Author: Kufre Etuk

The Member representing Oron/Mbo/Okobo/Udung Uko/Urueoffong Oruko Federal Constituency and Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Youth Development, Rep. Martins Esin, has facilitated the employment of forty (40) constituents into various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Civil Service between January and February 2026. The lawmaker commenced the year with the presentation of appointment letters to the first batch of four beneficiaries on January 6, 2026. Subsequent batches of seven, twelve and seventeen beneficiaries were presented with their letters in the weeks that followed, bringing the total number of appointments facilitated within the two-month period to forty as of…

A cross-section of taxpayers who retrieved their new Tax IDs through the new national portal has commended the platform, describing it as user-friendly and efficient for quick access. The Tax ID portal, jointly managed by the Joint Revenue Board (JRB) and the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), was launched on January 1, 2026, as Nigeria’s centralised taxpayer database. The platform enables individuals to obtain a unique 13-digit number using their National Identity Number, while businesses can retrieve theirs using registration numbers issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission and other designated government agencies. The initiative emerged from efforts to harmonise fragmented taxpayer…

As part of a humanitarian drive to support and give succour to vulnerable homes and families in the society, Bella Amor Global Aid Foundation, a non-profit organisation, in collaboration with Nigeria Customs Service, has distributed over 2,500 bags of rice and thousands of school bags to communities in five local government areas of Akwa Ibom State. The local government areas that benefitted from the first phase of this project are; Esit Eket, Essien Udim, Nsit Ubium, Etinan, Nsit Atai, and Mkpat Enin. Speaking during the distribution exercise, President and Founder of the Foundation, Mrs. Mirabel Etuk said the distribution of…

The Honourable Commissioner for Youth Development, Dr. Ekerette Ekanem has declared that he was present when the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno pronounced the retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG Udom Ekpoudom as the Political Leader of Etim Ekpo Local Government Area. The Commissioner who was speaking during the APC stakeholders inaugural meeting on Tuesday February 10, at the residence of DIG Ekpoudom in Etim Ekpo, said as obedient appointee of the Governor, he needed to shelve other engagements to show solidarity to the Political Leader in line with the directive of the Governor. Dr. Ekanem urged…

A family in Ikót Akpandua village, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area, has accused their State House of Assembly member, Hon. Ubong Essien Attah, of exploiting a vulnerable sibling to forcibly acquire their ancestral land and subsequently destroying a valuable palm plantation when the family resisted the sale. According to Dr. Jombo Effiong, who spoke on behalf of the Nnung Okpo family, the dispute began in November 2024 when Hon. Attah allegedly approached his younger brother, whom he described as a drug user easily influenced, to purchase a parcel of land without the knowledge or consent of other family members. The…

The Ikono Legislative Council has commenced  impeachment process against the Council Chairman, Rt Hon (Engr) Oto-obong Essien over what the councilors described as gross misconducts, misappropriation of funds and breach of duty. A unanimous motion for the proceedings was read by the Councilor representing Ukpom Ward 5, Hon Obong Joseph. https://crestnews.ng/federal-polytechnic-ukana-strengthens-ties-with-essien-udim-reaffirms-commitment-to-community-development/ In a letter dated 20th January, 2026 and in pursuant to section 44(1)-(3), 28(d) of the Akwa Ibom State Local Government Administration Law, 2017(as amended),the lawmakers stated the basis for the impeachment proceeding to include but not limited to: her refusal to release the funds meant for Constituency projects…

The Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Ukana, Mrs Edumma Enobong Essien , has strongly reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to driving development in its host communities, Essien Udim, and across Akwa Ibom State through knowledge sharing, skills development, and economic empowerment. She made the affirmation during a courtesy visit to the Executive Chairman of Essien Udim Local Government Council, Hon. Ntiedo Usoro, at the Council Secretariat in Afaha Ikot Ebak. Mrs Essien commended the Council Chairman for providing effective leadership, particularly in maintaining peace and security in the area, which she described as critical to the smooth academic activities of the polytechnic.…

Five (5) members of staff in the Office of the Accountant General, Akwa Ibom State, received cash reward and certificate of recognition for outstanding commitment and dedication in the year 2025. The award presentation was one of the high points of the 2025 Christmas Carol hosted by the Office of the Accountant General. Two Departments – Research, Planning and Statistics, and Audit – were recognised as top-performers at the Carol held on Tuesday 23 December 2025. Speaking at the event which had as its theme “Praising God in Songs”, the Accountant General, Pastor Uwem Andrew-Essien, said the recognition of exceptional…

The city of Uyo is set to host a historic convergence of visual storytellers as the 2025 Photography and Cinematography Industry Night and Awards (PCINA) takes centre stage. As the flagship event of the Association of Photographers and Cinematographers in Akwa Ibom (ASPPACG), the ceremony serves as the premier gathering of the guild to celebrate the resilience and technical excellence of creatives redefining African narratives. This year’s edition is themed “Shutters of Hope: Inspiring Possibilities.” The grand celebration, which is in its third edition, is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 23rd December 2025, at 4:00 PM at the Vinpy…

In a bid to reposition polytechnic education for relevance in a rapidly changing economy, the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ukana, Mrs. Eduma Enobong Essien, has declared that academic certificates without practical competence can no longer meet the demands of today’s labour market. Mrs. Essien made the statement on Tuesday while addressing participants at a one-day sensitisation workshop on the Nigerian Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) and the Mandatory Skills Qualification (MSQ). The workshop was organised by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and held at the Polytechnic’s 250-Capacity Lecture Theatre. According to her, “The realities of today’s Nigerian economy…