A BRIEF LETTER TO THE POLITICAL OPPRESSORS IN IKOT ABASI

Many of you have highly exalted yourselves to the extent that you now think or feel that you are God.
Unfortunately, you have failed to ask yourselves how you suddenly rose to the fame you now abuse.

Let me sound very clear and bold that God exist, and that God is not you or I; He dwells in heaven and regulates the affairs of men.

I also understand that  you now bask and boast about your unstoppable power to impose on the people your will without any oita of consideration to the God Factor. Oh! What a misfortune!

You call yourselves the kingmakers of Ikot Abasi, no body is in doubt about your political offices or affinity  with the governor.

Now my little advice. Before you rise to destroy yourselves, remember the after effect of King Nebuchadnezzar's pride. Cast your mind back to MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. Or have you not read what happened to Sennacherib King of Assyria in the Holy Bible? Maybe you should call King Pharaoh of Egypt and ask him how far life has been in the Red Sea.

My people! No body has ever opposed God and remain the same o! Even satan(your Superior) fears God when He speaks how much more you-mere mortals.

The handwriting of God in Ikot Abasi is very bold and clear!(drawing my ears to say this). You have seen it, confirmed it, and even heard it from your juju cum native doctors but you still want to dare God. You no dey fear?

One thing is dead cert, God will win and you will lose. Man, boy, woman, whoever you are, don't belabour yourself to block the will of God because you will only lose relevance if at all you would be spared by the fury of God.

IFIOK IDEMUDO, ESQ
For: Ikot Abasi Rescue Initiative(IKARI)

ENGR UBONG IDEMUDO: A STEADFAST PARTYMAN AND A DOGGED ASPIRANT

Three years ago, the political atmosphere at the third tier of government here in Akwa Ibom was squally with so much uncertainties. At that time, many politicians were reluctant to invest in the Udom;s Project and some even cross-carpeted to other political parties but the likes of Engr Ubong Idemudo remained resolute, unrelenting and focused in PDP and in the Udom Emmanuel's success. No wonder why Ikot Abasi masses describe him as the LAST MAN STANDING IN THE JUNGLE.

According to facts, Engr Ubong Idemudo stood his grounds during the 2015 Gubernatorial electioneering processes. Engr Ubong famous for his doggedness and the fact that he did not hide his support for PDP and Udom Emmanuel even when Ikot Abasi became a dangerous terrain for PDP faithfuls. The truth remains that he branded a brand new Toyota Hilux with His Excellency's photograph and made a public display of his loyalty to the PDP course. He also sponsored a formidable campaign group called"UDOM IS RIGHT ORGANISATION" which he uses in mobilising grassroots' support for Gov Udom Emmanuel.

Information available to us has it that, it is incontestable the fact that Engr Ubong Idemudo is the only Ikot Abasi PDP chairmanship candidate that has stood the test of time. He has remain active in his game without any sign of weakness. It is also undeniable that he remains the only candidate that has consistently mobilise support for the current administration and the party. He has done all that is required by a reasonable man's standard and nothing is left undone that he has not done. Engr Ubong has maintain a formidable popularity in Ikot Abasi and its environments through his various humanitarian activities to the society, hence the outcry by the masses to the party to give them Engr Ubong Idemudo. Many witnesses testify of how he has helped them on many occasions to attend PDP functions all on his costs.

 While other chairmanship hopefuls are doing a di-minutes rush and some even running helter-skelter to consult the party, Engr Ubong Idemudo has again achieved an unprecedented lead in this aspect. Engr Ubong started his consultation some 3 years ago and has sustained the tempo till date. It is on record that none else but Engr Ubong Idemudo has consulted party elders and excos at the ward, chapter. He has consulted the youth of various clans in Ikot Abasi, women and the Traditional fathers. Moreso, Engr Ubong Idemudo has become the Ikot Abasi aspirant(in this regime) to consulted the clergy and even financed two solemn assemblies for the spiritual reinvigoration of Ikot Abasi.

As the PDP family is looking forward to a successful selection of candidates who will bear the flags of the party in the November, 11 LG polls, Ikot Abasi people are appealing to the party to give them Engr Ubong Idemudo and no other. The people are unanimous in saying that only Ubong Idemudo's ticket can bring a lasting peace and development to Ikot Abasi. The people further reiterate  their total loyalty and support to the state government, giving the party's anticipated decision in favour of their unchallenged Apostle of Ikot Abasi restoration, Engr. Ubong Idemudo.

STEPS TO A LEGAL MARRIAGE

STEPS TO A LEGAL ENGLISH MARRIAGE

There are laid down procedures and requirements that must be fulfilled before a marriage can be said to be legal and lawful according to the Nigerian marriage Laws. The Marriage Act of 1949 governs all valid marriages contracted in Nigeria or outside Nigeria (among two Nigerians in the Nigerian High Commission). These steps are essential and sacrosanct.

Couples are required to give notice of their marriage to the Registrar of Marriage in their local Government Area. The Registrar would in turn register such notice in the “Marriage Notice Book” and equally cause same notice to be published on his door and equally cause same notice to be published on his door and notice board at the local government office for twenty-one (21) days. During the 21 days, people are expected to report any reason why the potential couple should not be wedded. Where there is no protest from the public to such intended union, at the expiration of 21 days, the Registrar of Marriages shall issue a Registrars’ Certificate to the couple.

The certificate empowers the concerned couple to go ahead and celebrate their marriage (exchange of vows) within 3 months. Such exchange must be done in public, often in a licensed place of worship (church) and before a registered clergy. (At this stage, people refer to such as “church wedding”). Some couple prefers to celebrate their own marriage (exchange vows) not in a church but in the office of the Registrar of marriages, before the Registrar of marriages and a few witnesses. (At this stage, people refer to such as “Court wedding”). In all the two methods are same, from same origin and with the same legal benefits and responsibilities (it is a matter of convenience).

STEP1:

Giving of  Notice of Marriage to the Registrar Of Marriage:

In Local Government Areas there are Registrars of marriages, who register marriages conducted within the Local Government Areas. The Registrars often have offices in Local Government Area headquarters. The first step to a valid marriage is the giving of notice of marriage to the Registrar of marriages by intending couple. The notice is given by filling and signing a form after payment of a prescribed fee in the office of the Registrar. The Registrar of marriages would cause the notice to be entered in the “Marriage Notice Book” and same published on the outer door of his office and the notice board of the Local Government Area.

After the expiration of 21 days from the day of publication of notice, the Registrar shall issue a “Registrar’s certificate” to the couple, where there were no objections from the public against their proposed marriage. The Registrar’s certificate is a proof that notice of such marriage had been given and that couple should go ahead to celebrate their marriage in any church/mosque or the office of the Registrar. Please, note that certificate can only be issued where the couple is not blood relations and one of the couple has been resident within the Local Government Area of the intended marriage for at least 15 days and none of the couple is below 21 years of age or married to another person.

STEP 2:

Celebrate Marriage In licensed Church or Office

Three (3) months after the issuance of a Registrar’s certificate by the Registrar of marriages, the couple are expected to visit a licensed place of worship (licensed church/mosque building) or stay in the Registrar’s office to celebrate their marriage. Every celebration of marriage in a church must be done between the hours of 8.00 am and 6.00 pm in the presence of at least two witnesses apart from the officiating minister. If it is to be celebrated in the office of a Registrar of Marriage it must be done between the hours of 10.00 am and 4.00 pm with open doors.

If after the expiration of 3 months from the date of issuance of such Registrar’s Certificate, the marriage is not celebrated, all notices and certificate will become void. And, all processes must start afresh for a valid marriage to emanate again.

Celebration of marriage must be either in a licensed place of worship (church/mosque building) under the supervision of registered clergy of the religious body (church/mosque) or in the office of the Registrar of Marriages. Please, be warned that it is not all churches, ministries, prayer centres and outfits that are licensed places for celebration of marriages. Note further, that where a church is a licensed place for celebration of marriage, it is only the recognized minister of the church that can wed people in the church. Hence, for example, it will be illegal for a catholic priest to wed a couple in an Anglican church.

STEP 3:

Signing of Marriage Certificate:

Marriage rites do not end with exchange of vows rather with signing of marriage certificate by the couple before their two (2) witnesses and the officiating minister (clergy). Just like any other contract, what had been orally exchanged must be evidenced in writing via a marriage certificate.

The Registrar of marriages sends “books of marriage certificates” in duplicate and with counterfoils to all licensed places of worship. Immediately, after the celebration of marriage, the officiating priest would provide the book, fill its form and have same signed by the couple, their witnesses and himself. The officiating minister must deliver to the couple their marriage certificate while he retains a duplicate. The duplicate must be sent to the Registrar of Marriages within seven (7) days after the celebration of marriage. The registrar of marriage upon receiving such certificate files it. Couples are advised to make sure that the officiating priest transmits their marriage certificate duplicate to the Registrar of marriages for proper filling.

ADDENDUM

I must state that in special circumstances, the minister of Internal Affairs may issue a License to Marry to couples which will authorise their celebration of marriage at any place/venue they so desire and without a registrar’s certificate but before a recognised clergy or the Registrar of Marriages.  It should be noted that a marriage is invalid if, in the knowledge and willfulness of the couple:

a.      It was celebrated under a false name or names or;

b.      It was celebrated without a Registrar’s certificate or;

c.       It was celebrated in a place other than a licensed place of worship or       the office of the Registrar of marriages or;

d.      It was conducted by a person other than a recognised minister of              some religious denomination or a Registrar of Marriages.

COINED FROM BARR ONYEKACHI UMAH

IFIOK IDEMUDO, ESQ.

C.M. IDEMUDO & CO.

26 OKONGNTEKONG STREET

ETE-IKOT ABASI L.G.A.

AKWA IBOM STATE.

NIGERIA

08068486051