The day Akwa Ibom stood still at Nsit Ubium BY AMOS ETUK

Ikot Edibon, the Council Secretariat of Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State stood still on Friday, December 13, 2013 as the people of the state converged in this community to honour the invitation of the youthful czar and exemplary legislator of the Fifth Assembly of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. (Barr.) Onofiok Akpan Luke, member representing Nsit Ubium State Constituency at his 2013 Constituency briefing.

The scene was more of an atmosphere of a political convention, a political rally, a meeting point for party chieftains, stakeholders in the Akwa Ibom State polity, the youths who came out in their thousands, the women who danced in praise for the Uncommon effective representation of their son, the clergy who extolled the qualities of a vibrant lawmaker and the traditional institution who beamed with smiles on the success story of a representative that had touched the lives of his constituents and of course, the media, who thronged the venue to celebrate the milestones of a close associate and strong supporter. 

We are proud of Urueoffong / Oruko Devt. Association

 

Protocol, 

I welcome all of you to the inaugural meeting of this great organization. Your presence here attests to your love for Urueoffong/Oruko Local Government Area and confirms you as a lover of progress, development and unity.

I thank the Almighty God for the opportunity he has given us to contribute our quota to the socio-economic development of our local Government Area.

I am the political leader of Abak, I will run for second term

Hon. Friday Iwok is the House Member Representing Abak State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. He spoke with selected journalists during the week where he said Gov. Godswill Akpabio will present two or three persons to the people of Akwa Ibom to choose his successor from. He also stated authoritatively that he is the political leader of Abak and not Aniekan Umanah. He denied having any rift with the Commissioner for Information and Communications. Excerpts:

You won an election against an incumbent house member because there was a general belief that there was no second term in Abak. Has that changed?
 
Definitely, like you said I didn’t come to the State House of Assembly because of second term. I came to the House through God who stood by me and for my success and again through the people of Abak who saw reasons, who believed in me that if I’m in the state house of assembly I can do more to touch on the lives of Abak people and also that I can represent them effectively. That was how I was voted in to the House of Assembly. As at that time I was not interested and I didn’t even understand what people call ‘2nd term’. I only understood myself that I want to go to the House of Assembly and I here I am today.

So far, how has it been?
It has been very wonderful being here as a House member. It is very interesting because the experiences we never had, we have now. The House of Assembly is a comity of people that are really looking forward to making sure that where they represent have a test of good life and that is what we have been working on as a body. The functions of a lawmaker is quite different from what I used to experience when I was in the labour circle.

Sarah Elijah has not failed Nsit Atai says media aide

 

The media aide to the member Nsit Atai State constituency has urged the people of the state constituency and Akwa Ibomites to discountenance media reports that claims that the Hon Member for the area, Sarah Elijah has failed Nsit Atai state constituency. In a press statement Ifiok David said, ordinarily, we would not have bothered to respond to such unfounded publication but for the purposes of clarity and future records we are compelled to make our position known and to put it on notice to the good people of Nsit Atai State Constituency the excesses of the so called consolidated movement lead by one Mr. Felix Etim which of course such name and group do not exist in Nsit Atai Local Government Area, that we will no longer tolerate such blackmail.

Alleged Betrayal: 10 Paramount Rulers join total E&P against AKS people

No  few than 10 Paramount Rulers in Akwa Ibom have applied to be joined in a suit brought to a Port Harcourt Federal High Court 3 by Association of indigenes of Oil and Gas communities in Akwa Ibom State.

the group, who represent Akwa Ibom communities had earlier dragged total E & P to court seeking an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendant/ respondent or its agents  or through any person from further actions, processes or meetings relating to the signing and implementation of a new memorandum of Understanding MOU between the Defendant and the indigenous Oil and Gas  Communities of Akwa Ibom State, including the inauguration of any implementation committee, pending the final determination of the substantive suit.

AKSG to sign MOU with Central Bank

 

The State government is to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Central Bank of Nigeria to access two billion naira from the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise Development Fund (MSNEDF) to support micro and small businesses in the State.

The Commissioner for Economic Development, Mr. Akan Okon gave the hint during a meeting with operators of Micro Finance Banks in the State, held at the conference room of the Ministry yesterday.
Mr. Okon said the Federal Government through the Central Bank of Nigeria has made available two hundred and twenty billion naira to States with each State entitled to access two billion naira for micro, small and medium scale businesses.

Patrick Udoh and the storm ahead BY EMMANUEL AKPAN

It is no news that the former First Bank Manager, Patrick Udoh after agreeing to a one year contract was named the new technical adviser of Akwa United Football Club of Uyo two weeks ago.

To those who may not know the new technical adviser, he is from Akwa Ibom State; he has been a manager of several football clubs within the country. Patrick Udoh is an experienced tactician who will bring his wealth of experience to bear and will spur Akwa United for a better performance next football season as well as ensure that the club picks the continental ticket.

Patrick Udoh was unveiled alongside the new Akwa United Chief coach, Emmanuel King, James Etokebe, Assistant coach, Moses Effiong, Goalkeeper trainer and Aniefiok Uboh, the physical trainer.

Emmanuel Ibiok is a true transformation agent - Akpandem Essien BY JOSEPH OKON

The State Secretary of Akwa Ibom All Stake holders Support Forum AKASSUF, a socio political organization in the state, Mr. Akpandem Usen Essien has described the Special Adviser Bureau of Political and Legislative Affairs in the state Otuekong Emmanuel Ibiok as a true transformation agent and the needed tonic in the transformation drive of the state governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio.

He said that within few months in office the Special Adviser has proved himself as one being competent and capable of translating the governor’s vision for the state politically into realities, and lays a solid foundation that will stand the test of time for the political future of the state.

Conquering Group F

Stephen Keshi has continued to tow the path of luck since he took over the reins as the coach of the senior national football team. I must give it to him, the “gods of soccer” may be smiling on him and Nigeria may actually hit the quarter finals of the World Cup next year in Brazil. 

Watching the FIFA World Cup draw last Friday, I saw the relieve on the faces of Nigerians after being pitched against Argentina, Iran and new comers Bosnia-Herzegovania in Group F. 

Most soccer pundits have handed the draws as “lucky” for Nigeria, others have expressed caution in our approach, while some have urged Keshi and his technical crew to take each game seriously irrespective of the opposition.

THE INK

WHO SLAPPED ONOFIOK LUKE?

 

Words about the assault on Hon Barr Onofiok Akpan Luke was a bolt from the blue when it reached me during my vacation at Calabar. My response betrayed the supposed secrecy and in a second everybody at  the table with me where I was having a little soiree was eager to know what had happened to Onofiok whether they knew him or not. The next question that came from one of my friends was “so, who is he?” by this time I was already up and away from the table pacing to and fro making enquiries on phone asking questions hoping the news were a ruse.