Akparawa (Dr.) Inyang Inyang For Burial Nov 8 At Unity Park

 

 

 

All is now set for the funeral of a prominent Akwa Ibomite, Late Akparawa (Dr.) Inyang Umoren Inyang, Proprietor and College President of Excel Universal Model College in Kakuri, Kaduna South, Kaduna State.

 

The Akparawa Inyang, who passed away peacefully at the age of 70, was a member of the international socio-cultural organisation of Ibibio people worldwide, the Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, where he rose in its leadership to serve as High Commissioner for North West, Nigeria. 

 

A press release issued by the family and signed by the Chief Mourner, Engr. Sammy U. Inyang, says the funeral service in honour of the deceased will be held on Friday, November 8, 2024, at Unity Park, Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo, by 8.00 am.

 

According to the statement, the funeral service is to be conducted by the Deeper Life Bible Church, Esuene Close, off IBB Way, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, followed by interment at the deceased's family compound in Odio Town, Eket Local Government Area. 

 

The late Dr. Inyang's entrepreneurial accomplishments were extensive, including his roles as Managing Director of UTS Consultancy Ltd., an oil and gas services firm, and Managing Director of I.I. International Limited, a construction and supply services company.

 

He was also a Patron and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Akwa Ibom Community in Kaduna and served as an Executive Member of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) in Kaduna State. 

 

The late Dr. Inyang was a devout Christian, a counsellor, an outstanding community leader, a patriot, and a workaholic. 

 

He is survived by his loving wife, children, grandchildren, brothers, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, and a host of other relatives to mourn his death.

[Sponsored] COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE 3RD AGRIBUSINESS ROUNDTABLE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

The 3rd Agribusiness Roundtable International Conference held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, concluded with a strong call for collaboration, innovation, and sustainable practices to drive the future of agriculture in Nigeria and beyond. 

Key Highlights:

• Focus on Sustainability and Resilience: The conference highlighted the urgent need to adapt to climate change, resource scarcity, and evolving consumer demands. Participants emphasized the importance of sustainable farming practices, climate-smart agriculture, and building resilient food systems.

• Harnessing Technology for Growth: Agritech innovations took center stage, with discussions focused on leveraging technology for improved productivity, efficiency, and access to markets. The conference recognized the transformative potential of data analytics, precision agriculture, and digital platforms in driving agricultural growth.

• Investing in the Future: There was a strong emphasis on the need for increased investment in research, development, and deployment of agritech solutions. Participants acknowledged the critical role of public and private investment in fostering innovation and advancing sustainable practices.

• Building Inclusive and Resilient Value Chains: Participants stressed the importance of building equitable and inclusive value chains that empower farmers, create jobs, and promote economic growth in rural communities. 

• Collaborative Partnerships: The conference highlighted the importance of collaboration and partnerships between governments, businesses, farmers, and researchers. Participants emphasized the need for a coordinated approach to tackling challenges and driving sustainable development in the agricultural sector.

KEY RESOLUTIONS:

PARADIGM SHIFT   

There is a need for a paradigm shift and reorientation of operators in the agribusiness space. Farmers are urged to join Cooperatives and Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, rather than venture as lone rangers. Gender and youth inclusion should be encouraged, promoted and incentivized.

There is a need to streamline agriculture into mainstream business circles and regard it as such for it to thrive, rather than as a subsistence venture. Subsidies to agriculture should be at the front burner in national discourse given its importance, and its potential to uplift farmers – and by extension the general populace - from peasant level to the economic upper class. 

A more specialized funding vehicle or strategy needs to be incepted by, for instance, adequately capitalizing the Bank of Agriculture to lend more funds to practicing farmers. 

ADAPTABILITY: 

The future of agribusiness and the sustainability of agricultural production hinge on adaptation to certain factors such as environmental, notably climate change, the mitigation of which has to be taken more seriously by all government agencies concerned as well as individual farmers themselves.

STATUTORY FACTORS:

Other key factors impeding enhanced agribusiness sustainability are policy inconsistency, multiple taxation and other statutory requirements. There are myriad of codes, standards, legislation and other constraints which vary from country to country. The conference advocates a unified body to enlighten and assist farmers to overcome these hurdles.

PROTECTION OF SELLERS AND CONSUMERS: 

It is noteworthy that government has done a lot in the area of consumer protection, in terms of laws to abolish market unions which constituted themselves into negative protectionist cabals. However, a lot more needs to be done to enforce those laws.

ACCESS TO INPUTS AND FINANCE:

A major constraint to large scale production and processing of agricultural commodities is the bottle neck often encountered by farmers in the quest for funding. The conference is aware of the existence of a number of development banks funding agriculture and allied ventures. However, there is need to simplify the process of accessing these funds and render them more farmer friendly.  Inputs such as improve seedlings, fertilizers, equipments and others should be a matter of priority to the Federal, States and Local Governments 

ACCESS TO MARKET: 

The multifarious international concessions and agreements such as AGOA and AfCFTA designed to enable local agricultural producers and exporters gain access to the USA, Europe and other international markets are commendable organs which unfortunately have not been fully exploited to the benefit of stakeholders. For instance, AGOA has been minimally utilized by agribusiness entrepreneurs in Nigeria. Incidentally, AGOA is expiring in one year’s time. i.e. October 2025. Conference participants called for robust diplomatic advocacy to renew it.

CURRENT REALITIES: 

In the light of current realities, globally, some of the foremost challenges farmers face in a bid to enhance their production are; information, documentation, standardization and technology, or rather, the paucity of these. 

ADAPTABILITY: 

The future of agribusiness and the sustainability of agricultural production hinge on adaptation to certain factors such as environmental, notably climate change, the mitigation of which has to be taken more seriously by all government agencies concerned as well as individual farmers themselves.

Promote Sustainable Agriculture: Participants committed to advocating for and implementing sustainable agricultural practices that prioritize environmental protection, resource conservation, and biodiversity.

Drive Agricultural Technology Innovation: The conference encouraged investment in and adoption of tech solutions to improve productivity, efficiency, and sustainability in the agricultural sector.

Foster Inclusive Growth: Participants recognized the need to ensure inclusive agricultural development that empowers small-scale farmers, women, and youth.

Strengthen Partnerships: Attendees committed to fostering collaborative partnerships between all stakeholders in the agricultural ecosystem to achieve shared goals for sustainable development.

Promote Policy and Regulatory Frameworks: The conference highlighted the need for supportive government policies, regulatory frameworks, and financial incentives to encourage investment in and growth of the agricultural sector.

MOVING FORWARD:

The Agribusiness Roundtable International Conference served as a vital platform for exchanging ideas, forging partnerships, and inspiring action. Participants left the conference empowered and committed to working together to transform the agricultural landscape in Nigeria and beyond. The organizers are confident that the insights, collaborations, and initiatives sparked by this event will drive lasting change and contribute to a more sustainable and prosperous future for the agricultural sector.

Nigeria Agribusiness and Agro-Industry Development Initiative (NAADI)

2.9km URUEOFFONG-UTUKU-IBOTONG ROAD: Ex-Dep. Governor's Wife, Atim Okpoyo Commends Gov. Umo Eno

•••Makes Case For Eyobiasang, Other Roads in Urueoffong/Oruko

    

The wife of the former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Her Excellency, Chief (Mrs.) Atim Etim Okpoyo, has commended Governor Umo Eno for inaugurating the new 2.9km Urueoffong-Utuku-Ibotong Road, describing it as a positive step toward enhancing infrastructure within Urue Offong/Oruko.

It will be recalled that Chief (Mrs.) Atim Okpoyo notably represented Akwa Ibom as a delegate at the 2014 National Conference.

Speaking to a large gathering of Akwa Ibom State Government officials, stakeholders, royal fathers of Oro Nation, political groups, youth, and women who witnessed the inauguration ceremony on Monday, Mrs. Atim Etim Okpoyo emphasized the Governor’s commitment to rural development in line with the ARISE Agenda.

The Septuagenarian noted that the newly completed road, which connects various communities, is expected to stimulate economic growth by facilitating the movement of farmers, traders, and residents.

The former Deputy Governor's wife, who apparently referenced Luke 16:10, which reminds us that showing gratitude for small blessings attracts abundant ones, appealed to the Governor to consider the Eyobiasang Road project, which leads to the beach. She described it as vital to the local economy, serving as a major economic hub for Urue Offong/Oruko, just like the Ibom Deep Seaport.

Addressing the people, Governor Umo Eno announced that better days await the people of Urue Offong/Oruko Local Government Area, promising that the new 2.9km Urueoffong-Utuku-Ibotong Road is only a gateway to more road projects in the area.

Pastor Eno, represented by his deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, said the road is the first constructed for the people of Urue Offong/Oruko by the state government, promising it will not be the last, as this administration plans to construct more roads in the Local Government Area.

According to him: “For instance, the road which connects Oruko Junction with Eyobiasang Beach, along with other important roads in this Local Government Area, is in the government’s plan.

“So far, the Model Health Centre in Eyulor is nearing completion, while the construction of a model school allocated to this Local Government Area will commence soon.

“We had earlier handed over a Compassionate Home to a beneficiary in Eyo-Eyekip, and another will be handed over today.”

Governor Eno, however, reassured the people of the administration's commitment to rural transformation, as encapsulated in his ARISE Agenda, and appealed for continued support.

Count Oku Ibom Ibibio Out Of Alleged Dispute In Midim Clan - TRC voices out

 

The attention of Oku Ibom Ibibio and President General of the Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, His Eminence, Ntenyin (Dr.) Solomon Daniel Etuk, CFR, has been drawn to a mischievous news reports alleging his involvement in a leadership tussle in Midim Clan in Abak Local Government Area.  

A press release by the State TRC, said "The report published by the online news outlet, Newsieevents.com on Monday, October 21, 2024, went further to claim that the Akwa Ibom revered premier monarch has waded into the said dispute in Midim Clan. This is nothing but a figment of the writer's imagination. 

The statement added, "The poorly written news reports went on to fabricate utter falsehood by insinuating that the Premier Monarch “has appealed to Governor Umo Eno to revoke the certificate of the Midim clan head in Abak LGA, which was mistakenly bestowed on Chief Paul Ebong.” 

"Again, the news medium erroneously claimed that Ntenyin Etuk “insists that the rightful heir to the clan council of Midim Clan in Abak LGA is Chief Sylvester Ibanga, who was unanimously selected by the community chiefs.”

"We wish to emphatically state that such assumption by the mischief makers, alleging the involvement of the President General of the State’s TRC in the said contention in Midim Clan is entirely misleading, untrue and fallacious since no such matter has ever been brought before him for mediation at all. 

"To this end, Ntenyin Etuk has called on the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the general public to disregard such spurious news report on Midim Clan as it is concocted to satisfy the whims and caprices of its sponsors. 

"For the sake of clarity, the news medium also erred by addressing the Premier Monarch incorrectly as “Chief Ntenyin Solomon Etuk” in their said report, which shows complete disregard or naivety about the person it was even referring to altogether. 

"Accordingly, the office of the President General of Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers wishes to make it clear that there are extant laws covering all aspects of the traditional institution in the state in which offices, such as that of a clan head are included.  Therefore, ascension to any office is subject to the law and where necessary, the convention as adopted by communities concerned. 

"Therefore, trying to rope in the President General of Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers in a matter he knows nothing about amounts to disrespect and we wish to warn that such callous acts will not be tolerated any longer, no matter who is involved.

"We therefore appeal to the media and members of the public to always seek appropriate clarification on any chieftaincy matter of interest firstly from the Paramount Ruler whose local government area is involved and secondly, the Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers to avoid making baseless assumption or publishing libelous contents."

Third Agribusiness Round-Table: Banks to Unveil Crucial Financing Solutions for Growth – Dr. Usen

Dr. Howard Usen

As preparations heighten for the Third Agribusiness Round-Table in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, participants are assured of valuable insights into financing options for agribusinesses, with financial institutions set to provide vital guidance and solutions.

Speaking at a press conference in Uyo, the South-South Coordinator of the Nigeria Agribusiness and Agro-Industry Development Initiative (NAADI), Howard Usen, said the international conference, holding from Sunday, October 27 to Tuesday, October 29 at the Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort, promises to be a game-changer for stakeholders in the sector.

Usen, who is also the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, informed that the roundtable with the theme, 'Unlocking Agribusiness Opportunities for Economic Sustainability,' is organized by the Nigeria Agribusiness and Agro-Industry Development Initiative (NAADI), the Federation of Agricultural Commodity Association of Nigeria, and the Federal Ministries of Industry, Trade, Investment, and Agriculture.

While emphasizing the vital role banks and financial institutions will play during the conference, the agribusiness expert noted that professionals from these institutions would be available to offer invaluable suggestions and guidelines on how agribusinesses can access financing, paving the way for sustained growth and export opportunities.

His words: "Financing has been a major challenge for many in the agribusiness sector, but this round-table will address that concern. Banks and financial institutions will provide participants with insights on how to access credit, structure their businesses for success, and present commodities for exports that can earn foreign exchange."

The round-table is set to feature key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, including ministers from the Ministries of Water Resources, Trade and Investment, and Niger Delta Affairs. It will serve as a platform for discussions on unlocking agribusiness opportunities, with a focus on sustainability, job creation, and non-oil exports.

According to Usen, "Agribusiness has the potential to generate thousands of jobs along its value chain, but for that potential to be realized, there must be a sustainable system in place, driven by proper financing and strategic partnerships."

Participants will also have the opportunity to network, explore various agricultural exhibitions, and gain access to practical solutions for the agribusiness sector's challenges. Usen hinted that the conference will offer hope to over 500 delegates and attendees, particularly with regard to securing funding and technical expertise needed to propel their businesses to new heights.

Meanwhile, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, Ph.D., will serve as the Chief Host, with the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, as Special Guest, while six South-South Governors and other selected Governors from across the country are expected to attend. The keynote address will be delivered by the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Aneti.

Other distinguished guests include the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, the Honourable Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Joseph Utsev, and the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Hon. Abubakar Momoh, among others.

Oku Ibom Ibibio Admonishes Families Against Keeping Corpses For Too Long

 

Oku Ibom Ibibio and President General of Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, His Eminence, Ntenyin (Dr.) Solomon Daniel Etuk, JP, CFR, has advised bereaved families against prolonged embalmment of corpses due to financial constraints to hold burials.

Ntenyin Etuk, who spoke in an interview in Uyo at the weekend, expressed concern over the growing trend of delaying burials, particularly in rural areas, which has raised serious detrimental issues.  

According to the premier monarch, keeping corpses for extended periods in government or private mortuaries often incurs substantial costs, leading some families to abandon their loved ones in mortuaries altogether.

He noted that more disturbing is a situation where some deceased families resort to preserving bodies at home or in medically uncertified mortuaries with inadequate embalming processes, thereby posing significant health risks to people within such vicinity or the community as a whole.  

“We have reports of dead bodies sometimes being kept by their families at home for up to three years or more, where the corpses decompose to the point of resembling dried wood. This is despicable. We have to accord due respect to the dead by conducting burials as soon as possible,” he emphasised. 

Ntenyin Etuk cautioned against burdening families with extravagant burial ceremonies that exceed their financial means, urging them not to sell off family assets to fund costly funerals which could lead to further economic hardship on them. 

He pointed out that while some churches set timelines within which burials should be conducted, others give the families the right to choose when they are ready, but advised that delays should be minimised, especially when there are insufficient resources to sustain prolonged funerals.  

The Ibibio patriarch called on the leadership at the family and village levels to assist in collaborating with bereaved families, especially those facing financial challenges,  to ensure dignified but modest burial arrangements.

He condemned the unwholesome practice where excessive demands are imposed by some families before allowing a deceased to be buried in their communities, and also frowned at the uncharitable demands over female corpses by her family of origin for the children and husband to pay, something akin to seeking a "pound of flesh" before her burial is allowed.

Furthermore, Ntenyin Etuk encouraged churches to take an active interest in the welfare of their members, even after they pass away, by assisting bereaved families in organising timely funerals. He also praised churches that are already extending such support to their congregants.

IDOFED Group CEO Pays Tribute to Late First Lady, Commends Gov. Eno for Helen Eno-Obareki's Appointment

 

   

As messages of condolences continue to pour in for the Akwa Ibom First Family over the passing of the First lady; Pastor Patience Umo Eno, CEO of IDOFED Group, Pastor Idongesit James Ekanem, has added his voice to the tributes.

In a condolence message addressed to Governor Umo Eno, Pastor Ekanem commended the State Chief Executive for appointing their daughter, Mrs. Helen Eno-Obareki, as Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, describing the decision as thoughtful and significant. 

“The appointment not only honours Her Excellency’s memory but also ensures that her vision of service and compassion will continue to flourish under the capable leadership of her daughter,” he said.

Ekanem praised the late First Lady for her unwavering commitment to uplifting the vulnerable through her Golden Initiative For All (GIFA), which he noted has touched countless lives. He expressed confidence that Mrs. Obareki would continue her mother’s work with excellence.

“The decision by Governor Umo Eno to entrust their daughter with sustaining her mother’s impactful programmes is commendable and will help keep her legacy alive,” he added.

Pastor Ekanem extended deep sympathies to Governor Eno and his family, even as he offered prayers for strength during this period of grief. 

IDOFED Group Boss emphasized that the late First Lady would be remembered for her life of love and selfless service, expressing confidence that her legacy would continue to inspire many across the state.