Democracy Day: Idem, Uwah, Luke, Edidem, others to grace symposium in A’Ibom

Franklyn Isong, Uyo

All is now set for a one-day Symposium to mark 2024 Nigeria’s Democracy Day in Akwa Ibom State with the theme “CIVIL SOCIETY AS THE PIVOT OF GOOD GOVERNANCE IN A DEMOCRATIC SETTING” to be hosted by a pro-democracy group, Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN).

In a Press Release signed by the Center’s Director, Otuekong Franklyn Isong, and Secretary, Barr. Christopher Ekpo, on Sunday, June 9, 2024, which was made available to newsmen in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State Capital, the rights group stated that the event is part of its annual commemoration of the June 12, 1993, Presidential Election presumed to have been won by late Chief Moshood Abiola but annulled by then Military Head of State and self-styled president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, even when both national and international observers adjudged the election as the freest and fairest ever election in Nigeria.

The Center stated that the event, billed to be held on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at the CHRAN Conference Hall, 15 Akpa Ubeh Street, off Babangida Avenue, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State by 10:00 a.m., will be chaired by a renowned Legal Practitioner, scholar, elder statesman and astute politician, Barr. Ekpenyong Ntekim, while the Secretary to the Government of Akwa Ibom State, Prince Enobong Uwah, will serve as the Special Guest of Honour.

According to the Center, a former Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and immediate past member of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke is billed to deliver the Keynote Address while the House Committee on Public Accounts Chairman and member representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Unyime Idem will be the Distinguished Guest Invitee.

The Center stated that the Deputy Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. KufreAbasi Edidem, will be the Guest of Honour while the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Rt. Hon. Frank Archibong will serve as the Special Guest Invitee.

The statement further indicated that the Ntisong Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio, Ntisong Pius Okon, will be the Father of the Day while the progenitor of the Female Youth Association (Purple Girls) and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State on Female Youth Mobilisation, Lady (Mrs.) Edna E.D.Udeme will be the Mother of the Day.

The CHRAN noted that other participants in the event will be delegates from various civil society organisations (CSOs), human rights groups, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), professional bodies, trade unions, community-based organisations, town unions, students’ unions and press members. The center asserted that attendance at the historic event was strictly on invitation.