Author: Kufre Etuk

A fresh crisis is brewing in the Lutheran Church of Nigeria (LCN) ahead of the 2026 Presidential election, as concerned members cry out against the incumbent President/Archbishop, His Grace Most Rev. Christian Ekong, for allegedly implanting his kinsmen, including Rt. Rev. Monday Jacob and Elder Effiong Essien, the immediate past head of service of Akwa Ibom State, all indigenes of Afaha Ibesikpo (forming what they call “Afaha boys”). Their obligation, according to findings, is to coerce the Bishops and other members of the Board of Directors into accepting the alleged falsified age and years of service of Archbishop Christian Ekong…

The Honorary Special Adviser to the Akwa Ibom State Governor on Creative Industry, Dr. Aity Dennis has bagged a Lifetime Achievement Award in Creative Industry and Cultural Diplomacy at the prestigious Pan African-American Leadership Awards (PAALA) 2026 held on Saturday, August 15, in Washington, D.C., United States. Dr. Aity, a frontline creative industry practitioner and cultural diplomat, was recognised for her contributions to the creative industry, cultural diplomacy and the advancement of African creative talent. Adding a vibrant cultural dimension to the ceremony, the organisers invited Aity Dennis to perform her song, “You Blow My Mind.” Her performance sparked an…

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Dr. Victor Ekpenyong and some distinguished Nigerians on their inauguration into the Board of World Energy Council (WEC). The Board has Mr. Abdulrazaq Isa OFR, co-founder and chairman of Watersmith Petroman Oil Limited as its Chairman, with Mr. Bala Wunti a former Chief Health, Safety and Environment Officer of NNPC as the Chief Executive Officer of WEC. Others are Dr. Ainoje Alex Irume; Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi; Dr Emmanuel Okon; Ms. Aisha Farida Katagum; Prof Wumi Iledare, Dr. Talba Imamudeen, among other established industry figures. The President’s position was contained in a State House release signed…

As part of its commitment to sustainable community development and strengthening host community relations, Ibom Developers FZE has supported the restoration of electricity in Ohanso Umumba Ama-Ano Ndoki Community, Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia State. The presentation, which took place on Saturday, was made on behalf of the company by the Community Development Programmes Coordinator, Ms. Grace Inyang, who reaffirmed the company’s commitment to delivering on its promises and fostering meaningful partnerships with its host communities. Speaking during the presentation, Ms. Inyang noted that Ibom Developers FZE has consistently maintained a reputation for making positive impacts wherever it…

“He who despises kings and elders cuts short his own days”, – Zambian proverb With the advent of the all-comers social media, good writers who know their onions have many and better ways to create a trademark presence on their social media handles than indulge in campaigns of calumny and delusive insinuations to gratify their imbecility. Checks have shown that this is the stock-in-trade of one Ata Ikiddeh. He constantly reminds readers of “the courage to do nonsense”, one of the memorable artistic inventions attributable to Ray Ekpu, a renowned Journalist and one of the greatest literati Nigeria has ever…

A final-year Mathematics Education student of the University of Uyo, Mfoniso Solomon, has said the 2026 Akwa Ibom Career Clinic organised by Jobberman exposed her to emerging opportunities in technology, artificial intelligence and remote work, while helping her overcome some of the confidence challenges that had affected her career journey. Solomon, who spoke with newsmen on Friday at the sideline of the career clinic organised by Jobberman in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation in Uyo, said the programme had broadened her understanding of the opportunities available in the technology space and encouraged her to use social media more productively. She…

Professor Ofonime Emmanuel Bassey is the Professor of Peace Leadership and Conflict Resolution, a UN Peacekeeping Veteran,  Retired Senior Police Officer, Peace Systems Designer, Peace, Security and Governance Consultant, a Development and Public Policy Advisor, and a Public Theologian. In this interview with our reporter, he speaks on the State Police Bill recently passed by the National Assembly, expectations from states, and proposed gains for Nigeria, when assented to, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. EXCERPTS:  Professor Bassey, Nigeria has reached a historic point with the constitutional and legislative progress toward State Police. Do you believe this is a defining moment…

The Public Transport Owners of Nigeria, PTONA, has set up a new legal unit to protect members against harassment, illegal road levies and intimidation by both state and non-state actors. This was disclosed by the Acting President, Comrade Uwemedimo Udo Essen during the PTONA AGM 2026. The president said the association will reposition itself to serve not just transport owners, but the millions of commuters who depend on road transport daily. Comrade Essen promised to reposition PTONA through sustainable funding model that is fair, transparent, and member-owned, adding that the era of dependence, compromise was over. https://crestnews.ng/ibom-developers-fze-supports-education-in-eastern-obolo-through-ibom-developers-and-the-future-generation-initiative/ “We are gathered…

Stakeholders in the OML 13 Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT) have taken a significant step towards sustainable community development with the formal presentation of a comprehensive Needs Assessment Report for host communities within the OML 13 area. The presentation ceremony, held on Monday in Uyo, brought together representatives of government regulatory agencies, oil and gas operators, community leaders, and members of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the OML 13 HCDT. OML 13 is operated through a joint venture between NNPC Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL) and Sumedha Energy Limited (SEL), with both companies working collaboratively to drive hydrocarbon development…

As part of activities preceding its Board meeting scheduled for Tuesday, June 23, 2026, De-Mbarukas Limited has outlined strategic initiatives that could address insecurity through urban planning and improve agricultural productivity through targeted interventions. The Chairman of the company, Mr. Joseph Akpan, disclosed this during an on-the-spot visit to the company’s headquarters by our reporter, where he provided insights into its activities and policy direction. Mr. Akpan stated that the company was performing strongly and had begun aligning its operational framework with evolving societal challenges, particularly in the area of security. According to him, De-Mbarukas is collaborating with Akwa Ibom…