₦airaland Forum

Uyo Councillor Hon. Overflow Breaks Jinx, Sets For Massive Empowerment, Feb 14

History will be made in Uyo Local Government Area on Monday, 14th February, 2022, when the Councillor representing former Ward 10, now 12; Hon. Overflow David Franky, will be hosting his maiden Constituency briefing and empowerment programme.

The massive event, which coincides with the 2022 birthday of the lawmaker who Chairs House Committee on Chieftaincy and Land Matters in the Uyo Legislative Council, will hold at the Bishop Usanga Primary School, Ediene Ikot Obio Imo, Oku 1, Uyo LGA.

Speaking with newsmen in Uyo on Friday, Hon Overflow hinted that, the event will feature a special empowerment initiative targeted at promoting enterprise, self-reliance and job creation.

"Yes, I was born on lovers day. From birth, God has been faithful to me and my family and today by God's grace and through the mandate of my people, I am representing former ward 10, now 12 in the Uyo Legislative Council as a Councillor.

"On Monday, I am not just going to gather the people to talk, drink and eat; no, the event is beyond the usual three to four hours of enjoyment. My team has carefully selected six (6) serious-minded sons and daughters of my ward for vocational training in welding and fabrication, fashion design, hairdressing, make-up training and catering. This scheme is based on the peculiar needs of the beneficiaries.

"Apart from that, I will also use the event to present two (2) live cows to my people and hundreds of wrapper materials including money for sewing to the women as a way of telling them 'Thank You' for believing in me and your continued support," the Councilor noted.

The Ediene Ikot Obio Imo - Oku 1 business mogul used the occasion to specially praise his wife; Deaconess Patience Overflow, for standing by him at all times and prayed God to bless his entire family, supporters and constituents.

He equally invited his colleagues and associates, Royal Fathers, the Clergy, political class, the peace- loving people of his Ward, Uyo Local Government, Uyo Federal Constituency, Uyo Senatorial District and Akwa Ibom State at large, for what he termed, "Mother of all empowerment in Uyo"

Forum of Vice Chairmen of Local Government Councils in Akwa Ibom State, has joined family members, friends and admirers of the State's First lady across the globe, to felicitate her on the occasion of her 52nd birth anniversary.

However, wife of the Akwa Ibom State Governor; Her Excellency, Deaconess (Dr.) Martha Udom Emmanuel, was born on 10th February, 1970.

The forum in a birthday message signed by the Chairman of the forum and Vice Chairman, ONNA Local Government Council, Hon. Jonny Princewill, described Dr. Martha Emmanuel as a virtuous woman, a celebrated mother and world acclaimed gender crusader.

Vice Chairmen of Local Government Councils hinted that, the First Lady's philanthropic gestures and women Empowerment programmes through her pet project; Family Empowerment and Youth Youth Re-Orientation Path-initiative (FEYReP), has inspired them to develop initiatives that have accelerated massive development at the grassroots across the 31 Local Government Areas of the State.

The forum noted that the First lady has taken issues bothering on Gender-Based Violence, advocacy for women’s rights and girl child education, among others, to the front burner of the National and International discussions.

“Our Mother-General, your presence is being felt across the State by our people. You have shown beyond every reasonable doubt that behind any successful man, there is a good wife, a virtuous woman and a caring mother. You are a prayer warrior who has been so supportive to our Christ-centric leader; His Excellency, Mr. Udom Emmanuel.

“It is obvious that a man cannot succeed without having a good wife behind him. We make bold to say that the successes that our, the Governor has achieved today is as a result of your massive support. Once again, as our Role Model, we wish you a happy birthday with sound health and long life,” part of their message read.

OBA'S GUBERNATORIAL AMBITION GAINS MORE BOOSTS:

...AS MORE GROUPS BEG SENATOR ALBERT TO CONTEST A'IBOM GUBER IN 2023

By Aniekan Udoh

More groups and individuals have continued to urge the Senator, Akwa Ibom NorthEast (Uyo) Senatorial District, Obong Bassey Albert (OBA) to contest for the Akwa Ibom state governorship in 2023.

The latest is from a pressure group; Greater Akwa Ibom Agenda which made the demands during its stakeholders' meeting yesterday at Drainage View Hotel, Obot Idim, Ibesikpo Asutan LGA.

The convener of the meeting and business mogul; Mr Ndifreke Usen, himself the Managing Director of ParkView Motors, told stakeholders that 2023 should be payback time and from OBA's developmental strides so far, he remains the only politician in the state that had consistently impacted positively on people’s life.

To him, "OBA is the only person for now that can lead Akwa Ibom to a greater height when the tenure of Governor Udom Emmanuel expires in 2023."

Speaking while presenting the communique to the stakeholders, the convener of the group, said the group is optimistic that the Senator has “an unquenchable spirit of development and love for his people.”

He noted that Senator Albert Akpan has requisite experience to govern the State as a former banker, former Commissioner for Finance and a performing Senator, hence the need to beg him to become the governor of Akwa Ibom.

”Akwa Ibomites demand that Senator Bassey Albert Akpan should accept to serve as governor of the State. There is something special about him that ordinary eyes cannot see. This man's love for Akwa Ibom is remarkable.

"There is another important thing about OBA and I want Akwa Ibomites to take note. From 1999 when you check very well, you'll see that anytime we had a governor that was not a known giver, his successor will also be "ònô owo mkpò", he will be a humanitarian and philanthropist of note that is who OBA is and this is spiritual" Usen noted.

Continuing, the car dealer said: "Apart from the aforesaid, time has come for us to beg him to come out and become the governor because the world is changing from oil to artificial intelligence and Akwa Ibomites need somebody with great ideas and vision like Senator Albert to key into the changing world."

He urged the State PDP to give Albert an automatic ticket to contest for the governor rather than allowing people to waste money in primaries.

On his part, the Secretary General of the group; Mr. Aniekan Udoh said, "while it is only God who knows who can become the next Governor of Akwa Ibom State come 2023, one thing that is certain is, That Same God is with Senator Bassey Albert Akpan.

"The PDP can rest assured that if Bassey Albert bears the flag of the party in the 2023 governorship election, the APC cannot stand any chance of putting up a fight to take the State."

“His national and international connection could be deployed to further make the state an industrial hub. He has the link to propel the state to enviable height. You can see how every project initiated by him sails through, successfully.

Reopen Four Point By Sheraton Hotel, Ikot Ekpene To Honour Your Predecessor, Group Tells Udom

Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has been advised on the need to reopen the Four Point By Sheraton Hotel, in Ikot Ekpene, as a mark of honour for the man who brought him into office.

A statement by a Lagos based group, Ibom Initiative For Good Governance And Progress(IIFGGP), signed by its National Coordinator, Akparawa Udeme Matthew, advised the incumbent governor of Akwa Ibom State, Deacon Udom Emmanuel, to use the 59th birthday celebration of the man, who did all he could and braced all odds, with God's support to make him who he is today and order the reopening of the hotel for proper business.

The four paragraph statement reads:

"Let me, on behalf of our members congratulate the incumbent Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on his 59th birthday celebration today. We pray for long life and good health in the years to come because he still has a lot to offer to Akwa Ibom people, Niger Delta Region and Nigeria as a whole.

"We also appreciate the effort of the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Deacon Udom Emmanuel at developing the state since he took over the mantle of leadership from his predecessor.

" However, we are saddened by the continued closure of the Four Point by Sheraton Hotel in Ikot Ekpene, over six years after it was commissioned by your predecessor, Godswill Akpabio, at an event you attended as the then Governor-elect.

" We therefore, appeal to the governor to reopen the hotel in honour of Senator Akpabio, who is celebrating his 59th birthday today in the state and the fact that he sacrificed a lot for him to be on that seat today."

KEEP PRAYING FOR GOV. UDOM EMMANUEL, Attah Urges Akwa Ibomites

Posted by Francis Adedamola

With less than eighteen (18) months before the Udom Emmanuel led administration comes full cycle, his Special Assistant on Projects Monitoring, Mr. Johnson Attah, has charged residents of the State to keep praying for and supporting the State Chief Executive.

According to the Governor's Aide, "with our continuous support to His Excellency the governor, he will do more for our people and I can assure whoever cares to believe that, the governor will complete all ongoing projects before the expiration of his tenure in May 2023."

Attah stated this recently after inspecting the installation of a new transformer at the Ibom Multi-Specialty Hospital, Itam, Itu LGA.

The former governorship candidate of Democratic Alternative (D.A) in 2019 gubernatorial race who was fielding questions from journalists shortly after the inspection alongside his colleagues, hinted that Mr Udom Emmanuel has invested massively in the health facility to make it Country's best.

"When you look around this ambience, you see a neat and fantastic structure that has been maintained and inside here, there are state-of-the-art equipment that can handle any health situation. So, His Excellency the Governor was informed about the light issues here, he immediately sent the transformer to restore light here," he explained.

Speaking further, Mr. Johnson Attah, who noted that COVID-19 pandemic has taught Nigeria key lessons, including the danger of neglecting the health sector, specifically praised Governor Emmanuel for setting the pace in the Country in terms of provision of standard health facilities, technologies and equipment for quality services.

"Even the blind has felt the Governor's midas touch in the health sector. All the moribund General Hospitals in the State have been rehabilitated and equipped. Local Government Areas that had none have been provided and this is happening because His Excellency means well for our people," Attah noted.

He maintained that his boss has also successfully changed the developmental narrative of the state through purpose- driven leadership, the main reason he said, all hands must be on deck to support the Governor's 'Completion Agenda.'

"It is under the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel that we have absolute peace in this State because our leader is a man of peace, that's why he has infected the State with this Godly virtue. And, if you ask me, I'll say there's need to maintain this absolute peace post Udom's era, that's why you saw us the other day at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, coming from all sections of the State to inaugurate the National Executive of the movement that will lead in the peace sustenance crusade in the State.

He however, called on Akwa Ibomites at home and in the Diaspora to key into the programmes of the governor.

"I can say with all honesty that Akwa Ibom people are happy with the governor because he hasn't disappointed them. He is indeed inspired by the people's continuous support and prayers. I therefore urge few ones who must have been aggrieved because of political interest or something else to sheath their sword and give their support for the sake of this State, because Akwa Ibom must move forward,” the Governor's aide added.

Alleged Defamation: “Arab Money” Begs Monty Suites Mgt, Customers For Forgiveness

Posted by Augustine Ibim Jnr.



Akwa Ibom born and Abuja based Socialite and business tycoon, Mrs. Happiness Uyioata Kingsley popularly called Arab Money has tendered passionate apology to the management of Monty Suite hotels uyo over a recent altercations with a traducer which allegedly put the corporate image of the hospitality outfit in disrepute.

Happiness, aka, ArabMoney had penultimate week in a widely circulated video on social media platforms warned some married women involving in adulterous and extra marital affairs in the Monty suite hotels uyo, Akwa ibom state to turn a new leaf or quit their marriages if they can’t cope with the demands of the matrimonial institution vowing to expose them to the public.

However the allegation of such oddity taking place at Monty suite hotels was found unpalatable and offensive by the management of the high brow hotel located along Edet Akpan Avenue(four lanes) Uyo.

Though the hotel management as at press time is yet to make any official statement on the matter, Arab money in a letter addressed to the Managing director and chief executive officer Monty Suites dated 18th April, 2020 and obtained by journalists expressed deep seated regret over the video she made and posted on her WhatsApp wall on 8th day of April in which she erroneously named the Hospitality outfit as the place married women lounge in for extra marital affairs.

According to her, “That the statement identifying Monty Suites as a venue where some married women do go to have extra marital affairs is regretted and hereby withdrawn and same stands retracted bearing in mind that Monty Suite is a corporate hospitality and business outfit which has nothing to do with the unfortunate altercations I had with another woman.

Arab money in the said letter further described as misidentification the name of Monty Suites as the venue for such amorous affairs saying that “it is a painful and regrettable mistake as the correct venue was thereafter identified”

Warning those who may want to use the referred video for any form of mischief, she intoned, “By this retraction, I take exception to any form of propaganda in relating to the said video as any person who want to use the said video to insult, traduce, defame the character of any person or corporate body, or intend to extort money from anyone using the said video does so at his/her own peril”.

Sounding remorseful, Arab Money highlighted “I regret all inconveniences and embarrassment this misidentification or mistake might have caused the management of Monty Suites, its esteemed customers, the good people of Akwa Ibom State and the general public”.

While calling for forgiveness and understanding from the above mentioned publics, Arab Money explained that the video was done when she was truly emotionally distressed.

Covid19: OKOBO CHAIRMAN PRESENTS 24,500 SANITIZERS, FACE MASKS TO HIS PEOPLE

Edited By Kingsley Abimbola, LAGOS.


As Nigerians grapple with the threat posed by the Coronavirus, the Chairman, Okobo Local Government, Rt Hon Ubuo Ubuo and his team in the Council, have stepped up sensitisation campaign on the dreaded novel respiratory disease otherwise known as COVID-19.



The proactive Council boss and his team made up of Secretary of the Council who doubles as the Secretary, Emergency Response and sensitization Committee on Covid-19 Pandemic, Sir Brendan Ekpenyong(KSJ), Chairman of the COVID-19 Committee who is also the Director of Primary Health Care Department in Okobo Local Government, Mrs. Martina Oscar Eneyo, Councillors, including Councillor Ube Ward 1, Hon Patience Ebrene who doubles as Chairman, Health Committee, Okobo Legislative Council, as well as principal staff of the Council on Monday stormed various locations in Okobo, namely; Okobo beach market, okopedi market, Ekeya market and all motor parks in the area to enlighten people on the need for health consciousness and watch against the early signs of the disease raving lives across various States in the Country.

Although Akwa Ibom has zero record for the outbreak of the deadly virus, the current data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Monday morning showed the total number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 rising to 111 and the number keeps increasing on daily basis.


Moved by the rapid increase of the virus, Rt Hon Ubuo who spoke in Okobo dialect during the exercise, advised his people to continue to respect every directive by the World Health Organization (WHO) and affirmed by the Akwa Ibom State government on prevention of the horrendous disease and as well maintain proper hygiene to guard against its outbreak.



He encourage them to wash their hands regularly with soap or alcohol based sanitizers which the Council presented free for them, maintain Social Distancing and Avoid touching eyes, Nose and Mouth with unwashed hands. The Council boss also advised his people to be vigilant and report themselves or anyone who develops high fever, coughs unceasingly and or has difficulty in breathing. The Phone numbers to call are: 08038757223, 07032796884 and 08189411111, 09045575515 & 07035211919


The grass roots leader lauded the effort of Akwa Ibom State government on the level of preparation to combat covid 19 pandemic and encouraged the people of Okobo not to panic but to be updated with accurate information from credible channels.

High point of the occasion was donation of 24,500 alcoholic based hand sanitizer and face masks to the people of Okobo Local Government Area.

NDUESE ESSIEN AND HIS SATANIC VITUPERATION AGAINST EPHRAIM INYANG

By Bright Assam Jnr


As adults, we have learnt vital lessons in life which sometimes we tend to reflect upon in the course of our daily interactions with people of all colours on earth. One of such lessons is - SILENCE IS THE BEST ANSWER TO A FOOL.

However, in as much as one might be entitled to his opinions which he owes nobody an apology for any reason whatsoever, he must in every respect make sure those opinions remain within personal jurisdictions, but in a scenario where such opinions have the tendency to influence or distort the thinking of others or affects their wellbeing, then such a person cannot and will never said to be entitle to such opinions.

When people foolishly voice out their opinions to influence the psychology of the gullible few, then it becomes imperative to call them to order for the good of all and sundry.

This prompted the need to call Chief Nduese Essien, a 75 years old native of Nta Isip-Ikot Ibiok, Eket Local Government Area, to order over his recent satanic ejaculation against the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Works, which has Akparawa Ephraim Inyangeyen as the Commissioner. The fact is that, ignorance is communicable and once an ignorant person releases the pheromones of his ignorance with pride, the gullible ones could be tempted to emulate him and in no time, the spread of ignorance becomes imminent.

Therefore, it will be heinous not to call Nduese Essien to order, if nothing, to at least lower the spread of his foolishness and attack on the Ministry of Works and by extension, government of Akwa Ibom State.

I listened to the recent radio interview Nduese Essien granted on Planet Fm and read a news items on the social media with dismay and at the same time pity the way the former Federal Lawmaker’s half baked-truths and vexatious fallacies derided the state Commissioner for Works, Akparawa Ephraim Inyang which perhaps catalyse the adrenaline to dilute his gross verbal stupidity and educate him a little bit.


NDUESE ESSIEN'S SATANIC LIES:

The short Nduese claims that the Commissioner for Works hates his (Eket) people and has no respect for anyone. Nduese further said that thing that is giving him migraine is that Ephraim is the one who counts the properties to be demolished to make way for road construction, Ephraim is the only one who determines the value of the properties and does the payment alone.

What an illogical, fallacious and senseless claim. Well, it is obvious that the garrulous former Minister is either blind to the reality on ground in the State or is outrightly mischievous.

The truth is that Mr Ephraim Inyang-eyen, has ensured that absolute sanity was restored to the process of payment of compensation since he was appointed Commissioner for Works. Since assumption of office and till date, the Ministry has two stages of valuation; having a private Valuer and a government Valuer who would value independently before the Ministry will come to a compromise after assessing the two Valuers’ records. After choosing the record, the Ministry will then appoint a financial consultant to pay the compensation to properties owners to avoid miss management and cut out third parties who defrauded the system before now. During the payment process, each beneficiary must come to collect his/her cheque or cash with a nationally acceptable Identity Card alongside two (2) copies of passport photographs. If it is a family property, the family will write the Ministry of works that they have conceded the power of attorney to one of them to act on behalf of the family hence giving powers to the Ministry to issue the cheque in the name of the family member. This procedure has reduced drastically controversies and litigation against Government as wrong people are not paid the compensation of others and where the Valuer has built in fictitious names of beneficiary without existing properties, such claims, if noticed will be returned to the the coffers of Government. Here, Nduese Essien goofed!


WHY NDUESE ESSIEN IS PAINED:

Ephraim Inyang-eyen has gone against the warped norms established in the past where monies meant for compensation were inflated, dismembered and shared like the Christmas cow. To Nduese, this is an unpardonable abomination. How dare Ephraim not handover the compensation monies to us the stakeholders of Eket to handle? Does he know Eket people better than me? The list of questions is endless.

With this rare transparency and honesty by a politician in a clime that has no respect for morality and godliness, Ephraim Inyangeyen should be ready to get detested, abhorred, and blackmailed. But how comforting is it to note that, Apostle Paul in his second letter to young Timothy as recorded in the Bible book of 2 Timothy 3:12 had foretold that “everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted”!

However, no matter the recent campaign of calumny and tissue of lies by Nduese Essien, the educated people of Akwa Ibom know that the destructive media war and demonic falsehood Commissioner Inyang-eyen will never be attractive to neither the governor nor sane Akwa Ibomites; hence they always wave the destructive blackmail with the back of their hands.

What Nduese Essien needs to understand is that he cannot bring Ephraim down, not even his ogboni fraternity cult can. I however pity those who see Nduese as a role model, because all they will be gaining from their role model is gross ignorance, hypocrisy, irresponsibility, and a large chunk of dedicative immorality. Calling anyone nduese essien in Akwa Ibom today, is a cool and polite way of saying that person is MORONIC.