The Empire Naija

  Evidence is not in short supply to show that Governor Umo Eno is not a leader who would want to sacrifice the collective interest of over Seven million Akwa Ibom people on the altar of personal gains. No. His words and actions confirm John Maxwell's postulation that "A leader is one who knows the way,  shows the way and  goes the way ". Counting from May 29, 2023 to date, Pastor Umo Eno does not look like a man who would take a step he has not slept upon or join a cause he does not  believe in. That  does not mean that  public sentiments and wishes would not always fill the air. This brings into focus  the news of his planned  defection from the  Peoples Democratic Party( PDP) to the All Progresssve Congress( APC).  I am personally bothered that two years after, some persons still find it hard to understand that the Governor Umo Eno we know is a man of integrity who would spite the nose to save the face. The growth and development of A...

  By Edet Okpo When news broke in 2023 that Dr. ( Barr) Ekong Sampson was entering the race for the Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District  National Assembly election, it did not sound as any surprise to the people of the senatorial district who already knew him and his towering record of dedicated public service. The news had been a long-awaited declaration from one of the soundest brains, celebrated lawmaker, cerebral scholar, investor cum entrepreneur, and advocate of the masses. So, the atmosphere was that of ecstasy, frenzied applause, and great expectations. Hence, in spite of what looked like shadow of opposition from self-serving jokers in the senate race, the question amongst the electorate was never if Dr. ( Barr) Ekong Sampson will win but if the election was going to be free and fair for him to win overwhelmingly. And because the election was free and fair, the winner was known even long before half the ballot was counted.  That  historic victory ushered Akw...

  By Asuquo Edem  Preparations are in top gear by Ibom Golf Club to host a 3 day golfing Tournament. The even according to the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Rt. Hon. Usenobong Akpabio would span for three days from 6th to 8th of June 2025. While briefing Journalists at the Ibom Golf and Country Club, Rt. Hon. Akpabio stated that the Ibom Open would draw golfers from all over the world which would in turn positively impact on the tourism sector and Akwa Ibom as the destination of Golf in Africa. Rt. Hon. Akpabio who is a former Captain of the Club said that tournament would hold at the Arise Golf Course for the first day and the Ibom Golf Course, the only Golf Resort in West Africa for the second day adding that numerous prizes would be won including return tickets for winners. Also making remarks, the Captain of the Club, Mr. Isua Archibong the State requires instruments like Golf tournaments to serve as tourism drivers to aid boost the State's economy. On her part Aniek...

  By Asuquo Edem  The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has tasked the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno to set in motion towards the implementation of employment of 6000men and women in to the Ibom Community Watch for Uyo, Eket and Ikot Ekpene Senatorial Districts as contained in the 2025 Budget. Rising from a Motion presented before it by the member representing Onna State Constituency, Hon. Sunday Udofot Johnny, the House passed a resolution to that effect. Hon. Johnny in the motion titled  ‘Implementation of Youth Recruitment into the Ibom Community Watch for Eket, Uyo and Ikot Ekpene Senatorial Districts", informed the House that on 20th December, 2023 the Governor had commissioned 550 personnel into the Ibom Community Watch, using Uyo Senatorial District as a pilot scheme,  while a total of 1,450 personnel were left to be employed.  The Lawmaker expressed worry that two years after its pilot inauguration for Uyo Senatorial District, Eket and Ikot Ekpene Senat...

  Worried over issues surrounding the abandoned 2X60MVA 132/33kv substation in Oron which has led to incessant Power Outages in Oro communities, the House of Assembly has  passed a resolution to invite representatives from the Ministry of Power and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to brief the lawmakers on the power situation. The resolution followed a motion presented during Tuesday's plenary by Chief Effiong Johnson, the Chief Whip of the House and member representing Mbo State Constituency, advocating for the completion and commissioning of the power station. Chief Johnson, in his motion, explained that TCN had initiated the construction of the 2x60MVA 132/33KV substation in Oron as part of a broader initiative by the former President Muhammadu Buhari's administration, aimed at expanding the national grid within TCN's Port Harcourt Region, known as the Nigerian Electricity Grid Maintenance, Expansion, and Rehabilitation Programme (NERGMERP). He noted that the Or...

  The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (AKHA) has pledged to provide more legislative support to the Akwa Ibom State Police Command in the fight against crime. The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, made this known on Tuesday while playing host to the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Police Command, Baba Mohammed Azare at the Assembly Complex, Uyo. According to him, the 8th Assembly  under his leadership was committed to work hand- in -hand with the police force in other to combat crime to the barest minimum in the state. "The Commissioner,  we're here  to partner and to support you to achieve the Arise Agenda of his Excellency, the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno PhD, in ensuring that there's sustainable peace in Akwa Ibom State. We'll not hesitate to give you any kind of support  you need to maintain peace in Akwa Ibom State," he said. He therefore, commended  the Commissioner of Police for his good work in the area of combating  crime, and...

  The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly today during Plenary received a petition against the Council Chairman of Ikono, Hon. Otobong Essien, where the Councillors have accused her of misconduct in the discharge of her official duties. This was contained in a petition presented before the Assembly by the  Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, Justice, Human Rights, and Public Petitions, Hon. Aniefiok Attah. The petition, signed by Hon. Saviour Ebong, Leader of the 8th Ikono Legislative Council, Deputy Leader Hon. Idorenyin Akpan, and ten other councillors, accused the Council Chairman of unlawfully withdrawing public funds from the local government council's account without the necessary authorisation from the Legislative Council.  The councillors described her actions as dishonorable, illegal, and a blatant abuse of power. Additionally, the councillors alleged that the Chairman misappropriated council funds in violation of Section 66(1) of the Local Government Administr...

  By Asuquo Edem  Worried by the alarming rate of prostate cancer affecting the men folk from ages 30 and above the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has mandated the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Information, as well as the Ethical and Attitudinal Re-Orientation Agency, ERACOM to initiate as well as sustain public awareness campaigns on dreaded disease. The resolution which was passed yesterday Tuesday 6th May 2025 during plenary was sequel to a motion brought before the House by the member representing Essien Udim State Constituency, Prince Ukpong Akpabio, on the urgent need for government intervention to combat the rising incidence of prostate cancer. The Lawmaker expressed worry over what he termed as the ‘alarming raise’ in prostate cancer cases which now accounts for approximately 11% of all male related cancer in Nigeria.  Akpabio noted that while health issues including, Malaria, diabetes, polio, continues to receive international, national and State attention, ...

  The Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Udeme Otong, has expressed optimism that the outcome for the training workshop organized by the Nigeria Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies would improve ethical compliance and uphold legislative integrity for sustainable development. The Speaker stated this while delivering his opening remarks at a 3-day capacity building workshop for state legislators in Abuja on Thursday, 1st May, 2025. The workshop which aimed at deepening understanding of legislative practices, also geared at fostering transparency and good governance among the three arms of government. According to him, the workshop would offer a strategic opportunity to bridge the existing gaps and build the capacity of lawmakers to fulfill mandates more effectively. His words: "as the saying goes, "the morning tells the day." From what I have seen so far, this workshop is well-thought out and well-organized. I have no doubt that it wi...

  A social-political group, Coalition Of Democrats (CODE), dedicated to promoting good governance and accountability, has raised red flags over the hijacking of the Akwa Ibom State Government's Arise Empowerment programs by stakeholders in some Local Government Areas, particularly in Ukanafun, Ibiono Ibom  and Essien Udim. The group expressed deep dissatisfaction that the program, designed to empower grassroots communities, especially farmers, artisans, and small-scale business owners, has been compromised by the inclusion of influential individuals on the beneficiaries list. This development they say has undermined the program's integrity and denied genuine beneficiaries the support meant for them. Speaking with newsmen in Uyo on Friday , Dr. Usoro Akpanusoh, Secretary of CODE, commended the executive governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, for initiating the life-touching program aimed at improving the lives of people at the grassroots.   Dr. Akpanusoh, howev...