Ati Annang Community Foundation’s 6th Executive Council Receives Royal Blessings In Akwa Ibom

Ati annang community foundation’s 6th executive council receives royal blessings in Akwa Ibom. The newly inaugurated 6th Executive Council of Ati Annang Foundation, one of Annang Land’s foremost socio-cultural organizations, has embarked on a series of high-profile visits to traditional leaders and key stakeholders, seeking wisdom and royal blessings for a successful tenure.

As part of this strategic outreach, the new leadership, led by the International President of Ati Annang, Adede Aniekpeno Mkpanang, paid a courtesy visit to Afe Annang, the apex socio-cultural body in Annang Land. The delegation was warmly received by Itai Afe Annang in Council, Obong Blaise Awakama, and other esteemed members of Afe Annang at his residence.

Speaking during the visit, President Mkpanang reaffirmed Ati Annang’s commitment to fostering unity and progress across Annang Land.

He emphasized that the visit was not only to introduce the new executive but also to solidify collaborative efforts that will promote cultural preservation and socio-economic development. He commended Obong Blaise Awakama for his steadfast leadership in upholding Annang heritage and pledged continued engagement with Afe Annang in advancing the region’s collective aspirations.

The President also acknowledged the contributions of past Ati Annang leaders, including pioneer president Sir Emem Akpabio and immediate past president Uwemedimo Nwoko, SAN, whose dedication helped shape the organization’s vision. He assured the elders of sustained consultations as the new administration works towards greater unity and advancement for the Annang people.

In a further demonstration of commitment to cultural continuity, the Ati Annang delegation visited Afe Nkuku Annang, the grand Council of Paramount Rulers of Annang land. At this gathering, Royal blessings were bestowed upon the new leadership by the notable traditional rulers, including His Royal Majesty, Akuku Professor Amanam Akpanudo Udo, Paramount Ruler of Etim Ekpo, and His Royal Majesty, Akuku Cosmas Akpan, the Akwa Akuku Annang and Paramount Ruler of Essien Udim. Others present were HRM, Akuku Udo Ukut of Ikot Ekpene, HRM Akuku Joseph Okosi Ekot 111 of Ika, HRM, Akuku Saviour Udofia of Abak, HRM, Akuku J. J. Obosi of Oruk Anam and HRM, Akuku (Engr.) Amos Akpan poured royal blessings on the new leadership of Ati Annang for greater impact on the people.

The meeting reinforced the deep-rooted ties between Ati Annang and Annang’s traditional institutions. Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Sir Emem Akpabio, used the occasion to advocate for the preservation of the Annang language, urging parents to teach their children their mother tongue.

He highlighted Ati Annang’s partnership with the National Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), which has successfully secured federal government approval for the Annang Language Curriculum.

Ati Annang

Commending the proactive leadership of the new Ati Annang executive, Obong Blaise Awakama praised their engagement with key stakeholders, stressing that such collaborations will strengthen Annang’s unity and cultural identity. He urged the leadership to remain steadfast in promoting the ideals of togetherness and progress.

The high-profile delegation included Deputy President, Sir Victor Udofia, International Treasurer, Dr. Mandu Ekpeyong, International PRO 1, Mr. Idorenyin Essien, and Chapter Chairmen from Abak, Essien Udim, Uyo, and Ikot Ekpene.

These visits mark the beginning of a new chapter for Ati Annang Foundation, setting the stage for enhanced cooperation between the organization and Annang’s revered traditional institutions.

With Royal blessings and strategic collaborations in place, the 6th Executive Council is poised to drive impactful initiatives for the collective growth of Annang land.

Idorenyin Godwin Essien , is the Public Relations Officer 1 of Ati Annang Foundation and writes from Ika Local Government Area.

President Trump Moves To Reject Visa Applications Of Nigerians, Others Critical Of U.S. On Social Media

President Trump moves to reject visa applications of Nigerians, others critical of U.S. on social media. Since January, Mr Rubio has revoked more than 300 visas, many of them belonging to students.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has directed U.S. embassies around the world to scrutinise social media posts of visa applicants for content critical of the United States and Israel before approving their applications.

This move followed the executive order signed by President Donald Trump after he returned to the White House, granting the Department of State the go-ahead to revoke visas of international students and other temporary visa holders suspected to have engaged in anti-American activities.

In the instructions cable sent to U.S. diplomatic missions around the world on March 25, Mr Rubio directed that starting immediately, consular officers must refer certain student and exchange visitor visa applicants to the “fraud prevention unit” for a “mandatory social media check,” the New York Times reported, citing two government officials.

The fraud prevention unit of an embassy or consulate’s section for consular affairs, which issues the visas, helps screen applicants.

The Times reported that the cable also described broad parameters visa officers must use in determining whether to grant or deny visa applications, including scrutinising posts of student and exchange applicants who were granted visas between October 7, 2023, and August 31, 2024, for potential cancellations.

Donald Trump

Mr Rubio stated in the cable that applicants can be denied a visa if their behaviour or actions show they bear “a hostile attitude toward U.S. citizens or U.S. culture (including government, institutions, or founding principles).”

Since January, Mr Rubio has revoked more than 300 visas, many of them belonging to students, for participating in activities deemed critical of Israel over the ongoing war in Gaza, with critics accusing the Trump administration of having no regard for the Constitution.

Akpabio Response To Fresh Allegations Made Against Him By Natasha

Akpabio response to fresh allegations made against him by Natasha. Senate President Godswill Akpabio has responded to fresh allegations made against him by Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The senator claimed on Tuesday that Akpabio instructed former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to kill her. She also accused the current governor, Usman Ododo, of being involved in the plot.

Speaking to her supporters during a rally in her hometown of Ihima, Okehi Local Government Area, Kogi State, on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that Akpabio was behind the attempt to recall her from the Senate, working alongside other leaders in the All Progressives Congress (APC).

She said, “Let me say this now. On the 14th of March at 10:30 p.m.—mind you, two days before that, on the 12th—Akpabio spoke to Governor Ododo to recall me. But he told him it would be impossible because the masses are with her, the people are with her. But Akpabio was not satisfied.

“He then called for Yahaya Bello. And it was actually Senator Asuquo (Asuquo Ekpenyong, Cross River South) from Cross River who drove Yahaya Bello from Hilton Hotel. I was informed of everything. And when I got to know—hold on.

The meeting was in two parts. He told him to commence my recall and that he was going to fund it. Of course, money changed hands that night.

“The second thing he told him was that he should try and kill me. I didn’t make this public, but I wrote to the IG of Police. And Akpabio told Yahaya Bello—I am standing on what I’ve said.

He told him that he should make sure that killing me does not happen in Abuja, that it should be done here so it will seem as if it’s the people that killed me here. I didn’t make that public, but we did notify the security agencies of that.”

In response, Akpabio stated that he would not engage in any argument with the suspended senator. His media aide, Eseme Eyiboh, made this clarification.

Akpabio Response To Fresh Allegations

He said, “Anything concerning Natasha within the purview of the law is subjudice because there is no way you will comment on it without linking it to the President of the Senate, who is also a party to the suit.”

When reminded that despite being in court, Natasha continued to express her frustration and blame Akpabio for her situation, Eyiboh hesitated before replying.

“That shows the level of respect she has for the rule of law herself. We cannot say anything more than that,” he said.