Ibeno youths celebrate appointment of chairman AKS Council of Chiefs

BY ASSAM ABIA

Youths from Ibeno Local Government Area, in their thousands, over the weekend celebrated the appointment of the Paramount Ruler of Ibeno, His Royal Majesty Effiong Bassey Archianga as the Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Council of Chiefs. 

The gathering which was organized by the Obong Mkparawa 1 of Ibeno, Chief Friday Ebong drew youths of the area from across the State, the United States of America and the United Kingdom. 

Speaking to newsmen after the event, the organizer Chief Friday Obong said the celebration became necessary because it was the first time an Ibeno Monarch will attain the position of Chairman Akwa Ibom State Council of Chiefs in the past 28 years since the creation of the State. 

Akwa Ibom first lady fetes the elderly

The wife of Akwa Ibom state Governor  and founder Family Empowerment and Youth Reorientation Programe (FEYReP), Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel yesterday in her magnanimity put smiles on the faces of over 300 elderly people across the state as she gave out cash and gift items to mark the 2015 party with the elderly.

Setting the tone for the day, the elated First lady, Mrs. Martha Emmanuel in her remarks appreciated the elderly for coming out to identify with the government, saying even in their twilight, they were still very important members of the society. Mrs. Emmanuel said she decided to celebrate them because it was no mean feat to attain the age of seventy and above, promising that as the wife of the Governor, she will always endeavor keep in touch with them at the grassroots level. She also enlightened them on government policies such as the free medical treatment for the aged asking that they take advantage of the programe. 

Party faithfuls absolve Uwem Ita Etuk of murder during last elections

Some Peoples Democratic Party Stalwarts in Ibesikpo Asutan has described as totally baseless, false and misleading a report in a state based tabloid (not THE INK) which alleged that the former PDP state Chairman Prince Uwem Ita Etuk was involved in the murder of a certain Richard Friday Okon during the last elections held across the state. 

In his reaction Mr. Usoro Usoro said the APC in Ibesikpo and in the state are still licking the wounds of their defeat by the Peoples Democratic Party to the extent that they have plotted to recruit some state based papers sympathetic to their cause to launch a campaign of calumny against Prince Uwem Ita Etuk.
The PDP chieftain said, “A local newspaper in the state had on it’s Thursday October, 1, 2015 edition, carried a front banner story with the caption “Uwem Ita Etuk Linked to murder of Ibesikpo Indigene during Gov/AKHA Polls”( with a rider)

...As autopsy from Police Hqtrs reveals victim was shot by AK47 Rifle”.
Investigation has revealed that Uwem Ita Etuk has no hand in the said murder of the deceased”.

The ship of Udom’s governance is on course, says Anietie Etuk * Tax Rebirth not a wicked policy for civil servants

 

The special Adviser to the Akwa Ibom State Government on political and Legislative Affairs, Rt. Hon Anietie Etuk has described the leadership style of Udom Emmanuel as commendable and steadily on course.

 
The Governor’s political adviser stated this during a media chat with a section of media chiefs in his office in Uyo. The former speaker hinted that the story in a section of the media which alleged that Governor Udom Emmanuel was booed in Oron during the funeral obsequies of Ata Oro is only a figment of the imagination of those that perpetrated such information.

 
Etuk said,” I was there with the Governor, the Oron people and or those who attended the funeral obsequies did not boo the Governor. In fact, they appreciated the Governor as he was making his speech. Nobody booed the Governor.”

NCCE to shut down Colleges over non issuance of certificates to graduands

Henceforth, Provosts of Colleges of Edu cation in Nigeria who are in the habit of admitting large churn of students, but delay the release of Certificates to them after many years of graduation may soon have their colleges shut down. 

The Executive Secretary, National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Abuja, Professor Monday Joshua read the riot act yesterday in College of Education, Afaha Nsit during the official commissioning of Multi-Media Micro Teaching Laboratories and the flag off of the Personnel Training on the use and maintenance of the multi-media equipment for Colleges of Education, South South Zone.

The NCCE Executive Secretary who is a Professor of Educational Research, Measurement and Evaluation threatened to direct the authorities of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Boards (JAMB) to deny students admission into Colleges of Education known for non issuance of Certificates to students after graduation and prompt release of results after examinations. 

SSANIP Chairmanship Candidate * Commends Governor Udom Emmanuel

... As 65 years retirement age is approved
... pledges to secure staff welfare, right and privilege if elected.

The chairmanship candidate of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics, Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic Chapter, Elder (Comr.) Emmanuel Ekpo has commended the administration of Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel for the approval of 65 years retirement age for staff in tertiary institution.

Speaking to newsmen in Uyo yesterday, he said that, he will join hand with Governor Udom Emmanuel and the management of the polytechnic to ensure that his fellow staff welfare is taken care of in so many areas like full payment of contributory pension funds of 7.5% to the affected staff, assist in enhancing the acceleration process of effecting the document of 5 years single tenure for the office of all principal staff, payment of migration arrears to affected  staff of the polytechnic ensuring that a member from the congregation of the polytechnic is represented in the council and finally see to other issues that may affect staff productivity like soliciting for adequate funds for training and retraining of his fellow staff when elected as SSANIP chairman, come Wednesday next week. 

UUU is Udom’s nominee - reports

Stunning revelations have trailed the recent nomination of Senator Udoma Udo Udoma as minister of the Federal Republic by President Muhammadu Buhari.  A close source at the Presidency reveals that it was the recommendation of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel that secured a ministerial slot for the oil rich state currently controlled by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.

The source disclosed that previous names submitted by the All Progressive Congress caucus in the state did not meet the high standards set by the president who was keen on appointing a very credible minister from the state.
The initial names sent to the presidency included the APC govrrnorship candidate Mr Umana Umana, the state chairman of the party Dr Amadu Attai, Umana’s camoaign manager Mr Sunny Udom, Chief Don Etiebiet and a former deputy governor Mr Nsima Ekere.  The president apparently rejected Mr Umana’s name since he was a guber candidate and was yet to round off his case at the tribunal. The other names were either not familiar to the presidency or did not pass the anti-corruption test.

Udo Udoma: Why Buhari picked former Senator as Minister

BY KENNETH JUDE

The nomination of a renowned son of Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State and ex Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma for a ministerial position has continued to receive rave reviews across the state. His nomination by President Muhammadu Buhari for appointment is seen by political pundits as a step in the right direction with stakeholders holding that his choice is apt considering the calibre of persons the President has vowed to work with, in the new dispensation. 

Senator Udoma, who served as the Special Adviser to the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources between 1993 and 1994 is reckoned as a thoroughbred professional whose political career is untainted hence the little surprise that has greeted his nomination by Mr. President. Despite recent media reports to the effect that his nomination has unsettled Umana Umana’s camp with news having it that the former Secretary to the State Government is at war with Buhari over the choice of Senator Udo Udoma, it appears the report is in sharp contrast with the feeling in the camp of the APC. 

Senator Udoma: A gold fish that has no hiding place

BY UBONG INYANG

Change they say does not come so easily. At  least the APC in Nigeria can be seen as a strong reference point to this assertion. This is so because for years, they fought, clawed, bled and finally got their just reward which was a change in government. As expected, the wind of change must be like a hurricane sweeping all through the country.  The man in the middle, President Buhari was entrusted as being the most capable of hands to take the country to the promise land and also turn this wind to places which required transformation. 

As provided in the constitution, the president must set up his cabinet members upon screening and approval by the red chamber (senate) in order to ensure a transparent and sheer fluidity in governance. The first series of appointments by the Commander in Chief did no favor to the south and the worst was still expected. Despite calls from the public for ministers to be appointed so that the change we yearned for could materialize, the president was unmoved and insisted that he must take his time to select and scrutinize the nominees to ensure that it is the best and only the best are given the task of running the country alongside him.

That gully erosion threat on Ikot Usekong – James Town road

BY GODWIN ADIAKPAN

As the heavy downpour and its attendant rain water generates and intensifies, any road without a well constructed drainage system on it risk the chance of being washed away irrespective of the construction giant that handled the project.

This is the sorry state of the Ikot Usekong – Uquo axis of the Ikot Usekong – James Town road at Ekpene Obo, Esit Eket local government area which had been cut-off by severe gully erosion.

The said road that traverses two important local government councils in Akwa Ibom sttae is the only access from Esit Eket at Ikot Usekong in Eket before heading to Ikot Abasi, Uyo and the Ibom International airport through Nsit Ubium or Nsit Attai.

To worsen the situation, the absence of an alternative route buttress the need to fix the only access road to Esit Eket as the only escape route, Ikot Usekong – Ikot Ubo – Ibiomin road as its non construction remains an illusion for some inexplicable reasons.

Ministerial List: Matters Arising BY C.V.AKUTA

Yours truly is waiting for the Senate to officially announce the names on the ministerial list on Tuesday, 6/10/15. But so far, there are many names/lists all over the social media purported to be the Ministerial list. Be that as it may, now is the time to set the agenda for whoever will make it to become a minister (Remember they have to pass Senate screening). The first agenda should be that, the Ministers should publicly declare their assets, like President Buhari and his Vice have done. 

Presently, the Senate President (Saraki) is facing criminal charges at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, for false assets declarations he made previously. Since the President and Vice have gone public their assets, it makes sense that Ministers should also go public with their assets. Leadership by example. Hoping that Nigerians will take up this matter, as soon as Ministers are sworn in.

Ready for the Red Devils and Indomitable Lions By Amos Etuk

It will be a double header for Coach Sunday Oliseh as he  takes the bench in his first high profile game in charge of the Super Eagles in two friendly encounters against Congo and eternal rivals Cameroun in what football pundits have termed bringing out the ‘’heat ‘’ in the Eagles gaffer. 

The Super Eagles will play Congo (Red Devils ) on Thursday, October 8,2015 at Antwerp in Belgium and three days later precisely on the 11th will lock horns with the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun in Brussels as the nation awaits the outcome of these two crucial games which in my opinion ngoes beyond a friendly encounter.

The Eagles at this moment are on the long walk back to continental glory first before getting to the global stage in the nearest future and the task before Oliseh today is enormous as he begins this quest to get the country back to winning ways and what better way can he achieve this than to play the best.
With a recent one notch up in the FIFA rankings to a 52nd spot, it may be a humble beginning as our earlier friendly against the Niger Republic which we trounced by two goals  has given the team a platform and needed confidence to excel.