The Empire

As Nigerians gear up for leadership recruitment through the ballot in 2023, a national lawmaker and member representing Etinan/Nsit Ubium/Nsit Ibom Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Barrister Onofiok Luke, has urged the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) to set the agenda and be in the forefront of the process. Barrister Luke made this known at the Image House, Uyo, on Thursday where he presented a PR Lecture as a Special Guest during the October Meeting of the Akwa Ibom State Chapter of the Institute. Addressing members of the Institute and other attendees via Google Meet on “the Role of PR in Governance, National Integration, Peace and Security,” the national lawmaker said it was imperative for Nigerians to pursue things that will integrate and unite the people more than ever. He maintained that “There could have been no better profession to properly champion this course than the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations. As we begin another leadership rec

  By Ayubong Edet  Does "Freedom of the Press" mean that a journalist or something in resemblance of that name can say or write anything he wants - anyhow, anytime, without the faintest pricking of conscience?  This was the first wave of query that surged in on us on stumbling on Unwana Assam's  report, posted recklessly on  Newsline9ja.com and widely syndicated by other credulous social media platforms. The fabricated report came with a rather curious, amateurish, imaginative and meandering title: "Exposed: A"Ibom First Lady Allegedly Pays Some PDP Chapter Women Leaders 250k For National Convention, Shuns Others... As Aggrieved Chapter Women Leaders Set to Protest" Nothing but hunger and hopelessness must have inspired Unwana Assam to embark on a suicidal mission of this doomed destination in the fantasy realm of self-destructive imaginations. It is pertinent to state, first and foremost, that except something urgent was done, with reports such as this, al

    By Edet Okpo Rural women and girls play essential roles in food systems – from production to processing, preparation, consumption, and distribution of food – as well as in securing household and community nutrition. Locally and globally, the records stand tall in their favour; yet many appear to have taken them for granted because of prejudices and traditions. Standing on the platform of the 2021 International Day of Rural Women, celebrated globally on October 15, 2021, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr. Ini Adiakpan says it is time all obnoxious traditions and beliefs tied around women's necks be removed to enable them do more in feeding the world. This is one woman who has been vocal and consistent on the advocacy of women emancipation and breaking of all gender barriers to allow women fully showcase their talents and potentials in creating a better world for humanity. And facts on ground support her concerns: Unequal power relations be

    By Edet Okpo The 2021 International Day of the Girl Child came with a renewed call for government, parents and  guardians to break some inherited obnoxious traditions that have affected the girl child and deliberately key them into the scheme of things for a  purposeful living and full utilization of their God-given talents. Given the terrible history the girl child inherited from centuries of humiliation,harassment and subjugation from ancient traditions and customs,the general opinion is that if not struggle and advocacy as well as commitment  by strong women and credible institutions,Girl child would have since been consigned to the dustbin of history.      At the forefront of this challenge in celebrating the 2021  Day was the Honourable Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Welfare,   Dr. Ini Adiakpan, who led out the permanent Secretary in her Ministry,  women, children and resource persons to mark the day with a bang. The event which was held recently  at the E-Library Co

   The double awards of First Lady of the Year (National) in Social Welfare for Women and First Lady of the Year (South-South) in Educational Development given to the Wife of Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Her Excellency, Dr. (Mrs.) Martha Udom Emmanuel, by Daily Independent Newspaper has warmed the heart of the Hon. Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr.Ini Adiakpan, even as all Akwa Ibom women have been observed to be in ceaseless jubilation ever since the award winner was announced. In a swift and encouraging message of felicitation to Her Excellency titled, “Honour Well-Deserved”, signed on behalf of Akwa Ibom women and her ministry, Dr.Ini Adiakpan said the recognition came with a profound sense of delight and calls for celebration because such award coming from no other organization but a brand like Independent Newspaper that has a panache for quality speaks volume and is therefore meritorious for a First Lady in the pedigree of Dr. (Mrs) Martha Emmanuel.   Describin

   The people of Eastern Obolo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have condemned in strongest terms a resolution by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly for a new map for Akwa Ibom State, describing the idea as illegal and fraudulent against Eastern Obolo Local Government Area which is a creation of the Federal Government of Nigeria. The aggrieved people under the aegis of ILIMA Obolo vowed to vehemently resist any attempt by government or any group to distort their historical heritage, geographic and demographic linkages through adjustment of the official map of Akwa Ibom State, noting that it is a calculated sinister plot specifically aimed at depriving the people of Eastern Obolo of their natural and bonafide endowments and entitlements, upon the existing marginalization they have experienced from successive administrations of the State. Speaking on behalf of Obolo people, ILIMA Obolo, a frontline socio-cultural cum political organization in Obolo Nation, made their position

  By Bassey Uweh A  renowned business mogul  and Managing Director of Vinci Marine and Logistics Limited,  Chief Victor Mathew who is also the International Coordinator, Niger Delta Movement for Development,  has described as uncalled for, divisive , embarrassing and misleading,  the  trending  alternations and campaign of verbal assault against the State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, and the former Managing Director/ CEO of Niger Dock, Engr. Nkpubre Okon Nkpubre over issues surrounding the Ibom Depp Seaport project. He said the dimension the matter has assumed in the past few days was capable of pitching brothers against brothers, misinforming the masses and generating more tension in the State.   The Niger Delta  activist and business magnet who made his feelings known yesterday in an exclusive chat with journalists  in Uyo, maintained that with dialogue and understanding anchored on  true sense of brotherhood, love,unity  and transparency, it was possible to resolve the issues withou