well as the presentation of the Akwa Ibom State Primary School Mathematics Competition Award, sponsored by the school.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Board of Governors of the school, DIG Udom Ekpoudom (Rtd), congratulated the outgoing students and described them as ambassadors of the school, adding that they have been seriously groomed with quality education to face the standard of higher education anywhere in the world. He commended them on their various accomplishment and successful completion of their secondary education, noting that the school will never forget their contributions as prefects in their various capacities.

Urueffong Oruko gets new Supervisor

The Chairman of Urue-Offong Oruko Local Government Council, Chief Okon Tom Osung, has sworn-in Mr. Okon Effiong Bassey as a Supervisor in the Council. Until the appointment, Mr. Bassey was the Chairman of Road Maintenance Committee.

The appointee who hails from Oyubia village in Ward 3 succeeds Mr. Umana Efombru who was relieved of his appointment following a resolution by the Local Government Legislative Council.

The Local Government Chairman also announced the appointment of Mr. Johnson Johnson as his new Special Assistant on Road Maintenance.

Shortly after the administration of oath of office and allegiance on the new Supervisor, the Chairman advised him to be ready to contribute to the development of the area.

Industrialization: Udom leads Akpabio to secure CBN MSMES fund BY JOSEPH OKON

In a bid to actualize the industrialization agenda of the present administration, the Secretary to Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel has led the state Governor Chief Godswill Akpabio to secure the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN 2billion naira Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development fund (MSMEs) which was launched by the apex financial institution last year.

The great milestone was achieved last week during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding MoU between the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN and Akwa Ibom State Government in Abuja.

Speaking shortly after the signing of MoU ceremony with the CBN, the elated state Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio expressed the readiness of the present administration to prudently use the funds to develop the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector in the state which he said will give a boost to the industrialization agenda of the state government.

Why sen. Helen Esuene must be the next Governor of Aks in 2015 BY HON. MERCY ITA EFFIONG

Distinguished Senator Helen Esuene is a woman of integrity, honour, goodwill and humility personified. She is a detribalized Akwaibomite, full of vision, and wisdom in the areas of wealth creation and entrepreneurship. She has managerial capacity to manage the resources of Akwa ibom state for the good of all. She is endowed with so much skills that can turn Akwa Ibom State to a business hub. 

She is the highest employer of labour in Akwa Ibom state after the state government and Mobil. She has been in the corridors of good governance right from her teenage years and so governance is not a new thing to her. She is well equipped with the knowledge acquired over the years in governance and in private life and public services to take Akwa Ibom State to a greater height. 

Legislators Suspends Deputy Leader, supervisor for Agriculture

The Legislative Council of Urue Offong Oruko Local Government Area has suspended the Councillor representing Ward Six, Mr. Victor Amba for five months and also retrived him of the position of the Deputy Leader.

The decision followed the deliberate disruption of Council’s proceedings and bullying of some Councillors by the suspended lawmakers in company of the Supervisor for Agriculture, Mr. Umana Efombru and armed wielding men.
The Council which reconvened shortly after the disruption said the actions by the former Deputy Leader contravened provisions of the standing orders of the Council.

Uduyork joins race for National Assembly * Faults Akpabio for endorsing Akpan Micah

* Picks Ubong Inyang as campaign Director

THE Chairman of Eastern Obolo Local Government Area, Mr Francis Charles Uduyork has declared his intention to contest the House of Representatives seat for Mkpat Enin, Ikot Abasi, Eastern Obolo Federal constituency come the 2015 general elections. The council boss made his position known to some party stakeholders of the federal constituency when he hosted them in his Ikot Akpanabia palatial residence last week

Uduyork boasted that it was the turn of Eastern Obolo to produce the next Natioanl Assembly member as according to those who attended the meeting, Uduyork believes that the Obolos of the federal Constituency deserves a shot at the green chambers of the National Assembly. He is said to have stressed the need for the people of the federal constituency to back him in order to make him emerge as the successor to Akpan Micah Umoh against other contenders.

Legislators cleared Council Chairman of financial misappropriation

The Ad hoc committee set up by Urue Offong Oruko Legislative Council to investigate the allegations of financial impropriety leveled against the Chairman, Chief Okon Tom Osung has submitted its report.

Presenting the report, the Committee Chairman, Mr. Nkereuwen Okon informed the Council that investigations which took the Committee to relevant financial institutions and government establishments revealed that the allegations of collection of five hundred million naira loan against the Chairman was false.

According to the report, the funds used in the execution of projects within and outside the Council were drawn from the SURE-P allocations totaling one hundred and twenty seven million, eight hundred thousand naira and other statutory allocations to the Council.

Incompetent staffs flood UNIUYO GST Directorate

…frustrate students’ study, engage in sorting spree 
* As Students wants immediate removal of Director

While a tertiary institution like University of Uyo is expected to boast of sound and highly qualified teaching and non-teaching staff to train and handle students’ in academic and other fields, the reverse appears to be the case especially in the General Studies, GST unit of the institution.

It was a total disappointment when a greater number of students met with our reporter recently to pour out their grievances over the conduct and abnormalities they said have surrounded the first semester GST tests conducted by the General Studies Unit of the University of Uyo, alleging that the GST directorate is made up of bunches of incompetent and ill prepared personnel with the Director Dr. A. Anoh leading the pack.

A’Ibom 2015: Ibibio Elders Forum listens to Udom Emmanuel

The Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel has met with the leadership of Ibibio Elders Forum and disclosed his intent to lead Akwa Ibom state as governor in 2015. The Forum made this known on Friday when Mr. Udom Emmanuel paid homage to the Elders Forum in Uyo and shared thoughts with them on prevailing contemporary issues bothering the state, the leadership demands of the state from 2015 and his desire to serve the state in 2015 as governor. 

Declaring the Forum’s support for the governorship hopeful, the Chairman of Ibibio Elder’s Forum, Obong Dr. Okon Akpan Uko noted the outstanding leadership qualities, intimidating profile, exposure and impressive managerial antecedents of Mr. Udom Emmanuel and extolled his noble characters and dedication to God and his life of selfless services. He described him as the man with the kind of personality, character, experience, exposure, vision, ingenuity and capacity that the governor of the state in 2015 must possess. 

Uwak pushes Maritime University of Nigeria Bill through Second Reading

 The member representing Oron Federal Constituency, Hon Robinson Uwak has put forward convincing arguments to push through the second reading the Bill for an Act to establish the Maritime University of Nigeria, Oron.

When finally passed, the  properties of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron would be transferred to the said University, according to the Bill sponsored by Hon. Uwak.

Presenting his arguments at the floor of the green chamber of the National Assembly, the lawmaker said because of the relevance of the shipping industry to Nigeria and being the bedrock of the nation’s oil and gas industry, “particularly off-shore”, as well as the vehicle of the nation’s  petro-based exports and importation of raw materials and finished goods, the ports  assume the “self styled gateways to the nation’s economy”.

Okopedi Eket inaugurates new village council

History was made on Saturday July 19, 2014 in Okopedi community of Eket Local Government Area when a new village council was inaugurated into office amidst pomp and traditional pageantry.

The inauguration, described as the first of its kind in the history of Eket Local Government Area witnessed a colorful display of traditional heritage including wrestling, poetry, ancient farm crops and dances.

In his opening remakes, chairman of the occasion, Engineer Donatus Akpe Assam gave insight into why a supposed low key event become a festival of traditional exhibition drawing dignitaries from all aver the state.

He said, “this event which is supposed to be low key is made to bear a semblance of a festival because for the past twenty three years the community has had a marathon reign of a council without a Village Head’’, adding that the swearing-in of a new Village Council is coming on the heels of a new Village Head, Chief Friday Peter Akpeini.

President Jonathan applauded on MDGs

The Technical Assistant, Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs, Mr. Ubong Ben, who was fielding questions from newsmen over weekend in Uyo, said that Nigeria has benefited immensely from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) especially under President Goodluck Jonathan.

Mr. Ben, who is also a policy analyst, said that though President Jonathan’s performance in the MDGs has not enjoyed so much hype, it is one area that the president has performed creditably and applauded him for championing the MDGs.

“I will not hesitate to say that Dr. GoodluckEbele Jonathan is one of the best things to have happen to Nigeria in recent time. As a policy scientist, I look at the manifesto or agenda of an administration. The administration of GoodluckEbele Jonathan, through the transformation agenda is doing extremely well in terms of governance.

Aniekan Umanah is a slave, says Robinson Uwak

The member representing Oron federal Constituency in the National Assembly has described Aniekan Umanah the state commissioner for Information as a slave and has advised the state Governor Godswill Akpabio to always speak to him directly whenever he wants to instead of using his aide to address him.

Uwak said this in response to a script written by Aniekan Umanah were the information boss captioned, Robinson Uwak’s dishonorable verses. It could be recalled that the state Information commissioner had hit back at Uwak when the National Assemblyman wrote on facebook that Akpabio should encourage an Oro man to emerge the Governor. The Assemblyman had opined that Akpabio has not done anything for Oro nation for the past years he has been in Government.
In his response Aniekan Umanah had said, Before I address Uwak’s lie that Oro has been totally neglected, let me remind him that, Uyo is the epicentre of the Akwa Ibom story being the State capital.

Latest Edition of The Ink Newspaper Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

AKWA IBOM 2015 GOVERNORSHIP: NOW THAT THE ORACLES HAVE SPOKEN by Joseph Okon

Akwa Ibom State is among the states in the Federation that is currently in search for a new leadership that will occupied the state seat of power as the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will soon render the position of number one citizen of the state vacant following the expiration of the tenure of the incumbent Governor Godswill Akpabio come May 29, 2015.

In order to get it right, there must be a direction to be shown by someone who is competent and in authority to give such direction that can lead to a better and prosperous future for the state.

Even in the olden times, certain oracles were consulted which acted as seers who give directions on who should be chosen to lead the people because they see the future and can authoritatively predict what will happen since they have proved to be the conscience of the almighty.

Mu’azu preaches peace in Uyo * Performs ground breaking ceremony of PDP state secretariat

 -canvasses support for Jonathan, ruling Party

The National Chairman of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu has described the state Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio as a true party man who always agitate for action and is committed to bring transformations to the state.

The national chairman of the party stated this recently at the ground breaking of the state secretariat of the party in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

He called on the people of the state to continue in their prayers and support for the President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan at this time the country is experiencing trying moment of insecurity problem and many other problems in the country, adding that the continuous prayers of all Nigerians will strengthen and give additional wisdom, courage to the President to lead the country to where it supposed to be, and give strong leadership in the committee of nations.

Boko Haram in Akwa Ibom: The Kabiru Sokoto connection and his stay in the state

Information gathered by THE INK Newspaper last week indicates that the alleged mastermind of Madalla bomb blast was in Uyo and spent about four months in Uyo Prison located along Barracks road until renewed security challenges beagan to surface in the state. While he was there, the quiet amd soft speaking Kabiru Sokoto is said to have made several calls with the help of the hand set of one of the prison warders who is alleged to have been sympathetic to the Bomber. A highly placed prison authority at Uyo Prisons informed ou reporter while pleading for strict confidence.

Our source said while Kabiru Sokoto was at the Uyo Prisons, there was a heavy presence of security around Barracks road as according to the source, some Aduma men made up of both Army and Navy were stationed in a certain police van screening all vehicles coming into and going out of the Barracks road premises. Our source  had however informed that if BOKO HARAM comes to wreck havoc in the state, it could be as a result of the Sokoto stay in Uyo were our source emphasized had made series of contact as he is said to have always been telling his associates that he was in Uyo Prisons.

Thomas: The trials, my prayers

I consider it a moment of trials for my brother and friend, Thomas Thomas. Trials because the same people he tried to pre informed has been deafeningly silence ever since he was captured in a gustapo like manner and whisked to the DSS along two lane, Edet Akpan Avenue, Uyo. I will not bore you with the story of his trail and capture but just that some questions need to be addressed by the Ikot Ekpene road branch manager of MTN, Nigeria. 

Ever since Thomas was picked up by security agents acting under the instructions of the state Government, so many people have come out with different stories to suit their excitement or otherwise. The state Governor Goidswill Akpabio is even said to have made some remarks doubting the authenticity of the recorded voice who gave Thomas the news of the attempt to kill the paramount rulers of Ibiono Ibom and that of Etinan Local Government Areas. As a promising youngman with a bright future, Thomas would not go the length of coercing a voice note simply because of any reasons whatsoever on the surface of the earth. The idea or information that the voice recorded by Thomas on the alleged killing story is false is to me not realistic.