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Tag: Udom Emmanuel

  • Ex-Governor Emmanuel urges Nigerians to back Tinubu’s programmes

    Ex-Governor Emmanuel urges Nigerians to back Tinubu’s programmes

    Former Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel yesterday urged Nigerians to ignore all biases and support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his bid to solve the challenges confronting the country.

    The former governor, who spoke with reporters at the Pre-Service of Nine Lessons and Carol at the United Evangelical Church, Surulere, Lagos, said Nigerians should support the President to ensure he succeeds. 

    Emmanuel, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, said Nigerians across ethnic, party and religious divides should come ‘’together at this moment to ensure the country survives its crises.’’

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    He added: “This is not the time to dwell on factors that create divisions, the issues that expand the frontiers of our disagreements and further undermine our national unity.

    “Rather, as a people, we must pull together to confront our common enemies by giving every necessary support to President Tinubu to enable him face the challenges that are militating against the progressive movement upon which he has set our nation.”

    The former governor urged President Tinubu to pursue the vision of political stability, economic revitalisation and social cohesion.

  • Udom Emmanuel: Makinde hasn’t told me he is running for President

    Udom Emmanuel: Makinde hasn’t told me he is running for President

    Former Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel has said that he is not aware that Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde is running for the presidency in 2027. 

    Fielding questions from journalists at an event in Abuja, he responded to whether he will back Makinde’s rumoured presidential ambition. 

    He said: “Governor Makinde is my friend, a former colleague and one of the strong leaders of the PDP, to which I belong. I can say on my honour that Seyi has never told me he is running for President, and if we are as close as we are and he hasn’t told me, then I suspect that people are just using that slant as a means of blackmail, to either prevent him from continuing to  champion the rebuilding process of our party or to sow seeds of discord between him and the President.

    ” It is normal that anybody who desires to contest for any political office will undertake consultations to get the support of people, but my friend Seyi has not reached me or anyone I know of, on that matter.”

    The former Governor’s response was an attempt to clarify his position on the widespread speculation about Makinde’s alleger presidential ambitions.

     Emmanuel added: “What I know and I’m certain of is that he (Seyi) is a true party man, who, like many of us in the PDP, is totally committed to the resuscitation of the party that offered us a platform for political recognition and service to our people. 

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    “We cannot just abandon the party; it’s morally wrong to do so. We run a multi-party democratic structure, which must be nourished to stability. 

    “There will always be a ruling party and opposition parties, and we must imbibe the spirit of political tolerance that helps to consolidate democracy in nations where it is practised, which Nigeria is one.”

    Emmanuel’s comments come at a time when many have questioned his relative silence in the political arena since leaving office in 2023. 

    On why he has been quiet and has not made any political statement or posturing, Emmanuel responded: “I had promised at the twilight of my administration that when I leave office, I will leave the stage for my successor and retreat to my private life and engagements, and that is exactly what I have done. 

    “I have returned to my private life, but that doesn’t mean that I have left or retired from politics. After all, I still relate with and share ideas with many leaders at different levels, especially governors who ask for my opinion on diverse matters relating to public governance. 

    “I believe that there is time for everything, that’s what the Holy Book says. So, there is time for politics, there is time for business, I mean everything has its time, and I’m abiding by that principles.”

  • Group flays monarch for attacking ex-Gov Emmanuel

    Group flays monarch for attacking ex-Gov Emmanuel

    Ekid Peoples Union(EPU) has flayed the paramount ruler of Ibeno local government area of Akwa Ibom state, Professor Effiong Archianga, for scoring the immediate past administration of Udom Emmanuel low on performance.

    The monarch in a recent interview described Emmanuel as the worst Governor the state had ever produced and who did nothing for his Ibeno people in eight years in power.

    However, President General, Ekid People’s Union, Dr. Samuel Udonsak described the traditional ruler’s statement against the immediate past Governor as uncharitable.

    Udonsak in a statement to journalists on Sunday in Uyo said Archianga was using his exalted position to peddle malicious and unfounded allegations against Emmanuel.

     “Professor’ Archianga seeks to portray is definitely nothing more than a wicked attempt to distort history and destabilize the peace that Governor Udom Emmanuel worked so hard to institute, nurture and protect. 

    “One must wonder what would prompt such a diatribe against a former governor who has since completed his tenure peacefully and given his successor the free hand to implement the ARISE Agenda across the state.”

    He posited that the  utterances are designed not to build, but to tear down and they stand in stark contrast to the verifiable records of Udom Emmanuel’s tenure. 

    He argued: “Records that speak for themselves and cannot be erased by propaganda. For instance, before the emergence of Udom Emmanuel, no road had been constructed in lbeno.

    ” It was Governor Emmanuel who constructed a 19.5km dual carriage road linking Ibeno to Eket Local Government Area, opening up the region for commerce and development. 

    “This same Governor ensured that for the first time in history, an illustrious son of Ibeno rose to become the highest political office holder in the entire Eket Federal Constituency.

    ” it is also unfair for the Monarch to posit that no Ibeno son served in Udom’s  government as Commissioner, whereas that government first appointed Mr Ekpenyong Enyinna as Commissioner before appointing Chief Okpolupm Etteh as his successor. 

    “These are not indications of a “worst governor”; they are legacies of a governor who believed in equitable development and fairness. Contrary to the Paramount Ruler’s bitter rhetoric, Udom Emmanuel’s government was a beacon of inclusive governance. 

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    “Under his leadership, every local government area, including Ibeno, witnessed road projects and infrastructural development. He did not rule for one community or one party. He ruled for the entire Akwa Ibom State, restoring peace and prosperity and giving every citizen a renewed sense of belonging.”

    Speaking on some of the achievements of the former Governor, the Ekid leader said, “Governor Emmanuel did not just build roads and bridges; he built people. Twelve general hospitals were remodeled and equipped. 

    “The Itam Multispecialty Hospital was brought back to life, and civil servants were never owed salaries, a testament to his belief in governance as a tool for vice. He may not have been faired well in upsetting all the arrears of gratuities owed civil servants, but he never owed them pensions.”

    He added that to  describe such a leader as “the worst Governor” is either the product of a mind clouded by age-related forgetfulness or of a heart hardened by greed and a phobia for peace.

    He said:”History will remember Governor Udom Emmanuel as one of the best governors Akwa Ibom has ever produced, a governor who left the state better than he met it, and whose legacies continue to speak louder than any insult ever could.

    The Ekid  peoples union leader added: “While some talk, others work. While detractors hurl insults, Udom Emmanuel built roads, industries, and lives. While political opportunists sow division, he sowed peace and unity. Governance is not about noise: it is about impact. And the impact of Udom Emmanuel’s administration is etched in the roads we drive on, the hospitals that save lives, the jobs that feed families, and the peace that binds communities.

    “Let those who thrive on crisis find another stage for their performance. Akwa Ibom has moved beyond bitterness and division; it is on the path of progress, built on the solid foundation laid by leaders like Udom Emmanuel.”

  • Udom seeks concession for airlines

    Udom seeks concession for airlines

    Former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, has urged the Federal Government to grant concessions to the aviation sector to facilitate easy movement of people. The ex – governor said the sector has been badly hit by the forex crisis as well as economic hardship.

    Udom spoke with reporters at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja yesterday.

    The former governor said:”I think there are some concessions that should be given to the entire aviation industry in Nigeria so that people can move from one place to another.

     “There is no country on the planet that does not have some form of subsidy for its citizens.

     “I’m not calling for a subsidy for the airline business, but they should be given preference on certain things because they operate in the same market.

     “The economy of any country cannot move or grow if people cannot move from one place to another.”

     Udom said he was satisfied that he launched Ibom Air as a sitting governor.

     The former governor of Akwa Ibom State said: “I feel satisfied for launching Ibom Air under my administration.

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    Out of nothing, we created something, and that is the whole concept of creativity and ideas.”

     He noted that the airline was a major differentiation in terms of what man can do despite challenges.

     According to him, people sometimes forget that governors experience different challenges.

     “During our era, we had recessions almost twice, then we had COVID-19, which grounded the whole world for one and a half years. Coming up with concepts, ideas, and creativity that people can be proud of is something for which I must give glory to Almighty God,” he stated.

        Speaking on the future of the airline, he explained that what sustains an airline business was the culture that people put in place.

     “If you check Ibom Air, they have the culture that would sustain the airline.

     “I have absolute confidence in the current management to sustain the airline,” he added.

  • Don’t lose hope, Emmanuel tells Nigerians

    Don’t lose hope, Emmanuel tells Nigerians

    Immediate past governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel, has called on Nigerians not to lose hope in spite of the ongoing economic challenges.

    Mr Emmanuel, who gave this counsel as the guest lecturer at the Fifth Convocation Ceremony of the Mountain Top University, Prayer City, Ogun State, said Nigerians must challenge their minds to rise above the myriad of challenges facing the world today.

    According to him, “the world we are living in today is characterised by a very high pace and scale of volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity.

    “It is important to note that no nation is immune from the challenges of this present day.

    “Many are losing hope because of the enormity of the unresolved issues being faced on a daily basis. Many are filled with fear at the uncertainty of what the future holds.

    “But hope is the one attribute we must never lose,” Mr Emmanuel advised.

    The immediate past Governor of Akwa Ibom State, charged students to take time out to have a vision for their lives, insisting that one must have a mental picture of what future he wants to create.

    Speaking on the topic, Optimizing your potentials in a challenging future, Mr Emmanuel said, “you can hold onto a vision of what is yet to come, you can boost your chances at achieving your dreams and being successful.”

    Read Also: Udom Emmanuel reshuffles cabinet, eyes Legacy

    He recounted how he conceptualized the idea of a state-owned airline for Akwa Ibom State, even before assumption of office in 2015.

    In addition to the Ibom airline which is presently considered one of the best in Africa, he recounted how he also followed his vision of transforming Akwa Ibom into a financial, economic and technological hub.

    Highlighting that no one can progress beyond his mindset, Mr Emmanuel urged people to embrace a growth mindset, “accept that all you know about any particular subject matter is not all that exists and be open to engage with and accept superior information.

    “Your life will ultimately be a representation of your belief system, your philosophies and your ideology. No one can make progress beyond his mindset.”

    He cautioned the youths against mediocrity, explaining that being of moderate or low quality, value, ability, or performance will take no one far.

    “Become a person known for excellence. The challenge of gender, racial, ethnic or whatever biases only count at the average quality level, when you become excellent at whatever you do, these biases become absolutely irrelevant.

    “Excellence puts you above all biases. Be so good at what you do that you become almost indispensable”, Mr Emmanuel said.

  • Uyo Senate retreat: Another plus to the Udom Emmanuel’s legacy

    Uyo Senate retreat: Another plus to the Udom Emmanuel’s legacy

    By Otobong Nsekpong

    The scheduled retreat in Akwa Ibom State, by the Nigerian Senate has confirmed that indeed the State is a destination of choice. Beyond the hospitable and friendly nature of the people, it is the peace and aura of tranquility that became  synonymous with the State since 2015. When the immediate past Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel decided to invest in massive infrastructural development, very few understood the import of his actions. He had the third point of his initial Five Point agenda,  as infrastructural consolidation and expansion and relied on the popular quote, ‘let’s build and they will come’. 

    Yes, they have come as envisaged and Akwa Ibom people are witnessing the stimulation of economic activities. The Ibom Air, Africa’s first airline established by a sub national, and arguably one of the most efficient airlines on the continent, is among the aviation miracles of the Udom era in Akwa Ibom State. Most importantly, the Four Point by Sheraton Hotel, which the silent achiever picked from a carcass into a 21st century hospitality resort has made Akwa Ibom number one destination of choice.

    Ibom Air, the orange magic in the sky, has won several laurels as the most reliable airline in the country, provides travelers with a refreshing experience that makes them look forward to traveling with it again. 

    The visiting Senators may perhaps have a lot of reasons to consider rewarding the Akwa Ibom Government, especially for massive federal roads executed. For example, during the immediate past administration of Mr Udom Emmanuel, the longest stretches of dualised roads were executed by the State government under Mr Emmanuel between 2015 and 2023. While in the State,  the senators would be very pleased to visit all parts of the state and see how the entire local government areas are knitted by super highways of dual roads. They include the 9.5km RingRoad  of 10lanes, the dual carriage 25km Uyo – Ikot Ekpene Road, the dual carriage road from Uyo to Etinan and from Etinan to Eket, measuring 53kilometers, and yet another dual carriage road of 29km with two cable bridges from Etinan to Ndon Eyo in Onna local government area or even the 19km dual expressway from Eket to Ibeno, where 40 percent of the oil and gas reserves of the country are produced. 

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    The Uyo – Ikot Ekpene Road was executed by construction giants, Julius Berger and provides a smooth sail from the State capital to the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Ikot Ekpene. A journey that used to take up to an hour, now lasts barely 10-15 minutes. Similarly, the four star hotel which had been a subject of debacle for years, after it remained a mere uncompleted building in Ikot Ekpene, was brought into life after the immediate past administration committed energy into completing and furnishing it, as well as securing legal backing for its takeoff. 

    It does appear that from the Aviation  sector development to infrastructural consolidation and expansion, Udom was right in powering the State into a choice destination. 

    Welcome our distinguished Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the fastest developing State of the Federation.

  • Why we sealed church in Uyo, by police

    THE police in Akwa Ibom have explained why they sealed up Qua Iboe Church along No 112 Ikot Ekpene Road, Uyo, the state capital, on Sunday where Governor Udom Emmanuel worships.

    The state Commissioner of Police Zaki Ahmed  said the sealing of the church was to avert a clash among worshipers over the change of name from Qua Iboe to United Evangelical Church.

    He also regretted that the action of his men had led to some worshippers sustaining varying degrees of injury.

    Ahmed said the police were alerted of the plan by a faction in the ongoing crisis to factions to foment trouble and decided to seal the church to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

    He said, “Police sealed the church to prevent crisis. Last Sunday there was a crisis among the worshippers in which many people were injured. We got information that a  faction of the church was coming there to cause trouble, so our officers were there to prevent further clash”.

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    It was gathered that the police arrived the church premises as early as 6am and barricaded the entrance, preventing early the morning worshipers from going in to worship.

    Governor Emmanuel and some prominent members of the church were allegedly accused of having personal interest in the matter rocking the church.

    But speaking on Sunday against the backdrop of insinuations, the governor declared that he has no personal interest in the crisis, adding that he was rather committed to ensuring that peace return to the United Evangelical Church which was originally founded as Qua Iboe Church.

    Governor Emmanuel who said he has been making progress in bringing peace and harmony between the two contending parties, urged agents of blackmail to desist.

    He said, “It is very wrong for certain elements to make unfounded allegations concerning my role in the local assembly on Ikot Ekpene road.”

    “In a peace meeting I had with the leadership of the church on Thursday September 26, I had outlined the processes and plans for peace to return to both the local and national leadership of the church.

    “The parties were very satisfied with the plans outlined and went back very happy.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Osinbajo lauds Emmanuel’s industrialisation agenda

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has lauded the efforts of Governor Udom Emmanuel in industrialisation and has declared Akwa Ibom State as his second home.

    During the commencement of commissioning of projects with the Flour Mill Factory in Onna as first, Osinbajo, who was impressed with the pace of growth in the state, congratulated Governor Udom Emmanuel for his strides and described the Flour Mill factory as a product of foresight.

    The Vice President, who is in the State to inaugurate three landmark projects to mark the 32nd anniversary of its creation, said he was satisfied with Emmanuel for sharing in the vision of rapid transformation in the state.

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    “I want to commend the Governor for providing world class infrastructure and for attracting investors to this state. Your people are warm and hospitable and that’s why a lot of investors come here. I am from Ogun State, but whenever I think of a second home, I come to Akwa Ibom.

    “I was in this State in the last two years to commission the Syringe factory. That was a very thoughtful and foresighting project and today I am here to commission another even more foresighting projects,” Osinbajo said.

    While welcoming the Vice President to the Flour Mill, Emmanuel thanked Prof. Osinbajo for rising above biases, a message his administration has preached through the Dakkada creed.

  • ‘Why Emmanuel should assent to youth development bill’

    The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) has appealed to Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel to assent to the Youth Development Fund Bill passed by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.

    The bill passed into law by the 6th Assembly seeks to provide youths with job opportunities and other windows for empowerment and wealth creation.

    PIND’s Project Leader, Mr. Emeka Ile made the appeal at a one-day dissemination workshop and roundtable on Private Sector Engagement and Partnership in the Niger Delta Youth Employment Pathway Project held at Luton Park Hotel, Uyo.

    Ile assured that the governor’s assent to the bill would address the myriad of challenges which the youth experience, including restiveness and unemployment.

    He said: “That is why we want this bill to be assented to without delay. We call on Governor Emmanuel to expedite action and ensure that the bill already passed by the House of Assembly is assented to without delay.

    “I am sure that if the bill is assented to, it will go a long way in addressing youth unemployment and restiveness.”

    He said PIND is exploring four key areas of economic development such as peace-building, capacity building and analysis and advocacy to tackle youth unemployment in the Niger Delta.

    The project leader said PIND’s experience has shown that connecting job seekers and market actors  can result in more productive ventures.

    The target group, he said, are the unemployed youths of the three pilot states with a primary focus on young male and female school leavers between the ages of 16 and 26, including the young people living in rural areas and women and people living with disabilities.

    He revealed that out of 1,600 youths who registered with the foundation, 1,468 of them drawn from the pilot states have completed their registration process and are undergoing training in various areas, including aquaculture.

    Mr. Ile said out of a total of 400 youths drawn from Akwa Ibom State, 197 are in aquaculture, 150 in ICT and 97 in different construction skills.

    In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Culture, Mr. Effiong Edet said the objectives of the foundation were in line with government’s policies and programmes for youth development.

    He said Governor Emmanuel has invested heavily on youth development projects, adding that the state government would partner with the foundation to create better opportunities for the youth in order to address youth restiveness and unemployment.

    He said: “Governor Emmanuel is passionate about youth development and has spent a lot of resources in youth development projects. Youths are important to the success of any government. That is why this government has trained over 500 youths in agriculture and ICT, in an attempt to ensure that Akwa Ibom youths are taken off the streets.”

  • Ibom Air begins operations today

    The Akwa Ibom state government said its airline, Ibom Air, will commence full-fledged commercial flight operations today.

    A statement from the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Udom Emmanuel, Mr. Ekerete Udoh said the airline is first commercial airline ever to be owned and operated by a state government anywhere in the country and indeed Africa.

    According to him, the airline is starting commercial operations having fulfilled all regulatory conditions and requirements by the regulatory authorities in the nation’s aviation sector.

    He said the airline is one of the signature projects of the Emmanuel administration aimed at changing the economic fortunes of the state and providing employment for the unemployed indigenes of the state.

    ”The airline which represents one of the signature projects of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s first term was launched  on February 20th this year with three aircraft by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki,” he said.

    ”Having fulfilled all the regulatory conditions and requirements, the airline was certified fit to commence commercial operations, leading to the maiden flight billed for tomorrow, June 7th, 2019.

    ”It will maintain regular daily flights to both Lagos (MMA2) and Abuja respectively. The aircrafts in its fleet (Bombardier CRJ 900) have the distinction of being relatively new, all three, under 10 years old.

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    ”The commencement of the commercial operations by Ibom Air has been celebrated by Akwaibomites and other Nigerians as a testament to the visionary leadership of Governor Udom Emmanuel, who seems determined to break conventional wisdom concerning things long thought to be impossible to achieve.

    ”With this development, Governor Emmanuel’s avowed determination to open the three gateways to industrialization-land, sea and air appears to be on course”, he said.