“My attention has been drawn to the statement issued by the AIU regarding its disciplinary panel decision. My lawyers are currently studying it for our next line of action which we will inform you soon”.
– Blessing Okagbare
Akwa Ibom State Government Swears-In 8 New Permanent Secretaries
The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, on Thursday, swore in eight new Permanent Secretaries into the state public service, charging them to work hand in hand with Executive Council members in charge of the various Ministries to drive the attainment of his administration’s Completion Agenda.
The eight new Permanent Secretaries, with one designated the Auditor General, include, Akparawa James Ndarake Edet, NPOM, Mr. Godwin Jimmy Udoh, Mrs. Regina Isaac Okonko, Mr. Asuquo Selong Edem, Engr. Udosen Ephraim Udo, Mr. Effiong Christopher Nicholas, and Mr. Joseph George Joseph Esidem, while Mr. Isaiah Robson Ntekim, FCAI, was sworn in as the State Auditor General.
2023:Uyo stakeholders urge Ita Enang to vie for Governorship
Senator Ita Solomon Enang is currently serving as Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Niger Delta Affairs. Over the weekend in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, he was hosted by a cross section of political stakeholders where he accepted their call to vie for the Akwa Ibom State Governorship in 2023.
The stakeholders led by foremost business mogul; Chairman and CEO of TRUGAS and politician, Chief Dr Efiok Archibong, prevailed upon the senior presidential aide to join the 2023 governorship race and assured him of unalloyed support.
According to the group which is the latest to encourage the Ibiono Ibom born politician to contest, Senator Ita Enang has over the years displayed brilliance, reliability and competence in public office, and deserves to be encouraged to vie for the governorship of the state.
Senator Ita Enang, who spoke after the group laid bare their appeal to him, assured that his wealth of experience, expertise and antecedents would be greatly beneficial to the state if he is trusted by the electorates.
Declaring himself as the most consistent and productive national legislator from Akwa Ibom State, Ita Enang noted he has over the years been at the forefront of pursuing and defending Akwa Ibom’s interest.
“Of all the persons sent to the National Assembly, I am the one who has brought the highest number of things to the state. Starting from Itu/ Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency, when I became a member of the House of Representatives, not up to 5 villages had electricity, but when I left about 85 percent of communities had electricity. I attracted water, road, health and other projects to the constituency and Akwa Ibom State. I sponsored the Bill that made the University of Uyo become a legal entity. I brought Federal Polytechnic to Akwa Ibom State. I brought Federal University of Technology that is to be sited in Ikot Abasi. I am working hard to bring the College of Forestry to Akwa Ibom State before the tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari ends in 2023. I have to say that o am the progenitor of federal government higher institutions in Akwa Ibom State,” he narrated.
Senator Enang also referenced his role in the abolition of the offshore/onshore dichotomy which increased the oil revenue allocation to the state, how he drafted the Act which led to the creation of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), secured jobs for teeming Akwa Ibomites, brought Police Secondary School, successfully doused the rancorous relationship between the executive and legislative arm when he served SSA on National Assembly, and other antecedents.
He particularly mentioned that his assiduous efforts has led to restart of dualization of the Calabar-Itu Road.
Enang highlighted that his experience stands him in good stead as he has served as Clerk of Students Parliament in University of Calabar, Councillor, House of Assembly, three term House of Representatives member, Senator, SSA on National Assembly Matters, and presently SSA on Niger Delta Affairs.
He promised to run a profit-based economy, if elected: “if it pleases God that I become the Governor, I’ll run the state’s economy and make profit for the state.”
Obonganwan Dora Ebong, Honourable Commissioner representing Akwa Ibom State in the Federal Character Commission, in her speech said Ita Enang is an adept politician who has earned trust and goodwill through hardwork and effective representation.
She added that Ita Enang having represented Akwa Ibom well nationally, is the best material for Akwa Ibom State governorship.
Chief Churchill B. Ekop whom Ita Enang said is his political mentor had earlier presented him to the group and also attested to his reliability and competence.
“You were the voice of Akwa Ibom in the House of Representatives and Senate, come and be our voice as Governor,” he pleaded.
Other attendees equally spoke glowingly about Senator Enang.
ASUU Embarks on 1 Month Warning Strike
The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has elected to embark on one-month warning strike to press home its demands from the federal government.
ASUU held a meeting on Sunday night, which extended till the early hours of Monday morning.
The fresh ASUU strike is to allow the Federal Government do keep to its previous agreements with the Union, failure to which the strike would turn indefinite.
It would be recalled that the union has been agitating for a number of demands including the payment of Earned Academic Allowance, revitalization fund, the replacement of the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) with the University Transparency and Accountability System (UTAS) among others.
While the association continues to claim that it is involved in a struggle for Nigerian tertiary education and Nigerian students by extension, some Nigerians perceive the supposed struggle, marked by incessant strike actions, to be malicious and self serving.
