The Empire Naija

  The Member representing Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Ime Bassey Okon, has extended warm birthday felicitations to the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Her Excellency, Distinguished Senator Akon Eyakenyi, Ph.D. In a goodwill message, the federal lawmaker described Senator Eyakenyi as a woman of grace, strength and unwavering dedication to public service, whose contributions to governance have continued to advance the vision of the Akwa Ibom State Government. Rep. Ime Okon commended the Deputy Governor for her steadfast commitment to improving the welfare of Akwa Ibom people, noting that her calm leadership style, depth of experience and strong sense of duty have inspired confidence and stability across the state. He stated that her role in supporting people-oriented policies and sustainable development initiatives remains invaluable to the progress of Akwa Ibom State. “As you mark another year, may God bless you with ren...

  The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC), Ms. Usoro Akpabio, has reaffirmed her commitment to advancing digital empowerment for women, declaring that Nigeria’s future competitiveness depends on strengthening female leadership through technology-driven skills. Akpabio made the assertion while delivering a keynote address at a two-day capacity-building training for spouses of Honourable Members of the House of Representatives. The programme was organised in partnership with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), as part of broader efforts to deepen digital literacy and inclusion nationwide. “When women leaders strengthen their digital competence, they are not merely learning technology — they are shaping Nigeria’s future,” Akpabio stated. “Digital skills are the currency of modern relevance, and empowerment must move from rhetoric to infrastructure.” She revealed that the pilot phase of the digital t...

  The National Information Technology Development Agency has successfully delivered a five-day intensive digital capacity-building programme for young people from Nigeria’s South-South region, reinforcing ongoing efforts to deepen technology adoption and innovation among youths. The training, implemented in partnership with the South South Development Commission, took place at pilot centres in Abuja and Uyo, drawing participants from the six states of the South-South geopolitical zone. The programme, which ended over the weekend, focused on equipping beneficiaries with practical skills in Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence, and emerging digital tools. Participants were exposed to real-world applications designed to enhance their employability, promote entrepreneurship, and prepare them for opportunities within Nigeria’s evolving digital economy. In addition to the hands-on technical sessions, trainees received laptops to enable continued learning and immediate applicat...

  By Ẹdẹt Okpo, PhD The sustained wave of commendations, overwhelming goodwill, and cross-sectional endorsements from stakeholders across Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District, collectively reflect a historically outstanding and record breaking performance; clear and shared aspiration that Ekong Sampson, PhD, returns to the Nigerian Senate in 2027. Currently Chairman, Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development and Senator representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District in the 10th National Assembly, Senator Sampson’s performance has been widely described as outstanding, impactful, and record-setting. The convergence of voices—from political leaders and party stakeholders to youth groups, women, professionals, and community leaders—signals not merely routine political support, but a considered endorsement rooted in performance and legislative value. This sentiment gained further traction following strategic Meeting convened by Governor Umo Eno at the Banquet Hall of the Go...

The South-South Development Commission (SSDC) and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) have sealed a strategic partnership aimed at expanding electricity access and boosting sustainable development across Nigeria’s South-South region. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was formalised over the weekend at the REA headquarters in Abuja, in a move stakeholders say could unlock new economic opportunities in underserved communities. Speaking at the ceremony, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of SSDC, Usoro Akpabio, described the agreement as a major step towards accelerating growth and addressing infrastructure gaps in the region. She stressed that reliable electricity remains central to development, noting that without stable power, meaningful socio-economic progress would be difficult to achieve. Akpabio said the Commission was committed to collaborating with the REA to extend electricity to rural and peri-urban communities, adding that improved power supply would drive pr...

  The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the South South Development Commission (SSDC), Usoro Akpabio, has commended medical practitioners from the South South geopolitical zone for their outstanding performance at the 8th edition of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Doctors’ Games, tagged KADA 2026, held in Kaduna. Reacting to the final medal standings which placed the South South region first with 17 gold medals and 29 overall medals, Akpabio applauded the delegation for demonstrating resilience, discipline, and sportsmanship throughout the week-long competition. She described the feat as a strong testament to the region’s enduring culture of excellence and unity. According to her, the remarkable victory transcends sporting success, reflecting the professional competence, strength, and determination of South South medical practitioners on the national stage. She noted that the doctors’ impressive outing highlights the importance of teamwork, fairness, and healt...

  The Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS) has announced that all taxes and levies must now be paid through AkwaRemit, the state’s approved electronic payment platform:  akwaremit.akwaibomstate.gov.ng For enquiries, please contact: AKIRS Service Support Centre at the Corporate HQs, Revenue House, Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo Any AKIRS office across the state Phone: 080 2222 8662 | 081 3929 7730 | 090 3569 5036

  The South South Development Commission (SSDC) has taken a major step toward positioning the South-South region as a hub for digital innovation, as it moves to strengthen collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to expand youth-focused technology programmes. The Managing Director of SSDC, Ms. Usoro Akpabio, during a courtesy visit to the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, on Tuesday at the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja, said the Commission is determined to unlock the region’s vast digital potential through strategic partnerships. Akpabio noted that the South-South boasts a large, tech-savvy youth population whose potential can be fully harnessed through structured digital skills development, innovation support, and improved access to ICT opportunities. She stressed that collaboration with NITDA would help bridge critical digital skills gaps, open up employment pathways, and stimulate innovation-driven growth across the six...

  The Member representing Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. (Barr) Ime Bassey Okon, has once again underscored his reputation as a lawmaker deeply committed to education and youth development, following his endorsement of the NANS Entrepreneurial Conference. The endorsement was given on Monday, February 9, 2026, when the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) paid him a courtesy visit at his office in the National Assembly Complex, Abuja. Discussions at the meeting focused on the growing need to prepare students for life beyond the classroom through practical and entrepreneurial skills. Rep Okon, who is the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs, commended the initiative, organised by the Office of the NANS National Treasurer, Comrade Heritage Akan, describing the conference theme, “After School, What’s Next?”, as timely and reflective of the realities confronting young graduates in today’s ...

  The Managing Director of the South South Development Commission (SSDC), Ms. Usoro Akpabio, has emerged as a central figure in the evolving political strategy of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State following her engagement with the President of the Senate, Chief (Dr.) Godswill Akpabio, over the adoption of the ARISE With Renewed Hope Initiative for the 2027 general elections. Ms. Akpabio was among leaders of the Initiative who visited the Senate President at his official residence in Abuja, where he was decorated as Grand Patron and formally endorsed the platform as the APC’s recognised structure for coordination, mobilisation, and electoral planning in Akwa Ibom. The Initiative is positioned to drive support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Umo Eno, and Senator Godswill Akpabio, with an emphasis on unity and disciplined grassroots engagement ahead of 2027. During the meeting, Senator Akpabio highlighted Ms. Akpabio’s expanding national role within the ...

  In a direct push to tackle youth unemployment through practical empowerment, the Member representing Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Ime Bassey Okon, has paid the training fees in cash for 20 youths from Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area to undergo long-term skill acquisition programmes. The beneficiaries received the support on Wednesday, February 5, 2026, at the Village Hall, Ikot Usen, Ibiono Ibom LGA, marking the first batch of a constituency-wide skill development initiative designed to equip youths with sustainable, income-generating skills. The skills covered include Auxiliary Nursing, Fashion Designing, Hair Making and Dressing, Patent Medicine Practice, Shoe Making, Hair Styling and Make-up, Carpentry and Joinery, Truck Driving, Plumbing, Automobile Mechanics, Tailoring, Furniture Making, Barbing, as well as trading support for a widow. Presenting the cash support on behalf of the federal lawmaker, the Chairman of the Selection Committee, Mr. Basse...

  By Asuquo Edem  The Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS), Sir Okon Okon, has assured residents that the proposed State tax reform bills before the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly are designed to protect low-income earners, stimulate small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), and strengthen economic growth, despite concerns and dissenting opinions raised by some stakeholders. Sir Okon gave the assurance on Wednesday during a public hearing on three executive bills organised by the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation. The bills include the Akwa Ibom State Revenue Service and Administration Bill 2025, Akwa Ibom State Taxes and Levies Bill 2025, and the Akwa Ibom State Betting and Lottery Regulatory Agency Bill 2025. Addressing stakeholders, the AKIRS chairman—who is also a member of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms—said the reforms would eliminate multiple taxation, harmonise tax administration across the state, ...