On Thursday, September 5, 2019, Akwa Ibom State held its maiden education summit and exhibition tagged "Human Capacity Development for Sustainable Transformation of Persons and Society" The summit which attracted teachers, policymakers, students, labour leaders among others was aimed at charting the cause for the development of the education sector in the State.

The summit was also a good platform to sell Governor Udom Emmanuel's idea that education was the best platform that can give equal opportunity to every Akwa Ibom child to succeed.

From classroom interaction to counseling and knowledge transfer by teachers, to networking and friendship that can breed connection after school; Governor Emmanuel sees education not just as a tool to fight poverty and insecurity but as a platform that can inspire love, foster unity and create rooms for innovation and creativity.

To us in Akwa Ibom, Africa cannot afford to be left behind in the quest to create a sustainable environment and sustainable policies for the sake of tomorrow.

This was not just the position of the State Government during the summit but the desire and the commitment of Governor Emmanuel to make a difference in the education sector.

"We are not just doing one of those political gatherings. we are determined to change the structure, the content and the education output in Akwa Ibom State" - Governor Udom Emmanuel.

Governor Emmanuel believes that education should respond to the changing needs of society, especially by training students to be self-reliant. Thus, his intervention in the education sector over the years has strengthened the government education agenda through effective monitoring, training, and re-training of teachers and the provision of grants and scholarships to deserving Akwa Ibom students.

Governor Emmanuel understands that we live in a global economy, and our graduates are competing for jobs not just with Akwa Ibomites but with other part of Nigeria and Africa. So he has made the development of our education system an integral part of his developmental agenda.

Under his leadership, over 364 classroom blocks has been constructed/refurbished, the government has provided basic teaching aids like Computer and books to public schools, over 600 million naira is spent yearly for West Africa Certificate Examination (WAEC) to all students who are indigenes of Akwa Ibom State and there is consistent monitoring of public schools to ensure that the output of our teachers matches with or surpasses the input from the government.

Apart from monitoring public schools for maximum output, the education monitoring team also looks at lapses in the educational sector, engage with appropraite stateholders and provides feedbacks/recommendation to the government for actions.

I know by now, you've settled into the New Year, you've made your resolution, please let your resolution this year includes more investment in books and reaching out to our younger generation to take advantage of our free and Compulsory education.

Our dream of making our State the hub of education tourism in Africa will not work without your support.
We are open for suggestion,colloboration and partnership.

Source: https://www.motivation.africa/re-writing-education-the-akwa-ibom.html

By Endiong John

There is jubilation in Essien Udim following the briefing by Akwa Ibom State's Commissioner for Investment and Industry, Barr. Prince Ukpong Akpabio that a multi million dollar sugar refinery was due to be sited in Essien Udim local government area. Barr. Akpabio disclosed this on Tuesday during the end of year Stakeholders meeting he held to thank his kinsmen for the support to him and his principal, Deacon Udom Emmanuel in 2019. Barr. Akpabio made it clear that Governor Udom Emmanuel was not taking the support of Essien Udim people for granted and he has huge plans for the local government which part of it is the facilitation of a multi million dollar worth sugar refinery earmarked for Essien Udim as it's location.

In 2008, the Federal Government of Nigeria directed the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), to develop a road map for the attainment of self-sufficiency in sugar within the shortest time possible. In compliance, the Council came up with the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan an abridged version of which is the main subject of this slim volume.

The Plan has estimated that our demand for sugar would breach the 1.7 million metric tonnes (MMT) mark by 2020. To be able to satisfy this from domestic production, we will need to establish some 28 sugar factories of varying capacities and bring about 250,000 hectares of land into sugarcane cultivation, over the next 10 years. The bulk of the investment capital will come from private investors.

Nigeria is yet to achieve self-sufficiency eight years after the launch of the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan.
Dr Latif Busari, the Executive Secretary, National Sugar Development Council, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Sunday that the plan was also to significantly reduce sugar import dependency.

The plan estimated that the country’s demand for sugar will be more than the 1.7 Million Metric Tonnes mark by 2020, with the bulk of the investment capital coming from private investors.

The plan will also help the country to establish 28 sugar factories of varying capacities and bring about 250,000 hectares of land into sugarcane cultivation. With the current achievement of the Akwa Ibom State government on sugar refinery investment, Akwa Ibom State is set to be a leader in sugar self sufficiency vision of Nigeria.

Akwa Ibom State government has already acquired massive land in Essien Udim for sugar refinery and sugarcane plantation. The design of the refinery will also boost production of ethanol and will generate hundreds of labour opportunities for the Akwa Ibom labour market. Mr. Akpabio said that although the refinery will be impactful for the whole of Akwa Ibom State, that Essien Udim as a host local government will have more to gain. He urged the Stakeholders and people of the local government to continue in their steadfastness and loyalty to the administration of Deacon Udom Emmanuel. He also spoke on the need for the local government to be ready for the January 25th proposed rerun of the Essien State Constituency, Federal Constituency and Ikot Ekpene Senatorial district rerun which affects Essien Udim mostly. Akpabio made cash donations as well as bags of rice and cows to support the yuletide celebration of his people. Stakeholders who spoke on behalf of the forum which has Obong Michael Afangideh as the leader, were full of praise for the Honourable Commissioner and Deacon Udom Emmanuel.

Endiong John, Oruk Anam,

Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel on Monday commissioned an ultra modern high court of justice complex built to serve cases mostly originating from Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

While presenting the facility for commissioning, the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Godwin Abraham thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel for giving urgent attention to the needs of the Judiciary especially, the urgent need for the establishment of a high court in Oruk Anam which according to Justice Abraham, was built within the time interval of three months. The Honourable Chief Judge also hinted that several other new courts were currently being built across the state while more others were undergoing renovation. "We have been able to do all these because funds have been made available by Governor Udom Emmanuel ", Justice Godwin Abraham admitted. He however called for more attention on the Judiciary highlighting areas that equally needed urgent attention.

The area of manpower was stressed by Honourable Justice Godwin Abraham as challenging for the Judiciary. According to the Chief Judge, 2012 was the last time recruitment was done in the Judiciary. " More than 500 staff members of the Judiciary have retired since 2012. The Judiciary is in serious need of replacement for the staff that have retired. We have been running the system with temporal staff and some of them have been with us for more than ten years. I look forward to absorbing them as well as recruit new ones. I plead with His Excellency to please consider. "

For the newly built court, Justice Godwin Abraham said that the implication for the state of arts facilities installed in the court would be the provision of a higher generating set that was capable of powering all the equipments in the court. He appealed for funds from Governor Udom Emmanuel to provide for all that was lacking in the new court, including an utility vehicle and motorcycles which will aid in serving court processes. Justice Abraham cautioned Judiciary workers and the people of Oruk Anam to take good care of the facilities in the court. "Take care of the facilities in this court as if it were your own. It's wrong to be careless with things simply because they're public facilities. It's a very wrong attitude. Wherever I go to, whether it's an hotel or a court, I take good care of the facilities under my care. We shouldn't be receiving mails in Uyo asking for replacements at a time we are thinking of adding facilities that you're yet to have. There are much more to be done. I personally want to dig boreholes for all the courts in the State ".

Represented by Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Uwemedimo Nwoko, Governor Udom Emmanuel said that he was pleased by the quality of job done in the newly commissioned court. He assured that Governor Udom Emmanuel prioritises the Judiciary and is highly concerned over the needs of the Judiciary. Nwoko expressed the gratitude of Governor Udom Emmanuel to the Judiciary for their support. "Thank you My Lords for all the support, protection and guidance that you give. I register the appreciation of His Excellency on this very unique occasion and my Lords, I assure you that His Excellency is committed. There are so much more that has to be done and I must acknowledge that. The Judiciary needs a lot more attention. His Excellency is equally concerned about it. There is no time he doesn't show that concern but he is constrained. Accept the assurances that more will be done on the issues bothering the Judiciary ", Nwoko said.

Matters of Oruk Anam extraction pending in Ukanafun High Court that are not in advanced level of trial have been redirected to the just commissioned court in Oruk Anam. The people and Stakeholders of Oruk Anam expressed gratitude to Governor Udom Emmanuel and the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State for the priority given to the need for a court in Oruk Anam. The Chairman of Oruk Anam, Mr Idiong, the member representing Oruk Anam in Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Udo Kieriam and the Paramount Ruler of Oruk Anam were among those who spoke on behalf of Oruk Anam people on the occasion. The ceremony was well attended by members of the bench, members of the bar, Judiciary workers and members of the public.

By Endiong John

In memory of their late father, the family head of Senator Justice Nsima Akpabio household, Barr. Prince Ukpong Akpabio on Sunday announced that the family will undertake the construction of a brand new bishop's lodge for Methodist church, Ukana Ikot Ntuen, Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

Barr. Akpabio made the announcement in response to the church's request for a bishop's lodge which is to provide shelter for the present and future bishops of the diocese. Sunday was the 20th memorial thanksgiving of Justice Nsima Akpabio and it held at Methodist Church, Ukana Ikot Ntuen, an opportunity the church found to make it's request.

The thanksgiving service which was organised by Nsima Akpabio household attracted the presence of highly placed persons in the society including the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Deacon Udom Emmanuel and wife, Deaconess, Dr Martha Udom Emmanuel.On the occasion, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State made a donation of the sum of ten million naira as a support for the construction of the bishop's lodge. Governor Udom Emmanuel made it clear that his donation was on behalf of his family and not made from government's purse.

While leading fundraising from the dignitaries on the occasion to support the Nsima Akpabio household to build a standard lodge for Methodist church, Governor Udom Emmanuel assured that the bishop's lodge will be ready by easter but directed that the funding of the project should be allowed to be fully undertaken and delivered by Barr. Akpabio.

"We will give the funds raised here to Prince Akpabio who is the family head of Nsima Akpabio household. What we owe the church is a bishop's lodge and we want to commission it by the next time we come here. We want it ready by easter so I appeal to the church to allow Prince to be in charge of the project. The lodge will be built in memory of Justice Nsima Akpabio whom we are celebrating today and we will provide all necessary support".

In his eulogy to Justice Nsima Akpabio, Governor Emmanuel described him as a great statesman who made a bold imprint on all three arms of government having been local government chairman of Essien Udim, Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and an High Court Judge.

He thanked the family members of Nsima Akpabio for working hard towards preserving the memories of the departed and for sustaining his legacies while reliving his ideals.Speaking on behalf of his family, Barr. Prince Ukpong Akpabio thanked God for his blessings to the Nsima Akpabio household in the past twenty years.

He went down memory lane to recall the circumstances as at the time of the demise of their father and gave appreciation to all who helped the family to stabilise and to grow. Barr. Akpabio noted that the family has not been stagnant in twenty years but has increased by the grace of God and support of friends, associates, mentors and leaders.

"My father left behind ten children and his three wives. We lost one of the three wives but two are steal alive. Today we have increased. There are grand children added to the family ".Senator Christopher Ekpenyong, Senator Godswill Akpabio, Mrs Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, Sir Emem Akpabio, Justice Philomena Etim, Obong Michael Afangideh, Mrs Ndifreke Akpabio and Deacon Udom Emmanuel were among those publicly acknowledged and appreciated by the Nsima Akpabio household for their exceptional roles and efforts towards the general growth, welfare and prosperity of the Nsima Akpabio household.

The church was also appreciated for it's spiritual care and support to the family.Senator Christopher Ekpenyong, Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, National legal adviser of the PDP, Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem, members of the National Assembly, Commissioners, State House of Assembly members were among several other dignitaries who attended the thanksgiving service.

Press Statement

Some days ago, our party, like other members of the reading public, saw a letter infixed in the headed paper of Senator Godswill Akpabio attempting to convey the purported withdrawal of the Senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress candidate in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District. Due to the cunning and comical nature of the dramatis persona, we had to wait for a reasonable time to be sure that he will not make his habitual volte face and claim that he didn’t write the letter or it was one of the skits in his newfound hobby of national comedy. Having not had any rebuttal either from him, his official media sources or his litany of online guttersnipes, we can now ascertain that the said letter emanated from the once revered former Governor, then-seemingly invincible Senate Minority Leader, recently defeated former Senator and now compensated and controversial Minister.

Our response to that joke taken too far is that the rerun is a court ordered election to complete an earlier started electoral exercise, which by the judgement of the court has been declared inchoate. The only way the APC can substitute a candidate is if the incumbent candidate dies a physical death, not a political death as that currently witnessed. Senator Akpabio was a party before the court and the order of the court is that he should go back for a rerun in Essien Udim- that’s an order of the court and as a lawyer, he should obey that order and submit himself for confirmatory defeat. The purported withdrawal of the Senatorial candidate is a clear face-saving attempt by Chief Akpabio, in a bid to avoid a recurring defeat by Senator Chris Ekpenyong, whom he had earlier boasted was not a match for him. But like it’s common knowledge, pride goes before a fall. Senator Ekpenyong Defeated Chief Akpabio in 8 local government areas with a large margin of more than 38,000 votes-which is Akpabio’s present nightmare. Post election, he went to the tribunal and characteristically nearly turned it into a circus and ended up celebrating a minority judgement of the tribunal. Thereafter he approached the Court of Appeal claiming that elections were free and fair and requested that the illegal votes he procured in Essien Udim through unmitigated intimidation and unimaginable violence be recognized and counted for him so that he can be declared the winner and returned elected. The court discountenanced his claims and refused to grant his request, instead it cancelled the entire election in Essien Udim LGA ordering a rerun. The court described what happened in Essien Udim as a travesty of electoral process, "Pervasive hooliganism, unparalleled violence, abduction of poll officials "

On the funny claim that he has a patriotic task to perform at the Federal Executive Council as Minister, which is why he wants to withdraw from the race, the question is, when did he realize this duty which he claims he owes the Niger Delta? Why did he not withdraw before the Appeal court judgment? If the Court of Appeal had granted the reliefs he sought for, would he have still withdrawn?

Our party seriously frowns at the clowning attempts by Senator Akpabio to derail the electoral process in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, as we have on good authority that he intends to use the judicial process to prevent the conduct of the rerun, by institutions court actions to compel INEC to accept his purported withdrawal- this suit he intends to drag up to the Supreme Court if he loses. Senator Akpabio, who once boasted that he couldn’t lose an election should have been excited as he was earlier, to show the world that he cannot lose an election in his local government area. Why is he afraid of going for an election in his native Essien Udim?

We urge the Independent National Electoral Commission to treat the withdrawal letter of Senator Akpabio as a concession of defeat and hold that APC has no candidate in the forthcoming Senatorial rerun due next year. Additionally, we ask the commission to ignore and discountenance the shameless demand for the removal of Mike Igini as REC. This call is ill-motivated as he wants REC that will allow him the liberty to concoct results in Essien Udim during the rerun, as that is the only way he can win elections there.

Comrade Ini Ememobong
State Publicity Secretary
People’s Democratic Party
Akwa Ibom State
13122019

If your heart has been broken way too many times,and you’ve mastered the art of faking smiles and no one ever noticed, then this is for you.

Sometimes, you come across Friends who are just around you for what they can gain, but ditch you when they find someone else.

Sometimes, you’ve fallen in love with someone who doesn’t love you back or waited for him/her to return your call, SMS but it never came.

So I suppose you’ve been going through life hoping to get the right one who will bring you the joy and happiness that you can ever imagine

But the thing is, we’ve all been broken, we’ve all wanted something and it never came to pass.

So if your heart breaks, let it break. Because it’ll be okay, you will be just fine.

If you’ve been broken, it’s normal to feel lonely, to cry and to be dissapointed. But always remember you are not alone.

You need to get up, you need to start over, you need to be your best friend.

Life is too short, don’t spend too much time dwelling in the past, it’s time to leave your best life.

Read More: [https://www.motivation.africa/this-is-what-you-do-when-you-love-someone.html]

The Akwa Ibom State Legislative Fund Management Bill, 2019, on Tuesday, passed second reading at the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.

Sponsor of the Bill and member representing Oruk Anam State Constituency, Rt. Hon. (Sir) Udo Kierian Akpan, while leading the debate on the Bill at Plenary, said the Bill seeks to provide for the management of funds accruing to the State House of Assembly from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the state in order to ensure accountability, transparency, effective and efficient utilisation of funds.

He said the Bill provides for the establishment of a committee known as the Fund Management Board which shall consider matters in which funds in the House Account are applied for the services and administration of the State House of Assembly.

Sir Kierian who doubles as the House Leader said the Board shall submit quarterly reports in respects of funds accruing to the State House of Assembly, saying the Board shall have the Clerk of the House as Chairman of the Board and Directors of various Departments and Units.

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

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

He appealed for support from other members of the House to enable the Bill to see the light of the day.

The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, while lauding the House Leader for the Bill, directed the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation to conduct an indepth study on the Bill and report back to the House within one month.

Nigeria's Minister of Industry, trade and investment, Otumba Adeniyi Adebayor last week provided insight into how the country's leadership plans to take one hundred million Nigerians out of poverty.

Adebayor spoke in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State while giving his address on the occasion of the 11th National Council meeting on Industry, trade and investment that held between Monday, 2nd December and Thursday, 5th December 2019 with the theme " The role of Small and Medium Scale enterprises in poverty alleviation; the way forward ".

After highlighting the vision of the Ministry of Industry, trade and investment, the honourable minister went ahead to enumerate what the Mohammadu Buhari government was doing in a bid to alleviate poverty as well as achieve it's vision of taking hundred million Nigerians out of poverty within the next ten years.

As part of the efforts, Adebayor explained that government recognises small and medium scale enterprises as the pillar of job creation and was making massive investment in the subsector."In pursuit of our vision, boosting the development of micro small and medium enterprises towards supporting small and medium enterprises in poverty alleviation has become the mandate of our ministry.

This is in recognition of the critical role of the medium and small scale enterprises as the bedrock of Industrialisation in Nigeria and it's contribution to our gross domestic product . In pursuit of Mr President's vision, boosting the development of macro small and medium scale enterprises has become the mandate of our ministry. This is in recognition of the small and medium scale enterprises as the bedrock of Industrialisation in Nigeria given it's huge contribution to the gross domestic product. Government is making concentrated efforts to strengthen the sector in view of it's capacity to create jobs.

Already, we are initiating and implementing a one-local-government-one-one-product programme which will yield thousands of jobs annually. Micro small and medium enterprises are being established nationwide. The National enterprise development programme being promoted is aimed at developing one million job annually.

The programme is a strategic way of delivering enterprise development in the country by directly addressing the critical factors that have impeded the growth of the small and medium scale enterprise sector", said the minister.Earlier in his speech on the occasion, the representative of United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) to ECOWAS and regional director, Mr Jean Bakole said that Nigeria was being exemplary as a country coming out of recession and that he was in Uyo for the 11th National Council meeting on Industry, trade and investment because of Nigeria's key role in the economy of Africa.

He assured that Nigeria will enjoy the support of UNIDO in the bid to take out one hundred million Nigerians out of poverty.Mr Bakole mentioned that the Nigerian government had supported UNIDO with ten million dollars during it's last country programme but urged the government to improve it's contributions in subsequent projects. He insisted on attention to start ups, admitting that Nigerians have the industrial ideas to lead the rest of the world on industrialization and that if the right investment was made on youth capacity development, that Nigeria will boast of a very enviable economyIn his part, the executive governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel whose speech was read by his representative on the occasion, the deputy governor, Mr Moses Ekpo thanked the national council on industry for choosing Akwa Ibom State as the venue of their 11th meeting.

Mr Ekpo hinted that Akwa Ibom State last hosted the council's meeting in 2011 and said the State was happy to host Nigeria's industrial Stakeholders again since Mr Udom Emmanuel has industrialization as a hall of his completion agenda.Presenting the scorecard of Mr Emmanuel's administration on industrialization, Mr Moses Ekpo enumerated sixteen industries built and facilitated by the government to include Jubilee Syringe manufacturing factory, digital metering industry, Ibom paints limited, Lyon plywood factory, King's Flour mill, plastic manufacturing factory, fertilizer blending factory, coconut refinery, toothpick factory, pencil factory, etc. Mr Ekpo told his august visitors that the Ibom sea port project was gaining momentum and pleaded with the Federal Government of Nigeria to back up the State with the needed support for the project especially since the project is capable of churning out thousands of direct and indirect labour for the unemployed populace of the country.Other projects mentioned in governor Udom Emmanuel's address which he said was initiated in line with his agenda of industrialisation includes Ibom Airline, the construction of power substations in the state, the construction of road infrastructure and bridges, Agro-Industry revolution and investment in the security sector which is to give enabling environment to investors.

Mr Ekpo appealed to the investors in the gathering to take advantage of the investment friendly environment that Akwa Ibom offers and invest.While talking to the press, the Commissioner for Investment and Industry in Akwa Ibom State, Barr. Prince Ukpong Akpabio thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel for accepting to host the 11th National council meeting on investment. He also thanked the National Council on Industry, trade and investment for choosing Akwa Ibom State for it's 11th meeting, noting that the council came at a time industrialization, trade and investment was a priority in the agenda of Governor Udom Emmanuel."

The council came at a time industrialization, trade and investment, especially the aspect of small and medium scale enterprises is a focus of the completion agenda of Governor Udom Emmanuel. What the council is coming to do today is in line with what His Excellency, Deacon Udom Emmanuel has been doing which is to stimulate, empower and develop the small and medium scale enterprise sector".On why Akwa Ibom was chosen as the location of the 11th council meeting, Barr. Akpabio said that the reason was not far fetched, attributing it to the towering reputation of Governor Udom Emmanuel in Nigeria as industrialization Ceaser. He also highlighted the economic gains and impact of the meeting on the economy of Akwa Ibom State.

"First and foremost, looking at that exhibition stand, you will notice that those there are Akwa Ibom State entrepreneurs in small and medium scale enterprise and they are making huge sells. Looking at the hospitality sector too, we have six hundred members of council here and that translate to six hundred hotel rooms. Imagine the impact of six hundred guests in hotels for six days because they came in since Sunday. That alone is huge but there a lot more gains".

Others who spoke during the final session of the five days meeting included the minister of state for Industry, Trade and Investment, Ambassador Miriam Katagum, Special Adviser to President Buhari on Ease of Doing Business, Dr Jumoke Adewole, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Industry, trade and Investment, Mr Edem Akpan. The council meeting was adjudged by the permanent secretary of the federal ministry of industry, trade and investment as the most widely attended council meeting in more than ten years, having drawn the participation of delegates from all 36 states of the federation led by Commissioners for industry, trade and investment. Participants were full of praise for being a great host of the council meeting and for his outstanding performance in the area of industrialization.