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Cross Section of Attendees
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Members of the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN - Akwa Ibom State Chapter) gathered at G-Park Events Center, Ikot Ekpene rd., Uyo, on 25th
April 2017 for its Delegates Conference to elect a leader for the organization in the state.
The process is quite a lengthy one began with the first of its kind gathering of musicians in their numbers (tallying over 90) to begin the process of seating a new head for the organization in the state. In attendance were the Union's present State Chairman Chaiker Banton, Fadabasi Effiong aka Abasi mmi Ayaya (Vice), Chris Etuk aka Skanking Master (P.R.O), Inem Matthew (Secretary), Rev. Ezekiel Umoh (Vice), Andy Johnson, Sir Wilker Jackson, Dr. Victor Idim aka Vidim Africa, MC Gentility, Joe Itiaba among others.
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| ELECO EXECUTIVES (PHOTO: FADABASI EFFIONG) |
The highlight of the day's event was to set up an independent electoral body that would draw guidelines and coordinate the forthcoming AKS PMAN Chairmanship election effectively.
Contestants for the said position are yet to step forward but our feelers have it that these two: Dr. Victor Idim (Vidim Africa Peace Band) and Chaiker Banton ( Present AKS Interim Chairman) are strong contestants for the seat of the AKS PMAN Chairman.
Upon hours of deliberation, the electoral committee executives were nominated and appointed, heading the committee is popular Akwa Ibom state music icon from Ikot Ekpene zone,
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| JOE ITIABA (PHOTO: FADABASI EFFIONG) |
Joe Itiaba, also on the list of the AKS PMAN ELECO execs are Inem Matthew (Secretary), Sir Wilker Jackson, Martins Ukoh. The primary assignment of the newly appointed ELECO is to make sure that a new State Chairman is sworn in transparently and peacefully following the set parameters of the PMAN constitution.
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Dr. Victor Idim (Vidim Africa)
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Speaking to our press team at the event Dr. Victor Idim reiterated his stand to be part and parcel of a transparently free and fair election, in his words "As an active player in show business, having traveled around the world to showcase my talents and also with my title of World Peace Ambassador, I wish to see a smooth, free and fair election in Akwa Ibom PMAN. Also by the grace of God, if I sit as Chairman, I will see to it that the upcoming musicians and particularly the music legends here in Akwa Ibom state are properly groomed and taken care of adequately. Also, I will parley with the State Government to take PMAN to yet greater heights" he concluded.
Also speaking to #TheSageNEWSHUB at the event was popular Nigerian musician Fadabasi Effiong aka 'Abasi mmi Ayaya' who hails from Akwa Ibom state. This music icon had single-handedly grossed in two bank endorsements in Nigeria and is currently a Vice Chairman of PMAN the state, he also is nursing the ambition to become State Chairman.
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Fadabasi Effiong (Abasi Mmi Ayaya)
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Fadabasi who threw light on the inner workings of the election had the following to say "We had challenges which had to do with confidence because of successive governments of the past, the massive turnout today has shown that PMAN in Akwa Ibom State as of today has brought back that confidence to it's teeming members. And we have faith in the forthcoming election to seat a new leader for the union in the state, as we at the head of affairs will ensure nothing but a wholesomely free and fair election in Akwa Ibom State." Also buttressing Fadabasi's point of a transparent election but leaning his support for the present
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Chris Etuk (Skanking Master)
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state Chairman, Chaiker Banton, to continue in office, P.R.O of the musicians' union in Akwa Ibom State and popular reggae musician Chris Etuk aka Skanking Master, ensued for a peaceful and anti-chaotic election in the state.
Following the proceedings of the day the newly instituted ELECO have been charged with the duty of going back to the drawing table to come up with modalities of running a smooth, free and fair election in Akwa Ibom State; a further date will be fixed for the State Delegates Conference that will seat a new Chairman in Akwa Ibom State.
