The Empire

  Members of the Joint Association of Persons with Disabilities last Friday, December 23 moved everyone into tears when they thronged into Ibiaku Issiet in Uruan Local Government Area last Friday to pay their last respect to the immediate past Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Oron chapter, Late Senior Apostle Tom Etim.  The event, which took place at the St. Peters Primary School, had in attendance the political class, business moguls, clergymen as well as scholars. The physically challenged persons, who invaded the venue of the event, however attracted the attention of the entire guests when they all creep on the floor saying that a man who was responsible for their wellbeing is no more.  They noted that their mission at the event was to pay their final respect to Late Senior Apostle Tom, who they described as their ‘earthly god,’ adding that it will be difficult to find a man in his like manner who pay their children’s schools fees, pay their rents, carter for t

In line with his humanitarian disposition, the Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, on Saturday, hosted Chapter and Ward Officers of the PDP in Uyo Senatorial District to an End of the year Get-Together. Speaking at the event, which took place at the Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey Campaign Council Secretariat, Osongoma Road, Uyo, the Speaker said his senatorial bid was moved by his zeal to drive infrastructural and human capital development in the state. While declaring that he will not waste the mandate of the people of the Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Rt. Hon. Bassey said he will not only be accessible to his constituents, but will raise the bar of representation in the Senatorial District. “Your votes won't be wasted. Throughout the Primaries, you stood for the truth, you supported me. I stand here to assure you that your labour will no

Ibiono Ibom people of Wards 8 and 7  have adopted the Candidacy of Rt. Hon. Ime Bassey Okon to the Green Chamber of the National Assembly. They declared the support on Wednesday when the PDP Candidate for Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency led his Itu/Ibiono Ibom Unity Project 2023 Campaign train to Ibiono Ibom Ward 7and 8.  While at Idoro Ward 8, comprising Idoro and Ono villages, the Village Head of Ikot Mbuk and Group Head of Idoro Group of villages, Obong (Dr) Eyibio Udo Akpanobong, JP, acknowledged the honour the PDP Candidate, Rt. Hon. Ime Okon has accorded the traditional stool and promised total support for him and PDP. "We are aware that our son in Idoro is also contesting for this position. But we will not fail the party which has been in touch with the people and has attracted the few development strides we experienced in this area. We want more and for this access road to be constructed.  "We will be truthful in our decision and be rest assured that Idoro will v

As activities are on top gear towards 2023 elections, Rt. Hon. Ime Okon consulted his maternal family in Ekimbok community, Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area. He made the visit amidst cheer and excitement yesterday as the people came out to receive him. The PDP Candidate for Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal constituency in the forthcoming elections, Rt. Hon. Ime Okon assured Ekimbok people of his determination to be a channel where they will experience dividends of democracy and also ensure that the yearnings of his people are heard via his contributions on the floor of the Green Chamber of the National Assembly.   The PDP Candidate acknowledged the support and contributions Ekimbok people have been giving him throughout his political outings seeking public offices to serve the people. He specially thanked his grandparents for raising him up and instilling the virtues which he possesses which have helped him to excel in public offices. He solicited more support for his 2023 ambition to serve th

  No fewer than four hundred and thirty youths have been trained on many skills to be self reliance by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.   The training, which took place at in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital saw the graduation of the beneficiaries who were trained in various skills like sewing, fish farming, poultry farming and other agricultural means.   Speaking at the closing ceremony at the 1000 capacity Theatre Hall of the University of Uyo on Saturday, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Umana Okon Umana, who was represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics in the ministry, Mr. Alfred Agbar said the training is one of the many considerations by the Federal Government aimed at diversifying the economy, reorienting values and generating employment for women, youths and other vulnerable groups in the Niger Delta region.   The minister further stated that the training in expected to prepare the beneficiaries for the tasks ahead. He noted that the minist

  Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, has vowed to deliver an impactful representation in the Senate, when voted into office in 2023. Rt. Hon. Bassey gave the assurance in Ikot Antia Ididep, Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, on Saturday while speaking at an End of the Year Get-Together organized by the Chairman of Ibom Airport Company, Dr. Iniobong Essien. The Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial Candidate said he will not only attract road projects to the area, but will leverage on his legislative experience to draw meaningful empowerment opportunities to his constituents, the people of Uyo Senatorial District. "I have vowed that when I get to the Senate, I will reciprocate what Senator Ita Enang did for Uruan during his tenure. He remains the only representative that tarred a road in Uruan Local Government Area. He changed the landscape of the w

  The 2023 PDP Candidate for Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency  in the Green Chamber of the National Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ime Okon has consulted his kinsmen in Idung Ition, Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area comprising Ikot Usen, Ibiaku Ikot Udom, Usuk Ibiaku, Ikpa Ikot Ubo and Use Ndon villages.  He was accompanied by his wife, Deaconess Victoria Ime Okon, the Itu/Ibiono Ibom Unity Project 2023 Campaign Council and other supporters on Thursday. The Village Head of Ikot Usen ably represented by Etubom Ebong Umo, Chairman of the Village Council said the support of the village is solely for the political ambition of their son on PDP platform. In the same vein, the representative of the Village Head of Ibiaku Ikot Udom, Eld Bassey Okon Udofia and the Village Head of Usuk Ibiaku, Etteidung Udo Udo Ekong said the ambition of Rt. Hon. Ime Bassey Okon is a long awaited cause which they are very glad to support.  Also, the Village Head of Ikpa Ikot Ubo, Etteidung David Archibong Ekpenyong and

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly today Thursday passed the State’s 2023 Appropriation Bill of N700billion, made up of N344.005billion for Recurrent Expenditure and N355.995billion for Capital Expenditure, into law. The proposed Bill, which amount to an increase of 0.4% of the initial proposed budget size, followed the Report of the Hon. Uduak Odudoh-led House Committee on Finance and Appropriation. The report recalled that “at the 8th Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Seventh Assembly on Monday, November 7, 2022, Governor Udom Emmanuel presented his Budget address to the Honourable House. At the end of his address, in pursuance of Section 121 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), he laid before the House estimates of revenue and expenditure of Akwa Ibom State for 2023 for consideration. By virtue of Order 8, Rule 1(3) of the Standing Order of the House, the Appropriation Bill 2023 was deemed read the first time.” After a fruitful Clause-b

The Itu/Ibiono Ibom Unity Project 2023 Campaign Council has been inaugurated to plan and implement campaign activities in mobilization of support for the political cause of the PDP Candidate for Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency 2023, Rt. Hon Ime Bassey Okon.  Performing the inauguration yesterday, the PDP Candidate to represent Itu/Ibiono Ibom people in the Green Chamber, Barr. Ime Bassey Okon noted that the campaign council consists of representatives heading various units to coordinate activities of numerous members/supporters of the cause.  "A lot of persons have been supporting my aspiration. So, the Campaign Council as inaugurated today will work with the Central Working Committee to ensure implementation of campaign plans for the success of this cause. The Council is to work for the success of the project by planning and implementing activities as campaign commences in earnest. "It behoves on all the heads of various units to bring on board ideas and ingenuity to en

  In its bid to consistently empower young Akwa Ibom entrepreneurs with seed money, the RHAB-YESS Foundation, a not-for-profit and non-political organization, has given the sum of One Million Naira to winners of its online business contest for the months of October and November 2022. The sponsor of the scheme and Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, gave the seed money to the entrepreneurs on Monday during the RHAB-YESS ‘Meet and Greet’ Session at the Conference Room of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Uyo. Represented by the Leader of Uruan Legislative Council, Hon. Sunday Bassey, the Speaker, who tasked the winners to make good use of the seed money, maintained that the scheme was his own way of supporting Governor Udom Emmanuel’s Enterprise Development Drive and giving life to the Dakadda Philosophy. He said part of the aims of the Foundation, which is his brainchild, is to discover, mentor and support young entrepreneurs, indigent student

Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District (Uyo Senatorial District), Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, has assured electorates and stakeholders of Southern Ward – 4, 5 and 6 in Uruan Local Government Area of better democratic dividends, if elected Senator. Rt. Hon. Bassey, who is the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, made this known on Friday during a joint ward-to-ward tour by him and candidates of the party for Uyo/Nsit Atai/Ibesikpo Asutan/Uruan Federal Constituency and Uruan State Constituency, Elder Mark Esset and Dr Itorobong Etim. Addressing the people of Southern Uruan, which comprise of 7 villages, Ndon Ebom, Nung Ikono Ufok, Ituk Mbang, Ibiaku Issiet, Ekpene Ukim, Obio Ndobo and Ndon Uruan the Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District hopeful said “PDP is the only party that believes in the Akwa Ibom Project and the prosperity of Uruan and the state.” While reeling out his blueprint to the people, Rt. Hon. Bassey appealed to

    The House of Representatives candidate for Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Ime Okon, has promised not to disappoint the people of the two Local government areas when voted to represent them at the National Assembly next year. The Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) candidate stated this recently, while responding to questions from newsmen in Uyo, the State capital. "By the special grace of God and through the support and votes of our people in Itu and Ibiono Ibom, I believe I will take the two Local Government Areas to greater heights," Obong Okon stated. The two time member who represented Ibiono Ibom in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly maintained he was sure of offering effective representation because of his wealth of experience in the legislative setting and capacity to deliver on every assignment given to him. The Barrister and Solicitor of the supreme court of Nigeria maintained his vast contacts, cordial relationship, exposure and affabl