Author: Kufre Etuk

The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Lands, Capt. Inionong Ekong,(Rtd.) has given the President of the Ekid People Union ( EPU) 14 days to unequivocally retract with apology a defamatory statement made against him with unreserved apology published in five Local Newspapers circulating in Uyo . In a press release circulated to media houses in Uyo by his solicitors, Nwoko&Co, signed by Utibe Nwoko, Esq recalled a press statement by the President of the EPU over recent allegations of illegal mining activities in Eket where the Honourable Commissioner was maliciously maligned intentionally to disparage the Commissioner in the eyes of…

Stakeholders in Akwa Ibom State oil producing communities have identified nepotism as key factor hindering successful functioning of Host Communities’ Development Trust. This was made known during one-day sensitisation engagement on strengthening civic actors’ awareness and capacity for local engagement on oil host community development in Uyo on September 14, 2023. Speaking during the event, one of the stakeholders from Esit Eket local government area, Hon. Emem Edoho revealed that the trust in his area has been reduced to a political affair where those appointed and selected to benefit are mainly affiliates of the political party in power. He also…

It was another moment of celebration for Deeper Life Campus Fellowship, University of Uyo (UNIUYO), as six members of the fellowship emerged with first class during the just concluded 26th, 27th and 28th combined convocation of the institution. It can be recalled that University of Uyo had held its convocation on the 9th ,10th and 11th November 2023 with 136 first class graduates presented during the combined convocation. Among the 136 first class graduates were six from Deeper Life Campus Fellowship. Speaking during the Freshers’ Reception and Convocation Service tagged, “Germinatio 2023”,  the state Campus Coordinator, Pastor Richard Ajah identified…

Ikot Ekpene Village Council has issued what it described as final warning to Mr. Leo Umana of Ikot Inyang village for making mockery of the traditional warning issued to him by the village council through his family head. The village council described as unfortunate and sacrilegious Leo Umana’s decision to publicise on social media the sacred traditional injunction issued to him in good faith to enhance his clout chasing quest. In letter dated 7th November, 2023 issued to Mr. Leo Umana of Ikot Inyang village in Ikot Ekpene local government area and signed by the Village Head Etteidung Edet Okon…

Recent happenings in Ika Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have forced sane indigenes of the area, particularly those who are development oriented, to wonder what sin the local government committed to earn some bad eggs as indigenes. While other local governments of the state are blessed with indigenes and leaders who labour day and night to see their local government and their people grow and develop in all aspects, Ika is inflicted with some greedy, desperate and self acclaimed leaders who don’t care about development of Ika owing to the fact that they don’t live in Ika. Etim…

The Senate has mandated its Committee on Petroleum Upstream, Downstream and Gas to conduct a holistic investigation on the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) with regards to potential exit of International Oil Companies (IOCs) from Nigeria. This was sequel to a Motion brought before the Senate by the Senator representing the Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District, Senator Aniekan Bassey, during Thursday plenary. Senator Bassey, in his Motion, titled “Urgent Need for Enquiry into Implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 with Regards to Potential Exit of International Oil Companies (IOCS) from Nigeria: Case of ExxonMobil in Akwa…

A socio-cultural organization, Ekid People’s Union (EPU) has accused Akwa Ibom state Ministry of Lands and Water Resources of aiding a Chinese company-Ruitai Mining Limited to illegally mine ilmenite on their  land; located within the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve. The union described the action as affront on the people of Eket and expressed displeasure against the manner and style  that some agents of government especially in Commissioner’s office have aided the Chinese Company in their illegal mining of ilmenite on their land. Addressing newsmen Wednesday October 11 in Eket, the National President of Ekid People’s Union Dr. Samuel Udonsak and…

The renowned international socio-cultural organisation, the Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio has appointed the Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero as its Patron. Alhaji Bayero is stepping in to fill the patron’s position of the Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio earlier held by his father, Alhaji Ado Bayero of blessed memory, who reigned as the Emir of Kano for 51 years from 1963 to 2014. The monarch conveyed his interest to sustain the longstanding relationship with the socio-cultural organisation as fostered with his late father by taking up the responsibility to serve as a Patron of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio while…

The campaign in preparation for the enrollment exercise of Akwa Ibom residents and subsequent accreditation of health facilities that will offer care has been concluded. Over 18 health facilities in the State have received the pre-sensitization and accreditation conducted by the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Agency. https://crestnews.ng/akwa-ibom-women-sign-declaration-to-end-gas-flaring/ The event which covered the three senatorial districts of the State has successfully informed the communities about the benefits of health insurance, assessed healthcare facilities for accreditation, and initiated the enrollment process for residents. The Executive Secretary Dr Igbemi Arthur Igbemi while flagging off the campaign exercise at the Anchor Insurance house…

Women in Esit Eket and Ibeno local government areas of Akwa Ibom State have signed a declaration demanding an end to gas flaring by International Oil Companies in their communities. The signing of the declaration on Tuesday October 10 in Uyo, climaxed a one-day town hall meeting spearheaded by Policy Alert, a Civil Society Organisation promoting economic and ecological justice in the Niger Delta. Part of the demands in the declaration is a review of Petroleum Industry Act 2021 to re-assert the environmental regulation roles of the National Oil Spill Detection and Regulatory Agency (NOSDRA) , the Federal Ministry of…