The Empire

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel has appointed Mr. Effiong Essien as Head of Civil Service. Mr. Essien, a geologist from Afaha Atai in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area of the State, until now, was the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works. He takes over from Mrs Ekereobong Akpan. A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Mr. Ekerete Udoh said the new Head of Service will be sworn-in in due course.

  The Akwa Ibom Assembly House of Assembly has lined out activities to mark the end of the Sixth Assembly with a valedictory sitting billed to hold on Thursday, June 6, 2019, by 9am. A notice signed by chairman of the planning committee Hon. Emmanuel Ekpenyong, showed that the session will be preceded by a thanksgiving service to be conducted at the Assembly’s Chapel of Repentance on Monday, June 3, 2019 by 9am. It will be recalled that the 6th assembly, whose tenure expires next week, was proclaimed on June 8, 2015.

The Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Barr Onofiok Luke says the few challenges experienced in the implementation of the State Governments Free Basic Health Care policy for pregnant women, children and the Aged will be solved when the State Health Insurance Scheme is assented to by the state Governor. Speaking at the House of Assembly Complex when he received officials of the State Pilot Community Based Health Insurance (CBHI), Primary Health Center, Ukana Ikot Ideh, Essien Udim LGA, Barr Luke said stakeholders can share in the responsibility of Health Financing in their various communities while waiting for the take off of the State Health Insurance Agency. The Speaker who acknowledged   the support of USAID to  health programmes in the state, encouraged the officials of the NHIS to assist the Government in the areas of  enrollment of beneficiaries to ensure the smooth take off of the State Health Insurance Agency already provided for in the budget. Earlier,

After having dissolved his Executive Council, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel has reappointed Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem as his Secretary to State Government. In a release signed by Ekerete Udoh, Senior Special Assistant/Chief Press Secretary to the Governor today May 30th, 2019 read,  "His Excellency, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, Governor, AKwa Ibom State, determined to keep the engine of governance running seamlessly, has reappointed Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG)"  He will be sworn in today by 5pm, at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Uyo.

The State Governor, Deacon Udom Emmanuel has dissolved his Executive Council ahead of his taking oath of office for his second term holding today. The Governor also expressed appreciation to all his personal aides, including Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, Personal Assistants, Project Supervisors and Protocol Assistants whose appointments terminate by midnight on Wednesday, May 29, 2019. In a statement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, the Governor noted with gratitude, the selfless contributions of his aides to the socio-economic and political development of Akwa Ibom State in the last four years. Governor Emmanuel acknowledged that the present and future generations of Akwa Ibom people would keep in mind, the selfless services of the crop of aides that worked with him during his first term in office. The statement which was signed by the Office of the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Information & Strategy further no

- Paul Sylvester In line with his plan to grow Akwa Ibom State on small and medium scale businesses, Gov Udom Emmanuel, through the Directorate of Microfinance and Enterprise Development, has facilitated the exclusive business advisory and training of willing young Akwa Ibom start ups via a periodic human resource training, tagged, 'My Entrepreneurship Goals Programme' (MEGP). Speaking in Uyo at the graduation ceremony for the first batch of MEGP trainees, the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Microfinance and Enterprise Development, Mr Ime Uwah,  relayed the governor's readiness to attract direct start up funding to young entrepreneurs in the state. While speaking, Uwah who described the event as a "turning point in the history of entrepreneurship development in Akwa Ibom State", noted that MEGP was initiated to "identify, develop and create a sustainable micro, small and medium enterprises in the state." Speaking further, the SSA c

The captain of Ibom Golf and Country Club and former member representing Uruan State Constituency, Barr Usenobong Akpabio has stated that no fewer than hundred and sixty golfers across Nigeria are in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State Capital for Udom Emmanuel's Victory Tournament. Barr Akpabio stated this while briefing newsmen at the Rose Garden section of the Ibom Golf and Country Club in Uyo. According to him, the victory tournament kicked started on May 24 and will be rounded up on May 26, 2019, at the golf course of Ibom Hotels & Golf Resort, Uyo. He added that the ceremonial Tee Off will be performed by Governor Udom Emmanuel, accompanied by invited players, guests and members of the Club, noting that the tournament will also showcase the tourism potentials of the world-class facility. The tournament is to feature fierce competition for 0-9, 10-16, 17-22, 23-28 categories, ladies and veteran categories. Notable golfers and dignitaries in Uyo for the event include Senato

By Mfonobong Ukpong Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Barr. Onofiok Luke has appreciated the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA in Akwa Ibom State for partnering the 6th Assembly to deliver on it's legislative mandate to the people of the state these past four years.  Luke whose tenure as Speaker of the House winds down in few weeks time was speaking, yesterday at the 2019 Annual Dinner of the Uyo branch of  the Nigerian Bar Association held at Emerald Events Centre, Uyo  as part of activities to mark the close of the 2019 Bar Week of NBA, Uyo branch. The Speaker who was Chairman on the occasion, particularly hailed all the branches of NBA in the state as well as the judiciary arm of government for being part of the success story of the 6th Assembly through their inputs to every legislation enacted by the House of Assembly in the past four years under his watch as Speaker. "I have been looking for an opportunity as i wind down my tenure as the Spea

An astute Engineer who has made a mark in the engineering field, Engr. Sam Inyang has been appointed by the State Governor as the Pro Chancellor of the Akwa Ibom State University. This was contained in a release signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem. The release stated "His Excellency Mr. Udom Emmanuel, Governor of Akwa Ibom State has approved the reconstitution of the Governing Council of Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU) Ikot Akpaden, Mpat Enin Local Government Area as follows: Eng. Sam Inyang Chairman, Pro Chancellor, Elder Clinton S. Akpan, Member, Sir Michael Essang Member, Dr. Mrs. Gloria Ukpong Member, Obong Barr. Aniedi Ndem, Member". The reconstitution is sequel to the expiration of the tenure of the Governing Council of the University on 20th April, 2019.

The former Member who represented Uruan State Constituency, Barr. Usenobong Akpabio has suggested constant training and retraining of legislators to improve Nigeria legislature. Akpabio gave the suggestion Tuesday while presenting a paper titled "Powers, Privileges, Immunities and Limitations of the Legislature" during pre-inauguration workshop at Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island. "It is strongly suggested that, since people are not elected with experience, training and retraining of legislators should be a cardinal policy in the legislature". He added The former Lawmaker, while stressing that training legislators will  help in filling the gap and equipping them for effective representation also advised the legislators to participate and be committed to any training programme aimed at improving legislative business. The two-term House of Assembly Member encouraged political parties to retain performing  members, noting that a situation where

The Federal High Court sitting at Uyo, today, Tuesday 21 May, 2019, uphled the constitutional powers of the Speaker to give effect to section 109 (2) (g) of the constitution which provides that a person sponsored by a political party to the House of Assembly shall vacate his seat if before the expiration of the term of such house, he defects to another political party. In the Claimant's (Victor Udofia) argument, it was advocated that he defected to the APC because of a division in the Peoples Democratic party. The court in interpreting the law held that for a Division to justify a defection as in this case, such Division must affect the national structure of the party. The court also ridiculed the Claimant for attempting to rely on an uncertified newspaper report where the PDP purportedly aligned with other political parties for the purpose of the 2019 general elections without more. The court held that there was no Division at all as advocated by the claimant the PDP being

Ndifreke P. Akpan (Govt House) Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, has highlighted some of the requirements for appointments into his second term cabinet to include capacity and a proof of investments in any form of Agriculture in line with his wealth and food creation agenda. In a worship service today Sunday, at Full Life Christian Center, Uyo, Mr Emmanuel said that if as a leader he owns a farm, none of his aides should have an excuse for not doing same. "I have a personal banana farm in Ini Local Government Area which employs so many people, I am not sure if I have eaten a finger of it. So, before you get an appointment, you must show us your farm, because I am leading by example." The State Governor who was accompanied to the church by his Wife, Martha, identified capacity as an essential requirement for leadership, explaining that to achieve a greater purpose in life's pursuit, diligence and commitments to assigned tasks are needed for experience

In his pledge to make Akwa Ibom State no longer a safe heaven for crinal elements, the Commissioner of Police Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Zaki Ahmed through the men of Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS)  today rescued a foreign national who works with Zenith Construction Company, Mr. Gassan Naser, who was abducted on 30 April, 2019 by suspected hoodlums at Mbiaya Uruan. The three hoodlums met their Waterloo as they were gunned down by Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS operatives) while trying to escape. It was revealed that the hoodlums were also  involved in the kidnappings of Gen Edet Akpan (rtd), the killing of the Paramount Ruler of Nsit Ubium, Highness Robert James Obot, one Dr Udosen of St. Luke's Hospital Anua. The suspected hoodlums terrorised  the City of Uyo and Calabar.          Briefing Journalists at the Police Headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, the police public relations officer ,SP Odika MacDon assured that the command will continue to crac

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Deacon has approved for the suspension of the Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission over issues connected with unauthorized recruitment. In a release signed by the Secretary to the state government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem stated that the suspension take immediate effect pending the outcome of the audit report on the recruitment, while it also noted that all those who benefited from the said recruitment should consider their appointments null and void. It would be recalled that earlier today, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Sufficiency, Dr. Charles Udoinyang was sacked from office.

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Deacon Udom Emmanuel has relieved the Commissioner for Agriculture, Charles Udoinyang of his duties. This was contained in a release signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Emmanuel Ekuwem. The Commissioner for Science and Technology, Prof. Nse Essien has been tasked to immediately take over the functions of the Ministry. This sack is coming on the heels of an impending overhaul of the State Executive Council where pundits have said may be announced any day from today.

A Federal High Court sitting in Uyo has affirmed the sack of Mr. Gabriel Toby, member representing Etim Ekpo/Ika State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. The court presided over by Justice Fatun Riman ruled that the lawmaker lost his seat, having defected from the People's Democratic Party, PDP that sponsored him to office, to the All Progressives Congress, APC last year. The court also granted all the prayers sought by the respondents, the speaker of the House of Assembly, Barr. Onofiok Luke who was represented by Barr. Ekemini Udim and Barr Ini Ememobong and the Peoples Democratic Party, represented by Barr. Godswill Umoh. Speaking shortly after the ruling, the counsel to the PDP Barr. Umoh said the court relied on Section 109 of the constitution which gives two grounds warranting defection by a lawmaker to include division  in a Party and where a merger is reached. Umoh said, none of the scenarios played out last November when the complaint d

The Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Barr. Onofiok Luke was among prominent men and women who received awards today  during the 6th Convocation Ceremony of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua. Responding briefly after being bestowed with a Fellowship award, the Speaker noted that the award meant a lot to him, considering the fact that the award came at a time he is rounding off his stewardship in the State Legislature as Speaker. The Speaker has always been of the opinion that public office holders should better be awarded at the end of office in other to have a proper evaluation of the service rendered. While appreciating the management of the institution for considering him worthy of the award, the Speaker dedicated the award to the future generation of Akwa Ibom leaders, especially those who have lost their parents and may have lost hope in life. He used the medium to urge them to strive on in life, as the future is assured and will be greater. A

By Patrick Albert Let me begin, as we gather to mark this year’s World Press Freedom Day, by evoking the wise thoughts of a former President of America, Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 – July 4, 1826) that "Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost”. Jefferson’s concerns voiced out on January 28, 1786 was to resonate in 1991, exactly 205 years after, as the World through the United Nations (UN) General Assembly decided that deliberate measures should be taken to protect the  Media. The 1991 adoption of the recommendation of the 26th Session of UNESCO’s General Conference led to the proclamation of the World Press Freedom Day in 1993, to be marked yearly. Accordingly, this year – 2019, offers us the 26th edition of this worthwhile annual event aimed at highlighting the fundamental principles of Press freedom; previewing the state of Press freedom throughout the world; protecting the Media from unwarranted attacks on its

The Executive Chairman of Mkpat Enin Local Government Council, HON EKANEM BROWN and his wife ImaAbasi Brown hosted the fifth edition of women empowerment program under the auspices of Mboho Uforo Iban Mkpat Enin, MUME. The event which held at the council secretariat had in attendance the SSA to the Governor on Microfinance and Entrepreneurial Development, Mr. Ime Uwah. Speaking at the event, the Council boss Hon. EKANEM BROWN pledged to continuously support women to enable them contribute to the economy of Mkpat Enin Local Government Area and the state. In his words, "what we have been doing in Mkpat Enin is to domesticate Governor Udom Emmanuel's five point agenda, and empowering entrepreneurs is key in that agenda. I pledge to continually support this initiative that was pioneered by my wife and I will ensure that the SSA to the Governor that is here will consider Mkpat Enin first in upcoming loans and financial empowerment packages of the state government".

Leke Baiyewu, Abuja The candidate of the All Progressives Congress and Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, on Thursday held a marathon meeting with newly elected members behind closed doors. Gbajabiamila, in the middle of the meeting, led the members-elect to address journalists, where the outgoing Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Mr. Omofiok Luke, who spoke on their behalf, said the incoming representatives had endorsed the Majority Leader for Speaker in the 9th National Assembly. The members-elect were said to be 178, drawn from various political parties. Luke said, “I am the Speaker of Akwa Ibom State and here with me are newly-elected members of the House of Representatives, and this is a conglomeration of people of different parties. “I am of the PDP. We have members of the APC here. We have members of APGA, we have people from AA, we have people from ACP and we have people from ADC. It’s a multi-party arrangement.

The Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Barr. Onofiok Luke has described numerous inputs sent in by Akwa Ibom Workers through NLC and TUC as part of what has aided the Legislature to succeed. Read below Extracts from Speaker Onofiok Luke’s remarks today at the 2019 Workers Workers Day Celebration in Uyo: Xxxxxxxxxxxx ·         I express our appreciation to Akwa Ibom Workers for standing up to be counted in the new Akwa Ibom. First, you unanimously endorsed Governor Udom Emmanuel for second term when many people did not believe he was going to win that election. You came out en masse to endorse him and went further to mobilise workers to vote him and have him re-elected based on his performance in his first term. ·         On the 1st of May 2016, I had the opportunity to stand before you, Akwa Ibom workers, to promise you that the legislature will cooperate with the executive and the judiciary so that the benefit of workers and Akwa Ibom will be delivered by th