The Empire Naija

  In a direct push to tackle youth unemployment through practical empowerment, the Member representing Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Ime Bassey Okon, has paid the training fees in cash for 20 youths from Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area to undergo long-term skill acquisition programmes. The beneficiaries received the support on Wednesday, February 5, 2026, at the Village Hall, Ikot Usen, Ibiono Ibom LGA, marking the first batch of a constituency-wide skill development initiative designed to equip youths with sustainable, income-generating skills. The skills covered include Auxiliary Nursing, Fashion Designing, Hair Making and Dressing, Patent Medicine Practice, Shoe Making, Hair Styling and Make-up, Carpentry and Joinery, Truck Driving, Plumbing, Automobile Mechanics, Tailoring, Furniture Making, Barbing, as well as trading support for a widow. Presenting the cash support on behalf of the federal lawmaker, the Chairman of the Selection Committee, Mr. Basse...

  By Asuquo Edem  The Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS), Sir Okon Okon, has assured residents that the proposed State tax reform bills before the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly are designed to protect low-income earners, stimulate small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), and strengthen economic growth, despite concerns and dissenting opinions raised by some stakeholders. Sir Okon gave the assurance on Wednesday during a public hearing on three executive bills organised by the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation. The bills include the Akwa Ibom State Revenue Service and Administration Bill 2025, Akwa Ibom State Taxes and Levies Bill 2025, and the Akwa Ibom State Betting and Lottery Regulatory Agency Bill 2025. Addressing stakeholders, the AKIRS chairman—who is also a member of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms—said the reforms would eliminate multiple taxation, harmonise tax administration across the state, ...

  By Asuquo Edem  As 2027 approaches, political conversations across Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District are beginning to shift from speculation to substance. In every democratic cycle, this moment often invites heightened scrutiny of those entrusted with public office—not through rhetoric or sentiment, but through records, results, and verifiable impact. Beyond the rising political noise, one fact remains constant: effective representation is best measured by performance. In legislation, oversight, advocacy, and constituency development, the scorecard of Senator Aniekan Bassey has steadily taken shape over the past years, revealing a pattern of deliberate governance, institutional responsibility, and people-centred interventions across the senatorial district. This feature examines that record—not as a response to personalities or partisan exchanges, but as a factual assessment of representation anchored on evidence. As the next electoral cycle draws nearer, the focus na...

  The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested two suspected members of the Black Axe Confraternity during an intelligence-led operation in Uyo. The arrest was made yesterday, 1st February 2026, at about 4:30 p.m., following credible intelligence that a group of suspected cultists were conducting initiation activities at one  Secondary School, along Oron Road (name withheld) Upon arrival at the scene, the suspects fled on sighting the patrol team, abandoning a red mini-bus with registration number NYA-164XA. After a hot chase, two suspects were apprehended namely:  • Anitie  Isaac (Male)  • Unyime Effiong (Male) Items recovered at the scene include:  • One axe  • One brown calabash  • One bottle of Lord’s alcoholic drink  • Different types of incense  • Coloured handkerchiefs  • One Neo Black Axe (Neo Lord’s Movement of Africa) sticker The suspects and exhibits are currently in police custody and undergoing thorough investigation...

  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...