Everyday, do more than you could; seek more than you should; understand more than is understood. Thus only a man stops being a hood.

The future is very brighter and more comfortable

GOV ENO MOVES TO CREATE MORE INDIGENOUS MILLIONAIRES WITH PROCUREMENT PORTAL

𝑩𝒚 Henshaw Nyong & Atuekong Paul Bassey

The Akwa Ibom State Government has taken another bold step toward transparency and economic empowerment with the launch of a digital procurement portal aimed at creating more opportunities for indigenous contractors.

At a joint press briefing on Friday at the Akpan Isemin Hall, Government House, Uyo, the Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy, Engr. Frank Ekpenyong, Ph.D., described the initiative as a trailblazing that will ensure fairness in the bidding process for government contracts.

Taking journalists through a PowerPoint presentation, the Commissioner explained that the new portal, created on the directive of Governor Umo Eno, is designed to eliminate favouritism and backdoor dealings while allowing qualified contractors to apply for projects seamlessly.

“We are here today because we have a governor who believes in transparency. His directive was clear – every contract and procurement bidding must be open to all qualified persons. This portal ensures that only competent contractors with proven capacity are selected for government jobs,” he stated.

Ekpenyong further disclosed that the platform provides contractors and vendors access to numerous projects, including the construction of over 400 houses this year, covering Commissioners’ quarters, Legislative and Judiciary quarters, Medical Village, AKBC headquarters, and Aviation quarters, among others.

He urged interested contractors to visit procurement.akwaibomstate.gov.ng and register, explaining that each applicant will receive an 11-digit unique number after successfully completing the process.

Speaking on the Akwa Ibom Electronic Identity System (AKeID), Engr. Ekpenyong explained that residents need to provide their National Identification Number (NIN), Voter Identification Number (VIN), and bank details to register. He described the system as a secure, one-stop portal designed to streamline personal verification processes.

According to him, once an individual is verified, they will be assigned a unique 11-digit number, which will serve as a single access key for multiple government platforms, including the procurement portal, employment portal, MSMEs portal, and bursary portal.

“This will eliminate the stress of repeatedly entering personal details like bank information, NIN, and VIN when applying for government services,” he added.

The portal, he said, can be accessed at identity.akwaibomstate.gov.ng.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Information, Hon. Aniekan Umanah, had highlighted Governor Umo Eno’s commitment to development, recalling the governor’s recent engagements, from town hall meetings and the ARISE Entrepreneurial Support Scheme to the inauguration of a Model Primary School and the Maritime Hub in Oron.

He revealed that it was during the last Delivery Advisory Meeting that Governor Eno directed the Ministry of Science and Digital Economy to create the procurement portal to ensure that contractors and vendors with capacity can bid for jobs without undue interference.

The press briefing was attended by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Ekerete Udoh; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Akparawa James Edet; Permanent Secretary, Finance and General Purposes Committee (FGPC); and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Dr. Essien Essien Ekefre Ndueso, among others.

"I FEEL VERY ASHAMED THAT I WAS ALIVE AND WATCHED MY OWN 18-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER MARRY A 70- YEAR- OLD MAN"

-REGINA DANIEL'S DAD

"Regina and her mother, Rita, called me an ēnēmy of progress and wished me dēãth when I told her not to mãrry Ned Nwoko."

-JUDE OJEGWU

"I knew this marriage was bound to have issues. Even though I am in my late 50s and I can't marry a 18-year old girl. I feel very ãshamed that I was alive and watched my own 18-year daughter marry a 70-years old man. When Regina told me about this marriage, I told her that there's more to life and marrying a man who is older than me her father isn't right. But guess what? Her mother, Rita called me an ēnēmy of progress and wished me dēath. So I backed off and let Regina follow her happiness since she was already an adult anyway. I didn't even attend her wedding because I was ãngry. And today the same marriage they called me an ēnēmy of progress when I tried to open her eyes is crumblîng. I knew this would happen but I just hope she finds peace in her matrimonial home."
~ JUDE OJEGWU

THE MAN EVERY LADY RESPECTS...

Real men never open their mouths to ask for respect, they command it naturally.

The day you start asking for respect is the day you lose it. If you have it, you won't ask or demand for it! It comes to you effortlessly!

Every woman respect men who have these qualities:

1. YOU ARE WISE
Nothing makes me bow before a man than wisdom. When you open your mouth and timeless treasures flow out, I stand stunned, dazed, wowed and glued. I want to listen to you over and over again but when you open your mouth and nothing comes out but crap, senseless jokes, stupid words and banter, boy, I duck, no, I pick race. My husband is a man of wisdom. I love listening to him over and over and over again...

2. YOU MAKE MONEY
Men who make cool money command ladies' respect effortlessly, call us greedy, that's your business! No woman wants to suffer in marriage! You must carry your two legs out of your house every morning and make good money if you want your wife to respect you. Any man who depends on his wife to eat needs serious deliverance! Forget about yahoo boys and pray for financial success bro! Not every millionaire stole pants for money rituals! Not all CEOs are yahoo boys! Not all business tycoons buried human heads under their businesses! God is a giver of TRUE wealth! The bible says, "The BLESSINGS of the Lord maketh RICH!" Rich men command respect easily, you may hate to hear it, but it is the truth. However, start small and grow big! That is the problem of today's youths. No one wants to start small. Every one wants to ride "Logo Benz" hence the money ritual! You better save yourself and generations unborn from untimely death by steering clear of blood money. Start small, work hard and grow big, that's how to be great. Virtuous women respect hardworking men and will support them when necessary.

3. YOU HAVE SELF CONTROL
A man who stares at women's breasts, buttocks and lips is sick! No, admiring a woman is different. Men naturally admire attractive women but if you stare, you STARE like "Eja Ojuyobo", you know that big eyed fish, you need a pychiatrist's attention! Look once and look away, that's okay, that's decent. I know men look so telling you not to look is unrealistic. I'm against staring and drooling! A man who controls his libido commands a woman's respect any day, any time! If you must grab and grope every time you see a woman you are a piss off! Honorable men respect ladies! Men who command women's respect have a clean, pure, bed sheet not wrinkled or stained with lust and premarital sex!

4. THEY ARE GENEROUS
Givers are automatic respect commanders! Giving is not about the volume but the condition of heart. Some men are so stingy they must ask for sex in return of a #100 recharge card. What's your problem? Are you so poverty stricken you can't release #500 without asking for sex? Is #500 your God? Is it the end of your life? Will you d1e if you help the daughter of Sarah with just #500? FIVE HUNDRED NAIRA! I rebuke that that stingy, backward, stagnant spirit out of your life in Jesus' name! Givers are respect commanders! Learn to give to God, your family and your parents, blessings will flow into your life effortlessly.

5. THEY LOVE GOD
God chasers are automatic respect commanders! When I see a man who loves the Lord,who LOVES the Lord, oh my, oh my, my husband is so so sexy to me, muuuaaah!

6. THEY LOVE THEIR WIVES
It is an irresponsible man that will ill treat his wife and expect her to respect him. It is the son of satan that will starve, abuse and even beat his wife and expect her to scream "Yes sir!" To his commands and jumps at his every beck and call! It is a bush man that will neglect his wife and expect her to honour him. Ho- what? You don't deserve honour sir. The Bible says, "Give honour to whom honour is due". Honour is not due to a stingy, irresponsible drunkard and a womanizer! Respect is not commanded Huncle, it is earned!

Start earning it from today and you will feel better, love yourself more and achieve more results in your relationships, personal life, career and business. Momma cares!

Thanks for reading through. God bless you cheers!
© Seun Oladele.

Relationships are less about grand gestures and more about consistent, genuine moments

caption ideas for a boyfriend's profile picture:

"My favorite person in one frame."
"More than just a boyfriend, he's my best friend."
"Lucky to call him mine."
"My heart is happiest when I'm with him."
"He stole my heart, but I’ll let him keep it."
"Forever grateful for this love."
"My definition of perfect."
"He makes everything better."
"Every moment with you is a blessing."
"Together is my favorite place to be.
"With him, every day feels like an adventure."
"My reason for smiling every day."
"He's the one I never want to let go of."
"Forever my favorite."
"In his arms is where I belong."
"He’s got my heart, and I wouldn’t want it any other way."
"Making memories with my love."
"He’s my calm in every storm."
"Falling for him, a little more every day."
"The only person I need by my side."

My roommate and I were in this big wedding last Sunday.

This big man was getting married to this big woman, so many of their big friends from all across the world came.

It was a very lavish wedding. Money was being sprayed in dollars, and if naira was sprayed, it was the 1000 note. The more the couple danced, the more dollars were tossed into the sky.

We were dressed in neatly ironed shirts, my roommate and I, and around our necks were colourful 'Ask Me' tags that indicated our roles. We went into the crowd, scooping up the money sprayed and stuffing it into these black nylon bags.

There was so much money being sprayed. When our backs began to ache and we needed a rest, we told the ushers in charge of sharing food that we’d been working tirelessly under the sun and needed a break. They served us rice and fried chicken, and as soon as we stripped the meat off the bones, we got back into the field and resumed picking money.

By the end of the day, we had filled two large carpenter bags with money. When no one was looking, we quickly slipped out of the area.

I suppose someone eventually noticed that the two boys who had been picking money all day were missing and realized neither the bride's nor the groom's family had hired us.

We were already halfway down the street, my roommate and I, holding the carpenter bags and the fake 'Ask Me' tags we had printed, when we heard voices behind us.

"Hey, you two! Come back here! Bring back our money!"

So, earlier this morning, I saw a water vendor (meruwa) heading to our neighbor's house to sell water. I called out to him and asked him to sell us 3 gallons of water as well. He pushed his truck closer to our door and asked where he should pour the water. I directed him to the visitor's toilet.

After he finished, the meruwa approached me and asked for his payment. I inquired about the cost, and he said it was #1,200. I was a bit próvóckéd by the price he called and asked if that was for 3 gallons. He claimed he had poured 12 gallons, not 3. I was confused because the container could only hold 3 gallons.

The meruwa insisted that I pay him the full amount. I went to check the toilet and found that the container was empty. I became even more confused and asked him again where he had poured the water. He pointed to the toilet's water closet (WC), claiming that's where he poured all 12 gallons.

That's when the argument started. The meruwa thréáténéd to tâké áctîon ágáînst me if I didn't pay him. In the end, I reluctantly paid for water I never received or saw.

If you live in the North, you will likely come across young water vendors. Be cáutîóus when dealing with them, as they can be tróûblésóme. Having recently moved from rural areas to the city, they may not be familiar with urban norms. Take thréáts from them seriously and avoid cónfróñtátióñs to stay out of trouble, please.

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Life is getting more difficult than expected.
We all need to do what is right