PDP,APC WILL LOSE FOOTING IN 2023 - Nya Etok

By Ekemini Akpan

The pioneer national chairman of the Young Democratic Party (YDP) and the proponent of the Social Governance Idealogy, Arc. Ezekiel Nya-Etok has predicted the Waterloo of PDP and APC in the next gubernatorial elections in Akwa Ibom State.

Nya-Etok made this predictions known when he officially joined the African Democratic Congress, ADC, at the party state secretariat located at 6 Bassey   Esau street, Uyo.

Arc. Ezekiel was received into the party on Thursday, July 14, 2021 by the national chairman of ADC, High Chief Ralph Nwosu and was officially issued a membership card.

Nya-Etok revealed that by 2023 the political structure of the ruling party in the state and APC will lose their footing as the people of Akwa Ibom State are tired of the system of governance that doesn't want the youths to progress.

The social governance ideologist described the political condition of the state has being unstable and this has created what he called the dependency syndrome among the youths.

"This people want youths who will be dependent on them in the name of loyalty and they give them peanuts as the reward for this acclaimed loyalty.

"Come 2023, when I become the governor of Akwa Ibom State that sacrilege will end because I will run a youth oriented government".

Also speaking, the national chairman of ADC revealed that the party was the third force that had emerged to salvage the problems APC and PDP had created in Nigeria.

High Chief Nwosu declared that the party was all out to take over Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria come 2023 and the era of a non performing governor imposing a successor on the people has ended.

Nwosu described ADC as the only political party in Nigeria that is credible, transparent, discipline and the party's DNA is very clear as those qualities are imbedded in the party.

"We are emerging as the credible and reliable alternative for this Nation, Nigeria and Akwa Ibom State can't be left out, ADC has the interest of Nigerians at heart".

The state chairman of the party ADC, Mr Utip Etiebet revealed that Arc. Ezekiel Nya-Etok joining the party is a clear indicator that 2023 ADC is taking over Nigeria.

Etiebet described Nya-Etok as a man who believes in the youths and whose political ideology was in line with the party's policies and objectives.

"Arc. Ezekiel Nya-Etok is a big catch for our party ADC, by 2023 when the results are out and ADC has taken over Akwa Ibom we will be taking over the national assembly". He boasted.

ANIEKAN AKPAN EMERGES 7TH AKWA IBOM PDP CHAIRMAN

A former state House of Assembly member, Elder Aniekan Akpan has emerged the new chairman of  Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party.

He emerged during a Special State Congress of the Party  at the Godswill Akpabio international stadium,Uyo.

The state leader of the party,  Governor Udom Emmanuel, accompanied by his wife Martha, led other delegates to the special Congress.

Aniekan Akpan hails from Ikot Oku Usung, Ukanafun Local Government Area, and is a retired professional teacher and school  administrator.

His political profile commenced with his appointment as member, Caretaker Committee,  National Republican Convention (NRC) - 1992

He served as Secretary, Ukanafun Local  Government Council - 2000 - 2002, and was later elected executive Chairman, Ukanafun Local Government Council from 2008 - 2011.

He served as Member, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly from 2011 - 2015, before being appointed as the state Commissioner for  Education in 2015.

Elder Akpan, an elder of Qua Iboe Church of Nigeria served as a  Commissioner l, in the Local Government Service Commission from 2019 before he resigned few months ago to indicate interest in the party plum job.

As  the 7th Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Akwa Ibom State Chapter, Elder Aniekan Akpan is expected to serve out the remaining years of Obong Udo Ekpenyong's tenure which was truncated following his as sudden death earlier this year.

A'IBOM FA PROMISES PARTNERSHIP WITH AKWA IBOM STATE FOOTBALL SUPPORTERS CLUB ON FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT

By Theophilus Udo

The Akwa Ibom State Football Association chairman, Rt.Hon. Imoh Attat, has assured members of Akwa Ibom state Football Supporters Club of better days ahead as he appealed for all hands to be on deck to develop football in the state.

Imoh Attat, gave the assurance when he play host to the stakeholders and executive members of the Akwa Ibom state Football Supporters Club in Uyo the Capital of Akwa Ibom State.

According to the Akwa Ibom FA Chairman, " I want to assure you that the state FA under my leadership will make you our state supporters club to have your pride of place in our football development agenda as critical stakeholders".

The Akwa Ibom FA boss used the occasion of the courtesy visit on him to thank the Akwa Ibom state football supporters club who's major aim is to support all the state football owned clubs to victory for their understanding and sensitization of their members on COVID-19 guidelines regarding playing matches behind closed doors.

" I want to thank your leadership for working hard to ensure that fans and members of the supporters club obey the league Management Company's directives of no fans in match Venus as a way of preventing the spread of the corona virus.

"As soon as the government open the stadium gates for fans and supporters to cheer their teams, we will make sure that all the football clubs in Akwa Ibom state gets the best support in tandem with the laws governing their activities. You will be given your right of place in football promotion".

On his part, the Akwa Ibom State Supporters club chairman, Mr. Paul Hillary, said his executive and selected stakeholders were in his office to intimate him and his board of the successes and the challenges facing the Akwa Ibom Football Supporters Club since the emergence of the new leadership.

" My leadership has been up and doing in supporting football teams in the state despite the challenges of  COVID-19 pandemic.

"We came to appreciate your leadership and openness in ensuring that football stakeholders come together to make Akwa Ibom the hub of football in Nigeria.

" On our part as supporters club we will continue to do everything possible within the law to support you and football development in Akwa Ibom State.

Furthermore, Paul Hillary, hint that despite the challenges of COVID-19, Akwa Ibom State Football Supporters Club under his leadership has consistently pray and fast every Tuesday for Akwa United football club.

Naira Rain As Akwa Ibom State Athletic Association Honours Edo 2020 Medalists

 By Ekemini Akpan

Victorious team Akwa Ibom athletics contingent to the Edo2020 National Sports Festival were on Wednesday 2June, 2021 hosted to a reception and cash gifts at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

In the reception facilitated by the vice chairman Akwa Ibom State Athletic Association, Engr. Nyakeno-Abasi Patrick Akpan and Engr Akaneye Ntuk, for the contingents,   gold medals smile home with 50 thousand naira each, silver medalist went home with 30thousand naira each while  bronze medalists got 15 thousand naira each.

Members of the team were not left out of the cash gifts as they were given consolatory monies.

Speaking, Engr. Nyakeno-Abasi expressed profound joy towards the victory that was won in Benin City by the Athletes representing Akwa Ibom in the sport festival.

He admonished the Athletes to stand firm, be resolute about their passion, dreams and talents as that will be the force that will propel them to go forward when it seems like what they ventured into is not forthcoming.

"Talent can't be hidden. Today Imaobong is now an international figure sought after by 12 schools in the United States and we are all aware of how she started.

" I want to thank Coach Janet Edet, for accepting to house her and I urge all of you not to dwell in the present situation you are faced with but rather look at the brighter side of what tomorrow will bring".

Also speaking, a member of the Athletic Association board, Engr Akaninyene Ntuk thanked the Athletes for not just representing Akwa Ibom State but bringing medals to the state stating that it was a product of hard work. 

Ntuk encouraged the athletes to be steadfast and committed to trainings as all hands were on deck to ensure that their welfare, both financially and physically were properly taken care of to boost their athletic career.

Also, Comfort James who won two silver medals in the 1500 meters and 800 metres who responded on behalf of the Athletes, expressed gratitude to Engr Nyakeno-Abasi whom she referred to as Uncle Napa for his unfaltering support towards the Akwa Ibom Athletes.

She also thanked Engr Akaninyene Ntuk, and all the coaches who trained them tirelessly for the Sport Festival in Edo State.

NGO Solicits Government Intervention In The Fight Against HIV/AIDS

By Ekemini Akpan

A non governmental organization, AVAC has called on Government, donor agencies and individuals to pay more attention to HIV/AIDS preventive measures.

The sensitisation which was to create awareness on the different approved preventive measures for HIV was done by AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition (AVAC) in collaboration with Heartland Alliance LTD/GTE.

Speaking during the sensitisation, the lead person, Ms Josephine Aseme brought to limelight the different biomedical preventive measures which has been approved by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Aseme made it known that one of the major reasons the sensitisation was brought to Akwa Ibom State was as a result of the high prevalence in the State.

Josephine revealed that apart from abstinence and condoms, they were other ways people who are sexually active could remain negative. Drugs and tools were available which prevents people from getting the HIV virus. The five preventive measures she mentioned includes; Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis(PrEP), Long-Acting Injectable PrEP, Dapivirine Vaginal Ring and the Injectable Long-Acting Cabotegraver(CAB LA).

The AVAC fellow  divulged the essence of the media roundtable was to sensitised the media who will in turn using their various platforms to create awareness on this preventive measures and it availability in the State.

"We call on Media organizations to use their different platforms to create awareness of the available service delivery points.

"The donor agencies and NGOs have done their part in endorsing this newly approved biomedical preventive drugs and tools. Government should step in and ensure the availability of these preventive drugs. Allocation should also be made available for this preventive options".

Also speaking, the representative of Heartland Alliance LTD/GTE, Mr. Micheal Akanji confirmed that Akwa Ibom State was leading in the HIV/AIDS prevalence in Nigeria.

He made it known that HIV/AIDS prevalence was high among adolescents, transgenders, men sleeping with men(MSM) and sex workers. According to the research data he made available, Akwa Ibom State leads in the HIV/AIDS prevalence in Nigeria with 5.5%, and Mbo Local Government Area has the highest rate of prevalence in the State.

As at 2019, 100% per day trends in new infections were recorded in adolescents between the age range of 15-19 and among 65% of married men who were MSM.

Micheal pointed out one of the ignored ways HIV/AIDS was contacted as voluntary male circumcision. Also, due to societal pressure, most females resort to anal sex as a means of preserving their virginity and this also leads to contacting the virus.

He also emphasized on the high prevalence among sex workers staying in brothels as 19.4%, non-brothel based sex workers 8.6% and men sleeping with men who might also be married to women had the alarming percentage of 22.9%.

Akanji revealed that 14000 sex workers have been reached and about 200000 MSM haven't been reached. Drug addicts and people who have been released from correctional facilities are yet to be reached.

Sports Festival: Governor Makinde Receives Oyo State Contingents

 Edo 2020: Governor Makinde receives Oyo state athletes  

According to the Governor, "We have already started planning for an even better outing in the next sports festival. Once again, congratulations to every member of our team at the National Sports Festival, Edo 2020. You did us proud"

"We were pleased to welcome our athletes from the just-concluded #Edo2020. I congratulated our team on their brilliant performance, and told them that with our investment in sports, our target for the next festival is at least 100 gold medals."

Arc.Nyaetok Joins A.D.C, Says His Party Is Sincere On Rural Development

By Ekemini Akpan

The Pioneer National Chairman of the Young Democratic Party (YDP) and and progenitor of the Social Governance Idealogy, Arc. Ezekiel Nyaetok has officially joined the African Democratic Congress after years of being non-partisan. 

He made this known to newsmen during a press briefing at his Social Housing Estate in Nsit Ibom.

Nyaetok revealed that he was ready to become partisan as he had found a party that accepted his social governance ideology. 

According to him, "African Democratic Congress is very sincere about the development of the rural area which happens to be my primary concern when it comes to governance. 

One of the things that was delaying me, I wanted an empty party so I could be sure that they bought into my Idealogy. When you take an empty party and start the party from an ideologist standpoint, people will listen and start to buy into it. People are tired of deceit,  they are looking for something that is honest, sincere and real", he said.

Arc. Ezekiel divulged that the present governance system was not in the betterment of the rural areas as the impact of governance wasn't felt in the rural areas. He stated further that the introduction of Ward Government will give birth to employment, prosperity and progress. The Ward Government according to him, is in line with the sixth fundamental of the Social Governance Idealogy which states that "Social Governance manifests in massive investment in rural areas for their development and transformation."

Nyaetok inferred that the Ward Government will bring about Village Community Development Funds which will aid the local traders and farmers to run their businesses smoothly, and will bring about change configuration. 

He also pointed out that any party can adopt this fourth realm of Government if the desired change is to be achieved. 

Arc. Ezekiel who also spoke on the Novone Garden Housing Estate, informed that it is a public-private partnership (PPP) between Novone Consult Limited and the Federal Government of Nigeria.

"The estate is more of a model for sustainable partnership for housing development." 

Nyaetok furthered that he had to adopt the 'cut and fill' approach because the estate was going to be extremely high brow. 

The Social Governance progenitor made it known that the estate is being built with high quality infrastructure which will attract the rich, adding that the strict value of each building is 20-25million, which according to him is why the estate is gated, its roads asphalted, with optic fibre and internet connectivity to every house to ensure the work from home new normal experience.

 He maintained that some buildings will be sold while some will be rented out and that the rent will be monthly not yearly. 

Nyaetok stated that the estate is going to be an investment estate for civil servants and other indigenes who want to invest in real estate.