The Empire

The Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, has called for cooperation from the people of Ibikpe, Ikpa and Ikot Oku Villages in Uruan Local Government Area, to fast tract the establishment of the proposed 50,000 BPD Modular Refinery in the area. The Speaker gave the charge on recently at the Public Forum/Scooping Workshop on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the proposed Refinery, organised by the Rhema COG Energy Development Limited with the Federal Ministry of Environment, held at Emrosy Hotel, Uyo. Continuing, the Speaker, represented by his Press Secretary, Mr Emmanuel Effiong, vowed to apply all constitutional means to ensure that all statutory benefits that should accrue to the host communities, are fulfilled by the company, when fully operational. He said the Refinery when established, will boost the industrialization policy of Governor Governor Udom Emmanuel and appealed for cooperation from the host villages, to ensure prompt

Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, said at the weekend that members of Seventh Assembly under his watch remain committed to the policy thrusts of Governor Udom Emmanuel and would continually make legislations for qualitative educational system in the State. He lauded the State Governor for carefully constituting the 23-Member Committee for the Summit and maintained that its theme, “Human Capacity Building for Sustainable Transformation of Persons and Society,” was apt. Rt. Hon. Bassey, who made this known while sharing his thoughts with journalists on the forthcoming Education Summit in the state, hinted that “the agenda of the Seventh Assembly is people-oriented and in sync with the educational policy and development drive of Governor Udom Emmanuel.” He added that the House’s recess has not halted legislative activities of members at Committee and Constituency levels, maintain that “the synergy between the executive and the legislature has

Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, has condemned the recent attack on the immediate past Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, in Nuremberg, Germany, saying “it is a threat to Nigeria’s unity and reputation.” Rt. Hon. Bassey made this known on Wednesday shortly after a roundtable session of the Conference of Speakers of State Houses of Assembly, themed “Strengthening the Capacity of State Legislature for Effective Governance,” at the Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Mr. Darlington Udobong, the Speaker described the act as “despicable, disgraceful, unpatriotic and the height of disrespect to a leader. It is a shameful assault that threatens our unity and reputation as a country.” “Senator Ike Ekweremadu, we all know, has consistently projected and defended the cause of his people in floor of the Senate and in his written and personal engageme

Foremost socio-cultural organization in Annang Nation, Ati Annang, during its Silver Jubilee Anniversary/International Convention Grand Finale, inducted Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, as its Associate Member. The grand event, themed Annang Nation: Building Our Future Together, took place on Saturday, August 17, 2019, at Ati Annang International Secretariat, Ikot Ekpene The Speaker was also presented with a Certificate of Associate Membership in the presence of the Governor Udom Emmanuel; his deputy, Mr. Moses Ekpo; Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem; Paul Usoro (SAN); Ray Ekpu; Atuekong Don Etiebet among others. Elated by the honour done him, Rt. Hon. Bassey thanked Ati Annang for keeping its aim “of collectively defining, articulating and implementing the goals and ideals of Annang ethnic destiny within the context of the Nigerian ethno-centered nation state” alive. He charged the organization to continu

A British court has given Process and Industrial Development Limited (P&ID) the go-ahead to seize Nigerian assets worth $9 billion. P&ID got a judgement in its favour in London on Friday. The case in contention is a 2010 deal agreement to build a gas processing plant in Calabar which collapsed because Nigeria did not meet its end of the bargain. Commenting on the judgement on behalf of the company, Andrew Stafford Q.C. of Kobre & Kim said: “We are pleased that the Court has rejected Nigeria’s objections both to the arbitration process and to the amount of the award and that it will grant permission to P&ID to begin enforcement of the award in the United Kingdom. “The Court has ruled decisively in P&ID’s favour and has comprehensively rejected Nigeria’s efforts to avoid payment of this award of over $9.6 billion. “P&ID is committed to vigorously enforcing its rights, and we intend to begin the process of seizing Nigerian assets in order to satisfy this aw

Few months after Akwa Ibom under Governor Udom Emmanuel was declared the cleanest State in Nigeria, the Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency (AKSEPWMA), Hon Prince Akpan Ikim has been honored by independent Publishers of Magazine Association of Nigeria (IMPAN), with a National Merit Award for change and good governance in meeting the demands and yearnings of the masses. The Abuja delegation of this Association which is widely known as an umbrella formed to Shield the publishers of Magazine in Nigeria, made the presentation today, August 16, 2019 at AKSEPWMA's office, New park road, Itam. In his remarks, the President of IPMAN, Prince Jude Ubaka, disclosed that Ikim's nomination for the award was based on the investigative report gathered about his achievements on routine monitoring, supervision and implementation of the State Law against indiscriminate dumping of refuse around illegal spot across the State. The IMPAN representat

Wife of the Akwa Ibom State  Governor, Mrs Martha Udom Emmanuel, former Governor, Senator Godswill Akpabio,  former Super Eagles skipper, Vincent Enyeama are among eminent Annang people to be honoured in the Ati Annang Hall of Fame this Saturday. The event which is the Grand Finale of Ati Annang Silver Jubilee at the International Secretariat of Ati Annang in Ikot Ekpene, will have the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel as Special Guest of Honour and the Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Paul Usoro, SAN, as Chairman of the occasion. The honorees, according to the planning committee, have been selected in view of their outstanding sacrifices and contributions to the growth, progress and unity of Annang, Akwa Ibom and Nigeria in general. The Hall of fame on 50 past and living Annang legends by Ati Annang Foundation is aimed at fulfilling the admonition of Plato, the ancient philosopher that, “honor should be given to whom honor is due”. Ati Annang, a foremost

The Akwa Ibom State borehole Drillers Association of Nigeria honours the Commissioner for economic development and Ibom deep seaport, Mr. Akan Okon today in his office. President of the association while presenting the plaque this afternoon lauded the focused and commitment of the Commissioner in interpreting the lofty ideas of the Governor into reality. "You are one of the few Commissioners that has worked assiduously to interpret the vision of Governor Udom Emmanuel, that, we have seen in the realisation of Ibom air, and we are very sure that Ibom deep seaport has already come to fruition, continue with your good works. The Commissioner in his response gave thanks to God almighty the giver of everything and Governor Udom Emmanuel who has done creditably well, "You have seen industries spring up in the last four years and still counting, this is to proof to Akwa Ibom people that Governor Udom Emmanuel wants us all to earn a living instead of begging for living, Ibo

The Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, has expressed satisfaction at the pace of rehabilitation works, ongoing at the Assembly Complex. The Speaker who was conducted round the Assembly Complex on Wednesday by the Head of Works, Mr Imo Isaiah and the Office Manager, Mr Ifiok Udoudo, said he was impressed at the progress of work at the complex and urged the contractors to deliver within the stipulated time frame. He pointed out that the renovation works will provide Members and Staff of the Assembly with a conducive environment, for more productivity. At the Assembly Clinic, the Speaker directed an immediate rehabilitation of the facility, to cater for emergency health needs of the Assembly staff. The Speaker who also visited the office of the Clerk, Directorates of Administration, Planning Research and Statics and Accounts, to ascertain the level of work done, charged the staff to remain dedicated to their duties, to enable the

By Darlington UDOBONG For being embodied with compassion, humility and accommodative heart, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, member representing Uruan State Constituency and Speaker of the Seventh Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, has been unveiled as the driver of the Assembly. He has been tagged the “Working Speaker.” Rt. Hon. Bassey, fondly called Ani GemLodge, was born on the 30th day of August, 1978. He is a native of Ekim Enen Village in Uruan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. He attended Christ the King Nursery and Primary School (1984 - 1991), Uyo High School (1991- 993), Senior Science College, Abak (1993 -1996). He is an alumnus of the University of Uyo, where he bagged two Bachelor of Science Degrees in Chemistry, and Sociology and Anthropology. He is currently pursuing two Master Degrees in Sociology and Anthropology, and in Development Studies. In 2015, Ani GemLodge heeded the call of the people of Uruan to represent them in the State House of Assembly, a mandate

Ikot Ukpong Bridge in Obot Akara Local Government Area has finally collapsed while a truck loaded with cement from Ikot Ekpene attempted to pass through the road this morning. People are seen helping themselves with the cement while a large chunk of the product is buried in the stream. With this unfortunate development,Obot Akara residents(Ikot Ukpong and surrounding communities) have been cut off from Ikot Ekpene and the rest of the state except they go through Nto Edino via Umuahia road.  I appeal to the State Government through the Ministry of Works to intervene urgently to ameliorate the sufferings of the people. Credits: Manasseh Umoette

By Ubong Ntekim. Following the collapse of a bridge across Mbiokene river linking Nnung Obong in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom state government, on Thursday, announced that it is taking urgent steps to ensure speedy construction of ancillary roads in the area and handing over of a new bridge to replace the collapsed one. State Commissioner for Works, Mr. Ephraim Akparawa Inyang-Eyen, who inspected the dilapidated bridge at Mbiokene, alongside the Permanent Secretary, Engr John Itiat and Directors from the Ministry, extended his appreciation to those who used the social media platform to draw government attention to the damaged bridge, hinting that, "I first heard about the state of this road and bridge on Facebook". He further said that, "As a Commissioner for Works, I need to know and take full responsibility for what the people living in our community are going through", announcing that the State Government will fast track construction

It was time-up for six suspected internet fraudsters, better known as "Yahoo Boys" on Wednesday August 7, 2019, as operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Uyo Zonal Office in an early morning raid, stormed their apartment on No.28b Church Road Uyo, and rounded them up. The suspects are: Ugochukwu Ndukwu (a 25-years-old disc jockey, DJ); Stanley Ibeh, 27 (who claimed to be an interior decorator); Godwin Akpan and John Larry, aged 26 and 24 respectively, who both said they are students; Godwin Ini Obot, 27 who claimed to be a cinematographer and 24-year-old Victor Ejiogu, who said he was a serving member of National Youth Service Corps, (NYSC). Even though the suspects claimed to be involved in different legitimate lines of businesses and academic pursuits, forensic analysis of their laptops revealed scam mails and documents that established their involvements in internet fraud. Upon their arrest, Victor Ejiogu, the 24-year-old NYSC member tri

By Nsikak Akpan The Nigerian Environment Society Akwa Ibom State Chapter has solicited for collaboration with the Akwa Ibom State Government in addressing issues that bothers on environment and safety in the state. This was made known when the Society paid a courtesy visit on the Commissioner for Environment and Petroleum Resources Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Ekong Sampson at his office. Speaking, the Chairman of Society Prof. Comfort Ekpo stated that the visit on the commissioner was to intimate the State Government on the activities the Nigerian Environmental Societies have embarked upon in the state towards ensuring a safe environment for the inhabitants while seeking areas of collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Petroleum Resources. She further revealed also that the visit was part of the activities lined up to mark the National Executive Council meeting of the Society which has been slated to hold from the 12th through 14th of September 2019 in the State . The Com

By Ime Ben The Leader of Udung Uko Legislative Council, Hon. Duncan Solomon Oboho has been suspended from office indefinitely. The indefinite suspension followed a vote of no confidence passed on the leader of the sixth Udung Uko Legislative Council by legislators. Notice of the suspension was contained in a position letter dully signed by seven out of the ten councillors in the area and made available to newsmen. According to the letter, "consequent upon incessant and uncalled for breach of Local Government Standing Order, specially order 39 I, F & G by the incumbent leader of the six (6th) Udung Uko Legislative Council, Hon. Duncan Oboho, we the undersigned councillors of the above named legislative Council have resolved and actually pass a vote of no confidence on Hon. Duncan Oboho. "arising from this vote of no confidence passed on the Leader of the sixth Udung Uko Legislative Council, Hon. Duncan Oboho, the said Leader is hereby suspended from office and

THE FUTURE OF OUR YOUTH A KEYNOTE ADDRESS PRESENTED BY Onofiok Akpan Luke, THE MEMBER REPRESENTING ETINAN/NSIT IBOM/NSIT UBIUM FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF NIGERIA, AT THE 32ND ANNUAL CONVENTION OF AKWA IBOM STATE ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA, USA INC. (AKISAN) HOUSTON, TEXAS Distinguished participants INTRODUCTION I consider it a rare honour and privilege to deliver this keynote address at this very important forum. It is both an exciting experience and one that humbles me greatly. Let me first congratulate AKISAN for sustaining this commendable yearly tradition of flying the Akwa Ibom flag and identity even in a foreign land. Worthy of note also is the great effort put together by the present leadership of this prestigious association which has culminated in our gathering today. Let me use this medium to specifically express our appreciation to AKISAN for the support given to us during the last election. We pledge to use the mandate to serve Akwa Ib

Comrade Amos Etuk has been declared winner in the just concluded elections of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom State Council. Comrade Etuk clinched the Chairmanship position defeating his closest rival Joseph Robert 275 to 156 votes and was returned elected. Comrade Saviour came third with 19 votes with Franklyn Isong 11 votes. Aniefiok Udonkwak had only 1 vote. Comrade Nene Albert emerged Vice Chairman having entered the race without a contender. Comrade Dominic Akpan defeated Comrade Ebong Okon to clinch the office of Secretary. Others who made it to the new Exco were New NUJ EXCO, Akwa Ibom State Council Mfon Hanson, Assist. Secretary, Imaikop Robert   Treasurer, Anietie Esu, Auditor and Emmanuel Silas,  Financial Secretary. Comrade Amos Etuk takes over helm of affairs from Elder Patrick Albert who has served the Union for two terms of six years.