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Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr Aniekan Umanah has described as false and unfounded, a report in a local tabloid, in which he was accused of taking for personal use, N10m meant for Akwa Ibom Diaspora Network’s summit in Germany.
Addressing newsmen on Thursday in Uyo, Mr. Umanah, who was flanked by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Diaspora Affairs, Mr. Clement Ikpatt who is also the President of AIDN, challenged the author and sponsors of the news item to produce evidence that he pocketed the money of the organization.
According to him, although the State government promised to financially support the AIDN conference, which was later postponed, the money has not been released from the State treasury.
Mr. Umanah who described the report as laughable and a figment of the writer’s imagination, wondered how funds that have not been released could be cornered by him.
Emphasising that he would not fold his hands and watch some group of persons tarnish his image with false reports, the commissioner said the era of irresponsible journalism must stop in Akwa Ibom State.
“Throughout my many years in public service, I have not taken anybody or group’s money. I have worked for many multi-national companies and international organizations, I have never been found wanting. This allegation is from one Uwem Sam, a member of the opposition wing, as part of their blackmail and propaganda tool to discredit people, who are loyal to Governor Godswill Akpabio. I promise they will not succeed. My hard-earned integrity cannot be smeared by an internet marauder, who does not have a pedigree.” And I will not allow that. Mr. Umanah said.
He made it clear that the President, Secretary and other officials of Akwa Ibom Diaspora Network were alive for clarifications, stressing that the money will be given out to the group, when it is released.
