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.

AFCON QUALIFIERS: Hon. Iba Appeals To Nigerians To Support Super Eagles From Home

By Theophilus Udo

As the Super Eagles of Nigeria gear up for the 2021 African cup of Nations qualifiers against the leone Stars of Sierra Leone in Benin City on the 13 of this month at the Samuel  Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin. the South South boar member of the Nigeria football federation, Hon. Emmanuel Iba has appealed to football lovers to pray for the Nation and the supper Eagles.

Speaking exclusively with our sports Correspondent, Theophilus Udo,  in Uyo, Iba, said he was happy that the match will be played in the South South region but regretted that fans and lovers of the game would not be allowed access to the stadium to watch the super Eagles

Iba, while recalling his journey to the board of the Nigeria Football Federation, thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel and the commissioner of sports, sir Monday Ebong Uko for the support given to him as the state chairman of Football Association and said the only way to reciprocate the good gesture was for him to ensure that Akwa Ibom sons are appointed into various committees at the national and international football levels.

It would be recalled that the Ministry  of Youth  and Sports Development and the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19  had advised the Edo  State Government  and the  Nigerian  Football Federation  against  breaching the covid-19 protocol  by not allowing fans into the  Nations Cup game against  Sierra Leone.

Udun Uko Chairman Elect To Partner FEYREP ON Women, Youth Empowerment As AKISIEC Sets December 7 For Swearing In

By Ekemini Akpan

The Chairman Elect of Udung Uko Local Government Area in the just concluded local government polls, Mr Atanang Asuquo Osung has promised to run a women friendly administration.

Speaking with our correspondent in Uyo during the official presentation of certificate of return by AKISIEC at the Civil Service Auditorium, the newly elected chairman thanked God, his family and the entire people of Udung Uko; ascribing the victory to Udung Uko people.

 Osung who is an advocate of peace made it clear that his administration will ensure that the women of Udung Uko are not segregated. He stated that a unit will be created which will liaised with FEYREP to empower Udung Uko women.

Mr Atanang, hinted  that before the end of his tenure as chairman of Udung Uko, the local government will experience a new facelift in the area of infrastructural development and top in his priority list is the construction of a permanent road entrance to the local government council headquarters.

Osung also stressed on the need to ensure that Udung Uko youths are trained in various skills. While rolling out his plans for the youths,  he reiterated that Udung Uko youths will be trained so they can be updated with the current trends in the society.

"I will pull out the youths from the street by revamping the skill development centre to train our youths in entrepreneurship skills.

Trainings will also be done in the oil sector to prepare our youths for the oil boom that is coming to Udung Uko so they can fit in properly," Osung said.

Atanang thanked Udung Uko people for having faith and believing in him. He promised to ensure that Udung Uko becomes a destination at the end of his tenure

Meanwhile, the chairman, Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission, Mr. Aniedi Ikoewak says the commission has laide a solid foundation in the state where every 7 of December after three years will be swearing in of democratically elected council chairmen and councillors in Akwa Ibom state

Ikoewak, while speaking during the presentation of certificates of return to 31 newly elected chairmen and 367 elected councillors in Akwa Ibom state today at the Idongesite Nkanga secretariat, said all the results of the elections were declared at the unit and ward level to show the level of the commission's transparency in the elections.

The AKISEIC Chairman expressed believe that the next local government elections in Akwa Ibom will be highly compitative as the public now have confidence in the processes of the exercise.

Furthermore, he charged the newly elected officials at the third tier of government to be deligent in serving those who elected them in to office.

On his part, the commissioner for local government and chieftaincy Affairs, Him. Frank Archibong, tasked the elected local government leaders to contribute their quota to the well being of the people they are representing.

It would be recalled that elections was cancelled in ward eleven in Esit Eket local government area and will be conducted next Saturday.

LG Polls Adjudged Peaceful, Credible in Akwa Ibom, As Stakeholders Commends AKISIEC On Professionalism

 By Ekemini Akpan

Akwa Ibom State Local Government elections 2020 has been rated as one of the most peaceful and hitch free election in the State by political stalwarts, security personnel, and electorates in the state.

Speaking with our correspondent in Uyo during the elections, the member representing Uyo State Constituency, Hon. Anietie Eka expressed satisfaction on the peaceful conduct of the local government election.

Eka who is also the Chairman House Committee on Niger Delta in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly said in his unit at Obot Ibom, unit 009, Etoi 3, ward commended Akwa Ibom State Independent Election Commission (AKISIEC) for conducting credible elections and thanked the electorates for coming out enmassed to exercise their electoral franchise, adding that it has shown serious political participation among Akwa Ibom people.

Also expressing his view, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Projects Monitoring, Hon. Harrison Essien at ward 13, Oku 2, hinted that the elections was successful in his unit and maintained that  AKISIEC deserved to receive credit for the hitch free elections in the State. 

Voters at different polling unit monitored by Ibom Chronicle expressed satisfaction on the elections and hint that the outcome of the election will be acceptable by all the parties involved in the contest. 

They also thanked the executive in the state for not interfering in the elections processes by giving AKISIEC a fair ground to conduct the elections.