₦airaland Forum

ROAD MAP TO AKWA IBOM AT 30 CELEBRATIONS

The cultural carnival and golf tournament have set the tone for Akwa Ibom at 30 anniversary celebrations.

Line up the events for the remaining days:

*18th September, 2017*
›Dise Photo Exhibition – Ibibio Union Museum

*19th September, 2017*
›Ibom Food Fest – Ibom Unity Park

›Civil Service Auditorium, Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat

*20th September, 2017*
›Dakkada Business Forum - Ibom Hall

›Orange Music Fiesta – Ibom Hall

*21st September, 2017*
›FEYREP Anniversary Event - Ibom Hall, IBB Avenue, Uyo

›Novelty Football Match - Godswill Akpabio International Stadium

›An Evening with the Generals, State Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo

›Styles of Akwa Ibom – Ibom Hall

*22nd September, 2017*
›MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE ENTERPRISE CLINIC, Ibom Hall

›Ndoko Akwa Ibom, MISS AKWA IBOM PAGEANT 2017– Ibom Hall

*23rd September, 2017*
*_PROJECT_* * *_COMMISSIONING_* *
›Electric Metering Factory, Onna
›General Hospital, Etinan
›Syringe Factory, Onna

›March Past & Cultural Display - Godswill Akpabio International Stadium

›State Anniversary Banquet & Award Night - Le Meridien Ibom Hotel & Golf Resort

*24th September, 2017*
SPECIAL THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE
›30th Anniversary of the Creation of Akwa Ibom State - Ibom Hall Grounds

›Nigeria @ 57 Independence Anniversary - Ibom Hall Grounds

›Luncheon - State Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo (AFTER THE CHURCH SERVICE)

*25th September, 2017*
›SWEARING - IN OF NEW CHAIRMAN, AKWA IBOM STATE COUNCIL OF CHIEFS - State Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo

#AkwaIbomAt30 #OrangeSeptember #AkwaIbomAyaya #UdomEmmanuel

N20,000 up for grabs every 10am and 4pm in the Orange September Challenge from Monday 11th to Friday 15th September 2017!
To win, all you need is a good knowledge of Akwa Ibom state!

HOW TO ENTER
1. Update your profile picture to your COLOR ME ORANGE photo (if you don't have, visit www.orangeseptember.ng to create one)
2. Like and share our Facebook Page @AKSOrangeSeptember
3. Visit www.orangeseptember.ng every 10am and 4pm to get the question of the day
4. Visit our Facebook page to submit your answers in the comment box of the particular question
5. After submission, DO NOT EDIT your answers else you will be disqualified
6. Winners will be chosen daily in a lucky dip

The #OrangeSeptemberChallenge brand is part of #OrangeSeptember... a celebration of who we are! #AmazingAkwaIbom #UdomEmmanuel

When last did you eat Asa Iwa, Asa Ibikpod, Ekpang Iwa, Akara Ukom, Akara Mboro, Iwuuk Ukom ye Ndise, Ikpong Aniimbo ke ntuen okpo or Mkpiifia ye Mkpurikpu ke efere atikke?

Nothing to worry about! These "old-time religion" meals will be available at Ibom FoodFest.

Ibom FoodFest is a food festival aimed at promoting Akwa Ibom's rich culinary culture. The event will be offering a full day filled with food, drinks and entertainment.

With over 200 cuisines on display, food lovers will experience Akwa Ibom's hospitable disposition.

The free admission event will take place at Unity Park, Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo, on Tuesday, 21st September, 2017 by 10am.

The event looks to appeal to all ages and tastes with a myriad of food vendors from the 31 LGAs of Akwa Ibom state, to choose from.

An exotic cookbook containing the over 200 amazing cuisines from Akwa Ibom will be presented at #IbomFoodFest. The online edition will also be unveiled.

Ibom FoodFest, the 3rd event on the #OrangeSeptember series. Orange September is packaged to celebrate Akwa Ibom at 30 with a mandate to position the state by showcasing the diverse and enigmatic colours of our collective history, unity in diversity, depth and range of our indigenous entrepreneurship.

This event is powered by Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Akwa Ibom State.

Join the conversation and follow this event using the official Hashtags: #IbomFoodFest #OrangeSeptember or visit www.orangeseptember.ng for more info.

DISE is a Pictorial/Photography Exhibition and the 2nd event in the Orange September celebration. DISE will take place on Monday, 18th September, 2017 at Ibibio Union Museum, Unity Park, Uyo. The event hopes to showcase the historical evolution of Akwa Ibom State in pictures, from the early days of creation till date.

Orange September is a series of events planned to celebrate Akwa Ibom at 30 with a mandate to position the state by showcasing the diverse and enigmatic colours of our collective history, unity in diversity, depth and range of our indigenous entrepreneurship.

Orange - the colour of our state, reflects our lifestyle as a people; optimistic, sociable, hospitable, adventurous and industrious.

Rare photographic works by indigenous photographers and those from renowned masters in the art of photography will be also be showcased at the event.

DISE is organized to serve as a platform for budding Akwa Ibom photographers.

These Photographers will imbibe technical competence, abilities and mentoring through their interaction with world class professionals in the field.

DISE will maximize potentials, build capacity and create wealth for our young photographers in line with the vision of the Akwa Ibom State Government.

Orange September is powered by the Ministry of Culture & Tourism, Akwa Ibom State.

Official Hashtag: #Dise #OrangeSeptember

Visit www.orangeseptember.ng

#OrangeSeptember...celebrating who we are! 16th - 22nd September 2017.

Akwa Ibom 30th Anniversary Essay Writing Competition is open to all Senior Secondary School Education of Akwa Ibom Origin.

Essay Topic : The Akwa Ibom Of My Dreams.

Entries should be type written and double spaced and should not be more than 1000 words.

Your essay must be original and unpublished.

Submit by email to akwaibom30@gmail.com.
Essay are to be submitted alongside :
Student's Full Name, Name and address of school, Name and Phone number of school principal.

Entry closes 15th September 2017

Live changing prices to be won

As far as Akwa Ibom is concerned, the government and the church are inseparable. The church serves as a moral compass to the state by which the government exerts her powers. Yes, Akwa Ibom is Christian state so the biggest business in Akwa Ibom is church business and not drug business.

READ MORE >>http://akstrending.com/reuben-abatis-phones-no-longer-ring/

Reuben Abati stumbles on Akwa Ibom State 

By Osondu Ahirika 


I have a story to tell. It is about the revered Dr Reuben Abati and how he stumbled on a gamble with the local politics of Akwa Ibom State. 

Before I share my tale, I make haste, my opening statement. The best horse may stumble someday. That is a maxim, traced by legend to Olympias in Grecian history. 

Olympias was the wife of King Philip II, and mother of Alexander the Great. Legend has it that, Olympias, observing her son's obsession with war and conquests, warned the battle hardened Alexander to be wary of conflicts. Observing the over confidence of her son in his experience and proficiency in war, Olympias reportedly warned him that, the best horse may stumble someday. 


I am persuaded that, Dr Abati, in his desperation to launch himself back to the pantheon of 'non partisan' commentators on the Nigeria project, after the taint of his years as the President's spokesman, chose Akwa Ibom State,  which is the face of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Nigeria, as the 'Guinea pig' for that quest. Sadly, he scored an own goal by that infamous act. Now, hear my story before I render my verdict. 


The date was Sunday May 27 , 2012. The event? A Democracy Day Thanksgiving service at the National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja. Then President Goodluck Jonathan, his wife, Patience, Governor Patrick Yakowa of kaduna State, Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa, then Deputy Governor of Nasarawa  State, Dameshi Luke, Dr Reuben Abati, several Senators,  Ministers and other top politicians were in attendance. 


The guest preacher, erstwhile Primate of Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Bishop Peter Akinola, in a blunt sermon, sued the august congregation to join faith with him in denouncing corruption and committing corrupt officials to God for divine affliction. It was a tense service. 


When the man of God finished his prayer, President Jonathan and his officials declined to chorus, amen. Expectedly, newsmen quizzed Abati, to explain why Jonathan and his officers refused to say amen, despite the protest of Bishop Akinola,  following his prayerful curse against corruption perpetrated by public officials. Government officials should please come to our rescue here. 

 

Is this true? Abati said, it is about not breaching aspects of protocol that are not widely known outside Government circles, which limits the number of times Mr President or government officials can say amen during a church service. 


According to Abati, it is a long standing presidential protocol that,  during Church or Mosque services, the President only offers a fixed number of amens or amis, as the case may be. He was however mute on the prescribed number. 

Hear him, "The Reverend had offered many prayers and demanded many amens prior to the contentious one, the result of which was that, the day’s quota of amens had been used up." 


In a fleet of political correctness, Abati charged preachers, pastors and imams to come to terms with government protocol, and to also limit the length of their prayers and sermons. 

Then wait for this : “It is the same people accusing the President of not saying amen to anti-corruption prayer that would be accusing him of favouritism if he had broken with protocol and said more amens than is allowed by constitution,” Abati said.


Folks', that is Abati for you. Going by his name, Reuben, I guess he is a Christian. But, his recent tirade in a decidedly, blindsided piece, in which he launched a misguided attack on the Church in Akwa Ibom State, gagging them with the abasing label of being parastatals of the State Government leaves me pondering, what faith he actually professes. 


Recall that, in November 2013, Nasir el-Rufai(currently Governor of kaduna state), reacting to a picture of President Jonathan kneeling for prayers from Pastor Enoch Adeboye, derisively tweeted, “Many prayers of the lazy, docile, incompetent, clueless, hopeless, useless leader!”


Let me render an abridgement of Abati's response when prodded by newsmen, "it is those people criticizing President Jonathan who are totally clueless...  We are waiting for Nasir el-Rufai, Lai Muhammed, Oby Ezekwesili, Dino Melaye, and the Jagaban (Bola Tinubu) and their Northern godfathers: may they all see the light, and may the light set them free. And that tells you something, that we have a president who is a true leader who in the fullness of time, you find his worst critics, becoming his strongest promoters. And that is our point"


He never saw anything wrong with President Jonathan resorting to the church for prayers in trying to grapple with the challenge of governing a complex nation as Nigeria. 

He defended every romance of the then PDP administration with the Pastor Ayo Oritsejsfor led Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN. 


Never mind the scandals of that era, including the botched South Africa arms deal cash allegedly ferried in the private jet of a religious leader, the temporary pull-out of the Catholic bloc from CAN for alleged politicization of the body by the Jonathan administration,  or the alleged bribery of CAN for the 2015 Presidential elections. Abati saw no evil in all of that. He now seeks to use Akwa Ibom, with a skewed narrative, for his 'Damascus' redemption song. 


I am careful not to belabour the unfortunate references to the overflogged Akwa Ibom Governor's Lodge project, Lagos, or the equally infantile recourse to insinuating that, the private letter of a certain Rev Peter Richard of the African church, which was openly disclaimed by the Church, and several Akwa Ibom State government officials  to validate his, patently puerile, unfounded and unfortunate thesis, that, the church in Akwa Ibom State is compromised with political whoredom. He even failed to relate that to Governor Emmanuel allowed the protesters have a March and ordered his supporters to call off a planned counter rally which would have been massive. 


Abati should know that many states in the world run a pseudo theocracy. Religion and the state are like a conjoined twin. They can hardly be separated. I don't know if Abati prefers that, our leaders consult Okija shrine, or that the church leaves politics for animists to determine how the state is governed. 


But let me tell Dr Abati a home truth. Akwa Ibom State is named after God. The people are unapologetically of the Christian faith and are proudly so. He needs also know that, Governor Udom Emmanuel is an ordained Deacon of the Qua Iboe Church, which was founded by The Rev Alexander Bill, close to his village. He will hang,  if needs be, a the Bible on his neck to make boast of his faith. He owes nobody, not even Abati, an apology for this. 


Like the scripture beseeches us, "These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.(Deuteronomy 6; 7-9). 

  We hold fast to our faith. Even President Muhammadu Buhari has remained fervent in prayers to ensure Nigeria works. Every leader does. Udom Emmanuel, I believe, will not be blackmailed by this Facebook-gossip induced treatise by Dr Abati. A good horse that he is,  in this profession, he stumbled on this Akwa Ibom diatribe. This was an own goal. May it not diminish the stature of the great Dr Abati.


Here is my ruling. For this obvious goof by Dr Abati, and in the spirit of the season of celebration in Akwa Ibom, I hereby order that, he be coloured with orange and discharged on self recognition. I rise.

Faith and Power Church Intl, (Fapo) has declared Friday 1st of September fasting and prayers for Akwa Ibom State.

The message was contained in a release by the Presiding Bishop, Bishop Emmanuel Etim during today's church service at the headquarters in Uyo.

The man of God; Bishop Etim called on members and the general public to remain resolute and pray without ceasing, as ember month is season of myths as it is the most dangerous months of the year when Christians live carelessly allowing the enemy take advantage of them, hence the reason for the one day fast.

"But this kind does not come out except by prayer and fasting". - Mathew 17:21

It could be recalled that the state government through a Press Release signed by Commissioner for Information and Strategy had declared 1st September 2017 as a day of prayer and fasting to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the State.

The fasting also is to afford all Akwa Ibom people the opportunity to seek the face of God and open doors for more of God’s blessing upon our state at 30.

With the theme, “Shine for thy light is come…(Isa 60:1), this year’s anniversary is epochal, considering that thirty years is a very significant time in God’s scheme of things.

The heaven was opened for Jesus at the age of 30 during his baptism and there he also received a Divine endowment from the Father.

Uduak Inwang writes from Uyo.

AKISAN: THEATER OF THE ABSURD

In one of my writings in 2013, I noted that the diaspora remains the greatest setback to continental Africa ( Akwa Ibom in this case).
My reason isn't farfetched. Most Africans living in the United States are not gainfully employed, got involved in deviant behaviors and gangsterism. The result is that they see those holding political offices at home with untold envy and disdain.

Again, their perspective on most of us here are skewed, necessitating a confrontational disposition on every sphere of life.

This attitude played out during the recently held AKISAN Convention in the United States, where the association flagrantly disrespected the office of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State by his non recognition in the entire scheme of the event.

What is more baffling is that the same organization accorded the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Mr Nsima Ekere a borrowed rope by first making him the chairman of the event and an award recipient.

This obviously has sparked off serious controversy propelling the State Government to withdraw from the event. AKISAN has put forward a light weighted and flimsy excuse which centers on their inability to see the state Governor, after waiting for 6 hours.

It begs the question as to whether a supposed organized association in AKISAN's mould should be so petty to the extent desecrating the exalted office of the Governor simply on monetary grounds. Secondly, should a man who is aspiring to lead a state condescend to the extent of impugning the same office he is aspiring to occupy? This situates Nsima Ekere within the prism of a desperado who has lost every sense of logic, integrity and official etiquette.

This goes a long way to exemplifying the APC Conspiracy theory which is founded on lies, mendacious falsehood, propaganda, insecurity and above all terrorism. Can forget the DSS invasion of the Governor's Lodge in hurry?

To AKISAN, washing it's dirty linen in far away United State tells more on the content and context of its operations. I wonder the kind of respect it intend to earn from the Americans, after such a shameful posturing. This goes a long way to telling that AKISAN is indeed, a theatre of the absurd!

Copied from a WhatsApp Group.

AKISAN: Pilgrimage to nowhere

By Iniubong James

It was a short but terse statement from the Akwa Ibom State Government that signalled her pullout from, as the statement put it, "... all activities organized by Akwa Ibom State Association of Nigeria, AKISAN, in United States of America till further notice.

My problem is with that last caveat," till further notice " my take was, and remains, why till further notice? Why not a total pull out from the meaningless annual jamboree, that has become a sort of pilgrimage to nowhere called AKISAN?

What if I may ask is the benefit visibly derives from the AKISAN travels in the last ten years?

We know of the religious pilgrimages by Muslims and Christians to Mecca, Saudi Arabia and Jerusalem in Israel respectively. Ww even know of tourism to the Carribeans or Asia, and why governments send delegations to other nations for these pilgrimages. But what is the real gain for the AKISAN annual relocation of state apparatus and Its attendant capital flight for?

This puzzle becomes more worrisome against the background that is sensible State government's have withdrawn from sponsorship of pilgrimage to any Holy lands.

The Kaduna State Government led the pack, when she announced soon after assumption of office in 2015 , that it has saved N221 after the stoppage of sponsorship of pilgrimage in the state

In a statement by the media aide to Gov. Nasiru El-Rufa’i, Mr Samuel Aruwan, on Saturday in Kaduna, while announcing the appointment of Emir of Birnin Gwari, Alhaji Zubairu Jibril, as the 2015 Amirul-Hajj for the state, the statement explained that government’s decision to stop sponsoring people for pilgrimages has saved the state more than N221.8 million.. The he statement however said the government would send 116 officials and guides that would ensure smooth Hajj operations for the 5,682 pilgrims from the state.

Governor Rufai raised concerns that, with the economic recession, it will amount to being pound foolish for government to spend so much to fund what is the private religious obligations of adherents. Lagos and Niger states have since followed suit with several states in the South East and South South that have also backed out of bankrolling pilgrimages. The aargument has always been that, AKISAN is made up of citizens and they should be made to feel the government of their home state. Nobody disputes that. It has also been argued that, AKISAN accounts for over 1 billion naira in amounts repatriated to the state annually and I dare say: go tell that to the marines.

The whole truth is that, AKISAN has become an instrument of blackmail and extortion in the hands of a few of its leaders to plunder their home state. There are many of them there who have never set foot on African soil for decades, not to talk of Nigeria or Akwa Ibom State in particular. All tthe do is use the power of social media to smear, castigate, blackmail political leaders back home for a fee and only relent once their greedy beak is settled. What monies do they repatriate, when they annually send requests for assistance to the state government to help them fund the so called AKISAN convention? Will AKISAN deny the hefty donations she lures the Akwa Ibom State Government to part with every year at those organized scams called convention? Is the fight for government patronage not the reason AKISAN has derailed from their set goals and objectives? Is it because Governor Udom Emmanuel has cut down their greedy demands for allocation for the convention and their excessive pressure for release of funds that they connived with the desperate Niger Delta Development Commission Manager is Obong Nsima Ekere to demean the exalted office of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State? If aAKISAN thinks that, they have hit the bulls eye with this shenanigans, they have failed woefully. Their conspiracy with Nsima Ekere whose known desperation to become governor by all means possible will not help the failed politician, who is loathed at home for his evil ways. His ambition is dead on arrival. Ekere should know AKISAN will not vote in 2019. I ccommend Governor Udom Emmanuel for standing firm and not hearkening to the blackmail of AKISAN and her cohorts in this naked dance to nowhere. Enough iis enough. That AKISAN convention is a jamboree. I recommend to the leadership of AKISAN, the wisdom of Ikpafak Thompson Essien'regrets, when he wrote :"I have written about this before, now it has been confirmed, everywhere Nsima Ekere enters, trouble must ferment. Now he has taken his wahala to AKISAN. If the incident is not handled properly, this incident will be the beginning of the end of AKISAN as we know it."AKISAN sshould be told in clear terms that the made the wrong

Bet this time. Nsima Ekere is a political leper, anything he comes in contact with will contract the leprosy. AKISAN should go to the 'river Jordan' wash and purge herself to become clean.

A CALL FOR NORMINATIONS FOR 2017 DAKKADA YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS AND PROFESSIONALS AWARD

As part of activities for the dual celebration of the 30th anniversary of Akwa Ibom State and second anniversary of the Dakkada Philosophy/initiative of Governor Udom Emmanuel led administration, the Directorate of Marketing and Brand Management, Governors office, is calling for nominations of outstanding Akwa Ibom youths for recognition.
The categories for the awards Include: Dakkada Young Entrepreneurs Award and Dakkada Young Professionals Award.
The awards seek to honour Akwa Ibom youths who have
attained the following feat:

1. DAKKADA YOUNG ENTERPRENEURSHIP AWARD
(a) Must be an Akwa Ibomite
(b) Must have started and is running a business
(c) Not more than 35years old
(d) An outstanding entrepreneur noted for exemplary behavior and integrity

2. DAKKADA YOUNG PROFESSIONALS AWARD
(a) Must be an Akwa Ibomite
(b) Must not be more than 35years
(c) An outstanding professional noted for exemplary behavior and integrity
(d) Must have been in his chosen profession for at least 5years.

All entries and nominations for each of the categories should be sent through www.akwaibomdakkada.com/nominate on or before August 27, 2017.

Nominations can also be made via our Facebook page and Twitter handle @dakkadang using

Nomination pattern :
I nominate. ....... (name )
Of .......... (company ) for ......
(Category ).
Phone number. ........
#dakkadaaward.

The Directorate promises to adhere to the highest level of integrity in the selection process as winners will be selected by a panel of judges.

Signed..............
Mr Sam Edoho
SSA, Directorate of Marketing and Brand Management.

A first class Paramount ruler in Akwa Ibom state, HRM, Okuku Ime Udousoro Inyang has called on Ibibio, the fourth largest ethnic group in Nigeria to unite for the purpose of achieving progress and prosperity.
Click here to watch the full video >>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8f-3bSTfMRY

DEVELOPING STORY

The Honourable Commissioner for Works, Akparawa Ephraim Inyang, Thursday afternoon, inspected flooded area at the Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat in Uyo.

Mr Inyang-Eyen who referred to His Excellency, Mr Udom Emmanuel, as a proactive governor, hinted that, the State Chief Executive has ordered for work to commence immediately to completely deflood the area and bring permanent solution to incessant flooding at the ambience of the Secretariat.

#GovernorUdomCares

By Fred Itua|

Journalists covering the All Progressives Congress (APC), have concluded plans to embark on a massive protest against the National Working Committee (NWC), led by Chief John-Odigie Oyegun from next week, over its refusal to pay various advertisements placed in some newspapers.

The debts running into over N30 Million, cut across various major national Newspapers covering the party, which include; The Sun, Thisday, Punch, Daily Trust, Blueprint, Guardian, Nation, Vanguard, Leadership, among others.

The party recently generated more than N60 million from the sales of the Nomination and Expression of Interest forms.‎

It was gathered that eleven out of the twelve aspirants officially paid N5.5 million for the forms, while the only woman aspirant got the form free of charge according to the APC constitution.

Some of the adverts placed in the Nawspapers were said to have taken more than two years without payment by the ruling party.

The affected newsmen, who said they are on the verge of losing their jobs as a result of threats from their offices, expressed frustration confronting them as a result of APC debt.

The breakdown of the advert debts shows that The Sun, Nation, Leadership, Blueprint, Vanguard and Daily Trust, have the highest shares of unpaid advert.

One of the journalists who revealed the plan to carry placards against Chief Oyegun led NWC next week, said he has to do this after several appeals had failed.

The journalists said that all the local and international media organizations will be invited to cover the protest.

… Call for his Immediate Sack as NDDC MD
Ijaw people of the Niger Delta Region have vowed to resist attempts the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission,NDDC, to use his office to pursue his political ambition rather than the course of the region.
They have called on Nsima Ekere’s resignation to allow him concentrate on his Akwa Ibom governorship aspiration or risk the wrath of the Ijaw people who are yearning for genuine development in line with the core mandate of the commission.


Coming under the aegis of Bayelsa Patriotic Watch, the Ijaws in a treatise titled, “Nsima Ekere Robbing Peter to Pay Paul” they called on the Presidency to wade in and call Mr Nsima Ekere, to order to avert a possible upheaval again in the region.


While lamenting the spate of abandoned projects in Bayelsa, the various levels of uncompleted projects spread across the state by the Nsima Ekere led NDDC.
The Bayelsa Patriotic Watch lamented the spate of abandoned projects which the Nsima Ekere led NDDC has failed to complete to include, Eminama water projects, Opu Neme Sand Field Road Project in Neme Local Government; Olopoma internal road project, water projects in Kongo, Egwema Water project, Odioma water projects in brass local Government Ares as abandoned.


They are also worried that other projects such as the water project in Okutukutu Epie, Akenfa Bridge in Yenegoa Local Government; Otuendu Community water in Ogbia Local government are also abandoned.
They also frowned at the alleged deceit Ekere has played on them with the Biseni water project that has been declared completed and delivered to the people and which is in no way functional and the community is yet to benefit from such project.


The Patriots also accused Nsima Ekere of fraudulent contract awards, which sidelines indigenous contractors who are deserving, but such contracts are only reserved for his political cronies.
Mentioned too among the allegations is the high handedness of Mr Nsima Ekere, describing his “authoritarian and insatiable appetite for power,” as a major factor that is tearing the NDDC apart.

“Employments and appointments made by Mr. Nsima Ekere and his cohorts are not only lopsided but qualified Bayelsans are also not considered. The same is true in the ward of contracts.”
The group also noted that Ekere is using the money from his commission to fund a team of supporters to oppose the Akwa Ibom government as a means to further his ambition to become governor in 2019.
The group calls for his immediate resignation as the MD of the NDDC.


“Bayelsa Patriotic Watch hereby call on Mr. Nsima Ekere to resign forthwith as MD of NDDC so that he can concentrate on his gubernatorial ambition in Akwa Ibom State. This will enable a less ambitious replacement to focus on the development of Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta Region.”


“It is also good that we call on the Presidency, under whose oversight is the NDDC to wade in and call Mr. Nsima Ekere, the Managing Director of NDDC to order to avert possible upheaval again in the region.”


It will be recalled that last month the Bayelsa state internal revenue service had sealed off the NDDC office in Bayelsa Over non remittance of taxes collected from staff to the state.
The release signed by Hon Empire Otuzi, the President, Chief Tari Obolo, Secretary and Comrade Davidson Golden

Many issues have come up lately. Most of the issues are on the person of Obong Nsima Ekere, and his fraternity with some persons who are his confidants. Obong Nsima Ekere is said to have left tainted record at AKIPOC, an organisation that heralded him into public service in Akwa Ibom State.

Obong Nsima Ekere,is the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission , but since he joined politics, there are associations and individuals which his strong affinity to, has made his integrity questionable.

This assessment on Obong Nsima Ekere is important just this moment that his army of "Change" advocates are amping his interest to succeed the incumbent governor, Deacon Udom Emmanuel by 2019. His supporters, some of them as naive as they are, have gone all the lengths to tackle Deacon Udom Emmanuel, on things the governor has done rightly. They have stretched the extremes of vituperations and hate. There is just anything the governor has not done that the change advocates haven't found faults.The height of their endeavour is to sponge everyone else except Obong Nsima Ekere with blots.

Obong Nsima Ekere is not a saint. He has a weight of integrity hung around his neck.
First, he has rounded up himself with peope who were cruel and unkind to God, and unto their fellows. Society had assessed Governor Godswill Akpabio a bit unfairly because of those he surrounded himself with, as governor. Public opinion took a deep cut off his towering self-pride and achievements, because it appeared that he directly, and through proxies sanctioned ultimate crimes; violence, cultism, and kidnapping. Under his watch, men were unfair to men.

Society knows all those people who clubbed life out of those brothers of ours. Everyone who was old enough then would recall the cruelty Obong Sunny Ibanga, a self-styled political executioner in the Akpabio's era, dealt on fellow Akwa Ibomites who sought to take over leadership of the State through the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN. That cruelty, conceived and executed through Chief Sunny Ibanga and the gang, left a hole in the souls of men. I belief the immaculate Heart of Mary bled that day. At least 15 people were killed. In the last six years, survivors of that black Saturday have been making effort to commemorate that disaster. After all that fury and blood shed, Chief Sunny Ibanga, is an Nsima Ekere's "bone man".
Nsima's fraternity with Sunny Ibanga kills joy of all responsible and God fearing people of this State who condemned that unnecessary and strange opposition. No one has yet forgotten that that incident spilled into Uyo. And, at the Idongesit Nkanga secretariat, 500 tricycles and 350 brand new Peugeot cars were set ablaze. All of that happened because one Sunny Ibanga, Nsima Ekere's covenant friend started trouble somewhere. Do not forget that those vehicles were supposed to be given out to support our brothers in the transport sector who are not rich yet serve us under the sun and in the rain. In one fell swoop, 850 lives would have been touched. Those people, all of them, or majority of them who would have benefitted from the tricycle and car assistance, would be millionaires today. Sadly, someone chose the path that cost 850 millionaires.

Sunny Ibanga is a multimillionaire with business interets spanning aviation, media, toiletries, furniture, agriculture, etc. He did not want those Okada riders to have better means of livelihoods, so that they do not become millionaires like him. Yet, he will desire to rally their support and votes for his friend and current benefactor. Life is not fair to the poor! This was not the wish of God.

Uyo Nathaniel is another good friend to Obong Nsima Ekere. Whoever does not know Mr. Uyo Nathaniel, Obong Nsima Ekere's security aide should check newspaper archives and police reports for his story. No one is judge over him, but for the strange violent crime of kidnapping for which Akpabio's administration got hard knocks for, he was the first person in the State to be arrested in connection to that crime. That he is working the streets today is owed to the likes of Mr. Don Etim, that mixed blood; Akpabio's Commissioner for Works. Reports say he was culpable in that first kidnapping case in Ikot Ekpene. Uyo Nathaniel, for a fact became the breakthrough for kidnapping in Akwa Ibom State. In the last nine years, about 300 people have been kidnapped in the State. There may be no end to this crime. Woe betide those who started this. Amen.

Beyond these two case, there is a lingering dissatisfaction about failure of the NDDC under Obong Nsima Ekere's watch to make available the statutory annual largesse due to youths of Akwa Ibom State. It is gathered on good authority that other States in the region have gotten their due except Akwa Ibom State. There is a fuss that part of the money, 16 million was released to Prof. Chris Ekong, coordinator of political groups for Nsima Ekere, but it went down the pockets of a few. Will the government of Nsima Ekere which his supporters sing high up to the belfry be that of "brother chop, brother no chop"?.

Akwa Ibom should not go this way. Whoever seeks to govern us should first of all show that he has purged himself of all iniquities. Obong Victor Attah was a great governor. He surrounded himself with good ideas, but some of his latterday friends almost ruined him. Notwithstanding, his greatness is unparalleled.


However so angelic a man is, but has the scornful, thieves and murderers in charge of the keys to his house, how much soever he cries "Lord thou art my refuge", he has lost good standing before men.
The seat of governance is exalted by God.

Whoever desires to seat on it should show proof in his attitude and affiliations that he or she will lead the people in the way of the Lord. Nsima Ekere is not the governor yet to have a feel of the vicissitudes that are upon that position, yet he dines with many people who have made themselves great terror to men. One wonders what would happen if he has absolute powers as governor. Would he choose to make lucifer the keeper of the keys to government house? That will be his choice!
We have seen an era where terror and evil reigned supreme in this State. With the prayers of the church, the light of God is shinning back at us. Everyone should be interested in walking in that light. A sullen darkness and fury cannot reign because we desire a change. After all, the change should begin from within.

If Obong Nsima Ekere desires to be governor, which of course from all pointers, he does; he must show us cause that during his first public service to the State, he did not sanction what Sunny Ibangas, and Uyo Nathaniels of this world did. I should resist a straight- cut answer that none of the duo was convicted, hence the two can't be held responsible for those events.

Everyone knows how they got off the noose. Obong Nsima Ekere, please sir you mustn't be a receptacle; collecting all manner of rubbish, evil and good men at the same time, for the single reason that you seek to be governor. This is part of what punctures the heart of your integrity. Show us that your are not against us. We are still suffering from the spillover effect of the actions of the government which you were part of. The seed of cultism planted by that administration has grown and blossom such that cultism is a culture in our secondary schools. One cannot say exactly when we will conquer this cankerworm. We have learn to pray about our problems under the Udom Emmanuel's administration than resort to armed violence. The son of a poor man imbued with talents can be given a position without having his dad or the child himself, committed to a fetish oath. This is the way I have chosen to go. This is the way of Christ.

Uduak Sunday writes from Ndon Omum, Nsit Atai Local Government Area.

Source The Net Reporters

Reports have it that this sensitization campaign was about commencing with about 400 people already present when some hoodlums numbering about 10 came around to start formenting trouble until law enforcement agents were invited to wade off the trouble makers alleged to have been sponsored by the opposition leaders in Akwa Ibom state.
The situation is under control and the awareness campaign will soon commence.

At a time, after much talk,Mabel got angry and ordered me to chase her out of the house that she's the one that brought her, I finally obeyed, I amicably asked Emem Udoh to leave my house and settle whatever case she has with Mabel.
She furiously left with her brother Mabel was happy that I did as she wished... Click here to read more http://akstrending.com/ekemini-maxwell-lady-accused-stealing-sandal-replies/

The current generation of youth are the largest in history and young people often comprise the majority in countries marked by armed conflict or unrest, therefore considering the needs and aspirations of youth in matters of peace and security is a demographic imperative.

Young people’s inclusion in the peace and security agenda and in society more broadly, is key to building and sustaining peace. The process of social inclusion for youth, including participation in decision-making as well as access to quality education, health care and basic services promotes their role as active contributors to society and affords young people with opportunities to reach their potential and achieve their goals. When youth are excluded from political, economic and social spheres and processes, it can be a risk factor for violence and conflict. Therefore, identifying and addressing the social exclusion of young people is a precondition for sustaining peace.

In his words, the project leader, Gideon Ekanem also stated, International Youth day, Uyo, creates an opportunity for young people in Akwa Ibom State to celebrate themselves and their activities as it affects the theme set aside by the UN for the year, It also creates an opportunity for more young people to volunteer, collaborate, engage, learn and inspire themselves. While we are creating more sustainable solutions that meet needs both for now and the future, we are also leveraging on this event to tell the world that there is a lot happening out here in Akwa Ibom.

The event will feature Music performances, Ideas Sharing session by startups on peace building, Networking, Dance, Panel Session and Stage Play.

The Ideas sharing session will have, Pst. Runcie Mike - Senior Pastor, The Evening Church, Euphymia Aniekpon - Creative Director, Fresh “n” Grinz, Uduak Inwang - Head Publicist, Akstrending, Idong Ekoi - Business Collaborator, Uduak Umoatan - Co-Founder Codekago interactive, Emmanuel Onuk – Founder Ibom Directory, Edikan Udom - Director of Marketing and Design OBUfaa Interior

Also, expected panelists include; Joyce Daniels, CEO, Talkademy, Uyo, Sam Enoh Akpan, General Manager, Inspiration Fm, Uyo and Sam Edoho, Senior Special Assistant to the governor on marketing and brand management, Bryce Edem and David Okpon, Managing Director, Goshen Greenland Limited. They will discuss on ways youths can become build peace in their various communities.

The command Stage play written and directed by Paul Okuk is entitled ‘Youth building Peace’. The play will be a narrative tale of Africa before and after colonization; the struggles to win the right cause the wrong way, and a resolution that portrays the New Africa. Violent protest is captured, and then, a peaceful resolution is reached. Emotion, suspense, and a mixture of music, dance and drama makes an informative, educating and entertaining piece of art.

The event is scheduled for August 11, 2017.

Time: Red Carpet kicks off by 2pm and main event by 3pm-6pm

Venue: Silverbird Cinemas, Ibom Tropicana, Uyo Akwa Ibom State

To attend kindly register online at www.iyduyo.com

For sponsorship call Aniekpon, +2347030459925, Utip, +348073168068 and Becky +2348037759359

Join and follow the conversation on Facebook, Twitter @iyduyo on Instagram @iyduyolive using the hashtag #IydUyo, #Youth4Peace #YouthDay.

The Event is powered by IYDUYOVOLUNTEERS and Organized by CHARACTER AND SUCCESS (UNIDO Partner Social Enterprise)

I would have considered making this a private memo to you until I recalled how much you trust and appreciate messages sent through the social media including SMS as you did when you purportedly sought audience with Akwa Ibom State Government.

Again I want to ask; what was the essence of that Thanksgiving service when some families are still in grief over the killing of their children in the ill-fated accident at Esene junction?

Why has humanity lost so much pity for fellow humans that another's life now worth less than a grain of corn while they won't mind insuring theirs, as if to live forever.

A little reach out could have done all the magic, but abandoning corpses of your kinsmen, while you hurried to splash compensation on families of police officers who died in the accident leaves a sour taste in the mouth, questioning if your empathetic disposition lack expression with your kinsmen.

Why didn't you join their funeral and memorial services in the Thanksgiving service you held or better still see to it that their families are pacified over their loses before going to thank God for sparing your life?

While I pray God had received your Thanksgiving, I hope it's also not out of place to remind you of the need to ease these families the pains of losing their breadwinners as a result of that brazen carelessness.

Death in that ill-fated accident knew no geography, identifying with the bereaved families should at least be devoid of geographical consideration.

Charity should begin from home, if the motive must be trusted.

Concerned citizen.
A NOTE TO NSIMA EKERE BY CONCERNED CITIZEN @NsimaUEkere
A little reach out could have done all the magic, but abandoning corpses of your kinsmen, while you hurried to splash compensation on families of police officers who died in the accident leaves a sour taste in the mouth, questioning if your empathetic disposition lack expression with your kinsmen...http://akstrending.com/note-nsima-ekere-concerned-citizen-nsimauekere/

100 containers of medical equipment have been purchased by the State government”, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dominic Ukpong said last month when the first set of equipment arrived the State....http://akstrending.com/aibom-state-govt-takes-delivery-new-medical-equipment-photos/

In all these, the state publicity secretary of PDP, Barr. Iniobong Ememobong says “people have always left the PDP, but the PDP will always win”... Click here to read more http://akstrending.com/2019-apc-battles-uncertainties-pdp-aibom-state/

Click here to reserve a seat. https:///AP9HaCj6wK
For more Details & Sponsorship, call: 09025708872 #AppasaBusiness17 #IMHub #Ideas https:///GFvudkTBv2

"I remember months ago, we wanted to do something and someone told me that I was a first timer therefore, I should not spend huge money on the underground... Click here to read more http://akstrending.com/akwaibom-governor-udom-emmanuel-facebook-timeline/

You’ve managed to create a relationship with a Lady from Akwa Ibom in your life who loves you, but you might be wondering how to keep her buff heart bonded to yours. It can be a daunting task to allow a strong Akwa Ibom woman all the freedom she needs to spread her wings, while making sure that her heart belongs to you alone.
This challenging balancing act is easier than it sounds as long as you can avoid some seriously unacceptable behavior. Let’s discuss 7 things that an Akwa Ibom woman will never tolerate in your relationship.
Click here to read more http://akstrending.com/7-things-akwa-ibom-woman-will-never-tolerate-relationship/

Uyo based Catholic Church Priest Rev. Fr. Patrick Henry Edet, earlier today announced his resignation from Catholic Priesthood....
Click here for more http://akstrending.com/why-patrick-edet-resign-catholic-priest/

Click here to join the Facebook group and see what is trending
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ABOUT
Official Naija PR are the Publishers of www.akstrending.com – one among the first Online PR agency in Akwa Ibom State Nigeria with Lagos Background. Akwa Ibom Trending was launched in June 2013 and is a rich mash of trending politics, business, technology, lifestyle, pop culture, opinions, causes, news, and editorials. Akwa Ibom Trending covers news 24/7 TRENDING news from politics, to economy, to crime, world events, celebrity, fashion and style, events, red carpets, entertainment, and the city.

We offer a unique blend of professionally written featured stories, user contributed articles, and high-resolution photography.
We are observers of what is TRENDING around the world on Social media explaining the stories the world is sharing in social media.
Akwa Ibom Trending’s journalists and editors are committed to keeping our readers updated on the monumental events of our day, covering the stories they are interested in from a diversity of perspectives.

Akwa Ibom Trending was inspired by a set of journalist who present a weekly program on BBC Radio at The BBC bureau on the internet.
Reporting on what’s being shared and asking why it matters, the Program is called BBC Trending Hosted by Mike Wendling Blogger for BBCtrending. Journalist, writer and producer at the BBC. And Mukul Devichand (born in Wales, UK) is a presenter for BBC Radio 4. His work includes programmes such as Crossing Continents, Analysis, From Our Own Correspondent and The Report. He has also presented Our World, a BBC World Service show. In 2009, with Crossing Continents producer John Murphy, he won a One World Media Award.
These great men inspired the birth of Akwa Ibom Trending (www.akstrending.com)


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NSIMA 2019: A DREAM DEAD ON ARRIVAL

Emmanuel Nicholas  

Most times I don't love writing on issues that get unmerited attention. This one clearly belongs to that class. I only get worried when people are deliberately deceived or just hope for what will never be. I have read few articles from Obong Nsima Ekere's hurriedly assembled and volunteer media hands.  I deem it obligatory to correct their infantile political deviousness and hallucinating visions which they have attempted to accentuate in their many concocted and quack narratives.

Let me do a small analysis and I love to be frank and direct in my approach. I want to talk politics. The intention of Nsima Ekere to run for the position of Akwa Ibom State Governor in 2019 is a dead dream on arrival. Why? Even within the divided house of the Akwa Ibom All Progressive Congress, neither the faction of defeated Governorship candidate, Umana Okon Umana, nor the Real APC led by Senator John James Udoedehe accept the candidature of Nsima Ekere .

To them, the position occupied by Nsima Ekere,  as the MD of Niger Delta Development Commission  is too sumptuous for Nsima who did not make any tangible sacrifice like Obong Umana Okon Umana and others. Their  major agony is that, if Umana was the person heading the commission most of them would have been given appointments and contracts to alleviate their sufferings.

And information evolving from the innermost caucuses of these divisions has it that, Umana has ordered his supporters to support Governor Udom Emmanuel, whom he sees as a better leader to associate with than Nsima Ekere. Leave newspaper report, see the writings on political walls.

 My Sources (very impeccable sources) reveal that, Umana was instrumental to the sacking of Nsima Ekere as the Deputy Governor to Senator Godswill Akpabio,  CON, and he believes, Ekere is still nursing the lesions of his untimely expulsion by Umana and his tandem. In view of these deep hurts of Ekere , Umana's camp fear that, if Ekere succeeds as Governor,  he may likely  use his felonious and aberrant deals in that Government to send Umana to jail to avenge his sack. It would be recalled that Umana was the engine room of Akpabio’s administration. Stitch these facts together and see them blend.

The source says Nsima is a very antagonistic and bigheaded person who does not forgive or forget any wrong doing by anybody against him. They add that, their leader Umana knows he is pretending to love him now, just to get what he wants, and later, he will come with a jack knife of avenge and take his pound of flesh. God forbid Umana to go to jail. He is a good man. Instead they will return to PDP which they believe,  will take back power in 2019 as APC   has failed Nigerians.

On the other hand, the James Akpan  Udoedehe  faction boast of being the original APC in Akwa Ibom State (whatever that means) meaning that other groups within the fold are squatters, swashbucklers  and buccaneers who came to  forcefully hijack the party structures from them. This faction hates Nsima Ekere with passion and see him as a stray goat  bonded with an insolent spirit who has no regard for their leader Udoedehe. There nothing Udo has not accused him. I can't write them here.

This Udo's faction is the largest formation of the APC party in Akwa Ibom State and they were partly instrumental to success of Governor Udom Emmanuel,  whom they believed then, that he was a better leader than the failed Candidate of their party in the 2015 gubernatorial election. They are die hard and never waver. They never bling or slumber. They will slug it out to the very end.

This caucus of APC  met sometime in June and unambiguously agreed  to continue their support for Governor Udom Emmanuel whom they believe,  is performing beyond their expectations,  despite the recession ushered in to the Country by their Political Party at the centre .

 
This faction convened a meeting  of their Uyo and Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District caucus and considered options for the forthcoming   elections in 2019.  The  following resolutions were reached by the caucus

1. Supporting Nsima Ekere will mean that Uyo Senatorial District have to wait for another eight years before power returns  to them, after waiting for twelve years earlier.

2. That Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District have to wait for sixteen years after waiting for four years already

3. Finally they resolved to play along with Nsima Ekere pretending to support him and when the time for election comes they will get their supporter's advised to give their votes  to Governor Udom Emmanuel  to succeed in his  second Term bid. This is politics.

 Just like a anonymous scorpion,  Senator Ita Enang is one trickster in politics that no one should toy with. His eyes are on 2023, well fixed with Ibiono LGA highly favoured. His interest in the 2023 election is not negotiable. As a miser and tight fisted hand whom everybody knew him to be, Ita has slowly begun an unusual show of generosity and he comes to Uyo now every weekends to oil his structures and expand his caucus within the party against 2023 general election. Nsima Ekere hangs out there in the cold, akone and alone.

And of recent he has been singing the praises of Governor Udom Emmanuel on all radio stations and television stations in order to write his name in good books of the Governor, knowing full well,  as the incumbent Governor, the Akwa Ibom leader will play a major role to who succeeds him. Ita Enang knows the formula well and adjusting to the rhythm

With this aspiration of Senator Ita Enang,  he knows Nsima Ekere's success will spell doom to his ambition and because of this, he has been meeting the Ibibio elders and youths secretly, to drum support for the Governor while pretending before Nsima Ekere to be in his support. Mbre Ikid.

The lumps in the breast of Nsima Ekere's fluke ambition are too many to be extracted in one day but I won’t fail to divulge this to the public who may be having false assertion that his ambition will be successful .

Chief Don Etiebet the former Minister of Petroleum is another political chameleon in APC  and strong supporter of Umana Okon Umana whose opinion about Nsima Ekere  is not different from others. Chief Don Etiebet who happens  to be the inlaw of the present Governor of Akwa Ibom State,  Mr Udom Emmanuel and secret lover of his administration's performance, is in the business of Rat –in  and Mouse –out  every forth night to the Akwa Ibom State Government house to see his in-laws.

The Oruk Anam  born Politician is  part of Umana’s  Caucus whose resolution is to support Udom Emmanuel instead of Nsima Ekere to protect Umana against been avenged by Nsima.  Apart from protecting his bosom friend,  a vote for Nsima will mean extra eight years to Eket Senatorial district at the expense of Uyo Senatorial who are supposed to have their turn in 2023, then Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District will have to wait for the Lord's coming to have theirs.

There are blind bootlickers who see the presence of Obong Victor Attah at the thanksgiving service of Nsima Ekere as a plus to his support base. But they are blinded with false assessment without considering all the candidates that have failed before due to Attah’s support to their ambition. Infact, going by history, they are some supports that are not good for political aspirations. Bo Ifiok.

Let me try to rekindle their brain with historical fact that no one can deny. Obong Attah's support for his son in-law , Mr Bob Ekarika was a failure no one really envisaged.  Being an incumbent Governor he had so much power in his position to upturn the election in his son in law's  favour.  But the son inlaw failed to clinch the ticket to become his successor. A bile that he has found so difficult to forget and forgive his close allies who betrayed him.   

Then in 2011, Obong Victor Attah the Edeuk Ekpe Ibesikpo Asutan vaulted again into another political abyss ,when he lifted the hands of his once perceived political enemy , Mr John James Akpan Udoedehe at four towns primary school, Abak Road.

During that endorsement Obong Victor Attah referred to Udoedehe as one of the thieves on the Cross with Jesus who had a good word in his mouth for the Lord ,and Jesus promised him that he will be in paradise. Udoedehe is that thief Attah resounded  as he held his hands up the sky.

Udodehe did not only lose the election , but he lost his political followership and this ran his popularity into the abyss of political bankruptcy and decay. As this was not enough for our worthy leader to have a rethink of trying to fly against a thundering-wind of destinies , he threw his weight behind Umana Okon Umana in 2015  and the APC candidate did not only fail as dung-sack, he was  also ruined by that election.

So the support of Obong Victor Attah to Nsima Ekere is a failed crusade and by now the Akwa Ibom former Governor should know that he doesn’t have the anointing to enthrone Governors. Anointing ado nsio nsio.

Obong Nsima Ekere should know that Oro Nation instead of supporting him as another Ibibio Son to have another eight years , after Governor Udom Emmanuel have had four years, instead they will support Governor Udom to complete his eight years so that power may rotate and return to Eket Senatorial District , after Uyo and Ikot Ekpene will have their slot as Eket had voluntarily zoned the slot to Oro Federal Constituency .

 So When will Nsima Ekere will be sworn in as governor of Akwa Ibom State, that year the tortoise will kill the lion, and the rat will make the cat its prey. Then men will swim in the desert, and then will spirits will drink tea instead of blood. Petrol will quench fire, then the leopard will not stand the strength of a mouse. The frogs will swallow the python, and the lizard will chase the dragon, as the rooster will escape death in the hands of a butterfly. The  serpent will sing for the rabbit to dance as both will hug. Banana will become poison to the monkeys. May that year come soon.

MY MANIFESTO FOR IBENO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA 2017 -High Chief William Mkpah

Mission:

My mission is to transform Ibeno Local Government Area
and its inhabitants and be able to compete in the present modern world. To uplift the lives of the people especially in the areas as identified for each community per MDG goals in the following areas:

1. Social infrastructures:

• More bore holes.
• Building a mid-sized/modernized health clinic/well equipped in those communities as identified.
• Enhance the existing power supply and create more
• Build a recreational parks in strategic places in the communities
• Build a mid –size stadium that will be centrally located
• Modernize all the major markets
• Grade and connect all major and minor roads throughout Ibeno Local Government Area to enhance commerce

2. Create jobs :

• Through mechanized agriculture
• Acquisition of cottage industry that would employ at least 50 to to 100 indigenes in partnership with private sector

• Establishing waste management jobs through instituting a waste mgmt program
.Building of Skill Acquisition centres to train the youth and women

3. Re-establish/strengthen education in both primary/secondary schools:

• Rebuild the primary schools/secondary schools in Ibeno
• Sourcing other educational equipments and tools that would enhance position learning from UNESCO / Exxon Mobil
• Furnish all schools with needed infrastructure/equipment
• Build an ultra- modern and state of the art regional library and laboratory to enhance research
• Build a centralized mid size computer lab to enhance students’ technological ability

4. Establish strong sports entertainment culture through:

• Sports competition among schools
• Debating/Drama competition
• Different sports activities training to enhance skills
• Spornsor the annual “Governor’s Cup” soccer competition
• Create a scholarship foundation to serve the under privileged student`

.pay bursary to students promptly

• Seeking talents in all entertainment arenas and showcasing them to “the world”.

5. Generating revenue for the local government through :

• Job creation/market development.
• Revitalizing the tax system to help increase revenue to the local government.

6. Strengthening all the local government departments ;

• Public works department
• Power department
• Waste management department
• Education Board/department
• Sport /Entertainment department.

7. Youth Development

Create a cohesive forum to help with youth development and enhancement through projects initiatives
Establish an open-door policy to encourage different ideas that would forge the community ahead
Encourage a “ GIN” ( Get Involved Now “attitude in the youth/community
Build the peace/love movement in the communities through the youth
8. Safety program enhancement through:

• Reinforcing the police force through proper mobilization
• Creating a “be my neighbor’s keeper” local security programs
• Utilizing our youth to enhance the safety of our constituents

9. Creating a strong health care program in the community through:

• Creating awareness through health education including but not limited to:
• Women cancer, HIV/Aids, and early childhood intervention program
• Furnishing the local clinics with modern equipment
• Providing free annual wellness check-up program for all.
• Creating a “ health information team” and monthly health education seminars in all the local clinics

10. Peaceful Alignment Oil Compainies

• Aligning Ibeno South local government with oil companies in our local government Area and ensure there mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence

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Akwa Ibom Is The Reason ExxonMobil Laughs Off The Demands of Akwa Ibom by Uduak Umo

I'm simply going to update what Itoro Cyril has written in this article.

Let's start with this:

It would take just 1500 signatures on an online petition to activate a injunction to compel ExxonMobil to move their administrative HQ to their base of operations; Akwa Ibom State. But after 3 weeks, with broad reaching promotion online, the petition has just about 400 signatures to it.

Just a simple petition.

Background
ExxonMobil has heard calls for relocation back home from Akwa Ibom people for ages. They've always had an unannounced budget for handling all such crises. It is not a problem for them. They believe it's just a function of money, or do they not. How insulting!

They have studied this very public and they know how best to manage them.

Itoro Cyril wrote:

"Though unfortunate but we cannot completely salvage it. There has to be complete awakening. I was in Mobil house the other day and eventually I heard a Steward greeted me in Ibibio "Bro mokom o" and I staged a smile at her. I felt unhappy but what could she have done? Stay hungry? No, she needed to work and survive in a city. Walking down the lawn I quickly peeped on the petition initiated by Cavil Uduak Inwang⁩ and just about 400 had signed at that time.

Sincerely what I do not know is if this petition hasn't got wide popularity. I then looked up Cavil's Facebook page surprisingly he has over 1000 friends with 95% being Akwa Ibomites. I also realized several people shared the post, many reposted on their wall.

Sadly it will take Akwa Ibom almost 1 month to raise 1000 of the 1500 signatures required to help compel ExxonMobil to relocate its HDQ to Akwa Ibom State.

What I do not know and among the question that has disturbed me is...

1. Is it because ⁨Cavil raised the motion?
2. Are Akwa Ibomites not aware of the immediate and long term benefits of EM having its HDQ in Akwa Ibom?
3. Why is the Government not so viciously interested in this movement?"

My brother, even ExxonMobil should be wondering what kind of subservient people they have in Akwa Ibom, both in leadership and everywhere else. I bet you EM would choose to drill and spill oil in Akwa Ibom again and again.

I blame the Akwa Ibom people first. We're simply too easy to ride on. We're easily content, easily passified, laid back and easily frightened.

This is not to suggest violence at all. Did Ken Sarowiwa fight anybody to kick Shell BP out of Ogoni land? He engaged his intellect, firmness, use of facts, consistency, passion and leadership.

Before we blame EM for Our Woes, We look inwards, thus:

1. We blame the Host Communities first.
Let's isolate Ibeno here, though there're other oil producing local government areas in Akwa Ibom. ExxonMobil have their terminal at Ibeno.
If you ask, how has ExxonMobil been able to keep drilling oil in Ibeno despite decades of frequent protests by the community?
The answer isn't far fetched: visit the youth leaders of Ibeno and you'll get the answer. Visit their traditional rulers and you'll understand.

At this juncture, I invite the Paramount Ruler of Ibeno to declare his assets. Then he can help us with the source of his stupendous wealth - his mansion even has an elevator, sitting in the midst of abject poverty and oil spillage.

I heard the story of Gani Fawehinmi who was asked about his consistency and fearlessness in opposing Nigerian governments, to which he responded that he had made it a policy never to take gifts from any of the politicians, not even in peace times. He even cited an instance when ex-governor of Lagos Marwa sent him a ram to celebrate sallah, and he returned it unscratched.

As long as our leaders keep receiving gifts from ExxonMobil - I don't care if these are innocent souvenirs - they're being bribed to work for EM. No hope.

2. Blame Our Political Leadership.
Ibeno leaders succeed to keep their people subdued under EM, and Akwa Ibom's Political leadership has succeeded to keep Akwa Ibom people subdued under EM, either through inaction, accruals, favours, ignorance, apathy or all and more. There's no other way to defend that we could have taken it up with the Jonathan administration, which we had favour with, yet we treated it with casual ease. The reason? We had too much to eat then.

The present administration has come to revive calls for EM to relocate their HQ to Akwa Ibom; the House of Assembly has begun to engage EM over the issue. They've had seatings and hearings, and this is the first time an Assembly is going this far over the same subject (I stand to be corrected). These efforts are, however, too weak; simply too limb. What is this? Aren't we joking? If we can't get it now, we better forget it completely.

Cyril further wrote:

"Talking about Government involvement I realized Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) was compelled to build their industrial area in Port Harcourt. Many thanks to the Govt at that time. Today the citizens are benefiting.

Sometime in May I asked about the progress of EM Relocation to Akwa Ibom State. The response I got was positive though from a press man in this forum. I asked because when I was in Port Harcourt. I witnessed NLNG building their HQ in port Harcourt. What tripped me was the fact that this project is done day and night solely because they need to meet up dateline.

Truth is in this same NLNG construction sites you'll notice remarkable sons and daughters of Akwa Ibom State working as Architects, Consultants, Supplier of goods, and others as labourers but none seem to have thought of compelling the Government by just signing a petition or raising placards.

As for the Government of Akwa Ibom State... I know that any serious Government can draft laws that would make EM relocate to AKS in 6 months. We have everything they need so it's no point deceiving us with..."

I won't say the Government should rush to use extreme measures against a visitor that's doing business on our land. But we must realize that governments come and go while ExxonMobil stays. Through the government's body language, Mobil can already know what to expect. They're familiar with all this weak, seemingly unserious engagement. Give them something robust and they'll comply.

3. Let's blame Other Akwa Ibomites.
If Mobil agrees to relocate to Akwa Ibom, it will be to Uyo most likely. Not Ibeno, not Mbo, not Eket. The new landlord would then experience a hike in economic activities, with immediate effect on the GDP. Yet, how many Akwa Ibom people have joined the movement to bring EM where they ought to be?

We have influential individuals in various industries and sectors, all over the world. But they sit and watch, because this is the typical Ibibio man.

Let me quote Kashim Shettima in the famous taped phone call he's now denied:

"The plan of APC is that they're going to make alliance of North-West Economic Development. The West has the ocean, the North has agricultural produce. The government is going to develop all the agricultural and mineral resources in the North. They will put primary industries here and then go and finish them in Lagos and South-West and export them and bring back the money and share it between the two regions.
Let them drink their oil (referring to South-East/South-South Nigeria)".

What does the above imply? Can't we already see that the Federal Government has gone ahead to furnish Lagos with all the support they need to keep building, while also ignoring regions that require even more urgent attention? At what stage is Ogoni clean-up if I may ask? Where's Ibom deep seaport? Why has Lekki Deep Seaport started while the even cheaper and earlier proposed one at Ibaka remains on queue?

If Akwa Ibom people can appreciate the extent to which they are being enslaved by the system they've chosen to cooperate with, they won't keep mum anymore.

This isn't the spirit with which our fathers won us State creation in 1987. This is not the spirit with which Attah won the battle of the 13% derivation. Then, few people engaged the powers that be. Today, we need numbers.

Nigeria doesn't care about your struggles; they never have, just the same way we don't care what's going on at Southern Kaduna. Everyone must seize his and her destiny.

We are not cursed, sentenced to endless servitude. But as long as we allow timidity and subsistence living remain our attitude, everyone else will think we're cursed.

The proverb says it all: "you cannot stop a bird from flying, but you can stop it from perching on your own head".

Uduak Umo practices Public Relations, and is a Public Interest Researcher

#RelocateExxonMobilHQ :A’IBOM YOUTHS PROTEST MOBIL’S PLOTS TO DESTROY AQUATIC ORGANISMS

By Umoh-Obong Kingsley

Youths from Eket, Esit Eket, Onna and Ibeno Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State took to the streets in protest of the oil spill from Mobil Producing Nigeria which has affected their communities.

The youths, during the protest, carried placards with various inscriptions, and marched on major streets in Eket, asking the Federal Government to come to their rescue.

Some of the inscriptions on the placards read: “Oil spill is killing our aquatics life; Federal Government should come to our rescue; Mobil is killing us; enough of this oil spillage.”

The protesters tabled two demands before the oil giant: that a cleanup of the affected areas should be done without delay and compensation paid.

Speaking with one of the volunteers of the #RelocateExxonMobilHQ, one of the protesters said in an interview that the spills had devastated aquatic life and destroyed fishing equipment, and blamed the oil giant for being nonchalant with its host communities.

He said that the oil company denied the spills. “What Mobil should have done for public relations sake, was to approach the community and their leaders and find ways to looking into the matter. Instead, they made a very wrong impression by the telling the community that the spill was not from them.

“They (Mobil) vastly went and sprayed solvents to dissolve the spills into the water. Unfortunately, the spills could not dissolve, washing the aquatic animals from the ocean to the shore dead as the result of the spill and the chemical they used.

“Mobil cannot deny the spill otherwise something is wrong with them. They must be a very crafty company to deny the spill. It is Mobil that is operating in the community and not any other company.

“What they should do is liaise with the community and clean up the spills to reduce the effect on marine organisms which could be useful to the community. Their manner of approach to the community is very bad.”

The protesting youths urged the oil giant to begin the process of clean up of the environment without delay.

Also, some of the youths threatened to disrupt the activities of the oil giant if their demands are not met.

There have been series of petitions and campaigns from every Akwa Ibom sons and daughters for the relocation of the operational headquarters of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, a subsidiary of ExxonMobil, to the state with the hash tag #RelocateExxonMobilHQ.

Reason for the agitation for the oil firm to relocate their headquarters to host states is that the firms owe their hosts the corporate-social responsibility of contributing to their development and ensuring or, at least, contributing to their welfare, especially where it concerns the immediate communities where the acts of exploration are done.

The advocacy is neither strange nor new, and we can prove this with a short drive down historical lane, as indigenes of Akwa Ibom State of both male and female genders had structured a convergence somewhere with some others, likeminded and indigent outside the state, to chart a course that may most likely change a narrative, and make a historical mark that will sure transcend generations yet to come.

By Umoh-Obong Kingsley is a Volunteer for #RelocateExxonMobilHQ and Publishes for 9jaecho.com