A new law firm, Riverpalm, launched on Thursday recorded tremendous success during it's inauguration as it beat the odds of Covid-19 to attract first choice guests to it's inauguration. The occasion which played host to the best from different fields of endeavour was described as historic for a law firm.

Covid-19 protocol in Akwa Ibom state allows for the gathering of 50 people for an outdoor event and the Principal Partner of the Chamber, Barr. Akanimo Effiong well reputed in Akwa Ibom state for excellence said the first challenge was managing the number to fit into Covid-19 protocol for social gathering, especially since several hundreds of friends had expressed interest in participating at the inauguration. The event arrived at hosting leaders to represent people from various works of life including the academic, religious, legal, political and student community.

The occasion had as it's highlight speeches from major social actors and well wishers who expressed excitement at the decision of the founder of RiverPalm to make entry into the list of already established law firms in Akwa Ibom state. Most speakers said that judging from the background of the founder who was University of Uyo's best graduating law student of class of 2016, that RiverPalm was certainly going to record unprecedented feats in the law profession.

Speaking on behalf of RiverPalm, Barrister Philomina Unimnake said that RiverPalm could not have arrived at a better time owing to the expectations of the times which calls for dynamism in legal practice. She buttressed that RiverPalm was better equipped for challenges of the law practice in the face of the pandemic as it's dynamic solicitors are cutting edge technology inclined and are most capable of following virtual lawyering trend as well as traditional court sitting.

Rev. Angela Ashong, a popular and celebrated Christian leader was on hand to handover RiverPalm to God. She offered prayers and goodwill while charging the public to do business with RiverPalm in the interest of Justice. Rev. Ashong described the Principal partner, Barr. Akanimo Effiong as a man of good principles and integrity who is capable of going any length to get justice for the oppressed and voiceless of the society. She added that she is confident that the law firm will address and help put to rest, vice and crimes like rape which index has surged and skyrocketed of late.

Honourable Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Barr. Prince Ukpong Akpabio attended the inauguration of the law firm as special guess of honour amongst several other dignitaries. Communication guru, Prof. Ashong Ashong, member representing Essien Udim State constituency, Barr. Esse Umoh, permanent secretary of the ministry of trade and investment, Mr. Oliver Udoekpo also attended amongst others.

...preaches resilience in the post covid-19 business era.

Confidence Obieabu, Uyo.

The Special Assistant to Governor Udom Emmanuel on Entrepreneurial Development, Mrs Meflyn Anwana has urged a cross section of entrepreneurs in Akwa Ibom State to devise creative ways to keep their businesses afloat in the post covid-19 era. Anwana who admitted that the economy may be turbulent in the days to come urged the business community to keep their respective business value chains active so as to sustain mutual support and survive the trying times ahead.

Mrs Anwana, who made the call at the Monthly meeting of the My Entrepreneurship Goals Programme Alumni Network commended the state government for the various areas it has intervened to ameliorate the fangs of the harsh economy and cushion the effect of the pandemic on businesses in the state.

Also speaking at the meet, the director of Programmes, Directorate of Marketing and Brand Management, Mr Brian Ekwere intimated the Alumni network of loans schemes, grants and other facilities currently floated by different governmental agencies and institutions. Ekwere also spoke on eligibility criteria and application procedures.

Other members of the network who spoke earlier thanked the the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel for facilitating a tax relief for businesses in the state. In their separate remarks, they said the relief will go a long way in encouraging enterprise across the state. The Alumni members also pledged to keep the fire of entrepreneurship in the state burning.

The MY ENTREPRENEURSHIP GOAL PROGRAMME(MEGP), encapsulates entrepreneurship essentials and basic skills training as well as core social and business values such as leadership, mentorship, partnership, networking and management, which assists entrepreneurs in defining their goals clearly and more objectively.

Interestingly, Entrepreneurship remains one of the key economic variables that serves as a catalyst to the growth of any economy. Clearly, Governor Udom Emmanuel’s drive in promoting entrepreneurship will further strengthen the overall economic growth and development of Akwa Ibom State

In its quest to cushion the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Akwa Ibom State Government has commenced the second round of the distribution of various food items worth millions of Naira to more than 3,000 villages in the state.

Flagging off the distribution of the palliatives to villages in Uyo Local Government Area, the state Commissioner for Information and Chairman, Uyo LGA Palliative Sharing Committee, Sir Charles Udoh, hinted that the gesture was in line with Governor Udom Emmanuel's commitment to continue to ameliorate the excruciating hardship faced by the poorest of the poor and the most vulnerable citizens in villages across the state.

Sir. Udoh who performed the official handing over of the 5,696 items donated by the Akwa Ibom State Government to the 76 villages of Uyo LGA through their village heads and other representatives today at the Uyo Traditional Rulers Council Hall, said that the items would further be shared through the village heads on village-by-village basis.

This, he said would ensure that the items trickled down to the targeted beneficiaries as identified by the various community leaders.

The Information Commissioner emphasized that the food items, which included Garri, Rice and Flour are all locally sourced within the state.

He added that the Governor's foresight in setting up the Kings Flour Mill, the Ibom Agricon Rice Mill and the Garri Processing Factories in different parts of the state has become a major source of self reliance in stable food production.

Speaking on behalf of other traditional rulers, the Paramount ruler of Uyo, HRM Edidem Silvanus Okon, expressed appreciation to Governor Udom Emmanuel for the kind gesture and described it as a show of love and magnanimity to the people of Akwa Ibom State, especially to the Uyo people who had on several occasions demonstrated their unalloyed loyalty and support to his administration.

Similarly, Women and Youth leaders were also full of thanks to the governor and his dear wife, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel for the timely provision of the palliative items and for also remembering them even in the face of a global health and economic challenges. They also pledged their continued support for Governor Emmanuel, in order for him to achieve more developmental feats in Uyo LGA and across the state in general.

Other food items distributed to the villages included bags of salt, cartons of noodles, cartons of pastas, gallons of palm oil, Sugar, among many other items.

The palliative distribution concurrently took place in all the LGAs of the state through the Palliative Sharing Committees that were previously set up to handle the first round of distribution.

…Seeks immediate constitution of National Council on Procurement

…Says absence of Council has weakened fight against public sector corruption.

Nigeria’s House of Representatives today called on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately dissolve the Board of the Bureau of Public Procurement stating that its present constitution violates section 2(c) of the Public Procurement Act 2004 CAP P44 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria as amended in 2007. The House also asked the President to immediately constitute the National Council on Public Procurement noting that its absence has weakened the fight against public sector corruption.

This decision was unanimously adopted through a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Rep. Unyime Idem (PDP AKWA IBOM STATE)

The House unanimously adopted the motion noting its prime role and importance in the fight against corruption. It mandated the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency set up the National Council on Public Procurement (NCPP) to actively coordinate the activities of the Bureau of Public Procurement and give full effect to the Act.

The House also asked the President to immediately dissolve the existing composition of the Bureau of Public Procurement as it was not properly constituted while its Committee on Public Procurement was mandated to liaise with the Federal Government to ensure compliance and report to the House within two weeks.

Presenting the Motion, Rep. Idem decried the level of corruption in the public sector and attributed it to the absence of National Council on Public Procurement, a body with the legal mandate that is supposed to be composed of personages of proven integrity, to fight corruption relating to contracts and procurement activities. The Ukanafun-born Lawmaker is worried that the Bureau of Public Procurement as is presently constituted is illegal and was done in flagrant disobedience to section 2 (c) of the Public Procurement Act.

He lamented that the inability of past administrations to establish the Procurement Council 13 years after the Procurement Act was passed and signed into law has given birth to the mother of all corruption going on in the public space. Rep. Idem is hopeful that dissolution of the present Board of Bureau for Public Procurement, Inauguration of a new BPP Board and a National Council, will strengthen and institutionalize the fight against corruption which has become a recurring decimal in Nigeria. He also hinted that the move will help President Muhammadu Buhari’s APC-led government to succeed in its fight against corruption and ensure transparency in the procurement process.

Akwa Ibom government has said its investments in the construction of an ultramodern permanent terminal building project at the Victor Attah International Airport would boost the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state.

Commissioner for Information, Charles Udoh, stated this during a tour of the project in Uyo, with members of the state government information management team, yesterday.

Udoh said with the components of the terminal building and indeed facilities put in place at the entire airport complex, Akwa Ibom State will not only benefit from increased Internally Generated Revenue, with the huge volume of income that will accrue from the different business transactions within the complex, but also from the Maintenance, Repairs and Overhauling ( MRO) operations as well as from cargo handling. Udoh said the permanent terminal building was designed by experts from Nigeria, United Kingdom, United States and Turkey to give end users a touch or feel of what is tenable in airports in developed climes like the airport in Dubai, UEA.

He said the new facility would have both the international and domestic wings with provision made for surveillance by the Custom, Immigration, Drug Law Enforcement Agency and other security operatives.

“With a special roofing sheet capable of lasting up to 200 years without any colour change, the world class building which is nearing completion, with work now at the second floor of the three-storey building has a pressure sensitive escalator, automated entry pass, such as finger print digital pass and computerised card pass.”

https://www.sunnewsonline.com/akwa-ibom-targets-improved-igr-from-new-airport-terminal/

By Mfonobong Ukpong


A total of 5,478 Akwa Ibom youths drawn from the 31 local government areas in the state have so far benefitted from Governor Udom Emmanuel's Skills development and youth empowerment programme in the past 18 months.

The youths were trained in various skills including, ICT, Oil and Gas, Welding and Fabrication, Fashion design among others.

Making the disclosure, Wednesday during a live Radio interview on INSPIRATION FM as part of activities to mark World Youths Skills Day, 2020, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Skills Development, Rt. Hon. Mrs. Alice Ekpenyong, stated that Governor Udom Emmanuel has demonstrated enough commitment towards ensuring that Akwa Ibom youths were economically independent through skills and entrepreneurship development.

"About 5,478 youths have been trained in different skills including, ICT, Oil&gas, welding and fabrication in the last18 months. It actually started in 2019.

"We ended the training exercise just before the pandemic. Recently, the government of Akwa Ibom State has distributed some inputs to the youths in Agriculture, under the Cassava Farmers Scheme in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture".

Alice Ekpenyong, a former Chief Whip in the State House of Assembly hinted that programme would enter the next phase, as her office awaits inputs from the Economic Recovery Committee.

"They are now in the immigration stage, so we are waiting for them to hear what they have for us, and then we'll continue from where they stopped".

Also speaking, the Director of Administration at the Skills Center Development Office, Pastor Godwin George who also fielded questions during the interview said the Office of the SSA to the Governor on Skills Development undertakes the training, monitoring and mentoring of the trainees. He added that at the end of their training the Skills Development Office in partnership with Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria, SMEDAN ensures every successful trainee is established at the completion of their training programme.

"We ensure every trainee is established. We partner SMEDAN to enable them get SMEDAN certificate and with the certificate they can access CBN loan. we go as far as partnering the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC to get their businesses registered".

The theme of the 2020 World Youth Skills Day is Virtual Event on Skills for a Resilient Youth in the era of COVID-19 and beyond, and Mrs Ekpenyong told interested participants in the forthcoming skills training programme to register with her office at No 10 Afia Etoi street in Uyo.

The Governor's skills development aide said her team was currently on road shows across markets, and other public places to invites participants for the next phase of the skills training programmes.

"We just concluded a tour across the state and we have identified 24 training centers that we will use for the training programme," she added.

The ongoing ultramodern International Terminal Building at the Victor Attah International Airport is not only a money spinner but a legacy project beaming Akwa Ibom State to the global community.

The Commissioner for Information, Sir Charles Udoh, who is currently undertaking on-the-spot tour of government projects, stated this in Uyo, while reacting to the economic benefits of the new Terminal Building, after an inspection tour of the project by the State Government Information Management Team.

Sir Charles Udoh said with the components of the terminal building put in place at the entire complex, Akwa Ibom State will not only benefit from increased Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, with the huge volume of income that will accrue from the different business transactions within the complex, but also from the Maintenance, Repairs and Overhauling, MRO, operations as well as from Cargo handling.

Emphasizing that, the Victor Attah International Airport towers high above other Airports in Nigeria due to its enviable location and proximity to West African Countries, the Information Boss said, facilities put in place are of International standard, including a digital self check-in by a Robot, which is COVID-19 compliance as well as handy shopping malls, restaurants and banking booths.

Sir Udoh said, there is also a health bay designed to serve as an Isolation centre in event of any suspected case of COVID-19 or any other related infections among travelers, disclosing that, the Permanent Terminal Building was designed by experts from Nigeria, United Kingdom, United States and Turkey to give end users a touch or feel of what is tenable in airports in developed climes in America, Europe and Asia.

The State's Spokesman said, with a special roofing sheet capable of lasting up to 200 years without any colour change, the world class building which is nearing completion, with work now at the second floor of the 3-storey building has a pressure sensitive escalator, automated entry pass, such as finger print digital pass and computerized card pass.

He stated that, in order to ensure ease of movement, the building is fitted with 4 escalators, 7 lifts and staircases while strict safety apparatuses have been put in place with Four different fire prevention facilities including: fire extinguishers, fire water sprinkler system, fire detectors, heat, smoke and temperature detectors as well as FM200, an automated fire fighting powder system.

Reiterating that, the complex will have both the International and Domestic Wing, the State Information helmsman, said, all sections, departures, arrivals and Cargo have been linked to the security units for any eventually adding effective security network has been put in place which strict surveillance by the Custom, Immigration, Drug Law Enforcement Agency and other security operatives.

The new terminal will have finger print digital pass or card pass, whether one is a passenger or staff. There would be Staff living quarters, locker rooms among others.

He said the Security architecture is very high, with Four methods of fire prevention - fire extinguishers, fire water sprinkler system, fire detectors (heat, smoke and temperature detectors), FM200 that is automated powder system.

Describing the Permanent Terminal Building as the first of its kind in the West African Sub region, Sir Charles Udoh said, the project is one of the landmark achievements of Governor Udom Emmanuel geared at attracting traffic to Akwa Ibom State, as the preferred destination of investors and tourists in Nigeria.

The tour by the State Government Information Management Team, led by the Commissioner of Information, Sir Charles Udoh, continues as part of measures towards heightening publicity and awareness on Projects and programmes of Governor Udom Emmanuel within his 5 years administration.

...applauds Governor Emmanuel for top notch facilities


By Emma Akpabio, Uyo


The Management of Akwa Ibom State international Airport Development Company Limited has reaffirmed commitment to curtail further Spread of Corona Virus Pandemic as domestic flights resume in the State on Wednesday July 15, 2020.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the airport, Mr Uwem Ekanem gave the assurance, Monday, while speaking on Ibom Business Update, a one hour business and commercial radio Program on Comfort 95.1FM, Uyo.

According to Mr Ekanem who is also the Senior Special Assistant to the Akwa Ibom State Governor on aviation development, the airport also known as Victor Attah international Airport, has twice been decontaminated and disinfected, in addition to other measures put in place to curtail further spread of COVID-19.

"The airport is a gateway where every body will be coming into our State, though adequate preventive measures have been put in place, its also very important we protect ourselves by wearing face mask. On our part, we have strategically located contactless hand washing facilities. A body disinfection Channel and two smart automatic body temperature scanning machines have been installed. All air travelers must therefore walk throw the chambers of the temperature scanning machine which records the body temperature on face recognition with an alarm system to notify high temperature. For effective maintenance of social distancing, protocol assistants not traveling would be restricted" Ekanem added.

Speaking on the safety of Passengers while on board, the aviation development Boss further disclosed that aircraft operated by Ibom air and some other companies are equipped with high efficiency particulate air which purifies the air on board. He however, commended Governor Udom Emmanuel for all his efforts which has made the Victor Attah international Airport rank side by side with other reputable airports in the country.

It could be Recalled that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) through a team of about 13 inspectors who recently visited the airport for spot checks and compliance inspection, had expressed satisfaction with the standard of facilities and preparedness put in place by the management of VAIA. Engr Adebayo Oladipo who led the team had wished the top notch facilities and standard be maintained by the Management of airport.

In times like this when business owners, the unemployed, low income earners and other individuals are struggling to breathe with the aid of their mouths instead of the nose as a result of the economic impact of COVID-19, responsible leaders who have the interest of the people at heart are offering tax reductions, waivers and deadline delays for certain tax payments and compliance obligations.

This generally gives tax payers, especially those who are most vulnerable and economically disadvantaged, some very welcome breathing room to preserve their cash flow and take additional time to organize their tax affairs in these trying times.

From Europe to America, Asia to Africa and other continents of the world, governments are implementing economic and tax relief packages to help businesses and workers mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the economy of their nations.

In Spain, Australia, Sweden and other climes, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) and self-employed people are allowed to defer income, corporate and VAT tax obligations for six months. This is an emergency tax measure to help those businesses grow during this hard time.

In Akwa Ibom State, Gov. Udom Emmanuel, who has vast knowledge in the running and sustainability of Small and Large Scale Enterprises, both in good and bad economic weather has on the recommendation of the Akwa Ibom State Post COVID-19 Economic Reconstruction Committee exempted SMEs from the payment of business premises levy as part of the tax relief scheme he recently approved. The government has also waived the economic development levy for SMEs.

The decision was also in line with the World Bank requirements for giving out grants and support to state governments.

This tax relief measure is well received by Small Scale Enterpreneurs and other good spirited individuals in the state.

However, there are people who think that the waiver by the state government is not in the best interest of the people. According to them, cutting taxes and granting unnecessary tax reliefs are too insignificant to trigger any meaningful economic growth or help struggling SMEs. But this is very funny. It shows their level of understanding of elementary economics. According to them, this is the time to increase taxes to raise money to run the state. How come they are this loaded in financial management and economic policies?

Quite preposterous is the fact that these are people who have never engaged in any business before, not even retail business, hence their ignorance of the benefits of tax waivers.

If this is not a global best practice at a time like this, countries like the US, England, Germany, Kenya and others wouldn't have adopted it, and the World Bank would not have advised states to engage in it in the first place.

It is not compulsory that people must comment on all government policies and programmes, especially where one is confused. Courtesy demands that one should ask questions where they are in doubt, instead of making mockery of one's academic certificate and family name.

The Akwa Ibom State Post COVID-19 Economic Reconstruction Committee inaugurated by Gov. Emmanuel is made up of highly sought-after and renowned economists, captains of industries, successful managers of corporate organizations, professionals and business gurus with years of experience decorated with record breaking pedigrees. And it is sheer foolishness for someone who couldn't even have a 'D' in elementary economics to condemn an economic life- saving policy of this administration.

When Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River State gave such waiver to SMEs, petty traders, commercial drivers and others, these "I too know individuals" were among those who clapped and hailed Ayade. Now that such humane disposition is extended to our people as a relief to the biting effect of the coronavirus pandemic on the people, they said it shouldn't be so. What a display of witchcraft?

Even Satan is scared of some human beings, especially those who have been baptised by the opposition party in the pool of confusion. In their low level of understanding, they felt that petty traders should be taxed to save the economy from collapse. What a foolish and anti-people suggestion?

Richard Peters

The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating DSTV and other Direct-To-Home Broadcast Satellite Service Providers in Nigeria today June 25, 2020, summoned the National Broadcasting Commission over the non-implementation of the Pay As You Go (PAYG). The Committee also insisted that the Pay As You Go Tariff is a must.

In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the Committee and Deputy Chairman Communications Committee of the House, Rep Unyime Idem, expressed great displeasure over the unnecessary exploitation of Nigerians by the Service Providers. He informed the National Broadcasting Commission NBC) that the implementation of a PAYG Tariff is non-negotiable as Nigerians must get value for their money. He maintained that NBC must immediately commence modalities to implement Pay As You Go (PAYG) Tariff by engaging the affected Service providers to fashion out implementation modalities.

Other members of the Committee aligned their thoughts with that of the Chairman by reiterating that the Committee must deliver on its mandate and as such, the implementation of PAYG tariff remains non-negotiable. They also asked the Commission to outline challenges that may impede the smooth implementation of the PAYG.

The Lawmakers also inquired on the status of the frequency 470MHz to 694MHz in the custody of the Commission for the deployment of TV whitespace, Synopsis on the Digital Switch Over (DSO) and the milestone achieved so far and how they intend to integrate the existing providers like Star Times and GOTV into the Single Frequency Network.
On its part, the Acting Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Prof. Armstrong Idachaba who led key management Staff of the Commission to the Panel, said there are some challenges to the smooth implementation of the PAYG. Some of the challenges according to Prof Idachaba include the fact that the Act establishing the Commission does not empower them to regulate prizes of the service providers and the cost of Broadcast content shared between different Providers, infrastructure and the funds to effect Digital Switch Over. He however, sought the help of the Lawmakers to amend relevant portions of the enabling Act to grant the Commission powers to regulate prizes and other activities of the Service Providers.

Responding, Rep Idem informed the Commission that he has already sponsored a Bill which has scaled through first reading, to amend relevant portions of the NBC Act and that when passed into law, the amended Act will accommodate the challenges outlined by Prof. Idachaba.

Recall that Rep Unyime Idem had on March 7, 2020 sponsor a Motion of Urgent Public Importance on "The Need for DSTV and other Direct-To-Home Broadcast Satellite Service Providers in Nigeria to end the unnecessary exploitation of Nigerians by running a Pay As You Go Tarrif", which led to the Constitution of the Ad-hoc Committee by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.

This is the first time a state government has dedicated serious resources (time, money, intellectual and physical strength) in diversifying her state economy particularly through planting of coconuts in great magnitude.

Today the State Information Management Team visited the 11-thousand-hectare St Gabriel coconut plantation farm located at Eastern Obolo/Mkpat Enin

With the rapid growth of over thousands of coconut trees, in no distant time, Akwa Ibomites will no longer travel to other states to purchase coconut oil rather we'll be major exporters of coconuts and its products across the country. These coconut products ranges from oil, cream, butter, milk to smoothies. Even the coconut shells for different crafts.

It could be recalled that in February, the Ministry of Agriculture came in and took the sample of the soil for test and fertiliser that matches the soil was blended and applied, and that is what led to the rapid growth of the coconut.

(c) Richard Peters

Governor Udom Emmanuel's Road Project in Esit Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State has attracted a lot of Commendations from well meaning Nigerians.

Recently, a team of project monitors under the Bureau of Technical Matters and Due Process, led by a Senior Special Assistant(SSA) to Governor Udom Emmanuel on Project Monitoring, ObongIwaad(Pst)Godwin Williams inspected the ongoing road construction projects in Esit Eket Local Government Area.

The roads visited were: Akpambiet Edo road, Edida Edo road, Ebiekpe road with Spurs. Others include Ebighi Assang road and Idung Akpentuen-Ndonedim road.

Taking the team round the project sites to ascertain the extent and quality of job done, the Project Manager of the contracting firm, Benest Technical Services(BTS), Engr. Victor Ekaette reiterated the company's undaunted commitment to delivering excellent jobs in accordance with the scope and specifications of the projects by the Akwa Ibom State government. Engr. Victor Ekaette further mentioned that in spite of the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, Benest Technical Services was not deterred because of the company's determination to deliver the jobs within the stipulated time frame.

Speaking further, the Project Manager noted that Benest Technical Services has enjoyed relative peace and tranquility in all the locations where the projects are situated as youths of the area are positively engaged either as skilled or unskilled workers.

Also in the team during the inspection tour were Adede Isidore Archibong, SSA on Project Monitoring, Engr. Emmanuel Udoh of Bureau of Technical Matters and Due Process, among others.

In appreciation, the Team Leader and SSA on Project Monitoring, ObongIwaad(Pst)Godwin Williams who hails from the area poured encomium on Governor Emmanuel on his avowed determination to bring massive infrastructural development to his place of birth.

In his remarks, Engr. Emmanuel Udoh of the Bureau of Technical Matters and Due Process, Akwa Ibom State, expressed satisfaction and deep confidence in the capacity of BTS to deliver quality jobs within the specified time frame.

He implored Benest Technical Services(BTS) to maintain the standards and speed so far used to deliver the job within the stipulated time frame.

The Akwa Ibom State Government is to open the 21 Storey smart building for business by the end of this year.

This was made known by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Rt. Hon. Okpolupm Etteh while conducting the State Government Information Management Team led by the Commissioner for Information on a facility tour of the 21 storey building at the Central Business District of Uyo, Wednesday.

Rt. Hon Etteh said, work is almost completed in the interior components of the complex which has office spaces in all the floors except mechanical floor, measuring between 600, 300 and 150 meters office space floor among others to make room for as many end users as may indicate interest for tenancy.

Reiterating that work on the 21 storey building, the 9th tallest in Nigeria is at 85 percent completion, Rt. Hon Etteh said already there are high brow multinational companies that have indicated interest to occupy part of the office spaces while government is yet to advertise for interested banks and caterers to occupy the five bank spaces and two mega spaces for restaurants within the building. 

Etteh who expatiated the five year free tenancy deal the government is offering, however said any company given the facility, must show proof that it can rent the facility, adding that it is not for just any  company without recognised financial capability. 

The Special Duties Boss said, the Intelligence building which is completely ICT complaint has a Vsat on the roof top which makes the entire complex connected to the  internet 24hrs adding that all the floors fixtures including lighting, intelligent smoke detectors that can make decisions independent of the panel, HVAC control system, water sprinklers, FM200, Elevators access control system for unauthorized visitors, sewage evacuation are all automated. 

The Commissioner said being a smart building, access into the premises would  be automated as all visitors can only gain entry with coded access cards linked directly to the floors indicated by the visitors while bomb bearers will also be activated for added safety and security within the premises. 

Rt. Hon Etteh said a drivers' bay, is soon to be constructed within the premises which is completely under CCTV surveillance and has provisions for a - 500 capacity parking lot and a helipad, which would soon be constructed.

"With a well treated domestic water supply machine in place, a censor control, with all floors provided with kitchenettes coupled with a sit- out eatry within the complex, everything has been put in place to ensure the comfort of all end users of the complex."

On sustainability and maintenance of the Complex beyond the life of the present administration, Rt. Hon Etteh said, "government is to engage the services of a Maintenance Contractor with an annual retainership agreement such as is done in other high brow public utilities of government like the Four Point by Sheraton and the Nest of Champions, to ensure proper maintenance of the facility."

Speaking on local content in the facility, the Commissioner said, professionals from the Ministry of Special Duties are already working with the technical team of the Contractor with the sole aim of technology transfer and skills acquisition necessary to boost the maintenance of the Intelligence office complex. 

At the moment, external work is gaining momentum,  the security post as well as the entry and exit points of the complex also nearly completed. 

Commenting on the project, the Information Commissioner Sir Charles Udoh said, "the 21 storey smart building is set to open a new of window for economic opportunities in Akwa Ibom State," reiterating that, "it is a clear indication of  Governor Emmanuel’s determination to actualize his infrastructural consolidation and expansion agenda."

"This project is  one the many reasons our state  has become the preferred destination for investors in Nigeria", Mr Udoh concluded.

The Special Duties Boss was accompanied on the tour by the Permanent Secretary, Engr Richard Ekpe, the Site Engr. Dougukan and Project consultant, Arc Ekanwan Alale.

The facility tour of government projects continues as the Akwa Ibom State Government Information Management Team led by the Commissioner for Information, Sir Charles Udoh heighten momentum on awareness creation on the giant strides of Governor Udom Emmanuel in the past 5 years of his administration.

The Akwa Ibom State Government has announced the discharge of 27 more persons who had been undergoing treatment for COVID-19 in its Isolation Facilities, after being confirmed negative of the virus by the NCDC.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dominic Ukpong, flanked by respiratory medicine expert Professor Etete Peters and the CMD of Ibom Specialist Hospital, Prof Emmanuel Ekanem, announced this on Wednesday in Uyo.

29 patients confirmed COVID-19 patients had been undergoing treatment before the discharge of 27 today.

...As ICRC Presents FBCC Certificate to Transport Minister

Governor Udom Emmanuel has applauded President Mohammad Buhari led federal government's determination to fast track the actualisation of Ibom Deep Seaport, IDSP.

The governor also thanked the Federal Ministry of Transportation, led by Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, and all relevant federal regulatory agencies including the NPA, ICRC and others for working tiredlessly with Akwa Ibom state government to actualise a vision that will transform the economic fortunes of the entire country.

He poured encomiums on the Technical Committee on Realisation of Ibom Deep Seaport, led by Barrister (Mrs.) Mfon Usoro, for its dedication and high sense of patriotism displayed in pursuing the project.

These commendations came on the heels of an announcement that federal government is set to move to the next level of the procurement process of the Ibom Deep Water Port (IDWP) through Public Private Partnership (PPP).

Governor Emmanuel speaking through the Commissioner for Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport, Mr. Akan Okon said " the government and people of Akwa Ibom state are very happy with this development and we must appreciate President Mohammad Bihari for his visionary leadership and thank the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi and all relevant regulatory agencies who diligently and tiredlessly with our state government and contributed to the success so far recorded."

He maintained that " this certification is a clear evidence that federal government appreciates the extensive benefits Ibom Deep Seaport will attract to the country in terms of expansive business and employment opportunities".

"In addition, this development will provide federal with an additional port to help decongest other ports and ensure that Nigeria enjoys seemless engagement in its maritime sector". He said.

In his capacity as Commissioner for Economic Development and Ibom Deepseaport, Mr. Akan Okon, commended Governor Udom Emmanuel for his commitment to the realisation of Ibom Deep Seaport demonstrated by his prompt response to issues related to the project.
"Governor Emmanuel is focused on leaving sustainable legacies in the state, which drives his passion for the realisation of Ibom Deep Seaport. With such commitment, it is easy to state that Akwa Ibom is fully committed towards a speedy completion of the project".

Meanwhile, the Director General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Mr. Chidi Izuwah, presented the Full Business Case Compliance Certificate for the project to the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, in Abuja on Monday.

During the presentation, the ICRC DG, Mr. Izuwah noted that "the IDWP project is planned to become a major national and regional economic gateway that will provide additional container handling capacity for the country.

"In addition to containers, the IDWP is expected to handle petroleum products, crude oil, natural gas, vehicles and bulk trade in natural resources thereby expanding and further developing the Nation’s transport sector', he said.

The DG appreciated tremendously the leadership that the Federal Ministry of Transportation, through the able and tireless Honourable Minister, Rt. Hon. Amaechi, has provided for the project. The DG also appreciated the MD Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala-Usman, and the Akwa Ibom State Govornor, HE Udom Emmanuel for all their effort in getting the project to this point.

The IDWP project involves the development of a Greenfield Deepsea Port and accompanying Free Trade Zone (FTZ) in Akwa Ibom State in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The proposed Port and FTZ are part of the planned Ibom Industrial City initiative that will be established on a 14,400-hectare site donated by the Akwa Ibom State Government (AKSG) free of charge.
It may be recalled that Bollore/Power China emerged the preferred bidder for IDSP following the transparent bidding process that held earlier. FEC presentation and approval and commercial close is the next stage for the project.

The Akwa Ibom State Government, Saturday announced the discharge of two of the 29 persons undergoing treatment for the dreaded COVID-19 from its medical facilities.

The State Incident Manager and Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dominic Ukpong said those discharged have been certified negative by the Nigeria Center for Disease Control,NCDC, bringing to 16, the total number of those treated and discharged of the viral infection since the first set of cases were recorded on April 1, 2020.

Dr. Ukpong explained that Governor Udom Emmanuel has expended so much in healthcare delivery and in emergency operations, and that accounts for the 100% recovery rate currently being experienced in the state.

“Yesterday, you saw the magnificent 300 – bed facility that the Governor put up at Ituk Mbang, and I told people that it is going to compliment the services provided in the earlier facilities provided at Ikot Ekpene and the one here at the Ibom Specialist Hospital.”

Dr Ukpong also maintained that the activities of persons who sneaked into the state under the guises of bringing in livestock and other food items, probably accounted for the huge figures recorded in the last few days.

He said the increased number of cases in the state has also increased the contacts currently being traced in the state, and applauded the health management officials for being responsive and dedicated to their duties.

He maintained that the Governor had swiftly responded with a ban on movements of livestock into the state, as well as the installation of surveillance cameras at entry points into the state.

The Commissioner who was flanked by the Professor of Respiratory Medicine and former Chief Medical Director of University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Prof Etete Peters, revealed that there has been cases of people arriving the COVID -19 emergency center with other symptoms because of the free treatment offered by the state government.

“People with ulcer, diabetes and other medical conditions other than COVID 19 do approach the center and when we examine them and find out that it is not COVID 19, they start pleading that we should take them in because of the attention we give our patients. Some even ask for palliatives, but people must know that those emergency lines are strictly for COVID-19 emergencies", Ukpong added.

The State has so far recorded two deaths from the pandemic, from a total of 45 confirmed by the NCDC.

The Akwa Ibom State Government has vowed that it will probe the mystery surrounding the sudden death of the Acting Executive Director of Finance in the Niger Delta Development Commission,NDDC, Mr Ibanga Etang.

Emerging reports reveal that the COVID-19 test result of Mr Ibanga Bassey Etang has returned negative, even as NDDC management had shut down its operation for two weeks over reported COVID-19 scare shortly after the death of executive director of the Commission.

Mr Udom Emmanuel during the commissioning of an ultra modern infectious disease isolation and treatment center in Uyo, had strongly called for an autopsy the Late Ibanga Bassey Etang should the COVID-19 test results of the deceased come out negative.

It could be recalled that the sudden demise of the Finance Boss and Akwa Ibom son was announced by NDDC on its official Facebook handle on Thursday and according to the Commission, Etang died in the early hours of Thursday of suspected COVID-19.

Governor Emmanuel, who stressed his die-hard interest in the lives of his citizens, pledged that he will stop at nothing to acertain the cause of Etang's death.

"I know I'm not supposed to say this but every life of my citizen is important to me. All of a sudden, I think between yesterday and today, a lot of things on the social media about the only citizen we had in the board of NDDC.
“He was my Special Assistant before he left to NDDC; Why is it that of all the persons that are there, it is our own son that has died.

"There'll be a time we'll start asking questions. From the internal memo, NDDC has been shut down and the information there says he died of COVID-19.
“As I'm talking to you, immediately we had the news, we asked the Commissioner for Health in Rivers State on the result of COVID-19 test on Etang. As I speak the result is not out. I'm only wondering how people concluded that COVID-19 was the cause of his death.

"Once the result is out, we'll ask questions certainly. I want to say here that we stand for our brothers and sisters, and we stand for the lives of our citizens. We'll rise to this situation. We've informed the Commissioner that if the COVID-19 test result is out and the deceased's result shows negative, they must do autopsy on that body."

As a result of the controversies surrounding his (Etang) death, NDDC shut down its operations with immediate effect and issued a directive urging all staffers to go into self-Isolation in a statement signed by Silas Anyanwu.

Recall that NDDC is enmeshed with series of scandals of financial impropriety running into billions of naira and currently undergoing forensic audit ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari and yet another probe of financial scandals by the present management being spearheaded by the National Assembly.

The Acting Director died on Thursday amidst the Forensic Audit of the Commission and probe of alleged financial misappropriation by the present Interim Management Committee of NDDC by National Assembly.

May 29, 2015 marked a watershed in the annals of Akwa Ibom State. On that day, the people of this South-South state, heralded the swearing-into office of their new Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, a thorough bred professional, a doyen of innovative management and a renowned apostle of excellence.

IN THIS SPECIAL REPORT, Charles Udoh, Ekerete Udoh, James Edet, Michael Bush, Aniefiok Macauley, Grace Akpan , Essien Ndueso, Aniekeme Finbarr, Uko Umoh, Sampson Akpan , Emmanuel Nicholas Okokon, Emmanuel Sam, Solomon Eyo, Rev'd Richard Peters, Idris Mabadeje, Aniekan Ukpong and Godwin Ibok, all seasoned media professionals who have keenly followed developments in the state, traced the journey so far, and the impact of the five years of governance of Akwa Ibom State, under the leadership of Governor Udom Emmanuel.

LEADERSHIP STYLE AND GOVERNANCE

The true mark of leadership is the inclination to stick to innovative and audacious course of actions.

Apple co-founder, Steve Jobs puts it more succinctly, “innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower”. One of the outstanding features of a good leader therefore, is the capacity to reason freestanding of conventional wisdom.

Often, a good leader may not follow the known rules of doing things, particularly in a political clime like ours. Initially, his drive may seem unpopular, but with time, his vision becomes clearer for pundits to decipher, thus setting such a leader apart as a critical thinker, a revolutionary and hero who bolsters his people too. In the words of the sixth President of the United States of America, John Quincy Adams, a good leader inspires his people to “dream more, learn more, do more and become more”.

The above analysis of know-how in leadership best defines the governance style of Mr. Udom Emmanuel, who in the past fast five years as Governor of Akwa Ibom State has demonstrated a leadership style that has attracted enthusiastic connectivity and economic simulation among his people.

Since his ascendancy to the seat of governance of Akwa Ibom State on May 29, 2015, Governor Udom Emmanuel has manifested a clear insight and understanding of the kernel of leadership through policies and programmes that have positively impacted on every section and sector of the state.

A lot has been said and written about the imprints of Governor Udom Emmanuel in the economic sector as well as the great strides of his administration in infrastructural revitalization and its industrial agenda for fast growing state.
Nonetheless, one area that social commentators and political analysts seem too often to overlook is the humongous achievements of Governor Udom Emmanuel in the unity project of the state and the other intangible attainments of the administration.

The proclivity of Governor Emmanuel as a peace ambassador, bridge builder, champion and front liner for the unity and greatness of the state is enshrined as word on marble in his political and economic inclusion pillar and his well thought out DAKADDA philosophy for the state.

In words and actions, and in every occasion and situation, the governor has emphasized the cords that bind the state together, distancing himself and his administration from the agents of destabilization, discordance and acrimony, who rather seek to exaggerate the negligible diversities to undermine homogeneousness of the state.

This underlying philosophy of the governor in running the affairs of the state is exemplified in the equitable distribution of human capital development and his infrastructural expansion drive to every segment of the state without biases and bigotries. This explains the huge support base of the governor across the 31 Local Government Areas of the State, devoid of ethnic sentiments. The strength and reach of his support came to fore convincingly during the 2019 gubernatorial election in the state, in which Governor Emmanuel easily won landslide votes in all the 2,980 units of the 329 wards of the state.

For Governor Udom Emmanuel, the unity, harmonious coexistence and the holistic development of the state are topmost agenda that must not be sacrificed on the altar of personal ego and self-aggrandizement.

THE BIRTH OF INDUSTRIES

Industrialization has copiously manifested as a priority sector in the development matrix of Governor Udom Emmanuel, not only due to the fact that, it is one of the major planks of the Eight Point Completion Agenda of Governor Udom Emmanuel but because it has become a recurring decimal in the christening of the State budget, since the Governor came on board his second term administration.

The 1999 budget of Akwa Ibom State was christened, "Budget of Industrialization for Poverty Alleviation" while that of the current fiscal year 2020, is christened, "Budget of Industrialization for Poverty Alleviation" phase 11, continuing the mapping from that of the previous year. While presenting the 2020 budget in the floor of the House on October 8, 2019, Governor Emmanuel had said unequivocally that, his vision was to build an industrialized state away from the Civil Service mono-economy, targeting job creation, wealth creation and poverty alleviation.

"The 2020 budget is christened, Budget of Industrialization For Poverty Alleviation, phase 2, because my completion agenda is predicated primarily on the rapid industrialization of the state", Governor Udom Emmanuel had emphasized.

With the resolve therefore to build more industries and attract huge volumes of Foreign Direct Investments, FDI, to Akwa Ibom State, Governor Udom Emmanuel has at the last count, bring on stream, 18 industries which are producing consumables for the people of the state, in keeping with the Governor's commitment to ensuring that 80 percent of consumable items will be produced in the state by the end of his administration in 2023.

To this end, Akwa Ibom State prides itself as home to the largest Syringe manufacturing factory in Africa with a production capacity of 400 million syringes per annum, the Jubilee Syringe, the best and first ever digital Electric Metering Solutions manufacturing company, with a production capacity of 3 million prepaid meters annually, the Lions Plywood and Timber factory which at the moment is providing jobs to over 150 young people in the state and two Rice mills, the Ibom Agricon Rice mill, producing the Family Rice and the SACAM Afro Processing Rice Mill, producing the Three Rose Rice.

The State also boasts of the Greenwell Fertilizer blending company with a production capacity of 400,000 metric tons per annum, producing assorted kinds of fertilizers for different soil types, the Virgin Coconut oil Refinery, the Kings Flour mill and the Ufani Palm Kernel Crushing Plant in Ukanafun. Others include: the Plastic, Toothpick, Pencils and ongoing Quality Ceramics and Tissue production factories in Itu. There is also the Ibom Industrial Park/Jetty ongoing at the Ikot Abasi coastal area of the state, Cassava processing mills in Abak and Ibesikpo-Asutan, Oil palm processing depots, power and gas processing plant which is ongoing in Ibeno and the mega ongoing Ibom Deep Seaport, making Akwa Ibom stand tall as the emerging industrial hub of Nigeria.

THE RE-BIRTH OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP

In pursuit of a vibrant economic and entrepreneurial development, Governor Udom Emmanuel's administration has turned attention to what could be termed "the low hanging fruits".

This low hanging fruits of the economy spans through the agricultural sector, small and medium scale enterprises, skill acquisition and empowerment.

To give a legal backing to entrepreneurship development, the government had not only set up Akwa Ibom Micro Enterprises and Developments Agency but signed the Akwa Ibom Micro Enterprises Agency bill into law.

The My Entrepreneurship Goals Programme of the Marketing and Brand Management unit of the Governor's office has also trained for certification more than 130 youths on the management of various enterprises .

Within the last few years, government in a bit to recapitalise the economy, injected over 2billion naira interest free loan to traders and small scale businesses.

Besides, to ensure that the prices of stable foods are within the capacity of the poor, the government further provided food processing equipment and agricultural inputs to cooperative societies across the state.

SUPERLATIVE STRIDES IN HEALTHCARE DELIVERY

There are reasons for the people of Akwa Ibom state to celebrate the emergence of Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, five years ago, with regards to the total revamping of the health sector.

Unarguably, Governor Emmanuel's intervention in the State's health sector right from his first term in office saved Akwa Ibom from being badly hit by the outbreak of the novel coronavirus ravaging the world. He proactively prepared the State to meet any health emergency.

The governor embarked on rehabilitation of secondary health facilities across the state with such energy and consistency that baffled even his critics. With a simple message: Health is Wealth, he set about transforming long abandoned and dilapidated hospitals into functional health care center equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment, manned by motivated personnel.

Some of the medical equipment imported by the administration, which arrived the state in 50 containers include, electrocardiograph 3 Channels, colonoscopy (with halogen light), x-ray film processor, x-ray film viewer, gastroscope, operating theatre light (5-Spot light), operating table, anastasia trolley with ventilator and monitor, syringe pump, electro surgical units, monopolar-bipolar operating instruments, suction pump and host of other state-of-the art equipment including CT Scanners, Surgical microscope for eyes.

The governor began his transformation of the state's health sector with the iconic missionary hospital - St. Luke's Hospital, Anua - Uyo, where he constructed and equipped a 300-bed gynecology ward in honour of the reputable Irish Missionary, Dr. Ann Ward. From there, he undertook the rehabilitation and upgrading of several hospitals namely: Etinan General Hospital, Ikot Okoro General Hospital, General Hospital, Ituk Mbang, General Hospital, Ibiaku Ntok Okpo, Emmanuel General Hospital, Eket and General Hospital, Iquita Oron.

https://www.operanewsapp.com/ng/en/share/detail?news_id=ad897a8124dbd8db381f8f9a7a075b2c&news_entry_id=s507470c5200529en_ng&open_type=tanscoded&request_id=news_62be6d15-6094-495f-946f-f99b93c6f0b0&from=news

By Umoh-Obong Kingsley

Whoever builds a house on the Rock could go through storms yet remains unshaken.

In 2015 when Mr. Udom Emmanuel mounted the saddle as Governor of Akwa Ibom, he practically took the state from the cradle, as it was solely civil service-dependent. Many had criticised why he ventured into long term projects rather than focusing on their ‘immediate wants'. Little did they know that the need for those things would arise sooner than they ever expected.

Governor Emmanuel started with the Dakkada philosophy, a clarion call to every son and daughter of Akwa Ibom State to rise to the faith of greatness; a voice of hope and vision of a brighter future in each and every Akwa Ibomite, reminding them of the true potentials they truly possess. Many heeded the call and discovered their hidden potentials and today, their products have flooded the markets.

The lockdown exercise occasioned by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, has revealed Governor Emmanuel’s quest for sustainable development through agriculture, as food is the first basic need of man before any other. The goal of achieving self-sufficiency in food production for local consumption and export is within sight in Akwa Ibom State.

In his first term, the Governor took agriculture from the hitherto subsistence level to a level at which it can be a source of livelihood for farmers, feed the people of the state and also be a foreign exchange earner. The cultivation of 2,100 hectares of cassava plantation in 15 local government areas under the FADAMA project; cultivation of 1,200 hectares of rice; registration of 40,000 rice farmers for the Central Bank of Nigeria Anchor Borrowers Programme; training of 450 youths on cocoa maintenance and distribution of 500,000 improved cocoa seedlings to farmers across 28 cocoa producing local government areas at highly subsidized rates, are strings of achievements to show for his efforts.

The government set up the Akwa Prime Hatchery that produces at least 10,000 birds weekly; constructed the Vegetable Greenhouse and constructed cassava micro-processing mills across the state. It also planted 500 citrus seedlings, 600 hybrid plantain suckers and 1,000 pineapple suckers, among many others, with a promise to boost the agricultural sector with a new policy framework that would make the state self-sufficient in food production, generate employment in the sector and also create wealth in the entire agricultural value chain.

Top on his agricultural agenda is establishment of agro processing and allied industries before he bows out on May, 29, 2023. Among industries that are under consideration are fruit and vegetable juice production; cassava and potato production; edible oil production; salt refinery; animal feed production, sanitary wares; water treatment plant and ice making. Others are bottling line for water, juice and oil, as well as establishment of an Akwa Ibom integrated cassava programme to be known as Dakkada Cassava Task Force.

Other projects on which the Udom Emmanuel-led administration will focus on in his Completion Agenda include the Tilapia Aquaculture Project; development of marine fisheries and fish farm estate projects; procurement and establishment of seafood processing facilities with domestic and foreign markets as targets, as well as fish production. With adequate incentives like agricultural seedlings, fertilizer, simplification of access to credit facilities under favourable terms and the right infrastructure, people are not going to require any prodding to see agriculture as the business that it is, not just a vocation for providing food for the family.

Governor Emmanuel fervently believes in the epigram that Health is wealth. This belief has informed the massive turn around in the health sector that the State has witnessed in the past years of his administration, including the Ibom Specialist Hospital, Uyo; Immanuel General Hospital, Eket; General Hospital, Urua Ata, Ikot Ekpor; General Hospital, Etinan; General Hospital, Ikpe Annang; General Hospital, Ikono; General Hospital, Ikot Abasi and General Hospital, Ikot Ekpene.

Others are General Hospital, Ikot Okoro; General Hospital, Iquita Oron; General Hospital, Itu; General Hospital, Ituk Mbang; General Hospital, Oruko; General Hospital, Mbioto II; Dental Centre, Eket; Dental Centre, Ikot Ekpene; Psychiatric Hospital, Eket; Mary’s Hospital, Urua Akpan; Mercy Hospital, Abak; Redeemer Cottage Hospital, Ibesit; Divine Hospital, Utu Etim Ekpo; Luke’s Hospital, Anua, Uyo
St Theresa’s Hospital, Use Abat; Camel Hospital, Akpautong and Leprosy Hospital, Ekpene Obom among others.

The 300-bed Isolation Centre for Quarantine and Prevention of Infectious Disease, being constructed at Ituk Mbang in Uruan Local Government Area, a few kilometres from Uyo, the state capital, is designed to contain Modernized Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Administrative Block, Clinical Laboratories, 20 residential rooms for doctors, Control room where doctors could dump their already used PPEs before and after attending to patients, two generating sets of 150kva and 200kva capacity, modern facilities, canteen that could contain over 40 persons and intercom lines for internal communication between doctors and nurses, among others.

The hospital complements the existing facility in Ikot Ekpene, which also serves as an infectious disease hospital in the state. This development has enabled Akwa Ibom to stand out in the fight against COVID-19 over other states of the federation, thereby making people who may have noticed symptoms of COVID-19, smuggle their ways into the state with the belief that pandemic is well handled in the state, despite the nationwide interstate lockdown enforcement.

By Amadie Akpabio - Uyo
-----------------------------
As the President, Muhammadu Buhari last week Friday signed into law an Executive Order granting full financial autonomy to the legislature and the judiciary across the 36 states of the federation , the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly was already prepared for it, through a legislative framework in the state

The executive order which mandates the accountant general of the federation to deduct from source amount due to state legislatures and judiciaries from the monthly allocation to each state for states that refuse to grant such autonomy is the first of it kind in Nigeria.

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly through a bill sponsored by the House Leader, Rt. Hon. Udo Kierian Akpan titled "A bill for a law to established the Akwa Ibom State of House of Assembly legislative funds management and other matters connected therewith 2019" had already laid a foundation that will enable the order to run smoothly in Akwa Ibom State.

The Sponsor of the Bill and member representing Oruk Anam State Constituency, Rt. Hon. (Sir) Udo Kierian Akpan was optimistic while leading the debate to legislate on the Bill during Plenary few Months ago.

The Lawmaker had explained that the Bill seeks to provide for the prudent management of funds accruing to the State House of Assembly from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the state in order to ensure accountability, transparency, effective and efficient utilisation of funds.

According to Hon Kierian, the Bill which had passed through second reading will also provides for the establishment of a committee known as the Fund Management Board which shall consider matters in which funds in the House Account were applied for the services and administration of the State House of Assembly.

Sir Kierian noted that "the Board so formed" shall submit quarterly reports in respects of funds accruing to the State House of Assembly, maintaining that the Board shall have the Clerk of the House as Chairman and also other directors of various Departments and Units.

He listed the Departments and Units to include Administration, Supplies, Legislative Matters, Finance, Accounts, Planning, Research and Statistics, Legislative Budget, Audit and Legal Services.

The Lawmaker noted that the Board shall perform functions relating to all contracts, works, services and procurements of the State House of Assembly up to the sum of Five Million Naira.

The bill which was first read in the 6th Assembly during the tenure of Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Onofiok Luke, continued in the 7th Assembly under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey.

Rt. Hon.(Sir) Udo Kierian Akpan who is in his third term in the Assembly has gained the respect of the Assembly and that of the State Government and has continued to change the tide in the legislative business in the State through sponsoring of responsible and peoples-oriented bills that placed him as the best lawmaker with the highest number of bills and still counting.

He is a voice with giant and unbearable records of infrastructural renaissance in his constituency.

Godwin Ibok

Governor Emmanuel has, since his first term, demonstrated a clear understanding of the central role that power plays in the effort to change the status of the state, from a predominantly civil service to an economic power. In other words, he is fully aware that the effort to build infrastructure to support his economic programme would come to naught without uninterrupted power supply throughout the state.

The various initiatives of the administration in the power sector over the last five years have been geared towards providing the backbone for other sectors of the economy to thrive. These initiatives have primarily centered on intervention projects in power generation and injection, to ensure every community in the state is linked to the national grid. The interventions have seen the government construct injection and sub-stations in strategic locations around the state, from Uyo, the state capital, to other locations that would enable easy distribution of power to the nooks and crannies of the state.

The focus of the Udom Emmanuel administration from inception in 2015 has been the building of an economy that would make Akwa Ibom State not only economically self-sufficient, but also one that would reposition the state as an economic and business hub not just in Nigeria, but also in the West African sub-region.

The governor spent the first four years of what would be an eight-year tenure laying the foundation that would make that plan realizable. Apart from setting up numerous industries, about 18 so far, that have employed thousands of the state’s indigenes with the domino effect of contributing to improvement of the standard of living of a good number of people, the governor paid priority attention to the building of critical infrastructure on which the state’s economic independence would stand, in order to guarantee sustainable development of the present generation of Akwa Ibomites and beyond.

For instance, the government has constructed a 2x5 MVA, 33/11KV injection sub-station on Edet Akpan Avenue, Uyo, to ensure constant power supply in parts of the the state capital and environs. The construction of a 2x15 MVA injection sub-station at the Victor Attah International Airport is intended to move the airport away from dependence on the electricity generating set on which it has operated since its inauguration on September 23, 2009, which has been at an enormous cost to the government. The constant and uninterrupted power supply to this important facility is expected to significantly enhance efficiency and improve services at the state’s major gateway to other parts of Nigeria and the rest of the world. This is more so as the state now has its own carrier – Ibom Air – that is expected to play a leading role in conveying the expected surge of visitors to the state on investment and tourism.
The government has constructed 2x60 MVA, 132/33 KV power sub-station at Ekim, in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, in addition to the rehabilitation of facilities belonging to the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company at Etim Ekpo, Mkpat Enin, Ikot Abasi Ekpu and Ikot Ekpene.

The effort to ensure electrification of all parts of the state has led to the installation of 1x60 MVA, 132 KV transmission sub-station at Afaha Ube, Itam, in Itu Local Government Area and acquisition of 1x30 MVA transformer for communities in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area. The present administration has also extended public power supply, through dedicated lines, to Four Points by Sheraton Hotel at Ikot Ekpene.

Perhaps what could be regarded as the boldest and most ambitious initiative of the Udom administration in the area of power supply is the launch of Power-for-All by December, 2021. The commitment of the administration to attaining this goal could be seen in the fact that it is actually tied to an achievement date. It is unarguably the first of its kind in the country.

These initiatives were targeted at achieving the government’s objective of providing uninterrupted electricity supply to all the communities in the state, 24 hours of the day, seven days of the week. The significant improvement in electricity supply that is noticeable today in all parts of the state is a pointer to the fact that the objective is achievable.

Realization of this objective has, however, been hampered by the fact that the state is not allowed to transmit the power it generates. Despite the liberalization of the power sector, which allows private participation in power generation and distribution, transmission still resides with the federal government, through the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). As it stands at the moment, only 40 per cent of the electricity generated by Ibom Power is evacuated by TCN. As a consequence, the power generated in Akwa Ibom is not available in large quantity even to the people of the state.

Governor Emmanuel has remained undeterred by this development, as he is bent on meeting the target of his Power-for-All by December, 2021 Programme. The government is currently collating data for all villages in the state for a community metering programme, with a view to ensuring every community is connected to the national power grid.
Also, an inventory has been made to know villages in the state without electricity power

Even with the inability to evacuate all the electricity generated by Ibom Power, the government is still forging ahead with its plan to generate additional 685 megawatts of electricity from the power plant, for which the state had since received a license. This would increase its capacity to 875 megawatts, from the current 190 megawatts. The hope is that sooner than later, the state would be able to transmit and distribute the power it generates, for the optimum benefit of the people.

The plan to generate more power is an indication of the governor’s foresightedness in recognizing, from the futuristic infrastructure he is putting in place today, that the power the state currently generates will not be enough to sustain the economy he is building when it gathers full steam to fully benefit from the numerous investments that are being anticipated from within and outside the country, post COVID-19.

Generation of additional power would not only ensure availability of electricity throughout the state, but would also enable it to sell the surplus to neighbouring states in what is certainly a veritable source of huge revenue to the state.

The single-minded approach of the government to the building of power infrastructure is borne out of the fact that the plan to make all parts of the state conducive for residency and investment is tied to availability of uninterrupted supply of electricity to all the areas, including the hinterland. The aim is to make it possible for people to live in any part of the state to utilize the numerous opportunities the various government incentives are opening for job creation in all sectors, including micro, small and medium enterprises. This would achieve the overall objective of significantly improving the quality of life of the people of the state, now and in the future

Throughout the Bible, every King that ever succeeded attained such feat through uncompromising obedience to the Almighty God, and the principle has not changed till today. From our religious background, we have understood that except the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain that built it, and so is governance.

In great democracies like The United States of America, Canada, Italy, and many other developed climes, their leaders are still subject to the Supremacy of God, no matter how powerful men view them. In the midst of the pandemic when all knowledge, intelligence, mastery and scientific prowesses have failed, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte cried out that their only hope remains up in the sky, and finally prayed, "God rescue your people".
The US President Donald Trump has never relented in showing total dependence on God Almighty even in the face of the pandemic, hence he declared March 15 a National Day of Prayer. They all knew that without God, failure is imminent.

In Akwa Ibom state, the story is the same. God has blessed us with a Governor who doesn't joke with the things of God. He has not hidden his faith in God, and has always been projecting himself as empty without the help of God.

Gov. Emmanuel since inception took a strong stance on whom he serves. He has steadily lived his Christian faith, as a passionate adherence to the admonition of Lysa Terkeurst to his children. Terkeurst told his children: Remember who you are, don't compromise for anyone, for any reason. You are a child of the Almighty God. Live that truth. The governor is living that truth.

The people of the state have keenly watched the governor lived an uncompromising faith in God, even in an era when people erroneously claimed that you must "belong" if you must succeed. He has proven them wrong, and we have seen it.

Gov. Emmanuel's composure, public testimony of his love for God, prayer life, unassuming humility, undying faith, unshakable strength, deeper passion and living hope in God Almighty in times like this have undoubtedly culminated into divine coverage for Akwa Ibom in the midst of the pandemic. The slow spread of the virus against the predictions of doom that the state will become the epicenter of covid-19, speedy recovery of patients and strong faith in God exhibited by Akwa Ibom people, are testimonials that God's hand is on the leadership of the state.

His love for God inspired him to lay the foundation stone for a befitting International Worship Center, through the hand of Pst Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of RCCG on January 21, 2018. The 8,500 capacity worship center which is the first of its kind, on completion will have staircases, 8 lifts, 2 churches and some chapels. This alone has made Akwa Ibom people not to cast skeptical eyes, or hold religious and intellectual doubts about his faith in God.

From the inception of his administration, Gov. Emmanuel has not failed to lead the state to seek the face of God through solemn assembly, and at regular intervals, he has been dedicating and rededicating the state to God at the beginning of every year. This is in addition to the annual religious festival- Christmas Carols, which cannot be missed for anything.

In the face of the pandemic, Gov. Emmanuel has not compromised his faith. He has shown concern for the church, and wished the doors of churches were not closed. Closing of churches by a man who loves God so dearly is one difficult but necessary action to take as a precaution to the spread of covid-19. As a Christian dominated state, we know the routine and religiously-patterned after- service exchange of pleasantries, handshakes, holy-hugs and Christian gossips that occur on Sundays and mid-week services. These are potential ways of spreading the virus, hence the decision by the government to temporarily close churches.
Despite the decision, he has consistently been meeting with the Fathers of Faith in the state, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and other stakeholders to map out possible ways of reopening the doors of churches, while adhering to the precautionary measures from health experts.

Interestingly, while others were fidgeting, confused and not knowing what to do, the Governor's strong faith in the omnipotence of Yahweh inspired him to prophesy that no Akwa Ibom person will die of COVID-19. God has honoured that prophecy. The two deaths recorded were those taken to the center when they were almost dead, and all those that went there from the onset have been treated and discharged.

Many people in the state have come to love God more and openly declare their submission to His Supremacy as a result of the attitude of the Governor towards God. As the scripture puts it, it flows from the head down to the skirt...

No matter how hard the times are, there are people who would never bow to Baal. There are people who would never deny God. There are people who would never be like the rest of the world, because they know their God, and they will continue to make exploits. This, the people of the state has seen in the governor. In the words of A. W. Tozer, 'modern christians hope to save the world by being like it, but it will never work. The church's power over the world springs out of her unlikeness to it, never from her integration into it'.

Gov. Emmanuel has chosen to stand with His God even in the face of the global health crisis, and if the truth must be told, God has kept His promises for the people Akwa Ibom State. We are in safe hands.

Rev Richard Peters

…. describes Akwa Ibom isolation centre as world class.

The member representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency in Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Hon. Unyime Idem today, scored the Governor of Akwa Ibom State. Mr. Udom Emmanuel high on his superlative leadership in the management of the covid-19 disaster. Rep. Idem also commended the Governor for setting up a permanent 300-bed space isolation centre, describing it as world class.

Speaking on the sideline of the inspection of the ongoing isolation centre at Ituk Mbang in Uruan Local Government Area by Members of the Akwa Ibom State Causus in the National Assembly, Hon. Idem said the setting up of the center has proven Governor Udom Emmanuel as a leader with administrative acumen and a clear focus on the future of the state.

Hon. Idem, Deputy Chairman House Committee on Communications noted that the state government has been proactive in mitigating the effect of Covid 19 pandemic, citing among other measures, the Constitution of Post Covid 19 Economic Recovery team, downward review of the 2020 budget to reflect the realities on ground, as steps in the right direction.

“Let me sincerely commend our dear Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel for the ingenuity displayed and the focused leadership provided since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. His proactive measures so far taken will no doubt save the state of any eventuality. The construction of the 300-bed space isaolation centre, Constitution of Post Covid 19 Economic Recovery team and downward review of the 2020 budget are right steps in the right direction to keep our state moving amidst uncertainties. Let me also add that the isolation centre is world class. Our state is in safe hands”

He applauded Mr. Emmanuel's ingenuity in the management of resources adding that with the setting up of the economic Committee, Akwa Ibom will continue to be on track even after the pandemic.

The National Assembly man said he will continue to align himself with the visionary leadership of Governor Udom Emmanuel which he noted has encouraged him to remain unperturbed in leading the people of Ukanafun/Oruk/Anam Federal Constituency alright.

Idem hinted that even in the face of the global pandemic, the state government has been at the forefront of ensuring safety of citizens describing Udom Emmanuel as not only the best choice at a time like this but also a development-oriented leader.

The Akwa Ibom State Caucus of the National Assembly say they are greatly impressed by the magnitude and speed of work at the ongoing Isolation Centre and expressed optimism that the State is sufficiently prepared for the post COVID-19 era.

Speaking through the Senator representing Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, H.E , Dr Chris Ekpenyong, the Federal Lawmakers described the project as top of the range and perhaps the only permanent Isolation Centre built by any State government in the wake of the dreaded and prevalent COVID 19 pandemic.

The lawmakers who visited the project site located in Ituk Mbang, Uruan Local Government, for a facility tour, today, were led by the Senator Ekpenyong.

They lauded the State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, for not only building a permanent structure but driving the project at a speed that marvels every body.

Sen. Ekpenyong said Gov. Emmanuel has further proven his vision, concerns for indigenes and residents in the State, as well as his proactive leadership.

"Gov Udom Emmanuel has initiated this project in furtherance of offering a more improved and accessible healthcare services to Akwa Ibom people and residents in the State. With what we have seen in terms of concept, design and sophistication and the more that are to come, I want to use this occasion to commend and thank His Excellency, Gov. Udom Emmanuel, on behalf of my colleagues for his vision and pragmatic approaches in contending the Corona Virus, and again thinking practically about the health of Akwa Ibom people".

Senator Ekpenyong equally lauded the State Commissioner of Works, Akparawa Ephraim Inyangeyen for his dedication and ability to interpret the governor's vision.
The Lawmakers however observed with disappointment, the failure of the Federal Government and the Local Content Commission to give any support to the Akwa Ibom State government in the construction of the Isolation Centre, like it is the case to some States that are even managing temporary structures for COVID 19.

"This massive project has been undertaken by the state government alone ", the senator emphasized, adding that, post COVID-19, the State is sufficiently equipped to manage and contain the future outbreak of any othrr disease.

Conducting the team round sections of the project, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Works, Akparawa Ephraim Inyangeyen, whose ministry supervises the project, disclosed that only 27 days have so far been spent and that the governor has made available everything needed to meet the deadline for completion.

Places visited include a hall designed to serve as wards, comprising a-200 bed unit for male and female patients and another designed for 100 beds for VIPs.

Other structures visited include a twin building for clinical and virology laboratories, reception, doctors consulting rooms, separate and already completed and furnished houses for the Chief Medical Director and Secretary; canteen, generator room and doctors quarters, etc.

On the entourage were senator representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, Dr. Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi; Member representing Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium Federal Constituency, Barr. Onofiok Luke; those of Abak, Uyo and Ikot Abasi federal constituencies, Hon. Aniekan Umana, Hon. Mike Enyong and Hon. Francis Uduyok respectively.

The Isolation Centre shares same premises with General Hospital at Ituk Mbang, Uruan Local Government Area.

By Ray Ekpu





Governor Udom Emmanuel has done a very good job in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic in Akwa Ibom State but he is not given full marks for his exertions.

By the opinion of non-partisan and fair-minded people, he has also performed admirably in such areas as industrialisation, agriculture, road development and airline business, an area that he has recorded his name as the first among equals. Despite these life-transforming activities, he remains unpopular.

Dr. Udeme Nnanna, a cerebral journalism teacher puts it down to the Governor’s unwillingness or failure to share money as generously as the political elite and their followers expect. This money-sharing business, call it stomach infrastructure, is the bane of our politics and is a potent source of disgruntlement and disconnectedness which have led to intra-party disharmony in many states. So the blows that Emmanuel is receiving now go beyond and before COVID-19.


It is partly a by-product of the messy elections of last year. But the perception of any person’s reputation often goes beyond a single issue. More often than not it is a coterie of issues that come together to set ablaze someone’s reputation.

In a political setting, there are often many enemies armed with the matchet of revenge for wrongs, real or imagined, allegedly done to them. They include people who failed to get sweet-heart contracts or juicy, pots-of-honey appointments or out of favour politicians, or neglected political thugs or touts or media hirelings who do their dirty jobs for a mess of pottage. The list could also include congenital complainants, pull-them-down-specialists, fetishists, preachers of pessimism, political perverts who seek recognition they haven’t received and 2023 political contenders who are convinced that the Governor may not look in their direction when choices for electoral offices will be made. It is an aggregated assortment of the disgruntled. They work separately or in groups or both when they believe that their collective interest in mischief will serve their ultimate purpose. When they meet they all air their grievances like jewels. This builds between them and espirit de corps, a convivial camaraderie garnished by desperation. Desperation can blindside people. It doesn’t matter to them in so far as it satisfies the venial whims of their disgruntled selves.


Their tools are three media groups: a couple of fly-by-night radio stations that are ready to spread insults and falsehood like confetti; local rag sheets otherwise called tabloids that are the denizens of lollipop journalism and of course their prime playgrounds are the gilded gutters of the social media. As you know in the pit-latrine of social media anything goes. That is largely where the huff and puff of political propaganda are mindlessly executed and people’s good reputations slaughtered without mercy or compunction. The fellow who stated falsely in the social media that nine of Emmanuel’s Commissioners had tested positive of COVID-19 was arrested and kept at an isolation centre at the State Specialist Hospital in Uyo. He is to be charged to court after his stint at the isolation centre. I saw a video clip in which he was flashing a victory sign and I was wondering what was the nature of his victory when he is yet to have his day in court. His attitude smacks of unmitigated idiocy, evidence that he maliciously and deliberately set out to damage the hard-earned reputation of people with his farrago of lies against them. It is clear that people who are not trained in information dissemination think that you can do or say or publish anything yes, anything in the social media and get away with it since it is a forum without borders. To them, that means licentiousness is permissible, freedom without let or hindrance. It is their misbehaviour that tempts the National Assembly to try to put more gags on the use of social media. Current legislation on the matter is adequate. The only problem is that many people do not take offenders on social media to court for several reasons. That is what breeds the impunity and allows those internet rats to perform with reckless abandon.


Emmanuel’s performance on the management of COVID-19 has been subjected to withering criticism by his traducers. But when you examine critically how he has managed the unexpected pandemic you cannot fail to commend him if you are a fair-minded and non-partisan person. He has done many times better than most of the State Governors. He was among the first three State Governors to roll out a state-funded palliative programme with a committee in each of the 31 local governments. Apart from the two existing isolation centres in Uyo and Ikot Ekpene he is building a 300-bed isolation centre at Ituk Mbang which is nearing completion. Last month, he ordered that civil servants in the state should be paid early so that they can stock up in readiness for the lockdown. In some states, political appointees’ salaries are being reduced and are not even paid promptly.

As the price of crude oil plummeted and the ability to sell it shrank Governor Emmanuel proactively revised the State budget from N587 billion to N388 billion. He is one of the first few Governors to set up a Situation Room that is manned 24 hours, a setting where people can give and receive information on the pandemic promptly. The kind of pressure that a centre like that faces can only be imagined. It is also obvious that the Governor has been able to establish a good rapport with the security agencies in the state. The most recent evidence of that is the arrest of a vehicle from Lagos that went unmolested through six states carrying a corpse only to be arrested by the security operatives in Akwa Ibom State. The Governor broadcasts to Akwa Ibomites regularly and shows visible leadership by personally appearing at places where he ought to appear and encouraging people to do what is right. The most impressive thing he has done is the setting up of a blue ribbon, Pan-Nigerian Economic Reconstruction Committee of experts to deal with the economic repercussions of the pandemic and how the state can cope. That is a show of foresight. The Committee is headed by Akpan Hogan Ekpo, a professor of Economics, ex Vice-Chancellor of the University of Uyo and ex Director-General of the West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management. The members include Mary Uduk, Acting Director-General of the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman of Zinox Technologies and Konga, Udom Inoyo, ex-Vice Chairman of ExxonMobil, Professor Vincent Anigbogu of the Institute for National Transformation.


There are other high-rollers representing Agriculture, Pharmacology, Consulting, Commerce and Industry as well as Investment. Their mandate includes ways and means of attracting investment and sourcing for non-oil revenue for the State etc. What impresses me most among the mandate items is the request for them to also make recommendations for a strong social re-orientation programme for the citizens on the need to unlearn old mindsets and adopt new ones. Why this aspect of their mandate is very important is that development does not take place in a vacuum. It begins from the minds of the potential beneficiary of any development project. The beneficiary must understand what is important and beneficial in the expectation matrix.

A Commissioner in the State who used to live and work in the private sector in Lagos told me how shocked he was when a 50-year old man asked him to give him money to go and marry. When he asked the man if he gave him money for marriage how would he maintain the wife? His reply was: “When I get to the river I will cross it.” The Commissioner had to give him some money not out of conviction or a compelling need to do so but simply for the man to go away so he could work. Another Akwa Ibomite who got a contract from the NDDC to build a road in his village told me that his people gave him hell. For every truck that brought materials for the road building, they asked for N5000. That is apart from some money he had already given the two villages through which the road traversed as awuf. He said he also employed labourers from the two villages on the project. “Why would they ask for money from you for coming to build a road for them,” I asked.

He said that what the Niger Delta youths had been doing to the oil companies has now snowballed into a weird sub-culture of project execution, any project, in the region. Emmanuel has attracted more than a dozen industries to the State in the last five years yet you may come across someone in the State who asks “Na industry we go chop?” He ignores the employment and other multiplier effects of such investments. The mental reorientation of the people is absolutely important because up till now any ailment such as diabetes or high blood pressure is put at the doors of witchcraft by even many educated people in the State. Every ailment is regarded as a spiritual matter which has to be treated by a man of God. I bet there must be more churches in the state than schools. There must be more churchgoers than Christians because cults exist there in abundance. A few months ago, the government had to proscribe about 50 of those cults.


A couple of years ago two local governments, Etim Ekpo and my own Ukanafun were no go areas. Mindless killings were the order of the day. People had to desert their villages for safe sanctuaries elsewhere. Life practically ground to a halt. In the governance of the State, how does the Chief Executive cope with that pagan-like mentality that is an affront to modern life-transforming policies and programmes? There has been an ethical reorientation parastatal in the State for several years now. I have no idea how much impact it has made in refurbishing the mentality of the people who seem to want to continue to live in the past with all the pathologies of our ancient days.

This deformed mentality is a roadblock to development or to the sane practice of democratic governance. That must be a daunting challenge to any governor who is interested in taking his state into modernity.

The free education programme of the government may help in the long run but more can be achieved in the short run by intensive and extensive use of the available information channels in the state. For example, why can’t the State Government-owned newspaper, The Pioneer be transformed into a regional daily newspaper with appropriate media convergence facilities? In my days at the Nigerian Chronicle in Calabar in the 70s, we used the paper effectively to fight big battles for the Cross River State. One of the rewards of our fight was that the campus of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka which was located in Calabar was converted to the present University of Calabar. In Nigeria where poverty level is high and the means of alleviating it is low, most people expect their leaders especially Governors and Presidents to meet their every need, reasonable or unreasonable, individual or community. This is partly caused by the public’s rising expectations which are often whipped up by politicians who make fabulous promises during campaigns. I believe that all things considered, Governor Emmanuel has been given less credit than he deserves because politics is a partisan blood sport where it is difficult to bring otherwise reasonable people into the circle of reason.


In politics, there are too many jaundiced people and to the jaundiced all things are yellow. There are also very many prejudiced people who exhibit maximum hate for the minimum reason. For those categories of politicians everything, almost everything, is a pocketbook issue. If nothing comes into their pockets they are ready to crank up their mud machines and sandbag the leader.

As a human being Emmanuel may have made some mistakes but his mistakes, whatever they are, must pale into insignificance when juxtaposed with his accomplishments. There are no absolutes in governance, no absolute success and no absolute failure. But Emmanuel has worked his socks off especially in the management of the COVID-19 problem and generally in the running of the State. He has proved a dab hand in managing the crisis leading most of the governors in pro-activeness. He deserves a few gbosas. If his achievements are not fully appreciated now he will be borne out by what Abraham Lincoln called “the silent artillery of time.” Most leaders are never fully appreciated when in office but when they depart the gift of hindsight repairs their reputation for them. That becomes the gift of serendipity.

https://guardian.ng/opinion/gbosas-for-emmanuel/

By Rev Richard Peters & Elder Uko Umoh


There is no gainsaying the fact that Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) play a strategic and vital role in the economy of any state. they contribute immensely to stem the tide of unemployment by creating opportunities for peo[le to make ends meet.

To this effect, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) access the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) as business with huge turnover of more than N100 million per annum with less not less than 300 million workforce. Small and Medium Scale Enterprises stimulate the economy through creation of jobs, initiating ideas and raising competition in the sector.

SMEs play a significant part in the modern economy by proving to be the most attractive and tremendous innovative system that drives the economy of developing countries. In developed countries, 98 percent or more belong to the Small and Medium-scale sector. In Japan, for example, 80 percent of the industrial labour force is employed by small firms, while Germany has 50 percent. USA is said to have 46 percent employed by small and medium scale enterprises. SMEs are the mainstay and prime contributors to employment, economic and export growth of developed economies.

SMEs constitute a huge percentage of businesses in Nigeria. Its contribute a greater proportion of the country GDP and employ a reasonable number of Nigerian workforce. The Nigeria Bureau of Statistics indicated that Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria has contributed about 48% of the national GDP. With a total number of about 17.4 million, SMEs account for about 50% of industrial jobs and nearly 90% of the manufacturing sector, in terms of the number of enterprises.

Research on SMEs in Nigeria conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in collaboration with SMEDAN indicated that the SME in Nigeria is capable of absorbing up to 80 percent of jobs, improve per capita income, increase value to raw materials supply, improve export earnings, enhance capacity utilization in major industries and unbundle economic expansion as well as GDP growth.

In Akwa Ibom State, Governor Udom Emmanuel has risen to his profession as somebody who has a broad idea of creating a self-sustaining, economic-driven system for his people by attracting money-spinning industries to boost the economic base of the state. He has provided the enabling environment and atmosphere for the likes of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises to thrive with relative ease. As a well equipped player in the financial sector with massive experience that spanned over decades, the Governor understands that the task of changing Akwa Ibom State status from a purely civil service state to one that could be economically self-sustaining. To him there was the need to have a strong industrial direction and vision. Thus, he started by creating an enabling environment for the industrial revolution in the state by providing the enabling infrastructure such as roads, electricity, and others.
To buttress his earlier promise to the people as a Governor of Akwa Ibom State on industrializing the state, Governor Emmanuel established and commissioned the Metering Company and Syringe Factory three years into the First term of his administration. The metering company has remained a major manufacturer of meters for power distribution companies in the Niger Delta region. Also, the Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Company has the capacity of producing 400 million syringes annually. The company is presently the biggest in Africa, in terms of production capacity and size.

He did not stop there, he constructed the flour mill to meet the demand of the community and its environs. The 500 metric tons capacity flour mill has the potential of creating over 1000 jobs for our teeming unemployed youths. The Akwa Prime Hatchery and Poultry at Uruan is another source of revenue generation. It is one industry that has created employment directly for so many families in the State.

Governor Udom has established cottage industries across the State to raise the bar as far as governance is concerned. His administration has empowered the youths of Akwa Ibom State to take farming of cucumber, lettuce, pepper, tomato, and okra, especially from the Green House technology which is cultivated in all farming seasons, as lucrative business and this gesture has yielded positively by creating employment for the greater number of our youths in the State.
Gov. Emmanuel’s business acumen has led to the establishment of other life-touching and far-reaching industries such as the Paper and Pulp Industry, Plastic Manufacturing Company, and Hydro Form Block Molding Company. Greenwell Technologies, a fertilizer blending company, these industries have taken our teeming youths out of the street by providing them gainful employment.

To reel off policies that will help fight hunger to a minimal conclusion in the State, Udom’s government has taken advantage of the growing worldwide demand for cassava to establish 33 new cassava processing plants in different parts of the state, while also investing in the refurbishment of existing plants at Ikot Okudom, Eket Local Government Area; Nung Udoe, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area and Ikot Ekang, in Abak Local Government Areas. In view of all this, and to cap it all, several people in the State are currently engaged in small and medium enterprises as beneficiaries of the government's economic and industrialization policies drive aimed at promoting entrepreneurship among the people. This is why the governor, while giving account of his achievements in the first term of his administration said, "We came determined to rapidly industrialize this State and create employment opportunities for our teeming youths. On that score, we have achieved a lot and are rearing to do more. To date, we have established over 16 industries, most are fully operational, while others are at various stages of completion. Our youths have been gainfully employed in those industries and the value-chain has ensured steady income to our people".

As part of efforts to revive the state economy, Governor Udom Emmanuel has ordered the reopening of SMEs, Markets and all related business outlets to enable people go about their commercial activities.

The reopening which has in no small measure given the average Akwa Ibomite a sigh of relief, has as well provided and enhanced trading activities courtesy the production and distribution of face masks and hand sanitizers.

It is a fact that every sewing outlet in the state has become a producer of cloth face mask - an indication that people of the state are ready to support the state government in the fight against the global dreaded scourge.

To this effect, Governor Udom Emmanuel has laid a solid foundation for the growth of Akwa Ibom economy by stimulating and supporting the growth of small and medium scale enterprises in the state. The Governor has determined to open the state economy through SMEs. This is why the development and expansion of Small and Medium-scale Enterprises in the State formed part of the cardinal policy thrust of the Completion Agenda of Governor Udom Emmanuel.

Ibom Air has taken delivery of the airline’s fourth Bombardier CRJ 900 aircraft in Lagos. The aircraft arrived Lagos from Calgary, Canada at 10:48 pm local time, Tuesday evening (05 May, 2020).

We are very pleased to receive the first of our two recently purchased Bombardier CRJ 900 aircraft, in line with our fleet expansion strategy. With this addition, our fleet grows to four aircraft. This particular aircraft, with registration number 5N-BXP, made its maiden commercial flight in May 2014 (just 6 years ago). Thus, Ibom Air continues to operate the lowest average fleet age amongst Nigeria’s airlines. This fleet strategy is in line with our vision to be a world-class African regional airline.

A key benefit of Ibom Air’s very modern fleet of Bombardier CRJ 900 aircraft is that they all come fitted with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters. HEPA filters are high-intensity filters that do not just filter dust, but effectively capture greater than 99% of the airborne microbes in the filtered air, including microscopic particles such as bacteria and viruses. Cabin air in HEPA equipped aircraft generally pass through the filters 20-30 times per hour, removing contaminants and greatly enhancing the quality of air in the cabin.

We thank the Hon. Minister of Aviation, the Federal Ministry of Aviation, the NCAA, NAMA, FAAN and the Akwa Ibom State Government, for making it possible for us to ferry in this aircraft during this period. Keeping it in Canada waiting for the Covid-19 pandemic to pass, would incur huge and unnecessary hard currency costs for us.

We also thank our numerous customers for their continued loyalty and assure them that Ibom Air is eagerly preparing to resume our superior services to them, once conditions allow for operations again.

Please continue to stay safe.

Signed Ibom Air management

#IbomAir #PressRelease #Aviation #News #Nigeria

...Relaxes some restrictions on movement


Determined to open up the economy of Akwa Ibom State, Governor Udom Emmanuel has announced the relaxation of some restrictions put in place as government works to stem the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic. 

Top on the guidelines for the relaxation of movement restrictions,  is the compulsory use of face mask by all persons in public places and commercial vehicles and offices, henceforth.

In a statewide radio and television broadcast on Saturday  morning, the Governor who said he was adhering to the guidelines from the federal government, also announced a dusk-to-dawn curfew all over the State from the hours of 8pm to 6am effective Monday, May 4th, 2020.

Governor Emmanuel said "markets will be opened three times a week, (Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays) between 10 am - 4 pm to enable people stock up their supplies."

He maintained that "the ban on religious gatherings, hospitality services, social 
gatherings, parties, funerals and concerts remain in effect until further notice," while "all plazas and recreational centres are 
to remain closed."

The Governor's address which also prohibited the re-opening of schools until further notice, however, stated that

Government's "School on Radio programme on AKBC Radio which has been hugely welcomed and popular will continue to address the instructional and teaching needs of our students until we are able to reopen schools."

"Non-essential inter-State movements remain prohibited except those involving agricultural produce or medical personnel and equipment.

The Governor also reiterated that, "all passengers using public transport must make use of face mask, and that Tricycles must not carry more than three passengers.  

"Taxis must carry a maximum of three persons (One in front and two behind), and buses must not carry more than two persons per row, he added, maintaining that, "all public transport operators must provide hand sanitizers in their vehicles. 

Governor Emmanuel who harped on the success of his administration's food sufficiency programmes, maintained that "farmers will be allowed to carry out their tasks and freely and transport their food items while wearing facemasks and not be more than three people in any given public transport."

He also announced a phased resumption of duties that will come into effect to help reopen the economy and get the machinery of governance moving again.

He directed all Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries to work out modalities that will get the staff of their respective Ministries to return to work in batches but warned that not more than 30 percent of the workforce of each Ministry, Department and Agency should be at work at any given time.  

Governor Emmanuel, while expressing gratitude to God for those who have recovered, expressed confidence that with the excellent work of the healthcare professionals and the strict adherence of the people to the personal hygiene and social distancing guidelines, the pandemic would be contained effectively.

...Orders 14- days isolation for inter State travelers


Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, has said that Government is doing everything possible for the gradual reopening up of movement within the state.

He stated this on Thursday during a chat with journalists in Government House, and sympathized with the people for the inconveniences the lockdown might cause.

Governor Emmanuel who also noted how people have flouted the interstate lockdown, warned that anyone or vehicles with passengers entering the state would be placed on 14 days isolation at the point caught by the Security agencies.

The State Executive decried a situation where doctors tend to make the Ibom Specialist Hospital a dumping ground after their cases had reached crises stage, after they refused to adhere to repeated warnings, by keeping patients in their facilities instead of reaching out to the COVID-19 team.

He said that in the last couple of days, 44 samples were sent for testing and only 3 tested positive for the Corona virus and one being a dead victim.

Mr Emmanuel who reacted to an incident where a 68 year old woman passed on few hours after arriving the hospital unconscious, urged people to avail themselves of the call center numbers of the situation room, to report any case for prompt response.

He said that the medical facilities put in place by his administration were second to none and said cases could easily be arrested once they are brought on time.

The Governor expressed delight at the recovery rate of patients in the state Isolation center and applauded the medical Team for the job well done, saying their contributions attracted plaudits from the Nigerian Center for Diseases Control.

He maintained that only 6 active cases of Covid 19 are receiving treatment at the Isolation centers.

This brings the total number of cases to 16, 9 discharged and 2 deaths.

By Endiong John

Akwa Ibom state governor on Wednesday granted amnesty to 68 inmates in a bid to decongest correctional centres in the State. Inmates granted pardon were drawn from four correctional centres in the state including, Uyo, Ikot Ekpene, Ikot Abasi and Eket.

Governor Udom Emmanuel pardoned 22 inmates in Uyo correctional centre while 17 inmates were pardoned in Ikot Ekpene. In Ikot Abasi, the governor pardoned 12 inmates while another 17 were pardoned from Eket correctional center.

Decongestion of correctional centres has been on the front burner across Nigeria. Government is bothered by challenges in correctional centres across Nigeria and is enforcing major reforms. Presidential committee on prison decongestion revealed that (29,372), inmates out of (41,524), inmates are awaiting trial. Many cells meant to accommodate about 50 inmates were found to accommodate about 150 inmates; all cramped together. According to Njoku, the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison in Lagos, is overcrowded by 250 percent. The prison, which was built for 956 inmates, is today occupied by over 3,600 inmates of which majority of the inmates awaiting trial. The situation is almost the same in Nigeria.

In Akwa Ibom state, governor Udom Emmanuel says the efforts at decongesting correctional centres is a continuous process and pledge that government will not rest on it's oars until the agenda of decongestion of correctional centres has been achieved.

Governor Udom Emmanuel who spoke through the State's Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Uwemedimo Nwoko said inmates considered for amnesty were basically inmates who had spent several years in correctional centres and had developed serious health issues. He said inmates were also considered on grounds of age for amnesty while inmates with minor offense were equally considered. Inmates with major crimes such as kidnapping were declined pardon. Those pardoned were advised to be of good conduct.

Inmates who regained freedom thanked governor Udom Emmanuel for graciously granting pardon. Each of the freed men who spoke expressed gratitude for the opportunity to rejoin with their families and expressed the hope that skills and knowledge learnt while spending time at correctional centre will make them usefulness members of the society. The controller of Akwa Ibom state correctional centres, Mr Alex Oditah who graced the occasion advised freed inmates to be deliberate about making impact in their society as an evidence that the years at correctional centres were not wasted years.

Governor Udom Emmanuel assured that apart from granting freedom to former inmates, that he will ensure that the welfare department of the state helps in integration of freed inmates into the society as well as support them to pick up their lives.

...earns commendation from NMA

By Emma Akpabio

In her avowed commitment and determination to disinfect all public places against the prevailing COVID-19 Pandemic, the Akwa Ibom State Government, through her Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency(AKSEPWMA), today, commenced the second phase of the decontamination of public places.

Speaking during the exercise at Doctor's mess, the AKSEPWMA Chairman, Obong Prince Ikim, stated that the commencement of the second phase of the exercise was in fulfillment of the State Government's promise.

"Governor Udom Emmanuel is a man who keeps to his words, to God be the glory we have commenced the Second phase as promised. Earlier today, we were at my former office- the DSS Headquarters and now we are here in the Doctor's Mess. Everyone knows that Doctors are in the frontline of the COVID-19 fight. Given that this is where they wine and dine, we decided to decontaminate this place, as time goes on, we will release a run down of subsequent places to visit" Ikim added.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association in Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Nyoyoko who was on ground to also witness the exercise, commended the Governor Udom Emmanuel led administration in Akwa Ibom State for her effort in containing the dreaded COVID-19 Pandemic.

The leader of the Doctor's Association who seized the opportunity to extol the Prince Ikim led Agency for extending the decontamination exercise to Doctor's mess, disclosed that his association has enjoyed her partnership with the Environmental Protection agency, even before the outbreak of the deadly virus.

Nyoyoko while charging the AKSEPWMA Boss not to relent in his effort in managing waste and protecting the Environment in Akwa Ibom State, called on all citizens and residents of the oil rich state to strictly obey the Government restriction order as well maintain a respiratory hygiene at all times.

Recall that the State Government during the first phase of the exercise had visited hospitals, Churches, hotels, markets and many other places across Uyo, Eket, Oron, Ikot Ekpene, Essien Udim, Ikot Abasi, Itu, Oruk Anam, amongst other LGAs.

Please stay Safe!