Former Okobo Council Boss Becomes Deputy Speaker Of Akwa Ibom State.

The immediate past executive chairman of Okobo Local Government Area Hon. Princess Felicia Bassey who is presently the honorable member representing Okobo state constituency has been elected and sworn in as Deputy Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly on Tuesday 29th December 2015. This is following the nullification of four house of members' elections at the appeal court including the former speaker and deputy speaker. Ironically, Madam Felicia who is also fundly called Inspector General by her friends and colleagues was nominated for this position at the first election on June 8th which produced the ousted Speaker and Deputy Speaker. This promotion has been celebrated across Akwa Ibom State because of her mobilization capacity and the gender politics that she represents. And the wisdom here is that she would be able to use her elevation to mobilize the Oro nation should there be any need for a re-run of the governorship election.

IS RT. HON. BARR. ONOFIOK LUKE A LEGITIMATE SPEAKER BY LAW?

I was more than slightly beside myself when I came across a misleading publication by one Inibehe Effiong on face book titled "Romancing With Evil: A Brotherly Advice To The Speaker Of The Akwa Ibom State House Of Assembly."
The contents of the alleged letter in a bid to gain cheap popularity cast rebuttable presumptions on the legitimacy of the process that produced Rt. Hon. Barr. Onofiok Luke as speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and the political propriety as well. It is even more disconcerting knowing the writer wields the wig and gown by profession. Perhaps it is a petrel's attempt to satisfy his pay masters at the cost of a good man's image.
Apropos, my inclination as a fellow minister in the temple of justice is to shed good lights on this subject of legitimacy because it does seem to me that there is a very ignominous trend now in this country where politics is used as an instrument to warp the minds of the masses in areas of law and truths.
According to a popular Yoruba adage "You do not barb a man's head in his absence" so let us therefore be fair enough to produce some portion of Barr. Inibehe Effiong's pasquinade which begins as follows:
"Dear Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke,
Without prejudice to possible legal challenge to your election as the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly having regard to the composition of the House as at Monday the 21st December, 2015 when you were elected which felt short of the minimum number of 24 members enshrined in Section 91 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) sequel to the nullification of election of four members which reduced the total membership of the House from 26 to 22, I congratulate you on your emergence."
Of course it is no news that lawyers always tend to extend their apologies ahead of their well calculated and premeditated contumelies like the writer of the above quoted letter so maladroitly displayed before externalizing his rather "unlearned misunderstanding" of the provisions of the law which we shall be kind enough to examine herein.
Now, suffice it to say that the combined understanding of the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) in sections 90, 91, 92, 96 and 102 without vacillations nor equivocalities dismisses the above quote and entire letter as another legendary good riddance to bad rubbish.
Accordingly, Section 90 provides thus:
"There shall be a House of Assembly for each of the States of the Federation."
While section 91 reads as follows:
"Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, a House of Assembly of a State shall consist of three or four times the number of seats which that State has in the House of Representatives divided in a way to reflect, as far as possible nearly equal population:
"Provided that a House of Assembly of a State shall consist of not less than twenty-four and not more than forty members."

First the constitution creates the house of assembly in section 90 then proceeds to define how a state house of assembly shall be created. This is analogous to genesis 1:26-27 where it is recorded that God said "Let us create man in our image and likeness..." and went ahead to create male and female while Gen 2:7 tells us how man was created from the dust of the ground and God's breath and Gen 2:21-22 reveals how God created woman from man's rib. These are known as first and second accounts of creation under our secondary school bible knowledge curriculum. In this sense, section 90 creates the state legislature while section 91 defines the creation. Hence, there must be a state house of assembly. Then for there to be a state house of assembly there must be not less than 24 and not more than 40 members in existence. Incidentally, Akwa Ibom state has neither 24 nor 40 but 26. This section never the less does not in anyway apply to the number of members to be present for legislative businesses to be carried out. The legal term for the latter is "Quorum".
One cannot therefore reasonably expect the absence of four out of twenty six members of a house of assembly to hold the entire state to ransom. It would be denying the masses their right to democratic representation especially when the representation can be effected by the remaining twenty-two for the general benefit of the entire people of the state regardless of constituencies. The state as a matter of fact is one constituency. Nobody is voted a law maker by his constituents to make laws for them only but for the collective benefit of the whole comity of constituencies.
Put differently, the proviso in Section 91 of the 1999 CFRN states that
“Provided that a House of Assembly of a State shall consist of not less than twenty-four and not more than forty members.”
It must be noted here that this proviso and in fact the whole section itself refers to the composition of the state legislature regarding creation of constituencies of a state and does not refer to convening of legislative sessions. These are indeed two different phenomena. To further buttress this position one must take into cognizance the provisions of section 96 of the constitution on matters of session which provides as follows:
96(1). The quorum of a House of Assembly shall be One-Thirds of all the members of the House.
Now, the very familiar and popular canon of interpretation of provisions of the Constitution is: "Expressio Unius Personae Vel Rei, Est Exclusio Alterius." A Latin Maxim meaning “the express mention of one thing is the exclusion of another." Put in another way: “Where there is express mention of certain things, then anything not mentioned is excluded." Again another version of the Latin Maxim here is: “Expressio Facit Cessare Tactitum" see the English case of  Stephens v. Army & Navy Stores (1914) 2 CH 526.
 The application of the foregoing to the extant case is that the mention of one-third of the 26 members and not the whole 26 members means that the former is sine quo non to holding legislative sessions. In other words, The House of Assembly of 22 members out of 26 members can legitimately hold sessions provided they have the constitutional quorum of one-third which in this case is Nine.
Now, while one may be want to dismiss this submission as mere contraptions of legal technicalities it is also imperative to register here that the law is a recherché phenomenon. A phenomenal character indeed. It is not always what we want it to be but always what we need it to be. It is what I term in my previous article* on similar subject “the mischief of a social instrument.” Section 102 of the constitution is a worthy proof to this. It provides thus :
"A House of Assembly may act notwithstanding any vacancy in its membership, and the presence or participation of any person not entitled to be present at or to participate in the proceedings of the House shall not invalidate such proceedings."
Hence, the vacancy of any member or members of a house of assembly cannot invalidate the holding of sessions where there is quorum. This therefore distinguishes the “doctrine of composition” from the “doctrine of quorum.” Whereas the former refers to the creation of the legitimate constituencies that make up the legislature the latter refers to the legitimacy of sessions held by the legislature. In essence, while section 90 and 91 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria create the State House of Assembly Sections 96 and 102 operate the State House of assembly. See: Hon. Michael Dapianlong & 5 Ors  v  Chief (Dr) Joshua Chibi Dariye & 2 Ors (SC. 39/2007).  Where the Supreme Court per Mahmud Mohammed, J.S.C stated as follows:
"The correct position of course in this respect is that the provisions of Section 102 must be read along with Section 96 of the 1999 constitution which prescribes a minimum number of members namely, one-third of all the members of the House that can validly sit and conduct the business of the House of Assembly…”
But legislative businesses are divided into ordinary businesses and special or extra-ordinary businesses. So while the quorum suffices to carry out ordinary businesses like passing simple resolutions and motions special businesses like electing principal officers or impeachment requires two-thirds majority which is eighteen in this case. See the instant case cited above.
Hence, the nomination and election of Rt. Hon. Barr. Onofiok Akpan Luke as speaker by 22 members as alleged by Mr. Inibehe is very constitutional. But perhaps Mr. Inibehe failed to get not the law but also his facts right.
This is because as at the morning through midday of Monday the 21st day of December 2015 when the house elected their new speaker only the erstwhile Speaker had his election nullified. The rest three had theirs nullified late afternoon of same day after the nomination and election of the speaker had taken place. Which means 25 members elected the new speaker. Even if the sole APC member of the House refused to participate it only reduces the number to 24 which is still over and above the number of members required to elect a speaker.
Incidentally, still on the issue of electing the speaker here is what Section 92 provides:
"There shall be a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker of a House of Assembly who shall be elected by the members of the House from among themselves."
The constitution does not bother providing how this should be done but subsection 2(C) of same provision requires the Speaker or Deputy Speaker to be impeached by not less than two-thirds majority of the members of the House. It is therefore sequitur that the election is done by two-thirds of the members of the House and not all the members.
From the foregoing, it goes without saying that the learned wig failed to read his constitution properly and is not conversant with parliamentary proceedings. Such ignorance as a lawyer is a good excuse only second to none. Anything contrary would mean that he deliberately attempted to mislead the public on the position of the law which is itself a gross violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Lawyers.
However, his effort to be read and to articulate must be commended. Some of us started like that. I wrote my own letters too some of which include an open letter to Gov. Godswill Obot Akpabio on the need to allow the zoning arrangement in the state stand, another was an Open letter to Deac. Udom Emmanuel himself when it seemed like his ticket was going to tear the state apart, I also replied president Obasanjo's letter to President Goodluck Jonathan and even went as far as writing to the Attorney General of the Federation seeking Fiat to prosecute the past president for treason and sedition. But in all of these I tried very much to mind my language and to respect the image of the persons I was addressing. For Mr. Inibehe one would expect him to write as a lawyer with respect especially when he is addressing his senior at the bar. One would expect him as a young wig to be diligent in his research and should not allow people use him to smear others or score cheap political points.
It is obvious that the emergence of Rt. Hon. Barr. Onofiok Luke is already unsettling and upsetting some people's camp and as a result of that they have hired some mudslingers. It is only hoped that my junior colleague here is not one of them.
Be that as it may, I learned very early before practice not to give unsolicited advice as a lawyer so my comments here are not counsels to him but mere observations and information aimed at educating the public especially the good people of Akwa Ibom State.
But if Mr. Inibehe still basks in the illusion that the Rt. Hon. Barr. Onofiok Luke's emergeance as Speaker is unconstitutional but seeks redemption then I will refer him to the sections of the constitution cited above as well as the standing order of the Akwa Ibom state House of Assembly ordinarily one should not be found granting elements like these the dignity of intellectual response but then the bible admonishes in Prov. 26:4 -5 : "Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit." (KJV).

* 20 – 4 = Ebonyi State House Of Assembly. By Okpo Ewa Esq.
http://www.nairaland.com/2151340/20-4-ebonyi-state-house

Prophesies for Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa & Rivers State Govs and their elections

I'm not a prophesy person but I learnt that 94 of 100 prophesies for 2015 by Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayo­dele- The founder of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Lagos. Here's what he's prophesied concerning 2016:
1. Seriake Dickson has to pray very well to retain his seat.
2. Wike needs divine intervention to retain the seat otherwise Dakuku Peterside will take it from him. Wike needs divine intervention.
3. Governor Udom Emmanuel must not joke at all with the rerun election. He must seek the face of God in order to retain the seat.

He said many things about Buhari, Fuel at N200/litre, NNPC, Boko Haram, Halliburton, Corruption, PDP/APC, etc...
And I'm just wondering shey na expo of 2016 exams be this?

For more see:
http://www.247nigerianewsupdate.co/2015/12/read-what-will-happen-to-buhari-and.html?m=1

EMMY WEDS ANI

EMMY YE ANI

Forsaking all other women in life
I run from my mother's hut to cling
To you as my soul, my life- aye' my wife
Sealed forever beyond a band of ring

Every morning our love shall bloom new
Regardless as we may in age grow old
Though we may argufy over a few
It shall not make "this" burning hearts grow cold

I'm all of yours an you are all of mine
Two hearts knitted in one altogether
Increasing in sweetness like God's own wine
Two rivers now flows as one forever

When God said : "Let there be light" and there was
What he meant in love is "Let There Be Us!"

AKWA IBOM PEOPLE & THEIR BRAND NEW SPEAKER!

Now that onofiok Luke is speaker it seems like a zillion trillion prayers answered at once! It's like a jackpot for the masses!!
Never before have I seen or heard of a single politician's victory celebrated by everyone regardless of political parties, ethnic, religious and other bias like this. And the fact that God chose the Xmas season to do this surely makes him the greatest Xmas present a people have ever received.
However, the expectations corollary abound. Everyone is expecting so many things and so much from him. And what touches me the most is when I see people in Keke, buses, taxis, at plaza, streets etc thanking God sincerely from their heart for Onofiok Luke.
Then what follows is how they believe so much in him to make everybody happy. Truly we all share this beliefs. But when last did we take out time amidst our happiness, thankfulness and expectations to pray for these beliefs? Have we also asked God to grant him the wisdom, resources, cooperation and all things ancillary to his performance? Don't we think it's important to pray for the Speaker? Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown let alone "the wig". Even myself writing this- I'm guilty of this oversight. That's why I'm calling on all of us to make out time and pray for the success of our speaker. Thank God tomorrow is Sunday, so as we go to church we should make it our prior duty in the service. But peradventure the devil decides to go and wait for us at the church tomorrow we may also want to take him by surprise and do the prayer immediately (today) so we don't forget tomorrow.
Onofiok must succeed and we owe him the duty and love to help him in prayers, reason and otherwise! God is not a magician! So is Onofiok Luke.
Akwaibom dakkada!
#pray4OnofiokLuke
Okpo Ewa.

WHY AKWA IBOM PEOPLE ARE HAPPY FOR A RERUN

Following the judgment of the Court of Appeal last Friday afternoon that nullified the governorship polls that produced Deac. Udom Emmanuel Governor of Akwa Ibom State the streets of Akwa Ibom State have gone amok with celebrations by people from different quarters all for different genres of reasons. This development leaves an officious bystander confused as to the tenor of such preponderance of jamborees. So Watchout Naija decided to find out why the people are celebrating the judgment from the people themselves and here's a summary of what they had to say:
1. PRO-APC: These category comprise those who are members or fans of the All Progressives Congress and its Governorship candidate Obong Umana Okon Umana. According to them there was no election in Akwa Ibom State. They claim they were rigged out of the polls and that the judgment has just vindicated them. But then could it be said that this attitude is the general default setting of politicians - "when they lose it was rigged but when they win it was free and fair?"
2. PRO-UDOM/PDP: For those in support of the People's Democratic Party and/or the Governor they believe the judgment to be a judicial ambush against their mandate but nevertheless welcome the challenge to generously repeat same feat. Still is the reservation that some have which they express to be the Governor thinking that they did what they did at the annulled poll because of Sen. Godswil Obot Akpabio. According to them they supported Udom because they believed in him and a rerun will be a litmus test to that. It will avail them the chance to prove to Gov. Udom their worth and loyalty. "So it calls for celebration..." a party stalwart said "...because it will increase our political recognition and relevance in the sight of the Governor, anybody in PDP or in Udom's cabinet who is not happy is only one of those false party elements enjoying recognition or appointments they don't deserve" he explained.
PRO-POLLS: These category covers those who are neither fans of PDP nor APC but are in support of the rerun order. According to them Akwa Ibom State is a civil service state and election is one of the few money making ventures in the state. Obviously, the prevalent austerity realities seem to have bewitched these ones but the truth is that they constitute over 50% of the voting population in the state. "It's not my business who becomes governor, PDP and APC what is the difference? Who is here that is not there? Even if you bring Angel Gabriel to be Governor the demons who are commissioners, counselors, chairmen, aids, advisers and the rest will not allow the blessings go round so they should come and pay us well if they want the seat." Words on the street are that since the economy of the nation is failing by the day and corollary taking its toll on the common man at the state level it is only the most generous of politicians that will woo the votes of the street. In fact, "We know that Tinubu spent N2b at the just inconclusive Kogi state elections. And had promised N1b for the earlier declared rerun in 18 LGAs in Akwa Ibom State now that it's the whole 31 LGAs they better triple it. We know how much they will make from these state so they should just drop deposit for us first." Another source revealed.
From the foregoing, it is obvious that the people are not afraid of the polls. Both parties are willing and ready to go to the polls but the question now is if they are willing and ready to spend and how much they are willing to invest in the polls to make the voters happy to vote them?
But then the supreme court will have to uphold the Court of Appeal's  judgment meanwhile the people of Akwa Ibom keeps faith with the Dakkada orientation.

Chelsea Finally Sends Jose Mourinho Packing!

Just few days ago an Uyo, Akwa Ibom- Nigeria based sports analyst Mr. Iniobong Monday posted on his Facebook wall that Chelsea football club went to relegation the last time they lost eight consecutive league matches and that that was in 1978/79 season. It seems however that the club got fever of this post and to avoid such déjàvu sacked its manager Jose Mourinho. This is following the disorienting monday's 2-1 defeat at leaders Leicester City seven months after he led them to the Premier League title. Unfortunately for the 52-year-old Portuguese who is on his second missionary journey at the club, taking charge in June 2013 he has lost 9 out of 16 league matches in the table despite the fact that Chelsea finished eight points clear last season and won the League Cup. Today they are barely one point above the relegation places.
Meanwhile Pep Guardiola, Guus Hiddink, Juande Ramos and Brendan Rodgers have all been touted as possible successors as Blues owner Roman Abramovich begins to scout for a credible manager to replace Mourinho whose three league titles, FA Cup, Community Shield and three League Cup wins over two spells make him the most successful manager in the club's 110-year history. But Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce expressing his "shocked to say the least", is of the opinion that "They must already have somebody lined up to have done it now." And while a few pundits sympathize with the "Special One" they admit like Alan Shearer that his second spell has been dreadful. So while some admit that his sack is a loss to the premiership it is also generally conceded as the best thing for the club. In fact, in the words of former England and Arsenal defender Martin Keown Mourinho had "lost the players... It has imploded in front of our eyes," he said. "It is astonishing. I saw players who were not giving everything.There is no trust there, respect is gone. Ultimately it is easier to change a manager than 22 players."
Thus while some jeer the "Special One" now as th

AHFE AKWA IBOM STATE HONOURS AKAN OKON, MR. GABRIEL UKPE, COMR. AKAMBA AWAH, AMAECOM & OTHERS AT THEIR 2015 END OF THE YEAR ACTIVITY

The Association of Heads of Federal Establishments (AHFE) Akwa Ibom State held its 2015 End of the Year Activity today at the Governor's Office Annex Conference Hall Uyo where it held a symposium on Revenue Generation titled IMPERATIVE OF TAX REMITTANCE OF FEDERAL OFFICERS. The interactive session was presided by a panel headed by Pastor Ekarika - Permenent Secretary, State Budget Office along side other resource gurus including Mr. Linus Nkan representative of Accountant General of the state, Mallam Yusuf from FIRS Uyo, and representatives from Federal Pay Office and NIPOST. The panel brained stormed on the problem of tax evasion, omission and remission and forged a way forward to help Akwa Ibom State acquire its due in taxation from federal Government workers, state government workers and private workers with the resolve for a strong think tank and enforcement alliance between all parastatal, professional bodies and civil societies within the state.

At the peak of the event was the award session where the likes of Hon. Akan Okon Commisioner of Finance Akwa Ibom State, Comr. Akamba Awah- Chairman of TUC, MR. Gabriel Ukpe  Special Assistant to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State on Foreign Direc Investment, Mr. Marcel Ofomata CEO/MD of AMAECOM GLOBAL LTD and others received Awards of Excellence in service and Integrity.

Comr. Dominic Ogakwu Jr. President- Integrity Network Initiative who partnered with AHFE also graced the event with his erudite articulation and oratory on Integrity and presented a Leadership Award for excellence to Comr. Akamba Awah for his over two decades of dogged service and integrity. The Event wound up with the launching of the association's 2016 almanac unveiled and generously supported by the Honourable Commissioner himself followed by Mr. Marcel Ofomata as well as other dignitaries like representatives of National Orientation Agency, Maritime Academy, Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC).

Pst. Philip I Enyali - the chairman of the Almanac Committee and State Coordinator Public Complaints Commission was more than impressed with the support.

The event was an epic success and a Sui Generis thanks to the sterling and ingenious organizing skills of the chairman of the end of the year activity committee - Mr. Tony Iji who is also the State Coordinator, National Human Rights Commission, Akwa Ibom State.

Others in attendance are representatives from University of Uyo, Assistant Comptroller of Prisons, Assistant Comptroller of Immigration, Commissioner of Police, Director of State Security Service, Barr. Ogar of Legal Aids - Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Jeremiah E. Jackson president of Keke Owners/Riders Association, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria Television Authority, Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Cooperation, Radio Nigeria and Mr. Ifreke Nseowo - Media Connoisseur to mention a few.

According to Mr. Tony Iji the State Coordinator, National Human Rights Commission, Akwa Ibom State "Taxation is a biblical mandate and incidental to Human Rights because our rights to claim for the protection, defense and assertion of our rights is coterminous with our responsibility to contribute towards the running of the institutions that we expect to protect, defend and assert these rights for us. After all, we are enjoying so much facilities and amenities in Akwa Ibom State such that it is morally wrong not to pay our taxes here in Akwa Ibom..." It was also revealed that civil servants all pay their taxes but sometimes remission is a problem because they may be working in Akwa Ibom State while their point of pay is another state probably where they were transferred from or originally employed. The commissioner for finance was grateful for the initiative and pledged the state's action and willing partnership on this issue.

The event was wonderfully anchored by Barr. Okpo Ewa and Mr. Tony Iji the organizer himself!

Pix story: Barr. Okpo Ewa (MC of the occasion) Pst. Anietie Ukpe (CPS/SSA to Gov. Udom Emmanuel) and Mr. Tony Iji (State Coordinator of NHC and organiser of the event)

AHFE AKWA IBOM STATE HONOURS AMAECOM, AKAN OKON, COMR. AKAMBA AWAH & OTHERS

The Association of Heads of Federal Establishments (AHFE) Akwa Ibom State held its 2015 End of the Year Activity today at the Governor's Office Annex Conference Hall Uyo where it held a symposium on Revenue Generation titled IMPERATIVE OF TAX REMITTANCE OF FEDERAL OFFICERS. The interactive session was presided by a panel headed by Pastor Ekarika - Permenent Secretary, State Budget Office along side other resource gurus including Mr. Linus Nkan representative of Accountant General of the state, Mallam Yusuf from FIRS Uyo, and representatives from Federal Pay Office and NIPOST. The panel brained stormed on the problem of tax evasion, omission and remission and forged a way forward to help Akwa Ibom State acquire its due in taxation from federal Government workers, state government workers and private workers with the resolve for a strong think tank and enforcement alliance between all parastatal, professional bodies and civil societies within the state.

At the peak of the event was the award session where the likes of Hon. Akan Okon Commisioner of Finance Akwa Ibom State, Comr. Akamba Awah- Chairman of TUC, Pst. Anietie Ukpe - Chief Press Secretary and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Marcel Ofomata CEO/MD of AMAECOM GLOBAL LTD and others received Awards of Excellence in service and Integrity.

Comr. Dominic Ogakwu Jr. President- Integrity Network Initiative who partnered with AHFE also graced the event with his erudite articulation and oratory on Integrity and presented a Leadership Award for excellence to Comr. Akamba Awah for his over two decades of dogged service and integrity. The Event wound up with the launching of the association's 2016 almanac unveiled and generously supported by the Honourable Commissioner himself followed by Mr. Marcel Ofomata as well as other dignitaries like representatives of National Orientation Agency, Maritime Academy, Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC).

Pst. Philip I Enyali - the chairman of the Almanac Committee and State Coordinator Public Complaints Commission was more than impressed with the support.

The event was an epic success and a Sui Generis thanks to the sterling and ingenious organizing skills of the chairman of the end of the year activity committee - Mr. Tony Iji who is also the State Coordinator, National Human Rights Commission, Akwa Ibom State.

Others in attendance are representatives from University of Uyo, Assistant Comptroller of Prisons, Assistant Comptroller of Immigration, Commissioner of Police, Director of State Security Service, Barr. Ogar of Legal Aids - Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Jeremiah E. Jackson president of Keke Owners/Riders Association, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria Television Authority, Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Cooperation, Radio Nigeria and Mr. Ifreke Nseowo - Media Connoisseur to mention a few.

According to Mr. Tony Iji the State Coordinator, National Human Rights Commission, Akwa Ibom State "Taxation is a biblical mandate and incidental to Human Rights because our rights to claim for the protection, defense and assertion of our rights is coterminous with our responsibility to contribute towards the running of the institutions that we expect to protect, defend and assert these rights for us. After all, we are enjoying so much facilities and amenities in Akwa Ibom State such that it is morally wrong not to pay our taxes here in Akwa Ibom..." It was also revealed that civil servants all pay their taxes but sometimes remission is a problem because they may be working in Akwa Ibom State while their point of pay is another state probably where they were transferred from or originally employed. The commissioner for finance was grateful for the initiative and pledged the state's action and willing partnership on this issue.

The event was wonderfully anchored by Barr. Okpo Ewa and Mr. Tony Iji the organizer himself!

Pix story: Barr. Okpo Ewa (MC of the occasion) Pst. Anietie Ukpe (CPS/SSA to Gov. Udom Emmanuel) and Mr. Tony Iji (State Coordinator of NHC and organiser of the event) 

GOV. UDOM EMPOWERS 31,000 AKWA IBOM YOUTHS WITH AKYEES

Ladies and gentlemen, citizens of the Republic of Nigeria, good people of Akwa Ibom State here is another quantum step towards our destiny of greatness as Gov. Udom Emmanuel officially opens the door of AKWA IBOM STATE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT AND ENTERPRISE SCHEME (AKYEES) to the first batch of 31,000 youths across the 31 LGAs in the state for six months of training, empowerment and mentorship in Small Scale Enterprises. This is coming as a viable springboard to the industrialization agenda of the present administration of the state. Another #AKWAIBOMDAKKADA INITIATIVE

EWA OKPO DROPS ANOTHER VERSE: AMARANTHINE AFFAIR

Amaranthine Affair

I will never forgive you till I die
I will hate you with all loves in my heart
I curse my heart for ever lodging you
Let rapture come and go my hate remains

I believed our knots were a must to tie
Wore my feelings for you like gown and hat
That the world may know you as my life's boo
But now you're gone and here lies my remains

Your love is lacquered of the deepest dye
I forgot, a gazelle can't mate a hart
So you served me a venison of loo
To sup, and fall to join yore roaming manes


And if perchance another life I gain
Siren, my dearest, you I'd love again!


[culled from EWALOGUES: a pictured anthology- collection of poems with pictures reflecting the poet's moods, tones, themes and messages. To hit the shelves in 2016]

CHELSEA, MANCITY, ARSENAL, BARCA, MADRIDS, BAYERN & OTHERS MOVE TO UEFA ROUND OF 16!

As the first round of the UEFA Champions League comes to an end tonight. The English Premier League and the Spanish La  Liga are once again dominating the competition in the number of their teams that have made it successfully to the round of 16 with Solo Mourinho's embattled Cheasea FC leading in performance for the English by topping its group with 13 points from 4 wins and 1 draw of the six matches played. Following closely is Manchester City which also tops its group with 12 points from 4 wins of the six matches played then comes Arsene Wenger's Arsenal with a narrow 9 points from 3 wins courtesy of 2 goals difference over Greek's Olympiacos.
For the La Liga is the usual trio led by Real Madrid with 15 points from 5 wins of the six games played, then comes F.C Barcelona with 14 points from 4 wins and 2 draws while Atletico Madrid holds 13 points from 4 wins and 1 draw. And all three Spanish teams top their groups.
Following closely is Germany's Bundesliga and Italy's Seria A both having two teams at the tournament which include Bayern Munich with 15 points from 5 wins and Wolfsburg with 12 points from 4 wins for the latter (both teams are at the top of their groups) while the former boasts of Juventus with 11points from 3 wins and 2 draws and Roma with 6 points from 1 Win and 3 draws. The rest leagues can unfortunately boast of just one team remaining in the tournament. They include France's Ligue 1 : Paris Saint-Germain F.C. with 13 points from 4 wins and 1 draw, FC Zenit Saint Petersburg of Russia with 15 points from 5 wins, K.A.A. Gent of Belgian Pro League with 10 points from 3 wins and 1 draw, PSV Eindhoven of Netherlands with 10 points from 3 wins and 1 draw, Portuguese' Benfica F.C with 10 points from 3 wins and 1 draw and finally from the Ukrainian Premier League FC Dynamo Kyiv  with 11 points from 3 wins and 2 draws. Interestingly, of these six only Zenit of Russia are top in their group while the rest are runners up. The natural presumption from the foregoing would be to expect the winner to come from the dominating leagues. However, La Liga and Bundesliga teams have shown more superior steam so far in the competition compared to their English Premiership Counterparts who unfortunately have lost one of their giants in the competition being Manchester United who are replaced by their mancunian neighbour - Manuel Pellegrini's boys of Man-City. Perhaps the footballing authorities will have to review its league quota for this competition to reduce the palatable dominance of some leagues over others albeit how deserving. But till then let the bets proceed- which team will win this UEFA Champions' League this time around?

Hon. Barr. Onofiok Luke and Colleagues reunite in Calabar to build Nigerian Youths.

On 3 December 1976, two days before "Smile Jamaica", a free concert organised by the Jamaican Prime Minister Michael Manley in an attempt to ease tension between two warring political groups, Bob Marley, his wife, and manager Don Taylor were wounded in an assault by unknown gunmen inside Marley's home. Taylor and Marley's wife sustained serious injuries. Bob Marley himself was wounded in the chest and arm surviving the politically motivated attempt on his life. Nonetheless, the concert proceeded, and an injured Marley performed as scheduled before a crowd of 80,000 while members of The Wailers were still missing or in hiding. When asked why, two days after the attempt, Marley responded, "The people who are trying to make this world worse aren't taking a day off. How can I?"
This is what a few politicians in Nigeria today like Hon. Barr. Onofiok Luke have been doing while others are busy trying to tear the nation and their states down with all manner of political and socio-economic propaganda. Thus, on Saturday the 5th of December 2015 "The Leader of The Street" joined his colleagues at the Premier Nigerian Youth Parliament Reunion in Canaan Land tagged "Calabar 2015 Reunion" where issues concerning the development of the youth and nation building were brainstormed in a lecture titled : THE YOUTHS IN NIGERIAN DEMOCRATIC DISPENSATION AND THE CHALLENGES FOR SUSTAINABLE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. It was a warm and refreshing event as these very first honorable members of the Nigerian Youth Parliament reunited after so long a time. The Executive Governor of Cross River State was ably represented by the  Commisioner for youths & Sports Development - Mr. Asu Okang.
In the end every one who participated went home with something to work on- not to take a day leave from the task of building our great nation in our small capacities.
#DakkadaAkwaibom is #DakaadaNigeria!

Picture story:
From left to right:
Hon. Dr. Val Eneji. Host, Hon. Obasuyi Osahon Davidson (Edo South), Hon. Florence S. Adamu (Taraba Central), Hon. Awoju Aribiton (Rivers SouthEast), Hon. Jiritmwa Morgak (Plateau), Hon. Barr. Onofiok Luke (AKS), Hon. Mrs. Flora Ebaimoh Mukah (Edo), Hon. Ibifuro Abigo (Rivers West), Hon. Emmanuel Orieka (Enugu West), Hon. Popoola Olalekan (Osun) and Hon. Helen Zamani (FCT)

SEE THE LAGOS LAWYERS WHO JUST WEDDED IN CALABAR!

All Earth and Heavens took to ovation in the Canaan city of Calabar on Saturday the 5th of December 2015 as Barr. Louisa Edet became one forever under God with Barr. Lawrence Ndifreke Cosmos her heartthrob! It was wow from beginning to no ends! We all assembled with brethren at the Redeemed Christian Church of God , City of David Parish, along Murtala Muhammed Highway Calabar at 10 a.m to witness the holy matrimonial solemnization of the two lawyers and thereafter proceeded to Calabar Sports Club for the Rice & Stew Very Plenty! It was indeed an awesome experience watching the couple dance in, sit together, cut the cake, feed themselves and grace the dance floor with fantastic dance steps from Tango to Shoki, Etighi to Samba, Sekem to Ekombi and so on and so dance! D.J Emalex one of Calabar's finest and dopest Disk Jockey was there to make these steps possible with live blasts of ancient and contemporary top chat busters! And the compere Mr. Auracool spared no fun as he stole every single minute to thrill everyone for the couple's money's worth!
But come to think of it, what are lay men and women doing allowing lawyers marry themselves?
Meanwhile, why don't RCCG ministers seal weddings with the breath taking sacrament : "You May Kiss The Bride?" After all even the bible says "greet one another with a holy kiss..."
Long live Barr & Barr Mrs. Lawrence Ndifreke!
May your home be filled with sempiternal amaranthine romance!
May your God bless you with 7 billion triplets!

In Jesus' Name Amen!

GOV UDOM EMMANUEL SUBMITS 6 MONTHS PERFORMANCE REPORT CARD

Yesterday, I dedicated my 1800 hour to His Excellency the governor of Akwa Ibom State as he indulged us with his 6 months report and here is a rundown of what he shared in case you missed the session :

His Excellency began by thanking the good people of Akwa Ibom State for the trust bestowed on him to serve as Governor of the state stating that he is humbled by the task at hand but mindful of the sacrifices borne by the founding fathers of the great State. As a realistic leader he made good to remind the people of the ongoing litigation on the eligibility of his election but assured the people that it was a Pharaoh they will not see again while he also confirmed that the litigation was a challenge and not a clog on the wheels of performance drawing allusions from the biblical account of how  the House of David grew stronger, while the House of Saul grew weaker after God ordained David King over Israel even with Saul rising against him.

To this end he affirmed that light will always win; in which case, Divine Mandate will always triumph and Akwa Ibom people will always win at the chagrin of those who collaborate with outsiders to covet the state’s resources. In his words “Akwa Ibomites know which side their bread is buttered. We are not afraid of any re-run, because our people are solidly behind us.”

His Excellency also revealed that no iota of grudge is brewed against those challenging his mandate in court stating that it is within their rights to do so. “As a matter of fact…” the governor explained, “…we are both chasing dreams. The difference is that they are chasing their own selfish dreams; while we are chasing the dreams of Akwa Ibom people and our posterity. When the judicial process is over and our victory again, re-affirmed, we expect our brothers and sisters to bury the hatchet and come and join us to build a greater Akwa Ibom State. We must know that we do not have to see eye to eye in order to walk hand in hand. We are brothers and blood should be thicker than politics. Relationships built over decades should not be sacrificed over the fleeting impulse of partisan politics. Political foes of yesterday may become political allies tomorrow”

Having exulted the people in few words on the political tempo in the state the Dakkada General abandoned politics for welfare of the State by first charging the youths to unite and rise to the faith of greatness. “Think of Ufot Ekong! He solved a 30-year old mathematics puzzle and wrote his name in Fame. The same DNA, which Ufot has, is in you. We are a brilliant people, and I am proud of each and every one of us. We only need the opportunity to unleash our great potentials. I promise you this is what I have come to offer. What Ufot has done, you can do. Rise to the faith of greatness. ‘Dakkada’.” His excellency charged. This incidentally drafted his attention albeit briefly to the sad commentary on Akwa Ibom State politics where people who were a part of the preceding administration for seven of its eight years would now turn around and demonize the administration claiming that the administration was wasteful, irresponsible, corrupt etc. To him it does sound like one cutting his nose in order to spite his face; meaning, it is practically impossible to absolve these elements of hypocrisy without convicting them of self-indictment. It is like trying to always fool the whole of the good and wise people of Akwa Ibom State all at once! “When they lie to you, ask them the source of their wealth, and what investment they made to become wealthy and super-rich.” He advised.

Nevertheless, the Governor in stating the performance of his administration thus far explained that industrialization is a process and not an event - that while his administration is committed to industrialization and infrastructural development sparing no effort to ensure the effective and lawful execution of this drive he is also solicitously expecting that the people of Akwa Ibom State rise up (Dakkada) and support the administration.

Now, regarding the achievements so far he stated that there has been several ground breakings for new industries and resuscitation of ailing and moribund ones ranging from LED factory to automobile, and fertilizer plant to Peacock Paints that has come alive again and others.

He mentioned how he was touched by a letter signed by Chief Effiong Edak Ekong - the Chairman of Okobo Electricity Maintenance Committee, thanking him for “restoring power supply in Okobo after many years of blackout, which had caused socio-economic hardship and under-development.” This was just an example of the intervention that has brought regular electricity to many Local Government Areas in the state.

His Excellency went ahead to state that his administration is providing clean water in their efforts to stem the spread of water borne diseases. On health, he cited St Luke’s Hospital, Anua, and Ibom Specialist Hospital as examples of the revamping going on in the health sector.

On road construction he revealed that Akwa Ibom State is now a giant work site going by the numerous road construction projects across the state for example

·         In Uyo, the construction of Uyo underground outfall drainage from Nsikak Eduok Avenue through Akwa Efak to the Tropicana is at advance stage.

·         Construction of 1.2km Underground Drainage in Uyo is also running,

·         The dualization of Uyo-Etinan road with a flyover and water fountain at Etinan roundabout is on,

·         The dualization of the 23.8km Uyo-Oron road Airport road-Okpedi-Oron Road by East West Road with 60m span bridge in Odobo are set to commence.

·         A 3.5 km Ikot Udom road with a 15m span bridge in Ibiono Ibom local government Area is on course and the contractors are making good progress with site clearance and excavation works is at 75%, while pilling and construction of bridges are ongoing.

·         Major progress has also been made with the emergency works on roads in Oron with the contractor set to deliver the project within the specified time frame,

·         The same can be said of the ongoing construction of the Nto Edino-Ekwere Azu Road with 2 bridges, measuring about 45 meters in Obot Akara.

·         The dualization of 23.4km Eket-Etinan Road with 3 bridges is on-going, while the construction of bridges on the road have commenced in earnest.

·         Eket- Ibeno Road dualization, spanning 19.5 km with 4 bridges is at 53% state of completion, and the work is progressing,

·         The construction/re-modeling of selected roads in Eket, which would include strategic roundabouts and junctions in Eket metropolis are also on course.

·         In Mkpat Enin Local Government Area the construction of 5km Ikot Usop – Ikot Edeghe – Ikot Ekpuk Road with 30m Span Bridge is up and running,

·          While in Onna Local Government Area the construction of 5km Mkpok-Okat Road is also running according to schedule.

All these to mention a few according to our Lord of Dakkada will be completed in record time.

But as if to silent those who cynically challenged the report on his 100 days in office Deacon also presented other areas of achievements like:

·         The over 50 foreign investors have indicated interest in coming to setup shops in Akwa Ibom State;

·         The emergency Intervention on Gully Erosion at Enen Atai along Calabar – Itu Highway;

·         Emergency Intervention on Gully Erosion at Independence Hall area in Abak;

·         Payment of ten years arrears of pensions and gratuities to primary school teachers and local government employees;

·         Resumption of work on Ikot Ekara-Ikot Ebritam Road;

·         Electric Meter manufacturing Plant underway in ONNA;

·         Clay Processing Plant underway in ONNA;

·         Establishment of Sports Academies in the 10 Federal Constituencies;

·         1000 Youths for Oracle Certification Program;

·         Power Sector training for youths;

·         Special Agricultural Training for 100 youths in Israel;

·         Approval for the training of 329 youths in photography and film production

Mr. Udom Emmanuel noted  that from the outset, his administration  inaugurated Technical Committees to help drive the developmental efforts whom have hitherto lived up to their billings by amongst other strides attracting high investments to the State, helped evolve a second planting season and  are developing coconut plantations that will thereafter process coconut into over 360 uses scientifically.

And the big one - The actual commencement the Ibom Deep Seaport, he assured, is gathering momentum.

In rounding off, the governor admonished the good people of the state to shun rancor, tribal sentiments and political hostility and live in the principle of ‘dakkada’ as one people with a collective destiny of greatness building a great state for today, tomorrow and next tomorrows

And to supervise these His Excellency concluded thus : “Therefore, I, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, your duly elected Governor, the keeper of the Divine Mandate, pledge and guarantee you that I will continue to work hard to improve your living condition. So help me God. God bless Akwa Ibom State, God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!”

And having listened to His ‘Dakkada’ Excellency only one question comes to mind: if a total rerun is ordered in the end and all these projects are duly completed who will the good and wise people of Akwa Ibom State like my, humble, self vote?