NGO To Mount Campaign Against Kidnapping, Human Trafficking

with Cyril Azuanuka Mbah, 08037010824, 07025202115

Volunteers for Awareness Against Kidnapping and Human Trafficking (VAKAHT) would soon launch a pioneering mobilization drive across the country especially in South-East and South-South against human trafficking and kidnapping.

The exercise was programmed to encourage Nigerians volunteer and rise against all forms of vicious crimes especially kidnapping and other activities that breach peace, disrupt the serenity of the country and sabotage the economy through foreign investment flight.

A statement signed by the National President of VAKAHT, Prince Charles Edet said the vision of the NGO was to serve as an epitome of patriotism for the initiator and the executive members of VAKAHT.

“Our philosophy is social freedom for all so that Nigeria will be a state where anybody can go about his/her business without fear of being confronted by criminals. We want to blaze the trail for others to emulate, so that the war against crime will engulf the perpetrators and discourage them from carrying on their nefarious activities.

“VAKAHT board members and executive are aware of the inherent dangers, and challenges, but we are engaging in this patriotic call fearlessly under the auspices of the Almighty God. Our motto is all-inclusive. We are telling Nigerians to rise to the occasion as stated in our motto where determination in predominant success is eminent,” Prince Charles Edet who is also the Publisher of National Detective Newspaper said.

He stated that the commitment of every Nigerian to overcome the rising tide of criminality can always be achieved by paying the great price of determination to root out the evil through volunteering themselves and joining the war against kidnapping and other acts.

“We are using this medium to call on the kidnappers of the four Journalists, to please release them, without any condition attached. VAKAHT will serve as a medium of restoration for entire Nigerians from fear of criminals according to God's purposes for the citizen's lives.
We urge every Nigerian, to join the line of patriotism and endeavor to be a champion of his/her own freedom.

A renowned educationist, author and playwright, Professor [Chief] Effiok Bassey Uwatt was recently crowned the first traditional ruler and custodian of the culture of Akwa Ibom State community in Gwagwalada, one of the area councils in the Federal Capital Territory [FCT], in an elaborate and colourful ceremony which lasted for two days.
His Royal Highness, Chief Effiok Bassey Uwatt who would now be known and addressed by the title of Obong Unwam Ndito Akwa Ibom would be assisted to perform the duties of his high office by Obong Emen Ndito Akwa Ibom, Chief Augustine M. Akpan, a former career civil servant and presently a businessman also based in Gwagwalada.

The coronation ceremony commenced at the Palace of Obong Iberedem Ndito Akwa Ibom in Abuja, His Royal Highness, [HRH] Obong Dr. A. W. Udosen, GDP, MMI on Wednesday, 30th June, 2010 with the blessing and conferment of Akwa Ibom traditional titles on the two celebrants as well as the performance of cultural rites which included the ceremonial offering of a sacrificial ram. The activities which were witnessed by a large number of Akwa Ibom indigenes and well-wishers from other tribes were presided over by the Obong Iberedem Ndito Akwa Ibom and members of his cabinet.

On Saturday, July 3rd, 2010, the celebrants, their family, friends and well-wishers moved to the Palace of the Aguma of Gwagwalada, HRH Alhaji Mohammed Magaji where Professor [Chief] Effiok Uwatt and Chief Augustine Akpan were turbaned and officially recognized as leaders of the Akwa Ibom community in Gwagwalada.

Although HRH Alhaji Mohammed Magaji was not physically present at the ceremony, the traditional ruler was ably represented by lieutenants in the Gwagwalada Council of Chiefs led by the Sarkin Zango.

Speaking after the coronation, the Aguma's representative urged Nigerians to live in peace with one another and to respect constituted authority and while calling on the Akwa Ibom community in Gwagwalada to submit themselves loyally to the authority of the new paramount ruler, he described the emergence of Chief Effiok Uwatt as the traditional ruler of his community as an act of God.
He equally appealed to the new traditional ruler to rule the people with the fear of God and to seek wise counsel before taking decisions on sensitive matters apart from consulting periodically with the Aguma of Gwagwalada on security issues.

On his part, the Obong Iberedem Ndito Akwa Ibom, [HRH] Obong [Dr.] A. W. Udosen who spoke on behalf of the Akwa Ibom community said Akwa Ibom people were peace loving Nigerians who have co-habited with the indigenes and other settlers in the Federal Capital Territory for a long time without problems.
He thanked the Aguma of Gwagwalada for the recognition the palace accorded to the newly installed leaders of the Akwa Ibom community and promised that the peaceful co-existence and brotherly love for which the people were known would not reduced or diminished especially now that the people have set up a traditional authority.

Professor [Chief] Effiok Bassey Uwatt was born into the family of the late Chief Bassey Essien Uwatt and Madam Ekpenwan Bassey Uwatt, both of whom hailed from Oku-Iboku in Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. Prof. Effiok Uwatt had his early education in Annang-land, where he was born and bred.

He was the son of an indefatigable school teacher whose services were constantly needed to turn the sod of new schools and had his primary education at his father's station, Government School. Oku-Abak (now Government Technical School); Teacher's Practicing School, Utu Etim Ekpo; and after the civil war, he moved to St. Mary's Practicing School, Ediene Abak where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1970.

The same year, Prof. Effiok Uwatt proceeded to Holy Family College, Oku Abak for secondary education and after obtaining his West African School Certificate in 1974 Prof. Uwatt availed himself the opportunity of enlisting for the then popular one-year pivotal Teachers Training Programme at St. Mary's Teacher's College. Ediene Abak.

After completing the programme the following year, the hard working youth accepted appointment to teach at the primary school in Nto Obo Eka Uruk Essiet, before he proceeded for university education in 1976.
Prof. Effiok Uwatt obtained a Bachelor's Degree in English and literary studies from the University of Calabar (1980), a Master of Arts Degree in English from the University of Ibadan [1982] and a Doctorate Degree in English from the University of Benin [1988]. He has worked in various capacities in higher institutions including the University of Abuja where he served as Head of Department of English and Dean Faculty of Arts.

Chief Augustine M. Akpan hailed from a royal family of OkokuObong Akpan Etok Udo. He was a former career civil servant who worked with the Federal Ministry of Commerce and several agencies in different capacities. He is presently a businessman and Managing Director CEO of MAAG Gay Ventures based in Gwagwalada.