₦airaland Forum

Press Release

The current economic challenges, occasioned by COVID-19, have thrown an inexorable necessity on us as a people and Akwa Ibom State has risen to this
challenge.

To this end, His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel has directed that a POST-COVID-19 ECONOMIC RECONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE be constituted of the following eminent persons:

1. Prof. Akpan H. Ekpo (Chairman)
- Former DG of West African Institute For Financial & Economic Management
2. Prof. Emmanuel Onwioduokit (Secretary)
- Head of Dept. of Economics, University of Uyo.
3. Lady Mary Uduk
- Ag DG, Security and Exchange Commission (SEC)
4. Prince Bassey Sampson Inwang
- President, All Farmers Association of Nigeria – Akwa Ibom Chapter
5. Pastor Samuel Archibong
- League of Akwa Ibom Business Association (LABUSA)
6. Mr. Lordswill Umani
- President, Akwa Ibom Business Community (AIBC)
7. Sir Effiong Afiakurue
- Former Executive Director, NCDMBChairman/CEO of Rootcare Pharmacy
8. Obong Nseyen Ebong
- President, Uyo Chambers of Commerce Industry, Mines & Agriculture (UYOCCIMA)
9. Mr. Udom Inoyo
- Executive Vice Chairman, ExxonMobil
10. Sir Inyang Inyang
- Managing Consultant, NobleHouse Consulting
11. Prof. Vincent Anigbogu
- Institue for National Transformation
12. Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh
- Chairman, Zinox Technologies
13. Mr. Hilary Akpan
- Executive Director, NNPC/NAPIMS
14. Hon. Ime Uwah
- Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Marketing & Brand Management
15. Pastor Umo Eno
- Executive Director, Agricultural Investments (AKICORP)
16. Dr. Glory Edet
- Hon. Commissioner for Agric & Women Affairs
17. Mr. Ephraim Inyang-Eyen
- Hon. Commissioner for Works
18. Mr. Akan Okon
- Hon. Commissioner for Economic Development & Ibom Deep Sea Port
19. Mr. Linus Nkan
- Hon. Commissioner for Finance
20. Prince Ukpong Akpabio
- Hon. Commissioner for Trade
& Investment

The Committee will be inaugurated at 12 noon on 1 May 2020.

Signed
Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem
Secretary to State Government

April 28, 2020

It was fanfare and excitement in Uyo the Akwa Ibom State Capital, as three more COVID-19 patients were discharged from the isolation facilities after their status had been confirmed negative by the Nigerian Center of Disease Control, NCDC.

Two of the three discharged persons Ememobong Gabriel Udofa a pharmacist and Dr. Otobong Asuquo walked out of the Ibom Specialist Clinic to the joy of all present, in company of the State Commissioner for Health Dr. Dominic Ukpong, the State Epidemiologist Dr. Ntiense Umoette and a Respiratory Surgeon Prof Etette Peters.

Speaking to reporters, Ememobong Udoakpan said at first he was scared but that he got inspired to brace up, from the State COVID 19 medical team as well as from victims who recovered from the attack and were shown on the social media.

“The treatment here has been topnotch. There is a difference between how I came in here and how I am today. I was well taken care of and I commend Governor Udom Emmanuel for his proactive stance against the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic and the medical team led by the Commissioner for Health, for the facilities put in place here. It helped in my speedy recovery.”

Mr. Udofa one of the first five index cases in the state, said his symptoms started a week after the foreign based medical mission departed the state on March 13, when he started developing symptoms like headache, before losing his sense of taste and smell.

“It was on the 23rd of March that it dawn on me that I had symptoms of the COVID 19, my brother who is an ENT Surgeon told me it was COVID 19, I boiled chicken and I could not perceived its aroma and could sense any taste, and that was when I suspected that I may have contacted the disease.”

Also speaking, Dr. Asuquo said he knew the symptoms of the virus and had to isolate himself for 10 days while reaching out to the state medical team to come to his aid.

He said he was happy to be discharged and assured that he was going to remain resolute in carrying out his responsibility of saving lives as a medical doctor.

He urged members of the public against ignoring the warnings on the dangers of the virus, as it was very contagious and dangerous.
Confirming the discharge of the three persons, the State Commissioner for Health Dr Dominic Ukpong said that the state was not going to relent in ensuring that COVID 19 is minimized and contained.

He said that work on the Grade Four laboratories to help in the testing of the Coronavirus is at advanced stage, maintaining that one would be sited in Uyo and the other one at the nearly completed Isolation Facility in Ituk Mbang, Uruan.

The discharge has brought to six, the total number of COVID 19 patients, discharged from the state isolation facility. It will be recalled that the NCDC recently scored the state 99 percent in contact- tracing, a critical element in the fight against the spread of the pandemic.

Akwa Ibom State has recorded as high as 30 negative test result from the 31 COVID-19 case samples sent out in the last badge of cases.

The State Commissioner of Heaith, Dr. Dominic Ukpong disclosed this in Uyo today, while presenting an update on the number of COVID-19 cases currently in the state.

'"In the last badge, we sent a total of 31 samples to the NCDC for testing. As at today, Saturday, April 25, 2020, 30 results have returned negative, with only one positive case", he stated.

According to Dr. Ukpong, the only positive case is that of a visitor to the state, who came in during the lockdown.

The Commissioner of Health who reiterated that, the one tested positive case, has been carefully isolated added that, despite his minimal contacts with residents of the state, full contact tracing has already begun.

So far, the earlier positive cases in the state are in good health, awaiting re-confirmation tests.

He observed that, the lockdown is apparently yielding good results in curtailing the spread of the global pandemic.

Everyone is enjoined to continue maintaining social distancing and other safety procedures, and also rely on the rapid emergency response phone numbers provided by the State Government or the nearest health facility, to report any suspected case for urgent attention.

As part of effort to jump start the economy, which has received a hit by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Akwa Ibom State Government is set to name members of a Post COVID-19 Economic Recovery Committee.

According to the Commissioner for Information, Sir Charles Udoh, the committee, which will be announced next week, will be saddled with the responsibility to come up with practical strategies necessary to re-invigorate the State economy.

He mentioned that the proactive step of setting up the committee would put Akwa Ibom ahead in terms of economic recovery in the country, explaining that because no economy has been spared the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, “the reasonable route to go is for political leaders to put on their economic thinking caps for quick recovery.”

Sir Udoh observed that the concern of Governor Udom Emmanuel for the welfare and survival of Akwa Ibom people and the State economy prompted his desire to set up the committee early enough.

Assuring that the state government would always work in the interest of all citizens and residents of Akwa Ibom State, he appealed that everyone should continue to stay safe by observing the necessary precautions and obey the lockdown oreder, in order to avoid contracting the coronavirus.

The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has scored Akwa Ibom State Government 99 per cent on contact-tracing and other critical elements in the fight against Covid-19 pandemic.

In a release entitled “Epi Summary of Covid-19 outbreak in Akwa Ibom State, dated April 21, 2020, the Covoid-19 regulatory body singled out Akwa Ibom State for the bold and the courageous work the State Government under the leadership of Governor Udom Emmanuel has done in a critical element of stemming the rate of the infection of the virus-Contact-tracing. The agency scored the State Government 99 per cent in this critical area: Percentage of Contacts traced. It also scored the State 2.7 per cent on the “Proportions of Contacts that have developed (suggestive) symptoms which is a great success ratio.

“This is great news and a huge testament to the proactive stance of His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel who has been front and centre in the fight to contain this deadly pandemic” the State Chairman of the Covid-19 Management Committee and the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem had said exultantly. “You will recall that at the outbreak of this pandemic, Governor Emmanuel had in his previous state broadcast to the people harped on contact tracing as a major means of stemming the rate of infection. We are happy that his effort and leadership has borne great results.

Look at the level of preparedness the State Government made- the world-class isolation centres at the Ibom Specialist Hospital, the one at Ikot Ekpene, and the one currently under construction at Ituk Mbang, this shows a leader who was prepared and ready for a time like this. Earlier this week, the Governor had directed that aggressive testing be carried out throughout the State, and we are seeing the result of that aggressive approach by the low number of people infected in the State” the Chairman had stated.

Meanwhile, a recently discharged patient who once tested positive for the virus, but was later discharged after being tested twice by the NCDC, has commended the State Governor, Udom Emmanuel for establishing a very conducive and comfortable isolation centre at the Ibom Specialist Hospital which she described as “a home away from home”.

In an interview conducted by the State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the recovered patient who craved anonymity thanked the State Governor for all he has done to ensure that the spread of the virus is minimized. “I am a living witness to the fact that contracting the virus is not a death sentence. I want to commend the Governor for the robust and highly professional team he has put together; who are working hard to ensure that from the time samples were taken for testing to the time the result came out, we were treated with decency and well taken care of. Today, I am free of the virus and heading back to resume my normal duties. The Governor deserves our praise and gratitude.”

The Akwa Ibom State Government's efforts in managing the spread of COVID-19 in the state has been further heightened with the sponsorship a special training for journalists in the state.

Organised by the state Ministry of Information in partnership with the Nigerian Medical Association, the training offered an opportunity for doctors to acquaint the journalists with professional knowledge on the COVID19 disease and technical details they need to know to enhance their effectiveness in reporting about the viral pandemic disease in the state.

The state Director of Information, James Edet represented the Commissioner for Information, while the state chairman of NUJ Amos Etuk led journalists to the training session.

As the nation battles the rampaging fury of Covid -19 pandemic, with the attendant strain the management of the virus has put on the resources of State governments across the nation, Akwa Ibom State our investigations have revealed has yet to receive the financial support from the Federal Government, which reports say, most states have already received.

According to the Chairman of the State’s Covid-19 Management Committee, Dr.Emmanuel Ekuwem, who is also the Secretary to the State Government, “ we have heard and read published reports that some funds have been released to some state governments across the nation to support them in their efforts to stem the spread of the virus. We wish to commend the Federal Government for this laudable initiative. However, Akwa Ibom State has, as of today, not received any support from the Federal Government. We remain optimistic that soon, Akwa Ibom State will get its own share of the palliative.”

The Chairman commended the State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, for the huge resources he has expended so far to ensure that the right amenities, such as the isolation centre with over 13 ventilators at the Ibom Specialist Hospital complete with modern beds, which he acquired, the ICU Centre which is world-class, the construction of a 300-bed isolation centre at Methodist Hospital Ituk, Mbang which he inspected yesterday and is expected to be ready soon, the other isolation centre at Ikot Ekpene among other world-class amenities.

He also commended the people of Akwa Ibom State for obeying the measures put together by the State Government, especially the lockdown to help reduce the spread of the virus, the palliatives the Governor approved to be distributed throughout the over 300 villages in State. “This is a deeply compassionate Governor whose vision for food sufficiency and healthcare has borne fruits for the benefit of the people of the State at a time like this. Together, we will defeat this virus and life will soon return to normalcy” the Chairman has stated. Vanguard

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/04/covid-19-were-yet-to-receive-fgs-support-akwa-ibom-govt/

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...reassures citizens of continuos decontamination of all public places

By Emma Akpabio

Moved by the reality that highly-contagious disease such as COVID-19, if not properly handled, could pose a great health danger in the society, Akwa Ibom State Government through her waste Management Agency, has called for proper disposal of medical wastes, adding that at this critical time, no defaulter of environmental laws will be spared.

The Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and waste Management Agency(AKSEPWMA) Obong Prince Ikim, gave the advise on Monday, April 20, 2020, while addressing newsmen shortly after the decontamination exercise at General Hospital Iquita, Oron.

Ikim while fielding questions from journalists noted that "in moments like this where the whole world is grabbling with the scourge of COVID-19, all hands must be on deck to fight the spread of this deadly disease. All health institutions as a preventive measure, must ensure proper disposal of medical wastes, especially the infectious ones."

"All materials, including personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used for the purpose of treatment of COVID-19 are considered to be infectious wastes which needs high level of proper disposal. Most importantly, the receptacles containing these infectious wastes must be securely closed and protected to avoid viral spread of the contaminated articles." Ikim added.

In a similar development, the Waste Management Boss while speaking on the ongoing decontamination exercise, described it as one of the Strategies adopted by Governor Udom Emmanuel's led administration in tackling the global pandemic occasioned by Corona Corona Virus. According to Ikim, "the phase one of the exercise which started in Eket with major concentration in Hospitals, Markets, Churches, Hotels, schools and other public places will be extended to all the nooks and crannies of the three Senatorial Districts across the State."

On his part, the Chairman of infection Prevention and control pillar of the incident management committee of Akwa Ibom State COVID-19 response, Dr Ini Etukudoh at Press time, reiterated that the exercise was not fumigation but surfaces decontamination of High human traffic public places against COVID-19.

He called on the general public to obey the restriction order of the State Government, maintain social distancing, wash hands regularly as well as use hand sanitizers as measures against the spread of the Virus.

#StaySafe

It is indeed disheartening when people engage in expensive jokes in issues of great importance. Coronavirus is a global pandemic that demands a collaborative effort to tackle its destructive powers, but it's quite unfortunate that some people are making jest of government's efforts and the devotion of health personnel of no value.

It has been widely reported that residents of the state are fond of calling the phone numbers of Covid-19 management team( A group saddled with the responsibility of picking up people with symptoms of coronavirus) to beg for money, food and other things not within the team's jurisdiction.

Quite annoying is the situation where someone who claimed he lived at Eket called the team and complained that he had symptoms of coronavirus. When the health team drove down to Eket, he said he was at Oron. The personnel moved to Oron and called him, he then said he was at Mbo, and then switched off his phone. Who is he fooling?

Should we call it the height of ignorance or outright foolishness? The efforts of the health team was mocked at, thereby ridiculing the effort of government.

Whoever is doing this should have a rethink, and know that this is not the time to make mockery of one's self. That joke is far too expensive. All hands must be on deck to ensure that we support government's effort in the fight against our common enemy.

Residents should call the line only when they are experiencing symptoms of Covid-19, and not to make jest of the whole initiative. Maturity is expected of everyone, especially in times like this.

Just last night, the National Center For Disease Control, NCDC released an update on the new cases of the dreaded Corona Virus Disease in the country. According to the update, we've been made to believe that out of the 86 new cases, Lagos State and Abuja have the highest number of cases, 70 and 7 respectively, while Akwa Ibom State and Katsina shared 3 each.

With the 3 new cases of last night, it means that Akwa Ibom State has a total of 9 confirmed cases: three discharged, one death and five active cases respectively.

The result which came out in the early hours of yesterday confirmed that from the test carried out, three of the samples are positive. These three new cases include one Dr. Dominic Essien who passed on last weekend. So far, Dr. Dominic is the first recorded death case in Akwa Ibom State.

This is against the trending information on social media that Akwa Ibom State has seven (7) active cases. I wonder where they got the extra two cases from. It is saddening that we in Akwa Ibom State play politics with everything. If not true, I don't see why some people in the State would tend to use the Covid-19 pandemic to score a cheap point.

Having known this, it would therefore be tomfoolery for anyone in or outside the State to make any attempt to castigate The State Government for either the existence or increased in the number of Covid-19 cases in the State.

I am aware that the State Government on its own has devised measures toward curbing the spread of the virus in the State or completely annihilate it. Some of these measures are equipping the various Isolated Centers with up-to-date medical equipment, construction of new Isolation centers, as well as constantly feeding the citizens with useful information on the virus.

Just few days back, the State Commissioner for Information had announced a plan by Government to conduct massive Covid-19 test in the State. With this development, individuals are expected to volunteer to be tested. What would Government do again to curb the spread of this virus? From what I know, the Government of Akwa Ibom State has done all that was expected from her.

On the management of information by Government, the virus has already caused a great havoc on the world but the mismanagement of information would pose a majuscule hazard on the world than the virus itself. This, the Akwa Ibom State Government has done credibly well in the aspect of information management from the first day. You don't expect Government to release names of confirmed Covid-19 positive cases for public consumption. It is unethical and against humanity.

Having critically examined the incessant criticisms on the Government and some of its Appointees, all I could see is hatred for the government and some of the Appointees, especially the Honourable Commissioners for Information and that of Health. The rate of insults on these two get me worried at times that I ask, " did they just realize that these two are not efficient in the cause of discharging their respective duties or they are hiding under the pretext of Covid-19 to abuse and insults the occupants of those offices because of their evil and selfish motives?

The virus is not produced by the State Government, neither is it remotely controlled by the same people we've tagged "incapacitated". To the best of our knowledge, they've discharged their duties credibly well and there's no concrete reason why the critics should call for the resignation or sack of anyone Government Appointee prior to Covid-19 outbreak in the State. If you think you would have done better, why are you still where you are?

As part of the commitment of the Akwa Ibom State government to ensuring that the general welfare of residents is not compromised, Governor Udom Emmanuel mandated the COVID-19 Committee to ensure regular briefing of the press.

Therefore, I welcome you once again to this session, and like you have always done, I hope you will do justice to the information that we would share today by properly disseminating same to our citizens and other stakeholders.

It is common knowledge that the novel Coronavirus has continued to ravage nations of the world, including Nigeria. And, since the world has become a global village, our dear Akwa Ibom State is also sharing in the global pandemic. But rather than fold our hands and watch the disease spread and devastate our people and state, the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel went to work, even before the first Coronavirus case was reported here.

From the time the initial cases were reported in other parts of Nigeria, His Excellency, the Governor put an Incident Management Committee in place. Apart from having done the necessary spade works in the event of the virus finding its way into our state, the committee has increased the tempo and depth of its activities since the first cases in Akwa Ibom State were confirmed by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Since March 9, 2020, vigorous contact tracing efforts have been embarked upon and suspected cases attended to as deemed appropriate. The commitment and unrelenting efforts of the noble members of the committee have helped to reduce the dangers that would have resulted from community spreading of the Coronavirus.

As a prelude to opening up our state economy, the state government, not willing to take chances with the lives of the citizens, has resolved to adopt aggressive testing of citizens and residents in Akwa Ibom State. Therefore, we appeal to all and sundry to henceforth voluntarily make themselves available for testing at the designated COVID-19 centres across the state.

Gentlemen of the Press, this voluntary aggressive testing has become imperative because, without ascertaining the level to which we have been impacted by the Coronavirus, it would not be possible to relax the lockdown, which we have just extended by one week. You will agree with me that so long as the lockdown is in place, social and economic activities remain dislocated with unpleasant consequences for the people.

For the avoidance of doubt, the total lockdown in Akwa Ibom State remains in place as earlier proclaimed and defaulters will only have themselves to blame if caught by the law enforcement agencies deployed around the state to enforce the lockdown order.

As a leader, who feels for the people, Governor Emmanuel, approved that palliatives be distributed across the State. This he has done to lessen the hardship being experienced by the people of Akwa Ibom, whose socio-economic lives have been disturbed as a result of the lockdown. So far, flour, garri, and rice, all produced within the borders of Akwa Ibom State, have been distributed in about 3,000 villages. Beans was also distributed to the poorest of the poorest amongst us.

Gentlemen of the Press, in as much as government is eager to lift the lockdown order and allow life to return to normal, it will not do so if that will jeopardize even the life of one Akwa Ibom person. For, to endanger the life of one is to endanger the lives of all.

At this juncture, in spite of few challenges, I commend everyone who has been a part of the efforts to contain the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic in AKwa Ibom State. Members of the COVID-19 Incident Management Committee, all our first line responders, the leadership of the Nigeria Medical Association and indeed all other associations of medical professionals in AKwa Ibom State, have all done well so far.

Consequently, as a responsible government, we call on all citizens and residents to remain responsible, committed and continue to cooperate with the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel as it continues to deploy pragmatic solutions to the present pandemic.

This is no time for partisanship; this is no time to propaganda; this is no time for mischievous criticism; this is a time for all hands to be on deck.

This is a time we must all join hands to fight a common enemy; COVID19, that is threatening the human race.

Thank you all.

Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem
Secretary to the State Government
Akwa Ibom State

19th April 2020

Press Release

The Akwa Ibom State COVID-19 Team is embarking on aggressive testing prelude to considering whether the domestic economy would be reopened after the one week lockdown extension. 

The COVID-19 Team appeals to all residents to cooperate and offer themselves for testing even if they are yet to display symptoms.

The whole idea is to make sure everybody is safe, considering that safety is paramount to the state government.

Residents are enjoined to continue to observe stipulated personal and respiratory hygiene guidelines and practice social distancing.

Signed

Charles Udoh
Hon. Commissioner for Information 
Akwa Ibom State
April 18, 2020

By Umani Uwemedimo


While growing up, I had witnessed the unfolding of certain scenarios that either shaped my life or dissipated the little noesis I had struggled to garner. One of these scenarios was the National Labor Congress Nationwide Strike of 2003 that affected all sectors of the country.

Before now, there had been striking actions by the different arms of the union or the Union itself, but that of 2003 was the one that really affected my life and it's one of the things I've encountered in life that would not slip off my mind in a hurry.

Just like the corona virus disease outbreak that has made everything stagnant in the world, the NLC strike of 2003 in its own way had put on hold to so many things in the country.

I was to write an exams few days before the strike commenced, but I had to return home because of it. Having spent more months at home, my body system started developing a resistance against all books. Each time I picked up a book to read in preparation for my coming examination, all I felt was severe headache. You know what? I dumped the books hoping to read the following day. That was how I spent months at home without reading a page of any of my books. I forgot everything I knew, it took the grace of God to remember the spelling of my complete names. I was like one who was suffering from amnesia.

Even when the strike was called off, and I returned to school, it wasn't easy to adapt to the academic environment. I wasn't the only one that was suffering from this, it was more of a National problem. This happened because while at home, there was nothing we could do to keep our brains refreshed on daily basis outside playing street football and seeing movies every blessed day. This is the current fate of the students in Nigeria. The most affected groups are the Nigerian students in JSS3 and SSS3 who were to start their certificate examinations anytime soon.

The corona virus outbreak has caused many institutions and businesses to fold up. Everyone has been told to stay at home as a way of curbing the spread of this dreaded virus disease globally. Even students were sent back home and right now, the aftermath of this is what people have began to put into consideration. Until Scientists across the globe have been able to discover remedies for this, everyone would continue to be at home.

While staying at home, there are certain things that ought to be done to make life worthwhile, knowing too well that one day, activities globally will definitely return to normalcy. This, different levels of Government and private institutions across the world have made provision for palliatives, free medical care, free electricity power and water supply, monthly stipend to citizens and etc pending when the coronavirus pandemic would be over or controlled.

This, Akwa Ibom State Government under the Leadership of Mr. Udom Emmanuel is not doing anything contrary to this. Having known the damage effect of the stay at home order of Government would pose to the students especially those in JSS3 and SSS3, he has devised a way where they could be properly prepared for their upcoming certificate examinations respectively.

Since the social distancing policy of Government has seriously affected gatherings of any kind, the governor yesterday had issued a directive to the Akwa Ibom State Broadcasting Corporation, AKBC to start a school-on-radio programme with immediate effect.

The programme is expected to cover English Language, Basic Science, Agricultural Science and Civil Education for the JSS3 students and English Language, Civil Education, Commerce, Economics and etc for the SSS3 students. The dates and time for this programme is yet to be communicated by the Management of the Broadcasting Corporation.

This initiative is the first of its kind in the country and Africa since the war against Covid-19 commenced. It is line with the governor's effort to ensure that the students are not rusty in their preparations for the WAEC and NECO which are coming up shortly after the lockdown.

At this point, one could see the governor's determination to leave a legacy of a youthful population that can compete favorably with their counterparts anywhere in the world. Mr. Udom Emmanuel's passion for effective governance is incomparable.

By Richard Peters

Qualitative education is the bedrock of every society, and a government that cares about the educational wellbeing of its citizens is a responsible government. As the dreaded coronavirus pandemic hits the globe, the educational foundations of many nations have been shaken, even as doors of schools all over the country have been closed. But in Akwa Ibom, the doors of our schools are set to be "open", courtesy of the creative mindset and innovative disposition of Gov. Udom Emmanuel.

Quite startling is the quick and smart approach undertaken by Gov. Emmanuel administration to secure the future of Akwa Ibom students, especially Senior Secondary 3 and Junior Secondary 3 students who were preparing for examinations before the compulsory close down of schools.

Such smart and timely initiative of radio educational programmes on AKBC courtesy of the Akwa Ibom state government is novel and laudable. This is the first initiative by any state in Nigeria during this critical time. This suggests that the present administration does not sleep. It is on its toes to ensure that our future is secured by all legal means.

This initiative is to ensure that our children in JS 3 and SS3 are not rusty in their preparations for WAEC/NECO examinations.

Again, the radio programme is in line with Gov. Udom Emmanuel's determination to leave a legacy of a youthful population that can compete favourably with their counterparts anywhere in the world. It is only a leader with a concerned mind that would think this far on how to help the youths at this time, where the last thing to cross the minds of some leaders is educational wellbeing and advancement. This is just in addition to various educational policies initiated by his administration, including the renovation of school buildings, provision of quality textbooks to schools, development of sport facilities in schools, giving of scholarship to intelligent students to enhance competition and creativity among students, and many more.

The subjects to be treated in the soon-to-commence classes on radio include: English; Basic Science, Civil Education and Agricultural Science, for JSS3, while English, Civil Education, Economics and Commerce are for SS3. These subjects are well selected to keep the minds of students ready and active, and make them suitable for the examination.

The dates and time will be announced soon.

Parents and guardians should as a matter of necessity ensure that their children and wards make good use of this opportunity to prepare for the forthcoming examinations. They should equally directly supervise their children at home as they listen and interact with their teachers on radio. This is the best thing that could have happened to our children at a time when it appears as the world is finally coming to an end. But to Akwa Ibom students, the world has just started.

Gov. Udom Emmanuel and his team will continue to devise means to help Akwa Ibom people live above the effects of the lockdown through several innovative policies and measures.

It has always been his dream to serve effectively irrespective of the circumstances that may come our way as a people.

By Richard Peters

I woke up today soaked in the water of sadness. My heart bleeds and my eyes could not hold the hot water that sneaked from my eyes as I blinked ,What is happening to our world, was the question popping out from my mind, which before now had worn the garment of melancholy, chiefly necessitated by event of late.

While on this mental flight, the speech delivered by His Excellency, Gov. Udom Emmanuel when he formally ordered the lockdown and border closure in the state tiptoed to my memory. He saw the future yesterday, how I wish we adhered to his admonition, some things would have been avoided. In that sober speech which was the aftermath of the first five confirmed cases of coronavirus in Akwa Ibom state, the state chief executive posited thus:
"We may have been bruised but we will not be broken. While hoping for the best, we will prepare for the worst, but be rest assured that whatever that worst may be, it will not break us. I am hopeful, that with God on our side, this pandemic shall pass and we will be able to say that we have counted, and not one of us is missing."

We may have been bruised in the sense that we had recorded 5 cases of the virus which necessitated the lockdown for contact tracing. This was also to help citizens to remain in their homes, as a precautionary measure to stall the spread of the virus.

Sadly, many have not adhered to this admonition, and may pay for it, albeit in unimaginable ways. Today, some people still believe that covid-19 is a scam; perhaps government's way of "eating" money. Hence, precautionary measures are thrown to the mud. But we all know that in the court of law, ignorance is not an excuse.

I had an interaction yesterday with one of my friends in Germany. The story from there is heartbroken. The death toll is unimaginable. Doctors now decide who to attend to and who not to attend to. Infact, the position one occupies in the society determines if the medical doctors attend to the person, as hundred of thousands of people embraced by the dreaded hand of coronavirus are brought to hospitals. Of course, the doctors there cannot attend to everyone, as the sick are more than the medical personnel could handle.
The story is not different from what is happening in Italy, Spain, The Us and other countries of the world. Because the number of cases in Nigeria is not as much as the countries mentioned above does not mean that we should not prepare for the worst while hoping for the best.

In times like this, participatory and collaborative effort is demanded. It is not only the duty of government to prevent the spread, the citizens have a greater part to play. Infact, the attitudes of the citizens determine the success or failure of government in this global fight. Most of the countries worst hit by the pandemic are countries that the citizenry ignored and flouted government orders as it concerned adhering to precautionary measures from health experts. Today, the citizens are more like children suffering from convulsion, and helpless as asthmatic patients drenched in the rain. It is at this point that many of them wished they had obeyed the rules handed down by government.

Are you waiting for the worst to happen before you adhere to government orders and precautionary measures by health experts? Do you still think that coronavirus is a myth? Are you just behaving carelessly so that you would blame the government tomorrow?

This is the time to save your world. Some countries no longer control the number of deaths associated with covid-19, as the pandemic spread like wildfire. Covid-19 is a respecter of no one. He doesn't recognise one's position in society and is not tamed by one's ethnicity, religion, age or intelligence. The only language that the virus recognises for now is "Stay at Home".

It is your responsibility to report any symptom to appropriate authority, as government has given phone numbers you can call for free.

We must be proactive by ensuring that we practise social distancing and adhere strictly to precautionary measures by medical experts. We have not yet seen the worst, but we can prevent it. We can avoid experiencing what is happening in Germany, Italy and other parts of Europe by our actions today. What is happening there is better imagined than experienced. Why we are hoping for the best, let us prepare for the worst. A stitch in time saves nine.

...set up economic recovery committee.

 

Akwa Ibom State government has approve the commencement of a School On Radio Programme to impart knowledge to students particularly those in examination clases in view of  the lockdown occasioned by coronavirus pandemic .

This was part of the decisions taken today at the state Executive Council Meeting presided over by the state Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, at the Executive Council Chamber , Government House, Uyo.

Briefing Government House Correspondents at the end of the Meeting, Commissioner of Information, Mr Charles Udoh, said that the programme will be aired in the state owned radio station, adding that details of the programme is being worked out by the Ministry of Education .

He said : "Most importantly, Government also felt that as the lockdown continues our children who are supposed to prepare for WAEC and NECO examinations as well as Junior Secondary School examination should be given opportunity to refresh their memories. 

So the state government thought it wise to activate a programme where our children in JSS 3 and SSS 3 are given the opportunity to revise and learn from remote locations. 

And so today, Exco has  approved the commencement of school on radio programme, where students in JS3 and SS 3 will be taught subjects through the radio and over an extended period of about forty-two weeks or as the case may be. That is at the first instance". 

He encouraged students to avail themselves of the learning opportunity while at home during the lockdown period.

Mr Udoh further said that the Council has also approved the inauguration of an Economic Recovery Committee to come up with economic measures that will help to revive the economy of the state after the corona virus pandemic which he said  has negatively affected the state.

Again , he said "EXCO has also approved the inauguration of an economic recovery committee to plan for the state after the lockdown and the COVID-19 Pandemic. The reason is simple. For the last two weeks or so economic activities in the state have almost come to a halt and if you look at that from all ramifications there are things and steps we need to put in place to ensure that once we are out of this lockdown we can reactivate, rejig and reaccelerate the economy".

He explained that the meeting became expedient to enable members of the State Executive Council to meet, review situations and take necessary decisions in the interest of of the state.

The information boss hinted that members of the Executive Council had to drive themselves without aides or security in keeping with the social distancing protection against the dreaded Covid -19 Pandemic.

By Edidiong Williams

The most commonly used word apart from covid-19, in recent times is palliative. Quite ridiculous is the fact that palliative is considered by some people to mean poverty alleviation or empowerment programme, hence the recent controversy and misleading information about the effort of government in helping people in the state.

Palliative is simply a measure to cushion the effect of a thing, and not total solution. It suggests lending a helping hand; assisting; supporting or adding to, all in an attempt to lessen the effect of something.

In the present situation, the effort of government, corporate organizations, religious bodies, good spirited individuals, etc. is to help assist individuals who are really affected by the lockdown, as all fingers are not the same.

Such effort is considered to be out of the goodwill of those who initiated it, and it is ungratefulness of the highest order to try to dictate to the individual what the palliative should look like.

These days, the social media have been awashed with pictures of people posing with what appears to two cups of rice or garri, and tagged as palliative from Akwa Ibom State government. Such posts are painted with textual elements attempting to ridicule and abuse the present administration. This is indeed preposterous.

Palliative is not poverty alleviation programme as earlier established, but a support to people who are not able to fetch their daily meals as a result of the lockdown.
We have seen those who are able to do, atleast have what it takes to support their immediate families, calling on the governor to give them food. This is laughable. Even if the governor gives every house a bag of rice, which is not even practicable considering the present state of economy, people will still complain.

For record purpose, Gov. Udom Emmanuel out of his magnanimity has donated more than 500 bags of food items each to all Local Government Areas of the state. In addition to that, good spirited individuals and public office holders have also contributed their quota to help the poor masses feel less "pain" occasioned by the national lockdown.

While blaming the governor for not doing enough, one should know that members of the palliative distribution committee in all the LGAs are drawn from all parties, including religious leaders, traditional rulers, youth leaders, women groups, etc. No one would expect the governor to directly monitor the distribution. Who does that?

Instead of pouring insults, we should all pray for this to be over. Akwa Ibomites had never depended on any one for their daily meal. A typically Akwa Ibom person is hard working, and always ensure that there is food in the family, no matter how poor the person is considered to be.

All citizens must as a matter of importance adhere to laid down precautionary measures. We will all come out of this strong.

Government's effort should be applauded, while praying for God to help all of us.

Excitement has rented the air as Akwa Ibom people from across the 31 local government areas take delivery of trucks of food items sent by Governor Udom Emmanuel to cushion the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown in the state.

The beneficiaries of the Governor's benevolence who are the vulnerable ones at the grassroots were excited to receive these items from the Governor and thanked the governor for being a caring leader who thinks well of his people at a time like this.


The Governor had last weekend assured that his government was going to provide food items to the vulnerable across the villages across the state.


It could be recalled that Governor Udom Emmanuel's food sufficiency policy which found expression in 2015, came with a bold statement that in a few years, 80 percent of food consumed by the Akwa Ibom households would emanate from the state.

“As a government, we owe our people a duty to ensure that all the food needs are cultivated and processed within the state, any good government should be able to ensure the availability of the basic food items consumed by its people”, Governor Emmanuel had said.

Last weekend, The Secretary to the State Government Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem who announced the local government committees for the disbursement of the food items, had told the journalists in his office that all the incentives provided to the people would have been practically impossible in the face of the current lockdown across the country, if the Governor had not provided the industries like the flour, rice and garri processing factories.


Dr. Ekuwem also maintained that the state had not received any item from the federal government, as all the food items were provided by the State Government.

The committee on the disbursement of the food items, which the state government assured were carefully selected to ensure accountability, and checks had the local government chairmen, the House of Assembly members, the Paramount Rulers, the youth and women leaders, some members of the State Executive Council, representatives of other political parties, the representative of the Christian Association of Nigeria, among others.

With the truckloads of food items arriving their localities, some of the beneficiaries, from Ini to Obot Akara, Ikot Abasi to Oron and from Eket to Ukanafun local government areas, were elated with Governor Udom Emmanuel, some going as far as describing him as a ‘miracle worker’.

Reacting, the Commissioner for Science and Technology and chairman of committee, Ibiono Ibom local Government disbursement committee, Dr Iniobong Essien appreciated the Governor on behalf of Ibiono local government for his benevolence and responsiveness towards the people of the state in the face of the Covid-19 lockdown.

Also speaking the Commissioner for Lands, Town Planning and Water Resources and chairman of committee in Nsit Ubium, Arc. Ime Ekpo emphasized that the mode of distribution of the palliative is devoid of political parties, noting with pleasure that the items including rice, flour and garri are produced in Akwa Ibom State. While acknowledging the involvement of the village head and local government, he assured that the items provided by the state Government would be distributed fairly to the grassroots.


On his part, the Head of Civil Service, Effiong Essien who supervised the disbursement in Ibesikpo Asutan, lauded the Governor’s efforts to ensure that the plight of the people of Akwa Ibom State since the Corona virus pandemic began , listing the food items that will be distributed.

The Commissioner for Works and Chairman for disbursement in ONNA, Akparawa Ephraim inyang said the palliatives was being distributed to families which hopefully will reduce the pressure received at the grassroots.


The distribution has continued to attract praises on the Governor Udom Emmanuel with a cross section of people who see the initiative and gesture of the Governor as unprecedented.


The Chairman of Okobo who doubles as the chairman of Disbursement Committee in Okobo Local Government, Hon Ubuo Effiong Ubuo described Governor Udom Emmanuel as a man that understands the plight of the people he leads. He furthered that the palliative has been apportioned to the people at the grassroots.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ekuwem who briefed the media on the disbursement, eulogized Governor Udom Emmanuel’s foresightedness leading to the production of majority of staple foods in the state, insists that the volume of items send to the respective villages would not have been possible if the government were to rely on importation.

By Nsikak Ekanem

When, on March 3, 2020, Representative Unyime Idem moved a “motion of urgent public importance” on the need for emergency national attention to tackle the conoravirus epidemic currently ravaging humans across the world, his fellow constituents in Akwa Ibom took to the social media for celebration. They were not celebrating because what proceeded from the mouth of Mr. Idem has the potency of nailing the killer-disease to death.
 
 
They were celebrating on account of considering that the people of Ukanafun/Oruk-Anam, through their representative, had made a stentorian statement worthy of record when the annals of who did what and how in Nigeria to fight the disease, which has been renamed Covid-19 by the World Health Organisation (WHO) is documented. Their joy, which was still dominating social discussion on the topical issue of the disease, especially among the youths, in the constituency, as at the time of writing this piece has been more of celebration of paradigm shift in the representative of the rural community.
 
 
Mr Idem, who had a flourishing business career in the South-South region of Nigeria before venturing into full time politics, is the first representative of Ukanafun/Oruk Anam since 1999 to have made his voice heard on deliberations in the lower chamber of the National Assembly. Before assuming duties in the House of Representatives, the constituency, which has, since the return to democracy, had four representatives before him was wallowing in parliamentary obscurity.
 
 
In an article in Daily Newswatch issue of July 29, 2013 I had analyzed the first three representatives of moving on a downward curve of bad, worse, worst or best, better, good. Idem’s immediate predecessor, for want of words, was worsening the worst. His Goliath-sized physique was nowhere to be seen even by those who dutifully set their eyes on television, particularly on parliamentary issues. The worst of all, he lost connection with the grassroots, which he vigorously serviced before becoming a national lawmaker in 2011.
 
 
The only time before now that the constituency’s voice was heard was in the second republic, when the same area was divided into two federal constituencies with one represented by Mr Akaninyene Ukpanah, who later became a senator in the Ibrahim Babangida-midwifed ill-fated third republic. In his autobiography, From Election To Election: the chronicle of a career, the late Ukpanah stated that he was “unable to contribute to debates within the first eight weeks of commencement” because he “did not catch the speaker’s eyes”.
 
 
The situation of the constituency between 1999 and 2019 was not offering a true reflection of an area parading stunning array of persons that have had national, if not continental, recognition: the Don Etiebets, the Ray Ekpus, the Regina Askia, among other highflyers. It shows how politics in our clime, even in democracy, present persons of below Good-grade to represent the good people.
Even when Emmanuel Ukoette was worsening the worst his party, the PDP, rewarded him with a second term in 2015 and the worst kept fling. He only attracted headlines when, in his naivity, he defected from the party that elected him to APC.
 
 
True to presumptuous postulation by the party faithful, PDP is a religion in Akwa Ibom. Since religion inherently entails great deal of dogmatism, questions regarding what’s what and who’s who are often kept in the cooler even when it matters most for use; empirical analyses of issues are always treated as taboos and, therefore, attracts capital punishment of condemnation; rationalisation is thrown to the dogs. Everyone must belief, accept and conform, hook, line and sinker, to the detects of the religion. After all, the public institutions are dysfunctional or perverted in checking excesses of the power brokers, hence the people helplessly become supine.
 
 
In 2007 PDP fielded a man that is not quite comfortable with the use of English, the language of communication in the National Assembly, yet he defeated the candidate of the defunct AC, Udo Abraham, a 1983 University of Lagos graduate of law, whose legacies in Ukanafun Local Government Council are still of shining examples more than 25 years after leaving the office of the chairman. One cannot say that PDP in the constituency has not been having persons of worthy requisite desirous of representing the people. It is because, as it is mostly the case in our political parties, especially the win-able ones, the processes of nominating candidates are often fraught with frauds. Idem’s nomination by the PDP was evidentially the beginning of shifting ground for better representation of the constituency.
 
In less than one year in office, he has sponsored five bills and five motions. The other motions sponsored by the lawmaker, who is also Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Communication, are the need for digital satellite television (DSTV) and other broadcast satellite service providers in Nigeria to run pay as you go (PAYG) tariff; urgent need for the Federal Government to appoint 37 commissioners into Federal Character Commission; the need for Federal Government to renovate a dilapidated road in his constituency; and the need to revamp palm plantation, NIFOR sub station, in Oruk Anam Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom.
 
 
The bills are “The free internet access in public places bill 2020; the National Broadcasting Commission Act (amendment) bill 2020; National Community Service Scheme bill 2020; the Entrepreneurship Education bill 2020; and the Small and Medium Scale Entrepreneurship Development Agency Act (amendment) bill 2020. The motion to conquer coronavirus has served as springboard for 10 far-reaching positions, which include, among others, the lawmakers proceeding on break in order to sensitise their constituents on what has since become global pandemic.
 
 
While Idem’s celebration in the social media is understood from the standpoint of the breaking of 20-year jinx, the national legislator should guard against allowing the praise singing to get into his head, except he is ready to embark on a trip to spoil his future prospects. He should also be of example in using the coronavirus stay-at-home break to reach out to all nooks and crannies of his constituency on what is currently confronting the global human community. After all, in a representative democracy as ours, talking in the legislative chamber is one and relating robustly with the represented by the representative is another and the most important.

BEING THE TEXT OF THE EASTER BROADCAST (2020) BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MR. UDOM EMMANUEL, GOVERNOR, AKWA IBOM STATE - GOVERNMENT HOUSE, UYO

My dear Akwa Ibomite

My wife, Her Excellency, Dr. Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel and I share with you the joy of this season of Easter. Easter is a commemoration of the uplifting story of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, who in spite of being sinless offered himself as a sacrifice for the redemption of others, including his enemies, and became the atonement for the world ravaged by sin and other vices. This momentous event of sacrifice transformed humanity and remains the single most important event in the Christian calendar.

By His atoning death, Jesus Christ reconciled mankind to God, broke the wall of division between Jews and Gentiles and brought all of us, into the Household of God. We should thank him for this sacrifice which this season represents. Additionally, we should thank Him for sheltering our State from the ravages of this global pandemic.

This season of love and sacrifice has come at a time when most of the world is in a lockdown as a result of the need to stop mankind from being consumed by the fatal fangs of one of the most virulent pandemics in recent history - Covid-19. The times have given us a new lexicon or a new-fangled phrase - social distancing, but thankfully, not love distancing.

We should therefore, ensure that not one person in our neighbourhood is deprived of this essential ingredient by virtue of this lockdown which circumstances have forced upon us. Let us bridge the gap of social distancing with the cords of God’s love in sharing our foods and groceries with our neighbours.

We thank you, my dear compatriots, for your cooperation in this determined fight to rid our State of this virus, Covid-19. We thank you for your sacrifices and deep understanding. It has never happened in our lifetime that free citizens have had to be locked down in their homes, their freedom of movement curtailed and social interaction which is the basis of our communal life stopped. It is unthinkable that our Churches, businesses, offices and shops have been closed down. This is indeed a huge sacrifice. We thank you for enduring the pains. But you must remember that this season offers all of us in this lockdown the opportunity to look up to God for help and lock our faith in Him perpetually.

We have learnt a lot of lessons through this pandemic. Perhaps the most fundamental lesson is that it has brought home the reality in Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s words that “all life is inter-related. All men are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”

This inter-relatedness of things and situations account for the spread of Covid-19, which started as an innocuous disease outbreak in Wuhan, China but later snowballed faster than a hurricane into a global pandemic which has killed over 100,000 people worldwide.

What affects one person directly affects all indirectly. The reverse side of this coin is that over 2,000 years ago, the crucifixion of a righteous, innocent man at Calvary between two thieves spread the message of God’s love throughout the length and breadth of the world, giving hope to mankind and bringing peace and goodwill to humanity. What affected one person at Golgotha, has affected all of us indirectly and positively. Let us therefore look beyond Covid-19 to Calvary’s Cross for our help and salvation.

There is a proverb in Tibet that “tragedy should be utilized as a source of strength; no matter what sort of difficulties, no matter how painful the experience is, you face no real disaster except you lose your hope.” These may be the times that try the hearts of men, but we dare not lose hope. Let us stand firm in the belief that this trial of our faith, though it be tried with the fire of a virus, shall be found unto praise and honour and glory at this season of God’s love.

We must continue to stand together in unity as one people having one State and worshipping Only One God. We must turn again to the promise of Easter which is that what God did in the resurrection of Jesus, God will do again for this blessed State. This State is on the rise, our people are equally on the move, the leadership is people and Christ-Centric and our symphony of unity continues to ring louder and more enchanting. Let this lesson and impulse of love and amity drive us to find fortitude in our shared resolve and purpose in our common aspirations.

Let this Easter season remind us that we serve an omnipotent God whose steadfast love and tender mercies can never cease. Let us remember that as Jesus triumphed over death, we will also triumph over every agent of death including Covid-19. To our sons and daughters who are at the battlefront of our fight to rid our State of this virus, we salute your courage and appreciate the risks that you are taking to keep our society safe. We also salute the security personnel for maintaining the peace and security in our dear State, standing under scorching sun.

This may not be a happy Easter for them, but we know that as God rewarded the midwives of Egypt for their kindness to the children of Israel, He will reward every one of them with immeasurable blessings and protection. Let us pray for their safety and strength. Let us pray for the recovery of those who have contacted the virus and are receiving treatment.

As families in our different homes, let us thank God for making us in His image and taking the pains to redeem us to himself through the death of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

As your Leader, I feel your pain. What affects you affects me and what affects me, affects you. The death of any Akwa Ibom person diminishes me. That is why we are fighting this Covid-19 pandemic with all the weapons at our arsenal. We trust God, that at the end of the day, not one Akwa Ibom person will die from this pandemic.

Because your headache is my headache, and what ails or afflicts you also afflicts me, I have made elaborate plans for relief materials to be given to our people across the State. The food items, such as Flour were sourced from our flour mill, the rice, from our rice mills in Ini and Garri from our processing plants located in all the senatorial districts of the State. It is a moment such as this, that has borne out the vision I brought to the State, to make us food sufficient and ensure that our staple food items are readily available and at affordable price range. At the same time, our syringe manufacturing company has risen to the occasion producing medical consumables to meet the rising demands of the time. This, again, is the testament to our vision in health care delivery.

After this pandemic is gone, we will all look up to the hills and wonder from whence came our help. We would testify that our help came from the Only God who made Heaven and Earth. Who did not allow our foot to be moved. Now is the time to reflect on Jesus Christ and wait upon Him, knowing that they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. I call on our people to remain united and eschew all forms of bitterness and hatred.

Let me end this address by re-emphasizing the fact that the lockdown and other measures already announced in my previous broadcast to combat this virus are still in place. You will be notified when those measures would be relaxed. Together, we would defeat this evil virus and life will return to normalcy.

I wish all of us renewed strength this Easter. Happy Easter and God bless Akwa Ibom State.

The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Akwa Ibom State Branch has lauded the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency (AKSEPWMA), Prince Akpan Ikim, on his remarkable achievements so far recorded in ensuring that Uyo and Akwa Ibom State are reckoned nationally as the cleanest city and State, respectively, in Nigeria.

This was contained in a letter of commendation written to Prince Akpan Ikim by the CLO through its State Secretary, Comrade (Barr.) Christopher Ekpo, dated 9th April 2020, a copy of which was made available to newsmen.

According to Comrade (Barr.) Christopher Ekpo, the CLO was particularly impressed that such a reputable environmental protection NGO as ‘Clean-Up Nigeria’ had applauded Ikim’s commendable efforts as the Chairman of AKSEPWMA which led to the recent rating of Akwa Ibom State as the cleanest State in Nigeria, and Uyo as the second cleanest city in Nigeria after Abuja, the Federal Capital of Nigeria.

“According to Clean-Up Nigeria, the ratings submitted by the National Technical Study Group (NTSG) showed that Akwa Ibom State scored 68 percent, followed by Cross River State with 41 percent. In the city category, Abuja scored 68 percent followed by Uyo with 66 percent. Based on the ratings by the NTSG, Akwa Ibom State emerged the cleanest State in Nigeria while Uyo emerged the second cleanest city in Nigeria after Abuja, the Federal Capital of Nigeria, for 2019,” CLO's letter stated.

The civil society group congratulated Prince Ikim and his agency on their remarkable strides in ensuring a clean environment for the people of Uyo and Akwa Ibom State and urged them not to rest on their oars but to keep up and even surpass the current achievements by improving on the enviable standard so far set in Uyo and Akwa Ibom State, adding that the CLO is sanguine that very soon, and through the sustenance of Ikim’s remarkable efforts, Uyo will become and remain the cleanest city in Nigeria.

By Babatope Ayotunde

One of the distinguishing features of a good leader is the capacity to think outside of conventional wisdom. The motivating impulse is always the foresight and vision such a leader brings to bear in governance. At the onset, postulating new ideas, and insisting on following through with them often threaten the popularity of visionary leaders. However, the popularity the purposeful leaders begin to soar as soon as their unpopular course of action begins to produce positive and undeniable results.

This scenario best describes the governance style of Mr. Udom Emmanuel. When he started out as governor, his model of empowerment, poverty alleviation and job creation anchored on industrialization, met with doubts and criticisms. Cynics dismissed it as another political gimmick to hoodwink the people. Apart from the innumerable Micro, Small and Medium entrepreneurial initiatives of his administration, which has provided means of livelihood for countless Akwa Ibom people, a number of foreign industrial concerns have also sprang up in the State.

Five years into his administration, he has attracted and facilitated the establishment of about 18 industries that have emotional and economic connectivity with the people. The meteoric rise in the number of foreign investors that have moved in, to do business, has led the state to being adjudged twice in the last five years as the second largest destination for foreign direct investments in Nigeria by the National Bureau of Statistics.

As if he knew the global community will be plunged into a socio-economic catastrophe, as occasioned by the current Coronavirus pandemic, Governor Udom Emmanuel had, from the inception of his administration, among other things, insisted on industrialization alongside agriculture and food sufficiency as the main pillars that will underpin the welfare programme of his administration.

Today, through his investments in agriculture, staple foodstuffs such as garri and rice have remained within the reach of the common man.

This, he achieved through the establishment of rice mills in Ini and Ibiono local government areas and several garri processing plants in the state.

The icing on the cake in Governor Emmanuel’s devotion to kitchen table issues saw the establishment of Kings Flour Mill, which was commissioned by Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo in September 2019. As global economies struggle to cope with the new realities and dynamics, confectionaries, such as bread, cakes and associated items are easily available at the right quantity; at the right price and at the right time. Periodically, the administration of Governor Emmanuel has continued to release garri and rice from the State Reserves into the market to cushion the effect of the biting economic realities.
Since his assumption of office in 2015, Governor Emmanuel has taken up the issue of healthcare delivery as a major area of concentration as reflected in the numerous achievements in that sector. Apart from upgrading facilities at the Ibom Specialist Hospital to meet originally intended standards, several secondary healthcare facilities have been remodeled, reconstructed or refurbished, and equipped enough to render affordable healthcare services to the people. As if the Governor knew the world will be hit with a major health challenge, many of the hospitals in the state have been upgraded to digitally handle their operations.

Beginning with strategic interventions in structural facilities at the St. Luke’s Hospital, Anua, Uyo, General Hospital, Etinan; General Hospital Ikono; General Hospital Iquita, Oron; General Hospital Ikot Okoro; General Hospital, Ituk Mbang, as well as Immanuel Hospital, Eket and Awa Comprehensive Hospital have all been turned around, courtesy of the purposeful leadership of Governor Emmanuel. A number of other health facilities are still undergoing transformation across the state. Also, construction of a 300-bed Isolation Centre in Ituk Mbang, to complement existing ones in Ikot Ekpene and Ibom Specialty Hospital.

Another notable, significant and futuristic investment in healthcare sector by Governor Udom Emmanuel is the Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Company. The factory, which is the largest in Africa, has the capacity to produce over 400 million syringes, expandable to 1Billion annually. It has not only created employment opportunities for youths, but has also made Akwa Ibom and Nigeria, exporter of syringes, thereby improving the nation’s economy in general. During its inauguration on September 23, 2017, Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, overwhelmed by the magnitude of the project, described the initiator, Governor Emmanuel as an asset to the economic development of the country.

While the world lay comatose due to the global Coronavirus pandemic and the rising need for medical equipment, this great investment has ameliorated the impact on the populace, thus giving further credence to Governor Emmanuel’s visionary leadership.

With the Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Factory, the largest in Africa; the King's Flour Mill and several other companies spread across the state, Governor Emmanuel’s dream of industrializing the state has been a promise kept.
Given the deep insight, huge investment and enabling environment that Governor Udom Emmanuel has brought to bear in his industrialization strides in the State, the people of the fast growing and peaceful state can now look ahead to a better and more secured economic future.

At a time like this, when communities, cities, states and even nations are on lockdown, the major challenge confronting families is how to feed. With fast dwindling finances, families are in dire need of basic food items. As a people oriented-leader, Governor Emmanuel has commenced the provision of palliatives to the good people of AKwa Ibom State.
The palliatives of the Udom Emmanuel administration for the people include rice, garri, flour and other essential food items, to cushion the effect of the Quarantine and Restriction of Movement Regulations 2020.

It is imperative to mention that the flour, rice and garri that the administration is giving as relief materials distributed to the people, down to the village level, are all produced in Akwa Ibom State.
Akwa Ibom people are indeed blessed to have a leader in the mould of Governor Udom Emmanuel. Notwithstanding the gloom cast over the global economy, no thanks to COVID-19, Governor Emmanuel’s visionary leadership, through his robust industrialization agenda, had set Akwa Ibom on the path of socio-economic sustainability, particularly, for a time like this.
GOVERNOR UDOM EMMANUEL IS TRULY A LEADER FOR A TIME LIKE THIS!

By Richard Peters

I read with sadness in my heart the bias analysis in Daily Post purpotedly written by a nameless writer on the caption: “Coronavirus in Nigeria: List of the Best and the Worst Performing Governors so far”, in which the writer attempted to evaluate how each state governor in Nigeria is handling covid-19 pandemic in their respective states. After a careful study of the piece, I have come to the conclusion that the writer is not only deficient in facts and accurate data, but has sold his conscience to the devil.

As good as the caption may appear to sound, such piece is not only vague and shallow in content, but malicious, misleading and more of the figment of his imagination.

Even before we had the five reported cases in Akwa Ibom, Gov. Udom Emmanuel had proactively stepped in to put things in place, in case of any eventuality. Hospitals were furnished and isolation center prepared, before the recent construction of a facility to accomodate 300 beds, as isolation center. Medical kits have been provided including hand gloves and hand sanitizers. The Quarantine and Restriction of Movement Regulation has been signed and a total lockdown has been ordered in the state, as it’s being recommended by The World Health Organization(WHO).

Not only this, palliative has been given to help cushion the effect of the lockdown on Akwa Ibom residents. What else do they want the governor to do? Where is the governor lagging behind?

It was glaringly clear that the NCDC did not take appropriate procedure in the announcement of the result of the sample sent to them by Akwa Ibom state government. There was a breach in the process, which the Managing Director of NCDC admitted. How would they expect the state government to react to such sensitive mistake?

This pandemic is of a global scale and there is no country or state that can claim to have been 100% ready for it.

For someone to sit in the corner of a room to concoct such fake analysis is to say the list, is criminal in nature. It is a crime against humanity and a mockery to the souls of those we have lost in the war, the world over. It appears as if the national lockdown has locked the brain and sense of reasoning of the writer who has seen nothing else in this world to write than such balderdash.

Gov. Emmanuel will not be deterred by such paid and poorly evaluated piece. He will continue to do his best to ensure that the state is protected, in line with the oath of office he took.

Stay safe and keep praying for Akwa Ibom State.

.......

......As Attorney General of Akwa Ibom State calls for urgent action on infrastructural rot at correctional service centers.

By Endiong John

On monday, Federal government's committee on decongestion of correctional service facilities in Nigeria arrived Uyo on a major move to decongest correctional facilities in Akwa Ibom State. The move which is an initiative of the office of the Attorney General of the federation has earned the commendation of the Akwa Ibom State government.

The Chairman of the Committee on correctional service, Justice Ishaq Bello led other members of the Committee on a courtesy visit to the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel in the early hours of Monday before proceeding to chair over hearings and reviews of the cases of persons recommended for pardon at the correctional service center in Uyo, the state capital.

Justice Bello who refused inmates convicted of capital offenses such as murder, arm robbery, kidnappings and rape freed several inmates on Monday while the Akwa Ibom state government undertook to pay the fines of all the freed inmates. During the hearing, Justice Bello interrogated with the inmates recommended for pardon, advising them to refrain from crime. He charged them to indulge in productive and legal endeavours to make a living as idleness attracts crime.

Many freed inmates shed tears of joy, considering themselves lucky while thanking the federal government for coming to their rescue as well as the Akwa Ibom State government for undertaking to pay fines ordered by court for their crime.

Inmates freed were mostly recommended for pardon on grounds of health and age. The Chairman of the Committee made sure that inmates freed must have serve at least a year in the Nigeria Correctional Service center. Nobody with a record of being previously convicted was set free.

On the decongestion initiative, the Attorney general of Akwa Ibom state, Barr. Uwemedimo Nwoko lauded the Attorney general of the federation but called on the federal government of Nigeria to give urgent attention to the state of disrepair and rot that has set in across correctional centers in the country. He urged the federal government to match the state of infrastructures at correctional service centers with it's new nomenclature.

"Let me promptly commend the Attorney general of the federation. I'm sure this is his initiative. This committee is from the federal Ministry of Justice and the federal government did put it up. They are working towards a perennial problem of what we used to call 'prison congestion ' which is now called correctional center. "

"The congestion of the correctional center is an issue that has not really had a concrete solution"

"You can even look around at the infrastructure here. If this is what we call a correctional center, then it's very sad because it is nothing to write home about, but I believe that when the federal government is done with this step, they will pay attention to the next step which is to pay attention at the infrastructures of correctional centers in order to make it an actual correctional center", Nwoko said.

Regarding whether the freed inmates will have to wait until the state government pays their fine before they are released, the learned Attorney general of Akwa Ibom state revealed that he has brokered an understanding with the chairman of the Committee on correctional service centers to let the inmates go while his office will work with other relevant agencies of government to make sure the fines are paid.

More than 60 percent of prison admissions are waiting trial or being remanded in custody. Factors identified as causing overcrowding include delays in the administration of justice, overuse of prison sentences by judges, over-criminalization, and lack of adequate resources to build new prisons, research shows. Some side effects that inmates have experienced as a result of overcrowding include damage to physical and mental health and human rights violations. The new initiative by the office of the Attorney general of the federation to grant unconditional release to inmates convicted of lesser offenses, prisons are expected to get decongested by a high degree.

Those on the team to Uyo includes Representative of Director of Public Persecution, Mrs Nnamani Vivian Kuku, Secretary of the Committee on Correctional Service, Mrs Leticia Ayoola-Daniels; Chairman of the Committee on Correctional Service, Justice Ishaq Bello, Secretary of the Committee on Correctional Service, Mrs Leticia Ayoola-Daniels and Controller amongst others.

By Endiong John

The Akwa Ibom State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Uwemedimo Nwoko, has called for the immediate resignation of the State Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal for flagrant disregard to the provisions of the Nigerian constitution and aiding the escape of criminal suspect.

Nwoko at a press chat in his office in Uyo said the Police boss will face immediate prosecution for flouting an order of court which directed the police to commit Leo Ekpenyong to prison custody(correctional service center) pending the next adjourned date of March 23.

Nwoko disclosed that the Commissioner of Police is grossly incompetent to hold any public office and explained that "it is only the court that has the power to reverse itself or a higher court and nobody from an air conditioned comfort of his office can sit to undermine the decision of the court.

"He is interfering with a court order and I have no business to understand it. If there was anything wrong with the court order, he should have gone back to the court."

On Monday morning, following his rearrest, Leo displayed a weird theatrical countenance in the courtroom, thereby throwing the court into an air of uncertainty on the state of his health.

While adjourning the matter for hearing to March 23, 2020, the Presiding Magistrate Winifred Umohandi ordered that the accused be made to undergo medical examination at a Government Hospital before being remanded in a Nigerian Correctional Service custody till the adjourned date.

The criminal charge in suit number MU/182C/2020 accuses, Leo Enobong Ekpenyong 'm' 47years of a three count charge of "publishing an offensive publication provoking breach of public peace punishable under section 97(1)(a) of the Criminal Code.

"Giving false information and false statement to Government of Akwa Ibom state punishable under section 127 (1)(b) of the Criminal Code and causing extreme fear by making yourself an object of dread punishable under section 6(1)(a)(c) of the Akwa Ibom Internal Security Law,2009.

The remand warrant by the Magistrate directed that, "you the said police officer is hereby commanded to convey the defendant to the said prison and deliver him to the superintendent thereof together with this warrant.

"And the superintendent will receive and keep him in his custody till 23rd day of March, and on that day convey him to the Magistrate Court of the Uyo Magisterial district sitting at the Chief Magistrate Court 1 by 9am to be dealt with according to law.

Following the release of the suspect by the police, the Attorney General wondered why Leo Ekpenyong, who was to be taken to the nearest government hospital and later remanded in prospect custody was seen walking around freely at the police station with his phones returned to him.

He alleged that the CP secured a lawyer for the accused and ordered that his five phones be returned to him and later released the accused around 11pm on Monday.

Nwoko described the action of the CP as an abuse of the Nigerian Constitution and vowed to secure justice.

He said his office will report to all relevant offices from the Presidency, the Police Social office, the National Assembly and all authorities in Nigeria that CP Imohimi does not deserve to hold a public office in Nigeria as what he did is intolerable and a breach of the rule of law.

Nwoko said "a subject called Leo Ekpenyong raised a wild and unsubstantiated allegation, delebrately calculated to impune on the integrity of the Justices of the Tribunal and Governor Udom Emmanuel.

"We wrote to Leo Ekpenyong to substantiate his allegation or retract his statement with an apology or Face judicial sanctions which he failed to do."

Nwoko explained that he kept contact with the CP, who assured to carry out the court order but was shocked to learn of Ekpenyong's release.

Following the court order, Ekpenyong was yesterday admitted at the Police Clinic, Uyo and the medical report signed by CSP (Dr) Ahunaya C. N, shows that on examination, the patient was hale and hearty without symptoms of his alleged sickness.

"There is no history of headache, fainting spells or weakness of the limbs. No history of frequent mictirition. Patient is healthy, looking a febrile, anicteric, not pale, nil leg swelling. Abdomen was full soft moved with respiration. Nil organomegaly" the report reads.

However, inside source reveals that the Doctor was instructed by the CP, to recommend the accused to a tertiary hospital where the patient claims being managed for further evaluation and possible expert cardiology review and management.

The Commissioner of Police in a letter addressed to the Magistrate said he released the accused for medical treatment in Abuja "as only the living can face trial".

Endiong John, Uyo

Thursday, the Court of Appeal ended it's outdoor sitting in Akwa Ibom State. The sitting which began on Monday, 20th January, 2019 lasted for almost two weeks with the four justices of the Court of Appeal, Calabar as well as 62 support staff relocating to Akwa Ibom State.

The outdoor sitting was necessitated by the need for special concentration on Court of Appeal cases of Akwa Ibom State extraction. It's on record that cases of Akwa Ibom State extraction account for seventy percent of the cases in the Court of Appeal, Calabar division.


The culture of the outdoor sitting of the Court of Appeal, Calabar dates back to 2003 and it was designed to alleviate the burden of Court of Appeal litigants of Akwa Ibom state extraction, especially in the face of poor road network between Akwa Ibom State and Cross River State. The Akwa Ibom State government under Deacon Udom Emmanuel has had to utilize the culture of outdoor sitting of the court of appeal by making it more regularly in order to help thousands of litigants who suffer the pains of plying bad roads and other challenges that breeds excruciating agony in the course of litigation and pursuit of justice. The government ensured the court sat in 2019 as well as 2020. The session which was supposed to last for all of three weeks was was shortened to two weeks due to the valedictory session that begins this week in honour of the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Adamu who is retiring later in February.

During their two weeks stay, their lordships heard cases numbering more than hundred. Lawyers who spoke to this reporter expressed delight in the convention that saved them a lot of resources and energy. They also spoke on the predicament of heading to Cross River State for cases and advocated for the creation of a Court of Appeal in Uyo.

When the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice for Akwa Ibom State was contacted on the possibility of the creation of the Court of Appeal in Akwa Ibom State, the Chief Law officer expressed optimism, adding that the Akwa Ibom state government was ready to provide the needed infrastructure for the take off of a Court of Appeal in the State. Speaking further, Barr. Nwoko affirmed that the agenda of establishing a Court of Appeal in Akwa Ibom state was part of the reason the state government was sponsoring regular outdoor sitting of the Court of Appeal in Uyo.
"It is to the credit of the present administration that they came last year and they are able to come again this year. It's also to the credit of His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel who has provided the enabling environment. The State government provides the infrastructure, the accommodation and all the basic logistics for the Court of Appeal to function during outdoor services".

When asked of the significant importance as well as the impact of the Court of Appeal's outdoor sitting in Akwa Ibom state, Barr. Uwemedimo Nwoko said that it was important because during outdoor sittings, cases could be abridged so that as many cases as possible could be heard. "It's an investment that is worth it because it helps to galvanize the justice delivery system in the state being that when they come like this, they shorten the time within which parties take certain processes so that they can take as many cases as possible. For some of them, they can deliver judgments. Some will be taken back to Calabar where they will communicate the date for judgments. It goes a very long way to bringing Justice closer to the door step of Akwa Ibom people", he said.

By Emma Akpabio - 17/01/20

The Independent National Electoral commission- INEC, at its 51st regular meeting held on 5th December, 2019, discussed rerun elections arising from the petition following the 2019 general elections. Accordingly, in a release signed by Festus Okoye, there were 28 Court-ordered elections to be conducted across 12 States of the federation. After due consideration of several issues, INEC decided to hold the 28 Court-ordered rerun elections on Saturday, 25th January, 2020.

Consequently, there will be a rerun elections in Essien Udim LGA of Akwa Ibom State for Essien Udim State Constituency, Ikot Ekpene Federal constituency and Ikot Ekpene Senatorial district.

With about Seven days to go, the undisputed, leading, unshaken determination and unity of purpose recently exhibited by the political juggernauts and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State and Essien Udim Local government Area in particular, have actually accentuated the eagerness of the dominant party to retain Victory during the court-ordered rerun election in Essien Udim local government area, come Saturday, 25th January, 2020.

Immediately after the manipulations instead of Primaries that produced Hon. Nse Ntuen as the All Progressive congress' flag bearer for Essien Udim State Constituency, Rt Hon Emmanuel Akpan as the flag bearer for Essien Udim, Obot Akara and Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency and Senator Godswill Akpabio as the flag bearer for Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, the PDP which is the dominant political party in the area, didn't lose sleep, considering the poor performance of the trio in their last political offices, respectively. Of course, it is no longer news that amongst the three senators that represented Akwa Ibom in the 8th National assembly, the former Senate Minority leader- Senator Akpabio had the least number of bills to his credit when compared to that of Senators Bassey Albert and Nelson Effion. To this end, If Law making is the primary responsibility of a legislator, then Former Governor Akpabio remains the the worst Senator Akwa Ibom State ever had between 2015 and 2019.

Having been the political party that has Uncommonly transformed Akwa Ibom State since the return of democracy in 1999, Peoples Democratic Party has become a culture for citizens and residents of the largest oil producing state in Nigeria. This was absolutely demonstrated during the 2019 general elections when Godswill Akpabio, a man that was once adored and respected by his people was outrightly rejected for jumping ship to an unknown party in the State.

On the other hand, the All Progressive Congress which is supposed to be the main opposition party in Akwa Ibom State is currently faced with chaos, fiasco and indecision due to the purported withdrawal of the Hon. Minister of Niger Delta Affairs from the January 25th Court- Ordered rerun. Though INEC, through the later signed by Odar Aisien, on behalf of the State Resident Electoral Commisioner has cleared the air that no substitution of Candidate will be allowed for the court- ordered rerun.

"The Commision wishes to restate that there will be no substitution or withdrawal of candidates who contested the 2019 general elections in this court- ordered rerun elections in Essien Udim" INEC emphasized.

The rerun Election remains a walkover for the PDP because of the crops of candidates fielded by the supposed main opposition party- APC. Besides, the weight of APC as a veritable platform of the opposition in Essien Udim LGA is doubtful mainly because its strength revolved around the so called "Nationalist" who had actually abandoned his people first as a Governor for 8years and as a Senator for 4years only to return for the elections. It could be recalled that Senator Akpabio in a bid to win a second term elections had tried to execute some constituency projects in Obo Annang Market even after the expiration of his tenure. It is worth mentioning that Essien Udim is divided into two political blocs of Essien Annang and Afaha; Senator Akpabio abandoned the people of Afaha throughout his 12 years of occupying the exalted positions of Governor and Senator. Therefore, Stating that he was a factional uncommon transformer is simply stating the obvious. The Akwa Ibom State PDP was not wrong as a party, in her statement that "His withdrawal from the race was simply to save his face from shame of failure".

It is on record that the highest crisis that ever rocked the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly since inception was spearheaded by the APC candidate for Essien Udim State Constituency -Hon. Nse Ntuen. Ntuen who whose seat was declared vacant by Speaker of the 6th Assembly - Onofiok Luke, alongside four others for defecting to another party, found his ways to the hallowed chambers at odd hour where he declared himself the Speaker, thereby causing unnecessary tension in the State. It is still a surprise how a party that wants to win elections will field such a man who was sacked in his first term in addition to his poor performance both as a legislator and as a two termed elected Chairman of Essien Udim LGA. It's on record that Rt Hon. Ntuen is one of the legislators in Akwa Ibom State that never held a constituency briefing.

Some political analysts posit that Rt Hon Emmanuel Akpan who represented Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency in the 8th National Assembly can never get votes from Essien Udim people despite being his home local government area. The APC candidate was never caught by the camera making useful contributions on the floor of the National Assembly. No body seems to even remember if he ever seconded a motion not to talk of moving a fresh motion through out his stay in the green chambers between 2015 and 2019. Many people are still wondering what motivates Akpan to think that he can defeat Rt Hon Nsikak Ekong who represented his people effectively in the State House of Assembly for 8years. Besides, Ekong still remains a force in the current 9th National Assembly.

The greatest problem of the APC ahead of the January rerun in Essien Udim is the unexpected unity amongst all the king makers and grass root mobilizers in the area. The constant defection rocking the broom party everyday, makes the Candidates reluctant to campaign ahead of the rerun. This explains why the PDP is the only party campaigning, ahead of the rerun election.

With Obong Senator Christopher Ekpenyong and his recent performance in the senate, Rt Hon Nsikak Ekong and Barr Esse Gerald Umoh as the PDP candidate for Ikot Ekpene Senatorial district, Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency and Essien Udim State Constituency, respectively, not even the Federal might or Rev Fr Mbaka can predict a win for the broom party during the Election.
January 25 Rerun election is a walkover for the People's Democratic Party.

....Appointment to last for three years

By Endiong John

Akwa Ibom State's Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Uwemedimo Nwoko has attained a new height in Nigeria's Body of Benchers following his appointment to serve as a member of the recruitment, promotion and disciplinary committee of the body of benchers on staff matters.

In a letter dated 6th January, 2020 and signed by the Secretary of the body, Mrs H. A. Turaki, the esteemed body announced that Nwoko would now be expected to assume his duties in the committee designated for him immediately, stating that three years is the duration of the appointment.

"I am directed to inform you that you have been appointed to serve as a member of the Recruitment, Promotion and Disciplinary Committee of the Body of Benchers on Staff matters. This appointment is with immediate effect and will last for a period of 3 years ", the appointment letter reads in part.

Recruitment, Promotion and Disciplinary Committee Of The Body Of Benchers On Staff Matters is a sensitive arm of the Body of Benchers responsible for the recruitment, promotion and checking of the excesses of staff of the body.

The Nigerian Body of Benchers is a professional body concerned with the admission of prospective student into the
Nigerian Law School. Members of the body are called Benchers . The body also regulate the call of graduate of law school to the Nigerian Bar as well as the regulation of the legal profession in Nigeria. .

Responding to the appointment, Barr. Uwemedimo expressed appreciation to the Body for deeming him worthy of service in such a sensitive committee. The Honourable Attorney General thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel for appointing and sustaining him as Attorney General of Akwa Ibom State which gave him automatic membership into the Body of Benchers. He also thanked the plurality of Akwa Ibom State people for supporting Deacon Udom Emmanuel.

Nwoko's latest appointment into the Recruitment, Promotion and Disciplinary Committee of the Body of Benchers is largely expected to be of great benefit to Akwa Ibom State, especially those of the law profession as well as Nigeria as a whole. He is expected to employ his integrity and experience while discharging his duties. The respected lawyer was first appointed Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in January 2015 and has so far served honourably in the last five years.

By Emma Akpabio

Thursday was the day, Government House Banquet Hall was the venue where the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State - Mr. Udom Emmanuel, on December 7, 2017, swore-in 29 gentlemen and 2 ladies, as duly elected Chairmen of the 31 Local Government areas of Akwa Ibom State who will serve till December 2020. Two years down the line, "Council Ifònò" (Council is not good), allocation ifònò, have been the trending slogan attributed to the majority of Council Chairmen that were voted with high expectations. Surprisingly, most of them who haven't even paid their Councillors and other Staffers entitlements fully, not to talk of fulfilling campaign promises, are already nursing second term ambition. Quite laughable!

Without party sentiments, the truth is, even after two years in office, so many Local Government Council Chairmen are yet to really understand the powers, roles, responsibilities and even the functions of the third tier of Government, as enshrined in the Constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria. This naivety and official negligence have not only brought untold hardship to the grass rooters, it has also promoted irrelevant rural-urban migration and high rate of mortality due to lack of basic social amenities.

Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria at large can never be better without a responsible and responsive Local Government in power. No nation can boast of excellent performance within the public sector at the grass root if a large percentage of her rural inhabitants are facing uncontrolled abject poverty, needs/Wants, socioeconomic dilemma and basic social amenities. Though the Akwa Ibom State Government has intervened through her inter-ministerial and direct Labour projects, the prevalent lack of social amenities in some interior areas of the state reveals that the third tiers of government are lacking performance in the area of service delivery and over the years, this has not only made the rural development difficult for the State government, but has also caused the citizens to lose both faith and trust in local Government which is supposed to be the closest government to the people.

Before you applaud mediocrity by exempting your council Boss or accuse me of fighting the system, December 2, 2019 marked the second year Akwa Ibom people elected the 31 Council Chairmen currently in power. Let's stop and think! How many Council live touching projects have your council Boss successfully initiated and completed? How many of them have truly graded the rural roads in their respective rural areas if not for media hype? How many have been able to establish or even maintain the local markets, motor parks, street drains? How many of them that complain of low allocation really thought of how to improve internally generated revenue, either from licensing of bicycles, trucks, motor cycles and collection of taxes/fees? Truth is, those revenue generating channels have been traded for political compensation. How many of Council Heads are creative enough to build skill acquisition centers that will minimize unnecessary migration? Why are the Students not getting bursary and grants from the local Government again? Why do the council Chairmen keep complaining, yet they are building houses, acquiring assets and even nursing second term ambition everywhere? If allocations are not coming as expected, why not resign? Why seek a second term? Well, it's important to know that Akwa Ibom people are becoming wiser, the era of imposing leaders are gradually becoming the past.

It is worthy of note that the failure of local government administration as an institution to solve the ongoing problems of the people at the grassroots retards the closeness of the people to this grass root Government. Though local governments in Akwa Ibom State, like those of other States in the country are characterized by political instability, scarcity of resources, lack of accountability, poor planning, lack of political leadership, truth remains that the State and federal Governments cannot function effectively if the grass root government is weak. To this end, the first and second tiers must not temper with the funds of the third tier of government in a bid to improve the quality of lives at the grass root through the provision of basic social amenities like: food, portable water, rural electrification, primary health care services, renovation of schools, etc.