2015 Poll: Ibibio, Oro Locked in Secret Onslaught
By Franklyn Isong
2015 governorship race in Akwa Ibom state seems to be a fight of the fittest between the two ethnic groups of Ibibio and Oro as several sponsored political groups have emerged from both tribes canvassing support for the zoning of the state top job to its zone, our checks show.
Akwa Ibom state is made up of three major ethnic groups of Ibibio, Annang and Oro. While the people of Oro nation are known to be gearing up towards occupying the governorship seat in 2015, the major ethnic group in the state, Ibibio has reportedly asked them to wait as, according to them, the seat was bound to return back to the Ibibios who ceded to Annang in 2007/2011.
It is established that Akwa Ibom State is made up of 31 local government areas, out of which Ibibio race has 14 local government areas spread across the three senatorial districts of Uyo and Eket and Ikot Ekpene, and Oro has 5 local government areas located along the coast line of Eket Senatorial District.
Already the area (Oron) has produced a deputy governor, several state chairmen of political parties including PDP, senators for Eket Senatorial District, and other top government officials, including ambassadors and ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, according to our checks.
However, bids by Oro nation to clinch the governorship position of the state have always remained a mirage because of its little political straight, and as an Ibibio elder who spoke with this paper on grounds of anonymity put it, “politics is a game of numbers, and so if they (Oro nation) must look for the state’s top job in 2015, it must be after 2015 because the seat is there for us in 2015. This is non-negotiable and not contestable.”
Weekly Insight spoke with some prominent Ibibio elders last week in Uyo on the 2015 power struggle between the two ethnic groups, and they maintained that Oro nation has always had its fair share in government of the day in the state. They observed that right from the administrations of late Obong Akpan Isemin, Obong Victor Attah and down to that of Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio the area has always been duly represented in the so-called tripod arrangement in the state.
They said, “it was the Ibibios that ceded power to Annangs in 2007/2011 because they lobbied the Ibibios for it, and sought their support and entered into an accord with the Ibibios. Oro nation has always felt that it could just jump into the race for governorship without due consultations with other major ethnic groups in the state.
“If they have consulted us, we would have advised them on the right time to look for the governorship seat of the state. As it stands, no elder in Ibibio land has been consulted by any Oro man for that office else they would have known our position on the 2015 governorship position.
“There is no how we can negotiate with the Oro nation for 2015. The power must first return back to Ibibio land in 2015 before we consider any other ethnic group for it; but in 2015, the power comes back to the Ibibios irrespective of the zone, whether Eket Sen. District, Uyo Sen. District or even Ibibios of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District.”
However, a former commissioner in the state from Mbo LGA of Oro extraction, Hon. Chris AbasiEyo, has while fielding question on the matter in a telephone conversation from Abuja yesterday, told this paper that the governorship position of the state was a constitutional right of every Akwa Ibom citizen irrespective of ethnic group.
He argued that the Ibibios and Annangs have taken shots at the office and that they should support the Oro nation for the top job.
Chief Eyo who preferred to be addressed as the Crown Prince of Bakassi Peninsula, said that no Oro indigene would support any candidate to the office in 2015 from Eket Senatorial District if the candidate is not from the Oro nation, noting that if the office goes to either Ikot Abasi or Eket Federal Constituency, Oro people would further be marginalized in the state because as it stands, “we have been sidelined because the deputy governor is from Ikot Abasi in Eket Senatorial District.”
He contended that it would be better for Oro people to work for aspirants from Uyo Senatorial District than Eket Senatorial District.
He assured that there were ongoing consultations and dialogue with the Ibibios to step down for Oro nation so that the tripod can be said to be respected in the interest of equity and fair-play.
Meanwhile, a member of the Oro Union confided in this paper that some senior politicians from the area held a meeting in Abuja in the residence of one of theirs who is occupying a sensitive position in President Goodluck Jonathan’s government, disclosing that the meeting took a critical view of the state politics and the 2015 governorship seat. He hinted that out of about nine possible aspirants for the seat, three whom the meeting considered serious and fit were adopted to work with at the moment.
The source further added that these names were still subject to change as “in politics change is permanent,” noting that the three names would soon be presented to an enlarged meeting of Oro people before they are forwarded to the ruling PDP as candidates for the governorship position of the party.
At the moment, there are several groups working for one candidate or the other from both ethnic groups in the state.
Meanwhile, a prominent elder statesman in Ibibio politics, Elder Joe Udobia, has argued that “Oro people have jumped the gun”, saying that Akwa Ibom State was not created on ethnic basis.
The former Special Adviser to Obong Victor Attah on Political and Legislative Matters stressed that “what the Oro people should be asking for should be power shift to Eket Senatorial District,” noting that “thereafter, the district can sit on a round table to agree on which federal constituency to zone the position to.”
Further on the issue, the leader of an apex Ibibio socio-cultural organization in the state, the Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio, Ntisong Essien Udo Ekidem, has hinted that the body will summon a meeting of pan-Ibibio political leaders in the state to take a position on the matter this week.
Sunday 29 January 2012
One for Eight Initiative Ends Symposium, Identifies Means of Maintaining Ethnic Harmony
A socio-political group in Akwa Ibom state, One For Eight Initiative has ended its Vox-pop and symposium on identifying and managing socio-political conflicts in Nigeria, held at the Amazing Grace Center Uyo. The group, which is principally concerned with the promotion of justice, equity, fair play, and accountability in the practice of governance, asserted that it went into the symposium as a result of the escalating incidents of violence across the country, especially the threat of the Boko Haram group in the north.
The guest speaker was Prof. Celestine Bassey of the University of Calabar, an international consultant, former Directing Staff/Sabbatical Fellow of National War College, Abuja and, visiting Fulbright Scholar at William Penn University, IOWA, USA.
In a communiqué issued after the event and signed by the group’s Prime Minister, Akparawa Godwin Ntuk Udeh and the National Secretary, Dr Martyns Udo Inyang, the group noted that the size of the country was a huge advantage that should be maintained by doing everything possible to retain the unity of the country. “In a multi-ethnic and culturally diverse country as Nigeria with a population of over 160 million, there will always be periodic conflicts and, management of the conflict has to do with the ability to control and contain the situation in such a way as not to impede the normal functioning of the Nigerian society”
On Boko Haram, the communiqué read, “For each conflict as typified by the Boko Haram insurgency, there is always a face or faces behind the shadow. Efforts should be intensified by trained security agencies through intelligence gathering mechanisms to penetrate the shadows by infiltration of the ranks of the gangsters.”
The group identified, “Increasing and pervasive hunger, widespread starvation and malnutrition; Growing destitution and begging on the streets by increasing number of old and young Nigerians; Massive and rising unemployment provoking the incidence of “checking out” and “brain drain”; Struggle for limited political space as well as ethnic and religious conflicts; Contest for access to resources and persistence in claims over territorial space; Large number of business closures; Collapsed and decaying educational and health facilities; Decay in infrastructure such as oil refineries, roads, railways, airways, etc; Diminishing power generation;
Environmental degradation; Policy inconsistency, lack of accountability, mismanagement and institutionalized corruption; Existence of private militias that were established, funded, used and dumped”, as causes of the crisis rocking the country.
They therefore, called “For the policy response of government to be effective in terms of preventing the intensification of spread of current or existing violent conflicts in Nigeria, it must be multi-dimensional, holistic and targeted. The concern of the Federal Government should not just be on enhancing the instrumental capacity of the security apparatus through a trillion naira budget, but also to address the fundamental sources of the generative factors (both structural and psycho-cultural) that cause and sustain the violent spectrum of conflict in Nigeria;
“The government, as a matter of urgency, should address the sources (social and political context) of terrorism and sectarian challenges to the Nigerian State: mass poverty, unemployment, alienation, “predatory, economic strategies, mal-development and the inequitable distribution of resources which generate and feed the spiral violence”
The guest speaker was Prof. Celestine Bassey of the University of Calabar, an international consultant, former Directing Staff/Sabbatical Fellow of National War College, Abuja and, visiting Fulbright Scholar at William Penn University, IOWA, USA.
In a communiqué issued after the event and signed by the group’s Prime Minister, Akparawa Godwin Ntuk Udeh and the National Secretary, Dr Martyns Udo Inyang, the group noted that the size of the country was a huge advantage that should be maintained by doing everything possible to retain the unity of the country. “In a multi-ethnic and culturally diverse country as Nigeria with a population of over 160 million, there will always be periodic conflicts and, management of the conflict has to do with the ability to control and contain the situation in such a way as not to impede the normal functioning of the Nigerian society”
On Boko Haram, the communiqué read, “For each conflict as typified by the Boko Haram insurgency, there is always a face or faces behind the shadow. Efforts should be intensified by trained security agencies through intelligence gathering mechanisms to penetrate the shadows by infiltration of the ranks of the gangsters.”
The group identified, “Increasing and pervasive hunger, widespread starvation and malnutrition; Growing destitution and begging on the streets by increasing number of old and young Nigerians; Massive and rising unemployment provoking the incidence of “checking out” and “brain drain”; Struggle for limited political space as well as ethnic and religious conflicts; Contest for access to resources and persistence in claims over territorial space; Large number of business closures; Collapsed and decaying educational and health facilities; Decay in infrastructure such as oil refineries, roads, railways, airways, etc; Diminishing power generation;
Environmental degradation; Policy inconsistency, lack of accountability, mismanagement and institutionalized corruption; Existence of private militias that were established, funded, used and dumped”, as causes of the crisis rocking the country.
They therefore, called “For the policy response of government to be effective in terms of preventing the intensification of spread of current or existing violent conflicts in Nigeria, it must be multi-dimensional, holistic and targeted. The concern of the Federal Government should not just be on enhancing the instrumental capacity of the security apparatus through a trillion naira budget, but also to address the fundamental sources of the generative factors (both structural and psycho-cultural) that cause and sustain the violent spectrum of conflict in Nigeria;
“The government, as a matter of urgency, should address the sources (social and political context) of terrorism and sectarian challenges to the Nigerian State: mass poverty, unemployment, alienation, “predatory, economic strategies, mal-development and the inequitable distribution of resources which generate and feed the spiral violence”
34 new Projects Spring up in Two Akwa Ibom Communities
A new lease of life was injected in two local government areas of Akwa Ibom State as 34 new projects were inaugurated by Governor Godswill Akpabio within the week.
The projects inaugurated in Uruan and Etim Ekpo local government were 23 school blocks, five mini electricity, a solar powered-water project at Mbiaya Uruan, two health facilities at Nwaniba Uruan and Ibiaku Ishiet, and a civic center at Mbiaya Uruan
At Uruan, it was a joyous occasion Chief Akpabio inaugurated sixteen projects executed through the inter-ministerial direct labour co-ordinating committee.
At each project site in Uruan, the Governor, Chief Akpabio who was represented by his Special Adviser on Political and Legislative Affairs Mr. Samuel Frank said the projects were in fulfillment of his promise to the people of the state.
The Governor called the people of the area to use the projects judiciously and urged them to be vigilant and protect the facilities from vandals.
He thanked the people of Uruan for their warm reception and promised to execute more projects there.
The women and school children were not left out of the carnival of some sort as they turned up in large numbers welcoming the governor with songs of appreciation.
The transition Chairman of Uruan Local Government Area Mr. Anthony Akan presented a portrait to the Governor saying that the Uruan people commended his efforts in transforming the area, promising him that the inaugurated projects will be taken good care of
The Chairman Inter-ministerial Direct Labour Co-ordinating Committee and Commissioner for Finance Mr. Bassey Albert Akpan enumerated projects for Uruan in the last four years to include electrification, classroom blocks and mini-scheme water.
A chieftain from the area, Prince Obong Ekpe Atakpa noted that the Governor has made positive impact on the lives of Uruan people and called on them to continue to support the present administration.
The school children in Ekpene Ukim, the principal Mr. Adams, the paramount ruler of Uruan, Edidem Eba Ekanem expressed deep thanks to the Governor for his good deeds.
Similarly, the people of Etim Ekpo Local Government Area pledged total solidarity to the administration of chief Dr. Godswill Obot Akpabio for restoring the lost glory of Etim Ekpo.
They expressed their feeling during the occasion of the inter-ministerial direct labour commissioning of projects as the executive Governor commissioned 18 projects in the Local Government Area.
They transition Chairman Mr Uduot Jack on behalf of his people presented a portrait to his excellence saying it is a symbol of love and appreciation from the people of Etim Ekpo for his kept promises.
Also speaking, the Commissioner of Housing and Urban Renewal Barrister Emmanuel Enoidem said his people were happy with Gov Akpabio for bringing the dividends of democracy to Etim Ekpo Local Government Area.
Responding, the executive Governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Environment Prince Enobong Uwah said his administration places emphasis on the welfare of the people by giving adequate infrastructure, free compulsory and qualitative education.
Governor Akpabio gave kudos to people of Etim Ekpo and charged them to safeguard the projects, as it will please the government to do more.
The projects inaugurated in Uruan and Etim Ekpo local government were 23 school blocks, five mini electricity, a solar powered-water project at Mbiaya Uruan, two health facilities at Nwaniba Uruan and Ibiaku Ishiet, and a civic center at Mbiaya Uruan
At Uruan, it was a joyous occasion Chief Akpabio inaugurated sixteen projects executed through the inter-ministerial direct labour co-ordinating committee.
At each project site in Uruan, the Governor, Chief Akpabio who was represented by his Special Adviser on Political and Legislative Affairs Mr. Samuel Frank said the projects were in fulfillment of his promise to the people of the state.
The Governor called the people of the area to use the projects judiciously and urged them to be vigilant and protect the facilities from vandals.
He thanked the people of Uruan for their warm reception and promised to execute more projects there.
The women and school children were not left out of the carnival of some sort as they turned up in large numbers welcoming the governor with songs of appreciation.
The transition Chairman of Uruan Local Government Area Mr. Anthony Akan presented a portrait to the Governor saying that the Uruan people commended his efforts in transforming the area, promising him that the inaugurated projects will be taken good care of
The Chairman Inter-ministerial Direct Labour Co-ordinating Committee and Commissioner for Finance Mr. Bassey Albert Akpan enumerated projects for Uruan in the last four years to include electrification, classroom blocks and mini-scheme water.
A chieftain from the area, Prince Obong Ekpe Atakpa noted that the Governor has made positive impact on the lives of Uruan people and called on them to continue to support the present administration.
The school children in Ekpene Ukim, the principal Mr. Adams, the paramount ruler of Uruan, Edidem Eba Ekanem expressed deep thanks to the Governor for his good deeds.
Similarly, the people of Etim Ekpo Local Government Area pledged total solidarity to the administration of chief Dr. Godswill Obot Akpabio for restoring the lost glory of Etim Ekpo.
They expressed their feeling during the occasion of the inter-ministerial direct labour commissioning of projects as the executive Governor commissioned 18 projects in the Local Government Area.
They transition Chairman Mr Uduot Jack on behalf of his people presented a portrait to his excellence saying it is a symbol of love and appreciation from the people of Etim Ekpo for his kept promises.
Also speaking, the Commissioner of Housing and Urban Renewal Barrister Emmanuel Enoidem said his people were happy with Gov Akpabio for bringing the dividends of democracy to Etim Ekpo Local Government Area.
Responding, the executive Governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Environment Prince Enobong Uwah said his administration places emphasis on the welfare of the people by giving adequate infrastructure, free compulsory and qualitative education.
Governor Akpabio gave kudos to people of Etim Ekpo and charged them to safeguard the projects, as it will please the government to do more.
A breach of trust… by Paul Inyang
There is so much going on in our country that it is difficult to know where to start. Our country is in dire straits and it seems like the reckoning has come. I am hopeful that though loosely tethered this may not be our last gasp as a nation with our apparently compromised diversity. Unfortunately, it appears that the same conditions are applicable within many states of our federation including my own dear state Akwa Ibom. There are very few states that are protected from the upheaval, witness what is happening in the Northern States, South West and the problematic Niger Delta. In our zone only Cross Rivers State appears have relative peace. Such is the nature of our world today and my sense is that it is probably here to stay—at the very least for a while.
The common factor in all the unrest is rudderless governance and a restive electorate tired of being misled, lied to and whose resources have been so mismanaged by political elites that they remain impoverished amidst reports of plenty. Needless to say our country is so endowed with both material and human resources that it has become difficult to fathom the pervasive poverty, decline of the infrastructure and deteriorating security situation. It is interesting that a confluence of hardships has created a marriage of convenience, bringing together the indigent, middle class and some elites. Is this the beginning of much needed change or is it business as usual? Whatever the case, there is a nervousness and anxiety within and outside the country that suggest that something major may happen that is going to shake the very foundation of our union and change the country as we know it. Political pundits prognosticate that for Nigeria there are several possibilities, none which appears to be good—ranging from anarchy to a total disintegration of the country. Much of this is based on recent upheaval that has exposed the soft underbelly of our loose amalgamation. Unity would be a poor choice of words and in my opinion Nigeria has never really been united and has been held together with what appears to be soft glue. There are cracks in the armor of our union, like that of fatigued metal which has uncovered the failures and utter neglect perpetrated by our leaders. A friend recently wrote that the greatest myth is that government is the problem of Nigerians. This is mostly true but assumes that people are able to separate the reality of governance from the characters that lead us. I would agree that there is a problem with leadership which has accentuated the problems of government. It is true that the governmental structures have failed to keep up with or adapt to changing times. This is mostly due to the fact that no one has really attempted to look critically at our bureaucracy or attempted to reform it. Such an exercise is filled with angst and fear, and is accompanied by uncertainty and resistance from those who stand to lose the most. This is however a discussion for another day.
There are two issues that have dominated the headlines recently—the fight against the removal of subsidies and that of national security symbolized by “Boko Haram”. Recently the entire nation was shut down in protest of the removal of fuel subsidies. Interestingly, depending on the source, the meaning of subsidy is almost as varied as the number of tribes that comprise Nigeria. No one appears to be able to articulate clearly what it means to remove fuel subsidies. The financial impact on the economy is unclear and Nigerians being resourceful have toyed with it incessantly obscuring the issue. It is even more confounding to know who is for or against the idea. Those who benefit from it are embedded with those who the government reports are adversely affected by its existence. Protest and resistance are predicated on the immediate impact of this governmental action. Subsidy itself is not a new phenomenon as governments all over the world have utilized it for various reasons. In communist and socialist governments it is a way of life and is part of core belief. In capitalist governments it is utilized minimally in non-competitive areas of the economy and specialized critical areas where government cannot afford inconsistencies or failure and to allow for a level playing field. Agricultural subsidies for instance exist within the European Union and United States of America (USA) as well as many other countries in Africa. Although sometimes controversial, it is a tool utilized by many nations to enhance and/ or protect sectors of their economies. In the USA it predates the great depression and still exists today. They are “direct subsidies” paid to famers for “farm income stabilization”. Beneficiaries range from small farmers to corporate owned farms. It was designed as an income offset and meant to not only keep farmers in business but to also protect them from going out of business due to competition from conglomerates that could monopolize the sector. The small farmer is such an important part of the American agro economy that it must be protected and sustained.
Fuel subsidy in Nigeria is not as well defined as the above. The President never addressed the nation directly to explain the program, educate citizens on its benefit and prepare the nation for his decision. He allowed the issue to be muddied by his handlers without a careful articulation of its merits on substance. The average Nigerian keyed ultimately on the increase in fuel prices however temporary and the subsequent rise in the cost of living. This shaped the debate and fueled their view and negative response. As a result a vacuum was created and his opposition, detractors and opportunist capitalized on it. He failed to set the tone for the discussions and was not proactive in facilitating a response in any manner when there appeared to be problems with the perception that the program is froth with corruption or simply a myth. Much of this can be attributed to the fact that our leaders are still in a cocoon, failing to read the “tea leaves”. The populace has become better informed and almost totally distrusting of their leaders. In part because of our experience with previous military governments when decrees were simply promulgated and became law without healthy debate our leaders continue to believe that they can force decisions on the electorate. The result is that very few people can really articulate three basic things about subsidy; what, why, and how. It should not be that complicated. Consequently, government has resorted to attempting to suppress discourse and crush the opposition and dissenters as all totalitarian governments would. They fail to grasp important concepts in democracy such as freedom of speech, stimulation and persuasion. This would quite naturally engender public support while ensuring public participation and involvement.
The Nigerian electorate has become more informed, wiser and is beginning to realize that they have been bamboozled by many politicians masquerading as leaders. The goals of government may not necessarily coincide with theirs and consequently may not be mutually beneficial. There is an urgent need to separate the mystique of a leader from his or her accomplishments. They have to be held accountable for what they do with the people’s resources. The ending of the call to action—strike was predictable. It was led by the usual suspects and they were going to cave-in to familiar circumstances—money and/or intimidation. This is so in part due to the insatiable appetite for corruption of some of our leaders and the fact that as religious as most Nigerians are we are squeamish about death. Not many are interested in risking their life for a greater good. At the end of the day, there will be settlements and we all will return to life as usual and as we know it. My instincts however tell me that it is a little different this time. I am encouraged that Nigerians are slowly becoming aware of this breach of trust—engaged by not only government but our so-called leaders who are self serving and most certainly myopic. As much as this is a national issue it cannot but permeate to the local levels. It is said that all “politics is local”. All those who aspire to be leaders should understand that times are changing and that they will be treated far differently from their predecessors. As someone once said, “be careful what you wish for, you just might get it”.
The common factor in all the unrest is rudderless governance and a restive electorate tired of being misled, lied to and whose resources have been so mismanaged by political elites that they remain impoverished amidst reports of plenty. Needless to say our country is so endowed with both material and human resources that it has become difficult to fathom the pervasive poverty, decline of the infrastructure and deteriorating security situation. It is interesting that a confluence of hardships has created a marriage of convenience, bringing together the indigent, middle class and some elites. Is this the beginning of much needed change or is it business as usual? Whatever the case, there is a nervousness and anxiety within and outside the country that suggest that something major may happen that is going to shake the very foundation of our union and change the country as we know it. Political pundits prognosticate that for Nigeria there are several possibilities, none which appears to be good—ranging from anarchy to a total disintegration of the country. Much of this is based on recent upheaval that has exposed the soft underbelly of our loose amalgamation. Unity would be a poor choice of words and in my opinion Nigeria has never really been united and has been held together with what appears to be soft glue. There are cracks in the armor of our union, like that of fatigued metal which has uncovered the failures and utter neglect perpetrated by our leaders. A friend recently wrote that the greatest myth is that government is the problem of Nigerians. This is mostly true but assumes that people are able to separate the reality of governance from the characters that lead us. I would agree that there is a problem with leadership which has accentuated the problems of government. It is true that the governmental structures have failed to keep up with or adapt to changing times. This is mostly due to the fact that no one has really attempted to look critically at our bureaucracy or attempted to reform it. Such an exercise is filled with angst and fear, and is accompanied by uncertainty and resistance from those who stand to lose the most. This is however a discussion for another day.
There are two issues that have dominated the headlines recently—the fight against the removal of subsidies and that of national security symbolized by “Boko Haram”. Recently the entire nation was shut down in protest of the removal of fuel subsidies. Interestingly, depending on the source, the meaning of subsidy is almost as varied as the number of tribes that comprise Nigeria. No one appears to be able to articulate clearly what it means to remove fuel subsidies. The financial impact on the economy is unclear and Nigerians being resourceful have toyed with it incessantly obscuring the issue. It is even more confounding to know who is for or against the idea. Those who benefit from it are embedded with those who the government reports are adversely affected by its existence. Protest and resistance are predicated on the immediate impact of this governmental action. Subsidy itself is not a new phenomenon as governments all over the world have utilized it for various reasons. In communist and socialist governments it is a way of life and is part of core belief. In capitalist governments it is utilized minimally in non-competitive areas of the economy and specialized critical areas where government cannot afford inconsistencies or failure and to allow for a level playing field. Agricultural subsidies for instance exist within the European Union and United States of America (USA) as well as many other countries in Africa. Although sometimes controversial, it is a tool utilized by many nations to enhance and/ or protect sectors of their economies. In the USA it predates the great depression and still exists today. They are “direct subsidies” paid to famers for “farm income stabilization”. Beneficiaries range from small farmers to corporate owned farms. It was designed as an income offset and meant to not only keep farmers in business but to also protect them from going out of business due to competition from conglomerates that could monopolize the sector. The small farmer is such an important part of the American agro economy that it must be protected and sustained.
Fuel subsidy in Nigeria is not as well defined as the above. The President never addressed the nation directly to explain the program, educate citizens on its benefit and prepare the nation for his decision. He allowed the issue to be muddied by his handlers without a careful articulation of its merits on substance. The average Nigerian keyed ultimately on the increase in fuel prices however temporary and the subsequent rise in the cost of living. This shaped the debate and fueled their view and negative response. As a result a vacuum was created and his opposition, detractors and opportunist capitalized on it. He failed to set the tone for the discussions and was not proactive in facilitating a response in any manner when there appeared to be problems with the perception that the program is froth with corruption or simply a myth. Much of this can be attributed to the fact that our leaders are still in a cocoon, failing to read the “tea leaves”. The populace has become better informed and almost totally distrusting of their leaders. In part because of our experience with previous military governments when decrees were simply promulgated and became law without healthy debate our leaders continue to believe that they can force decisions on the electorate. The result is that very few people can really articulate three basic things about subsidy; what, why, and how. It should not be that complicated. Consequently, government has resorted to attempting to suppress discourse and crush the opposition and dissenters as all totalitarian governments would. They fail to grasp important concepts in democracy such as freedom of speech, stimulation and persuasion. This would quite naturally engender public support while ensuring public participation and involvement.
The Nigerian electorate has become more informed, wiser and is beginning to realize that they have been bamboozled by many politicians masquerading as leaders. The goals of government may not necessarily coincide with theirs and consequently may not be mutually beneficial. There is an urgent need to separate the mystique of a leader from his or her accomplishments. They have to be held accountable for what they do with the people’s resources. The ending of the call to action—strike was predictable. It was led by the usual suspects and they were going to cave-in to familiar circumstances—money and/or intimidation. This is so in part due to the insatiable appetite for corruption of some of our leaders and the fact that as religious as most Nigerians are we are squeamish about death. Not many are interested in risking their life for a greater good. At the end of the day, there will be settlements and we all will return to life as usual and as we know it. My instincts however tell me that it is a little different this time. I am encouraged that Nigerians are slowly becoming aware of this breach of trust—engaged by not only government but our so-called leaders who are self serving and most certainly myopic. As much as this is a national issue it cannot but permeate to the local levels. It is said that all “politics is local”. All those who aspire to be leaders should understand that times are changing and that they will be treated far differently from their predecessors. As someone once said, “be careful what you wish for, you just might get it”.
Lawmaker fetes campaign team, cautions chairmanship aspirants.
The House of Assembly member for Ibiono Ibom State Constituency, Obong Ime Okon held a get together party yesterday in Uyo to express appreciation to foot soldiers of his Restoration 2011 Campaign committee for their toils and sweats that saw him through the April 2011 House of Assembly polls. Explaining why the thank you party not as earlier as expected, the lawmaker stated that the delay was due to the various litigations instituted by his opponents that dragged from the election petition tribunal up to the Supreme Court intentionally to cause distraction.
Okon, who chairs the rules, business, ethics and privileges committee in the House, lauded the ‘Restoration Team’ for its maximum support and cooperation during and after the election and throughout the period the matter lasted in the court.
‘Many of you were wondering why this event had not taken place before now, but, I want to bring to your notice and I know most of you are aware that shortly after election, we had cases in the Courts, from the election tribunal to the Court of Appeal, up to the Supreme Court. And I want to announce to you that just in December last year, the matter at the Supreme Court was settled. So, I still remain your elected representative in the State House of Assembly’, Okon, said, ‘the right time to come and say thank you to all of you who stood by me throughout the period is now. And I want to tell you thank you really from the depth of my heart to members of the restoration team’. On the forthcoming local government elections, the lawmaker cautioned aspirants to the office of the Chairman of Ibiono Ibom local council to consider the aspirations of Ibiono Ibom people uppermost in their politicking. Noting that peace was vitally needed in the area in order to maximize the gains of democracy and good governance, he cautioned that the council leadership be carefully selected during the forth-coming Local Government elections to completely restore political dignity to the area.
Stressing that to maintain the existing peace and political stability in the area, the election of the next chairman of Ibiono Ibom must be devoid of any form of sentiment or favouritism to ensure that whoever emerges as the next chairman would complement the existing hierarchy of politicians who are determined to draw development to the area.
Reflecting on what Ibiono Ibom has suffered in the past, the lawmaker expressed appreciation to God, the political class, the elites and other stakeholders for rising against tyrannical leaders who injuriously exacted powers on the people without that genuine intention to deliver dividends of democracy to the very people who voted them to power.
”The local government area has experienced peace as i am not interested in power but in governance, I am always willing to compromise if that is necessary for peace to reign and for things to be done right.”
Okon who warned politicians against using and dumping supporters after achieving their aim of securing political offices, maintained that it was an act of ingratitude for any elected political office holder to ignore or shun supporters considering the fact that no politician can win election on his or her own without an unbreakable support from members of his constituency.
The lawmaker therefore pledged his continued commitment to the welfare of his constituents and development of Ibiono Ibom, pledged to operate an open door policy and to ensure that he carries everyone along.“Everyone is very free to come around me, my office has no protocol, if I cannot solve all your problems at once, I should at least be able to reduce them”. He assured
Okon, who chairs the rules, business, ethics and privileges committee in the House, lauded the ‘Restoration Team’ for its maximum support and cooperation during and after the election and throughout the period the matter lasted in the court.
‘Many of you were wondering why this event had not taken place before now, but, I want to bring to your notice and I know most of you are aware that shortly after election, we had cases in the Courts, from the election tribunal to the Court of Appeal, up to the Supreme Court. And I want to announce to you that just in December last year, the matter at the Supreme Court was settled. So, I still remain your elected representative in the State House of Assembly’, Okon, said, ‘the right time to come and say thank you to all of you who stood by me throughout the period is now. And I want to tell you thank you really from the depth of my heart to members of the restoration team’. On the forthcoming local government elections, the lawmaker cautioned aspirants to the office of the Chairman of Ibiono Ibom local council to consider the aspirations of Ibiono Ibom people uppermost in their politicking. Noting that peace was vitally needed in the area in order to maximize the gains of democracy and good governance, he cautioned that the council leadership be carefully selected during the forth-coming Local Government elections to completely restore political dignity to the area.
Stressing that to maintain the existing peace and political stability in the area, the election of the next chairman of Ibiono Ibom must be devoid of any form of sentiment or favouritism to ensure that whoever emerges as the next chairman would complement the existing hierarchy of politicians who are determined to draw development to the area.
Reflecting on what Ibiono Ibom has suffered in the past, the lawmaker expressed appreciation to God, the political class, the elites and other stakeholders for rising against tyrannical leaders who injuriously exacted powers on the people without that genuine intention to deliver dividends of democracy to the very people who voted them to power.
”The local government area has experienced peace as i am not interested in power but in governance, I am always willing to compromise if that is necessary for peace to reign and for things to be done right.”
Okon who warned politicians against using and dumping supporters after achieving their aim of securing political offices, maintained that it was an act of ingratitude for any elected political office holder to ignore or shun supporters considering the fact that no politician can win election on his or her own without an unbreakable support from members of his constituency.
The lawmaker therefore pledged his continued commitment to the welfare of his constituents and development of Ibiono Ibom, pledged to operate an open door policy and to ensure that he carries everyone along.“Everyone is very free to come around me, my office has no protocol, if I cannot solve all your problems at once, I should at least be able to reduce them”. He assured
Let’s Play Down on 2015 Governorship
-Umana Umana
The Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Mr. Umana Okon Umana has called on politicians in Akwa Ibom state to play down on the governorship contest in 2015 in the interest of the Gov Godswill Akpabio-led administration. Mr. Umana said the call has become imperative in the wake of wide spread political statements and permutations that have the tendency to distract the current administration from its commitment to meet the yearnings of the people of the state.
Mr. Umana made the call when Weekly Insight called him to make clarifications concerning his interest and ambition to contest the 2015 governorship election, which has been a major issue in the media in the state. He told our correspondent that he was yet to consult or even declare publicly of any such intentions, noting however, that at the appropriate time he would make his intentions known. He said he was aware that many well meaning Akwa Ibom citizens have either approached him to contest, or set up groups drumming support for him. He said that such show of support was a normal expression of such individuals or groups’ political preferences, maintaining that as a person, he had not at any time gone on any consultations, nor made any public pronouncements of any ambition.
“The people forming groups to support me for the 2015 governorship race mean well, but I am constrained to say that any wide spread campaigns and overt political moves now has the tendency to distract the government. I have a job at hand, and that job is to help my principal, the Akwa Ibom state governor, His Excellency, Chief Godswill Akpabio, succeed in his mission to provide excellent service to our people. For now, I think that is my major concern. I don’t want to be distracted from that task. I will continue to render my own measure of work towards the success of Gov Akpabio’s programmes in the state. To be drawn into the politics of 2015 at this stage is therefore, not really what I want”, he told Weekly Insight on telephone.
Asked to comment on the rumour that he was marked for sack on account of his 2015 ambition, the SSG said, “As we speak, I am still in government. I am even currently abroad on a state matter on the orders of the governor. I think you people in the media have a penchant to play up issues, some of which do not even exist. I have the best of working relationship with my boss and I will not deviate from the mission of supporting the governor to give our state the best governance we have ever seen. My appeal is for all to join hands with His Excellency to continue with the uncommon transformation of our state that he started in his first term in office. That is why I am worried that it is too early in his second term to talk about 2015 in the manner people are going about it as it has the potentiality to distract him and his administration.”
On what he has to say to individuals and groups already drumming support for him, the former Director of Budget, former Permanent Secretary, former Commissioner for Finance, now Secretary to the State Government said, “As a human being, I appreciate people who have stuck out their neck to urge me to run. I just want to tell them that it is certainly not time yet for campaigns for 2015 governorship. Let them play it cool. It is still too early in the day, as I don’t want to also get distracted from my present duties, which is very important to me and the state. Let’s join hands and support the governor, and when it is time for 2015 politics, we will all know.”
The Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Mr. Umana Okon Umana has called on politicians in Akwa Ibom state to play down on the governorship contest in 2015 in the interest of the Gov Godswill Akpabio-led administration. Mr. Umana said the call has become imperative in the wake of wide spread political statements and permutations that have the tendency to distract the current administration from its commitment to meet the yearnings of the people of the state.
Mr. Umana made the call when Weekly Insight called him to make clarifications concerning his interest and ambition to contest the 2015 governorship election, which has been a major issue in the media in the state. He told our correspondent that he was yet to consult or even declare publicly of any such intentions, noting however, that at the appropriate time he would make his intentions known. He said he was aware that many well meaning Akwa Ibom citizens have either approached him to contest, or set up groups drumming support for him. He said that such show of support was a normal expression of such individuals or groups’ political preferences, maintaining that as a person, he had not at any time gone on any consultations, nor made any public pronouncements of any ambition.
“The people forming groups to support me for the 2015 governorship race mean well, but I am constrained to say that any wide spread campaigns and overt political moves now has the tendency to distract the government. I have a job at hand, and that job is to help my principal, the Akwa Ibom state governor, His Excellency, Chief Godswill Akpabio, succeed in his mission to provide excellent service to our people. For now, I think that is my major concern. I don’t want to be distracted from that task. I will continue to render my own measure of work towards the success of Gov Akpabio’s programmes in the state. To be drawn into the politics of 2015 at this stage is therefore, not really what I want”, he told Weekly Insight on telephone.
Asked to comment on the rumour that he was marked for sack on account of his 2015 ambition, the SSG said, “As we speak, I am still in government. I am even currently abroad on a state matter on the orders of the governor. I think you people in the media have a penchant to play up issues, some of which do not even exist. I have the best of working relationship with my boss and I will not deviate from the mission of supporting the governor to give our state the best governance we have ever seen. My appeal is for all to join hands with His Excellency to continue with the uncommon transformation of our state that he started in his first term in office. That is why I am worried that it is too early in his second term to talk about 2015 in the manner people are going about it as it has the potentiality to distract him and his administration.”
On what he has to say to individuals and groups already drumming support for him, the former Director of Budget, former Permanent Secretary, former Commissioner for Finance, now Secretary to the State Government said, “As a human being, I appreciate people who have stuck out their neck to urge me to run. I just want to tell them that it is certainly not time yet for campaigns for 2015 governorship. Let them play it cool. It is still too early in the day, as I don’t want to also get distracted from my present duties, which is very important to me and the state. Let’s join hands and support the governor, and when it is time for 2015 politics, we will all know.”
To Rt Hon. Eseme Sunday Eyiboh at 52
Sir,
A columnist writing in Nigeria at this period of our national crisis is faced with the task of wading through the miasma of events of concurrent national importance. So no writer complains of the proverbial “writer’s block” now. What we have now is the “writer’s glut!” There is so much happening around you that one often gets confused sifting through to make an appropriate choice of what to tackle first. The north is still reeling under the sustained threat of Boko Haram bombs. Victims of the bombs are arriving their homes in body bags to the wailing and anguish of their loved ones and the rage of their communities. The country is at the lowest point in her patriotism quotient. Nigerians are now openly discussing how to break up. The nation’s institutions are still under lock and keys as a result of strike action by the academic staff union of universities. Nigerians are grappling with unimaginable hardship arising from the removal, albeit partial, of subsidy on petroleum products.
I had started writing on the highly provocative statements in recent media credited to Lamido Sanusi, Nigeria’s Central Bank governor that tended to justify the madness that we call Boko Haram. I was tempted to dwell on his once fixation on the introduction of Islamic banking, a policy that I had no problem with, but one I am beginning to read more meaning into due to his current posturing on a number of issues. I had to suspend my comments on Sanusi, when the news of the ruling of the Court of Appeal came tumbling in. To me, the case had to take precedence over every other matter, because you are involved.
It was in the process of proceeding with my comment on the ruling that I came to realize that Saturday, January 28, 2012 was your fifth-second birthday. Was it a coincidence that nature brought the two incidents almost at the same time? No! Things don’t just happen like that. The outcome of the court case came at the time of your birthday to remind you that God owns everything, including our lives. The juxtaposition of the seeming antithetical events draws a natural attention to the fact that we tend to look at mundane worldly things and attach more importance to them than they deserve.
But I know you well enough to realize that you accept things the way they are and look up to God for direction. It takes a man who anchors his entire life, political and social to the unseen hands of God, for you to have risen to the heights you are now. I still hear your voice the day you told me the story of your youth. I still choke with emotion to remember the touching story of the deprivation of your youth. Your story on how you raised the last examination fee that saw you through secondary school, is still fresh. In your life, I have seen the hands of God in the affairs of man.
I am sure that your state in life today has confounded some people. Some are still surprised and angry that you have risen beyond the bounds they set for you. They are obviously miffed that another from a less class has appropriated what should have been theirs by birth. But while they play God, they are not God. The Almighty has lifted you far beyond their blighted imaginations. And He has not even finished with you.
As a politician, you are light years ahead of the clan of rent politicians furiously seeking your fall. You have demonstrated a brand of politics that they have never witnessed and of course, it shouldn’t have been you. You have shown the superiority of mind power over their manipulative power. You have proved that with a little political power, the story can change for the less privileged.
I understand sir, when you face the undeserved vilifications and organized demonization of your person going on. I appreciate the turn of events when friends turn foes, for no reason other than following the herd. I, sometimes pity you when I see the grand conspiracy of the elite class, fighting so hard to dim a light they did not light. The very essence of the type of politics we play here thrives on blackmail and muckraking. If it were not so, how come that the same man our governor so publicly extolled his virtue at Ibom hall, calling on other representatives to take a cue from, would over night become a non performer? How come that the man the entire state rose in oneness to salute his sagacious presence in the National Assembly, would within a second become a nonstarter?
We all know what went wrong. The rent-taking political maggots waiting to scavenge on what rightly belongs to the people felt shortchanged. It was right that the various community based projects you either attracted to the communities in your constituency were forfeited and the baggy pockets of political godfathers are lined up with cheap cash. It would have been good representation for you to dole out undeserved cash to political louts and political pimps in place of the numerous life-changing empowerment projects you embarked upon. We understand that even those you sent abroad should not have gone anywhere so that you will be able to give car gifts to political contractors, who already had four or more ill-gotten cars packed in their garages.
If others don’t know why you have almost become a demon before these demagogues, some of us know. You did not give them cash to marry new wives and lodge girl friends in posh hotels each time they come to Abuja. Yes. You did not provide chuffer-driven cars to make their stay in Abuja cozy enough. You did not take care of their daughters’ wedding expenses. We know, because they tell us that you did not buy cows and hundreds of bags of rice to pay homage to those who own the party structures. You forgot to attend burials and even naming ceremonies. Those are your sins. It does not matter that you sent children of the poor to school. It is immaterial that many youths have had the benefit of a means of livelihood, thanks to your foresight in sending them to the Maritime Academy Oron to empower them to be useful to themselves. It does not make sense to those who are calling for your head that cooperative societies could be a veritable means of economic independence if effectively and efficiently managed, as you created some for your people. It is of no use to those waiting to hang you that you brought health facilities, libraries, ITC centers, water projects and supported many individuals that your being in the National Assembly had given the opportunity to become self reliant.
Sir, I have a friend here. He has a testimony that would mean nothing to your adversaries. He is not even from your constituency. But he has a story of Hon Eseme Eyiboh, who saw through his circumstances and asked him what he wanted for life. Sir, Linus said he chose education and ever since that life changing encounter with you, he has been a direct beneficiary of your education empowerment, which is today seeing him through the University of Uyo. I was with you in your hotel room some day in 2010. It was some days to the Asan Ibibio declaration for Governor Akpabio. They came in, spotting the cap of Akwa Ibom Democratic Voice, ADV. Both of them were Akwa Ibom youths you have never met. You brought them, a boy and a girl into the room and asked them what they were doing for a living. They both said they were supposed to be in school, but they did not have the wherewithal to continue. Even before you asked them their name, you had expressed your desire to assist. I can still remember the looks in their eyes. The boy sir, shed some tears. I did not hear you ask them where they came from. They could have been from the moon, but all you cared about was their future.
I have no time to sing your praise, but if I had sir, I would hymn you eternally. I also have my personal testimony. It was a rainy evening sometime after the election. I did not know you were even in the court trying to reclaim your seat in the National Assembly. I only knew you were yet another victim of Nigeria’s poverty of politics and politics of poverty, where the political vultures still subvert the will of the people through some unfortunate cooptation into positions. That evening a mail arrived. I was supposed to fill the form to attend a UK based public relations course. I was shocked. You said it was a full scholarship, to be paid in pounds sterling. I was touched. This was a man that has just lost an election, so it seemed then. You did not mind the state of things then; you were still seeking to make a better person out of a man that had nothing to offer you. I had to decline the offer because it would have conflicted with my law degree programme in Uyo.
Hon Eyiboh, your life has been a light for all those you have positively impacted on. The hounds may despise you; you may be vilified by those who are perpetually in search of the ways and means of dipping their hands into public purse, even if such purse is a personal purse made available to the community.
Note sir, that I have not said a word concerning the court of appeal and its verdict. I leave that to those involved and the likely historical place it will occupy in our jurisprudence. I have faith, just like you, that at the appointed time the true verdict of God would come. I am sure that the roadblock is just a signpost to make you savour the ultimate victory when it shall come.
I am sure I have not bored you with so much political talks on this season of your birthday. It is not easy to celebrate when a man seems to be on the valley of life or career. At such points, even friends take unceremonious leave, goodwill messages dry up and jolly good fellows move to where the sun still shines. But be rest assured that even if the whole world depart, those you have touched would still remember that a man once passed through their lives. Happy birthday sir. Your light will never dim, because you will never walk alone!
A columnist writing in Nigeria at this period of our national crisis is faced with the task of wading through the miasma of events of concurrent national importance. So no writer complains of the proverbial “writer’s block” now. What we have now is the “writer’s glut!” There is so much happening around you that one often gets confused sifting through to make an appropriate choice of what to tackle first. The north is still reeling under the sustained threat of Boko Haram bombs. Victims of the bombs are arriving their homes in body bags to the wailing and anguish of their loved ones and the rage of their communities. The country is at the lowest point in her patriotism quotient. Nigerians are now openly discussing how to break up. The nation’s institutions are still under lock and keys as a result of strike action by the academic staff union of universities. Nigerians are grappling with unimaginable hardship arising from the removal, albeit partial, of subsidy on petroleum products.
I had started writing on the highly provocative statements in recent media credited to Lamido Sanusi, Nigeria’s Central Bank governor that tended to justify the madness that we call Boko Haram. I was tempted to dwell on his once fixation on the introduction of Islamic banking, a policy that I had no problem with, but one I am beginning to read more meaning into due to his current posturing on a number of issues. I had to suspend my comments on Sanusi, when the news of the ruling of the Court of Appeal came tumbling in. To me, the case had to take precedence over every other matter, because you are involved.
It was in the process of proceeding with my comment on the ruling that I came to realize that Saturday, January 28, 2012 was your fifth-second birthday. Was it a coincidence that nature brought the two incidents almost at the same time? No! Things don’t just happen like that. The outcome of the court case came at the time of your birthday to remind you that God owns everything, including our lives. The juxtaposition of the seeming antithetical events draws a natural attention to the fact that we tend to look at mundane worldly things and attach more importance to them than they deserve.
But I know you well enough to realize that you accept things the way they are and look up to God for direction. It takes a man who anchors his entire life, political and social to the unseen hands of God, for you to have risen to the heights you are now. I still hear your voice the day you told me the story of your youth. I still choke with emotion to remember the touching story of the deprivation of your youth. Your story on how you raised the last examination fee that saw you through secondary school, is still fresh. In your life, I have seen the hands of God in the affairs of man.
I am sure that your state in life today has confounded some people. Some are still surprised and angry that you have risen beyond the bounds they set for you. They are obviously miffed that another from a less class has appropriated what should have been theirs by birth. But while they play God, they are not God. The Almighty has lifted you far beyond their blighted imaginations. And He has not even finished with you.
As a politician, you are light years ahead of the clan of rent politicians furiously seeking your fall. You have demonstrated a brand of politics that they have never witnessed and of course, it shouldn’t have been you. You have shown the superiority of mind power over their manipulative power. You have proved that with a little political power, the story can change for the less privileged.
I understand sir, when you face the undeserved vilifications and organized demonization of your person going on. I appreciate the turn of events when friends turn foes, for no reason other than following the herd. I, sometimes pity you when I see the grand conspiracy of the elite class, fighting so hard to dim a light they did not light. The very essence of the type of politics we play here thrives on blackmail and muckraking. If it were not so, how come that the same man our governor so publicly extolled his virtue at Ibom hall, calling on other representatives to take a cue from, would over night become a non performer? How come that the man the entire state rose in oneness to salute his sagacious presence in the National Assembly, would within a second become a nonstarter?
We all know what went wrong. The rent-taking political maggots waiting to scavenge on what rightly belongs to the people felt shortchanged. It was right that the various community based projects you either attracted to the communities in your constituency were forfeited and the baggy pockets of political godfathers are lined up with cheap cash. It would have been good representation for you to dole out undeserved cash to political louts and political pimps in place of the numerous life-changing empowerment projects you embarked upon. We understand that even those you sent abroad should not have gone anywhere so that you will be able to give car gifts to political contractors, who already had four or more ill-gotten cars packed in their garages.
If others don’t know why you have almost become a demon before these demagogues, some of us know. You did not give them cash to marry new wives and lodge girl friends in posh hotels each time they come to Abuja. Yes. You did not provide chuffer-driven cars to make their stay in Abuja cozy enough. You did not take care of their daughters’ wedding expenses. We know, because they tell us that you did not buy cows and hundreds of bags of rice to pay homage to those who own the party structures. You forgot to attend burials and even naming ceremonies. Those are your sins. It does not matter that you sent children of the poor to school. It is immaterial that many youths have had the benefit of a means of livelihood, thanks to your foresight in sending them to the Maritime Academy Oron to empower them to be useful to themselves. It does not make sense to those who are calling for your head that cooperative societies could be a veritable means of economic independence if effectively and efficiently managed, as you created some for your people. It is of no use to those waiting to hang you that you brought health facilities, libraries, ITC centers, water projects and supported many individuals that your being in the National Assembly had given the opportunity to become self reliant.
Sir, I have a friend here. He has a testimony that would mean nothing to your adversaries. He is not even from your constituency. But he has a story of Hon Eseme Eyiboh, who saw through his circumstances and asked him what he wanted for life. Sir, Linus said he chose education and ever since that life changing encounter with you, he has been a direct beneficiary of your education empowerment, which is today seeing him through the University of Uyo. I was with you in your hotel room some day in 2010. It was some days to the Asan Ibibio declaration for Governor Akpabio. They came in, spotting the cap of Akwa Ibom Democratic Voice, ADV. Both of them were Akwa Ibom youths you have never met. You brought them, a boy and a girl into the room and asked them what they were doing for a living. They both said they were supposed to be in school, but they did not have the wherewithal to continue. Even before you asked them their name, you had expressed your desire to assist. I can still remember the looks in their eyes. The boy sir, shed some tears. I did not hear you ask them where they came from. They could have been from the moon, but all you cared about was their future.
I have no time to sing your praise, but if I had sir, I would hymn you eternally. I also have my personal testimony. It was a rainy evening sometime after the election. I did not know you were even in the court trying to reclaim your seat in the National Assembly. I only knew you were yet another victim of Nigeria’s poverty of politics and politics of poverty, where the political vultures still subvert the will of the people through some unfortunate cooptation into positions. That evening a mail arrived. I was supposed to fill the form to attend a UK based public relations course. I was shocked. You said it was a full scholarship, to be paid in pounds sterling. I was touched. This was a man that has just lost an election, so it seemed then. You did not mind the state of things then; you were still seeking to make a better person out of a man that had nothing to offer you. I had to decline the offer because it would have conflicted with my law degree programme in Uyo.
Hon Eyiboh, your life has been a light for all those you have positively impacted on. The hounds may despise you; you may be vilified by those who are perpetually in search of the ways and means of dipping their hands into public purse, even if such purse is a personal purse made available to the community.
Note sir, that I have not said a word concerning the court of appeal and its verdict. I leave that to those involved and the likely historical place it will occupy in our jurisprudence. I have faith, just like you, that at the appointed time the true verdict of God would come. I am sure that the roadblock is just a signpost to make you savour the ultimate victory when it shall come.
I am sure I have not bored you with so much political talks on this season of your birthday. It is not easy to celebrate when a man seems to be on the valley of life or career. At such points, even friends take unceremonious leave, goodwill messages dry up and jolly good fellows move to where the sun still shines. But be rest assured that even if the whole world depart, those you have touched would still remember that a man once passed through their lives. Happy birthday sir. Your light will never dim, because you will never walk alone!
POLICE NABS CHILD-WITCH SELLER IN AKWA IBOM STATE.
A 28 year old woman (name withheld) has been arrested by a special police detective team in Eket for attempting to sell a seven year old boy. A police source said in Eket.
The youngster who is said to be her stepson was, however, living with his biological mother until the father requested to take full responsibility of him. Apparently angered by the child’s arrival, the stepmother contracted a pastor to screen the little boy to ascertain if he was possessed with witchcraft spell or not. On confirmation that the boy was possessed, he was reportedly disappeared from the house.
A dependable source said a lady who operates a local Hotel in Eket, had arranged with a Port-Harcourt based child trafficking syndicate to pick the boy in a location along Uqua Road, in heart of Eket, but the late arrival of the spoiled the show, as the detectives swooped the scene and arrested the lady on a tip-off.
The community source did not confirm whether the hotel was used as a conduit for the sales of other children; but stressed that she’s been notorious for dealing with suspicious elements coming to the community.
She confessed to the police that she was scared based on the prophet’s instruction that the boy will infect her children with his magical power. When the man of God told me that he will transfer the spell to my children, or kill them, I was really afraid…,” she said.
The a police inspector in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), who did not want his name mentioned said that sales of children of Akwa Ibom origin to syndicates coming from Aba and Port-Harcourt was a common phenomenon. “They have a robust network, which keeps buying more and more children here in the State. It depends on the sex, the age of the child and the negotiation. A male child is said to be sold between N150, 000 to N170, 000 a female is between N130, 000 to N50, 000. But it varies on age.” The officer said. “Our team is monitoring them… We will get them all,” he added.
But the coordinator of a human right group, Freedom Impact International (FII), Mr. Jackson Bas, though commended the police for rescuing the child; he expressed skepticism over the willingness of the police to prosecute the culprit.
“This is not the first time they have arrested child traffickers. They have been doing so before; we know about this. How many of them have been taken to court. Police will keep them in the cell till their men will come and bail them out with money they called bond…” Bas noted.
He appealed to the government not to turn a blind eye to the torture and killing of children and elderly people who are accused of practicing witchcraft or sorcery.
The youngster who is said to be her stepson was, however, living with his biological mother until the father requested to take full responsibility of him. Apparently angered by the child’s arrival, the stepmother contracted a pastor to screen the little boy to ascertain if he was possessed with witchcraft spell or not. On confirmation that the boy was possessed, he was reportedly disappeared from the house.
A dependable source said a lady who operates a local Hotel in Eket, had arranged with a Port-Harcourt based child trafficking syndicate to pick the boy in a location along Uqua Road, in heart of Eket, but the late arrival of the spoiled the show, as the detectives swooped the scene and arrested the lady on a tip-off.
The community source did not confirm whether the hotel was used as a conduit for the sales of other children; but stressed that she’s been notorious for dealing with suspicious elements coming to the community.
She confessed to the police that she was scared based on the prophet’s instruction that the boy will infect her children with his magical power. When the man of God told me that he will transfer the spell to my children, or kill them, I was really afraid…,” she said.
The a police inspector in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), who did not want his name mentioned said that sales of children of Akwa Ibom origin to syndicates coming from Aba and Port-Harcourt was a common phenomenon. “They have a robust network, which keeps buying more and more children here in the State. It depends on the sex, the age of the child and the negotiation. A male child is said to be sold between N150, 000 to N170, 000 a female is between N130, 000 to N50, 000. But it varies on age.” The officer said. “Our team is monitoring them… We will get them all,” he added.
But the coordinator of a human right group, Freedom Impact International (FII), Mr. Jackson Bas, though commended the police for rescuing the child; he expressed skepticism over the willingness of the police to prosecute the culprit.
“This is not the first time they have arrested child traffickers. They have been doing so before; we know about this. How many of them have been taken to court. Police will keep them in the cell till their men will come and bail them out with money they called bond…” Bas noted.
He appealed to the government not to turn a blind eye to the torture and killing of children and elderly people who are accused of practicing witchcraft or sorcery.
Ndoma-Egba Proffers Solution to Boko Haram
Joseph Kingston, Calabar
Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba has said the threat posed by
Boko Haram would become history if the uneducated in the society are
made to acquire formal education, stressing that no educated child of
an enlightened and educated ‘big’ man in the North would be easily
used against his own people.
In a chat with Journalists in Calabar at the weekend, Ndoma-Egba
reasoned that most of those used to perpetrate violence are the
uneducated who have been brainwashed by people who are bent on
destroying the country.
He said sponsors of Boko Haram sect are “just deliberately trying to
provoke a situation to achieve a political goal”,
His words: “The act of violence in the Northern part of the country
can not be justified by any right thinking person. Moslem and
Christian Clerics have equally condemned it. The two religions have
their roots in Abraham and they preached against violence.
“For me, it is a clear case of people being brainwashed under the
guise of religion and at the same time targeting and killing Moslems
also. When you begin to attack churches, it means the motives are
certainly not religious.
“I doubt if educated children of any big man in the North would be
involved in what we are currently experiencing. When you have large
uneducated, jobless and idle young men in the society, they become
veritable tools in the hands of people who have wrong motives”, he had
said.
The Senator frowned vehemently at the escape of the Boko Haram kingpin
and called on security agents to be more committed to their
responsibilities, and expressed fears that the police have given
Nigerians enough reasons to believe that security agents are
accomplice in the whole Boko Haram brouhaha.
“The key suspect escaping in a very hilarious circumstances calls for
reassessment of roles of the police in the whole scenario. The
circumstances of the escape as reported looks like an amateur drama
script written by a member of a dramatic club in a secondary school.
“Part of the solution is when the dimension and the dynamics of this
development are highlighted. Now we are beginning to know that some of
those we thought were protecting us may be part of the problem,” he
had submitted.
He believed that Nigeria was gradually getting to the end of the
undesirable nightmare “because everything is now in the open”, but
called on all Nigerians to be security conscious and to give
information to security agents in order to nib the Boko Haram threat
in the mud.
Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba has said the threat posed by
Boko Haram would become history if the uneducated in the society are
made to acquire formal education, stressing that no educated child of
an enlightened and educated ‘big’ man in the North would be easily
used against his own people.
In a chat with Journalists in Calabar at the weekend, Ndoma-Egba
reasoned that most of those used to perpetrate violence are the
uneducated who have been brainwashed by people who are bent on
destroying the country.
He said sponsors of Boko Haram sect are “just deliberately trying to
provoke a situation to achieve a political goal”,
His words: “The act of violence in the Northern part of the country
can not be justified by any right thinking person. Moslem and
Christian Clerics have equally condemned it. The two religions have
their roots in Abraham and they preached against violence.
“For me, it is a clear case of people being brainwashed under the
guise of religion and at the same time targeting and killing Moslems
also. When you begin to attack churches, it means the motives are
certainly not religious.
“I doubt if educated children of any big man in the North would be
involved in what we are currently experiencing. When you have large
uneducated, jobless and idle young men in the society, they become
veritable tools in the hands of people who have wrong motives”, he had
said.
The Senator frowned vehemently at the escape of the Boko Haram kingpin
and called on security agents to be more committed to their
responsibilities, and expressed fears that the police have given
Nigerians enough reasons to believe that security agents are
accomplice in the whole Boko Haram brouhaha.
“The key suspect escaping in a very hilarious circumstances calls for
reassessment of roles of the police in the whole scenario. The
circumstances of the escape as reported looks like an amateur drama
script written by a member of a dramatic club in a secondary school.
“Part of the solution is when the dimension and the dynamics of this
development are highlighted. Now we are beginning to know that some of
those we thought were protecting us may be part of the problem,” he
had submitted.
He believed that Nigeria was gradually getting to the end of the
undesirable nightmare “because everything is now in the open”, but
called on all Nigerians to be security conscious and to give
information to security agents in order to nib the Boko Haram threat
in the mud.
2015 Guber: USM Supports Nsima Ekere
- Urges PDP to Adopt him
By Franklyn Isong
As the build up to 2015 governorship race in Akwa Ibom State gathers momentum with the heated debates on zoning of the gubernatorial position polarizing the polity, a group under the auspices of Unity Successive Mandate (USM) has made a case for the position to be zoned to Eket Senatorial District (Akwa Ibom South) because, according to it, the area has never produced an elected governor for the state. The group also threw it weight behind the aspiration of the State Deputy Governor, Mr. Nsima Udo Ekere, to succeed his boss, the governor in 2015.
This was contained in a statement issued by the group at the weekend which was signed by its Youth Leader, Comrade Favour Edet and made available to Weekly Insight.
The statement said that the ultimate desire of every Akwa Ibom indigene home and abroad was for people of the state to have good governance in 2015, saying that, “it is unfortunate for the system to be heated up with the un-necessary debates of zoning of governorship position because it is very clear beyond every reasonable doubt that Eket Senatorial District has never produced an elected governor for the state in the history of the state, so, it is the turn of the zone to be supported for the position in 2015.”
USM condemned what it called “overheating of the system by splinter political groups in the state,” saying, “we advised that these interest groups should give the government a break and stop distracting it with 2015 politics which is three years ahead. What should be of paramount important to every Akwa Ibom person now, should be how to support the good works of His Excellencies, the governor and his deputy, so that they can completely transform the state.”
The group commended the Governor, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio, for what it called: “wonderful performance in the state,” urging him “not to give in to the detractors.”
The release went further to acknowledged the “supportive role of the state deputy governor, Obong Nsima Ekere, to Governor Godswill Akpabio’s transformation agenda in the state,” noting that it supports Ekere to succeed Akpabio in 2015 “so that the transformation agenda of Akpabio’s government will continue in the state.”
It called on the youths of the state to “rally round and support the deputy governor in his bid to succeed the governor in 2015,” promising that on its part, it has already commenced mass mobilization of youths across the state for Ekere’s governorship ambition.
USM said that it took the position to support Ekere after an enlarged meeting of several youth organizations last week in Uyo, the state’s capital and urged the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to “do what is right by adopting Obong Nsima Ekere for the 2015 governorship race, so that the political tempo in the state could be reduced and the unnecessary heated political debates on zoning would be laid to rest in the best interest of the state.”
By Franklyn Isong
As the build up to 2015 governorship race in Akwa Ibom State gathers momentum with the heated debates on zoning of the gubernatorial position polarizing the polity, a group under the auspices of Unity Successive Mandate (USM) has made a case for the position to be zoned to Eket Senatorial District (Akwa Ibom South) because, according to it, the area has never produced an elected governor for the state. The group also threw it weight behind the aspiration of the State Deputy Governor, Mr. Nsima Udo Ekere, to succeed his boss, the governor in 2015.
This was contained in a statement issued by the group at the weekend which was signed by its Youth Leader, Comrade Favour Edet and made available to Weekly Insight.
The statement said that the ultimate desire of every Akwa Ibom indigene home and abroad was for people of the state to have good governance in 2015, saying that, “it is unfortunate for the system to be heated up with the un-necessary debates of zoning of governorship position because it is very clear beyond every reasonable doubt that Eket Senatorial District has never produced an elected governor for the state in the history of the state, so, it is the turn of the zone to be supported for the position in 2015.”
USM condemned what it called “overheating of the system by splinter political groups in the state,” saying, “we advised that these interest groups should give the government a break and stop distracting it with 2015 politics which is three years ahead. What should be of paramount important to every Akwa Ibom person now, should be how to support the good works of His Excellencies, the governor and his deputy, so that they can completely transform the state.”
The group commended the Governor, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio, for what it called: “wonderful performance in the state,” urging him “not to give in to the detractors.”
The release went further to acknowledged the “supportive role of the state deputy governor, Obong Nsima Ekere, to Governor Godswill Akpabio’s transformation agenda in the state,” noting that it supports Ekere to succeed Akpabio in 2015 “so that the transformation agenda of Akpabio’s government will continue in the state.”
It called on the youths of the state to “rally round and support the deputy governor in his bid to succeed the governor in 2015,” promising that on its part, it has already commenced mass mobilization of youths across the state for Ekere’s governorship ambition.
USM said that it took the position to support Ekere after an enlarged meeting of several youth organizations last week in Uyo, the state’s capital and urged the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to “do what is right by adopting Obong Nsima Ekere for the 2015 governorship race, so that the political tempo in the state could be reduced and the unnecessary heated political debates on zoning would be laid to rest in the best interest of the state.”
Eseme Eyiboh Head to the Supreme Court
Following the Court of Appeal ruling upturning the verdict of the Abuja High Court that gave the Eket Federal Constituency seat to him, Hon Eseme Eyiboh, member of the House of Representatives representing Eket Federal Constituency has approached the nation’s apex court, The Supreme Court asking it to invalidate the ruling of the Appeal Court.
The former chairman, house committee on media, is challenging the ruling on the appeal brought to the Appeal Court by Barr Dan Abia, challenging the ruling of Justice Abdul Kafarati, on points of law and jurisdiction.
The Appeal Court had in its ruling nullified the PDP re-run primary held in Uyo. The court agreed with the lower court that the re-run did not comply with the party’s guideline as well as the 2010 Electoral Act. The Appeal Court, however, in the wisdom of the honourable justices reactivated the earlier PDP primary that the party had cancelled to arrive at its order that Barr Abia should take the contentious Eket constituency seat.
Dissatisfied with the ruling Eyiboh the same day filed a motion for stay of execution as well as a injunction restraining the Assembly leadership from carrying out the court’s order pending the outcome of the Supreme Court appeal.
In a telephone reaction, Hon Eyiboh said, “I am, as usual, calm and leaving everything in God’s hands”
The Court of Appeal had in a judgment it delivered friday, ordered the leadership of the lower chamber to forthwith swear-in the declared winner of the constituency, Mr. Dan Bassey Abia as the authentic candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the election.
In the unanimous judgment read by Justice Ayo Bada, the appellate court, maintained that “the primary election of the PDP held on the 7th and 8th January through which Dan Bassey Abia emerged as the party’s candidate for the April elections is hereby upheld as it was the primary that was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and annexed in the suit.”
According to the court, “The trial judge erred by saying that the name of Abia be removed and replaced with that of Eyibo.
The party primary is the exclusive right of a political party as the party determines who its candidate in an election should.
The former chairman, house committee on media, is challenging the ruling on the appeal brought to the Appeal Court by Barr Dan Abia, challenging the ruling of Justice Abdul Kafarati, on points of law and jurisdiction.
The Appeal Court had in its ruling nullified the PDP re-run primary held in Uyo. The court agreed with the lower court that the re-run did not comply with the party’s guideline as well as the 2010 Electoral Act. The Appeal Court, however, in the wisdom of the honourable justices reactivated the earlier PDP primary that the party had cancelled to arrive at its order that Barr Abia should take the contentious Eket constituency seat.
Dissatisfied with the ruling Eyiboh the same day filed a motion for stay of execution as well as a injunction restraining the Assembly leadership from carrying out the court’s order pending the outcome of the Supreme Court appeal.
In a telephone reaction, Hon Eyiboh said, “I am, as usual, calm and leaving everything in God’s hands”
The Court of Appeal had in a judgment it delivered friday, ordered the leadership of the lower chamber to forthwith swear-in the declared winner of the constituency, Mr. Dan Bassey Abia as the authentic candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the election.
In the unanimous judgment read by Justice Ayo Bada, the appellate court, maintained that “the primary election of the PDP held on the 7th and 8th January through which Dan Bassey Abia emerged as the party’s candidate for the April elections is hereby upheld as it was the primary that was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and annexed in the suit.”
According to the court, “The trial judge erred by saying that the name of Abia be removed and replaced with that of Eyibo.
The party primary is the exclusive right of a political party as the party determines who its candidate in an election should.
Saturday 28 January 2012
PROF. OKON UYA: ECHOES OF "ORON-PHOBIA"
"Until comparatively recently the Oron people did not intermarry with Ibbi (Ibibio) for fear of contamination: first with the uncircumcised and second with the Descendants of slaves" Prof. Okon Uya
At a time like this, I cannot help but think of our good friend, late Dr. Uko Okpok: a scholars' scholar who was well versed with the Ibibio history. He would have risen to the challenge. I am hoping there are others out there who can step up to the plate. History is really not my area. There again, one does not need to be a historian to kick against a diatribe such as the above by Prof. Okon Uya whose antecedents shock no one.
Those who were around in the late 1970s and early 80s at the University of Calabar would recall that Prof. Uyo was, indeed, a de facto Vice Chancellor and his link or collusion with Prof. Ayandele, perhaps, the most famous UNICAL V.C. Prof. Okon Uya was in the center of these words or phrases coined by Ayandele: "Oron-phobia and Atomistic Society"? Recall the situation at then UNICAL was not unrelated with the student admission, employment, faculty and staff promotions believed to be heavily influenced by Prof. Uya. Ibibios at the university were outraged. The lopsidedness of the above led to a near crisis at UNICAL by the Ibibios who felt maltreated and marginalized: the situation that contributed to the infamous Ayandele's characterization of Cross River as the atomistic society laden with "Oron-phobia", a situation akin to the current governance in Akwa Ibom.
Pay Back Time?
In view of the above background/history, I am almost compelled to look at Prof. Uya's revisionist history as a "pay back". Here's why. In 1983, Dr. Edet Akpan Udo whose house is about half a mile from mine, published a book titled "Who Are the Ibibio?" In it, he conducted extensive research of various ethnic groups in then Cross River State that are linked to the Ibibios. The portion pertaining to Oron is reproduced below. Little did he know that the book would attract fire and brimestone from Prof. Uya. Shortly after the publication of the book, Dr. Udo was forced to retire from the University of Calabar.
Here it is (from p. 61 - 66 of Who are the Ibibio?):
"....Who are the Oron people? Do they constitute a distinct ethnic group from the Ibibio, their neighbor? Where did they come from to live in their president home? As a matter of fact, there is no absolute answer to these questions because there have never been a systematic, scientific, historical, sociological, anthropological, and ethnographical study of these people by the Oron and Ibibio themselves, and no archeological work has ever been carried out among them either. Some surmises have been made, however, but none has been accepted by the scholars as being correct."
"Some people say the original home of the Oron people was in the Cameroun. Others went on to quote E. N. Amaku,Edikot Nwed Mbuk II, Chapter I which claims that Oron has mixed ancestry, that is to say, the ancestor had their father as Igbo man called Okorafo, and their mother, one Ibibio woman named Atong Ama, and both Okorafo and Aton Ama lived at Ikot Ntung, an Ibibio village nine kilometers from Eket town on the Eket-Oron trunk “A” road. Others still argue that the original home of the Oron people was in Ibibio land. Those who support the last view are the early Europeans and some Ibibio people."
Dr. Udo also cited the work of P.E.B. Inyang who in a paper titled “A Geographical Approach to the Study of Oron (Oro Ukpabang) People” presented at the Workshop on the People of South-Eastern Nigeria” at the Institute of African Studies, University of Nigeria Nsukka on Dec. 5-8, 1972, p.2. P.E.B. Inyang in his paper claimed that Oron people originated from the Bakweri and Bakoro people of the Western Cameroun. Among others, Dr. Udo argues that Oron people have semi-Bantu names just like other semi-Bantu names found in Ibibio (see p. 61-66). This is to say that they are a part of Ibibio believed to have emigrated from the Western Cameroun. Dr. Udo also cited the work of Chief Mbah, an Oron historian, who claimed that Oron people actually immigrated from the Palestine and traveled through Sudan to Cameroun and through upper Cross River to their present home (see pages 66-67).
Ibibio Origin of Oron
Differing from Amaoku, Dr. Udo in his extensive research came to a conclusion that the ancestor of Oron people was an Ibibio man. As evidence in support, he cited similarities in names, culture, words roots and language. In his research, he found out that at least three villages in Oron – Urua Eye, Edok Oruko, and Usung Udung Uko – worship Atakpor, Uruan’s deity in Ibibio land, as their main deity. In page 70, Dr. Udo states that “the people of Edok Oruko state that their ancestors were immigrants from Uruan in Ibibio. The other two villages have the same tradition” (p. 70). Similar traces are made of villages of Ikpa in Eket LGA and Ekpene Ukim in Ubium that also migrated from Uruan.
Recommendation
It is good that many have reacted the way they do. My suggestion is that in addition to our individual reactions, historians among us should actually come up with books "in prints" to counter Prof. Uya's falsehood. Reason being that once his book is in circulation, references will always be made of it by others regardless of the misleading information expressed therein. A counter information in a book form will go a long way to minimize the misinformation. Prof. Okon Uya owes the Ibibios a good explanation.
Sincerely,
Dr. Tom Mbeke-Ekanem, REA
Dr. Tom Mbeke-Ekanem, REA
Tom:
Thank you for reviving this matter. Like you, I am not a historian, so, any comment from me would be based on what I may describe as a lay-man's academic awareness (please take note, not knowledge) of Ibibio history. Though the write-up about the book by Uya was not written by me, I am the one who forwarded it to the forum. And I noted that I reserved my comment until I read the book purportedly written by Prof. Okon Uya.
My reaction to this story is just to add sources to the ones you have already posted. In Chapter Eight ofIkono: The Cradle of Ibibio Nation, written by David Ukpong, et al, states as follows (please pay attention to how the same Prof. Uya is being quoted in the narration);
"The Oron people have been described by Noah (1980) as sea-borne Ibibio when he writes ' Among these sea-borne Ibibio would be included the Oron, Eket, and Ibeno people who, upon their arrival moved northwards and eastwards until they came up against the Eastern Ibibio expanding southwards.'"
"There are three accounts of the origin and migration of Oron people to their present location. A source quoted by Uya (1984) reports that four groups of Ebrutu reached Uruan from Ibom (in Arochukwu) and later migrated from Uruan to Obutong in Calabar from where they crossed the river to their present site in Oron."
"The second account of origin of the Oron people, which is also stated by Professor Okon Edet Uya (1984:18), maintains that Oron and Ibibio were once neighbors living in Igboland and their movement away from there was part of the general dispersal from the Akwa-Orlu centre. According to this account, the Ibibio, Oron, and Okobo moved from there southwards towards the coast. The Ibibio (Central Ibibio including the Annang) settled firts while the Okobo and the Oron continued their movement towards the Atlantic Ocean, passing through Andoni, Eket, and Ebughu in the process."
"The third account, which is becoming increasingly popular in scholarly circles and widely quoted even by the Oron people themselves, according to Chief Okon Effiong Emana, village head of Ikono-Offi group, states that after the great dispersal at Ibom in Arochukwu, the Oron group moved towards the Cameroons and the wave of their migration took a different route from the other Ibibio. Eventually, they settled in Usak Edet, now in the Cameroons. Later on, the migrants crossed the river on rafts, landed at what is today Oron beach (Esuk Oron) and spread from there."
"What the first account appears to suggest is that Oron is a section of Ibibio Uruan. Edet A. Udo (1983) who also holds this view explains that the Uruan people founded fishing settlements at Oron, Ine, and Uruan Ekpe (now in Cameroons) and that the southwards part of Uruan expansion was into Oron area."
Readers can go to the source and read more on this. I mplore experts and those interested in this story to dig more in order to set the records stright for the benefits of future generations.
Ikpafak Thompson Essien
Portland, Oregon
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