Governor Wike Has Executed More Projects Than The APC Led Federal Government - Akpabio

Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio has declared that Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has executed more projects in the last two years than the APC-led Federal Government.

Addressing journalists after accompanying Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike on an extensive projects inspection on Monday, Senator Akpabio said that Governor Wike's excellent performance stems from his love for Rivers people.

The Former Governor of Akwa Ibom State noted: "Governor Wike has done more work and projects in the last two years than the Federal Government. That is my considered opinion.

"Performance is not necessarily an issue of the availability of resources. If your state gets N5billion, do projects of that amount. If you get N1billion, do projects commensurate with that figure. For Governor Wike, he has judiciously applied the scarce resources available to the state to develop needed infrastructure.

"The resources available to Rivers State is nothing compared to that of the Federal Government. Rivers State Government gets far less than a quarter than one percent of what accrues to the Federal Government, but we can see the tremendous quality of transformation taking place in the state".

The Former Governor added: "It is not so much money that makes performance. It is love for your people. When you are elected, if you love your people you will perform, no matter the little money that you have.

"What I am seeing here in Rivers State is not like a recession economy because the Governor of Rivers State loves his people. Let me use this opportunity to congratulate the workers at the various sites because they are acquiring a lot of skills working at the sites.

"The kind of projects that Governor Wike is doing in Rivers State will attract the world to the state. Today, there is a song, that the handwork of Wike is beautiful."

Senator Akpabio advised Governor Wike never to be distracted by political detractors who engage in political blackmail. He said no matter the attempt at distraction, Governor Wike should continue his transformation of the state.

He said: "Do not be distracted by unnecessary blackmail against your person by political detractors. I want to urge all governors who have the opportunity to lead their states to visit Rivers State.

"I want to say this with all amount of pride that Governor Wike is working. We pray God to continue to bless, protect and keep him to work for the state. Governor Wike loves his people, he loves Rivers State and that is why he is doing this. It is not everyone that will transform Rivers State in such a short time.

"Under two years, the results are everywhere. The roads we think that will not be done, have been done. The roads are now wonderful, most of them dualised .

"When it comes to the time of election and the people risk their lives for Governor Wike. People will say maybe he sponsored thugs or used money. It is Governor Wike’s work that will determine the electoral future."

He commended Governor Wike for restoring the pride of Rivers State as the capital of the Niger Delta.

Governor Wike during the inspection tour, explained the importance of the Rivers State Ecumenical Centre, the Port Harcourt Pleasure Park and Landscaping Architecture at Airforce overheard bridge, Port Harcourt.

He said that his administration will continue to sustain the execution of projects across the state, despite the economic recession.

Simeon Nwakaudu,
Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor, Electronic Media.
3rd April, 2017.

HON. CHRIS OKON ADMONISHES OKOBO STUDENTS AGAINST CULTISM AND SOCIAL VICES

...sues for excellence

-Ibom Insight News

A former Leader of Okobo Legislative Council, Hon. Christopher Okon has charged secondary school students of Okobo extraction to avoid cultism and shun other forms of social vices, in order to promote excellence and avoid being tagged 'societal misfits'.

Hon. Okon made the counsel during the 2017 edition of Annual Inter House Sports Competition organised by the management of Comprehensive Secondary School, Okobo, held in Friday, 31st March, 2017.

Presiding as Chairman of the occasion, Hon. Christopher Okon took turn to warn students from across secondary schools in Okobo who thronged in to witness the event against the dangers of cultism.
"I hope as I am speaking, I am not speaking to any cultist? I hope you all know that cultism has not even one advantage?

"I am aware of the pressure being put on the children of God in universities, secondary and even primary schools by those who have made themselves ambassadors of doom and I believe none of you here is one of them", he stressed.

Asserting that Comprehensive Secondary School being the most populous secondary school in Okobo has produced a host of stars in every facet of the society, Hon. Okon who is an immediate past State EXCO. Member of the Akwa Ibom PDP urged the young lads to remain committed to their studies, warning them against being overpowered by youthful exuberance.

"Whoever is here should count him or herself privileged to be here, because this school has produced so many excellent personalities and if you remain focused in your academic work, there shall be no limitations hampering from becoming excellent as a professional, a politician, a clergy, even as an athlete.

"A former student of Comprehensive Secondary School made Okobo and Akwa Ibom proud by becoming the overall best graduating student in the University of Uyo in 2013/2014 academic session. This is to tell you that you are not limited in any way.

"So, whenever you see anybody advising you to join them in promoting vandalism and wickedness, remember that I once told you that such a person is an enemy of your dreams, then ask that person to show you where his negative activities has taken him to." These were the words of Hon. Chris Okon.

The event which featured march past, cultural displays and sporting competitions by competitors from various participating houses, particularly track events in both male and female categories, was attended largely by the traditional ruling class, politicians, educationists, visiting guests, students from various schools, as well as teaming spectators from across Okobo.

It is noteworthy that this year's Inter House Sports Competition in Comprehensive Secondary School, Okobo marks the first in a decade, as emphasised by the school's principal, Pastor Effiong Esio Okwong, who expressed excitement and a deep sense of appreciation to the school's PTA and staff, on the occasion, while briefing the press

2019: Udom Emmanuel And The Political Hallelujah Singers Of Okobo Extraction

By John Ntekim

To succeed, the PDP must identify the true ambassadors of Udom Emmanuel.

As none of the thirty one (31) local government areas of Akwa Ibom State can be ignored in a match for the occupation of the hilltop mansion, the position of the Okobo people remains weighty and unavoidable in a discourse of the Akwa Ibom's polity, on any occasion, including the upcoming gubernatorial race.
Consequently, it is not debatable if Governor Udom Emmanuel must enjoy the popular support of Okobo electorates, to emerge governor a second time.

But, it has become obvious that a few politicians who are fast running expired from the area have always depended on what I would term 'urban praise singing and drums beating' in support of the incumbent, to derive their personal political succor, without establishing a single touch with the grassroot. Unfortunately for these metropolitan politicians, with the birth APC which has caused the existence of two major opposing political parties in Akwa Ibom, the idea of reaping by extension and the concept of 'food is ready politics' (whatever that means), are now old fashioned. At this point, the verbal support given any candidate must be justified with complementary field work. He who supports must show working!

Unarguably, the political space of Okobo has never been characterised by the outright disorder and uncertainty which have become eminent in the system, owing largely to the amount of deceit and unbearable highhandedness which have gradually become official policies of the political leadership of the land, ranging from the hierarchy of the People's Democratic Party at the Chapter level, to the representative seat at the State House of Assembly and the local administration.
This has inexcusably surged conspicuous activation of the people's consciousness and has made grassroot mobilisers determined to resist eventual intrigues by those who have risen to key government positions presently through claims of credit for over the efforts of others.

Yes, circumstances have changed in the polity of the Okobo local government area and any keen observer would vindicate this opinion. The PDP must act fast!

Even a weakest survey would prove that the Okobo people are already regretting the choice they made at the 2015 poll which has turned out to be one of their greatest disappointments overtime, with not one positive result forthcoming.
Today, the women are complaining, children are wondering if in fact, Okobo has anyone in government, the youths are taking to the social media and elders' doorsteps to express their frustrations, while the elders themselves are confused and just waiting to alter the status quo by next chance. All is not well!

Carelessly, these public officers who have lost touch with the home front by shying away from discussing the needs of their people and snubbing those who supported them to the top have fallen the ladder through which they climbed, trusting in their relationship with the leadership of the PDP at the State level to remain relevant beyond 2019. But, how far can singing the hallelujah choruses of His Excellency without getting close to the people who voted for him in your Ward and village drive the governor's second term ambition?

In my opinion, anyone who supports the governor and wants him in office beyond 2019 would not oppose the reconciliation of aggrieved persons back to the ruling party, neither would he/she disappear from his/her root, only to return for campaigns when the tide is high and the time is nigh.

Undoubtedly, the governor himself and the current leadership of the Akwa Ibom PDP are not ignorant of the split and chasm in the Okobo Chapter of the party. Hence, knowledge of this imbroglio must be allowed to influence the choice of who gets the party's flag in the anticipated local government elections and 2019 election of a representative to fill the Okobo State Constituency's seat. To succeed, PDP must identify the real ambassadors of Udom Emmanuel and remain conscious of the fact that the choice of one who has been written off by the electorates can only attract total collapse of support against the PDP, because a party with positive ideals must not promote negative people, no matter the excuse. The 'Jonahs' must be restricted from travelling with people who have integrity, lest, the boat sinks wholly.

Moreso, the Electoral Act has recently been amended to introduce electronic voting, so, 2019 cannot be business as usual. Now, the notable secrets to electoral victory, for both APC and PDP, nationwide, becomes consideration of aspirants' antecedents, intensive preparation, hard work, home-based popularity of candidates and strategising according to dynamisms. "If you carry bad product enter market, na bad market."

Fortunately for the Akwa Ibom PDP, even while others have been obsessed with their closeness to the governor and the party hierarchy and are already counting on their praise-singing attitude to launch and succeed in their personal ambitions, there are persons who have the right message about Udom Emmanuel and the PDP. These ones have shifted from the smiling praise singers and have been on a reconciliation course, which of course is yielding positive results and having more persons return under the umbrella. Notably, two of such bodies in Okobo Local Government Area are the PDP Leadership Forum, led by a former Executive Chairman of Council and former member of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Asuquo Odiong, alongside Amalgamated Okobo Youth Leaders Council (a youth body with about 160 affiliate youth associations and clubs), led by a widely celebrated youth leader, Ulap Iniobong Esung. Anyone who sincerely supports Udom Emmanuel must emulate the activities of these persons.

Statewide, handing of tickets to persons with bad reputations will only drag the second term bid of His Excellency to a breakdown.

PDP must be positively selective!

Okobo people are not satisfied with the status quo and shall go miles to upturn it. So, the PDP must look for the black goat this daytime.

N/B: Opinions expressed as contained herein are personal and those of an analyst from Odu Clan in Okobo Local Government Area, John Ntekim.