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SSDC Begins Historic South-South Regional Tour in Bayelsa, Seeks Stronger Partnership with State Governments

The South-South Development Commission (SSDC) has commenced its maiden regional tour of the six South-South states with a strategic visit to Bayelsa State, signaling a renewed drive to strengthen collaboration with state governments and deliver people-centred development across the region. The high-level delegation, led by the Chairman of the Board and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Usoro O. Akpabio, FRSA, FCE, alongside Board Members and Executive Directors, was received on Wednesday by Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, and members of the State Executive Council at Government House, Yenagoa. The visit marks the beginning of a regional consultation initiative designed to deepen partnerships with the governments of the South-South states and ensure that the Commission's programmes and interventions align with the development priorities of each state. Speaking during the engagement, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Usoro Akpabio, reaffirmed...
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Oversight Tour Exposes Neglect at Mkpat Enin Legislative Block as AKHA Warns Councils on Accountability

  The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has warned that financial autonomy for councils must translate into improved infrastructure and accountability, after an oversight visit revealed severe neglect at the Mkpat Enin Legislative Council complex. The Committee, led by Chairman Rt. Hon. Mfon Idung, began its tour of the state’s 31 local government councils on Monday with an inspection of the Mkpat Enin legislative block, the seat of the council’s lawmaking arm.  What the lawmakers met was a facility in disrepair: weather-stained walls, a deteriorating roof, overgrown surroundings, and an overall lack of maintenance. The condition, the Committee said, fell far short of expectations for a council now receiving its statutory allocations directly. “The state of this legislative block is inconsistent with the status of a local government that enjoys financial autonomy,” Rt. Hon. Idung stated. “Institutions of democracy must refl...
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THE TRUE MEASURE OF REPRESENTATION IS THE LIVES IT CHANGES

  There is an old African proverb that says, "The rain does not fall on one roof alone." In much the same way, the true impact of leadership cannot be confined to a single project, a single community, or a single headline. It must be felt across the lives of ordinary people. This is perhaps the most enduring lesson from the representation of Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Ime Bassey Okon, Member representing Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. In today's political climate, it is easy to reduce representation to the commissioning of projects or attendance at public ceremonies. Yet effective representation goes much deeper. It is about solving problems, opening doors of opportunity, amplifying the voices of constituents, and ensuring that government reaches those who need it most. That philosophy has increasingly defined Rt. Hon. Ime Okon's approach to public service. When hundreds of students struggled under the weight of rising educational expenses...
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TRANSPORTATION: GOV ENO RECEIVES FIRST BATCH OF CNG BUSES

  Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has applauded the arrival of the first batch of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses in the State, describing the development as a major step towards transforming the State transportation system. Governor Eno, who spoke shortly after receiving and inspecting the buses, disclosed that the 20 vehicles received were part of the 50 ordered by his administration to provide easier, safer, and more efficient transportation service across the 31 Local Government Areas of the state. The Governor commended the Ministry of Transport, the contractor, the military, and other stakeholders involved in the successful delivery of the buses, noting that the next phase is to complete the bus terminal facilities, install tracking devices, and introduce a modern ticketing system. He said the initiative aligns with his administration’s commitment to making transportation “easy and simple” for Akwa Ibom people, adding that the state’s improved road network provid...
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Stakeholders Back Tax Reforms as Catalyst for Economic Growth, Shared Prosperity

By Asuquo Edem  Stakeholders in Nigeria's tax administration and business sectors have underscored the importance of tax awareness, voluntary compliance and ongoing fiscal reforms as critical drivers of sustainable economic growth, improved revenue generation and shared prosperity. The consensus was reached on Friday at the One-Day Tax Awareness Seminar organised by the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Uyo and District Society, in collaboration with the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) and the Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS), at the ICT Hall, Office of the Accountant-General, State Secretariat, Uyo. The seminar, which formed part of activities marking the 2026 Tax Awareness Week, was themed "Tax Awareness for National Growth: Reforms, Compliance and Shared Prosperity." Delivering the welcome remarks, Chairman of the CITN Uyo and District Society, Dens Idorenyin Charles William, FCTI, described taxation as the lifeblood of government and an ...
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Chris Ekong's Emergence Will Attract Major Transformation to University of Uyo - Cletus Bassey

  By Aniefiok Christopher  The Presiding Bishop of Destiny International Mission Global Assembly, Archbishop Cletus Bassey has expressed optimism that the inauguration Prof. Christopher Ekong as the 9th substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University of Uyo will cause a major transformation of the University and Akwa Ibom State at large. Dr Bassey who doubles as the Chancellor of Leadimpact University, in the United States of America made this position known during a brief chat with journalists shortly after the inauguration of the new Vice Chancellor, adding that he was excited about the elevation of Prof Chris Ekong, whom he described as a jolly good fellow, admired by many and associates well with the low and mighty in the society. According to him, the new Vice Chancellor should be given space and time to execute his plans for the institution, expressing confidence, that with his wealth of experience and network, the university community will experience a face lift, with mon...
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Akwa Ibom Assembly Bans Sign-Out Celebrations, Orders Immediate Enforcement Across Schools

  By Asuquo Edem  The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has adopted a resolution calling for the immediate prohibition of all forms of sign-out celebrations in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions across the state, citing growing concerns over moral decadence, violence, substance abuse and other anti-social behaviours associated with the practice. The resolution followed the consideration of a Motion on Notice sponsored by the Member representing Esit Eket/Ibeno State Constituency, Hon. Udobia Friday Udo, during plenary. Leading debate on the motion, Hon. Udobia argued that while educational institutions are established to promote learning, discipline, moral values and responsible citizenship, the culture of sign-out celebrations by graduating students has increasingly degenerated into activities that undermine these ideals. According to him, what was once intended as a celebration of academic accomplishment has, in recent years, become synonymous with indecent dressin...
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