The Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists Akwa Ibom state chapter has passed a vote of no confidence suspending its chairman, Prince Samuel Etukeyen from office over abuse of office and high handedness.
It has also nominated Mrs. Helen Onukak, to deputise for him pending ratification by the National Executive Council of the association.
A copy of the resolutions of the meeting held recently where the vote of no confidence was passed and obtained by newsmen in Uyo yesterday indicated that his suspension was endorsed by seven out of the ten man executive council members of the association in the state.
The suspension was endorsed by Richard Wilson and Ekon James Mascot, chairman and vice chairmen of the association representing the Ikot Ekpene zone, Dorathy Udoh from Uyo Senatorial zone and Mrs. Helen Onukak, vice chairman, of Eket Senatorial zone.
Others who also signed are Gloria Inam, treasurer, Goodness Ekong, Social/ Welfare Officer and Asuquo Udoekon, Public Relations officer of the association
The resolutions of the Meeting was addressed to the National President of NASSI, Abuja, and copied to the the governor of the state, Udom Emmanuel, vice president South South, the state Commissioner of Trade and Investment, Commissioner of police and the director of the state security service among others.
The suspension following allegations of abused of office, disregard for the constitution, negligence of duty, fraud and corruption, general inefficiency and breach of trust among others.
“We the Executive council members of the Nigerian Association of Small scale Industrialists, Akwa Ibom State branch, being conscious of our rights, obligations and duties, having firmly sworn to defend the powers of the constitutions of NASSI, after a careful study of the complaints, allegations and actions of the state chairman of NASSI, Akwa Ibom State,stress that, in view of the the above mentioned, having more than 2/3 as contain in NASSI constitution, section 19 (1 and11) section14 (X11 a) having seven elected members out of ten suspend and remove Prince Etukenyen Samuel Etukenyen from office as the chairman, Nigerian Association of Small scale Industrialists, Akwa Ibom State branch today 15, January,2021 pending ratification by the National executive council. Section 25 (ii)
“We the executive council hereby nominate one of the vice chairmen, Mrs Helen Onukak from Eket Senatorial District as the deputy state chairman, NASSI.Akwa Ibom state. By this appointment Mrs Onukak has been automatically appointed the acting state chairman, NASSI, Akwa Ibom State branch. Section 18 (ii).” The resolution read in parts.
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They mandated the suspended chairman to refund all monies and property including documents of the association in his possession within 24 hours to the time he was served with the the resolutions.
Reacting, the embattled chairman, Etukenyen, described those against him as overzealous and greedy people adding that a matter of this nature has to be resolved by the national president of the association
The chairman who said he was yet to be served with the resolutions of the meeting said the national president will be in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state to address the media on the state.
“By Thursday the National president of NASSI will be here to address a press conference, so that you will not write fake news.. We just came out of the election in November, last year and we were about doing something, but because of overzealousness and greed of our people. I have not even been served any papers. it’s from the journalists that I am hearing these stories.
“I am telling you the truth that when the National president will comes he will take far reaching decisions because NASSI is a national association and anything that happens at the state levels the national president must be aware.” He explained.
He said a provision in the constitution of NASSI says if you have issues such as this you report to the national president and it is the national president that will resolve the issue.
