The Empire Naija

  By Edet Okpo, Ph D Senator Ekong Sampson is truly making a difference in the lives of his constituents, promoting healthcare, quality infrastructure, human empowerment and capacity building.  His huge investment in education especially in the provision of scholarship and grants to students is no small feat, and it is clear that he is  passionate about empowering the next generation. What struck me recently was when Senator Ekong Sampson disbursed the sum of 100,000,000 Million Nairan to about 500 Students on December 1, 2025, making his Constituents to believe that When Senator Ekong Sampson says a thing , he does it. His vision for education advancement in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District is commendable. Senator Ekong Sampson's love for quality education has never been in doubt. He is one of the intellectually blessed Senators in the 10th National Assembly, a blessing he has used extensively and ungrudgingly in the development of humanity in numerous ways. In respon...

Imagine a place where ancient civilization meets vibrant modern community. This is Ikono LGA, a destination that defies simple categorization. While proudly bearing the mantle of the Ibibio cradle, it is equally a forward-looking community, home to institutions like the Akwa Ibom State College of Science and Technology and a network of over 150 schools. This fascinating duality makes Ikono a uniquely compelling place to visit. For the cultural purist, Ikono is a treasure trove. It is a living archive where traditions are not performed for tourists but are integral to community life. Yet, this deep respect for heritage coexists with tangible development. Visitors can admire the robust infrastructure, interact with students, and witness a local economy buoyed by civil service, agriculture, and commerce. This harmony offers a realistic and inspiring view of how a society can honor its past while building its future. Your visit supports this organic ecosystem. By exploring Ikono's craf...

There is a colourful reason travellers and culture lovers are heading to Akwa Ibom State this December. Christmas Unplugged 3.0 has become a major cultural festival that brings communities together, and Ika Local Government Area is one of its most anticipated lead performers. Ika is more than a festival presence; it is a community with a history built across more than fifty villages, each contributing to the identity of the larger Annang cultural group. The headquarters at Urua Inyang is a great starting point for visitors interested in seeing traditional village life up close, learning about local customs, and understanding how heritage is preserved in everyday life. What sets the Ika cultural display apart at Christmas Unplugged are the performances that draw from age-old traditions. From symbolic movements to vibrant group dances, visitors witness a deep cultural narrative that reflects unity, shared history, and a strong communal spirit. This cultural expression, known as Akakum or...

Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area brought life, colour, and deep cultural pride to the Christmas Unplugged Village Square on 9 December 2025. Their outing was not just a performance; it was a well-rooted expression of history, unity, and identity that strengthened Akwa Ibom’s growing reputation as a global cultural destination. Created on 1 October 1996, Ibesikpo Asutan stands on rich ancestral foundations linked to Asikpo Nnakada of Usakedet. The LGA’s seventy nine villages, bordered by Uyo, Nsit Atai, Nsit Ibom, and Nsit Ubium, share a long history of resilience, strong Christian values, and community cohesion. Since the arrival of Christianity in 1917, the people have maintained a tradition of unity that continues to shape their social and cultural life. Executive Chairman, Rt. Hon. Evang. Edidiong Inyang, described the area as “a broom that cannot be broken,” a metaphor that reflects their strength in togetherness. The Chairman highlighted iconic symbols such as the Lion, known...

  The Citizens Roundtable for Good Leadership Initiative, popularly known as the Citizens Assembly, has unveiled an ambitious set of reforms targeted at repositioning Akwa Ibom State for life beyond oil. The proposals emerged from a three-day on-air summit aired live on XL 106.9FM, where experts from agriculture, technology and the maritime sector dissected new economic pathways for the state. The summit, themed “Reimagining Akwa Ibom: Economic Prospects and Opportunities Beyond Oil,” drew specialists including agricultural consultant Dr. Clement Uwem, tech innovators Francis Onuk and Hanson Johnson, and maritime scholar Barr. Kingsley Ekwere. Over the three days — December 2nd, 3rd and 5th — the Assembly hosted robust discussions centred on modern agriculture, digital innovation and the Blue Economy. On the opening day, panelists scrutinised the shortcomings of agribusiness in the state, lamenting poor continuity, weak market linkages and low youth participation. They argued that ...

For the cultural explorer, the curious traveler, or anyone seeking a Christmas with substance, Akwa Ibom Christmas Unplugged 3.0 is a must-visit. Here is a straightforward list of ten reasons why. Reason one: Heritage on display. The festival proves that Akwa Ibom's rich traditions are not fading. They are thriving, performed with a power and passion that only comes from genuine practice. Reason two: Thirty-two days of activities. This is not a one-off event. The lengthy duration means less pressure, more exploration, and the ability to catch multiple unique performances. Reason three: Governor Umo Eno is personally involved. His flag-off of this 32-day fiesta signals its importance. This level of endorsement means resources and attention are dedicated to making it a success for all. Reason four: It is a true alternative. If commercialized, generic Christmas events have lost their appeal, this festival offers a refreshing return to community-focused, artistically driven celebration...

  By Asuquo Edem  The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Linus Nkan, on Tuesday delivered an extensive defence of the 2026 Appropriation Bill during a Public Hearing of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation held at Luton Park Hotel.  Addressing lawmakers, civil society representatives and development stakeholders, the Commissioner broke down the fiscal proposal and explained why the administration is taking a deliberately investment-heavy route in the coming year. Nkan reaffirmed that the total size of the 2026 budget stands at ₦1.390 trillion, a figure he described as both “ambitious and realistic” given current revenue indicators and development needs. He explained that the proposal allocates ₦1.035 trillion to capital expenditure, leaving ₦354.8 billion for recurrent obligations. According to him, the overwhelming shift toward capital spending underscores the Governor’s resolve to channel resources into projects that expand ec...

  By Edet Okpo  Major Stakeholders and political heavyweights across Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District of Akwa Ibom State have applauded the Chairman, Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, Senator Ekong Sampson, for disbursing ₦100 million in educational grants to 500 students and selected  teachers drawn from the 12 local government areas of the district. The event, held on Monday, December 1, 2025, at the senator’s constituency office in Eket, was described as historic and symbolic, the first of its kind in the history Of Representation in the Senatorial District. Each beneficiary Of the grant received not less than ₦200,000 under the Ekong Sampson Empowerment Programme (ESEP). Former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Barr. Bassey Dan Abia, who chaired the occasion, praised Senator Sampson for what he termed a “whopping and unprecedented” investment in education, describing the lawmaker as “the pride of Akwa Ibom South Senatorial...

  By Asuquo Edem  In what forms part of a series of ongoing engagements aimed at properly sensitizing citizens on Nigeria’s new tax reforms, the Akwa Ibom Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS) on Wednesday held another extensive interface with professional bodies and business associations in Uyo. The session, which took place at the ICT Conference Room of the Accountant-General’s Office, brought together representatives of key groups as preparations intensify for the commencement of the new tax regime on January 1, 2026. The meeting drew participants from core professional bodies including the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN). Also present were associations of private schools owners, community pharmacists, private medical practitioners, and other business groups. Addressing the gathering, the Executive Chairman of AKIRS...

  The South-South Development Commission (SSDC) has strengthened its push for accelerated regional development after a high-level engagement with the Dangote Group culminated in major commitments on investment, energy expansion and youth training. The two-day working visit, led by SSDC Managing Director Ms. Usoro Akpabio, featured an extensive tour of the multibillion-dollar Dangote Refinery complex in Lagos over the weekend. Welcoming the delegation, President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, pledged deeper involvement in the South-South region, announcing that plans were already underway to establish a stronger operational presence across the six states. Dangote also said the Group would scale up training opportunities for young people from the region, equipping them with globally competitive technical skills that could secure high-value employment both locally and overseas. He noted that such skills export would contribute significantly to national development through...

By Asuquo Eden At least 50 items have been exempted from tax under the New Tax Acts which is billed for implementation from January 1, 2026. This is to boost economic growth and development as it will attract more persons and investors into business, ease pressure on individuals and open up the space for SMEs. Some of the exempted items include basic needs and services like food, education, health and pharmaceutical material, diesel, petrol, and solar power equipment, transportation, agricultural products, etc. Also, individuals earning less than 1 million annually;  While addressing journalists recently at Press Centre of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Uyo, the Executive Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS), Mr. Okon Okon, lent voice to this positive development, noting that the New Tax Acts was designed to relieve Nigerians of many burdens while giving incentives for robust economic activities. Okon, a Member of the Presidential Committee on Fi...

  By Asuquo Edem Worried by the resultant effect caused by the inferno and the plight of affected traders of Ikot Expene Main Market, the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has called on the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to immediately assess the damage and provide relief materials to assuage the conditions of affected traders. The Speaker, Elder Udeme Otong who prisided over Plenary mandated the Clerk, Mrs. Nsikak Orok, to officially notify SEMA through the Office of the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi. The directive followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Hon. Jerry Otu, member representing Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara State Constituency. Hon. Otu while presenting a Matter of Urgent Public importance before the House, described the incident as a crippling blow to hundreds of traders, many of whom had stocked goods on loan ahead of the Christmas season. He appealed for prompt intervention to cushion the impact and restore the livelihoo...

  By Asuquo Edem  Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly today rejected a motion brought before it by the member representing Etinan State Constituency, Hon. Uduak Ekpoufot. The motion presented before the House seeks to discontinue the consumption and sale of dog meat in Akwa Ibom State has failed to scale through the floor of the State House of Assembly after it received no seconder during plenary. Hon. M Ekpoufot, raised strong concerns over the inhumane slaughter of dogs, the unhygienic conditions involved, and the serious public-health risks associated with dog-meat consumption. He argued that the methods used to kill dogs were cruel, often involving strangulation, blunt-force trauma, or repeated blows, leading to severe animal suffering. The lawmaker further warned that poorly processed dog meat exposes consumers to dangerous pathogens such as rabies, salmonella, trichinella and other parasites, stressing that the practice has been banned in several countries due to safety co...

  By Edet OKPO  Driven by his unwavering commitment to place education as one of the major focal points of his quality representation in the red chamber of the National Assembly; his huge investment in the sector and his sustained efforts in boosting human capital development, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Solid Minerals and Senator representing Akwa Ibom South ( Eket) Senatorial District in the National Assembly ( Senate), Senator Ekong Sampson, on Monday, December 1, 2025, disbursed the sum of (100, 000, 000), One Hundred Million Naira to about 500 Students and Teachers drawn from the 12 local government areas of Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District, with each beneficiary collecting not less than #200,000 ( Two Hundred Thousand Naira) Only.  In a well attended ceremony which took place at the Senator's Constituency Office in Eket, stakeholders at the event who described the gesture by the senator as symbolic, first in the history of representation in the...

  By Edet OKPO  Akwa Ibom State Governor,  Pastor Umo Eno, has received strong commendation from the Member representing Okobo State Constituency in Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Bassey Pius Bassey for securing international status for Victor Attah International Airport.  The airport recently gained full approval for international flight operations on November 27, 2025, after meeting the required standards. Speaking on the sideline of the Coronation of Paramount Ruler of Okobo, His Eminence, Edidem Ita Okokon, over the weekend,  Hon. Bassey noted that the Governor Eno's efforts have also led to the restoration of night flight operations at the airport, with upgraded navigational and lighting systems.  According  to Hon. Bassey Pius Bassey who is also the Chairman, House Committee on Environment in Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, the upgrade of the Victor Attah Airport is expected to boost tourism and economic growth in Akwa Ibom State, pos...

  The Chairman of the Akwa Ibom Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS), Mr. Okon Okon, has assured residents and businesses in the state that the new national tax reforms currently being implemented by the Federal Government will bring far-reaching reliefs, curb multiple taxation and boost economic growth across the country. Addressing journalists yesterday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Uyo, Okon said the reforms, introduced after the Federal Government set up a Tax Reforms Committee in 2023, had stirred public anxiety, making it necessary for authorities to explain their true intentions and benefits. He emphasized that the new framework was designed to correct long-standing challenges in Nigeria’s tax system, many of which were rooted in outdated colonial-era laws. According to him, the previous system was characterized by fiscal imbalance, inconsistent tax administration across different jurisdictions, insufficient transparency and multiple taxpayer identifi...

  Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, has praised the Member representing Uyo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Mark Udo Esset, for what he described as an “impactful and people-oriented representation” in the National Assembly. The commendation came on Thursday during Esset’s Constituency Briefing and Empowerment Programme held at Ibom Hall Grounds, Uyo. Governor Eno, represented by his Political Adviser, Prince Godwin Ntuk Udeh, Ph.D, said Esset’s development-driven interventions align with the state government’s ARISE Agenda. According to the Governor, Esset’s legislative strides—ranging from bills sponsorship to free medical outreaches, installation of solar-powered boreholes, and human capacity development—have reinforced the administration’s push for inclusive growth and grassroots empowerment. He urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the items received and continue supporting government programmes designed to uplift communities. S...