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 ...