Uyo State Const. Election:Royal Father Receives Lady Barr. Stella Ezekiel Udoh with Open Arms

…As She Vows to Attract More Govt. Attention to Uyo

                                                                                                                 

 By Augustine Akpan

The maiden outing of Lady Barr. Stella Ezekiel Udoh was a success story of  massive endorsements at Etoi and Offot Ukwa Clans weeks ago as same experience repeated itself at the Palace of the Paramount Ruler of Uyo, HRM, Edidem (Surv.) Edem Silas Akpan, FNIS, (JP), in Ikot Odung Ikono, Ikono Ibom Clan last weekend during the consultation visit of the Divine change 2015 campaign team with the aspirant.   

In a show of acceptance of the House of Assembly hopeful, the Royal father described her visit to the Palace as a rare and astonishing experience.

 Edidem Silas Akpan who moved from a lesser stool to his  royal seat  received Barr. Stella Udoh and  admitted that he seldom sit on the throne whenever the council meet except on very “important” occasions, adding that it was the  credibility of Lady Stella Ezekiel Udoh  that informed his action. 

Lady (Barr) Mrs Stella Ezekiel Udoh
House of Assembly Aspirant for
Uyo State Constituency

The Uyo Monarch, after listening to the template x-raying the political rotation formula of the clans in Uyo (which revealed the neglect suffered by Oku Clan) which was presented to him by the aspirant, Lady Barr.Stella Ezekiel promised to rally support for the imbalance to be corrected.

Edidem Silas Akpan said he had lived in Oku (specifically Ikot Ntuen) between 1976 -1980s and recalled that the people of the area never treated him and his family unfairly and rhetorically asked why he should close his eyes against an Oku indigene now that they(Oku people) needed his support.

 The paramount ruler further corroborated and adopted the popular stand by his cohorts by joining forces with the likes of the chairman of Ikono Ibom Clan and the secretary, Eteidung Sunday Reuben Eshiet and Effiong Akpan Udo to eulogize in glowing ways, the sterling  qualities of Lady Barr. Stella Udoh as well as offered royal prayers for the aspirant.

Udom Emmanuel: Better than the Best

By Aniekeme Finbarr 

The seeming inability of the voting public to strike a fine chord between politics and leadership has been one of the greatest impediments to growth in Nigeria. There is an apparent predetermined mindset as to who should vie for a public office or be appointed to occupy a position of serious political relevance. Most persons think it should be the exclusive preserve of politicians and by politicians I mean people who do close to nothing else than play politics. Quality leadership in climes like ours has continued to deteriorate faster than potatoes in an airtight bag. Those age-long, fundamental and hallowed traits in leaders have become so rare, scarce and in most cases completely extinct. 

It is therefore ironic when the same citizenry decry the decay in leadership ethos, the ineptitude of career politicians and the near absence of visible and sustainable development in the country. Albert Einstein, US (German-born) physicist calls it Insanity-doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. 

Akwa Ibom people are rising daily to seal a nexus between credible leadership and politics. The people are intelligent enough to decipher who is a good political leader and who is not. A politician's qualities are his characters that are natural, while some of the qualities are as a result of external influences. Promising politicians' qualities are often backed by skills, experiences, intelligence, integrity, with instincts - all combined together to achieve their goals. 

A communiqué issued at the end of a 3-day meeting of the Central Working Committee/National Executive Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Benin, Edo State at Randekhi Royal Hotels on Saturday, September20, 2014.

The conference was attended by the National President and members of the Central Working Committee, Officials of the Six Zones, Chairmen and Secretaries of the 35 State’s Councils and Abuja, National Chairperson of NAWOJ and National Chairman of SWAN.

The NEC in Session observed a minute silence in honour of its dead members – Late Mr. Ndagane Akwu, former National President, Mr. Mohammed Khalid, former National Secretary and Mr. Dimgba Igwe of the Sun Newspapers

            

After extensive deliberations on various issues affecting journalists in the performance of their duties, the Nation and the forthcoming 2015 General Elections, the NEC in Session resolved as follows:

2015 Fear Grips Akwa Ibom Guber Aspirants: As PDP National Chairman Commends Akpabio over Jonathan’s Endorsement

…Udom’s chances get brighter  

With few weeks to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship Primaries, strong indications have emerged that most of the governorship aspirants in Akwa Ibom State have put a hold to campaign spending ahead of the primaries. This is not unconnected with recent political developments in the party at the National level which has snowballed into the litany of endorsements of Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

The latest came at the 66^th PDP National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja where President Jonathan was given the thumps up to run as the sole candidate of the party at the Presidential elections. The NEC meeting of the PDP essentially turned out to be a ratification of earlier meetings, as all the organs of the party starting from the National Caucus, Board of Trustees (BoT) to the PDP Governors Forum had all adopted Jonathan as their candidate.  

The aim of the endorsements especially by the PDP Governors is perhaps to make the presidential convention on December 6 a mere formality and extend same to the November 29 convention in the states.

The decision by all the governors of the Peoples Democratic Party to support the second term aspiration of President Jonathan, it is reasoned, was not done until the Governors were able to get some commitments from the President. It was gathered that the governors discussed openly the merits and demerits of supporting or not supporting the President for the 2015 race.

 Our close source revealed that Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa had extracted a few promises, some being the refund of the sum of over 15 billion expended to build the Dutse International Airport, a project the Federal Government promised to undertake but failed.

The Reception of Obong Victor Attah: Lest We Forget

By Davis Ekong

Over seven years after Obong Victor Bassey Attah mounted the podium, delivered a farewell speech and made his exit as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, some brothers from Ibibio land have perfected plans to organize a reception for him. The controversial reception has been the subject of high-level vacillation as some say that it is to celebrate his reign as governor and others claim it is to welcome him back from the National Confab. Whatever their intention, let me begin by congratulating Obong Victor Attah on the reception and wishing him well.

Obong Arc. Victor Attah,
former Governor of AKS

But as an Ibibio man, one must confess with utter befuddlement why it took seven and a half years to remember that our brother and friend should be “received.” The pertinent questions are: “What, on God’s green earth, are we receiving him for or from?” “Why are we receiving him now? Or is the reception an afterthought?” “Are we receiving him like a conquering warrior who went, saw and conquered Akwa Ibom State, and came home with the spoils?” “Is he (Attah) accepting to be received by a section of those he governed because he lacks a state-wide relevance and thus needs some historical rehabilitation from a handful of his kinsfolk?” “Do we have a history of such receptions in Akwa Ibom State in particular and Nigeria in general?” “Why was Dr. Clement Isong not received? Why was Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga not received? Was Udoakaha Jacob Esuene not received? Why was Edet Akpan Archibong not received?” “What is the real purpose of this reception?”

While I leave it to the organizers of this curious reception to puzzle over these posers, I will want to rejig their memory a bit with some pieces of history. Surely there are scores of things we may have remembered in order to wake up from our slumber and think of a reception for our septuagenarian. But one sure wishes it were organized while some of those who raised alarm over his dismal performance were still alive. Elder Statesmen like Prof I. I. Ukpong, Hon. Justice Effiong Idiong, both of blessed memory and many more.

Lest we forget, in the course of the Attah administration, Senator Anietie Okon and Chief Assam Assam at various times described the administration of Attah as “the days of the locust policies.” By which they meant days of famine for Akwa Ibom State when the “locusts” ravaged the land. Assam E. Assam, SAN, in a 20-page open letter to Obong Victor Attah, titled “The Reckless and Criminal Looting of Our Resources,” published in Newswatch magazine of March 20,2006, examined the failures of that administration, especially the several billions of State funds expended on projects that could not (or were never intended to) see the light of the day. He (Assam) concluded by describing the claim of Attah to good governance as “mere sophistry” and the height of “voluptuousness and chicanery.”

2015 Re-Election Battle Hots Up: 10 AKHA Members Unfold Second Term Ambitions

… 4 for House of Reps, 2 for Governorship and 1 for Senate    

                                

By Ekebo Ekanem

As the battle for the re-election into the state House of Assembly continues to generate heat and tension in some state constituencies, some serving Lawmakers wishing to seek re-election so as to guarantee them automatic tickets to occupy principal positions in the state Assembly are not found wanting in the show.

About eleven state lawmakers currently in the 5^th Assembly are making consultations day and night to ensure that they return back to the 6th Assembly in 2015.

Our House Correspondent, Ekebo Ekanem, in this Special Report takes a look at some of the Lawmakers jostlying for second term tickets and the issues that may hinder their second term ambitions.

Hon. Kufre-Abasi Etuk - Uruan

Hon. Kufre-Abasi Etuk is the member representing Uruan State Constituency in the State House of Assembly from 2011- till date. He is one of the Lawmakers seeking for re-election in 2015. According to his scorecard, Hon. Etuk has given the people of Uruan effective representation ranging from schoolarship, youth empowerment, construction of modern infrastructure in various schools and markets.

Hon. Kufre-Abasi Etuk believes he will be given another chance by the people of Uruan because he has made them proud in the 5th Assembly. According to a P.D.P Chieftain in the area, the Party has resolved to work in unison to ensure that Kufre Etuk is returned back in 2015. He is from southern Uruan political bloc.

Hon. (Barr) Onofiok Akpan Luke – Nsit Ubium

There is not much talk on the second term ambition of Hon. Onofiok Luke because his works will speak for him at the polls. The 6th Assembly from 2015 will not be complete without the likes of this erudite gentleman. He is one of the most influential Parliamentarian when it comes to the point of debating and contribution of positive ideas. He is also one of the movers and shakers of the House after the Speaker.

Hon. Onofiok Luke is a Lawmaker par excellence whose effective representation cannot be compromised.  One of the factors that may hinder his inability to clinch the party ticket is that he has taken the turn of  NSIT and is now  left for UBIUM to produce the next House member.  This seems not a problem as Nsit Ubium needs a performer like Luke.   Recently he was endorsed by a cross section of the Party faithful, youths and women to continue on his legislative business in 2015. His empowerment packages cut across all classes of the people in Nsit-Ubium, so this man, according to his people, deserves a second term.

Hon.(Sir)Udo Kerian Akpan – Oruk Anam

He is currently serving as the Deputy Speaker of the House. His second term ambition has generated much heat and tension in Orukanam which clearly stated that it is the turn of Anam bloc in the area to produce the next representative.

As a former Labour Leader in the state, Hon. Sir  Udo Kerian Akpan has tried his best in terms of empowerment. The reason behind his aspiration according to an insider in his camp is that the Deputy Speaker may emerge as the next Speaker  if re-elected by his people in 2015. The plot by the Lawmaker to return back may suffer a major setback as the people are insisting on earlier laid down zoning principle of the area.

Hon.(Mrs) Sarah Elijah - Nsit Atai

She is seriously embarking on her second term consultations, but the people had earlier rejected her candidacy, and again pointed out that she is being imposed on the people by her husband, Obong Sunny Elijah, who is believed to be the political leader in area. The Lawmaker,  according to the  people has not been able to represent them creditably at the parliament.  They have argued that the zoning principle of the area will not favour her second term ambition.

Using 2 Days to Reach Ikot Abasi From Uyo – A Bad Omen

By Matts Udoaka

It is now time that people have to drive on the road for 2 days before getting to Ikot Abasi from Uyo. If a prophecy was given about this, one would have been stupefied, and ask why an hour’s journey should become two days trip.

Anyone who goes to Lagos now knows he is to cover precisely 698 kilometers from Uyo to Lagos. With that distance, the trip does not take more than one day since Lagos road that used to delay traffic has been duly turned around. But in the contrary, Ikot Abasi, a local government in Akwa Ibom State, that is about 52 kilometers from Uyo takes a traveller two days to reach, especially if the journey was planned to start at about 3.pm with the mind set of using one hour to reach Ikot Abasi.

This has been our experience a couple of days ago. Yours truly had decided to reach Ikot Abasi at 4.pm. The journey started at 2.30pm. Unknowingly, at the village known as Ikot Osudu, there was a terrible hold up, of the type Lagosians used to experience in the hey days of oil boom. The distance of the holdup was not less than six poles. In deed, yours truly then wondered what could go wrong that road in a local area should have such a grid-lock. There was no vehicle coming from the opposite side. The few that came from the opposite direction were those whose drivers had waited for so long, expecting the movement to improve. That expectation became deceitful, as those who saw it thought that it would soon be through. That was an elusive hope. Those that came from the opposite direction were only coming back to start their journey through Mkpat Enin. So, after waiting for too long with heavy down pour, we summoned courage to walk under the rain to see what had delayed vehicular movement. It was then we discovered that trailers loaded with granites had fallen or got stuck in a ditch cut in the middle of the road by heavy down pour and the pressure from the excessive use of the road by such vehicles which pass through that road day and night for granites to Rivers and Bayelsa States.

Promoting Signatures of Excellence in the Media

By Patrick Albert

It is my pleasure to welcome all guests, media officials and journalists to this event of the official launching of Central Times Newspapers published by Central Times Newspaper Limited not just as the chairman of the occasion but also as the state chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council.

Let me confess that I was encouraged to accept the invitation to chair this event by the sound background and good professional disposition of the publisher and Editor-In-Chief of Central Times Newspapers, Mr Ani Udom.

Elder Patrick Albert, NUJ Chairman, AKS

As a professional body, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) is seriously interested in members and media houses maintaining high ethical standards, public decorum and professional excellence in their duties. We detest wild and unfounded reportage contrived solely to malign the reputation of personalities, institutions and authorities.

The enormous power of the Press, as constitutionally provided in our statute books and by other international proclamations by the United Nations, is expected to be utilized to build the society and promote harmony.  Where our reportage falls outside the laid down rules as contained in the Code of Ethics of the profession, it is obvious that the society is bound to be misinformed or misled with false, unsubstantiated and ill-written information. And this could be disastrous. This is why we emphasize ethical compliance.

2015 Ik Senate Tussle: Akpabio Vs. Alloysius Etok Again

   I Have not been settled out of the Race – Sen. Aloysius Etok

Against the tongue wagging by members of the public that the silence occasioned in recent times in the camp of Senator Aloysius Etok portends that the two term Senator has thrown in the towel for Chief Godswill Akpabio come 2015 to clinch the ticket of the PDP to run for the Senate seat, Senator Aloysius Etok, in a recent interactive radio programme(The People Decides) anchored by Ambassador Sampson Akpan for  Planet  FM 101.1, said he cannot disappoint his people and that he was still in the race.

Gov. Godswill Akpabio

Senator Aloysius Etok

He vehemently stated that the will of the people of the Senatorial District must prevail as he intend to go to the field to test their will, arguing that he has not been settled out of the race as claimed by some persons.

 He said that what was on ground has been that when he is through with his tenure somebody from Abak Federal Constituency will have to take a turn and that he would stand by that, promising that if any person from any other place other than Abak Federal Constituency intervenes that he would stand on the part of the People to resist such interference, stating that instead of allowing any such interference he would go back to the Senate until the issue is resolved.  He said as the political leader of his Senatorial District it would be unfair for him to abandon his people or be unjust to any of the sections of his Senatorial District.

Uyo State Constituency Election 2015:Behold An Achiever and Team Player Enters the Stage

By Ephraim Ikpe

The history of the world, at all times when bookmakers are engrossed in chronicling it, would never ever be complete when the role of women who have affected it positively is ignored.

Fate has done many things to many people.  Fate has brought me into a point of confluence with this high-flier, go-getter and doer. For an Edinburgh University thorough-bred Masters Degree in International Law, capping it up with the best dissertation in World Trade Organization Law during her graduating year, Lady Barrister Stella Ezekiel Udoh has, like most great women in human history, thrown her hat into the ring to tread the murky terrain where most valiants dread.

She has an upbringing laced with hard work which sustained her through her stay in Adiaha Obong Secondary Commercial School Eniong Offot, Uyo, which she made Grade one in her WAEC. 

Lady(Barr) Stella Ezekiel Udoh
One of the front line contenders of
Uyo State Constituency in 2015

At Calabar Polytechnic where Secretarial Studies was her first love, she graduated with an Upper Credit making the best result in that Department that year.  Times change, they say, just like the season.   This could explain the changeability of human desires.  Stella fell in love with the Law profession perhaps to seek an advocacy platform by which she would serve humanity.  After her National Youth Service(as was the case for NCE graduates then to be mobilized for NYSC) she studied Law at the University of Uyo and graduated with LL.B(Hons) Second Class (Upper Division) Honours bagging an Award as the best graduating student of the Faculty of Law that year.

At her time there was only one(with no other centre in any part of the country) Nigerian Law School in Vitoria Island, Lagos, she, like other notable women of no mean repute, braved the odds and bagged her Bachelor of Laws(B.L)  and was called to the Nigerian Bar in December 1993.

Local Govt/Chieftaincy Affairs Commissioner Initiates Free Medical Services

…As Beneficiaries Call for More Support for him to Succeed

By Ekebo Ekanem 
The Chairman, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Elder Friday Iwok has commended the state commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uwem Ita Etuk for initiating a free medical services for the people in the area.

The Lawmaker stated this while flagging off the programme and lauded the people of Ibesikpo Asutan for coming out en-masse to part take in the free medical exercise.
Elder Iwok who is also the member representing Abak State Constituency in the State House of Assembly said the gesture was borne out of love Prince Uwem Ita Etuk has for them in ensuring that the people live a healthy life adding that the exercise will change the physical states of the beneficiaries.
The state commissioner for Health, Dr. Ememabasi Bassey called on the people of the state not to panic about Ebola Virus decease(EVD) noting that government has taken the necessary steps to stamp out the disease if there is any outbreak recorded in Akwa   Ibom State.  

Hon. Uwem Ita Etuk, Commissioner for Local Govt
And Chieftaincy Affairs

Represented by Dr. Emmanuel Ekong, the Health Commissioner charged the people to always maintain good hygienic environment which he said is one of the ways to prevent the disease and also expressed appreciation to the initiator, Prince Uwem Ita Etuk, urging the beneficiaries to adhere to the instruction of the prescription drugs.
Speaking at the occasion, the state Commissioner for Local government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uwem Ita Etuk while addressing the beneficiaries said the exercise will impact positively on their system so as to keep them fit for engagement in their daily activities. He commended his teaming supporters for confidence and trust reposed on him and appealed to the people to give him the necessary support so as to enable him succeed.  Prince Etuk pointed out that he will ensure that the welfare of the people of Ibesikpo Asutan was paramount in his agenda.

As 2015 Governorship Battle Gets Fierce:Itu/Ibiono Federal Constituency Rejects Senate Seat

Says It Is Their Turn To Produce The Next Governor

By Ekebo Ekanem

As the battle to occupy the hilltop mansion in the fourth coming 2015 governorship election takes another fierce dimension, the people of Itu and Ibiono Ibom federal constituency have said that the area will produce the next governor of Akwa Ibom State come 2015, as it was their turn, and not a senator.

Obong Bassey Albert Akpan(OBA), former Finance
Commissioner and one of the strong contenders for 2015
Governorship in AKS

Speaking at a grand reception organized by the people of Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area in honour of their son and former commissioner for finance, Obong Bassey Albert Akpan, the Executive Chairman of Ibiono Local Government, Obong Godwin Ekpo, while addressing the mammoth crowd at the event maintained that Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency has chosen a governor and not a senator.

Obong Ekpo who spoke on behalf of the good people of Ibiono Ibom expressed gratitude to the state governor, Chief Dr. Godswill Obot Akpabio for appointing their son, Obong Bassey Albert Akpan to serve  in his cabinet as a commissioner for finance between 2007-2014. The council boss also commended their son, Obong Bassey Albert Akpan for serving the state meritoriously without being questioned by his boss and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (E.F.C.C.) in particular and for not bringing shame and embarrassment to the people of the area in general. He assured Obong Akpan that the people of Ibiono Ibom will stand by him during and after his election, stressing that OBA(as Obong Albert is fondly called) will not only contest the election but will win.

Also speaking, the Paramount Ruler of Ibiono Ibom and former chairman, state council of chiefs, Okuku Dr. Ime Udousoro Inyang thanked the people for supporting their greatest son, and advised him to put God first in his daily activities. The Paramount Ruler also commended Obong Bassey Albert Akpan for serving the State successfully without blame and presented a sword to him.

Ahead of 2015 Governorship:PDP Stakeholders Re-Affirm Obong Victor Attah as AKS Political Leader

…Pledge to Back Bassey Albert as the Next Governor

By Ekebo Ekanem

It was a gathering of who is who in the politics of Akwa Ibom State in Ibesikpo Asutan Local government area as political gladiators across the 31 local government areas in the state re-affirmed the immediate past governor of the state, Arc (Obong) Victor Attah as the political Leader of Akwa Ibom State and pledged their unalloyed loyalty and support to him.

The event which was the consultation visit of the former commissioner for finance, Obong Bassey Albert Akpan attracted prominent citizens of Uyo Senatorial District as well as Ibesikpo Asutan.  

Obong Bassey Albert Akpan, former Commissioner of Finance
Akwa Ibom State

Speaking at the occasion, the former finance commissioner, Obong Bassey Albert while addressing the mammoth crowd urged the people to accord the former governor the necessary respect adding that after serving the state meritoriously, Obong Attah deserved to be the political leader of Akwa Ibom State. The governorship hopeful also appealed to prominent politicians in the area that after his wide consultation across the state, they should present him to Obong Attah as the best man for the Job.

Obong Bassey Albert who is one of the leading governorship aspirants in the state, in disclosing  his intention to contest the 2015 governorship election, noted that the present administration has marginalized Uyo Senatorial District in terms of appointments.

Emmanuel Obot Opens Up on 2015 Gov’ship:Says It Is the Turn of Ibibio to Produce the Next Governor

…Promises Effective Representation at the Senate…Denies Endorsing any Chairmanship Aspirant in Ibesikpo Asutan 

By Ekebo Ekanem
    As the battle of which ethnic group will produce the next governor of Akwa Ibom State come 2015 continue to receive positive reactions from prominent citizens of the state, the immediate past national assembly member who represented Uyo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. (Otuekong) Emmanuel Obot has said that it is the turn of Ibibio of Uyo Senatorial District to produce the next governor of Akwa Ibom state in the fourth coming 2015 general elections.

Otuekong Emmanuel Obot

Otuekong Emmanuel Obot made this known at his home town, Ikot Akpabin Asutan Ekpe Clan, Ibesikpo Asutan local government area while addressing the executive and members of Ibom Development Network (IDN) a socio-political organization in the state during its first general meeting in Asutan ward 5. He maintained that the era of imposing a candidate had past adding that it is the people that will decide who governs them.

    Otuekong Obot used the occasion and appealed to the prominent sons and daughters of Ibibio to rise up and support the reclamation of their mandate adding that “the present government is a lesson to Ibibio” and advised the youths to be law abiding citizens. The former National Assembly lawmaker described Ibibio as the majority ethnic group in the state urging politicians to stop playing politics of hatred and propaganda.  Mr Obot stressed that without unity and peace nothing positive can be achieved.
 

Uyo State Constituency Election:

Wide Acceptance trails Barr Stella Udoh's consultation visit
... As She Gets Nod and Blessings of Offot Ukwa and Etoi Clan Councils 

By Augustine Akpan

It was a stellar outing for the Uyo State Constituency hopeful, Lady Barr Stellar Ezekiel Udoh penultimate weekend, when she consulted with two of the four clans of the constituency to declare her intentions to contest for the House of Assembly seat come 2015 under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party as her visits was heralded with total support and rain of royal blessings by the royal fathers to guarantee her optimal success. 

  The first phase of the consultation visits which first port of calling debut at the palace of the Clan Head of Etoi, His Royal Highness, Etebom Effiong Akpan on Friday August 29th, 2014 and later proceeded to and climaxed at the palace of the Clan Head of Offot  Ukwa,  His Royal Highness Etebom Obong Sylvanus Okon (JP) the following day both in Uyo amidst unfeigned endorsement and assurance of unstinting support by royal fathers to ensure a resounding victory for the aspirant at the upcoming 2015 polls.
 

Setting the centre stage for the House of Assembly hopeful to declare her intentions to the royal fathers, the Director General of the Divine Change  2015 Campaign Organization, a group tasked with the mandate to ensure the successful ascension of Lady Barr Stella Ezekiel Udoh to the House, Hon Joseph Edem held the royal fathers spell-bound as he read the intimidating profile of the legal luminary to the house before the hopeful majestically rose to declare her intentions.
 Making her declaration to the clans visited, the legal luminary, Lady Barr Ezekiel Udoh an ebullient law doyen who graduated from the prestigious University of Uyo as the overall best student of the Faculty of Law  made her intention to contest for the seat of Uyo State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly known to the royal fathers and pleaded for their support for the actualization of her mandate even as she noted that her clan Oku and Ward 2 where she hails from was particularly  neglected and marginalized for decades in both elective and political appointment and sued for the imbalance to be corrected in the spirit of maintaining and enhancing the principle of equity, justice  and fairness.

AKS Teachers Lament Non-Payment of 3 Months Salaries

...To Down Tools if Arrears of Gratuities, Pensions, 7½ Contributory Pensions Deductions, Ors are not paid 

By Ephraim Ikpe

Teachers in Akwa Ibom State under the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT)have raised alarm in a letter written to the state governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio and posted on facebook over a week ago accusing agencies of government including SUBEB for causing Primary school teachers to be owed their salaries since June 2014.

The Union has also threatened to down tools at the resumption of the next academic session (2014/2015) if all the issues raised in its letter government have not been addressed holistically by governor Akpabio.

NUT leadership stated in its letter to government that as at 18th August 2014 teachers salaries for three months(June to August 2014) were not paid. “It is on record that SUBEB has not paid Primary School Teachers their June 2014 salaries. Some teachers we learnt have not even received May 2014 salaries. It is on record that for over two years, Primary School Teachers are paid once every three months. This attitude has made our teachers to keep borrowing as they no longer know when salaries are to be paid”.  

Speaker Sam Ikon, Governor Akpabio and Wife, Unoma,
and Secretary to AKSG, Mr Udom Emmanuel during a thanks-
giving service recently

According to the Union, in a meeting with the SUSBEB permanent secretary held on the 4th of August, 2014 the Union was strongly promised that the Board was going to pay June 2014 salaries that week, but it was not so.

Another of the Teachers’ grievance has been that teachers not captured in the biometric capture exercise have been declared “ghost workers”, non-payment of 2013, 2014 leave grants which has been reduced to endless buck-passing between the State, Local Government Joint Accounts Committee and SUBEB, revealing, according to NUT, a clear case of “government’s way of demonstrating unreadiness to pay”. 

The NUT also accused government agencies of buck-passing with regards to non-payment of promotion arrears from 2009 to 2012, non-payment of Check-off dues for three months(May – July 2014), which is the funds NUT uses to run its administrative activities, non-payment of gratuity to retired Primary School Teachers, full release of money(N2500) – teachers House Deductions per Teacher and non-remittance of Welfare Commitment of NUT local government area Branches of teachers deducted by SUBEB to the Union.