AK SPEAKER COMMENDS RETIRED PERMANENT SECRETARIES

The Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Onofiok has commended retired Permanent Secretaries in the state for the labour of love which they exhibited while serving in the Civil service.

Receiving the retired technocrats, Monday in the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Luke,  who acknowledged the various  roles played by the retired Permanent Secretaries during the struggle for state creation, said  members of the House are willing to tap from their wealth of experience, and also enjoined them not to relent in their support to  the government of Mr. Udom Emmanuel.

While thanking  them for the visit, the Speaker assured of the preparedness of the assembly to assist them in their secretariat project, and assured that government will look into their demands for harmonization of pension  . He appreciated them laying a solid foundation for the growth of the civil service in the state, and enjoined them to support the industrialization programme of the present administration in the state to enable it succeed.

He pledged the continuous support of the legislature to the other arms of government in the state, assuring that the assembly remains people oriented and will never derail in its avowed commitment to always be on the side of the people.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, and President, Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries, Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Francis Ikpe, said he and members of the group were in the assembly to show solidarity with the leadership of the House, and commended the Speaker for effectively piloting affairs of the House.

“The role of the assembly over which you preside is enormous and challenging; especially in the consideration and passage of legislative bills into laws which finally help in stabilizing the polity”.

“Furthermore, the association is rest assured that with your wealth of experience over the years in legislative issues, your election as the Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly is well timed and merited. In retrospect, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has earned the enviable record of being one of the best, if not the best rated house of assembly nationwide, in terms of decorum, stability functionality and responsiveness to public interest and well beign”.

Present during the visit were, Hon. Mark Esset, Hon. Otobong Jonathan, Chief J.J.Obot, Elder. O.E.Akpan, and Obong Edem Akpainyang

AVOID IMPOSITION OF CANDIDATE, AKHA SPEAKER WARNS PDP

Ahead of the forthcoming State Congresses and National Convention of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, the Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke, has said that for the PDP to regain its position in the country, the party leadership must resolve to avoid the imposition of candidates in future elections.

In a remark, Thursday, in his office while receiving the national youth leader of the PDP, Abdullahi Hassan Maibasira at the assembly complex, Speaker Luke stated that part of the reforms which the party must champion is for internal democracy to be enshrined in the election of party leaders at various levels. He also called for democracy in the process leading to the emergence of candidates for various elective offices.

The Speaker challenged the political class to always strive towards ensuring that strong institutions are built rather than building stronger individuals. While thanking the PDP for giving him and other members of the party the platform to serve the people, the Speaker stressed the need for the national leadership of the party to create a platform where its members occupying various elective offices in the country are made to brief the party on their stewardship.

“One of the reforms we are championing in the party is that internal democracy is not only seen to be done, but it must be done to the later. Our position is that let us build a strong institution; let us not allow the whims and caprices of some individual to overshadow the party’s interest. One other thing we are canvassing is that the party must now create a platform for officers elected on the party ticket to come and give our score card to the party”.

The Speaker affirmed the preparedness of the Akwa Ibom state House of Assembly to make laws that would benefit the people of the state.

Earlier in his speech, the National Youth Leader of the PDP, Mr. Maibasira, said he was in the state on a solidarity visit to the Speaker and members of the House of Assembly.

He congratulated Mr. Speaker on his 38^thbirthday anniversary, and his emergence as the leader of the legislature in the state. The National PDP youth leader said the youth wing of the party at the national level and PDP as a whole are happy with his elevation.

“We have come to show our love, solidarity and support in your emergence. As a young leader, you have shown the kind of leadership the younger generation is desirous of”, the youth leader said.

Maibasira also congratulated the Speaker for the success recorded by the PDP in last Saturday rerun election into the four vacant seats in the House of Assembly noting that the victory of the PDP points to the fact that “Akwa Ibom is PDP”. He commended the people of the state for their abiding faith in the party.

The PDP youth leader was accompanied on the visit by the national coordinator, PDP Youth Democrats, Hon. Aderemi Olusegun, Hon. Aliyu A. Aliyu among others while lawmakers in attendance include, Deputy Speaker, Hon Felicia Bassey; House leader, Rt. Hon. Udo. Kierian; Rt. Hon Ime Okon; Rt. Hon. Gabriel Toby; Rt. Hon Friday Iwok; Hon. Mfon Ekong; Hon. Monday Eyo; Hon. Asuquo Nyong; and Hon. Lawrence Bassey.  

AKWA IBOM TO ESTABLISH MODEL SCHOOLS

The Government of Akwa Ibom State is to commence the establishment of model schools, to enhance effective teaching and learning.

This was made known by the the state’s Commissioner for Education, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Aniekan Akpan, when he recieved the Executives of the Akwa Ibom chapter of the National Parent Teacher Association (NAPTAN), who were on a courtesy visit. He explained that the proposed model schools will provide up to date facilities, conducive learning environment, as well as exercie effective control and monitor the activities of pupils in schools, for optimum performance.

Elder Akpan reiterated the administration’s commitment towards churning out well groomed and intelligent children from the state owned educational institutions’ who can meet up with contemporary educational challenges and expectations.

The Education Commissioner called on parents and guardians to cooperate with and support government’s effort to provide easily accessible, affordable and qualitative education in Akwa Ibom.

In his address, the State Chairman of NAPTAN, Dr. Mike J. Umoh commended the State Governor; Mr. Udom Emmanuel and the Commissioner for Education, Elder Aniekan Akpan, for their efforts to reposition the education sector, for the benefit of students and society at large.

Dr. Umoh said the Akwa Ibom State chapter of NAPTAN will continue working closely with the government, in its bid to step up the quality of education and pledged to further support the present administration. He disclosed that the association plans to embark on a several projects, aimed at enhancing workability of the school system and put in place measures that would discourage hawking by children of school age, loitering during school hours, sensitization of pupils on the dangers of cultism, drug abuse and other anti-social activities capable of ruining the future of wards.

The NAPTAN state Chairman warned against all forms of examination malpractice and enjoined parents to join the campaign against the malady which he said spells doom to schools system and the society if not curbed in its bud.

He disclosed that, Akwa Ibom State indigenes have been elected to occupy the offices of the National Vice Chairman and South South coordinator of NAPTAN and appealed to the state government to assist the group in some areas including; office accommodation and vehicle which he said would enhance the smooth and effective running of the organization.

The Chairman requested for the submission of names of P.T.A executives by head teachers, to Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria; to room 358,Ministry of Education Headquarters’, Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat, Uyo.

BURY THE HATCHET AND SUPPORT UDOM EMMANUEL - Idemudo Tells Opposition

An indigene of Ikot Abasi Local Government Area; Engr. Ubong Clement Idemudo has called on every well meaning citizen to shun party affiliations and concentrate on moving the state forward. 

Engr. Idemudo

Mr. Idemudo made the declaration, while addressing newsmen recently in Uyo. ‎He urged all to ensure they contribute their quota to the development of the state and  said since the elections are over and the legal contest have come and gone, it behooves on us to put away political differences and concentrate on the growth of Akwa Ibom state.

The Ete born Chairmanship hopeful who pointed out that despite diverse partisan commitments, all should remember to put the Unity of the state before the party, he called on members of the different political parties in the state, to support the Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel led, PDP administration in Akwa Ibom state.

"As a citizen of Akwa Abasi Ibom State, I call on my brothers and sisters who‎ belong to other political parties to put away their differences, align and support His Excellency, Mr. Udom Emmanuel so we can succeed together as a state. This is not the time to fight, but a time build and reap the dividend of democracy together."

He used the opportunity to congratulate Mr. Udom Emmanuel on his victory at the polls and the subsequent decision of the Supreme Court, describing it as the will of God.

Idemudo whose popularity and acceptability grows by the day, said if given the opportunity to lead, he will move the Local Government to a different level of economic growth and human development, he also pledged to ensure the "rebuilding of a virile and egalitarian Ikot Abasi."

"My dream is to see Ikot Abasi become the pivot and hub of economic and commercial activities  in the state, and that would be the first step towards reclaiming the lost glory of the County, and we can only archive these if we stand together as one indivisible family, bonded by love and strengthened by hope for a better tomorrow." he said.

Onofiok Luke Honoured As Dakkada Ambassador

AK Assembly Speaker; Onofiok Luke receiving the Dakkada Certificate of recognition from SSA to Governor Udom on Marketing and Brand Management, Mr Sam Edoho.

The Speaker, Akwa Ibom state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke has been honoured as a DAKKADA Ambassador by the Directorate of Marketing and Brand Management in the office of the Governor in recognition of the positive strides he has recorded both within the state and at the national level. 

Decorating the Speaker on Monday in his office, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Udom Emmanuel on Marketing and Brand Management, and Head of the Marketing and Brand management Directorate, Mr. Sam Edoho, said the decision to select Rt. Hon. Luke for the honour was informed by his pioneering role in ensuring that Akwa Ibom youths rise to their faith of greatness by making positive impacts in the society.

The Governor’s aide said his team was pleased with the emergence of Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke as the number three citizen of the state, noting that his current position has brought great hope to Akwa Ibom youths who see him as their role model.

“We in the marketing and branding team thought it was necessary to come to your constituency and honour you for the strides that you have made in our state and the entire nation at large”. ’We in this Directorate of Marketing and branding are out to make Akwa Ibomites realize that they are great people, and you have exemplified that greatness; you have given our youths hope not just in Akwa Ibom but in Nigeria and beyond that a young man could be entrusted with such level of  responsibility”.

While making reference to other great sons and daughters of the state who have excelled in their various fields of endeavour including Mr. Ufot Ekong, and a host of others, Mr. Edoho explained that his team is saddled with the responsibility of projecting the Dakkada philosophy of the state government by ensuring that those deserving Akwa Ibom citizens who have risen to the faith of greatness are spotted out and made to serve as Ambassadors to the youths.

In his response, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Luke, thanked the Dakkada team for deeming him and his colleagues fit for the honour, and pledged the support of the House of Assembly to the realization of Dakkada philosophy in the state. He used the opportunity to advise members of the marketing and branding team to ensure that persons of impeccable character are selected for such honour irrespective of their social class.

The Speaker charged the team to work out strategies that would enable the discovery of talents among the younger ones in public schools, especially through debates, quiz competitions, and the promotion of mentorship programmes in schools.

Also decorated as Dakakada Ambassador were the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Felicia Bassey, member for Mkpat Enin Hon. Otobong Ndem and Clerk of the House, Mrs. Mandu Umoren.

Accompanying the Governor’s aide were other members of the marketing and branding team including the Special Assistant to the Governor on Marketing and branding, Mr. Ime Uwah and Ms. Lydia Udoh among others.

INFO COMMISSIONER LAUDS AK FIRST LADY ON DE-WORMING EXERCISE

Umanah

Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Aniekan Umanah has commended the wife of the Governor, Her Excellency, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel, for the state-wide de-worming exercise, which ended last Saturday.

 The Commissioner, while speaking in his office, said the de-worming exercise, initiated through the pet project of the First Lady, the Family Enhancement and Youth Reorientation Programme, FEYReP, in partnership with NEIMETH Pharmaceuticals, "is another testimony of the unrelenting efforts of Her Excellency, at promoting the health and total wellbeing of the people."

 Acknowledging the compassion and kind-heartedness of the First Lady, which he said has seen her alleviate the plights of many families,  Mr. Umanah recalled that only recently, "Mrs. Udom Emmanuel, through FEYReP, partnered with MTN Foundation to provide free eye glasses, treatments and surgeries for the citizens."

 The Information Boss, who lauded parents and guardians for availing themselves of the opportunity of the de-worming exercise, by making their children and wards available for treatments, noted that the free treatment has positively impacted the wellbeing of Akwa Ibom households in many ways.

 Enumerating the many life-touching programmes so far undertaken by Mrs. Emmanuel, through FEYReP, the Commissioner  expressed confidence that "many more innovative programmes will yet come from the stable of Her Excellency towards youth reorientation and comprehensive family empowerment of Akwa Ibom people."

 It would be recalled that Mrs. Udom Emmanuel flagged-off the de-worming exercise in Uyo local government area  on Wednesday, February 17, and moved to attend to the people of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District   on Thursday February 18. She followed it up with  Eket Senatorial District on Friday and rounded-off the exercise with other local government areas in Uyo Senatorial District  on Saturday, February 20.