The Empire Naija

The curtain will fall on the 2025 edition of the Hensek/Atlantic FM Spelling Bee this Thursday, September 11, as finalists drawn from primary and secondary schools across Akwa Ibom State converge on Uyo for the grand finale. The event, billed for 9 a.m. at Flair More Event Center, 98 Edet Akpan Avenue (Four Lanes, near Uma Ukpai), will see top spellers from earlier preliminary rounds battle for honours. Organisers have advised all qualified contestants to be seated before the commencement of the programme to avoid disqualification. In a statement signed by Ubong Sampson, anipr, for the Organising Committee , the public was informed that this year’s edition will feature an interactive audience session for the first time. The initiative will allow children in attendance to participate and win prizes. According to the statement, parents are encouraged to bring along children within the school-age categories to take advantage of the opportunity. The Hensek/Atlantic FM Spelling Bee has...

 Member representing Uyo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Mark Esset, has applauded the commencement of the 2025 Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival, describing the event as a unifying platform that fosters community spirit and promotes tourism. The festival, themed “Nurturing Talents, Promoting Tourism,” was declared open at the Uyo Sports Stadium by Governor Umo Eno, represented by his deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi. The week-long sporting fiesta is expected to discover, groom, and showcase young talents across the state. Speaking shortly after the opening ceremony, Hon. Esset, a self-professed sports enthusiast, said the competition offers more than entertainment, noting its role in strengthening unity across geographical and socio-economic boundaries. “I have strong conviction that all the athletes representing my Federal Constituency — Uyo, Uruan, Nsit Atai and Ibesikpo Asutan — will make us proud by winning laurels, while also maximizing opportunities to ...

By Asuquo Edem  Youth leaders from Uruan Local Government Area have pledged their full support for Governor Umo Eno’s administration and his second-term bid in 2027, following a leadership roundtable held in the area. The meeting, convened by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth, Mr. Ifiok Akpabio, brought together youth stakeholders to deliberate on the future of the community and their role in state development. In a communiqué issued at the end of the session, the youths reaffirmed their commitment to the Governor’s Arise Agenda, describing it as a roadmap for sustainable growth in Akwa Ibom State. They also lauded Governor Eno for what they called “developmental and people-oriented programmes” already impacting Uruan and other parts of the state. The youths resolved to mobilize men and women across the local government to take advantage of opportunities provided through various state government initiatives and digital registration portals. While declaring their politi...

The 14-member investigation committee set up by Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, to probe the maternal mortality incident at the General Hospital, Ikot Ekpene, has formally submitted its report to the State Government. The committee, inaugurated on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, was tasked with uncovering the circumstances that led to the death of a young mother and her newborn during childbirth – a tragedy that sparked public outrage and prompted swift government intervention. Chaired by Prof. Israel Jeremiah, Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Niger Delta University and Professor of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, the panel was mandated to conduct a comprehensive review of clinical, administrative, and systemic factors that may have contributed to the fatal outcome. During its assignment, the committee examined medical records of the deceased patient, interviewed relevant hospital staff and witnesses, and assessed the functionality of equipment, manpower, and resources in...

By Asuquo Edem  The Managing Director of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC), Usoro Akpabio, has pledged sweeping infrastructural and economic transformation across the region, as the Commission held its first inaugural board meeting. In her address, Akpabio said the Commission was determined to move beyond rhetoric and translate vision into tangible progress. “When we look at the South-South, we won’t just see movements, but we will see projects, bold ideas taking shape, industries thriving and communities boldly stepping into their full potential,” she said. She emphasized that the progress currently being witnessed was not accidental but the outcome of strategic leadership and deliberate policy direction. According to her, the SSDC will pursue sound engagement and implement policies that will strengthen the region’s economic backbone, while ensuring that no city, town, or rural community is left behind. Highlighting infrastructure as the bedrock of regional transformat...

By Asuquo Edem  Comfort FM has announced plans to stage a grassroots football tournament tagged the “Comfort FM Neighborhood Football Fiesta” , aimed at fostering unity and discovering new talents through sports. At a press briefing in Uyo on Thursday, Mighty George of Comfort FM described the fiesta as the station’s flagship community project, designed to strengthen bonds within neighborhoods while promoting grassroots football. “Sports is a unifying factor, and we thought of a program that will bring people together, especially around our immediate neighborhood,” he said. “The maiden edition will run from October to December this year, with between 30 and 60 teams expected to participate.” According to the organizers, the tournament will offer cash prizes of ₦1 million for the winners, ₦750,000 for the runners-up, and ₦500,000 for the third-place team. Registration is pegged at ₦20,000 per team, with each squad allowed 20 players. George noted that the event enjoys the reco...

The South-South Development Commission (SSDC) has entered into a strategic partnership with the Nigeria Police Force to enhance security and create a stable environment for economic growth in the region. The collaboration was formalized on Wednesday during a courtesy visit by SSDC Managing Director, Ms. Usoro Akpabio, to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, at Force Headquarters, Abuja. Akpabio commended the IGP for his leadership and ongoing reforms, describing the Police as a critical partner in achieving the Commission’s mandate of driving regional development. She stressed that the South-South, as Nigeria’s oil and gas hub and home to deep seaports and key trade routes, faces persistent threats such as pipeline vandalism, illegal bunkering, militancy, piracy, cultism, and communal conflicts. “Law enforcement is a priority to us. We need your robust policing support to ensure the smooth execution of our development programmes. We need to have a strong working...