The Empire

There is palpable fear and tension presently in Uruan Local Government as the Project Manager of Zenith Construction Company, contractor constructing the Mbiaya-Mbiakong road has been kidnapped this morning with his police killed. Mr Kazan the company head project Manager was reportedly whisked away when he went to buy cement from a local cement shop while his police was shot and killed. However sources who spoke to our correspondent alleged non payment of  project funds reasons the company has resorted to buying cement from local kiosk. Our source also did not rule out an insider as having planned the kidnap. When called, the Police Public Relations Officer, Odiko MacDonald did not answer calls nor SMS sent to his phone line.

-Paul Sylvester Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel has stated that his administration's commitment to youth development is irrevocable, noting he will continually produce adequate manpower to boost the State Government's industrialization programme. The Governor stated this at The Citadel Church, during April Edition of Akwa Ibom Youth  Prayer Conference in Uyo. Continuing, the State Chief Executive stressed that Small and Medium Scale Enterprises drive economy in most developed countries and assured Akwa Ibom youths that his administration will continue        to facilitate easy access to capital for startups which will generate more employment opportunities in the State. Mr. Emmanuel who was represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Microfinance and Enterprise Devoloment, Mr Ime Uwah acknowledged the contributions of the youths in the just concluded elections, observing that the youths to a large extent, contributed to the peaceful, free and fair ele

In it's avowed commitment and determination to see to the proper disposal of refuse in the State Capital and other environs, the Chairman Akwa Ibom State Environmental  and Waste Management Agency (AKSEPWMA),Prince Akpan Ikim has assured residents of the State that the State in partnership with a Company would soon bring to designated spots, receptacles for easy disposal of refuse. Prince Ikim while speaking to Journalists Saturday during the monthly environmental sanitation noted that the receptacles would also reduce indiscriminate dumping of refuse around illegal spots as well as bring decency to the State adding that government under the leadership of Mr. Udom Emmanuel has provided an expansive land as permanent dump site. He emphasized that the Agency would not take it kindly with citizens who defy the existing law against dumping refuse at times not stipulated, added that the law which set up the agency had also regulated the time regime whereby residents of th

The former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Arc Victor Attah has been reported to be bereaved of his junior brother, Sir Essien Bassey Udo Adiaha Attach. Reasons of his death are still sketchy as at the time of making this report. It would be recalled the the deceased once served the State as Commissioner for Culture and Tourism. May his soul rest in peace and may the family be comforted.

By Imoh Etukukoh. Following the social media report making the rounds that, the Onna Council Chairman, Hon Imoh Attat, is at loggerhead with the legislative council in Onna, using cult boys to attack legislators, the council boss, Hon. Imoh Attat has faulted the report, saying the executive and the legislative arms in Onna LGA are enjoying robust working relationship since the inception of the administration. Speaking with this reporter, yesterday Hon. Attat said that he is not aware of any problem between the executive and the legislature in the council, adding that, at the moment he was in Uyo on official engagement. He stated that, the councillors had been misinformed by someone he is yet to know and identify alleging that, he collected N17 million instead of N8 million as allocation accrued to the local government for the month of March, and has also collected several entitlements on behalf the councillors without remitting same. Attat said further that Councilors having

By Dennis Udoma   Mbiaso Ward 3 in Nsit Ibom Local Government of Akwa Ibom on Sunday, beat the defending Champions, Etinan Urban Ward 1, 5 – 4 to win a coveted trophy in the just concluded second edition of INISO Unity Cup tournament 2019 at Etinan Township Stadium. Mbiaso won at penalty shootout, after both teams played goalless draw in the first full 90 minutes of the game. The defending Champions, Etinan Urban Ward 1 suffered defeat in the competition, when Mbiaso goalkeeper, Usenobong Linus made a surprise save of an electrifying kick by the opponent’s striker in the 7 minutes of extra time, while his team mates scored all five penalties that shot Mbiaso team to limelight as champions of this year’s tournament which began on Sunday March 31, 2019. The football tournament which debuted in 2018 and sponsored by African-American philanthropist and President, INISO Foundation, Mr Ubong Usen was aimed at discovering talents to feed both local, national and interna

The Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Barr. Onofiok Luke has tasked Christians to reflect the true image of Jesus Christ as the Light with truth and holiness as represented in the Bible. Barr Luke in his Easter message tasked Christians to act honorably and morally towards upholding the glory of God, becoming more Christ-like in character, "while uniting our will with Christ’s will for us, and allowing Him direct our thoughts, motives and actions. While emphasizing that there is more to the celebration of Easter than just the day of Christ's resurrection, the Speaker who is also the member-elect for Etinan Federal Constituency stated that the day represents the day where laws providing for the redemption of mankind were signed and sealed. "It was the day that the salvation of mankind was fully paid for by the Lord and Saviour, Redeemer of the world, Jesus Christ, who made this possible with His blood". "It is therefore expected o

By Patrick Albert The Patriarch of Ibibio Land and Oku Ibom Ibibio, His Eminence, Nteyin Solomon Daniel Etuk has been appointed the Chancellor of the Akwa Ibom State University. The appointment runs for four years. A statement issued by the Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, says that the State Governor, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel approved the appointment of the foremost traditional ruler in Ibibio Land as the Chancellor of the State university on Thursday, April 18, 2019. Nteyin Etuk, who is the Paramount Ruler of Nsit Ubium Local Government Area and President General of the Supreme Council of Ibibio Traditional Rulers (Ifim Ibom Ibibio), succeeds His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr.) Najib Hussaini Adamu Kazaure, the Emir of Kazaure in Jigawa State, whose tenure has since expired. The Ibibio monarch, an epitome of resourcefulness, a patriot and a unifier, is a scion of the royal family of Daniel Ibok Etuk from Ikot Okubo, Western Nsit in Nsit Ubiu

A High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State and presided over by Justice Ekaette Obot has today, the 18th day of April, 2019 nullified the purported emergence of Nse Ntuen as Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. In a judgment delivered at about 11 am, the Judge ruled that there is no room in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 for the emergence of more than one Speaker of a State House of Assembly at a time. The Judge also ruled that the purported emergence of Nse Ntuen as Speaker at a purported sitting of only three persons, namely Hon. Nse Ntuen, Hon. Otobong Ndem and Hon. Idongesit Ituen, which sitting was carried out after plenary had been officially closed for the day and which sitting was without the presence of the 21 remaining Members of the State House and without the Clerk  and also without a Mace, Gavel and other symbols of parliamentary authority on Monday the 19th day of November, 2018 is unconstitutional, unlawful, invalid, nu

The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) has convicted the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen and has banned him from holding any public office for the next 10 years. He was convicted on a six-count charge of false declaration of assets. Chairman of the CCT, Danladi Umar, while delivering the judgment on Thursday, read that Onnoghen will be removed from office as the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB). Mr. Danladi held that the Federal Government had proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the suspended Chief justice breached the Code of Conduct for public officers. The CCT also directed that all monies in the account which he failed to declare between 2009 and 2015 will be seized and fortified to the Federal Government based on the fact that he failed to show the tribunal how he acquired the monies in that account Credits: Channels

 Akwa Ibom State Police Command under Zaki Ahmed has again proved its mettle as it has arrested notorious criminal elements from across the State. They were paraded today at the State Police Headquarters Ikot Akpan Abia Confessing to his crimes, a 36 year old dreaded kidnapper and an ex- convict, one Edidiong Uduak alias Barrister said "I have led three kidnapped incident and in one particular case, I received N4.5 million ransom and after I settled my gang members, I took N2.5 million, dug my father compound and hid it but my father stole the money and fled. My father is yet to be seen two years after". Uduak, an indigene of Afaha Effiat, Etinan Local Government Area and Vikings cult leader who admitted that he got the N4,5 million from family of victim he kidnapped along new Uyo- Abak road, also admitted that he was sentenced to prison in 2014. A case that landed him again in police net is the kidnap of a pastor of Abundance Grace Chapel. Also par

-Paul Sylvester Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play a major role in most economies, particularly in developing countries. Formal SMEs contribute up to 60% of total employment and up to 40% of national income (GDP) in emerging economies according to world bank. These numbers are significantly higher when informal SMEs are included. Last year, world bank estimates, 600 million jobs will be needed in the next 15 years to absorb the growing global workforce, mainly in Sub-Saharan Africa. In emerging markets, most formal jobs are generated by SMEs, which also create 4 out of 5 new positions. In the foregoing, Governor Udom Emmanuel, elects to take needed steps in pursuit of an Akwa Ibom economy largely reliant on SMEs and in view to fill the job expectant gap projected  by World Bank. Emmanuel, through the Directorate of Microfinance and Enterprise Development, headed by his Senior Special Assistant, Mr Ime Uwah, is on course to meet this target, having intro

The Akwa Ibom State Government has promised increased support and technical assistance to Coorporative Societies in the state. The Senior Special Assistant to the Akwa Ibom State Governor on Microfinance and Enterprise Development, Mr. Ime Uwah made the commitment today, while granting audience to Local Government Chapter Presidents of the Dakkada Multipurpose Coorporative Society in his office. Uwah lauded the Chapter Presidents and indeed the entire membership of the cooperative societies for their support and commitment to the reelection of the Governor, recalling that the Cooperative Society was one of the first Organisations to openly endorse Governor Udom Emmanuel for a second term in Office at her 2017 annal general meeting which hekd in August. He however reminded the Chapter Presidents that the Dakkada Multipurpose Coorporative Society is not a political formation but a business entity whose major agenda is profit making and betterment of the lives of her members. He

The member representing Ibiono Ibom state constituency in the Akwa Ibom state house of Assembly, who is also the deputy leader of the House and chairman House committee on information, Rt. Hon. Ime Okon attributes the victory of Governor Udom Emmanuel in the just concluded election to God's grace and to his first term performance as Governor.  According to him,the Governor  has performed creditably well. The lawmaker said this, while speaking on a live television programme on the Akwa Ibom broadcasting corporation ( AKBC) ," CROSSHAIRS  with Tom Monday " in uyo ,Tuesday 9th,2019. He maintained that the people of Ibiono Ibom local government and the entire state came out to vote massively for the Governor to return for a second term,because he is naturally loved by the people and his  industrialization agenda appeals to them. " The people voted for the Governor to return for a second term, because they were satisfied with his performance and also because the Go

Rumour was rife that he had died. Many grinned from ear to ear to find out if it's true. Others believed the death tale hook, line and sinker. But today, Mr. Aniekpeno Mkpanang, held a Thanksgiving Service to thank God for sparing his life. Report by KENNETH JUDE "The day they thought I'll die is the day God decreed that I should live." - Mkpanang It was a moving scene. Somber, sober, reflective. Penitential. It offered a moment for soul-searching, deep thinking and contrition. Venue was Ukanafun, his country home. It was a thanksgiving service shorn of the ostentation his personality deserves. It was deliberate. Mr. Aniekpeno Mkpanang, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, from his account, showed he came back to the land of the living from the land of death! The man, sober, contrite, fought back tears as he narrated the near-death experience he went through in the past few months. More than once in the course of the sickness that befel

The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammudu Buhari has sent hearty felicitations to the elected Senator representing Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, Engr. Chris Ekpenyong describing his victory as an indication of the confidence his constituents have in him. President Bihari while conveying his congratulations through a letter addressed to the Senator Elect noted that he has no doubt that the Senate would benefit immensely from his rich  experiences and rich wisdom while expressing his desire to join hands with the Senate Elect to make enabling laws, policies and programmes that will uplift the social and economic well being g of Nigerians. It would be recalled that Engr. Chris Ekpenyong had during the last elections defeated the incumbent Senator Godswill Akpabio.

The suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen , has allegedly resigned, a senior lawyer in his legal team confirmed on Friday. “I have just spoken with him. He confirmed to me that he resigned voluntarily yesterday,” the senior advocate who said he did not have Onnoghen’s authorisation to speak on the issue said. Onnoghen had reportedly sent his resignation letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, barely 24 hours after the National Judicial Council concluded investigating him for various allegations of misconduct. There has not been an official confirmation of his resignation his spokesperson, Mr. Awassam Bassey, who has yet to answer calls. Credits: Punch

The Chairman Akwa Ibom State Protection and Waste Management Agency Hon. Prince Akpan Ikim , board members , Mr Elijah  , Mr Charles Ememobong , the Head of Admin Mr David Akpan and the taskforce team today 3rd April went on a sensitization tour to Ikot Ekpene road, the Plaza axis, Uniuyo fence bothering Ikot Ekpene road and Udi street.  This visit is sequel to the 7days ultimatum given to illegal traders and hawkers around the aforementioned axis to desist henceforth from displaying and selling their wares on roadsides  as this causes so much traffic gridlock and also keeps the areas dirty and unhealthy. The resulted waste generated from here are dumped indiscriminately along the streets and gutters .  On the heels of this, Prince Ikim advised them to move into the stalls in the Plaza and nearby markets as nobody will be spared the wrath of the law if caught at the expiration of the 7 days.

The Executive Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency, Hon Prince Akpan Ikim, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to all traders displaying their wares on the road for sale within Uyo city centre, to relocate to the Ibom plaza and nearby markets. According to the Chairman, the seven-day ultimatum starts on Tuesday, 2nd April, 2019. The affected traders are those outside the plaza, both sides of Ikot Ekpene Road including Eka and Udi Street. Others are University of Uyo fence along Ikot Ekpene Road and Ikpa Road, those in Aka Road, Oron Road, Abak road and Barracks road. A statement issued by the State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Board boss indicates that, after 7 days, enforcement on illegal street trading will commence and those apprehended will face the full wrath of the law. According to the statement, the activities of the illegal traders had reached a level which the State Government could no longer condone, hence

In a sheer demonstration of empathy and compassion, Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Monday Ebong Uko, has given financial assistance to the Female Youth Leader, Abak Local Government Area, Happiness Mathais Sampson, who was involved in a ghastly motor accident recently. Presenting half a Million Naira cash, Monday, to the victim at the hospital (name withheld), Hon Ebong Uko told the victim that, immediately he received the sad news he had directed that no resources be spared in providing adequate medical care to the female youth leader, while also praying for her. The Commissioner, who was represented by a leading female political leader who doubles as an aide to the Governor, Hon.Catherine Asian, used the occasion to thank Happiness, for her valiant efforts, support and sacrifices prior to the just concluded general elections and assured that, "the good Lord will give you quicker recovery to enable you eat the fruits of your labour". Respon

Member-elect for Etinan Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke, and other dignitaries at the ongoing orientation programme for National Assembly Members-elect in Abuja.

Courage Mbon The Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel has pledged increased government support for the creative industry in the state. Mr Emmanuel made the commitment earlier today while flagging off the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) talent hunt programme in fashion, Arts, and craft. The Governor , who was represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Micro-finance and Enterprise Development, Mr Ime Uwah stated that Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in general  and the creative industry in particular hold a special spot in the Completion Agenda. Udom said further that increased government support for the Creative Industry will boost the state’s economy while gainfully engaging the most active demography in the state. Speaking further, the governor thanked SMEDAN for choosing Akwa Ibom as one of the host states for the Talent hunt and welcomed them to enjoy the peace and serenity of the state. The Governor further tas