The Empire Naija

Following the success of the first batch and a renewed drive to continue supporting brilliant but indigent students, the Member representing Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency, Hon. (Barr.) Ime Bassey Okon, has inaugurated the implementation committee for the second batch of his Educational Support and Bursary Award Scheme. The inauguration took place Tuesday at the constituency office in Itu, where the lawmaker reaffirmed his commitment to easing the financial burden faced by students pursuing higher education. Represented by the Executive Chairman of Ibiono Ibom Local Government Council, Obong Asuakak Umoh, the federal lawmaker said education remains a critical pathway for social advancement, noting that the educational grant initiative was designed to give students from less privileged backgrounds the opportunity to continue their studies. He urged members of the committee to handle the assignment with transparency and fairness, stressing that the selection process must strictly f...

  The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has initiated steps to investigate the prolonged delay in the construction of the Udung Uko–Itak Road, raising concerns over the state of the project and the circumstances surrounding its non-completion. The resolution followed a motion moved during plenary by the Chief Whip of the House and Member representing Mbo State Constituency, Rt. Hon. (Sir) Effiong Johnson, who called for urgent intervention to determine the true status of the road project. Presenting the motion, Johnson urged the House Committee on Works to carry out an on-the-spot assessment of the Udung Uko–Itak Road in order to ascertain the current level of work done and identify the challenges affecting the completion of the project. He further called on the Ministry of Works to conduct a thorough investigation into the contract awarded to Evomec Global Services Limited for the construction of the road. The investigation, he said, should cover the contract terms, funds released...

  By Asuquo Edem  The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly on Monday held a public hearing on three critical environmental bills seeking to regulate scrap metal dealers, prohibit the use of polystyrene and other single-use plastics, and institutionalize climate change action in the state. Declaring the Hearing open, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong who was represented by the Chief Whip, Rt. Hon. Effiong Johnson, said the exercise was part of the legislature’s commitment to inclusive law-making and democratic governance. He noted that public hearings provide an avenue for stakeholders and citizens to contribute to legislation that affects their social, economic and environmental wellbeing. Otong explained that the bills under consideration include the Scrap Metal Dealers Regulation Bill, the Polystyrene and Single-Use Plastics Prohibition Bill, and the Akwa Ibom State Climate Change Bill. According to him, the proposed laws reflect the 8th Assembly’s determination to ena...

  Edet Okpo, PhD  As the Second term Support structure Of Senator Ekong Sampson, Senator representing Akwa Ibom South ( Eket) Senatorial District in the National Assembly, keeps swelling every day, another prominent political heavyweight from Oro Nation and former Speaker Of Akwa Ibom State House Of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Barr. Chief Peter Linus Umoh, says he is fully in alignment with the majority Of Stakeholders from Akwa Ibom South ( Eket) Senatorial District to endorse and Support Senator Ekong Sampson for a second term in the Senate. Addressing Journalists in his Uyo residence at the Weekend, Barr.   Umoh who is also a former Member representing Oron/ Okobo/ Mbo/ Udung Uko/ Urueoffong & Oruko Federal Constituency in the House Of Representatives Abuja, stated thus: " As a former Speaker Of Akwa Ibom State House Of Assembly and former Member Of the House Of Representatives, I think I am better placed with Legislative experience to tell the People Of Akwa Ibom S...

  The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly is set to hold a public hearing on three key pieces of legislation aimed at strengthening environmental protection and improving regulatory oversight across the state. The hearing, convened by the House Committee on Environment, will deliberate on the Scrap Dealers Bill, 2025; the Polystyrene (Styrofoam) and Other Single Use Plastics (Prohibition) Bill, 2025; and the Akwa Ibom State Climate Change Bill, 2024. The public hearing is scheduled to take place on Monday, March 9, 2026, at the Conference Hall of Luton Park Hotels, No. 1 Unity Park Road, off Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo, beginning at 10:00 a.m. The engagement is expected to attract stakeholders from relevant sectors, including environmental experts, industry operators, civil society groups, and members of the public, who will be given the opportunity to present memoranda and make contributions to the proposed legislation. The Scrap Dealers Bill seeks to regulate scrap trading activities wit...

  One of the major Stakeholders in  Akwa Ibom South ( Eket) Senatorial District and political  leader of Esit Eket Local Government Area, Elder Benjamin Udobia, has joined the league of other prominent Stakeholders in the Senatorial District to endorse Senator Ekong Sampson,  Chairman, Senate Committee on Solid Minerals and Senator representing Akwa Ibom South ( Eket)  Senatorial District in the National Assembly, for a second term. Speaking on Monday , March  2, 2026,  during an exclusive interview with some Journalists in his Uyo residence,  Elder Udobia stated that returning  Senator Ekong Sampson to the Senate will be an icing on the cake and will greatly leverage his status to attract more projects and quality programs to the Senatorial District. The renowned Elder Statesman hinted that his decision to back Senator Ekong Sampson's second term bid was based on his superlative performance in the area of lawmaking,  oversight, represen...

  A foremost umbrella Media Advocacy Group in Akwa Ibom South ( Eket) Senatorial District , with a mandate to promote transparency, accountability and impact in governance, the Association of Eket Senatorial District Media Professionals, has thrown its weight behind the collective position of Stakeholders of Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District , during Stakeholders Meeting on December 30, 2025 at Villa Marina, Eket to adhere to zoning, promote performance, encourage ranking and ensure Senator Ekong Sampson, Senator representing Akwa Ibom South(Eket )Senatorial District in the National Assembly , remains in the Senate beyond 2027. The Chairman, Association of Eket Senatorial District Media Professionals, Elder Edet Okpo ,PhD, dropped the hint today while interfacing with a cross section of Newspaper publishers and online bloggers at NUJ Press Center, Information Drive, Uyo  According to Dr. Edet Okpo, the convergence of voices—from political leaders and party...