The Empire

The vice president of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osinbajo will tomorrow, Friday, February 1, storm Akwa Ibom State for some important government functions. Addressing members of the press Thursday, the Presidential Liaison Officer, National Assembly Matter-Senate, Senator Ita Solomon Enang said the visit of the vice president would bother on numerous activities and interactions with family, community leaders and the business communities. Ita Enang stated that Yemi Osinbajo will address a rally in Nsit Attai local government area, together with the APC governorship candidate, Obong Nsima Ekere. He added that the vice president will be at Akpan Andem Market in Uyo as well as visit Ikot Ekpene market to interact with citizens. "He will have meetings with some  APC chieftains, before proceeding to address some professionals and chief executives of businesses from Akwa Ibom and other businessmen resident in the state. He will also visit Christian communities and other religious orga

By Substance Udo-Nature Could Barr. Onofiok Luke be leaning on the same frame of mind with Steve Maraboli? In his book, "Unapologetically You: Reflections on Life and the Human Experience", Steve says: "I want to live my life in such a way that when I get out of bed in the morning, the devil says, 'aw shit, he's up!'" Those envious and mischievously  strategizing on circumventing the dreams, consistent rise and wide recognition of  the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Onofiok Akpan Luke, still may have a million more holes to dig in Fool's Paradise. Barely two weeks ago, an important event came and went without glitz and fanfare. That was because of the character in the centre. But the lingering significance of that event to distinctive record of public service and the distinguished personality of attraction of that day cannot quietly be swept under the thick carpet of history. Perhaps because of these restless an

The camp of the opposition, APC in Akwa Ibom State suffered yet  another set back with the defection of prominent chieftains of the party from the broom party to the PDP. The latest being, the defection of an APC Chieftain in Esit-Eket local Government Area, Barr. Bassey Dan Abia (Jnr) from the opposition, APC to the PDP. Barr. Dan Abia, a former House of Representatives Member for Eket Federal Constituency, is a brother to a former NDDC Managing Director, and Governorship aspirant in the APC, Barr. Bassey Dan Abia(Snr). He defected alongside other supporters of the APC, inckyding, Engr. Emem Edoho and many others. Addressing the mammoth crowd at the PDP campaign rally at Esit-Eket Stadium, Uquo, Esit-Eket, the APC Chieftain flanked by other defectors said he decided to return to the PDP after his political sojourn in the broom party having realized that the APC has nothing to offer people. He described the Peoples Democratic Party as a religion in Esit-Eket and  Akwa Ibom as a w

The Chairman of Akwa United Football Club Elder Paul Bassey has charged the technical crew and players of the team to redouble their efforts and turn in positive results that will help the team to achieve its target in the 2018/2019 Nigeria Professional Football League season. In a Press Release signed by the club's Media Manager Mr. Mfon Patrick quoted the Chairman Elder Paul Bassey as saying that the recent results does not reflect the quality he has in the team and called on the Coaches and the players to stand up and be counted. At half time during Matchday 5 in Lafia on Monday, the Chairman tongue lashed the players for what he described as "the worst showing of an Akwa United team since he came on board three years ago". Elder Bassey also hit out at the coaching crew after the match in Nasarawa and urged them to sit up, stressing that in four years of Governor Udom Emmanuel's administration, Akwa United had become a brand and a household name not befi

The Special Assistant to Governor Udom Emmanuel on Project Monitoring; Comrade Martin Inyangetoh, said he was satisfied with the quality of work on the ongoing construction of 135m Obotme Bridge and the 3rd Phase of the Obotme- Arochukwu Road, assuring that such signature project will play a pivotal role in the reelection Victory of Gov Udom Emmanuel on 2nd March, 2019 and other PDP Candidates. Comrade Inyangetoh made the remarks recently when he made an on-the-spot inspection of the project site where work at the Phase one&two was Completed(14.1km Odoro Ikpe – Ikpe Ikotnkon – Obotme – Arochukwu Road while the ongoing 135m Obotme Bridge and Phase three was at advance stage(80%) of completion. The Special Assistant, who was conducted around the project site by the Project Manager, Elder Okonkwo, said he was impressed with the quality and length of work so far done, maintaining that such is Gov Udom's signature project which will have direct impact on the lives of the peo

The Council of Oro Traditional Rulers (COTR), the supreme traditional institution of Oro Nation, has given its royal blessings to the governorship ambition of the Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State, Obong Nsima Ekere. The monarchs gave their blessings when the COTR joined the Ahta Oro, Ovong Edet Isemin, and the Mbo Traditional Rulers Council (TRC) to receive Obong Ekere at the Ahta's Palace in Ibaka, Mbo. Offong Effiong Unanowo,the Chairman of the COTR, who spoke on behalf of the Ahta Oro and the council, said, "You are not new to us. We have known you for long. And we know whatever you tell us will surely manifest in Jesus name. We are believing you. We have seen roads in Oron, so many things you have done within a short time as NDDC MD. We know that if you are given opportunity to take over power as Governor, Oron will be transformed. Please take us to the Promised Land because we have been lagging behind for so long.&qu

In a conscious bid to improve ICT infrastructure and learning, the Management of Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU) has taken delivery of 100 Apple iMac Core i5 systems. The ICT revolution recently also saw the acquisition of 200 units of all-in-one computer core i5 systems. According to the Vice Chancellor, Professor Eno Ibanga, the University is committed to taking the lead in ICT in the country, in line with the Governor Udom Emmanuel's vision towards ensuring 21st century complaint education for Akwa Ibom children and beyond. "Over time, Akwa Ibom State University intends to phase out use of HP systems and replace same with Apple products which are far more robust, reliable and have a longer lifespan", the VC was quoted as saying. Recall, Akwa Ibom State University just last week got three of its programs (Mass Communication, History and International Studies and Marine Engineering/Naval Architecture) accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC)

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Akwa Ibom state command said it has arrested about 120 drug dealers in Mbo Local Council of the state together with one Okon Bassey, and recovered 244 Permanent Voters Cards bearing different identities from him. The 120 hard drug dealers were found to have variously been in possession of 51 kilogram’s of cannabis, 259 grammes of heroin,17 grammes of cocaine and 500 grammes of Tramadol diazepam and polypro, respectively. This was revealed in a statement signed by the commandant, Mohammed Sokoto and made available to newsmen in Uyo the state capital on Tuesday. He said all the suspects were arrested during the pre-election raid operations carried out by the operatives between September 2018 and January 2019. The statement added that one, Joy Adams, a notorious heroin dealer in the state was also arrested by the operatives for allegedly being in possession of 239grammes of heroin. The statement read p

The speaker Akwa Ibom State House Of Assembly Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Onofiok Luke, joined the State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel to the palace of Oku Ibom Ibibio and paramount ruler of Nsit Ubium HRH Solomon Etuk (JP) before moving to the campaign ground for the governorship rally at the council ground. Event in pictures

 by Ime Ben The rate at which numbers of mentally ill persons keeps increasing on daily basis in Eket Metropolis in particular, and others major cities in Akwa Ibom State in general, has become worrisome among members of the public. No doubt, mentally ill persons are unconscious of the society and themselves and so tend to commit any atrocious crime unknowingly and then become threats to members of the society. Few weeks ago, an innocent man and his child narrowly escaped death from a mentally derailed fellow at Ikot Usekong, Eket, on his way to drop the child in school when the mentally derailed fellow deliberately stoned him and the child to comma for no reason. Again, just yesterday evening, residents and passersby, including children along Eket Oron road by Mobil Airstrip crowded in their number, watching an obscene naked display by two adult male and female lunatics along the ever busy roadside, an act that though some people made fun of, was very embarrassing to the A

Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Muhammed Adamu, today Monday, appointed six new deputy inspectors-general of police. The new DIGs who were elevated from assistant inspectors-general are: Usman Tilli Abubakar Abdulmaji Ali, Taiwo Frederick Lakanu and Godwin Nwobodo. Also the two new DIGs who were elevated from the rank of police commissioners are: Ogbizi Michael Michael Lamorde.  Consequently, IGP Adamu has sent their names to the Police Service Commission(PSC) for consideration and approval. Usman Tilli Abubakar joined the police from Kebbi state in February 1986 while Abdulmaji Ali, joined the police from Niger state in February 1986. According to the report, Taiwo Frederick Lakanu joined the police from Lagos state in February 1986 and Godwin Nwobodo, joined the police from Enugu state in 1984. Others are Ogbizi Michael, who was a former Abia state police commissioner, and Michael Lamorde, who was a former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) fr

Some deceased Judges were listed as members of the 2019 Election Tribunal as so released. Some names will surely shock you. LIST OF MEMBERS OF THE ELECTION PETITION TRIBUNALS FOR 2019 ELECTION AND THEIR STATES OF ORIGIN 1. HON. JUSTICE K. C. NWANKPA ABIA 2. HON. JUSTICE C. H. AHUCHAOGU ABIA 3. HON. KADI M. M. ALKALI ADAMAWA 4. HON JUSTICE F. C. NWIZU ANAMBRA 5. HON. JUSTICE A. C EMEMBOLU ANAMBRA 6. HON JUSTICE A.E ARCHIBONG AKWA IBOM 7. HON. JUSTICE ALIYU M. LIMAN BAUCHI 8. HON. JUSTICE M. A. AYEMIEYE BAYELSA 9. HON. JUSTICE E. T. INEIFE BAYELSA 10. HON. JUSTICE A. KAKA’AN BENUE 11. HON. JUSTICE U.B. BWALA BORNO 12. HON. JUSTICE M. O. ENEJI CROSS RIVER 13. HON. JUSTICE P. O. ONAJITE-KUEJUBOLA DELTA 14. HON. JUSTICE A. E. UBIRI DELTA 15. HON. JUSTICE EZE UDU EBONYI 16. HON. JUSTICE PATRICK UHUO EBONYI 17. HON. JUSTICE P. I. IMOEDEMHE EDO 18. HON. JUSTICE A. L. OGUNMOYE EKITI 19. HON. JUSTICE F. C. OBIEZE ENUGU 20. HON. JUSTICE G. C. NNAMANI ENUGU 21. HON. JUS

By Asuquo Edem “Life affords no higher pleasure than that of surrounding difficulties, passing from one step of success to another, forming new wishes and seeing them gratified” – Samuel Johnson The author of the quote above must have taken into consideration few men in today’s world in the likes of Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel. A man who mounted the saddle of administration and leadership in Akwa Ibom State as governor when the economy of the nation was going through perilous times of recession. Bringing his vast experiences to bear in the excellent management of scarce resources to deliver visible and life touching results. Coming under a 5-point agenda on assuming office as governor on the 29 th  May 2015, three and a half years gone, it can be confidently said with all amount of conviction that governor Udom has not only actualized his agenda but has also laid a foundation and road map which has helped to create the much needed conducive atmosphere for investors to

The Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party,His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar GCON, is billed to arrive Uyo tomorrow for the PDP Presidential Campaign Rally in the State. In a release signed by the Chairman, Media and Image Management Sub Committee, R. Hon.(Barr.) Onofiok Luke read in part "accordingly the state Leader of the party, His Excellency Governor Udom Emmanuel, invites all state caucus members, stakeholders and elders of the PDP, political class, women and youths, the religious and traditional leaders in the state, and indeed all well meaning Akwa Ibomites to the event holding at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Monday, January 28, 2019 by 10am. "It is time to herald a leader poised to banish poverty in Nigeria by creating jobs and ending insecurity. " Come let's join hands with Atiku to make Nigeria work again"

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Prof. Nelson Braimbraifa , as acting Managing Director for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The appointment was contained in a statement issued by Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, in Abuja today Friday. Nsima Ekere, who before his resignation was the Managing Director of NDDC, is the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State. The statement read “The President, following a Federal Executive Council (FEC) resolution, has equally vested the supervisory role of the commission in the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, as well as approved the dissolution of the extant board,” he said. Adesina noted that the president also approved the appointment of Mr Chris Amadi (Finance and Administration) and Samuel Adjogbe (Projects) as Acting Executive Directors of NDDC. The appointments according to the statement takes immed

President Buhari today swore in Justice Tanko Mohammed ad the new Acting Chief Justice replacing Onnoghen. Details later

The Honourable Commissioner for Environment and Solid Minerals, Dr. Iniobong Essien has announced that the monthly general sanitation holds tomorrow, 26th January, 2019 from 7 - 10 am across the 31 Local Government Areas of the state. In a release signed by his SA Media Comrade Ubong Asanga further has it that "there shall be NO RESTRICTION OF MOVEMENTS in the State throughout the exercise because of the ongoing political campaigns by various political parties. "Therefore, citizens and visitors to the state are hereby advised to go about their normal businesses without fear of being apprehended by the law enforcement agents, but should endeavour to keep their environments clean and tidy".

      DEPUTY Leader, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt Hon (Barr) Ime Okon, has challenged youths in the state not to allow themselves to be used for thuggery by any politician, charging them to conduct themselves peacefully before, during and after this year's elections. The lawmaker who represents Ibiono Ibom in the State House of Assembly also called on all and sundry to take their destinies in their hands by mobilising and voting massively for Governor Udom Emmanuel and all PDP candidates in the 2019 polls to sustain peace and development in the State. Okon made this known, Wednesday, during a PDP Federal Constituency Women Rally in support of the Governor, at the James Ekpo Secretariat, Oko Ita, Ibiono Ibom LGA. Flanked by his wife, Mrs Victoria Okon, the lawmaker observed, "beyond the Governor's political inclusiveness for the people of Ibiono Ibom, he is a man of peace", adding that the people cannot afford to increase the number of widows in th

This morning, the American Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Stuart Symington was in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly to pay a courtesy visit on the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. (Barr) Onofiok Luke. Both men are believed to have discussed issues bordering on the coming elections in the state, as well as the expansion of the frontiers of the state’s relations with America in terms of trade and investment. Details later...

A fake Assistant Commissioner of Police, Kingsley Udoyen, was yesterday, Thursday paraded before journalists by Akwa Ibom State Police Commissioner of Police, Mr. Musa Kimo at the Command's Headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia. Udoye, who claimed he was sacked from the Force in 2006 as Superintendent of Police while serving in Alagbon, Lagos State, admitted parading himself as ACP, adding that his girlfriend, who is a serving Police woman and  who has also been arrested, procured the uniform and ranks for him.  The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State, Mr Musa Kimo said that Udoyen had until his arrest at No. 3 Stadium Road, Abak, used the fake ACP position to defraud and threatened unsuspecting members of the public. He said a search in his house led to the recovery of "one English pistol without magazine and ammunition, portraits of Chief Superintendent of Police and Assistant Commissioner of Police, three pairs of uniformd Police belt, fake Police ID card, and other do

BY EDET OKPO From the committed pronouncements made by both parties: Governor Udom Emmanuel as a PDP Governorship Candidate and Okobo People as a unified electorate,it  was clear that the Governor’s flag-off of election campaigns in Okobo local government area for a second term in office was indeed a renewal of covenants to sustain the tempo of good governance through the Divine Mandate with the unwavering support of the people of Okobo who already have demonstrated enormous loyalty and have promised to sustain it till 2023.  There could have been no stronger and auspicious signals of patriotic readiness and general acceptance of the  Okobo people than what happened on Wednesday January 23, 2019 at the  Government Primary School,  Okobo.  The people of Okobo closed their shops and markets and put off every other activity of personal importance, defied the more than one hour heavy downpour in the area on that day, and waited patiently and joyfully in their numbers to receive thei

Oby Ezekwesili, the presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), has withdrawn from the February 16 presidential election. In a statement released early today Thursday morning, Mrs Ezekwesili said she stepped down from the election to help build a coalition to defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election. In her Twitter account, Ezekwesili said “It is time to build this coalition” – Obiageli Ezekwesili leads by example, steps down from presidential race – Obiageli ‘Oby’ Ezekwesili – Presidential Candidate, Federal Republic of Nigeria – Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN). “Following the reactions of Nigerian citizens at home and abroad to the 2019 Presidential Debate held on Saturday 19 January 2019, and after extensive consultations with leaders from various walks of life across the country over the past few days.” “Everything filthy that one thought about the Nigerian Politics is REAL. Yet,