Author: straightnewsng.com

Agency’s Report Nigerian States are yet to utilise about N267 billion released intervention funds, while over N65 billion counterpart funding was yet to be accessed by states as of August this year, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) stated on Monday. Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr. Aisha Garba, stated this at the opening of a month-long technical capacity-building workshop organised by World Bank-assisted HOPE-GOV Programme to strengthen budget planning and execution for basic education and primary healthcare in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The workshop is part of the federal government’s broader efforts under HOPE-GOV Programme…

Aniefiok Christopher Senate President Godswill Akpabio has advocated any attempted suicide be punishable by imprisonment, arguing that removing the penalties could encourage the act. Akpabio stated this Tuesday during the passage of second reading of a bill seeking to establish a national framework for suicide prevention, decriminalise attempted suicide and provide rehabilitation of survivors. Sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, representing Cross River South, the bill seeks to address what he described as a contradiction in Nigeria’s laws. Also read Sen Akpabio: I Was in Rome to Pray for Tinubu and Nigeria  Don’t Use AI to Spread Falsehoods, Akpabio Warns Politicians…

Aniefiok Christopher  Akwa Ibom Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has felicitated Mr. Godwin Umoh, a retired lecturer from the University of Uyo on his elevation to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). This follows the approval of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) and his formal swearing-in at the Supreme Court being part of activities marking the opening of the 2026/2027 Legal Year of the apex Court. In a message of congratulations by his Chief Press Secretary, Ekerete Udoh, Governor Eno described the honour as a well-deserved recognition of his years of dedication and contributions to the advancement…

Agency’s Report United States President Donald Trump, Saturday, urged Ukraine to replace Volodomyr Zelensky with a new leader, criticising him for strikes on Russian oil refineries that have contributed to pre-election high diesel prices. Trump told reporters at the White House that he had told Zelensky to “do what you want” against Russia, but “don’t hit refineries.” “He better damn well stop,” Trump said, before adding that he thinks “it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president” who will agree to end the war. Also read TV Comedian, Zelensky, Sworn In As Ukraine’s President 20% of Ukraine under Russian…

Akakan Umoh  The second phase of ongoing electricity rehabilitation/restoration project has begun in 10 additional wards of Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom, following completion and successful testing of the first phase. Already, the contractor handling the project has commenced work on the second phase, covering the two local government headquarters in the constituency: Ukanafun Ward 1 and Oruk Anam Ward 1. Sponsored by Rt. Hon. Unyime Idem, the member representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, the project is an intervention is driven by a clear commitment to restore electricity supply to the communities in…

Our Reporters The family of Mrs. Glory Eno has alleged foul play over the untimely death of their relative during blood transfusion in Rivers State, calling for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Eno, an indigene of Nsit Ubium in Akwa Ibom State, died at Obio Cottage Hospital in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, 7 October 2026 after developing severe complications during a blood transfusion. Rehabilitated in 2010 by the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), the hospital is run by Renaissance Africa Energy Company. Writing on his Facebook page, Celestine Mel, a Chartered Banker, said that Glory was…

Akan Essang Stakeholders in Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom have passed a vote of confidence in the Chairman of Abak Local Government Council, Mrs. Ime Effiong Charles, describing her two years in office as purposeful, people-centred and transformational.  The motion for a Vote of Confidence was moved by former Deputy Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uwem Udoma, and seconded by former House of Assembly Member, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Friday Iwok. At the meeting held at Abak and tagged: ”Two-Year Purposeful and People-Centred Governance” and convened by the Council Chairman, the Abak Stakeholders under the…

The recent verdict of Àkwa Ibom State House Assembly on the performance of the 31 local government councils has continued to generate a heated debate and trigger sharp reactions across the political and public circles. The resolution adopted by the House relied on the report of Rt. Hon. Mfon Idung Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs that visited and assessed the performance of the local government councils in the state. Actually, the 2026 committee report of the local government areas adopted during House plenary, affirmed that Nsit Ubium, Mkpat Enin, Abak, Esit Eket, Ikono and Udung Uko as the…

Aniefiok Christopher  As a result of the commencement of the second planting season in Akwa Ibom State, the Transforming Lives Through Nutrition project of Helen Keller International (HKI), has donated high-yielding seedlings to farmers in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area. Presenting Okro, Vitamin A fortified Maize, and groundnut to the project participants in the area, the Programme Manager, Ms Gift Alfred stated that the free distribution exercise which is sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in collaboration with HKI, Vitamin Angels and iDE, was part of the organisation’s global initiative to fight malnutrition and enhance food security…

Agency’s Report Canadian poet, translator and classical scholar Anne Carson has won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature, the Swedish Academy announced on Thursday, October 8. The Academy recognised the 76-year-old for her “bold and inventive” body of work, praising its “playful dialogue” with classical literature and its creation of new literary forms. Carson becomes the second Canadian to receive the prize, following Alice Munro’s win in 2013. Born in Toronto in 1950, Carson studied Classics at the University of Toronto, completing her doctoral thesis in 1981. She has taught at several universities and built a literary career combining poetry,…