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

UDOM EMMANUEL: BEYOND THE VEIL OF POLITICS By Aniekeme Finbarr

Every society has its peculiar political sensibilities and leadership requirements. That is why every political community takes responsilibily for any kind of leadership it throws up. A leader is a fair reflection of his community and the political community can only get what it deserves. Therefore, Akwa Ibom State, an emerging state on a fast lane spewing forth cutting-edge developmental projects with huge investment opportunities
abounding in aviation, tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, commerce, sports and much more requires no less a cutting-edge mind that can discern and analyze trends, inculcate core values and flow on the brilliant crest of the people's enchanting waves to a berth that is unique and economical viable and which stirs both individual and state growth at the socio-economic spheres. That leader for the umpteenth time is Udom Emmanuel, a thorough home grown mind with a comprehensive world view, backed by hard boiled years of professional competence with strong bias for profit maximization.

Development is a non stop phenomenon and it flows in stages. In the past 15 years, the administrations of Arc Victor Attah and Barr Godswill Akpabio have laid a sustainable foundation for the development of Akwa Ibom State with the sole aim of creating an empowered populace-prosperous, highly educated, technologically driven, ethnically harmonious and a private sector-driven economy acting as a catalyst to Nigeria`s industrial revolution. Both administrations have carved out various blueprints and strived to build basic foundational structures. What should the next phase be?

We are in the 21 st century ; an era of breathtaking technology and revolutionary growth in some parts of the world. The age calls for well prepared leaders (like Udom Emmanuel) who will think outside the box to maximize scarce resources. Models of development abound that can guide us in mapping a formidable trajectory of development. Reformist leaders in China set -up the first special economic zone and industrial park in Shenzhen near Hong Kong in 1980 , the Shenzhen initiative has since then unleashed a developmental revolution which has made China the 2 nd largest economy in the world and reduced the number of people living in poverty by more than 500 million between 1981 and 2007 according to a World Bank report . What is more spectacular however is that China achieved this feat through industrialisation policies that saw to the setting up of cluster industrial parks with special incentives where goods such as shoes , handbags, furniture, plastics , toys , clothes and other low tech goods are produced. These are not ideas vain politics can throw up. Ideas like these can only stem from minds like Udom Emmanuel who has been actively involved in the Nigerian economy and beyond, a background in accounting with decades of experience in one of the nation's apex bank.

Akwa Ibom cannot afford to play politics with its future with this rain of oil money descending increasingly. Certain discussions concerning 2015 should be relegated for the real issues of development to be discussed. Many politicians are naturally uncomfortable when these hard core issues are advanced. They would rather hang around successive governments, gained fabulous contracts, build a few hotels and filling stations, run them down and snoop around for the next opening. These are the class of people who say Udom Emmanuel is not a politician. Must Udom know the over 5 million Akwa Ibom people by name before he can throw his hat into the ring? That is most unfair for a man who grew up here, had his basic education at home and is constantly in touch with the government and his people over the years. How many of the today politicians had a voice in politics ten years ago? What does it mean when it is said a politician is not generous? That he should line up citizens in a crude fashion and physically distribute money? Or make fantastic donations from the treasury indiscriminately? This is a phase we must out grow. The world outside is moving fast, we cannot be left behind.

The next Governor of Akwa Ibom should be a man prudent with resources and not afraid to engage the best hands across all fields. I see Udom Emmanuel as that kind of leader who can shoulder the responsibility of assembling the best brains, experts and ideas to lead and drive the industrialisation and modernisation initiative . In that regards, he will fancy an economic development council that will oversee economic planning with emphasis on job creation, continous infrastructure modernisation and the setting up of special economic zones / self serviced industrial parks . The special economic zones / self serviced industrial parks will, in the immediate short term, aim for the mass production of low tech or soft- goods such as footwear/ shoes, bags , toys , furniture, beddings ,cushions , mattresses , baby carriages , clothing/ textiles , garments ,undergarments / pants , socks , brassieres , plastics , toiletries, pharmaceuticals , agro- allied products/ food processing and others for local consumption and export.

Vigorous training programs would be undertaken for youths to acquire relevant skills for the mass production of goods . Its a step to create jobs. In the long term, high tech goods such as machineries, electrical , auto parts and others will be integrated into the industrialisation initiative. Thats better than mere cottage industries flung around the state. The economic development council will be made up of seasoned experts and technocrats to be chaired by an expert and technocrat of high repute. This formidable team of technocrats will formulate policies and drive initiatives on all spheres of development. Governance is about strategic planning and excellent application of resources. And in no less a time, we are heading towards China.

Udom Emmanuel is a thorough technocrat with the welfare of his people at heart. He will fancy too a fundamental approach to tackling poverty and youth unemployment which must begin with social engineering. This implies the biometric registration of all unemployed youths between the ages of 18 and 45 years of age who are neither in school , apprenticeship or self employment and who are resident in the state , and the setting up of unemployment offices in each of the three senatorial zones . Registration will make it possible for the government use some of the youths for purposes of direct labour , while some will be sent for vocational training programs and those who might have had some apprenticeship training will benefit from grants which will help them to set -up business in their area of training . Registration will also make it possible to mobilise resources by appealing to international aid organisations , private individuals , the federal government , religious organisations and other charities and philanthropists that will help to fund the training programs , provision of grants and other initiatives that may be undertaken to address youth unemployment . As part of the strategy to tackle youth unemployment , the government would urgently set up vocational training centres in all the local government areas of the state to facilitate vocational training programs in different skills for youths across the state . The skills will make it possible for the youths to go into employment or to become self employed.

At a recent seminar organized by the Bureau of Political and Legislative Affairs, Udom Emmanuel said: “the action word should be a sustainable development. What will interest me to park like ten cars in my house while a lot of people in my community are trekking? So we need somebody that has the interest of the people at heart. Let’s try to remain focus. We need to change certain equations. I want to see this state in the next few years where our graduates will leave school and a petrochemical industry is somewhere for them to work. I want to see one or two industries somewhere.” That is the kind of man we need.

I submit that Udom Emmanuel deserves to be assessed fairly on the basis of his competence, character, disposition, track records, deep faith in God and the sacred fact that it is the turn of that part of the state to produce the next Governor. 2015 is beyond mere politics.

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REFLECTIONS ON WHY NSIMA EKERE FOR GOVERNOR by Osondu Ahirika .

After my last piece on Obong Nsima Ekere and his exemplary riposte on the smear campaign mounted against him, I got a surprise caller online. He was Hon. Barr. Onofiok Luke, member representing Nsit Ubium State Constituency and Chairman of the all important House Committee on Appropriation and Finance. Incidentally, this is one Lawmaker to emerge from Akwa Ibom that has earned my deepest respect. The other two are Hon. Eseme Eyibio and Senator Ita Enang. I share their passion, outstanding excellence and stellar performance in parliament, but that is for another day.

Hon. Luke called to appreciate my piece on Nsima Ekere. on a hilarious note, he began, why should you ask me to TEXT NSIMA EKERE TO 2015? That was also the topic of the script in question. Then he went ahead to make his comment. "I love the piece you wrote he said. You are objective. For me, the Press Statement by the former Deputy Governor was impeccable, devoid of name calling, accusations, or hateful anecdotes," Luke said. "You failed in one area though", he continued. "You should have gone ahead to project and recommend his example to all politicians to emulate." I promised to do so. I was not surprised because Barr. Luke himself has issued Press Statements before on unfair press reports against him. Unknown to him, he had challenged me to reflect on what I wrote simply on the spur of the moment, I was enraptured by Ekere's ideal Press release.
Barr. Luke's opening comment compelled on me, a recurring 'mental belch' to ponder, WHY NSIMA EKERE SHOULD BE GOVERNOR. This piece is my answer to Barr. Luke.

Before I proceed, let me allude to a movie I saw in 2007, LIFE IS NOT A FAIRY TALE, starring Fantasia Barrino, Debbie Allen and Lorretta Darwins. It is a true life story about  a poor girl who overcame sexual abuse, illiteracy and other setbacks to become winner of American idol in 2004. If you ask me, I would say Politics is NOT a fairy tale. When you examine the long walk to heroics of any leader, statesman or politician, say like the Obama's, Mandela's Obasanjo's Goodluck Jonathan or Godswill Akpabio of this world, you will agree with me, Politics is NOT a fairy tale. The same can be said of Ekere to recommend him for governor of Akwa Ibom come 2015.

A fairy tale, you should well know is a story told children of myths. Incredibe and fictional stories meant to amuse but deceive them. Pushing for Ekere for the plum job of taking Akwa Ibom forward in the next dispensation is not for sheer stage talk. A look back as several events and their signification resists any temptation to dismiss the reality of the project as mere wishful thinking. I shall accordingly revive, review and resurrect some of them
Coming off a stifling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship primaries with 55 other aspirants ion 2007, Governor Godswill Akpabio in January 2007 chose Obong Ekere who placed fourth in the standings of that Primaries as his preferred running mate. He must have figured out something in Ekere among his legion of competitors, those who made him come as second runner up saw. It was not however to be. Board room political intrigues aborted that dream ticket and fate thrust it on Ekere's kinsman, Engr. Patrick Ekpotu.

Assurances that he will be accommodated as Minister, Ambassador, or other top jobs for the sacrifice did not happen. Ekere never whined or complained. He supported the administration as Chairman of Akwa Ibom Industrial and Investment Promotion Council, AKIIPOC.
Four years later, he was again presented to Akwa Ibom in January 27, 2011 as the running mate of Governor Akpabio for his second term bid. It was destiny delayed, but not denied. However,  a picture struck me on that occasion. It is that of Governor Akpabio raising Ekere's hand to the delight of thousands of admirers and supporters. He is about the only one Akpabio has so raised his hands on the soap box of his own volition. It was an election they went ahead to win.

Obong Ekere was to make history again when Gov. Akpabio proceeded on annual leave on 24 June ,2011.
He was given the nod to assume the designation ACTING GOVERNOR.
In a letter to the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Governor Akpabio wrote, "I write to communicate to the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly my intention to embark on annual leave of one month and my DESIRE to have Obong Nsima Ekere my able deputy to act on my behalf. "
In the words of Patsung Abang, "THIS IS NOT ONLY A MARK OF TRUST AND DEPENDABILITY BUT ENDORSEMENT OF OBONG NSIMA EKERE AS GOVERNOR." I aver, Abang said so because it was an unprecedented move. This was the only officially gazzetted Acting Governor following Constitutionally ratified procedure.

Again, when you weigh this against the hesitation of sitting governors to invest such power on their deputies, you can better appreciate the feat. Enugu state governor has left his State for months on ill health, yet resists every pressure to name his deputy, Acting Governor. Even with debilitating health, Governor. Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State is fighting to rid his Deputy and now Acting Governor, Alhaji Garuba Umar that revered appellation. How about our dear President Goodluck Jonathan. Consider how he sweated to be inaugurated as Acting President. Folks, let's give it up for Akpabio, and Ekere. It was destiny at work in his still unfolding political odyssey.
 
To validate that history, it bespeaks of the fact Obong Ekere has the requisite experience and will not find that seat a strange one or suffer any "culture shock" occupying it. Can it also be a divine orchestration that  as Acting Governor of Akwa  Ibom State for one month, Obong Nsima Ekere's first assignment was receiving members of the  Justice Uwaifo led Presidential Fact - Finding Committee on Pre -  and Post - Election Violence in Akwa Ibom State. Rewind that the state was lurched in violence that made March 22, 2011, a Black Day in the State's political dozzier. This is a man not known to habour political bitterness or feud and for whom power is not a do-or-die affair. He did enunciate thereat, what he posits an idesl elections should be. One, he is currently tirelessly working to achieve and triumph in.

Finally as I wrap this up, let me bring on TEAM NSIMA EKERE, a Youth Group at the vanguard of working for his 2015 Project as they make a case for him. Here, they declare, "If we need a calm gentleman with credibility and integrity as our governor in 2015; If we need an accomplished professional who will consolidate and improve upon the achievements of the present administration; If we need a governor who will not tribalize the governance of the state; If we need a governor who has built, oiled and sustained relationships and affiliations with different classes of people over the years; If we need a governor who will not come and send politicians on forced retirement; If we need a governor who is well vested and rooted in the politics of the state; If we need a governor who will not pursue a policy of vendetta in the state; If we need a governor with a large, loving heart; If we need a governor who will pursue a policy of economic prosperity among the people of the state, then the choice and only choice is H.E.OBONG NSIMA EKERE. Join us in inviting him to come out and take the state to the next level"

On this note, let me with the brimming optimism of a teenage lead speaker in a Debating Session say, I hope with this few points of mine, I have been able to convince Barr. Luke and indeed all people of goodwill that Obong Nsima Ekere will fit the bill as Governor of Akwa Ibom come 2015 and this is not a fairy tale. Curtains Fall.