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South-South: Akwa Ibom stood still for Obong Victor Attah

Last Friday, September 6, Uyo, the capital of the oil-rich Akwa Ibom State, erupted in a carnival of songs, dance and drumming as Obong Victor Attah, former governor of the state, was treated to a grand reception by the elders and people of the state “in appreciation of his meritorious services to the state and humanity in general as well as welcome him back from the just-concluded National Conference where he served with his characteristic mastery and polish as the co-chairman of the Committee on Resource Control.”
Literally speaking, Obong Attah turned down the law of respect, especially with the adage that asserts that “A king lacks no honour, except in his country home”.
People of Ibibio race, the world over gathered at the prestigious Assan Ibibio to honour a hero , who fought gallantly to restore the integrity of every Akwa Ibom persons.
It was like a reunion of all his political associates and former members of his government. We saw Obonganwan Rita Akpan, former Minister of Women Affairs, who served as the first Secretary to Government (SSG) in the Attah administration; Mr. Umana Okon Umana, immediate past SSG in the state and Commissioner for Finance in Attah’s time; Chief Kanu Agabi, a former minister of Justice and Attorney General, who delivered the key note address; former governor Of Edo state, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, amongst other VVIPs.
Obong Attah is a very influential political leader in Akwa Ibom, towering national figure, and an accomplished architect. He cut his political teeth in national politics in 1994, when he was appointed member of the 1994/95 Constituent Assembly which wrote the operating 1999 Constitution of the nation.

THE SEARCH FOR ‘FACE OF NIGER DELTA’ BEGINS IN CALABAR
Wednesday, September 3, 2014, all roads led to the beautiful city of Calabar, as it played host to the first in the series of auditions for Face of Niger Delta Cultural Pageant 2014, with the theme Towards the Niger Delta of our dream. According to the project’s Media Consultant, Mr. Prince Simeon, “The Calabar audition was to cater for registrations received from Akwa Ibom, Abia and Cross River states.”
According to managing director of Gold House Productions and event progenitor. Kelly Godwin Attah, the vision of the pageant is to inspire and unite the people and produce a cultural ambassador.
The Calabar Audition was held at Etaval Hotel on the prestigious Ibom Layout. Other auditions will be held in Benin, Edo state, for registrations received from Edo, Delta and Ondo states, while that of Rivers, Bayelsa and Imo states will take place in Port Harcourt.
The star prize for Face of Niger Delta 2014 Cultural Pageant is a brand new Kia salon car, while the runner up wins a trip to Sun City-South Africa, and other consolation prizes courtesy Niger Delta Development Commission.
The Face of Niger Delta Cultural Pageant event is scheduled to hold on Friday, October 10, 2014, at the prestigious Le’ Meridien Ibom Hotel & Golf Resort with the organizers promising, amongst other surprises, the best display of the cultures of Nigeria’s oil rich Niger Delta region.

GOVERNORS AKPABIO, KWANKWASO, AMOSUN AND YERO, BAG NIGERIA ARISE AWARDS

Akpabio
Akpabio

Recently at the Holiday Inn Regents Park, London, another feather was added to the already over-crowded award of the Akwa Ibom State governor. Chief Godswill Akpabio, CON.
He was honoured with the Most Outstanding Governor in Infrastructural Development award by the Dr. Alistair Soyode-led-Nigeria Arise Team which put together the Nigeria Arise Series and Award 2014 as a way of branding, motivating and encouraging our leaders, mentors, individuals, government and corporate institutions who have contributed to the development/image of Nigeria.
Aside Akpabio, Kaduna State governor Mukhtar Yero was appointed Nigeria Arise Peace Ambassador 2014, Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso – Nigeria Arise Youths/SME 2014, Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun – Nigeria Arise Most Industrially-Developed State 2014 and HRH, Oba Tejuoso – Nigeria Arise Goodwill Ambassador 2014 amongst several others.
The evening -long event celebrated the strengths and qualities of Nigerians with a host of some of the continent’s most recognised names and voices who inspired, encouraged and informed through their talks and speeches.
In its sixth year, Nigeria Arise Award – an offshoot of Nigeria Arise – is a global landmark occasion for Nigerians, and those with a passion for the Nation. Each year, residents across Africa, the USA, the UK and other European countries travel to London to attend this inspirational dinner and award.

Amosun
Amosun

The event delivered an excellent package and diversity as seen in the attendance such as the former governor of Abia State Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, former Managing Director of GT Bank/Former VP to AC Mr. Fola Adeola, Izan Zazzau, etc. Performance was provided by Ben TV live band and international artiste, Daddy Showkey.
Meanwhile, Akpabio whose award was presented to him by His Excellency, Joslyn Whiteman, Grenada Ambassador in the UK, is presently on a two-week working leave in the United States of America. He is expected back to our shores by the end of next week.

CRHA LAWMAKERS AFTER SPEAKER, LARRY ODEH
As we speak, 18 out of the 25 members of the Cross River State House of Assembly have asked the Speaker, Hon. Larry Odey to resign or face impeachment. Crises started after the approval of the resolution that the governor sent to the House to approve a N40billion Bond Issue for the state government to enable it renegotiate the state debt.

Larry Odey
Larry Odey

The members, who have now been christened G-18 are accusing the speaker and other principal officers of high-handedness and not carrying them along in the decision to approve the Bond. Irked by the development, they have started collecting signatures to pressurize the Speaker to resign or they will commence impeachment proceedings against him.
The G-18 also raised a 10-point demand which the Speaker must address immediately, if he must continue in office. The demands are basically welfare issues of the members. We learnt at the peak of the crisis, the Speaker ran to the governor, who intervened and called a meeting between the two warring factions.
Aside Governor Liyel Imoke, the leadership of the party, through the state Chairman, Ntufam John Okon as well as the Deputy Governor, Efiok Cobham have all intervened, asking them to sheath their swords but they insist that certain conditions must first be met by the speaker before they can consider changing their minds.
The members were expected to have another meeting with the deputy governor over the weekend to see how the matter could be resolved.

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Written by Encomium

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