RETIRED A'IBOM PERMANENT SECRETARY KIDNAPPED

By Abasiofiok Inyang

The recent kidnap activities taking place in Akwa Ibom State has taken a frightening dimension following the kidnapped of a retired Permanent Secretary in the State, one Mr Ignatius Brown.

Our correspondent gathered that Brown was kidnapped on Sunday in his Abak resident shortly after he returned from church service. He worships at St John's Pro-Cathedral, Abak and was returning from church service when the men of the underworld swooped on him as he was about entering his compound, located behind Abak Township Stadium.

Brown who was a Permanent Secretary during former Governor Godswill Akpabio administration , is said to hails from Etinan Local Government Area but has been a long time resident of Abak.

It was further gathered that the victim has lived a very quiet life after he retired from service and he is said not to be involved in politics.

A family source told our correspondent that the three kidnapped gang trailed the victim from the church to his house and blocked him when he was about entering his compound. The sons of the devil was said to have fired several gunshots to scare away other residents of the area and then whisked him away to an unknown destination. They are yet to contact the family.

Residents of the area who spoke with our correspondent under strict anonymity, expressed fear of the resurgence activities of kidnappers and called for quick intervention by government and security agents.

It would be recalled that kidnap for ransom has gain grounds in recent times in Abak, Etim Ekpo, Oruk Anam, Mkpat Enin and other parts of the State. Two months ago, a principal of Madonna Secondary School, Oruk Anam Local Government Area was kidnapped by gunmen and was released after payment of ransom. A radio evangelist and founder of Solid Rock Kingdom Church, Pastor John Ekoriko was kidnapped in church premises, in Mkpat Enin. Two Igbo business men were also kidnapped in Abak and released after payment of ransom.

When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Odiko MacDon said he was yet to get report on the kidnap case and promised to communicate same. However, a senior police officer in Abak Division who preferred anonymity, confirmed the kidnapped incident and said that the the Division is working round the clock to get the kidnappers and the victim released unhurt.

OBA AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND THE FUTURE OF AKWA IBOM

By Ishmael Esenam

Senator Bassey Albert Akpan (OBA) loved on October 22, 2022 that he is fully prepared to positively change the deplorable economic situation in Akwa Ibom state,  when he formally presented his blueprint tagged POSITIVE IMPACT AGENDA!

In it are grouped Five Strategic Pillars:

1. Agriculture and Rural Development

2. Education, Health and Social Services

3. Economic Prosperity and Infrastructure

4. Security, Environment and Tourism

5. Administrative Reforms and Completion of Projects.

This article will focus on agriculture.

Having traversed the entire state from his days as finance commissioner and Chairman of Inter Ministerial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee, with full knowledge of what the state and her people need, OBA considers agricultural development a game changer.

Agriculture, he reasons, is one sector that every government must give attention to. And as captured in the blueprint, OBA's government intends to prioritize on it.

In Ini and Ikono, for instance, OBA’s plan to collaborate with the private sector to transform the area into a major rice belt in the South - South, in order to open the area for major economic opportunities and employment. 

He has identified difficulty in transportation of farm produce from the local areas to other places of needs, hence, the plan to build roads that connect the Eastern Ibibio and other cities for ease of transit.

Oil palm is another natural gift to Akwa Ibom people. In the 1980s, some Malaysians visited  Oruk Anam and took samples of oil palm and developed them. As a result, they are today known as a major exporter of oil palm the world over. 

To restore the lost glory of the state, OBA has promised that as governor, one of his programmes will include  developing areas that produce oil palm into major hubs for domestic and industrial purposes. 

Agriculture will boost the economy, provide employment for our teeming youths, feed our people and even feed others, as farm produce will be exported, too.

Our land is blessed with natural resources, for instance, in the riverine areas of the state. More than 60% of our people in the area are fish farmers. And overtime, their business has met a host of many challenges such as lack of road to either transport their aquatic commodities from production base to consumers. 

As OBA told the Udung Uko, Mbo and Oron people on 25th October, 2022 during his ward - to - ward campaign, he will build roads that link the fish farmers and consumers of the commodities.

OBA also has in store for the people, a method of mechanized fish farming that will help grow their fish farming business.

Still in our dear state, some sections are blessed with other agricultural produce, as our lands are always fertile. And of course, each area is conducive for respective crops like rice, millet, sorghum, cassava, etc.

The federal government has put in place some restrictions as to importation of some commodities including rice. OBA's Government will leverage on this by making the local governments that produce rice a major rice hub, placing our state on a pedestal of exporter of rice. 

As OBA told the people of Ini in March, 2022 during his consultative visits to local government areas, he will provide all necessary implements to the locals as well boost their productivities through financial grants,  construction of roads linking the producers to the consumers, as well as provide enabling environment to them.

In line with his blueprint, OBA's Government will encourage farmers to thrive through series of programmes, support, project implementation, enabling community development, etc.

It is such a golden opportunity to have an OBA in a state like ours especially in times like this. As it is symbolized by the fresh leaves, our state will return to the path of freshness, growth and development, when OBA takes over leadership position next year.

OBA IS COMMITTED TO PROMISES MADE TO ORO NATION -MRS ALBERT

It was a carnival like atmosphere as Pastor Mrs Imaobong Bassey Albert, the wife of the YPP Governorship Candidate visits Okobo women today. The surprise visit which took place at Ikono Offi, the country home of Oro business Mogul and phylantropist Chief Jerry Okpo was to appreciate Okobo women over their unwavering support for the actualisation of Senator Bassey Albert's aspiration come 2023.

Speaking at the event Mrs Imaobong Albert called for a total support for her husband from Okobo women and people with the assurance that her husband is committed to his promises to Oro people especially the Ibaka Deep Seaport and access roads across the five local government areas of Oro nation. According to her, " One thing I can assure about my husband is his love for his people and commitment to sincere industrialization and development of the state. My husband thinks, walks, sleeps and dreams the development of Akwa Ibom State. He is sincere and non Political about the construction of the Ibaka Deep Seaport, revamping of the fishing terminals, empowerment of women and youths as well as the actualisation of the Akwa Ibom dreams. My husband is poised to ensuring an all inclusive governance with emphasis on the poor. I equally promise to carry our women along, she concluded.

In her opening remark, the host Mrs Arit Jerry Okpo called for support from Okobo women as a vote for OBA is vote for self liberation, economic revival and an all inclusive governance. She promised to continue to mobilise support for Senator Bassey Albert.

Also speaking at the event, the wife of the deputy governorship candidate and former President General of Oron Union Chief Mrs Janet Amba advised Okobo women to remain unshaken because 2023 will mark the end of the years of locusts in Akwa Ibom State. Highlights of the event was the presentation of gift items to over five hundred women.

YOUTHS, WOMEN TO FORM HUB OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN MBO - OBA

Youths and women are to form the pivot of socio-economic development in Mbo Local Government, as Senator Bassey Albert Akpan, the YPP governorship candidate, promises to turn the area into a commercial hub for the entire Gulf of Guinea.

He told Mbo people on October 25, 2022, while on ward campaign tour to the area, that the women will benefit from soft loans and the youths will  get

targeted training for skill set and certification,  in preparation for take-off of the Deep Seaport in Ibaka, once he becomes the governor.

The senator  said, "your leaders have already told me what you need. Our government will empower you. Our women will get small grants to do business. For the youths, we are not only giving you free education, but free and qualitative education". 

In line with his blueprint, some Mbo indigenes are to be carefully trained in relevant areas such as: engineering, transport and logistics management, industrial welding and fabrication, maritime law, dockyard operations and management, seafaring, marine engineering and oceanography, environmental impact assessment, pollution management, safety, and other related fields.

OBA decried the level of hunger currently experienced in the state amidst plenty. “There is hunger in Akwa Ibom, and you cannot vote for continuity of hunger, but for positive  change, and that positive change will come through YPP", he said.

It was another opportunity for retirees and civil servants to be hopeful of a better deal as OBA said "gratuities will be paid, leave grants will be paid, pensions will be paid. Civil servants will enjoy from their labour".

He encouraged them to “Vote all YPP candidates, we are the people to change your story positively. As your Governor, I will not sign any road contract unless I have singed the Ibaka Deep Seaport road. We will do all this when you bring us in", the guber flagbearer added.

In the same vein,  the state chairman of YPP, Apostle Nyeneime Andy said all candidates of the party will attend to the needs of  Akwa Ibom people, when voted into offices.

"Our governorship candidate is talk-and-do leader. All he has assured he will do. He will build the Ibaka Deep Seaport", Andy assured.

Adding to the position of the state chairman, the chairman of Akwa Ubok Abasi Campaign Council, Sir Emem Akpabio said he came to Mbo with  the man who will change the story of Mbo.

 "I came with a man who does not lie. He is competent, qualified; he will lead the people well. Through him, your story will change.

While setting the tone, the Director - General of Akwa Ubok Abasi Campaign Council, Pastor Sunny Ibuot, who thanked Mbo people for patiently waiting for the entourage, said a new thing is about to happen in Akwa Ibom.

"The new thing is that we have found a good Governor who will attend to the needs of the people, send your children to school, pay gratuities to retirees, stop hunger, give jobs to the youths and others", Pastor Ibuot assured.

He urged the people to embrace the fresh leaves, the symbol of YPP,  which he assured will birth a new Akwa Ibom.

Chairman Akwa Ubok Abasi Campaign Council in Mbo, Chief Eddie Abang, who said he had already enumerated the problems of the Mbo people in April, 2022 during the last visit of Senator Bassey Albert,  assured that as the next Governor, OBA will reposition the state for the better.

OBA PLEDGE TO PAY GRATUITY, PENSIONS AND THIRTEEN MONTH SALARIES TO CIVIL SERVANTS

The end of the  sufferings of the retired civil servants and that of primary school teachers in Akwa Ibom state is in sight.

This hope was raised by Senator Bassey Albert Akpan, gubernatorial candidate of the YPP on Saturday 22nd October, 2022 during the gubernatorial flag - off of governorship and house of assembly campaigns of the Young Progressives Party (YPP).

OBA who promised to make every Akwa Ibom person a stakeholder in his government, said soon, all pensioners will cry no more.

"Our government will immediately set up modalities for the settlement of outstanding accumulated pensions and gratuities both at the local government and state levels to arrest the massive mortality rate of retirees after their selfless service to the state", OBA assured.

OBA said his government will be civil service friendly, as imprest, allowances, leave grants and general welfare of civil servants will be considered a priority.

For ease of development in the rural areas, OBA promised that his government "will give a facelift to local government areas beginning from the headquarters",  assuring that the local administrations will have the autonomy so that they can perform.

EFFIONG AKWA SACKED FROM NDDC SOLE ADMINISTRATION ROLE

President Muhamadu Buhari has sacked the Sole Administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Effiong Akwa.

No reason was given for the removal of the NDDC boss, who was appointed in October

In a statement by the Director of Press, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Patricia Deworitshe, the President also announced the constitution of a new management team and Governing Board of the NDDC.

According to the statement, the Board nominees will be announced later.