It is typical, though unfortunate, in Nigeria, that infrastructural development are often limited to the urban areas, while the rural settlements are left to rot. In most states of the country, non-urban areas are abandoned in deplorable states even as dwellers there feel little or no impact of government. Of the total population of Nigeria, 49.66% are resident in the rural areas, according to the World Bank’s collection of development in 2018. This number of Nigerians, regrettably, are denied access to basic amenities such as water and electricity. But in Akwa Ibom State, this narrative is fast changing. Rural communities…
Akwa Ibom State commissioner for works, Mr. Ephraim Inyang-eyen, has said that the state’s 300-bed isolation centre, which is still under construction, is a project that would remain relevant even after the novel coronavirus pandemic. The commissioner, while in a chat with some pressmen, was reacting to criticism that the project, which is located in Ituk Mbang, Uruan local government area of the state, is a waste of the state government’s funds since the pandemic will not stay forever. However, Inyang-enyen explained that even when the Covid-19 pandemic is no more, the facility could be used for other health concerns,…
Glitz, glamour, and nobility evinced in the rich Ibibio culture were on display at the crowning of Edidem Sylvanus Effiong Okon as Paramount Ruler of Uyo local government area, Akwa Ibom State. The enthralling event, on Saturday, December 7, drew men and women of diverse castes, top politicians, royal fathers, indigenes of the state and visitors to the Ibibio Unity Park, Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo, where they were thrilled by the dance steps and cultural renditions from different Ibibio cultural groups. Some worthy sons and daughters were given awards for their immense contributions to the betterment of the state, while…
The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly on Thursday suspended the chairman of Abak local government area of the state, Mr. Imoh Williams, indefinitely after he allegedly assaulted an artisan, Mr Godwin Abraham, from the area. Giving the verdict during an emergency plenary convened to launch investigation on the matter, the speaker of the house, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, ordered the vice chairman of the council, Mrs. Benita Ukpe, to take over as acting-chairman with immediate effect pending when probe on the case is concluded. Recall that in a video that circulated online recently, some men said to have acted…
A new Speaker emerged on Monday during an inaugural sitting of the 7th Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. He is Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, representing Uruan State Constituency. A motion to nominate him as speaker was moved by Rt. Hon. Nse Essien, member representing Onna State Constituency, and seconded by Rt. Hon. Mark Esset, representing Nsit Atai State Constituency. Similarly, the house retained Rt. Hon. Felicia Bassey, representing Okobo State Constituency as its Deputy Speaker. The nomination was made by Hon. Uduak Udoudo, member representing Ikot Abasi State Constituency and seconded by Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Bassey, representing Ini State…
The immediate past speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Mr Onofiok Luke, Thursday said that it would have pleased him more if the assembly wound up with the 26 members it convened with in 2015 rather than 21. Recall that in November, 2018, seats of five lawmakers were declared vacant after their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). In his valediction speech at the assembly chambers in Uyo, Luke who said that he cherished memories of the bond created among members in the house, described the happenings that led to…
The speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Mr. Onofiok Luke has tasked journalists in the state to constructively criticise the government in order to spur it to improve on its performance. Luke, who gave the advice during a thank-you visit to the the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Uyo on Friday, argued that singing the praises of government at all times would encourage ineptitude. “Do not sing the praises of government every time, but constructively criticise it to help it improve. When you point to our lapses by your reports, we will know…
A Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) music minister, Michael Arowosaiye, has been in the news recently after he allegedly committed suicide over his inability to cater for his accommodation bills. According to his friend, the incident happened around 4pm on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, at Sunnyvale Estate. The deceased allegedly hung himself with his belt. It was gathered that Michael, who recently ministered during a Youth Praise event at the church, entered into depression over his accommodation issues before taking the drastic step. The incident, however, has stirred a great deal of controveries. Many think the self-killing minister could…
Some Akwa Ibom people have condemned a picture making the rounds on social media that is aimed at ridiculing the immediate past Senate minority leader, Godswill Akpabio, who just lost his re-election bid. In the said picture, some men who appear to be paid agents and jobbers jubilating over the senator’s defeat, are seen carrying a coffin with Akpabio’s picture pasted on it. However, the picture did not go down well with some social media users, who, irrespective of the political parties they are sympathetic to, strongly condemned the act. A commentator, Sunny Etuk, described the act as one that…
The postponement of last Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections threw Nigeria into a mild chaos. Political analysts, political parties and indeed Nigerians, inveighed against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for what they mostly termed a national embarrassment. Most people opined that the postponement would cause voters’ apathy during the rescheduled election date, February 23, 2019, while others alleged that the election umpire is only playing out a script written by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). But in Akwa Ibom State, instead of being deterred from participating in the process, the people have expressed their full readiness to…
