•Forms parallel group for Gov’s Thanksgiving
There is tension in Lagos as Akwa Ibom State Liaison Officer, Mr Samuel Asuquo has allegedly schemed to form another sociocultural group to usurp the role of the well – known Akwa Ibom State
Community (AKISCOM), Lagos, especially during the Gov Umo Eno’s thanksgiving service scheduled for Sunday, May 11 in Lagos.
The AKISCOM-Lagos President, Chief Edet Ambang said the move by Mr Samuel Asuquo was to undermine the Community’s relationship with Governor Umo Eno’s administration.
Dr Edet Ambang said that Mr. Asuquo, has refused to grant the Community an audience since the emergency of its new leadership in January, 2024 and is instead scheming to form a parallel socio-cultural organization to satisfy his cronies and undermine AKISCOM.
Addressing a press conference in Lagos on Thursday, May 8, the President said despite its numerous achievements, AKISCOM-Lagos has faced challenges, including post-election grievances from few members, who were not favored by the results of the Community election held in November, 2023.
He said, “Some aggrieved members took their grievances to court, seeking an interim injunction to stop the swearing-in of the elected Executive Officers and the court rejected their application”, leading to the successful swearing-in of elected officers since January, 2024.
Chief Ambang has urged the aggrieved members to “bury the post-election anger and embrace peace since the election had come and gone.”
“The Liaison Officer, Mr Samuel Asuquo, through unpatriotic machinations, has gone into an unhealthy alliance with unsuspecting Akwa Ibomites, including two government appointees to float a parallel socio-cultural organization to undermine AKISCOM, Lagos and victimize its leadership.
This act is “inimical to the required peace, unity, and general development of AKISCOM, Lagos. Thus, it should be condemned and jettisoned”.
The President however highlighted some significant strides made by AKISCOM-Lagos under his leadership, including the provision of temporary partitions, tiling of the podium, decoration and general maintenance of facilities in the meeting hall and introduction of initiatives such as “AKISCOM Cares” to celebrate members on their birthdays and marriage anniversaries.
Chief Ambang further states, “AKISCOM, Lagos under my humble watch has, within the period under review, made some remarkable and impressive impacts in the Community.”
According to him, the Community has provided welfare and business support to members, financial support to wings, chapters, and groups of Akwa Ibom State extraction in Lagos, and successfully hosted a Thanksgiving Service and Anniversary of the state to show solidarity with His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD.
“Furthermore, AKISCOM-Lagos has had productive engagements and collaborations with companies, associations and groups of Akwa Ibom State extraction in Lagos” the statement added.
Dr Ambang called for Gov Eno’s intervention to address some pressing needs of AKISCOM, Lagos, including the continuation of the AKISCOM Plaza Project, renovation of the meeting venue, provision of an operational vehicle for the office of the president, SMEs trading grant, entrepreneurial training grant, and medical outreach/palliative support for members.
Having witnessed the impactful and unprecedented achievements of Governor Umo Eno in Akwa Ibom State, the Community reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to supporting Gov Umo Eno beyond 2027, commending him for the development milestones achieved within two years.
