Goodluck support group storms A’Ibom * Set to inaugurate South-South office in Uyo BY EMMANUEL AKPAN

A front line political group in Nigeria campaigning for President Goodluck Jonathan to run for a second term, the Goodluck Support Group (GSG) over the weekend stormed Akwa Ibom State in a bid to inspect the South-South office of the group which is due for commissioning soon.

The South-South zonal office is located at Plot 27 C-line, Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Addressing the South-South Elders Advisory Council of the group, the National Secretary of Goodluck Support Group (GSG), Archbishop Prof. L. B. Kawas said the visit was to inspect the South-South zonal office as well as assess the office for further approval for commissioning by the National Coordinator of the group, Barr. AhmedA.Gulak as soon as possible Archbishop Kawas commended the South-South elders for always supporting the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan in the previous years and called on them to continue with their support and contributions in order for the president to succeed in his first term tenure and beyond. 

Sanusi’s sack: Debating facts or sentiments?

The stormy ending of Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi’s tenure as Nigeria’s Central Bank Governor is not coming as a surprise to many keen followers of recent events around the apex bank. The CBN has in the past few months become a theatre of melodramas, with the suspended CBN Governor’s histrionics featuring very prominently in each episode. As in melodramas, sensationalism was a very visible feature in the acts, the reason being to appeal to the emotions of Nigerians who watched.

Of course, since the drama reached a new climax some days ago following Sanusi’s suspension, it has become clear that the CBN scriptwriters have successfully appealed to the emotions and sentiments of most Nigerians who draw judgement from the federal government’s action. Sentiments have apparently taken the place of reasoning and objectivist discourse.

Trust that while corporate entities like the CBN have a way of weathering the storms and quickly regaining stability following a high-profile shake up like this, the media world will characteristically continue to bustle with the subject of Sanusi suspension by President Goodluck Jonathan.

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.

FG re-assures farmers of support in A’Ibom

L-R: Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, Akwa Ibom State Governor’s Wife, Mrs Ekaette Unoma Akpabio and Managing Director, Diamond Bank PLC, Mr. Alex Oti, at the presentation of Most Valuable Governors’ Wives Award to Mrs Akpabio, on Monday  in Abuja.

The Federal Government has reassured farmers of adequate support during dry season farming in Akwa Ibom.

Mr Mike Mku, the Chairman, Board of Directors of Cross River Basin Development Authority, gave the assurance on Friday when he inaugurated during the Flag off of Dry Season Cropping at Oniong Nung Ndem irrigation project in Onna LGA.

He said that the Federal Ministry of Water Resources would ensure adequate funding of water Resources Infrastructure for irrigation and drainage to support all year round cropping.

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.

There is no Abuja front in A’Ibom - Isong

Recent insinuations that the meeting held by prominent stakeholders last week in Uyo was a resurgence of the Abuja front has been dismissed by a frontline politician and chieftain of the PDP,Chief Edet Isong.            

 Chief Isong who is also the Mokafa of Efut Kingdom dismissed the claims as baseless as the persons involved converged with the interest of the unity of the state in the projected re-election of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.    
            
  “The meeting was called primarily to mobilise support for President Jonathan’s re-election and AkwaIbom State will be at the fore front to achieve this set target” Chief Isong Stated.

Jonathan, Attah hold fresh talks

Reports reaching THE INK Newspaper from Aso Rock, the nation’s sit of power indicates that the president Dr. Goodluck EbeleAzikiwe Jonathan may have considered handing over the south- south structure of the Peoples Democratic Party to former Governor of the state Arch. Obong Victor Attah. The president is said to be contemplating this in view of his earnest desire to harmonize the Party and unite discontenting voices.

 A source told our reporter that the meeting between Obong Attah and Dr. Jonathan which was earlier reported by THE INK Newspaper last week in addition had also noted the president considering handing over the south-south zone of the party to Obong Attah especially with the need to ensure total unity in the party ahead of the 2015 general elections and the need for the president Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to emerge the nation’s president by 2015. 

Former lawmakers okay Ekong Sampson for 2015 …says he is qualified to represent them at the National Assembly

Former Lawmakers from Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency have expressed satisfaction with the achievements of Barr. Ekong Sampson and have urged him to represent the Constituency in 2015.

The team which was led by Rt. Hon. Ekong Mex Umoh, a former member of the House of Representatives made their petitions known during a solidarity visit to Barr. Ekong Sampson last week. A release signed by the former lawmakers read thus, “we have come here today to join well-meaning indigenes of Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency to urge you, Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Ekong Sampson to run to represent Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives in the next dispensation.” 

Udom Emmanuel and his day of Glory BY ANIEFIOK MACAULEY

 "The state governor while congratulating the Secretary to the State Government for his faithfulness in God and for imbibing the culture of thanksgiving said “God has accepted this thanksgiving. This is what I like all Akwa Ibom children to emulate. You have to imbibe the spirit of always coming back to thank God.”

Going back memory lane, Akpabio recalled “when I came in as governor in 2007, I came like this to thank God and the little I knew about governance because as a neophyte, I did not know much about governance.”

The crowd was over whelming; the ambience was mild and accommodating.
 Akwa  Ibom people, men, women and children in different  colourful uniforms  adorned the canopies, the Real Brass and the Little David saxophonist were on hand to provide melodious tones to the listening pleasure of the excited crowd, the politicians and captains of industry joined voices in thanking God in behalf of Emmanuel’s family.

Jonathan angry with Akpabio

 

 * Meets ex Gov. Attah, explains grouse with Akwa Ibom Governor

The nation’s President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan had met exclusively with Obong Attah in Abuja to discuss on matters bothering the country, the PDP and Akwa Ibom state. The meeting which was held behind closed doors was at the instance of the President who is said to have prevailed on Obong Attah not to dump the PDP which he helped to birthed as a founding father. The President is said to have also sought the support of Obong Attah in his leadership of the country and his future political moves.

Sources say Dr. Goodluck Jonathan had to institute the meeting with the ex Akwa Ibom Governor with the wake of the recent and massive decampment of politicians from the party and also with the information that the opposition party, All Progressives Congress (APC), were putting Obong Attah under pressure to dump the Umbrella party for them. Although those who are close to Attah said the former Akwa Ibom Governor was not considering joining the APC, political pundits in the corridors of Aso Rock Villa explained to our reporter in Abuja that the President of the country is not leaving anything to chance in his quest to unite every member of the party.

Niger Delta Ministry empowers youths with N66 million

There was  jubilation last week in Warri, Delta State as the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs empowered the Niger Delta youths who had undergone training in the field of Agriculture in Galilee, Israel and Songhai Farms, Port Novo, Benin Republic respectively with the bulk sum of N66 million.

The Ministry, in fulfilment of its promise to provide financial support to its graduands under the Skills Acquisition programme, presented a cheque of N750,000.00 each to the 88 graduands to enable them set up their respective farms in order to pursue a career in fishing and poultry farming respectively. 

Addressing the beneficiaries, the Minister, Elder Godsday Orubebe who was represented by his Special Assistant, Hon. Sam Osasa noted that the measure is to guarantee sustainable livelihood to the beneficiaries and add value to the human capital development efforts of youths in Nigeria and particularly the Niger Delta region in line with the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. 

As Jonathan signs anti-gay law; Nigerians react

 

President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday, 13th January, 2014, signed the anti-gay bill, passed by the National Assembly into an Act, making it become a law binding on Nigerians. The new law not only prohibits same sex marriage, but also makes it a criminal offense to say or declare openly that one is in a same sex relationship. It even goes further to stipulate the penalty for anyone caught contravening this new law. The penalty for anyone who engages in a same-sex marriage relationship in Nigeria is 14 years while the penalty for anyone who “registers, operates, or participates in gay clubs, societies and organizations or directly or indirectly makes public show of same-sex amorous relationship in Nigeria commits an offence and shall each be liable on conviction to a term of 10 years in prison”. As this law becomes operational in Nigeria, Nigerians from all walks of life have either expressed their support for the new law or condemn it in totality.

Esit Eket celebrates Akpabio over Dan Abia’s appointment

The people of ward ten in Esit Eket Local Government have commended the State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio and the nation’s President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan for the confidence reposed on their son, Sir (Barr) Bassey Dan Abia, KJW by making him the MD/CEO of the Niger Delta Development Commission.

The people made their position known last week when the MD/CEO of NDDC hosted them in his hometown at Afaha Ekpenedi in Esit Eket Local Government Area.

Attracting guests from all over the ward and beyond, the event had personalities from traditional institutions which was led by the secretary of the Esit Eket Traditional Rulers Council, who also doubles as the Village Head of Afaha Ekpenedi, Eteidung A. A. Bassey, the ward chairman, Apostle Victor Joe Usen, Chief Etim Mark Edoho, Prince Edet Inyang Bassey, Assistant secretary, PDP Esit Eket, Mr. Christian Inyang and Eteidung Sunday S. Ekpo – Village Head of Odoro Nkit.

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.”