The Empire

  By Anny Bassey Concerned Citizens of Offot Ukwa Clan in Uyo Local Government Area have condemned ongoing attempt by political gladiators in Uyo to distort the existing zoning arrangement in the area. The citizens under the auspices of Uyo Aborigines made this position known recently while reacting to the speculations that some PDP chieftains in the corridors of power are currently championing the cause for the re-election of Dr. Uwemedimo Udoh as the executive chairman of the area. Speaking on the implication, Mr. Charles Inyang, a political stalwart from Aka Offot said such distortion is capable of jeopardizing the existing unity amongst the four Clans that make up Uyo Local Government Area. It would be recalled that political stakeholders from respective Wards in Uyo had in 2002 agreed to rotate the existing elective offices including the office of Chairman and the seat for Uyo State Constituency, among the four Clans that make up the area. Explaining further, Mr. Inyang hinted tha

  An orchestrated smear campaign and manufactured lies purported sponsored by some inconsistent and idle politicians in Okobo local government  area in order to blackmail the immediate past two terms  deputy Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and Political leader of Okobo, Rt. Hon. Princess Felicia Bassey  and  give her a wounding image before the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, has been uncovered. In the early hours of Wednesday, February 28, 2024, the attention of the Honorary Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure Maintenance was drawn to a cocktail of lies and malicious blackmail- laden yet to be published article alleged to emanate from some funny political jobbers from Okobo Local government Area who cried foul  and lazily laboured in vain to claim that she  and the Member representing Okobo State Constituency in Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Bassey Pius Bassey  have hijacked the ongoing Construction work  for a Model School Project In

  By Asuquo Edem  Concerned about the need to access quality essential healthcare services, access to safe, effective and affordable essential medicines and vaccines, the member representing Oron/Udung Iko State Constituency, Hon. Kenim Onofiok has advocated for the establishment of General Hospitals in Uyo and Mbo Local Government Areas. The Lawmaker while presenting a motion titled "The Need To Establish General Hospitals In Uyo and Mbo Local Government Areas" before the House during Plenary today, stated that there exist no General Hospitals in the two Local Government Areas and that the available government owned medical institutions in the affected Local Government Areas cannot adequately cater for the healthcare needs of the over 1.5 million people residents in the areas as well as visitors. Hon. Onofiok while describing health as wealth and that only a healthy population can contribute to building a prosperous society noted that a greater percentage of residents in Uyo

  By Asuquo Edem  The Public Hearing on a Bill for a law to establish the Akwa Ibom Infrastructure and Assets Management Maintenance Agency experienced discordant tunes from the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Centre For Human Rights Accountability Network. The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress Akwa Ibom State Branch, Comrade Sunny James while presenting his memo, charged government to rather channel it's energy and resources towards putting food on the table for it's citizens as the present astronomical cost of food was making it impossible for majority of families to feed.  "we need the bill on agriculture that talks about how people can eat, we are looking for a bill that would give Ibom Power Plant what is needed  to generate electricity for artisans and other employers of labour to use. We need a bill that will empower whichever ministry either that of Works or AKROIMA to fix the many potholes on Abak road. Right now,  Akwa Ibom workers are hungry and angry and

By Darlington UDOBONG In a time marked by inflation, economic instability, and high cost of living burdening ordinary individuals, and where access to affordable healthcare remains a pressing issue for countless households and communities nationwide, initiatives like the HENSEK Free Medical/Surgical Outreach shine brightly as beacons of hope and wellness.  In Akwa Ibom State, the name HENSEK has unequivocally become a household name and brand. For many, it represents an indigenous construction giant, a caregiver, a pathfinder and a torchbearer. HENSEK’s consistency in rendering free medical/surgical services to residents of Akwa Ibom State shows its holistic approach to healthcare delivery. Through 10 successful editions, HENSEK has partnered the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) to provide care and cure to vulnerable and poor citizens and residents of Akwa Ibom State. It is, indeed, humanity at work. Many thanks to the man behind the HENSEK brand, Engr. Uwem Stephen Okoko.  The 10th E

  By Asuquo Edem  In his strong desire towards fulfilling his calling to the legislature and his avowed commitment to bills and motions that have direct impact on the citizens,  the member representing Essien Udim State  Cnstituency, Prince Ukpong Akpabio II yesterday presented a Bill for the establishment of Ibom Oil and Gas Corporation before Plenary.  The Bill which was first mentioned mid last year which passed second reading according to the Sponsor was very necessary, Akwa Ibom State being a major player in oil and gas production sector.  Prince Akpabio who is the Chairman House Committee on Rules,  Business and Ethics noted that the essence of the Bill was to put the State at the fore and to establish Akwa Ibom State as a dominant player in the Nigerian oil and gas sector even as the State ranks among one of the largest producer of oil and gas however expressed regrets that the State only benefits from monthly allocation from the federal government as token.  Speaking to House C

  By Asuquo Edem  The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has passed a resolution for Ibom Air to access neccesary funds for operation to remain in business. The resolution came from a letter from the State Governor Pastor Umo Eno to the Speaker with details GHU/ AKS/S/104/S.4/ Vol.1/5 titled "Re: Resolution of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly on the Provision of Irrevocable Standing Order (ISPO) for up to N30,000,000,000.00 (Thirty Billion Naira) Bond Issuance Under the N200,000,000,000.00 (Two Hundred Billion Naira) Bond Issuance Programme by IAL Financing SPV PLC (Sponsored by Ibom Airlines Limited)." In his contributions to the letter of request, the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon Kufreabasi Edidem while decrying the travails of businesses with high interest rates from commercial banks noted that the approach of the governor for the airline showed clear ingenuity and encouraged his colleagues to support the cause to purchase the bond from the market.  He stated that it would