Governor Udom Emmanuel has called on Ward Councillors in Akwa Ibom State to be agents of peace and discipline expected of them as leaders given the task of community development

Governor Emmanuel made this known while addressing ward Councillors during a two- day Leadership Retreat, with the theme ‘Leadership for Service and Victory’ on Sunday, at Ibom Icon Hotel and Golf Resort Uyo.

The Governor said the essence of organizing the retreat for the 368 Ward Councillors in the State has been a fulfilment of his promise to prepare them with requisite leadership skills for an effective interface with the rural communities.

“The reason we pass this knowledge is that you can also use it to build your families because in your homes, families and wards, you are a leader and once you are a leader there are certain things expect of you.

“Some of you lead groups, committee, communities and you must provide leadership at wards, at any level that you have an opportunity you must provide leadership. I want you to see this as an opportunity to lead a good life”, the governor stated.

Governor Emmanuel harped on the need for Ward Councillors to inculcate loyalty as an essential leadership virtue which can stand them out in future.

Mr Emmanuel who gave reasons for neglect of the Local Government Areas, principally due to poor funding, however advocated the need for Local Government Areas to access more revenue allocation from the federal government, stressing that adequate funding and attention will serve as a major support to build thY oue rural communities.

“You need to know how much you get as a Local Government, I am one of those who still emphasize that if the grassroot must be built we need to look at the revenue allocation, take more from the center and give it to the grassroot because they are closer to the people so that we can build a stronger society”

The Chief Executive however thanked the facilitators Peculiar People Management ( PPM) in conjunction with Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, for organizing the retreat and also commended the orderliness of the ward Councillors during the retreat.

Earlier in his remarks, Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, described the councilors as leaders in their various wards and urged them not to give themselves to prejudice or allow it influence their official conduct at any time.

Dr. Ekuwem, further enjoined the councillors to be self- confident in themselves and exhibit a high sense of discipline without inferiority complex so as to lead boldly by example.

Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Frank Archibong in his welcome remarks thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel for keeping to his promise with the Councillors and called on the 368 councillors who participated to make the retreat count in order to replicate the knowledge gained at the grassroot level.

In a goodwill message, the immediate past Commissioner for Lands, Pastor Umo Eno, commended Governor Emmanuel for organizing the retreat which he noted will build capacity and ideas of the ward leaders and empower them to harness resources towards the development of the rural communities.

Also in a goodwill message, the National Coordinator, Maintain Peace Movement (MPM) Barr. Enoidem, urged councillors to take advantage of the retreat as leaders at their various communities and apply the knowledge gained positively as they have the onerous task to select leaders that will sustain the legacy of the present administration.

The Chairman of ALGON, Engr. Iniobong Robson, thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel for keeping to his promise in approving the retreat for Councillors in the state.

One of the resource persons, Dr. Maxwell Ubah, spoke on the importance of leadership and the four principles of leadership, pointing out that leadership has a generational impact and it is about securing the future of the next generation.

Certificate of participation and souvenirs were presented to all ward Councillors.

Media Unit
Govt House,Uyo
15/05/22

Tertiary Institution Consolidation Alliance (TICA), a socio-political group of senior staff from different tertiary institutions in Akwa Ibom State has drummed support for Pastor Umo Eno’s governorship aspiration.

The group whose main aim is to ensure that the relative peace enjoyed in the State is sustained had a meeting, Wednesday at Ibom e-library, where they jointly expressed their appreciation to Governor Udom Emmanuel for making peace a reality in Akwa Ibom State.

Speaking during the meeting, Comrade (Mrs) Mary Inyang, Chairperson of National Association of Academic Technologists, Uniuyo Branch and Coordinator, Tertiary Institutions Consolidation Alliance (TICA) noted that the group was formed to support peace, development in the State and also to sustain the peace that is already being enjoyed through support for Pastor Umo Eno.

“We have moved together as members of staff of different tertiary institutions to form this group and to stand with the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, who has made it possible for us to be in peace and also to support the incoming Governor”

Also speaking during the meeting, Comrade (Mrs) Anietie Attai Chairperson, Women Labor Committee while commending the Governor for commissioning so many projects in the State including educational infrastructure, said that Tertiary Institution Consolidation Alliance (TICA) was birthed in support of the Government.

She further noted that the group is a coalition of individuals with like-minds from different tertiary institutions that came together to form the body with the common goal of appreciating what the Governor has done so far and to support him to even do more through Pastor Eno, who will make the State to continue to enjoy the relative peace it’s enjoying presently.

Addressing the group, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Mr Essien Ndueso, said God’s mercy made him sent a Governor like Mr Emmanuel who has stopped at nothing in ensuring that there is peace in the State.

He said the Governor went further to ensure that Akwa Ibom lost its status as a civil service state, with the establishment of several industries, the latest being the Coconut Oil Factory billed for commissioning.

Mr Ndueso also expressed his support and excitement for the move and commended the group’s decision to throw its full weight on Pastor Umo Eno, adding that the group’s essence of coming together is undeniably defined by sound principles.

“I am elated to be associated with this forum. It is not very common to see a group of people who come together independently without any prompting to come and take the right decisions especially in the Nigeria of today.”

The Governor’s Aide further described Pastor Umo Eno as a man of peace, God-fearing, and sociable who on his own, and without any government funding, was able to establish and manage several thriving businesses.

“Pastor Umo Eno is not someone that is coming to the State to settle any political baggage, he is someone who on his own prowess, was able to establish a business and that business has been able to thrive.

“We need someone who can manage businesses and harness the potentials of our young persons to grow”

On the ongoing strike action that has crippled academic activities in tertiary institutions, Mr Ndueso lamented that those in authorities were paying lip services to education because of lack of interest and joined the call for an end to the impasse.

“I am surprised that recently airline owners threatened a strike action and the federal government hurriedly settled the grey areas and the strike was prevented, whereas lecturers have been ignored while then federal government owned tertiary institutions remain under locks and key.

“This is why we must make sure we look out for leaders with credible antecedents in the ongoing transition exercise, so that the country can be liberated”, he added.

Also present at the meeting were Special Assistant to the Governor on Project Monitoring, Mr Uwemedimo Umanah, Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media, Mr Aniekeme Finbarr, Special Assistant to the Govenror on ICT, Engr. Solomon Eyo, Nsipmong Ikpoto- NAAT Chairman Akwa Ibom State University, and a host of others.

All is now set for the commissioning of the St. Gabriel Coconut Refinery sited Mkpat Enin,Akwa Ibom State, following the successful test running of the factory.

The multi-billion naira value-chain facility which would create thousands of job opportunities for Akwa Ibom people wil be inaugurated on Friday by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo,SAN following its completion by the Turkish firm, VKS.

The factory is expected to employ over 3000 direct workers and has the capacity to crack 1,000,000 nuts a day.

The St. Gabriel’s Coconut Oil Factory Project, a major industrial investment by Akwa Ibom State Government comprises of a factory complex complete with administrative offices, production areas, technical spaces, industrial firefighting systems, water treatment plants, effluent treatment plants and residential quarters for technical and managerial staff as well as parking areas for several raw materials bearing vehicles.

The project is located in the serene environment of Ikot Akpan Okop village, along the East West Road in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area. The project execution was flagged off by Governor Udom Emmanuel during a ground-breaking ceremony on May 24th, 2017.

Recall that a whooping 2million fast yeilding hybrid coconut trees had been planted on an 11,000 hectare of land at the St Gabriel plantation in a swampland spanning Mkpat Enin, Ikot Abasi and Eastern Obolo Local Government Areas. Similarly, the Government has ensured that coconuts are cultivated at Okobo, Okon -Eket and other locations in the State.

This makes it the largest coconut plantation in Africa, and the most ambitious coconut project in the world. All this is a conscious effort by the visionary leadership of Governor Udom Emmanuel to prepare Akwa Ibom State, which is Nigeria highest crude oil producing State from over reliance on petroleum.

Media Unit
Govt House, Uyo
Akwa Ibom State
12/05/22