Latest Edition of THE INK NEWSPAPER UYO, AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

INTERVIEW: Media has contributed to Akwa Ibom's development - NUJ Boss, Patrick Albert

Patrick Albert

Mr. Patrick Albert is the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalist in Akwa Ibom State. In this interview with THE INK crew - EMMANUEL AKPAN, KENNETH JUDE and PRISCILLA CHRISTOPHER, he speaks on Akwa Ibom State at 28. He chronicles the history of the state’s creation, the journey so far, journalism practice in the state and other issues of interest. Excerpts:


In the spirit of Akwa Ibom at 28, what is    your assessment of the state in development index and infrastructure since its creation?
First of all, I want to thank THE INK NEWSPAPERS for holding this interview and for giving prominence to an event such as this. Anytime the anniversary of Akwa Ibom State comes, it brings into memory our past; how the state came to be; how we should be grateful to our forbears who promoted the idea of state creation and those who followed up the vision for the creation of the state until it was actualised in 1987.
Looking back for the past 28 years, one would say, to God be the glory; we can say emphatically that Akwa Ibom State has come to be as a desirable state. At its creation in 1987, it was a political expression coming out of Cross River State; already what became Akwa Ibom State was what was then known as Mainland State or the Mainland Path of the main Cross River. But today, from a political expression, we have come to attain a height comparable to other advanced states within the Nigerian federation.

Every Akwa Ibom youth will earn a living with dignity – Iwaudofia

The Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Matters, Comrade Aniefiok Iwaudofia (l), in a discussion with his predecessor and Chief Whip of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Emmanuel Ekpenyong (r), during the 2015 International Youth Day at Ibom Hall Grounds, on Wednesday

Youths of Akwa Ibom State have been charged to earn a living with dignity by ensuring they take advantage of the laudable policy thrust of the Governor Udom Emmanuel’s administration in the area of sustainable youth development. Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Matters, Comrade Aniefiok Iwaudofia, who confirmed the Governor’s position that the youth will be seriously engaged, gave the charge at the Ibom Hall Grounds, venue of the 2015 International Youth Day, on Wednesday.

Facilities in Govt Hospitals to be revamped – Health Commissioner

Dr. Dominic Inyang Ukpong

Facilities in some Government Hospitals are to be revamped for greater productivity in line with the policy thrust of the present administration. The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dominic Inyang Ukpong gave the hint when members of National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners, Akwa Ibom State Branch visited him in his office.

Unfinished business: Uyo Sex Worker fights man, 35 over refusal to pay after service

BY KENNETH JUDE

A mild drama ensued in the early hours of Wednesday (yesterday) at Nyong Essien Street, Uyo when a middle aged lady from Essien Udim and a young man, whose name was given as Anietie Effiom from Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government  Area of the state, apparently  in his early thirties engaged in what many regarded as a show of shame. One report has it that the said lady is two years in Akwa Ibom State, this, she revealed to our reporter in a terse response. According to the lady, who did not want her name in print, she explained, in a rather subdued voice that the man, whose name she refused to reveal had carnal knowledge of her when she came in to town newly with her consent on the agreement that the man will pay her after the show.

Different time of death

Oba Okunade Sijuwade

 BY NELSON UTIP

Death can be whimsical; one of the greatest play wrights William Shakespeare in his historical Tragedy Macbeth says that death is a necessary end that will come when it will. He also said that when beggars die, there are no comet seen, but heaven itself seem to react to the death of a royalty.

Towards achieving Food Security in Akwa Ibom

Governor Udom Emmanuel

BY PROMISE ETIM

Food Security is the availability of food for year round consumption in terms of quantity and quality. Food security has been given prior attention in the country over the past decade or so. It is believed that over N600bn is spent annually on food importation by Government at all levels. Nigeria imports more than 65% of agricultural produce consumed by its population.
With a land mass of 98.3 million hectares available for agricultural practices, less than 60% of this has been utilized so far as a result of the nation’s continued dependency on crude Oil as source of income. The continued neglect of the Agricultural sector can be linked to lack of interest and inadequate funding.
Before the discovery of Oil in Olibri, Rivers State in 1959, Agriculture was the driving force of the nation’s economy. Through Agricultural proceeds, infrastructures were built across the nation and other sectors developed massively. The situation got to a disappointing twist in the late 70’s as crude Oil gradually took over the lead in the income generation index of the country.
A recent survey revealed that about 60 – 70 % of the Nigerians are involved in Agriculture, but the contribution of Agriculture to the GDP over the past 15 years has been between 37.4 to 41.5%. This is far off what was obtainable two decades ago. Government at all levels has channeled resources to the sector to return the nation’s economic base to Agriculture and engage gear towards achieving the millennium development goals.
Towards securing this dream and placing Akwa Ibom in the comity of State’s that are food secured, the present administration of Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel has showed clear intent, with regards to developing the Agricultural sector. This is evident in the setting up an agricultural development and food sufficiency.
The socio-economic and political environment of the state is believed to be the principal determinant of food security, as it directly influences availability, price stability, supplies, storage and access to food.
Akwa Ibom people generally consume far above what can is locally harvested by farmers within the state. Huge amount has been invested by the state Government to see to the speedy growth of the agricultural sector, but yet, little can be shown in terms of dividend. Between 45 – 55% of what is harvested by local farmers is lost annually, as a result of poor post harvest operations.
Majority of the rural populace depend on agro related activities as a means of livelihood; the appraisal on the past shows that successive administrations in state had initiated programmes towards ensuring food is available and accessible for the teeming population. Not much can be said in terms of measuring what is being invested and output.
One of such interventions being the Integrated Farmers Scheme (IFS). The IFS has facilitated the training of thousands of Akwa Ibom people in various fields of Agriculture, with the sole aim of boasting food production. At the end of a regular IFS training programe, trainees were given financial aid of N500,000 to fast-track setting up of agri-business, depending on the capacity of what they were trained during the programme. The IFS has not lived up to its billing lately, as the program has been abandoned, with paucity of funds fingered as major concern.
With the continued shortfall of Oil at the global market, the economic fortunes of the state and nation lie in Agricultural production. Most states of the federation are already looking in this direction. Akwa Ibom State is not an exception, as development of the Agricultural sector is given prior attention by the Udom Emmanuel administration.
Rural farmers constitute more than 80% of the agricultural production index of the state. Research has indicated the following factors as major impediments to increased food production in the state as well as the country; High level of poverty, particularly in rural areas; Inadequate policy on food and nutrition; Poor funding of the agricultural sector; Lack of interest in agriculture; Lack of continuity (In terms of Governments and Programs/Projects).
Other factors include; The gap between the rich and the poor in the state; Prevalent post harvest losses; Non-availability of credit facilities to better the lives of rural dwellers who are key players in the agricultural production value-chain; Inability of the state to embrace mechanized farming as value addition framework; Rural-Urban drift; Inadequate strengthening of policies that will promote investment in the sector locally and globally; Climate change; Poor market structures; Environmental degradation; Social, religious and ethnic vices; Inadequate Infrastructures.
Agricultural development challenges vary in locations, but the gross analysis show that environmental concerns, government policies and funding generally characterize these factors. Against this backdrop, it is crucial to seek answers to questions raised as to what needs to be done to ensure food is not just available for the people, but affordable and accessible.

The way forward:
Akwa Ibom as the fastest developing state in sub-Saharan Africa still has a long way to go towards achieving food security, which is a top priority in the millennium development goals of the United Nations. Achieving food security is very key to creating an opening for the state to take its place in the country’s agricultural development map.
The agricultural development roadmap of the state can easily be defined, through embracing a model that will clearly assess the state’s food security challenges. This will lead to determining the basic indices for propagating solutions, particularly in rural areas. The Udom Emmanuel administration should consider mediums to explore for provision of credit facilities to rural farmers, which constitute majority of farmers in the state.
The new administration should also look into the area of providing effective storage facilities that will promote round the year production, to enable farmers close in on unpredictable climatic conditions. This will ensure that Food production grows consistently above demands, to bridge shortfalls.
The State Government should collaborate with Agricultural and Food production agencies like: River Basin Development Authority Programme (RBDA), Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) and others to tackle Food Insecurity, by encouraging synergy. These agencies will help the state redefine the framework for development of crop, livestock and fish production modules, with particular reference to rural dwellers, as obtainable elsewhere.
Policies should be established to cover the following areas: land accessibility, fertilizer and raw materials availability, mechanization, processing and storage facilities, market capitalization, extension service, training and research.
In line with President Buhari’s resolve to reposition the agricultural sector, the state Government should look at ways to reduce the rate of food importation, through encouraging production and utilization of locally available agricultural resources. This in the long run, will enhance the standard of living of rural farmers, who are key players in the value addition chain and production index.
As a matter of utmost importance, the new administration, should hugely investment in Research and Development (R&D), as bedrock for tackling issues affecting agricultural production in the state. In addition, capacity building programs should be instituted for stakeholders in the sector. This can best be achieved by adopting a bottom-top approach, which will ensure that rural farmers are considered first, before those in urban centers.
The planned training of one thousand Youths from the state in various field Agriculture in Israel, should be channeled towards addressing some of the challenges faced by the state in the area of food production. This initiative should not be compromised by politicians and others who may see the training program as an opportunity to visit the Middle East nation. A thorough process should be adopted to ensure persons who are agriculturally inclined are selected for the training. Farming is a rural activity, there is need to consider more persons domiciled in rural communities for the training program.
Similarly, Government should intensify efforts to fully embrace mechanized farming in the state, to compliment the subsistence farming practice adopted by many over the years. This is necessary to ensure increased food production and meet demands of the masses. The process should be gradual, as local farmers must be carried along in the scheme of things; before, during and after agricultural production processes.

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

Latest Edition of THE INK NEWS PAPER, UYO, AKWA IBOM STATE

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

Aniekan Etiebet joins Senate race * Says no to Akpabio’s ambition

Aniekan Etiebiet, Nephew to the former National Chairman of the All Nigerian Peoples Party, ANPP, may have considered throwing his hat into the ring to vie for the Senate Position for Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, THE INK gathered from impeccable sources. Etiebet’s decision to contest it was learnt is from the pressure on him by his family members and political associates who are the major factors of the senatorial district politics with the belief that the legal expert will deliver democracy dividends to the people of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial district.

The junior Etiebiet is a lawyer, a son to the former Governor of Cross River State. He had once contested the governorship position of the state when Obong Attah was transiting and today he has seriously been linked to the senate ambition, a feat that is undeniable.

Julius Berger commences clearing of NUJ site

Construction giants, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, has commenced site clearing on the proposed Godswill Akpabio International Press Centre, at the current site of the NUJ Press Centre,  Information Drive, Off IBB Way, Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

The site clearing is in preparation for the full commencement of construction work at the first phase of the Godswill Akpabio International Press Centre which include perimeter fencing/gate house, a 1000 capacity auditorium complex, a-two storey office complex and a club house.

  The architectural design of the Godswill Akpabio International Press Centre was done by a leading architectural firm in the country, Otto Trinity Studios.

Helen Esuene did not boycott town hall meeting

Contrary to speculations and reports in a certain section of the media that Senator Helen Esuene of Eket Senatorial District boycotted the Town Hall meeting that was held for Eket federal constituency at the Eket Local Government council hall last week because of her disagreement with the state Governor Godswill Akpabio, information monitored through investigations revealed that the former first lady was in full support of the initiative and was only unavoidably absent due to very pressing and very serious legislative engagements at the red Chambers of the National Assembly.

The senator had since however sent her apologies to the Government and the people of the state especially of the senatorial district which she represents. Information from the office of the Senator indicates that apart from the tight engagement of the Senator in Abuja, Helen Esuene was also meant to be a part of the first lady Dame Patience Jonathan’s youth summit and as an integral part of the planning, she had so much responsibilities that made her to be unavoidably absent at the event.

Alleviating unemployment through Sports BY KENNETH JUDE

There is no gain saying the fact that  sports and all it entails is a money-spinner. In our contemporary society, few parents would whip their wards for showing uncommon aptitude for any of the litany of sports that exist in our time.
 

Today, the prevailing fad of yore where parents descended on their child (ren) who play either football, table tennis, badminton, volleyball and the likes has long panned into oblivion. There have been instances where some parents have had to persuade and encourage any of their children to embrace sports vis-à-vis his area of expertise. Parents of such child (ren) who take to any sports of their choice are given all the support there is for them to make the needed headway in their chosen field of endeavour. 

Even families who fall within the low income bracket suddenly cough out cash to finance the growth of their ward(s). They dig deep and go any length to see that their ward(s) excel in life. In a desperate bid to have their ward(s) succeed in the game, some of them have taken up the mantle of being both the managers and agents of their sports-loving kids ostensibly to keep them away from the prying eyes of shylock agents who have overtime put the future of many budding talents in jeopardy through the dubious and fraudulent deals they enter into with their so-called foreign clubs.

Uyo Fed. Const. women declare support for Gov. Akpabio, wife …Extol leadership qualities

Obonganwan Eberefiak and Obonganwan Tommy

The women of Uyo Federal constituency have reiterated their determination to support Governor Godswill Akpabio and his wife, Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio in recognition of their leadership qualities and selfless service to people of the state.

During a well attended meeting of the women at the Ibom Hall grounds on Thursday 20th February, 2014; the women which were drawn from the four Local Government Areas constituting the Uyo Federal Constituency; Nsit Atai, Uyo, Ibesikpo Asutan and Uruan described the Governor as a gender-friendly fellow who has not discriminated the women of the state. According to them, the empowerment packages of the governor have gone across the entire people of the state especially women, widows, less-privileged and the orphans.

Ikot Ekpene LGA fires Nsikan Abatai over attack on Chairman * Says he is an ingrate, blackmail Agent

 

The authorities of Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area have risen in strong condemnation of a news  item credited to Nsikan  Abatai in a State based tabloid of Monday March, 10,2014 in which Abatai allegedly made grave and unfounded allegations against the Chairman of Ikot Ekpene Local Government Council, Obonganwan Gloria Useh.

In a statement signed by the Head, Media and Publicity Unit,  Ikot Ekpene LGA, Mr. Mansseh Umoette,  Abatai was only acting the script of his pay masters who are disgruntled politicians in Ikot Ekpene Local government area that desperately in search of space in the system.

All the allegation made by Abatai against Useh Umoette added are infantile and baseless as they exist only in the warped minds of Abatai and those he represents.

Aniekan Umanah escapes being lynched * I was not attacked, says info. com.

 

Akwa Ibom State commissioner for Information, Mr. Aniekan Umanah last week Monday escaped a mob action in Abak along Park lane and sources say it took the intervention of his mobile police security team to ferry him away to safety in the ensuing stampede that would have caused serious bodily injury to the state information commissioner.

But Aniekan Umanah in a phone chat with our reporter denied neither being attacked nor attempts to lynch him by a group or any group of people and described himself as a home boy who is always at peace with his people.

Those who witnessed the scene informed our reporter that on the said Monday, Aniekan Umanah had stopped by at a certain joint owned by BOYO, who is said to be a relative of Mr. Umanah and had ordered that drinks be given to the youths who were already enjoying themselves. The youths are said to hail from Abak/Ika and Etim Ekpo and have outrightly rejected Umanah’s drinks alleging that the information boss is stingy and that he is only giving them drinks because he wants their support for his 2015 House of Representatives ambition which he will not win. The youths are said to thereafter charged at him and went for his jugular.

Esit Eket Adoption Denial: Farce and Parody?

The Popular saying in  our Local parlance that dogs don’t eat dogs is fast giving way to an even appalling precedence that in our clime today; dogs now are at home eating other dogs. Just recently, to be precise on February 15, 2014, at Ikpa Town – the very village of Engineer Effiong Assam Ntekim, the 2015 governorship aspirant on the (PDP), whom many expect will assume responsibilities as the next big thing in the state when the incumbent Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio quits on May 29, 2015, the gamut of the PDP in Esit Eket converged in the home of the aspirant, to formerly welcome him into the PDP fold. 

However, the gathering took a swift turn and the PDP big wigs decided he was the right fitted material eternally prepared for the job as they took to the podium to eulogize the sterling leadership qualities inherent in Dr. Ntekim, qualifying him as their only hope to hoist their flag come 2015 in the Hilltop Mansion.

Those who made remarkable statements at the event included the PDP chapter chairman, Hon. Godwin Abia, Esit Eket Local Government Area Vice Chairman, Hon. Prince Enobong Asubob, who by far the biggest fish of the day at the event. He was said to represent the council Chairman who was unavoidably absent in what many observers say was a strategic, tactical retreat “to pave the way for the unknown” Elder A. U. Abia, who spoke on behalf of Zone A, Former Special Adviser to the Governor on political Matters and then Commissioner for Culture and Tourism Rt. Hon. Imo Udobia, Dr. E. D. Umoh – Principal Emeritus, and Imo Jonah Legislative Leaders - Esit Eket Legislative Assembly Others were Prince Imoh John Eduo, S/A to Chairman Esit Eket on educational matters, Dr. Monday Akpanabiatu, Senior Lecturer Uniuyo, CAN Chairman Esit Eket, Apostle Inua Eshiet, Youth Leader, Comrade Anietie Elijah and the Esit Eket students Leader worldwide – Comrade Godwin Etinwang.

Ikpoto A’Ibom inaugurates Etinan Federal Constituency chapters

Ikpoto Akwa Ibom, a socio political group in the state has inaugurated its ward and chapter executives for Etinan Federal Constituency  with a call on members to stamp out violence and other social vices in the forth coming Gubernatorial and general elections in the state.

The three local Government Areas chapter coordinators that make up the federal constituency include; Pastor Ini Udo Ekwere, Etinan, Mr. Godwin Etukudo Okokon, Nsit Ubium and Hon. Effiong Sunday Udoakang, Nsit Ibom.
 Performing the swearing in, the National Legal Adviser of the organization, Barr. Ndipmonguwem Umoh urged the executives and members to adhere to the tenets of the group.

He reminded them that their offices will be withdrawn from them if they found wanting or commit perjury. In his speech, the National Coordinator of the group, Mr. Nsima Uwak described the body as a socio political group aimed at reducing to the barest minimum the rate of violence and other social vices in election.

He expressed shock over the high level of bloodshed in 2011 election as reported in various media, pointing out that politics should not be so played. In order to ameliorate the rate of social vices, Mr. Nsima Uwak said that the group has so far organized seminars, congresses and has also identified with Non Governmental Organizations and peace loving members of the society.

He portrayed the group as Peoples Democratic Party inclined, stressing that; its membership is limited only to PDP faithful.

2015: Groups throw weight behind Oton’s parliamentary ambition

The ambition of the Law maker representing Onna State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Godwin oton Charlie, to represent the people of Eket Federal constituency at the House of representatives in 2015, received a major boost last week when no fewer than three groups threw their weight  behind his aspiration, with a strong resolve to drum up support for emergence of the lawmaker.

 The groups, Akwa Ibom Rainbow Coalition for good governance, Reliable Women Initiative and Eket Senatorial District Youths Assembly made their stand known during a courtesy call on the Hon. Member in his office in Uyo.

 In one of the calls, the State President of Akwa Ibom Rainbow Coalition for good governance, Mr. Paul S. Offot on behalf of entourage thanked the Lawmaker, saying it an honour done to the group and wish the Lawmaker to continue in his open door policies. Mr. Paul Offot said that, the visit to the Hon. Member was to show the group’s solidarity as well as declaring that in 2015, Hon. Godwin Oton Charlie would be in the Federal Parliament to represent the people of Eket Federal Constituency in Abuja.