The Empire

Akwa Ibom State High Court sentences three indigenes of Nkek village in Ukanafun Local Government Area to death over murder of Rt. Hon. (Obong) Okon Uwah, former House of Assembly Deputy Speaker, during the 2015 general elections. They are Usen Peter Udo alias Udo Ibanga Ikpa alias Lucky Boy, Ubong Monday Umoh alias Ubong Nkoko and Imo Mark Affia. © Harrison Essien

Ekwere Paul Without an iota of doubt, Hon. (Barr) Aniefiok Dennis is one of the most quintessential lawmakers in the seventh assembly. In Nigeria, very few public figures inspire others like Barr. Aniefiok Dennis the Honourable Member representing Etinan State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. There is something utopian about how he carries himself. This is one politician who understands as a Lawmaker what it means to represent the interest of his people. As a leader of his generation, his exemplary trail in Akwa Ibom State is unparalleled. As a patriot, his voice of reason resounds with the force of substance. Across all classes and ages, the name Dennis resonates as a model to be reckoned with; deep in intellect, vocal in articulation, firm in principles, fiery in advocacy, courageous even in the face of opposition and intimidation. His generous disposition speaks volumes just as his public relations skills is legendary. Dennis’ life has shown that what

The Member representing Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr Onofiok Luke, has called on the Federal Government to revive the abandoned Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON) in Ikot Abasi, Akwa  Ibom State. Mr Luke who made the call in a motion during today's plenary pointed out that the aluminium producing plant, which serviced the Nigerian market with aluminium products and and its allied industries provided jobs for thousands of  Nigerians, is lying waste for several years. He lamented why the company in its hey days between 1997 and 1999 provided employment for over 1,820 permanent workers and over 4,000 casual workers should be allowed to rot away in utter neglect. It will be recalled that ALSCON stopped operation on 6 June 1999 due to irreconcilable differences between some shareholders  coupled with other associated problems of lack of working capital,  insufficient gas supply and non-dredging of the Imo River

Civil servants in Akwa Ibom State have been urged to be patriotic and professional in their service to the state. This call was made by the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey while playing host to newly promoted Aviation Security Officers attached to the Ibom Airport Development Company Limited, who called on him at the Assembly Complex. Rt. Hon. Bassey maintained that for the state to make appreciable progress under the Udom Emmanuel-led administration, civil servants must take their work serious, get themselves trained and retrained to learn new work skills that will enhance their productivity. He also called on the workers to display high level of patriotism by loving Akwa Ibom State being the only state they can call their own.  While congratulating the newly promoted Aviation officers, the Assembly helmsman urged them to contribute their utmost to the development of the state-owned aviation company noting that the Udom Emmanuel l

          By Mercy Obot Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, has described the debut of PLENARY DIGEST Bulletin as a gesture that would add value to the overall activities    of the 7th Assembly. Speaker Bassey made the remark on Thursday in his office when the publisher and editor-in-chief of the bulletin, Mr. Asuquo Edem, formally presented copies of the new bulletin to him. The Speaker, while commending Mr Edem for bringing up the bulletin, expressed his readiness to support the initiative for the continued and effective reportage of activities of the legislature in the state. He assured the publisher that his office would continue to support objective, balanced and fair journalism by supporting journalists to exercise their constitutional roles without interference. He also commended journalists for their resilience, commitment, dedication and selflessness in the conduct of their duties in Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria at large. H

Josephine Etuk No fewer than 2600 Civil servants in Akwa Ibom State have participated in the written examination for progression to the next salary grade levels. The examination which took place simultaneously in two designated venues of Community Secondary school, Aka offot and Civil Service auditorium all in Uyo was coordinated by the State Civil Service Commission for all categories of core Civil servants from different Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the State. The written exams policy which is the first stage of the promotion process is in furtherance of government's effort to streamline the service for enhanced efficiency and productivity. Successful candidates would move to the next phase of oral interview

By Aniekan Udofia The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Judiciary,  Mr Onofiok Luke, has decried the inadequate number of Justices in the nation's Supreme Court. In a motion on a matter of urgent public importance brought before the House, Mr Luke noted  that as a result of the Supreme  Court's original and appellate jurisdiction over the entire country, it is faced with the huge responsibility of handling high volume of cases, which has resulted in several cases awaiting adjudication. He therefore called on the Federal Government to appoint more Justices in order to accelerate the determination of cases and dispensation of justice. He pointed out that the number of justices of the Supreme Court has been reduced to 13 with the recent retirement of Hon. Justice Aminu Sanusi from the court, lamenting that the situation would become worse owing to the impending retirement of another justice of the court few months from now. The lawmaker expressed  worry

The Akwa lbom State House of Assembly has condemned the recent breach of public peace by some secondary school students in the state. At Plenary on Thursday, the House expressed worry that teenage children in secondary schools have deviated from their studies to carrying axes, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons. The condemnation was sequel to a Motion brought before the House by the Member representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency, Hon. Godwin Ekpo who pointed out that some secondary school students have become more involved in violent activities than ever before in the history of the state. He revealed that offers by secret cult groups have become alluring to students, giving them a false hope of illusion and sense of belonging to a 'true family.' Ekpo therefore prayed the House to direct the State Ministry of Education, State Secondary Education Board and State Technical Schools Board to come up with stiffer penalties on students involved in cultism or other

By Clement Nduonofit Contrary to malicious reports trending on some social media platforms, independent findings have shown that the Bursar of Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, Mr. Okon Bassey Okon, has an impeccable  and unblemished credential of service at the Academy where he has served for decades. The reports had insinuated that Mr. Okon Bassey, one of the strong pillars of the now reformed academy whose  immediate past office was Director of Procurement was, alongside two others, recently arrested and  arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)), for fraud amounting to 17million naira. Findings from authoritative sources in strategic positions in  the academy have described the allegation and all its components as a spec of the authors' imagination, wondering why anybody who calls himself a journalist would be so  fascinated by falsehood targeted at a reputable personality like the bursar. Known for his patriotic services and meticulousnes

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, has directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), to take immediate steps to relocate the head offices of Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) to Akwa Ibom State. The House also ordered ExxonMobil, one of the world's largest publicly traded international oil and gas companies to relocate its operational base to the state. The resolution followed a Motion brought before the House by the Member representing Ini State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ekpenyong at Tuesday plenary. Ekpenyong in his submission, informed the House that the relocation of the head offices of DPR and NAPIMS will have the ripple effect of forcing ExxonMobil to also relocate its headquarters to Akwa Ibom State. He pointed out that the State contributes about 33% of Nigeria’s daily volume of oil production and is by far the highest oil producing State in Nigeria. The Assemblyman s

By Edet Okpo Considering the cost and its componential sophistication in modern times, when the Rector of Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Commodore Duja Effedua (Rtd.), in one of his earliest projections on assumption of duty said by way of promise that he will make sure the Academy for the first time has latest full mission Bridge simulator, not many  individuals in the Maritime Industry who knew the situation back then in the academy and had lost faith in its possible revival believed him. Again, when a few months later, a crack team  of internationally acclaimed marine experts from India arrived the academy on May 10, 2019 on feasibility  studies,  it was still hard for many to believe such a possibility. We don’t have to blame them. Their response was rooted in the sad story of the past and perhaps made worse by man’s inherent indifference or opposition to positive change. The three-man team of experts from India was made of Capt. Gauran Chagra, Mr. Manish Pundir and Mr.

Lawmakers of the Akwa Ibom State State House of Assembly have condoled with Governor Udom Emmanuel over the demise of his father, Late Elder Gabriel Emmanuel Nkanang. The Parliamentarians in a condolence letter signed and presented to the  Governor by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, at Awa Iman, Onna LGA, described the death of the Governor's Father as an irreparable loss to the deceased family. The Assemblymen noted that Late Elder Nkanang was a teacher whose bank of knowledge has produced many leaders. "Ette Teacher as your Late Father was fondly called, was a revered educator whose wealth of knowledge has produced several leaders". While describing the Late nonagenarian as a man whose unbridled passion for the work of God earned him the blessings and strength to live to a fulfilled life of 90 years, the lawmakers urged the Governor and the entire family to be consoled by the fact that his late father left ineffaceable prints on the sands of time for o

Lawmakers of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, for the umpteenth time has rejected the planned building of a nuclear power plant in Itu Local Government Area or any part of the state. At Tuesday plenary, the House resolved that no part of Akwa Ibom land should be released for the purpose of building a nuclear power plant. The resolution followed a motion brought before the House by the Member representing Itu State Constituency, Hon. Kufreabasi Edidem who said that the project does not conform with international standards guiding the implementation of civil nuclear programs across the globe. He said despite warnings from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that Nigeria lacks the technical competence to handle nuclear issues, and the rejection of the project by the 6th Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, the National Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) has not relented in its decision to proceed with the nuclear project in Itu LGA. "The 6th Akwa Ibom State Hous

The Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, has sworn in Barr. Esse Umoh as Member representing Essien Udim State Constituency. The Speaker administered the Oaths of office and allegiance on the new lawmaker today during plenary, thus, bringing the composition of the House to 26 members.  Barr. Umoh won the Essien Udim State Constituency supplementary  election held on January 25, 2020, under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and was subsequently issued with a Certificate of Return by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).  He polled a total of  18,999 votes to defeat his close rival, Hon. Nse Ntuen of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) who polled 7,108 votes. The Speaker, while Congratulating Barr. Umoh on his victory at the polls, urged him to be committed in his new assignment of making laws for the peace and progress of Akwa Ibom State. 

By George Inyangette II There is a fascinating story of a set of unidentical twins we have read a thousand times. The plot is epic. The locale includes Gerar, which is present day South Central Israel. The main characters are Esau, Jacob and everyone linked to them either by affinity or consanguinity. Right from the womb, the twins battled each other for superiority, with attendant agony meted out to their mother, Rebekah. When Rebekah sought to know why she was experiencing such trauma, she got a reply: "And the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two MANNER OF PEOPLE shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger." (Genesis 25:23; emphasies are mine.) Eventually, Esau appeared first and Jacob (clung to Esau's heel) followed closely. Rebekah became drawn to Jacob and Isaac to Esau, exacerbating an already volatile situation.  At some point in their grow

As the rain of tributes keep pouring in for Governor Udom Emmanuel and family following the demise of his father Elder Gabriel Emmanuel Nkanang, the Coalition of Online Publishers Akwa Ibom State (COOPA) has joined individuals, groups and organizations to condole the family. Describing the departed nonagenarian as a teacher and community leader of great repute, the Chancellor of the group, Mr. Ifreke Nseowo in a condolence message sent to the Governor prayed the family the fortitude to bear the loss. Nseowo's message read in part, "We are conscious of the departed nonagenarian's firm faith and believe in the creator, as a devout Christian of reputable character, by testimonies of his exemplary living; hence the confidence that God who called him at this time has a role for him in Heaven". Suing for prayers for a successful funeral event, the group wished the soul of Pa Gabriel Nkanang eternal repose.

By Edet Okpo The current massive transformation in the Maritime Academy of Nigeria which has attracted wide attention and commendations from maritime Stakeholders, commentators and the general public must be another textbook proof of why certain initiatives in critical moments of change must be given the benefit of the doubt and be allowed to take its full course in spite of initial criticisms, cynical condemnations, and even pessimism. That the Academy even won the “Best  Maritime Training Institution in Nigeria for Year 2019” might be an understatement to the sweeping changes it has witnessed under the present Management, a feat it never came close to in the last 42 years of its existence. Perhaps for the first time since inauguration of the Governing Council of the Academy in 2017, headed by Chief Ademola Seriki, a press conference was held on Monday, February 3, 2020, on behalf of his team of transformers, at the  Eko Hotel , Lagos State. Apart from opening a broader windo

T wo vernacular phrases in Akwa Ibom – ono owo nkpo and isinoho owo nkpo – have been trending recently in the petrodollar-rich state to a point that those who do not understand the native language could know their meanings. The former means “the one that gives” while the latter, an antonym of the former, refers to “the one that does not give”. Though informally, the expression has become parameter, to distinguishing between those to reckon with and those unworthy to count on, particularly in political calculation in the state.  From account of the narrators, the givers are those in the political class that use the spoils of their offices to “turn boys into men”, and, to be fair to gender sensitivity, “turn girls into women”. The names of the acclaimed givers are also mentioned with grandiloquent appellation such as, “Final Obongowo”, “Oba”, “Mother Theresa”, “Uncommon transformer”, among other superlatively flattered sobriquets. The mind-set that gives rise to the phra