EDWIN CLARK ASSURED GOVERNOR UDOM OF HIS SUPPORT IN 2019

Shine For Thy Light Is Come

My dear great and wonderful Akwa ibomites, Exactly thirty years ago today, we were caught in a frenzy of joy. On that day, the dreams of our founding fathers finally became a reality. For years, dating back to 1953 our founding fathers, under the platform of COR state, Calabar, Ogoja, and Rivers movement and led by the late Justice Sir Udo Udoma, dreamed, strategized, presented strong and persuasive arguments on why they needed a state that was culturally and linguistically homogenous but their dreams remained elusive.

2 In 1967, Rivers and South Eastern States were created respectively, but the dreams of the mainland part of the newly created South Eastern state to have a state of their own still remained a desirable proposition but unfortunately unattainable. But we kept hope alive.

3 In 1976, another round of state creation exercise was performed and again our pleads were ignored, but we were undeterred. Finally, on September 23, 1987, the dreams that dated back 34 years was realized. Akwa Abasi Ibom , was created with Uyo as its capital and our hopes and joy knew no bounds. Let me use this opportunity to thank our former military President, general Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida for hearkening to our pleas and ensuring that our collective desire was finally met. Mr. President, on behalf of the great and wonderful people of Akwa Abasi Ibom state, we shall remain eternally grateful to you. God Bless you.

4. Let me also seize this moment to thank all our past governors, military and civilian, from our pioneer military governor then Lt Col. Tunde Ogbeha now a retired Brigadier General and a distinguish Senator of the federal Republic of Nigeria, to General Godwin Abbe to the director general of our Divine Mandate campaign Organization, air Commodore (rtd) Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga, late Obong Akpan Isemin, Col. Yakuba Bako, late Navy Captain Joseph Adewusi, group Captain John Ebiye, Arc. Obong Victor Attah, and Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio (CON), the distinguish Senator and the senate Minority Leader of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the great and inspiring leadership they gave to our state and our people.

5 Thirty years ago, Uyo was all but a glorified village, bereft of any infrastructural amenities that the newly created state could rely on, but the spirit was high and the enthusiasm was infectious. The government and the people were united in their desire and determination to use whatever was available to put the structures of government in place. And they did.

6 Today, thirty years later, Iam happy to announce that through the efforts of God inspired leaders that we have been blessed with, Akwa Ibom State has become a destination of choice for Nigerians and even international organizations. The physical landscape that was once dotted with mud houses is replaced with world class road network. This great stride has been applauded by most dispassionate Nigerians and even international figures like the Country Director of World bank Rachid Benmessaoud who recently said that given the world class infrastructural amenities he has seen in our state that our Akwa Ibom State is the best place to do business.

7 The people who were once seen as only fit ti be houseboys and house girls have all Dakkada or risen to the faith of their greatness. No longer do they see themselves as sidekicks in the Nigerian project, they are now major players in the Nigerian enterprise; no longer are our aspirations kept in the basement of our hearts, they now bubble with enthusiasm; no longer are our people looking forlorn and not able to compete with the best in the world, today our children are putting our names on the map of achievements all over the world - from Ufot Ekong who cracked a mathematical problem that had eluded the best in the world for over 50 years, to Imeime Umana, the first African – American female  President with the Harvard Law Review, to Ime Archibong, the Director of Strategic Partnerships at facebook, among other great achievers, our children are living their dreams and making us all proud.

8 Our youths have internalized the values enunciated in our Dakkada creed and are rising to the faith of their greatness. Through the numerous training and empowerment programmes we have instituted, our youths are applying the gifts that God endowed them with, to create wealth and growth for themselves.I want to use this opportunity to salute our youths and assure them that we will continue to invest in areas that will assist them further as they are rising to the faith of their greatness. From every index of growth and development, we have made huge gains but a good job means more work to be done. That is why Iam using this moment to call on our people to close ranks and let us work together to deepen our growth, unity and love. Let us come together as proud heirs of our common patrimony, eschew divisive tendencies and build a future we all would be proud of.

9. Politics is all but a fleeting game but the Akwa Ibom spirit and blood that flows in us remain sacrosanct and alive. Let us not allow the raw passion of politics come between the bonds of brotherhood we have shared for generations. I have said this many times  and Iam going to say it again : political foes of today may become allies tomorrow, let us therefore not destroy that which connects us as proud Akwa Ibomites for the fleeting passion of politics.

10 let me use this opportunity to call on our brothers and sisters in the punditry and the media world to always remember that we have no other state to call our own except Akwa Abasi Ibom state. If we destroy the fabric of our society in order to break the news; if we destroy the best that we have simply because we share different political opinion and thus treat our brothers and sisters on the other side of the political divide as enemies that must be destroyed, we are not doing service to the dreams of our founding fathers who were united in their pursuit of our common good and hopes.

11. Constructive criticism is a welcome ingredient in a democratic culture. It helps leaders keep their eys on the ball and their feet on ground. Criticism that is done out of malice, hatred and animosity because you belong to a different political camp is destructive and I urge our media practitioners to exercise the most ethical restraint in their rush to write or comment on issues.The Bible enjoins us to show respect to constituted authorities so we too can be exalted. This rush to demonize and insult our leaders, calling them all manner of names is only done here in our state. Nowhere else is this negativity practised. My dear  brothers and sisters in the media, let us celebrate our state and project the best that is in us. That way visitors and investors would feel more at home in this place of God’s own real estate. We owe this to ourselves and our children.

12. I came to this Sttae with one mission and one mission only: to consolidate and take the state to another level of development from the great and spectacular works my predecessors have done in the past 30 years and I remain dedicated to the pursuit of that mission. I campaigned on a five point Agenda of : wealth creation, economic and political inclusion, poverty alleviation, infrastructural consolidation ansd expansion, job creation. At the risk of sounding immodest, I think we have done very well given the challenging economic times we are facing.

13. The key campaign issue that I ran on was on the need to rapidly industrialize this state and I think on this score, we are on course. Later this morning , Our Special Guest of Honour, the vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Professor yemi Osinbajo will commission two key industries that have deep and emotional attachment and importance to the welfare of our people and Nigerians in general: the syringe manufacturing company and the Metering Solutions Company and would later also commission our newly refurbished Etinan General Hospital.

14 Nigeria imports over ten billion syringes every year and this industry to be commissioned has the capacity to produce one billion syringes annually with an expected capacity of up to ten billion syringes. This is a great investment in our state which should be applauded by all dispassionate people. Not only are we building a great manufacturing base for our state, we are also creating job opportunities for thousands of our people and other beneficiaries of the ancillary economic activities that will be a part of this industry. 

15. The metering Solutions Company will ensure accurate reading of electricity consumed by our people thus avoiding the estimated pricing that has seen Nigerians paying exorbitant price for electricity. This is a specially targeted investment that affects our quality of life positively and also creates job opportunities for our teeming youths.

16. last may, during the celebrations marking our second anniversary, I had commissioned the tooth pick and pencil making factories and these two factories are in full operations today, employing our youths and the trickle – down effects is being felt by thousands of people. The Peacock paint company, long moribund is now fully operational. More industries such as the flour mill, the coconut refinery among others are in the offing. We are determined to create a strong industrial base for our state and my administration is passionate about this, and would spare no efforts to ensure that we have a thriving industrial base by the time our mandate is finished by the grace of God in 2023.

17. No nation or state can attract the right investment or have an expanded industrial base without steady electricity. We have invested heavily in this critical sector. As you can attest to in some parts of the state, now enjoy an average of 18 – 22 hours of electricity supply daily , if I may beat my chest a little here, this is the national best. Providing steady electricity is not rocket science, it takes creative application of resources and the right people to implement the vision. We have deployed both and the result is there for everyone to see. Last May, I commissioned a sub station in Uyo, and others in Mkpat Enin and Ikot Ekpene would soon follow. By The time we are done with these, we hope to enjoy uninterrupted electricity 24/7.

18.  I have heard testimonies from people including those from other political parties who have not bought fuel or diesel for their generators for weeks and are using the money saved to take care of other pressing needs. I have equally heard of our small business owners – the restaurant owners, hair salons, the bars among others spending less on diesel and fuel and deploying the money saved to expand their business. This is just the beginning my dear people and I want to assure you that as long as I remain your dear Governor, epileptic power supply will be a thing of the past

19.  Our investment in education remains a top priority. Our belief is that we must equip our children today with the right skills-set to compete for the jobs of the 21^st Century. Our free and compulsory education up to secondary level and the generous bursary grants to students in tertiary institutions remain on course. We have remodeled and equipped hundred s of secondary schools with modern amenities and created a learning environment that wi9ll bring out the best in them.

20.  We remain dedicated to ensuring that the highest standard possible is attained by teachers whom we send to teach our children. Recently, we interviewed and have deployed new sets of teachers to different secondary schools. The former Salvation Army Secondary School, Efa will soon be converted into a Command Secondary School, and we want to thank the Chief of Army Staff for this noble gesture. So far, we have paid over 600 million as WAEC fees for our students especially those whose parents couldn’t afford to pay fees and will continue to do so, because we believe that no child should be left behind in their pursuit of knowledge based on their economic circumstance.

21.  Health they say is wealth and we are equally investing heavily in this critical sector. Later today, our Special Guest of Honour, His Excellency, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will declare open our newly remodeled and fully equipped General Hospital, Etinan. This hospital was in a serious state of despair and in our determined efforts to provide quality healthcare services at the primary level, we embarked on the massive renovation of the facility and today the hospital can compete with the rest anywhere in the nation. Remodeling work is ongoing at the Modern General Hospital, Ituk Mbang and the Immanuel Hospital, Eket as well as the General Hospital at Ibiaku Ntok Okpo in Ikono Local Government Area. We remain committed to the improvement of services and facilities at our Teaching Hospital, Uyo and the Ibom Specialist Hospital, Uyo. We had earlier renovated the gynecological wing (Dr. Ann Ward) among others at the St. Luke’s Hospital, Anua. We have also commended the training of medical personnel on emergency health care management.

22. Let me use this opportunity to thank the Family Empowerment and Youth Reorientation Programme (FEYReP) the signature pet project of my dear wife, Her Excellency, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel for the work she has done in providing succor and hope to the hopeless, homes to the widows and other great interventions she had done. Last year, FEYReP conducted free eye care and treatment programme in conjunction with MTN Foundation at Ibom Hall. At that event, fifteen thousand three hundred and thirty five people were screened for various eye diseases, 1,150 eye surgeries were performed, 2,000 eye glasses distributed free of charge.

In the past two years, we have worked hard and tackled poverty by deploying resources to those areas that have the most impact and effect on our people. We have given interest free loans to farmers across the State and have diversified our economy away over-dependence on oil to agriculture. Through Akwa Ibom Enterprise and Employment Scheme (AKEES), our people have embraced farming and today, we are producing tomatoes and onions in commercial quantity. Our Technical Committee on Agriculture and Food Sufficiency remains committed to ensuring that we produce enough food to feed our people and that the prices of food stuff remains affordable. We have commenced operation at Cassava processing plants in the three Senatorial Districts. The one in Eket has started producing the recently launched Dakkada Garri. The rice farm in Ini Local Government Area will ensure that we have enough rice to feed our people and at a price that is affordable.

23. We  have re-introduced the second planting season for enhanced food production as well as the cultivation of 400 hectares of cassava multiplication farms across the three Senatorial Districts. We have also cultivated 800 hectares of land for the planting of cassava under the FADAMA 3+ financial scheme. We have equally distributed special fertilizers to Cocoa farmers to achieve optimal yield. The Hatchery in Uruan is fulfilling its purpose of producing day old chicks, and thousands of people have benefited from this programme. I want to commend our people especially the youths for seeing the enormous benefit in agriculture.

24. We campaigned under the bold promise to expand infrastructural development and I want to say boldly here that we have delivered for our people in this area. In spite of the scarcity of resources, we have turned our State into one big construction site. To date there are over 700 km of roads  and 17 bridges completed or at various levels of completion.

25 .To tackle flooding which has been a major menace on Nsikak Eduok avenue in Uyo for decades, we have spent billions of naira to construct and commission an underground drainage and erosion control systems.

26. It may interest you to know my dear people that the Bureau of Statistics in its recent report, stated that Akwa Ibom State attracted the second largest inflow of Foreign Direct investments in Nigeria. We have been able to achieve this because of the creative approach we have adopted in managing and selling our state to foreign investors.

27. We are investing in sports development with the building of modern sports arenas in the 10 Federal constituencies. Our hope is to catch the talents that abound in our state young and develop them to their best potentials.

28 As we mark our 3oth anniversary, let us dedicate ourselves to showing love to another, let us embrace one another in spite of the political views we may hold, let us not see politics as blood sport, but rather as a plat form for development and which must be practiced with civility and concerns for each other’s sensibilities.

29. At 30, we have grown, but our best is yet to come. Thirty is a magical and spiritual number, as great things have been associated with the number 30: our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ started His Ministry at the age of thirty, Joseph became the ruler of Egypt at thirty, David became King of Israel at the age of thirty, Ezekiel received his divine prophetic mission at the age of thirty.

30. At thirty, our state stands at the spiritual junction of growth and development. the invisible Hand of the Almighty is ever present, directing, charting and paving the way for our greatness. Come my brothers and sisters, let us build our future together, and let us cast aside the spirit of divisiveness and disunity. This is God’s own state and that special and spirit filled hand that had touched Europe, then moved to America bringing untold wealth, common purpose and prosperity, which later moved to Asia and caused another round of prosperity is now moving to Africa, Nigeria in particular and we in Akwa Ibom state are in the vanguard of that huge new spiritual movement. We are ready to receive it and together in one accord, in one voice, we will get to the Promised Land because this is the land of Promise. It is well with our state, it is well with our people, it is well with Nigeria. happy 30^th anniversary!. God bless you all !! Ami medakkada   

Aniekpeno Mkpanang Bags State Honour

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Aniekpeno Mkpanang has honoured by the Akwa Ibom State Governor for his ingenuity and outstanding contributions to the development of the State.

Mr. Mkpanang, the initiator and master-planner of the yearly AKSG Christmas Carols Festival was honoured for his innovation and creativity alongside other outstanding persons at a state banquet on Saturday at Le Meridien Ibom Hotels and Golf Resort as part of activities marking the 30th anniversary celebration of the state.

Mr. Mkpanang who is also the founder and presenter of the longest programme on Akbc radio said he was humbled by the award and described the honour bestowed on him by the Akwa Ibom State Government as an act of God’s benevolence.

According to him; “Considering my humble background and for me to be accorded with an award of this magnitude, can only be described as the faithfulness of God”.

The man known for his organizational genius said “I started as a school teacher and today that I’m before this galaxy of eminent people is a testimony that God can open doors of opportunity to anyone who seeks Him diligently”.

Mr. Mkpanang thanked the Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel for giving him the opportunity to contribute in the development of the State.

 He also thanked Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr. Victor Antai for supporting him to discharge his responsibilities creditably.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism also expressed the appreciation of Ujo Ukanafun to the Governor and commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr. Antai for the wholehearted support given to their son in the course of his flourishing career and service to the State.

The citation of Mr. Aniekpeno Mkpanang read at the event indicated that he has been an artist, broadcaster, teacher, compere, public servant, toastmaster and event manager.

“Born February 26, 1961, the initiator and erstwhile presenter of the longest running radio programme in Nigeria (Something to the Remember) also served as State master of ceremony, moderating all important functions of Government including the swearing-in-ceremonies, the double state visits of former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, the visit of the then Ghanaian President, Jerry Rawlings and that of then Vice President, Atiku Abubukar.

“In the year 2000, when President Olusegun Obasanjo, the then President of Nigeria visited the state, the Ukanafun-born Master of Ceremony was in his element as he regaled the visiting President with stories of the latter’s life. The highly impressed President directed that Mr. Mkpanang be moved to the presidency with immediate effect to work with him.

“At Abuja, Mr. Mkpanang started off as the Assistant Director, Public Relations in the Office of the SGF and was later named in June 2003 as Special Assistant to the President and official Master-of-Ceremony at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.

“Apart from organizing the annual Christmas Carols Festival, Mkpanang has organized other prominent events for the state including the world-class official opening ceremony of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium. He also organized the Akwa Ibom Unity Choir, an assemblage of the largest choral group of 25,272 that clinched the Guinness World Record to become the Largest Group of Carol Singers in the World in 2014”.

Mr. Mkpanang was honoured alongside General Ibrahim Babangida, Obong (Arc) Victor Attah, Senator Godswill Akpabio, Senator Tunde Ogbeha, amongst others.  The award was presented to him by ex-governor Godswill Akpabio whom he served as Director of Protocol for 8 years.

The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo who was the Special Guest at the occasion described the award as significant because merit and hard work were being recognized and people who laid the foundation for the greatness of the state were being celebrated.

Prof. Osinbajo lauded Governor Udom Emmanuel for expressing gratitude on behalf of Akwa Ibom people to those who served them in the years past.

He also congratulated Mkpanang and other honourees for what he referred to as well deserved honours conferred on them by Akwa Ibom State and thanked God for those in attendance and for the blessed memories of those who departed.

Earlier, The State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel had recalled with joy the landmark achievements of past leaders in the state and submitted that Akwa Ibom was always blessed with good leadership.

“Let me say here that Akwa Ibom is blessed and we have always been blessed in the past 30 years with good leadership”.

The Governor described Akwa Ibom as God’s own state with people of vitality, zeal, patriotism and undiluted vision and paid tribute to General Ibrahim Babangida for the creation of the state after 6 decades of struggle.

LG Election: Ikono Youths Warn Against Imposition of Candidate

…Ask Onna Politicians to leave Ikono Alone

By Nkereuwem Ekpo

Youths from Ikono Local Government Area have warned politicians who are bent on imposing their minion on the people in the forthcoming Local Government election in the State to have a change of plan.

The youths under the umbrella of Ikono Amalgamated Youth Fronts made their stand known in a communiqué issued after a joint meeting at Kelly’s Place in Uyo on Wednesday.

The youths decried the situation that people from other Local Government Areas in the name of godfathers are imposing their allies and cronies on the people of Ikono, thus determining the political direction of the area.

Emboldened by the declaration of Governor Udom Emmanuel at an enlarged PDP Stakeholders meeting last Tuesday that he has not endorsed any candidate from any Local Government for any position and he was not interested on who emerged as party chairmanship candidate of any Local Government Area in the State, they youths advised other politicians to learn from the master.

The communiqué read in part, “We today stand together as youths of Ikono Local Government Area to resist any attempt by any person, be it commissioner or party executive to imposed any candidate on us. We have been quiet and we cannot allow this to continue.

“For so long, the political directions of Ikono have been determined by people from other Local Government Areas. During the last administration, politicians from Ukana in Essien Udim Local Government influenced and called political shots in Ikono. ‘Our Mumu don do’. That is will resist any semblance of such imposition on us by Onna Politician. Onna Politician should go and determine the political direction of Onna Local Government Area and leave Ikono for Ikono people. Ikono has what it takes to fashion out her political direction – leave Ikono alone”.

The youths further observed that Ikono has enjoyed relative peace because of the political arrangement that has been instituted in the area by the elders. They warned politicians to desist from acts capably of cause violence in the area.

“In the past, Ikono Local Government Area was rated as one the trouble spot but today we are one of the most organized set of people politically. We are one of the most peaceful Local Government Areas. We don’t want anyone to destroy this relative peace we have enjoyed because of selfish and inordinate ambition.

“Other Local Government Areas have commissioners, we don’t have and we are not bothered. Let commissioner that wants to reward his servants or boys think of something else and not to impose such on the people of Ikono. A word is enough for the wise.

The youths unanimously assured of level playing field for all contestants, adding that the winner would emerged out of the overall decision of the people of Ikono Local Government Area.

“Ikono people will decide who they want as their Local Government Chairman and any attempt to thwart such civil arrangement would be resisted”. 

Etim Ekpo Youths Demand Equitable Zoning of Political Offices

By Ndiana Ekpenyong

Youths of Ikono Clan in Etim Ekpo Local Government has called for fairness and equity in sharing of political offices in the area.

The youths who paid a courtesy visit on the Special Assistant to Governor on Project Supervision, Comrade Mbuotidem Afia, said Ikono Clan in Etim Local Government Area has been neglected in the political arrangement of the area especially in the sharing of political offices.

The leader of the delegation, Mr. Ime Umoh said the clan has been neglected in the politics of Etim Ekpo Local Government. According to him, “We five Clan in Etim Ekpo; Obong Clan, Utu, Utut Annang, Oruk Clan and Ikono Clan. Ikono clan has not produced any House of Assembly member since the creation of Akwa Ibom State. Obong Clan has produced Hon. Efiok Edu Okorie, Utu Clan produced Rt Hon. Nse Ekanem and late Hon. Ini Ekanem; Otut Annang Clan, Rt Hon. Emmanuel Ekon and Hon. Akanimoh Edet; Oruk Clan produced Hon. Akan Eyo, Ikono Clan is yet to have a representative. Ikono Clan in Etim Ekpo Local Government is not a minority clan in Etim Ekpo.

“By the grace of God, we the youths of Ikono Clan are awake to the faith of our greatness and demand that Ikono Clan in Etim Ekpo should produce a law maker in 2019. This is our turn going by the zoning principle in the State.

“We are going to support our brother, Comrade Mbuotidem Afia to contest and represent us in Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly in 2019. We the youths have agreed to purchase the nomination form for him to contest for House of Assembly in 2019”.

The Youth called on the Governor to look into the politics of Etim Ekpo Local Government, adding that “some areas have been sideline and cheated in the areas of representation”. The youths commended Governor Udom Emmanuel for his political inclusive leadership and pledged their total support to Governor in 2019.

Responding, the Special Assistant to Governor, Comrade Mbuotidem Afia commended, adding that he was humbled and touched by the concern of the youths.

“Ikono clan is not a minority clan. I used to think I am alone in this but with your concern, I now know it is struggle for fairness and equity. I thank you for supporting Governor Udom Emmanuel. The Governor is our leader irrespective of our political affiliation. What you are saying is that Ikono time has come and I am prepared for what you asked me to do”.

He charge the youths to take the message back to the 14 villages in Ikono Clan in Etim Ekpo Local Government “that Ikono time has come and we can’t be neglected. We are only asking for the political equation in Etim Ekpo to be  balanced’.

Afia seized the opportunity to also commend the wife of the Governor, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel for supporting the governor and for giving succor to the less-privilege person in the society.  He assured the youths of Ikono Clan that Governor Udom Emmanuel would continue to deliver on his campaign promises to the people of Akwa Ibom Sate, urging them to not to give up in their support for the Udom Emmanuel’s administration. 

Policemen Missing In Zamfara After Attack By Suspected Rustlers

Three police officers are missing in Zamfara State following an attack on their outpost by gunmen suspected to be cattle rustlers.

The attack took place at Keta village in Tsafe Local Government Area on Monday, according to the Zamfara State Police Command.

Police Public Relations Officer for the command, Shehu Mohammed, said the missing police officers are believed to have fled into the bush during the attack and a search party has been dispatched to find them.

He denied reports that the trio had been kidnapped by the gunmen, adding that beyond searching for the missing officers, the police were on the hunt for the attackers.

The attack occurred one day before gunmen attacked policemen in Bayelsa State, killing one and injuring two others.

FG Cancels FEC Meeting Again

The Federal Government has cancelled the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting for this week.

Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Lai Mohammed, said in a statement on Tuesday that the decision was taken due to inadequate time to prepare the documents for the meeting.

“The two-day public holidays declared for the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations left little or no time to prepare for the weekly meeting,” the statement issued in Kano by the minister’s media aide, Segun Adeyemi, read in part.

This is the second time the FEC meeting will be cancelled since President Muhammadu Buhari returned to Nigeria after spending more than three months in London on a medical vacation.

On August 23, the first FEC meeting which would have been the first to be presided over by the President was cancelled. No reason was given.

Hours after the announcement, the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, defended the President Buhari’s decision.

Adesina said in a telephone interview  that there was nothing to the decision and that concerns about its implications were uncalled for.

Before travelling to London for a second time on May 7 to receive further medical attention, President Buhari had missed the FEC meeting for weeks.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who was the Acting President while Buhari was away, had presided over the weekly meeting in his absence.

However, the meeting held on Wednesday last week in Abuja where the Council approved the construction of the Mambilla Hydro-Electric Power plant.