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…COMMENCES FULL ENFORCEMENT OF SAFETY PROTOCOLS

Akwa Ibom State government has announced a full roll out of Covid-19 vaccination across the 31 local government areas in an effort to combat the pandemic.

Already, the state has confirmed the receipt of 63,336 Modena Vaccine.

A a press chat, Thursday in Uyo by the Secretary to the state Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem during the Covid-19 Management Update, assured the public of the safety and efficacy of the vaccines, and urged everyone to take advantage of the opportunity and have themselves vaccinated at the designated centres.

Ekuwem, the Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Covid-19 Committee, expressed worry that members of the public have failed to adhere to the laid down Covid-19 protocol as listed by the government and NCDC, and has taken necessary steps to ensure strict compliance.

The press statement titled, The Third wave: The time to act is now, read in part, “it has since then been confirmed by NCDC that the Delta variant of Covid-19 virus found in other parts of the country is in our dear State and that would partly explain the rapid increase in the number of cases in the State because of its high infectivity rate.

“It has therefore, become imperative that we take actions to rein in the spread of the infection in the state.

“We have however noted, sadly, that the necessary precautions and guidelines earlier recommended are hardly being adhered to by most people thereby jeopardizing our health and making the control of the pandemic very difficult.”

In view of the concerns raised, the government announced the full roll out of vaccination and encouraged everyone to take advantage of the opportunity to get vaccinated and protected against the virus.

Dr Ekuwem assured that the vaccine is safe and effective and shall be available at designated areas in Uyo and Primary Health Care bases in the different local government areas.

The State chief scribe noted that the proper use of face mask, ensuring that both the mouth and nose are properly covered, shall be closely monitored.

Also,the state warned on the need for frequent washing of hands regularly with soap and clean running water, and the use of appropriate alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Among the warnings include, “Ensure social distancing of not less than one meter at all times.

“Avoid overcrowded areas especially indoors. All non-essential social gatherings should be reconsidered with the view to drastically reducing the scale and scope or suspending same at this time. These include: Burials, weddings, birthday celebrations etc.

“Social distancing in tricycles and in Mini-buses and wearing of face masks are to be strictly complied with.

“Religious houses (churches and mosques) should run at half capacity and services should last not more than one (1) hour.

“Hotels, sit-outs, clubs, schools, transport companies, supermarkets, Banks, pharmacies should all ensure compliance with all Covid-19 preventive measures in their facilities.

“Report any suspicious symptoms such as fever, cough, difficulty in breathing and body pains and weakness to the nearest Covid-19 facility or use the following help lines 08000275664, 08189411111.

The state government further warned that the Covid-19 monitoring mechanisms had been reactivated to ensure strict compliance with Covid-19 guidelines and protocols.

“Enforcement teams shall henceforth apprehend anyone flouting this directive.

“Businesses, worship places and corporate organizations risk shut down if not compliant with the directives above”, the statement added.

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Governor Emmanuel’s relentless industrialization push has continued to bear fruits as the MIMSHAC-MERKAVIM Automobile Plant in Ikot Ukap, Itu local government area, gears towards kick-starting operations.

The Managing Director Valentino Okorie told Media Aides to the Governor, that with the facility coupled and work at 90% completion, the first car assembling plant in the South South region of Nigeria would soon be ready.

He further hinted that once the SKD (Semi Knocked down facility / production line arrives, over 3000 direct staff would be employed and sent abroad for a 6 weeks training in automobile assembling.

The automobile plant has 6 production lines with a capacity to chun out 5 conventional vehicles, 18 cars/ SUVs, 13 mini buses, 9 midi buses, 5 luxurious buses. A total production of 108 cars/SUVs, 56 buses in two weeks. 30 Luxurious buses and conventional vehicles in 1 month.

‘The buses to be produced in the factory for commercial purposes, have over 25 years durability. The vehicles are built with Israeli standard technology, the best you can ever think of. The engine is formidable and known over the world. The body is alloy”, Okorie added

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He lauded Governor Emmanuel for taking personal interest in the project, and for providing all the needed support for it to commence production.

The Media Aides to the Governor included, Essien Ndueso, Aniekeme Finbarr,Solomon Eyo, Rev Richard Peters.

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As the campaign for peace sustenance in Akwa Ibom State continues, people of Oruk Anam Local Government Area, have passed a concensus resolution, declaring for peace in all facets of the area.

At the event of the inauguration of Oruk Anam Local Government Area Steering Committee of Maintain Peace Movement (MPM), Friday August 13, 2021, in Ikot Ibritam, the Oruk Anam natives who ventilated their thoughts through some leaders of the area, re-echoed their readiness to contribute their quota to the maintenance of peace in the area.

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In his remark, the chairman of Oruk Anam Local Government Council, Hon. Kingsley Frank, stated that the present day Oruk Anam is peaceful and assured that the peace will remain.

“Oruk Anam people are grateful to the governor for his peaceful disposition and development brought to our local government area. Oruk Anam is not the same again for good. In the past, there were cases of insecurity in Oruk Anam, but today such story is in the past. I stand here to declare that Oruk Anam is for peace and so will it remain”, he said.

The Director General of MPM, Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem, on his part, charged Oruk Anam people to maintain the nature of peace enjoyed in the state and in their area, adding that the peace enjoyed in the state is from God. He pointed that the essence of the Maintain Peace Movement is primarily to ensure the sustenance of peace in the state. He announced and inaugurated the leadership of MPM in Oruk Anam, with Rt. Hon. Udo Keirian as Coordinator and Prince Akpan Ikim as Secretary.

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On his part, the Oruk Anam Coordinator of the group, Rt. Hon. Udo Keirian, told the MPM delegation that “Oruk Anam is a good place to be”. He pledged the support of Oruk Anam to the objectives of the group and mentioned that there are already on course to take the group’s campaign to all wards in the area.

The event was graced by dignitaries including the Deputy Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Felicia Bassey, State Chairman of PDP, Hon. Aniekan Akpan, Dean of Commissioners and Special Advisers Dr. Glory Edet, member representing Oruk Anam/Ukanafun in the National Assembly, Hon. Unyime Idem, member representing Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika in the National Assembly, Hon. Aniekan Umana, member representing Oruk Anam in the state assembly and leader of the house, Rt. Hon. Udo Keirian, Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Idongesit Etiebet, National Ex Officio of PDP and former state chairman of the party, Obong Paul Ekpo. Others were Dr Udoma Ekarika, Dr Effiong Udongwo, Hon. Sampson Idiong, SSA Interministerial and Direct Labour, Chief Cletus Eshiet, Senatorial District Chairman, PDP, among others.

AKWAIBOM STATE GOVERNMENT TO KICK START CONSTRUCTION OF ETINAN LEPROSY HOSPITAL ROAD

The ongoing upgrade of the Akwa Ibom State owned Leprosy Hospital in Etinan Local Government Area is to be complemented with the construction of Afaha Iman-Ekpene Obom road to enhance access to the medical facility.

The state Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel announced this during a condolence visit to the family of Late Elder Isaac Morton Udofia, at Afaha Iman, Etinan.

Governor Emmanuel who was responding to a plea by the widow of the deceased for government attention to the road accessing the Leprosy Hospital, explained that the road had already been earmarked for construction as part of the hospital renovation project, adding that contract for the road construction has been awarded but was tied to one of the successive phases of the Leprosy Hospital upgrade project.

In his tribute, Governor Emmanuel described the Late Elder Udofia as a good man who led a life of honour and exemplary family life.

Recalling his admiration for the Late 89 year old and his wife as a couple, Mr. Emmanuel likened their union to that of a twin and affirmed their marriage as worthy of emulation, adding that him and his wife, Martha, remain grateful for the moral support that the deceased gave them to strengthen their marriage.

“The couple was like a twin; you’ll hardly see one without the other. I can’t forget the journey of my marriage, in that humble beginning; …since then, Pa and his wife have been good to me”, the governor stated.

He condoled the bereaved family and admonished them to keep the memories of the good life the deceased led and make his interment a celebration of life with gratitude to God rather than a time of crying.

He prayed for the repose of the deceased soul in the bosom of the Lord.

“We would have wished he lived longer but the days of man are numbered and no man can extend his days. I believe his departure is at a rightful age; it’s something that we should be grateful to God for the life he led”, he condoled.

The widow, Madam Mary Isaac Udofia, in her response, expressed gratitude to the Governor and the entire members of his entourage for the visit describing the gesture as an honour to her departed husband and the entire family.

Deaconess Mary Udofia, who is an aunt to the governor’s wife, described the marriage of Mr. Udom Emmanuel and their daughter as a great blessing and God’s plan to honour her family and prayed for more of God’s blessing on the governor’s family.

She said that the construction of the Afaha Iman-Ekpene Obom road will remain a lasting memory for the family.

Madam Udofia commended Governor Emmanuel for leading an administration of peace and prosperity in the state, praying for God’s blessings on all those who have worked with the governor to ensure the success of his administration.

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By: Unwana Jackson Asuquo

As part of events to mark his first year in office as the state’s chief information officer, Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ini Ememobong, in partnership with DOT Glasses, organized free eye services for all 298 staff members of his ministry on August 4, 2021.

The event which held at conference room of the Ministry of Information, Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat, Uyo, featured free eye test, free consultation and free medical glasses.

To open the event, Ememobong gave a short speech on the importance of healthy sight sustained by frequent testing and care. Drawing examples from a similar event he organized in his home village for the it’s indigenes, he said thus: “I can assure you that for the people in my village… it was an epiphany ; the things they couldn’t see, immediately they put on the glasses it was like a miracle.”

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In making a further case for eye tests, Comrade Ememobong drew parallels with the old and new TV models, saying as surely as images appear better on the coloured TV than on the black and white TV models, so will the eye tests ensure better sight.
He went on to introduce the CEO of DOT Glasses, Mr. Philip Staehelin, and his company’s Country Director Mmekidmfon Umana, while also assuring that: “if your case is more complicated than these glasses can solve, you will be referred competently to see an optometrist or opthalmologist depending on what your diagnosis will be.”

DOT Glasses’ CEO, Mr. Staehelin began with a vote of thanks for the Honorable Commissioner, Mr. Ememobong, “for your kind introduction”, before proceeding to educate the gathered staffers shortly on the company’s objectives, chief amongst which he gave as awareness. In his words: “Awareness is something that is lacking, some people who have not seen properly, they don’t know there is a fix, but the technology has been around for hundreds of years.”

The eye test and other services commenced after Mr. Staehelin’s short speech, with Mr. Ememobong the first to be tested by the CEO himself. Other officials and staff of the ministry followed thereafter.

After testing and consultation, free medical glasses were given out to those with the need for them and as promised, referals were given as diagnosis informed.

At conclusion of the commendable event, Margaret Moore, Senior Information Officer at Local Government Commission, thanked the Honourable Commissioner for the thoughtful gesture, praying that “God will strengthen and keep and bless him.”

RESPONSIBLE PARENTING IS THE BEDROCK OF PEACE SAYS GOV. UDOM EMMANUEL

Governor Udom Emmanuel says responsible parental care remains the bedrock of peace and orderliness, and reduces conflicts and needless crises in the society.

Governor Emmanuel made this known during a family thanksgiving service of Dr. and Mrs. Nathaniel Adiakpan, Permanent Secretary Government House, on Saturday at St. Paul’s Cathedral, The African Church, Ibibio South Diocese, Afaha Ubium, ONNA Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.

The governor said parental care is the foundation of good moral behavior, attitude and character that refines children and make them add value to the society, pointing out that proper discipline given to children in love with a view of correcting them should not be misinterpreted for abuse.

‘’There are simply things we take for granted and the reason we are having problems all over the world is that parents are no more parents, it doesn’t just end in having a child. The Bible says that you must train up a child in the way that he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

“If you neglect them, government and everyone will suffer for it including the parents that did not train these children. Education is enough but without parental care, a child could be lost in school.

*I really want to appreciate families that take care of their children because it reduces the burden on the society and makes the society much better”.

The State Chief Executive Officer advised critics from demarketing the State by inciting comments inimical to the development of the State, assuring that his administration is working tirelessly to create and sustain wealth for posterity.

‘’I read in the papers, people abusing me and saying that the governor is going to leave loan debt for the state, me Udom Emmanuel leave loan for which state?

” The state that I am trying to reduce its financial burden, and I am trying to manage resources. If there is something we want to do, we want to leave a positive net earnings for the State.

“If God has endowed me with little knowledge to create money allow me, don’t stand on our way, don’t say what you don’t know, don’t whip up sentiments so that our State can move forward.

“We have a Deep Seaport here, unfortunately our people in Akwa Ibom drove away one of the investors, I am struggling seriously to get another one to come in”.

Governor Emmanuel announced that the State Government will order a new set of 1 million vaccines, advising citizens that Covid-19 is real and they should take advantage of it as well as adhere to safety protocols in order to stay safe.

“Please I want to raise a strong warning, whether you believe it or not, this COVID-19 is real, please, please protect yourself, and don’t take it for granted, simple hygiene can help you a lot.

“We are also ordering new sets of vaccines, don’t mind what they are writing take that vaccine. We are trying, one million vaccines should be coming in, please let people take especially if you know you are above 40 years’’.

The governor described Dr. Nathaniel Adiakpan as a man who acknowledges God and understands the importance of thanksgiving, adding that he is a committed, pleasant and accommodating man who has served diligently.

‘’It is a bad thing when you don’t give thanks, I really want to appreciate the Permanent Secretary, Government House for acknowledging God in his life. I keep saying that people don’t know the dangers of ingratitude. Let me also thank my Permanent Secretary, he is quite right, it is not easy to work with me, for you to walk with me, you must have patience. I have come to find Dr. Nathaniel Adiakpan as a very pleasant Permanent Secretary to work with. I want to appreciate him for finding time to tell God thank you, if there is anybody who fails to thank God then he doesn’t know who God is’’.

Dr. Nathaniel Adiakpan and family during a session of thanksgiving with the theme ‘Great Grace, not by Strength’, reflected on God’s faithfulness upon their family, and expressed appreciation to Governor Emmanuel for the role he played in his success story.

‘’Your Excellency we are grateful to you for honouring us as we thank God, for all the encouragement.

“I thank you for your role in the story of my family, not just for the appointment, but all the things I have come to learn in Government House. I thank God for His Excellency who has managed to tolerate my deficiencies and my inadequacies, I say thank you’’.

Dr. Adiakpan thanked God for giving him a loving wife who has been standing by him and wonderful children who heed to his discipline and instructions.

The Permanent Secretary donated towards the building of a resident pastor’s lodge and also presented a souvenir gift of Obodom, the wooden slit drum to the governor.

In his homily, the Primate of the African Church, Worldwide, His Eminence, Dr. Emmanuel Udofia, preached on the theme, ‘Great Grace, not by Strength.

He culled his text from Eph: 1: 3, Eph: 2: 8, saying that Dr. Adiakpan having experienced God’s love have taken a step to thank Him, and admonished Christians that a life of grace is a life one lives in God.

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…. Charges women to be Role models to the younger generation

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The Honourable Commissioner for Education, Mrs Idongesit Etiebet has bagged an award of excellence from the women ministry of Christ Faith Church Inc. Miracle cathedral , General Headquarters , Utu Ikot Nkor , Etim Ekpo Local Government Area , today.

Presenting the award , during the Divine service of the 2021 Annual National Women convention of the church, the President , Women ministry and wife of the General Overseer , Rev. Mrs Chidinma Abasiakan Otong noted that the award was in recognition of Etiebet’s meritorious and selfless services to humanity especially in the education sector of the state. Rev Otong who took time to praise the Honourable Commissioner opined that she has done the women proud given her antecedents and innovations in the ministry of Education.

Receiving the award , Mrs Idongesit Etiebet who’s the immediate past Senior Special Assistant, SSA to the Governor on Education Monitoring thanked Rev. Mrs Chidinma Otong and the entire Christ Faith Church for finding her worthy of the prestigious award.

Speaking through the state Treasurer , Akwa Ibom State Female youths , Adada Amb Adada Eno-obong Jacob , she noted that the award as bestowed on her Will spur her to continue to give her best to people of the state and humanity.
The state education tzar however charged the women to show good morales at all times as they are Role models to the younger generation

Highlights of the spiritual event which has over 10 , 000 participants accross the country was song rendition, miracle service , deliverance amongst others

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Nigerians from all walks of life celebrated what they considered a paradigm shift last March, when a Court in Akwa Ibom State found Prof Peter Ogban guilty of fraudulent manipulation of election results, publishing and announcing of false results, and therefore sent him to a 36 months imprisonment and also slammed a fine of N100,000.00. on him For many, that landmark judgment by Justice Odokwo gave a glimmer of hope that at least, electoral offenders, no many how highly placed, can be punished through the judicial process.

Alas! That hope seems to have been deemed by another High Court Judge in Akwa Ibom, Justice Pius Idiong. In a rather curious judgment last Monday, July 12, he granted bail to Prof Ogban.

In granting the bail, the judge upheld the submission of lNEC, when he said the Convict/Applicant didn’t meet the conditions for grant of bail of a convict serving his term of imprisonment, yet he granted Ogban bail. Why? If Prof Ogban did not prove exceptional circumstance or unusual reason to be granted bail, then his bail application should have been declined by the Judge.

This bail granted by Justice Idiong has not only dampened the excitement of a revival in the Judiciary, it has also, in a way emboldened serial electoral offenders and their sponsors, that they can always escape justice, once they can find collaborators who are willing to perpetrate injustice, even in the temple of justice.

It is high time this matter is brought to the attention of the National Judicial Council, with a view to calling the erring Judge to order, else the tar of this miscarriage of justice will be on all stakeholders in the Judiciary.

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FORMER PRESIDENT CHIEF OLUSEGUN OBASANJO COMMISSIONS IKOT OKU IKONO FLYOVER IN A’IBOM

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The Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, today, Thursday, July 16, commissioned the 1km Ikot Oku Ikono Flyover constructed by Governor Udom Emmanuel in Akwa Ibom State.

The Former President who said the commissioning of such a flyover is worth celebrating anywhere in the world, described Governor Udom Emmanuel as a good manager of Resources, stating that a good manager is known in the ability to manage resources in time of vicissitude.

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Chief Olusegun Obasanjo commended Governor Udom Emmanuel for making him happy, by not letting him down, and for making the people of Akwa Ibom proud with his numerous achievements including the commissioning of the Flyover.

He thanked the Governor for making him a lucky man as the former Abak Road named after him also has a Flyover and therefore commissioned the Ilot Oku Ikono Flyover to the glory of God, the benefit of the users and the prosperity and development of the State.

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Speaking, Governor Udom Emmanuel described the former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as the father of Nigeria, who is ever fixing up the nation and the President who paid up the debt of Nigeria during his regime.

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Governor Emmanuel Honours Slain Supporter With Apartment

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, yesterday, Wednesday, July 14, 2021, inaugurated a 3-bedroom flat apartment for the family of late Anyanime Ndarake Okon, a slain member of the ONLY GOD Protocol Squad(a youth volunteer protocol team supportive of the state government).

Inaugurating the apartment in Nnung-Ukang Odoro Ikpe, Ini Local Government Area, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong, who represented the Governor, said, “The Governor, who is youth friendly, is greatly saddened by the death of your young son, and has through his SA on mobilization, Felix Ekuri, built this structure to house you and other members of your family.”
The Commissioner added that Governor Emmanuel “sends his condolences and prays that the Lord will comfort you and other members of the bereaved family at this very trying time.”
According to Comrade Ememobong, “It is for the reason of preventing sad days like this that the Governor fights crime and insecurity, because it’s an ill wind that blows no one any good.”
The Leader Only God Protocol Squad and Special Assistant to the Governor on Mobilisation. Mr Felix Ekuri, while speaking at the event, acknowledged the kind-heartedness of Governor Emmanuel for the gesture, prayed that the good Lord should grant the soul of Anyanime Ndarake Okon eternal rest and also give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Responding on behalf of the family, the mother of Akaniyene, Mrs. Okon thanked the Governor for such huge show of love.
The remains of the 24 year old Anyanime Ndarake Okon, who was reportedly killed by armed robbers in the early hours of Wednesday 2 June 2021, will be laid to rest today, July 15, after a funeral service to be conducted by the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Odoro Ikpe Parish, at the family compound of Late Chief Ndarake Okon Udoudo.

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