ITU PDP CANDIDATE PROMISE TO REACTIVATE BURSARY AND SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME ...As Students Group Sponsor Printing Of Campaign Posters

By Patrick Antia

The Chairmanship candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Itu Local Government Area, Barr Etetim Onuk has restated his desire to reactivate the payment of bursary and grants to students studying in institutions of higher learning.

Onuk made made the promise last week, while addressing  students of Itu extraction, under the aegis  of Itu Student's Worldwide; who were on a solidarity visit to his Campaign organization's liaison office in Uyo. He also pledged to set up an effective scholarship program aimed at supporting deserving and brilliant students of Itu - at all level - in their academic pursuit.

"The future of Itu rests on these young shoulders, and education is the bedrock of capital or human development, hence our policy - as contained in our 13 point agenda - to support students in their scholarly endeavors. Your vision is in tandem with mine, so your visit serves as a reminder to my pledge." He said.

The PDP flag bearer who charged them to spread the message of peace and love also advised them to study diligently and stay of cultism and every other crime. He warned them not to indulge in the aforementioned act, as it would be a license to self destruction. He thereafter promised that apart from consistent disbursement of academic grants like bursary and scholarships, his administration would seek ways to engage the unemployed youth, with a view to empower them sustainably.

Mr. George Akpan, the PDP Councillorship candidate for ward 5 in Itu Local Government Area and one time Vice President of Itu Students 'Worldwide' applauded their kind gesture towards Barr. Onuk's political ambition and reassured them that with Onuk in charge, the students of Itu will no longer be denied bursary, scholarships and study grants.

In an address read by the the President , Itu students 'Worldwide', Comrade Abraham Umoh, the group said Barr Onuk's emergence is 'divine' and stated that the December 2 Local Government elections shall be a walk over for him and the People's Democratic Party In Itu Local Government, as the partyy has fielded credible and generally accepted candidates.

The group described Etetim Onuk as one who has the interest of his people at heart, offered to be part of his electioneering campaign team and promised to mobilize support for all the PDP candidates in Itu. They used the opportunity to intimate the Itu Liberation Campaign organization that they are all members of the Student's wing of the Intensive Transformation Union (I.T.U.) and formally presented copies of campaign posters sponsored by Itu Student's Worldwide.

Members of the student group who witnessed the event include:  Abel Simon Akpan, Chapter President Uyo City Polytechnic;  Enameti Usenata Udo, Direcor of Sports Worldwide; Comrade Happiness Emmanuel Eyibio, Vice President Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic (Akwapoly)/ Welfare officer Worldwide: Mfonobong Bassey Udang, Director for Protocol Worldwide; Victor Ekong, Chapter President Akwa Ibom State College of Education Afaha Nsit and Udok Udok Iwatt, Secretary Worldwide.

Others are , Idongesit Asuquo Effiong, Financial Secretary Worldwide; Abasiakan Udi Chapter President Akwapoly/ Vice Chairman ii Worldwide; Itoro Akpan, Chapter President, University of Calabar and Oduduabasi Isaac, Chapter president, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.

LG POLL: ITU MONARCH URGE CANDIDATES TO BE UNITED

By Patrick Antia

The paramount ruler of Itu Local Government, His Majesty, Edidem Dr. Edet Akpainyang has advised candidates from the area, vying for positions on the platform of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in the December 2 elections to remain united and continue working as a family and put the interest of the Community first.

The Traditional ruler made the declaration on Friday at his palace, when the PDP Chairmanship candidate in the Local Government, Barr. Etetim Onuk led every other candidate of his party in the area on a courtesy visit to him.

Edidem Akpainyang who commended the candidates for deeming it fit to seek the blessings of the royal fathers applauded their oneness. He said the importance of peace, love and unity amon them cannot be underestimated. He advised them to replicate same attitude if they eventually make it to the Council, adding that its the panacea for a better and stronger Itu Local government.

Earlier, Barr. Etetim Onuk who spoke on behalf of the candidates said the visit was meant to intimate the Traditional rulers of their achievements so far and brief them on future plans. He opined that as loyal citizens of Itu, they owe the royal fathers that obligation and reiterated their resolve to build a fairer and egalitarian society.

Barr. Onuk who stated that they could not have continued without seeking the support and blessings of the traditional rulers, pointed out that the importance of maintaining close links with the traditional stool cannot be overemphasized. He promised to ensure his team remain bonded by love, mutual respect and equity.

Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the council and clan head of Itam Clan, Etebom Donald Uboh commended the candidates vying for the respective positions that make up the third tier of governance, describing their visit to the palace as a ' a wise move and warned against infighting which he said could derail the budding relationship among the PDP candidates in Itu.

The high point of the event was the prayer session, where the traditional rulers prayed for God's protection, guidance and wisdom for the candidates in their respective endeavors.

Others who witnessed the event include; The Vice Chairmanship Candidate, Mrs. Emem Ekpanya, The Director General, Itu Liberation Campaign Organization and former Vice Chairman  of Itu Local Government Area; Hon. Victor Nyong.

Councillorship candidates who attended the events are, Helen Nta, ward 1; Felix Okokon Andem, ward 2; Ifiok Ekpenyong, ward 3; Ime Victor Etim, ward 4; George Akpan, ward 5 and Bokime Ededem Udo of ward 6.

Others include, Peace Okokon, ward 7; Otobong Ekong, ward 8;  Bassey Bassey, ward 9 and Inibehe Nyong of ward 10.

TRAFFIC COP MOBBED IN UYO FOR MOLESTING MARRIED WOMAN

              

The accused policeman

A policeman, attached to the traffic Department of the Akwa Ibom State Police command was allegedly beaten up by an irate crowd in Uyo on Tuesday, this followed  an allegation leveled  against him by a middle aged  lady who claimed the traffic cop sexually molested her and threatened to impound her vehicle if she does not follow him to a hotel for the purpose of sexual gratification.

The accused policemen whose name tag read;  Godstime .G, with serial number 9982 is assigned to a unit of traffic wardens, stationed around the Nsikak Eduok axis of the IBB round about, was allegedly "beaten up" by the group of youth who were attracted to the scene by the woman's strident objection to the method of
 settlement recommended by the officer.

According to an eye witness who did not want his name on print, The woman supposedly arrived the scene at about 11:30am, the company of her husband who tried to talk to the accused policeman, according to him, the traffic warden responded in an aggressive manner, leading to a scathing exchange of words.

Our anonymous source disclosed that the incident escalated when the woman who was allegedly harassed attempted to capture the officers face using her phone. According  to him, Godstime threatened to seize her phone and attempted to hit her, and the visibly aggravated crowd that had gathered descended on him.
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The policeman sustained injuries to his face and head, as blood was reportedly seen dripping from lacerations on his head and face.

"This particular policeman has a long list of complains, bothering on sexual harassment of female traffic offenders, and that is probably the reason those policemen attached to the Eagle patrol team that is permanently stationed on the other side of the road refused to come to his aid." Our source said.

When contacted, the Akwa Ibom State's Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bala Elkana said he is unaware of such incident, as neither the said  policemen nor the woman has made a formal complain. Hence, cannot confirm the veracity of the story.

On The 1st of October, Akwa Ibom State's Commissioner For Housing and Special Duties, Mr. Akan Okon Marked his 2017th Birthday with visits to the Motherless Babies Home at IBB Avenue and St. Luke's Hospital, Anua. Discovery News brings you the events in pictures

 

A'IBOM GOVT. WADES INTO GRIEVANCES OF IBOM INT'L. STADIUM HOST COMMUNITIES

Akwa Ibom State Government has set up modalities to address the discontentment raised by the host communities of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.

The Commissioner for Housing and Special Duties Mr Akan Okon, announced this during a meeting with representatives of the communities held at the Conference Room, Ministry of Housing and Special Duties, Uyo.

The meeting which had in attendance Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Charles Udoh and his counterpart in the Ministry of Lands and Town Planning, Arch Ime Ekpo, deliberated extensively on the disaffection expressed by the host communities of the International Stadium.

Speaking, Mr Akan Okon who blamed the communities for embarking on the protest described the action as unnecessary explaining that issues raised by the communities would have been addressed if they had approached the government through appropriate channel.

He however warned against a repeat of the mob action saying that it could have degenerated to alarming proportion if hijacked by miscreants and reminded the community leaders of their role in ensuring peace in their domain.

The Special Duties Commissioner spoke of the Stadium as a critical national infrastructure which should be valued, protected and presented, assuring the catchment communities that they would be integrated in the general maintenance and provision of security in the edifice.

On the flooding which he said was a spillover from the retention lake and bad roads in the area, Mr Okon said that the Ministry of Works had come up with a design for controlling the flood and explained that people of the area would soon witness a new lease of life as the drainage project would soon commence.

Also speaking, Mr Charles Udoh, urged the communities to always reach out to the State Government through available channel of communication, adding that the State administration under Governor Udom Emmanuel prioritizes the interest of its people.

Mr Udoh noted that the Stadium which has boosted the economy of the area and by extension the state should be valued by the beneficiaries.

The Information boss lauded the village heads for their promptness​ in handling the protest assuring that government would not renege on its promise to the people .

In his contribution, Arc. Ime Ekpo, noted that government cannot fulfil it obligations to the people in a single swop and pointed that government’s sincerity was already demonstrated in the equitable payment of compensation before the commencement of the stadium project.

He assured the communities on government's resolve to complete every project initiated and called for calm on the part of the communities maintaining that the state administration was committed to addressing their challenges.

Leaders of the host communities including legal adviser of Obio Etoi, Barr. Friday, Uyo Political leader / Transition Council member, Pastor Ime David and Uyo Youth Caucus Chairman, Mr Idorenyin Umoh enumerated their challenges to include incessant flooding, lack of maintenance of the retention lake, poor accessibility to the communities during events at the stadium, security risk associated with impassable roads in the communities, non inclusion of youths in the security and maintenance of the stadium.

They however thanked the State Government for the prompt response to their complaints and promised to cooperate with the contractors in the intervention project earmarked for execution.

It would be recalled that youths in the host communities of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium (The Nest Of Champions) had, on Wednesday, 4th October 2017, took to the street in protest of environmental despoliation and other issues in the area.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Special Duties, Engr. Effiong Efiakedoho Heads of Directorate of Housing and Special Duties, Village Head of Obio Etoi, Obong Ezekiel I. Ekott, Village Head of Obio Offot, Ete-idung Cyril A. Umanah and youth leaders of the host communities were also in the meeting.

I'll Run An All Inclusive Government - Etetim Onuk

Barr. Onuk

By Patrick Antia

The Chairmanship candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Itu Local Government Area, Barr. Etetim Onuk has pledged to run an all inclusive administration when elected Chairman of Council. He made the remark on Wednesday in Ikot Annie Itam, during a twin Thanksgiving/victory march organized by the women prayer wing of Itu Liberation campaign organization and the Executives and members of PDP in ward 6 of Itu Local Government Area.
Onuk who used the opportunity to thank the women for their prayers and support prior to the party nomination exercise also expressed gratitude to members of the People's Democratic Party for believing in him. He promised to make the party proud, pointing out that their sacrifices shall not be in vain.

"I am humbled by the honour accorded me today by my people, i thank you all for supporting me, and i commend the organizers of both events. I will never fail Itu people , i know the expectations are high, but i promise to do my best for the good of the Local government. I call on every one who vied for positions in the just concluded PDP primaries to join force with whoever emerged as the flag bearer and build a stronger party and Local Government." He said

The Ikot Annie Itam born legal practitioner who was accompanied by all 10 PDP councillorship candidates in Itu, admonished the youth to strive to be self reliant, he also advised them to remain law abiding, maintaining that active engagement of the youth - which form part of his cardinal policies, will go a long way to curb crime and other social vices.

The Coordinator of the women's prayer wing of the campaign organization, Mrs. Itoro Bassey Bassey Uduhu who said the women toured the 10 wards of Itu, praying for the success of their principal, thanked the Almighty God for his grace and mercies.
While thanking God for taking the organization this far, Mrs Uduhu reiterated the women's resolve not to relent in seeking God's guidance and protection. She thanked the women for the commitment and consistency.

On behalf of all the PDP Councilorship candidates in Itu Local Government Area, Mr. George Akpan who is the party's representative for ward 5 said, The thanksgiving could not  have come at a better time, stating that a grateful heart pleases God.

According to George Akpan "Barr. Onuk has started well, the cordiality between us, the Chairman and Vice Chairmanship candidate is an indication of the fruitful year ahead, he is a team leader, we (the councilors) are ready to deliver our respective wards to the PDP and build a better Itu."

Mr. Joseph Ekwan, an elder of the Party in the ward, who spoke on behalf of other stakeholders said they will remain supportive and advised him to ensure he complies with his campaign promises when elected.

The trio of Mr. Edem Bassey Ukud, Mr Ndifreke Umoh and Amadi Asukwo Ema; Ward Chairman, Vice Chairman and youth leader respectively, poured encomium on Barr. Onuk and disclosed their readiness to ensure total victory for the party at all levels.

Others who graced the ocasion include; The Chairman of the Itu Liberation Campaign organization and former Vice Chairman of Itu Local Government Area, Hon. Victor Nyong, Secretary of the organization, Hon. Affia and Chairman Ikot Annie Village Council, Evang. Ime Peter Akpan, amongst others

The Councilorship candidates who attended the events are; Helen Effiong Nta, ward 1, Felix Okokon Andem, ward 2, Ifiok Ekpenyong, ward 3, Ime Victor Etim, ward 4, George Akpan, ward 5, Bokime Ededem Udo, ward 6, Peace Okokon, ward 7, Otobong Ekong, ward 8, Bassey Bassey, ward 9 and Inibehe Nyong of ward 10.