Newsfront Online …Telling the Public as it is
… Activates 20 question through Udom cares
… As Michael Bush eulogizes the bureaucrat
By Saviour Ekpe
Albert Schweitzer who was a doctor and surgeon in the hospital, pastor of a congregation, administrator of a village, superintendent of buildings and grounds, writer of scholarly books, commentator on contemporary history, musician once posited thus, “You must give some time to your fellow men. Even if it’s a little thing, do something for others – something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it”. Perhaps, Albert Schweitzer did not know that his thoughts would be more relevant n Akwa Ibom State and activated by Pastor Uwem Andrew Essien especially in a time when people are clamoring ‘recession’ and looking inward rather than fellow men.
On its come back edition of a compelling witty and hilarious parlour game, 20 Questions of the radio, television and social media airwaves, a gentleman of repute, Pastor Uwem Andrew Essien and his collaborators waded into lifting the bar of the programme giving support; moral, financial, material and otherwise. Notably, the Chrismas Edition of the parlour game witnessed a turn-around in the lives of participants and members as assorted items ranging from home theatre set, 32 LED flat screen television set, gas cooker, electric washing machine, deep freezer among other items were given to the almost 200 audience participants and panelists through a platform tagged, UDOM CARES.
UDOM CARES practicalises the caring attributes side of the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel who, since his assumption as governor exemplified exceptional care for the people of the state through various interventionist programmes. Some of these programmes touch the lives of the people directly, others indirectly while most of them are tailored for the generation yet unborn. For instance, production companies that are up and running viz: toothpick, pencil industries, Syringe Company, Electric Metering Industry and these companies have so far employed thousands of Akwa Ibom indigenes directly and indirectly.
Others include massive road construction projects across the three senatorial districts of the state. Suffice it to mention other projects that are capable of employing millions of people at the Ibom Deep Seaport among so many others. For a group of gentlemen such as Pastor Uwem Andrew Essien working under the supervision of governor Udom Emmanuel to borrow a leaf by affecting lives of people they have not known, probably seen but reach out to them through a trusted platform like Bush House Nigeria is a show of love to humanity, thereby doing the will of God.
Recently, when the award of panelist of the year, 2017 was conferred on Pastor Saviour Ekpe, the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Century Newsfront Newspapers (named after Pastor Uwem Andrew Essien), a gigantic GR9000E Omaha (16 horse power) generating set was also presented to him courtesy of the of the sponsor.
Last week, through the contributive effort of Pastor Uwem Andrew Essien, ten young entrepreneurs (males and females) who are members of the 20 Questions club were given soft loans that amounted to one million (N1000,000) naira through Akwa Savings and Loans limited, Uyo to act as a boast to their businesses. At the moment, about twelve persons are also undergoing cake design under same platform, the list is actually endless as Akparawa Michael Bush, the President of Bush House Nigeria promises good times for especially, members of the club.
While interacting with Century Newsfront recently on his drive to reach out, the sponsor, Pastor Uwem Andrew Essien, the Accountant General of Akwa Ibom State and pastor of the Living Faith Church (aka Winners Chapel) noted that many things inspired him among them is the word of Christ, which says, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets”. (Matt. 22:37-40). He further explained that love for God will naturally create love for fellow man.
As a former lecturer in the Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Pastor Uwem Andrew Essien gives Governor Udom Emmanuel a pass mark describing him as ‘a gift to our generation’. In his word, “in times like these, it is only a man like Deacon Udom Emmanuel that can pilot the affairs of Akwa Ibom State; a man highly endowed by God to carry these responsibilities. Before God assigns anybody a responsibility, God prepares the person ahead of time. Our governor has been variously prepared by God for this task, hence his success story”. He called on the people of the state to support the governor’s second term bid to ensure sustained development of the state.
Pastor Uwem Andrew Essien whose professional prowess as accounting guru earned him Head of Accountancy Department, Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua after impacting and imparting on the willing students of the state Institution for years. It is not a surprise the capacity he exudes in office since his appointment as the Accountant General of the State. This capacity led to the successfully transited the State from IPSAS cash to IPSAS Accrual Accounting in the financial reporting of the State Government, and painstakingly enforced the entrenchment of transparency, integrity and accountability in the Office by means of quality service delivery. Before his appointed as the State Accountant General, Pastor Uwem Andrew Essien has been adjudged as a tested and proven Professional and Leader, he has served in many positions of high responsibilities, viz: Chairman, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Uyo and District Society; Treasurer, ICAN Eastern Districts Conference; Member, ICAN – ATSWA Committee and Director, First Attempt Associates (ICAN Tutors)
It is true that his line of duties is not meant for lazy and indolent person. Given his resourcefulness, Pastor Uwem Andrew Essien has charisma in office, capacity to deliver and courage for his job. His day-to-day demands of his office, which he has since inception carried out creditably include: Research financial information for audit purposes and financial reporting; Analyze financial records and reports and make adjustments as needed; Assist bookkeepers, coordinators, principals, and administrators on day-to-day financial matters, reports and questions. Others include to assist auditors in analysis work; Prepare and enter journal entries which include correcting entries, allocating expenditures, grant related entries, etc; Assist in year-end closing and audits; Assist on monthly interim financial statements, Superintendent’s Annual School Report, and Comprehensive Financial Report; monitoring spending and assisting in accurate and timely reimbursements; Approve and code construction in progress payments and reconcile payments to contract balances; Certify funds for change orders and contracts; Approve requisitions for construction in progress and forwards them to Purchasing; Follow expending of funds to correct fund within the project.
This star studded professional is a former Special Assistant (SA) to the Governor on Due Process and has been member of many professional bodies such as Fellow, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA); Associate member, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ACA); and Associate member, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (ACTI) among others. As a result of his impactful service to humanity, he has received many awards, honours, accolades from groups, organizations and Institutions within and outside of the state to mention a few and the prestigious title of Akparawa from a renowned socio-cultural organization in Africa, Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio; a prestigious award from the Afe Mkpara Annang among others.
On his part, the President, Bush House Group, Nigeria, Akparawa Michael Bush described Pastor Uwem Andrew Essien as a man with a golden heart who is ready and willing to sacrifice to the needy, irrespective of where they come from. He noted that the com back of 20 Questions, an all media parlour game that is currently aired on radio, television and trend online. Bush added that such spirit of generosity is appreciated by him in particular and every meaningful person that loves progress. He called on other public office holders across the length and breadth of Nigeria and beyond to use the opportunity they have to contribute to the lives of humanity bu putting smiles to faces of people they may not even know as that will add to their acts of kindness to the populace.
