The Empire Naija

  By Asuquo Edem  Women in Akwa Ibom State have called for the establishment of a dedicated South-South Women Enterprise Fund to provide grants and other financial support to women entrepreneurs, particularly those operating in rural communities. The call was made by the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Hon. Inibehe Silas Etukudo, who was represented by Mrs. Nkechi Udoh, at a stakeholders’ engagement with women’s groups organised by the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) on Tuesday at La Mems Hotel, Uyo. Etukudo said the proposed fund would help bridge the financial gap faced by women entrepreneurs and ensure that development interventions reach women at the grassroots. “Our market women need grants, not just loans at high interest rates,” she said, stressing the need for interventions that would enable women to build sustainable livelihoods and contribute more effectively to the development of their communities. The Commissioner also c...

  Governor Umo Eno has intensified his administration’s youth empowerment drive with the commissioning of a Youth Development Centre in Uruan Local Government Area, designed to provide young people with access to skills acquisition, entrepreneurship and enterprise development opportunities. The centre, commissioned on behalf of the Governor by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the South South Development Commission (SSDC), Princess Usoro Akpabio, is part of the state government’s plan to establish similar facilities across the 31 local government areas of Akwa Ibom State. Speaking at the commissioning, Akpabio described the facility as an investment in the potential of young people, urging beneficiaries to utilise and protect it. She said the centre should serve as a platform where young people could transform ideas into businesses, acquire practical skills and build sustainable careers. “For me, this occasion is particularly special because Uruan is home. To our...

  All Weather Golf (AWG) has honoured Captain William Uwemedimo Iyoho for his outstanding contributions and achievements in the aviation industry. Captain Iyoho was recognised at an event held at Luton Park Hotel, Uyo, which brought together golfers, friends, associates and members of the golfing community to celebrate his accomplishments as an international pilot, entrepreneur and golfer. The citation presented in his honour described him as a distinguished aviator, entrepreneur, golfer and gentleman, highlighting his more than three decades of professional experience and approximately 9,000 hours of flying. Born on June 6, 1972, in Ikeja, Lagos, to Captain Lawrence Uwem Iyoho and Mrs Obiageli Iyoho, Captain Iyoho had his early education in Lagos before attending Command Secondary School, Jos. He later studied Biochemistry at the University of Uyo, graduating in 1991. His career in aviation began in 1994 when he successfully competed for a helicopter training scholarship with Bris...

  By Edet Okpo  Stakeholders and Stalwarts of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oron Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State have disowned one of their own, Mr. Etim Isong, over his aspiration to contest the Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections. The party leaders also said the move was an attempt to scuttle the age-long zoning arrangement in the senatorial district and unanimously declared that 2027 remains the turn of Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency to complete its two terms of eight years in the Senate. Their position was made public on Friday, September 25, 2026, during a press conference held at the Miami Estate Event Centre, Oron by Some Stakeholders and Members of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) Addressing journalists at the Press Conference,, Hon. Okon John Okon, who was flanked by Comrade Esin Bassey, Mr. Victor Edet Paul, Evangelist Uloh Anwanadung and Mr. Victor Bassey Eyo, said the stakeholders had unanimously resolved to up...

  By Asuquo Edem  The Akwa Ibom State Government has unveiled a broad range of agricultural and environmental interventions under Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda, including ₦2 billion in grants to farmers, subsidised mechanisation, 486 kilometres of rural feeder roads and major flood-control and waste-management initiatives. The interventions were disclosed in Uyo by the Commissioners for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Offiong Offor, and Environment, Hon Nsikak Ekong, during the ongoing ministerial media briefing. According to the commissioners, the programmes are targeted at expanding food production, improving rural access, strengthening farmers’ livelihoods and addressing growing environmental challenges across the state. At the centre of the agricultural intervention is an equipment leasing scheme through which farmers can access tractors and other farm implements at a 50 per cent subsidy on land preparation. Offor said the initiative was designed to make mechanised...

  By Aniefiok Christopher  No fewer than 150 women farmers in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area have benefited from the distribution of agricultural inputs under the Transforming Lives Through Nutrition (TLTN) project, implemented by Helen Keller Intl, Vitamin Angels and iDE, funded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The beneficiaries received high-yielding varieties of vitamin A-fortified maize, okra, and groundnut seeds after undergoing training on climate-smart and nutrition-sensitive agricultural practices aimed at improving productivity, nutrition, and household livelihoods. Speaking at the flag-off ceremony held at the Ibiono Ibom Local Government Council Hall, the State Coordinator of Helen Keller Intl, Mrs. Unyime Ekpoudia, explained that the mission of the project is to improve maternal and child health and nutrition through proven interventions and by strengthening health and food systems at scale, with women and children at the center. She noted tha...

  By Moffat Ekoriko Nigeria’s Senate President once famously said that he would have been a comedian and a successful one at that if he had not chosen the path of politics. The comment betrayed the essential Godswill Akpabio: a man who sees the humorous side of life and pokes fun at the foibles of men. To him, life can be a joke or at best too playful to be taken seriously. His childlike disposition is uncommon with politicians. Akpabio is the only politician I know who holds his own phone and will pick the call of even an 18 year old constituent. Much of his character has to do with his background. Akpabio grew up a catholic. He cannot forget his bible lessons where it is said that for any man to enter the kingdom of heaven, he has to be like a child: loving, caring and forgiving. The last trait played out in January when he went to church on New Years Day. After listening to the homily from the priest, he grabbed the microphone to say the message of forgiveness was for him. Ther...