A CALL FOR CEASE-FIRE

In my capacity as Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, I write to appreciate the  bold, proactive and committed governor of our great State, His Excellency, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, for the pragmatic and result-oriented modalities so far put in place to contain the ravaging Covid 19 pandemic.

I wish to also commend His Excellency for the periodic follow-up updates and directives through State-wide broadcasts and press releases to the citizenry on current situations and how best to enforce precautionary measures while the pandemic lasts. Sir, your discreet response in also setting up machineries to  provide palliatives to the vulnerable in order to cushion the effects of the lockdown has also endeared the masses to your benevolent personality and People-inclined style of leadership.

In view  of this, I categorically wish to state that it would be an act of sabotage and crass  unpatriotism for any bonafide Akwa Ibom citizen or resident in the State to directly or indirectly seek to distract government and its agents from the cause of ensuring that everyone stay safe and happy.

However, I condemn in strong terms the tension created by some  women where morality,  pride of  womanhood and respect to constituted Authority have been thrown to the wind, which for me is strange to our cherished Culture.
In the light of the aforementioned, there is a dire need for a total ceasefire among the aggrieved factions and their sponsors in the interest of peace in our society.
I therefore use this platform to implore the decent in mind never to be distracted by such insinuations by those who feel the Governor should run the State by their mischievous  dictates and unfounded expectations.

Needless to observe that part of the said video has shown a serious slap on womanhood in Akwa Ibom State and the level of moral decay in our contemporary society.  Otherwise, the question would be: When did we come thus low and indecorous?

Be that as it may, of all times in our recent history, the trying moment of the present calls for increased solidarity and encouragement to the State Governor, unity of purpose amongst the citizens, and concerted sacrifices by all and sundry in successfully surmounting the prevalent challenges of Covid 19 and beyond.
 
It must be  noted that every progressive-minded Akwa Ibom Son and Daughter should feel proud in commending His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel, for not only taking the State to God in words and deeds, but passionately positioning it for global industrial competitiveness.
I therefore most respectfully call on individuals and especially members of the media to always authenticate and streamline their contents and targets with facts and utmost patriotism and a sense of responsibility to the pressing concerns of the moments,  than resort to gutter journalism of no profit. Constructive criticism abhors ill-will and wild  assumptions.

The utterances in the reprehensible video is a big unacceptable assault on the corporate decency of Akwa Ibom womanhood. When did our women and cultural values deteriorate to this point of exfoliating shamelessness? Against all ulterior intent by the unprincipled, Akwa Ibom women at home and abroad hold the enviable record of being responsible and virtuous; they are not and CANNOT be prostitutes. The few bad eggs of carefree generation of the endtime therefore  must  be wary of doing anything that can jeopardize the shared worth and future of our young girls who look onto celebrated mentors among  accomplished women from the State.

Once again, I enjoin everyone to endeavor to adhere to directives of government and health  authorities, including social distancing and other recommended cautionary steps towards winning this global battle.

I must state that there is no logical reward to engage on fruitless remonstrations.  Rather, we should  demonstrate acts capable of promoting peace, love and unity among ourselves.
On behalf of the House Committee on Women Affairs, I therefore respectfully call for a  total ceasefire.

Stay safe as we look intently at our unfailing God to deliver His people!

Signed
Rt. Hon. Princess Felicia Bassey
Deputy Speaker and Chairman,
House Committee on Women Affairs
& Social Welfare, AKHA
13/04/20