Uyo, Akwa Ibom

More than four thousand retirees of the Unified Local Government Service of Akwa Ibom State on Monday thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State for recently approving 2 billion naira while releasing one billion naira for the payment of benefits due retirees in the State. The retirees spoke during the 2022 verification exercise/ distribution of security encoded identity for pensioners held on Monday at Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The digital verification exercise which is designed to properly identify authentic pensioners using finger print and facial recognition technology, was introduced in 2021 in the bid to weed out ghost pensioners and make payment process easier. During the flag-off exercise for 2022, four thousand two hundred pensioners were set to receive the security encoded identity card while retirees for the year 2022 commenced verification for issuance of their cards. According to the Executive Secretary of the Local Government Pensions Board, Mrs Emem Umoh, pensioners who missed the exercise last year are allowed to participate in 2022.

In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the Local Government Commission, Honourable Monday Eyo hinted that governor Udom Emmanuel had approved the sum of two billion naira for the payment of entitlements due retirees affirming that one billion of that money has so far been released by the governor for onward payment. Eyo assured that with the governor's commitment to paying every entitlements owed retirees, that more approvals and monies will be released by the governor in the coming weeks.

On his part, the Head of Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien commended the digitalisation of the Local Government Pensions System, saying that it will be effective in curbing fraud as well as transform a once tedious process to an easy and seamless one. The Head of Service gave the assurance of the Akwa Ibom State Government on improving the welfare of both retired and active civil servants. "This verification exercise isn't to punish anybody, it is for transparency. Fraud reported in the past has made this necessary. We are hoping that we will get to the point where we won't bring out and expose our Senior citizens to this harsh condition for verification. Technology is improving and as it improves, we will position the service to employ the latest technology towards making lives easier for you all", he said.

As their response, the retirees numbering more than four thousand sent goodwill message to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel, saying the governor has kept to promises made to retirees. The retirees spoke through the Chairman of Association For The Welfare of Local Government Retirees, Elder Emmanuel Usoroh who made it known that some retirees had died without being paid gratuities owed by previous government, appealing to Governor Udom Emmanuel to be relentless in his commitment to paying all entitlements of retired workers. Elder Usoroh prayed for the successful completion of the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel while thanking him for keeping to his promises to retirees.

The Chairman of Nigeria Union of Pensioners (local government), Dr Mrs Uduak Etim Uduakeya collaborated the position of the earlier Speaker when she affirmed that pension has been more prompt under Governor Udom Emmanuel. "What is happening around us today has never happened. We want to appreciate Governor Udom Emmanuel for keeping to his promises. I can assure that if you were screened, you will be paid every benefits due you ".

In an interactive session with the press, the Executive Secretary of Local Government Pensions Board , Mrs Emem Umoh disclosed that the Akwa Ibom State Government was up to date with the payment of pension. "We are not owing a penny. We want anybody who says he or she has been owed pension to come out public and we will take it up ".

Mrs Emem Umoh thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel for his efforts that has transformed the local government pension system to be more effective. "May I use this medium to express our deep appreciation to His Excellency, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel whose pursuit to digitize the service has driven us to review our processes system. By the magnanimity gesture, the Government of Akwa Ibom State; the Local Government Pensions Board is one of the foremost offices in the State that is fully automated...In order to verify more than 4,300 pensioners of the Unified Local Government Service who are in our payroll, we have scheduled based on their Local Government Areas of their retirement where six biometric capturing machines will be simultaneously deployed and the retirees verified using their facial and fingerprints recognition. It is important to note that this new system uses Near Field Technology which offers us the leverage to be able to verify sick and very weak Retirees at their locations " she said.

Mrs Umoh ended her address on the occasion of Flag-off Session of the 2022 Verification Exercise/Distribution of Security Encoded Identity For Pensioners by thanking all participants, especially, The Head of Service, Elder Effiong Essien, The Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Honourable Monday Eyo,The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Honourable Frank Archibong who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Elder Ino Eki, amongst other dignitaries.

Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

The Deputy Governorship Candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP),AIG Asuquo Amba has reiterated the resolve of the OBA/AMBA joint ticket to rescue Akwa Ibom State from its current situation.

He promised to support his Principal, Senator Bassey Albert as Governor come 2023, to change the fortunes of the State for the better when elected as Deputy Governor.

AIG Amba made the statement in his Uyo residence when a group, Akwa Ibom Unity Forum, paid him a familiarisation visit, recently.

The Director General of the group, Rt.Hon.Uko Idiong, while speaking thanked God for the choice of AIG Amba which he described as divine and lauded the incoming Deputy Governor for his integrity and good antecedents while serving the nation in various capacities.


Retired AIG Amba was at various time the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Commissioner of Police before becoming the Assistant Inspector of Police .

Idiong lauded Amba for his enormous contributions to Akwa Ibom State, expressing the optimism that he shall bring his wealth of experience to bear in fostering peace and security in the State come 2023.

Also speaking, the BOT Chairman of the group, Hon.Charles Ndanyongmong, equally eulogized the incoming Deputy Governor for his goodwill and love for the people of Akwa ibom state and assured that his joint ticket with Senator Bassey Albert shall bring dividends of good governance as well as peace and unity to Akwa Ibom State.

Highpoint of the visit was an official presentation of special regalia of the group to the Deputy Governorship Candidate and his dear wife, Chief Janet Amba.

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For about three months, the federal government-owned universities and some state-owned universities in Nigeria have been shut down. This is due to the agitations of the university lecturers under the aegis of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). Well, this is not new in the Nigerian education system which is already on the verge of collapse due to the incessant strike by both teaching and non-teaching staff. This persistent industrial action is birthed by underfunding and a general lack of attention from the concerned party.

For almost two decades, ASUU has been involved in a constant and rigorous struggle with the federal government under different administrations, resulting in the continual disruption of academic activities. What for? The bone of contention has always been the state of the public universities, the welfare of the students in these institutions, and the salary structure of the lectures, among other things.

The Origin and the Foundation of ASUU

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) was spawned out of the Nigerian Association of University Teachers (NAUT). In 1965, the NAUT was established to embody academic staff at the University of Ibadan, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, University of Ife, and University of Lagos. The NAUT's major goal was to enhance the country's service conditions, as well as its socio-economic and political well-being.

While NAUT was more conservative and sympathetic to the post-colonial regime, it was deemed unfit to transform the academic standard of Nigeria Universities. Thus, ASUU was formed to be more radical about the state of the Nigerian education system.

ASUU was founded in 1978, during the start of the oil boom's fall, when the country was suffering the repercussions of its authorities' inability to employ the oil money to develop production and a social welfare system. The essential liberties in society had been severely weakened by the military regime. Military tyranny took away academic freedom and university autonomy. Education, and hence universities, received less financing. The causes necessitated a shift in the academic union's orientation beginning in 1980.

ASUU grew more radical, more concerned with large national concerns, and stood forcefully against the country's harsh and undemocratic policies.

ASUU and the Persistent Need for Struggle

Throughout the 1980s, ASUU fought back against attacks on academic freedom. The first struggle resulted from the infringement of the disciplinary functions of Governing Councils by the government who illegally dismissed some members of staff without the right of a hearing.

ASUU fought the Shagari government from 1980 to 1981. Its main concerns were finance, wages, academic autonomy, brain drain, and the sustainability of university system in Nigeria. Several industrial unions and NLC State Chapters collaborated with ASUU in this struggle. It addressed discussions about the course and framework of national economic, educational, and other policies.

The next struggle was during the Buhari-Idiagbon administration. During this time, ASUU's fights were founded on the union's moral resistance to military dictatorship and its position on the union's growth route. ASUU assessed the faults of the Nigerian economy and proposed solutions in its publication “How to Save Nigeria”, which came out of their conference on the State of the Economy in 1984.

Over the years, the union has faced several sanctions and prohibitions. The first was in 1988 when the union called a National Strike to demand equal pay and university autonomy. As a result, ASUU was declared illegal on August 7, 1988, and all of its assets were confiscated. It was permitted to recommence in 1990 but was prohibited again on August 23, 1992, following another walkout. On September 3, 1992, however, a deal was made that addressed some of the union's objectives, including the right of workers to collective bargaining. In 1994 and 1996, ASUU staged more strikes to protest the military administration of Sani Abacha's firing of personnel.

This struggle has since become more persistent and frequent in today’s Nigeria. This has continually disrupted academic activities, truncated students’ learning process, and make learning in public universities severely unbearable.

ASUU Strike Chart Since 1999

Following the Nigerian Fourth Republic's return to democracy in 1999, the union remained steadfast in its demands for university employees' rights, despite resistance from President Olusegun Obasanjo's government.

While the union continues to claim that it is fighting for Nigerian tertiary education and, by extension, Nigerian students, many Nigerians believe that the ostensible campaign, which has been distinguished by frequent strike actions, is malevolent and self-serving. This image has not been helped by ASUU, which continues to struggle to connect effectively with Nigerians without coming off as arrogant and condescending.

Let’s have a quick overview of the ASUU strike over the last two decades, how long each lasted, and what the bones of contention were.

1.      1999 – 5 Months

Read More: https://insidesource.ng/analysis-ASUU-and-the-incessant-strikes-in-nigeria.html

..

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PRESS RELEASE

On Monday, August 24, 2020, the All Progressives Congress in Akwa Ibom State - the party which our people had successfully banished from our land through the potent tool of successive electoral defeats, sent out a distant hiss by way of a Press Release in their bid to respond to Governor Udom Emmanuel's snipe at Senator Ita Enang.

The stopgap APC Publicity Secretary in that sloppy release, tried to earn his keep in his effort to comfort and convince Senator Ita Enang that the Governor's remark about him was of no moment.

In his futile attempt to cover the sterling strides made by Governor Udom Emmanuel in the management of the COVID-19 Pandemic with their evil bushel, he described the achievements and accolades-worthy management of the Governor as an after-thought.

Shocking as APC's thoughts on the impressive management of the Pandemic by the Governor might be, we however understand that for a party like the APC that only visits the state during Gubernatorial Elections, it is herculean for them to keep up with the goings-on in Akwa Ibom. All they rely on as channels of information must definitely be the subjective reports from their spies marauding as media aides to non-existent office holders.

It is on record that on June 8, 2020, the Nigeria Center for Disease Control, NCDC, - parastatal under the APC's Federal Government, had, after an assessment visit to the isolation centre built by Governor Udom Emmanuel, described it as the best. (Please Find link to the story here: https://guardian.ng/news/ncdc-approves-testing-covid-19-cases-in-akwa-ibom/) Now, the only sensible deduction that could be made from this is that a facility built as an afterthought could not have earned such an enviable commendation. But then, logic and rational thinking and the APC in Akwa Ibom State are strange bed fellows and have absolutely nothing in common.

As a party and for the sake of humanity, we have herein taken up the task of rebooting the fried brains of members of the APC. It is also appropriate to remind them that Governor Udom's visionary strides in government has been attracting commendations from its inception.

Recall that during his first term in office, the Vice President of Nigeria, a Professor, and member of the APC, Prof Yemi Osinbajo had referred to Governor Udom Emmanuel as a very Clever Governor when he saw the vision behind the Governor's effort in attracting the Jubilee Syringe Factory to Akwa Ibom. (Find the account of the event here: (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/09/syringe-factory-udom-emmanuel-clever-governor-vp-osinbajo/ ). We strongly doubt if the Vice President has praised any of the members of the banished APC in Akwa Ibom in that manner or infact any APC Governor in any of the other states of the federation in that language. Of course, the Vice President knows that no one in that klatches of confused and retrogressive-minded people deserve such an honourable description.

On Senator Ita Enang, every Akwa Ibom person knows that Ita Enang does not have the locus standi to talk about Good governance and accountable leadership. For a man who received billions of Naira as funds for constituency projects but had nothing to show for it, it is the height of shamelessness and hypocrisy for Ita Enang to make disparaging remarks on the same Governor who has erected strong pillars for job creation in diverse sectors of the Akwa Ibom State economy.

The Governor was right about Ita Enang. If anything, the Governor was only stating the collective mindset of Akwa Ibom people about Senator Ita Enang. For a man who claimed that the Calabar-Itu road was almost completed but now has to use a road diversion constructed by the Akwa Ibom state Government to his village; honour is an alien trait to such a person. Maybe the Senator should commission someone to do an independent vox pop on how Akwa Ibom people feel about him and what he represents, so as to understand that Governor Udom Emmanuel was only reechoing the popular opinion about him.

One would have thought that the APC Publicity Secretary would in the spirit of the new entrepreneurial renaissance that is sweeping across the state, strive to start a small scale business to keep himself busy and desist from this endless attempt of vain resuscitation of the APC. So far, his efforts have been futile. It will remain that way. After all, the immediate Past State Chairman of the APC had delivered a damning verdict about the party when he said that the party has failed his members - arguably the only truth ever told by an associate of the APC in Akwa Ibom State.

For the umpteenth time, we wish to remind the APC that His Excellency, Mr Udom Emmanuel is not available for more politicking; his entire focus is now on providing quality leadership for Akwa Ibom people with tangible proofs in the sustainable development of the state. Every Akwa Ibom citizen had since joined this forward-thinking train. Let those who mean nothing good for Akwa Ibom State continue in their propaganda mills.

Signed:

Borono Bassey, ANIPR
State Publicity Secretary
Peoples Democratic Party
Akwa Ibom State.
August 25, 2020

The naysayers are asking for a run down of Gov. Udom Emmanuel's achievements in the last 5 years. I think this is a very simple assignment, but the problem is not listing them, the problem is that they would claim they never read them; they never saw them, and that they never heard them. That is how they have been indoctrinated to behave. Those who are still asking for a list of achievements may probably do not read paper, listen to radio, watch television or maybe move around to where these projects are cited in order to see things for themselves.

If they could not believe the Ibom Air that is the talking point in Nigeria's Aviation Industry, is it the Electric Digital Metering solutions Manufacturing factory that they would believe?
If the visibly located Coconut refinery could be called a scam by the naysayers, is it the Syringe manufacturing factory commissioned by Vice President Osinbajo that they would applaud?

Do I need to mention the Flour Mill or Rice Mill? Don't you think it will be a waste of time to mention the Fertilizer blending factory, Starch Manufacturing company, Plywood and Timber factory, Plastic, Toothpick and Pencil factories established by this administration?

The achievements of this administration are visibly flooded everywhere, and independently reported from the mainstream media to the new media. The signature of this administration is seen in every Local Government Area of the state, with more than 100,000 workers in the employ of these industries directly or indirectly.

What do they really want? Some people are shocked of Governor Udom Emmanuel's achievements because they thought that he would not be able to deliver on his promises.

For those who are asking the Governor to tender the account of the State to them personally when actually the State government has published the details of account on its official website, it doesn't work that way. Check the official website of the Government.

Udom Emmanuel's achievements so far are speaking volume. Just listen.

(c) Richard Peters

Governor Udom Emmanuel has sneered at one of the aides to President Muhammadu Buhari for his inability to attract what he called ‘a kilometre of road’ from Federal Government to his village in Akwa Ibom State.

Emmanuel who spoke Sunday at the COVID-19 briefing beamed live by Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Service (Radio and Television Services) and relayed by other privately-owned radio stations in the state further blasted Senator Ita Enang, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Affairs for his inability to build a kiosk for any person.

Enang recently had castigated the Governor on the second-highest on unemployment rate about Akwa Ibom published by National Bureau of Statistics and derided Emmanuel administration for the frightening figure despite the high number of industries established by the government and the huge monthly allocations accrued to the state.

Like a retaliation, Emmanuel hit back “Don’t listen to those that the bible describes as Evil Reporters in Numbers 13: 25. There is one Lawyer that in the last 20 years, no one can point at one law chamber that he has established and possibly employ a single person. But he is the one talking about unemployment. Please, don’t listen to such people.”

He admitted “I am not saying we are there yet in terms of employment, but we are better off than what we met on ground. It is wrong to say that we are worse off. No we are not. People should understand that politics is over and we are focused on governance.”

The Governor lambasted “People like Ita Enang should be advised. Enang should understand that he does not have a monopoly of madness. People that know him should remind him that he has not built a single kiosk for any person since he started working in Abuja, yet he keeps insulting the Governor on the internet. If he wants to be a Governor, let him pick a form and contest.”

“When we started Ibom Air, he called it a scam and said all sorts of things. Is that someone that wants development for his State?

“Whoever knows Senator Ita Enang should warn him. People like him should not be talking. Whoever owns him should call him and advise him. There’s the other side of Udom Emmanuel and if he wants to incite unrest in Akwa Ibom State, we will use him to show others that we want peace in Akwa Ibom State.

“Ita Enang has been in the Presidency for 5 years, has he tarred even one kilometre of road in his village? We are creating roads and it’s a problem to Ita Enang. Tell him that if he wants to be a Governor, he should come and contest an election. He brags that he’s at the centre, how many tailoring shops has he created for Akwa Ibom people to work?

“He is talking about education. How many schools has the Federal Government given him money to build as someone at the centre? Ita Enang only knows how to insult Udom Emmanuel,” Emmanuel berated.

According to him, “For over six years in the federal government, Ita Enang should show one thing he has brought to this state. He should show one classroom he has renovated. It is rather unfortunate that others who are not from this state are cooperating with us to develop the state and all that our own son is doing, is to incite youths into violence.

…. Decries insensitivity of Cable TV Providers

… Commends Star Times for taking the lead in PAYG implementation

The House of Representatives has ordered Star Times, a Cable TV Service Provider, to revert to the old tariff plan for its services within two weeks.

This order was handed down by the Ad hoc Committee investigating non-implementation of Pay As You Go Tariff Plan by Cable TV Service Providers in Nigeria, during its meeting in Abuja with management of Star Times.

Handing down the order, the Committee’s Chairman, Rep. Unyime Idem decried that the timing for the increment was wrong considering the harsh economic realities occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic. Rep Idem also commended management of Star Times for taking the lead in switching over to Pay As You Go Tariff.

“Nigerians are not happy over the recent price increase by your Company. We are in a limbo at the matrix used to arrive at the current price regime. The timing for the increment was wrong, unfortunate and insensitive considering the harsh economic realities occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic. We will like Star Times to as a matter of urgency revert to the old subscription tariff in the interest of Nigerians. Also, so many companies are saying that Pay As You Go is not achievable in this country. Interestingly, Star Times has already taken the bold step to achieve that. We must commend the Company for this feat. Our mandate as a Committee is simple; there is no going back on the implementation of Pay As You Go/Pay Per View Tariff Plan in Nigeria.”

Responding Star Times, promised to review the tariff plan downward but appealed for palliatives from government. The Managing Director of Star Times, David Zhang cited new VAT regime, volatile exchange rate of the naira and cost of power generation as reasons for the price hike. The Chief Operating Officer of Star Times, Tunde Aina added that Pay as You Go Tariff is possible even as the Company has already commenced implementation to ensure that its services get to all Nigerians at an affordable rate.
Tunde Aina further explained that Pay As You Go/Pay Per View Tariff Plan is a business model that gives people the opportunity who do not want to watch TV everyday either because they cannot afford it or because they don’t have time to do so. Aina said the Star Time Model gives such people the opportunity to pay only for the days they watch Cable TV and also make Pay TV affordable for every Nigerian.

Meanwhile, Multichoice Limited, owners of DSTV, the major Cable TV service provider in Nigeria is billed to appear before the Ad hoc Committee next week Tuesday, August 25, 2020.

The Chairmanship Aspirant for the 2020 Oruk Anam Chairmanship race, Pastor Nseobong George has joined millions of party faithfuls in Akwa Ibom State to Congratulate the newly elected State Chairman of the People's Deomcratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State,Hon.Udo Ekpenyong and other members of the State Executive Members of the PDP.

Pastor George who spoke to our reporter via telephone from Uyo,the Akwa Ibom State capital described the emergence of Hon.Udo Ekpenyong as divine and timely to help drive the vision of Governor Udom Emmanuel and to take the party to the next level.

In his words,"It is my belief that your choice by faithfuls of our great party shall yield positive results in Akwa Ibom State and the country at large".The Chairmanship hopeful also saluted the leadership strides of Governor Udom Emmanuel in giving the party a direction which has seen to the emergence of Hon.Udo Ekpenyong and other illustrious sons and daughters of Akwa Ibom State to steer the ship of the party.

The Oruk Anam born entrepreneur,business administrator cum Politician also promised to give his best and that of his supporters to ensure the party shall continue in his people focused leadership.He also commended the leadership of the party for the conduct of the Congress which he described as "Peaceful and Transparent".

The message was signed onbehalf of his campaign organization,The Gods Project/Liberation Movement 2020 in Oruk Anam Local Government Area.

By Abasiama Etukakpan, Oruk Anam- Akwa Ibom State.


A pastor in the Lord's vineyard,Business doyen and Philanthropist, Nseobong George is a tested and trusted gentleman with many years of track records in the private sector.He is an administrator par excellence that has contributed greatly to the growth of Nigeria's economy.For over two decades,Pastor Nseobong George has been into community service and humanitarian programmes which has been his dream to promote the talents and potentials of young people.

Born in Ikot Ibritam village,Oruk Anam Local Government Area,Pastor Nseobong George as a gentleman foresaw what the future holds,he went for educational backings to equip himself for the future.He is well equipped with educational qualifications for any position in life. He is an alumnus at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology,Enugu,Nigeria.He is currently pursuing his Doctorate Degree at the University of Nigeria,NSUKKA.


He is an entrepreneur with over two decades experience in the private sector.He is the Chief Executive Officer,NSEGOS Industry Limited and also Chief Executive Officer,Koolprint Media/Foto Lab with twenty six (26) staffers staff strength which he has managed with positive results and impact in the society.

Apart from his managerial ability, Pastor George also has some very exciting leadership track records.He has held various positions in the past like, President, Student Union Government(SUG) at Enugu State University among others.He is a fellow, institute of Industrialists and Corporate Administrators among other professional bodies.

Pastor Nseobong George is one of the leading aspirants for the Oruk Anam Local Government Area race and he brings some intimidating track record to boost his Political profile.He prefers to be called a "Political administrator" rather than a conventional politician and his ideologies about leadership and governance is filled with lofty ideas.The Ikot Ibritam born business mogul has promised to bring enormous impact to Oruk Anam Local Government Area if elected as Council Chairman.His three point agenda of providing Security to the people of the area,Sustainable grassroot Development that will cut across gender through public private partnership and provision of physical and mental Infrastructure in Oruk Anam Local Government Area stands him out among other aspirants and his acceptance by the people keeps gaining momentum on daily basis.

Pastor Nseobong George is one Gentleman with impeccable leadership potentials.He is ready to bring developmental strides to Oruk Anam Local Government Area and his anger to change the narrative of leadership in the area is unprecedented and commendable.

He is happy married with amazing children.

Oruk Anam Local Government Area,HERE IS YOUR WORTHY SON.

Abasiama Etukakpan writes from Uyo,the Akwa Ibom State capital.!

...Targets December 2020 for new shopping mall


By: Lawrence Ekong

Akwa Ibom State Government has begun the remodelling and reconstruction of Ibom Tropicana Entertainment Complex into a functional world class shopping mall with international franchise, stores and premium lifestyle centers.

The Commissioner for Information, Sir Charles Udoh made this known yesterday, while on an inspection visit to the facility to assess the level of work so far done on the project.

While expressing satisfaction with the level of work so far, Sir Charles Udoh who was accompanied on the assessment tour by the Chairman, Technical Committee on Foreign Direct Investment, FDI, Mr. Gabriel Ukpe, stated that Governor Udom Emmanuel remains committed to uplifting the standard of living of Akwa Ibom people through projects capable of stimulating the economy, especially as part of Post Covid-19 Economic Reconstruction Plans of his administration.

The Commissioner said that the mall expected to come alive before December this year, would create job opportunities for the youths in the state, increase the state's GDP and enhance manpower development, which he noted are cardinal to the Completion Agenda of Governor Udom Emmanuel.

He expressed optimism that with the pace of the remodelling work on the project, the mall will be completed in record time.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Technical Committee on Foreign Direct Investment, FDI, Mr. Gabriel Ukpe said, the project is one of Governor Udom Emmanuel's relentless efforts at making Akwa Ibom an investor's haven.

Mr. Gabriel Ukpe added that the Governor is a visionary leader, with the drive to attract foreign direct investments to the State, which he said is paying off, as more investors now throng the state seeking various business opportunities.

He therefore urged Akwa Ibom citizens to seize the numerous opportunities that abound in the state to better their lots.

Conducting the duo round the facility, the Chief Executive Officer of Median Construction Development Nigerian Limited Mr. Olumide Akinsanya, hinted that as partners to Akwa Ibom State Government in the development of the the Ibom Tropicana Mall, under a Public Private Partnership, ( PPP ) arrangement, his company is saddled with the responsibilities of redesigning and remodeling the complex into a functional mall with an additional mandate to occupy and manage the facility.

He intimated that the facility's anchor, the Market Square, is expected to commence operations as soon as the remodelling of the complex is completed.

The Ibom Tropicana Entertainment Complex is located at the Central Business District of Uyo, the State capital.

It was left uncompleted despite huge resources sunk into it by the immediate past administration.

By Precious Ndarake

Humanity, the world over has been faced with a common enemy, and since then, global efforts have been geared towards suppressing and totally annihilating the enemy- coronavirus.

Besides, the lost of lives recorded globally, many have lost their jobs and sources of livelihood. Companies have downsized their workers while some have slashed the workers salary, all in an effort to stay in business.

It may not be the best option, but it's better than other available options.

Government of nations the world over are battling to keep the government running, adopting measures which in some cases are severe. All these to ensure that they survive even as the dreaded coronavirus is busy bringing the knees of nations down economically.

In Nigeria, with 90 per cent of our revenue generated from crude oil, we have been badly hit by this pandemic as the prices of crude oil have been reduced, and even sales of the oil has been difficult as borders of nations were closed as a measure to stall the spread of the virus. This has greatly affected the monthly allocations of states in the country.

At the state level, governors of different states are doing their best to keep the government running. Some state governors had before now slashed workers' salaries in their respective states, a measure which is seen as necessary but painful. And most of these states did not implement the new minimum wage signed into law by President Buhari.

In Akwa Ibom State, the state government had a few month ago announced a 20 per cent reduction in the salaries of all government appointees, which they unanimously accepted as part of their sacrifice and contribution to the fight against the dreaded coronavirus.

Today, the same measure had been taken to reduce the minimum wage of workers in the state. This to some workers is unacceptable, and this is where it calls for a rethinking.

Recall that Gov. Udom Emmanuel was among the few state governors in Nigeria that implemented the new minimum wage. He has never joked with the welfare of workers in the state. During this pandemic, he ensured that funds were sought from all legitimate avenues to pay workers in the state even before the 27th of every month, and this he has done consistently even when other states were owing.

Akwa Ibom people have at different fora commended the governor in the way he is fighting the pandemic in the state from the Frontline, equipping hospitals in the state and building a WHO certified Isolation center and molecular laboratory in the state, and at the same time ensuring that workers' welfare is not affected negatively. He sacrificed his personal gains to ensure that workers in the state are smiling. This is the time for Akwa Ibom workers to reciprocate the humane disposition of the state government.

Akwa Ibom workers and indeed the organized labour who have so far enjoyed prompt payment of salaries and many other benefits should be the judge this time around, having taken into cognizance the devastating of global economy by the pandemic, and how government of nations are struggling to breathe with their mouths and nose economically. When they equally consider what their counterparts in other states are going through, no one would tell them to appreciate what Akwa Ibom State government is doing.

We should not forget that the prices of crude oil have drastically dropped, and our budget was done based on the oil benchmark as at then. Now that the benchmark of crude oil has dropped, is it not equally correct for the salaries of workers to be reduced so that government can comfortably pay, rather than owe? Let all of us be the judge.

We should not forget in a hurry that the Federal Government approved 30,000 naira in the new minimum wage, but Akwa Ibom State government were paying 43,000 naira. This is to show you how passionate the state has been in respect of workers' welfare. And now, a small percentage is to be taken from the "overpaid" minimum wage, which will still be enough for an average Akwa Ibom worker to cater for the needs and welfare of his/her family. Should the humane disposition of the government not be reciprocated now? Let all of us be the judge.

Moreover, during the lockdown, only a few percentage of workers went to work, but at the end of the month, everyone would be paid. Is the government not fair enough to workers? Let all of us be the judge today.

There's no father that would fold his hands and watch his house go down in flames, hence the measure by Akwa Ibom State government to ensure that the houses of Akwa Ibom workers do not go in flames of debts.

Today, let all of us be the judge, and a fair one at that. Let all of us put our legs in the shoes of the government of the day, and boldly say without sentiments that the decision of the state government is not correct.

It is time for all of us to wear human faces and help government serve all of us better. We must all make this sacrifice for the future of Akwa Ibom State and that of our children. This is a sacrifice we must all make. Let us not eat away our tomorrow today.

Precious Ndarake, senior civil servant, Akwa Ibom State Government, stainlessmbakarau@gmail.com

More than 1000 job opportunities are up for grabs as Akwa Ibom coconut oil factory nears completion.

So many doubted when the governor flagged off the project three years ago.

On Tuesday, when the State Information management team visited the Coconut Refinery as well as plantation in Mkpat Enin, doubts were cleared with the work nearing completion.

The refinery handled by reputable firm, VKS Nigeria Construction Limited has a projected capacity of processing one million coconuts a day, and will engage not less than 1000 workers divided into 3 shifts.

The project was initially scheduled to be commissioned by May this year, but was slowed due to the global coronavirus pandemic.

Most equipment have arrived the location and the experts are being expected as soon as possible.

It is no longer news that coconut oil is the current cash cow globally, as the price of crude oil is dwindling. Coconut Oil is highly demanded in international market as it is used as ingredient in cosmetics, soaps, body oil and food products.

Gov. Emmanuel is the kind of leader everybody wants as he has not failed to fulfill his promises to the people.

The people should be prepared to grab this life changing opportunity.

(c) Richard Peters

By Victoria B.

Udom Emmanuel has been said to be the man with the Midas touch as everything he touches yields fruit. His administration has taken brave and impressive steps in removing doubts from the minds of skeptics in the state in terms of his commitments to industrialize the state.

Udom, over the years has emerged as an undisputed administrator who displays uncommon zeal to contribute further to the development of Akwa Abasi Ibom State. He embraced the office with open arms and the results have been massive as he uses his wealth of knowledge given to him by God (who is always with him just as his name implies) to bring development to the state.

Look around you and see the Wonders of Udom staring back at you in the face. He has bettered the lives of both young and old. Looking back at the internal roads at Obio Akpa Campus of Akwa Ibom State University, especially the popularly known "College Road" now known as "Martha Udom Road" was so badly damaged that residents swam in dirts and mud to get into their homes. Now the road is well tarred and people can literally drive with their eyes closed. What about the "Pinnacle Theatre" of the Performing Arts Department of Obio Akpa? It is one of its kind in Akwa Ibom. Not also forgetting "Atan Road" still In Obio Akpa Campus where new lodges have been built to accommodate students within and outside the community. But without good roads and structures in the community, how will businesses thrive?

The indigenes and entrepreneurs couldn't operate their businesses in the area. Transportation was a great challenge as students were charged higher to be conveyed in and out of the school compound because the roads were in bad shape.

After years of wailing, complaining and struggling from students, riders, indigenes and business owners, their prayers were answered through Governor Udom Emmanuel.

As a lover of good things and a man with good heart, he understood that good roads was one of the pivotal things to help a community grow. He knows that an industrialized state cannot operate well if the roads around it are in bad shape. That was why the Governor got into action by turning the "Hills of Obio Akpa" as they were usually called to "Expressway" for all and sundry and still erecting more buildings/teaching halls in the institution. These are the "Wonders of Udom".

Fifty youths from Eket Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State on Friday benefited from palliatives from Governor Udom Emmanuel through his Divine Mandate Community Service.


The brief presentation exercise which held at the PDP Secretariat/Divine Mandate Office in Eket, saw the distribution of cash gifts and food items to the benefitting youths.

Distributing the palliatives, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Matters, Aniefiok Iwa Udofia, and the Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Essien Ndueso, in their separate remarks thanked the youths for remaining steadfast in their support to the Udom Emmanuel led administration, saying the gesture was the Governor's way of showing appreciation to the youths for believing in him.

The Governor's aides advised the youths to shun vices capable of derailing their future, and urged them not to relent in supporting the government, assuring of better days ahead.

In their appreciation, the youths drawn from Eket, Esit-Eket and Ibeno speaking through Jerry Edoho, Ubong David and Samuel Eyo thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel for the surprised package and promised to remain supportive of his administration.

The Divine Mandate Community Service is a vehicle, used by the Governor to provide palliatives through food and gift items to down trodden and less privileged in state.

The community service has been operational since 2015

By Richard Peters

Our world is changing, and changing at a speed unimaginable. Technology connects everything: continents, cultures, people, countries, ideas, and even things. From smart cars to smart diapers and even smart bed spreads, things are changing very fast and more are coming that will even shock the gods.

With this perspective in mind, Gov. Emmanuel is undoubtedly raising the 5th Generation youths in Akwa Ibom State that will drive the economic, political and social change we have been craving for, through ingeniousness, inventiveness and creative thinking. And this is the best gift for the future.

With the ravaging of the world by the dreaded coronavirus, everything has changed, including norms and values, and in the words of Gov. Emmanuel, "great leaders must seize the moment to galvanize the people to new realities", and this he is doing by building new frontiers that will sharpen the skillfulness of our youths to suit the New World and realities.

It was Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32nd President of The United States of America that said "We cannot always build the future for our youth; but we can build our youth for the future".
In line with this noble call, Gov. Emmanuel from the beginning of his administration has ensured massive involvement of youths across all the strata of government, celebrating and revitalizing their creativities and ingeniousness, and they have not failed us.

The duo of the commissioner for youths and sports, Mr Monday Ebong, and the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Youth Matters, Mr. Aniefiok Iwaudofia, are exceptional in their approach towards youth affairs, complementing the governor's efforts through advocacy programmes for attitudinal change and adoption of good morals, shunning of violence, discovering and grooming of talents and gifted children, condemnation of cultism on all fronts and promotion of entrepreneurial developments among youths. Today, many youths are engaged in businesses, without being overdependent on government and other good spirited individuals, as it was in time past. Kudos to the Dakkada Initiative, a brainchild of this administration. All other young people manning different offices have discharged their duties creditably well through the encouragement and support of Gov. Emmanuel who sees possibility and greatness in every Akwa Ibom youth.

While acknowledging the efforts of the Economy Recovery Committee headed by Prof. Akpan Hogan Ekpo, set up by his administration to make recommendations that would make the state economically viable amidst the global pandemic, Gov. Emmanuel gave glowing tribute to the Senior Special Assistant on Marketing and Brand Management, Hon. Ime Uwah, describing him as the man behind the next generation. This description does not in any way undermines the contributions of other members, which the governor equally poured praises on, but it shows his unequaled interest in the next generation: The youths.

This, no doubt informed his appointment of youths into various positions in government, training of over 30,000 youths in various skills, including ICT, solar power installation and agro-based ventures, sponsorship of youths to undergo foreign training programmes in specialised welding and other engineering fields in the USA, giving of interest-free loans to youths, among others.

Today, at a growth rate of 3.2 per cent, Nigeria's population is projected to exceed 289 million people by 2050, with more than 60 per cent of this population expected to be youths. It was in the realization of this fact that inspired Edward Kallon, The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria to note that without genuine efforts to pursue integrated economic policies that will empower young people and initiate a sustained job creation plan for this demographic overshoot, Nigeria faces a dire future.

Already, Gov. Emmanuel, a man who sees tomorrow had already developed a 30 year plan that will make Akwa Ibom to be economically self-sufficient. Only great leaders make such moves.

The United Arab Emirates(UAE) was undeveloped, with economy based primarily on fishing, pearl diving and simple Agriculture. But a man, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan had a 20 year plan to transform the UAE to a modernized community. Today,
Emirates is known for luxury shopping, ultramodern architecture and a lively nightlife scene. Burj Khalifa, an 830m-tall tower, dominates the skyscraper-filled skyline. At its foot lies Dubai Fountain, with jets and lights choreographed to music. On artificial islands just offshore is Atlantis, The Palm, a resort with water and marine-animal parks. Dubai is seemingly connecting the world economically and otherwise. This is the path that Gov. Emmanuel is driving us through, and in few years to come, we will be glad that God gave us Gov. Emmanuel.

The governor is often quoted as saying that when the passion is right, nothing is impossible. Hence, he has on many occasions called on Akwa Ibom youths to think outside the box, develop their dormant abilities inorder to remain relevant in our new world.

The 5th generation youths must be ICT compliant to compete favourably with other creative youths around the globe. The governor at the outset of his administration trained over 200 Akwa Ibom youths in Oracle, one of the ICT Masters around the world, trained about 3000 Akwa Ibom youths in Digital marketing in collaboration with the Federal Government and Google, and provided massive supports to major ICT Hubs in the state to continue to offer training to youths in the areas of Apps Development, Robotics, Block Chain Technology and Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things (IOT), etc.

Indeed, Gov. Emmanuel has secured the future for the next generation, building a platform for them to grow through self appraisal, capacity building and exposure to the demands of our technologically driven new world.

By Richard Peters

Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has linked Akwa Ibom to Abia State through a long abandoned road in Ini Local Government Area of the state.

True to his assertion that one of the key pillars of leadership is doing the right thing consistently without being distracted by negative criticisms, Governor Emmanuel has transformed the ancient 14.1km Odoro Ikpe/Ikpe Ikot Nkon/Obotme/Arochukwu Road in Ini Local Government Area.

The Governor who has always had it right when it comes to economic development; he foresaw the potentials inherent in the rehabilitation and construction of the road with a 110m span bridge on it.

History has it that the road which has suffered neglect and abandonment for centuries was toured by ancestors dating back to the colonial era, with the bridge serving as a link to the State from Abia.

Thus, the road which is nearing completion has become a link to the past, a plus to the present administration's road infrastructure and a legacy promoting sustainable economic relations for the future. This is even as the Ini/Arochukwu people are known for their prowess in agriculture and farm produce.

Moreso, since accessibility to the state from this road is now being guaranteed, Akwa Ibom can boast of increased investment and commerce from neighbouring states which will boost its IGR.

Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Information, Sir Charles Udoh has said, Governor Udom Emmanuel is opening new Vista of business opportunities for the State with the construction of the 21 storey smart building.

The architectural masterpiece located in the Central Business District of Uyo, the 9th tallest Building in Nigeria was conceived by Governor Emmanuel as a bait to attract International Oil Companies, IOCs and any other known world class industries to Akwa Ibom, to locate and invest in the state.

The Information Commissioner Sir Charles Udoh who was speaking while leading the State Government Information Management Team on a on-the-spot assessment tour of the 21 storey smart building, Wednesday June 10, said government is geared at opening new window of economic opportunities for the state with the smart building office complex as IOCs which had hitherto complained of lack of befitting and suitable office accommodation for their headquarters in the state, will now be encouraged to relocate to Akwa Ibom State for business.

Reiterating that, the 21 storey building which is completely ICT complaint, is a clear indication of Governor Emmanuel’s determination to actualize his infrastructural consolidation and expansion agenda, Sir Charles Udoh disclosed that, already 5 highbrow international companies have indicated their interest for tenancy of the complex.

The State Spokesman emphasized that, the 21 storey smart building is one the many reasons Akwa Ibom state has become the preferred destination for investors in Nigeria coupled with with friendly investment policies of government including the provision of enabling environment, security, power and most importantly, a warm, peaceful and hardworking citizenry.

"When IOCs and other international business organizations relocate their headquarters to Akwa Ibom State, that will automatically translate into increased Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, job and wealth creation opportunities as well as poverty alleviation for the people of the state", Sir Udoh concluded.

Conducting the Information Boss Sir Charles Udoh and his team round the complex, the Commissioner for Special Duties, Rt. Hon. Okpolupm Etteh who was accompanied on the tour by the Permanent Secretary, Engr Richard Ekpe, the Site Engr. Dougukan and Project consultant, Arc Ekanwan Alale, said the 21 storey smart building will be thrown open for business by December of this year, 2020.

The facility tour of government projects continues as the Akwa Ibom State Government Information Management Team led by the Commissioner for Information, Sir Charles Udoh heightens momentum on awareness creation on the giant strides of Governor Udom Emmanuel in the past 5 years of his administration.

Akwa Ibom State Government has broken another commendable record by securing approval for the testing of COVID-19 cases in the state by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC.

The approval followed the Validation visit to the Akwa Ibom State world class Isolation Centre with inbuilt Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory situated at the Disease Control Unit of the General Hospital Ituk Mbang.

Disclosing this yesterday in Uyo, the NCDC Team Leader, Mr Bamidele Oluwafemi commended the State Government for single-handedly building the Isolation centre with the inbuilt Laboratory with Category 3 PCR Machine without the support of the Federal Government.

Mr. Oluwafemi described the isolation centre with Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory as one of the best in the country, noting that within the period of their stay in the state, the team had inspected the facility and trained personnel at the Isolation Centre on how to carry out COVID-19 test and interpret results.

Emphasizing that everything at the centre was up to the expected standard of NCDC, the team leader said the state owned Polymerase Claim Reaction (PCR) Laboratory at the Ituk Mbang 300-bed capacity International Isolation Centre has been fully activated by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Mr. Oluwafemi who was speaking while leading his teammates on a courtesy call on the Chairman of the State COVID-19 Management Committee and Secretary to State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, lauded the State Government for building the Isolation centre towards containing not only the spread of COVID-19, but other viral diseases in the state.

Responding, the Chairman of COVID-19 Management Committee and Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, expressed appreciation to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC team for activating and approving the PCR lab as well as adjudging the lab and isolation centre as one of the best in the country.

"On behalf of His Excellency, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, I express our heartfelt gratitude to the team from the NCDC for visiting our state to painstakingly inspect and evaluate the kind of facility we have in the premises of General Hospital, Ituk Mbang." the SSG stated.

The Chairman of COVID-19 Management Committee further expressed gratitude to Governor Udom Emmanuel for the huge investment in the health sector of the state as exemplified in the upgrading of health care facilities across the state, describing Governor Emmanuel as a passionate and visionary leader.

The State Scribe informed the NCDC officials that the Udom Emmanuel-led Administration has procured various medical equipment for the state long before the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic which made it a lot easier for the equipping of the Isolation centre.

Also speaking, the State Incident Manager and Commissioner for Health,Dr Dominic Ukpong, noted that with the approval of the PCR lab in the State, the challenges faced by the State in taking COVID-19 samples to other states for testing will now become history.

The courtesy call was attended by the Commissioner for Information, Sir Charles Udoh, Chairman, Hospitals Management Board, Dr David Udoumoh, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Ekerete Udoh, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Medicals, Dr. Ignatius Akpabio and the Acting Permanent Secretary in the SSG'S Office, Dr Mfon Etimuweh, among others.

When I was doing my Ph.D. research in the US, one of the questions that greeted me often was “Who is the best Nigerian President of all time?” As a historian, I’m always careful about giving direct answers to questions of such great importance.

Because apart from misleading people base on sentiment or political affiliation as the case may be, there is also that part of committing a sin against history which is what we (historians) are afraid of most of the time.

In my opinion by definition, the Best Nigerian President of all time should be someone who ‘commanded’ the respect of not just Nigerians but the international community during his tenure as the Nigerian President. And in this regard, It is just one man that fits this definition. That man is Olusegun Obasanjo.

Obasanjo is the only Nigerian President that has hosted 3 different American President in Nigeria. He hosted Jimmy Carter in 1978, hosted Bill Clinton in 2000, and hosted George Bush in 2003. There is no other Nigerian President living or alive that has hosted any American President in Nigeria.

Obasanjo is also the only Nigerian President to host Queen Elizabeth in Nigeria. Queen Elizabeth has visited Nigeria twice, the first was Pre-Independence (1956), the second was in 2003 to attend Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting during Obasanjo’s Presidency. There is no other Nigerian President living or alive that has hosted Queen Elizabeth in Nigeria.

https://www.motivation.africa/the-best-nigerian-president-of-all-time.html

By Idris Mabadeje

Electioneering periods provide political office seekers with opportunities to inform the electorate about what they intend to achieve if voted into office. More often than none, politicians seize every opportunity to make bogus promises they do not intend to keep. Over time, the people have become familiar with the lying spirits of professional politicians who deceitfully warm themselves into their embrace. As such, it has become the norm for the electorate not to take political campaign promises to heart.
Such seemed to be the case during the campaigns that led up to the 2015 governorship election in Akwa Ibom State. Many waved off the industrialization promises of Mr. Udom Emmanuel as one of such empty campaign promises intended to hoodwink the people.
Obsessed with the desire to change the economic narrative of Akwa Ibom, Mr. Emmanuel fashioned an economic blueprint that could transform the prevailing unpleasant realities in the state and urged the people to hold him to it.

He anchored his development agenda for the state on a five-point agenda of Job Creation; Poverty Alleviation; Wealth Creation; Economic and Political Inclusion; and Infrastructural Consolidation and Expansion, which would be fast-tracked through aggressive industrialization. During his inauguration as Governor therefore, he emphasised his plans “to transform the economy of our state through industrialisation and sustained public-private sector initiative, thereby opening up opportunities for growth and improved standards.”
Interestingly, and unusually, unlike the empty political promises of many professional politicians, Mr. Emmanuel, as Governor of Akwa Ibom State, has elevated the art of political promises to the exalted height of social contract with the people. For him, fulfilling his industrialization promises is a covenant from which he cannot renege. The passion to move the economy of Akwa Ibom away from its monolithic oil dependent and civil service orientation underscored why the Governor, again, in his second term made industrialization a major pillar of his eight-point Completion Agenda.

Bringing his international exposures and global connections to bear, Governor Emmanuel has deployed his wealth of experience to attract unprecedented foreign investment to Akwa Ibom State. Among the major industries that have so far commenced operations to underscore the economic diversification commitment of the governor are Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Factory, Electric Digital Metering Solution Manufacturing Company, Lion Plywood Limited, Kings Flour Mill, Pencil and Toothpick Factories, and Ufaini Palm Kernel Crushing plant.

Others are Rice Mills, Starch Manufacturing Company, Cassava Processing Mills, Virgin Forest Energy Tank farm, Fish Processing Plant and Plastic Factory.

Although, the growing number of these industries in Akwa Ibom clearly portends an industrial revolution, yet the impact of this encouraging development when viewed from the value chain perspective, presents multi faceted advantages. For instance, the St, Gabriel’s Virgin Coconut Oil Refinery in Mkpat Enin has the capacity to refine one million nuts per day through three shifts. Already, the company has engaged hundreds of youths as direct workers and has the capacity to employ more than 5000 indirect workers through various suppliers and off-takers of the finished products of the company.

Also, the St. Gabriel’s Coconut Plantation, an adjunct of the refinery project, which spans over Mkpat Enin, Ikot Abasi and Eastern Obolo local government areas, has direct employment strength of 300.

Apart from the coconut oil, which is more valuable than crude oil in the international market, coconut has the potential of being processed into over 50 products, especially beverages and confectionery. The employment opportunities for Akwa Ibom people can only be imagined when the refinery finally comes on stream. Speaking during an interactive Radio/Television programme last Saturday, Governor Emmanuel hinted that the off-takers for the products of the coconut refinery were only waiting for operations to commence.

The syringe manufacturing company, which is the largest in Africa, has installed capacity to produce one billion syringes annually. Apart from producing syringes and other medical consumables to meet the need of the Nigerian market, the ultimate goal is to become a major player in the export of syringes and other medical consumables to other countries. An understanding of the economic foresight of Governor Emmanuel in attracting this company may have been responsible for why Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, while inaugurating the project in September 2017, described him as one of the most innovative, creative and cleverest person he had ever seen.

The Electric Digital Metering Solutions Manufacturing Factory, which is already helping to meet the metering needs of electricity companies and consumers in Nigeria through the production of single-phase and three-phase electricity meters, in various configurations, is another master stroke in the industrialization drive of the Emmanuel administration in Akwa Ibom State. Considering the billing challenges that have bedevilled the power sector in the country for a long time, Prof Osinbajo considered it “an extremely important project.”
The Emmanuel administration started off during its first term by resuscitating the Ibom Paint Industry, formerly Peacock Paint Industry and setting up a number of cottage industries, through the Akwa Ibom Enterprise and Employment Scheme, AKEES.

The AKEES Industrial Park in Itu local government area comprises a modern and fully automated plastic factory, a bamboo pulp, an hydro form block moulding factory, a pencil factory and a toothpick factory, complete with an artisan training centre.

Beyond these direct interventions to stimulate and engender industrial growth, the administration has also continued to encourage other private initiatives. One of such is Norfin Offshore Limited, a company that is investing an initial capital of $5 million in the building of a ship-building yard in Oruk Anam. Owned by an indigene of the state based in Singapore, the company is looking into building supply vessels for oil platforms, tugboats, batches, ocean fishing boats and ferries for both Nigerian and foreign markets. The strategic importance of this company lies in the fact that there is no other ship-building company the entire West African sub-region yet.
It is significant that apart from creating the favourable ambience for Nofin to come to the state, the administration of Governor Emmanuel was also involved in the negotiation with the local communities for the purchase of land at reasonable rate. The company is already supplying ships for movement of crews and support services to some oil companies in Nigeria.

With unending foreign direct investment flowing into Akwa Ibom, the state is no doubt experiencing rapid economic transformation. Direct and indirect jobs are being created in thousands, translating into better cash flow and new skills for the people.

Although some expected and hyped industrial concerns are yet to come on stream, and some eventually would not come to be, for socio-economic and political circumstances beyond the control of the Governor. This, some critics may be quick to point at.

Yet, it would not detract from the commendable industrialization attainments of the Udom Emmanuel administration. After all, it is for the unprecedented industrial development and investment flow into the state that the National Bureau of Statistics, twice named Akwa Ibom as the second best destination for Foreign Direct Investment in Nigeria.

Akwa Ibom may not have become an industrial El Dorado, yet, the purposeful leadership of Governor Udom Emmanuel in five years has given fillip to the industrialization aspiration of the State. Moreover, considering the zest with which the administration is pushing the development of the Ibom Deep Seaport and Industrial City, one cannot but conclude that the Governor means business when he said during his second term inauguration that “we will aggressively industrialize this state and continue to attract foreign investors.”.

- Idris sent this piece from Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Information, Uyo

Aniefiok Macaulay


Whether or not the immediate past administration admits it, the present government has beaten its ugly records of financial misappropriation.

With the attraction of 18 functional industries to the mainstream of economic development in the state, Governor Udom Emmanuel has positioned himself as a wonder and surprise to the APC and fans of Senator Akpabio.

The Rice Mill, Kings Flour Mill, Plywood factory, Fertilizer blending plant, Syringe factory and others are testaments to this fact.

Akpabio who is unarguably dumbfounded that Udom Emmanuel, with the little resources coming to Akwa Ibom, has managed to pull these magnitudes of tangible projects is also shaken that his miniature achievements would seem inconsequential.

It is on record that Governor Udom Emmanuel, since the commencement of his administration, has undertaken a giant leap in road construction. So far, over 1700 km of roads and 40 Bridges have been undertaken in addition to rehabilitation of many rural roads across the state some of which are: dualization of 19.5km Eket-Ibeno road, construction of 2.1km road around State Secretariat annex and Believers Assembly, Mbiabong Etoi, Uyo; Construction of 6.41km Nto Edino-Ekwere Azu road with 2.45m span bridges in Obot Akara; Construction of 1.5km Nsikak Eduok -Tropicana outfall drain, 6.1km Atan offot road in Uyo, Idiaba- Nda Nsit- Ikot Abasi (Nung Udoe) road in Nsit Atai, 5.0km Ikot Usop- Ikot Edeghe - Ikot Ekpuk road with 30m span bridge in Mkpat Enin, 3.5km Ikot Udom road with 15m span bridge in Ibiono Ibom, construction of gully erosion control facilities at Oron/ Isangedighi road, Oron Urban and several others including intervention projects scattered across the State, not excluding the massive projects done inspite the economic meltdown.

Whereas, the past administration has a record of careless spending spree such that the former Finance Minister, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, had wondered what Akpabio did with the huge monthly allocations it got with nothing to show for it.

... and others over discriminatory billing system.

By Naija Eye Witness Reporter.

The Deputy Chairman Communications Committee and member representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency, Hon. Unyime Idem, was inaugurated as Chairman of the Ad-hoc committee set up by the House of Representatives, to investigate DSTV, others, over discriminatory billing system foisted on unsuspecting Nigerians. This appointment comes barely few months after he sponsored a motion on non-implementation of Pay-As-You-Go Tariff plan by DSTV and other Broadcast Satellite Service Providers in Nigeria.

The inauguration which took place today Tuesday June 2, 2020 at the House Conference room 034, was carried out by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamilla who was represented by the House Deputy Majority Leader, Rt. Hon. Peter Akpatason.

While inaugurating the ad-hoc Committee, Speaker Femi maintained that the task before the ad-hoc committee was an important one aimed at unravelling why Digital Satellite Television Service Providers in Nigeria are not giving Nigerians maximum value for their money by not applying the principles of Fair service “PAY-AS-YOU-GO Tariff Plan. Speaker Femi added that the Chairman and members of the committee were persons of high moral standards and proven integrity and that the House repose high confidence in their ability to deliver on their assigned mandate. He urged them to ensure that the by-product of the Ad-hoc Committee assignment will help to ensure compliance to the established regulations guiding operations of the Satellite Broadcast Service providers, especially as it relates to terms and conditions set out in the third schedule of the Act establishing the National Broadcasting Commission.

Responding, Rep. Idem thanked the House leadership for finding him and his colleagues fit for the national assignment and promised to deliver on the mandate of the Committee stating that he understands the enormity of the responsibility of the task ahead and the bobby- traps, discouragements and allegations the investigative assignment may generate. He assured Nigerians of their resolve to ensure that they get value for their money while using DSTV and other satellite broadcast stations. He also wondered why these firms are sleazing Nigerians of their hard-earned fortunes by way of monthly subscription while subscribers in their home countries enjoys Pay-As-You-Go.

“Let me sincerely thank the leadership of the House for finding us fit to carry out this national assignment. I understand the enormity of the responsibility ahead, the bobby- traps, discouragements and allegations this investigative assignment may generate but be assured that we are going to be above board. Nigerians must be at liberty to use or not to use any payment made and validly standing on their name from any service providers without a fixed time frame. The services rendered by foreign and local digital satellite service providers must be user friendly. Refusal to implement Pay-As-You-Go Tariff amounts to economically enslaving Nigerians and robbing Peter to pay Paul. The need to protect fellow citizens and the economy, underscores why this assignment has to be done now. We cannot afford to connive with fraud-stars and economic saboteurs who subtly defraud the country and the citizens by their way of billing.”

Recall that Rep. Idem had on March 17, 2020, sponsored a motion on the floor of the House, questioning the rationale behind the current tariff plan used by broadcast satellite service providers in Nigeria where subscription is done on a monthly basis while users are made to forgo their unused subscriptions. He described the plan as sabotaging the economy, robbing Peter to pay Paul and modern-day slavery imposed on Nigerians by Digital Broadcast Satellite Service Providers chief among whom are South African-owned DSTV and GOTV.

Sequel to the people-centric motion moved by the Ukanafun-born lawmaker, the House among other prayers resolved to set up an ad-hoc committee to investigate the matter.

Youths of Eket federal constituency have stormed the Akwa Ibom office of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC to protest the controversies around the sudden death of their former President General, Obongiwaad Ibanga Etang who died as the Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the Interim Management Committee of the Commission.

The youths under the aegis of Afigh Iwaad Eket, carrying placards rued the inconsistencies from the NDDC which made Etang’s death a rather curious one for them.

No official of the commission from the Uyo office came out to address the youths, who requested an independent machinery to thoroughly investigate the cause of the death of Elder Ibanga Etang.

Speaking through their President General, Obongiwaad (Pastor) Godwin Williams, they wondered, “why Hon. Ibanga Etang died just few days to the probe of the NDDC by the National Assembly, especially after the Commission had, some weeks ago, admitted that the sensitive documents which would aid the probe were in the custody of the Executive Director for Finance and Administration?

They also expressed dismay that the NDDC was quick to link the death of the Ag. Executive Director to the dreaded Corona Virus, even when the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the body authorized to make such declaration had not done so?

“The answers to the above rhetorical questions confirm that Hon. Ibanga Etang’s sudden death is connected to the move by the National Assembly to audit NDDC’s account and to investigate the alleged misappropriation of the 40 Billion Naira Palliative fund. It is obvious that our brother has been sacrificed on the altar and guise of forensic audit and investigation.

They alleged that Elder Etang may have been deliberately killed to cover up certain undercurrents related to the impending probe.

“Consequently, we, the Ekid people are extremely angered by the conspiracy that has led to the unfortunate death of our respected and very illustrious brother. His death is no doubt a monumental loss to Afigh Iwaad Ekid in particular, and to Ekid nation in general. We value the life of every Ekid son/daughter; so, we will not accept or allow this rape on us to be swept under the carpet, especially now that we are aware that NDDC’s plan to eventually link Hon. Ibanga’s death to COVID-19 was thwarted by public outcry against the intended foul play.

“On this strength, we pledge our commitment, as a pressure group who is pained by the loss of its former President-General, to keenly follow up the process of unravelling the real cause of his death. And this we will do as a mark of last respect and honour to our brother, ObongIwaad (Hon.) Ibanga Etang.

The warned that “the death of Hon. Ibanga Etang, the Executive Director of Finance and Administration of the Interim Management Committee of NDDC should not stall the process of auditing the Commission and investigating the 40 Billion Naira Palliative Fund.”

We woke up to see publications by some APC jobless merchants of blackmail, Iniobong John and Clement Ikpatt, allegedly sponsored by Chief Godswill Akpabio, to attack and insult every person who dared asked any question on the controversial death of Chief Ibanga Etang, Acting Executive Director of Finance and Administration of NDDC. Their suggestive and clearly premeditated tantrums, has compeled us to ponder on what they could possibly be trying to cover up? Why would people in the midst of such tragic circumstance, prefer to insult the bereaved family with praise singing and sycophancy on the Minister of Niger Delta when they should have joined to ask questions on this unfortunate scenario.

It is indeed a very difficult and heartbreaking moment for the family of Chief Ibanga Etang. As Akwa Ibom people, the demise of an illustrious brother, a former aide to Gov. Udom Emmanuel on Project Monitoring, renowned youth leader who once held sway as the chairman of local government and former President General of Afigh Iwaad Eket. One can only imagine what the immediate family is going through at the moment, as we all pray God to give them the fortitude to bear the loss.

While it is sad that Akwa Ibom people have lost their own representative in the Interim Management Committee of the NDDC, it is very appalling, shocking, callous, astorgous, stony- hearted, cruel, rude and insensitive for some persons to fly on the wings of the sad incident and make insidious statements, whip up sentiments, give it a political colouration, incite division, leaving the bereaved family despaired, heartbroken and emotionally shattered.

This is the time that answers should be given to critical questions in order to unravel the controversies surrounding the sudden dead of Chief Etang. Akwa Ibom people, the youths and elders, women and men are still asking, why now? Why is it when he was to appear before the Senate to clarify on the alleged fraud in the Commission? Why did the Commission quickly upload on their website that the deceased died of COVID-19 when the autopsy was yet to be released? Is Etang used as a scapegoat to buy time as insinuated in some quarters? Why did the NDDC quickly ask staffers to go on a two week break and disinfection of the NDDC underway while the result of the autopsy was awaited? On a very serious note, these are questions on the lips of Akwa Ibom people and indeed Nigerians. No one is authorized to allege an individual as COVID-19 positive, except the NCDC, so why then did the NDDC quickly paint such picture?

Akwa Ibom is reputed to have the best treatment services for COVID 19, and as Governor Emmanuel bemoaned during the commissioning of the International Isolation Center, it is unfathomable that her son would have died of COVID-19 when people from other states come here for management and treatment. To Governor Emmanuel, it was necessary for everyone to ask question about the fate of an Akwa Ibom indigene, especially when it appears the circumstances of his demise are clouded in controversies? The Governor neither mentioned any name nor accused anyone. He rather advocated a clear process to bring out the truth. As the saying goes, only the guilty is afraid, it leaves one wondering if the noise expressed by the charlatans, do not convey a feeling of guilt.

Under his watch, Akwa Ibom is currently the most peaceful in the country, a far departure of the period before 2015, when the state became a killing field of a sort, and a theatre of political persecution, assassination and kidnapping. Governor Emmanuel, a caring Governor set the tone by asking the same questions that Nigerians are now asking over the demise of his one-time aide and an indigene of the state, some misguided elements who may have sold their conscience to the devil, rose to flimsy opinions that the Governor is not in the same political party as the deceased and should not bother. If a Governor who swore to the constitution to place value on the lives of his people, cannot ask questions, then who is eligible to ask?

Could it be that Clement Ikpatt, Iniobong John and their cohorts have suffocated their consciences, and perhaps replaced their hearts with the hearts of animals? How would you explain that men who should be sober at such a loss are dancing naked in public, launching insults and aspersions on the governor, in the name of discharging their services as house boys? It is sad that some persons in this century have sold their senses of reasoning for financial gains. It's devilish and sacrilegious to use the sad incident to attempt to divide the state on political lines, when we should all come together to unravel the darkness that surrounded the dead of Chief Etang.

The elders of Akwa Ibom State, the youths, men and women won't sit and fold their hands and watch the issue swept under the carpet. Already, the social media are awash with expressions of anger, pain, sadness and indignation over the political game being played with a priceless life by the NDDC and the authorities. Whether Etang belonged to APC or any other party, the main thing is that he is an Akwa Ibom son, and so the quest for justice in the quest to unravel his death, should not be politicized. There is obviously no need exerting energies to exonerate Mr A or B, when no one has yet been indicted or accused of the malefic incident.

Well, an end to that silence has come. The people want to know what killed Chief Etang and why he had to die for others, when the Son the God had already paid the supreme price.

They want to know why he had to die now. They are interested in knowing why NDDC was obviously so restless and eager to mislead the people with their false updates?


Signed
Comrade Ernest Akpan
Coordinator

Comrade Joseph Okon
Secretary

MANDATE EYES

As part of measures towards fighting COVID-19, all Secondary Health Institutions in Akwa Ibom State are to set up a holding area for Infectious Disease.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Dominic Ukpong disclosed this Saturday in Uyo, while addressing newsmen shortly after the discharge of 2 COVID-19 patients at the Ibom Multispecialty Hospital.

Dr. Ukpong explained that ideally, every hospital is expected to have a holding area for suspected cases of infectious diseases before being referred to an infectious disease hospital adding that, the new 300 bed isolation center at Ituk Mbang is the referral hospital for such diseases in the State.

The Commissioner noted that the Infectious Disease Hospital at Ikot- Ekpene and the Isolation Center at Ibom Specialty Hospital would continue to be operational while some of the services would be moved to Ituk Mbang.

On the discharge of the two patients, Dr. Ukpong thanked God for yet another success recorded in the management of COVID-19 cases in the State, reiterating that, apart from the two death cases which were brought rather too late, the State has not recorded any other COVID-19 related death.

He emphasized that members of the public with coronavirus symptoms should present themselves immediately for screening and management adding that, the management of COVID-19 in the State is at no cost to the patients as the State Government is taking up every expense.

The Health Boss appealed to members of the public to continue to maintain recommended social and respiratory hygiene while persons in vehicles should ensure the use of face mask as vehicles are enclosed with rather poor ventilation.

Present at the discharge ceremony were members of the case management team led by, Professor Etete Peters, who expressed appreciation to Governor Udom Emmanuel for demonstrating immense passion in the containment of COVID-19 in the State while also thanking the Management and Staff of the Ibom Specialty Hospital for the support given to the case management team.