Author: Kufre Etuk

 The welfare of families is closely tied to the stability of household income. Dependants of servicemen and widows need practical skills and pathways to economic inclusion. In response to this need, Vcare for Development Foundation (VCDF) partnered with the Nigerian Army 6 Battalion to organize a 5-day Vocational and Entrepreneurship Enhancement Programme in Ibagwa, Akwa Ibom State. The programme was organized for 100 women across Ankara craft, catering, soap making, and hairdressing trade skills. The programme was supported by Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO). Participants were introduced to practical approaches for planning, managing, and growing small…

Limited access to malaria healthcare services, and low community health literacy contribute to Nigeria’s rising malaria burden, with over 24 million cases confirmed with malaria in 2025. This negates the wellbeing of many households, especially women, and children as highlighted in the World Health Organization (WHO) World Malaria Report 2025. Vcare for Development Foundation (VCDF) partnered with the Akwa Ibom State Malaria Elimination Programme, malaria implementing partners, and the private sector to organize 2026 World Malaria Day campaign activities in line with the theme – “Driven to End Malaria, Now We Can, Now We Must”. The VCDF-led campaign activities were…

Medical doctors in Akwa Ibom state have announced their formal withdrawal of services in public hospitals following the invasion and harassment of doctors at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital by a team of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday May 12. Briefing newsmen in Uyo on Wednesday May 13, the NMA Vice Chairman Akwa Ibom branch, Dr. Tiemah Akpabio flanked by the Assistant Secretary, Dr. Unyime Ndoh directed all doctors in public hospitals to down tools pending when EFCC will apologize to NMA and the harassed health personnel. It can be recalled that on Tuesday May 12,…

In a move to combat soaring global food prices and post-harvest losses, a coalition of engineers, academics, and tech visionaries, on Wednesday, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) officially launching Project TAT AI (Transforming Agriculture Through Artificial Intelligence). The coalition, which includes the Ibom Innovation Network (IIN), the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers (NIMechE), Centre for Computational Intelligence, University of Uyo; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Akwa Ibom State University; Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, UNIUYO, and Technology Incubation Centre, Uyo, convened at the Start Innovation Hub in Uyo to formalise their commitment to integrating advanced technology into agriculture. According…

Uncertainty is gripping over 22 Dentistry and Surgery students of the University of Uyo (UniUyo) following the continued non-accreditation of the programme by the Med ical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN). Founded in 1991 by the Federal Government after the extinction of former University of Cross River State, the University of Uyo began admitting students into its Dentistry and Surgery programme under the College of Health Sciences years ago despite the course allegedly lacking full accreditation from the regulatory body. Investigations by our correspondent revealed that the programme has consistently appeared on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB)…

‎It was a day of celebration for widows in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, as Minister of State Petroleum Resources Gas, Rt. Hon. (Obongemem) Ekperikpe Ekpo, doled out cash, Wrappers, bags of rice, and other gift items to celebrate the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, who turned 62 on Friday. ‎‎The items were presented at an event organised by the Minister at  Voice of Liberty International, Ikot Odongo in  Etim Ekpo Local Government Area. ‎In his welcome address, the Founder of Voice of Liberty International, Arch Bishop John Micah thanked the minister for choosing to celebrate the governor’s…

A growing dispute between Nigeria’s maritime regulator and coastal stakeholders is drawing national scrutiny, spotlighting issues of accountability, and community inclusion in the Niger Delta. At the centre of the petition is the Blueway Ocean Foundation, led by Mr. Iniodu Bassey Ndada, which has petitioned the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) over alleged failures in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) commitments. Working in partnership with the Abade-Toru Mangal Community Development Initiative under Comrade Wilcox George, the Foundation claims NIMASA has not honoured CSR obligations or implemented agreements previously reached through ADR with the Abade-Toru…

Ibom Developers FZE has once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to grassroots development and inclusive economic growth with the successful execution of a five-day Community Development Programme (CDP) focused on women empowerment in Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. The intensive training programme, which ran from March 27 to April 3, 2026, was hosted at Ikot Andem and attracted 60 carefully selected women from six host communities—Obon Odou, Odoro Ikot, Ikot Enang, Idung Urom Ihor, Edem Idem, and Ohaubo. The initiative forms part of the company’s broader Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agenda aimed at equipping local populations with…

The Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, has called for a coordinated and integrated strategy to reposition Nigeria’s oil and gas sector for efficiency, sustainability and global competitiveness. Ekpo made the call on Thursday in Abuja, while speaking as Special Guest of Honour at the 26th edition of the Oloibiri Lecture Series and Energy Forum, organised by the Society of Petroleum Engineers Nigeria Council. While noting that Nigeria’s ambition to increase production and optimise performance across the value chain cannot be achieved through fragmented efforts, the Minister emphasised the need to align digitalisation, capital and policy…

The Federal Government of Nigeria on Thursday inaugurated a high-powered Technical Committee to evaluate and fast-track the proposed Integrated Gas, Power and High-Speed Rail Project. The inauguration, which took place at the Conference Room of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Shehu Shagari Complex, Abuja, was performed on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by the SGF, George Akume. The project, being promoted by De-Sadel Nigeria Limited, is widely regarded as one of the most ambitious private-sector-driven infrastructure initiatives in Nigeria and West Africa, combining gas monetisation, power generation, high-speed rail, digital infrastructure, and…