THE PATRIOT NEWSPAPER...Sharing the Nigerian Experience

  ... Urges Members to be Hopeful for a Better Year. Ekid People's Union (EPU), an Akwa Ibom-based apex socio-cultural organisation, has charged governments at all levels to sincerely and speedily actualise, their often avowed commitments, in the new year, towards making life more tolerable and meaningful  to the citizens. Dr. Samuel Udonsak, President Eket People's Union In a goodwill message to mark the new year, EPU's  President-General, Dr Samuel Udonsak, however urged the people to have a renewed hope for a more refreshing and fulfilling life experience in 2021 notwithstanding  that Year 2020 had brought untold hardship, via economic devastation,  social dislocation, infrastructural decay and grave  global health challenges, that have no doubt  resulted in unimaginable loss of hope. Udonsak therefore reasoned that one way to restore lasting hope in the citizenry is for the governments to prioritise and focus on potentially impactful projects and programmes that will ma

  ... PDP Inter Ward Football Competition to commence next year ...The Party is very proud of you - PDP Chairman By Ubong Creativity David The State Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Barr. Akpadiaha Ebitu has promised to expand the scope of Eket Ward 3 Urban Football Competition to accommodate all the 50 Wards in Eket Federal Constituency to make the annual football tournament very competitive. Barr. Akpadiaha Ebitu speaking at the Grand Finale of Eket Ward 3 Urban Unity Football Competition The PDP State Legal Adviser made the disclosure yesterday at the Grand Finale of Eket Ward 3 Urban Unity Football Competition held at Government Primary School, Enen Ekpene in Eket Local Government Area. Speaking at the event, the legal luminary said he is grateful to God for making the tournament successful even in the midst of challenging Covid-19 pandemic. "I am grateful to God for seeing us through in a challenging moment. I am a very happy man today. I am happy because my

 By Ubong Creativity David Senator representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Distinguished Senator Akon Eyakenyi PhD has said that the wife of Akwa Ibom State governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Martha Udom Emmanuel have exceeded the 35% affirmative action agitation for women in Akwa Ibom State. Senator Eyakenyi made the disclosure yesterday at the End of the Year Get Together event organized by Eket Senatorial District Women Forum held at Eket Council Secretariat ground. " Your Excellency, few years ago, you gave birth to this forum when you see the need for the women of this Senatorial District to come together. Today, the women of Eket Senatorial District are together. There is spirit of unity. There is spirit of togetherness. We are very proud of what you have done for us. Women have been crying for 35% affirmative action but you have exceeded it." Sen. Eyakenyi extolled the good virtues of Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel as a model of womanhood in Nigeria, sa

  ... congratulates Akan Tommey   By Ubong Creativity David The Eket Chapter leadership and Ward Chairmen of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) led by the Vice Chairman, Idongesit Ben have defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to show their support and solidarity with Rt. Hon. Akaniyene Tommey led administration in Eket. APGA leadership took this decision today in Eket during a meeting with the Chapter Chairman of PDP, ObongIwaad Emmanuel Mbong and Chief of Staff to Eket Chairman, Chief Akwaekong Idim. In his speech, the Director General of APGA Chairmanship Candidate in Eket LGA at the last local government election, Unong Udofia said they decided to join the PDP to lend their support to the PDP led administration and support the party to succeed in 2023. "We are here to join the PDP and to support our chairman for his victory at the election held on 31st October, 2020 which was successful, free and fair." He added that they cannot continue to fight because Akani

 By Edwin Atang The Executive Chairman of Eket Local Government Area, Rt. Hon. Akaniyene Tommey, yesterday, Friday 18th December 2020 commended Queen Mercy Atang Foundation for drilling and handing over a portable water project facility to Government Primary School, Ikot Udota Eket. Eket Chairman Hon. Akan Tommey drink the newly commissioned water The Chairman made this commendation while commissioning a water project facility donated by Eket born and one time International Beauty Pageant,  Queen-Mercy Atang. He said that the distribution of potable water across Eket Local Government Area is among the topmost priorities of his agenda to Make Eket Great Again. He assured the people that his administration would continue to partner with Individuals/Corporate Organization for the development of the area. The Chairman added that his administration delights in prioritizing the welfare of the people, hence, the massive infrastructural development plan for the 14 wards in Eket Local Governmen

...Offers automatic employment to single mother By Emmanuel Paragon  Succour came the way of a nine year old rape victim today, when the beautiful wife of Eket Council boss, Mrs Maryann Ita Tommey offered the young lass, automatic scholarship to any level of educational attainment of her choice. Wife of the Chairman of Eket LGA, Mrs. Maryanne Akan Tommey with entourage and youth leaders of Okon The first lady made this known, after listening to the heart touching and rendering story of the rape victim and her single parent , during a sympathy and fact finding visit to their residence at Ikot Ataku in Okon Eket geopolitical zone. Mrs Maryann Ita Tommey even betrayed her emotions and wept profusely, on hearing of the trauma and pains the young mother has passed through in providing some means of livelihood for her daughter. The " Florence Nightingale"  also used the occasion to announce that she will foot the medical bills for the Primary three drop - out  and also paid for a d

  With the global resurgence of COVID-19 and the current increase  in the number of new daily infections in our state and country, there is an urgent  need to raise public consciousness to  the need for  strict adherence  to the AKSG/NCDC/WHO COVID-19 guidelines and protocol in the interest of  individual and  public health of our dear state. In the past few weeks, the State Government has observed a drastic lowering of COVID-19 guidelines and protocols compliance  by a significant percentage of citizens and residents in  our state. Specifically, people no longer use face masks regularly; religious events no longer adhere to COVID-19 protocols and guidelines for the conduct of services among other acts of  non compliance . To this end, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, has directed as follows: 1. All State Government events requiring large crowds are hereby cancelled. 2. Strict enforcement of COVID-19 guidelines and protocols  be strictly enforced at t

How much do you know of this humongous project with numerous window of opportunities for the teeming people of Akwa Ibom State and indeed Nigeria as a whole? ✔️ Ibom Deep Seaport, IDSP,  is a major component of the Ibom Industrial City.  ✔️ The coastal communities of Mbo, Oron, Ibeno and Eket stand to benefit most from the massive transformation coming with the  Ibom Deep Seaport project.  ✔️ IDSP will provide jobs for no fewer than 10,000 youths in the catchment communities both during the execution of the project and at the commencement of operations.  ✔️ The project is jointly owned by the Federal Government through the Nigeria Ports Authority, NPA, Akwa Ibom State government and private investors, through a Public Private Partnership, PPP arrangement.  ✔️ Ibom Deep Sea Port was conceived to be an economic empowerment plan, designed to play a catalytic role in economic development of Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria in general.  ✔️Although the idea of the Ibom Deep Seaport IDSP project w

By Akparawa Bokime Asuquo From when he graduated with a Second Class Upper Division in Business Administration from the University of Lagos, in 1987, before obtaining a Masters Degree (MBA) in Banking and Finance from the University of Calabar, in 1991, one could sense that there is something particular about the Mbiatok Itam born Banker cum politician.  Mr. Akan Okon, Commissioner for Aviation and Ibom Deep Seaport Make no mistakes; if any truth can be said about the current administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel, it is the fact that the Governor has steadily ensured a wave of unprecedented achievements, spanning across the aviation sector, economic development, housing, agriculture, healthcare, etc. Another truth that can be said, if we must be sincere with our minds and consciences, is the fact that these lofty strides of Governor Udom Emmanuel, aside God, have been driven to reality through the forthrightness, dedication, effectiveness and sincerity of members of Governor Emmanue

 By Koko Udonquak *** EMPOWERS 1,800 GRASSROOTS WOMEN IN FIRST PHASE Wife of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Her Excellency, Dr. Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel, has unveiled the first of its kind Family Empowerment and Youth Reorientation Path-Initiative Multipurpose Cooperative with the sole aim of improving the living conditions of women at the grassroots. Dignitaries at the event: Her Excellency, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel, Chief of Staff, Mr. Ephraim Inyang, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Ini Adiakpan and FeyREP Coordinator, Mrs. I'm Inyang At the flag-off ceremony which held Tuesday at the Ibom Hall Uyo, 1, 800 women from the 31 local government areas benefited from the first phase of the interest-free loan scheme.  Her Excellency, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel Speaking at the event, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel lauded his wife’s avowed commitment towards empowering women at the grassroots and stated that it dovetails with the wealth creation mantra of his administration.

... As LOC lauds Gov.Emmanuel on sports development All is now set for the commencement of Eket Federal Constituency Unity Cup tagged : UDOM FOOTBALL FIESTA 2020. According to a release by the Chairman Local Organizing Committee, Comrade Mfon Bassey (FCIM), the football fiesta kicks off on Sunday December 27, 2020 and is aimed at fostering unity, growth and progress among the peace loving people of Eket Federal Constituency and also help discover hidden football talents in the area.  He revealed that teams participation will be drawn across the four local governments that make up the federal constituency which includes; Eket , Onna, Esit Eket and Ibeno and will be played in a round robin basis with indigenous players in participation. Before commencing the smooth operation marking the tournament's kick off, members of the Local Organizing Committee, drawn across the four local governments handed over the activities of the football fiesta to God for blessings, smooth operation and a

  ... reiterates commitment to financial Independence By Ubong Creativity An Eket based women cooperative organization, Amazing Women Cooperative today Sunday 13th December, 2020 held it fourth annual general meeting at Madelyn Hotel, Eket to end the business of the organization for the year and reposition it for optimum results. Amazing Women Cooperative with Guest of Honour in a group photograph In her address, the President of the organization, Mrs. Ekanem Umoffia thanked God for His faithfulness throughout the four years of existence, saying it has been growth and increase through the support, cooperation and encouragement from members of the organization. Umoffia who disclosed that the organization started in August 2016 with only 10 members with the sole aim to empower women entrepreneurs have grown with 58 active and vibrant women and still counting. President of Amazing Women Cooperative, Mrs. Ekanem Umoffia speaking at the event. "In August 2016, we started this cooperati

Sen. Akon Eyakenyi PhD     By Otobong Sampson  December 14, 2020 Politics is a rich source of the illogical. It is the commerce of absurdities. Winston Churchill once thought a politician should be one with the 'ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month and next year. And to have the ability afterwards to explain why it didn't happen'. Mark Twain stretched it to the extreme when he opined that 'politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason'.  These positions are better understood when placed in the context of the Nigerian society - a country where an average politician is as honest to his electors as Joseph Goebbels would be in his account of The Holocaust. But then, democracy offers a soothing relief as 'the only system that persists in asking the powers that be whether they are the powers that ought to be'. In Akwa Ibom and beyond, one woman is standing out. She is standing apart from the crowd. Se