The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Emmanuel Udom

  • Lagosians join Akwa United supporters in celebration

    Lagosians join Akwa United supporters in celebration

    Jubilant supporters of Akwa United FC on Sunday in Lagos took to the streets of Agege and its environs to celebrate their team’s victory over Niger Tornadoes in the AITEO finals.

    The supporters had immediately after the match, took over the streets gleefully dancing, singing and blowing their trumpets to savour the epic win over the Northern opposition, who gave them a run for their money.

    Akwa United emerged winners of the maiden AITEO Cup in the finals played at Agege Township Stadium.

    The Abdul Makaiba-tutored team laboured to a 3-2 penalty shootout win over Niger Tornadoes in the Nigeria’s oldest cup after the regulation time ended in a deadlock.

    Gov. Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom had led an unprecedented crowd to cheer their darling team to victory at the 2017 AITEO Cup, formerly Federation Cup.

    The recent win by Akwa United marked the second time the club will clinch the cup having won it in 2015.

    Akwa United went home with N25 million prize and will be representing Nigeria in the CAF Confederation Cup.

    Niger Tornadoes runners-up, who defeated defending champions, FC Ifeanyi Ubah are also N10 million richer.

    Speaking with NAN, a supporter, Ifem Eden, described the team’s victory over Niger Tornadoes as a well deserved one.

    “This is a tough game for us which we need to celebrate. We are happy with the kind of support we get from our governor.

    “We are very pleased with the win and the support we got from the Lagos fans,” he said.

    Another supporter, Godson Emmanuel, said with the victory the team had made a statement in Nigeria’s football.

    “This is our second win in the space of two years and we are happy; the support from Lagos fans is tremendous, maybe our people here must have prepared the ground for us.”

    NAN

  • Udom redeems 50,000 dollars pledge to Super Eagles – NFF

    Udom redeems 50,000 dollars pledge to Super Eagles – NFF

    Akwa Ibom State Governor, Emmanuel Udom, has redeemed his pledge of 10,000 dollars per goal for the matches against Cameroon to the Super Eagles.

    The Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF ) made the disclosure on Thursday in Abuja.

    Gov. Udom had promised the players 10,000 dollars for every goal, two days before their clash with the reigning African champions, whom the Super Eagles walloped 4-0 in Uyo on Sept.1.

    They went on to earn a 1-1 draw with the Lions in Yaounde on Sept. 4.

    “Gov. Udom has redeemed the pledge on Wednesday, while calling on the Super Eagles to go for the broke on Saturday and expect ‘a handsome reward’ from him.

    “There will be more incentives for the Eagles if the team could earn a sixth FIFA World Cup appearance by winning on Saturday,’’ NFF’s spokesman, Ademola Olajire said in a statement.

    “I know you have the quality to overcome in this important match, but I don’t want you to underrate your opponents.

    “I love the professionalism and dedication to cause that you have shown since the beginning of this qualifying campaign. Those efforts have put Nigeria at the top of the table.

    “I want to commend the NFF, your coaches and the support staff for the great job they have all done in support of your efforts to get to this position.

    “You are just one win away from achieving your goal. The Zambians are taking this game as a do-or-die affair, so we need to be totally focused and play like soldiers,’’ it quoted the governor as saying.

    The statement said Super Eagles’ Captain, Mikel John Obi, thanked the governor and pledged to him and indeed Nigerians everywhere that the team would not disappoint on Saturday.

    “We very much appreciate the role Your Excellency, the Government and good people of Akwa Ibom State, the NFF and Nigerians from all walks of life have played to get us to this position in this campaign.

    “We know how much this match means and we will go out there and do the job,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • God has answered prayers on Buhari – Udom

    God has answered prayers on Buhari – Udom

    Akwa Ibom State Governor, Emmanuel Udom, said on Friday that God has answered the prayers of Nigerians by restoring the health of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Udom, who was one of the seven state governors that went to see Buhari in London on Wednesday, told State House correspondents in Abuja that all the seven governors were excited by what they saw of their host.

    “Let me thank God for the life of the President and thank God for Nigerians too. I also appreciate Nigerians who have prayed sincerely and earnestly for Mr. President and I think God has actually answered the prayers of Nigerians.

    “From the photographs, you could see that God has actually answered our prayers. So some of us were quite excited to see Mr. President welcome us, discuss with us and he was also happy to see us.

    “So what you were seeing both on TV and newspapers are genuine and correct. God has actually healed our president, and we thank God for that,” he said after emerging from a meeting with Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.

    On Buhari’s return to the country, the governor said: “I’m not a medical doctor.”

    “Let me say something here, even when you have a biological father you loves your father, you take interest in his wellbeing. I mean as a father to the nation, in my personal opinion, I don’t think that is the issue now.

    “The issue is that we should be happy that God has answered our prayers, that is where I am coming from. And let me also say, some of us behave as if the president, the governors are superhuman, we are normal human beings and we also have challenges.

    “So let us not think that because we are governors or President we are superhuman. No. We are not God we mere mortals like any of us here. So that should also make us play down on the way we look at certain issues.”

     

  • God has answered prayers on Buhari, says Udom

    God has answered prayers on Buhari, says Udom

    …Says Buhari, governors not supernatural

     

    Akwa Ibom State Governor, Emmanuel Udom on Friday declared that God has already answered the prayers of Nigerians over the health of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He was one of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governors that met with the President in London on Wednesday.

    The President has been in the United Kingdom since May 7th to meet up with follow up consultation with his doctors.

    His absence had fueled speculations in the past few weeks.

    Speaking with State House correspondents after meeting with Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, Emmanuel Udom said “Let me thank God for the life of the president and thank God for Nigerians too. And also appreciate Nigerians who have prayed sincerely and earnestly for Mr. President and I think God has actual answered the prayers of Nigerians.

    “From what you could see from the photographs you could see that God has actually answered our prayers, so some of us were quite excited to see Mr. President welcomed us, discussed with us and he was also happy to see us.

    “So what you are seeing both on TV and newspapers are genuine and correct. God has actually healed our president and we thank God for that.”

    On when the doctors will discharge the President, “I’m sorry I’m not the doctor I’m just a governor.

    When asked to guess from what he observed during the visit, he said “I’m not a medical doctor. Let me say something here, even when you have a biological father you love your father, you take interest in his well-being. I mean as a father to the nation, in my personal opinion, I don’t think that is the issue now.

    “The issue is that we should thank God that God has answered our prayers, that is where I am coming from. And let me also say, some of us behave as if the president, the governors are superhuman, we are normal human beings, we also have challenges.

    “So let us not think that because we are governors or president we are superhuman. No. We are not God we mere mortals like any of us here. So that should also make us play down on the way we look at certain issues,” he added.

    On what the delegation discussed with the President, he said that what was discussed was in the best interest of the country.

    He said “I don’t think when you hold meeting even with your wife and children you will come and make that public. The president is father of the nation and we represent the sub unit of this nation and so is not everything that we discussed that we should just come and say.

    “It was a closed door meeting but be ready assured whatever the president will discuss with the governors will be in the best interest of all the citizens of this country,” he stated.

     

  • Udom emerges interim chairman of South-East/South-South Governors’ Forum

    Udom emerges interim chairman of South-East/South-South Governors’ Forum

    Gov. Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom has been appointed the interim chairman of the joint South-East/South-South Governors’ Forum.

    Udom emerged chairman at the first meeting of the forum held late Sunday night at the Nike Lake Resort, Enugu.

    He told newsmen at the end of the closed door meeting that governors from the two zones had decided to pursue inter-regional cooperation for greater integration.

    The governor said that the leaders of the two zones had agreed to realign as a people that share a common heritage, culture and affinity.

    “Having reviewed the state of the nation, particularly as it affects us in the South-South and South-East regions, we have agreed to pursue inter-regional cooperation.

    “This will be for integration and for the economic benefit of the two regions.

    “We also have resolved to politically work together and realign as a people that shared common heritage, culture and affinity,” he said.

    Udom said that he was unanimously chosen as the interim chairman by other governors, adding that their next meeting would hold in Port Harcourt on Aug. 27.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the governors of Abia, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Cross River and Rivers, attended the meeting; while the deputy governor of Anambra represented the governor.

  • 23 people died in church building collapse, says Governor Udom

    23 people died in church building collapse, says Governor Udom

    Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel has declared that not more than 23 lives were lost in last Saturday’s Reigner’s Church building collapse in Uyo.

    He spoke during a solemn assembly at the Government House Banquet Hall in honour of victims of the collapse building on Monday.

    The Governor also debunked the claim that one of his aides who pushed him out of the collapsing building, lost his life in the process.

    He said the only staff directly in his service who died in the incident was a driver who sat elsewhere in another location within the church because he was also a member of the church.

    The Governor said the earlier figures from some sections of the media came as a result of multiple counting of the different private health centres that victims were rushed to, before being transferred to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, and the Specialist hospital in Uyo.

    He thanked God who he said honoured the covenant he made concerning his executive council members, maintaining that none of them died in the disaster.

    He said he was able to charter aircrafts to bring in neuro-surgeons from around the country, adding that his efforts resulted in 99 percent success rate for all the injured victims.

    Acknowledging the presence of the deputy senate president, Ike Ekweremadu, Governor Emmanuel appealed for assistance from the federal government to help in the medical expenses of the victims.

    Governor Emmanuel again reassured Akwa Ibom people not to despaired by the occurrence as God is still with the state, noting that accidents could occur anywhere to anybody.

    He said that what mattered most is that the survivors have been given a second chance by God to straighten their ways so that they would be prepared for judgement after their life on earth.

    “The second chance is for everyone and not just the survivors, and we should be more concerned by the account we would render before God, because He will certainly not be interested in our titles and positions.”

    Goodwill messages were received from the Senate President represented by the Deputy Senate President Senator Ike Ekweremadu and the Governor of Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike.

    They both extended their condolences to the government and people of the state and assured of their readiness to support the state government’s efforts in ameliorating the crises.

    Prayers where offered for the Divine Intervention of God against further calamity, God’s comfort to the bereaved family and the state.

  • Emmanuel Udom endorses IbomFest

    Emmanuel Udom endorses IbomFest

    With the maiden edition of the Akwa Ibom heritage Festival tagged IbomFest 2016 underway, the Akwa Ibom State governor, His Excellency, Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel has announced his support for the festival.

    Billed to hold from December 15 to 17, the governor called on all would be visitors to take opportunity of the festival to visit the state and experience the artistic, cultural and tourism opportunities that abound in the state.

    Speaking at a press conference which held recently, Udom affirmed that the entire machinery of the state government was working in unity towards making sure that IbomFest 2016 would make indelible imprints in the consciousness of all guests.

    Governor Udom went on to state that the environment of Akwa Ibom State is remarkably clean and healthy while the peace and security status of the state speaks volumes.

    “Ibomfest, therefore, in the spirit of the Dakkada philosophy of our government, is positioned to contribute significantly towards the enhancement of the revenue base of the state and yield positive harvests to the people and government of the state.

    “I believe that this event will promote foreign direct investment vis-à-vis foreign exchange from visiting tourists, opportunity for establishment of trade relations with states and countries that will participate in the event, employment generation through involvement of men and women, youths, artistes, arts/ crafts vendors, transporters, food vendors, hoteliers and others in all activities throughout its duration and finally opportunity for income generation for entire communities,” he said.

    Also speaking to the members of the press, the Special Assistant to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State for Tourism and Development, Ini Edo stated that the festival which is themed Our Culture Beyond Borders is in line with the desire of the governor to ensure that Akwa Ibom remains the choice destination for tourists and investors and this has spurred the pace of infrastructural and socio-economic development witnessed in Akwa Ibom State.

    She also revealed that the event will help strengthen relationship between government, policy makers and private tourism operators within the state, the country and overseas towards further development of the abundant tourism potentials of the state and encouraging private sector initiatives in building of tourism infrastructure such as parks, tourists market/ souvenir shops, sit outs, guided tours and others to compliment government’s effort.”

  • Supreme Court affirms Akwa Ibom, Abia governors elections

    Supreme Court affirms Akwa Ibom, Abia governors elections

    The elections of Akwa Ibom state governor Udo Emmanuel and Dr Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State have been affirmed by the Supreme Court sitting in Abuja.
    Details later

  • Akwa Ibom governor backs anti-graft war

    The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Emmanuel Udom, on Monday threw his weight behind President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-graft campaign.

    Speaking with State House correspondents after meeting the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Udom described the campaign as fantastic.

    He stressed that the anti-corruption campaign deserves the support of all Nigerians.

    Udom, who is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), however, pointed out that the anti-corruption war needed durable institutional structures that would let the system run smoothly.

    He also said Nigerians themselves should support the campaign by purging themselves of insincerity and impunity as corruption goes beyond exchange of money between corrupt persons.

    On the war, he said: “Fantastic! Fantastic! It’s something that if we must move forward as a country we must tackle corruption. I believe it’s essential to put in place strong institutional structures to fight corruption.

    “To set up structures that would enable systems to run effective without interference. All hands must be on desk in fighting corruption.

    And when we’re talking about corruption we’ll start looking round. Why can’t we start looking at ourselves?

    “Let’s start from even you as a person, what is corruption? It’s not only when money exchanges hands that is corruption. Somebody trying to influence an unjust cause, it’s corruption one way or the other.

    “Corruption is a broad concept, if you gave ₦10 at hand and you’re not honest about it, you will never be honest about it when you have ₦10million at hand. So corruption has a lot of ramifications. So corruption is not in terms of the magnitude.”