ACCOLADES TRAIL GOVERNOR UDOM EMMANUEL’S SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS VERIFICATION

By: Aniekan James Ekah

A common challenge that prominent public figures and popular brands face is having to deal with copycat and impostor social media accounts. While fans and customers are generally able to tell the difference, some fake accounts make it really difficult to do so. This can lead to inaccurate information being shared and, as a result, confuse or frustrate consumers.

The recent feat by Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel to verify his Social Media handles have been applauded to all and sundry at home and in the Diaspora! This, they say, is an indication that Governor Emmanuel is a world-class leader who has the interest of the State at heart.

This has not only made the Governor a tech-savvy Governor but one that is ready to the leverage on his position to project the State’s brand image to the outside world through his online activities to attract the much-desired foreign and direct investments to the state.

It is worthy of note that Governor Udom Emmanuel has taken impressive steps which have removed doubts from the eyes of skeptics about his sincerity and commitments to completely industrialize the state. Not only does his Social Media accounts exist, the Governor also ensured a frequent one-on-one interaction with his people at home and in the Diaspora through these channels.

Most recent is his show of excitement on Social Media as the State’s football team Akwa United, carted home the FA Cup for the first time. In his Facebook post, the Governor remarked “I congratulate Akwa United Fc Stars for making us proud by clinching the Federation Cup. We will not stop at the 100 Million Naira approved for your financial commitments but will provide support for Sport academies to be established to develop more Talents. Well done! UE”.

This post reached over 7000 people in 24hours with numerous comments, had 17 Retweets on Twitter, with an average of 371, 000 impressions still within 24 hours! Impressive! This means over three hundred thousand people (potential investors inclusive) knew about Akwa Ibom State just from one post made by the Governor!

Since Social Media strategies require a lot of financial commitments, the belief is that up to 5 million people can be reached if activities of the New Media team is boosted financially. This means, more people all over the world, will know about Government’s programs, policies, achievements and challenges all with a simple click.

For the records, Governor Udom Emmanuel and Governor Ambode of Lagos State are the only Nigerian Governors with verified Social Media Accounts. This shows the extent of work done by Governor Udom Emmanuel’s New Media Team led by Mrs. Meflyn Anwana, in managing the Governor’s image on the vast online media space.

Before now, a simple Google search would reveal scanty and untreated pictures of the Governor but since the New Media space was created, the number of quality pictures and other digital contents about the Governor is quite overwhelming.

Any time spent on Twitter or Facebook will inevitably lead one to find an account with a blue checkmark beside it. Having this checkmark means that the account has been verified as authentic. There are largely only two types of verified accounts on social media '- for public figures, and for popular brands.

The verification of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s accounts was timely and quite necessary to prevent fraud, and to protect the integrity of His Excellency and the Akwa Ibom State Government. After all, this is the Internet we're talking about. People make outrageous claims every day, and are believed, hiding behind the anonymity of the Web. That checkmark is a mighty weapon against a lot of potentially bad people.

This is all about branding, and whether you are a major player or a humble brick-and-mortar small business, protecting your good name on the World Wide Web should be important to you.

You may never have the number of followers on social media to warrant that precious blue checkmark, but even a handful of followers mean that you matter to them, as they matter to you. Pay attention to them, and be vigilant about what is being said about you and your business on Social Media.

Regardless of whether impersonators aim for humor or something more sinister, government agencies should as a matter of fact and necessity, secure verification of their accounts to avoid confusion during a critical emergency management incident and improve the overall citizen experience on social media

Fed Cup Victory: Gov Udom, Akwa Players To Storm Uyo In Chartered Flight Tuesday

Akwa United Players Celebrating After Winning The Federation Cup In Lagos

Akwa Ibom State executive Governor, Emmanuel Udom alongside players of the victorious Akwa United FC are set to storm Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom in a chartered flight on Tuesday after their 2-1 victory against Lobi Stars at the final of the Federation Cup at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.
In an exclusive chat with SRSport.com on Monday in Lagos, club’s media officer, Uwem Ekoh said some of the Akwa players are expected to travel with the governor in a chartered flight to Uyo on Tuesday, which will be on ground to celebrate their unprecedented achievement for the state. According to Ekoh, it is a great honour to be part of the team after the Federation Cup victory in Lagos.
“It is a great honour for Akwa to be crowned winner of the Federation Cup. But the party continues in Akwa Ibom as the governor will travel with some players in a chartered flight to Uyo, and will be received on arrival in a grand match pass reception by some traditional dancers to show their appreciation for the victory.
“Apart from that, the governor will also announce on Wednesday date for state reception to honour the players for their efforts by winning this year’s Federation Cup trophy. I want to believe it’s going to be a massive celebration.
Speaking further, Ekoh said: “Bu I would like to say this, the victory on Sunday is dedicated to God for making the dream a reality; because if not for His enablement, there is no way we can achieve this feat. Also, I commend the state governor, the commissioner, the club’s chairman; and host of others who contributed immensely one way or the other for us to achieve this wonderful achievement.
“The club officials and players also played a vital role by making it happen with their efforts; it shows a high level of commitment from all of us. Like I said earlier the party continues in Akwa Ibom, while we try to put everything in order as we prepare for the continent next season.”

Akwa Ibom APC Leaders Moving To Pdp

Indications emerged last night that some elders from Akwa Ibom  state who have been hopnobbing with the state APC governorship candidate Umana Umana, may have concluded plans to come back and be reintegrated in the current dispensation of Governor Udom Emmanuel. 

A source say that these out of favour elders, are not happy that their poor political calculation has landed them at the wrong side of the divide, where they only hear about governance but are unable to access the government of the day.

Our source confided that 11 of the displaced politicians have secretly met with a top notch in the elders's forum in view of their impending return after several months in the wilderness.
However it was further gathered that their sojourn in Umana Okon Umana's camp had since rendered them highly irrelevant, and without followership. Among the returnees are two former national assemblymen from Ikot Ekpene  senatorial district, and a former local government chairman in Uyo federal constituency, and another septuagenarian who has a biological tie with a ranking state PDP officer in the state.

We reliably gathered that the APC disgruntled elders met at the weekend in a hotel in Ewet Housing Estate, where they lamented that Umana has led them to political doldrums as they no longer enjoyed financial leverage and upkeep in a  state they had previously contributed their time and resources.
They also reasoned that since Umana is not able handle their financial entitlements and shows no prospect of causing any upset in his quest to unseat Governor Udom Emmanuel who appears to have firmly taken grip of the state.The APC elders are primarily former ranking members of the PDP who would have either been in the state caucus of the party or the official state elders' forum, but have been left in the wilderness after following Umana to APC late early this year.

Currently, Governor Udom Emmanuel has placed premium on the counsel of the PDP elders in making most of his decisions, and it is believed that most elders are banking on his humility and assesibility to attract developements to their localities.However they are bound to meet some pockets of resistance from the PDP elders who are not Co for table with the development.

A prominent former federal lawmaker from Uyo Senatorial district said the PDP is undergoing a reformation process and has no room for distraction by self seeking wanderers who have consistently been guided by their selfish interests instead of the collective good of all and sundry.
"That era of indiscriminate thorough fare in the party is over and nobody should expect us to tolerate such unstable characters who have sacrificed their integrity on the platter of greed to bring confusion to our state,"  the PDP elders added.

FANS LIGHT UYO PLAZA AS AKWA UNITED LIFTS FA CUP

Thousands of Uyo residents on Sunday evening thronged the popular Ibom Plaza to witness the historic victory of the state football team Akwa United in the final of the Nigerian federation cup competition.
The match played at the Teslim Balogun stadium in Lagos was beamed live to the Akwa ibom audience in Uyo through the intervention of Governor Udom Emmanuel, saw the colourful crowd w cheering and clapping as the team pounced on Benue state outfit Lobi stars of Makurdi by 2 goals to 1 to lift the trophy for the first time for the state.

The fans who defied their political divides to drum support in one accord  for the state-owned team to emerge victorious in the nation's older football tournament.

The state Commissioner for Finance Mr Akan Okon and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Technical Matters and Due Process Mr Ufot Ebong were among the fans at the Ibom Plaza to celebrate the team.

Speaking after the match  Mr Akan Okon described the victory as a Divine endorsement for Akwa Ibom people, and attribute it to hardworking,  focus and sheer determination by the Akwa United team, stressing that the team had effectively keyed into the Dakkada (arise) clarion call by Governor Udom Emmanuel.

On his part, Mr Ufot Ebong said the Governor was greatly interested in ensuring that every Akwa Ibom person is motivated and inspired in the spirit of the Dakkada principle gaining momentum in the state.
Ebong said it was a great moment for the people to forget their political inclinations, ethnic barriers and other sentiments and to key into the unity and goal-oriented vision of the Governor to lead the state high beyond imaginations.
"As you could see, the people all forgot their respective interest and as they sat here, everyone was highly supportive of the mission of Akwa United to bring back glory to the state," he said.

Engr. Ebong maintained that, "all the people you see here have tvs in their houses and could have watched the match at home, but as you know, nobody can underestimate the impact of collective prayers and unity, and here it worked for the team."

He  commended the team for their peaceful conduct and congratulated the team on the victory.
Akwa United will now represent Nigeria in the African Confederation cup competition.

A cross section of the people who witnessed the encounter at the Plaza also commended the state governor for inspiring the team, and expressed the hope that it will be extended to other sectors of the state.

Umana Murdered Nsit Ubium Paramount Ruler

The leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State, Senator John James Akpanudoedeghe has accused the APC governorship candidate in the state of kidnapping during the Godswill Akpabio years. Udoedeghe, who made the assertion on planet FM in uyo during an interview, said that the Paramount Ruler of Nsit Ubium Local Government was murdered by Umana’s men over the 2015 election. The monarch Edidem Robert Obot, Oku Ibom Ibibio (III); and a former Chairman of the Akwa Ibom Council of Chiefs, was murdered in cold blood in his palace sometimes in 2012, on a Sunday after returning from church service. Udoedeghe also said the relative peace enjoyed in the state after Umana left office as Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State government justifies the fact he was the mastermind of the various dastardly acts of that inglorious era. He maintained that the same set of actors are still in power but that kidnapping and murder had seized to exist because Umana was kicked out of power. “You say I should assess the Udom Emmanuel administration. I have noticed that there is peace in the state. It means that (Umana) and his friends were responsible for all those acts. My point is that he (Umana) should not come to my party and spread the virus here” Udoedeghe said. Udoedeghe is challenging the outcome of the APC governorship primaries in the state. The APC chieftain maintained that Akwa Ibom people should avoid a deadly person like Umana , who according to him, would stop at nothing from killing anyone that opposes his views of leadership and should not be considered for any leadership position. Udoedehe has also sued Umana over the Candidacy of All Progressive Congress in the Gubernatorial election

AKWA IBOM APC’S PLAN TO USE FAKE SECURITY MEN TO BEAR FALSE TESTIMONY EXPOSED! DESPERATION TAKEN TO THE EXTREME

The Niger-Delta Political Committee on Justice, Fairness and Equity (NDPCJFE) has uncovered a sinister plot by Akwa Ibom APC and its defeated flag-bearer in the last gubernatorial election, Mr. Umana Okon Umana to hold a World Press Conference where it would line up FAKE police, army, DSS and other security agents to testify falsely about the peaceful conduct of the April 11, 2015 gubernatorial elections where the PDP Candidate, Mr. Udom Emmanuel was massively elected by the good people of Akwa Ibom State as their Governor. This evil plot is aimed at influencing the Honorable Justice of the Court of Appeal to give a ruling favorable to its cause.

We wish to use this medium to sound a note of warning to the APC in Akwa Ibom State and its defeated Candidate and those who are advising him to stop this insidious plan which runs against the spirit and letter of the Change mantra that Nigerians brought into, and which had propelled our dear President Muhammadu Buhari to victory during the March 28 Presidential polls. We also want to alert our fellow Nigerians and the international community on this evil plot.

We think it is the height of political desperation for a group to think up such a despicable plot, and make plans for its execution. Politics should not reduce to such low level of engagement. In the April 11, 2015 elections, the people of Akwa Ibom State relying on an entrenched voting culture, and fully aware that the State is a bastion of the PDP, and having seen the dividends of democracy manifest both in physical and psychological layers in the past eight years, made a solemn pact with the party, and voted overwhelmingly for the PDP standard-bearer in that election – Mr. Udom Emmanuel.

In his almost six months in office, Governor Udom Emmanuel has acquitted himself creditably, and has earned the trust that the good people of Akwa Ibom State had reposed in him. He has kept his eye on the ball and has taken concrete steps to redeem his campaign promises, the main thrust of which is the rapid industrialization of the state. Numerous ground-breaking ceremonies for new industries that will provide jobs for our teeming youths have been performed, contracts for the construction of several hundreds of kilometer of roads have been awarded, the people are enjoying steady electricity, youths are being trained and equipped with the right stills-set to compete and qualify for the jobs that will soon be available through industrialization. A new mental, attitudinal and psychological initiative as encapsulated in the ‘dakkada’ movement has caught on, and a vibrant Akwa Ibom spirit and identity based on the ‘can-do’ mindset has taken roots. The ship of the State is in steady hands of Governor Udom Emmanuel.

Let us at this moment, make a key point that Nigerians and the International community may not have known: The wealth of the State which is based on oil and gas is located in Eket Senatorial District. In 28 years since the State was created, Eket Senatorial District, which is one of the three Senatorial Districts in the State has not produced a Governor.

For Justice, equity and fair-play, the people of Akwa Ibom State at well-attended Town Hall meetings across the ten Federal Constituencies, unanimously agreed that Eket Senatorial District should produce the next Governor of the State. Mr. Udom Emmanuel, an accomplished Financial Service Expert and the then Secretary to the State Government, a great son of Eket Senatorial District, was roundly nominated at the PDP primaries last December, and went on to win the election April 11, 2015.

Umana Okon Umana, the APC gubernatorial Candidate the world must know, is not from Eket Senatorial District, he is from Uyo Senatorial District. Other parties which fielded candidates in the last gubernatorial election – Labour and Accord nominated candidates that came from Eket Senatorial District, in compliance with this equitable act.

The people of Eket Senatorial District are not amused by the antics of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State and its flag bearer – Mr. Umana Okon Umana. The region views what the APC is doing as a violation of the principles of justice, fairness and would want fellow Nigerians and the international community, especially the United States of America whose strategic economic interest in Nigeria is located along the Senatorial District to take note of this open and flagrant abuse of the principle of justice, equity and fair-play.

The APC Candidate it must be state here, had bought the form as a PDP aspirant alongside others to participate in the nominating process, but having realized that for equity, fairness and justice, the party had seen the need to encourage candidates who came from Eket Senatorial District to participate in the primaries, quickly decamped from PDP and joined the APC. The APC Candidate, by joining the APC late in the game, failed to meet the constitutionally stipulated 21 Days’ notice required by INEC, and which the Supreme Court had affirmed and made sacrosanct. He was, therefore, not constitutionally eligible to contest the last April 11, 2015 Gubernatorial election.

It is also a known fact that the APC Candidate selected a Deputy Governorship Candidate-Engineer Benedict Effiong Ukpong who has violated Section 182 (1) (g) of the Electoral Laws which clearly stipulates that “No person shall be qualified for election to the office of Governor of a state if being a person employed in public service of the Federation or any State, he has not resigned, withdrawn or retired from employment at least thirty days to the date of the election…” Engineer Ukpong from verifiable documents, including withdrawal slips; payment vouchers did not formally resign or disengage himself from the services of his last employers- (FCDA) and thus, is ineligible to be paraded as a Deputy Governorship Candidate.
Let truth be told, if elections were to be conducted based on option A-4, Umana Okon Umana the APC candidate will not have up to five percent of Akwa Ibom people line up behind him. He is the most unpopular person in the state. Talk to his kindred in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, and you will be amazed at the level of ill-will he commands.

For the APC Governorship Candidate to be boasting all over the place that he will use the powers of the Presidency which controls the security agencies to wrestle Akwa Ibom State from PDP is deeply troubling and we wish to use this opportunity to ask the President, our dear Commander-in-Chief, a man who is the very definition of probity, fairness and integrity to call APC in Akwa Ibom State to order. What he is doing is capable of causing great disaffection in our State, region and the Nation in geneal.

The Chief of Defense Staff, Chief of Army Staff, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS) Comptroller-General, Nigerian Civil Defense Corp, should please put on notice concerning this immoral plot. We, however, have absolute faith and trust in the Nigerian Security agencies and we have no doubt that the evil and devilish plot of Umana Okon Umana will not succeed.

Signed:
Chief Tom A. Umanah
For: Niger-Delta Political Committee for Justice, Fair play and Equity
(NDPCJFE)

Ukoh Umoh, Media Aide to Governor Udom; The Gentleman of Values

Godwin Akpan

The special Assistant to the Akwa Ibom State Governor on local media, Mr.Uko Umoh, who doubles as the publisher of Nigerian pulse, is arguably, one of the vibrant S.As the Governor had appointed.
Having been the chairman of the league of publishers in Akwa Ibom State, he has worked in the interest of the previous and present governments in protecting and promoting both administrations.
Although the position Umoh holds today puts him in charge of the local media in the state, he has continued to enjoy a robust relationship  with Media men outside the state.
He has discharged his duties without fear or favour, and has bridge the gap between the media and the present administration.
Successfully, Umoh fondly called (Uko Biafra), has empowered the youths in various ways and has given many a sense of belonging in the media and beyond.
The job opportunities created by his medium, “The Nigerian pulse,” is a clear testimony of facts.
Many Journalists in the state started their Journalism career with him in the then Community Pulse, which metamorphosed into the present Nigerian Pulse.
If there is one man that deserves accolades in this administration, Uko Biafra stands to be counted.
Though many are scheming to displace him in the Emmanuel's ’s administration for no reason other than envy, Uko Biafra is not a push away. One can only underrate him at his or her own peril.
The government needs him more for more synergy between the media, the government and the people. No wonder the governor Udom Emmanuel recently described him as a man of inestimable values and a fine professional, when he presented the governor with the first edition of his magazine: MILESTONE, a new publication meant to assess the performance of government from time to time.


When men of goodwill are in a position, they bring their wealth of knowledge and experience to bear. So far, that is what Uko Biafra has brought to the table.
Discharging his functions with commitment and zeal to do more, and represents a symbol of unity to the Emmanuel's government.
A detribalized Nigerian who has not allowed ethnicity to stand between him and his people, and has continued to give every person a sense of belonging.
Umoh remains a man to be reckoned with and his legacies continue to speak for him.
LET THE TRUTH BE TOLD; EVEN IF IT STANDS ALONE