IBOM EYES MEDIA

24/02/2024

USAID APPLAUDS A'IBOM GOVT ON EFFECTIVE PARTNERSHIP
---Says A'Ibom is Home to Donor Agencies, Corporate bodies

A United Nations Agency, the United States Agency for International Development, USAID, has applauded Akwa Ibom State Government for being home to Corporate organisations and donor agencies through effective partnership.

The State Team Lead for the USAID State2State Activity, Borve Paago-Imabel gave the commendation in Uyo, Thursday, when he led a 3-man delegation on a Courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ini Ememobong in his office.

Borve Paago-Imabel commended the State Government for providing the enabling environment with necessary technical support to USAID, other United Nations Agencies, as well as other corporate citizens, all working towards the development of the State through their component programmes and activities.

The State2State Team Lead, further expressed appreciation particularly to the Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ini Ememobong, for effective partnership with USAID which culminated into the development of the 2023 Communication Strategy document for the Ministry, from a training organised by the Agency for Information Officers.

He said, the Agency was at the moment seeking continuous partnership and support to enable it carry out a training to develop a Standard Operation Procedures, SOP, for Information Officers while also addressing the challenges impeding efficient Service delivery by them in their respective MDAs.

Speaking, the Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ini Ememobong expressed appreciation to USAID for its consistency in carrying out its development programmes and activities for the Ministry of Information and indeed Akwa Ibom State Government and Nigeria at large.

The Information Commissioner extended his appreciation to the United Nations for their generosity and benevolence in reaching out to developing nations like Nigeria and even stepping down to States, including Akwa Ibom, with different UN-assisted development programmes and urged USAID to keep up the tempo.

Ememobong who lauded the cross-fertilization of ideas technique used by UN Agencies in working with development partners during planning stages of programmes, called for a mix-match of development approaches for a balanced programme implementation.

The event which featured the presentation of the 2024 State Calendar and Diaries to the USAID team by the Commissioner, witnessed a technical session with management staff of the Minsitry led by the Permanent Secretary, Akparawa James

17/02/2024

208 SUCCESSFUL SURGERIES; THE MIRACLE OF THE 10TH HENSEK MEDICAL OUTREACH

Aniekeme Finbarr

After I first published the news that the 10th edition of the Hensek Medical and surgical outreach will commence in Oron, a strange number called me. These days, I don’t bother asking people where they got my contacts from. She introduced herself as Peace from Obot Akara and explained that She has a challenge with her left eye and needed medical intervention before it became late.

I quickly directed her to the General Hospital in Iquita, Oron and gave her a number to call. The rest as they say is history. She was examined and the next day underwent a surgery. That left eye is back to normal now.

I have covered the HENSEK free medicals in Ikot Abasi for the past few years but this case with Peace brought me emotionally closer to the relief and joy the beneficiaries enjoy because of the sacrifice of one man and the passion to sustain this lofty project. Peace called back and said, ‘my eye is perfect now’.

This year alone, the figures of the beneficiaries like Peace are staggering.

🔥200 successful surgeries have been carried out.
🔥592 eye cases were treated with 47 surgeries done.
🔥117 plus dental cases handled.
🔥ENT (Ear, Nose and Tongue) cases treated stand at 82
🔥1 successful CS. What a way to arrive on the earth!
🔥4 Gynecology cases handled
🔥1500+ outpatient cases treated.

There is no sufficient measurement scale to describe the volume and quality of drugs dispensed at this free medical outreach.

Our prayers are that God will continue to bless the HENSEK Integrated Services family. May their hands never run dry, May the joy and relief they have brought to homes return to them in multiples.

In the words of Governor Umo Eno, whatever is being done successfully on ten occasions is consistent and should be commended. The Akwa Ibom State Governor has specially commended the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Hensek Integrated Services Limited, Engr. Uwem Okoko, for sustaining the program over the years, as well as his partner– the Nigerian Medical Association and the hospital staff, noting that many indigenes and residents of Akwa Ibom state have benefitted from the outreach.

What more can we say? God bless Engr Uwem Okoko ke nsi nsi, nsi nsi…

10/02/2024

STATE SPECIAL THANKSGIVING SERVICE TO HOLD FEBRUARY 11

10/02/2024

Raymond Alphonsus: The unsung Hero of the Golden Era.
..Bassey Albert OBA /Idorenyin Umana Vs Raymond Alphonsus...

This month marks the anniversary of Raymond Alphonsus (Akparawa Ikono) final freedom from police rearrest order, detention, aggression on him by the Nigerian police force on the instance of Obong Bassey Albert after he won a case of blackmail/ character assassination in Court against Bassey Albert OBA and his aide Idorenyin Umana

Raymond Alphonsus Who was the then Editor of Global Pilot newspaper was arrested after he honored police invitation for investigation into stories he wrote against Obong Bassey Albert and his Governorship bid during the electioneering. Raymond (Akparawa Ikono) who was detained / slept in cell and was arraigned in Court stood firm by his story that Golden Era must birth in Akwa ibom.

Akparawa Ikono.
Your time will come.

08/02/2024

01/02/2024

Ini Ememobong wrote:-

Today, we celebrated all the January-born staff in the Ministry of Information, as a part of our corporate culture in the ministry.

Best wishes to all of them.

30/01/2024

Journalist Hangout presenter on TVC, Babajide Otitoju was in Akwa Ibom for his vacation and did a stop over at the Ministry.

He said that our state will now be his second home, as he enjoyed the serenity of the environment and hospitality of the people.

24/01/2024

Result of the selection examination for candidates to participate in the Akwa Ibom-UK Education Exchange Programme

22/01/2024

IKONO/INI SUPPLEMENTARY ELECTION: We Will Give You Our Total Support - Ukpom Ward 5 Assures Dr. Glory Edet
..Dr. Glory Edet promises unprecedented representation ..State Organising Secretary receives decampees

Ahead of the supplementary election scheduled for February 3, the PDP party faithfuls of Units 2,10, 20 and 23, Ukpom Ward 5 in Ikono LGA have again reassured the PDP candidate for Ikono/Ini federal constituency, Dr. Glory Edet, of their unflinching support at the upcoming poll.

They gave their assurances and expressed their readiness to cast their votes for the former Agriculture boss on Monday, January 22, during the Unit Tour of the God's Glory Campaign Organization to the Ward which took place at Comprehensive Secondary School, Ukpom.

Akparawa-anwan (Dr.) Glory Edet reaffirmed her commitment to effectively represent the people and bring democracy deliverables back home to the constituency and appreciated the party supporters for their steadfastness and appealed for their total support at the poll.

"I Will make sure that by God's grace, value is added to the people of Ikono and Ini LGAs", she said.

In his remarks, the Transition Committee Chairman of Ikono, Mr. Kingsley Akpan said, "agreement is agreement, we will ensure that Ini takes their turn and represent the Federal Constituency, and Dr. Glory is the best candidate to represent us".

The former SSA to the Governor,who is also the Coordinator of the election in Ikono LGA, Sir Victor Etefia thanked God for the rerun which according to him, is an opportunity for Ikono to deliver PDP through Dr. Glory Edet and reiterated that it is the turn of INI to represent the Federal Constituency.

Member for Ini state constituency, Deacon Lawrence Udoide, while appealing to Ukpom to uphold the age-long zoning agreements between the two-sister LGAs of Ikono and Ini charged them to vote enmase for Dr. Glory Edet of PDP on the 3rd of February.

Also speaking, the Political Leader of Ukpom, Ward 5, Hon. Iboro Ekanem, reiterated
"Ukpom has always been PDP since 1998 and I assure you that Ukpom will return Dr. Glory Edet on the 3rd of February, we will do this because we have been beneficiaries of the magnanimity of the Peoples Democratic Party"

Senator Aloysius Etok assured the candidate that the 4 affected Units of Ukpom will deliver PDP overwhelmingly.

The representative of royal fathers of Ukpom, ward 5 and TRC Chairman, Eteidung Peter Etuk in his admonition, said, "the gods of our land will never stand with anyone trying to shift ancient boundaries. Ikono has finished their turn, it is the turn of Ini to represent the Federal Constituency and nothing will stop it"

Those who also spoke were Comrd. Joe Ekpenyong, ward Chairman, Ukpom Ward 5, Dr. Unyime Udoumo, Chairman, Hospitals Management Boarda and Hon. Barr. John John, Ikono Transition Committee VC.

The event also witnessed the reception of decampees from YPP, and other parties to PDP by the State Organizing Secretary of the PDP, Barr. Moses Akpan.


©️Media Unit

14/01/2024

DR. EDET PRESENTS KEYNOTE ADDRESS DURING THE REMEMBRANCE OF MARY SLESSOR
..bags Mary Slessor's Award ..dedicates award to all multiple birth children and parents

It was a day of reflections on Saturday, 13th January 2024 as The Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Abasi Ibom Synod celebrated the Remembrance of the Scottish Missionary, Mary Mitchell Slessor. The event took place at the Mary Slessor Chapel, Use Ikot Oku, Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, where Mary Slessor died.

The event featured, songs, award presentations and a Keynote address presented by the Founder of Mary Slessor-AkanGlo Foundation, Dr. Glory Edet, on the theme, “The Impact and Legacy of Mary Slessor in Nigeria.

The Moderator of Abasi Ibom Synod, Rt. Rev. Umoren Ekpenyong in his address, informed the congregation that the event will be done annually on every 13th January, which was the date Mary Slessor died in 1915 at Use Ikot Oku, Ibiono Ibom, Nigeria, and was taken to Calabar for burial.

Presenting the address, Dr. Edet recounted the sacrifices of the late Scottish Presbyterian Missionary to Nigeria.

The immediate past Dean of Honourable Commissioners and Special Advisers in Akwa Ibom State listed the legacies of Mary Slessor, the "white Queen of Okoyong" as she was fondly called, to include, stopping the killing of twins and the banishment of their mothers, promotion of education, improvement of healthcare and sanitation, Nigeria Women's right and empowerment, cultural bridge-building, etc.

She further noted that as a Presbyterian, Mary Slessor was able to conquer herself first and serves as a source of inspiration and offers valuable lessons in courage, compassion, cultural sensitivity, advocacy, perseverance, and faith.

Dr Edet charged Christians to learn lessons from the life of Mary Slessor.

Highpoint of the event was the presentation of “Mary Slessor's Award" to Dr. Glory Edet in recognition of her commitment to immortalise the legacies of Mary Slessor through her Foundation,”Mary Slessor-AkanGlo Foundation”.

Also awarded in different categories were, the Transition Committee Chairman of Ibiono Ibom LGA, Dr. Akaninyene Akankpo, the Board of Trustee Chairman of MASLAG, Mrs. Usungurua, etc

In attendance were, the Clerk of the Abasi Ibom Synod, Very Rev. Itoro Johnson, Presbytery Moderators & Clerks, the Mission Coordinator of Akwa Synod Rev. Itohowo Akan Usanga, Mission Coordinator of Abasi Ibom Synod and the Chaplain of Mary Slessor Chapel, Rev. Edet James, among others.

To God be all the glory.

09/01/2024

MARY SLESSOR-AKANGLO FOUNDATION PRESENTS SCHOOL FEES SUPPORT TO AKWA IBOM STUDENTS IN HIGHER INSTITUTIONS

In tune with its aims and objectives, which include providing scholarships to the less privileged students in higher institutions in the state and beyond, the Mary Slessor-AkanGlo Foundation (MASLAG) has again empowered less privileged students with financial support for their University education

Presenting the financial support at a brief but colourful event which was held on Tuesday, January 9, at the Foundation’s office, Plot 131, Unit F, Ewet Housing Estate, the Founder/ President of the Foundation, Dr. Glory Edet, eulogized the impacts of the legendary Scottish Missionary to Nigeria, extolling how she stopped the killing of twins, alongside her great impacts to humanity and society. Dr. Edet also stated that the aim of the Foundation was to support the less privileged, including multiple birth children and parents, persons with disabilities, students, youths, women, etc, who are in need within the capacity of the foundation. Among other responsibilities, Dr Edet said, were to restore hope to the hopeless and the oppressed through counselling, skills acquisition, etc.

"We have different programmes in our Foundation. We have paid school fees for over 100 students, given financial grant to widows, empowered young farmers with seedlings and financial support and today we are giving out another grants to students as a way of our support to qualitative education", she said.

She charged the beneficiaries to shun unhealthy competition, obey their parents, take their studies seriously and use the financial support judiciously.

The Coordinator of MASLAG, Mrs. Jane Michael Essien in her welcome remarks took the beneficiaries through the objectives and aims of the foundation, the various life-touching programmes executed by the Foundation and urged them to make good use of the support given to them.

Master Nsikak Iwok, Ms. Abasibiangeke, representing the beneficiaries appreciated Dr. Glory Edet and the Foundation for the educational support and prayed for God to bless her and the Foundation

For more information about the foundation, visit: [email protected]" rel="ugc" target="_blank">[email protected]

09/01/2024

RE: “THE DESTRUCTION OF NIGERIA BY THE JUDICIARY”
ADVERTORIAL BY MR. CYPRIAN F. EDWARD-EKPO

Our attention has been drawn to an extremely ill-formulated, ignorant, and very poorly written political misinformation campaign material which passed off as an advertorial on pages 16-18 of the online version of The Guardian Newspaper of Friday, 05 January 2024 and many other online platforms captioned as above and authored by an equally ignorant and faceless pseudo individual named Cyprian F. Edward-Ekpo who is not named as a party or a Counsel in any of the legal matters that he purports to pontificate over with such false, unearned and misplaced aplomb and authority.

The garbage, suggesting that Nigeria is being destroyed by the Judiciary, authored, and published by Cyprian F. Edward-Ekpo, is not only an undisguised attempt to direct the minds of Their Lordships who will be sitting over the Akwa Ibom Governorship Petitions Appeals as well as poison public opinion, but a document seeking to continue the negative narrative to demean our Judiciary. This fellow, a self-awarded professor of no known University, must have a very poor opinion of Nigerian jurists and may not be aware that Their Lordships of The Supreme Court of Nigeria are not influenced by packaged trash. Their Lordships depend on the Records of Appeal and the Briefs of Counsel before them in making determination of matters. Mr. Edward-Ekpo needs to know that the Courts in Nigeria and the civilized world over do not take counsel from menials, who obviously make a living disseminating malicious falsehood.

Traditionally, the Umo Eno Campaign Organisation only joins issues in civilized and well espoused discourse. We are however compelled by our commitment to truth and public enlightenment to make a guarded exception in this instance. We would be guided and guarded because, we hold dear the civilized standard that requires parties in litigation not to adjudicate their matters in the public space. That is what is expected of decent and knowledgeable persons when a matter is sub judice. In this instance, the subject matters of Mr. Edward-Ekpo’s diatribe are respectively pending before the Supreme Court of Nigeria and the Federal Capital City High Court in its appellate jurisdiction.

We would therefore not join Mr. Edward-Ekpo and his cohorts in desecrating our courts and legal system by publicly discussing the details of these pending matters, ahead of the court hearings. Suffice to say that the judgment of the FCT Chief Magistrate’s Court in Charge No. CR/94/2022: Mr. Edet Godwin Etim V Pastor Umo Bassey Eno that was delivered on December 20, 2022 was set aside by the selfsame Chief Magistrate on January 11, 2023 in exercise of his inherent jurisdiction on the grounds that the purported judgment was obtained by fraud, misrepresentation of facts and in outright violation of the right to fair hearing of Pastor Umo Bassey Eno. It is elementary for any legally trained mind that every court has inherent jurisdiction to set aside any judgment or order that was obtained in such circumstances.

We must also mention that the decision of the Chief Magistrate on January 11, 2023, setting aside its judgment of December 20, 2022, is the subject matter of Appeal No. CRA/02/2023: Mr. Edet Godwin Etim V Pastor Umo Bassey Eno which is still pending and indeed comes up on February 21, 2024. Incidentally, Mr. Edward-Ekpo’s readers would want to know how come he and his sponsors are strident in their cry than the supposedly “aggrieved” Edet Godwin Etim. Cyprian F Edward-Ekpo is not a party to Mr. Etim’s criminal appeal neither is he a party or Counsel in any of the election petition matters against Pastor Umo Bassey Eno. So, how come Mr. Edet Godwin Etim was not the author of Mr. Edward- Ekpo’s advertorial?

Mr. Edward-Ekpo’s readers would want to know from him, and his sponsors how come:

• That the purported criminal conduct with which Pastor Umo Bassey Eno was framed with was never reported to any law enforcement agency in Nigeria? How come Pastor Umo Bassey Eno was not prosecuted by any law enforcement agency but by a law firm that “coincidentally” also filed the Petition on behalf of one of the political parties that Mr. Edward-Ekpo named in his advertorial whose appeal is currently pending before the Apex Court?

• That the law firm that filed and prosecuted all the appeals against Pastor Umo Eno’s electoral victory up to the pending appeal before the Apex Court is now the one, by some uncommon coincidence, being “ingeniously joined” with Edet Godwin Etim as parties as well as joint-prosecutors in the pending criminal appeal before the FCT High Court, in its appellate jurisdiction?

• That Mr. Edward-Ekpo referred to an INTERPOL Report in his advertorial that was expunged from the Records of the Tribunal but failed to mention that this same Law Firm procured the Federal High Court Order that brought in INTERPOL purportedly to investigate Pastor Umo Eno. He furthermore hid the fact that his false excuse for wanting INTERPOL to investigate Pastor Umo Eno was that they were instructed by a fictitious and non-existent United Nations agency to conduct due diligence on Pastor Umo Eno, as a nominee, for an obviously non-existent international award, by the fictitious UN agency. Such crass falsehood and fraud!

• And finally, Mr. Edward-Ekpo has deployed fraud and patent falsehood to make his debut in the political scene of Akwa Ibom State, claiming to being the first human being to be “awarded an Honorary professor Degree in the field of Public International Law 2021” while others earn the professorial title! The indecent way he and the sponsors of his three-paged advertorial have resorted to sheer falsehood to seek notice is not only despicably shameful but a demonstration of the desperation of the political opponents of Pastor Umo Bassey Eno to seek notice and relevance hoping to add value to their rather miserable political outings.

How could anyone who claims to have been trained as a lawyer still contest the issue of whether Pastor Umo Bassey Eno was convicted by a court of law? This matter was raised by two political parties in their respective Petitions before the Akwa Ibom State Governorship Tribunal and the Tribunal in its well-considered and unassailable judgements dismissed the Petitions and specifically held that having been set aside by the selfsame Chief Magistrate in its ruling on January 11, 2023, the said conviction has ceased to exist. The Tribunal also acknowledged that the matter was the subject of an appeal before the FCT High Court, in its appellate jurisdiction and that the Tribunal was without jurisdiction to wrestle the matter from the FCT High Court for judicial review.

The Court of Appeal upheld the decisions of the Tribunal and the matter is now pending before Their Lordships of the Supreme Court. The parties have exchanged their respective Briefs and are awaiting the date for adoption of the Briefs after which the Supreme Court would make its determination known to the world. We know as a fact that no sane person, knowing the facts of these matters, would lend his name to this rather inglorious, extremely sanctionable, and utterly sick and demeaning publication seeking to litigate in the public square, matters that are pending before the Supreme Court and the FCT High Court, in its appellate jurisdiction. How difficult is this position for the most ignorant person to understand and, yet it is the ground for Professorial diatribe!

We finally, most respectfully urge the reading public to ignore the lazy and unimaginative antics of Cyprain F. Edward-Ekpo and his sponsors even as we urge Mr. Edward-Ekpo to seek a sustainable employment. On our own part, we all await the determination of these matters by our respected and revered jurists.


Signed

His Excellency Chief Assam E Assam, SAN
Director General
Umo Eno Campaign Organization
07 January 2024

(Culled from Guardian Newspaper, Tuesday, January 9,2024 edition, Page 11)

20/06/2023

A'Ibom Govt to Partner Turkiye for Agric Devt
.. As Gov Umo Eno Commences Talks with Country's Ambassador

By Tony Udoh

In line with the Agricultural revolution philosophy of the present Akwa Ibom State government, Governor Umo Eno has commenced talks with the Turkish government on possible areas of partnership.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkiye to Nigeria, Mr. Hidayet Bayraktar, Governor Eno stated that one of the major focus of his administration is agricultural revolution, adding that the government of Akwa Ibom State is willing and ready to partner with key players in the global agricultural sub-sector to achieve the lofty goal.

It is on record that Turkiye ranks high in terms of agricultural production per hectare, and the government provides many opportunities and financial support for agri-business.

In Turkiye, agriculture is one of the most important economic platforms that contribute strongly to the growth of the country's economy, and is a major producer of wheat, sugar, milk, poultry, cotton, tomatoes, and other fruits and vegetables, as well as apricots and hazelnuts for which it ranks as the top producer in the world.

Governor Eno who was conducted round the Green House at the Embassy of the Republic of Turkiye, assured the Ambassador that Akwa Ibom is one of the most peaceful states in the country and with large expands of arable land which, if maximally cultivated, could feed its people, the country and even more.

According to him, "Agriculture is our major focus, so we will like to work with you to achieve our goal on agricultural revolution; and I can assure you that you will enjoy Akwa Ibom State."

In his response, the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkiye to Nigeria, Mr. Hidayet Bayraktar appreciated Governor Eno for the visit and assured him that his country would not hesitate to partner with the state government to achieve its aim of revolutionising the agricultural sector.

19/06/2023

Gov Umo Eno Approves Appointment of Idara Adiakpan as SA Media / Chief Photographer

18/06/2023

Gov. Umo Eno: Walking the Talk, Changing the Political Narrative

By Tony Udoh

In keeping to his promise to unite Akwa Ibom people across political parties, ethnic and religious interests, Governor Umo Eno, yesterday, Tuesday June 13, 2023, led a delegation of Akwa Ibom stakeholders to congratulate and celebrate with the newly elected president of the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

This followed a message of goodwill earlier sent through different media channels to Senator Akpabio immediately after the election.

In his message, the governor emphatically said, "we're very excited. Every Akwa Ibom person today should be thankful to God and be happy because the number three man in this country is from Akwa Ibom. That means development wise, we can now link our state to the centre and we can collaborate. We congratulate you and I know that it is a great milestone for Akwa Ibom State and every Akwa Ibomite, across party lines, should be happy and thankful to God."

It must be said that many, especially those that have followed the political trajectory of the state, did not see this coming given the political differences and other inexplicable sentiments expressed by the leaders, especially during the elections.

Senator Akpabio is leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), while Governor Eno is the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the State.

It is on record that Akwa Ibom State had over the years been badly polarized down these party lines to the displeasure of many patriotic and well-meaning citizens.

This, it must be said, was one of the greatest motivations of Governor Eno to run for the State's top job, which has availed him the platform to change the narrative of a people badly balkanized and to unite and promote only the interest of the state above every other consideration.

By reiterating his desire for a peaceful Akwa Ibom under his watch in his speeches at different fora, the governor clearly demonstrated that he is a man of peace.

In his last campaign engagement with members of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), for instance, he said, "I will like to say to Akwa Ibom people that we are first of all Akwa Ibomites before we become political party members, and the Akwa Ibom project is higher than any political party.

"Among all the candidates for this election, I'm the only one that has friends across all political parties, I have no enemy, so I am coming as a peace maker, I have the ministry of reconciliation and I will reconcile Akwa Ibom across party lines. I will reconcile APC, PDP, YPP, NNPP, LABOUR party and all. I am the one that God has given the ministry of reconciliation.

"I don't hate anybody, there is no home I cannot enter; I will go round and see people and will bring Akwa Ibom to the table and we will seat down and discuss the Akwa Ibom project. We will ensure that all of us work together.This state has been so polarized along party lines, and polarized along ethnic lines. I will ensure that we kill that divide and together we will be Akwa Ibom state of Nigeria," he added.

Similarly, as captured in his inaugural speech he said, "elections are over, and our kindred spirit must be renewed and deepened. We are all Akwa Ibom people first before politics. Politics, therefore, must not separate or severe the ties of our brotherhood and common heritage and aspirations.

'I pledge to you that I will be governor for all Akwa Ibom people irrespective of political persuasions or affiliations.

"I call on our people to come together, and let’s build a State where the pain of one Akwa Ibomite is the pain of all, and where the success of one Akwaibomite is the success for all. We have been too polarized by politics, This should not be. As I said in my Victory Speech, we will set up a bi-partisan reconciliation committee soon, so we can jaw-jaw, instead of war-war on critical issues of our development, unity and brotherhood."

Barely two weeks after, Senator Akpabio emerged President of the Nigerian Senate and Governor Umo Eno took the bold step to celebrate with him, which has thrown the state into rare frenzy.

This laudable step has made many to wonder and ponder, "what a man is Governor Umo Eno?" The answer is simple: Governor Umo Eno is a promise- keeper and he is simply walking the Talk.

Though, arguably, most political office holders have the ability to cajole, persuade and deceive the electorate through their oratory prowess, and appear to forget all promises they made as soon as they assume office, Governor Eno has shown that he is a breed apart.

Without doubt, he has indeed proven his mettle by walking the talk and carefully driving a paradigm shift in the political trajectory of the state.

23/03/2023

A’Ibom Guber Election’23: Free, Fair, Credible
- Cleric

The just concluded governorship election in Akwa Ibom State which threw up Pastor Umo Eno of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner has been described as the best conducted since the return of democracy in the state.

Pastor Eno won a landslide victory beating his opponents Senator Bassey Albert Akpan of the Young Progressive Party (YPP) and Obong Akan udofia of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who scored second and third positions respectively.

Addressing journalists on Wednesday in Uyo, the state capital, a renowned Cleric of African church and social crusader, Rev. Richard Peters said the election which he voted for and have hast-hand information from international and local observers including practicing journalists that covered the state has been described as the best so far.

According to him, ” I reliably gathered that apart from minor skirmishes in few isolated areas where opposition parties tried to cause infractions and were checked by security agencies, the process and outcome of the election had received wide applause across the state.

Rev'd Richard Peters further described as baseless the allegations of vote buying, bullying and intimidation of voters being circulated online by those who lost the election stressing that even the allegation of killing of people earlier peddled is yet to be authenticated by relevant authorities nor the name(s) of the persons involved made public.

”How can a group of politicians alleged that people were killed on social media without any iota of evidence, no pictures, no name, and the international and local observers could not authenticate that such took place during the election, it’s another baseless rumour to discredit a credible election we had last weekend”

The Cleric maintained that the last election was not only credible but very free as people voted their conscience in a very conducive atmosphere and their votes counted emphasising that nobody has disputed results from the units.

He further highlighted, ” The outcome of the election is the outcome of the wishes of the people of Akwa Ibom state who are yearning for the sustainability of peace and development we have recorded in the last eight years. People have voted for a government that will ensure they sleep with their eyes closed at night.

Peters said the emergence of pastor Umo Eno means the state will thrive on the positive side of development stressing that those who have canvass doom for the state during the election were disappointed their expectations failed.

He noted that God’s hand showed mightily in the affairs of the state in the last election by giving the people a serene and peaceful process while security agencies did their mortal best to ensure that there were no infractions.

He appealed to the opposition to embrace peace and join hands with Pastor Umo Eno to take the state to the next level stressing that being a man of God, the Governor-elect has said severally that he holds no grudges against anyone.