The Empire Naija

  By Asuquo Edem  The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the establishment of the Federal University of Agriculture and Technology in Obio Akpa, Oruk Anam Local Government Area, describing the development as a significant milestone for education, agricultural advancement and economic growth in the state. The commendation was made during plenary on Wednesday, following a motion moved by the member representing Oruk Anam State Constituency, Hon. Sampson Idiong, and seconded by the member representing Nsit Ibom State Constituency, Hon. Eric Akpan. Lawmakers expressed optimism that the new federal institution would expand access to tertiary education, strengthen agricultural research, promote technological innovation and equip students with the knowledge and skills required to drive Nigeria's agricultural transformation. Leading the call for the House to formally appreciate the President, Idiong, the Deputy Chief Whip, acknowl...

  By Asuquo Edem  The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has unanimously approved a proposed amendment to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to provide for the establishment of State Police Services, with all 26 lawmakers present voting in favour. The approval was granted during plenary on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, following the adoption of a report by the House Committee on Inter-governmental, Political and Special Matters on the 1999 Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026. The report was presented by the committee chairman, Hon. Emem Udom, as part of the ongoing constitutional amendment process being coordinated by the National Assembly and requiring ratification by state legislatures. The motion for the adoption of the report was moved by the member representing Etim Ekpo/Ika State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Mfon Idung, and seconded by the member representing Ini State Constituency, Hon. Lawrence Udoide. In its report, the committee explained that th...

  By Catherine Akpan Scores of farmers in Eket Local Government Area were yesterday presented with improved agricultural seeds under the Transforming Lives Through Nutrition (TLTN) project, implemented by Helen Keller International, Vitamin Angels and iDE, funded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  The participants, mainly women, 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 before the flag-off exercise at the Council headquarters, the Programme Manager, Mr Michael Daniel described the Transforming Lives Through Nutrition as a global project implemented in twelve countries including Nigeria and the project is currently implemented in 13 States of the federation including Akwa Ibom State. According to him, hundreds of women from the 5 LGAs in the State...

  The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (AKHA) has called for urgent government intervention to halt the devastating erosion menace threatening lives, property and socio-economic activities in Ikot Nkpo Village, Mbiabong Edem Edik, Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area. The resolution of the House followed a motion raised by member representing Ibiono Ibom state constituency, Hon. Moses Essien and seconded by his Esit Eket/ Ibeno counterpart, Hon. Udobia Udoh, for consideration during Tuesday's plenary. While describing the situation as an urgent environmental and infrastructure emergency requiring immediate attention from the state government and relevant agencies, Essien noted with regret the negative impact the continued erosion menace has posed to residents and infrastructure, hence, disrupting economic and social activities across the affected communities. Essien attributed the erosion crisis to the 2020 drainage project construction of the Ibiatuk–Ntan Ekere–Mbiabong Edem Edik ...

  A bill seeking to amend some sections of the Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) law, and a bill to establish the Akwa Ibom State Civil Society Organisations Registry to provide for harmonisation of registrations and related matters have passed first reading at the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. Additionally, two other bills passed the first reading during plenary on Tuesday, September 29th, at the Assembly Complex along Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo. They are: a bill to provide for the elimination of tuberculosis, protect the rights of persons affected by tuberculosis, prohibit tuberculosis-related discrimination, and address related matters; and a bill to regulate tenancy, the recovery of premises by landlords, and the operations of real estate agents in Akwa Ibom State. Three of the bills are sponsored by Rt. Hon. Kufre Abasi Edidem, Deputy Speaker; Hon. Moses Essien (Ibiono Ibom State constituency); and Hon. Uwemedimo Asuquo (Uyo State constituency), respec...

  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...