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.

Oron Union election debacle

* Ex- President-General says it was a Coup d’état
* Robinson Uwak, ors fingered 

That the recently conducted Oron Union election ended in a fiasco is no longer news, but perhaps what is the fresh angle of the entire saga is that the immediate past President-General of the apex Oro body, Chief (Barr) Okon D. Okon has finally broken the silence, describing the purported election as a coup d’état, sacrilege, abomination and assault on the good taste and intelligence of Oro people.

Speaking in an interview with journalists in his palatial residence in Oron, Chief (Barr) O.D Okon who has held the President–General position for two consecutive terms expressed shock and dismay that a lawmaker of national reckoning could brazenly interrupt the Oron Union Election, when he actually was neither a financial or executive member of Oron Union since its inception about 89 years ago.

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WHO SLAPPED ONOFIOK LUKE?

 

Words about the assault on Hon Barr Onofiok Akpan Luke was a bolt from the blue when it reached me during my vacation at Calabar. My response betrayed the supposed secrecy and in a second everybody at  the table with me where I was having a little soiree was eager to know what had happened to Onofiok whether they knew him or not. The next question that came from one of my friends was “so, who is he?” by this time I was already up and away from the table pacing to and fro making enquiries on phone asking questions hoping the news were a ruse.