The Empire

  By David David Dr. Uduak Onofiok Luke,  wife of the Member representing Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium Federal Constituency Rt. Hon.(Barr.) Onofiok Luke  may not have gone the pop way to celebrate her 40th birthday in Uyo, rather she chose to give back to members of the society by awarding scholarship to the best graduating student of her almamater-Union Secondary School as well as give financial support to FIDA, NAWOJ and NES. At De Angelo hotel in Uyo,  Uduak Luke, in an emotion-laden voice recalled how God has been good to her and her family members, and attributed her achievements in life to God's mercy. The University lecturer hailed her husband Barr. Onofiok Luke for being her unshakable pillar of support and a good adviser. She also commended the first lady, Dr. Martha Emmanuel for living by example and assisting the less privileged in the society. Speaking,  the celebrant's friend Mrs. Inemesit Enobong Uwah described Dr. Uduak Luke as a friend in need and indeed. Mrs. Uw

  By Edet Okpo Governor Udom Emmanuel's succession agenda in 2023 may be devoid of hiccups and hitches  in Okobo Local Government Area, as relevant political stakeholders and actors have unanimously resolved to work together towards supporting whosoever the incumbent Governor and the Party hierarchy will present to fly the flag of Peoples Democratic Party(PDP)in the next general elections.  The resolution was reached  at the end of the Ward Committees'  Inauguration  in Okobo on Saturday, November 6, 2021, ably led by the Local Government Coordinator and Deputy Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly,Rt. Hon. Princess Felicia Bassey. Addressing the large crowd of peacemakers and PDP Members who converged  at their  various wards in Okobo,  Princess Felicia Bassey noted that the Peace Advocacy Movement conceived by Governor Udom Emmanuel to stimulate,strengthen and increase  the membership of PDP,has its principal objectives of sustaining the prevailing peace in the State w

Member representing Etinan /Nsit Ibom/ Nsit Ubium Federal Constituency, Mr Onofiok Luke has called on the Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC), Akwa Ibom State Council to prioritise training and retraining for it members to meet up with changing times.  Luke gave the charge at the opening ceremony of the  2021 NLC State Level School held at the Workers' Solidarity Centre in Uyo,  when he presented a keynote address on the theme : Skills Development: Reshaping Union's Policy, Strategies and Actions for Sustainability of the Workplace. The lawmaker told   NLC that the world of work is undergoing a major process of change. According to him; "There are several forces transforming it, from the onward march of technology and the impact of climate change to the impact of demographic changes in economics and employment" "There is a new reality of unprecedented, transformative change in the world of work. This transformative change will only excite the people who are sustainabl

   Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, Mr Onofiok Luke, has called for greater protection of human rights of citizens in administration of criminal justice in Nigeria and the abolition of public parading of suspects in the media. Luke stated this at the Expert Review Meeting on the proposed amendments to the Administration of Criminal Justice Administration Act, 2015 organized by the Center for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS) in Abuja.   “Of major concern to me is the issue of investigation, arrest and detention of suspects because they bear directly on the human rights of citizens. These areas leave much discretion to law enforcement agencies. It seems as if in Nigeria this discretion is abused by not being exercised properly and fairly. It is sometimes tended to be exercised in a punitive manner by law enforcement agencies. It is important that proper investigation be carried out before arrest. Suspects should not be unnecessarily detained; where they are arrested, they should be char

As Nigerians gear up for leadership recruitment through the ballot in 2023, a national lawmaker and member representing Etinan/Nsit Ubium/Nsit Ibom Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Barrister Onofiok Luke, has urged the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) to set the agenda and be in the forefront of the process. Barrister Luke made this known at the Image House, Uyo, on Thursday where he presented a PR Lecture as a Special Guest during the October Meeting of the Akwa Ibom State Chapter of the Institute. Addressing members of the Institute and other attendees via Google Meet on “the Role of PR in Governance, National Integration, Peace and Security,” the national lawmaker said it was imperative for Nigerians to pursue things that will integrate and unite the people more than ever. He maintained that “There could have been no better profession to properly champion this course than the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations. As we begin another leadership rec

  By Ayubong Edet  Does "Freedom of the Press" mean that a journalist or something in resemblance of that name can say or write anything he wants - anyhow, anytime, without the faintest pricking of conscience?  This was the first wave of query that surged in on us on stumbling on Unwana Assam's  report, posted recklessly on  Newsline9ja.com and widely syndicated by other credulous social media platforms. The fabricated report came with a rather curious, amateurish, imaginative and meandering title: "Exposed: A"Ibom First Lady Allegedly Pays Some PDP Chapter Women Leaders 250k For National Convention, Shuns Others... As Aggrieved Chapter Women Leaders Set to Protest" Nothing but hunger and hopelessness must have inspired Unwana Assam to embark on a suicidal mission of this doomed destination in the fantasy realm of self-destructive imaginations. It is pertinent to state, first and foremost, that except something urgent was done, with reports such as this, al

    By Edet Okpo Rural women and girls play essential roles in food systems – from production to processing, preparation, consumption, and distribution of food – as well as in securing household and community nutrition. Locally and globally, the records stand tall in their favour; yet many appear to have taken them for granted because of prejudices and traditions. Standing on the platform of the 2021 International Day of Rural Women, celebrated globally on October 15, 2021, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr. Ini Adiakpan says it is time all obnoxious traditions and beliefs tied around women's necks be removed to enable them do more in feeding the world. This is one woman who has been vocal and consistent on the advocacy of women emancipation and breaking of all gender barriers to allow women fully showcase their talents and potentials in creating a better world for humanity. And facts on ground support her concerns: Unequal power relations be