Latest Edition of THE INK NEWSPAPER UYO, AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

Poverty: Nigeria’s timeless challenge by Priscilla Christopher

BY PRISCILLA CHRISTOPHER

Activities for Nigeria’s 55th anniversary had longed commenced; what was probably left is the dawn of this epochal day and here we are. Nigeria is celebrating another year of robust economic, infrastructural, social developments, and other strides it has recorded all the way. Without mincing words, Nigeria has truly come of age in terms of development in all sectors of its economy. There have been tremendous changes in the pattern of operation thus, leading to a sharp contrast between the ancient pattern of things and what is obtainable today. This is seen in the maturity showcased and enlightenment garnered by leaders as the years go by.

Latest Edition of THE INK NEWSPAPER, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Anti-corruption foundation honours AKHA Speaker

The speaker, Akwa  Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon (Elder) Samuel Ikon was among 30 other distinguished Nigerians decorated as anti-corruption ambassadors by Foundation for Transparency and Accountability (FTA) in Abuja recently.

Other recipients of the anti corruption medal include Governor of Bayelsa, Acting Governor of Taraba State, Minister for Water Resources, Minister for Transport, Comptroller General of Customs, Inspector General of Police, Senator representing FCT, Abuja, Chief Executive Officer, Bank of Industry, Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission and some Council Chairmen across the six geo political zones in the country.

According to the chairman award committee, Mr Victor Ajibola, Elder Samuel Ikon merited the award for exhibiting a transparent and excellent leadership in piloting the affairs of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly thus making it a model for others to emulate in the country. “He is reputed for his sagacity in politics and pragmatism in leadership and has so far steered the affairs of the state legislature with commitment and purpose for common good”, he concluded.

Julius Berger commences clearing of NUJ site

Construction giants, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, has commenced site clearing on the proposed Godswill Akpabio International Press Centre, at the current site of the NUJ Press Centre,  Information Drive, Off IBB Way, Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

The site clearing is in preparation for the full commencement of construction work at the first phase of the Godswill Akpabio International Press Centre which include perimeter fencing/gate house, a 1000 capacity auditorium complex, a-two storey office complex and a club house.

  The architectural design of the Godswill Akpabio International Press Centre was done by a leading architectural firm in the country, Otto Trinity Studios.

Ikpoto A’Ibom inaugurates Etinan Federal Constituency chapters

Ikpoto Akwa Ibom, a socio political group in the state has inaugurated its ward and chapter executives for Etinan Federal Constituency  with a call on members to stamp out violence and other social vices in the forth coming Gubernatorial and general elections in the state.

The three local Government Areas chapter coordinators that make up the federal constituency include; Pastor Ini Udo Ekwere, Etinan, Mr. Godwin Etukudo Okokon, Nsit Ubium and Hon. Effiong Sunday Udoakang, Nsit Ibom.
 Performing the swearing in, the National Legal Adviser of the organization, Barr. Ndipmonguwem Umoh urged the executives and members to adhere to the tenets of the group.

He reminded them that their offices will be withdrawn from them if they found wanting or commit perjury. In his speech, the National Coordinator of the group, Mr. Nsima Uwak described the body as a socio political group aimed at reducing to the barest minimum the rate of violence and other social vices in election.

He expressed shock over the high level of bloodshed in 2011 election as reported in various media, pointing out that politics should not be so played. In order to ameliorate the rate of social vices, Mr. Nsima Uwak said that the group has so far organized seminars, congresses and has also identified with Non Governmental Organizations and peace loving members of the society.

He portrayed the group as Peoples Democratic Party inclined, stressing that; its membership is limited only to PDP faithful.

2015 and the ark of governance in A’Ibom By Joseph Okon

A good look at the leadership of Akwa Ibom State since Nigeria’s return to democracy can be likened to the biblical ark of covenant which was built by Moses. An interesting feature of the ark was its ability to discern and allow only those qualified by God to touch or carry it. Any unauthorized possession of the ark by persons not destined by God usually brought calamity, sorrow and tears to the land.

Just like Akwa Ibom State, God valued the ark so much that when Uzziah who saw the ark falling off was about to stretch his hands to prevent the fall, the anger of the Lord was rose against him and he was killed there by the ark– because he was not destined to have anything to do with it. 

The condition of that Ark of Covenant is very symbolic to the governance of Akwa Ibom State, a State named after the God of heaven and earth (Abasi Ibom).

Govt should incorporate the physically challenged - Ekanem

Mr Edmond Ekanem, the Chairman of the Physically Challenged Persons Association of Nigeria, Akwa Ibom state chapter spoke to KING UMANA..

What is the Association all about?
It is about bringing the physically handicapped from across all the 31 L.G.A’s in Akwa Ibom state, to assemble and encourage them, to bring out their potentials and direct them to useful purposes. It is also about harnessing these potentials and bringing them to the fore for the government to make use of them. We are part and parcel of the citizens of Akwa Ibom State, and as such, the association is a platform to reveal who we are ; we mobilize ourselves to participate in government activities, it is a platform that encourages our members to take part in civic responsibilities, exercising political franchise, participating in government, economy, and social programs, in fact, it is a socio-political organization that we use to advance our ambitions, potentialities, so  as to be made useful in life and join other citizens in national building.

The association liaises with government and other bodies to create employment opportunities, secure scholarships, empowerment, skill acquisition training, etc for our members

UNIUYO FM bounces back

The University of Uyo campus Radio Station last week resumed full broadcasting activities after months of low-key service due to the re-branding process in the studio. The announcement was made known by the studio manager, Pastor Idy James in a meeting with presenters of the station.

At the meeting, he also announced the arrival of a new transmitter with a capacity bigger than the previous one. 

The station which transmits on the frequency modulation of 100.7 megahertz is located at the town campus of the University and has modern studio facilities to boost its service delivery.

Bolaji Abdulahi: Sacrificing excellence on the altar of politics

 

Mixing sports administration with politics has been a dangerous development which has always reversed negatively with sports development.

Last week’s sack of former sports minister, Mallam Bolaji Absulahi remains a big shock and sad commentary on Nigerian sports development.

The removal of the Minister from office has been traced to his failure to openly associate with the political interests of the President in Kwara State.

Abudulahi, a close ally and former commissioner to former Governor of Kwara State, Senator Bukola Saraki may also have been dropped for his failure to openly disavow Saraki’s leadership of the state.

It was revealed that Bolaji Abdulahi had refused to openly associate with the new leadership of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, after Saraki and his followers defeated from the party to the All Progressive Congress, APC.
He was absent at the stakeholders’ meeting summoned by the state PDP Caretaker Committee, drawing insinuations of double loyalty from some political stakeholders in Kwara State.

His failure to address the crowd at the recent PDP rally in Ilorin to re-affirm his loyalty to the PDP government was perhaps the final straw.