The Empire

The House of Representatives today resumed plenary after the long break occasioned by the Coronavirus pandemic. During the plenary, member representing Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium Federal Constituency, Mr Onofiok Luke called on the Federal Government to grant incentives to local manufacturers to produce Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during this period that the world has been plagued by COVID-19. Mr Luke said at a time like this, nations that are Producing PPE are struggling to meet  local demands and may not be able to supply other countries. This situation  the Lawmaker believes can be arrested by government  encouraging local textile manufacturers to go into the production of PPE. He urged that granting tax rebate to local manufacturers will increase their capacity to produce  PPE to be shared to medical professionals in the country. Mr Luke commended President Muhammadu Buhari's effort and the different state governors in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Edet Okpo In continued show of his strategic, proactive and all-inclusive leadership, Governor Udom Emmanuel yesterday held a media chat with journalists in the State. The  Special Media  Parley which had 100 percent of Members of the State Executive Council in attendance and streamed across many electronic and social media platforms was at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Uyo. Apart from the periodic updates from government quarters that have been occasioned by the ravaging Corona Virus pandemic, the Governor used the opportunity to further put matters in proper perspectives and assured Akwa Ibom people in particular and residents in the State in general of government’s continued and sincere commitments to the challenges of COVID 19. To succeed maximally, the Governor said all must see the fight as a collective one and implored all to support the government patriotically in its genuine efforts, instead of resorting to falsehood, needless criticisms, mischievous all

By Edet Okpo Imagine that while every other schools in the country have shut down completely and hanging their hopes on uncertainties, the story of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), is enviably different for the good reason! Typical of his innovative way of doing things and as a reflection of his clairvoyant leadership, it is commendable to observe that Staff and Cadets of Maritime Academy of Nigeria have not really lost out in their academic activities as is obviously generally the case in other institutions in the country. Foreseeing possible alterations or abrogation of academic calendar as a result of the global outbreak of COVID 19 and its attendant inconveniences, the Rector of the Academy, Commodore Duja Emmanuel Effedua (Rtd.), was quick to utilize modern technology in setting a virtual learning network and mechanism towards ensuring that neither Staff nor Cadets of the Academy lose out in any way. It means that whenever academic activities partially or fully resu

As Citizens of Akwa Ibom State continue to endure the two weeks lockdown as handed down by the Date Governor, there seems to be some level of success in the war against the dreaded Covid-19. Our source, a medical expert informed our reporer that about four out of the five persons who earlier tested positive have turned out negative after a re-test adding that they may be discharged anytime soon Details later..

Youth, elders and stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Esit Eket Local Government Area have cautioned against the unwholesome use of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s name by Elder Benji Udobia and his cohorts in “perpetrating selfish political agenda and laying political landmines that will cause disaffection, disunity and disharmony in the area.” They gave the warning through a statement shortly after an enlarged meeting in Uquo, Esit Eket, at the weekend while reacting to the spate at which the political leader of the area, Elder Udobia; Chairman of Council, Hon. Iniobong Robson; Chairman of the PDP Congress Committee, Barrister Bassey Dan-Abia Jnr, and their cohorts are determined to put their representative in the State House of Assembly, Dr Usoro Akpanusoh, on collision path with Governor Emmanuel. The statement, according to a signatory, Pastor Godwin Endinyang, further banned “the political leader of the area and Chairman of the PDP Congress Committee from parading

The immoral video recently trending in the social media, where a  particular woman who claims to come from Akwa Ibollm State insolently cast a slur on the leadership of the l  continues to receive severe condemnations from well-meaning and responsible Akwa Ibom women. In its reaction to the said video which has caused no little tension and distraction in the polity, a socio-political organization in the State, Nigerian League of Women Voters (NILOWV), has risen to condemn in totality the intent and content of the video and promptly issued warnings to perpetrators of such jokes to immediately refrain and beg God for forgiveness, considering the solemnity of the Easter Season. Describing the act as a gross contempt and desecration of the high cultural values and norms that Akwa Ibom women represent at domestic and international fronts, the Secretary of NILOWV, Dr. Ini Adakpan, speaking in Uyo, yesterday said it was shocking and unbelievable that at a time every hand should be on

In my capacity as Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, I write to appreciate the  bold, proactive and committed governor of our great State, His Excellency, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, for the pragmatic and result-oriented modalities so far put in place to contain the ravaging Covid 19 pandemic. I wish to also commend His Excellency for the periodic follow-up updates and directives through State-wide broadcasts and press releases to the citizenry on current situations and how best to enforce precautionary measures while the pandemic lasts. Sir, your discreet response in also setting up machineries to  provide palliatives to the vulnerable in order to cushion the effects of the lockdown has also endeared the masses to your benevolent personality and People-inclined style of leadership. In view  of this, I categorically wish to state that it would be an act of sabotage and crass  unpatriotism for any bonafide Akwa Ibom citizen or resident in