GOV. EMMANUEL UDOM AT IKOT EKPENE MEDIUM SECURITY PRISON

...GRANTS AMNESTY TO A 64 YEAR OLD INMATE
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel has granted amnesty to a Sixty-four year old inmate of Medium Security Prisons, Ikot Ekpene, Mr. Okon Sunday Akpan, of Etinan Local Government Area, having spent twenty-five years and twenty-eight days in the Prison custody.
Governor Emmanuel, in company of the State Chief judge, Justice Stephen Okon and members of his cabinet, granted the amnesty under the prerogative of mercy charged the beneficiary to go and sin no more and spoke of the need for proper upbringing of children by parents through sound moral guidance to enable them become useful citizens in the society.
The Governor who was on a working visit to the Ikot Ekpene Prisons, said that the visit was to look into the welfare of the inmates and reassured them that they are citizens of the State.
He frowned at the slow dispensation of justice by the judiciary officers, and emphasized the need for speedy dispensation of justice to save the prisons of congestion, particularly those being incarcerated as awaiting trail inmate
He said that the programmes of his administration are designed to engage youths meaningfully in vocational skills as way of reducing criminality, saying that Akwa Ibom people are known for discipline and hard work and used the occasion to advise youths to shun the temptation of going into criminality.
In an emotional laden tone, Governor Emmanuel advised the Prison inmates to show genuine repentance, stating that remorsefulness is not repentance, and assured that those whom the prisons officials have found to repent from their initial behaviour would be granted pardon. He advised the free inmate, Mr. Sunday Akpan to turn a new leave and let go his nick-name ‘Ikenga’, explaining that the name might have pushed him to his predicament.


Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State being welcomed by the Comptroller of Prisons, Akwa Ibom State Command, Dr. Regina Akpan

The State Chief Executive directed the Health Commissioner, Dr. Dominic Ukpong, to facilitate medical access to two female inmates who are on various stages of pregnancy and announced the donation of 100 bags of rice, three cows to the inmates, and commended the Prison officials for dedication to duty, describing them as reformers of the society.
Earlier, the Comptroller Prisons, Akwa Ibom State Command, Dr. Regina Akpan, expressed appreciation to the Governor on his benevolent disposition towards people in the prison custody and described the Ikot Ekpene Prisons as the best in Africa. She said that the correctional facility accommodates five hundred and Eighty three inmates of which five hundred and forty-five are males, while thirty-eight are females.
She added that the facility has lived up its responsibilities of providing custody to prison inmates, taking them to Courts on demand, identifying the causes of anti-social behavior among Prisoners as well as provision of medical treatment and training leading to reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration of convicts into the society.

Spring Gardens Opens With 30 Jobs For Akwa Ibom People

Spring Gardens, a new restaurant opens in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, with jobs for 30 Akwa Ibom people and this is in the spirit of the Dakkada philosophy,

Announcing the gesture, the Director of Spring Gardens, Mr Clement Ikpatt, stated that although the 30 were selected based on merit, the management was careful to ensure that they are all sons and daughters of Akwa Ibom State.  They have already gone through trainings and medicals in line with World best practices for recruitment and resume as the restaurant launches open on Saturday January 23.

Another gesture of the Spring Garden management in the Dakkada credo is an innovative move to introduce ‘Ordering for food by an app’. Customers can make their orders using an app on their mobile phones, the Afropot application. The Afropot app is itself an innovation supported by the State Government’s New Media office. This is unprecedented in Akwa Ibom and has already enjoyed wide commendation.

Spring Garden offers a broad variety of culinary solutions for all manner of food cravings ranging from International, intercontinental cuisine, to African and Nigerian local dishes. They provide a lounge for relaxation, rich buffet service and much more than could be anticipated, with chefs from Akwa Ibom, China, Italy and other nationals. This promises to be a one stop eatery accessible easily via mobile technology.

Food lovers, professionals, public servants, the media and members are invited to witness the birth of exquisite culinary service in Akwa Ibom State as Spring Garden opens on Saturday 23rd January 2016.

www.springgarden.com.ng

springgarden.com.ng

@springgardenuyo

HEARTBREAK FOR DEFECTORS: BUHARI ORDERS UMANA TO SUPPORT IBIM SEMENITARI

President Muhammadu Buhari has warned Mr Umana Umana to go back and mobilize support for the new Acting Managing Director of the NDDC, Ibim Semenitari or incur the wrath of the APC-led federal government.

Mr Umana had last weekend gone to Aso Rock to summit names of some APC nominees from Akwa Ibom, including Otu Ita Toyo, Eseme Eyiboh and Larry Esin to the President but was directed to relate with Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Transport.

After waiting endlessly for hours without being able to have access to President Buhari, Umana was told by the protocol team of the villa that since there was no prior appointment, the President was unable to meet with him.

When he informed them of the subject of his visit, he was directed to meet with Rotimi Amaechi who advises the president on Niger Delta issues.

As a right hand man of the President, Rotimi Amaechi frowned at Umana for daring to bring up the issue of a new MD for NDDC when Mrs Ibim Semanitari had already been appointed.

Amaechi is said to have relayed the displeasure of Buhari to Umana for failing to show solidarity with the federal government over the appointment of the new Managing Director, and warned that if Umana fails to show support to the federal government he will incur the wrath of the government.

The rejection of Umana’s nominees has resulted in a major dis-contention among members of the APC in Akwa Ibom who are sad that since May 29,2015 when Buhari took over as president, Umana’s team has not gotten a single appointment from the presidency and are wondering the benefit of the support.

Among those who defected to the APC few days ago with a promise of NDDc appointment are Mr Otu Ita Toyo, Larry Esin and Eseme Eyiboh and they are said to be confused on what next step to be taken.

Meanwhile the State Chapter of the PDP has condemned the support by its APC counterpart to the appointment of the Rivers State indigene.

Speaking to our reporter in his office, the PDP State Chairman said it was unfortunate that Akwa Ibom indigenes under whatever guise could support the unfair treatment meted to one of their sons who was unjustly sacked from office.

He reiterated the position of the PDP that the President should as a matter of urgency appoint another Akwa Ibom indigene to replace the sacked MD of NDDC, Barr Bassey Dan Abia.

PLEASE PROTECT ITA ENANG, APC BEGS AKSG

The Akwa Ibom State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC has appealed to the Akwa Ibom State governor Mr Udom Emmanuel to wade into the crises rocking the Special Assistant to the President on Senate Matters, Barr Ita Enang.

Speaking on a radio interview monitored in Uyo, Engr. Ita Awak the APC spokes person said it would be unfortunate if the State governor failed to help save Ita Enang from his present predicament.

“We cannot allow our only son in the presidency to be vilified and rubbished. Akwa Ibom State government should rise up and protect Ita Enang.

Even if what he did was wrong, it is our responsibility as a state to protect the only voice at the corridors of power which we can call our own.”

Ita Awak who lamented that another son of Akwa Ibom decent, Chief Edet Nkpubre had earlier failed to get support from the then governor, Godswill Akpabio when he vied to contest as deputy national chairman, said the present government should not allow Ita Enang to incur wrath of the President.

He said the PDP government under Chief Godswill Akpabio did not show love to Akwa Ibom people by siting the Federal Polytechnic in Essien Udim instead of Ibiono Ibom local government area, and asked people of the state to support APC.

It could be recalled that the State government had recently begged President Buhari to forgive and pardon Ita Enang amidst calls for his sack, following the discovery of forgery and theft involving the national budget.

IT IS WELL WITH AKWA IBOM STATE - Pastor Enoch Adeboye

The General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church Of God, Pastor Enoch A Adeboye has declared divine benevolence on the leadership of Akwa Ibom State and it Citizen. "It is well with Akwa Ibom State as it gives God a prime place in its administration through laudable Christian programmes which draws Men to God."

Pastor Adeboye recalled that his last visit to the State was in 2013 December during Akwa Ibom State Christmas Carol,where he officiated.

The Man of God stated this during a Courtesy Visit on Governor Udom Emmanuel at Government House on his arrival for a - two day programme of the Church in Uyo.

Pastor Adeboye,  who described Governor Udom Emmanuel as a spiritual son said that a father pays homage to a son to encourage him in his leadership stride especially now that the Country is going through tough times occasioned by economic and political upheavals.

He said his visit to the State was also to meet with the Christian Community in a Prayer Rally slated to hold at Uyo township Stadium as well as inaugurate a fellowship Chapter for elites and busy Executives particularly members of the political class whose busy schedule does not afford them opportunity to attend routine Church programmes.

The General Overseer added that God laid early in his heart to establish fellowship Centres where top Government functionaries and business Executive meet and receive the word of God to impact on the society, stressing that if the leadership is spiritually sound, it would be easy to attract those under them to sound doctrines and morality which would save the society from decadence.

He congratulated Governor Udom Emmanuel on his elevation to the helm of affairs of the State and prayed God to imbue him with divine grace and wisdom to lead the State aright.

Receiving the Redeemed Christian Church Of God General Overseer, Governor Emmanuel commended the Church for it rapid spread to every nook and cranny of the Country and sued for more of such evangelism to the unsaved souls in Africa and other continent who still indulge in paganism.

The Governor advocated for  more children evangelism to bequeath sound Christian doctrines to the young minds for a better society in the future describing Pastor Adeboye as a spiritual father whose teaching, he recalled, has impacted on his spiritual growth and dimension of faith which has made him who he is and attributed the prevailing peace in the state to the intensity of prayers by the Men of God and the Church.

The State Chief Executive expressed optimism that by the visit, Akwa Ibom and indeed Nigeria will witness a divine intervention in it socio-economic programmes and thanked the Redeemed Overseer for the visit which he described as a blessing to the State.

A'IBOM GOVERNMENT SHARPEN TEACHERS’ SKILL WITH CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOP

The relevance of education cannot be over emphasized. In fact, no country would succeed without educating its people. No country in the world can harness the full potentials of its people without committing them to standard education that is capable of making them educated to that extent.

Education is the most potent vehicle for the development and empowerment of an individual, economic, political, social development, national growth and enthronement of peace. Societies of the world heavily rely on their human resources for the development in most of the spheres of human endeavour.

In Akwa Ibom State, the government is investing heavily in the education of its citizens. Worthy of note is the just concluded Capacity Building Workshop for Principals and Teachers of Public Secondary Schools in Akwa Ibom State.

The workshop, jointly organized by the Ministry of Education and the Office of Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on the Education Monitoring, with funding from Akwa Ibom State Government, was aimed at revitalizing the capacity of practicing teachers in the Public School System for effective educational delivery to our children in Secondary Schools.

It was carefully planned to cover eight important areas in the school curriculum including effective classroom communication, feedback and assessment methodologies, modern teaching methods, understanding the structures of the new curriculum, lesson preparation and delivery plan, as well as classroom management and teachers effectiveness. There was also a session to address work ethics and productivity in the public service.

In her address of welcome, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Education Monitoring, Mrs. Idongesit Etiebet commended the State Government’s very sensitive, ever-ready response towards addressing problems in the Education Sector.

She also commended the efforts of Rt. Hon. (Elder) Aniekan Akpan, who as the Honorable Commissioner saddled to oversee the affairs of Education has been able to strengthen and re-position the Education Sector for the benefit of the Akwa Ibom people.

She noted that education is the topmost priority of the Udom Emmanuel-led administration and that teachers are dearest to the Governor’s heart and he believes that once the capacity of our teachers are built, the lives of pupils and the entire Akwa Ibom people will be improved.

She however implored stakeholders in the educational sector to reciprocate the Governor’s kind gesture by showing him that they also believe in him.

Highpoint of the event was the pledge by the teachers to cooperate with the State Government to provide Qualitative Education as enunciated in the on-going Free and Compulsory Education Programme.

RE: UDOM, AKS ACCOUNTANT-GEN. SET NEW RECORD IN LOOTING AKWA IBOM TREASURY!

The building the Story Falsely Identifies

I’m sure everyone has heard the saying “The gift of a man maketh way for him”. Naturally, I would not react to this article, but it is pertinent to show concern having in mind that whosoever muddled this sordid piece or maybe someone else will learn.
It is fast becoming a norm in Akwa Ibom State and in fact, everywhere in the world for quacks to infiltrate the association of professionals. Maybe, they do so for selfish gains, which hunger is always the catalyst, or maybe, just a stupendous show of their persisting ignorance.
I dare say this because it is sheer stupidity for one to waste his or her time to attack the personality of Mr. Linus Nkang - Accountant General of Akwa Ibom State.
Mr. Linus Nkang has always been known as a patriot and a committed worker, whose successes have been evident in all ramifications of his life. Well-groomed and widely read, Mr. Nkang is one of those few Akwa Ibomites whose watchwords are transparency, professionalism and accountability.
Being called upon by the State Government to serve as an Accountant General is a clear evidence that Mr. Nkang is an astute administrator and man of no mean repute. His proven track records bring to nothing the unwarranted media attack that he is building a ‘micro-finance’ bank in partnership with Akwa Ibom State Governor His Excellency Udom Emmanuel.
Accusing the Governor of diverting public funds to build a ‘microfinance bank’ is quite baseless and insipid, just as boring as the accuser’s life! Oh! All of a sudden there are projects that need funds for mobilization? I thought you said Udom Emmanuel has never done anything since his assumption into office?
Nigeria ranks No. 1 in Africa for alcohol consumption by the virtue of population which technically results in higher volume and liters consumed per year. Beer makes up just 16% of alcohol consumption in Nigeria, while “other” drinks make up 84%. I am sure everyone in The Guide Newspaper (and their paymasters) are unrepentant drunks.
If not, how in the world would someone spend precious time to cook gibberish, utter balderdash, and publish it on a newspaper? Why would Governor Udom Emmanuel issue an executive directive that the salaries of all civil servants in Akwa Ibom state be handled by a particular bank? Even if such an order is made, how will that affect civil servants, when they are paid as at when due?
For your information, Governor Udom Emmanuel has consolidated on the gains of Uncommon Transformation witnessed across Akwa Ibom State. He has taken impressive steps which have removed doubts from the eyes of skeptics (like you and your paymasters) about his sincerity and commitments to completely industrialize the state.
As a prudent manager, Governor Udom Emmanuel is bent on improving the socio-economic fortunes of Akwa Ibom State. With major groundbreakings here and there, influx of investors into the state, coupled with the relative peace witnessed today, Governor Udom Emmanuel has shown that Akwa Ibom will be able to sustain its growth despite the harsh economic situation.
Just like his Governor, Mr. Linus Nkang and in fact the entire members of the Udom Emmanuel-led administration remain resolute and undeterred while charting a new cause for our generation yet unborn.
Since these wet blankets and kill-joys have chosen to be part of those that show inconsistency and greed, we have chosen to be on the part of consistency and faith, a faith of greatness.
We join our voices with thousands of Akwa Ibom people to say that Akwa Ibom was created by God out of greatness and that as a people, we have moved beyond ethnicity, biases, religion, and gender.
In case you and your expired paymasters just dropped from another planet, know that we have risen to the faith of our resources, beyond what others see, human and intellectual.
Akwa Ibom is too big for one man to put in his pocket and pay some ‘Alvin and the Chipmunks’ to put up vague derogatory remarks against eminent leaders who have the genuine interest of our dear state at heart.
Let it be known today that the blatant lies peddled by few disgruntled elements shall soon end as we shall find new jobs for them in the LED Factory in Itu, or the Coconut Refinery in Eastern Obolo or perhaps, the Meter Assembly Plant in Onna.
Akwa Ibom is a stupid-free zone. Please avoid unverifiable assertions.

Akanimo Sam
Lagos

STOLEN BUDGET: AKWA IBOM GOVT APOLOGISES TO PRESIDENT BUHARI

The Akwa Ibom State Government has apologized to President Muhammadu Buhari over the embarrassment caused by his Senate Liaison officer and Special Assistant on Senate Matters Chief Ita Enang.

The State Commissioner for Information Mr Aniekan Umanah, who conveyed the position of the State government in a radio interview programme in Uyo said that Akwa Ibom people felt ashamed by the dent brought to the state by Enang’s illicit actions.

“Our people were rather shocked when they heard on the news that a budget submitted in full glare before the senate had been retrieved and swapped illegally by Senator Enang, without the knowledge of the Senate leadership and this has brought severe ridicule to the image of the state.”

The information maestro explained that such poor conduct in public office was not in the character of Akwa Ibom people, and expressed dismay that such a national disgrace would be linked to the peaceable and lawabiding people of the state.

Umanah relayed the sympathy of the people of the state to President Buhari, saying no one would have envisaged that a man of Senator Ita Enang’s pedigree could have condescended to the level of such inactions leveled against him by the senate leadership, thereby being disrepute to the anti-corruption battle by the President.

Although Enang has refused to comment or respond to the issue, the Information commissioner maintained that,  “Let’s give our brother Ita Enang the benefit of doubts and give him time to come around and explain that what we are hearing is not really true.”

The fears in a section of the country was heightened last weekend when the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki specifically accused the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Solomon Enang of masterminding the disappearance of the missing 2016 budget.

Saraki said that Senator Enang was behind the stealing and replacing the budget with an entirely different copy of the budget after Senator Enang produced and was circulating a copy different from what he had.

Saraki said that Senator Ita Enang withdrew Mr. President version and submitted another version.

Essien E. Ndueso
--

Media Directorate

Akwa Ibom State Divine Mandate

NO MORE CASH FROM ME: BUHARI TO APC

Nigeria is broke; President Buhari is probing for our money and APC are asking for money. On Monday  January 11th, they are said to have taken their quest to Aso Rock, but, Buhari in power, they went to the wrong location. He told them flatly that there is no money to fund the party, and they will have to look inwards for funding.

One wonders; 'why would the ruling party be looking for money at a time when the nation's economy is tottering'? But the answers are not far-fetched. The APC had earlier sworn to capture two oil-producing states - Akwa Ibom and Rivers - that have traditionally been PDP states since democracy, with a brief APC stint in Rivers.

It appears the APC are licking their wounds of defeat at the hands of PDP in the just concluded Bayelsa State supplementary elections; and, embarrassed roundly, they are desperately trying to raise cash for what may be a far more expensive ambition at Akwa Ibom and Rivers states, should the Supreme court call for supplementary elections in those states.

Last Monday, top leadership of APC met with President Buhari in a closed door meeting in an attempt to get him and their other elected members to fund the party's operations. Here is what an authoritative source at the Presidency told THISDAY: the President told members of the NWC of the APC present at the meeting;  National Chairman, Chief John Oyegun; National Secretary, Alhaji Mai-Mala Buni; Deputy National Chairman (North), Senator Lawan Shuaibu, and Deputy National Chairman, Chief Segun On:

“Buhari declined from making any financial commitment. He rather reminded the APC NWC members of
how the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) messed themselves up by dipping their hands into public funds to run the party campaigns. He said he would not want APC to be seen as behaving in the same manner, moreso now that it is running a corrective government,”

The president, the source said, politely declined any commitment to bear the financial burden of running the party.

The party, I read have decided, therefore, to activate fund-raising strategies that had been abandoned in file cabinets when 'things were rosy'. It would be remembered that the APC had enjoyed free flowing cash from the largesse of wealthy members, until selfish interests began to abrade against each other, creating aggrieved benefactors who decided to withhold their financial support to the party. For ego, some of them are said to have chosen to remain in the party even when their political clout had been punctured by fellow party members; but they also developed cold feet in sponsoring the party. Perhaps, they hope to make a point for their importance to the party. One of those party leaders in mind would have to be the Lion of Bourdillion, Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

It was reported that an APC governor of the South-South part of Nigeria had donated #50million in October last year, and I believe his name is Adams Oshiomole. The same is a loud-mouthed APC leader who has ballyhooed himself as a discoverer of politicians who mismanaged public funds in the administration of his political 'enemies'. The same, 5 months ago, secured approval from the APC-led Senate for a $75million loan from the World Bank for his state. Little wonder the donation in October was kept semi-secret.

While many will be led to believe that the President is exercising caution with spending public funds - in a time he is probing the former administration for $2.1billion of public funds spent on party agenda - it is important to watch carefully how the desperate APC go about raising these much needed funds and to keep in focus the aforementioned reasons for this desperation inferred from recent political comments by their topmost leadership concerning Akwa Ibom and Rivers States.

ALLEGIANCE TO UDOM - The Stand of Eket Senatorial district & All Akwa Ibom

The leadership of deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel did receive a massive boost a week ago when ten thousands of Eket senatorial district people assembled to appreciate and declare their support for his administration in a time when his government has been embattled by the opposition party, APC.

The reception which was announced to be the first in what will be an annual event in honour of Governor Udom Emmanuel, their son, and first to be governor of Akwa Ibom since creation 28 years ago, from the much impoverished region, which also is the highest revenue generating area for the federal government.

Notable figures from the senatorial district and representatives of the other two Senatorial districts spoke to make their position known to the entire world, watching live on various broadcast channels. They all reiterated their support for the Udom Emmanuel-led government and distanced themselves from claims by APC spokespersons who, backed by the federal government, to carry out campaigns against the PDP-led government of Akwa Ibom state, promising to seize power in Akwa Ibom by all means.

Chief Nduese Essien, a onetime federal minister and political leader of the Eket senatorial district people, announced in his usual soft but authoritative tone of finality:  “... we elected Udom and he has our unending support.”

Rt Hon Onofiok Luke, the speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, in his address to the teeming multitude said; “…since I started my political life, I have never lied to Akwa Ibom people. I will always tell you what is the truth, and I will tell you the truth today….I have played different roles in supporting government. In 1999 we supported Uyo senatorial district to be governor. In 2007, we supported Ikot Ekpene senatorial district. In 2015 justice, equity, divinity, mandate demands that we support Eket senatorial district to be governor.

Obong Paul Ekpo, the PDP chairman for Akwa Ibom lent his voice to the appreciations for governor Udom; “As a party, we are very proud of you as our governor. Today I am here to thank the Eket senatorial district and to thank you for not disappointing your people. That is why your people are very proud of you today”.

In response, the Governor, elated and visibly overwhelmed by the magnitude of appreciation showed him by the people thanked them; “I have never seen in this country where only one Senatorial district organized such a large reception for their own. This is unprecedented. If the whole state were to come together for this, it means our stadium would not contain us”.

It was also a fitting time for the governor to send a strong message to the rest of Nigeria. “Some of the politicians you see at Abuja are not representatives of Akwa Ibom people” referring to politicians who have gone round peddling deceptions about the actual political position of the Akwa Ibom people. “These here are the Akwa Ibom people”, he stated.

By Uduak Umo