Governor Godswill Akpabio The Governor of
Akwa Ibom State
Akwa Ibom State
known as
"Land of Promise"
Population
Approximately 3.6 million
Languages
Although English is the Nigeria Official Language, almost 80% speak and hear English or broken English. Local languages are Annang, Eket, Ibeno,Ibibio,Oron. Around 38% speak or hear Igbo Language.
Religious Belief
Akwa Ibom State is predominantly a Christian State; around 90% of the population are Christians.
Capital
Uyo
Local Government Areas
Abak, Eket, esit-Eket, Essien Udim, Etim-kkpo, Etinan, Ibeno, Ibesikpo-Asutan, Ibiono-Ibom, Ika, Ikono, Ikot Abasi, Ikot Ekpene, Ini, Itu, Mbo, Mkpat-Enin, Nsit-Atai, Nsit-Ibom, Nsit-Ubium, Obolo East, Obot-Akara, Okobo, Onna, Oron, Oruk Anam, Ukanafun, Udung-Uko, Uruan, Urue-Offong/Oruko, Uyo
State House
Government House,
Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Presbyterian Lauds A-Ibom for Reviving Ailing Industries
THE Akwa Ibom Synod of The Presbyterian Church of Nigeria has commended the decision of Akwa Ibom State government to resuscitate shut and ailing state-owned industrial enterprises. It called on the government to expedite action in this direction.
In a statement issued at the end of its 12th annual synod meeting held in Mbiatok Itam in Itu Local Government Area of the state, the synod emphasised the importance of industries as a means of socio-economic development as well as employment for the teeming youth population.
A communique, signed by the synod moderator, Rev. Idorenyen Jacob Ekpe and synod clerk, Rev. Elijah Okon Inwang, also commended the free education policy of the state government and noted with delight the various capital projects being executed by it.
The church condemned the spate of violence and political acrimony in the state. It frowned at the seeming abandonment by politicians of politics of issues and the resort to politics with bitterness.
The communique noted the efforts of the Federal Government at putting in place the machinery for good governance as well as for free and fair elections through the constitution and electoral act amendment and the nomination of persons of impeccable integrity to man the affairs of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Source: Vanguard, 24th July 2010.
AKWA-IBOM: Citizens Demand Weak Centre, Resource Control And Part-time Legislature
FROM INEM AKPAN-NSOH, UYO
THE immediate past chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Ekanem Ekanem has described the constitutional amendment as a waste of time by both national and state legislators.
Speaking with The Guardian in Uyo, he said the Constitution does not need amendment. "I had always held the position that there was nothing wrong with the Constitution, our only problem had been implementation."
According to him, the leadership of the country never had the political will to obey the Constitution, as only bad workers would always quarrel with the implements.
Ekanem said all the calls to amend the Constitution are motivated by selfish interests, noting that, the leadership of the country had never been straight forward without hidden agenda.
On calls for fiscal federalism, he said, "Fiscal federalism is empowering the states more, even if we do that, our problem is not over; it may not bring the needed development as our governors would increase their foreign trips to spend that money or stack them in banks of countries abroad
He said the solution is to make political office less attractive and such would make people with genuine interest want to serve. Political offices should be on part time basis, at all levels where legislature would be paid their allowances based on the number of days of sitting, accommodation provided based on how many days they would stay for legislative matters.
This he said would allow the people; go back to their original businesses, "so that if you were a lawyer, farmer, mechanic, trader or teacher, you will go back to your business until the next engagement."
Ekanem said he was happy to read that some state Houses of Assemblies have not accepted the harmonized constitution hook-line-and-sinker.
"It gladdened my heart as some states have not rubber-stamped the harmonized constitution, it is a good omen for the country," he said.
South-South coordinator, Citizen's Forum for Constitutional Reform, Anselem Eyo described the process as fire brigade in nature.
According to him, the process should not be hurried but slowed down for effective participation of all Nigerians, noting that such would make it people and issues-centered.
He noted that since independence, the country is yet to have a people- oriented constitution, but only a privileged few foist constitutions on the majority.
"The final product is far from the people because they have not contributed to it including the 1999 Constitution, which late Rotimi Williams described as a document that tell lies against itself."
Eyo advised that the ongoing process should have a special provision for the Niger Delta problem so that it could be solved once and for all.
He further said the proposed constitution should take the issue of fiscal federalism as paramount, adding that such federalism should be well defined, by ensuring that the Land Use Act is abrogated and the centre is made less attractive.
During the public sitting the state Chief judge, Justice Idongesit Ntemisua queried the workability of the Constitution, when the provision for financial autonomy for the judiciary and the legislature had remained unimplemented.
She further observed that such non-implementation had made state Assemblies mere rubber stamp.
The state Assembly in its final resolution rejected clauses 65, 68, 81,109, 131,178,177b, 182,228 and251 of the proposed alteration in the harmonized amendment.
Source: The Guardian, 11th July 2010.
Akpabio seeks spiritual retreat for politicians
Our Reporter.
Religious organisations in Akwa Ibom have been called upon to regularly organise spiritual retreat for political leaders in the state.
Akwa Ibom Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio made the call last Sunday at Power City International, Uyo said the retreat would help the leaders draw closer to God and imbibe the spirit of forgiveness.
Akpabio said the retreat would help to reduce frivolous petitions against government, blackmail, hired assassinations and kidnapping borne out of hatred and un-forgiveness, adding that Akwa Ibom people must embrace positive actions in their daily dealings.
"Daily people are bound to offend others or be offended by some particularly in the way one talks, walks or takes certain actions. The retreat will help in the transformation of minds and re-orientation of ill-minds from negative things '', the Governor noted.
He acknowledged the sacrifices and contributions of Power City International in siting the church at a strategic location in Uyo, noting that it had given a positive image to the state.
The governor advised residents and potential investors not to bother about few incidents of kidnapping in the state, stating that with intense prayers, it would come to an end.
Dr. Abel Damina reading from Psalms 10:10-14 and "Being a blessing to a local Church," said enemies rise and fall only for a season, urged Christian faithful to maintain respect of individuals.
Damina asked Christians to remain consistent in contributing to overall advancement in daily endeavour by overcoming offences which were bound to occur naturally irrespective of anybody's position in the society. The man of God declared that Akwa Ibom would continue to move positively and for the leaders to complete in on-going projects across the state.
Highlight of the worship session was the prayer of wisdom and divine protection for the governor.
Source: Daily Champion, 29th June 2010.
Kidnapping: Police rescue cleric, two-year-old baby
By Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo
THE Akwa Ibom State Police Command on Tuesday announced that its men have rescued a cleric proprietor of Immanuel Gospel Church Academy, Rev. Alone Edward, and a two-year-old baby from the hands of their abductors.
Also, the command said another six-month-old baby (name withheld), stolen from his parents by men suspected to be kidnappers at Ikot Oku Ubara Village, Abak Local Government Area of the state was rescued by his men, while two suspected kidnappers were arrested.
The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Walter Rugbere, told journalists that Edward was abducted by a five-man gang suspected to be kidnappers along Mbak Nsit, in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of the state.
According to Rugbere, the cleric was abducted within the premises of his school by gunmen who shot indiscriminately into the air to scare both the teachers and students before whisking away their victim in his Mercedez Benz car.
He said that a tip-off by a concerned citizen of the state made the rescue efforts by his men to free Edward possible.
"Immediately we received the information, detectives from the Anti-Kidnapping squad swung into action and rescued the victim from his abductors, and the car recovered," he said.
The two-year-old baby, he said, was kidnapped by one Utibe Akang and Sunday Atim.
Rugbere explained that the suspects were apprehended while trying to make away with the baby in Asanting Ikot Efredie Village, in Ikono Local Government Area.
The police boss identified kidnapping as the major crime in the South-South region as kidnapping, noting that the police was doing everything within its power to minimise it in the state.
Rugbere said, "I can assure you that the fight against kidnapping is total. When I came here, I told you I will make this state safe for all and we are working towards that.
"I'm not promising you that I'm going to wipe out kidnapping and armed robbery in the state. We can only reduce it to the minimum."
Source: Punch, 28th April 2010.
