AK guber tribunal: Esit Eket rules out re-run, passes vote of confidence on Udom

A cross section of Stakeholders of Esit Eket during last Saturday’s Town Hall meeting

BY ASSAM ABIA

As mixed feelings permeates the entire Political atmosphere in Akwa Ibom State over the out-come of the Legal battle at the tribunal in Abuja, instituted by the All progressive Congress (A.P.C.) to unseat Governor Udom Emmanuel of the People Democratic Party (P.D.P.), the People of Esit Eket has said it is an exercise in futility, ruling out a possible re-run. In a Stake holders meeting held on Friday September 25, 2015 at Udo Edukere Memorial Hall at the Council Secretariat, the People, after hours of deliberation, passed a vote of Confidence on Governor Udom Emmanuel for justifying the mandate given him, within a hundred days in office.

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.

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: Esit Eket youth groups root for Dr Ntekim

Dr. Effiong Assam Ntekim

Against the backdrop of a purported but politically masterminded rejection of the candidacy of an American trained super mechanical engineer, Dr. Effiong Assam Ntekim by the generality of Esit Eket people over his political ambition to bring needed changes to Akwa Ibom State and revolutionize the economy by way of industrializing it, five youth groups and other professionals have risen in absolute solidarity of his ambition.

The five groups are the Esit Eket Technicians Forum, Esit Eket Traders Association, Prestigious Ladies of Esit Eket and Esit Eket Youth Congress as well as the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), each represented by their chairmen and secretaries, reaffirmed that Dr. Ntekim, a bonafide son of Ikpa town in Esit Eket local government area, had on Saturday, February 15, 2014, hosted the gamut of the Esit Eket PDP chapter and that he was formerly received into the party’s fold by the Vice Chairman of Esit Eket Local Government Area, Hon. EnobongAsuboh, who led others in the exercise. He was the council’s chairman’s representative at the occasion, the groups said.

PDP Officer hails Unoma Akpabio over award

State Assistant Organizing  Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party Usoro Akpanusoh has described the wife of the state Governor, Mrs.Ekaette Unoma Godswill Akpabio as a woman that has created an impact in the nation and beyond. Akpanusoh made this known while exchanging views with our reporter over the weekend.

 He said the award given to Ekaette Unoma Godswill Akpabio by the SUN newspapers as the most supportive Governor’s wife has gone to prove that the wife of the Governor is a woman that has impacted positively on the lives of the nation.

The former Vice Chairman of Esit Eket described Unoma Akpabio as the leader of Akwa Ibom women whose support to the state Governor Godswill Akpabio has been legendary. 

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.

Esit Eket renews covenant with God

 

The authorities of Esit Eket Council, the political class, youths, women and choral groups converged at Uquo, the council secretariat to renew their vow to commit their activities to God for divine direction.

“My administration had made a covenant with God that on every 30th January, the council will gather to commit her activities, programmes and policies to God for divine direction”, Hon. Ibanga Etang said.

He noted the Solemn Assembly is in line with the social programmes of Governor Godswill Akpabio to build the state on the path of love, truth and unity.
The council boss, paid glowing tributes to Governor Akpabio for his wisdom to enthrone God first in all his dealings, which has resulted in the cordial industrial peace enjoyed in the state.

USA based indigenes to collaborate Esit Eket on Industrialization, Education

The authorities of Esit Eket Local Government Council have concluded a collaborative agreement that will attract small and medium scale industries technical education training, human capacity development and fast track admission into American universities for its indigenes. 

These and other issues were the highpoints of a collaborative meeting between the Executive Chairman,  Hon. Ibanga Etang and a group of Esit Eket indigenes based in the    United States of America led by Prof. Felix M. Edoho and Dr. Sunny Dan Abia.

Under the agreement, the Diaspora group will source for technical partners for the establishment of small scale industries that will absorb abundant raw materials like palm fruits, plantain and banana ,cassava and sea products for industrial uses and export.  

THE INK GIRL:Comfort Ejukwa

Name:       Comfort Ejukwa

Phone:       07033172586

Esuene’s empowerment gets another backing

 

The people of Ene Ekpene Village council has thrown their weight of support behind the last empowerment of Senator Helen Esuene describing a publication which sought to discredit the empowerment in one of the state based tabloids (not THE INK) as spurious and unfounded. 

In a communiqué signed by Chief Enim Ekandem, village head and Deacon (Chief) Akanimo Tom and made available to our reporter last weekend, the village council said, we can say that the 2013 empowerment scheme was a rare display of selfless, avowed commitment to positively affecting the lives of her people. The event which was held at the Qua Iboe church Primary School, Usung Inyang Eket saw no fewer than 290 people empowered with various car gifts, sewing machines, hair dressing equipments, giant screen TV sets, standing fans, musical equipments, gas cookers, deep freezers, cameras, financial assistance and scholarship to the admiration of all present.

NDDC contractors abandon projects, run away with monies

 

BY JOSEPH OKON

The recent inspection tour of all NDDC projects embarked by the State House of Assembly Committee on NDDC has revealed that almost all the projects awarded by the commission to contractors in the State have been abandoned. Some of the contractors who have also ran away with the monies paid to them as mobilization went as far as collecting IPCs from the state office without the job being done.

 Hon Victor Udofia who led the committee in the tour to the 31 Local Government Areas of the state noted that the committee was visiting the areas to have an on-the-spot assessment of what NDDC has done; adding that  it will be commended and corrected where necessary.  

Senator Umoyo to chair Ekid Peoples Congress, Saturday

Arrangements have the next Ekid peoples Congress coming up on Saturday 26th October, 2013. The event which will seek to chart a fresh course for the people of Ekid Nation and will also elect new Executive to pilot the affairs of the body for the next administrative year.

It could be recalled that the tenure of the Abong Ekpo led Executive had expired since may and the body had resolved to meet on Saturday at Uquo in Esit Eket to hold her congress nand discuss the way forward for the body.

AKHA moves to harmonize Chairmen, Councilors in LGAs BY JOSEPH OKON

Worried by the series of crisis be tween Councilors and Chairmen of Councilors, rocking Local Government councils, the State House of Assembly Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs have initiated a tour to the 31 Local Government councils in the state to harmonize both parties as well as inspect projects initiated by the councils.

The Chairmen of the Committee, Mr. Abo Uduyok Johnson stated this while leading the committee to Esit Eket, Eket, Ibeno and Onna last week.