EXCLUSIVE: Governor Udom Aide on Students Affairs, Hold First quarter Students Town Hall Meeting at Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua

OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO GOVERNOR ON STUDENTS AFFAIRS ORGANISES THE FIRST TOWN HALL MEETING/INAUGURATION OF AKWA IBOM STATE POLYTECHNIC CHAPTER OF STUDENTS SOCIAL SERVICES VOLUNTEER SCHEME.

The event was held at Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, Ikot Ekpene L.G.A of the State.

Present in the meeting was the Governor of Akwa Ibom State Deacon Udon Gabriel Emmanuel represented by his Honourable Commissioner for Education Mr. Alexandra Akpan.  Com

missioner for Works, Akwa Ibom State Hon. Ephraim Inyang was equally installed as the Grand patron of the said inaugurated Scheme, which the Permanent Secretary ministry of Works represented the Honourable Commissioner.

Other personalities present at the event was the Speaker Of AKHA, Hon. (Barr.) Onofiok Akpan Luke and the  Rector of Akwa Ibom Polytechnic with other management staffs. And student's leaders ranging from NAN, NAKISS, AIFSA, Students Union Presidents, Leaders of SUG Senate, Handicap Students Association Etc.

Also to mark the Inauguration of the Students Social Services Volunteer Scheme of the Akwa Ibom state Polytechnic Chapter  was the Ceremonial Planting of trees around the school premise by the dignitaries that grace the event.

During the interactive sessions of the Town Hall meeting, Students/Students leaders had raised questions bordering the students  Across various tertiary institutions in the State. Some amongst the numerous question was the State of NAAKIS and it leadership and the way forward of the Association, hiking of School fees, poor infrastructures and conducive environment for learning and other important issues were equally raised raised.

Expect the publication of The Communiqué that was raised during the Town Hold Meeting Held soon.

Comrade Unyime

Chief Media Assistant
Governors Aid on Students Affairs.

Buhari Transfered to Hospital UK On Life Support Machine, Amidst Uncertainty

Nigerian President, General Muhammadu Buhari who is battling with an undisclosed illness has been transfered to Kings Hospital in the United Kingdom on a life support machine.

The Issues surrounding his health became open to the public when the news broke that he was dead on www.metro-uk.com website, ever since then, Nigerians have been asking questions to know the whereabout and the state of Mr. Buhari’s health.

The Presidential aides has not even helped the matters, with the controversial picture of the President released online, which raised a lot of concerns and cast doubt in the minds of the Nigerian populace, suggesting that all might not be well with the Nigerian Leader.

To conceal the true situation to the public, the Presidency also planned to release an audio message of Mr Buhari instead of Video Chat via Skype, facetime or other video technology that can enable the leader reach out to Nigerians to dispel whatever rumor which may make the situation looks like the Yar-Adua era in 2010.

Nigerians have been putting more pressure on the Presidency, and the ruling All Progressive Congress leaders because they want to know exactly what is happening to the man they voted for en mass as their President in 2015 but the way and manner the issue is being treated suggests that something terrible might going on with the President.

Few days ago, a report filtered on Social Media that the Northern Governors and its eminent personalities were having a secret meeting, this also raised the doubt the people has about the state of Mr. Buhari’s health.

In a simple enquiry made by WAILERSNG, a Nigerian who works in kings hospital who rather wants to remain unnamed said that he will say categorically that he had heard Buhari screamed loudly.

He went further to say that the stage of Buhari’s transplant at the Hospital might not be possible again because Buhari organs maybe shutting down and his body might not be able to sustain or even absorbs any transplant due to old age. As we speak, he his on a life support meaning that his in a vegetative state.

Due to his incapacitation, people close to the President has been briefed by the UK Doctor, that Mr. Buhari should resign immediately to avoid leaving a vacuum which is capable of causing another political tension in the country. This advise may have been the reason Northern Leaders summon an emergency meeting.

For those in doubt of what is currently going on, the 10 days vacation is coming to an end soon, Nigerians will see if an additional days will be requested for Mr. Buhari or he will return to the country to clear the air.

RECALL NELSON EFFIONG NOW!

RECALL NELSON EFFIONG NOW!
     ...Eket Students Threatens Fire

By: Uduak Nseabasi

Students from the 14 Local Government Areas that make up the Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District has risen in strong condemnation of the recent defection of Nelson Effiong, the Senator representing the zone in the Red Chambers of the National Assembly from the People's Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The students acting under the aegis of Eket Senatorial District Students Association has further called on all political stakeholders in the zone to urgently commission moves to recall the embattled Senator, though in line with extant provisions of the Nation's Constitution.

Speaking exclusively with our Correspondent on behalf of the Association, Comrade Joel Sunday, it's National President reasoned that the Senator's recent defection smarks of greed and the tendency to elevate selfish political aims. According to the high flying students leader who also doubles as the President of Federated Onna Students Association Worldwide, "Senator Nelson Effiong has squandered the goodwill that heralded our mandate for him to represent our collective aspirations in the National Assembly, we have lost effective representation in this man, and to worsen matters he has defected to a relatively unknown Political Association in the State, hence our Strong call for his urgent recall in line with the provisions of the Constitution. We desire the Stakeholders of our zone to rise in unison and recall this man back to his failing businesses." "In the event of not heeding this call, the students high command will have no other options than to seek alternative way of executing this demand, and I doubt if it will be palatable. We can't endure nor tolerate Nelson Effiong sitting in the hallowed Chambers of the Senate for the next few days".

When pressed on the motives behind this seeming withdrawal of confidence, the student leader added that, "the defection only came to worsen the injury the man has meted out to us since his election to the Senate, to defect is the highest insult he could do to us in a zone that produced a Governor that is working magic in terms of development. It is on record that Nelson Effiong is the only lawmaker in the National Assembly that is not representing people, he has not identified with the people since after elections, has not convened nor serviced meetings, has not given empowerment nor educational supports to his constituents, so at the long run we would have still arrived at the option of taking this part of mounting pressure for his recall, yet his ignoble defection has only hurried such moves, and we won't rest until he is recalled".

The Association however hailed Governor UDOM Emmanuel for his steadfast commitment to the welfare, well-being and development of Akwa Ibom State as an emerging hub for businesses and relaxation, saying, "Governor UDOM Emmanuel has affected the economy of the State more than any other person, has demonstrated unconditional love to students and their welfare by appointing a Special Assistant on Student Affairs. We have no doubts that after his tenure in 2023, the fortunes of our State would have changed for the better".

It could however be recalled that last Thursday, in a rather surprised move that hit the political scenario like a tornado, the Distinguished Senator Nelson Effiong representing Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District announced his defection from the PDP to the APC during plenary session of the Nigerian Senate. The move has since inspired comments from across political Stakeholders, especially in Akwa Ibom State, with the PDP threatening legal action to retrieve their mandate.

AKAN OKON EMPOWERS COMMUNITY

AKAN OKON EMPOWERS COMMUNITY
***Task youths to develop interest in vocational skills
                     By Bokime Asuquo





To further boost the poverty alleviation and employment creation policies of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, the first phase of the free skill Acquisition programme for youths of Mbiatok Itam, Itu Local Government Area, sponsored by the Honourable Commissioner for Housing and Special Duties, Mr Akan Okon, has ended, with a charge on youths, to develop interest in vocational skills.

Speaking at the grand finale of the event, organised by Herald Media World, producers of E & B TV Show and held at Mbiatok Itam Village Hall, the Commissioner, Mr Akan Okon harped on the need for youths to tackle the present economic hardship in the country by looking beyond white -collar jobs , adding they must think of what they can do with their hands to earn decent living, while also developing the attitude of courage,
endurance and self -discipline.

Mr Okon tasked members of the community to concentrate on developing their vocational skills, noting that such would not only help them to becoming productive members of the society, but will further reduce youth restiveness and unemployment in the area.

"I believe that each and everyone here has the capacity and if we are given the opportunity, we can excel. This empowerment programme was put in place, to train our youths, and women in various vocations, for them to acquire the skills, to earn a living", he said.

He commended beneficiaries of the programme for their good conduct, throughout the training period and expressed his readiness to extending the training period, adding  "it would be opened for everyone, as far as they are willing to learn."

While inspecting the training groups, the Commissioner said, "I know that continued practice will make them master it. We are going to, just like I have said, increase the number of days that we would train them and we will also make money available."

Mr Okon particularly advised beneficiaries to have a brand name for their products and a registered organisation, on individual or group basis, for identification purposes and promised continued partnership with them, "so they could succeed and earn a living from."

Earlier, representatives of the eight training groups had lauded the Commissioner for his generosity and foresight in sponsoring the free training programme to their community, saying they (Mbiatok Itam), were enjoying such gesture for the first time.

They however appealed for an extension of the free training scheme and financial support, to enable them perfect their skills and start a business from the skills acquired.

Interacting with newsmen shortly after the event, a beneficiary of the programme, Etido Hanson who expressed gratitude to the Commissioner for his humanitarian gesture toward youths in Itu LGA and Mbiatok Itam in particular, said the training was timely and would go a long way to reducing laziness among youths in the community.

Another participant, Miss Abigail Silas, while pouring encomiums on the Commissioner, said, "it takes a leader, with a good heart to venture into youth development and empowerment, when others are complaining of lack of funds" and called for more of such acts to the village.

Highlights of the event included product exhibition by the training groups and a cash donation for start up was given to each training groups.

The three-day free training programme featured beats and ankara design, Gele tying, detergent and liquid soap production, Air freshener, toilet and tile Cleanser making, hypo/bleach production and videography.

A’Ibom PDP: Maintaining Political Stability Through Zoning

By Etebong Akpan

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One unique thing about the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is its ability to score first in major facets of democratic ideals, irrespective of the situation. Its logo; the Umbrella symbolises its accommodating culture and its ability to accept all shades of opinions and adapt with the prevailing reality which is lacking in other political parties.

Recent events in the country have shown clearly that the PDP, despite its perceived short comings, is truly the only political party that belongs to the people as its slogan; ‘power to the people’ connotes. Power, the key element in the political process, is evenly shared among the component units that make up the spectrum, thus giving every member of the party a sense of belonging and a platform to become anything politically.

Effiong Abia, a lawyer in his book, ‘The Big Umbrella’ summaries the position of the PDP on zoning thus: ”In forming the PDP, the founding fathers agreed that the only way to establish a truly national party was to create a new political order. To them, one way of creating a new political order in a political society like Nigeria was to address the issues of real and imaginary fear of domination and marginalization.

”They had a consensus of opinion that the issues could only be addressed if the principles of equity, fairness and justice are upheld in the new political party. That informed the adoption of the zoning principle by the PDP. To ensure its enforcement, the party included the zoning principle in its constitution, thereby giving it a legal backing,” Abia submitted.

The PDP Constitution in Article 7, sub-section 2(C) (2012 As Amended) states that the party share adhere to the policy of the rotation and zoning of party and public elective offices in pursuance of the principle of equity, justice and fairness.

”This was to foster a sense of belonging. Many Nigerians have argued that the zoning arrangement had been a part of our political history since the Second Republic,” again, Abia submitted.

Dan Agbese, quoted by Abia, asserted that the idea was first introduced by the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), during the Second Republic. In his words, according to The Big Umbrella, ”the zoning formula was not an original idea by the PDP. ”It was first broached by the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in the Second Republic as part of the many national experiments in the country to: (a) Convince all Nigerians that they are as much stakeholders in the Nigeria project as anyone else, no matter how small their political units might be and, therefore: (b) fully entitled to lead as well as to be led. ”Another Nigerian who had also articulated the desirability of the zoning principle was Dr Ifedi Okwenna, Secretary-General of Eastern Leaders’ Forum. Dr Okwenna had in a paper, titled , Zoning, Rotation and the Power Struggle inNigeria, Published by Elombah.Com, an online news site in 2011 states:

”The principle of zoning and rotation of power is a philosophy of power sharing which is as old as man’s existence on earth and is believed to be older than democracy itself. It is on record that the system was practiced in Athens and Sparta in particular by the Greeks .The Roman Empire used it with great profit. ”Zoning and rotation thus is not a novel idea, but a norm practiced over the years either as a convention or as a process of implementing the federal character principle. It is therefore an implied constitutional provision accepted by all segments of the Nigerian society.

”Okwenna, in the said paper, stressed the fact zoning and rotation principles are inherent in the democratic culture and are used to address the problems which characterize polyglot societies. He posited that zoning is a way of ensuring fair play, compromise and coexistence. He noted that although the principle of 18 years ago in Akwa Ibom, the PDP has remained consistent in creating a harmonious political relationship among the three senatorial districts through the zoning of political offices. This zoning arrangement, though not spelt out in black and white is what has sustained the party in the state this while. The declaration by Obong Victor Attah in April 2006 in Ikot Ekpene council hall during the swearing in of newly elected chapter chairmen in Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District that it was the turn of that senatorial district to produce his successor in 2007 was not documented.

The zoning arrangement, which is not limited to the office of the governor alone trickles to the ward level where the highest elected political office holder; the councillor is shared among the component units of the ward. This unwritten understanding has not only kept the PDP together, but has also created political stability in different parts of the state. When the military opened up the political space again in 1998, elders of the newly formed PDP met at the defunct Metro Hotel in Uyo on Friday, December 18, 1998, to take a decision on the governorship position.

At the end of the meeting, Obong Victor Attah from Uyo senatorial district was adopted as the consensus governorship candidate of the party. His major senatorial district, the position of the deputy governor was zoned to Ikot Ekpene senatorial district. The position of the speaker of the state house of assembly went to Eket senatorial district, including the position of the chairman of the party. Elections into other offices followed the same pattern of equal distribution of positions among the component units of the senatorial districts, federal constituencies, state constituencies as well as the council chairmanship and councillorship positions. At the end of the exercise, there was relative peace and political contentment in the state as the party did the needful by accommodating every member one way or the other.

John Udoedehe from Uyo federal constituency was elected as the senator for Uyo Senatorial district while Emmanuel Ibokessien from Ikot Ekpene federal constituency was elected the senator from Ikot Ekpene senatorial district. Eket senatorial district had Udoma Udo Udoma from Ikot Abasi federal constituency during that period. This arrangement was replicated at the ten federal constituencies across the state. The house of assembly election was not different as the 26 state constituencies brought out their representatives across party lines without much rancour.

During Obong Attah’s second term in 2003, the senatorial seat configuration was adjusted in Ikot Ekpene senatorial district as Chief Itak Ekarika from Ukanafun/Oruk Anam federal constituency became the new senator for the district. In Uyo, Effiong Dickson Bob from Etinan federal constituency replaced John Udoedehe.

“The PDP Constitution in Article 7, sub-section 2(C) ( 2012 As Amended) states that the party share adhere to the policy of the rotation and zoning of party and public elective offices in pursuance of the principle of equity, justice and fairness.”

The issue of zoning and rotation of political offices were strictly adhered to as members who emerged did so at the understanding of the people and the political stakeholders of the area. What this means is that at the house of assembly level, there is always a relationship between which area gets the council chairmanship ticket and the assembly ticket. The two tickets cannot remain in the same political zone no matter the quality of aspirants on display from one zone. Doing otherwise, could be an invitation to anarchy and chaos, which the opposition party would be eager to exploit.

This simple understanding has not only doused political tension in the state, but has also removed the word ‘marginalisation’ from the political lexicon of the state and instead replaces it with inclusiveness and accommodation.

After the constitutionally stipulated two-terms of eight years of Obong Victor Attah, there was power shift to Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District in 2007. It is on record that Obong Attah and the entire members of the PDP in the state supported the zoning of the office of the governor to Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District. That explained why many governorship aspirants came from the district.

The PDP took off on that note and sustained the tempo of zoning in the 2003 general elections in the state. At the end of a keenly contested PDP governorship primary in December 2006, Chief Godswill Akpabio went on to win the governorship election in 2007. The position of the deputy governor was zoned to Eket Senatorial District with particular emphasis on Ikot Abasi federal constituency because of the ethnic configuration of the zone. The outcome was the emergence of Engr. Patrick Ekpotu, Obong Nsima Ekere and Lady Valarie Ebe as deputies to Godswill Akpabio at various times before the conclusion of Akpabio’s tenure in 2015.

During that period, the position of the Speaker of the state house of assembly was zoned to Uyo senatorial district with Ignatius Edet, from Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency; Anietie Etuk, Etinan Federal Constituency and Sam Ikon, Etinan Federal Constituency emerging as speakers at various times during the period. The office of the chairman of the party, as usual, went to Uyo Senatorial District with Uwem Ita Et u k , f r om Uyo Federal Constituency and Obong Paul Ekpo, Etinan Federal Constituency taking charge at various times. For the first time in the political history of the state, the people of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District had to cede the senatorial seat in the area to Ikono /Ini Federal Constituency as part of the gentleman understanding.

The federal constituency went on to produce a senator in the person of Hon. Aloysius for the two terms that Akpabio served as the governor of the state. In the other senatorial zones, Eme Ekaette, from Eket Federal Constituency won the Eket senatorial seat in 2007, but lost to Senator Helen Esuene in 2011.In 2015, the political setting in the state was reconfigured to blend with the contemporary reality of the times.

The PDP zoned the governorship position to Eket Senatorial District, which was the last zone to have a foothold at government house, Uyo. At the end of the party primary, Mr. Udom Emmanuel from Eket Federal Constituency was declared as the standard-bearer of the party, while Moses Ekpo from Abak Federal Constituency in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District became his running mate.

The general election was keenly contested against the candidate of the opposition, the All Progressive Congress, APC, Obong Umana Umana from Uyo Senatorial District, who had his running mate from Oron Federal Constituency of Eket Senatorial District.

The election polarised the state as the outcome was keenly contested by both parties with the PDP claiming the final victory at the Supreme Court. Despite the hassles of the opposition, the PDP still adhered to its zoning principle by allowing other component parts of the state to its representations in the offices zoned to it. In the senatorial district race, Oron Federal Constituency produced the senator for Eket Senatorial District in the person Senator Nelson Efiong, while Bassey Albert Akpan from Ibiono Ibom / Itu Federal Constituency, became the senator for Uyo Senatorial District. Chief Godswill Akpabio from Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency was elected the senator for Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District.

Uyo Senatorial District also retained the position of the speaker of the house of assembly with Aniekan Uko from Uyo federal Constituency emerging as the speaker before Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke from Etinan Federal Constituency succeeded him after the Appeal Court sacked the former. Obong Paul Ekpo from Etinan Federal Constituency was further returned as the state chairman of the party, thus becoming the first person to go for a second term in that office since the formation of the party in 1998.

Although Professor Itse Sagay believes that zoning is a function of political backwardness and immaturity, it has more or less given the people of the state a sense of belonging as all components units are allowed to aspire without any fear of the defects of a democracy which is the privileged of the majority.

Sagay’s position that no democracy can be sustained by the right of tribes to misrule, misgovern, plunder and under-develop the nation may have a semblance of truth but the bottom line is that no the section can plunder the nation alone without active collaboration from others. The legal luminary may be right in his own reasoning but the reality is that if Nigeria as a country wants the sustenance of democracy, everybody section of the country should be carried alone in terms of who rules. Anything outside this will spell doom for the country and it will be worse for a state like Akwa Ibom with where the entire economy revolves round politics.