Over the weekend, at OBA’s home in Shelter Afrique, Uyo, Senator Albert Akpan, Ephraim Inyang- Eyen and Sunny Ibout, allegedly held a clandestine meeting with the expressed agenda of setting up a Media Team, to blackmail Governor Udom Emmanuel, his administration and legacy as well as his preferred successor, Pastor Umo Eno.

This is to be carried out under a group; Akwa Ibom Media Network, headed by a certain Ifiok.

At the meeting, OBA, Ephraim Inyang-Eyen and Sunny Ibout according to our source, who attended the meeting said OBA and his henchmen spoke of their frustrations in not getting the public to support the ambition of the Senator.

They expressed disappointment in the manner Pastor Umo Eno has gained more support, especially in the media and in the court of public opinion and decided that a full- throttle campaign of blackmail and falsehood must be launched against the Governor and Pastor Umo Eno.

“In the next few days, you will see a rash of very laughable and ludicrous blackmail- tinged articles on the social media. It is sad that they would go this low,” the source added.

More details to come!

SAY IT LOUDER: AKWA IBOM RICE IS HERE

The food sufficiency drive of Governor Udom Emmanuel led-administration in Akwa Ibom State has recorded another significant breakthrough following a presentation by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Sufficiency, Dr Uduak Charles Udo- Inyang, to the state Executive Council, the Long Grain Rice ; cultivated, processed and packaged by the state Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sufficiency in conjunction with Technical Committee On Agriculture.

The Akwa Ibom State Government has recorded another giant stride in food sufficiency with the production of 160,000 metric tons of long grain rice for local and international consumption.

The rice, Family Rice, was presented during the State Executive Council, EXCO, Meeting presided over by the State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel at the Council Chamber, Government House, Uyo.

The Chairman in Council, Governor Emmanuel, said that the feat was in line with the state government’s target of crashing the price of staple food in the market, adding that in no distant time, at least, 80% of food consumed in Akwa Ibom would be produced from the state.

He expressed delight that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sufficiency and the Technical Committee on Food Sufficiency has been able to set the direction of crashing the price of rice just as it has attained impressive reduction of the price of garri in the market, stressing that the state is blessed with suitable climate to utilize and meet the demand of consumers.

THE GOVERNOR STATED, “THIS IS NOT A DRAWING BOARD, THIS IS NOT A CONCEPT, IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS DONE AND TESTED. THIS IS GROWN IN AKWA IBOM, PROCESSED AND BAGGED IN AKWA IBOM STATE”, HOPING THAT BY JULY 11, THE RICE MILL WOULD BE INAUGURATED.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Technical Committee on Food Sufficiency, Professor Edet Udoh, indicated that the State Government signed the Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, to partner Agricon Company on the project in July 16, 2016 and commenced production by May, 2017.

Prof.Udoh disclosed that the long grain rice takes about 120 days to mature from time of planting to harvesting, noting that the turnover of160,000 metric tons was realized as against the initial target of 176,000 metric tons and attributed the shortfall to heavy rainfall.

He disclosed that 10,000 bags of 50kg was already on ground to hit the market soon, assuring that with increase in yield at the nearest future, the state government would realize its target of crashing the price of rice in the market.

The Commissioner of Agriculture and Food Sufficiency, Dr. Uduak Udo-Inyang, who presented several bags of the rice at the EXCO meeting, said that the rice factory commenced production on a 600 hectares of farmland at Ini Local Government Area, last year, expressing hope of replicating it in Uruan and Okobo Local Government Areas.

Dr. Udo-Inyang explained that the initiative was a Public Private Partnership, PPP, between the State Government and Agricon, indicating that the name, Ibom Agricon Rice Factory was derived from the merger and added that further information about the Mill would be provided during inauguration.

Assuring on the quality of the rice, the Agriculture and Food Sufficiency boss said, “We are giving rice that can compete internationally but our target is to make sure that we feed our people first and foremost before we think of exporting”.

In an interview with Government House Press Crew, shortly after the meeting, the State Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Mr. Charles Udoh, said that the meeting was basically to review performance of the administration in all sectors, within the last three years, maintaining that the evaluation was necessary to note the achievements and gaps while deliberating on ways for improvement.

According to Mr. Udoh, who was flanked by his Agriculture and Science and Technology counterparts, “Today was a recap. In every establishment, in every management process, when you take a step forward, you need to also look back to see what you have done well and what you need to do better to ensure that the people maximally receive the benefits of democracy”.

He recalled that the scorecard of the present administration in the last three years, was published and presented during the third anniversary celebration, acknowledging that the report has attracted applause and commendations on the landmark achievements recorded by the administration despite challenges of recession.

On his part, the Commissioner of Science and Technology , Dr. Nse Essien, said that his Ministry, in partnership with International Business Machine, IBM, was set to offer Information and Communications Technology, ICT, training to 10,000 indigenes of the state, mentioning that participation is open to every Akwa Ibom person irrespective of background.

Dr. Essien noted that the Akwa Ibom Oil and Gas Training Center, which was inaugurated recently, was established to cater for the development of capacity in the oil and gas sector to ensure maximal benefits from the abundant natural resources in the state, assuring that discussions are ongoing with investors for the development of Ibom Science Park.

Don’t forget
#FamilyRice
#GovernorUdomisWorking

One thing is Evident
Governor Udom is Focused
He is working
He is Sincere and Highly committed to the AkwaIbom Project.

SAY IT LOUDER: AKWA IBOM RICE IS HERE

The food sufficiency drive of Governor Udom Emmanuel led-administration in Akwa Ibom State has recorded another significant breakthrough following a presentation by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Sufficiency, Dr Uduak Charles Udo- Inyang, to the state Executive Council, the Long Grain Rice ; cultivated, processed and packaged by the state Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sufficiency in conjunction with Technical Committee On Agriculture.

The Akwa Ibom State Government has recorded another giant stride in food sufficiency with the production of 160,000 metric tons of long grain rice for local and international consumption.

The rice, Family Rice, was presented during the State Executive Council, EXCO, Meeting presided over by the State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel at the Council Chamber, Government House, Uyo.

The Chairman in Council, Governor Emmanuel, said that the feat was in line with the state government’s target of crashing the price of staple food in the market, adding that in no distant time, at least, 80% of food consumed in Akwa Ibom would be produced from the state.

He expressed delight that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sufficiency and the Technical Committee on Food Sufficiency has been able to set the direction of crashing the price of rice just as it has attained impressive reduction of the price of garri in the market, stressing that the state is blessed with suitable climate to utilize and meet the demand of consumers.

THE GOVERNOR STATED, “THIS IS NOT A DRAWING BOARD, THIS IS NOT A CONCEPT, IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS DONE AND TESTED. THIS IS GROWN IN AKWA IBOM, PROCESSED AND BAGGED IN AKWA IBOM STATE”, HOPING THAT BY JULY 11, THE RICE MILL WOULD BE INAUGURATED.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Technical Committee on Food Sufficiency, Professor Edet Udoh, indicated that the State Government signed the Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, to partner Agricon Company on the project in July 16, 2016 and commenced production by May, 2017.

Prof.Udoh disclosed that the long grain rice takes about 120 days to mature from time of planting to harvesting, noting that the turnover of160,000 metric tons was realized as against the initial target of 176,000 metric tons and attributed the shortfall to heavy rainfall.

He disclosed that 10,000 bags of 50kg was already on ground to hit the market soon, assuring that with increase in yield at the nearest future, the state government would realize its target of crashing the price of rice in the market.

The Commissioner of Agriculture and Food Sufficiency, Dr. Uduak Udo-Inyang, who presented several bags of the rice at the EXCO meeting, said that the rice factory commenced production on a 600 hectares of farmland at Ini Local Government Area, last year, expressing hope of replicating it in Uruan and Okobo Local Government Areas.

Dr. Udo-Inyang explained that the initiative was a Public Private Partnership, PPP, between the State Government and Agricon, indicating that the name, Ibom Agricon Rice Factory was derived from the merger and added that further information about the Mill would be provided during inauguration.

Assuring on the quality of the rice, the Agriculture and Food Sufficiency boss said, “We are giving rice that can compete internationally but our target is to make sure that we feed our people first and foremost before we think of exporting”.

In an interview with Government House Press Crew, shortly after the meeting, the State Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Mr. Charles Udoh, said that the meeting was basically to review performance of the administration in all sectors, within the last three years, maintaining that the evaluation was necessary to note the achievements and gaps while deliberating on ways for improvement.

According to Mr. Udoh, who was flanked by his Agriculture and Science and Technology counterparts, “Today was a recap. In every establishment, in every management process, when you take a step forward, you need to also look back to see what you have done well and what you need to do better to ensure that the people maximally receive the benefits of democracy”.

He recalled that the scorecard of the present administration in the last three years, was published and presented during the third anniversary celebration, acknowledging that the report has attracted applause and commendations on the landmark achievements recorded by the administration despite challenges of recession.

On his part, the Commissioner of Science and Technology , Dr. Nse Essien, said that his Ministry, in partnership with International Business Machine, IBM, was set to offer Information and Communications Technology, ICT, training to 10,000 indigenes of the state, mentioning that participation is open to every Akwa Ibom person irrespective of background.

Dr. Essien noted that the Akwa Ibom Oil and Gas Training Center, which was inaugurated recently, was established to cater for the development of capacity in the oil and gas sector to ensure maximal benefits from the abundant natural resources in the state, assuring that discussions are ongoing with investors for the development of Ibom Science Park.

Don’t forget
#FamilyRice
#GovernorUdomisWorking

Governor Udom is not waiting for June Allocation
There are Capital Projects and Massive road construction projects littered across the State so it’s not about projects of Work functionality it is basically because of His ingenuity!

ONLY GOD COULD HAVE MADE US ACHIEVE THESE GREAT FEATS!

BEING THE TEXT OF THE THIRD ANNIVERSARY BROADCAST BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MR. UDOM EMMANUEL, GOVERNOR, AKWA IBOM STATE, TO MARK THE DEMOCRACY DAY 2018

Dear Akwaibomites

1 Precisely three years ago, I pledged before the Almighty God and all Akwa Ibomites, the solemn oath prescribed by our Constitution to be taken by anyone graciously entrusted with the Office of Governor and the sceptre of leadership by the good people this State. That oath is a sacred covenant, which vouches irrevocable, uncompromising and resolute commitment to do good to all manners of people in one’s State – in this case this blessed Land of Akwa Ibom State.

2 Three years after, we can look back and declare with irresistible evidence, soaring hope and inspired faith that that event was not the triumph of Udom Emmanuel, but the victory of Akwa Ibom State. That event was not the end of a race, but the beginning of a revolutionary renewal for our State. And these three years have witnessed an amazing period of God protecting our State like He protected Goshen while Egypt was ravaged by plagues and famines. It has been three years of God’s faithfulness.

3 Let me once again, as I did on that day; place on record my gratitude to all Akwa Ibomites for giving me the mandate to be your Governor. Like the 28th American President Woodrow Wilson said, “the object of love is to serve not to win.” Though I was elected massively in 2015 I believe the real victor in that election was the ordinary Akwa Ibom man and woman.

Consequently, my duty has been to render selfless, transparent, integrity-laden and Christ-centric service to you, my beloved Akwaibomites, and thereby justify the confidence reposed in me by our Heavenly Father and your good selves.

4 The promises I made on the blessed day I was sworn into office are still fresh in my mind. I promised to be your servant-Leader, that, I have been. I promised to transform the economy through industrialization. That we are doing. I promised to consolidate and expand our infrastructure, the 1,701 kilometres of roads and 35 bridges bear us out. I promised the security of lives and properties. One by one those who have become menaces in our society have faced the full and merciless wrath of the law.

5 I promised to empower our men, women and youths. You are my witnesses that this we have done. I promised to give all Akwa Ibomites a sense of belonging. We have kept faith with that promise. I vowed to undertake rural development and integration. Look around and you will see this promise kept. You surely remember that I committed myself to transparency in government. Well that has received national acclaim. I promised a good working relationship with all the other arms of Government. The cordial relationship between the three arms of Government testifies to that. I vowed to boost tourism, commerce and trade. These we are doing. I promised to build on the foundation laid by my predecessor. This we are doing.

6 It is noteworthy that we do what we are doing against the run of play. We defied the odds and the circumstances. We thrived in turbulent waters and steered our ship to safe harbours. We soared even when the oil prices dropped and were elevated when the nation had hyper-recession.

7 How did we do it? We did it through God’s steadfast love and tender mercies. We did it through your support, prayers, and your unflinching faith in our Divine Mandate. By God’s grace we can state without any fear of contradiction that no Governor anywhere in this country has done more than what we have done in his first term. This is an unvarnished fact and facts they say are sacred.

8 We came prepared to win and not to make excuses. We came to secure our future based on the strength and promise of yesterday and the goodness of heart and ingenuity of our people. Together, we have won accolades and commendations even from leaders and institutions of the opposing political party, such as the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) who early this year, gave me the Integrity and National Service Award, right inside Aso Rock.

9 Elsewhere, workers are owed salaries and pensions; here our workers smile to the bank at the end of every month. Elsewhere, the commissioning of a few kilometres of road is done with pomp and pageantry, here, we have constructed, commissioned or work is on-going on over 1701 kilometres of good - enduring and commercially viable roads, opening up the hinterland - without any fanfare. We are on a cause for sustainable development not a fleeting or ephemeral cause for applause.

10 The extent and breath of what we have achieved together, which I will reel off shortly is so huge and all-encompassing hence the theme of this celebration: Only God. God is the Invisible Hand that has helped us steer the ship of development of our State, leading us to becoming the second State with the most Foreign Direct Investment as reported by the National Bureau of Statistics. It is only God that has given us one of the most peaceful States in the Nigeria as published recently by the media.

11. It is only through the grace of God and His abiding faith in our collective enterprise that has made us achieve the following: In the the area of roads and infrastructure: Over 1,700km of roads have been commissioned or at various stages of completion35 bridges have been completed; and the State Secretariat Annex has been completed. Other projects include the 21-Storey Office Complex which will house the International Oil Companies and change the skyline of Uyo metropolis; the ongoing construction of the 2nd Airport Runway and the upgrade of the Airport Main Runway to Category 2. It is noteworthy, my dear compatriots, that we are the only state to own and maintain an International Airport. Additionally, our flood control project at Nsikak Eduok Avenue, Uyo, has checkmated the flood menace, which led to occasional traffic gridlocks in Uyo.

12 In the area of education, we have invested huge resources conscious of the fact that we must prepare our children to compete with their counterparts in an increasingly shrinking globalized and highly competitive world. We have continued our: Free and compulsory basic education in public schools; recruitment of 4,761 quality teachers; and provision of safe, and conducive learning environment for our pupils and students. Akwa Ibom pupils and students study under the most welcoming of surroundings, and plans are underway by the Inter-Ministerial and Direct Labour Committee to refurbish and refit a few buildings, which are not in an acceptable state. We have taken-over seven community secondary schools and turned them into model and modern schools, equipped with modern amenities;
constructed and renovated 400 school blocks and we have undertaken 700 intervention projects. In addition, we have undertaken strategic interventions in tertiary institutions – roads, equipment, academic blocks, etc. We have procured & distributed free text books & other educational materials; paid subventions to public primary & secondary schools; paid over N600 million WAEC fees for our childern in public secondary schools annually; upgraded the Akwa Ibom State College of Arts & Science, Nung Ukim, Ikono to a College of Science and Technology. As well as provided significant support for the establishment of the Nigerian Navy School in Oruk Anam and Army School in Etinan.

13 In the area of industrialization we have raised our Power Infrastructure to meet international standards with the construction of three Injector Stations to complement the Ibom Power Plant. This forms the bedrock of our industrialization drive with Ibom Deep Sea Port as a pivotal project alongside the logistics hub, the industrial city and international Jetty. As at today, we have the Syringe Manufacturing Factory (the Largest in Africa), the Electric Digital Metering Solutions Manufacturing Factory (the best in Nigeria) and the Pencil and Toothpick factory which are already in operation. We resuscitated the Peacock Paint Industry and it is now in full operation. The Plastic Manufacturing Factory, the Fertilizer Blending Factory and Rice Processing Mill are ready for commissioning. New street lights along Oron road, leading to the Airport have been mounted. Other projects which are in the offing include the Flour Mills and Coconut Refinery.

14 Determined to diversify our economy form over-dependence on oil, we have made huge gains in agriculture. To date, work is on-going in the following projects: the 11,000 hectares coconut plantation; and 16,000 hectares cassava
plantation in 15 LGA’s. Youths numbering 450 have been trained in cocoa maintenance, shedding and pruning and they are using these skills to grow cocoa all over the state. We have also subsidized fertilizers and we have given oil palm & cocoa seedlings to farmers all over the State. Other projects include the Akwa Prime Hatchery, which produces 10,000 day old chicks weekly, the cultivation of over 100 hectares of rice, and the Free Improved Corn seed distribution program for farmers. We have constructed Vegetable Greenhouses which are ready for commissioning. Similarly, we are currently constructing 33 Cassava Micro-Processing Mills; and the Training of 300 youths under the Graduate Unemployment Youth Scheme (GUYS). All graduates will be empowered with one million naira to embark on any agricultural enterprise. We have refurbished Cassava Processing Factories at Ikot Okudom, Eket LGA; NungUdoe, Ibesikpo/Asutan LGA and Ikot Ekang in Abak LGA and leased to private operators for the production of high quality garri, odourless foofoo and cassava flour. And we have procured 600,000 bags of fertilizer for farmers in the State. We have done a lot in this sector and will, continue to invest heavily in agriculture.

15 In the area of rural Development, we have embarked on the following: Over 300 rural development projects across 31 Local Government Areas; over 400 Inter-Ministerial Rural Intervention projects spanning all the 31 local government areas; and rehabilitation/construction of over 500km of rural feeder roads on-going. For the records, there is no local government that we don’t have more than 10 on-going intervention projects in. Compatriots, we are touching lives, and improving the quality of lives of our people in keeping with my promise.

16 I have always maintained that a healthy population is a productive population, therefore, we have done/are doing the following in the health sector: over 50 Containers of state-of-the art medical equipment have been delivered and are currently being distributed to various hospitals; construction and upgrading of secondary healthcare facilities across the State; reconstruction and equipping of the General Hospital, Etinan; and the ongoing reconstruction of Ituk Mbang General Hospital. The Ikono General hospital has been completely renovated and equipped with the first of its kind digital medical records facilities in the State. Also noteworthy is that we are building the Best Trauma Centre in Nigeria in a joint effort with Exxon Mobil and this will come on stream in the next 18 months. Other on-going projects include rehabilitation of Ikot Okoro General Hospital; Awa Cottage Hospital; Relief for over 4,000 mal-nourished children; free screening & treatment of over 15,000 people for various eye diseases undertaken by FEYReP; training of 20 Biomedical Engineers; provision of residential quarters for 48 House Officers in the State Hospitals and 50 in the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH); accreditation for Schools of Nursing, with 272 Registered Nurses; training and certification of 100 Doctors and Nurses in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) with Medical Emergency Experts from the USA; and procurement of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and Electrocardiograph (ECG) Machines for use in Emergency Response (now fitted in all our ambulances).

17 In the area of Youth Empowerment & Capacity Building, we have trained over 20,000 youths in various skills and undertaken the Construction of 10 Modern Sports Centres. In collaboration with Exxon Exxon Mobil, we are building what would be the best Faculty of Engineering at the University of Uyo, alongside a Skills
Development Centre in Ikot Akata, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area. This centre will train the needed manpower for the oil industry, and is affiliated with the Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden. We also gave a N2bn interest free loan to small scale entrepreneurs and traders. We successfully organized the First and Second Akwa Ibom State Youth Sports Festival. Through sound financial planning, investment and management, Akwa Ibom has become the Football Capital of Nigeria. We hosted the Super Eagles to becoming the first African Team to qualify for Russia 2018 World Cup with a match still to play. We are the first state in Nigeria to successfully host a reigning European Champion; Spanish La Liga powerhouse, Atheltico Madrid in a friendly football match against our Super Eagles in Uyo. Akwa Ibom State is now on the world map of football. All Akwa Ibomites should be proud of this achievement. Other notable feats include Akwa United winning the Nigeria FA Cup twice in the 3 years under my watch; Ibom Angels emerging runners up in the 2017 Nigeria Female FA Cup (The first time a female team from the state has ever qualified for the finals of a major national competition); Team Akwa Ibom finishing 2nd on the medal table at the 2017 National Sports Festival; Akwa Ibom receiving three Excellence Awards on Sports Development from the Federal Government; Renovation/reconstruction of Uyo, Ikot Ekpene, and Eket Sports Stadia in the State; and the promotion and sponsorship of 4 state football teams namely Akwa United, Akwa Starlet,Ibom Angels and Ibom Youth FC.

18 In the social welfare sector, in partnership with, FEYReP, we have recorded huge achievements such as caring for over Eight Hundred (800) Orphans and less-privileged children in four Government Homes at Uyo and the one at Ikot Ekpene. Some of these children are presently in higher institutions; provision of N200,000.00 grant each for about 500 women organizations
across the 31 LGAs to enable them leverage on the public-partnership Initiative of the State Government. Others include the provision of grants and material aids to about 600 widows and 350 mothers with multiple births across the 31 LGAs to boost their businesses and alleviate poverty; in collaboration with FEYReP, the pet project of the wife of Governor of the State; the implementation of the Child Rights Law and prosecution of Child’s Rights offenders in collaboration with the Akwa Ibom State Judiciary and Ministry of Justice, Security services, Police etc. Over 200 cases have been recorded since 29th May 2015 and 120 have received judgment. Others include the donation of over two hundred (200) wheel Chairs and one hundred (100) Special Writing Desks for physical challenged persons in tertiary institutions and secondary schools; training of 20 visually impaired persons in different skills at the Nigerian Farm Craft Centre, Lagos and subsequent empowerment for them to start up their businesses in the trade learnt; and sponsorship of 155 widows to Jerusalem (Pilgrimage) led by Her Excellency, the Wife of the Executive Governor; donation of material aids to over 2,000 members of Market Women Frontline; and the empowerment of widows through the Widows Empowerment Scheme and Financial Empowerment to widows registered with the Ministry.

19 In the area of culture and tourism, we have raised the stature of our State to national reckoning. Our 30th Anniversary last year, with the Colour me Orange campaign was a national sensation, which had driven tourists to the State. Our State continues to be the destination of choice for most events. Our hospitality industry is growing and keeping pace with the influx of people into our State.

20 My fellow Akwaibomites, I believe, as I had promised in my inaugural address and as enunciated in my Five Point Governing Agenda that we have not veered off the course. We have stayed the course and with your support, we will continue to impact your lives. That is what government is supposed to be, and we remain dedicated to doing just that!

21 Let me end this broadcast by appealing to our political class not to unnecessarily heat up the polity or fan the embers of rancour and disunity among brothers and sisters. As the political season dawns, let us remember that we were brothers and sisters before the coming of partisan politics, and we will remain brothers and sisters long after we had finished our careers in public service. Let us show love to one another even when we don’t agree or share same political orientations. As a one-time United States President, John Quincy Adams said “if your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader”. May the actions of our leaders inspire us to become more loving, less rancorous, and more united and faithful believers in the immutable essence and definition of the Akwa Ibom spirit. As your Governor and Leader, these are the values I embody and will continue to project them, now and in the future, with your prayers and support.

22 God bless Akwa Ibom State, God bless us all! Akwa Ibom Edakkeda, ami, me dakkada.

Re:  Reuben Abati: The Institutional churches in Akwa Ibom State : Where Abati got it wrong!

By Ekerete Udoh

I know Dr. Reuben Abati very well and I count him as a friend and a cherished colleague.  I am also eternally excited to see the way he has grown in journalism having played a small role in his foray into journalism and the subsequent success he has garnered in the profession. I am thus not very happy that I would have to join issues with him.

In 1990, as a 25 year old PhD holder in Theatre Arts, Dr. Abati was brought to the offices of Hints magazine by his childhood friend, Kayode Ajala for consideration as a writer with Hints magazine. I recalled the Publisher of the magazine, then Chief Counsel at TEXCACO Oil and the current Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu asking me what I thought of Dr. Abati. I remember telling Dr. Kachikwu “Doc, “(as we used to call him then) “by all means, he should be given a chance. A guy with a PhD at 25 must be a genius”.

Abati eventually joined Hints magazine as a columnist and acquitted himself very well, eventually moving to  The Guardian where he became a celebrated columnist and Chairman of the Editorial Board of thatnewspaper,   eventually ending up as the Special Adviser (Media and Publicity/ Spokesman to former President Goodluck Jonathan). Dr. Abati’s analytic skills-set stands him out as one of the best in the nation and I am always happy that the intellectual rigour he exhibited way back in 1990 has been appropriated by other Nigerians and he has not disappointed us.

But sometimes the best pundits may veer off course, and in a rush to make what they may feel represent an informed contribution on a topical issue, end up confounding and ridiculing themselves in the process. Dr. Abati’s piece under reference represents this moment in his otherwise sterling career as a columnist and a pundit and it’s very sad!

Dr. Abati’s main contention is what he believes to be the blurring of lines between the church and the State particularly in Akwa Ibom State and that churches in the State have” closed ranks” and that they operate “more like government parastatals” and went on to state that religious leaders “have learnt to defer to the state government and they are well-patronized in return for their loyalty”.

Reuben Abati’s assertions above are decidedly false and are the products of bar room gossip which someone of his intellectual standing should have discountenanced or elect to conduct a thorough investigation to ascertain the veracity of such assertions rather than relying on guts feeling or politically manufactured talking points of a tiny and fast depleting community of naysayers within the Akwa Ibom political space.

May I inform my friend Dr. Abati that Akwa Ibom State as he correctly pointed out is a decidedly Christian State and we make no apologies for our deep faith in Christ and the values inherent in those beliefs. We wear our Christian faith like badges of honour and if I may educate my dear friend further, the name of the State: Akwa Abasi Ibom means the land of a great and awe-inspiring God. Our faith in God and Christ as our Lord and Saviour cuts across political and ideological spectrum.

 Let me remind my friend that no nation-Islamic or one based on Judeo-Christian values and ethos can completely divorce itself from religion. Even the United States where Dr. Aabati spent over a year at the University of Maryland,  College Point in 1997,   and where Thomas Jefferson in his January 1, 1802 letter to the Danbury Baptist Church in Connecticut had canvassed the erection of a wall of separation between the church and state has totally divorced itself from its core Judeo-Christian values.

Dr. Abati knows as a political pundit and one who has followed and written numerous articles about the currents that illuminate the American political discourse that the evangelicals or values voters are powerful electoral bloc that is courted, embraced, cultivated and whose endorsement is desired by politicians across the political divide.

 From the late President Ronald Reagan who openly declared his fidelity to the group to George H. Bush and George W. Bush, to the current President Trump, the leading figures within the evangelical community are inexorably tied to the White House and they consider this a patriotic duty. Billy Graham, Late Jerry Falwell, Rick Warren, James Dobson etc. are regular visitors to the White House and also serve as regular media surrogates of the mostly Republican Presidents as well as a some Democratic Presidents. No Republican  or Democratic candidate will treat with levity the awesome power of the evangelical community, and this is happening  in a nation where the there is a clear line of separation between the church and state as expressly enshrined in the Establishment Clause and Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Akwa Ibom State as a purely Christian State with an Ordained Deacon of the United Evangelical Church founded  as Qua Iboe Church , His Excellency, Udom Emmanuel as the Governor wears his Christian faith and beliefs with unapologetic pride and panache and he owes the likes of Abati no apologies for marketing and projecting  his Christian faith. His successful 2015 Gubernatorial Campaign Organization is called Divine Mandate and His Divine and invisible Hand is at work in Akwa Ibom State, leading the Governor to achieve great strides for the good people of Akwa Ibom State in spite of the challenging economic environment the nation has faced.

It is preposterous for Dr. Abati to state that the Clerics in the State who are proud of having a God –fearing and Christ-centric leader defer to the State Government and they are well patronized in return for their loyalty. I think this is a gratuitous insult from Dr. Abati and he owes the entire Christian community in the State an unreserved apology for this egregious insult.

Dr. Abati also talk about the suspension of a certain individual by the African Church because of a so-called protest he led over a certain government decision and tried to establish a link or some form of symbiotic relationship based on the incident between the Christian community and the State. This is very sad for an otherwise smart and intellectually astute pundit.

 Dr. Abati, the State Government had no hand in what was purely an  internal affair of The African Church and one would have expected you to have  discerned this fact, having been familiar with the deliberate conflation of facts with fiction by mostly rabble-rousers and agents provocateur that populate the political space.

I will not even dignify Dr. Abati’s confounding rant about the propriety or otherwise of the State Government to have a befitting lodge in the nation’s commercial capital-Lagos. This issue has been eloquently addressed by his Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel. But Dr.  Abati should be reminded that practically every nation on planet earth has a befitting house in New York City, the financial capital of the United States nay the world. It is not just because of the United Nations alone that these nations have befitting houses in the city, but because of the ease of doing business with the business and financial mavens  of the world who make New York City their home.

In conclusion, let me inform Dr. Abati and his ilk that even though we may have differences politically which is an expected occurrence in a democratic space, on the issue of our Christian faith, the State is wholly homogenous and we, I repeat wear our Christian faith with pride and élan and no amount of bewildering assertions by an otherwise smart political pundit will take the Christian armour that we have worn for centuries off our backs. We are Christian soldiers and are marching on gloriously. My advice to  Dr. Abati is simple: get used to it!

Ekerete Udoh is the Chief Press Secretary and Senior Special Assistant (Media) to Governor Udom Emmanuel.

Akwa Ibom State Government has approved the purchase of 45 new buses for the improvement of urban transportation within the state capital.

Subsequently, approval has been given to the commissioner for Transport and Petroleum Resources for commencement of immediate implementation.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Charles Udoh briefed State House reporters shortly after the State Executive Council Meeting at Government House, Uyo.

He said the deliberation of the Executive Council meeting centred around the review of series of previous meetings held by the council which had centred strictly on strategic planning and leadership.

He announced the council’s approval for the repositioning of the solid mineral sector as part of plans to diversify the economy of the state, and shift attention from overdependence on crude oil.

“Over the years, we've been prospecting for alternative to oil and solid mineral clearly is some sort of alternative and so, His Excellency and the Council had approved the repositioning of the solid mineral sector for improved revenue generation.”

He said the Government in this sector is to commence base line studies, surveys and maping of solid minerals within the state and that will give us an insight into what we have and what we don't have and how to utilize them.

Evelyn-A. Ibanga


As part of his administration's industrialisation drive, Governor Udom Emmanuel has disclosed that arrangements have been concluded for the establishment of tomato puree processing factory in the state.


The governor who made the disclosure in Uyo, while on inspection tour of food crops and vegetable green houses set up by the State Government said the tomatoes harvested from the green houses and other parts of the state will serve as raw material for the factory.



Emmanuel said his administration was embarking on various agricultural initiatives with a view to crashing food prices in the state.


According to Emmanuel, "Right now we do not want to produce for export, we want to produce for local market so that our people can eat and eat well at a very affordable price".


He remarked that the high yielding seedlings cultivated in the greenhouse will also create wealth for the state, adding that already, the cucumber cultivated in the facility would be ready for harvesting in September.


"If you look at the quality of food we have here, every single naira invested here will be realized within a short period of time, the tomatoes were planted exactly one month ago and by September, we should be harvesting the cucumber.


"Governor Emmanuel asserted.


On the cattle ranch in Adadia, in Uruan Local Government Area, Emmanuel explained that the facility, which is expected to cater for 2000 herds of cattle arriving the state from Mexico, was a fully integrated cattle farm that will produce milk, cheese, meat, hide and skin for various economic uses.


He remarked that the special grasses intended for feeding the cows, have been planted in about 100 hectares of land, noting that the processed grasses will provide nutrition to the cattle, to ensure that the people got "better quality meat than what is in the market".


The Governor added that the ranch project is one of the many agriculture-based interventions of his administration aimed at reducing unemployment for Akwa Ibom youths as well as improve the lifestyle and living conditions of the people.


"Human growth is about the lifestyle, we are interested in the lives of our people from start to finish. In other parts of the world, people no longer drink evaporated milk, they drink fresh milk, so, as a good leader, you have to be interested in what your people eat.


Leadership is about vision and creativity, this land could have laid wasted but the ranch will provide employment to a lot of Akwa Ibom youths. We also want to be the state that minimum of 80 percent of what we eat, is produced here", he enthused.


Earlier, the consultant of the greenhouse project, Mr. Cobus San Carlos, stated that the greenhouse provide adequate chlorophyll to plants as well as control the external factors that may negatively affect the growth of plants.


Cobus explained that the hydroponic system used in the greenhouses, was a cheaper way of cultivating high yielding crops which are not only nutritious but also affordable.


He applauded the state government for taking the initiative to consider the future of its people by putting modalities in place to provide well nourished and affordable food to people across the state.

Governor Udom Emmanuel has expressed the belief that in view of the strategic importance of Akwa Ibom and the huge economic benefits from its maritime sector,the proposed Naval War College in the state will soon be realised.

Governor Emmanuel stated this when he played host to a delegation of Course 1 of the Naval War College of Nigeria, Ubima, Rivers State, at Government House, Uyo.

He lauded the theme of the tour, “combating maritime security challenges towards socio-economic development” and hoped that their tour of the shoreline of the state will help in fighting security threats and ensuring the growth of economic life of the coastal areas.

“we have a whole lot of foreign investors who have indicated interest to develop those shorelines, starting from logistics to petrochemical plants, refineries and fertilizer plants,” adding that with assurances of adequate security presence, their zeal to invest will be boosted.

He said the commencement of the war college in Rivers state meant that Akwa Ibom is inching closer to having its soon.

Akwa Ibom, he insisted, has the longest shoreline in the whole country, and from the shoreline comes the largest quantity of crude oil which is being exported on a daily basis from the country.

For these reasons, he maintained that, if the country had needs for 2 - 3 war colleges, the state with the longest shoreline should be one of them.
“Nigeria’s investments is greatest in our shoreline; so we need the naval protection more than any other place.”

He expressed hope that the visit would spur the Nigerian navy to commence the college sooner.

On the new Naval Technical College in Ekparakwa, Mr Emmanuel said he was expecting an invitation to address the first set of students in the college.

He said his reluctance to visit the college now was borne out of his desire to speak directly to students once they start classes, instead of visiting to see just the structures in the school.

He said the Nigerian Army had carried out aptitude tests for their command secondary school in Efa, Etinan local government, and urged the naval college to follow suit.

Commending the synergy among the armed forces in the country, he also encouraged them to continue doing their best for the sake of the country, despite the limited resources within reach.

Earlier, the team leader Rear Admiral Thadeaus Christopher Udofia commended Gov Emmanuel for enhancing socio-economic development of the citizenry through dynamic leadership.

He said the Naval War College was established primarily to develop the competencies of selected Naval officers, officers of sister services and those of friendly nations “so that they can effectively perform managerial roles, leadership and command responsibilities and operational level of warfare.”

Rear Admiral Udofia said with the dynamism and increasing complexity of contemporary global security environment, the naval war college is out to “train these officers so they can make sound decisions in the application of maritime force as a policy option.”

He said in line with these objectives, the college curriculum mandates participants to embark on a study tour of selected states in the country to be abreast with efforts of the state governments in support of maritime security.

Udofia said the recommendations made at the end of the tour, will be forwarded to the state government, “to further enhance the activities of government for socio economic development of the citizenry.”

He said Akwa Ibom was one of the two states selected for the study tour of Course 1 of the Naval War College, and commended the state on its 30th anniversary coming up next month.

More photos

Photos from the Gala nite held in honour of the Hon. Minster of Finance Kemi Adeosun represented by the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Finance, Alhaji (Dr) Mahmoud Isah Dutse, Members of the Federation Account Allocation Committee and Participants/Staff of the Naval War College, Nigeria. The event is held at the Banquet Hall of Akwa Ibom State Government House, Uyo.

XTLikeNat777:
After Attah and Akpabio there's no other inspirational Leader in AKS!!!! We need change come 2019

[b][b]This is a picture of how the dilapidated structure looks like. Governor Udom despite dwindling resources has done a lot in AkwaIbom State
Imagine that AKWAIBOM PEOPLE CURRENTLY ENJOY 18-24 hours of ELECTRICITY SUPPLY .

In just 2 Years over 700km of roads have been done, education is free for all public primary and secondary school students, Medicare is still free for 0-5 Years, pregnant women and the aged. He is Currently building Africa's Largest Syringe Factory , a metering Factory in which case was an investment that made AkwaIbom emerge tops in terms of Foreign Direct Investments in Nigeria

While Nigeria is in the boardroom thinking about a toothpick factory by 2018 Governor Udom Emmanuel has already built Nigeria's First Toothpick and Pencil Factory plus the revamp of Paint factory. My Brother a lot has happened in the agricultural sector
AkwaPrime Hatchery
Tomato Revolution which has brought about the additional 10ha Green House for the cultivation of exotic cash crops and processing plant in view. 1450 Hectares of Cassava plantation plus the resuscitation of Cassava processing plants across the 3 senatorial districts rice , Cocoa, maize etc. Over 5000 youths have been trained in Several sectors . The Youths Women and Children have been hugely impacted so AkwaIbom people are happy


What You are seeing here is a doctored or paid protest by APC in AkwaIbom. In terms of numbers they are infinitesimal and cannot be qualified as the voice of the people. AkwaIbom is PDP and will remain so . The question is always are the people happy Yes! Do they want more industries and Investments Yes! So That is the Reason why it is important to have a base in Lagos as the Governor stated in the Video You have watched.


AkwaIbom is Blessed to have good Leaders I must say that AkwaIbom is Truly loved by God. Any other thing You hear is propaganda and blackmail We are Proud of Governor Udom and His Strides and AkwaIbom people have even said if for giving Us constant Power supply alone we want Him to continue till 2023.

[/b][/b][color=#000099][/color]

Customer80:
This is highest height of stupidity from udom emmanuel

[b][b]This is a picture of how the dilapidated structure looks like. Governor Udom despite dwindling resources has done a lot in AkwaIbom State
Imagine that AKWAIBOM PEOPLE CURRENTLY ENJOY 18-24 hours of ELECTRICITY SUPPLY .

In just 2 Years over 700km of roads have been done, education is free for all public primary and secondary school students, Medicare is still free for 0-5 Years, pregnant women and the aged. He is Currently building Africa's Largest Syringe Factory , a metering Factory in which case was an investment that made AkwaIbom emerge tops in terms of Foreign Direct Investments in Nigeria

While Nigeria is in the boardroom thinking about a toothpick factory by 2018 Governor Udom Emmanuel has already built Nigeria's First Toothpick and Pencil Factory plus the revamp of Paint factory. My Brother a lot has happened in the agricultural sector
AkwaPrime Hatchery
Tomato Revolution which has brought about the additional 10ha Green House for the cultivation of exotic cash crops and processing plant in view. 1450 Hectares of Cassava plantation plus the resuscitation of Cassava processing plants across the 3 senatorial districts rice , Cocoa, maize etc. Over 5000 youths have been trained in Several sectors . The Youths Women and Children have been hugely impacted so AkwaIbom people are happy


What You are seeing here is a doctored or paid protest by APC in AkwaIbom. In terms of numbers they are infinitesimal and cannot be qualified as the voice of the people. AkwaIbom is PDP and will remain so . The question is always are the people happy Yes! Do they want more industries and Investments Yes! So That is the Reason why it is important to have a base in Lagos as the Governor stated in the Video You have watched.


AkwaIbom is Blessed to have good Leaders I must say that AkwaIbom is Truly loved by God. Any other thing You hear is propaganda and blackmail We are Proud of Governor Udom and His Strides and AkwaIbom people have even said if for giving Us constant Power supply alone we want Him to continue till 2023.

[/b][/b][color=#000099][/color]

SalamRushdie:
Yet they have one already rotting in Lagos ..This is clearly an attempt to loot and launder govt funds and the EFCC should look into it.

[b][b]This is a picture of how the dilapidated structure looks like. Governor Udom despite dwindling resources has done a lot in AkwaIbom State
Imagine that AKWAIBOM PEOPLE CURRENTLY ENJOY 18-24 hours of ELECTRICITY SUPPLY .

In just 2 Years over 700km of roads have been done, education is free for all public primary and secondary school students, Medicare is still free for 0-5 Years, pregnant women and the aged. He is Currently building Africa's Largest Syringe Factory , a metering Factory in which case was an investment that made AkwaIbom emerge tops in terms of Foreign Direct Investments in Nigeria

While Nigeria is in the boardroom thinking about a toothpick factory by 2018 Governor Udom Emmanuel has already built Nigeria's First Toothpick and Pencil Factory plus the revamp of Paint factory. My Brother a lot has happened in the agricultural sector
AkwaPrime Hatchery
Tomato Revolution which has brought about the additional 10ha Green House for the cultivation of exotic cash crops and processing plant in view. 1450 Hectares of Cassava plantation plus the resuscitation of Cassava processing plants across the 3 senatorial districts rice , Cocoa, maize etc. Over 5000 youths have been trained in Several sectors . The Youths Women and Children have been hugely impacted so AkwaIbom people are happy


What You are seeing here is a doctored or paid protest by APC in AkwaIbom. In terms of numbers they are infinitesimal and cannot be qualified as the voice of the people. AkwaIbom is PDP and will remain so . The question is always are the people happy Yes! Do they want more industries and Investments Yes! So That is the Reason why it is important to have a base in Lagos as the Governor stated in the Video You have watched.


AkwaIbom is Blessed to have good Leaders I must say that AkwaIbom is Truly loved by God. Any other thing You hear is propaganda and blackmail We are Proud of Governor Udom and His Strides and AkwaIbom people have even said if for giving Us constant Power supply alone we want Him to continue till 2023.

[/b][/b][color=#000099][/color]

nnokwa042:
what type of governors do we ve in Nigeria biko? Akwa ibom an oil rich state still with highest suppliers of house boy and house girl ,what of children accused of been witchcrafts that littered the street of akwa ibom state,now the stupid governor is going to another state to develop it while ur state still is backward am going crazy now,if not for him to embezzle money tell me the reason why he want to build 21 storey building,black people re wicked

[b][b]This is a picture of how the dilapidated structure looks like. Governor Udom despite dwindling resources has done a lot in AkwaIbom State
Imagine that AKWAIBOM PEOPLE CURRENTLY ENJOY 18-24 hours of ELECTRICITY SUPPLY .

In just 2 Years over 700km of roads have been done, education is free for all public primary and secondary school students, Medicare is still free for 0-5 Years, pregnant women and the aged. He is Currently building Africa's Largest Syringe Factory , a metering Factory in which case was an investment that made AkwaIbom emerge tops in terms of Foreign Direct Investments in Nigeria

While Nigeria is in the boardroom thinking about a toothpick factory by 2018 Governor Udom Emmanuel has already built Nigeria's First Toothpick and Pencil Factory plus the revamp of Paint factory. My Brother a lot has happened in the agricultural sector
AkwaPrime Hatchery
Tomato Revolution which has brought about the additional 10ha Green House for the cultivation of exotic cash crops and processing plant in view. 1450 Hectares of Cassava plantation plus the resuscitation of Cassava processing plants across the 3 senatorial districts rice , Cocoa, maize etc. Over 5000 youths have been trained in Several sectors . The Youths Women and Children have been hugely impacted so AkwaIbom people are happy


What You are seeing here is a doctored or paid protest by APC in AkwaIbom. In terms of numbers they are infinitesimal and cannot be qualified as the voice of the people. AkwaIbom is PDP and will remain so . The question is always are the people happy Yes! Do they want more industries and Investments Yes! So That is the Reason why it is important to have a base in Lagos as the Governor stated in the Video You have watched.


AkwaIbom is Blessed to have good Leaders I must say that AkwaIbom is Truly loved by God. Any other thing You hear is propaganda and blackmail We are Proud of Governor Udom and His Strides and AkwaIbom people have even said if for giving Us constant Power supply alone we want Him to continue till 2023.

[/b][/b][color=#000099][/color]

emmanueltony950:
Adonbilivit!!!!

[b][b]This is a picture of how the dilapidated structure looks like. Governor Udom despite dwindling resources has done a lot in AkwaIbom State
Imagine that AKWAIBOM PEOPLE CURRENTLY ENJOY 18-24 hours of ELECTRICITY SUPPLY .

In just 2 Years over 700km of roads have been done, education is free for all public primary and secondary school students, Medicare is still free for 0-5 Years, pregnant women and the aged. He is Currently building Africa's Largest Syringe Factory , a metering Factory in which case was an investment that made AkwaIbom emerge tops in terms of Foreign Direct Investments in Nigeria

While Nigeria is in the boardroom thinking about a toothpick factory by 2018 Governor Udom Emmanuel has already built Nigeria's First Toothpick and Pencil Factory plus the revamp of Paint factory. My Brother a lot has happened in the agricultural sector
AkwaPrime Hatchery
Tomato Revolution which has brought about the additional 10ha Green House for the cultivation of exotic cash crops and processing plant in view. 1450 Hectares of Cassava plantation plus the resuscitation of Cassava processing plants across the 3 senatorial districts rice , Cocoa, maize etc. Over 5000 youths have been trained in Several sectors . The Youths Women and Children have been hugely impacted so AkwaIbom people are happy


What You are seeing here is a doctored or paid protest by APC in AkwaIbom. In terms of numbers they are infinitesimal and cannot be qualified as the voice of the people. AkwaIbom is PDP and will remain so . The question is always are the people happy Yes! Do they want more industries and Investments Yes! So That is the Reason why it is important to have a base in Lagos as the Governor stated in the Video You have watched.


AkwaIbom is Blessed to have good Leaders I must say that AkwaIbom is Truly loved by God. Any other thing You hear is propaganda and blackmail We are Proud of Governor Udom and His Strides and AkwaIbom people have even said if for giving Us constant Power supply alone we want Him to continue till 2023.

[/b][/b][color=#000099][/color]

[b][b]This is a picture of how the dilapidated structure looks like. Governor Udom despite dwindling resources has done a lot in AkwaIbom State
Imagine that AKWAIBOM PEOPLE CURRENTLY ENJOY 18-24 hours of ELECTRICITY SUPPLY .

In just 2 Years over 700km of roads have been done, education is free for all public primary and secondary school students, Medicare is still free for 0-5 Years, pregnant women and the aged. He is Currently building Africa's Largest Syringe Factory , a metering Factory in which case was an investment that made AkwaIbom emerge tops in terms of Foreign Direct Investments in Nigeria

While Nigeria is in the boardroom thinking about a toothpick factory by 2018 Governor Udom Emmanuel has already built Nigeria's First Toothpick and Pencil Factory plus the revamp of Paint factory. My Brother a lot has happened in the agricultural sector
AkwaPrime Hatchery
Tomato Revolution which has brought about the additional 10ha Green House for the cultivation of exotic cash crops and processing plant in view. 1450 Hectares of Cassava plantation plus the resuscitation of Cassava processing plants across the 3 senatorial districts rice , Cocoa, maize etc. Over 5000 youths have been trained in Several sectors . The Youths Women and Children have been hugely impacted so AkwaIbom people are happy


What You are seeing here is a doctored or paid protest by APC in AkwaIbom. In terms of numbers they are infinitesimal and cannot be qualified as the voice of the people. AkwaIbom is PDP and will remain so . The question is always are the people happy Yes! Do they want more industries and Investments Yes! So That is the Reason why it is important to have a base in Lagos as the Governor stated in the Video You have watched.


AkwaIbom is Blessed to have good Leaders I must say that AkwaIbom is Truly loved by God. Any other thing You hear is propaganda and blackmail We are Proud of Governor Udom and His Strides and AkwaIbom people have even said if for giving Us constant Power supply alone we want Him to continue till 2023.

[/b][/b][color=#000099][/color]

Governor Udom Emmanuel has again restated his determination to not only diversify the economy of Akwa Ibom State, but also ensure food sufficiency for the people.

Governor Emmanuel bared his view when he paid an unscheduled visit to the Cattle Ranch at Adadia in Uruan Local Government Area to evaluate the level of Development.

In a chat with newsmen, the Governor said, the cattle ranch is one of the many agriculture sector based interventions his administration has embarked upon to boost commerce and ensure, not only food sufficiency for the state, but availability of raw materials for the industries that are springing up in the state.

The Ranch is an IPP arrangement between Akwa Ibom State Government and San-Jo Agric Group, Mexico.

The governor disclosed that, so far, over 89 youths have been employed in the Ranch to help in the cultivation of the grass which the cattle meant for the ranch will graze .

The Special grasses have been planted on well over 100 hectares of land, with four hundred hectares more to be cultivated.

Governor Emmanuel revealed that the upon completion the Ranch will have an abattoir for meat processing, Milk factory, which will produce fresh milk and cheese and Leather works factory to transform the skin of the cows into by-products like shoes, boxes, bags among others.

Only a society that takes to self-destruct plunges into lies and propaganda over just about everything, such that it never really considers for a second an adventure that seeks to obliterate the toils of her founding fathers in a bid to score needless points to earn the next available dishonest gratification, even at the expense of the future.


Last weekend's happenings in far away Atlanta, USA at the 2017 AKISAN convention has not only left a sour taste in the mouth, but have dealt our collective heritage of good brotherliness an embarrassing blow, which points that the biblical prodigal character may have found its way to our society, challenging every sane disposition of unity we ever prided in.


At a time unity and strength of character should serve as our guiding principle, the unpatriotic act of shooting ourselves in the thigh has become our greatest undoing, especially now that we have tended to grow a voracious appetite for power beyond acceptable standards of free choice and good conscience.


The avoidable skirmish that have dominated major discourse; giving the online media a feast in the last couple of days, may never have been if our allegiances to fatherland was a little stronger than the flame of a candle light put out in the wind, at a time far leftists have braved flouting even sacred ordinances of respect to authority.


Governor Udom Emmanuel's only known offence is winning elections by being popular among his people, and unfortunately, winning a contest that was viewed as an exclusive preserve of the vilest and most brutish, who rather than learn from history would prefer to be consumed by same, in a bid to advance an aspiration the people had long rejected.


Hate, falsehood, propaganda and deceits are vices the governor have roundly trounced by keeping faith with the people's support as he goes unfettered in delivering even more than he promised in the last twenty-seven months of his stay at the Hilltop mansion, to the chagrin of a few who waited to see him fail.


Unfortunately Nsima Ekere and his merchants of infamy have repeatedly been shamed in their efforts to tear down every of Governor Emmanuel's fabric of acclaim, which has brought to our kitty an award as the Leadership governor of the year, a listing as one of Nigeria's economically viable states, abounding testimonies of good leadership across party lines, and placement as the second leading investment destination in the country; unpretentious feats they are yet to deny.


Regardless of his focus at building a more formidable future of economic renaissance through prudence and probity, the governor who has already made commendable strides in industrializing the state, infrastructural consolidation and citizen's empowerment, despite the biting recession, has gone further to make do his promise of inclusive governance, by advancing better welfare for every Akwa Ibom person and group.


Ekere's leftwing attempt to smear his character and reputation may not be unconnected with his commitment to inclusive governance, as it is almost unmistakable to suggest that the governor would shun a gathering of Akwa Ibom compatriots anywhere in the world, if the intended purpose slants towards citizens' welfare.


This honest concern for his state's men have become for his accusers the biggest of their undoing, as they have resorted to making the worst from what could have better served the interest of the people, to in their characteristic manner think less about the damage their desperation could cause the state in image, character and reputation before the world.


It is not strange that the masterminds of last weekend's rascality are notorious for carving a niche in fact distortion, disintegration and greed. Strange is the fact that they were able to export such vices across the nation's borders to destroy the beautiful future of a once patriotic and non-partisan organization like AKISAN; whose leadership unwittingly gave up her integrity for a plate of pottage.


Caching in on the vulnerability of the current leadership of AKISAN to deny the state government her due recognition at the 2017 convention may appear for the masterminds a masterstroke. This action for all its worth questions every rational thought, as they may soon have to explain what inspires their ambition to an office they so desecrate; knowing no sane person sit where he urinates.


The fortune spent in mobilizing their crowd of co-travelers to the Atlanta convention could have served better purposes including offsetting some liabilities hanging on their necks. Rather than think smart, they invested all of that in a wild goose chase of buying abroad the popularity they so lack at home, by paying to hijack the programme, for a short-lived feel of satisfaction.


The shame of justifying the huge amount they plunged into that blunder dealt them an insomnia, hence, the haste in releasing a long list of government delegates to the event, including names of some very revered elder statesmen who were in Nigeria, while their madness raged; presenting themselves as strange pilgrims to the governor's unfavourable disposition to such spendthrift.


In all of this, one is reminded of an African proverb that, "a man who is on the floor fears no fall." These men of ignoble character are not new to losing, as they have been repeatedly floored, with their morale battered and defeated on all fronts, leaving AKISAN as the greatest loser, for allowing themselves to be deployed as pawns in the enemy's gloves against the state. Truth in all sense, AKISAN will never be the same.


For an organization whose objectives are:


1. To promote, encourage and foster unity amongst the citizens of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria.


2. To promote economic, educational, cultural, scientific and social progress of Akwa Ibom State within the framework of one Nigeria.


3. To cooperate with and support bona-fide Nigerian Associations in the United States of America and encourage members of the association to join Nigerian Associations and participate in promoting the interest of Nigeria both at the homeland and abroad.


4. To encourage and support the educational, professional and legitimate business aspirations of all Akwa Ibom State citizens, provided those aspirations are consistent with the best interest of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria and its citizens.


5. TO ACT AS A LIAISON BETWEEN THE AKWA IBOM STATE GOVERNMENT, AND OTHERS, INCLUDING OTHER ORGANIZATIONS BOTH GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL, AND THE MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION AND CITIZENS OF AKWA IBOM STATE OF NIGERIA IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.


6. To support and promote various charitable organizations by cooperating with any such organization, participating in its activities or contributing to such an organization.


It is sorrowful to watch them slide this low.


Through series of evolution, from 1967 during the Nigerian Civil War, where it existed as Association of Students of South Eastern State of Nigeria in the Americas, to the present day Akwa Ibom State Association of Nigeria (AKISAN), the group has maintained a culture of patriotism that allows Akwa Ibomites in the United States of America, the warmth of brotherhood.


The hope and promises it held for citizens of the state in the foreign land is severed by the desperation of a fugitive who is roundly rejected at home, leaving our Diaspora brothers and sisters at the mercies of growing insecurities that prevail in strange lands where nothing more than unity and indivisibility aided their stay, despite the ravaging spate of discrimination.


Now that AKISAN leaders have allowed hatred infiltrate their ranks, I fear because the strength that held them all these years have been dealt a blow with its doors thrown open to people with no legacy of leaving any turf better than they met. Unfortunately they have substituted the unity in AKISAN for their bitter rancourous politics of hatred.


While one looks helplessly at the zero impact of the Uduakobong Ubon led leadership of AKISAN, history may however not be kind to him and his crop of leaders who have greatly dealt this blow on an organization handed them on trust, by politicizing the once peaceful and non-partisan association.


I am more concerned with how disappointed past leaders of would be and the uncertainties that fill the hearts of members who once depended on the unity the association offered. How will Joe Offong, Samuel Esema, Prince Charles Akpabio, Chris Ekpoudom, Mark Etuk, Mr. Thompson Essien, Philip Udo-Inyang, Inyang Umoh, Jerry Essienumoh, Obot Okoko, Augustine Usoro, Sylvanus Akpakpa, Chris Oyobio, Emmanuel Umoh, Monday R. Affiah, Obong E. Umana, Buffer Eyo, Emmanuel Isong and John Etim; all past Presidents of AKISAN take this damning blow?


Just then, it pricks my heart that the labour of our heroes past is in vain; AKISAN has ruined the promise it held by threading Nsima Ekere's ignoble path.


Samuel Ayara writes from Ibong Otoro in Abak Local Government Area

The imbroglio that the AKISAN convention organisers have plunged themselves into quickly brings to question one of the key problems we face as a people which happens to be respect for constituted authority. The group purports to be a non governmental organisation that upholds the ideals of fair play, mutual respect and non partisanship but it has given itself away as a tool for dirty political skirmish in the hands of haters of good governance .

Inability to have audience with the Governor before now is being sited in some quotas as part of the reasons why the 1st citizen of AkwaIbom was ignored by the group. This smear attempt on Governor Udom's person must be disregarded as petty. Considering this lame excuse for the utter disrespect they accorded the office of the Executive Governor of the State is lugubrious. The group portrayed the Governor as egoistic and arrogant when they actually set out to be a greedy, corrupt, divisive and an unpatriotic element, lacking respect for the Land of their birth.

Is AKISAN telling us they are now a financial institution or business venture, do they need to make profits to stay afloat as an NGO? Are they telling the world that their values are entrenched in corruption, extortion and blackmail?. What a sharp contrast from their set objectives. A direct implication that enemies of Good Governance bankrolled them to assault the exalted office of the Governor and they gladly acceded. What a shame!!

Reading through the programme of events, it is evident that they did not regard the office of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State and if you ask me that decision to opt out was Epic.

A Cassava Seed Multiplication Committee has been set up by the State government to interface with stakeholders in cassava value chain and off takers, who will also establish and maintain stock of cassava seeds for proper distribution in the State.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Uduak Udo-inyang, while inaugurating the committee in his office recently says the committee will sensitize and mobilize cassava growers in the state.

Dr Udo-inyang stated that it was imperative for cassava seed multiplication committee be inaugurated to undertake training of cassava farmers, groups on modern and improved cassava production techniques for better yields.

The cassava development committee, according to the Commissioner, “will source and distribute different improved inputs, seedlings, fertilizers, tools and equipments for use by farmers across the state.”

Representing the Commissioner on the Occasion, the permanent Secretary in the ministry, Elder Ekpo reiterated that the Committee will do proper data capturing of Cassava growers and establish data bank of same in the State.

The Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Moses Akpan, in his response, appreciated the Commissioner for giving him the opportunity to serve the State at another level and pledged that his committee will be efficient in delivering tangible results towards ensuring cassava revolution in the state.

The Committee members are: - Mr. Moses Akpan , Chairman; Engr Francis Unit, member; Mr. Pual Udo while Mr. Emmanuel Akpan is the Secretary.

The Akwa Ibom State Government has announced its withdrawal from all activities organized by Akwa Ibom State Association of Nigeria, AKISAN in United States of America till further notice.

Subsequently, the state government delegation to the 2017 AKISAN convention in Atlanta Georgia, USA, has boycotted the convention.

In a phone chat with our reporter, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Charles Udoh cited the politicization of the convention and infringement on the protocol of the state leadership.

AKISAN convention is a yearly congregation of Akwa Ibom indigenes in the diaspora for the promotion of indigenous culture, and galvanizing of professional interests for investments in the state.

This year’s event, according to the State Government, turned out to be an orchestrated political manipulation to embarrass the government and people of Akwa Ibom state for political reasons, hence the boycott.

In furtherance of his resolve for a complete overhaul of secondary health care system in the state, Governor Udom Emmanuel has commenced complete rehabilitation and equipping of the dilapidated General Hospital Ikono to give it a face lift and new lease of life.

Already the roofing sheets are being removed for replacement while dilapidated facilities are packed out for replacement with new facilities which have been procured by the state government.

It could be recalled that some of the 100 containers of medical equipment procured by the state government for hospitals in the state have been delivered.

With commencement of rehabilitation work at the General hospital in Ikono, the people of the area have come out to celebrate Governor Emmanuel, who they say, "is thinking well" not only for the hospital but for the entire people of the area.

Need it be mentioned here that, the general hospital, Ikono, established in 1991had remained in a state of disrepair, desolation and abandonment for years now, until today, when the government flagged-off the rehabilitation of the hospital. Working in partnership with PIN Consult, the hospital will not only be reconstructed but will be made to provide comprehensive services expected of a general hospital.

At the moment, the hospital is working at less than 10% capacity but on completion of rehabilitation the hospital will provide consultancy services in partner with medical outfits in Europe and Asia
#GovernorUdomCares

-Samuel Ayara

As schools in Akwa Ibom State braces to resume for the 2017/2018 session in September, there is nothing pretentious about government's determination to not only sustain the free and compulsory education policy in the state, but giving it the quality desired of a 21st century academic endeavour has become Governor Udom Emmanuel's prime focus.

This puts preparation and determination ahead of luck, as the governor hardly allows a passing moment without leading in the direction of putting the state on right educational footing, to rise from being one of Nigeria's educationally advantaged states to one whose education focuses on building a progressive future, through commendable educational policy and programmes.

For the state chief executive, effort amounts to naught until desired result is achieved as clearly demonstrated in ways than few, by the growing positives, education in the state has recorded from primary to tertiary institutions, where he has clearly demystified what hitherto limited access to education.

Last year's summit on education may have passed for a jamboree before succeeding months changed the narrative to "business unusual." The summit, which brought critical stakeholders in education to brainstorm on ways to make education work, resolved among several other considerations, a review of the free and compulsory education policy.

True to type, agents of darkness allowed the governor no chance when they jumped to the streets, transacting the dummy, that there were plans to abolish the social policy on education. This rumour did not quite go well as it sent panic and fear in the minds of parents who had felt they were done working to pay school fees; at least for their ward's basic education.

Governor Emmanuel's hardliner posturing on getting things done silently allowed the pessimists a perfect market to peddle their falsehood, since to the governor there was no need joining issues with people who wished to know less than they should.

Results from both internal and external examinations after the summit was all Governor Emmanuel needed to silent dissenting voices as he moved on with implementing the summit's recommendations of infrastructural redress, motivation for teachers and students as well as expanding capacity in science education, if the state must mount the throne as a leading destination for knowledge.

Beginning with addressing infrastructural deficit in public schools, the governor got to work, changing the fortunes of school infrastructures to standards that have earned the state higher productivity in education, by constructing, renovating and revamping public primary and secondary schools to take the status that can allow for effective learning.

Ensuring it is no compensation for nothing; the governor has been upbeat in ensuring every school gets a touch, as the Inter-ministerial Direct Labour Committee of government is undaunted with continually increasing the database of remodeled schools in the state, which avails the assurances that at the pace it is going, every school may soon receive the governor's Midas touch.

An upward review of educational reward system finds expression in the accolades the duo of Ufot Ekong and Ms Ime Umanah got when they excelled in their educational pursuits, even as Ukeme Etim Ikot, who had the best result in 2016 WASSCE was rewarded to either spur him to greater excellence or encourage others to such feats.

It is no gainsaying that the prompt and regular remittances of subvention to schools in the state have in ways than few motivated teachers and school administrators to rise to the consciousness of delivering on the government's template of qualitative education, since they now worry less about funding for educational materials and logistics.

Expanding capacity for science education at a time government was bracing to conquer the fear of capital flight in her industrialization agenda obviously needed no emphasis for Governor Udom Emmanuel, who foreknew the need to encourage science and technical education as the next frontier beckons to sustain the state's acclaim as a preferred investment destination.

Little then wondered that despite unprovoked vituperations, Governor Emmanuel still considered engaging some of the 5000 teachers who were successful in the recently conducted revalidation screening, giving priority to science education by ordering the deployment of the first batch of 1569 successful candidates in subject areas of Mathematics, English language, Chemistry, Biology, Physics as well as Physical and health education.

Make no mistake, this is in no way the last of the 5000 government intends to engage, there is obviously an assurance of more to come. Deserving is the resolve of the state chief executive at ensuring quality control by living to the letters of his proclamation, when he said "I cannot commit the future of Akwa Ibom children to hands of teachers I cannot allow my children sit under" this in ways than few avails the assurance that better days are here for public schools.

Despite the biting economic realities, it is necessary to keep in mind that it is only in Akwa Ibom that the government is employing, while other states; including the Federal Government are laying-off. It is also worthy of note that the state ranks top among those that are up to date with payment of WAEC examination fees for students in the state (including non-indigenes) at a time other states are withdrawing such privileges on account of declining financial fortunes.

The silent infrastructural revolution at both campuses of Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU) agreeably may be seen as an obligation by government to students who have kept their part of the deal through fee payments, until one realizes that the institution is one of (if not) Nigeria's most subsidized state owned university.

Little wonder when the governor at AKSU's last convocation despite inaugurating major projects including an ultramodern 3 storey administrative block, commercial farm feeds and palm oil mills; digital language library, vegetable screen house, mass communication studio and standard arts theatre, declared that no investment in education would be considered expensive by his administration.

This conviction to holdback nothing in educational investment in the governor's thinking, is geared towards building an irrepressible manpower in the state to benefit from government's audacious commitment to industrialization, which will reduce capital flight and raise the peoples capacity and consciousness to playing lead roles in the socioeconomic rejuvenation the state is positioned for.

Beyond the talk, Governor Emmanuel who has demonstrated tremendous will in ensuring work force is not imported to the state has also not wavered at helping the rest of Nigeria provide a platform for quality education, in seeing that despite its status as a state owned university non-indigenes are allowed equal opportunities.

Testimonies of his hands-on interventions abound in other state-owned tertiary institutions including the Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic and the College of Education, where infrastructural consolidation, improved curricula content, welfare of staff and students as well as full accreditations are awarded courses offered.

University of Uyo despite being a federal government institution has not ceased to benefit from Governor Udom Emmanuel's magnanimity as the state have remained upbeat in its resolve to build an ivory of international acclaim in the state, which in the governor's sentiment would be of immense benefit to people of the state who form the majority population.

Whatever concerns this may raise, it is incontrovertible that in Akwa Ibom State lies the root of determination and poise that seeks to berth a new development narrative by increasing access to education.

Samuel Ayara writes from Ibong Otoro in Abak Local Government Area.

The primary essence of government is to protect lives and property. Apart from the physical protection which connotes well equipped security apparatuses and personnel, there is also the protection of life through efficient healthcare system. This is of immense importance as its absence allows diseases to strut innocuously but with the collateral consequence of avoidable population decimation.



A trite saying asserts that “health is wealth”. Aside from the various shades of meaning deducible from this expression, it could also be inferred that a population with good health is a gain to the workforce of that society. A contrary is also a deficit and places such society at a disadvantage.



A more narrow but pragmatic narrative on the imperative of good healthcare system can be seen in the case of individuals. Of course only a healthy person can achieve set goals. A wise saying parodies this in our local parlance which could be loosely cast as “the sick cannot keep pace with his peers”.



There is therefore a relationship between health as a factor and the economy of any society. It is why good leaders invest enormously in the health sector to achieve optimum health for the people in the understanding that it is a critical resource to economic buoyancy of the society.



Chief Obafemi Awolowo as Premier of Western Nigeria in the 50s paid priority to education and health. When he declared free education in that region, he guided the people through what they should prioritize in schools as courses of study. They included Law, Medicine, Banking and Finance, etc. Medicine like education was given premium consideration to ensure the maintenance of a healthy workforce. He often noted that it was the absence of education and lack of access to healthcare that bred superstition that was germane to untimely and premature death of the people.



The primacy accorded good healthcare delivery system is very eloquent in the Western world. Apart from ensuring that hospitals are well equipped with efficient medical personnel, the system also ensures that access to facilities is not hindered by bureaucratic obstacles. The health insurance policy makes access to healthcare easy for all. Those societies value and respect the sanctity of life of their citizenry in recognition that only a society of healthy people can produce a healthy workforce.



Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, an urbane former banker, has focused intently on the health sector even though it was not part of his 5–point agenda. Apart from his zeal that has necessitated the slogan, “working beyond the promise”, it is safe to say that the governor having studied and had reasonable grasp of the fundamentals of good governance, sees the imperative of providing for the health of the citizenry as a non-negotiable given. It was why at the blast of the whistle for the commencement of his tenure, he headed to St. Luke’s Hospital, Anua, where he gave the hospital a massive facelift. He also added to the complex a brand new building named after Dr. Ann Ward, an Irish female gynaecologist and Reverend Sister who once worked in that hospital.



Today, the hospital which was established in 1937 wears a fascinating look owing to Governor Udom’s magnanimous gesture. It must be stated that the said facility is not owned by government. But for him, it is a facility that Akwa Ibom people use and so must enjoy government’s intervention.



The governor’s vision for the health sector seems to align with the postulation of a Swiss writer, Henry Frederic Amiel which noted, “In health, there is freedom. Health is the first of all liberties”. His vision can therefore be said to be that of an unencumbered citizenry that have internalized the cutting edge “Dakkada” creed that is already evolving Akwa Ibom indigenes into global icons. Swarmed by the achievements recorded by Akwa Ibom youngsters everywhere on the globe, the governor understandably seeks to create a liveable environment for the people with access to state-of-art facilities including that of health.



Governor Emmanuel’s attention to healthcare sector smacks of a revolution. Containers of medical equipment are arriving the state in droves. The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Charles Udoh announced that about 7 containers had already arrived the State with 9 still awaiting shipment to Uyo from Port Harcourt. Currently, some of the equipment are being used to equip General Hospital, Etinan. According to the Commissioner, the hitherto dilapidated General Hospital, Etinan, now wears the look of a rehabilitated and completely refurbished State hospital. He said that the governor is planning to replicate the same gesture in all the General Hospitals in the State. Just recently, the Secretary to the State Government, Sir Etekamba Umoren carried out an on-the-spot exhaustive facility tour of Ikot Ekpene General Hospital obviously with regard to the same intent. Not long ago, Governor Emmanuel flagged off the construction of an Ultra-Modern General Hospital at Ituk Mbang. Elucidating on the project, the Information boss of the State stated that the hospital which is strategically located at the site of the existing hospital at Ituk Mbang is meant to service Uyo metropolis and the Ibom International Airport.



The governor’s emphasis on healthcare and sensitivity to the health of his people also draw testimony in his inauguration of an Emergency Response Training Programme comprising 25 doctors and 75 nurses. The body is designed to provide interventions to emergencies like the unfortunate Reigners Church incident. According to Mr. Charles Udoh, the governor through this massive investment in the health sector is taking a bold step to stem the tide of medical tourism abroad as well as reduce congestion on the tertiary and quaternary medical facilities in the state.



Government’s huge investment in the health sector is in line with the Udom administration medical reforms which started in May. As the governor once noted, “a healthy population gives rise to a wealthy population”. According to the governor, an investment in the health sector is in the interest of Akwa Ibom people and therefore not an expense. He said that having been exposed to first class medical facilities in the world; he was under obligation to deliver same to Akwa Ibom people.



Healthcare services constitute a strong human need that every responsible government must pay attention to. Sadly, the nation’s healthcare delivery system from primary, secondary to tertiary have been in comatose for years with successive governments paying not more than lip serve on its resuscitation. In 1983, in a coup speech, late General Sanni Abacha said that “our hospitals have become mere consulting clinics”. Not much has changed in many parts of the country with frequent loss of lives in minor medical conditions as evidence. Governor Emmanuel’s deliberate reforms in that sector must be seen as a welcome development and an action plan by the administration to make the life of every Akwa Ibom person the State’s priority.

Joe Iniodu, public affairs analyst

Source: http://www.wetinhappen.com.ng/udom-emmanuel-taking-revolution-health-sector/

NSIMA EKERE'S NDDC AS A POLITICAL PARTY 

By George Umoren 


When Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State   accused the new board of the Niger Delta Development Commission,  NDDC,  of allegedly diverting funds meant for development of the region to nurturing the political aspirations of some of its members for 2019, people thought he was raising a false alarm. 

But it is now clear, the straight shooting Wike knew what he was saying, given the recent actions and activities of Obong Nsima Ekere, the managing director of the NDDC,  in his home state, Akwa Ibom, where his ambitious campaigns to run for Governor in 2019,  has seen him throw caution to the winds, by recruiting agents to destabilize the state and undermine efforts of the state governor, Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel to develop the state. 


Governor Wike  raised the alarm , at Government House, Port Harcourt, during an interactive meeting with the board of NDDC when they paid him a courtesy call earlier in the year. 


He noted that , there was no way the commission could achieve its mandate with some of the board members nursing governorship ambition, adding that,  the NDDC  had been allegedly  reduced to a  fund raising ground to oil political dreams. He said: “NDDC is a fund raising commission for politicians who want to run for elections.   

Wike,  who decried the way NDDC is structured, argued that, it will not work, as it leaves room for  so much corruption. Nobody was left in doubt that, this was a tongue lash on Nsima Ekere, whose desperation to be governor and his collaborator board members, are working to amass wealth to contest elections  in their various  states.

 Governor Wike rightly expressed fear that,  the current board had abandoned its mandate for politics. 

As a solution, Wike made a recommendation.“If the Federal Government wants NDDC to work, why appoint a person who plans to contest  the governorship election of his state? Why not appoint  a technocrat?” 

Wike is not alone on this. Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, was mild in his cautious rebuke of NDDC, by urging the intervention agency to involve the various communities in the state in project planning and execution.

Ifeanyi Okowa said,  siting of meaningful projects in the region could only be achieved when the actual needs of the people of the area were considered. According to him,  the spirit of partnership and cooperation between the NDDC and the state government  on the development of the Niger Delta,is the way forward. Okowa said, "The state and your agency need this cooperation to help our people. We need to create room for the contribution of the people in project planning and execution. l agree with you that we need projects that will impact more on the lives of the people. l want to call for proper monitoring of projects, especially road projects, and the need to strengthen and fund the department for quality delivery, because this is important in the execution of projects.” 


In what stopped short of passing a vote of no confidence in the NDDC, Okowa restated his support for the calls on the Federal Government to re-constitute the Advisory and Project monitoring committees of the commission. 


Senator Ndoma-Egba, Chairman of the NDDC board who led the delegation to the meeting with the two governors, said the commission was ready to embark on joint venture projects with member states in the spirit of partnership. At both instances in Rivers and Delta states,  Ndoma-Egba said the delegation was in the state to solicit the support and partnership of the state government on reforms of the NDDC.


If Rivers and Delta states were lucky to even be granted the privilege of a courtesy call, Nsima Ekere blinded by ambition and contempt for the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, the very office he is desperate to occupy, has refused to as much as, recognize Mr Udom Emmanuel as Akwa ibom State Governor, much less, pay him the solidarity visit. In his recent political Thanksgiving service, he demonstrated that disdain by the shabby display of disrespect meted out to the Governor in the souvenir programme for the event,where in his characteristic vain glory, he bedecked himself with titles and prefix of, 'His Excellency', while striping Governor Emmanuel bare of any such niceties. 

At the risk of sounding angry, The Akwa Ibom Governor, Udom Emmanuel, reached out to the NDDC management given their sabotaging tip toeing, around projects in Akwa Ibom State, which they either end up abandoning or doing a shoddy job, and thereby, the cause a total distortion of the State's development plan.

Governor Emmanuel decrying the shenanigans of the Nsima Ekere led NDDC said, “We hear that NDDC is planning to open more roads (in the state). If they do that we would resist it because that would distort our development plan,” 

Mr. Emmanuel, according to the statement, said Akwa Ibom State already has a structure and system that was “running” and that NDDC should “come under that structure so that we can anchor development together”. Governor Udom stated the obvious, when he  said, the state governors across the Niger Delta region were getting worried that NDDC was muddling up things in the various states.

The truth is, the NDDC like Governor Wike said, has over the years derailed and failed to achieve her mandate of helping to transform the Niger Delta region, because, it has been turned to a launch pad for politicians seeking to run for the office of Governor of their States. 

Looking back, Chief Onyeama Ugochukwu (Abia), Mr Timi Alaibe (Bayelsa) Bassey Dan Abia (Akwa Ibom) Ambassador Sam Edem (Akwa Ibom), Engr Udo Mboso (Akwa Ibom), among many others, who were leaders or top management staff of the NDDC board at various times, all nursed, or actually ran for Governor of their states. The result is the endemic corruption in the NDDC that is now so entrenched, that, all they do is, money laundering and looting the agency, with a view to amass wealth to fund their usually ill fated, governorship projects. 

Nsima Ekere is only sustaining the tradition established by his predecessors in NDDC, but in a more despicable scale. Only this week, it was exposed he flew to Lagos state, to recruit a Lagos based, self-styled activist lawyer, Barrister Inibehe Effiong, allege engaging him for a fee of 20million naira to organize a protest March against his state government in Lagos and Uyo against the proposed construction of a Governors Lodge in Lagos. Their meeting at an eatery in Lagos was however leaked to the press by an insider, who was disturbed by the antics of Nsima Ekere and the sheer hypocrisy of the said Barrister Effiong to play the devil's advocate. 

Nsima Ekere has turned the NDDC to a political party and bastardized the agency like never seen in the history of the NDDC. The name of the NDDC under Ekere and his politics according to one social commentary by Peterside Egoh is, NIGER DELTA DECEIT COMMISSION.  As far as Egoh is concerned, the DEVELOPMENT in NDDC has been replaced with DECEIT. He appealed to the Federal Government to urgently come to the rescue of the NDDC and save the body to return to its original obligations, or in the alternative, register her formally as a political party to satisfy the craving of Obong Nsima Ekere and his boards rape of the NDDC finances with impunity to fund his doomed governorship project.  

(George Umoren writes from Port Harcourt, Rivers State)

Governor Udom Emmanuel’s avowed commitment to connect the hinterlands with the urban centres is yielding more results as the Governor within the week awarded contracts for the construction of 12 new roads construction projects across the three senatorial districts of Akwa Ibom State.

Fielding reports from newsmen, the State Commissioner for Works, Akparawa Ephraim Inyang disclosed that even with the shortfall in revenue, Governor Emmanuel has awarded more development projects with economic values and has also mobilised Contractors to sites.

The newly awarded Road Projects are 18.96 Abak 10 -Nko -Otoro -Manta Road with a spur in Abak Local Government Area, 9.3 km Secretarait -Ulliong Edikor -Udueto Road in Udung Uko, 6.3km Amayam Road and Comprehensive Health centre in Ikot Ekpene Local Government, 13.9 Akpambiet Edo-Edida -Edo-Ebe Ekpe Road , NdonIdim - Idung Akpantuen with a spur and rehabilitation of 1.7km Uqua Iso Edoho - Edo Road in Esit Eket, 4.9 km Ibesit Okpokoro -Ikot Ibritam Road in Oruk Anam, 8.5km Nduetong -Iba Oku -Ibiaku Uruan with a spur to Ekit Itam the road gets across three Local Government of Uruan ,Uyo and Itu, Construction of 11.68 km Atabong Beach Market Road and Jetty in Okobo.

Others road Projects awarded are construction of 9km Mbiaya - Ita -Ikpa-Mbiakong -Idu Uruan Road with a 60 meter Span Bridge in Uruan Local Government Area, Construction of access Road to Atlantic Fm and it environs in Uruan , construction of 4.32km Owot Uta -Ikot Okubo -Ikot Ikere -Ikot Udo Ekop Road with 30meters span bridge in Ibesikpo Asutan, Construction of 5.8 km of selected streets in Ewet Housing Extention off Edet Akpan Avenue in Uyo , Construction of 3.2km internal Roads in College of Education, Afaha Nsit, in Nsit Ibom.

The last on the list of the newly awarded Road Projects is the emergency works and the dualization of 3.1km Nung Ette Road in Shelter Afrique Estate , Mbiabong Etoi in Uyo Local Government Area.

The commissioner reassured the press that Governor Emmanuel is committed to spreading developmental Projects to all nooks and crannies of the State to open up the Rural Areas and connect them to Urban centres to discourage mass movement of people to congest Urban centres.

The commissioner pleaded with Akwa Ibom people to be patient with Government, as Governor Udom Emmanuel is a professional funds manager and will never waste the State funds on projects that don't add value to the State’s economy.

"Your Governor is very prudent, he will never run this State to ruins , don't listen to people who are trying to get at Government to score cheap political points, hence they make good to look evil. They don't respect the seat of power and expect to be enthrone? God is not mocked, whatever we plant today we must reap it tomorrow,” he concluded.

Source: http://www.wetinhappen.com.ng/see-new-roads-contracts-awarded-governor-udom-emmanuel/

Akwa Ibom State METERING Solutions Manufacturing Services Ltd is Ready for Commisioning!

On the 23rd of September 2017, the Acting President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo, will visit Akwa Ibom State to commission this multi-bllion project which is a Public Private Participation, PPP, initiative of the current administration. The factory is sited in ONNA.

This plant will proffer solution to problems arising from electricity generation and distribution.

The company will produce single-phase and three-phase electricity meters in various configurations and mountings, light weight, slim skeletal, compact meters for pole top installation, prepayment type meters, split type electricity meters, standard one unit electricity meters, bulk electricity meters, maximum demand meters and smart electricity meters.

#GovUdomEmmanuelIsWorking

Source: http://www.wetinhappen.com.ng/photos-akwa-ibom-meter-assembly-plant/

By Aniefiok Macauley

For upward of over two months, residents of Uyo Municipal area in Akwa Ibom state have been in ecstasy over the sudden improvement in public power supply, experienced in most parts of the capital city.

The governor, Udom Emmanuel for once has been commended even by the opposition elements for this feat. From the most unlikely quarters was the commendation of the State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mr. Edet Bassey
According to him “Governor Udom Emmanuel has done very well in terms of electricity supply. We are really enjoying 15-18 hours of improved power supply in Akwa Ibom state”

This accomplishment, though may be taken for granted is a major breakthrough in the governor’s drive towards industrialization and creation of conducive business environment for small scale businesses to thrive.

Arguably, there is no nation that can truly develop without adequate power supply but unfortunately, Nigeria as a nation is still grappling with power problem after fifty-seven years of independence from the colonial rule.

In the build up to the 2015 general elections the former Lagos state governor and present Minister of Power, Works and Housing was quoted to have said that “any serious government would fix power in six months and that the only way Nigerians can get uninterrupted power supply was to vote out PDP and President Goodluck Jonathan.”

Shamefully, two years down the line, the APC led federal government has shown total lack of focus, sincerity of purpose and have been incapacitated towards giving Nigerians uninterrupted power supply.

Notwithstanding the fact that it is the responsibility of the federal government to generate, transmit and distribute power, Udom Emmanuel is thinking in advance for better tomorrow with the knowledge that provision of electric power to citizenry is no rocket science.

Emmanuel knows that for comfortable environment, lighting of homes, offices and factories is essential. He knows that we need to cool down in homes and work places to optimize output, where the weather is warm in many months of the year. In all, he knows that for his industrialization drive to be meaningful, constant supply of electricity is needed for different types of industries, where goods, appliances, and tools are produced.

There is no gainsaying the fact since assumption of office; the governor has been working assiduously to ensure there is constant power supply in the state. From providing the enablers to ensure Ibom Power Plant generates power at full capacity, he persuaded the management of PHED to supply additional megawatts to Akwa Ibom.

Without resting on his oars, he sought and obtained license for the 2nd phase of IPP with an installed capacity of about 585mw. Though previous efforts may have yielded minimal result as residents were still suffering from epileptic power because of reliance on dilapidated power substation of yesteryears, the governor initiated, constructed and commissioned a brand new 132KVA, 2/15MVA injection substation which at the moment has resulted in the interrupted power enjoyed by residents in the Uyo metropolis.

To further take power to the nooks and crannies of the state, the government is also constructing a 2/60MVA in Ekim, Mkpat Enin local Government Area which is hoped to be commissioned on September 23, by the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo when Akwa Ibom will be celebrating 30 years of creation.

It is worthy to note that this new substation alone will provide constant electricity to five Local Government Areas in the industrial belt of the state. With the Ekim power station completed and commissioned, the governor intends to turn the power radar to Oron axis where another substation would be built for the entire state to run with interrupted electricity.

This singular achievement by the governor no doubt as accorded him accolades from many quarters even from the unlikely ones.

For instance, an APC Chieftain and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on NASS Matters (Senate) Senator Ita Enang noted “I came to Uyo two days ago and power supply to my home and environs is almosts 24 hours, I am impressed and wish it gets to the entire state, governor Udom is doing well in that direction,” he applauded.

On his part, the former Military Governor, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga, rtd; sees the uninterrupted power supply in the state by Emmanuel’s government as a legacy everyone should be proud of.

In his word “providing 24 hours power supply is a worthy enterprise that will turn Akwa Ibom into a model all other states will follow. We must be grateful to this government for making this a reality. We must be grateful to the Governor Udom Emmanuel led administration, it is a legacy I’m proud of.”

As Nkanga seemed to have prophesied, there are already tension in the corridors of power in some states for fear of losing companies and investors to Akwa Ibom state.

To the governor, the success recorded in the power sector is part of his blueprint in line with his campaign promises. According to him, when I was campaigning, I said these things are not rocket science, it takes dedication, sincerity of purpose to get these things done, we are just trying to test out what is in the blueprint we have.”

With sustained uninterrupted power supply in Akwa Ibom , Governor Emmanuel is taking the state to Eldorado that investors would not need to be begged to come and invest but will be the ones begging to invest.

As it is, Governor Emmanuel has shown the capacity, the seriousness, drive and character that provision of steady power supply is possible and the only way Akwa Ibom people will continue to enjoy uninterrupted power supply is for all to support the governor to return to office in 2019.

Yes, whether you accept it or not, Udom is not only right but the Light.

Macauley writes from Abuja

Source: http://www.wetinhappen.com.ng/udom-emmanuel-thinking-advance-better-tomorrow/

... Governor Udom Emmanuel, Interim Chairman, South East, South South Governors’ Forum.

In the aftermath of the inaugural meeting of the South East, South South Governors’ Forum which took place at the Nike Lake Hotel and Resorts, Enugu on July 9, 2017, newly appointed Interim Chairman and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel has stated strongly that refineries and petrochemical industries should be built where the oil is explored. "It doesn't make economic sense to lay sub-sea pipelines from the location where oil is explored to other parts of the nation at a cost of five billion dollars (about two trillion Naira). This amount is enough to build many modular refineries and establish seven Industrial Parks in the region."

Throwing light on the main reason that led to the realignment of economic and political forces of the two zones, Governor Udom Emmanuel applauded the decision of the leaders of the two zones to come together to harmonize their economic interests and pursue inter-regional cooperation and integration. “If mature democracies as exemplified by the European Union (EU) could see the economic benefits of coming together, expanding markets and opportunities, I think the decision of the two zones to come together is frankly speaking in my opinion, long overdue and highly commendable.”

The July 9th event is hugely significant in many ways. It has, for one, turned on its head long held conventional wisdom that has been fed and somewhat internalized by a cross-section of Nigerians that the region which is culturally homogeneous but somewhat linguistically heterogeneous cannot ever come together to form a bloc of unity or integration. Most political pundits have for so long exploited these manufactured fault lines to create a false narrative of a region that is shaped by mutual distrust and endless acrimonious relationship.


The coming together of the two geographically contiguous zones and the formation of the forum of the Governors of the mineral rich region is of strategic interest and one that other component units of the federation cannot over look or treat as a flash in the pan. If the resources in the region were to be pooled together and an economic integration forged, it could become an economic powerhouse in Nigeria and this and other issues were what its interim Chairman - Governor Udom Emmanuel elucidated on recently.

In an exclusive interaction with a cross-section of the press in Uyo shortly after returning from the Enugu event, Governor Udom Emmanuel had reemphasized the cardinal point that formed the organizing narrative at the Enugu event which revolves around the “economic survival of the two zones” and how to “use our huge resources to create economically viable zones in Nigeria”.

“There is no doubt that the resources of the two zones”, the Governor had stated, “the ingenuity, creativity , technological wizardry of the people of the region if properly utilized and harnessed can point the way forward towards the development and economic growth of the region and the nation at large. The region in my opinion represents what California is, to the United States and as the saying goes “as goes California so goes the United States. The two zones will insist on appropriating the resources found within its geographical space for the advancement of its strategic interests within the larger Nigeria content. We will demand and insist on the location and utilization of resources that are found in our region for the common good of our people and the Nigerian society at large and I believe this is a fair demand. There is no reason why we should be blessed with huge resources and yet our region lacks the corresponding federal presence or infrastructure.

Let’s look at the oil and gas industry for instance, it does not make economic sense for oil companies to lay sub-sea pipelines that run from our region to other parts of the nation at a cost of five billion dollars (about two trillion Naira) when such amount could easily build many modular refineries in our region or create modern Industrial Parks across the entire region. Industrial parks can significantly transform the country economically and engender a domino effect that would be felt all over Africa. As the largest oil producing State in Nigeria, it is regrettable that Akwa Ibom State for instance,does not have even a Depot built by NNPC nor any NNPC Group presence.

There is the need for our people to begin to look inwards and we the leaders of the region will do all we can to attract and encourage our hardworking people across the length and crannies of the nation and beyond to come home and invest. It is a new dawn for the people of the two zones and we will work together to advance our mutual interest and send a loud signal to interested parties that we shall not only be the land that lays the golden egg but we will demand to take part in the making of the omelette”. Governor Udom Emmanuel had stated strongly.

Raphael Edem wrote:

Friends, while I appreciate the comments of people who have issues with electricity, it is also very true that most parts of Uyo now enjoy the kind of electricity they haven't seen in their lifetime. I have lived in this state all my life so I am a witness. We should understand that the process that leads to our switching on the lights in our houses is not a very simple one. If your area has issues with transformers, or the cables, or other inputs, or vandalisation, or illegal connections leading to an overstretching of the facilities, then of course you won't enjoy this electricity.

The way forward in such a situation is to take it up with the PHED who are the organisation in charge of power distribution in the state and not to cast aspersions on those who are testifying to the truth in this write up. We should be mindful of the fact that power management in this country is handled between a Federal Government agency known as the Transmission Company of Nigeria and the PHED.

The State Government is not directly responsible for the day-to-day management of power supply. However, to better the lives of the people of the state, give impetus to entrepreneurship and boost the power sector, Governor Udom Emmanuel built the power sub station in Uyo.

This has undoubtedly led to an unprecedented improvement in the power situation in parts of the state. Another one is being built in Ekim, Mkpat Enin LGA which will boost power supply in 5 LGAs and I am aware that other such initiatives are ongoing in different sectors, designed to jump start our economic revolution. Of course there are areas that have issues with their power infrastructure which is hampering the power supply. I think those who live in such areas should take steps to have the appropriate organisations solve these issues, instead of grinding axes with those who are currently enjoying this revolution.

I am sure that with the positive drive of the Governor, and our support and co-operation, this electricity revolution will spread to other parts who are still being supplied power the way we were used to. I currently enjoy an average of 20 hours per day of electricity supply.

I have never seen that IN MY ENTIRE LIFETIME, and this is a direct fallout of the intervention facilitated by Governor Udom Emmanuel. This is not politics! This is not about where one's bread is buttered. This is an irrefutable fact!