**solicits more support for Udom Emmanuel administration
The Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State 6th House of Assembly, Rt. Hon (Barr) Onofiok Luke has stressed that the interest of the current administration is to provide visible dividends of democracy to the masses.
Barr Luke said this yesterday in Uyo during a courtesy call on him by Friends of Udom Emmanuel on Facebook, a famous sociopolitical group which was at the forefront in support of the Udom Emmanuel 2015 gubernatorial bid in the state.
Addressing the group, the speaker said the government is interested in, and committed to repaying the Akwa Ibom citizenry for for the mandate they gave to him at the polls.
He reminded that sometime last year during a gathering of youth in the state, the state governor, Deacon Udom Emmanuel had given a commitment of going into a formal contract with the youth, signed to enumerate the things he (the governor) is going to do for youths in the state, adding that the said contract will also demand the commitment of youths to shun cultism, kidnapping and other social vices, as well as their support to the government to help it succeed, while the government will in return support them to realise their visions and goals in life.
By way of ensuring this, according to the speaker, the government is going to create an enabling environment for those who have not been in school for them to get into school and acquire academic qualifications in their choice fields. While those who cannot go to school but have skills, he said, will be assisted to development their skills and use same to earn a living. For the unemployed graduates the speaker pleaded for their understanding and patience, considering the fact that unemployment is a global phenomenon and not perculiar to Nigeria or Akwa Ibom alone. He however assured that the government is making frantic efforts to ensure a visible reduction in the rate of unemployment, with particular mention of the power sector training, that of ICT and others as stark evidence in this regard, which he said, the government has outlined for the youth, women and the entire strata of the state.
Speaking about the group, Barr Luke noted that one main reason that necessitated his reason for approving the courtesy call was that the group was at the forefront of the campaign in support of the governor, Udom Emmanuel prior to the party primaries and general election.
His words: "no one can deny the efforts you made during the campaign days of His Excellency, Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel. So permit me to say that my acceptance of this visit is a little bit partisan because my approval of this is to show appreciation for your support to the governor. So let me on behalf of the governor appreciate your support prior to the governor's emergence.
"I want to say that prior to the governor's supreme court judgement, there were series of attacks on the social media against the office and person of the governor, and the only group I saw that stood to defend and is still defending the governor, is the Friends of Udom Emmanuel on Facebook group. I am saying this with all amount of responsibility. And before now, I think I had sent a word to you through Joseph Okon that I would love to meet with you so I can be able to get the governor to see what you have been doing".
"Don't allow anybody to deceive you, politics is all about interest. Today, the people that wanted to take over power from us, we have seen clearly that all their fights was to protect their interest. They said we should not involve the military in elections when we were going to Ekiti but what did they do in Rivers? Military! They said we should not involve violence but what did they do? Ten times violence! So they talk and talk and talk, but all of that is simply to protect their interest. Take for instance the situation today, they gave our position of the MD of NDDC to one state. To they same state they still gave the DG of NIMASA position to that same state. And the same state had gotten the transport minister position. How could this have been if not to protect their interest in the state? So it is on the basis of that same interest which you have protected in our own side of the divide that prompted my approval of this courtesy visit".
"So a time has come that we must have to stand on what we believe no matter what they say. Nobody is a saint, we all have our individual flaws. But we must stand to protect what is our own. And for now, what God has given to us, just as he gave to us in past, is Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel as the governor of the state. And we would do all that we can as youth groups, women groups, as individuals and as a collective to make that we rise to defend that mandate that Akwa Ibom people gave to Deacon Udom Emmanuel until he completes an uninterrupted 8year tenure".
The 6th Assembly lead man again thanked the group and urged the members to continue to do more, while assuring that their efforts will never go in vain. He however cautioned them against taking abusive and attacking approaches in the course of trying to defend and support the government, while calling on them to first seek clarifications on every information at their disposal, especially when it bothers on the policies of government before going public with it.
"Having said that, I want to pledge on behalf of my colleagues here present, our support to the group, and urge you to call on us whenever you have a function and seek our presence. We will surely be there. But as a word of caution I want to say, while you are defending the government, I advise you not to go abusive or attacking persons and people's character. Focus on defending government policies and get people to understand why government is taking decision a, b and c.
And thank God we have a governor who operates with all sincerity of purpose, who is running a transparent government and on the other hand, you have a house that has declared itself a people's assembly. So whenever you are in need of any information, rather than going about conjuring rumours, simply approach us and seek clarification. We promise to provide you with adequate and accurate information that will help you brief the Akwa Ibom people and the youth stratum on the activities and decisions of government", Barr Luke said.
UBONG SAMPSON- UYO
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
#AkwaIbom
0 comments :
Post a Comment