PASSAGE OF PIB WILL STEM THE TIDE OF RESTIVENESS IN OIL BEARING COMMUNITIES. ......


GOV. UDOM EMMANUEL



 Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has called on the apex Law making body in the country to evolve an economic framework that would remould the country's resources and engender sustainability in the nation's development and democratic governance.

 Governor Emmanuel made the call at the Executive Council Chamber, Government House, Uyo during his interaction with members of the Senate Joint Committee on the Petroleum Industry Bill currently on a two- day retreat in the state.

 His words : "if the Presidency, National Assembly, Federal House of Representatives, State Governors, State House of Assemblies and Local Government Councils fail to chart a course that would curb unemployment and youth restiveness in the next few years the country would be treading on the tiger's tail as joblessness triggers violent crimes."

 He appealed to the law makers to close ranks and work towards remoulding the nation's economic assets to sustain the future generation and particularly frowned at the practice where Political office holders sacrifice the nation's development on the alter of political partisanship and prefer to use the next election as a bait for improvement on their performance in office

."the whole wave length is about the next election, our policies are tilted towards the next election and if not checked it will get to a point where the electorates will get tired of casting votes. We can't run a country like this." Governor Emmanuel stated.

 He observed that a glean on the Nation's Gross Domestic Product from 1970 to date could trigger feelings of nostalgia given the fact that the country is still grappling with putting in place basic infrastructure due to poor leadership and planning.

The Governor expressed appreciation to the Committee for the bold step taken to enact the Petroleum Industry Bill saying that the retreat which will culminate in the passage of the Bill would right the wrongs that has threatened the political consciousness and economic development of the nation as it would set the template for development of the oil sector of the economy and foster unity in the country.

"I am excited that the bill which has become a hoax over the years will see the light of the day and here by appeal to the Committee to expedite action on the passage of the bill but with special consideration to the oil producing States. Today is oil and gas tomorrow may be another resource iron, copper, limestone etc so let's come up with a bill that will be a reference point. I thank the Committee for coming to the largest oil producing state for the deliberation "

Earlier, the Leader of the delegation who is the Chief Whip in the Senate as well as Chairman Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources Professor Olusola Adeyeye, said that the retreat is an opportunity for the best minds to brainstorm and come up with  enduring solution to issues plaguing the oil sector of the economy.

Senator Adeyeye explained that the PIB which made it debut in 2008 has suffered neglect by successive administrations thereby leaving the oil sector in comatose and pledged the 8th Assembly's preparedness to evolve a bill that will guide the country in the regulation of operations in the petroleum industry and in conformity with international best practices.

He thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel for the warmth reception accorded them and commended him on his sense of punctuality describing it as an attribute of a progressive minded leader.

At a special Banquet held in honour of the Senators  Governor Emmanuel made a case for the establishment of Petroleum Depot in the state to ease the challenge of haulage of petroleum products in the state.


The Committee was treated to Akwa Ibom indigenous cuisine, music and comedy as Ekemini Cultural Troupe spiced the night with Cultural display to the delight of the guest.

MUCH ADO ABOUT A’IBOM TEACHERS’ RECRUITMENTS HULLABALOO

By Essien Ndueso

It all began when the Akwa Ibom State government announced that the widespread irregularities that bedeviled the recruitment exercise of teachers into the State secondary schools had necessitated the cancellation of the entire exercise. This decision meant that over 5000 recruited teachers with appointment letters were automatically deactivated.
Mrs Ekereobong Akpan, head of Akwa Ibom civil service in an initial statement had explained that the state government took the decision after a careful scrutiny of their engagement processes. Opening up on the development later, Governor Emmanuel told reporters that a syndicate involved in forging and awarding fake appointment letters had been nabbed and the culprits were already helping the police in the investigations. At that point, it was obvious that the ranks of the recruited teachers issued appointment letters in 2015 had been swollen with thousands of unqualified people, people who allegedly bribed and sorted their ways through. As Governor Emmanuel himself said, “we tried to manage the situation, but when we discovered that most of the recruited teachers could not even express themselves and had no basic qualifications, we knew that it would be a great disservice to our state, if they are allowed to teach our children out of sentiments. But those who have genuine qualifications need not worry, we will consider them first for a screening before we open the window for fresh recruitments.” Emmanuel further calmed frayed nerves by assuring that such people needed not re-apply, as they were only expected to appear at the venue with their initial appointment letters.



It was in the biblical Parable of the wheat and tares that Jesus illustrated that on the day of reckoning, the tares which are very dangerous weeds in the grains farm would have to be uprooted. The delay till the day of reckoning, as explained by Jesus, was because at the initial stage, the plants all look similar, and any attempt by the farm owner to use force and exterminate the weeds could result in the erroneous uprooting of the genuine corn.
Following from this, it was interesting to observe that Governor Emmanuel did keep his promise to give priority to those previously issued appointment letters. It was an opportunity for them to be subjected to a screening process that will involve checking the authenticity of their qualification papers, and also their mental qualifications for the assignment of grooming the future leaders of the state.

Recently, the state governor swore in new permanent secretaries into the state civil service. He explained during the ceremony that those considered passed through a process that involved a screening test, anchored by the governor himself. This had nothing to do with where he came from or who he had as godfather. What mattered most was his ability to suitably fit into the development agenda of the Government. It was even worse for those who claimed to be recommended by certain political heavyweights or party elders, as they were automatically disqualified from the exercise. This is the new standard that Governor Emmanuel is bringing to bear in ensuring that for any responsibility that is available, only tested and reliable hands are engaged.
On the D-Day, Saturday,February 11, 2017, not positioned to be misled by media grandstanding, I personally went to the designated centers of the screening exercise on Saturday. There were three centers, Uyo High School, Community Comprehensive Secondary School and Aka Community School, Aka Offot. There were adequate security provisions, and the candidates were given a written test on Use of English. It meant that there were 100 objective questions with answer options a-d for them to choose from. These were simple questions usually reserved for Senior Secondary Schools certificate examinations, fair deal if you may ask me.  Even before the expiration of the allotted time of 90minutes, some candidates who any parent would be comfortable to entrust his ward, had finished theirs and submitted their scripts, coming out smiling. You could smile success on their faces, and none of them was antagonistic of the process. Rather most of them who spoke with me, commended the governor for such display of transparency and fairness.
It is not out of place to state here that there are some people who refused to subject themselves to the screening exercise, rather choosing to follow some ill-motivated propagandists to fantasy islands in the name of easier avenues to get the jobs. As a father, I wish I can be shown that critic of government, who will allow a teacher scared of writing elementary English test to teach his child in school.  During the previous recruitment exercise, it was not uncommon to hear people soliciting cash to go and purchase the appointment letters, long after the process had been concluded. The very same people who today offer to be emergency ‘advocates of the masses’, were the whistle blowers of the irregularities of yesterday. If society cannot permit infiltration in the ranks of lawyers, medical doctors, journalists and others, then why are we creating teacup storms with the selection of the teachers of these professionals? Shouldn’t this have been an opportunity by victims to expose all those who allegedly extorted the cash from them, cash ranging from N150,000 to N200,000 thousand naira?

Cooking up mischievous false insinuations, some fifth columnists alleged that the interview was a ploy to confiscate the appointment letters of the candidates. Recounting the screening exercise, it was clear that those were lies from the pit of hell and masterminded by detractors as those letters got back into the hands of the bearers.  Those who refused to attend the simple screening test, could well be likened to the dying Isrealites in the biblical account, who chose to perish in the desert from the poisonous snake bites, rather than obey simple instructions to look up at the bronze serpent held up by Moses as an antidote for them.

Before you beat your chest and act as if the candidates were taken to the guillotine, let me tell you that one of the questions I saw on the test paper I glanced through was, “UYO is the capital of Akwa Ibom State.” And the options went like this “A. is Calabar the capital of Akwa Ibom State? B. What is the capital of Akwa Ibom State? C. Is Uyo the Capital of Cross River State? D. Is Uyo the capital of Nigeria?” Once I saw the question, I didn’t bother checking other questions, I simply knew that even my two year old kid could have easily written and excel in the test.


Ndueso, a journalist wrote in this piece from his base in Uyo

GOVERNORS AIDE ON STUDENT AFFAIRS COMRADE OTOBONG AKPAN LEAD A DELEGATION OF VOLUNTEERS UNDER THE AEGIS OF STUDENT SOCIAL SERVICES VOLUNTEER SCHEME TO VOLUNTEER AT THE AKWA IBOM STATE COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, ETINAN.

GOVERNORS AIDE ON STUDENT  AFFAIRS COMRADE OTOBONG AKPAN LEAD A DELEGATION OF VOLUNTEERS UNDER THE AEGIS OF STUDENT SOCIAL SERVICES VOLUNTEER SCHEME TO VOLUNTEER AT THE AKWA IBOM STATE COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, ETINAN.

By Unyime Leo HND

 The entire management staff and students of Akwa Ibom State College of Health Technology, Etinan received Governors Aide on Student affairs Comrade Otobong Akpan and the entire team of Social Services Volunteers Scheme for volunteerism on the said college community.

This act reminded me of the words of the former president of Ghana Koffi Annan which says ‘’If our hope of building a better and safer world are to become more than wishful thinking, we will need the engagement of volunteers more than ever.’’

Though at the course of volunteering they took a break to celebrate the wife to the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State Deaconess Martha Udom Emmanuel who marks her birthday yesterday in this month of love.

Comrade Otobong Akpan  while addressing the students of State college of Health Technology, Etinan, said that Student Social Services volunteer scheme has risen above the level at which it started and has come to stay with activities and more volunteerism. She encourages students to join in volunteering and equally advise that unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for us. She applauded the school management for the enabling environment given to them to do what they can do for the betterment of the school.

The Provost of Akwa Ibom State college of Health Technology, Etinan. While responding appreciated the effort of the Special Assistant to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State on Student  Affairs for having such initiative to bring onboard a scheme of these kind which is centered in adding values and developing communities. He said that volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy, you vote in election once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote everyday about the   kind community you want to live in. He reiterates that with this spirit we shall regain all our lost Glories in volunteerism and community development.

He further appreciated the Scheme for fumigating the school environment, painting the fens of the college and constructing a toilet facility for the hostel occupants and for the school. He e by ended Praying God to reward them bountifully in Jesus NAME even as he declare interest in being a member of the Scheme.

See videos and pictures……………

AN ADDRESS BY THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF AKWA IBOM STATE, HIS EXCELLENCY, MR. UDOM EMMANUEL DURING THE MAIDEN STUDENTS TOWN HALL MEETING WITH GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES HELD ON FRIDAY 27 JANUARY 2017 AT THE MAIN AUDITORIUM OF AKWA IBOM STATE POLYTECHNIC, IKOT OSURUA, IKOT EKPENE L.G.A OF AKWA IBOM STATE.

PROTOCOL

I am extremely delighted to join this maiden students Townhall Meeting
with Government Representatives today as the special Guest of Honour.I am always at home, just as my mind is always at rest each time appear before the greatest Nigerian students, the very ones who are known and appreciated for their positive roles in community development and career building the very ones who shall provide the best of human materials required to pusH the frontiers of our
Industrialization agenda, and those who will also provide the social,
economic and political leadership needed to cushion the etftcts of
globalization in our society. It is on that note that I wholeheartedly
welcome all Nigerian students, their leaders and delegates to this
Townhall Meeting, which itself is a novel and true testimony of our
sensitivity to your interest and aspirations on behalf of the Governmentand good people of Akwa Ibom State.

equally welcome other specially invited Guests, the Rector,
Management and staff of the Akwa Ibom State polytechnic, other development partners and the media to this interface of sorts, the first ever in this part of the world, and one which shall consolidate on the gains of the mutual relationship between my administration and the organized students'movement in the State and beyond acknowledged the Management of this Institution for maintaining peaceand high academic standards as the hallmark of excellence, I strongly commend my Special Assistant on Student Affairs, Comrade Otobong Akpan for not just working out the realization of this Meeting, but for
her tireless initiatives that has committed the students community to the forefront of our decision making efforts and policy formulation on one hand, and the passion that has earned our Government the respect and total support of the students on the other hand, I am glad that
Meeting has afforded students the opportunity to interact with us as a
government on virtually all  issues of concern to their overall wellbeing

and the general progress of the education sector in our dear State.



I understand that this meeting is also coinciding with the inauguration of Students Social Services Volunteer Scheme in this campus, the Voluntary Initiative through which students are being mobilized, trained and organized to put forward their skills, energies and passions in bridging development gaps that are existing in our societies through community services, social mobilization, civic engagement, mentorship and career coaching, environmental sustenance and other activities. We are glad that the scheme has since its Flagg off in 2016assisted in enhancing the participants baseline knowledge and information of existing jobs,
learning internships and other opportunities which has enlarged their scopes, improved the quality of their skills and rei nforce them to exercise choices, set and achieve independent career objectives, sharevresponsibility for community development and engage socially and meaningfully as citizens, while pledging the continuous support and partnership of Akwa Ibom State Government, I urge all well meaning individuals and public spirited corporate organizations to key in and support the Scheme to achieve its objectives, as we race towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

As a Government founded on the firm principles of accountability,
transparency and economic revival, we shall continue to invest massively in the education sector, even in the face of dwindling revenue receipts.
We shall continue to prioritize the issues of welfare and their quality of education. This is based on our cardinal appreciation of the potency of an educated populace as a sin qua non for the sustainability of our
globally rated Industrialization efrorts.

We desire our people to acquire the manpower requirements and emerging skills to man the many Industries and other Macro-Economic Ventures we are building in the State. So far, we have changed the face of infrastructure across Schools education Policy, we have trained and retrained the personnel manning the education sector, we have implemented a special welfare intervention package for students, arrangement to pay bursary and scholarships  are at an advanced stage, we have paid WAEC fees for both indigenes and non indigenes, All these and many more can only underscore our love and concern for the education of our children.

But, I can assure you we are going to do more ; we are going to step up our already high level engagements with the Nigerian students. You cantrust that my administration shall not abandon the students, just like we started, we shall achieve our goals together, we shall move on together
as partners in progress. Now, you must also be reminded that to whom much is given, much is also expected. As we continuously strive to advance your welfare, we
expect you as students to abhor all negative tendencies. We charge you to shun cultism, evil machinations, escalation of violent crimes, examination malpractice and drug abuse. They won't take you far and will crush your dreams and vision of better life ahead. Your expectations and that of your parents, friends and loved ones will never see the light of the way, and your life will become miserable as you may end up in jail.

As students, I want to admonish you to lead a life of righteousness, discipline and honor. Rather than follow your friends to spoil the good manners you learnt at and brought to school from home, you should
become a peer educator, a shining light for your colleagues and true ambassadors of Jesus Christ whose greatest feat of influence in our world today was recorded during his youthful days. I want students from Akwa Ibom to stand out even globally, hence we would never be tired of preparing an economically secured and prosperous future for all of you
and the generation yet unborn.

Let me also formally acknowledge the total support and unconditional
loyalty of students to my administration, and admit that nowhere in the history of this country has a Governor enjoyed the quantum of support you have given to me. To me I have a social pact with the people of Akwa Ibom State, a simple yet herculean task of rearranging the economic order of doing things, such that we can diversify the economic base of the State for the purposes of sustainable job creation and
meaningful employments generation.

I am glad that at the end, it is the students that will be the highest beneficiaries of that epoch. You are the ones that shall occupy all the direct and indirect manpower needs of the Deep Seaport, Armored Personnel Carrier/other Security Vehicles
Assembly Plant, The LED Factory, Liberty Free Trade Zone, Coconut Refinery, Cocoa Revolution Plantations and other Cottage Industries incubated under the AKEES Program, especially the pencil, toothpick Factory that has already taken off effectively. So continue to stand by
me, don't shiver your support for my administration, as we have the
ample expertise, clearer vision, passion, commitment, discipline and the responsibility to make our State greater and high ranking in the comity of States. Government will continue to be inspired and motivated by your peaceful disposition, matured conduct and positive students
unionism.

Once again let me commend the Student Affairs Unit of my Office, and the Special Assistant, Comrade Otobong Akpan for the smooth coordination and proper mobilization of students for social inclusion, the very virtues that has led to the hosting of this maiden Town hall Meeting with students. Indeed, it has been a fruitful and rewarding engagement
of all parties.

We have interacted and have shared notes. The cooperation of the security agencies have been highlighted, whereas our modest efforts and overwhelming interventions have been communicated and acknowledged by the students themselves. Together, we have reviewed our plans and actions for year 2017 and shall work together to sustain the gains of this interaction and make sure it rotates to other tertiary institutions in the State, so we can boost the momentum of our first hand campus appraisals and feedback system. We have taken serious notes of the concerns and demands of the students, and as a Government shall endeavor to dutifully address them in a responsible we have all
agreed on the need to regularize the hosting of this meeting.

I thank the Management of this institution for their warm hospitality and the goodwill that has granted us the facility to hold a successful  meeting.

I thank other Guests who have found time out of their
schedules to honor us with their esteemed presence and contributions. I Pray the Almighty to richly reward all of you according to his riches in glory.


Thank You and God bless you all.

NIGERIANS HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW BUHARI’S HEALTH STATUS: House of Rep. Echoes.

NIGERIANS HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW BUHARI’S HEALTH STATUS: House of Rep. Echoes.

By Unyime LEO

Some  members of the House of Representatives yesterday declared that Nigerians have the right to know the health status of President Muhammadu Buhari.

They, however, prayed for the quick recovery of the President.

 In his view, chairman, Committee on Public Accounts, Kingsley Chinda, PDP Rivers, said:  “There’s need for the government to give us a blow by blow account of Mr President’s condition truly and not Lai Mohammed’s type of accounts.

 “As of right, Nigerians are entitled to know the state of their President’s health at all times because he’s fed with our money, he’s sustained with our money, we pay his medical bills, he belongs to us, he’s our property and we have a right to know his state at all times.

                                       House of Representatives

Speaking in a similar vein, chairman, Committee on Public Petitions, Uzoma Nkem-Abonta, PDP, Ukwa East/West Fed Constituency, Abia, said the absence of Buhari from office, due to a prolonged ailment, was justified because he followed due process by informing both legislative chambers.

The Abia lawmaker explained:  “Mr President’s absence from office is in line with the law of nature because anybody could fall ill anytime, even you can travel and fall ill outside the country.

“I do not see any implication in the extended vacation as all we need to do now is to pray for his quick recovery because he’s state property as it is now.

 “Nigerians should go on their knees to pray for him to recover and take back his mantle of leadership in piloting the affairs of the nation. “He has officially written to NASS though we’ve not seen copies because we adjourned plenary but then he owes us   no details since he has satisfied our constitutional requirements.’’

In his comments, Daniel Reyenieju, PDP, Warri Fed Constituency, simply said:   “There is nothing wrong with being sick because it’s a natural phenomenon about life.

 “But what I’m worried about is the manner the information around Mr President was managed because Nigerians are so eager to know the state of his health.  And we are all aware of the fact that this is not the first time a Nigerian president is falling ill in office.’’  

Read more at: http://www.ibomplusnews.blogspot.com

Governor Udom Emmanuel Address during the ICPC Corruption Summit at Le Meridian. Uyo.

AN ADDRESS PRESENTED BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF AKWA IBOM STATE  DEACON UDOM G. EMMANUEL DURING THE ICPC CORRUPTION SUMMIT AT LE MERIDIAN. UYO.

PROTOCOL

I am indeed honored and happy to be here with you this morning to declare open this exceedingly important summit which if I may add, is coming at an auspicious time in the history of our nation and state.

The theme of this summit, ‘Transparency and Accountability, A panacea for sustainable development’ is as appropriate as it is timely. Nigeria and its citizens have been variously celebrated for the spirit of enterprise, industry, talents and skills and the ingenuity they have deployed to the developmental efforts of various entities across the globe. Our sons and daughters have raised our flag of achievements and have sat at the boardrooms where important and consequential decisions that affect mankind are taken.

Last week, during President Trump's meeting with top business leaders at the White House, seated fourth to the left of the President and on the same row, was a Nigerian Financial Services Expert-Adebayo Ogunlesi. In sports, entertainment and other facets of the human experience, Nigerians have shown the world that they too, can compete with the best and the brightest elsewhere in the world,

But sadly, in spite of these sterling achievements, in spite of the huge strides Nigerians have made in various areas where competence trumps geography, our perception, our collective definition remains shaped with the odiferous stench of corruption. We are still being tarred with the negative depiction as one of the most corrupt places in the world- a country where nothing gets done without officials being compromised. Are they right in their depiction? The jury is still out on that.

But let me reiterate here that no nation achieves the purpose of its founding, no country earns the respect it deserves within the comity of nations- and such a nation will not attract the much needed direct foreign investment if its soul and national ethos are described in such unsanitized colors. According to 2014 Corruption Perception Index by Transparency International, Nigeria ranks 136 out of 176 countries of the most Corrupt Nations in the world. Global Financial Integrity estimates that more than USD 157 billion in the past decade has left the country illicitly.

These are indeed sobering statistics and It is therefore on this premise that I consider it necessary to partner with the Foundation for Transparency and Accountability and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) in the organization of this all important summit.

The participants at this summit are drawn from the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary of Akwa Ibom State. This is a pointer to the resolve of the three arms of Government to collectively imbibe the best practices of transparency and accountability in the discharge of their day to day responsibilities as we set about the task of delivering quality service to our people.

The challenges posed by the current economic realities in our country are already well documented. In spite of this, we are not resting on our oars but are working round the clock to deliver on the Five-Point Agenda of my Administration which is centered on Wealth Creation, Economic and Political Inclusion, Poverty Alleviation, Infrastructure Consolidation and Expansion and Job Creation. We have built and are still building new infrastructural facilities while maintaining the existing ones. We are aggressively pursuing human capital development initiatives to provide the manpower required to support our industrialization drive. We are promoting new ways to sustainably engage our people through commercial agriculture and entrepreneurship initiatives, and we are meeting our monthly salary obligations to our workforce without fail. Our free and compulsory education policy at the basic level is still ongoing, and so is the free healthcare services for children and expectant mothers. Our diversification efforts in agriculture is bearing fruits and we are committed to aggressively pursuing this policy believing that the future belongs in agriculture and its allied industries.

We have been able to do all of these and much more despite our lean financial resources through the creative application of available resources and strict adherence to the principles of transparency and accountability which represents the guiding principles of my administration.

I am confident that this summit will rekindle in all the participants, the zeal to imbibe openness and accountability in our dealings as we strive to provide sustainable development for our people. We should ensure strict compliance to due process in the business of government and drastically reduce, if not completely eliminate, waste in public spending. Fraudulent activities, indolence, bribery, nepotism, lack of transparency and all such manifestations of corruption will not be tolerated in the public service of Akwa Ibom State and this, I am happy to report has been internalized by our people.

At this point, let me express our gratitude to the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offenses Commission for partnering with us in the organization of this summit. I particularly thank the Chairman of the Commission and our dear son, Barr. Ekpo Nta, for accepting to deliver the keynote speech at this summit. I also appreciate the Foundation for Transparency and Accountability for their contribution to this summit. I salute all the speakers and resource persons for their diligent work and presentations.

I am hopeful that this new direction of zero-tolerance for corruption in our state will permeate our spheres of influence and the positive effects will be evident in the attitude and productivity of the public service in Akwa Ibom State.

Thank You and God bless you.

AKWA POLY, ORS TO GET FULL ACCREDITATION: Governor Udom Promise Students during the First Quarter Town Hall meeting Organise By his Special Assistant on Student Affairs. Comrade Otobong Akpan

AKWA POLY, ORS TO GET FULL ACCREDITATION

By Uwakmfon Dan

All things being equal, tertiary institutions owned by the Akwa Ibom State Government, including Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, will have all their courses accredited, before the end of the year, 2017,

The State Chief Executive, Governor Udom Emmanuel announced this during the first quarter of the Students' Town Hall Meeting and Inauguration of Students Social Services Volunteer Scheme, organised by the Office of Special Assistant to the Governor on Student Matters, held at the Main Auditorium, Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, Ikot Ekpene L.G.A, over the weekend.

Addressing the students, Governor Emmanuel, represented by the State's Commissioner for Education, Mr Paul Udofia, revealed that the non-accreditation of courses is not only peculiar to Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, but all the state-owned tertiary institutions, and said government was making adequate provisions, to securing full accreditation for all her tertiary institutions.

"On the issue of non-accreditation of courses, it is not only Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic that is affected, in fact, that of College of Education, Afaha Nsit, is very bad, most of the courses there are not accredited."

"So one of the things His Excellency asked me to do, on assumption of duty, was to ensure that, at least, all the courses offered by our higher institutions receive appropriate accreditation in 2017. So His Excellency is going to make robust contributions and provisions, to ensure that these courses are accredited", he  stated.

On his achievements in the education sector, Governor Emmanuel who commended the mutual relationship between the state government and the organised Students movement, said his administration has constantly engaged in the training and re-training of education personnel, established a special welfare package and scholarship programme for students and also improved upon the free, compulsory and qualitative education in the state.

While acknowledging the support and loyalty enjoyed by his administration from the Students community in the State, the Governor pledged the continued partnership of his administration to the Students body and called on public spirited individuals to support the  Students Social Services Volunteer Scheme, which he said will improve the quality of skills among students and reinforce them to make informed choices in the society.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Works, Akparawa Ephraim Inyangeyen, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Elder Effiong Essien expressed optimism that issues raised by the students will be promptly addressed by the Governor, through the Ministry of Education and urged the students to see themselves as ambassadors of peace in their different institutions.

Others who spoke included the Deputy Rector,of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic Arch. Iniobong Ukpong who represented the Chairman Governing Council, Mrs, Akon Eyakenyi and the Rector, Dr. (Barr.) Israel Affia at the occasion.

Earlier in her address, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Student Matters and convener of the meeting, Comrade Aquilla Otobong Akpan, while welcoming the students, said the Town Hall Meeting was a feedback mechanism which would afford students ample opportunity to interact with the government, and seek clarification on issues affecting their welfare.

Comrade Akpan who described as "open", Governor Emmanuel's administration, said the Governor was passionate about the welfare of Akwa Ibom students and thanked them (the students) for gracing the event in their large numbers.

Highpoints of the Town Hall Meeting included an interactive session by students representatives, ceremonial tree planting by the Governor and induction of Akparawa Ephraim Inyangeyen as Patron of the Students Social Services Volunteer Scheme.

The occasion which was graced by students from all tertiary institutions in the state, also saw the donation of three live cows and bags of rice by Governor Emmanuel as part of his Christmas gifts to the Students.

As published on Nigerian Pulse Newspaper (Tuesday, 31st January, 2017)