Wise decision by the wise Achebe.

                                                   Jonathan taking oath of office
By Obong Umana
@ObongandI

Tell Jonathan, tell Reuben Abati: so long as Jonathan recognizes tyrants like Godswill Obot Akpabio (who today by the grace of God, the Supreme Court of Nigeria remitted electoral infractions allegation, back to Uyo Electoral Tribunal, for trial on  merits), then he, Jonathan, does not demonstrate an understanding of the core concerns that constitute the basis for Professor Chinua Achebe's rejection of his dubious award.

How can Jonathan recognize Godswill Obot Akpabio (a person that has presided over the murders, kidnappings, and political intimidations of Nigerian citizens), and claim improvements in the Nigeria electoral process.
How can the world witness the bodies of (electoral) deceased out of Akwa Ibom and Benue states of Nigeria, with complaints pending in International Human Rights Courts, and Jonathan/Abati claim electoral reforms?! With so many court challenges?!

Just in case Jonathan mis-interpreted the acclamations by the US State department and the EU, concerns over Al-Qaeda in Nigeria , and concern for U.S. national interests, often necessitate choice between the worse of two evils, not an absolute embrace of Nigerian electoral practices based on "merits".

Till such a time that Nigeria indeed moves in the right direction; till the crime wave in Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria wanes, till the looting of Treasuries by the likes of Godswill Obot Akpabio and Ibori stops, till justice is done and not just talked about, till efforts to stop  corruption are sincere and real, till freedom of the press reigns from sea to the desert north, till unemployment abates, till food and the good life is not reserved for the Akpabios only, till the exiled earn their right of return, till Nigerians are free from terror; it will be difficult for Jonathan to earn the support, encouragement, and cooperation of all Nigerian citizens.

A reasonable starting point for Jonathan is to rid himself of the likes of Godswill Obot Akpabio and hire people who can at least count and procure enough medals for his awards.

My name is Obong Umana, and I approve this message.
   Write from Miami, Florida

Senator Akpan Udoedehe Cleared by the SSS

                                                           J J Akpan-Udoedehe

Written by

Thompson Essien

 

Since 2007, when Godswill Akpabio became the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, I have consistently be on his nerves; exposing his evil activities; the killings, the assassinations, and all the money laundering he has been and is still engaging.

 

Since 2007, Akpabio has tried everything to make sure I am silent, but to no avail. He placed a telephone call to me, that did not work. He offered me money, I refused. He promised me all sorts of appointments, I rejected all of them. Rather, I continued to expose him and criticize his corrupt ways.

 

In August (2011) when he was in Houston, Texas, and in Miami, Florida, he announced that when he returns to Nigeria, he will make sure that I am deported to Nigeria (I have the announcement on tape). To keep to his promise, when he returned to Nigeria, he connived with his evil people to plant a bomb, which exploded in front of Awa Ibom State Television premises. Immediately, after the bomb exploded, his Deputy, Mr. Nsima Ekere, announced on the media that the bomb was thrown by me, despite the fact I have not been to Nigeria since 2006.

 

Then he sent my name to the SSS. Because I live in Portland, Oregon, where no Akwa Ibom State politicians can reach, Akpabio thought the only way to get to me is to implicate my friend, Senator Akpan Udoedehe, on the bomb matter. Today, the Senator was invited by the SSS. "Oh, Akpabio said you are a friend of Thompson Essien," the SSS asked the Senator. He said; "yes, what is wrong with that?" That provided the Senator the opportunity to tell the SSS the truth about me and about my relationship with him. By the time Senator Akpan Udoedehe was through with letting the SSS know that it was Akpabio who planned and planted the bomb, the SSS people were impressed, according to them, until now, they did not know that "this una Akpabio na real crazy man."

 

Then the Honorable Senator was let go, on a clean slate. The SSS apologized to him, and they even send through him to me some good-will greetings. It was another blunder of Godswill Akpabio, a man who is frustrated and desperate because he knows that very soon, he will be on the run and in hiding. But he won't be able to hide because Akwa Ibom people will get him and bring him back to account for all his evil activities while in office as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.

 

A Three Week-Old Boy’s Arm Amputated, Mother Cries for Help

                                           Akwa Ibom babies often suffer like Etimbuk
Written by
Marshall Jones

 The birth of little Etimbuk heralded joy in the family and communities of Udung Otong, in Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria; but the joy in less than three weeks was reversed to sadness as the half brother of the baby, Nathaniel John 27, used machetes to chop off the infant's right arm.
  The half brother, Nathaniel, who is based in Calabar but frequently visits home sometimes to vent his anger and frustration on any one mostly children, did not waist time to make the little boy his next victim. Mrs Enobong John told  Newsmen that the little child fell asleep after breastfeeding in the morning of Tuesday, September 27 while she was in the kitchen to handle a few domestic chores.
 “I head the child crying, I thought it was the usual cry of children who needed to be cuddled as his yelling became even harder, but within a few moments his, brother, Israel, ran to me raising alarm which bewildered every one. I ran into the room only to see blood spills all over the room; my son’s arm was cut off with blood pool all over his body and the beddings …” Mrs Enobong lamented
 The baby was immediately rushed to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) where he is said to be receiving treatment. The mother who trades firewood in the local markets told this reporter that her husband has since retired from work and was bedridden due to ill-health.
 A senior Doctor of the Orthopaedic Unit of the UUTH, who merely gave his name as Dr Nortich said the baby's health will be okay when given appropriate treatment; but refused to comment on the possibility of rejoining his arm.

 Commenting on the matter, the Police Public Relation Officer of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Oyenka Orji said the matter was under investigation by the police. On whether the suspect was a mentally retarded person as speculated, he maintained that the police will only rely on a medical report of a qualified doctor to ascertain his mental status.
 It was gathered that no sooner had he committed the crime than taking to his hill. But speculations were rife that some able-bodied youth who went after him later apprehended him and sent him to his early grave.

 The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Eunice Thomas was placed on a phone call, but as soon as the matter was raised to her she abruptly dropped the call and refused to pick any from this reporter.

 Reacting to the appeal to help the infant for his medial treatment, a Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Affair to Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Clement Ikpatt expressed bitterness as to why the matter was allowed to get into the media.
 “…it would have been easier, faster and best to first report matter to relevant government agencies in Akwa Ibom State for action than resort to a fund's raising campaign and unnecessary publicity stunt on the Internet. Yes, it is commendable to help the needy and engage in various forms of humanitarian services.” Ikpatt roared.

                                                Baby Etimbuk gasping for breath
 Yet admitted that: Nevertheless, I urge all who wish to undertake child rescue missions, or are in the habit of being suddenly called upon by strangers to rescue abused children, to contact and properly register each case with the relevant government ministry for purposes of accountability.

 But in a ten paragraph response, the author of the best-selling novel, “Beyond Execution…” and Chairman of the Diaspora Ibom People’s Congress (IPC) Dr Tom Mbeke-Ekanem commended Ms Favour Onobo, for drawing attention of the world to the plight of little Etimbuk and called upon well meaning individuals to come the aid of the three week old. He however, berated the Akwa Ibom State government for being insensitive to the plight of vulnerable children like this and quick to venture into “denials” with bloated ego and image on such issues involving the plight of children.

 “I have also seen in the last week a thrash in the name of press release by the agent of the government supposedly in reaction to your sharing of this information with us. I am sure if you did not append the pictures of the baby, theirs would have been a complete denial of existence of such baby. Thank God you were not accused of importing the picture from Benin Republic or wherever.

 “It's still fresh in our minds the denials of the so called witchcraft children at Eket by the state government. To make sure Akwa Ibom was not portrayed "negatively" before the world, (CEO of CRARN) Sam Itauma, the Good Samaritan, was hounded down like a common criminal. Left for the state government, those kids would still be “skinned and roasted” alive for no fault of theirs while they look the other way. May you not be given a Sam Itauma – treatment!” Dr Mbeke-Ekanem maintained
 He recalled that a similar incident like this occurred in July this year involving one little Mfoniso Edet. He was allowed to die due to negligence while the state governor was busy touring the globe scampering for awards to receive.

 “Was it not in July 2011 that the fate of another Akwa Ibom child, Mfoniso Edet, dangled in the hands of the good Samaritans around the world? As tragic as this was unfortunate, Mfoniso died in August 2011 while his governor was receiving yet another "award" of inhumane transformation of the state in a far away Houston, Texas?... How insensitive or inhumane should those entrusted with the citizens lives continue to be?” He queried.

 Meanwhile Mrs Favour Onobo has appealed to well-meaning individuals and bodies to donate for the help of little Etimbuk and children facing similar fate in Akwa Ibom State. 

                                            Three Weeks Old baby Etimbuk crying for help

Amakpe Refinery Issue: How Wicked are we?

The agency- Akwa Ibom Industrial Promotion Council (AKIIPOC) has got either professionally incompetent administrators or that those at the helm of affairs at that agency, are no Akwa Ibomites, who should be working for the interest of the State and the governor, may not be aware of the real operations of those manning that department in his administration. But isn't he supposed to be calling for periodic reports to see what his lieutenants and departments in his administration are doing?
The highlighted portion in green below, is not different from our experiences here in Ankara regarding Ostim project for our State. They came, they saw and disappeared and that was the end of the story. No word back. Is that how a government function works? The problem may also lie on business development skills which I find to be lacking among our people in AKS. There is a big vacuum in this aspect in the State, maybe because of the long-standing history of our nature as a civil service society. Whether, we accept, believe it or not, Akwa Ibomites, I have observed, lack business development skills and techniques. We believe and hope on ready-made business one takes there, set up for people to come in and appear and look like businessmen or women, only to end up, racking the business down.
A project such as the Amakpe refinery, is a type that governments in other countries such as where I am today, pay people to lobby and bring to their countries to establish. Why is that in Akwa Ibom State so different? After following and reading materials I can reach on this issue, I am beginning to see things differently. Is the refinery not to be cited in Akwa Ibom State? Are the promoters not indigenes of Akwa Ibom State? Will Akwa Ibomites, not those that will directly, benefit from that establishment, ranging from employment, services, economic booms, etc?
Why are we wicked to ourselves? Assuming the promoters of the refinery are encouraged or empowered to get the project working, will they repatriate the profits from that refinery back to develop the United States or another country or State? Can't we guess how many millionaires would spring up from that refinery, a source of pride and prestige for our State?
Since Amakpe Oil Refinery has been the first and only of its kind in AKwa Ibom State, the government should do everything possible to see its sustainability, but where if it becomes impossible, then I would advise that, we continue doing what we know best. And God knows what is that?
Both parties in the business cannot be right, neither can they be wrong at the same time. What remains for them to do, is to, apart from applying business ethics and rules to resolve the matter, examine their consciences to assess, how fair they are to the people of Akwa Ibom State and humanity at large. Assuming the project is completed, if someone from your mother's side will not benefit in one way or the other from it, definitely, another from your father's side will do. So says an adage.
Let there be a cease-fire. Money earned stops here on earth, with nothing going with you to the other world.
Let me tell you what happened here in my abode about a decade ago. Sorry to some of my friends I have narrated this story in the past. But I am living with it.
A very rich man, Forbes Magazine celebrate, an elementary six graduate in those days , passed on at the age of 96 not so long ago. He is said to have started life as a kiosk operator but rose to the likes of Bill Gates of today's America. His name was Vehbi Koc. If you google ''Koc Holding'', you will see the financial empire he left behind after his death.
Before the man died, they say, he wrote two letters and kept, one to be opened just before he would be buried and the other, after his burial. His corpse was prepared for burial according to Islamic rites, being a Moslem. Just before that, by the man's will, one of the letters was opened. In the letter, he had requested that, they should bury him with his socks, yes only a pair of socks. And you know, in this part of the world, wills are honored very well. But the Imam, the clergyman who conducted the funeral, raised an objection that, according to Islam, a man goes back to his Creator, the way he came to the world, with nothing on him, except the linen, he or she is wrapped with and lowered into the grave with no coffin. The man was buried without his socks.
When his family members reached home after the burial, the second letter was opened. What was in it this time? Nothing material. The late millionaire only smiled, reminding his children, wife, friends and country people that, if you are opportune to become rich and prosper through hard work more than others, that you should do good, help the poor, the needy, contribute to the growth and the development of your country to make your country strong, that no matter how rich you are, when you die, you take nothing, even a pair of socks to the other world. That was the content of the man's second letter. You see, he lived, worked and died with his belief. In fact, his corpse was stolen from the grave by men of the underworld for ransom. But they were caught and punished seriously with prison terms.
That was a lesson from the late Vehbi Koc, the man I knew very well. He was so rich a man and contributed to his country as much as he could. My life today, has been influenced by such people here in Turkey. Some of these are: Vehbi Koc - businessman, Sakip Sabanci- businessman, Turgut Ozal - one time PM and of course, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, all, late. I knew the first three, except the last one. There are many things to learn from great people. The day Turgut Ozal died, I fell ill for more than a week. Ataturk founded modern Turkey, Turgut Ozal made the country what it is today before my very eyes here. I don't know if I will ever see something as great as what I have witnessed here in Turkey in my lifetime again. This is why I am having sleepless nights, watching President Goodluck Jonathan.
Tears are running on my cheeks just as I am writing this piece. I am sorry. Why are we wicked to ourselves, our children, our families and to the humanity we belong?
 Abel U U Writes from Turkey