The Empire Naija

  To improve rural access and boost agricultural marketing, Senator Aniekan Bassey of Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District, on Monday, inaugurated the construction of the 4Km Ekim Enen-Esuk Odu Road project in Uruan Local Government Area.  The project, which is co-funded by the Akwa Ibom State Government, the World Bank, and the African Development Bank, is an initiative under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP).  The Senator Bassey, who is also the Deputy Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture Production Services and Rural Development, lauded Governor Umo Eno for his unwavering commitment to development through innovative programmes like RAAMP, which aims to improve road infrastructure and facilitate economic growth in rural communities.  Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Senator Bassey, who emphasized the importance of peace and cooperation, appealed to community leaders, youths, and women to support the contractors and ens...

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has signed the 955 Billion Naira 2025 Budget of Consolidation and Expansion into law. The Governor assented to the bill at the State Executive Council Chambers, Government House Uyo, in the presence of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon (Elder) Udeme Otong, members of the State Executive Council and some members of the State legislature.  Speaking shortly after the ceremony, Governor Eno commended the  House of Assembly for the expeditious passage of the Budget, appreciating the synergy between the executive and the legislature. He sued for the continuation of the collaborations in order to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.  Recall that the Akwa Ibom State House of assembly had on Tuesday December 24 passed the 2025 budget into law, following the adoption of the report by the Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation and Finance, Dr Itoro Etim. Following the adoption, the House dissolved into the C...

The Non Executive Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company(NNPC) Dr. Eunice Thomas today celebrated the 62nd birthday of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio. The event which held at the Secondary School, Ikot Oku Mfang in Abak Local Government Area drew stakeholders from the All Progressive Congress, Community leaders, youths, the Ibo community and even as the physically challenged weren't left out. In her remarks, Dr. Eunice Thomas noted that she saw it very necessary to celebrate God's love in the life of the Senate President whom God has used to affect positively, Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria as a whole.  She used the occasion to commend her husband for always being supportive and also thanked the people of Abak for not letting her down when she came to them to canvass for votes in favour of Akpabio during the last election adding that the rewards to be reaped has just begun. "I want to sincerely thank you for not letting me down.when I came to seek...

  The recurring decimal of 'no releases ' continued to play out in majority of Ministries and MDAs in the ongoing Budget Defense organized by the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, a situation which has affected their performance in delivering on their mandates.  While defending the 2025 budget estimates before the Houe Committee yesterday, the Chairman of the State Primary Healthcare Agency, Dr. Martins Akpan informed the Hon. Itorobong Etim led Committee that tthey were unable to renovate any Health Centre during the 2024 fiscal year because there were absolutely no releases from the Executive. Dr. Akpan stated that the Agency has proposed to renovate only 6 health Centers for 2025 hopefully if they get funds from the Executive adding that though it was okay to add more health centers to the ones already on ground, maintaining the already existing ones was equally a priority. Mr. Sylvanus Udo who represented the Akwa Ibom Road Maintenance Agency on their part...

  By Asqquo Edem The Akwa Ibom State House of assembly has assured the National Foroum of Food Security and Nutrition of the needed synergy to hit the ground running so as to achieve its set objectives,  The Speaker of the House of Assembly Elder Ueme Otong gave the assurances yesterday when the National body which is  headed by the Majority Leader of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Tolukpe Ige and his team were in the State on a Courtesy call on him and members   The Speaker while congratulating Hon Ige on his recent election to head the very important body noted that Akwa Ibom State was known for good dieting as leaders in positions of authority including Legislators were always in close contact with their subjects thereby enhancing the production of various types of food crops that enhance good and balanced feeding. Elder Otong informed Hon. Ige that the State Governor Pastor Umo Eno has taken fo...

Senator Aniekan Bassey (SAB) of the Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District has pushed for the alteration of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to expand definition of judicial office.  The push was made during plenary of Tuesday through a proposed legislation, titled “A Bill For An Act To Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, CAP. C23, Laws of The Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (As Amended) to Among Other Things Expand the Meaning of Judicial Office As Set Out in Section 318, Part IV to Include the Office of a Magistrate, Chairman Or President of Customary Courts, Qadi of Upper Area Courts, Area Courts, Sharia Courts and for Related Matters.”   Speaking with journalists, Senator Bassey said “The Bill seeks to formally recognize and include key judicial roles such as Magistrates, Chairpersons or Presidents of Customary Courts, Qadis of Upper Area Courts, and officials of Area and Sharia Courts. All the legislation wants is to harmo...

    By Asuquo Edem The Lack of Accreditation currently bedeviling the College of Science and Technology Nung Ukim in  Ikono Local Government Area is said to be hindering the school from carrying out admissions thereby stalling academic processes. Giving clarification to newsmen after their Budget Defense at the House of Assembly today, the Registrar of the College Dr. Sampson Owodekpe noted that the College being a new school, needed to do accreditation in more courses. "The school is a new school, and you know that there are rules and regulations, you must get accreditation from National Board for Technical Education, they are the ones to give clearance to admit since it's a Tertiary Institution" adding that it is now getting to two sessions now of not being able to carry out admissions. He listed the nine courses that needed urgent accreditation having being approved by government to include Agric Technology, Electrical/Electronics Technology, Comput...

By Asuquo Edem In his avowed commitment to ensure that Startups most especially Tech-driven businesses in Akwa Ibom State have access to needed funds to explore, the Chairman, House Committee on Science and Technology in the Akwa Ibom State house of Assembly, Hon. Uduak Ekpoufot has continue to engage with stakeholders to get the needed inputs to frame up the Bill. The Bill which is titled A BILL TO ESTABLISH THE STATE COUNCIL FOR DIGITAL INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP, PROVIDE FOR THE CREATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF AN ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR TECHNOLOGY-ENABLED STARTUPS IN AKWA IBOM STATE AND FOR RELATED MATTERS has passed through first and second reading in the House of Assembly including a Public Hering.. In an event held yesterday Tuesday at the conference hall of Merzino Palace, Hon Ekpoufot emphasized the need to continue to interface with stakeholders, policy makers, startup CEO's noting that the Bill seeks to provide a legal and institutional framework for the development of ...

  By Asuquo Edem Stakeholders today converged at the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly to give inputs to frame up the 2025 Budget Proposals. Thee event which was a Public Hearing organized by the House Committee on Finance and Appropriations had the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Linus Nkan, the Commissioner for Economic Development, Mr. Emem Bob, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Commissioners of Ministries and MDAs who presented memos towards creating awareness for the 2025 Budget which was presented to the House by the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno. Declaring the event open, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Elder Udeme Otong noted that the 2025 budget estimate which is christened: “BUDGET OF CONSOLIDATION AND EXPANSION” clearly indicates the Governor’s unwavering commitment to the progressive intentions of his ARISE Agenda. "As a Pragmatic Assembly which is steadfastly mindful of the expectations of Akwa Ibom people, upon receipt of the Budget proposal, we...

  *UYAI IBAN AKWA IBOM*   Uyo, Akwa Ibom State  CELEBRATING AN ICONIC STATESMAN AND CHARISMATIC LEADER AT 62 His Excellency, President of the Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio Today, the women of Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria and beyond under the auspices of UYAI IBAN AKWA IBOM rejoice with you, our beloved leader, father, and benefactor.  It has been sixty-two years of awe-inspiring narratives, with the next chapter of your story being more beautiful and more captivating than the previous.  In these years, we, your women, have seen the manifestation of God's goodness, faithfulness, and grace in your life.  At every turn and in every position, you have been committed in promoting pro-masses and pro-people governance. Your uncommon era as the Governor of our dear state, Akwa Ibom, remains a sweet reference in contemporary leadership model till today.  As President of the tenth Senate, you have brought dynamism and ...

By Asuquo Edem  The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly yesterday passed the supplementary estimates N350,142,918,810 for the year ending 31st December, 2024. This followed a report which was presented to the House  uring Plenary by the Chairman of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon. Dr. Itorobong Etim. The lawmaker informed the House that the Supplementary Budget has an augmented Recurrent Expenditure of N8,922,513,000, against the Approved Provision of N359,065,431,810, totalling N350,142,918,810. The revised Budget according to Hon. Etim who represents Uruan State Constituency also has an augmented Capital Expenditure of N82,414,029,890, against the Approved Provision of N490,905,328,180, totalling N573,319,358,070. After considering the Report at the Committee of Supply, the House approved a Supplementary Budget of N923,462,276,880, with November 28, 2024, at commencement date. The Speaker, Elder Udeme Otong directed the Clerk, Mrs. Nsikak Orok to com...

  • Otobong Sampson If tributes serve as mirror into one's life, then the world has 'seen' in weeks, the entire years of Pastor Patience, without a memoir. Words spoken of someone have never been more genuine; yet no one can exactly put her into words.There is a consensus that Pastor Patience Eno was one of the finest curiosities around to hold the Office of First Lady. Ancient Egyptians, Leo Buscaglia reveals, believed that upon death, they would be asked two questions and their answers would determine whether they could continue their journey in the afterlife. The first question was, 'did you bring Joy?' The second was, 'did you find Joy?' If the departed First Lady would ever get to be asked the two questions above, her answer for the first would be in the thought-provoking and mind-stretching works she accomplished, both as a co-shepherd in God's vineyard and also as the number one woman of Akwa Ibom State. For the second question, the answer would b...

  By Asuquo Edem A total budgetary estimate of N955B for 2025 fiscal year has been proposed by the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno. The governor who presented the budget today at the House of assembly stated that the budget was made of N300B for Recurrent Expenditure while N655B was for Capital Expenditures adding that the budget was predicated on an oil benchmark of 75 dollars per barrel at a production rate of 2.1 million barrels per day with an estimated exchange rate of N1400 er dollar. He assured the Lawmakers that his administration in 2025 would continue to channel funds towards food security, rural development through investment in electrification, primary healthcare services, schools, markets while also revealing that completion of Ukanafun General Hospital would be a priority. Pastor Eno hinted that the 2025 Budget is anchored on the policy thrust of the ARISE Agenda which will continue to improve the living conditions of the pe...

  Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly yesterday received the 2024 Supplementary Appropriation Bill. The Bill which was sent in by the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno was given accelerated hearing and passed through second reading. Giving insights of the principles of the Bill, the member representing Nsit Ubium State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Otobong Bob stated that the bill was essentially aimed at providing funds for the newly established ministries which were not captured in the 2024 budget adding that the capital provisions were centered on infrastructure and capital projects. The Speaker, Elder Udeme Otong who presided over Plenary referred the Bill to the Committee on Finance and Appropriation to report back in one week. In a related development, the House  has constituted the Committee on Nutrition and Food Security. The Speaker, Elder Udeme Otong mentioned the Member for Ibiono Ibom State Constituency, Hon. Moses Essien as the Chairman, with Hon. Ubong Attah of Ibesikpo Asut...

  By Edet Okpo  “We are committed to ensuring that our civil servants receive a fair wage for their hard work and dedication”, Gov. Umo Eno, 2024.  The superscripted words and what has happened thereafter has clearly proven Governor Umo Eno to be a man whose words are his bond. A man of character, he is trusted when he speaks over a matter.  On Saturday, September 21,  2024, a day to the 37th Anniversary of Akwa Ibom State, Governor Umo Eno interacted with journalists in the State during a traditional media parley as part of activities marking the  State Anniversary celebration. At the event, the governor emphatically stated that he was not In a hurry but was ready to interact and give uplifting updates on his template of governance and dreams of the Arise Agenda. As such, he graciously gave the media professionals the benefit of asking a dozen questions to which he offered spontaneous responses that did not only attract applause from the audience at the Go...

    By Edet Okpo Over 300 award-winning Media Professionals, ICT experts and other Communication Students have completed their intensive training in the ongoing training and empowerment programs of the Senator representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator (Dr.) Ekong Sampson.  The training which has as its theme “Training of Youths and Women in ICT and Effective Media Communication in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District” took place on Monday, October 21, 2024 at Watbridge Hotel and Suites, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Participants were selected from the three federal constituencies making up Eket Senatorial District, under the umbrella of Association of Eket Senatorial District Media Professionals.  Giving highlights on the essence of the training, the sponsor and convener of the programme, Senator Ekong Sampson, who is the Chairman, Senate House Committee of Solid Minerals, also used the occasion to give a brief rundown of his achieveme...

In a bold move to seek justice for his constituent, the member representing Itu-Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ime Bassey Okon has presented a petition to the House of Representatives on behalf of Augustine Effiong, a constituent wrongfully dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force. During today's plenary session, Ime Okon urged the House to investigate Effiong's dismissal and facilitate his immediate reinstatement, as well as payment of outstanding entitlements.  He emphasized the importance of fairness and justice in the treatment of Nigerian citizens, particularly those serving the nation. "The wrongful dismissal of Mr. Effiong has caused him and his family undue hardship," Okon stated. "As a representative of the people, it is my duty to ensure justice is served and his rights are protected." The petition was referred to the House Committee on Public Petitions for further action. ©️ Media/Publicity Unit Itu/Ibiono Ibom ...

Following the inauguration of the Akwa Ibom Petroleum Products Monitoring Committee (PPMC) by the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, last Friday, the committee held its inaugural meeting earlier today at luton Park Hotels, Uyo  with resolution to curb the lapses in the Petroleum Products sector. The inaugural meeting which was chaired by the Committee Chairman,  Hon Godwin Ekpo, was attended by members of the committee who deliberated extensively on key issues affecting the petroleum sector . Meanwhile, the committee paid a familiarization visit to the Independent  Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Uyo branch  to sharpen smoother relationship with the state government  to bring sanity to the sector . Speaking at the visit, the Committee Chairman, Hon Godwin Ekpo, thanked IPMAN for their role in making petroleum products available in the state, called for peaceful co- existence and synergy . He urged IPMAN to turn a new live ...

  A foremost  socio-cultural and political organization in Okobo Local Government Area,  Offi Development Area Stakeholders Forum, has warned desperate politicians from Atak Oro political bloc in Okobo Local government Area to desist from peddling outright falsehood and unsubstantiated information against the person and character of the newly appointed and sworn-in Secretary of Okobo Local Government Council, Pastor Etim Ibok. According to a release signed by the Director of Media and Publicity of the Organization, Hon. Rex Enweme, some agents of blackmail  and character  assassination sponsored by some desperate politicians who lobbied and campaigned intensively for the Council Secretaryship appointment but couldn’t get it, have resorted to using the cover page of  a fictitious and non- existing  Newspaper , Daily Gist to allege  that the duly appointed and Sworn-in Council Secretary of Okobo  parades a fake Higher National Diploma Certifica...

  In a clear case of disrespect and outright disregard to constituted authority, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Mrs Offiong Offor today, Wednesday refused to attend a parley with the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Agricultural and Natural Resources.  Expressing the displeasure of the Committee over the attitude of the Commissioner, the Committee Chairman, Hon. Ubong Attah noted that the meeting was meant to interface on the activities in the Central Abattoir and the distribution of farming inputs for the two planting seasons of 2024.  Hon. Ubong Attah who represents Ibesikpo Asutan added that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is supposed to be transparent and accountable to the citizens and the people of the State over Government's policies and programmes stated that such attitude of the Commissioner was unacceptable and called for further legislative action The Lawmaker recalled that the Committee ha...