₦airaland Forum

Of PMB Misplaced Cabinet Reshuffle

Nigerians before today were still highly expectant that PMB will take decisive actions in the life span of his remaining days as president of Nigeria - one of the actions expected of him is to rejig his cabinet by appointing credible professionals to sensitive key positions that will help take the country completely out of recession and put her in an economically advantageous place to dictate and lead Africa from her development deficits.

However, from the statement that emanated from the President, we are so far away from having quality appointees and good governance. Apart from the fact that PMB have continued to while-away the precious time of Nigerians who before now looked up to him for the desired change in their socio-economy and political life, he has once again demonstrated that he is on a ceremonial journey to Aso Rock without any intention of creating impact.

This is reflective of his desire to appoint supporters from his political party, APC, other than professionals who are badly needed to strategically guide the country's economy and bear ideas that will help them fulfill their bogus party manifestoes.

Any serious government which has seen that circumstances changed the position they held before acquiring power, should be sensible enough to search for competent professionals outside the domain of politics just like former President Olusegun obasanjo did, when he brought Dr. Okonjo Iweaka from the World Bank after the exit of the military who had battered Nigeria economy, says Aniedi Osom, a socio-political commentator.

Nothing less is expected from Mr. President than placing round pegs in round holes. The intentions of Mr. President to bring in members of his political party so as to titillate them is not only an exhibition of crass incompetence but a total showcase of insensitivity on his part to the plight of Nigerians.

It is necessary to suggest or argue who or where these APC supporters would be emerging from judging by the fact that majority of these so called supporters are former members of the PDP who had defected to the ruling party after and before the 2015 presidential elections.

The inclusion of politicians into the cabinet because according to PMB, APC supporters are eager for the appointments is a big shame to Mr. Incorruptible and a slap on the faces of Nigerians!

If Mr. President succeeds in bringing party supporters that are "well known" to us at this instance because he now have "resources to cater" for them, his actions would have lent credence to the biblical question which is noted in John 1:46 that, "Nazereth: can anything good come from there?" Mr. President's action have raised critical questions on his intentions for Nigeria albeit one may be forced to ask also "APC: can anything good ever come out from the party?

Surely, time will tell.

Fredfish

Assessing Udom Promise of Projects Continuity: it's a Yes, Yes, Yes!

The overclaimed opinion that governor Udom Emmanuel has failed because he didn't continue the good work of the ex-governor, senator Godswill Akpabio can be analyzed in two perspectives.

Udom may have promised continuity during campaign but hasn't totally continued because no one envisaged the recession that befell the country since the advent of the present administration which likely destabilized his government plans and budgets for those projects. Don't also forget that those are not just 'moi moi' projects; they are mega projects which needed better inflow of resources to complete.

Moreso, the Udom government did not totally discontinue Akpabio's projects. The Uyo-Ikot Ekpene road didn't stop after the exit of Akpabio, so also is the specialist hospital till the management crisis which had nothing to do with government's discontinuation.

What about the Akwa Ibom state International airport, Udom continued - completing of the second runway. Which other project that was started by senator Akpabio that haven't been touched? Is it the drainage system, rural roads, employment, renovations of school blocks, free education etc? These are structures established by the past government which the Udom administration has continued.

To assess Udom Emmanuel government on continuity, it's a yes, yes, yes for me.

FF.

Balancing Disequilibrium in Nigeria’s Education Demand and Supply: the Udom Emmanuel Paradigm

By Tom FredFish

Nigeria was among the 189 other countries of the world who in year 2000 endorsed the Millennium Development Goal 2, to “attain universal primary education in all countries by 2015”.

Though, more than half of the countries that endorsed the document did not meet the target year, 2015, two years ago, the declaration however activated a consciousness in the world that extending educational opportunities to both sexes everywhere is an economic strategy of loosening the individual from the grip of economic stagnation and backwardness and that education is a veritable instrument for national development.

Conscious of that, most countries of the world still grapple with the changing realities of their educational system. In Nigeria for instance, there is strong evidence of a crisis at all levels in the education sector from primary education through secondary to tertiary education - leading to a growing concern by stakeholders who have expressed grave concern about the dwindling quality of Nigerian educational system and how it is affecting the economic and security fortunes of the country.

These opinion leaders have called for the declaration of a “state of emergency” in the education sector and further lamented the installment decline and decay in the education sector, while some affirmed that 70 per cent of university graduates are unemployable because of their poor quality.

The trouble with the Nigeria derives from the quality of her people while the quality of her people derives from the quality of their education. This is to say that the near-complete political, economic and moral collapse of the country is partly due to the low quality of the educational system. It is the consequence of these failures in the educational system in about 57 years of Nigeria’s existence, that has led to Nigeria’s inability to produce men and women who can conveniently plan and run her economy and politics honestly and efficiently.

The unpatriotic nature of Nigerians is the bane of her development but can be reawakened and made to work by a conscious effort of sound quality education. It is therefore apt to say that while the federal government is experimenting on the system that best fits the current realities on ground, some states in the country have moved ahead to face the daunting challenges of disequilibrium.

One state which happens to place education as her priority is Akwa Ibom State, led by Mr. Udom Emmanuel. He has no doubt about the power of education because his action since assumption of office has put to question whether education is or could be the most powerful weapon for coping with the crisis of the Nigerian politics and if the right kind of education can produce the right kind of leaders to cope with Nigeria’s multifaceted problems.

To ensure that these questions are answered, and that education assist in addressing the income inequalities and wealth creation, governor Udom Emmanuel made education his main concern by repositioning all the state owned tertiary institutions.

Taking cognizant of the importance of quality manpower in education, Udom approved the recruitment of quality teaching and none teaching staff to the Akwa Ibom State University, Mkpat Enin; the State Polytechnic at Ikot Osurua and the College of Education at Afaha Nsit.

Not done yet, he went further to intervene by financing the development of infrastructures and boosting the consultancy service of the State University - commissioning seven major projects at the Obio Akpa Campus of Akwa Ibom State University during their first and second convocation exercise a fortnight ago. These projects include the Digital Language Library, Commercial Farm, Palm Oil Mill, Commercial Farm Feeds Mill, Vegetable Screen House, Ultra-Modern Mass Communication Studios, Standard Performance Arts Theatre, and Administrative Block.

He has also commenced massive renovation of classrooms and departmental blocks at the Akwa Ibom State college of Education, Afaha Nisit, in Nsit Ibom local government area of Akwa Ibom State.

In the same vein, the Udom Emmanuel led government has made commitments to ensure that the free and compulsory education programme of every school age resident in the state is sustained by making huge investment in that regard. In addition to free tuition the governor also pays a subvention of N100 per primary school pupil and N300 per secondary school students per term to cater for logistics. This effort has led to an astronomical increase of students’ enrolment to over one million, five hundred thousand students in public schools - tripled since the introduction of the programme.

To ensure that final year secondary school students are not constrained by lack of finance to enroll for external examinations, the Akwa Ibom state government undertakes payment of WASSCE fees for all students in public secondary schools as well as NABTEB fees for all students in public technical colleges.

Aware that educational facility are the key to quality education, the Udom government has undertook massive rehabilitation and reconstruction of school blocks through the Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour Scheme with more than 100 primary and secondary school blocks affected and covering the three senatorial districts.

Furthermore, Udom administration provided science and laboratory equipment, constructed hostels, supplied desk and benches to schools in the 31 local government of Akwa Ibom State; and has also set up ICT laboratories in some public and private schools and ensured the training of principals and teachers on the new educational curriculum teaching methods.

The Udom government dialogued with all Unions in the state tertiary institutions to stem labour unrest by signing a Memorandum of Understanding, (MOU) with Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) mandated to promote widespread availability and usage of telecommunication and ICT services in the state including promotions, conversions and confirmation for deserving teaching and non-teaching staff.

Nothing can more describe governor Udom inroad on education than legendary and unless other states join Akwa Ibom to radically re-order our educational priorities and policies, our democracy can neither survive or would Nigeria be able to participate in any global political economy of the twenty first century. But for Akwa Ibom State, a process has begun.

*Tom FredFish, is a youth activist, media consultant and strategist*

Akwa Utd Targets Aiteo Cup Title in Lagos
...Set to calm Tornadoes in Lagos

Spurred by the huge investments and support of Governor Udom Emmanuel, Akwa United Football Club of Uyo will aim to make history as the first winners of the maiden edition of the Aiteo Cup when they engage Niger Tornadoes of Minna in the final of the competition at the Agege stadium, Sunday in Lagos.

The Promise Keepers won the trophy (then known as Federation Cup) in 2015 after beating Lobi Stars and will be expecting to lift it again, when they face Niger Tornadoes.

Akwa United made it to the final after defeating Halfa FC, Yobe Stars, Shooting Stars, Katsina United Feeders and Sunshine Stars, scoring a mind blowing 23 goals while conceding just six in seven matches.

Tornadoes on the other hand secured their place in the final after knocking out league Champions Plateau United in the quarter final and last year's champions FC Ifeanyi Ubah in the semi final.

The Minna based team won the trophy in 2000.

Akwa United will go into the match as hugh favourites following their consistency and impressive form this season.

Sunday's final will be the third meeting between the two teams. The Promise Keepers defeated Tornadoes 3-0 in Uyo and lost 1-0 in Minna when they met in the just concluded league season.

With a continental ticket and a whopping Twenty-Five Million Naira prize money on offer, Coach Abdu Maikaba has revealed that his team will not leave any stone unturned in the epic final.

Coach Maikaba has a full strength squad to choose from for the match and he will be banking on the experience of Captain Otobong Effiong, Ariwachukwu Emmanuel, Godspower Igudia, Paterne Counou and Ubong Friday who were part of the team that lifted the trophy two years ago.

With experienced Super Eagles midfielders Ifeanyi Ifeanyi and Aremu Afeez pulling the strings in the middle of the park, Forwards Christian Pyagbara, Musa Newman, Cyril Olisema and Ubong Friday are sure to enjoy full supply of delectable passes as they gear to round off what has been a great season.

The competition's top scorer Christian Pyagbara who has scored 7 goals in seven matches has said that his focus will be to ensure that the team achieve its target in Sunday's final.

If Pyagbara scores on Sunday, he will be the competition's highest goal scorer in the last three years.

Thousands of vocal supporters and fans from Akwa Ibom State are set to storm the Agege Stadium to cheer their team to victory.

The winner of the 2017 Aiteo Cup competition will join Enyimba to represent Nigeria at the CAF Confederation Cup next year.

His Excellency Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom state welcomes the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Kpotun Idris, NPM, mni who is in the state to attend the Inspector-General of Police South South Security Summit and Public Lecture on Security, holding in Uyo the Akwa Ibom state capital.

BEING A SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MR. UDOM EMMANUEL, GOVERNOR, AKWA IBOM STATE ON THE OCCASION OF NIGERIA’S 57TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY, AT UYO TOWNSHIP STADIUM, OCTOBER 1, 2017

PROTOCOL,

Let me on behalf of the Government and good people of Akwa Ibom State congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari and our fellow Nigerians on the occasion of our 57th Independence Anniversary.

2. 57 years ago today when the Union Jack was lowered for the last time and our flag was raised, signifying our independence, the nation was agog with excitement. Our Founding Fathers had so much hope and expectations for the nascent State. They had every reason to be optimistic. We were and still are a land of vibrant, creative, talented and daring people and the hopes of a full harvest of these gifts was that it won’t take long for our nation to join others and become a major player in global affairs with attendant prosperity and justice for all.

3. Today, though our march down the boulevard of Statehood has been strewn with thorns, though we had to fight a bitter and acrimonious three year long Civil War, though the hopes of an economically powerful nation with world class infrastructural amenities are still works in progress, our hopes of getting to the promise land remains alive. We are incredibly optimistic people.

4. On this occasion of our Independence Anniversary, let us as a people renew our faith in the immutable belief that our nation is a blessed land, where each must give his or own best to get us to where we are destined to be.

5. Let us celebrate our beauty in diversity and use this as a unifying force as opposed to using same as a tool to exclude others from national aspirations.

6. Let us use our religious, tribal and cultural differences as galvanizing ingredients to forge a stronger bond of friendship and unity, respecting each other’s sacred boundaries of belief and thoughts. Let us not use these differences to create a society of “we” against the “others”.

7. Other societies have used these rich tapestries to enhance and deepen their bond of nationhood. The United States for instance, have Jews who practice Judaism, the Mormons who practice another variant of Christianity, and other shades of religion and they all co-mingle without causing social fissures.

8. The Deep South has cultural identities that are decidedly different for the North, yet these fault lines are not exploited to cause social tension in the land. Let us on this day, renew in our hearts our undying and unyielding devotion to the immutable words as contained in our first National Anthem that “though tribes and tongues may differ in brotherhood we stand”.

9. Though we may have experienced economic downturn lately, there is a silver lining in the sky; our recession will soon be over, thank God! This is the time for our leaders to deploy our huge natural blessings to create an economically viable society where the youths would have jobs and hopes of growth and development. Let us look at other creative ways of growing our economy, using the tools of the 21st Century and engendering in us, a new moral and psychological attitude based on the belief that God endowed us all with special and unique gifts and we must appropriate these gifts for the betterment of ourselves and the society at large.
Nigeria will remain one indivisible country, where equity, justice and fairness shall prevail. We have come too far to entertain options other than strengthening our bonds of unity and equality.

9. Here in Akwa Ibom, our faith in the National Project remains sacrosanct. Let me use this opportunity to thank our people for the show of love and unity they displayed during the festivities that marked our 30th Anniversary last weekend. You really made us proud. I want to pledge here that as long as I remain your Servant Leader, I will do all I can to move this State forward by pursuing and implementing policies and programmes that will put food on the table, ensure quality and affordable education for our kids, a healthy and vibrant populace and a youth population that earns a living through the works of their hands as opposed to begging for a living.

10. Our industrialization drive is on course and I want to also use this opportunity to thank the Vice President, His Excellency, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN for honouring us with his esteemed presence and for commissioning our two-life touching projects that signpost our industrialization drive - the Syringe Manufacturing Company, the Metering Solutions Company as well as our newly reconstructed Etinan General Hospital.

11. Let me thank the gallant efforts of our Armed Forces in fighting insurgency and other security challenges in our country.
Our nation is on the march; our State is also on the march and together, we are moving gloriously to the land of economic prosperity, political inclusion, wealth and job creations, and the expansion and consolidation of our infrastructural amenities.

Happy Birthday Nigeria! God bless our nation, God bless Akwa Ibom State.

Interrogating Udom Emmanuel 28-Months Divine Mandate

By Tom FredFish

The beauty of democracy is when there is responsible governance with a system that allows for interrogation. The duty of every citizen is the justifiable interrogation of leaders which allows for probity and transparency. In Nigeria, there has been call for transparency in the affairs of government and the unhidden of vital information. This call is also peculiar in Akwa Ibom, as citizens demand to be acquainted with government activities and programmes.

This however should be done in a responsible manner devoid of insults and counteraccusations. For instance, in August 2017, a Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly and an indigene of Akwa Ibom state in a media chat with journalist accused Udom Emmanuel of shying away from rendering accounts to minuscule Akwa Ibom persons in the Diasporas in a bizarre and antiquated manner, based on party affiliation.

The right to interrogate government activities is an unalienable right that must be devoid of politics, as patriotism should be the watchword. One can interrogate the programme and activities of the Udom Emmanuel administration from May 29, 2015 through government policies and programmes. This is because not only can one argue to the fact that accountability is a mainstay in Akwa Ibom state today, but has become the hallmark of governance. The Udom Emmanuel administration is one with penchant for clean records as it has consistently published its spending and kept its books open for public scrutiny.

To interrogate the Udom Emmanuel 28-Months Divine Mandate, one must look at the development index from when he assumed office to the present. This scrutiny can be achieved through his performance in the area of infrastructure, youth and women empowerment and employment generation, industrialization, workers welfare, and political inclusiveness. The Udom Emmanuel administration since 2015 has closed the gap of marginalization and boosts the people’s confidence.

What has Udom done in terms of infrastructural development? A wayfaring through some Local Government Areas in the state such as Oron, Eket, Ini, Uyo, Uruan, Obot Akara, Etinan, Nsit Ibom and Nsit Ubium etc one will discover the concurrent construction of quality roads in these areas. A conscientious interrogator will be marveled at the quality of road and speed put into the Etinan-Eket, Nsit Antai-Oron dual roads. The draining / erosion control measures put in place by the Udom administration that allows motorists to smile while driving through the Nsikak Eduok Avenue (2lane) during and immediately after rain pour is what developmental analysts called interventionism at its peak.

Has the youth and women in the state been empowered? For rational critiques, you can only interrogate a politician through his manifestoes and blueprint during campaign to office. It is admittable to recall what Udom promised during campaign in 2015 as no one can claim ignorance that Udom promised to establish industries and empower Akwa Ibom youth with skills as well as create jobs. This is still fresh in our memory. Through AKEES, the Udom Administration has trained many youths in computer software engineering (Oracle), agriculture, power, welding, and many other skills. The job well done at AKEES is engraved in gold platted papers and visible for all interrogators to see.

With the commissioning of the Syringe and Metering industries by the Vice President Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, governor Udom Emmanuel has set the path for the industrialization of the state as the successes of these industries would likely attract more industries to Akwa Ibom.

Jubilee Syringe Industry is the first syringe company in Nigeria and the second in Africa after that of South Africa. It will curb the ugly situation in Nigeria where the country is losing huge dollars daily through importation. So also is the Metering company which is producing single-phase and three-phase electricity meters in various configurations and mountings, light weight, slim skeletal, compact meters for pole top installation, prepayment type meters, split type electricity meters, standard one unit electricity meters, bulk electricity meters, maximum demand meters and smart electricity meters.

The conception of these factories in the state is a deliberate effort to halt importation, maximize profit for local distributors as well as create employment for hundreds of Akwa Ibom people in line with the governor’s promise to industrialized the state and create employment for the teeming Akwa Ibom youth.

While few interrogators have expressed distaste that some of the governor’s industrial ground breaking ceremonies which has not fully kicked-off meant failure in government policies, such interrogation are illogical and devoid of commonsense. Any well trained policy analyst like me can say with all about of confidence that the governor is on track. The results of those ground breaking are embedded in his capabilities to lure in foreign investment to the state. Those ground breaking are privately propelled, hence the private concern are responsible for its takeoff and implementation.

Groundbreaking does not guarantee immediate construction of industries but an assurance that a futureline has been secured for Akwa Ibom people with commitment of a place to invest. Many interrogators do not know what it takes to convince just one foreign investor to invest in a country that has infrastructural decay, with corruption glaring on the faces of the high and low; a country that is not secured, irresponsible and led by confused leaders at the federal level. But it takes a man with administrative adroitness to bring more than one investor to the state - making meaningful ventures to secure the state economy from the shackles political Rottweiler's.

What has happened to the people’s welfare, interrogators asked? One must put that any government that cannot pay her worker's salary and on time is irresponsible. This is where Udom Emmanuel scored high in his 28-Months Divine Mandate. Testimonies are rift of prompt payment of civil servants salary notwithstanding the financial challenges faced by other states and the Federal Government. The prompt payment of civil servants salaries and entitlements make Udom a unique public servant and an aficionado by all.

The glaring developmental strides of the Udom Emmanuel administration have made interrogating his Divine Mandate permissible and evidential. It permeates the template of prosperity and economy emancipation of a people (especially the youth) who before now beg for crumbs from politicians table to survive. But 28 months on, governor Udom has not only asked Akwa Ibom youth to stand up (Dakadda), and claim a positive pathway to their destiny, he has also stretched his hands for them to lean on.

#Tom FredFish is a media Consultant and youth activist based in Uyo.

FOR THE LOVE OF HUMANITY

Dear Radarians, the following pictures may be graphic but I ll appeal that you permit me to share them here because one of us made this happen.

For 15years , this man lived a miserable life and could not engage in any socio-economic activities due to a giant hernia he had. This made it impossible for him to feed himself and his family.

But alas, one man came and changed the man's story. BARR EMMANUEL ENOIDEM in partnership with the NIGERIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (NMA), AKWA IBOM STATE BRANCH, carried out a surgical operation that would have cost this man at least N500,000 for FREE thus adding value and improving the quality of his life and by extension his family. This can only be love. God bless Barr Emmanuel Enoidem.

FOR THE LOVE OF HUMANITY

Dear Radarians, the following pictures may be graphic but I ll appeal that you permit me to share them here because one of us made this happen.

For 15years , this man lived a miserable life and could not engage in any socio-economic activities due to a giant hernia he had. This made it impossible for him to feed himself and his family.

But alas, one man came and changed the man's story. BARR EMMANUEL ENOIDEM in partnership with the NIGERIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (NMA), AKWA IBOM STATE BRANCH, carried out a surgical operation that would have cost this man at least N500,000 for FREE thus adding value and improving the quality of his life and by extension his family. This can only be love. God bless Barr Emmanuel Enoidem.

GOVERNOR UDOM EMMANUEL SWEARS IN NEW HEAD OF CHIEFS, OTHERS

Governor Udom Emmanuel has re-iterated his call on royal fathers in Akwa Ibom state to caution their youths against taking laws into their hands even in the face of provocation, to avoid scaring away potential investors.

At the swearing in of Edidem Dr. Ntoeng Udo Effiong Akpan as the new chairman of the council of chiefs, Governor Emmanuel said it was against the interest of the state to allow today’s youths to destroy the future of the new generation of youths.

He specifically charged the immediate past Chairman of the State Council of Chiefs, Edidem Effiong Archianga and his counterparts in other oil producing communities to caution youths in their communities as their actions tend to embarrass the state in the eyes of the international community.

The Governor thanked Edidem Archianga for the excellent working relationship he provided and urged him to support his successor.

“We thank you, you have really supported Government without any influence from anywhere right from your heart,  we could really feel the love you have for Akwa Ibom State; we believe you will support the new chairman with the same zeal, passion and love".

Governor Emmanuel who also swore in new paramount rulers alongside the chairman of Council of Chiefs, said it was quite unprecedented to have seven new members sworn into the traditional rulers family at the same time.

He opined that the seven newly sworn in royal fathers will inject more vibrancy into the state's traditional institution and pledged the readiness of his administration to always intervene and promptly intervene in issues involving traditional rulers.

“The State Government is always making sacrifices, we made sacrifices to support primary school teachers, Local Government Pensioners, same thing with chiefs. We will continue to make those sacrifices to support you people within the limits of available resources.”

He used the occasion to commend the traditional rulers for the honour on him at the Asan Ibibio describing the honour as a rare show of love which he appreciates.  

In his inaugural address, the new Chairman Dr. Ntoeng Effiong Akpan saw his emergence as a call to service and promised to ensure that peace and order are maintained in the interest of development.

Dr Akpan commended the Governor saying, “the massive developmental strides in the state in the last two years under your able leadership have endeared you to the entire people of the state.”

His predecessor Edidem Archianga thanked his colleagues for the support to him throughout his tenure and appreciated the Governor for deeming him fit to be appointed two years ago.

He also thanked Governor Emmmanuel for approving monthly security allowances to the royal fathers, granting approval for security vote, furniture allowances and renovation of their palaces, among other things.

Archianga who is the new chairman of Traditional Rulers of Oil Mineral Producing Communities of Nigeria(TROMPCON) also recounted other achievements during his tenure, attributing them to the active support of his colleagues and urged same support to the new chairman of the council.

Earlier the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Sir Udo Ekpenyong had presented seven paramount rulers for swearing in, to include Chief Harry Etetor of Eastern Obolo, Prof. Amanam Akpan Udo of Etim Ekpo, Edidem Clement Ekpenyong of Ibesikpo Asutan, Okuku Okon Udo Ukut of Ikot Ekpene, Ovong Edet Isemin of Mbo, Edidem Raymond Timothy Inyang of Onna and Offong Bassey Edet of Udung Uko.

Vice President Yemisi Osibanjo Commissions Syringe and Metering Manufacturing Coys in Akwa Ibom state

His Excellency, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo commissions the Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Company to open Akwa Ibom further to the world as part of the ceremony to mark Akwa Ibom 30th anniversary. These efforts were part of the Udom Emmanuel administration effort to industrialize the state, create employments, foreign exchange and boost local economy.

Meanwhile, the Metering manufaturing company in Akwa Ibom state shall bring an end to the consumers challenges in power billing system in the country as well as the difficulties in procurement by the power distribution companies. This will boost easy supply in the country and allow the consumer to Determine how much energy he consumes, and is not left at the mercy of the power distribution companies. This industry is the vista of a new dawn in Nigeria's power sector, with the opening of the Meter Solutions Manufacturing company by the Vice President and Head of Nigeria's economic team, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

#UdomCares #AkwaIbomat30 #OrangeSeptember

Vice President Yemisi Osibanjo Commissions Syringe and Metering Manufacturing Coys in Akwa Ibom state

His Excellency, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo commissions the Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Company to open Akwa Ibom further to the world as part of the ceremony to mark Akwa Ibom 30th anniversary. These efforts were part of the Udom Emmanuel administration effort to industrialize the state, create employments, foreign exchange and boost local economy.

Meanwhile, the Metering manufaturing company in Akwa Ibom state shall bring an end to the consumers challenges in power billing system in the country as well as the difficulties in procurement by the power distribution companies. This will boost easy supply in the country and allow the consumer to Determine how much energy he consumes, and is not left at the mercy of the power distribution companies. This industry is the vista of a new dawn in Nigeria's power sector, with the opening of the Meter Solutions Manufacturing company by the Vice President and Head of Nigeria's economic team, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

#UdomCares #AkwaIbomat30 #OrangeSeptember

AS VP OSINBAJO ARRIVES UYO FOR AKWA IBOM AT 30

By Essien Ndueso

It is no longer news that Nigeria’s number two citizen will be arriving Akwa Ibom on Saturday as the state celebrates 30 years of statehood. A walk round the major streets in the state, the events of the last couple of days and the orange festivity in the air, are indicators that the state is in celebration gear. However as Prof Osinbajo arrives for the second time in less than a year, what is he expected to see?
It is evidently clear that Governor Udom Emmanuel’s vision to launch Akwa Ibom State in the rare space of the big league of modernization, industrialization and wealth creation is cast in concrete. Shining testimonies to this, being the establishment of the Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Company Limited, and the Electric Metering Factory, both of which were attracted to the State through the governor’s Foreign Direct Investment Initiative. These two factories are to be commissioned by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as an epitaph of 30th anniversary of the state’s creation.
Located on an 8,000 square meter of land area in Onna Local Government of Akwa Ibom State, Jubilee Syringe is a public private partnership firm owned by a Turkish-born businessman and investor, Mr Onur Kumral. The Company which is the first manufacturer of disposable Syringes in Nigeria and the whole of West Africa will literacy inject economic life blood into Akwa Ibom State without any feeling of pains.
Managing Director of the Company, Engr Zubeyir Gulabi says the company has the capacity of manufacturing Four Hundred Million syringes per year and Akwa Ibom for the industry has the best leadership, infrastructure and security for the concern. The managing director said their decision to berth in Akwa Ibom was as a result of their understanding of the track records and reputation of the state governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel. It is believed that by the end of 2018, with a target of one billion syringes per year the syringe factory will be the biggest in the world.
The raw materials for the industry are produced by Nigerian Petrochemical companies, and the machinery needed to start the production of syringes is in place. For instance eight Production lines have been installed preparatory to the talk off of the project. There are also the raw materials warehouses where officials hint that processing actually starts from there. The finished products warehouse is indeed a wonder to behold as it unmasks technology of a modern world. There is also the ‘clean room’ where manufacturing actually takes place, and the sensation room where people are restricted. The Syringes will be kept there for eight hours before they are moved. Forty Eight Syringes will be manufactured in every 10 seconds.
Earlier this year in May, a visibly impressed Governor Udom Emmanuel during his visit to the syringe factory, had assured Akwa Ibom people that more industries will be established in the state to engender job opportunities and stimulate the economy.
Through the aid of the Governor, 12 sons and daughters of the state were sent to Istanbul, Turkey, for training in key areas of Injection Machines. They were trained on the operation of Injection Moulding Machines, Maintenance of Moulds and Quality Control.
The Metering Solutions Manufacturing Services Limited is a conglomerate of several companies, which would partner to proffer solution to problems arising from electricity generation and distribution. The company is expected to produce single-phase and three-phase electricity meters in various configurations and mountings, light weight, slim skeletal, compact meters for pole top installation, prepayment type meters, split type electricity meters, standard one unit electricity meters, bulk electricity meters, maximum demand meters and smart electricity meters.
The arrival of the Vice President shall also signal the take-off of a meter manufacturing company, Metering Solutions Manufacturing Services Limited (MSMSL), which ground breaking was performed in December 2015 in Awa – Iman, Onna Local Government Area. When the technical partners from China, Pakistan and India visited the state, they confirmed through their spokesperson Mr. Zhang Loohang, that the facility is sited in Akwa Ibom because of its strategic location in the Gulf of Guinea and attributed its establishment to the passion in making electricity available and affordable in the state by Governor Emmanuel. Already, the company has employed 150 Akwa Ibomites in the administrative and technical sections of the company.
Governor Emmanuel is also welcoming the Vice President to commission the newly rehabilitated General Hospital in Etinan. Recently, while flagging off the construction of a modern General Hospital in Ituk Mbang to serve the Uyo metropolis, Governor Emmanuel had said his administration was committed to the maintenance of a healthy population. The General Hospital Etinan, the Modern General Hospital, Ituk Mbang, the General Hospital Ikono and the Immanuel Hospital, Eket are among the hospitals at different stages of renovation and re-equipping.
Etinan General Hospital has recorded an exceptional testimony, for a center that had virtually been abandoned to rodents and reptiles for over ten years. Commenting on this development, the medical superintendent of the General Hospital, Etinan, Dr. Eshiet Ime thanked the governor for raising the standard of the hospital with modern facilities and technology to harness the work force, saying that it's clear departure to the recent past when the place was a complete eyesore.
The hospital has witnessed a facelift with modern facilities and structures, wards endowed with new electrical beds, well equipped theatres to manage all kinds of surgeries, fully stocked pharmacies, and a handful of trained nurses and doctors.
Governor Udom Emmanuel has repeatedly noted that the development at the General hospital Etinan is just a tip off the iceberg as proper measures were being taken to rehabilitate all secondary health centres across the state. The equipment that are being brought in, are of best quality and world standards; resulting from the administration’s resolve to partner with international agencies to provide quality healthcare services in accordance with international best practices.
The Jubilee Syringe and the Metering Solutions companies are on the verge of creating new jobs and stimulating the growth of the country’s economy. Apart from providing security and land for the business, the state government is ready with a 2 x 60KVA power sub-station that will provide 24 hours daily power supply to five local governments, including the host community of the syringe company. It has also building a 29 kilometer dualised road network from the factory location in Onna to Etinan local government main town, which the government is also connecting to Uyo the state capital, with a 25kilometer dual expressway. On the other end, the Syringe Company also links effectively with the East West Road and connects with the 19.5 kilometer Eket – Ibeno dual carriage way constructed by Governor Emmanuel for unfettered access to the locations of multinational oil and gas firms in the state.
Professor Yemi Osinbajo, it can be said, is arriving Uyo to witness a chip of how beautifully, Governor Udom Emmanuel has positioned Akwa Ibom on the radar of economic development and wealth creation. At thirty, Akwa Ibom is sipping the nectar of dividends of good governance with Governor Udom Emmanuel the architect of this loveable magic.

GOVERNOR UDOM COMMENDS PDP FOR PEACEFUL PRIMARIES AKWA IBOM

Governor udom Emmanuel has commended the manner the PDP conducted her Local Government Election Primaries in all centres in the state, saying the primaries were generally peaceful.

Governor Udom gave the commendation in Onna shortly after the emergence of Mr. Imoh Attad as the flag bearer of the party in the area. 

The Governor who himself was a delegate at the primary expressed a commitment to upholding internal democracy within the PDP as such is the only way to strengthen the party.

He noted that the democratic process was thorough and such should be emulated in subsequent situations.

“This is a very peaceful primaries and this is what we expected. Let me clear one doubt, those who are close to me will tell you I don't see white and call back. There is no single delegate in this room that I have ever appointed or even known before today. When we met in the Banquet Hall, they were 5 and today, they have increased to 10. I want to say a big congratulations to all of them.”

He further stressed on the need to work together to build the Party and grow the economy as everyone has got a stake in Government.

“Let me also say something about things like this; it doesn't end today. For coming out, I mean there are so many other things. Let's continue to work together. Onna is one and we are all together.”

“The person that is nominated today will find a way to work with all of you closely. All of you are nice people. I will also have a closed door meeting with him.”

The Governor said, “We will do what is to be done so that there could be absolute peace. Today, it is his turn, next time will be another person's turn, so don't feel bad at all.”

Governor Udom also tasked all appointees and elected officers in the state to give back to the local societies they come from by instituting empowerment packages.

“I had a meeting with the appointees. If you are an appointee or one or two things you are doing for the Government, don't wait for me to come back home. It is left for you people to come back home and make work easier for me. I want to say a Big Congratulations to Hon. Imoh Attad and I am sure he will do well.”

Hon Attad on his part promised to represent the interest of the people and work together with everyone to create a positive image for Onna, with a drive for youth and women empowerment. He also promised to work assiduously to return Mr. Udom Emmanuel to power as Governor come 2019.

“I never thought I will have so many votes. For my colleagues, friends and sisters who took part in the election, I want to assure you that there is no Victor, there is no Vanquish.”

We will all work together to develop Onna. I want to say a big Thank You to His Excellency for having time to come here and witness the election. I thank all of you and I promise I will not fail you,” Attad said.

Ndifreke P. Akpan
(Govt House)

AKWA IBOM AT 30: CELEBRATING DIVINE FULFILLMENT

By Uwemedimoh Umanah


The creation of Akwa Ibom State on the 23rd of September, 1987 was to very many, an answer to the many years of prayers and expectations by majority of people that constitute the mainland part of Cross River State. The struggle gained currency during the COR State Movement which was powered by the late Justice Egbet Udo Udoma in the 1950s.

The totality of these efforts by the movement crystalised in the creation of the South Eastern State, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom States. The story of akwa Ibom State is that of evolution and fulfilment of divine prophesy adumbrates what is written in the Good Book, “I have promised to bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Camarutes, Hittites, Amorites, Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey...” (Exodus 3:17).

The transformation visibly recorded in Akwa Ibom between 1987 and 2017 could be described as meteoric, unprecedented and to say the least, dumbing. It is a negation of the Hamitic Hypothesis, propounded by the Europeans in the 18th and 19th centuries to relegate Africa to the background of social, economic and political discourse. This hypothesis associated Africa with Ham in the Bible who was cursed – resulting in the darkening of his skin. This thought was reinforced by Trevor Roper, a Regius professor of History, Oxford University to the effect that “all about Africa was darkness, and darkness is not a subject of History...”

Thirty years on, the Trevor Ropern and Hamitic Hypothesis have been demystified, while the Biblical prophecy by God, of taking the Israelites to the Promise land, has been fulfilled. The reasons cannot be far-fetched. The industrial revolution which ensued in England for about a century is being replicated in Akwa Ibom State, with the initialisation of some of the world’s best factories such as the Syringe and Metering plants.

Secondly, the state is the highest attraction to Foreign Direct Investors (FDIs) in Nigeria after Lagos, which was the Federal Capital Territory before Abuja and the commercial and industrial nerve centre of Nigeria. What this implies is that Akwa Ibom creates more jobs and alleviates poverty more than any other state in Nigeria, except Lagos. What else could typify a land flowing with milk and honey than hope and sustainable livelihood?

As a corollary, Akwa Ibom has some of the best infrastructure in Nigeria, ranging from quality urban and rural roads, urban renewal programs, bridges and social services such as electricity. It is gratifying to note that the state enjoys more hours of electricity than any other state in Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory, thanks to the dynamism of its leadership component led by Mr Udom Emmanuel, an international investment expert, who is making judicious management of resources, in accordance with international best practices, his cardinal thrust.

Also, it can be recalled, just as the Bible notes in bolder relief, that our savior Jesus was baptized at age thirty. By possible extrapolation, it was the formal beginning of his ministry and battles for the redemption of mankind from the clutches of darkness. 30 years of age therefore is remarkable in the annals of human history as dawn of a robust beginning and in the context of Akwa Ibom, it coincides with the administration of a divinely chosen Governor, Udom Emmanuel.

Mattew's account in the Good Book, strengthens the assertion that there is more to a name that meets the eye. Governor Emmanuel has the name with Jesus Christ and this implies that he is divinely inspired in the making of choices, particularly, in the management of the affairs of Akwa Ibom. 'Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us'. It can safely said that the current administration in the state signals the evolution of a reform which could be likened to that King Josiah which the Bible also notes that he did what was pleasing in the eyes of God.

As Harrold Stoessinqer, a professor of Political Economy noted, “leadership is the brain of the state... it alone is capable of maximising the use of other resources towards the achievement of the object of national interest...”. In this connection, Governor Udom Emmanuel has proven to know his onion in the galvanization of the other resources in the state toward the actualization of the object of socio- economic and political development.

Akwa Ibom at 30 is on the threshold of history. Its 30th anniversary has been named ‘Orange September’ depicting joy, creativity, success, encouragement and freedom. Akwa Ibom is an exemplification of these, which capture in its entirety, the essence of the promise of God to His children. Akwa Ibom is God’s own state and under the good, quality and viable leadership of Udom Emmanuel, is flowing with milk and honey.


Uwemedimoh Umanah, an International Public Affairs Analyst, writes in this piece from Abak

GOVERNOR EMMANUEL SEEKS WORLD BANK PARTNERSHIP 

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel has called on the World Bank to explore the enormous opportunities and potentials in the State and partner with the state to surmount its many challenges.

The Governor made the request during a dinner that was held for Mr. Rachid Benmessaoud, World Bank Country Director and officials who are in Uyo for a three day retreat.

Mr Udom Emmanuel told the team that Akwa Ibom at thirty is ripe for partnership by World Bank to effectively drive its vision and mission for the sub-Saharan Africa.

He hinted that the State has the capacity, and is willing to translate the potentials into a formidable platform to drive the dividend of democracy to the doorsteps of the people through the expected partnership with the World Bank.

“We believe we have the structures, we have the systems, and we have the shared values to help us drive this vision. We are willing and we are ready. I want to say here that we offer Akwa Ibom to partner with you,” the Governor declared.

According to him, most of the requirements by World Bank such as accountability and transparency have been met by the State.

He noted that any State that is ready for international agency rating should be able to develop good corporate governance at the public sector level.

He said, “You asked me about the sector we are most interested in, I want to tell you that we are challenged in all the sectors. I even developed a model and I call it housekeeping sectors, which are mainly social facilities.”

The Governor however mentioned the areas of possible intervention to include water, healthcare, agriculture and other sectors, and reeled out his achievements and blueprints to the visitors.

Country Director, World Bank, Rachid Benmessaoud said Akwa Ibom was very conducive for investments.

He said the visit will afford World Bank the opportunity to work with the State Government and help them to effectively utilize the funding they already have.

According to him, the visit is “really an opportunity for us again to strengthen our relationship with the State. It is important so that you can show results to your citizens.”

Mr Benmessaoud said the Federal Government has requested their support in sectors such as power, health, education, environment, social protection ranging from infrastructure to building systems for an efficient government.

He assured the Governor that World Bank will work with the State Government to make sure “you can use us to leverage more than our financing capacity; that means, attracting the private sector both in terms of investment and commercial financing.”

On her part, the In-country Manager, International Finance Corporation(IFC), Emeh Essien harped on the role of the private sector in the development of the society, and commended the Governor for spearheading a private sector-driven economy for Akwa Ibom State.

“From my perspective, when you have people in Government who understands the role of private sector, then we only have positive things to look up to,” the in-country manager stated.

She said private sector engagement is germane to the growth and development of the society. IFC is the private sector arm of the World Bank group.

Ndifreke P. Akpan
(Govt. House)

As activities to mark the 30th anniversary of Akwa Ibom state reaches top gear, 90 coloured men known as: Orange Men have arrived Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital in an event that has been described as the mother of all carnivals.

As the streets of Uyo go gaga enthusiastically, residents are in joyous mood and prepared for the celebration. They praise governor Udom Emmanuel for his good leadership and vision in putting the state on the right path of industrilization.

Recall that the Vice President, Prof. Yemisi Osibanjo will on September 23, 2017 commission two world class industries: the mettering and the syringe industries-both first of its kind in Nigeria and West Africa.

#udomcares

FF.

*Yes! Transformation: PDP has done much in 16 years*

Yes! PDP stands for transformation. Who says PDP does not stand for transformation? There was indeed transformation in Nigeria's 16 years of PDP rule. What is transformation? Transformation is the complete change in someone or something. It is also a complete change in the appearance, form or character of something or someone especially in a way that improves him / her or it. Therefore, PDP may not have completely transformed the country or state in terms of materialism but it has totally and completely transformed human beings. Let us take and analyse few people from national and Akwa Ibom state who has undergone a complete transformation in form, appearance and character.
Olusegun obasanjo
Atiku Abubakar
Rotimi Amaechi
Yakubu Dogara
Ayodele Peter
Bukola Saraki
Nyesom Wike
Banabas Gemade
Ndoma Egba
Rochas Okorocha
Rabiu Kwankwasho
Nadir Elrufai
Aminu Tambawa and others too numerous to count.

In Akwa Ibom, a lot have been transformed and and more undergoing transformation. While some are so happy and appreciates their transformation by PDP, others as humans did not. Let's look at some PDP transformed products in Akwa Ibom State:

Obong Victor Attah
Arch. Otu Ita Toyo (Total chair)
Godswilll Akpabio
Ita Enang
Nsima Ekere
Umana Umana
Robinson Uwak
Sonni Ayang
Don Etiebiet
Emmanuel Enoidem
Udoma Udo Udoma
Eseme Eyiboh
Helen Esuene
Nelson Effiong
Akon Nyakeyin
Aniekan Umanah
Essien Ibok
Edet Nkpubre
Asam Asam
Sunny Ibanga
Uwenedimo Udoma
Ekpenyong Ntekim
Benji okoko
Effiong Abia
Ignatus Edet
Alloysious Etuk
Emman Obot
Ekperipke Ekpo
Abominable Tony Esu
Dan Akpan
Alice Ekpenyong
Paul Owoh
Basset Etienam
Perry Ntuk
Obong Rita Akpan
Kufre Etuk
Obongawan Imo Isemin
Chris Ekong
Nseabasi Akpan
Frank Samuel
Eunice Thomas
Bob Ekarika
Joe Ukpong
Effiong Edunam
Late Austin Mbeh
Dr. John Harry
Victor Iyanam
Ita Awak
Late Emem Wills
Obong Dan Akai
Dr. Clement Bassey
Samuel Efanga
Bassey Antai Former
Prof. Etok Ekanem
Ekerette Ekpenyong
Obong Idongesit Udokpo.
The list is endless.

Please, which of these people including has not transformed by PDP, base on the definition of transformation I put above. PDP has made thousands of PDP, it deserves some respect and applaud, please. It's transformation ideology worked like Magic.

God bless Akwa Ibom
God bless PDP

Tom Fredfish

*Victor Antai’s Iconography*

By Tom FredFish

Section 192(1) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria provides for the appointment of State commissioners. The objective is to enable the Head of the Executive branch; that is the governor, to appoint some citizens to assist him in the onerous task of governance. 

This logic has been underscored by many state governors in Nigeria who upon swearing in their commissioners charge them to generate ideas that would propel the speedy growth and ignite fire of confidence in their ability to deliver the dividends of democracy to the citizenry.

One Commissioner in the Udom Emmanuel administration who is assisting the governor to interpret and drive the implementation of his 5-Agenda is Mr. Victor Antai the current Commissioner for Culture and Tourism. Since his appointment in June 2015, where he first held sway, as the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and now Culture and Tourism, Mr. Antai has so far exhibited tact and reasoning in the two assignments he has led. 

As commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Antai consistently rallied the elders, youth and women from the 31 local government areas of the state to support the administration of Udom. He empowered many youth leaders with cars, skills and cash to enable them start business ventures of their own in line with the Dakkada philosophy of the governor. He was also constantly in touch with the traditional rulers briefing them on government policies and how it will improve the standard of living of their subjects.

On his redeployment to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, many people had though his light will dim, but they erred. Mr. Antai has proven that performance is not about the office one occupies but the person who occupies the office. He moved on to revive the Ministry which had lost its sense and taste of creativity over the years and introduced viable programmes that is reawaking the rich culture of Akwa Ibom state through arts.

The successes recorded at the concluded exhibition of contemporary Nigerian Arts and Crafts tagged “Usoro Uso” celebrating Creativity in Akwa Ibom is still fresh in the hearts of Akwa Ibom people and lovers of Arts in Nigeria. But Mr. Antai was not done yet. As the ovation recorded by Usoro Uso is still high and resounding, Mr. Antai gave critics who never believed in the creativity of the Udom administration an upper-cut with programme of events to celebrate Akwa Ibom State thirtieth anniversary; showcasing the enigmatic and collective history of our unity in diversity through iconography tagged “Orange September”. 

Orange September put in other words, is an attempt to reboot, re-jog and recast the mindset of Akwa Ibom people to who we are; people who are industrious, optimistic, hospitable, sociable and adventurous. Orange September is another avenue at social reorientation through socio-cultural affinities, propagating what we are and that if we stand up for what we believe, greatness is achievable based on the Dakkada philosophy.

It is thus represented by an iconography: “Colour Me Orange”. This semantic which irked some critics has spurred the youth towards the programmes and activities of the Udom administration and increased the governor’s popularity. Colour Me Orange is crafted in iconography that represents the soul of the state as it is beyond age, sex or ethnicity, political parties and foes. As the last count, over two hundred thousand youths have been coloured with more queuing up for tinge. Some have even decided to colour themselves with Orange T-shirts, caps, hand bands, bags and shoes.

The many activities lined up for Orange September are: Orange festival: a cultural display; Dise: a display of pictorial exhibition; Orange Musical Festival: sounds and rhythms of Akwa Ibom: Styles of Akwa Ibom: Ndoko Akwa Ibom: Miss Akwa Ibom Musical pageant 2017 and Ndidia Nnyin: a tasty display of our culrure.  Ndidia Nyin coined to showcase over 200 Akwa Ibom unique cuisines such as Asa Iwa, Asa Ibikpod, Ekpang Iwa, Iwuuk Ukom ye Ndise, Ikpong Aniimbo ke Ntuen okpo among others has attracted a lot of attention and commendations from many stakeholders who see it as a means to market the state culture and tourism beyond rhetoric.

Dr. Udeme Nana, a former aide to former governor Victor Attah who could not hide his delight for the event noted “Ibom FoodFest, showcasing more than 200 different local cuisines? Some unique thing is really happening here and one must commend the fertile brain behind this effort. Someone said the other day that culture and tourism is key to a more sustainable economy and I fully agree. All hands must be on deck to explore and exploit this potential”.

With the acceptance garnered by the Orange September events and the benefits it would generate, there is no doubt to the thesis that ‘commissioners are more likely veritable instruments to drive government policies to the grassroots’ as exemplified by Mr. Victor Antai. 

Though a plausible feat, because of the general belief that the Ministry of Culture and Tourism cannot do better than organizing pageantries, Mr. Antai should be encouraged to work harder. However Mr. Antai does not agree that credit should be given to him for these lofty ideas. He attributes everything to being a mere servant that is interpreting the ideas of the governor, Udom Emmanuel who has led the path for others to follow.


Tom FredFish is a Media Consultant and Youth Activist based in Uyo.

*Victor Antai’s Iconography*

By Tom FredFish

Section 192(1) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria provides for the appointment of State commissioners. The objective is to enable the Head of the Executive branch; that is the governor, to appoint some citizens to assist him in the onerous task of governance. 

This logic has been underscored by many state governors in Nigeria who upon swearing in their commissioners charge them to generate ideas that would propel the speedy growth and ignite fire of confidence in their ability to deliver the dividends of democracy to the citizenry.

One Commissioner in the Udom Emmanuel administration who is assisting the governor to interpret and drive the implementation of his 5-Agenda is Mr. Victor Antai the current Commissioner for Culture and Tourism. Since his appointment in June 2015, where he first held sway, as the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and now Culture and Tourism, Mr. Antai has so far exhibited tact and reasoning in the two assignments he has led. 

As commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Antai consistently rallied the elders, youth and women from the 31 local government areas of the state to support the administration of Udom. He empowered many youth leaders with cars, skills and cash to enable them start business ventures of their own in line with the Dakkada philosophy of the governor. He was also constantly in touch with the traditional rulers briefing them on government policies and how it will improve the standard of living of their subjects.

On his redeployment to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, many people had though his light will dim, but they erred. Mr. Antai has proven that performance is not about the office one occupies but the person who occupies the office. He moved on to revive the Ministry which had lost its sense and taste of creativity over the years and introduced viable programmes that is reawaking the rich culture of Akwa Ibom state through arts.

The successes recorded at the concluded exhibition of contemporary Nigerian Arts and Crafts tagged “Usoro Uso” celebrating Creativity in Akwa Ibom is still fresh in the hearts of Akwa Ibom people and lovers of Arts in Nigeria. But Mr. Antai was not done yet. As the ovation recorded by Usoro Uso is still high and resounding, Mr. Antai gave critics who never believed in the creativity of the Udom administration an upper-cut with programme of events to celebrate Akwa Ibom State thirtieth anniversary; showcasing the enigmatic and collective history of our unity in diversity through iconography tagged “Orange September”. 

Orange September put in other words, is an attempt to reboot, re-jog and recast the mindset of Akwa Ibom people to who we are; people who are industrious, optimistic, hospitable, sociable and adventurous. Orange September is another avenue at social reorientation through socio-cultural affinities, propagating what we are and that if we stand up for what we believe, greatness is achievable based on the Dakkada philosophy.

It is thus represented by an iconography: “Colour Me Orange”. This semantic which irked some critics has spurred the youth towards the programmes and activities of the Udom administration and increased the governor’s popularity. Colour Me Orange is crafted in iconography that represents the soul of the state as it is beyond age, sex or ethnicity, political parties and foes. As the last count, over two hundred thousand youths have been coloured with more queuing up for tinge. Some have even decided to colour themselves with Orange T-shirts, caps, hand bands, bags and shoes.

The many activities lined up for Orange September are: Orange festival: a cultural display; Dise: a display of pictorial exhibition; Orange Musical Festival: sounds and rhythms of Akwa Ibom: Styles of Akwa Ibom: Ndoko Akwa Ibom: Miss Akwa Ibom Musical pageant 2017 and Ndidia Nnyin: a tasty display of our culrure.  Ndidia Nyin coined to showcase over 200 Akwa Ibom unique cuisines such as Asa Iwa, Asa Ibikpod, Ekpang Iwa, Iwuuk Ukom ye Ndise, Ikpong Aniimbo ke Ntuen okpo among others has attracted a lot of attention and commendations from many stakeholders who see it as a means to market the state culture and tourism beyond rhetoric.

Dr. Udeme Nana, an aide to former governor Victor Attah who could not hide his delight for the event noted “Ibom FoodFest, showcasing more than 200 different local cuisines? Some unique thing is really happening here and one must commend the fertile brain behind this effort. Someone said the other day that culture and tourism is key to a more sustainable economy and I fully agree. All hands must be on deck to explore and exploit this potential”.

With the acceptance garnered by the Orange September events and the benefits it would generate, there is no doubt to the thesis that ‘commissioners are more likely veritable instruments to drive government policies to the grassroots’ as exemplified by Mr. Victor Antai. 

Though a plausible feat, because of the general believes that the Ministry of Culture and Tourism cannot do better than organizing pageantries, Mr. Antai should be encouraged to work harder. However Mr. Antai does not agree that credit should be given to him for these lofty ideas. He attributes everything to being a mere servant that is interpreting the ideas of the governor, Udom Emmanuel who has led the path for others to follow.


Tom FredFish is a Media Consultant and Youth Activist based in Uyo.

As I drove through this popular Oron road, in Oron local government area of Akwa Ibom state, and notice it's reconstruction, something struck me about governor Udom Emmanuel. For many years, the popular Oron road which leads to the Oron beach that play host to numerous economic and social activities was cut off by erosion making it difficult for travellers, businessmen and women, tourists and visitors to gain smooth access to the town cum beach. Motorists would have to turn through secretariat road via stadium road in order to gain uncomfortable access towards the beach and other areas of the local government. But as we speak, work is going on at a reveling speed to reconstruct the road and ease people of the stress the gully had brought. Before now, Udom had in his first 31 days in office as governor in 2015 visited Oron when it rained to access the pathetic roads condition and gullies which had threaten the area and made many roads impassable. A local businessman who identified himself as Mr. Ukpoto Etim enthusiastically noted that: "This road (Oron road) and others which Udom had intervened in Oron during his first year in office shows that his priority is to get things right by working to ensure that every areas that needs urgent intervention is given a priority as well as give every ethnic group in the state a sense of belonging. Oro people are beginning to feel government presenc by his actions."

That is for Ukpoto, but for me, #Udomcares.

FF.

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

By Ekerete Udoh

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WHITHER GOVERNOR UDOM INDUSTRALIZATION 2
*The Power Revolution in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria*

By Tom FredFish

It was the words of Professor Warren Bennis who Chairs, “The Leadership Institute” of California that “leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality”, that beckons my thoughts on the efforts of Akwa Ibom State government at interpreting policy statement to reality.

Recently, I was fortunate to listen to a discussion among artisans – traders, hawkers, keke and Mini-bus drivers which culminated into an argument. At first, I didn’t place much interest in their discussion. Why? Because the only time you see Nigerians converge to discuss like that irrespective of their political or religious background is when they talk about football. My disinterestedness is owing to the fact that I am never a fan of any of the European football teams.

On a critical appraisal of their deliberations, I noticed that the group was a conglomeration of the two major political parties in the state - the PDP and APC. But I was wrong on the title of their discourse. It was not about football but about electricity supply in Akwa Ibom State. The topic in contention pricked my curiosity. I stood to listen and to pick views. Two schools of thoughts were expected to generate from such assemblage and topic that relates to government policies: the collaborationist; those who agree that the government has done well and the discordant; those who disagree on government effort.

I had expected those that held the discordant views on the supply of electricity in the state to dominate the discussion but there was none. The crowd of people held one view - the collaborationist; that electricity supply has improved tremendously in Akwa Ibom State. The argument was therefore, the amount of hours each of them enjoy electricity supply in their respective areas / street. While some argued that they enjoy a minimum of 16 hours, some made note from 18 and 23 hours respectively.

The fact that electricity has improved in Akwa Ibom State is no longer news. But what has dominated recent discussion is how to sustain the tempo and make electricity supply spread to other areas of the state. These are among the many plans and policies that the governor Udom administration has taken into consideration.

Knowing full well that his promise to industrialize the state cannot be achieved without basic infrastructures such as constant electricity supply, governor Udom Emmanuel in June 2015, few days after assuming office held meetings with officials of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company, PHDC in Hilltop mansion, Uyo where issues that bothers on irregular supply of electricity to Akwa Ibom state and ways the state can intervene to arrest the shortfall of electricity supply.

At the meeting, the PHDC officials tabled various problems among which are the need for sub-stations and difficulties providing meters to consumers as a result of its none-availability and the high importation rate. To assuage these problems, governor Udom move swiftly to provide sub-stations in the state and made big moves to attract and partner with Metering Solutions Manufacturing Services Limited (MSMSL), to build a metering company in Akwa Ibom state that would serve the state and the country at large. While other sub stations are currently being built in areas like Mkpat Enin, Eket, Oron and Ikot Ekpene, the sub-stations built and inaugurated at Edet Akpan Avenue, as well as in Oron road has ensured that there is steady power supply in Ifa, Mbiabong, Shelter Afrique, Osongama, Nsikak Eduok, the entire Oron road and Nwaniba road stretch.

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

While well meaning residents of Akwa Ibom state has applauded the state governor for his effort so far, many are of the view that the commissioning of a Metering Company in September, 2017 by Nigeria’s Vice President Yemi Osibanjo, Akwa Ibom will yet break another record as the first state in Nigeria and Africa to product meters and set the state for a competitive metering production with other nations of the world such as china, Indian and Sri Lanka who are making attempts to industrialize their country.

Declaring open an Ante LECO Smart metering Company in Bandaragama in year January 2017, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremeisnghe noted that: “The Government is considering moving towards industrialization in its plans to take the country forward. But, as Sri Lanka requires rapid development, we must focus on Industrialization...however; Sri Lankan investors do not possess necessary resources to enact this plan, which is why we need foreign investment. We require their assistance and technology, by which way we can enter, and dominate, the foreign markets. For this, we must journey together. What we desire is to create a sustainable platform which enables the youth of Sri Lanka to have a better future than us.”

If those words can come from the president of a country, you will agree with me that governor Udom; a governor of a state in a federation is on the right path to create sustainable platform, dominate foreign market with the production of the Syringes and Meters in Akwa Ibom state as well as open a vestige of technology transfer to Nigeria and Akwa Ibom in particular.

The commissioning of these industries in Akwa Ibom state will impact in many ways. Firstly, it will help in Nigeria advance her policy on technology transfer as more than 200 Akwa Ibom indigenes have undergone training in Turkey; secondly, it will help ease the difficulties associated in importing these products to the country; thirdly, the near constant electricity supply will help boost businesses in the state - many of whom rely on electricity to thrive; fourthly, it will create massive employments; fifthly, convert the economics of the areas where the companies are sited and lastly, increase the revenue of the state.

These efforts by governor Udom can best be described with the words of Donald McGannon, a great leader and former president of the American National Urban League who said that “Leadership is action and not position”. It is wise to say that Akwa Ibom people opted for the best man for the job when they gave their mandate to governor Udom and as a political analysis once said: “one good term, deserve another.”

Using the words of Sri Lanka Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremeisnghe, “For this, we must journey together” Lets Journey with Udom; Udom needs our support; Udom deserves a second term in office.

(the pictures below are the newly commissioned Metering company in Sri Lanka and the one to be commissioned in Akwa Ibom state).

#Tom FredFish is a public policy analyst and media consultant based in uyo.

Governor Udom Emmanuel's vision of giving Akwa Ibom 24 hours electricity is gathering momentum with the construction of yet another Power Sub- Station at Ekim, Mkpat Enin LGA. The x30 MVA, 132/33 KVA Transmission Sub Station would serve 5 Local Government Areas, while aiding the evolving industries there. Kudos to the captain of superior performance, Governor Udom Emmanuel!
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Update On The ALL AFRICA MEDIA CONFERENCE IN CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA.

The president of African Media Network (AMNETT) Hon (Elder) Aniekan Umanah, with other prominent Media tacticians at the ALL AFRICA MEDIA CONFERENCE, taking place in Cape Town, South Africa. Day two of the event features powerful presentations on: TV and Africa; Return Path Data and TV Audience Measurement; Total Video Currency for TV and Online Video Hybrid. Model; Fusion of Media Data ; Customer Expectation in a Digital World, etc.

COMMUNIQUE OF THE MEETING OF SOUTH-EAST/ SOUTH-SOUTH GOVERNORS FORUM IN GOVERNMENT HOUSE, PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE, ON SUNDAY 27 AUGUST, 2017.

The Governors of the South-East and South-South States of the Federal Republic of Nigeria met in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Sunday 27 August, 2017 to deliberate on critical economic and political issues common to the interests of the States in the Nation’s affairs.

The Meeting, which was chaired by Mr. Udom Emmanuel, Governor of Akwa Ibom State, had in attendance 7 Governors and 4 Deputy Governors. Other Governors present at the meeting were Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State. Deputy Governors who represented their Governors were Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah, Acting Governor of Bayelsa, Dr. Nkem Okeke, Deputy Governor of Anambra, Philip Shaibu, Deputy Governor of Edo State and Prof. Ivara Esu, Deputy Governor of Cross River State.

PREAMBLE

Determined to reinforce resolutions taken at the inaugural meeting of the forum and take practical steps to identify and define the different strands of cooperation and integration as well as establishing the institutional framework to advancing and consolidating the drive towards achieving these noble objectives;

Recognizing that from time immemorial, the South-South and the South-East regions share progressive historical ties, culture, religion and geography;

Acknowledging the urgent need to establish and link our cities with railways and super highways; to provide viable and affordable flight services between our cities, and to ensure that cargoes are brought into the country and the regions through our seaports, jetties and ferry services as a veritable means of stimulating economic growth and social progress across our two regions;

Aware that economic growth and social progress are possible only in a peaceful and secure environment;

Concerned that despite providing the necessary logistic support to the security agencies, perceptions of insecurity are on the rise, doing significant damage to our investment climate thereby preventing reasonable inflow of direct foreign and local investment into the regions;

Determined to overcome, through regional efforts, by sharing resources, intelligence and denying sanctuaries to criminal elements in our respective territories;

Determined as Governors, to develop our respective States and improve the living conditions of our people with the meagre resources at our disposal;

Acknowledging that we can do better planning and achieve more progress working together, especially in the overlapping areas of national politics, economic growth, human security, transport infrastructure, as well as food and energy security.

Concerned about the reality of the dearth of infrastructure, the Forum noted with dismay:

1. The deplorable state of federal roads in the two regions. That none of the airports and seaports located in our regions is reasonably functional, and that neither of the two regions are linked by any rail services.

2. That the Federal presence in the regions is very minimal and only noticeable in the presence of policemen.

3. The emerging trend where approvals for investments in the oil and gas industry are granted for siting in other parts of Nigeria with laying of pipelines in deep waters rather than siting the projects in the areas that produce the resources.

The forum resolved:

1. To pursue inter-regional cooperation and integration for the common good of the regions’ people.

2. To work together politically, align and re-align as a people that share common heritage, culture and affinity.

3. To articulate and advocate for issues affecting the wellbeing of the regions. The issues may not necessarily materialize immediately, but for the benefits of future generations.


4. To continue to subscribe our faith to the destiny and greatness of Nigeria and call upon Nigerians to put their hands on the plough and rise to claim our rightful place in the Comity of Nations.

5. To condemn hate speech in national discourse whether in individual communication, or utterances of political actors or parties.

6. To urge security agencies to set up joint border patrols and develop more proactive strategies in combating crime and criminality.

7. To urge the Federal Government to come up with a clear policy on concession of Federal roads and to fast-track the process in order to ameliorate the sufferings of the people of the regions.

8. To urge the Federal Government to encourage investors in the oil and gas industry to operate from within the regions and also make the investments in the sector in the region.

The forum will reconvene in Owerri, Imo State on Sunday, the 8th of October, 2017.

Signed;

Governor Udom Emmanuel
Chairman

Newly appointed teachers in Akwa Ibom State are currently collecting their appointment letters. #Udomcares.

Ongoing


... at Community Comprehensive Secondary School, Four Towns, Uyo: Governor Udom Emmanuel fulfils promise on teachers employment, as 1st batch of newly recruited teachers get employment letters.

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, arrives D.O's field- Anambra State Governor's lodge, Awka, in company of his Ebonyi State Counterpart, Mr Dave Umahi, for the 2017 Anambra State Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) primary election, taking place today 28th August, 2017 at Prof Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre along Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.

*PRESS RELEASE*

ITA ENANG AND THE CELEBRATION OF COLOSSAL FAILURE

Akwa Ibom people have watched with dismay the continual and persistent display of juvenile attitude by the ‘rejected’ Senior Special Assistant of the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang and are marveled at his invasive snipe hunt on the people oriented governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel.

Akwa Ibom people are aware of the APC as a political party that is notoriously known for propaganda, their antics and agenda to discredit the good works of the governor Udom Emmanuel led administration but what is rather unknown to Akwa Ibom people is why Ita Enang has surrendered himself for use.

We would not have been bothered about Enang’s onslaught against Udom Emmanuel, knowing full well his role as an architect of mischievousness and acquirer of cheap popularity but we are concerned that such ranting if allowed to rent the air in public sphere, may affect the potent educational advancement of an Akwa Ibom child, who has taken reading of literatures especially newspapers as an hubby occasioned by the Dakkada initiative of the ruling PDP led by governor Udom Emmanuel. Hence the need to clear the air to avoid a situation where our children will grow up and get use to celebrating failure such as that presented by the president’s aide.

At a time when governor Udom is busy with the business of governance and erecting structures - establishing environment that will take Akwa Ibom youths off the streets, Ita Enang is busy in a prosaic glorification of non-existing achievement of the Buhari administration to an microscopic enlightened few Akwa Ibom persons in the Diaspora.

That President Mohammadu Buhari sent Ita Enang to attend Akwa Ibom State Association of Nigeria, (AKISAN) convention to give account of his administration is not only laughable but callous. What account of stewardship can the Buhari Administration give to Akwa Ibom people in the last two and a half years other than adulterated budgets and empty promises? The listing of a 56 billion naira Calabar-Itu-Ikot Ekpene road and $11 billion Lagos-Uyo-Calabar railroad as dividends of the Buhari administration in Akwa Ibom State by Ita Enang is a charade well known to Akwa Ibom people. It is not working for us.

It is a pity that this APC government is still very confused not to understand that they have won elections and is now in government, which is why they have kept on promising. They should stop making campaign promises such as the Calabar-Itu-Ikot Ekpene and Lagos –Uyo railways. We have heard these things before.

That governor Udom withdrew from AKISAN meet because he could not account for the resources allotted to the State by the Federal Government are false and only A FANTASIA CONJURED IN THE BLINKERED MINDof Ita Enang. No attentive Akwa Ibom person will take Enang serious knowing full well that since assumption of office 2015, governor Udom Emmanuel has undertaken aggressive people oriented projects such as the construction of roads in all senatorial districts, empowered the youth through training in science and technology via AKEES, rejuvenate agriculture, and his policy incursions in the areas of health care, education, housing, and cottage industry are legendary.

Noteworthy is the fact that these stellar moves by governor Udom attracting the establishment of the second largest syringe industry in Africa to Akwa Ibom state, the Metering Company, Flour Mill among other numerous industrialization drive has earned Akwa Ibom state the rank of the second most preferred investors destination with an attraction of $18 million direct investment this year alone according to report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

These and other numerous achievements of Udom Emmanuel under two years in office has exposed Ita Enang as a flawed mortal fumbling through self enlightenment and put to question his proficiency to decipher what accountability is or not. Therefore, Ita Enag misleading press chat should be disregarded in its entirety because it is not only false, but callous and irritating.

Though there are rooms in a democracy for mediocre and people seeking to test their popularity to hold press briefings by exercising their constitutional rights in section 39 (sub:1,2) which entitled their freedom of expression without interference, we therefore detest the employ of mendacity to drive home such rights.

Akwa Ibom Mandate Union empathizes with Ita Enang who may still be suffering from post election symptoms; seriously traumatized by the defeat of his bid for second term to the senate under the PDP in 2015. Just as we pray that God gives him the grace to forget about that huge defeat, Akwa Ibom people have no apologies for voting the best man for the job to the senate who is currently doing so well.

We therefore use this opportunity to salute Governor Udom Emmanuel for offering people oriented programmes and to urge him on. The people are in total support of him. The focus administration of governor Udom will keep on being a moral burden to Ita Enang and the APC who have refused to see anything good in an administration that has shown in deeds and character the capacity to accommodate them in the industrialization and empowerment agenda for the good people of the state.

God bless Akwa Ibom State.

SIGN

*Comrade Tom FredFish*

President, Akwa Ibom Mandate Union, (AKMU).

*WHITHER GOVERNOR UDOM INDUSTRALIZATION 1?*

By Tom FredFish

In 2015, during the electioneering period governor Udom Emmanuel traversed Akwa Ibom State promising to industrialize the state and diversify her economy. Akwa Ibom people believed him. His credentials spoke well of his capabilities. Some immediately call him Mr. Industrialization. His words were pleasant to hear, soothing for the unemployed and titillating to the investors. Expectations were high. And all waited.

After his first year in office, and with key incursions – test marketing his plan for industrialization through the reinvigoration of the Peacock Paint, the establishment Akwa Ibom Toothpick and Pencil Industry, opposing elements bemoaned, lamented and doubted governor Udom capacity to fulfill his pledge of industrializing the state. Unknowingly for them, Udom had designs to complement these small factories.

In a time of extreme financial difficulties and economy stagnation, no one jump into establishing industries that has no market value. A strategic thinker has to do feasibility studies and conscious planning to ensure the articulation of a product that is essential to the needs of the people. That is exactly what Udom did.

It is unimaginable to note that Nigeria consumes about four billion syringes yearly. And these syringes are all imported into the country, waoh! Why will Nigeria keep importing syringes when the market, manpower, raw materials and financial resources are available in the country? For market - Nigeria population is estimated at over 180 million people: excluding expatriates; male, female, young and old people, all uses syringes daily. For manpower; thousands of able bodied unemployed youth, highly educated doctors, pharmacists are readily available to work. For raw materials; the raw materials for the product is produced by Nigerian Petrochemical companies, while the financial resources needed are owned by business moguls and state governments.

One interesting question is why anyone didn’t ever think of producing this important health equipment in the country when Nigeria loses billions of naira yearly through importation. This is the reason why Udom has encouraged the production of Syringe in Akwa Ibom State.

The Jubilee Syringe Company is an offshoot of governor Udom keenness to bring industries to the state. Established by a Turkish company- VKS Group of companies in conjunction with the Akwa Ibom State government, the factory whose construction started in November 2016, sits on about 8000 square metres. Conscious of the fact that it is a medical building, the VKS Group didn’t make the design themselves neither was their team responsible; all the designs were made abroad. VKS had to consult everywhere in the world to ensure that it falls to standards. The physical structure is one of its kinds; the roof system is beacon space frame - a very unique roof system and with the machines fixed, Akwa Ibom is ready to be the hub of medical equipment in Africa, come September 2017.

According to the Managing Director of VKS Group, Mr. Onur Kumral, The technology VKS is bringing to Akwa Ibom State is European standard - the best and the latest anywhere in the world because the state and people deserve it. He noted that the product will be affordable even with the high standard of production: “Jubilee Syringe is going to be the cheapest and the highest quality. This is possible because if I do not import products, I do not pay importation tax which is about 30 - 35 % difference. Again, the raw material is just an hour away from me because I am buying it directly from Nigeria. So why can’t it be the cheapest? When you consider importing the products abroad, and going through the process of clearing with the Nigerian Customs and going through other processes, you will understand why Jubilee Syringe will be the cheapest…there is a huge market here, huge potentials, Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa, this could not have come at a better time”.

It is therefore certain that those in the business of medicine are quite glad of this development; distributors of syringes all over the country are happy and impressed. According to a distributor who identified himself simply as Tunde, “Syringe manufacturing factory is not an easy thing, and we are happy that one has found its way to Akwa Ibom state – Nigeria, courtesy of the effort of the state governor, Udom Emmanuel. I can happily tell you that some of our members (distributors) stopped the importation of injection syringe some months ago not because of the dollars rate, but with the coming in of Jubilee Syringe in Akwa Ibom State”. With this development one can easily conclude that, there is the propensity of huge traffic at the end of this year in the state because of this factory and as enunciated by Mr. Kumral said “Akwa Ibom State is going to be the hub of medical equipment in Africa, not just West Africa”.

When asked why the company chose Akwa Ibom State for her industry out of the whole country, Kumral noted with enthusiasm that: “The academicians when talking about development, says development comes by policies, so the truth is that Akwa Ibom has good development policies. Governor Udom Emmanuel has good policies for sustainable development in his state. You know that sustainable development is the development that answers current needs of the people and not just looking at the future needs only. With what Udom is doing now, he is clearly providing answers to the present needs of his people, which will subsequently open the gates for the future and future generations. For the year 2017, Udom’s goals can be compared to the United Nations sustainable development goals”. He noted with righteous anger “Can you imagine that Akwa Ibom development goals came out long before the UN sustainable development goals came out? This shows the thinking pattern of Udom and this is the boost we got moving into the state”.

Kumral noted further that, apart from the encouragement given to his company through partnership with the state government, Akwa Ibom state is the safest place in the country in terms of security to do business. And of course, you know that no investor would risk investing in an unsafe environment. In Akwa Ibom, we and our investment are quiet safe and we are happy about it. “To some people, Akwa Ibom State might look far away from the market, but the good policies of the government on ground have given us the confidence that this is the best location to do business”, he concluded.
Jubilee Syringe upon completion will be the first syringe company in Nigeria and the second in Africa after that of South Africa. It will curb the ugly situation in Nigeria where the country is losing huge dollars daily through importation. There is no doubt that the conception of the factory in the state is a deliberate effort to halt importation, maximize profit for local distributors as well as create employment for hundreds of Akwa Ibom people.

According to Professor Godwin Umoette, a professor of Political Science at the University of Uyo - Nigeria, the conception and establishment of the Syringe industry in Akwa Ibom state will open the floodgate of the industrialization plan of the state government and put the state on the chronological pavement for federal government diversification agenda, hence governor Udom is on the right path, and while we are patiently waiting for him to get it done, he should be applauded and encouraged to fire on.

Even if the man stole and was caught red handed, nobody have the right to beat anyone base on allegations. An accused stands innocent until proven guilty by a competent court who can decide the criminal's fate and not a passerby who caught a thief. The laws of this country is very clear on that. Jungle justice is a crime against humanity.