₦airaland Forum

Senator Akpabio's emphasis on unity and cooperation establishes a new benchmark in leadership. His role in Nigeria's development is substantial.

Clemzy31:
A MISUNDERSTOOD AKPABIO

In recent times, President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio may have been in the news for what would advert the minds of many as the wrong reasons. And that is the image his traducers want to paint of the good man . They want to create for him a public perception of a villain who is incorrigibly bad and incapable of any good despite his robust record of impact on people's lives and extensive benevolence that replete his history.

Interestingly, these ill informed and impish views are not only contrived untruths with factual deficiencies , they are also deliberately intended to impugn his character for cheap political gains, array him against the people and discredit him to reduce his electoral and national value .

In recent times, every public utterance by Akpabio no matter how well intentioned is deliberately skewed to meet a predetermined purpose and representation. It is why the statement of the MD of NDDC at an event in Portharcourt which was in every sense innocent was mischievously quoted out of context and ascribed to Senator Akpabio to make him look bad and against the people. How can Senator Akpabio be against the people? Even his service pedigree from his life in the private sector, to that of public service beginning from when he was commissioner, two terms governor, Minority Leader , Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and now President of the Senate, acquit him as a man of the people . The prejudiced views which cast him as an Aristocrat on a high horse who looks down on the people and mocks them are of course untenable in every respect .

The serving President of the Senate is one leader who had long chosen to be different. His humble and spartan beginning had built in him the virtue of empathy while growing up. It also inculcated in him a surfeit of other values some of which are humility, compassion, generosity, hardwork and the fear of God. Akpabio is an embodiment of the aforementioned sterling values. And these values are at the core of our value system which he is a part of. It is difficult to find people who are strong adherents to the value system stray into mindless absurdly in their public conducts except in minor cases of infallibility that are common to all humans . It is such a minor infallibility that Akpabio's traducers often magnify to have his pound of flesh. But because his political net worth is more than their shenanigans and pedestrian darts , Nigerians still have faith in his leadership of the Senate.

Reflecting on what I call political net worth, one cannot fail to see his bridge building skill. Akpabio is one politician who receives a defeaning ovation of almost equal measure in any part of the country he visits. He is loved and always celebrated lavishly anywhere he finds himself.

This bridge building skill is eloquent in the synergy that underlines the relationship between the Executive and the current National Assembly which Akpabio is Chairman. The relationship has led to increased collaboration leading to expeditious passage of Bills especially the 2024 budget that saw members of the National Assembly working round the clock to ensure its timeous passage.

But in the face of this active collaboration, the National Assembly has not compromised its independence. It has continued to be on the side of the people and in strict observance of the principle of separation of powers. This, it has done through opposing policies the Senate suspects would bring more hardship to the people. The case of electricity tariff and other interventions like labour unrest and minimum wage saga are testimonies of Akpabio's commitment to the people. And so let no one mislead anyone with the disinformation that Akpabio is anti- people.

It is unfortunate that many see constant frictions or confrontation between the executive and Legislature as the only way the latter could be seen as being effective. What many do not know is that those confrontations are driven more by self interest and ego and not the collective good of the people. And in acting in that manner, the people suffer as they are denied the benefits of good governance. A legislature that is working for the people is sober, reflective and farsighted. It weighs the implication of an action and makes decisions that side with the interest of the people. That is the 10th Senate I see under the leadership of Senator Akpabio. It is not given to unnecessary wranglings and confrontation but engagement that would pave the way for a new Nigeria.

Toeing this egalitarian path has not fared well with some political elites who have always profited from political storms between the executive and the legislature. For changing the crude dynamics and ensuring a paradigm shift, he must be scapegoated even in common human frailties. But whose interests are these people hounding and haunting Akpabio serving? Certainly not the Nigerian people's interest.

I dare to add that the President of the Senate may also be a target of the hegemonic politics of a section of the North which feels that it should be in charge of the legislature as a tool to rein in the President and blackmail him at will. Such moves have at least been witnessed in the actions of some Northern senators. The protection of Akpabio is inextricably bound to the preservation of the polity and in harmony. Anything that would harm the stability of the 10th Senate under Akpabio would widen the nation's dichotomy and introduce mutual suspicion across the political spectrum.

At this dire time of the nation's history, what the country needs are patriots, not ethnic or tribal champions. We need Nigerians who think Nigeria before their ethnic/tribal affiliations. We need leaders who are ready to subsume ethnic cleavages for national interest. We need leaders who are ready to stand shoulder to shoulder to salvage this Nation and restore her to the laudable dream of our founding fathers. Akpabio is a spectacular example of this national ideal. He is broad-minded, accommodating, receptive, sensitive and at home with every section of the country. Nigeria would not have asked for a better head of the Legislature at a time like this. Let us rally around him , support him and maximize his experience and leadership potential for national development.

Joe Peter is a public affairs analyst

S

Paid crowd

I've never been ashamed to talk about my falls because it never kept me down. Everything that happens in this life is designed by God and it's for a purpose.

Some years ago in my second year in University of Uyo, I was attacked by cultist. The pressure they mounted on me to join them was too much. They stopped me from attending classes, collected my phone(s) and money from me on many occasions.

I was still very young, struggling with the memories of molestation from gays in boarding school. My parents were in Lagos and I had this character of keeping to myself although I was proud, very proud.

From permanent site to town campus, cultist were everywhere, waiting to collect anything they can get for sale. On many occassions Shabalala (those who knew him) would rescue me from their beatings.

I gave up on Uniuyo at Sociality 2012, when I was beaten mercilessly by some of them, because I refuse to break the promise I made to my mom. I had promised her never to join cult.

My grades diminished since I couldn't go to classes, what were you expecting?

Somewhere in 2013, I wrote a letter to the vice chancellor to start from year 2 again while my coursemate where in year 4. I submitted all documents and traveled to Lagos to face my parents in shame.

On my way to Lagos, the bus I boarded was robbed and the robbers went away with the bag containing my documents, thinking it was money. One of the robbers hit my neck that's why I can't bend my head to read for three straight hours nor play football again.

While I was still having nightmares of the robbery attack, I heard about Uniuyo riot and how they burnt the office I had submitted my documents to.

Where is HOPE?

Fast forward to 2016, I got admission again and escaped being initiated into a cult group on the first day of resumption. I started speaking up for myself. I didn't shut up when they came close.

A group once approached me and said, "we know you were a cultist in Uniuyo, let's continue the movement here", I looked at them and smiled, walked away because I knew I was better.

June 23rd 2021, I read paragraph 11 of the Prof Nse Essien conversation with a report which states, "APART FROM THAT, THIS SAME STUDENT HAD ALREADY BEEN EXPELLED FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF UYO."

I was angry. I saw people share the fake news, so I moved straight to Uniuyo to get a voluntary withdrawal letter. When I got to permanent site, I saw two of my colleagues. One was a lecturer while the other was a masters students.

I wasn't ashamed because i wasn't the proud human anymore. I learnt to be humble although I have Jesus and madness too.

I got what I needed from the department and while I was about to leave a voice said, "don't take your vice chancellor to court for his statement, he was misled, I haven't given you permission to do that".

I refused to listen to him but he came through in my dreams to confirm his words.

Two days ago, Gideon Edem was called to Bar and his first major won could have been DEFAMATION OF CHARACTER against the VICE CHANCELLOR of AKSU but God said no, it won't be like that, just hold your peace and allow me do my job.

I drew my strength from single mothers. I drew strength from big sister that reminds me pains doesn't last forever. Uniuyo was a preparation ground to withstand what has been happening to the oppresseed in AKSU.

I've been called names like cultist, fool, drop out, lazy, unfortunate, beggar, cursed and etc, yet I gazed at the cross where he died for my sake.

I'm grateful the King has washed his hands off, let the messenger carry the cross of his actions. Thanks for the congratulations but MY DEMANDS ARE CLEAR AND PINPOINTED.

Don't be scared to prove I broke the rules and regulations in the school handbook and matriculation oath. I defended myself before Commissioners and I'll still defend myself politely before the JUDGE.

Without trouble in your life, you won't understand God's existence.

To my motivation Inibehe Effiong, Thank you for speaking up for me as history will vindicate the JUST.

#3500

09028402130

Ezeromeoil01:
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So where does Nigeria fall now��

Mangekyo:
Source ; https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/02/24/5-most-powerful-armies-world.html/amp

Injury to one is an injury to all #justice_for_Afrosix_Jaara

Cont

18th June, 2021

THE VICE CHANCELLOR
Akwa Ibom State University,
Main Campus, Ikot Akpaden,
Mkpat Enin Local Government Area,
Akwa Ibom State.

Dear Sir,

PRE-ACTION NOTICE

INDEFINITE SUSPENSION AND SUBSEQUENT EXPULSION OF EKPO, INIOBONG ISANG FOR ALLEGED PUBLICATION OF “DEROGATORY AND DEFAMATORY ARTICLE” ON SOCIAL MEDIA AGAINST THE GOVERNOR OF AKWA IBOM STATE:

DEMAND FOR REINSTATEMENT, RESTORATION OF FULL STUDENTSHIP RIGHTS AND COMPENSATION FOR BREACH OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS, LOSS OF ACADEMIC PERIOD, EMOTIONAL DISTRESS AND PSYCHOLOGICAL TORTURE.

The above subject refers, please.

We are a firm of Legal Practitioners representing MR. EKPO, INIOBONG ISANG, a 500 level student of the Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Akwa Ibom State University, with Registration Number: AK15/ENG/AEE/013 (subsequently referred to as “Our Client”) on whose behalf and instructions we write this letter.

It is the brief of Our Client that he received an indefinite suspension letter with Reference Number AKSU/REG/DAA/11/VOL.8/164 dated 7th September, 2020 signed by the Registrar and Secretary to Senate, Mr. John E. Udo.

The letter reads in part that the University Senate “deliberated on a report from Students Disciplinary Committee on publication of abusive post on social media against the Governor of Akwa Ibom State”. It was also stated erroneously that Our Client was suspended indefinitely following his “refusal to honour the invitation of the Committee to appear before it.”

Rather than retrace from the path of oppression, victimization and injustice, and follow the path of truth, justice and good conscience, the University decided to double down.

On 15th June, 2021, our Client was served with an Expulsion Letter with Reference No: AKSU/REG/DAA/11/VOL.8/010 from the University to the effect that the Senate of the University has expelled our Client over “a case of publication of derogatory and defamatory article on Facebook platform about the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State and Visitor to the University”; which the University claims “constitutes a breach of the Matriculation Oath and violation of the University rules and regulations enshrined in the Student Information Handbook”.

MATERIAL FACTS FOR YOUR ATTENTION

From the brief of Our Client, we wish to reiterate and emphasize the following material facts:

1. At no time did Akwa Ibom State University invite or summon Our Client to appear before the University’s Students Disciplinary Committee prior to his indefinite suspension. Therefore, Our Client could not have failed or refused to attend a meeting that never took place to his knowledge as claimed in the indefinite suspension letter. We wonder how the said Committee could have met during the COVID-19 lockdown when the University was not in session and when students and staff were ordered to stay at home?

2. Our Client was not shown, confronted or availed with the purported “abusive post” or “derogatory and defamatory article” that he is accused of publishing on social media against the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.

3. Our Client was not shown, confronted or availed with any Petition or Complaint written against him to the University by the Governor of Akwa Ibom State over any post published by him on social media.

4. To the best of our knowledge (we stand to be corrected), the incumbent Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, has not instituted any lawsuit against Our Client in any court of competent jurisdiction in Nigeria to seek redress for defamation over any post or article published by Our Client on social media.

5. It is apparent that the University acted in contravention of Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Cap. A9 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 by denying Our Client fair hearing.

6. Despite repeated entreaties by Our Client to be given a fair hearing, the University failed or refused to address his grievances and unfair treatment. Our Client was not given a reasonable and fair opportunity to defend himself before he was expelled.

THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN IN A UNIVERSITY

It is particularly distressing that Akwa Ibom State University which is supposed to be a citadel of learning, an intellectual sanctuary for academic research and a fortress for human capital development as envisaged by Section 1 (3) of the Akwa Ibom State University Law, 2009, has relegated its statutory objects and arrogated to itself a politically actuated mandate of monitoring favourable or critical views expressed by citizens on social media about the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.

We will like to know whether the Matriculation Oath of the Akwa Ibom State University require students to surrender their fundamental right to freedom of expression as guaranteed them by Section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) upon admission into the University? Are students not citizens with a constitutional right to express opinion on the policies, leadership or performance of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State?

What is the essence of the ACADEMIC FREEDOM that University lecturers, including those of Akwa Ibom State University fought and went on frequent strikes for if a student can be suspended indefinitely and subsequently expelled for allegedly publishing abusive words about a Governor?

As a public office holder paid with public funds, the Governor is a servant of the Citizens and not their Emperor. In a democracy, public officers are susceptible to praises and abuses. It is our considered view that it is not the business of an academic institution to act as an Ombudsman of opinions expressed by citizens against public office holders.

It is our belief that when His Excellency, Obong Victor Attah, established Akwa Ibom State University of Technology in 2003, which was remodeled and restructured to a conventional university in 2009 by Senator Godswill Akpabio into what is now Akwa Ibom State University, during their respective tenures, it was not their intention that the University should serve as a partisan mouthpiece for the Governor of the State.

It is our respectful view that a university with professors and scholars should not condescend to the level of acting as the image launderer or an extension of the office of the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State. We are completely at sea on the nexus between the objects of the University and opinions of citizens about their Governor on social media.

A University should be insulated from partisan politics. A University should not be a sycophant to any politician. A University should promote free speech, rule of law and intellectual engagements and should not be deployed as a partisan tool for suppressing political dissent.

We will like to know whether studentship of Akwa Ibom State University and the obligations thereof is superior to citizenship of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the correlative Fundamental Rights as enshrined in Chapter Four of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended)?

OUR SPECIFIC DEMANDS:

Consequently, we hereby demand as follows:

1. Immediate and Unconditional Reinstatement of Our Client - EKPO, INIOBONG ISANG, with Registration Number: AK15/ENG/AEE/013 for him to continue with his studies and academic programme as a student of Akwa Ibom State University without encumbrances.

2. Restoration of all studentship rights accruable to students of Akwa Ibom State University to Our Client, including access into the campus, attendance of lectures and participation in all academic and University activities that every registered student is entitled to.

3. A special opportunity and waiver for Our Client to write all the tests and examinations which he registered and paid fees for but was prevented from taking part on account of his wrongful indefinite suspension and unconstitutional expulsion.

4. Payment of the sum of N20,000,000.00 (Twenty Million Naira) to Our Client representing General Damages for the gross breach of Our Client’s fundamental rights and the resultant trauma and depression he has suffered.

CONCLUSION

We are aware that certain officials of the University have threatened Our Client that should he decide to commence legal action to seek redress, the University will ensure that the case linger for years and that our Client will suffer greatly.

We concede that the Nigerian Judiciary is not a perfect institution. However, it remains the hope of the common man, solace of the oppressed and nemesis of oppressors. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) will vindicate Our Client.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that we have the firm instruction of Our Client to commence legal proceedings against the University if the above demands are not met within 7 days of your receipt of this letter.

Sir, kindly accept the assurances of our utmost regards.


Yours faithfully,
FOR: INIBEHE EFFIONG CHAMBERS

INIBEHE EFFIONG, ESQ.
(Principal Counsel).

Cc:

1. The Registrar & Secretary to Senate, Akwa Ibom State University.

2. The Dean of Student Affairs,
Akwa Ibom State University.

3. The Chief Security Officer,
Akwa Ibom State University.

4. The Chairman,
Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Akwa Ibom State University.

5. The State Coordinator,
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Akwa Ibom State.

6. The Chairman,
House Committee on Judiciary, Justice, Human Rights and Public Petitions, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.

7. United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education.

8. Amnesty International Nigeria.

9. Civil Society Consortium on Civic Space.

Thunder fire you there, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala na your mate, her name no heavy you for mouth? Do you think she's so irresponsible like the government of the day? I so wish I can be put in a room with this fool, beating wa you for collect na on spraaaa. Mad man

stephanie11:
POLITICSNIGERIA.COM



https://politicsnigeria.com/fg-suspension-twitter-is-an-ipob-online-machine-adamu-garba-attacks-okonjo-iweala/

The reason you couldn't do it before, maybe as a result of bad connection try again in a different cyber cafe.

FTC, after 3 years of being a active member. Shout out to all the legit hustlers, soonest we shall make it to the top. Lala how far make I drop Aza�

Only if he has a functioning brain

CilicMarin:
This is Eberechukwu Emereuwa from Obizi, Ezinihitte, Mbaise in Imo state.
He was one of the military men killed in owerri yesterday by UGM.

https:///ihWt6DKYoU

The government are now using reverse psychology, turning brothers against brothers, so the agitators of Biafra would be seen as killing their own blood.
My question is, how many "ndi Imo" agitating for Biafra, have this Nigerian soldier killed?

We knew this would happen and even many more is expected, this is a price we are all ready to pay.

Nice one

immortalcrown:
If you lose control and do bad because you found yourself in a tight corner and you later admit that your action is wrong, God and good people will forgive you. But when you do or witness something bad and refuse to admit that it is bad, you are a hypocrite. This girl has seemingly admitted that she was wrong. But some people who have heard the story are sentimentally claiming that she did nothing wrong Those people are hypocrites and can repeatedly do worse than her. It means that if another person tells lies against this girl and gives a reason for that, those same hypocrites will support the person. If those people say we should not judge yet because more truths may later come out, I will agree with them. But it is wrong for those people to claim that someone like her telling lies is not bad.

my guy abeg make that poor girl rest, there's situation ethics, she said, what she said because of the situations she found herself, that doesn't call for her crucifixion, moreover even holy men in the bible on certain situations lied too.

r

saphiere:
It will never be well with Davido if he does not do the needful.

This is for every girl out there to learn a lesson


Davido has daughters. May this he has done to Chioma and many more be upon his daughters in Jesus name I pray Amen.

Davido, I redraw peace from you wherever you are. You shall have no peace until you do the needful.

.

God forbid, why will you pray such kind of prayer to innocent children, who knows nothing about what the father did? even using Jesus' name? do you know the evils your forebears committed? are you indirectly asking God to punish you because of your lineage atrocities? Guy respect yourself!!!

e

The gee above me stole my shine�

This is how they will sell Nigeria

sail higher Mr. President while enemies die of jealousy

dead on arrival

Mmmm, since when did saraki became this good, I think it's ever since he started developing interest for Presidency.

Very good decision, before it's too late

mmm, fine you no still fine, even with heavy makeup, I dey imagine how your real face go dey���

Mmmmm and so

How i wished we have a replica of this man in AkwaIbom State, coupled with what Sen. Akpabio did during his tenure, not this Udom that is busy breaking grounds. ����

Honestly all the judiciary and security agencies are not working, it's high time we go back to our root, which is African Traditional Religion, where we can use traditional means to detect crimes through Ordeal (Ukang).

please how long does it take for membership verification number to be sent to my email