Kennedy Nsan a researcher and teacher at Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU referred to the recent award, awarded on Rt. Hon. Eteng Jones Williams the Speaker of the 9th Cross River State House of Assembly, CRSHA as a mockery NEGROIDHAVEN can report.
The recent ‘Most Outstanding Speaker Award’ bagged by incumbent Cross River Speaker, Williams during an event organised by the Independent Newspaper Most Outstanding Speaker Awards at the Sheraton Hotel in Abuja has been described as a ‘complete mockery of democracy’ by a University don.
For Nsan, Speaker Williams is not deserving of such an award because according to him, ‘…Hon. Eteng Jones Williams as Speaker presided over the most ridiculous and fraudulent budgets in the history of Nigeria, yet given award for it. The award is for doing what exactly?’
Nsan who aired his reservation against the development on social media saw himself disagreeing with the Chief Press Secretary, CPS to the Speaker, Hope Obeten who said ‘Kennedy Nsan Your comment only reflects that of a class teacher with the wrong score card for the subject.’
As at press time, Chief Press Secretary Obeten was unable to justify why the Speaker Williams should be a recipient of such award. Meanwhile, Williams has said concerning the award that “This is a call for more work”.
The ceremony was to recognise, reward and celebrate lawmakers who have excelled in the task of transforming the lives of their constituents, while changing society positively.
The awardees cutting across the state legislature, and both chambers of the National Assembly, who emerged in various categories, including State, and Federal Lawmakers of the Year, as well as across the various geopolitical zones, applauded the organisers, Independent Newspapers Limited, publishers of Daily Independent, Saturday Independent and Sunday Independent; and African Consolidated Analytical Limited (ACAL), for the recognition which would encourage them to do more.
