Anti-corruption foundation honours AKHA Speaker

The speaker, Akwa  Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon (Elder) Samuel Ikon was among 30 other distinguished Nigerians decorated as anti-corruption ambassadors by Foundation for Transparency and Accountability (FTA) in Abuja recently.

Other recipients of the anti corruption medal include Governor of Bayelsa, Acting Governor of Taraba State, Minister for Water Resources, Minister for Transport, Comptroller General of Customs, Inspector General of Police, Senator representing FCT, Abuja, Chief Executive Officer, Bank of Industry, Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission and some Council Chairmen across the six geo political zones in the country.

According to the chairman award committee, Mr Victor Ajibola, Elder Samuel Ikon merited the award for exhibiting a transparent and excellent leadership in piloting the affairs of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly thus making it a model for others to emulate in the country. “He is reputed for his sagacity in politics and pragmatism in leadership and has so far steered the affairs of the state legislature with commitment and purpose for common good”, he concluded.

Prince Effiong Abia: A self effacing gentleman

Pauline Peters may have considered the character tapestry of Prince Effiong Etim Abia when she stated thus: “The greatness of a leader is in his humility before God, not in his eloquence before man”. 

This submission does not devalue the value of the latter but insists that the former holds a place of incontrovertible precedence. It is why the simplicity of the serving Commissioner for Rural Development who is wont to refer in very seductive tone to people he comes across as “my brother” or “my sister” depending on the gender, must form the framework of any discourse that pertains to him. The warmth he radiates during such exchange reinforces the fact contained in Psalm 25:9 that “God guides the humble and teaches them His ways”.  

Humility is a rare commodity amongst people who deemed themselves to be successful or accomplished. We live in a stratified society where wealth and position define relationships with the culture seeping down to offsprings and spouses.

Abia fetes Constituents

 

Member representing Eket/Onna/Esit Eket/Ibeno federal constituency Barr Bassey Dan Abia, Jnr over the weekend presented mouth-watering items to the people of his federal constituency with a charge on them to continue to support government as government is ready to do so much for them. Abia while speaking informed the people that he had to come home to empower the people because he has taken it upon himself to ensure that he gives back to the society what the society invested in him. He informed the people of the bills he had passed and stressed that he will continue to do more for the people of the federal constituency.

Abia who was accompanied to the event which was held at the Eket Council Hall called on the people to see themselves as agent of Government and do all they can to protect government properties and also project government in a good light. He maintained that he has contributed meaningfully to debates on the floor of the House of Representatives and promised to even do more. Abia listed some of the bills he has sponsored on the floor of the House and informed the people that they will not regret voting for him. he said his ultimate goal in the National Assembly is to ensure that he delivers upon the mandate that was given to him and also ensure that the people of Eket federal constituency is given a pride of place in the comity of federal constituencies in the National Assembly.

2015 and the ark of governance in A’Ibom By Joseph Okon

A good look at the leadership of Akwa Ibom State since Nigeria’s return to democracy can be likened to the biblical ark of covenant which was built by Moses. An interesting feature of the ark was its ability to discern and allow only those qualified by God to touch or carry it. Any unauthorized possession of the ark by persons not destined by God usually brought calamity, sorrow and tears to the land.

Just like Akwa Ibom State, God valued the ark so much that when Uzziah who saw the ark falling off was about to stretch his hands to prevent the fall, the anger of the Lord was rose against him and he was killed there by the ark– because he was not destined to have anything to do with it. 

The condition of that Ark of Covenant is very symbolic to the governance of Akwa Ibom State, a State named after the God of heaven and earth (Abasi Ibom).

Govt should incorporate the physically challenged - Ekanem

Mr Edmond Ekanem, the Chairman of the Physically Challenged Persons Association of Nigeria, Akwa Ibom state chapter spoke to KING UMANA..

What is the Association all about?
It is about bringing the physically handicapped from across all the 31 L.G.A’s in Akwa Ibom state, to assemble and encourage them, to bring out their potentials and direct them to useful purposes. It is also about harnessing these potentials and bringing them to the fore for the government to make use of them. We are part and parcel of the citizens of Akwa Ibom State, and as such, the association is a platform to reveal who we are ; we mobilize ourselves to participate in government activities, it is a platform that encourages our members to take part in civic responsibilities, exercising political franchise, participating in government, economy, and social programs, in fact, it is a socio-political organization that we use to advance our ambitions, potentialities, so  as to be made useful in life and join other citizens in national building.

The association liaises with government and other bodies to create employment opportunities, secure scholarships, empowerment, skill acquisition training, etc for our members

Akwa Starlets Chairman meets team supporters

The new Chairman of Akwa Starlets  Football Club, Hon. Emmanuel Ibah last Friday met with supporters of the team for a formal introduction as well as familiarity visit since his emergence as the club chairman.

The meeting took place at the Supporters’ Club House in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Addressing the supporters, Hon. Emmanuel Ibah said his visit to the supporters was to meet and know them as his administration in the club is willing to carry all members along.

Annang Nation honours Enoidem as Best Commissioner

Barr Emmanuel Enoidem (r) receiving the award of Best Commissioner from Annang land from Obong Aniebiet Idiong, President - Annang Peoples Assemmbly

Commissioner for Special Duties Barr Emmanuel Enoidem was last week honoured by Annang nation as the best commissioner from the region.

 Speaking under the auspices of Annang Peoples Assembly, the President of the group Obong Aniebiet Idiong popularly known as Tanker said the Assembly after a thorough assessment and a call for nominations amongst members had voted and Enoidem was found fit as the best commissioner to have ever come out of Annang nation.

Idiong stressed that even though the award is not to create ethnic divisions in the state, he maintained that Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem has demonstrated uncommon leadership skills and is one of those that has completely interpreted the goals and dreams of the state Governor Chief Godswill Akpabio whom he described as a leader with the heart of gold.

Akon Eyakenyi: Garland to a great woman @ 54 BY UDEME INYANG

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan early this year forwarded a list of ministerial nominees to the National Assembly for clearance. Akwa Ibom born Mrs Akon Etim Eyakenyi made it into the list whish will be his last for the final lap of his first term. She emerged as the Akwa Ibom State nominee courtesy of Governor Godswill Akpabio.

Few weeks after, the Nigerian Senate approved the name of Mrs Eyakenyi and ten others - out of the twelve ministerial nominees sent to it by the President, paving the way for the formation of a new cabinet soon.

For those who know MrsEyakenyi, her name reverberates as an industrious, humble and honest woman who has never been found wanting in any position she has been saddled with.  In a country that is bedeviled with all manner of rotten politicians perpetuating every form of corruption in high places and parading themselves as our leaders, its heartwarming that a member of the womenfolk can rise up, conduct herself admirably and do things as it should be.

Why A’Ibom State may not be the preferred destination BY AKANIMO KINGSLEY

Whereas it is one thing to institute change, it is another to have a sustained change and for the change to achieve its ultimate aim. From the perspective of development, sustainable development is often planned and kick started, but such development in many cases is not being sustained thereby making nothing out of the main idea of the development itself. Akwa Ibom state no doubt has always been a pedestrian state and it is a commendable ideology for governor Akpabio to turn the state into a hub of development and on the long run, a preferred destination. On the other hand, what is the guarantee that this dream will last if fully achieved? Will it follow the general perception that good things don’t last?

Last December, Uyo metropolis witnessed an influx of tourists who came to behold the beautiful sight and sound of the state capital. Yes, it was a sign of better things to come. Sometimes we wonder why Calabar is a definition of “the people’s paradise.” We ask why Lagos is a destination where Nigerians want to be. We admire the beauty of Abuja and the development thereof, but our state is reportedly one of the fastest growing states in Nigeria. Wonderful infrastructures, potential tourism sites, great investment opportunities, huge monthly allocation and a leveled environment for development to thrive. Despite these, there is still no sign of sustained development. Starting from 1999, there is hardly any programme or developmental stride of the past administration that still benefits the masses today. For instance, the Ibom plaza which served as a trading platform and an entertainment/tourism center is now almost dead without justifiable reason. Some erstwhile businessmen of the “defunct” Ibom plaza resorted to furthering their businesses in containers, open shades and little roadside shops, some of which have been destroyed by Ignatius Edet’s Uyo Capital City Development Authority.

Okon Osung, Etienam, Robinson Uwak restates commitment to service

L-R: Barr. Bassey Etienam with wife, Rt Hon. Okon Tom Osung and Hon. Robinson Uwak at the Church function

* Urueoffong Oruko council boss gets loudest ovation.

Chairman of Urueoffong Oruko Local Government Area, Rt. Hon Okon Tom Osung , member representing Urueoffong at the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Barr Bassey Etienam and the member representing Oron Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Hon Robinson Uwak last Sunday were hosted at The Apostolic Church Oruko by the Urueoffong OrukoPeoples Alliance.

The event which attracted political stalwarts, clergies, the leadership and followership of the area and that of Oro extraction was the best of its kind as the politicians used the opportunity to reiterate their love for God and their determination to serve the people with all their hearts.

Youth Group supports power shift Eket Senatorial District

As the clamour for the governorship of the State to shift to Eket Senatorial District is intensified, the Akwa Ibom Amalgamated Youth Movement, a pressure group in the state has pledged its total support to the course.

The group informed our Correspondent through its Director of Media and Strategy, Mr. Dickson Akpan that “the  is not only timely, but very reasonable in view of the fact that both Uyo and Eket Senatorial Districts have already produced two notable governors for the state. The move for the shift shows that Akwa Ibom people are thinking more of unity, and a strong desire to avoid any step that will put undue tension on the thin fabrics of the state.”
People of the state have been polarized as to where the governorship of the state should go to in 2015. While some persons believe that it should go to Eket Senatorial District, some think differently.

Governor Godswill Akpabio has on different occasions advised that there should be equity in the rotation of positions in the state, and has always insisted that this is the position of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), noting often that, the PDP will support any move that will unite the people.
It is on the basis of this that more people in the state have increased their agitation for power shift to this senatorial district that have not produced a governor since this new dispensation started in 1999. 

AKHA passes 2014 budget …harps on establishment of children, youth parliament

The controversial 2014 budget which was prepared in line with the International Public Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS) and presented to the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly last year by the State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio was passed into law last Thursday following the report of the House Committee on Appropriation and Finance through its chairman, Barr Onofiok Luke.

The Appropriation committee who spoke through its head, Barr Onofiok Luke told the House that the delay in the budget was caused by the IPSAS principles which he said is very new to the House hence, the long time taken to go through the budget.

PAPA sets agenda for good governance

 

… Solicits support for President Jonathan
…visits Special Children’s Home on Valentine Day

A front line socio-Political organization in Akwa Ibom State, the Progressive Akwa People Assembly (PAPA) has lauded the developmental strides of the Governor Godswill Akpabio’s administration in the past six and half years and further charged that as the 2015 general elections beckons, the choice of a successor must be a person whose vision and ideology for the state meets the acceptance of the people

According to the Director-General of PAPA, Honourable Obot James who spoke with newsmen in Uyo at the close of a stakeholders meeting of the organization, the exemplary leadership qualities of the administration of Governor Akpabio has made the state a choice of destination in the country. He therefore urged the political class to ensure that the emergence of a successor for 2015 would surpass the existing set-standards especially as Akwa Ibom State opens up to economic frontiers with the industrialization programmes laid down.

More honours for David Etuk

Nsit kingdom in Akwa Ibom State last Saturday honoured Hon David Etuk, a Special Assistant to the Governor on Projects with an Award of Excellence for his contributions towards the development of humanity.

Presenting the award to Akparawa (Hon) David Etuk, the Paramount Ruler of Nsit Ibom Local Government Area, His Eminence, Akwa Edidem (Dr) Manasseh S. Akpan said the award was given to the recipient based on his track records of service to mankind which has made him stand out amongst his contemporaries.

Akwa Utd Players short change

* To earn less than LMC’s Benchmark

Players of Uyo-based Nigerian professional Football League side, Akwa United have been told they may earn less than the one hundred and fifty thousand naira monthly salary benchmark established by the League Management Committee (LMC) with effect from the new season.

A club source hinted over the weekend that the club will not be able to meet the financial conditions of the LMC, but will do same next season. It has also been revealed that the highest paid player of the club will earn a hundred and twenty thousand naira, a situation that has raised huge concerns to the players and fans following the abolishment of sign-on fees by the League Management body.

The source said the club did not include the new salary structure in its budget for the season, maintaining that the club cannot accept what they cannot pay.
It was also gathered that a member of the LMC had last week called some players of the team asking how much they are being paid by the club.

AKHA crisis escalates As Anti Ikon Members shun siting

                 Rt. Hon. Sam Ikon                Obong Paul Ekpo, can he tame the rising tide against Ikon?

                                                               Hon. Bassey Etienam leading lawmakers against Ikon?

 * Speaker conduct plenary with 8 members’ holds secret talk with PDP

What started as a crisis of confidence in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has taken a different dimension as members refused to attend house plenary leaving the speaker, Elder Samuel Ikon helpless and embarrassed last Tuesday before visiting Ugandans.

Although the speaker has always denied that there is no crises in the State House of Assembly, it became apparently clear last Tuesday when almost all the members of the House exception of Onofiok Luke and Ekaette Ebong Okon who were out of the state were all present at the executive session which lasted for some hours, but after the executive session most members instead of moving to the chambers for plenary, headed to their offices and from there move to their individual cars and went home without attending the sitting for the day. 

To serve his face from the imminent embarrassment due to the visiting legislators who came from Uganda to visit the state Assembly, the speaker, Sam Ikon was compelled to conduct last Tuesday sitting with just 7 members including himself to make  it 8.

Please patronize our products; manufacturers tell Akpabio * As SON D.G. Visits Akwa Ibom

Manufacturers in the State have sent a passionate appeal to the State Governor, Chief (Dr.) Godswill Akpabio to patronize products manufactured in the State which according to them, are among the best products in the market.

The manufacturers under the aegis of Block Molders Association of Nigeria; Water Producers Association of Akwa Ibom State; Aluminum Product Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Akwa Ibom State Chapter; Paint Manufacturers Association of Nigeria; Tissue Producers Association of Akwa Ibom State etc, made this appeal during the interactive session at the one day official visit of the Director General of Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Joseph Ikemefuna Odumodu, at the organization’s State headquarters at the Federal Secretariat on Tuesday 4th, January, 2014.

The State coordinator of SON, Mr. Papanye Don-Pedro who received the visiting Director General alongside his entourage introduced the product manufacturers in the State to the visitors and commended the manufacturers also for coming out to receive them.

Professor Abasiattai: “Fount of Wisdom” goes home in grand style

This is the story of a man who was born on a Monday, called Monday and died on a Monday. He came, he saw, and he certainly conquered the world. No wonder the crème de la crème of the society converged at Afaha Ikot Akpan Mkpe in Onna Local Government Area to pay their last respect to him when he was laid to final rest on Friday 7th of February, 2014.

The burial ceremony of the Late Prof. Monday Benson Abasiattai was conducted at the grounds of Bright Star Nursery and Primary School, by Qua Iboe Church Nigeria. The place was filled to capacity with people from different organizations present to honour one of their own.

Testimonies on the life and times of the Late Fellow of Historical Society of Nigeria were given by different groups beginning from the family to the church. The family described his death as heartbreaking but found consolation in the fact that he lived and impacted the family in many positive ways. The village representative however called on other educated people not to abandon their people at home but to go home and help the poor as the Late Elder of Qua Iboe Church, Prof. Abasiattai, used to do.

Role conflict among government ministries, commissions and parastatals; the AKHA approach and IPSAS verdict

The dynamism of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (AKHA) in recent time has been brought to the fore, revealing the real essence for which men and women of proven integrity were selected by the electorates to represent different constituencies in the hallowed chamber of the Assembly. The election of these men allowed the entire people of the state to have a voice through their representatives in the running of the state. Beyond speaking for their various constituencies, as lawmakers with many oversight functions, the representatives of the people must ensure that both individual and cooperate interest in the state are well tweeted as enshrine in the law of the land.

Today, the Rt. Hon Sam Ikon’s led 5th Assembly also known as the People’s Assembly has matched words with action using different approaches to ensure that the much cherished uncommon transformation of the present administration continue to see the light of the day. The legislators unwavering support to the executive could be measured with the number of executive bills passed into law since the inception of the 5th Assembly. As an arm of government, the legislature in Akwa Ibom State plays its role without conflicting with the executive or any other arm of government. This further makes it possible for the executive arm to deliver dividend of democracy to the people as expected.

Aniekan Umanah may quit

If information reaching our desk is anything to go by then, the state commissioner for Information Mr. Aniekan Umanah may resign his appointment from the Akpabio led Exco sooner this year. 

A competent source told our reporter last week that the state Governor had read a riot act to members of his Exco that anyone who is interested in the 2015 election should tender his resignation and move on. Being fully aware of this and in other to have time to prepare for his alleged 2015 House of Representatives ambition Aniekan Umanah is said to have planned towards his resignation which may likely come up by March, April or May a reliable source informed our political correspondent.