NASSI suspends chairman in A’Ibom over alleged abuse of office

Samuel Ekpo, Uyo

The Nigerian Association of Small-Scale Industrialists, Akwa Ibom State chapter, has passed a vote of no confidence on its suspended chairman, Prince Etukeyen Samuel Etukeyen and nominated Mrs Helen Onukak, to deputise for him pending ratification by the national executive council.

A copy of the resolutions of the meeting on January 15, where the vote of no confidence was passed, indicated that Etukeyen’s suspension was endorsed by seven out of the ten manned executive council members of the association in the state.

The suspension was endorsed by Richard Wilson and Ekon James Mascot, vice chairmen of the association representing Akwa Ibom North West Zone, Dorathy Udoh from Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial Zone and Mrs Helen Onukak, vice chairman, from Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District.

Others, who also signed are Gloria Inam, treasurer, Goodness Ekong, Social/ Welfare Officer, and Asuquo Udoekon, Public Relations officer of the association.

The resolutions of the meeting were addressed to the National President of NASSI, Abuja, and copied the governor of the state, Udom Emmanuel, Vice president, South South, the state Commissioner of Trade and Investment, Commissioner of Police, and the Director of the State Security Service, and more.

The suspension following allegations of abused of office, disregard for the constitution, negligence of duty, fraud and corruption, general inefficiency, and breach of trust, among others.

“We the executive council members of the Nigerian Association of Small scale Industrialists, Akwa Ibom State branch, being conscious of our rights, obligations and duties, having firmly sworn to defend the powers of the constitutions of NASSI, after a careful study of the complaints, allegations and actions of the state chairman of NASSI, Akwa Ibom State.

“Stress that, in view of the above mentioned, having more than 2/3 as contained in NASSI constitution, section 19 (1 and11) section14 (X11 a) having seven elected members out of 10 suspended and remove Prince Etukenyen Samuel Etukenyen from office as the chairman, Nigerian Association of Small-scale Industrialists, Akwa Ibom State branch today 15, January,2021 pending ratification by the National executive council. Section 25 (ii)

“We the executive council hereby nominate one of the vice chairmen, Mrs Helen Onukak from Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District as the deputy state chairman, NASSI.Akwa Ibom State. By this appointment, Mrs Onukak has been automatically appointed the acting state chairman, NASSI, Akwa Ibom State branch. Section 18 (ii),” the resolutions reads in part.

The association, therefore, mandated the suspended chairman to refund all monies and property including documents of the association in his possession within 24 hours to the time he was served with the resolutions.

Reacting, the embattled chairman, Etukenyen, described those against him as overzealous and greedy individuals, adding that a matter of this nature must be resolved by the national president of the association.

The chairman, who said he was yet to be served with the resolutions of the meeting, noted that the national president will be in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State to address the media on the issue.

“By Thursday, the National president of NASSI will be here to address a press conference, so that you will not write fake news. We just came out of the election in November, last year and we were about doing something, but because of overzealousness and greed of our people. I have not even been served any papers. It is from the journalists that I have heard these stories.

“I am telling you the truth that when the national president comes, he will take far-reaching decisions because NASSI is a national association and anything that happens at the state levels, the national president must be aware,” he said.

According to him, a provision in the constitution of NASSI says if you have issues such as this you report to the national president and it is the national president that will resolve it.