₦airaland Forum

2019: Olympus Has Fallen I

By Tom FredFish

Reminiscing Alibaba and the forty thieves could best described the news filtering in that the number three (3) man of authority in Nigeria has "potted" from the ruling All Progressive Congress on July 31, 2018.

In the story, Alibaba, a poor woodcutter who after close observation, discovered the secret of a thieves' den, entered the den with the same skills as the thieves. Though, Alibaba encountered turbulent times with the thieves, he however triumph at the end.

The defections of the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki and the Kwara State Governor, Abdufatah Ahmed with over fifty other members of the National Assembly earlier, has deflated the overconfident APC and reduced it to rubble.

Nigerians watched in gullibility as they allowed the APC to paddle lies and falsehood so as to gain power in 2015. And when they eventually assume office they had no idea on how to govern the country.

Within a year, the APC government supervised the nosediving of Nigeria's economy beyond redemption. Millions of people lost their jobs, inflation got rapid head, insecurity became the order of the day as president Buhari turned blind eyes to the killing of thousands of innocent citizens across the country. The Buhari led APC government also suspending the constitution by fragrantly disobeying court orders. Buhari orchestrated the selective prosecution of opposition members in the pretext of fighting corruption.

Things went awfully bad.

In the midst of all these, the insensitive APC bragged about ruling the country forever and went ahead to insult the sensibility of Nigerians when President Buhari declared to run for a second term in office amid discontentment by Nigerians.

The APC taunted Nigerians the more, boasted that President Muhammadu Buhari is popular, the best and only candidate for 2019, and that the APC is as solid and impenetrable like the American White House. However, the movie "Olympus has fallen", show otherwise.

The APC fern solidity like White House given that the White House is the most secure place in the American nation and possibly in the world. So when in the movie, a North Korean terrorist plot was executed with frightening precision - circumventing the seemingly impenetrable defenses surrounding the U.S. president and everyone around him - it boggled their minds.

Today, APC, the hitherto united and 'performing' political party, has been rejected, discarded by Nigerians and dumped like banana peel. President Buhari has fallen flat faced down. To cover his weaknesses he resorts to use the police, EFCC and other agencies of government to intimidate discerning views and coerce them into remaining in the tattered APC but his time is up.

The dumping of the APC by prominent members of the APC is the premise of "Olympus Has Fallen", the well-crafted political thriller from Antoine Fuqua - that no matter how powerful a ruler could be, sovereignty lies with the people and when the people are fed up, the centre will no longer hold.

Tom FredFish is a public affairs analyst.

PRESS RELEASE

ATI ANNANG 2018 INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION HOLDS IN QUEENS, NEW YORK

The leadership of Ati Annang Foundation, one of the foremost socio-cultural organization in Akwa Ibom State has confirmed her readiness to host the 2018 International Convention between 2nd and 5th August 2018 at The Hilton Hotels and Resort, JFK, Queens, New York. The Convention, which is the 3rd in its series, would have His Excellency, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, and Patron of the Foundation as the Special Guest of Honor, His Excellency, Mr. Moses Frank Ekpo MFR, The Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State as Guest of Honor.

The Senate Minority Leader, His Excellency, Senator (Dr) Godswill Obot Akpabio will also be there as a Guest of Honor, while the Senior Special Assistant to the State Governor on Bureau of Technical Matters and Due Process, Elder Ufot Ebong will serve as Chairman of the Convention.
A statement jointly signed by the International President, Rt. Hon. (Sir) Udo Kierian Akpan and the Chairman International Project Committee, Mrs Uduak Olufemi, and made available to newsmen reveals the theme of this year’s Convention as; Collaborating for Annang Sustainable Development.

Addressing the media yesterday, the International President, Rt. Hon. Udo Kierian Akpan disclosed that the 2018 International Convention would show Akwa Ibom to the world and persuade interested investors to come to Akwa Ibom to invest, which is in line with His Excellency, Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel’s industrialization programme, noting that Annang Nation would also benefit from this drive.

He pointed out that the aim of the Convention, amongst others will include reviewing the activities of the Foundation, taking stock, reporting progress as well as setting agenda for repositioning the Foundation for greater productivity.

He assured members of the Foundation that he would continue to dialogue with relevant institutions and agencies across the globe to ensure that more live-touching and sustainable projects are realized.

He reiterated his earlier commitment to harness the abundant human and material resources available in Annang land, and to work with those in diaspora to further improve Annang Cultural Heritage, Educational Advancement, Healthcare Delivery, Sports and Talent Development for the benefit of all.

The 2018 International Convention would have, in attendance, top Nigerian Professionals, Political/Business Leaders, American Political/Business Leaders, Diplomats, Development Agencies, Top Civil Servants and Civil Society Leaders too.
The forum is expected to discuss, amongst other key issues, different measures of bringing continuous growth and development to Akwa Ibom State under the leadership of His Excellency, Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, in particular and Nigeria in general.

This event will be streamed live on the following platform:

Twitter and Instagram: @AtiAnnang2018

Facebook live: #AtiAnnang2018

Google+: AtiAnnang2018@gmail.com

For further information, please visit our website on: www.atiannangfoundation.org.ng.

The International President expressed optimism that the event will be successful as usual, and called on all Annang sons and daughters at home and in Diaspora to be part of this event. Other socio-cultural groups within and outside Akwa Ibom State, Akwa Ibomites, Nigerians and Africans in Diaspora are also invited with their friends and families.

We look forward to an awesome time together and a very productive deliberation in New York

Mfon Iwok
Intn'l PRO.

Ati Annang Holds 2018 Convention in New York

Tom FredFish

The ATI ANNANG FOUNDATION berth on the principles of equality, justice, fairness and harmony has concluded arrangements for the commencement of her 2018 International Convention.

The Convention with the theme "Collaborating For Annang Sustainable Development" is scheduled to hold in Hilton Hotels and Park Resort, JFK, 144-02 135TH Ave. Queens, New York from Thursday, 2th to 5th August 2018.

A long list of events has been scheduled to take place during the convention such as New York City Sightseeing, Convention Banquet and fund raising among other numerous activities.

The executive Governor of Akwa Ibom state, Mr. Udom Emmanuel is billed as the Special Guest of Honour, his deputy, Mr. Moses Ekpo, and the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio are expected as Guests of Honour. The convention has the Special Assistant to the State Governor on Technical Matters and Due Process, Engr. Ufot Ebong, as Chairman of the occasion.

Recall that the Ati Annang 2018 National Convention held in Akwa Ibom State, Ikot Ekpene, February this year was attended by thousands of guests from all over the country and the diaspora, witnessed the presentation of backpacks and accessories to over five hundred pupils drawn from forty public schools to support the free education of Governor Udom Emmanuel administration; offer of scholarships to students in tertiary institutions, presentation of trophies to winners of the Ati Annang inter-schools football competition; and the commissioning of her International Secretariat in Akwa Ibom State.

The annual gathering of Ati Annang Foundation (AAF) members worldwide, is a meet to further the cause the socio-cultural association with the aim of collectively defining, articulating and implementing the goals and ideals of Annang ethnic destiny within the context of the Annang Diaspora and the Nigerian ethno-centered nation state.

For further information and hotel reservation for the convention, participants are advise to contact Uduak Mark, Akan Ukwak, Aniedi Akpabio and Utip Ebong -all available to entertain enquiries.

Enough Is enough: Buhari Must Respect the Sanctity of the Rule of Law

```"amongst many things other points of happiness and freedom which your majesty's subject of this kingdom have enjoyed under your royal progenitor, kings and queens of this realm, there is none which they have accounted more dear and precious than this, to be guided and governed by the certain rule of the law which giveth both the head and members that which of right belongeth to them, and not by an uncertain or arbitrary form of government..." (Henry, 1827).```

The above quote, is the declaration and total submission to the principle of the rule of law as far back as 1610 in a petition to James I of England from the House of Commons affirming that, of all the beauties and gains of King James's rulership, the most cherished, precious and enjoyed by the people was the rule of law which tried both leaders and followers equally and in abeyance.

That is a 408-year old testimony of the importance of the rule of law to any nation. However many years after the first known use of the English phrase "rule of law" occurred around AD 1500, Nigeria has continued to bash in the euphoria of illegality making mockery of herself before the international community.

The continuous detention of former National Security Adviser, NSA, colonel Dasuki Sambo (Rtd) after a competent court of law has granted him bail is not only illegal, outrageous and morally wrong, it contravenes the latter and principle of the rule of law.

The rule of law is a legal principle that governs a nation as opposed to one done by arbitrary decisions of individual government official. The law implies that EVERY citizen is subject to the law including law makers themselves. But the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami making a puerile argument without any legal backing on why the Federal Government has not released Dasuki has fragrantly desecrated the temple of justice and become the law himself.

No excuse is good enough to contravene courts rulings. Nigeria is not a Banana Republic without laws. The country is governed by the rule of law and is signatory to the United Nations Charter on Human Rights hence she is bound morally to obey rulings of her competent courts. Keeping Dasuki in jail after multiple courts have granted him bail is equal to suspending the constitution of Nigeria which gave the courts powers in chapter seven of the 1999 constitution to arbitrate on every matter before it.

The Federal government under Muhammadu Buhari is not a respecter of law and must not be accorded any respect. How can one reconcile the fact that this same government pursues corruption cases at these courts and still expect favorable rulings? How do you fight corruption when you are consistently fighting the courts and going against it's principles and practices? You cannot defile courts and expect justice from courts. No court in Nigeria should take Federal Government cases in her court seriously again.

I have instructed my lawyers to compile all the necessary documents needed to challenge the illegality of the Federal government decision to hold Dasuki in prison custody as well as produce evidence that will make the court declare the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, unfit to hold any public office in Nigeria again. There are precedence and this must be achieved.

The Buhari Government cannot continue to arrogate too much powers to itself and benefit from a system it defiles. President Buhari must be held accountable for all dictatorial tendencies. He must be made to pay for suspending our constitution.

Enough is enough!

Comrade Tom FredFish is a youth activist and public affairs analyst.

SPOTLIGHT ON THE IKOT EKPENE SENATORIAL DISTRICT ENDORSEMENT RALLY FOR GOVERNOR UDOM EMMANUEL AND DISTINGUISHED SENATOR GODSWILL OBOT AKPABIO

By Joe Iniodu & Tom Fredfish

The gale of endorsements that have trailed the duo, Their Excellencies, Mr Udom Emmanuel and Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio would again enjoy upscale as the people of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District today roll out the drums to celebrate and affirm their collective resolve to support the return of the duo, Mr. Udom Emmanuel and Senator Godswill Akpabio, for second term as governor of Akwa Ibom state and Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria respectively.

The event billed for today, Monday, July 16, 2018 at the Ikot Ekpene township stadium for 10am is a second of such endorsement to be recorded in that Senatorial District. Abak Five, comprising the five local governments of old Abak had on March 23 held a similar endorsement rally at Abak Township Stadium for the duo which attracted a mammoth crowd of supporters, admirers and well wishers across the State.

Today's endorsement is an expansion in scope and a reinforcement of the resolve of the people of the Senatorial District to once again cast their political anchor with them in the upcoming elections.

The resolve which has given rise to this endorsement rally is neither hollow or vacuous. It is predicated on substance. It draws it strength from performances credited to the two political titans for acquitting themselves creditably in service delivery. The public notice for the event signed by the Chairman, Publicity sub - committee, Mr Aniekan Umanah indicates the appreciation of the people of the senatorial district towards Governor Emmanuel's commitment to the development of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District. It also noted that the endorsement rally is an attempt to "convey the gratitude of the people to the Senate minority leader for his love and commitment to the upliftment of their lives".

The reasons addressed above are apt and salient. Governor Emmanuel has proven that he is not just a visionary governor, but that he is also one who loves the people, values relationship, acknowledges debt of gratitude and fears God. According to many, these indices have combined to produce a harmonious working relationship with the deputy governor, His Excellency, Mr Moses Ekpo and a quantum of people from the extraction of the senatorial district who are working with the amiable governor. The people of the senatorial district are delighted over their entitlement to the governor as an in-law and believe that he deserves the endorsement as a performing governor and a good in-law.

For them, the numerous road infrastructure which criss - cross the senatorial district and which time would constrain isolating; investments in education including facilitating the establishment of the Nigerian Navy Military School in Ikot Ntuen, Ekparakwa, Oruk Anam LGA; encouraging the establishment of Fertilizer Building Plant; the Cassava Processing Factory; the rehabilitation and upgrading of health facilities at Ikot Okoro and Ikono General Hospitals; the political will that has sequel the sustenance of construction work at Uyo Ikot-Ekpene road and other numerous projects of tangible and intangible hue are things that distinguish Governor Emmanuel and predispose him for this important endorsement rally.

For the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, his people of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District acknowledge him as their leader in whom they are well pleased, hence the endorsement. They are grateful to him for continuing to stand by his in-law, His Excellency, Udom Emmanuel and working and adding value to the Udom administration. They acknowledge with profound joy and pride the many constituency projects attracted by him and spread across the ten local government areas of the Senatorial district stressing that returning him to the Senate for more goodies and quality representation is a must, not an option.

The Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District endorsement rally opens a vista for considerations and reflections. While it is a clarion call for the people to celebrate good leadership, it is also a moral behest for those in power to perform to be celebrated. It is an arguable fact that when we encourage leaders, their performance quotient also peaks. The rally is therefore organized to celebrate the duo for good performance and once again express the resolve of the people to cast 500,000 votes of the Senatorial district for them in the elections of 2019.

Finally, let it be reiterated that the voices that would echo at Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium on Monday would not be a cacophony of noises but the reassuring voices of the people that fits into the Latin aphorism, "Vox populi, vox dei" translated as the "voice of the people is the voice of God" and which is a declaration of the voice of God through the people of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District.

Joe Iniodu and Tom FredFish are public affairs analysts

Governor Emmanuel's Marked Difference in Health Sector

By Tom FredFish

Money is one aspect of wealth. There are more to wealth than money. The most important and acknowledged of them all is health. No one can acquire wealth without good health. That is why it is generally accepted that "health is wealth" - a famous saying that refers to the importance of health to human. If one is not healthy i.e being in the state of physical mental and social well-being, wealth means nothing to that person.

Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State having recognized that the most important aspect of governance is not constructing roads, establishing industries and empowering the people but ensuring better health facilities for the people because without good health, good road, industries and money is meaningless. And there would not be the requisite manpower to drive governance.

Governor Emmanuel therefore undertook a considerable amount of reforms in the health sector by procuring about twenty-five containers of state-of-the art medical equipment and thereafter strengthened the health care delivery system to deliver effective, accessible, efficient, affordable and people-friendly health services.

Apart from health care delivery, the governor Emmanuel declared free medical services for children below 5 years, pregnant women and the aged; he ensured the renovation and overhauling of St. Luke’s Hospital Anua and the construction of Dr. Ann Ward Gyneacology block in the same hospital. He guaranteed the construction of the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) at Infectious Disease Hospital in Ikot Ekpene; reconstruct and equipped the General Hospitals at Etinan, Ikono, Ituk Mbang and Ikot Okoro. He also renovated and furnished House Officers quarters in Uyo and Oron and undertook free screening and treatment of over 15, 000 people for various eye diseases; performed 1,150 eye surgeries and 2,000 eyeglasses were distributed to residents of the state in partnership with MTN free of charge.

Governor Emmanuel further ensured the treatment of 4, 000 moderately and severely mal-nourished children; encouraged the awareness campaign on non-communicable diseases; treatment and prevention of hypertension, sickle cell disease, cancer and diabetes mellitus.

Another area governor Emmanuel exhibited a marked difference is the training and certification of 100 Doctors and Nurses in basic Lives Support (BLS) and advance Cardiac Lives Support (ACLS) with medical emergency experts from the USA. He also provided residential quarters for 48 House Officers in the state hospitals and in the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), training 20 Biomedical Engineers to maintain the equipments procured.

About thirty (30) health staff comprising doctors, nurses, drivers and porters were also trained on basic life support skills. Two other basic life support trainings have been subsequently conducted bringing the number of health staff trained on emergency response to fifty (50).

The Ambulance Service Programme which is still at a pilot stage and operating under a Memorandum of Understanding between the state Ministry of Health and Nestle Nigeria PLC is conceived to target pregnant women and children of five (5) years and below is another big mark to the Udom Emmanuel led administration.

The governor also approved the training of forty-eight (48) House Officers from different establishment such as the general hospital Ikot Ekpene, Eket and Oron. Because of his efforts, these institutions have been given provisional accreditation. It is expected that full accreditation would be granted soonest.

The need for man power recruitment and training cannot be overemphasized. Thus the governor Emmanuel administration ensured the successful processing of admission to one hundred and fifty (150) candidates into Schools of Midwifery; and admission to two hundred and one (201) candidates into the various Schools of Nursing in the 2015/2016 academic year respectively; the government sponsored many nurses to participate in Nursing and Midwifery Council final qualifying examinations for general nurses and midwives in which Akwa Ibom State where the state scored 100% in both.

The Udom Emmanuel led-administration also provided intervention items and amenities to health institutions across the State. A number of 50 customized mattresses, 50 pillows and two desk top computers were given to School of Midwifery, Anua; 30 Student desks, 10 customized mattresses and 10 pillows to the School of Nursing, Anua; also provided was a complete water reticulation in the School of Nursing, Ikot Ekpene; supply of another 50 student desks in the School of Nursing, Eket; 25 customized mattresses, 25 pillows and 4 desktop computers to the School of Midwifery, Ituk Mbang; and 70 customized mattresses and 70 pillows in the School of Midwifery, Oron.

The welfare of Doctors in Akwa Ibom State is one subtle area that governor Emmanuel gives particular interest to. The State is one of the first to quickly implement the consolidated medical salary structure (CONMESS) to Medical and Dental Practitioners which took effect from June, 2015 courtesy of the governor Udom Emmanuel administration.

These landmark achievements and others in the health sector have placed governor Emmanuel as one of the most health-friendly governors in Nigeria and sealed a second term deal with the Akwa Ibom people come May 29, 2019.

Tom FredFish is a public affairs analysts.

Udom Emmanuel Agricultural Mutiny in Akwa Ibom State

By Tom FredFish

At a time when most states in Nigeria and the Federal Government are paying lips service to the issue of diversification, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has taken initiatives to ensure that agriculture becomes one of the mainstay of Akwa Ibom economy, guarantee food sufficiency and security as well as convert her economy from petro-dollar to an agro-based.

This venture was articulated through the establishment of Akwa Ibom Enterprise and Employment Scheme (AKEES). The notion that some edibles cannot grow in Akwa Ibom State was broken with the harvest of a large scale of tomatoes, onions cabbages, cucumbers, and over 30 other cash crops and even rice, thus encouraging Akwa Ibom people into farming.

The administration of Governor Emmanuel since 2015 introduced several programmes to revamp the agricultural sector and encourage Akwa Ibom people to go back to farming. As aptly noted by Engr. Ufot Ebong, SSA to the Governor on Technical Matters and Due Process agriculture cannot be separated from the governor Emmanuel's overall development plan because its development is intended to stimulate Akwa Ibom State economy and empower her people.

One must capture the words of Udofia Etim, formerly an unemployed graduate and now a farmer to buttress this point, “I have never been happier in my whole life than now. I had searched for job through the length and breadth of this nation and I gave up that nothing good can come out of this country until I saw an aide of governor Udom harvesting farm produce in large quantity on Facebook. I saw what I never knew could grow on Akwa Ibom soil being harvested and I concluded that I must go into farming. Today I am glad that governor Udom philosophy and encouragement is not in vain because as I speak I am making millions of naira from agriculture every six months”, he said.

The Emmanuel-led administration has also encouraged farmers in the state through the provision of credits; subsidies and incentives which have greatly boosted their output, improve food supply in the state and enriched many citizens. And in order to making fertilizers available for farmers, governor Emmanuel established a fertilizer blending plant in Abak, - a venture that has aroused commendations from within and outside the State.

Apart from food security, the robust agricultural programmes of the current administration are designed to generate employment for the teeming unemployed youths by encouraging them to go into farming instead of waiting for white color jobs.

To show her seriousness in encouraging agriculture, the Akwa Ibom State Government enhanced the Akwa Prime Hatchery facility at Mbiaya in Uruan Local Government Area and entered pact with an investor from Ethiopia for its take off. This venture has proven to be a timely intervention as the facility now serves as the main supplier of day-old-chicks for poultry farmers in the state, south south and south eastern parts of Nigeria.

Apart from supply of day-old-chicks, the Akwa Prime Hatchery has provided direct employment to scores of Akwa Ibom people as well as wealth making opportunities for several others through an extensive value chain. The feed mill requires raw materials including maize, soybean, bones and horns of animals, as well as shells, thus these items are supplied by Akwa Ibom people. Akwa Prime hatchery is still evolving and has prospects for massive expansion, and invariably, further employment opportunities.

Other ways which governor Emmanuel enhanced agriculture within three years is the provision of 11,000 hectares of land for coconut plantation and refinery project, the re-introduction of second planting season for enhanced food production and sufficiency, refurbishment and upgrading of three 10mt/day cassava processing factories in the 3 senatorial districts, the cultivation of 1450 hectares of seed multiplication cassava farm in the three senatorial districts to provide free stems to farmers, the distribution of improved oil palm and cocoa seedlings to farmers in the state, the extension of technical advisory services to about 350 farms in the State, as well as the cultivation of 300 hectares of cassava under the FADAMA III financing programme.

Furthermore, the governor ensured the establishment of Special Cocoa Maintenance Scheme (SCMS) for the training of farmers and youths on pruning/shade management, under brushing, and tree care by fumigation, to ensure improvement of yields from 300 kilogram/hectare to 2000kg over 3 years period, the zoning and mapping of the cocoa-producing communities in the State, and sensitization of cocoa farmers in the 24 cocoa producing local government areas in the State; importation of 1000 bags of special cocoa fertilizer from Ghana for optimal yield and the delivery of 1000 bags of special cocoa fertilizers in September 2016 before the establishment of the Akwa Ibom fertilizer blending factory.

To ensure that Akwa Ibom state produce tomatoes that will meet up with at least 50 percent demand for domestic markets, governor Emmanuel May 2018 inaugurated ten hectares of farmland for hybrid tomatoes noting that with the ongoing agricultural mutiny in the State, Akwa Ibom will soon become an exporter of food items.

This entire endeavour is in tandem with governor Emmanuel's vision and blueprint to feed and empower her citizens through agriculture. The best according to public commentators is yet to come in this sector as more will be consolidated when he is reelected for second term in 2019.

Tom FredFish is a public affairs analyst.

Reformed-APC: Opening a Floodgate of Defections

By Tom FredFish

On Wednesday, July 4th, Alhaji Buba Galadima, a founding member of the All Progressive Congress (APC), led some disgruntled delegates and members of the APC to form an "authentic" group within the APC known as REFORMED-APC (R-APC).

Addressing a press conference at the Sheraton Hotel, Abuja, Alhaji Galadima stated that some political parties merged in 2015 with the intention to put Nigeria on the path of development but more than three years of APC governance, the hopes and expectations of Nigerians have been betrayed and completely dashed by a rudderless, inept and incompetent government that has failed to deliver good governance to the Nigerian people.

He noted that the APC have rather imposed dictatorship, impunity, abuse of power, complete abdication of constitutional and statutory responsibilities, infidelity to the rule of law and constitutionalism which placed untold hardship on Nigerians in all spheres.

Apart from the political maladministration of the APC led federal government cited by the RAPC, they further expressed disappointment at the manner the recently held party congresses was handled which is at total variance with the letters of the party constitution, making the need for reforms that will give Nigerians qualitative governance in 2019 imperative.

Notwithstanding the reasons given for the creation of the reformed group which sought to split the ruling party, it is believed that the division is a well mapped out strategy by some prominent members of the APC to create a pathway for their onward defection from the tattered APC to the People's Democratic Party, (PDP).

This well thought out strategy is because the Nigerian laws frowns at defections especially members of the National Assembly.

Sections 68(1)(g) and 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provided that: “a member of the Senate or House of Representatives or State House of Assembly shall not vacate his seat in the House of which he is a member if being a person whose election into the House was sponsored by a political party, he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for which the House was elected.

Provided that his membership of the latter political party is not as a result of a division in the political party of which he was previously a member of a merger of two or more political parties by one of which he was previously sponsored.”

With the current division in the ruling party, thousands of members of the APC are no longer obliged to be loyal to the APC due to internal wrangling and power tussle paving way for the mother of all defections in the history of Nigeria's Politics.

Reminisce that a fortnight, story trended on social media and elsewhere that there are plans on ground by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki who is having a Cold War with the leadership of the APC and about fifty others were concluding arrangement to leave the APC.

Given that their defection would have been controversial if the ruling party were intact, the leaders strategized to split the party to pave way for their defection.

Nigerians have however applauded the courage of the RAPC led by Alhaji Galadima to reform the party in line with its founding fathers to institute real change and rebuild the nation more firmly on genuine democratic principles to enshrine good governance and restore the faith of Nigerians in the possibility of the existence of a prosperous, secure and peaceful nation.

Observers dissects that with the sacking of the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole led executive of the party and the appointment of new officers in all the wards, 774 local governments, and the 36 states of the federation including the FCT, the floodgate of defections has just been opened. Only time will tell what will be left of the APC in few weeks from now says Aniedi Osom, a youth activist and political commentator.

Tom FredFish is a public affairs analyst

Governor Udom Industrialization Policy and National Productivity: the Good Days Ahead

By Tom FredFish

Nigeria’s drive to transform her economy from non-industrialized state to an industrialized one has been the pre-occupation of successive administrations that has piloted the affairs of this nation since independence till date. Unfortunately, despite the abundant natural endowment - both human and non-human of the country, efforts at creating a vibrant and sustainable real sector growth and development have proved abortive.

The most awful part of it is that over the years, there has been a steady decline in the contribution of the industrial sector to national productivity making economic development disappointingly low while poverty level has increased tremendously.

After democratic government was reintroduced in 1999, there was high anticipation that the pace of economic development and industrialization would take a rapid turn because of the feeling that democracy is a pre-requisite for economic development therefore its re-establishment will be followed by aggressive enthusiasm in redirecting development policies in the country.

Notwithstanding the argument that industrialization is capable of ensuring swift structural transformation of the economy, most developing state have failed to leverage on this to achieve industrial development despite several industrial policies and reforms over the years.

Thus, with the establishment of Nigeria’s microeconomic policies in year 2000 for economic development as encompassed in the NEEDS objectives to diversify Nigeria’s production structure away from oil and mineral resources; reduce the role of government in the direct production of goods, strengthening its regulatory functions and adopt policies that are consistent with raising domestic savings and increasing private investments, governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State made industrialization one of the cardinal focus of his administration.

Governor Udom believes that industrialization is a child of necessity which accelerates the process of rapid economic growth and development thus in no amount of time, he made tremendous mark in an attempt to convert Akwa Ibom state whose employees are 90 percent civil servants to private sector driven.

Paradoxically, at a time when other states are selling off their assets to pay salaries, governor Udom drove the policy of industrialization firmly. For instance, the peacock paint in Etinan which used to be the largest paint industry in southern parts of Nigeria but went moribund for many years is now on its feet largely due to the huge investment of governor Udom Emmanuel.

This action immediately opened the influx of factories in Akwa Ibom state. The establishment of the Pencil and Toothpick factory in the state has stood tall with high rate of demand for pencil from many states of the federation. For instance, the National Association of Private Schools, North East chapter, headquartered in Nasarawa State has concluded arrangement with AKEES to be the major supplier of pencil to the association for five years. This goes further to show that governor Udom investment in pencil production is justified. Worth emphasizing is the fact that these products before now were predominantly produced and imported from China. Nigeria is now enjoying exculpation from the importation of these products abroad courtesy of the dynamic leadership of governor Udom Emmanuel.

With the endless demand for toothpick and the extensive availability of bamboo which is a major raw material in the state, market for toothpick has continued to blossom. Consequently, to ensure that the products are available and the project sustained, the state government entered into a partnership with the World Bamboo Organization for the cultivation of bamboo in the Akwa Ibom state.

Through his vast experience in the private sector, governor Udom Emmanuel in line with Nigeria’s microeconomic policy 2000, which stipulate that government reduces their role in the direct production of goods adopt policies that are consistent with raising domestic savings and increase private investments, used his influence to attract foreign investment to Akwa Ibom state at a time when many foreign businesses are closing shop in the country. The state partnered with VKS Group, a Turkish firm and production giant to established Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Company - the first Syringe Manufacturing Company in Sub-Sahara Africa in Onna, Akwa Ibom State. This factory positioned Nigeria as the largest syringe manufacturing company in Africa, taking off at a production capacity of about 400 million syringes annually.

So also did governor made entreaties for the availability of power accessories in the state by motivating the Metering Solutions Manufacturing Services Limited (MSMSL) to produce electricity meters in Akwa Ibom state. The industry produces various configurations of electricity meters which will provide a more efficient billing system not only for Akwa Ibom residents but for the whole country.

It is instrumental to note that the Jubilee Syringe Industry is the first syringe company in Nigeria and will curb the ugly situation where Nigeria loses huge amount of dollars daily through importation. So is the Metering company which is producing single-phase and three-phase electricity meters in various configurations and mountings, light weight, slim skeletal, compact meters for pole top installation, prepayment type meters, split type electricity meters, standard one unit electricity meters, bulk electricity meters, maximum demand meters and smart electricity meters.
Both industries commissioned by the vice president, Profesor Yemi Osibanjo in September 2017 have started full time production - aiding Nigeria’s productive sector to grow. Other factories which has been initiated by this administration are the St. Gabriel Coconut Refinery, AKEES Plastics, Ibom Deep Seaport and among others.

Some people have questioned the veracity of government’s involvement in these industries as it concerns the Akwa Ibom State shareholding and stake. Without sounding chauvinistic, elementary explanation about business unveils certain factual elements that partnership involves active and dormant partners in business ventures. Secondly, not every partner’s contribution are financial, thirdly any volume of contribution by an entity in business gives him a chair on the partnership table.

Thus the salient question which many people have ruminated is if Akwa Ibom State is a partner in the establishment of these industries? One can therefore answer in the affirmative due to the role played by the Akwa Ibom State government. Her direct participation in strategic areas such as the provision of land which guaranteed the companies’ major factor of production; the issuance of logistic support and tax holiday to the companies as a means of encouragement as well as exempting them from the payment of profit tax for some years of operation in order to protect them from international competition and enable them build up enough funds for expansion purpose are candid contributions that has placed the state on the partnership table.

Given the severity of the challenges facing the industrial sector in Nigeria, such as poor infrastructure development; lack of technical manpower; capacity under-utilization; direct linkage of industrial activities to foreign markets low standard of education and research and very poor power supply governor Udom should be applauded for taking the initiatives to put Akwa Ibom State on the pedestal of veritable path to sustainable growth and development not only in Akwa Ibom State but Nigeria and the world at large.

Thus the notion that industrialization is the catalyst for rapid growth and development of any economy has played a considerable effect in Akwa Ibom that is why meaningful Akwa Ibom people has seen governor Udom industrialization initiative as a gradual process of complete social and economic change where a particular society such ours is transformed from pre-industrial and traditional state to an industrial one with all its features.

Observers have noted that with the gradual and steady laying of sound foundation for industrialization in the state to garner a foothold and thrive, there is no doubt that there are better days ahead for Akwa Ibom people and national productivity from 2019.

Tom FredFish is a public affairs analyst.

APC! PROGRESS!!!

By Tom FredFish

On June 24th, 2018, about six thousand, eight hundred delegates of the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, from the thirty six states of the federation converged at the Eagles Square, Abuja to elect members of their National Executives that will steer the outgoing party for another four years or so.

During the convention which recorded embarrassing human and policy somersaults, the party known for disparaging views made a very unique invention in her party politics - they changed their slogan.

The former slogan, change, which the party used to drive her nocturnal propaganda in order to capture power from the PDP in 2015 was changed to progress.

Investigations however shows the APC led federal government has performed in office beyond comprehension in all strata hence the need to improve on the performance and place Nigeria on a map of progress and development. The following reasons amongst others were deduced to have been why the outgoing APC changed their slogan to progress:

i. The APC led Buhari administration has changed the Nigerian security nomenclature, apparatus and convictions of the country, as Nigeria is now safe. The army are now more dedicated - they no longer seat and supervise as innocent Nigerians are being slaughtered. The Nigerian Police has also witnessed tremendous change. Their dedication to duty has seen a skyrocketing change of the numbers of crimes and deaths from hundreds to thousands. The police has now gone through TRANSMISSION under the able leadership of IG A. Idris. They have changed from, detecting and preventing crimes to setting-up perceived governments enemies and critiques for speaking against their great performance. Boko Haram has completely and totally surrendered. No more bombings in the North East. Evans the popular kidnap kingpin has been arrested and detained thus there are no more kidnappings in the country. Political assassinations and thuggery are no more. No more armed robberies in the country. All the robbers tormenting Nigerians have been arrested in Kogi state and transferred to Abuja. Nigerians now sleep with their doors opened and eyes closed without fear.

ii. Nigeria economy has changed tremendously from bad to good. Nigerians are now the richest people on earth after India according to recent findings. People now eat four-square meals a day. No more beggars on our streets. The APC government has created millions of jobs opportunities in country courtesy of the government supervised White Paper Jobs - BetNaija, Bet360, Nairabet and the numerous coupon offices now open for youths to gamble with their lives. Recruitment of repentant members of Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen into the military, police and other security apparatus are ongoing to absorb qualified Northerners into the security forces for better services. Graduates no longer apply for jobs after graduating because there are so many jobs on ground. Employers are begging jobless youths to come and work because so many jobs are available for youths who seats at home awaiting the monthly Npower stipends. The situation is so good that citizens of other African countries such as Ghana, Mali, Togo, Payan etc are now trouping into the country because of the numerous jobs opportunities. At the last count, the APC has created 135 million jobs with about 134 million 950 thousand jobs unabsorbed.

iii. INEC is now very independent and no longer conducts inconclusive elections. The impartial commission now conducts free, fair, and credible elections.

iv. Nigeria can now boast of credible infrastructures throughout the country. All federal roads have been dualized and the bad ones tarred. The Calabar-Itu highway is now a lovely site to behold. It has for long been commissioned. The newly constructed railway lines - from Lagos to Kano and Lagos to Aba are working perfectly. Nigerians no longer use roads. A friend who used the train last week from Lagos to Onitcha confessed to the change in infrastructure, noting all the good deeds that APC has brought to Nigeria under three years. Our roads are now safe for traveling resulting to Lagos being the state with less casualties in road accidents this year.

v. Social services has experienced change for better in the country. Starting with health facilities which has been renovated throughout the country with new ones constructed and equipped with modern equipments. Our President no longer has need to travels to the UK for medical checkup, (in case he does, know that it is for sightseeing).The Aso Rock clinic is now equipped to undertake any health challenge from any parts of the world. Other social amenities like free pipe borne water, public toilets, recreational parks, and affordable housing in the 36 states of the federation are available. Babatunde Fashola should be promoted. He has done a good job. As promised, six months into office Nigeria experienced stable power supply. In almost all states in the country Nigerians now enjoy 24 hours of uninterrupted electricity.

vi. Nigeria's corruption ranking has also changed. Fighting from behind, Nigeria is now one of the most corrupt free countries of the world, made possible by President Muhammadu Buhari conscientious, pragmatic and thorough fight against corruption. All corrupt politicians from the former ruling PDP are now in jailed and those that doesn't want to be in jail are baptized, transformed and transmitted into the APC as new creatures and saints who they ask to "go and sin no more". The result of these creative efforts of the APC are that Nigerians are now corrupt free with all Buhari's appointees untainted.

All these are revealing confessions of the APC change game from 2015-218.

Now that they have fulfilled the change they promised Nigerians, they opted to progress from what currently obtains hence the change of slogan to progress.

Thus, from 2019 Nigerians should expect progress in the following areas:

1. Progress in Fuel price from 145n - 300n per litre.

2. Progress in prices of food stuffs with a bag of rice progressing from 22k - 52k

3. Progress in electricity supply from 24 hours power supply a day to 48hrs uninterrupted power supply a day.

4. Progress in Basic Education that will result to free education.

5. Progress in security with Fulani herdsmen occupying all the lands in the country and becoming full-time and recognized state-owned killers group.

Merriam Webster dictionary defined progress as a "process of improving or developing
something over a period of time."

Given these changes recorded by the APC so far, nothing can be better said than the fact that the APC wants to improve on their dismal performance in office such as corruption, hardship, killings of innocent Nigerians, incompetence, impunity and the bad economy policies it melted on Nigerians since 2015.

No doubt, there will be absolute progress but not from the APC. The progress they are offering will be of dire negative consequences if they are given the opportunity to remain in power beyond 2019.

Tom FredFish is a media consultant and public affairs analyst.