More honours for David Etuk

Nsit kingdom in Akwa Ibom State last Saturday honoured Hon David Etuk, a Special Assistant to the Governor on Projects with an Award of Excellence for his contributions towards the development of humanity.

Presenting the award to Akparawa (Hon) David Etuk, the Paramount Ruler of Nsit Ibom Local Government Area, His Eminence, Akwa Edidem (Dr) Manasseh S. Akpan said the award was given to the recipient based on his track records of service to mankind which has made him stand out amongst his contemporaries.

Ambassador Ukai foundation honours Nsima Ekere BY GODWIN SAM

His Excellency, Sir Nsima Ekere displaying his award of Pillar of Youth Development by Ambassador Ukai Foundation while others applaud

The Ambassador Ukai Foundation, a socio-political organization based in Uyo, on Thursday 30th January, 2004 honoured Obong Nsima Ekere with the award of “Pillar of Youth Development” at the Methodist Primary School, Itiam Etoi, in Uyo Local Government Area.

The event was a continuation of the ongoing Ambassador Ukai Unity Football Tournament where the former Deputy Governor of the State performed the kick-off in a match between the Itiam All Stars and the Shelter Afrique Football Club of Uyo. The former Deputy Governor, after receiving the award thanked Ukai Udeme Emmanuel, the initiator of the football tournament for the award, describing him as a friend and brother who has vision and love for his people.  According to Mr. Ekere, “it is on record that since Ukai Udeme Emmanuel became the youth president of Itiam Etoi, Itiam has enjoyed peace, whereas before him, there used to be court cases by the youth presidents and either the youths themselves or the village council. 

Udom Emmanuel goes spiritual BY EMMANUEL AKPAN

   ….Begs Governor for Support
   ….You will continue in 2015 - Akpabio

The Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Udom Emmanuel last Sunday appreciated God for His faithfulness upon his life, family and his recent appointment as the Secretary to the State Government. 

The special thanksgiving service was held at Qua Iboe Church Primary School, Awa-Iman in Onna Local Government Area. 

Udom Emmanuel while thanking God said he was humbled by God’s extravagant grace on his life looking back at the memorial stones of His love and blessings. He thanked the state Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio for finding him fit to be the SSG and the people of the state for the support given him so far.

Big trouble in Umana Umana’s team * Over sharing of port folios

Umana Umana, immediate past Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government and a likely gubernatorial aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of the 2015 general election is losing grounds ahead of the poll. There is crack in his campaign organization following the dissatisfaction of some Ibibio elders who confided in our reporter that their interest will be shortchanged again given how handlers of Obong Umana’s gubernatorial campaign operate. The team according to our source has more of Anangs, Oros the Igbos and the Hausas who sources claimed are out to and have been suppressing the interest of Ibibios around the governorship aspirant.

Uyo places traditional injunction at FIRST BANK along Ibom Plaza

Businessmen and  transporters around the vicinity of First bank at Ibom plaza came to witness a shocking scene in front of the bank premises on Sunday morning. Three plantain trees were planted in a triangular form in front of the bank, thereby blocking the main entrance to the building. Wrapped across was a red ribbon preventing anyone from passing into the bank.

At the time of this report, no official of the bank was present as people watching the scenes were left in awe. Our reporter who queried the traders and some people around the bank gathered that the injunction was placed by unknown persons, probably in the midnight. Some of them suspected that the bank might have had issues with the owners of the building, and hoped that those involved would immediately settle the problem for the benefit of the customers. Although ATM withdrawal went on without hitch, passersby and customers expressed fear on the implication of the injunction.

It is generally known in Ibibio land that injunction of that sort depict warning. However, more contemporary method have been employed especially by government agencies while trying to send warning across. A customer, who spoke on anonymity condemned the act, saying it is barbaric and old fashioned. He opined that a more civilized method of expressing displeasure with the bank would have been better.

None of the Senior staff of the bank could be reached for comments as at press time.

2015: Governorship must go to Eket Senatorial District – Governor Akpabio

The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief (Dr.) Godswill Obot Akpabio on Thursday, 2nd January, 2014, declared that in 2015, the governorship of the State must go to Eket Senatorial District; adding that anyone who prays to the contrary was praying against the will of God.

The Governor made this known at a one day solemn assembly organized by the State Government held on the Ibom Hall Grounds along IBB Avenue in Uyo. The theme of this year’s event was “The Faithfulness of God”.

The event was organized to usher in year 2014 and to officially hand over the State to God as is the tradition of the present administration in the State for the past 6 years. 

Ikono inducts Aloysious Etok as political leader, Ex Commissioner as Deputy

* Paramount ruler, PDP, APC, ors hail gesture

The people of Ikono local Government Area have unanimously adopted the senator representing Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, Dr. Aloysious Etok as the political leader of the area. Elders, women and youths of the area said they had to undertake that formal action to put paid to insinuations and an impression making the rounds that some other person is the political leader of the area.

In an elaborate event which took place at Unity Secondary School, Oduk, the chairman of the occasion and secretary Ibibio Elders forum, Dr. Emmanuel Akpanobong called on the people of Ikono to eschew all forms of bitterness, political hatred and rancor and join the boat of the political progress of Ikono which is being steered by senator Etok. Akpanobong who is the Chief Medical Director of St. Athanasius hospital in Uyo observed that the choice of Aloysious Etok as the political leader of Ikono is a welcome development. He called on those who are still not in tandem with what is going on to retrace their steps and join the moving trend which he said is capable of protecting the political and all economic interest of Ikono people. He had kind words for Etok and however prayed God to grant the senator the grace to lead the people of Ikono in the right steps politically.

Ibibio, Etim Ibaba, Etim Usung Afere

Protocols
Introduction 

I find myself privileged and humbled by the invitation extended to me as Guest Speaker at this  epoch-making occasion, if  you permit me to hazard a guess, I would think that my choice as Guest Speaker may have been born out of my relationship with the Distinguished Senator. Otherwise, it is the extension of the common ancestry between Etefia Ikono and Anantia Ibiono. It is this ancestral affinity that explains our cultural bonding when we proclaim:

Ito Usung Idung Ke-ed
Inwongo Ukud Idim Ke-ed
Ikpono Iso ndem Ke-ed
Ita adukpok eku ke-ed

But what provided a greater impetus to my coming here today is the undisputed position of Ikono as the cradle of the Ibibio nation (Ntippe Ibibio) Noah (1994), Ukpong (2007) Umana & Eka (2012), Umoh – Faithman (1999), Udo (1983), Ettang (1987), Ukpon et al (2001).
Umoh- Faithmaqn (1999) succinctly captures the place of Ibibio genealogy when he said 

The way Akpabio carry enter, na so he go carry commot, as I talk am na so e go happen

 BY AKPANDEM

Senator Akpan Udoedehe was seriously dealt with during his political campaign at Ikot Ekpene, and many who accompanied him died. As if that was not enough, Hon Onofiok Luke, the member representing Nsit Ubium L.G.A was also maltreated by Gov Akpabio’s hitmen still in Anang Land. But not for the timely intervention of the police and military men who moved in and dispersed the hitmen something, beyond ordinary would have happened.

 The hitmen were supervised by the emergency Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, who is packing his loads to leave before the end of this year (2013) with his emergency administration. The tension created by the disturbances and unpatriotic attitude of those hitmen are still fresh in many mind. 

Government in waiting will very soon become government in existence BY AKPANDEM

Our government will be a popular participatory government, reduced to the simplest term; a government that will exist to satisfy the needs of the people, promote their happiness, welfare and adequately consider the general impression of the average citizen. The government will neutralize the causes of political friction and bitterness, and it will not be a government where the Commissioner, Board members or elected people are reduced to mere observers that have no say in formulation and direction policy; they will be involved both individually and as a team. We should be united in pursuance of our goals; all need to rise up together from nooks and crannies, join hands in unison whether we are rich or poor, boy or girl, politician or civil servants, to salvage this prosperous state of ours. The common slogan which must be on the lips of all should be: “All hands on deck”. We all are involved in this state-building task and any attempt towards self-exclusion will be prevented.