The Empire Naija

  Senator Aniekan Bassey of the Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District has commiserated with Governor Umo Eno and the people of Akwa Ibom State over the passing of First Lady, Pastor Patience Umo Eno. Senator Bassey, in a statement he signed on Friday, said "I am deeply saddened by the heartbreaking news of the passing of Pastor Patience Umo Eno, the esteemed First Lady of Akwa Ibom State and beloved wife of His Excellency, Governor Umo Eno. On behalf of my family and the good people of Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District, I extend my heartfelt condolences to His Excellency, Governor Umo Eno, their children, and the entire family over this great loss." "Pastor Patience Umo Eno was a woman of immense grace, compassion, and virtue. She touched countless lives with her deep faith, unwavering love for humanity, and steadfast commitment to the well-being of the people of Akwa Ibom State. Her enduring contributions to the state's social, spiritual, and community dev

  Akwa Ibom State has been thrown into deep mourning and grief as the wife of the State governor has passed away. In a Press Release signed by the Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ini Ememobong read in part.. "Iis with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of the Wife of the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Her Excellency, Pastor Mrs. Patience Umo Eno, following an  illness. She passed away peacefully at the hospital, on 26th September, 2024, in the presence of her family. The family submits to the will of the Almighty and asks for the prayers and support of kind-hearted individuals during this difficult time. Further details will be provided by the family as necessary. In the meantime, the family kindly requests privacy as they mourn their beloved wife, mother and grandmother. His Excellency, the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno appreciates all who have stood by the first family in this period and assures all the citizens that despite this huge personal loss, his commitmen

  Otobong Sampson Joseph Stalin, former premier of Soviet Union, discussing the future of Poland at the beginning of World War 2 had promised that in case of victory, the country would regain its independence. Once the Red Army occupied Poland, he "forgot" his promise. Reminded of his earlier promise by PM Winston Churchill, Stalin coolly replied: "So what? I am the one who promised and I am the one who withdraws the promise!" A former U.S President, Harry Truman, in his post-presidency years okayed the unfulfillment of promises in politics this way: "Always be sincere, even if you don't mean it".  Both inferences sum up how deception, without qualms, has been endorsed across local and international boundaries as a virtue in politics and even served without a care. While Stalin teaches that responsibility is of no account after power is served, a new breed leader from an emerging corner of the world speaks differently and serves the impression that pol

  Akwa Ibom State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, today met with leaders of key unions in the petroleum sector to address the issues that led to the recent ban on the sale of petroleum products in the state. In a release signed by the Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ini Ememobong had it that the Governor was informed that two petroleum trucks were confiscated in Mbo Local Government Area by federal agencies and have been detained since May 2024. The governor While acknowledging that the matter falls outside his jurisdiction, directed the Commissioner for Internal Security and Waterways to liaise with the relevant authorities to ascertain the facts of the case. Additionally, he expressed his commitment to exploring the establishment of a petroleum depot in Akwa Ibom State. In response, the union leaders thanked the Governor for his proactive engagement and pledged to lift the ban immediately, ensuring that petroleum products will be made available to the public. Those in attendance inc

  In a bid to avert impending breakdown of law and order in the State, the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has set in motion machinery to Laise with relevant stakeholders in the petroleum sector so as nip in the bud the ongoing scarcity of fuel.  The House coming under a matter of urgent public importance brought before it by the member representing Oron/Udung Uko State Constituency, Hon. Kenim Onofiok appealed to the Independent Petroleum Markeers Association to call off the strike and reopen their stations for the sake of the public.  Hon. Kenim Onofiok informed the House that there has been recurrent crisis over the years between members of IPMAM in the State and Joint Task Force officials therefore leading to scarcity of fuel even as she added that the association had issued a notice of withdrawal of service yesterday where they directed their members to close their stations against the public from today.  "Petrol stations in Akwa Ibom are shut against the public and the pri

  By Edet Okpo Not very many people would be bold and genuinely willing to argue to the contrary that until the regime of the immediate past administration and  that of Pastor Umo Eno  on what could best be described as an hijacked or controlled scenario, indigenous construction companies, otherwise called “ local contractors “were grossly treated like mere lepers . That is with  regards to intentionally or deliberately  engaging them in the socio-economic, political and physical development of AKwa Ibom State.  Governor Umo Eno came with a demystifying mantra that breaks that  hitherto entrenched  and segregationist  tradition that had every profitable opportunity heaped on foreign construction companies, even with the obvious tendency for capital flight for the development of their parent countries. Amongst other objectives, it can be said that the engagement of indigenous contractors, especially the leading indigenous contracting firm in the south south sub-region of Nigeria, Hensek

In a bid to enhance the learning experience and academic performance of pupils, Mrs. Nsikak-Abasi Orok, Clerk of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, has donated educational materials to Government Primary Mbiatok Itam in Itu Local Government Area.  The donation, made on Friday, marks the continuation of Mrs. Orok's  Educational Support Scheme AESS to schools, which provides essential resources to students at the beginning of every academic session.  Accompanied by her husband, Dr. Nam-Okuo Orok, Mrs. Orok handed over the materials, including 2,604 Exercise books, 300 school bags, and other stationery, to the school's Head Mistress, Mrs. Eno U. Udoh.  "We appreciate this  support," Mrs. Udoh said. "These materials will greatly benefit our students, improve their academic performance, and motivate them to learn."  Eteidung Ndiyong Okukim, village Head of Mbiatok Itam, also thanked Mrs. Orok and her family for their generosity.  "Your donation has made

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (AKHA) has given an accelerated hearing to a bill for a law to further amend the Traditional Rulers Law Cap 155 Law of Akwa Ibom State 2022 (as amended).  The Speaker, Rt. Hon.(Elder) Udeme Otong, who presided over plenary directed the Clerk to read the Executive bill at plenary on Friday, September 20, 2024. The bill which captured 11 section amendments was received by the House for legislative consideration after the Member for Eket State Constituency, Hon. Nsidibe Akata moved for its receipt and was seconded by Hon. Udobia Friday Udo of Esit Eket/Ibeno State Constituency. The bill was given an accelerated hearing as the House dissolved into the Committee of the Whole to consider the amended sections after its second reading.  After legislative scrutiny at the Committee of the Whole, these 11 amendments were upheld stating in part that "the President-General shall be the ceremonial head of the Council and shall represent the Council at the N

The PDP Chairmanship flag bearer for Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, Hon. Asuakak Umoh, arrived Ibiono Ibom Council Secretariat, Oko Ita, accompanied by his entourage for the official local government Campaign Flag-off for the upcoming local government elections with a rousing welcome.  Excitement filled the air as party members and supporters gathered to show their support for Hon. Asuakak Umoh and the PDP’s vision for a prosperous Ibiono Ibom.

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly ( AKHA) has ratified the appointment of an external auditor to the Office of Auditor General for Local Government.  This was sequel to a letter for appointment of external auditors sent to the House by the office of the Auditor General for Local Government which was earlier committed to the House Committee on Public Accounts. Presenting his report, the Chairman of the Committee on Public Accounts, Hon. Eric Akpan, informed the House that only one approval was required out of the three firms including Messr Ubokudom Etuk & Co of #3 Oku Street, Uyo, Edem Peters & Co of #141 Oron Road, Uyo and Mfon A. Etuk & Co of Suit SA III, Shopping Complex Uyo. Hon. Akpan stated that all the firms were invited for interview by the Committee where their relevant practice books were examined, while their experiences were assessed through oral interview based on their expertise of the subject matter.  Akpan added that other issues assessed included profil

The Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. ( Elder ) Udeme Otong, said he is committed to creating a more conducive working environment for members of the Assembly Press Corps. Rt. Hon. ( Elder ) Otong, made the promise during a familiarization meeting with the Press Corps last Wednesday at the Assembly's Lodge. The speaker's assurance followed the presentation of several demands by members of the Press Corps, who highlighted the challenges they face while carrying out their duties.  Speaker Otong expressed appreciation for the Corps' collaboration and timely reportage of legislative activities, urging them to maintain this commitment for the benefit of all stakeholders. In her presentation, Comrade Abigail Isaac, a correspondent for Daily News Wire at the State Parliament, called for capacity-building initiatives for the Press Corps. She noted that the last training held for members was in May 2017 during the tenure of former Speaker Rt. Hon. ( Barr.) O

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly ( AKHA) has passed a resolution urging the Ministry of Health to organize training workshops, capacity building and mentorship programmes for traditional birth attendants to enable them update practices, thereby reducing child birth complications and maternal morbidity in the State. The Resolution of the House which was passed, Wednesday 11th September 2024, is sequel to the adoption of recommendations of the report of the House Committee on Health, submitted by the committee Chairman, Hon. Moses Essien.  The House also directed the Akwa Ibom State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (AKSPHCDA ) to increase supervision on the activities of traditional birth attendants in all local government areas.  Refusal by TBA’s to refer child birth complications early will henceforth be investigated and would be punishable by law. The law recommends for establishment of residential quarters in every Primary Health Center across the State to aid the availabil

Nsikak Akpan  A Bill for a Law To make Provision For The Electricity Generation, Transmission and Distribution Within and For The Residents of Akwa Ibom State ;To Establish Akwa Ibom Electricity Regulatory Board and For other Matters Connected Therewith has taken place at the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. The Bill is seeking to promote policy and regulatory measures to ensure the expansion of efficient power generation and transmission towards the development of a competitive electricity market and to stimulate policy that will attract investment across the State Electricity value chain to re-energize economic growth, drive job creation and also improve the living conditions of residents of Akwa Ibom State. The Chairman, Akwa Ibom State House Committee on  Rural Development /Power/ Water Resources and Public Utility, Rt Hon. Asuquo Udo who highlighted this during a Public Hearing for the Bill, on Monday September 9, 2024 at the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Complex stated that

In is ernest desire to bridge the deficit gap experienced by entrepreneurs, property owners and the like, New Dawn Microinsurace Limited has hit the ground running in Akwa Ibom State.  Briefing newsmen today at WatBridge Hotel, the Managing Director of New Dawn Microinsurace Limited Mr. Inemesit Ekanem noted that the company is opening up it's doors to offer Microinsurace services begining first in Akwa Ibom with income earners, property owners and entrepreneurs generally as their target  market. Mr. Ekanem who said that their products are dedicated to ensure that their clients get the value they deserve noted that financially excluded persons and entrepreneurs can be rest assured that they can be well taken care of through provision of excellent services. "These set of people are those that are normally ignored but we can assure them that we will ensure that what ever they have acquired does not suffer loss. The MD sais they company runs a 24 hour Customer service with dedica