Politicians who cross over to the FG Govt Party are spared by anti-graft agencies - Rt. Hon. Chief Nduese Essien

Being a member of the Opposition Party in the Country, how does it feel observing the developments in the country? 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is not an opposition party in Akwa Ibom State. It is the governing party. It is only at the national level that we lost to the All Progressives Congress (APC) which is opposition in the state, and we are watching to see how they will improve on the performance of the PDP. So far, we have not seen the change. We are looking forward to changing the change come 2019.

Do you think anything surprising can come up to get back power in 2019?

You can see the trend now. With the Supreme Court ruling, PDP has veered back into strength, making other parties to run helter-skelter and calling meetings which they didn’t use to call. As soon as PDP met to celebrate its Supreme Court victory, other parties started calling meetings. PDP has also called for the national convention, and other parties that were staying dormant are now working because they know that threat has come and it is real.

Let’s look at the issue of transparency in governance. Do we see any level of transparency in the act of governance both at the federal, state and local governments?

That is a serious problem in Nigeria. People in government are not accountable to those that put them in office. That is because since 1999, there were some elements of democratic rule. The parties were strong and were controlling the government, but from 2003, the presidency and the governors at the state levels became so powerful that they were no longer accountable to anybody. The national and state assemblies were weakened through a process of selection of members of the Assembly.

Oron Urban Ward 10 reaffirms support for Gov. Emmanuel Beyond 2019

Impressed by his developmental projects and implementation of five cardinal points of his campaign promises, the PDP elders/stakeholders of Oron Urban ward 10 have reiterates their stand to support His Excellency, Gov. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel and his 2nd term ambition even as they passed vote of confidence on him, and however, pledged their support on the re-election bid of the member representing Oron/UdungUko Constituency in the AKHA, Rt. Hon. Effiong Okon Bassey.

The decision was unanimously adopted shortly after a motion moved by Hon. Peter Basseyand duly seconded by Hon. Asukwo Nyong Effiong during a meeting of PDP Elders/Stakeholders on the zoning arrangement in Oron urban ward 10 recently in Uyaoro, Oron L.G.A.

The meeting which was well attended by PDP stakeholders/elders agreed that come November 11, 2017 Uyaoro Ube for the first time in the history of democracy, should be given an opportunity to produce the councilor to represent the ward in Oron Local Government legislative council as enshrined in article 7, section 7.2 – sub section (C) of the constitution of the PDP2006 as amended.

Akwa Ibom at 30: Governor Udom Emmanuel’s Rep lauds celebration in Lagos

The Special Representative to the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State in Lagos, Mr. Samuel Bassey has given his blessings to the forthcoming Akwa Ibom International Fiesta- Lagos 2017 when he received members of the event’s central planning committee in the state’s Lagos Liaison office on Monday.

The team comprised of the duo of the event progenitor, Nelson NseAbasi and the Consultant Mr. Louis Alozie, who is also the Marketing Manager for the German Automobile giant Volks Wagen in Nigeria.

In his speech, Nelson briefed the Governor’s rep on the need to create event activities to mark the creation of Akwa Ibom State in Lagos. According to him, the number of Akwa Ibom people in Lagos out numbers those residing in Akwa Ibom, he also stated in line with the Dakkada and Amazing Akwa Ibom initiatives of the Governor Udom Emmanuel led administration, the event seeks to harness the potentials of Akwa Ibom beyond oil, looking at Arts and Agriculture as a viable alternative.

Of two leaders …And some noisy followers BY NSIBIET JOHN

We are living in perilous times. Times when some acclaimed supporters of certain interests have thrown decorum to the mud. Times when our leaders preached a direct opposite of what they practice and claim it is politics.

It is a reflection of the contents of their characters. Weeks preceding this, Akwa Ibom state has been hilarious and full of comics.

Supporters of different political interests have been up in arms against their perceived or real enemies. Online platforms especially facebook pages and whatsapp mechanisms have played host to some gilberish and insidious innuendoes published as news and or promotions for respective candidates and 2019 aspirants.

It appears none of these commentators are ready to call a spade a spade. They glory even in the abuse of government institutions. Whether State or federal. They appreciate the failure of their paymasters to accord respects to which respects are due. They seem to forget quite hastily that Udom Emmanuel and Nsima Ekere did not join politics through the door of insults on leaders but after they must have or in the present sense in the process of a successful exploits in their chosen careers.

Why we chose to audit activities of Le-Meridien Ibom Hotel - Governor Emmanuel

Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has warned that endless criticisms and propaganda will not derail him from completing the auditing of the accounts of the Le-Meridien Ibom Hotel and Golf resort.

He said that the essence of any investment is profit, and as such it was expedient for the government to assess the gains and losses of the outfit having invested heavily on it for several years.

Governor Emmanuel who spoke over the weekend during the monthly  prayer meeting at Government House, Uyo said that the state took a logical decision of examining the return on investments after several years of putting up the hospitality outfit and making major investments in the outfit.

Governor Emmanuel said that the choice of a reputable audit firm, Price WaterHouse  Coopers, was out of the intention for a standard and transparent audit process, which will afford everyone knowledge of the gains or losses in the firm.

He said the intention of Marriot to abandon the resort simply because the auditing process has started, is unacceptable to the state government and holds no water.

Commissioner harps on tackling Maritime security challenges

BY NSEOBONG DAVID

The need to tackle maritime security challenges for socio-economic development of Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria in general has been stressed.

The Commissioner for Economic Development, Mr. Idorenyin Sunday Udoh made the point while playing hosts to the Commandant, members of Faculty of the Naval War College as well as participants of Course one who visited the Ministry as part of their research tour.

Mr. Udoh said that an overhaul of our national approaches to security issues was needful to tackle maritime insecurity in our part of the world.  He listed approaches which can be used in tackling the menace to include: educational enlightenment of our people at all levels about security matters, reviewing and strengthening legal procedures in security matters as well as investing in and promoting intelligence gathering and sharing in a variety of fields. 

The Economic Development boss expressed delight in the tour which he said offered the opportunity for engagement with stakeholders on the crucial matter of maritime security. He noted that the theme of the Study Tour which was: “Combating Maritime Security Challenges Towards Socio-Economic Development” was apt, since Akwa Ibom State possesses the longest coastline in the country with 129km and whose offshore oil activities produce the highest quantum of oil in the country.  

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

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

Effort to reposition QIC youth fellowship underway …as Rev. Efanga inaugurates Hon. Uwem Etuk, Elder Udim Thomas, as patron/patronesses

The avowed commitment of the Chairman of Conference of Qua Iboe Church of Nigeria, Rev. Ekpedeme Moffat Efanga at repositioning the youth fellowship of the church, continue to receive the support of various stakeholders of the church, who are up beat in their pursuit of the vision and policies of the current leadership. 

The General Superintendent/Chairman of Conference Rev. Ekpedeme Efanga gave the charge at Qua Iboe church, 2 Olusegun Obasanjo Way, Uyo while officially inaugurating patron/patronesses of national youth fellowship at the weekend. 

Rev. Efanga charged the youth patron/patronesses to be selfless, as the task required of them was enormous, reminding them that they were chosen on consideration of capacity, experience, exposure and willingness to serve to serve, hence the need to deliver on the expectations of the church. 

The National Youth Fellowship President Obong Mboutidem Alexander in his address said persons of credible characters are selected as their backbone based on merit adding that as patron/patronesses was in recognition of their contributions to the youths’ development, social economic and humanity. 

Power supply improves in Uyo as Ibom Power MD marks one year in office

Residents of Osongama, Ewet housing estate, Nwaniba, Shelter Afrique, Four-lane and Le Meridien Ibom Hotel axis have reported that they are experiencing improvements in power supply in their homes. 

Some of the residents who took to social media platform, Facebook to share their experience said they had between to 15hours to 18hours steady power supply daily.

“Nwaniba almost 15hours a day, I’m sure” a Facebook user, Kriss Ukpongposted. “I enjoy more than 18hours, even enjoy 24hrs uninterrupted power supply some days in my area” posted another Facebook user, Victorysylvanus Umoh.

Speaking on the development during the thanksgiving service held at Ibom power plant site in Ikot Abasi to mark his one year in office, the Managing Director of Ibom Power Company Limited Engr. MeyenEtukudo attributed the improvement in power supply to the newly completed and commissioned 2 x 15MVA, 33kV/11kV injection substation at four-lane in Uyo.

Akwa Ibom At 30: Indigenes in Lagos plan Grand Celebration

The central planning committee of Akwa Ibom International Fiesta- Lagos 2017 has released details of activities for the planned weekend of fun and extravaganza, to celebrate the creation of Akwa Ibom State  on September 23rd  30 years ago.

According to the release, with the theme ‘harnessing the potentials within’, Akwa Ibom International Fiesta- Lagos 2017 will create an enabling platform for thousands of Akwa Ibom people to gather in view of celebrating their state of origin, while showcasing the rich historical and cultural heritage of the state. 

The event is scheduled to hold at the historic FREEDOM PARK Lagos, featuring; Symposium, Cultural & Arts Exhibition, Orange Carnival, Food Tasting, Fashion Show and an ALL STAR Concert. Other Nigerians and foreigners will also turn out in numbers to savour the contents Akwa Ibom state boasts of.

Okuku Udousoro Inyang calls for unity …as Ibibios organize National summit

A first class Paramount ruler in Akwa Ibom state, HRM, Okuku Ime Udousoro Inyang has called on Ibibio, the fourth largest ethnic group in Nigeria to unite for the purpose of achieving progress and prosperity. 

HRM Inyang, an Ibibio who is the Paramount Ruler of Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, stated this recently in a chat with newsmen at his palace. 

The Monarch who was responding to questions on the existence of parallel groups, all claiming to be the Apex traditional institutions for Ibibio people lamented the situation, saying that it would not augur well for Ibibio people, hence the need for a common resolution. 

Okuku Inyang stated that as a long standing traditional father in Ibibio land, nay Akwa Ibom state, he could speak authoritatively on the facts, problems and history of Ibibio and its people, as well as proffer solution towards a peaceful and prosperous Ibibio nation.

He said: “It is rather unfortunate that the situation has come to this extent. Yet it is not without a solution. The problem started when there were mere misunderstandings within the traditional rulership of Ibibio as a Nation. Most of us are quite aware of the history. We know the facts and we can as well proffer solution to the problems”.

Queen Mercy Atang donates food items, school materials to women and children

The Akwa Ibom born Ms World International Classic, 2017 Queen Mercy Atang has donated school materials, wrappers and food items to the children and women of Eket LGA of Akwa Ibom State through her pet project, Ibom Smile Campaign. 

Presenting the items at Eket Local Government Council Hall recently, Queen Mercy Atang charged the recipients to make use of the items judiciously so as to enable them benefits more from the campaign. 

She thanked the people of Eket LGA and Akwa Ibom State at large for standing by her in prayers and support during the contest of Ms World International Classic in Florida, United States of America. 

Queen Mercy Atang who is a graduate of TAISAN University, Anambra State told her community leaders that God began to bless her pageantry when she contested and won the Face of Democracy, Southern Nigeria 2013 in Abuja and Miss Nigeria International Classic, 2015 in Lagos State, before moving onto contest at a global level.