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<strong>WEEKLY</strong> NEWS Vol. 3 No. 3. Mon. Feb. 20 - Sun. Feb. 26, 2017 Passage of PIB will Stem the Tide of Restiveness ... Gov. Emmanuel Uwem G Kerns overnor Udom Emmanuel has called on the members of the national assembly to evolve an economic framework that would remould the country's resources and engender sustainability in the nation's development and democratic governance. The governor made the call at the Executive Council Chamber, Government House, Uyo, when he interacted with members of the Senate Joint Committee on the Petroleum Industry Bill who paid a courtesy call on him during their two-day retreat in the state. In his words : "if the Presidency, National Assembly, Federal House of Representatives, State Governors, State Houses of Assemblies and Local Government Councils fail to chart a course that would curb unemployment and youth restiveness in the next few years, the country would be touching the tiger's tail as joblessness triggers violent crimes.” He appealed to the law makers to close ranks and work towards remoulding the nation's economic assets in order to sustain the future generation, and particularly frowned at the practice where political office holders sacrifice the nation's development on the basis of partisanship, and rather prefer to use the next election as a bait for improvement on their performance in office. "...the whole wave length is about the next election, our policies are tilted towards the next election and if not checked it will get to a point where the electorates will get tired of casting votes; we can't run a country like this", Governor Emmanuel stated. He observed that a glean on the nation's Gross Domestic Product from 1970 to date, could trigger feelings of nostalgia given the fact that the country is still grappling with putting in place basic infrastructure due to poor leadership and planning. The governor expressed appreciation to the Committee for the bold step taken to enact the Petroleum Industry Bill, saying that the retreat which would culminate in the passage of the enactment, would right the wrongs that has threatened the political Governor Udom Emmanuel presenting souvenir to Professor Olusola Adeyeye, leader of the delegation consciousness and economic emancipation of the nation as it would set the template for development of the oil sector of the economy and foster unity in the country. "I am excited that the bill which has become a hoax over the years will see the light of day and hereby appeal to the Committee to expedite action on the passage of the bill but with special consideration to the oil producing States. “Today it is oil and gas, tomorrow may be another resource like iron, copper, limestone etc, so let's come up with a bill that will be a reference point. I thank the Committee for coming to the largest oil producing state for the deliberation". Earlier, the leader of the delegation who is also the Chief Whip in the Senate, as well as chairman Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources, Professor Olusola Adeyeye, said that the retreat was an opportunity for the best minds to brainstorm and come up with enduring solution to issues plaguing the oil sector of the economy. Senator Adeyeye explained that the PIB which made its debut in 2008, had suffered neglect by successive administrations thereby leaving the oil sector in comatose. He pledged the 8th Assembly's preparedness to evolve a bill that will guide the country in the regulation of operations in the petroleum industry and in conformity with international best practices. He thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel for the warmth reception accorded them and commended him on his sense of punctuality describing it as an attribute of a progressive minded leader. Later at a special banquet held in honour of the senators, Governor Emmanuel made a case for the establishment of a petroleum depot in the state in order to ease the challenge of haulage of petroleum products. The committee members were treated to Akwa Ibom indigenous cuisine, music and comedy as Ekemini Cultural Troupe spiced the night with dance display to the delight of the guest. Governor Udom Emmanuel in group photograph with members of the Senate Joint Committee on Petroleum Industry Bill 6
<strong>WEEKLY</strong> NEWS Vol. 3 No. 3. Mon. Feb. 20 - Sun. Feb. 26, 2017 Head of Service Tasks Info Officers on Effective Reportage of Govt Activities The Head of Civil Service, Mrs. Ekereobong Akpan (standing left), delivering the key note address while Mr. Charles Udoh, Commissioner for Information and Strategy (seating middle) and others listen. Nsikak Esenowo nformation Officers serving in various ministries, Idepartment and agencies (MDAs) in the state have been enjoined to see themselves as image makers and mouthpiece of government by informing the public accurately and timely on policies and programmes. The Head of Civil Service, Mrs. Ekerebong Akpan, stated this while declaring open a one-day seminar organized by Ministry of Information and Strategy for state Information Officers, with the theme ''Effective Information Management and Strategy for Actualization of Government Programmes'' at NUJ Press Centre, Uyo. Mrs. Akpan who was the special guest of honour at the event, maintained that effective management and timely delivery of information will checkmate falsehood, rumours, propaganda and yellow journalism in our society. The commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Charles Udoh, who had a pre-session motivational talk with Information Officers and spoke on Attitude is everything, described attitude as key to success, and announced that the ministry will institute an award of excellence to the best Information Officer based on merit and performance. Mr. Udoh underscored the importance of efficient information dissemination in the society, and said the present administration was poised towards provision of work tools and regular training of Information Officers, in order to enable them keep pace with global trends in news reporting, and assured that government was aware of the challenges facing them as professionals and will address them soon. In a goodwill message, the chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State council, Elder Patrick Albert, commended the commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Charles Udoh for organizing the seminar which will help reposition information dissemination in the state. He appealed to the state government to encourage Information Officers with incentives, laptops and other accessories and also extend the training to other journalists in the state. Earlier, the permanent secretary in the ministry, Pastor Praise Okon, in a remark thanked the commissioner for organizing the seminar and the resource persons who accepted the invitation to help in the capacity building of Information Officers in the state. He noted that the seminar was organized to update the skills of the officers in order to keep them in tune with current trends, adding that a trained workforce is one that is positioned to deliver proficiently. Resource persons were: the Director-General of Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation (AKBC), Pastor Anietie Ukpe, who spoke on Speech/Report Writing; Ag. G.M., Editor-in –Chief, Akwa Ibom Newspaper Corporation (AKNC), Marvellous Friday Udoh, who presented on Feature Writing/Commentaries and the Director, Technical Services, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr. Inyang Jameson who made a presentation on Photo Journalism in Government Information Management. Other resource persons from the ministry were the Deputy Director, Public Relations, Mr. Sunday Antai whose presentation was on Public Speaking and Moderating and Deputy Director, Information Services, Mrs. Grace Akpan who spoke on News Gathering and Reporting, while an ICT consultant, Mr. Anietie James, made a presentation on the Use of Social Media Platforms for News Gathering. At the end of the seminar, certificates of participation were presented to the Information Officers by the commissioner. 7
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