June 13, (THEWILL)- President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umoh Bassey Eno, were on the frontline of those who received commendations from the Centre for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN), a Civil Society Organisation (CSO) in Akwa Ibom State on Wednesday.
According to the Director of CHRAN, Otuekong Franklin Isong, the awards were in recognition of their early achievements in office as president and state governor respectively.
The event was a Symposium, organised by the CSO, to mark the 2024 Democracy Day in Nigeria with the theme: “Civil Society As The Pivot of Good Governance in a Democratic Setting”, held at the CHRAN Conference Hall, 15 Akpa Ubeh Street off Babangida Avenue, Uyo.
Others who received the recommendation awards were Transition Committee Chairman of Local Governments, adjudged to have performed creditably during a recent good governance tour of local government areas by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
The chairman recommendations include the Transition Committee Chairman of Itu LGA, Rt. Hon. (Barr) Etetim Onuk and Hon. Iniobong Ekpenyong of Urban LGA.
Presenting the awards the Director, expressed appreciation to the state governor, Pastor Umo Eno, for allowing the funds of the Local Government Councils to get to them, saying that the information was verified during the just concluded tour of the 31 local government councils by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, with the CHRAN as a part of the team.
He noted that human capacity development and life-enhancing projects, executed in some LGA by the transition committees, put in place within just six months were huge and commendable, hence the presentation by the centre.
“Let me pause here and commend His Excellency, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State for allowing the funds of the Local Government Councils to get to them. This information was verified during the just concluded tour of the 31 local government councils by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, with the CHRAN as a part of the team.
“CHRAN has taken notice of the Timetable for Local Government Elections issued by the Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) which shows that on October 26, 2024, Akwa Ibom State will have elected council officials in place in the local governments. This will further deepen democracy at the grassroots level”, he noted.
He said the Symposium was apt, as it serves as a platform for all Nigerians to do an appraisal of the journey of the Fourth Republic twenty-five years after, that is, from May 29, 1999, to May 29, 2024.
Speaking while recovering his award, the Transition Committee Chairman, Itu LGA, Barr. Onuk, thanked the centre, saying the theme of the event was apt as it played out during the assessment by the House of Assembly Committee.
He noted that the judgement by CHRAN was unbiased coming from an independent observer’s angle, saying that he was encouraged to do more to add value to his LGA.
Other dignitaries and attendees at the event include former Speaker, AKHA, Hon. Onofiok Luke, Barrister Ekpenyong Ntekim, LG Transition Committee HSA on USD, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Henry Archibong, Commissioner of Police for Akwa Ibom State, and various student representatives and the media community.
