Preparations for Akwa Ibom Tech Week in high gear – Planning Committee

 

Priscilla Akpanettot 

Preparations are in top gear for the 2024 Akwa Ibom Tech Week, the central planning committee has disclosed at a press briefing over the weekend in Uyo.

Chairperson of the Planning Committee, Amanda Etuk gave the briefing while bringing newsmen up to speed on projections of the Week-long activity themed: “Building a Resilient Innovation Ecosystem.

According to the chairperson, the event will commence with a hack-a-thon and a cultural night on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, followed by a Conference on Wednesday, October 30, 2024.

A career fair and creative showcase will hold on Thursday, October 31st to demonstrate how technology is enabling creativity in arts and interactive media, while recruiters and HR firms will interview and offer jobs to deserving candidates. An ecosystem hub tour and closing dinner will draw the curtains for the week’s events. 

The venture showcase is a platform where tech enthusiasts in Akwa Ibom State and across Nigeria who are building innovations in their small space would be funded and given visibility, she explained.

Justifying the theme for the event, Etuk narrated that the operating landscape in the country generally was becoming almost unbearable for businesses to survive hence, the need to find better ways of getting things done with technology, research and industry.

While acknowledging the tough economic climate and its impact, she submitted that technology, startup enterprise and rapid innovation will pull Nigeria out of the current economic slope she has found herself.

“The tech landscape in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, is poised to transform a nascent ecosystem into a resilient, thriving and innovation powerhouse for what is now known as ‘Africa’s New Tech Destination’. The event promises to be a convergence of visionaries, creators, and change-makers. Together, we’ll shape Africa’s new tech destination—one that thrives on resilience, innovation, and local talent”, she stated.

She therefore called on policymakers, innovators, educational institutions and investors to collaborate with the planning committee to make the transformation a reality.

Speaking on successes the Tech Week has birthed over the years, a co-planer of the Ibom Tech Week and President, Ibom Innovation Hub, Hanson Johnson reported that Akwa Ibom State has today emerged a hub for tech enthusiasts and professionals, with a developer ecosystem growing at an impressive 29.7% month-on-month since March 2023. This growth he noted, rivals that of Lagos, positioning Akwa Ibom as a key player in Africa’s tech scene1.

He also announced that 500 learners in the State, consisting of the young and old have received Google licenses to access Coursera courses, with more than 350 of the learners completing certifications in project management, cybersecurity, user experience design, and e-commerce. These skills empower our youth to contribute to the digital economy.

Meanwhile, they have been able to provide job placement for 1,500 youths through their member hubs and with support from the UNDP, Johnson stated.

“We acknowledge that professional successes are largely dependent on leadership and soft skills. Through our mentorship programme, we are able to develop soft skills and leadership capacity of 150 cohorts in the last 10 months”.

“We have been able to setup and deepen diaspora engagement for the community in order to connect development activities back home with patient funding initiatives and professional competences abroad”, he added.

Stressing the imperatives of resilience in technology, CEO Tedikom Wireless and Founder, Paid Dimension Technology, Edidiong Ekpe observed that resilience allows people to adapt, learn, and thrive even in adversity.

He suggested government’s support through the creation of an enabling environment; collaboration between government, private sector, academia, and civil society; provision of sustainable solutions by innovators as well as international partnerships as means by which resilience can be enhanced.

AK Cares Phase 3: Govt Targets 119,000 Beneficiaries

Priscilla Akpanettot, COOPA 

No fewer than a Hundred and Nineteen Thousand (119,000) Akwa Ibomites are going to benefit from Phase 3 of the AK-CARES project, the Commissioner for Economic Development, Mr. Emem Bob has said.

Speaking while briefing newsmen at the NUJ Press Centre on Friday, July 19, 2024, the Commissioner noted that the third phase of AK-CARES, as approved by the Governor would soon commence as an intervention to reach the needy.

Meanwhile, in a bid to curtail the hunger caused by food insufficiency, unavailability, and inflation, Governor Umo Eno has decided to augment the federal government's palliative donation by adding 24,000 bags to their 24,000 bags of 25kg rice.

The initiative according to the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Offiong Offor is aimed at reaching more families with the needed support to survive the times. 

"Through this food intervention, each of the 2,272 gazetted villages in the state will receive 20 bags of rice. This is in addition to the over 100,000 families from the social register who have already received, or will soon receive, free food items from the state government through the Bulk Purchase Agency", she said.

She explained that the long-term solution to the hunger crisis is the Back-to-Farm initiative, promoting local food production, and designating the first and third Fridays of the month as work-free farming days.

While commending civil and public servants for effectively utilizing the work-free days given to them for farm work, Dr. Offor informed that those taking the farming activities seriously would be appreciated by the Governor as a motivation to do more. 

The Commissioner therefore encouraged every Akwa Ibomite to indulge in agriculture, stressing that the Ministry of Agriculture was ready to give them the needed support for productivity.

"The Ministry of Agriculture has implemented several strategic interventions, including distributing cassava cuttings, maize grains, pepper seedlings, and coconut seedlings to 135 public primary and secondary schools".

 "Additionally, we have distributed 150,000 cocoa seedlings to cocoa farmers, 40,000 oil palm seedlings to oil palm farmers, 80,000 pepper seedlings to vegetable farmers, 20 metric tonnes of rice shared to rice farmers' across the state, and livestock and poultry supplies to poultry  farmers".

"Furthermore, we have provided livelihood grants of N150,000 to 1,560 beneficiaries and agricultural inputs and services to 900 farmers under the AKCARES Scheme", she enumerated.

On the destruction of farmlands by herders/cattle, the Commissioner informed that an enforcement team has been set up to look into such issues for disciplinary action against defaulters. 

She therefore requested that enquires on the enforcement team and other information relevant to farming and agriculture be channeled to Room 99 of the Ministry at the State Government Secretariat.

The distribution of the Federal and State Governments' food intervention will occur at Local Government Council Headquarters, from where Council Chairmen will ensure the safe transportation of 20 bags to each gazetted village for onward  Distribution dates will be announced soon.

At the briefing were the Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ini Ememobong; Chairman, Bulk Purchase Agency, Rt. Hon. Dan Akpan; Media Consultant to the Governor, Hon. Aniekan Umanah; Chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Akwa Ibom State Council Comrade, Amos Etuk; members of the press and Conference of Online Publishers in Akwa Ibom State (COOPA).

Akwa Ibom Audit Service Commission Holds 2024 Pre-Promotion Seminar for Auditors

 

...As Head of Civil Service Assures Workers Prompt Release of Promotion Results, Capacity Building 

MARY EKERE 

The 2024 Pre-Promotion Seminar for Auditors in Akwa Ibom State Public Service has been held.

The exercise, to herald the examination, interview and subsequent promotion of qualified Auditors, was organised by the Akwa Ibom State Audit Service Commission at the Governor's Office, Annex, Uyo on Thursday, 11th July, 2024.

The 2024 Promotion exercise which is the third in the series, have 89 Auditors from the offices of the State and Local Governments Auditors-General undergoing the process.

Declaring the Seminar open, the Head of Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien has assured that henceforth, there shall be no arrears of carrying out promotion for qualified Civil Servants when due, courtesy of the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno. 

The Head of Civil Service disclosed the State Government's commitment to building the capacities of the Auditors and other Civil Servants to bring them to spar with existing knowledge and expertise in their fields. 

"Aside the necessary protocols of being promoted, Akwa Ibom State Government is committed to building the capacities of Civil Servants in the areas of computer literacy, professional competency and leadership.

"In this regard, it is the place of the Commission to ensure the training and retraining of staff on Information and Communication Technology to bring them up to speed with the digitization of the Public Service in line with the A.R.I.S.E. Agenda of Governor Umo Who's led administration".

Appreciating the Governor for his fatherly disposition to workers welfare and approving the hosting of the promotion process, the Head of Civil Service urged all Civil Servants to arise to their responsibilities of effective service delivery, punctuality to work.

Reacting to the 'lack of befitting office accommodation' for Workers in the State and Local Government Auditors-General, Elder Effiong Essen disclosed that Government is working towards providing them a befitting office space at the Governor's Office Annex.

In a welcome address, the Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Audit Service Commission, Pastor Bassey Umo said the aim of the Seminar was to serve as a refresher course in updating the knowledge and sharpening the skills of the Auditors to perform their work with diligence, dignity, integrity and excellence.

While setting the tone of the 2024 Pre-Promotion Seminar, the Chairman of Promotion Committee, Pastor Praise Okon revealed that needed actions were undertaken to ensure that no qualified Auditor is exempted from the exercise. He urged them to get acquainted with the necessary materials, to be successful at the forthcoming examination.  

In separate goodwill messages, the Commissioner of Finance, Mr Linus Nkan represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance - Mr Mark Umoh, the Permanent Secretaries - Offices of the Auditor General for State and Local Government, the Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Civil Service Commission, Mrs Ekereobong Umoh represented by the Commission's Permanent Secretary - Barr Selong Asuquo urged the participants to utilise the Seminar in strengthening their financial knowledge, prudence and efficiency at service whilst assuring a speedy compilation of the results.

The Seminar featured sessions on Personnel Management in State and Local Governments, Financial Management in State and Local Governments,  General Paper, Public Sector Audit and Investigation and Security in State and Local Governments. 

Meanwhile, the examination of the qualified Auditors is slated for Thursday, 18th July, 2024 at Aka Community Model School, Uyo followed by an Oral Interview on 25th and 26th July, 2024 at the Audit Service Commission Office, Uyo.

REFORM OF THE AFRICAN DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS IN AKWA IBOM STATE

By Nora Inwang

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Akwa Ibom State has undergone significant reform under the leadership of its new chairman, Hon. D. Udom. His exceptional performance in state politics over the years has earned him considerable recognition and the role of chairing the party.

In just one month, Hon. Udom has acquired a new, well-furnished office at 84 Udotung Ubo Street in Uyo, marking a significant milestone in the party's reformation. The ADC is preparing to constitute the State Executive Council, Chapter Executive Councils, and Ward Executive Councils across the 31 Local Government Areas, demonstrating its readiness for the upcoming Local Government elections.

Under the leadership of Hon. Udom and the new political leader of the party, Dr. Umo Ntuen, the ADC has undergone a transformative change. The Independent National Electoral Commission recently verified the ADC Secretariat and commended the leadership for the office's well-furnished condition and the peaceful coexistence among members.

Astonishingly, the current stakeholders are opting for significant changes in the party, armed with concrete ideas and a positive mindset that will bolster the party. Like other parties that started with few members and have now become strong voices in the state, the ADC is set to grow rapidly. With the new structure and leadership, the party aims to soon be in a position to govern Akwa Ibom State.

The ADC is now considered the main opposition party and a formidable force in the forthcoming Local Government election, thanks to the new state chairman and dynamic state leader. The party's commitment to providing an enabling platform for its members to contest political positions is evident. Aspirants are encouraged to contest through the African Democratic Congress.

The ADC's doors are open to Akwa Ibom citizens seeking a robust platform to pursue leadership roles. The party's stakeholders are working diligently to ensure that their aspirants win various positions, from councilorship to governorship.

The rapid growth of the ADC under the current leadership is remarkable, and it is poised to become an unrivaled political force in the state.