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.

The need for health care centres within the public reach BY PRISCILLA CHRISTOPHER

There is no doubt about the fact that the unending global economic instability has affected both the standard of living and the cost of maintaining health. Much as health is wealth, wealth cannot be taken away from the road to good health. We need wealth to keep fit, to protect, maintain or restore our health. Unfortunately, the high cost of living and other necessities needed to keep going have beclouded the average man of the need to take proper care of himself.

In many parts of the world and in units of our nation, people suffer from diseases caused by malnourishment, malnutrition and other illnesses they would have averted if they had the knowledge of how to prevent them. The same goes for those who have an assumed knowledge of where to go to for remedy but die in their search for it due to the long distance between their vicinity and the unknown health centre.

It is no news that several communities in the state and nation at large exist without accessible health centers especially those far from the direct reach of the government. People in such communities thrive basically on herbs which do them more harm than good as there is no dosage for it usage.

Aniekan Umanah did not steal our money—AIDN boss

CLEMENT IKPATT is the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Diaspora matters. He also doubles as the President of Akwa Ibom Diaspora Network, AIDN. In the wake of the recent financial scam linked with the body, Mr. Ikpatt in an interaction with newsmen at the conference room of the Ministry of Information and Communications said those who planted the story of financial fraud against the body are dishonest and not sincere. In this interview with select journalists, the AIDN President gave the Information Commissioner, Aniekan Umanah a clean bill of health and maintained that the money in question was yet to be released to the body. THE INK captures the mood of the story as told by the AIDN boss.

My name is Clement Ikpatt, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Diaspora Affairs. This is the first time that I have seen some of you physically but I know your names because I read some of your papers and your commentaries, so our meeting today is going to be quite interactive and feel free to ask pertinent questions about the Diaspora because that is my job to make sure that you are properly informed with our brothers in UK, USA, south Africa and all over the world outside Nigeria.

Money is yet to be released to AIDN - Aniekan Umanah

 

 Last week ANIEKAN UMANAH state Commissioner for Information and communications in the wake of recent scandals that rocked the Akwa Ibom Diaspora Network over financial issues addressed a section of the press were he described as total falsehood the allegations which he has been fingered. The information boss in his usual elements maintained to the press that he has instructed his lawyers to seek redress at a court of competent jurisdiction. He said, the said money has been approved but yet to be released. It was an interaction that had in company the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Diaspora matters. THE INK serves you excerpts.

Is it true that the governor has endorsed or announced Udom Emmanuel as his successor come 2015?
The Governor has not announced that he has anointed anybody, if Udom Emmanuel is interested in contesting for governorship is he not qualified? What I heard the governor said clearly is, I think he simply re-echoed what Akwa Ibom people said. During the thanksgiving of last Sunday he asked the people if they wanted the governorship to return to Uyo senatorial district I heard them say no, a resounding no, he asked them if they wanted Ikot Ekpene Senatorial district to retain it, I heard a chorus no and he asked them if they wanted Eket senatorial District I had them sing Yes, it rang like a cymbal. I also heard him say that in the interest of equity, justice and fairness Eket senatorial will be given an opportunity, but he did not say anybody should not contest. So I think it is very clear. Why all these anointing, anointment or no anointing? God will release the anointing at the appropriate time and the anointing will also pass through men at the appropriate time.

Ikot Abasi Elders reaffirms Ekere’s endorsement - Warn against campaign of calumny against ex-Deputy Gov

Elders of Ikot Abasi Local Government Area have weekend affirmed the earlier endorsement of Obong Nsima Ekere governorship ambition by the founding fathers of the PDP in Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency.

The affirmation is sequel to some advertorials in local newspapers claiming that the Ikot Abasi stakeholders have rejected Ekere’s quest of becoming the next governor of the state in 2015.

The elders made the assertion in an advertorial, stating that; “That we and indeed the good people of Ikot Abasi are not against the adoption of Obong Nsima Ekere by the founding fathers of the PDP in Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency as their preferred governorship candidate because it is within their legitimate rights.”

We will support Effiong Abia, CAKA assures BY EMMANUEL AKPAN

A cross section of Ibiono Ibom indigenes has called on the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Rural Development, Barr Effiong Abia to resign his appointment and immediately declare his intension to vie for the forth coming 2015 gubernatorial election in the State.

 
Addressing the people of Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area at Okoita, drawn from the eleven wards constituting the local government, Engr. Kufre Ekong Inyang said the call became imperative as the people after weighing contenders so far jostling for the coveted position from Eket Senatorial District, and taking into consideration their pedigree, astuteness, commitment to uphold the uncommon transformation philosophy and youth development, unanimously concluded that Barr Effiong Abia is the right person for the job.

Annang Peoples Assembly commends Barr Enoidem

The people of Annang nation under the auspices of Annang Peoples Assembly have commended Barr Emmanuel Enoidem saying, he is the best Commissioner from Annang land. In a release signed by the Obong Aniebiet Idiong, National President of the group, the body noted “We the entire members of Annang People Assembly (A.P.A) on behalf of the good people of Annang eight Local Government of Akwa Ibom State whole heartedly commend Hon. Barrister Emmanuel Enoidem for his irresistible loyalty to Chief Godswill Akpabio led administration. 

Because you are one of us: Tribute to Gov. Akpabio at 51 by Christy Edwards Usen-Akpan

I write today as a product  of history and a former leader of Nigerian students to pay tribute to a man who rose from a fairly modest background to champion an inspiring legacy for Akwa Ibom State and for my generation. Governor Godswill Obot Akpabio, CON, has become an icon of this generation, a champion of uncommon transformation, a true leader and a dynamic manager of people, resources and processes. Nigerian students and former students’ leaders cannot but reckon with you; we are proud that you are one of us, being a former students’ leader yourself. 

Your Excellency, your administration has gone on record as the most student-friendly administration Akwa Ibom State has ever had. This administration’s student-friendly  policy interventions include, but are not limited to, the free, compulsory and qualitative education scheme, overhaul of school infrastructure in hundreds of primary and secondary schools across the state, infrastructural rehabilitation and support grants to the University of Uyo and other tertiary institutions in the state, take-off and scaled-up funding for the Akwa Ibom State University and consistent bursary and scholarship opportunities for students of the state origin, including grants and laptops to Akwa Ibom State students at the Nigerian Law School.

Gov’s wife fetes groups, ors on Christmas

The wife of Governor being decorated as Patron NCWS by the national president Mrs Nkechi Mba during the NCWS election in Uyo recently

In the spirit of the yuletide season, the wife of the state Governor Mrs. EkaetteUnoma Akpabio has once again showered love to the women of Akwa Ibom State through donations of  food items, wrappers, and cash gifts to help them  have a fun-filled celebration.  

First to  receive the largesse of Her Excellency were the PDP women leaders from the three senatorial districts of the state. Speaking at the event held at the Government House Banquet Hall, the wife of the state Governor Mrs. Ekaette  Unoma Akpabio said the get-together was a token from her to female politicians for the love and support they have been showing to the administration. Mrs. Akpabio while giving out the gifts charged  the women to always remain united irrespective of their differences stressing that women politicians have what it takes to make the society a better place.

Frank Okon VS Akpabio: Court rules Thursday

The Court of Appeal sitting in  Abuja has fixed Thursday; the 21st day of November 2013 for judgement on the Appeal brought before it by Engr. Frank Okon against Chief Godswill Akpabio, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.

The Federal High Court had earlier dismissed the case of Engr. Frank Okon on the basis that he did not participate in the Akwa Ibom State P.D.P. Primary and therefore lacked the locus to challenge the outcome of the said Primary, his lawyer Sanusi Salami, SAN argued that Engr. Frank Okon was an aspirant having been cleared to contest in the Primary of 15th day of January, 2011.
The court however agreed with Paul Usoro, SAN, Governor Akpabio’s counsel and the case was dismissed for lacking in merit.

NAIKAS Worldwide Electoral Board hails Ikot Abasi Council boss

The Five-man Electoral Board Committee of the National Association of Ikot Abasi Students (NAIKAS) worldwide has saluted the Executive Chairman of Ikot Abasi Local Government Area, Hon. (Arch.) Ufot S. Udoinyang for creating and sustaining harmonious relationship between his administration and the government of NAIKAS worldwide.

Expressing excitement on the developmental strive of the council boss, the body thanked Hon. (Arch.) Ufot S. Udoinyang for decorating the area with tangible and elegant projects. One of such projects according to the body is the construction of an edifice Motor Park located in the heart of the town.