Ikonowatch

 ABALAMA Community Aglow as Assemblies of God, Northern Rivers District opens 2025 Easter Retreat Camp. Edet John (Ikonowatch) 20250418 Friday, 18th April 2025 will forever remain unforgettable as the quiet riverine town of Abalama in Rivers State experienced a turnaround. The atmosphere was charged with joy, faith, and something truly divine as the gospel messages from men of God emanating from the Comprehensive Secondary School Abalama field - centre for the Assemblies of God, Northern Rivers District National Easter Retreat -  touched hearts and lives in a remarkable way. The gathering was not just a celebration—but a transformation. People of all ages gathered in anticipation. The environment was buzzed with excitement, and the retreat ground turned into a sanctuary under the open skies such that one could feel the hunger—for hope, for truth, for something real. The worship was soul-stirring. Choirs and musicians led the crowd in songs that echoed through the community, li...

Forgotten and Forsaken: The Abandoned Bridge Plunging Ibianang / Edem Iyere into Tragedy and Economic Decline By Edet John (Ikonowatch) At the boundary between Ibianang Ediene and Edem Iyere communities in Ikono LGA, Akwa Ibom State, what once stood as a promise of progress and connection now lies in ruin and despair. An abandoned bridge — unfinished, neglected, and dangerously deteriorating — has become both a symbol and a source of deep suffering. Once envisioned to link neighborhoods, stimulate trade, and ease transportation, this bridge has instead brought death, isolation, and economic retrogression to the people of Ibianang and Edem Iyere. In recent months and years, multiple lives have been lost due to the impassable state of the bridge. Children on their way to school, farmers transporting produce, and motorists attempting to navigate the perilous structure have met tragic ends. These are not isolated incidents — they are the consequence of years of silence, delay, and inaction...

 Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio offered the Counsel of Ahitophel to President Tinubu and his Ahitophel-like advice was adopted by Bulabu.  Akpabio was immediately asked to nominate an administrator from any State of the South South to the amazement and disbelief of Nebu who was not privy/ invited to attending the decision making meeting. Akpabio nominated the Retired Admiral. Have u seen Nebu utter a word since the emergency proclamation?  As a cunning man, Sen. Akpabio later led delegation to visit his friend and explained how they arrived at the decision for state of emergency. He explained tire but Nebu is still shock til this moment.  Those rejoicing will not tell you this, but truth is that, the emergency rule wasn't what they actually bargained for.  All they wanted was impeachment.  As it stand, and going by the amended resolutions of the National assembly, the Sole Administrator will take final directives from Mr President and  Sen. Akpabio whic...

 GOVERNOR ENO: A BEACON OF HOPE AND UNITY FOR A'IBOM It never occurred to many, even the best political pundits, that a man who was not in the political organogram or permutations could navigate the state’s administrative affairs so adeptly. Identified through keen attitudinal evaluation, repeated unpretentious shows of sincerity, vigor, truth, and humility, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, Governor of Akwa Ibom State, embodies these virtues. The Bible admonishes, “For those who want to worship the Lord must worship in holiness and in truth” (John 4:24). This divine order is best characterized in Governor Umo Eno’s dispositions. Initially disbelieved by almost all opposition camps, he was underscored in performance even before being handed the state's executive baton. Media writers painted various pictures of him, emphasizing his words, addresses, public responses, and opinions, all authored with a subtle air of humility, meekness, and brotherhood. Poised for the unity of his fa...

 IKONO CHAIRMAN PROMISES FAMILY DISPLACED BY RAINSTORM NEW HOUSE Moved by the plight of a family of six in Osuk Ediene Village in Ikono Local Government Area recently rendered homeless by the March 11, 2024 ill-fated wind disaster, the Transition Committee Chairman of the area, Hon. Kingsley Akpan has promised the displaced family a new house.  The Chairman made the commitment Thursday, when he paid an unscheduled visit to the family of Mr. Clement Effiong Akpanetuk at the scene of the rainstorm disaster in Osuk Ediene Village.  “When I saw the video clips and pictures of the disaster posted on the social media by Mr. Gee, I was moved and I decided to come see things for myself. “I sympathise with you for the ordeal this has put you through but I'm most grateful to God that no life was lost. “As the Council Chairman, I'll take up building a new house for you to have a place to lay your head as soon as possible.  “By tomorrow, I'll send the Works Unit to come and asse...

 HON. KINGSLEY AKPAN UNITY CUP KICKS OFF IN IKONO  An Easter Football Tournment has been kicked off in Ikono by the Transition Committee Chairman of the area, Hon. Kingsley Akpan, with Ward 1 beating Ward IV 2-0 in the opening match, played Sunday, 17th March 2024.  The tournament  featuring 12 teams representing the political wards in Ikono is scheduled to hold from 17th to 31st March 2024 in three centers within the local government.  Performing the kick-off of the tournament christened “Hon. Kingsley Akpan Unity Cup” Sunday, the Ikono Local Government helmsman, said the tournament was aimed at building bridge of peace and unity in the local government, tasking participating teams on maintaining the spirit of brotherliness and sportsmanship.  “One thing that is very critical to development is peace and that's the reason we're organising this Unity Cup as a way of fostering peace and unity in Ikono. “Our Governor, Pastor Umo Eno is known for peace, unity a...

  JOIN HANDS WITH PASTOR UMO ENO TO KEEP AKWA IBOM SAFE - IKONO CHAIRMAN TASKS ROYAL FATHERS ...Presents Certificate of Recognition to 9 Village Heads @Augustine Akpan The Transition Committee Chairman of Ikono Local Government, Hon. Kingsley Akpan, has tasked traditional rulers on joining hands with the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno to ensure Akwa Ibom State remains a safe haven for investment and development by maintaining peace and order in their various domains. The Council boss gave the charge Monday, while presenting certificate of recognition to nine village heads from the area at the Council Hall, Ibiaku Ntok Okpo.  Akpan, who described traditional rulers as critical partners in the task of keeping the state safe and secure, urged them to always work in synergy with higher authorities to checkmate crime and other vices in their domains.  “As royal fathers, you have very important roles to play in building the community and you all must see your recognition by the State...

 INFRASTRUCTURE DEFICIT: THE BANE OF ANY NATION - THE IBIANANG EDIENE EXAMPLE Edet John (edetjhn@gmail.com) "Infrastructure is the backbone of economic growth. It improves access to basic services such as clean water and electricity, creates jobs and boost businesses." If the above quoted postulation by Alok Sharma; a British Politician in relation to infrastructural development is worth trusting in and depending upon, then there is an urgent need to build, rebuild and maintain basic infrastructure if the nation and her people must grow economically.  The English dictionary defines infrastructure as the basic facilities, services and installations needed for the functioning of a community or society. It is the basic essential services that should be put in place to enable development to occur. They include but not limited to our roads, bridges, dams, floodwalls, airports, power grids, etc. They enable trade, power businesses, connect workers to their jobs and create opportun...

 PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS THE ONLY POLITICAL PARTY IN IKONO LGA- Hon Okoibu ...As AKS PDP unit to unit frontiers tours Ikono middle ward, 1, 2, 3, and 8   Inspite of the attempt by opposition party to weaken the already established strength of Peoples Democratic Party in Ikono LGA, the party is increasingly waxing stronger as the Council Chairman, Hon Nyakno Okoibu reassured electorates that it is the only political party in the area. Hon Okoibu disclosed this yesterday when members and leadership of Aks PDP Unit to Unit frontiers toured some wards in the area to continuously galvanize and mobilize natives for the success of PDP in the 2023 general elections. The council helsman lauded the frontiers for their efforts in moving from Unit to units to sensitize people on the need to support the peoples Democratic party. He further informed the people of Ikono middle that PDP has done a lot to the cradle of Ibibio, ranging from provision of roads and most especially, maintenanc...

  AKS PDP UNIT2UNIT FRONTIERS INTERFACE STAKEHOLDERS OF WARD 5 IN IKONO   ...Stop over in ward 8, a s Sgt, Samuel Akpan becomes first ward chairman to endorse team   Stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in Ukpom, Ward 5, Ikono Local Government Area have been tasked to focus on mobilizing, Collaborating, integrating, reconciling, and working tirelessly to ensure that all Candidates of the party emerge victorious in the forth coming General elections.   The State Coordinator of the PDP advance team, Sir Rustom Alexander engaged the Stakeholders yesterday 4th, August, 2022, at Ukpom Civic Center when he led the team to interface with the who is who in the ward. Alexander said the electorates should not   fight with one another, stressing that the team is poised   to close the gap and put reasonable reconciliation so that they can   work as a family.   Hear him, "We have adequately made solid consultation to bring people on...

  IKONO/INI FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY 2023: THE TERRAIN AND CHARACTER ANALYSIS . “… For which of you intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?” – Luke 14:28. Edet John It is ethically and professionally correct that any one who sets out to build a house should first of all carry out the soil test with the aim of determining the composition of the soil, if it can properly supports the foundation. This is also true of road, rail and other civil construction works as failure may result in catastrophe too heavy to bear.  In our daily relation with humans, ‘soil test’ is also a necessity as we do not expect a short tempered man to be a perfect husband for an irritated woman neither do we expect a dishonest man to be a perfect custodian of a forgetful man’s treasury.   In complete disregard to the question raised in the Holy Scripture as contained in Luke 14:28 – For which of you desiring to put up a towe...

 *A FAKE PASTOR NABBED WITH MYSTICAL OIL AND BOOK:  A VICTIM'S ACCOUNT.* *_...defrauds his victims._* *_... uses ladies' panties for diabolical reasons._* A victim of one of the fake pastor resident in Uyo Akwa Ibom State, in her bid to warn, advise and expose the activities of a syndicate of fake pastors in Akwa Ibom State took to the social media narrating her ordeal and that of other ladies in the hands of these so call "men of God". Below is her narration. My name is Nseobong Otu a Nigerian, female and a business lady resident in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State Nigeria.  I became a victim to this "fake" Pastor, one Mr. Utibe Eshiet Edet  residing at Nsima's Compound, Efa Ikot Akpabio in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA where I thought I have found love in the hands of a man.  In the course of our barely three months old relationship, I noticed actions and characters unbecoming of a pastor so I kept mute hoping I will better understand him in the future.  On his last visi...

PHILANTHROPISM: THE MAKING OF LIVES. - THE AMBASSADOR OKON MKPAFIT MODEL)    Graded internal roads in the community    Pays monthly stipend to many    Gives scholarship to students “ We make a living by what we get but we make a life by what we give ” – Winston Churchill. It is a common saying that men are never respected merely for their riches but rather for their philanthropy, and that we do not value the sun for its height but for its use. This was what played out at Ikot Akpa Edok Ndiya Ikono Local Government Area; the country-home of Ambassador Okon Mkpafit, as he earned the respect and accolades from the community not because he is rich, but because he has demonstrated his genuine love for his people through his benevolent altruism. The Abuja-based businessman, in his magnanimity undertook the grading of a total of 12km internal roads in Ikot Akpa Edok Ndiya, ward 8 which before now were impassable, nightmarish and deatht...

THE MANY SINS OF GOVERNMENT AGAINST THE PEOPLE OF IKONO LGA ….As Ediene Ward 10 becomes the fontanelle   Edet John Ibianang Ediene, Ikono LGA, AKS It is no more news whenever we wake each day to either be told in our radio stations or read in the social media how the good people of Ikono Local government Area has been subjected to different forms of inhumane treatments and neglects by government at various level of governance. For the sake of the reading public who may not really understand who the people of Ikono are and their pride of place in Akwa Ibom State. There is no gainsaying that Ikono Local Government Area is the Ntippe Ibibio (i.e. the Cradle of Ibibio nation).   To put it differently, “ Ikono LGA is the place of origin in which every other Ibibio speaking Local Government Areas in Akwa Ibom State and beyond were nurtured and protected in their earlier period of existence” .   I am aware that someone, while reading through the h...