The Empire Naija

By Asuquo Edem  The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly yesterday passed the supplementary estimates N350,142,918,810 for the year ending 31st December, 2024. This followed a report which was presented to the House  uring Plenary by the Chairman of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon. Dr. Itorobong Etim. The lawmaker informed the House that the Supplementary Budget has an augmented Recurrent Expenditure of N8,922,513,000, against the Approved Provision of N359,065,431,810, totalling N350,142,918,810. The revised Budget according to Hon. Etim who represents Uruan State Constituency also has an augmented Capital Expenditure of N82,414,029,890, against the Approved Provision of N490,905,328,180, totalling N573,319,358,070. After considering the Report at the Committee of Supply, the House approved a Supplementary Budget of N923,462,276,880, with November 28, 2024, at commencement date. The Speaker, Elder Udeme Otong directed the Clerk, Mrs. Nsikak Orok to com...

  • Otobong Sampson If tributes serve as mirror into one's life, then the world has 'seen' in weeks, the entire years of Pastor Patience, without a memoir. Words spoken of someone have never been more genuine; yet no one can exactly put her into words.There is a consensus that Pastor Patience Eno was one of the finest curiosities around to hold the Office of First Lady. Ancient Egyptians, Leo Buscaglia reveals, believed that upon death, they would be asked two questions and their answers would determine whether they could continue their journey in the afterlife. The first question was, 'did you bring Joy?' The second was, 'did you find Joy?' If the departed First Lady would ever get to be asked the two questions above, her answer for the first would be in the thought-provoking and mind-stretching works she accomplished, both as a co-shepherd in God's vineyard and also as the number one woman of Akwa Ibom State. For the second question, the answer would b...

  By Asuquo Edem A total budgetary estimate of N955B for 2025 fiscal year has been proposed by the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno. The governor who presented the budget today at the House of assembly stated that the budget was made of N300B for Recurrent Expenditure while N655B was for Capital Expenditures adding that the budget was predicated on an oil benchmark of 75 dollars per barrel at a production rate of 2.1 million barrels per day with an estimated exchange rate of N1400 er dollar. He assured the Lawmakers that his administration in 2025 would continue to channel funds towards food security, rural development through investment in electrification, primary healthcare services, schools, markets while also revealing that completion of Ukanafun General Hospital would be a priority. Pastor Eno hinted that the 2025 Budget is anchored on the policy thrust of the ARISE Agenda which will continue to improve the living conditions of the pe...

  Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly yesterday received the 2024 Supplementary Appropriation Bill. The Bill which was sent in by the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno was given accelerated hearing and passed through second reading. Giving insights of the principles of the Bill, the member representing Nsit Ubium State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Otobong Bob stated that the bill was essentially aimed at providing funds for the newly established ministries which were not captured in the 2024 budget adding that the capital provisions were centered on infrastructure and capital projects. The Speaker, Elder Udeme Otong who presided over Plenary referred the Bill to the Committee on Finance and Appropriation to report back in one week. In a related development, the House  has constituted the Committee on Nutrition and Food Security. The Speaker, Elder Udeme Otong mentioned the Member for Ibiono Ibom State Constituency, Hon. Moses Essien as the Chairman, with Hon. Ubong Attah of Ibesikpo Asut...

  By Edet Okpo  “We are committed to ensuring that our civil servants receive a fair wage for their hard work and dedication”, Gov. Umo Eno, 2024.  The superscripted words and what has happened thereafter has clearly proven Governor Umo Eno to be a man whose words are his bond. A man of character, he is trusted when he speaks over a matter.  On Saturday, September 21,  2024, a day to the 37th Anniversary of Akwa Ibom State, Governor Umo Eno interacted with journalists in the State during a traditional media parley as part of activities marking the  State Anniversary celebration. At the event, the governor emphatically stated that he was not In a hurry but was ready to interact and give uplifting updates on his template of governance and dreams of the Arise Agenda. As such, he graciously gave the media professionals the benefit of asking a dozen questions to which he offered spontaneous responses that did not only attract applause from the audience at the Go...

    By Edet Okpo Over 300 award-winning Media Professionals, ICT experts and other Communication Students have completed their intensive training in the ongoing training and empowerment programs of the Senator representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator (Dr.) Ekong Sampson.  The training which has as its theme “Training of Youths and Women in ICT and Effective Media Communication in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District” took place on Monday, October 21, 2024 at Watbridge Hotel and Suites, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Participants were selected from the three federal constituencies making up Eket Senatorial District, under the umbrella of Association of Eket Senatorial District Media Professionals.  Giving highlights on the essence of the training, the sponsor and convener of the programme, Senator Ekong Sampson, who is the Chairman, Senate House Committee of Solid Minerals, also used the occasion to give a brief rundown of his achieveme...

In a bold move to seek justice for his constituent, the member representing Itu-Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ime Bassey Okon has presented a petition to the House of Representatives on behalf of Augustine Effiong, a constituent wrongfully dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force. During today's plenary session, Ime Okon urged the House to investigate Effiong's dismissal and facilitate his immediate reinstatement, as well as payment of outstanding entitlements.  He emphasized the importance of fairness and justice in the treatment of Nigerian citizens, particularly those serving the nation. "The wrongful dismissal of Mr. Effiong has caused him and his family undue hardship," Okon stated. "As a representative of the people, it is my duty to ensure justice is served and his rights are protected." The petition was referred to the House Committee on Public Petitions for further action. ©️ Media/Publicity Unit Itu/Ibiono Ibom ...