The Empire Naija

  The superlative performance and consequential impact on constituents by the Senator representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District in the Senate, Distinguished Senator Ekong Sampson PhD, has been honoured with a prestigious award from the Association of Eket Senatorial District Media Professionals.   The honour took place during a 3-Day Media Symposium organized by the Association  in colloboration with the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies,  University of Uyo, on the theme, "Communication Dynamics and Corporate Governance in Akwa Ibom State. The event which was held at Eden Hotels, Eket, Akwa Ibom State, had as a Keynote Speaker, a renowned and  multiple award-winning Journalist, international Public Affairs Analyst and publisher of NewsAfrica, London, Mr. Moffat Ekoriko. Dissecting the umbrella theme of the symposium in his keynote address on the title: "Communication Dynamics and Corporate Governance in the Niger Delta Region", Mr. Ekoriko...

  Itoro Bassey  Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Usoro Akpanusoh, a two-term former member of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, has commended Senate President Godswill Akpabio for his proven ability to leverage his political influence to benefit the people of Esit Eket Local Government Area. Speaking on Wednesday, June 25, in Ikpa, Esit Eket, Akpanusoh addressed a gathering of APC stakeholders from all ten political wards in Esit Eket, who officially endorsed the re-election bids of President Bola Tinubu, Governor Umo Eno, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio for the 2027 elections.  The event also reaffirmed the political leadership of Chief Bassey Dan Abia in the local government. Akpanusoh, who represented Esit Eket state constituency in the 6th and 7th Assemblies, highlighted how Senator Akpabio has consistently used his political clout to uplift many sons and daughters of Esit Eket in various governance roles, policy-making, and resource allocation, thereby enhancing the socio-e...

  The Nigerian Senate in its Plenary today confirmed the appointment of Ms. Usoro Akpabio as the Managing Director of the South South Development Commission (SSDC). Ms. Akpabio was confirmed alongside other Board members including that of the Chairman, Rt. Hon. Chibudom Nwuche. The confirmation came on the heels of the presentation and adoption of the committee report on the SSDC. Other Board Members whose appointment were equally confirmed include Rt. Hon. Larry Odey (Cross River), Charles Zuofa (Bayelsa), Dr. Nkereuwem Ebong (Akwa Ibom), Engr. Chika Chinda (Rivers), Femi Oise (Edo), Dr. Charles Enukhowhate (Delta), Thabita Ilia Sallah (North East), Alhaji Yusuf Rasaq Amao (North Central), Hon. Bukola Braimoh (South West) and Joseph Mammal (South East) Executive Directors include Marcus Eji (Rivers), Aganaba Steven (Bayelsa), Timi Ayibatonye (Delta), Joseph Ugheoke (Edo) and Sony Abang (Cross River) The session which presided over by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Bar...

In a significant show of unity, leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from all ten political wards in Esit Eket local government area have officially endorsed the second-term aspirations of President Bola Tinubu, Governor Umo Eno, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio for the 2027 elections. The gathering, held at the APC secretariat in Ikpa, Esit Eket, drew thousands of residents, prominent political figures, traditional rulers, community leaders, women and youth groups, all coming together to celebrate and support Governor Eno's administration. The meeting marked the first assembly of APC stakeholders in Esit Eket since the governor's transition from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC. They expressed their satisfaction with the achievements of President Tinubu, Governor Eno, and Senator Akpabio, recognising their contributions to national development and progress. In a communique released at the end of the enlarged meeting, read by former ...

  The Charterhouse Lagos from tomorrow Wednesday 25 to 29 June will be a beehive of fencing activities as it will play host to Fencers from Africa who had arrived Nigeria for this year's African Fencing Championship. Nigerian Fencing Federation had unveiled a 12 member squad for the 23rd  Championship which includes the Warrie siblings who are based on Malaysia; Sara Sofea Idongesit Warrie who will be competing in the female category  while her brothers Mahathir and Mahadi Idongesit Warrie will be competing in the male category. Leading Nigeria’s charge is U.S.-based rising star Inkosi Brou, the country’s first international fencing medallist. The 17-year-old made history earlier this year by winning bronze at the African Junior Championships in Angola and has been steadily competing on the global stage in pursuit of qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Brou is also the grandson of the late NAFDAC DG, Prof. Dora Akunyili. Also on the team is UK-based Oluw...

  The Association of Eket Senatorial District Media Professionals (AESDMP)—a distinguished body comprising seasoned, award-winning journalists and accomplished communication scholars from Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District—is set to host a three-day Media Symposium on “Communication Dynamics and Corporate Governance in Akwa Ibom State.” The event is scheduled to take place from Wednesday, June 25, 2025 (Arrival) to Thursday, June 26( Opening Ceremony & Awards)  to Friday, June 27, 2025, at Nissi Hall, Eden Hotel Limited, Eket, Akwa Ibom State, by 10:00 a.m. daily. The symposium is aimed at promoting transparency, accountability and impact-driven governance through communication. It will feature an impressive lineup of dignitaries and resource persons drawn from academia, government, and the media. The opening ceremony on Thursday, June 26, will have His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD, Governor of Akwa Ibom State, as the Special Guest of Honour. His Deputy and Patr...

  It was a momentous day in Akwa Ibom State as Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Ime Bassey Okon, Member representing Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, joined prominent Nigerians, dignitaries at the Grand Reception of Governor Umo Bassey Eno into the All Progressives Congress (APC). The colourful event, held at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, attracted national party leaders, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, ably represented by Vice President, Kashim Shettima, GCON, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, serving ministers, senators, federal and state legislators, traditional rulers, and thousands of enthusiastic party faithful. In his reaction, Rt. Hon. Ime Okon congratulated Governor Umo Eno on his bold and strategic move, describing it as “a unifying decision that will strengthen collaboration between the state and federal government for the benefit of our people.” The federal lawmaker emphasized that politics should always serve the people ...

  The Honorary Special Adviser to Akwa Ibom State Governor On Infrastructure Maintenance and immediate Past Deputy Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Princess Felicia Bassey, has given Governor Umo Eno a pat at the back for his ingenuity and political foresightness in connecting Akwa Ibom State with the federal Government of Nigeria, expressing optimism that the alignment will not only be mutually beneficial but will attract quality infrastructure and other mouths-watering dividends of democracy to Akwa Ibom State. The renowned grassroots political heavyweight made the Commendation on thursday, June 19, 2025, during a strategic Unity Political Meeting between defected Stakeholders and Members of Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) and Leaders and Members of the All Progressive Congress( APC), Held at the Okobo Development Hall, Okopedi. Giving justifiable reasons while movers and shakers of politics in Okobo must close ranks, be united in love and follow the directi...

  The Member representing Okobo State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Bassey Pius Bassey, has described the defection of Governor Umo Eno to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as timely, necessary and patriotic, commending the governor for his vision and courage to take the step in the collective interest of Akwa Ibom people.  Hon. Bassey, who is the Chairman, House Committee On Environment, gave the commendation on Thursday, June 19, 2025, during a strategic Unity Political meeting between defected former stakeholders and members of Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) and leaders and members of the All Progressive Congress (APC), held in Okobo Local Government Area.  Hon. Pius noted that with the seamless collapse of interests between former PDP stakeholders and members of the APC, a strong synergy has been formed and a formidable force hard to break constituted,  as everyone now speaks the common language  of unity driven by a common p...

  Abuja, Nigeria – June 18, 2025 The Nigerian Senate Committee on the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) has successfully screened Usoro Offiong Akpabio, FRSA, FCE, as the pioneer Managing Director/CEO of the newly established Commission. The screening took place at Committee Hearing Room 2.21, Senate New Building, following an official invitation extended to the nominees earlier this month. The session was chaired by Senator Benson Sunday Konbowei, who led the engagement alongside other distinguished members of the committee. Her confirmation marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s effort to institutionalize coordinated development across the oil-rich South-South geopolitical zone. Akpabio, a seasoned energy executive and public sector strategist, brings over 18 years of experience spanning oil and gas trading, stakeholder engagement, regional energy diplomacy, and public-private development strategy. Until recently, she served as Group General Manager for Trading, Gover...

  By Asuquo Edem  The Member representing Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Ime Okon, has disclosed that projects worth over N1.7b has been attracted to his constituency which has exceeded the N200M earmarked for each Lawmaker for Constituency projects in the 2024 National Budget. Okon while speaking during a Mafia parley today Monday, June 16, 2025, listed several projects commissioned and ongoing in the constituency, including the construction of classroom blocks, civic centers, solar-powered boreholes, and street lights. He also highlighted his legislative achievements, including sponsoring and co-sponsoring several bills and motions aimed at improving the lives of his constituents. On legislation the Lawmaker is listed Motions and Bills sponsored by him to include: -A bill to establish the Metallurgical and Material Engineers and Scientist Registration Board of Nigeria. • A bill to establish the Biomedical Engineers and Scienti...

  By Edet Okpo Senator Ekong Sampson  is a versatile, thorough -bred, purpose- driven, accomplished politician and a quintessential leader cum seasoned lawmaker whose clean bill of dedicated public service is simply amazing and breath-taking, particularly in the red Chamber of the National Assembly where he is bringing his vast, rich and varied experiences in legislative business to bear, turning around the fortunes of the Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District to the admiration and applause of Stakeholders.  His name in the floor of the 10th Senate of the National Assembly needs no introduction. His is loved and cherished by his distinguished Colleagues and Constituents. When he joined the race for the Akwa Ibom South( Eket )Senatorial District  National Assembly election in 2024, it did not sound as any surprise to the people of the senatorial district who already knew his pedigree and  towering record of dedicated public service.  To his Constituents, it wa...

Senator Aniekan Bassey, a member of the 10th Senate and the 6th Legislature of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, has made remarkable strides, demonstrating his capacity to deliver democratic dividends to the people of the Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.  LEGISLATIVE CONTRIBUTIONS From the outset of his tenure, Senator Aniekan Bassey introduced bills and Motions that underscored his commitment to transparency and accountability. They are: BILLS 1. Price Control Act (Amendment) Bill 2023 2. Nigerian Agricultural Preservation Council (Establishment) Bill 2024 3. Agricultural Research Council Act (Amendment) Bill 2024, which sought to establish a Federal College of Fishery and Aquatic Studies in Akwa Ibom North-East, and 4. 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 Altered), to among other things expand the meaning of Judicial Office as set out in ...