Akwa Ibom urges accurate data for development

The Akwa Ibom State government has emphasised need for accurate data for governance and development.

The state’s Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Linus Nkan, who stated this at a two-day sensitisation and advocacy tour for data gathering and management in Uyo, said: “Tangible development cannot be achieved without accurate data.”

The commissioner noted that lack of reliable and accurate data had hindered development efforts of government, adding that it was impossible for the government to meet the needs of citizens without accurate data.

He, therefore, advised participants to seize the opportunity provided by the workshop to enrich their wealth of knowledge in data gathering and management in their various local councils.

Nkan commended the organisers of the workshop and described it as the first of its kind, adding that “in the past, there had been data gathering and preparation of indices for federal, state and local governments but we have never been enlightened and educated on how data were being gathered. This is the first time.”

The Federal Commissioner, Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Alhaji Mohammed Usman, described the sensitisation tour as an exercise that would bring about effective data gathering and management, charging participants to take the programme seriously.

Also, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Eme-ete Imuk, in a vote of thanks, appreciated the organisers and charged participants to make effective use of the lessons learnt from the sensitisation tour.

HOWEVER, the newly-elected Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University of Uyo (UNIUYO), Prof. Nyaudoh Ndaeyo, has been described as the most experienced of the three candidates shortlisted for the position.

The out-going VC, Prof. Enefioķ Essien, stated this during a press conference, yesterday, in Uyo.

Essien, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Eno-Idem Usoro, said that the process that produced the eighth substantive VC followed the stipulated laws guiding the removal and appointment of a VC in a federal university.

According to him, the University Governing Council had on Tuesday, October 6, 2020, accepted the recommendation of the Joint Council and Senate Board and resolved to select the VC through a secret vote in line with the extant law required for that purpose.

He further explained that at the end of the voting process, Prof. Ndaeyo had nine votes, Prof. Edet Udoh got four votes while Prof. Gabriel Umoh had no vote.