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. 

Akpabio restates commitment to quality Education

In pursuit  of his commitment to the  sustainance of  qualitative education and sound   representation, the Senate Minority Leader,  Senator Godswill Akpabio, yesterday disbursed 27.4million Naira as scholarships and bursary grants to 274 students of tertiary institution across the country, from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District.

The event, which held at the Independence Hall, Abak, with some critical stakeholders in attendance, featured presentation of one hundred thousand Naira cheques to beneficiaries who emerged successful in a highly competitive examination, as one of the packages in Senator Akpabio’s recently held senatorial briefing.

The Minority Leader lauded Governor Udom Emmanuel for his avowed commitment to promoting education in the state, noting that through various interventions, the state chief executive has shown greater dedication to the  future of the state by investing in education, describing the financial support by the governor to recipients in the bursary category as exemplary.

Senator Akpabio announced that people of the district were satisfied with the several projects and programmes of the current state administration, promising that Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District will in 2019 vote for his return to the hilltop, in appreciation of his numerous sacrifices in making lives better for people of the state.

Hon. Monday Eyo, welcomes Samuel Effanga back to PDP

BY ANIEBIET ANTIA 

As the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) membership continues to expand, another decampee, the former commissioner for science and technology, Mr. Samuel Effanga has returned fully to the party according to his public declaration.

In reaction to this development, the member representing Uyo State constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House Of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Monday Eyo Okon has expressed his goodwill and heartfelt congratulations to him for taking the laudable decision to return to the peoples oriented party.

 Hon. Monday Eyo said with the internal reconciliation of factions in the party and the open hands extended to decampees, the PDP has again proven to be a party with large heart and always willing to accommodate people who have come to the realization that PDP remains the only truly National Party with vision to move Nigeria to greater level. 

Ukanafun crisis escalates as gunmen abduct 3 year old *Monarch’s son, friend nabbed *My hands are clean – royal father

*A politician sent us – suspects

Violent crimes in Ukanafun LGA seem to have no end in the foreseeable future as the recent abduction of a 3year old MmeyeneUbokutom Monday penultimate Saturday at Nkek Abak has shown.

Ofonime, who is the mother of the little girl explained to our crime correspondent that the two dangerous visitors stormed into their compound at about 8pm when the family was taking dinner on the veranda of their thatched house, saying that they moved briskly and snatched the girl while one pointed a short gun. 

Unknown to the abductors of Mmeyene, one of them was one Ukeme, Second son to the village head of Nkek Abak who is also the clan head of  NorthernUkanafun, ObongUwem Williamson Akpan. This is said to have rattled the community and was even discussed in hushed tones since Ukeme is alleged to have been linked to the abduction of at least 5 children in Nkek Abak alone, just like the people have not suffered memory deficit of the kidnap of twins allegedly by him at IkotNtuk in Abak LGA where the mother is said to hail from. Jungle justice by mob is said to have claimed their hideout while he escaped by the skin of his teeth. 

Press Release: A call to the 5,000 Teachers not to release their Letters of first appointment to anybody

We are Solicitors to the 5,000 teachers employed by the Akwa Ibom State Government in April, 2015. The Akwa Ibom State Government claimed through a radio announcement on the Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation (AKBC) on the 30th of October, 2016; that, the appointment which had statutory flavour has been terminated without compliance with the extant rules of the employment. 

That act of the government which we considered and still consider tyranic in all ramifications was challenged through representative action at the National Industrial Court, by the Claimants.

As at the last date in court, after the Preliminary Objective of the State Government was defeated roundly, it was ordered in the Ruling of the Court that, the status quo ante of the matter should be maintained, and that the rest of the matter should not be destroyed by any of the parties. This directive, which is part of the Ruling of the Court, was stressed by the Court. And the parties agreed to abide with the Ruling of the Court.

It is regrettable that the action of the government to over-reach the court by going ahead to disobey the Order of Court is not only unfortunate, but a shameless affront on democracy and the Rule of Law. 

Eket Offiong Clan Council elects new Clan Head

A new Clan Head in the person of Chief Samuel Willie Edohoeket has been elected unopposed by members of Eket Offiong Clan Council in Eket Local Government Area on Friday, August 18, 2017 to succeed Late Chief Sunday Assamudo Otu who was also the Village Head of Ikot Udoma in the local government area. 

The election which was done by all the Village Heads within the Clan was conducted by the Chairman of the Clan Council, Obong Friday Johnny Mbre who is also the Village Head of Afia Nsit Eket, and held at Ikot Udoma Village Hall. 

The new Clan Head-elect who was the only candidate for the Village Head position was advised by the Clan Council after the election to accommodate all interests within the Clan and provide purposeful leadership for the benefit and satisfaction of all members of the Clan and the Local Government Area in order to boost the image of the Clan and raise its status in the Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State and beyond. 

Mount Zion Gospel Church Inc ends Convention

God has really manifested Himself during this convention judging from the successes recorded in all the activities scheduled for the gathering.

I see a greater Akwa Ibom state in future that is why I am calling on all Akwa Ibom people to rejoice, trust and have faith in God for a greater tomorrow.

Deaconess Angela Godwin Brown —wife of the Bishop

God has given us joy and hope that He is alive and cares for all believers who trust in Him.

I urge all believers to abide by the doctrine of God so that they should be exonerated from worldly trouble.

A true believer should engage in evangelism so as to win souls for God.

This convention is a success.

Evangelist AniediAbasi George:::: Chairman convention planning committee.

I thank God for his faithfulness for bringing people from far and near to camp here from Friday for the convention.

The convention is loaded with lots of activities like carnival floats, praise worship impacting sermon, ordination and communion among other things.

To me the theme of the convention is apt because it is indeed time for Zion to rejoice because of what God has done for us.

Rascals in Paradise

BY PAULINUS NTA

Rascals in this perspective does not necessarily mean miscreants or social misfits in the society. The operational application of the word implies anybody, groups, or individuals even a government, whose performances as public servants, fall short of expectations of their followers. 

Rascals in this literary communion refers to those in authority, who have abused their official privileges and pay deaf ears to public outcry and opinions. Rascals here also refer to leaders who reign and exercise brute powers outside the ambient of the rule of law.

The origin of government dates back to the Garden of Eden where God mandated Adam to take dominion of all creatures there in. Although political science literature postulates two main schools of thought about the origin of government. The organic view and the contract, or what Apter in Akpama (2011) calls the mechanistic theories.

The organic view, as popularized by political thinkers like Plato and Aristotle, hold that government, has always been with us because of man’s control. 

According to them, the growth of government merely parallels the growth of society from the family or household unit to a more complex and inter – related entity. Again Thomas Aquinas also employed the organic theory as espoused by Aristotle to show that the state, and government are manifestations of God’s will. In doing so, he established a link between Christian theory and the origins and purposes of government.

Sen. Akpabio presents cheques to beneficiaries of his scholarship programme

It was a gathering of the Who’s Who in politics from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District on 14/8/2017 at Independence Hall, Abak, when the Senator representing the area, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio gathered the people again within few months to present cheques to beneficiaries of scholarship and bursary to 274 students studying in various higher institutions in the country.

Speaking at the occasion, Governor Udom Emmanuel represented at the occasion by his deputy, Mr. Moses Ekpo said that, the people of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District did not make mistakes in choosing him to represent the area at the upper house at Abuja.

The Governor called on the students to make judicious use of the hundred thousand naira given to each of them by the Distinguished Senator to assist them in their academic pursuit. And warned them to desist from indulging in cultism, but to spend their times and energy in reading their books for a better tomorrow.

Speaking at the occasion, the Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio appreciated the planning committee for a job well done, adding that outside the scholarship and bursary, he is about to train 400 people across all the local governments in his Senatorial district on empowerment scheme.

PDP fan club adopt Gov Udom Emmanuel for 2nd term

The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel have been adopted by the PDP Fan Club Worldwide, Akwa Ibom State Chapter as the sole candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to run for a second term come 2019.

This was highpoint of the group meeting held at play ground event center, Dominic Utuk avenue, Uyo, the state capital during her enlarged general meeting in preparation for the group formal inauguration comes 7th of September, 2017.

In a motion moved by the Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District coordinator of the group, Mr Willie Ekanem, seconded by the Eket Senatorial District coordinator, Mr Christian David, the group recounted the numerous life touching projects and developmental strides of the Governor as the reason why he deserves a second term.

Addressing the meeting, the state coordinator of the Club, Hon Nkereuwem James said that PDP Fan Club is a socio-political organization representing the Consciences of the youths wing of the People’s Democratic Party, and is poised to drum further support for all PDP members especially Mr Udom Emmanuel, whom he described as the flag bearer of the party come 2019.