The Empire Naija

  By Asuquo Edem  The Akwa Ibom State Government, in collaboration with Helen Keller and other health partners, on January 30 marked the 2026 World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Day with a road walk across major streets of Uyo, the state capital, to raise public awareness and mobilise support for the elimination of NTDs. World NTDs Day, observed annually on January 30, is dedicated to drawing global attention to diseases that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. The 2026 celebration aligns with global efforts to eliminate NTDs through prevention, treatment and sustained community engagement. Speaking at the event, the Country Director of Helen Keller International, Aliyu Mohammed, who was represented by Bello Oluwabusayo, reaffirmed the organisation’s long-standing partnership with the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health in combating neglected tropical diseases. Oluwabusayo explained that Helen Keller Internati...

  Sequel to the resolution by the Akwa Ibom State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that all the members of the party should convene for a general meeting in all the 368 political wards of the state, House of Representatives member for Uyo/Uruan/Nsit Atai/Ibesikpo Asutan Federal Constituency, Rep. Mark Esset, PhD has commended the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, PhD for his intentional approach to a more united and peaceful Akwa Ibom State.  He further harped on the need for all the party faithfuls in Eastern Nsit Ward 9 to exhibit a high level of unity of purpose and maintain a peaceful coexistence, going forward. Esset gave the charge, Friday, at the converge of the Eastern Nsit Ward 9 All Progressives Congress (APC) members, hosted in Ibakang Village, Nsit Atai Local Government Area. While addressing the party faithfuls, Rep Mark Esset charged the APC faithfuls to toe the path of His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno PhD, by maintaining u...

  Senator Aniekan Bassey of the Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District has intensified grassroots mobilization for the All Progressives Congress (APC), rallying party faithful in Uruan Local Government Area to align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Umo Eno ahead of the 2027 general elections. The Senator made the call during a statewide APC stakeholders’ meeting held at Southern Uruan Ward II, Ekim Enen, where he charged party members to close ranks and strengthen the party's political structure across the ward and beyond. Addressing the gathering, Senator Bassey described politics as a “game of numbers, structure, and participation,” stressing that sustained development can only be guaranteed through strategic political engagement. He commended Governor Umo Eno for what he described as “unprecedented, people-centred governance” under the ARISE Agenda, noting that the administration’s projects have left visible and measurable impacts on communities across Akwa Ibom S...

  What was meant to be a routine APC statewide meeting in Ibiono Ibom Ward 4 on Friday quickly morphed into a full-blown mobilisation ground, as the Member representing Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency, Hon. (Barr.) Ime Bassey Okon, threw his weight squarely behind Governor Umo Bassey Eno’s 2027 re-election bid. Addressing party faithfuls at the Primary School, Atai Ibiaku, Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, during the meeting held on January 30, 2026, Rep Okon charged constituents to close ranks, energise the party structure at the grassroots and deliver massive votes for Governor Umo Eno and the APC in the next general elections. He urged the people to strictly heed the Governor’s directive by intensifying efforts to register and obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and APC membership cards, stressing that professed loyalty to the Governor and the party would be meaningless without translating it into actual votes at the polls. “Ibiono Ibom local government must seize this oppo...

  By Edet Okpo, PhD The Chairman, Senate Committee On Solid Minerals and Senator representing Akwa Ibom South (Eket ) Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Abuja, Senator Ekong Sampson PhD,  is truly making impact and difference in  the lives of his constituents  through provision Of quality Infrastructure such as roads, electricity, healthcare  Services, Education, human empowerment and capacity building initiatives, engagements in lucrative jobs. 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. In less than three years in Office, Senator Ekong Sampson has donated 20 exotic Cars,  buses and trycicles to some Of his Constituents. Within this Week, hẹ has donated  5 Exotic cars to his Constituents across the 3 federal Constituencies making Akwa Ibom South (Eket)Senatorial District: Họn. Barr. Ini I...

  The South-South Development Commission (SSDC), in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), has announced the rollout of Phase II of the Integrated Measles–Rubella and Child Health Vaccination Campaign across the South-South geopolitical zone. The campaign, scheduled to run from January 27 to February 13, 2026, follows an earlier strategic meeting between both agencies and is aimed at expanding access to life-saving vaccines and essential child health services in the region. Speaking on the initiative, the Managing Director of SSDC, Ms. Usoro Akpabio, said the campaign underscores the commission’s commitment to strengthening primary healthcare delivery and safeguarding the health of children in the South-South. The exercise will be jointly coordinated with the Executive Director of NPHCDA, Dr. Muyi Aina. Under the integrated outreach, residents will receive free, WHO-approved vaccines, including Measles–Rubella, Polio, Routine Immunisation, ...

  By Aniefiok Christopher  The Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) has called on relevant agencies of government to ensure mandatory geoscientific investigations before mining activities are carried out in the country. President of the Society, Mrs Rose Ndong, made the call in Uyo during a recent news conference as part of activities marking the 261st National Council Meeting of NMGS. Ndong maintained that such investigations would not only serve as a foundation for sustainable infrastructure development but enhance environmental management. She frowned at the rate with which illegal mining activities are carried out in the country, stressing that aside the economic loss Nigeria had suffered, the environmental degradation had been worrisome. Ndong raised concerns over pushbacks from the people who engaged in such practices when confronted and advocated more sensitisation of the public to curb the menace. “NMGS will continue to advocate for mandatory geoscientific in...