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.

What PDP Man of the Year Award means to me - Prince Akpabio

As soon as Prince Ukpong Akpabio was decorated with the award as the Essien Udim PDP man of the year, THE INK set out to have an interaction with him to have the Essien Udim PDP man of the year air his mind on how he sees the award. What the award means to him and other sundry issues. Excerpts;

What does the award means to you?

The Peoples Democratic Party is the largest political party in Africa, whose followership is driven by the ideals of its founding fathers. In Akwa Ibom, His Excellency, Chief (Dr.) Godswill O. Akpabio is the leader of the party whose uncommon transformation is driven by the ideals of the party. Thus, this honour given me by the Party in Essien Udim chapter has encouraged me to continue my selfless efforts in complementing the efforts of theuncommon transformation agenda of His Excellency, Chief (Dr.) Godswill Obot Akpabio, CON. I feel a sense of belonging in the uncommon transformation team. This award means a lot to me, especially as it is coming from my home. You know they say charity begins at home and if your home front has found it fit and necessary to honour you, then it is a feat. It is a milestone. I will forever value and treasure this award. I commend the organizers and I will do the best I can to ensure that I keep contributing my very best to the development of the Party and human resources.

Did you ever envisage the award coming to you?
No! I never knew about such an award. It came to me by surprise. Ordinarily, I would have rejected the award but party discipline is enshrined firmly in our code of conduct. I had to accept it. Furthermore, my contributions to the growth of the party at all levels were not borne out of any expectation for reward. What my friends have encouraged me to contribute to our party is part of our character. Hence, whether or not I won the award this year is immaterial. I am a loyal party man.

What will the award do to you, will it motivate you to do more for the party or will you be convinced that with the award, your works for the party has been noticed and hence no need to contribute to the party again?
The award is a booster. It has encouraged and will encourage me to know that no good effort goes unnoticed. Like I said earlier, His Excellency, Governor Godswill Akpabio’s uncommon transformation in Akwa Ibom state is a testimony of PDP’s performance. So I have a burden to support, promote and compliment this legacy anywhere I find myself andEssien Udim LGA is my home town and I have by the grace of God I have created an impact there because “Charity, they say begins at home”. This award will not only inspire me alone to do more, but will also act as a catalyst for our great party men and women, to continue to work for our party.

Who are you dedicating the award to?
The answer is not farfetched. I am dedicating this award to His Excellency the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief (Dr.) Godswill O. Akpabio, CON, whose uncommon passion for development cannot be over-emphasized. And also to Her Excellency, our “Mother Theresa”, Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Godswill Akpabio, whose motherly love and support has seen me through my years in the uncommon transformation team.

What advice do you have for the younger people who are looking up to you as a role model?
Firstly, I advise our young people to draw closer to God. My life as a politician has been shaped primarily by my relationship with God who is greater and wiser than all men. “Righteousness exalts a nation”, so, let our young people seek God and his righteousness and shun all negative vices that will do them no good.

Secondly, focus. Every individual has unique life goals which are achievable when he or she is focused. When you work hard and focus on your goals, success is not far from you.

The people of Essien Udim are not blind. Men and women and children from all nooks and crannies have tested His Excellency’s uncommon transformation. By the grace of God, in my little capacity, I am only complementing the efforts of His Excellency, Governor Godswill Akpabio. So I was not surprised to see all the troops that came out to celebrate with me. My prayer is that I will not fail them and God will continue to bless them and the whole people of Akwa Ibom State.

Akpabio’s family celebrate prince over PDP Man of the Year honour

* He deserved it, says Essien Udim PDP Chair
* I never knew my works for the party were noticed  - Awardee

The Akpabio’s family has united to celebrate the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on General duties, Prince Ukpong Akpabio following the recent conferment on him as the PDP man of the year, Essien Udim Chapter.
The peoples Democratic Party in Essien Udim had after a thorough assessment of the qualities and attributes of the Political Science graduate found him worthy to be decorated as the PDP man of the year for 2013 in an event that was attended by all the stalwarts of the PDP in the state led by the Party Chairman Obong Paul Ekpo.

The event was held penultimate weekend and attracted the who is who in the Akpabio’s family and beyond,they all had kind words for Prince Akpabio who is being regarded as the pillar of Essien Udim youths.
Ibanga Akpabio in his goodwill message noted that the decision of the PDP in Essien Udim to honour Prince Akpabio with the PDP man of the year 2013 could not have come at a better time than now.

Pay your dues! Paul Ekpo tells PDP appointees * Hails Prince Akpabio

The state Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, Mr. Paul Ekpo has charged elected officers and appointees of the party to pay their outstanding dues. The charge was made recently at Essien Udim party secretariat during the conferment of the award of PDP man of the Year on Prince Ukpong Akpabio.

The State Party Chairman noted that the reason for the presentation of the award was because of the recipient’s benevolence to the party and people of his environment as well. He also stated that though, presentation of award is not in consonant with the party’s norms; award as such can and will be given to those who the party sees and deem fit as a show of their appreciation and encouragement of good deeds. 

He also commended Prince Ukpong Akpabio for his philanthropic deeds and urged others to borrow a feather from him.
He harped on the need for the offset of party dues after presenting the award; admonishing that the fees were needed to put certain structures in order especially as the election time draws closer. 

Present at the occasion were: the State Governor, Represented by the state Secretary, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, Chairman, ALGON, Hon. Nse Ntuen, member representing Essien Udim in the House of Assembly, Hon. Emmanuel Akpan, Sir. Emem Akpabio, Chief Afangideh and others. 

Prince Ukpong Akpabio in his response thanked the people of Essien Udim for the support given him and for finding him fit for the award of the PDP man of the year 2013. He also thanked the Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio for making him who he is. He stated that the award will spur him to work more committedly to the service of his people. He charged fellow politicians to follow the steps of the Governor who he said has shown the way through his transformation agenda.  He dedicated the award to the state Governor and his wife who he said has been a mother to him. 

In his speech, the state Governor, who spoke through the state Secretary, Mr. Udom Emmanuel thanked the people for their love and cooperation in the party as well as the support given to him. He also charged the people to follow his leadership while promising that his administration would deliver more dividends of democracy to them.

Ibibio youths angry with Akpabio over federal appointments BY EMMANUEL AKPAN

Youths in Ibibio Nation under the umbrella of the Supreme Council of Youths (Esop Iwaad Ibibio) are unhappy with the way federal appointments in Akwa Ibom State are being shared.

In a press release signed by the President of Esop Iwaad Ibibio, Atauko Sammy Brown and made to THE INK, the group noted that the appointments in question is a gross injustice against the sister ethnic nationalities in the State which consists three ethnic group and three senatorial districts; stating that appointments into federal offices should follow the tripod arrangement by virtue of justice, fairness and equity.

The appointments in question are: office of the Commissioner, National Population Commission, occupied by Moses Ekpo (Abak), office of the Commissioner, Federal Civil Service Commission, Simeon Etim, (Essien Udim), office of the Commissioner, Federal Character Commission, Barr. Matthew Ukpong, (Essien Udim), office of the Legal Secretary, Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Ima Okpongette, (Etim Ekpo), office of the Commissioner Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Barr Michael Ebong, (Essien Udim), and office of the Chairperson, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Mrs. Mfon Akpan, (Abak)

Annang Peoples Assembly backs Prince Akpabio for Assembly seat

                     Prince Ukpong Akpabio           Obong Aniebiet Idiong

A group in Annang land, Annang Peoples Assembly has thrown their weight of support behind Prince Ukpong Akpabio, urging him to contest the House of Assembly seat for Essien Udim State constituency while assuring him of their support that will translate to his victory.

The group made their position known yesterday after their meeting at Abak Local Government Area. The national President of the group, Obong Aniebiet Idiong informed THE INK reporter that the group has taken upon itself the duty of searching for credible persons in all the local Government Areas making up Annang body, identifying with them and urging them to run for offices that will be beneficial to them and the entire state.

National Association of Mkpat Enin Students (NAMES) set to hold congress BY VICTOR UFOT

The comrade  Usenobong Ekponyoh led National Association of Mkpat Enin students, (NAMES) worldwide is set to hold its first general congress on Friday 20th December. This was contained in a statement released recently by the association.

The statement enjoins all Mkpat Enin students to attend the congress which will discuss crucial issues affecting the general well being of the students. The statement also encourages all chapter heads to mobilize their members to attend the congress.

According to the statement, the agenda of the meeting will be made known at venue of the congress. The congress will start by 10 a.m prompt at the the local government hall in Mkpat Enin.

War in Essien Udim as Councilors gift to Governor sparks big trouble

Unknown to Governor  Godswill Obot  Akpabio, while he is busy throwing money about and enriching some people, his home front is on a very hot fire politically and the heat emitted from this fire may consume his council chairman Hon. Nse Ntuen and the leader of his Legislative council Hon (Prophet) Paul Damian.

THE INK can authoritatively report that the seeming peace that was cosmetic in nature fell flat during penultimate Sunday’s presentation of a gift to the governor by legislators of the area during a church service at Methodist Church, Nigeria, Afaha Ikot Ebak in Essien Udim LGA where the governor attended. The councilors who had earlier tried to see the Governor but were blocked by the state Governor had mobilized themselves and was finally given approval by a worker in the church against the desire of the council Chairman, Mr. Nse Ntuen to see the governor to present their gift to the state Chief Executive. 

The Deputy leader of the Legislative council Hon. Ndifreke Dennis who represents Ukana East ward did the presentation of the gift to the governor on behalf of other councilors. Speaking while presenting the item to the governor, the Deputy leader of Essien Udim Legislative Council, acting on behalf of himself and other members of the legislative council appreciated the Governor for giving them the opportunity to serve their respective wards as councilors. The Essien Udim councilors informed the governor that they would have come to Uyo to tell him thank you but because the operations of motor cyclists have been banned, it has rendered them incapacitated as none of them can boast of a car to ferry them to Uyo the state capital.

The Governor who was shocked beyond words upon discovering that his councilors did not own cars was visibly embarrassed. But the report to the Governor that Esien Udim councilors had no cars had obviously embarrassed the Essien Udim council Boss Nse Ntuen who is said to have hurriedly met with some councilors and bribed each of them with one hundred thousand Naira with an instruction that they should impeach or at least suspend the Deputy leader of the House who addressed the Governor. 

Some of the legislators are said to have raised arguments on the illegality of attempting to impeach or suspend the Deputy leader arguing that the Deputy leader was directed to do what he did at Methodist church Nigeria, Afaha Ikot Ebak to do so on behalf of the councilors. Nse Ntuen is said to have insisted that the Deputy leader must go for having the guts to report to the governor that Essien Udim councilors don’t have cars.

Our political correspondent gathered that out of the eleven councilors in Essien Udim only four opted to carry out the chairman’s wish which led to a total collapse of law, peace and order in Essien Udim legislature council last Tuesday. Big trouble broke out when the four councilors led by the leader of the legislative council Hon (Prophet) Paul Damian attempted to nicodemously and mischievously suspend the Deputy leader Hon. Ndifreke Dennis without listing any sins of the Deputy leader. Majority of the councilors resisted the act thereby causing a stampede as members engaged in a free for all which led to the breaking of the two maces of the legislative council. In the same vein, the heavy presence of Police men, Army men and other security institutions in the Legislative Council did not deter the breakdown of law and order in the Council.   

Majority of the councilors who are insisting on the stay of the Deputy leader queried why the Deputy leader should be suspended for standing up to the right of the councilors. The aggrieved councilors however posited that they will ensure the impeachment of Mr. Nse Ntuen and the council leader as soon as possible. About seven of the councilors who jointly addressed  THE INK reporter shortly after the Nigerian Vs Ethiopia match last saturday informed that they have already collected and compiled signatures towards the impeachment of the leader Paul Damian whom they described as Nse Ntuen’s stooge and an incompetent man who is unfit to lead Essien Udim legislative council.

The aggrieved councilors while describing Paul Damian as spineless maintained that it is unfortunate that the leader of Essien Udim legislative Council could call for a sitting just because he wants to impeach or suspend a man who was bold enough to speak on behalf of his colleagues . They wondered why the leader could not call for a sitting of the House who has not sit for more than six months now. 

The aggrieved councilors numbering seven have vowed to ensure that Nse Ntuen is made to account for his financial recklessness since according to them, the council boss feels he can use their head. The councilors stated that left for Nse Ntuen alone, they would not have had access to the governor but for a good church worker there, they were able to state their case to the Governor.

While maintaining their stance on the looming impeachment of Nse Ntuen, the councilors stated that Nse Ntuen should count his days as they will ensure he is thrown out.    

Essien Udim councilors have however called on the state ALGON to begin a search for a new ALGON chairman as their determination to unseat Nse Ntuen whom they described as a money launderer is total and on course.