The Empire Naija

  The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has warned that financial autonomy for councils must translate into improved infrastructure and accountability, after an oversight visit revealed severe neglect at the Mkpat Enin Legislative Council complex. The Committee, led by Chairman Rt. Hon. Mfon Idung, began its tour of the state’s 31 local government councils on Monday with an inspection of the Mkpat Enin legislative block, the seat of the council’s lawmaking arm.  What the lawmakers met was a facility in disrepair: weather-stained walls, a deteriorating roof, overgrown surroundings, and an overall lack of maintenance. The condition, the Committee said, fell far short of expectations for a council now receiving its statutory allocations directly. “The state of this legislative block is inconsistent with the status of a local government that enjoys financial autonomy,” Rt. Hon. Idung stated. “Institutions of democracy must refl...

  There is an old African proverb that says, "The rain does not fall on one roof alone." In much the same way, the true impact of leadership cannot be confined to a single project, a single community, or a single headline. It must be felt across the lives of ordinary people. This is perhaps the most enduring lesson from the representation of Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Ime Bassey Okon, Member representing Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. In today's political climate, it is easy to reduce representation to the commissioning of projects or attendance at public ceremonies. Yet effective representation goes much deeper. It is about solving problems, opening doors of opportunity, amplifying the voices of constituents, and ensuring that government reaches those who need it most. That philosophy has increasingly defined Rt. Hon. Ime Okon's approach to public service. When hundreds of students struggled under the weight of rising educational expenses...

  Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has applauded the arrival of the first batch of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses in the State, describing the development as a major step towards transforming the State transportation system. Governor Eno, who spoke shortly after receiving and inspecting the buses, disclosed that the 20 vehicles received were part of the 50 ordered by his administration to provide easier, safer, and more efficient transportation service across the 31 Local Government Areas of the state. The Governor commended the Ministry of Transport, the contractor, the military, and other stakeholders involved in the successful delivery of the buses, noting that the next phase is to complete the bus terminal facilities, install tracking devices, and introduce a modern ticketing system. He said the initiative aligns with his administration’s commitment to making transportation “easy and simple” for Akwa Ibom people, adding that the state’s improved road network provid...

By Asuquo Edem  Stakeholders in Nigeria's tax administration and business sectors have underscored the importance of tax awareness, voluntary compliance and ongoing fiscal reforms as critical drivers of sustainable economic growth, improved revenue generation and shared prosperity. The consensus was reached on Friday at the One-Day Tax Awareness Seminar organised by the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Uyo and District Society, in collaboration with the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) and the Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS), at the ICT Hall, Office of the Accountant-General, State Secretariat, Uyo. The seminar, which formed part of activities marking the 2026 Tax Awareness Week, was themed "Tax Awareness for National Growth: Reforms, Compliance and Shared Prosperity." Delivering the welcome remarks, Chairman of the CITN Uyo and District Society, Dens Idorenyin Charles William, FCTI, described taxation as the lifeblood of government and an ...

  By Aniefiok Christopher  The Presiding Bishop of Destiny International Mission Global Assembly, Archbishop Cletus Bassey has expressed optimism that the inauguration Prof. Christopher Ekong as the 9th substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University of Uyo will cause a major transformation of the University and Akwa Ibom State at large. Dr Bassey who doubles as the Chancellor of Leadimpact University, in the United States of America made this position known during a brief chat with journalists shortly after the inauguration of the new Vice Chancellor, adding that he was excited about the elevation of Prof Chris Ekong, whom he described as a jolly good fellow, admired by many and associates well with the low and mighty in the society. According to him, the new Vice Chancellor should be given space and time to execute his plans for the institution, expressing confidence, that with his wealth of experience and network, the university community will experience a face lift, with mon...

  By Asuquo Edem  The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has adopted a resolution calling for the immediate prohibition of all forms of sign-out celebrations in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions across the state, citing growing concerns over moral decadence, violence, substance abuse and other anti-social behaviours associated with the practice. The resolution followed the consideration of a Motion on Notice sponsored by the Member representing Esit Eket/Ibeno State Constituency, Hon. Udobia Friday Udo, during plenary. Leading debate on the motion, Hon. Udobia argued that while educational institutions are established to promote learning, discipline, moral values and responsible citizenship, the culture of sign-out celebrations by graduating students has increasingly degenerated into activities that undermine these ideals. According to him, what was once intended as a celebration of academic accomplishment has, in recent years, become synonymous with indecent dressin...

    Nsikak Akpan   In a move aimed at expanding access to quality healthcare and promoting the welfare of his constituents, the Member representing Okobo State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Bassey Pius Bassey, has enrolled 100 residents into the ARISE Health Insurance Scheme.   Bassey, said the initiative was designed to cushion the financial burden of healthcare on vulnerable individuals and families, noting that many residents often struggle to access medical treatment due to the high cost of healthcare services. He explained that the beneficiaries were carefully selected from various wards to ensure broad-based impact and inclusiveness.   According to him, the intervention aligns with the healthcare pillar of Governor Umo Eno's ARISE Agenda, which places premium importance on the wellbeing of citizens through accessible and affordable healthcare. He commended the Governor for sustaining people-oriented programmes that prioritize ...

  By Asuquo Edem  Access to justice remains one of the strongest indicators of a functional democracy. It is therefore not surprising that the proposed Office of the Public Defender Bill has attracted widespread interest for its potential to bridge the gap between the law and those who lack the financial means to enforce their rights. Setting the tone for deliberations at the public hearing, Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary, Justice, Human Rights and Public Petitions, Hon. Prince Aniefiok Attah, described the Bill as a reflection of the commitment of the administration of Governor Umo Eno to strengthening access to justice and ensuring that the protection of legal rights is never determined by an individual's financial capacity. According to him, the proposed legislation seeks to institutionalise legal assistance for indigent and vulnerable persons, thereby promoting fairness, equality before the law and the effective protection of fundamental rights. He described ...

  By Asuquo Edem  The Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Essien Udom (SAN), has described the proposed establishment of the Office of the Public Defender as a progressive reform that will guarantee access to justice for indigent and vulnerable persons in Akwa Ibom State, urging the State House of Assembly to expedite the passage of the Bill into law. Speaking on Friday while presenting a memorandum at a joint public hearing organised by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, the Attorney-General said the proposed legislation would strengthen the justice delivery system by ensuring that no citizen is denied legal representation because of poverty or other forms of vulnerability. According to him, the administration of justice is founded on the principle that every individual, irrespective of social or economic status, deserves equal protection under the law. He noted that many citizens are unable to access legal services due to financial constraints, ...

  By Asuquo Edem  Healthcare is often measured not only by the number of hospitals a government builds, but also by how quickly help gets to a patient when every second counts. Around the world, emergency medical services have become one of the strongest indicators of an efficient healthcare system because the difference between life and death is often determined within the first few minutes after an accident, stroke, cardiac arrest, difficult childbirth or other medical emergencies. It is against this background that the proposed Akwa Ibom State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance Systems Agency Bill stands out as one of the most strategic healthcare reforms currently before the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. Beyond creating another government agency, the bill seeks to establish a structured, coordinated and legally backed emergency response system capable of saving thousands of lives across the state. For many years, emergency response in many parts of Nigeria has d...

  The Executive Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS), Sir Okon Okon, has described the three executive bills presented for public hearing on Monday June 15, 2026 by the State House of Assembly as strategic instruments for economic transformation in line with Governor Umo Eno's ARISE Agenda. Sir Okon made the assertion while delivering a goodwill message at a public hearing on the bills held on Monday, June 15, 2026, at Luton Park Hotel, Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo, the temporary venue of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. The bills under consideration were the Akwa Ibom Geographic Information Service Bill, the Public Procurement Bill, and the Akwa Ibom State Senior Citizen Agency (Establishment) Bill. Commending the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno PhD for his prudent management of resources, sound fiscal policies, and the rapid development witnessed across the state since 2023, Sir Okon said the proposed Geographic Information Service Bill would unlock new opport...

  By Asuquo Edem  In an era where political representation is often measured by promises, Senator Aniekan Bassey, Ph.D, has chosen to be measured by performance. Three years after the people of Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District entrusted him with the mandate to represent them in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, his scorecard tells a compelling story of purposeful legislation, strategic interventions and people-centred governance. From sponsoring laws that seek to protect ordinary Nigerians and attract federal institutions to Akwa Ibom State, to facilitating healthcare, education, infrastructure, employment and economic empowerment programmes worth billions of naira, Senator Bassey has steadily built a reputation as a lawmaker more interested in results than rhetoric. Today, constituents across Uyo, Uruan, Nsit Atai, Nsit Ibom, Nsit Ubium, Itu, Ibesikpo Asutan, Etinan and Ibiono Ibom are not merely hearing about representation; they are experiencing it. The...