El-Rufai Marrying Zara Buhari

When indications arose that El-rufai could be licking his lips whenever Zara Buhari walked past, it sounded like the gentleman governor is being hated on. Now the story is being firmed up with a publication by Kaduna based weekly newspaper - El-rufai has won the hottest prize Nigerian bobos couldn't lay hands on.

It would have been easily dismissed a ruse till vociferous APC Facebook crusader, George Udom confirmed the story.









There is nothing wrong with the union, especially as their common faith allows it. There is everything suspicious though - El-Rufai has been touted as Buhari's successor and this marriage only edges rumours closer to reality.

Congrats El. Go home Nigeria.

WORLD PENSION SUMMIT 2015: Gov. Emmanuel Recommends the establishment of Pension Remittance Institution

Governor Emmanuel has proposed the setting up of an institution that would ensure proper and accurate remittance of pension contributions for proper processes and procedures.

He stated this in an interview with Journalists at the just concluded World Pension Summit 2015 in Lagos.

Read Details Below :

Let us consider that the accumulation of 5 trillion naira pensions fund in the country could create investment opportunities for interested investors.

The main reason for this is that, with over 5
trillion naira - which is over 25 billion dollars - we have investment opportunities where we are doubly sure that the pension fund can actually be invested and money realized. That is the essence of investment.

You don’t invest to lose your capital; you invest to get adequate returns on investment.
Even in terms of road infrastructure, the economic viability of the roads in the South South (zone) is being linked up by Akwa Ibom.
So we can actually earmark some of these for investors to come under the PPP (public private partnership) model.

As a State, we are interested in taking up some equity even as our pensioners are receiving their monthly pension on a regular basis. It is evident that, as a government, we have been concentrating on the development of infrastructure in the past few months especially in terms of human capital development, natural resources and the creativity to drive development in all sectors of the economy.
Adequate funding is therefore required to develop the infrastructure needed to drive the development process.

I talked about the three Cs – cash, commodity and creativity. In this case, we are creative in ideas, policies and approach on programmes we invent.

In terms of commodity, we all know how wealthy we are in terms of the abundant natural resources.
Cash could be a problem, but who owns the cash? It is either the capital market or the pension fund.

Thus, an institution to ensure proper and accurate remittance of  pension contributions for proper processes and procedures is highly recommended

Akwa Ibom Indigenes in the Diaspora pledge Support for Governor Udom Emmanuel

Apart from throwing  its full weight behind the industrialization policy of Udom Emmanuel’s administration; Akwa Ibom Indigenes in the Diaspora say they will embark on a $500 million worth medical mission to the state in March 2016.

The President of Akwa Ibom State Association of Nigeria, AKISAN, the umbrella body of Akwa Ibom indigenes resident in the United States of America, Britain and other foreign countries.  Mr. John Etim, bared the minds of the diasporan community during a media parley organized by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Diaspora matters Mr Joseph EtukUdoh , during their visit to Uyo in celebration of the 28th Anniversary of the Akwa Ibom State creation.

He however recounted previous contributions of AKISAN to include over 50 college scholarships, countless pre-college scholarships, and free medical services to more than 10,000 Akwa Ibom people through medical
missions. Mr. Etim stated that the group had taken on the obligation of ‘relentless giving, advocacy and volunteerism saying it was on record that AKISAN had set up and equipped the dialysis unit in the
University of Uyo Teaching Hospital.

In support of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s industrialization drive, Etim disclosed that AKISAN is working with Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation (AKICORP) to increase investment opportunities in Akwa Ibom.
“We are dedicated to partnering with Governor Udom Emmanuel for the task of industrializing Akwa Ibom State. He emphasized their resolve to spread the information of  AKICORP as a one-stop-shop for all Diasporans to come in and invest in Akwa Ibom.

Secretary of the AKISAN Board of Trustees and only ever female president of the organization, Ms Obot Okoko  recalled how as NTA education correspondent, she, together with other prominent Akwa Ibom
ladies, worked hard to raise funds at Lagos to contribute to the welfare and Development of AkwaIbom State at creation She also reminded the forum ,how she impressed on Ex President Ibrahim
Babangida and Jibril Aminu, the then Minister of Education, to add a second Federal Government college to Akwa Ibom, Federal Government Girls College, Ikot Obio Itong; after just one Unity school had been
approved for the State.

Also, The AKISAN Miss Akwa Ibom USA, Samantha Nkanta, who was part of the delegation, called for Akwa Ibom people to contribute their quota, each one, to developing the State.

Ita Anwan James, a California based nurse, praised the changes she has seen in Akwa Ibom since she arrived for the 28th anniversary of the state; particularly the facelift of St. Lukes General Hospital, Anua.
“I worked at Anua before relocating to the United States. As someone who is planning to come back home to help serve my people, having acquired a lot of skills and expertise in my field, what I saw when I
visited that hospital yesterday is highly commendable.” She enthused.

In appreciation of the group, Mr. Etukudo expressed his contentment
with AKISAN’s enthusiastic commitment to invest in the growth of the state and encouraged other groups to participate in the same vein
He stressed that the state will benefit tremendously from their
willingness to return with skills acquired in foreign countries to add value to Governor Udom Emmanuel’s development programme of the Akwa Ibom Project. Mr Joseph emphasized on the need for all AkwaIbomites in the Diaspora to come together as one,in Love ,peace , harmony and Unity as the Power of Oneness will cause a defining revolution for the Unity of Purpose .He assured them that the Governor is set to make Akwa Ibom an enabling
environment for successful investment.

LEADERSHIP AWARDS: GOV. UDOM EMMANUEL TASKS NIGERIAN NEWSPAPERS ON ETHICAL JOURNALISM

The Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Governor Udom Emmanuel, in his speech at the Leadership Awards on Wednesday October 7th, in Abuja charged Nigerian journalists to shun biases and rise to greatness.

In his speech, the governor congratulated Leadership Newspapers, saying: "It is not easy to have a paper with a philosophy that they have, for God and our country Nigeria. That philosophy is a philosophy of unity, a philosophy that can bridge the gap between biases."

"Today, we are all here because we also believe that as a country political parties are just platforms that you get into governance. The elections had been won and lost, it's time to deliver on dividends of democracy. So, we all have to look forward to governance, and a great partner we have in good governance is information dissemination.

"Leadership Newspaper is one paper that you will not find the error of extremism in reporting, sensitizing the public unnecessarily. I love their balance in reporting and political columns because you will have something to pick. That doesn't mean that we don't like opposition. Opposition must prevail in order to keep you on your toes."

"If you are a man and don't have somebody watching over your back, who criticizes when you go wrong, you will be leading others, even yourself to a place where you will not actually appreciate at the end of the day. We love constructive criticisms, we also love to be criticized because we don't know it all as leaders."

"The group of governors that you see, both inside and outside this room, are governors that will deliver dividends of democracy to this country, a platform, especially, when you are getting into reclaiming Nigeria a pathway."

"A pathway of reclaiming this country starts with the people, leaders that we are putting in place and also with everybody contributing."

"That is why in Akwa Ibom state, we “Dakkada” – a new philosophy. The era where you have to sit back and watch is gone past. It is the era that you have to rise to your own greatness. An era that you have to believe in yourself and believe that what you have is all that you need in other to get to where you want to go to. It is an era that, even as a country, you also need to rise to the faith that Nigeria is a great nation of a great people with great minds, that we must rise above biases, we must rise above gender, we must rise above religion and we must look at the great country called Nigeria. We must work together to make sure we deliver that greatness.”



Click here to Watch

https://youtu.be/y-KJ52R9fJo

DAKKADA TV ...Rise to Greatness...

PRESS RELEASE QUALITY EDUCATION A TOP PRIORITY OF GOV. UDOM EMMANUEL -AKSG

Akwa Ibom State Government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring qualitative education at all levels in the State, particularly the  continued upgrade of infrastructure and facilities in public schools.

While decrying the spate of  conspiracy and blackmail against the State government on the state of educational infrastructure, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, disclosed that about 2,500 blocks of classrooms have so far been constructed and rehabilitated in about 1,162 primary schools and 244 secondary and technical schools across the State.

According to him, the intervention of the state government in public schools also include perimeter fencing of schools in high traffic areas, provision of laboratory equipment, school desk, workshops and supply of teaching aids and materials.

Mr. Umanah, while commenting on the situation at the St. Paul's Lutheran Primary School, Ikot Ibiok, said "the intervention of the state government in public schools is a continuous exercise." He added that already, Governor Udom Emmanuel had directed the Inter Ministerial Direct Labour Committee to take inventory of schools in need of rehabilitation and provision of facilities, with a view to tackling them in the next phase of interventions. He noted that "more than 90 per cent of public primary and secondary schools in Akwa Ibom are in top conditions."

Observing that though primary schools are direct responsibilities of the federal government, through the Universal Basic Education, he assured that "the State government will promptly address the situation in any identified school, in line with the infrastructure consolidation programme of  the Governor Udom Emmanuel administration."

The Commissioner noted that "government is aware that some people had been commissioned by political opponents to take pictures of schools awaiting intervention, with the sole objective of blackmailing government to score cheap political point, and challenged them to also take photographs of the thousands of school blocks that have been are in top shape, if they have any modicum of fairness in them."  He emphasized that Governor Udom Emmanuel remained focused on the delivery of his campaign promises to the people of Akwa Ibom, and will not allow the antics of the opposition to distract him.

Akwa Ibom State Government Debunks Multibillion Naira Mansion Rumour ... Says Family House Under Renovation is decades old

Akwa Ibom State Government has described rumours that Governor Udom Emmanuel is building a six billion Naira mansion in his hometown of Awa in Onna Local Government Area as totally false, reprehensible and misleading.

The State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr Aniekan Umanah, stated that the report in a section of the media tantamounts to taking mischief to new heights of irresponsibility, and chided them for sacrificing professionalism at the altar of sensationalism.

The information boss said that, contrary to the mischievous claims of the purveyors of such falsehood, the Governor’s family compound has hosted several buildings for over 60 years.
“It was in the same building that the Governor hosted friends and Nigerians from all walks of life when he held a thanksgiving shortly after his appointment as Secretary to the State Government. It was in the same compound that he hosted supporters during campaigns and also on the day of his inauguration as Governor of Akwa Ibom State . What is this noise about? ” Mr Umanah questioned.

The commissioner said "what these merchants of blackmail may not know is that Governor Udom Emmanuel has been a very comfortable man many years before he was called upon by the people to serve”. The Commissioner further said that Governor Emmanuel has always had his buildings in Ewet housing and Awa long before his foray into politics questioning why the mindless attacks on the person of the Governor over a 4 bedroom house.

Mr Umanah said those accusing the Governor of spending Six Billion Naira were merely acting the script of mischief and propaganda of their pay masters maintaining that no amount of blackmail will distract or deter the governor from his determination to move the state forward with high flying performance especially at a time Government was seeking funds and investors to help in the developmental drive of the administration.

The Commissioner called on the public not to give in to the cheap blackmail and antics of those who peddle falsehood as a profession and seek to score cheap political goals as the so called web of corruption and diversion of public funds for private purposes four months after assuming office as the Governor exists only in the figment of their imagination.

The Government spokesman further explained that Governor Emmanuel had been a very successful man who had risen to the pinnacle in Corporate governance, financial services where he drove profits for such organizations. "For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Udom Emmanuel served as Executive Director of Zenith Bank Plc, Nigeria; Director, International Finance Corporation; Director, Zenith Bank UK, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Ghana amongst others. It was from this plank of solid experience, capacity, achievements and success that his people prevailed on him to exit the private sector and come to serve them as governor". Umanah added and assured that, as a seasoned finance expert of international repute, the governor will not compromise on due diligence and the proper utilization of public funds, stressing that, already, the governor had in keeping with the current national disposition read out the riot act of zero tolerance for corruption.

He therefore called on the media to act as responsible gatekeepers in the discharge of their duties and avoid being used for smear campaigns .

ADDRESS BY GOVERNOR UDOM EMMANUEL AT THE IBOM HALL THANKSGIVING SERVICE

AN ADDRESS PRESENTED BY THE GOVERNOR OF AKWA IBOM STATE, MR. UDOM EMMANUEL AT THE INTER-DENOMINATIONAL THANKSGIVING SERVICE AT IBOM HALL GROUNDS, UYO ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2015

Protocols

Today, we have returned to thank God who has been faithful to us as a State for twenty-eight years and kept us as one indivisible country for 55 years.  We have returned like the Leper in the Bible to appreciate God for His mighty doings in our State, which have surpassed human understanding on all fronts. We have come to Praise God for the next phase of industrialization and development in our dear Akwa Abasi Ibom State.

In twenty-eight years of our existence, God has been with us through it all. We have moved from a mere civil service oriented State, where at birth, 28 years ago, the structural layers resembled that of a glorified village to a modern city, dotted with first class and up-to-date infrastructural amenities.

When we look back from when the State that was created in 1987, we can appreciate God for the transformational phases He has taken us through as a people. At every phase, marked by a particular era, there is always something to look back and say God has done it.  In twenty eight years, we have evolved from the days of decayed infrastructure to the glorious days of infrastructural renaissance engineered by the Godswill Akpabio years and now being sustained and deepened by my administration.

My brothers and Sisters, even though there are still elements of bigotry, animosity, tribalism and anger bestriding our society, and which the new spirit of Dakkada will help minimize, we have seen the invisible hand of God piloting the affairs of this great state. It has indeed been 28 years of Grace and Glory, 28 years of God’s blessing, and 28 years of steady advancement from Glory to Glory across all nooks and crannies of this great state.

We have changed from a servile mindset, lacking the competitive spirit and needed confidence to a group of people that have now decided to stand up and reclaim the greatness that God has endowed in us all. We have rekindled the  can do spirit of an Akwa Ibom person.
 As we have come here to appreciate God for His marvelous work in our lives, I implore every Akwa Ibom person to rise to the greatness that God has endowed us as a people. Every Akwa Ibom person is born a Star irrespective of his/her place of birth or the circumstance surrounding his/her birth. We therefore stand up to reclaim the seed of greatness that is in us. We must believe in God’s seed of greatness in us and project such, in all our doings.

As your Governor, I rose to the top in my career in the private sector because I believed in myself and the greatness that God endowed in us. I am standing here as one of those proud Akwa Ibom sons that has risen to the greatness that is embedded in him. This is what formed the bedrock of the Dakkada movement, which was launched at the 28th Anniversary of creation of Akwa Ibom State last week.  This is the Akwa Ibom Spirit, it is alive and well. We all must internalize it, and run with it.
Since this administration came into being on May 29, we have hit the ground running with strength, vigor and fervor, projecting the true Akwa Ibom spirit in everything we do. This administration came in with a Five-Point Agenda of Wealth Creation, Economic and political inclusion, Poverty Alleviation, Infrastructural Consolidation and Expansion and Job Creation, and so far we have keep track, delivering the dividends of democracy to our people.
Immediately I resumed office as the Governor, I made a visit to St. Luke Hospital, Annua, a major health service provider that has served our health needs for 78 years. I was shocked at the sorry state of infrastructure at the Institution and I gave directive for an immediate intervention. Today, to the glory of God, we have given life to St. Luke Hospital by constructing an ultra-modern gynaecology ward at the Hospital, named after the venerable Dr. (Sister) Ann Ward in addition to renovation of male and children wards respectively

Electricity supply which was at a severely epileptic condition when we came on board, has improved significantly because of the new power substations we have built. Apart from ensuring the prompt payment of salaries, we have cleared a decade of gratuities for local government employees, and other units of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners.  We have recently, commissioned water reticulation and head-works in Ifa Atai in Uyo and Idu Uruan, as an effort to reintroduce the concept of providing portable water for the public. In order to link all part of the State, we have flagged-off the construction of 137 kilometers of road across the State. Work has also resumed  on the dualization of Eket-Ibeno Road; urban renewal projects within Eket township; construction of second runway at the Ibom International Airport; construction of three collapsed bridges and internal roads in Obot Akara Local Government Area; dualization of Oron road and construction of 21.2km underground drainage in Uyo. Dualization of Oron-Okobo –Uyo Road, the construction of bridges and internal roads in Obot Akara Local government Area, The award of Etinan-Ndon Eyo road among others.

 The thrust of this administration is Industrialization. We are on point and will spare no effort in this regard. We have so far performed ground breaking for car assembly plant in Itu LGA to be built by a leading Israeli auto manufacturing company Mischac Merkavin and Low Energy Display (LED) Manufacturing plant at Itam, - Fertilizer Plant and the Daar Communications Broadcast complex at Abak. Peacock Paints at Ikot Ekan in Etinan, a once household name in paint industry, which has been moribund for decades has been revitalized and commissioned for operation at full capacity. We have also performed the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the Shoprite Mall at the Tropicana in Uyo. Work is on-going at the Ibom Deep Sea Port.

A thousand youths have been trained in Oracle technology. Others have been sent to acquire skills in agriculture in Israel, while another set will be sent for power sector training. At the moment, about 329 youths will soon commence training in photography and film production.

This administration believes in equipping youths with the right skills for the right jobs of the 21st Century. This approach has received accolades and appreciation at home and in the Diaspora. Just two weeks ago, in the glittering city of New York, I was honored with Outstanding Leadership Service Award by the International Association of African NGOs at the United Nations alongside the immediate past President of Malawi, Dr. Joyce Banda.

Permit me also, at this juncture, to congratulate the women of Akwa Ibom State, led by my dear wife, Her Excellency, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel for the successful launch of her signature project-Family Empowerment and Youth Re-orientation Programme (FEYREP).

 My dear brothers and sisters, in 28 years we have come a long way. In 28 years, we have risen as a State. In 28 years we have grown and we are thrilled and comforted by the endless possibilities that lie ahead. This is just the beginning and as the Americans would say “you ain’t seen nothing yet”.
 Let us rise for unity, love and togetherness. Let us rise above every divisive tendencies, tribalism and hatred. Let us be enveloped and protected by the big umbrella of love and oneness .Let us therefore,  from the rice fields of Ini, to the sandy shores of Ibeno,  the lush boulevards of Uyo to the Raffia city of Ikot Ekpene, rise to the true greatness that lies in us. Ami mme ‘dakkanda’, Akwa Ibom e‘dakkada!
Thank you and God bless us all!