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

Udom fetes community on Christmas Day

The serene community of Awa  Iman in Onna Local Government area was on Christmas day a beehive of activities as different cultural troupes treated the people to a carnival fiesta.

The community celebrated with their son and PDP Governorship candidate in the 2015 General Elections Mr Udom Emmanuel in a yearly end-of-year get together.

The event organised by the community was to promote the cultural ideals of the community and showcase the unity and love of the people of Awa.

Akwa Ibom women vow to vote Udom Emmanuel into Office in 2015

…As Wife, Martha celebrates Xmas with over 2000 widows, pregnant women

A cross section of Akwa Ibom women drawn from Eket, Onna, Ikot Abasi, Mkpat Enin, Esit Eket, Ibeno, Ikot Ekpene, as well as Etinan, Nsit Atai, Ibesikpo, Nsit ubium, and Nsit Ibom, have vowed to vote the PDP gubernatorial flag bearer in the forth coming governorship Election slated for 2015 in Akwa Ibom, Mr. Udom Emmanuel for him to continue with the uncommon transformation drive of the current administration of Governor Godswill Akpabio.

The women gave the assurance yesterday, when the wife of the PDP Governorship Standard bearer, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel, visited them as part of her on-going tour of the state. She used the opportunity to shower them love in the spirit of the season, as she presented, cash, wrapper, and baby care items including, pampers, baby towel, bathing towel, bathing soap, cream, among other gift items to the women.

Oro youths protest over marginalization

Some Oron youths in Akwa Ibom on Tuesday protested over “undue marginalisation” of Oron nation by the current administration. 

The youths, numbering more than 1,000, conducted a peaceful demonstration march from Oron to Civic Centre, Oron Beach and Oya Oron Junction.

Mr Okon Enweme, the International Youth President, Essu Nlap Oro, said the protest was sequel to selection procedure of gubernatorial candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom.

“We protested today because we do not accept the procedure of selection of guber candidate on PDP platform. 

Akpabio preaches love on Xmas day

Akwa Ibom people  have been reminded that Christmas is a time when the love of God and the love of one another should prevail over our hatred, prejudices and bitterness.

Governor Godswill Akpabio who stated this Thursday in a radio and television broadcast message marking Christmas Day celebration noted that “I am not unmindful that this season of love is coming at a time when politics has sowed seeds of bitterness in the hearts of a few of us. 

“To those few and to the larger members of this great Akwa Ibom family, I admonish them to remember that Christmas is a time when the love of God and the love of one another should prevail over our hatred, prejudices and bitterness”, he advised.

Nsit Ubium would give PDP 100% Votes - Engr. Nkereuwem Ekanem

The Secretary to Akwa Ibom State  Government Engr. Nkereuwem Ekanem has said that Nsit Ubium people have consistently supported Government and would continue to do so. He said this when he played host to Nsit Ubium women and youth during the Yuletide season in his country home in Ikot Ukpudo in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area.

The activities which began with a novelty match held at Ikot Okpudo was witnessed by dignitaries from and outside Nsit Ubium.

Fire disaster victim in Onna gets succor from Udom’s wife

A widow from Ikwe village in Onna Local Government Area, Mrs. Regina David Okon, whose house and property was recently consumed by fire, has benefited from the kind heartedness of Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel, wife of the PDP governorship flag bearer in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel.

Moved by the plight of the suffering widow, during her visit to the area as part of her on-going tour of the state where she present various gifts to women across the state, Mrs. Udom who donated cash and other items to fire disaster victim, commiserated with her on the unfortunate incident that befell her and urged her to be consoled in the fact that no life was lost in the inferno that destroyed her house and property.

AKSG, Nema fete victims of Ikpa Ibekwe flood incident

Victims of flood incident in Ikpa Ibekwe community in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area were on Tuesday, December 23, 2014, thrilled with relief materials in the spirit of Christmas by the Akwa Ibom State Government in collaboration with the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Mohammed Sani-Sidi.

Speaking on behalf of the State Government, the Deputy Governor and Chairman of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Lady Valerie Ebe, said the administration of Chief Godswill Akpabio was committed to the wellbeing of its citizens and will always ensure they have the best in terms of basic amenities and other infrastructure.

G22 denies meeting Buhari, restates commitment to PDP

The attention of Akwa Ibom State PDP Governorship Aspirants Forum, G22, has been drawn to publications in dailies and online platforms claiming a meeting between the G22 and the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC),  General Muhammadu Buhari, today, Tuesday, 23rd December 2014, purportedly at the instance of an APC governor.

The G22 dissociates itself from these publications as it has at no time contemplated such interaction. Rather, the G22 members are resolutely committed to pursuing our cause through the internal conflict resolution mechanisms of our party, the Peoples Democratic  Party (PDP).

Ibeno begins utilization of oil spill palliative

The Ibeno Community in Akwa Ibom  has commenced the building of an International Model School with Mobil’s Palliative fund of N1.3b to the area.

The Paramount Ruler of Ibeno Local Government Area, Chief Effiong Archianga disclosed this while speaking with Royal Fathers, youths and women of the community in his Palace on Tuesday.

According to him, 25 per cent of the fund had been release through consultant to commence the project.

Sen. Ita Enang must know that stomach infrastructure is also important - Uko Umoh

Mr. Uko Umoh is a well known name in newspaper publishing in Akwa Ibom State. He’s the publisher of one of the leading newspapers in the state, Community Pulse Newspapers, and also Chairman, League of Newspaper publishers in the State; a crusader for quality representation of Uyo Senatorial District recently bares his mind on a range of issues of public importance. Excerpts!  

How has it been with the League of Newspaper Publishers within year 2014?
We give God the glory for all that we have been able to achieve as a body. There are over 100 registered newspapers currently in Akwa Ibom and some are yet to formally register with the league which we are going to set up a committee to fish out and ensure they are duly registered with the league. We have also set a machinery in motion to ensure that government and other institutions don’t patronize such newspapers. This is one of our major targets to ensure that newspaper publishing in Akwa Ibom is taken to a new dimension within a shortest period of time. 

We are calling on those newspapers to get registered soonest to avoid embarrassment. The league is also planning for a befitting secretariat and we believe the dream will be realized soon. 

Akpabio dreads G22

While the heat is yet to settle on  the acceptability and or otherwise of the former Secretary to State Government, members of the G22 have made very deep penetrations into the heart of the president Goodluck Jonathan. Avery reliable source informed our reporter that the nation’s president has finally given his ears to the cries of the G22 and is set to meet with them early today in Abuja when he must have returned from his brief visit to the British Prime minister.

Our reporter gathered that Dr. Goodluck Jonathan was to meet with the Nsima Ekere led group of twenty two aggrieved aspirants but the sudden movement the president embarked upon to Britain put a temporary halt to the meeting. It was gathered that Governor Godswill Akpabio had made all forms of efforts to block the aggrieved aspirants from meeting with the President but that the resilience of the G22 made it possible for them to finally have a way to see the President.

AKHA treasury emptied * for Akpabio’s brother

A massive fraud of monumental proportions has engulfed the Akwa Ibom state House of Assembly if the recent drama playing out in the legislature is anything to go by.

Nsentip Akpabio, a brother to Akwa Ibom State governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio is at the centre of the money scam that has created bad blood and disaffection in the Sam Ikon led House of Assembly. 

The said Nsentip was awarded a contract to erect a parameter fence round the State House of Assembly sometime ago but lo and behold, he is yet or has refused to carry out the said job. Checks by our reporter revealed that Nsentip may have absconded with the money that was voted for the contract. The contract sum, our paper learnt is in the region of 30m naira.

Ita Enang- Too late for tears

Senator Ita Enang is not a happy man at the moment. He is not pleased with the system. He has thrown his shyly decorum to the wind and is ready to exert his anger on the man whom he sees as the one who plotted his unceremonious exit from the National Assembly. 

Methinks Ita Enang’s tears are just crocodile ones. Where was he when the vast majority of Akwa Ibom people were complaining of the high handedness of Akapbio and his allies? Was Ita Enang not in this state? It is quite absurd that Enang could shamelessly sit on radio to say all sorts of things against Governor Akpabio whom he had once feared to talk about?

Again, Sermon Newspaper Lied

The attention of the leadership and members of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly have been drawn to another misleading publication by weekend Sermon Newspaper of Thursday 21st December, 2014(sic) with the infamous caption: Akpabio move to Abort LG Autonomy-Bribes A’Ibom Lawmakers with N5m each.

Ordinary, we would not bother to dignify a baseless newspaper report with a reply but for the unsuspecting reading public, we have taken the responsibility of replying in order to put the record straight on one hand and clear every doubtin the mind of the people as regards the N5m bribe to honourable members of the 5thAkwaIbom State House of Assembly.

2015- How Moses Ekpo emerged as running mate to Udom Emmanuel

Contrary to speculations that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership would pick one of the commissioners to deputize the PDP gubernatorial candidate, Mr. Udom Emmanuel in the 2015 general elections, , the party decided to settle for a former commissioner in the State, who is currently a federal commissioner on the board of National Population Commission (NPC), Mr. Moses Ekpo.

Sources said the speculations were fueled by the fact that the State leader of the party, Governor Godswill Akpabio had tinkered with nominating one of his loyalists like Mr. Aniekan Umanah, or Mr. Enobong Uwah or Tony Akan. 

A source said what changed the political calculus was the withdrawal from the State assembly race at the eleventh hour by Hon. Aniekan S. Akpan, member representing Ukanafun State Constituency who vied for a second term. 

Laughter, life’s medicine

BY EKEKERE SAMUEL UFOT

The average everyday life is characterized by its series of troubles. Life is absolutely complicated and one may not comprehend the reasons why such complications occur. This complication leaves us in sadness querying why unpremeditated actions should take place in the face of harrowing life experiences.

We want to laugh so long through life even in the face of its challenges. it seems a big huddle though because of the seemingly uphill difference that characterizes the challenging life and a laughing smiling life. There always seems that reason we give for not allowing that big smile relieve us of our burdens.

Towards a credible 2015 poll BY KENNETH JUDE

 

Where lies the place of the common man in present day Nigeria? Putting it in another context, has it ever dawned on us that the future of the average citizen of this country is uncertain, if not in jeopardy? What does the future really hold for the teeming masses of Nigeria? Are we doomed as many are wont to say? Did we make any mistake by being born in this part of the world? 

Was nature so unkind to us by placing us in this geographical contraption?  What offence did we really commit to deserve or be subjected to this suffocating misery and arid lack? Could it be that we are in the wrong enclave? 

2015 Guber Race: Redeemed Youth Initiative debunks DYM’s defection Bishop Akpan’s Governorship ambition is irreversible Comrade Uko

Redeemed Youth Initiative (RYI), an affiliate group in Bishop Samuel Akpan Organization, has unequivocally, debunked the recent media reports in some quarters which purportedly portrayed mass defection of DYM members from Bishop Samuel Akpan’s camp.

Th­e Organization which made the position known through its Chairman, Comrade Benjamin Uko, at an enlarged council meeting held recently, in Uyo, said contrary to a malicious report, there has been tremendous upsurge in the number of political actors and groups who daily come into Bishop Samuel Akpan’s camp for the purpose of ensuring the election of Bishop (Prof) Samuel Akpan as the next Governor of Akwa Ibom during the forth-coming gubernatorial election in the state.

Yuletide: Ukapanah gives lifeline to widows

Succor came the way of 32 widows at Nsekhe in Ukanafun LGA last Boxing Day as the Special Adviser to the State Government on Investment and Industrialization, Chief Senas Ukpanah, OFR provided cash and wrappers to them.

Speaking at the event, Chief Ukpanah said it was an expression of God’s love to his people. He urged the women to invest the token of love in lucrative enterprises that would trickle down to their family members. He enjoined them to imbibe peace co-existence which the festive season is all about.

Ikono people pass resolution to return PDP en-masse

The people of Ikono Local Government Area have unanimously passed a resolution to cast their votes to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)  for sustainable development.

In a motion moved by the member representing Ikono in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Udofia and seconded by the Executive Chairman of Ikono, Hon. Emmanuel Ukpong, the people said, the Peoples Democratic Party is the only political party that is posed to transform the country and bring dividends of democracy to the doorsteps of all Nigerians and as such, Ikono people will not waste their votes but give it en bloc to the PDP.

APC candidate fetes constituents

In the spirit of yuletide, the All Progressives  Congress (APC) candidate in Ukanafun/Oruk Anam federal constituency, Deacon Eshiet Amos Offiong last Wednesday provided rice and cash to all the wards in the Federal constituency. Speaking at the event Offiong said it was an expression of love to the people who have been lagging behind effective representation for sometime now. He charged the people to abide by the spirit of unity and equity which have been keeping the people together.

At Ikot Ibritam, headquarters of Oruk Anam LGA, Mr. Offiong stated that as a grandson of the area he would not deceive or disappoint them in the discharge of his functions if elected to the red chamber. He promised to provide effective representation, selfless service, accountability, integrity, efficiency and transparency. The candidate emphasized that his tenure is going to be a period of positive change, describing service to the people as sacrifice, adding that he would make optimal use of the opportunity to improve the lots of the people.

Victor Antai denies assassination plots on Oro Stakeholders

The chairman of Mbo Local Government Council, Rt Hon Victor Etim Antai has denied knowledge of any assassination plots against some Oro politicians who are opposed to his government and the concepts of his party, the PDP on the fourth coming general election.

Antai, who reacted to a publication on social media by a former commissioner for information and communications in Akwa Ibom State, Engr Ita Awak, said he never plotted or meet with anyone to plots the assassination of Oro politicians opposed to his party.

Ita Awak had on December 26,2014 posted on his Facebook timeline that Hon Victor Antai with some stakeholders of Oro extraction and Militants leaders from Bayelsa were plotting to assassinate some of Oro politicians like Hon. Robinson Uwak , Barr. Asuquo Asuquo Okpo, Eyo Okon (Eyo Swang), Engr. Larry Esin, Engr. Ita Awak, Chief Efiong Johnson, Barr. Efiong Abia, Mrs. Alice Ekpenyong, Hon. Bassey Etienam and Victor Okpo who are opposing the ideals of the ruling People’s Democratic Party in Oro Nation and as such begins with a threatened text messages which he considered curious.

FRSC says arrive alive in Eket

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Eket, Akwa Ibom, has embarked on “Operation Arrive Alive” to enlighten motorists on safe use of roads this Yuletide.

The Public Relations Officer of FRSC in Eket, Mr Lucky Ebikefe, announced this at a news conference in Eket on Wednesday.

In addition, Ebikefe said the command had embarked on aggressive public enlightenment, emplacement of mobile courts and deployment of officers and men of the command to cover as much area as possible.

He explained that this was part of its strategies to reduce avoidable carnage in the yuletide.

Christ the King Cathedral marks 2014 xmas concert

BY KENNETH JUDE

For parishioners of Christ  the King Cathedral, Parish Uyo, Monday 22nd December, 2014 remains a day they won’t forget in a hurry. It was a day they gathered in their numbers alongside those from other denominations to render carols in one accord as part of activities to mark the Christmas season.

The glitz, glamour and panoply of the yuletide season was in full blast in the legendary cathedral where churches comprising those of the Pentecostal fold and protestant stock turned out in their best bib and tucker to add colour and élan to the ceremony. The premises of the church was beautifully decorated with Christmas overlays and lightings of different shapes, sizes and colours twinkling with vigorous verve and zest to keep the arena aglow all night long with life. As guests made their way into the expansive church compound, a big banner announcing the program for the day welcomed every one.

Umana’s running mate, Engr. Ben Ukpong, profiled

Mr. Umana Okon Umana, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for Akwa Ibom State, has named Engr. Ben Ukpong as his running mate for the 2015 gubernatorial election in the state. Engr. Ukpong, a retired Deputy Director of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Abuja, is a COREN-registered civil engineer and Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.

An indigene of Urue-offong/Oruko local government area of Oro nation in Akwa Ibom State, Engr. Ukpong was born on 9 August 1962. He has already been presented to the state working committee of the Party.
Engr Ukpong brings to the Akwa Ibom APC ticket a rich background of experience in public service, quality education in some of Nigeria’s best educational institutions and a distinguished track record in community service and philanthropy.

Echoes from Akwa Ibom Xmas carol night

BY ISRAEL UMOH

It was the seventh edition, the last in  the administration of Governor Godswill Akpabio.  “I am aware that this is my valedictory Carol Night. Next year, I will not have the honour of addressing you as your governor, but I will surely be here with you to worship our God”, the governor remarked. The packaging was creative. Musical performances, compelling. And the audience intermittently had frenzied moments during the world record-breaking event.

Call it God’s own party, the Akwa Ibom State Government 2014 Christmas Carol Night was a great spectacle to behold. It featured 9,999 choristers resplendent in white singlets emblazoned: 9999 and black trousers/skirts to match all drawn from the 31 local government areas of Akwa Ibom. The colourful event held at Akwa Ibom International Stadium, Uyo also known as ‘Nest of Champions’  on  Saturday, December 20, this year attracted  personages, gospel singers and guests from outside and within the country. The figure was an improvement of 9,300 choristers who featured during the maiden edition held on December 26, 2008.

How Akwa Ibom overtook Colombia in Guinness Book of records

Akwa Ibom has added another feather to its cap by getting into the Guinness Book of Records as the state that produced the largest group of Carol Singers in the world. This approval was announced by the Guinness World Records Limited at his headquarters in London after confirming that the Godswill Akpabio Unity Choir, made up of 25, 272 singers, had overtaken the previous record of 15,674 set in Bogota, Colombia, on the 14th of December 2013.

The official attempt which took place at the Uyo township stadium on Saturday, December 13, 2014, was witnessed by representatives of various companies and organizations approved by the Guinness World Records Limited to ensure that the very strict guidelines governing the record attempt were followed. 

BREWERS 03 holds 2014 get together party * Elects new EXCO

On Sunday, December 28, 2014, old students who got admission into the Department of Brewing Science and Technology, University of Uyo in the year 2003, popularly known as BREWERS 03, gathered in large number to celebrate 2014 end of the year.

The get together party which took place at No.17 Anua Street, Uyo, featured: praise & worship, exhortation, fund raising as well as dissolution and formation of new executive of the group.

In a brief exhortation, Pastor Ndifreke Itanka charged BREWERS 03 members to always be of good conduct in the society. He reminded them to be ready and be willing to help each other even as prayed that God should enlarge the members of the group.

Senator Ita Enang- The story of a shameless Lawmaker

BY INIBEHE EFFIONG

Senator Ita Solomon Enang was born on August 23, 1962. He hails from Ididep, in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. Enang became a councilor in 1987, and a member of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly in 1992. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1999 where he served for three consecutive terms (1999-2011). After spending 12years in the House of Representatives, he was elected to the Senate in 2011 to represent the Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District of Akwa Ibom State.

On Saturday December 27, 2014, Sen. Ita Enang granted an unprecedented two hours interview to a private radio station in Akwa Ibom State, Planet Radio 101.1 FM Uyo. For the first time in over 15years as a federal legislator, Sen. Enang spoke frankly about the state of affairs in Akwa Ibom State and took a sweep at the Governor Godswill Obot Akpabio-led administration and openly opposed the governor’s unholy third term agenda using his stooge, Udom Emmanuel, as a veil.

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

The Udoedehe wolf tears

Agreed that Senator John James Akpanudoedehe was the leading personality in Akwa Ibom State chapter of the opposition All Progressives Congress before the entrance of Obong Umana Okon Umana. But today, the dynamics of politics have since seen Udoedehe running from pillar to post chasing his shadows and making some mischievous comments.

For the initiated and followers of the drama in APC, if you think that the Bola Ahmed Tinubu led Party will key into Udoedehe’s antics, then you must have a rethink. The noise Udoedehe is today making does not in a way help him in his resolve to outweight Umana as the standard bearer of the APC in Akwa Ibom state. Every right thinking person will agree that the issue of the man to fly the flag of the APC in Akwa Ibom state has since been settled and the noise being made by Udoedehe today will not help him.

Ekpoattai: Good for the House of Reps.

There has been some noise in Eket federal constituency that the winner of the recently concluded PDP House of Representatives nomination for the Area, Deaconess Owoidighe Ekpoattai has been substituted for Hon. Eseme Eyiboh. 

This information had gone round like wild fire that yours faithfully sought to know the real situation of things. Those who are contemplating this kind of action are not fair to the people of Eket federal constituency. The story line is that the House of Representatives position for the federal constituency is meant to rotate within the four components local Governments that make up the federal constituency.