GOVERNOR UDOM EMMANUEL'S ADDRESS AT THE AKWA IBOM CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL

LET OUR KING BE LIFTED HIGH

AN ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MR. UDOM EMMANUEL, GOVERNOR, AKWA IBOM STATE AT THE AKWA IBOM CHRISTMAS CAROL, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2016 , UYO TOWNSHIP STADIUM, UYO, AKWA IBOM STATE

Good evening great Akwa Ibomites, good evening Nigeria, good evening Africa and good evening the world. I come to you tonight from the deep bowels of our beautiful and exotic city of Uyo- the capital of Nigeria’s Land of Promise- the great state that remains the only one that is named after God Almighty.
We have come here tonight to celebrate God's faithfulness and to offer thanksgiving for his enduring love, blessings and protection. My wife, Her Excellency,  Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel, the Founder of FEYReP,  my family and the good people of Akwa Ibom State welcome you most heartily to this celebration of the birth of God's son and the opening of the doors of salvation to mankind.

Tonight has been long in the making. Long hours of intense labour and details went into the making of this event. We had a programme of action. We went over all the details several times. We checked and rechecked the details. We dotted the 'I's and crossed the 'T's. We planned for everything and every checklist was acted upon and we proclaimed to ourselves: Ready to roll!  What we did not however, plan for was death in the Akwa Ibom family. But unfortunately instead of the usual celebration of our hospitality, our Christian bonds and affection, our beautiful and world class infrastructural amenities, death has become the major theme in today's narrative in our state.  Exactly one week ago today, on December 10, 2017 to be precise, the Reigners’ Bible Church located on Uyo Village Road collapsed during an  ordination service, of which I was present as the Special Guest of Honour.

Let me therefore ask that we all stand up and observe a minute silence for the souls of the departed… May their souls rest in peace. Ever since Mary Slessor and other blessed missionaries came to our shores and evangelized our ancestors, we have come to see the church as a shelter of refuge. The Church has given us hope and inspiration. The church has showered blessings on us and raise our moral tone and texture.

Last Saturday the roof of a church building caved in while worship was going on and this led to the death of 26 persons. We have not fully recovered from the shock but let us say that what fell was a church building (man's handiwork), not God's promise. We are still standing on God's promises. On Christ the solid rock, we still stand.

This, however, should serve as a reminder of God's faithfulness. Ever since He created the sun and put it there we have never had a blackout. The sun has never run out of gas. The collapse of the building was man's error and that is why we have set up a high-powered panel of inquiry to determine what went wrong. We dedicated two days of mourning for the souls of the departed, we  activated the full machinery and resources of Government to aid in the rescue and evacuation of victims of the tragedy and we have assured the victims’ families of government’s resolve to stand by and with them during this time of mourning.

I personally led the team of rescuers and called in specialist physicians from across the nation. My conviction and belief is that every Akwa Ibom life matters and we must do all we can to save lives. This has been a state nay national tragedy and I wish to  commend our people for coming together as one; I want to thank our President and Commander in-Chief, President Muhammadu Buhari, the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osibanjo, the Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu,  the Senate Minority Leader, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, my brother governors, the PDP family and all those across the nation and the world who have called me to show solidarity with us over this sad tragedy.

Many have sympathized with me or questioned me for going to the church. But I am happy that I was there. The footsteps of the righteous are ordered by God and He took me there to save lives. I believe that if I were not there personally to supervise the rescue efforts and mobilize the best possible network of medical experts and rescue workers, the casualties would have been a lot more. I was not elected to share your joys only; I was elected to also share you pain and agony. I am here to laugh with you and cry with you. We are all in the same boat. I share that grievous pain with everyone on that Black Saturday inside that church. My heart would bleed forever as I recollect the harrowing scene.

But then the Akwa Ibom Story is that we have met with triumph and disaster several times and we always forged ahead. No calamity can separate us from the love of God. We remain the only state that is named after God Almighty and our faith in the Lord remains sacrosanct. We will all recover from this tragedy and march on to greatness because we have all ‘dakkada’ or risen to claim the faith of our greatness.

Last year when we gathered here it was against the background of the annulment of election in18 Local Government Areas and a call for rerun by the Appeal Court of the mandate which the good people of this state gave to me. Yet we danced and sang and I declared to you that the "Supreme God that we worship will give us supreme victory in the Supreme Court." I still remember that after I made that prophetic declaration, Donnie McClurkin one of the featured artistes took over and sang in vernacular the song that says that "you will sing again that song of joy in your heart”- eyaemana  ekwo, ikwo idaresit…  We have come to sing that song again. The song of our supreme victory in the Supreme Court through our Supreme God. We will sing that song again tonight because in our hour of tragedy, the the devil cannot stop us. We cannot be cowed, we cannot be shamed, and we cannot retreat from giving our people good governance, that is what I was elected to do, that is our collective charge and together, in unison we shall get there.

The Akwa Ibom story is in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed."  Therefore, let us tell the world that in spite of what has happened, it is well with us. Let us remind the world that according to 2 Corinthians 4:17 "...our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."

We are currently living in tough economic times all over our country. The economic recession has led to rising prices of goods. But when prices of goods rise in arithmetic progression, our faith also keep rising in geometric progression with the scripture as our common ratio. Because our faith is always ahead of what we see, we still provide public good and services in the discharge of our mandate. We never owe salaries and we are embarking on many developmental projects. From over 200  kilometres of road, some of which we have commissioned and some on-going, from an improved electricity in our state, to our free and compulsory education, from free medical services to children aged 1-5 and their aged parents, to our bold innovations aimed at diversifying our economy through agriculture, to the industries and foreign direct investments we have been able to attract to the state, whose  full effect you will begin to see in the coming years God has made this possible to prove His word that "when men shall say there is a casting down, your testimony shall be that there is a lifting up." 

Before the end of this year I will have the chance to fulfil one of my campaign promises when I shall commission a tooth pick and pencil making factory . I had boldly proclaimed last year that by the end of this year, we will establish a factory that will produce pencils for both our students and for commercial use and tooth picks respectively. This is just the beginning and as Americans would say, “you ain't seen nothing yet.” Tonight really is not the night to dwell on our achievements which given the lean resources  at our disposal, we  can beat our chest and say loud and clear that even though a lot still needs to be done, we have however, kept our eye on the ball.

We have gathered here today to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. He it was who taught man that death is not the end of the journey, but merely a bend which takes man to the highway of eternity - if you put your faith in Him. Let us be reminded of the very rich lessons of his life and know that it is well. Mourning may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning, it is well. He turns our lamentations into dancing, it is well. He turns our pain into gain, it is well.

One day Jesus went into the Synagogue and they gave Him the Book of Isaiah. He read the scripture "The spirit of the Lord God is upon me...." When he did that his listeners said, "Is this not the carpenter's son." They were right, he was the carpenter's son. But they were wrong in thinking he was born to be a carpenter. What you were born to see is not what you were born to be. Jesus Christ was born to be the saviour of the world and God's gift to mankind - not a carpenter.

As our brothers and sisters break records all over the world, the world is asking, "Are these not Akwa Ibom sons and daughters"? Yes they are but there is a status change-a new Akwa Ibom Spirit has been unfurled and we are not looking back. When we gather here to praise God the walls come tumbling down and we march into God's promises individually and as a people. God changed the Akwa Ibom status a long time ago because what we were born to see is not what we were born to be. Like the shepherd in the East I saw the new Akwa Ibom and came with the simple message that we should "Rise to the faith of greatness." We gather here to thank God for His mercies and celebrate our Lord and Saviour because greatness beckons.

Greatness beckons, so let us rise. Let us rise in the worship of our God. Let us rise in the brotherhood all Akwa Ibom people irrespective of tribe, gender or religion. Let us rise knowing that He who began a good work in us is faithful to complete it.  Let us clothe ourselves in the garb of unity, let us say that never again will the ascendant Akwa Ibom spirit be brought down by the fleeting impulse  partisan politics, let us not see ourselves as perpetual candidates for election, but as the favoured sons and daughters of the living God, drawn by a common cause and a shared destiny- let us rise and heed the clarion call  to celebrate all that is Akwa Ibom and drum down the beat of negativity, of hatred, of anger and animosity, and of ephemeral joy we derive from pulling down our leaders, of manufacturing lies and blackmail against our leaders simply because we don’t belong to their political camp. Let us realize that those who may have sponsored you to write lies or traffic in  incendiary falsehood against your leaders are plainly exploiting you for their narrow agenda. Let us look at Akwa Ibom as a shining City on the Hill and celebrate its ennobling virtues and values. We have no other state to call ours, except this wonderful Land of Promise. Let our King be Lifted High  and let our voices render a symphony of unity and common kindred.

As we sing melodiously to the Lord tonight, let us pray for the soul of those who left us exactly a week ago today. To all our guests and artistes, we thank you for coming, especially Don Moen, whom I may now call an adopted son of Akwa Ibom state, by way of Tennessee, to our sponsors, thank you for your faith in us. It is well with Akwa Ibom, it is well with Nigeria, it is well with Africa and it is well with the world. Merry Christmas and a Happy and prosperous New Year in advance. Akwa Ibom Dakkada,  Ami mme dakkada.

RAY-FIELD INT'L SCHOOL CELEBRATES 10TH ANNIVERSARY, ROLLS OUT ACHIEVEMENTS

It was celebration galore at Ray - Field International Secondary School, Uyo as the school students, teachers, parents, politicians and Stakeholders in the educational sector rolled out drums to celebrate the 10 th Anniversary of the institution.

At the well attended colourful event held in the school promises, Akwa Ibom State Governor Mr Udom Emmanuel who was the  Guest of Honour called for private sector participation in educational development emphasising that such participation would reposition the sector for greater height of achievement.

Represented by the Senior Special  Assistant on Education Monitoring, Mrs. Idongesit Etiebet,  Governor Emmanuel spoke of his administration's resolve to give  Education  its pride of place and expressed  optimism that "... the partnership will launch the State into the pinnacle  of greatness, industrial  explosion, socio-economic  and political  emancipation".

He commended the entrepreneurial spirit of the school proprietress Mrs. Doris Edem, whom he said has  translated her vision to a domain for moulding great minds, thinkers, technocrats and other professionals  for the State and saluted the school management for maintaining  high standard  by leaving above board in it determination to inculcate  core values in the  students.

The State Governor described students of the institution as torch bearers in the society and urged  the them to take their studies sseriouly, shun attitudes capable of derailing them from accomplishing their goals in life and made a personal donation of one million naira in support of the school development project.

In his remarks, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly,  Barr. Onofiok  Luke,  noted that the greatest investment  both government and the private sector should make is in education and used the occasion to call on individuals and Corporate  Organizations to  invest in the sector and ensure that our very leaders of tomorrow are  moulded from  the cradle 

While enjoining the students to draw inspiration  from his personal experience Hon Luke said that he encountered difficulties in his prime but God's benevolence, persevearance and hard work saw him through and urged them to stay focused to enable them accomplish their dreams.

Earlier, the school Proprietress Mrs Doris Edem,  expressed  appreciation to the school management , staff and parents saying they have been a pilar of support to the school from it inception and explained that their  support  has made it possible  for the college to produce  ambassadors of excellence in various fields of endeavour in the past ten years of the school existence.

She particularly acknowledged the support  of her  husband Ambassador  Sam Edem who is the Chairman, Board  of  Governors of the institution saying that the school, in the last decade has earned  laurels  including 16 slots in the United Nations Model Conference of 2014 in the United States  of America; 2014 Outstanding  Private  School Award from House of Representatives Committee on Education ,  First position  in the 2013 World Scholars Cup at the United Arab Emirates, First position in National French Language Competition in 2008.

She added  that the  school has  recorded impresive results both in West African Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council of Nigeria (NECO) Examinations.

At the anniversary celebration, some newly constructed  buildings including a Girl's Hostel named after the wife of the State Governor, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel were commissioned even as touch of colour was added  to the occasion as  students showcased  their talents in drama presentation, fashion  show, cultural display  and science  exhibition  mounted by Senior Secondary one students.

Several artworks produced by the students themselves were presented to the Governor in appreciation of his strides in the education sector. 

WORKS COMMISSIONER COMMENDS BENEST ENGINEERING OVER IKOT EDEGHE ROAD, INFORMATION DRIVE

The contractor handling the Ikot Edeghe road in Mkpat Enin with two bridges has been commended for the pace of work in progress by the Commissioner for Works, Mr Ephraim Inyangeyen.

Speaking while on an inspection tour of the project, after which he oversaw the payment of compensation to those whose property are affected by the project, Mr Inyangeyen said he is satisfied that, the indigenous contractors are living up to expectation with the consistency and quality of work he has observed in their operations.

The works commissioner assured that, Governor Udom Emmanuel is committed to encouraging indigenous contractors in the dakkada spirit, if the live up to billing and perform to expectation.

He further added that, the road is in fulfillment of the campaign pledge of the governor and the larger need to open up the rural areas and ensure a good network of roads across the state.

Commissioner Inyangeyen commended the host community for their peaceful disposition and cooperating with the Ministry and Benest Technical Services ion ensuring the project is on course without hitches.

Mr Inyangeyen particularly expressed joy that, the people did not resort to erecting emergency illegal structures on the stretch of the road in a false bid to arm twist government to get compensation.

He reiterated the insistence of Governor Emmanuel for strict compliance with ethical standards.

In paying compensation with integrity of the process as the watch word.

Also speaking, the Chief Executive officer of Benest Engineering services, Chief Ben Udobia, assured that, his company is determined to deliver the project in good time and sued for continued support from the community.

Chief Udobia thanked Governor Emmanuel for the confidence he has reposed in indigenous contractors and pledged that, they will not disappoint the state.

A cross section of persons interviewed  told newsmen that the compensation was hitch free as thanked the state government for transparency in the exercise.

The works Commissioner proceeded to inspect the ongoing Information drive off IBB Avenue and charged the contractor handling the project to ensure that drains to held deflood IBB Avenue and prevent flooding peoples homes.

Commissioner inyangeyen praised Benest Technical Services for the patriotism of finishing the earth work on the road and commencing drainage system even when the state Government has not mobilized them with funds.

He described that gesture as one benefit of having indigenous contractors handle projects in the state.

A'IBOM STATE GOVT. DEMOLISHES ILLEGAL STRUCTURES ON ROADS UNDERGOING CONSTRUCTION

Akwa Ibom State Government has taken practical approach to reaffirm it decision not to pay compensation to owners of illegal structures particularly on roads undergoing construction as it embarked on the demolition of such structures in Etinan and Onna Local Government Areas.

The move is sequel to the springing up of illegal structures courtesy of some unscrupulous persons who wanted to capitalise on the on-going construction of roads by erecting structures with the intent to gain compensation from the State government.

To this end, the government through the Ministry of Works, embarked on the demolition of such structures along Mbioto - Awa Iman road in Etinan Local Government Area and extend it to Awa Ndon, Ikot Akpan Ishiet - Ndon Eyo roads in Onna Local Government Area.

It would be called that despite repeated warnings, at different fora, by the State government that people should desist from putting up unapproved structures particularly on roads to be constructed, some group of persons, out of selfish motivations, refused to heed the warning and forge ahead to construct shanties, shrines, totems and artificial graves along the roads.

Government House correspondents who witnessed the demolition report that heavy duty machines mowed down the illegal structures to pave way for road construction project.

Most of the residents in their reaction commended the government for the bold step taken to effect the demolition saying it serves as a deterrent to others who constitute themselves as nuisance to the development agenda of the State government.

David Mark Receives Certificate of Return for the 6th Time

  says his election is unique

Immediate past president of the Senate Senator David Mark on Monday said that his victory at the Benue South rerun election is a renewed mandate to continue to serve God and humanity without blemish.

Senator Mark said this when he received his certificate of return at Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) headquarters today in Abuja. His words: “for the confidence, trust and love for me , I will continue to serve honestly with all my heart. My actions will be guided always with the fear of God”.

Senator Mark expressed appreciation to the people of Benue South and Nigerians alike for the support and prayers that ensure his success at the polls.

” My election is unique. I hold this certificate in trust and for service to my people and Nigerians alike. I will serve honestly and with the fear of God”, he stressed. Senator Mark praised INEC for a good job so far but craved for improvement in future polls.

He advised that the electioneering process should be made less cumbersome to enable more qualified Nigerians to participate.

Handing over the certificate to Senator Mark, INEC national commissioner Lawrence Nwuruku assisted by his colleague Prince Solomon Soyebi said the certificate is a confirmation that he won the Benue South Senatorial rerun election according to the rules and regulations guiding the conduct of elections.

He reminded elected public officers that election is a process towards rendering services to the society and making life much more easier and meaningful to the ordinary man.

Senator Mark is the only Nigerian till the date who has contested Senatorial election six times, won six times and received certificate of return six times.

 SOURCE: THIS DAY

WHY ONE SHOULD BE PART OF MUSIC MASTERS CONFERENCE

Music Masters Conference (Hereinafter called MMC) is designed as an intellect-boosting event where young and uprising Music Youngsters get to learn from the professionals (the Masters), while creating a platform for Musicians, Promoters, Managers and others to network, debate current trends in the Gospel Music Industry and ultimately establish profitable business relationships.
 
The event begins with a two (2) Day Conference and culminates in a special Choral Awards to celebrate longstanding and outstanding Choirs/Choral groups in the State.
 
In this year’s MMC, our keynoter, Taiwo Ogobowale aka T-Sharp, whose photograph appears on our flyer, is a seasoned Musicologist and a frontline worship leader with Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of Christ Embassy. He is billed to undertake the two (2) Day Music Lectures, Seminar/Symposium in company of his colleagues from South Africa.
 
ICE TV Entertainment is the Creator and the Host brand of MMC 2014.
 
In April, 2013, ICE TV Entertainment created and hosted in partnership with Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation, our maiden and now flagship event, “RECHARGE WITH HEROES - A Media Youth Conference which brought to a common platform, icon personalities and captains of industries as resource persons, to speak and inspire youngsters to be more productive in their Career pathways and endeavours.

At this epoch-making event of the year, ICE TV Entertainment is Conferring on some notable Personalities in the State, “Friend of Youths and Music” Special Service Awards 2014, in veritable categories, at the MMC Choral Awards Ceremony on Saturday, May 24 by 4pm, followed by a special luncheon at EEMJM to honour the Award recipients.

Finally, we are glad to let you know that we have set the ball rolling with intensive promotions ongoing on AKBC TV and radio while a Press Conference to officially pitch the event to members of the public and men of the press is scheduled for Monday, the 19th of May by 9am at Crunchies, Aka road.

Attached are copies of our print publicity.

                     

We look forward to working with you.
 
Kind regards.
 
 
Otu Dondaniels (Dr.)
President/CEO, ICE TV
+234-815-749-1135
+234-816-398-2716

UDOM EMMANUEL: THE INVESTOR'S DELIGHT By Aniekeme Finbarr

For many years, Mr Udom G. Emmanuel was Executive Director, Income Optimisation, Financial Control & Strategic Planning Department at Zenith Bank Group. The thrust of his assignment was to identify potential, design and implement practical blueprints on how to make more money, cut costs to the barest minimum and give the bank strategic steps to take to stay ahead of the chasing pack. The results of his yearly successes are public knowledge and littered copiously across the internet. In achieving this, he interacted with over 500 Branches and business offices of the bank Nationwide. His strides also spread to the UK as his efforts contributed to Zenith Bank becoming the first Nigerian bank in 25 years to be licensed by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in the UK. He also coordinated 18 business offices in Ghana, branches is Sierra Leone, Gambia and a representative office in Johannesburg, South Africa. Space restrains us from giving further insight into his rich background but this suffices.

Through the rich years of banking experience at the highest level, there is hardly any major investor in Nigeria that Udom Emmanuel has not interacted with. He also possesses a high network of contacts of day to day business people within and outside Nigeria. Given Akwa Ibom's future aspirations and based on the afore going and much more factors that Udom stays naturally ahead in the race to manage Akwa Ibom's huge resources from May 29, 2015.

Akwa Ibom State has very tremendous investment potential. My interaction with Udom reveals a pan Akwa Ibom man with a burning passion to achieve results for the state with our "mean" resources. Take the tourism industry for instance, The tourism industry in Akwa Ibom State promises an unlimited investment potential. The state has rich tourist sites that are eagerly awaiting investors to cash-in. The state boast of road networks that crisscross the entire landscape of the state. The state has an international Airport. And there is the largest golf course in Africa and a five Star Ibom Resort Hotel being managed by Le Meridian, a global player in the hotel industry. In spite of these giant strides, there is need for more of such resorts to take advantage of the bustling tourist interest in the state. It is possible.

With resort-type beaches such as the Ibeno Beach , Qua River water-side, the water front area of the Oron River adjacent to the Museum with its humid and temperate climate, the ancient trading beach at Okopedi , Itu; the tropical oil palm scenery of the Ibagwa river valley, the Ibaka fishing settlement site, James Town, Uta Ewa fishing settlement, Ibaka beach, Obuabu Blue River and the Consular beach at Ikot Abasi are all resorts waiting to be fully developed and exploited.

Beside these scintillating resort sites, Udom understands the state’s historical sites demand urgent development. Such sites include; the oil Palm produce ware-houses and the UAC Company agents residence ; the Mary Slessor Cairn site on top of the Okoyong hill, there is the ancient tree grove at Afaha Offiong in Nsit Ibom; the Slave trading ware houses at Ikot Abasi, Itu, the building where the amalgamation treaty was signed by Lord Frederick Lugard in 1914 at Ikot Abasi, the old Presbyterian Church at Itu, built under the supervision of Mary Slessor; the Itu hill walk-way that also has the first telephone line and Post office, among others. The amazing mixture of traditionalism and modernity provides an awakening, a window to another virile and colourful glimpse of African humanity and its cultural and natural environment. As an Ibibio myth says,”challenging demands and rewarding opportunities await those who dare to reach out for the priceless jewel on the python’s head”. This aptly describes what Akwa Ibom presents to an Investor. And we know Udom is the man with th best experience and capacity to bring it to fruition.

Our maritime potential is massive too, who takes over from Governor Akpabio and what happens to the Ibaka deep seaport? The area designated for the project has the longest coastline and just five kilometers to the capital city. With a depth of between 15 and 18 meters water channel and 129 kilometers stretch of land it has some of the best port features that could be found anywhere in the world. With Ibaka deep seaport, we will have a seaport that will not require perennial dredging. Investors will be in business for a very long time without bothering about dredging. The port will serve all countries in the Gulf of Guinea. The peaceful nature of the community and availability of undeveloped land will make the area a self-sustaining industrial city when the port is completed. In addition to the port, the area will also harbour independent power plants, refinery and industries. It sounds great and unbelievable but achievable. It will employ 100,000 Nigerians, strengthen our country’s position in oil and gas sector in the world. It will be the nation’s gateway to the rest of the world through the Gulf of Guinea. Excellent potential. We cannot afford to play politics with it. It is equivalent to announcing the near end of unemployment in the state. With Udom Emmanuel in charge , the industrial, commercial and maritime landscape of Akwa Ibom State will never be the same again. All indicators of empowerment, youth and professional employment, wealth creation and entrepreneurship will become visible in the entire spectrum of the state.

Interestingly, Akwa Ibom State is the only Nigerian state that is served by three export free zones. That means, triple benefits for investors. There is an export processing zone at Ikot Abasi The state also falls within the catchment areas for Calabar export processing zone and the oil and gas free zone in Port Harcourt. Because we are positioned midway between the two port cities of Calabar and Port Harcourt, Akwa Ibom has unlimited access to the world, whether by air or by sea. Much more, we have become part of Nigeria’s gateway to the countries of Central Africa, like Cameroon, Gabon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea and Congo. These are great market potentials for our industries. It requires a hand that is passionate and knowleagible and can go all the way to give it a futuristic touch. These are not projects that will attract instant political praises but it most certainly create jobs and open a vista for emerging market. The Udom Emmanuel magic can bring this to light.

A strong State and investor friendly economy requires more than a balanced budget. It requires progress in those programs that spur our growth and fortify our unity. Upgrading our urban centres will be key. Udom Emmanuel will step up existing urban renewal and housing programs in all of our Local Government headquarters , expand and extend clean water supply schemes to all LGA’s, redouble the attack on water pollution–sustain aid to our airport, hospitals, highways and secure training and equipment for law enforcement to combat crime and youth delinquency. This will attract the investors to stay.

We cannot rely wholly on the federal government allocation. We must expand our revenue base by improving our Internally Generated Revenue sources. Nothing prevents us as a State government to engage in international trade. I suggest the enactment of legislation to set up a State Produce Board charged with the responsibility of developing and trading all of our internationally trade-able resources. Our businessmen and women must be encouraged and assisted to be export conscious and export competitive. Our tax policies should spur industrialization and the rehabilitation and
modernization of existing industries–our wage and price gains must be consistent with productivity to hold the line on prices.

Export credit legislation and an effective promotion campaign for Akwa Ibom industries will further encourage export trade and sustainable growth. If we move decisively, our factories can be revived and our farms can increase their production and sales to the richest, fastest- growing market of Asia, North America and Europe. Our exports
will increase. Our debts will be serviced and budget deficits reduced; we will have forged across the Atlantic, in Europe and in Asia a trading partnership with markets that have a vast appetite for our resources. This can help sustain the economic growth of
our State for generations to come.

The danger is this, if we hang back in deference to local economic pressures and rely solely on Federal allocations and a marginal IGR, our capital budget will continue to be funded through increased borrowing. Our Industries–and I believe this is most vital—our industries will move their plants and jobs and capital inside the walls of Markets and territories with strong consumer spending, and jobs, therefore, will be lost here in Akwa Ibom if they cannot otherwise be sustained by a vibrant State economy. The issues concerning Akwa Ibom's future are grave that requires a higher thinking mentality to match it. Udom Emmanuel's aim and goal is to enlarge the prosperity of Akwa Ibom and our people. To build in partnership a new trading community in which our trading partners and us may gain from the productive energy of free competitive effort Udom Emmanuel is prepared. He has the wide practical experience. He is home grown, no stranger at all. He possesses the intellectual capacity to assemble what his aides will put forward into a fine analyses. He comes from that part of the state that ought to have a shot at the Hilltop Mansion seat. He is favoured by God, man and the political pundits. Udom is Right. He is our future investor's delight.

Follow @aniekemefinbarr on Twitter for more.

MUSIC MASTERS CONFERENCE HITS UYO

Wow! Finally MAY is here! The Music Masters Conference is around the Corner. Come experience the world of creativity and enhance your potentials as you partake in this thrilling Music Program carefully packaged for your personal development.

Come out! Get inducted into the SKILLS OF MUSIC PRODUCTION as you interact and share great ideas with world class 21st CENTURY MUSIC PRODUCERS...

Expand your horizon as you learn MUSIC APPLICATIONS AND AUDIO PROGRAMMING ON THE COMPUTER; utilize this opportunity and learn to create right from your Home.

Harness vocal dexterity as you undertake VOCAL DRILLS WITH DIGITAL MONITORING; a professional impute carefully designed to enrich the Nigeria Music Market. Give credence to what you know best in music.

Learn about PERFORMANCE DIRECTING AND PERFORMANCE DESIGN...
Come share an hour of VERY PRACTICAL AND INTERACTIVE sessions to re-articulate all that is musically generated for posterity...
It is a wonderful privilege you must not miss!

Permeate all walls of exposure in the MUSIC MASTERS CONFERENCE 2014, themed: REDISCOVERING YOUR MUSIC AND THE NIGERIA MARKET...
Become the MASTER! The World is waiting for you!
Date Thursday, 22nd & Friday, 23rd May, 2014

Venue: CBN Auditorium UNIUYO

Time: 9am (3 Sessions daily)

Register with just N3, 000 @ Any Keystone Bank Near you.

Acct, no. 1040672008 (ICE TV MEDIA)
Limited space available...
Call (Dr. ICE) +234708-098-7088

UDOM EMMANUEL FINALLY SPEAKS OUT By Aniekeme Finbarr

My Dear Good People of Akwa Ibom State, i feel deeply privileged to write
to you dear brothers and sisters. My inspiration to communicate with you
via this medium and at this time is buoyed by the spirit we share together;
the never-say-die and can-do spirit of the Akwa Ibom Son and Daughter.
The whole world appreciates that we are a very passionate, talented,
ingenious and hardworking people. We radiate so much positive energy in
every field of human endeavour. Our leaders, past and present have
channeled our collective industry to where we are today but sadly still a few
others are bent on diverting that defining energy for less productive uses.

My name is Udom. I am the second son of Gabriel Emmanuel Nkenang. My
Father was a school teacher and an Elder of the Qua Oboe Church, a native
of Awa Iman in Onna LGA. I believe that God has a purpose and a plan for
everyone. From my very humble beginnings, it is only through the grace of
God that I could be where I am today. I am a 1988 Accounting Graduate
from the University of Lagos. A Chartered Accountant too and trained with
PriceWaterhouseCoopers. I have attended a few other schools to widen my
knowledge and improve skills. I have been to the Institut Européen d'
Administration des Affaires(INSEAD) in France, the Columbia Business
School, USA, the Wharton Business School, USA, the London Business
School and a few others. I am a fellow of the Institute of Chartered
Accountants of Nigeria, Fellow of the Institute of Financial Management and
an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria. Before my
present appointment, I was an Executive Director on the board of Zenith
Bank PLC from December 2006, Member of Executive Committee and
Member of Board Risk Management Committee. I joined Zenith in 1996
from Diamond Bank Limited and was the pioneer Manager of its Lagos
Central Branch. I have served in several capacities therein. I have served as
Chief Financial Officer of Zenith Bank PLC, Group Head of Income
Optimisation, Financial Control & Strategic Planning Department, General
Manager of Zenith Bank PLC. I have also been in charge of the
Telecommunications Sector, Income Optimization and Financial & Strategic
Planning Group of Zenith Bank Plc.

With the above credentials and at 47, I am faced with two choices: to work
for myself or to deploy the skills to serve my people. The latter is an easier
choice for me. When i confided in a colleague in the UK on my plans to
drift closer home and shut the door to the fully air conditioned ambience of
the bank behind me, he saw it as utter madness and a leap into
uncertainty . My response was that, if God in His infinite wisdom decided to
make me an Akwa Ibom Son, there must be a purpose. That purpose, in my
view, could not be fulfilled by living a comfortable private life and
legitimately aspiring for higher professional glory. I believe that on the
judgment day, God will ask how I used the talents and gifts He bestowed
upon me to serve Him by leaving society better than I met it. It is not an
accident that God decided that I should come from Akwa Ibom
State. Never.

I volunteer to serve against all that is personally convenient and politically
logical. What is personally convenient and secure in a society like ours is to
mind my private business, make profit and most likely, settle abroad. But
that will only make me happier and safer as a person. This option may
continue to leave my people less richer and stunted in growth especially
with the catching up we have on our hands. Over the years, I have battled
with the conflict between what is personally convenient and what may be
socially desirable. I have weighed the personal risks, risks of being
damaged and ‘rubbished’ by the inelegant characters who have taken over
the terrain, risks to personal life, risks to my reputation, as the desperate
people will do everything to throw mud. I have never wavered in this
conviction. I have talked to myself, "Udom, you know what is Right, do it". I
have finally reconciled the risks and sacrifice required by focusing on the
service that is possible; a service that can change the fortune of a people
and give hope to present and future generations.

I believe that only the best team is good enough for Akwa Ibom State.
Politics remains the major platform for changing society. As I argued
elsewhere, there can be no sustainable wealth creation without sustained
interest in politics. Given our state of underdevelopment, I believe that elite
indifference to politics is a crime against humanity. Politics and governance
are too serious and too important to be left to anybody. If those who have
what it takes to make the society better refuse to stand up to be counted on
the excuse that they are not politicians or too big or too clean to be
‘rubbished’ in the murky waters of politics, they must forever be contented
with the consequences of mediocrity and misrule. Akwa Ibom State
deserves to field its first eleven in the game.

I keep asking myself "Udom, isn't there something fresh you can inject into
this game? What are you doing? Wake up and throw in your hat. I have
read that my background as a banker is a grave setback to my aspiration
but I think and strongly too no one should be in doubt about my proven
integrity in handling public sector resources and hence that Akwa Ibom
State’s money is safe with me. In a sense, I am volunteering to pay to
serve! I consider it a divine call to serve, to deploy the entire God given
talents and gifts, experiences and skills He has exposed me, to rescue my
people. Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria have made enormous investment in
me, and I believe this is the time to pay back through selfless service. This
next phase of our journey is significant, especially on the heels of an
uncommon renaissance of our great state. We need to consolidate and
fashion out policies that will make life meaningful and offer hope for the
future. The important thing is that we must begin the journey, and someone
must sacrifice to lead the way. In the end, if we fail, I will still be a much
fulfilled person. I can then sleep in good conscience and satisfaction that I
did not abdicate responsibility or refuse a call to serve my people. I will not
feel guilty for failing to volunteer my services. I will then happily and boldly
tell my Creator on the last day that I tried my best to make Akwa Ibom
State better than I met it.

My Dream for Akwa Ibom State is predicated upon the potentials and
capabilities of the State (human and material resources) and hopes to
minimize its weaknesses in order to create wealth, create jobs, reduce
poverty, and re-orient the values of the people. We hope to achieve these by
investing in, and empowering our people; creating an enabling
environment for, and actively promoting the private sector as the engine of
growth and job creation; rescuing our cities from decay and hence
salvaging the wasting assets in these cities to lay a foundation for a fresh
start; envision a new, expanded and befitting capital city for Akwa Ibom
State; and finally lay the foundation for sustainable prosperity by jump-
starting the emergence of a modern city in Akwa Ibom State that will attract
world talent and capital to State. The vision is to link up Akwa Ibom State
as a City State, prosperous and green. Our growth lies in the strengthening
of our keys sectors, Agriculture, Health, Education, Law, Housing, etc
I doff my hat and wish to acknowledge the good works of the previous
governments (especially since the current democratic dispensation started
in 1999). In particular, Arc Victor Attah and Chief Godswill Akpabio have
each served the state to the best of their ability. Each of the administrations
has done its best, especially in terms of roads and sundry projects. Since
development is cumulative, we intend to build upon their works and I
commend and congratulate them. We must as a people stop the blame
game and pointing fingers. We have been fortunate to have two enthusiastic
and pan Akwa Ibom leaders whose hunger and thirst to make Akwa Ibom
better is unquenchable. It would benefit us more and save our mean
resources if we built more united fronts rather than embark on mud
slinging, blackmail and cheap tactics. Akwa Ibom State never gets better for
it.

The average Akwa Ibom mind is tuned to believe in the 'we can’ philosophy
and great powers will come to our aid! Oliver Wendell Holmes once said
that “Once a mind has been stretched by a new idea, it never returns to its
original shape” . It is in the same vain that the English publisher, Lady
Catherine argued that “Nothing ever built rose to touch the sky unless some
men dreamt that it should; some men believed that it would, and some men
willed that it must” . I am convinced that God has willed that this dream is
one whose time has come: there is no going back!

Building the Greater Akwa Ibom State will challenge all of us to give our
best to the State. I have volunteered myself. I call on you to also volunteer
to serve the State because it is not an accident that God decided that you
should come from the State. The hour has come: what contribution do you
want our people to remember you for? Everyone’s contribution is welcome.
There will be a special office to coordinate the contributions of our brothers
and sisters in the Diaspora. We cannot always double speak from abroad.
We cannot do it alone either. We will need the collaboration and
cooperation of other states in Nigeria, especially our neighboring states
(Cross River, Abia, Rivers) as well as the strong support of the Federal
Government, and the international development partners We must strive to
get more from our oil revenue and push our darling state to its pride of
place. we understand that we have lost decades and need to catch up and
excel in a very short time. Speed is critical and we will need to accomplish
72 hour tasks in every 24 hours. Our children cannot wait, and Akwa Ibom
state can no longer wait. I offer myself for the continuous service to my
people. God bless Akwa Ibom State.

LAST LINE: What you have read above was not written by me but by my
young friend, Aniekeme Finbarr who has a way of putting words into my
mouth. He has delivered a good piece though, "my beloved son, listen to
him".

Follow @aniekemefinbarr on Twitter